cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Distributed Data Access in Industrial Edge Networks

Wireless edge networks in smart industrial environments increasingly operate using advanced sensors and autonomous machines interacting with each other and generating huge amounts of data. Those huge amounts of data are bound to make data management (e.g., for processing, storing, computing) a big challenge. Current data management approaches, relying primarily on centralized data storage, might not be able to cope with the scalability and real time requirements of Industry 4.0 environments, while distributed solutions are increasingly being explored. In this paper, we introduce the problem of distributed data access in multi-hop wireless industrial edge deployments, whereby a set of consumer nodes needs to access data stored in a set of data cache nodes, satisfying the industrial data access delay requirements and at the same time maximizing the network lifetime. We prove that the introduced problem is computationally intractable and, after formulating the objective function, we design a two-step algorithm in order to address it. We use an open testbed with real devices for conducting an experimental investigation on the performance of the algorithm. Then, we provide two online improvements, so that the data distribution can dynamically change before the first node in the network runs out of energy. We compare the performance of the methods via simulations for different numbers of network nodes and data consumers, and we show significant lifetime prolongation and increased energy efficiency when employing the method which is using only decentralized low-power wireless communication instead of the method which is using also centralized local area wireless communication.
Musical training mediates the relation between working memory capacity and preference for musical complexity

Previous research has examined the relationships among cognitive variables and musical training, but relatively less attention has addressed downstream effects of musical training on other psychological domains, such as aesthetic preference, and the potential impact of domain-general constructs, such as working memory. Accordingly, the present study sought to draw links between musical training, working memory capacity, and preference for musical complexity. Participants were assessed for their experience with musical training, their working-memory capacity, and their preference for musical complexity. Diverging from predictions based on vision research, our analyses revealed that musical training significantly mediated the association between working memory capacity and preference for music complexity. This significant mediation held even after a variety of sociodemographic variables (gender, education, socioeconomic status) were taken into account. Furthermore, the role of working memory capacity was domain general, such that the mediation was significant regardless of which measure of working memory capacity was used (tone, operation, or symmetry span). The current results develop a model of aesthetic preference that illuminates differences between vision and audition in terms of the multifaceted effects of complex skills training on cognition and affect. Moreover, they drive new work aimed at better understanding how domain-general constructs such as working memory capacity might interact with domain-specific cognition.
Chapter 5 – Processive Cellulases

Cellulases are currently the third largest industrial enzyme class in sales volume and are likely to become the largest when and if the cellulosic ethanol industry matures. Cellulases also are key enzymes in recycling plant cell walls in nature. They are very diverse enzymes, because there are at least 10 different protein folds for cellulases, and in addition there is extensive sequence variation in each of the 12 cellulase families. This diversity probably result from two factors; one is the difficulty in hydrolyzing crystalline cellulose, which is reported to have a half-life greater than 107 years at pH 7, and the other is the extreme heterogeneity of plant cell walls, which are the main substrates of cellulolytic organisms. Thus, cellulolytic organisms may evolve a set of cellulases that are optimal for the types of cell walls that they use. There is evidence for positive selection for some cellulase genes, which is consistent with cellulases being evolved for specific substrates.
The Library of Maynard-Smith: My Search for Meaning in the Protein Universe: Borges's infinite, and unsearchable, library is reflected in the Maynard-Smith collection of all possible protein sequences

I'll never forget reading Jorge Luis Borges' short story “The Library of Babel” when I was working in Madrid in the summer of 1976. I was thrilled by Borges' description of this collection of all possible books, and deeply struck by the despair of the librarians, who searched for meaning in the essentially infinite stacks of “senseless cacophony, verbal nonsense, and incoherency.” I found it delicious that the librarian's certainty that one of those books contained the answers to all the fundamental mysteries of mankind was accompanied by the unbearable realization that he could never locate such a treasure. He had to accept finding a few phrases embedded in typographical gibberish as the sum of his life's work. I could not imagine spending life wandering that desolate maze.
Screening for expired medications in automated dispensing cabinets.

PURPOSE Results of a study to quantify rates of identification of expired medications in automated dispensing cabinets (ADCs) are reported. METHODS A pre-post analysis was conducted to determine the effect of various types of ADC audits on rates of finding expired medications in ADCs. For the experimental phase of the study, 4 ADCs at the main campus of an academic medical center were randomly assigned to receive one of 4 interventions: (1) monthly audits of all ADC pockets, (2) monthly audits of matrix (open pocket) drawers only, (3) monthly audits of unassigned pockets only, and (4) no additional intervention. RESULTS At baseline, rates of finding expired medication doses in the 4 ADCs ranged from 0.4% to 0.7%. During the 3-month experimental period, rates of finding expired medication doses ranged from 0.1% to 0.3%. During a final audit 1 month later, the ADC targeted for monthly audits of all pockets was found to contain no expired doses, with an overall improvement in expired-dose rates for all audited ADCs observed over the course of the 4-month study. The average time to perform a full audit for an ADC with about 340 pockets was 1 hour, or 15 seconds per pocket. The average time to perform matrix drawer-only audits averaged around 45 minutes, or 11 seconds per pocket. The average time to perform audits of unassigned matrix drawers averaged 30 minutes, or 10 seconds per pocket. CONCLUSION Auditing of all ADC pockets on a monthly basis appears to be an effective method of reducing the rate of identification of expired medications in ADC pockets.
Medical Trainees Comfort and Confidence in Providing Care to Arab and Muslim Patients at a Large Academic Medical Center.

There are currently 3.5 million Americans of Arab descent and 3.45 million Muslims living in the United States. These rapidly growing populations face significant health disparities, which is likel...
Comparison of Display Modality and Human-in-the-Loop Presence for On-Orbit Inspection of Spacecraft:

ObjectiveTo investigate the impact of interface display modalities and human-in-the-loop presence on the awareness, workload, performance, and user strategies of humans interacting with teleoperate...
Peritoneal Dialysis Is Appropriate for Elderly Patients

Background/Aims: The utilization of peritoneal dialysis decreases with age. A number of concerns have been raised regarding the suitability of peritoneal dialysis for elderly patients. The purpose o
Copyright for the digital age — A call for legislative reversibility

Policymakers tend to adopt too narrow a view of the creative industries when determining the desirability of copyright protection. In these industries, authors will often create new works despite weak protection. As recent developments in the music industry illustrate, markets for complements alone can be sufficiently lucrative to entice artists to remain active even when copyright is seriously weakened. However, the value of complements is difficult to forecast. As a result, lawmakers will often set inappropriate copyright terms. In this note, I call for an approach to copyright legislation that makes it feasible to correct these unavoidable mistakes.
Cellular immune mechanisms in Coxsackievirus group B, type 3 induced myocarditis in Balb/C mice

Coxsackie B viruses are a common cause of viral myocarditis in humans. A murine model of the human disease has been developed using Coxsackievirus group B, type 3 and inbred Balb/c mice. Infection of T lymphocyte deficient mice does not result in significant myocarditis indicating the importance of T cells in this disease. The virus can be isolated from the hearts of T cell deficient and normal mice in equal concentrations. Virus elimination presumably is mediated by virus specific neutralizing antibody induced in both groups. T lymphocytes, natural killer cells and macrophage obtained from normal virus infected mice are all capable of lysing myofibers in vitro. Maximum lysis is obtained with the cytolytic T cells. When these cell populations or Coxsackievirus immune antibody were adoptively transferred into T lymphocyte deficient animals infected with the virus, only animals given T cells developed significant myocarditis.
Arab Spring: A Decentring Research Agenda

This article calls for a decentring research agenda and serves as a reminder to look beyond the centres when seeking to understand attempted or accomplished processes of transformation. The Arab Spring is not a unitary whole but part of a variety of processes which differs in terms of space (diverse countries, diverse areas in countries), time (the Ghedim Izik protests in Western Sahara started in October 2010, while protests in the Rif are still ongoing), substance (demands for civil and political rights, equality rights, material claims, autonomy), strategies (from violence to apathy), involved actors (social movements, civil society organizations or individual actors) and outcomes (from regime repression to empowerment of peripheries).
Vaccines with interleukin-12-transduced acute myeloid leukemia cells elicit very potent therapeutic and long-lasting protective immunity

Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a heterodimeric cytokine mediating a dynamic interplay between T cells and antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Preclinical studies have demonstrated that recombinant murine IL-12 (rmIL-12) promotes specific antitumor immunity mediated by T cells in several types of tumors. However, the in vivo antitumor properties of IL-12 in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have not been previously reported. We show here in a murine AML model that systemic administration of rmIL-12 significantly delays tumor growth but is incapable of rescuing mice from lethal leukemia. In contrast, AML cells genetically modified to express IL-12 (IL12-AML) using murine stem cell virus (MSCV) p40 + p35 elicit very potent antileukemic activity. Vaccines with lethally irradiated IL12-AML cells protect naive mice against challenge with wild-type AML cells and, more importantly, can cure mice bearing a considerable leukemic burden. Immunized mice show no signs of systemic IL-12 toxicity and their spleen histology is comparable with naive mice spleen. In vivo depletion of IL-12, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), or CD8+ T cells after injections with live IL12-AML cells abrogates completely the antileukemia immune responses. Studies on the in vitro effects of IFN-γ on AML cells demonstrate enhanced expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and accessory molecules and induction of the costimulatory molecules B7.1 and B7.2, but no significant direct antiproliferative effect. 51Cr release assays show that rejection of live IL12-AML cells supports the development of long-lasting leukemia-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that IL12-AML vaccination is a safe and potent immunotherapeutic approach that has a great potential to eliminate minimal residual disease in patients with AML.
Les aventures d’une traductrice dans le Yiddishland à l’ère postvernaculaire

A l’« ere postvernaculaire » de la langue et de la culture yiddish ( Shandler ), periode de renouveau qui se definit par une forte croissance d’etudes academiques et productions culturelles et artistiques sur le yiddish en Occident, traduire cette langue pose des defis particuliers . Si la traduction assure ici la transmission d’une langue et d’une culture, elle implique aussi un travail de deuil qui s’ajoute a celui qu’identifiait deja Paul Ricœur . De plus, en Amerique francophone, l’absence d’ecoles et de tradition dans la traduction du yiddish vers le francais place le traducteur dans une situation ambigue : d’un cote , peut-il se fier aux traditions americaines , essentiellement tournees vers l’anglais ? De l’autre , doit-il se fier a la tradition francaise pour traduire un yiddish americain ? Dans ce contexte , ou la traduction du yiddish s’erige « en creux », comment le traducteur percoit-il son travail? En me basant sur l’anthologie Voix yiddish de Montreal que j’ai dirigee et dans laquelle je signe une vingtaine de traductions , j’aborderai les aventures d’une traductrice qui navigue entre le Yiddishland et l’Amerique , le passe et le present , tout en abordant la reception critique positive de cet ouvrage dans les milieux litteraires francophone et anglophone .
Arabic: Arabic linguistics: overview and history

In approaching the study of human language in general, if the aim is to categorize, classify, and identify how languages work, then these functions must be based on clearly documented empirical observations. This kind of activity separates linguistics from anecdotal, philosophical, impressionistic, or speculative observations about language that may come from anyone anywhere. Linguistics can be defined as follows.
Mesityl Alkyne Substituents for Control of Regiochemistry and Reversibility in Zirconocene Couplings: New Synthetic Strategies for Unsymmetrical Zirconacyclopentadienes and Conjugated Polymers

Reaction of 2 equivs of MesC≡CPh with Cp2Zr(η2-Me3SiC≡CSiMe3)(pyr) afforded the zirconacyclopentadiene Cp2Zr[2,5-Ph2-3,4-Mes2C4]. The regiochemistry of this isomer (ββ with respect to the mesityl substituents) was determined through single-crystal X-ray analysis and 2D (NOESY, HSQC, HMBC) NMR experiments. This selectivity is attributed largely to a steric-based directing effect of the o-methyl ring substituents since coupling of 1,3-dimethyl-2-(phenylethynyl)benzene with zirconocene gave a single regioisomer (o-xylyl groups in both β-positions) while coupling of 1,3-dimethyl-5-(phenylethynl)benzene gave a statistical distribution of zirconacyclopentadiene regioisomers. The coupling reaction of 2 equivs of MeC≡CMes or PrC≡CMes with Cp2Zr(η2-Me3SiC≡CSiMe3)(pyr) at ambient temperature gave the ββ regioisomers, Cp2Zr[2,5-Me2-3,4-Mes2C4] and Cp2Zr[2,5-Pr2-3,4-Mes2C4], respectively, as the major products. Heating solutions of these zirconacycles at 80 °C for several hours resulted in an increase in the amount o...
Toward a developmentally informed narrative therapy

Narrative approaches to psychotherapy emphasize the impact of the stories or narratives we construct on our reality and behavior. However, little effort has been made to elucidate how individuals' differential capacities for meaning-making influence the process of re-storying lives. The present article introduces to family therapy a model of the changing nature of individuals' ability to create meaning. The model, referred to as developmental-constructivism (Kegan, 1994), suggests that, in addition to contextual factors, individual differences in the capacity for organizing experience will influence therapeutic efforts to generate new and more adaptive narratives. The model is also presented as a heuristic for comparing and integrating two influential approaches to narrative therapy: the externalizing approach of Michael White and the solution-focused approach of Steve de Shazer.
Quantitative studies on the dependence of cell morphology and motility upon the fine structure of the medium in tissue culture.

Abstract 1. 1. Standard tissue cultures of chick heart fibrocytes were grown in plasma clots whose physical constitution was systematically altered, either by varying the pH at the time of clotting through a range of pH 8.0–5.6, or by varying the plasma concentration through a range of 10–90 per cent plasma. Other conditions were kept constant. 2. 2. Measurements of 4 759 cells plotted against plasma concentration or pH produced smooth curves, showing transitional responses. 3. 3. With increasing plasma concentration and decreasing pH, there is a corresponding increase in the percentage of spindle-shaped cells, a decrease in the number of pseudopodia per cell, an increase in the ratio of cell length to cell width, and an increase in the ratio of nuclear length to nuclear width. 4. 4. The rate of cell migration increases as the plasma concentration increases or as the pH decreases, but reaches a constant level above 50 per cent plasma concentration. 5. 5. An interpretation of the results in terms of the properties of the fibrin framework and of the reactions of the cells to it has been given on a previous occasion (25).
Cross-Sectional Study of Women with Trichotillomania: A Preliminary Examination of Pulling Styles, Severity, Phenomenology, and Functional Impact

The current study utilized a cross-sectional design to examine pulling severity, phenomenology, functional impact, and "focused" and "automatic" pulling styles in women with TTM across a wide age spectrum. "Automatic" pulling refers to pulling occurring primarily out of one's awareness, while "focused" pulling refers to pulling with a compulsive quality that may include pulling in response to a negative emotional state (e.g., anxiety, stress, anger, etc.), an intense thought or urge, or in an attempt to establish symmetry. In the present study, data were collected from 1,471 female participants (age 10-69) meeting modified diagnostic criteria for TTM via two separate online surveys (one for children/adolescents, one for adults). Pulling severity remained stable across the different developmental cohorts. However, fluctuations in functional impact (e.g., social and interpersonal impairment) were noted. "Automatic" pulling showed relatively little fluctuation from adolescence to adulthood, while "focused" pulling demonstrated considerable fluctuation coinciding with psychological distress and typical ages of important biological changes (e.g., pubertal onset) in children/adolescents and adults (e.g., perimenopause). Conclusions, treatment implications, limitations, and future areas of research are discussed.
Methodology for remote usability activities: A case study

Achieving high ease of use demands that an iterative design-evaluation-redesign process be followed. User interface evaluations and, sometimes, design work as well, require the participation of many target users, who often collaborate in the use of the product. In many cases, project members and potential users are spread worldwide, making face-to-face interaction difficult and expensive. Given these conditions and the ever-present consideration of keeping travel expenses down, human factors engineers and human-computer interaction experts are adopting a methodology that involves performing user interface design and assessment activities remotely, thus avoiding prohibitive travel costs while maintaining a high level of customer involvement. This paper presents a survey of various types of remote usability activities and some of the types of tools that are being used, and it describes a case study in which this methodology was applied; that is, the design of the Design Solutions application for the IBM Customer Connect portal.
EPR Investigation of the Mn(II) Binding Sites in Glutamine Synthetase (Escherichia coli W)I. High-Affinity Binding Sites

The nature of the intermediate-affinity (n2) Mn(II) binding sites in glutamine synthetase [EC 6.3.1.2] has been studied as a function of adenylylation in a variety of enzyme-metal complexes by EPR. In the absence of nucleotide the n2 Mn(II) environment is nearly isotropic, the Mn(II) bonds are highly ionic, and the interaction distance R greater than or equal to 12-14 A. Nucleotide binding at the n2 Mn(II) site renders the n2 Mn(II) signal unobservable and causes a reduction in signal amplitude (approximately 30%) and line broadening (approximately 6 G) at the high-affinity (n1) Mn(II) site. This behavior indicates that nucleotide binding induces a conformational change in the enzyme which brings the previously distant n1 and n2 sites into closer proximity (R less than or equal to 8-11 A), possibly for the purpose of activating the nucleotide for direct phosphoryl transfer to L-glutamate. In line with this suggestion, the broad, unresolved resonances in complexes containing both L-methionine SR-sulfoximine (MSOX) and nucleotide may result from the phosphorylation of MSOX. The n2 Mn(II) site is not affected by adenylylation in all the enzyme-metal complexes studied, which suggests that the regulatory effects of adenylylation may only act at the n1 Mn(II) sites.
Responding to Katrina: A Veterans Affairs pharmacist’s experience

After Hurricane Katrina made landfall on August 29, 2005, I volunteered for the federal disaster relief effort. At the time, I was told to be ready to deploy within 24 hours of notification. On October 4, I arrived at the Veterans Affairs medical center in Marlin, Texas, which had closed several
Personality Predicts Health Declines Through Stressful Life Events During Late Mid-Life.

Personality predicts the occurrence of dependent stressful life events (SLE; i.e., events reliant, at least in part, on an individual's behavior). This process, termed stress generation, contributes to psychiatric outcomes, but its role in physical health is unknown. Data were included from 998 participants (aged 55–64) in the St. Louis Personality and Aging Network (SPAN) study. Assessments occurred every 6 months for 18 months. Neuroticism, impulsivity, and agreeableness were measured with the Revised NEO Personality Inventory. Dependent (e.g., divorce) and independent (e.g., family death) SLE occurring within 6 months following baseline were assessed with the List of Threatening Experiences and confirmed by interviews. Health problems occurring within a year after SLE were the outcome. Analyses examined whether neuroticism, impulsivity, and agreeableness indirectly predict the onset of new health problems through exposure to dependent SLE. Each personality trait was associated with dependent, but not independent, SLE. Only dependent SLE predicted new health problems. Each personality trait indirectly predicted the onset of new health problems through dependent SLE. Findings suggest that personality-driven stress generation influences physical health during late mid-life. Addressing personality in interventions may reduce the occurrence of SLE, in turn decreasing health risks.
STUDIES ON THE PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF NON-POLAR-POLAR ORGANIC ELECTROLYTES : I. THE INFLUENCE UPON THE RESTING POTENTIAL OF FROG MUSCLE.

1. The commonly used detergents have a poisonous effect, which is due to the non-polar-polar configuration of their organic anion. The non-polar organophilic half of the ion is built up by a long chain of alkyl radicals (8 to 18 carbon atoms), the polar hydrophilic half by a sulfonate or sulfate. If brought into contact with the organic surface membrane of a cell, this structure, due to the strong attachment of the alkyl chains to its surface, and due to the pull of the hydrophilic part towards the surrounding water, is subjected to a heavy stress terminating in tearing to pieces the membrane (by denaturing and loosening the membrane components; bacteriolysis, cytolysis). Correspondingly, with frog muscle, one end of which has been treated with the detergent solution, an irreversible negative injury potential is produced. 2. Applying, instead, the compounds bearing short chains of alkyl radicals (1 to 6 carbon atoms), producing less stress on the membrane and correspondingly a slighter derangement of its architecture, a reversible positive resting potential appears. This is interpreted to be the effect of the non-polar part of the anion, which, due to its surface activity, intrudes into the pores of the membranes, notwithstanding the negative charge of their walls. 3. The short chained detergents seem to be replaceable by various organic "semidetergents," the organophilic behavior of their anion being represented by a slight chemical affinity (NH2), the hydrophilic by the effect of a carboxyl group (COO) instead of sulfate or sulfonate. The effect of the semidetergents on muscle is a positive reversible potential. Their physiological significance may be visualized as a functional activation.
Phosphorescence spectra and triplet state lifetimes of palladium octaethylporphyrin, palladium octaethylchlorin and palladium 2,3-dimethyloctaethylisobacteriochlorin at 77 K.

Abstract The phosphorescence spectra and triplet state lifetimes of palladium octaethylporphyrin (PdOEP), palladium octaethylchlorin (PdOEC) and palladium 2,3-dimethyloctaethylisobacteriochlorin (PdOEiBC) in n-octane Shpolskii matrices at 77 K are reported. The lifetime and T1/S0 origin energy of each complex are: PdOEP, 1.90±0.04 ms, 15162 cm−1; PdOEC, 0.43±0.03 ms, 12547 cm−1 and PdOEiBC, 0.59±0.03 ms, 12863 cm−1.
On the dimerization of BH3 and the associated delocalization (resonance) energy

SCF calculations utilizing a basis of all s-type Gaussians have been performed to investigate the dimerization of BH3 to B2H6. Localized molecular orbitals and pseudonatural orbitals are calculated. The dimerization energy obtained (11.5 kcal/mole) supports the assumption that the non-Hartree-Fock interactions (electron correlation) play a dominant role (Exp = 40–60 kcal/mole). The energy of the principal type of resonance structure based on the SCF-MO's of the separated-but-distorted BH3 systems is rigorously calculated and found to be 150 kcal/mole higher in energy than the SCF energy of B2H6. Thus, resonance stabilization (delocalization) is shown to be extremely important to the stability of the “three-center” bonds in B2H6, as has been suspected for many years.
Ambient- to elevated-temperature fracture and fatigue properties of Mo-Si-B alloys: Role of microstructure

Ambient- to elevated-temperature fracture and fatigue-crack growth results are presented for five Mo-Mo3Si-Mo5SiB2-containing α-Mo matrix (17 to 49 vol pct) alloys, which are compared to results for intermetallic-matrix alloys with similar compositions. By increasing the α-Mo volume fraction, ductility, or microstructural coarseness, or by using a continuous α-Mo matrix, it was found that improved fracture and fatigue properties are achieved by promoting the active toughening mechanisms, specifically crack trapping and crack bridging by the α-Mo phase. Crack-initiation fracture toughness values increased from 5 to 12 MPa√m with increasing α-Mo content from 17 to 49 vol pct, and fracture toughness values rose with crack extension, ranging from 8.5 to 21 MPa√m at ambient temperatures. Fatigue thresholds benefited similarly from more α-Mo phase, and the fracture and fatigue resistance was improved for all alloys tested at 1300 °C, the latter effects being attributed to improved ductility of the α-Mo phase at elevated temperatures.
Prolonged survival of human skin xenografts on antithymocyte serum-treated mice: failure to produce verrucae by inoculation with extracts of human warts

This report describes an experimental system whereby human skin was grafted to immunosuppressed mice, thus avoiding the restrictions imposed by the use of human subjects or tissue cultures. Grafts remained in good condition for the subsequent life of the animal, as long as eight months. The human skin xenografts were inoculated with an extract of verrucae vulgaris, but no warts developed during the period of observation.
Cardiac evaluation of women distance runners by echocardiographic color Doppler flow mapping.

Abstract Echocardiographic color Doppler flow mapping was performed in 46 normal women tu determine the normal flow phenomena across each of the four heart -valves. Three groups were studied: Group I consisted of 15 highly trained long distance runners, mean age 27 years, running an average of 195 km/week, with a mean rest heart rate of 45 beats/min; Group II consisted of 14 moderately trained long distance runners, mean age 28, running an average of 60 km/week, with a mean rest heart rate of 53 beats/min; Group III consisted of 17 sedentary control subjects, mean age 28, with a mean rest heart rate of 77 beats/min. Color Doppler (flow mapping showed that the ventricular inflow and outflow patterns were the same for each of the groups and identified a regurgitant flow pattern across each of the valves. A tricuspid regurgitant flow pattern was present in 14 subjects (93%) in Group I, 8 (57%) in Group II and 4 (24%) in Group III. A pulmonary regurgitant flow pattern was present in 13 subjects (87%) in Group 1, 8 (57%) in Group II and 3 (18%) in Group III. A mitral regurgitant flow pattern was present in 4 subjects (20%) in Group I, 5 (35%) in Group II and 1 (17%) in Group III and an aortic regurgitant flow pattern was present in 1 subject (6%) in Group I. Patients in Group I had significantly more tricuspid and pulmonary regurgitant Bow patterns than did patients in Group III (p Heart rate and distance training in women appear to correlate with the frequency of bicuspid and pulmonary regurgitant flow patterns. The presence of color Doppler regurgitant flow does not necessarily signify “pathologic” regurgitation.
19 THE EFFECT OF FOLLICLE-STIMULATING HORMONE IN A MODIFIED CO-SYNCH SYNCHRONIZATION PROTOCOL ON SUBSEQUENT PREGNANCY RATES OF CROSSBRED LACTATING BEEF CATTLE

Heritability of reproductive traits is relatively low, leaving only management strategies as an alternative to affect reproductive efficiency in beef cattle. The use of assisted reproductive technologies such as fixed-timed AI (FTAI) offers the ability to increase reproductive efficiency through selection of superior genetics and manipulation of calving dates through estrous-synchronization protocols. Application of these technologies has not been fully embraced by cattlemen due to variation in success rate, primarily associated with the apparent lack of control of follicular waves. While it has been reported that an endogenous increase in FSH precedes the emergence of follicular waves in cattle, we could find no reports on the effects of exogenous FSH on FTAI pregnancy rates. Artificial insemination remains the most important reproductive technology that could positively affect cattlemen. Therefore, this experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that incorporation of FSH into the CO-Synch synchronization protocol would increase FTAI pregnancy rates in beef cattle. Crossbred beef cows (n = 182) with a mean body weight (BW) of 596 ± 6.6 kg and mean body condition score (BCS) of 5.4 ± 0.07 from 3 different locations were stratified across treatment groups by BW, BCS, and days postpartum or cyclicity status based on plasma progesterone concentrations. Females were estrus synchronized using the 7-day CO-Synch+CIDR protocol. All females received a CIDR insert and 100 µg of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH; Factrel) on Day 0, followed by CIDR removal, 25 mg of prostaglandin (Lutalyse) IM and fitted with an estrus-detection patch (Estrotect) on Day 7. On Day 2, all females (n = 92) in the FSH treatment group were administered 20 mg of FSH (Folltropin) IM and the remaining females (n = 90) served as nontreated controls. Fixed-timed AI was performed at 72 h following CIDR removal when all females were administered 100 µg of GnRH and the estrus-detection patch was evaluated. The overall FTAI pregnancy rate was 55% (100/182) and there was no difference (P = 0.41) in pregnancy rates across locations so the data were pooled and reanalyzed. Pregnancy rates were not affected (P = 0.54) by treatment group and were 52% (48/92) for the FSH-treated females and 58% (52/90) for the nontreated control group. Similarly, based on evaluation of the estrus-detection patch, there was no difference (P = 0.68) in the percentage of females responding to the synchronization protocol [61% (55/92) v. 68% (61/90)] and no difference (P = 0.55) in the pregnancy rate of responding females [62% (34/55) v. 69% (42/61)] for the FSH-treated and nontreated control groups, respectively. In conclusion, administration of FSH 10 days prior to FTAI in CO-Synch+CIDR synchronized crossbred beef cows did not increase subsequent pregnancy rates. However, exogenous FSH administration should be evaluated further to determine its effects, if any, on follicular dynamics related to FTAI in the lactating beef cow.
Is prostacyclin a physiologically important circulating anti-platelet agent?

Prostacyclin (PGI2) is a naturally occurring arachidonic acid metabolite which causes relaxation of vascular smooth muscle1 and is the most potent inhibitor of platelet aggregation known2. The anti-aggregatory effects of PGI2 result from its ability to stimulate platelet adenylate cyclase and elevate platelet cyclic AMP levels3,4. The possibility that PGI2 is a circulating hormone that acts to inhibit platelet aggregation in vivo was first suggested by Gryglewski et al.5 and Moncada et al.6. In their studies using heparinised rabbits and cats, exogenous PGI2 caused a decrease in superfused ex vivo tendon weight, and this effect was inhibited by infusion of antiserum directed against a stable PGI2 analogue (5,6-dihydro-PGI2). Tendon weight gain occurred in the absence of exogenous PGI2 and was enhanced by infusion of PGI2-binding antibodies, an effect that was more pronounced in arterial than in venous blood. In contrast, Smith and coworkers7 observed that their PGI2-binding antibodies (antiserum directed against 6-keto-PGF1α) suppressed the vasodepressor effects of exogenous PGI2 infused into cats but did not alter blood pressure in the absence of exogenous PGI2. They concluded that PGI2 is not a circulating vasodepressor hormone. The present studies were designed to examine the physiological role, if any, of circulating PGI2 in the regulation of human platelet function. Here, we report the results of experiments dealing with the effects of PGI2 and antibodies directed against 5,6-dihydro-PGI2 on human platelet function and cyclic AMP levels. These studies indicate that, in humans, PGI2 is not a physiologically important circulating inhibitor of platelet aggregation.
Marginal fit of cast gold MO inlays from disinfected elastomeric impressions.

Under the experimental conditions in this study, the following conclusions were drawn. 1. Scotchbond bonding agent significantly reduced microleakage at the dentinal margin compared with Visio-Bond bonding agent. 2. Ketac-Bond glass-ionomer liner was ineffective as a restoration in resisting microleakage. 3. A Ketac-Bond liner was ineffective in preventing gross leakage with Visio-Bond bonding agent. 4. Reduction of microleakage was a function of the bonding agent. 1.
A Meta-Analysis and Investigation for the Source of Bias of Left Ventricular Volumes and Function by Three-Dimensional Echocardiography in Comparison With Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Determining accurate left ventricular (LV) function is clinically important. Three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) achieves better estimation than 2-dimensional echocardiography. However, underestimation of LV volumes has often been reported without a systematic attempt to synthesize these data. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the bias of 3DE in evaluating LV volumes and ejection fraction (EF) and to investigate factors affecting that bias. Studies that compared LV volumes and/or EF between 3DE and magnetic resonance imaging were eligible. Meta-analysis of 95 studies including 3,055 subjects revealed significant underestimation of LV end-systolic volume (−4.7 ml, p
Hierarchical motion planning with kinodynamic feasibility guarantees: Local trajectory planning via model predictive control

Motion planners for autonomous vehicles often involve a two-level hierarchical structure consisting of a high-level, discrete planner and a low-level trajectory generation scheme. To ensure compatibility between these two levels of planning, we previously introduced a motion planning framework based on multiple-edge transition costs in the graph used by the discrete planner. This framework is enabled by a special local trajectory generation problem, which we address in this paper. In particular, we discuss a trajectory planner based on model predictive control for complex vehicle dynamical models. We demonstrate the efficacy of our overall motion planning approach via examples involving non-trivial vehicle models and complex environments, and we offer comparisons of our motion planner with state-of-the-art randomized sampling-based motion planners.
Effects of arginine density on the membrane-bound structure of a cationic antimicrobial peptide from solid-state NMR

Abstract Solid-state NMR spectroscopy is used to determine the membrane-bound topological structure of a cationic β-hairpin antimicrobial peptide in which the number of Arg residues has been halved. The parent peptide, PG-1, was previously found to form transmembrane β-barrels in anionic membranes where the Arg residues complex with the lipid phosphate groups to cause toroidal pore defects in the membrane. In comparison, the charge-attenuated and less active mutant studied here forms β-sheets that lie on the surface of the zwitterionic membrane and only partially insert into the anionic membrane. The mutant also exhibits much looser contact with the lipid headgroups. These results indicate that transmembrane insertion and tight Arg-phosphate association are two important elements for strong antimicrobial activities of this class of peptides. Comparison with other β-hairpin antimicrobial peptides studied so far further suggests a relative potency scale for the various mechanisms of action for the β-sheet family of antimicrobial peptides. The transmembrane insertion-toroidal pore mechanism is the most potent in disrupting the lipid bilayer, followed by the large-amplitude in-plane motional mechanism. The carpet model, where peptides aggregate on the membrane surface to cause lateral expansion and eventual micellization of the membrane, is a weaker mechanism of action.
Posterior Spinal Fusion Versus Anterior/Posterior Spinal Fusion for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis : A Decision Analysis

Study Design. Decision analysis. Objective. To determine the optimum surgical strategy for skeletally immature females with large idiopathic spinal curves. Summary of Background Data. Curve progression after posterior instrumentation is a concern for skeletally immature patients with large scoliotic curves. Anterior/posterior spinal fusion is preferred by some surgeons to treat this specific population. Combined fusions carry higher inherent risk of pulmonary and neurologic complication. Large data sets of complication rates have only recently become available. To date no direct comparison between the 2 approaches has been made using the most recent data. Methods. A model was constructed to compare the effectiveness of the 2 surgical approaches. Rates of complications and revisions were acquired from the surgical literature. Utilities were obtained from earlier studies and conversion of SF-36 data for the health states included the model. Effectiveness was measured by quality-adjusted life years. Sensitivity analysis was used to test the robustness of the model and identify variables that impact the clinical decision. Results. The results of our model showed anterior/posterior spinal fusion to be the preferred surgical approach for treating scoliosis in skeletally immature females. Anterior/posterior spinal fusion resulted in a net gain of 6.17 quality-adjusted life years. Variables that impacted the results of the model were the probability of curve progression for the 2 surgical approaches and the surgical mortality of anterior/posterior spinal fusion. Curve progression rates vary considerably in the literature and are based on small samples and dated surgical techniques. Conclusion. Our model favors anterior/posterior spinal fusion for surgical correction of large thoracic curves in skeletally immature females. The probability of curve progression after spinal fusion is the main variable that dictates the optimal surgical approach and rates in the literature are based on outdated surgical instrumentation. Future observational studies are warranted to acquire more accurate curve progression rates.
Comments on ‘Sufficient and necessary condition for the asymptotic stability of discrete linear interval systems’

In a recent paper by Jiang (1988), a necessary and sufficient condition is given for a set of real interval matrices to have all their eigenvalues in the unit circle. This result is shown by counter-example to be false and the flaw in the proof is pointed out.
Dimensionless temperature, cumulative heat flow and heat flow rate for a well with a constant bore-face temperature

Abstract To estimate the heat losses from a wellbore and the temperature disturbance of formations produced by a circulating fluid, the results of numerical solutions are used. In this note we present approximate formulae which will allow us to determine the temperature of formations and calculate the heat losses for wells with a constant bore-face temperature at a given depth. An analytical solution is also presented which describes the wellbore shut-in temperature. The suggested formulae are valid for any values of fluid circulation or shut-in time.
Variations in column height and magma discharge during the May 18, 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens

Abstract Peak eruption column heights for the B1, B2, B3 and B4 units of the May 18, 1980 fall deposit from Mount St. Helens have been determined from pumice and lithic clast sizes and models of tephra dispersal. Column heights determined from the fall deposit agree well with those determined by radar measurements. B1 and B2 units were derived from plinian activity between 0900 and about 1215 hrs. B3 was formed by fallout of tephra from plumes that rose off pyroclastic flows from about 1215 to 1630 hrs. A brief return to plinian activity between 1630 and 1715 hrs was marked by a maximum in column height (19 km) during deposition of B4. Variations in magma discharge during the eruption have been reconstructed from modelling of column height during plinian discharge and mass-balance calculations based on the volume of pyroclastic flows and coignimbrite ash. Peak magma discharge occurred during the period 1215–1630 hrs, when pyroclastic flows were generated by collapse of low fountains through the crater breach. Pyroclastic flow deposits and the widely dispersed co-ignimbrite ash account for 77% of the total erupted mass, with only 23% derived from plinian discharge. A shift in eruptive style at noon on May 18 may have been associated with increase in magma discharge and the eruption of silicic andesite mingled with the dominant mafic dacite. Increasing abundance of the silicic andesite during the period of highest magma discharge is consistent with the draw-up and tapping of deeper levels in the magma reservoir, as predicted by theoretical models of magma withdrawal. Return to plinian activity late in the afternoon, when magma discharge decreased, is consistent with theoretical predictions of eruption column behavior. The dominant generation of pyroclastic flows during the May 18 eruption can be attributed to the low bulk volatile content of the magma and the increasing magma discharge that resulted in the transition from a stable, convective eruption column to a collapsing one.
Gating and Ionic Currents Reveal How the BKCa Channel's Ca2+ Sensitivity Is Enhanced by its β1 Subunit

Large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels (BKCa channels) are regulated by the tissue-specific expression of auxiliary β subunits. β1 is predominately expressed in smooth muscle, where it greatly enhances the BKCa channel's Ca2+ sensitivity, an effect that is required for proper regulation of smooth muscle tone. Here, using gating current recordings, macroscopic ionic current recordings, and unitary ionic current recordings at very low open probabilities, we have investigated the mechanism that underlies this effect. Our results may be summarized as follows. The β1 subunit has little or no effect on the equilibrium constant of the conformational change by which the BKCa channel opens, and it does not affect the gating charge on the channel's voltage sensors, but it does stabilize voltage sensor activation, both when the channel is open and when it is closed, such that voltage sensor activation occurs at more negative voltages with β1 present. Furthermore, β1 stabilizes the active voltage sensor more when the channel is closed than when it is open, and this reduces the factor D by which voltage sensor activation promotes opening by ∼24% (16.8→12.8). The effects of β1 on voltage sensing enhance the BKCa channel's Ca2+ sensitivity by decreasing at most voltages the work that Ca2+ binding must do to open the channel. In addition, however, in order to fully account for the increase in efficacy and apparent Ca2+ affinity brought about by β1 at negative voltages, our studies suggest that β1 also decreases the true Ca2+ affinity of the closed channel, increasing its Ca2+ dissociation constant from ∼3.7 μM to between 4.7 and 7.1 μM, depending on how many binding sites are affected.
Prevalence of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in post-weaned dairy calves in the eastern United States

Fecal specimens were obtained from 3- to 8-month-old post-weaned dairy calves on farms in Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and Florida. After removal of fecal debris by sieving and density gradient centrifugation, 59 of 452 calves (13%) from 11 farms in six states were found positive for Enterocytozoon bieneusi by PCR and DNA sequence analysis. Based on gene sequence data this genotype of E. bieneusi found in post-weaned calves was 100% identical to that found in pre-weaned calves in North America and differed by only two positions in 1,069 base pairs from specimens analyzed from humans. However, compared with previous reports, the prevalence of E. bieneusi was significantly higher in post-weaned than in pre-weaned calves from many of the same farms.
New Quantum Structures

Structures in which electrons are confined to move in two dimensions (quantum wells) have led to new physical discoveries and technological applications. Modification of these structures to confine the electrons to one dimension (quantum wires) or release them in the third dimension, are predicted to lead to new electrical and optical properties. This article discusses techniques to make quantum wires, and quantum wells of controlled size and shape, from compound semiconductor materials, and describes some of the properties of these structures.