Late complications in traumatic coronary artery fistula: report of a case requiring surgical repair after 8 years

A full-length cDNA clone for a progesterone membrane binding protein from porcine vascular smooth muscle cells was isolated and the complete nucleotide sequence determined. The cDNA encodes a protein of 194 amino acids with a transmembrane segment. This protein is likely to represent the first steroid membrane receptor or a part of it for which sequence information is available.     

A new hybrid GA solution to combinatorial optimization problems— an application to the multiprocessor scheduling problem

The multiprocessor scheduling problem is one of the classic examples of NP-hard combinatorial optimization problems. Several polynomial time optimization algorithms have been proposed for approximating the multiprocessor scheduling problem. In this paper, we suggest a geneticizedknowledge genetic algorithm (gkGA) as an efficient heuristic approach for solving the multiprocessor scheduling and other combinatorial optimization problems. The basic idea behind the gkGA approach is that knowledge of the heuristics to be used in the GA is also geneticized alongiside the genetic chromosomes. We start by providing four conversion schemes based on heuristics for converting chromosomes into priority lists. Through experimental evaluation, we observe that the performance of our GA based on each of these schemes is instance-dependent. However, if we simultaneously incorporate these schemes into our GA through the gkGA approach, simulation results show that the approach is not problem-dependent, and that the approach outperforms that of the previous GA. We also show the effectiveness of the gkGA approach compared with other conventional schemes through experimental evaluation. This work was presented, in part, at the Second International Symposium on Artifiical Life and Robotics, Oita, Japan, February 18–20, 1997     

Identification and mapping of the Amazon habitats using a mixing model

A methodology is described for identifying and mapping floodplain habitats in a reach of the Amazon mainstream. A linear mixing approach was used to determine the fraction of three pure endmembers. This method was tested for two radiometrically rectified Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) scenes and the proportions of endmembers were used to identify the following classes: (1) clear/mixed water; (2) turbid water; (3) flooded non-forest; (4) flooded forest; (5) human settlements and (6) aquatic vegetation. The results were compared to visually interpreted Landsat TM images.     

Using dual‐polarized ALOS PALSAR data for detecting new fronts of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazônia

This study shows the use of dual‐polarized L‐band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data acquired by the Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS) Phased Array type L‐band Synthetic Aperture Radar sensor (PALSAR) system for differentiation between primary forest and new deforestation fronts. Results showed that the new deforested areas are not unequivocally detected in either of the single bands individually. Although most of the recent deforestation appears brighter than mature forests in the HH band, the identification of new deforestation using only this band depends on the stage of the clearing process. Then, the contribution of the HV band through a normalized difference index (NDI) is important for detection of the new deforested fronts. Results indicate that the method can be used as the basis for an operational programme to monitor deforestation in the Brazilian Amazônia.     

Induction by leptin of uncoupling protein-2 and enzymes of fatty acid oxidation

We have studied mechanisms by which leptin overexpression, which reduces body weight via anorexic and thermogenic actions, induces triglyceride depletion in adipocytes and nonadipocytes. Here we show that leptin alters in pancreatic islets the mRNA of the genes encoding enzymes of free fatty acid metabolism and uncoupling protein-2 (UCP-2). In animals infused with a recombinant adenovirus containing the leptin cDNA, the levels of mRNAs encoding enzymes of mitochondrial and peroxisomal oxidation rose 2- to 3-fold, whereas mRNA encoding an enzyme of esterification declined in islets from hyperleptinemic rats. Islet UCP-2 mRNA rose 6-fold. All in vivo changes occurred in vitro in normal islets cultured with recombinant leptin, indicating direct extraneural effects. Leptin overexpression increased UCP-2 mRNA by more than 10-fold in epididymal, retroperitoneal, and subcutaneous fat tissue of normal, but not of leptin-receptor-defective obese rats. By directly regulating the expression of enzymes of free fatty acid metabolism and of UCP-2, leptin controls intracellular triglyceride content of certain nonadipocytes, as well as adipocytes.     

The use of intraoperative ultrasonography for detecting tumor extension in bile duct carcinoma

This study examined the intraoral changes of the elastic properties and roughness of a tissue conditioner after treatment with a fluorinated copolymer coating agent developed by the authors. The surface of the conditioner was treated with the agent on half of the internal surface of five maxillary complete dentures and was compared with the untreated half on the other side. The cushioning effects of the conditioners were evaluated by measuring the creep compliance strain-to-stress ratio. The value of compliance on the treated half was significantly greater than that on the untreated half. There was significantly less roughness on the treated side than on the untreated side. It was found that the coating provides an improved, glossy surface to the conditioner and may increase its useful life.     

Complex permittivities of IR window materials in the frequency range 18–40 GHz

Journal of Infrared, Millimeter, and Terahertz Waves - The complex permittivities of several infrared window materials have been determined at microwave frequencies in the range 18 to 40 GHz using...     

Design, development, and initial measurements of a 1.4-mm radiometric system

The development of a 1.4-mm heterodyne radiometric system and the initial measurements taken with it are described. TheDelta Tof the system at the antenna terminals was approximately18.5degK for a 0.25-Hz post-correlation noise bandwidth. Measurements show that the attenuation through the atmosphere at this wavelength is primarily due to water vapor, and an estimate of the zenith attenuation is given byA (dB)= 2.8w, wherewis the precipitable water in centimeters. Measurements of the antenna half-power beamwidths using the sun as a source show that at 1.4 mm the atmospheric turbulence effects are not appreciable for observations through the atmosphere at zenith angles less than45degwith a 15-foot antenna.