cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Doppler ultrasound in aortic stenosis: In vitro studies of pressure gradient determination

Torricelli's equation expresses a simple relationship between fluid velocity and pressure gradient in orifice flow and is currently used in conjunction with noninvasive Doppler ultrasound to determine gradients in mitral stenosis, and aortic stenosis, as well as other cardiovascular orifices. In theory, however, the Torricelli equation overestimates the gradient in aortic stenosis and the Borda equation should be more applicable. A brief tutorial derivation of the Borda and Torricelli equations is presented. The applicability of Torricelli's equation in aortic stenosis was studied experimentally with a rigid wall, pulsatile flow analogue. Doppler ultrasound and manometric data were collected simultaneously. Percent stenosis, peak flow rate and fluid viscosity were varied. The results demonstrated that the Torricelli equation consistently overestimated the pressure gradient. At 61% area stenosis, the overestimation exceeded 100%. In vivo studies are required to determine the relevance of the observations to clinical situations.
Use-dependent properties of Flecainide Acetate in accessory atrioventricular pathways☆

Flecainide acetate has been shown to have use-dependent properties. The use-dependent properties of flecainide were evaluated in 20 patients (13 men and 7 women, mean age 32 +/- 11 years) with accessory atrioventricular connections. Twenty to 30 stimulus drive trains were introduced in either the atrium or ventricle at progressively faster rates. The range of cycle lengths over which anterograde and retrograde conduction block occurred in the accessory pathway was assessed in the drug-free state and after oral loading with flecainide acetate. The block cycle length index was defined as the shortest cycle length during which 1:1 conduction was maintained in the accessory pathway minus the longest cycle length during which block in the accessory pathway occurred on the second paced beat. In the drug-free state, the (mean +/- SD) anterograde and retrograde block cycle length indexes were 20 +/- 12 and 20 +/- 9 ms, respectively. After flecainide therapy, the anterograde and retrograde block cycle length indexes increased to 80 +/- 33 and 65 +/- 29 ms, respectively (p = 0.002 compared with the drug-free state). The block cycle length index did not correlate with serum flecainide levels, but did correlate with other electrophysiologic markers of drug effect on accessory pathway conduction. The change in the block cycle length index demonstrates that flecainide has a progressive effect on accessory pathway conduction at more rapid rates, consistent with its in vitro use-dependent properties. This index is an excellent marker of drug efficacy.
The striated nephrogram in acute pyelonephritis

A patient with acute pyelonephritis demonstrating a striated nephrogram pattern on intravenous urography is described. The possible pathophysiology of this radiographic finding in acute pyelonephritis, and other clinical entities in which it may be found, is discussed.
Supporting children's learning with body-based metaphors in a mixed reality environment

We describe an approach to designing immersive learning experiences for children using body-based metaphors. Previous research shows benefits for learning through physical interactions in virtual spaces (e.g., [1, 16])---here we look specifically at using mixed reality to embed children as elements within the systems they are attempting to learn. Using gross body-movements the children are able to test predictions and have their intuitions challenged, laying the foundation for deeper conceptual understanding. We present data from a study we conducted comparing the mixed reality experience with a desktop version of the same simulation. Results suggest that children's interactions with designs supporting body-based metaphors can lead them to better grasp the "deep structure" of the learning domain.
The in vitro release of protein from Escherichia coli ribosomes

Abstract The in vitro release of newly formed protein from the ribosome to the hot trichloroacetic acid precipitable supernatant fraction requires prelabeled ribosomes, ribosomal-free supernatant fraction, ATP, and probably Mg2+. The optimal ATP concentration is six-fold higher than that required for overall amino acid incorporation. Puromycin and deoxyribonuclease stimulate the release of radioactive protein from ribosomes both in the presence and absence of ATP, while chloramphenicol is neither stimulatory nor inhibitory. At least half the radioactivity released from prelabeled ribosomes is not precipitable by trichloroacetic acid. The amount of this material increases with time. ATP is required to effect the release of this trichloroacetic acid non-precipitable component.
Each in its proper place: Śaṅkara’s approach to diversity in Upaniṣadic insight texts

Scholars dedicated to the careful study of the Upani.sads ~ have continually pointed out the diversity of the views presented in them. As Robert Hume puts it: 'Their inner structure reveals that they are heterogeneous in their material and compound in their composition' (1993: 7). This is particularly true, he continues, of the two largest Upani.sads, the Chandogya and B.rhadaran.yaka: 'Disconnected explanations of the sacrificial ritual, legends, dialogues, etymologizings .... sayings, philosophical disquisitions, and so forth are, in the main, merely mechanically juxtaposed' (Hume 1993: 7). Although one might argue with him about the arbitrariness of such juxtapositions, one would have to agree that the various views expressed cannot easily be harmonized with one another. On the one hand, one finds in these larger Upani.sads sections with completely different concerns, such as the effective use of mantras for copulation (B.rhadaran.yaka Upani.sad 6.4) placed side by side with exhortations to attainment 'the great, birthless self (a-ja atman)' (4.22). On the other hand, different portions may describe the same topic in entirely different ways, such as Brahman as the person-shaped being (purus.a) seen in the eye (Chandogya Upanis.ad 4.15.1) versus Brahman as the self (atman) within the heart (3.14).-" Thus, few historical critical scholars would agree with the idea that Upani.sads, such as the Chandogya and B.rhadaran.yaka, are the product of a single philosophical or theological perspective. in apparent contrast to this, the third satra of B~daraya0.a's Brahma Satras (1.1.3), 3 which sets the standard for all later Vedintic systematization of the Upani.sads, states that the ultimate reality and creative force, known as brahman,
Electronic structure and fermiology of superconducting LaNiGa 2

We report electronic structure calculations for the layered centrosymmetric superconductor LaNiGa${}_{2}$, which has been identified as having a possible triplet state based on evidence for time reversal symmetry breaking. The Fermi surface has several large sheets and is only moderately anisotropic, so that the material is best described as a three-dimensional metal. These include sections that are open in the in-plane direction as well as a section that approaches the zone center. The density of states is high and primarily derived from Ga $p$ states, which hybridize with Ni $d$ states. Comparing with experimental specific heat data, we infer a superconducting $\ensuremath{\lambda}\ensuremath{\le}0.55$, which implies that this is a weak to intermediate coupling material. However, the Ni occurs in a nominal ${d}^{10}$ configuration in this material, which places the compound far from magnetism. Implications of these results for superconductivity are discussed.
Incubation without walls

No bricks, no mortar ... but lots of encouragement, introductions, good advice, and minimum conflicts of interest at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, say Thomas Ittelson and Lita Nelsen.
Constitution of the tin-rich and bismuth-rich regions of the tin-bismuth-arsenic ternary system

Abstract The portion of the SnBiAs ternary system encompassing the SnBi binary and its joins with the Sn4As3 phase has been investigated by thermal analysis, metallographic, and X-ray procedures. No ternary phases are formed. A ternary eutectic in this region freezes at 136 °C and lies very close to the binary eutectic of the SnBi system at 43 wt.% Sn-57% Bi. An Sn4As3-rich phase is the primary phase of precipitation over almost all of the compositional field involved. Secondary crystallisation of Sn-rich solid solution takes place in about half of the alloys (the SnSn4As3-rich), and in the other half (Sn4As3Bi rich), the secondary precipitate is a eutectic mixture of Sn4As3 and Bi.
Tumors of diverse histology are sensitive to rhodamine 123 laser phototherapy in vitro.

Abstract Rhodamine 123 has been shown to be an efficient photosensitizer for the argon laser treatment of a human squamous carcinoma and a melanoma cell line in vitro. Rhodamine 123 laser phototherapy also eradicates these human squamous cell carcinomas when grown as subcutaneous tumor transplants in athymic mice. This study extends these observations by testing a panel of 19 human tumor cell lines of various histologic origins for in vitro sensitivity to rhodamine 123 and the argon laser. Rhodamine 123 with an absorption maxima of 502 nm in water was found to undergo a redshift to 516 nm after uptake by the mitochondria of human tumor cells. Rhodamine 123-sensitized brain tumor cells were inhibited by over 80% after 15 seconds and by 98% after 60 seconds of laser exposure (514.5 nm, 4 W, T max = 39°C), as measured by reduced [ 3 H]thymidine incorporation into cellular DNA. Laser or rhodamine 123 alone did not significantly inhibit (>20%) tumor cell [ 3 H]thymidine uptake. Sensitization with 20 μg rhodamine 123 for 1 hour before 45 seconds of laser illumination decreased cell [ 3 H]thymidine uptake by 40% to 99% in four melanoma lines, five carcinomas, five leukemias, and four of five other human tumor lines. Two melanomas, two leukemias, and a lymphoma cell line also exhibited a 70% to 80% reduction in [ 3 H]thymidine uptake after sensitization in vitro with 1 μg/mL rhodamine 123 and laser illumination. Rhodamine 123-sensitized tumor cells were inhibited even more strongly by fractional dose laser irradiation at nonthermal temperatures. These results provide evidence that rhodamine 123 is an effective tumor targetting reagent in the laser photodynamic treatment of many types of malignant human cells in vitro, and suggest that cationic rhodamine laser dyes may be a useful new class of photosensitizers in the treatment of cancer.
Interpretation of Vibrational Spectra Using Molecular Orbital Theory Calculations

A great deal of mineralogy has focused on determining crystal structures of minerals. Amorphous materials are often compared to crystalline materials of the same composition in order to predict atomic structure in the disordered phase. However, there are many instances when such analogies will break down or no crystalline counterpart exists. Even mineral surface structures may be significantly different from the bulk mineral structure, particularly when the mineral surface has undergone reaction with aqueous solutions (e.g., Hellman et al. 1997). Although unambiguous determination of the atomic structure of an amorphous phase is generally more problematic than for crystalline phases, modern spectroscopic techniques (see Hawthorne 1988 for a review) can shed a great deal of light on the atomic structure of phases with long-range disorder. Vibrational (infrared and Raman) spectroscopy is a particularly useful tool for studying many types of phases (McMillan and Hofmeister 1988 and references therein). Unfortunately, infrared and Raman spectra may be subject to various interpretations. Molecular modeling of vibrational spectra can be useful for sorting out these debates. For example, the mechanism of CO2 dissolution in albitic melts is difficult to understand. Fine and Stolper (1985) measured infrared spectra and Mysen and Virgo (1980) measured Raman spectra of CO2-bearing albite (NaAlSi3O8) glasses. Both studies indicated the presence of a carbonate species. Although carbonate readily forms in more basic melts through the combination of CO2 with a “free” oxygen atom (where “free” means not bonded to a tetrahedral cation (Mysen and Virgo 1980), there were thought to be no “free” oxygen atoms in fully-polymerized Na-aluminosilicates. Mysen and Virgo (1980) interpreted the spectra in terms of a depolymerization of the melt with formation of octahedral Al from the previously tetrahedral Al atoms. Fine and Stolper (1985) proposed a different mechanism whereby a …
A simple dynamic load balancing algorithm for homogeneous distributed systems

In this paper, a simple decentralized dynamic load balancing algorithm, is presented. The algorithm is a variant of “join the shortest queue” algorithm. It uses remote jobs as carriers to transfer current node state information between nodes. We assume that remote jobs are partially processed at the remote sites and return back to their original site for more processing. A simulation model for a homogeneous distributed system was developed to compare the performance of the algorithm with previously proposed ones. The results show that the performance of this algorithm, which collects state information with virtually no additional communication load, is close to that of algorithms using regularly updated global information. Such results support, using an entirely different model, the results obtained in
Fracture response of externally flawed aluminum cylindrical shells under internal gaseous detonation loading

Experiments were performed to observe the fracture behavior of thin-wall and initially-flawed aluminum tubes to internal gaseous detonation loading. The load can be characterized as a propagating pressure jump with speed of 2.4 km/s and magnitude ranging from 2 MPa to 6 MPa, followed by an expansion wave. Flaws were machined as external axial surface notches. Cracks ran both in the upstream and downstream directions as the hoop stress opened up the notch. Different kinds of crack propagation behavior were observed for various loading amplitudes and flaw sizes. For low-amplitude loading and short flaws, cracks tend to run in a helical fashion, whereas for high-amplitude loading and long flaws, cracks tend to bifurcate in addition to running helically. Unless the cracks branched and traveled far enough to meet, resulting in a split tube, they were always arrested. Strain gages were used to monitor the hoop strains at several places on the tubes’ external surface. Far from the notch, tensile vibrations were measured with frequencies matching those predicted by the steady-state Tang (1965, Proceedings of the American Society of Civil Engineers 5, 97–122) and Simkins (1987, Technical Report ARCCB-TB-87008, US Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center, Watervliet, N.Y. 12189–4050) models. Near the notch, compressive strains were recorded as a result of the bulging at the notch. Features in the strain signals corresponding to different fracture events are analyzed.
AN EXTRARENAL ACTION OF MERCURIAL DIURETICS.

T he studies to be reported herein were designed to determine whether mercurial diuretic agents exert an influence on body water exclusive of their effect on the kidney. The experiments were prompted by the clinical observation that the rate of flow of edema fluid through Southey tubes was considerably increased after the intravenous administration of mercurial diuretics. Likewise, an increase in the rate and duration of flow of ascitic fluid through a trocar wound in the abdominal wall was noted if the patients were given injections of mercurial diuretics after paracentesis. These responses were seen to occur promptly after the administration of the drug and suggested an extrarenal action of the mercurial agents. Immediately after the intravenous administration of mercurials there is often a decrease in the volume of urine which persists for 10 to 40 minutes.’ This initial antidiuretic effect may be attributed to vascular reactions within the kidney,‘e3 but the subsequent diuresis occurs at a time which is consistent with mobilization of fluid from the extracellular space. Mercury is bound’ quite rapidly to protein4J and labeled meralluride was shown to leave the circulation promptly, with 20 to 50 per cent being distributed in extrarenal tissue.’ The hypothesis that mercurial diuretics may have an effect on the “protein binding” of extracellular water seems quite likely. Previous investigations of hemodilution after the administration of mercurial diuretics have resulted in conflicting opinions. 6-9 However, experimental studies by Threefoot lo clearly demonstrate an extrarenal action by meralluride on the uptake and excretion of vital blue dyes from intradermal injection sites. If mercury in mercurial diuretics causes any significant change in the binding of water in tissues, an increased rate of flow of lymph should be observed after the aclministration of mercurial diuretics.
Calcium and age in fibroblasts from control subjects and patients with cystic fibrosis

Intracellular calcium increases significantly as human fibroblasts age in culture. The calcium increase occurs 5 to 6 weeks (passages) earlier and is significantly greater in fibroblasts from subjects with cystic fibrosis in comparison with cells from control subjects. Intracellular calcium, which is thought to be a pathogenetic factor in cystic fibrosis, may also be a meaningful marker in cell aging.
Measurement of the Effects of Particulate Contamination on X-ray Reflectivity

Because particles of sizes larger than a few tenths microns adversely affect high resolution X-ray telescopes by scattering and absorbing X-rays, the cleanliness required to maintain the about 1 percent overall calibration precision desired for the Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF) is being investigated. At the grazing angles used for the AXAF mirrors, each particle shadows a surface area about 100 times its geometric area, necessitating glass occlusion specifications much more stringent than typically stipulated for visible-light particulate contamination. On test flats coated with gold, controlled levels of contamination have been deposited spanning the range from 5 x 10 to the -5th to 0.005 fractional area covered, and the absorption component of extinction has been measured over a range of grazing angles and X-ray energies to verify the predicted effects of particulate contamination.
Effect of high levels of alkalinity on geotextiles. Part 1: Ca(OH)2 solutions

Abstract The adverse effect of high alkalinity solutions on certain polymers has long been recognized by the polymer industry. Most chemical resistance charts and summary tables give an approximate indication of where problems might occur. Lacking, however, is the degree of this effect and the general conditions in which problems might exist. Furthermore, there is no testing methodology to quantitively assess the possible effects. This paper investigates six geotextiles using alkaline solutions of pH = 12 and pH = 10 ; and it compares the resulting flow and strength behavior to the as-recieved fabric incubated at the neutral condition of pH = 7 . All tests were conducted at the temperature of 25°C (77°F). The flow rate is seen to decrease with the duration of the experiment, and is caused mainly by the formation of a precipitation filter layer on top of the fabrics. The strength data showed a significant reduction in strip tensile strength for both polyester fabrics in the pH = 12 solution. No significant trends were seen in the pH = 10 solution within the 120 days of these tests. The results point out the necessity of knowing site-specific information about the groundwater (and perhaps soil conditions) so as to properly select a geotextile. Furthermore, the results seem to question the effects of groundwater with moderate alkalinity for longer time periods than evaluated here, and perhaps under elevated temperatures as well. Additional work into these potentially adverse effects seems to be warranted.
Vein graft adaptation and fistula maturation in the arterial environment

Veins are exposed to the arterial environment during two common surgical procedures, creation of vein grafts and arteriovenous fistulae (AVF). In both cases, veins adapt to the arterial environment that is characterized by different hemodynamic conditions and increased oxygen tension compared with the venous environment. Successful venous adaptation to the arterial environment is critical for long-term success of the vein graft or AVF and, in both cases, is generally characterized by venous dilation and wall thickening. However, AVF are exposed to a high flow, high shear stress, low-pressure arterial environment and adapt mainly via outward dilation with less intimal thickening. Vein grafts are exposed to a moderate flow, moderate shear stress, high-pressure arterial environment and adapt mainly via increased wall thickening with less outward dilation. We review the data that describe these differences, as well as the underlying molecular mechanisms that mediate these processes. Despite extensive research, there are few differences in the molecular pathways that regulate cell proliferation and migration or matrix synthesis, secretion, or degradation currently identified between vein graft adaptation and AVF maturation that account for the different types of venous adaptation to arterial environments.
The Effects of Massed versus Spaced Formats in Teaching Sound-Symbol Correspondences to Young Children.

Twenty-eight first graders were taught letter-sound correspondences ac- cording to massed and spaced formats. One group received a spaced format on i and massed format on e, and the other received a spaced format on e, and massed format on i. A paired associated format required children to produce the appropriate sounds in response to visually presented letters (e, m, s, c, i). Compared to the massed for- mat, correct responses to the letter presented according to the spaced format were more frequent on the posttest (72 % versus 38%), though less frequent during training (56% versus 74%). The findings extended the superiority of spaced presentations to younger subjects and academically relevant stimuli. In previous paired associate research, spaced presentations have been associated with more correct posttest responses and fewer correct training responses than massed schedules (Greeno, 1964; Peterson, Wamper, Kirkpatrick, & Saltzman, 1963; Shaughnessy, Zimmerman, & Underwood, 1974). For example, Greeno re- quired college students to give a verbal word response to a different, visually presented word. In the massed condition Greeno presented a particular word pair. That word pair appeared the same number of times in the spaced condition but ap- pearances were separated from each other by at least four interpolated word pairs, Although more correct responses occurred during training in the massed condition, subjects from the spaced condition performed significantly better on a recall test. Greeno's data revealed that very little learning occurred on the second and third repetitions of an item in the massed condition. The present study is a systematic replication of Greeno's study, which showed that greater opportunity for intralist discrimination results in lower training scores but higher posttest scores. The purpose of the study was to extend the generalizabili- ty of the findings to younger subjects and to educationally relevant stimuli. The sub-
Spatial and temporal variation of the ion flux impinging on the wafer surface in presence of a plasma instability

An array of planar Langmuir probes built on the surface of a 75-mm diameter Si wafer was used to measure the spatial and temporal variation of the ion flux impinging on the wafer surface in presence of a plasma instability.
Comments on charge density waves

Charge density waves (CDWs) in transition-metal compounds are shown to be a consequence of the first-order character of the crossover from localized to itinerant d-electron behavior; they are formed as this crossover is approached from either the localized-electron or the itinerant-electron side. Opening of a gap at the Fermi energy by changing the periodicity of the electron potential energy is a description that is only applicable on the approach from the itinerant-electron side. At crossover, single-valent transition-metal compounds with metal–metal d-electron bonding form cation clusters in which d-electrons are confined to molecular orbitals; normally, the individual bonds of a cluster are electron-pair bonds. However, in Zn[V2]O4, orbital ordering of a localized 3d-electron in an xy-orbital lowers the V–V separation in [011] and [101] chains sufficiently that the yz ± izx orbitals approach crossover from the localized-electron side. To resolve the magnetic frustration associated with the antiferromagnetic coupling between the localized spins in neighboring xy orbitals, the yz ± izx electrons become confined to one-electron bonds in a zigzag chain rather than an electron-pair bond within a dimer. The itinerant d-electrons of the zigzag chains are spin-polarized by intra-atomic exchange with xy-orbital spins. At crossover, compounds with cation–anion–cation bonding segregate into cations of an anion complex and cations with localized-electron spins; these segregations commonly result in a disproportionation electron transfer between cations that result in a static “negative-U” CDW in either single-valent or mixed-valent systems, but the perovskite HoNiO3 demonstrates that this electron transfer does not always occur. The insertion of interstitial Oi atoms in the $$ {\hbox{L}}{{\hbox{a}}_2}{\hbox{Cu}}{{\hbox{O}}_{{\rm{4}} + \delta }} $$ system allows monitoring of the formation of a dynamic phase segregation into mobile multihole polarons in a hole-free matrix that order into a thermodynamically distinct superconductive phase. The polarons may either order into pinned metallic stripes or as two-hole, two-electron bosonic polarons that become pinned to phonons in a superconductive phase that masks a quantum critical point.
Two-dimensional paper networks: programmable fluidic disconnects for multi-step processes in shaped paper

Most laboratory assays take advantage of multi-step protocols to achieve high performance, but conventional paper-based tests (e.g., lateral flow tests) are generally limited to assays that can be carried out in a single fluidic step. We have developed two-dimensional paper networks (2DPNs) that use materials from lateral flow tests but reconfigure them to enable programming of multi-step reagent delivery sequences. The 2DPN uses multiple converging fluid inlets to control the arrival time of each fluid to a detection zone or reaction zone, and it requires a method to disconnect each fluid source in a corresponding timed sequence. Here, we present a method that allows programmed disconnection of fluid sources required for multi-step delivery. A 2DPN with legs of different lengths is inserted into a shared buffer well, and the dropping fluid surface disconnects each leg at in a programmable sequence. This approach could enable multi-step laboratory assays to be converted into simple point-of-care devices that have high performance yet remain easy to use.
Biosynthetic incorporation of m-fluorotyrosine into bacteriorhodopsin.

— Halobacterium halobium, grown in a defined medium where tyrosine had been largely replaced with m-fluorotyrosine, biosynthetically produced purple membrane. Analysis of this membrane by high pressure liquid chromatography of phenylthiocarbamyl derivatized amino acids of membrane acid hydrolysates revealed that up to 50% of the tyrosine was present as the m-fluorotyrosine form. Yields of the purple membrane decreased as the level of incorporation increased. The experimental purple membrane showed a single 19F NMR resonance at -61.983 ppm (relative to trifluoroacetic acid). The bacteriorhodopsin (bR) in the purple membrane was normal as assayed by gel electrophor-esis, isoelectric focusing, circular dichroic spectra, and UV-visible spectra. However, the fluorinated tyrosine bacteriorhodopsins at near neutral pH exhibited slightly slower rates of proton uptake and a slower M-state decay with biphasic kinetics reminiscent of alkaline solutions of bR (pH > 9). These results imply that the tyrosines in bacteriorhodopsin may play a role in the photoactivated proton translocation process of this pigment.
Digitalis-like factor and digoxin-like immunoreactive factor in diabetic women with preeclampsia, transient hypertension of pregnancy, and normotensive pregnancy.

An endogenous sodium pump inhibitor, or digitalis-like factor (DLF), has been postulated to mediate essential hypertension. It may also play a role in preeclampsia. However, studies of this factor in hypertensive pregnancy have not provided consistent findings. Part of this may be due to the absence of subclassification of pregnant women with pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) when assessing these parameters. In this study we explored serum DLF and digoxin-like immunoreactive factor (DLIF) in insulin-dependent diabetic (IDDM) women with normotensive pregnancies or PIH, comparing them to each other and to nondiabetic pregnant women. Our results demonstrated that nondiabetic women with preeclampsia (PE, PIH with proteinuria) had significantly increased serum DLF and DLIF compared to normotensive pregnant women (NL BP). Women with transient hypertension of pregnancy (THP, PIH without proteinuria) had intermediate values (DLF. NL BP: 3.3 ± 0.6, THP: 4.8 ± 1.1, PE: 7.6 ± 1.3% inhibition [Na,K]-ATPase, P P v IDDM NL BP: 8.8 ± 1.2% inhibition [Na,K]-ATPase, P = .0008; DLIF. non-IDDM NL BP: 0.22 ± 0.02 v IDDM NL BP: 0.31 ± 0.02 ng digoxin equivalents/mL, P = .005). However, in the IDDM pregnant women, serum levels of DLF and DLIF were not significantly increased further with PIH (DLF. NL BP: 8.8 ± 1.2, THP: 6.9 ± 2.8, PE: 6.1 ± 1.4% inhibition [Na,K]ATPase, P = NS ANOVA; DLIF. NL BP: 0.31 ± 0.02, THP: 0.36 ± 0.07, PE: 0.38 ± 0.04 ng digoxin equivalents/mL, P = NS ANOVA). These results suggest that in non-diabetic pregnant women, DLF and DLIF are only significantly increased in preeclampsia. Moreover, in IDDM pregnant women, the presence of increased DLF and DLIF in normotensive subjects and the absence of a significant further increase in subjects with PIH suggests that hypertension in these women may differ mechanistically from PIH in nondiabetic women. Lastly, inclusion or exclusion of diabetic pregnant women can lead to different results for DLF in PIH.
Apoptotic Cell-Mediated Immunoregulation of Dendritic Cells Does Not Require iC3b Opsonization

A number of recent studies show that activation of CR3 on dendritic cells (DCs) suppresses TLR-induced TNF-α and IL-12 production and inhibits effective Ag presentation. Although the proposed physiologic role for these phenomena is immune suppression due to recognition of iC3b opsonized apoptotic cells by CR3, all of the aforementioned investigations used artificial means of activating CR3. We investigated whether iC3b opsonized apoptotic cells could induce the same changes reported with artificial ligands such as mAbs or iC3b-opsonized RBC. We explored the kinetics of iC3b opsonization in two models of murine cell apoptosis, γ-irradiated thymocytes and cytokine deprivation of the IL-3 dependent cell line BaF3. Using a relatively homogenous population of early apoptotic cells (IL-3 deprived BaF3 cells), we show that iC3b opsonized apoptotic cells engage CR3, but this interaction is dispensable in mediating the anti-inflammatory effects of apoptotic cells. TLR-induced TNF-α and IL-12 production by bone marrow-derived DCs occurs heterogeneously, with apoptotic cells inhibiting only certain populations depending on the TLR agonist. In contrast, although apoptotic cells induced homogeneous IL-10 production by DCs, IL-10 was not necessary for the inhibition of TNF-α and IL-12. Furthermore, because the ability of iC3b opsonization to enhance phagocytosis of apoptotic cells has been controversial, we report that iC3b opsonization does not significantly affect apoptotic cell ingestion by DCs. We conclude that the apoptotic cell receptor system on DCs is sufficiently redundant such that the absence of CR3 engagement does not significantly affect the normal anti-inflammatory processing of apoptotic cells.
My Client Talks! Do I Still Need to Consider AAC in my Treatment Planning? Speech Supplementation Strategies: AAC for Clients Who Talk!

People with motor speech disorders often persist in using their natural speech to communicate despite low intelligibility and frequent communication breakdowns. Their speech may be functional in so...
A novel MEMS impedance tuner simultaneously optimized for maximum impedance range and power handling

This paper introduces a novel design technique for developing microwave MEMS impedance tuners. Unlike existing designs we simultaneously optimize both the impedance coverage and power handling of the tuner. This allows the tuner to be used in real-life load-pull systems where power handling is equally important to impedance tuning. We further increase the power handling by utilizing contact-less MEMS varactors that can reliably handle more than 3.5 W of power. These principles are demonstrated with a 30 GHz tuner that exhibits very wide impedance tuning and an improvement of 4.5 times (compared to conventional MEMS designs) in terms of the power it can deliver.
Treating rhinitis in the older population: special considerations

Rhinitis in the elderly is a common but often neglected condition. Structural changes in the nose associated with aging, predisposes the elderly to rhinitis. There are a number of specific factors that affect medical treatment of the elderly including polypharmacy, cognitive dysfunction, changes in body composition, impairment of liver and renal function and the cost of medications in the face of limited resources. Rhinitis in the elderly can be placed in several categories and treatment should be appropriate for each condition. The most important aim is to moisten the nasal mucosa since the nose of the elderly is so dry. Great caution should be used in treatment with first generation antihistamines and decongestants. Medications generally well tolerated by the elderly are second generation antihistamines, intra-nasal anti-inflammatory agents, leukotriene modifiers and iprapropium nasal spray.
The Axiomatic Derivation of Absolute Lower Bounds

The ancient Euclidean algorithm computes the greatest common divisor gcd(m, n) of two natural numbers from (or relative to) the remainder operation rem, which is assumed as primitive; it requires no more than 2 log(min(m, n)) applications of the remainder operation to compute gcd(m, n) (for m, n ges 2), and it is not known to be optimal: Conjecture: for every algorithm a which computes on Nopf from rem the greatest common divisor function, there is a constant r > 0 such that for infinitely many pairs a ges b ges 1, calpha(a, b) ges rlog2(a), where calpha(m,n) counts the number of calls to "the remainder oracle" required by a for the computation of gcd(m, n). The conjecture claims a logarithmic lower bound for all algorithms which compute gcd(m, n) from the remainder operation, not just those expressed by a specific class of computation models. In this lecture the author develops an approach to the theory of algorithms in the style of abstract model theory which makes it possible to make precise and (on occasion) prove the existence of non-trivial, absolute lower bounds for a wide variety of problems and specified primitives, including many of the results in the bibliography.
A generalized orthogonal subspace projection approach to unsupervised multispectral image classification

Orthogonal subspace projection (OSP) has been successfully applied in hyperspectral image processing. In order for the OSP to be effective, the number of bands must be no less than that of signatures to be classified. This ensures that there are sufficient dimensions to accommodate orthogonal projections resulting from the individual signatures. Such inherent constraint is not an issue for hyperspectral images since they generally have hundreds of bands, which is more than the number of signatures resident within images. However, this may not be true for multispectral images where the number of signatures to be classified is greater than the number of bands such as three-band pour l'observation de la terra (SPOT) images. This paper presents a generalization of the OSP called generalized OSP (GOSP) that relaxes this constraint in such a manner that the OSP can be extended to multispectral image processing in an unsupervised fashion. The idea of the GOSP is to create a new set of additional bands that are generated nonlinearly from original multispectral bands prior to the OSP classification. It is then followed by an unsupervised OSP classifier called automatic target detection and classification algorithm (ATDCA). The effectiveness of the proposed GOSP is evaluated by SPOT and Landsat TM images. The experimental results show that the GOSP significantly improves the classification performance of the OSP.
Oxygen free radicals contribute to postburn cardiac cell membrane dysfunction.

This study evaluated the contribution of O2free radicals to changes in cardiac function after burn injury. Full-thickness scald burns comprising 42% of the total body surface area were produced in rats. Mean arterial pressure, heart rate, pH, cardiac transmembrane potential (Ling Gerard electrode, Em), myocardial ATP, creatine phosphate (CP), glucose 6-phosphate, and lactate were measured enzymatically 24 hr postburn in four groups: Group 1, sham burn controls,N= 12; Group 2, untreated burn injury,N= 14; Group 3,N= 10, burn injury resuscitated with Ringer's lactate (Parkland formula); Group 4, burns pretreated with oral allopurinol (10 mg/kg) for 5 days before burn injury,N= 11.In vitrocardiac contractile function was assessed 24 hr after burn injury in additional animals (N= 8) from each of the four experimental groups. Untreated burn injury caused hypotension, bradycardia, depolarization of the cardiac cell membrane (Em fell from 78.5 ± 0.4 to 66.8 ± 0.4,P< 0.05), and left ventricular contractile depression despite no significant fall in cardiac ATP content. In contrast, cardiac tissue CP fell and myocardial tissue lactate rose. Allopurinol pretreatment oblated burn-induced hypotension, bradycardia, and cardiac cell membrane depolarization and improved cardiac contractile function despite no fluid resuscitation from burn injury. In contrast, aggressive fluid resuscitation from burn injury (Group 3) repolarized cardiac cell membrane but did not reverse burn-induced cardiac contractile deficits. These data suggest that xanthine oxidase-mediated free radical production contributes, in part, to postburn alterations in cardiac function.
Design of HD-quality streaming networks for real-time content distribution

Recent advances in storage and networking technology are rapidly changing users' TY viewing patterns. Personal video recorders (PVRs) enable people to watch what they want when they want by recording TV programs into local disks. In addition, PVRs can easily share TV contents over peer-to-peer networks once they are equipped with broadband connections. However, the current broadband bandwidth makes it difficult to support HD-quality TV content streaming on the Internet. In this paper, we propose a novel HD-quality streaming architecture for real-time broadcast content distribution. We develop two efficient scheduling schemes, matching a communication pair and switching/replication for system load-balancing, to further utilize network and disk bandwidth. We also evaluate buffer requirement to continue storing time-shifted programs without missing any broadcast data. By extensive simulation experiments, we show the effect of our proposed schemes and time-shifting policy.
Assembly of Distinct Pilus Structures on the Surface of Corynebacterium diphtheriae

Different surface organelles contribute to specific interactions of a pathogen with host tissues or infectious partners. Multiple pilus gene clusters potentially encoding different surface structures have been identified in several gram-positive bacterial genomes sequenced to date, including actinomycetales, clostridia, corynebacteria, and streptococci. Corynebacterium diphtheriae has been shown to assemble a pilus structure, with sortase SrtA essential for the assembly of a major subunit SpaA and two minor proteins, SpaB and SpaC. We report here the characterization of a second pilus consisting of SpaD, SpaE, and SpaF, of which SpaD and SpaE form the pilus shaft and SpaF may be located at the pilus tip. The structure of the SpaDEF pilus contains no SpaABC pilins as detected by immunoelectron microscopy. Neither deletion of spaA nor sortase srtA abolishes SpaDEF pilus formation. The assembly of the SpaDEF pilus requires specific sortases located within the SpaDEF pilus gene cluster. Although either sortase SrtB or SrtC is sufficient to polymerize SpaDF, the incorporation of SpaE into the SpaD pili requires sortase SrtB. In addition, an alanine in place of the lysine of the SpaD pilin motif abrogates pilus polymerization. Thus, SpaD, SpaE, and SpaF constitute a different pilus structure that is independently assembled and morphologically distinct from the SpaABC pili and possibly other pili of C. diphtheriae.
Reducing NoC energy consumption through compiler-directed channel voltage scaling

While scalable NoC (Network-on-Chip) based communication architectures have clear advantages over long point-to-point communication channels, their power consumption can be very high. In contrast to most of the existing hardware-based efforts on NoC power optimization, this paper proposes a compiler-directed approach where the compiler decides the appropriate voltage/frequency levels to be used for each communication channel in the NoC. Our approach builds and operates on a novel graph based representation of a parallel program and has been implemented within an optimizing compiler and tested using 12 embedded benchmarks. Our experiments indicate that the proposed approach behaves better - from both performance and power perspectives - than a hardwarebased scheme and the energy savings it achieves are very close to the savings that could be obtained from an optimal, but hypothetical voltage/frequency scaling scheme.
The affect of tissue depth variation on craniofacial reconstructions

We examined the affect of tissue depth variation on the reconstruction of facial form, through the application of the American method, utilizing published tissue depth measurements for emaciated, normal, and obese faces. In this preliminary study, three reconstructions were created on reproductions of the same skull for each set of tissue depth measurements. The resulting morphological variation was measured quantitatively using the anthropometric craniofacial variability index (CVI). This method employs 16 standard craniofacial anthropometric measurements and the results reflect "pattern variation" or facial harmony. We report no appreciable variation in the quantitative measure of the pattern facial form obtained from the three different sets of tissue depths. Facial similarity was assessed qualitatively utilizing surveys of photographs of the three reconstructions. Surveys indicated that subjects frequently perceived the reconstructions as representing different individuals. This disagreement indicates that size of the face may blind observers to similarities in facial form. This research is significant because it illustrates the confounding effect that normal human variation contributes in the successful recognition of individuals from a representational three-dimensional facial reconstruction. Research results suggest that successful identification could be increased if multiple reconstructions were created which reflect a wide range of possible outcomes for facial form. The creation of multiple facial images, from a single skull, will be facilitated as computerized versions of facial reconstruction are further developed and refined.
Quality of Automatically Generated Test Cases based on OCL Expressions

In this paper, we deal with coverage criteria for boundary testing. We focus on the automatic generation of boundary tests based on OCL expressions and evaluate the quality of these tests with established coverage criteria like MC/DC. We define and apply new coverage criteria, evaluate their efficiency via mutation testing, and substantiate all explanations by an example, part of a model of an elevator control.
Synthesis and characterization of isotopically enriched methylmercury (CH3201Hg

A simple procedure for the synthesis of an important standard, isotopically enriched methylmercury, which is not commercially available, has been established successfully. The isotopically enriched standard synthesized is utilized in conventional isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS), as well as in speciated IDMS (SIDMS), for determination of the true concentration of methylmercury in environmental samples. The CH3201Hg+ standard has been synthesized from commercially available 201HgO and tetramethyltin. The synthesis time required is 1 h at 60°C. The product is highly pure, yielding more than 90% as 201Hg in CH3201Hg+. Hazardous dimethylmercury does not occur during this synthesis procedure. The product synthesized was analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and ICP-MS alone in order to determine its concentration, isotopic composition and purity. The stability of the product was also evaluated for over 6 months and found to be stable at 4°C in the dark. The isotopically enriched methylmercury synthesized can be used in SIDMS and IDMS analyses as a standard. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Positive Psychology and Educational Administration: An Optimistic Research Agenda

The purpose of this essay is to develop a research agenda based on the relatively new perspective of positive psychology. The authors first offer a brief history of positive psychology including a ...
Anti-inflammatory agent, dexamethasone, does not affect exercise-induced arterial hypoxemia in Thoroughbreds

In view of the suggestion that pulmonary injury-induced release of histamine and/or other chemical mediators from airway inflammatory and mast cells contribute to the exercise-induced arterial hypo...
Numerical Simulation of Mixed Convective Flow Over a Three-Dimensional Horizontal Backward Facing Step

Laminar mixed convective flow over a three-dimensional horizontal backward-facing step heated from below at a constant temperature was numerically simulated using a finite volume technique and the most relevant hydrodynamic and thermal features for air flowing through the channel are presented in this work. The channel considered in this work has an aspect ratio AR=4, and an expansion ratio ER=2, while the total length in the streamwise direction is 52 times the step height (L=52s) and the step length is equal to 2 times the step height (l=2s). The flow at the duct entrance was considered to be hydrodynamically fully developed and isothermal. The bottom wall of the channel was subjected to a constant high temperature while the other walls were treated to be adiabatic. The step was considered to be a thermally conducting block.
Dartmouth and the Debate Over Ski Jumping in NCAA Competition

This essay details the issues that were raised in discussions about the wisdom of eliminating ski jumping from the order of events in NCAA championship competition, a discussion that culminated in 1980 when the NCAA Skiing Rules Committee voted unanimously to drop ski jumping. The event had been an integral and popular part of intercollegiate skiing competitions since 1910 when Dartmouth met McGill in the first meet. More significantly, this essay examines Dartmouth’s resistance to the ruling eliminating jumping, a resistance that was fueled not only by the school’s pioneering role in skiing but also by a complex set of cultural issues that emerged throughout the 1970s at Dartmouth and that challenged the traditional outdoor ethos of the college.