cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Frequency of post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage relative to time of day.

Objectives Postoperative hemorrhage is a serious complication of tonsillectomy, with secondary bleeding rates affecting up to 0.8% to 3% of patients. Although these bleeds are anecdotally perceived as occurring more frequently at night, the occurrence of hemorrhage relative to the time of day has not been investigated. We measured the frequency of post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage onset relative to the time of day. Methods We reviewed electronic medical records of all patients who experienced postprocedural hemorrhage (International Classification of Disease, Ninth Edition [ICD-9] 998.11, ICD-10 J95.830 at two hospitals within a tertiary academic health system in a 10-year period). Patient demographics, time of bleed onset, emergency room [ED] arrival time, and management (operating room vs. observation) were abstracted. Patients without a recorded bleeding time were excluded. Time of bleed onset was categorized as morning (6:01 am-12 pm), afternoon (12:01 pm-6 pm), evening (6:01 pm-12 am), or overnight (12:01 am-6 am). Chi-square goodness of fit test was used to assess the distribution of hemorrhage timing (P ≤ 0.05). Results A total of 7,396 patients underwent tonsillectomy May 2008 through May 2018, among whom 121 (2%) post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage patients were identified. Among the 104 patients with ED arrival times, 29 (28%) arrived in the morning; 15 (14%) arrived in the afternoon; 40 (38%) arrived in the evening; and 20 (19%) arrived overnight (P = 0.003). Sixty patients (mean age 17.1 years, standard deviation 16.6) had a recorded timing of bleed onset. Bleed onset occurred most commonly overnight (24, 40%), followed by evening (21, 35%), afternoon (11, 18%), and morning (4, 7%) (P = 0.0007). Conclusion In this cohort, post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage occurred most frequently between midnight and 6 am. Our findings confirm anecdotal experience and provide data in setting caregiver expectations. Level of evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 130:1823-1827, 2020.
Inferred inflow forecast horizons guiding reservoir release decisions across the United States

Abstract. Medium- to long-range forecasts often guide reservoir release decisions to support water management objectives, including mitigating flood and drought risks. While there is a burgeoning field of science targeted at improving forecast products and associated decision support models, data describing how and when forecasts are applied in practice remain undeveloped. This lack of knowledge may prevent hydrological modelers from developing accurate reservoir release schemes for large-scale, distributed hydrology models that are increasingly used to assess the vulnerabilities of large regions to hydrological stress. We address this issue by estimating seasonally varying, regulated inflow forecast horizons used in the operations of more than 300 dams throughout the conterminous United States (CONUS). For each dam, we take actual forward observed inflows (perfect foresight) as a proxy for forecasted flows available to the operator and then identify for each week of the year the forward horizon that best explains the release decisions taken. Resulting “horizon curves” specify for each dam the inferred inflow forecast horizon as a function of the week of the water year. These curves are analyzed for strength of evidence for contribution of medium- to long-range forecasts in decision making. We use random forest classification to estimate that approximately 80 % of large dams and reservoirs in the US ( 1553±50 out of 1927 dams with at least 10 Mm 3 storage capacity) adopt medium- to long-range inflow forecasts to inform release decisions during at least part of the water year. Long-range forecast horizons (more than 6 weeks ahead) are detected in the operations of reservoirs located in high-elevation regions of the western US, where snowpack information likely guides the release. A simulation exercise conducted on four key western US reservoirs indicates that forecast-informed models of reservoir operations may outperform models that neglect the horizon curve – including during flood and drought conditions.
Time-Efficient Full-Wave Scattering Computation for Snow-Packs With Arbitrary Thickness

Physics-based Fully-Coherent Electromagnetic (EM) scattering model from 3D snowpack with arbitrary thickness is considered. The computer-generated snow media is reconstructed using the implementation of the Lineal-Path function in conjunction with 3D spatial exponential correlation function to assure the macroscopic connectivity of the snow particles. A fully-coherent EM computation is performed using the Statistical S-Matrix Wave Propagation- in Spectral domain approach (SSWaP-SD) along with a Method of Moments (MoM) code based on the Discrete-Dipole Approximation (DDA). This approach is chosen to leverage both the time-efficient computations of the DDA and the full-coherency of the SSWaP-SD method simultaneously. For an arbitrarily thick snow layer, thin slabs of a snow pack is analyzed a corresponding polarimetric N-port (representing different directions of scattering) S-matrix is generated. These S-matrices are cascaded using SSWaP-SD method to calculate the total forward and backward bistatic scattered fields in a fully coherent way. The simulation results of the backscattering from an arbitrary thick snow layer are presented.
Microstructure development during spray casting

ABSTRACT Spray casting is emerging as an attractive technology for the production of net or near-net-shaped components of a variety of materials. The process (e.g. the OspreyTM process) involves sequential atomization and droplet consolidation at deposition rates in excess of 0.25kg/s. It is possible to fabricate axisymmetric shapes such as disks, billets, tubes and sheet or strip, by suitably manipulating substrate configuration and motion. A major advantage of spray casting is that the product has a uniform distribution of equiaxed grains (20μm-200μm), no macroscopic segregation of alloying elements, a uniform distribution of second phases, and low oxide content. In this paper, the scientific aspects of the development of microstructure during spray casting are reviewed. Successful utilization of spray casting mandates control of preform shape with accompanying metallurgical integrity. Consequently, it is a critical to quantify the contribution of the mechanisms involved in the formation of preform shape, microstructure and overall yield.
Formal System Design and Verification: A Perspective

We give a perspective on rigorous design and verification, by reflecting on some design and verification efforts we have worked on with collaborators over many years.
Chapter 6 – Ten-Vertex Carboranes

The synthesis, structures, and reactivities of the monocarbon nido-CB9H12− and arachno-CB9H14−, dicarbon closo-CB9H10−, closo-C2B8H10, nido-C2B8H12 and arachno-C2B8H14, tricarbon nido-C3B7H11 and arachno-C3B7H13, and tetracarbon nido-C4B6H10 and arachno-C4B6H12 systems are described.
Norms and Normative Orders

International norms do not exist in isolation. They fit together in intricate patterns called “normative orders.” This chapter discusses two types of international normative order: permissive and restrictive. The former contains a broad conception of what is appropriate in foreign policy, maintaining that statecraft cannot be evaluated with the same moral criteria used to judge the behavior of people in their daily lives. The latter limits when it is justifiable to wage war, proscribing the practices of realpolitik that espouse wielding force without compunction.
A Case of COVID-19-Induced Lymphocytosis in a Patient With Treatment-Naive CLL: Should It Be treated?

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has proven to have significant morbidity and mortality in high risk patient populations including those with cancer. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is an indolent disease and the majority of patients with CLL are under monitoring. Here we present a case of a CLL patient with severe COVID-19 presenting with marked lymphocytosis within 2-3 days of diagnosis. An 80-years old man with treatment naive CLL was admitted to our hospital for COVID-19 pneumonia. He was intubated due to hypoxic respiratory failure and developed multi-system organ failure requiring hemodialysis and vasopressor therapy. His white blood cell and absolute lymphocyte count rose to more than 3-fold his baseline during hospitalization. This is the second case of ‘COVID-Induced Lymphocytosis’ in treatment naive CLL patients with severe COVID-19 infection. The ethology and prognosis of this new phenomenon is not clear.
RESEARCHING ONLINE LABOR STRIKE AND PROTEST PREDICTIONTECHNOLOGIES

Efforts to surveil social media platforms at scale using big data techniques have recently manifested in government-funded research to predict protests following the election of President Trump. This work is part of a computer science research field focused on online “civil unrest prediction” dedicated to forecasting protests across the globe (e.g. Indonesia, Brazil and Australia). Researchers draw upon established data science techniques such as event detection/prediction, but also specific approaches for surveilling social movements are conceived. Besides furthering the academic knowledge-base on civil unrest and protests, the works in this field envision to support a variety of stakeholders with different interests such as governments, the military, law enforcement, human rights organizations and industries such as insurance and supply chain management. I analyze the recent history of civil unrest prediction on social media platforms through examining discourses, implicated actors and technological affordances as encountered in publications and other public online artifacts. In this paper I discuss different risk frames employed by researchers, concerning politics of the technology and argue for a needed public debate on the role of online protest surveillance in democratic societies.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Neoplasms of the Pancreatobiliary System

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) are noninvasive imaging techniques that can detect, characterize, and stage neoplasms of the biliary system and pancreas. In patients with suspected pancreatic cancer, MRI/MRCP can help distinguish those patients who are unresectable from those who are potentially resectable. In patients with pancreatic cysts, MRI assists in the distinction among pseudocysts, benign cystic lesions, and cystic pancreatic malignancies. Limitations of current MRI techniques include the inability to detect subcentimeter peritoneal metastases and the lack of sensitivity for identifying microscopic metastases within normal-sized lymph nodes.
An American Board of Orthodontics case report. Treatment of an open bite malocclusion.

The patient had a Class I (Angle) malocclusion characterized by an anterior open bite, bimaxillary dental protrusion, posterior and anterior crossbites, and mandibular midline deviation. A nonextraction treatment was followed for this patient. A Begg appliance (0.020 inch) and a posterior high-pull headgear were used. The prognosis was good because of the rather favorable skeletal pattern of the patient. The active treatment lasted 12 months. The patient was retained with a positioner. The occlusion was stable at 2 years posttreatment. [This case was presented to the American Board of Orthodontics in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the certification process conducted by the Board.]
AD HOC NETWORKS: Technologies and Protocols

AD HOC NETWORKS: Technologies and Protocols is a concise in-depth treatment of various constituent components of ad hoc network protocols. It reviews issues related to medium access control, scalable routing, group communications, use of directional/smart antennas, network security, and power management among other topics. The authors examine various technologies that may aid ad hoc networking including the presence of an ability to tune transmission power levels or the deployment of sophisticated smart antennae. Contributors to this volume include experts that have been active in ad hoc network research and have published in the premier conferences and journals in this subject area. AD HOC NETWORKS: Protocols and Technologies will be immensely useful as a reference work to engineers and researchers as well as to advanced level students in the areas of wireless networks, and computer networks.
The Soft Sector in Physics

Structured Fluids Polymers, Colloids, Surfactants. by Thomas A. Witten with Philip A. Pincus. Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2004. 230 pp. $74.50, £39.95. ISBN 0-19-852688-1. The authors use a scaling approach to provide a unified, pedagogical introduction to fluids containing polyatomic structures such as polymer molecules or colloidal grains ("soft condensed matter").
A capacitorless double-gate DRAM cell design for high density applications

Experimental measurements and 2-D device simulation are used to investigate a capacitorless, asymmetric double-gate DRAM (DG-DRAM) design. Soft error problems are discussed. Careful attention to cell geometry and film quality results in intrinsic retention times suitable for stand-alone and embedded memories.
Appendectomy and cancer risk. An epidemiological evaluation.

Abstract One thousand five hundred and eighty-two subjects with and without cancer were interviewed. An additional seven hundred young, healthy persons completed a self-administering questionnaire. Comparisons of appendectomy prevalence in various diagnostic subdivisions and condensations were made. Subsequently, the procedure of appendectomy was epidemiologically explored, and an attempt was made to relate initial findings of the risk of cancer with appendectomy to appropriate concomitant epidemiological factors. Men with Hodgkin's disease evidence, in this material, significantly higher rates of past appendectomy than the appropriate control group. We could not demonstrate any other statistically significant differences in appendectomy prevalence in men between diverse combinations of diagnostic groupings. In women, large bowel cancers and breast cancers showed significantly higher proportions when contrasted to certain controls but not to others. These differences were mainly related to the incidental procedure and are considered coincidental findings. A history of past appendectomy, especially of the primary variety, is linked to a number of epidemiological facets: race, place of birth, education, and socio-economic status. These tendencies are much more obvious in women than in men. It was impossible to control for all of these factors in a final analysis of appendectomy rates between pertinent cancer and control groups. However, an exploration and discussion of the findings is presented and a future study of a more limited and controlled scope is suggested.
Reflections on the etiology of structural birth defects: Established teratogens and risk factors

Background Various experts in clinical teratology have proposed what they consider to be well-established teratogens. With the recent growth in the number of resources and investigations, there has been a notable proliferation of proposed risk factors as potential causes of human congenital structural defects. The purpose of this Commentary is to provide a concise summary of the current state of knowledge regarding known causes and environmental risk factors of structural defects. Methods We performed a comprehensive search of PubMed for papers in English and in humans only, 2010 to 2014, that included birth defects, risk factors, and teratogens as key terms. Results Our search led to over 9000 papers dealing with these categories. From this, we were able to construct a timetable documenting the recognition of human teratogens and list several proposed environmental risk factors. Three relevant current trends were noticed: An increase of prescription and nonprescription medication use by women during pregnancy; the rise in obesity and its association with structural defects; and a growing body of work regarding outcomes associated with assisted reproductive technology. Conclusion There are numerous risk factors, some modifiable, that have been proposed in recent years. These factors (associations) are only at the preliminary level in the causal chain and require replication. There is a need for more work on protective factors. The phenotypic characterization of cases with congenital defects has improved remarkably in recent years. However, there remains considerable concern with the precise characterization of exposures and the documentation of timing during embryologic development. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 103:652–655, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Spatial equilibrium with locational interdependencies: The case of environmental spillovers

Abstract This paper extends the standard model of urban land rent to include locational interdependencies. It is shown that there exists a unique rent function that clears the urban land market in the presence of direct physical interaction among different sites, i.e., environmental spillovers.
Neutrophil-lymphocyte and platelet-lymphocyte ratio in patients after resection for hepato-pancreatico-biliary malignancies.

Background and Objectives We sought to determine whether Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) or platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were associated with outcomes of patients undergoing surgery for a hepatopancreatico-biliary (HPB) malignancy. Method Between 2000 and 2013, 452 patients who underwent an HPB procedure for a malignant indication were identified. Clinicopathological characteristics, NLR, and PLR, as well as short- and long-term outcomes were analyzed. High NLR and PLR were classified using a cut-off value of 5 and 190, respectively, based on ROC curve analysis. Results Patients with low versus high NLR and PLR had similar baseline characteristics with regard to performance status and tumor stage (all P > 0.05). Elevated PLR (HR = 1.40) tends to be association with shorter recurrence-free survival (RFS) (P = 0.05), whereas NLR was not a predictor of shorter RFS. Differently, both elevated NLR (HR = 1.94) and PLR (HR = 1.79) were associated with worse overall survival (OS) (both P < 0.05). Patients with NLR ≥5 and those with PLR ≥190 had a significantly shorter OS compared to patients with NLR <5 and PLR <190, respectively (log-rank test, both P < 0.05). Moreover, patients who had both NLR and PLR elevated had worse OS compared to patients with either one or none inflammatory markers elevated (log-rank P = 0.02). Conclusion Elevated NLR and PLR were predictors of worse long-term outcome among patients with HPB malignancy undergoing resection. J. Surg. Oncol. 2015 111:868–874. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Correlation between steady transcortical potential and evoked response

In 9 cats and 3 rabbits we investigated the effects of veratrine hydrochloride, weak strychnine, 1 per cent novocaine and 1 per cent KCl upon the steady potential, evoked response, and spontaneous ECG of the somatic receiving area. Under 10−4 veratrine cyclic intense negative shifts of steady potential commence to recur immediately after its application to the cortical surface. In the negative troughs there is depression of evoked response; upon the plateaus between, the initial positive phase is markedly exaggerated and lengthened. Barbiturate spindles also change through exaggeration of their positively directed components. The SP shift which accompanies and follows barbiturate spindles of normal cortex is negative; after veratrine it becomes positive. With time spontaneous spikes of positive polarity appear upon the plateaus of veratrinized cortex, and recur after the steady potential has stabilized again. Such spikes, as well as evoked responses, acquire prolonged after-positivities with time. With 10−3 strychnine we noted exaggeration of the negatively directed components of evoked responses and of barbiturate spindles. The action of veratrine was observed to supercede that of strychnine; that is, after its application the previous effects of strychnine upon the evoked response and upon the barbiturate spindles disappeared, to be succeeded by typical veratrine effect. One per cent novocaine occasions at first an increase in amplitude and duration of the initial positive phase of the evoked response comparable with the earliest noted effect of veratrine. However, no steady potential shifts occur, and this initial effect of novocaine is followed by one of depression of the amplitude of the evoked response. After novocaine is washed off and replaced by veratrine a typical veratrine effect develops with marked exaggeration of the positive component of the evoked response. Veratrine spikes and SP negative shifts also occur. KC1 gives SP negative shifts, occasions only depression in amplitude of the evoked response. Followed by vetratrine, the effect of veratrine on the evoked response while still evident is reduced.
1.5V CMOS current reference with extended temperature operating range

Traditional bandgap based current references have restricted temperature operating range due to the limited input common mode range of the feedback amplifier. This paper introduces a modified bandgap current reference that overcomes this limitation by placing a natural device (V/sub th/ /spl sim/ 0V) level shift stage between the amplifier and the bandgap. The circuit has been fabricated in a 0.25-/spl mu/m CMOS process. It generates a reference current of 5/spl mu/A with a temperature variation of 7% over an extended temperature range of -40/spl deg/C to 150/spl deg/C. The bandgap occupies approximately 170/spl times/80/spl mu/m/sup 2/ and draws 56/spl mu/A from a 1.5V supply.
Standards Based High Performance Computing

While traditional supercomputers are proprietary designs, there has been a dramatic increase in the use of Intel processors in High Performance Computing. One indication of this is the number of Intel based systems appearing on the list of Top500 computers based on MPLinpack performance, which has grown from 3 eighteen months ago to 119 on the most recent list.
The Complex Relationship Between Diet And Health

The relationship between food and health is complex. Everyone needs food to live, but too little food, too much food, or the wrong type of food has negative consequences for health. To increase und...
Data structures and problem solving using Java

From the Publisher: Data Structures and Problem Solving Using Java teaches data structures and algorithms from the perspective of abstract thinking and problem solving. In this text, experienced author and educator Mark Allen Weiss takes a unique approach by clearly separating the specification and implementation of data structures. Dr. Weiss presents the interface and running time of data structures in Part II of the book. Then, he provides the opportunity for students to use the data structures in a variety of practical examples before introducing the implementations in Part IV. By first gaining a familiarity with the interfaces and uses of data structures, readers will be able to think more abstractly about the subject matter.
Ignition and volatilization behavior of dust from loblolly pine wood

Abstract Generation of dust particles typically occurs when biomass feedstocks are preprocessed in preparation for conversion to energy, fuels and chemicals. This paper investigated the ignition risk of dust from loblolly pine wood by quantifying (including moisture content and grinding screen size effects on) the amount of dust in ground wood chips, dust physical and chemical properties, hot surface ignition temperature, critical volatilization and exothermic temperatures, volatile release activation energy and exothermic energy. Experimental results showed that up to 22% (on mass basis) of the ground chips can be in dust form and that about 7% dust will be produced from the typical conditions used to grind wood chips (moisture content of about 15% and hammer mill screen size of 3.18 mm). The fine dust fraction (dust particles passing through 90 μm sieve) had higher ignition risk compared to medium (between 90 and 180 μm) and coarse (between 180 and 420 μm) dust fractions. Up to 5113 kJ/kg of exothermic energy was released during the ignition of the fine dust sample. The results from this study will be useful in the modeling of behavior and design of equipment and systems to minimize risk of dust-causing ignition, fire and explosion in biomass processing plants.
On skewness and kurtosis of econometric estimators

Summary We derive the approximate results for two standardized measures of deviation from normality, namely, the skewness and excess kurtosis coefficients, for a class of econometric estimators. The results are built on a stochastic expansion of the moment condition used to identify the econometric estimator. The approximate results can be used not only to study the finite sample behaviour of a particular estimator, but also to compare the finite sample properties of two asymptotically equivalent estimators. We apply the approximate results to the spatial autoregressive model and find that our results approximate the non-normal behaviours of the maximum likelihood estimator reasonably well. However, when the weights matrix becomes denser, the finite sample distribution of the maximum likelihood estimator departs more severely from normality and our results provide less accurate approximation.
Failure analysis of thermal degradation of TIM during power cycling

This paper discusses a thermal reliability testing experiment and failure analysis (FA) in 32nm SOI Si technology chip packages. Thermal performance of the TIM materials is monitored and physical failure analysis is performed on test vehicle packages post thermal reliability test. Thermomechanical modeling is conducted for different test conditions. TIM thermal degradation is observed at the chip center area in the batch of samples post power cycling (PC) test, while the TIM performance remains normal in the other batch of samples post thermal aging (TA) test. Physical FA findings after TIM bond line thickness measurement (at the chip corners and chip center) and unlidding to inspect the TIM surface morphology confirmed the failure mode is TIM to chip tearing. Finite element modeling results indicate significant difference of stress status in TIM and sealband adhesive between PC and TA test. The TIM experiences compressive stress during PC test, while it is in tensile stress during TA test.
The decomposition of sewage sludge in seawater

Abstract Laboratory experiments were conducted over a 12 week period to follow the decomposition of sewage sludge in seawater and in sediment-seawater mixtures under aerobic and anaerobic conditions at 4° and 21°C. Results showed that the sewage sludge decomposed more rapidly in the presence of oxygen. Dissolved organic carbon, a major carbon source in sewage sludge, abruptly decreased to very low concentrations in 3–4 weeks in aerobic systems; concentrations of particulate carbon decreased only gradually during the 12 week period. Aerobic conditions at the sewage sludge dump site in the New York Bight apex can promote rapid decomposition of sewage sludge if it is distributed evenly over an area of at least 5.2 km 2 (2 miles).
Recent advances in facile synthesis of bimetallic nanostructures: an overview

Nobel metal nanomaterials with interesting physical and chemical properties are ideal building blocks for engineering and tailoring nanoscale structures for specific technological applications. Bimetallic nanomaterials consisting of magnetic metals and noble metals have attracted much interest for their promising potentials in many fields including magnetic sensors, catalysts, optical detection, and biomedical applications. Particularly, effective control of the size, shape, architecture, and compositional microstructure of metal nanomaterials plays an important role in enhancing their functionality and application potentials, for example, in fuel cells, optical and biomedical sensing. This paper focuses on recent advances in controllable synthesis of bimetallic nanostructured materials. Recent contributions in controllable synthesis of bimetallic nanomaterials with different architectures including nanoparticles, nanowires, nanosheets, or nanotubes and their assemblies are presented in this paper. A wide range of facile synthesis methods are covered herein with high emphasis on wet chemical methods owing to their facility of use, efficacy, and smaller environmental footprint.
N-terminal acetylation in paenibacillin, a novel lantibiotic

N-terminal acetylation was uncovered in paenibacillin, a novel lantibiotic recently reported as a product of Paenibacillus polymyxa OSY-DF. This N-terminal modification is unprecedented among bacteria-derived antimicrobial peptides and further illustrates the broad range of modifications that can occur in lantibiotics. Additionally, the primary structure of paenibacillin has been finally determined unequivocally by the extensive NMR analysis taken together with previous MS/MS results. These analyses revealed the structure of paenibacillin as one of the most post-translationally modified lantibiotics.
IMPLICATIONS OF THE VERY HIGH ENERGY GAMMA-RAY DETECTION OF THE QUASAR 3C279

The Major Atmospheric Gamma-Ray Imaging Cherenkov Telescope very high energy (VHE) ?-ray astronomy collaboration recently reported the detection of the quasar 3C279 at >100 GeV ?-ray energies. Here, we present simultaneous optical (BVRI) and X-ray (RXTE PCA) data from the day of the VHE detection and discuss the implications of the snapshot spectral energy distribution for jet models of blazars. A one-zone synchrotron-self-Compton (SSC) origin of the entire spectral energy distribution (SED), including the VHE ?-ray emission is highly problematic as it would require an unrealistically low magnetic field. The measured level of VHE emission could, in principle, be interpreted as Compton upscattering of external radiation (e.g., from the broad-line regions, BLRs). However, such an interpretation would require either an unusually low magnetic field of B ~ 0.03 G, or (in order to achieve approximate equipartition between magnetic field at B ~ 0.25 G and relativistic electrons) an unrealistically high Doppler factor of ? ~ 140. In addition, such a model fails to reproduce the observed X-ray flux. Furthermore, both versions of leptonic one-zone models produce intrinsic VHE ?-ray spectra steeper than measured, even in the case of the lowest plausible extragalactic ?? absorption. We therefore conclude that a simple one-zone, homogeneous leptonic jet model is not able to plausibly reproduce the SED of 3C279 including the recently detected VHE ?-ray emission. This as well as the lack of correlated variability in the optical with the VHE ?-ray emission and the substantial ?? opacity of the BLR radiation field to VHE ?-rays suggests a multi-zone model in which the optical emission is produced in a different region than the VHE ?-ray emission. In particular, an SSC model with an emission region far outside the BLR reproduces the simultaneous X-ray-VHE ?-ray spectrum of 3C279. Alternatively, a hadronic model is capable of reproducing the observed SED of 3C279 reasonably well, both in scenarios in which only the internal synchrotron field serves as targets for p? pion production, and with a substantial contribution from external photons, e.g., from the BLR. However, either version of the hadronic model requires a rather extreme jet power of up to Lj ~ 1049 erg s?1, compared to a requirement of Lj ~ 2 ? 1047 erg s?1 for a multi-zone leptonic model.
Cis and trans isomers of dichlorodiamminepalladium (II)

Abstract The existence and characterization of cis and trans isomers of Pd(NH3)2Cl2 have been re-investigated. A stable monoclinic trans compound has been prepared at low temperature. It has been shown that when trans-Pd(NH3)2Cl2 is prepared at room temperature or above, it is a mixture of monoclinic and tetragonal dimorphs. The material previously reported to be cis-Pd(NH3)2Cl2 has been shown to be a complex mixture while the pure authentic cis-Pd(NH3)2Cl2 has been prepared and identified by its unique X-ray diffraction pattern and infra-red spectrum.
Effect of interferon on the course of spontaneous and radiation-induced renal lesions in the RF-Un mouse.

Summary. A spontaneous form of progressive intercapillary glomerulosclerosis (IGS) develops in RF/Un mice in early life and is accelerated by neonatal irradiation. The lesions are similar to those seen in mice with viral infections and may be of viral origin. In the present study, daily injection of the antiviral agent interferon appeared to retard the course of both spontaneous and radiation-induced IGS in RF/Un mice. In addition, the occurrence of the lesions was independent of the occurrence of myeloid leukemia, suggesting that if IGS is viral mediated, the virus is different from the agent responsible for the high incidence of myeloid leukemia in mice of the RF/Un strain.
Gene-carbohydrate and gene-fiber interactions and type 2 diabetes in diverse populations from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) as part of the Epidemiologic Architecture for Genes Linked to Environment (EAGLE) study

Both environmental and genetic factors impact type 2 diabetes (T2D). To identify such modifiers, we genotyped 15 T2D-associated variants from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in 6,414 non-Hispanic whites, 3,073 non-Hispanic blacks, and 3,633 Mexican American participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) and evaluated interactions between these variants and carbohydrate intake and fiber intake. We calculated a genetic risk score (GRS) with the 15 SNPs. The odds ratio for T2D with each GRS point was 1.10 (95% CI: 1.05-1.14) for non-Hispanic whites, 1.07 (95% CI: 1.02-1.13) for non-Hispanic blacks, and 1.11 (95% CI: 1.06-1.17) for Mexican Americans. We identified two gene-carbohydrate interactions (P < 0.05) in non-Hispanic whites (with CDKAL1 rs471253 and FTO rs8050136), two in non-Hispanic blacks (with IGFBP2 rs4402960 and THADA rs7578597), and two in Mexican Americans (with NOTCH2 rs1092398 and TSPAN8-LGRS rs7961581). We found three gene-fiber interactions in non-Hispanic whites (with ADAMT59 rs4607103, CDKN2A/2B rs1801282, and FTO rs8050136), two in non-Hispanic blacks (with ADAMT59 rs4607103 and THADA rs7578597), and two in Mexican Americans (with THADA rs7578597 and TSPAN8-LGRS rs796158) at the P < 0.05 level. Interactions between the GRS and nutrients failed to reach significance in all the racial/ethnic groups. Our results suggest that dietary carbohydrates and fiber may modify T2D-associated variants, highlighting the importance of dietary nutrients in predicting T2D risk.
Testing implications of data dependencies

Presented is a computation method—the chase—for testing implication of data dependencies by a set of data dependencies. The chase operates on tableaux similar to those of Aho, Sagiv, and Ullman. The chase includes previous tableau computation methods as special cases. By interpreting tableaux alternately as mappings or as templates for relations, it is possible to test implication of join dependencies (including multivalued dependencies) and functional dependencies by a set of dependencies.
Treatment of Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura with the Cryosupernatant Fraction of Plasma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

We report a case of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) that did not respond to extensive plasma exchange with fresh frozen plasma (FFP) but responded to plasma exchange with cryosupernatant. Several reports indicate that responses to cryosupernatant may be seen in patients refractory to FFP, and this approach may be appropriate in these patients before one recommends a splenectomy. The literature on refractory TTP treated with cryosupernatant exchange is reviewed.
Two Game Models for Cooperation with Implicit Noncooperation

We propose two flexible game models to represent and analyze cases that cannot be modeled by current game models. One is called sharing creditability game (SCG) and the other is called bottomline game (BLG). The new models transform cooperative games into new games that incorporate auxiliary information (noncooperative in nature) usually neglected in previous theories. The new games will be solved only by traditional noncooperative game theory. When the new solutions are applied to the original games, the solutions can reflect the auxiliary information in addition to the original objectives of the decision makers or players. Generally, the new solutions are different from the cooperative and the noncooperative solutions of the original games. Existing transferable utility (TU) games and noncooperative games will coincide with special cases of the two new game models. Using SCG and BLG, the prisoner's dilemma can be reformulated and a richer set of decisions can be considered for the players. The two new game models have potential applications in military and socioeconomic situations.
Reliability of the Koppitz scoring system for the Bender Gestalt Test.

This study investigated the test-retest reliability of the Koppitz scoring system with Bender Gestalt protocols of adult retardates. Results of a sample of 74 adult retardates yielded a correlation of .80 over an interval of 8 to 146 months. A directional measure of change between error scores on the first and second administrations was not significant, which suggests that the test-retest reliability coefficient is an accurate estimate of the Koppitz scoring system for adult retardates. Scorer reliability for three independent scorers ranged from .92 to .95, which suggests comparability to other investigations with different populations.
Multiport network approach for modeling the mutual coupling effects in microstrip patch antennas and arrays

A method is described for representing the mutual coupling between edges of a microstrip patch (or the edges of two different patches in an array) in form of a mutual admittance matrix. Coefficients of the mutual admittance matrix are evaluated by modelling the edge fields by equivalent magnetic current line sources. The formulation is an extension of the multiport network modeling of microstrip patches and the segmentation method of analysis. Results are found to be in good agreement with the measured data on mutual coupling available in the literature. Relative contributions of various edges of rectangular patches to the mutual coupling are discussed. >
A portable virus concentrator for testing water in the field

Abstract A system is described for concentrating viruses from large volumes of water. The system consists of a water pump, an electric generator, a series of clarifiers, a virus adsorbent, a virus reconcentrator, a 5- and a 1-gal pressure vessel with a small tank of nitrogen as a source of positive pressure, and ancillary equipment, all mounted on 2-wheel carts for easy portability. Standardization of the system was achieved by use of minute amounts of poliovirus. The virus was added to dechlorinated city tap water so that it could not be detected unless the virus was first concentrated. In the system, raw tap water containing virus is serially passed through clarifying filters of porosities of 1–5 μm to remove particulate matter, and then through a 1-μm cotton textile filter to electrostatically remove submicron ferric and other heavy metallic complexes. These filters do not detectably remove virus. Salts are then added to the running tap water to enhance the adsorption of virus to a fibreglass or cellulose acetate filter. Raw water could be processed at the rate of 300 gallons per hour, with total virus removal from the water and with 80 per cent elution of the virus from the adsorbent.
Orthogonal polynomial approach to fluids with internal degrees of freedom: The case of nonpolar, polarizable molecules

The molecules of real liquids have internal degrees of freedom that may couple with the external ones of position and orientation so that they affect and are affected by the microscopic liquid structure. For cases where the internal coordinates possess a Boltzmann-like distribution, a procedure is described whereby such coordinates can be incorporated into the conventional formulation of classical liquid theory with no approximations beyond some reliable closure relation familiar from simple liquids. The basis of the procedure is expansions in appropriate orthogonal polynomials of the internal coordinates. This program is successfully carried out for a classical model of nonpolar, polarizable molecules treated as Drude oscillators, generalizing published solutions of the mean spherical approximation for the same model.
Thulium fiber laser ablation of kidney stones using a 50-μm-core silica optical fiber

Our laboratory is currently studying the experimental thulium fiber laser (TFL) as a potential alternative laser lithotripter to the gold standard, clinical Holmium:YAG laser. We have previously demonstrated the efficient coupling of TFL energy into fibers as small as 100-μm-core-diameter without damage to the proximal end. Although smaller fibers have a greater tendency to degrade at the distal tip during lithotripsy, fiber diameters (≤200 μm) have been shown to increase the saline irrigation rates through the working channel of a flexible ureteroscope, to maximize the ureteroscope deflection, and to reduce the stone retropulsion during laser lithotripsy. In this study, a 50-μm-core-diameter, 85-μm-outer-diameter, low-OH silica fiber is characterized for TFL ablation of human calcium oxalate monohydrate urinary stones, ex vivo. The 50-μm-core fiber consumes approximately 30 times less cross-sectional area inside the single working channel of a ureteroscope than the standard 270-μm-core fiber currently used in the clinic. The ureteroscope working channel flow rate, including the 50-μm fiber, decreased by only 10% with no impairment of ureteroscope deflection. The fiber delivered up to 15.4±5.9 W under extreme bending (5-mm-radius) conditions. The stone ablation rate measured 70±22 μg/s for 35-mJ-pulse-energy, 500-μs-pulse-duration, and 50-Hz-pulse-rate. Stone retropulsion and fiber burnback averaged 201±336 and 3000±2600 μm, respectively, after 2 min. With further development, thulium fiber laser lithotripsy using ultra-small, 50-μm-core fibers may introduce new integration and miniaturization possibilities and potentially provide an alternative to conventional Holmium:YAG laser lithotripsy using larger fibers.
Effects of tobacco smoke inhalation on capillary blood flow in human skin.

To measure the effects of tobacco smoke inhalation on capillary blood flow in human skin, 20 female tobacco smokers consented to smoke three cigarettes with nicotine levels of 0.50, 0.98, and 1.90 mg per cigarette, each on a separate occasion. Measurements of blood flow velocity and vascular diameter were made along the venous limb of capillaries within the nailfold skin of the third finger via videomicroscopy before and for 5 min after the smoking of each cigarette. Capillary blood flow (CBF) was calculated as a product of capillary cross-sectional area and flow velocity. Resting pre-smoke CBF for all experiments combined averaged 4.7 X 10(4) mu 3/sec. All three cigarettes elicited a significant reduction in CBF with the maximal effect within the first 2 min of the post-smoke period (p less than or equal to .05). Respective CBF values during this time averaged 3.6, 3.4, and 2.7 mu 3/sec for the low-, medium-, and high-nicotine cigarettes. Although the data suggested a downward trend in CBF with increasing nicotine levels, the post-smoke values were not significantly different among the three cigarettes. It is concluded that acute tobacco smoke inhalation reduces CBF in human skin, but the effect is not related to the nicotine content of the cigarettes. The changes in cutaneous CBF observed with tobacco smoking are less compared to reported effects of smoke inhalation on total digital blood flow.
High-yield shake-flask fermentation of xylose to ethanol

Methods of achieving high-yield fermentation ofd-xylose to ethanol in shake flasks were investigated using the microaerophilic yeastPichia stipitis NRRL Y-7124. Ethanol yields based on consumed xylose approached the theoretical maximum of 0.51 g/g at high culture volumes. Although volumetric productivities decreased from 0.46 g/L-h at 100 mL to 0.15 g/L-h at 225 mL, ethanol yields on consumed xylose of 0.50 g/g were achieved in 250-mL DeLong culture flasks at culture volumes of 200 and 225 mL.
Photorefractive Beam Fanning Optical Limiter

We have investigated the potential for using photorefractive phenomena in optical limiting devices. The major obstacle preventing the photorefractive limiter from reaching this potential has been speed of response. In this paper we report on several techniques which are successful in enhancing the photorefractive beam fanning response time. In particular, we demonstrate and characterize the use of applied electric fields, gratings to seed the beam fan, and cylindrical focusing. We also report the first demonstration of a prototype beam fanning optical limiter encompassing many of the proposed improvements.
Role of the implantation site on metastatic ability of the murine MBT-2 transitional cell carcinoma

The influence of implantation site on the metastatic behavior of a murine transitional cell carcinoma line (MBT-2) was examined. MBT-2 cells were injected into one of four anatomic sites; subcutaneously, intramuscularly, intravenously or into the footpad, to evaluate the influence of implantation site on the formation and number of metastases. The MBT-2 cell line produced a low incidence of lung metastases after intravenous injection with a mean of 1.1 lung tumors per mouse. Injection of MBT-2 cells into the footpad or subcutaneously did not produce metastases from the primary tumor. Intramuscular implantation, however, resulted in a sixty percent incidence of metastasis with a mean of 8.2 lung nodules per mouse. This study demonstrated a definite implantation site influence on the metastatic ability of the MBT-2 line.
The sexual development of the adolescent daughter of a homosexual mother.

This is a clinical study describing the development of the sexual identity of an adolescent daughter of a homosexual mother. The material presented covers 41/2 years of the child's life from ages 13 to 18. It describes her responses to homosexual and heterosexual stimuli and how she progressed through various stages viz. homosexual, bisexual, and heterosexual. Her self-identification in sexual partner preference subtly followed her mother's behavior in the initial adolescent years. She later settled with a heterosexual self-label. The influence of the traditional lifestyle of her father and her mother in the first 12 years of life cannot be ignored and may be the main determinant of the final outcome. In this case, the gender identity remained feminine. The freedom for homosexual experimentation exists as a possibility if the right opportunity presents itself.
The influence of light on egg buoyancy and hatching rate of the walleye pollock, Theragra chalcogramma

Changes in buoyancy in fertilized bathypelagic eggs of the walleye pollock, Theragra chalcogramma, collected from Shelikof Strait in the Gulf of Alaska were measured under controlled laboratory conditions in density gradient columns from 90 h post–fertilization through hatching. Eggs were incubated at 6° C and exposed to either diel light or constant dark. Eggs held under diel light conditions became more dense than eggs under constant dark beginning <10 h after exposure to light and remained so until 12 h before hatching. Eggs held under constant dark then became more dense than those under diel light. Hatching of eggs under both conditions began at the same time but eggs under diel light showed a delayed hatching rate. Light–induced changes in egg density indicate the ability of walleye pollock eggs to respond to external stimuli and thereby alter their position in the water column in an ecologically meaningful way.