cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Atrial Fibrillation: The New Epidemic of the Ageing World

The prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) increases with age. As the population ages, the burden of AF increases. AF is associated with an increased incidence of mortality, stroke, and coronary events compared to sinus rhythm. AF with a rapid ventricular rate may cause a tachycardia-related cardiomyopathy. Immediate direct-current (DC) cardioversion should be performed in patients with AF and acute myocardial infarction, chest pain due to myocardial ischemia, hypotension, severe heart failure, or syncope. Intravenous beta blockers, diltiazem, or verapamil may be administered to reduce immediately a very rapid ventricular rate in AF. An oral beta blocker, verapamil, or diltiazem should be used in persons with AF if a fast ventricular rate occurs at rest or during exercise despite digoxin. Amiodarone may be used in selected patients with symptomatic life-threatening AF refractory to other drugs. Digoxin should not be used to treat patients with paroxysmal AF. Nondrug therapies should be performed in patients with symptomatic AF in whom a rapid ventricular rate cannot be slowed by drugs. Paroxysmal AF associated with the tachycardia-bradycardia syndrome should be treated with a permanent pacemaker in combination with drugs. A permanent pacemaker should be implanted in patients with AF and symptoms such as dizziness or syncope associated with ventricular pauses greater than 3 seconds which are not druginduced. Elective DC cardioversion has a higher success rate and a lower incidence of cardiac adverse effects than does medical cardioversion in converting AF to sinus rhythm. Unless transesophageal echo cardiography has shown no thrombus in the left atrial appendage before cardioversion, oral warfarin should be given for 3 weeks before elective DC or drug cardioversion of AF and continued for at least 4 weeks after maintenance of sinus rhythm. Many cardiologists prefer, especially in elderly patients , ventricular rate control plus warfarin rather than maintaining sinus rhythm with antiarrhythmic drugs. Patients with chronic or paroxysmal AF at high risk for stroke should be treated with long-term warfarin to achieve an International Normalized Ratio of 2.0 to 3.0. Patients with AF at low risk for stroke or with contraindications to warfarin should be treated with aspirin 325 mg daily.
Gradient and nongradient contributions to plasmon-enhanced optical forces on silver nanoparticles

We use a computational method based on the discrete-dipole approximation (DDA) to calculate the gradient and nongradient contributions to optical forces on nanometer sized silver particles in water. We find that, due to a contribution that is usually neglected, nongradient forces are often non-negligible. This result is not a consequence of an approach to the dipole limit. We suggest that this method could provide useful input for a more detailed understanding of the physics relevant to optical trapping and binding phenomena.
Reconstructing Streamflow Time Series in Central Arizona Using Monthly Precipitation and Tree Ring Records

Abstract An adaptive, three-way interpolation model based on multiple discriminant analysis, multiple linear regression, and normal ratio methods was used to reconstruct streamflows for three gauges in central Arizona for the period from 1580, using available annual tree ring indices and monthly precipitation. The reduction in mean absolute error compared to the use of the long-term mean for the period reconstructed from tree ring data only (1580–1863) was roughly 30% for both annual and spring streamflow; the corresponding reduction in mean absolute error when monthly precipitation values were included was roughly 60%. The reconstruction procedures were noted to produce a negative bias due to the positive skewness of the streamflow values. Procedures to correct for this bias and restore the variance of the streamflow time series are described. Reconstructed and adjusted annual and spring (February–May) streamflows are provided for the Verde and Salt Rivers and the Tonto Creek. A harmonic analysis of the ...
Infrared fluorescence studies of intramolecular vibrational relaxation in C1–C4 hydrocarbons following pulsed laser excitation of the first CH stretch overtone

Abstract A dramatic reduction in infrared fluorescence quantum yield with increasing molecular size is observed for directly excited first CH stretch overtones in a series of C 1 –C 4 hydrocarbons. Ethane and larger molecules (ϱ v1b ⩾ 15 states cm −1 ) appear to undergo rapid intramolecular relaxation within the 1 μs detector risetime.
Pursuing Franklin’s Dream: Philosophical and Historical Roots of Service-Learning

Two decades ago service-learning as an innovation lingered on the periphery of the academy. Today, service-learning has spread across American higher education. Few educational innovations have achieved such relatively rapid success. This article describes the historical and philosophical underpinnings of service-learning. It notes some of the significant debates that have occurred among its practitioners. The authors draw from experience at their university, the University of Pennsylvania, to describe the importance of connecting service-learning to the core educational and civic missions of a college or university, as well as to provide a case study of how that connection might be made.
Sensitivity to seizure-like activity in Drosophila following acute hypoxia and hypercapnia.

Abstract Human seizure disorders represent a heterogeneous collection of neuropathies, many of which are poorly understood. To investigate the etiology of seizure disorders, we have used a group of Drosophila mutants known as the bang-sensitive (BS) paralytics. The BS mutants exhibit seizure-like activity (SLA) following a wide variety of insults including mechanical shock, electrical shock, high frequency light and cold temperatures. In this study, we show that two novel insults, hypoxia and hypercapnia (elevated CO 2 levels) are potent triggers of SLA in a number of the BS mutants. We also show that both of these insults, hypoxia and hypercapnia, can trigger SLA in wild-type flies as well. However, we find that the BS mutants are more susceptible than wild-type flies to these insults as they exhibit more SLA following these insults and, in the case of hypercapnia, they exhibit SLA at a lower threshold. In addition, we demonstrate that the BS mutants are more susceptible to the anesthetizing effects of CO 2 as compared to wild-type flies. The increased sensitivity to both hypoxia and hypercapnia in these BS mutants suggests possible physiological defects that may underlie seizure susceptibility.
Region-based image querying

Retrieving images from large and varied collections using image content as a key is a challenging and important problem. In this paper, we present a new image representation which provides a transformation from the raw pixel data to a small set of localized coherent regions in color and texture space. This so-called lblobworldr representation is based on segmentation using the expectation-maximization algorithm on combined color and texture features. The texture features we use for the segmentation arise from a new approach to texture description and scale selection. We describe a system that uses the blobworld representation to retrieve images. An important and unique aspect of the system is that, in the context of similarity-based querying, the user is allowed to view the internal representation of the submitted image and the query results. Similar systems do not offer the user this view into the workings of the system; consequently, the outcome of many queries on these systems can be quite inexplicable, despite the availability of knobs for adjusting the similarity metric
Generation of ponderomotive craters during high power microwave irradiation of plasma

Localized plasma density depressions or craters are observed to form near the mouth of a phased waveguide array, if the power flux exceeds approx. 0.3 kW/cm/sup 2/.
High hydrostatic pressure and enzymic activity: Inhibition of multimeric enzymes by dissociation

Abstract When precautions were taken to saturate enzymes with their substrates and to prevent pressure denaturation, it was found that the activities of multimeric enzymes were inhibited and the activities of monomeric enzymes stimulated by application of high hydrostatic pressure. Multimeric enzymes which were inhibited were mitochondrial ATPase (measured by hydrolysis of ATP or by ATP-32Pi exchange activity), erythrocyte membrane ATPase, sarcotubular vesicle ATPase, pyruvate carboxylase, argininosuccinase, alkaline phosphatase, and creatine kinase. Monomeric enzymes which were stimulated were peroxidase, myokinase, trypsin, amylase, lysozyme and chymotrypsin. Both theoretical considerations and the results of experimental studies by previous workers show that high hydrostatic pressure will dissociate protein multimers which are held together by noncovalent interactions. This dissociation must be considered as the major determinant of the effect of pressure on enzymic systems which depend upon such protein-protein interactions for their activity. Since the category of multimeric enzymes includes a large proportion of known enzymes, dissaggregating effects must be considered as a major factor in investigating the effects of pressure on all cellular systems. This conclusion is particularly relevant to the study of deep-sea organisms. Their enzyme systems either must be monomeric, or must have stronger noncovalent interactions between multimers, in order to operate at the high pressures under which these organisms live.
Griffiths inequalities for anti-ferromagnets

Abstract We prove the existence of new Griffiths type inequalities for anti-ferromagnetic Ising spin systems and the corresponding lattice gases. It is shown in particular that for such a system the two spin (or particle) Ursell function [〈σ i σ j 〉 − 〈σ i 〉 〈σ j 〉] is positive when i and j are on the same sublattice and negative when they are on different sublattices. This is true for all values of the external magnetic field (or chemical potential) at the different lattice sites.
One-column chromatograph with recycle analogous to simulated moving bed adsorbers: Analysis and applications

A single chromatography column with tanks (the “analogue”) can be made analogous to a simulated moving bed (SMB) configuration with the appropriate recycle pattern. The analogues and the corresponding SMBs were simulated using Aspen Chromatography. Typically, the analogue produces a lower purity product because of mixing in the tanks. For the linear system of dextran T6−fructose, the use of a large number of tanks to approach plug flow improved the separation in the analogue so that it asymptotically approached the SMB separation. Because the analogue would be useful in short campaigns, a start-up analysis was performed for both a linear system of dextran T6−fructose and the nonlinear system of binaphthol enantiomers. Correct start-up conditions can reduce the time needed to reach steady state by 50%. A shutdown analysis for the linear system was also performed, and several strategies were suggested that reduce the time and amount of desorbent used during shutdown. The concept of the one-column analogue w...
Quadratic programming and related techniques for the calculation of locational marginal prices in distribution systems

This paper presents an overview of the calculation of locational marginal prices in electric power systems. The use of quadratic programming for the calculation is proposed and illustrated. The calculation of locational process in distribution engineering is conjectured and discussed. Alternatives for the calculation are presented, and approximations are reviewed.
Aperture-coupled microstrip antenna with a perpendicular feed

A new technique is described for feeding printed antennas. A microstrip antenna on one substrate is coupled through an electrically small aperture to a microstrip feed line on a perpendicularly oriented substrate. No direct connection is made to the patch. Such a geometry allows two separate substrates to be used for the antenna and feed functions. Measurements of a prototype design are presented.
Influences of pellet markers on speech production behavior: Acoustical and perceptual measures

Peri- and intraoral devices are often used to obtain measurements concerning articulator motions and placements. Surprisingly, there are few formal evaluations of the potential influence of these devices on speech production behavior. In particular, the potential effects of lingual pellets or coils used in x-ray or electromagnetic studies of tongue motion have never been evaluated formally, even though a large x-ray database exists and electromagnetic systems are commercially available. The x-ray microbeam database [Westbury, J. "X-ray Microbeam Speech Production Database User's Handbook, version 1" (1994)] includes several utterances produced with pellets-off and -on, which allowed us to evaluate effects of pellets for the utterance, She had your dark suit in greasy wash water all year, using acoustic and perceptual measures. Overall, there were no acoustic or perceptual measures that showed consistent effects of pellets across speakers, but certain effects were consistent either within a given speaker or in direction across a subgroup of the speakers. The results are discussed in terms of the general goodness of the assumption that point parameterization of lingual motion does not interfere with normal articulatory behaviors. A brief screening procedure is suggested to protect articulatory kinematic experiments from those individuals who may show consistent effects of having devices placed on perioral structures.
Chemokine receptors expressed on T cells in packed red blood cell units change over storage time.

summary The transfusion of blood products is associated with adverse events that are related to the leukocytes in stored units of blood. These leukocytes have been shown to promote the elaboration of inflammatory cytokines. However, the status of a set of key inflammatory mediators, chemokine receptors, expressed on T lymphocytes in stored red blood cell (RBC) units is largely unknown. We investigated the expression pattern of selected chemokine receptors on T cells from non-leukocyte-reduced RBC units over storage time. Selecting segments from stored RBC units, we evaluated the T-cell subsets for the chemokine receptors CXCR3 and CCR4 by flow cytometry. Statistical analysis was performed by regression analysis. We analysed 30 samples stored between 5 and 38 days. The CD4+ T cells expressing CXCR3 increased by 0·27% daily (P= 0·02), whereas the expression of CCR4 declined by 0·40% daily (P < 0·001). Though the expression of the chemokine receptors on CD8+ cells followed the same trend, the changes were statistically nonsignificant. This study suggests that a longer duration of storage is associated with a higher expression of chemokine receptor CXCR3 and a lower expression of CCR4 on T cells in RBC units, suggesting a pro-inflammatory Th1 bias. The clinical significance of these changes in the setting of adverse transfusion events needs further evaluation.
CLASSIFICATION BEHAVIORS IN THIRD AND SIXTH GRADE LOWER AND MIDDLE SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS SCHOOL CHILDREN

SUMMARY Forty-eight Ss of Anglo-Saxon parentage were randomly selected from Were Texas Public Schools. Four groups of 12 Ss each were constituted of third grade lower SES, sixth grade lower SES, third grade middle SES and sixth grade middle SES. Each group was exposed to an array of objects to be grouped. Grouping on a conceptual, non-conceptual or associational justification was possible. A standardised testing and scoring procedure was followed. Results indicated that the school experience may serve to widen the cognitive strategy system of the lower SES child by addition of the conceptual mode.
Microbiology and management of infected neck cysts

Purpose To review and describe the microbiology, diagnosis, and management of infected neck cysts. Method Review the current medical literature and current textbooks. Results Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes are the predominant aerobic isolates, while pigmented Prevotella and Porphyromonas spp., and Peptostreptococcus spp., all part of the oral flora, are the predominant anaerobes. Therapy includes administration of antibiotics effective against the causative pathogen(s). Proper selection of therapy can be guided by culture of the lesion. Surgical drainage and resection may be necessary in case of suppuration. Prevention of suppuration can be achieved by surgical removal of cysts before acquisition of infection, or removal of those recurrently infected. Conclusion Recognition of the importance of the skin or the oral flora in infected neck cysts can assist in the proper selection of antimicrobial therapy.
Picornavirus–receptor interactions

Many picornaviruses use cell-surface molecules belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF) as their cellular receptors. These molecules usually consist of tandem repeats of between two and five Ig-like domains whose amino-terminal domains (D1) interact with invading viruses, with their carboxy-terminal sections comprising a transmembrane and a short cytoplasmic region. Most rhino- and enteroviruses, belonging to the Picornavirus family, use a canyon-like feature on their surface to attach to cellular receptors. Binding into the canyon destabilizes the virus and thus initiates the uncoating process. By contrast, non-IgSF molecules, when used by picornaviruses as receptors, bind outside the canyon and do not cause viral instability.
Molten salt flux synthesis and structure of the new layered uranyl tellurite, K4[(UO2)5(TeO3)2O5]

Abstract The reaction of UO3 and TeO3 with a KCl flux at 800 °C for 3 days yields single crystals of K4[(UO2)5(TeO3)2O5]. The structure of the title compound consists of layered, two-dimensional ∞ 2 [ ( UO 2 ) 5 ( TeO 3 ) 2 O 5 ] 4 - sheets arranged in a stair-like topology separated by potassium cations. Contained within these sheets are one-dimensional uranium oxide ribbons consisting of UO7 pentagonal bipyramids and UO6 tetragonal bipyramids. The ribbons are in turn linked by corner-sharing with trigonal pyramidal TeO3 units to form sheets. The lone-pair of electrons from the TeO3 groups are oriented in opposite directions with respect to one another on each side of the sheets rendering each individual sheet nonpolar. The potassium cations form contacts with nearby tellurite units and axial uranyl oxygen atoms. Crystallographic data (193 K, MoKα, λ = 0.71073 A ): triclinic, space group P 1 ¯ , a = 6.8514 ( 5 ) A , b = 7.1064 ( 5 ) A , c = 11.3135 ( 8 ) A , α = 99.642 ( 1 ) ° , β = 93.591 ( 1 ) ° , γ = 100.506 ( 1 ) ° , V = 531.48 ( 7 ) A 3 , Z = 1 , R ( F ) = 4.19 % for 149 parameters and 2583 reflections with I > 2 σ ( I ) .
Nitrogen-15 chemical shifts in AT (Adenine-Thymine) and CG (Cytosine- Guanine) nucleic acid base pairs

This paper presents ab initio (DFT) calculations of the 15N chemical shifts in AT (Adenine-Thymine) and CG (Cytosine-Guanine) nucleic acid base pairs. Calculations were done on 14 AT and 18 CG base pairs using experimental (X-ray) geometries obtained from several DNA decamers. The calculated chemical shifts are compared with the experimental values in the pure bases and subjected to statistical analysis to explore their sensitivity to the local geometry and pair helix parameters. The results indicate that the 15N chemical shifts, isotropic and principal components are quite sensitive to small changes in the geometry of the pairs, but they do not correlate well with the helix pair parameters. From the statistical analysis, several linear correlations between structural parameters and chemical shifts emerge. These relationships may serve as a foundation to extract information on molecular structure from 15N chemical shift measurements.
Sesamin, sesamolin, and sesamol content of the oil of sesame seed as affected by strain, location grown, ageing, and frost damage

The effect of strain and location grown on the sesmin, sesamolin, and sesamol content of oils from sesame seed chosen to represent a wide variety of genetic material is reported. Only differences in sesamin content due to strain were significant.
Scalable Synthesis of Nano-Silicon from Beach Sand for Long Cycle Life Li-ion Batteries

Herein, porous nano-silicon has been synthesized via a highly scalable heat scavenger-assisted magnesiothermic reduction of beach sand. This environmentally benign, highly abundant, and low cost SiO₂ source allows for production of nano-silicon at the industry level with excellent electrochemical performance as an anode material for Li-ion batteries. The addition of NaCl, as an effective heat scavenger for the highly exothermic magnesium reduction process, promotes the formation of an interconnected 3D network of nano-silicon with a thickness of 8-10 nm. Carbon coated nano-silicon electrodes achieve remarkable electrochemical performance with a capacity of 1024 mAhg(-1) at 2 Ag(-1) after 1000 cycles.
An exploratory graph query interface for biomedical data

In this paper we present a graphical query interface for exploratory querying of graph structured biomedical data, named GBE. Our interface introduces a Draw and Play feature, which enables users to query graph structured data intuitively using graph templates. GBE interface also provides exploratory querying features facilitating the editing and reuse of previous queries so that users can reformulate their queries and resubmit based on the results of the previous queries. We implement this query interface utilizing the framework proposed in research [1] and have achieved good results.
Cl(-)-HCO3- exchange in rat renal basolateral membrane vesicles.

Abstract Pathways for HCO3− transport across the basolateral membrane were investigated using membrane vesicles isolated from rat renal cortex. The presence of Cl−HCO3− exchange was assessed directly by 36Cl− tracer flux measurements and indirectly by determinants of acridine orange absorbance changes. Under 10% CO2/90% N2 the imposition of an outwardly directed HCO3− concentration gradient (pHo 6/pHi 7.5) stimulated Cl− uptake compared to Cl− uptake under 100% N2 in the presence of a pH gradient alone. Mediated exchange of Cl− for HCO3 was suggested by the HCO3− gradient-induced concentrative accumulation of intravesicular Cl−. Maneuvers designed to offset the development of ion-gradient-induced diffusion potentials had no significant effect on the magnitude of HCO3− gradient-driven Cl− uptake further suggesting chemical as opposed to electrical Cl−HCO3− exchange coupling. Although basolateral membrane vesicle Cl− uptake was observed to be voltage sensitive, the DIDS insensitivity of the Cl conductive pathway served to distinguish this mode of Cl− translocation from HCO3 gradient-driven Cl− uptake. No evidence for K + Cl − cotransport was obtained. As determined by acridine orange absorbance measurements in the presence of an imposed pH gradient (pHo 7.5/pHi 6), a HCO3− dependent increase in the rate of intravesicular alkalinization was observed in response to an outwardly directed Cl− concentration gradient. The basolateral membrane vesicle origin of the observed Cl−−HCO3− exchange activity was verified by experiments performed with purified brush-border membrane vesicles. In contrast to our previous observations of the effect of Cl− on HCO3− gradient-driven Na+ uptake suggesting a basolateral membrane Na+−HCO3− for Cl− exchange mechanism, no effect of Na+ on Cl−HCO3− exchange was observed in the present study.
Strain sensing using a multiwalled carbon nanotube film

The effectiveness of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as strain sensors is investigated. The key contribution of this paper is the study of real-time strain response at the macroscale of MWCNT film under tensile load. In addition, real-time voltage change as a function of temperature is examined. MWCNT films attached to a brass specimen by epoxy using vacuum bonding have been studied. The brass specimen is subjected to tensile loading, and voltage output from the MWCNT film is obtained using a four-point probe and a sensitive voltage measurement device. Experimental results show that there is a linear change in voltage across the film when subjected to tension, and the MWCNT film both fully recovers its unstressed state upon unloading and exhibits stable electromechanical properties. The effect of temperature on the voltage output of the nanotube film under no load condition is investigated. From the results obtained it is evident that MWCNT films exhibit a stable and predictable voltage response as ...
A Constructive Method for Improving Lower Bounds for a Class of Quadratic Assignment Problems

A new approach to evaluate lower bounds for a class of quadratic assignment problems QAP is presented. An instance of a QAP of size n is specified by two n × n matrices D and F, and is denoted by QAPD, F. This approach is presented for QAPs where D is the matrix of rectilinear distances between points on a regular grid. However, it can easily be generalized to a wider class of problems. Two matrices Fopt and Fres are constructed such that F = Fopt + Fres, and the optimal solution to QAPD, Fopt is known. Any existing lower bound can then be applied to QAPD, Fres, which in sum with the optimal value for QAPD, Fopt, provides a lower bound to QAPD, F. Thus, this method could serve as a reduction process to possibly improve the results from a variety of bounding techniques. This approach is tested on two bounds from the literature, the Gilmore-Lawler bound GLB and an eigenvalue bound PB, for various problems of size ranging from 6-49. Computational results show a good improvement in bounds for all the test problems. An extension of our method to a more general class of QAPs is also presented.
Comparison of Flavor Thresholds of Aliphatic Lactones with Those of Fatty Acids, Esters, Aldehydes, Alcohols, and Ketones,

Abstract Taste thresholds at 50% detection of 10 of the more prevalent naturally occurring γ - and δ -lactones were measured in water. Several lactone thresholds were determined in deodorized butter oil. Water thresholds of the lactones were compared with those of homologous series of ethyl esters, methyl ketones, free fatty acids, aldehydes, and alcohols. Relatively low thresholds were observed for γ -lactones, and for some of the esters and aldehydes.
Monophagy in a polyphagous grasshopper, Schistocerca shoshone

The feeding behavior of different populations of the grasshopper, Schistocerca shoshone, was investigated in the southwestern United States. Insects from three riparian populations, with a broad spectrum of plants available to them, tended to eat plants roughly in relation to their availability except that broad-leaved herbaceous plants were avoided. Insects from a desert population in a plantation of Simmondsia fed exclusively on that plant, as did those from another population in the Tucson mountains, despite the availability of a range of other plants. Insects from a third desert population, near Portal, fed mainly on Prosopis, the dominant woody plant. In detailed behavioral experiments in the laboratory, insects from Tucson mountains readily accepted Simmondsia, and less readily accepted Prosopis. Three other common woody plants from the habitat were generally rejected without feeding. Insects from Portal accepted Prosopis and Simmondsia with approximately equal readiness. Breeding experiments suggested that the differences between the plantation insects and those from Portal was genetic and not induced by experience. The insects from both populations were potentially polyphagous and ate a wide range of plants in the laboratory if given no alternative.
The effects of a contoured foam seat on postural alignment and upper-extremity function in infants with neuromotor impairments.

Background and Purpose. Physical therapists and occupational therapists frequently use adaptive seating devices to improve stability in sitting for children with neuromotor impairments. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a contoured foam seat (CFS) on postural alignment and on the ability of infants with neuromotor impairments to engage with toys. Parental perceptions regarding the use and effects of the CFS also were assessed via semistructured interviews. Subjects. Subjects were 4 infants, ages 9 to 18 months, who were unable to sit independently. Method. A time-series, alternating-treatments design was used, with data collected under 3 conditions: (1) a regular highchair, (2) a regular highchair with a thin foam liner, and (3) a CFS used as an insert in a regular highchair. The primary dependent measures were postural alignment and engagement with toys. Engagement with toys was defined as percentage of intervals with 2 hands on a toy and percentage of intervals with no hands on a highchair tray and 1 or 2 hands on a toy. Results. Results showed a sustained effect of the CFS on improving postural alignment for all subjects. Effects of the CFS on increasing the number of intervals of bimanual play were not demonstrated for any subjects, although some improvement in the infant's ability to free the arms from support was observed for 2 subjects. Mothers reported acceptability of the CFS for everyday use and described benefits for themselves and their infants. Discussion and Conclusion. The results support the use of a CFS for improving postural alignment. Future research on adaptive seating should focus on interventions and outcomes that help children participate in functional activities relevant to them and their families.
The Class II Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase C2β Is Not Essential for Epidermal Differentiation

Phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks) regulate an array of cellular processes and are comprised of three classes. Class I PI3Ks include the well-studied agonist-sensitive p110 isoforms; however, the functions of class II and III PI3Ks are less well characterized. Of the three class II PI3Ks, C2α and C2β are widely expressed in many tissues, including the epidermis, while C2γ is confined to the liver. In contrast to the class I PI3K p110α, which is expressed throughout the epidermis, C2β was found to be localized in suprabasal cells, suggesting a potential role for C2β in epidermal differentiation. Overexpressing C2β in epidermal cells in vitro induced differentiation markers. To study a role for C2β in tissue, we generated transgenic mice overexpressing C2β in both suprabasal and basal epidermal layers. These mice lacked epidermal abnormalities. Mice deficient in C2β were then generated by targeted gene deletion. C2β knockout mice were viable and fertile and displayed normal epidermal growth, differentiation, barrier function, and wound healing. To exclude compensation by C2α, RNA interference was then used to knock down both C2α and C2β in epidermal cells simultaneously. Induction of differentiation markers was unaffected in the absence of C2α and C2β. These findings indicate that class II PI3Ks are not essential for epidermal differentiation.
Ruthenium, Trichloro(octahydro‐1,4,7‐trimethyl‐1H‐1,4,7‐κN1,κN4,κN7)‐, (OC‐6‐22)‐

Ruthenium, trichloro(octahydro-1,4,7-trimethyl-1H-1,4,7-κN1,κN4,κN7)-, (OC-6-22)- [115140-50-6] C9H21Cl3N3Ru (MW 377.98) 1S/C9H21N3.3ClH.Ru/c1-10-4-6-11(2)8-9-12(3)7-5-10;;;;/h4-9H2,1-3H3;3*1H;/q;;;;+3/p-3 InChIKey = IPPQISZMQLBZTB-UHFFFAOYSA-K Alternate Names: (1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane)ruthenium(III) chloride; [(Me3tacn)RuCl3]. Physical Data: orange microcrystalline solid. Analysis of Reagent Purity: elemental analysis. Preparative Method: 1,4,7-triazacyclononane was added to a suspension of RuCl2(dmso) in ethanol and subsequently heated at reflux for 2 h. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the orange residue was then heated at reflux with concentrated HCl for 30 min in the presence of air. The orange crystalline solid precipitate was filtered, washed with water, ethanol, and diethyl ether, and air-dried (eq 1).1 (1) Cn* = 1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane. Ruthenium, (octahydro-1,4,7-trimethyl-1H-1,4,7-triazonine-κN1,κN4,κN7) tris(trifluoroacetato-κO)-, (OC-6-22)- (9CI) [436862-61-2] C15H21F9N3O6Ru (MW 612.03) Physical Data: pale-yellow microcrystalline solid. Analysis of Reagent Purity: elemental analysis. Preparative Method: a mixture of Cn*RuIIICl3 and CF3SO3Ag in aqueous trifluoroacetic acid was heated at reflux for 1 h. AgCl was removed by filtration and the resultant pale-red filtrate was heated at 70 °C until the volume reduced. Pale-yellow microcrystalline solid was formed upon cooling. The resultant solid was filtered, washed with ice-cold deionized water, and dried in vacuo (eq 2).2 (2)
The Priming Effects of Virtual Environments on Interpersonal Perceptions and Behaviors

This study investigated how virtual environments prime subsequent interpersonal relations among unacquainted individuals. Participants met in a virtual library or a cafe. Individuals in the virtual library perceived greater self and partner formality compared to those in the cafe. In addition, more self-disclosure correlated with less formality only in the library, showing how revealing more about oneself goes against library norms. In contrast, perceived warmth and word counts were at the center of the effects found in the virtual cafe. Partner warmth and word counts also mediated the effect of the environments on formality. Overall, this article advances priming research in stimuli-rich virtual settings by showing how environmental salience and activation of contextual norms affected interpersonal perceptions among unacquainted partners.
Pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect, extremely hypoplastic pulmonary arteries, major aorto-pulmonary collaterals.

Objective: Among 63 patients with pulmonary atresia and ventricular septal defect (VSD), 10 patients with extreme hypoplasia of the pulmonary arteries (PA) (mean Nakata index 20.6 mm 2 /m 2 ), but with confluent arteries and a diminutive main PA, and major aorto‐ pulmonary collaterals (MAPCAS), have been submitted to a ‘rehabilitation’ of the PA with several stages: (i) connection between RV and PAs, (ii) interventional catheterizations, (iii) complete correction with or without unifocalisation. We report here the results of this approach. Methods: The RV‐PA connection was direct (nine cases) or with an homograft conduit (one case), done under normothermic cardiopulmonary by-pass in patients aged 4.9 months (range 0.1‐18 months). Subsequently, six underwent interventional catheterizations (dilations and stents in the PA, MAPCAS occlusion by coils). Complete correction was done in seven patients (mean age 30 months, range 8‐ 49). One patient is awaiting correction. Results: One patient died after the first stage. All patients having had the third stage had a satisfactory development of the PA, had a complete closure of the VSD and a satisfactory reconstruction of the PA bifurcation. There was one death of severe pulmonary infection 6 months after repair. All other patients have been followed by catheterization and/or echocardiograms. With a follow-up of 83 ^ 65 months, all patients are improved, 50% have no cardiac medications, none has residual shunt, RV/LV pressure ratio is 0.6 (range 0.3‐1). Conclusions: The strategy of ‘rehabilitation’ of PA allowing: (i) antegrade flow in the PA, (ii) interventional catheterizations, (iii) growth of the PA with possible angiogenesis, (iv) complete correction, is a logical approach to be undertaken in the young patient and is a valid alternative to strategies relying more on MAPCAS for pulmonary vascular supply. The therapeutic sequences depend upon the individual anatomy. q 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Recursive least-squares decision-directed tracking of doubly-selective channels using exponential basis models

We present a decision-directed tracking approach to doubly-selective channel estimation exploiting the complex exponential basis expansion model (CE-BEM). The time-varying nature of the channel is well captured by the CE-BEM while the time-variations of the (unknown) BEM coefficients are likely much slower than those of the channel. We track the BEM coefficients via the exponentially-weighted recursive least-squares (RLS) algorithm, aided by symbol decisions from a decision-feedback equalizer (DFE). Simulation examples demonstrate its superior performance over an existing subblock-wise channel tracking scheme.
An Overview of Breast‐Conserving Surgery in Breast Cancer Treatment

: Breast-conserving surgery is the preferred operation for the majority of women with stage I or II breast cancer. It consists of the removal of primary breast cancer with a rim of adjacent normal tissues and the axillary dissection. The goal of breast-conserving surgery is to control the local-regional disease without removing the entire breast and to provide an accurate pathologic staging of the tumor (T) and draining nodes (N). The primary outcomes of breast-conserving surgery in treating women with invasive breast cancer are measured by the survival rate, local disease control and cosmetic results. The consideration of the factors that have major impacts on the outcomes of this form of treatment are discussed. This article provides a framework for considering and performing breast-conserving surgery and for critically evaluating the literature dealing with the various issues involved in the treatment of women with early breast cancer.
Formation of Diphenyl Sulfoxide and Diphenyl Sulfide via the Aluminum Chloride–Facilitated Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution of Benzene with Thionyl Chloride, and a Novel Reduction of Sulfur (IV) to Sulfur (II)

The aluminum chloride (AlCl3)–facilitated electrophilic aromatic substitution (EAS) reaction of benzene (PhH) with thionyl chloride (SOCl2) in the molar ratio of PhH:SOCl2:AlCl3 = 2:1:1 was studied under different conditions. At about 70°C, adding granular AlCl3 (equimolar to SOCl2) piecewise to a 2:1 mixture of PhH and SOCl2 led to formation of a highly pure (99.9%) sole product of diphenyl sulfoxide (Ph2SO) in an isolated yield of 85% after aqueous workup. It represents a simple and very efficient synthesis of Ph2SO, an important fundamental organic reagent. At about 0°C, adding PhH (twice the molar quantity of SOCl2) to a 1:1 mixture of SOCl2 and AlCl3 gave both diphenyl sulfide Ph2S (yield: 37%) and Ph2SO (yield: 27%) after aqueous workup, together with a small amount of S-phenyl benzenesulfonothioate PhSO2SPh (yield: about 5%) and a trace amount of diphenyl sulfone (Ph2SO2). A possible mechanism has been proposed to account for formation of all these products, especially for the formation of Ph2S [S ...
Statistical Analysis of Gait Patterns of Persons With Cerebral Palsy

Patients at Boston's Children's Hospital diagnosed as having cerebral palsy were filmed walking. These films were digitized and translated into measurements associated with leg motion. In this paper we use the gait measurements of 128 such patients to illustrate the the kth nearest neighbour clustering procedure results in a gait typology for patients with cerebral palsy. The procedure identifies four subpopulations from the sample data; the membership of a patient within this typology is mostly determined by the patient's motor control. The developed typology differs from the present diagnostic system which classifies a cerebral palsy patient as either quadriplegic, diaplegic or hemiplegic.
Circular aperture synthesis

The linear aperture synthesis method of Woodward and Levinson is extended to a circular distribution. The extension includes circularly symmetric and nonsymmetric radiation patterns. The results are applicable to the design of reflector feeds and to electronically scanned arrays where a prescribed radiation pattern is desired.
Optimization of red light-induced elongation in Avena coleoptile sections and properties of the phytochrome-mediated growth response

Abstract Optimal conditions for studying the elongation response to a 1 mmol m−2, 2-min pulse of red light in subapical coleoptile sections from dark-grown oat (Avena sativa L. ev. Lodi) seedlings have been determined. A technique for obtaining standard-length coleoptile sections without exposing either seedlings or sections to any light has been developed, and is described. The optimal conditions found were: sampling time, 12 h after irradiation; buffer conditions, 5 mol m−3 potassium phosphate with 5% (w/v) sucrose (pH 5.9). The optima were determined by obtaining the time course for light-induced growth under various conditions. The red light-induced growth response is linear until 12 h after irradiation, when it undergoes an interruption. Optimal incubation conditions were determined by varying the buffer contents systematically and measuring the responses at the optimal lime determined. The results indicate a distinct difference between auxin-induced and light-induced growth responses. Even with variations of basal growth rate and several incubation conditions, the red light-induced elongation appears to be of a constant magnitude, to persist for a constant time period. and to exhibit a constant lag period between irradiation and the onset of response. The use of sections that were produced and handled in complete darkness yielded an unusual response to fusicoccin. A linear, high growth rate in response to I mmol m−3 FC was observed for more than 12 h, both in the irradiated sections and in the dark controls.
Instilling the Entrepreneurial Spirit in Your R&D Team: What Large Firms Can Learn from Successful Start-ups

Prior research studies have found that even though new ventures face the possibility of bankruptcy without large product portfolios on which to fall back, they are more innovative than large firms. Large, established firms have become experts at implementing best practices as a way to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of costly R&D. Yet in practice, relying upon these routine paradigms can create inertia for these firms. The purpose of our study was to conduct research on the innovation strategies used within start-ups and to show how large firms can start ``thinking small.'' With an eye towards what established firms can learn from start-ups, we investigated over nine years the innovative practices of small ventures. We found that successful, new firms use certain best practices in unique ways. They innovated with `` hyper-agility'' and implemented 1) small omnifunctional teams with no functional boundaries, 2) goal-driven rapid development of technology rather than process guided methods, and 3) instinctive exploration of market potential rather than quantitative analysis. We highlight several of these successful new ventures and provide a framework for R&D managers of large firms and discuss how the entrepreneurial approaches of their smaller counterparts can coexist within their existing innovation processes.
Frontiers of faith: Islam in the Indo-Afghan borderland

Frontiers of Faith might better be subtitled ‘Islamic politics in the colonial NWFP’ because that is the true focus of the study. Combining an anthropological approach with history (drawn from British government reports, interviews and a surprising number of publications in Pakhto), Haroon describes the critical role played by clerics in local tribal politics, particularly by those who developed networks of followers who transcended tribal boundaries. She argues that (contra Barth’s analysis of Swat) these clerics competed directly with local tribal khans for clients and influence. While her evidence for this is persuasive, more attention might have been paid in the first ethnographic chapter to just how different Swat was politically from the autonomous tribal zone (today’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas, FATA). In Swat agricultural surpluses and the ownership of rich irrigated lands underpinned a hierarchical political structure, while the low productivity of subsistence agriculture in FATA made the centralization of power quite difficult. Clerics in FATA found it far easier to exert influence there because the most powerful of them had access to resources far in excess of those available to local khans, except that is when the khans tapped into British colonial patronage. The power of clerics lay in what Haroon labels the pirmuridi lines of authority originally established by sufi leaders (pirs) with their followers (murids). She provides detailed charts that include the primary pirmuridi line descending from Akhund Ghaffur (d. 1878) to the Hadda Mulla Najmudin (d. 1903) to Haji Shahib Turangzai (d. 1938) as well as a host of regional lines of more localized importance. There are two interesting observations in this discussion. The first is that while the line of Pakhtun descent was patrilineal, with sons assuming the roles of their fathers, leadership of the powerful religious lines almost invariably devolved onto the most charismatic follower of the old pir. The pir’s own descendants, while honored, Cont Islam (2009) 3:205–207 DOI 10.1007/s11562-008-0053-z
Home Is Where the Cooperation Is: The Association between Interview Location and Cooperation among Cellphone Users

Interviewing respondents on cellphones poses challenges to survey researchers. Using data from the National Immunization Survey, a national, dual-frame random-digit dial survey, we examined whether respondents’ level of cooperation varies by their telephone status and location at the time of the interview. Specifically, we used regression models to compare the cooperation rates for respondents who are contacted on landlines while at home, those who are contacted on cellphones while at home (“cell-at-home”), and those who are contacted on cellphones while away from home (“cell-away”). Our models included a number of respondent characteristics that may be related to the likelihood of cooperation versus breakoff during the survey. Results indicated that observed differences in cooperation between landline and cellphone-while-away respondents are primarily due to cell-away respondents being less likely to respond. Our results also suggest that time of interview is a significant predictor of likelihood to provide permission to access children’s health care records. This research provides insight into the behavior of cellphone respondents and the conditions under which they may be most likely to respond.
Presence of Glutaminase I in Rat Intestine

Summary The small intestine of the rat contains glutaminase I, localized primarily in the superficial mucosa. Activity was greatest in the duodenum and diminished in lower sections of the intestine. Stomach and colon possessed still less activity. Possible significance of the enzyme in glutamine absorption and metabolism by the intestine was discussed.
Use of a Toric Intraocular Lens and a Limbal-Relaxing Incision for the Management of Astigmatism in Combined Glaucoma and Cataract Surgery.

Purpose: We report the surgical management of a patient with glaucoma undergoing cataract surgery with high preexisting astigmatism. A combination of techniques was employed for her astigmatism management. Methods: A 76-year-old female with 5.5 dpt of corneal astigmatism underwent surgery in her left eye consisting of one-site trabeculectomy, phacoemulsification, toric intraocular lens implantation and a single inferior limbal-relaxing incision. Results: Intraocular pressure control was achieved with no medication at 11 mm Hg; before the filtering procedure, the pressure was 16 mm Hg on two topical drugs. Astigmatism was reduced to 0.75 dpt, and both corrected and uncorrected visual acuity improved. Conclusions: Astigmatism management can have a good outcome in combined procedures. We encourage surgeons to address astigmatism in the preoperative planning of patients undergoing glaucoma surgery associated with phacoemulsification.