cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Longitudinal Impedance Variability in Patients with Chronically Implanted DBS Devices

Background: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an effective therapy for advanced movement disorders, but its optimal use is still controversial. One factor that could play a role in the proper delivery of therapeutic stimulation by current DBS devices is the variability of the impedance at the interface between the electrode surface and surrounding tissue. Objective: To analyze variability and trends in the impedance of chronically-implanted DBS electrodes in subjects with movement disorders. Methods: We reviewed impedance values from medical records of DBS patients at an academic tertiarycare movement disorders center. The standard deviation of data recorded within individual subjects and single contacts were used as measures of longitudinal impedance variability. A generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) determined if a number of effects had significant influences on impedance. Results: We analyzed 2863 impedance measurements from 94 subjects. Median variability, for subjects with follow-up from 6 months to 5 years (n ¼ 77), was 194 U for individual subjects and 141 U for individual contacts, with a range spanning from 18 to over 600 U. The GLMM, incorporating all subjects (n ¼ 94), identified time, electrical activity, implanted target, contact position on the electrode and side of implantation as significant predictors of impedance. Age and disease duration at surgery, gender or ethnicity were not significant predictors. Conclusions: Our analysis suggests that a significant amount of impedance variability can be expected in chronically implanted DBS electrodes and indicates a number of factors with possible predictive value. Further studies are needed to link impedance characteristics to clinical outcomes.
A stratigraphic record from Morocco and North America of rifting, drifting and Tethyan transgressions of the Central proto-Atlantic

Abstract The stratigraphic record from 35 onshore and offshore basins, along the Central Atlantic margins of Africa and North America, document substantially different rifting and rifting histories for the formerly contiguous landmasses, Whereas both sets of basins rest with major unconformity on deeply eroded Paleozoic basements, the basins of Morocco are structurally and lithologically more varied, encompass a greater time-stratigraphic record, a have a different subsidence and orogenic history than those of North America. Comparable syn-rift basins occur only in the High Atlas, along the South Atlas F.Z. There, as in North America, Late Triassic extensional basins developed along strike-slip and re-activated thrust faults, High-standing coastal ranges with high-altitude lacustrine basins bordered narrow salt-filled grabens that lay astride the proto-Atlantic axis where they were trangressed by an arm of the Tethys Sea as far south as Georges Bank. However, in the Early Jurassic, as the thinned and cooled crust broadly subsided throughout most of Morocco and along the northwestern margin off Canada, it was widely transgressed by Teethyan waters, ushering in the drift phase of the passive margins. Subsequent orogenic uplift has exposed these terranes in Morocco, while the post-rift margin of North Anerica continues to subside and is overlain by as much s 15 km of drift strata.
Parametric Study of Inlet Cooling With Varied COP on Gas Turbine Performance

Gas turbines play an important role in power generation, and it is therefore desired to operate gas turbines with high efficiency and power output. One of the most influential parameters on the performance of a gas turbine is the ambient condition. It is known that inlet cooling can improve the gas turbine performance, especially when the ambient temperature is high. This study examines the effect of inlet cooling with different operating parameters such as compressor inlet temperature, turbine inlet temperature, air fuel ratio, and pressure ratio. Furthermore, the coefficient of performance (COP) of the cooling system is considered a function of the ambient temperature. Aspen Plus software is used to simulate the system under a steady-flow condition. The results indicate that the cooling of the compressor inlet air can substantially improve the power output as well as the overall efficiency of system. More importantly, there exists an optimal temperature at which the inlet cooling should be operated to achieve the highest efficiency.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Carbon dioxide laser ablation of anogenital condyloma acuminata in pediatric patients

The treatment of anogenital condyloma acuminata in pediatric patients is difficult, with a wide range of treatment strategies that yield variable success. Treatment regimens must consider the patient age, and etiology, location, and severity of lesions. We report our experience using the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser to ablate these lesions. A retrospective review of a single surgeon's series of 17 consecutive patients was performed. A staging system was developed and used to document the extent of disease as related to prognosis, recurrence rates, and treatment options. There were 17 patients (5 males and 12 females). Eleven patients (65%) were treated after failing previous treatment. Perianal disease was noted in 14 of 17 patients (82%). No patients presented with stage I disease, 7 patients (41%) presented with stage II, 5 patients (29%) presented with stage III, and 5 patients (29%) presented with stage IV disease. Recurrence occurred in 4 of 17 patients (23%). Persistent disease occurred in 1 patient (6%). CO2 laser vaporization of anogenital condyloma acuminata in pediatric patients is safe, relatively atraumatic to the child, and associated with favorable recurrence rates. A staging scheme has been proposed in predicting recurrences, complications, and guiding therapy.
Diagnostic and Management Strategies for Diffuse Interstitial Lung Disease

Patients with diffuse interstitial lung diseases (DILD) are challenging to treat. Many patients with DILD have inadequate information about the disease process, an imprecise diagnosis, unsatisfactory treatment or unacceptable side effects associated with therapy, and poorly controlled symptoms of progressive illness. Establishing an accurate diagnosis is necessary so that the patient and his/her family can be provided with reasonable expectations about prognosis and outcome from therapy. A pragmatic approach is presented that emphasizes diagnostic strategies and plans for therapy that are effective and resource efficient and that will help maintain patient satisfaction.
Low-Temperature Reactive Sintering of 0.65PMN·0.35PT

Dense, fine-grained 0.65PMN·0.35PT ceramics were fabricated by reactive sintering of a mixture of metal oxides at 1000°C. The fine nature of the precursor powder resulted in rapid, direct transformation to perovskite PMN–PT at 600°C. Because of the fine structure of the perovskite, no excess PbO was required for sintering.
Negative effect of nitric oxide on shortening-frequency relationship in cardiac myocytes is diminished after simulated ischemia-reperfusion.

Increasing stimulation rate increases function in cardiac myocytes and nitric oxide and cyclic GMP inhibit this effect. We tested the hypothesis that myocyte stunning would blunt both the effects of increases in rate and of nitric oxide and cyclic GMP. Ventricular myocytes from 11 rabbits were used to determine maximum rate of shortening (Rmax, µm/s) and %shortening during control and after simulated ischemia [15 min 95% N2- 5% CO2] and reperfusion [reoxygenation]. Measurements were obtained at 1–4 Hz with vehicle, 1H[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3,alpha] quinoxaline-1-one (ODQ) 10–6 M, soluble guanylyl cyclase inhibitor, or NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (L-NAME) 10–5 M. In control, increases in rate increased Rmax from 69 ± 3 to 254±12 and %shortening from 5.3 ± 0.3 to 8.7 ± 0.5. Both ODQ and L-NAME shifted values higher. With stunning, the effects of pacing on Rmax and %shortening were blunted and ODQ and L-NAME failed to alter these values. Cyclic GMP was 322±37 pmol/105 myocytes at baseline and these values were lowered by ODQ (244 ± 31) and LNAME (207 ± 23), and similar changes were observed in stunned myocytes. Increasing frequency increased function, and reducing nitric oxide/cyclic GMP enhanced this relationship. The effect of nitric oxide was diminished by stunning, but this was not related to altered cyclic GMP levels. This suggested changes in effects of cyclic GMP downstream to its production during myocardial stunning.
Convergent methods in psychomusical research based on integrated, interactive computer control

Much of what we learn from an experiment depends on what we ask of the subjects and how we ask it. Most music perception and cognition research is implemented using a single methodology. Recently, questions have been raised about the validity and generalizability of such a limited approach, particularly regarding such complicated theoretical constructs as musical tonality. We propose that a useful technique is to converge on the answer to experimental questions by applying multiple methods, in essence, simultaneously investigating the central research question as well as ancillary questions of method. Such an approach is facilitated by a computer hardware and software system that integrates experimental design, data collection, data analysis, and data dissemination, linking off-the-shelf components through standard file formats and data-exchange protocols. The list-based system, using an IBM-type PC running Windows 3.0, handles real-time natural sound sampling and playback, signal synthesis and analysis, MIDI input and output, digitized picture display, and various subject-response mechanisms. On the basis of graphical icons, the integrated system can be used to build custom experimental designs. Examples of convergent psychomusical experiments that were designed, implemented, and analyzed using the system are discussed.
A thermodynamical formulation for heat conducting Jeffreys and Maxwell polymeric fluids

Abstract Starting from the basic balance laws and using the Clausius-Duhem inequality, thermodynamically consistent Theological equations of state for a heat conducting polymeric fluid are derived. It is shown that the stress evolution equation is identical to the corotational Jeffreys model. Under certain limiting conditions the model reduces to the well known corotational Maxwell model for viscoelastic materials.
Epidermal growth factor in mouse milk during early lactation: lack of dependency on submandibular glands

Using a specific and sensitive radioimmunoassay, we found epidermal growth factor (EGF) in mouse milk during early lactation in normal and sialoadenectomized mice. Levels of EGF peaked around the 6th day postpartum and decreased thereafter up to day 12. Sephadex G-50 column chromatography of milk from normal and sialoadenectomized mice showed a single immunoreactive component comigrating with purified 6045 dalton EGF from the mouse submandibular gland. The concentrations of EGF were similar in milk collected from the breast and the stomach of the offspring immediately after feeding. The molecular profiles, concentrations, and ontogeny of EGF in milk of control and sialoadenectomized mice were also similar, suggesting that the submandibular gland is not the major source of EGF in mouse breast milk.
Cardiovascular and respiratory effects of an opioid kappa agonist ethylketazocine and sigma agonist N-allylnormetazocine in acutely decerebrated dogs

Abstract Effects of opioid kappa agonist ethylketazocine (EKC), sigma agonist (±)-N-allylnormetazocine (NANM), and naloxone alone and in combination on mean blood pressure (MBP), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR) and minute volume (MV) were studied in acutely decerebrated dogs. EKC (0.5 mg/kg) decreased HR, MBP, RR and MV. Post-EKC NLX increased RR and MV and reversed the bradycardia and hypotension produced by EKC. NANM (1 mg/kg) produced respiratory depression and tachycardia without changing MBP. Post-NANM NLX antagonized tachycardia, increased MBP, however did not significantly change RR and MV. When decerebrate dogs were spinalized at the C-1 level, EKC decreased MBP and HR. These effects were antagonized by NLX. NANM did not change HR but raised MBP in spinalized decerebrate dogs. Since EKC- and NANM-induced cardiovascular and respiratory depression were not observed in conscious intact or chronic spinal dog, it is suggested that: 1) kappaergic system rostral to mesencephalon may play a role in counteracting these depressant effects of EKC; 2) sigma receptor-mediated tachypnea and tachycardia are dissociable; the tachypneic effect may be mediated through higher center while the medulla oblongata is involved in producing tachycardia. These results also suggest that (±)-NANM probably has several mechanisms of action at several brain sites in producing its effects on respiration and cardiovascular function.
Evidence for GABA involvement in stress-induced inhibition of male amphibian sexual behavior.

Abstract The behavioral effects of GABA analogs were investigated to determine whether GABAergic neurotransmission is involved in the stress-induced inhibition of masculine sexual behaviors in rough-skinned newts ( Taricha granulosa ). Injections of bicuculline, a GABA antagonist, stimulated male sexual behaviors in a dose-dependent fashion, and the minimum effective dose was 40-fold less when administered centrally rather than systemically, suggesting a central nervous system site of action. Injections of muscimol, a GABA agonist, suppressed reproductive behaviors in male newts, and this inhibition lasted at least 5 hr and was proportional to the dose of muscimol administered. The inhibitory effects of muscimol on newt sexual behaviors could be reversed by a single 100-μg ip injection of arginine vasotocin. The inhibitory effects of confinement stress or corticosterone (CS) injections on newt sexual behaviors were blocked by pre-treatment of newts with mercaptopropionic acid, a blocker of GABA synthesis. As well, bicuculline prevented the inhibition of sexual behavior induced by CS injection. These results support the conclusion that, in a male amphibian, the GABAergic system is involved in the inhibitory mechanisms regulating sexual behaviors and that CS mediates the stress-induced inhibition of sexual behaviors through the GABAergic system.
Anomalous Retinal Pathways in the Siamese Cat: An Inadequate Substrate for Normal Binocular Vision

All major retinal pathways in the Siamese cat are abnormal, with almost total crossing of the projections to the pretectum and superior colliculus. These projections represent a marked disruption in the customary neural substrate for binocular vision, which implies a consequent impairment in stereoscopic depth perception. Crossed eyes, commonly seen in the Siamese cat, may therefore arise from a neuroanatomical defect in the primary visual pathways.
Marine geophysics: Where there's smoke there's fire

Seafloor vents spewing mineral-rich plumes of hydrothermal fluid — termed black smokers — can persist at mid-ocean ridges for decades or longer. Earthquake data indicate that ongoing magma injection may determine their locations.
Laser-based directed release of array elements for efficient collection into targeted microwells.

A cell separation strategy capable of the systematic isolation and collection of moderate to large numbers (25–400) of single cells into a targeted microwell is demonstrated. An array of microfabricated, releasable, transparent micron-scale pedestals termed pallets and an array of microwells in poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) were mated to enable selective release and retrieval of individual cells. Cells cultured on a pallet array mounted on a custom designed stage permitted the array to be positioned independently of the microwell locations. Individual pallets containing cells were detached in a targeted fashion using a pulsed Nd:YAG laser. The location of the laser focal point was optimized to transfer individual pallets to designated microwells. In a large-scale sort (n = 401), the accuracy, defined as placing a pallet in the intended well, was 94% and the collection efficiency was 100%. Multiple pallets were observed in only 4% of the targeted wells. In cell sorting experiments, the technique provided a yield and purity of target cells identified by their fluorescence signature of 91% and 93%, respectively. Cell viability based on single-cell cloning efficiency at 72 h post collection was 77%.
Transient B32-like order during the early stages of ordering in undercooled Fe3Al

Abstract Chemical disorder→D03 order transformations were studied in Fe3Al. The materials were prepared as nearly random solid solutions by piston-anvil quenching and then annealed at 200 and 300°C to develop order. The evolution of order was measured by X-ray diffractometry, transmission electron microscopy and Mossbauer spectrometry. X-ray diffractometry showed a transient appearance of B32-like order during the early stage of ordering at 300°C when the ordered domains were small (about 30–50 A). This was consistent with results from Mossbauer spectrometry. Although it is possible that small isolated regions of B32 order may be forming, it is also possible that the B32 order may be located at antiphase domain boundaries. Even if the B32-like order is related to antiphase domain boundaries, we show that Fe3Al has a kinetic tendency to form B32 order at 300°C. With longer annealing times, this B32 order disappears, and eauilibrium D03 order is obtained.
Rat tissue and blood partition coefficients for n-alkanes (C8 to C12).

Rat tissue:air and blood:air partition coefficients (PCs) for octane, nonane, decane, undecane, and dodecane (n-C8 to n-C12 n-alkanes) were determined by vial equilibration. The blood:air PC values for n-C8 to n-C12 were 3.1, 5.8, 8.1, 20.4, and 24.6, respectively. The lipid solubility of n-alkanes increases with carbon length, suggesting that lipid solubility is an important determinant in describing n-alkane blood:air PC values. The muscle:blood, liver: blood, brain:blood, and fat:blood PC values were octane (1.0, 1.9, 1.4, and 247), nonane (0.8, 1.9, 3.8, and 274), decane (0.9, 2.0, 4.8, and 328), undecane (0.7, 1.5, 1.7, and 529), and dodecane (1.2, 1.9, 19.8, and 671), respectively. The tissue:blood PC values were greatest in fat and the least in muscle. The brain:air PC value for undecane was inconsistent with other n-alkane values. Using the measured partition coefficient values of these n-alkanes, linear regression was used to predict tissue (except brain) and blood:air partition coefficient value...
Distributed Drug Discovery, Part 3: Using D3 Methodology to Synthesize Analogs of an Anti-Melanoma Compound

For the successful implementation of Distributed Drug Discovery (D3) (outlined in the accompanying Perspective), students, in the course of their educational laboratories, must be able to reproducibly make new, high quality, molecules with potential for biological activity. This article reports the successful achievement of this goal. Using previously rehearsed alkylating agents, students in a second semester organic chemistry laboratory performed a solid-phase combinatorial chemistry experiment in which they made 38 new analogs of the most potent member of a class of antimelanoma compounds. All compounds were made in duplicate, purified by silica gel chromatography, and characterized by NMR and LC/MS. As a continuing part of the Distributed Drug Discovery program, a virtual D3 catalog based on this work was then enumerated and is made freely available to the global scientific community.
Cavities owing to hydrogen in Si single crystals grown by continuously charging CZ method

The quality of Si single crystals with a diameter of up to 150 mm in the length between 1 m to 1.5 m, grown by continuously charging Czochralski (CCZ) method, is studied and the possibility of CCZ method is discussed. The profile of interstitial oxygen concentration (O i ) is almost constant along the growth direction. The profile of precipitated O i exhibits a slight decrease along the first half of the crystal length, and a more remarkable decrease along the latter half. Many pits with a diameter up to 15 μm are observed on a chemically polished surface of Si CCZ wafer. We believe the origin of these pits is cavities formed during CCZ crystal growth owing to hydrogen contained in raw granular polycrystalline Si. Besides the cavity problem, we have to solve some serious cost problems to apply CCZ method for actual production.
Coherent scatter imaging simulation for screening mammography

Conventional mammography has poor contrast between healthy tissue and carcinoma due to small differences in attenuation. Since interference of coherently scattered radiation depends on the intermolecular spacing, it can provide new information with higher contrast. A Monte Carlo simulation was developed for coherent scatter imaging. The modeled design exploits a conventional scan slot mammography system with an additional anti-scatter grid tilted at the characteristic angle of carcinoma. Preliminary results are promising and agree with experimental measurements on phantom systems. The effect of changing grid tilt angle and sample detector distance were studied in order to begin system optimization. The system using a wide slot beam and simple anti-scatter grid has been designed to provide a localized map of tissue type that could be overlaid on the simultaneous conventional transmission image to provide an inexpensive, low dose adjunct to conventional screening mammography. The purpose of this work is to explore whether a screening mammography system can be designed to exploit coherent scatter to provide some tissue type information.
A new species of Maxillaria (Orchidaceae) from Costa Rica

Maxillaria suaveolens Barringer from the Gulfo Dolce region of Costa Rica is described and illustrated.
Unconditioned stimulus intensity and retention interval effects.

In single-element taste-aversion learning, retention interval effects are seen if taste aversions are paradoxically weak when they are tested 1 day after conditioning than when they are tested 3 or more days after conditioning. One explanation of this phenomenon is that weaker taste aversions may increase in strength across a retention interval. To test this possibility, rats were given saccharin followed by an unconditioned stimulus (US) of weak, medium, or high intensity; testing occurred after a 1-day or a 5-day retention interval. The results showed retention-interval effects only at medium and high dosage levels, but not following a weak-intensity US. Furthermore, at the 5-day retention interval, aversion strength increased as the intensity of the US increased. However, at the 1-day retention interval, there were no significant differences due to US intensity. In accordance with previous experiments, this outcome suggests that nonassociative factors, such as US novelty, and not associative factors (e.g., US intensity), modulate taste aversion performance on a 1-day test.
Circular Polarization of Gamma Radiation Following Allowed Beta Transitions

The degree of circular polarization of gamma rays following allowed beta transitions was investigated as a function of the angle THETA /sub beta gamma / between beta-particle momentum and gamma direction and as a function of the energy of the beta particle. The anisotropy of the beta-gamma circular polarization correlation observed for pure Gamow-Teller transitions ( DELTA 1 = 1) is used to determine the validity of C/sub A/' = C/sub A/. The experimental results for Co/sup 60/ and Na/sup 22/ are W( THETA /sub beta gamma /) = 1- (0.345 plus or minus 0.019)(v/c) cos THETA /sub beta gamma / and W( THETA / sub beta gamma /) = 1 + (0.35 plus or minus 0.02)(v/c) cos THETA /sub beta gamma /, respectively. These values yield C/sub A/' = (1 plus or minus 0.2)C/ sub A/ . The degree of circular polarization of the gamma rays following mixed beta transitions ( DELTA I = 0) confirms the existence of V-A interference terms. For Sc/sup 46/ and Na/sup 24/ the beta-gamma circular polarization correlations, W( THETA /sub beta gamma /) = 1 + (0.24 plus or minus 0.02)(v/c) cos THETA / sub beta gamma /, and W( THETA /sub betamore » gamma /) = 1 + (0-07 plus or minus 0-O3)(v/c) cos THETA /sub beta beta /, were observed. From these measurements the ratios of Fermi to GamowTeller components for the Sc/sup 46/ beta transition, (Msub F//-M/sub GT/)/sup 2 0.13 plus or minus 0.04, and for the Nail beta transition, (M/sub F//M/sub GT/)/sup 2/ = 0.002 plus or minus 0.010, were determined. (auth)« less
Classical and Semi-Classical Solutions of the Yang-Mills Theory

This Review summarizes what is known at present about classical solutions to Yang-Mills theory both in Euclidean and Minkowski space. The quantal meaning of these solutions is also discussed. Solutions in Euclidean space expose multiple vacua and tunnelling of the quantum theory. Those in Minkowski space provide a semi-classical spectrum for a conformal generator.
Coding gain enhancement using generalized polyphase representation

A characterization of generalized polyphase representations (GPPs), which allow a greater freedom in designing multirate systems is developed. A particular application of GPPs, namely, in enhancing the coding gain of transform coding systems, is studied. The advantage of using GPPs is demonstrated for several inputs. The additional complexity of the new system is only slightly greater than that of the transform coding system, the difference being the higher number of delay elements used. Several properties of the new system are proved. >
Vertical rectus muscle flap repair for perineal defect: abdominoperineal resection and perineal hernia.

Case 1 A 53-year-old male with anal cancer had chemoradiation 1 year ago and then local recurrence developed. He underwent abdominoperineal resection with reconstruction of perineal defect with a vertical rectus abdominous myocutaneous pedicle flap. After abdominoperineal resection, a large perineal defect was identified. The rectus muscle with a skin island was harvested with great care to avoid injury to the inferior epigastric vessels. The myocutaneous
The Effect Of IFRS Adoption On Global Market Integration

This paper examines the effect of the adoption of international financial accounting standards (IFRS) on global capital market integration, measure by correlation matrix of the stock market index returns. We investigate a sample of countries that have adopted IFRS as their accounting standards for listed companies. Our results are consistent with the suggestion that these markets will have a higher degree of integration among them after their IFRS adoption as compared to the period before the adoption.
Drug-Induced Amnesia Hurts Recognition, but Only for Memories That Can Be Unitized

Midazolam is a drug that creates temporary anterograde amnesia. In a within-subjects, double-blind experiment, participants studied a list of stimuli after receiving an injection of midazolam in one session and after receiving saline in another session. The lists consisted of three types of stimuli: words, photographs, and abstract pictures. Recognition memory was tested at the end of each session. Memory was reliably poorer in the midazolam condition than the saline condition, but this amnesic effect was significantly smaller for pictorial stimuli than for words and almost nonexistent for abstract pictures. We argue that the less familiar the stimulus, the less likely it is to be associated with an experimental context. These data bolster our claim that unitization increases the chances of episodic binding and that drug-induced amnesia prevents episodic binding regardless of unitization.
A Comprehensive Plan for Differentiating the Training of Teachers of the Gifted Online at the State, District and University Levels in Florida, USA

The training of teachers for a meaningful use of all that contemporary technology offers to developing curriculum requires constant vigilance, experimentation, innovation, revision and updating. The lifestyle of today’s gifted students includes a range of ever-unfolding technologies, such as text messaging, blogging, social networking, personal webpages, video pods, streamed television, online textbooks, online knowledge base, web searching, presentation tools, desktop publishing, graphics infused in word processing, simulations and complex gaming. At the same time, the technology literacy of most teachers is in ‘catch-up mode’ with constant retraining about how to provide curricula that includes webquests, virtual field trips, virtual passports, interactive maps (Google Earth) and webliography (TrackStar), presented in diverse formats.The following questions will be examined in this paper:How do you cross regional boundaries and local educational administration to provide a comprehensive state-wide teach...
Quadrature Sampling for Built-In Analog/RF IC Spectrum Test

The frequency-domain testing of analog and radio-frequency integrated circuits usually requires full-blown discrete Fourier transform (DFT) engines for spectrum analysis. However, the built-in spectrum analysis is prohibited due to the excessive computation requirement. This brief proposes a novel built-in frequency-domain testing algorithm based on quadrature sampling, which allows the evaluation of the interested frequency components with more than 90% reduction in computation complexity and only two locations of memory occupation. Theoretical analysis in the frequency domain of the quadrature sampling algorithm is provided to demonstrate that the results it obtained are equivalent to that of the standard DFT approach. The simplified calculation enables the on-chip implementation of the proposed algorithm with minor additional circuits and more than 90% savings of power consumption and evaluation time. The circuit architecture for the test setup is proposed and applied for the filter response and the third-order intermodulation test. Simulation results on a 450-MHz low-noise amplifier reveal accurate gain and phase evaluation with only 5.6% the amount of computation of the DFT.
Phase I study of Doxil and vinorelbine in metastatic breast cancer

Summary Background Vinorelbine and Doxil (liposomal doxorubicin) are active chemotherapeutic agents in metastatic breast cancer. A phase I study was designed to evaluate combination therapy. Background Background: Thirty women with metastatic breast cancer were enrolled. Dose-limiting toxicity was determined through a dose escalation scheme, and defined for the first treatment cycle, only. Pharmacokinetic studies were performed during the first cycle of treatment. Results In the first cohort of Doxil 30 mg/m2 day 1 and vinorelbine 25 mg/m2 days 1 and 8, patients experienced severe neutropenia. Vinorelbine administration was changed thereafter to days 1 and 15 of each cycle. Dose limiting toxicity was observed at Doxil 50 mg/m2 and vinorelbine 25 mg/m2. Doxil 40 mg/m2 and vinorelbine 30 mg/m2 was defined as the maximally tolerated dose. Few toxicities (principally neutropenia) were seen at this dose level, with the notable absence of significant nausea, vomiting, or alopecia. Though 63% of patients had received prior anthracycline-based chemotherapy, only one patient developed grade 2 cardiac toxicity. Pharmacokinetic studies revealed prolonged exposure to high doxorubicin concentrations for several days following Doxil administration. Results Combination chemotherapy with Doxil and vinorelbine affords treatment with two active drugs in women with metastatic breast cancer, and appears to have a favorable toxicity profile. A schedule of Doxil 40 mg/m2 day 1 and vinorelbine 30 mg/m days 1 and 15 given every 28 days is recommended for phase II studies.
Role of the peroxynitrite-poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase pathway in human disease.

Throughout the last 2 decades, experimental evidence from in vitro studies and preclinical models of disease has demonstrated that reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, including the reactive oxidant peroxynitrite, are generated in parenchymal, endothelial, and infiltrating inflammatory cells during stroke, myocardial and other forms of reperfusion injury, myocardial hypertrophy and heart failure, cardiomyopathies, circulatory shock, cardiovascular aging, atherosclerosis and vascular remodeling after injury, diabetic complications, and neurodegenerative disorders. Peroxynitrite and other reactive species induce oxidative DNA damage and consequent activation of the nuclear enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP-1), the most abundant isoform of the PARP enzyme family. PARP overactivation depletes its substrate NAD+, slowing the rate of glycolysis, electron transport, and ATP formation, eventually leading to functional impairment or death of cells, as well as up-regulation of various proinflammatory pathways. In related animal models of disease, peroxynitrite neutralization or pharmacological inhibition of PARP provides significant therapeutic benefits. Therefore, novel antioxidants and PARP inhibitors have entered clinical development for the experimental therapy of various cardiovascular and other diseases. This review focuses on the human data available on the pathophysiological relevance of the peroxynitrite-PARP pathway in a wide range of disparate diseases, ranging from myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, myocarditis, heart failure, circulatory shock, and diabetic complications to atherosclerosis, arthritis, colitis, and neurodegenerative disorders.
NB4S, a Member of the TBC1 Domain Family of Genes, is Truncated as a Result of a Constitutional t(1;10)(p22;q21) Chromosome Translocation in a Patient with Stage 4S Neuroblastoma

Molecular cloning of the breakpoints of a t(1;10)(p22q21) constitutional translocation breakpoint in a patient with stage 4S neuroblastoma has identified two genes which are fused in-frame to generate a novel gene. The 1p22 gene, which we have called NB4S , encodes a 7.5 kb transcript with an 810 amino acid open reading frame and is expressed in a wide variety of tissues. NB4S has >88% homology with the mouse EVI -5 gene within the coding region and shows strong homology over a 200 amino acid region with TBC1 box motif genes involved in cell growth and differentiation. The C-teminal end of the protein contains a number of coiled coil domains, indicating a possible protein-protein binding function. The chromosome 10 breakpoint interrupts a novel transcript (TRNG10) which could only be detected in tumor cells. This transcript has no exon/intron structure or significant open reading frame, suggesting that it is a structural RNA which is transcribed but not translated. The chromosome rearrangement creates a fusion gene product which combines the TBC1 motif of NB4S with a polyadenylation signal from TRNG10 , potentially generating a truncated protein with oncogenic properties.
Formation of Al2O3–TiC Composite Nano‐Particles Synthesized from Carbon‐Coated Precursors

The formation of nano-sized alumina-titanium carbide (Al 2 O 3 -TiC) composite powders from a carbon-coated titanium dioxide-aluminum (TiO 2 -Al) mixture was investigated. The carbon-coated TiO 2 -Al mixture altered the mechanism of the reaction, compared with standard mixtures, to produce high-quality nano-sized Al 2 O 3 -TiC powders. Data synthesized from intermediate temperatures indicate that these products form via Ti 2 O 3 and Al 3 Ti. TEM images of the Al 2 O 3 -TiC powders showed fine size (50-100 nm), narrow size distribution, and lack of agglomeration. DSC data for the carbon-coated TiO 2 -Al mixture showed a single endothermic and four successive weak exothermic reactions as the carbon coating moderated the heat release during the reaction.
Using new satellite data would improve hurricane forecasts

To track and forecast the development of dangerous tropical cyclones, the National Weather Service's National Centers for Environmental Prediction uses a model known as the Hurricane Weather Research and Forecasting (HWRF) system. HWRF is an operational model that calculates a hurricane's likely path and intensity, but the system currently does not use data pulled from weather satellites because of mixed results when data were assimilated from early weather satellites.
A Two-Dimensional Array Receiver for Reducing Refraction Artifacts in Ultrasonic Computed Tomography of Attenuation

Abstrucf-Conventional ultrasonic computed tomography (UCT) of attenuation yields images having significant refraction artifacts. A large-aperture two-dimensional receiving array has been fabricated and used to acquire UCT attenuation data. Reconstructed images demonstrate signi6cantly decreased corruption by refraction. The array images exhibit reducededge-enhancement artifacts, although artifacts are still significant in the worst cases. The artifact reduction should allow for reasonably meaningful estimates of attenuation coefficient since, for example, attenuation coefficient from very refraction-dependent single-element UCT has correlated with breast lesion pathology.
Cardiac fibroblast paracrine factors alter impulse conduction and ion channel expression of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes

Aims The pathological proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) in response to heart injury results in fibrosis, which correlates with arrhythmia generation and heart failure. Here we systematically examined the effect of fibroblast-derived paracrine factors on electrical propagation in cardiomyocytes. Methods and results Neonatal rat cardiac monolayers were exposed for 24 h to media conditioned by CFs. Optical mapping, sharp microelectrode recordings, quantitative RT–PCR, and immunostaining were used to assess the changes in the propagation and shape of the action potential and underlying changes in gene and protein expression. The fibroblast paracrine factors produced a 52% reduction in cardiac conduction velocity, a 217% prolongation of action potential duration, a 64% decrease of maximum capture rate, a 21% increase in membrane resting potential, and an 80% decrease of action potential upstroke velocity. These effects were dose dependent and partially reversible with removal of the conditioned media. No fibroblast proliferation, cardiomyocyte apoptosis, or decreased connexin-43 expression, phosphorylation, and function were found in conditioned cardiac cultures. In contrast, the expression of the fast sodium, inward rectifying potassium, and transient outward potassium channels were, respectively, reduced 3.8-, 6.6-fold, and to undetectable levels. The expression of β-myosin heavy chain increased 17.4-fold. No electrophysiological changes were observed from media conditioned by CFs in the presence of cardiomyocytes. Conclusion Paracrine factors from neonatal CFs alone produced significant electrophysiological changes in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes resembling those found in several cardiac pathologies.
Restricted Boltzmann machines modeling human choice

We extend the multinomial logit model to represent some of the empirical phenomena that are frequently observed in the choices made by humans. These phenomena include the similarity effect, the attraction effect, and the compromise effect. We formally quantify the strength of these phenomena that can be represented by our choice model, which illuminates the flexibility of our choice model. We then show that our choice model can be represented as a restricted Boltzmann machine and that its parameters can be learned effectively from data. Our numerical experiments with real data of human choices suggest that we can train our choice model in such a way that it represents the typical phenomena of choice.
Organising Response to Extreme Emergencies: The Victorian Bushfires of 2009

How can people and organisations best respond to emergency events that are significantly beyond the boundaries of what they had generally anticipated, expected, prepared for – or even imagined? What forms of organisations are likely to be best able to cope with such events – and what procedures and practices will aid in their ability to do so? Obviously, extreme events – events that are in scope or scale or type beyond the range of our ordinary experience and expectations – by definition will occur only relatively rarely (and very rarely to any given emergency organisation). Nonetheless, when they do occur they tend to be of defining importance to the people and institutions that are thrust into them and that must find their way through them. September 11, 2001 in Manhattan and at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia; the Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004; Hurricane Katrina on the Gulf Coast of the United States (US) in 2005; major earthquakes like the ones in Pakistan in 2005, Wenchuan in 2008, Haiti in 2010, Chile in 2010, and Christchurch in 2010 – these and other catastrophic events catapult people and response agencies into a new, unfamiliar, and largely unexplored dimension.
Age-aggregation bias in mortality trends.

In PNAS, Case and Deaton (1) show a figure illustrating the “marked increase in the all-cause mortality of middle-aged white non-Hispanic men and women in the United States between 1999 and 2013.” The authors state that their numbers “are not age-adjusted within the 10-y 45–54 age group” (1).
Channelization: the two-fault tolerant attitude control function for the Space Station Freedom

The Space Station Freedom was comprised of "utility" systems, such as power generation and distribution, thermal management, and data processing, and "user" systems such as communication and tracking; propulsion, payload support, and guidance, navigation, and control. These systems are required to work together to provide various station functions. To protect the lives onboard and the investment in the station, the systems and their connectivity had to be designed to continue to support critical functions after any single fault for early assembly stages, and after any two faults for later stages. Of these critical functions, attitude control was the most global, incorporating equipment from nearly all major systems. The challenge was to develop an architecture, or integration, of these systems that would achieve the specified level of fault tolerant attitude control and operate, autonomously, for the three-month unmanned periods during the assembly process. Additionally, this architecture had to maintain the desired utility of the station for each stage of the assembly process. This paper discusses the approach developed for integrating these systems such that the fault tolerance requirements were met for all stages of assembly. Some of the key integration issues will be examined and the role of analysis tools will be described. The resultant design was a highly channelized one, and the reasons and the benefits of this design will be explored. The final design was accepted by the Space Station Control Board as the design baseline in July, 1992.
Inter-organ communication and regulation of beta cell function

The physiologically predominant signal for pancreatic beta cells to secrete insulin is glucose. While circulating glucose levels and beta cell glucose metabolism regulate the amount of released insulin, additional signals emanating from other tissues and from neighbouring islet endocrine cells modulate beta cell function. To this end, each individual beta cell can be viewed as a sensor of a multitude of stimuli that are integrated to determine the extent of glucose-dependent insulin release. This review discusses recent advances in our understanding of inter-organ communications that regulate beta cell insulin release in response to elevated glucose levels.
Culture of Human Gastrointestinal Epithelial Cells

AbstractHuman gastrointestinal (GI) epithelial cells and tissues have been propagated in vitro for several months. Viability of typical epithelial cells with minimal contamination by fibroblasts was best achieved by mechanical harvesting instead of using enzymes for dissociation or subculture. Individual cells generally adhered poorly to glass and plastic although they did attach to some coated substrates. Although standard formulations of culture base media were suitable, there was a continuous requirement for conditioned medium and cultures were readily propagated in suspension. Cultures had a propensity to grow as "islands" of epithelial cells consisting of central dividing regions and external "differentiated" regions. As yet undefined factors from yeast and brain (or pituitary) extracts were required for optimal growth.
Two-Dimensional Phase Transitions Associated with a Surface Miscibility Gap in Cu-Ag Alloys

A surface phase transition associated with a surface miscibility gap has been observed on the (111) surface of Cu-Ag alloys both in computer simulations and in experimental measurements of surface composition. This transition is characterized by an abrupt change in surface composition associated with changes in either bulk composition or temperature.The simulations have revealed that the transition from a Cu-rich to a Ag-rich surface phase is accompanied by interesting changes in surface structure. The experiments show that the surface critical temperature lies somewhere between 505 and 560°C.
Time Dependent Response of Inconel 718

The time dependent response of precipitated hardened Inconel 718 is investigated experimentally. The experimental program is designed to determine the mechanical behavior of Inconel 718, which is extensively used in aerospace applications, at various temperatures, strain rates, and states of stress. Compression and tension tests are conducted at strain rates ranging from 0.0001 to 5000 s−1. For all tests, three dimensional digital image correlation is used to measure specimen surface strains. The results show that the material is indeed sensitive to strain rate.
Self-leadership, spirituality, and entrepreneur performance: a conceptual model

This article investigates the value of integrating the constructs of self-leadership and spirituality as a resource for entrepreneurs to handle entrepreneurial demands/stressors. Entrepreneurship requires individuals to use their personal resources as they develop their business ventures. Entrepreneurs face multiple challenges as they start and grow their endeavors. We propose a conceptual model showing how the constructs of spirituality and self-leadership influence each other and have an impact on the thought patterns and self-efficacy of the entrepreneur. In turn, the entrepreneur thought patterns and self-efficacy enable the entrepreneur to more effectively confront demands/stressors and thus improve entrepreneurial firm performance.