cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Patterns of femoropopliteal recurrence after routine and selective stenting endoluminal therapy

Objective This study determined the incidence and characteristics of recurrent disease after femoropopliteal angioplasty, following either selective or routine stenting of diseased site(s). Methods Retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database for femoropopliteal interventions from June 2003 to July 2010 was performed. Interventions during this period were from a single institution, followed up at 1, 3, and 6 months after initial intervention and on a semiannual basis thereafter with clinical examinations and duplex ultrasound imaging. Two groups were identified: those with routine stenting (RS; routine stenting for all diseased areas) and those with selective stenting (SS; selective stenting for only segments which exhibited compromised flow from residual stenosis or significant dissection). Patients who developed recurrent symptoms (claudication, rest pain), a decrease in ankle-brachial index (ABI) (>0.2), or duplex documentation of a significant (>80%) recurrent stenosis underwent reintervention. Patient demographics, comorbidities, Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus (TASC) II classification, runoff, and degree of calcification (none, mild, moderate, severe) at initial intervention were recorded. The time to reintervention and recurrence pattern were recorded for both groups. Results During the study period, 746 endovascular interventions in 477 patients were performed. Total reintervention rate, including bypass, amputation, and asymptomatic occlusion after initial intervention, was 36.48% (group SS, 42.9%; group RS, 33.1%; P = .04). Of all initial interventions, 182 endovascular reinterventions in 165 patients for recurrent femoropopliteal disease were identified (group SS, 70; group RS, 95). No differences were noted among the groups in gender, comorbidities, initial TASC II classification, run off, calcification scores, or statin or clopidogrel use, or both. Time to recurrence was similar in the RS and SS groups. TASC II classification, runoff score, and degree of calcification were similar between the two groups. Although not statistically significant, analysis of recurrence pattern demonstrated de novo stenosis was more common in the SS group (50.0% vs 34.7%; P = .06). Conclusions This single-center retrospective study found a significant difference in the incidence of recurrence requiring reintervention between patients treated with selective and routine stenting for femoropopliteal disease. Analysis of endovascular reinterventions, however, reveals no significant difference in recurrence time or recurrence pattern between the two groups. No significant differences were identified in time to recurrence, TASC II classification, runoff, and calcification of endovascular reinterventions between the two groups' end points. Additional prospective studies to evaluate the roles of routine and selective stenting in symptomatic femoropopliteal peripheral arterial disease and to investigate recurrence lesion characteristics and the patency of multiple endovascular interventions between these two groups are needed.
Detailed balance in nonvertical transitions

Abstract After a presentation of the application of detailed balance to direct transitions in solids, the application of the principle to indirect transitions is studied, and it is concluded that the relation between emission and absorption characteristics valid for direct transitions is also valid for indirect transitions. The limitations on the validity of this relation in both cases are set forth.
Introduction to Response to Intervention: What, Why, and How Valid Is It?.

On December 3, 2004, President Bush signed into law the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA, 2004). The revised law is different from the previous version in at least one important respect. Whereas practitioners were previously encouraged to use IQ–achievement discrepancy to identify children with learning disabilities (LD), they now may use “Response to Intervention,” or RTI, a new, alternative method. It is also a means of providing early intervention to all children at risk for school failure. IDEA 2004 permits districts to use as much as 15% of their special education monies to fund early intervention activities. All this has implications for the number and type of children identified, the kinds of educational services provided, and who delivers them. RTI may be especially important to Reading Research Quarterly readers because roughly 80% of those with an LD label have been described as reading disabled (Lyon, 1995). With RTI, there may be a larger role for reading specialists, which in turn might affect preand inservice professional development activities conducted by universities and school districts. Yet much still needs to be understood to ensure that RTI implementation will promote effective early intervention and represents a valid means of LD identification. In this article, we explain important features of RTI, why it has been promoted as a substitute for IQ–achievement discrepancy, and what remains to be understood before it may be seen as a valid means of LD identification. What is RTI?
A prospective comparison of a new, synthetic donor site dressing versus an impregnated gauze dressing

Three institutions enrolled 38 patients who required bilateral skin graft donor sites into a safety and efficacy study of a new synthetic donor site dressing. Bilateral donor sites were randomized to receive either a new, synthetic donor site dressing or an impregnated gauze dressing. Wounds were assessed by time to healing, pain, and patient preference. Synthetic dressing wounds were treated 7.9 days compared with 10.2 days for gauze dressing wounds (p < 0.001), and synthetic dressing wounds were more completely epithelialized. Visual analogue pain analysis revealed significantly less donor site pain with synthetic dressing (2.94) versus gauze dressing (4.64) (p < 0.001). Synthetic dressing had fewer treatment-related adverse experiences than gauze dressing (2 vs 7) and was judged by recipients to be superior to gauze dressing in comfort, pain relief, cosmetic appeal, ease of ambulation, and overall acceptance.
9.2.1 Reference Framework and Model for Integration of Risk Management in Agile Systems Engineering Lifecycle of the Defense Acquisition Management Framework

Risk management is a requirement for success of any enterprise. Despite this fact, there have been limited solutions for integrating risk management in agile life cycles. On average, 70% of all IT-related projects fail to meet their objectives which have caused 80% of companies to reassess their process. One of these processes includes risk management where studies have shown that risks should be assessed in all dimensions of a program. We found that risk management was being conducted on the overall program with concentration in the software development phase which leaves other life cycle phases with no risk assessments and mitigation strategies. Agile systems engineering is more complex than traditional systems engineering due to events happening concurrently and non-sequentially during the life cycle of a program. This paper will propose a framework and model for risk ‘managility’, management in an agile environment, specifically in systems engineering life cycle. We use the Department of Defense's Evolutionary Acquisition and Management Framework as a bridge to define and illustrate an agile systems engineering life cycle (ASEL) framework and an agile risk integrated engineering lifecycle (ARIEL) model.
Synthesis of furo[3,2-d]pyrimidine nucleosides: A novel c-nucleoside isostere of adenosine

Abstract The synthesis of 4-amino-7-(β- D-ribofuranosyl)-furo[3,2- d ]pyrimidine, a new C-nucleoside analogof adenosine, is described. It involves base-catalyzed cyclization of the 2-(ribofuranosyl)-2-cyano ethers 3 to afford the ribosyl-3-amino-2-cyanofurans 4a and 4β, followed by a two step conversion into the desired furo[3,2- d ]pyrimidine system.
Capital at Home and at School: Effects on Child Social Adjustment

We argue for analyzing school and family social capital, human capital, and financial capital as parallel concepts and investigate their effects on child social adjustment. We use the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY) merged Child-Mother Data, to which we add indicators of capital in the children's schools. Findings suggest that although school capital effects are present, family social capital and maternal and child human capital effects are more prevalent. Interactions between family and school capital refine these findings. We derive inferences regarding how investment at home and at school can work together to promote child social adjustment.
Arteriolar vascular smooth muscle cells: Mechanotransducers in a complex environment

Contraction of small artery (diameters typically less than 250 μm) vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) plays a critical role in local control of blood flow and arterial pressure through its affect on vascular caliber. Specifically, contraction of small arteries in response to increased intraluminal pressure is referred to as the myogenic response and represents an important role for mechanotransduction. Critical questions remain as to how changes in pressure are sensed by VSMCs and transduced across the cell membrane to tune the contractile state of the cell. Recent studies suggest a pivotal role for interactions between VSMCs and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Thus, pressure-induced deformation of ECM proteins and their cell surface receptors (for example, integrins) may initiate contraction and cytoskeletal remodeling through modulation of ion channels, membrane depolarization, increased intracellular Ca2+ and actomyosin crossbridge cycling. Importantly, it is argued that the contractile properties of small artery VSMCs reflect an intimate and integrated interaction with their extracellular environment and the three-dimensional structure of the vessel wall.
Integramides A and B, Two Novel Non-Ribosomal Linear Peptides Containing Nine Cα-Methyl Amino Acids Produced by Fungal Fermentations That Are Inhibitors of HIV-1 Integrase

[structure: see text]. Integramides A and B are two novel 16-mer linear peptides rich in C(alpha)-methyl amino acids that were isolated from fungal extracts of Dendrodochium sp. by employing a bioassay-guided isolation procedure using recombinant HIV-1 integrase. The structure and stereochemistry were elucidated by a combination of 2D NMR and ESI- and FAB-MS including MS/MS studies and by Marfey's method. Integramides A and B inhibited the coupled reaction of HIV-1 integrase with IC50 values of 17 and 10 microM, respectively.
Ileocecal endometriosis presenting with abdominal pain and gastrointestinal bleeding

A 26-year-old woman with enteric endometriosis presenting with cecocolic intussusception, a cecal mass on barium enema, and gastrointestinal hemorrhage is described. Laparotomy revealed cecocolic intussusception, ileocecal endometrial implants, and cecal mucosal ulceration presumed secondary to ischemia of the intussuscepted bowel. Histopathology showed serosal and subserosal endometrial implants without mucosal invasion. A review of the literature of endometrial bowel disease is presented.
Immunocytochemical localization of choline acetyltransferase in the carotid body of the cat and rabbit

The carotid body consists of afferent axon terminals in synaptic association with preneural type I cells and enveloping type II cells. The presence of acetylcholine (ACh) in this organ and its pharmacological actions are well established; however, its precise localization remains uncertain. In the present study, choline acetyltransferase was immunocytochemically localized to type I cells of the cat and rabbit. These data, combined with previous demonstrations of cholinergic receptor action, suggest that ACh may be involved in neurotransmitter coupling in the carotid body.
Methane fluxes to the atmosphere from deepwater hydrocarbon seeps in the northern Gulf of Mexico

[1] Three deepwater hydrocarbon seep sites in the northern Gulf of Mexico that feature near-seafloor gas hydrates, MC118 (depth = 900 m), GC600 (depth = 1250 m) and GC185 (depth = 550 m), were investigated during the Remote Sensing and Sea-Truth Measurements of Methane Flux to the Atmosphere (HYFLUX) study in July 2009. Continuous measurements of air and sea surface concentrations of methane were made to obtain high spatial and temporal resolution of the diffusive net sea-to-air fluxes. The atmospheric methane fluctuated between 1.70 and 2.40 parts per million (ppm) during the entire cruise except for high concentrations (up to 4.01 ppm) sampled during the end of the occupation of GC600 and the transit between GC600 and GC185. In conjunction with air-mass back trajectory analysis, these high concentrations are likely from a localized methane source to the atmosphere. Methane concentrations in surface seawater and methane net sea-to-air fluxes show high temporal and spatial variability within and between sites. The presence of ethane and propane in the surface seawater indicates a thermogenic source in the plume areas, suggesting the surface methane could be at least partly attributable to transport from the deepwater hydrocarbon seeps. Results from interpolations within the survey areas show the daily methane fluxes to the atmosphere at the three sites range from 0.744 to 300 mol d−1. Extrapolating the highest daily sea-to-air flux of methane to other deepwater seeps in the northern Gulf of Mexico suggests that the net diffusive sea-to-air flux from deepwater hydrocarbon seeps in this region is an insignificant source to the atmospheric methane.
The Impact of Minimum Wages on Job Training: An Empirical Exploration with Establishment Data

Human capital theory suggests that workers may finance on-the-job training by accepting lower wages during the training period. Minimum wage laws could reduce job training, then, to the extent they prevent low-wage workers from offering sufficient wage cuts to finance training. Empirical findings on the relationship between minimum wages and job training have failed to reach a consensus. Previous research has relied primarily on survey data from individual workers that typically lack both detailed measures of job training and important information about the characteristics of firms. This study addresses the issue of minimum wages and on-the-job training with a unique employer survey. We find no evidence indicating that minimum wages reduce the average hours of training of trained employees and little to suggest that minimum wages reduce the percentage of workers receiving training.
Nonlinear transport in pinned one-dimensional charge-density wave systems

The results of an experimental study of nonlinear electrical transport at low temperatures are described for the one-dimensional organic conductors TTF-TCNQ (tetrathiafulvalene-tetracyanoquinodimethane) and TSeF-TCNQ (tetraselenafulvalene-tetracyanoquinodimethane). The $b$-axis conductivity is nonlinear in both compounds with the onset of nonlinearity at applied electric fields of a few V/cm. Measurements along different crystallographic directions show that the nonlinear transport is directly related to the one-dimensional nature of the electronic system. Traditional single-particle mechanisms of nonlinearity in semiconductors are ruled out through direct experimental study. The experimental results are discussed in terms of nonlinear phase-kink solitons of the pinned charge-density wave condensate at low fields, and field-induced depinning at high fields.
1,3-Butadiene Selective Oxidation over VMoO Catalysts: New Insights into the Reaction Pathway

The partial oxidation of 1,3-butadiene has been investigated over VMoO catalysts synthesized by sol–gel techniques. Surface areas were 9–14 m2/g, and compositions were within the solid solution regime, i.e., below 15.0 mol% (MoO3) in V2O5. Laser Raman and XRD data indicated that solid solutions were formed, and pre- and postreaction XPS data indicated that catalyst surfaces were reduced by the 1,3-butadiene-in-air feeds. The reaction pathway for 1,3-butadiene partial oxidation to maleic anhydride was shown to involve intermediates such as 3,4-epoxy-1-butene, crotonaldehyde, furan, and 2-butene-1,4-dial. The addition of water to the reaction stream substantially increased catalyst activity and improved selectivity to crotonaldehyde and furan at specific reaction temperatures.
Density functional theory study of anionic and neutral per-substituted 12-vertex boron cage systems, B12X12n- (n = 2, 1, 0)

The 12(12) closomers form a rapidly expanding class of compounds where a 12-vertex cage is surrounded by 12 identical substituents. Density functional theory (B3LYP/6-31G(d)) is used to study a number of these closomers in different states of oxidation (dianion, radical anion, and neutral cages). The cage stability increases as the group electronegativity of the substituent increases. Also, the 12(12) closomer becomes easier to oxidize as the Hammett σp parameter becomes more negative (electron-donating). As the closomer is oxidized, the size of the cage increases and the B−B distances become more asymmetric. The Raman-active breathing mode in the 404−434 cm-1 range moves to lower frequency as the cage is oxidized, which is caused by removing one or two electrons from a cage-bonding molecular orbital.
Cytotoxicity and mutagenicity of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene and its metabolites

Composting has been advocated and is being used as an economical method for remediating 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT)-contaminated soils. However, evidence suggests that TNT is transformed into products of unknown toxicity during the process. This study was undertaken to examine the in vitro cytotoxicity and mutagenicity of TNT and several of its degradation products/metabolites. TNT was equally cytotoxic to H4IIE cells and Chinese hamster ovary-K1 (CHO) cells (LC50 of 4 g/ml vs 24 microg/ml, with overlapping 95% prediction intervals), indicating that TNT does not need to be metabolized to exhibit cytotoxicity. Four metabolites studied, 4-hydroxylamino-2,6-dinitrotoluene; 2-amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene; 4,4',6,6'-tetranitro-2,2'-azoxytoluene; and 2,2',6,6'-tetranitro-4, 4'-azoxytoluene, were equally cytotoxic to both H4IIE and CHO cells. The LC50s were in the 3- to 18-microg/ml range and were not significantly different from TNT cytotoxicity in both cell lines. 4-Amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene (4-A) was moderately less cytotoxic than TNT to H4IIE cells, but was noncytotoxic to CHO cells. This result indicates that 4-A is metabolized to a cytotoxic compound. Both TNT and its metabolites exhibited only slight mutagenicity at high doses in one or both of the mutagenicity assays. While composting may reduce the levels of TNT in composted material, the hazard associated with TNT-contaminated soils is probably lower, but still uncertain.
The importance of nerve terminal depolarization in pyrethroid poisoning of insects

Abstract The effects of several pyrethroids and DDT were examined on neuromuscular preparations from larvae of Musca domestica, Culex quinquefasciatus, Anopheles stephensi, and Trichoplusia ni, in order to determine the importance of the type I effect (repetitive firing) and the type II effect (increased miniature excitatory postsynaptic potential (mepsp) rate, indicating nerve terminal depolarization) in the poisoning process. α-Cyano pyrethroids were very potent in increasing mepsp rate, and although DDT and non-α-cyano compounds were more potent at inducing repetitive firing, all these compounds increased mepsp rate at higher concentrations. A variety of evidence showed that the mepsp rate-increasing activity could be an important factor in toxicity: among all of the compounds, there was a positive correlation between toxicity and mepsp rate-increasing activity; mepsp rate-increasing activity had a negative temperature dependence; nerves of kdr larvae in vitro were resistant to the mepsp rate-increasing activity, commensurate with resistance level; and finally, increased mepsp rate and neuromuscular block were observed in poisoned insects, associated with paralysis. Among type I compounds, repetitive firing activity was correlated negatively with toxicity, but positively with knockdown activity.
Hypophysial and meningeal melanocytes in the Zucker rat.

Melanocytes have not been described in the pituitary of mammals or in the meninges of the rat. In this paper, we report the presence of the cluster of melanocytes in the intermediate lobe of the pituitary and around the median eminence of the hypothalamus forming an ‘infundibulo-hypophysial circle’, and also describe the characteristics of meningeal melanocytes in Zucker rats. In the leptomeninges, numerous melanocytes were found on the ventrolateral surface of cerebral hemisphere in the area of the middle cerebral artery. Pigment granules were also observed in the surrounding tissue outside the melanocytes as well as incorporated in the cytoplasm of neural and epithelial cells. Electron microscopy revealed that melanosomes in hypophysial and meningeal melanocytes were in different (II-IV) stages of maturity. In the leptomeninges of Zucker rats, HMB-45 immunoreactivity was found in round non-melanosome-containing cells, while no HMB-45 reaction was found in the leptomeninges of the albino rat. We conclude that both obese and lean Zucker rats possess functionally active melanocytes in the meninges and the pituitary and transfer pigment granules to neighboring cells. The distributions of melanocytes in proximity to blood vessels in the leptomeninges and in the ‘infundibulo-hypophysial circle’ suggest an endocrine secretory function.
Pressure Drop Measurements in Turbulent Channel Flow Over Superhydrophobic Surfaces With Riblets

In this paper we consider the combined drag reducing mechanisms of superhydrophobicity with riblets. Pressure drop measurements were acquired for turbulent flow in a channel with superhydrophobic walls, riblet walls, and walls with both drag reducing mechanisms. The superhydrophobic structuring was composed of alternating microribs (15 microns tall and 8 microns wide) and cavities (32 microns wide), aligned parallel to the flow. Superhydrophobic surfaces function to reduce drag by minimizing the effective liquid-solid contact area as water will not penetrate the cavities between microribs due to surface tension. The riblets were nominally 80 microns tall, 18 microns wide, spaced with a period of 160 microns and were also aligned parallel to the flow. Riblets function by damping out spanwise turbulent motions. Since turbulence is a three-dimensional phenomenon, this destruction of turbulent motions acts to reduce the average friction at the surface. Fabrication of the drag reducing surfaces was completed with photolithographic techniques on silicon wafers. The wafers were inserted into a channel consisting of a control section with smooth wafers and a test section with patterned wafers. In all cases, the test section walls were structured on top and bottom while the side walls were left smooth. The channel had a hydraulic diameter of 7.3 mm and an aspect ratio of 10:1. Tests were obtained over a Reynolds number range of 5 × 103 to 1.5 × 104. The superhydrophobic surfaces with riblets showed a maximum drag reduction of 7.0% which was a higher reduction than either the surfaces patterned with riblets or the superhydrophobic surfaces.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Sunrise Effects on the Latitudinal Variations of Topside Ionospheric Densities and Scale Heights

IONOSPHERIC sunrise represents the transition period between quasi-equilibrium conditions attained during the night and those attained during the day. The arrival of sunrise is manifested by a rapid increase in electron temperatures and a less rapid increase in ion temperatures at all altitudes1. In a plasma distribution that tends towards equilibrium, a sharp increase in particle temperature results in a redistribution of the plasma. In the topside ionosphere, this is manifested by a diffusive flux of ions and electrons.
A robotic wide-angle view endoscope using wedge prisms

Drs. Kobayashi, Sakuma, Konishi, Hashizume, and Dohi presented an interesting concept [1]. It would be ideal to have a laparoscope available which that can, immediately after introduction, produce a wide-angled view for orientation that can be changed to a ‘‘zooming in’’ position creating magnification to a smaller area. It can also ‘‘view around corners’’ with rotating prisms at the tip of the scope. All these views can be, practically speaking, achieved with the telescope left in one position without moving it. All these functions can be remotely controlled. The question that must be answered is how this more complicated and more complex laparoscope can be simplified to withstand nowadays manipulations, maintenance, sterilizations, etc. Not speaking from other factors, for example, the capital outlay and the expected life time of a more sophisticated laparoscope. We do hope to hear from the authors in the future regarding how this idea has been further developed.
Design of anti-reflection coating for surface textured interdigitated back contact silicon hetero-junction solar cell

An all low temperature (&#60;300°C) processed stack structure consisting of amorphous silicon (a-Si), silicon nitride (a-SiNx) and silicon carbide (a-SiC) has been proposed for antireflection (AR) and surface passivation for interdigitated back contact (IBC) silicon hetero-junction solar cell. To reduce surface reflection and enhance photo current collection, the AR coating stack needs to be carefully designed accounting for the surface texture. In this work, the surface texturization of crystalline silicon (c-Si) using tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide (TMAH) solution was investigated. The most effective textured surface in terms of weighted reflectance was selected for AR coating. A 2-dimensional analytical modeling of the random pyramid-like surface textured morphology was based on scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images and verified by fitting bare textured Si reflection spectra with experiments. A ray tracing procedure was then used to optimize thicknesses and deposition recipes for the individual layers in AR stack. Two optimized stack structures with a 5nm thick a-Si layer were obtained, both yielding a maximum photo current of 40 mA/cm2 for IBC solar cell, while ensuring satisfactory surface passivation quality. The photo current losses of optimized AR stacks were also discussed.
In the Decade After 9/11

This essay looks at the impacts that the 9/11 attacks had on American Muslims in the ensuing decade. It argues that there has been a shift from Islamophobia, or a fear of Islam, to a "misoislamia" or hatred of Islam.
Human history as natural history

DESPOTISM AND DIFFERENTIAL REPRODUCTION: A DARWINIAN VIEW OF HISTORY by Laura L. Betzig Hawthorne, New York: Aldine, 1986. 171 pp., $24.95
Key Role of End-Capping Groups in Optoelectronic Properties of Poly-p-phenylene Cation Radicals

Poly-p-phenylenes (PPs) are prototype systems for understanding the charge transport in π-conjugated polymers. In a combined computational and experimental study, we demonstrate that the smooth evolution of redox and optoelectronic properties of PP cation radicals toward the polymeric limit can be significantly altered by electron-donating iso-alkyl and iso-alkoxy end-capping groups. A multiparabolic model (MPM) developed and validated here rationalizes this unexpected effect by interplay of the two modes of hole stabilization: due to the framework of equivalent p-phenylene units and due to the electron-donating end-capping groups. A symmetric, bell-shaped hole in unsubstituted PPs becomes either slightly skewed and shifted toward an end of the molecule in iso-alkyl-capped PPs or highly deformed and concentrated on a terminal unit in PPs with strongly electron-donating iso-alkoxy capping groups. The MPM shows that the observed linear 1/n evolution of the PP cation radical properties toward the polymer limit originates from the hole stabilization due to the growing chain of p-phenylene units, while shifting of the hole toward electron-donating end-capping groups leads to early breakdown of these 1/n dependencies. These insights, along with the readily applicable and flexible multistate parabolic model, can guide studies of complex donor–spacer–acceptor systems and doped molecular wires to aid the design of the next generation materials for long-range charge transport and photovoltaic applications.
Potential use of thrombolytic therapy before hospitalization.

Abstract Three trials of thrombolytic therapy in myocardial infarction (MI) up to 12 hours after symptom onset were conducted to measure the mean time from onset of chest pain to hospital arrival, and mean time to therapy. The trials, using intracoronary streptokinase, intravenous streptokinase and tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), indicated a progressive shortening of time between symptom onset and hospital arrival. The Seattle Myocardial Infarction, Triage and Intervention (MITI) trial is evaluating the safety and efficacy of thrombolytic therapy initiated by paramedics in the prehospital setting. Phase I of the trial indicates that one-half of the patients would receive prehospital therapy in the field within the first hour of symptoms, substantially sooner than what can be achieved in the hospital. Phase II of MITI, in a nonrandomized trial, will compare the use of intravenous t-PA in the field with t-PA administered in the emergency department.
Thermionic and Photon-Enhanced Emission from CVD Diamond: Influence of Nanostructure, Doping, and Substrate

Thermionic electron emitters based on doped diamond films have shown significant emission at less than 500°C. Results have established that it is necessary to control the electron affinity, doping levels and concentration, and band bending, and these properties have been achieved with engineered multilayered structures with controlled morphology, doping and substrate. Recently, visible light photo-electron emission has been demonstrated using the same diamond film emitters. This report presents a spectroscopic and surface electron microscopy study of photo-and thermionic emission from nitrogen doped diamond films with controlled morphology on metal substrates. Electron emission spectra were recorded to 500°C, while illuminated with sub diamond band gap light. Significant photo-induced emission was observed with an efficiency greater than metal photo cathodes.
Does “No” mean “No”? A protest methodology

In this paper, we propose a method of identifying and truncating protesters in Contingent Valuation surveys. We propose using a system of Willingness to Pay (WTP) questions that value multiple goods and that use both discrete choice and open-ended questions coupled with multiple questions about protest beliefs administered to the entire sample. Protesters can then be identified because they reject all bids, declare zero on all open-ended questions, and hold protest beliefs. The proposed procedure has been empirically tested on an air pollution data set from Poland, where 27 of the sample was identified as protesters. The adjustment for protesters increased the estimated WTP values by a factor of more than 3.
Clinical gastric "freezing".

Of 91 patients with peptic ulceration of the duodenum or pylorus treated with gastric freezing, 60 (66%) have had return of symptoms during a maximum follow-up period of 31 months. However, 51 (56%) recurrences occurred in the first year after treatment. Surgery was necessary in 21 of those patients with return of symptoms for control of the ulcer diathesis.
Relationship between Stability and Function for Isolated Domains of Troponin C

Results of spectroscopic thermal and chemical denaturation studies and calcium binding studies are presented for a series of five recombinant chicken troponin C fragments. They were designed to assess the effects of domain isolation, N-helix, and D/E linker helix on stability and calcium affinity. Four of the fragments include the N-terminal regulatory domain and one the C-terminal domain. For the regulatory domain, deletion of the N-helix or the D/E linker decreases the stability of the apo form as measured by ΔG°N→U,25. Separation of the domains also decreases the stability. Differences in values of ΔG°N→U,25 derived from urea and guanidine hydrochloride studies allowed an estimation of the electrostatic component of the free energy of unfolding. Our measurements provide the first quantitative estimate of the stability for the apo-C-domain (ΔG°N→U,25 = −1.8 kcal/mol) which was obtained using the interaction free energy formalism of Schellman. There is an inverse correlation between calcium affinity, bin...
Cyclotron resonance spectroscopy in a high mobility two dimensional electron gas using characteristic matrix methods.

We develop a new characteristic matrix-based method to analyze cyclotron resonance experiments in high mobility two-dimensional electron gas samples where direct interference between primary and satellite reflections has previously limited the frequency resolution. This model is used to simulate experimental data taken using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy that show multiple pulses from the substrate with a separation of 15 ps that directly interfere in the time-domain. We determine a cyclotron dephasing lifetime of 15.1±0.5 ps at 1.5 K and 5.0±0.5 ps at 75 K.
Highly Textured Superconducting FeSe0.5Te0.5Thin Films on Glass Substrates

Superconducting FeSe0.5Te0.5 thin films are deposited on amorphous substrates, i.e., glass substrates by a pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique. Microstructural characterizations show that the films are highly textured along (00l) with good crystallinity. The superconducting critical transition temperature (Tc) ranges from ~8 to ~10 K. The self-field critical current density (Jcsf) at 4 K is ~1.2×104 A/cm2. The in-field critical current density (Jcinfield) decreases slowly under high magnetic field confirmed by both transport and magnetization measurements. The growth of high quality superconducting FeSe0.5Te0.5 thin films on amorphous substrates demonstrates a low cost architecture for future Fe-based superconductor coated conductors.
Photoconductivity and the external photoelectric effect in PbS

Abstract We have measured the yields for photoconductivity and external photoernission in the vacuum ultraviolet spectral region, 584–3000 A, using polycrystalline layers and natural crystals. The photoconductive yield in PbS layers rises approximately linearly with incident photon energy hv up to 7.5 eV; further extension of the measurement was thwarted by the magnitude of the external photocurrent. The rise in yield, as previously reported by us, is attributed to collision multiplication beginning at hvt = 2 eV. The observed photoelectric threshold for galena crystals was ∽ 5 eV, and for layers ∽ 6 eV. Both kinds of specimen exhibit very large external photoyields at high hv . 10–20 per cent at hv = 14.5 eV. The energy distribution of emitted electrons was examined using retarding-potential methods. The high photoelectric thresholds imply that any electron with sufficient energy to escape would be subject to scattering due to collision multiplication, an effect expected normally to limit the attainable photoelectric yield. From the high ultimate yields that were observed, and from the changes in the energy distribution of the emerging electrons with increasing hv , we infer that scattering by collision multiplication, considered as a function of hv , is not a monotonically rising function, but has a maximum. The data suggest strongly that this occurs for incident photon energies of slightly more than 9 eV.
Series limit absorption in sodium vapor

Transmission curves of sodium vapor for wave-lengths near the principal series limit, 2550 to 2150A.---Reliable ultraviolet photometric measurements were secured by using a steady rotating disk cadmium spark as source and by taking on a single plate, in addition to three absorption spectra, exposures for eight different intensities varied in steps from 2 to 100 by means of oscillating screens, each exposure being for the same time. (The exposure time was reduced to 16 sec. by using an absorption furnace with a column of vapor only 10 cm long.) Measurements of a single plate thus gave the characteristic curves for that plate which were needed to determine from the absorption spectra the actual transmission as a function of wave-length. As the wave-length decreases, the transmission rises to a maximum at 2465A, then decreases regularly to a sharp minimum at the series limit 2414A, then rises to a value at 2200 about equal to that at 2465. The series limit absorption thus decreases rapidly with decreasing wave-length. The eighteen curves obtained for different vapor densities are very similar, all being convex upward. The maximum discontinuity observed is from 34 per cent transmission at 2465A to 20 per cent at 2414A, for vapor of medium density; for greater or less densities of saturated vapor the discontinuity is smaller. Due to the presence of band absorption even beyond the limit, the precise variation of atomic absorption with wave-length cannot as yet be determined from these results.Densitometer curves for sodium principal series absorption and for hydrogen diffuse series absorption in stars show great similarity near the limits.
Impact of modal crosstalk and multi-path interference on few-mode fiber transmission

Crosstalk caused by random mode coupling can make mode-multiplexing infeasible. However, transmission of single mode over few-mode fibers is relatively insensitive to mode mixing and therefore they can be used as large-effective area fibers.
Robust Quantum-Based Interatomic Potentials for Multiscale Modeling in Transition Metals

First-principles generalized pseudopotential theory (GPT) provides a fundamental basis for transferable multi-ion interatomic potentials in transition metals and alloys within density-functional quantum mechanics. In central bcc transition metals, where multi-ion angular forces are important to structural properties, simplified model GPT or MGPT potentials have been developed based on canonical d bands to allow analytic forms and large-scale atomistic simulations. Robust, advanced-generation MGPT potentials have now been obtained for Ta and Mo and successfully applied to a wide range of structural, thermodynamic, defect and mechanical properties at both ambient and extreme conditions. Selected applications to multiscale modeling discussed here include dislocation core structure and mobility, atomistically informed dislocation dynamics simulations of plasticity, and thermoelasticity and high-pressure strength modeling. Recent algorithm improvements have provided a more general matrix representation of MGPT beyond canonical bands, allowing improved accuracy and extension to f-electron actinide metals, an order of magnitude increase in computational speed for dynamic simulations, and the still-in-progress development of temperature-dependent potentials.
Outlook for the future of the obstetrician-gynecologist workforce.

Objective The objective of the study was to assess the future physician workforce with a sample of obstetrician-gynecologists. Study Design Two separate surveys regarding career satisfaction and retirement plans were sent to random samples of obstetrician-gynecologists under age 50 years (n = 2,000) and over the age of 50 (n = 2,100). Results Obstetrician-gynecologists over the age of 50 years who were working part time or were female were more satisfied than those working full time or were male. Obstetrician-gynecologists (under and over age 50 years) who were concerned about liability and unable to balance their work and personal lives were more dissatisfied. Obstetrician-gynecologists retired earlier than planned because of rising malpractice costs and later than planned because of high career satisfaction. Conclusion Low career satisfaction may be adding to the already shrinking physician workforce. Offering part-time work opportunities and alleviating liability concerns may increase career satisfaction and help to combat a future of the physician workforce shortage.
Do You See What I See: Recognition of Protozoan Parasites by Toll-Like Receptors

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are important for recognizing a variety of pathogens, including protozoan parasites, and initiating innate immune responses against them. TLRs are localized on the cell surface as well as in the endosome, and are implicated in innate sensing of these parasites. In this review, we will discuss recent findings on the identification of parasite-derived pathogen associated molecular patterns and the TLRs that bind them. The role of these TLRs in initiating the immune response against protozoan parasitic infections in vivo will be presented in the context of murine models of infection utilizing TLR-deficient mice. Additionally, we will explore evidence that TLRs and genetic variants of TLRs may impact the outcome of these parasitic infections in humans.
Models of dengue virus infection.

The need for models of dengue disease has reached a pinnacle as the transmission of this mosquito-borne virus has increased dramatically. Little is known about the mechanisms that lead to dengue fever and its more severe form, dengue hemorrhagic fever; this is owing to the fact that only humans show signs of disease. In the past 5 years, research has better identified the initial target cells of infection, and this has led to the development of models of infection in primary human cell cultures. Mouse–human chimeras, containing these target cells, have also led to progress in developing animal models. These advances should soon end the stalemate in testing antivirals and vaccine preparations that had necessarily been done in incomplete or irrelevant models.
Optimal Control and Geodesics on Quadratic Matrix Lie Groups

The purpose of this paper is to extend the symmetric representation of the rigid body equations from the group SO (n) to other groups. These groups are matrix subgroups of the general linear group that are defined by a quadratic matrix identity. Their corresponding Lie algebras include several classical semisimple matrix Lie algebras. The approach is to start with an optimal control problem on these groups that generates geodesics for a left-invariant metric. Earlier work by Bloch, Crouch, Marsden, and Ratiu defines the symmetric representation of the rigid body equations, which is obtained by solving the same optimal control problem in the particular case of the Lie group SO (n). This paper generalizes this symmetric representation to a wider class of matrix groups satisfying a certain quadratic matrix identity. We consider the relationship between this symmetric representation of the generalized rigid body equations and the generalized rigid body equations themselves. A discretization of this symmetric representation is constructed making use of the symmetry, which in turn give rise to numerical algorithms to integrate the generalized rigid body equations for the given class of matrix Lie groups.
Picture coding using pseudo-random noise

In order to transmit television pictures over a digital channel, it is necessary to send a binary code which represents the intensity level at each point in the picture. For good picture quality using standard PCM transmission, at least six bits are required at each sample point, since the eye is very sensitive to the small intensity steps introduced by quantization. However, by simply adding some noise to the signal before it is quantized and subtracting the same noise at the receiver, the quantization steps can be broken up and the source rate reduced to three bits per sample. Pseudo-random number generators can be synchronized at the transmitter and receiver to provide the identical "noise" which makes the process possible. Thus, with the addition of only a small amount of equipment, the efficiency of a PCM channel can be doubled.
The effect of low-dose epsilon-aminocaproic acid on patients following coronary artery bypass surgery

The effect of low-dose epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA) on the postoperative course of 46 patients was studied. Patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting were randomly selected in two groups. Group 1 (20 patients) received 5 g EACA upon initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Group 2 (26 patients) received no antifibrinolytic drugs prior to CPB. Neither group received antifibrinolytic drugs after CPB. There was no significant difference between the two groups' blood usage on CPB: 0.65 units in Group 1 and 0.60 units in Group 2. After CPB, blood usage significantly differed: 2.2 +/- 1.7 (SD) units in Group 1 and 3.9 +/- 3.0 units in Group 2 (p = 0.033). Significant difference was also demonstrated in postoperative blood loss in the first 24 hours: 1610 +/- 531 ml in Group 1 versus 2025 +/- 804 ml in Group 2 (p = 0.043). Pre-CPB administration of low-dose EACA significantly decreases blood loss and blood usage in the postoperative period.
The architecture of Newton, a general-purpose dynamics simulator

The architecture of Newton, a general-purpose system for simulating the dynamics of complex physical objects, is described. The system automatically formulates and analyzes equations of motion, and performs automatic modification of this system of equations when necessitated by changes in kinematic relationships between objects. Impact and temporary contact are handled, although only using simple models. User-directed influence of simulations is achieved using Newton's module, which can be used to experiment with the control of many-degree-of-freedom articulated objects. >
A Challenge to Self-Determination: Disagreement between the Vocational Choices Made by Individuals with Severe Disabilities and Their Caregivers.

Individuals become self-determined when they are empowered to make choices that match their interests. But caregivers' perceptions of what they think individuals with severe disabilities like often direct vocational decision making. This choice by proxy denies individuals with disabilities an opportunity to become self-determined. We examined whether the vocational choices made by participants with severe cognitive disabilities matched the vocational choices caregivers made on their behalf. Eight participants with severe disabilities and 11 caregivers participated in this study. Caregivers ranked the top three settings, characteristics, and activities from a checklist of typical entry-level positions. By using the Choose and Take Action vocational assessment software, combined with watching or doing the job of their choice in the community, job seekers indicated their preferences. We compared job seekers' cumulative choices to those made by their caregivers. Results indicate that the choices made by indiv...
In-Field Labeling of Western Corn Rootworm Adults (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) with Rubidium

Field and laboratory studies were conducted in 2000 and 2001 to determine the feasibility of mass marking western corn rootworm adults, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, with RbCl in the field. Results showed that application of rubidium (Rb) in solution to both the soil (1 g Rb/plant) and whorl (1 g Rb/plant) of corn plants was optimal for labeling western corn rootworm adults during larval development. Development of larvae on Rb-enriched corn with this technique did not significantly influence adult dry weight or survival. Rb was also highly mobile in the plant. Application of Rb to both the soil and the whorl resulted in median Rb concentrations in the roots (5,860 ppm) that were 150-fold greater than concentrations in untreated roots (38 ppm) 5 wk after treatment. Additionally, at least 90% of the beetles that emerged during the first 3 wk were labeled above the baseline Rb concentration (5 ppm dry weight) determined from untreated beetles. Because emergence was 72% complete at this time, a significant proportion of the population had been labeled. Results from laboratory experiments showed that labeled beetles remained distinguishable from unlabeled beetles for up to 4 d postemergence. The ability to efficiently label large numbers of beetles under field conditions and for a defined period with virtually no disruption of the population provides an unparalleled opportunity to conduct mark-recapture experiments for quantifying the short-range, intrafield movement of adult corn rootworms.