cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A concentration gradient of retinoids in the early Xenopus laevis embryo

Previous studies have postulated that Xenopus embryos contain an endogenous retinoic acid (RA) concentration gradient from posterior to anterior during the process of primary axis formation, since RA is able to alter profoundly primary axis formation in Xenopus embryos, to increase the expression of some posterior markers, and to inhibit the expression of some anterior markers, including homeobox-containing genes. Here, we provide direct evidence for this hypothesis. By using a reporter cell system, we demonstrate that the endogenous biologically active retinoid concentration in whole Xenopus embryos increases 3-fold from the two-cell stage to the neurula stage, and that the active retinoid concentration in the dorsal marginal zone, a region wherein the Spemann's organizer is located, increases about 5-fold from the early gastrula to late gastrula stages, suggesting the developmental regulation of the retinoid levels. In the early neurula stage (stage 13-14), endogenous active retinoids are present in a concentration gradient with the highest level at the posterior end, about 10-fold higher than that at the anterior end, of the embryo. This concentration gradient may be established during gastrulation and may provide positional cues for primary axis formation.
Building technological capability within satellite programs in developing countries

This paper explores the process of building technological capability in government-led satellite programs within developing countries. The key message is that these satellite programs can learn useful lessons from literature in the international development community. These lessons are relevant to emerging satellite programs that leverage international partnerships in order to establish local capability to design, build and operate satellites. Countries with such programs include Algeria, Nigeria, Turkey, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates. The paper first provides background knowledge about space activity in developing countries, and then explores the nuances of the lessons coming from the international development literature. Developing countries are concerned with satellite technology because satellites provide useful services in the areas of earth observation, communication, navigation and science. Most developing countries access satellite services through indirect means such as sharing data with foreign organizations. More countries, however, are seeking opportunities to develop satellite technology locally. There are objective, technically driven motivations for developing countries to invest in satellite technology, despite rich debate on this topic. The paper provides a framework to understand technical motivations for investment in satellite services, hardware, expertise and infrastructure in both short and long term. If a country decides to pursue such investments they face a common set of strategic decisions at the levels of their satellite program, their national context and their international relationships. Analysis of past projects shows that countries have chosen diverse strategies to address these strategic decisions and grow in technological capability. What is similar about the historical examples is that many countries choose to leverage international partnerships as part of their growth process. There are also historical examples from outside the space arena in which organizations have pursued technological capability. Scholars have analyzed these examples and developed insightful frameworks. The paper draws key concepts from this literature about the nature of development, technology, knowledge and organizational learning. These concepts are relevant to learning in new satellite programs, but the ideas must be applied cautiously because of the nature of satellite technology. The paper draws three major lessons from the international development literature regarding absorptive capacity, tacit knowledge and organizational learning; it synthesizes these lessons into a cohesive, original framework. The closing section proposes future work on a detailed study of technological learning in specific government satellite programs.
Comparative Antidotal Effectiveness of Activated Charcoal, Arizona Montmorillonite, and Evaporated Milk

Activated charcoal, Arizona montmorillonite, and evaporated milk were compared for their ability to reduce gastrointestinal absorption of three potential poisons. Time-course drug-concentration studies were performed on kerosene- and aspirin-treated animals. Activated charcoal and Arizona montmorillonite reduced blood kerosene level at all time periods studied, whereas evaporated milk was effective only during the early time periods. Activated charcoal reduced plasma aspirin level at all time periods studied, whereas Arizona montmorillonite was slightly effective only during the late time periods and evaporated milk was effective only during the initial few hours. Activated charcoal, Arizona montmorillonite, and evaporated milk reduced liver concentration of strychnine, which was analyzed only at the 5-min. time period, by approximately 80–90%. These antidotes also significantly elevated the median lethal dose (LD50) of strychnine. Although activated charcoal appears to have the greatest adsorptive spectrum, Arizona montmorillonite and evaporated milk should be investigated further as possible antidotes.
Design of highly-efficient wideband RF polar transmitters using Envelope-Tracking (ET) for mobile WiMAX/Wibro applications

This paper discusses both circuits and system design aspects of highly-efficient wideband RF polar transmitters for mobile WiMAX/Wibro applications using an open-loop envelope tracking (ET) technique. The design of linear-assisted switching envelope amplifier and monolithic SiGe class-E power amplifier (PA) is discussed, while the SPICE simulation results are compared with the measurement data. WiMAX/Wibro circuit and system co-design that include RF circuits and digital DSP blocks co-simulations suggest that the entire highly integrated ET-based transmit (TX) system can meet the stringent 802.16e mobile-WiMAX TX mask with 64QAM modulation and reach ∼33% peak system efficiency.
Habermas, Critical Theory, and the Relativistic Predicament

Habermas' critical theory stands or falls on the unity of procedural reason. When Stephen Toulmin raised the problem of reason being differentiated by functions and purposes within each field of argumentation, whether law, medicine, science, or politics, Habermas' response was both weak and vague. This paper proposes how Habermas may concede Toulmin's point, and yet demonstrate that it does not ultimately challenge the unity of procedural reason that grounds his critical theory.
The proteasome inhibitor bortezomib interacts synergistically with histone deacetylase inhibitors to induce apoptosis in Bcr/Abl+ cells sensitive and resistant to STI571.

Interactions between the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib and histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDIs) have been examined in Bcr/Abl+ human leukemia cells (K562 and LAMA 84). Coexposure of cells (24-48 hours) to minimally toxic concentrations of bortezomib + either suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) or sodium butyrate (SB) resulted in a striking increase in mitochondrial injury, caspase activation, and apoptosis, reflected by caspases-3 and -8 cleavage and poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase (PARP) degradation. These events were accompanied by down-regulation of the Raf-1/mitogen-induced extracellular kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) pathway as well as diminished expression of Bcr/Abl and cyclin D1, cleavage of p21CIP1 and phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein (pRb), and induction of the stress-related kinases Jun kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Transient transfection of cells with a constitutively active MEK construct significantly protected them from bortezomib/SAHA-mediated lethality. Coadministration of bortezomib and SAHA resulted in increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and diminished nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) activation; moreover, the free radical scavenger L-N-acetylcyteine (LNAC) blocked bortezomib/SAHA-related ROS generation, induction of JNK and p21CIP1, and apoptosis. Lastly, this regimen potently induced apoptosis in STI571 (imatinib mesylate)-resistant K562 cells and CD34+ mononuclear cells obtained from a patient with STI571-resistant disease, as well as in Bcr/Abl- leukemia cells (eg, HL-60, U937, Jurkat). Together, these findings raise the possibility that combined proteasome/histone deacetylase inhibition may represent a novel strategy in leukemia, including apoptosis-resistant Bcr/Abl+ hematologic malignancies. (Blood. 2003;102:3765-3774)
Status of BTeV

Abstract BTeV has been approved for construction by Fermi Lab to study a wide spectrum of heavy-flavour physics. This includes systematic studies of CP violating phenomena in b- and c-hadron decays, studies of their rare decays and B0 B 0, Bs0 B s0 and D0 D 0 mixing. These studies are crucial to fully understand the origin of CP violation. The BTeV experiment takes advantage of the large number of b hadrons produced at the Tevatron and state-of-the-art technologies to select and record those events in an environment with large background. This paper presents the status of the detector and expected physics potential.
Levels of non-ortho-substituted (coplanar), mono- and di-ortho-substituted polychlorinated biphenyls, dibenzo-p-dioxins, and dibenzofurans in human serum and adipose tissue

We have measured non-ortho-substituted (coplanar) polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) levels as well as polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (PCDD) and polychlorinated dibenzofuran (PCDF) levels in human adipose tissue and serum collected in Atlanta, Georgia. The results show that the concentrations of the coplanar PCBs can be more than an order of magnitude higher than the concentrations of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. Our measurements in pooled serum collected in 1982, 1988, and 1989 show a decrease in coplanar PCB levels from 1982 to 1989. We found that the pattern of relative amounts of coplanar PCBs in adipose tissue varied greatly from person to person unlike the PCDD and PCDF patterns, which were more nearly the same. Age was significantly correlated with the concentrations of 2,3,7,8-TCDD,3,3'4,4'-PCB, 3,3',4,4',5-PCB, and 3,3'4,4',5,5'-PCB in adipose tissue. We also measured levels of the mono- and di-ortho chlorine-substituted PCBs in human serum. The levels for some of these PCB congeners were three orders of magnitude higher than the coplanar PCBs, PCDDs, and PCDFs. We used the international toxicity equivalency factors (TEFs) for PCDDs and PCDFs and the TEFs proposed by Safe for PCBs to calculate the 2,3,7,8-TCDD equivalents. Four PCBs (3,3',4,4',5-; 2,3',4,4',5-;2,3,3',4,4'-;2,3,3',4,4',5-) make a larger contribution than 2,3,7,8-TCDD, while four other PCBs (3,3',4,4'5,5'-; 2,2',3,4,4',5'-;2,2',4,4',5,5'-;2,2',3,4,4',5,5'-) make nearly the same contribution as 2,3,7,8-TCDD. The mono-ortho-chlorine-substituted 2,3',4,4',5-PCB, however, is the major contributor to the total 2,3,7,8-TCDD equivalents in general population samples from the United States, Sweden, and Japan.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
rab3 Mediates Cortical Granule Exocytosis in the Sea Urchin Egg

Egg activation at fertilization in the sea urchin results in the exocytosis of approximately 15,000 cortical granules that are docked at the plasma membrane. Previously, we reported that several integral membrane proteins modeled in the SNARE hypothesis, synaptotagmin, VAMP, and syntaxin, in addition to a small GTPase of the ras superfamily, rab3, were present on cortical granules (Conner, S., Leaf, D., and Wessel, G., Mol. Reprod. Dev. 48, 1-13, 1997). Here we report that rab3 is associated with cortical granules throughout oogenesis, during cortical granule translocation, and while docked at the egg plasma membrane. Following cortical granule exocytosis, however, rab3 reassociates with a different population of vesicles, at least some of which are of endocytic origin. Because of its selective association with cortical granules in eggs and oocytes, we hypothesize that rab3 functions in cortical granule exocytosis. To test this hypothesis, we used a strategy of interfering with rab3 function by peptide competition with its effector domain, a conserved region within specific rab types. We first identified the effector domain sequence in Lytechinus variegatus eggs and find the sequence 94% identical to the effector domain of rab3 in Stronglocentrotus purpuratus. Then, with synthetic peptides to different regions of the rab3 protein, we find that cortical granule exocytosis is inhibited in eggs injected with effector domain peptides, but not with peptides from the hypervariable region or with a scrambled effector peptide. Additionally, effector-peptide-injected eggs injected with IP3 are blocked in their ability to exocytose cortical granules, suggesting that the inhibition is directly on the membrane fusion event and not the result of interference with the signal transduction mechanism leading to calcium release. We interpret these results to mean that rab3 functions in the regulation of cortical granule exocytosis following vesicle docking.
Augmentation of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes by interferon-gamma: mechanism dependent on enhancement of Fc receptor expression and increased release of activated oxygens.

The effect of recombinant human interferon (IFN) -gamma (Met-Gln form), having the same amino acid sequence as that of natural human IFN-gamma except for the N-terminal Met residue, on antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxic (ADCC) activity of human peripheral polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) against anti-chicken red blood cell (CRBC) immunoglobulin G (IgG) -coated CRBC was investigated comparatively with those of natural human IFN-alpha and -beta in vitro. IFN-gamma dramatically induced the ADCC activity at all doses tested when examined at a 1/104 dilution rate of the IgG, while no significant induction was observed with IFN-alpha or-beta. The Fc receptor (FcR) analysis by flow cytometry using fluorescein isothiocyanate-labelled (FITC) -anti-CRBC IgG revealed that IFN-gamma but not IFN-alpha or-beta remarkably increased the number of PMNs bearing FcR. By applying an in vitro measurement system for activated oxygen species using luminol solution, it was demonstrated that activated oxygen species were actually released from PMNs in the ADCC reaction. Further, inhibition experiments using three oxygen scavengers (superoxide dismutase, catalase and dimethyl sulfoxide) demonstrated the involvement of superoxide anion and hydroxy radical as cytolytic mediators in the PMN-ADCC activity induced by IFN-gamma.These results indicate a much more potent PMN-activating ability of IFN-gamma than IFN-alpha or-beta and involvement of a mechanism dependent on the enhancement of FcR expression on the PMN surface and the increased release of superoxide anions and hydroxy radicals in the PMN-ADCC augmentation by IFN-gamma.
Dynamic Tensile Characteristics of DP600 Steel Sheets for Automotive Applications

To reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emission, dual phase (DP) steels have been considered for automotive applications due to their higher tensile strength, better initial work hardening along with larger elongation compared to conventional grade of steels. In such applications, which would create potential safety and reliability issues under dynamic loading, the mechanical behavior of DP steel considering the strain rate must be examined. In the present study, the dynamic tensile behavior of DP600 steel sheets was investigated using a high-speed tensile testing machine at various strain rates. And the quasi-static tensile testing was also conducted on the steel to understand the effect of the strain rate on the tensile property. The fracture mechanisms of the steel were also analyzed. The results show that the mechanical properties of DP600 steel are noticeably influenced by the strain rates. As the strain rate increases, the strength of the steel increases and the obvious yield phenomenon can be observed when the strain rate is above 0.01 s-1. The fracture elongation of DP600 steels decreases with increasing strain rate from 0.001 to 1 s-1, then increases up to the strain rate of 100 s-1 and reaches the lowest value at the strain rate of 1000 s-1. DP600 steel sheet exhibit typical ductile fracture characteristics with dimples morphology of the facture surface when tensile deformed at various strain rates.
Observations of exchange between eastern Casco Bay and the western Gulf of Maine

Abstract Exchange of water between eastern Casco Bay and the adjacent Gulf of Maine shelf is examined to assess the circulation processes that impact the distribution and occurrence of a toxic dinoflagellate, Alexandrium fundyense, in eastern Casco Bay. Over the inner shelf adjacent to the bay, tidal variance is weak, and the across-shelf current is highly coherent and in phase with the along-shelf wind stress. Although tidal current variance increases as one advances into the bay, non-tidal currents account for 30–40% of the across-shelf current variance at the bay entrance. Between the shelf and the bay interior is a transition region, where the circulation response to wind forcing changes as the wind adjusts to the changing orientation of the shoreline. Far from shore, the overall large-scale coastline orientation dominates the wind-driven response, but within a few internal Rossby radii, the local coastline clearly dominates the flow patterns and across-shelf wind becomes locally shore-parallel inside the bay. Within the bay interior, the across-shelf wind is highly coherent and in phase with the near-surface subtidal across-shelf current. The Kennebec River north of the study area supplies freshwater to eastern Casco Bay in all seasons. A pool of low-density, relatively fresh water at the entrance to the bay sets up an across-shelf density gradient that is reversed from a typical estuary, and likely contributes to the mean surface on-shelf transport in this region. Surface-drifter trajectories observed over the course of the study suggest that both the across-shelf wind and the across-shelf density gradient are important in driving surface up-bay transport and in the retention of surface-dwelling organisms in eastern Casco Bay.
Three-dimensional reconstruction of Androctonus australis hemocyanin labeled with a monoclonal Fab fragment.

Abstract An immunocomplex formed by the 4 × 6 meric hemocyanin of the scorpion Androctonus australis with the monoclonal antibody L104 was studied by cryoelectron microscopy and subjected to three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction. The reconstructed particle reflects the structure of the immunocomplex in its hydrated state and is devoid of the flattening that was previously observed with a negatively stained preparation. A 3D fitting of the X-ray data of the Panulirus interruptus hemocyanin and of the Fab R19.9 to the reconstruction volume allowed the first quantitative measurement of the structural parameters of the antigen, and the localization of the epitope at the surface of subunit Aa 6. The independent alignment of the Fobs and the hexamers provides a direct verification for the accuracy of the fit and allows the building of the most detailed model of a cheliceratan 4 × 6meric complex and its attached monoclonal antibodies.
Catheter-less angiography for endovascular aortic aneurysm repair: A new application of carbon dioxide as a contrast agent

Objective Avoidance of nephrotoxic contrast agents during endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (EVAR) may reduce the incidence of renal dysfunction following the procedure. Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) angiography is a safe alternative to iodinated contrast media vastly under-utilized by vascular surgeons. We herein describe our experience with a simple angiographic technique using CO 2 for EVAR guidance that does not require a separate angiographic catheter. Methods Eighteen patients underwent EVAR using angiography with CO 2 delivered through the endograft sheath. The renal and hypogastric arteries were localized for endograft deployment exclusively with CO 2 in all patients. Completion angiography was done with CO 2 in all patients and an additional angiogram with iodinated media was done in 13 cases. Results All endograft deployments were done successfully with CO 2 angiography injected through the endograft delivery systems and femoral access sheaths. Additional iodinated media completion angiography did not modify the procedure in any case. All patients were discharged within two days after surgery. There were no ischemic or systemic complications related to CO 2 administration. Follow-up CT-scan revealed well positioned endografts with the expected patent renal and hypogastric arteries in all patients, and no additional endoleaks. No significant deterioration in renal function occurred in any case. Conclusion Carbon dioxide angiography conducted through the endograft delivery sheath is reliable for endograft deployment, safe, non-toxic and inexpensive. In addition, it may expedite EVAR by eliminating a number of angiographic catheter placements and exchanges during the procedure. This favorable experience warrants further utilization of this technique.
Corporeal excavation: New technique for penile prosthesis implantation in men with severe corporeal fibrosis

Abstract Introduction Penile prosthesis implantation in men who have fibrotic corpora as the result of ischemic priapism or previous removal of an infected penile prosthesis poses a significant challenge to the implanting surgeon. We describe a new technique, corporeal excavation, to meet this challenge. Technical Considerations The operative approach is through an inverted T penoscrotal incision that affords exposure of nearly the entire corpus cavernosum on each side. Extended corporotomies are made on the ventral aspect of each corpus cavernosum, and a plane of dissection between the fibrotic corporeal tissue and the inner surface of the tunica albuginea is established, resulting in core removal of nearly all fibrotic intracorporeal tissue. Cylinders are laid into the empty corporeal bed, and the tunica albuginea is closed primarily. Nine patients were identified who had undergone this procedure. The operative notes and medical records were reviewed, and telephone interviews were done for follow-up when patients had not been recently seen in the clinic. Conclusions Successful outcomes were achieved in all 9 patients. Corporeal excavation permits penile prosthesis implantation in men with severe intracorporeal fibrosis usually resulting from priapism or previous removal of infected penile prostheses.
High-density optical data storage with one-photon and two-photon near-field fluorescence microscopy

A spatially localized photochemical reaction induced by near-field femtosecond laser pulses is demonstrated on a nanometer scale and used for high-density optical data storage. Recorded domains down to 120 and 70 nm are obtained with one-photon and two-photon excitation, respectively. It is shown that the local-field confinement that is due to the quadratic dependence of two-photon excitation on light intensity has the potential to increase the near-field optical storage density.
Factors influencing the use of a decision rule in a probabilistic task

Abstract Two studies investigated conditions under which subjects would choose not to use a helpful decision rule that would have enabled them to choose correctly on a large proportion (70%) of judgment tasks. In Experiment 1 some subjects were warned that failure to use this rule would probably result in very poor performance. Other subjects were either told that 70% was as well as people can do or were encouraged to outperform the rule. This instructional variable was crossed with an incentive manipulation. Subjects were given either cash for each correct judgment, or a cash award for being the best judge in their group, or no monetary incentive. Those who were warned about abandoning the rule and those who were given no monetary incentive performed best. Those who were told that 70% was about as well as people can do judged as poorly as those encouraged to outperform the rule. Supplementary analyses indicated that both the warning and lack of incentive led subjects to judge more consistently, while subjects in the other conditions changed strategies more frequently after incorrect judgments. The results of Experiment 2 indicated that those who have expertise (or think they have expertise) tend to use a helpful decision rule less than do those with less expertise, and consequently do worse. We suggest that the factors which led subjects to shun the decision rule in these two experiments are present in many important decision-making situations.
The Gendered Monitoring of Juvenile Delinquents: A Test of Power-Control Theory Using a Retrospective Cohort Study

Through the framework of power-control theory (PCT), we provide a model of juvenile offending that places the gendered-raced treatment of juveniles central to the analysis. We test the theory using...
Analyses of factors of crash avoidance maneuvers using the general estimates system.

Objective. Taking an effective corrective action to a critical traffic situation provides drivers an opportunity to avoid crash occurrence and minimize crash severity. The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between the probability of taking corrective actions and the characteristics of drivers, vehicles, and driving environments. Methods. Using the 2004 GES crash database, this study classified drivers who encountered critical traffic events (identified as P_CRASH3 in the GES database) into two pre-crash groups: corrective avoidance actions group and no corrective avoidance actions group. Single and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to identify potential traffic factors associated with the probability of drivers taking corrective actions. Results. The regression results showed that the driver/vehicle factors associated with the probability of taking corrective actions include: driver age, gender, alcohol use, drug use, physical impairments, distraction, sight obs...
Effect of pial arteriolar constriction on red cell velocity in pial venules and on venular diameter.

Abstract Erythrocyte (RBC) velocities in pial venules were measured with high speed microcinematography, during constriction of pial arterioles, and following recovery of the arterioles. Constriction of arterioles was elicited by local application of BaCl 2 . In 24 of 27 paired measurements, in 18 mice, RBC velocity in the venule, diminished during constriction of the arterioles. The diminution in RBC velocity occurred whether or not the venule changed diameter. The data indicate that constriction of pial arterioles can result in a diminution of cortical blood flow, manifest by a corresponding reduction in RBC velocity through efferent venules draining the cortex. In half the cases, venular diameter remained unchanged during paired velocity measurements, while in half the trials venules became smaller when the arteriole constricted. A diminution in the diameter of the venule is interpreted as passive collapse, since venules of this size (30 μm or less) are devoid of smooth muscle. Passive collapse would be indicative of a fall in intraluminal pressure in venules, during the arteriolar constriction, and is further evidence of an effect of the latter on overall hemodynamics in the cerebral microcirculation.
Demonstration of rotational symmetries in alpha-keratin microfibrils of porcupine quill tip

Abstract Selected electron micrographs of transversely, obliquely and longitudinally sectioned microfibrils of transversely sectioned porcupine quill tip are shown to possess 2-fold radial, 3-fold radial and 5-fold polygonal rotational symmetries. These symmetries are verified with a rotation technique, and are similar to edge, corner and face projections of a pentagonal dodecahedron. The a-keratin microfibril is therefore suggested to be composed of a linear arrangement of morphologically identical microfibrillar subunits which approximate the shape of a pentagonal dodecahedron. The various line patterns present in electron micrographs of microfibrils are explained by different orientations of this three-dimensional shape within the thickness of the section. Previous electron microscopic models for the structure of the microfibrils are incompatible with these results. The image averaging methods used to arrive at these earlier models are discussed, and are thought to yield results which must differ from the demonstrated rotational symmetries.
Developmental changes of glycine transport in the dog

Abstract The renal clearance of amino acids was measured in canine pups between 5 days and 12 weeks of age. The reabsorption of glycine was incomplete at 5 and 21 days, indicating a physiologic aminoaciduria of immaturity. An adult pattern of 97–100% reabsorption appeared by 8 weeks of age. The uptake of glycine by isolated renal tubules from 5-day-old, 3-month-old and adult dogs was examined towards an understanding of the events underlying this aminoaciduria. The initial uptake of 0.042 mM glycine by isolated tubules from the newborn was lower than that of the adult, but after 30 min of incubation the newborn surpassed the adult. A steady state of uptake was not achieved by the newborn even after 90 min of incubation, while it was achieved in the adult after 30 min. The uptake by the 3-month-old tubules resembled the adult at the early time points and the newborn at later points. With 1.032 mM glycine, a similar relationship of uptake between adult and newborn tubules was found, except with this concentration, the uptake by both the newborn and adult tubules reached a steady state. The concentration dependence of glycine uptake showed two saturable transport systems with similar apparent K m and V max values after 30 min of incubation for all three age groups. Determination of glycine flux by compartmental analysis revealed decreased influx and efflux in the newborn, but with a greater decrease in efflux, compared to adult. These changes of influx and efflux which accompany renal tubule maturation could contribute to the increased intracellular amino acid levels and decreased reabsorption of amino acids seen in the immature dog.
Controlling the focus of spatial attention during visual search: effects of advanced aging and Alzheimer disease

It was hypothesized that slowed visual search in healthy adult aging arises from reduced ability to adjust the size of the attentional focus. A novel, cued-visual search task manipulated the scale of spatial attention in a complex field in healthy elderly individuals and patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT). Precues indicated with varying validity the size and location of the area to be searched. Location precues exerted the strongest effects on conjunction search and the weakest effects on feature search. As the size of valid location cues decreased, conjunction search was facilitated. These effects declined progressively with advanced age and the onset of DAT. As the size of invalid cues increased, conjunction search was first facilitated, then slowed, but neither age nor DAT altered this effect. These results indicate that both Alzheimer's disease and, to a lesser degree, advanced aging, reduce control of the spatial focus of attention.
A single center comparison of long-term outcomes of renal allografts procured laparoscopically versus historic controls procured by the open approach.

Summary We have previously reported that renal allografts procured by the laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy (lapNx) demonstrate worse early renal outcomes but noninferior 1-year renal function as compared to those procured by the standard open nephrectomy (openNx). We undertook this study to examine whether the apparent early dysfunction will impair long-term renal allograft survival. We retrospectively updated the status of the first 132 consecutive adult left lapNx recipients at our center and the preceding 99 adult openNx recipients. With a mean follow-up of 5.8 ± 2.0 years in lapNx and 8.7 ± 3.3 years in openNx, we found that death-censored renal allograft survival was identical on univariate and multivariate analysis. Patient survival was worse (log rank P-value = 0.048) in lapNx, but this finding did not persist in multivariate analysis. Combined graft-patient survival as well as 1-year mean serum creatinine levels were similar on univariate and multivariate analyses. We conclude that, despite having suffered early renal dysfunction, the lapNx cohort of renal allograft recipients enjoys similar long-term renal allograft survival as compared to openNx.
Application of external tracking in ultrasound elasticity imaging

Despite the success of ultrasound elasticity imaging (USEI) in medical applications such as diagnosis and screening of breast lesions and prostate cancer, USEI has not been adopted in routine clinical procedures. This is partly caused by the difficulty in acquiring reliable images and interpreting them, the lack of consistency over time, and the dependency of image quality to the expertise of the user. We previously demonstrated the potential of exploiting an external tracker to partially alleviate these issues and enhance the quality of USEI. The tracking data enabled fast and automatic selection of pairs of RF frames used in strain calculation. Here, we expand this method by including new features. The proposed method employs image content to compensate for the limited accuracy of the tracking device. It also combines multiple strain images to improve the quality of the final image. For this purpose, It normalizes the images and determines which images can be combined relying on the tracking information. We have acquired RF frames synchronized with tracking data from livers of pig containing an ablated region and a breast phantom using two different tracking devices; an optical tracker and a less accurate electromagnetic tracker. We present the promising results of the proposed method and investigate the sensitivity of frame selection technique without using the image content to inaccuracies in tracking information.
Structural Evolution of the Cordillera Huayhuash, Andes of Peru

An expedition to the Cordillera Huayhuash in the north-central Andes of Peru has shown the range consists of complexly folded and thrust-faulted Cretaceous sedimentary rocks, and less deformed early to middle Tertiary(?) andesitic volcanic rocks, all intruded by granitic plutons thought to be as young as 9 m. y. B.P. A younger sequence of felsic ash flows has escaped folding and intrusion. Unlike the Cordillera Blanca to the north (a batholith), the major 6,000 m summits of the Cordillera Huayhuash are carved from a complex synclinorium of Upper Cretaceous Jumasha Formation carbonates. The region has suffered two deformations. The first deformation was the most severe, producing tight flexural-slip and flexural-flow folds and east-directed thrust faults between Late Cretaceous and middle(?) Tertiary. During deformation, detachment of the Cretaceous prism from some unexposed "basement" occurred at the horizon of basal Cretaceous Oyon Formation shale. Less severe middle(?) Tertiary deformation warped andesitic volcanic rocks into broad gentle folds, and may have either reactivated or initiated thrust faults. Field data and hypsometric (area altitude) analysis suggest the middle to late Tertiary Puna erosion surface is represented in the Cordillera Huayhuash by accordant flanking ridge-tops and a landmass concentration below 5,000 m. The 6,000 m axial ridge stood above this surface as a residual mass around which ash flows were deposited. Latest Tertiary to Quaternary orogenic uplift, perhaps during the last 6 m.y., incised drainage and represents the most recent deformation of the region.
EVALUATION AND MANAGEMENT OF ATRIAL FIBRILLATION IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia. 14,23 It is also the most common form of cardiac arrhythmia physicians must manage in the emergency department (ED). The adverse consequences of AF include loss of atrial contribution to the cardiac output, rapid and irregular ventricular rate, and the risk of thromboembolism. It has been shown that AF is associated not only with increased morbidity but also increased mortality. 18,40
Boundary-layer effect in panel flutter

The present note shows that if the supersonic Mach number is not too large, an analytical expression can be obtained for the generalized aerodynamic force relating the pressure fluctuation at the surface of a flexible plate to the plate displacement in the presence of an adjacent boundary layer. The low supersonic Mach numbers are the ones of maximum interest since it is in this Mach number region that the boundary layer has the most influence. In this respect, Dowell (1971) has already shown that the presence of a boundary layer causes about a 300% increase in flutter dynamic pressure at a Mach number of about 1.2, while it causes only about a 20% increase at a Mach number of 2.
Transformation through negotiation: Initiating the Inmate Mural Arts Program

Abstract In 2008, the newly developed Inmate Mural Arts Program (IMAP) conceived, developed, and completed its inaugural project—a 22 ft × 47 ft mural painted on the front of a chapel on the grounds of a prison in rural Florida. This mural, entitled “Transformation through Unity,” was completed in collaboration between faculty and students of the Florida State University Graduate Art Therapy Program and a group of prison inmates. This project, complicated in scope and execution, was a students’ masters’ art therapy graduation project. The IMAP project took approximately 8 months to develop and complete. The process required formal and informal negotiations at all levels to succeed. This project overview will present a brief background and history of the project, review the negotiations that occurred prior to, during, and after its execution, and will present the completed mural. It will conclude with a brief overview of anticipated future projects. The negotiations ultimately produced a product that demonstrated the value and benefits of art for this population. The end piece has resulted in far-reaching implications and results, and has become the first of a series of successful projects for the new Inmate Mural Arts Program.
Quantum Dot Gate Field-Effect Transistor (QDGFET): Circuit Model and Ternary Logic Inverter

The circuit model of QDGFETs is introduced in Chapter 6. This chapter highlights the modification of BSIM MOSFET model based on the characteristic of the QDGFET. Standard ternary logic inverter (STI) is also discussed in this chapter. The circuit simulation of NMOS inverter and the comparison between experimental data and simulation results is also presented in this chapter. The drawback of QDGFET-based STI is also discussed in this chapter which is followed by the three-state memory cell based on QDGFET.
SERA: Selectively recursive approach towards nonstationary imbalanced stream data mining

Recent years have witnessed an incredibly increasing interest in the topic of stream data mining. Despite the great success having been achieved, current approaches generally assume that the class distribution of the stream data is relatively balanced. However, in applications such as network intrusion detection, credit fraud detection, spam classification, and many others, the class distribution is mostly imbalanced and the cost for misclassifying a minority example is very expensive. Concept drifts is an unavoidable issue for stream data mining research, which is even more difficult to handle when the classifier has to learn from an imbalanced data stream whose target concept keeps drifting all the time. In this article, we propose a selectively recursive approach (SERA) to deal with the problem of learning from nonstationary imbalanced data streams. By selectively absorbing the previously received minority examples into the current training data chunk and potentially assigning the sampling probabilities proportionally to the majority and minority examples, SERA can alleviate the difficulty confronted by the conventional stream data mining methods when they have to learn from the nonstationary imbalanced data streams. Experiments performed on the synthetic datasets show that compared to the existing approaches, our approach is competitive in the general assessment metrics and is capable of significantly performance improvement in predicting minority instances.
Simulation studies on ZigBee communications for home automation and networking

In this paper, ZigBee is used as a communication medium in home automation and networking. Simulations on Ad hoc On-Demand Distance Vector (AODV) ZigBee routing protocol with different traffic scenarios like CBR, FTP, and Poisson; and having different network topologies have been performed. Trace analysis is carried out to calculate parameters like end-to-end packet delay and jitter, which are key parameters in determining quality of service (QoS). Various types of queue types such as Drop Tail, Stochastic Fair Queue (SFQ), and Random Early Detection (RED) are used to calculate delay and jitter, by taking various traffic scenarios into consideration.
Characterization of 3-D sequences of proteins

Abstract We consider the characterization of 3-D sequences of proteins. Using as the input the geometry of the sequences from matrices (dij)k, in which dij is the Euclidean distances between points along the path of the protein (K = 1, 2, 3,…) we derive the average values of suitably normalized matrix elements, referred to as protein profile. So derived invariants were used for characterization. The degree of similarity between differently folded models of proteins is examined using the derived protein profiles.
Reproducibly reversible fiber loop ringdown water sensor embedded in concrete and grout for water monitoring

Abstract A novel fiber optic water sensor based on the evanescent field-fiber loop ringdown (EF-FLRD) technique is described. After removal of the plastic jacket of a section of single mode fiber, followed by chemical etching of the fiber cladding partially, this section of bare fiber (sensor head) was placed inside a concrete mixture. Presence of water in the concrete changes the optical refractive index of the medium that is the interface between the bare etched fiber surface and the concrete, and a change in ringdown time is recorded due to a change in EF scattering loss occurred in the sensor head. Continuous monitoring of ringdown time, the water sensors read diligent data about variations of the water inside the concrete after tens of ml water is poured on the surface of a concrete bar. Eight EF-FLRD water sensor units were constructed and the sensors were embedded in different concrete bars to detect presence of water inside the concrete. The EF-FLRD water sensors show instant response. The demonstrated detection sensitivity is 10 ml water when it is poured to the surface of a concrete bar with approximate dimensions of 30 cm × 5 cm × 5 cm and the signal-to-noise ratio is 86, corresponding to a detection sensitivity limit of 0.12 ml. In addition to fast response, high sensitivity, additional unique advantage of the EF-FLRD water sensor over its counterparts, such as polymer-coated FBG water sensors, is high reversibility. The EF-FLRD water sensors embedded in concrete demonstrate to be highly reversible when tested in water–dry–water–dry duty cycles for as long as 43 h. Free of using temperature sensitive optical components in the sensor head, the EF-FLRD water sensor is immune to temperature variations in the concrete. This new type of fiber optic water sensor will have broad applications in long-term monitoring of presence/absence of water inside concrete as well as in concrete property characterization.
Variance reduction for discrete event systems driven by Poisson processes

In studies on conditions guaranteeing variance reduction for common random numbers (CRN), there is often the implicit assumption that the timing inputs, i.e., the random variables of clock samples, are generated via the inverse transform method. Some recommend using only inverse transform method when using CRN, suggesting that this strategy yields the best result, i.e., the highest degree of variance reduction. In this paper, we derive conditions guaranteeing variance reduction for a special class of systems-generalized semi-Markov processes (GSMP) with exponential clock samples-when using CRN and when the clock samples are generated via a version of the acceptance-rejection method. Our preliminary experimental results show that the variance reduction under this construction may be higher, sometimes significantly, than when inverse transform method is used.
Law as a ByProduct: Theories of Private Law Production

Public lawmakers lack incentives to engage in a socially optimal amount of legal innovation. Private lawmaking is a potential solution to this problem. However, private lawmaking faces a dilemma: In order to be effective privately produced laws need to be publicly enacted, but under current law enactment eliminates the intellectual property rights that are essential to motivate private lawmakers. Because of this dilemma, much private lawmaking is done as a byproduct of other activities. The mixed incentives entailed in this "byproduct" approach make it a second-best response to the problems of public lawmaking. Potential solutions involve finding a better balance between public access and private rights.
Effect of zinc deficiency on the ultrastructure of the pancreatic acinar cell and intestinal epithelium in the rat.

Ultrastructural changes in the pancreatic acinar cell and intestinal epithelium were studied in rats fed a zinc-deficient diet as com pared with those of pair-fed and ad libitum fed zinc-supplemented controls. The pancreatic acinar cells of zinc-deficient rats showed marked cellular alterations: a reduction in zymogen granules, rupture of zymogen granules, basal accumulation of lipid droplets, prominent lysosome-like bodies, focal degradation of the cytoplasm, and intracisternal granules within the dilated cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum. The Golgi complex appeared in active, and nuclear pyknosis was noted. Defects in the endoplasmic reticu lum and ribosomes were shown by their presence in the foci of cytoplasmic degradation, which were subsequently subject to lysosomal digestion and degeneration. The microvilli of the intestinal epithelium in the zinc deficient rats were well organized and normal in size, demonstrating a typical geometric array when cross-sectioned. The intercellular boundaries, the junctional complexes, and the terminal web were well developed and appeared intact. However, the cell cytoplasm showed prominent cellular changes: an abundance of lysosome-like bodies, membrane-bound auto graphic vacuoles, sparse endoplasmic reticulum, a quiescent-appearing Golgi complex with tightly packed lamellae containing few vacuoles, pyknotic nuclei, and a dilated nuclear periphery. J. Nutr. A07:896-908, 1977.