cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A novel phonetic approach to continuous flow left ventricular assist device auscultation.

Abstract Background The dominant sound generated by continuous flow left ventricular assist devices (cf-LVADs) has generically been referred to as a “hum”. This term, however, implies that despite distinct engineering designs, all cf-LVADs generate the same quality of sound. Furthermore, no structured method for auscultation of cf-LVADs exists. We hereby report a novel and simple phonetic approach to device auscultation, the aims of which are to improve recognition, understanding, and teaching of sound produced by normally functioning cf-LVADs. We sought to evaluate whether clinically relevant pump or person related events can produce changes in the expected audio fingerprint of a particular cf-LVAD, and whether these changes in sound can be identified by auscultation and translated phonetically. Methods Sound recordings were made on 7 people implanted with one of 3 U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved cf-LVADs. Of the 7, 3 were considered to have normal device function and stable condition. The remaining 4 people had a clinically relevant pump or person related event. Recordings were made with a stethoscope attachment that allows digital recording of sound and provides a real time phonocardiogram. Results The main findings were the following: 1.) each cf-LVAD generates a unique audio fingerprint 2.) the audio fingerprint can be phonetically translated in a simple manner. 3.) pump or patient related events result in changes in device sound, that can be appreciated phonetically. Conclusions Phonetics offer a novel and easily reproducible method for evaluation and teaching normal cf-LVAD sounds by auscultation. Additionally, clinically relevant pump or person related events can produce changes in the expected audio fingerprint of a particular cf-LVAD. These changes in sound can be identified by auscultation and translated phonetically. Auscultation is an important component of the physical examination of people supported with cf-LVADs.
Using Mind Over Money to introduce topics in behavioral economics and finance

This paper uses the PBS Nova show Mind Over Money to introduce a number of topics in behavioral finance. Instructors can also use the video as a jumping off point for expanding the discussion to th...
The Emperor Just Might Be Wearing Pants.

This is a commentary in response to Dixon et al.’s (Behavior Analysis and Practice, 8(1), 7–15, 2015) article entitled, “Research rankings of behavior analytic graduate training programs and their faculty” in Behavior Analysis in Practice. The severe restriction of range for the metric used to identify faculty productivity and knowledge of research calls the implications drawn from the data into question. Suggestions on how to broaden the metric are made along with implications for doing so. This is an important topic, and many people will need to contribute to a robust conversation about our graduate training programs given the exponential growth we have faced in recent decades.
Vaginal fluid 6-phosphogluconic dehydrogenase activity in relation to uterine malignancy.

Abstract 6-Phosphogluconic dehydrogenase activity was assayed in vaginal fluid samples from 195 patients in order to evaluate this method as a screening technique for gynecologic cancer. The assays were positive in 72 of 75 patients with pelvic malignancy including cases of carcinoma of the cervix, endometrium, ovary and vulva, and carcinoma in situ of the cervix. Among 108 patients with no known malignancy of the uterus there were 79 negative assays and 29 “false positives.” Trichomoniasis and contamination of vaginal fluid by blood are considered to be possible causes of positive assays in the absence of malignancy. Assays were positive in 10 out of 12 patients who had been treated for genital malignancy but in whom there was no evidence of recurrence. In comparison with cytologic studies in the same patients, 6-PGD assay yielded more false positives and fewer false negatives. The high incidence of false positives would pose a problem if 6-PGD assay were to be used as a screening technique, but it might be useful in conjunction with cytology.
Ricardo Miledi and the calcium hypothesis of neurotransmitter release

Ricardo Miledi has made significant contributions to our basic understanding of how synapses work. Here I discuss aspects of Miledi's research that helped to establish the requirement of presynaptic calcium for neurotransmitter release, from his earliest scientific studies to his classic experiments in the squid giant synapse.
Reorienting Objects with a Robot Hand Using Grasp Gaits

This paper addresses the planning of robot finger motions to enable continuous and stable reorientation of grasped objects. With a given grasp on an object, the range of reorientation through which the fingers may move the object is limited by the workspace of the fingers and grasp stability. If however the object can be properly regrasped without dropping it, further motion of the object in the desired direction may be possible. If we use a hand with more than the minimum number of fingers required for a stable grasp, then it is possible to remove one (or more) of the fingers from the grasp without dropping it. This finger (or these fingers) may be then be replaced on the surface to form a new grasp with which a further increment of reorientation may be achieved. We call the resulting sequences of finger/object motions and regrasps grasp gaits. To develop an approach to planning such gaits we have addressed the problem of reorienting objects which are constrained to lie in the plane. Since a stable grasp in this environment can be achieved with only two fingers, a hand with three fingers may be able to execute a series of regrasps and object motions such that continuous reorientation is possible. Our results show that for certain types of objects, simple stereotypic gaits may be found which achieve this goal. For more restrictive cases, such as low friction at the contacts or oddly shaped objects, we have developed methods which enable us to find more complex gait patterns if they exist.
Parallel Architectures for Database Systems

Publisher Summary This chapter examines the impact of current technology on the design of special-purpose database machines (DBMs) and provides a survey of the DBMs that focuses on the adaptability of the designs to the current technology. The computer architectures fall into four groups—namely, single instruction stream-single data stream (SISD), single instruction stream-multiple data stream (SIMD), multiple instruction stream-single data stream (MISD), and multiple instruction stream-multiple data stream (MIMD). Database computer (DBC) uses two forms of parallelism: an entire cylinder is processed in parallel and the system performs queries in a pipeline fashion by separate units around two rings. The systems in high very large scale integration (VLSI)-compatible database machines are designed based on the constraints imposed by technology. In general, they are highly parallel with regular and simple architectures. The future database machine designers ought to concentrate on two important issues: (1) the investigation of the effect and benefit of a specialized database operating system on their DBM designs and (2) the optimization of the system throughput rather than improving the response time of a single request.
Population Health Initiatives for Primary Care at Duke University School of Medicine

To help shape the future of health care in North Carolina, Duke University School of Medicine has implemented several new initiatives aimed at providing primary care providers with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to improve population health and health care.
Abutment Material Effect on Peri-implant Soft Tissue Color and Perceived Esthetics

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of implant abutment material on peri-implant soft tissue color using intraoral spectrophotometric analysis and to compare the clinical outcomes with patient and clinician perception and satisfaction. Materials and Methods Thirty patients and four prosthodontic faculty members participated. Abutments were zirconia, gold-hued titanium, and titanium. Peri-implant mucosa color of a single anterior implant restoration was compared to the patient's control tooth. Spectrophotometric analysis using SpectroShadeTM Micro data determined the color difference (ΔE, ΔL*, Δa*, Δb*) between the midfacial peri-implant soft tissue for each abutment material and the marginal gingiva of the control tooth. Color difference values of the abutment groups were compared using ANOVA (α = 0.05). Patient and clinician satisfaction surveys were also conducted using a color-correcting light source. The results of each patient and clinician survey question were compared using chi-square analysis (α = 0.05). Pearson correlation analyses identified the relationship between the total color difference (ΔE) and the patient/clinician perception and satisfaction, as well as between ΔE and tissue thickness. Results Zirconia abutments displayed significantly smaller spectrophotometric gingival color difference (ΔE) compared to titanium and gold-hued titanium abutments (respectively, 3.98 ± 0.99; 7.22 ± 3.31; 5.65 ± 2.11; p < 0.05). Among ΔL*, Δa*, and Δb*, only Δa* (red-green spectrum) showed significant difference between groups. There was no significant correlation between measured soft tissue thickness and ΔE, but thick gingival phenotype, determined by a probe test, demonstrated a smaller ΔE than thin phenotype (4.82 ± 1.49; 6.41 ± 3.27; p = 0.097). There was no statistical difference in patient or clinician satisfaction among abutment materials, and no correlation between ΔE and the patient and clinician satisfaction. Patient satisfaction was significantly higher than clinician, and patient-perceived differences were lower than clinicians’ (p < 0.01). Clinicians’ satisfaction was higher for gingival (pink) esthetics than crown (white) esthetics (p < 0.05). Conclusions Peri-implant mucosa with zirconia abutments demonstrated significantly lower mean color difference compared to titanium or gold-hued titanium abutments as measured spectrophotometrically; however, no statistical difference in patient or clinician perception/satisfaction among abutment materials was demonstrated. Patients were significantly more satisfied than clinicians.
Observational Evidence of Frontal-Scale Atmospheric Responses to Kuroshio Extension Variability

AbstractThis study investigates the regional atmospheric response to the Kuroshio Extension (KE) using a combination of multiple satellite observations and reanalysis data from boreal winter over a period of at least a decade. The goal is to understand the relationship between KE variations and atmospheric responses at low frequencies. A climate index is used to measure the interannual to decadal KE variability, which leaves remarkable imprints on the mesoscale sea surface temperature (SST). Clear spatial coherence between the SST signals and frontal-scale atmospheric variables, including surface wind convergence, vertical velocity, precipitation, and clouds, is identified by linear regression analysis. Consistent with previous studies, the penetrating effect of the KE variability on the free atmosphere is found. The westward tilt of the atmospheric response above the KE near 500 hPa is revealed. The difference in the associations of frontal-scale air temperature and geopotential height with the KE variab...
In vivo antimuscarinic actions of the third generation antihistaminergic agent, desloratadine

Background Muscarinic receptor mediated adverse effects, such as sedation and xerostomia, significantly hinder the therapeutic usefulness of first generation antihistamines. Therefore, second and third generation antihistamines which effectively antagonize the H1 receptor without significant affinity for muscarinic receptors have been developed. However, both in vitro and in vivo experimentation indicates that the third generation antihistamine, desloratadine, antagonizes muscarinic receptors. To fully examine the in vivo antimuscarinic efficacy of desloratadine, two murine and two rat models were utilized. The murine models sought to determine the efficacy of desloratadine to antagonize muscarinic agonist induced salivation, lacrimation, and tremor. Desloratadine's effect on the cardiovascular system was explored in both rodent models.
Touch attitudes in cross-sex friendships: We're just friends: Friend touch

Results from this survey indicated that within heterosexual cross-sex friendships, perceptions of friendship intimacy for females were more strongly tied to their positive attitudes toward: enacting and receiving more touch, enacting and receiving more safe haven (e.g., caretaking) touch, and perceiving touch as more sexually arousing, when compared to males. Females were more motivated not to touch their cross-sex friends in public regardless of intimacy perceptions and did not positively perceive safe haven touch if they did not have a romantic partner. It is argued that males' and females' attitudes toward touch in cross-sex friendships diverge due to evolved differences related to parental investment and the manner in which they are socialized to perceive their roles in cross-sex friendships.
SEM and SPM studies of single-shot damage on silicon

Scanning probe microscopy was used to study femtosecond laser ablation of silicon as a function of laser wavelength, doping concentration, and sample temperature to gain a greater understanding of the femtosecond laser damage mechanism.
Longitudinal study of frequency of HPRT mutant T cells in patients with multiple sclerosis

Analysis of somatic mutation in circulating peripheral blood T cells can be used as an index of in vivo T-cell amplification. The ability to assess the frequency of T cells that survive in vitro in the presence of 6-thiogua-nine is an index of mutation at the HPRT gene locus. In the absence of exposure to mutational agents, elevations of the HPRT mutant frequency (mF) of T cells reflects errors in DNA replication and repair that have become fixed during the process of cell division. We estimated the mF of T cells in MS patients and controls over a period of 36 months and found that the mF was consistently elevated in MS patients of all clinical subgroups. In the chronic progressive group of MS, the mF increased over a 3-year period and appeared to correlate with the clinical worsening of the disease.
The Coulomb problem a selective review

Abstract Selected topics in the nonrelativistic quantum theory of charged particle systems are reviewed. Recent results in the theory of bound states and resonances are briefly discussed. A more extended discussion of the scattering theory is presented. Emphasis is on the fundamental mathematical issues, but reference is made to numerical calculations.
Evidence for a protein kinase C-directed mechanism in the phorbol diester-induced phospholipase D pathway of diacylglycerol generation from phosphatidylcholine

In this study we provide evidence for the involvement of protein kinase C (PKC) in phorbol diester-induced phosphatidylcholine (PC) hydrolysis by the phospholipase D pathway. Rat embryo fibroblasts (REF52) were prelabeled with either tritiated choline or myristic acid; these compounds are preferentially incorporated into cellular PC. Phorbol diester-induced PC degradation was determined by measuring the release of [3H]choline, and the formation of [3H]myristoyl-containing phosphatidate (PA), diacylglycerol (DG), and phosphatidylethanol (PE). Staurosporine, a PKC inhibitor, blocked from 73 to 90% of the phorbol diester-induced PC hydrolysis. The inhibition of phorbol diester-induced choline release by staurosporine was dose dependent with an approximate ED50 of 150 nM. Pretreatment of cells with phorbol diester inhibited subsequent phorbol diester-induced PC degradation by 78-92%. A close correlation between the ED50 for phorbol diester-stimulated choline release and the Kd for phorbol diester binding was demonstrated. Neither forskolin nor dibutyryl cAMP elicited cellular PC degradation. In vitro experiments using phospholipase D from Streptomyces chromofuscus showed that staurosporine did not inhibit and TPA did not stimulate enzyme activity.
Modified RIFLE criteria in critically ill children with acute kidney injury

A classification system has been proposed to standardize the definition of acute kidney injury in adults. These criteria of risk, injury, failure, loss, and end-stage renal disease were given the acronym of RIFLE. We have modified the criteria based on 150 critically ill pediatric RIFLE (pRIFLE) patients to assess acute kidney injury incidence and course along with renal and/or non-renal comorbidities. Of these children, 11 required dialysis and 24 died. Patients without acute kidney injury in the first week of intensive care admission were less likely to subsequently develop renal Injury or Failure; however, 82% of acute kidney injury occurred in this initial week. Within this group of 123 children, 60 reached pRIFLEmax for Risk, 32 reached Injury, and 31 reached Failure. Acute kidney injury during admission was an independent predictor of intensive care; hospital length of stay and an increased risk of death independent of the Pediatric Risk of Mortality (PRISM II) score (odds ratio 3.0). Our results show that a majority of critically ill children develop acute kidney injury by pRIFLE criteria and do so early in the course of intensive care. Acute kidney injury is associated with mortality and may lead to increased hospital costs. We suggest that the pRIFLE criteria serves to characterize the pattern of acute kidney injury in critically ill children.
A Model of Girls' School Delinquency: School Bonding and Reputation.

Using a longitudinal national database, the authors conducted a path analysis of girls' school delinquency to determine the indirect and direct effects of socioeconomic status, parental involvement, bonding to school, and girls' self-perception of reputation on school delinquency during middle school and high school. Self-perception of reputation was the most influential factor in girls' school delinquency, followed by bond to school and socioeconomic status. Implications for school counselors are presented.
Characterization of the desensitized state of Leydig tumor cells.

Abstract A perifusion system has been used to study the in vitro desensitization of isolated Leydig tumor cells. It was observed that the cells become refractory, as measured by decreased rates of steroidogenesis, during continuous perifusion with saturating concentrations of either human choriogonadotropin (CG), cholera toxin, or 8-bromo-cyclic AMP. Furthermore, an initial perifusion of the cells with either human CG, cholera toxin, or 8-bromo-cyclic AMP causes subsequent desensitization towards all three stimuli. Thus, each of these stimuli is equally effective in inducing a state of desensitization in these cells that is manifested by a steroidogenic lesion(s) distal to cyclic AMP formation. It was found that the post-cyclic AMP lesion(s) in the desensitized state occurs prior to the formation of pregnenolone. However, the decreased rates of steroidogenesis do not seem to arise from a depletion of intracellular cholesterol.
Ultrafast scanning probe microscopy

We have developed a general technique that combines the temporal resolution of ultrafast laser spectroscopy with the spatial resolution of scanned probe microscopy (SPM). Using this technique with scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), we have obtained simultaneous 2 ps time resolution and 50 angstrom spatial resolution. This improves the time resolution currently attainable with STM by nine orders of magnitude. The potential of this powerful technique for studying ultrafast dynamical phenomena on surfaces with atomic resolution is discussed.
Catch and release: photocleavable cationic diblock copolymers as a potential platform for nucleic acid delivery

Binding interactions between DNA and cationic nanocarriers must be sufficiently strong to prevent nuclease-mediated degradation, yet weak enough to permit transcription. We demonstrate cationic diblock copolymers containing PEG and o-nitrobenzyl moieties that facilitated tailorable DNA complexation and light-activated release. This design unlocks a new approach to improved non-viral gene packaging.
Search for the plasmon in condensed water

Creation of plasmons in water by energetic particles in biological tissue is important because this form of energy can migrate from the place of excitation and be transferred to nearby molecules like DNA. We have searched for evidence of plasmons in solid water, using electron-energy-loss and secondary electron spectroscopies excited by 70--1000-eV electrons. We find that the energy of the main excitation, often attributed to plasmons, depends on the energy of the exciting electron, unlike the expected plasmon behavior. The energy spectrum of secondary electrons shows the presence of autoionization, but no evidence of plasmon decay.
Recent models and findings in visual backward masking: A comparison, review, and update

Visual backward masking not only is an empirically rich and theoretically interesting phenomenon but also has found increasing application as a powerful methodological tool in studies of visual information processing and as a useful instrument for investigating visual function in a variety of specific subject populations. Since the dual-channel, sustained-transient approach to visual masking was introduced about two decades ago, several new models of backward masking and metacontrast have been proposed as alternative approaches to visual masking. In this article, we outline, review, and evaluate three such approaches: an extension of the dual-channel approach as realized in the neural network model of retino-cortical dynamics (Ogmen, 1993), the perceptual retouch theory (Bachmann, 1984, 1994), and the boundary contour system (Francis, 1997; Grossberg & Mingolla, 1985b). Recent psychophysical and electrophysiological findings relevant to backward masking are reviewed and, whenever possible, are related to the aforementioned models. Besides noting the positive aspects of these models, we also list their problems and suggest changes that may improve them and experiments that can empirically test them.
The polysome as a terminal for the creatine phosphate energy shuttle

The role of the creatine phosphate shuttle in the energetics of muscle protein synthesis in isolated polysomes, from rat hindlimb muscle, was studied. Triton X-100-treated polysomes, following their centrifugation through a 1 m sucrose gradient, contained 38 mU/mg RNA of bound creatine kinase. In the presence of pH 5 enzyme (obtained from rat liver), 0.5 mm ATP, and 1 μm GTP, amino acid (leucine) incorporation by polysomes in the presence of 8 mm creatine phosphate was twice that in the presence of an exogenous ATP regenerating system of 10 mm phospho(enol)pyruvate and 10 U/ml pyruvate kinase. Since added creatine kinase had no effect on incorporation supported by creatine phosphate it is clear that endogenous creatine kinase allows sufficient regeneration of ATP. These data also suggest that nucleoside diphosphokinase must have been associated with the polysome for phosphate was transferred to GTP from [33P]creatine phosphate, and the specific activities of ATP and GTP increased at equal rates, reaching the specific activity of creatine phosphate at 8 min. We conclude that skeletal muscle polysomes have bound creatine kinase activity and they act as terminals for the creatine phosphate energy shuttle. Creatine phosphate regenerates GTP, probably through an intermediate reaction catalyzed by nucleoside diphosphokinase. This provided an added support for the hypothesis of compartmentation of enzymes and substrates and that the transport form of energy between the mitochondria and energy utilizing sites in muscle is creatine phosphate rather than ATP, which extends the general role of the creatine phosphate energy shuttle.
Hydrolytic release of bound residues from composted soil contaminated with 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene

Samples of composted soil were extracted with solvent, then hydrolyzed with acid or base. The concentrations of extractable, unbound 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene and its mono- and diamino metabolites fell rapidly after the first days of composting. Hydrolysis of the extracted residues released significant quantities of intact metabolites.
Late Cardiac Tamponade Following Open-Heart Surgery: Detection by Echocardiography

Late cardiac tamponade following open-heart operation is a potentially lethal complication that is often difficult to diagnose. A case of cardiac tamponade occurring two weeks after left ventricular aneurysmectomy and coronary bypass surgery is reported. Despite opening of the anterior pericardium during operation, echocardiography revealed characteristic findings, which permitted prompt recognition of this disorder.
Peroral small-bowel biopsies in infants and children using a directable biopsy instrument

Fifty children, ages 1 month to 12 years, underwent peroral jejunal biopsy with a four-way directional suction biopsy instrument (Medi-Tech). Mucosal specimens were obtained in 88% of attempted biopsies in an average time of 4 min. Fluoroscopy time was minimal, and there were no complications.
Longitudinal Changes in White Matter Integrity Among Adolescent Substance Users

BACKGROUND: The influence of repeated substance use during adolescent neurodevelopment remains unclear as there have been few prospective investigations. The aims of this study were to identify longitudinal changes in fiber tract integrity associated with alcohol- and marijuana-use severity over the course of 1.5 years. METHODS: Adolescents with extensive marijuana- and alcohol-use histories by mid-adolescence (n = 41) and youth with consistently minimal if any substance use (n = 51) were followed over 18 months. Teens received diffusion tensor imaging and detailed substance-use assessments with toxicology screening at baseline and 18-month follow-ups (i.e., 182 scans in all), as well as interim substance-use interviews each 6 months. RESULTS: At an 18-month follow-up, substance users showed poorer white matter integrity in 7 tracts: (i) right superior longitudinal fasciculus, (ii) left superior longitudinal fasciculus, (iii) right posterior thalamic radiations, (iv) right prefrontal thalamic fibers, (v) right superior temporal gyrus white matter, (vi) right inferior longitudinal fasciculus, and (vii) left posterior corona radiata (ps Language: en
Spacing nomograph for interstitial implants of 125I seeds.

Permanent implants of $sup 125$I seeds at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center are performed by the method of ''dimension averaging'' to determine the total activity to be implanted; that is, the activity (in mCi) is taken to be five times the average dimension (in cm) of the target region. A nomograph has recently been developed to permit a rapid calculation of the seed spacing required for a uniform distribution of the number of seeds specified by dimension averaging. The number of seeds is also given by the nomograph. The spacing calculation performed with the nomograph, since it involves the two-thirds power of average dimension and the one-third power of seed strength, is well beyond the reach of mental arithmetic. Elongation and shape corrections are included. The nomograph spacing result is valid for an equipartition of measured volume among seeds but must be increased by an easily determined factor if peripheral seeds are considered to define the surface of the target region. (AIP)
Separating gains and losses in health when calculating the minimum important difference for mapped utility measures.

To estimate the minimum important difference (MID) for a variety of mapped utility measures and to determine whether patients perceiving gains and losses in health status should be treated equally when calculating the MID. A longitudinal study within a California managed care population of 6,932 patients was retrospectively analyzed. Utilities were derived from the SF-36 short-form health survey using multiple validated mapping methods. Absolute utility changes for patients who considered their current health as ‘somewhat better’ or ‘somewhat worse’ in the prior year were compared to determine if gains and losses in utility values could be combined. The MIDs were calculated and compared using anchor- and distribution-based methods. Two thousand one hundred patients reported ‘somewhat better’ or ‘somewhat worse’ health in the first year. When combining these patients, the average MID for all mapped utility measures was 0.03 (SD = 0.1), a magnitude similar to that identified by Walters. However, when separated, the mean MID utility change for those reporting ‘somewhat better’ and ‘somewhat worse’ health was 0.02 (SD = 0.1) and −0.06 (SD = 0.1), respectively (P < 0.0001). Researchers should consider the effects of combining gains and losses when determining utility MID values.
Wideband digital signal processing test-BED for radiometric RFI mitigation

RFI is a persistent and growing problem experienced by spaceborne microwave radiometers. Recent missions such as SMOS, SMAP, and GPM have all detected RFI in L, C, X, and K bands. To proactively deal with this issue, microwave radiometers must include digital back-end processors that generate data products that facilitate the detection and excision of RFI from desired brightness temperature measurements. The wideband digital signal processing testbed is a platform that allows rapid development of various RFI detection and mitigation algorithms using digital hardware akin to that which might be used for final spaceflight implementation. On it, we evaluate an improved version of the SMAP RFI Digital Signal Processor (DSP) that utilizes the new complex signal kurtosis algorithm as opposed to the real signal kurtosis that is used on the SMAP radiometer. In addition, we show how we scale the DSP to operate at 8.3 times the bandwidth of the SMAP radiometer for operation in K-band.
GaInNAs SOAs for Photonic Integrated Circuits

GaInNAs-SOAs having simple current confinement structure have been successfully fabricated. Good temperature characteristics and large on/off ratio were obtained. Integrating these SOAs with waveguids on GaAs, optical coding operation was realized for the first time.
GAMETE RECOGNITION AND EGG ACTIVATION IN SEA URCHINS

SYNOPSIS. Free-spawning marine invertebrates face the challenge of ensuring that gametes of the same species come into contact, recognize, bind to and fuse with one another once they have been released by the adults. Coordinated spawning, chemoattraction and specific cell-cell recognition events help to overcome this challenge. One marine invertebrate, the sea urchin, has served as a model system for the study of gamete recognition and fertilization for over 100 years. Recent biochemical and molecular advances in this area have begun to address the questions that have been raised by the results of elegant physiological observations. The picture of fertilization that is emerging is characterized by highly specific cell-cell interactions between proteins on the surfaces of the gametes. These proteins then mediate the binding and subsequent events that lead to activation of the egg and delivery of the male genetic material. Because of these recent insights, the sea urchin egg is in a position to provide answers to one of the central debates in developmental biology—the mechanism of egg activation. Does the sperm deliver an activating factor? Does sperm binding trigger a receptor-mediated signal? Or is the mechanism a complex combination? With the tools and knowledge gained from the study of sea urchin fertilization, testing of these hypotheses should be feasible in the near future.
Toxicologic study of snake venoms from Costa Rica

Abstract The toxic effects of 5 snake venoms (genus, Bothrops ) from Costa Rica were investigated. The venoms had a marked local effect on tissue when they were injected im and caused hemorrhage, myonecrosis, angionecrosis, thrombosis, and hemorrhagic endarteritis. Systemic toxic effects were investigated by injection of venom into the tail vein of mice. Most of the snake venoms caused hemorrhage in the heart, lungs, mesentery and small intestine. Some venoms produced hemorrhage in the stomach and muscle after iv injection.
Discrete modeling of crack bridging by a discontinuous platelet with a controlled interface

Abstract Crack bridging by discontinuous fibers can make brittle materials tougher by transferring stresses from the crack tip to elsewhere in the matrix material. One important aspect of crack bridging is the nature of the interface between the fibers and the matrix material. In this paper, a two-dimensional numerical model of bridging a Mode I loaded crack by linear elastic discontinuous platelets is developed for two different types of interfaces. The first type is a perfectly bonded interface. The second type is an imperfect interface described as a stick–slip interface. A shear-lag model to predict platelet pullout is developed in detail to verify the numerical implementation of the stick–slip interface. An example of a crack tip bridged by a platelet is examined for both interfaces. The perfectly bonded interface will reduce the Stress Intensity Factor (SIF) of the crack greatly but introduces new stress concentrations at the platelet ends. The stick–slip interface can be tailored to also reduce the SIF while not introducing new stress concentrations.
Renal papillary necrosis following emergency department treatment of migraine

New medications have lessened the need for narcotic medications in the acute treatment of migraine. Some of these new medications include parenteral dihydroergotamine (DHE), sumatriptan, and ketorolac. Treatment failures still occur, though, and some cases necessitate adding a second agent to one that has been ineffective. We report a case of a 46-year-old man who suffered renal papillary necrosis 12 days after receiving parenteral DHE, sumatriptan, and ketorolac for treatment of a severe migraine headache. There were no signs of an adverse drug reaction at the time of his emergency department visit. The case illustrates a potential hazard of this combination in the acute treatment of migraine.
Electrophysiologic and hemodynamic actions of diltiazem: Disparate temporal effects shown by experimental dose-response studies

Abstract Diltiazem (DT), a potent slow channel blocker, has been found to be clinically useful for treatment of coronary vasospasm, hypertension, and tachyarrhythmias. Nevertheless, only limited data are available on the hemodynamic and electrophysiologic effects of DT. Atrial, His, right ventricular apex, aortic, and Swan-Ganz thermodilution catheters were used in 10 anesthetized dogs, and recordings were made during control period and after each of four infusions of DT (0.01, 0.02, 0.04, and 0.08 mg/kg/min) each lasting 30 minutes. Results showed that heart rate, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, stroke volume, and HV interval did not change significantly. However, two dogs had second-degree AV block and a third had escape junctional rhythm during DT 0.08 mg/kg/min. Mean aortic pressure (AP¯), corrected sinus node (SN) recovery time, and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) were significantly reduced, whereas AH interval, AV functional and effective refractory periods were prolonged by DT. AV nodal refractory periods and AH interval were the only parameters significantly affected at DT 0.02 mg/kg/min. SN recovery time was significantly shortened at DT 0.04 mg/kg/min, whereasAP¯ and SVR fell significantly at DT 0.08 mg/kg/min. DT had significant electrophysiologic effects at low doses, whereas hemodynamics were significantly altered only at high doses. Further, major electrophysiologic effects were on the AV node with lesser effects on SN function. Therefore, at a dose when antiarrhythmic effects are evident, the safety of diltiazem is corroborated by lack of adverse hemodynamic effects.
Long Baseline Interferometric Observations of Long Period Variable Stars

Recent observations of long-period variable stars at spatial resolutions from approximately 1 arcsec to several milli-arcsecs have provided new insights into pulsation, dust formation, and mass-loss of AGB stars. These insights have come from long baseline interferometric observations obtained across a wide range of wavelengths, from the optical, through the infrared, to wavelengths as long as several millimeters. The present status and recent results from long baseline interferometry, particularly at optical and infrared wavelengths, are discussed. Such results include diameters and limb-darkening, surface features, mode of pulsation, location of SiO masers, inner radii of dust shells, physical conditions in the dust formation zone and of the inner regions of the dust shells. The results are interpreted in terms of present models of dust formation and mass-loss.
The Association Between Maternal Weight Gain and the Birthweight of Twins

Maternal pregravid weight, weight-for-height2 (body mass index, BMI), and gestational weight gain are acknowledged factors influencing the intrauterine growth and subsequent birthweight of singletons. The effect of these factors, singly and in combination, on the birthweight of twins is less clear. Using an historical prospective design, this study evaluated the association between maternal pregravid weight, weight gain (as early rate of gain, late rate of gain, and total weight gain), and the birthweight of twins.One hundred and sixty-three twin pregnancies of 28 weeks gestation or greater with both twins born alive were evaluated in this study. Mothers were categorized by their BMI as underweight, normal weight, or overweight. Weight gain was measured as early (before 24 weeks) rate of gain, late (after 24 weeks) rate of gain, and total gain. Based on weight gain to 24 weeks gestation, early rate of gain (before 24 weeks) and late rate of gain (after 24 weeks) was calculated. Discordancy was evaluated a...
Time dependent cadmium uptake by fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) during field and laboratory exposure

Fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) exposed to 2.5 ppb cadmium in an industrially contaminated lake accumulated whole body burdens of 3.19 ppm Cd in 12 hours, while minnows exposed to 48 ppb Cd in a continuous flow laboratory system did not reach comparable levels until the eighth day of exposure. Significant whole body accumulation of Cd (approximately 9 ppm) peaked within 17–20 days of exposure in the laboratory.
Effective Iron Chelation Practice for Patients With β-Thalassemia Major

Chronic blood transfusion is the only treatment for severe anemia in patients with β-thalassemia major. However, red blood cell transfusions lead to iron overload and subsequent organ damage because of the toxic effects of iron. The heart is particularly vulnerable to iron toxicity, and heart failure is the leading cause of death among these patients. Iron chelation therapy prevents or reverses iron loading, thereby reducing the risk of complications from excess iron. Serum ferritin and liver iron concentration often are used to gauge the risk of organ iron overload, but these measurements may not correlate well with cardiac iron load. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a noninvasive diagnostic tool that can provide a more direct measure of iron concentration in both the heart and liver. Cardiac iron determined by MRI is expressed as a function of T2*, in which higher values represent lower concentrations. Changes in T2* are used to assess the effectiveness of iron chelation and to adjust therapy. Early treatment and compliance are keys to successful therapy. Nursing strategies to optimize chelation therapy include identifying patients who are at risk for developing organ damage, developing chelation plans, promoting compliance, and educating patients. The efficacy and safety of iron chelators, as well as nursing best practices, are reviewed.
Picosecond CO2 laser pulses and their applications

Abstract The mechanisms for the generation of variable picosecond duration CO2 laser pulses using the optical free induction decay method are reviewed. A few recent applications of the variable duration feature are described. They include the measurement of the T2 relaxation time in a CO2 laser medium, the measurement of multiphoton absorption in sf6 and the determination of the electron-phonon interaction time in a semiconductor.
Horizontal Silicon Nanowires with Radial p-n Junctions: A Platform for Unconventional Solar Cells.

The silicon p–n junction is the most successful solar energy technology to date, yet it accounts for a marginal percentage of worldwide energy production. To change the status quo, a disruptive technological breakthrough is needed. In this Perspective, we discuss the potential for complex silicon nanowires to serve as a platform for next-generation photovoltaic devices. We review the synthesis, electrical characteristics, and optical properties of core/shell silicon nanowires that are subwavelength in diameter and contain radial p–n junctions. We highlight the unique features of these nanowires, such as optical antenna effects that concentrate light and intense built-in electric fields that enable ultrafast charge-carrier separation. We advocate a paradigm in which nanowires are arranged in periodic horizontal arrays to form ultrathin devices. Unlike conventional planar silicon, nanowire structures provide the flexibility to incorporate multiple semiconductor, dielectric, and metallic materials in a singl...
Adhesives aid robotic bonding of flexible circuits

THE USE of engineering adhesives in manufacturing is seen to be a major area of growth, at the expense of conventional fastening techniques such as screwing, welding and riveting. Similarly, flexible circuits are also seen to be set to grow in use as manufacturers seek to cram in more electronics and functions into ever‐smaller and more complex packages.
Epitope Mapping Studies with Neutralizing and Non-neutralizing Monoclonal Antibodies to the G1 and G2 Envelope Glycoproteins of Hantaan Virus

Epitopes recognized by three G1-specific and two G2-specific neutralizing monoclonal antibodies to Hantaan virus were mapped by sequence analyses of the complete M genome segments of neutralization escape variant viruses. For each variant, we detected nucleotide sequence substitutions which resulted in a single amino acid change in either the G1 or G2 protein. Serological properties of the variant viruses correlated with changes identified by nucleotide sequence analyses. To map epitopes recognized by three G1-specific and six G2-specific, non-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies, we prepared genes, truncated at the carboxy terminal coding regions of G1 or G2, and expressed them with baculovirus recombinants or transiently in a vaccinia/T7 RNA polymerase system. Reactivities of the monoclonal antibodies with the truncated proteins were monitored by immune precipitation of the radiolabeled, truncated glycoproteins. We determined that all three of the G1-specific antibodies reacted with truncated proteins, which retained the amino terminal one-third of G1, but lost reactivity with shorter G1 proteins. The G2-specific antibodies only recognized G2 proteins, which retained approximately 80% of the G2 gene.
Reputation-based framework for high integrity sensor networks

Sensor network technology promises a vast increase in automatic data collection capabilities through efficient deployment of tiny sensing devices. The technology will allow users to measure phenomena of interest at unprecedented spatial and temporal densities. However, as with almost every data-driven technology, the many benefits come with a significant challenge in data reliability. If wireless sensor networks are really going to provide data for the scientific community, citizen-driven activism, or organizations which test that companies are upholding environmental laws, then an important question arises: How can a user trust the accuracy of information provided by the sensor networkq Data integrity is vulnerable to both node and system failures. In data collection systems, faults are indicators that sensor nodes are not providing useful information. In data fusion systems the consequences are more dire; the final outcome is easily affected by corrupted sensor measurements, and the problems are no longer visibly obvious.In this article, we investigate a generalized and unified approach for providing information about the data accuracy in sensor networks. Our approach is to allow the sensor nodes to develop a community of trust. We propose a framework where each sensor node maintains reputation metrics which both represent past behavior of other nodes and are used as an inherent aspect in predicting their future behavior. We employ a Bayesian formulation, specifically a beta reputation system, for the algorithm steps of reputation representation, updates, integration and trust evolution. This framework is available as a middleware service on motes and has been ported to two sensor network operating systems, TinyOS and SOS. We evaluate the efficacy of this framework using multiple contexts: (1) a lab-scale test bed of Mica2 motes, (2) Avrora simulations, and (3) real data sets collected from sensor network deployments in James Reserve.
The relationship of psychosomatic medicine to consultation-liaison psychiatry.

consultation-liaison psychiatry arose in the mid-1960s from the matrix of psychoanalytically oriented psychosomatic medicine. The influence of psychoanalysis and psychoanalytically trained academic psychiatrists gradually waned. The liaison aspect of consultation-liaison psychiatry faded in the early 1980s, and most consultation-liaison services are now primarily high-quality consultation services that contribute much to university teaching hospitals. The consultation-liaison service at the University of New Mexico (UNM) and several others have eliminated the term “liaison.” The consultation service at UNM sees relatively few patients with classic psychosomatic disorders. The majority of requests to UNM ‘s consultation service relate to suicide attempts, delirium, complicated medical problems with psychiatric illness, substance abuse, burns, trauma, and competency evaluations.
Polarization effects in silicon-clad optical waveguides.

By changing the thickness of a semiconductor cladding layer deposited on a planar dielectric waveguide, the TE or TM propagating modes may be selectively attenuated. This polarization effect is due to the periodic coupling between the lossless propagating modes of the dielectric slab waveguide and the lossy modes of the cladding layer. Experimental tests involving silicon claddings show high selectivity for either polarization.
Human pose tracking from monocular video by traversing an image motion mapped body pose manifold

Tracking human pose from monocular video sequences is a challenging problem due to the large number of independent parameters affecting image appearance and nonlinear relationships between generating parameters and the resultant images. Unlike the current practice of fitting interpolation functions to point correspondences between underlying pose parameters and image appearance, we exploit the relationship between pose parameters and image motion flow vectors in a physically meaningful way. Change in image appearance due to pose change is realized as navigating a low dimensional submanifold of the infinite dimensional Lie group of diffeomorphisms of the two dimensional sphere S 2 . For small changes in pose, image motion flow vectors lie on the tangent space of the submanifold. Any observed image motion flow vector field is decomposed into the basis motion vector flow fields on the tangent space and combination weights are used to update corresponding pose changes in the different dimensions of the pose parameter space. Image motion flow vectors are largely invariant to style changes in experiments with synthetic and real data where the subjects exhibit variation in appearance and clothing. The experiments demonstrate the robustness of our method (within ±4° of ground truth) to style variance.