cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regulation of isometric force and isotonic shortening velocity by phosphorylation of the 20,000 dalton myosin light chain of rat uterine smooth muscle.

The regulation of isometric force maintenance and isotonic shortening velocity by phosphorylation of the 20,000 dalton light chain of myosin has been examined for potassium-depolarized rat uterine smooth muscle. Following a transient peak in myosin light chain (LC20) phosphorylation at 20 s of contraction (0.46 mol PO4/mol LC20), phosphorylation declined to a steady-state by 2 min (0.28 mol PO4/mol LC20) with no significant change from 2–90 min of contraction. Isometric force developed more slowly, reaching a maximum at 2 min with no further change out to 90 min. Lightly-loaded (0.1 F0) shortening velocity, like LC20 phosphorylation, increased initially to a peak of 0.034 L0/s at 20 s of contraction and then declined to 0.023 L0/s by 2 min. However, unlike LC20 phosphorylation and isometric force, shortening velocity decreased approximately 4-fold from 0.023 L0/s at 2 min to 0.006 L0/s at 90 min of contraction. Graded activation with reduced extracellular calcium was associated with proportional changes in steady-state isometric force and LC20 phosphorylation. Shortening velocity was also decreased with reduced calcium, however, unlike LC20 phosphorylation, the greatest changes in velocity occurred at low levels of developed force. Moreover, in contrast to the large reductions in shortening velocity observed during 90 min contractions where force and LC20 phosphorylation were unchanged, similar reductions in shortening velocity did not occur with graded activation in spite of significant (>3-fold) decreases in both force and LC20 phosphorylation. These results suggest that factors other than light chain phosphorylation are involved in the regulation of isotonic shortening velocity during extended isometric contractions of uterine smooth muscle.
Practice Management Guidelines for the Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism in Trauma Patients: The EAST Practice Management Guidelines Work Group

These original guidelines were developed by interested trauma surgeons in 1997 for the EAST Web site (www.eas- t.org), where a brief summary of four guidelines was pub- lished. A revised, complete, and significantly edited practice management guidelines for the prevention of venous throm- boembolism in trauma patients is presented herein. The step-by-step process of practice management guide- line development, as outlined by the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR), has been used as the meth- odology for the development of these guidelines. 2 Briefly, the first step in guideline development is a classification of sci- entific evidence. A Class I study is a prospective, randomized controlled trial. A Class II study is a clinical study with prospectively collected data or large retrospective analyses with reliable data. A Class III study is retrospective data, expert opinion, or a case report. Once the evidence is classi- fied, it can be used to make recommendations. A Level I recommendation is convincingly justifiable on the basis of the scientific information alone. Usually, such a recommen- dation is made on the basis of a preponderance of Class I data, but some strong Class II data can be used. A Level II rec- ommendation means the recommendation is reasonably jus- tifiable, usually on the basis of a preponderance of Class II data. If there are not enough Class I data to support a Level I recommendation, they may be used to support a Level II recommendation. A Level III recommendation is generally only supported by Class III data. These practice guidelines address eight different areas of practice management as they relate to the prevention and diagnosis of venous thromboembolism in trauma patients. There are few Level I recommendations because there is a paucity of Class I data in the area of trauma literature. We believe it is important to highlight areas where future inves- tigation may bring about definitive Level I recommendations.
Strategies for bioanalysis of an oligonucleotide class macromolecule from rat plasma using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Electrospray ionization (ESI) liquid chromatography−tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) assays provide high-throughput and selective methods for quantitation of small molecules. Use of LC/MS/MS assays for macromolecules, like oligonucleotides, is challenging due to lack of sensitivity and low analyte recovery from biomatrixes. Due to this fact, the method of choice for oligonucleotides quantitation remains hybridization-based ligand-binding assays. These biological assays usually possess high sensitivity but low selectivity and narrow dynamic range. They also require optimizing suitable “capture and detection” probes, which can be prohibitively time-consuming and expensive in a drug discovery lead−optimization scenario. In this paper, we present a unique LC/MS/MS assay for a model phosphorothioate backbone oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) drug (7692 amu) from rat plasma. Multiple analytical challenges were encountered. The strategies used to solve these challenges should prove useful to scientists pursuing mass...
Astrocyte-conditioned medium stimulates HIV-1 expression in a chronically infected promonocyte clone.

Abstract Human promonocytic cells chronically infected with human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) (clone U1.1.5) were grown in the presence of media conditioned by primary rat cortical astrocytes and HIV-1 expression was assessed by measuring reverse transcriptase activity. Media conditioned by non-stimulated and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated astrocytes induced the expression of HIV-1 2.1-fold and 4.1-fold, respectively. LPS alone, media conditioned by the uninfected parental cell line of U1.1.5 (U937), and culture media from four other cell lines, had no effect on viral expression. The magnitude of induction was time- and dose-dependent. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) was detected in LPS-stimulated astrocyte-conditioned medium and the HIV-inducing capability of the medium was neutralized, in part, by an antibody to recombinant murine TNF-α. These results suggest a role for astrocytes in the induction of HIV expression and thus in the pathogenesis of HIV-1 infection in brain.
Do two large gaps signify double-pomeron exchange?

Abstract We investigate in what sense the Pomeron can occur more than once in a single process by estimating the single-Pomeron contribution to the double-Pomeron-exchange-like processes and comparing with the experimental data. From this comparison, we find that the double-Pomeron contribution may be much smaller than the previous theoretical estimates. Further theoretical investigation and experimental tests are suggested and discussed.
A gas-phase combustion synthesis process for non-oxide ceramics

Using a modification of the AeroChem process for making solar grade silicon, it is shown that it is possible to make a variety of refractory materials. The process involves the burning of NaK droplets in metal halide vapors, sometimes in the presence of gaseous nitrogen and other reactants. The process differs from the typical self-sustaining high temperature synthesis (SHS) process in that all reactions take place in the gas phase and form fine powders. The environments necessary to form titanium nitride, titanium diboride, titanium carbide, titanium disilicide, silicon carbide and boron carbide are reported. The reactive environments chosen for these and any SHS process are shown to be developed from fundamental thermodynamic tables that are presented. These tables list the heats of formation of metal oxides, chlorides and nitrides, in kilojoules per mole and per atom of oxygen, chlorine and nitrogen to account for stoichiometric differences between reactants and products formed. The NaK droplet burning measurements indicate that the burning rates are three times faster than hydrocarbon droplets burning in air. The possible advantages of this gas phase approach over normal solid-solid, solid-liquid SHS processes are its continuous rather than batch process nature and the higher purities possible. A limitation with respect to a normal SHS process is that only powder products form.
The Structure of l-Tyrosine 2,3-Aminomutase from the C-1027 Enediyne Antitumor Antibiotic Biosynthetic Pathway†,‡

The SgcC4 l-tyrosine 2,3-aminomutase (SgTAM) catalyzes the formation of (S)-β-tyrosine in the biosynthetic pathway of the enediyne antitumor antibiotic C-1027. SgTAM is homologous to the histidine ammonia lyase family of enzymes whose activity is dependent on the methylideneimidazole-5-one (MIO) cofactor. Unlike the lyase enzymes, SgTAM catalyzes additional chemical transformations resulting in an overall stereospecific 1,2-amino shift in the substrate l-tyrosine to generate (S)-β-tyrosine. Previously, we provided kinetic, spectroscopic, and mutagenesis data supporting the presence of MIO in the active site of SgTAM [Christenson, S. D.; Wu, W.; Spies, A.; Shen, B.; and Toney, M. D. (2003) Biochemistry 42, 12708−12718]. Here we report the first X-ray crystal structure of an MIO-containing aminomutase, SgTAM, and confirm the structural homology of SgTAM to ammonia lyases. Comparison of the structure of SgTAM to the l-tyrosine ammonia lyase from Rhodobacter sphaeroides provides insight into the structural ba...
Yield ratios for Kα satellite and hypersatellite X-ray emission from 64 MeV sulfur ions penetrating thick solid targets

Abstract The spectra of sulfur Kα X-rays produced during the penetration of 64 MeV sulfur ions into various thick solid targets have been measured using a crystal spectrometer. The ratio of the integrated hypersatellite to satellite X-ray yields as a function of target atomic number displays structure which is related to the maximization of electron capture cross sections in collision systems where level matching occurs.
Diabetes insipidus as a complication after pituitary surgery.

Postoperative diabetes insipidus usually occurs transiently, owing to temporary compromise of arginine vasopressin secretion. Sometimes, however, a triphasic pattern occurs: initial diabetes insipidus is followed by a period of inappropriate antidiuresis that finally culminates in chronic diabetes insipidus. The authors discuss the pathophysiology of this process and the importance of adjusting treatment according to the pattern of the disease. Background A 28-year-old woman presented with new-onset vertigo and diplopia that had started 2 weeks previously. An MRI scan of the brain revealed an 11 × 9 ×9 mm sellar mass that extended into the suprasellar region. Evaluation of pituitary function showed mild central hypothyroidism and secondary adrenal insufficiency. The patient underwent trans-sphenoidal resection of the mass without any significant intraoperative complications. On postoperative day 1 she abruptly developed polyuria, hypernatremia and urine hypo-osmolality. Investigations Measurements of plasma and urine osmolality, urine specific gravity, and serum sodium levels. Diagnosis Postoperative diabetes insipidus with a triphasic pattern. Management The patient's diabetes insipidus was initially treated with intravenous desmopressin, and her fluid status, serum sodium levels, and serum and urine osmolality were carefully monitored. During the second, antidiuretic phase, desmopressin was discontinued and the patient's fluid intake was restricted. After recurrence of diabetes insipidus during the third phase, the patient was treated with intranasal desmopressin and was discharged. She remains on desmopressin therapy for chronic diabetes insipidus.
On latency distribution and scaling: from finite to large Cognitive Radio Networks under general mobility

Cognitive Radio Networks (CRNs), as a phenomenal technique to improve spectrum efficiency for opportunistic communications, become an integral component in the future communication regime. In this paper, we study the end-to-end latency in CRNs because many CRN applications, such as military networks and emergency networks, are either time-sensitive or dependent on delay performance. In particular, we consider a general mobility framework that captures most characteristics of the existing models and accounts for spatial heterogeneity resulting from the scenario that some locations are more likely to be visited by mobile nodes (these can be home in the case of people, or garage in the case of vehicles). By assuming that secondary users are mobile under this general framework, we find that there exists a cutoff point on the mobility radius #, which indicates how far a mobile node can reach in the spatial domain, below which the latency has a heavy-tailed distribution and above which the tail distribution is bounded by some Gamma (light-tailed) distribution. A heavy tail of the latency implies a significant probability that it takes long time to disseminate a message from the source to the destination and thus a light-tailed latency is crucial for time-critical applications. Moreover, as the network grows large, we notice that the latency is asymptotically scalable (linear) with the dissemination distance (e.g., the number of hops or Euclidean distance). Another interesting observation is that although the density of primary users adversely impacts the expected latency, it makes no influence on the dichotomy of the tail distribution of the latency in finite networks and the linearity of latency in large networks. Our results encourage the CRN deployment for real-time and large applications, when the mobility radius of secondary users is large enough.
Statistical mechanics as the underlying theory of ‘elastic’ and ‘neural’ optimisations

There is an interesting connection between two, recently popular, methods for finding good approximate solutions to hard optimisation problems, the ‘neural’ approach of Hopfield and Tank and the elastic-net method of Durbin and Willshaw. They both have an underlying statistical mechanics foundation and can be derived as the leading approximation to the thermodynamic free energy of related physical models. The apparent difference in the form of the two algorithms comes from different handling of constraints when evaluating the thermodynamic partition function. If all the constraints are enforced ‘softly’, the ‘mean-field’ approximation to the thermodynamic free energy is just the neural network Lyapunov function. If, on the other hand, half of the constraints are enforced ‘strongly’, the leading approximation to the thermodynamic free energy is the elastic-net Lyapunov function. Our results have interesting implications for the general problem of mapping optimisation problems to ‘neural’ and ‘elastic’ netw...
Cyclic AMP inhibits the synthesis and release of prolactin from human decidual cells.

Abstract Exposure of human decidual cells for 0.5 h to dibutyryl cAMP, isobutyl-methylxanthine (IBMX), cholera toxin or forskolin caused a dose-dependent inhibition of prolactin release with maximal inhibition by each agent of 50–60%. Dibutyryl cAMP (5 mM), IBMX (0.5 mM), and cholera toxin (10 μg/ml) also inhibited prolactin synthesis to the same extent as prolactin release, Dibutyryl cAMP, IBMX, and cholera toxin, however, had no effect on the release of 35S-methionyl-prolactin from decidual cells preincubated for 24 h in medium with 35S-methionine. These agents, however, had no effects on the synthesis or release of TCA-precipitable 35S-decidual proteins and did not cause the degradation of intracellular or released prolactin. The demonstration that agents which increase intracellular cAMP levels inhibit the synthesis and release of decidual prolactin strongly implicates cAMP as a second messenger in the regulation of the synthesis and release of the hormone. The inhibitory effect of cAMP on prolactin release appears to be on the release from a rapidly releasable, newly synthesized intracellular prolactin pool.
The new kearny generating station

This new installation consisting of two 145,000-kw units was designed to achieve a plant which would be straightforward and simply arranged with central controls to reduce operating effort. The addition of these units increases the Kearny generating station's capacity to 624,000 kw.
Lunar rovers for scientific and entertainment missions

Abstract Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is developing robotic technologies and systems for lunar missions. The lunar mission currently being studied is a long duration, time and distance, excursion to revisit the landing sites of previous missions as well as to examine areas and features that were precluded in the previous missions. This mission will be far more than an exploration of a small territory; it is envisioned to be a grand tour of historic sites, interesting features, and unknown areas. A major focus of this mission will be to provide an interactive, live means to enroll public awareness, participation and support into lunar and space missions. To carry out the planned mission, the rover will traverse more than 1000 km, operate for at least two years, perform an array of scientific experiments, transmit more than two terabytes of data and provide entertainment for large numbers of people. To satisfy these goals, concurrent system engineering principals must be must be applied to the rover configuration, otherwise meeting the mission requirements and satisfying the engineering constraints may prove to be impossible.
Characterization and Oxidative Stability of Structured Lipids: Infant Milk Fat Analog

Structured lipids (SLs) for infant milk formulation were produced by enzymatic interesterification of tripalmitin with vegetable oil blends and fish oil. The SLs were characterized by fatty acid content and structure, melting profiles, oxidative stability index, free fatty acid (FFA) concentration, and tocopherol content. Oxidative stability was studied using accelerated methods by quantifying FFA, peroxides (peroxide value) and aldehydes (p-anisidine value) production. Total oxidation (TOTOX value) was calculated as 2 × (peroxide value) + (p-anisidine value). The structured lipids after purification by distillation and addition of antioxidants had melting profiles, oxidative stability index, and initial FFA concentration that were similar to that of the starting oil blends, while the fatty acid composition and structure of the SLs were similar to that of human milk fat. Oxidative stability of the SLs was improved with tocopherol addition as antioxidants and was comparable to that of the vegetable oils and oil blends.
The Earth's radius and the G variation

It has long been assumed that if the gravitational constant G was larger in the past, the earth's radius had to be smaller. The assertion holds provided the input from microphysics (in particular the equation of state) is independent of G. While this is true for some theories of gravity with variable G it is not so in the scale covariant theory, where the pressure can be affected by a variable G in a way that, for a constant mass of the earth, a larger G in the past implies a larger earth's radius. Comparison with recent palaeomagnetic data is presented.
TIPS and Variceal Bleeding

Excerpt To the Editors:I read with interest the article by Ring and colleagues (1) on the potential benefits of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) for control of variceal bleedin...
Determinants of Delayed Preconditioning Against Myocardial Stunning in Chronically Instrumented Pigs

To test the hypothesis that a critical stenosis prevents delayed preconditioning against stunning, studies were conducted in pigs chronically instrumented with occluders and segment-shortening crystals. In the setting of a critical stenosis, a preconditioning stimulus of repetitive brief occlusions resulted in infarction. Thereafter, a single 10-min occlusion was used as the preconditioning stimulus. Delayed preconditioning against stunning was documented on subsequent days by the deficit-of-function following brief repetitive occlusions. In contrast to experiments in the naive heart, the deficit-of-function improved on the day after a single 10-min occlusion (from 60 ± 14 to 24 ± 6 arbitrary units, p = 0.003) and similar improvement occurred when reperfusion was performed through a critical stenosis (32 ± 6 units, p = 0.02 vs. naive and p = 0.34 vs. no stenosis). Delayed preconditioning also reduced the frequency of ventricular fibrillation and produced a fourfold increase in both calcium-dependent and calcium-independent NOS activity. Thus, a critical stenosis did not prevent delayed preconditioning against stunning.
On Choosing Parameters in Retrospective-Approximation Algorithms for Stochastic Root Finding and Simulation Optimization

The stochastic root-finding problem is that of finding a zero of a vector-valued function known only through a stochastic simulation. The simulation-optimization problem is that of locating a real-valued function's minimum, again with only a stochastic simulation that generates function estimates. Retrospective approximation (RA) is a sample-path technique for solving such problems, where the solution to the underlying problem is approached via solutions to a sequence of approximate deterministic problems, each of which is generated using a specified sample size, and solved to a specified error tolerance. Our primary focus, in this paper, is providing guidance on choosing the sequence of sample sizes and error tolerances in RA algorithms. We first present an overview of the conditions that guarantee the correct convergence of RA's iterates. Then we characterize a class of error-tolerance and sample-size sequences that are superior to others in a certain precisely defined sense. We also identify and recommend members of this class and provide a numerical example illustrating the key results.
Characterization of Angiotensin II-regulated K+ Conductance in Rat Adrenal Glomerulosa Cells

Nystatin perforated-patch clamp and single-channel recording methods were used to characterize macroscopic and single-channel K+ currents and the effects of angiotensin II (AngII) in cultured rat adrenal glomerulosa cells. Two basic patterns of macroscopic current-voltage relationships were observed: type 1 exhibited a rapidly activating, noninactivating, voltage-dependent outward current and type 2 exhibited an inactivating voltage-dependent outward current attributed to charybdotoxin sensitive Ca++-dependent K+ channels. Most cells exhibited the type 1 pattern and experiments focused on this cell type. Cell-attached and inside-out patches were dominated by a single K+ channel class which exhibited an outward conductance of 12 pS (20 mm K+ pipette in cell-attached and inside-out configurations, 145 mm K+ in), a mean open time of 2 msec, and a weakly voltage-dependent low open probability that increased with depolarization. Channel open probability was reversibly inhibited by bath stimulation with AngII. At the macroscopic level, type 1 cell macroscopic K+ currents appeared comprised of two components: a weakly voltage-dependent current controlling the resting membrane potential (−85 mV) which appeared mediated by the 12 pS K+ channel and a rapidly activating, noninactivating voltage-dependent current activated above −50 mV. The presence of the second voltage-dependent K+ channel class was suggested by the effects of AngII, the blocking effects of quinidine and Cs+, and the properties of the weakly voltage-dependent K+ channel described. The K+ selectivity of the macroscopic current was demonstrated by the dependence of current reversal potentials on the K+ equilibrium potential and by the effects of K+ channel blockers, Cs+ and quinidine. AngII (10 pm to 1 nm) reversibly inhibited macroscopic K+ currents and this effect was blocked by the AT1 receptor antagonist losartin.
Freezing in a Vertical Tube

Fundamental heat transfer experiments were performed for freezing of an initially superheated or nonsuperheated liquid in a cooled vertical tube. Measurements were made which yielded information about the freezing front and the frozen mass, about the various energy components extracted from the tube, and about the decay of the initial liquid superheat. Four component energies were identified and evaluated from the experimental data, including the latent energy released by the phase change and sensibly energies released from the subcooled frozen solid and the superheated liquid. Initial superheating of the liquid tended to moderately diminish the frozen mass and latent energy extraction at short freezing times but had little effect on these quantitites at longer times. The extracted sensible energies associated with the superheating more than compensated for the aforementioned decrease in the latent energy. Although the latent energy is the largest contributor to the total extracted energy, the aggregate sensible energies can make a significant contribution, especially at large tube wall subcooling, large initial liquid superheating, and short freezing time. Natural convection effects in the superheated liquid were modest and were confined to short freezing times.
Broadband reflectance and emissivity of specular and rough water surfaces.

Complex indices of refraction for water near 25°C were obtained from six references, and the most representative values in the wavelength range of 2000 A to 5 cm were selected. These were used to study the polarized reflectance and emissivity of both specular and wind-roughened surfaces as functions of wavelength and viewing angle. Applications to remote sensing of sea surface temperature and wave state are discussed, including effects of salinity.
28. Disease management in windbreaks

Abstract Diseases affecting trees in windbreaks are considered, with emphasis on methods of reducing disease impact; e.g. use of resistant species or varieties of trees, use of alternative species, chemical control, and timing management activities (pruning, thinning) to coincide with periods when disease threat is low. Included are diseases contracted in the nursery, which reduce production of planting stock or which affect trees in windbreaks, and diseases of roots, stems, and foliage and twigs of trees in windbreaks.
Occurrence of anti-retinal ganglion cell antibodies in patients with small cell carcinoma of the lung

This report describes a patient with small-cell carcinoma of the lung associated with blindness. The serum of this patient was tested for immunoreactivity with retinal sections because there was no evidence of tumor metastasis to the central nervous system and because neuroendocrine cells of the lung share common antigens with retinal neurons. The immunoglobulins in the sera from this patient, from two other patients with small-cell carcinoma, from two patients with multiple sclerosis and from three controls were reacted with 8 micrometers thick sections of retina. Dog, cat and human retinal sections were used. Antihuman immunoglobulins that were conjugated to horseradish peroxidase were used as the second antibody to identify the cells which bound the patients' immunoglobulins. A high titer (1:500) antibody level against retinal ganglion cells was found in the patient with small-cell carcinoma and blindness; the antibody reaction was similar with retina from the three species. The large ganglion cells bound the immunoglobulins of the patients with small-cell carcinoma and blindness while the immunoglobulins from the control and multiple sclerosis subjects did not bind these cells selectively at high dilutions. It remains to be shown whether these antibodies have an etiologic significance in the development of blindness.
Horwich's justification of induction

This paper examines the recent attempt by Paul Horwich to resolve the problem of induction by means of a 'semantic' justification of our inductive practice. Horwich's reasoning, which is contained in his useful and enlightening book Probability and Evidence,* is related to Strawson's well-known view that it is true by definition (to put it roughly) that it is rational to form one's belief in accordance with our inductive practice. The justification proceeds from a semantic principle (to be called 'P') that he states as follows:
Use of elongational viscosity to estimate cookie diameter.

ABSTRACT Cookie diameter is a function of spread rate and set time during baking. Dough viscosity appears to control cookie spread rate and, thus, will affect final cookie diameter. The technique of lubricated uniaxial compression was used to measure the elongational viscosity of cookie dough. Full-formula cookie doughs made with a commercial hard wheat flour had a significantly higher elongational viscosity (5.88 × 106 ± 9.17 × 104 Pa·S) than cookie doughs made with a commercial soft wheat flour (2.17 × 106 ± 1.05 × 104 Pa·S). Elongational viscosity correlated significantly (P < 0.05) with the diameter (r = -0.796) of cookies made with flours from various soft wheat cultivars. Using a simplified cookie formula decreased the testing time without greatly changing the correlation coefficient (r = -0.738). Thus, lubricated uniaxial compression appears to be an appropriate technique to measure the viscosity of cookie doughs and may be useful for predicting the cookie baking quality of soft wheat flours.
Serum amino acids in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) as affected by DDT and dieldrin

Abstract 1. 1. Serum amino acid concentrations of rainbow trout ( Salmo gairdneri ) were determined by gas-liquid chromatography. 2. 2. Total serum amino acid concentrations were significantly increased by chronic exposures of DDT and dieldrin administered in the diet for 140 days. 3. 3. DDT altered the concentrations of 9 amino acids, and dieldrin altered the concentrations of 11. 4. 4. In untreated fish subjected to forced swimming for 6 hr and 24 hr, concentrations of all amino acids decreased except for arginine and alanine 5. 5. There was a significant interaction between pesticide treatment and forced swimming in regard to total serum amino acid concentration, and the concentrations of 11 amino acids.
Feature Following and Distributed Navigation Systems Development for a Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicle with Low-Cost Sensors

This paper represents the development of feature following control and distributed navigation algorithms for a small unmanned aerial vehicle equipped with a low-cost sensor unit. An efficient map-based feature generation and following control algorithm is developed. A distributed navigation system is designed for real-time attitude, position, and velocity estimation of the unmanned aircraft with a cascade filtering architecture, resulting in a fault-tolerant navigation system. The performance of the proposed feature following control and the cascaded navigation algorithm is demonstrated in both hardware-in-the-loop simulation and real flight test with application to feature tracking with a stabilized gimbaled camera onboard a small unmanned aerial vehicle.
Older women's experiences of living alone after heart surgery.

An increasing number of women who have coronary artery disease have undergone heart surgery and are living alone. This qualitative descriptive study identified four primary themes that constituted essential structures of the post-recovery experience for 12 older women living alone after coronary artery bypass surgery. Themes included (1) survival relief, experienced as awe and gratitude; (2) going on, described as an obligation; (3) living within a contracted world, structured by a sense of vulnerability; and (4) regained independence, characterized by affirmation of self-worth and personal freedom. Post-recovery meant restoring the identity the women had known before surgery together with actualizing the value of self-reliance.
The Psychometric Properties of the Personality Assessment Inventory-Short Form (PAI-SF) in Inpatient Forensic and Civil Samples

Research focusing on the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) has increased substantially over the past decade. However, there has been relatively little focus on the PAI short-form (PAISF). The current study evaluated the psychometric characteristics of the PAI-SF clinical scales using participants admitted to a large northeastern hospital under forensic (N = 178) and civil (N = 320) statutes. Results indicate that the internal consistency of the PAI-SF clinical scales is adequate for both the Forensic (range of alphas: 0.74 to 0.88) and Civil (0.79 to 0.91) samples, and assumptions of item-scale convergence and divergence were generally met with some exceptions. Finally, the PAI-SF exhibited strong agreement with the full-form PAI scores overall, and at the upper extreme (T ≥ 70) of the distributions for both samples. The results are discussed in terms of how they extend prior research on the PAI-SF.
Transformation of Renal (Jells from a Prosimian by Simian Virus 40 (SV40).

SummaryCultured kidney cells from a prosimian, mongoose lemur were infected with SV40, which induced a typical cytopath-ic effect after an extensive period of incubation. On the 119th day after infection, transformed cells developed from a focus of cells showing a certain degree of degeneration. The new growth of cells grew rapidly, lacked contact inhibition, formed multilayered cells, and synthesized SV40 and a soluble complement-fixing tumor antigen.The authors thank Miss Beverly Cole for her technical assistance.
Parallel processing approaches to hidden-surface removal in image space

Abstract In recognition of recent developments in microprocessor technology and the cost of microprocessors, this study suggests using a multiprocessor computer graphics system to speed up the computation-intensive, hidden-surface removal process for image display. Under the constraint of using less processing time than a sequential system, a multiprocessor system emphasizes the sharing of responsibility among the multiple processors. The image space hidden-surface removal approaches are based on the incoming polygon data's geometric position on the bit-map refresh buffer. Sharing of responsibility comes from appropriate partitioning of the bit-map refresh buffer. This paper presents several image space, hidden-surface removal techniques. Each technique is accompanied by a conceptual system architecture. The architecture and the algorithm applied to that architecture are thoroughly analyzed and evaluated. The results of using simulation, which was used to verify and enhance the evaluation, are presented.
Analysis of a mixed semi-implicit/implicit algorithm for low-frequency two-fluid plasma modeling

A temporally staggered algorithm for advancing solutions of the two-fluid plasma model is analyzed with von Neumann's method and with differential approximation. The implicit leapfrog algorithm [C.R. Sovinec et al., J. Phys. Conf. Series 16 (2005) 25-34] is found to be numerically stable at arbitrarily large time-step when the advective, Hall, and gyroviscous terms are temporally centered in their respective advances and the coefficient of the semi-implicit operator meets the criterion found for basic hyperbolic systems. Numerical instability with forward or backward differencing of advection is evident as an ill-posed equation in the differential approximation for a simplified system. At large time-step, the accuracy of the algorithm is comparable to that of the Crank-Nicolson method for all plane waves except the parallel mode that is sensitive to the ion cyclotron resonance. An implementation reproduces theoretical results on the transition from resistive magnetohydrodynamics to two-fluid reconnection in a sheared-slab linear tearing mode. A nonlinear three-dimensional computation in toroidal geometry shows an increasing exponentiation rate of kinetic energy as magnetic reconnection from an internal kink mode changes from current-sheet to 'X-point' geometry.
SHiFT: A Performed Reinterpretation of Visionary Theater

Eluding categorization as seminar, workshop, and studio, the course documented here brought research into the history and theory of environmental scenography together through diverse methods of engagement, to provide the conceptual direction and content for a collective project. This process resulted in SHiFT, a performance of space—designed, constructed, scripted, and ultimately enacted by students.
Genetic and Genotype ✕ Environment Effects for Rough Rice and Head Rice Yields

High rough rice and head rice yields are important to U.S. rice (Oryza sativa L.) producers for maintaining successful farming and milling operations. Unconfounded estimates of genetic and genotype X environment (GE) variances for rough rice and head rice are lacking for U.S. rice bredding programs and would be useful aids to breeders in developing efficient programs
Rare-earth elements in marine sediments and geochemical standards

Abstract A comparison was made of sediment dissolution methods used for analysis of rare-earth elements (REE) and major elements (Fe, Al, Ti, Zr, P). Dissolution by HF and lithium metaborate fusion were compared in seven Geochemical Standards and twenty marine sediments. Using HF dissolution of shelf and slope sediments, this author previously observed that these marine sediments were significantly depleted in heavy REE (HREE) relative to the crustal abundance (i.e. shale). This observation plus published REE compositions of river particles lead to the conclusion that the riverine input of particles to the oceans cannot be assumed to have the crustal abundance for REE. Comparisons of fusion (total) to HF dissolutions for marine sediments show that the latter method misses between 20% and 100% of the HREE (i.e. Dy, Er, Yb, Lu) and large percentages of Zr. In contrast, fusion and HF dissolution yield similar concentrations for the light (La, Ce, Nd) and middle (Eu, Gd) REE and other major elements. The fusion data show that the marine sediments are more similar in REE composition to shales than previously reported by this author who underestimated the contribution of HF-insoluble residues to the concentration of HREE. The heavy mineral zircon is the most likely cause of this observation. Zircons, known to be enriched in HREE were identified by X-ray diffraction as a major component of the HF-insoluble residues. Geochemical standards also have a significant, but usually smaller fraction of their HREE associated with HF-insoluble phases. These compositional differences have significance with respect to interpreting river inputs, oceanic abundances and diagenesis of REE.
Percutaneous MR imaging-guided radiofrequency interstitial thermal ablation of tongue base in porcine models: Implications for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

PURPOSE: To test the feasibility and safety of a percutaneous magnetic resonance (MR) imaging–guided technique for radiofrequency (RF) interstitial thermal ablation of the tongue base and to correlate MR appearance of induced thermal lesions with histopathologic findings in pigs in acute and chronic porcine models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 1-cm-tip RF electrode was inserted percutaneously into the tongue in 10 pigs with 0.2-T real-time MR guidance. The RF electrode was advanced up the midline between lingual arteries and stopped short of tongue mucosa. RF interstitial thermal ablation was performed at 90°C ± 2 and lasted 10 minutes. Postablation images were obtained with a 1.5-T MR imager. Five pigs were sacrificed immediately (acute model), while five were followed up for 1 month (chronic model) before they were sacrificed. MR-compatible fiducial coils were inserted into tongues with MR imaging guidance prior to RF ablation in the chronic group. Tongues were harvested for histopathologic analysis. Mean t...
The SGC: A simple architecture for gathering statistics in communication links

Analog to digital conversion is often a critical component of a digital communication link. However, the designs of typical architectures for analog to digital converters (ADCs) are focused primarily on signal reconstruction rather than gathering information for the reliable detection of symbols sent through a channel. Therefore, we consider new architectures for statistics gathering converters (SGCs) and demonstrate that these architectures achieve good communication performance while removing the artificial constraints imposed by the typical ADC design metrics. For a particular architecture, we examine various metrics for converter performance that are tightly coupled with the intended use of the component - digital communications. These include mutual information per input symbol, linear minimum mean square error, and bit error rate. The architecture consists of a bank of statistics samplers, where each of these samplers is a simple low power passive linear circuit network followed by a traditional periodic sampler. We compare the performance of this converter front-end to a more traditional ADC front-end, with respect to the system level metrics. We show that, whereas traditional ADC performance metrics would indicate poor performance of statistics gathering converters, the application aligned system metrics, on the contrary, indicate favorable performance compared with traditional ADCs.
Negotiating Tradition: The Politics of Continuing Higher Education Program Planning in Public Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Abstract This study examined the strategies employed by program administrators in historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU), as they negotiate sociopolitical interests in developing continuing higher education programs. Using a qualitative research design, the analysis was guided by the Cervero and Wilson adult and continuing education program planning theoretical framework. Three themes emerged from the data and were identified as prominent negotiation strategies within this context: developing sustained networks, developing parallel structures, and finding common ground.
Economical screening for emotional disturbance in epilepsy: Anticipating Minnesota multiphasic personality inventory profile elevations by means of the Washington psychosocial seizure inventory

Abstract This study examined the ability of the Washington Psychosocial Seizure Inventory (WPSI) to identify patients with elevated (abnormal) scores on scales of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). A sample of 407 adults with epilepsy who were administered both inventories was randomly divided into principal (n = 250) and cross-validation (n = 157) subsamples. Scores of 5 or more on the WPSI Emotional Adjustment Scale best identified the presence of one or more MMPI scale elevations, with 82% accuracy on cross-validation. Scores on the Emotional Adjustment Scale of 12 or more best identified the presence of two or more MMPI scale elevations, with 80% accuracy on cross-validation. High correlations were obtained between several WPSI and MMPI scales. This study suggests that the 132-item WPSI may be useful in screening for emotional disturbances in adults with epilepsy, and in determining when further emotional evaluation via clinical interview or additional testing may be warranted.
High resolution SNP based microarray mapping of mosaic supernumerary marker chromosomes 13 and 17: Delineating novel loci for apraxia†

High resolution comparative genomic hybridization is emerging as a powerful tool for delineating chromosomal rearrangements such as duplications, deletions, and unbalanced translocations, but it has not yet been broadly applied for structural aberrations such as supernumerary marker chromosomes (SMCs). In this report, we present the clinical and molecular analysis of a patient with de novo mosaic SMC (17) and SMC (13). High resolution single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) based microarray mapping successfully identified the parent of origin for the SMCs and allowed delineation of the breakpoints which include a 5.1 Mb duplication from 17p11.2 to 17q11.2 as well as duplication of chromosome 13 that includes 2.2 Mb from 13q11 to 13q12.11. Interestingly, the patient has markedly severe oral and verbal apraxia, a characteristic feature of patients with 17p11.2 duplication syndrome (Potocki-Lupski syndrome, PTLS). Fine mapping indicates that the patient's duplication overlaps with a subset of PTLS patients, but not with PTLS patients harboring the common microduplication. FISH analysis confirms that the patient lacks duplication of RAI1, a dosage sensitive gene within the common microduplication interval. Taken together, these results demonstrate the utility of SNP microarray based methodology for mapping disease-causing genes, including those within SMCs, and provide the opportunity to identify novel candidate genes for verbal apraxia.
Functional MRI of liver using BOLD MRI: Effect of glucose

PURPOSE: To demonstrate feasibility of functional MRI of liver using glucose as a stimulus to monitor metabolic changes using blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) contrast. We hypothesized that during hyperglycemia, liver stores the glucose and consequently there is a reduction in oxygen consumption, which can be detected using BOLD MRI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In four mini pigs, measurements were made before and after 54 g of glucose administered intravenously. In six healthy young human subjects, measurements were made before and after oral ingestion of 75 g of glucose. T(2)* weighted images of the liver were obtained on a Siemens 3 Tesla Verio MRI scanner using multiple gradient recalled echo (mGRE) sequence. RESULTS: A statistically significant decrease (P < 0.05) in R2* (1/T(2)*) was observed postglucose both in swine (110.41 ± 14.1 s(-1) to 72.22 ± 5.7 s(-1)) and human (55.84 ±3.8 s(-1) to 50.6 ±0.5 s(-1)), suggesting improved liver oxygenation during hyperglycemia. CONCLUSION: Our preliminary data presented here demonstrate the feasibility of obtaining functional liver images that illustrate the changes in oxygen consumption. Further studies are necessary to fully validate the technique. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2010;32:988-991. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Vascularity of tumors in children: evaluation with color Doppler imaging.

Twenty-one tumors in 20 children were evaluated with duplex and color Doppler imaging to determine the value of the technique in assessing the origin and pattern of vascular supply and the degree of neovascularity. The origin of the vascular supply was detected correctly in 12 of 13 tumors that were subsequently resected. In five children, this aided in determining the organ from which the tumor originated, and in one child, it established the presence of a tumor by showing blood flow in the center of a suspected abscess. In 18 tumors, color Doppler imaging showed the pattern of the vascular supply. Eleven had a peripheral pattern, and seven had a central, branching pattern. Although individual tumor types appeared to have characteristic patterns of vascular supply, these were not specific enough to aid in making a specific diagnosis. When the degree of intratumor neovascularity was graded on the basis of the findings on color Doppler imaging, it agreed with the results of histologic evaluation in 16 of 1...
A method for the in vitro determination of feline corneal endothelial permeability.

A mounting block for in vitro perfusion of the cat cornea is described. Using this apparatus and the techniques of Araie, the permeability (Pac) of the normal cat corneal endothelium to carboxyfluorscein was determined to be 2.5 plusmn; 0.2 × 10-4 cm/min. To assess the sensitivity of this technique in determining changes in Pac associated with alterations in endothelial, morphology, three cats underwent 2 successive unilateral, central, 10 mm diameter circular areas of endothelial debridement 6 weeks apart. Six weeks following the second wounding all 3 animals underwent morphometric analysis and Pac determination. A trend toward an elevation in Pac with extreme reductions in cell density was observed.