cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Studies on urea cycle enzymes in the terrestrial snail, Otala lactea.

Abstract The hepatopancreas tissue of the land snail, Otala lactea, has been investigated for the presence of the enzymes known to be involved in the biosynthesis of urea in vertebrates and microorganisms. Ornithine transcarbamylase and argininosuccinate-splitting enzyme activity have been detected in this species for the first time in an invertebrate animal. Although the snail ornithine transcarbamylase was shown to require carbamyl phosphate for activity, the synthesis of this compound could not be demonstrated in vitro. Citrulline metabolism by extracts of the hepatopancreas was found to have similar requirements to the argininosuccinate synthetase system of vertebrates, and suggestive evidence for the presence of this or a very similar enzyme system in the snail was obtained. Studies on the arginase activity of the hepatopancreas showed that estivation did not significantly affect the tissue arginase levels in this species. A small amount of urease activity was also demonstrated in extracts of the hepatopancreas.
Periodicity in body temperature and heart rate.

It has been known for over a century that the human body temperature is not constant, but exhibits regularly recurring fluctuations. A diurnal, or 24-hour, cycle is related to the influence of the daily routine of work, meals, rest, and sleep. A longer cycle in menstruating women has been established more recently, but there are no consistent data on a seasonal or annual temperature rhythm in either sex. The heart rate, which is much more labile than body temperature, has also been found to show a diurnal variation, but figures pertaining to longer-term periodicity are few and contradictory. Furthermore, the relation between body temperature and heart rate, although very definite in cold-blooded animals, as well as in hyperthermia in man, has not been clearly demonstrated in the latter under normal conditions of every-day existence. It is our purpose to present observational data on human body temperatures and heart rates which bear on their diurnal, menstrual and seasonal periodicity;
Estradiol protects against injury-induced cell death in cortical explant cultures: a role for estrogen receptors.

Abstract Estradiol has been shown to exert trophic and protective actions in the brain. Our laboratory has shown that in vivo, low physiological levels of estradiol protect the female rat brain against ischemic injury. In the present study, we used organotypic cortical explant cultures to begin to decipher the mechanisms of estradiol’s actions. Injury was induced by exposure to kainic acid or potassium cyanide/2-deoxyglucose (KCN/2-DG) for varying lengths of time, and cell death was monitored by LDH release at 2, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after injury. We found that exposure to 1 mM KCN/2 mM 2-DG for 2 h produced consistent delayed cell death that was detectable by 24 h. The presence of 17β-estradiol (E2) during the 7 days prior to injury significantly reduced the extent of cell death; whereas, administration of E2 at the time of injury did not protect. The protective effects of estradiol were dose dependent. Low doses of E2 (1, 10, and 30 nM) significantly reduced cell death; however, higher concentrations of E2 (>60 nM) had no protective effect. The observations that low levels of E2 protect against cell death, and that pretreatment is required suggest that the protective actions of estradiol may involve estrogen receptors. Therefore, we examined the ability of 17α-estradiol, which does not efficiently activate the estrogen receptor, and the addition of the estrogen receptor antagonist, ICI 182,780, to influence the extent of cell death induced by KCN/2-DG. 17α-Estradiol failed to protect, and ICI 182,780 prevented E2 from protecting against cell death. Furthermore, E2 pretreatment is required for more than 24 h to be neuroprotective. Our results clearly show that in cortical explant cultures, estradiol protects cells against ischemic injury, and suggest that these protective actions involve estrogen receptors.
Acoustic startle and fear-potentiated startle in alcohol-preferring (P) and -nonpreferring (NP) lines of rats.

Abstract The objective of the present study was to determine whether alcohol-preferring P and -nonpreferring NP rats differ in their acoustic startle response and in fear-potentiated startle. In Experiment 1, male P and NP rats were tested on the startle response to acoustic stimuli ranging from 90–115 dB. Experiments 2 and 3 examined fear-potentiated startle and extinction of the response. In Experiment 2, rats received two light foot shock training sessions separated by 3–4 h. Testing consisted of ten acoustic startle (115 dB) and fear-potentiated startle (light preceding the acoustic startle) presentations administered every 24 h for 9 consecutive days. To test potentiated startle learning under reduced training conditions, a single training session was administered in Experiment 3, and a single within-session extinction test of 50 startle and 50 potentiated startle trials occurred the following day. Results of Experiment 1 indicated that P and NP rats did not differ in startle at any of the acoustic intensities tested. Following fear-potentiated startle conditioning in Experiment 2, however, both acoustic startle and potentiated startle responding were consistently greater in P than NP rats over most of the first 6 test days with P rats having approximately a 100% greater acoustic startle and 50–100% greater potentiated startle response. Moreover, following a single training session in Experiment 3, only P rats showed significant fear-conditioned startle. Additionally, P rats exhibited a 50–100% elevated acoustic startle response over that observed in NP rats. Taken together, the data indicate that, although experimentally naive male P and NP rats show similar acoustic startle responses, P rats become more responsive to both startle-alone and potentiated startle stimuli following fear conditioning. The change in general startle reactivity of the P rat following aversive conditioning, along with facilitated light foot shock learning, suggests that stress exposure may be an important variable in examining associations between anxiety and alcohol drinking behavior.
Properties of a proteolytic enzyme from Schistosoma mansoni

Abstract 1. 1. A globinolytic protease from adult Schistosoma mansoni worms has been purified seventy-one-fold with a 52 per cent recovery yield. The isoelectric point of the enzyme was found to be 3·55 by an electrofocusing technique. 2. 2. The molecular weight is estimated at about 27,000 as determined by Sephadex gel filtration and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. 3. 3. Analysis of the hydrolyzate of this enzyme shows that the proportion of the aspartate plus glutamate in the protein is about 20 per cent. 4. 4. The enzyme shows an optimum pH range from 3·9 to 4·5 for the digestion of globin, and a K m of 0·137 mM for this substrate. 5. 5. Phenylalanine was found to be a competitive inhibitor of the enzyme with an estimated K m of 3·5 mM. 6. 6. A study of the reaction products indicates that the principal end-products are small peptides; essentially no free amino acids are formed. 7. 7. Phenylalanine has been found to be the most common N-terminal residue of these peptides.
The Gendered and Racialized Pathways of Latina and Latino Youth: Different Struggles, Different Resistances in the Urban Context

This article explores the student resistances that shape orientations to schooling. Drawing on a study of Latina/o youth, I examine how race and gender influence whether they perceive education as oppressive or useful in resisting oppression. The key lever that may alter their perceptions is how school and society treat Latinos differently from Latinas. This study shows how ethnography can inspire pedagogical practices that bolster urban students' resistances to the oppressive forces negatively impacting their education. [Latina/o youth, race, gender, resistance, urban education]
A Replicated Survey of IT Software Project Failures

Results from our global Web survey of IT departments in 2005 and 2007 suggest that, although the overall project failure rate is high, word of a software crisis is exaggerated.
Homological Properties of Powers of the Maximal Ideal of a Local Ring

Abstract It is known that the powers m n of the maximal ideal of a local Noetherian ring share certain homological properties for all sufficiently large integers n . For example, the natural homomorphisms R → R / m n are Golod, respectively, small, for all large n . We give effective bounds on the smallest integers n for which such properties begin to hold.
Effects of binaural decorrelation on neural and behavioral processing of interaural level differences in the barn owl (Tyto alba)

The effect of binaural decorrelation on the processing of interaural level difference cues in the barn owl (Tyto alba) was examined behaviorally and electrophysiologically. The electrophysiology experiment measured the effect of variations in binaural correlation on the first stage of interaural level difference encoding in the central nervous system. The responses of single neurons in the posterior part of the ventral nucleus of the lateral lemniscus were recorded to stimulation with binaurally correlated and binaurally uncorrelated noise. No significant differences in interaural level difference sensitivity were found between conditions. Neurons in the posterior part of the ventral nucleus of the lateral lemniscus encode the interaural level difference of binaurally correlated and binaurally uncorrelated noise with equal accuracy and precision. This nucleus therefore supplies higher auditory centers with an undegraded interaural level difference signal for sound stimuli that lack a coherent interaural time difference. The behavioral experiment measured auditory saccades in response to interaural level differences presented in binaurally correlated and binaurally uncorrelated noise. The precision and accuracy of sound localization based on interaural level difference was reduced but not eliminated for binaurally uncorrelated signals. The observation that barn owls continue to vary auditory saccades with the interaural level difference of binaurally uncorrelated stimuli suggests that neurons that drive head saccades can be activated by incomplete auditory spatial information.
Spatial Variation in Postfire Cheatgrass: Dinosaur National Monument, USA

A major environmental problem in semi-arid landscapes of western North America is the invasion of native vegetation by cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.), an annual Eurasian grass that covers >40 million ha of range and woodland in the western US. Cheatgrass can be especially problematic after fire—either prescribed fire or wildfire. Although cheatgrass is known to generally thrive in regions of moderate temperatures, dry summers, and reliable winter precipitation, the spatial patterns of postfire cheatgrass invasion are not well characterized at finer spatial scales (e.g., within most individual landscapes). We used boosted regression trees to develop a spatial model of cheatgrass abundance 0 yr to 19 yr postfire in an 8000 km2 semiarid landscape centered on Dinosaur National Monument (Colorado and Utah, USA). Elevation, a deterministic variable, was the strongest single predictor, with higher cheatgrass cover occurring below 1600 meters. Two other contingent variables, fire severity and climatic conditions in the year after the fire, increased the model’s predictive power. The influence of fire severity differed with the scale of analysis. Across the landscape as a whole (including extensive areas at moderate to high elevation), a greater likelihood of high postfire cheatgrass cover (≥10 %) was associated with lower fire severity. Focusing only on low-elevation areas (<1600 m), higher fire severity was associated with greater likelihood of high cheatgrass cover. Low precipitation in the year after fire was associated with greater probability of high cheatgrass cover in all areas.
Overexpression of Methoprene-tolerant, a Drosophila melanogaster gene that is critical for juvenile hormone action and insecticide resistance

The Methoprene-tolerant (Met) gene of Drosophila melanogaster is involved in both juvenile hormone (JH) action and resistance to JH insecticides, such as methoprene. Although the consequences of Met mutations on development and methoprene resistance are known, no studies have examined Met+ overexpression. Met+ was overexpressed in transgenic lines with various promoters that drive overexpression to different levels. Flies expressing either genomic or cDNA Met+ transgenes showed higher susceptibility to both the morphogenetic and toxic effects of methoprene, consistent with the hormone-binding property of MET. Both the sensitive period and lethal period were the same as seen for non-overexpressing Met+ flies. However, continual exposure of high-overexpressing Met+ larvae to borderline-toxic or higher methoprene doses advanced the sensitive period from prepupae to first instar and the lethal period from pharate adults to larvae and early pupae. When expression of transgenic UAS-Met+ was driven to high levels by either an actin-GAL4 or tubulin-GAL4 promoter, larvae showed high mortality in the absence of methoprene, indicating that high MET titer is lethal, perhaps resulting from expression in an inappropriate tissue. Adults overexpressing Met+ did not show enhanced oogenesis, ruling out MET as a limiting factor for this hormone-driven physiology.
Maximizing the weighted number of on-time jobs in single machine scheduling with time windows

The problem of maximizing the weighted number of on-time jobs on a single machine with time windows (STW) is shown to be strongly NP-hard. An efficient heuristic is presented for STW. Computational experiments indicate that the performance of the heuristic is quite good.
Conviction, Ambition and the Genesis of Sully's Économies royales

Although Maximilien de Bethune, duke of Sully (1559–1641), held many high offices under Henry IV (superintendent of finances, grand voyer, grand master of artillery, among others), he never held the realm's highest military post, constable of France. Sully once had the chance to acquire the position, he tells us in his memoirs, the famous Economies royales, but turned it down. The occasion came when Henry IV offered Sully succession to the office held by the aged duke of Montmorency if Sully and his son would convert to Catholicism (Sully's son Maximilien II was to receive Henry's illegitimate daughter Mlle de Vendome in marriage). Sully thanked the king but claimed he already held sufficient offices and declined to convert. When pressed further, the duke agreed to consider the offer for a month, at the end of which time he informed the king that his Calvinist convictions forbade a conversion’. Henry ‘showed great regret that you remained so firm in that resolution’, Sully's secretaries wrote, ‘and told you that he saw that you no longer loved him, and that since you were more attached to the Huguenots than to him, he would speak to you no more of it…’ This, Sully wished posterity to believe, was all there was to the episode. Since historians of the duke have credited his version of the affair, his wish prevailed. A close scrutiny of the episode and its aftermath reveals, however, that Sully's account concealed far more than it revealed. Henry's offer was far more than just a great ‘temptation.’ What really happened was that Sully tried to secure the ‘great elevation’ without converting. Henry grew angry when Sully refused to yield to his will and briefly threatened him with disgrace. In the end the king acclaimed his minister's firmness of will and forgot his pique. Sully did not, however, and decided that even if his master refused to reward him sufficiently for his contributions to Henry and France, posterity would learn of them. Thus was born the idea of, and very possibly a first draft of, Sully's famous Economies royales.
Steroid synthesis by amphibian ovarian tissue

Ovarian fragments from two amphibians, Rana pipiens and Necturus maculosus were incubated with labeled pregnenolone, progesterone, or testosterone. Progesterone could not be identified when pregnenolone was used as precursor; however, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone was identified in incubates of Rana ovaries. Metabolism of added progesterone was similar in the two species, but metabolism of C-19 steroids differed. Rana pipiens ovarian tissue favored reduction to 5β compounds, while Necturus maculosus ovarian tissue favored reduction at the 5α position.
Laser vacuum ultraviolet single photon ionization probing of III-V semiconductor growth

Epitaxial growth of III-V semiconductor materials is probed in a molecular beam epitaxy reactor by single photon ionization of the gaseous fluxes using vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) laser radiation. The ninth harmonic of the Nd:YAG laser is produced by frequency tripling the output to 355 nm and then to 118 nm in a Xe/Ar mixture. Together with a time-of-flight mass spectrometer, this radiation is used to selectively probe the gaseous fluxes of Ga, As, As2, and As4 during molecular beam epitaxy of III-V materials. The essential aspects of the method and details of calibration procedures to obtain relative fluxes are described. Cracking of the arsenic species does not occur in the laser/mass spectrometer, making relative species concentration measurements very reliable. Rapid data acquisition provides real time measurements of the fluxes of incident and scattered or desorbed materials during growth. Several basic examples are considered, including the thermal cracking of As4 on silicon and the desorption of arsenic and gallium species from GaAs during epitaxial growth. Recent work to correlate the flux determinations with reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED) oscillations during GaAs epitaxial growth is discussed.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
An Upper Bound of Failure in Viscoelastic Materials Subjected to Multiaxial Stress States

The failure behavior of a polyrethane rubber is examined under uniaxial, equibiaxial and equitriaxial tensile stresses. The maximal strains in uniaxial and equibiaxial tension are found to be nearly the same. Using the concept of maximal polymer chain extensibility, it is deduced that polymer chain motion is less dependent on the stress state than is commonly assumed. Failure under equitriaxial tension produces gross failure strains much less than those observed for uniaxial and equibiaxial tension. It is concluded that failure starts from defects. For spherical defects, the consequences of a maximum strain are examined. It is found through arguments that smaller cavites are more detrimental to material integrity than larger ones and that the gross equitriaxial strain at Failure is sensitive to the viscoelastic material properties only if the maximal uniaxial extension is large for typical ratios of void volume to total volume.
Status and Problems of Regenerable Flue Gas Desulfurization Processes

Fourteen sulfur and/or sulfuric acid producing regenerate FGD processes were discussed at the 1974 FGD Symposium in Atlanta. During the period elapsed since then, considerable status change has occurred on many of these regenerable processes. Other regenerable processes which were not as well known during 1974 have surfaced in 1975. The problems of obtaining reducing gases (hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen) for the reduction of sulfur dioxide product streams to elemental sulfur have become severe due to shortages of natural gas or other petroleum based feedstock. A new sulfur producing process which employs CO and H2 directly (rather than the H2S required for liquid and vapor base Claus reactions) is gaining attention. This paper discusses briefly: (1) the announced status of the many regenerable FGD processes, (2) the problem of reductant gas supply, and (3) the effect on FGD processes of using coal based reducing gas instead of reformed natural gas.
Inbreeding Effects on Traits with and Without Selection for Part Record Rate of Lay in Chickens

Abstract Data from inbred lines, one (D) selected for part record rate of lay and the other (C) unselected for any trait, were analyzed. After 19 generations of continuous full sib matings, the C line showed significant decreases in part record egg number, 32-week egg weight, shell thickness, full record egg number and part record rate of lay but nonsignificant decreases in hatchability, full record rate of lay, and laying house mortality. Age at first egg, Haugh unit and mature body weight showed significant increases in this line. The D line was similar to the C line in its response to the same intensity of inbreeding for all traits except full record egg number, part record rate, and fertility, each of which showed a significant decrease, and Haugh unit and full record rate of lay, which showed nonsignificant increases. Results indicated that the small advantages selection conferred on the inbred line in part record rate of lay (the selection criterion), full record egg number, and full record rate of lay were accompanied by undesirable changes in other traits, resulting in later sexual maturity, larger body weight, lower Haugh unit, fertility, and hatchability compared with the unselected line.
Multicolor Soft X-Ray Imaging of $Z$ -Pinch Radiation Sources on the Z-Machine Pulsed-Power Driver

Time-resolved X-ray pinhole imaging is employed for diagnosing fast Z-pinch implosions on the Z accelerator. Reflection from a multilayer mirror produces monochromatic 277-eV images of the Z-pinch plasma in the final stages of implosion and stagnation. Simultaneous imaging with a filtered pinhole camera or using a second mirror can yield multicolor X-ray images which contain spectral as well as spatial information, allowing for the study of radiation physics in dense Z-pinches.
Home nebulizer use among patients with cystic fibrosis

Abstract Objective: To describe current patterns of home nebulizer use among patients with cystic fibrosis. Study design: A population-based survey of home nebulizer practices among 227 patients with cystic fibrosis using nebulizers from 1993 to 1994 (Objective 1) , and a prospective study of “typical” home use, including testing of performance and bacterial cultures in nebulizers after use, completed by 36 subjects (Objective 2) . Results: Objective 1: 85% of subjects reported using jet and 8% ultrasonic nebulizers (categories not mutually exclusive); 15% used unknown brands. Most jet nebulizers were disposable models, which were used for > 14 days by more than half the subjects. Mixing of medications in a single treatment (other than cromolyn and a bronchodilator) was reported by 28% of patients. Objective 2: no apparent deterioration in aerosol particle size or output rate of returned nebulizers compared with new units was observed. Staphylococcus aureus was cultured from 55% and Pseudomonas aeruginosa from 35% of returned nebulizers. Concordance between nebulizer and sputum cultures was poor. Conclusions: Although not generally tested for reusability, disposable nebulizers are generally used by patients for long periods. Medication mixing is common, although its effects on aerosol properties are unknown. Cystic fibrosis respiratory pathogens are frequently isolated from used nebulizers. Patient guidelines for home nebulizer use need to be established. (J Pediatr 1998;132:125-31)
Southeastern French Nasal Vowels: Perceptual and Acoustic Elements

This article describes the realization of nasal vowels in the southeast of France. Southeastern French retains four nasal vowels ( o), contrary to more innovative varieties of French. The perceptual analysis based on eight participants shows that, for most of the instances of each of the four nasal vowels, the pronunciation is different from that of Reference French. Additionally, these nasal vowels are followed by a nasal closure in about 10%of cases, especially in front of a pause or stop. The perceptual analysis is supplemented by an acoustic description, based on two speakers, one male and one female. The acoustic description gives support to the perceptual analysis, showing the existence of the nasal closure and the realization of // as [a], // as [ao½], and /o/ as []. Resume Cet article decrit la prononciation des voyelles nasales dans le sud-est de la France. Le francais du sud-est se caracterise par quatre voyelles nasales ( o), contrairement A dâautres varietes de francais plus innovatrices. Lâanalyse perceptuelle, basee sur huit participants, montre que, pour la plupart des realisations de chacune de ces quatre voyelles, la prononciation est differente de celle du francais de reference. En outre, ces voyelles nasales sont suivies dâune fermeture nasale dans environ 10% des cas, surtout devant une pause ou une occlusive. Une description acoustique, basee sur deux locuteurs, un homme et une femme, vient completer lâanalyse perceptuelle. Cette description acoustique soutient lâanalyse perceptuelle, montrant lâexistence de la fermeture nasale et la prononciation de // en [a], de // en [ao½] et de /o/ en [].
Nonlinear control and reduction of underactuated systems with symmetry. I. Actuated shape variables case

We address nonlinear control and reduction of a class of high-order underactuated mechanical systems with kinetic symmetry called Class-I systems. Class-I systems are underactuated systems with actuated shape variables, decoupled inputs, and integrable normalized momentums. We show that all Class-I underactuated systems can be transformed into cascade systems in strict feedback form with a zero-dynamics that is a Lagrangian system itself.
Incision, Exposure, Closure

Many dangerous surgical mishaps occur because the operative exposure is inadequate. The first step toward obtaining good exposure is a well planned incision of sufficient length. The second step during abdominal surgery requires that the intestines be packed away from the area of operation. If a dissection requires exposure of a large portion of the abdominal cavity, such as for left hemicolectomy or excision of an abdominal aortic aneurysm, it may be necessary to exteriorize the small intestine for the duration of the dissection. The third step is retraction of the wound edges, which is accomplished by having an assistant apply a Richardson retractor to the abdominal wall and deep retractors, such as the Harrington retractor, to deeper structures. In some situations, a mechanical self-retaining retractor, such as the Balfour or the Thompson, may be inserted to separate the lips of a long abdominal incision. For thoracotomy and thoracoabdominal incisions, a Finochietto retractor is excellent for separating the ribs.
Dreaming and the brain: toward a cognitive neuroscience of conscious states

Sleep researchers in different disciplines disagree about how fully dreaming can be explained in terms of brain physiology. Debate has focused on whether REM sleep dreaming is qualitatively different from nonREM (NREM) sleep and waking. A review of psychophysiological studies shows clear quantitative differences between REM and NREM mentation and between REM and waking mentation. Recent neuroimaging and neurophysiological studies also differentiate REM, NREM, and waking in features with phenomenological implications. Both evidence and theory suggest that there are isomorphisms between the phenomenology and the physiology of dreams. We present a three-dimensional model with specific examples from normally and abnormally changing conscious states.
The pharmacokinetics of 2,2',5,5'-tetrachlorobiphenyl and 3,3',4,4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl and its relationship to toxicity.

Abstract The pharmacokinetics of two toxicologically diverse tetrachlorobiphenyls (TCBs) were measured in mice. After dosing to apparent steady-state conditions, 2,2′,5,5′-TCB was found to have a tissue elimination half-life of between 1.64 and 2.90 days. The half-life of 3,3′,4,4′-TCB was similar, ranging from 1.07 to 2.60 days. Systemic clearance and volume of distribution estimates were also similar for the two TCB isomers. The 3,3′,4,4′-isomer had a substantially greater partitioning from serum into adipose, liver, and thymic tissues. With dosing regimens developed using these measured pharmacokinetic parameters, experiments were undertaken to compare toxic potency of these two TCBs when similar tissue concentrations of the two isomers were achieved in target and storage tissues. These studies demonstrated that thymic atrophy occurs at lower 3,3′,4,4′-TCB doses and tissue concentrations than those required to produce hepatotoxicity. These two organ toxicities were produced only by 3,3′,4,4′-TCB despite the fact that equivalent or higher tissue concentrations of 2,2′,5,5′-TCB were achieved in vivo in all tissues. We conclude that the in vivo difference in the toxic potency of these two TCB isomers does not result from the significant differences in their tissue disposition, elimination, and ultimate bioaccumulation.
Congenital heart disease is no longer a paediatric specialty.

# Congenital heart disease is no longer a paediatric specialty {#article-title-2} Adults with congenital heart disease must be managed by a new generation of subspecialist cardiologists, says John Deanfield ![Graphic][1] (credit Sam Rogers) Five decades ago children with congenital heart disease were not expected to survive into adulthood but now >90% do. This success has been achieved by medical and surgical breakthroughs, step wise improvements in care and organizational changes. The result is a new subspecialty of adult cardiology, namely adult congenital heart disease (ACHD). ‘Congenital heart disease is no longer a paediatric specialty’, says Prof. John Deanfield (London, UK). ‘Adult cardiologists have to organise services to manage this growing challenging group of patients’. Medical systems across Europe are at various stages of reorganizing care to address the needs of ACHD patients. The first principle is that adults with congenital heart disease need to be looked after in an adult environment with adult facilities. ‘There should be no such thing as a paediatric cardiology centre’, says Deanfield. ‘Every centre should treat patients with congenital heart disease over their whole life’. Established paediatric cardiology specialist centres should have firm links with an adult institution to which patients can be seamlessly transferred. Currently, there are very few physicians, surgeons, and support staff (nurses, technicians, etc) who are experts in ACHD. In most countries, care is being organized in a hub and spoke model with a small number of specialized centres and a network of care in the community. This model of care is designed to ensure that all patients have access to expert care appropriate to their condition. This has been supported by the European Society of Cardiology guidelines on the management of grown up congenital heart disease, first published in 2003 and updated in 2010. The system then needs to be populated with properly trained people. In most European countries, the majority of … [↵][2]*Corresponding author. Email: cottstim{at}umich.edu [1]: pending:yes [2]: #xref-corresp-2-1
Climate change sensitivity assessment of a highly agricultural watershed using SWAT

Summary Quantifying the hydrological response to an increased atmospheric CO 2 concentration and climate change is critical for the proper management of water resources within agricultural systems. This study modeled the hydrological responses to variations of atmospheric CO 2 (550 and 970 ppm), temperature (+1.1 and +6.4 °C), and precipitation (0%, ±10%, and ±20%) based on Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change projections. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was used to model the hydrology and impact of climate change in the highly agricultural San Joaquin watershed in California. This watershed has an area of 14,983 km 2 with a Mediterranean climate, resulting in a strong dependence on irrigation. Model calibration (1992–1997) and validation (1998–2005) resulted in Nash–Sutcliffe coefficients of 0.95 and 0.94, respectively, for monthly stream flow. The results of this study suggest that atmospheric CO 2 , temperature and precipitation change have significant effects on water yield, evapotranspiration, irrigation water use, and stream flow. Increasing CO 2 concentration to 970 ppm and temperature by 6.4 °C caused watershed-wide average evapotranspiration, averaged over 50 simulated years, to decrease by 37.5%, resulting in increases of water yield by 36.5%, and stream flow by 23.5% compared to the present-day climate. Increasing temperature caused a temporal shift in plant growth patterns and redistributed evapotranspiration and irrigation water demand earlier in the year. This caused an increase in stream flow during the summer months due to decreased irrigation demand. Water yield, however, decreased with an increase in temperature. Increase of precipitation by ±10% and ±20% generally changed water yield and stream flow proportionally, and had negligible effects on predicted evapotranspiration and irrigation water use. Overall, the results indicate that the San Joaquin watershed hydrology is very sensitive to potential future climate changes. Agricultural implications include changes to plant growth rates, irrigation timing and runoff, all of which may affect future water resources and water quality.
An empirical model of TCP performance

We propose a model of TCP performance that captures the behavior of a set of network paths with diverse characteristics. The model uses more parameters than others, but we show that each feature of the model is important for at least some paths. We show that the model is sufficient to describe the datasets we collected with acceptable accuracy. Finally, we show that the model's parameters can be estimated using simple, application-level measurements.
Investigation of electrical failures in porcelain cap and pin line insulators

Suspension and dead-end porcelain insulator strings were removed after 25-30 years in service for various reasons, and the insulator bells (units) were evaluated in the laboratory. Some units failed the puncture test and these were cut open and analyzed. The electric field due to the presence of microscopic defects in porcelain was modeled using a 3D software package. It has been shown that the local electric field enhancement can be high enough to cause dielectric breakdown of porcelain. The electrical deterioration is a slow process. The breakdown process creates phase changes in the porcelain microstructure and this was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy.
The 2-nd Generalized Hamming Weight of Double-Error Correcting Binary BCH Codes and Their Duals Codes

The generalized Hamming weight of a linear code is a new notion of higher dimensional Hamming weights, first defined by V.K. Wei as follows: Let C be an [n, k] linear code and D be a subcode. The support of D is the cardinality of the set of not-always-zero bit positions of D. The r th generalized Hamming weight of C, denoted by d r (C), is defined as the minimum support of r-dimensional subcode of C. The first generalized Hamming weight, d1(C) is just the minimum Hamming distance of the code C. It was shown that the generalized Hamming weight hierarchy of a linear code completely characterizes the performance of the code on the type II wire-tap channel defined by Ozarow and Wyner.
160 Gb/s OTDM wavelength conversion using XPM in dispersion shifted fiber

Wavelength conversion of 160 Gb/s OTDM data using cross-phase modulation in 500 m of dispersion-shifted fiber is demonstrated for the first time. The converted channels can be received with a BER better than 10/sup -9/ and have a power penalty of <5 dB as compared to the 10 Gb/s baseline across all 16/spl times/10 Gbps channels.
Endothelial cell respiration is affected by the oxygen tension during shear exposure: role of mitochondrial peroxynitrite.

Cultured vascular endothelial cell (EC) exposure to steady laminar shear stress results in peroxynitrite (ONOO−) formation intramitochondrially and inactivation of the electron transport chain. We ...
Suppressors of Systemin Signaling Identify Genes in the Tomato Wound Response Pathway

In tomato plants, systemic induction of defense genes in response to herbivory or mechanical wounding is regulated by an 18-amino-acid peptide signal called systemin. Transgenic plants that overexpress prosystemin, the systemin precursor, from a 35S::prosystemin (35S::prosys) transgene exhibit constitutive expression of wound-inducible defense proteins including proteinase inhibitors and polyphenol oxidase. To study further the role of (pro)systemin in the wound response pathway, we isolated and characterized mutations that suppress 35S::prosys-mediated phenotypes. Ten recessive, extragenic suppressors were identified. Two of these define new alleles of def-1, a previously identified mutation that blocks both wound- and systemin-induced gene expression and renders plants susceptible to herbivory. The remaining mutants defined four loci designated Spr-1, Spr-2, Spr-3, and Spr-4 (for Suppressed in 35S::prosystemin-mediated responses). spr-3 and spr-4 mutants were not significantly affected in their response to either systemin or mechanical wounding. In contrast, spr-1 and spr-2 plants lacked systemic wound responses and were insensitive to systemin. These results confirm the function of (pro)systemin in the transduction of systemic wound signals and further establish that wounding, systemin, and 35S::prosys induce defensive gene expression through a common signaling pathway defined by at least three genes (Def-1, Spr-1, and Spr-2).
Inhalational Anesthetics Up-Regulate Constitutive and Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Expression and Activity

Nitric oxide (NO) is an important biological messenger involved in the regulation of blood vessel tone, neurotransmission, inflammatory responses, and host defenses. Inhalational anesthetics have been shown to inhibit the function of the NO signaling pathway in a variety of tissues. In addition, acute inhibition of the NO signaling pathway significantly reduced the required alveolar concentration of halothane or isoflurane for anesthesia, which suggests a role for the NO signaling pathway in mechanisms of anesthesia and consciousness. We now report that inhalational anesthetics affect gene expression of nitric oxide synthases (NOS) (EC 1.14.13.39), the enzymes that synthesize NO from l-arginine. Both halothane and isoflurane, at clinically relevant concentrations, significantly up-regulate the mRNA, protein, and activity level of NOS in lipopolysaccharide-treated macrophages (inducible NOS; type II NOS), and bovine pulmonary endothelial cells (endothelial constitutive NOS; type III NOS). This is a novel interaction between inhalational anesthetics and the NO signaling pathway and has wide-ranging implications for both clinical medicine and experimental biology.
On the group determinant

The original motivation for the introduction by Frobenius of group characters for non-abelian groups was the problem of the factorization of the group determinant corresponding to a finite group G. The original papers are [5] and [6] and a good historical survey of the work is given in [7] and [8]. If G is of order n, the group matrix XG is defined to be the n×n matrix {xg, h} where xg, h = xgh∈G. Here the xg, g∈G, represent variables. The group determinant ΘG is defined to be det(XG), and is thus a polynomial of degree n in the xg. This determinant is the same, up to sign, as that of the matrix obtained from the unbordered multiplication table of G by replacing each element g by xg. If there is no ambiguity ΘG will be written as Θ.
Economic repercussions of marital infidelity

Purpose – Numerous scholars have studied the propensity and related determinants of marital infidelity across socioeconomic and demographic groups. However, the broader social and economic consequences of infidelity remain an unexplored question, particularly the macroeconomic consequences from the individual impacts on families and households. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – Using income data from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to analyze the relationship between the probability of infidelity and income and second, to quantify the cost of marital infidelity on individual families and taxpayers. The results confirm that infidelity makes individual households poorer, but goes further to reveal widespread negative externalities that fall to taxpayers from the consequences of family fragmentation. Findings – The results of this study indicate a review of government policy since numerous government policies contradict the ...
Role of Soluble Guanylyl Cyclase in the Relaxations to a Nitric Oxide Donor and to Nonadrenergic Nerve Stimulation in Guinea Pig Trachea and Human Bronchus

The effect of the novel, selective, soluble guanylyl cyclase inhibitor 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolol[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) on the nitric oxide component of the nonadrenergic, noncholinergic relaxation in guinea pig trachea was examined. Relaxant responses to field stimulation (1-16 Hz, 8 V, 1 ms for 15 s) in the presence of indomethacin (3 μM), atropine (1 μM), propranolol (1 μM), α-chymotrypsin (2 U/ml) and histamine (3 μM) were partially inhibited by 0.1 μM ODQ and almost abolished by 1 μM ODQ. In addition, relaxations to the nitric oxide donor 3-morpholinosyndnonimine-N-ethylcarbamide were partially inhibited by 0.1 μM ODQ and abolished by 1 μM ODQ. Relaxations to 3-morpholinosyndnonimine-N-ethylcarbamide in human bronchus were also substantially inhibited by ODQ (1–10 μM). By contrast, relaxations elicited by the stable 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate analog 8-bromoguanosine-3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate and by isoproterenol were unaffected by 1 μM ODQ in guinea pig trachea and by 10 μM ODQ in human bronchus. These results suggest that relaxant responses to endogenously released or exogenously added nitric oxide in guinea pig trachea and human bronchus are mediated via the activation of soluble guanylyl cyclase and the formation of guanosine-3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate.
The Purification of Abortin

The studies of Fleischner and Meyer 1 have shown that guinea-pigs infected with Brucella abortus develop cutaneous hypersensitiveness which may be detected by the intradermal inoculation of suspensions of dried Br. abortus cultures or of broth autolysates. Difficulties were repeatedly encountered 2 in the preparation of abortins, typhoidins, etc., nontoxic to normal skins but effective in eliciting cutaneous reactions in infected animals. An attempt was therefore made to purify the abortin. In this connection the principles set forth by Zinsser and his co-workers and by Long and Seibert in the purification of tuberculin have been investigated. From the beginning the data collected in this laboratory did not corroborate the findings on tuberculin published in the earlier papers by Zinsser and his co-workers. Since the more recent reports from the same laboratory have refuted the deductions drawn from the preliminary work, it is deemed unnecessary to review in detail the earlier
Comparison of Glutamic-Oxalacetic and Glutamic-Pyruvic Transaminase Concentrations in Human Saliva and Serum.

Summary and conclusionsDetectable quantities of GOT and GPT were found in 100% and in 89% respectively of samples of stimulated saliva from 81 patients. The saliva GOT content exceeded saliva GPT level in 91% of cases. Incubation of an aliquot of each saliva sample with glucose resulted in a pronounced increase in GPT and diminution in GOT. Comparison of saliva transaminase levels with those of concurrently collected samples of serum showed no significant correlation, thus signifying that the prime and immediate source of saliva transaminase is oral rather than systemic.
Reform and Opening and the Formation of New Developing Patterns of Socialist

Reform and Opening is a pivotal choice that affects the fate of contemporary Chinese.Contemporary CCP carries out reform and opening policy based on insisting on universal principle of Marxism.Reform and opening breaks through the pattern of the classic Marxist writers and Soviet Union and Chinese traditional socialist and inaugurates a development road with Chinese characteristics.
Genetic Polymorphisms of P-glycoprotein: Echoes of Silence

ABCB1 is a polymorphic gene that encodes a full ABC transporter with drug-binding pockets and two nucleotide-binding ATPase domains. It was one of the first members of the ABC transporter superfamily to be identified in humans. Since the discovery of this gene nearly 40 years ago, many mutations and polymorphisms in the coding region have been shown to have functional significance. Common genetic variations in the form of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of ABCB1 have been shown to have a role in disease susceptibility and drug response. In this chapter, we summarize our current understanding of common ABCB1 SNPs and their impact on protein folding, drug transport function, disease risk factors, and drug pharmacokinetics. Unfortunately, clinical studies on the association of drug effects and ABCB1 polymorphisms are often inconclusive. In the past few years, meta-analyses of ABCB1 polymorphism studies have been carried out in attempts to draw more consistent conclusions. Among ABCB1 SNPs, the synonymous C3435T polymorphic site is perhaps one of the best-known silent mutations in the field of pharmacogenomics. Our current understanding of the mechanism of the effect of this “silent” SNP is discussed here. Overall, research efforts in the past 15 years have laid important groundwork concerning the effect of ABCB1 variants that should lead to advances in precision medicine in the future.
Morphing Compression Garments for Space Medicine and Extravehicular Activity Using Active Materials.

Introduction Compression garments tend to be difficult to don/doff, due to their intentional function of squeezing the wearer. This is especially true for compression garments used for space medicine and for extravehicular activity (EVA). We present an innovative solution to this problem by integrating shape changing materials-NiTi shape memory alloy (SMA) coil actuators formed into modular, 3D-printed cartridges-into compression garments to produce garments capable of constricting on command. Methods A parameterized, 2-spring analytic counterpressure model based on 12 garment and material inputs was developed to inform garment design. A methodology was developed for producing novel SMA cartridge systems to enable active compression garment construction. Five active compression sleeve prototypes were manufactured and tested: each sleeve was placed on a rigid cylindrical object and counterpressure was measured as a function of spatial location and time before, during, and after the application of a step voltage input. Results Controllable active counterpressures were measured up to 34.3 kPa, exceeding the requirement for EVA life support (29.6 kPa). Prototypes which incorporated fabrics with linear properties closely matched analytic model predictions (4.1%/-10.5% error in passive/active pressure predictions); prototypes using nonlinear fabrics did not match model predictions (errors >100%). Pressure non-uniformities were observed due to friction and the rigid SMA cartridge structure. Discussion To our knowledge this is the first demonstration of controllable compression technology incorporating active materials, a novel contribution to the field of compression garment design. This technology could lead to easy-to-don compression garments with widespread space and terrestrial applications.