cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Analysis of Alternatively Spliced CD45 mRNA Transcripts during T Cell Maturation in Humans

CD45 is a transmembrane protein tyrosine phosphatase found on nucleated hematopoietic cells. In humans, multiple protein isoforms of CD45 are produced by alternative mRNA splicing of exons 4, 5, and 6 coding for the extracellular portion. We measured all eight possible CD45 mRNA transcripts using RT-PCR in human thymocytes and T cell lines. We report that only six mRNA transcripts are present in T cells. The high mw CD45 mRNA transcripts containing exon 4 correlated with the stage of T cell maturation: abundant high mw transcripts (30.7% of all CD45 mRNA transcripts) were present in immature, CD3−4−8− triple-negative thymocytes which decreased (7.7%) in intermediate, CD4+8+ double-positive (DP) thymocytes and then increased (13.8% or 16.8%) in mature, CD4+8− or CD4−8+ single-positive thymocytes. In addition, there was a complex variation in the spliced mRNA transcripts coding for CD45RO, CD45RB, CD45RBC, CD45RAB, and CD45RABCprotein isoforms. High mw CD45 mRNA transcripts accumulated immediately prior to an important physiologic event such as thymocyte expansion. In addition, we identified linkage between RNA splicing of exons 5 and 6, and splicing of exon 5 only and exons 4, 5, and 6 in FACS-purified CD4+ and CD8+ thymocytes. These data support the developmental regulation of alternatively spliced CD45 mRNA transcripts and suggest that specific CD45 isoforms may play an important role at critical stages of T cell development.
Meningioangiomatosis in the absence of von Recklinghausen's disease

Two patients who had been having seizures for 10 years or longer were found to have a peculiar neoplastic alteration in the cerebral cortex. The lesion in both instances consisted of a combined proliferation of meningothelial and endothelial cells; and are best described as meningioangiomatosis. The tissues were surgically excised and the frequency and severity of the patients' seizures decreased. In neither instance were there stigmata of von Recklinghausen's disease. In one example, as long as 8 years after craniotomy, no evidence of any disorder of the peripheral nerve was found. A review showed that such lesions have always been associated with multiple intracranial and spinal neoplasms; therefore, these two patients appear to be unique.
Slow regolith degradation without creep determined by cosmogenic nuclide measurements in Arena Valley, Antarctica

Abstract Estimates of regolith degradation in the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica are currently based on indirect evidence and ancient ashes at or near the soil surface that suggest excellent preservation of surfaces. On the other hand, the existing cosmogenic-nuclide surface exposure ages from many parts of the Dry Valleys are younger than the age of surface deposits inferred from stratigraphic relations. This suggests some combination of surface erosion or past ice cover, both of which would reduce the apparent exposure age. This paper quantifies the regolith degradation and/or past ice cover by measuring 10Be and 26Al from a landslide deposit that contains 11.3 Ma volcanic ash. The surface sample yields an apparent exposure age of only 0.4 Ma. However, measurements of the subsurface nuclide concentrations show that the deposit has not been shielded by ice, and that the age of the ash does not conflict with the apparent exposure age when slow degradation of the deposit (2 m Ma−1) is taken into account. Soil creep, which is a common degradational process in a wide variety of environments, is non-existent at this field site, which likely reflects the persistent lack of bio- and cryoturbation.
Functional and Morphological Changes in Processed Frozen Fish Muscle

When frozen fish muscle was ground, there were drastic changes in salt-soluble protein, viscosity, emulsifying capacity, and elasticity compared to samples from fish thawed prior to grinding. When cod muscle was tested for cooked texture in sausages, ground-while-frozen muscle was unacceptably soft and crumbly while the ground-while-thawed muscle was acceptable. Electron microscopy showed the sarcomeres of pollock muscle ground while frozen or thawed to be similarly disrupted. It appears that differences in functionality losses of pollock, and presumably of other species, were related to the particular type of fragmentation of muscle tissue that occurred when fish was ground-while-frozen rather than to the disruption of the submicroscopic structure of muscle.
Theranostic Gold Nanoparticles Modified for Durable Systemic Circulation Effectively and Safely Enhance the Radiation Therapy of Human Sarcoma Cells and Tumors

Radiation therapy (RT) is an integral component of the treatment of many sarcomas and relies on accurate targeting of tumor tissue. Despite conventional treatment planning and RT, local failure rates of 10% to 28% at 5 years have been reported for locally advanced, unresectable sarcomas, due in part to limitations in the cumulative RT dose that may be safely delivered. We describe studies of the potential usefulness of gold nanoparticles modified for durable systemic circulation (through polyethylene glycosylation; hereinafter "P-GNPs") as adjuvants for RT of sarcomas. In studies of two human sarcoma-derived cell lines, P-GNP in conjunction with RT caused increased unrepaired DNA damage, reflected by approximately 1.61-fold increase in γ-H2AX (histone phosphorylated on Ser(139)) foci density compared with RT alone. The combined RT and P-GNP also led to significantly reduced clonogenic survival of tumor cells, compared to RT alone, with dose-enhancement ratios of 1.08 to 1.16. In mice engrafted with human sarcoma tumor cells, the P-GNP selectively accumulated in the tumor and enabled durable imaging, potentially aiding radiosensitization as well as treatment planning. Mice pretreated with P-GNP before targeted RT of their tumors exhibited significantly improved tumor regression and overall survival, with long-term survival in one third of mice in this treatment group compared to none with RT only. Interestingly, prior RT of sarcoma tumors increased subsequent extravasation and in-tumor deposition of P-GNP. These results together suggest P-GNP may be integrated into the RT of sarcomas, potentially improving target imaging and radiosensitization of tumor while minimizing dose to normal tissues.
Studies on intercellular adhesive selectivity

Abstract The probability that two cells will form and maintain an adhesion after collision occurs in suspension is assumed to indicate the adhesive stability between the cells in question. Unlabeled cell aggregates are circulated in tritiated thymidine-labeled cell suspensions where all extraneous factors which might have affected collision are held constant. After circulating, the aggregates are collected, sectioned and examined radioautographically for labeled cells. Experiments are carried out with cells and aggregates from chicken embryo neural retinae, livers, sterna, heart ventricles and pectoral muscles and with mouse embryo neural retinae and heart ventricles. Isotypic aggregates (same tissue type as the cells in the suspension) always collect more labeled cells than similar-sized heterotypic aggregates (different tissue type). Collections of labeled chicken embryo liver cells by unlabeled liver aggregates is decreased by low temperatures (0° and 22°C) and by puromycin but not by actinomycin D. “Conditioned” medium increases the collection and counteracts the inhibitory effects of low temperatures and puromycin. Some degree of adhesive selectivity is shown by neural retina and liver cells and aggregates which were killed with glutaraldehyde. Because the presence of unlabeled cells alters the collection of labeled cells of another type by iso- and heterotypic aggregates, it is concluded that nonselective adhesions occurred between freshly dissociated cells of different types more readily than between cells and heterotypic aggregates. A hypothesis is described which assumes that there are at least two different molecular moieties on the cell surface which are responsible for intercellular adhesion. One of these causes selective and the other nonselective adhesions. Experiments to test predictions of the hypothesis are discussed.
Solar radiation pressure and deviations from Keplerian orbits

Newtonian gravity and general relativity give exactly the same expression for the period of an object in circular orbit around a static central mass. However, when the effects of the curvature of spacetime and solar radiation pressure are considered simultaneously for a solar sail propelled satellite, there is a deviation from Kepler's third law. It is shown that solar radiation pressure affects the period of this satellite in two ways: by effectively decreasing the solar mass, thereby increasing the period, and by enhancing the effects of other phenomena, potentially rendering some of them detectable. In particular, we consider deviations from Keplerian orbits due to spacetime curvature, frame dragging from the rotation of the sun, the oblateness of the sun, a possible net electric charge of the sun, and a very small positive cosmological constant.
Note---On Marketing Strategy and the Optimal Production Schedule

Several models for joint optimization of functional decision making have been presented during the last few years. This note comments on one of these models described in a recent article in this journal, “Marketing Strategy and the Optimal Production Schedule” [Leitch, R. 1974. Marketing strategy and the optimal production schedule. Management Sci.21 3, November.], and argues that there are rather serious deficiencies both with respect to the design of the model and the numerical experiments reported in the aforementioned article.
Hyperthermia in the pediatric intensive care unit--is it malignant hyperthermia?

Summary Objective: To determine the characteristics of calls made to the Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States (MHAUS) Hotline regarding pediatric patients in the intensive care unit setting. Aim: Retrospective, cohort study conducting analysis of included cases to identify the cause of elevated temperature in the pediatric intensive care unit. Background: The etiology of hyperthermia in the pediatric intensive care unit (ICU) is multifactorial and often difficult to diagnose. Methods/materials: Review of all MHAUS logs for the years 1997–2005 for children, 18 years of age and younger, with elevated temperature presenting in the intensive care setting. Results: Sixty-three of 1883 (3.3%) calls met inclusion criteria and these cases were characterized. Patient temperature values ranged from 38.0 to 45.0°C. Malignant hyperthermia (MH) was considered ‘definite’ in five cases and ‘probable’ in three cases. An infectious diagnosis was given to 16 cases, and a central fever was diagnosed in nine cases. The diagnosis was unknown in the remaining 30 cases. Dantrolene was administered prior to the Hotline call in 32 cases. The recommendation to continue or stop dantrolene varied according to the clinical situation. In six cases, the Hotline expert recommended initiation of dantrolene. In 17 cases, the Hotline expert recommended initiation or continuation of dantrolene as a nonspecific antipyretic, even though MH was not considered as a leading diagnosis. Conclusions: Cases of elevated temperature in children in an intensive care unit setting reported to the MHAUS Hotline were rarely considered to be MH related. Although MH does not represent a significant portion of diagnoses related to hyperthermia, when hyperthermia occurs in children exposed to anesthetic agents, MH should be considered in the differential diagnosis.
Implications of Heat Flow and Bottom Water Temperature in the Eastern Equatorial Pacific

Summary The distribution of terrestrial heat flow through the sea floor of the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean is compared to recent tectonic interpretations of this complex region. Some 500 values between 25° N to 20° S latitude, including 146 newly reported here, show that the theoretical distribution of heat flow for sea-floor spreading models matches well with smoothed data over portions of the Pacific, Cocos and Nasca lithospheric plates created within about the past 18 My from the East Pacific Rise. For the Galapagos Rift Zone, the fit is reasonable for lithosphere formed within the last 5 My only if a significant proportion of low heat-flow values is ignored. The heat flow on the Mathematicians’ Ridge and Galapagos Rise indicates that these were sea-floor spreading axes along which activity terminated about 5 and 10 My ago, respectively; this interpretation and its time scale are generally consistent with tectonic histories deduced from magnetic and topographic evidence. Detailed surveys and repeated measurements at stations suggest that localized heat-flow variability is frequently associated with topographic variability of the sea floor. Bottom water temperature profiles show that the East Pacific Rise is a barrier to eastward flow of waters at depths greater than 3 km, the approximate sill depth over the Nasca plate.
On the steady-state performance of Kalman filtering with intermittent observations for stable systems

Many recent problems in distributed estimation and control reduce to estimating the state of a dynamical system using sensor measurments that are transmitted across a lossy network. A framework for analyzing such systems was proposed in [1] and called Kalman filtering with intermittent observations. The performance of such a system, i.e., the error covariance matrix, is governed by the solution of a matrix-valued random Riccati recursion. Unfortunately, to date, the tools for analyzing such recursions are woefully lacking, ostensibly because the recursions are both nonlinear and random, and hence intractable if one wants to analyze them exactly. In this paper, we extend some of the large random matrix techniques first introduced in [2], [3] to Kalman filtering with intermittent observations. For systems with a stable system matrix and i.i.d. time-varying measurement matrices, we obtain explicit equations that allow one to compute the asymptotic eigendistribution of the error covariance matrix. Simulations show excellent agreement between the theoretical and empirical results for systems with as low as n = 10, 20 states. Extending the results to unstable system matrices and time-invariant measurement matrices is currently under investigation.
Fructosamine and glycated albumin for risk stratification and prediction of incident diabetes and microvascular complications: a prospective cohort analysis of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study

Summary Background HbA 1c is the standard measure by which to monitor long-term (2–3 months) glucose control in people with diabetes and is now used for diagnosis of diabetes. Fructosamine and glycated albumin are markers of short-term (2–4 weeks) glycaemic control that might add complementary prognostic information to HbA 1c . Our aim was to clarify the performance of fructosamine and glycated albumin measurements for identifying people at risk of incident diabetes or diabetic complications. Methods We measured glycated albumin and fructosamine in blood samples from 11 348 adults without diabetes and 958 adults diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (both type 1 and 2) who attended the second examination of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study in 1990–92 (baseline). We assessed the associations of fructosamine and glycated albumin with risk of incident diabetes, retinopathy, and risk of incident chronic kidney disease (CKD), during two decades of follow-up. We compared these associations with those of HbA 1c with incident diabetes, retinopathy, and CKD. For analyses of associations with incident diabetes and CKD, adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and their corresponding 95% CIs were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models. Model discrimination was assessed using Harrell's C statistic. Findings The HRs for incident diabetes were 4·96 (4·36–5·64) for fructosamine above the 95th percentile and 6·17 (5·45–6·99) for glycated albumin above the 95th percentile. Associations were attenuated but persisted after adjustment for HbA 1c . Fructosamine and glycated albumin were strongly associated with retinopathy (p C statistic 0·717) and glycated albumin (0·717) were nearly as strong as by HbA 1c (0·726), but HbA 1c outperformed fructosamine and glycated albumin for prediction of incident diabetes with C statistics of 0·760, 0·706, and 0·703, respectively. Interpretation Fructosamine and glycated albumin were strongly associated with incident diabetes and its microvascular complications, with prognostic value comparable to HbA 1c . Funding National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
Coupling studies and shielding techniques for electromagnetic penetration through apertures on complex cavities and vehicular platforms

The multilevel fast multipole moment method is employed to compute the electromagnetic coupling and shielding of various aperture-coupled metallic enclosures. A phenomenological study of electromagnetic coupling, due to various slot shapes and sizes, with or without the presence of wire penetration is conducted. These slots are situated on over-moded cavities and two methods are proposed to mitigate slot coupling into the cavity's interior. As part of this work, we also investigate the coupling through similar slots and apertures within a complex platform such as an automobile. The proposed methods have shown to increase shielding by as much as 5-35 dB within the frequency range of interest.
Use of ultrasonographic guidance in interventional musculoskeletal procedures: a review from a single institution.

We have evaluated the utility of ultrasonographic guidance for intervention in the musculoskeletal system. All interventional musculoskeletal procedures using ultrasonographic guidance performed at our institution from July 1998 through November 1999 were reviewed. Examinations were performed using either a linear or curved phased array transducer, based on depth and local geometry. The choice of needle was likewise optimized for specific anatomic conditions. One hundred ninety-five procedures were performed on 167 patients from July 1998 through November 1999. Thirty-one procedures had magnetic resonance correlation within 6 months beforehand. Excluding large-joint aspirations and injections, we found that 180 of the procedures were more readily performed using ultrasonography than any other imaging modality. These included therapeutic injections into tendon sheaths (biceps, flexor digitorum longus, posterior tibial, and iliopsoas), Morton's neuromas, plantar fascia, wrist ganglia, and tarsal tunnel cysts; peritendinous hamstring injections; and synovial cyst and muscle biopsies. In all cases, the target of interest was identified easily with ultrasonography, and needle position was documented readily. Also in all cases, aspiration or medication delivery to the site of interest was observed during real time and was documented on postprocedure images of the area. No significant complications (e.g., bleeding, infection, and neurovascular compromise) were encountered during or immediately after any procedure. Ultrasonography is a readily available imaging modality useful for guiding interventional procedures in the musculoskeletal system. The ability to document exact needle placement in real time confirms accurate placement of therapeutic injections, fluid aspiration, and soft tissue biopsies.
Giant all-optical tunable group velocity dispersion in an optical fiber

We realize a strongly dispersive material with large tunable group velocity dispersion (GVD) in a commercially-available photonic crystal fiber. Specifically, we pump the fiber with a two-frequency pump field that induces an absorbing resonance adjacent to an amplifying resonance via the stimulated Brillouin processes. We demonstrate all-optical control of the GVD by measuring the linear frequency chirp impressed on a 28-nanosecond-duration optical pulse by the medium and find that it is tunable over the range ± 7.8 ns(2)/m. The maximum observed value of the GVD is 10(9) times larger than that in a typical single-mode silica optical fiber. Our observations are in good agreement with a theoretical model of the process.
The Fezouata fossils of Morocco; an extraordinary record of marine life in the Early Ordovician

The discovery of the Fezouata biota in the latest Tremadocian of southeastern Morocco has significantly changed our understanding of the early Phanerozoic radiation. The shelly fossil record shows a well-recognized pattern of macroevolutionary stasis between the Cambrian Explosion and the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event, but the rich soft-bodied Fezouata biota paints a different evolutionary picture. The Fezouata assemblage includes a considerable component of Cambrian holdovers alongside a surprising number of crown group taxa previously unknown to have evolved by the Early Ordovician. Study of the Fezouata biota is in its early stages, and future discoveries will continue to enrich our view of the dynamics of the early Phanerozoic radiation and of the nature of the fossil record. Supplementary material: A complete faunal list is available at http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18843.
Expert search in neural network optimization

Recent research has shown that many optimization problems can be solved using artificial neural networks (ANN). The primary problem encountered in finding the globally optimal solution is the existence of local minima. The approach taken in this research is to develop a constrained optimization strategy using the observed data during adaptation or search. The constraints are rigidly enforced by an expert system so that the solution will always be a valid one. >
Learning to slide a magnetic card through a card reader

This paper describes a set of experiments in which an upper-torso humanoid robot learned to slide a card through a card reader. The small size and the flexibility of the card presented a number of manipulation challenges for the robot. First, because most of the card is occluded by the card reader and the robot's hand during the sliding process, visual feedback is useless for this task. Second, because the card bends easily, it is difficult to distinguish between bending and hitting an obstacle in order to correct the sliding trajectory. To solve these manipulation challenges this paper proposes a method for constraint detection that uses only proprioceptive data. The method uses dynamic joint torque thresholds that are calibrated using the robot's movements in free space. The experimental results show that using this method, the robot can detect when the movement of the card is constrained and modify the sliding trajectory in real time, which makes solving this task possible.
Meta-analysis of streptokinase and heparin in deep vein thrombosis

The efficacy and safety of streptokinase and heparin in deep vein thrombosis (DVT) were compared in a meta-analysis. Randomized trials in which streptokinase (followed by heparin) and heparin alone were compared in treating phlebographically documented acute DVT were identified from MEDLINE and other sources for a meta-analysis. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) based on the logit method were computed for each study. A fixed-effect model was used to combine the study results, enabling differences between streptokinase recipients and recipients of heparin alone to be expressed as summary ORs with 95% CIs. Significantly more streptokinase recipients achieved thrombolysis than recipients of heparin alone (summary OR, 6.24; 95% CI, 3.62 to 10.78). One study was identified as an outlier and excluded from the analysis. The meta-analysis then showed that streptokinase recipients were significantly less likely to have postthrombotic changes (summary OR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.18 to 0.88) and postphlebitic changes (summary OR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.12 to 0.86) in phlebographic evaluation. The frequency of major bleeding was significantly higher among streptokinase recipients than recipients of heparin alone (summary OR, 3.78; 95% CI, 1.26 to 11.32). A meta-analysis showed that, compared with heparin alone, streptokinase therapy for DVT was associated with significantly more frequent thrombolysis and major bleeding; after exclusion of one outlying study, analysis showed that streptokinase therapy was associated less frequently than heparin alone with postthrombotic changes (assessed by phlebographic evaluation) and postphlebitic syndrome.
Self-Normalizing Dual Systems for Minor and Principal Component Extraction

In this paper classes of globally stable dynamical systems for dual-purpose extraction of principal and minor components are analyzed. The proposed systems may apply to both the standard and the generalized eigenvalue problems. Lyapunov stability theory and LaSalle invariance principle are used to derive invariant sets for these systems. Some of these systems may be viewed as generalizations of known learning rules such as Oja's and Xu's systems and are shown to be applied, with some modifications, to symmetric and nonsymmetric matrices. Numerical examples are provided to examine the convergence behavior of the dual-purpose minor and principal component analyzers.
In situ measurements of capelin (Mallotus villosus) target strength in the North Pacific Ocean

Guttormsen, M. A. and Wilson, C. D. 2009. In situ measurements of capelin (Mallotus villosus) target strength in the North Pacific Ocean. - ICES Journal of Marine Science, 66: 258-263.In situ measurements of capelin (Mallotus villosus) target strength (TS) were collected during summer 2001-2003 near Kodiak Island in the Gulf of Alaska, using a calibrated EK500 echosounder with 38 and 120 kHz split-beam transducers. Targets were detected over dispersed, night-time aggregations using standard acoustic methods, then filtered using a quality-control algorithm to reject invalid targets. The 38 kHz-based, fitted model estimate was TS = 20 log 10 L− 70.3 (r 2 = 0.30), where L is total length of fish. Compared with other studies, the TS-fitted model at 38 kHz was similar to that calculated from swimbladder morphology measurements from St Lawrence estuary capelin (TS = 20 log 10 L− 69.3), but resulted in greater estimates than models based on in situ measurements of capelin TS in the Barents Sea (TS = 19.1 log 10 L−74.0) and northern Atlantic Ocean (TS = 20 log 10 L − 73.1). The large intraspecific variability exhibited in the fitted TS - L models for this species suggests the use of TS measurements from the geographic region where the data were collected.
Power constrained distributed estimation with cluster-based sensor collaboration

We consider the problem of distributed estimation in a power constrained collaborative wireless sensor network (WSN), where the network is divided into a set of sensor clusters, with collaboration allowed among sensors within the same cluster but not across clusters. Specifically, each cluster forms one or multiple local messages via sensor collaboration (in particular, linear operation is considered) and transmits the messages over noisy channels to a fusion center (FC). The final estimate is constructed at the FC based on the noisy data received from all clusters. In this collaborative setup, we study the following fundamental problems. Given a total transmit power constraint, shall we transmit the raw data or some low-dimensional local messages for each cluster? What is the optimal collaboration scheme for each cluster? How to optimally allocate the power among different clusters? These questions are addressed in this paper. We will show that the optimum collaboration strategy is to compress the data into one local message which, depending on the channel characteristics, is transmitted using one or multiple available channels to the FC. The optimal power allocation among the clusters is also investigated, which yields a water- filling type of scheme.
On defining and quantifying biotic homogenization

Ongoing species invasions and extinctions are changing biological diversity in different ways at different spatial scales. Biotic homogenization (or BH) refers to the process by which the genetic, taxonomic or functional similarities of regional biotas increase over time. It is a multifaceted process that encompasses species invasions, extinctions and environmental alterations, focusing on how the identities of species (or their genetic or functional attributes) change over space and time. Despite the increasing use of the term BH in conservation biology, it is often used erroneously as a synonym for patterns of species invasions, loss of native species or changes in species richness through time. This reflects the absence of an agreed-upon, cogent definition of BH. Here, we offer an operational definition for BH and review the various methodologies used to study this process. We identify the strengths and weaknesses of these approaches, and make explicit recommendations for future studies. We conclude by citing the need for researchers to: (1) consider carefully the definition of BH by recognizing the genetic, taxonomic and functional realms of this process; (2) recognize that documenting taxonomic homogenization requires tracking the identity of species (not species richness) comprising biotas through space and time; and (3) employ more rigorous methods for quantifying BH.
Usefulness of Blalock-Taussig shunt Doppler flow velocity profiles in the assessment of pulmonary artery pressure and flow.

Aim To assess the utility of continuous wave Doppler evaluation of ve- locity profiles across a BlalockeTaussig (BT) shunt in the evaluation of pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary blood flow. Methods and results Eleven children with complex congenital heart disease with a BT shunt as the sole source of pulmonary blood supply were studied prospectively (median age 5 (0.3e21) months). Doppler evaluations of shunt flow velocity profile and cardiac catheterization were carried out simultaneously. Pulmonary artery pressure and flow were estimated using the modified Bernoulli equation and veloc- ity time integral of shunt flow. There was a positive correlation between (1) the Doppler estimates for mean pulmonary artery pressure, using the diastolic flow ve- locity, and the mean pulmonary venous wedge pressure (r ¼ 0:93, SEE ¼ 1:0 mmHg; P!0:001) and (2) the Doppler derived and calculated pulmonary blood flow (r ¼ 0:9, SEE ¼ 0:19 l=min; P!0:001). In contrast, the Doppler estimates for mean pulmonary artery pressure using the peak or mean Doppler gradients were poor. Conclusion The diastolic BT shunt flow velocity can be used reliably to predict mean pulmonary artery pressure when a BT shunt is the sole source of pulmonary artery flow. There was agreement between Doppler predicted pulmonary blood flow and catheter based calculations. These findings may prove a useful tool for
LAPAROSCOPIC ILEAL URETER

Purpose: We describe the operative technique of laparoscopic ileal ureter replacement. Materials and Methods: A transperitoneal 3-port approach was used. Ileovesical and pyeloileal anastomoses were performed with intracorporeal laparoscopic freehand suturing and knot tying techniques. Results: Operating time was 8 hours and blood loss was 200 cc. Both anastomoses were immediately watertight. Hospital stay was 4 days and a cystogram at 14 days confirmed widely patent anastomoses without extravasation. Conclusions: Laparoscopic ileal ureter replacement satisfactorily duplicates established open surgical principles. The laparoscopic technique is efficient and technically straightforward.
Synthetic Cathinones (Bath Salts): Legal Status and Patterns of Abuse

Objective:To review the current legal status and patterns of abuse of bath salts.Data Sources:A literature search was conducted through MEDLINE (1950-December 2011), PubMed (1966–December 2011), EMBASE (1966-December 2011), and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1970-December 2011) using the search terms bath salts, mephedrone, and methylenedioxypyrovalerone to identify articles on the legal status of bath salts and on studies focusing on patterns of abuse of bath salts. The GovTrack.us Web site was searched to determine the status of federal bills regarding bath salts. The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy and Drug Enforcement Administration Web sites and the Federal Registerwere also examined to identify legislation on bath salts.Study Selection and Data Extraction:Case reports and studies regarding bath salts were examined. Federal laws involving bath salts were also evaluated.Data Synthesis:The Department of Justice issued a final order in the Federal Register, temporarily placing the 3 ...
A review and update of skin appendage neoplasms and associated genetic syndromes

Adnexal tumors are often benign, rarely malignant, and in some settings they can be associated with a hereditary syndrome that predisposes to visceral malignancies. This article aims to review and update the various genetic syndromes that are characterized by cutaneous appendage neoplasms. Some are of clinical importance due to the association with internal malignancy, and they include Cowden, Gardner, Birt–Hogg–Dube, Muir–Torre, basal cell nevus and Brooke–Spiegler syndromes. Others are not associated with internal malignancy, such as multiple familial trichoepithelioma, generalized basaloid follicular hamartoma, Bazex–Dupre–Christol, Rombo, Oley and steatocystoma multiplex syndromes. Awareness that some adnexal neoplasms are clues to internal malignancies might allow for early diagnosis, genetic counseling and appropriate cancer surveillance.
CMOS Monolithic Nanoparticle-Coated Chemiresistor Array for Micro-Scale Gas Chromatography

Miniaturized detector arrays are critical to reducing size and maintaining measurement quality of integrated micro-gas chromatographs (μGC) used for the analysis of complex vapor mixtures. This paper presents an array of chemiresistors (CRs) with monolayer-protected gold nanoparticle films formed on the surface of a complementary-metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) readout chip, featuring high-resolution resistance measurement with adaptive cancellation of baseline resistance. The 8-channel readout circuit occupies 2.2 × 2.2 mm2 in 0.5 μm CMOS and consumes 66 μW per channel from a 3.3-V power supply. It achieves a worst-case resolution of 125 ppm over a broad baseline resistance range of 60 kΩ to 10 MΩ, equivalent to 122 dB dynamic range. Implementation of the CMOS monolithic detector array is discussed, and preliminary measurement results using chamber exposures to several vapors are presented. Eventual integration into a μGC is discussed.
Mapping leaks in the math, science, and technology pipeline.

Many adolescents, particularly female and minority students, choose not to pursue careers in math, science, and technology.
From antimicrobial activity to mechanism of resistance: the multifaceted role of simple quaternary ammonium compounds in bacterial eradication

Abstract Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are a prominent class of antibacterial agents. Drawing inspiration from commercial disinfectants and antimicrobial natural products, we have derivatized structurally diverse tertiary amines to generate several different classes of QACs. We have synthesized over 200 QACs, many of which exhibit potent antibacterial and antibiofilm activity. Analysis of the structure–activity relationship of our compounds have led to the facile production of inexpensive QACs that display ∼1 μM MIC against a suite of bacteria, and furthermore do not appear to trigger bacterial resistance systems in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
Effects on the Reliability of Lead-Free Solder Joints under Harsh Environment

Pb-free solder joints undergo microstructural and mechanical evolution due to alloy coarsening and growing intermetallic compounds which degrade the joint electrical performance. Electronics assemblies containing solder joints are frequently exposed to elevated temperatures for prolonged periods of time. The purpose of the study is to discover the effect of isothermal aging on the reliability of Sn-Ag-Cu (SAC) assemblies. After studied different surface finishes, we employed Immersion Ag (ImAg), Immersion Sn (ImSn), Electroless Ni/Immersion Au (ENIG) and Electroless Ni/Electroless Pd/Immersion Au (ENEPIG) which have potential for higher reliability and better performance and received increased attention for both packaging and subtracted applications. A full experiment matrix with varying aging temperatures and solder alloys was considered. Package sizes ranged from 19mm, 0.8mm pitch ball grid arrays (BGAs) to 5mm, 0.4mm pitch μBGAs and in additional, 0.65mm MLF and 2512 resistors be particularly tested. S...
Dismantling Federalism is a Shortcut with a Very Steep Price

While media focus on the political impact of the recent Supreme Court decisions on immigration and healthcare, the American system of federalism is reeling from a blow of greater proportion. Immigration and healthcare are critical public policy problems, but they are not intractable. Congress and the President have ample constitutional power at their disposal to achieve meaningful reforms without running roughshod over the States.
Substructuring with Nonlinear Reduced Order Models and Interface Reduction with Characteristic Constraint Modes

Substructuring methods have been widely used in structural dynamics to divide large, complicated finite element models into smaller substructures. For linear systems, many methods have been developed to reduce the subcomponents down to a low order set of equations using a special set of component modes, and these are then assembled to approximate the dynamics of a large scale model. In this paper, a substructuring approach is developed for coupling geometrically nonlinear structures, where each subcomponent is drastically reduced to a low order set of nonlinear equations using a truncated set of fixedinterface and characteristic constraint modes. A non-intrusive method to fit the nonlinear reduced order model (NLROM) is used to identify the low order equations directly from a finite element model built within a commercial software package. The NLROMs are then assembled to approximate the nonlinear differential equations of the global assembly. The method is demonstrated on the coupling of two geometrically nonlinear plates with simple supports at all edges. The plates are joined at a continuous interface through the rotational degrees-of-freedom (DOF), and the nonlinear normal modes (NNMs) of the assembled equations are computed to validate the equations. The proposed substructuring approach reduces a 12,861 DOF nonlinear finite element model down to only 22 DOF, while maintaining the accuracy to compute the first three NNMs of the full order model.
Entre pronombres y adverbios: mecanismos de cambio en la historia dialectal peninsular de hi/ý

The objective of this paper is to analyze the evolution of the Latin adverb IBI > hi/ý within the Romance languages of the Iberian Peninsula. Its dialectal history was largely influenced by the manner in which its properties in Latin were articulated into each romance variety. Its nature fluctuated between pronominal and adverbial, and this made it experience different changes through space and time; and even if it had remarkable vitality in the Medieval Ages, it only survived in Catalan and Aragonese. The study seeks to determine the factors that led to its disappearance talking into account its properties, which interacted with the properties of the grammars of the iberian varieties within a hypothetical dialectal continuum .
Ghanaian Immigrants’ Experiences With and Perceptions of U.S. Police: A Qualitative Study

Focus groups help researchers obtain rich, experiential data in order to increase our sociological and psychological understanding of human interactions. In this study, I used qualitative data obta...
Beyond Standard Molecular Dynamics: Investigating the Molecular Mechanisms of G Protein-Coupled Receptors with Enhanced Molecular Dynamics Methods

The majority of biological processes mediated by G Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) take place on timescales that are not conveniently accessible to standard molecular dynamics (MD) approaches, notwithstanding the current availability of specialized parallel computer architectures, and efficient simulation algorithms. Enhanced MD-based methods have started to assume an important role in the study of the rugged energy landscape of GPCRs by providing mechanistic details of complex receptor processes such as ligand recognition, activation, and oligomerization. We provide here an overview of these methods in their most recent application to the field.
Video and Dynamic Query Capability in Schools: Implications for Learning in a Networked Community:

Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, the Baltimore Learning Community (BLC) project established a networked electronic learning community through the use of high-quality digital science and ...
A mass spectrometric method for quantification of tryptophan-derived uremic solutes in human serum

In addition to various physiologic roles, emerging evidence strongly points to pathogenic roles of tryptophan and of its metabolites, especially in diseases such as renal failure. Accurate estimation of levels of these metabolites in blood is important to mechanistically probe their contribution to disease pathogenesis, while clinically, such a panel can be used to risk stratify patients for a clinical phenotype. Herein, we describe a comprehensive liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS)-based method to determine the level of tryptophan and its metabolites (kynurenine, kynurenic acid, xanthurenic acid, anthranilic acid, indoxyl sulfate and indoxyl acetate). Human sera samples were processed through a C18 column followed by application of a binary gradient and quantitation by MS/MS. The linearity, lower limit of detection, inter- and intraassay variabilities and recovery were determined, yielding a precise, reproducible method for all the metabolites. Unlike previous studies, we further validated these methods in a well-characterized set of human sera from end stage renal disease patients compared to age-, gender- and ethnic-background matched human controls. Overall, we report an optimized LC/MS-based estimation of a comprehensive panel of tryptophan-derived metabolites with quality features within FDA standards, underscoring their readiness for translational use.
Perceptions of typically developing children in India about their siblings with disabilities

ABSTRACTIn India, people with disabilities often struggle to access various opportunities and resources. As a result of perceptions within the Indian culture around disabilities, families may face social, financial, and emotional difficulties. Within the family, a child with a disability may lead to strained relationships, particularly with siblings. Often siblings have little knowledge about disabilities and may feel ostracised. The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine the knowledge and attitudes of 12 Indian children regarding their siblings with disabilities, including their perceptions about disabilities against the backdrop of societal attitudes. Participants were interviewed to understand their knowledge of their siblings’ disabilities, to examine their sibling relationships, and to assess how school and society influenced their perceptions about disabilities. Results from this study can help family members understand how disability shapes relationships between children. The findings als...
Preparation and crystal structures of plutonium(IV) hexachloro complexes, Rb2PuCl6 and K2PuCl6☆

K/sub 2/PuCl/sub 5/ and Rb/sub 2/PuCl/sub 5/ were prepared by heating mixtures of anhydrous PuCl/sub 3/ and respective alkali metal chlorides in vacuum-sealed quartz ampoules at 400-500/sup 0/C. Their crystal structures are both orthorhombic with K/sub 2/PrCl/sub 5/-type structure (space group Pnma, Z = 4), determined by powder X-ray crystallography. K/sub 2/PuCl/sub 5/: lattice parameters a = 12,674 +/- 0.003, b = 8.727 +/- 0.002, c = 7.969 +/- 0.002 A; cell volume 220.4 +/- 0.2 A/sup 3/; X-ray density 3.726 +/- 0.004 g/cm/sup 3/. Rb/sub 2/PuCl/sub 5/: lattice parameters a = 13.093 +/- 0.008, b = 8.909 +/- 0.005, c = 8.178 +/- 0.005 A; cell volume 238.5 +/- 0.4 A/sup 3/; X-ray density 4.088 +/- 0.008 g/cm/sup 3/. Fourteen variable atom parameters of these complexes were obtained by electrostatic calculation with a program which maximizes the Madelung constant under the condition that the ion-ion separations in the crystal are all larger than respective critical distances. The measured Raman lines of Rb/sub 2/PuCl/sub 5/ are very close to those of hexachloride complexes. The bond lengths and stability of M/sub 2/PuCl/sub 5/ (M = K, Rb) are discussed.
Leadership Development and Practices

The impact of stereotypes cannot be underestimated when it comes to leadership behavior. Despite not often knowing the actual job responsibilities of a leader, individuals repeatedly reveal, through their behavior, the stereotypes and assumptions that they hold about their leaders’ race and gender.
Introduction to Optics and Infrared Spectroscopic Techniques

Infrared spectroscopy is one of the oldest techniques for the molecular level characterization of materials, and it has of course been extensively used to study polymer systems. Excellent review articles exist for the application of both dispersive [1] and Fourier transform instrumentation [2] to polymers. The use of IR to study polymer surfaces and interfaces has also been reviewed [3]. As the number and complexity of IR techniques for examining non-routine samples has increased, there has been a growing tendency to examine samples ‘in situ’. This is especially true where polymer systems are involved. Infrared spectra of such systems as filled polymers, glass reinforced plastics, fibers, and surface treated particulates, have been recorded in the past using relatively old techniques such as transmission and ATR. However, the spectral quality was low. Now it is possible to obtain high quality spectra of these systems by using such techniques as diffuse reflectance, photoacoustic, and IR microscopy.
Pull-Type Manufacturing Systems

In Chapters 4 and 5, we studied multistage, push-type manufacturing systems in the context of production lines. In push-type systems, the production schedule is decided based on the demand forecasts, in an upstream part of the system. That is, attention is not given to the immediate market response which may have a significant impact on the finished-product inventory levels. Therefore, push-type systems have difficulties in promptly adapting to the changes in the market, such as demand fluctuations. The forecasting effort itself is a source of considerable error in the master schedule. In practice, to circumvent this difficulty, the inventories are kept at high levels. Notice, for instance, that the production lines we have studied earlier assume a finished-product warehouse of unlimited capacity.
Two-Fluid 2.5D MHD Simulations of the Fast Solar Wind in Coronal Holes and the Relation to UVCS Observations

Recent SOHO/UVCS observations indicate that the perpendicular proton and ion temperatures are much larger than electron temperatures. In the present study we simulate numerically the solar wind flow in a coronal hole with the two-fluid approach. We investigate the effects of electron and proton temperatures on the solar wind acceleration by nonlinear waves. In the model the nonlinear waves are generated by Alfven waves with frequencies in the 10-3 Hz range, driven at the base of the coronal hole. The resulting electron and proton flow profile exhibits density and velocity fluctuations. The fluctuations may steepen into shocks as they propagate away from the sun. We calculate the effective proton temperature by combining the thermal and wave velocity of the protons, and find qualitative agreement with the proton kinetic temperature increase with height deduced from the UVCS Ly-α observations by Kohl et al. (1998).