cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of previous coronary artery bypass grafting on patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation for aortic stenosis.

Re-operation after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is associated with increased risk for morbidity and mortality. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an alternative for patients with aortic stenosis, but the outcomes of patients with a history of CABG are unknown. The aim of this study was to explore the association between previous CABG and the outcome of patients undergoing TAVI. Out of 372 consecutive patients who underwent TAVI from 2007 to 2013, 122 (32.8%) had previous CABG, whereas 250 (67.2%) did not. A comparison was made between groups. Subgroup analysis compared patients with and without previous CABG in 3 patient subsets: inoperable, operable, and those who underwent transapical TAVI. Patients with previous CABG were younger (81.99 ± 6.78 vs 84.81 ± 7.06 years, respectively, p
Ancillary ligand effects on organo-f-element reactivity. ansa-metallocenes with bridge-tethered donors

The synthesis and reactivity of ansa-metallocenes based upon the new ligand system R(Me)SiCp‘‘22- (Cp‘‘ = C5Me4 and R = (CH2)nOMe, n = 3−5) is reported. The tethered donor functionality, which is appended via varying chain lengths to the silicon bridge, is introduced to examine possible intramolecular reactivity modifications. The key step of the ligand synthesis is the hydrosilylative fusion of the donor functionality R to the silicon center. The complexes [R(Me)SiCp‘‘2]LnCH(SiMe3)2 (Ln = Y, Sm) were synthesized to investigate the influence of the tethered ether group on the reactivity and catalytic properties. Catalytic reactions in which the substrate is a relatively weak donor, such as in olefin hydrogenation, exhibit depressed turnover frequencies, presumably reflecting competition between the substrate and donor functionality for the empty coordination site at the metal center. In contrast, for amino−alkene hydroamination/cyclization in which a strong amine donor is the substrate, catalytic activity...
Structure and magnetic properties of Fe-Ni clusters

Using a first-principles molecular-orbital approach, we study the equilibrium geometries and binding energies of small Fe-Ni clusters containing up to four Fe and four Ni atoms. We find that the clusters are ferromagnetic with magnetic moments enhanced relative to the bulk values. For some specific cluster sizes and compositions, different isomers (corresponding to different geometries and clearly different energies) are found to have the same magnetic moment. This behavior is in contrast to the common understanding that magnetism usually depends on the cluster geometry. Calculations have also been carried out by modeling Fe{sub n-1}Ni (n=2,9,15,27) clusters as fragments of a bcc lattice to determine the preferred site of Ni and its effect on the magnetic properties. The results are used to analyze the recent experimental study of the magnetic properties of FeNi nanoparticles.
Degranulation of mast cells in the chick chorioallantoic membrane does not increase macromolecular extravasation during normal angiogenesis.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that stimulation of mast cell degranulation during normal angiogenesis in the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) serves to acutely activate macromolecular transendothelial pathways.Methods: Using shell-less cultures of 6-day-old chick embryos, efflux of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran 150 from CAM microvessels was evaluated, after applications of compound 48/80 or exogenous histamine, by computer-assisted videodensitometric analyses. Real-time confocal imaging enabled optical differentiation of first-order pre- and postcapillaries from the capillary networks. Cytologic ultrastructure of the microvascular units was also evaluated.Results: Although endogenous histamine was measurable and its concentration was increased after application of compound 48/80, segmental endothelia of the CAM microvascular units consistently restricted extravasation of FITC-dextran 150. Furthermore, intravascular injections of histamine also failed to induce interendothelial gap forma...
Endotoxin-induced systemic inflammation activates microglia: [11C]PBR28 positron emission tomography in nonhuman primates

Abstract Microglia play an essential role in many brain diseases. Microglia are activated by local tissue damage or inflammation, but systemic inflammation can also activate microglia. An important clinical question is whether the effects of systemic inflammation on microglia mediate the deleterious effects of systemic inflammation in diseases such as Alzheimer's dementia, multiple sclerosis, and stroke. Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging with ligands that bind to Translocator Protein (TSPO) can be used to detect activated microglia. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the effect of systemic inflammation on microglia could be measured with PET imaging in nonhuman primates, using the TSPO ligand [ 11 C]PBR28. Methods Six female baboons ( Papio anubis ) were scanned before and at 1 h and/or 4 h and/or 22 h after intravenous administration of E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 0.1 mg/kg), which induces systemic inflammation. Regional time-activity data from regions of interest (ROIs) were fitted to the two-tissue compartmental model, using the metabolite-corrected arterial plasma curve as input function. Total volume of distribution ( V T ) of [ 11 C]PBR28 was used as a measure of total ligand binding. The primary outcome was change in V T from baseline. Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-8 (IL-8) were used to assess correlations between systemic inflammation and microglial activation. In one baboon, immunohistochemistry was used to identify cells expressing TSPO. Results LPS administration increased [ 11 C]PBR28 binding ( F (3,6) = 5.1, p = .043) with a 29 ± 16% increase at 1 h ( n = 4) and a 62 ± 34% increase at 4 h ( n = 3) post-LPS. There was a positive correlation between serum IL-1β and IL-6 levels and the increase in [ 11 C]PBR28 binding. TSPO immunoreactivity occurred almost exclusively in microglia and rarely in astrocytes. Conclusion In the nonhuman-primate brain, LPS-induced systemic inflammation produces a robust increase in the level of TSPO that is readily detected with [ 11 C]PBR28 PET. The effect of LPS on [ 11 C]PBR28 binding is likely mediated by inflammatory cytokines. Activation of microglia may be a mechanism through which systemic inflammatory processes influence the course of diseases such as Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, and possibly depression.
The GHS and other correlation inequalities for a class of even ferromagnets

We prove the GHS inequality for families of random variables which arise in certain ferromagnetic models of statistical mechanics and quantum field theory. These include spin −1/2 Ising models, ϕ4 field theories, and other continuous spin models. The proofs are based on the properties of a classG − of probability measures which contains all measures of the form const exp(−V(x))dx, whereV is even and continuously differentiable anddV/dx is convex on [0, ∞). A new proof of the GKS inequalities using similar ideas is also given.
Copolymerization of 4-cyclopentene-1,3-dione with acrylonitrile and methyl methacrylate†

The copolymerization of acrylonitrile and methyl methacrylate with 4-cyclopentene-1,3-dione (M2) is reported. The copolymers were prepared by heating the monomer feeds in sealed tubes with α,α′-azobisisobutyronitrile. Infrared bands for both the β-diketone and the nitrile, in the case of acrylonitrile, or ester, in the case of methyl methacrylate, indicated that copolymerization had occurred. The acrylonitrile copolymers were insoluble in the common solvents and swelled on treatment with dimethylformamide and dimethylsulfoxide. The methyl methacrylate copolymers were partially soluble in the usual solvents with the solubility and gel content varying with the composition of the copolymers. Solution viscosities indicated high molecular weights. The reduced specific viscosity of the sodium salt of the 0.05 methyl methacrylate copolymer increased with decreasing concentration, a characteristic typical of polyelectrolytes. The compositions of the copolymers were determined from the nitrogen analyses for acrylonitrile copolymers, and the ultraviolet absorption of the β-diketone for the methyl methacrylate copolymers. The molar extinction coefficient of the β-diketone structural unit was estimated from a study of model compounds. The reactivity ratios were evaluated by the usual methods. For the acrylonitrile (M1)–4-cyclopentene-1,3-dione (M2) system, r1 = 3.67, r2 = 0.21. For the methyl methacrylate (M1)–4-cyclopentene-1,3-dione (M2) system r1 = 7.4, r2 = 0.083. For each system Q and e values for 4-cyclopentene-1,3-dione were evaluated. The average values are Q = 0.20, e = 1.42. The behavior of 4-cyclopentene-1,3-dione is compared with maleic anhydride and N-butylmaleimide with respect to the reactivity of the monomer, the reactivity of the radical, and the effective polarity of the double bond.
The assessment of self-insight in judgment policies

Abstract A widely accepted finding in research on human judgment is that people have relatively poor insight into the weighting schemes they use when they make holistic judgments. The empirical research supporting this generalization rests on indices of self-insight that are produced directly by subjects. In a recent study ( Reilly & Doherty, 1989 ), the self-insight of accounting students was assessed by asking them to select their own policies, represented by usefulness indices, from an array of other student's policies. They were able to do so at a rate far in excess of chance. In this replication and extension of Reilly and Doherty (1989) , 77 female college students made holistic judgments of the desirability of potential roommates. There were two levels of the number of attributes (6 and 12) and two levels of attribute intercorrelation (orthogonal and representative). Two weeks later a significant number of students in all four groups selected their policies from the set calculated from their and their peers' judgments. Additional analyses revealed that judgment behavior in the representative ecology differed substantially from that in the artificially created, orthogonal ecology.
Image processing in applied optics educational programs

The acquisition and processing of images has grown into a routine tool used in research and industry today. Image processing tools can also be employed by students to better understand the basic science of the phenomena that they ar studying. Even though students may be able to visualize the physical phenomena of interest during a particular laboratory experiment they often find it difficult to record and quantify their experimental results. Fortunately, computer hardware along with cameras of sufficient resolution are now available to assist in the acquisition of images and sufficiently powerful image processing software is available to perform analysis and measurements on these images. The use of image processing and image acquisition in applied optics lab courses will be discussed. An interdisciplinary program that incorporates image processing and computer graphics into our curriculum will also be discussed. Faculty members from the Physics and Applied Optics, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Computer Science Departments pooled their resources to create an Imaging Systems Laboratory. We now offer an Imaging Systems Certificate to students of any major at Rose-Hulman who complete a sequence of courses and an imaging project.
Soybean flavonoid effects on and metabolism by Phytophthora sojae

Abstract Various soybean flavonoids were examined for their effects on the growth and development of Phytophthora sojae and for their metabolism by P. sojae . Three classes of molecules were identified based on their effects on growth. Coumestrol, biochanin A, genistein, naringenin and isorhamnetin were inhibitory at concentrations of 60-120 μM and were fungicidal at 240,μM. Quercetin and its 3- O -β- d -glucoside, isoquercitrin, caused significantly prolonged lags in P. sojae growth at 60-240 μM, but were not fungicidal at any of these concentrations. Daidzein, formononetin, kaempferol, apigenin, chrysin and rutin were not inhibitory over this range. P. sojae rapidly hydrolysed all flavonoid glycosides tested and metabolized several flavonoids to non-aromatic products. However, the aglycones of the most inhibitory compounds were not signficantly degraded. Metabolism of the compounds by P. sojae was a very early event and appeared to be associated predominantly with the hyphal tips. Several compounds had potentially interesting efrects on fungal morphology and development. For example, genistein and its conjugates caused a marked swelling of the hyphal tip and an increase in the number of oogonia formed.
Missed acute cardiac ischemia in the ED: limitations of diagnostic testing

Correctly identifying and appropriately triaging patients who present to the ED with the broad range of symptoms suggestive of acute cardiac ischemia (ACI: unstable angina pectoris [UAP] and acute myocardial infarction [AMI]) remains one of the greatest challenges in EM. Although a number of diagnostic technologies have been described to aid in this triage process, each of these tests or technologies has limitations. We report a case series in which either the use of adjuncts with unknown performance or tests with known but not considered limitations could have contributed to the failure to appropriately triage and treat patients with ACI. Each case illustrates different aspects of this clinical challenge. One case illustrates the hazards of reliance on a single set of negative cardiac biomarkers. The limitations of a negative exercise electrocardiographic stress test (ETT) are illustrated in the second case. Finally, the limitations of a negative coronary angiogram, the "gold standard" test for symptomatic coronary artery disease, are discussed. We review the literature on technologies to aid in the evaluation of patients who present to the ED with symptoms suggestive of ACI.
On the Optimal Cutting of Defective Sheets

A method is developed for cutting up sheets with defective areas into given pieces while minimizing waste. The sheets, the pieces, and the defects are all rectangles, these latter to be identified by the coordinates of two opposite corners in a coordinate system attached to the sheet. The cutting is done in in three stages. If the length of the sheet is along the x-axis, the first cuts are made parallel to the y-axis, obtaining "sections." The sections are then cut into "strips" parallel to the x-axis, and, finally, the strips into "pieces" parallel to the y-axis. The procedure uses dynamic programming, which requires a value to be attached to each size. The computer program senses the defects and fits pieces into the clear portion of the sheet in such a way that the total value is a maximum. In order to shorten machine time, some simplifying shortcuts are made.
Geochemistry and loading history of phosphate and silicate in the Hudson estuary

The loading history and geochemistry of soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) and dissolved silica (DSi) are evaluated in the Hudson estuary using 16 years of axial transect data. SRP behaves atypically in the estuary. Profiles show conservative mixing between a large mid-salinity source and the freshwater and seaward end members. Order of magnitude calculations indicate that waste water treatment facilities (WWTFs) are the dominant mid-salinity SRP source. DSi profiles display behaviour more typical of other estuaries in the northeastern United States, showing conservative mixing during periods of high flow and a mid-salinity source during periods of low flow. A single layered multi-box model is used to evaluate the loading history of SRP and DSi. Shortly after the New York State phosphate detergent ban of 1972, the SRP load dropped to two-thirds of that typical of the early 1970s. Loading of SRP remained at this level until the mid-1980s when construction began at the largest point source. During the construction phase (1984–1986), SRP loading returned to the early 1970s level. Upon completion, the total load declined once again and by the end of the 1980s it reached a level approximately one-third of that existing prior to the detergent ban. Model calculations of observed DSi profiles do not show a similar time-trend. They suggest that during summer months dissolution of diatom tests is a major source of DSi; however, WWTF DSi loads also appear to be a significant source to the Hudson estuary.
Sustained local delivery of siRNA from an injectable scaffold

Controlled gene silencing technologies have significant, unrealized potential for use in tissue regeneration applications. The design described herein provides a means to package and protect siRNA within pH-responsive, endosomolytic micellar nanoparticles (si-NPs) that can be incorporated into nontoxic, biodegradable, and injectable polyurethane (PUR) tissue scaffolds. The si-NPs were homogeneously incorporated throughout the porous PUR scaffolds, and they were shown to be released via a diffusion-based mechanism for over three weeks. The siRNA-loaded micelles were larger but retained nanoparticulate morphology of approximately 100 nm diameter following incorporation into and release from the scaffolds. PUR scaffold releasate collected in vitro in PBS at 37 °C for 1-4 days was able to achieve dose-dependent siRNA-mediated silencing with approximately 50% silencing achieved of the model gene GAPDH in NIH3T3 mouse fibroblasts. This promising platform technology provides both a research tool capable of probing the effects of local gene silencing and a potentially high-impact therapeutic approach for sustained, local silencing of deleterious genes within tissue defects.
Biogeochemistry research needs: observations from the ecosystem studies program of the National Science Foundation.

This comment presents current and emerging areas of research which the U.S. National Science Foundation believes have special promise for advancing ecosystem science. These areas are: (1) major element cycle interactions; (2) trace element and organic compound controls on ecosystem dynamics; (3) the role of consumers on ecosystem dynamics; (4) ecosystem dynamics in contrasting environments; (5) landscape ecology; and (6) enhancement of theory and methodology. The Ecosystem Studies Program of the National Science Foundation has identified these as areas to be emphasized in its long range planning program (revised March, 1985). Biogeochemical studies are emphasized in many of these research priority areas.
Bacterial dynamics of the Patos Lagoon estuary, southern Brazil (32°S, 52°W): Relationship with phytoplankton production and suspended material

A field study of the microbial food web was conducted in a shallow region of the Patos Lagoon estuary (32°07′S; 52°06′W) between March 1989 and March 1990. On average, bacterial biomass (mainly attached bacteria) constituted 35·8% of the particulate organic carbon (POC) and exceeded phytoplankton biomass for several months. Bacterial growth, measured as the frequency of dividing cells (FDC), was significantly correlated with phytoplankton production (r = 0·70, p
The kinetics and thermochemistry of the gas phase reaction of cyclopentadiene and iodine. Relevance to the heat of formation of cyclopentadienyl iodide and cyclopentadienyl radical

The rate of the reaction of cyclopentadiene with iodine has been followed spectrophotometrically over the temperature range 171.7° to 276.5°C. The reaction first proceeds almost to the point of equilibrium with cyclopentadienyl iodide and HI, although the final products are fulvalene and HI. Equilibrium constants obtained are those predicted by bond additivity. A third-law value of δH0f 298 (c-C5H5I,g) = 49 kcal/mole is obtained. Rate studies of the reaction up to the iodide equilibrium, yield values for the rate constant . Uncertainty in the Arrhenius parameters, as well as doubts as to the applicability of the usual assumption that E3 = 1 ± 1 kcal/mole, make difficult an evaluation of total cyclopentadienyl stabilization energy (TSE) from these data. However, the value is probably 15 < TSE < 20.
Process Controlling a Research Device

Operation of the new FM-1 research device at the Princeton University Plasma Physics Laboratory utilizes an IBM 1800 Process-Controller for numerous control functions and extensive status indications and annunciation. This was the first use of a process-controller as a full experiment controller at PPL. Practical experience was gained in the hardware and software characteristics of such a control system, as well as methods of documentation. An optimum allocation of storage exists for a system of this type. A minimum core of 16,000 16-bit words plus executive is also required. Permanent core is used for those programmed actions requiring rapid response and insuring safety to personnel or equipment. Exchangeable core is used for supplementary functions and startup-energize operations. Timing functions are affected by the cyclic updating of input and output data and methods were developed to compensate for this. Documentation provides duplication of program cards, listings and disks as means of backup. Program links, messages and designations are logged. The drafting system allows for more rapid design of new controls as well as changes to present ones.
Enhancement of Raman scattering using silica microparticles

Currently, enhancement of Raman scattering for nanoscale characterization is mostly based on tip- or surface-enhanced methods. However, both approaches have some dilemmas which impede their wide applications. In this study, we investigated a novel approach to enhance Raman scattering using closely-packed micro and submicro silica spherical particles. The enhancement phenomena haven been demonstrated by the silicon phonon mode of crystalline silicon (c-Si) substrates as well as the vibration modes of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) covered with microparticles. The studies show that the enhancement effects strongly depend on the particle size. Specifically, when the particle size is close to the beam waist of the incident laser, the strongest enhancement occurs. Numerical simulations are performed to calculate electric field distribution inside and outside the dielectric particles using the Optiwave TM software which is based on the finite difference time domain (FDTD) algorithm under the perfectly matched layer (PML) boundary conditions. The simulated results reveal the existence of photonic nanojects in the vicinity outside the particles along with the light traveling direction. The nanojets outside of the particles with a length of 100 nm and a waist of 120 nm are believed to be the base for Raman scattering enhancement. This technique has potential applications in many areas such as surface science, biology, and microelectronics.
Thermoelectrical Modeling of Bipolar Coagulation on Posterior Spinal Artery in a Porcine Spinal Surgery Model

The primary objective of our study was to develop a thermoelectrical model with both solid and liquid phases to calculate tissue temperature during bipolar coagulation of a posterior spinal artery on the spinal cord. Control of thermal spread caused by coagulation is a concern in spinal surgery. This model utilizes a nonisothermal flow to account for the heat transfer due to the movement of cerebrospinal fluid that is induced by electrical field and temperature gradient. The model is validated by in situ temperature measurements on a porcine spinal cord model. The maximum error for tissue temperature of this model is 12.6%, and the overall average error is 4.2%. The lesional region (>50°C) is identified to be as wide as 5 mm, and thermal dose cumulative equivalent minutes at 43°C (CEM 43) is also calculated with this model. The incorporation of nonisothermal flow has been shown to be crucial in order to accurately predict thermal dose in tissue. The developed model can be further used to establish a guideline for the use of bipolar coagulation.
QRFP-26 enhances insulin's effects on glucose uptake in rat skeletal muscle cells

QRFP is expressed in central and peripheral regions important for nutrient intake and metabolism. Central administration of QRFP-26 and QRFP-43 induces a macronutrient specific increase in the intake of high fat diet in male and female rats. Recently, cell culture models have indicated that QRFP-26 and QRFP-43 are involved in glucose and fatty acid uptake in pancreatic islets and adipocytes. Since skeletal muscle is a major consumer of circulating glucose and a primary contributor to whole body metabolism, the current study examined the effects of QRFP-26 and QRFP-43 on insulin-stimulated uptake of glucose in skeletal muscle using L6 myotubes. The current experiments were designed to test the hypothesis that QRFP and its receptors, GPR103a and GPR103b are expressed in L6 myotubes and that QRFP-26 and QRFP-43 affect insulin-stimulated uptake of glucose in L6 myotubes. The results indicate that prepro-QRFP mRNA and GPR103a mRNA are expressed in L6 cells, though GPR103b mRNA was not detected. Using complementary assays, co-incubation with QRFP-26, increased insulin's ability to induce glycogen synthesis and 2-deoxyglucose uptake in L6 cells. These data suggest that QRFP-26, but not QRFP-43, is involved in the metabolic effects of skeletal muscle and may enhance insulin's effects on glucose uptake in skeletal muscle. These data support a role for QRFP as a modulator of nutrient intake in skeletal muscle.
Personality and prediction

Abstract Though all human perceptions and actions are shaped by personality differences, little attention has been given by futurists or psychologists to the influence of personality on forecasting. This article examines relevant psychological studies and reports the results of a new study of the relation of a reasonably comprehensive set of personality differences to political and economic forecasting and to both short- and long-term social forecasting. Variables of personality investigated include optimism, pessimism, skepticism, risk-taking, extroversion, introversion, intuition, imagination, fantasizing, internal versus external locus of control, alienation, anomie, trust versus defensiveness, orderliness versus lack of compulsion, social conformity versus rebelliousness, activity versus lack of energy, emotional stability versus neuroticism, masculinity versus femininity (tough- versus tenderminded), empathy versus egocentrism, intelligence, and variables of morality and social sense, including violence accepting versus violence abhorring, cooperation versus competition, psychosocial attainment versus personal aggrandizement, rights of people versus rights of property, and beliefs in racial and sexual equality.
The Effect of Glucocorticoids on Grain Dust-Induced Airway Disease

Study objectives To determine the effect of glucocorticoids on grain dust-induced airflow obstruction and airway inflammation. Design Randomized controlled trial. Setting University hospital. Participants Health volunteers. Interventions Two randomized, placebo-controlled trials, each studying 10 healthy volunteers who were pretreated with either triamcinolone acetonide (Azmacort) oral inhaler 4 puffs twice daily (800 μg daily) for 7 consecutive days or IV hydrocortisone (3 μg/kg/min) as a 14-h continuous infusion, then subjected to a controlled inhalation exposure to corn dust extract (CDE) (endotoxin exposure dose of 3 pg/kg). A single-blind, crossover study design was performed for each trial enrolling 10 healthy, lifetime nonsmokers, with no history of lung disease or environmental exposure to grain dust. Measurements and results Following each inhalation exposure to CDE, spirometry was performed at regular intervals and BAL was performed at 4 h. Both treatment and placebo groups demonstrated significant decrements in spirometry and increments in BAL cellularity following CDE inhalation compared with placebo. Inhaled steroid treatment resulted in a significantly higher FEV 1 only at the 2-h time point following CDE inhalation with no significant differences observed in the BAL total cell concentration or cellular differential compared with placebo. IV hydrocortisone treatment resulted in a significantly higher FEV 1 and FVC between 2 and 4 h after CDE inhalation, as well as significant reductions in the BAL total cell, macrophage, and eosinophil concentrations. Interestingly, the concentration of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-8 in the BAL fluid was also decreased following treatment with IV glucocorticoids. Conclusions These results demonstrate that glucocorticoids, administered IV and perhaps by inhalation, have a mildly protective effect on airflow obstruction and airway inflammation induced by inhalation of grain dust.
Rate-Distortion Analysis of Multiplierless Lifting-based IDCT Approximations

In this paper, we study the rate-distortion performance of our two proposed multiplierless lifting-based IDCT approximations. The proposed IDCT approximations comprise of butterflies and dyadic-rational lifting steps that can be implemented using only shift and add operations, and allows the computational scalability with different accuracy-versus-complexity trade-offs. As rounding approximation leads to the truncation errors in the lifting steps, we estimate the worse-case truncation errors of our IDCT schemes as the distortion performance measurement. Because the cost of a hardware bit shift operation is negligible as compared with that of an addition operation, the overall rate cost is measured by the total minimal number of additions required to complete the IDCT multiplierless implementations. Through the rate and distortion analysis, we obtain the rate-distortion (RD) curves of 32-bit fixed-point implementations of our IDCT structures. From these RD curves, we present two complementary optimal solutions. The first optimal solution can pass IEEE-1180 test with the minimal number of additions. The second optimal solution can result in the finest IDCT approximations compared with the floating-type IDCT. Moreover, our RD analysis confirms that the solution proposed in (L. Liu and T.D. Tran, 2007) is RD-optimized and has a very good performance in terms of accuracy and complexity.
Virtue in Argument

Virtue theories have become influential in ethics and epistemology. This paper argues for a similar approach to argumentation. Several potential obstacles to virtue theories in general, and to this new application in particular, are considered and rejected. A first attempt is made at a survey of argumentational virtues, and finally it is argued that the dialectical nature of argumentation makes it particularly suited for virtue theoretic analysis.
Multivariable Control Design for a Bilateral Telemanipulator

This paper presents an architecture and control methodology for a multi-degree-of-freedom teleoperator system. The approach incorporates impedance control of the telemanipulator pair and formulates the system as a single feedback loop encompassing the human operator, telemanipulator, and remote environment. In so doing, multivariable Nyquist-like techniques are used to design compensation for enhanced stability robustness and performance. A measure of the transparency exhibited by the multivariable teleoperator system is attained using matrix singular values. The approach is experimentally demonstrated on a three degree-of-freedom scaled telemanipulator pair with a highly coupled environment. Using direct measurement of the power delivered to the operator to assess the system’s stability robustness, along with the proposed measure of multivariable transparency, the loop-shaping compensation is shown to improve the stability robustness by a factor of almost two and the transparency by more than a factor of five.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Mono-ionizable calix[4]arene-benzocrown-6 ligands in 1,3-alternate conformations: synthesis, structure and silver(I) extraction

Abstract Two series of novel mono-ionizable calix[4]arene-benzocrown-6 ligands in 1,3-alternate conformations are synthesized. In one series, the proton-ionizable group (PIG) is attached to the para position of one aromatic ring in the calixarene framework, thereby positioning it over the polyether ring cavity. In the other series, the PIG is a substituent on the benzo group in the polyether ring. This orients the PIG away from the crown ether cavity. In addition to carboxylic acid functions, the PIGs include N-(X)sulfonyl carboxamide groups. With X group variation from methyl to phenyl to 4-nitrophenyl to trifluoromethyl, the acidity of the PIG is ‘tuned’. Solvent extraction of Ag+ from aqueous solutions into chloroform is used to probe the influence of structural variation within the mono-ionizable calixcrown ligand on metal ion extraction efficiency, including the identity and acidity of the PIG and its orientation with respect to the polyether ring.
Analysis of the Social Carrying Capacity of a National Park Scenic Road

ABSTRACT Most visitors experience national parks using their personal automobiles, but what is the capacity of park roads to accommodate this use? A simulation model of a national park scenic road was built to explore the road's social carrying capacity and service quality. Current and potential future vehicle use levels were compared in the simulation against visitor-reported standards for congestion. Social carrying capacities for the road were derived from the simulation model results – both with and without an alternative management approach applied. These social carrying capacities suggest that traditional transportation planning concepts need to be reevaluated when applied to scenic or experiential roads.
Random tiling approach to the structure of decagonal quasicrystals

Abstract The properties of random tiling models for the structure of decagonal quasicrystals are studied using computer simulation. In these models the individual layers are random tilings or binary random tilings and the tiling configurations of adjacent layers are coupled. We simulate the equilibrium behavior of the model and compute elastic constants and entropy. We use of the atomic structure models to decorate the tilings and produce simulated electron micrographs and compare them with the images obtained in high-resolution electron microscopy (HREM) experiments. We also compute the diffraction intensities.
Fucose plays a role in the clearance and uptake of glucocerebrosidase by rat liver cells.

Summary The clearance of human asialoglucocerebrosidase from rat circulation is not inhibited by fucoidin unless asialofetuin is also present. The combination of fucoidin and asialofetuin is more inhibitory than asialofetuin alone. Inhibition of clearance by asialofetuin is more pronounced for afucoasialoglucocerebrosidase than for the asialo enzyme. The clearance of afucoasialo enzyme with or without the addition of asialofetuin is not affected by fucoidin. Incubation of glucocerebrosidase derivatives with fucosidase reduces their hepatocyte uptake while sinusoidal cell uptake is not significantly changed. These observations indicate that a fucose recognition system for glucocerebrosidase is located on rat hepatocytes.
Shape control of a nonlinear smart plate

We study dynamic deformations of a neo-Hookean composite plate with PZT sensors and actuators bonded to its top and bottom surfaces. The constitutive relation for the PZT is taken to be linear in the Green-Lagrange strain tensor but quadratic in the driving voltage. It is shown that a simple feedback algorithm suffices to control the deformations of the plate.
Spatial electrochromism in metallopolymeric films of ruthenium polypyridyl complexes

Thin films of poly[Ru(vbpy)2(py)2]2+ (vbpy is 4-vinyl-4‘-methyl-2,2‘-bipyridine; py is pyridine) have been deposited on electrodes by reductive electropolymerization. Photolysis of the films in the presence of chloride ion leads to photochemical loss of the pyridine ligands and sequential formation of poly[Ru(vbpy)2(py)Cl]+ and poly[Ru(vbpy)2Cl2], as determined by cyclic voltammetry and FTIR spectroscopy. Contact lithography was used to control the photosubstitution process spatially and form laterally resolved, bicomponent films with image resolution below 10 μm. Small spot X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to confirm that the photolyzed and nonphotolyzed regions of an imaged film were chemically distinct. Dramatic changes occur in the absorption spectra and redox potentials of the ruthenium complexes upon substitution of chloride for the pyridine ligands. This provides a basis for the fabrication of bicomponent, electrochromic film assemblies on optically transparent electrodes of tin dope...
34. Windbreaks for the future

Abstract In discussions throughout the symposium, numerous specific recommendations were made. These are summarized at the beginning of each section of this proceedings. There are, however, two common themes underlying all of these recommendations. 1. (1) The need to evaluate the benefits of windbreaks on an economic basis dictates that standard research procedures be developed that will allow comparisons of studies from wide geographic areas. Basic information concerning windbreak design and sampling procedures must be included in all reports. 2. (2) Government policies which enhance the conservation of natural resources and encourage the “best” methods of conservation must be developed. These policies must address the long-term needs of the resource base and provide the stability required to reach long-term objectives of natural-resource utilization and conservation.
Management of adverse events in patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer treated with everolimus: observations from a phase III clinical trial

Everolimus is a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor approved for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma, pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, subependymal giant cell astrocytoma associated with tuberous sclerosis complex, renal angiomyolipoma and tuberous sclerosis complex, and, in combination with exemestane, for hormone receptor-positive HER2-negative advanced breast cancer after failure of treatment with letrozole or anastrozole. Results from the phase III BOLERO-2 trial demonstrated that everolimus in combination with exemestane provided significant clinical benefit to patients with advanced hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Although everolimus is generally well tolerated, as with most therapies administered in an advanced cancer setting, drug-related adverse events (AEs) inevitably occur. Most common AEs observed in the everolimus studies include stomatitis, rash, infection, noninfectious pneumonitis, and hyperglycemia. Clinical awareness and early identification of such AEs by oncology nurses are essential to dosing (interruptions, reduction, and treatment discontinuation); quality of life; and, ultimately, patient outcomes. Because everolimus has already been shown to significantly improve clinical efficacy in patients with advanced breast cancer, a proactive approach to the practical management of AEs associated with this mTOR inhibitor as well as other most common AEs observed in this patient population has been reviewed and outlined here.
Tracing Food Webs with Stable Hydrogen Isotopes

The hydrogen isotopic content of an animal9s food, not water, determines that animal9s hydrogen isotopic content. Liver and muscle tissue from mice reared on a diet such that the ratio of deuterium to hydrogen (DIH) of their food and water was kept constant, have the same average D/H ratio as the food source. In a simple, natural population of snails and their possible algal diets, Littorina obtusata (northern Atlantic intertidal snails that feed almost exclusively on the brown alga Fucus vesiculosus) has the same D/H ratio as Fucus vesiculosis and not that of the other algae available to the snails.
Ultrasonic properties in the glassy state of MNA (methylnadic anhydride) cured epoxy resin

Ultrasonic properties in the MHz region were studied for a series of epoxy resins cured with methylnadic anhydride. The longitudinal and shear wave velocities in the glassy state resins decreased with crosslinking. The apparent modulus calculated from veloc ities, and longitudinal wave attenuation also showed that the elasticity in the glassy state resins vary inversely with the crosslinking density, whereas the elasticity in the rubbery resins was expected to vary directly with the crosslinking density. Those differences in elasticity between the glassy state resins and the rubbery state resins can be explained by a hindering effect of crosslinks during glass transition process.
FT-Raman Measurements on Cation-Exchange Resins

The utility of FT-Raman spectroscopy in characterizing ion-exchange resins has been demonstrated. Measurements have been made on strong acid-type cation-exchange resin beads of a sulfonated polystyrene-divinyl benzene copolymer. Spectra are compared for the resin with 10 different cations. Classical least-squares fitting is used to quantitate the amounts of different cations in binary mixtures. On-column determinations are demonstrated for displacement of H+ by Na+ and Na+ by Ag+.
Analytical Solution for Two-Phase Flow in PEMFC Gas Diffusion Layer

Thermal and water management is critical to fuel cell performance. It has been shown that gas diffusion layer (GDL) can impose the mass transport limit; for example, it can block the reactant transport to active layer when flooding occurs at high current density conditions. Micro porous layer (MPL) in conjunction with backing layer (BL) has been used as a GDL material and was shown to be effective for water management. To study the transport processes in GDL and MPL modified GDL, an analytical solution is derived current study for calculation of two-phase, multicomponent transport in GDL. Two models were considered, the unsaturated flow model (UFM) and the separate flow model (SFM). Comparison of the calculated saturation level and oxygen mass fraction shows that UFM calculation can underestimate, as well as overestimate the saturation and oxygen concentration. The SFM was used to study the effects due to GDL property variations. The calculation shows that increase in liquid water transport in an MPL modified GDL is due to the abrupt change of liquid water flow rate when a step change in porosity or permeability is imposed. The calculation further shows that particle size of around 1 μm would be a good choice for MPL as it results in higher oxygen concentration at active layer and lower saturation in GDL.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Development of a μ-turbulent flow chromatography focus mode method for drug quantitation in discovery bioanalysis

An online turbulent flow chromatography method coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (TFC-MS/MS) has been developed within our bioanalytical group, suited to the analysis of mid to late stage discovery compounds. A dual column configuration utilising isocratic focusing of the analyte upon the analytical column maintained an excellent peak shape for a large proportion of compounds encountered and enabled consistent quantitation to sub-nanogram concentrations (<15 pg on column). Furthermore, the low sample injection volume coupled with rapid column washing using basic and acidic mobile phases, has proved advantageous in removing sample carryover and also the overall exposure to biological material; favourable for good system robustness. All the data discussed were generated with a method cycle time of 5 min providing accurate quantitation (acceptance criteria based upon FDA method validation guidelines) with multiple analytes and biological matrices.
Genetics of β2-Adrenergic Receptors and the Cardiopulmonary Response to Exercise

Exercise elicits a number of physiologic responses to increase oxygen delivery to working muscles. The [beta]2-adrenergic receptors (ADRB2) play a role in the cardiopulmonary response to exercise. This review is focused on how the gene that encodes the ADRB2 influences the cardiopulmonary response to exercise. In addition, we discuss possible interactions between ADRB2 and other genes important in exercise performance
Piecing together the puzzle of cutaneous mosaicism

Autosomal dominant disorders of the skin may present in a pattern following the lines of embryologic development of the ectoderm. In these cases, the surrounding skin is normal, and molecular studies have shown that the causative mutation is confined to the affected ectodermal tissue (type 1 mosaicism). Rarely, an individual shows skin lesions that follow the pattern of type 1 mosaicism, but the rest of the skin shows a milder form of the disorder (type 2 mosaicism). A new study provides the molecular basis for type 2 mosaicism .
Numerical modeling of plasma oscillations in 2D electron gas for THz HEMT devices

There has been growing interest in all-electronic sources in the terahertz frequencies. A compact THz source is obtainable, if plasma-oscillations in the 2DEG of a high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) are utilized. With this goal in mind, we develop a numerical tool which models such oscillations. We use hydrodynamic equations to model drifting plasma in the 2DEG, whereas the surrounding environment is modeled using the Maxwell's equations. The developed model is then validated by using previously published analytical results.
Optogenetic modulation of descending prefrontocortical inputs to the dorsal raphe bidirectionally bias socioaffective choices after social defeat

It has been well established that modulating serotonin (5-HT) levels in humans and animals affects perception and response to social threats, however the circuit mechanisms that control 5-HT output during social interaction are not well understood. A better understanding of these systems could provide groundwork for more precise and efficient therapeutic interventions. Here we examined the organization and plasticity of microcircuits implicated in top-down control of 5-HT neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) by excitatory inputs from the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and their role in social approach-avoidance decisions. We did this in the context of a social defeat model that induces a long lasting form of social aversion that is reversible by antidepressants. We first used viral tracing and Cre-dependent genetic identification of vmPFC glutamatergic synapses in the DRN to determine their topographic distribution in relation to 5-HT and GABAergic subregions and found that excitatory vmPFC projections primarily localized to GABA-rich areas of the DRN. We then used optogenetics in combination with cFos mapping and slice electrophysiology to establish the functional effects of repeatedly driving vmPFC inputs in DRN. We provide the first direct evidence that vmPFC axons drive synaptic activity and immediate early gene expression in genetically identified DRN GABA neurons through an AMPA receptor-dependent mechanism. In contrast, we did not detect vmPFC-driven synaptic activity in 5-HT neurons and cFos induction in 5-HT neurons was limited. Finally we show that optogenetically increasing or decreasing excitatory vmPFC input to the DRN during sensory exposure to an aggressor’s cues enhances or diminishes avoidance bias, respectively. These results clarify the functional organization of vmPFC-DRN pathways and identify GABAergic neurons as a key cellular element filtering top-down vmPFC influences on affect-regulating 5-HT output.