cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Incidence of urethral disruption in females with traumatic pelvic fractures

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, in 1986 1.4 million female patients in the United States were admitted to inpatient and short-stay nonfederal hospitals as a result of injuries acquired secondary to trauma. Of these, 45,000 had traumatic pelvic fractures. Rupture of the urethra is the most important lower urinary tract injury associated with traumatic pelvic fracture because of the high incidence of serious complications, such as urethral stricture and incontinence. To our knowledge, there are no satisfactory studies in the English literature documenting the incidence of urethral disruption in females with traumatic pelvic fractures. The records of all women patients with pelvic fractures registered in the Latter Day Saints Hospital trauma registry between July 1, 1981 and August 31, 1987 were reviewed. Of 146 female patients with traumatic pelvic fractures who were hospitalized during this period, none was found to have an urethral injury. Two patients (1.4%) had bladder contusions, and one (.7%) had a bladder rupture. This was the first large series attempting to identify the true incidence of urethral disruption in females with traumatic pelvic fracture, and it was found to be a rare occurrence.
THE BLUNTING LINE IN ELASTIC‐PLASTIC FRACTURE

The blunting line evaluation procedure used in the ESIS standard fracture toughness test method “Procedure for Determining the Fracture Behaviour of Materials” is re-evaluated to see if a simpler format can be developed. An equation based on the ultimate tensile strength was found to represent the blunting line in a simple manner. This equation is in error at most ±5% from the analytical representation and is as accurate as the graphical procedure used to determine the blunting line. It is recommended that this equation be used for fracture toughness test standards which use the ESIS blunting line. A comparison of the ESIS blunting line and the ASTM blunting line is made using some J-R curve data generated with an elastic unloading compliance test procedure. These data do not favor one line over the other. Microscopic evaluation of the blunting line reported in the literature using the stretch zone width measured on the fracture surface suggests that the ESIS blunting line better represents the physical blunting process.
Planning to fold multiple objects from a single self-folding sheet

This paper considers planning and control algorithms that enable a programmable sheet to realize different shapes by autonomous folding. Prior work on self-reconfiguring machines has considered modular systems in which independent units coordinate with their neighbors to realize a desired shape. A key limitation in these prior systems is the typically many operations to make and break connections with neighbors, which lead to brittle performance. We seek to mitigate these difficulties through the unique concept of self-folding origami with a universal fixed set of hinges. This approach exploits a single sheet composed of interconnected triangular sections. The sheet is able to fold into a set of predetermined shapes using embedded actuation. We describe the planning algorithms underlying these self-folding sheets, forming a new family of reconfigurable robots that fold themselves into origami by actuating edges to fold by desired angles at desired times. Given a flat sheet, the set of hinges, and a desired folded state for the sheet, the algorithms (1) plan a continuous folding motion into the desired state, (2) discretize this motion into a practicable sequence of phases, (3) overlay these patterns and factor the steps into a minimum set of groups, and (4) automatically plan the location of actuators and threads on the sheet for implementing the shape-formation control.
Failure of surgical decompression for a presumed case of piriformis syndrome: Case report

Diagnosis of piriformis syndrome is difficult and its precise definition is highly controversial. In this article, the authors present the case of a patient who had clinical features suggestive of piriformis syndrome. During surgery the patient was found to have a rare variation in anatomical structures, in which the peroneal nerve was displaced by the piriformis muscle. Surgical decompression did not alleviate the patient's symptoms.
Assessing the Genome-Wide Effect of Promoter Region Tandem Repeat Natural Variation on Gene Expression

Copy number polymorphisms of nucleotide tandem repeat (TR) regions, such as microsatellites and minisatellites, are mutationally reversible and highly abundant in eukaryotic genomes. Studies linking TR polymorphism to phenotypic variation have led some to suggest that TR variation modulates and majorly contributes to phenotypic variation; however, studies in which the authors assess the genome-wide impact of TR variation on phenotype are lacking. To address this question, we quantified relationships between polymorphism levels in 143 genome-wide promoter region TRs across 16 isolates of the filamentous fungus Aspergillus flavus and its ecotype Aspergillus oryzae with expression levels of their downstream genes. We found that only 4.3% of relationships tested were significant; these findings were consistent with models in which TRs act as “tuning,” “volume,” or “optimality” “knobs” of phenotype but not with “switch” models. Furthermore, the promoter regions of differentially expressed genes between A. oryzae and A. flavus did not show TR enrichment, suggesting that genome-wide differences in molecular phenotype between the two species are not significantly associated with TRs. Although in some cases TR polymorphisms do contribute to transcript abundance variation, these results argue that at least in this case, TRs might not be major modulators of variation in phenotype.
Antecedents to Peirce’s Notion of Iconic Signs

I was led to do some historical work--not a work of Peirce scholarship--dealing with a Renaissance term, idolum. The problem of how to translate it led me eventually across the term icon in Peirce, CP, 4.447 (c. 1903?): An icon is a representamen of what it represents and for the mind that interprets it as such, by virtue of its being an immediate image, that is to say by virtue of characteristics which belong to it in itself as a sensible object, and which it would possess just the same were there no object in nature that it resembled, and though it never were interpreted as a sign. It is of the nature of an appearance, and as such, strictly speaking, exists only in consciousness, although for convenience in ordinary parlance and when extreme precision is not called for, we extend the term icon to the outward objects which excite in consciousness the image itself. A geometrical diagram is a good example of an icon. A pure icon can convey no positive or factual information; for it affords no assurance that there is any such thing in nature. But it is of the utmost value for enabling its interpreter to study what would be the character of such an object in case any such did exist.
Electrical Failure Analysis of Au Nanowires

Au nanowires were patterned with electron beam (e-beam) lithography and fabricated with an Au film deposited by e-beam evaporation. Two failure analyses were performed: failure current density and electromigration. It was experimentally found that the failure current density increases for the smaller width wire. Size and surface effects on the failure current density were explored. Also, in situ electromigration studies on Au nanowires were performed to characterize the activation energy of Au nanowires with a SEM.
Data-mining approach to production control in the computer-integrated testing cell

This paper presents a data-mining-based production control approach for the testing and rework cell in a dynamic computer-integrated manufacturing system. The proposed competitive decision selector (CDS) observes the status of the system and jobs at every decision point, and makes its decision on job preemption and dispatching rules in real time. The CDS equipped with two algorithms combines two different knowledge sources, the long-run performance and the short-term performance of each rule on the various status of the system. The short-term performance information is mined by a data-mining approach from large-scale training data generated by simulation with data partition. A decision tree-based module generates classification rules on each partitioned data that are suitable for interpretation and verification by users and stores the rules in the CDS knowledge bases. Experimental results show that the CDS dynamic control is better than other common control rules with respect to the number of tardy jobs.
High-efficiency matching network for RF-driven ion sources

RF-driven ion sources used at LBNL connect a 2 MHz transmitter to an antenna in the plasma generator through an impedance matching network. Previous networks are of low efficiency and require a high-power RF transmitter to excite the plasma. A new network topology provides significantly higher efficiency and matches very low-inductance antennas, with a geometrically preferred form factor. A dual-frequency network option allows a low-level 13.56 MHz transmitter to pre-excite the plasma, eliminating the need for other ignition devices such as a filament or laser, simplifying source construction. Experimental results will be presented.
The Relative Influence of Road Characteristics and Habitat on Adjacent Lizard Populations in Arid Shrublands

Abstract As road networks continue to expand globally, indirect impacts to adjacent wildlife populations remain largely unknown. Simultaneously, reptile populations are declining worldwide and anthropogenic habitat loss and fragmentation are frequently cited causes. We evaluated the relative influence of three different road characteristics (surface treatment, width, and traffic volume) and habitat features on adjacent populations of Northern Sagebrush Lizards (Sceloporus graciosus graciosus), Plateau Fence Lizards (S. tristichus), and Greater Short-Horned Lizards (Phrynosoma hernandesi) in mixed arid shrubland habitats in southwest Wyoming. Neither odds of lizard presence nor relative abundance was significantly related to any of the assessed road characteristics, although there was a trend for higher Sceloporus spp. abundance adjacent to paved roads. Sceloporus spp. relative abundance did not vary systematically with distance to the nearest road. Rather, both Sceloporus spp. and Greater Short-Horned Liz...
Oscillator performance and energy extraction from a KrF laser pumped by a high-intensity relativistic electron beam

A laser cell with 21 of excitation volume was used to study the electron-beam pumped KrF laser system at excitation rates of 1.8- 7.0 MW/cm3. The system was optimized as an oscillator for various mixtures of Ar, Kr, and F 2 at total pressures of 1000 and 2500 torr. The resulting optimum conditions gave an intrinsic efficiency (laser energy out/electron-beam energy deposited) of 12 percent for the 1000 torr total pressure mixture with an output energy of 11 J/1. An efficiency of 10 percent with an output of 40 J/1 was obtained for the 2500 torr mixture. The system was then used as an amplifier to measure the extracted power as a function of input power for the two mixtures. The small-signal gain go, the nonsaturable absorption α, and the saturation intensity I s were determined for the two mixtures. Analysis of the data gave g 0 = 16-18 percent/cm, \alpha = 0.75-1.25 percent/cm, and I s = 2 MW/cm2for the 1000 torr mixture and g 0 = 17-19 percent/cm, \alpha = 1.0-1.5 percent/cm, and I_{s} = 9 MW/cm2for the 2500 torr mix.
Preliminary validation of the short physical performance battery in older adults with multiple sclerosis: secondary data analysis

There are relatively few standard, objective measures for studying physical function among older adults with multiple sclerosis (MS), yet such measures are necessary considering the shift in prevalence and associated consequences of both MS and older age on physical function. We undertook a preliminary examination of the construct validity of Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) scores in older adults with MS based on an expected differential pattern of associations with measures of lower and upper extremity function. The sample included 48 persons with MS aged 50 years and older who were enrolled in a pilot, randomized controlled trial of exercise training. Participants completed the SPPB and other objective and self-report measures of lower and upper extremity function as part of baseline testing. SPPB scores demonstrated strong associations with measures of lower extremity function (|r s| = .66–.79), and weak associations with measures of upper extremity function (|r s| = .03–.33). We provide preliminary evidence that supports the validity of scores from the SPPB as a measure of lower extremity function for inclusion in clinical research and practice involving older adults with MS.
Gd3+-1,4,7,10-Tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7-triacetic-2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin/Pluronic Polyrotaxane as a Long Circulating High Relaxivity MRI Contrast Agent

A multivalent magnetic resonance imaging agent based on a 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPCD):Pluronic F127 polyrotaxane carrier has been synthesized, and its blood pool contrast properties have been characterized. This Gd3+-DO3A-HPCD/Pluronic polyrotaxane construct is shown to circulate for more than 30 min and provide >100-fold vascular enhancement relative to the monomeric Gd3+-DO3A-HPCD control that is rapidly cleared via the kidney. The high r1 relaxivity at 37 °C (23.83 mM–1 s–1 at 1.5 T; 34.08 mM–1 s–1 at 0.5 T), extended blood circulation, well-known pharmacology of the polyrotaxane precursors, and absence of acute toxicity make it a highly attractive blood pool contrast agent candidate.
Running with the Pack

Following on the heels of his 2010 book, The Philosopher and the Wolf, author Mark Rowlands examines the relationship between philosophy and running in his 2013 work, Running with the Pack. Born in...
The Extractive Industries Asserting Their Place in Global Health Pedagogy

The extractive industries play a central role in determining the social determinants of global health yet may not be a core subject of global health studies. This article describes how an undergraduate seminar in global health takes on questions and examples related to the “causes of causes” and challenges instructors to find a place for discussion of extraction of wealth, development, and health in their curricula.
Cloning of Clr , a new family of lectin-like genes localized between mouse Nkrp1a and Cd69

We report the identification of a novel family of genes, named Clr, encoding C-type lectin-like molecules, which maps in the natural killer (NK) gene complex (NKC) on mouse Chromosome 6. Genomic sequence analysis indicates the presence of at least seven members between Nkrpla and Cd69. By RT-PCR, at least three members of the family are expressed on interleukin-2-activated NK cells. Sequence analysis revealed complete open reading frames of 203-205 amino acids, with a carboxyl-terminal C-type lectin-like carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD). The CRDs of the Clr proteins exhibit a significant degree of homology with the known NKC-encoded NK-cell receptors. However, a key cysteine usually present in the CRD is missing in the Clr proteins, suggesting that their ligands and functions are distinct from other molecules encoded in the NKC.
Simultaneous Temperature, Density and Velocity Measurements in Laser-Generated Plasmas by Rayleigh and Filtered Rayleigh Scattering

Simultaneous Rayleigh and filtered Rayleigh scattering observations are combined to characterize the shockwave formed by a 30mJ laser generated air plasma between 0.75 and 4 μs after formation. A new variation on the Filtered Rayleigh Scattering technique is presented which allows temperature, density and radial velocity to be measured simultaneously, assuming a cylindrically symmetric blast wave expansion. The resulting temperature, density and velocity dataset shows good agreement with a modified analytical model of blast wave evolution. The energy deposited by the shockwave beyond 1.25mm radius is estimated from the data to be 8±1 mJ. This result is discussed in the context of net energy balance.
Enemies of Rhinocyllus conicus in Southwestern Montana

Parasites predators had an insignificant effect on a population of the introduced weevil, Rhinocyllus conicus Froelich, during the 1975 through 1977 growing seasons in Montana. Predation upon adult weevils was unsuccessfully attempted by several spider, four ant, and one tiger beetle species. One species of bird was an incidental predator of adult weevils. No parasitism was observed among eggs, pupae, or adults. Two native species of Hymenoptera caused low levels of parasitism <1%) among larvae.
Designing and Deconstructing the Fano Lineshape in Plasmonic Nanoclusters

By varying the relative dimensions of the central and peripheral disks of a plasmonic nanocluster, the depth of its Fano resonance can be systematically modified; spectral windows where the scattering cross section of the nanocluster is negligible can be obtained. In contrast, electron-beam excitation of the plasmon modes at specific locations within the nanocluster yields cathodoluminescence spectra with no Fano resonance. By examining the selection rules for plasmon excitation in the context of a coupled oscillator picture, we provide an intuitive explanation of this behavior based on the plasmon modes observed for optical and electron-beam excitation in this family of nanostructures.
Radiance-Based Model for Optimal Selection of Window Systems

Daylighting performance is one of the primary metrics used for evaluation and selection of window systems. Radiance is one of the most accurate software tools for lighting simulations of buildings. However, it is difficult to use Radiance in the early stages of the daylighting design because of the complexity of the tool and uncertainty and variability of the design parameters. Repeated modifications of different design parameters are required in order to select appropriate design. As a result, simulation runtime is significantly increased. To solve the conflict between accuracy and length of simulation runtime, this research proposed a two-phase model for selection of window systems that can be used in the early design stages. The model uses Radiance for daylighting simulations and calculates the daylighting metrics by utilizing the optimization methods. A case study was conducted to illustrate the application of the model. This model not only provided relatively accurate daylighting simulation results but also reduced the overall simulation runtime.
RECENT DRUG LEGISLATION IN THE UNITED STATES.

It is now apparent that the 1962 amendments to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act represent a substantial improvement in legal control over therapeutically useful but potentially hazardous drugs. Amendments relating to drugs require establishing the effectiveness of new drugs, progress reports on clinical investigations, accurate labeling, maintaining up-to-date standards of manufacturing, and registration of manufacturers. Provisions are made for marketing a drug only after it has met Food and Drug Administration requirements and for withdrawing or suspending a drug if findings suggest it is hazardous or ineffective.These and other pertinent aspects of the amendments are discussed in this article.
New Approaches to Positive Airway Pressure Treatment in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a mainstay of therapy in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This technology has gone through tremendous changes that resulted in devices that can recognize and differentiate sleep-disordered breathing events, adjust their output to these events, monitor usage, and communicate with the treatment team. This article discusses recent developments in treatment of OSA with PAP.
Nosocomial bloodstream infections: secular trends in a statewide surveillance program in Virginia.

Over a 7-year period (1978-1984) the authors studied the rates of nosocomial bloodstream infections in acute-care hospitals participating in a statewide surveillance network in Virginia. A total of 4,617 hospital-acquired bloodstream infections were documented among 1,807,989 patients at risk for an overall rate of 25.5 cases per 10,000 patient admissions/discharges (annual range = 22.1 to 30.7). Compliance of reporting for Virginia hospitals averaged 58% (1 to 5 monthly reports in a study year), and 39% (greater than or equal to 6 monthly reports annually). Significant changes in bloodstream infection rates (cases per 10,000 patient admissions/discharges) due to specific pathogens included the following: coagulase-negative staphylococci increased from a rate of 1.3 to 4.5 (P = .0003), and those due to all gram-positive cocci increased from a rate of 7.5 to 11.4 (P = .03). Candida species increased from a rate of 0.1 to 1.5 (P = .005). The data show a continuing rise of nosocomial Candida BSI and clearly document the re-emergence of gram-positive cocci as major nosocomial bloodstream pathogens.
Imaging and Mapping of Tissue Constituents at the Single-Cell Level Using MALDI MSI and Quantitative Laser Scanning Cytometry

For nearly a century, histopathology involved the laborious morphological analyses of tissues stained with broad-spectrum dyes (i.e., eosin to label proteins). With the advent of antibody-labeling, immunostaining (fluorescein and rhodamine for fluorescent labeling) and immunohistochemistry (DAB and hematoxylin), it became possible to identify specific immunological targets in cells and tissue preparations. Technical advances, including the development of monoclonal antibody technology, led to an ever-increasing palate of dyes, both fluorescent and chromatic. This provides an incredibly rich menu of molecular entities that can be visualized and quantified in cells-giving rise to the new discipline of Molecular Pathology. We describe the evolution of two analytical techniques, cytometry and mass spectrometry, which complement histopathological visual analysis by providing automated, cellular-resolution constituent maps. For the first time, laser scanning cytometry (LSC) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) are combined for the analysis of tissue sections. The utility of the marriage of these techniques is demonstrated by analyzing mouse brains with neuron-specific, genetically encoded, fluorescent proteins. We present a workflow that: (1) can be used with or without expensive matrix deposition methods, (2) uses LSC images to reveal the diverse landscape of neural tissue as well as the matrix, and (3) uses a tissue fixation method compatible with a DNA stain. The proposed workflow can be adapted for a variety of sample preparation and matrix deposition methods.
Universal method for producing ROX-labeled size standards suitable for automated genotyping

It ROX! Fluorescently labeled size standards are required for automated genotyping assays but are remarkably expensive. Recent publications for in-house production of fluorescently labeled size sta...
Colloidal Gold Labels for Immunocytochemical Analysis of Microbes

In considering the spectrum of research involving biochemical and genetic analysis of microorganisms, it is apparent that understanding the location and spatial orientation of the components studied often accelerates problem solving. Research on membrane structure and function, cell growth and development processes, and mechanisms of microbial pathogenesis is particularly likely to benefit from a visual determination of the position and movements of cell constituents. The application of molecular genetics and monoclonal antibody methods to vaccine development requires a clear understanding of what components are exposed on the surface of microbial pathogens and how they must be presented to the host immune system to be exploited as vaccines. Easy and rapid methods to determine such positional or structural information are needed.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Publisher Summary Obsessions are recurring and persistent thoughts, images, or impulses that are experienced as intrusive, distressing, and unreasonable at times. Responding to the experiences, the individual may neutralize them, using some ritualistic thought or action, or attempt to ignore or suppress them. These repeated behaviors or mental acts are undertaken to relieve anxiety provoked by the obsessions and are called compulsions. Compulsions are usually applied rigidly or excessively. From the patient's perspective, they restore safety or prevent a dreaded event. The intent of the compulsion is often hidden from the casual observer or even close family members. These symptoms consume at least an hour a day and interfere with the person's normal activities. The symptoms of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) are relatively common in the general population, but are not usually severe enough or do not interfere enough to meet diagnostic criteria. The content of clinical obsessive intrusions differs little from ordinary intrusive thoughts experienced by most people, but the former provoke much more anxiety and are more difficult to dismiss.
MOVPE Growth of LWIR AlInAs/GaInAs/InP Quantum Cascade Lasers: Impact of Growth and Material Quality on Laser Performance

The quality of epitaxial layers in quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) has a primary impact on QCL performance, and establishing correlations between epitaxial growth and materials properties is of critical importance for continuing improvements. We present an overview of the growth challenges of these complex QCL structures; describe the metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy growth of AlInAs/GaInAs/InP QCL materials; discuss materials properties that impact QCL performance; and investigate various QCL structure modifications and their effects on QCL performance. We demonstrate uncoated buried-heterostructure 9.3-μm QCLs with 1.32-W continuous-wave output power and maximum wall plug efficiency (WPE) of 6.8%. This WPE is more than 50% greater than previously reported WPEs for unstrained QCLs emitting at 8.9 μm and only 30% below strained QCLs emitting around 9.2 μm.
Reduction of Diphenylacetylene Mediated by Rare-Earth Ferrocene Diamide Complexes

The synthesis and characterization of Ln-C4Ph4-K, [(NNTBS)Ln(η2-C4Ph4)][K(THF)x] (Ln = Sc, Y, Lu), rare-earth metal complexes supported by a ferrocene diamide ligand, NNTBS (NNTBS = fc(NSitBuMe2)2, fc = 1,1′-ferrocenediyl), were accomplished. The preparation of the half-sandwich compounds, Ln-naph-K, [(NNTBS)Ln(μ-C10H8)][K(THF)2] (Ln = Sc, Y, Lu, La), was necessary in order to obtain high yields of rare-earth metallacyclopentadienes. Unlike Y and Lu, La did not show the same reactivity toward PhCCPh. The characterization of the new metal complexes was accomplished by NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction.
Thermomechanical properties of the Garden Gulch Member of the Green River Formation

Abstract Extensive well logging and laboratory rock mechanics experiments gathered within the context of in-situ retorting are used to derive an anisotropic thermomechanical model for deformation of oil shale from the Garden Gulch Member of the Green River Formation in the Piceance Basin of Colorado. Elastic moduli determined from sonic velocities are shown to be consistent with but about twice as high as those from static measurements at small strain. Porosity correlates inversely with organic content, and the relative contributions of kerogen, minerals, and porosity to sonic velocities are determined from a combination of new and literature data. Young’s modulus of kerogen derived by extrapolation to high kerogen volume fraction is consistent with measurements from previous workers. The temperature dependence and anisotropy of the triaxial tests can be described fairly well by Reuss and Voigt averages for a laminar material. The intrinsic (end-member) static Young’s moduli of the kerogen and mineral components are 1 and 7 GPa, respectively, with thermal softening of each described by apparent activation energies of 17 and 9 kJ/mol, respectively. Isostatic compression creep tests are used to further constrain the temperature dependence of the plastic deformation viscosity. The apparent activation energy for creep is about 35 kJ/mol. The thermochemical properties of the clay-rich Garden Gulch Member are compared to those of the dolomite-rich Parachute Creek Member. At low organic content, the Young’s modulus of the Garden Gulch Member is about four times lower, and the properties of the two members approach each other for high organic content.
Vascular complications in systemic sclerosis: a prospective cohort study

Two major complications in scleroderma patients that cause substantial morbidity and mortality are ischemic digital lesions (DL) and pulmonary hypertension (PH). The clinician’s ability to predict which patients will develop these complications is imperfect. We conducted a prospective observational cohort study of 300 patients with scleroderma who were followed for at least a 5-year period. At baseline, patients lacked evidence of PH and were without a current DL. At each 6-month visit, the patient was examined for signs/symptoms of PH and/or a DL. The primary outcomes were (1) PH defined as a mean pulmonary artery pressure ≥ 25 mmHg by right heart catheterization and (2) ≥ 1 DL defined as new onset of severe vascular compromise. Thirty patients (10%) developed PH (11 group 1/PAH, 4 group II, 15 group III) and 69 developed DL. The average time from enrollment until diagnosis of PH was 3.2 ± 2 years. In multivariable analyses, patients who developed PH were more likely to have diffuse disease (HR 3.2, p = 0.004), a forced vital capacity (FVC)/diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO) ratio > 1.6 (HR 1.7, p = 0.008), and elevated RVSP (HR = 1.07, p = 0.007). Patients who developed PAH were more likely to have a FVC/DLCO ratio > 1.6 (HR = 5.8, p = 0.014), and patients who developed group III PH were less likely to have an elevated FVC (HR = 0.92, p = 0.001). Patients were more likely to develop a DL if they had a history of prior DL (HR = 7.0, p < 0.001), or were men (HR = 2.3, p = 0.007). In a prevalent cohort of scleroderma patients, individuals who develop PH or DL have simple to measure clinical features that can predict these complications years before they occur.
Secret Science: A Classified Community in the National Laboratories

American scientists acceded to the imposition of secrecy in a pragmatic andpatriotic adjustment to the context of the Cold War. Scientists and managersin the national laboratory system accommodated the demands of nationalsecurity within a classified community, composed of a system of secretconferences, publications, and interlocking committees.
SOURCES, SINKS, AND CYCLING OF ARSENIC IN THE PUGET SOUND REGION

Abstract: The natural distribution of arsenic in the Puget Sound region is modified by a copper smelter which releases large amounts of arsenic in stack dust to the atmosphere and in liquid effluent directly into Puget Sound. This airborne material contributes arsenic to lakes and soils up to 50 km downwind, and supplies about the same amount of arsenic to Puget Sound as do rivers and the liquid effluent of the smelter. The major source of arsenic to Puget Sound is clearly the inflowing seawater. Most of the dissolved arsenic entering Puget Sound is removed by advection of surface waters out into the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Sedimentation processes including adsorption-desorption reactions with natural Puget Sound suspended matter remove less than 15% of the dissolved arsenic input. Hydrous iron oxides appear to dominate what removal of dissolved arsenic does occur. Both bell jar studies and analyses of arsenic in cores collected at the same station five years apart show there is no large flux of dissolved arsenic from the sediments back to the overlying seawaters. Vigorous tidal action quickly dilutes the anthropogenic arsenic; hence concentrations of arsenic in waters and organisms of most of the Sound are not elevated above natural concentrations.
Lymphocyte Activation by Endotoxin and Endotoxin Protein

A perusal of the literature on endotoxins in the past decade makes it clear that a renewed interest has developed to explain the multiple pathophysiological and immunological host responses to lipopolysac-charide endotoxin (LPS). In great measure this was due to the recognition that many of these responses were under genetic control. The genetic approach taken by numerous workers arose from the discovery of the mutant C3H/HeJ mouse strain, which is highly resistant to the toxic effects of LPS and which displays cellular responses both in vivo and in vitro that are diametrically opposite to those from normally susceptible mice (Sultzer, 1968, 1969). The availability of this inbred strain gave rise to a variety of comparative studies so that a rather extensive literature on this subject has accumulated and continues to do so. However, within the allotted space for this article, I will only attempt to highlight those aspects of the work with this strain that have dealt with the activation of lymphocytes by LPS, and to discuss in some detail the newer studies originating from the use of the C3H/HeJ mouse that have established that various proteins associated with the LPS in the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria are potent activators of immunocompetent cells.
The Voyage of Entrecasteaux: Part 1 Genesis & Preparations

La Perouse had sailed from Botany Bay on 10 March 1788 to be heard from no more. The first public expression of concern was made in a paper read to the Academie des sciences by Alexandre de Laborde in 1790. Early in 1791, a petition was prepared by the members of the Societe d’Histoire Naturelle for the rescue of La Perouse for presentation to the National Assembly. Andre Thouin, who was treasurer of the Societe d’Histoire Naturelle, and who had taken a personal part in the preparation of the La Perouse expedition, was the principal instigator of the petition. He was also pushing for a continuation of geographic and scientific research.123
Reported Energy and Cost Savings from the DOE ESPC Program: FY 2014

The objective of this work was to determine the realization rate of energy and cost savings from the Department of Energy’s Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) program based on information reported by the energy services companies (ESCOs) that are carrying out ESPC projects at federal sites. Information was extracted from 156 Measurement and Verification (MV projects reported achieving 102% of the estimated cost savings; and projects reported achieving 105% of the guaranteed cost savings. For 155 of the projects examined, there was sufficient information to compare estimated and reported energy savings. On the basis of site energy, estimated savingsmore » for those projects for the previous year totaled 11.938 million MMBtu, and reported savings were 12.138 million MMBtu, 101.7% of the estimated energy savings. On the basis of source energy, total estimated energy savings for the 155 projects were 19.052 million MMBtu, and reported saving were 19.516 million MMBtu, 102.4% of the estimated energy savings.« less
Millicharged scalar fields, massive photons and the breaking of S U ( 3 ) C × U ( 1 ) EM

Under the assumption that the current epoch of the Universe is not special, i.e., is not the final state of a long history of processes in particle physics, the cosmological fate of $SU(3{)}_{C}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}U(1{)}_{\mathrm{EM}}$ is investigated. Spontaneous symmetry breaking of $U(1{)}_{\mathrm{EM}}$ at the temperature of the Universe today is carried out. The charged scalar field ${\ensuremath{\phi}}_{\mathrm{EM}}$ which breaks the symmetry is found to be ruled out for the charge of the electron, $q=e$. Scalar fields with millicharges are viable and limits on their masses and charges are found to be $q\ensuremath{\lesssim}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}e$ and ${m}_{{\ensuremath{\phi}}_{\mathrm{EM}}}\ensuremath{\lesssim}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}5}\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{eV}$. Furthermore, it is possible that $U(1{)}_{\mathrm{EM}}$ has already been broken at temperatures higher than $T=2.7\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{K}$ given the nonzero limits on the mass of the photon. A photon mass of ${m}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}}={10}^{\ensuremath{-}18}\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{eV}$, the current upper limit, is found to require a spontaneous symmetry breaking scalar mass of ${m}_{{\ensuremath{\phi}}_{\mathrm{EM}}}\ensuremath{\sim}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}13}\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{eV}$ with charge $q={10}^{\ensuremath{-}6}e$, well within the allowed parameter space of the model. Finally, the cosmological fate of the strong interaction is studied. $SU(3{)}_{C}$ is tested for complementarity in which the confinement phase of $\mathrm{QCD}+$ colored scalars is equivalent to a spontaneously broken $SU(3)$ gauge theory. If complementarity is not applicable, $SU(3{)}_{C}$ has multiple symmetry breaking paths with various final symmetry structures. The stability of the colored vacuum at finite temperature in this scenario is nonperturbative and a definitive statement on the fate of $SU(3{)}_{C}$ is left open. Cosmological implications for the metastability of the vacua---electromagnetic, color, and electroweak---are discussed.
Can They Save the Firm From Itself? Learning From Failure and the Role of Stars in Organizations

A central determinant of a firms’ competitive advantage is their ability to generate new products in the marketplace. However, in technology intensive industries, the development of new products is...
Cytotoxicity and cellular proteome impact of cellulose nanocrystals using simulated digestion and an in vitro small intestinal epithelium cellular model

Abstract Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) (0.75 or 1.5% w/w) in either a fasting food model (FFM) or a standardized food model (SFM) based on the average USA diet, were digested using a three-phase (oral-gastric-small intestinal) digestion simulator, and the resulting small intestinal phase digestas were applied to an in vitro triculture human cellular model of the small intestinal epithelium (SIE). Effects of exposures on SIE monolayer integrity, cytotoxicity, and oxidative stress were evaluated, and a global cellular proteomic analysis of exposed cells was performed to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the cellular response to ingested CNC in different food models. Other than a slight increase in cytotoxicity (13.2%, p
Contractile cells in normal and fibrotic lung.

Interstitial pulmonary fibrosis represents a group of fibrosing lung diseases, often of unknown etiology, characterized by hypercellularity and deposition of connective tissue within the interstitium of the alveolar wall (32, 65). Increased “stiffness” of the lung leads to reduced lung volumes and lowered dynamic compliance (80). In interstitial fibrosis, as well as several other forms of lung injury, there is an apparent increase in smooth muscle (SM) cells organized into bundles within areas of the lung where these cells normally are present but difficult to detect, such as the alveolar duct (69, 89, 119). This increase in acinar SM can be quite prominent, and, in some cases, the degree of parenchymal SM hyperplasia is sufficiently excessive to be referred to as “muscular cirrhosis of the lung” (2, 7, 33, 110, 152).
Visual Data Mining for Quantized Spatial Data

In previous papers we’ve shown how a well known data compression algorithm called Entropy-constrained Vector Quantization (ECVQ; [3]) can be modified to reduce the size and complexity of very large, satellite data sets. In this paper, we discuss how to visualize and understand the content of such reduced data sets. We developed a Java tool to facilitate this using simple multivariate visualization, and interactively performing further data reduction on user selected spatial subsets. This enables analysts to compare reduced representations of the data for different regions and varying spatial resolutions. The ultimate aim is to explain physically observed differences, trends, patterns and anomolies in the data.
Measurement of $V_{ub}$

The most recent experimental measurements of the weak mixing angle $V_{ub}$ are summarized. Inclusive and exclusive analysis techniques are described, including a new exclusive analysis by the CLEO collaboration measuring the $B\rightarrow \pi\ell\nu$ branching ratio. Future prospects are discussed.
Antisense rescue defines specialized and generalized functional domains for c-Fos protein.

Abstract Serum induces the expression of a number of proteins with similar transcriptional properties, including those encoded by the proto-oncogenes c-fos and c-jun. This study employs a novel antisense rescue method to determine whether antisense-resistant genes (constructed by deletion of antisense RNA target sequences) can replace c-fos expression during serum-induced DNA synthesis. Immunoprecipitation studies and nuclease protection assays demonstrated that anti-fos RNA inhibited endogenous c-fos expression but did not inhibit expression of transfected antisense-resistant mutant c-fos genes. The results of nuclear-labelling and cellular-proliferation studies indicated that C terminally truncated Fos mutants, including FBR v-fos, could not rescue endogenous Fos, although full-length and minimally truncated c-fos expression vectors could restore serum-induced DNA synthesis in cells expressing anti-fos RNA. Overexpression of c-Jun protein (Jun) could not restore serum-induced DNA synthesis to cells expressing inducible anti-fos RNA despite equivalent transactivation of an AP-1 target gene. Thus, the antisense rescue method defines a specialized function for c-Fos protein which is distinct from the function(s) of Jun and/or transforming FBR v-Fos proteins.
Male-biased dispersal, female philopatry, and routes to fitness in a social corvid

Summary 1 Dispersal in many species is sex-biased. Greenwood (1980, Animal Behaviour, 28, 1140–1162) hypothesized that the direction of sex bias was dependent on the mating system, and suggested that female-biased dispersal in birds is associated with monogamy and resource defence by males, while mammalian male-biased dispersal is associated with polygyny and male defence of mates. 2 Cooperatively breeding brown jays Cyanocorax morio live in large territorial groups and are one of the few bird species known to exhibit male-biased dispersal. Survivorship of adults is high, and both males and females delay breeding for many years. 3 In this study, dispersers almost always moved to neighbouring social groups, rarely in response to a known breeding vacancy, and both sexes dispersed into groups with fewer members of the same sex than their origin group. 4 Dispersal and extra-group forays were strongly male biased. Forays were more common during nest building and egg laying, suggesting that males were monitoring mating opportunities, and many males later dispersed into the groups they visited. Genetic parentage analyses indicated that males mainly obtain paternity outside their natal groups through extra-group forays and dispersal. 5 The major routes to breeding status for females are inheritance of breeding positions on their natal territories and/or breeding there concurrently with an established breeder. Females usually dispersed on their own into groups where reproductive success had previously been poor. 6 Kin facilitation appears to affect male dispersal options: related males formed coalitions and tended to disperse to groups where male relatives were already established. 7 Male dispersal, female philopatry, and a matrilineal society correspond to three of Greenwood's seven predictions for a ‘mate-defence’ system, but overt mate defence itself is absent, territorial defence is communal, and genetic polyandry is common. Social behaviour appears to affect a reversal in sex-specific costs and benefits of dispersal, so that females benefit from philopatry and matrilineal inheritance, while males benefit from expanded dispersal options in part through kin facilitation, but without effective mate defence or clear cut sex-specific resource defence.
Biologically inspired circuitry that mimics mammalian hearing

We are developing low-power microcircuitry that implements classification and direction finding systems of very small size and small acoustic aperture. Our approach was inspired by the fact that small mammals are able to localize sounds despite their ears may be separated by as little as a centimeter. Gerbils, in particular are good low-frequency localizers, which is a particularly difficult task, since a wavelength at 500 Hz is on the order of two feet. Given such signals, crosscorrelation- based methods to determine direction fail badly in the presence of a small amount of noise, e.g. wind noise and noise clutter common to almost any realistic environment. Circuits are being developed using both analog and digital techniques, each of which process signals in fundamentally the same way the peripheral auditory system of mammals processes sound. A filter bank represents filtering done by the cochlea. The auditory nerve is implemented using a combination of an envelope detector, an automatic gain stage, and a unique one-bit A/D, which creates what amounts to a neural impulse. These impulses are used to extract pitch characteristics, which we use to classify sounds such as vehicles, small and large weaponry from AK-47s to 155mm cannon, including mortar launches and impacts. In addition to the pitchograms, we also use neural nets for classification.
Single-point blow-up for a degenerate parabolic problem with a nonlinear source of local and nonlocal features

Let q, m and T be any real numbers such that q>=0, m>1, and T>0. This article studies the following degenerate semilinear parabolic first initial-boundary value problem:x^qu"t(x,t)-u"x"x(x,t)=a^m^q^+^[email protected](x-b)f(u(x,t))U^m(t)for0=0, f(u) and f^'(u) are positive for u>0, and @j is nontrivial, nonnegative and continuous such that @j(0)[email protected](1), and @j^'^'+a^m^q^+^[email protected](x-b)f(@j(x))U^m(0)>=0 for 0