cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Matrix vesicles promote mineralization in a gelatin gel

Extracellular matrix vesicles (MVs) are associated with initial calcification in a variety of tissues, but the mechanisms by which they promote mineralization are not certain. In this study, MVs isolated from fourth passage rat growth plate chondrocyte cultures were included within a gelatin gel into which calcium and phosphate ions diffused from opposite ends. In this gel, apatite formation occurs by 3.5 days in the absence of mineralization promoters, allowing measurement of the ability of different factors to "nucleate" apatite before this time or to assess the effects of molecules which modulate the rate and extent of mineral deposition. Mineral ion accumulation and crystal type are assayed at 5 days. In this study, MV protein content in the central band of a 10% gelatin gel was varied by including 100 microliters of a Tris-buffered solution containing 0-300 micrograms/ml MV protein. There was a concentration-dependent increase in mineral accretion. Whereas 10 micrograms MV protein in the gel did not significantly promote apatite formation as compared with vesicle-free gels, 20 and 30 micrograms MV protein in the gel did promote apatite deposition. Inclusion of 10 mM beta-glycerophosphate in the gels, along with MVs, did not significantly increase apatite formation despite the demonstrable alkaline phosphatase activity of the MVs. In contrast, MVs at all concentrations significantly increased apatite accumulation when proteoglycan aggregates or ATP, inhibitors of apatite formation and proliferation, were included in the gel. Slight increases in calcium, but not phosphate accumulation, were also noted when an ionophore was included with the MVs to facilitate Ca ion transport into the vesicles. FT-IR analysis of the mineral formed in the vesicle-containing gels revealed the presence of a bone-like apatite. These data suggest that MVs facilitate mineralization by providing enzymes that modify inhibitory factors in the extracellular matrix, as well as by providing a protected environment in which mineral ions can accumulate.
A comparison of cognitive skills between completes and dropouts in a college physics course

Separate tests of mathematics skills, proportions and translations between words, and mathematical expression given the first week of class were correlated with performance for students who completed a college physics course (completes) and students who dropped the course (drops). None of the measures used discriminated between completes and drops as groups. However, the correlations between score on the test of math skills and on both of the measures involving mathematical reasoning (proportions, and translations) were dramatically different for the two groups. For the completes, these correlations were slightly negative, but not significant. For the drops, the correlation was positive and signficant at the p < 0.01 level. This suggests the possibility that the students who complete the course tend to have independent cognitive skills for the “mechanical” mathematical operations and for questions requiring some degree of reasoning, while, in contrast, the same skills for students at high risk for dropping overlap significantly. The study also found that when students are given the results of mathematics skills tests in a diagnostic mode, with feedback on specific areas of weakness and time to remediate with self study, the correlation between mathematics and physics is lower than previously reported values.
Differences of Mentoring Experiences across Grade Span among Principals, Mentors, and Mentees

The purpose of this mixed research study was to examine mentoring experiences specific to grade span through the perspective of principals, mentors, and mentees. An instrument containing items on demographics, administrative support, and mentoring program components was administered to first-year teachers (n = 998), mentors (n = 791), and principals (n = 73). Mentors’ attitudes towards mentoring were statistically significantly more positive than were the mentees’ attitudes, although, on average, the attitudes for both groups were positive. A statistically significant difference in attitudes emerged as a function of grade span, with elementary school mentees reporting the highest levels of motivation to be mentored and the greatest desire to observe veteran teachers. Qualitative analyses revealed that mentoring includes specific format, better matches, increased time for mentoring, observation opportunities, and better training for mentors. Implications are discussed.
Consultation to support inclusive accountability and standards-based reform: facilitating access, equity, and empowerment

Current federal legislation (i.e., No Child Left Behind (NCLB)) requires states to set rigorous academic standards, ensure classroom instruction addresses these standards, and measure and report students' progress via large-scale assessments. NCLB assumes that inclusive accountability systems and standards-based reform will result in improved educational quality across states and school districts and increased access and opportunity for all students. In this article, we focus on three potential areas of influence for consultants committed to pursuing social justice in and through these policies: facilitating students' access to the general curriculum; promoting equity in educational outcomes; and empowering educators and families to make appropriate decisions regarding participation in assessments. We also discuss challenges and lessons learned from providing systems-level consultation to support inclusive accountability and standards-based reform in numerous states. We conclude by offering ideas for futu...
The Congress and fiscal policy

Although the common belief is that the Congress has paid little attention to fiscal policy, the same kinds of political-economic models which have been used to explain presidential budgetary policy may be used equally well to explain congressional budgetary behavior. The Congress' fiscal policy appears to be systematically sensitive to both economic and political factors. Changes in the unemployment rate have a major impact on congressional budgetary policy. As for political factors, the President's lead is followed most closely on revenue proposals and not at all on the expenditure side. The electoral cycle, in particular the off-year congressional election year, is also important; inducing larger deficits and smaller increases in revenues.
Compliance with Home Telehealth Clinical Guidelines

In this world of high tech and telehealth, many programs and services are expanding into the home care setting. As these new services and programs are established and grow, the importance of maintaining consistency and meeting established guidelines also increases. This “Compliance Corner” focuses on the telemedicine and telehealth guidelines and specialty services provided within the home care setting.
Spouses' and physicians' perceptions of pain severity in older women with osteoarthritis: dyadic agreement and patients' well-being

This study examined agreement between patients and two role partners (spouses and physicians) on patients' pain severity and the relationships between dyadic agreement and patients' well-being. We hypothesized that compared to disagreement between patients and role partners, dyadic agreement would be related to better psychological well-being (more disease-specific self-efficacy and positive affect, and less depression). Participants were 114 older women with osteoarthritis, their caregiving husbands, and their rheumatologists. Among patient-spouse dyads, agreement was associated with better well-being, especially when compared to spouses' underestimation of patients' pain. Contrary to predictions, patient-physician agreement was not related to better patient well-being. Agreement between patients and physicians was associated with less (rather than more) self-efficacy and positive affect when compared to physicians' underestimation of patients' pain.
Buckminster Fuller's Reflexive Modernism

ABSTRACTThrough his design of the United States Pavilion at Expo 67 and other projects, Buckminster Fuller has become a reference point for a range of contemporary approaches to sustainable development and design. By examining the Pavilion and an unpublished 1939 manuscript, “Ballistics of Civilization,” in conjunction with the sociological theory of reflexive modernization, this article reconstructs the reflexive modernism through which Fuller aspired to chart a more sustainable course for humanity. While Fuller intended his “comprehensive anticipatory design science” to maximize human welfare by achieving technocratic efficiencies through libertarian and market-based mechanisms, his alignment with the armed forces and the United States Information Agency during the Cold War subordinated many of his progressive ambitions to a technocratic nationalism. This history suggests that as artists, architects, and designers draw on Fuller's legacy to reshape the ways we think and practice sustainability, we shoul...
A fast linear consensus protocol on an asymmetric directed graph

In this paper, we generalize a fast linear consensus protocol design (Fastest Distributed Linear Averaging) from symmetric undirected graphs to asymmetric directed graphs. This design problem can be cast as a non-convex optimization. We propose a procedure to approximately solve this optimization problem using a sequence of semidefinite programs. Our procedure is guaranteed to generate a consensus protocol for a strongly connected graph that shows a faster convergence compared to the protocols from existing algorithms in our simulation.
Cations in mammalian cells and chromosomes: Sample preparation protocols affect elemental abundances by SIMS

Abstract The focus of our current research aims at detailing and quantifying the presence of cations, primarily Ca and Mg, in mammalian cells and chromosomes throughout the different stages of the cell cycle, using our high resolution scanning ion microprobe, the UC-SIM. The 45 keV Ga+ probe of this instrument, typically ∼40 nm in diameter, carries a current of 30–40 pA, appropriate for surface SIMS studies, but limited in sample erosion rate for dynamic SIMS mapping over cell-size areas, of order 100 μm × 100 μm. Practical and reliable use of this probe toward the above SIMS goals requires a careful matching of the latter factors with the physical and chemical consequences of sample preparation protocols. We examine here how the preferred sample cryo-preservation methodologies such as freeze-fracture and lyophilization affect high resolution SIMS analysis, and, from this standpoint, develop and evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of fast alternate approaches to drying frozen samples. The latter include the use of methanol, ethanol, and methanol/acetic acid fixative. Methanol-dried freeze-fractured samples preserve histological morphology and yield Ca and Mg distributions containing reliable differential dynamical information, when compared with those following lyophilization.
Implant stability in revision total hip arthroplasty: Allograft bone packing following extended proximal femoral osteotomy

One method of revising the femoral component in revision total hip arthroplasty in the presence of compromised femoral bone stock is to pack the upper femur with particulate allograft and then to cement the femoral component into the allograft bed. This technique is being used clinically with encouraging results. Additionally, surgical exposure of the femoral canal during revision total hip arthroplasty can be greatly improved with an extended trochanteric osteotomy, which is subsequently repaired with wires or cables. To assess the feasibility of performing the allograft bone packing technique following an extended trochanteric osteotomy, the stability of this construct in a cadaver model was measured, using micromotion sensing instruments and loads applied on a materials testing machine. The stability of the cemented allograft impaction construct following extended trochanteric osteotomy was comparable to the stability of the control construct, which consisted of a similar impacted allograft construct without osteotomy. The stability of the osteotomized side was comparable to that of the control side. It is concluded that the initial in vitro stability of the allograft impaction technique following extended proximal femoral osteotomy is adequate to justify experimental in vivo use.
Effects of Threatening Communications and Mothers' Health Beliefs on Weight Change in Obese Children

A field experiment was designed to test the effects on weight change in obese children of (1) communications varying in threat and (2) health beliefs of the child's mother, in terms of perceived vulnerability to health threats, the efficacy of taking actions, and barriers to acting. Treatments involved messages containing more or less threatening material regarding obesity, plus a control (no communication) condition. Beliefs were assessed by means of personal interviews. All mothers and children received dietary counseling and were scheduled for four follow-up visits, which included weighing. The 182 participants were from low-income areas served by a large hospital pediatric clinic. High-threat messages yielded the most consistent weight loss, followed by low threat and control. In addition, both general beliefs concerning health and specific beliefs about obesity and dieting predicted weight loss. Both messages and mothers' beliefs acted together on keeping appointments and making efforts to comply. Results are discussed in terms of the effects of threats and health belief-behavior linkages.
The Conversion of Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP)-(1–126) to ANP-(99–126) by Rat Serum: Contribution to ANP Cleavage in Isolated Perfused Rat Hearts

Atrial myocytes cultured for 7 days in serumfree medium secrete a 15K form of atrial natriuretic peptide (15K ANP), but isolated perfused rat hearts secrete the major circulating form of the hormone, a 3K peptide, 3K ANP. This difference was examined in the present study. 15K ANP was purified from rat atria, and sequencing analysis demonstrated that this atrial-derived ANP possessed an NH2-terminal sequence identical to that of pro-ANP; this is consistent with other reports suggesting that the major form of ANP in the atria is ANP-(1–126). Fresh rat serum was shown to cleave efficiently ANP-( 1–126) to form a 3K immunoactive ANP-related peptide. Upon purification and sequencing the identity of this peptide was confirmed as ANP-(99–126); ANP-(99–126) was relatively resistant to further proteolysis by rat serum. To probe further the specificity of the serum conversion, synthetic ANP-(92–126) was used as a substrate; purification and sequencing of the immunoactive product peptide verified its identity as ANP...
Membrane topology of subunit a of the F1F0 ATP synthase as determined by labeling of unique cysteine residues.

Abstract The membrane topology of the a subunit of the F1F0 ATP synthase from Escherichia coli has been probed by surface labeling using 3-(N-maleimidylpropionyl) biocytin. Subunit a has no naturally occurring cysteine residues, allowing unique cysteines to be introduced at the following positions: 8, 24, 27, 69, 89, 128, 131, 172, 176, 196, 238, 241, and 277 (following the COOH-terminal 271 and a hexahistidine tag). None of the single mutations affected the function of the enzyme, as judged by growth on succinate minimal medium. Membrane vesicles with an exposed cytoplasmic surface were prepared using a French pressure cell. Before labeling, the membranes were incubated with or without a highly charged sulfhydryl reagent, 4-acetamido-4′-maleimidylstilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid. After labeling with the less polar biotin maleimide, the samples were solubilized with octyl glucoside/cholate and the subunit a was purified via the oligohistidine at its COOH terminus using immobilized nickel chromatography. The purified samples were electrophoresed and transferred to nitrocellulose for detection by avidin conjugated to alkaline phosphatase. Results indicated cytoplasmic accessibility for residues 69, 172, 176, and 277 and periplasmic accessibility for residues 8, 24, 27, and 131. On the basis of these and earlier results, a transmembrane topology for the subunit a is proposed.
Banquet Speech "Man's Conquest of Energy, Its Ecological and Human Consequences"

The world's energy resources suitable for power production are of two classes: (1) various channels of the continuous energy flux from extraterrestrial sources, and from the earth's interior, and (2) chemical, thermal, and nuclear energy stored in the outer part of the lithosphere and in the oceans. The continuous energy influxes are from: solar radiation, 178,000 × 1012 watts; geothermal energy, 32 × 1012 watts; and tidal energy, 3 × 1012 watts. Of the solar energy influx, the only fraction suitable at present for large-scale power production is the approximately 40,000 × 1012 watts expended in evaporation of water and in atmospheric and oceanic circulation. Of this, the world's potential water power is about 2.9 × 1012 watts. A very small fraction of the solar influx, 40 × 1012 watts, is stored chemically by photosynthesis. A minute fraction of this, stored during the geologic past, is the source of the energy of the fossil fuels, coal and petroleum. Tidal power is capable of large-scale development in a small number of coastal localities with a total potential power of about 64,000 megawatts. Of the sources of stored energy, geothermal energy is the least important. Installed capacity by 1970 is about 1,125 electrical megawatts, and the ultimate potential is estimated at about 60,000 megawatts, with a lifetime of probably less than a century. The largest sources of stored energy, other than nuclear, are the fossil fuels. The initial minable world reserves of coal and lignite are estimated to have been about 7.
Position of K Atoms in Doped Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Crystals

Recent experiments by Lee et al. [Nature (London) 363, 255 (1997)] show that doping carbon single-wall nanotube (SWNT) ropes with K, Rb, or Br2 leads to metallic conductivity, but the structure and properties are not known. We used molecular dynamics to predict structures and properties which should help motivate and interpret experiments on SWNT/K. We find the optimum stoichiometry to be KC16 if the K cannot penetrate the tubes and K1C10 ( K5exoK3endoC80, 3 within the tube) if they can. We predict the optimum structure and the associated powder-diffraction x-ray pattern expected for KnC80 from n = 0–10 (optimum is n = 5). The Young's modulus per tube along the tube axis varies from 640 to 525 GPa for n = 0 to 5.
On the propagation pressure of long cylindrical shells under external pressure

Abstract Local imperfections induced in long tubes subjected to high external pressures can lead to local collapse, from which a propagating buckle can be initiated. This can result in catastrophic collapse of large sections of the structure. The propagation pressure is the lowest pressure at which such a buckle will propagate. For common structural metal tubes with diameter-to-thickness ratios of less than 100, the propagation pressure is typically half an order of magnitude lower than the collapse pressure of the intact tubes. As a result, the design of several tubular structures with external pressure loading requires that the collapse and propagation pressures be accurately known. This paper deals with the experimental and analytical challenges of establishing the propagation pressure. A special purpose three-dimensional analysis, in combination with experimental observations and results, is used to demonstrate a mechanism of initiation of propagating buckles in long tubes, to study the parametric dependence of the propagation pressure and to illustrate the effect of axial tension on the propagation pressure. Propagation pressures predicted with this analysis are used to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of simpler models developed in the past.
Transvenous 'Snare-Assisted' coil occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus

Sixty consecutive patients underwent successful transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus without morbidity using a modified transvenous "snare-assisted" approach and a single elongated Gianturco coil. This technique ensures complete occlusion and avoids inadvertent embolization of the coil to undesirable sites, making transcatheter occlusion a viable alternative to surgical ligation.
Russia's encounter with globalization: actors, processes and critical moments

Russia's Encounter with Globalization: Actors, Processes and Critical Moments is composed of loosely connected works by seven authors, of which more than half come from a single place, the Norwegia...
Seasonal variability of the OH Meinel bands

The influence of seasonal and latitudinal changes in the distribution of mesospheric components on the OH Meinel-band nightglow is investigated by means of numerical simulations using the two-dimensional dynamical/chemical model of Garcia and Solomon (1985). The processes responsible for the formation and destruction of vibrationally excited OH in the mesosphere are described; the seasonal/latitudinal evolution for the higher (v greater than 6) and lower (v = 1-6) levels is shown in graphs and maps and characterized in detail; and the theoretical results are compared with published observational data. The lower-level emission is shown to depend on both O and H, suggesting that the variation of the Meinel-band nightglow can provide important information on the roles of advection and diffusion in the transport of water vapor and odd oxygen near the mesopause.
Sensitivity of 2D IR Spectra to Peptide Helicity: A Concerted Experimental and Simulation Study of an Octapeptide

We have investigated the sensitivity of two-dimensional infrared (2D IR) spectroscopy to peptide helicity with an experimental and theoretical study of Z-[l-(αMe)Val]8-OtBu in CDCl3. 2D IR experiments were carried out in the amide-I region under the parallel and the double-crossed polarization configurations. In the latter polarization configuration, the 2D spectra taken with the rephasing and nonrephasing pulse sequences exhibit a doublet feature and a single peak, respectively. These cross-peak patterns are highly sensitive to the underlying peptide structure. Spectral calculations were performed on the basis of a vibrational exciton model, with the local mode frequencies and couplings calculated from snapshots of molecular dynamics (MD) simulation trajectories using six different models for the Hamiltonian. Conformationally variant segments of the MD trajectory, while reproducing the main features of the experimental spectra, are characterized by extraneous features, suggesting that the structural ense...
Effect of dietary and extracellular potassium on lysine metabolism in the rat

Abstract Previous studies have shown that potassium (K) depletion leads to the accumulation of lysine and other cationic amino acids in tissues. The metabolic nature of this interaction is unknown but is presumably related in part to a unique aspect of these amino acids, possibly their charge. These studies were completed to evaluate the nature of the effect of K on lysine metabolism in the rat. In the first study, 42 rats were maintained on K-deficient or K-adequate diets for 10 days, after which blood and tissue samples were taken from 12 rats for electrolyte, amino acid and blood gas analyses. Tissue slices of liver, kidney and segments of diaphragm were prepared from the remaining 30 rats (15 per group) and incubated in medium containing either 3 or 6 mM K, and effects of dietary and medium K concentrations on lysine catabolism were determined. In the second study, the effects of 0, 3, 6 or 12 mM K on 14 C-lysine uptake, catabolism and incorporation into protein were evaluated. Dietary K deficiency did not influence blood pH, bicarbonate concentration or base excess of blood; however, it decreased the concentration of plasma K and caused accumulation of lysine and arginine in muscle and lysine in liver. K deficiency resulted in a 36% reduction in the rate of lysine catabolism in kidney. Much of the dietary K effect may be related to diminished plasma K concentration, as low K concentration in vitro caused similar, although less dramatic, decreases in lysine oxidation, diminished incorporation of lysine into protein in kidney and increased lysine uptake in both liver and kidney. K deficiency appears to conserve lysine in the free form in the intracellular pool by enhancing cellular uptake and by decreasing the degradation of lysine and the utilization of lysine in protein synthesis.
A Hybrid Model Predictive Control strategy for optimizing a smoking cessation intervention

The chronic, relapsing nature of tobacco use represents a major challenge in smoking cessation treatment. Recently, novel intervention paradigms have emerged that seek to adjust treatments over time in order to meet a patient’s changing needs. This article demonstrates that Hybrid Model Predictive Control (HMPC) offers an appealing framework for designing these optimized, time-varying smoking cessation interventions. HMPC is a particularly appropriate approach as it recognizes that intervention doses must be assigned in predetermined, discrete units while retaining receding-horizon, constraint-handling, and combined feedback and feedforward capabilities. Specifically, an intervention algorithm is developed here in which counseling and two pharmacotherapies are manipulated to reduce daily smoking and craving levels. The potential usefulness of such an intervention is illustrated through simulated treatment of a quit attempt in a hypothetical patient, which highlights that prioritizing reduction in craving over total daily smoking levels significantly reduces craving levels, suppresses relapse, and successfully rejects time-varying disturbances such as stress, all while adhering to several practical operational constraints and resource use considerations.
Clinical evaluation of roxithromycin 300 mg once daily as an alternative to 150 mg twice daily.

A multicenter, double-blind, randomized, two-arm study was conducted to compare two dosage regimens of roxithromycin--150 mg b.i.d. and 300 mg once daily--in 1588 patients with infectious disease, 1573 of whom were evaluable for safety and 1391 for efficacy. There were no significant differences in demographic or disease characteristics at presentation. Treatment duration averaged 10 days in both groups. Clinical response rates (% satisfactory response) were similar in both arms (b.i.d. versus once daily, respectively): upper respiratory tract, 95.3 and 95.0; lower respiratory tract, 93.1 and 93.6; and skin and soft tissue, 93.1 and 93.0. Bacteriologic response was also similar. The overall incidences of adverse events were 8.5% for daily dosing and 7.2% for b.i.d. dosing, but there was a slightly greater frequency of gastrointestinal events (p less than 0.03) was observed with the once-daily regimen. Thus roxithromycin 300 mg once daily can be recommended as an effective and well-tolerated alternative to the conventional b.i.d. regimen.
Relative motion of transmembrane segments S0 and S4 during voltage sensor activation in the human BKCa channel

Large-conductance voltage- and Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (BK(Ca)) channel α subunits possess a unique transmembrane helix referred to as S0 at their N terminus, which is absent in other members of the voltage-gated channel superfamily. Recently, S0 was found to pack close to transmembrane segments S3 and S4, which are important components of the BK(Ca) voltage-sensing apparatus. To assess the role of S0 in voltage sensitivity, we optically tracked protein conformational rearrangements from its extracellular flank by site-specific labeling with an environment-sensitive fluorophore, tetramethylrhodamine maleimide (TMRM). The structural transitions resolved from the S0 region exhibited voltage dependence similar to that of charge-bearing transmembrane domains S2 and S4. The molecular determinant of the fluorescence changes was identified in W203 at the extracellular tip of S4: at hyperpolarized potential, W203 quenches the fluorescence of TMRM labeling positions at the N-terminal flank of S0. We provide evidence that upon depolarization, W203 (in S4) moves away from the extracellular region of S0, lifting its quenching effect on TMRM fluorescence. We suggest that S0 acts as a pivot component against which the voltage-sensitive S4 moves upon depolarization to facilitate channel activation.
Synthesizable high level hardware descriptions: using statically typed two-level languages to guarantee verilog synthesizability

Modern hardware description languages support code-generation constructs like generate/endgenerate in Verilog. These constructs are intended to describe regular or parameterized hardware designs and, when used effectively, can make hardware descriptions shorter, more understandable, and more reusable. In practice, however, designers avoid these constructs because it is difficult to understand and predict the properties of the generated code. Is the generated code even type safe? Is it synthesizable? What physical resources (e.g. combinatorial gates and flip-flops) does it require? It is often impossible to answer these questions without first generating the fully-expanded code. In the Verilog and VHDL communities, this generation process is referred to as elaboration.This paper proposes a disciplined approach to elaboration in Verilog. By viewing Verilog as a statically typed two-level language, we are able to reflect the distinction between values that are known at elaboration time and values that are part of the circuit computation. This distinction is crucial for determining whether abstractions such as iteration and module parameters are used in a synthesizable manner. To illustrate this idea, we develop a core calculus for Verilog that we call Featherweight Verilog (FV) and an associated static type system. We formally define a preprocessing step analogous to the elaboration phase of Verilog, and the kinds of errors that can occur during this phase. Finally, we show that a well-typed design cannot cause preprocessing errors, and that the result of its expansion is always a synthesizable circuit.
Estimation of elastic and viscous properties of the left ventricle based on annulus plane harmonic behavior

Assessment of left ventricular (LV) function with an emphasis on contractility has been a challenge in cardiac mechanics during the recent decades. The LV function is usually described by the LV pressurevolume (P-V) diagram. The standard P-V diagrams are easy to interpret but difficult to obtain and require invasive instrumentation for measuring the corresponding volume and pressure data. In the present study, we introduce a technique that can estimate the viscoelastic properties of the LV based on harmonic behavior of the ventricular chamber and it can be applied non-invasively as well. The estimation technique is based on modeling the actual long axis displacement of the mitral annulus plane toward the cardiac base as a linear damped oscillator with time-varying coefficients. The time-varying parameters of the model were estimated by a standard Recursive Linear Least Squares (RLLS) technique. LV stiffness at end-systole and end diastole was in the range of 61.86-136.00 dyne/g.cm and 1.25-21.02 dyne/g.cm, respectively. The only input used in this model was the long axis displacement of the annulus plane, which can also be obtained non-invasively using tissue Doppler or MR imaging.
A Benchmark Suite for SOAP-based Communication in Grid Web Services

The convergence of Web services and grid computing has promoted SOAP, a widely used Web services protocol, into a prominent protocol for a wide variety of grid applications. These applications differ widely in the characteristics of their respective SOAP messages, and also in their performance requirements. To make the right decisions, an application developer must thus understand the complex dependencies between the SOAP implementation and the application. We propose a standard benchmark suite for quantifying, comparing, and contrasting the performance of SOAP implementations under a wide range of representative use cases. The benchmarks are defined by a set of WSDL documents. To demonstrate the utility of the benchmarks and to provide a snapshot of the current SOAP implementation landscape, we report the performance of many different SOAP implementations (gSOAP, AxisJava, XSUL and bSOAP) on the benchmarks, and draw conclusions about their current performance characteristics.
Termination of cardiopulmonary bypass facilitated by insulin

Summary A 61-year old woman with severe coronary artery disease underwent three-vessel coronary bypass surgery. Dificulty was encountered in terminating cardiopulmonary bypass, but there was dramatic improvement following the administration of intravenous insulin. The use of insulin to facilitate termination of cardiopulmonary bypass is discussed.
On the capacity of dynamic spectrum access enabled networks

A network capacity analysis for multi-hop wireless networks enabling dynamic spectrum access (DSA) is presented. DSA techniques enable frequency reuse in both time and space without causing destructive interference to incumbents. This paper presents a methodology for finding a theoretical capacity upper-bound of DSA enabled networks based on both: incumbent's frequency occupancy and topology information. This practical and easy to understand methodology is envisioned to help in the design of future DSA systems under simple ownership with non interference easement or the commons regime
A new proposal for RSVP refreshes

As a soft-state protocol, RSVP specifies that each RSVP node sends periodic control messages to maintain the state for active RSVP sessions. The protocol overhead due to such periodic messages grows linearly with the number of RSVP sessions. One may reduce the overhead by using a longer refresh period, which unfortunately leads to longer delays in re-synchronizing RSVP state. In this paper we introduce a novel "state-compression" approach to reducing the overhead of periodic refreshes. Instead of per session refresh messages, an RSVP node sends periodically to each of its neighbor node a digest message that contains a compressed version of the entire RSVP state shared with that particular neighbor. In order to speed up state synchronization in face of message losses we also enhance RSVP with an acknowledgment mechanism. Our mechanisms achieve a constant message transmission overhead and low delay while retaining the soft-state nature of the RSVP protocol.
Robust Multi-Features Segmentation and Indexing for Natural Sound Environments

Creating an audio database from continuous long-term recordings, allows for sounds to not only be linked by the time and place in which they were recorded, but also to sounds with similar acoustic characteristics. Of paramount importance in this application is the accurate segmentation of sound events, enabling realistic navigation of these recordings. We first propose a novel feature set of specific relevance to environmental sounds, and then develop a Bayesian framework for sound segmentation, which fuses dynamics across multiple features. This probabilistic model possesses the ability to account for non-instantaneous sound onsets and absent or delayed responses among individual features, providing flexibility in defining exactly what constitutes a sound event. Example recordings demonstrate the diversity of our feature set, and the utility of our probabilistic segmentation model in extracting sound events from both indoor and outdoor environments.
Cloud-based depth sensing quality feedback for interactive 3D reconstruction

In this paper we propose a cloud-based approach to improve the 3D reconstruction capability of handheld devices with real-time depth sensors. We attempt to characterize the quality of 3D information captured by real time depth sensing devices, and in particular examine how sensors from Prime Sense and Canesta measure distances, and derive simple analytical models on performance limitations for each. We also study the factors that affect depth sensing quality when these devices are used to incrementally build larger or denser 3D models. Empirical experiments confirm our analysis. Our findings allow us to design a quality metric which can interactively inform users to guide them on how to optimize the quality of their captured 3D content.
Temperature-dependent variations and intraspecies diversity of the structure of the lipopolysaccharide of Yersinia pestis.

Yersinia pestis spread throughout the Americas in the early 20th century, and it occurs predominantly as a single clone within this part of the world. However, within Eurasia and parts of Africa there is significant diversity among Y. pestis strains, which can be classified into different biovars (bv.) and/or subspecies (ssp.), with bv. orientalis/ssp. pestis most closely related to the American clone. To determine one aspect of the relatedness of these different Y. pestis isolates, the structure of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of four wild-type and one LPS-mutant Eurasian/African strains of Y. pestis was determined, evaluating effects of growth at mammalian (37 °C) or flea (25 °C) temperatures on the structure and composition of the core oligosaccharide and lipid A. In the wild-type clones of ssp. pestis, a single major core glycoform was synthesized at 37 °C whereas multiple core oligosaccharide glycoforms were produced at 25 °C. Structural differences occurred primarily in the terminal monosaccharides. Only tetraacyl lipid A was made at 37 °C, whereas at 25 °C additional pentaacyl and hexaacyl lipid A structures were produced. 4-Amino-4-deoxyarabinose levels in lipid A increased with lower growth temperatures or when bacteria were cultured in the presence of polymyxin B. In Y. pestis ssp. caucasica, the LPS core lacked D-glycero-D-manno-heptose and the content of 4-amino-4-deoxyarabinose showed no dependence on growth temperature, whereas the degree of acylation of the lipid A and the structure of the oligosaccharide core were temperature dependent. A spontaneous deep-rough LPS mutant strain possessed only a disaccharide core and a slightly variant lipid A. The diversity and differences in the structure of the Y. pestis LPS suggest important contributions of these variations to the pathogenesis of this organism, potentially related to innate and acquired immune recognition of Y. pestis and epidemiologic means to detect, classify, control and respond to Y. pestis infections.
High-power tunable terahertz generation based on photoconductive antenna arrays

A new scheme for a compact, continuously tunable terahertz source based on photoconductive antenna arrays is presented. Narrowband terahertz radiation is generated by superposition of time-delayed wideband radiations from an array of sub-picosecond photoconductive antennas. We demonstrate an 8 μW average power, radiation bandwidth of 0.05 THz, and a tuning range of 0.65–1.4 THz, through a 2.5×10 mm2 photoconductive antenna array prototype.
Region Duplication Detection Using Image Feature Matching

Region duplication is a simple and effective operation to create digital image forgeries, where a continuous portion of pixels in an image, after possible geometrical and illumination adjustments, are copied and pasted to a different location in the same image. Most existing region duplication detection methods are based on directly matching blocks of image pixels or transform coefficients, and are not effective when the duplicated regions have geometrical or illumination distortions. In this work, we describe a new region duplication detection method that is robust to distortions of the duplicated regions. Our method starts by estimating the transform between matched scale invariant feature transform (SIFT) keypoints, which are insensitive to geometrical and illumination distortions, and then finds all pixels within the duplicated regions after discounting the estimated transforms. The proposed method shows effective detection on an automatically synthesized forgery image database with duplicated and distorted regions. We further demonstrate its practical performance with several challenging forgery images created with state-of-the-art tools.
The trophic significance of epilithic algal production in a fertilized tundra river ecosystem

Fertilization of a pristine tundra river with phosphorus and nitrogen changed the nitrogen and carbon stable isotope ratios in epilithic algae. Determination of P5N and 613C values in consumers allowed this algal organic matter to be traced in the food web for several kilometers downstream of the fertilizer addition sites. Changes in the isotopic composition of consumers documented the tight coupling between algal production in response to fertilization and measured increases in the growth of insects and fish. Understanding the controls of biological productivity in flowing waters is of applied and fundamental interest because humans impact and use rivers heavily. However, the analysis of river ecosystem dynamics is made difficult by the complexity of material transfers in systems where water, dissolved nutrients, and suspended particles are continuously moving, insects are drifting, and fish are free to migrate. In our experimental river fertilization study, nutrient addition caused shifts in the carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios in the biota which provided a unique opportunity to trace organic matter flows and to help determine the effects of fertilization on a tundra river ecosystem. Phosphorus and nitrogen addition stimulated epilithic algal production which in turn promoted growth of insects and fish. Experimental design, the Kuparuk River, and isotope methods
Strictly declarative specification of sophisticated points-to analyses

We present the DOOP framework for points-to analysis of Java programs. DOOP builds on the idea of specifying pointer analysis algorithms declaratively, using Datalog: a logic-based language for defining (recursive) relations. We carry the declarative approach further than past work by describing the full end-to-end analysis in Datalog and optimizing aggressively using a novel technique specifically targeting highly recursive Datalog programs.As a result, DOOP achieves several benefits, including full order-of-magnitude improvements in runtime. We compare DOOP with Lhotak and Hendren's PADDLE, which defines the state of the art for context-sensitive analyses. For the exact same logical points-to definitions (and, consequently, identical precision) DOOP is more than 15x faster than PADDLE for a 1-call-site sensitive analysis of the DaCapo benchmarks, with lower but still substantial speedups for other important analyses. Additionally, DOOP scales to very precise analyses that are impossible with PADDLE and Whaley et al.'s bddbddb, directly addressing open problems in past literature. Finally, our implementation is modular and can be easily configured to analyses with a wide range of characteristics, largely due to its declarativeness.
GIGAHERTZ RADIATION FROM MAGNETIC-FIELD-FREE ELECTRON-HOLE PLASMAS,

Abstract : The study shows that gigahertz radiation is emitted from electron-hole plasmas in p-InSb at 77 K whose only external influence is an applied voltage. In order to satisfy the conditions for radiation the plasma must have a conductance which falls within a limited range. The appropriate plasma conductances require unusually high average electric field strenths E with attendant low average current densities J. The area of the J - E plane associated with radiation is accessible only with plasmas produced in high quality InSb. More conductance conditions necessary for radiation become accessible by applying a staircase voltage function instead of the usual squarewave because plasma is accumulated from step to step. Some properties of the radiation are described such as its extreme sensitivity to plasma conductance, its decay characteristics, and a possible correlation between radiation amplitude and current level. The radiation is also observed at current levels which are far above its current threshold. Many data obtained by fulfilling the necessary conditon for radiation, an appropriate range of plasma conductance, are summarized. (Author)
Crossing the Line: Local Ethnic Geography and Voting in Ghana

ethnic cues from candidates and parties impart differentinformationtovotersdependingonwheretheylive. Many goods sought by voters, such as health facilities androads,canbegeographicallytargetedbypoliticians and their benefits are not locally excludable. A voter’s assessment of how likely she is to benefit from the election of a particular politician therefore depends on whether she lives among members of the ethnic group associated with that politician’s party. Local ethnic geographyislessimportantforvotechoiceinurbanareas, where easier transportation makes these goods more likepublicgoods.Incorporatinglocalethnicgeography into theories of instrumental ethnic voting in this way helps account for the strong, but imperfect, correlation between ethnicity and vote choice.
Molecular analysis of 2 cases of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus cholecystitis and a review of the literature

We present 2 cases of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) acalculous cholecystitis and review the literature. We performed pulsed field gel electrophoresis, typing of the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec element, and Panton-Valentine leukocidin testing on the isolates. One each was closely related to USA100 and USA300, indicating that both healthcare- and community-associated strains may cause MRSA cholecystitis.
The conference in communication: A professional experience for student authors

This article outlines the procedures of the successful undergraduate conference in communication, which has been held annually at California State University, Fresno, since 1974.
Colleague roles and innovation in scientific teams

The innovation of teams of scientists was related to their colleague role nets, utilizing a model of executive decision making proposed by Farris (1971). Team innovation tended to be associated with greater performance of technical roles within the team, and the supervisor's being more oriented toward his team and less to outsiders. During the idea suggestion stage, the roles most associated with team innovation were the supervisor's receiving original ideas from more outside sources but having fewer original ideas himself, group members providing each other with technical information, and the availability of organizational information from fewer sources inside or outside the group. During the proposal development stage, high innovation teams tended to be characterized by greater exchange of help among themselves in thinking through technical problems and greater usefulness of their supervisors in critically evaluating their ideas. These trends are very consistent with Maier's (1967) theory of group
Les Femmes Ont Tourjours Travaillé

Marie Lavigne et Yolande Pinard . Travailleuses et feministes. Les femmes dans la societe quebecois . Montreal : Boreal express, 1983.
Chemistry of the Triplet 14-Electron Complex Fe(CO)3 in Solution Studied by Ultrafast Time-Resolved IR Spectroscopy

Time-resolved IR spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations indicate that the 14-electron, triplet species, 3Fe(CO)3, generated from photolysis of Fe(CO)5, appears to exist uncoordinated to alkyl groups in alkane solvents. In alcohols of varying lengths, triplet 3Fe(CO)3 forms a hydroxyl-coordinated complex on the time scale of tens of picoseconds, implying that its solvation kinetics are diffusion-limited. Surprisingly, the hydroxyl-coordinated complex remains in a triplet state, in contrast to the activity of triplet 3Fe(CO)4, which must convert to a singlet state to coordinate to a solvent molecule. To our knowledge, this study represents the first investigation into the detailed metal–solvent interactions and rearrangement kinetics of a 14-electron complex on the ultrafast time scale.