cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Surgical Treatment of the Denervated or Sagging Lower Lid

Abstract Paralytic ectropion of the lower eyelid and increased curvature of the lower eyelid associated with anophthalmos both can be optimally treated by use of an autogenous fascia lata sling. Some patients also have problems with prosthesis retention due to lower eyelid deformity with a shortened inferior fornix. In some instances, it is also necessary to perform a horizontal shortening operation on the lower eyelid. In anophthalmic patients, the relationship between prosthesis size and weight and a sagging lower lid is discussed. In some patients when the lower eyelid is elevated, the patient then has an upper lid ptosis for which it is necessary to perform an appropriate levator shortening operation. Surgical technique and illustrative pre- and post-operative photographs are shown.
Postoperative continuous paravertebral anesthetic infusion for pain control in posterior cervical spine surgery: a case-control study.

INTRODUCTION: Patients who undergo posterior cervical spinal fusion procedures frequently experience significant postoperative pain. Use of a local anesthetic continuous infusion pump after surgery may improve these outcome variables. METHODS: After posterior cervical spine fusion procedures, 25 consecutive patients received continuous infusion of 0.5% bupivacaine into the subfascial aspects of the wound via an elastomeric pump. Data were collected prospectively by third party assessment using standard nursing protocols. This included numeric pain scores and opiate use over the first 4 postoperative days (PODs), length of hospitalization, and complications. In a retrospective analysis, we compared each study patient to a control patient who did not receive the continuous infusion of bupivacaine. Demographic variables and surgical procedure were similar among matched cases. RESULTS: Patients receiving continuous local anesthetic infusion used significantly less narcotics (P < .05) during the first 4 PODs: 24.4% on day 1, 34.1 % on day 2, 53.5% on day 3, and 58.1 % on day 4. A lower average pain score was observed among study patients on each POD (P < .05): 31.5% less on day 1, 13.0% on day 2, 24.0% on day 3, and 35.7% on day 4. Patients with the infusion device were discharged home earlier (POD 4.9 versus 6.7; P = .024) and demonstrated improvement in time to ambulation, first bowel movement, and discontinuation of the patient-controlled analgesia machine. No complications were associated with the device. CONCLUSION: Patients with the local anesthetic continuous infusion device required less narcotics and reported lower pain scores than control patients on each of the first 4 PODs. These results suggest that continuous infusion of local anesthetic into the paravertebral tissue during the immediate postoperative period is a safe and effective technique that achieves lower pain scores and narcotic use and improves multiple postoperative outcome variables.
FUSION RULES AND (SUB-)MODULAR INVARIANT PARTITION-FUNCTIONS IN NON-UNITARY THEORIES

Abstract Fusion rules in non-unitary Kac-Moody and minimal conformal theories are obtained from their modular properties. New modular invariant partition functions in the non-unitary Kac-Moody theories are classified. From the discrete symmetries of the system we obtain new sub-modular invariant partition functions in the Kac-Moody and non-unitary conformal theories.
An inexpensive pressure transducer for the measurement of low amplitude unsteady pressure signals

Electret microphones were evaluated for use in an experiment to investigate the surface pressures of a wing immersed in a propeller slipstream. Calibration of a typical electret microphone over a range of 50 to 6000 hz showed that at each individual frequency there is less than 1.1% error in linearity for low pressures, but some variation of sensitivity occurs over the range of frequencies tested. This variation of sensitivity with frequency can be corrected using standard signal processing techniques.
Smoking cessation toolbox for allergists.

Objectives To review nicotine addiction, to examine how tobacco use has a direct negative impact on common disorders seen in allergy practice, and to provide a summary of the national guidelines for treating tobacco use and dependence. Data Sources OVID searches were performed cross-referencing the keywords tobacco cessation , tobacco use , environmental tobacco exposure , and smoking with multiple disorders commonly seen in allergy practice. References of the chosen articles were also examined. Study Selection Articles were selected based on their relevance to the subject matter and currency. Results The current US smoking rate far exceeds the desired national goal established by Healthy People 2010. Efforts have been made by the US Public Health Department to streamline the treatment of smoking use and dependence for all physicians. Published research strongly supports the negative impact smoking has on asthma, chronic rhinitis, allergic sensitization, and immunodeficiency disorders. Conclusions Allergists know the significant impact that smoking has and will make on the lives and health of patients. It is important for these specialists to make an impact on the chronic disease of tobacco addiction because it directly affects the care rendered. By using the standardized tobacco use treatment concept of the 5 A's (ask, advise, assess, assist, and arrange), allergists can make a positive impact on reducing US smoking rates and improve patient health. Screening, providing brief counseling, and prescribing first-line smoking cessation medications will help the United States get closer to achieving the national goal laid out in Healthy People 2010 of smoking rates of 12% or less.
Towards the chiral limit of strongly coupled quenched QED

Abstract Chiral symmetry breaking in quenched non-compact lattice QED is studied using the Lanczos and conjugate-gradient algorithms on lattices ranging in size from 8 4 to 32 4 . We find a phase transition at β c = 1/ ϵ 2 = 0.26–0.27 which is not described by mean field theory, supporting the notion that this model defines an interacting strongly coupled field theory. The finite-size effects and systematic errors in both algorithms are studied in quantitative detail. In the immediate vicinity of the phase transition, estimates of the chiral condensate are sensitive to the procedure for extracting the density of eigenvalues ϱ (0) in the Lanczos case and the zero fermion-mass extrapolation technique of the conjugate-gradient algorithm. In the Lanczos case, if we extract ϱ (0) by the same procedure as used in quenched non-abelian studies, the chiral condensate is well fitted by the essential singularity proposed by Miransky. However, the apparent lack of finite-size effects in quenched QED as compared to the non-abelian models makes this procedure seemingly arbitrary.
Reactions of Cp* Ru(η6-C6H5CHO)+ OSO2CF3− (Cp* = C5Me5) with substituted anilines forming ruthenium Schiff base complexes

Abstract Cp * Ru(η 6 -C 6 H 5 CHO) + OSO 2 CF 3 − ( 1 ) (Cp * = C 5 Me 5 ) reacts with substituted anilines forming ruthenium Schiff base complexes containing an η 6 -coordinated Cp * Ru + group. The 2:1 reaction of 1 with 1,4-phenylenediamine yielded only the monocondensation product, whereas the 2:1 reaction of 1 with 1,4-xylylenediamine yielded the dicondensation product.
Europeanization in the Twentieth Century: Historical Approaches

Martin Conway and Kiran Klaus Patel, New York and London, Palgrave Macmillan Transnational History Series, 2010, 284 pp., £55 (hardback), ISBN 978-0-230-23268-6 Europeanization in the Twentieth Cen...
Electrochemical Separation of Hydrogen Sulfide from Natural Gas

Abstract An electrochemical process has been developed for the removal of H2S from contaminated natural gas. Removals as high as 80.7% have been achieved from a simulated process gas (2000 ppm H2S). H2S is removed by reduction to the sulfide ion and hydrogen gas at the cathode. The sulfide ion migrates to the anode through a molten electrolyte suspended in an inert ceramic matrix. Once at the anode it is oxidized to elemental sulfur and swept away for condensation in an inert gas stream. No materials are required beyond initial electrolyte membrane installation; the H2S is converted in one step to elemental sulfur making it an economically attractive process both from the lack of raw materials and the lack of any solvent regeneration.
Mechanical regulation of IGF‐I and IGF‐binding protein gene transcription in bladder smooth muscle cells

Mechanical forces are well known to modulate smooth muscle cell growth and synthetic phenotype. The signals controlling this process are complex and potentially involve changes in the expression of peptide growth factor genes such as those of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system. This study was designed to investigate the mechanical regulation of IGF-I and the binding proteins for IGF (IGFBPs) in smooth muscle cells cultured on a deformable surface and subjected to cyclic stretch. Using the RNase protection assay, we found that the application of a cyclic biaxial strain to cells induced a 2.5- to 4-fold increase in IGF-I mRNA levels after 8 h and an even greater increase after 16-24 h of stretch. This change was not affected by variations in the magnitude of the applied strain but was attenuated ( approximately 40%) when cells were treated with antagonists for angiotensin II receptors. Furthermore, the transcript levels of the three major IGF binding proteins produced in smooth muscle cells, e.g., IGFBP-2, IGFBP-4, and IGFBP-5, varied between stretched and control cells. Both IGFBP-2 and IGFBP-4 mRNA levels were consistently reduced in stretched cells but remained comparable to those of the control cells when the angiotensin II transducing pathway was blocked by inhibitors prior to the application of mechanical strain. Conversely, the gene expression of IGFBP-5 was upregulated in stretched cells, and neutralizing antibodies to IGF-I blocked this activation. Similarly, pharmacologic inhibition of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, an important component of the IGF receptor transduction pathway, inhibited IGFBP-5 gene expression in stretched cells. These results suggest that the downstream effects of mechanical strain on IGF-I and IGFBP transcript levels are mediated, to greater or lesser extent, either through an angiotensin II tranducing pathway or via a feedback loop involving the autocrine secretion of IGF-I itself.
Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and Friedreich's ataxia in siblings

Abstract Two female siblings with Friedreich's ataxia became acutely diabetic at ages 15 and 21 years, requiring insulin therapy for the duration of their lives. Diffuse precordial T wave inversion was present in the electrocardiograms of both, typical of the myocardial fibrosis of Friedreich's ataxia. The younger patient had a myocardial infarction at age 43 and died of a pulmonary embolus after 31 years of diabetes mellitus. The older sister is 59 years of age at the time of this report, and severely handicapped, having been diabetic for 38 years. Seventy-two previous cases have been reported with both diabetes mellitus and Friedreich's ataxia. Practically all were insulin dependent. In 13 prior instances the association also occurred in two or more members of a family. Twenty-two of the 29 members of families have been female, although Friedreich's ataxia alone is slightly more common in males. Consanguinity was established to be present in four of the 14 families. The connection between juvenile diabetes and Friedreich's ataxia may be due to pleiotropic effects of an abnormal gene in homozygous form.
Real-time GPU audio

Today’s CPUs are capable of supporting realtime audio for many popular applications, but some compute-intensive audio applications require hardware acceleration. This article looks at some realtime...
A study of ethylamine at a gold rotating ring-disk electrode using pulsed electrochemical detection at the ring

Linear scan (cyclic) voltammetry at the disk with simultaneous pulsed electrochemical detection (PED) at the ring of a rotated ring-disk electrode (RRDE) is demonstrated to be applicable for studies of the complex anodic behavior of ethylamine at gold electrodes in 0.10 M NaOH. The oxidation of ethylamine at the disk occurs during positive scans concomitantly with formation of surface oxide (Au → AuOH → AuO). However, the final oxide-covered surface (AuO) is inert for further ethylamine oxidation. Data obtained at the RRDE demonstrate that the total ethylamine signal at the disk is composed of simultaneous contributions from: oxidative desorption of ethylamine preadsorbed at the oxide-free Au surface and oxidation of ethylamine transported to the disk simultaneously with oxide formation. Based on ring-disk data, preadsorbed ethylamine is estimated to correspond to a fractional surface coverage of 0.7 ± 0.1 monolayer for 10 to 60 μM ethylamine. Of this coverage, ca. 75% corresponds to ethylamine coadsorbed reversibly with OH− and 25% to ethylamine adsorbed irreversibly by a mechanism concluded to be chemisorption.
CD 14 mediates endotoxin induction of nitric oxide synthase in cultured brain glial cells

Abstract Here we show that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induction of glial inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) requires membrane (m) and soluble (s) forms of CD14. In glial cell cultures, an anti-rat CD14 monoclonal antibody detected CD14 protein in whole cells and cell lysates, and reduced LPS-dependent iNOS expression. Glial cells and normal brain tissue expressed CD14 mRNA, as revealed by isolation of a rat CD14 clone (rCD14) from an astrocyte cDNA library, and RT-PCR analysis. Finally, serum reduced the ED 50 of LPS required for glial iNOS expression, and antibodies against sCD14 blocked the potentiating effect of serum.
Calorie restriction and late-onset calorie restriction extend lifespan but do not alter protein storage in female grasshoppers.

Calorie restriction (CR) and late-onset CR enhance longevity in many organisms. Resource allocation theory suggests that longevity is enhanced by increasing somatic storage, at the expense of current reproduction. Phytophagous insects accumulate amino acids as hemolymph storage proteins for major developmental events. We hypothesized that protein storage is involved in life extension from CR. In a longitudinal experiment, we tested whether CR altered protein storage in female grasshoppers. Individuals on CR (60 or 70% of ad libitum) or late-onset CR had at least 60% greater longevity than ad libitum individuals. Age at first oviposition, dry mass of the first clutch, or lifetime fecundity were not affected by CR, but CR did increase the number of clutches produced. Most important, females on life-extending CR and late-onset CR did not differ in the concentration of hemolymph storage of proteins in comparison to ad libitum females. Protein storage changed with time in all groups, demonstrating sufficient sensitivity in our methods. Previous experiments have shown that severe CR (∼30% of ad libitum) can reduce hemolymph storage. Therefore, the reduction in intake needed to extend lifespan is not sufficient to reduce protein storage in the hemolymph. These results do not support the hypothesis that protein storage is involved in life extension from CR.
Die trimming: A guide to physiologic contour

Abstract A rationale and technique have been described that enable the dentist to transmit additional valuable data to the dental laboratory technician by carefully trimmed dies. The dies will guide the technician in building more accurate contours into the cast restorations and help the dentist to insert properly contoured and well-fitting restorations for the patient.
Ventilation requirements in occupied spaces during smoking and nonsmoking occupancy

Abstract Ventilation requirements in occupied spaces have traditionally derived largely from odor control. The requirements have rested on the notion that an environment that seems subjectively acceptable to a visitor will in fact be healthful and comfortable for both visitor and occupant alike. Ventilation requirements have derived secondarily from criterion concentrations of notable contaminants (e.g., carbon dioxide). The present investigation looked again at both sensory (odor, irritation) and physical criteria of acceptability, paying particular attention to the difference between smoking and nonsmoking occupancy in a well-controlled environmental chamber. More than 200 persons (visitors) made judgments of odor intensity and acceptability under various conditions of occupancy (up to 12 nonsmoking occupants; a temperature of up to 25.5°C; up to 16 cigarettes smoked per hour). The results implied that under nonsmoking conditions and moderate humidity only about 7.5 cfm (3.8 L sec −1 ) of fresh air per occupant sufficed to satisfy visitors, but that under smoking conditions at least 5 times as much fresh air is necessary. Our estimate of ventilation requirements for smoking were derived in part from measurements of carbon monoxide and total suspended particulate (TSP) mass concentration. Levels of TSP achieved during realistic smoking and ventilation rates exceeded levels deemed acceptable outdoors. Surfaces in the chamber played an important role in the elimination of particles, presumably via adsorption. Use of an electrostatic precipitator could keep TSP levels under control. Nevertheless, it remains to be seen whether control of TSP will eliminate the need for enormous ventilation for odor control during smoking occupancy.
Adolescent neighborhood context and young adult economic outcomes for low-income African Americans and Latinos

We quantify how young adult employment and educational outcomes for low-income African Americans and Latinos relate to their adolescent neighborhood conditions. Data come from surveys of Denver Housing Authority (DHA) households who lived in public housing scattered throughout Denver County. Because DHA allocations mimic random assignment to neighborhood, this program represents a natural experiment for overcoming geographic selection bias. We use the neighborhood originally offered by DHA to instrument for neighborhood experienced during adolescence. Our control function logistic analyses found that higher percentages of foreign-born neighbors predicted higher odds of no post-secondary education and (less reliably) neither working nor attending school. Neighborhood occupational prestige predicted lower odds of young adults receiving public assistance and (less reliably) neither primarily working nor attending school. Effects differed for African Americans and Latinos. We consider potential causal processes underlying our results and suggest why they differ from those from the Moving To Opportunity demonstration.
Stability of a Clamped-Free Rotor Partially Filled With Liquid

Stabilite d'un rotor partiellement rempli de liquide, encastre a une extremite et libre a l'autre
An Exploratory Study on Effects an Aging Population can have on Entrepreneurship

This research aims to explore the effects that an ageing population can have on total early-stage entrepreneurial activity in three developing countries currently within an efficiency-driven stage ...
Matrix metalloproteinases are not involved in early brain edema formation after cardiac arrest in rats.

Introduction Resuscitation from cardiac arrest (CA) often results in a poor neurological outcome possibly due to an incomplete understanding of the pathophysiology of brain injury following CA-induced global cerebral ischemia. Brain edema is an important manifestation after CA and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) contribute to brain edema formation following focal cerebral ischemia. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of an MMP inhibitor, GM6001, in CA-elicited brain edema.
Electron microscopic study on the gill bars of amphioxus ( Brachiostoma californiense ) with special reference to Neurociliary control

Both primary and secondary (tongue) bars of the pharyngeal gill basket are covered by epithelial cells that are continuous with the cells that line the atrium. Anterior and posterior faces of the gill bars are covered with lateral ciliated cells, which possess a single cilium, ringed by microvilli, and an elaborate basal mitochondria-rootlet apparatus. Pharyngeal faces of the gill bars are covered with ciliated pharyngeal cells, atrial faces by mucus secreting atrial cells. The surface epithelium rests on a stromal septum, a flattened tube of basal lamina which dilates to form the visceral blood vessel (along the pharyngeal face) and skeletal blood vessel (along the atrial face). This basal lamina surrounds paired skeletal rods which run through the longitudinal axis of the gill bars near the atrial face. Between the skeletal rods and atrial cells of primary gill bars is a coelomic channel lined by epithelioid coelomic cells. Neuronal processes, some with neurosecretory granules, are located among the bases of the atrial cells. Some axons may contact lateral ciliated cells where the latter meet atrial cells, but synaptoid endings have not been found here or elsewhere in the gill bars. Nervous tissue has not been identified among lateral ciliated cells even though ciliary activity of these cells is supposedly regulated by atrial nervous tissue.
Controlling the caloric labyrinthine stimulus: Restoring surface temperature

The duration of the conventional caloric stimulus is too long and the termination of the stimulus is uncontrolled. This study explores the use of a brief terminal "washout" irrigation pulse at 37 degrees C which is intended to 1. shorten the duration of action of the caloric stimulus and 2. eliminate uncertainty over the magnitude and duration of the terminal portion of the thermal labyrinthine stimulus. Twelve normal subjects were tested with 1. conventional 30-second irrigations, 2. 30-second irrigations plus a "washout" pulse, and 3. temperature-switching caloric (TSC) irrigations plus a "washout" pulse. Clinical test scores were comparable with all three irrigation methods. The "washout" pulse produced only a slight shortening of the conventional 30-second irrigation responses.
Effects of carbon nanotube coating on flow boiling in a micro-channel

Experiments were performed to assess the heat transfer enhancement benefits of coating the bottom wall of a shallow rectangular micro-channel with carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Using water as working fluid, tests were performed with a bare copper surface and three separate, yet identical CNT-coated surfaces. Each of the CNT-coated surfaces was tested repeatedly at the same mass velocity to explore any time dependence of heat transfer performance parameters, especially critical heat flux (CHF). Appreciable differences in the influence of CNT coating were observed at high mass velocities as compared to low. CHF was repeatable at low mass velocities but degraded following repeated tests at high mass velocities, proving high flow velocities cause appreciable changes to the morphology of the CNT-coated surface. SEM images show the initially near-vertical CNTs were bent upon the heated surface at high mass velocities to form a repeated ‘fish-scale’ pattern. Voids between the ‘fish scales’ provided near-zero-angle cavities that enhanced heat transfer in the nucleate boiling region compared to the bare copper surface. While CHF was enhanced by the increased heat transfer area associated with the CNT coating, the enhancement decreased following repeated tests as the CNT fin effect was compromised by the bending.
Modulation of laminin integrin receptors in the postnatal and adult rat lung.

Recent studies have shown that type II pneumocytes, at birth and day 3 postnatally, have a diffuse distribution and localize at alveolar ‘corners’ between 3 and 7 days. Since α3β1 and α6β1 are laminin-binding receptors that are well expressed by rat type II alveolar epithelial cells, we postulated that they may play a role in the localization of the cells in the alveolus. To begin the evaluation of this hypothesis, we studied the temporal and spatial expression of the α3, α6, and β1 integrin subunit protein and mRNA in whole rat lungs during postnatal development by immunofluorescence, confocal microscopy, and Northern blot analysis. The temporal expression of proteins analyzed by immunochemistry, with integrin subunit specific antibodies, increased during the 3- to 7-day postnatal period and in adult lungs. Densitometric values of the α3, α6, and β1 mRNA expression, normalized to 28S rRNA, quadrupled from day 1 to day 3 postnatally. The mRNA expression of different integrin chains was elevated 1.5- to threefold from days 5 to 7 postnatally compared to day 1 levels. The α3 and α6 integrin subunit mRNA decreased to newborn levels in adult lungs, whereas the β1 integrin mRNA in adult lungs was expressed at approximately 50% of its level in newborn lungs. We postulate that the increases in α3, α6, and β1 integrin mRNA expression during the early neonatal period may be important for the spatial distribution of type II pneumocytes.
Thin-Film Cryotrons: Part I-Properties of Thin Superconducting Films

This paper, consisting of three parts, describes the thin-film cryotron. This device, constructed by vacuum deposition of layers of lead, tin and silicon monoxide, is considerably smaller and faster than its wire-wound predecessor. Part I describes the characteristics of evaporated superconductive films as they apply to cryotrons. Their current-carrying capacity has been found to be proportional to width and proportional to thickness when the film is thinner than twice the penetration depth. Thermal effects caused by poor heat transfer to the bath distort the data, and the use of quartz substrates and low duty cycle pulse measurements help to reduce this distortion. The function of a superconductive reflector or ground plane under a film is discussed. The current-carry ing capacity of such a film is increased because of effective cancella tion of the normal component of magnetic field.
Influence of processing parameters on PZT thick films

Abstract We have studied influence of processing parameters on the microstructure and ferroelectric properties of lead zirconate titanate (PZT)-based thick films in the range of 5–25 μm. PZT and 2% La-doped PZT thick films were processed using a modified sol–gel process. In this process, PZT- and La-doped PZT powders were first prepared via sol–gel. These powders were calcined and then used with respective sols to form a slurry. Slurry composition was optimized to spin-coat thick films on platinized Si substrate (Si/SiO 2 /Ti/Pt). Spinning rate, acceleration and slurry deposition techniques were optimized to form thick films with uniform thickness and without any cracking. Increasing solids loading was found to enhance the surface smoothness of the film and decrease porosity. Films were tested for their electrical properties and ferroelectric fatigue response. The maximum polarization obtained was 40 μC/cm 2 at 250 kV/cm for PZT thick film and 30 μC/cm 2 at 450 kV/cm for La-doped PZT thick film. After 10 9 cycles of fatiguing at 35 kHz, La-doped PZT showed better resistance for ferroelectric fatigue compared with un-doped PZT films.
QRS fragmentation and the risk of sudden cardiac death in MADIT II.

QRS Fragmentation and the Risk of Sudden Cardiac Death in MADIT II. Background: QRS fragmentation (fQRS) has been reported as a useful ECG parameter in predicting mortality in high-risk postinfarction patients. Its prognostic value for sudden cardiac death (SCD) and ventricular arrhythmias in ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) remains unknown. Methods: MADIT II enrollment 12-lead ECGs were analyzed for fQRS defined as RSR’ patterns (≥1 R’ or notching of S or R wave) in patients with a normal QRS duration and >2 notches on the R or S wave in patients with abnormal QRS duration, present in 2 contiguous leads. Exclusion criteria included a paced rhythm and an uninterpretable or incomplete ECG. Study endpoints included SCD, SCD or appropriate implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) shock, and total mortality (TM). Results: Of the 1,232 ECGs reviewed, 1,040 were of suitable quality for fQRS analysis. QRS fragmentation was found in 33% of patients in any leads, in 10% of patients in anterior leads, in 8% of patients in lateral leads and in 21% of patients in inferior leads. Anterior and lateral location of QRS fragmentation was not associated with follow-up events. Inferior location of fQRS was found to be predictive of SCD/ICD shock (hazard ratio [HR] 1.46, P = 0.032), SCD (HR 2.05, P = 0.007), and TM (HR 1.44, P = 0.036). This association was driven primarily by the increase in events found in LBBB patients: SCD/ICD shock (HR 2.05, P = 0.046), SCD (HR 4.24, P = 0.002), and TM (HR 2.82, P = 0.001). Conclusions: Fragmented QRS, especially identified in inferior leads, is predictive of SCD, SCD or appropriate ICD shock, and all-cause mortality in patients with ICM. Identifying inferior fQRS in patients with LBBB is of particular prognostic significance and should reinforce the use of ICD therapy in this high-risk group. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 23, pp. 1343-1348, December 2012)
On the energetics of quadrupedal bounding with and without torso compliance

This paper examines the influence of torso compliance on the efficiency of quadrupedal running with a bounding gait. Two sagittal-plane models, one with and one without torso compliance, are developed in a template setting. The models feature non-trivial leg mass, and are coupled with a simple leg recirculation controller to generate bounding motions. Despite their simplicity, the proposed models are sufficiently expressive to capture the energetics of bounding motions and to assess the contribution of torso flexibility to gait efficiency measured by the cost of transport. Comparisons reveal that torso compliance promotes locomotion performance by reducing energy consumption only at speeds that are sufficiently high.
STYLE, CONTENT, AND TARGET COMPONENTS OF OPENNESS

This article introduces an instrument measuring openness as a function of style, content, and target components. The construct is embedded in a pragmatic, communication perspective. The measure was constructed and administered to 324 subjects. The data were structurally analyzed and the larger units of analysis for the respective components were used to predict selected dependent variables.
Effect of Insulin on the Performance and Metabolism of the Anoxic Isolated Perfused Rat Heart

When the oxygen supply to the myocardium is compromised, glycolysis may provide the critical energy necessary for the heart's survival. We investigated whether insulin, through its effects on myocardial glycolysis, influences the performance and the metabolism of the perfused rat heart during anoxia. Hearts in a modified Langendorff apparatus were perfused for 30 minutes with anoxic media containing glucose (50-500 mg/100 ml) with and without insulin (100 munits/ml) or with anoxic media containing 200 mg glucose/100 ml and varying insulin concentrations (0.1-100 munits/ml). Hearts were paced, and left ventricular pressure, maximum rate of rise of left ventricular pressure, and lactate production were monitored. Increasing glucose concentration alone progressively enhanced performance and lactate generation in the beating anoxic heart. Addition of insulin resulted in significant increases in left ventricular performance and lactate production at all levels of glucose concentration. The myocardial content o...
Toward optimization of the grain boundary character distribution in copper by strain annealing

We have used a two step (low and high temperature) strain-annealing process to evolve the two grain boundary character distribution (GBCD) in fully recrystallized oxygen (OFE) copper bar that was forged and rolled. Orientation imaging microscopy (OIM) has been used to characterize the GBCD after each step in the processing. The fraction of special grain boundaries, special fraction was about 70% in the starting recrystallized material. Three different processing conditions were employed: high, moderate, and low temperature. The high temperature process resulted in a reduction in the fraction of special grain boundaries while both of the lower temperature processes resulted in an increase in special fraction up to 85%. Further, the lower temperature processes resulted in average deviation angles from exact misorientation, for special boundaries, that were significantly smaller than observed from the high temperature process. Results indicate the importance of low temperature part of the two-step strain-annealing process in preparing the microstructure for the higher-temperature anneal and commensurate increase in the special fraction.
A thioredoxin-like/β-propeller protein maintains the efficiency of light harvesting in Arabidopsis.

The light-harvesting complexes of plants have evolved the ability to switch between efficient light harvesting and quenching forms to optimize photosynthesis in response to the environment. Several distinct mechanisms, collectively termed “nonphotochemical quenching” (NPQ), provide flexibility in this response. Here we report the isolation and characterization of a mutant, suppressor of quenching 1 (soq1), that has high NPQ even in the absence of photosystem II subunit S (PsbS), a protein that is necessary for the rapidly reversible component of NPQ. The formation of NPQ in soq1 was light intensity-dependent, and it exhibited slow relaxation kinetics and other characteristics that distinguish it from known NPQ components. Treatment with chemical inhibitors or an uncoupler, as well as crosses to mutants known to affect other NPQ components, showed that the NPQ in soq1 does not require a transthylakoid pH gradient, zeaxanthin formation, or the phosphorylation of light-harvesting complexes, and it appears to be unrelated to the photosystem II damage-and-repair cycle. Measurements of pigments and chlorophyll fluorescence lifetimes indicated that the additional NPQ in soq1 is the result of a decrease in chlorophyll excited-state lifetime and not pigment bleaching. The SOQ1 gene was isolated by map-based cloning, and it encodes a previously uncharacterized thylakoid membrane protein with thioredoxin-like and β-propeller domains located in the lumen and a haloacid-dehalogenase domain exposed to the chloroplast stroma. We propose that the role of SOQ1 is to prevent formation of a slowly reversible form of antenna quenching, thereby maintaining the efficiency of light harvesting.
Variation in nutrients formulated and nutrients supplied on 5 California dairies

Computer models used in ration formulation assume that nutrients supplied by a ration formulation are the same as the nutrients presented in front of the cow in the final ration. Deviations in nutrients due to feed management effects such as dry matter changes (i.e., rain), loading, mixing, and delivery errors are assumed to not affect delivery of nutrients to the cow and her resulting milk production. To estimate how feed management affects nutrients supplied to the cow and milk production, and determine if nutrients can serve as indexes of feed management practices, weekly total mixed ration samples were collected and analyzed for 4 pens (close-up cows, fresh cows, high-milk-producing, and low-milk-producing cows, if available) for 7 to 12 wk on 5 commercial California dairies. Differences among nutrient analyses from these samples and nutrients from the formulated rations were analyzed by PROC MIXED of SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). Milk fat and milk protein percentages did not vary as much [coefficient of variation (CV) = 18 to 33%] as milk yield (kg; CV = 16 to 47 %) across all dairies and pens. Variability in nutrients delivered were highest for macronutrient fat (CV = 22%), lignin (CV = 15%), and ash (CV = 11%) percentages and micronutrients Fe (mg/kg; CV = 48%), Na (%; CV = 42%), and Zn (mg/kg; CV = 38%) for the milking pens across all dairies. Partitioning of the variability in random effects of nutrients delivered and intraclass correlation coefficients showed that variability in lignin percentage of TMR had the highest correlation with variability in milk yield and milk fat percentage, followed by fat and crude protein percentages. But, variability in ash, fat, and lignin percentages of total mixed ration had the highest correlation with variability in milk protein percentage. Therefore, lignin, fat, and ash may be the best indices of feed management to include effects of variability in nutrients on variability in milk yield, milk fat, and milk protein percentages in ration formulation models.
Chemical, Physical, and Sensory Properties of a Sweet Potato French‐Fry Type Product During Frozen Storage

Chemical, physical, and sensory properties of a sweet potato Frenchfry type product were determined after 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months frozen storage. Analyses included measurements of dry matter, sugars, alcohol insoluble solids, carotene, vitamin C, color, texture and sensory panel scores for color, flavor and texture. Few changes were observed except for an appreciable loss (58%) in vitamin C and an apparent increase in carotene (27%). A partial drying treatment before freezing increased the rate of ascorbic acid loss. For the fried product, no appreciable storage-induced changes were noted in the sensory scores for color, flavor and texture thus indicating that the product had good stability in frozen storage.
Hormone replacement therapy use in urban older women attending meal sites: associations with sociodemographic and health characteristics and use of preventive services.

OBJECTIVE: To examine sociodemographic, health and preventive health practices associated with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) use in urban community-dwelling older women. DESIGN: Survey. SETTING: Community-based meal sites throughout the city of Los Angeles. PARTICIPANTS: A convenience sample of 705 community-dwelling women older than age 60 who completed questionnaires for the Prevention for Elderly Persons Program. MEASUREMENTS: Demographic and life style characteristics, functional status, preventive practices, and current and past use of HRT. RESULTS: Among the 705 women surveyed, 13% reported current use and 17% reported past use of HRT. Current users were more likely to be younger and more likely to report a history of osteoporosis, hysterectomy, and calcium use than never users. White women were more likely to be current users than black women. CONCLUSIONS: Only a small proportion of the older urban women studied are currently using HRT. In particular, efforts to increase the use of these preventive services need to focus on black women and women who do not have a prior history of osteoporosis. J Am Geriatr Soc 48:669–672, 2000.
Quantifying effects of lossy data compression on animation from geosynchronous imagers

Video quality metrics can be used to optimize design of advanced geosynchronous remote sensors by providing a basis for comparing information content of video at different data rates for given video sequences and compression methods and to optimize operation of future remote sensing systems by testing and monitoring quality of data collected by these systems. This paper examines and compares video quality metrics in three broad categories: distortion-based metrics that provide objective performance measures, perception-based metrics that attempt to quantify differences in images that are visible to the human visual system and utility-based metrics that address video quality for specific applications. Candidate figures of merit for describing effects of data compression on quality of video sequences or animation derived from geosynchronous imagers are presented along with recommendations for future work.
AESOP: Expressing Concurrency in High-Performance System Software

High-performance computing (HPC) and distributed systems rely on a diverse collection of system soft-ware to provide application services, including file systems, schedulers, and web services. Such system software services must manage highly concurrent requests, interact with a wide range of resources, and scale well in order to be successful. Unfortunately, no single programming model for distributed system software currently offers optimal performance and productivity for all these tasks. While numerous libraries, languages, and language extensions have been developed in recent years to simplify parallel computation, they do not address the challenges of distributed system software in which concurrency control involves a variety of hardware and network devices, not just computational resources. In this work we present AESOP, a new programming language and programming model designed to implement distributed system software with high development productivity and run-time efficiency. AESOP is a superset of the C language that describes blocks of code to be executed concurrently without dictating whether that concurrency will be provided by a threading, event, or other model. This decoupling enables system software to adjust to different architectures, deviceAPIs, and workloads without any change to the core algorithm implementation. AESOP also provides additional language constructs to simplify common system software development tasks. We evaluate AESOP by implementing a basic file server and comparing its performance, memory efficiency, and developer productivity with several thread-based and event-based implementations. AESOP is shown to provide competitive performance to traditional distributed system software development models while at the same time reducing code complexity and enhancing developer productivity.
Comparison of Trap Types and Colors for Capturing Emerald Ash Borer Adults at Different Population Densities

Results of numerous trials to evaluate artificial trap designs and lures for detection of Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, the emerald ash borer, have yielded inconsistent results, possibly because of different A. planipennis population densities in the field sites. In 2010 and 2011, we compared 1) green canopy traps, 2) purple canopy traps, 3) green double-decker traps, and 4) purple double-decker traps in sites representing a range of A. planipennis infestation levels. Traps were baited with cis-3-hexenol in both years, plus an 80:20 mixture of Manuka and Phoebe oil (2010) or Manuka oil alone (2011). Condition of trees bearing canopy traps, A. planipennis infestation level of trees in the vicinity of traps, and number of A. planipennis captured per trap differed among sites in both years. Overall in both years, more females, males, and beetles of both sexes were captured on double-decker traps than canopy traps, and more beetles of both sexes (2010) or females (2011) were captured on purple traps than green traps. In 2010, detection rates were higher for purple (100%) and green double-decker traps (100%) than for purple (82%) or green canopy traps (64%) at sites with very low to low A. planipennis infestation levels. Captures of A. planipennis on canopy traps consistently increased with the infestation level of the canopy trap-bearing trees. Differences among trap types were most pronounced at sites with low A. planipennis densities, where more beetles were captured on purple double-decker traps than on green canopy traps in both years.
Photosynthetic phosphorylation in the absence of redox dyes: oxygen and ascorbate effects.

The light-dependent synthesis of ATP by chloroplasts has been studied without the addition of any redox cofactor. Under these conditions, photophosphorylation is oxygen dependent and 3-(p-chlorophenyl)-I,I-dimethylurea-sensitive. Addition of photosynthetic pyridine nucleotide reductase stimulates this “endogenous” photophosphorylation, a as does the addition of ascorbate. Ascorbate is acting as a catalyst in the system, and its effect is dependent on the presence of O2. Ascorbate-supported photophosphorylation is inhibited by cyanide, while the “endogenous” is not. The significance of these results is discussed, and a speculative interpretation is suggested.
Adenosine receptors find a new partner and move out.

Recent studies of G protein-coupled receptors have highlighted two "new" and interactive elements involved in their function and regulation: their ability to localize to different cell surface and intracellular compartments and their ability to interact with partners other than their classic heterotrimeric G proteins. The effects mediated by these receptors can be markedly different depending on the compartment in which they reside and the partners with which they interact in each compartment. The studies in this issue of Molecular Pharmacology by Milojevic et al. (page 1083) merge these two themes by identifying the ubiquitin-specific protease Usp4 as a partner for the carboxyl-terminal tail of adenosine A2A receptors and showing that this interaction allows processing and delivery to the cell surface of newly synthesized A2A receptors, which are otherwise predominantly intracellular. Their studies suggest that the intracellular A2A receptors are ubiquitinated, presumably because of misfolding and intervention of the "endoplasmic reticulum quality control" mechanism leading to degradation of the receptors by proteasomes. Increasing Usp4 expression stimulates receptor de-ubiquitination and increases cell surface expression of functional receptors. Evidence is presented for tight specificity of this interaction, with another Usp family member failing to rescue A2A receptors and Usp4 failing to rescue another intracellular receptor. The background and significance of this study are highlighted here, including puzzles that remain to be solved and the potential for pharmacological targeting of such interactions to manipulate the expression, location, and function of G protein-coupled receptors for therapeutic benefit.
Testing a linear regression model against nonparametric alternatives

As a test statistic for testing goodness-of-fit of a linear regression model, we propose a ratio of quadratic forms measuring the distance between parametric and nonparametric fits, relative to the estimated error variance. The test statistic is a modification of the statistic suggested by Hardle and Mammen (1988). The asymptotic distribution under the hypothesis is established. The finite sample behaviour of the test is investigated in a Monte Carlo study, and is illustrated for two applications.
Abundance and community composition of micronekton across a front off Southern California

Concurrent net and acoustic data were collected across a front off SouthernCalifornia to assess its inﬂuence on the abundance, biomass and community com-position of the micronekton. Higher abundance and biomass of vertically migra-tory mesopelagic ﬁsh (VMF) and euphausiids were found on the coolermesotrophic (north) side of the front, whereas larval ﬁsh abundance was higher onthe warmer oligotrophic (south) side. The biomass and community composition ofnon-VMF did not differ between the two sides of the front. The north was domi-nated by the euphausiid Euphausia paciﬁca and the myctophid Diaphus theta, whereasthe south was dominated by E. gibboides, E. recurva and a combination of VMFspecies with warm water afﬁnities. The larval ﬁsh assemblage in the north wasdominated by the nearshore species Engraulis mordax and Citharichthys spp., whereasmesopelagic ﬁsh larvae dominated the south. Acoustic data revealed differences inthe distribution of ﬁsh, euphausiids and the deep-scattering layer across the front.In particular, epipelagic ﬁsh were aggregated directly at the frontal interface in thearea of enhanced plankton concentrations and may have contributed to higherplankton mortality and turnover rates at the front. In addition to being an area ofhigh biological abundance, the front may be acting as a distributional boundaryfor several migratory species, as well as a locus of enhanced prey forage and theactivity of epipelagic species.KEYWORDS: micronekton; A-Front; ﬁsh; krill; mesopelagic; California Current