cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transient alterations of the QRS complex and ST segment during percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty of the right and left circumflex coronary arteries.

Abstract The dynamic QRS amplitude changes that appear during 1-vessel percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty of the right and left circumflex coronary arteries were studied in 20 patients using continuous 3-lead electrocardiographic recordings representing leads aVF, V 2 and V 5 . The balloon inflations that produced the greatest extent of ST-segment deviation were identified for each lead (“maximally ischemic periods”). QRS amplitude measurements were performed manually at both the PR and shitted J-ST baselines at 10-second intervals during these periods to determine that baseline from which the R and S waves most nearly maintained their control amplitudes. There was no significant baseline relation for either the R or the S waves in leads V 2 and V 5 during ischemia. However, the R-wave changes in lead aVF were significantly associated with the PR- versus the J-ST-segment baseline (p = 0.007); the S wave, when it occurred, had no tendency for either baseline. The electrocardiographic records were also examined visually for characteristics of left posterior (inferior) “periischemic block” likely to occur uniquely in patients with a dominant right or left circumflex occlusion. There were 2 patients with obstruction of the right circumflex artery who exhibited the characteristics of periischemic block during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, as evidenced by an increase in R-wave duration, amplitude or both in lead aVF.
The influence of sex and handedness on the development of lateralization of speech processing

Abstract Sex has been shown to affect lateralization of speech in adults. However, there has been no convincing evidence that sex exerts any influence on speech lateralization in children. The present experiment was conducted to determine the age at which sex influences speech processing. Younger and older right-handed and left-handed children participated in a verbal auditory task. The results of this experiment demonstrate that there are sex-related changes in lateralization of linguistic processing with age. Boys and girls both show left-hemisphere specialization for speech in early childhood. However, by late childhood the adult pattern of greater language lateralization in males than in females is established.
Development of Moving Type IV Solar Radio Bursts and Relation to Expanding Magnetic Bottles from Flare Regions

WIDE-BAND type IV radio bursts are usually associated with solar proton flares. Emission of these bursts generally starts from microwave frequency and later expands into decimetric and metric frequencies. The metric components at first tend to move outwards through the solar corona from the flare regions and, therefore, are often called “moving type IVm bursts”1. The time difference from the microwave to metric emissions is dependent on the positions of associated flares with respect to the solar longitude: in general, this difference tends to become larger as the positions move eastwards from the west limb of the solar disk2,8.
A study of the binding of NADP coenzymes to dihydrofolate reductase by raman difference spectroscopy.

We report here the Raman spectra of NADPH, NADP+, 3-acetylpyridine adenine dinucleotide (AcPdADP+), NADH and a fragment of these molecules, 2′-phospho-adenosine-5′-diphosphoribose (Ado2′p5′ppRib), bound to Escherichia coli dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR). The positions that are observed for the bound adenosine ‘triplet’ bands are consistent with a protein binding pocket for this group which is quite hydrophobic in nature. No binding effect is observed on Raman bands associated with the nicotinamide group of NADP+ as a binary complex with DHFR, suggesting very loose, if any, binding of this group. In contrast, changes in the Raman spectrum of the nicotinamide group of NADP+ bound to an inhibitor (trimethoprim) ternary complex of DHFR are clearly observed which indicate substantial binding interaction. The carboxamide group of bound NADPH (and NADH) adopts the trans conformation. A 35-cm−1 upshift is observed in the rocking motion of the carboxamide -NH2 group of NADPH, and a 5-cm−1 upward shift is seen in the C = O stretch mode of AcPdADP+ upon binding to the enzyme-trimethoprim complex. These results suggest that the –NH2 group of the carboxamide moiety is more tightly hydrogen bonded in the protein binding pocket than in solution while that of the C = O group is less tightly hydrogen bonded; these hydrogen bonds would appear to be responsible for holding the nicotinamide headgroup in place properly for catalysis. We have compared this with the results obtained previously in other protein complexes, and interpret the observed shifts in these bands as a measure of the hydrogen bonding enthalpy of the –NH2 and C = O groups with their protein environments. Perhaps surprisingly, the magnitude of the hydrogen bonding enthalpy takes on a limited number of discrete values over five protein complexes rather than over a continuous range. The effect that this has on the catalytic properties of DHFR and the other NAD dehydrogenases that we have studied to date, particularly their stereo-chemistry, is discussed. A small downward shift is observed for the P O stretch of the 2′-phosphate moiety of NADP. This indicates that the 2′-phosphate moiety binds to DHFR in the dianionic form. Furthermore, the local enthalpic interaction that the 2′-phosphate group has with protein is stronger than its interaction with water.
Early life environment and developmental immunotoxicity in inflammatory dysfunction and disease

Components of the innate immune system such as macrophages and dendritic cells are instrumental in determining the fate of immune responses and are, also, among the most sensitive targets of early life environmental alterations including developmental immunotoxicity (DIT). DIT can impede innate immune cell maturation, disrupt tissue microenvironment, alter immune responses to infectious challenges, and disrupt regulatory responses. Dysregulation of inflammation, such as that observed with DIT, has been linked with an increased risk of chronic inflammatory diseases in both children and adults. In this review, we discuss the relationship between early-life risk factors for innate immune modulation and promotion of dysregulated inflammation associated with chronic inflammatory disease. The health risks from DIT-associated inflammation may extend beyond primary immune dysfunction to include an elevated risk of several later-life, inflammatory-mediated diseases that target a wide range of physiological systems and organs. For this reason, determination of innate immune status should be an integral part of drug and chemical safety evaluation.
Tetracycline-regulated Gene Expression Mediated by a Novel Chimeric Repressor That Recruits Histone Deacetylases in Mammalian Cells

Regulated gene expression will provide important platforms from which gene functions can be investigated and safer means of gene therapy may be developed. Histone deacetylases have recently been shown to play an important role in regulating gene expression. Here we investigated whether a more tightly controlled expression could be achieved by using a novel chimeric repressor that recruits histone deacetylases to a tetracycline-responsive promoter. This chimeric repressor was engineered by fusing the tetracycline repressor (TetR) with an mSin3-interacting domain of human Mad1 and was shown to bind the tetO2 element with high affinity, and its binding was efficiently abrogated by doxycycline. The chimeric repressor was shown to directly interact with mSin3 of the histone deacetylase complex. This inducible system was further simplified by using a single vector that contained both a chimeric repressor expression cassette and a tetracycline-responsive promoter. When transiently introduced into mammalian cells, the chimeric repressor system exhibited a significantly lower basal level of luciferase activity (up to 25-fold) than that of the TetR control. When stably transfected into HEK 293 cells, the chimeric repressor system was shown to exert a tight control of green fluorescent protein expression in a doxycycline dose- and time-dependent fashion. Therefore, this novel chimeric repressor provides an effective means for more tightly regulated gene expression, and the simplified inducible system may be used for a broad range of basic and clinical studies.
Observation of the Sommerfeld Precursor

We study the generation of optical precursors when a step-modulated optical pulse propagates through a linear resonant absorber. The Sommerfeld precursor is the dominant part of the transmitted field, and experiences essentially no absorption.
On regressing regression coefficients

This paper considers a regression model in which coefficients obtained from a previous regression are themselves the object of analysis. It is shown that the parameters of interest can be obtained in two ways: pooling across observations and subsamples, or a two-stage process of first estimating the coefficients within each subsample, and then using these coefficients as dependent variables in a second stage regression. The relative properties of these estimators are analyzed, and the conditions under which the two estimators are equivalent are derived.
Quality of corneal lamellar cuts quantified using atomic force microscopy

Purpose To quantify the cut quality of lamellar dissections made with the femtosecond laser using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Setting Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA. Design Experimental study. Methods Experiments were performed on 3 pairs of human cadaver eyes. The cornea was thinned to physiologic levels by placing the globe, cornea side down, in 25% dextran for 24 hours. The eyes were reinflated to normal pressures by injecting a balanced salt solution into the vitreous cavity. The eyes were placed in a holder, the epithelium was removed, and the eyes were cut with a Visumax femtosecond laser. The energy level was 180 nJ for the right eye and 340 nJ for the left eye of each pair. The cut depths were 200 μm, 300 μm, and 400 μm, with the cut depth maintained for both eyes of each pair. A 12.0 mm trephination was then performed. The anterior portion of the lamellar surface was placed in a balanced salt solution and imaged with AFM. As a control, the posterior surface was placed in 2% formalin and imaged with environmental scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Four quantitative parameters (root-mean-square deviation, average deviation, skewness, kurtosis) were calculated from the AFM images. Results From AFM, the 300 μm low-energy cuts were the smoothest. Similar results were seen qualitatively in the environmental SEM images. Conclusion Atomic force microscopy provided quantitative information on the quality of lamellar dissections made using a femtosecond laser, which is useful in optimizing patient outcomes in refractive and lamellar keratoplasty surgeries. Financial Disclosure No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.
Underestimating Self-control: Kennett and Smith on Frog and Toad

In 'Frog and Toad Lose Control' (1996), Jeanette Kennett and Michael Smith propose a resolution to a certain puzzle about exercising selfcontrol. Here I concentrate on the 'synchronic' version of the puzzle. They write, 'It seems to be a truism that whenever we do something and so, given the omnipresence of trying ..., whenever we try to do something we want to do that thing more than we want to do anything else we can do' (63). In certain cases of synchronic self-control, we allegedly 'try not to do ... what we most want to do' at the time. 'But how is this ... possible? It seems to require that our desire not to do what we most want to do is both our strongest desire and not our strongest desire. And that is a blatant contradiction' (63; cf. Mele 1987: 62-63, 67). 'Certainly Frog and Toad cannot, at one and the same time, both want most to eat cookies and want even more to prevent themselves from eating cookies' (68). Kennett and Smith's attempted resolution is simple and direct. Frog and Toad may be 'disposed to have certain sorts of thoughts' (69). After a while, they may 'find themselves thinking of [the cookies] not as causes of pleasure, but rather as lumps of fat', and they may 'imagine the fat curdling in their stomachs' (69; cf. Mele 1987: 24, 90 and 1995: 52-53). Perhaps, 'when they have these thoughts their intrinsic desire for health combines with their belief that if they eat more cookies then they will be sick to produce an extrinsic desire not to eat more cookies, whereas before they had these thoughts it did not.' 'Under such circumstances ... it would be natural to say that Frog and Toad exercise self-control at the very moment at which they were vulnerable to a loss of control, and that they do so by having these thoughts.' 'In this case, the exercise of self-control is not an action, but is rather simply a matter of Frog's and Toad's having certain sorts of thoughts' (69; my italics). 'There is no contradiction because their attempt need not itself be an action explained by a desire. It may rather be a matter of their having certain thoughts about cookies, thoughts the having of which is explained by their disposition to have such thoughts at such times' (70). One may wonder whether events that are not actions properly count as exercises of self-control, but this is not the line I will pursue here. Rather, my question is whether a more robust, actional exercise of self-control is open to agents in scenarios of the sort in question.
Straining of nonspherical colloids in saturated porous media.

We explore the effects of colloid shape on straining kinetics by measuring the filtration of spherical and nonspherical colloids within saturated columns packed with quartz sand. Our observations d...
Regulation of HSP90 and corticosteroid receptor mRNA by corticosterone levels in vivo

The non-activated 9S forms of several steroid hormone receptors are heterooligomeric complexes consisting of the aporeceptor and three heat shock proteins, hsp90, hsp70 and hsp56. Hsp90 appears to play a facilitatory role in high-affinity steroid binding and to promote the efficacy of steroid actions on target tissues. Circulating glucocorticoid levels have a major regulatory impact on the binding capacity of hippocampal and hypothalamic corticosteroid receptors, a phenomenon that affects the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and neuronal excitability in general. This study demonstrates that hsp90 mRNA is present in substantial amounts in hippocampal and hypothalamic areas characterized by high densities of corticosteroid receptors, and in the thymus. Steady-state levels of hsp90 mRNA in these regions were altered by chronic changes of circulating glucocorticoid concentrations in a site-specific fashion. In the hippocampus, mRNAs coding for hsp90 and both types of corticosteroid receptors (type I, MR and type II, GR) displayed a coordinate increase following adrenalectomy and castration (ADX/GX); in the hypothalamus only hsp90 mRNA levels were elevated, and none of the parameters studied was affected in the thymus by steroid hormone deprivation. Supplementation of ADX/GX rats with various doses of corticosterone in vivo elicited differential responses. Moderate elevation of circulating corticosterone levels normalized ADX/GX-increased hsp90 mRNA concentrations in the hippocampus and the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN); this was associated with similar changes in GR and MR mRNA levels in the hippocampus, while GR mRNA concentrations in the PVN were not altered.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Diamagnetic aspects of the coronal transient phenomenon

Abstract If a magnetic structure emerges into the solar atmosphere containing a preexisting magnetic field, the preexisting field must be moved aside to allow space for the emerging flux. Under these conditions, provided the ambient field strength decreases outward with radial distance, the ambient field may tend to pinch off the emerging field through magnetic reconnection and expell it outward. Here, a model is developed to demonstrate this effect and to evaluate its relevance to the coronal transient phenomenon. In particular, we argue that, if magnetic reconnection can be initiated in such a configuration, the upward force produced by the ambient field is enhanced and, depending upon the internal conditions of the configuration, a coronal transient could be initiated in this manner.
Economic considerations of prostate cancer: The role of detection specificity and biopsy reduction

Background. Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is the most accurate and objective test for of detecting early prostate cancer, yet false-positive elevations have resulted in costly biopsies of many patients at relatively low risk for prostate cancer. A biopsy approach tailored to positive predictive values above 10% is described and the cost implications of improved specificity are addressed by benefit-cost analysis. Methods. Data from recent biopsy decision analyses allowed calculations of overall sensitivity, specificity, and prevalence for various proposed screening options. These were incorporated into the benefit-cost equation, including updates in minor cost changes. Projected 1-year results of systematic biopsy of all patients with suspicious PSA and/or digital rectal examination (DRE) versus the tailored biopsy approach (i.e., biopsy of all patients with PSA density >0.12 ng/ml/cc or concurrently suspicious DRE and transrectal ultrasound) were compared for each screening option. Results. The tailored biopsy approach produced consistent increases in specificity for all screening options, with comparable mild losses in cancer sensitivity. The benefit-cost equation is most sensitive to fluctuations in screening test specificity such that only mild increases in specificity (i.e., 5%) produced marked reductions (50%) in net cost per individual screened. These reductions are greatest for screening approaches using lower PSA values or those including DRE. Conclusions. The most cost-effective approach for any PSA-based, prostate cancer early detection appears to require the use of biopsy protocols tailored to patients at higher risk for prostate cancer. Cancer 1995 ;75 : 1987-93.
Mitochondria as the primary target of resveratrol-induced apoptosis in human retinoblastoma cells

PURPOSE. To determine the molecular mechanisms by which resveratrol induces retinoblastoma tumor cell death. METHODS. After resveratrol treatment, Y79 tumor cell viability was measured using a fluorescence-based assay, and proapoptotic and antiproliferative effects were characterized by Hoechst stain and flow cytometry, respectively. Mitochondrial transmembrane potential (m) was measured as a function of drug treatment using 5,5,6,6-tetrachloro-1,1,3,3-tetraethylbenzamidazolocarbocyanin iodide (JC-1), whereas the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria was assayed by immunoblotting and caspase activities were determined by monitoring the cleavage of fluorogenic peptide substrates. RESULTS. Resveratrol induced a dose- and time-dependent decrease in Y79 tumor cell viability and inhibited proliferation by inducing S-phase growth arrest and apoptotic cell death. Preceding cell death, resveratrol evoked a rapid dissipation of m. This was followed by the release of cytochrome c into the cytoplasm and a substantial increase in the activities of caspase-9 and caspase-3. Additionally, in a cell-free system, resveratrol directly induced the depolarization of isolated mitochondria. CONCLUSIONS. These results demonstrate that resveratrol, a nontoxic natural plant compound, inhibits Y79 cell proliferation and stimulates apoptosis through activation of the mitochondrial (intrinsic) apoptotic pathway and may warrant further exploration as an adjuvant to conventional anticancer therapies for retinoblastoma. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2006;47: 3708‐3716) DOI:10.1167/iovs.06-0119
Neutron Diffraction Studies of Order-Disorder in Alloys

Neutron diffraction techniques have been used to study order in the substitutional solid solutions FeCo, ${\mathrm{Ni}}_{3}$Mn, and ${\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}$Au. Superlattice effects have been found in the first two examples, which are difficult to study by x-rays.
Insights into sperm cell motility signaling through sNHE and the CatSpers

Successful natural reproduction normally requires vigorously motile spermatozoa. Using a signal peptide trapping strategy, we identified two new genes, a putative sperm Na+/H+ exchanger (sNHE) and the putative cation channel CatSper2, with unique and essential roles in sperm motility. Disruption of the sNHE or CatSper2 genes in mice caused male infertility due to immotile spermatozoa or failed motility hyperactivation, respectively, without other apparent abnormalities. The immotility phenotype of the sNHE null spermatozoa appears to result from an intimate association of sNHE and the atypical adenylyl cyclase (sAC), while a failure of calcium entry requiring an apparent CatSper1 and -2 heteromeric ion channel correlates with a hyperactivation defect in these null animals. The specific expression of sNHE and the CatSpers in spermatozoa and their required function in cell motility make them excellent potential targets for the development of novel male contraceptives.
At-Will Employment in Government Insights From the State of Texas

Supplanting civil service systems’ procedural protections with at-will employment policies is a recent and important phenomenon in public service. This article examines the state of Texas, an at-will employer. It reports a 2005 survey of the state's human resource directors focusing on the at-will doctrine and its use and effects. Respondents agreed that at-will employment enhances employee responsiveness to agency administrators but held mixed opinion of its effects on other employee behaviors (e.g., risk taking, whistle-blowing, decision making, sensitivity to issues of fairness) and agency performance. The article calls for governments to take a more holistic view of at-will employment when considering its adoption.
In Vivo Methylation of Bacteriophage φX174 DNA

A mutant (designated mec(-)) has been isolated from Escherichia coli C which has lost DNA-cytosine methylase activity and the ability to protect phage lambda against in vivo restriction by the RII endonuclease. This situation is analogous to that observed with an E. coli K-12 mec(-) mutant; thus, the E. coli C methylase appears to have overlapping sequence specificity with the K-12 and RII enzymes; (the latter methylases have been shown previously to recognize the same sequence). Covalently closed, supertwisted double-standed DNA (RFI) was isolated from C mec(+) and C mec(-) cells infected with bacteriophage phiX174. phiX. mec(-) RFI is sensitive to in vitro cleavage by R.EcoRII and is cut twice to produce two fragments of almost equal size. In contrast, phiX.mec(+) RFI is relatively resistant to in vitro cleavage by R.EcoRII. R.BstI, which cleaves mec(+)/RII sites independent of the presence or absence of 5-methylcytosine, cleaves both forms of the RFI and produces two fragments similar in size to those observed with R. EcoRII. These results demonstrate that phiX.mec(+) RFI is methylated in vivo by the host mec(+) enzyme and that this methylation protects the DNA against cleavage by R.EcoRII. This is consistent with the known location of two mec(+)/ RII sequences (viz., [Formula: see text]) on the phiX174 map. Mature singlestranded virion DNA was isolated from phiX174 propagated in C mec(+) or C mec(-) in the presence of l-[methyl-(3)H]methionine. Paper chromatographic analyses of acid hydrolysates revealed that phiX.mec(+) DNA had a 10-fold-higher ratio of [(3)H]5-methylcytosine to [(3)H]cytosine compared to phiX.mec(-). Since phiX.mec(+) contains, on the average, approximately 1 5-methylcytosine residue per viral DNA, we conclude that methylation of phiX174 is mediated by the host mec(+) enzyme only. These results are not consistent with the conclusions of previous reports that phiX174 methylation is mediated by a phage-induced enzyme and that methylation is essential for normal phage development.
Tobacco dependence in surgical patients.

Purpose of reviewMany patients who smoke cigarettes require anesthesia and surgery. Their smoking can have profound consequences for perioperative management. Efforts to help them quit will be rewarded by both improved immediate postoperative outcomes and the long-term health benefits after surgery.
On helium-like 1s2l--1snl' transitions in solar flare spectra

Expected wavelengths and intensities are computed for 1s2l−1snl′ transitions in helium-like ions of the abundant elements from oxygen to iron, under coronal conditions. Probable observations of some of these lines, in the spectra of solar flares, are discussed and attention is called to a possible reversal of singlet and triplet intensities as compared to laboratory observations.
Watermarking sonar waveforms using knowledge of channel coherence

Acoustic emissions found in underwater channels cover a broad spectrum of sources. Signals are often characterized by parameters such as amplitude, frequency, phase or modulation. However, once transmitted, and given that other sonars can also be simultaneously transmitting, it is generally difficult to identify the origin of a signal such as location and source of the transmission. A solution to this problem was proposed by watermarking the sonar prior to transmission [1]. Prior to transmission, a low power digital signature called a “watermark” is embedded in the sonar pulse using spread spectrum. In this work, we propose an approach whereby the watermark design and embedding is closely tied to propagation characteristics of the acoustic channel. We show that the watermark can be placed in time-frequency distribution cells of the sonar pulse in such a way as to be robust to slow/fast or flat/frequency selective fading. We show that only gross channel parameters in the form of coherence bandwidth and coherence time are needed to accomplish this task.
Performance, Yield, and Body Composition of Fingerling Channel Catfish Fed a Dried Waste Egg Product

Abstract Fingerling channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) were fed diets for 85 d in which 50 and 100% of the fish meal and fish oil had been replaced with a spray-dried waste egg product. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) among the fish fed the five diets in weight gain, final length, percent mortality, feed conversion, or proximate composition, though fish fed the egg diets tended to have lower moisture and higher fat values than fish fed the control diet. The fish fed the 100% replacement diets had significantly more (P < 0.05) body cavity fat than fish fed the 50% replacement diets; both groups had more body cavity fat than the control. No biotin deficiency symptoms were observed in the fish.
Schwann cell-derived neuregulin-2α can function as a cell-attached activator of muscle acetylcholine receptor expression

Here we show that neuregulin-2 (Nrg-2) α- and β-isoforms can activate acetylcholine receptor (AChR) transcription as surface-attached ligands. More importantly, we demonstrate that Schwann cells that express Nrg-2α on their cell surface, the same Nrg-2 isoform expressed by terminal Schwann cells at the neuromuscular junction, can induce AChR expression if brought into cell-to-cell contact with myotubes specifically expressing ErbB4. These Schwann cells, the D6P2T cell line, induce AChR expression apparently as well as 293T cells transfected with Nrg-2β, the isoform with the highest AChR-inducing activity when presented in a soluble form. These results provide a potential role for the previously reported, paradoxical perisynaptic accumulation of Nrg-2α, the isoform with the least AChR-inducing activity when presented in a soluble form. They also raise the possibility that Schwann cell-derived Nrg-2 could activate ErbB receptors on the synaptic sarcolemma and that this could account, at least in part, for the Nrg-mediated regulation of AChR expression. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The Use of the Automatic Core Biopsy System in Percutaneous Renal Biopsies: A Comparative Study

We describe our experience with the use of the automatic core biopsy system for percutaneous renal biopsy and compare this with our experience with a standard biopsy needle. Three hundred twenty-three biopsies were performed between June 1983 and January 1993. From June 1983 through October 1990, 232 biopsies were performed with the use of a standard biopsy needle (Tru-cut needle; Travenol Laboratories, Deerfield, IL) and from November 1990 through January 1993, 91 biopsies were conducted with the use of the automatic core biopsy system (Biopty gun and needle; C.R. Bard, Inc, Covington, GA). Biopsies performed prior to January 1990 were reviewed retrospectively, while those performed after January 1990 were reviewed in a prospective manner. The primary indications for renal biopsy were to evaluate proteinuria (48.9%) and renal manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (26.0%). The two groups of patients were similar with respect to sex, age, serum creatinine, and coagulation parameters. Material for light microscopy, immunofluorescence microscopy, and electron microscopy was obtained in 98.9%, 98.9%, and 97.8% of cases, respectively, with the use of the automatic core biopsy system, and these values did not differ significantly from those with the use of the standard needle (99.6%, 96.1 %, and 97.8%). Significantly more glomeruli were obtained by light microscopy per biopsy specimen with the use of the automatic core biopsy system versus the standard needle (28 ± 15 and 21 ± 13, respectively; P P P
Bijel reinforcement by droplet bridging: a route to bicontinuous materials with large domains

Bijels are non-equilibrium solid-stabilized emulsions with bicontinuous arrangement of the constituent fluid phases. These multiphase materials spontaneously form through arrested spinodal decomposition in mixtures of partially miscible liquids and neutrally wetting colloids. Here, we present a new solid-stabilized emulsion with an overall bicontinuous morphology similar to a bijel, but with one continuous phase containing a network of colloid-bridged droplets. This dual morphology is the result of combined spinodal decomposition and nucleation and growth in a binary liquid mixture containing colloidal particles with off-neutral wetting properties and partial affinity for one liquid phase. The rheology of these systems, which we call bridged bijels, is nearly identical to their simple bijel counterparts, with a unique exponential dependence of the zero-shear elastic modulus on the colloid volume fraction. However, partitioning of the colloids between the spinodal surface and the fluid domains delays the onset of structural arrest, providing access to domain sizes much larger than available in simple bijels without loss of mechanical stability. This ability greatly expands the potential technological applications of these unique materials. In addition, our findings reveal new strategies for tuning the rheology of bijels and outline new directions for future fundamental research on this unique class of soft materials.
Adnexal masses and pregnancy: a 12-year experience.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to describe pregnancy-associated adnexal masses in eastern North Carolina. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study was performed of 60 adnexal masses resected during pregnancy at a regional referral hospital from January 1990 to March 2002. RESULTS: Adnexal masses occurred in 0.15% of pregnancies. Average gestational age at diagnosis and surgery was 12 and 20 weeks, respectively. Fifty percent of ovarian tumors were mature cystic teratomas, 20% were cystadenomas, and 13% were functional ovarian cysts. Malignancy occurred in 13%. Tumors with low malignant potential comprised 63% of malignancies. Average cyst size was 11.5 cm for malignancies and 7.6 cm for benign lesions (P value <.05). The preterm birth rate was 9%, the miscarriage rate was 4.7% after elective cases, and average Apgar scores were 7.5 and 8.7 at 1 and 5 minutes. CONCLUSION: The incidence of malignancy in pregnancy-associated adnexal masses was high. Ultrasonography detected internal excrescences in the majority of tumors with low malignant potential. Fetal outcomes were not affected.
Storing and Manipulating Multimode Transverse Images in Hot Atomic Vapors

We demonstrate storage and retrieval of images carried by optical pulses in hot atomic vapor and demonstrate image correlation operation using this set up.
Focusing solutions of porous medium equations with reaction

Abstract In this paper we study the existence of focusing solution to a class of porous medium equations taking the form u t = Δ u m + F ( x , u , ∇ u ) , where m > 1 . Focusing solution has the property that its initial distribution is in the exterior of a finite domain. That is, there is a hole in the support of initial value, and in finite time T the hole disappears. We show there exists a focusing solution for a number of important models in physics and biology. Such solution is an example of a self-similar solution of the second kind. That is, the similarity variables cannot be determined a priori from dimensional consideration. Furthermore, it serves the purpose of supplying concrete bounds for the optimal regularity of general solutions of the equation. The P-Laplacian counterpart of this equation is also studied.
Prevention of hyperbaric-associated middle ear barotrauma

Study objective: To determine the efficacy of topical nasal decongestant in the prevention of middle ear barotrauma in patients undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Design: Prospective, parallel, double-blind, randomized trial. Setting: University-affiliated community hospital emergency department with hyperbaric oxygen facilities. Participants: Sixty patients undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy; 30 subjects in each treatment arm. Interventions: After randomization, consenting patients were given two sprays of oxymetazoline hydrochloride or sterile water, 15 minutes before hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Collected data included patient demographics, ear examinations before and after hyperbaric oxygen treatment, and subjective ear complaints. The otoscopic appearance of the tympanic membrane was graded according to the amount of hemorrhage in the eardrum, with Teed scores ranging from 0 (symptoms only) to 5 (gross hemorrhage and rupture). Results: The treatment groups were similar with regard to age, sex, and medical history. Ear discomfort during hyperbaric oxygen therapy was present in 63% (19 of 30) of those receiving oxymetazoline versus 67% (20 of 30) of the control group ( P = .99). Likewise, both groups had similar Teed scores after hyperbaric oxygen therapy ( P = .88). No adverse effects were noted. Conclusion: The results of this pilot study suggest that topical decongestants may not be effective in preventing middle ear barotrauma during hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Behavioral effects of 3α-androstanediol I: modulation of sexual receptivity and promotion of GABA-stimulated chloride flux

Abstract Pregnane neurosteroids may initiate sexual receptivity not only via actions at intracellular receptors, but by affecting γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor complexes (GBRs). To investigate whether GBR-mediated actions of an androgenic neurosteroid 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol (3α-androstanediol; 3α-Diol) may influence the expression of sexual behavior, ovariectomized (ovx) rats received daily injections of 3α-Diol (0.6, 3.0, 6.0 and 7.5 mg/kg) or vehicle (10% (v/v) ethanol in propylene glycol) at 10.00 h, and s.c. injections of estradiol-17β (E2: 1 μg/0.2 ml in 10% ethanol) at 13.00 h and 19.00 h. Progesterone (P: 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 mg/kg) or sesame-oil vehicle was given at 12.30 h on the day following two days of 3α-Diol and E2 treatment. In Expt. 1, levels of sexual receptivity were measured at 18.00–19.00 h, 56–57 h after the first injection of 3α-Diol and 4 h after P or vehicle injection. 3α-Androstanediol (6.0 mg/kg) attenuated sexual behavior (lordosis quotient, lordosis rating) and facilitated aggressive/rejection behaviors following 0.0, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 mg/kg P. The highest dosage of 3α-Diol (7.5 mg/kg) facilitated sexual behavior and inhibited aggression behaviors following 0.0, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 mg/kg P. In Expt. 2, GABA-stimulated chloride flux was greater in cortical synaptoneurosomes of animals that received hormone treatments associated with inhibited receptivity (E2 + P + 3α-Diol 3.0 mg/kg) than following treatments that facilitated receptivity (E2 + P and E2 + P + 3α-Diol 7.5 mg/kg) or unreceptive ovx animals. In Expt. 3, circulating concentrations of 3α-Diol resulting from the 0.0, 3.0 and 7.5 mg/kg s.c. doses administered to E2- and P-primed animals was measured by radioimmunoassay. Circulating levels of 3α-Diol at the completion of behavioral testing were comparable to those previously ascertained across the estrous cycle. These data indicate that 3α-Diol influences the expression of E2 and P-induced receptivity, and suggest that 3α-Diol. like other neurosteroids, may exert its effects on sexual behavior by actions at GBRs.
Cultural Rituals and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Is There a Common Psychological Mechanism?

Our species has distinctive features, genetically inherited, which interact with social conditioning……One of these distinctive human features may be a propensity to the ritualisation of certain of our behaviours.[Turner 1985a:249]
Analysis of a kinetic multi-segment foot model. Part I: Model repeatability and kinematic validity

Kinematic multi-segment foot models are still evolving, but have seen increased use in clinical and research settings. The addition of kinetics may increase knowledge of foot and ankle function as well as influence multi-segment foot model evolution; however, previous kinetic models are too complex for clinical use. In this study we present a three-segment kinetic foot model and thorough evaluation of model performance during normal gait. In this first of two companion papers, model reference frames and joint centers are analyzed for repeatability, joint translations are measured, segment rigidity characterized, and sample joint angles presented. Within-tester and between-tester repeatability were first assessed using 10 healthy pediatric participants, while kinematic parameters were subsequently measured on 17 additional healthy pediatric participants. Repeatability errors were generally low for all sagittal plane measures as well as transverse plane Hindfoot and Forefoot segments (median<3°), while the least repeatable orientations were the Hindfoot coronal plane and Hallux transverse plane. Joint translations were generally less than 2mm in any one direction, while segment rigidity analysis suggested rigid body behavior for the Shank and Hindfoot, with the Forefoot violating the rigid body assumptions in terminal stance/pre-swing. Joint excursions were consistent with previously published studies.
Service sharing in mobile sensing systems

Today's modern mobile devices, (such as smart-phones and tablets) present great potential for growth of many novel, powerful, but also highly demanding applications. However, most mobile devices/users operate in isolation from one another, i.e., they are not aware of the presence of other devices in their proximity. There are numerous situations where proximity-awareness (i.e., a device is aware of other mobile devices in its neighborhood) could be used to support spontaneous sharing of resources and information, thereby enabling a variety of new application scenarios. This paper presents an architecture, called Spontaneous Information and Resource sharing InfrasTructure (SPIRIT), that allows mobile devices to create, discover, join, leave, and revoke the sharing of resources in an efficient and robust fashion. Built on top of a group communications layer for mobile devices, SPIRIT allows users or devices to express various heterogeneous services and service sharing paradigms using a novel subscription language. While the shared services can include various types of resources (e.g., network connections, CPU) and information (e.g., database entries), this paper's focus is on sensor information, i.e., the information collected by the various sensors found in modern mobile devices (e.g., GPS, acceleration, light, pressure, sound, etc.).
Enhanced Shutoff of Phototransduction in Transgenic Mice Expressing Palmitoylation-deficient Rhodopsin

Palmitoylation is a reversible, post-translational modification observed in a number of G-protein-coupled receptors. To gain a better understanding of its role in visual transduction, we produced transgenic knock-in mice that expressed a palmitoylation-deficient rhodopsin (Palm(-/-)). The mutant rhodopsin was expressed at wild-type levels and showed normal cellular localization to rod outer segments, indicating that neither rhodopsin stability nor its intracellular trafficking were compromised. But Palm(-/-) rods had briefer flash responses and reduced sensitivity to flashes and to steps of light. Upon exposure to light, rhodopsin became phosphorylated at a faster rate in mutant than in wild-type retinas. Since quench of rhodopsin begins with its phosphorylation, these results suggest that palmitoylation may modulate rod photoreceptor sensitivity by permitting rhodopsin to remain active for a longer period.
A simulation generator for dual-card kanban-controlled flow shops

This paper introduces a simulation generator for dual-card, kanban-controlled flow shops. Modelling kanban-controlled, pull manufacturing systems is a challenging task. The simulation generator eliminates modelling and the coding stages of simulation analysis and generates codes in SIMAN simulation language. An easy to use data-driven environment allows users to develop, edit, save and execute models without requiring any programming skills. The simulation generator is capable of simulating multi-product, multi-stage flow shops with multiple kanban cards (withdrawal and production order kanbans) and variable container sizes.
Protecting software agents from malicious hosts using quantum computing

We evaluate how quantum computing can be applied to security problems for software agents. Agent-based computing, which merges technological advances in artificial intelligence and mobile computing, is a rapidly growing domain, especially in applications such as electronic commerce, network management, information retrieval, and mission planning. System security is one of the more eminent research areas in agent-based computing, and the specific problem of protecting a mobile agent from a potentially hostile host is one of the most difficult of these challenges. In this work, we describe our agent model, and discuss the capabilities and limitations of classical solutions to the malicious host problem. Quantum computing may be extremely helpful in addressing the limitations of classical solutions to this problem. This paper highlights some of the areas where quantum computing could be applied to agent security.
The Self-Esteem of Pupils from India, the United States, and the Philippines

Abstract Six groups of pupils (males and females) from the United States, India, and the Philippines were compared in self-esteem by gender and country. Because all pupils were educated in schools where English was the language spoken, it was not necessary to use Indian or Filipino self-perception instruments. Therefore, the Coopersmith (1959) Self-Esteem Inventory was administered to all 285 pupils in the respective countries and classrooms. A 3 × 2 analysis of variance revealed significant main effects by country but not by gender.
Serving America's Underserved Youth: Reflections on Sport and Recreation in an Emerging Social Problems Industry

Urban communities have recently had a significant growth in the number of public and privately sponsored initiatives that endorse and promote providing sport and recreation activities for underserved youth as a means to alleviate urban distress. This paper draws from the authors' experiences of and their reflections on this emerging “social problems industry,” in which programs are addressing crime prevention, juvenile delinquency, and other social ills through the provision of sport and recreation programs. Theoretical discourses from political economy, critical theory, and urban sociology are used to explore the growth and proliferation of this industry. These discourses also are used to set out an agenda for further research and discuss the overall impact and future of these initiatives. The paper focuses explicitly on investigating relationships among patterns of sport consumption and provision, popular conceptions of race and class, urban decline, and the dynamics of sport programs within the social ...
Selective and Specific Inhibition of If with Ivabradine for the Treatment of Coronary Artery Disease or Heart Failure

Heart rate is an important contributor in the pathophysiology of both coronary artery disease (CAD) and heart failure (HF). Ivabradine is an anti-anginal and anti-ischaemic agent, which selectively and specifically inhibits the If current in the sino-atrial node and provides pure heart rate reduction without altering other cardiac parameters, including conduction, and without directly affecting other haemodynamic parameters. It is approved for the treatment of CAD and HF. This article summarises the pharmacological properties, pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy and tolerability of ivabradine in the treatment of CAD and HF, and presents evidence demonstrating that the pharmacological and clinical properties and clinical efficacy of ivabradine make it an important therapeutic choice for patients with stable CAD or HF. The positive effect of ivabradine on angina pectoris symptoms and its ability to reduce myocardial ischemia make it an important agent in the management of patients with stable CAD or chronic HF. Further studies are underway to add to the already robust evidence of ivabradine for the prevention of cardiovascular events in patients with CAD but without clinical HF. The SIGNIFY (Study assessInG the morbidity–mortality beNefits of the If inhibitor ivabradine in patients with coronarY artery disease) trial includes patients with stable CAD and an LVEF above 40 %, with no clinical sign of HF, and is investigating the long-term effects (over a period of 48 months) of ivabradine in a large study population. So far, this study has included more than 19,000 patients from 51 countries.
Global privacy and transportation mode homogeneity anonymization in location based mobile systems with continuous queries

A major concern for deployment of location-based mobile systems is the ill-usage of mobile client's location data, which may imply sensitive and private personal information. Also, even if the location is exposed willingly by the mobile client the query should not be linked to the mobile client. Still, many location based systems (store finders, transit itinerary systems, and social networks) are created with a different focus and have little concern for end user privacy. We focused on location based mobile systems where the location of the mobile user may be available; however, an adversary should not be able to link a query to a specific mobile user. Two key contributions of this work are the introduction and experimental evaluation of a novel concept called transportation mode homogeneity anonymization that adds another dimension to privacy in mobile location based systems. Also, a novel dynamic layered approach on achieving K-anonymity by separating the local privacy requirement on each snapshot and global privacy requirement across snapshots with different privacy goals is proposed to exploit the local privacy anonymization group as candidates to obtain global anonymization group candidates.
RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF NOVEL MAGNETORHEOLOGICAL FLUIDS

The rheological properties of novel MR fluids are characterized using a parallel plate MR shear rheometer. In these MR fluids the surface of iron particles is coated with a polymer. The rheological properties are measured and compared at various magnetic field strengths, shear rates and strain amplitudes. It has been shown that these MR fluids exhibit stable and desirable rheological properties such as, low viscosity and high yield stress.