Novel mutations in the polyadenine tract of the transforming growth factor beta type II receptor gene are found in a subpopulation of human pancreatic adenocarcinomas

Between November 1994 and January 1997, 42 cases of cyanotic congenital cardiac defects underwent definitive surgery at Matsudo Municipal Hospital. We evaluated 30 cases, each weighing from 7 to 20 kg. The procedures were performed at the age of 9 months to 6 years (mean age-2.4 years). The body weights were 7.7 to 20 kg (mean weight-11.4 kg). The preoperative diagnoses were Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) in 19 cases, Fontan candidates in 6 and the others in 5. We classified them into 3 groups; Group A--15 cases were completed with non-blood transfusion, Group B--8 cases used only plasma protein fraction and Group C--7 cases used blood transfusion. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) system is a semi-closed circuit and priming volume is 400 to 600 ml. There is no difference among the 3 groups in operative age, body weight, operation time, CPB time, aortic cross clamp time, bleeding and postoperative state. The same results were obtained in minimum base excess and urine output during CPB and the changes of hematocrit and total protein. In Groups A and B, CPB blood was returned to the patient as soon as possible after CPB was weaned, but in Group C, blood transfusion was performed without the return of CPB blood. In all groups, hemodynamics were stable. Retrospectively, it is thought that blood transfusion was not necessary in Group C and the use of the plasma protein fraction was not needed in Group B. In conclusion, the open heart surgery can be performed safely without blood transfusion for cyanotic congenital cardiac defects.     

Overexpression of cardiotrophin-1 and gp130 during experimental acute Chagasic cardiomyopathy

The purpose of this study was to examine how antigen retrieval affected the yield of immunogold labeling on epoxy sections based on embedding with different amounts of accelerator. The concentration of accelerator DMP-30 (tri(dimethyl amino methyl) phenol) was varied in the range of 0-8% in the processing of the tissue for epoxy embedding. Immunogold labeling was performed on epoxy sections and LR-White sections of fibrin clots and renal tissue with IgG-deposits, and the antibodies used were anti-fibrinogen anti-IgG and, respectively. For some of the sections antigen retrieval was performed by heating the sections in citrate buffer. In all cases, the yield of immunogold labeling increased following antigen retrieval. The increase (%) in the yield of immunogold labeling as a result of antigen retrieval was larger for epoxy sections than for LR-White sections. The immunolabeling on high-accelerator epoxy sections exposed to antigen retrieval was about 20% more intense than on untreated LR-White sections both for IgG and fibrinogen. In addition to breaking fixations bonds introduced by the chemical fixation, we believe that the antigen retrieval also breaks bonds between the epoxy resin and the embedded tissue. The combination of increased amount of accelerator during tissue processing for epoxy embedding and antigen retrieval by heating in citrate buffer is a potent method for increasing specific immunolabeling on epoxy sections.     

Computer vision for interactive computer graphics

Vision can be a powerful interface device for computers because of its potential for sensing body position, head orientation, direction of gaze, pointing commands, and gestures. Such unencumbered interaction can make computers easier to use. We describe vision algorithms for interactive graphics and present vision-controlled graphics applications using these algorithms. Some applications employ an artificial retina chip for image detection or preprocessing     

Constructing free-energy approximations and generalized belief propagation algorithms

Important inference problems in statistical physics, computer vision, error-correcting coding theory, and artificial intelligence can all be reformulated as the computation of marginal probabilities on factor graphs. The belief propagation (BP) algorithm is an efficient way to solve these problems that is exact when the factor graph is a tree, but only approximate when the factor graph has cycles. We show that BP fixed points correspond to the stationary points of the Bethe approximation of the free energy for a factor graph. We explain how to obtain region-based free energy approximations that improve the Bethe approximation, and corresponding generalized belief propagation (GBP) algorithms. We emphasize the conditions a free energy approximation must satisfy in order to be a "valid" or "maxent-normal" approximation. We describe the relationship between four different methods that can be used to generate valid approximations: the "Bethe method", the "junction graph method", the "cluster variation method", and the "region graph method". Finally, we explain how to tell whether a region-based approximation, and its corresponding GBP algorithm, is likely to be accurate, and describe empirical results showing that GBP can significantly outperform BP.     

Active screening in RF coil design

Active magnetic screening can be made to operate satisfactorily at RF frequencies up to approximately 8 MHz for small diameter short solenoids. The principles can be used to construct magnetically orthogonal coils which are geometrically coaxial. Such coils have a wide range of uses in NMR.     

Use and maintenance of strategies: The influence of accessibility to knowledge.

Conducted 2 experiments in which the interaction between strategy use and accessibility to relevant knowledge was investigated. Ss were asked to memorize a list of categorizable words, and use of a categorization strategy was assessed. Typicality of the category exemplars was varied in a between-Ss fashion to manipulate accessibility to relevant knowledge and the S's experience with the strategy. Ss were then given a 2nd list of categorizable words to memorize, and the use of a categorization strategy was again assessed. In Exp 2, attributional data regarding strategy use were also collected. Results from the 2 experiments show that variations in accessibility to knowledge have a significant effect on strategy use on the 1st memorization trial. Experiencing highly typical items on the 1st list was found to be associated with continued use of the strategy on the 2nd list (i.e., ease of use on the 1st trial affected maintenance of the strategy). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

First Principles Calculations of Auger Recombination and Impact Ionization Rates in Semiconductors

A first-principles approach within the screened-exchange approximation to the density functional theory is proposed to simulate the impact ionization process in semiconductors. Results for InP are reported and discussed in comparison with those obtained for the most studied GaAs. The formalism is extended to the calculation of Auger recombination rates: the results for GaAs are found to be in good agreement with previous experimental and theoretical works. Moreover, Auger lifetimes calculated directly via Fermi's Golden Rule are shown to be in excellent agreement with lifetime values determined via detailed balance principles proceeding from calculated impact ionization rates.