cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The neurobiology of urocortin.

Urocortin (UCN) is a recently isolated 40 amino acid-containing neuropeptide that is the second endogenous mammalian ligand for the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) receptors. While UCN and CRF both display a similar high affinity for the CRF1 receptor, the affinity of UCN for the CRF2 receptor is more than 10-fold higher than that of rat/human CRF. UCN mRNA expression is highest in the Edinger–Westphal nucleus and lateral superior olive, with the most prominent terminal fields found in the lateral septum. Because of the higher relative affinity of UCN for the CRF2 receptor and the corresponding neuroanatomical distribution of the highest density of UCN expression and innervation to brain regions preferentially expressing the CRF2 receptor subtype, it has been hypothesized that UCN is the preferred endogenous ligand for the CRF2 receptor. Following central administration, UCN has been demonstrated to produce behavioral and physiological effects that are qualitatively similar to CRF. Quantitatively, however, UCN appears to be a more potent suppressor of ingestive behavior (food and water intake) and a less potent inducer of anxiogenic behavior than CRF.
Developmental variations of tooth morphology and periodontal disease

Significance of some developmental variations of tooth morphology in the causes of isolated periodontal lesions is considered. In the presence of bacterial dental plaque, some developmental variations of tooth morphology may accelerate the course of periodontal disease. The significance of common variations in the causes of isolated periodontal lesions is emphasized.
Output correlation functions for general full- and half-wave devices

A simple algebraic derivation is given for the relationship among the output autocorrelation functions of a general half-wave device and its associated even and odd full-wave devices, when the input is an arbitrary random process. The relationship involves the output autocorrelation fun‘ dual ’ half-wave device, which reduces to the ordinary half-wave output autocorrelation function in the case where the input second-order density is symmetric in both variables. No restrictions are placed on the output-input characteristic of the half-wave device in response to positive input values and all special results previously reported for the output correlation functions of half-wave and full-wave linear rectifiers are included as special cases.
Role of NADPH Oxidase in Cytomegalovirus-Induced Proliferation of Human Coronary Artery Smooth Muscle Cells

A number of infectious agents have been implicated in the development of vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and posttransplantation arterial restenosis. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) has been reported to cause obliteration of coronary arteries by a progressive vasculopathy that involves proliferation of medial smooth muscle cells (SMC). In this study, we report that CMV enhances the serum-induced proliferation of human coronary SMC through activation of a superoxide-generating NADPH oxidase. Exposure of SMC to CMV for 2 h was associated with an 80% increase in NADPH oxidase. This increase in oxidase activity was associated with a two-fold increase in serum-induced DNA synthesis (5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine incorporation) and significant interleukin-8 (IL-8) production by SMC. Diphenylene iodonium, an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase, significantly inhibited CMV-induced IL-8 production and promotion of serum-induced DNA synthesis. Similar effects were seen following pretreatment of SMC with N-acetyl cysteine, a potent antioxidant, suggesting that oxidative stress following CMV exposure might be responsible for triggering the proliferation of SMC. From this study, we conclude that CMV-mediated promotion of SMC growth is redox sensitive and may be mediated by NADPH oxidase.
Relative stability of glucose and fructose at different acid pH

Abstract An empirical procedure is employed to assist in determining the relative stability of sugars at different pH. The procedure applies the most appropriate linear function for three arbitrary segments of the overall second order autocatalytic equation to sets of experimental data. As measured by the formation of 5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-furancarboxaldehyde (HMF) at 100°C, fructose is most stable between pH 4 and 6 and glucose between pH 2 and 6. However, fructose in its most stable environment is five times more reactive than glucose in its most stable environment.
Cross-cultural Brokering in the Legal, Institutional and Normative Domains: Intercultural Mediators Managing Immigration in Catalonia:

Intercultural mediation programs have recently been set up in Catalonia in order to manage growing foreign immigration flows. Intercultural mediators, usually immigrants working for local governmental entities and NGOs and brokering in the relationships between immigrants and their new social, cultural and legal setting, accomplish a very wide variety of roles aimed at facilitating the social inclusion of immigrant groups. This article, moving beyond classic approaches to immigrant acculturation and on the basis of ethnographic fieldwork, examines the activities of intercultural mediators as normative and institutional brokers who bridge the gaps between newcomers and the institutions, professionals and the population at large of the host society, in both conflictual and non-conflictual settings. The article examines how intercultural mediators behave as interfaces or entry points to the legal, normative and institutional systems of the host society, as transmitters and enforcers of legal and social norms...
Chapter 3 Thin Epitaxial Films: Insights from Theory and Experiment

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses metastability and pseudomorphic growth, kinetics, strain in hetero-epitaxial growth, alloy phase diagrams and defects, metastability and Bain distortions, and interfaces in metallic multilayers—Pb–Nb and Ag–Nb. A suitable free energy, when monitored as a function of various parameters such as lattice parameters, temperature or pressure is a complicated function of many variables with possibly numerous local minima. Metastability that is discussed in this chapter has to do with the existence of such local minima. To crossover from one local minimum to a neighboring minimum, the system needs to overcome an energy barrier. Growth conditions clearly play a vital role in determining the resulting metastable phase. Transition metals provide a platform for studying metastable phases. A layer by layer, pseudomorphic growth (that is, in registry with the substrate) usually provides insight into numerous size, surface and interface dependent properties of metastable structures. Kinetic processes do not necessarily select the most stable, lowest energy state but the most easily (kinetically) accessible state. It is seen that surface diffusion and migration of atoms can play complicated roles in the kinetics of growth. Thin epitaxial films are known to exhibit a wide variety of fascinating fundamental properties because of the interplay of electronic structure, morphology, strain, and magnetism. Idealized, simple systems are highly desirable. A great deal of attention has been paid to Fe films grown on various metallic substrates, such as Fe/Cu, Fe/W and Fe/Mo. One major reason for this interest is the magnetism associated with Fe films, which may depend on the growth mechanism. There are details of Magnetic 3d metals, Epitaxially grown magnetic systems, epitaxially grown fcc Fe/Cu and Fe 16 N 2 films— experimental background: Fe nitrides, discussion of large Fe moments, Fe/Cr, and bcc Nickel grown on Fe and GaAs.
Molecular analysis of capsid protein of Homalodisca coagulata Virus-1, a new leafhopper-infecting virus from the glassy-winged sharpshooter, Homalodisca coagulata

A new virus that infects and causes increased mortality in leafhoppers was isolated from the glassy-winged sharpshooter, Homalodisca coagulata (Say) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae). The virus, named Homalodisca coagulata virus -1, HoCV-1, was associated with increased mortality of cultured 5th instar H. coagulata. To identify the presence of H. coagulata viral pathogens, cDNA expression libraries were made from adult and nymphs. Analysis using reverse transcriptase PCR demonstrated that the virus was present in midgut tissues. As the viral capsid proteins are commonly used in classification of newly discovered viruses, the capsid proteins (CP) of the virus discovered in H. coagulata was examined. The order of the polyprotein subunits of HoCV-1 capsid proteins was determined to be CP2, CP4, CP3, and CP1. The CP4/CP3 (AFGL/GKPK) cleavage boundary site was clearly identified when the sequences were aligned. The putative CP3/CP1 (ADVQ/SAFA) cleavage site and the putative CP2/CP4 (VTMQ/EQSA) cleavage site of HoCV-1, respectively, were located in the same region as that of the other viruses. After alignment, the CP3/CP1 cleavage sites and CP2/CP4 cleavage sites of the viruses analyzed fell within 50 amino acids of one another. As with the cricket paralysis virus, HoCV-1 was found to be mainly comprised of β-sandwiches in CP1-3 with a jelly roll topological motif. CP4 of HoCV-1 appeared to be mainly α-helical in structure. CP1-4 domains are most homologous to insect picorna-like virus coat proteins as was demonstrated by the results of the BLASTP and PSI-BLAST tests, and is strongly supported by the structural modeling. While sequence homology between the cricket paralysis virus and HoCV-1 was low, the global structure of the proteins was conserved. Sequence identities were analyzed by in silico comparison to known genes in the public database, NCBI. Phylogenetic analysis performed using the optimized protein alignment generated a phylogram containing 5 clades. Clade 1 consisted of Drosophila C virus, Clade 2 consisted of cricket paralysis virus, Clade 3 of Triatoma virus, Plautia stali intestine virus, Himetobi P virus, black queen cell virus, and HoCV-1. Clade 4 encompassed acute bee paralysis virus and Kashmir bee virus, and Clade 5 consisted of Rhopalosiphum padi virus. Analysis of the capsid protein of this new leafhopper virus provided significant evidence that it is related to other ssRNA insect viruses within the Family, Dicistroviridae. The HoCV-1, capsid protein sequence has been deposited in GenBank, Accession number: DQ308403.
Alterations in extracellular calcium concentration differentially influence prostaglandin and thromboxane synthesis in epithelial cells from the toad urinary bladder.

Abstract The effects of alterations in extracellular calcium concentration on prostaglandin (PGE) and thromboxane (TXB 2 ) syntheses were studied in isolated epithelial cells from the urinary bladder of the toad, Bufo marinus . In epithelial cells prepared using collagenase, basal iPGE synthesis was greater than iTXB 2 synthesis. Increasing extracellular calcium from zero to 1 m m increased iPGE synthesis and decreased iTXB 2 synthesis equivalently such that total conversion of endogenous arachidonate to these two metabolites was unaltered. Vasopressin stimulated iPGE and iTXB 2 syntheses when the incubation buffer contained 1 m m calcium but had no effect in the presence of 0.4 μ m calcium. In contrast, using an EDTA isolation method, basal iPGE and iTXB 2 syntheses were equal in the presence of zero calcium. Increasing extracellular calcium concentration to 1 m m caused a greater enhancement in iTXB 2 synthesis compared to iPGE. Increasing extracellular calcium to 2 m m was associated with a decline in iPGE and iTXB 2 syntheses back to the levels observed with no calcium added to the medium. The effect of increasing the calcium concentration was greater in phosphate than in bicarbonate buffer. In a Tris buffer the effect of altered calcium was almost completely abrogated. These studies demonstrate that the choice of buffer and alterations in extracellular calcium concentration differentially alter basal arachidonic acid metabolism to prostaglandins and thromboxane in isolated toad urinary bladder cells. The results suggest that there may exist several endogenous pools of arachidonic acid which are differentially influenced by calcium. Furthermore, the pool sensitive to vasopressin has an absolute requirement for calcium.
A new model of tropospheric hydroxyl radical concentrations

A chemistry model of the global troposphere is presented which focuses on the hydroxyl radical, OH. Global distributions of OH are calculated based on known chemical reaction pathways, experimentally measured values of precursor species O3, H2O, NOx (defined as NO+NO2), CO, CH4, and actinic flux (which includes the effects of cloud cover and O3 column absorption). Model grid resolution is 1 km in altitude by 10 degrees latitude, and zonally divided into land or ocean. Species are calculated as seasonal averages. Global annual mean OH in the troposphere (up to 14 km altitude) is calculated to be 9.2 x 10(5) molcm(-3) with averages of 9.8 x 10(5) in the northern hemisphere, and 8.5 x 10(5) in the southern hemisphere. Global CO and CH(4) oxidation rates by OH are calculated to be 1840 Tgyear(-1) and 580 Tgyear(-1), respectively. OH is found to be most sensitive to O3 and H2O concentrations, as well as to the photolysis rate of O3 to O1D. Sensitivity of CO and CH4 oxidation rates to cloud presence shows an inverse relationship to cloud amount and optical depth. Model results are shown to be consistent with results from two other published models.
Observation of the recoil proton in quasielastic pion scattering

A semiclassical model is developed to give a first estimate of the expected cross section for observation of the recoil proton in quasielastic pion scattering. Advantages of detecting the proton, rather than the scattered pion, are discussed.
VIBRATION-INDUCED CONDUCTIVITY FLUCTUATION (VICOF) TESTING OF SOILS

In this Letter, we propose and experimentally demonstrate a simple method to provide additional information on the electro-mechanical properties of soils by electrical conductivity measurements. The AC electrical conductance of the soil is measured while it is exposed to a periodic vibration. The vibration-induced density fluctuation implies a corresponding conductivity fluctuation that can be seen as combination frequency components, the sum and the difference of the mean AC frequency and the double of vibration frequency, in the current response. The method is demonstrated by measurements on clayey and sandy soils.
Effect of streptokinase on canine pulmonary emboli: Local vs peripheral infusion

Abstract An experimental canine model of massive pulmonary embolism was developed. A left pneumonectomy was performed 3 weeks prior to insertion of large autogenous clots (0.4 g/kg) into the right lung. Those dogs that survived the embolization procedure for 30 min were then treated by either intravenous or direct pulmonary artery infusion of streptokinase, 20,000 U hr −1 , for 5 hr. The degree of thrombolytic effect on the pulmonary emboli was evaluated by improvement in perfusion deficit as seen on lung scan and pulmonary angiography, and by weight of the emboli recovered at autopsy. The results of this work suggest that streptokinase administered directly into the pulmonary artery has no benefit over the same agent infused via the femoral artery.
The permeability of nucleated and enucleated fragments of Amoeba proteus to D2O.

Abstract The Cartesian Diver Balance method of Pigon and Zeuthen was adapted to the measurement of the D 2 O permeability of single Amoeba proteus and of nucleated and enucleated fragments. The permeability constants of half cells that had been without a nucleus for 38 hours remained identical with those of nucleated half cells and of intact amoebae.
TCR antigen-induced cell death occurs from a late G1 phase cell cycle check point

Deletion of antigen-activated T cells after an immune response and during peripheral negative selection after strong T cell receptor (TCR) engagement of cycling T cells occurs by an apoptotic process termed TCR antigen-induced cell death (AID). By analyzing the timing of death, cell cycle markers, BrdU-labeled S phase cells, and phase-specific centrifugally elutriated cultures from stimulated Jurkat T cells and peripheral blood lymphocytes, we found that AID occurs from a late G1 check point prior to activation of cyclin E:Cdk2 complexes. T cells stimulated to undergo AID can be rescued by effecting an early G1 block by direct transduction of p16INK4a tumor suppressor protein or by inactivation of the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein (pRb) by transduced HPV E7 protein. These results suggest that AID occurs from a late G1 death check point in a pRb-dependent fashion.
Analysis of transaction management performance

There is currently much interest in incorporating transactions into both operating systems and general-purpose programming languages. This paper provides a detailed examination of the design and performance of the transaction manager of the Camelot system. Camelot is a transaction facility that provides a rich model of transactions intended to support a wide variety of general-purpose applications. The transaction manager's principal function is to execute the protocols that ensure atomicity.The conclusions of this study are: a simple optimization to two-phase commit reduces logging activity of distributed transactions; non-blocking commit is practical for some applications; multithreaded design improves throughput provided that log batching is used; multi-casting reduces the variance of distributed commit protocols in a LAN environment; and the performance of transaction mechanisms such as Camelot depend heavily upon kernel performance.
The Conservative Peace: An Institutional Explanation Of Post-cold War Stability

In this article we argue that post-Cold War interstate peace in Eastern Europe can be explained by the presence of strongly institutionalized states which, by their very nature, tend to be risk-averse and thus avoid military conflict. Modern states, as rationalized bureaucratic structures, tend to be dominated by mechanisms and routines that view war as threatening to the status quo. In other words, it is the nature of the modern state, rather than regime type or a balance of power, which explains why nations go to war. We consider how the construction and maintenance of modern state structures in Eastern Europe before and after communism helped promote stability in the face of increased nationalist pressure. We specifically investigate the case of Hungarian-Romanian relations, often cited as having the greatest potential for interstate militarized conflict.
Knowledge, justification, and reliability

Recent epistemology divides theories of knowledge according to their diagnoses of cases of “failed knowledge”, Gettier cases. Two rival camps have emerged: naturalism and justificationism. Naturalism attributes the failure of knowledge in these cases to the cognizer's failure to stand in a strong natural position vis-a-vis the proposition believed. Justificationism traces the failure to the cognizer's failure to be strongly justified in his belief. My aim is to reconcile these camps by offering a version of naturalism, a reliability theory of knowledge, that conforms to the central justificationist tenets. I argue that proposed reliability theories of knowledge, reliable indication theories, offer no prospect of a reconciliation because they misdiagnose failed knowledge in such a way as to violate a basic justificationist tenet. Proposed versions of justificationism, it turns out, fare no better with this tenet. I offer an alternative reliability theory of knowledge, a reliable process theory, that conforms to the justificationist tenet.
Spin diffusion at finite electric and magnetic fields

Spin-transport properties at finite electric and magnetic fields are studied by using the generalized semiclassical Boltzmann equation. It is found that the spin-diffusion equation for nonequilibrium spin density and spin currents involves a number of length scales that explicitly depend on the electric and magnetic fields. The set of macroscopic equations can be used to address a broad range of the spin-transport problems in magnetic multilayers as well as in semiconductor heterostructure. A specific example of spin injection into semiconductors at arbitrary electric and magnetic fields is illustrated.
New limits on intrinsic charm in the nucleon from global analysis of parton distributions

We present a new global QCD analysis of parton distribution functions, allowing for possible intrinsic charm (IC) contributions in the nucleon inspired by light-front models. The analysis makes use of the full range of available high-energy scattering data for ${Q}^{2}\ensuremath{\gtrsim}1\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{GeV}}^{2}$ and ${W}^{2}\ensuremath{\gtrsim}3.5\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{GeV}}^{2}$, including fixed-target proton and deuteron cross sections at lower energies that were excluded in previous global analyses. The expanded data set places more stringent constraints on the momentum carried by IC, with $⟨x{⟩}_{\text{IC}}$ at most 0.5% (corresponding to an IC normalization of $\ensuremath{\sim}1%$) at the $4\ensuremath{\sigma}$ level for $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}{\ensuremath{\chi}}^{2}=1$. We also critically assess the impact of older EMC measurements of ${F}_{2}^{c}$ at large $x$, which favor a nonzero IC, but with very large ${\ensuremath{\chi}}^{2}$ values.
Acute desensitization of a patient with cystic fibrosis allergic to both beta-lactam and aminoglycoside antibiotics

Abstract A 15-year-old patient with cystic fibrosis developed urticarial reactions to tobramycin, gentamicin, and cephoperazone, and an anaphylactic reaction to ticarcillin during therapy for an extensive pulmonary infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus . Immediate wheal-and-flare skin tests were positive with tobramycin and with penicilloylpoly-l-lysine. Desensitization with tobramycin in gradually increasing intravenous doses was accomplished during 8 hours. The procedure was complicated by a macular rash that remitted within minutes without therapy, but no symptoms or signs of an allergic reaction to tobramycin were detected during full dose therapy. Skin test responses to tobramycin became negative by the end of the desensitization procedure, whereas the responses to penicilloylpoly-l-lysine and histamine remained positive. A worsening course led to an unsuccessful attempt to desensitize the patient to β-lactam determinants. Wheezing appeared during the administration of oral doses. This case demonstrates the feasibility of acute, antigen-specific desensitization of an aminoglycoside-allergic patient and the failure to achieve a second, simultaneous desensitization. This patient experienced the first serious reaction to oral penicillin desensitization.
Morphometric methods for studying the prefrontal cortex in suicide victims and psychiatric patients.

Neurochemical studies demonstrate altered numbers of monoaminergic receptors in the prefrontal cortex in suicide and depression victims, implicating dysfunction of the prefrontal cortex in the neuropathology of suicide and psychiatric disorders. Neuroimaging studies in vivo have revealed an altered pattern of cortical metabolism and reductions in frontal lobe volume in patients with schizophrenia (SCZ) or depression. However, the precise morphopathology underlying these abnormalities and their relevance to suicide are unknown. Our recent three-dimensional cell counting of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex from 16 postmortem SCZ brains (10 suicide completers) revealed cellular changes (increased neuronal density, and reduced laminar width and neuronal size) that may be associated with neuroimaging observations. Evaluation of the same morphometric parameters in the prefrontal cortex in seven bipolar brains (three committed suicide) revealed similarities (decreased cortical and laminar thickness) and differences (unchanged overall neuronal density and laminar densities) between morphopathology of SCZ and bipolar disorder. In another population of suicide victims with major depression (nonpsychotic), further morphopathological differences from SCZ and similarities to bipolar disorder were observed in the prefrontal cortex. From these data we can conclude that the morphopathology observed in brain tissue from suicide victims appears to vary based on psychiatric symptomatology. In order to confirm this hypothesis and to establish the specificity of morphometric findings in relation to psychiatric disorders and suicide, additional studies are warranted in nonsuicide subjects with SCZ, major depression, or bipolar disorder. Language: en
Comparing test-specific distress of susceptibility versus deterministic genetic testing for Alzheimer's disease

Abstract Background Genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD) can be conferred by the susceptibility polymorphism apolipoprotein E ( APOE ), where the e4 allele increases the risk of developing late-onset AD but is not a definitive predictor of the disease, or by autosomal dominant mutations (eg, the presenilins), which almost inevitably result in early-onset familial AD. The purpose of this study was to compare the psychological impact of using these two different types of genetic information to disclose genetic risk for AD to family members of affected patients. Methods Data were compared from two separate protocols. The Risk Evaluation and Education for Alzheimer's Disease (REVEAL) Study is a randomized, multi-site clinical trial that evaluated the impact of susceptibility testing for AD with APOE in 101 adult children of AD patients. A separate study, conducted at the University of Washington, assessed the impact of deterministic genetic testing by disclosing presenilin-1, presenilin-2, or TAU genotype to 22 individuals at risk for familial AD or frontotemporal dementia. In both protocols, participants received genetic counseling and completed the impact of event scale (IES), a measure of test-specific distress. Scores were analyzed at the time point closest to 1 year after disclosure at which IES data were available. The role of genetic test result (positive vs negative) and type of genetic testing (deterministic vs susceptibility) in predicting log-transformed IES scores were assessed with linear regression, controlling for age, gender, and time from disclosure. Results Subjects from the REVEAL Study who learned that they were positive for the susceptibility gene APOE e4+ experienced similar, low levels of test-specific distress compared with those who received positive results of deterministic testing in the University of Washington study ( P = .78). APOE e4+ individuals in the susceptibility protocol experienced more test-specific distress than those who tested e4– in the same study ( P = .04); however, among those receiving deterministic test disclosure, the subjects who received positive results did not experience significantly higher levels of distress when compared with those who received negative results ( P = .88). Conclusions The findings of this preliminary study, with limited sample size, suggest that the test-related distress experienced by those receiving positive results for a deterministic mutation is similar to the distress experienced by those receiving positive results from genetic susceptibility testing, and that the majority of participants receiving genotype disclosure do not experience clinically significant distress as indicated by IES scores 1 year after learning of their test results.
Vasoactivity of Blood Vessels Using a Novel Isovolumic Myograph

The vasoactivity of blood vessel is impaired by cardiovascular disease. The ex-vivo measurements of vasoactivity (wire and pressure myographs) have some inherent difficulties in the characterization of pharmacodynamics and biomechanics. Here, we introduce a novel isovolumic myograph which allows simultaneous measurement of both dynamic pressure and dimensional changes during vasoconstriction or vasodilation. The principle of the isovolumic myograph is based on the utility of a hydraulically closed system with low compliance such that contraction against an incompressible fluid increases the pressure with the closed system while dilation decreases it. We demonstrate the sensitivity and utility of the new technique by the response of elastic (carotid), muscular (femoral) arteries, and femoral veins. The results show characteristic dynamic pressure response for each vessel type. Furthermore, our results show a Hill-type equation for the tension–velocity relation for smooth muscles as well as characteristic curves for each contraction. These novel findings for blood vessels will advance our knowledge of endothelium and vascular smooth muscle mechanics and pharmacodynamics.
Nonparoxysmal Atrioventricular Junctional Tachycardia and Sinus Rhythm with Complete Heart Block Distal to the His Bundle: A Case with Isorhythmic Atrial-His Dissociation

Nonparoxysmal junctional tachycardia, concealed to surface electrocardiographic studies, was found by His bundle recording in a patient with complete heart block distal to the His bundle. The His bundle deflection shortly followed, merged with, or shortly preceded the atrial depolarization (isorhythmic atrial-His dissociation). Intact anterograde and retrograde atrial-His conduction patterns were present. Whenever one pacemaker would slow or speed its rate in relation to the other, the faster pacemaker would capture the atria. During anterograde capture, the spontaneous atrio-His (A-H) interval was fixed at 90 msec, the H-H intervals equaled the preceding A-A intervals, and the P waves were upright in leads 2 and 3. During retrograde captures, the spontaneous H-A interval was fixed at 110 msec, the A-A intervals equaled the preceding H-H intervals, and the P waves were inverted in leads 2 and 3. The effects of right atrial pacing and administration of isoproterenol and lidocaine were consistent with the presence of separate sinus and junctional pacemakers competing for control of the atria. Our case is an example of isorhythmic dissociation of junctional and sinus pacemakers similar to that described in patients studied during open-heart surgery. Since the patient had complete heart block, the supraventricular dysrhythmia had no significant hemodynamic effects, and the isorhythmic dissociation could not be explained by variations in autonomic tone brought about by loss of the atrial contribution to ventricular ejection.
Mo(NMe2)6Li2(THF)2

Abstract Addition of LiNMe2 to Mo(NMe2)4 in tetrahydrofuran establishes the equilibrium: Mo(NMe2)4+2LiNMe2THFαMo(NMe2)6Li2. Red crystals of the THF adduct Mo(NMe2)6Li2(THF)2 have been shown to involve an octahedral MoN6 moiety, MoN = 2.12 A (averaged). The lithium atoms cap opposite faces, LiN3MoN3Li, and are ligated by one THF molecule to complete the pseudo tetrahedral coordination of lithium.
Deterministic digital WDM LAN for controlled configurations

This work introduces the concept of a digital Wavelength Division Multiplexed (WDM) network for small avionic and space platforms. For packaging and heat transfer efficiency, all optical wavelength sources occupy a common location. Addressable wavelengths are allocated to each receiver, which may be reached by selection or tuning of a transmitter wavelength. Individual delays may be applied to assure synchronization at each receiver. The output of each individual source wavelength is pre-modulated with a clock signal. Signal modulation is applied by passing or rejecting the clock signals. Due to the simplicity of the modulation, the control plane functions can be merged with the data plane functions. Although the concept is based on a single data rate, the digital WDM LAN concept can possibly be extended to process packet and analog payloads.
Efficient Dynamic Range Searching using Data Replication

Given the lower bound of $\Omega(n^{(d-1)/d})$ for range query time complexity on $n$ $d$-dimensional point data, we investigate whether little replication can improve the query and update times significantly. We propose linear-space index structures that minimize the query and update times; the query time we achieve is $O(n^{\epsilon})$ for any $\epsilon <0$, and, the update time is $O(\log n)$.
The institutional roots of Great Britain's ‘big problem of small change’

Thomas Sargent and Francois Velde (2002) argue that it took government authorities centuries to solve the ‘big problem of small change’ because those authorities were constrained, first by the lack of a sound theory of small change, and then by the lack of adequate technology for implementing the theory. British experience suggests, however, that institutions also played a crucial part. In particular, the monopolistic nature of Great Britain's official coinage arrangements undermined incentives for establishing a sound system of small change even after theoretical and technological constraints were no longer present. The institutional perspective offered here helps to explain a number of historical facts that are otherwise puzzling, including the fact that a relatively successful private-sector small-change system anticipated Great Britain's official solution to the small-change problem by two decades.
Integrated optical architectures for tapped delay lines

An integrated optics (IO) device that is an implementation of an IO tapped delay line is discussed. It is capable of performing discrete convolution of an optical pulse sequence with a preset digital function. Several architectures for the device are presented. A systematic realization of the preset function samples that permits efficient utilization of all the input light power and maximization of the output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for the device is discussed. A detailed analysis of what determines the number of preset samples that can be realized and how to realize them on a LiNbO/sub 3/ crystal is given. Two digital filter design examples are presented, and the quantization error effects on their performance are examined. The same architectures are shown to implement digital-to-analog (D/A) conversion and systolic multiplication of a Toeplitz matrix with a vector having the form of optical pulses. >
A methodology for evaluating the performance of RISC processors

A methodology is devised to simulate and evaluate the performance of RISC processors. The detailed model provides a way to evaluate the performance of the processor for various applications and under a wide spectrum of operation environments and conditions. The instruction flow of each instruction is modeled. The instruction requests the various units and stages of pipelines which are modeled as resources. The model is applied on the Motorola MC88100 RISC processor which includes four processing units and numerous pipelines to speed up the execution of instructions. From the model the processing speed is investigated for various applications, and the contention on some units is studied. Moreover, the utilization of units and mean waiting time are studied and discussed. >
Google, Human Rights, and Moral Compromise

International business faces a host of difficult moral conflicts. It is tempting to think that these conflicts can be morally resolved if we gained full knowledge of the situations, were rational enough, and were sufficiently objective. This paper explores the view that there are situations in which people in business must confront the possibility that they must compromise some of their important principles or values in order to protect other ones. One particularly interesting case that captures this kind of situation is that of Google and its operations in China. In this paper, I examine the situation Google faces as part of the larger issue of moral compromise and integrity in business. Though I look at Google, this paper is just as much about the underlying or background views Google faces that are at work in business ethics. In the process, I argue the following: First, the framework Google has used to respond to criticisms of its actions does not successfully or obviously address the important ethical issues it faces. Second, an alternative ethical account can be presented that better addresses these ethical and human rights questions. However, this different framework brings the issue of moral compromise to the fore. This is an approach filled with dangers, particularly since it is widely held that one ought never to compromise one’s moral principles. Nevertheless, I wish to propose that there may be a place for moral compromise in business under certain conditions, which I attempt to specify.
The Foveal Local Erg Response to Transient and Steady State Flickering Stimuli

The photoreceptors are the first neural elements in the visual system, and an appreciation of their response characteristics can greatly assist our understanding of higher order neural processes. The extent to which photoreceptor activity can be monitored in primates by means of a nearly normal preparation will directly effect our ability to attain this goal It was in pursuit of such a preparation that this study was undertaken.
Compressive imaging: hybrid measurement basis design

The inherent redundancy in natural scenes forms the basis of compressive imaging where the number of measurements is less than the dimensionality of the scene. The compressed sensing theory has shown that a purely random measurement basis can yield good reconstructions of sparse objects with relatively few measurements. However, additional prior knowledge about object statistics that is typically available is not exploited in the design of the random basis. In this work, we describe a hybrid measurement basis design that exploits the power spectral density statistics of natural scenes to minimize the reconstruction error by employing an optimal combination of a nonrandom basis and a purely random basis. Using simulation studies, we quantify the reconstruction error improvement achievable with the hybrid basis for a diverse set of natural images. We find that the hybrid basis can reduce the reconstruction error up to 77% or equivalently requires fewer measurements to achieve a desired reconstruction error compared to the purely random basis. It is also robust to varying levels of object sparsity and yields as much as 40% lower reconstruction error compared to the random basis in the presence of measurement noise.
Glutamate receptors in the enteric nervous system: ionotropic or metabotropic?

Intracellular recording methods were used to investigate actions of glutamate on morphologically identified neurones in the myenteric and submucous plexuses of guinea-pig small intestine. Glutamate evoked a tetrodotoxin-resistant, slowly activating depolarizing response in most of the submucous neurones (86 of 125, 69%) and a smaller number of myenteric neurones (6 of 60, 10%). The depolarizing responses were restricted to S-type neurones with uniaxonal morphology. The group I metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluRs) agonists quisqualate, 1S, 3R-ACPD and DHPG mimicked the depolarizing action of glutamate. A group I mGluRs antagonist, S-4-carboxyphenylglycine (S-4CPG), suppressed the glutamate responses with an IC50 of 357 μM at 30 μM glutamate. Group II or III mGluRs agonists did not produce depolarizing responses and group II or III mGluRs antagonists did not alter glutamate-evoked depolarization. The ionotropic glutamate receptor (iGluRs) agonists NMDA, AMPA, or kainate did not evoke depolarizing responses and glutamate-evoked depolarization was unaffected by the iGluRs antagonists D-APV, MK-801, or DNQX. No rapidly activating fast depolarizing responses reminiscent of fast excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) were ever observed during application of glutamate or AMPA and stimulus-evoked fast EPSPs were unaffected by DNQX. The results suggest that the excitatory action of glutamate on enteric neurones is mediated by group I metabotropic glutamate receptors and that ionotropic glutamate receptors are not involved. The results also suggest that glutamate-mediated fast EPSPs may not be present in myenteric and submucous neurones in guinea-pig small bowel.
Risk theory reconsidered: American success and German failure in the coercion of Britain, 1890–1914

(1988). Risk theory reconsidered: American success and German failure in the coercion of Britain, 1890–1914. Journal of Strategic Studies: Vol. 11, No. 3, pp. 342-364.
A simplified technique for counting Varroa jacobsoni Oud. on sticky boards

The most common method used to assess the level of mite infestation in a bee colony is to count all the mites that fall onto sticky boards placed on the bottom of a colony. Unfortunately, this is a laborious and boring task. Therefore, a stratified sampling technique was devised to accurately estimate the number of mites on sticky boards. The technique, when compared to a census count of all mites, resulted in a coefficient of determination of 0.97 or greater. The stratified sampling proto- col in which we randomly selected 33% of the cells on a sticky board and did not choose new random numbers for each sticky board resulted in an accurate estimate of the number of Varroa jacobsoni. This technique gave a mean percent error of 0.4% ± 9.5% for any one estimate of a sticky board.
Performance specifications of common chemistry analytes on the AU series of chemistry analyzers for miscellaneous body fluids

Abstract Background Body fluids are frequently submitted to the clinical laboratory. Standard chemistry analyzers are generally not FDA approved for body fluid analysis and regulatory authorities require individual laboratories to validate their performance characteristics. Methods Precision, linearity, accuracy, and sample stability were assessed for 10 different chemistry analytes using ascites, pleural, peritoneal dialysate, and synovial fluids on the Beckman Coulter (BC) AU5431. The effect of altered protein concentration and pH was investigated. Chemistry results from the AU5431 were compared with results from the BC AU5832 and the BC AU680. Additionally, 22 paired serum/pleural fluids were evaluated for their biochemical ability to distinguish a transudate from an exudate. Results Precision for each assay and body fluid type had a CV Conclusions Body fluid samples with pH values within the acceptable range can be analyzed on the BC AU instruments.
Coping with Crisis: Lessons from the Maine Lobster Fishery, “All Water Has pH!” Except Now You Can Understand What That Means and Ozone Disinfection Has Minimal Impacts on Larvae of Three Important Species in Aquaculture

How fisheries respond to crisis is, unfortunately, a topic of ever growing importance. Anna Henry and Teresa Johnson (the School of Marine Sciences, University of Maine) used a people ecology appro...
Genetic Modification of the Pigment Optical Density

Large photosynthetic antenna systems are dispensable under conditions of mass cultivation and, in contrast to the detrimental effects on solar-to-biomass conversion efficiency of high pigment optical densities per cell, truncated antenna strains, with a reduced absorption cross section, could improve light utilization efficiency of the culture as a whole.
Reversible Photoproduction of Stable Charged Defects in Trans-Polyacetylene

Photoproduction and photodepletion of stable charged defects in trans-polyacetylene were observed, at low temperatures, by monitoring the IR signature of these defects: absorptions at 1368, 1289, 640 cm−1 (1053, 600 cm−1 for (CD)x). These absorptions could be observed at long times (two to several hundred minutes) after photolysis, only when the sample was protected from photolysis by the probe beam, by blocking v > 2,300 cm−1 The location of these absorptions and the temperature dependence of their intensities were similar to those of previously observed photoinduced defects reported to have much shorter lifetimes (τ - ms). The stable defects reported here can be produced at much lower photolysis energies (v > 5,000 cm−1) than transient-photoinduced defects (v > 9,000 cm−1). A mechanism for the photoproduction of stable defects, involving a two-photon process catalyzed by existing neutral defects, is proposed to explain this low onset. The slow decay of these defects observed when the sample is kept in the dark is attributed to photoinduced depletion by blackbody irradiation. This process was slow enough to allow the wavelength dependence of photodepletion (observed at 2,800 < v < 8,000 cm−1) to be studied. The photodepletion was fastest near 4,500 cm−1, suggesting that the defects possess an electronic absorption (with a peak near 4,500 cm−1) similar to that observed directly for the transient-photoinduced defects.
The Cunning of Law: Remarks on Brunkhorst’s Critical Theory of Legal Revolutions

This article provides an overview and critical analysis of Brunkhorst’s forthcoming book Critical Theory of Legal Revolutions. First, I briefly analyze the specific way in which Brunkhorst’s innova...
Review of Structural Equation Modeling: Applications in Mplus, by Jichuan Wang and Xiaoqian Wang

Since its development, Mplus (Muthen & Muthen, 1998–2012) has become the software of choice for many users of latent variable models. The development of a unified approach to a general latent varia...
Studying on the Multi-Index Evaluation System in Anti-Seepage Performance and Time Effectiveness of Dam Foundation Curtain-Grouting

Based on the analysis of surveying into geological condition of dam site,the durability of the curtain-grouting strengthened with chemical materials in some hydro-power station dam is analyzed from macroscopic and microscopic dynamic of groundwater as well as sludge in dam section 6.By researching into correlation of uplift and seepage discharge with reservoir water,the two characteristics turn out to be in close relation with reservoir water,appearing in shape of periodical variation.The oxidating process of organic part of chemical grouting material has caused a lower pH value of the groundwater in the section than reservoir water,with higher HCO-3.The value of Saturation Index is less than 1,in abbrev.as SI1,whereby indicating a good runoff condition in the corresponding part.It can be considered from the above conditions that the anti-seepage performance of curtain-grouting body of that dam section has been weakened locally.The experiment results indicate that the multiple index evaluation system is feasible and valid.
Analysis of the Surveillance Data of Malaria in the Joint Prevention Area of Guangdong

Objective To understand the effectiveness of joint prevetion for malaria control in Guangdong. Method Active survey and passive survey were carried out to investigate clinically and lab confirmed malaria cases. Result 119 malaria cases, account for 63.30% of all cases of the province, were identified in the 5 cities of the joint prevention area of Guangdong Province. Annual incidence rate of malaria was 0.03 per 10000. Positive rates of blood test for local population and floating population in the 5 cities were 0.05% and 0.14%, respectively, and showed a significant difference (X2=20.848,P 0.05). The positive rates of blood test for persons who returned from outside and non-residents were 0.20% and 0.15%, respectively, and showed no significant difference (X2=0.899, P 0.05). The positive rate of blood test for persons who returned from oversea was the highest, and was significantly different from that of the people returned from other provinces. Malaria cases occurred in every month of the year in the 5 cities, and was peaked at June and July. The season distribution of malaria cases was correlated with the changes in the population of malaria vectors. Conclusion By joint prevention for malaria in the 3 provinces, the malaria incidence rate of the 5 cities maintained at low level, imported cases and secondary transmitted cases decreased, and malaria of floating population was effectively under control.