cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
XPS and ellipsometric characterization of zinc-BTA complex

This paper describes the study of the reaction of zinc with solutions of benzotriazole in alcohol medium. It was found using XPS and Ellipsometry that this reaction creates an overlayer of about 0.5 nanometer of Zn++ (BTA−)2 on the zinc surface. Good agreement was found on the overlayer thickness between the ellipsometry results and the XPS peak intensities calculated with the model of Seah. The greater stability of Zn++ (BTA−)2 with respect to metallic zinc (+1.7 eV) and ZnO (+ 0.83 eV) provides good protection of the zinc against oxidation, reducing the corrosion current by about 40%. This results makes possible the application of the treatment of zinc with benzotriazole not only in electronics, but also in other industrial applications such electromechanic engineering and building construction.
Feature Detection And Enhancement By A Rotating Kernel Min-Max Transformation

A new method is proposed to detect and enhance such features as object bound-aries or line segments in a noisy gray-scale image. This method utilizes directional information at each point in the input image. The input image is convolved with a 2-D kernel, discussed below, which is rotated through 360 degrees, either continuously or discretely in a fairly large number of steps. As the kernel rotates, the convolution output is measured and the maximum, minimum, and mean values at each point (as a function of rotation angle) are stored in a computer. Once these values are obtained, a class of image processing operations can be performed. In an optical implementation of the processing operation, it is necessary to physically rotate a mask in the optical system. However, this is much faster than effecting an equivalent kernel-rotation operation with a digital image processor.
Highly efficient syntheses of acetoxy- and hydroxy-terminated telechelic poly(butadiene)s using ruthenium catalysts containing N-heterocyclic ligands

Abstract Bis(acetoxy)-terminated telechelic poly(butadiene) (PBD) with molecular weights controllable up to 3.0×10 4 have been prepared via the ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of cyclooctadiene when 1,4-bis(acetoxy)-2-butene was included as a chain transfer agent (CTA). The polymerizations were catalyzed by a highly active ruthenium catalyst 1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene) (PCp 3 )(Cl 2 Ru=CHCHC(CH 3 ) 2 (Cp=cyclopentyl) ( 6 ) with monomer/catalyst ratios as high as 9.8×10 4 . Removal of the acetoxy groups with sodium hydroxide afforded hydroxy end-terminated telechelic PBD (HTPBD). Examination of the telechelic PBDs revealed an exclusive 1,4-PBD microstructure with a predominately trans geometry (up to 90%). The high activity and stability of 6 permitted a one-step synthesis of HTPBD using the unprotected free alcohol, 2-butene-1,4-diol, as the CTA.
Optimal selection of the t best of a sequence with sampling cost

This article deals with the problem of selecting the t best of n independent and identically distributed random variables which are observed sequentially with sampling cost c per unit. Assume that a decision for acceptance or rejection must be made after each sampling and that the reward for each observation with value x is given by px - c, where p is 1 if the observation is accepted, or 0 otherwise. The optimal decision procedure (strategy) for maximizing the total expected reward is obtained. The critical numbers which are necessary to carry out the optimal decision procedure is presented by two recursive equations. The limit values of the critical numbers and the expected sample size are also studied.
Making antisense of pain

A study now identifies a long noncoding antisense RNA that contributes to neuropathic pain through the suppression of potassium channel expression.
Lipid content and fatty acid profiles of various deep-fat fried foods

Forty-one brands of nine different types of snack and convenience foods were purchased from food stores and fast service restaurants in the Sacramento area of California. All samples had been prepared by deep-fat frying. They included potato chips, corn chips, tortilla chips, cheese chips, cheese puffs, cake donuts, french fries, chicken pieces and fish pieces. These samples were analyzed in duplicate for total fat and fatty acid composition. The total lipid content of each type of food varied among different commercial sources; the average percentages were as follows: potato chips, 40; cheese puffs, 38; corn chips, 35; cheese chips, 25; tortilla chips, 24; cake donuts, 22; chicken thighs, 14; french fried potatoes, 14, and fish pieces, 10. The fatty acid profiles of the total lipids in several brands of potato chips were relatively constant. The fatty acid profiles of the total lipids in the corn and cheese snack foods varied widely. Fatty acid compositions of donuts, chicken and fish pieces and french fries were influenced by the amount and fatty acid profile of the lipids in each uncooked food, as well as by the composition of the cooking fat.
A life course perspective on fandom

In this article we explore a life course perspective on fandom, with particular emphasis on fandom and adult development. While there is growing interest in issues of age and aging within fan studies and within media studies more broadly, there is a tendency in this literature to discuss aging and the life course atheoretically, ignoring a rich body of scholarship in gerontology, sociology, psychology and human development that examines how lives unfold over time. Our goal in this manuscript is to make explicit what is typically rendered implicit in fan studies by drawing directly on life course perspectives to enrich our understanding of long-term and later-life fandom, and to suggest ways that fan studies might more fully account for fandom over time. This article thus synthesizes two bodies of literature that rarely inform one another: fan studies and life course scholarship.
Enhanced classification for high-throughput data with an optimal projection and hybrid classifier

High-throughput screening technologies recently developed allow scientists to conduct millions of biological and medical tests simultaneously and rapidly. A major bottleneck for the analysis is to reduce the inherent high dimensionality for subsequent analysis. Principal Component Analysis PCA is a popular tool for dimensionality reduction by selecting typically a few Principal Components PCs ranked by their variances, eigenvalues. Since this selection approach is not always effective in reducing dimensionality, we consider a different ranking criterion, the canonical variate criterion. To further enhance the classification performance, we propose an integrated classification framework to combine the criterion and two hybrid classification methods and compare with several popular classification methods using leave-one-out cross-validation. For illustration, three real high-throughput data sets are considered and analysed to illustrate the methods.
Between Anti-Judaism and Anti-Semitism, Pius XI's Response to the Nazi Persecution of the Jews: Precursor to Pius XII's “Silence”?

The appearance of Rolf Hochhuth's "Deputy" in 1963, which focused on the "silence" of Pope Pius XII (Eugenio Pacelli) during the Holocaust, has led some to ponder the responsibility of his predecessor Pius XI (Achille Ratti) in shaping this stance. The two have been associated because the pontificate of one followed the other,1 and together fashioned concordats to secure the insti tutional church.2 Furthermore, the Germanophile Pacelli, nuncio to Munich and Berlin, served as Ratti's secretary of state (1930-1939). Continuity also flows from the fact that the Nazi persecution of the Jews occurred in two stages: commencing in the pontificate of Pius XI from 1933 tol939, and cul minating in the Holocaust, from 1941 to 1945, during the reign of Pius XII. Some have concluded that Pius XI set the tone toward the Third Reich, that Pius XII followed.3 Paradoxically, both defenders and denigrators of these popes have found their positions were more or less identical.4 Few have
Geotechnical Properties of BP-1 Lunar Regolith Simulant

AbstractUnderstanding the mechanical behavior of lunar regolith is of great importance for future missions to the Moon and other similar extraterrestrial environments. However, due to the scarcity of lunar regolith a number of simulants have been developed to facilitate experimental testing. This paper presents the geotechnical properties of an inexpensive lunar regolith simulant named Black Point 1 (BP-1). An experimental program including particle-size distribution, microscopy observations using scanning electron microscope (SEM) images, density measurements, compressibility, and shear strength was performed. Additionally, BP-1 was compared with regolith recovered from lunar missions and a number of its simulants. The physical properties of BP-1 were found to be similar to other existing simulants and to the natural lunar regolith.
Vancomycin and the Red-Man Syndrome: Pharmacodynamics of Histamine Release

Two regimens for infusing vancomycin over 1 h (500 mg every 6 h for five doses or 100 mg every 12 h for three doses) were used in 11 volunteers. Subjects received both regimens one week apart; the regimen used first for each subject was randomized. Nine receiving the 1000-mg dose experienced the "red-man (neck)" syndrome; none had the reaction while receiving the 500-mg dose (P = .002). Plasma histamine concentration, measured every 10 min during the first infusion of each regimen, increased in most subjects given 1000-mg doses; there was only a slight change in histamine levels after 500-mg doses. There was a significant relation between histamine release and reaction severity; frequency and severity of the reaction declined with subsequent doses. We conclude that the red-man syndrome occurs frequently in normal adults who receive 1000 mg of vancomycin over 1 h, that vancomycin causes an infusion rate-dependent increase in plasma histamine concentration, and that the increase in plasma histamine concentration is correlated with the severity of the reaction.
American Rural Planning, Development Policy and the Centrality of the Federal State: An Interpretative History

In just over two hundred years, the United States has been transformed from a very largely rural and wilderness nation into an urban one. Rural Americans have gone from being the first majority to the last minority, to paraphrase historian John Shover (Shover,1976). All through this time policies directly and indirectly oriented to rural areas and rural people have been enunciated by the federal government. Rarely was the coordination of policy sought or achieved, however. Also, for generations the easy assumption was made that agricultural policy constituted rural policy. Further, a form of rural fundamentalism, closely related to a neo-Jeffersonian social outlook, reinforced a false sense of ‘rugged individualism’ as the essence of personal and collective success. Such gross oversimplifications have tended to mask some of the truly substantive problems of poor housing, race and gender inequities, unemployment, illiteracy, poor health, and malnutrition faced by rural and small town populations.
Hell's Kitchen and the battle for urban space: class struggle and urban reform in New York City, 1894–1914

Joseph Varga takes on a significant project in this book: to realize the variegated history of the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood in New York City. It is not simply a historical understanding of a nei...
Abnormalities of the estrogen receptor in breast cancer — Introduction

This special issue of Breast Cancer Research and Treatment addresses the potential clinical implications of abnormalities of the estrogen receptor (ER) in breast cancer. Specific topics include the cellular heterogeneity of changes which are found in the ER, how specific changes affect cellular response to classical antiestrogens or pure steroidal antiestrogens, and different mechanisms for the generation of dysfunctional ER variants such as RNA splicing and intracellular oxidation. This issue is dedicated to the memory of Dr. William L. McGuire, who for many years was a driving force in this field, and whose pioneering work was an inspiration to many of us.
12.1 3D ultrasonic gesture recognition

Optical 3D imagers for gesture recognition suffer from large size and high power consumption. Their performance depends on ambient illumination and they generally cannot operate in sunlight. These factors have prevented widespread adoption of gesture interfaces in energy- and volume-limited environments such as tablets and smartphones. Wearable mobile devices, too small to incorporate a touchscreen more than a few fingers wide, would benefit from a small, low-power gestural interface. Gesture recognition using sound is an attractive alternative to overcome these difficulties due to the potential for chip-scale size, low power consumption, and ambient light insensitivity. Using pulse-echo time-of-flight, MEMS ultrasonic rangers work over distances of up to a meter and achieve sub-mm ranging accuracy [1,2]. Using a 2-dimensional array of transducers, objects can be localized in 3 dimensions. This paper presents an ultrasonic 3D gesture-recognition system that uses a custom transducer chip and an ASIC to sense the location of targets such as hands. The system block diagram is shown in Fig. 12.1.1. Targets are localized using pulse-echo time-of-flight methods. Each of the 10 transceiver channels interfaces with a MEMS transducer, and each includes a transmitter and a readout circuit. Echoes from off-axis targets arrive with different phase shifts for each element in the array. The off-chip digital beamformer realigns the signal phase to maximize the SNR and determine target location.
Organic carbon cycling in abyssal benthic food chains: numerical simulations of bioenhancement by sewage sludge

Abstract The hypothetical bioenhancement of the endemic benthic biota on an oligotrophic abyssal plain by organic carbon has been investigated with mathematical simulation experiments. First, the responses of the biomass and respiration to seasonal variations in the rain of organic carbon (POC) have been simulated in a simplified benthic assemblage (sediment organic carbon, sediment-dwelling heterotrophs (bacteria, meiofauna, macrofauna and detritus feeding megafauna) and predatory megafauna), with no added organic matter. These calculations were based on measured standing stocks and respiration in the central North Pacific (5.8 km depth, 31°N Lat.×159°W Long.). The dynamic relationships in this natural "oligotrophic" food chain were then subjected to added inputs of organic carbon presumed to be in sewage sludge. Two examples are presented: a modest but continuous input of organic carbon (100 mg C m −2 d −1 ) and a year-long pulse of the same intensity. The continuous input forced the biomass and community respiration to steadily increase until they reached steady state in 15 years at values similar to those found on a typical continental shelf. The pulse exhibited the same pattern, but biomass and respiration returned to levels found under natural oligotrophic conditions several years after cessation of intensified carbon loading. The responses of the sediment community to added organic matter were validated using information from a deep-ocean sewage disposal site (DWD106) off the coast of New Jersey. The models are also used to illustrate an approach for estimating possible transfers of potentially toxic contaminants, such as total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (tPAHs), in lipid-rich eggs. In the future it will be necessary to validate model results with deep-ocean in situ experiments.
Soviet strategic air defense: The struggle for competence

Abstract : All militaries face the problem of training in peace to prepare for war. Peacetime desires for safety, comfort and the accommodation of inertia frequently permit a certain 'formalism' to creep into peacetime training. 'Formalism' or 'pencil-whipping' the training schedules comes to prominence when the shams of peacetime operations are stripped away by real wars or war-like incidents. The Soviet Air Defense Force, hereafter PVO, has been especially unlucky in the variety of incidents that have highlighted training deficiencies. In the Brezhnev period, incidents of incompetence could be resolved by simple punishment of the people involved and no wider implications were drawn. In a period of glasnost and political debate, wider implications are always drawn. In a period of glasnost and political debate, wider implications are always drawn. PVO is working hard to overcome the widespread impression of PVO incompetence highlighted when Matthias Rust landed in Red Square. PVO must demonstrate its day-to-day competence and prudent expenditure of resources in order to assure its access to continued support for new systems and a good share of the best conscripts and officer cadets.
Occupational Infection in Health Care: The Century-Old Lessons From Syphilis

The dangers of occupational infection (where the infectious agent was acquired during the provision or receipt of a medical service) have received renewed interest in the era of the human immunodeficiency virus. The dilemmas raised by this phenomenon, however, are far from novel and were the subject of considerable debate in the medical literature at the turn of the century with regard to syphilis. After recognition of the problem, it took time to manage syphilis effectively through technical innovation, personal prophylaxis, education, and regulation. These efforts led to the development of a strategy remarkably similar to that of the "universal precautions" approach applied to human immunodeficiency virus today. (Arch Intern Med. 1993;153:2439-2447)
Exploring the impact of alcohol and marijuana use on commercial sexual exploitation among male youth using parallel-process latent growth curve modeling

Few studies have explored the longitudinal relationship between commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) and the use of specific types of substances by male youth. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the links between CSE and substance use in male youth, the current study explored this connection using longitudinal data collected from a sample of 98 male serious youthful offenders with reported incidents of CSE/prostitution. Study findings indicated that alcohol use and marijuana use, rather than the use of more serious types of drugs, were concurrently linked to involvement in CSE/prostitution. Using parallel-process latent growth modeling, associations between alcohol and marijuana use were observed, with alcohol use significantly impacting chronic and persistent CSE/prostitution. The findings highlight the need for CSE intervention programs designed for male youth to include screening and treatment for marijuana – and especially alcohol – use.
Communication and Teacher Education: Exploring a Communication Course for All Teachers

In recent years, teacher education programs have increasingly come under fire. One of the major criticisms of the current state of teacher education in the United States is that many pre-service teachers are not receiving training in speech communication. Given that such training is essential to the day-to-day functioning of teachers, we argue that communication educators as well as those in the education discipline must begin to promote communication training for all teachers. A communication course for teachers is of particular relevance in light of the recent decision of several national accreditation agencies to adopt communication standards for teachers. In this essay, we describe goals, objectives, units, activities, and assignments for a comprehensive communication course for all teachers.
53.3: Flexible Color Cholesteric LCD with Single‐Layer Structure

A 10.4-inch flexible single layer color cholesteric liquid crystal display (ChLCD) is demonstrated. The display is realized by the development of the pixelized vacuum filling (PVF) technique. The performance of the display is 3-bit color and the resolution is QVGA. The display had passed the bending test over 10,000 times with 3 cm curvature.
ON ARABINOSE AS A CONSTITUENT OF HYALURONIC ACID FROM BOVINE BRAIN

(1) Wardi, Allen, Turner and Stary (1966) and Margolis (1967) have reported that arabinose is a component of hyaluronic acid from mammalian brain. (2) In the present study, total acidic polysaccharide and hyaluronic acid fractions were isolated from lipid-extracted and proteolysed bovine brain by precipitation with cetyltri-methylammonium bromide. These fractions were analysed for arabinose by paper chromatography of deionized hydrolysates and by gas-liquid chromatography of per(trimethylsilyl)ated methanolysates. (3) Two pentoses, xylose and ribose, were detected. Arabinose was analytically undetectable in both polysaccharide fractions, but was easily detected in a control polysaccharide containing 0-1% (w/w) arabinose. Arabinose, if present in hyaluronic acid from bovine brain, constitutes less than 0.1 mol per mol of hyaluronic acid (molecular weight 1.5 x 106 daltons).
The economics of metric conversion for small manufacturing firms in the United States

Abstract Several major aspects of the metric conversion process occurring in the United States are examined by comparing a group of sample companies that have converted to metric production with a control group of nonconverting companies. Data files were used to relate several explanatory variables to the degree or percentage of metric production for individual companies and to compare the financial characteristics of converting and nonconverting companies. Smaller companies, on average, did more metric work for a single customer than large firms. In addition, as the percentage of metric work performed by companies increased, their dependence on a single buyer of their products tended to decrease. The analysis of the conversion process as a function of financial variables concluded that the conversion process was positively and significantly related to 1) long-term profitability, 2) liquidity, and 3) the size of firms as represented by the number of employees. Additional documentation is needed on the metric conversion process in distinct industries by firm size to more fully understand whether the process of technological diffusion is translated from large to small firms or begins in small firms themselves.
Increased number of mast cells in the dominant follicle of the cow: relationships among luteal, stromal, and hilar regions.

The number of mast cells per microscopic field at 450x (0.123 mm2) was determined in the bovine ovary on Days 4, 10, and 19 of the cycle (Day 0 = estrus). Mast cells were observed in the theca externa of follicles, the external capsule of the corpus luteum, and in the stromal and hilar regions of the ovary. The stromal and hilar regions exhibited the highest number of mast cells (per field = 7.51-1 0.15) compared with the follicular and luteal compartments (2.65-3.70 mast cells/field). Most interestingly, on Day 19 a significant increase in the number of mast cells was observed in the theca externa of the dominant follicle (10.4 mast cells/field) compared with nondominant healthy follicles on Days 4 and 10 (2-3/field). After ovulation, the number of mast cells surrounding the corpus luteum on Day 4 was significantly lower than 19 values in the dominant follicle; this was further diminished on Day 10 of the cycle. These results indicate that the increase in mast cells associated with the dominant follicle on Day 19 may be related to its development and the decline in mast cells related to ovulation.
A new protocol for bandwidth regulation of real-time traffic classes in internetworks

A novel bandwidth regulation mechanism is proposed which improves the ability of a packet-switching network to cope with multiple real-time and non-real-time traffic classes. The mechanism achieves regulation of link bandwidth at two levels. At the first level, bandwidth is dynamically regulated between different traffic classes. The concept of 'inter-class regulation' is introduced which enforces that the bandwidth left unused by a traffic class is divided among traffic classes with high bandwidth demands. At the second level, bandwidth regulation is enforced on end-to-end traffic streams, so-called flows, such that flows from the same class with identical routes have the same throughput constraints. This concept is referred to as 'intra-class regulation'. A simple distributed protocol is presented that achieves a intra-class and inter-class regulation in a general internetwork. The effectiveness of the protocol is demonstrated by simulation experiments.
High-Sensitivity Tracking of MOSFET Damage Using Dynamic-Mode Transient Measurements

MOSFET reliability studies have primarily been based upon the application of quasi-static analysis techniques, although MOSFETs are fully dynamical systems. Here, we present a method for the extraction of damage metrics based upon the transient response of the drain-to-source current Ids to a step input to the gate of the device. This new dynamical technique produces a measure of device degradation that is an order of magnitude more sensitive than previous methods and also allows characterization of the device in situations better matching actual operation. We are also able to track the evolution of damage to the device in real time, which makes it possible to predict the remaining time to failure.
Femtosecond transparency in the extreme-ultraviolet region

Electromagnetically-induced-transparency-like behavior in the extreme-ultraviolet region is studied theoretically, including the effect of intense 800 nm laser dressing of He 2s2p(${}^{1}\phantom{\rule{-0.16em}{0ex}}{P}^{o}$) and 2p${}^{2}$${(}^{1}\phantom{\rule{-0.16em}{0ex}}{S}^{e})$ autoionizing states. We present an ab initio solution of the time-dependent Schr\"odinger equation in an $LS$-coupling configuration-interaction basis set. The method enables a rigorous treatment of optical field ionization of these coupled autoionizing states into the $N=2$ continuum in addition to $N=1$. Our calculated transient absorption spectra show encouraging agreement with experiment.
How much fault coverage is enough

The author shows how to determine the stuck-fault coverage requirement for an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) using a total cost-of-ownership model. The cost-of-ownership model has been used to arrive at the maximum tolerable defect level under a certain set of conditions. The cost-of-ownership model also reveals that device problems not detected by stuck-fault tests will eventually dominate cost of ownership as stuck faults are removed. It is noted that for certain typical conditions the economic level of fault coverage is essentially 100%. >
An agent-based framework for collaboration among critical mechanical devices working in a cluster

Critical mechanical devices, such as high-pressure air compressors, are crucial for industrial production. Critical mechanical devices are independently distributed devices that work in a cluster, but have high power requirements and need large amounts of space. Thus, the efficient control and coordination of a cluster of critical mechanical devices to achieve task goals is beset with difficulties. Motivated by an example of high-pressure air compressors in a cluster, this paper proposes an agent-based framework for realizing collaboration among critical mechanical devices that work in a cluster. The proposed agent-based framework endows critical mechanical devices with abilities such as autonomy, interaction and collaboration. The framework comprises three core components: (i) an agent-based control approach to the design of critical mechanical device agents to create autonomy; (ii) a type of critical mechanical device agent communication language to create interaction among critical mechanical devices; ...
Resource Allocation and Quality of Service Evaluation for Wireless Communication Systems Using Fluid Models

Wireless systems offer a unique mixture of connectivity, flexibility, and freedom. It is therefore not surprising that wireless technology is being embraced with increasing vigor. For real-time applications, user satisfaction is closely linked to quantities such as queue length, packet loss probability, and delay. System performance is therefore related to, not only Shannon capacity, but also quality of service (QoS) requirements. This work studies the problem of resource allocation in the context of stringent QoS constraints. The joint impact of spectral bandwidth, power, and code rate is considered. Analytical expressions for the probability of buffer overflow, its associated exponential decay rate, and the effective capacity are obtained. Fundamental performance limits for Markov wireless channel models are identified. It is found that, even with an unlimited power and spectral bandwidth budget, only a finite arrival rate can be supported for a QoS constraint defined in terms of exponential decay rate
Improvement in daytime sleepiness with clarithromycin in patients with GABA-related hypersomnia: Clinical experience

The macrolide antibiotic clarithromycin can enhance central nervous system excitability, possibly by antagonism of GABA-A receptors. Enhancement of GABA signaling has recently been demonstrated in a significant proportion of patients with central nervous system hypersomnias, so we sought to determine whether clarithromycin might provide symptomatic benefit in these patients. We performed a retrospective review of all patients treated with clarithromycin for hypersomnia, in whom cerebrospinal fluid enhanced GABA-A receptor activity in vitro in excess of controls, excluding those with hypocretin deficiency or definite cataplexy. Subjective reports of benefit and objective measures of psychomotor vigilance were collected to assess clarithromycin's effects. Clinical and demographic characteristics were compared in responders and non-responders. In total, 53 patients (38 women, mean age 35.2 (SD 12.8 years)) were prescribed clarithromycin. Of these, 34 (64%) reported improvement in daytime sleepiness, while 10 (19%) did not tolerate its side effects, and nine (17%) found it tolerable but without symptomatic benefit. In those who reported subjective benefit, objective corroboration of improved vigilance was evident on the psychomotor vigilance task. Twenty patients (38%) elected to continue clarithromycin therapy. Clarithromycin responders were significantly younger than non-responders. Clarithromycin may be useful in the treatment of hypersomnia associated with enhancement of GABA-A receptor function. Further evaluation of this novel therapy is needed.
Genetic alterations in renal cell carcinoma with rhabdoid differentiation.

Summary Renal cell carcinoma with rhabdoid differentiation (RCC-R) in adult patients is an aggressive variant of renal cancer with no known specific genetic alterations. The aim of this study was to characterize genome-wide genetic aberrations in RCC-R via utilization of high-density single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays. We identified 20 cases of RCC-R, which displayed both clear cell renal cell carcinoma and rhabdoid histomorphologic components. DNA was extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue (from clear cell renal cell carcinoma and RCC-R areas from each case) and subjected to high-density SNP array assay. Genetic aberrations present in 10% of cases were considered significant. In areas with clear cell histomorphology, gains were most commonly observed in chromosomes 5q (66.7%, 10/15), 7 (46.7%, 7/15), and 8q (46.7%, 7/15); and losses were most commonly identified in chromosomes 14 (60%, 9/15), 8p (46.7%, 7/15), and 22 (46.7%, 7/15). In areas with rhabdoid differentiation, gains were most commonly observed in chromosome 7 (58.8%, 10/17); and losses were most commonly identified in chromosomes 9 (70.6%, 12/17), 14 (58.8%, 10/17), 4 (52.9%, 9/17), and 17p (52.9%, 9/17). Rhabdoid cells shared many chromosomal abnormalities and exhibited a greater number of copy number variations in comparison with coexisting clear cells. Loss of 11p was specific for rhabdoid differentiation, with loss found in 29.4% of rhabdoid components compared with 0% of clear cell areas. The greater number of overall genetic alterations in the rhabdoid cells and the shared genetic background between rhabdoid and clear cell areas suggest genetic evolution of the rhabdoid cells that correlates with histomorphologic progression.
Should Left Ventricular Assist Device Should Be Standard of Care for Patients With Refractory Heart Failure Who Are Not Transplantation Candidates? Left Ventricular Assist Devices Should Be Considered Standard of Care for Patients With Refractory Heart Failure Who Are Not Transplantation Candidates

The development of current mechanical circulatory support (MCS) systems began in the 1960s as an effort to provide a therapeutic option for patients with refractory advanced heart failure.1 Today, MCS represents a viable alternative to cardiac transplantation for the overwhelming majority of patients in whom age, comorbidities, or the profound shortage of donors makes transplantation infeasible. Response by Owens and Jessup on p 3087 Painstaking work on the technique of orthotopic cardiac transplantation, coupled with advances in the knowledge of immunology, resulted in the improvements in survival and quality of life that make cardiac transplantation the treatment of choice for individuals with advanced heart failure. MCS has only recently become accepted for widespread clinical use.2 Early MCS designs were based on the assumption that maintaining pulsatility of flow was a physiological necessity. These bulky devices were of limited durability and resulted in a great deal of morbidity in the form of hematologic, neurological, and infectious complications.3 Current (second- and third-generation) devices deliver continuous flow (either axial [HeartMate II] or centrifugal [Heartware HVAD]) and have far fewer moving parts (only a rotor); as a result, they are smaller, quieter, and far more durable (estimated to last ≥10 years compared with 18 months) than the early pulsatile systems.4 Although no longer in common use, early pulsatile-flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) provided the first proof of principle that MCS can extend life of well-selected patients with advanced heart failure refractory to traditional optimal medical therapy. The development of continuous-flow devices has made MCS a practical clinical tool, and outcomes with the newer devices provide a convincing rationale for LVADs as standard of care in well-selected patients with refractory heart failure in whom transplantation is not an option. ### Proof of Principle Recognition that LVADs intended as a bridge to cardiac transplantation delivered …
What the Infectious Disease Physician Needs to Know About Pegylated Interferon and Ribavirin

The treatment of chronic hepatitis C is rapidly evolving from triple therapy to regimens that do not require interferon or even ribavirin. However, pegylated interferon and ribavirin will remain the backbone of hepatitis C therapy for the time being. This review summarizes the pharmacokinetics of peginterferon and ribavirin with a particular emphasis on their side-effect profile and management. Finally, the continued role of peginterferon and ribavirin in future therapies will be discussed.
Robust Principal Component Analysis and Clustering Methods for Automated Classification of Tissue Response to ARFI Excitation

We introduce a new method for automatic classification of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) displacement profiles using what have been termed "robust" methods for principal component analysis (PCA) and clustering. Unlike classical approaches, the robust methods are less sensitive to high variance outlier profiles and require no a priori information regarding expected tissue response to ARFI excitation. We first validate our methods using synthetic data with additive noise and/or outlier curves. Second, the robust techniques are applied to classifying ARFI displacement profiles acquired in an atherosclerotic familial hypercholesterolemic (FH) pig iliac artery in vivo. The in-vivo classification results are compared with parametric ARFI images showing peak induced displacement and time to 67% recovery and to spatially correlated immunohistochemistry. Our results support that robust techniques outperform conventional PCA and clustering approaches to classification when ARFI data are inclusive of low to relatively high noise levels (up to 5 dB average signal-to-noise [SNR] to amplitude) but no outliers: for example, 99.53% correct for robust techniques vs. 97.75% correct for the classical approach. The robust techniques also perform better than conventional approaches when ARFI data are inclusive of moderately high noise levels (10 dB average SNR to amplitude) in addition to a high concentration of outlier displacement profiles (10% outlier content): for example, 99.87% correct for robust techniques vs. 33.33% correct for the classical approach. This work suggests that automatic identification of tissue structures exhibiting similar displacement responses to ARFI excitation is possible, even in the context of outlier profiles. Moreover, this work represents an important first step toward automatic correlation of ARFI data to spatially matched immunohistochemistry.
Generation of angular-momentum-dominated electron beams from a photoinjector

Various projects under study require an angular-momentum-dominated electron beam generated by a photoinjector. Some of the proposals directly use the angular-momentum-dominated beams (e.g. electron cooling of heavy ions), while others require the beam to be transformed into a flat beam (e.g. possible electron injectors for light sources and linear colliders). In this paper, we report our experimental study of an angular-momentum-dominated beam produced in a photoinjector, addressing the dependencies of angular momentum on initial conditions. We also briefly discuss the removal of angular momentum. The results of the experiment, carried out at the Fermilab/NICADD Photoinjector Laboratory, are found to be in good agreement with theoretical and numerical models.
Excision of multiple metastases: better designed studies are needed.

Metastatic carcinoma to the liver is generally considered to be associated with a poor prognosis, with five year survival of only 20% to 30% after resection of solitary lesions. Ninety-eight consecutive patients underwent the surgical removal of one to 13 metastatic lesions from the liver. A rising carcinoembryonic antigen level was considered an indication for reexploration. All gross tumor was removed in every patient; 66 had more than one metastasis. Survival was unexpectedly high: 91 of 98 were alive at 12 months, 50 (70%) of 71 at 13 to 24 months, 23 (66%) of 36 at 25 to 36 months, 14 (74%) of 19 at 37 to 48 months, six (60%) of ten at 49 to 60 months, four (80%) of five at 61 to 72 months, and two (50%) of four 73 to 84 months after resection of multiple liver metastases. The procedure appears to be a safe and, in some patients, beneficial surgical technique for the removal of multiple hepatic metastases.
Verbal Communication Skills and Patient Satisfaction: A Study of Doctor-Patient Interviews.

This research attempted to quantify specific behaviors in the physician's initial interviewing style and relate them to patients' perception of satisfaction. Five physicians were tape recorded duri...
Performance of bolted joints in Discontinuous Ceramic Cored Sandwich Structures – Static experimental testing

Abstract Thick section composites that consist of discontinuous ceramic tile arrays as a core represent a unique class of sandwich structures. They have been developed to provide a balance of structural, impact, and penetration resistance at minimum weight. Bolted joints are often used to fasten the Discontinuous Ceramic Cored Sandwich Structures (DCCSS) to other structures. Extensive experimental testing has been completed in order to better understand the performance of bolted joints in DCCSS. In this study, pin-loaded specimens are subjected to static in-plane tensile loading to establish the sequence and severity of failure modes and ultimate joint capacity. Static testing was completed on various geometric ratios such as edge distance effects, as well as the influence of tile gaps that exist in the discontinuous tile array. The results from this study establish guidelines for design of bolted joints in DCCSS.
Comparison of denitrification characteristics among three habitat types of a large river floodplain: Atchafalaya River Basin, Louisiana

Mobile forms of nitrogen leach from upland environments into aquatic systems, often discharging to coastal zones. Addition of nitrogen to once N-limited systems results in a host of changes ranging from eutrophication to loss of biodiversity. Floodplains can ameliorate these changes by removing and sequestering nitrogen. In many coastal floodplains, sedimentation causes lakes to transition to baldcypress swamps, and ultimately to bottomland hardwood (BLHW) forests. These habitats differ in their contact with floodwater, which directly and indirectly affects their ability to process nutrients, but the effects of habitat change on denitrification at the floodplain scale cannot be predicted because of lack of suitable data. This study compared denitrification characteristics among the aforementioned habitats within the Atchafalaya River Basin (ARB). Microcosms were established in the laboratory, and the acetylene block technique was used to estimate four denitrification characteristics: background denitrification rates, maximum rates, time to reach maximum rates, and the linear response of denitrification to nitrate concentration. There were significant differences in denitrification characteristics among the three habitat types; specifically, all habitats differed in the time required for denitrification to respond to nitrate in the overlying water, and denitrification in lake habitats differed from both BLHWs and baldcypress swamps. Landscape-scale models should account for different linear relationships between denitrification and nitrate concentrations, and different response times to nitrate concentrations for different habitats. Because denitrification characteristics differ across habitats within the ARB, continued habitat change within the floodplain will alter nutrient discharge to coastal waters.
Secondhand tobacco smoke exposure and heart rate variability and inflammation among non-smoking construction workers: a repeated measures study

Background: Although it has been well recognized that exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke (SHS) is associated with cardiovascular mortality, the mechanisms and time course by which SHS exposure may lead to cardiovascular effects are still being explored. Methods: Non-smoking workers were recruited from a local union and monitored inside a union hall while exposed to SHS over approximately 6 hours. Participants were fitted with a continuous electrocardiographic monitor upon enrollment which was removed at the end of a 24-hr monitoring period. A repeated measures study design was used where resting ECGs and blood samples were taken from individuals before SHS exposure (baseline), immediately following SHS exposure (post) and the morning following SHS exposure (next-morning). Inflammatory markers, including high sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell count (WBC) were analyzed. Heart rate variability (HRV) was analyzed from the ECG recordings in time (SDNN, rMSSD) and frequency (LF, HF) domain parameters over 5-minute periods. SHS exposure was quantified using a personal fine particulate matter (PM2.5) monitor. Linear mixed effects regression models were used to examine within-person changes in inflammatory and HRV parameters across the 3 time periods. Exposure-response relationships with PM2.5 were examined using mixed effects models. All models were adjusted for age, BMI and circadian variation. Results: A total of 32 male non-smokers were monitored between June 2010 and June 2012. The mean PM2.5 from SHS exposure was 132 μg/m 3 . Immediately following SHS exposure, a 100 μg/m 3 increase in PM2.5 was associated with declines in HRV (7.8% [standard error (SE) =3%] SDNN, 8.0% (SE = 3.9%) rMSSD, 17.2% (SE = 6.3%) LF, 29.0% (SE =10.1%) HF) and increases in WBC count 0.42 (SE=0.14) k/μl. Eighteen hours following SHS exposure, a 100 μg/m 3 increase in PM2.5 was associated with 24.2% higher CRP levels. Conclusions: Our study suggest that short-term SHS exposure is associated with significantly lower HRV and higher levels of inflammatory markers. Exposure-associated declines in HRV were observed immediately following exposure while higher levels of CRP were not observed until 18 hours following exposure. Cardiovascular autonomic and inflammation responses may contribute to the pathophysiologic pathways that link SHS exposure with adverse cardiovascular outcomes.
MICROSOURCES OF BIOLUMINESCENCE IN PYROCYSTIS FUSIFORMIS (PYRROPHYTA)1

The large dinoflagellate, Pyrocystis fusiformis Murray, emits biolumtnescence on stimulation with dilute acid. The bioluminescence can be seen in the light microscope to originate in a spherical region just distal to the nucleus during the day and appears as a persistent glow which can be localized in an orange-brown sphere. At night, the bioluminescence, in response to stimulation, is a bright flash from microsources scattered throughout the cytoplasm. The orange sphere can no longer be seen nor does a bioluminescent glow originate from this central region on stimulation. This difference in the position of intracellular bioluminescence between day and night has allowed the identification in electron micrographs of structures which correspond to the source of bioluminescence during the day. Light is emitted from a spherical mass of vesicles which contain electron-dense short rods with rounded ends, sometimes crossed by electron-transparent narrow bands. At night, these vesicles can be recognized in the peripheral cytoplasm. It is proposed that these vesicles are the structural counterparts of the microsources of bioluminescence in P. fusiformis.
Food Insecurity Across the First Five Years: Triggers of Onset and Exit

Abstract Very low food security among young children is associated with developmental deficiencies. However, little is known about the factors that predict entry into or exit from very low food security during early childhood. This study seeks to: (1) understand the triggers that explain movements into or out of very low food security among children from birth to age five; (2) examine the first aim using different definitions of food insecurity. The analysis relies on the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study — Birth Cohort (ECLS-B), a longitudinal, nationally representative dataset of approximately 10,700 children, to estimate linear probability models. Results suggest that residential moves and declines in maternal or child health are associated with transitioning into food insecurity, whereas increases in the number of adults in the household are associated with exits from food insecurity. Changes in income and maternal depression are associated with both entrances and exits.