cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dispersive chirp combining spread-spectrum system

Chirp (linear FM) filters are dispersive in nature; that is, the time delay of the filter varies with frequency. This dispersive nature can be exploited to perform dispersive combining of the resolved multipath components. Frequency shiftings are performed on the received multipath signals to compensate for the path delays. The proper values for the frequency shifts are obtained via a multipath tracking loop. The performance of the dispersive Chirp combining system in Yegani-McGillem channel models is evaluated via computer simulation. >
Permissive linker insertion sites in the outer membrane protein of 987P fimbriae of Escherichia coli.

Abstract The FasD protein is essential for the biogenesis of 987P fimbriae of Escherichia coli. In this study, subcellular fractionation was used to demonstrate that FasD is an outer membrane protein. In addition, the accessibility of FasD to proteases established the presence of surface-exposed FasD domains on both sides of the outer membrane. The fasD gene was sequenced, and the deduced amino acid sequence was shown to share homologous domains with a family of outer membrane proteins from various fimbrial systems. Similar to porins, fimbrial outer membrane proteins are relatively polar, lack typical hydrophobic membrane-spanning domains, and posses secondary structures predicted to be rich in turns and amphipathic beta-sheets. On the basis of the experimental data and structural predictions, FasD is postulated to consist essentially of surface-exposed turns and loops and membrane-spanning interacting amphipathic beta-strands. In an attempt to test this prediction, the fasD gene was submitted to random in-frame linker insertion mutagenesis. Preliminary experiments demonstrated that it was possible to produce fasD mutants, whose products remain functional for fimbrial export and assembly. Subsequently, 11 fasD alleles, containing linker inserts encoding beta-turn-inducing residues, were shown to express functional proteins. The insertion sites were designated permissive sites. The inserts used are expected to be least detrimental to the function of FasD when they are inserted into surface-exposed domains not directly involved in fimbrial export. In contrast, FasD is not expected to accommodate such residues in its amphipathic beta-strands without being destabilized in the membrane and losing function. All permissive sites were sequenced and shown to be located in or one residue away from predicted turns. In contrast, 5 of 10 sequenced nonpermissive sites were mapped to predicted amphipathic beta-strands. These results are consistent with the structural predictions for FasD.
Activated nuclear factor-κB is present in the coronary vasculature in experimental hypercholesterolemia

Abstract Background : Experimental hypercholesterolemia (HC) is characterized by a decrease in nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability and cellular proliferation. Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) is a transcriptional factor which plays a coordinating role in inflammation and cellular proliferation and may be involved in early atherosclerosis. We examined whether activated NF-κB was present in experimental hypercholesterolemia in the coronary vasculature in association with a decrease in NO bioavailability. Methods: A total of 14 juvenile domestic crossbred pigs were placed on a HC diet and six pigs on a normal diet for 10–12 weeks. A monoclonal antibody to the activated form of the p65 subunit of NF-κB was used to detect immunoreactivity in coronary artery sections. Coronary tissue homogenates were analyzed for activated NF-κB and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) using Western blotting. In vitro coronary endothelium-dependent relaxation was performed in response to bradykinin, as a measure of NO bioavailability. Results: Intimal staining for activated NF-κB was present in 12/14 HC pigs as compared with 0/6 controls ( P
LIGA fabrication of mm-wave accelerating cavity structures at the Advanced Photon Source (APS)

Recent microfabrication technologies based on the LIGA (German acronym for Lithographe, Galvanoformung, und Abformung) process have been applied to build high-aspect-ratio, metallic or dielectric planar structures suitable for high-frequency rf cavity structures. The cavity structures would be used as parts of linear accelerators, microwave undulators, and mm-wave amplifiers. The microfabrication process includes manufacture of precision X-ray masks, exposure of positive resist by X-rays through the mask, resist development, and electroforming of the final microstructure. Prototypes of a 32-cell, 108-GHz constant-impedance cavity and a 66-cell, 94-GHz constant-gradient cavity were fabricated with the synchrotron radiation sources at APS and NSLS. This paper presents an overview of the new technology and details of the mm-wave cavity fabrication.
Transport and Reactions in Disordered Media

We give an overview of the fractal-like kinetics in geometrically and energetically disordered materials. This includes exciton kinetics on percolation clusters (isotopic mixed naphthalene crystals), grain boundaries of vapor deposited naphthalene films, naphthalene aggregates embedded into “plexiglass” and into pores of vycor glass, polymeric membranes (acetate, nylon) and filter papers (cellulose, glass) with pore sizes from 0.003 to 1.2 microns. The fractal and spectral dimensions derived experimentally for the percolating clusters are in excellent agreement with theory and simulations. The temperature studies separate the effects of energetic and geometric disorder in the naphthalene-impregnated porous materials. Molecular photochemistry in liquid solutions inside pores also shows a fractal-like heterogeneous reaction kinetics (the first such evidence involving a molecular reaction). Supercomputer simulations of reactions demonstrate the subordination law of geometric and energetic disorder. Steady-state supercomputer simulations show an unexpected segregation of reactants on fractal and one-dimensional patches of reactive (catalytic) surface sites. The implication for heterogeneous catalysis, energy upconversion and the characterization of photoactive disordered materials are discussed.
A typical bilateral Toxoplasma retinochoroiditis in a bone marrow transplant patient with negative serum titers.

Background Toxoplasma retinochoroiditis can have an atypical presentation and be difficult to diagnose in immunocompromised patients. Accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment is important since the disease can be aggressive in these patients. This paper is a case report with literature review, emphasizing on the diagnosis and treatment of Toxoplasma retinochoroiditis.
The single dose method of administering cholestyramine.

A new and simplified method for the administration of cholestyramine is presented. It has been our finding that the total daily dose of the resin (as indicated below) may be administered once a day in a single dose at any time during the waking hours, without reference to meals, and the resulting degree of cholesterol lowering is as great or greater than that obtained by the same dose with the traditional method of t.i.d. administration of cholestyramine. Doses of 12 or 16 gm per day, have been administered as a single dose to adult patients. We have not encountered side effects from the administration of this resin as a single dose, however an occasional patient has objected to the volume involved, and has preferred to take a smaller volume 2 or 3 times daily. Because of the bulk involved in the administration of larger doses, we have found it expedient to give doses of 24 gms per day by dividing the dose in half and administering it twice daily without reference to meals. The 21 patients in our study who received cholestyramine in the single daily dose obtained an average reduction of their serum cholesterol of 21.58% over baseline values. Twenty patients receiving a somewhat larger dose, administered twice daily (b.i.d. dose), obtained a 27.57% reduction in the serum cholesterol, and out of this entire series there were 22 patients who had at other times received the cholestyramine by the t.i.d. regimen. They had obtained a 25.61% reduction of their serum cholesterol (by the t.i.d. regimen). All 3 average percent reductions compared to 0 are highly significant (p is less than 0.0001). One hundred forty out-patients treated by the conventional t.i.d. program of administration obtained a 16.8% reduction in the serum cholesterol. This includes some patients taking relatively small and less effective doses. Our entire series of 238 patients (to be reported subsequently) treated as out-patients have obtained an average reduction of 22% of their serum cholesterols. There has been no statistically significant influence on the levels of the serum triglycerides during cholestyramine therapy in this series (results on 69 patients showed an average rise of 5.9 mg per 100 ml in the serum triglycerides). See discussion in text. Some studies have indicated a rise of serum triglycerides during cholestyramine therapy. It is recommended that triglycerides be monitored periodically during the course of cholestyramine treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Surface immobilization antigen of the parasitic ciliate Ichthyophthirius multifiliis elicits protective immunity in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus).

Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) that survive infection with the parasitic ciliate Ichthyophthirius multifiliis acquire immunity to subsequent challenge and produce specific antibodies in serum that immobilize the parasite in vitro. Cellular surface protein antigens targeted by these antibodies are referred to as immobilization antigens (i-antigens). By using an immobilizing mouse monoclonal antibody as a ligand, the i-antigen of I. multifiliis isolate G5 was purified to homogeneity by immunoaffinity chromatography, and its immunogenicity was confirmed by inoculating rabbit and channel catfish to produce immobilizing antisera. To test the purified i-antigen as a subunit vaccine, channel catfish fingerlings were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with purified i-antigen at a dose of 10 μg/fish in complete Freund’s adjuvant on day 1, followed by a second i.p. injection of the same amount of i-antigen in incomplete Freund’s adjuvant on day 15. Negative control fish were immunized similarly with either bovine serum albumin (BSA) or an immobilization-irrelevant I. multifiliis protein. On day 84, the fish were challenged with live I. multifiliis G5 theronts at a dose of 15,000 cells per fish. Seventy-two percent of the fish immunized with i-antigen survived the challenge. All negative control fish died within 16 days of exposure. There was a significant difference in the median days to death between the negative control fish injected with BSA and the fish that died following vaccination with i-antigen. Fish injected with i-antigen developed high immobilizing antibody titers in serum. This is the first demonstration of a direct role for i-antigens in the elicitation of protective immunity, suggesting that these proteins by themselves serve as effective subunit vaccines against I. multifiliis.
Queueing behavior of individual mobiles in TDMA-based cellular systems

We present a technique for analyzing the queueing behavior of the forward link in a wireless cellular communications system, wherein a collection of mobile users share the total capacity of the forward link using a version of time-division multiple access (TDMA), as in Qualcomm's high data rate (HDR) system. We model the arrival process of each forward link user as a batched Markovian arrival process (BMAP), and we model the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) of each customer by a Markov chain that depends upon the user's location and velocity. The Markov chain for the SINR then determines the maximal service that can be rendered to a user during a service frame. We assume each user is allocated a certain fraction of the total available time (not necessarily equal), but that this service time is given such that the aggregate throughput of the system is maximized. We model the allocation of service to individual users as a linear programming problem, and we solve for the optimal allocations. We then modify the Markov chain governing the user's SINR and service rate to reflect the level of service provided to the user as a function of SINR. We discuss computation of the queue length distribution of the individual users, and we provide a limited number of numerical examples. From this, we draw some conclusions about system characteristics and the QoS of individual users.
Characteristics of good listeners and poor listeners

(1968). Characteristics of good listeners and poor listeners. Journal of the Reading Specialist: Vol. 7, No. 3, pp. 109-113.
Low-power scan testing and test data compression for system-on-a-chip

Test data volume and power consumption for scan vectors are two major problems in system-on-a-chip testing. Since static compaction of scan vectors invariably leads to higher power for scan testing, the conflicting goals of low-power scan testing and reduced test data volume appear to be irreconcilable. We tackle this problem by using test data compression to reduce both test data volume and scan power. In particular, we show that Golomb coding of precomputed test sets leads to significant savings in peak and average power, without requiring either a slower scan clock or blocking logic in the scan cells. We also improve upon prior work on Golomb coding by showing that a separate cyclical scan register is not necessary for pattern decompression. Experimental results for the larger ISCAS 89 benchmarks show that reduced test data volume and low power scan testing can indeed be achieved in all cases.
On the performance of spin diffusion NMR techniques in oriented solids: prospects for resonance assignments and distance measurements from separated local field experiments.

NMR spin diffusion experiments have the potential to provide both resonance assignment and internuclear distances for protein structure determination in oriented solid-state NMR. In this paper, we compared the efficiencies of three spin diffusion experiments: proton-driven spin diffusion (PDSD), cross-relaxation-driven spin diffusion (CRDSD), and proton-mediated proton transfer (PMPT). As model systems for oriented proteins, we used single crystals of N-acetyl-L-15N-leucine (NAL) and N-acetyl-L-15N-valyl-L-15N-leucine (NAVL) to probe long and short distances, respectively. We demonstrate that, for short 15N/15N distances such as those found in NAVL (3.3 A), the PDSD mechanism gives the most intense cross-peaks, while, for longer distances (>6.5 A), the CRDSD and PMPT experiments are more efficient. The PDSD was highly inefficient for transferring magnetization across distances greater than 6.5 A (NAL crystal sample), due to small 15N/15N dipolar couplings (<4.5 Hz). Interestingly, the mismatched Hartmann−...
Novel pentamidine analogs in the treatment of experimental Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.

We have recently demonstrated that substitution of imidazoline moieties for the amidine groups of pentamidine produces a molecule that is effective against rat Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and that is apparently less toxic than pentamidine. For this reason, 10 novel imidazoline substituted compounds were evaluated for their effect against rat P. carinii pneumonia. While several of the new compounds were observed to have advantages over pentamidine in the treatment of disease in the rat model, only one compound stood out as a potential new clinical agent. Treatment for 2 weeks with intravenous (i.v.) doses of 1,3-di(4-imidazolino-2-methoxyphenoxy)propane (DIMP) at 1 mg/kg per day produced an anti-P. carinii pneumonia effect equivalent to i.v. doses of pentamidine at 10 mg/kg per day. Although pentamidine and one of the test drugs, 1,3-di(4-imidazolinophenoxy)propane, showed no activity against P. carinii pneumonia when administered per os, DIMP exhibited potent anti-P. carinii pneumonia activity when given by daily gavage doses of 40 and 25 mg/kg. DIMP retained significant activity when given every other day by a gavage dose of 25 mg/kg. No toxicity was observed with the drug at any of the dose levels or by either of the routes of administration. However, the low solubility of the drug prevented testing at higher i.v. doses. Our conclusion is that DIMP has the potential of providing a safer and more effective alternative to pentamidine for the treatment of P. carinii pneumonia.
The mutagenic equivalence of continuous and intermittent ultraviolet in Drosophila melanogaster.

HEN the polar cap cells of Drosophila (early germ track) are treated with wultraviolet, the rapid rise in the mutation rate in the lower dosage range earlier reported (MULLER et aZ. 1954) is suggestive of a multihit dose-rate curve. It seemed possible therefore that intermittent ultraviolet treatment might give a lower mutation rate than an equal dose of continuous treatment, provided separation of the periods of treatment prevented an appreciable percent of the hits in one period from acting synergistically with those in the next. Achieving a definite effect might depend on the proper spacing of the treatments. For if a hit had a relatively short life-span (i.e., period during which it was mutagenically effective), it would be desirable to make the treatment periods more numerous (and each of shorter duration) than if the life-span were longer. For technical reasons, lengthening the interval between treatments cannot be arbitrarily extended, since the polar cap stage in the development of the egg lasts for only about 70 minutes, and the treatment time must be limited accordingly. In a series of experiments previously reported (BROWNING and ALTENBURG 1959), it was found that there was no significant difference between the lethal mutation rates induced in the polar cap cells by a continuous 3s-minute ultraviolet treatment and the same dose of intermittent ultraviolet given in periods of 15 seconds with 15-second interruptions of the treatment. However, inview of the fact that photorepair of ultraviolet-treated material is possible as long as a half hour after treatment, it could well be that the interval between periods of treatment in the intermittent series was not sufficiently long to prevent the effect of a hit in one period from acting synergistically with hits in the following period. In the present experiments, therefore, the interval between treatments was made longer, as were also the treatment periods (the total dose in the continuous and intermittent series still being kept the same). METHODS
Fluorescence-activated cell sorting of human T and B lymphocytes ☆: I. Direct evidence that lymphocytes with a high density of membrane-bound immunoglobulin are precursors of plasmacytes

Abstract Human peripheral lymphocytes bearing either a high or a low amount of membrane-bound immunoglobulin were studied. Cells were “tagged” with fluorescein-labeled antiimmunoglobulin reagents and separated by means of a new electronic instrument, a fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS), into populations with either > 10 5 or 3 immunoglobulin molecules per cell. Fractions of high purities were obtained. (>80% and >99.9%, respectively). In vitro , different functional properties were observed: lymphocytes with high densities of membrane-Ig gave a late proliferative response after stimulation with Pokeweed mitogen (PWM). A considerable proportion of stimulated cells developed into mature plasmacytes as detected by cytoplasmic staining. Those lymphocytes with a low density or complete absence of membrane-Ig could be stimulated by both Phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and Pokeweed mitogen, but no differentiation into plasmacytes occurred. The functions are similar to those of bone marrow-derived (B) and thymus-derived (T) lymphocytes in mice. Thus, the designation as B lymphocytes for human lymphocytes with a large quantity of membrane-bound immunoglobulin seems justified.
A former management accountant reflects on his journey through the world of cost management

As an accountant and economist I once believed it is natural to guide business operations with management accounting information. I held to that belief until about ten years ago when I began to doubt the efficacy of using targets, scorecards, and other forms of quantitative data to guide, assess, and control operating activities. In this paper I describe briefly the journey that led me to doubt that it is possible to achieve stable and satisfactory financial results in the long run by driving business operations with quantitative targets, financial or otherwise. I now believe that “managing by means” with a “pattern language” is an alternative approach to managing operations that generates more stable and more satisfactory long-term financial performance than companies have ever achieved with traditional management accounting tools.
Elevation in heat shock protein 72 mRNA following contractions in isolated single skeletal muscle fibers.

The purpose of the present study was 1) to develop a stable model for measuring contraction-induced elevations in mRNA in single skeletal muscle fibers and 2) to utilize this model to investigate t...
Current Directions in Mathematical Learning Theory

The first part of this article surveys different current trends in mathematical learning theory. The main divisions of the subject covered are stimulus-response theory, language learning, formal learning theory, perceptrons, cellular automata, and neural networks. The second part is concerned with extending the ideas of stimulus-response theory to universal computation. This is done by using register machines rather than Turing machines. The main theorem is that any partial recursive function can be asymptotically learned by a register learning model. In the discussion of this result the emphasis is on the need for a carefully organized hierarchy of concepts in order to have a rate of learning that is realistic for either organisms or machines.
Decade in review—glomerular disease: The glomerulus reveals some secrets

In the past decade, major advances have been made in defining the antigens and pathogenesis of immune complex diseases such as membranous nephropathy and IgA nephropathy. Probing of rare genetic diseases has revealed new pathways of injury in proteinuric conditions, including channel abnormalities in the podocyte and complement dysregulation underlying proliferative glomerular lesions.
Primers for low-copy nuclear genes in the Melastomataceae

Premise of the study: Low-copy nuclear gene primers were developed for phylogenetic studies across the Melastomataceae. Methods and Results: Total genomic libraries from eight species in the Melastomataceae along with one transcriptome were used for marker identification and primer design. Eight exon-primed intron-crossing markers were amplified with success in taxa of nine tribes in the Melastomataceae. The new markers were directly sequenced for eight samples of closely related species of Miconia (Chaenanthera clade) in the tribe Miconieae. The DNA sequences for the eight loci ranged from 660 to 818 aligned base pairs. Compared with four commonly used markers in other studies, the loci developed here had a higher number of variable sites than plastid spacers (7–16 vs. 26–45) and comparable variation to the ribosomal spacers (28–39). Conclusions: The novel primer pairs should be useful for a broad range of studies of systematics and evolution in the diverse Melastomataceae.
Abstract B49: Investigating kinase inhibitor resistance mechanisms through quantitative network mapping of the human kinase interactome

The human kinases have become one of the most important classes of drug targets in the pharmaceutical industry. More than 20 drugs targeting one or more kinases have been approved for clinical use in a variety of cancers, including lung, breast, melanoma, colorectal, pancreatic, and prostate cancers. However, patients treated with those kinase inhibitors eventually develop resistance, and their prolong survivals are typically only a few months. So far, no general model has emerged to address the kinase inhibitor resistance. In this study, we constructed a systems biology-based framework to catalogue the human kinome (kinases and their interactions), including 538 kinase genes, in the broader context of the human interactome. Specifically, we constructed three networks: a kinase-substrate interaction network containing 7,346 pairs connecting 379 kinases to 36,576 phosphorylation sites in 1,961 substrates, a protein-protein interaction network (PPIN) containing 92,699 pairs, and an atomic resolution PPIN containing 4,278 pairs. We identified the conserved regulatory phosphorylation motifs (e.g., Ser/Thr-Pro) using a sequence logo analysis. We found the typical anticancer target selection strategy that uses network hubs as drug targets might lead to a high adverse drug reaction risk. Furthermore, we found the distinct network centrality of kinases creates a high anticancer drug resistance risk by feedback or crosstalk mechanisms within cellular networks. This notion is supported by the systematic network and pathway analyses that anticancer drug resistance genes are significantly enriched as hubs and heavily participate in multiple signaling pathways. Collectively, this comprehensive human kinome map sheds light on anticancer drug resistance mechanisms and provides an innovative resource for rational kinase inhibitor design. Note: This abstract was not presented at the conference. Citation Format: Feixiong Cheng, Zhongming Zhao. Investigating kinase inhibitor resistance mechanisms through quantitative network mapping of the human kinase interactome. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Precision Medicine Series: Drug Sensitivity and Resistance: Improving Cancer Therapy; Jun 18-21, 2014; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2015;21(4 Suppl): Abstract nr B49.
Renal function and Ca2+currents after dye-labeling identification of renal sympathetic neurons

The present study was performed to determine whether renal efferent sympathetic neurons could be identified using a retrograde neuronal tracer without compromising renal function and whether the la...
Idiopathic Hypoprothrombinemia Associated with Hemorrhagic Diathesis, and the Effect of Vitamin K

Two cases of hypoprothrombinemia of unknown cause are presented. In each case there was a marked hemorrhagic diathesis which, in Case 1, led to death. In each there were additional findings (clinical or necropsy) which suggested that the prothrombin deficiency was only one manifestation of a generalized disease. The pertinent literature is reviewed and a classification of the previously reported cases of "idiopathic hypoprothrombinemia" into "congenital" and "acquired" types is offered. Both of our cases fall into the "acquired" group. The treatment of the condition is discussed and it is pointed out that vitamin K1 oxide in large doses restored the prothrombin time to normal after the apparent failure of large doses of water soluble menadione. A rationale for this difference in response is suggested.
Interface engineering to control magnetic field effects of organic-based devices by using a molecular self-assembled monolayer.

Organic semiconductors hold immense promise for the development of a wide range of innovative devices with their excellent electronic and manufacturing characteristics. Of particular interest are nonmagnetic organic semiconductors that show unusual magnetic field effects (MFEs) at small subtesla field strength that can result in substantial changes in their optoelectronic and electronic properties. These unique phenomena provide a tremendous opportunity to significantly impact the functionality of organic-based devices and may enable disruptive electronic and spintronic technologies. Here, we present an approach to vary the MFEs on the electrical resistance of organic-based systems in a simple yet reliable fashion. We experimentally modify the interfacial characteristics by adding a self-assembled monolayer between the metal electrode and the organic semiconductor, thus enabling the tuning of competing MFE mechanisms coexisting in organic semiconductors. This approach offers a robust method for tuning the...
Neue Werkstoffe und Entwicklungs-Tools für den Hitzeschutz

Je kompakter und leistungsstarker moderne Kraftfahrzeuge werden, desto haufiger ist es erforderlich, Komponenten und Baugruppen vor benachbarten Hitzequellen zu schutzen. Zum erfolgreichen Hitze-Management gehort in steigendem Mas die fruhzeitige Planung geeigneter Masnahmen im Motorraum sowie im Unterbodenbereich. Federal-Mogul hat dafur neue Werkstoffe entwickelt und unterstutzt Fahrzeughersteller parallel mit neuen Simulations-Tools.
Time and resource partitioning in Stethorus punctum (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Stethorus punctum (LeConte) is an obligate predator of tetranychid mites. Laboratory studies examined the proportion of time beetles spent searching, feeding, and resting when adult females and third instars encountered an abundance of all instars of the tetranychid mite Tetranychus urticae Koch. Preference for various prey instars, relative handling times, and the influence of starvation on these behaviors were determined. Satiated female beetles spent 45.1% of their time searching, 14.4% feeding, and 40.5% resting. Female beetles that were starved spent a greater proportion of time feeding, with an increase in handling time per prey. The increase in handling time was due to a more complete extraction of body fluids from individual prey. Female beetles preferred mite eggs, and that preference was not significantly altered by starvation. Satiated larvae spent 78.4% of their time searching and 21.6% feeding; they did not spend any measurable amount of time resting. Starvation of larvae significantly increased the percentage of time spent feeding and the handling time per prey. Third instars preferred nymphal mite stages to other instars, and this preference was not significantly altered by starvation. The results are discussed in reference to predator–prey dynamics.
Studies of the antidiarrheal action of clonidine: Effects on motility and intestinal absorption

Clonidine, an alpha 2-adrenergic agonist, has been reported to stimulate the rate of electrolyte absorption in vitro, to alter intestinal motility in vivo, and to have antidiarrheal effects in animals. Experiments were performed in 8 healthy volunteers in order to evaluate the antidiarrheal effect of clonidine in humans. When diarrhea was induced by intragastric infusion of 2700 ml of balanced electrolyte solution over 90 min, oral administration of 0.3 mg of clonidine reduced the volume of rectal effluent by 48% (from 1233 +/- 62 to 640 +/- 77 ml, p less than 0.001), a clear-cut antidiarrheal effect. Clonidine increased total gut volume significantly (from 987 +/- 91 to 1830 +/- 142 ml, p less than 0.001), suggesting that clonidine exerted its antidiarrheal effect by altering gut motility, i.e., increasing the capacity of the gut and slowing the transit of fluid through the intestine. In other experiments, the net absorption rate of the whole gut during steady state total gut perfusion was measured. The rate of absorption of fluid was transiently stimulated by clonidine by 15% (from 696 +/- 77 to 799 +/- 55 ml/h, p less than 0.02), indicating an additional effect on mucosal cell function. These studies indicate that in this experimental diarrhea model, clonidine has antidiarrheal properties that are due largely to effects on motility of the gut but that clonidine also modestly stimulates the net rate of absorption by intestinal mucosa.
A model of the enteric neural circuitry underlying the generation of rhythmic motor patterns in the colon: the role of serotonin

We discuss the role of multiple cell types involved in rhythmic motor patterns in the large intestine that include tonic inhibition of the muscle layers interrupted by rhythmic colonic migrating motor complexes (CMMCs) and secretomotor activity. We propose a model that assumes these motor patterns are dependent on myenteric descending 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin) interneurons. Asynchronous firing in 5-HT neurons excite inhibitory motor neurons (IMNs) to generate tonic inhibition occurring between CMMCs. IMNs release mainly nitric oxide (NO) to inhibit the muscle, intrinsic primary afferent neurons (IPANs), glial cells, and pacemaker myenteric pacemaker interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC-MY). Mucosal release of 5-HT from enterochromaffin (EC) cells excites the mucosal endings of IPANs that synapse with 5-HT descending interneurons and perhaps ascending interneurons, thereby coupling EC cell 5-HT to myenteric 5-HT neurons, synchronizing their activity. Synchronized 5-HT neurons generate a slow excitatory postsynaptic potential in IPANs via 5-HT7 receptors and excite glial cells and ascending excitatory nerve pathways that are normally inhibited by NO. Excited glial cells release prostaglandins to inhibit IMNs (disinhibition) to allow full excitation of ICC-MY and muscle by excitatory motor neurons (EMNs). EMNs release ACh and tachykinins to excite pacemaker ICC-MY and muscle, leading to the simultaneous contraction of both the longitudinal and circular muscle layers. Myenteric 5-HT neurons also project to the submucous plexus to couple motility with secretion, especially during a CMMC. Glial cells are necessary for switching between different colonic motor behaviors. This model emphasizes the importance of myenteric 5-HT neurons and the likely consequence of their coupling and uncoupling to mucosal 5-HT by IPANs during colonic motor behaviors.
Role of Ultrasound in Shoulder Dystocia

Early recognition of maternal risk factors combined with early ultrasound are key to recognition of large infants. Using multiple ultrasound parameters, greater accuracy is achieved.
Is Involvement in Religion Associated with Better Sleep Quality

Findings from a considerable number of studies suggest that a wide range of psychosocial factors are associated with sleep quality. However, it is surprising to find that very few studies assess the relationship between religion and sleep quality. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between three key measures of religion and sleep quality. The data are from a recent nationwide survey of adults of all ages (N = 1774). A conceptual model that contains the following core relationships was evaluated empirically: (1) people who go to church more frequently tend to receive more spiritual support from fellow church members (spiritual support is assistance that is provided with the explicit purpose of bolster the religious behaviors and beliefs of the recipient), (2) more spiritual support is associated with stronger God-mediated control beliefs (God-mediated control refers to the extent to which people believe God works with them to overcome challenges that arise in life), (3) people with a strong sense of God-mediated control will feel more hopeful about the future, and (4) individuals who are more hopeful will enjoy better quality sleep. Empirical support was found for each of these relationships.
Computer Sub-Systems on a Chip of Silicon

Abstract This paper deals with current research aimed toward increasing circuit switching speed and logical complexity over that which is presently available on a given surface area of a silicon die. The relationship between circuit speed and power consumption is discussed for current mode logic circuitry. The technological tools available for pushing forward the barriers limiting speed and efficiency are presented. In addition, experimental data is shown comparing performance “of buried layer” devices to conventional devices in a ring oscillator configuration. Means for increasing logic complexity on a silicon die are discussed. A two phase shift bit example, developed and fabricated over a year ago, utilizing silicon interconnection cross-overs, is compared to a recent attempt utilizing film cross-overs. Also, results of integrating a 2×2 scratchpad memory device utilizing 101 elements are discussed. The paper concludes with some remarks pertaining to possible future technological approaches and their limitations for increasing logic complexity and circuit performance on a single chip of silicon.
Zika and Reproductive Rights in Brazil: Challenge to the Right to Health.

The Zika virus epidemic rapidly spread across Brazil and Latin America, gaining international attention because of the causal relationship between Zika and birth defects. The high number of cases in Brazil has been attributed to a failure of the state to contain the epidemic and protect the affected people, especially women. Therefore, the public health crisis created by Zika exposed a stark conflict between Brazil’s constitutional right to health and the long-standing violation of reproductive rights in the country.Although health is considered to be a right of all in Brazil, women struggle with barriers to reproductive services and lack of access to safe and legal abortions. In response to the epidemic, women’s rights advocates have filed a lawsuit with Brazil’s supreme court that requires the decriminalization of abortion upon the diagnosis of Zika virus.However, the selective decriminalization of abortion may lead to negative social consequences and further stigmatization of people with disabilities. ...
Power to Engage, Power to Resist: A Structuration Analysis of Barriers to Parental Involvement:

Parents face varying degrees of difficulty with getting involved in their children’s schools. Using data from a study of parent members of a community organization and structuration theory, I exami...
Projected Workforce of Psychiatrists in the United States: A Population Analysis

Objective:This analysis quantified and assessed the projected workforce of psychiatrists in the United States through 2050 on the basis of population data.Methods:With use of data from the Associat...
Multivariate Radial Mixed Fractional Ostrowski Inequalities

Here we give general multivariate radial mixed Caputo fractional Ostrowski inequalities. One of them is proved sharp and attained. Estimates are with respect to ‖⋅‖ p , 1 ≤ p ≤ ∞. This chapter relies on [4].
Neuroimaging and Traumatic Brain Injury

There are two main approaches to imaging the traumatically injured brain: acute diagnostic imaging and determination of long-term structural sequelae (see Gean, 1994; Osborn, 1994; Prayer & Gean, 1994). The actual mechanisms of brain injury have been fully discussed elsewhere (Bigler, 1990; Christman, Grady, Walker, Holloway, & Povlishock, 1994; Newberg & Alavi, this volume; Povlishock, 1992). This chapter will deal exclusively with these two areas of neuroimaging in traumatic brain injury (TBI) and the relationship of acute and chronic findings to neuropsychological outcome.
A Psychotic Reaction to Dental Care A CaseReport

Behavioural reactions to dental procedures have not received sufficient attention in either the psychiatric or dental literature. In medicine, behavioral reactions have been studied in relation to many types of medical and surgical procedures [1-7]. In dentistry, behavior in the dentistâ€™s office has been studied and related to maternal anxiety and to previous dental or medical trauma [8,9]. Behavior after the dental office visit has not received much emphasis, nor have adverse behavioral reactions been described as squeal to dental procedures. The patient to be described may represent an extreme example of an adverse reaction to a series of dental procedures, but the case is worthy of note.
Optimal Dynamic Proactive Caching Via Reinforcement Learning

Storage of popular reusable data at the edge of a heterogeneous wireless cellular network (HetNet) offers the premise of shifting the load on low-rate, unreliable backhaul links during peak traffic hours to off-peak periods. In order to intelligently capitalize on the limited available caching capacity, a content-agnostic small base station (SB) needs to proactively learn what and when to cache. An important challenge in a realistic network scenario is the spatio-temporal dynamics, inherent to the unknown content popularity profiles. To cope with such dynamics, local and global Markov processes are exploited to model user demands, whose structure and transition probabilities are assumed unknown. A reinforcement learning framework is put forth, through which a cache control unit (CCU) at the SB can continuously learn, track, and possibly adapt to the underlying dynamics of user demands. A Q-learning algorithm is developed to solve the proposed reinforcement learning task, unraveling the optimal caching policy in an online fashion. Simulated tests demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed proactive caching scheme under spatio-temporal dynamic demands.
Effect of Pre-plant Phosphate Charge and Leaching on Phosphorus Longevity in Soilless Substrate1

Abstract There is little information addressing the impact of quantity of pre-plant phosphate charge in soilless substrate and leaching during production on soluble phosphate longevity when post-pl...
Quantifying Photocurrent Loss of a Single Particle-Particle Interface in Nanostructured Photoelectrodes

Particle–particle interfaces are ubiquitous in nanostructured photoelectrodes and photovoltaics, which are important devices for solar energy conversion. These interfaces are expected to cause performance losses in these devices, but how much loss they would incur is poorly defined. Here we use a subparticle photoelectrochemical current measurement, in combination with specific photoelectrode configurations, to quantify the current losses from single particle–particle interfaces formed between individual TiO2 nanorods operating as photoanodes in aqueous electrolytes. We find that a single interface leads to ∼20% photocurrent loss (i.e., ∼80% retention of the original current). Such quantitative, first-of-its-kind, information provides a metric for guiding the optimization and design of nanostructured photoelectrodes and photovoltaics.
A comparison of information processing and dynamical systems perspectives on problem solving

This article compares the information processing and dynamical systems perspectives on problem solving. Key theoretical constructs of the information-processing perspective include “searching” a “p...
Estimating Loadability Region of Natural Gas System via Monotone Inner Polytope Sequence

The natural gas network is important for residential heating, industrial manufacturing, and electricity generation. Although it is reliable and resilient to local disruptions, extreme situations, such as natural disasters and political conflicts, can degenerate its capability of gas transportation and delivery, influencing other social activities. Evaluating loadability regions of natural gas networks is hard due to nonlinear constraints. This article proposes a fast computational tool for feasibility screening of natural gas load profiles. It first establishes the theoretical results on the convexity of loadability regions with sufficient conditions. Then, an asymptotic algorithm is applied to compute a sequence of inner polytopes that converges to the convex loadability region. Each polytope in the sequence can serve as a certificate for feasibility. The conservativeness of this inner estimation will decline along the monotone sequence. The algorithm is testified on a modified realistic Belgian natural gas system with multidimensional load profiles.
Lorazepam timing for acute convulsive seizure control (LoTASC).

Abstract Introduction Guidelines specify early administration of benzodiazepines (BZD) for the management of convulsive status epilepticus. The distinction between acute convulsive seizure and status epilepticus can be misconstrued resulting in BZD administration prior to a patient meeting criteria of status epilepticus. Early BZD administration may theoretically lead to systemic vital instability. Our study aims to assess if administering lorazepam, for convulsive seizures Methods This is a retrospective study analyzing patients who presented with a seizure lasting Results Out of 1052 subjects initially screened, 165 were included. Of these, 91 (55 %) received lorazepam, and 74 (45 %) did not. Through univariate and multivariate analyses, there was a significantly higher incidence of vital instability (defined as receipt of a vasopressor or intubation) in patients who received lorazepam (OR = 6.76, 95 % CI = 1.48, 30.95) (p = 0.014). This was dose-dependent (p Conclusion Our study suggests that lorazepam administration for acute convulsive seizures not meeting convulsive status epilepticus criteria may lead to iatrogenic vital instability and need for ICU admission.
Usefulness of Rhythm Monitoring Following Acute Ischemic Stroke.

We characterized monitor utilization in stroke survivors and assessed associations with underlying clinical atrial fibrillation (AF) risk. We retrospectively analyzed consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke 10/2018-6/2019 without prevalent AF and assessed the 6-month incidence of monitor utilization (Holter/ECG, event/patch, implantable loop recorder [ILR]) using Fine-Gray models accounting for the competing risk of death. We assessed for predictors of monitor utilization using cause-specific hazards regression adjusted for the Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology AF (CHARGE-AF) score, stroke subtype, and discharge disposition. Of 493 patients with acute ischemic stroke (age 65±16; 47% women), the 6-month incidence of monitor utilization was 36.5% (95% CI 31.7, 41.3), and 6-month mortality was 13.6% (10.4, 16.8). Monitoring was performed with Holter/event (n = 107; 72.3%), ILR (n = 34; 23.0%) or both (n = 7; 4.7%). Monitoring was more likely after cryptogenic (hazard ratio [HR] 4.53 [3.22, 6.39]; 6-month monitor incidence 70.6%) and cardioembolic (HR 2.43 [1.28, 4.62]; incidence 47.7%) stroke, versus other/undocumented (incidence 22.7%). Among patients with cryptogenic stroke, the 6-month incidence of ILR was 27.5% [18.5, 36.5]. Monitoring was more likely after discharge home (HR 1.80 [1.29, 2.52]; incidence 46.1%) versus facility (incidence 24.9%). Monitoring was not associated with CHARGE-AF score (HR 1.08 per 1-SD increase [0.91, 1.27]), even though CHARGE-AF was associated with incident AF (HR 1.56 [1.03, 2.35]). In conclusion, rhythm monitors are utilized after one-third of ischemic strokes. Monitoring is more frequent after cryptogenic strokes, though ILR use is low. Monitor utilization is not associated with AF risk.