cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dissipation Function in Hyperbolic Thermoelasticity

The equations governing two hyperbolic thermoelasticity theories (with one or with two relaxation times) are examined from the standpoint of thermodynamics with internal variables, i.e., employing the free energy and the dissipation function explicitly. In the case of thermoelasticity with one relaxation time (the Lord–Shulman model), the derivation relies on an extended state space and a representation theory of Edelen. In the case of thermoelasticity with two relaxation times (the Green–Lindsay model), the derivation process by simply using the thermodynamic orthogonality of Ziegler.
Paper: Problem size scaling in the presence of parallel overhead

In this paper we study the performance of applications on multiprocessor systems. In particular we investigate the effect of synchronization and parallelization overhead where the fact that part of the application may be inherently sequential is taken into account. By relating our assumptions to an earlier work by Flatt and Kennedy we establish that the overhead function can be characterized using the concept of convex functions. In order to observe a satisfactory payoff for increased processing power it is essential to increase the problem size accordingly. We discuss linear and nonlinear scaling schemes and compare the corresponding asymptotic performance behaviour. Throughout this investigation we profit from the well developed mathematical apparatus of convex functions.
Disruptiveness of innovations: measurement and an assessment of reliability and validity

Strategic management scholars have long explored the broad topic of innovation, a cornerstone in creating competitive advantage. Any attempt at theory construction in this area must encompass reliable and valid measures for key innovation characteristics. Yet, with respect to an important construct, i.e., disruptiveness of innovations, there has been relatively little academic research. Without formalizing the disruptiveness concept with a reliable and valid measure, it is difficult to conduct rigorous research to uncover the causes of the innovator's dilemma and identify mechanisms to help incumbents develop such innovations. In this paper, we develop a scale for the disruptiveness of innovations. We collected data from senior executives (vice president or general manager level) at 199 strategic business units (SBUs) in 38 Fortune 500 corporations and performed a series of analyses to establish the reliability and validity of the disruptiveness scale. The reliability measures, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and subsequent statistical tests strongly support our measure. Further, we also present nomological validity of the disruptiveness construct, thus establishing its predictive validity. Thus, this paper distinguishes the disruptiveness concept from other established innovation constructs, such as radicalness and competency destroying. Finally, we discuss the significance of our results and how this study might be useful to other researchers. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Toward onboard estimation of physiological phase for an epicardial crawling robot

HeartLander is a miniature mobile robot which adheres to and crawls over the surface of the beating heart to provide therapies in a minimally invasive manner. Although HeartLander inherently provides a stable operating platform, the motion of the surface of the heart remains an important factor in the operation of the robot. The quasi-periodic motion of the heart due to physiological cycles, respiration and the heartbeat, affects the ability of the robot to move, as well as localize accurately. In order to improve locomotion efficiency, as well as register different locations on the heart in physiological phase, two methods of identifying physiological phases are presented: sliding-window-based and model-based. In the sliding-window-based approach a vector of previous measurements is compared to previously learned motion templates to determine the current physiological phases, while the modelbased approach learns a Fourier series model of the motion, and uses this model to estimate the current physiological phases using an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF). The two methods, while differing in approach, produce similarly accurate results on data recorded from animal experiments in vivo.
Reparative resynchronization in ischemic heart failure: An emerging strategy

Cardiac dyssynchrony refers to disparity in cardiac wall motion, a serious consequence of myocardial infarction associated with poor outcome. Infarct-induced scar is refractory to device-based cardiac resynchronization therapy, which relies on viable tissue. Leveraging the prospect of structural and functional regeneration, reparative resynchronization has emerged as a potentially achievable strategy. In proof-of-concept studies, stem-cell therapy eliminates contractile deficit originating from infarcted regions and secures long-term synchronization with tissue repair. Limited clinical experience suggests benefit of cell interventions in acute and chronic ischemic heart disease as adjuvant to standard of care. A regenerative resynchronization option for dyssynchronous heart failure thus merits validation.
Coronary artery bypass graft surgery depletes plasma thiamine levels.

Abstract Objective Thiamine is an essential component of cellular metabolism, and lack of this vitamin results in a potentially life-threatening biochemical lesion. The stress of surgery and critical disease depletes electrolytes, minerals, and essential biochemical substrates. We hypothesized that critical illness (represented by major surgery) would result in decreased thiamine levels over time. Methods We performed a prospective, observational study of serial thiamine levels of 15 patients who underwent non-emergent coronary artery bypass graft surgery. The primary endpoint was change in thiamine levels from before to immediately after surgery. Secondary endpoints included change in thiamine levels from presurgical to 6- and 24-h time points. Results Of the 15 study patients, 1 did not have a plasma thiamine measurement at time 0 because of laboratory error and could not be accounted for in paired comparisons over time. Plasma thiamine levels decreased significantly from before to after coronary artery bypass grafting ( P =0.0004). In addition, there was a statistically significant decrease in thiamine levels from before surgery to 24h ( P =0.003). Conclusion Our data suggest that major surgery (as a surrogate for the stress of critical illness) depletes thiamine levels; further study is needed to determine whether routine replacement of thiamine in the critically ill is warranted.
AGE-RELATED CHANGES IN CHILDREN'S USE OF THE DISCOUNTING HEURISTIC: COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT OR LINGUISTIC CONFUSION?

Dalenberg, Bierman, and Furman suggest that kindergartners' failure to employ a discounting heuristic in previous studies may be a function of inadequate understanding of the questions asked of them. Using a methodology of questioning different from previous research, Dalenberg, et al. concluded that kindergartners do use the heuristic. However, review of their 1984 data indicates little support for that conclusion. While second graders and fourth graders increasingly used the heuristic, the data provided for kindergartners more fully support prior research in which such use was weak or entirely absent. It is concluded that real and often profound changes in social cognitive processing do occur between the ages of five and ten.
Structural Aspects of Aqueous Tetraalkylammonium Salt Solutions

Various thermodynamic and spectroscopic investigations on aqueous tetraalkylammonium salt solutions are reviewed from a structural viewpoint. At present, it is not yet clear what kind of water structure is formed around the alkyl groups of the large cations. However, the importance of “cosphere” overlap and ion-ion interaction (cation-anion, cation-cation, cation-anion-cation, etc.) in determining the solution properties are emerging more clearly. In this regard, model calculations based on the approach of Friedman and his coworkers are expected to be of considerable value.
Survey of Arthropods in Grape Vineyards of Erie County, Pennsylvania: Neuroptera

Intensive sampling of commercial Concord grape vineyards in North East, PA during 1971–73 revealed the presence of 5 chrysopid species and 5 hemerobiid species. Four species each of Chrysopidae and Hemerobiidae were collected during this period in fencerow areas bordering commercial vineyards, while only 2 chrysopids and one hemerobiid were collected in an abandoned vineyard. Chrysopids collected were, in descending order of abundance, Chrysopa oculata Say, C. carnea Stephens, C. rufilabris Stephens, C. harrisii Fitch, and C. quadripunctata Burmeister. Hemerobiids collected were, in descending order of abundance, Micromus posticus (Walker), M. subanticus (Walker), Hemerobius humulinus L., H. stigmaterus Fitch, and Sympherobius amiculus (Fitch). Neuroptera began activity in vineyards mainly during Aug. and reached a peak in Sept. Vineyard sprays of carbaryl appeared to delay build-up of lacewing populations, although total numbers collected in sprayed vs. unsprayed plots were not significantly different.
Illustrated Reference Books: Technological, Intellectual and Economic Developments

At one time, reference librarians considered a good illustrated reference book to be one in which the plates were bound near the text they illustrated, rather than all together at the back of the volume. Now there is an increasing number of reference books with high quality illustrations on almost every page, including works that have been designed around their graphic content. This article explores technological, intellectual, and economic developments that have contributed to this situation. Using recently published reference works as examples, the article argues that these developments have produced dramatic changes in the relationship between the text and illustrations in reference books, as well as important changes in the relationships between the informational content of reference works and the functions of book authorship and publishing. Criteria currently used for the evaluation of reference books, based as they are on characteristics of verbal or text material and on the assumption of traditional relationships among authors, publishers, and the content of reference volumes, are not sufficient for the selection and use of today's heavily illustrated works. Some suggestions toward the development of more appropriate criteria are made.
Differential mobility spectrometry: a valuable technology for analyzing challenging biological samples

“Implementing differential mobility spectrometry in an LC–MS bioanalytical assay can simplify sample preparation methods and enhance selectivity at the same time.”
Introduction to the minitrack on data warehousing and business intelligence

Data warehousing and business intelligence continues to evolve as a field to address new trends in the marketplace, such as compliance and privacy, managing and leveraging unstructured data, and real-time, tactical decision making. One set of papers in this year?s Data Warehousing and Business Intelligence Minitrack investigates how the field is meeting changing business needs.
On Explaining Individual and Corporate Culpability in the Global Climate Change Era

Humans are causing global climate change (GCC), and such climate change causes harms. Robin Attfield explained how individuals should be understood to be culpable for these harms. In this paper, I use a critical analysis of Attfield’s explanatory framework to explore further difficulties in accounting for corporate responsibility for these harms. I begin by arguing that there are some problems with his framework as it is applied to individuals that emit greenhouse gases (GHGs). I then show that it will be very difficult to extend this framework to corporations. This is not a criticism of Attfield’s work (as he does not discuss corporate responsibility for those harms associated with GCC), but it will serve to show the difficulty in philosophically explaining corporations’ moral culpability when it comes to these harms. In fact, one positive conclusion of this paper is that it highlights a new area of concern that has been ignored in discussions of corporate responsibilities—that of mediated responsibilities—which is how Attfield understands our responsibilities regarding GCC. The discussion of this concern will draw attention to another positive conclusion of this paper: the harms associated with CO2 are very unlike the harms associated with other airborne-emitted substances, which will indicate that we will need new ways of understanding how individuals and corporations are philosophically responsible for these harms. The final positive conclusion of this paper will be a discussion of what the constraints should be on new approaches to explaining our culpability.
The National Cancer Institute's intervention trials.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has increased its emphasis in cancer prevention by undertaking a number of human intervention trials. Special emphasis is placed on chemoprevention, diet, and smoking and tobacco use. Some 24 clinical trials are ongoing in chemoprevention to assess the role of specific chemicals (natural and synthetic) in preventing, inhibiting, or reversing carcinogenesis. In diet and nutrition, several macronutrient trials are underway. The most significant of these is examining the relationship between dietary fat and breast cancer. In 1982, the NCI initiated a broad intervention research effort in smoking and tobacco use which has resulted in 46 prevention and clinical trials covering 25 states and more than 200 cities. More recently, a North American community-based intervention trial was begun to test cessation strategies for heavy smokers in 22 different sites. All of these intervention research efforts are testing strategies which later can be applied to large target populations thereby supporting NCI's ambitious goal to reduce cancer mortality in this nation 50% by the year 2000.
Conductance of niobium oxide tunnel barriers

Abstract The conductance of plasma-grown oxide barriers on niobium films was measured in NbIPb tunnel junctions at 4.2 K and model parameters for the barriers were deduced. Prolonged oxidation leads to greater barrier heights. Oxygen vacancies in the barrier are invoked to explain barrier asymmetry.
Effect of forebrain ablation on long-term retention of an appetitive discrimination by goldfish.

4 normal and 4 forebrain-ablated fish were food-reinforced for correct choice in a circle-square discrimination task; both groups readily learned the task. When the fish were tested after 8 days of...
The RNA modification database

The RNA modification database provides a comprehensive listing of post-transcriptionally modified nucleosides from RNA and is maintained as an updated version of the initial printed report. Information provided includes: type(s) of RNA in which found and phylogenetic distribution; common chemical names and symbols; Chemical Abstracts registry numbers and index names; chemical structures; initial literature citations for structural characterization or occurrence and chemical synthesis. The data are available through the World Wide Web, anonymous ftp or from the authors in printed form.
Diffusion in Minerals: An Overview of Published Experimental Diffusion Data

Although geologists have been thinking and writing about diffusion in minerals, magmas, and rocks since early in the 20th century (e.g., Penrose 1914; Van Orstrand 1915; Bowen 1921; Eskola 1934; Duffell 1937; Reynolds 1947; Garrels 1949), very few experimental measurements of diffusion in minerals by geologists were published until the 1960’s. The development of commercial electron microprobes in the late 1960’s made it possible to measure compositional zoning in minerals on a micron scale, which provided both the motivation for and a means of determining diffusion coefficients. This led to a significant increase in the rate of publication of papers on diffusion in minerals during the 1970’s (see Fig. 1⇓). Other technological advances (e.g., secondary ion mass spectrometry) have further increased interest in diffusion data, leading to a continued growth of published diffusion coefficients and to the application of a host of experimental designs and measurement techniques (e.g., vapor deposition, Rutherford backscattering, nuclear reactions) that have expanded the range of measurable diffusivities (see Watson and Baxter 2007, Fig. 5⇓; Watson and Dohmen 2010; Cherniak et al. 2010). Figure 1. Numbers of published papers in the mineral diffusion database are shown here by date of publication on a bar graph. There were very few publications of experimentally determined diffusion coefficients for minerals until the 1970’s, but there has been significant growth in the publication rate of diffusion papers since then. As interest in diffusion and the number of published diffusion coefficients have grown, several compilations of diffusion data for minerals have been published to assist researchers in finding the data they need (Harrop 1968; Askill 1970; Freer 1980, 1981; Brady 1995). However, such reviews do not provide easy (electronic) access to the data and they become …
Qualitative Scientific Modeling and Loop Analysis

Loop analysis is a method of qualitative modeling anticipated by Sewall Wright (1921) and systematically developed by Richard Levins. In Levins’ (1966) distinctions between modeling strategies, loop analysis sacrifices precision for generality and realism. Besides criticizing the clarity of these distinctions, Orzack and Sober (1993) argued qualitative modeling is conceptually and methodologically problematic. Loop analysis of the stability of ecological communities shows this criticism is unjustified. It presupposes an overly narrow view of qualitative modeling and underestimates the broad role models play in scientific research, especially in helping scientists represent and understand complex systems.
Genetic and systems level analysis of Drosophila sticky/citron kinase and dFmr1 mutants reveals common regulation of genetic networks.

Background In Drosophila, the genes sticky and dFmr1 have both been shown to regulate cytoskeletal dynamics and chromatin structure. These genes also genetically interact with Argonaute family microRNA regulators. Furthermore, in mammalian systems, both genes have been implicated in neuronal development. Given these genetic and functional similarities, we tested Drosophila sticky and dFmr1 for a genetic interaction and measured whole genome expression in both mutants to assess similarities in gene regulation.
Hemoglobin provides protection against lethal endotoxemia in rats: the role of heme oxygenase-1.

Heme oxygenase (HO) catalyzes the rate-limiting step in the degradation of heme to bilirubin. HO-1 is highly induced by heme, its major substrate, and nonheme products, including metal ions and hormones. Interest in HO-1 has been stimulated recently by observations that HO-1 is also highly induced in response to oxidative stress in vitro. The physiologic significance of HO-1 induction following oxidant injury in vivo, however, is poorly understood. In a rat model of lipopolysaccharide endotoxin (LPS)-induced lung injury and sepsis, we demonstrate that the lung responds to LPS by expressing high levels of HO-1 mRNA and enzyme activity. We hypothesize that this HO-1 induction could play a critical role in the lung's defense against LPS. Pretreatment of rats with hemoglobin, a potent inducer of HO-1, resulted in HO-1 induction and more importantly provided complete protection against subsequent lethal endotoxemia (100% survival). Tin protoporphyrin, a competitive inhibitor of HO, blocked this protective effe...
Invariance Properties of Schoenberg's Tone Row System

This paper organizes in a systematic manner the major features of a general theory of /w-tone rows. A special case of this development is the twelve-tone row system of musical composition as introduced by Arnold Schoenberg and his Viennese school. The theory as outlined here applies to tone rows of arbitrary length, and can be applied to microtonal composition for electronic media.
Expedient media noise modeling: isolated and interacting transitions

We propose the triangle zig-zag transition (TZ-ZT) model as a faster alternative to micromagnetic media modeling. We present equations that relate the statistics of the TZ-ZT model to recording process parameters. Both isolated and interacting transitions are modeled. Simulation results show the performance of the model.
The Intracellular Concentration of Acetyl Phosphate in Escherichia coli Is Sufficient for Direct Phosphorylation of Two-Component Response Regulators

Acetyl phosphate, the intermediate of the AckA-Pta pathway, acts as a global signal in Escherichia coli. Although acetyl phosphate clearly signals through two-component response regulators, it remains unclear whether acetyl phosphate acts as a direct phospho donor or functions through an indirect mechanism. We used two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography to measure the relative concentrations of acetyl phosphate, acetyl coenzyme A, ATP, and GTP over the course of the entire growth curve. We estimated that the intracellular concentration of acetyl phosphate in wild-type cells reaches at least 3 mM, a concentration sufficient to activate two-component response regulators via direct phosphoryl transfer.
Visual query in medical image archive

This paper presents a technique for searching an image archive with visual examples. The technique described in this work is specifically targeted for searching anatomical image archives where it is difficult to obtain a symbolic description of the objects of interest. This technique is based on a new computing method called multidimensional holographic associative computing (MHAC). MHAC introduces object based search in associative computing. Unlike conventional associative computing methods, this new method can perform a search on the basis of scene objects or features present in a sample image. It also retains the usual advantages of associative computing, that is, their computational efficiency, and highly parallel and distributed nature of computation. This paper presents the design, query mechanism and performance of an experimental medical image archive (MEDIA) search system based on this new attention modulated computing technique. The MEDIA search system can retrieve from cue objects as small as 15-10% of the frame size of the sample query image, which far exceeds the capability of previous associative memories.
The F-buffer: a rasterization-order FIFO buffer for multi-pass rendering

Multi-pass rendering is a common method of virtualizing graphics hardware to overcome limited resources. Most current multi-pass rendering techniques use the RGBA framebuffer to store intermediate results between each pass. This method of storing intermediate results makes it difficult to correctly render partially-transparent surfaces, and reduces the performance of shaders that need to preserve more than one intermediate result between passes. We propose an alternative approach to storing intermediate results that solves these problems. This approach stores intermediate colors (or other values) that are generated by a rendering pass in a FIFO buffer as the values exit the fragment pipeline. On a subsequent pass, the contents of the FIFO buffer are fed into the top of the fragment pipeline. We refer to this FIFO buffer as a fragment-stream buffer (or F-buffer), because this approach has the effect of associating intermediate results with particular rasterization fragments, rather than with an (x,y) location in the framebuffer. Implementing an F-buffer requires some changes to current mainstream graphics architectures, but these changes can be minor. We describe the design space associated with implementing an F-buffer, and compare the F-buffer to recirculating pipeline designs. We implement F-buffers in the Mesa software renderer, and demonstrate our programmable-shading system running on top of this renderer.
Communication between Children

(1980). Communication between Children. Issues in Comprehensive Pediatric Nursing: Vol. 4, No. 4, pp. 1-15.
The Irish and their Nation: A Survey of Recent Attitudes

Introduction In a series of essays published in the months preceding the Easter Rising of 1916, Padraic Pearse expressed his thoughts about the Irish people and their nation. Echoing a sentiment that many in his day embraced, he wrote, ‘Irish nationality is an ancient spiritual tradition, and the Irish nation could not die as long as that tradition lived in the heart of one faithful man or woman’ (1924: 304). As in previous armed rebellions, the 1916 Easter Rising failed to force the British from Ireland, and Pearse, who had proclaimed himself president of the provisional Irish government during the five-day insurrection, was ultimately executed along with fifteen other rebel leaders. Despite its lack of immediate success, the Easter Rising is now viewed as the event marking the beginning of the end of British rule, and Pearse has since taken his place in the pantheon of Irish heroes alongside such figures as Wolfe Tone, Robert Emmet, Daniel O’Connell, Thomas Davis, and Brian Boru, the first High King of Ireland. Pearse’s reflections on the nation are important not only for their historical significance within Ireland, but because they also reflect the sentiment associated with national identity everywhere: selfsacrifice, pride, community, history, rebirth, and popular participation. Throughout the world, nations remain objects of affiliation, and, as this study reveals, the Irish people continue to display a strong attachment to their nation, much as Pearse foretold in his early twentieth-century essay.
Increased Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and rooting efficiencies in canola (Brassica napus L.) from hypocotyl segment explants

An efficient protocol for the production of transgenic Brassica napus cv. Westar plants was developed by optimizing two important parameters: preconditioning time and co-cultivation time. Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation was performed using hypocotyls as explant tissue. Two variants of a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-encoding gene--mGFP5-ER and eGFP--both under the constitutive expression of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter, were used for the experiments. Optimizing the preconditioning time to 72 h and co-cultivation time with Agrobacterium to 48 h provided the increase in the transformation efficiency from a baseline of 4% to 25%. With mGFP5-ER, the transformation rate was 17% and with eGFP it was 25%. Transgenic shoots were selected on 200 mg/l kanamycin. Rooting efficiency was 100% on half-strength Murashige and Skoog medium with 10 g/l sucrose and 0.5 mg/l indole butyric acid in the presence of kanamycin.
The role of the auditory brainstem in processing musically relevant pitch.

Neuroimaging work has shed light on the cerebral architecture involved in processing the melodic and harmonic aspects of music. Here, recent evidence is reviewed illustrating that subcortical auditory structures contribute to the early formation and processing of musically-relevant pitch. Electrophysiological recordings from the human brainstem and population responses from the auditory nerve reveal that nascent features of tonal music (e.g., consonance/dissonance, pitch salience, harmonic sonority) are evident at early, subcortical levels of the auditory pathway. The salience and harmonicity of brainstem activity is strongly correlated with listeners’ perceptual preferences and perceived consonance for the tonal relationships of music. Moreover, the hierarchical ordering of pitch intervals/chords described by the Western music practice and their perceptual consonance is well-predicted by the salience with which pitch combinations are encoded in subcortical auditory structures. While the neural correlates of consonance can be tuned and exaggerated with musical training, they persist even in the absence of musicianship or long-term enculturation. As such, it is posited that the structural foundations of musical pitch might result from innate processing performed by the central auditory system. A neurobiological predisposition for consonant, pleasant sounding pitch relationships may be one reason why these pitch combinations have been favored by composers and listeners for centuries. It is suggested that important perceptual dimensions of music emerge well before the auditory signal reaches cerebral cortex and prior to attentional engagement. While cortical mechanisms are no doubt critical to the perception, production, and enjoyment of music, the contribution of subcortical structures implicates a more integrated, hierarchically organized network underlying music processing within the brain.
Dynamics of inherently bounded histone modification domains

A central goal of chromatin biology is to reveal how posttranslational histone marks modulate gene expression; however, relatively little is known about the spatial or temporal dynamics of these marks. We previously showed that a dynamic model of histone mark nucleation, propagation, and turnover fits the mean enrichment profiles from 99% of noncentromeric histone H3 lysine 9 trimethylation (H3K9me3) domains in mouse embryonic stem cells without the need for boundary or insulator elements. Here we report the full details of this “inherently bounded” model of histone modification dynamics and describe several dynamic features of the model using H3K9me3 as a paradigm. By analyzing the kinetic and structural constraints that drive formation of inherently bounded domains, we find that such domains are optimized when the rates of marking and turnover are comparable. Additionally, we find that to establish such domains, propagation of the histone marks must occur primarily through local contacts.
Status and future of the forest health indicators program of the USA.

For two decades, the US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, has been charged with implementing a nationwide field-based forest health monitoring effort. Given its extensive na- ture, the monitoring program has been gradually implemented across forest health indicators and inventoried states. Currently, the Forest Service's Forest Inventory and Analysis program has ini- tiated forest health inventories in all states, and most forest health indicators are being docu- mented in terms of sampling protocols, data man- agement structures, and estimation procedures. Field data from most sample years and indicators
On-chip reduced wire transceiver for high frequency CMUT imaging system

A system-on-a-chip (SoC) for interfacing with a high frequency capacitive micromachined ultrasound transducer (CMUT) imaging array is presented at the post-layout simulation level. The SoC receives high and low voltage supply and clock from external sources and transfers the RF echo signal directly through a single wire. It occupies a 1.26 mm2 chip area in a 0.18-μm high voltage CMOS process and consumes 11.2 mW and 4.5 mW from the 1.8 V and 46 V supplies on the receiver (Rx) and transmitter (Tx) sides, respectively. The Tx generates a unipolar pulse with 12.5 ns width and 44 V swing in each firing. The Rx has a 95 kΩ resistive feedback transimpedance amplifier (TIA) that amplifies the echo signal with 296 μV noise integrated over 20–50 MHz band. High voltage regulators provide 44 V, 40 V, and 4.5 V supplies for the Tx driving circuits with 98.2%, 6.98%, and 1% efficiencies, respectively.
Evidence of Extensive Alternative Splicing in Post Mortem Human Brain HTT Transcription by mRNA Sequencing.

Despite 20 years since its discovery, the gene responsible for Huntington’s Disease, HTT, has still not had its function or transcriptional profile completely characterized. In response to a recent report by Ruzo et al. of several novel splice forms of HTT in human embryonic stem cell lines, we have analyzed a set of mRNA sequencing datasets from post mortem human brain from Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and neurologically normal control subjects to evaluate support for previously observed and to identify novel splice patterns. A custom analysis pipeline produced supporting evidence for some of the results reported by two previous studies of alternative isoforms as well as identifying previously unreported splice patterns. All of the alternative splice patterns were of relatively low abundance compared to the canonical splice form.
Pediatric Laparoscopic Surgery in Pakistan.

*In Pakistan laparoscopic surgery is not new but its application in pediatric surgery has been very limited. In the last decade, impalpable undescended testes mainly; and occasionally appendicitis and cholecystitis were few maladies dealt with laparoscopy in only two or three pediatric surgery units of the country. Very few publications were brought out from Pakistan. The pediatric surgery residents have not been trained or given adequate exposure to the modality during their training. In the last 5 years, few pediatric surgery units took initiative to provide hands on training to the pediatric surgeons and residents. At Children’s Hospital Lahore, workshop was conducted for residents and junior consultants for learning techniques of gaining access and port insertion. The most important of all the activities were two workshops; one conducted in April 2015 at Karachi (Liaquat National Hospital) arranged through BAPS Hugh Greenwood grant (International B.A.P.S Hugh Greenwood Laparoscopy Skills Course); and other conducted recently in December 2015 at National Institute of Child Health Karachi, a live video conference on advanced pediatric laparoscopic surgery. These workshops provided very meaningful exposure and skills of basic and advanced laparoscopy to the attending pediatric surgeons from various parts of the country. The general laparoscopic surgeons have also contributed to inspire and train their pediatric surgery counterparts. The current lot of pediatric surgeons is very enthusiastic for learning and practicing pediatric laparoscopic surgery. Many junior and senior consultants are acquiring laparoscopic skills and majority of pediatric surgery units located in Lahore, Karachi, Nawabshah, Islamabad, Multan, Bahawalpur etc. are now practicing pediatric laparoscopic surgery though only few are doing advanced laparoscopic procedures in children e.g. repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia and eventration, laparoscopic assisted anorectoplasty, pyloromyotomy, fundoplication, Wilm’s tumor excision, VATS for empyema thoracic and hydatid cyst, cystic abdominal lesions, germs cell tumors etc. are few in the list. Few Pediatric surgeons have completed fellowship in Pediatric Laparoscopic Surgery from China. Some pediatric surgeons returned back to the country after acquiring skills from western countries and doing marvelous work. Formation of an association of pediatric laparoscopic surgeons of Pakistan is being deemed. The future of pediatric laparoscopic surgery looks promising in Pakistan. With maturation of learning curve, more advanced procedures and research will be seen from this part of world.
Renault-Volvo Strategic Alliance (C): December 1, 1993

The C case summarizes the difficulties that the merger proposal encountered and the difficult decision facing Volvo's board of directors on December 2, 1993: rescind the merger proposal or take it to the shareholders. The tasks for the student are to evaluate the coalitions of support and opposition regarding the merger proposal and to recommend a course of action for Volvo's board. See also the A (UVA-G-0480), B (UVA-G-0481), D (UVA-G-0483), and B (abridged; UVA-G-0484) cases.
Effect of temperature changes on pressure in reservoirs containing free gas

If a reservoir containing gas is effectively isolated from its surroundings and buried, the nature of the pressure changes depends on the percent of free gas. High percentages lead to subnormal pressures (less than hydrostatic) while low percentages give abnormal pressures (greater than hydrostatic).
Advances in the treatment of small-cell lung cancer

Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive malignancy characterized by early metastatic dissemination and responsiveness to initial therapy. The incidence of SCLC has been declining over the past decade, mainly due to a decreased incidence in men. Positron-emission tomographic (PET) scans appear to improve the accuracy of staging and treatment planning in patients with SCLC. Limited-stage (LS) SCLC is a potentially curable disease, with long-term survival of ~20% when treated with platinum-based chemotherapy plus concurrent thoracic radiation. Hyperfractionated thoracic radiation and prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) may significantly improve overall survival in selected patients with LS-SCLC. For patients with extensive-stage (ES) SCLC, survival can be increased with combination chemotherapy, but the disease remains incurable, and long-term survival is rare. The use of PCI has recently been reported to further improve overall survival in ES-SCLC. Several newer cytotoxic agents, such as amrubicin, have promising activity in early clinical trials. Although many potential molecular targets have been identified in preclinical studies of SCLC, molecularly targeted therapy has yet to demonstrate any substantial activity in clinical trials. Nonetheless, future advances in this disease will undoubtedly depend on improvements in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that drive the proliferation and survival of SCLC cells.
A Periodicity Problem in Plane Geometry

(1984). A Periodicity Problem in Plane Geometry. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 91, No. 2, pp. 97-108.
Primary Graft Dysfunction after Orthothopic Heart Transplantation Associated to Acute Coronary Artery Vasospasm

s S121 and peripheral O2 extraction components of pVO2. Serial measurements of PCWP in relation to CO were particularly informative based on a 2-fold PCWP-CO slope (1.5 vs. 3.1 mmHg/L/min) in the patient not explanted. Summary: Our findings suggest that reliance on LVAD explant criteria of a pVO2 > 16 mL kg/min may not adequately reflect reserve capacity and sustained recovery potential of the native heart. Enhanced phenotyping during exercise merits further investigation to refine LVAD explant criteria.
Evaluating Team Leaders and Peers in Group Supervision

Abstract Generalizability theory was used to evaluate the psychometric properties of a scale that assessed both the leader and peers in group supervision. Clinical psychology graduate students used this scale to evaluate the supervision provided by their peers and five faculty team leaders. Ratings were collected on three separate occasions. On the Leader scale none of the variance was accounted for by item or occasion. Some variance was attributed to the team leader, but the largest percentage of the variance was due to the student making the rating. On the Peer scale the item variance was quite significant indicating that the scale was not unidimensional.
Nuclear structure versus nuclear pattern.

1. Lymphoid cells from rat and human fetal livers and adult rat lymph nodes were studied by means of various cytologic, cytochemical and optical technics. 2. Freshly dried smears preserve cytoplasmic detail with an extraordinary degree of accuracy. 3. Mitochondria, both numerous and pleomorphic, are preserved in the cytoplasm which lies beyond the nuclear membrane as well as in the thin layers of cytoplasm above and beneath the nucleus. 4. In dry-fixed preparations stained with Romanowsky dyes, mitochondria appear as negative images (light areas) in basophilic cytoplasm. These negative images within the nuclear area contribute to the formation of what hematologists in the past have described as parachromatin. 5. The dry smear method of studying lymphoid blood cells produces nuclear patterns formed by the sum total of nuclear and cytoplasmic alterations which reflect functional activity. 6. The meaning of the terms nuclear structure and nuclear pattern have been contrasted.
Catalytic Formation of Asymmetric Carbodiimides at Mononuclear Chromium(II/IV) Bis(alkoxide) Complexes

Herein we report the synthesis of Cr imido complexes in bis(alkoxide) ligand environments and their nitrene transfer reactivity with isocyanides. The reaction of Cr2(OR)4 (OR = OCtBu2Ph) with bulky aryl or alkyl azide results in the formation of the trigonal-planar Cr(IV) mono(imido) complexes Cr(OR)2(NR1), whereas less bulky aryl azides form the Cr(VI) bis(imido) complexes Cr(OR)2(NR1)2. Cr(IV) mono(imido) complexes undergo facile reaction with 1 equiv of 2,6-dimethylphenyl isocyanide (CNR2) to form the corresponding carbodiimides R1NCNR2. In contrast, no reaction of Cr(OR)2(NR1)2 complexes with CNR2 is observed. The reaction of Cr(OR)2(NR1) with excess isocyanide leads to the isolation of the Cr(II) complex Cr(OR)2(CNR2)4, along with the observation of the anticipated carbodimide product. Cr(OR)2(CNR2)4, which can also be obtained by treating Cr2(OR)4 with 4 equiv of isocyanide, reacts with azides N3R1 (R1 = adamantyl, mesityl) to produce the respective carbodiimides. Catalytic formation of carbodiimide...
Abstract P169: Antenatal Betamethasone Attenuates the Angiotensin-(1-7)/Nitric Oxide Axis in Adult Male but not Female Renal Proximal Tubule Cells

Our studies have revealed a sex-specific effect of fetal programming on sodium (Na+) excretion in adult sheep whereby the males exhibit reduced Na+ excretion and an attenuated natriuretic response to Ang-(1-7) as compared to the females. We hypothesize that the renal proximal tubules are a key target for the early programming effects of glucocorticoids exposure to regulate Na+ handling in the adult males. Therefore, we isolated and cultured cortical proximal tubule cells (RPTC) from adult male and female sheep antenatally exposed to betamethasone (Beta) or vehicle. Na+ uptake and nitric oxide (NO) were assessed with Sodium Green and DAF fluorescence prior to and following a low dose of Ang-(1-7) (1x10-11 M) in isolated RPTC from sheep at ~1.5 years of age. Data are expressed as % of basal uptake or area under the curve (AUC) for Na+ or % of control for NO. Male Beta RPTC exhibit greater Na+ uptake than male vehicle cells (427±32%, n=13, vs. 315±28%, n=14, p 0.05). Ang-(1-7) inhibited Na+ uptake in RPTC from vehicle male (255±40%) and from both vehicle (191±14%) and Beta (209±11%) females (Figure 1B), but failed to attenuate Na+ uptake in Beta male cells (Figure 1A). Beta exposure also abolished NO stimulation by Ang-(1-7) in male but not female RPTC (Figure 1C). We conclude that an Ang-(1-7)-NO-dependent pathway contributes to the sex-dependent consequences of programming on Na+ regulation in the proximal tubules of the kidney. Moreover, the RPTC retain both the sex and Beta-induced phenotype of the adult and may reflect an appropriate cell model of fetal programming. ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
Some Recent Results in Surface Diffusion Studies by the Fluctuation Method

This paper presents a brief summary of the fluctuation method for measuring the surface diffusion of adsorbates on single crystal planes of field emitters. The extension of the method to measuring diffusion anisotropy by using a rotatable rectangular slit is also presented. The results of anisotropy measurements for oxygen and for hydrogen and deuterium on the (110) plane of tungsten will be presented. Oxygen shows the theoretically expected anisotropy, hydrogen and deuterium do not, and reasons for this difference are discussed. Anisotropies are also seen in the mean square fluctuations and the origin of this effect is explained in terms of correlation lengths. Finally, results of tritium diffusion on W(110) are given and contrasted with those for hydrogen and deuterium. I t is shown that the magnitudes of the tunneling diffusion coefficients for the three isotopes can be explained by assuming mass renormalization, resulting from substrate-adsorbate interaction. The variation of prefactors with isotope and coverage in the thermally activated regime turns out to be quite unexpected and cannot be explained at this time.
Evaluation of the Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Oxytetracycline and Its Control Effect against Citrus Huanglongbing via Trunk Injection.

Citrus huanglongbing (HLB) or greening is a devastating bacterial disease that has destroyed millions of trees and is associated with phloem-residing 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' (Las) in Florida. In this study, we evaluated the spatiotemporal dynamics of oxytetracycline in planta and its control effect against HLB via trunk injection. Las-infected 'Hamlin' sweet orange trees on 'Swingle' citrumelo rootstock at the early stage of decline were treated with oxytetracycline hydrochloride (OTC) using trunk injection with varying number of injection ports. Spatiotemporal distribution of OTC and dynamics of Las populations were monitored by high-performance liquid chromatography method and qPCR assay, respectively. Uniform distribution of OTC throughout tree canopies and root system was achieved 2 days postinjection. High levels of OTC (>850 µg/kg) were maintained in leaf and root for at least 1 month and moderate OTC (>500 µg/kg) persisted for more than 9 months. Reduction of Las populations in root system and leaves of OTC-treated trees were over 95% and 99% (i.e., 1.76 and 2.19 log reduction) between 2 and 28 days postinjection. Conditions of trees receiving OTC treatment were improved, fruit yield was increased, and juice acidity was lowered than water-injected control even though their differences were not statistically significant during the test period. Our study demonstrated that trunk injection of OTC could be used as an effective measure for integrated management of citrus HLB.
Development and Characterization of Recombinant Virus Generated from a New World Zika Virus Infectious Clone.

Zika virus (ZIKV; family Flaviviridae, genus Flavivirus) is a rapidly expanding global pathogen that has been associated with severe clinical manifestations, including devastating neurological disease in infants. There are currently no molecular clones of a New World ZIKV available that lack significant attenuation, hindering progress toward understanding determinants of transmission and pathogenesis. Here we report the development and characterization of a novel ZIKV reverse genetics system based on a 2015 isolate from Puerto Rico (PRVABC59). We generated a two-plasmid infectious clone system from which infectious virus was rescued that replicates in human and mosquito cells with growth kinetics representative of wild-type ZIKV. Infectious clone-derived virus initiated infection and transmission rates in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes comparable to those of the primary isolate and displayed similar pathogenesis in AG129 mice. This infectious clone system provides a valuable resource to the research community to explore ZIKV molecular biology, vaccine development, antiviral development, diagnostics, vector competence, and disease pathogenesis. Importance ZIKV is a rapidly spreading mosquito-borne pathogen that has been linked to Guillain-Barre syndrome in adults and congenital microcephaly in developing fetuses and infants. ZIKV can also be sexually transmitted. The viral molecular determinants of any of these phenotypes are not well understood. There is no reverse genetics system available for the current epidemic virus that will allow researchers to study ZIKV immunity, develop novel vaccines, or develop antiviral drugs. Here we provide a novel infectious clone system generated from a recent ZIKV isolated from a patient infected in Puerto Rico. This infectious clone produces virus with in vitro and in vivo characteristics similar to those of the primary isolate, providing a critical tool to study ZIKV infection and disease.
Nonsurgical Treatment Choices by Individuals with Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Herniation in the United States: Associations with Long-term Outcomes.

ObjectivesThe objectives of this study were to (1) evaluate differences between patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation who received physical therapy (PT) and those who did not; (2) identify factors associated with receiving PT; and (3) examine the influence of PT on clinical outcomes ov