cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
THERMAL EFFECTS IN VERTICAL-CAVITY SURFACE-EMITTING LASERS

A comprehensive review of temperature-related effects and thermal modeling of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) is presented. The paper is divided into two major parts. First, the effects of temperature on device characteristics are discussed, including the temperature dependence of the longitudinal mode spectra, the threshold current, the transverse-mode structure, and the output power. A new condition is formulated for thermal matching of the Bragg mirrors and the spacer region and a comparison is made between characteristic temperatures for the threshold current (T0) and for the external quantum efficiency (Tη). In the second part, various approaches to thermal modeling of VCSELs are described. Both simplified and comprehensive thermal models are considered and both analytical and numerical approaches are discussed. A new analytical approximate method for analysis of heat-flux spreading in multilayer structures is described. The most important results obtained with the aid of these models are presented. In particular, we show that the current dependence of thermal resistance is very sensitive to VCSEL structure, and is strongly influenced by the relative distribution of heat sources and their location with respect to the heat sink.
Analytical treatment of Coriolis coupling for three-body systems

Abstract In a previous article [J. Chem. Phys. 108 (1998) 5216], an efficient method was presented for performing “exact” quantum calculations for the three-body rovibrational Hamiltonian, within the helicity-conserving approximation. This approach makes use of a certain three-body “effective potential,” enabling the same bend angle basis set to be employed for all values of the rotational quantum numbers, J, K and M. In the present work, the method is extended to incorporate Coriolis coupling, for which the relevant matrix elements are derived exactly. These can be used to solve the full three-body rovibrational problem, in the standard Jacobi coordinate vector embedding. Generalization of the method for coupled kinetic energy operators arising from other coordinate systems, embeddings, and/or system sizes, is also discussed.
Human Sexuality in Adults with Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus

This qualitative study was conducted to explore human sexuality in adults with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Data from interviews of 11 men and women were used to formulate a substantive theory describing the process of changes in sexuality that occur in adults with this chronic illness. The core category of the theory is transforming, which is supported by the subcategories of valuing self and meeting intimacy needs. Information from the study can be used in nursing to provide client care, teaching and counseling for adults with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
Decreased cardiac lipoprotein lipase activity in rats treated chronically with adriamycin.

Abstract Rats treated chronically with the anticancer agent adriamycin (1.5 mg/kg/week × 14 weeks) exhibited cardiac and renal lesions typical of anthracycline toxicity, and had serum hyperlipidemia characterized by 4 to 10 fold elevations in all lipoprotein classes. Heparin-releasable lipoprotein lipase activity measured in perfused heart preparations was decreased 69% in adriamycintreated rats compared to saline-treated controls. Residual (non-heparin-releasable) activity was not significantly different after adriamycin treatment. The decrease in functional cardiac lipoprotein lipase may account, at least in part, for the serum hyperlipidemia observed in adriamycin-treated rats, and might play a role in the development of heart muscle disease.
Dye-sensitized solar cells based on multichromophoric supramolecular light-harvesting materials

Multichromophoric dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) comprised of a supramolecular zinc-phthalocyanine⋯peryleneimide (ZnPc⋯PMI) dyad convert light to electrical energy with much higher power conversion efficiency (PCE = 2.3%) and incident-photon-to-current-efficiency (IPCE = ca. 40%) than the devices made of individual dyes.
Particle States in Spheroidal Nuclei

Particle motion in a spheroidal box has been studied by making an appropriate coordinate transformation so that the potential appears as spherically symmetric. The effect of the nonsphericity then appears as a change in kinetic energy for which the perturbation matrix elements can be evaluated. Matrix elements between states in different major shells are small. The energy levels and wave functions (defined in the transformed coordinate system) can then be calculated by the customary techniques of matrix diagonalization.This method was used to obtain energy levels of a spheroidal box both without and with an additional spin-orbit term of the magnitude suggested by nuclear shell systematics.Corresponding results for distorted wells of finite depths appear to be rather simply related to those for a box.Nuclear deformations predicted by this picture are in qualitative agreement with experimental values, and are, in general, considerably smaller than the values implied by a hydrodynamical model.
Optimal therapy for stress gastritis.

OBJECTIVE: The authors compared the results of sucralfate versus H2 blocker +/- antacid as prophylaxis for stress ulceration in an intensive care unit patient population. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Stress ulceration carries high morbidity and mortality for the patient who is critically ill. Gastric acid neutralization is an effective prophylaxis. The impact of increased gastric colonization with bacterial pathogens on nosocomial pneumonia after acid neutralization is unclear. The efficacy of sucralfate prophylaxis for stress ulceration and its the effect on the nosocomial pneumonia rate is controversial. The financial implications of sucralfate prophylaxis versus H2 blocker-based acid neutralization therapy has not been studied. METHODS: Ninety-eight injured patients who were critically ill and who required intubation and intensive care unit (ICU) support for at least 72 hours without gastric feeding were randomized and received either maximal H2 blocker infusion therapy (continuous infusion of ranitidine at 0.25 mg/kg/hr after a loading dose of 0.5 mg/kg) plus antacids (for persistent pH < 4) or sucralfate (1 g every 6 hours via nasogastric tube) for stress ulcer prophylaxis. Efficacy in preventing stress ulcer complications was determined. The impact of each therapeutic approach on development of nosocomial pneumonia was evaluated. The charges/cost for each approach was analyzed. RESULTS: Heme-positive gastric aspirates occurred in 99% of the patients, whereas 12 (7 in the H2 blocker group and 5 in the sucralfate group) were grossly positive for blood. However, only one from each group required transfusion, and one in the H2 blocker group required operation. Gastric colonization preceded tracheobronchial colonization in five patients in the H2 blocker group and one patient in the sucralfate group; simultaneous gastric/oropharyngeal colonization preceded positive tracheobronchial growth in six patients who received H2 blocker and one patient who received sucralfate. The overall pneumonia rate was 27.5% in the H2 blocker group and 20.8% in the sucralfate group (p = 0.48). Days on ventilator were 13.5 versus 9.1, (p = 0.06), ICU lengths of stay were 14.7 versus 10.2 (p = 0.06), and hospital lengths of stay were 27.8 versus 20.0 (p = 0.029) for the H2 blocker group and sucralfate group, respectively. Based on current charges and protocols for optimal H2 blocker and sucralfate prophylaxis, use of sucralfate rather than H2 blockers would decrease the annual cost by more than $30,000 per bed. CONCLUSIONS: Sucralfate is as efficacious as maximal H2 blocker therapy for stress ulceration prophylaxis, and may have a beneficial effect on the incidence of nosocomial pneumonia. Sucralfate has a major reduction on nursing requirements for stress ulcer prophylaxis and would save approximately $30,000 per ICU bed per year in patient charges.
Selection rule for the optical absorption of graphene nanoribbons

We demonstrate that the optical absorption of zigzag-edge graphene nanoribbons is qualitatively different from that of armchair nanotubes. Unlike the selection rule for nanotubes, when the incident beam is polarized along the longitudinal direction, the interband transitions at direct gaps are forbidden for graphene nanoribbons. This selection rule is due to the finite width of graphene nanoribbons. We also demonstrate that the edge states of graphene nanoribbons play an important role in the optical absorption. They are involved in many of the absorption peaks within optical range $(\ensuremath{\hbar}\ensuremath{\omega}l0.12\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{a.u.})$ and have no contribution to the absorption peaks beyond optical range.
Antisense inhibition of phosphodiesterase expression.

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are represented by a superfamily of structurally and functionally related enzymes of which more than 30 different forms have so far been identified and grouped into seven broad gene families, some of which contain multiple genes and many splice variants, within a given gene family. Since all of the forms of PDE have the potential to regulate levels of the second messenger, cAMP or cGMP, and some of the forms appear to be tissue specific in their expression and differentially regulated, it would be useful to be able to selectively inhibit a given form of PDE, to study the physiological consequences of this inhibition, with the intent of possible therapeutic application. While gene family-specific pharmacological inhibitors exist for six of the seven gene families, none of these inhibitors is yet capable of distinguishing PDE members within a given gene family in its inhibition. One approach to selectively inhibit a specific form of PDE, without affecting others, is through use of antisense oligonucleotides to block the expression of a given PDE form. This article describes ways to optimally develop and test antisense oligonucleotides to inhibit expression of PDE.
Phonetic equivalence in the acquisition of / l / by Spanish–English bilingual children

Spanish [l] is characterized as clear, and is associated with a high second formant (F2) frequency and a large difference between F2 and the first formant (F1) frequencies. In contrast, English [l] is darker (with a lower F2 and a relatively smaller F2–F1 difference) and also exhibits contextual variation due to an allophonic velarization rule that further darkens [l] postvocalically. We aimed to determine if Spanish–English bilingual children evidence these differences productively, in a manner comparable to that of monolinguals, or if they produce an [l] that is intermediate to that of Spanish and English monolinguals. We acoustically analyzed [l] productions of seven Spanish–English bilingual, seven Spanish monolingual, and seven English monolingual children. Results showed that the bilinguals had similar prevocalic F2 and F2–F1 values for [l] in both languages, comparable to those of Spanish monolinguals, but significantly higher than those of English monolinguals. The bilinguals also produced English (but not Spanish) [l] with significantly lower postvocalic F2 and F2–F1 values. We assume that the bilinguals have a merged phonetic category for prevocalic [l] but not postvocalic [l], and further, that they maintain separate grammars, allowing the allophonic velarization rule to apply in English but not Spanish.
Electrophysiologic studies of cutaneous nerves of the forelimb of the cat.

The cutaneous innervation of the fo relimb was investigated in 20 bar-biturate-anesthetized cats by using electrophysiological techniques. The cutaneous area (CA) innervated by each cutaneous nerve was delineated in at least six cats by brushing the hair in the CA with a small watercolor brush while recording from the nerve. Mapping of adjacent CA revealed larger overlap zones (OZ) than were noted in the dog. Remarkable findings were that the brachiocephalic nerve arose from the axillary nerve and the CA comparable to that supplied by the cutaneous branch of the brachiocephalic nerve in the dog was supplied by a cutaneus branch of the suprascapular nerve. The CA supplied by the communicating branch from the musculocutaneous to the median nerve was similar in both species except that the communicating branch arose proximal to any other branches of the musculocutaneous nerve in the cat, whereas it was a terminal branch in the dog. The superficial branch of the radial nerve gave off cutaneous brachial branches in the cat proximal to the lateral cutaneous antebrachial nerve. The CA of the palmar branches of the ulnar nerve did not completely overlap the CA of the palmar branches of the median nerve as occurred in the dog; thus an autonomous zone (AZ) for the CA of the palmer branches of the median nerve is present in the cat, whereas no AZ existed for the CA of this nerve in the dog.
Mechanical design of a high-resolution tunable crystal monochromator for the multiple energy computed tomography project

Abstract We describe the mechanical design of a medical-imaging monochromator for the Multiple Energy Computed Tomography project at the X17B superconducting wiggler beamline at the National Synchrotron Light Source. The monochromator consists of two independent two-crystal Laue-Laue units in tandem, with the option of using a Laue-Bragg/Bragg-Laue configuration. It provides two collinear exit beams of different energies that can be alternatively selected by a shutter. The heart of the design is a mechanically driven spindle with a double-gimbal mechanism for precise angular positioning of each of the four crystals about two orthogonal axes of rotation. An angular resolution of 0.041 arc sec is achieved by using a linear motion of 0.1 μm on a lever arm of 50 cm. The main features of the system include a fixed-exit beam having a 15 mm vertical offset, water-cooled first crystals in both units, a 12 cm beam width, a 3 mm maximum beam height, an energy range of ≈ 25–50 and 75–100 keV, a 2.5 s beam-switching time, and high vacuum compatibility.
Surgical recycling of a percutaneously implanted Melody valve

A child corrected for pulmonary atresia and VSD (Fallot type) during infancy underwent a conduit change done with a 18-mm Contegra (Medtronic Inc., USA) at 7.5 years of age. She needed stenting, pre-stenting and eventually, Melody (Medtronic Inc.) valve implantation for supravalvar conduit stenosis 3 months after implantation ( Panel A ). During withdrawal of the sheath, the pre-stent and the Melody construct dislodged into the right ventricle (RV) ( Panel B ) because of the softness …
Mutational effects on the folding dynamics of a minimized hairpin.

The fold stabilities and folding dynamics of a series of mutants of a model hairpin, KTW-NPATGK-WTE (HP7), are reported. The parent system and the corresponding DPATGK loop species display submicrosecond folding time constants. The mutational studies revealed that ultrafast folding requires both some prestructuring of the loop and a favorable interaction between the chain termini in the transition state. In the case of YY-DPETGT-WY, another submicrosecond folding species [Davis, C. M., Xiao, S., Raleigh, D. P., and Dyer, R. B. (2012) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 134, 14476–14482], a hydrophobic cluster provides the latter. In the case of HP7, the Coulombic interaction between the terminal NH3+ and CO2– units provides this; a C-terminal Glu to amidated Ala mutation results in a 5-fold retardation of the folding rate. The effects of mutations within the reversing loop indicate the balance between loop flexibility (favoring fast conformational searching) and turn formation in the unfolded state is a major factor in det...
The Case of the Green Turtle: An Uncensored History of a Conservation Icon. Alison Rieser. Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2012. xii and 340 pp., map, photos, notes, bibliog., index. $45.00 cloth (ISBN 978-1-4214-0579-7).

This is a marvelous study of the history of global efforts to conserve the wide-ranging green turtle (Chelonia mydas). The author has done a thorough, scholarly job of researching archives and surv...
Estimation of a correlation coefficient from an uncertainty measure

In this paper graphs are given for estimating a correlationρ XY from a double-entry table. 2H r , twice the statisticH r , “relative uncertainty” (the average of the ratios of the conditional uncertainty of each variable to its uncertainty) was computed. Mean 2H r 's were computed from 100 samples for each of several sample sizes and numbers of categories. Graphs relating mean 2H r to $$\hat r_H$$ , the estimated correlation, for 3–17 categories to each variable and 3 sample sizes—50, 100, and 500—were constructed. 2.5 per cent and 97.5 per cent fiducial limits curves were constructed for establishing confidence limits onρ XY and $$\hat r_H$$ .
An Update of the Virtual Energy Laboratory

The Virtual Energy Lab (VEL) is a PC based didactic tool for use in conjunction with courses on technical thermodynamics and thermal system design. The tool can also be used for conceptual design of large-scale systems incorporating cogeneration schemes of varied types. The user can learn how to combine conventional thermal systems in creative ways to enhance exergetic efficiency.In the present work, we describe upgrades to this tool, and we present several examples to show the possibilities of energy cascading. The features of ease of learning, user ability to specify important parameters and ready targeting of conceptual designs were preserved in the updated version.Copyright © 2000 by ASME
Quality-of-Life Assessment in Patients With Headache

Although headache is the most common pain complaint secn by primary care physicians, the measurement of quality of life in patients with headache is in its earliest stages. Most of the research has been published within the past 2 years, much of it only in abstract form, Quality—of—life data derived from the Medica[ Outcomes SlUdy instrument (SF−20) demonst rate that chronic headache disorders are associated with significant limitations in all 6 health categori es of patient well—being and functioning. The outcomes profi le for each of the common benign headache disorders appear to be unique for the specific headache diagnosis. Migraine is primarily associated with an impairment in role (work) functioning. Chronic tension—type headache is associated with a marked impairment in mental health and a generalised impairment in functioning. Cluster headache is associated with the greatest amount of pain, but with little impairment in physical functioning. The economic toll of recurrent headache is considerable. Lost productivity in the US due to migraine is esti mated at $US6.5 to 17.2 billion per year. Chronic headache disorders cause sign ifica ntly more morbidity, impairment of function. and economic loss than has previously been recognised.
Time-to-Build and Investment

The paper investigates the effect of the time-to-build technology on investment dynamics. It explains the positive autocorrelation of investment by showing that investment is serially correlated once the time-to-build technology is taken into account. The paper also shows that the time-to-build technology can explain a substantial portion of the variation in aggregate investment data. Using estimated marginal Q, the paper illustrates that investment responds asymmetrically to different levels of Q (a fact in favor of the irreversibility argument).
Cerebrospinal fluid GABA variations with seizure type and cerebellar stimulation in man

GABA has been implicated in the neurochemistry of epilepsy. The mean lumbar CSF GABA concentration determined by ion-exchange/fluorometric assay among 21 medicated patients with intractable seizures was significantly lower (p<0.001) than that of 20 age- and sex-matched unmedicated normal volunteers. Patients with grand mal and psychomotor seizures had significantly lower (p<0.05) CSF GABA concentrations than those with focal sensory/motor epilepsy. Lumbar CSF GABA levels did not significantly correlate with serum concentrations of phenytoin, phenobarbital or primidone. Lumbar CSF GABA levels in four seizure patients were significantly lower (p<0.02) during a combination of unilateral, alternating and bilateral, continuous cerebellar stimulation than those determined after a 7-day period without stimulation. Thus, GABA-mediated neuronal transmission appears depressed in medicated epileptic patients and further reductions evoked by cerebellar surface stimulation may compromise seizure control.
678 Dose-Dependent Improvement in Survival with ACE Inhibitor Use in Patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension and Heart Failure with Normal Ejection Fraction

Dose-Dependent Improvement in Survival with ACE Inhibitor Use in Patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension and Heart Failure with Normal Ejection Fraction S. Shore, V. Aggarwal, R. Zolty. Department of Medicine, Jacobi Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY; Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY.
A new compound modulation technique for multichannel analog video transmission on fiber

An analog transmission technique for multichannel TV transmission on fiber using frequency-modulated/time-division multiplexing (FM/TDM) is described and compared with present digital and analog systems. Analysis and simulations indicate that the proposed system has a very low sensitivity to nonlinearities, similar to digital systems, and much better than current frequency-modulated/frequency-division multiplexed (FM/FDM) systems. This permits the use of higher optical modulation depth (as high as digital systems), which results in achieving high signal-to-noise ratio, large power budget, and/or the use of lower cost optical components. Furthermore, a better spectrum efficiency is possible.
Genomic characterization of a three-dimensional skin model following exposure to ionizing radiation

This study aimed at characterizing the genomic response to low versus moderate doses of ionizing radiation (LDIR versus MDIR) in a three-dimensional (3D) skin model, which exhibits a closer tissue complexity to human skin than monolayer cell cultures. EpiDermFT skin plugs were exposed to 0, 0.1 and 1 Gy doses of X-rays and harvested at 5 min, 3, 8 and 24 h post-irradiation (post-IR). RNA was interrogated for global gene expression alteration. Our results show that MDIR modulated a larger number of genes over the course of 24 h compared to LDIR. However, immediately and throughout the first 3h post-IR, LDIR modulated a larger number of genes than MDIR, mostly associated with cell-cell signaling and survival promotion. Significant modulation of pathways was detected only at 3 h post-IR in MDIR with induction of genes promoting apoptosis. Collectively, the data show different dynamics in the response to LDIR versus MDIR, especially in cell-cycle distribution. LDIR-exposed tissues showed signs of attempted cell-cycle re-entry as early as 3 h post-IR, but were arrested beyond 8 h at the G1/S checkpoint. At 24 h, cells appeared to accumulate at the G2/M checkpoint. MDIR-exposed tissues did not exhibit a prolonged G1/S arrest but rather a prolonged G2/M arrest, which was sustained at least up to 24 h. By 24 h cells exhibited signs of recovery in both LDIR- and MDIR-exposed tissues. In summary, the most pronounced difference in the initial cellular response to LDIR versus MDIR is the promotion of protection and survival in LDIR versus the promotion of apoptosis in MDIR.
Social Desirability Bias in Polling on Same-Sex Marriage Ballot Measures

Prior public opinion research has identified a wide range of circumstances in which polling results may be tainted by social desirability bias. In races pitting a Black candidate against White oppo...
Inguinal hernia repair in premature infants: more questions than answers

This review shows that there are many single institution studies reviewing outcomes of premature infants with IH. However, the numbers of patients in these studies are often small and most studies were retrospective, therefore, these studies were subject to the limitations inherent to observational studies for identifying best treatment methods. Nevertheless, the studies show that risks are high in this population and that outcomes may vary with the timing of repair. There have been calls for multicentre randomised trials comparing early versus later IH repair from all over the world and for a very long time. Yet, despite the frequency of IH repair in premature infants, this issue remains unstudied in a high-quality manner. A large, multicentre randomised trial is currently underway to address the effect of timing on the short-term and long-term safety and efficacy of IH repair in this population so that we may be able to deliver safe surgical care to this vulnerable population.
Infections related to the ingestion of seafood. Part II: parasitic infections and food safety

Parasites are responsible for a substantial number of seafood-associated infections. The factor most commonly associated with infection is consumption of raw or undercooked seafood. People with underlying disorders, particularly liver disease, are more susceptible to infection. In the first part of this review, published last month, we discussed the viral and bacterial agents associated with consumption of seafood. In part II, we discuss the parasites commonly associated with seafood consumption. Parasites readily identifiable from both consumable seafood and infected human beings include nematodes, trematodes, cestodes, and protozoa. The salient features associated with seafood-related parasite infestations are discussed. To provide a safe product for consumers, the seafood industry and the government in the USA have undertaken specific measures, which include good manufacturing practices and hazards analysis and critical control points implemented by the government and regulatory agencies. Consumers should take common precautions including obtaining seafood from reputable sources especially if the seafood is to be consumed uncooked. Adequate cooking of seafood is the safest way of preventing related infections.
Pulse-Mode Readout Electronics for Ionization Chambers

Initial results of evaluation of a new highly sensitive readout system for use with ionization chamber environmental low level radiation detectors are presented. The designed readout provides low noise shaping and filtering of the signals from the individual ionization events in such detectors, and also provides interface to the external continuously running Data Acquisition system. A dedicated analog to digital converter operating at a sampling rate in the range of 50 to 200 kHz and the developed data processing algorithms allow extraction of the ionization event signals from the data flow and measurement of the ionization value for each event in the detector. Such measurement provides an opportunity to roughly characterize the energy spectrum of the observed environmental radiation field. The new readout was installed in a commercial Reuter-Stokes High Pressure Ionization Chamber. The Data Acquisition system was assembled using the M-Audio Audiophile 192 High-Definition 24-bit/192 kHz audio PCI card installed in a PC computer operating under LINUX OS. The ionization chamber with installed electronics was tested in operation in several locations around the site at the CEBAF accelerator for continuous monitoring of very small, less than 0.2 murem/h, dose variations correlated to the accelerator operations. The results indicate feasibility of using this technique in setups where a very high sensitivity and stability of environmental radiation dose measurements is required and there is a need for detecting small man-generated signals in the presence of larger and variable natural radiation background.
Detection of relaxin receptor in the dorsoradial ligament, synovium, and articular cartilage of the trapeziometacarpal joint

Basilar thumb osteoarthritis (OA) is postulated to occur due to ligament attenuation of the trapeziometacarpal (TM) joint. Relaxin is a peptide hormone, which loosens ligaments before childbirth, through remodeling of the extracellular matrix via upregulation of matrix metalloproteases (MMPs). We postulated that relaxin family peptide receptor 1 (RXFP-1), the receptor for circulating relaxin, was present in tissues of the TM joint. Ligaments and synovium were sampled from 15 patients during surgery for TM arthritis. We obtained trapezial cartilage from two autopsy donors and four patients. Tissues were fixed, paraffin embedded, and sectioned at 5 µm, then were immunostained for RXFP-1, as well as MMP-1, and MMP-13, using rabbit anti-human polyclonal antibodies. Eight DRL samples showed positive immunostaining for relaxin receptor, with 14/15 positively stained in synovium. Greater staining was seen in specimens obtained from women with more severe TM arthritis. Trapezial cartilage demonstrated receptor staining within chondrocytes in the middle and deep zones. Immunostaining for MMPs co-localized with relaxin receptor staining. Relaxin receptors are present at the ligament, cartilage, and synovium of the TM joint, indicating that it is a potential target for relaxin. This suggests that circulating relaxin may impact joint stability. The role of relaxin in cartilage and synovium may be related to its role in collagen regulation as a possible tissue response to OA. © 2014 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 32:1061–1067, 2014.
Rapid property specification and checking for model-based formalisms

In model-based development, verification techniques can be used to check whether an abstract model satisfies a set of properties. Ideally, implementation code generated from these models can also be verified against similar properties. However, the distance between the property specification languages and the implementation makes verifying such generated code difficult. Optimizations and renamings can blur the correspondence between the two, further increasing the difficulty of specifying verification properties on the generated code. This paper describes methods for specifying verification properties on abstract models that are then checked on implementation level code. These properties are translated by an extended code generator into implementation code and special annotations that are used by a software model checker.
Adaptive control of hypersonic vehicles in the presence of modeling uncertainties

This paper proposes an adaptive controller for a hypersonic cruise vehicle subject to aerodynamic uncertainties, center-of-gravity movements, actuator saturation, failures, and time-delays. The adaptive control architecture is based on a linearized model of the underlying rigid body dynamics and explicitly accommodates for all uncertainties. It also includes a baseline proportional integral filter commonly used in optimal control designs. The control design is validated using a high-fidelity HSV model that incorporates various effects including coupling between structural modes and aerodynamics, and thrust pitch coupling. An elaborate comparative analysis of the proposed Adaptive Robust Controller for Hypersonic Vehicles (ARCH) is carried out using a control verification methodology. In particular, we study the resilience of the controller to the uncertainties mentioned above for a set of closed-loop requirements that prevent excessive structural loading, poor tracking performance and engine stalls. This analysis enables the quantification of the improvements that result from using and adaptive controller for a typical maneuver in the V - h space under cruise conditions.
A balanced capacitor read-only storage

The design of a control storage system of 90 nsec access time and 200 nsec cycle time with permanently stored microinstructions is described. The storage medium used is the capacitive coupling between two groups of orthogonal conductors forming an information plane and a sense plane. There are 2816 words of 100 bits each, divided over two gates. The selection of an address line in the information plane is achieved through a transistor selection matrix. The output signal is sensed differentially at the mid-point of the sense line, which is matched at both ends. The sense amplifier output plus a "strobe" pulse set a latch for a portion of the cycle time and this provides the necessary inputs to the central processing unit. The major contributions to noise, such as sneak-path noise and select noise, are discussed and evaluated. The timing of the different pulses necessary to drive the array and the resulting outputs are explained and the marginal effects of time and amplitude variations are considered. Information can be changed off-line by replacing bit planes. Transcription of information in the bit planes is fully automated and can be speedily accomplished.
Measurement of serotonin turnover rate in rat dorsal raphe nucleus by in vivo electrochemistry.

: 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT; serotonin) turnover rate in dorsal raphe nucleus of the urethane-anes-thetized rat was estimated by using the in vivo electrochemical detector to measure the decay of extraneuronal 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA) after monoamine oxidase inhibition. Carbon paste electrodes were scanned by semiderivative voltammetry and revealed two peaks: one at +0.15 V and the other at +0.25 V. The higher potential peak is composed primarily of the 5-HT metabolite 5-HIAA. After administration of pargyline, 75 mg/ kg i.p., this peak declined exponentially. Regression analysis of these data by an exponential decay model yielded the fractional rate constant 0.82 ± 0.06 h−1 (mean ± SEM). This rate constant of 5-HIAA disappearance measured by in vivo electrochemistry is identical to the rate constant found by others measuring 5-HIAA disappearance by direct tissue assay methods. In animals not treated with pargyline, tissue 5-HIAA concentrations in the dorsal raphe nucleus were measured by HPLC with electrochemical detection. The average 5-HT turnover rate calculated as the product of the fractional rate constant and steady-state tissue 5-HIAA concentration was 12.6 nmol/g/h. These results demonstrate that electrochemical detection of extraneuronal 5-HIAA combined with monoamine oxidase inhibition can be used to measure neurotransmitter turnover in vivo in a discrete brain region.
Whey Protein Edible Film Structures Determined by Atomic Force Microscope

Atomic force microscopy was used to study edible films produced from whey proteins. The films were imaged under ambient conditions with no special sample preparation. Low resolution imaging of areas from 10 μm to 150 μm on a side was performed in the contact mode. Higher resolution scans of 350 nm to 2,700 nm required use of the noncontact imaging mode. Features about the same size as the primary protein in whey, beta-lactoglobulin (7 nm), were identified in the film samples. Molecular aggregates in the range of 1 μm, reported in other studies using transmission electron microscopy of whey protein gels, were combined in results from atomic force microscopy.
Maintaining sustainability of acute care hospitals

Given the significance of hospital costs as a component of a nation’s total health care spending, governments are giving increasedscrutiny to hospital privatization as a means of controlling cost escalation. While the means of privatization may differamong nations, such transitions mean the introduction of market forces into the supply and availability of hospital services.Correspondingly, nations must determine whether market forces alone should determine whether specific hospitals should beallowed to close based upon the owner’s sole determination. Responses to the financial crisis of 2007-2009 show that governmentintervention preserved several financial institutions whose closure or bankruptcy would have meant the termination ofcritical financial services. The authors believe that such intervention can be rationalized in certain cases of potential acute carehospital closures. Several international examples of health policies intended to maintain government involvement after hospitalprivatization are included.
Distributed Coordination of Networked Fractional-Order Systems

This paper studies the distributed coordination of networked fractional-order systems over a directed interaction graph. A general fractional-order coordination model is introduced by summarizing three different cases: 1) fractional-order agent dynamics with integer-order coordination algorithms; 2) fractional-order agent dynamics with fractional-order coordination algorithms; and 3) integer-order agent dynamics with fractional-order coordination algorithms. We show sufficient conditions on the interaction graph and the fractional order such that coordination can be achieved using the general model. The coordination equilibrium is also explicitly given. In addition, we characterize the relationship between the number of agents and the fractional order to ensure coordination. Furthermore, we compare the convergence speed of coordination for fractional-order systems with that for integer-order systems. It is shown that the convergence speed of the fractional-order coordination algorithms can be improved by varying the fractional orders with time. Finally, simulation results are presented as a proof of concept.
Renoprotective effects of C-peptide in the Dahl salt-sensitive rat

Previous studies have demonstrated that renoprotective effects of C-peptide in experimental models of diabetes-induced renal disease may be mediated via lowering blood glucose. The present study examined the renoprotective effects of C-peptide in a model of nondiabetic renal disease, the Dahl salt-sensitive (SS/jr) rat. SS/jr rats were placed on a 2% NaCl diet for 2 wk (HS2, resulting in mild to moderate renal injury) or 4 wk (HS4, resulting in advanced renal injury) and then received either vehicle (veh) or C-peptide (Cpep) for additional 4 wk. Urine albumin (UAE) and protein (UPE) excretion rates were measured at baseline (i.e., before initiation of veh or Cpep treatment) and 4 wk later (i.e., at the time of death). Glomerular permeability, indexes of glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial fibrosis, the presence of inflammatory cells, and protein expression of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and podocin were measured at the time of death. In HS2 + veh rats, UAE and UPE increased by 74 and 92%, respectively, from baseline and the time of death. While HS2 + Cpep attenuated this increase in UAE and UPE, HS4 + Cpep had no effect on these parameters. Similarly, HS2 + Cpep reduced glomerular permeability, tubulointerstitial fibrosis, renal inflammation, TGF-β, and podocin protein expression, while HS4 + Cpep had no effect. These studies indicate that C-peptide is renoprotective in nondiabetic experimental models with mild to moderate renal injury.
First Radar Echoes and the Early ZDR History of Florida Cumulus

Abstract The early histories of radar echo and polarization differential reflectivity (ZDR) from growing cumulus clouds observed in Florida with a 10-cm-wavelength radar are reported in detail. Raindrops 1 to several millimeters in diameter are present at about cloud-base level in most cases as soon as any identifiable precipitation echo is seen within cloud (distinct from Bragg scattering and echo from cloud droplets). This is in most cases by the time of the first 10-dBZ radar echo aloft. The very early occurrence of large drops is consistent with origination directly from coalescence on ultragiant aerosol. However, they appear to exist so early and so low in the clouds as to be unexpected if the cumulus were single, vigorous thermals. The explanation may lie in the presence of a more gradual, very early cloud stage that is generally not observed in any detail. Simultaneous Ze and ZDR measurements in the early stages of developing, warm cumulus will provide a powerful test of understanding the onset of ...
Evidence for two Functionally Distinct Vasomotor Subregions of Rostral Ventral Medulla

We examined two functionally and anatomically distinct subregions of rostral ventral medulla, rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM, 2mm lateral to midline) and an area we term rostral ventro-medial medulla (RVMM, 1mm lateral to midline). Reducing tidal volume attenuated the depressor response to microinjection of lidocaine (200nl, 4%') into RVLM, but not into RVMM. Lidocaine reduced renal (RVR), mesenteric (MVR), and hindquarter (HQVR) vascular resistances, when injected into both sites, however HQVR was markedly reduced when RVMM was blocked. Selective stimulation with microelectrodes increased RVR, MVR, and HQVR, with RVMM producing the strongest response in HQVR and RVLM the strongest effect on RVR. Cardiovascular responses to stimulation of RVLM required the integrity of RVMM, however, the converse was not found. The integrity of RVMM, but not RVLM, was required for the cardiovascular responses produced by electrical stimulation of lateral hypothalamus. Together, these data suggest that RVLM and RVMM a...
Role of Branching on the Rate and Mechanism of C–C Cleavage in Alkanes on Metal Surfaces

The kinetic relevance and rates of elementary steps involved in C–C bond hydrogenolysis for isobutane, neopentane, and 2,3-dimethylbutane reactants were systematically probed using activation enthalpies and free energies derived from density functional theory. Previous studies showed that C–C cleavage in alkanes occurs via unsaturated species formed in fast quasi-equilibrated C–H activation steps, leading to rates that decrease with increasing H2 pressure, because of a concomitant decrease in the concentration of the relevant transition states. This study, together with previous findings for n-alkanes, provides a general mechanistic construct for the analysis and prediction of C–C hydrogenolysis rates on metals. C–C cleavage in alkanes is preceded by the loss of two H atoms and the formation of two C-metal (C–M) bonds for each 1C and 2C atom involved in the C–C bond. Metal atoms transfer electrons into the 1C and 2C atoms as C–C bonds cleave and additional C–M bonds form. 3C and 4C atoms of isobutane, neo...
Evolution in management and outcome after repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms in the pre- and post-EVAR era.

OBJECTIVE To compare outcomes of abdominal aortic aneurysm repairs before and after the endovascular era. METHODS Group A (1997-1998) included 331 patients, 321 (97%) with open repair (OR) and 10 (3%) with endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Group B (2007-2008) included 330 patients, 136 (41%) with OR and 194 (59%) with EVAR. RESULTS Patients in Group B were older (74 ± 8.5 vs 73 ± 7.0 years, P = .02), had higher comorbidity scores (8.3 ± 4.8 vs 7.5 ± 4.6, P = .04), shorter hospitalization (5.1 ± 6.4 vs 9.8 ± 6.3, P < .001), less intensive care unit days than in Group B (0.9 ± 2.1 vs 2.2 ± 2.7, P < .001). Early mortality was 0.6% in both groups. Two-year survival was similar (88% vs 89%), with less reinterventions in Group A (4% vs 17%, P = .004). OR patients had similar 30-day mortalities (0.9% vs 0.7%, P = .89). CONCLUSION EVAR and OR have low mortalities. However, in the post-EVAR era we treat older patients with more comorbidities, hospitalization is shorter, and intensive care unit days are less; interventions in EVAR are, however, high.
Reassessing the Unequal Representation of Latinos and African Americans

Recent research has adopted a proximity approach to measuring unequal representation, focusing on the ideological distance between citizen and legislator. This approach has produced evidence that Latinos and African Americans receive unequal representation relative to whites. In this article, I argue that work employing the proximity approach conflates two conceptual standards of equal representation, leading to ambiguous results. I clarify these conceptual standards and reevaluate analyses from two previous articles. My results confirm previous findings that Latinos and African Americans are ideologically further from their Representatives than whites. However, my analyses uncover no evidence that Representatives place greater weight on the views of white constituents. This seeming contradiction arises from minorities tending to reside in more ideologically diverse districts. These findings emphasize the importance of conceptual clarity and the role of heterogeneity in studies of unequal representation.
Neurologic complications of AIDS.

AIDS patients are at risk for a wide variety of neurologic disorders. Diagnostic and treatment considerations are discussed.
A Rhythmic Refrain: Britain’s Mass-Observation as Rhetorical Assemblage

Mass-Observation’s archives and methodology offer insight for expanding the concept of network to assemblage through deterritorializing and reterritorializing rhetorical aspects of historiography and normative historical narratives. Reading M-O’s archives as “worlds expressing” rather than individual, subjective expressions of a world helps theorize rhetorical networks as less straightforward and accountable, provoking recognition of multiple rhetorical agents that coproduce ambient and reiterative rhythms of materiality.
Does missiology have three legs to stand on? The upsurge of interdisciplinarity:

A common heuristic device for depicting the interdisciplinary nature of missiology is the metaphor of a stool that stands on three legs (or academic disciplines). However, missiologists have disagr...
SU-F-J-108: TMR Correction Factor Based Online Adaptive Radiotherapy for Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) of L-Spine Tumors Using Cone Beam CT

Purpose: To investigate the feasibility of using TMR ratio correction factors for a fast online adaptive plan to compensate for anatomical changes in stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) of L-spine tumors. Methods: Three coplanar treatment plans were made for 11 patients: Uniform (9 IMRT beams equally distributed around the patient); Posterior (IMRT with 9 posterior beams every 20 degree) and VMAT (2 360° arcs). For each patient, the external body and bowel gas were contoured on the planning CT and pre-treatment CBCT. After registering CBCT and the planning CT by aligning to the tumor, the CBCT contours were transferred to the planning CT. To estimate the actual delivered dose while considering patient's anatomy of the treatment day, a hybrid CT was created by overriding densities in planning CT using the differences between CT and CBCT external and bowel gas contours. Correction factors (CF) were calculated using the effective depth information obtained from the planning system using the hybrid CT: CF = TMR (delivery)/TMR (planning). The adaptive plan was generated by multiplying the planned Monitor Units with the CFs. Results: The mean absolute difference (MAD) in V16Gy of the target between planned and estimated delivery with and without TMR correction was 0.8 ± 0.7% vs. 2.4 ± 1.3% for Uniform and 1.0 ± 0.9% vs. 2.6 ± 1.3% for VMAT plans(p<0.05), respectively. For V12Gy of cauda-equina with and without TMR correction, MAD was 0.24 ± 0.19% vs. 1.2 ± 1.02% for Uniform and 0.23 ± 0.20% vs. 0.78 ± 0.79% for VMAT plans(p<0.05), respectively. The differences between adaptive and original plans were not significant for posterior plans. Conclusion: The online adaptive strategy using TMR ratios and pre-treatment CBCT information was feasible strategy to compensate for anatomical changes for the patients treated for L-spine tumors, particularly for equally spaced IMRT and VMAT plans.