cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of chronic nicotine consumption on body weight, food intake, and striatal dopaminergic neurons in rats

Abstract Nicotine administered in large doses is known to suppress appetite; furthermore, a reduction in appetite and body weight gain is known to slow aging of striatal dopaminergic neurons. As the body ages, the number of dopaminergic receptors in the striatum characterstically decrease and dopamine turnover is altered. To investigate the effect of chronic nicotine use on the aging process, therefore, it was essential to use a nicotine dose that would not affect appetite or body weight gain. The data presented here show that two-month continuous oral administration of nicotine at 2 mg% or less, corresponding to a daily oral nicotine intake of no more than 2.35±0.25 mg/kg, does not alter body weight gain or food intake in rodents. Chronic consumption of nicotine under the conditions outlined above resulted in a significant increase in the number of D 1 -dopamine receptors, the ratio of D 1 /D 2 -receptors and dopamine-uptake sites, but not the number of D 2 -dopamine receptors. Because the aging of dopaminergic neurons is slow and the duration of nicotine administration in these experiments was short, the functional implications of the findings can only be speculative at present.
Uterine Artery Pseudoaneurysm Rupture: A Life-Threatening Presentation of Vaginal Bleeding

Uterine artery pseudoaneurysm rupture is a rare, yet life-threatening, cause of postpartum hemorrhage. Prompt recognition and management are critical in severe vaginal bleeding. In this case, diagnosis by bedside ultrasonography and initial management with vaginal packing and fluid resuscitation were performed in the emergency department. Definitive treatment by selective arterial embolization was performed to achieve hemostasis. This article discusses options available in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of uterine artery pseudoaneurysm hemorrhage.
The digital course training workshop for online learning and teaching

A primary concern with Information Technology (IT) training has been that IT-based training focuses upon the technical or point and click aspects of learning management system (LMS) platforms and pedagogy-enhancing software without any concern for the content of the courses. The Digital Course Training Workshop (DCTW) approach examined in this article addresses this concern by supporting a content-first approach. The DCTW approach--an initiative at a Midwestern University--is aimed at supporting faculty through the process of transitioning from face-to-face (F2F) courses to online teaching. Participating faculty enter the week-long seminar with traditional course content and leave with digital content transitioned into the appropriate LMS platform. This article is intended to stimulate reflections on the need for systematic faculty professional development programs and activities to help higher education faculty in the transition process from traditional to online courses.
An evaluation of parallel optimization for OpenSolaris ® network stack

Computing is now shifting towards multiprocessing. The fundamental goal of multiprocessing is improved performance through the introduction of additional hardware threads or cores (referred to as “cores” for simplicity). Modern network stacks can exploit parallel cores to allow either message-based parallelism or connection-based parallelism as a means to enhance performance. OpenSolaris has redesigned and parallelized to better utilize additional cores. Three special technologies, named Softring Set, Soft ring and Squeue are introduced in OpenSolaris for stack parallelization. In this paper, we study the OpenSolaris packet receiving process and its core parallelism optimization techniques. Experiment results show that these techniques allow OpenSolaris to achieve better network I/O performance in multiprocessing environments; however, network stack parallelization has also brought extra overheads for system. An effective and efficient network I/O optimization in multiprocessing environments is required to cross all levers of the network stack from network interface to application.
Stable haptic interaction using damping model for dental training

This paper presents a new conservative criterion of stable haptic interaction using damping model. The relation among the damping coefficient, device's position resolution and sampling frequency is obtained to keep the haptic simulations stable. Our analysis is tested with a damping model which is constructed for the dental training system. The experimental results indicate that the increasing of damping coefficient depends on more precise encoders.
Potential of Precipitation Modification in Moderate to Severe Droughts

Abstract Assuming that successful precipitation modification could be achieved under atmospheric conditions favorable for the development of natural precipitation, a three-phase study was made to acquire information on the potential for alleviation of moderate to severe droughts in Illinois. The first phase involved time-space analyses of monthly precipitation characteristics in previous major droughts of 12- to 24-month duration. In the second phase, detailed analyses were made of various storm properties during the 1953–54 drought, one of the worst on record in Illinois. The third phase involved use of a one-dimensional cloud model to investigate cloud seeding potential in the 1953–54 drought. Overall, results indicated that atmospheric conditions are favorable for natural precipitation development frequently enough in most droughts that successful cloud seeding operations could contribute occasionally to temporary alleviation of water shortages over portions of an extensive drought region, particularly...
Use of multiple time points to model parotid differentiation.

In order to understand the process of terminal differentiation in salivary acinar cells, mRNA and microRNA expression was measured across the month long process of differentiation in the parotid gland of the rat. Acinar cells were isolated at either nine time points (mRNA) or four time points (microRNA) in triplicate using laser capture microdissection (LCM). One of the values of this dataset comes from the high quality RNA (RIN > 7) that was used in this study, which can be prohibitively difficult to obtain from such an RNaseI-rich tissue. Global mRNA expression was measured by rat genome microarray hybridization (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/query/acc.cgi?acc=GSE65586), and expression of microRNAs by qPCR array (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/query/acc.cgi?acc=GSE65324). Comparing expression at different ages, 2656 mRNAs and 64 microRNAs were identified as differentially expressed. Because mRNA expression was sampled at many time points, clustering and regression analysis were able to identify dynamic expression patterns that had not been implicated in acinar differentiation before. Integration of the two datasets allowed the identification of microRNA target genes, and a gene regulatory network. Bioinformatics R code and additional details of experimental methods and data analysis are provided.
Stem cell transfusion restores immune function in radiation-induced lymphopenic C57BL/6 mice

Radiation-induced lymphopenia (RIL) is associated with treatment of different tumors (lung, colon, pancreas, breast, sarcomas, and glioblastoma). It is a significant clinical problem affecting the survival of cancer patients. The biologic mechanisms leading to RIL are not clearly understood. In this study, we established a mouse model of RIL representing therapeutic clinical regimen for lung cancer. Flow cytometry was used to analyze circulating levels of T and B cells and bone marrow (BM) stem cells. We found that fractionated radiation to the thorax significantly reduced circulating T and B cells as well as BM stem cells. Ex-vivo irradiation of blood and autologous reinjection to mice also significantly induced lymphopenia. Furthermore, we found that mobilization of stem cells from the BM and autologous stem cell transplant rescued RIL in mice. Overall, our results suggest that RIL has not only direct effect on circulating lymphocytes, but also has indirect effect on circulating lymphocytes as well as stem cells in the nonirradiated BM. These results open a new window for investigating the direct and indirect biologic mechanisms leading to RIL, and provide a preclinical basis to test the effect of stem cell transplantation for treatment of RIL in cancer patients.
Dissociating hippocampal subregions: A double dissociation between dentate gyrus and CA1

This study presents a double dissociation between the dentate gyrus (DG) and CA1. Rats with either DG or CA1 lesions were tested on tasks requiring either spatial or spatial temporal order pattern separation. To assess spatial pattern separation, rats were trained to displace an object which covered a baited food-well. The rats were then allowed to choose between two identical objects: one covered the same well as the sample phase object (correct choice), and a second object covered a different unbaited well (incorrect choice). Spatial separations of 15-105 cm were used to separate the correct object from the incorrect object. To assess spatial temporal order pattern separation, rats were allowed to visit each arm of a radial eight-arm maze once in a randomly determined sequence. The rats were then presented with two arms and were required to choose the arm which occurred earliest in the sequence. The choice arms varied according to temporal separation (0, 2, 4, or 6) or the number of arms that occurred between the two choice arms in the sample phase sequence. On each task, once a preoperative criterion was reached, each rat was given either a DG, CA1, or control lesion and then retested. The results demonstrated that DG lesions resulted in a deficit on the spatial task but not the temporal task. In contrast, CA1 lesions resulted in a deficit on the temporal task but not the spatial task. Results suggest that the DG supports spatial pattern separation, whereas CA1 supports temporal pattern separation.
An Arctic-Breeding Bird Survey on the Northwestern Ungava Peninsula, Quebec, Canada

Knowledge of breeding bird distribution and abundance in the Canadian Arctic remains rudimentary for many species, particularly for shorebirds and songbirds. To help fill this gap, randomly selected plots were surveyed on the northwestern coast of the Ungava Peninsula, Quebec, Canada, during 2002. Thirty-eight species were recorded at 34 sites, where small songbirds were much more frequent than shorebirds. Breeding waterbirds were more abundant at low elevations near the coast, and songbirds tended to be more abundant at higher elevations. A high occurrence of nesting hawks and owls was probably the result of a high lemming population. Information from the survey extended the known breeding ranges of green-winged teal, spotted sandpiper, pectoral sandpiper, dunlin, American golden-plover, Wilson’s snipe, and short-eared owl. Further work on the Ungava Peninsula would likely document additional Arctic-breeding bird species. A more thorough knowledge of Arctic breeding bird distribution will be needed to determine how species might be affected by global climate change.
Dispersal under duress: Can stress enhance the performance of a passively dispersed species?

Passively dispersed organisms do not expend energy during movement; this lack of agency suggests that the distance dispersed by these species is predominantly affected by extrinsic abiotic factors. However, theory predicts that greater dispersal has ecological and evolutionary advantages under some circumstances (e.g., stressful environments). If the biological traits that underlie passive dispersal respond phenotypically to environmental cues, these species may be able to maintain or improve dispersal distance in response to local stressors. We empirically examined context-dependent dispersal, and verified the hypothesis that the traits of an invasive, wind-dispersed plant species plastically affect predicted dispersal distances under drought conditions. We found that the effect is strongest among tall individuals that are most likely to contribute to spread, and that dispersal trait covariation among taller stressed individuals matches expectations from a fluid dynamical model. These responses probably ...
Circulating Tumor Cells at Each Follow-up Time Point during Therapy of Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients Predict Progression-Free and Overall Survival

Purpose: We reported previously that ≥5 circulating tumor cells (CTC) in 7.5 mL blood at baseline and at first follow-up in 177 patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) were associated with poor clinical outcome. In this study, additional follow-up data and CTC levels at subsequent follow-up visits were evaluated. Experimental Design: CTCs were enumerated in 177 MBC patients before the initiation of a new course of therapy (baseline) and 3 to 5, 6 to 8, 9 to 14, and 15 to 20 weeks after the initiation of therapy. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) times were calculated from the dates of each follow-up blood draw. Kaplan-Meier plots and survival analyses were done using a threshold of ≥5 CTCs/7.5 mL at each blood draw. Results: Median PFS times for patients with 18.5 months. For patients with ≥5 CTC, median OS from these same time points was significantly shorter: 10.9, 6.3, 6.3, 6.6, and 6.7 months, respectively. Median PFS and OS times at baseline and up to 9 to 14 weeks after the initiation of therapy were statistically significantly different. Conclusions: Detection of elevated CTCs at any time during therapy is an accurate indication of subsequent rapid disease progression and mortality for MBC patients.
Activities of virE1 and the VirE1 Secretion Chaperone in Export of the Multifunctional VirE2 Effector via an Agrobacterium Type IV Secretion Pathway

Agrobacterium tumefaciens uses a type IV secretion system to deliver oncogenic nucleoprotein particles and effector proteins, such as the multifunctional VirE2 protein, to plant cells. In this study, we examined the function of virE1 and its product, the VirE1 secretion chaperone, in mediating VirE2 export. A nonpolar virE1 null mutant accumulated low levels of VirE2, and trans expression of virE1 in this mutant only partially restored VirE2 abundance. Deletion of virE1 did not affect transcription but decreased translation of virE2, as shown by analysis of lacZ transcriptional and translational fusions. VirE2 was stable for a prolonged period, more than 6 h, when it was expressed in cis with virE1, and it exhibited half-lives of about 2 h when it was expressed in trans with virE1 and less than 10 min when it was expressed in the absence of virE1, as shown by pulse-chase experiments. VirE1 stabilized VirE2 via an interaction with a domain near the N terminus of VirE2, as shown by analyses of VirE2 truncation and insertion mutants synthesized in A. tumefaciens. VirE1 self-association was demonstrated by using bacteriophage lambda cI repressor fusion and pull-down assays, and evidence of VirE1 homomultimerization in vivo was obtained by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and gel filtration chromatography. A putative VirE1-VirE2 complex with a molecular mass of about 70 to 80 kDa was detected by gel filtration chromatography of extracts from wild-type cells, whereas higher-order VirE2 complexes or aggregates were detected in extracts from a virE1 mutant. Taken together, our findings show that virE1 contributes in several ways to VirE2 export:(i) virE1 regulates efficient virE2 translation in the context of expression from the native P(virE) promoter; (ii) the VirE1 secretion chaperone stabilizes VirE2, most probably via an interaction with an N-terminal domain; and (iii) VirE1 forms a VirE1-VirE2 complex with a predicted 2:1 stoichiometry that inhibits assembly of higher-order VirE2 complexes or aggregates.
An active-clamp snubber for isolated half-bridge DC-DC converters

In the conventional isolated half-bridge DC-DC converter, the leakage-inductance-related losses degrade the converter efficiency and limit the increase of the converter switching frequency. A novel active-clamp circuit is proposed to recycle the energy stored in the leakage inductance and thus improves the converter efficiency. By transferring the energy in the leakage inductance to a capacitor, the leakage inductance energy is recycled. Moreover, the proposed active-clamp circuit avoids the body diodes conduction of primary-side switches. Hence the body diodes conduction and reverse-recovery losses are eliminated. The principles of operation and simulation results are presented. The experimental results show the proposed active-clamp circuit improves the efficiency of the half-bridge DC-DC converter.
L-thyroxine contamination of pharmaceutical D-thyroxine: probable cause of therapeutic effect.

Studies have shown that pharmaceutic preparations of the stereo isomers of thyroxine differ with respect to thyromimetic potency and lipid level-lowering effects. We applied a stereospecific assay for dextrothyroxine (DT4) and levothyroxine (LT4) to determine whether the biologic effects observed after the administration of DT4 (Choloxin; Flint Laboratories) resulted from inherent biologic activity of DT4, conversion of DT4 to LT4 in vivo, or LT4 contamination of Choloxin tablets. Choloxin was administered in a dose of 8 mg/day for 5 mo to nine athyreotic subjects who were then treated with pharmaceutic LT4 (Synthroid), 0.2 mg/day for an additional 5 mo. Analysis showed that LT4 contamination of Choloxin tablets ranged from 0.50% to 2.30%. This degree of contamination resulted in physiologically significant doses of LT4 in the 8 mg/day doses of Choloxin. During the treatment with two different lots of Choloxin, serum LT4 accounted for 33% to 53% of the measurable serum total thyroxine. The degree of LT4 contamination in Choloxin tablets was sufficient to account for the observed serum LT4 levels and casts doubt on the conclusions derived from previous studies in which Choloxin was used as the source of “DT4.” Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1984) 36, 781–787; doi:10.1038/clpt.1984.257
Different efficiency of ozonated water washing to inactivate Salmonella enterica typhimurium on green onions, grape tomatoes, and green leaf lettuces.

UNLABELLED Ozonated water washing is one of the emerging techniques to inactivate foodborne pathogens on produce, and limited information is available to optimize processing parameters (treatment time, temperature, and pH) to improve ozone efficacy on Salmonella inactivation for different produce. The efficacy of ozonated water washing for inactivation of Salmonella enterica Typhimurium on green onions, grape tomatoes and green leaf lettuces were studied in our research. Surface inoculated fresh produce were washed by ozonated water for 1, 5, or 10 min at room temperature and pH 5.60 ± 0.03. Then efficacy of ozonated water washing at mild heated (50 °C) and refrigerated (4 °C) temperature for 5 min with pH 5.60 ± 0.03 was investigated. Salmonella inactivation efficacy under pH 5.60 ± 0.03 and 2.64 ± 0.02 with 5 min washing at room temperature were also compared. Our results showed that Salmonella inactivation by ozonated water was time-dependent for 3 fresh produce. Mild heated temperature (50 °C) and pH 2.64 ± 0.02 improved efficacy of ozonated water to inactivate Salmonella on tomatoes and lettuces, but not on green onions. It is suggested that different surface structures of fresh produce significantly impact the antimicrobial efficacy of ozonated water washing operated under various parameters (time, temperature, and pH). PRACTICAL APPLICATION Washing is the essential step for green onions and lettuces in the packinghouse and grape tomatoes in the restaurants and grocery stores having salad bars. Ozonated water can be used as disinfectant to reduce microbial contamination (FDA). The effectiveness of this disinfectant depends on the type of product and treatment conditions, such as water temperature, acidity, contact time. Our study showed that Salmonella inactivation by ozonated water washing was time-dependent. Mild heat and low pH improved inactivation efficacy on tomatoes and lettuces, but not on green onions. Processors should consider adjustments that are most appropriate for their produce.
Identification of a gene involved in the generation of 4-thiouridine in tRNA

All organisms modify the bases of their RNA after transcription. Relatively little is known about the functions that these chemical alterations serve and, with very few exceptions, even less has been established regarding the enzymology involved. One modified base of known function is 4-thiouridine at position 8 of certain bacterial tRNAs, which serves as a photosensor for near-UV light. A gene involved in the conversion of uridine at position 8 into 4-thiouridine has been identified by genetic screening and its role in 4-thiouridine generation has been confirmed biochemically. This same gene, thiI , has recently been shown to play a role in thiamin biosynthesis. The purification and characteristics of the purified protein are also reported.
On a personal note

I am indebted to those organizations that submitted mission statements in response to my requests in Issues 2 and 3. Thanks for bravely allowing your work to be examined according to the principles of the Policy Governance model. Space does not allow me to use all the mission statements sent in. For statements I received before December 1, I have commented directly to those who responded
Adsorption and dissociation of CO on Fe(1 1 0) from first principles

Abstract We employ spin-polarized periodic density functional theory (DFT) to characterize CO adsorption and dissociation on the Fe(1 1 0) surface. We investigate the site preference for CO on Fe(1 1 0) at θ CO = 0.25 and 0.5 monolayer (ML), for different functional forms of the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) to electron exchange and correlation within DFT. At 0.25 ML, we predict the existence of a new ordered structure comparable in stability to one proposed previously. At 0.5 ML, we confirm the preference of a distorted on-top adsorption configuration suggested by experiment. The calculated heats of adsorption, CO stretching frequencies, and work function changes agree well with experiment. When dissociating from the on-top site, we predict that CO first moves off the on-top site and then goes through a lying-down transition state with a barrier of 1.52 eV. Diffusion of CO on Fe(1 1 0) from the on-top site to the long-bridge site is predicted to have a very small barrier of ∼0.1 eV. Dissociation of CO from the long-bridge site goes through the same transition state as from the on-top site, but the former has a slightly lower barrier. After dissociation, O atoms remain on the surface while C atoms are embedded into Fe(1 1 0), indicating C atoms may readily diffuse into Fe(1 1 0).
Prediction of mortality in patients with heart failure and systolic dysfunction

Systolic heart failure has a highly variable mortality that can be altered with medications and cardiac devices. This review focuses on recently published predictive models in heart failure. These models may help with difficult decisions such as listing for cardiac transplantation, selecting cardiac devices, and making end-of-life decisions. We discuss systolic heart failure risk models to estimate short- (30-day to 1-year) and longer-term (1- to 5-year) mortality in hospitalized and ambulatory heart failure patients.
Principles of drug therapy in older patients: rational drug prescribing

It is important for health care providers to be aware of the issues involved in using drug therapies in older patients because older patients are the ones most vulnerable to the adverse effects of drugs. Although more data are needed to guide clinical decision-making in prescribing drugs to older patients, some simple considerations can make drug use safer and more effective. Careful, compassionate attention to these factors can have a profound effect on improving the quality of life, medication use, and the overall cost of health care in this vulnerable population.
SA Gene Expression in the Proximal Tubule of Normotensive and Hypertensive Rats

Previous studies have shown that the SA gene is expressed at higher levels in the kidney of genetically hypertensive rats than in control strains and that in hybrid crosses of genetically hypertensive rats and normotensive controls, markers in or close to the SA gene cosegregate with blood pressure. The present studies examine the localization of the SA gene product in the kidney by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). cDNA was prepared from microdissected nephron segments from Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats, and RT-PCR was performed using specific primers. In all three strains, SA gene mRNA was found to be abundantly expressed in proximal tubules. SA PCR product was occasionally detected at approximately 100-fold lower abundance in glomeruli, while no signal was obtained from the collecting duct, thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle, or arcuate artery. Within the proximal tubule of normotensive rats, distribution of SA mRNA was found to be strain dependent: in SD rats it was expressed at high levels in the proximal convoluted tubule, whereas in WKY rats it was restricted to the proximal straight tubule. In SHRs, SA PCR product was detected along the entire proximal tubule. Induction of hypertension by renal artery clamping (two-kidney, one-clamp Goldblatt model) did not alter the pattern of expression observed in the SD rat. These results indicate that an extension of SA gene expression to the full length of the proximal tubule accompanies spontaneous hypertension and that in nonhypertensive animals the pattern of gene product expression is more restricted but shows substantial strain variability.
Pre-transplant impedance measures of reflux are associated with early allograft injury after lung transplantation.

Background Acid reflux has been associated with poorer outcomes after lung transplantation. Standard pre-transplant reflux assessment has not been universally adopted. Non-acid reflux may also induce a pulmonary inflammatory cascade, leading to acute and chronic rejection. Esophageal multichannel intraluminal impedance and pH testing (MII-pH) may be valuable in standard pre-transplant evaluation. We assessed the association between pre-transplant MII-pH measures and early allograft injury in lung transplant patients. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of lung transplant recipients who underwent pre-transplant MII-pH at a tertiary center from 2007 to 2012. Results from pre-transplant MII-pH, cardiopulmonary function testing, and results of biopsy specimen analysis of the transplanted lung were recorded. Time-to-event analyses were performed using Cox proportional hazards and Kaplan-Maier methods to assess the associations between MII-pH measures and development of acute rejection or lymphocytic bronchiolitis. Results Thirty patients (46.7% men; age, 54.2 years) met the inclusion criteria. Pre-transplant cardiopulmonary function and pulmonary diagnoses were similar between outcome groups. Prolonged bolus clearance (hazard ratio [HR], 4.11; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.34–12.57; p = 0.01), increased total distal reflux episodes (HR, 4.80; 95% CI, 1.33–17.25; p = 0.02), and increased total proximal reflux episodes (HR, 4.43; 95% CI, 1.14–17.31; p = 0.03) were significantly associated with decreased time to early allograft injury. Kaplan-Meier curves also demonstrated differences in time to rejection by prolonged bolus clearance ( p = 0.01) and increased total distal reflux episodes ( p = 0.01). Sub-group analysis including only patients with MII-pH performed off proton pump inhibitors ( n = 24) showed similar results. Conclusions Prolonged bolus clearance, increased total distal reflux episodes, and increased total proximal reflux episodes on pre-transplant MII-pH were associated with decreased time to early allograft injury after lung transplantation. Routine pre-transplant MII-pH may provide clinically relevant data regarding transplant outcomes and peri-transplant care.
Enhanced mobility top-gate amorphous silicon thin-film transistor with selectively deposited source/drain contacts

Amorphous silicon thin-film transistors (TFTs), in a top-gate staggered electrode structure have been prepared using selectively deposited doped silicon contact layers, formed in-situ by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). Selective deposition reduces the number of processing steps and assures the formation of low-resistance contacts. Devices fabricated with two photomasks and one plasma deposition step show saturation and linear mobilities as high as 1.1 and 0.9 cm/sup 2//V-s, respectively, with threshold voltages between 3 and 6 V. On/off ratios are >10/sup 6/, with a subthreshold slope of 0.8 V/decade. The mobilities are at least a factor or 2 higher than previously reported for top-gate structures and are similar to values reported for bottom-gate (inverted staggered) TFTs. >
CORRECTION TO “SINGULARITY COMPUTATION FOR ITERATIVE CONTROL OF NONLINEAR AFFINE SYSTEMS”

The ball-on-plate example in the above paper by the authors [3] contains a mistake in the vector field. This note presents the singularity result of the corrected vector field.
Small-signal duty cycle to inductor current transfer function for boost PWM DC-DC converter in continuous conduction mode

The small-signal transfer function from duty cycle to inductor current is derived for the boost DC-DC converter operating in continuous conduction mode (CCM). The transfer function is found for two cases, the converter with a resistive load, and with a current sink load. The derivations are performed using an averaged circuit small-signal model of the boost converter for CCM. The transfer function can be used to model the current loop of boost PWM converters with peak current-mode control (PCM).
Abstract 21: Variation in Hospital Costs of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Introduction: A great emphasis exists on improving PCI outcomes and quality, but there are no data on the variation in hospitals' costs of PCI. As Payers move away from a fee-for-service model, most forms of bundled payments or gain-sharing, increasingly require hospitals to contain costs. Hospitals are at financial risk if costs exceed a specified budget. Our goal was to understand the variation in costs of PCI across hospitals, and the extent of the variation in PCI costs explained by hospitals, after controlling for patient characteristics. Methods: We identified 230,410 patients undergoing PCI at 258 hospitals (performing ≥100 PCIs), from 2007-2010 from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project state inpatient database (SID) from California, Florida and New York. The SID includes 97% of all discharges regardless of payers, from these states. Costs of PCI were determined by applying hospital- and year-specific Cost-to-Charge Ratios to the total charges. Variation in costs of PCI across hospitals were examined by a hierarchical linear regression model with PCI costs as the dependent variable and hospital site as a random effect, adjusting for differences in prevalence of patient and demographic characteristics by hospital site. Results: The mean cost of performing a PCI procedure was $17,543 ± $ 12767. We observed a large degree of variation in mean PCI costs across hospitals ranging from $5,823 to $38,532. Length of stay (LOS), was associated with incrementally higher PCI cost ($2,400, per day p<0.0001). After adjusting for LOS, PCI complications, and patient comorbidities, we observed a persistent 24% variation in PCI costs across hospitals. A significant interaction between hospital cost quintile and LOS (interaction P-value <0.001) was also observed, such that in the highest quintile hospital, PCI costs were higher by $1,277 per day LOS, despite adjusting for LOS and patient comorbidities and PCI complications. Conclusions: PCI costs vary tremendously across hospitals. Approximately one quarter of the variation in PCI costs is explained by hospitals, despite controlling for differences in LOS, PCI complications and patient characteristics. The same LOS costs differently across different hospitals. There is an urgent need for hospitals to examine and reduce the variation in PCI costs. ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
Fibroplasia in Microscopic Renal Arteries

Fibroplasia like that in aorta and coronary arteries also occurs in the renal microvasculature. The macroscopic arteries without atheroma, the NoA arteries, have properties quantitatively similar to the microvasculature. The microvasculature never generates the lipid trapping conditions characteristic of macroscopic YesA arteries.
Some Provisions of Rational Contact Conditions for a Composite Cutting Tool during Turning Operations on Intermittent Areas

The possibility to improve the conditions of cutting rotary workpieces with intermittent areas by applying conventional tool materials is limited. However the use of tools with working members made from polycrystalline ultra-hard materials (composites) can be very efficient, provided that a negative influence of load impacts on the tool point and the major cutting edge at the moment of the tool lead-in is mitigated.The described method of turning (boring) intermittent surfaces offers more rational conditions for the contact between the tool cutting member and machined workpiece surface and permits eliminating negative effects of impact loads on the tool point. Proper conditions of cutting intermittent surfaces by tools made from 03 composite (petbor) or 10 composite (hexanite-r) can improve machining efficiency by up to 25% due to the intensification of cutting operations as well as to decrease tool purchase expenses by about 20%.
Coral δ18O evidence for Pacific Ocean mediated decadal variability in Panamanian ITCZ rainfall back to the early 1700s

Abstract In Central America, seasonal and interannual shifts in the position of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) control the hydrologic budget. To better understand long-term changes in regional ITCZ-driven precipitation we re-examined a coral δ 18 O record from a Porites lobata coral head near Secas Island (Core ID: S1) (7°59′ N, 82°3′ W) in the Gulf of Chiriqui on the Pacific side of Panama. Linsley et al., (1994) originally published the 277-year time series and first described the presence of a narrow-band decadal cycle (period near 9–12 years) in δ 18 O. The original study did not present potential drivers for the decadal cycle, although they ruled out the influence of the sun spot cycle. Our re-analysis of this record supports the original interpretation that coral δ 18 O is largely responding to variations in precipitation and associated river discharge, but with a new proposed mechanism to explain the decadal mode. There is no similar decadal cycle in gridded instrumental sea surface temperature from the area, suggesting that the decadal coral δ 18 O signal results from hydrologic changes that influence coastal δ 18 O seawater . The decadal component in S1 δ 18 O is also coherent with a decadal mode embedded in the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) Index that we suggest has tropical origins. We speculate that the coral's temporary δ 18 O deviation (1900–1930) in the decadal mode from the corresponding bands in rainfall and the PDO can be ascribed to a weak PDO in addition to local Panama gap wind variability and its effect on moisture transport from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Ultimately, the Secas Island coral δ 18 O series records ITCZ-driven precipitation dictated by both the Atlantic and Pacific basins.
Discrete Spectrum of Bifurcation of Exact Solutions for Stationary Longitudinal Waves in the Flow of Perfect Fluid Around a Circular Body of a Large Radius

We consider a free boundary problem for incompressible perfect fluid circulating around a circle Γ of a large radius, i.e. within a central gravity field. The outward curve γ is a free boundary to be sought. We assume that the flow, which is confined between Γ and γ, is irrotational. The centrifugal force caused by the circulation of the flow makes the fluid go outward. We show that there exist stationary waves, which are periodic oscillations of the fluid and are exact solutions corresponding to bifurcating branches emanating from trivial solution. In the frame of the problem in question, the wave number can take only the integer multiplies of 2π . This makes the spectrum discrete, which makes a crucial difference with the problem for flows in an infinite domain over the straight line or plane (i.e. the ocean problem). To prove the existence of exact solutions, the method of conformal mapping is used. By this device the free boundary problem is transformed into a boundary value problem in a fixed domain.
Science and Security

(1948). Science and Security. Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists: Vol. 4, No. 12, pp. 373-376.
Promising Primate is Unpromising

Mr. Wilson's stated objective in this book is "to offer a reasonable account of how and why specimens of a certain anatomical conformation, when confronted by various conditions, found it possible and maybe necessary to secure their survival" through various cultural activities. He is interested in discussing the origin of culture linking cultural and genetic theories of human evolution. His success is limited.
Enhanced renal IGF-I expression following partial kidney infarction

Renal insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I expression is enhanced in tissue that remains following removal of kidney mass. To characterize the expression of renal IGF-I after reduction of kidney mass by partial unilateral infarction, we measured levels of IGF-I extracted from noninfarcted (remnant) renal tissue that remained after one-half unilateral kidney infarction that was performed without (1/2NX) or with (1 1/2NX) contralateral nephrectomy. Levels of IGF-I extracted from remnant renal tissue after 1/2NX increased significantly, peaking on day 3 after renal mass reduction, and then returned toward baseline. Steady-state levels of IGF-I mRNA were also elevated on day 3, suggesting that the increase in IGF-I results from enhanced synthesis. A similar pattern of increased extracted IGF-I and elevated IGF-I mRNA occurred after 1 1/2NX. Levels of IGF-I extracted from remnant renal tissue 3 days after 1 1/2NX were not higher than levels extracted from remnant tissue 3 days after 1/2NX, and both were higher than levels of IGF-I extracted from contralateral kidneys 3 days after unilateral nephrectomy. Therefore, levels of IGF-I did not correlate with the extent of reduction of renal mass per se. We conclude that partial renal infarction provides a stimulus to enhance IGF-I expression. Increased renal IGF-I must be considered in the interpretation of findings originating from use of remnant kidney models of chronic renal failure.
Acyl-CoA dehydrogenase activity in the riboflavin-deficient rat. Effects of starvation

Riboflavin deficiency in weanling rats causes a metabolic disorder characterized by failure to oxidize fatty acids. The disorder is similar to that seen in several human diseases, some of which are responsive to pharmacological doses of riboflavin. Previous analysis of the riboflavin-deficient rat has shown that the failure of fatty acid oxidation is due to a decrease in the activity of the acyl-CoA dehydrogenases of beta-oxidation. The activity of these flavoenzymes in liver rapidly decreases when a riboflavin-deficient diet is initiated. The objectives of these experiments were to analyse the effects of starvation on liver mitochondria isolated from the riboflavin-deficient rat. Our studies show that the decreased mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation induced by riboflavin deficiency is partially reversed by starvation. The extent of this reversal is proportional to the duration of starvation. The starvation-associated increase in fatty acid oxidation is mediated by an increase in the mitochondrial short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase activity. The activity of this enzyme is increased such that the ratio of short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase apoenzyme to holoenzyme does not change. We conclude that short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase activity is limiting for fatty acid oxidation when its activity falls below a critical point. The increased mitochondrial specific activity of short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase during starvation may result from an increased availability of flavin coenzyme or an increase in enzyme catalytic efficiency.
Sub-Nanosecond Resonance Energy Transfer in the Near-Infrared within Self-Assembled Conjugates of PbS Quantum Dots and Cyanine Dye J-Aggregates.

Energy transfer (EnT) of near-infrared (NIR) excitons enables applications in harvesting of solar energy and biological imaging. Fast exciton extraction from NIR-absorbing Pb-chalcogenide quantum dots (QDs) may allow utilization of the photon downconversion (multiple exciton generation) process that occurs in those QDs to amplify signal in QD-based sensors or photocurrent in QD-based photovoltaics. This paper describes subnanosecond extraction of NIR excitons from PbS QDs by adsorbed J-aggregates of cyanine dye in aqueous dispersions. The QD/J-aggregate complexes form through electrostatic self-assembly, and the rate and yield of EnT within the complexes can be optimized by adjusting spectral overlap between QD emission and the J-aggregate absorption, which are controlled by density of charged ligands on the QD surface and the pH. The primary EnT pathways have rate constants ranging from (800 ps)−1 to (2.2 ns)−1, which are 1–2 orders of magnitude faster than previously reported examples with PbS QDs as ex...
Visionary Pricing: Reflections and Advances in Honor of Dan Nimer (Advances in Business Marketing and Purchasing: Vol. 19), by Gerald E. Smith (ed.) and Arch G. Woodside (series ed.)

In this volume, Editor Gerald E. Smith has assembled a series of articles examining pricing in various markets. With a few exceptions the contributors are nonacademics, primarily from the world of ...
Overcoming experimental limitations in a nonlinear two-qubit gate through postselection

We introduce a modular-value two-qubit gate and explore its advantages in experimentally limited situations. The gate is defined such that the final state of a qubit is fully controlled by a pre- and postselection procedure in an ancillary qubit given an (imperfect or technically limited) intermediate conditional qubit---qubit interaction. As an example of the gate and its benefit, we make the connection to a postselected cross-phase modulation scenario when a undesired absorption is present. Probabilistic amplification of a small cross phase while mitigating relative absorption is possible, and a complementary behavior between phase and amplitude emerges.
Intelligent driver assist system for urban driving

Driving in an urban environment is hectic and often adventurous. Getting accurate routing instructions, finding parking spots, receiving customized information that helps individual drivers reach their destination will significantly reduce the stress of driving, save fuel and reduce unnecessary delays and pollution levels. In this paper we present a system that combines smart navigation with intelligent parking assist and driver diagnostics to considerably improve driving comfort, safety and mobility in an urban environment. The smart navigation employs an on line traffic simulator which provides traffic predictions and improves the accuracy of existing navigation systems which rely on limited traffic data. The intelligent parking assist system predicts the availability of parking at the start of the journey and these predictions get updated as the destination is approached. The system uses machine learning to understand the habits and preferences of the individual driver so that the preferred parking availability information is presented to the driver. The driver diagnostics part learns the driving characteristics of the driver i.e. whether aggressive, semi aggressive or passive, reaction times, following distances etc. and provides this information to the smart navigation and parking assist system for better estimation of travel times. In addition, it can be used to support collision warnings and other driver assist devices. The proposed system has been successfully demonstrated using an AUDI vehicle in the area of Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Low overshoot, low dropout voltage regulator with level detector

An ultra-small, low power, low dropout (LDO) voltage regulator is presented which tracks the output voltage with threshold voltages of the underlying process technology. The topology of the regulator is extremely simple because it does not use an error amplifier. Instead a common-gate stage feedback loop is used, reducing the number of active transistors to only 10. This results in extremely small chip area as well as very low power consumption. This regulator is suitable for various applications where high precision of the output voltage is not required, such as controlling the interfaces of the various sub-circuits in highly complex system-on chip designs. Moreover, in many applications, the voltage overshoot from the output of the LDO can cause violations of breakdown voltage limitations on transistor terminals in subsequent stages, and thus damages those transistors. Therefore in the second part of this paper, an improved ultra-small regulator circuit will be discussed with reduced output voltage overshoot for sharp input voltage ramps. It also comprises a simple, new level detector circuit which indicates if the regulator is in regulation mode or passive mode.
Impact-Based Nonlinear Acoustic Testing for Characterizing Distributed Damage in Concrete

Nonlinear acoustics-based nondestructive evaluation (NDE) techniques have shown great promise for identification of microstructure and microcracking in a wide spectrum of materials (e.g., metals, metallic alloys, composites, rocks, cementitious materials). This class of NDE techniques relies on measuring nonlinearity parameters by analyzing the acoustic response of materials that are dynamically perturbed at microstrain levels (strain $$\sim $$ 10 $$^{-6}$$ –10 $$^{-5})$$ . Using a mechanical impact to induce microstrain is advantageous for concrete testing because it allows for testing of larger concrete specimens offering potential field transportability. In this paper, two impact-based nonlinear acoustic testing techniques are compared: impact-based nonlinear resonant acoustic spectroscopy (INRAS) and dynamic acousto-elastic testing (IDAET). INRAS gives a global measure of sample hysteretic nonlinearity while IDAET provides a local but comprehensive account of nonlinear elastic properties. We discuss single- versus multi-impact INRAS and propose a physics-based model to describe the data from single-impact INRAS. Then, we introduce IDAET and demonstrate how to extract both classical and non-classical nonlinear parameters from a limited set of test results. INRAS and IDAET are used to monitor the evolution of damage in two sets of concrete samples undergoing freeze-thaw (FT) cycles. Nonlinear parameters extracted from the two tests show good agreement; all exhibiting far more sensitivity to distributed FT damage than standard (i.e. linear) resonance frequency measurements. By presenting alternative ways to collect and analyze the impact-based nonlinear acoustic test data, this study will help in broadening their use and extending their applications to quantitative in-situ evaluation.