cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Novel Method for Evaluation of Right Ventricular Performance during Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation

Purpose Left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) are utilized in patients diagnosed with advanced heart failure. Right ventricular (RV) failure can affect up to 20% of patients undergoing LVAD implantation. In this case study, we evaluated perioperative RV performance with simultaneous use of Swan-Ganz catheterization and high-fidelity conductance catheters to generate real time RV pressure- volume (PV) loops. Methods A 75- year old male patient undergoing LVAD implantation was chosen for evaluation. A high-fidelity conductance catheter was advanced into the RV. The catheter was removed on postoperative day one. Data obtained from the catheter were used to evaluate RV work, contractility, diastolic function, and compliance. These results were compared to standard measurements of the patient's clinical status and biventricular performance. Consent and IRB approval was obtained as part of an ongoing study. Results The patient developed RV dysfunction in the immediate perioperative period, as demonstrated by increasing central venous pressure to pulmonary artery pressure ratio, decreased cardiac index, and evidence of elevated filling pressures by echocardiogram. Using a high-fidelity catheter, we demonstrated a uniform reduction in preload recruitable stroke work and Starling contractile index on postoperative day one. Pressure-volume loops initially demonstrated appropriate ventricular unloading, however RV dysfunction was exposed with changes in loading conditions over time (figure 1). Conclusion Pressure-volume loop analysis represents a novel method for evaluation of RV performance during LVAD implantation. Compared to standard monitoring, PV loops provide increased granularity in understanding RV function.
Exemplar learning reveals the representational origins of expert category perception

Irrespective of whether one has substantial perceptual expertise for a class of stimuli, an observer invariably encounters novel exemplars from this class. To understand how novel exemplars are represented, we examined the extent to which previous experience with a category constrains the acquisition and nature of representation of subsequent exemplars from that category. Participants completed a perceptual training paradigm with either novel other-race faces (category of experience) or novel computer-generated objects (YUFOs) that included pairwise similarity ratings at the beginning, middle, and end of training, and a 20-d visual search training task on a subset of category exemplars. Analyses of pairwise similarity ratings revealed multiple dissociations between the representational spaces for those learning faces and those learning YUFOs. First, representational distance changes were more selective for faces than YUFOs; trained faces exhibited greater magnitude in representational distance change relative to untrained faces, whereas this trained-untrained distance change was much smaller for YUFOs. Second, there was a difference in where the representational distance changes were observed; for faces, representations that were closer together before training exhibited a greater distance change relative to those that were farther apart before training. For YUFOs, however, the distance changes occurred more uniformly across representational space. Last, there was a decrease in dimensionality of the representational space after training on YUFOs, but not after training on faces. Together, these findings demonstrate how previous category experience governs representational patterns of exemplar learning as well as the underlying dimensionality of the representational space.
Spark plasma sintering of a high-energy ball milled Mg-10 wt% Al alloy

Abstract The influence of spark plasma sintering (SPS) temperature on microstructure, hardness and corrosion behavior of a high-energy ball milled Mg-10 wt% Al alloy was investigated in this work. The holding time and sintering pressure for SPS were kept constant while varying the sintering temperature from 200 to 350 °C. The grain size and microstructure were studied using X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and Archimedes’ based density measurement. Corrosion behavior was investigated using potentiodynamic polarization tests. The nanocrystalline regime (grain size
Trends In Orphan Drug Spending And Out-Of-Pocket Spending Among US Children, 2013-18.

Among privately insured children, the proportion of inflation-adjusted total health care spending accounted for by orphan drugs increased from 4.0 percent to 6.6 percent between 2013 and 2018. This...
Transport phenomena in electrolyte solutions: Nonequilibrium thermodynamics and statistical mechanics

Author(s): Fong, KD; Bergstrom, HK; McCloskey, BD; Mandadapu, KK | Abstract: The theory of transport phenomena in multicomponent electrolyte solutions is presented here through the integration of continuum mechanics, electromagnetism, and nonequilibrium thermodynamics. The governing equations of irreversible thermodynamics, including balance laws, Maxwell's equations, internal entropy production, and linear laws relating the thermodynamic forces and fluxes, are derived. Green–Kubo relations for the transport coefficients connecting electrochemical potential gradients and diffusive fluxes are obtained in terms of the flux–flux time correlations. The relationship between the derived transport coefficients and those of the Stefan–Maxwell and infinitely dilute frameworks are presented, and the connection between the transport matrix and experimentally measurable quantities is described. To exemplify the application of the derived Green–Kubo relations in molecular simulations, the matrix of transport coefficients for lithium and chloride ions in dimethyl sulfoxide is computed using classical molecular dynamics and compared with experimental measurements.
Prevalence of and factors associated with unmet dental need among the US adult population in 2016

OBJECTIVES Understanding and addressing contributing factors to unmet dental need is an important public health challenge. This study investigated the prevalence of, and factors associated with, self-reported unmet dental need using a nationally representative sample of US adults. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study using the Medical Expenditures Panel Survey (MEPS) from 2016. The weighted prevalence of unmet dental need was estimated among individuals aged 18 years or older. Chi-squared and multivariate logit regression with marginal effects (ie absolute risk differences) were used to measure the association of unmet dental need with respondent characteristics. RESULTS The prevalence of adults reporting unmet dental need was 6% (95% CI: 5.5 to 6.5). Adults with dental insurance were 1.7 percentage points (95% CI: -2.8 to -0.6) less likely to report unmet dental needs than adults without dental insurance. Those with middle income were 2.3 percentage points (95% CI: 1.2 to 3.4), those with low income were 3.3 percentage points (95% CI: 1.7 to 5.0), and those with poor/negative/near-poor income were 4.2 percentage points (95% CI: 2.7 to 5.7) more likely to report an unmet dental need than adults with high income. Both Hispanics (-1.7 percentage points [95% CI: -2.8 to -0.6]) and non-Hispanic Blacks (-1.1 percentage points [95% CI: -2.1 to -0.1]) were less likely to report an unmet dental need than whites. Smoking, education, general health status, chronic disease and marital status were also significantly associated with reporting an unmet dental need. CONCLUSIONS Future policies should continue to address cost and coverage barriers to adult dental care, as these remain significant barriers to access, particularly for low-income adults. Future research should evaluate the reasons adults report unmet dental need and explore how adults' judgment of dental need compares to providers' clinical judgment. Additionally, research that explores how race and ethnicity affect perceptions of unmet dental need is warranted.
Does Family Context Moderate the Effects of Discrimination on Emerging Adults’ Health?:

Given the adverse impacts of discrimination on overall well-being, this study tests whether family context, specifically family hostility (FH) and positive family environment (PFE), moderate well-d...
The relationship between adverse life events and endogenous inhibition of pain and spinal nociception: Findings from the Oklahoma Study of Native American Pain Risk (OK-SNAP)

Abstract Adverse life events (ALEs) are a risk factor for chronic pain; however, mechanisms underlying this association are not understood. This study examined whether cumulative ALE exposure impairs endogenous inhibition of pain (assessed from pain report) and spinal nociception (assessed from nociceptive flexion reflex; NFR) in healthy, pain-free Native Americans (n = 124) and non-Hispanic Whites (n = 129) during a conditioned pain modulation (CPM) task. Cumulative ALE exposure was assessed prior to testing by summing the number of potentially traumatic events experienced by each participant across their lifespan. Multilevel modeling found that ALEs were associated with NFR modulation during the CPM task even after controlling for general health, body mass index, sex, age, blood pressure, sleep quality, stimulation intensity, stimulus number, perceived stress, and psychological distress. Low exposure to ALEs was associated with NFR inhibition, whereas high exposure to ALEs was associated with NFR facilitation. By contrast, pain perception was inhibited during the CPM task regardless of the level of ALE exposure. Race/ethnicity did not moderate these results. Thus, ALEs may be pronociceptive for both Native Americans and non-Hispanic Whites by impairing descending inhibition of spinal nociception. This could contribute to a chronic pain risk phenotype involving latent spinal sensitization. Perspective This study found that adverse life events were associated with impaired descending inhibition of spinal nociception in a sample of Native Americans and non-Hispanic Whites. These findings expand on previous research linking adversity to chronic pain risk by identifying a proximate physiological mechanism for this association.
Emergent Phenomena and Overview of Existing Models

Emergence is a phenomenon of reaching collective outcome in a given system of agents which follow a prescribed protocol of communication. Some of the most striking examples of emergence are pattern formations such as wedges of bird flocks, or milling motion in schools of fish, lattices in cell organization or bee hives. These effects are achieved by following local rules of engagement that result in global outcomes over time. Depending on the context many mathematical models have been studied to replicate a specific collective behavior. This chapter gives a brief overview of the existing models.
Running-related injuries in middle school cross-country runners: Prevalence and characteristics of common injuries

Background Understanding the prevalence and factors associated with running-related injuries in middle school runners may guide injury prevention. Objective To determine the prevalence of running-related injuries and describe factors related to a history of injury. Design Retrospective cross-sectional study. Setting Survey distributed online to middle school runners. Methods Participants completed a web-based survey regarding prior running-related injuries, training, sleep, diet, and sport participation. Main outcome measurements Prevalence and characteristics differentiating girls and boys with and without running-related injury history adjusted for age. Participants Youth runners (total: 2113, average age, 13.2 years; boys: n = 1255, girls: n = 858). Results Running-related injuries were more prevalent in girls (56% vs. 50%, p = .01). Ankle sprain was the most common injury (girls: 22.5%, boys: 21.6%), followed by patellofemoral pain (20.4% vs. 7.8%) and shin splints (13.6% vs. 5.9%); both were more prevalent in girls (p Conclusions Most middle school runners reported a history of running-related injuries and certain injuries differing by gender. Modifiable factors with the greatest association with running-related injuries included training volume, dietary restraint, skipping meals, and less sleep. Sport sampling, including participation in ball sports, may reduce running-related injury risk in this population.
Utility of WAIS-IV Digit Span indices as measures of performance validity in moderate to severe traumatic brain injury.

Objective: The addition of Sequencing to WAIS-IV Digit Span (DS) brought about new Reliable Digit Span (RDS) indices and an Age-Corrected Scaled Score that includes Sequencing trials. Reports have indicated that these new performance validity tests (PVTs) are superior to the traditional RDS; however, comparisons in the context of known neurocognitive impairment are sparse. This study compared DS-derived PVT classification accuracies in a design that included adults with verified TBI. Methods: Participants included 64 adults with moderate-to-severe TBI (TBI), 51 healthy adults coached to simulate TBI (SIM), and 78 healthy comparisons (HC). Participants completed the WAIS-IV DS subtest in the context of a larger test battery. Results: Kruskal-Wallis tests indicated that all DS indices differed significantly across groups. Post hoc contrasts revealed that only RDS Forward and the traditional RDS differed significantly between SIM and TBI. ROC analyses indicated that RDS variables were comparable predictors of SIM vs. HC; however, the traditional RDS showed the highest sensitivity when approximating 90% specificity for SIM vs. TBI. A greater percentage of TBI scored RDS Sequencing < 1 compared to SIM and HC. Conclusion: In the context of moderate-to-severe TBI, the DS-derived PVTs showed comparable discriminability. However, the Greiffenstein et al. traditional RDS demonstrated the best classification accuracy with respect to specificity/sensitivity balance. This relative superiority may reflect that individuals with verified TBI are more likely to perseverate on prior instructions during DS Sequencing. Findings highlight the importance of including individuals with verified TBI when evaluating and developing PVTs.
Research Committee Update: Working with — and for — early-career researchers

Abstract Are you an early-career geoscientist or engineer? Have you heard about the SEG Research Committee? Either way, we want you to know how the committee plans to work with early-career scienti...
Virtualizing Analog Mesh Computers: The Case of a Photonic PDE Solving Accelerator

Innovative processor architectures play a critical role in sustaining performance improvements under severe limitations imposed by feature size and energy consumption. The Reconfigurable Optical Computer (ROC) is one such innovative, Post-Moore's Law processor. ROC is designed to solve partial differential equations in one shot as opposed to existing solutions, which are based on costly iterative computations. This is achieved by leveraging physical properties of a mesh of optical components that behave similarly to electrical resistances. However, building large photonic arrays to accommodate arbitrarily large problems is not yet feasible. It is also possible to have problems that are smaller than the size of the accelerator array. In both cases, virtualization is necessary. In this work, we introduce an architecture and methodology for light-weight virtualization of ROC. We show that overhead from virtualization is minimal, and our experimental results show two orders of magnitude increased speed as compared to microprocessor execution while keeping errors due to virtualization under 10%.
Absorption studies on tryptophan and acetyltryptophan.

SUMMARY Fasted rats were fed free or acetyltryptophan. The disappearance from the gastrointestinal tract and the concentrations in the blood were fol- lowed for 10 hours. Free n-tryptophan was absorbed and utilized most rapidly and acetyl-D-tryptophan the least rapidly. Differences among the various isomers are discussed. BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. Gibson, Q. H., and Wiseman, G., Biochem. J., 48, 426 (1951). 2. Hetenyi, G., Jr., and Winter, M., Acta physiol. acad. se. Hung., 3, 49 (1952). 3. Agar, W. T., Hird, F. J. R., and Sidhu, G. S., J. Physiol., 121, 255 (1953). 4. Langner, R. R., and Edmonds, E. J., J. Biol. Chem., 223, 577 (1956). 5. Berg, C. P., and Bauguess, L. C., J. Biol. Chem., 98, 171 (1932). 6. du Vigneaud, V., Sealock, R. R., and Van Etten, C., J. Biol. Chem., 98,565 (1932). 7. Baldwin, H. R., and Berg, C. P., J. Nub., 39,203 (1949). 8. Langner, R. R., and Volkmann, C. M., J. Biol. Chem., 213,433 (1955). 9. du Vigneaud, V., and Sealock, R. R., J. Biol. Chem., 96,511 (1932). 10. Greene, R. D., and Black, A., J. Biol. Chem., 166, 1 (1944). 11. Wooley, J. G., and Sebrell, W. H., J. Biol. Chem., 167, 141 (1945). 12. Shaw, J. L. D., and McFarlane, W. D., Canad. J. Res., Sect. B, 16, 361 (1938). 13. Gesterling, M. J., and Rose, W. C., J. Biol. Chem., 196, 33 (1952). 14. Celander, D. R., and Berg, C. P., J. Biol. Chem., 202, 339 (1953).
Regulation of Two Aspartokinases in Bacillus subtilis

When grown on minimal glucose medium, transformable Bacillus subtilis strains contained two distinct aspartokinases (ATP:l-aspartate 4-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.2.4). One of these enzymes was inhibited by l-lysine (Lys), whereas the other was insensitive to inhibition but was activated by l-leucine. None of the other amino acids tested had any effect, and the addition of l-threonine did not enhance the inhibition by Lys, in contrast to the concerted inhibition observed for other bacilli. At the end of exponential growth, the Lys-sensitive aspartokinase activity decreased, whereas the Lys-insensitive activity remained relatively constant throughout the stationary phase. The two activities were separated by (NH4)2SO4 fractionation and Sephadex G-200 chromatography. Growth in the presence of Lys reduced the specific activity of aspartokinase by about 50% and eliminated the inhibition by Lys. In extracts of these cells, only Lys-insensitive activity was found upon (NH4)2SO4 fractionation and Sephadex G-200 chromatography. Lys apparently repressed the synthesis of the Lys-sensitive enzyme.
A Wicksellian Alternative to the IS-LM Model

This paper proposes a Wicksellian alternative to the IS-LM/AS-AD model that serves as the centerpiece of most intermediate macroeconomics textbooks. The model has a simple, intuitive structure that is consistent with modern monetary theory and the actual operating procedures of the Federal Reserve. The model centers on the market for bank reserves, the term structure of interest rates, the IS relationship, and the AS or Phillips curve relationship. The model allows for a simpler analysis of monetary policy than the traditional IS-LM/AS-AD model and is more in tune with what students encounter in the popular media. It can be used to analyze a number of interesting issues in monetary policy that are difficult to handle in the IS-LM/AS-AD framework, including the effect of anticipated changes in interest rates, the effect of anticipated budget deficits, and the optimal monetary policy response to changes in inflation expectations. The model can easily be simplified for use in a principles course or extended for use in upper-level macroeconomics courses.
Bioprospecting in the Berkeley pit: Bio active metabolites from acid mine waste extremophiles

Abstract The Berkeley Pit Lake system in Butte, Montana is part of the largest EPA Superfiind site in North America. It includes Berkeley Pit Lake, an abandoned open-pit copper mine, 1300 feet deep and one mile across. During its thirty years of operation the Pit and surrounding deep shaft mines were dewatered through constant pumping. On Earth Day 1982 the pumps were turned off for the last time, and the Pit began to evolve into an acid mine waste lake. As infiltrating ground water continually seeps into the Pit, rich veins of pyrite and other minerals dissolve, generating acid in the process. There are currently 30 billion gallons of water in the Pit, with an inflow rate of 4 million gallons/day. The water is acidic (pH 2.5 - 2.7) and contaminated with high concentrations of metal sulfates including iron, copper, aluminum, cadmium and zinc. Unfortunately, the Pit Lake system sits at the headwaters of the Clark Fork River, a major tributary of the Columbia River. If the water rises another 200 feet, it will reach the critical overflow level. At the current rate of rise, the critical level will be reached in approximately ten years. Although the chemical dynamics and possible remediation strategies of the Pit Lake have been studied for twenty years, the microbial ecology was neglected. With its low pH and high metal content, it was considered too toxic to support life. Since 1995, however, with colleague Grant Mitman, we have isolated over sixty fungi, protists, algae, protozoans and bacteria. Although conditions within the Pit Lake System are toxic for “normal” aquatic biota, these same conditions represent an ideal environment for extremophiles. This hostile environment may also select for new species that produce novel secondary metabolites. It can be a challenge isolating and culturing these extremophiles, but it is the unique challenge of drug discovery to find methods for targeting the bioactive components in these organisms.
Promoter analysis of Helicobacter pylori genes with enhanced expression at low pH

Summary To identify Helicobacter pylori genes with expression that is enhanced under low pH conditions, we used subtractive hybridization methodology. We identified 28 acid-induced genes, of which 18 have known or putative functions. Six pairs of genes were co-transcribed. Primer extension analysis identified single or multiple transcriptional start points (tsp) for 14 of the 22 loci. Sequence analysis of the −10 regions upstream of the tsps revealed consensus motifs for multiple RNA polymerase sigma factors present in H. pylori (σ80, σ54 and σ28). No sequences resembling the −35 Escherichia coli consensus sequence (TTGACA) were present upstream of any of the genes. Both increased gene transcription and decreased mRNA decay contribute to the observed increase in H. pylori transcript abundance at acid pH. These studies document the complex response of H. pylori to environmental pH changes, and provide insight into mechanisms used for intragastric survival.
Prenatal choline supplementation mitigates behavioral alterations associated with prenatal alcohol exposure in rats

BACKGROUND Prenatal alcohol exposure can alter physical and behavioral development, leading to a range of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). Despite warning labels, pregnant women continue to drink alcohol, creating a need to identify effective interventions to reduce the severity of alcohol’s teratogenic effects. Choline is an essential nutrient that influences brain and behavioral development. Recent studies indicate that choline supplementation can reduce the teratogenic effects of developmental alcohol exposure. The present study examined whether choline supplementation during prenatal ethanol treatment could mitigate the adverse effects of ethanol on behavioral development.
A method for rapid gain-of- function studies in the mouse embryonic nervous system

We used ultrasound image-guided injections of high-titer retroviral vectors to obtain widespread introduction of genes into the mouse nervous system in utero as early as embryonic day 8.5 (E8.5). The vectors used included internal promoters that substantially improved proviral gene expression in the ventricular zone of the brain. To demonstrate the utility of this system, we extended our previous work in vitro by infecting the telencephalon in vivo as early as E8.5 with a virus expressing Sonic Hedgehog. Infected embryos showed gross morphological brain defects, as well as ectopic expression of ventral telencephalic markers characteristic of either the medial or lateral ganglionic eminences.
Current-voltage characteristics from an asymptotic analysis of the MOSFET equations

Phenomenological formulae for the current-voltage characteristics of a MOSFET are derived by extending the asymptotic method of Ward. Practical methods for combining the perturbation approximations and numerically implementing the Ward equations are developed. A detailed comparison with real MOSFET data is presented and the model is shown to be effective over a range of device geometries.
On the relationship of electrostatic cyclotron harmonic emissions with electron injections and dipolarization fronts

Electron cyclotron harmonic (ECH) waves in Earth's magnetotail have long been considered a potential driver of diffuse aurora. Because of observational constraints prohibiting theoretical progress, however, no consensus on the plasma conditions that enable excitation and observation of these waves has emerged, especially in the outer magnetosphere. Intense ECH waves are often observed upon arrival of fast earthward flows, which in turn are correlated with particle injections, and dipolarization fronts (DFs) in the plasma sheet. Using THEMIS observations, we investigate the relationship between such waves and electron injections, relevant for linear growth rates, and DFs, relevant for wave propagation. We find that >70% of ECH waves are correlated with injections and >50% of the waves are correlated with DFs. The median time lag for ECH wave onsets relative to local particle injection and DF onset is ~500 s and ~60 s, respectively. When ECH waves are correlated with both DFs and injections, injections are observed to occur first, then DFs, shortly followed by ECH waves. We discuss possible mechanisms leading to the intensification of ECH waves under different dynamic conditions, which helps to elucidate excitation of these waves in the outer magnetosphere.
Cold-Water Immersion for Hyperthermic Humans Wearing American Football Uniforms

Context: Current treatment recommendations for American football players with exertional heatstroke are to remove clothing and equipment and immerse the body in cold water. It is unknown if wearing...
A fuzzy decision system for ultrasonic prenatal examination enhancement

A fuzzy decision system has been successfully developed to semi-automate noninvasive examination of the fetus. Such a system can be helpful in reducing costs, minimizing exposure of the fetus to ultrasonic radiation, and providing a uniform examination and interpretation of the results. The system relies on pre-processing of the captured image followed by decisional algorithms in the form of a series of If-Then rules. Typical measurements of the head circumference, abdominal circumference, and femur length are used to arrive at appropriate membership functions. The inference system developed identifies almost 96% of the fetal types correctly, indicating that the use of fuzzy inference systems to assist in the analysis of ultrasonic fetal examinations is very promising.
Rec dependence of Mu transposition from P22-transduced fragments

Derivatives of bacteriophage Mu carrying a lac operon and a selectable drug resistance element (Mu d phages) are frequently used tools of bacterial genetics. Mu d prophages used in this way can be treated as transposons, in that the inserted material can be transduced from one strain to another by general transducing phages, such as P1 and P22. When a Mu d prophage is transduced into a new recipient by P1 or P22, the Mu d element can transpose from the transduced fragment into the bacterial chromosome. Transposition of the Mu d element from a P22-transduced fragment shows several striking differences from transposition of a Mu d genome injected by a Mu virion. First, the frequency of transposition from a transduced fragment is greatly enhanced by a P22 helper genome. Second, transposition requires the host recA, B, and C functions. Transposition of Mu following injection by a Mu virion is rec independent. While the basis of these observations is not understood, we suggest that the Mu X protein, a 65-kilodalton protein injected by a Mu virion and required for Mu transposition, may not be packaged by P22. We suggest that the effects seen reflect the behavior of a Mu genome in the absence of the X protein.
Adjusting for measurement error to assess health effects of variability in biomarkers

Longitudinal studies of health effects often relate individuals' biomarker levels to disease progression. Repeated measurements also provide an opportunity to assess within-individual biomarker variability, and it is reasonable to postulate that this measure might provide additional information about a particular outcome variable. Given the existing precedent for application of adjustment methods to account for measurement error in subject-specific average levels of a covariate, this concept motivates the application of such methods to incorporate variability as well. In this paper, we investigate the nature of the relationship between the decline of CD4 cell count induced by infection with human immunodeficiency virus, and CD4 level and variability prior to infection. We first describe the distribution of repeated CD4 measurements prior to infection using a model that accounts both for random average levels and random subject-specific variance components. Based on this model, we define true unobservable random variables that correspond to prior level and stability. We perform a linear regression analysis, using these latent variables as covariates, by means of a full maximum likelihood approach. We compare the resulting parameter estimates with those based on regressions employing sample-based estimates of pre-infection levels and variances, and empirical Bayes estimates of these quantities. Although the final inferences are similar to those based on the unadjusted analysis, we find that the magnitude of association with prior level decreases, while that with prior stability increases. Stratified analyses indicate that smoking status affects the relationship between prior CD4 level and initial CD4 decline. We point out advantages associated with the maximum likelihood approach in this particular application.
Monolithic Microprocessor and RF Transceiver for Low-Power Mobile Applications

In recent years the demand has surged for low-power and small form-factor wireless communications devices. Coupled with the migration of desktop computing to mobile computing, a new market is merging for portable products that combine wireless communications and high-performance computing. The evolution of semiconductor device technology toward the deep submicron regime is enabling the development of CMOS RF communications circuits which are amenable to monolithic integration with existing mixed-signal processes. A 1.2- micron bulk CMOS process has been used to develop a monolithic architecture consisting of an 8-bit RISC microprocessor, a 256-byte SRAM memory, power management, and a 400-MHz RF transceiver. The logic portion of the IC operates at 50 MHz, and the RF transceiver achieves a data transmission rate of 16 kb/sec with a 10 kHz bandwidth. On- chip power regulation minimizes supply glitches due to logic switching, and power management is provided to minimize the standby power dissipation of idle components. This IC demonstrates the potential of CMOS to deliver a low-power architecture for computing and wireless communication.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Pectin methylesterase from the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae): Purification and characterization

Abstract A pectin methylesterase was purified to apparent homogeneity from the adult rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.), by Q-Sepharose and S-Sepharose chromatographies followed by high-performance anion-exchange chromatography. The resulting preparation is the first pectin methylesterase which has been purified from any animal species, although at this point we cannot rule out the possibility that the enzyme is produced by a symbiotic microorganism. The molecular mass of the enzyme was estimated as 38 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This mass is similar to those of pectin methylesterases previously isolated from bacteria, fungi, and plants. The purified enzyme had a broad pH optimum between 6 and 7, which appears consistent with the enzyme's probable site of action, the gut.
Three-dimensional magnetotelluric modeling using difference equations­ Theory and comparisons to integral equation solutions

We have developed an algorithm for computing the magnetotelluric response of three‐dimensional (3-D) earth models. It is a difference equation algorithm that is based on the integral forms of Maxwell’s equations rather than the differential forms. This formulation does not require approximating derivatives of earth properties or electromagnetic fields, as happens when using the second‐order vector diffusion equation. Rather, one must determine how averages are to be computed. Side boundary values for the H fields are obtained from putting two‐dimensional (2-D) slices of the model into a larger‐scale 2-D model and solving for the fields at the 3-D boundary positions. To solve the 3-D system of equations, we propagate an impedance matrix, which relates all the horizontal E fields in a layer to all the horizontal H fields in that same layer, up through the earth model. Applying a plane‐wave source condition and the side boundary H field values allows us to solve for the unknown fields within the model. The r...
Thigmomorphogenesis: A Detailed Characterization of the Response of Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to Mechanical Stimulation

Summary The morphogenetic effects of mechanical stimulation of the first true internode of young plants of Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Red Cherokee Bush, have been shown to be a 46 % retardation of elongation of the stem, accompanied by a thickening of the stimulated internode, and ultimately, a retardation of anthesis. The optimal standard conditions for the thigmomorphogenetic effect are: rubbing 5 to 10 times with moderate pressure between the thumb and forefinger, once each day; while the plants are grown under a 16 hr photoperiod of bright light (fluorescent + incandescent lamps providing incident irradiation across the visible spectrum of 22.000 ergs cm -2 sec -1 ) at 24°C. Young internodes respond best and stimuli consisting of rubbing, bending or gusts of wind are all satisfactory. The response can also be demonstrated in explanted green internodes as well as in hypocotyls of intact etiolated plants. In the latter case, far red light does not reverse the effect of rubbing.
Screening and Prevention of Extracolonic Cancers in Patients with Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colon Cancer

Hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer is the most common cause of hereditary colon cancer and results from defects in mismatch repair genes that create the phenomenon of microsatellite instability. Apart from the high risk of colon cancer, these patients are at increased risk of multiple malignancies, including endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, small bowel tumors, gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer, and multiple other extraintestinal tumors. Routine colonoscopy for patients with hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer has become standard and is widely accepted, but screening regimens for other organs remain matters of debate. Inadequacies detected in attempted surveillance methods have led some authors to call for prophylactic surgery as an alternative strategy in cancer prevention.
On the linear elastic, isotropic modeling of poroelastic distributed vibration absorbers at low frequencies

Abstract Several past works have considered a passive vibration absorber device utilizing distributed mass and spring layers. The thickness of the poroelastic foam spring and the area density of the mass layer are modified to achieve a target natural frequency of the device while the foam itself provides adequate dissipation of energy as the mass dynamically compresses it at resonance. A model of the device earlier developed is briefly reviewed and validated by new experiments. The dependence of the absorber natural frequency and damping on the poroelastic spring thickness is observed in detail and is found to be consistent with past work on poroelastic material elastic characteristics outside of the linear dynamic regime. The results set a practical limit on the applicability of linearity assumptions in the present modeling of the distributed poroelastic vibration absorbers and thus determine a design parameter range for which the computationally efficient model is accurate.
Second harmonic generation with optical vortices in negative-index metamaterials

We discuss the backward phase-matched process in negative index metamaterials with quadratic nonlinearity, resulting in generation of a backward propagating vortex with simultaneously doubled frequency, orbital angular momentum and reversed rotation direction of the wavefront.
Existence of multiple quasifixed points of mixed monotone operators by iterative techniques

Fixed point theorems of mixed monotone operators by iterative technique in a Banach space with the ordering relative to cone K. The notion of coupled quasi-fixed points is introduced and the main result shows their existence.
MEASUREMENT OF THE SUBLAYER VELOCITY PROFILE WITH POLYMER ADDITIVE

Several laser beam techniques measuring the velocity profile at the micro-interface between a polymer coated boundary flow and water were investigated. A method based on the Doppler effect of scattered light from trace particles in the fluid was first studied. The spatial resolution of this technique was found to be too poor for the present application. A second method based on the detection through a microscope of the scintillating light from trace particles was also investigated. The microscope was found to be adequate to provide the necessary spatial resolution (within 20mu); however, the light intensity of the scintillating patterns created by a low power laser beam was found to be too weak for detection by a photomultiplier tube. The technique finally adopted was simply to measure the mean elapsed time of illuminated trace particles traveling between two fixed slits placed at the image plane of the eyepiece of the microscope. The spatial resolution of this technique was further improved by focusing the illuminating laser beam to a small width of 20mu. The narrow beam was set parallel to and centered on the objective plane of the microscope. Flow profiles with a spatial resolution of 20mu have been achieved. Some turbulent flow profiles in a pipe are investigated. The existence of a slip layer is positively identified.
Doppler Imaging in Aortic Stenosis: The Importance of the Nonapical Imaging Windows to Determine Severity in a Contemporary Cohort.

Background Although the highest aortic valve velocity was thought to be obtained from imaging windows other than the apex in about 20% of patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS), its occurrence appears to be increasing as the age of patients has increased with the application of transcatheter aortic valve replacement. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency with which the highest peak jet velocity (V max ) is found at each imaging window, the degree to which neglecting nonapical imaging windows underestimates AS severity, and factors influencing the location of the optimal imaging window in contemporary patients. Methods Echocardiograms obtained in 100 consecutive patients with severe AS from January 3 to May 23, 2012, in which all imaging windows were interrogated, were retrospectively analyzed. AS severity (aortic valve area and mean gradient) was calculated on the basis of the apical imaging window alone and the imaging window with the highest peak jet velocity. The left ventricular–aortic root angle measured in the parasternal long-axis view as well as clinical variables were correlated with the location of highest peak jet velocity. Results V max was most frequently obtained in the right parasternal window (50%), followed by the apex (39%). Subjects with acute angulation more commonly had V max at the right parasternal window (65% vs 43%, P = .05) and less commonly had V max at the apical window (19% vs 48%, P = .005), but V max was still located outside the apical imaging window in 52% of patients with obtuse aortic root angles. If nonapical windows were neglected, 8% of patients (eight of 100) were misclassified from high-gradient severe AS to low-gradient severe AS, and another 15% (15 of 100) with severe AS (aortic valve area 2 ) were misclassified as having moderate AS (aortic valve area > 1.0 cm 2 ). Conclusions In this contemporary cohort, V max was located outside the apical imaging window in 61% of patients, and neglecting the nonapical imaging windows resulted in the misclassification of AS severity in 23% of patients. Aortic root angulation as measured by two-dimensional echocardiography influences the location of V max modestly. Despite increasing time constraints on many echocardiography laboratories, these data confirm that routine Doppler interrogation from multiple imaging windows is critical to accurately determine the severity of AS in contemporary clinical practice.
Glucagonlike peptide-2 analogue enhances intestinal mucosal mass and absorptive function after ischemia-reperfusion injury

Abstract Background/Purpose: This study was designed to explore the efficacy of a synthetic analogue of glucagonlike peptide-2 (GLP-2α) in enhancing mucosal mass and absorptive function in a rat model of intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) injury. Methods: Each of 20 Sprague-Dawley rats underwent placement of a jugular venous catheter connected to a subcutaneous osmotic pump designed to deliver its contents over 3 days. Rats were divided into 4 groups (n = 5 per group): (1) normal intestine/saline infusion; (2) 30-minute superior mesenteric artery occlusion/saline infusion, (3) normal intestine/GLP-2α infusion, and (4) 30-minute superior mesenteric artery occlusion/GLP-2α infusion. Subsequently, mean mucosal 14 C-galactose and 14 C-glycine absorption and DNA content were determined for each group. Results: In saline-treated rats, 30 minutes of mesenteric ischemia decreased mean mucosal galactose absorption by 29% ( P P =.12), and DNA content by 28% ( P P P P P P Conclusions: Thirty minutes of intestinal ischemia followed by immediate reperfusion significantly decreased mucosal mass and absorptive function, validating this rat model of I-R injury. After mesenteric I-R, GLP-2α significantly increased mucosal DNA content and absorption of 14 C-galactose and 14 C-glycine when compared with untreated control rats. After I-R injury, GLP-2α restored mucosal mass and absorptive function to normal or above-normal levels. J Pediatr Surg 35:1537-1539. Copyright © 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company.
Comparative Epigenomic Annotation of Regulatory DNA

Despite the explosive growth of genomic data, functional annotation of regulatory sequences remains difficult. Here, we introduce "comparative epigenomics"-interspecies comparison of DNA and histone modifications-as an approach for annotation of the regulatory genome. We measured in human, mouse, and pig pluripotent stem cells the genomic distributions of cytosine methylation, H2A.Z, H3K4me1/2/3, H3K9me3, H3K27me3, H3K27ac, H3K36me3, transcribed RNAs, and P300, TAF1, OCT4, and NANOG binding. We observed that epigenomic conservation was strong in both rapidly evolving and slowly evolving DNA sequences, but not in neutrally evolving sequences. In contrast, evolutionary changes of the epigenome and the transcriptome exhibited a linear correlation. We suggest that the conserved colocalization of different epigenomic marks can be used to discover regulatory sequences. Indeed, seven pairs of epigenomic marks identified exhibited regulatory functions during differentiation of embryonic stem cells into mesendoderm cells. Thus, comparative epigenomics reveals regulatory features of the genome that cannot be discerned from sequence comparisons alone.
Evolutionary optimization of a geometrically refined truss

Structural optimization is a field of research that has experienced noteworthy growth for many years. Researchers in this area have developed optimization tools to successfully design and model structures, typically minimizing mass while maintaining certain deflection and stress constraints. Numerous optimization studies have been performed to minimize mass, deflection, and stress on a benchmark cantilever truss problem. Predominantly traditional optimization theory is applied to this problem. The cross-sectional area of each member is optimized to minimize the aforementioned objectives. This Technical Publication (TP) presents a structural optimization technique that has been previously applied to compliant mechanism design. This technique demonstrates a method that combines topology optimization, geometric refinement, finite element analysis, and two forms of evolutionary computation: genetic algorithms and differential evolution to successfully optimize a benchmark structural optimization problem. A nontraditional solution to the benchmark problem is presented in this TP, specifically a geometrically refined topological solution. The design process begins with an alternate control mesh formulation, multilevel geometric smoothing operation, and an elastostatic structural analysis. The design process is wrapped in an evolutionary computing optimization toolset.
Bode Integral Limitations of Spatially Invariant Multi-Agent Systems

We study the performance of spatially invariant plants interconnected through a static network. Such structures commonly arise in multi-agent systems and systems described by partial differential equations with constant coefficients. We introduce a new notion of Bode sensitivity integral for such interconnections of systems. We comment on a new Waterbed effect in two dimensions, space and time and evaluate examples to show the role of Bode Integral as a fundamental limitation in feedback interconnection of distributed systems.
The photocyclization of a hydrazone to an indazole

UV irradiation of thin films of p-diethylaminobenzaldehyde diphenyl-hydrazone (1) produces 1-phenyl-3-(4-diethylamino-1-phenyl)-1,3-indazole (2) as the major photoproduct. A proposed mechanism for the reaction, which involves a photocyclization followed by an oxidation, is similar to the photocyclization of diphenylamine to carbazole and stilbene to phenanthrene. In order to gain more insight into the solid state photoreaction, and X-ray crystal structure analysis was performed on 1 to determine the geometry of the diphenylamine group relative to the hydrazone moiety. An X-ray structural analysis was also attempted for 2. In this case, however, owing to problems associated with crystal growth, we could establish the structure only qualitatively.
The role of stimulus salience in young children's ability to discriminate two-dimensional rotations: Reflections on a paradigm

Abstract Children's ability to discriminate reflections and rotations of visual stimuli was examined within the confines of a mental rotation task. It was hypothesized that success would be affected by both characteristics of the stimulus and by the subtlety of the discrimination required. Forty 3- to 4-year-old children were directed to mentally rotate a stimulus a given number of degrees and to discriminate the appearance of the rotated stimulus from among a set of alternatives. Four stimuli differing in the number of visual orientation cues were utilized across 24 trials. A significant effect was found for number of orientation cues, and data indicated the difficulty children experienced detecting reflections, a task which bears close resemblance to the yes/no option in prototypic rotation studies. Children were only successful with a limited range of stimuli when discrimination of a reflected foil was not required. Results are discussed in light of discrepant findings about children's kinetic imagery ability and the advisability of using this particular paradigm with young Children.