cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Smith-Lemli-Opitz Mutations in Unexplained Stillbirths.

Objective Smith–Lemli–Opitz syndrome (SLOS) is an autosomal recessive syndrome caused by a defect in cholesterol biosynthesis with mutations in 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase (DHCR7). A total of 3% of Caucasians carry DHCR7 mutations, theoretically resulting in a homozygote frequency of 1/4000. However, SLOS occurs in only 1/20,000 to 60,000 live births. Our objective was to assess DHCR7 mutations in unexplained stillbirths. Study Design Prospective, multicenter, population-based case–control study of all stillbirths and a representative sample of live births enrolled in five geographic areas. Cases with stillbirth due to obstetric complications, infection, or aneuploidy, and those with poor quality deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) were excluded. DNA was extracted from placental tissue stored at –80°C, and exons 3 to 9 of the DCHR7 gene were amplified, purified, and subjected to bidirectional sequencing to identify mutations. Results One-hundred forty four stillbirths were unexplained and had adequate DNA for analysis. Nine stillbirths of 139 (6.5%) had a single mutation in one allele in coding exons 3 to 9 of DHCR7 (Table 1). One case (0.7%) was a compound heterozygote for mutations in exons 3 to 9 of DHCR7; this fetus had no clinical or histologic features of SLOS. Conclusion We detected SLOS mutations in only 0.7% of stillbirths. This does not support a strong association between unrecognized DHCR7 mutations and stillbirth.
Pion Pion Decay Distributions for $\pi^- p \to \pi^+ \pi^- \eta$ at 100-GeV/c and 175-GeV/c

We report measurements of the reaction $\pi^- p \to \pi^+ \pi^- \eta$ at 100 and 175 GeV /c using a large wire chamber spectrometer at Fermilab. Production of $p^0$ , $f^0$ • and $g^0$ resonances was observed. Cross sections for $\pi^- p \to \pi^+ \pi^- \eta$ in the $p^0$ mass region are given. Decay angle distributions for $\pi \pi$ masses from .55 to 3.5 GeV /$c^2$ are presented. Moment analyses of the decay distributions are made as a function of 1i1i mass from .55 to 2.4 GeV /$c^2$. Contours of $\pi\pi$ decay distribution dips are given in $s_{\pi\pi}$ and $t_{\pi\pi}$. Comparisons with several lower energy experiments are made. Detailed discussions of the apparatus, trigger, and analysis procedures are given.
Entropy Driven Phase Transition in Polymer Gels: Mean Field Theory.

We present a mean field model of a gel consisting of P polymers, each of length L and Nz polyfunctional monomers. Each polyfunctional monomer forms z covalent bonds with the 2P bifunctional monomers at the ends of the linear polymers. We find that the entropy dependence on the number of polyfunctional monomers exhibits an abrupt change at Nz = 2P/z due to the saturation of possible crosslinks. This non-analytical dependence of entropy on the number of polyfunctionals generates a first-order phase transition between two gel phases: one poor and the other rich in poly-functional molecules.
Influence of Medication on Nutritional Status

Key Points Drug-induced changes to nutritional status may be considered a subclass of adverse drug effects. Medication may alter food intake, as well as cause weight loss or weight gain. Medication may alter macronutrient digestion, absorption, metabolism, and excretion. Medication may alter micronutrient absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. Significant drug-induced alterations in nutritional status can be prevented or managed by selecting a therapeutic alternative without the unwanted nutritional effect or providing supplementation, in the case of nutrient losses.
Connections Between Extenics and Refined Neutrosophic Logic

The aim of this presentation is to connect Extenics with new fields of research, i.e. fuzzy logic and neutrosophic logic. We show herein: - How Extenics is connected to the 3-Valued Neutrosophic Logic, - How Extenics is connected to the 4-Valued Neutrosophic Logic, - How Extenics is connected to the n-Valued Neutrosophic Logic, when contradictions occurs.
Action of Hypolipidemic Drugs on Bile Acid Metabolism

The effects of pharmacological agents on bile acid metabolism may be assessed in several ways. The total excretion of bile acids in the bile or feces can be measured, the spectrum of bile acids or their conjugates can be determined, or the synthesis of bile acids can be assessed. To date, most experimental approaches have involved the first of these possibilities.
Applying molecular immunohaematology to regularly transfused thalassaemic patients in Thailand.

Background Red blood cell transfusion is the principal therapy in patients with severe thalassaemias and haemoglobinopathies, which are prevalent in Thailand. Serological red blood cell typing is confounded by chronic transfusion, because of circulating donor red blood cells. We evaluated the concordance of serological phenotypes between a routine and a reference laboratory and with red cell genotyping. Materials and methods Ten consecutive Thai patients with β-thalassemia major who received regular transfusions were enrolled in Thailand. Phenotypes were tested serologically at Songklanagarind Hospital and at the National Institutes of Health. Red blood cell genotyping was performed with commercially available kits and a platform. Results In only three patients was the red cell genotyping concordant with the serological phenotypes for five antithetical antigen pairs in four blood group systems at the two institutions. At the National Institutes of Health, 32 of the 100 serological tests yielded invalid or discrepant results. The positive predictive value of serology did not reach 1 for any blood group system at either of the two institutions in this set of ten patients. Discussion Within this small study, numerous discrepancies were observed between serological phenotypes at the two institutes; red cell genotyping enabled determination of the blood group when serology failed due to transfused red blood cells. We question the utility of serological tests in regularly transfused paediatric patients and propose relying solely on red cell genotyping, which requires training for laboratory personnel and physicians. Red cell genotyping outperformed red cell serology by an order of magnitude in regularly transfused patients.
InP/GaInAs/InP PIN Photodiode with FWHM <18 ps

High-speed optical detectors in the 1.3–1.55 μm wavelength range are required for a new generation of microwave-optical instruments to characterize high data rate systems, microwave transmission via lightwave, and other applications requiring true replication of the modulation signal. Front-side illuminated photodiodes have an advantage over back-side illuminated devices in simplicity of packaging. In addition, the transit time of the photocarriers is determined by electrons rather than by holes as for backside illuminated devices fabricated on n-type substrates. The speed of response of the double heterostructure photodiode is wavelength independent since photocarriers can only be generated in the i-layer which is fully depleted. For single heterostructure backside illuminated photodiodes with p-GalnAs, the speed response degrades as the wavelength increases since photocarriers can be generated in the low field p-layer resulting in carrier diffussion. For high-speed operation of the device, the i-layer thickness is selected such that the device is transit time limited and is of the order of one absorption length. However one potential obstacle exists that could degrade the speed of a front-side illuminated device, and that is the trapping of holes at the discontinuity in the valance band between the InP and GalnAs. The effect of hole trapping was not evident in the results of Susa et al[l] which utilized a separate absorption and multiplication (SAM) structure for a front-side illuminated avalanche photodiode. This suggests that the quality of interface could play a dominant role in the transit time at heterojunction interfaces.
Academic Grades as a Predictor of Occupational Success among Engineering Graduates

The assumption that there is a direct relationship between academic achievement and occupational success was tested with a sample of bachelor degree-level engineering graduates who had 5 to 10 year...
Crisis in Theological Education?: Fake News or a Real Crisis?

The presenters used a slide show to explain their research into the crisis in theological education. This research was based on an extensive review of the literature and used the grounded theory method to conduct interviews, to receive qualitative data. Beyond just reporting the findings, the presenters also gave attendees a glimpse into the nuts and bolts of doing this type of research.
SUSTAINED MEAN AORTIC PRESSURE GRADIENT REDUCTION THREE YEARS AFTER TRANSCATHETER AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENTS: RESULTS FROM THE MARSHFIELD AORTIC VALVE EXPERIENCE PILOT SUBSTUDY

Although prior studies showed mean aortic valve pressure gradient (mAoVpg) dramatically drops in patients with severe aortic stenosis following Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) with different valve types; it is not well known if this drop in mAoVpg is sustained through the years after
Resolved Hyperfine at L-band for High-Spin CoEDTA, A Model for Co Sites in Proteins

Low-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra were obtained for the Co complex of ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (CoEDTA). It was found that the cobalt hyperfine at geff-mid is better resolved at a low frequency, L-band (1.37 GHz), and not resolved at X-band (9.631 GHz), which is the conventional frequency used for most spectra for metal complexes. Resolved cobalt hyperfine lines lead to additional EPR parameters like A-mid for cobalt and a more-accurate determination of g-mid. Resolved hyperfine lines in the L-band, but not the S-band, spectra were obtained at a concentration of 1 mM. Knowing these additional EPR parameters provides a means to better determine the electron density in the ground state orbital for each cobalt complex, as well as to determine differences upon a change of ligation. If zinc sites can be replaced by cobalt, the cobalt spectra for these sites will enhance the characterization of the zinc sites.
The Tale of a Double-Edged Sword: Protecting the Heart from Metastatic Melanoma Tumor and its Treatment with Pembrolizumab∗

Cardio-oncology is a field of medicine emerging at the intersection of cardiology and oncology. As the term implies, the field encompasses preventing (as applicable), monitoring, detecting, and managing primary and secondary cardiac tumors, as well as cardiotoxic effects of cancer therapy, in
The role of human RecQL4 helicase protein interactions in genomic stability

1789 The unique biopolymer poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) is synthesized by members of the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) family as a posttranslational modification of many cellular target proteins. PARP-1, a major PAR synthetic activity, is activated in response to DNA strand breaks. Once synthesized, PAR is rapidly degraded by action of poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase (PARG). Cellular PAR metabolism modulates cellular responses to genotoxic stress by stimulating DNA repair or inducing cell death and is therefore an important factor for the maintenance of genomic integrity. Reduced poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation capacity, e.g. in PARP-1-/- mice, leads to a decrease in genomic stability and to an increase in tumor formation. In addition to PARP-1 and PARP-2, which are DNA strand break activated, numerous genes code for PARP enzymes that catalyze PAR synthesis in both nuclear and extranuclear compartments of the cell independent of the presence of DNA damage. Only one gene coding for PARG has been identified in mammalian cells. We recently described the human PARG gene structure (Meyer et al., Gene, 314: 181-190, 2003) and have shown that several cellular PARG protein isoforms of 111kDa (hPARG111), 102 kDa (hPARG102) and 99 kDa (hPARG99) are synthesized by translation of alternatively spliced messages (Meyer-Ficca et al., Exp Cell Res, 297: 521-532, 2004). The different isoforms localize to different cellular compartments and are therefore able to function in PAR homeostasis throughout the cell: hPARG111 is nuclear, while hPARG102 and hPARG99 appear to be cytoplasmic. Here we describe the detection of an additional human PARG splice variant coding for a 60 kDa protein (hPARG60), which also has a cytoplasmic subcellular distribution. To assess the functions of the different PARG isoforms in more detail, constructs allowing for the overexpression of fusion proteins of green fluorescent protein to the PARG isoforms were generated. Transient overexpression of these proteins in HEK293 cells increased the total cellular PAR degrading activity by 4-5 fold. The accumulation of PAR after DNA damage was markedly reduced. Overexpression of the longer PARG isoforms (hPARG111 and hPARG102) in HeLa cells induced distinct changes in nuclear morphology, while overexpression of the 60 kDa PARG isoform was cytotoxic. These finding support the concept that PAR homeostasis involving the coordination of cellular PARPs and PARGs play important roles not only in cellular responses to DNA damage, but also for the maintenance of genomic integrity in the absence of genotoxic stress. (Supported in part by NIH Grant CA-43894)
Teaching NeuroImages: Unilateral focal segmental hyperhidrosis from spinal tumor progression.

A 10-year-old girl presented with excessive sweating overlying her right scapula (figure) and stable right leg weakness due to an underlying solid cystic pilocytic astrocytoma spanning T3–T12, debulked 5 months earlier, subsequently re-decompressed with syringosubarachnoid shunt placement secondary to intrasyrinx hemorrhage. MRI demonstrated mild tumor and syrinx progression at T5–T8, limited to the right side (figure, B–E). Focal segmental hyperhidrosis is rare, previously reported in Chiari and trauma-related syringomyelia.1,2 Here, unilateral hyperhidrosis was caused by ipsilateral tumor and syrinx progression. The pathophysiology may be from local tissue damage causing hyperactivity of preganglionic sympathetic neurons or disinhibition of inhibitory local interneurons.2
Epidemic Models of the Novel Coronavirus Infectious Disease

This is a preliminary note for building and creating interactive models of the spread of the novel coronavirus. This note explains the basic idea of various epidemic models and show how to use some of built-in functions in Wolfram Mathematica to visualize solutions of these epidemic models.
Task, usability, and error analyses of ambulance-based telemedicine for stroke care

Past research has established that telemedicine improves stroke care through decreased time to treatment and more accurate diagnoses. The goals of this study were to 1) study how clinicians complet...
Robotic Revisional Bariatric Surgery

The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) has reported the estimated number of revisional surgeries in the USA to be about 14% in 2017, which is more than double compared to 2011. Revisional procedures include a broad of surgeries that are meant to benefit patients with either recurrent or persistent disease or patients with complications of the index procedure. Understandably, revisional procedures are associated with increased operative times and morbidity. The complication rate after laparoscopic revisional surgery is 15–31% and is highly dependent on the specific revisional procedure. The application of robotics in primary bariatric surgery is emerging but not yet widespread. As it pertains to revisional bariatric surgery, some series have demonstrated its feasibility and safety, although recent advances in robotic technology can improve upon those outcomes and demonstrate clear advantages favoring robotics’ routine use.
Towards a Verification and Validation Framework for COVID-19 Forecast Models

We present a model verification and validation (V&V) framework to evaluate COVID-19 forecasting models on their report of eight V&V-related components: (1) Conceptual Model, (2) Code and Calculation Verification, (3) Data Validation, (4) Parameter Estimation, (5) Initialization, (6) Uncertainty Estimation, (7) Output Validation, and (8) Model-to-Model Comparison. The framework provides a structured method to evaluate these models based on their reported V&V practices qualitatively. We applied this framework as a checklist for nine models included in the COVID-19 Forecast Hub. One model got the highest score by supporting seven components, while the lowest-ranked model got only two. This framework can serve as part of a larger framework to qualitatively and quantitatively examine COVID-19 models' V&V reported practices and provide credibility for those models that not only perform well but also robust in model construction.
Information systems and smart grid: New directions for the IS community

While there is growing awareness that smart grid is an enabler of the new “green economy”, the IS academic community has been slow to recognize the challenges and opportunities it presents. So far there is little research in the IS field on smart grid technologies, yet this issue is closely linked to a number of common themes in the IS field. We identify some of the most salient issues in smart grid to the IS field and propose ways for the IS community to engage in this emerging example of the “internet of things”.
INSURANCE Domestic Stock and Mutual Insurers: Create Exceptions to Prohibited Transactions for Directors and Employees; Permit Transferability of Insurable Interests

The Act allows officers, directors, committee members, and employees of an insurance company to engage in transactions with the insurance company if a written request is given to the Insurance Commissionerrs office and the request is not denied. The Act also changes the law relating to a corporationrs insurable interests. If a corporation is merged, sold, or otherwise becomes part of another corporation, the new corporation may retain the former corporationrs insurable interests.
MIGRATION, THE POLITICS OF PROTEST, AND STATE CONSOLIDATION IN AFRICA

The author notes that in many parts of Africa people have traditionally showed their discontent with the existing political community by migrating away from their jurisdiction. However because of political and resource constraints that have evolved over the past 100 years such options are no longer generally available. In contrast people tend to migrate toward urban areas which are the centers of political power. The implications of this change for the political future of the continent are assessed. (ANNOTATION)
Directed energy interstellar propulsion of wafersats

In the nearly 60 years of spaceflight we have accomplished wonderful feats of exploration and shown the incredible spirit of the human drive to explore and understand our universe. Yet in those 60 years we have barely left our solar system with the Voyager 1 spacecraft launched in 1977 finally leaving the solar system after 37 years of flight at a speed of 17 km/s or less than 0.006% the speed of light. As remarkable as this is, we will never reach even the nearest stars with our current propulsion technology in even 10 millennium. We have to radically rethink our strategy or give up our dreams of reaching the stars, or wait for technology that does not exist. While we all dream of human spaceflight to the stars in a way romanticized in books and movies, it is not within our power to do so, nor it is clear that this is the path we should choose. We posit a technological path forward, that while not simple; it is within our technological reach. We propose a roadmap to a program that will lead to sending relativistic probes to the nearest stars and will open up a vast array of possibilities of flight both within our solar system and far beyond. Spacecraft from gram level complete spacecraft on a wafer (“wafer sats”) that reach more than ¼ c and reach the nearest star in 15 years to spacecraft with masses more than 105 kg (100 tons) that can reach speeds of near 1000 km/s such systems can be propelled to speeds currently unimaginable with our existing propulsion technologies. To do so requires a fundamental change in our thinking of both propulsion and in many cases what a spacecraft is. In addition to larger spacecraft, some capable of transporting humans, we consider functional spacecraft on a wafer, including integrated optical communications, optical systems and sensors combined with directed energy propulsion. Since “at home” the costs can be amortized over a very large number of missions. The human factor of exploring the nearest stars and exo-planets would be a profound voyage for humanity, one whose non-scientific implications would be enormous. It is time to begin this inevitable journey beyond our home.
ICEMAN: A Practical Architecture for Situational Awareness at the Network Edge

Situational awareness applications used in disaster response and tactical scenarios require efficient communication without support from a fixed infrastructure. As commercial off-the-shelf mobile phones and tablets become cheaper, they are increasingly deployed in volatile ad-hoc environments. Despite wide use, networking in an efficient and distributed way remains as an active research area, and few implementation results on mobile devices exist. In these scenarios, where users both produce and consume sensed content, the network should efficiently match content to user interests without making any fixed infrastructure assumptions. We propose the ICEMAN (Information CEntric Mobile Ad-hoc Networking) architecture which is designed to support distributed situational awareness applications in tactical scenarios. We describe the motivation, features, and implementation of our architecture and briefly summarize the performance of this novel architecture.
Cardiovascular effect of bans on smoking in public places: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives A systematic review and a meta-analysis were performed to determine the association between public smoking bans and risk for hospital admission for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Background Secondhand smoke (SHS) is associated with a 30% increase in risk of AMI, which might be reduced by prohibiting smoking in work and public places. Methods PubMed, EMBASE, and Google Scholar databases plus bibliographies of relevant studies and reviews were searched for peer-reviewed original articles published from January 1, 2004, through April 30, 2009, using the search terms “smoking ban” and “heart” or “myocardial infarct.” Investigators supplied additional data. All published peer-reviewed original studies identified were included. Incidence rates of AMI per 100,000 person-years before and after implementation of the smoking bans and incidence rate ratios (IRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Random effects meta-analyses estimated the overall effect of the smoking bans. Funnel plot and meta-regression assessed heterogeneity among studies. Results Using 11 reports from 10 study locations, AMI risk decreased by 17% overall (IRR: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.75 to 0.92), with the greatest effect among younger individuals and nonsmokers. The IRR incrementally decreased 26% for each year of observation after ban implementation. Conclusions Smoking bans in public places and workplaces are significantly associated with a reduction in AMI incidence, particularly if enforced over several years.
Design of fuzzy logic systems for nonlinear process identification

This paper presents a method of constructing accurate nonlinear dynamic MIMO models using a class of fuzzy logic systems (FLSs). Generally, the design of FLS models involves identification of both the FLS structure (linguistic fuzzy IF-THEN rules) and parameter tuning of fuzzy membership functions. Most current techniques treat these parts separately, which may result in a suboptimal solution. The authors propose to optimize the two parts simultaneously using a genetic algorithm (GA), a stochastic global search method which explores the solution space in manner similar to natural evolution. In the authors' work new FLS domain specific operators are introduced that significantly reduce search time, and at the same time, increase the accuracy of results. The FLS model obtained from GA search is further fine-tuned using a conjugate gradient method. To illustrate the proposed method, the authors show that the FLS models compare well to other nonparametric modeling techniques, such as standard feedforward neural networks on an example of a nonlinear system. In addition, a FLS offers qualitative model description in terms of the linguistic fuzzy rules which may contribute to the understanding and control of the process. These merits make the FLS models attractive for use in model predictive control and other process applications.
Surgical open-chest ventricular defibrillation: triphasic waveforms are superior to biphasic waveforms.

Triphasic shocks have been evaluated for endocardial defibrillation but not for open-chest epicardial defibrillation. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of biphasic versus triphasic shocks for epicardial defibrillation in a porcine model. Twenty-two adult swine (18–28 kg) were deeply anesthetized and intubated. After 30 seconds electrically induced VF, each pig received truncated exponential biphasic (7.2-ms positive pulse duration and 7.2-ms negative pulse duration, total waveform duration 14.4 ms) and triphasic (4.8/4.8/4.8 ms, total waveform duration 14.4 ms) epicardial shocks. Pigs in group 1 (n = 11) received epicardial biphasic and triphasic shocks from large hand held paddle electrodes (44.2 cm2); pigs in group 2 (n = 11) received shocks from small paddle electrodes (15.9 cm2). Shocks were given at five selected energy levels (3–30 J) in random sequence. Four shocks were delivered at each energy level to construct an energy versus percentage of success curve. In group 1 (large paddle electrodes), percentage of shock success was significantly higher for triphasic shocks at the energy levels of 3, 5, 10, and 20 J compared to biphasic shocks. In group 2 (small paddle electrodes), triphasic shocks yielded a significantly higher percentage of shock success than biphasic shocks at the energy levels of 5, 10, and 20 J). Shock induced ventricular tachycardia was similar for both waveforms; asystole was rare. For open-chest defibrillation, triphasic waveform shocks were superior to biphasic waveform shocks for VF termination at energy levels of 3–20 J and were as safe as biphasic shocks. (PACE 2004; 27:941–948)
Is speech alignment to talkers or tasks

Speech alignment, or the tendency of individuals to subtly imitate each other’s speaking styles, is often assessed by comparing a subject’s baseline and shadowed utterances to a model’s utterances, often through perceptual ratings. These types of comparisons provide information about the occurrence of a change in subject’s speech, but they do not indicate that this change is toward the specific shadowed model. In three experiments, we investigated whether alignment is specific to a shadowed model. Experiment 1 involved the classic baseline-to-shadowed comparison, to confirm that subjects did, in fact, sound more like their model when they shadowed, relative to any preexisting similarities between a subject and a model. Experiment 2 tested whether subjects’ utterances sounded more similar to the model whom they had shadowed or to another, unshadowed model. In Experiment 3, we examined whether subjects’ utterances sounded more similar to the model whom they had shadowed or to another subject who had shadowed a different model. The results of all experiments revealed that subjects sounded more similar to the model whom they had shadowed. This suggests that shadowing-based speech alignment is not just a change, but a change in the direction of the shadowed model, specifically.
Avoiding robot faux pas: using social context to teach robots behavioral propriety

Contextual cues strongly in influence the behavior of people in social environments, and people are very adept at interpreting and responding to these cues. While robots are becoming increasingly present in these spaces, they do not yet share humans' essential sense of contextually-bounded social propriety. However, it is essential for robots to be able to modify their behavior depending on context so that they operate in an appropriate manner across a variety of situations. In our work, we are building models of context for social robots, that operate on real-world, naturalistic, noisy data, across multi-context and multi-person settings. In this paper, we discuss one aspect of this work, which concerns teaching a robot an appropriateness function for interrupting a person in a public space. We trained a support-vector machine (SVM) to learn an association between contextual cues and the reaction of people being interrupted by a robot across three different contexts. Overall, our results are promising, and further work on integrating context models into social robots could lead to interesting and impactful findings across the HRI community.
Beta-adrenergic blocking agents and anaesthesia: a review.

Beta-adrenergic receptor blockade may have extensive use in clinical medicine. Interactions between beta-adrenergic blocking drugs and anaesthetic agents may have life-threatening ramifications and sequelae. Physiological responses to anaesthetic agents which stimulate sympatho-adrenal activity may be altered markedly. Beta-adrenergic blocking agents are contraindicated in patients with atrio-ventricular block and idioventricular rhythm, because all cardiac electrical activity may be abolished. Relative contraindications include asthma and other broncho-spastic states and conditions predisposing towards hypoglycaemia, e.g. insulin-treated diabetes mellitus. Anaesthetized patients subjected to beta-adrenergic blockade will have decreased tolerance to any factor that increases cardiac work. Patients with hearts dependent upon sympathetic support for survival will not tolerate removal of that support, regardless of anaesthetic agent superimposed. Without beta-adrenergic support, evidence of falling cardiac output will be manifested as hypotension and bradycardia. Central venous pressure will rise if the myocardium fails.
Model for density variation at a fluid surface

A fluid model with freely propagating longitudinal density waves is modified by the imposition of an external field. A relation between the resulting density inhomogeneity and the applied potential is obtained, depending only upon the uniform fluid pair distribution function. This is solved for a container-bounded fluid. The resulting surface density profiles for classical and zero-temperature Bose hard-sphere fluids compare very well with numerical experiments.
The cross ratio as a shape parameter for Dürer's solid

On the 500th anniversary of Albrecht Durer's copperplate engraving Melencolia I, we invite readers to join in a time-honoured ‘party game’ that has attracted art historians and scientists for many years: guessing the nature and meaning of the composition's enigmatic stone polyhedron. Our main purpose is to demonstrate the usefulness of the cross ratio in the analysis of works in perspective. We show how the cross ratio works as a projectively invariant ‘shape parameter’ of the polyhedron, and how it can be used in analysing other existing theories.
Effect of acute uremia on various aspects of carbohydrate metabolism in dogs

Effect of acute uremia on various aspects of carbohydrate metabolism in dogs. Dogs were studied before and five days after diversion of both ureters into the vena cava. Mean (± sem) serum creatinine concentration (24 dogs) increased from 0.9 ± 0.03 to 15.3 ± 0.05 mg/100ml (P Effets de l'uremie aigue sur divers aspects du metabolisme des hydrates de carbone chez le chien. Des chiens ont ete etudies avant et cinq jours apres derivation des deux ureteres dans la veine cave. La creatininemie moyenne (±sem) de 24 chiens a augmente de 0,9 ± 0,03 mg/100 ml a 15,3 ± 0,05 mg/100 ml (P
Blood basophils from cystic fibrosis patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis are primed and hyper-responsive to stimulation by aspergillus allergens.

Abstract Introduction Fifteen to sixty percent of cystic fibrosis patients harbor Aspergillus fumigatus ( Af ) in their airways (CF-AC) and some will develop allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (CF-ABPA). Since basophils play a key role in allergy, we hypothesized that they would display alterations in CF-ABPA patients compared to CF-AC or patients without Af colonization (CF). Methods Using flow cytometry, we measured CD203c, CD63 and CD123 levels on basophils from CF-ABPA (N=11), CF-AC (N=14), and CF (N=12) patients before and after ex vivo stimulation with Af allergens. Results Baseline CD203c was increased in basophils from CF-ABPA compared to CF-AC and CF patients. Af extract and recombinant Aspf1 stimulated basophils from CF-ABPA patients to markedly upregulate CD203c, along with modest upregulation of CD63 and a CD123 downward trend. Plasma TARC/CCL17 at baseline and post-stimulation cell supernatant histamine levels were similar in the three groups. Conclusions In CF-ABPA, blood basophils are primed and hyperresponsive to Af allergen stimulation.
Digital computer simulation of complex radiant heat load

Abstract The exchange of radiant heat between an absorber and a variety of radiators in its surroundings is capable of calculation by digital computer. When the absorber is characterized as a black body, the calculated results may represent the maximum potential radiant heat load upon a man occupying the absorber location. Calculations of heat exchange for a matrix of absorber locations within a work space permits the construction of isopleths of heat load in that work space; this may be done for any elevation of interest. The contribution made by each individual radiator to the heat load on absorbers at the various locations may be obtained. Repeated computer runs using simple changes in input data may be used to simulate various alternatives for control of radiant heat exposures. Use of a digital computer permits mathematical assessment of radiant heat exchange problems for which manual calculations would be prohibitively time consuming and costly.
Interpreting the Lamb Imagery in Isaiah 53

Many interpretations of the servant's role(s) in Isaiah 53 depend largely on how a given scholar understands the comparison of the servant to a slaughtered lamb in v. 7. This comparison has led many scholars to ask whether the servant plays a role similar to one of the ritually sacrificed animals discussed in the Pentateuch. Arguments in favor of comparisons of the servant to a ritually sacrificed animal are typically based on the cumulative effect of a variety of images and expressions from throughout Isaiah 53 (vv. 4, 7, 8, 11, 12) that seem similar to imagery from certain pentateuchal texts. The typical arguments against such comparisons have focused on the fact that Isaiah 53 does not use much of the technical terminology found in those pentateuchal texts. Rather than argue over perceived similarities or differences between Isaiah 53 and the Pentateuch, this article approaches the issue by examining the type of lamb that the servant is described as in Isaiah 53.
Derivatization of deltahedral Zintl ions by nucleophilic addition: [Ph-Ge9-SbPh2]2- and [Ph2Sb-Ge9-Ge9-SbPh2]4-.

The type of the reactions of addition of exo-bonded groups to deltahedral Zintl ions such as Ge9n- has been established as addition of anionic nucleophiles. Various nucleophiles such as Ph2Bi-, Ph2Sb-, Ph- interact with the relatively low-lying LUMO of Ge92- and/or the half filled HOMO of Ge93- and bond to the clusters. The title anions, characterized in their (K-crypt) salts where crypt = 4,7,13,16,21,24-hexaoxa-1,10-diazabicyclo-[8.8.8]-hexacosane, and the previously characterized [Ph2Sb−Ge9−SbPh2]2- are made by a reaction of K4Ge9 with SbPh3 in ethylenediamine. [Ph−Ge9−SbPh2]2- is the first ogranically functionalized deltahedral Zintl ion, i.e., a deltahedral ion with a direct carbon-cluster covalent bond, that can exists without the substituents as well. The Ge9 clusters resemble tricapped trigonal prisms with one elongated edge (one of the three edges parallel to the pseudo 3-fold axis). The two substituents are always bonded to the vertexes of such an elongated edge. The same is true for the intercl...
Cayley-Bacharach theorems and conjectures

A theorem of Pappus of Alexandria, proved in the fourth century A.D., began a long development in algebraic geometry. In its changing expressions one can see reflected the changing concerns of the field, from synthetic geometry to projective plane curves to Riemann surfaces to the modern development of schemes and duality. We survey this development historically and use it to motivate a brief treatment of a part of duality theory. We then explain one of the modern developments arising from it, a series of conjectures about the linear conditions imposed by a set of points in projective space on the forms that vanish on them. We give a proof of the conjectures in a new
Resolution of splenic injury after nonoperative management

Abstract Numerous studies have demonstrated success with nonoperative management of splenic injuries in pediatric patients. However, the resolution of the splenic injury has not been previously evaluated. The records of 50 pediatric patients with splenic injuries from blunt trauma treated nonoperatively between 1984 to 1992 were reviewed retrospectively. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) was performed at the time of injury and 6 weeks postinjury in 25 patients. These scans were reviewed and categorized by a modification of a previously reported grading system for parenchymal injury. All patients had healing of the splenic injuries, with complete resolution of the healing process observed at 6 weeks postinjury in 44%. Even those with shattered spleens (n = 6) had consistent improvement in splenic architecture, with resolution of fractures and/or contusions and return of splenic perfusion. Ten (77%) of 13 grade 1 and 2 injuries were completely resolved by the 6-week follow-up examination, whereas only one (8%) of 12 grade 3 to 5 injuries showed radiological resolution of splenic injuries. None of the 25 follow-up CT scans affected clinical decision-making or led to a deviation from the established protocol, which included a 3-month period of reduced activity. All 50 patients did well, without evidence of morbidity, mortality, or complications after return to full activity 3 months postinjury. These CT scan results and clinical data show (1) radiological resolution of splenic injury, with return toward a normal appearance by 6 weeks postinjury, (2) uniform success of nonoperative management of splenic injury in children, (3) that follow-up CT scans may be used to indicate earlier return to full activity in most cases of grade 1 and 2 splenic injuries, but otherwise they do not appear to contribute to the clinical management of the child after nonoperative treatment of splenic trauma.
Relaxation-time dependence of the driving force in electromigration

Abstract The relaxation-time dependence of the driving force in electromigration is calculated from an expression derived by Schaich using a density-matrix analysis in the relaxation-time approximation. The result does not support Lodder's conjecture on the dependence of the force on the relaxation time. It is shown that Lodder's conjecture is based upon a subtle error which he made in evaluating a response function in the limit of large relaxation time. Recent experimental results for hydrogen electromigration in disordered transition-metal alloys are discussed in the light of existing theory, and it is concluded that additional effects need to be incorporated into the theory in order to explain these experiments.
Cardiac awareness in infarct patients and normals.

It has been argued that many subjects may have low awareness of visceral sensations because such feedback is of little relevance and salience in normal activity. This experiment examines awareness of cardiac sensations (heartbeats) in a group of 13 subjects, aged 37–67 yrs, all of whom had myocardial infarcts within the preceding 6 yrs previous to the experiment. Cardiac awareness was contrasted with the performance of a gender and age matched noncardiac control group on 80 Whitehead type discrimination trials. It was hypothesized that since rehabilitated cardiac patients frequently profess extreme sensitivity to their heart's activity and often experience benign arrhythmias which cause them to focus attention on their heart rate, that this group would show greater awareness of heartbeats than controls. The results clearly show that cardiac patients are no better able to discriminate true from false trials than are normals. Only one of 26 subjects showed above chance levels of discrimination, which is much lower than the percentage usually reported for young adult subjects. Respiration rate and amplitude, finger pulse volume, and heart period showed no differences between groups. The results suggest that although cardiac patients may feel aware of cardiac activity, they show no higher awareness of heartbeats during normal sinus rhythm than noncardiac controls.
Human alpha-subunit analogs act as partial agonists to the thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor: differential effects of free and yoked subunits.

The α-subunit is common to the heterodimeric glycoprotein hormones and has been highly conserved throughout vertebrate evolution. In an effort to determine if wild-type and engineered human α analogs can serve as agonists or antagonists to the human thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor (TSHR), a potent α mutant, obtained by replacing four amino acid residues with lysine (α4K), was assayed and compared with the wild-type α-subunit. When added to CHO cells expressing TSHR, α4K, and to a very limited extent the fused homodimer, α4K-α4K, but not α, exhibited ago-nistactivity as judged by cAMP production. When yoked to TSHR to yield fusion proteins, neither α, α4K, α-α, nor α4K-α4K activated TSHR, although yoked α4K and α4K-α4K were weak inhibitors of TSH binding to TSHR. The yoked subunit-receptor complexes were, however, functional as evidenced by increased cAMP production in cells co-expressing human TSHβ and α-TSHR, α4K-TSHR, α-α-TSHR, and α4K-α4K-TSHR. These results demonstrate that agonists to TSHR can be obtained with α-subunit analogs and suggest that rational protein engineering may lead to more potent α-based derivatives. The differences found between the experimental paradigms of adding free α analogs to TSHR and covalent attachment are attributed to conformational constraints imposed by fusion of the α-subunit analog and receptor, and may suggest an important role for a free (C-terminal) α-carboxyl in the absence of the β-subunit.
A methodology for evaluation of web-based scholarship

There is growing recognition that the paradigms of modern scholarship are shifting with the advent of the World Wide Web and other Internet-based forums. In some specialty areas within the discipline of Information Technology, one frequently hears folkloric wisdom suggesting that the turn-around time for print publication is greater than the useful longevity of the content. This situation increasing pushes the consumer of state-of-the art research toward the web rather than to the library. At some universities the problem of evaluating the quality of peer-reviewed literature has been approached through "citation" data. How often is a given work cited, for example, in Science Citation Abstracts? For evaluating web-based research, we suggest a related criterion for evaluating the "eminence" of scholarship. As of February 2003 [1], Google moved into first place as the most popular search engine in the United States. Google's immediate upsurge in popularity is generally attributed to the observation that its searches tend to reveal desired results. This is probably due to the nature of Google's page evaluation methodology. The relevance of a page to a given query is based on the number of other pages using those query terms that provide hyperlinks to the page in question. Since Google's emergence, other search engines have begun to utilize allied methodologies - essentially bootstrapping on existing works as relevance indicators in ways that, in fact, provide at least one form of "citation data." This paper will examine some related methodologies for evaluating quality of web-based academic work, and will examine some of the potential strengths and pitfalls associated with such methods.
Viral cyclin promotes KSHV-induced cellular transformation and tumorigenesis by overriding contact inhibition.

Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is a tumor virus encoding several proto-oncogenes. However, the roles of these viral genes in KSHV-induced tumorigenesis have not been defined. In this study, we used a recently developed model of KSHV-induced cellular transformation and tumorigenesis combining with a reverse genetic system to examine the role of a KSHV latent gene vCyclin (ORF72), a cellular Cyclin D2 homolog, in KSHV-induced oncogenesis. Deletion of vCyclin did not affect cell proliferation and cell cycle progression at a low-density condition, when cells were at an active proliferation state. However, vCyclin mutant cells were contact-inhibited and arrested at G1 phase at a high-density condition. As a result, vCyclin mutant cells formed less and smaller colonies in soft agar assay. Nude mice inoculated with vCyclin mutant cells had reduced tumor incidence and extended tumor latency and survival compared with mice inoculated with wild-type (WT) virus-infected cells. WT but not mutant virus e...
Epoxy encapsulation on ceramic quad flat packs (CQFPs)

The ceramic quad fat pack (CQFP) is a high-performance, low-cost technology for surface mount applications. It is an extension of the metallized ceramic (MC) and metallized ceramic with polyimide (MCP) product base. These finished modules conform to JEDEC I/O and footprint standards. The packages are available in 0.5 mm and 0.4 mm lead pitches with flexibility to address unique application requirements such as body sizes or lead counts/pitches. Semiconductor die interconnection is performed using either flip chip (controlled collapse chip connection-C4) attach or wirebonding. Excellent package reliability with no intrinsic wear-out failure mechanism results by encapsulating solder joints from the silicon C4 die and peripheral lead to ceramic carrier. IBM evaluated several encapsulant configurations, and tested over 2000 encapsulated carriers and 897000 individual solder joints during development and qualification. Reliability data was collected for a variety of stress tests and conditions. Both solder connections show a dramatic order of magnitude fatigue life improvement when encapsulation is used. Encapsulant selection has been made based on mechanical, electrical, and thermal requirements to meet package performance and reliability objectives. The sensitivity of material properties to process variables such as encapsulant dispense, gel, and cure has been characterized. As a result, material processing limits and conditions have been optimized for manufacturing high production volumes. >
Label-free quantification of membrane-ligand interactions using backscattering interferometry

Although membrane proteins are ubiquitous within all living organisms and represent the majority of drug targets, a general method for direct, label-free measurement of ligand binding to native membranes has not been reported. Here we show that backscattering interferometry (BSI) can accurately quantify ligand-receptor binding affinities in a variety of membrane environments. By detecting minute changes in the refractive index of a solution, BSI allows binding interactions of proteins with their ligands to be measured at picomolar concentrations. Equilibrium binding constants in the micromolar to picomolar range were obtained for small- and large-molecule interactions in both synthetic and cell-derived membranes without the use of labels or supporting substrates. The simple and low-cost hardware, high sensitivity and label-free nature of BSI should make it readily applicable to the study of many membrane-associated proteins of biochemical and pharmacological interest.