cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Correlative Study of Postmortem, Electrocardiographic, and Spatial Vectorcardiographic Data in Myocardial Infarction

The spatial vectorcardiograms (sVCG) and electrocardiograms were studied with respect to the gross and microscopic data in 59 instances of myocardial infarction. Besides the early abnormalities in the QRS sE-loop frequently associated with the electrocardiographic Q of infarction, there were recognizable alterations in the sVCG associated with the anatomic location of the infarction: lateral wall infarcts shortened vectors in mid-QRS sE-loop, and posterior lateral basal infarction altered the terminal portion distinctively. The myocardial lesions included fresh infarcts, solid scars, scattered fibrosis, and scar with interwoven intact muscle fibers. Where many normal-appearing fibers were present in the lesion, the previously recorded ECG or sVCG frequently failed to show the diagnostic signs of infarction. However, by presenting the depolarization complex in greater detail, the sVCG supplemented the ECG, improving the accuracy of diagnosis of infarction, especially among the smaller, less solid lesions.
Radical Host-Specific Therapies for TB

Although proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF are critical for containment of tuberculosis, they can also exacerbate disease when produced at high levels. In this issue of Cell , Roca and Ramakrishnan demonstrate that high TNF production induces reactive oxygen species in infected macrophages, ultimately leading to macrophage necrosis and bacterial dissemination.
Median raphe serotonergic innervation of medial septum/diagonal band of broca (MSDB) parvalbumin-containing neurons: possible involvement of the MSDB in the desynchronization of the hippocampal EEG.

Activation of median raphe serotonergic neurons results in the desynchronization of hippocampal electroencephalographic (EEG) activity. This could be a direct effect, because serotonin (5-HT) fibers terminate on a specific population of hippocampal interneurons. On the other hand, it could be an indirect action through the medial septum/diagonal band of Broca (MSDB) pacemaker cells, because, in addition to previously described inhibitory effects, excitatory actions of 5-HT have been demonstrated on MSDB γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-containing neurons through 5-HT2A receptors. Electron microscopic double immunostaining for Phaseolus vulgaris-leucoagglutinin (PHA-L) injected into the median raphe (MR) and parvalbumin, choline acetyltransferase, or calretinin as well as double immunostaining for 5-HT and parvalbumin, and colocalization for parvalbumin and 5-HT2A receptors were done in rats. The results demonstrated that: 1) MR axons form perisomatic and peridendritic baskets and asymmetric synaptic contacts on MSDB parvalbumin neurons; 2) these fibers do not terminate on septal cholinergic and calretinin neurons; 3) 5-HT fibers form synapses identical to those formed by PHA-L-immunolabeled axons with parvalbumin neurons; and 4) MSDB parvalbumin cells contain 5-HT2A receptors. These observations indicate that 5-HT has a dual action on the activity of hippocampal principal cells: 1) an inhibition of the input sector by activation of hippocampal GABA neurons that terminate exclusively on apical dendrites of pyramidal cells, and 2) a disinhibition of the output sector of principal neurons. MSDB parvalbumin-containing GABAergic neurons specifically innervate hippocampal basket and chandelier cells. Thus, 5-HT-elicited activation of MSDB GABAergic neurons will result in a powerful inhibition of these GABA neurons. J. Comp. Neurol. 410:586–598, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Laparoscopic radical cystectomy

Localized muscle-invasive bladder cancer is most commonly treated by radical surgical removal of the bladder (1). However, radical cystectomy is indeed a major abdominal surgery with a lengthy hospital stay and protracted recovery period (2). With the advances in laparoscopy technique, most ablative surgeries in urology can be performed using a minimally invasive approach. Laparoscopic radical cystectomy can potentially preclude the significant postoperative morbidity inherent to the open procedure.
Effects of Slow‐Release Fertilizers on Tomato Growth and Nitrogen Leaching

Tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) were grown in 9.46‐L plastic pots in a glasshouse for evaluation of their growth and nitrogen (N) losses through leaching. Plants were fertilized with either ammonium nitrate (AN) or one of three slow‐release N fertilizers. The slow‐release N fertilizers were Georgia Pacific liquid 30‐0‐0 (L30), Georgia Pacific granular 42‐0‐0 (N42), and Georgia Pacific granular 24‐0‐0 (N24). Each fertilizer was applied at 112 low N rate (L) and 224 high N rate (H) kg N ha−1. The pots were filled with either a sandy soil from Florida or a loam soil from Georgia. Increasing the N rate did not influence shoot biomass at 19 days after transplanting (DAT) and increased biomass production at 77 DAT. Shoot biomass differed significantly among fertilizer treatments. The accumulation of N in shoots was significantly influenced by fertilizer source, rate, and soil type. The plants grown in the loam soil accumulated significantly more N than those grown in the sandy soil with the same treatm...
Stereoscopic depth and binocular rivalry

Abstract The possible inhibition or suppression of stereoscopic depth perception in the presence of binocular rivalry was studied in carefully conducted experiments in which stereoscopic thresholds were determined. With the use of vertical lines and small details as stereoscopic stimuli, no evidence of differences in stereoscopic thresholds between rivaling and nonrivaling backgrounds could be found. Subjectively, it appeared that the presence of vertical lines, and those in positions to give rise to stereoscopic depth, seemed more to inhibit the rivalry.
The importance (necessity) of computational modelling for eyewitness identification research

Psychological science has a long tradition of formal modelling; however, the use of such models has begun to emerge only recently for eyewitness identification. Development and application of memory and decision models is critical to the advancement of eyewitness identification research. Formal modelling techniques are important not only to the advancement of the science but also to applications of the science through expert testimony and policy recommendations. Three examples of the interaction between model and eyewitness identification experimental research are discussed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Language: en
Service Businesses and Productivity

The records of superior performance of selected service firms over many years suggest that they may be more productive than others. This article uses the Theory of Swift, Even Flow to explain why that might be true. In the process, this article improves Schmenner's 1986 service process matrix. The redefinition of the axes of this matrix and of the resulting diagonal leads to enhanced understanding of productivity for service operations and helps to explain how some leading service companies have been able to sustain their competitive positions for decades.
An Amsacta moorei entomopoxvirus ortholog of the poly(A) polymerase small subunit exhibits methyltransferase activity and is non-essential for virus growth

Unlike the heterodimeric poly(A) polymerase (PAP) of vaccinia virus (VACV), the PAP from the Amsacta moorei entomopoxvirus, AMEV, is potentially derived from three subunits: a single large and two small subunits (AMV060 and AMV115). The VACV small subunit serves as a 2'-O-methyltransferase, a processivity factor for mRNA polyadenylation, and a transcription elongation factor. We wished to determine the structure-function relationships of the three putative AMEV PAP subunits. We show that AMV060 is expressed as an early gene persisting throughout infection, whereas AMV115 is expressed late. We demonstrate that AMV060 exhibits 2'-O-methyltransferase activity but the gene is not essential for virus growth. Absence of the AMV060 protein has no effect on the length of the poly(A) tails present in mRNA. No physical association was found between any of the putative AMEV PAP subunits. We therefore propose that mRNA polyadenylation does not require interactions between these three proteins.
Adiabatic model and design of a translating field reversed configuration

We apply an adiabatic evolution model to predict the behavior of a field reversed configuration (FRC) during decompression and translation, as well as during boundary compression. Semi-empirical scaling laws, which were developed and benchmarked primarily for collisionless FRCs, are expected to remain valid even for the collisional regime of FRX-L experiment. We use this approach to outline the design implications for FRX-L, the high density translated FRC experiment at Los Alamos National Laboratory. A conical theta coil is used to accelerate the FRC to the largest practical velocity so it can enter a mirror bounded compression region, where it must be a suitable target for a magnetized target fusion (MTF) implosion. FRX-L provides the physics basis for the integrated MTF plasma compression experiment at the Shiva-Star pulsed power facility at Kirtland Air Force Research Laboratory, where the FRC will be compressed inside a flux conserving cylindrical shell.
The formation of resonance-stabilized sulfur-based radical cations and their gas-phase reactivity

Abstract Gas-phase reactivity of several sulfur-based radical cations with various volatile neutrals was studied in a modified quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer. The radical cations were formed by two methods. The first method (introduced by Siu and co-workers) involved electron transfer from the sulfur-containing ligand of interest (all with a C S double bond) to Cu 2+ ion in a ternary complex upon collision-induced dissociation. The second method utilized aromatic/heterocyclic thiol compounds which upon oxidation formed disulfides. Collision-induced dissociation of protonated disulfides lead to homolytic cleavage of S S bond (often among other products). The radical cations produced by these two methods displayed very similar reactivity toward the five neutrals used in this study. This was explained by the resonance stabilization of these species within the N C S motif leading to similar structures. Density functional theory calculations showed that in all of these systems independent of the method of production most of the spin density resided on the sulfur atom and the C S bond held a partially double character.
Bacillus cereus neutral protease.

Abstract 1. 1.Bacillus cereus protease has been purified from culture filtrates by acetone precipitation, treatment with active charcoal, (NH4)2SO4 fractionation and chromatography over hydroxylapatite and DEAE-cellulose. 2. 2.The enzyme has been shown to be a zinc-containing neutral protease. 3. 3.The specificity towards a series of furylacryloyl dipeptides was similar to that of the neutral proteases from Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus megaterium and thermolysin. 4. 4.The B. cereus enzyme partially crossreacted with anti-thermolysin serum with loss of activity but did not crossreact with antisera to either the B. megaterium nor B. subtilis neutral proteases.
IC 1613 X-1: A GALAXY CLUSTER AT Z ~ 0.2 BEHIND A LOCAL GROUP DWARF GALAXY

Based on Einstein IPC imaging and spectroscopy, optical spectroscopy and optical imaging, I argue that the x-rays seen in the direction of the Local Group dwarf irregular galaxy IC 1613 are mainly due to emission from a previously uncataloged cluster of galaxies (CL B0102+0146) at a redshift of z ~ 0.2 and of richness class ~3, centered at the IPC x-ray position. The Einstein data are not adequate to determine if the x-rays are due to cluster emission or an AGN. However, both the available optical data, and the non-detection of this object in deep radio surveys argue that a hote intracluster medium is the source of the x-ray emission. The x-ray flux of this cluster in the Einstein IPC band (0.2-4.0 keV) is higher than 78% of the clusters in the Einstein Extended Medium Sensitivity Survey sample of Gioia et al. (1990). It is thus likely that only its position behind IC 1613 prevented its earlier detection.
Reduced DNA repair in mouse satellite DNA after treatment with methyl-methanesulfonate, and N-methyl-N-nitrosourea

We have measured DNA repair in mouse satellite and main band DNA as resolved by Ag+-Cs2SO4 centrifugation in response to treatment with the alkylating agents, methyl methanesulfonate, and N-methyl-N-nitrosourea. We find that there is a statistically significant lower incorporation of 3H-Tdr into the satellite DNA as compared to the main band at varying periods after treatment with the alkylating agents. This suggests a reduced repair activity in the satellite DNA. We have measured the extent of binding of 14C-methyl methanesulfonate to the satellite, and main band DNA, and no difference in binding was observed, indicating that the reduced repair activity of satellite DNA is not due to a difference in binding of alkylating agents. We believe that the reduced incorporation of 3H-Tdr into satellite DNA may be due to its location in the condensed chromatin fraction.
Technology roadmap: Wood/bio-energy pellet “renewable energy”

The worldwide energy system is projected to evolve through a major transformation from a fossil fuel basis to a renewable basis. Wood pellets are one option increasingly being used and studied as an alternative energy source due to its wide benefits: They can be stored and traded on the regional, national and international level; environmental benefits of reduced greenhouse gas emissions; relatively high energy density; and ease of use. This paper showcases a technology roadmap developed for the wood pellet industry. The roadmap was developed for the Oregon Wood Innovation Center (OWIC), College of Forestry, Oregon State University (OSU) in Corvalis, Oregon, USA. The roadmap includes a strategy layer driven by international market drivers, potential products, the technology and knowledge to support those products, and resources/partnerships needed to drive technological changes for wood-pellet energy. The paper also includes challenges/lessons-learned in developing this technology roadmap; with focus on one tool, called quality function deployment (QFD), which was found to be a gap in technology roadmapping literature and was implemented in this case-study with the result of far-wider implementation possibilities for most industries and future technology roadmaps.
A comparison of atherogenic potential of diets between Asian and Hispanic college students and their parents

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in energy intake, body mass index (BMI), and atherogenic potential of the diets between male and female Asian and Hispanic college students and between their respective parents. By doing this, we hope to unveil the dietary patterns that can lead to diet-related diseases, such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular problems, while there is still time for intervention. We assessed the three-day dietary records and heights and weights of 71 Asian and 81 Hispanic American students and their genetic parents (71 Asian parents and 81 Hispanic parents) living in the same household. Diets were analyzed for mean differences in calories, cholesterol, fiber, total fat, saturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, percent total fat, percent saturated fat, percent polyunsaturated fat, body mass indices (BMI) and atherogenic potential of the diets, namely, Keys score (KS), Hegsted score (HS), polyunsaturated fat-to-saturated fat ratio (PS), cholesterol index (CI) and cholesterol-saturated fat index (CSI) by the computer program Nutritionist III (V7) and statistically analyzed by SPSS. Asians consumed more calories and Kcal/kg than Hispanics, however, they possessed lower BMI than Hispanics. In both Asian and Hispanic groups, BMI increased with advancing age. The diets of the young and old Asian males possessed less atherogenic potential and saturated fat than the diets of the young and old Hispanic males. Between older females, however, no differences were found in dietary nutrients and atherogenic potential. Young female Asians had higher intakes of cholesterol and atherogenic potential than did the young female Hispanics. No differences in neither dietary nutrients nor atherogenic potential were found between the young male groups. These findings suggest that Asians and Hispanics are abandoning their traditional diets and are consuming a more Western diet. Using BMI and atherogenic potential of the diets, we found that older Hispanic males and young Asian females are at increased risk for diet-related diseases, such as obesity, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and coronary heart disease. It is important and necessary to provide dietary counseling to both young Hispanic and young Asian students to decrease any potential risk of disease.
Same Host-Plant, Different Sterols: Variation in Sterol Metabolism in an Insect Herbivore Community

Insects lack the ability to synthesize sterols de novo, which are required as cell membrane inserts and as precursors for steroid hormones. Herbivorous insects typically utilize cholesterol as their primary sterol. However, plants rarely contain cholesterol, and herbivorous insects must, therefore, produce cholesterol by metabolizing plant sterols. Previous studies have shown that insects generally display diversity in phytosterol metabolism. Despite the biological importance of sterols, there has been no investigation of their metabolism in a naturally occurring herbivorous insect community. Therefore, we determined the neutral sterol profile of Solidago altissima L., six taxonomically and ecologically diverse herbivorous insect associates, and the fungal symbiont of one herbivore. Our results demonstrated that S. altissima contained Δ7-sterols (spinasterol, 22-dihydrospinasterol, avenasterol, and 24-epifungisterol), and that 85% of the sterol pool existed in a conjugated form. Despite feeding on a shared host plant, we observed significant variation among herbivores in terms of their qualitative tissue sterol profiles and significant variation in the cholesterol content. Cholesterol was absent in two dipteran gall-formers and present at extremely low levels in a beetle. Cholesterol content was highly variable in three hemipteran phloem feeders; even species of the same genus showed substantial differences in their cholesterol contents. The fungal ectosymbiont of a dipteran gall former contained primarily ergosterol and two ergosterol precursors. The larvae and pupae of the symbiotic gall-former lacked phytosterols, phytosterol metabolites, or cholesterol, instead containing an ergosterol metabolite in addition to unmetabolized ergosterol and erogsterol precursors, thus demonstrating the crucial role that a fungal symbiont plays in their nutritional ecology. These data are discussed in the context of sterol physiology and metabolism in insects, and the potential ecological and evolutionary implications.
Standard Free Energy of Releasing a Localized Water Molecule from the Binding Pockets of Proteins: Double-Decoupling Method

Localized water molecules in the binding pockets of proteins play an important role in noncovalent association of proteins and small drug compounds. At times, the dominant contribution to the binding free energy comes from the release of localized water molecules in the binding pockets of biomolecules. Therefore, to quantify the energetic importance of these water molecules for drug design purposes, we have used the double-decoupling approach to calculate the standard free energy of tying up a water molecule in the binding pockets of two protein complexes. The double-decoupling approach is based on the underlying principle of statistical thermodynamics. We have calculated the standard free energies of tying up the water molecule in the binding pockets of these complexes to be favorable. These water molecules stabilize the protein-drug complexes by interacting with the ligands and binding pockets. Our results offer ideas that could be used in optimizing protein-drug interactions, by designing ligands that are capable of targeting localized water molecules in protein binding sites. The resulting free energy of ligand binding could benefit from the potential free energy gain accompanying the release of these water molecules. Furthermore, we have examined the theoretical background of the double-decoupling method and its connection to the molecular dynamics thermodynamic integration techniques.
Reflections on the Art of Social Work Practice: A Metaphor From the Drawing of a Swan:

The seed of this narrative was planted 20 years ago, when a troubled adolescent made a drawingof a swan. Stunned speechless by the image, the author takes the reader through her journey of discovery, marked by an examination of the prevailingepistemolog y that limits explanation and validation of the art of practice and the practice of art making. Language and alternative paradigms from diverse sources offer new possibilities.
The religious affiliations of american elites, 1930s to 1990s: A note on the pace of disestablishment

This paper tests the “disestablishment thesis” that America's Protestant Establishment has declined over the course of the century, especially in the last 30 years. Using Who's Who data from 1930, ...
pH-dependent effects of sodium tungstate on the steroid-binding properties of hen oviduct progesterone receptor

Effects of sodium tungstate on the steroid-binding properties of hen oviduct progesterone receptor were examined and were found to be pH-dependent. When freshly prepared hen oviduct cytosol containing progesterone receptor was heated at 37 degrees C for 20 min, its ability to bind [3H]progesterone decreased to 20% level of unheated samples. At pH 7, presence of 2-3 mM tungstate during the above incubation period reduced this loss of binding. At higher tungstate concentrations (greater than 5 mM), this stabilizing effect was gradually abolished. Similar results were obtained with preparations that contained [3H]progesterone-receptor complexes; 70-80% of which remained after a 20 min incubation at 37 degrees C in the presence of 2-3 mM tungstate at pH 7. At pH 8, presence of tungstate (1-10 mM) during the 37 degrees C incubation stabilized both the steroid-bound and the unoccupied progesterone receptor in a concentration-dependent manner. The extent of steroid binding by the receptor at 4 degrees C remained unchanged in the presence of up to 10 mM tungstate at both pH 7 and pH 8 assay conditions while presence of 20 mM tungstate lowered this binding capacity. These results indicate that tungstate effects may be mediated via its interaction with the progesterone receptor.
Analysis of Compression-Ignition Engine Design Concerning Engine Structural Loading Capacity

Present-day high-power compression-ignition engines are required in design not only to achieve a targeted high fuel efficiency, but also to meet regulated exhaust emissions standards. This paper investigates the effects of the in-cylinder combustion related design parameters, including cylinder compression ratio, fuel injection-start timing, and the amount of cylinder air charge, on engine performances and emissions as the engine structure-loading allowance is specified. Thereby the determination of those parameters to optimize the engine overall performances without exceeding the allowances in engine mechanical and thermal loading can be achieved. An enhanced understanding of those design parameters associated with the engine structural loading parameters, such as the cylinder peak firing pressure and exhaust temperature, is studied. The analytical prediction of the trade-off between those parameters with peak firing pressure contained is modeled and developed.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
On the Mechanism of Mass and Radioactivity Transport from Stratosphere to Troposphere

Abstract Periodic mass transfer by baroclinic disturbances and periodic debris concentration at the tropopause, such as might reasonably be associated with annual variation of tropopause height, are introduced into a simple expression for debris transfer from stratosphere to troposphere. The resulting expression shows an annual oscillation of transport which, for plausible choices of parameters, includes e. spring maximum and an autumn minimum. The expression shows also a semiannual oscillation with a phase angle consistent with certain observations of surface debris concentrations. This mechanism of downward transport by baroclinic disturbances was directly tested by an atmospheric radioactivity sampling program. Beta activities were measured at several levels in the troposphere on 13 occasions, mostly when dry baroclinic zones with air of recent stratosphere origin were anticipated. For several reasons, including forecasting mishaps, dry baroclinic inversions did not always occur at the time of sampling...
Effect of prior cardiac surgery on survival after heart transplantation

We conducted a retrospective analysis of 182 adult orthotopic heart transplant patients who underwent operations at our institution between July 1982 and October 1987 to determine whether prior cardiac operation affects survival. Group I included the 72 patients (39.6%) who had undergone a previous cardiac operation or operations and group II, the 110 (60.4%) who had not. The mean age of the patients in group I was 52.1 +/- 8.1 years and in group II, 46.1 +/- 10.2 years (p less than 0.01). The incidence of ischemic heart disease was 86.1% in group I and 29.1% in group II (p less than 0.01). All patients received cyclosporine-based immunosuppression. More patients in group I than in group II required reoperation for bleeding after transplantation: 18 (25.0%) versus 9 (8.2%) (p less than 0.01). The actuarial 1-year and 3-year survival rates were 77.6% and 66.5%, respectively, for group I and 77.1% and 66.3%, respectively, for group II. Because both groups had similar survival rates, we believe that prior cardiac operation in heart transplant recipients does not compromise long-term survival.
Role of 5′-Deoxy-5′-Methylthioadenosine in growth of several microbial B12 requirers

Abstract 5′-Deoxy-5′-Methylthioadenosine (MTA) figures in cellular methionine and polyamine syntheses. It replaces B12 for growth of the chrysomonad protozoan Poteriochromonas malhamensis at a ratio of MTA:B12 of approximately 10,000,000:1 (by weight). MTA does not replace B12 for other B12- requirers, e.g.: Euglena gracilis , Lactobacillus leichmannii , and Escherichia coli 113-3. The methionine synergism for P. malhamensis growth is also negated when B12 activity is annulled by alkali treatment; MTA is not inactivated by such treatment. The growth promoting activity of various deoxynucleosides and deoxynucleotides for P. malhamensis and other B12-requirers is reported here due to contamination by cobalamins. Ethionine antagonizes the growth-enhancing effect of MTA, methionine, and B12, individually and collectively - evidence that MTA plays a role in supplying methionine for P. malhamensis growth. MTA concentrations in body fluids and mammalian tissues are too low to interfere with the use of P. malhamensis for estimating only metabolically active B12.
Vibrational circular dichroism in the mid-infrared using fourier transform spectroscopy

Abstract Vibrational circular dichroism for several chiral ring molecules has been measured in the mid-infrared frequency range 1600–900 cm− using a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. These room-temperature VCD spectra are unprecedented in their combined resolution and signal-to-noise ratio. Several VCD bands show exceptionally large anisotropy ratios.
Bidirectional associative memories

Stability and encoding properties of two-layer nonlinear feedback neural networks are examined. Bidirectionality is introduced in neural nets to produce two-way associative search for stored associations. The bidirectional associative memory (BAM) is the minimal two-layer nonlinear feedback network. The author proves that every n-by-p matrix M is a bidirectionally stable heteroassociative content-addressable memory for both binary/bipolar and continuous neurons. When the BAM neutrons are activated, the network quickly evolves to a stable state of two-pattern reverberation, or resonance. The stable reverberation corresponds to a system energy local minimum. Heteroassociative information is encoded in a BAM by summing correlation matrices. The BAM storage capacity for reliable recall is roughly m<min (n,p). It is also shown that it is better on average to use bipolar (-1,1) coding than binary
Recombinant Uncertainty in Technological Search

While the course of technological change is widely accepted to be highly uncertain and unpredictable, little work has identified or studied the ultimate sources and causes of that uncertainty. This paper proposes that purely technological uncertainty derives from inventors' search processes with unfamiliar components and component combinations. Experimentation with new components and new combinations leads to less useful inventions on average, but it also implies an increase in the variability that can result in both failure and breakthrough. Negative binomial count and dispersion models with patent citation data demonstrate that new combinations are indeed more variable. In contrast to predictions, however, the reuse of components has a nonmonotonic and eventually positive effect on variability.
Interoperability: An Enabler for Drilling Automation and a Driver for Innovation

Drilling automation promises to reduce costs, increase safety margins, and improve the overall efficiency of drilling operations whilst maintaining a high-quality wellbore. However, realizing this vision necessitates that components which acquire, process, provide intelligence for “situational awareness,” and automatically execute instructions, share complete information. Effective decision support capabilities and the automated control of the drilling process can only occur with seamless communication based on standards that provide interoperability through an event-driven architecture. Many standards already exist in both the oil and gas and other manufacturing process industries. Yet, the lack of adoption of these standards and best practices is predominantly due to the fear of intellectual property being compromised. We have witnessed through message-based standards the mobile handheld market’s unprecedented proliferation of applications that will automate just about anything for your PDA (think Apple Inc.’s ”There’s an app for that”). Independent software vendors provide solutions that work seamlessly to interconnect business processes and other software systems enabled by the standards developed and adopted as a result of the Internet and the service-oriented architecture (SOA) movement. Key to this development has been the protection of individuals’ intellectual property through the encapsulation of processing and control logic. Harvesting innovation from these next-generation solution developers requires standardized messaging architectures and communication protocols. This paper will examine several industry segments to highlight how standardization at the level of interconnectivity has affected both their interoperability and innovation. Business models that promote and reward open innovation will ultimately drive solutions for automation. But interoperability will drive more than just automation; it is the key to shattering the myth around service complexity. Protecting intellectual property (IP) requires encapsulation of process and control logic and the adoption of appropriate interface standards. Standards enable the prospect of greater interoperability, reduce system complexity through modular packaging, and drive innovation.
Modulatory effects of the colonic milieu on neutrophil oxidative burst: A possible pathogenic mechanism of ulcerative colitis

Abstract An important hallmark of ulcerative colitis (UC) is mucosal neutrophil (PMN) infiltration associated with mucosal damage. This suggests that colonic chemoattractants such as bacterial products (e.g., N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP), lipopolysaccharide (LPS)) reach systemic circulation and attract PMNs to the colon. PMNs are then activated in the colonic mucosa and release their toxic oxidative metabolites. However, bacterial products are also present in the systemic circulation of healthy subjects. Thus we hypothesized that PMNs develop tolerance to colonic factors in the normal state and that this tolerance is absent in UC. We evaluated the PMN respiratory burst in response to stimulation with fMLP, LPS, or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) by measuring the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) with both luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence and a cytochrome C reduction assay. PMNs were obtained from control subjects, inactive UC patients, patients with UC who had undergone colectomies, and non-UC patients with colectomies. All three stimuli induced a significant rise in ROS. PMNs from non-UC colectomy subjects produced significantly higher ROS than PMNs from control subjects with intact colons in response to both fMLP and LPS. In contrast, PMNs from UC colectomy patients produced levels of ROS similar to those produced by PMNs from UC patients with intact colons in response to fMLP and LPS. Colectomy had no effect on PMA-induced ROS production in controls. The observed difference in fMLP-induced ROS production in control subjects with intact colons was not due to fMLP receptor down-regulation because a competition assay performed with the fMLP blocker BMLP showed a similar receptor apparent affinity in all four groups. We conclude the following: (1) the normal colonic milieu modulates the PMN respiratory burst, resulting in hyporesponsiveness of PMNs to “physiologic” but not “pharmacologic” stimulation. This effect is not due to receptor down-regulation. (2) UC colonic milieu does not appear to modulate PMN respiratory burst. This loss of PMN “tolerance” to colonic factors may have a pathogenic role in the sustained inflammation and tissue damage in UC.
Phase-Shifting for Nonseparable 2-D Haar Wavelets

In this paper, we present a novel and efficient solution to phase-shifting 2-D nonseparable Haar wavelet coefficients. While other methods either modify existing wavelets or introduce new ones to handle the lack of shift-invariance, we derive the explicit relationships between the coefficients of the shifted signal and those of the unshifted one. We then establish their computational complexity, and compare and demonstrate the superior performance of the proposed approach against classical interpolation tools in terms of accumulation of errors under successive shifting.
GaAs rectification-an enabling technology for high frequency operation of power MOS-gated transistors

This paper discusses three applications of GaAs rectification. The first application is a 600 V GaAs rectifier for power factor correction, the second is the low voltage application of GaAs in synchronous rectification and the third application is a medium voltage GaAs rectifier in output rectification. These applications of GaAs rectification demonstrate the potential performance improvement of this technology. Applications that can justify the cost of GaAs generally benefit in terms of switching performance at elevated temperature or ultra-low Rdson as shown by the examples in this paper.
Parenting Intervention to Reduce Attention and Behavior Difficulties in Preschoolers: A CUIDAR Evaluation Study

In this study, we evaluated CUIDAR, a program that provides community-based 10-week parent training to reduce attention and behavior problems in preschool children. We recruited 154 predominantly low-income and Latino preschoolers and their parents to participate in this evaluation study. We collected data prior to and immediately following intervention and one year later. At the time of follow-up, we also recruited 15 parents who had initially enrolled, but never participated in the program to serve as a comparison group for a limited set of analyses. From pre to post intervention, we observed significant, positive changes in eight out of ten measured parenting behaviors. From pre intervention to follow-up, improvements in the use of transitional statements and planning ahead were significant. Children’s SDQ Total Difficulties scores significantly decreased from pre to post intervention (d = .36), and we observed significant, positive changes in all SDQ subscales. From pre intervention to follow-up, children’s SDQ Total Difficulties scores significantly decreased (d = .71) and all SDQ subscales reflected significant, positive changes. We observed no significant differences in reported barriers to participation between parents who participated in the program and those who enrolled, but never participated. Intervention gains were moderated by several factors, including history of out-of-home care and family structure. Our results should be interpreted cautiously because not all analyses included a comparison group, and a randomized trial of CUIDAR effectiveness is still needed.
The role of oxidants and free radicals in reperfusion injury

While timely reperfusion of acute ischemic myocardium is essential for myocardial salvage, reperfusion results in a unique form of myocardial damage. Functional alterations occur, including depressed contractile function and decreased coronary flow as well as altered vascular reactivity. Both myocardial stunning and infarction are seen. Over the last two decades, it has become increasingly clear that oxidant and oxygen radical formation is greatly increased in the post-ischemic heart and serves as a critical central mechanism of post-ischemic injury. This oxidant formation is generated through a series of interacting pathways in cardiac myocytes and endothelial cells and triggers subsequent leukocyte chemotaxis and inflammation. Nitric oxide (NO) production and NO levels are also greatly increased in ischemic and post-ischemic myocardium, and this occurs through NO synthase (NOS)-dependent NO formation and NOS-independent nitrite reduction. Recently, it has been shown that the pathways of oxygen radical and NO generation interact and can modulate each other. Under conditions of oxidant stress, NOS can switch from NO to oxygen radical generation. Under ischemic conditions, xanthine oxidase can reduce nitrite to generate NO. NO and peroxynitrite can inhibit pathways of oxygen radical generation, and, in turn, oxidants can inhibit NO synthesis from NOS. Ischemic preconditioning markedly decreases NO and oxidant generation, and this appears to be an important mechanism contributing to preconditioning-induced myocardial protection.
Recurrence of Susac Syndrome (Retinocochleocerebral Vasculopathy) After Remission of 18 Years

Susac syndrome (retinocochleocerebral vasculopathy) is a syndrome of unknown pathogenesis. The triad of multifocal encephalopathy, visual loss, and hearing loss is caused by microangiopathy of the brain, retina, and cochlea. The illness tends to be monophasic, and to our knowledge, recurrence after years of remission has not been reported. We describe a 51-year-old woman with symptoms, signs, and brain magnetic resonance imaging findings consistent with recurrence of Susac syndrome 18 years after remission. Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of late recurrence of Susac syndrome when evaluating patients with a distant history of the syndrome who present with complaints referable to the brain, retina, and cochlea.
Factors that influence sexual arousal in men: a focus group study.

The goal of this study was to improve our understanding of men’s sexual response and its components as well as the factors or types of situations that men describe as facilitating or interfering with sexual arousal. Six focus groups, involving 50 mostly white, heterosexual men (M age = 35.2 years; range, 18–70), were conducted. As it was previously found in women (Graham, Sanders, Milhausen, & McBride, Archives of Sexual Behavior, 33, 527–538, 2004), men described a wide range of physical (genital as well as nongenital) and cognitive/affective cues for sexual arousal. Also, men described the relationship between sexual desire and arousal as being variable and complex, presented a wide range of factors that increased or decreased sexual arousal, and showed substantial variability in both the importance and direction of their effects. The findings may help further development of models of sexual response and inform discussions about gender differences in sexual desire and arousal.
Pulmonary Function in Singers and Wind-Instrument Players

Previous studies suggest that pulmonary function of singers and wind-instrument players may be better than normal control subjects due to breath-control training; however, prior studies were poorly controlled or limited in scope. In the present study, we compare 34 singers and 48 wind instrumentalists with a control group of 31 string or percussion instrumentalists using a pulmonary questionnaire, measurements of inspiratory and expiratory pressures, and spirometry. We found no significant difference between groups in maximum voluntary ventilation, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), mean forced expiratory flow during the middle half of the FVC, the FEV1/FVC, peak expiratory pressure, or peak inspiratory pressure, independently or when corrected for age, sex, height, weight, years performing, smoking, presence or absence of cough, or sputum production. Smoking correlated negatively with measurements of pulmonary function in all groups. There was evidence of a heightened awareness of health among singers, who exercised more and smoked less than their colleagues. The differences in health habits may account in part for the myth of improved pulmonary volumes among singers.
Densification and devitrification of fused silica induced by ballistic impact: a computational investigation

A molecular-level computational investigation is carried out to determine the dynamic response and material topology changes of fused silica subjected to ballistic impact by a hard projectile. The analysis was focused on the investigation of specific aspects of the dynamic response and of the topological changes such as the deformation of highly sheared and densified regions, and the conversion of amorphous fused silica to SiO2 crystalline polymorphs (in particular, α-quartz and stishovite). The topological changes in question were determined by carrying out a postprocessing atom-coordination procedure. This procedure suggested the formation of stishovite (and perhaps α-quartz) within fused silica during ballistic impact. To rationalize the findings obtained, the all-atom molecular-level computational analysis is complemented by a series of quantum-mechanics density functional theory (DFT) computations. The latter computations enable determination of the relative potential energies of the fused silica, α-quartz and stishovite, under ambient pressure (i.e., under their natural densities) as well as under imposed (as high as 50GPa) pressures (i.e., under higher densities) and shear strains. In addition, the transition states associated with various fused-silica devitrification processes were identified. The results obtained are found to be in good agreement with their respective experimental counterparts.
INACTIVATION OF TESTOSTERONE PROPIONATE IN THE LIVER DURING VITAMIN B COMPLEX DEFICIENCY. ALTERATION OF THE ESTROGEN-ANDROGEN EQUILIBRIUM

IN PREVIOUS publications (1–3) we have reported that deficiency of the vitamin B complex in female rats seriously impairs the estrogen-inactivating function of the liver, and that this function can be restored by the addition of brewers2 yeast to the diet. The investigation presented here is concerned with the effect of vitamin B deficiency on hepatic inactivation of testosterone propionate. Unlike the estrogens, inactivation of this androgen in the liver is not significantly diminished in vitamin B complex deficiency. It has been shown (4–6) that testosterone propionate and other androgens are normally inactivated in the liver. When pellets of androgen were implanted in the spleens of previously castrated rats so that the absorbed steroid must pass through the liver before reaching the systemic circulation, no androgenic effect could be detected. If the spleen containing the pellet was subsequently transplanted subcutaneously, and after establishment of a collateral circulation, its pedicle ligated, the ...
Aaem minimonograph #48: Autonomic nervous system testing

The autonomic nervous system maintains internal homeostasis by regulating cardiovascular, thermoregulatory, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, exocrine, and pupillary function. Testing and quantifying autonomic nervous system function is an important but difficult area of clinical neurophysiology. Tests of parasympathetic cardiovagal regulation include heart rate analysis during standing (the 30:15 ratio), heart rate variation with deep breathing, and the Valsalva ratio. Tests of sympathetic adrenergic vascular regulation include blood pressure analysis while standing, the Valsalva maneuver, sustained handgrip, mental stress, and cold water immersion. Tests of sympathetic cholinergic sudomotor function include the sympathetic skin response, quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test, sweat box testing, and quantification of sweat imprints. Pupil function is tested pharmacologically and with pupiilographic techniques. Tests of gastrointestinal and genitourinary function do not satisfactorily isolate autonomic regulation from their other functions. The available tests have various sensitivities and ease of administration. They are typically administered in a battery of multiple tests, which improves sensitivity and reliability, and allows probing of various autonomic functions.
Expert system for network configuration and diagnosis

An expert system to configure and diagnose a TNET multidrop network is presented. The TNET expert system (TEXSYS) was developed to ease the burden of device configuration and problem determination. It is written in the C programming language on an IBM personal computer, PS/2 model 80. A prototype development subsystem gives the user a tool to build and design the network. A configuration subsystem automatically initializes each node to the desired communication parameters. A diagnostic subsystem performs instream diagnostics while interacting with a running application program. All of these subsystems are merged together to form a single working expert system that is ready to lend assistance to the user. An introduction to TNET, the equipment used, the configuration, and the expert system implementation are given. >