cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A parametric approach for assessment of thermomechanical fatigue performance of Sn-based solder joints

Thermomechanical fatigue (TMF) behavior of tin-based solder joints depends on several material-, process-, and service-related parameters. Although several focused studies have been conducted on such solder joints, incorporation of the roles of the above parameters and their relative importance for a comprehensive assessment of TMF behavior has not materialized so far due to the complexities involved. This paper suggests a simple parametric approach for the lifetime/reliability prediction of Sn-based solder joints incorporating findings from studies related to material and service issues.
Radii and Collision Probabilities of Mestastable Neon and Mercury Atoms

The problem of the life-time of metastable atoms was treated on the basis of the assumptions that (1) metastable atoms diffuse to the walls of the containing vessel and give up their energy there, and (2) metastable atoms perform impacts with other atoms and are either lowered to the normal state or raised to a higher state. The result was obtained that, for large values of the time elapsing after the cut-off of the excitation, the average number of metastable atoms per cc decays exponentially with the time, with an exponential constant equal to $\frac{A}{p}+Bp$ where $p$ is the pressure and $A$ and $B$ are constants containing the radius of the metastable atom and the probability of dissipative impact. The experimental results of Meissner and Graffunder, Eckstein, Zemansky and Pool are treated according to the theory, and values of the radius and probability are found. The radius in each case comes out smaller than the normal value, and the values of the probability are shown to substantiate the view that, in impacts between metastable atoms and either normal atoms of the same kind or foreign gas atoms whose first excitation potential is higher than the energy of the metastable atom, the metastable atom is raised to a state of higher energy.
Anorektale Fehlbildung: Von der Schwierigkeit darüber zu reden – Ergebnisse einer qualitativen Studie

Anorectal malformations cause life long conditions, making it necessary to find ways of communicating the disability in the social context. Incontinence, regular enemas, genital reconstruction, catheterization and scares are just some of the common difficulties affected people have to live with. Intimate disabilities like anorectal malformations cause feelings of shame and embarrassment, and are taboo in our society. Experiences of rejection or just the fear of it cause affected people to hide their disability. In a qualitative study, affected young adults talked about the impact of this disability on their lifes. All interviewees started to hide their condition sometime in older childhood and early adolescents. After a struggling process, torn between fears of discovery and rejection all of them found ways to communicate their condition. All interviewees described revealing their condition in stages and only to certain social groups. Trust is the main prerequisite for revelation. Trust has two aspects, first the person needs to trust that the information will not be spread and second there needs to be trust that the other person will be able to understand and accept the person despite their condition. Support through family, friends, and peers in a support group are helpful. Important in this process is once ability to accept their own condition.
Two-dimensional electrophoresis and densitometric analysis of solubilized bovine sperm plasma membrane proteins detected by silver staining and radioiodination.

Bovine sperm plasma membranes were extracted with deoxycholate and subjected to two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Proteins were visualized either by silver staining or autoradiography using 125I. When 1.5–2.0 μg of protein extract was applied to the first-dimension get, 250 spots could be detected by autoradiography. Thirty micrograms of protein was required to obtain spot visualization using silver strain, revealing more than 500 spots on the gel. These data establish the limit under which two-dimensional electrophoresis can be used in conjunction with flow cytometric sorting of sperm for the analysis of possible sex-specific membrane differences. The necessity of orienting sperm as they past the laser in the cell sorting system reduces throughput; thus, the number of sperm sorted within a given time is limited. It is suggested that autoradiography will allow the flow cytometer to be used in a time-efficient manner. Longer sorting times would be required to obtain sufficient sample to analyze total pr...
Violence in Whitman's "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd"

Offers a reading of "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd" that demonstrates how Whitman uses the poem to sublimate the violence of Lincoln's assassination, so that "what on the purely historical level is a man's unnatural death at the hands of another man--a violent 'crime'--becomes on more symbolic levels a natural, necessary creative event."
Prodromal Symptoms Before Onset of Manic-Depressive Disorder Suggested by First Hospital Admission Histories

ABSTRACT Objective A priority for research on manic-depressive or bipolar I disorder (BPI) for children and adolescents has been to search for early predictors of the illness. Method Medical record data were reviewed and systematically coded for a sample of 58 adult patients (32 males/26 females) with confirmed diagnoses of BPI to identify prodromal features and possible patterns of symptoms from the Amish Study. Results The most frequently reported symptoms included episodic changes in mood (depressed and irritable) and energy plus anger dyscontrol, with no significant gender differences. A progression of ages is seen for the most commonly reported symptoms prior to age 16. The time interval was 9 to 12 years between appearance of the first symptoms and onset of a documented BPI syndrome. Conclusions The data suggest testable hypotheses about specific symptoms and behaviors that may be useful for the early detection of children at highest risk for developing manic-depressive disorder.
Personality predictors of religious orientation among Protestant, Catholic, and non-religious college students

Abstract A total of 249 college students completed a questionnaire regarding their Religious Affiliation, Intrinsic/extrinsic Religiosity, Impulsiveness, Venturesomeness, Irrational Beliefs, Neuroticism, Depression, Obsession Proneness, Irrational Beliefs, and Positive and Negative stress. The subsample used included 214 students who indicated they were non-religious, Protestant, or Catholic. Religious affiliation was found to be a moderator of the correlations of religious ego-involvement i.e. intrinsic religious motivation, with various personality variables. Intrinsic religiosity was found to be predictive of proneness to obsessive-compulsive cognitions/behaviors among Catholics, but not among non-religious and Protestant subjects. These results were discussed in terms of ego-involvement with the particular social norms espoused by different religious affiliations.
Oral Candida colonizes the stomach and gastrostomy feeding tubes

The lumen of gastrostomy tubes is frequently colonized with Candida. To investigate the source of this contamination, 20 consecutive malnourished patients undergoing placement of a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube and ten ambulatory controls having routine upper endoscopy performed had both their oral cavity and gastric antrum swabbed and cultured. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube recipients who after several weeks were still under our care (9 of 20) had the lumen of their tubes cultured. Fungi were isolated from the stomach in 13 (65%) of 20 patients undergoing percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube placement but in only 1 of 10 ambulatory patients (p < .01). The species isolated from the oral cavity, the stomach, and later the gastrostomy tube were identical in most cases. We conclude that gastrostomy tubes are probably colonized by oral organisms that have made their way into the stomach.
Self-stabilized quantum optical Fredkin gate enabled by the Raman effect

We demonstrate a quantum optical Fredkin gate in an all-fiber setup, which is self-stabilizing against pump fluctuations owing to stimulated Raman scattering occurring naturally in such a system.
Development of a staring mosaic module

A very large-scale hybrid module incorporating laminated ceramic boards, deposited PbS detectors, and wirebonded filter/MUX chips is described. This module can be used as an element of a large staring mosaic detection array or a high density multiple linear array. The paper reviews the module design for the staring sensor application and discusses material and process developmental issues. Test results are presented for both module components and the module itself.
Querying geospatial data streams in SECONDO

In this demo paper, we report our experience of designing and implementing a geospatial data stream query engine in SECONDO. Compared with current data stream and moving object query systems, our query engine not only supports point geo-streams that represent continuously moving points, but also line and region geo-streams that represent complex spatio-temporal phenomena elevated from geo-referenced raw readings. We implement the data types, operators, and language extensions as a modular algebra in SECONDO. We also provide an independent SQL parser for specifying continuous queries using SQL-like syntax as well as an Ajax-driven web interface for dynamic visualization of steaming results.
Efficiency considerations and emerging applications of novel wide band gap luminescent materials

We discuss in general terms factors which determine the luminescence efficiency of activated wide band gap materials. These processes can be classified into two broad categories: the first, which has been thoroughly studied, entails interactions which lead to non-radiative dissipation of optical energy at the specific active center. The second set concerns interactions leading to the delocalization and the transport of optical energy away from the originally excited state. Recent spectroscopic results from these studies have allowed the absolute placement of the ground state of luminescent ion series within the band gap of the host crystal and have cast light on the systematics of such placement. These results are relevant to materials which evince the property of persistent phosphorescence. Developments in these materials as well as a number of new applications will be touched upon.
Large-amplitude steady rotational water waves

Two-dimensional, finite-depth periodic water waves with general vorticity and large amplitude are computed. The mathematical formulation and numerical method that allow us to compute a continuum of such waves with arbitrary vorticity are described. The problems of whether extreme waves exist, where their stagnation points occur, and what qualitative features such waves possess are addressed here with particular emphasis on constant vorticity.
Two types of hadrons

Abstract Resonances and enhancements in meson–meson scattering can be divided into two classes distinguished by their behavior as the number of colors ( N c ) in QCD becomes large: The first are ordinary mesons that become stable as N c → ∞ . This class includes textbook q ¯ q mesons as well as glueballs and hybrids. The second class, extraordinary mesons, are enhancements that disappear as N c → ∞ ; they subside into the hadronic continuum. This class includes indistinct and controversial objects that have been classified as q ¯ q ¯ q q mesons or meson–meson molecules. Pelaez's study of the N c dependence of unitarized chiral dynamics illustrates both classes: the p -wave ππ and Kπ resonances, the ρ ( 770 ) and K ∗ ( 892 ) , behave as ordinary mesons; the s -wave ππ and Kπ enhancements, the σ ( 600 ) and κ ( 800 ) , behave like extraordinary mesons. Ordinary mesons resemble Feshbach resonances while extraordinary mesons look more like effects due to potentials in meson–meson scattering channels. I build and explore toy models along these lines. Finally I discuss some related dynamical issues affecting the interpretation of extraordinary mesons.
Long-Term Expression of Fos-Related Antigen and Transient Expression of ΔFosB Associated with Seizures in the Rat Hippocampus and Striatum

Systemic administration of kainic acid (KA), an analogue of glutamic acid, causes limbic seizures and pathophysiological changes in adult rats that are very similar to human temporal lobe epilepsy. One of the earliest changes in gene expression after treatment with KA is the induction of immediate-early genes. The fos and jun families are frequently studied immediate-early genes that are induced by KA. Several groups, including ours, have recently reported that a 35-kDa Fos-related antigen (FRA) is induced for a protracted time by various stimuli. It has been suggested that this FRA is delta FosB, which has a molecular mass of approximately 35 kDa. The present study characterizes the long-term expression of FRA and delta FosB after systemic treatment with KA. Immunocytochemistry and western blot analysis using an antibody that cross-reacts with all known FRAs showed that a 35-kDa FRA was induced at high levels in both the hippocampus and striatum for up to 1 month by KA. A semiquantitative PCR analysis showed that delta FosB was induced by KA, but its expression lasted for only 6 h. This result was also verified by northern blot analysis. These results suggested that the 35-kDa FRA with long-term elevated levels seen with western blot analysis and immunocytochemistry is a new species of the FRA and not delta FosB. The long-term expression of FRA in both the hippocampus and striatum may be associated with the pathophysiological changes after KA administration.
A physics-based digital human model

This paper presents a comprehensive human modelling and simulation environment. This environment, called Santos™, is a new generation of digital human simulation systems that allows a user to interact with a digital character with full and accurate biomechanics and a complete muscular system, subject to the laws of physics. Major results in the areas of dynamic motion prediction, advanced posture prediction and comfort level assessment, physiology model, modelling of clothing and muscle wrapping and force assessment will be presented. This paper will feature the various modules that comprise the Santos environment.
Low‐dose Ketamine Improves Pain Relief in Patients Receiving Intravenous Opioids for Acute Pain in the Emergency Department: Results of a Randomized, Double‐blind, Clinical Trial

Objectives Low-dose ketamine has been used perioperatively for pain control and may be a useful adjunct to intravenous (IV) opioids in the control of acute pain in the emergency department (ED). The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of low-dose ketamine as an adjunct to morphine versus standard care with morphine alone for the treatment of acute moderate to severe pain among ED patients. Methods A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial with three study groups was conducted at a large, urban academic ED over a 10-month period. Eligible patients were 18 to 65 years old with acute moderate to severe pain (score of at least 5 out of 10 on the numerical pain rating scale [NRS] and pain duration < 7 days) who were deemed by their treating physician to require IV opioids. The three study groups were: 1) morphine and normal saline placebo (standard care group), 2) morphine and 0.15 mg/kg ketamine (group 1), or 3) morphine and 0.3 mg/kg ketamine (group 2). Participants were assessed at 30, 60, and 120 minutes after study medication administration and received rescue analgesia as needed to target a 50% reduction in pain. The primary outcome measure of pain relief, or pain intensity reduction, was derived using the NRS and calculated as the summed pain-intensity (SPID) difference over 2 hours. The amount and timing of rescue opioid analgesia was evaluated as a secondary outcome. The occurrence of adverse events was also measured. Results Sixty patients were enrolled (n = 20 in each group). There were no differences between study groups with respect to age, sex, race/ethnicity, preenrollment analgesia, or baseline NRS. Over the 2-hour poststudy medication administration period, the SPIDs were higher (greater pain relief) for the ketamine study groups than the control group (standard care 4.0, interquartile range [IQR] = 1.8 to 6.5; group 1 7.0, IQR = 4.3 to 10.8; and group 2 7.8, IQR = 4.8 to 12.8; p < 0.02). The SPIDs for the ketamine groups were similar (p < 0.46). When compared to standard care, group 2 sustained the reduction in pain intensity up to 2 hours, whereas group 1 was similar to standard care by 2 hours. Similar numbers of patients received rescue analgesia: standard care group, seven of 20, 35%; group 1, four of 20, 20%; and group 2, four of 20, 20% (p = 0.48). Among those receiving rescue analgesia, those in the standard care group received analgesia sooner than either low-dose ketamine group, on average. More participants in the low-dose ketamine groups reported dysphoria and dizziness. Conclusions Low-dose ketamine is a viable analgesic adjunct to morphine for the treatment of moderate to severe acute pain. Dosing of 0.3 mg/kg is possibly more effective than 0.15 mg/kg, but may be associated with minor adverse events. Future studies should evaluate additional outcomes, optimum dosing, and use in specific populations.
Going mobile: AMPA receptors move synapse to synapse in vivo.

Plasticity models invoke the synaptic delivery of AMPARs, yet we know little about how receptors move in vivo. In this issue of Neuron, Hoerndli et al. (2013) show that lateral diffusion and kinesin-mediated transport move AMPARs between synapses in vivo.
Possibilities for Dietary Fat and antioxidants as Modulators of Mammary Carcinogenesis

The problem of defining a threshold for even a single carcinogen is both old and new. If one defines “threshold” as the quantity of carcinogen or other etiologic agent just capable of producing a tumor, then at least a common ground is described. However, this “threshold level” may be modulated upwards or downwards in the organism by various environmental and internal factors. A specific case in point is the known influence of dietary fat, especially polyunsaturated fat as an enhancer of many types of tumors, i.e., it appears to be acting to lower the threshold level of carcinogen that is required to elicit a tumorigenic response. Conversely, many dietary antioxidants such as BHT, BHA, and propyl galIate have been shown to effectively raise the threshold level, or decrease the tumorigenic response to a given level of carcinogen. The possible mechanisms through which the dietary factors modify tumorigenesis will be discussed. These will include specific influences and interactions of dietary factors on 7, ...
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of botulinum toxin type A for the treatment of glabellar lines: determination of optimal dose.

BACKGROUND Botulinum toxin is used to treat glabellar lines, but the optimal dose of Reloxin (Dysport, Ipsen Biopharm Ltd.) for this indication remains to be established. OBJECTIVE The objective was to evaluate three doses of Reloxin to determine its efficacy and safety in treating glabellar lines. METHODS AND MATERIALS Participants were given 20, 50, or 75 U of Reloxin, or placebo, injected across the glabella. Follow-up was on Days 7, 30, 60, 90, and 120. Adverse events were also elicited by telephone on Day 3. RESULTS From investigators' and participants' assessments at Day 30, there were significantly more responders in each Reloxin-treated group than placebo (p≤ 0.001). The 50-U dose was as effective as the 75-U dose, with a similar duration. The most common adverse events were mild headache and nasopharyngitis, occurring similarly in all groups. CONCLUSIONS Reloxin (Dysport/botulinum toxin type A) treatment resulted in a significant improvement in glabellar lines, and the 50-U dose was identified as optimal. All doses were well tolerated.
The Detection of Stimuli Rotating in Depth Amid Linear Motion and Rotating Distractors

Abstract In three experiments, observers watched displays consisting of two or more areas that contained unidirectionally moving pixels. In half of the displays, one area of pixels contained movement that corresponded to the projection of the front surface of a rotating cylinder. The total duration of the displays and the number of stimulus areas per display were varied. The subjects' task was to indicate whether or not a given display contained rotation. When the display time required to reach 75% accuracy was determined, it was found that the number of stimuli per display had no effect; nor did it interact with other variables. One control experiment eliminated “pixel crowding” at the edges of the rotating cylinders, with little effect on the results. Another control experiment found that the ability to discriminate rotating from linear motion declines with distance away from fixation. A fourth experiment showed that under conditions similar to the first three, subjects can make accurate shape discriminations, thereby suggesting that three-dimensional information contributed to the decisions made in the original experiments. On the basis of these results and previous data, it is suggested that in the present experiments structure was recovered from motion by the short-range process, and that this recovery engages attention to a relatively constant extent, regardless of the number of stimuli contained in a display. Shape discrimination based on structure from motion may require a more effortful form of attention. Copyright © 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.
Asthma in the pregnant adolescent: A review

Adolescent pregnancy has increased in the past decade (1–5), often in association with poverty, poor education, and inadequate prenatal care. While it has been suggested that adverse pregnancy outcomes are more common among adolescents in the inner city, recent data show that in a white, middle-class population teenaged mothers are more likely to have adverse pregnancy outcomes (5). Asthma is also becoming more common, with an incidence of at least 6.6% in 15–16 year old girls (6,7). Poverty and living in the inner city are associated with increased morbidity and mortality from asthma (8–11). Adolescents with asthma who become pregnant provide an added challenge to the physician who must consider the impact of the pregnancy on the asthma and vice versa. The physician must understand the effects of both the asthma medication and/or poorly controlled disease on the fetus. The physician must also be able to convey this information to the adolescent in a developmentally appropriate manner to enable the patient to make informed health care decisions (12).
Molecules and morphologies: the perpetuation of pattern in the ciliated protozoa.

SYNOPSIS. Three apparently conflicting generalizations concerning the relationships between molecules and cell structure may be derived from studies on cellular patterning in the ciliates. (A) Cells with identical genes and molecular composition may have different hereditary patterns. (B) Genes, through their prescribed molecular derivatives, constrain the modes of pattern permutation and define the states of greatest stability. (C) Cells with identical hereditary patterns may have entirely different genes and molecular compositions. These principles may be reconciled through the recognition that they are characteristically applicable over different time intervals. Hereditary differences within a clone and without related molecular differences (principle A) may persist for hundreds of cell generations, but they are resolved eventually within a constant environment (principle B) as the configuration of minimal free energy is approached. On an even longer time scale, molecular substitutions have occurred for many or most components of the cell, but these have been constrained by selective pressures on an ancient design (principle C) that disallow substitutions affecting certain form-function relations which have been elevated to an adaptive peak.
Preparation and characterization of a sex-dependent rat urinary protein

Abstract A major urinary protein of the male rat was purified by a combination of (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 fractionation and chromatography on DEAE-cellulose. The molecular weight, sedimentation coefficient ( s 0 20, w ) and isoelectric point were determined to be 26 400, 2.2.S and pH 3.4, respectively. Hexose, glucosamine and sialic acid were shown tobe 2%, 1.6% and 1.4%. The amino acid composition was also established. The electrophoretic migration was studied in starch-gel and immunoelectrophoretic systems. In the immunoelectrophoretic system, the purified protein migrated similarly to one of the major components of the total urinary proteins previously designated as a α 2 -globulin.
Aspects: from promise to reality

The concepts underpinning Aspect Oriented Software Development (AOSD) have been with us for many years. The last couple of years have been particularly exciting, with much of the promise brought into sharp reality. The timing for our industry couldn't be more critical; urgent help is needed to address the growing software complexity crisis. Deployment of uniform implementations of cross-cutting concerns into a range of software products is now feasible, and large and complex software can be factored and recomposed into simpler, better targeted, higher quality offerings. In this talk we describe how IBM® plans to put this technology into production to simplify the delivery and service of high quality software, to deliver new solutions for our customers' development requirements, to create opportunities for customers to add value to their software, and to accelerate new initiatives at the heart of IBM's software strategy.
Density of Energy in the Universe

The density of radiant energy given off by stars and luminous matter in the universe is computed and is found to be 6.91\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ erg/sq. cm/sec. as received by the earth. In interstellar space, ${10}^{6}$ light years from the nearest spiral nebula, the energy density will be between 2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}5}$ and 2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$ erg, the former value representing energy from all known nebulae and the latter an extrapolation to the 25th magnitude, further extrapolation being forbidden by red-shift considerations. The latter figures are considerably smaller than the cosmic-ray energy densities found by Millikan and others.
Spin-Projected Hartree-Fock Calculations on the He-Like Ions Using General Spin Orbitals

Spin-projected Hartree-Fock (PHF) wave functions are obtained for the isoelectronic series ${\mathrm{H}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, He, ${\mathrm{Li}}^{+}$, and ${\mathrm{Be}}^{++}$, using different orbitals for different spins and general spin-orbitals (GSO), in both cases of pure $s$ character. The GSO energy for He is -2.87887 a.u., accounting for 99.1% of the radial correlation energy. A natural orbital analysis of the GSO function shows that it corresponds to a configuration interaction function with three ${s}^{2}$ configurations. The one-electron energies obtained from the PHF equations are given an interpretation as ionization energies. In the GSO case, the one-electron energies are not unique, but an upper limit is obtained.
Right heart interaction with the mechanically assisted left heart.

Right ventricular (RV) failure has been reported to be a problem in 49 of 213 patients who received left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) at 12 different centers. Although the pathology of the problem is not understood, it is clear that the effect of an LVAD on hemodynamic ventricular interactions due to the right and left hearts being in series, and on mechanical ventricular interactions due to the anatomic coupling between the ventricles, could play a role in determining the ultimate fate of the right ventricle. Six hypotheses were generated concerning beneficial and detrimental effects of an LVAD on the determinants of right ventricular function (preload, afterload, contractility). The major potential effect on RV preload is increased venous return produced by the LVAD which can overload a marginal RV; but beneficial effects on RV preload and filling also can be produced by the LVAD unloading a dilated LV, thereby shifting the interventricular septum, which had encroached into the RV, back to the left. A significant beneficial effect on RV afterload can be produced with an LVAD by passive reductions in pulmonary artery (PA) pressure secondary to reductions in left atrial pressure; with pulmonary obstructive disease, however, PA pressures can increase due to the greater blood flow through the fixed pulmonary vascular resistance. The major effects on RV contractility produced by an LVAD are significantly beneficial since aortic and, therefore, coronary perfusion pressure is maintained. There also is a potential detrimental effect on RV contractility produced by decreased septal contribution to RV contraction during complete LV unloading with an LVAD. The initial therapy for the failing right ventricle in patients with an LVAD is volume loading. Isoproterenol, dobutamine, and dopamine can be used for inotropic support, and atrial pacing can improve the atrial contribution to filling. If these modalities fail, surgical techniques including pulmonary artery balloon pump or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation can be tried, but the recommended mechanical support is a right ventricular assist device.
753-2 Biplane and Multiplane Transesophageal Echocardiography in Suspected Acute Aortic Dissection

Between 1991–1994, 130 pts, (95 men, age 17–88 yrs.) were evaluated by bi or multiplane transesophageal echocardiography ( TEE ) because of suspected acute aortic dissection ( AD ) (112 pts) or acute extension of chronic dissection ( CD ) (18 pts). TEE results were compared to diagnoses obtained by surgery/necropsy (55%) or by at least one additional imaging method. Results — The accuracy of TEE in AD : AD was present in 49 (type A in 30, Type B in 19) of the 112 pts. (44%) and 8 of them had intramural hematoma ( IMH ). TEE found AD in 48/49 pts. with, and excluded AD in 78/81 without, that diagnosis. The 1 pt. with false negative TEE had a 1.5 cm thrombosed false lumen in the ascending aorta (Asc Ao). Two pts. with Type A AD (1 with IMH and 1 with thrombosed false lumen in the Asc Ao) were classified as type BAD. The 3 false positive diagnoses were in 2 pts. with large aneurysms of the Asc Ao and in 1 in the Desc Ao. The accuracy of TEE for AD was: AD Type A AD Type B AD IMH Sensitivity (%) 98 90 100 89 Specificity (%) 96 97 99 98 Microscopic evaluation of surgical specimens in 6 with IMH of Asc Ao showed similar findings to classical AD. Complications of AD, CD and enlarging aneurysms were evaluated in the 130 pts. TEE showed 100% accuracy for aortic regurgitation and pericardial ruptures. The sensitivities were 75%, 85% and 11%, respectively for TEE for pseudoaneurysms (12 pts), hemothorax (20 pts) and hemomediastinum (9 pts), with the specificity for all 100%. Conclusions Bi and multiplane TEE accurately detected AD and its major complications, but thrombosed false lumen, intramural hematomas and pseudoaneurysms need special attention. TEE was inaccurate in identifying mediastinal leaks and ruptures.
Relationship between Inner-Ear Fluid Pressure and Semicircular Canal Afferent Nerve Discharge

The present study was designed to determine (1) the transcupular fluid pressure (ΔP) generated across the semicircular canal cupula in response to sinusoidal head rotation, (2) the translabyrinthine dilational pressure (P0) generated across the membranous labyrinth in response to an increase in endolymph fluid volume (hydrops), (3) afferent nerve discharge patterns generated by these distinct pressure stimuli and, (4) threshold values of ΔP and P0 required to elicit afferent neural responses. The experimental model was the oyster toadfish, Opsanus tau. Micromechanical indentation of the horizontal canal (HC) duct and utricular vestibule was used to simulate sinusoidal head rotation and fluid volume injection. Single-unit neural spike trains and endolymph pressure within the ampulla, on both sides of the cupula, were recorded simultaneously. ΔP averaged 0.013 Pa per 1°/s of sinusoidal angular head velocity and P0 averaged 0.2 Pa per 1 nL of endolymph volume injection. The most responsive afferents had a threshold sensitivity to ΔP of 10-3 Pa and to P0 of 5 × 10-2 Pa based on a discharge modulation criterion of 1 impulse/s per cycle for 2 Hz pressure stimuli. Neural sensitivity to ΔP was expected on the basis of transverse cupular and hair bundle deflections. Analysis of mechanics of the end organ, neuronal projections into the crista, and individual neural firing patterns indicates that P0 sensitivity resulted from pressure-induced distension of the ampulla that led to a nonuniform cupular deformation pattern and hair bundle deflections. This explanation is consistent with predictions of a finite element model of the end organ. Results have implications regarding the role of ΔP in angular motion transduction and the role of P0 under transient hydropic conditions.
Groundwater quality impacts from the land application of treated municipal wastewater in a large karstic spring basin: Chemical and microbiological indicators

article i nfo Geochemical and microbiological techniques were used to assess water-quality impacts from the land application of treated municipal wastewater in the karstic Wakulla Springs basin in northern Florida. Nitrate- N concentrations have increased from about 0.2 to as high as 1.1 mg/L (milligrams per liter) during the past 30 years in Wakulla Springs, a regional discharge point for groundwater (mean flow about 11.3 m 3 /s) from the Upper Floridan aquifer (UFA). A major source of nitrate to the UFA is the approximately 64 million L/d (liters per day) of treated municipal wastewater applied at a 774 ha (hectare) sprayfield farming operation. About 260 chemical and microbiological indicators were analyzed in water samples from the sprayfield effluent reservoir, wells upgradient from the sprayfield, and from 21 downgradient wells and springs to assess the movement of contaminants into the UFA. Concentrations of nitrate-N, boron, chloride, were elevated in water samples from the sprayfield effluent reservoir and in monitoring wells at the sprayfield boundary. Mixing of sprayfield effluent water was indicated by a systematic decrease in concentrations of these constituents with distance downgradient from the sprayfield, with about a 10-fold dilution at Wakulla Springs, about 15 km (kilometers) downgradient from the sprayfield. Groundwater with elevated chloride and boron concentrations in wells downgradient from the sprayfield and in Wakulla Springs had similar nitrate isotopic signatures, whereas the nitrate isotopic composition of water from other sites was consistent with inorganic fertilizers or denitrification. The sprayfield operation was highly effective in removing most studied organic wastewater and pharmaceutical compounds and microbial indicators. Carbamazepine (an anti-convulsant drug) was the only pharmaceutical compound detected in groundwater from two sprayfield monitoring wells (1-2 ppt). One other detection of carbamazepine was found in a distant well water sample where enteroviruses also were detected, indicating a likely influence from a nearby septic tank. Published by Elsevier B.V.
AN APPLICATION OF MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS PLANNING TO HIGHER EDUCATION

Material requirements planning (MRP), a comprehensive planning and control technique based upon the dependent demand principle, enables manufacturing organizations to provide better customer service, reduce inventory investment, and increase resource utilization. This paper extends the dependent demand principle to the service sector and thus provides the basis for applying MRP to higher education. In the short run, administrators can schedule the necessary number of required courses and load each course based on student priorities to provide increased customer (i.e., student) service and faculty utilization. In the long run, course enrollment forecasts can be utilized by administrators to plan and control changes in faculty resources across departments and schools.
The structure of foraging activity in colonies of the harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex occidentalis

The timing of activity by desert dwelling poikilotherms can be critical to survival. In the western harvester ant, colonies that have higher levels of genetic diversity forage for longer time periods in the morning than colonies with less diversity. We determined whether the advantage of early foraging colonies was consistent by examining foraging behavior at other times of day and year. We used a combination of activity monitoring and temperature measurement at the nest entrance to quantify foraging activity during the morning and evening summer foraging periods in both June and August. The duration of morning and evening foraging was significantly positively correlated both within and across seasons—some colonies have a consistent advantage in foraging. The temperature range over which colonies foraged was also consistent across time, suggesting that intercolony differences are a consequence of variation in the thermal ranges/preferences of the colony’s workers. The duration of foraging during this study was correlated with the duration of foraging measured 6 years earlier, suggesting that it is an aspect of colony phenotype. Key words: activity pattern, compensation, foraging, genetic diversity, harvester ants, Pogonomyrmex. [Behav Ecol]
Anticonvulsant teratogenesis: 2. Statistical methods for multiple birth outcomes

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the application of generalized estimating equations to assess an exposure effect using multiple birth outcomes. This multivariate approach provides the flexibility of regression modeling and improved power, as compared to series of univariate analyses or collapsing the multiple end-points to a single indicator of affectedness. Motivating the discussion will be a large cohort study designed to assess the effects of anticonvulsant medications on a variety of birth outcomes, including major malformations, and growth and weight parameters, as well as a broad spectrum of minor physical anomalies. Because the study is still in progress, the aim here is not to present a definitive analysis, but to present and describe the application of these recently developed statistical methods to analyze studies with multiple outcomes. For simplicity, we will focus on the control and drug-exposed groups only from that study (ignoring the seizure history group), and we will concentrate on an analysis of minor physical anomalies.
Semiconductor power losses in AC inverters

The AC induction motor is the workhorse of modern industry. Worldwide about 50 million motors are installed every year which are greater than 1/2 hp. Three-phase induction motors are very simple and inexpensive to build. An AC motor may be used for variable speed applications with the addition of an AC inverter. An accurate model of semiconductor power losses is necessary to design a reliable invertor system using a minimum amount of silicon. Equations for the average and RMS transistor and diode currents are derived based on a quantitative analysis of the current waveforms. Conduction losses in the semiconductor devices are then approximated using a piecewise linear approximation of the device's on-voltage characteristics. Measurements of switching energy versus current are used to obtain a curve of losses versus current. Integration of these losses over a full sine wave period is used to obtain a closed form expression for switching losses as a function of sine wave current. Total losses, conduction losses and switching losses are compared to thermal measurements. The model is further tested by comparing predicted and actual losses at different PWM frequencies.
Stimulatory and inhibitory effects of estrogen on uterine DNA synthesis.

The induction of long-term responses in the uterus following estrogen treatment is discussed, with special reference to DNA synthesis. Immature female rats injected daily with estradiol- 17β or estriol (0.01 to 1 μg) or a combination of the two steroids for one, two or three consecutive days were sacrificed at intervals from 12 to 24 h after the last injection of vehicle or steroid. In vitro incorporation of [3H]thymidine into DNA, [14C]leucine into protein, and oxidation of [14C]glucose to 14CO2 were determined. Nuclear-bound estradiol was determined by use of exchange assay or following incubation of intact uteri with 1 × 10−8M [3H]estradiol for 1 h at 37 C. Injection of estriol only partially stimulated DNA synthesis by 18 to 24 h post-treatment. However, injection of estriol followed by injection of estradiol 6 h later resulted in increased DNA synthesis, suggesting that estrogen must be present for up to 6 h to induce subsequent DNA synthesis. Maximal DNA and protein synthesis and oxidation of glucos...
Use of Electron Microscopy in Core Biopsy Diagnosis of Oncocytic Renal Tumors

The distinction between oncocytoma and chromophobe renal cell carcinoma, important clinically, may be challenging, especially as the tissue sample size decreases. Ancillary studies can be helpful, although subject to interpretation and sample variability. The aim of this study was to examine the value of electron microscopy in differentiating between oncocytoma and chromophobe renal cell carcinoma on formalin fixed paraffin embedded needle core biopsies. Twenty renal needle core biopsies were evaluated. Despite formalin fixation and paraffin embedding, the classic ultrastructural features of these neoplasms were retained, revealing 80% sensitivity and 100% specificity by initial work-up.
Locations of Hegemony: The Making of Places in the Toba's Struggle for La Comuna, 1989-99

In this article, I examine how hegemonic fields and the forms of contention they generate are active forces in the production of places. I focus my analysis on an indigenousgroupof the Argentinean Chaco, theTobaof the Pilcomayo River, and their recent struggles to gain control over the municipality of the region, locally known as la comuna. I examine how these struggles reproduce and simultaneously contest forms of state hegemony and, in so doing, define the contours of la comuna in tension with another place: the surrounding bush where the Toba focus their hunting and gathering practices. Because of the hegemonic values that inform these struggles, I argue that in this process the bush is being reconfigured in a contradictory way: on the one hand, as a locality gradually undermined by the influence of productivist discourses and, on the other hand, as a place of autonomy from "the government" This tense spatial configuration, in turn, informs Toba political discourses and practices. A central point of this article is that hegemony has spatial dimensions that are crucial in the unfolding of processes of ideological domination, accommodation, and resistance. {Key words: hegemony, place, ethnic politics, Argentina. Gran Chaco, Toba]
Two Cases of Cokeromyces recurvatus in Liquid-Based Papanicolaou Tests and a Review of the Literature

We present 2 cases of Cokeromyces recurvatus in routine, liquid-based Papanicolaou tests (ThinPrep). Patient 1 is a healthy, asymptomatic, 26-year-old woman with no pertinent past medical history. Patient 2 is a healthy, asymptomatic, 47-year-old woman with no pertinent past medical history. The Papanicolaou tests from both patients showed many fungal-like elements as globose, yeastlike forms measuring 10 to 30 µm in diameter with multiple, narrowly attached apparent "daughter" buds. This morphology was consistent with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. However, broad-range fungal polymerase chain reaction and deoxyribonucleic acid sequence analysis performed with GenBank Basic Local Alignment Search Tool showed an exact match for C recurvatus. Our cases highlight the importance of molecular techniques to prevent misdiagnosis of C recurvatus as P brasiliensis, based on morphology alone. There have been 8 previously published cases of C recurvatus infection in humans, 3 of which were reported in the female genital tract.
Noninvasive Assessments of the Percutaneous Absorption of Methyl Nicotinate in Humans

Percutaneous penetration of the vasodilator methyl nicotinate (methyl 3-pyridinecarboxylate) has been monitored in vivo in humans with the noninvasive techniques of laser Doppler velocimetry and photopulse plethysmography. These optical methods use different technologies to generate a voltage output which is related to perfusion of the cutaneous microcirculation. The procedures are therefore sensitive to the pharmacologic stimulus and duration of local vasodilation. Following topical application of methyl nicotinate, excellent correlation was found between the response of both methods and the visual observation of erythema. Lower drug concentrations delayed the onset and magnitude of the response and shortened the time period for which elevated microperfusion was observed. These techniques appear to provide a useful noninvasive assessment of the time course of drug behavior in the region of skin to which topical application is made.
An approach to realize higher power PWM AC controller

PWM controlled AC controllers exhibit difficulties in the commutation of inductive load current from one bidirectional switch to another due to finite switch on/off times. A four step switching strategy for repeated on/off operation of bidirectional switches in an AC controller is proposed. The approach permits safe transition of inductive load current at all power factors from one bidirectional switch to another, even in the presence of source side stray inductance. Results from an experimental prototype AC controller coupled to an inductive load are discussed. >
Transpacific Transport of Asian Anthropogenic Aerosols and its Impact on Surface Air Quality in the United States

[1] We use satellite (MODIS) observations of aerosol optical depths (AODs) over the North Pacific, together with surface aerosol measurements at a network of remote U.S. sites (IMPROVE), to improve understanding of the transpacific transport of Asian aerosol pollution and assess the ability of a global 3-D chemical transport model (GEOS-Chem CTM) to quantify Asian aerosol enhancements in U.S. surface air. The MODIS observations show the strongest transpacific transport occurring in spring at 40–55°N. This transport in the model takes place mainly in the lower free troposphere (900–700 hPa) because of scavenging during transport either in the boundary layer or during lifting to the upper troposphere. The preferential altitude of aerosol transpacific transport results in direct impact on the elevated terrain of the NW United States. Sulfate observations in the NW United States in spring 2001 show higher concentrations on the days of model-predicted maximum Asian influence (1.04 μg m−3) than seasonal mean values (0.69 μg m−3). No such Asian enhancements are observed for nitrate or for organic carbon (OC) aerosol. Distinct Asian sulfate episodes correlated with dust events are observed in the NW United States and simulated with the model. The mean Asian pollution enhancement in that region in spring is 0.16 μg m−3 with a 50% estimated uncertainty. This is higher than the estimated natural concentration of 0.09 μg m−3 presently used as objective for regulation of visibility in U.S. wilderness areas.
Reply to comments on "Superconducting microstrip antennas: an experimental comparison of two feeding methods"

Presents a reply to the paper by Chung et al. (IEEE Trans. Antennas Propag., vol.52, p.911-12, 2004 March) which commented on the original paper by Richard et al. (IEEE Trans. Antennas Propag., vol.41, p.967-74, 1993 July).