cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Difficult vaginal hysterectomy

Vaginal hysterectomy is a safe and cost-effective approach for benign indications for uterine removal. This is well supported by the literature and advocated by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists as the preferred surgical approach. Unfortunately, the relative proportion of vaginal hysterectomy remains low, while laparoscopic and robotic hysterectomies have steadily increased in proportion. This is due in combination to the introduction of new technologies and decreased comfort with the vaginal approach. Additionally, trainees in obstetric/gynecology residency programs are graduating with less experience in vaginal hysterectomy. These factors result in surgeons choosing abdominal, laparoscopic and robotic as their preferred approach, especially in the setting of relative contraindications such as nulliparity, previous cesarean delivery, uterine myomas or decreased mobility. However, these challenging situations can be overcome with adequate exposure, making the posterior colpotomy firs...
An Occurrence of Metastable Cristobalite in High-Pressure Garnet Granulite

High-pressure (0.8 gigapascals) granulite facies garnet from Gore Mountain, New York, hosts multiple solid inclusions containing the low-pressure silica polymorph cristobalite along with albite and minor ilmenite. Identification of cristobalite is based on Raman spectra, electron microprobe analysis, and microthermometric measurements on the α/β phase transformation. The cristobalite plus albite inclusions may have originated as small, trapped samples of hydrous sodium-aluminum-siliceous melt. Diffusive loss of water from these inclusions under isothermal, isochoric conditions may have resulted in a large enough internal pressure decrease to promote the metastable crystallization of cristobalite.
X-Ray Observations of X2127+119/AC 211 in the Metal-poor Globular Cluster M15: An X-Ray Measure of Metallicity?

We present results from observations of the 17.1 hr low-mass X-ray binary X2127+119 (AC 211) in M15 obtained with the broadband X-ray telescope (BBXRT) in 1990 December and observations obtained with the solid state spectrometer (SSS) together with the monitor proportional counter (MPC) on the Einstein Observatory in 1978 and 1979. The continuum can be well described with the two-component model of a blackbody (kT ~ 1 keV) and a power law that was found to fit the EXOSAT medium-energy data. Short-term variability observed by the SSS and MPC was related to changes in the intensities of both components in this description. The SSS and MPC observed factor of 10 differences in column density in observations separated by a few binary orbits. These observations confirm correlations between the steepness of the spectrum and the column density, and column density with phase. The percentage contribution of the blackbody is anticorrelated with the factor of 4 variations in the apparent luminosity, but other correlations are weak. A 1000 s observation by BBXRT at photometric phase 0.9 provides an upper limit of ~150 eV to narrow Fe K line emission. BBXRT spectra are generally inconsistent with the overall cluster metallicity of 1% of solar, although complex spectral models can be more consistent with the cluster metallicity. A model separating the absorption of H and He from the metals gives 1.25+ 0.03−0.2×1018 cm-2 for the column density of metals in the absorbing gas associated with the binary system. The noted correlations between spectral parameters, luminosity, and their relation to orbital phase are consistent with a disk plus moderate-sized corona interpretation.
Ventilator Management Practices Are Dependent Upon Time Of Day 1560

Recent evidence supporting the relationship between hypocapnia and poor neurodevelopmental outcome as well as the desire to limit pulmonary barotrauma has raised questions regarding optimal pCO2levels in neonates with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between ventilator management practices and pCO2 levels. Methods: A retrospective chart review of the last 45 patients admitted for RDS was performed. All blood gas results (n=909) and resulting ventilator changes in the first 3 days of life were recorded. Any increase in pressure or IMV was considered as an increase in ventilator support. pCO2 values (mmHg) are grouped by the practitioner's response to ventilator management. Blood gas results were divided by shift and compared by one-way ANOVA (shift 1=0800-1600, shift 2+1600-2400 and shift 3=2400-0800). Results: The mean BW and GA was 846.3±244g and 26.6±1.9wks. The mean pCO2 value which resulted in an increase in ventilator support was significantly higher during shift 1 compared to shift 2 (p<0.05) but not different from shift 3. There were no differences in mean pCO2values resulting in a decrease in ventilator support. pCO2 values resulting in no change in ventilator support were higher during shift 2 compared to shift 3, p<0.05. Table
DYNAMICAL MODEL OF TURBULENT EDDIES

Dynamical equations for the velocities and temperature fluctuations of turbulent eddies are presented. In the right side of the equation for the velocities are the external force, the turbulent force caused by interactions with larger-scale eddies, and the viscous force caused by interactions with smaller-scale eddies. The structure of the equation for the temperature fluctuations is analogous. The forces are specified on the basis of the well-known Wyld diagram technique of stochastic hydrodynamics so that the theory does not contain free parameters. The basic equations of the theory are approximately equivalent to Navier-Stokes equations and are particularly effective in the limit of very large Reynolds number. Turbulent convection is considered as an example of application of the basic equations.
Constant and Fluctuating Temperature Effects on Developmental Rates and Life Table Statistics of the Greenbug (Homoptera: Aphididae)

Relationships between temperature and developmental rate, age-specific survival, and age-specific fecundity were determined for the greenbug, Schizaphis graminum (Rondani). Nymphal developmental rate was studied at six constant temperatures. The data provided estimates of lower and upper thresholds for nymphal development of 5.86°C and 28.33°C, respectively. Age-specific life table parameters were estimated from single cohorts subjected to fluctuating temperature regimes that approximated average and extreme low and high temperature conditions occurring during spring in eastern South Dakota. Life table statistics varied among temperature regimes when time was expressed in days, but converged when time was expressed in degree-days (DD). Stable instar distributions varied on a DD scale. The proportion of immatures increased and the proportion of adults decreased with increasing temperature. Estimates of the number of DD required for development from birth to adulthood were similar for individuals reared using constant and fluctuating temperatures. Thus, DD summations incorporating both upper and lower developmental thresholds appeared to be adequate for describing greenbug development under temperature conditions encountered in the field during the spring grain growing season in eastern South Dakota.
Intervertebral epidural anesthesia in 2,050 infants and children using the drip and tube method.

Abstract Background and Objectives: Pediatric epidural anesthesia has increased in popularity in the last 2 decades, but its success rate and the frequency of complications has not been fully elucidated. We therefore reviewed our experience with 2,050 cases of epidural anesthesia in infants and children. Methods: We recorded the number of attempts at epidural space location, complications, and effectiveness in 2,050 cases of single-shot sacral intervertebral, lumbar, and thoracic epidural anesthesia. We used the drip and tube method for identification of the epidural space and administration of local anesthetic solution. Results: The overall rate of successful epidural block and epidural space location on the first attempt was 96.4% and 89.8%, respectively. Complications included uncomplicated dural penetration (0.54%), spinal anesthesia (0.05%), bloody tap (0.34%), and intravascular injection (0.20%). Complications were more frequent in patients ≤10 kg body weight. There were no permanent neurological sequelae. Conclusions: Intervertebral epidural anesthesia using the “drip and tube” method is safe and practical in infants and children. Reg Anesth Pain Med 2003;28:103-107.
Concussions From 9 Youth Organized Sports: Results From NEISS Hospitals Over an 11-Year Time Frame, 2002-2012.

Background:Youth sports programs are extremely popular throughout the United States, with children starting formal sports participation as young as 4 years. This places children at greater risk for...
Dynamic dependence on ATR and ATM for double-strand break repair in human embryonic stem cells and neural descendants.

The DNA double-strand break (DSB) is the most toxic form of DNA damage. Studies aimed at characterizing DNA repair during development suggest that homologous recombination repair (HRR) is more critical in pluripotent cells compared to differentiated somatic cells in which nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) is dominant. We have characterized the DNA damage response (DDR) and quality of DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), and in vitro-derived neural cells. Resolution of ionizing radiation-induced foci (IRIF) was used as a surrogate for DSB repair. The resolution of γ-H2AX foci occurred at a slower rate in hESCs compared to neural progenitors (NPs) and astrocytes perhaps reflective of more complex DSB repair in hESCs. In addition, the resolution of RAD51 foci, indicative of active homologous recombination repair (HRR), showed that hESCs as well as NPs have high capacity for HRR, whereas astrocytes do not. Importantly, the ATM kinase was shown to be critical for foci formation in astrocytes, but not in hESCs, suggesting that the DDR is different in these cells. Blocking the ATM kinase in astrocytes not only prevented the formation but also completely disassembled preformed repair foci. The ability of hESCs to form IRIF was abrogated with caffeine and siRNAs targeted against ATR, implicating that hESCs rely on ATR, rather than ATM for regulating DSB repair. This relationship dynamically changed as cells differentiated. Interestingly, while the inhibition of the DNA-PKcs kinase (and presumably non-homologous endjoining [NHEJ]) in astrocytes slowed IRIF resolution it did not in hESCs, suggesting that repair in hESCs does not utilize DNA-PKcs. Altogether, our results show that hESCs have efficient DSB repair that is largely ATR-dependent HRR, whereas astrocytes critically depend on ATM for NHEJ, which, in part, is DNA-PKcs-independent.
The Diversification of the LIM Superclass at the Base of the Metazoa Increased Subcellular Complexity and Promoted Multicellular Specialization

Background Throughout evolution, the LIM domain has been deployed in many different domain configurations, which has led to the formation of a large and distinct group of proteins. LIM proteins are involved in relaying stimuli received at the cell surface to the nucleus in order to regulate cell structure, motility, and division. Despite their fundamental roles in cellular processes and human disease, little is known about the evolution of the LIM superclass. Results We have identified and characterized all known LIM domain-containing proteins in six metazoans and three non-metazoans. In addition, we performed a phylogenetic analysis on all LIM domains and, in the process, have identified a number of novel non-LIM domains and motifs in each of these proteins. Based on these results, we have formalized a classification system for LIM proteins, provided reasonable timing for class and family origin events; and identified lineage-specific loss events. Our analysis is the first detailed description of the full set of LIM proteins from the non-bilaterian species examined in this study. Conclusion Six of the 14 LIM classes originated in the stem lineage of the Metazoa. The expansion of the LIM superclass at the base of the Metazoa undoubtedly contributed to the increase in subcellular complexity required for the transition from a unicellular to multicellular lifestyle and, as such, was a critically important event in the history of animal multicellularity.
Protein synthesis and degradation in skeletal muscle of chronically uremic rats

Protein synthesis and degradation in skeletal muscle of chronically uremic rats. We used the perfused hemicorpus preparation to measure individual rates of protein synthesis and degradation. Using fed animals, perfused either with or without insulin, muscle protein synthesis and hemicorpus protein degradation rates were similar, but myofibrillar protein degradation was clearly increased in the uremic preparations. When the animals were fasted, differences in the rates of skeletal muscle protein turnover were apparent. Uremic rats lost more wt at both 24 and 48hr of fasting when compared to either ad libidum fed or pair–fed controls who started fasting at body wts equivalent to our uremic rats. The accelerated wt loss was accompanied by lower rates of protein synthesis, higher degradation rates, and greater net protein catabolism in our uremic rats. Alterations in body lipid content were present in uremia and correlated with the rate of protein degradation in both control and uremic rats. These data demonstrated that even in the fed state, uremia is associated with subtle alterations in skeletal muscle protein turnover. When stressed, these alterations become more pronounced. Insufficient stores of body lipids, either due to inadequate nutrition or altered metabolism, may contribute to the alterations in muscle protein turnover seen in chronic renal insufficiency.
Motoneuronal development in the embryonic zebrafish

To learn how neurons find their appropriate targets, we have studied two populations of motoneurons in the embryonic zebrafish: primary motoneurons, individually identified cells whose growth cones pioneer the first nerve pathways in the muscle, and secondary motoneurons, cells which develop later and whose growth cones apparently extend along the axons of the primary motoneurons. Transplantation studies of single, identified primary motoneurons suggest that commitment of these cells to innervate their cell-specific muscle territories may be a multistep process in which they are first committed to be motoneurons and are later committed to extend axons along specific pathways. Ablation studies suggest that interactions among the primary motoneurons are unlikely to be necessary for proper pathfinding or commitment. However, interactions with the primary motoneurons may be important for proper development of the secondary motoneurons.
TARIFFS, QUOTAS, AND INTERNATIONAL OLIGOPOLY

This paper compares the effects of tariffs and quotas in the presence of quantity-setting international duopolists. With the Cournot-Nash case, a tariff is equivalent to a quota; but with the Stackelberg and consistent conjecture cases, a quota will induce a switching of the domestic conjectural variation and is found to be not equivalent to a tariff. Copyright 1989 by Royal Economic Society.
High-performance Si/SiGe n-type modulation-doped transistors

Enhancement-mode Si/SiGe n-type modulation-doped transistors with a 0.5- mu m-length T-gate have been fabricated. Peak transconductances of 390 mS/mm at room temperature and 520 mS/mm at 77 K have been achieved. These high values are attributable to a combination of the high quality of the material used, having a room temperature mobility of 2600 cm/sup 2//V-s at an electron sheet concentration of 1.5*10/sup 12/ cm/sup 2/, and an optimized layer design that minimizes the parasitic series resistance and the gate-to-channel distance. >
Load Response Fundamentally Matches Power System Reliability Requirements

Responsive load is the most underutilized reliability resource available to the power system. Loads are frequently barred from providing the highest value and most critical reliability services; regulation and spinning reserve. Advances in communications and control technology now make it possible for some loads to provide both of these services. The limited storage incorporated in some loads better matches their response capabilities to the fast reliability-service markets than to the hourly energy markets. Responsive loads are frequently significantly faster and more accurate than generators, increasing power system reliability. Incorporating fast load response into microgrids further extends the reliability response capabilities that can be offered to the interconnected power system. The paper discusses the desired reliability responses, why this matches some loads' capabilities, what the advantages are for the power system, implications for communications and monitoring requirements, and how this resource can be exploited.
Adaptive anntena array receivers for spread-spectrum signals in impulsive noise

We consider the problem of recovering a spread-spectrum signal in the presence of unknown highly correlated spread- spectrum interference and impulsive noise. In terms of basic system and signal model considerations, we assume availability of a narrowband adaptive antenna array that experiences additive white Gaussian noise in time and across elements, as well as impulsive disturbance that is correlated across elements. The space-time receiver design developed in this work is characterized by the following attributes: (1) Adaptive interference suppression is pursued in the joint space-time domain. (2) An adaptive parametric non-linear front-end offers effective suppression of impulsive disturbances at low computational cost. (3) An adaptive auxiliary-vector linear filter post-processor offers effective, low-complexity suppression of SS interferes that avoids eigen-decomposition and/or matrix inversion operations and leads to superior BER performance under rapid, short-data-record system adaptation. Numerical and simulation comparisons with plain and outlier resistant space-time MVDR filtering procedures are included to illustrate and support the theoretical developments.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Book reviews - Big ear

John Kraus is a world-renowned scientist/engineer in the fields of antennas and radio astronomy. This book is a scientific adventure story of his experiences. His career started as a young boy attempting to listen to a distant radio station with a crystal receiver, and it led to the discovery of the most distant known object in the universe. The author gives a clear description of the book in his forward: Big Ear is our adventure story of the search for other men and the exploration of the universe-a universe so vast and mysterious it boggles the mind: an astounding, baffling, stranger-than-fiction universe of pulsars, quasars, and black holes. Big Ear is a personal, behind-the-scenes account of astronomers, engineers, inventors-humans all-and of their successes and failures. Ita isst ory about the steel and aluminum structures we have raised to probe the cosmos and of our attempt to answer the question ?Are we alone."
Vasectomy is associated with an increased risk for urolithiasis

We evaluated vasectomy as a potential risk factor for urolithiasis. Vasectomy is a common method of contraception among otherwise healthy men. This is also the population at highest risk for urolithiasis. We conducted a case-control study of patients in a large prepaid health maintenance organization. Cases were men experiencing initial episodes of urolithiasis, ascertained by reviewing radiology logs and medical records. The age-matched controls were men with no history of urolithiasis. In logistic regression models, the relative risk of urolithiasis for men with vasectomies compared with men without vasectomies was 1.9 for men younger than 46 years of age (95% confidence interval = 1.2 to 3.1, P = 0.005), and the relative risk was 0.9 (95% confidence interval = 0.5 to 1.5, P > 0.8) for men who were at least 46 years old. The relative risk of urinary calculi was 2.0 (95% confidence interval 1.0 to 4.1, P < 0.05) for men with vasectomies 0 to 4 years before evaluation compared with men without vasectomies, and the excess risk persisted as long as 14 years postvasectomy. Vasectomy was associated with a twofold increased risk for urolithiasis in men younger than 46 years of age. This increased risk may persist for up to 14 years postvasectomy. Given the large number of men who undergo vasectomy worldwide each year, the increased risk for urolithiasis among vasectomized men may result in substantial excess morbidity.
Multiple cis regulatory elements for maximal expression of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter in transgenic plants.

The 35S promoter is a major promoter of the cauliflower mosaic virus that infects crucifers. This promoter is still active when excised from cauliflower mosaic virus and integrated into the nuclear genome of transgenic tobacco. Previous work has shown that the -343 to -46 upstream fragment is responsible for the majority of the 35S promoter strength (Odell, J.T., Nagy, F., and Chua, N.-H. [1985]. Nature 313, 810-812). Here we show by 5', 3', and internal deletions that this upstream fragment can be subdivided into three functional regions, -343 to -208, -208 to -90, and -90 to -46. The first two regions can potentiate transcriptional activity when tested with the appropriate 35S promoter sequence. In contrast, the -90 to -46 region by itself has little activity but it plays an accessory role by increasing transcriptional activity of the two distal regions. Finally, we show that monomers and multimers of a 35S fragment (-209 to -46) can act as enhancers to potentiate transcription from a heterologous promoter.
Localized 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy of large pediatric brain tumors

✓ Fourteen children aged 1 week to 16 years, with a variety of large or superficial brain tumors, underwent localized in vivo 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy of their tumor. Quantitative spectral analysis was performed by measuring the area under individual peaks using a computer algorithm. In eight patients with histologically benign tumors the spectra were considered to be qualitatively indistinguishable from normal brain. The phosphocreatine/inorganic phosphate ratio (PCr/Pi) averaged 2.0. Five patients had histologically malignant tumors; qualitatively, four of these were considered to have abnormal spectra, showing a decrease in the PCr peak. The PCr/Pi ratio for this group averaged 0.85, which was significantly lower than that seen in the benign tumor group (p < 0.05). No difference between the two groups was seen in adenosine triphosphate or phosphomonoesters. It is concluded that a specific metabolic “fingerprint” for childhood brain tumors may not exist, but that some malignant tumors show a ...
Conjoint-HoQ: A quantitative methodology for consumer-driven design

This paper presents a methodology, Conjoint-HoQ, which is meant to provide an improvement over the current House of Quality (HoQ) tool. The improvement comes in the form of quantitative technical information – replacing the qualitative nature of the current HoQ – through integration of conjoint analysis into the HoQ framework. The steps of the ConjointHoQ method are presented in detail with an accompanying hypothetical example, the design of a hair dryer. A number of research issues critical to implementation in industry are also identified and discussed. The resulting methodology is representative of design tools seen as vital to supporting the emerging paradigm of mass-customization.
Electric and fluid field analysis of side-drive micromotors

Motive torque, axial force, and viscous drag torque in variable-capacitance side-drive micromotors are analyzed by finite-element modeling of electric and fluid fields. For electric field modeling, the focus is on surface-micromachined salient-pole polysilicon micromotors with 12 stator poles and eight rotor poles, and their three-dimensional geometry is considered. Comparison with results of two-dimensional in-plane and axial-plane analysis of the same motors indicates that 3-D finite-element analysis (FEA) of the electric field is required to accurately calculate the motive torque and axial force acting on the rotor. The 3-D results are in good agreement with available experimental data. For fluid field modeling, a simple axisymmetric model geometry that consists of a thin flat disk is used, and the bushing, stator, and bearing are added incrementally. The viscous drag coefficient from steady-state FEA is within 30% of the value estimated from experimental measurement. >
Production Traits and Alloantigen Systems in Lines of Chickens Selected for High or Low Antibody Responses to Sheep Erythrocytes

Abstract The selection of chickens for high (HA) and for low (LA) antibody titers to sheep erythrocytes has produced differences in the selected trait and in the correlated responses in body weight, egg production, and erythrocyte antigens. The response to selection continued through 14 generations. There was considerable divergence between lines for erythrocyte alloantigen systems, including the major histocompatibility complex. Females from Line LA were heavier as juveniles and lighter as adults, matured at a younger age, and had higher egg production than those from Line HA. There were no differences between lines for the incidence of defective eggs laid-except for the percentage of eggs with double-yolks, which was greater for Line LA than HA. The phenotypic correlations of antibody response with growth and with reproductive traits were very low; the genetic correlations were moderate to high for most of these traits.
On the performance of linear and nonlinear companding transforms in OFDM systems

Companding schemes are widely employed to reduce the peak-to-average-power ratio (PAPR) in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems. This paper considers the classes of linear and nonlinear companding schemes and derives a sufficient condition under which the bit error rate (BER) performance of one is superior to that of the other. The high PAPR of the OFDM signal drives the transmitter's power amplifier into its nonlinear region, thus causing nonlinear distortions. In the literature, signal companding is one of the widely used techniques for PAPR reduction. Furthermore, it has been claimed, based on simulation results, that linear companding performs better, in terms of BER, than nonlinear companding for an optimized set of companding parameters. In this paper, we derive sufficient conditions under which these claims are valid. The conditions derived also show that, in practice, nonlinear companding transforms perform better than linear companding transform. Our theoretical analysis is supported by simulation results.
Insulin Resistance and Hyperinsulinism in the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Insulin resistance with compensatory hyperinsulinemia has been demonstrated to occur in 50–70% of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), regardless of weight. Hyperinsulinemia stimulates excess ovarian androgen production, thereby contributing to the hyperandrogenism and chronic anovulation characteristic of PCOS. The exact cause of insulin resistance in PCOS is unknown, but it appears to be related to a postbinding defect in insulin receptor-mediated signal transduction. Because of insulin resistance, women with PCOS are at risk for several long-term metabolic complications, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Preclinical evaluation of the dual specific Src/Abl kinase inhibitor AZD0530 in lung cancer

13108 Background: AZD0530 is a highly selective, orally available, dual specific Src/Abl kinase inhibitor in clinical development. We tested this agent in multiple lung cancer cell lines in vitro. ...
The relationship between lens and ciliary process function during accommodation in rhesus monkeys

We have previously presented preliminary results from a study aimed at clarifying the relationship between lens and ciliary body function during accommodation in aging rhesus monkeys (Croft et al, 1998).
Resetting the amplitude of Drosophila 's circadian chronometer

Even in constant temperature darkness, mature flies emerge from populations ofDrosophila pupae only in a 6-hour-wide pulse once every 24 hours. The “circadian clock” governing this behavior can be rephased by exposing the pupae to even a few seconds of dim light in otherwise constant darkness. But there exists a critical exposure which, if and only if administered at a critical hour,turns off the circadian clock instead of rephasing it. This paper describes measurements in which a rephasing light pulse is followed by a second pulse so that the once-reset clock can be examined for normal rhythmicity of its sensitivity to light. The latter is found to be rephased in step with the emergence rhythm, but additionally attenuated in a way which strongly suggests that not only phase, but also the amplitude, intensity, or vigor of circadian oscillation is lastingly reset by a light pulse. Amplitude is apparently reset to zero by the critical pulse, but to other subnormal values by nearby non-critical pulses, even those which leave phase unaffected. The results of two thousand such rephasings are fitted by a simple theoretical model to within the reproducibility of measurements.
Continuity of Singularities: Urban Architectures, Ecology and the Aesthetics of Restorative Orders

Environmental designers employ ordering systems as a means of achieving spatial clarity and richness of organization while contending with the complexities that characterize design endeavors. This paper considers aesthetic potentialities when built and natural orders are considered together, specifically when an architectural investigation and ecological restoration are articulated as one integrated problem. After considering a range of approaches to the ordering the built and natural, I look to Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari’s notion of ‘continuity of singularities’ as intimating an ‘aesthetics of the indeterminate’ that encourages a desired nuance, openness to the unforeseen and respect for the (ecologically) particular.
Numerical responses of the nematophagous fungi Hirsutella rhossiliensis, Monacrosporium cionopagum, and M. ellipsosporum.

A soil microcosm experiment was conduct? ed to measure the effect of nematode population den? sity on suppression of nematodes by Hirsutella rhos- siliensis, Monacrosporium cionopagum, and M. ellipsos- porum. These fungi use adhesive conidia, branches, and knobs, respectively, to parasitize nematodes, and were added to soil in the form of pelletized hyphae. Nematode population density was controlled by add? ing small to large numbers of the insect-parasitic nem? atode Steinernema glaseri. Suppression was determined by adding a fixed number of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica and measuring the number (rel? ative to a control without fungi) that penetrated the roots of a cabbage seedling planted in each microcosm. Suppression by M. ellipsosporum and H. rhossiliensis was positively related to S. glaseri density, suggesting that M. ellipsosporum, like H. rhossiliensis, depends on par? asitism rather than on saprophytism. The response of M. cionopagum to nematode density was inconsistent. In a second experiment, the change in suppression of M. javanica over time was measured in soil containing few nematodes. Suppression by M. cionopagum in? creased rapidly to nearly 100% within 10 days follow? ing addition of fungal inoculum to soil and then de? clined sharply. Suppression by M. ellipsosporum in? creased gradually throughout the study and was nearly 100% at day 120. Suppression by H. rhossiliensis in? creased to only about 50% by day 20 and then declined gradually. Overall, the two trapping fungi appear to have greater potential than does H. rhossiliensis for biological control of certain plant-parasitic nema? todes.
Spark Plasma Consolidation of Al-based Amorphous Powder Prepared by Mechanical Alloying

In order to prepare a bulk amorphous alloy, Al-based amorphous powder was sintered. Mechanical alloyed Al70Ti12Si18 powder was used. The powder structure included amorphous and nano-crystalline phases. This powder was milled with Sn, with lower melting point, by mechanical alloying for 36ks. The amorphous powder was coated with Sn by mechanical alloying. This milled powder was sintered by spark plasma sintering in the temperature over the melting point of Sn, but under the crystallization temperature of Al70Ti12Si18 powder. A disk specimen of 10mm diameter and 2mm thickness was prepared. The disk specimen of the amorphous alloy was prepared at sintering temperature of 503K and holding time of 1.2ks at 375MPa. The specimen consisted of amorphous phase, crystallized phase and the remained Sn phase. The amorphous phase crystallized at sintering temperature of 533K.
Free-Phase NAPL-Trapping Features in Intermontane Basins

Just as free-phase oil and gas are trapped in the subsurface, spilled nonaqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) can be trapped or pooled by decimeter- to hectometer-scale features at contaminated sites. Free-phase NAPL is that which is sufficiently saturated to flow as a body in the subsurface. In order to trap free-phase NAPLs, the height of the trapping feature (trap-closure height) must be greater than the capillary intrusion of water into the NAPL phase, and the trap boundary must be sufficiently fine-grained to prevent the NAPL from entering its pores. Capillary intrusion of water into a free-phase NAPL body is a function of the physical properties of the liquid phases as well as the grain size within the trap, and it can be estimated using Hobson9s formula. Calculations suggest that necessary trap-closure heights are on the order of one to several centimeters for coarse-grained material and range from one to more than five meters for fine-grained sands. Features in intermontane basins with centimeter- to meter-scale positive or negative topographic relief may form environmentally significant free-phase NAPL traps. These include alluvial-fan, fluvial, lacustrine, eolian, and spring-related (krene-genic) deposits and the contacts between them as well as biogenic, pedogenic, volcanic, and tectonic features. Examples of possible free-phase light non-aqueous phase liquid (LNAPL) traps include buried channels, natural levees, gravel bars, gilgai (swelling clay hummocks), spring mounds, eolian and base-surge dunes, and eolian wedges adjacent to fault scarps. Examples of possible free-phase dense nonaqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) traps include scoured channel bases, incised and backfilled arroyos, deformed soft sediments, larger root traces and animal burrows, buried interdune areas, volcanic collapse features, and rotated wedges of sediments adjacent to faults. High-resolution noninvasive geophysical techniques promise to delineate subsurface strata at adequate scales to show features capable of trapping free-phase NAPL at contaminated sites. However, knowledge of geosystem permeability, migration pathways, and free-phase NAPL trapping processes may be needed to guide remediation efforts.
The Immature Stages of the Arctopsychinae Occurring in Eastern North America (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae)

Distributional and biological data are presented for Arctopsyche ladogensis (Kol.), A. irrorata Banks, Parapsyche apicalis (Banks), and P. cardis Ross, the four arctopsychine species occurring in eastern North America. The larvae and pupae are characterized at the subfamily and the generic levels; and the larvae of all four and the pupae of the two Parapsyche species are keyed, described, and illustrated.
Safety and cost of rapid i.v. injection of famotidine in critically ill patients.

The safety and cost of famotidine in intensive care patients given the drug by rapid i.v. injection or slow i.v. infusion were studied. All patients admitted to the medical-coronary care and surgical intensive care units (ICUs) at a university teaching hospital over a two-month period who had orders for at least one dose of famotidine injection for any indication were randomly assigned to receive the drug by rapid i.v. injection or slow i.v. infusion via volumetric chamber. Data on patient demographics, drug administration time, adverse effects, cardiovascular variables, and costs (including drug acquisition, supply, and nursing personnel costs) were collected prospectively. Fifty-three patients received famotidine by i.v. injection (a total of 1041 doses) and 52 by i.v. infusion (1006 doses). The mean +/- S.D. duration of famotidine administration was 44 +/- 12 seconds in the i.v.-injection group and 19 +/- 5 minutes in the i.v.-infusion group. Adverse effects possibly related to famotidine occurred in three injection-group patients and two infusion-group patients. No significant difference between the groups in cardiovascular variables (mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate) was noted. Cost savings for the injection group relative to the infusion group totaled $2886 for the two-month study period. Half of the savings came from reduced supply costs and half from reduced personnel costs. The annualized savings to the institution would be about $17,300. Rapid i.v. injection of famotidine appeared to be as safe in ICU patients as giving the drug by slow i.v. infusion and was less costly.
Biological and physical controls on O2/Ar, Ar and pCO2 variability at the Western Antarctic Peninsula and in the Drake Passage

Abstract Using simultaneous sub-kilometer resolution underway measurements of surface O2/Ar, total O2 and pCO2 from annual austral summer surveys in 2012, 2013 and 2014, we explore the impacts of biological and physical processes on the O2 and pCO2 system spatial and interannual variability at the Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP). In the WAP, mean O2/Ar supersaturation was (7.6±9.1)% and mean pCO2 supersaturation was (−28±22)%. We see substantial spatial variability in O2 and pCO2 including sub-mesoscale/mesoscale variability with decorrelation length scales of ~4.5 km, consistent with the regional Rossby radius. This variability is embedded within onshore–offshore gradients. O2 in the LTER grid region is driven primarily by biological processes as seen by the median ratio of the magnitude of biological oxygen (O2/Ar) to physical oxygen (Ar) supersaturation anomalies (%) relative to atmospheric equilibrium (2.6), however physical processes have a more pronounced influence in the southern onshore region of the grid where we see active sea-ice melting. Total O2 measurements should be interpreted with caution in regions of significant sea-ice formation and melt and glacial meltwater input. pCO2 undersaturation predominantly reflects biological processes in the LTER grid. In contrast we compare these results to the Drake Passage where gas supersaturations vary by smaller magnitudes and decorrelate at length scales of ~12 km, in line with latitudinal changes in the regional Rossby radius. Here biological processes induce smaller O2/Ar supersaturations (mean (0.14±1.3)%) and pCO2 undersaturations (mean (−2.8±3.9)%) than in the WAP, and pressure changes, bubble and gas exchange fluxes drive stable Ar supersaturations.
Grand Jahre Prize 1992. functional architecture of adrenal cortex hormone receptors

The Jahre Prize in medicine (or the 'Little Nobel', as it is also called) for 1992 has been awarded to Professor Jan-Ake Gustafsson, Stockholm, for his pioneering research on the regulation of genetic capacity by steroid hormones. His award lecture, The functional architecture of corticosteroid receptors, consisted in a survey of available knowledge of the structure of corticosteroid receptors and their mechanism of action.
Prevention and treatment: a tale of two strategies.

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times , it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness , it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity , it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness …Charles Dickens ([1][1]) A Dickensian duo of contrasting
A comparison of a four wavelength analysis and multicomponent wavelength analysis applied to determination of haemoglobin saturation.

Cryomicrospectrophotometry has been used to study haemoglobin (Hb) and myoglobin (Mb) saturation in living tissue (Figulla, Hoffman and Lubbers, 1983). This paper evaluates two possible artefacts in cryomicrospectrometry applied to Hb measurements in small blood vessels. First, microcirculatory vessels may differ in haematocrit compared with systemic vessels (Hoffman et al., 1984). The resulting difference in Hb concentration might influence the spectroscopic signal and hence the calculation of Hb saturation. Second, the freezing rate of the tissue during the sample preparation influences the ice crystal size. Hence, light scattering and measured spectra may vary as a function of depth from a frozen surface. The present study determines the influence of different haemoglobin concentrations and freezing rates on the cryomicrospectrophotometric measurements and calculated saturations. In addition, we compared mouse, man and dog Hb using dog Hb as the standard. Finally, this paper compares the linear, multicomponent, wavelength analysis of Hoffman and Lubbers (1985) with a four wavelength method of Gayeski (1981). The latter method requires intensity measurements at four different wavelengths per saturation calculation over a ‘narrow’ spectral range (547–588 nm) as compared with many wavelengths (up to 500) over a ‘broad’ spectral range (500–600 nm). A simple method of determining haemoglobin saturation allows easier implementation.
Discrete and Interval Relations

Chapter 6 addresses the constraint properties of discrete and interval functions such as those from Boolean algebra, logic, and inequalities.
Nonlinear Elliptic Equations of the Second Order

* Introduction* Linear elliptic equations* Quasilinear elliptic equations: Quasilinear uniformly elliptic equations* Mean curvature equations* Minimal surface equations* Fully nonlinear elliptic equations: Fully nonlinear uniformly elliptic equations* Monge-Ampere equations* Complex Monge-Ampere equations* Generalized solutions of Monge-Ampere equations* Bibliography* Index
Sub-threshold sense amplifier compensation using auto-zeroing circuitry

Voltage offset in SRAM sense amplifiers due to variability causes increased power consumption and degraded performance. The effect is more dominant in the sub-threshold region. In this paper, we propose a circuit that reduces the sense amp offset using an auto-zeroing scheme with automatic temperature, voltage, and aging tracking.
Wide bandgap semiconductor power electronics

Wide bandgap semiconductors, SiC and GaN, have attracted increased attention because of their potential for higher performance switching and RF power devices. SiC Schottky diodes, MOSFET's, SIT's and MESFET's and AlGaN/GaN HFET's are described and their performance compared to that of Si and GaAs devices.
Characterization of human oral tissues based on quantitative analysis of optical coherence tomography images

In this paper, five types of tissues, human enamel, human cortical bone, human trabecular bone, muscular tissue, and fatty tissue were imaged ex vivo using optical coherence tomography (OCT). The specimens were prepared in blocks of 5 x 5 x 3 mm (width x length x height). The OCT imaging system was a swept source OCT system operating at wavelengths ranging between 1250 nm and 1360 nm with an average power of 18 mW and a scan rate of 50 to 100 kHz. The imaging probe was placed on top of a 2 x 2 cm stabilizing device to maintain a standard distance from the samples. Ten image samples from each type of tissue were obtained. To acquire images with minimum inhomogeneity, imaging was performed multiple times at different points. Based on the observed texture differences between OCT images of soft and hard tissues, spatial and spectral features were quantitatively extracted from the OCT images. The Radon transform from angles of 0 deg to 90 deg was computed, averaged over all the angles, normalized to peak at unity, and then fitted with Gaussian function. The mean absolute values of the spatial frequency components of the OCT image were considered as a feature, where 2-D fast Fourier transform (FFT) was done to OCT images. These OCT features can reliably differentiate between a range of hard and soft tissues, and could be extremely valuable in assisting dentists for in vivo evaluation of oral tissues and early detection of pathologic changes in tissues.
Magnetic hyperfine interactions in amorphous Fe x B 1 0 0 − x

Sputtered amorphous ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{x}{\mathrm{B}}_{100\ensuremath{-}x}$ has been studied by $^{57}\mathrm{Fe}$ M\"ossbauer spectroscopy from below the magnetic threshold at ${x}_{c}\ensuremath{\simeq}38$ through the magnetic region, to $x=90$. ${T}_{C}$ is found to rise sharply with Fe concentration, peaking at $x\ensuremath{\simeq}70$, and then to decrease monotonically. Measurements under a small external field indicate that these samples are ferromagnetic. The hyperfine field distributions ${P(H)}$ exhibit rather structureless, single-maximum patterns that continuously shift to higher $H$ values as the Fe concentration is increased. The isomer shift, on the other hand, shows a maximum at $x\ensuremath{\simeq}50$. The data are discussed in terms of the localized moment and itinerant electron descriptions. It is also shown that several models (e.g., charge-transfer and quasicrystalline models) based on the results from liquid-quench samples with $72\ensuremath{\le}x\ensuremath{\le}86$, are not valid over the wider composition range studied here. The magnetic properties and hyperfine interactions of sputtered and liquid-quench samples are compared in the region of common compositions.
Exploring point-of-care transformation in diabetic care: A quality improvement approach

Objective This quality improvement project evaluated the impact of a point-of-care (POC) HbA1c stat lab intervention and a nurse-assisted expanded visit implemented among patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes (T2D) at a community health center in Houston, TX. Methods This was a before-and-after POC intervention among adult patients who received primary care services between 1 July 2014 and 31 December 2014 (baseline visit) and who had at least one 3-month follow-up visit. Results Three hundred eighty-seven patients were included in the study. The majority were 9%) at baseline, with the highest average levels among Hispanic (10.9%) and black (10.7%) patients. There was a significant difference in the HbA1c level before (mean=10.65, SD=1.9291) and after (mean=9.25, SD=1.8187) intervention. The absolute reduction in the level of HbA1c was 1.4% (t=12.834, p Conclusion There is a distinct advantage in using a stat HbA1c lab when combined with shared POC visits to assist patients with uncontrolled T2D in lowering the HbA1c, improving self-management, and reducing long-term costs.
Delayed Umbilical Cord Clamping at <32 Weeks’ Gestation: Implementation and Outcomes

Objectives This study aims to evaluate the implementation of a delayed umbilical cord clamping (DCC) protocol for neonates Study Design Retrospective cohort study from November 2014 to March 2016 of patients delivered by 316/7 weeks. In 2014, an institutional protocol for DCC at Results Of the 185 patients included in the study, 90 underwent DCC, and 72% of potentially eligible patients appropriately received DCC. There was no significant difference in the maternal hemorrhage composite outcome between DCC and immediate cord clamping (23.3 vs. 36.8%, adjusted odds ratio = 0.64, 95% confidence interval = 0.33, 1.26). There was also no significant difference in the ability to obtain a single or paired umbilical cord blood gas result. Conclusion Implementation of a DCC protocol for preterm neonates is feasible and was successful. We did not find an increase in maternal risk or a decrease in the ability to obtain umbilical cord blood gases following DCC.