cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Studies of Dielectric Breakdown Under Pulsed Power Conditions

In an effort to develop transmission lines with higher energy storage capabilities for compact pulsed power applications, ceramic dielectrics and their electrical breakdown strength (BDS) are being developed and studied. Results of research to-date show that the dense titania ceramics with nanocrystalline grain size (-200 nm) exhibit significantly higher BDS as compared to ceramics made using coarse grain materials when tested under DC conditions. Pulsed testing under similar electric field stresses have been performed and found comparable behavior [1]. Furthering the research has led to consider the electrical breakdown strength (BDS) of materials such as ceramic/epoxy composites. These ceramic/epoxy materials are of interest. This material seems to be more flexible, robust, and might have increased breakdown strength as compared to dense titania ceramics. The powders are available with nominal particle sizes of 50 nm to 400 nm. The crystalline ceramic powders have uniform spherical morphology, precise stoichiometry and high ceramic purity. The effects of rise time of high voltage pulsed power on the breakdown of the ceramic/epoxy composite material will also be the focus of interest. This paper describes our test results, reviews the statistics that are used to analyze the data, and relates our understanding to what has been accumulated in the literature to-date in the context of dielectric breakdown.
Look who is weaving the neural web: glial control of synapse formation

Historically, our understanding of synapse formation has been shaped by studies focusing on neurons. However, with advancements in live imaging techniques and molecular and genetic tools we are rapidly uncovering new roles for glia in synapse formation and function. Contact-mediated signals from glia instruct dendrites to become receptive to synaptic partners. Glia-secreted factors coordinate the assembly and apposition of pre-synaptic and post-synaptic specializations. Glial cells also provide cues that are required for synaptic maturation and remodeling of spines both during development and in the adult. As we continue to learn about glial contributions to synapse formation and maintenance, it is likely that glia-derived signals will emerge as potential therapeutic targets for diseases that involve aberrant circuit function such as autism, epilepsy and Alzheimer's Disease.
Man-made materials—an exciting area for hyperfine-interaction investigations

Man-made low-dimensional magnetic systems including surfaces, interfaces and multilayers, have attracted a great amount of attention in the past decade because, as expected, the lowered symmetry and coordination number offer a variety of opportunities for inducing new and exotic phenomena and so hold out the promise of new device applications. Local spin density functional (LSDF) ab initio electronic-structure calculations employing the full-potential-linearized augmented-plane-wave (FLAPW) method have played a key role in the development of this exciting field by not only providing a clearer understanding of the experimental observations but also predicting new systems with desired properties. One of the striking successes of theory in the last decade has been the calculation of hyperfine fields at surfaces and interfaces. Concurrently, several groups have followed the pioneering work of Korecki and Gradmann and have measured hyperfine fields at surfaces and interfaces. In this paper, we review new features of hyperfine-interaction investigations in man-made materials which emphasizes how the close interplay of theoretical determinations and experiment are essential because the hyperfine field is not proportional to the magnetization and so interpretations of experiment are totally dependent on theory.
The Effect of Achromobacter xylosidans in Adult Cystic Fibrosis Lung Transplant Recipients

Purpose Acromobacter xylosidans is a multidrug resistant gram-negative rod that has been recently described to colonize or infect the airways of 10-29% of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. We describe our single center experience of CF lung transplant recipients colonized with this bacterium prior to transplantation. Methods and Materials CF patients who were transplanted between 1995-2011 at our institution were reviewed. Patients with pre-transplant A. xylosidans colonization (ACH) were compared to those who did not harbor this pathogen (non-ACH). Variables collected included: time to positive ACH culture post-transplant, duration of intravenous (IV) antibiotics, number of inpatient days, and survival. Duration of IV antibiotics and the number of inpatient days were analyzed by a Mann-Whitney U test, while survival was compared using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results 48 of 474 patients had a CF diagnosis; 10 (21%) were colonized with ACH prior to transplantation. All 10 grew the organism after transplantation at a median of 125 days (3-1055 days) as detected by bronchoalveolar lavage performed during surveillance bronchoscopy. The ACH group was hospitalized a greater number of days after transplantation ( Table 1 ) and required significantly longer courses of IV antibiotics compared to the non-ACH group (p=0.048). ACH patients also showed a trend towards worse survival (p = 0.085) with separation between the groups noted three years after transplantation. Conclusions Longer post-operative hospital stays, a prolonged antibiotic course, and the possibility of poor mid-term survival when compared to non-ACH-CF transplant recipients, suggests a negative impact by the presence of ACH in CF transplant recipients. ACH (n=10) Non-ACH (n=38) P value Inpatient days, median (range) 87 (37-171) 50 (12-250) 0.084 Weeks of IV antibiotics, median (range) 12 (3-42) 7.5 (2-25) 0.049
The Stabilization Doctrines of Carl Snyder

I. The Qualitative vs. the Quantitative Schools of Credit Control, 600. — II. Subgroupings among Exponents of Quantitative Methods, 602. — III. Snyder's Methods, 603. — IV. History of Price Movements, 604. — V. Consequences of Non-War Price Displacements, 606. — VI. Fluctuations in Prices vs. Fluctuations in the Physical Volume of Trade, 606. — VII. Measurement of the Factors of the Equation of Exchange, 609. — VIII. Consequences of Fluctuations in the Ratio of Credit to Trade, 611. — IX. Sub-Normal and Abnormally High Rates of Growth in the Volume of Credit, 613. — X. Does Credit Control Trade? 615.—XI. Snyder's Theory and the 1929 Crash, 616. — XII. Snyder's Theory and the Present Depression, 618. — XIII. Necessity of Frequent Tests of the Credit Situation, 619.
Role of secondary hyperparathyroidism in the genesis of hypertriglyceridemia and VLDL receptor deficiency in chronic renal failure.

Role of secondary hyperparathyroidism in the genesis of hypertriglyceridemia and VLDL receptor deficiency in chronic renal failure. Recent studies have revealed marked down-regulation of hepatic lipase (HL), lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and very low density lipoprotein-receptor (VLDL-R) expressions in animals with chronic renal failure (CRF). Acquired deficiency of these proteins, which together play an important role in catabolism of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, is involved in the pathogenesis of CRF hypertriglyceridemia. Down-regulation of HL and LPL expressions in CRF can be completely reversed by parathyroidectomy (PTx), suggesting the role of excess parathormone (PTH). However, the role of hyperparathyroidism in the pathogenesis of CRF-induced VLDL-R deficiency has not been investigated before, and was studied here. To this end, VLDL-R mRNA (Northern analysis) and VLDL-R protein (Western analysis) of the fat pad and soleus muscle were compared in CRF (5/6 nephrectomized) rats, CRF animals with PTx (CRF-PTx) and sham-operated control animals. The CRF animals exhibited marked hypertriglyceridemia coupled with significant reductions in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue VLDL-R mRNA abundance and protein mass. Parathyroidectomy resulted in a significant, but partial, amelioration of CRF hypertriglyceridemia. However, in contrast to its effect on HL and LPL expressions, PTx did not improve VLDL-R expression, suggesting a PTH-independent mechanism for the latter abnormality. The differential effect of PTx on HL and LPL on the one hand and VLDL-R on the other can, in part, account for partial as opposed to complete correction of the associated hypertriglyceridemia with PTx in the CRF animals.
On the Connectivity of Large-Scale Hybrid Wireless Networks

Many real systems are hybrid networks which include infrastructure nodes in multi-hop wireless networks, such as sinks in sensor networks and mesh routers in mesh networks. However, we have very little understanding of network connectivity in such networks. Therefore, in this paper, we consider hybrid networks denoted by $H(\alpha,\beta)$ with ad hoc nodes and base stations and prove how base stations can improve the connectivity of ad hoc nodes in {\em subcritical phase}, that is, the ad hoc node density, $\lambda_{\alpha}$ is lower than the critical density $\lambda_{\alpha}^c$. We first study the impact of density of base stations, $\lambda_{\beta}$ on the connectivity, and find that with the existence of a positive density of base stations which have the same transmission range as ad hoc nodes, i.e., $\lambda_{\beta}>0$, the number of connected ad hoc nodes is $\Theta(n)$ with probability nearly 1, where $n$ is the number of ad hoc nodes. However, the size of connected ad hoc component scales linearly with $\lambda_{\beta}$ with probability nearly 1 when $\lambda_{\beta}$ is lower than $c_1(\lambda_{\alpha})$. We then study the impact of transmission range of base stations, $r_{\beta}$ on the connectivity, and find the additional benefit of enlarging $r_{\beta}$ to enhance the connectivity of ad hoc nodes.
Ultrastructural and other observations which suggest suctorian affinities for the taxonomically enigmatic ciliate Cyathodinium.

SYNOPSIS. Two species of the taxonomically enigmatic genus Cyathodinium, C. piriforme and C. cunhai, were studied in some detail at both light and electron microscopic levels. Data obtained strongly suggest suctorian affinities for the genus, since a number of structures or features are strikingly reminiscent of similar (if not homologous) structures recently discovered in ciliates belonging to the order Suctorida. Endosprits (suctorial tentacles?) of Cyathodinium show an arrangement of microtubules not unlike that known for several suctorians, especially Acineta and Tokophrya. Haptocysts or missile-like bodies, ca. 600 mμ long, have been observed within endosprits and free in the cytoplasm; again this is reminiscent of the complex organelles recently described from several suctorian groups. Mouthlessness, coupled with the presence of a ventral depression (functioning in gathering prey at distal ends of endosprits?) and the presence of food vacuoles in the cytoplasm, further support a suctorian mode of feeding. Finally, stages in the curious life cycle of Cyathodinium suggest neoteny and a basic similarity to endogenous budding processes in certain suctorians.
Geophysical tests of the gravitational red shift and ether drift

Abstract A conceptually simple earth-based experiment is proposed for measuring the gravitational red shift to a precision of 5 × 10 −5 and for measuring the ether drift to a precision approaching 1 × 10 −7 by placing synchronous atomic clocks at the top of Mt. Chimborazo in Ecuador, at sea level in Ecuador, at the bottom of the Ecuadorian trench, at sea level at the north pole, and at the bottom of and at the surface above the Mariana trench. The experiment is designed to measure the decoupled effects of both the gravitational red shift and ether drift components of time dilation. Using present technology, such a measurement would provide a factor of 3.4 increased precision over previous measurements of the gravitational ref shift and would stand alone as a precise test of the isotropy of space, interpreted as ether drift, on a geophysical scale.
Purification and partial characterization of feline α1-proteinase inhibitor (fα1-PI) and the development and validation of a radioimmunoassay for the measurement of fα1-PI in serum ☆

Abstract Alpha1-proteinase inhibitor (α1-PI) of the domestic cat (Felis catus) was purified from serum and a radioimmunoassay (RIA) for the measurement of feline α1-PI concentration in serum was developed and validated. Feline α1-PI (fα1-PI) was isolated using ammonium sulfate precipitation, anion-exchange, size-exclusion, ceramic hydroxyapatite, and hydrophobic interaction chromatography. The molecular weight of fα1-PI was estimated at 57,000 and the relative molecular mass (Mr) was determined to be approximately 54.5 kDa. Isoelectric focusing revealed four bands with isoelectric points (pI) between 4.3 and 4.5. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the first 19 residues was Glu–Gly–Leu–Gln–Gly–Ala–Ala–Val–Gln–Glu–Thr–Val–Ala–Ser–Gln–His–Asp–Gln–Glu. Antiserum against feline α1-PI was raised in rabbits. Tracer was produced by iodination (125I) of feline α1-PI using the chloramine T method. A radioimmunoassay was established and validated by determination of sensitivity, dilutional parallelism, spiking recovery, intra-assay variability, and inter-assay variability. A control range for serum feline α1-PI concentration was established from 50 healthy cats using the central 95th percentile. The sensitivity of the assay was 0.042 mg/ml. Observed to expected ratios for serial dilutions ranged from 105% to 141.18% for four different serum samples at dilutions of 1 in 35,000, 1 in 70,000, 1 in 140,000 and 1 in 280,000. Observed to expected ratios for spiking recovery ranged from 88.14% to 152.17% for four different serum samples and five different spiking concentrations. Coefficients of variation for four different serum samples were 4.57%, 6.45%, 8.52%, and 4.27% for intra-assay variability and 6.88%, 9.57%, 7.44%, and 9.94% for inter-assay variability. The reference range was established as 0.25–0.6 mg/ml. In summary, feline α1-PI was successfully purified from serum using a rapid and efficient method. The radioimmunoassay described here is sensitive, linear, accurate, precise, and reproducible and will facilitate further studies of the physiological or potential pathological role of α1-PI in cats.
LRP6 Holds the Key to the Entry of Anthrax Toxin

In this issue of Cell, Wei et al. (2006) demonstrate that the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 (LRP6) promotes endocytosis of the anthrax toxin into cells. LRP6 acts as a coreceptor with either TEM8 or CMG2, the two previously identified receptors for anthrax toxin.
The effect of grafted polymeric lubricant molecular weight on the frictional characteristics of nylon 6,6 fibers

Boundary friction between two crossed nylon 6,6 fibers has been reduced up to 6× by grafting polymeric lubricants to the surface. A modified adhesion model of friction, accommodating multiple materials on the surface, explains the variation in the friction coefficient with the molecular weight of the lubricant. The friction coefficient is proportional to the fraction of the surface covered by the grafted chain, represented by πR G 2 /A, where A is the surface area per graft site, and R G is the radius of gyration of the lubricant. It is also shown that for larger the grafted chains, the appropriate surface area fraction depends on πR G 2 /3A. It is argued that if R G of the grafted lubricant is larger than half the distance between graft sites, the next nearest graft site is used due to steric blocking of the nearest graft site.
Experimental Study of Aerodynamics Around Rotating Blades in a Lawnmower Deck

The objective of this study is to investigate the flow behavior within a triple-blade lawnmower deck by means of experimental techniques. The test section was constructed for velocity measurement with an open bottom and side-discharge. Velocity measurements were collected at several different tangential and axial sections inside the deck. The flow behaviors are observed using both a Laser Doppler Velocimetry (LDV) and a high-speed video camera capturing 2000 frames per second. Several different visualization techniques have been attempted: particle feeding, water vapor injection, tuft method, and others. To further enhance the experimental accuracy, fresh sod was fed into the system simulating normal cutting conditions. Along with the extensive velocity analysis, strain and static pressure were also examined at various surface locations along the blade using linear strain gages and a piezoresistive pressure transducer. It has been observed that the deck and blade configurations share equal significance in the resultant flow profiles.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Purple Drank Prevalence and Characteristics of Misusers of Codeine Cough Syrup Mixtures

A mixture of codeine cough syrup with alcohol and/or a soft drink known as “purple drank” has gained media attention in recent years as a drug associated with professional athletes and southern rap music. The existing research on purple drank consumption has primarily utilized samples of African Americans residing in the Houston, Texas area. This is the ?rst scholarly study of purple drank use outside of the Houston, Texas area among a general population of young adults, and indicates that purple drank use is not limited to African American males. The ?ndings depict higher odds of the use of purple drank among other racial and ethnic groups, males, and homosexual, bisexual, and transgender college students from urban areas.
Inducible nitric oxide synthase expression is selectively induced in astrocytes isolated from adult human brain

Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression has been shown to be differentially regulated among different cell types and species. In cultures of primary human fetal glial cells, we have shown that astrocytes rather than microglia express iNOS. In the present study, we extended these findings to primary cultures of astrocytes and microglia derived from adult human brains. Mixed cultures of adult brain tissue were stimulated with IL-1β and IFNγ, a combination known to induce iNOS maximally in human fetal cells, and the expression of iNOS was determined by immunocytochemistry. Cell types were determined by morphology as well as immunocytochemistry for GFAP (astrocytes) and CD68 (microglia). The results showed that in cultures of adult human glia, iNOS was expressed following stimulation with cytokines, and the expression was restricted to astrocytes. Astrocyte iNOS immunoreactivity was detected both in the cytosol and in a discrete paranuclear region, a pattern noted in human fetal astrocytes. These results demonstrate that the ability to express iNOS is common to both fetal and adult human astrocytes.
Estimation of residual stresses from elastic recovery of nanoindentation

In this study, an empirical model based on finite element simulations is presented for residual stress determination from the elastic recovery of nanoindentation. Finite element simulations show that the ratio of elastic recovery of nanoindentation to the maximum penetration depth, h e /h max, has a linear relationship to the ratio of residual stress to yield stress, σ r/σy , and increases for compressive residual stress, whereas it decreases for tensile stress. Nanoindentation tests performed on a bent fused quartz beam in this study, and on diamond-like carbon (DLC) and Au coatings in the literature, also confirm the existence of residual stress effects on the elastic recovery of nanoindentation. The empirical model has been used to derive the plastic properties and to estimate the residual stress of the mechanically polished fused quartz beam.
Upsurge of particulate peroxidase in ripening banana fruit

Abstract Peroxidase was isolated from the pulp of ripening banana fruit and assayed with o -dianisidine as hydrogen-donor. Cell macerates contained soluble and particle-bound peroxidase. Soluble peroxidase levels did not appreciably differ in pre-climacteric, climacteric and post-climacteric fruit. Particulate peroxidase levels increased 3-fold with the initiation of the respiration climacteric and gradually declined with the onset of senescence. Bound peroxidase was released from cell wall and membrane fractions with washing in 0–8 M CaCl 2 .
Institutional review boards' use and understanding of certificates of confidentiality.

Certificates of Confidentiality, issued by agencies of the U.S. government, are regarded as an important tool for meeting ethical and legal obligations to safeguard research participants’ privacy and confidentiality. By shielding against forced disclosure of identifying data, Certificates are intended to facilitate research on sensitive topics critical to the public’s health. Although Certificates are potentially applicable to an extensive array of research, their full legal effect is unclear, and little is known about stakeholders’ views of the protections they provide. To begin addressing this challenge, we conducted a national survey of institutional review board (IRB) chairs, followed by telephone interviews with selected chairs, to learn more about their familiarity with and opinions about Certificates; their institutions’ use of Certificates; policies and practices concerning when Certificates are required or recommended; and the role Certificates play in assessments of research risk. Overall, our results suggest uncertainty about Certificates among IRB chairs. On most objective knowledge questions, most respondents chose the incorrect answer or ‘unsure’. Among chairs who reported more familiarity with Certificates, composite opinion scores calculated based on five survey questions were evenly distributed among positive, neutral/middle, and negative views. Further, respondents expressed a variety of ideas about the appropriate use of Certificates, what they are intended to protect, and their effect on research risk. Nevertheless, chairs who participated in our study commonly viewed Certificates as a potentially valuable tool, frequently describing them as an ‘extra layer’ of protection. These findings lead to several practical observations concerning the need for more stakeholder education about Certificates, consideration of Certificates for a broader range of studies, the importance of remaining vigilant and using all tools available to protect participants’ confidentiality, and the need for further empirical investigation of Certificates’ effect on researchers and research participants.
Interactional synchrony: Genuine or spurious? A critique of recent research

In two recent articles, McDowall (1978a, 1978b) has challenged the micro-analytic work of W. S. Condon and Adam Kendon. Specifically, he has argued on the basis of his work that “interactional synchrony” is not a genuine phenomenon, but rather a statistically expectable “noise” in social interaction. In this paper, we demonstrate that McDowall's results are inconclusive because of confusion as to what constitutes interactional synchrony. We clarify these issues and place McDowall's experiments in their proper perspective.
Detection of significant residual stenosis of the infarct‐related artery after thrombolysis by high‐dose dipyridamole echocardiography test: Is it detected often enough?

Background and hypothesis: It has been reported that high-dose dipyridamole echocardiography test (DET) can be successfully used for the detection of critical residual stenosis of the infarct-related artery (IRA). However, we have recently noticed low sensitivity of DET for the detection of residual IRA stenosis in patients with single-vessel disease. This study sought to determine the value of DET for the detection of significant residual stenosis of the IRA after thrombolysis. Methods: Dipyridamole echocardiography test was performed in 55 consecutive patients after a first acute myocardial infarction before hospital discharge. All patients underwent coronary angiography 23 ± 6 days after infarction. Results: Nine of 19 patients with positive DET revealed new adjacent asynergy and all of the patients had patent and significantly stenotic IRA. Sensitivity and specificity of DET in identifying significant residual stenosis of the IRA were 24 and 100%, respectively. Among 49 patients with significantly stenotic or occluded IRA, 40 patients without adjacent asynergy during DET had higher baseline wall motion score index (WMSI) compared with 9 patients who revealed adjacent asynergy during DET (1.45 ± 0.30 vs. 1.24 ± 0.18; p 0.05). Conclusions: Our data indicate that sensitivity of DET in detecting significant residual stenosis of the IRA after thrombolysis is low. It seems that the extent of myocardial infarction affects the ability of DET to detect adjacent, but not remote asynergy.
Dyadic Protocols and the Acquisition of Complex Skills

This study investigated whether the benefits of distributed practice and deliberate observation could afford two trainees the same level of effective performance as an individual with all hands-on practice on a complex skill. In this two-part study, a total of 156 participants were randomly assigned to either an Individual protocol, Alternate Play and Observe (APO-Dyad) protocol, Observation Only dyad (OO-Dyad) protocol, Observed Player (OP) protocol, or the Alternate Play and Rest (APR) protocol. Consistent with the research hypotheses in Study 1, the analyses revealed no significant difference between the APO-Dyad, Individual, and OP protocol on acquisition scores. The OO-Dyad protocol participants performed significantly lower than the Individual, APO-Dyad, and OP protocol, as expected. In Study 2, the Individual, APO-Dyad and APR-Dyad did not differ significantly on the acquisition scores.
Estrogen and Sex Reversal in Turtles: A Dose-Dependent Phenomenon

Exogenous estradiol benzoate (EB) or estradiol-17 beta (E2) caused dose-dependent gonadal feminization of slider turtle (Trachemys scripta) embryos incubated at a male-producing temperature (26 degrees), suggesting that sex reversal requires a threshold dosage of these hormones. Even at dosages resulting in mixtures of males and females, nearly all hatchlings had normal-appearing ovaries or testes. Only 7 of 241 hatchlings had gonads that had not differentiated fully into ovaries or testes. Thus, with rare exception, estrogens exerted an "all or none" effect. The transport of hormone into the embryo varied with mode of administration and E2 was more effective than was EB at the lowest dosage used. These studies suggest either that exogenous estrogen is capable of coordinating cortical/medullary development in the gonad so that intersexes are prevented or that estrogen acts "upstream" of the developmental processes responsible for coordinating gonadal development.
Effect of Once-Weekly Oral Alendronate on Bone Loss in Men Receiving Androgen Deprivation Therapy for Prostate Cancer: A Randomized Trial

BACKGROUND Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in men with prostate cancer is associated with bone loss and fractures. OBJECTIVE To determine whether once-weekly oral bisphosphonate can prevent bone loss and reduce bone turnover in men receiving ADT. DESIGN Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, partial crossover trial. First-year, preplanned analysis of a 2-group, parallel-design phase. SETTING University medical center. PATIENTS 112 men with nonmetastatic prostate cancer receiving ADT. INTERVENTION Alendronate, 70 mg once weekly, or placebo. All patients received calcium and vitamin D supplementation. MEASUREMENTS Bone mineral density of the spine and hip and markers of bone resorption and formation. RESULTS At baseline, 39% of men had osteoporosis and 52% had low bone mass. In men treated with alendronate, bone mineral density increased over 1 year by 3.7% (95% CI, 2.8% to 4.6%; P < 0.001) at the spine and 1.6% (CI, 0.4% to 2.8%; P = 0.008) at the femoral neck. Men in the placebo group had losses of 1.4% (CI, -2.7% to - 0.03%; P = 0.045) at the spine and 0.7% (CI, -1.5% to 0.01%; P = 0.081) at the femoral neck. At 12 months, the difference between the 2 groups was 5.1 percentage points (CI, 3.5 to 6.7 percentage points; P < 0.001) at the spine and was 2.3 percentage points (CI, 1.0 to 3.7 percentage points; P < 0.001) at the femoral neck. Bone turnover statistically significantly decreased with active therapy compared with placebo. The groups did not differ in adverse events. LIMITATIONS The study was short (1 year) and was not powered to detect differences in the frequency of fractures. CONCLUSIONS Bone loss that occurred with ADT was prevented and improved with once-weekly oral alendronate. Because most men have low bone mass or osteoporosis, physicians should assess their patients' bone density and provide preventive and therapeutic measures as appropriate. ClinicalTrials.gov registration number: NCT00048841.
The nitric oxide pathway and oxidative stress in heart failure.

Chronic heart failure is associated with pathophysiologic alterations in myocardial and vascular function. Accompanying these changes are increased oxidative stress and modulation of the nitric oxide pathway. The role of the nitric oxide(.) pathway in heart failure and the effect of its interaction with reactive oxygen species are complex, with diverse pathophysiologic implications in both the heart and the peripheral vasculature. This review discusses current information regarding the nitric oxide(.) pathway in heart failure and its relationship with increased oxidative stress.
Stochastic game approach for replay attack detection

The existing tradeoff between control system performance and the detection rate for replay attacks highlights the need to provide an optimal control policy that balances the security overhead with control cost. We employ a finite horizon, zero-sum, nonstationary stochastic game approach to minimize the worst-case control and detection cost, and obtain an optimal control policy for switching between control-cost optimal (but nonsecure) and secure (but cost-suboptimal) controllers in presence of replay attacks. To formulate the game, we quantify game parameters using knowledge of the system dynamics, controller design and utilized statistical detector. We show that the optimal strategy for the system exists, and present a suboptimal algorithm used to calculate the system's strategy by combining robust game techniques and a finite horizon stationary stochastic game algorithm. Our approach can be generalized for any system with multiple finite cost, time-invariant linear controllers/estimators/intrusion detectors.
On-line sensing for healthier FPGA systems

Electronic systems increasingly suffer from component variation, thermal hotspots, uneven wearout, and other subtle physical phenomena. Systems based on FPGAs have unique opportunities for adapting to such effects. Required, however, is a low-cost, fine-grained method for sensing physical parameters. This paper presents an approach to on-line sensing that includes a compact multi-use sensor implemented in reconfigurable logic, methods for instrumenting an application, and enhanced measurement procedures. The sensor utilizes a highly-efficient counter and improved ring oscillator, and requires just 8 LUTs. We describe how to measure variations in delay, static power, dynamic power, and temperature. We demonstrate the proposed approach with an experimental system based on a Virtex-5. The system is instrumented with over 100 sensors with a total overhead of only 1.3%. Results from thermally-controlled experiments provide some surprising insights and illustrate the power of the approach. On-line sensing can help open the door to physically-adaptive computing, including fine-grained power, reliability, and health management schemes for FPGA-based systems.
Isw1 Acts Independently of the Isw1a and Isw1b Complexes in Regulating Transcriptional Silencing at the Ribosomal DNA Locus in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Transcriptional silencing of Pol II-transcribed genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae occurs at the HM loci, telomeres and ribosomal DNA (rDNA) locus. Gene silencing at these loci requires histone-modifying enzymes as well as factors that regulate local chromatin structure. Previous work has shown that the ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling protein Isw1 is required for silencing of a marker gene inserted at the HMR locus, but not at telomeres. Here we show that Isw1 is required for transcriptional silencing of Pol II-transcribed genes in the ribosomal DNA locus. Our results indicate that Isw1 associates with the rDNA and that this interaction is not altered in cells lacking other members of the Isw1a and Isw1b chromatin remodeling complexes. Further, the association of Isw1 with the rDNA is not altered in cells lacking the histone deacetylase Sir2 or the histone methyltransferase Set1, two factors that are required for gene silencing at the rDNA. Notably, the loss of transcriptional silencing at the rDNA in cells lacking Isw1 is correlated with a change in rDNA chromatin structure. Together, our data support a model in which Isw1 acts independently of the previously characterized Isw1a and Isw1b complexes to maintain a heterochromatin-like structure at the rDNA that is required for gene silencing.
Similarity of holomorphic matrices

Abstract Let Ω be a noncompact Riemann surface (e.g., the complex plane). The main result is that if A and B are two square holomorphic matrices on Ω such that for any z in Ω, there is a neighborhood of z with A and B holomorphically similar on the neighborhood, then A and B are holomorphically similar on Ω. This is then applied to extend results of Wasow on pointwise similarity. We actually prove these results for Bezout domains satisfying certain conditions, and then observe that these conditions are satisfied by the ring of holomorphic functions on Ω.
Thermal Changes during Rheolytic Mechanical Thrombectomy

Abstract Purpose To characterize thermal changes induced by rheolytic thrombectomy (RT) within an ex vivo venous model and evaluate resultant changes of endothelial and vessel wall injury. Materials and Methods Patent human saphenous vein segments without thrombus were mounted in an ex vivo perfusion system with a temperature probe apposed to the adventitial surface. RT was performed over a guide wire to facilitate device centering. Continuous RT was performed for 4 minutes with temperature recorded every 10 seconds. Pulsed RT was performed for eight cycles of 30 seconds followed by 10 seconds of deactivation. Mean temperature increase, maximum temperature (T max ), intimal/medial thickness, endothelial cell staining (CD31), and heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) expression were compared between untreated and RT-treated venous segments. Results Continuous RT produced a mean 7.6°C increase in temperature above baseline with mean T max of 44.1°C. Pulsed RT produced a mean 7.3°C increase in temperature and mean T max of 43.8°C. Differences in mean temperature increase ( P = .66) and T max ( P = .71) between the two groups were not statistically significant. RT-treated segments showed intima/media thinning (0.32 mm before RT and 0.18 mm after RT; P = .004) and reduction in intact endothelium (38.8% before RT and 13.8% after RT; P = .002). Staining for HSP90 showed a 3.1% increase in expression after RT ( P = .31). Conclusions RT in this venous model showed reproducible increases in vessel temperature and evidence of endothelial and vessel wall injury. Avoiding prolonged RT application to a focal vascular segment during clinical use may be beneficial.
Pulp Capping with Bioglass® and Autologous Demineralized Dentin in Miniature Swine

The purpose of this study was to compare the responses of mechanically exposed dental pulps which had been capped with three dissimilar materials: a bioactive ceramic (Bioglass), autologous demineralized dentin matrix (DDM), and a calcium hydroxide product (Life), with Teflon discs as controls. Mechanical dental pulp exposures were made after preparation of deep buccal Class V cavities in 48 teeth in four miniature swine. The exposures were capped and the cavity preparations restored with zinc oxide-eugenol (IRM) cement. The animals were killed after 90 days, the coronal 2/3 of the teeth removed, and sections prepared for either histological or microradiographic examination. The pulpal inflammatory reactions and the degree of reparative dentin formation were assessed from demineralized serial sections. A qualitative assessment of the degree of mineralization of the reparative dentin was made from microradiographs of undecalcified sections. The observations suggest that reparative dentin formation occurs under a variety of pulp-capping materials, but the structure of the reparative dentin varies with the material and the condition of the underlying pulp.
Residual nitrogen-15 recovery by corn as influenced by tillage and fertilization method

Tillage systems that create different surface residue conditions may also affect the recovery of residual fertilizer N during subsequent growing seasons. This study evaluated the recovery of residual labeled N fertilizer in the soil by corn (Zea mays L.) for two tillage systems and two fertilization methods. Five atom % 15N-enriched 28% urea-ammonium nitrate solution (UAN) at 224 kg N ha-1 was either surface-applied in the fall before any primary tillage or banded (knifed in) just before planting in the spring. Continuous corn was grown with either fall moldboard-plow (MP) or ridge-till (RT) systems. After the initial growing season, the recovery of residual labeled N in the soil by corn was determined for three consecutive growing seasons, and the soil profile was sampled periodically to measure residual 15N in the organic and inorganic pools. One year after labeled UAN application, from 16 to 27% of the initial 15N applied was found in the organic N pool and only 1% as inorganic N[NH4 + (NO2 + NO3)-N]. After four seasons, residual 15N in the organic N pool ranged from 13 to 24%. Less than 0.5% remained as inorganic N. Regession analyses indicated that about 5 kg 15N ha-1 yr-1 became available for both MP and RT systems with banded N, so the amounts were small. Total residual 15N recovery by corn grain plus stover for three seasons ranged from 1.7 to 3.5%, and was greatest for spring-banded fertilizer (p = 0.01). Because the amounts of residual 15N utilized were too small to affect corn growth, this N source appears to be negligible when considering corn-N needs.
Statistical wind analysis for near-space applications

Abstract Statistical wind models were developed based on the existing observational wind data for near-space altitudes between 60 000 and 100 000 ft (18–30 km) above ground level (AGL) at two locations, Akon, OH, USA, and White Sands, NM, USA. These two sites are envisioned as playing a crucial role in the first flights of high-altitude airships. The analysis shown in this paper has not been previously applied to this region of the stratosphere for such an application. Standard statistics were compiled for these data such as mean, median, maximum wind speed, and standard deviation, and the data were modeled with Weibull distributions. These statistics indicated, on a yearly average, there is a lull or a “knee” in the wind between 65 000 and 72 000 ft AGL (20–22 km). From the standard statistics, trends at both locations indicated substantial seasonal variation in the mean wind speed at these heights. The yearly and monthly statistical modeling indicated that Weibull distributions were a reasonable model for the data. Forecasts and hindcasts were done by using a Weibull model based on 2004 data and comparing the model with the 2003 and 2005 data. The 2004 distribution was also a reasonable model for these years. Lastly, the Weibull distribution and cumulative function were used to predict the 50%, 95%, and 99% winds, which are directly related to the expected power requirements of a near-space station-keeping airship. These values indicated that using only the standard deviation of the mean may underestimate the operational conditions.
African American Conspiracy Theories and the Social Construction of Crime

This article examines conspiracy theories about crime, drugs, and violence expressed by African American residents of Boston, Massachusetts. The theories attribute crime and violence to the clandestine actions of powerful whites. The data upon which the article is based were gathered in a series of peer group discussions among participants in neighborhood crime watch groups. The article describes the prevalence of the conspiracy theories in the sample of peer group discussions. It also advances arguments to explain why the theories persist and why they tend to be expressed in vague and multiple forms.
Field evaluation of a new biphasic rain garden for stormwater flow management and pollutant removal

Abstract Field-scale rain gardens were constructed using a novel biphasic concept, involving water movement from a saturated to an unsaturated zone in sequence, for increasing retention time of runoff and improving bioremediation. Hydraulic performance and removal efficiencies of the biphasic rain gardens were evaluated in natural and simulated runoff events. Influent and effluent of two replicate biphasic rain gardens from natural runoff events were monitored during a 2-yr study. Three agricultural runoff events with high concentrations of nutrients (i.e. nitrate and phosphate) and the herbicide, atrazine (6-chloro-N-ethyl-N′-(1-methylethyl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine), were undertaken during the summer of 2008. Five urban runoff events with spiked concentrations of nutrients (i.e. nitrate and phosphate) and herbicides, glyphosate (N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine), dicamba (3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid), and 2,4- d (dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) were applied to the rain gardens during the summer of 2009. Both peak flow and runoff volume were reduced by holding runoff in the rain gardens (mainly in the water saturated zone) until the next runoff event. The created biphasic rain gardens in our study were highly effective in removing nitrate (∼91%), phosphate (∼99%), atrazine (∼90%), dicamba (∼92%), glyphosate (∼99%), and 2,4- d (∼90%) under high levels of pollution loading with simulated runoff events. Increased retention time of runoff pollutants and water-saturated conditions, as determined by design configuration and rainfall size, intensity, and interval, were found to significantly affect overall nutrient and herbicide removal in the biphasic rain gardens.
Is cranial radiation necessary for cns prophylaxis in pediatric NHL

Abstract The records of 95 consecutive children ≤21 years of age with previously untreated diffuse histology NHL registered in our protocols from 1978 to 1983 were reviewed. Seventy-nine patients were considered eligible for analysis. The histologic subtypes represented included lymphoblastic (LB) 37%; histiocytic (DHL) 29%; undifferentiated (DU) 19%; poorly differentiated (DPDL) 9%; and unclassified (UNHL) 6%. Distribution of the patients according to stage showed Stage 1, 0%; Stage 11, 11%; Stage 111, 53%; Stage IV, 36%. Four different Memorial Hospital protocols for systemic chemotherapy were used (LSA2L2 73%; L10 9%; L1710%; L17M 8%); however, the IT (intrathecal) chemotherapy was uniform (Methotrexate: 6.0–6.25 mg/M 2 per treatment course) and was included in the induction, consolidation, and maintenance phases of all treatment protocols. Cranial radiation was not included in the CNS prophylaxis program. The overall median time of follow-up was 43 months. The overall CNS relapse rate was 6.3%, however, the incidence of CNS lymphoma presenting as the first isolated site of relapse in patients in otherwise complete remission (minimum follow-up of 19 months with 97% of patients off treatment) was only 158 (1.7%). Our data suggests that IT chemotherapy when given in combination with modern aggressive systemic combination chemotherapy, and without cranial radiation appears to be a highly effective modality for CNS prophylaxis regardless of stage, histology, or bone marrow or mediastinal involvement. Therefore, with the commonly used aggressive combination chemotherapy for the management of all stage diffuse pediatric NHL, and the known increased risk of leukoencephalopathy with combination of cranial radiation and intensive systemic and intrathecal chemotherapy, we believe that cranial radiation may not be indicated for CNS prophylaxis in pediatric NHL.
Heat transfer, temperature recovery and skin friction on a flat plate with hydrogen release into a laminar boundary layer

Abstract An analysis is presented for a two-component laminar boundary layer on a surface with zero pressure gradient and with mass release. The system of partial differential equations describing the velocity, temperature, and concentration field is converted by a similarity transformation into a system of integral equations. Numerical solutions are obtained on electronic digital computers for air flow with hydrogen injection, for Mach numbers 0 to 12, for free-stream temperatures 123 to 2000°R, and for wall-to-free stream temperature ratios from 1 2 to 6. Solutions for the condition of zero temperature gradient in the boundary layer at and normal to the wall surface lead to temperature recovery factors. The results are utilized to investigate the validity and accuracy of engineering correlations presented in [15]. The proposed correlations describe the reduction in heat flux into the wall surface and in skin friction reasonably well. No simple correlations have been found for the dependence of hydrogen mass fraction at the surface on the mass release rate and for the temperature recovery factor. Values for a free-stream temperature of 123°R show generally the largest deviations from the rest of the data.
Continuous-wave Doppler in the intraoperative assessment of carotid endarterectomy.

Abstract A sterile 8.5 MHz continuous-wave Doppler probe was used intraoperatively to evaluate the technical result of 229 consecutive carotid endarterectomies. Primary areas of evaluation included the proximal point of plaque transection and the internal and external carotid arteries at and distal to the termination of the endarterectomy. Subjective interpretation was made of the Doppler audio signal. Signs associated with inadequate technical results were a high-frequency signal indicative of luminal narrowing with a reduction in frequency distal to the area of stenosis, absence of a Doppler signal indicating occlusion, and a weak monophasic flow signal indicating poor distal perfusion. Abnormal signals were identified in 10 internal carotid arteries (4.3%) which prompted intraoperative angiography in eight and immediate reopening of the artery in an additional two. Significant lesions were identified in seven arteries (70%). Twenty external carotid lesions (8.7%) were detected by Doppler and in 19 cases (95%) a significant stenosis or obstruction was found when the vessel was reopened. Auscultation of a continuous-wave Doppler signal with a sterile probe at operation appears to have a high positive predictive value in the identification of both internal and external carotid stenoses. It is rapid, safe, relatively inexpensive, and avoids the problems associated with routine intraoperative angiography. (J VASC SURG 1985;2:817-20.)
Calculated K x-ray absorption spectrum of calcium

Abstract The K X-ray absorption spectrum of calcium has been calculated using the results of a self-consistent energy band calculation by the augmented plane wave method. The computed spectrum is in good agreement with experiment.
The Josephson effect in superconductors with heavy Fermions

Abstract The Josephson effect between a usual superconductor with even-parity pairing and a heavy-Fermion superconductor with odd-parity pairing would not be zero. Instead, due to spin-orbit coupling it would be of relative magnitude a/Ξo compared to the effect between two even-parity superconductors. a/Ξo, the ratio of lattice constant to pair size, is comparable to 0.1 for heavy-Fermion superconductors. Recent claims, that with strong spin-orbit coupling the even-parity to odd-parity Josephson effect should be of order unity times the even-even effect, are shown to be incorrect.
Pseudo-one-factorizations of regular graphs of odd order—II: products of graphs

Abstract We study the pseudo-one-factorization of regular graphs of odd order. It is shown that some classes of products (including composition and cartesian product) of graphs are pseudo-one- factorizable. In particular, we prove that a complete regular t -partite graph of odd order has this property.