cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Furosemide pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in health and disease—An update

The literature on furosemide pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics is critically reviewed, concentrating on those papers published subsequent to the 1979 reviews of this topic. Intravenous and oral data are presented for healthy volunteers and for patients with various disease states. It is the latter populations about which the majority of the studies have been published since 1979. Inter- and intraindividual variations in bioavailability are discussed, as are data on the metabolism of furosemide to its glucuronide conjugate. Published studies examining the relationship between furosemide pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics are also evaluated. The literature is reviewed through June 1988.
Learning and Assessing Mathematics through Reading and Writing.

Students learn mathematics more effectively and more deeply when reading and writing is directed at learning mathematics. Although reading and writing in mathematics may necessitate more skills and practice to master, the mathematical learning derived from reading and writing mathematics far outweighs the burden it places on teachers and students. This paper explores the vital role of purposeful reading and writing in the mathematics classroom and outlines some techniques to promote successful integration of reading and writing in mathematics.
The use of ultra-short-acting opioids in paediatric anaesthesia: the role of remifentanil.

Remifentanil is a synthetic opioid that was developed in the early 1990s and introduced into clinical use in 1996. It is a methyl ester and is metabolised by nonspecific tissue and plasma esterases. Consequently, it is a drug that undergoes rapid elimination and has a reported terminal elimination half-life of between 10 and 35 minutes. Because there is no drug accumulation, the context-sensitive half-time remains constant; thus the pharmacokinetics of the drug do not change regardless of the duration of infusion. The organ-independent elimination of remifentanil, coupled with the fact that its clearance is greater in infants and neonates compared with older age groups, make its pharmacokinetic profile different from any other opioid. In addition, its unique metabolism confers predictability in its clinical use. Like other opioid μ, receptor agonists, remifentanil provides dose-dependent analgesia, while the adverse effects of this drug, e.g. respiratory depression, are also thought to be dose related. The incidence of nausea and vomiting appear similar to other opioids. Its rapid and consistent metabolism regardless of duration of infusion has made remifentanil an attractive analgesic/anaesthetic option for paediatric care providers.
Elimination algorithms for data flow analysis

A unified model of a family of data flow algorithms, called elimination methods, is presented. The algorithms, which gather information about the definition and use of data in a program or a set of programs, are characterized by the manner in which they solve the systems of equations that describe data flow problems of interest. The unified model provides implementation-independent descriptions of the algorithms to facilitate comparisons among them and illustrate the sources of improvement in worst case complexity bounds. This tutorial provides a study in algorithm design, as well as a new view of these algorithms and their interrelationships.
Zigzag graphene nanoribbons with saturated edges.

Zigzag graphene nanoribbons with saturated edges are investigated by first principles calculations. In these structures edge carbons have either two H or two F atoms, and are of sp3 type. Compared to the previously studied ribbons with all carbons of sp2 type, several similarities and differences are found. Specifically, in narrower ribbons the closed shell electronic state is the most stable one. In wider ribbons a state with antiferromagentically spin-polarized edges is the lowest in energy, similarly to the ribbons with all sp2 type carbons. A notable feature of narrower ribbons is significant single−double carbon bond alternation across the ribbon. Calculated Raman spectra contain a distinct blue shift signature of such alternation, which perhaps can be used for the experimental identification of ribbons of this type.
A unique deformation phenomenon in crystallizable polymers

Experience dans laquelle la temperature du filament oriente mais non cristallise d'un polymere cristallisable (PET) est elevee dans un intervalle entre son Tg et Tm pendant qu'il est soumis a une traction externe
Construction of an efficient Escherichia coli whole-cell biocatalyst for d-mannitol production

Mannitol is a six carbon sugar alcohol that finds applications in the pharmaceutical and food industries. A novel Escherichia coli strain capable of converting D-glucose to D-mannitol has been constructed, wherein native mannitol-1-phosphate dehydrogenase (MtlD) and codon-optimized Eimeria tenella mannitol-1-phosphatase (M1Pase) have been overexpressed. Codon-optimized Pseudomonas stutzeri phosphite dehydrogenase (PtxD) was overexpressed for cofactor (NADH) regeneration with the concomitant oxidation of phosphite to phosphate. Whole-cell biotransformation using resting cells in a medium containing D-glucose and equimolar sodium phosphite resulted in d-mannitol yield of 87 mol%. Thus, production of an industrially relevant biochemical without using complex media components and elaborate process control mechanisms has been demonstrated.
Low-light-level image sensor with on-chip signal processing

The design of a low-light-level CMOS active-pixel-sensor (APS) with on-chip, semi-parallel analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion is presented. The imager consists of a 128 X 128 array of active pixels at a 50 micrometers pitch. Each column of pixels shares a 10-bit A/D converter based on first-order oversampled sigma-delta ((Sigma) -(Delta) ) modulation. The 10-bit outputs of each converter are multiplexed and read out through a single set of outputs. A semi-parallel architecture is chosen to achieve 30 frames/second operation even at low light levels. The sensor is designed for less than 10 e- rms noise performance. A 28 X 28 active-pixel-sensor (APS) with 40 X 40 micrometers 2 pixels as well as individual elements of the sigma-delta modulator have been fabricated and tested using MOSIS* 2 micrometers CMOS technology.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The Ponderance of Mentoring

This issue of Mentoring & Tutoring: Partnership in Learning includes research from scholars representing the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The authors of the eight articles found i...
Assessing Multiagent Parcelization Performance in the MABEL Simulation Model Using Monte Carlo Replication Experiments

In this paper we present and test the functionality of a parcelization algorithm, implemented in our spatially explicit, agent-based land-use-change model which we call the Multi Agent-based Behavioral Economic Landscape (MABEL) model. In order to test the best possible spatial configuration of the algorithm and its efficiency compared with historically observed land-use changes, we employed a Monte Carlo simulation approach with a series of replication experiments across time, and compared observed changes between 1970 and 1990, and across two different landscapes in Michigan, USA. We compare the simulated parcel shapes with historically observed land-use changes using the landscape-ecology metric program, FRAGSTATS.
Adaptation in distance perception based on oculomotor cues

Accommodation and convergence primarily serve to adjust the eyes to the distance of the object viewed, but, once made, these oculomotor adjustments serve as cues for the object’s distance. Experiments are reported that show that the relation between oculomotor adjustments and the distances they signify can be changed by adaptation to glasses that cause alteration in the oculomotor adjustments with which objects are viewed. This changed relation manifested itself in marked alterations of size perception. Wearing, for 30 min, glasses that caused a change in accommodation and convergence corresponding to a smaller object distance and equivalent to 1.5 lens diopters caused subsequent mean size increases that ranged from 50% to 65%. Adaptation to glasses that changed oculomotor adjustments in the same amount but in the opposite direction resulted in decreases in perceived sizes that varied from 18% to 40%, dependent on the distance of the test object. These were the results of size estimates obtained before and after the adaptation period under conditions where only accommodation and convergence served as cues for distance. A newly developed test of size perception was also used, in which S adjusted the size of the projected image of an array of familiar objects on a screen until the size of the objects appeared normal. Again, such adjustments were made before and after the adaptation period, and size differences were obtained that were in the direction to be expected of adaptation and varied in amount between 12% and 33%, dependent on the distance of the screen. The reason for the different amounts of size change measured by the two kinds of tests was investigated.
Carbon Nanobrushes Embedded Within Hydrogel Composites for Tissue Engineering

The objective of this work is to study the effect of carbon nanobrushes embedded within hydrogel composites on tissue engineering. The carbon nanobrushes, providing electrical conductivity to the hydrogels, influence the growth and proliferation of clinically relevant cell lines within the hydrogel composite. The composite is comprised of carbon nanobrushes embedded in a biocompatible poloxamer gel. This work assesses the ability of such composite gels to support the growth of tissue by studying fibroblasts and myoctes, which serve as indicators on the feasibility of this platform eventually serving as a matrix to stimulate wound closure and repair injured tissue. In such a model, fibroblasts and myocytes are seeded separately on the composite hydrogel and bathed in culture medium. The experimental model assesses the ability of fibroblasts and myocytes to grow into and adhere to the gel containing carbon nanobrushes. The work demonstrates that carbon nanobrushes can be dispersed within poloxamer gels, and that fibroblasts and myoctyes can proliferate within a poloxamer gel containing homogenously dispersed carbon nanobrushes. The work also examines the role of the carbon nanobrushes in altering the physical properties of the hydrogel composite. This work has relevance for tissue engineering and tissue regeneration in clinical medicine, with a focus on utilizing biomimetic and bioinspired materials, like the carbon nanobrushes, to enhance growth capabilities.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Peripapillary Changes in Glaucoma

Three observers, unaware of the clinical status of the patients and using projected 35-mm color transparencies, independently graded the degree of peripapillary halo and atrophy in 240 eyes. Analysis of the results revealed that, although patients with glaucoma had more prominent (4+) halos, the average degree of halo was statistically identical for both the glaucomatous and normal eyes. Peripapillary atrophy, on the other hand, was significantly (P less than .01) more extensive in glaucomatous eyes, and 4+ atrophy was seen primarily in eyes with more advanced disease of long duration.
Black-White Achievement Differences and Governmental Interventions

The estimates in the study considered whether any of the governmental or family factors individually could explain the magnitude and pattern of black-white achievement gaps. Neither the level nor the distribution of school spending appears to provide much explanation for the gaps. School spending levels show little consistent impact with any indication of differential impact on blacks being small. Direct analyses of the effects of spending equalization on performance similarly show little impact. On the other hand, governmental intervention through integration programs appears potentially more important.
Long-term retention of skilled visual search following severe traumatic brain injury.

We examined the long-term retention of a learned automatic cognitive process in 17 severe TBI participants and 10 controls. Participants had initially received extensive consistent-mapping (CM) training (i.e., 3600 trials) in a semantic category visual search task (Schmitter-Edgecombe & Beglinger, 2001). Following CM training, TBI and control groups demonstrated dramatic performance improvements and the development of an automatic attention response (AAR), indicating task-specific and stimulus-specific skill learning. After a 5- or 10-month retention interval, participants in this study performed a New CM task and the originally trained CM task to assess for retention of task-specific and stimulus-specific visual search skills, respectively. No significant group differences were found in the level of retention for either skill type, indicating that individuals with severe TBI were able to retain the learned skills over a long-term retention interval at a level comparable to controls. Exploratory analyses revealed that TBI participants who returned at the 5-month retention interval showed nearly complete skill retention, and greater skill retention than TBI participants who returned at the 10-month interval, suggesting that “booster” or retraining sessions may be needed when a skill is not continuously in use. (JINS, 2006, 12, 802–811.)
Millisecond-timescale local network coding in the rat primary somatosensory cortex.

Correlation among neocortical neurons is thought to play an indispensable role in mediating sensory processing of external stimuli. The role of temporal precision in this correlation has been hypothesized to enhance information flow along sensory pathways. Its role in mediating the integration of information at the output of these pathways, however, remains poorly understood. Here, we examined spike timing correlation between simultaneously recorded layer V neurons within and across columns of the primary somatosensory cortex of anesthetized rats during unilateral whisker stimulation. We used Bayesian statistics and information theory to quantify the causal influence between the recorded cells with millisecond precision. For each stimulated whisker, we inferred stable, whisker-specific, dynamic Bayesian networks over many repeated trials, with network similarity of 83.3±6% within whisker, compared to only 50.3±18% across whiskers. These networks further provided information about whisker identity that was approximately 6 times higher than what was provided by the latency to first spike and 13 times higher than what was provided by the spike count of individual neurons examined separately. Furthermore, prediction of individual neurons' precise firing conditioned on knowledge of putative pre-synaptic cell firing was 3 times higher than predictions conditioned on stimulus onset alone. Taken together, these results suggest the presence of a temporally precise network coding mechanism that integrates information across neighboring columns within layer V about vibrissa position and whisking kinetics to mediate whisker movement by motor areas innervated by layer V.
Language and cognition-joint acquisition, dual hierarchy, and emotional prosody.

concepts. J. Cogn. Neurosci. 17, 1–13. doi: 10.1162/0898929054021102 Brighton, H., Smith, K., and Kirby, S. (2005). Language as an evolutionary system. Phys. Life Rev. 2, 177–226. doi: 10.1016/j.plrev.2005.06.001 Cangelosi, A., and Parisi, D. (eds.). (2002). Simulating the Evolution of Language. London: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4471-0663-0 Chomsky, N. (1995). The Minimalist Program. Cambridge: MIT Press. Christiansen, M. H., and Kirby, S. (2003). Language Evolution. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199244843.001.0001 Croft, W., and Cruse, D. A. (2004). Cognitive Linguistics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/CBO9780511803864 Deacon, T. W. (1997). The Symbolic Species: The CoEvolution of Language and the Brain.NewYork, NY:
Femtosecond damage threshold of multilayer metal films

With the availability of terawatt laser systems with subpicosecond pulses, laser damage to optical components has become the limiting factor for further increases in the output peak power. Evaluation of different material structures in accordance to their suitability for high-power laser systems is essential. Multi-shot damage experiments, using 110 fs laser pulses at 800 nm, on polycrystalline single layer gold films and multi-layer (gold-vanadium, and gold-titanium) films were conducted. The laser incident fluence was varied, in both cases, from 0.1 to 0.6 J/cm 2 . No evidence of surface damage was apparent in the gold sample up to a fluence of 0.3 J/cm 2 . The multilayer sample experienced the onset of surface damage at the lowest fluence value used of 0.1 J/cm 2 . Damage results are in contrast with the time resolved ultrafast thermoreflectivity measurements that revealed a reduction of the thermoreflectivity signal for the multilayer films. This decrease in the thermoreflectivity signal signifies a reduction in the surface electron temperature that should translate in a lower lattice temperature at the later stage. Hence, one should expect a higher damage threshold for the multilayer samples. Comparison of the experimental results with the predictions of the Two-Temperature Model (TTM) is presented. The damage threshold of the single layer gold film corresponds to the melting threshold predicted by the model. In contrast to the single layer gold film, the multi-layer sample damaged at almost one third the damage threshold predicted by the TTM model. Possible damage mechanisms leading to the early onset of damage for the multilayer films are discussed.
Quantitative Analysis of Interconnectivity of Porous Biodegradable Scaffolds with Micro-Computed Tomography

Pore interconnectivity within scaffolds is an important parameter influencing cell migration and tissue ingrowth needed to promote tissue regeneration. Methods for assessment of interconnectivity are usually qualitative, restricted to two-dimensional images, or are destructive. Microcomputed tomography nondestructively provides three-dimensional (3D) images of intact specimens at high spatial resolutions. We describe an image analysis technique for quantitative assessment of scaffold interconnectivity. Scaffolds were made via a particulate leaching process with 75%, 80%, 85%, and 88% volumetric porogen fractions. Specimens were scanned and resulting 3D, digital images were analyzed with a custom algorithm. A series of virtual, idealized scaffolds were also created for illustration of the algorithm's analysis approach and for its validation. The program calculated accessible void fractions over a range of minimum connection sizes. In real specimens, nearly 100% of the porous volume was connected with outside air for connections greater than or equal to 20 microm in their smallest dimension. In scaffolds made with 75% porogen, the accessible void fraction decreased to 78% if only those connections greater than or equal to 260 microm were considered. The relationship between accessible void fraction and connection size varied as a function of porogen content. The interconnectivity parameter described here may have implications for cell migration and tissue growth into scaffolds.
Heat transfer to laminar flow of nongray gases through a circular tube

Analyses are presented for infrared radiative energy transfer in gases when other modes of energy transfer simultaneously occur. Fully developed laminar flow of an absorbing emitting gas in a circular tube is considered under the conditions of uniform wall heat flux. Nongray as well as gray formulations are presented, and results are obtained for illustrative cases. Appropriate limiting solutions of the governing equations are obtained and conduction-radiation interaction parameters are evaluated. The influence of variable wall emittance (gray and nongray) upon radiative energy transfer in nongray gases is investigated. In particular, nongray results are obtained, in the large path length limit, for the flow of CO2 through stainless steel tubes of various compositions. Finally, a correlation is presented which can be utilized to extend all nongray results for the parallel plate geometry, already available in literature, to yield results for the corresponding case of a circular tube.
Household Income Is Associated with the p53 Mutation Frequency in Human Breast Tumors

Background A study from Scotland reported that the p53 mutation frequency in breast tumors is associated with socio-economic deprivation.
Congenital Heart Disease

This chapter explores various congenital heart diseases, such as ASD, VSD, PDA, and Eisenmenger’s syndrome. It discusses the effects of pregnancy on the disease process and the anesthetic management of these patients during labor.
Hydrogen in amorphous silicon

Abstract Recently, significant progress has been made in understanding the energetics, transport, and kinetic behavior of hydrogen in silicon, particularly in hydrogenated amorphous silicon. Many of the basic features of the hydrogen density of states are understood. New experimental results on exchange, solubility, and local motion can be understood in terms of the density of states and are consistent with the kinetics of metastability.
Turbo equalization and decoding for magnetic recording channels with signal dependent noise

In high-density magnetic recording systems, long channel memories and strong signal dependent noise are the two main factors that degrade system performance. The equalized Lorentzian channel can be seen to be equivalent to a partial response channel. As the density becomes higher, the length of the partial response becomes longer which makes the problem of achieving low bit error rates more challenging. The turbo principle is very promising for such channels, since equalization and coding can be combined together seamlessly. For simplicity, a serially concatenated turbo code is used here. A recursive systematic convolutional code is used as the outer code while the inner code is the modified partial response channel. In decoding, two a posteriori probability (APP) detectors are connected to form a loop. The outer code APP detector takes the output of the inner code APP detector as its input and then feeds back its output as the new input to inner code APP detector. This decoding procedure is carried on in an iterative manner. In decoding, it is often assumed that the noise component is white Gaussian for simplicity. We will consider signal dependent noise because it has the dominant effect when the recording density is high. We will demonstrate the improvement in bit error rate over the scheme that assumes white Gaussian noise.
‘Spontaneous’ neonatal gastric perforation: Is it really spontaneous? ☆

Abstract Background/Purpose: Most historical reports have described gastric perforation in the neonatal population as "spontaneous." More recently, several variables, including prematurity and nasal ventilation, have been implicated as contributing factors. The authors sought to analyze the etiology, course, and outcome of newborns with spontaneous gastric perforation from one institution over a 16-year period. Methods: The authors reviewed retrospectively the charts of all infants who underwent operation or had perforation of the stomach diagnosed in the newborn period. Results: Among more than 84,000 live births, 7 newborns were identified with perforation of the stomach. Four had coexisting gastrointestinal lesions (2 necrotizing enterocolitis, 1 undiagnosed tracheoesphageal fistula, 1 meconium plug), and 1 received nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). In only 2 cases were no other gastrointestinal lesions or other presumed contributing factors (nasal CPAP) present, and thus, only 2 cases could be classified as "spontaneous." Mortality rate was 57%. Three of the patients were premature, all of whom died. Conclusions: Whereas in the older literature, most cases of gastric perforation were considered spontaneous, and were full term, the authors' review of 7 cases over a 16-year period leads us to question the cause as spontaneous. The authors found that prematurity and concomitant gastrointestinal lesions were associated with gastric perforation in the neonate and that few cases truly are spontaneous. The authors suggest that when gastric perforation occurs in neonates, a contributing cause should be sought. J Pediatr Surg 35:1066-1069. Copyright © 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company.
Cubital tunnel syndrome in a child with hemophilia.

6. Matthews JI, Gibbons RB. Embolization complicating radial artery puncture. AM Intern Med 1971;75:87-8. 7. Wigger HJ, Bransilver BR, Blanc WA. Thrombosis due to catherization in infants and children. J Pediatr 1970;76:1-11. 8. Koenigsherger MR, Moessinger AC. Iatrogenic carpal tunnel syndrome of the newborn infant. J Pediatr 1977;91:443-5. 9. Macon WL, Furtell JW. Median-nerve neuropathy after percutaneous puncture of the brachial artery in patients receiving anticoagulants. N Engl J Med 1973;288:1396. 10. Adamson JE, Srouji SJ, Horton CE, Maldick RA. The acute carpal tunnel syndrome. Plast Reconstr Surg 1971;47:332-6. 11. Hybbinette CH, Mannerfelt L. The carpal tunnel syndrome: a retrospective study of 400 operated patients. Acta Orthop Stand 1975;46:610-20. 12. Dawson DM, Krarup C. Perioperative nerve lesions. Arch Neurol 1989;46:1355-60. 13. Thompson GE, Lui ACP. Perioperative nerve injuries. In Benumof JL, Saidman LJ, eds. Anesthesia and perioperative complications. St. Louis: Mosby-Year Book, 1992:160-72. 14. Dhuner KG. Nerve injuries following operations: a surge of cases occurring during a six year period. Anesthesiology 1948; 11:289-307. 15. Ekerot L. Postanesthetic ulnar neuropathy at the elbow. Stand J Plast Reconstr Surg 1977; 11:225-g. 16. Kroll DA, Caplan CA, Posner K, Ward RJ, Cheney FW. Nerve injury associated with anesthesia. Anesthesiology 1990;73:202-7. 17. Chalmers J. In: Lamb DW, Kncynski K, eds. The practice of hand surgeq. London: Blackwell Scientific 1981:394-400. 18. Howie CR, Buxton R . Acute carpal tunnel syndrome due to spontaneous hemorrhage. J HAND SURG 1984;9B: 137-8. 19. Bigelow NH, Graves PW. Peripheral nerve lesions in hemorrhagic diseases. Arch Neurol 1952;68:81930. 20. Hartwell SW Jr, Kurtay M. Carpal tunnel compression caused by hematoma associated with anticoagulant therapy: reports of a case. Cleve Clin Q 1966;33: 127-9. 21. Patten BM. Neuropathy induced by hemorrhage. Arch Neurol 1969;21:381-6. 22. Hayden JW. Median neuropathy in the carpal tunnel caused by spontaneous intraneural hemorrhage. J Bone Joint Surg 1964;46A: 1242-4.
Resistance to Toxic Effects of 5-Hydroxymethyl-2'-Deoxyuridine in Mammalian Cells

A spontaneously arising clone, stably resistant to the toxic effects of the thymidine analog, 5-hydroxymethyl-2′-deoxyuridine (hmdU), was isolated from unmutagenized V79.5 Chinese hamster fibroblast cells by a single-step selection procedure. The hmdU cells were selected in the continuous presence of 30 μM hmdU, a concentration which reduces the plating efficiency of wild-type cells to <1 % after a 24-h exposure. A line of human HeLa cells were found to be intrinsically resistant to concentrations of hmdU as high as 100 μM. All of the hmdu r cells were found to (1) grow normally in HAT medium, which requires the expression of thymidine kinase activity; (2) be sensitive to the toxic effects of high concentrations of 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine, another thymidine analog; (3) have unaltered hmdU nucleotide metabolism, as measured by HPLC analysis of acid-soluble cell extracts; and (4) have decreased levels of hmdU incorporation into DNA. Although high concentrations of 5-hydroxymethyluracil (hmUra) were found to be nontoxic for both wild-type and hmdu r cells, the resistance phenotype could be suppressed by exposing the cells to hmdU and high concentrations of hmUra simultaneously.
Measuring self-focus bias in community-maintained knowledge repositories

Self-focus is a novel way of understanding a type of bias in community-maintained Web 2.0 graph structures. It goes beyond previous measures of topical coverage bias by encapsulating both node- and edge-hosted biases in a single holistic measure of an entire community-maintained graph. We outline two methods to quantify self-focus, one of which is very computationally inexpensive, and present empirical evidence for the existence of self-focus using a "hyperlingual" approach that examines 15 different language editions of Wikipedia. We suggest applications of our methods and discuss the risks of ignoring self-focus bias in technological applications.
2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin: failure to demonstrate toxicity in twenty-three cultured cell types.

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), one of the most potent small molecule toxins known was investigated for its toxic effect on 23 cultured cell types, including primary cultures and cells from established and transformed cell lines. The cells, derived from tissues and/or species susceptible to TCDD toxicity in vivo, were exposed to TCDD for an extended period, usually a week or longer. Examination of the cells for altered morphology, decrease in percentage viability, or diminished growth rate revealed no toxic effect of TCDD in any cell type, including those which respond to TCDD with the induction of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity.
A RF receiver front-end with adaptive discrete-time charge-transfer filter and passive gain-boosting in 90nm CMOS

Discrete-time signal processing receivers combine gain, down-conversion, anti-aliasing, down-sampling, filtering and dc-offset compensation in one analog block to reduce the size of the solution. This paper presents an analog front-end (AFE) of a single-chip GSM/GPRS/EDGE (GGE) radio in 90nm digital CMOS which based on discrete-time analog signal processing. At the heart of the AFE is the passive switched-capacitor stages providing gain-boosting by impedance transformation while providing a 3rd order RC filter response. The AFE achieves 1.8dB NF with −19dBm IIP3. The filter occupies 0.2mm^2 and consumes only 7mA.
Expression of gonococcal protein II in Escherichia coli by translational fusion.

Summary Aprotein II (P.II) gene from Neisseria gonorrhoeae was cloned in Escherichia coli and characterized by DNA sequence analysis. As with other reported P.II sequences, this gene contains an ATG initiation codon which is out of frame with respect to the remainder of the P.II amino acid sequence. A translational fusion was constructed in E. coli which linked the P.II sequence to the signal peptide of β-lactamase. This P.II fusion differs from the gonococcal protein only in the first seven residues at the N terminus. In E. coli, the P.II fusion product exhibits properties analogous to those of P.II in N. gonorrhoeae. The P.II fusion product is a major component of the E. coli outer membrane and it is exposed on the cell surface. The P.II fusion protein also exhibits the heat-modifiable phenotype of gonococcal P.II.
The Anterior Cingulate Cortex May Enhance Inhibition of Lateral Prefrontal Cortex Via m2 Cholinergic Receptors at Dual Synaptic Sites

The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortices (DLPFC) share robust excitatory connections. However, during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, when cortical activity is dominated by acetylcholine, the ACC is activated but DLPFC is suppressed. Using pathway tracing and electron microscopy in nonhuman primates (Macaca mulatta), we tested the hypothesis that the opposite states may reflect specific modulation by acetylcholine through strategic synaptic localization of muscarinic m2 receptors, which inhibit neurotransmitter release presynaptically, but are thought to be excitatory postsynaptically. In the ACC pathway to DLPFC (area 32 to area 9), m2 receptors predominated in ACC axon terminals and in more than half of the targeted dendrites of presumed inhibitory neurons, suggesting inhibitory cholinergic influence. In contrast, in a pathway linking the DLPFC area 46 to DLPFC area 9, postsynaptic m2 receptors predominated in targeted spines of presumed excitatory neurons, consistent with their mutual activation in working memory. These novel findings suggest that presynaptic and postsynaptic specificity of m2 cholinergic receptors may help explain the differential engagement of ACC and DLPFC areas in REM sleep for memory consolidation and synergism in awake states for cognitive control.
Dynamic and transient analysis of power distribution systems with fuel Cells-part I: fuel-cell dynamic model

The first part of this two-part-paper develops a comprehensive nonlinear dynamic model of a solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC) that can be used for dynamic and transient stability studies. The model based on electrochemical and thermal equations, accounts for temperature dynamics and output voltage losses. The output voltage response of a stand-alone fuel-cell plant to a step load change, a fuel flow step change, and fast load variations are simulated to illustrate the dynamic behavior of SOFC for fast and slow perturbations. A method for interfacing the proposed fuel-cell models to a power system stability package is developed.
Magnetic Reconnection for Coronal Conditions: Reconnection Rates, Secondary Islands and Onset

Magnetic reconnection may play an important role in heating the corona through a release of magnetic energy. An understanding of how reconnection proceeds can contribute to explaining the observed behavior. Here, recent theoretical work on magnetic reconnection for coronal conditions is reviewed. Topics include the rate that collisionless (Hall) reconnection proceeds, the conditions under which Hall reconnection begins, and the effect of secondary islands (plasmoids) both on the scaling and properties of collisional (Sweet-Parker) reconnection and on the onset of Hall reconnection. Applications to magnetic energy storage and release in the corona are discussed.
Do Human and Social Capital Protect Young African American Mothers From Depression Associated With Ethnic Discrimination and Violence Exposure

Young minority mothers are particularly vulnerable to depression associated with community-level or contextual stressors such as violence exposure and ethnic discrimination. This study explores whether human and social capital act as buffers of the associations between such stressors and maternal depression. Among a sample of 230 urban, African American mothers, who were teenagers when their preschool-age children were born, both being a victim of violence and experiencing ethnic discrimination predicted increased depressive symptoms, and higher educational attainment predicted fewer symptoms. Ethnic identity moderated the association between witnessed violence and maternal depression, and community cohesion moderated the association between ethnic discrimination and depression. Social support protected against depressive symptoms associated with witnessed violence but seemingly exacerbated depression associated with victimization. The specific roles that forms of human and social capital play in moderating the effects of contextual stressors suggest the need for nuanced programmatic efforts to reduce maternal depression among young African American mothers living in violence-prone, urban neighborhoods.
Self-configuring network traffic generation

The ability to generate repeatable, realistic network traffic is critical in both simulation and testbed environments. Traffic generation capabilities to date have been limited to either simple sequenced packet streams typically aimed at throughput testing, or to application-specific tools focused on, for example, recreating representative HTTP requests. In this paper we describe Harpoon, a new application-independent tool for generating representative packet traffic at the IP flow level. Harpoon generates TCP and UDP packet flows that have the same byte, packet, temporal and spatial characteristics as measured at routers in live environments. Harpoon is distinguished from other tools that generate statistically representative traffic in that it can self-configure by automatically extracting parameters from standard Netflow logs or packet traces. We provide details on Harpoon's architecture and implementation, and validate its capabilities in controlled laboratory experiments using configurations derived from flow and packet traces gathered in live environments. We then demonstrate Harpoon's capabilities in a router benchmarking experiment that compares Harpoon with commonly used throughput test methods. Our results show that the router subsystem load generated by Harpoon is significantly different, suggesting that this kind of test can provide important insights into how routers might behave under actual operating conditions.
Fast similarity search in three-dimensional structure databases

Given a database &#x1d49f; of three-dimensional (3D) molecular structures and a target molecule Q, the similarity search problem is to find the molecules O in &#x1d49f; that match Q after allowing for an arbitrary number of whole-structure rotations and translations as well as a certain number of edit operations. The edit operations include relabeling an atom, deleting an atom, and inserting an atom. This search operation arises in many biochemical applications. In this paper we study the similarity search problem and a class of related queries. We present a computer vision based technique, called geometric hashing, for processing these queries. Experimental results on a database of 3D molecular structures obtained from the National Cancer Institute indicate the good performance of the presented technique.
High-Order Correlations in Internal Protein Motions and Energetics

Background: Despite originating as a linear sequence of amino acids, folded proteins display a remarkable diversity and specificity of motions, or dynamics, which constitute the building blocks of cellular metabolism. A growing body of evidence also suggests that these motions are hierarchical, involving a multitude of spatial and temporal scales. A key task in biology is thus to elucidate the relationship between hierarchical nature of protein dynamics and function. Characterizing these spatial/ temporal fluctuations in molecular dynamics (MD) simulations is critical to understanding enzyme catalysis, ligand binding, and allosteric signaling - all therapeutically exploitable processes.Results: Using 0.5us simulation for ubiquitin, a 76 residue protein that labels other proteins for degradation, we show that positional deviations exhibit non-Gaussian behavior (kurtosis >> 3), at functionally important regions of the protein. To analyze the spatial deviations we propose a general and statistically rigorous method Quasi Anharmonic Analysis (QAA) that meaningfully captures non-Gaussian behaviors overlooked with established methods. QAA, which is an extension of independent component analysis (ICA) techniques, is a more realistic encoding of protein fluctuations and atomic coupling since its basis vectors capture, in addition to variance, higher-order spatial statistics. QAA benefits from relaxing the constraint of orthogonality in basis vectors (e.g., PCA) or assumptions of Gaussian deviations. This coupling between the basis vectors from QAA allows one to elucidate how ‘fast’ and ‘slow’ motions in ubiquitin allow it to bind to different substrates with high specificity.Conclusions: QAA is a novel approach to organize and visualize conformational landscape spanned by a protein. QAA naturally characterizes long-tailed distributions and separates conformational clusters with exceptional clarity when projected onto the novel representation space. The transitions we observe in ubiquitin signal biologically important structural shifts and highlight meaningful energetic barriers in the underlying energy landscape.
Recovery Effects in the Distributed Cycling of Flash Memories

Dielectric damage caused by program/erase cycling partially recovers during the delays between cycles. This paper characterizes the effect of these delays on the charge-detrapping data-retention mechanism. Delay effects are temperature accelerated with an activation energy of 1.1 eV. Using this activation energy, qualification cycling temperature and time can be chosen to emulate the rate of cycling expected in field use. Retention lifetime can be more than an order of magnitude greater after cycling with realistic delays than with the minimal delays common in qualification stresses. For purposes of extrapolating from one cycling rate or temperature to another, an empirical accelerated reliability model is proposed, based on a "unified detrapping metric" or UDM. The UDM comprehends the effects of cycle count, cycle rate, cycling temperature, retention time, and retention temperature
Stomatal responses to humidity in air and helox

Abstract. Stomatal responses to humidity were studied in several species using normal air and a helium: oxygen mixture (79:21 v/v, with CO2 and water vapour added), which we termed ‘helox’. Since water vapour diffuses 2.33 times faster in helox than in air, it was possible to vary the water-vapour concentration difference between the leaf and the air at the leaf surface independently of the transpiration rate and vice versa. The CO2 concentration at the evaporating surfaces (ci), leaf temperature and photon flux density were kept constant throughout the experiments. The results of these experiments were consistent with a mechanism for Stomatal responses to humidity that is based on the rate of water loss from the leaf. Stomata apparently did not directly sense and respond to either the water vapour concentration at the leaf surface or the difference in water vapour concentration between the leaf interior and the leaf surface. In addition, stomatal responses that caused reductions in transpiration rate at low humidities were accompanied by decreases in photosynthesis at constant ci, suggesting heterogeneous (patchy) stomatal closure.
Comment on "Spatial symmetry and conservation of orbital angular momentum in spontaneous parametric down-conversion".

A Comment on the Letter by Sheng Feng and Prem Kumar, [Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 163602 (2008)]. The authors of the Letter offer a Reply.
NACOA: Burford steps down

Anne M. Burford, who had been appointed early last month by President Ronald Reagan to chair the National Advisory Committee on Oceans and Atmosphere (NACOA), asked the president on August 1 to withdraw her appointment. John A. Knauss, of the University of Rhode Island's Graduate School of Oceanography, will retain his position as NACOA chairman. He has been on the committee for 6 years. President Reagan agreed to her request the afternoon before Burford was to chair her first meeting. The new NACOA members (Eos, July 17, 1984, p. 442) were sworn in on August 2, although the meeting was postponed until September 20, a NACOA official told Eos.
Direct detection of two metaphosphoramidates in −75° the solutions by 31P NMR spectroscopy

Abstract 2,3-Oxaphosphabicyclo[2.2.2]-oct-5-ene 3-oxide derivatives with Et 2 N- or Mesityl NH groups on phosphorus undergo fragmentation readily when irradiated at −75°C in tetrahydrofuran. The solutions give 31 P NMR signals at δ +12 and +9, respectively, which are attributed to solvated metaphosphoramidates (RR'N-PO 2 ). These are rapidly converted to phosphoramidates (EtO-P(O)(OH)(NRR') on addition of ethanol.
DEVELOPMENTAL CHANGES OF SUCROSE SYNTHASE ACTIVITY AND ABUNDANCE IN ROOT AND LEAF TISSUES OF ZOSTERA MARINA

The activity of sucrose synthase (EC 2.4.1.13) is correlated with tissue carbon (C) demand in vascular plants. The patterns of SS activity and abundance, and soluble protein abundance are described along age gradients within leaf bundles and in roots along the subterranean rhizome of the marine angiosperm Zostera marina L. (eelgrass). Soluble protein content decreased exponentially with increasing age in root tissue (concentrations in oldest roots were 20% of those of the youngest roots), but decreased in a linear fashion and overall to a lesser extent in leaves (to 62% of values in youngest shoots). Variation of SS activity with tissue age depended on the tissue and parameter to which measurements were normalized. Biomass-specific root SS activity decreased exponentially from 90‐40 mmol g ˇ1 fresh weight h ˇ1 in root bundles numbers 1 (youngest) through 9, while protein-specific activity remained constant in the same tissue (approximately 16 mmol mg ˇ1 protein h ˇ1 ). Roots 10‐12 had elevated, but variable SS activities. In leaves numbers 1‐5, the decreases in both biomass- (200 to 50 mmol g ˇ1 FW h ˇ1 ) and protein-specific SS activity (23‐12 mmol mg ˇ1 protein h ˇ1 ) were approximately linear. The abundance of SS protein in roots and leaves (determined by western analysis) also decreased with the increasing age, though not to the same extent (leaves), or with similar pattern (roots) as for SS activity. The age-dependent changes in SS activity are consistent with other indices of C metabolism (e.g., respiratory rates, carbohydrate content), but not with an index of N metabolism (glutamine synthetase activity) during development of Z marina tissues. # 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Effect of Coolant Flow Distribution on Transient Side Load of Film Cooled Nozzles

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of film coolant distribution on nozzle side loads generated during an engine start transient. The rocket engine studied encompasses a regeneratively cooled chamber and nozzle, along with a film cooled nozzle extension. The computational methodology is based on an unstructured-grid, pressure-based computational fluid dynamics formulation, and transient inlet boundary conditions calculated from an engine system simulation. Computations were performed for engine startup with two turbine exhaust manifold geometries that produce two different distributions of film coolant mass flow: one with a higher mass flow deviation, while the other has a near uniform distribution. The results show that the configuration with the higher mass flow deviation produced a higher peak side load, manifested by the biased turbine exhaust gas pumping of the supersonic jet of the Mach disk flow; while the configuration with the more uniform coolant flow distribution maintained a more symmetric Mach disk flow throughout the filling process, resulting in a lower peak side load.
The Niacin Requirement of Chickens from 6 to 11 Weeks

Abstract BRIGGS, Mills, Elvehjem and Hart (1942) demonstrated that although the young chick could synthesize niacin (Dann and Handler, 1941; Snell and Quarles, 1941) the rate of synthesis was too slow to meet the optimum requirement. They found that the entire mouth cavity, the upper portion of the esophagus and the crop became inflamed with a deep red color. In their experiments the minimal level of niacin needed was 1.8 mgs. per 100 grams of diet. Briggs, Luckey, Teply, Elvehjem and Hart (1943a) presented data to confirm the previous work. Since that time, Childs, Carrick and Hauge (1952) have reported that the niacin requirement for rapid growth was adequately met with a dietary level of 2.8 mgs. of niacin per 100 gms. of feed. They also concluded that the chicken is dependent upon a dietary supply of niacin until at least 8 weeks of age. Using the data at hand the …
Both Performance and Informance: Not “Either—Or” in Elementary General Music

The author of this article encourages teachers to present not only general music performances but also informances. Multiple examples and potential themes are given, as are the rationale and suggestions for planning such a program.