cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Selective Chemosensing and Diagnostic Breathanalyzer

Abstract The study of a gas-selective, resistive-type, sensor technology to detect and quantitate nitric oxide (NO) in exhaled breath for diagnostic purposes is described here. The sensor and breathalyzer technology developed by our research group is presented as a tool for the personalized monitoring of the fraction of nitric oxide (FeNO) in exhaled breath, with the long term objective of prevention or control of airway diseases, such as asthma. FeNO is a known biomarker for measuring airway inflammation and it is shown here that the developed technology provides an effective and practical means to quantitate NO levels in breath-simulated samples in a relatively simple and noninvasive way. A sensor microsystem has been developed that quantifies the gas sensor response to generate an accurate measure of the NO concentration in a single exhaled breath.
Numerical Investigation of Slip Flow and Heat Transfer in Rotating Rectangular Microchannels

Investigation of fluid flow and heat transfer in rotating microchannels is important for centrifugal microfluidics, which has emerged as an advanced technique in biomedical applications and chemical separations. The pseudo forces namely the centrifugal force and the Coriolis force arising as a consequence of the rotating reference frame change the flow pattern significantly from the parabolic profile in a non-rotating channel. The convective heat transfer process is also influenced by the secondary flow introduced by the rotational effect. Moreover, if the microchannel wall is hydrophobic, slip flow can occur inside the channel when the conventional no slip boundary condition is no longer valid. In this work, we have numerically investigated the flow and heat transfer inside a straight rotating rectangular microchannel in the slip flow regime. A pressure based finite volume technique in a staggered grid was applied to solve the steady incompressible Navier-Stokes and energy equations. It has been observed that, depending on the rotational velocity, different slip velocities are induced at the channel walls. The average fluid temperature increases with the increase of rotation as convective heat transfer mechanism is increased due to the secondary flow. However, the slip boundary condition has a negligible effect on the temperature profiles.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
N-acetylcysteine in Preventing Contrast-Induced Nephropathy. To Give, or Not To Give: That is the Question

increase in coronary angiography and a 5-fold increase in PCI were reported in Europe. 2 This has resulted in an increasing incidence of patients with iatrogenic acute kidney injury (AKI) caused by exposure to contrast agents. Despite continuing efforts to improve the properties of iodinated contrast media (ie, iodine content, osmolarity, and viscosity), they continue to cause serious toxic effects on the kidney, resulting in contrast-induced AKI (CI-AKI). CI-AKI is the acute deterioration of renal function after parenteral administration of radiocontrast media in the absence of other causes. The common definitions of CI-AKI use an absolute (≥0.5 mg/ dL) or relative (≥25%) increase in serum creatinine (sCR) after exposure to a contrast agent compared to the baseline value. The recent Contrast-Induced Nephropathy Consensus Panel recommended using a relative increase in sCR to define CI-AKI, given that this definition is independent of baseline renal function. 3 The acute renal failure observed after administration of contrast media is usually transient and typically develops within 24 to 72 hours postexposure, but in some cases it can be severe enough to lead to permanent renal damage and life-long dialysis. CI-AKI is one of the most common causes of new renal failure in hospitalized patients 4 and is
Designing Tomorrow's Vaccines

Vaccines are some of the most cost-effective treatments in medicine. This article reviews new strategies being applied to develop vaccines for diseases that have not been susceptible to this therapeutic approach.
Mariner II: High-Energy-Radiation Experiment.

The radiation experiment on Mariner II was undertaken to investigate the dependence of the intensity of ionizing radiation in space upon distance from the sun; temporal variations of the radiation and their correlation with measurements of the magnetic field and plasma flux at the location of the spacecraft, and with solar-terrestrial disturbances; and the irtensity and extert of magnetically trapped radiation, if any, around Venus. Results are briefly discussed.
Effect of well width variation on type-I/type-II photoluminescence in GaAs/AlAs single quantum wells

Abstract We have investigated type-I/type-II transitions in MBE-grown 20, 35, and 50 A GaAs/AlAs single quantum wells using photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The 20 and 50 A wells show a type-I peak, while the 35 A well has PL peaks corresponding to both type-I and type-II transitions. Peak assignment for the 35 A-well sample is based upon excitation intensity dependent measurements, and the strength of the type-II transition in this sample is attributed to Γ-X mixing. Superperiodicity has been put forth as a possible explanation for Γ-X mixing effects in superlattice structures, but the observation of this phenomenon in a single quantum well structure suggests that superperiodicity is not required for Γ-X mixing to occur.
Antenna integration with a waveguide photodetector for high capacity wireless communications

This paper proposes the integration of an antenna with a photodetector for high capacity wireless communications. A waveguide photodetector (WGPD), illuminated on the side, is used to convert the RF-modulated optical power into a microwave signal. That microwave signal is used to feed an antenna built on the same plane as the photodetector. The WGPD is a standard p-i-n device grown on a semi-insulating InP. The performance of this RF/photonic antenna in the frequency range 17–20 GHz is studied theoretically and experimentally. An equivalent circuit model for the WGPD is developed to predict the photodetector impedance as a function of frequency. The photodetector is matched to the input impedance of the antenna. The agreement between measurement and the circuit model results for the WGPD impedance is very good. It is envisioned that a large number of such RF/Photonic antenna elements could be networked together into a star configuration, feeding in and out of a radio hub. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 35: 179–184, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.10550
A Circulating Biomarker Risk-Prediction Model Correlates with CHADS-2 Risk Score in Chronic Atrial Fibrillation.

Background Inflammation and oxidative stress have been linked to the origin and persistence of atrial fibrillation (AF). CHADS-2 scoring system is a risk stratification schema well validated in prognostication of stroke in AF. We evaluated the association of markers of oxidative stress and inflammation with CHADS-2 scores in chronic AF patients.
Numerical Simulation of Electric Spark Ignition in Methane-Air Mixtures at Pressures Above One Atmosphere

Abstract A model previously developed for describing ignition kernel growth in spark ignition experiments conducted in atmospheric-pressure methane-air mixtures has been tested at pressures of 200 and 400 kPa. A comparison of published results of experiments performed at 200 kPa showed that the measured size of the ignition kernel as a function of time was approximately twice that obtained from the calculations. The measured and calculated curves were roughly parallel, however, indicating that the calculations gave reasonable agreement with the measured time-dependent laminar burning velocity. The calculated ignition kernel growth at 400 kPa was found to agree reasonably well with experimental measurements at that pressure. The calculated time-dependent temperature profile was also in moderately good agreement with measured temperatures in the ignition kernels in the 400 kPa experiments, except at the center of the ignition region where heat loss to the electrodes, which is not included in the model, shou...
Comparison of inundation patterns among major South American floodplains

[1] A comparative view of inundation patterns in the large floodplains of South America was derived by analysis of the 37-GHz polarization difference observed by the Scanning Multichannel Microwave Radiometer (SMMR; Nimbus-7 satellite, 1979–1987). The following floodplains were analyzed: (1) mainstem Amazon River floodplain in Brazil; (2) Llanos de Moxos (Beni and Mamore rivers) in Bolivia; (3) Bananal Island (Araguaia River) in Brazil; (4) Llanos del Orinoco (Apure and Meta rivers) in Venezuela and Colombia; (5) Roraima savannas (Branco and Rupununi rivers) in Brazil and Guyana; and (6) Pantanal wetland (Paraguay River) in Brazil. The maximum areas subject to inundation in each region, which include permanent open waters of river channels and lakes, were as follows (in km2): mainstem Amazon 97,360, Moxos 92,094, Bananal 58,550, Orinoco 107,530, Roraima 16,530, and Pantanal 130,920. The duration of inundation was correlated with the maximum area inundated. Predictive relationships between flooded area and water levels in the nearby rivers allowed extension of the inundation record over nearly a century for the Amazon and Pantanal and several decades for the other floodplains. Interannual variability in the maximum extent of inundation is greatest in the Pantanal, followed by Roraima and Bananal. Based on these extended records, the long-term mean inundation areas (in km2 and including rivers and lakes) were as follows: mainstem Amazon 46,920, Moxos 29,460, Bananal 13,110, Orinoco 34,700, Roraima 3,480, and Pantanal 34,880. This information is fundamental for hydrological, biogeochemical, and ecological studies of these floodplain-river systems and will improve estimates of methane and other trace gas emissions to the atmosphere from these vast wetlands.
A Risk-Benefit Assessment of Naltrexone in the Treatment of Alcohol Dependence

There is a great deal of interest in the use of naltrexone as a treatment for alcohol (ethanol) dependence since there is a rapidly expanding body of evidence to support its efficacy and tolerability in this indication. Naltrexone, a long-acting, nonselective opioid receptor antagonist has been shown to reduce alcohol intake when combined with behavioural treatment. Naltrexone may prevent the return to clinically significant drinking by blocking the pleasurable effects or ‘high’ associated with alcohol drinking. Results from controlled studies showed that in alcohol dependent patients taking naltrexone 50 mg/day in combination with behavioural treatment, relapse rates were reduced by 50% compared with placebo treated patients.
Synthesis and Structure of Stable Tri-tert-butylgermyl-Substituted Stannylene and Germylene

Significant electron-donating effects of the germyl substituents in the first stable monomeric germyl(aryl)stannylene and germyl(aryl)germylene, which have the sterically encumbering 2,6-dimesitylphenyl group as the aryl substituent, were evidenced by the n → p transition bands appearing at very long wavelengths and the significant downfield shift of the 119Sn NMR resonance in the stannylene.
RAD-001: future directions

The clinical activity of inhibitors of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) has clearly been demonstrated in patients with renal cell carcinoma. mTOR and its kinase activity is regulated by a series of upstream and downstream elements that include phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), Akt, and the tumor suppressor phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN). A series of preclinical and clinical findings have provided proof of principle demonstrating the relevance of this pathway in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) pathogenesis and progression. The activity of the mTOR inhibitors temsirolimus and everolimus in advanced RCC is reviewed briefly, and the future directions with this class of agents in the therapy of advanced renal cell carcinoma discussed.
The application of atomic force microscopy for the detection of microcrystals in synovial fluid from patients with recurrent synovitis

Synovial fluid from 33 patients with inflammatory arthritis was examined with a polarized light microscope (PLM) and an atomic force microscope (AFM). Two samples were imaged with a transmission electron microscope (TEM) to determine calcium/phosphate ratios and identify microcrystals of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate and octacalcium phosphate. Additional correlative x-ray diffraction studies were performed on several samples including purified hydroxyapatite and sodium chloride crystals. Monosodium urate, calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate, hydroxyapatite, octacalcium phosphate, and cholesterol crystals were identified with AFM. AFM images of these microcrystals revealed detailed surface topology, including lattice parameters and structural irregularities at the crystals' surface. These features were consistent with those obtained by TEM and x-ray diffraction studies. In addition, AFM images revealed that some specimens contained microcrystals that were undetected by PLM and/or TEM. These results suggest that AFM may provide a simple yet powerful technique for the detection of microcrystals in synovial fluid taken from patients with crystal-induced arthritis.
Light incident on a Bose-condensed gas

The coherent interaction of light with a Bose-condensed gas via atomic electric-dipole transitions produces strong mixing of photons and excited atoms. Consequent optical properties near resonance include substantial reflection from the edge of the gas.
Modification of an EMG-assisted biomechanical model for pushing and pulling

Abstract Pushing and pulling tasks using carts and material handling devices have become more prevalent in occupational environments in an attempt to reduce the musculoskeletal risks associated with lifting. However, little change in low back disorder rates have been noted as tasks change from lifting to pushing and pulling indicating that we do not understand the mechanics of pushing and pulling well. Biomechanical assessments of pushing and pulling tasks using person-specific biologically assisted models offer a means to help understand how the spine is loaded under pushing and pulling conditions. However, critical components of these models must be adjusted so that they are sensitive to the different physiologic responses in the torso muscles expected during pushing and pulling compared to lifting tasks. The objective of this study was to modify an electromyography (EMG)-assisted biomechanical model designed to evaluate lifting tasks so that it can better represent the biomechanical forces expected during pushing and pulling tasks. Several key modifications were made. Based upon a literature review, changes in muscle cross-sectional area and muscle origins and insertions were made to better represent the geometry of the torso muscles. It was also necessary to adjust the length–force and velocity–force muscle relationships. Empirically derived length–force and velocity–force relationships were developed to independently represent the flexor and extensor musculature. These modifications were then systematically incorporated into the model. The model was exercised over several pushing and pulling conditions to assess the effect of these modifications on its ability to predict externally measured spinal moments. Results indicated that the alterations made to the preexisting EMG-assisted model resulted in acceptable model performance for pushing, pulling, and lifting activities. Relevance to industry The use of carts and material handling devices has become increasingly prevalent in industry, though little research has been done to examine the body's response. The modifications made to the biomechanical model would enable its use in the evaluation and design of material handling devices and pushing and pulling tasks.
The lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor and its role in atherosclerosis

The lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor (LOX-I), a recently identified receptor that plays a role in the uptake of oxidized low-density lipoproteins into endothelial cells, has a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The ways this receptor takes part in atherosclerosis is through uptake of oxidized low-density lipoproteins into endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and macrophages; decreasing nitric oxide production; increasing inflammatory cell recruitment; and increasing smooth muscle cell proliferation. LOX-I is inducible and regulated by multiple factors known to underlie atherogenesis. Further understanding of this receptor may lead to potential molecular targets for prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.
PU.1 is not strictly required for B cell development and its absence induces a B-2 to B-1 cell switch

In this paper, we describe the unexpected outgrowth of B lineage cells from PU.1−/− fetal liver cultures. The cells express all early B cell genes tested, including the putative PU.1 target genes IL-7R and EBF but not B220, and can produce immunoglobulin M. However, we observed a delay in the PU.1−/− B cell outgrowth and reduced precursor frequencies, indicating that although PU.1 is not strictly required for B cell commitment, it facilitates B cell development. We also ablated PU.1 in CD19-expressing B lineage cells in vivo, using a Cre-lox approach that allows them to be tracked. PU.1 excision resulted in a shift from B-2 cells to B-1–like cells, which dramatically increased with the age of the mice. Our data indicate that this shift is predominantly caused by a B-2 to B-1 cell reprogramming. Furthermore, we found that B-2 cells express substantially more PU.1 than B-1 cells, which is consistent with the idea that maintenance of the B-2 cell phenotype requires relatively high levels of PU.1, but B-1 cells require little.
Thioredoxin-interacting protein is required for endothelial NLRP3 inflammasome activation and cell death in a rat model of high-fat diet

Aims/hypothesis Obesity and hypertension, known pro-inflammatory states, are identified determinants for increased retinal microvascular abnormalities. However, the molecular link between inflammation and microvascular degeneration remains elusive. Thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) is recognised as an activator of the NOD-like receptor pyrin domain containing-3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. This study aims to examine TXNIP expression and elucidate its role in endothelial inflammasome activation and retinal lesions.
The nature of chinese emphatic sentences

Chinese emphatic sentences are usually referred to asshi...de constructions. Contrary to common assumptions,de should not be analyzed as a nominalizer andshi not a copula in emphatic sentences. It is argued in this paper thatshi is a modal verb and the primary marker of emphatic sentences whilede only has a secondary function, most likely as an aspect marker. Emphaticshi cannot appear in the main clause of a relative clause nor can it co-occur in the same clause with a WH-element or a V-not-V verb unless the WH-element is being emphasized orshi takes the V-not-V form.Shi cannot c-command WH-elements or V-not-V verbs that have a scope over it, either. The distribution of emphaticshi in relative clauses is regulated by the Spec-head agreement; and its distribution in WH-questions and A-not-A questions is accounted for on the basis of the conflict in emphasis domain, which arises when two emphatic variables have the same domain.
Smaller, smarter, faster and more accurate: The new overlay metrology

With the introduction of double patterning, overlay capability below 5nm is required for optical lithography density scaling to the 22nm node and beyond. Commensurate overlay metrology must enable dense sampling of all patterned area to control single-nanometer systematic sources of error among an increasing number of device layers. This translates to the need for sub-second measurement of microscopic targets representing multiple layers within a metrology tool field of view, all while improving accuracy. Blossom (BLO) is the overlay metrology of record for the IBM 32nm technology. As we will describe here, the densely packed array of layers represented in a single BLO target has enabled us to conduct within-field in-line sampling on our most critical layers. We will also report the significant improvements to metrology performance that have resulted from our migration of BLO technology to a new measurement platform. In addition, as 22nm development proceeds, we are shrinking our overlay targets further. A target suitable for within-chip insertion, a 10μm square micro-Blossom (μBLO) target, can accommodate up to 8 layers. Correlation of μBLO to BLO measurements on a layer pair shows excellent agreement, and despite an approximately 10X area shrink relative to BLO, the μBLO measurement uncertainty remains comfortably below 0.5nm. Our paper presents details of our target layout, measurement, and analysis approach. In addition, we detail data representative of overlay variation in state-of-the-art lithographic processes, along with our outlook for overlay metrology implementation for future technologies.
Frontal algorithms for equation-based chemical process flowsheeting on vector and parallel computers

Abstract We present several frontal algorithms for solving the large, sparse, linear equation systems arising in equation-based (EB) chemical process flowsheeting. The frontal approach is generally used as a banded matrix solver in connection with finite element problems. We adapt it here to the more general process flowsheeting matrix. The motivation is that the frontal approach exploits vector computer architectures by treating parts of the sparse matrix as full submatrices, thereby allowing arithmetic operations to be performed with full-matrix code (without indirect addressing). On parallel computers, the inner loops of the elimination phase can be multitasked by a simple subdivision of the frontal matrix. The flowsheeting results in this study show that the frontal approach performs very efficiently on the CRAY X-MP computer. High performance rates are obtained because the dense SAXPY operation in the inner loop can utilize the hardware chaining feature and three paths-to-memory of the CRAY X-MP system to keep both vector floating-point pipes busy at all times. Similar performance is achieved on the one-path-to-memory architecture of the CRAY-2 computer by performing several steps of Gaussian elimination together using multiple-rank updates of the frontal matrix. Results for assembly-language implementations of rank-two and rank-four updates indicate that they perform with great effectiveness on the CRAY-2 system. In fact, the multitasked versions of these kernels can achieve computation rates well over one gigaflop when used as the nucleus of a frontal solver for EB flowsheeting. Overall, the frontal codes developed here significantly outperform the usual general sparse code, LU1SOL, and show considerable promise for the solution of large EB flowsheeting matrices on advanced computer architectures.
Induction of gene expression of amyloid precursor protein (APP) in activated human lymphoblastoid cells and lymphocytes

To understand the possible role of amyloid precursor protein (APP) in human lymphocytes, and the regulation of APP gene expression in this cell type, we determined levels of cellular APP protein and of mRNA in human T-cell-derived Jurkat cells that were treated with lectin, phorbol ester, and calcium ionophore. We also related these levels to cell aggregation and adhesion. Cell-cell aggregation and cell-plastic adhesion were observed over a 24-h period after incubating cells for 2 h with phytohemagglutinin or phorbol myristate acetate. Cells treated with a calcium ionophore showed no aggregation or adhesion. Western blots indicated no obvious alteration in the level of cellular APP with different treatments. Northern blots showed a significant transient increase of APP mRNA after incubation with the calcium ionophore, whereas phorbol ester treatment showed a slight increase of APP mRNA. We analyzed the level of APP mRNA in human peripheral T cells which had been separated from peripheral lymphocytes. The level increased transiently by up to threefold after treatment with calcium ionophore plus phorbol esters. These data suggest that cell-cell aggregation and cell-matrix adhesion by human lymphocytes are not associated with an increased level of cellular APP protein or of mRNA.
A Human IgM Monoclonal Antibody Prolongs Survival of Mice with Lethal Cryptococcosis

Antifungal therapy cannot eradicate Cryptococcus neoformans infections in immunosuppressed patient groups. Therefore, adjunctive antibody-based therapy is being considered to enhance host immune responses to C. neoformans. To characterize potentially protective reagents, the idiotypic repertoire of human antibodies to cryptococcal glucuronoxylomannan (GXM) elicited by the investigational conjugate vaccine GXM-tetanus toxoid was examined. The variable genes used by human antibodies to GXM were analyzed with an antigen-based ELISA and mouse monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) that recognize determinants of human VH1, VH3, and VH4 gene segments. Antibodies to GXM were shown to use VH3 gene segments, and antibodies with the greatest binding to GXM also bound to protein A. A VH3-positive human monoclonal IgM prolonged survival of C. neoformans-infected mice. This is the first report that a human antibody is protective against C. neoformans. These results suggest that human MAbs may have promise as therapeutic reagents against cryptococcosis.
Orthosilicate Analyses: A Measure of Hydration in Pastes of Alite and Portland Cement

The proportion of monomeric silicate in a hydrated paste can be used to estimate the degree of hydration of alite or portland cement. The monomer was estimated by gel permeation chromatography of the trimethylsilylated pastes.
Linewidth broadening across a dynamical instability

Abstract We investigate experimentally and theoretically the variation of the emission linewidth of an optically-injected semiconductor laser across a resonant period-doubling bifurcation. Close to the dynamical instability, the intrinsic and external phase fluctuations are amplified, resulting in a spectral linewidth in excess of that accounted for by the spontaneous-emission process alone.
Cross-plane chroma enhancement for SHVC Inter-Layer Prediction

This paper proposes a cross-plane chroma enhancement (CPCE) scheme to enhance the chroma planes of the inter layer reference (ILR) pictures for the Scalable extensions of HEVC (SHVC), the on-going scalable video coding project in JCT-VC. The CPCE scheme restores the blurred edges and textures in the chroma planes using the corresponding information from the luma plane. Experimental results under the SHVC common test conditions show that the average BD-rate reductions for the Cb and Cr chroma planes are as much as -7.5% and -8.5%, respectively, when compared with SHM-1.0.
Calcium Leak Through Ryanodine Receptors Leads to Atrial Fibrillation in 3 Mouse Models of Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia

Rationale:Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, however the mechanism(s) causing AF remain poorly understood and therapy is suboptimal. The ryanodine receptor (RyR2) is the major calcium (Ca2+) release channel on the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) required for excitation-contraction coupling in cardiac muscle. Objective:In the present study, we sought to determine whether intracellular diastolic SR Ca2+ leak via RyR2 plays a role in triggering AF and whether inhibiting this leak can prevent AF. Methods and Results:We generated 3 knock-in mice with mutations introduced into RyR2 that result in leaky channels and cause exercise induced polymorphic ventricular tachycardia in humans [catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT)]. We examined AF susceptibility in these three CPVT mouse models harboring RyR2 mutations to explore the role of diastolic SR Ca2+ leak in AF. AF was stimulated with an intra-esophageal burst pacing protocol in the 3 CPVT mouse models (RyR2-R2474S...
What have We Learnt from the Convergence Debate

This paper surveys the convergence literature. It begins by laying out different definitions of convergence and by showing the link between the convergence issue and the growth theory debate. The paper then follows the convergence research conducted along four different approaches, namely the cross-section, panel, time-series, and distribution approaches. The paper shows the association of these methodological approaches with various definitions of convergence and highlights the connections among the convergence results. It shows that, despite some impressions to the contrary, there is considerable agreement among the results. Although the convergence research might not have solved the growth debate entirely, it has helped both the neoclassical and the new growth theories to adapt and evolve. The research on convergence has established new stylized facts regarding cross-country growth regularities. It has brought to fore the existence of large technological and institutional differences across countries and has given rise to new methodologies for quantifying and analyzing these differences. This is providing a new information base for analysis of technological and institutional diffusion and for further development of growth theory in general.
Ultrastructure of the corpus cardiacum and corpus allatum of the house cricket Acheta domesticus.

The ultrastructure of the corpus cardiacum (CC) and corpus allatum (CA) of the house cricket, Acheta domesticus, is described. Axon profiles within the CC contain neurosecretory granules 160–350 nm in diameter which are indistinguishable from those found in type I neurosecretory cells of the pars intercerebralis and in the nervus corporis cardiaci I. The CC itself contains two cell types: intrinsic neurosecretory cells and glial cells. Intrinsic NSC cytoplasm contains Golgi bodies and electron dense neurosecretory granules 160–350 nm in diameter. Synaptoid configurations with 20–50 nm diameter electron lucent vesicles were observed within axon profiles of the CC. The structure of the CA is relatively uniform with one cell type predominating. Typical CA cells possess large nucleoli, active Golgi complexes, numerous mitochondria, and occassional microtubules. Groups of dark staining cells scattered throughout the CA of some animals were interpreted as evidence of cellular death.
Public reception to regional development schemes

The effort to install a statewide regional development program in West Virginia is examined. Public hearings were held throughout the state in March and April, 1972, to gather opinions regarding the 10 preliminary regions established by Governor Moore in 1971. The delineations, according to the enabling legislation, were to be based on community homogeneity, geographic and natural boundaries, patterns of communication and transportation, patterns of urban development and uniformity of social and economic problems, and the boundaries of existing substate planning and administrative areas. Three major areas of conflict arose in the hearings. These were (1) boundary conflicts which are defined as opposition to the delineation of a region, (2) jurisdictional conflicts or opposition by agencies who felt their existing programs would be dislocated, and (3) dispositional opposition or attitudinal objections to the concept of regionalism. By clustering these variables in relation to the testimony, a qualitative scale of opposition can be derived which differentiates between low-, moderate-, and high-opposition regions. Details of the testimonies are described. (MCW)
Washington odyssey: an anesthesiologist's view of the politics of health care.

In the fall of 1987, as a Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellow, I began a year working for Senator Robert Dole as his health aide. This fellowship program gives academic health professionals a hands-on education in legislation and policy development in Washington, DC, and an insight into the function of government that cannot be obtained simply from written materials or observation. My purpose in this article is to encourage anesthesiologists to learn more about the political process that creates the rules, regulations, and policies shaping and governing their practice and professional lives. Moreover, if upon reading, a few become inclined to spend a year in Washington to learn health policy on the job, I would consider this article successful. Most physicians are uninterested in or uncomfortable with the affairs of government. We tend to hold politics and politicians in low esteem and shun involvement in political activity. At one time, this attitude might have been commendable. Today, however, our
Assessment of Blood Flow and Valvular Heart Disease Using Phase-Contrast Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance

Measurement of blood flow is important for assessing the severity of disease processes involving the cardiovascular system. Phase-contrast cardiovascular magnetic resonance (PC-CMR) can be used to measure blood flow noninvasively without ionizing radiation or limitations imposed by body habitus. This review describes the performance of PC-CMR and its clinical utility in assessing patients with cardiovascular or valvular heart disease.
Achievable capacity with sequential equalizers in Rayleigh fading MIMO channels

Employing multiple antennas at both the transmitter and receiver end offers a promising channel capacity. Unfortunately equalizers, which can deliver better theoretical capacity performance usually, incur higher implementation cost. To facilitate the performance-complexity tradeoff design in practice, this paper explores the asymptotic capacity performance of sequential zero-forcing equalizers under i.i.d. Rayleigh fading channels, in terms of two measurements "capacity loss" and "capacity efficiency". Based on linear algebra and matrix operations, the capacity results are given in analytical form as functions of the coupling terms in the channel transfer function and the signal to noise ratio. The closed-form solutions enable our theoretical work serves as a reference for practical system designers.
A Divergent Enantioselective Strategy for the Synthesis of Griseusins

The first enantioselective total synthesis of griseusin A, griseusin C, 4′-deacetyl-griseusin A, and two non-native counterparts in 11–14 steps is reported. This strategy highlights a key hydroxy-directed C–H olefination of 1-methylene isochroman with an α,β-unsaturated ketone followed by subsequent stereoselective epoxidation and regioselective cyclization to afford the signature tetrahydro-spiropyran ring. Colorectal cancer cell cytotoxicities of the final products highlight the impact of the griseusin tetrahydro-spiropyran ring on bioactivity. As the first divergent enantioselective synthesis, the strategy put forth sets the stage for further griseusin mechanism-of-action and SAR studies.
A modular 100-GHz high-gain scalar corrugated nonbonded platelet antenna

A compact 100-GHz corrugated platelet array antenna has been developed based on a corrugated feed design for the background emission anisotropy scanning telescope (BEAST). The antenna results in a gain of 20 dB, and a bandwidth across the full range of W-band 75-110 GHz. The sidelobes are down by about - 25 dB, a requirement comparable to feed horns used for observation of the cosmic microwave background. The design and fabrication presented in this paper is straightforward and inexpensive. A feature is that because the plates are not permanently bonded, the horn can be disassembled and modified to change its properties.
Le je (u) de Montaigne

A travers la duree-actualisation qu'est la lecture, recherche du "je-ecrivant" qu'est Montaigne. Duplicite du texte des Essais: texte du je et texte de la culture. La personne qui finit par se deviner n'est pas le sujet ecrivant, elle est image| mais elle nous signifie l'extreme collusion de l'etre et de l'oeuvre, dans le jeu de l'autoportrait.
Teaching antenatal counseling skills to neonatal providers

Counseling a family confronted with the birth of a periviable neonate is one of the most difficult tasks that a neonatologist must perform. The neonatologist’s goal is to facilitate an informed, collaborative decision about whether life-sustaining therapies are in the best interest of this baby. Neonatologists are trained to provide families with a detailed account of the morbidity and mortality data they believe are necessary to facilitate a truly informed decision. Yet these complicated and intensely emotional conversations require advanced communication and counseling skills that our current fellowship-training strategies are not adequately providing. We review educational models for training neonatology fellows to provide antenatal counseling at the threshold of viability. We believe that training aimed at teaching these skills should be incorporated into the neonatal‐perinatal medicine fellowship. The optimal approaches for teaching these skills remain uncertain, and there is a need for continued innovation and outcomes-based research.
Yeast Mitochondrial F1-ATPase: The Unusual Kinetics with Excess Magnesium Ions at Low Salt Concentrations

Studies with the yeast mitochondrial F1-ATPase showed that non-Michaelis-Menten kinetics occurred around pH 8 when there was an excess of magnesium over ATP and a low salt concentration. Increasing the salt concentration activated the enzyme and resulted in Michaelis-Menten kinetics. In contrast, increasing the salt concentration had no effect when ATP was in excess of magnesium. The data were interpreted to mean that magnesium ions inhibit by limiting the amount of free ATP and that the salt anions are able to overcome this effect by replacing the ATP. Mechanistically this is consistent with a ligand substitution reaction in which either free ATP or salt anions are required to displace a product from the enzyme.
Improved Hidden Markov Model Speech Recognition Using Radial Basis Function Networks

A high performance speaker-independent isolated-word hybrid speech recognizer was developed which combines Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) and Radial Basis Function (RBF) neural networks. In recognition experiments using a speaker-independent E-set database, the hybrid recognizer had an error rate of 11.5% compared to 15.7% for the robust unimodal Gaussian HMM recognizer upon which the hybrid system was based. These results and additional experiments demonstrate that RBF networks can be successfully incorporated in hybrid recognizers and suggest that they may be capable of good performance with fewer parameters than required by Gaussian mixture classifiers. A global parameter optimization method designed to minimize the overall word error rather than the frame recognition error failed to reduce the error rate.
Hypoxyrrhachia in Association with Intracranial Hemorrhage

Oxygen and carbon dioxide tensions in lumbar cerebrospinal fluid and arterial blood were determined in 15 patients. The results confirmed those reported in the literature with the exception of four patients with intracranial hemorrhage. Under this circumstance, oxygen tensions in the spinal fluid were considerably lower than those obtained in arterial blood. This hypoxyrrhachia, associated with cerebral hemorrhage, is probably related to oxygen uptake by cellular blood elements as demonstrated by in vitro studies. Cerebral arterial vasoconstriction may also play a role. Cerebrospinal fluid acidosis was also demonstrated. It is possible that these changes may significantly affect the operability of patients with intracranial hemorrhage.
Prelicensure evaluation of combination vaccines.

There is considerable public health interest in licensing safe and effective combination vaccines. Because combination vaccines may progress rapidly from phase 1 to a pivotal phase 2 immunogenicity trial, a rigorous approach to address product issues early in development is warranted. Clinical studies to evaluate the safety, immunogenicity, and (when necessary) clinical end point efficacy of combination vaccines should be randomized and well controlled in most cases. A large phase 3 safety study (i.e., a study that enrolls thousands of vaccinees) should be included in the development plan if a phase 3 (clinical end point) efficacy trial will not be conducted. Often, the new combination vaccine under development contains immunogens that have all been previously licensed, have demonstrated efficacy in earlier clinical trials, or both. For such products, comparative immunogenicity data may be sufficient to support efficacy. When applicable, clinical data to support simultaneous administration with other relevant vaccines should be obtained. Given the complexity of combination vaccine development, early consultation with United States Food and Drug Administration can be invaluable.
Compositional and lithological diversity among brecciated lunar meteorites of intermediate iron concentration

We present new compositional data for 30 lunar stones representing about 19 meteorites. Most have iron concentrations intermediate to those of the numerous feldspathic lunar meteorites (3- 7% FeO) and the basaltic lunar meteorites (17-23% FeO). All but one are polymict breccias. Some, as implied by their intermediate composition, are mainly mixtures of brecciated anorthosite and mare basalt, with low concentrations of incompatible elements such as Sm (1-3 µg/g). These breccias likely originate from points on the Moon where mare basalt has mixed with material of the FHT (Feldspathic Highlands Terrane). Others, however, are not anorthosite-basalt mixtures. Three (17- 75 µg/g Sm) consist mainly of nonmare mafic material from the nearside PKT (Procellarum KREEP Terrane) and a few are ternary mixtures of material from the FHT, PKT, and maria. Some contain mafic, nonmare lithologies like anorthositic norites, norites, gabbronorites, and troctolite. These breccias are largely unlike breccias of the Apollo collection in that they are poor in Sm as well as highly feldspathic anorthosite such as that common at the Apollo 16 site. Several have high Th/Sm compared to Apollo breccias. Dhofar 961, which is olivine gabbronoritic and moderately rich in Sm, has lower Eu/Sm than Apollo samples of similar Sm concentration. This difference indicates that the carrier of rare earth elements is not KREEP, as known from the Apollo missions. On the basis of our present knowledge from remote sensing, among lunar meteorites Dhofar 961 is the one most likely to have originated from South Pole-Aitken basin on the lunar far side.
Why Are Developing Countries Still Negotiating? : The WTO's Successes at the Doha Round

Can multilateral trade agreements still work? One of the advantages is that such agreements are open to a wide range of nations and fewer nations are discriminated against. The author argues that even though developing nations did not get what they wanted in the controversial Doha Round in 2004, they still remained at the table. Multilateral agreements, if fairly and openly negotiated, may well be more appealing than bilateral agreements or no agreements at all. She presents a comprehensive analysis of the major trading issues.
Isolation and cross‐species amplification of seven microsatellite loci from Emydoidea blandingii

We describe the cloning and characterization of seven microsatellite loci from [CA]- and [GA]-enriched partial genomic libraries of Blanding's turtle, Emydoidea blandingii, and their use in two other species of freshwater turtle, Chrysemys picta and Chelydra serpentina. These loci will be used in a long-term ecological study of the reproductive success of these co-occurring freshwater turtle species.
Effect of seed moisture content on flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) milling and milled product characteristics

BACKGROUND: Research was conducted to determine the effect of seed moisture content on flaxseed milling and milled product characteristics. Flaxseed with 55, 80, and 105 g kg−1 moisture contents were milled on a centrifugal cutting mill (CCM) configured with a 0.475 and 9.5 kg min−1 feed rate; a hammer mill configured with a blunt hammer face, 0.35 kg min−1 feed rate, 3.1 mm screen, and 2,795 m min−1 hammer tip speed; and a hammer mill configured with a sharp hammer face, 0.35 kg min−1 feed rate, 2.7 mm screen, and 3,870 m min−1 hammer tip speed. RESULTS: Fine-particle fraction (≤600 µm) yield was greater from flaxseed with 55 than with 105 g kg−1 moisture content. Surface lipid content correlated positively with fine-particle yield (r = 0.82, P = 0.01). At each moisture level, the surface lipid extracted from the fine-particle fraction was greater with 9.5 than 0.475 kg min−1 configuration of CCM and tended to be greater with the blunt than with the sharp hammer configuration of the hammer mill. CONCLUSION: Results indicated that flaxseed was more difficult to mill to a fine particle size at high than at low moisture content regardless of the mill configuration. Enhanced lipid oxidation was not detected in freshly milled flaxseed. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Alternating-direction implicit (ADI) formulation of the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method: algorithm and material dispersion implementation

The alternating-direction implicit finite-difference time-domain (ADI-FDTD) technique is an unconditionally stable time-domain numerical scheme, allowing the /spl Delta/t time step to be increased beyond the Courant-Friedrichs-Lewy limit. Execution time of a simulation is inversely proportional to /spl Delta/t, and as such, increasing /spl Delta/t results in a decrease of execution time. The ADI-FDTD technique greatly increases the utility of the FDTD technique for electromagnetic compatibility problems. Once the basics of the ADI-FDTD technique are presented and the differences of the relative accuracy of ADI-FDTD and standard FDTD are discussed, the problems that benefit greatly from ADI-FDTD are described. A discussion is given on the true time savings of applying the ADI-FDTD technique. The feasibility of using higher order spatial and temporal techniques with ADI-FDTD is presented. The incorporation of frequency dependent material properties (material dispersion) into ADI-FDTD is also presented. The material dispersion scheme is implemented into a one-dimensional and three-dimensional problem space. The scheme is shown to be both accurate and unconditionally stable.
Molecular photovoltaic system based on fullerenes and carotenoids co-assembled in lipid/alkanethiol hybrid bilayers.

A hybrid molecular photovoltaic system, based on fullerene C60 and lutein (a natural photosynthetic carotenoid pigment) that are assembled in a phospholipid/alkanethiol bilayer matrix, is described here. The assembly and photoconversion behaviors of such a system were studied by UV–vis spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, impedance spectroscopy, photoelectrochemical action spectroscopy, and photocurrent generation. While lutein itself is inefficient in generating photocurrent, it can strongly modulate photocurrents produced by fullerenes when coassembled in the lipid bilayer matrix presumably via photoinduced electron transfer. Our results thus provide a successful example of combining both synthetic and natural photoactive components in building molecular photovoltaic systems.