cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Catheter ablation of atrial arrhythmias after cardiac transplantation: findings at EP study utility of 3-D mapping and outcomes.

Catheter Ablation of Atrial Arrhythmias Background Management of atrial arrhythmias (AA) in orthotopic heart transplant (OHT) patients is challenging. Objective The purpose of this study was to define the mechanisms of these arrhythmias and to evaluate the role of ablation. Methods Patients with OHT referred for ablation of AA from 1999 to 2011 were included (n = 15). Entrainment and anatomic 3-D mapping were utilized to identify AA mechanism and guide ablation. Results The median time from OHT to ablation was 8 years (range: 1 month–16 years). AA types included 1 (7%) AVNRT, 5 (33%) cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) dependent donor atrial flutter (AFl), 3 (20%) non-CTI-dependent donor AFL (n = 3), focal atrial tachycardia (AT) (n = 2) and in 4 (27%) recipient to donor atria conduction (RDC) that involved the right atrial anastomosis in 3 and left atrial anastamosis in 1 patient. In RDC tachycardia, ablation was performed at the site of earliest donor atrial activation on the suture line. AA in the recipient atria were not targeted. This resulted in acute success in all cases. In most patients 12/15 (80%) only right atrial ablation was necessary. Regardless of surgical technique (bicaval vs biatrial) right-sided AA was most common. Acute success occurred in 14/15 (93%) patients and 3/15 (20%) required repeat Abl for recurrence. There were no major complications. Conclusion AA after OHT are most commonly due to atrial macroreentry, but focal arrhythmias and RDC atrial conduction also occur. Ablation of organized AA is usually successful with low risk, warranting early consideration in preference to medical treatment.
Heck reactions in hydrothermal, sub-critical water: water density as an important reaction variable

Abstract Heck coupling reactions of iodobenzene and cyclohexene in sub-critical water illustrate the importance of water density as a reaction variable. Altering the water density from 0.03 to 0.84 g/mL and the reaction pressure from 30 to greater than 213 bar at 225°C changed both product and isomer yields. The multiple physical effects of water density were also explored by the addition of ionic salts. Changing the isothermal state of the liquid water, measurably altered coupling reaction pathways suggesting that changes in solvent–solute interactions can influence transition states favoring some configurations and disfavoring others.
Unsupervised image segmentation evaluation and refinement using a multi-scale approach

Abstract In this study, a multi-scale approach is used to improve the segmentation of a high spatial resolution (30 cm) color infrared image of a residential area. First, a series of 25 image segmentations are performed in Definiens Professional 5 using different scale parameters. The optimal image segmentation is identified using an unsupervised evaluation method of segmentation quality that takes into account global intra-segment and inter-segment heterogeneity measures (weighted variance and Moran’s I, respectively). Once the optimal segmentation is determined, under-segmented and over-segmented regions in this segmentation are identified using local heterogeneity measures (variance and Local Moran’s I). The under- and over-segmented regions are refined by (1) further segmenting under-segmented regions at finer scales, and (2) merging over-segmented regions with spectrally similar neighbors. This process leads to the creation of several segmentations consisting of segments generated at three different segmentation scales. Comparison of single- and multi-scale segmentations shows that identifying and refining under- and over-segmented regions using local statistics can improve global segmentation results.
Six primary cancers in individuals. Report of four cases

Four patients who had six or more primary cancers are described in this article. Two of the patients had seven cancers each; the most frequent cancer site was the colon. These patients were young at the onset of their first cancer and had a long survival. All the patients had a strong family history of cancer, especially colon cancer. We found that family members of individuals with multiple cancers should be considered to have an increased risk for the development of cancer.
Dragging of polarizable nanodroplets by distantly solvated ions.

We show by molecular dynamics simulations that ions intercalated in carbon and boron-nitride nanotubes can be solvated at distance in polarizable nanodroplets adsorbed on their surfaces. When the ions are driven in the nanotubes by electric fields, the adsorbed droplets are dragged together with them. We illustrate this phenomenon by dragging assemblies of 20--10 000 water molecules by individual ${\mathrm{Na}}^{+}$ and ${\mathrm{Cl}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ ions. This ion-facilitated dragging could be applied in molecular delivery, separation, and desalination.
The structure and function of community emergency operations centres

Addresses the issue of the structure and function of the community emergency operations centre (EOC). There is some confusion among some emergency responders and particularly among public officials regarding the role and function of the EOC. In part this emerges because many EOCs at different levels operate in conjunction with any given disaster. It is argued that the community EOC is best seen as an over‐arching organization into which information from more specialized EOCs – such as those operated by fire and police departments – flows, and from which the overall response to the disaster is directed. There is also a tendency to define the functions of the community EOC narrowly. Such definitions typically understate the importance of such activities as damage assessment and public information, and consequently leave the responsibility for these and related critical functions somewhat ambiguous. Seeks to achieve an explicit definition of the range and content of disaster responsibilities associated with ...
Does the Choice of Anesthetic Technique Affect the Recovery of Bowel Function After Radical Prostatectomy

Abstract Objectives. Return of bowel function after radical prostatectomy surgery may be the limiting factor in discharging these patients from the hospital. Recent studies have shown that postoperative epidural infusion of bupivacaine decreases time to return of bowel function compared with intravenous and epidural morphine in patients after abdominal surgery. This study focuses on the role of the intraoperative anesthetic technique on recovery of bowel function, intraoperative blood loss, and the incidence of postoperative deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy. Methods. Forty patients undergoing prostatectomy were randomized to either group A (general endotracheal anesthesia, including muscle relaxation and mechanical ventilation, followed by postoperative intravenous morphine patient-controlled analgesia) or group B (thoracic epidural anesthesia using bupivacaine, combined with “light” general anesthesia using a laryngeal mask airway and spontaneous ventilation, followed by epidural morphine analgesia). Intra- and postoperative data were collected on blood loss, volumes of crystalloid and colloid infused, blood transfused, duration of anesthesia and surgery, anesthetic and surgical complications, time to recovery of bowel function, quality of postoperative pain control, and time to discharge from hospital. Each patient underwent lower extremity venous ultrasonography to detect DVT. Results. Twenty-one patients received general anesthesia and 19 received combined epidural and general anesthesia. Intraoperative blood loss was significantly lower in the epidural group, and times to first flatus and first bowel movement were also shorter in this group. There were no significant differences in duration of anesthesia or surgery, quality of postoperative analgesia, side effects of analgesia, or time to discharge from hospital. There was no DVT detected in any patient. Conclusions. The combined anesthetic technique of thoracic epidural anesthesia and “light” general anesthesia with spontaneous ventilation decreased intraoperative blood loss and shortened the time to return of bowel function. However, this earlier return of bowel function was not great enough to realize a difference in time to hospital discharge. There was no evidence of increased complications secondary to epidural anesthesia or of prolonged anesthetic time necessary to place epidural catheters.
Gallium-67 citrate scanning for noninvasive detection of inflammation in pericardial diseases

The treatment of acute nonspecific pericarditis is controversial. No study is available that confirms the efficacy of the administration of corticosteroids or nonsteroid anti-inflammatory agents in this condition. There is no reliable invasive marker for pericardial inflammation, because echocardigraphy demonstrates only the presence of fluid. In four patients with pericarditis, gallium-67 citrate scanning was performed, and the isotope was localized to the cardiac silhouette in all. In one patient with effusion the gallium scan was positive and then reverted to negative with corticosteroid therapy. In another, the gallium scan remained positive despite resolution of the pericardial effusion with corticosteroid therapy. This patient eventually required pericardial stripping. Pericardial localization of gallium was useful in detecting the cause of fever in a patient after aortocoronary bypass grafting and in detecting pericardial involvement in a patient with multisystem viral disease. Pericardial localization of gallium-67 may be diagnostically useful and may provide a proper control for the study of the efficacy of corticosteroids versus nonsteroid anti-inflammatory agents in pericarditis.
Imperial Splendor in the Service of the Sacred: The Famen Tea Treasures

(2000). Imperial Splendor in the Service of the Sacred: The Famen Tea Treasures. Tang Studies: Vol. 2000, No. 18-19, pp. 61-85.
Latrophilins Function as Heterophilic Cell-adhesion Molecules by Binding to Teneurins REGULATION BY ALTERNATIVE SPLICING

Latrophilin-1, -2, and -3 are adhesion-type G protein-coupled receptors that are auxiliary α-latrotoxin receptors, suggesting that they may have a synaptic function. Using pulldowns, we here identify teneurins, type II transmembrane proteins that are also candidate synaptic cell-adhesion molecules, as interactors for the lectin-like domain of latrophilins. We show that teneurin binds to latrophilins with nanomolar affinity and that this binding mediates cell adhesion, consistent with a role of teneurin binding to latrophilins in trans-synaptic interactions. All latrophilins are subject to alternative splicing at an N-terminal site; in latrophilin-1, this alternative splicing modulates teneurin binding but has no effect on binding of latrophilin-1 to another ligand, FLRT3. Addition to cultured neurons of soluble teneurin-binding fragments of latrophilin-1 decreased synapse density, suggesting that latrophilin binding to teneurin may directly or indirectly influence synapse formation and/or maintenance. These observations are potentially intriguing in view of the proposed role for Drosophila teneurins in determining synapse specificity. However, teneurins in Drosophila were suggested to act as homophilic cell-adhesion molecules, whereas our findings suggest a heterophilic interaction mechanism. Thus, we tested whether mammalian teneurins also are homophilic cell-adhesion molecules, in addition to binding to latrophilins as heterophilic cell-adhesion molecules. Strikingly, we find that although teneurins bind to each other in solution, homophilic teneurin-teneurin binding is unable to support stable cell adhesion, different from heterophilic teneurin-latrophilin binding. Thus, mammalian teneurins act as heterophilic cell-adhesion molecules that may be involved in trans-neuronal interaction processes such as synapse formation or maintenance.
Dissociated Gender-Specific Effects of Recurrent Seizures on GABA Signaling in CA1 Pyramidal Neurons: Role of GABAA Receptors

Early in development, the depolarizing GABAAergic signaling is needed for normal neuronal differentiation. It is shown here that hyperpolarizing reversal potentials of GABAAergic postsynaptic currents (EGABA) appear earlier in female than in male rat CA1 pyramidal neurons because of increased potassium chloride cotransporter 2 (KCC2) expression and decreased bumetanide-sensitive chloride transport in females. Three episodes of neonatal kainic acid-induced status epilepticus (3KA-SE), each elicited at postnatal days 4 (P4)–P6, reverse the direction of GABAAergic responses in both sexes. In males, 3KA-SE trigger a premature appearance of hyperpolarizing GABAAergic signaling at P9, instead of P14. This is driven by an increase in KCC2 expression and decrease in bumetanide-sensitive chloride cotransport. In 3KA-SE females, EGABA transiently becomes depolarizing at P8–P13 because of increase in the activity of a bumetanide-sensitive NKCC1 (sodium potassium chloride cotransporter 1)-like chloride cotransporter. However, females regain their hyperpolarizing GABAAergic signaling at P14 and do not manifest spontaneous seizures in adulthood. In maternally separated stressed controls, a hyperpolarizing shift in EGABA was observed in both sexes, associated with decreased bumetanide-sensitive chloride cotransport, whereas KCC2 immunoreactivity was increased in males only. GABAA receptor blockade at the time of 3KA-SE or maternal separation reversed their effects on EGABA. These data suggest that the direction of GABAA-receptor signaling may be a determining factor for the age and sex-specific effects of prolonged seizures in the hippocampus, because they relate to normal brain development and possibly epileptogenesis. These effects differ from the consequences of severe stress.
The hereditary abilities study: The University of Michigan

(1956). The hereditary abilities study: The University of Michigan. Eugenics Quarterly: Vol. 3, No. 2, pp. 94-99.
The Question of Palestine and United States Behavior at the United Nations

This article examines United States behavior at the United Nations regarding the Question of Palestine, with focus on the US-Israel relationship and US voting pattern. What is found is an overwhelming voting coincidence between the US and Israel in the UN General Assembly or a US liberal use of the veto in the UN Security Council in support of Israel. The strong bond between both countries, brought about by common interests and practical US realities, has created an impasse on the Question of Palestine at the UN. All concerned must realize that membership in the UN necessitates upholding the UN Charter and moving beyond national idiosyncrasies and short-term advantages in order to achieve stability and peace with justice for all.
Phoneme Awareness and the Role of the Educator

Describers phoneme awareness, available assessment measures and training programs, and remediation strategies teachers can use
The stock market and competitive analysis

Summary A method is presented for analysing the stock market's implicit assessment of relative strategic position in an industry. The market's overall perception of strategic position is obtained by comparing the value offuture growth potential to that oJ the existing earnings stream Jor each company. More detail is extracted by using the quality and quantity offuture gr-owth, implicit in the relative value offuture growth, as a measure of competitive position and product market outlook respectively. The method is applied to a sample of firms from the computer and data processing industry. INTRODUCTI ON The objective of this paper is to present a method for analysing the stock market's implicit assessment of relative strategic position in an industry. As such, the paper is concerned with the contribution of financial valuation models to inter-company comparisons in strategic analyses. The factors affecting financial market value have been considered by Fruhan (1979), who examined several cases of how company strategy resulted in the creation, transfer, and destruction of value. This paper is concerned with the reverse relationship, namely, what relative market value implies about strategic position. The financial value of a company contains an implicit assessment of corporate strategy on the part of all traders in the firm's shares. The financial market's perception of relative standing in an industry is revealed by the proportion of the firm's total value attributable to future growth and by its quality and quantity. The strategic information associated with the implicit value of future growth represents a readily available independent viewpoint which can be used as a regular input into the planning process. Such a perspective is especially useful in situations where an objective internal evaluation of competitive status is complicated by the problem of management bias. Extracting the relevant strategic information from financial market data requires an appropriate valuation model. Fruhan employed a version of the model developed by Miller and Modigliani (1961). He assumed growth with returns superior to the opportunity cost of capital for a finite number of years after which the return drops to the cost of capital. These finite growth models, however, are highly sensitive to small changes in their specification. Moreover, they are difficult to apply to an analysis of the market's valuation of a particular firm, as opposed to valuation by an individual investor, because they require an estimate of the period over which the market expects superior growth to continue. It will be argued, therefore,
Molecular Basis of Coupling Between the DIII Voltage-Sensor and Pore of a Sodium Channel

The activation of voltage-sensors, upon depolarization, leads to the opening of pore gates in a voltage-dependent sodium channel. To elucidate the molecular principles underlying this conformational coupling, we have investigated a putative gating interface in domain III of the sodium channel using voltage-clamp fluorimetry and tryptophan-scanning mutagenesis. Most mutations have similar energetic effects on voltage-sensor activation and pore opening. However, several mutants stabilized the activated voltage-sensor while concurrently destabilizing the open pore. When these mutants were mapped onto a homology model of the sodium channel, most of them were localized to hinge regions of the gating interface. Our analysis shows that these residues are involved in energetic coupling of the voltage-sensor and the pore when both are in the resting or activated conformation. These results support the notion that electromechanical coupling in a voltage-dependent ion channel involves movement of rigid helical segments connected by elastic hinges.Support: National Institutes of Health, AHA and Shaw Scientific Award.
Effect of helical pitch and collimation on tumor contrast and slice profile in helical CT imaging

In this paper, we present and validate a model that describes directly how the resulting object contrast in CT images is affected by (1) the x-ray collimation, (2) the table speed or helical pitch, (3) the size of the object, (4) the axial distance of the object to the reconstructed slice, (5) the distance of the object to the axis of rotation, and (6) the helical reconstruction algorithm employed. This model helps evaluate the trade-off between different helical scanning strategies and facilitates the selection of the optimal table speed and the x-ray collimation. With this model, the resulting tumor contrast can be predicted for given techniques. Besides the contrast, this model also provides the slice sensitivity profile. Several clinically important conclusions derived from this model are discussed.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The Use of Spirituality and Kinship as Contributors to Successful Therapy Outcomes with African American Families

This article discusses therapists' perspectives of how they use the concepts of spirituality and kinship with clients in a therapy setting. Data were gathered from a larger phenomenological study that focused on African American therapists' perspectives of the use of strengths with African American families. Thirty licensed African American therapists from the fields of marriage and family therapy, social work, psychology, and licensed professional counselors, who self-identified as utilizing strengths during therapy with African American families, served as participants. In this study, we explored whether therapists identified two of the five major strengths of African American families that were originally cited by Robert Hill (1971, 1999) as contributors to effective family functioning. The strengths of spirituality and kinship or extended family consistently emerged and were explored as themes that were effective in bringing about family functioning and successful therapy outcomes.
Intracellular evidence linking medial pontine reticular formation neurons to PGO wave generation

Abstract Intracellular recordings in the medial portion of the pontine reticular formation in the gigantocellular tegmental field and the tegmental reticular nucleus of the naturally sleeping cat have indicated the presence of a class of neurons whose discharges have a long lead time (50–300 ms) prior to, and a high correlation with primary ponto-geniculo-occipital (PGO) waves in the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) ipsilateral to the recording site; we term these neurons long lead PGO wave positive neurons. Further correlative evidence for their being a part of the circuitry generating PGO waves was their discharge suppression prior to the occurrence of secondary PGO waves in the ipsilateral LGN, and the presence of a contralateral inhibitory input that may explain the occurrence of PGO waves with lateralized amplitude characteristics.
Vertical and relaxed structures of a reactive organosilane radical cation from CW and transient resonance Raman spectra

Resonance Raman spectra of two p-methoxybenzyltrialkylsilanes (alkyl = methyl and ethyl) have been obtained both as their neutral charge-transfer complexes with tetracyanoethylene in steady-state cw experiments and as their radical cations via two-color pump−probe transient measurements. The ground-state charge-transfer resonant spectra exhibit intensity predominantly in phenyl-localized modes, suggesting that vertical excitation to the contact ion-pair state involves little participation of the bond that is known to undergo subsequent nucleophile-assisted cleavage in the separated radical cation. Quantitative modeling of the absolute cross sections for the methyl compound is used to determine the mode-specific reorganization energies accompanying vertical electron transfer. Transient spectra of the relaxed radical cations show more than 20 resonance-enhanced modes, several of which have significant contributions from the C−Si stretching coordinate based on frequency shifts between the natural abundance a...
An optimal design of magnetostrictive material (MsM) based energy harvester

In this study, an optimal vibration-based energy harvesting system using magnetostrictive material (MsM) has been designed to power the Wireless Intelligent Sensor Platform (WISP), developed at North Carolina State University. A linear MsM energy harvesting device has been modeled and optimized to maximize the power output. The effects of number of MsM layers and glue layers, and load matching on the output power of the MsM energy harvester have been analyzed. From the measurement, the open circuit voltage can reach 1.5 V when the MsM cantilever beam operates at the 2nd natural frequency 324 Hz. The AC output power is 0.97 mW, giving power density 279 μW/cm 3 . Since the MsM device has low open circuit output voltage characteristics, a full-wave quadrupler has been designed to boost the rectified output voltage. To deliver the maximum output power to the load, a complex conjugate impedance matching between the load and the MsM device has been implemented using a discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) buck-boost converter. The maximum output power after the voltage quadrupler is now 705 μW and power density reduces to 202.4 μW/cm 3 , which is comparable to the piezoelectric energy harvesters given in the literature. The output power delivered to a lithium rechargeable battery is around 630 μW, independent of the load resistance.
Vimentin mRNA expression increases after corticospinal axotomy in the adult hamster.

We examined changes in vimentin gene expression during Wallerian degeneration after corticospinal axotomy in the adult hamster. Vimentin, which is the product of a type III intermediate filament (IF) gene, is expressed in various cells of mesenchymal origin, including microvascular endothelial cells, microglia and developing astrocytes. While increases in vimentin protein have been observed after various types of central nervous system (CNS) injury, it is not known whether this increase is due to increased vimentin mRNA expression. There is also conflicting evidence as to which cells are expressing increased levels of vimentin. In the present study we usedin situ hybridization and double-label immunofluorescence techniques to address these issues. A35S-labeled vimentin cDNA probe was used forin situ hybridizations of brain stem sections obtained 2, 7 and 14 days after unilateral transection of the corticospinal tract in the caudal medulla of adult hamsters. Autoradiography showed that an increase in vimentin mRNA associated with the degenerating corticospinal tract occurred by 2 days after axotomy and that the levels remained elevated for at least 14 days. Immunoblotting and immunocytochemical studies indicated that vimentin protein levels were increased in the degenerating corticospinal tract. Double-label immunofluorescence revealed many vimentin-positive cells and processes that were also labeled with GFAP antibody. In addition, cells and processes that were vimentin-negative but GFAP-positive were also found in the degenerating tract. We suggest that the reactive cells which possessed both vimentin and GFAP were reactive astrocytes of astroblastic origin while those that expressed only GFAP were derived from mature astrocytes. Other vimentin-positive cells/processes did not label with anti-GFAP and thus were either microglial, endothelial or inflammatory cells. These results demonstrate that an increase in vimentin mRNA occurs during Wallerian degeneration after corticospinal axotomy and that this increase is likely to be due to contributions from more than one cell type.
On fuzzy (right-topological) semigroups

On etend des resultats de Foster sur les images homomorphes et les images inverses aux semigroupes topologiques a droite flous
Conceptual design of the National Ignition Facility

DOE commissioned a Conceptual Design Report (CDR) for the National Ignition Facility (NIF) in January 1993 as part of a Key Decision Zero (KDO), justification of Mission Need. Motivated by the progress to date by the Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) program in meeting the Nova Technical Contract goals established by the National Academy of Sciences in 1989, the Secretary requested a design using a solid-state laser driver operating at the third harmonic (0.35 {mu}m) of neodymium (Nd) glass. The participating ICF laboratories signed a Memorandum of Agreement in August 1993, and established a Project organization, including a technical team from the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), and the Laboratory for Laser Energetics at the University of Rochester. Since then, we completed the NIF conceptual design, based on standard construction at a generic DOE Defense Program`s site, and issued a 7,000-page, 27-volume CDR in May 1994.2 Over the course of the conceptual design study, several other key documents were generated, including a Facilities Requirements Document, a Conceptual Design Scope and Plan, a Target Physics Design Document, a Laser Design Cost Basis Document, a Functional Requirements Document, an Experimental Plan for Indirect Drive Ignition, and a Preliminary Hazards Analysis (PHA) Document. DOE used the PHA to categorize the NIF as a low-hazard, non-nuclear facility. On October 21, 1994 the Secretary of Energy issued a Key Decision One (KD1) for the NIF, which approved the Project and authorized DOE to request Office of Management and Budget-approval for congressional line-item FY 1996 NIF funding for preliminary engineering design and for National Environmental Policy Act activities. In addition, the Secretary declared Livermore as the preferred site for constructing the NIF. The Project will cost approximately $1.1 billion and will be completed at the end of FY 2002.
Regulation of G proteins by human 5-HT1a receptor TM3/i2 and TM5/i3 loop peptides.

Abstract A bioactive synthetic 11 amino acid peptide probe (P11) was constructed according to the published sequence of the human 5HT1a receptor. The probe was used to enhance understanding of cytoplasmic loop 2/G protein coupling and activation. Additionally, two peptides (P8, P9) from the cytoplasmic loop 3 region were synthesized and studied. These probes were tested in a model system of human 5HT1a receptor stably expressed in Chinese Hamster Ovary cells. In agonist inhibition studies, P11 was active in all three receptor preparations tested: whole cells, membrane bound, and solubilized. In analyses of the membrane bound receptor system, P11 demonstrated uncompetitive inhibition characteristics. When forskolin-stimulated cAMP levels were measured, P11 was inactive in this negatively coupled system. Utilizing a [35S]γ-S-GTP incorporation assay, P11 was unable to stimulate G protein incorporation of GTP. While P8 and P9 were also broadly active as non-competitive agonist inhibitors, their characteristics differed in the signal transduction system. P8 and P9 did not significantly change forskolin-stimulated cAMP levels. However, P8 increased [35S]γ-S-GTP incorporation, while P9 decreased incorporation. Thus, P11, a synthetic peptide from the TM3/i2 region of the receptor, provides suggestive evidence that this receptor region is involved in G protein coupling but not activation. On the other hand, P8 and P9 activities suggest that the TM5/i3 region is involved in both coupling to and regulation of G protein activity. The current evidence from these cytoplasmic loop regions is discussed in the overall context of an emerging model for human 5HT1a receptor–G protein interactions.
Energy efficiency of QoS routing in multi-hop wireless networks

The trend of adopting more and more wireless mobile computers and smartphones has changed our way of living. Those devices heavily rely on the underlying wireless network systems to provide adequate communication support. As streaming audio and video becomes norm, the requests for stringent maximum end-to-end latency and minimum bandwidth make the networking process more difficult. Quality of Service (QoS) routing is designed to fulfill such requirements. In this paper, we study the performance of QoS routing in multi-hop wireless networks from the perspective of energy efficiency. Since there are sophisticated relationships between wireless radio propagation and energy consumption, various QoS routing strategies produce significantly different results in terms of energy efficiency. Through extensive simulation experiments, the shortest path routing, minimum energy routing, minimum hop routing, and maximum throughput routing are compared.
Differential hydroxylations of estrone and estradiol in man

We sought to test the hypothesis that in man, the fraction of estradiol (E2) that does not undergo oxidation to estrone (E1) in vivo is not available for subsequent hydroxylation at C-2 and C-16 alpha. Using radiometric methods, the extent of 17-oxidation of E2, 2-hydroxylation of E2 and E1, and 16 alpha-hydroxylation of E2 and E1 was determined in normal men. It was expected that administered E1 would transfer more of the tritium from C-2 and C-16 alpha into body water than would the corresponding dose of E2 and that the difference would be related to the fraction of E2 not oxidized at C-17. In eight of eight paired studies, the generation of tritiated water was substantially greater from [2-3H]E1 than from [2-3H]E2. By contrast, in six of seven paired studies, it was the administered [16 alpha-3H]E2 rather than [16 alpha-3H]E1 that underwent greater hydroxylation. No consistent relationship was found between the extent of 17-oxidation and the subsequent hydroxylation. We had previously hypothesized that the differences in the oxidative metabolism of E2 between men and women was due primarily to the lesser conversion of E2 to E1 in men and that the lesser extents of the subsequent hydroxylations at C-2 and C-16 alpha were secondary to this initial difference. The present work indicates that while this concept may be valid in reference to the decreased 2-hydroxylation in men, it does not account for the lesser extent of 16 alpha-hydroxylation.
Performance analysis of random beamforming with heterogeneous users

Random beamforming with greedy scheduling policy in a heterogeneous setting is only fair as the number of transmit antennas M grows asymptotically. In practical systems with finite M and heterogeneous users having diverse large scale channel effects, in order to guarantee fairness among users and exploit multiuser diversity as well, an alternate scheduling policy is needed. In this paper, we leverage the cumulative distribution function based scheduling policy to achieve the two desired requirements and carry out both exact analysis and asymptotic analysis for systems employing random beamforming. The closed form sum rate with heterogeneous users is first derived by a recently proposed probability density function decomposition. We study individual scaling laws to examine the rate scaling for each individual user. Furthermore, asymptotic (in users) rate approximation is derived which tracks the exact performance well for small number of users.
New family of refractive imaging spectrographs

We describe a new form of prism spectrograph system based on aplanatic principles. The basic system is simple, comprising a prism with two spherical refracting surfaces, both operating near their aplanatic conjugates, and a spherical mirror operating near its center of curvature. This form provides a flat, accessible focal surface suitable for use with modern array detectors. Good image quality can be maintained over large wavelength intervals at fast focal ratios, making this form particularly useful for moderate resolution spectrography. Its simplicity, compactness, and tolerance of misalignment make it attractive for space and cryogenic instruments. We present there examples of operating instruments that have been constructed using this new form.
FACILITATION OF DISCRIMINATED AVOIDANCE LEARNING BY PRIOR OPERANT TRAINING

Prior operant training facilitated discriminated lever-press avoidance performance when discontinuous shock (0.2 sec. on time, 2.0 sec. off time) was delivered to rats. Avoidance rather than escape responding occurred in all of the animals whether massed training (3 sessions per day) or spaced training (1 session per day) was given. In control rats, which received no prior operant experience, avoidance learning was markedly inferior to that of the trained animals.
Fiscal Architecture-A Fetter on New Local Governments in Pakistan?

Abstract Pakistan has created a new system of local government. It has three tiers and brings in a larger participation of people through elected councils and local political executive. This has been a major change from the old system of administration predicated on the concepts of public administration. The change provides for definitions of subsets of public policy that can align better with local preference and correspond to diversity of choices. However, the fiscal architecture as it has evolved does not provide sufficient wherewithal to local governments to provide a wider range of services or to change existing patterns in accordance with local preference. It is a constraint on local governments, which despite administrative and political change, are not being able to respond to the diversity of needs. Objectives of decentralization like improvement of service delivery cannot be achieved unless fiscal arrangements are congruous with political and administrative structures set up by decentralization.
Mass Spectrometry-based Quantitative Proteomic Profiling of Human Pancreatic and Hepatic Stellate Cell Lines

The functions of the liver and the pancreas differ; however, chronic inflammation in both organs is associated with fibrosis. Evidence suggests that fibrosis in both organs is partially regulated by organ-specific stellate cells. We explore the proteome of human hepatic stellate cells (hHSC) and human pancreatic stellate cells (hPaSC) using mass spectrometry (MS)-based quantitative proteomics to investigate pathophysiologic mechanisms. Proteins were isolated from whole cell lysates of immortalized hHSC and hPaSC. These proteins were tryptically digested, labeled with tandem mass tags (TMT), fractionated by OFFGEL, and subjected to MS. Proteins significantly different in abundance (P < 0.05) were classified via gene ontology (GO) analysis. We identified 1223 proteins and among them, 1222 proteins were quantifiable. Statistical analysis determined that 177 proteins were of higher abundance in hHSC, while 157 were of higher abundance in hPaSC. GO classification revealed that proteins of relatively higher abundance in hHSC were associated with protein production, while those of relatively higher abundance in hPaSC were involved in cell structure. Future studies using the methodologies established herein, but with further upstream fractionation and/or use of enhanced MS instrumentation will allow greater proteome coverage, achieving a comprehensive proteomic analysis of hHSC and hPaSC.
Ionic antagonism in mosquito larvae, Culex pipiens.

Abstract 1. The toxicities of solutions containing single salts at a concentration of 800 mOsm, to fourth instar Culex pipiens were determined, yielding the toxicity sequence K + , Na + > Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ . 2. The toxicities of mixtures of the chlorides of these salts revealed ion antagonism between Na + and Ca 2+ , Na + and Mg 2+ , and Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ , but not between K + and either Na + , Ca 2+ or Mg 2+ . 3. A model for interpreting these results with regard to the larvae's myoneural system is discussed. 4. Any 800 mOsm medium containing either NaCl and CaCl 2 , or KCl and CaCl 2 caused a weight loss proportional to the CaCl 2 concentration.
P.2.2 North Star ambulatory assessment in young DMD boys

Very few studies have investigated early neurodevelopmental and motor aspects in preschool boys affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy. This is mainly due to the age at diagnosis which is still on average above the age of four years. Although the first signs of concern can often be backdated to the second year of age, when DMD children show some signs of developmental delay and inability to develop new motor abilities the diagnosis is on average performed much later. The recent development of therapeutic approaches for DMD has highlighted the need to identify clinical outcome measures for planned therapeutic clinical trials that could be used as early as possible, ideally soon after diagnosis when the disease is still in the early phases. There have been suggestions that the North Star Ambulatory Assessment, a functional scale already used in DMD children older than 4 or 5 years may be used in younger children. The aim of this study was to assess the suitability of this scale in young children by performing the scale in a cohort of typically developing and DMD children all assessed before the age of 5 years. More specifically we aimed to identify if all the items were appropriate for children from the age of 3 years onwards. Results: in the typically developing children the scale was easily administered in all. All the children above the age of 5 were able to pass all the items with a full score while children below the age 5 often failed some items, such as hopping on one leg. Children between the age of 3 and 4 also failed additional items such as standing on one leg, getting up from the floor without upper limb aid, lifting head from supine and standing on heels. DMD boys had similar findings but in a proportion of them other items were also failed. Our results suggest that the NSAA can be easily administered in typically developing children and DMD young patients but the results should be interpreted taking into account age related difficulties due to the age appropriate development of motor coordination skills.
Variations in melting dynamics and mantle compositions along the Eastern Volcanic Zone of the Gakkel Ridge: insights from olivine-hosted melt inclusions

We present major element, trace element, and volatile concentrations from 66 naturally glassy, olivine-hosted melt inclusions erupted along the Eastern Volcanic Zone (EVZ) of the ultraslow-spreading Gakkel Ridge. Melt inclusion compositions suggest that there are systematic variations in the mantle source composition and melting dynamics from the eastern to the western end of the EVZ. This includes increasing water contents and highly incompatible trace element concentrations (e.g., Ba and Nb) and decreasing light and middle rare earth element concentrations. Ratios of light to heavy rare earth elements in the easternmost melt inclusions are relatively homogeneous, but become more variable to the west. To determine the source of the geochemical variability observed along the EVZ, we model trace elements associated with mantle melting in one- and two-component systems. We consider four possible mantle sources and a range of melting regime shapes, from a full melting triangle to a vertical melting column centered beneath the ridge axes. The observed geochemical variations can be explained by melting of a heterogeneous mantle source composed of depleted MORB mantle plus a metasomatized mantle, where the proportion of the metasomatized component and the extent of melting increases toward the west. Lower rare earth element concentrations and trace element ratios in the westernmost sites also suggest inefficient melt focusing from the outer edges of the melting region. Our results indicate that despite variations in the size of the melting zone and the composition of the mantle source along the ridge axis, the region over which the melts are pooled back to the ridge axis is relatively constant (~10–20 km), suggesting that there is a limit to the distance melts can be transported from off-axis in ultraslow-spreading environments.
Using E-Beam Written Computer-Generated Holograms To Test Deep Aspheric Wavefronts

The use of computer-generated holograms (CGHs) to test aspheric surfaces fabricated by modern optical methods such as diamond-turned machining has become increasingly important. The making of CGHs may, however, be limited in spatial resolution and space-bandwidth product provided by commercial optical recording devices. We will demonstrate that CGHs of high spatial resolution and large space-bandwidth product can be written directly on electron-resist using e-beam lithography. This approach not only reduces plotti9g errors normally introduced by optical recording devices, but also provides more than 100 distor-tion-free resolution picture elements in a synthetic hologram of correct size. In this paper, we will discuss how to make such a synthetic hologram by means of e-beam lithography. The performance of this CGH will be demonstrated by comparing with a non-rotationally symmetric aspheric wavefront of over 100 waves of spherical aberration using a concave mirror and plane parallel plate combination as the test piece.
Pleural Effusions: Diagnostic Considerations

The presence of fluid in the pleural space can be seen in a variety of disorders. Presenting symptoms include dyspnea, pleuritic chest pain, and ipsilateral shoulder pain if pleural involvement occurs at the central portion of the diaphragm. Physical examination findings include chest asymmetry, diminished breath sounds, dullness to percussion, and decreased tactile fremitus. In an upright patient, the radiographic appearance of pleural fluid includes blunting of the costophrenic angle, straightening or a more lateral peak of the hemidiaphragm contour, simulation of an elevated hemidiaphragm, or a distance of greater than 2 cm between the gastric air bubble and the lung.
Occurrence of cancer in immune deficiencies

The immune system plays an important role in the host's defenses against cancer. Immunodeficiency states are associated with an increased incidence of neoplasia. In primary immunodeficiency states, the frequency of malignancy is roughly 10,000 times that in the general age-matched population. Immunosuppressed organ homograft recipients have a 5–6% risk of the development of de novo cancers. In addition, malignant cells may be inadvertently transplanted from donors with cancer and may grow in the transplanted organ, invade surrounding structures, and produce widespread metastases. Cancers may also develop in nontransplant patients treated with immunosuppressive therapy. There is also much circumstantial evidence suggesting that cancer chemotherapy, while allowing control of one cancer, may permit or induce the growth of a second neoplasm. These findings have important implications for the management of patients with malignancies, as other forms of cancer treatment such as radical surgical procedures and radiotherapy may also impair the host's resistance to cancer. It therefore behooves us to reappraise our methods of cancer therapy and examine their effects upon the host's resistance to his neoplasm.
Photodetector arrays and architectures for acousto-optical signal processing

A review of photodetector arrays and architectures is presented for acousto-optical (AO) signal processing applications, for which the demands on photodetector arrays are substantially greater than for image sensing applications. The primary design considerations for obtaining photodetector arrays with high dynamic range, high sensitivity, high speed, and low crosstalk are discussed. The current status and future needs for detector arrays for AO signal processing are presented. Several novel detector structures and concepts that have potential for future AO optical signal processing use are described.
THE POETRY OF MATHEMATICS WRITING PROBLEMS AS POETRY

ABSTRACT Story problems were the trivial pursuit games of the Middle Ages in India. Moreover, mathematics was written in verse. To help a group of Intermediate Algebra students understand mathematics in this historical perspective an extra credit assignment of writing word problem poems was made. The history and the results of the assignment are presented in the following.
Study of sputtered HfO2 thin films on silicon

Abstract Thin HfO2 films were deposited on Si(100) wafers by magnetron sputtering followed by a high temperature anneal in oxygen. Structure evolution and/or allotropic transformation occurred during the annealing process. A very thin well-defined SiO2 layer was also formed at the HfO2Si interface as a result of annealing. The HfO2/SiO2 film showed a high dielectric constant, very low leakage current, extremely high dielectric strength, low dielectric loss, well-behaved capacitance-voltage characteristics and good stability, making it a viable candidate for applications in very-large-scale and ultralarge-scale integration circuits.