cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chapter 11 – Digestive System

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the gross anatomy of the principal regions of the digestive system, including the associated organs, and how they are closely related to functions. The first region of the digestive system includes the mouth, oral cavity, and pharynx. After food is swallowed it enters the alimentary canal proper and proceeds via the esophagus to the stomach followed by the intestine. This basic plan has been highly modified to meet the wide variation in functional demands placed on the digestive system by the diversity of diets consumed by fish. The alimentary canal is located in the peritoneal cavity, which also contains most of the other viscera. The peritoneal cavity is lined by a membrane—the peritoneum. The viscera, including the alimentary canal, are not actually in the cavity. Instead, they are surrounded by the peritoneum, much like sticking a finger into a balloon. Additionally, the digestive system includes the liver, pancreas, and gall bladder. These organs are derived from the alimentary canal during development and remain attached by ducts that carry the respective secretions to the alimentary canal where they are mixed with the chyme. Although intestinal structure is highly variable among fish, the associated functions are relatively consistent across species.
Repair of Massive Stanford Type A Aortic Dissection in a Jehovah’s Witness using Bloodless Surgery

Refusal of blood product transfusion presents a unique challenge in patients requiring major cardiac surgery. We present a case of a 45-year-old African American female Jehovah's Witness with a history of aortic dissection who presented to the emergency department with worsening back pain. Imaging revealed aneurysmal dilatation of her known Stanford type A dissection measuring 10.9 cm. A staged carotid-subclavian bypass followed by aortic valve, ascending aorta, and aortic arch replacement with debranching was performed using a bloodless strategy.
Safety and efficacy of cell therapies in pediatric heart disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Adult clinical trials have reported safety and the therapeutic potential of stem cells for cardiac disease. These observations have now translated to the pediatric arena. We conducted a meta-analysis to assess safety and efficacy of cell-based therapies in animal and human studies of pediatric heart disease. A literature search was conducted to examine the effects of cell-based therapies on: (i) safety and (ii) cardiac function. In total, 18 pre-clinical and 13 human studies were included. Pre-clinical: right ventricular dysfunction was the most common animal model (80%). Cardiac-derived (28%) and umbilical cord blood (24%) cells were delivered intravenously (36%) or intramyocardially (35%). Mortality was similar between cell-based and control groups (OR 0.94; 95% CI 0.05, 17.41). Cell-based treatments preserved ejection fraction by 6.9% (p < 0.01), while intramyocardial at a dose of 1–10 M cells/kg optimized ejection fraction. Clinical: single ventricle physiology was the most common cardiac disease (n = 9). Cardiac tissue was a frequent cell source, dosed from 3.0 × 105 to 2.4 × 107 cells/kg. A decrease in adverse events occurred in the cell-based cohort (OR 0.17, p < 0.01). Administration of cell-based therapies improved ejection fraction (MD 4.84; 95% CI 1.62, 8.07; p < 0.01). In this meta-analysis, cell-based therapies were safe and improved specific measures of cardiac function. Implications from this review may provide methodologic recommendations (source, dose, route, timing) for future clinical trials. Of note, many of the results described in this study pattern those seen in adult stem cell reviews and meta-analyses.
Working toward a purpose: Examining the cross-sectional and longitudinal effects of work characteristics on sense of purpose.

Objective Employment appears to influence employees' sense of purpose, insofar as work roles can provide life direction and allow individuals to fulfill meaningful aims or have regular goal-related activity engagement. However, research is needed on which specific characteristics of the work predict employees' sense of purpose. The current study sought to quantitate the degree to which specific work characteristics, including skill variety, autonomy, coworker support, and supervisor support, were associated with initial levels and changes in purpose. Additionally, we examine positive and negative work-home spillover as moderators of these relationships. Methods We examined hypothesized relationships in a subsample (N = 4,963) of a nationally representative panel study which included between two and three assessments of work characteristics, spillover, and sense of purpose, each roughly 10 years apart. Results Using multilevel models to assess within-person associations and lagged effects, we found that greater skill variety and coworker support but not autonomy or supervisor support, were associated with higher levels of purpose. Moreover, increases in purpose were associated with higher initial levels of skill variety. These relationships were not moderated by spillover. Conclusion Individuals with skill variety and coworker support at work appear to experience the strongest levels of sense of purpose.
Predicting Postoperative Outcomes in Brain Tumor Patients With a 5-Factor Modified Frailty Index.

Background Frailty indices may represent useful decision support tools to optimize modifiable drivers of quality and cost in neurosurgical care. However, classic indices are cumbersome to calculate and frequently require unavailable data. Recently, a more lean 5-factor modified frailty index (mFI-5) was introduced, but it has not yet been rigorously applied to brain tumor patients. Objective To investigate the predictive value of the mFI-5 on length of stay (LOS), complications, and charges in surgical brain tumor patients. Methods We retrospectively reviewed data for brain tumor patients who underwent primary surgery from 2017 to 2018. Bivariate (ANOVA) and multivariate (logistic and linear regression) analyses assessed the predictive power of the mFI-5 on postoperative outcomes. Results Our cohort included 1692 patients with a mean age of 55.5 yr and mFI-5 of 0.80. Mean intensive care unit (ICU) and total LOS were 1.69 and 5.24 d, respectively. Mean pulmonary embolism (PE)/deep vein thrombosis (DVT), physiological/metabolic derangement, respiratory failure, and sepsis rates were 7.2%, 1.1%, 1.6%, and 1.7%, respectively. Mean total charges were $42 331. On multivariate analysis, each additional point on the mFI-5 was associated with a 0.32- and 1.38-d increase in ICU and total LOS, respectively; increased odds of PE/DVT (odds ratio (OR): 1.50), physiological/metabolic derangement (OR: 3.66), respiratory failure (OR: 1.55), and sepsis (OR: 2.12); and an increase in total charges of $5846. Conclusion The mFI-5 is a pragmatic and actionable tool which predicts LOS, complications, and charges in brain tumor patients. It may guide future efforts to risk-stratify patients with subsequent impact on postoperative outcomes.
“Embassy without Government”: The Council of Ambassadors and the Persistence of Tsarist Diplomacy after the Russian Revolution

This analysis addresses the Council of Ambassadors, a much-neglected body that was composed of Russia’s pre-Revolutionary diplomats following the October Revolution of 1917. Centred in Paris, at th...
So NOT Amazing! Teach For America Corps Members’ Evaluation of the First Semester of Their Teacher Preparation Program

BackgroundMuch of the research related to Teach For America (TFA) is related to the concerns surrounding whether such teachers should assume primary teaching responsibility and whether alternativel...
Bridging the Health Disparity of African Americans Through Conversational Agents

African Americans have faced health disparities in terms of access to health care and treatment of illnesses. The novel coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic exacerbates those disparities caused by limited access to medical care and healthy lifestyles, vulnerability to misleading information, and mistrust of the medical profession, all of which disproportionately affect the African American population in terms of infection and mortality. Conversational agents (CAs) are a technological intervention with the potential to narrow the disparities because they make health care more accessible, are effective in disseminating health information among a population with low health literacy, and can increase users’ trust in health information. However, designing CAs for this population presents challenges with regard to embodying the African American culture into CAs and addressing privacy and security concerns. This commentary discusses some advantages and challenges of using CAs to help African Americans protect themselves against coronavirus disease 2019, and calls for more research in this area.
Physics-informed machine learning approach for reconstructing Reynolds stress modeling discrepancies based on DNS data

We show that the discrepancies in Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) modeled Reynolds stresses can be explained by mean flow features. A physics-informed machine learning framework is proposed to improve the predictive capabilities of RANS models by leveraging existing direct numerical simulations databases.
Temperature Measurements in Turbulent Sooting Jet Flames Using Filtered Rayleigh Scattering

Temperature measurements in sooting non-premixed jet flames using filtered Rayleigh scattering (FRS) are presented. Fuel tailoring permits quantitative measurements with a single FRS measurement and no assumed state relations. High accuracy and signal-to-noise are demonstrated.
Adaptive Control Barrier Functions

It has been shown that optimizing quadratic costs while stabilizing affine control systems to desired (sets of) states subject to state and control constraints can be reduced to a sequence of Quadratic Programs (QPs) by using Control Barrier Functions (CBFs) and Control Lyapunov Functions (CLFs). In this paper, we introduce Adaptive CBFs (AdaCBFs) that can accommodate time-varying control bounds and noise in the system dynamics,while also guaranteeing the feasibility of the QPs, which is a challenging problem in current approaches. We propose two different types of AdaCBFs: Parameter-Adaptive CBF (PACBF) and Relaxation-Adaptive CBF (RACBF). Central to AdaCBFs is the introduction of appropriate time-varying functions to modify the definition of a common CBF. These time-varying functions are treated as High Order CBFs (HOCBFs) with their own auxiliary dynamics, which are stabilized by CLFs. We demonstrate the advantages of using AdaCBFs over the existing CBF techniques by applying both the PACBF-based method and the RACBF-based method to a cruise control problem with time-varying road conditions and noise in the system dynamics, and compare their relative performance
The Influence of Preoperative Narcotic Consumption on Patient-Reported Outcomes of Lumbar Decompression.

Study design Retrospective cohort. Purpose This study aimed to assess the relationship between preoperative narcotic consumption and patient-reported outcomes (PRO) in patients undergoing minimally invasive (MIS) lumbar decompression (LD). Overview of literature Previous studies report negative effects of narcotic consumption on perioperative outcomes and recovery; however, its impact on quality of life and surgical outcomes is not fully understood. Methods A surgical database was retrospectively reviewed for patients undergoing primary, single-level MIS LD from 2013 to 2020. Patients lacking preoperative narcotic consumption data were excluded. Demographics, spinal pathologies, and operative characteristics were collected. Patients were grouped based on preoperative narcotic consumption. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for back and leg, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), 12-item Short Form Physical Component Summary, and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System physical function (PROMIS-PF) were collected preoperatively and postoperatively. Preestablished values were used to calculate achievement of minimum clinically important difference (MCID). Differences in mean PROs and MCID achievement between groups were evaluated. Results The cohort was 453 patients; 184 used preoperative narcotics and 269 did not. Significant differences were found in American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, ethnicity, insurance type, and estimated blood loss between groups. Significant differences were also found in preoperative PHQ-9, VAS leg, ODI, and PROMIS-PF between groups (all p 0.05). A higher rate of MCID achievement was associated with the narcotic group for PHQ-9 and PROMIS-PF at 6 weeks (both p≤0.050), VAS leg at 1 year (p=0.009), and overall for ODI and PHQ-9 (both p≤0.050). Conclusions Preoperative narcotic consumption was associated with worse preoperative depression, leg pain, disability, and physical function. In patients consuming preoperative narcotics, a higher proportion achieved an overall MCID for disability and depressive symptoms. Patients taking preoperative narcotic medications may report significantly worse preoperative PROs but demonstrate greater improvements in postoperative disability and mental health.
Impact of ABCDE Bundle Implementation in the Intensive Care Unit on Specific Patient Costs.

Objectives:To measure the impact of full versus partial ABCDE bundle implementation on specific cost centers and related resource utilization.Design:Retrospective cohort study.Setting:Two medical I...
AppJitsu: Investigating the Resiliency of Android Applications

The Android platform gives mobile device users the opportunity to extend the capabilities of their systems by installing developer-authored apps. Companies leverage this capability to reach their customers and conduct business operations such as financial transactions. End-users can obtain custom Android applications (apps) from the Google Play, some of which are security-sensitive due to the nature of the data that they handle, such as apps from the FINANCE category. Although there are recommendations and standardized guidelines for secure app development with various self-defense techniques, the adoption of such methods is not mandatory and is left to the discretion of developers. Unfortunately, malicious actors can tamper with the app runtime environment and then exploit the attack vectors which arise from the tampering, such as executing foreign code with elevated privileges on the mobile platform. In this paper, we present AppJITSU, a dynamic app analysis framework that evaluates the resiliency of security-critical apps. We exercise the most popular 455 financial apps in attack-specific hostile environments to demonstrate the current state of resiliency against known tampering methods. Our results indicate that 25.05% of the tested apps have no resiliency against any common hostile methods or tools, whereas only 10.77% employed all defensive methods.
Spect Brain Perfusion Studies Using N-Isopropyl I-123 P-Iodoamphetamine (IMP)

Positron emission computed tomography has graphically demonstrated changes in regional brain physiology in patients whose transmission CT scans show normal anatomy. These results have stimulated interest in single-photon techniques that can have widespread distribution throughout the medical community (1). N-isopropyl 1-123 p-iodoamphetamine (IMP), developed by Winchell and colleagues (2), is a single-photon radiopharmaceutical that penetrates the normal blood brain barrier due to its lipophilic form. Initial distribution of IMP has been correlated to the regional cerebral blood flow (3).
Variable interference of meconium in the determination of phosphatidylglycerol

In 1971, Gluck and co-workers’ developed the lecithin-sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio to evaluate pulmonary maturity from a sample of amniotic fluid. It has become the standard test against which other predictors of fetal maturity (“shake test,” microviscometry) must be compared. Determination of the quantity of phosphatidylglycerol. a marker of complete pulmonic maturity, has increased the reliability of the L/S ratio.’ Reports on the effect of meconium on the L/S ratio have been conflicting: Some authors have reported an increase and others have found a decrease in the values obtained. Studies in our laboratory have shown that meconium has a variable pattern on a two-dimensional chromatogram. As a result, the effect on the lecithin and sphingomyelin spots is variable and unpredictable. Since phosphatidylglycerol encompasses a relatively narrow area of the two-dimensional plate, we sought to evaluate the effect of meconium on this marker of fetal pulmonic maturity. Fig. 1 is a two-dimensional chromatogram with a mature L/S ratio and a high concentration of phosphatidylglycerol. In Fig. 2, the diffuse pattern of meconium interferes with the appropriate region for analysis of not only the L/S ratio but also phosphatidylglycerol. In Fig. 3, a distinct spot of phosphatidylglycerol can be discerned despite the presence of meconium. When meconium-stained amniotic fluid is obtained on amniocentesis, the reliability of the L/S ratio and the differentiation and quantitation of phosphatidylglycerol will vary on an individual basis. Careful review of the chromatogram may permit an accurate assessment of pulmonic maturity in a certain percentage of cases. However, if the requisite area of the chromatogram is
Manufacturing and the Science of Sustainability

A new area, called Sustainability Science, is engaging large system scientists to address the challenges that face the future of human society on planet earth. In this paper, the methods and frameworks of diverse disciplines are reviewed and compared with those of the manufacturing community. The results show significant differences between disciplines, including the level of urgency expressed. Synthesizing these divergent viewpoints, this paper makes suggestions for needed research on “sustainable manufacturing”. The main message is that manufacturing needs to significantly increase the boundaries of its analysis to be able to understand its effect at the global scale.
Occupant Kinematics and Shoulder Belt Retention in Far-Side Lateral and Oblique Collisions: A Parametric Study

In far-side impacts, head contact with interior components is a key injury mechanism. Restraint characteristics have a pronounced influence on head motion and injury risk. This study performed a parametric examination of restraint, positioning, and collision factors affecting shoulder belt retention and occupant kinematics in far-side lateral and oblique sled tests with post mortem human subjects (PMHS). Seven PMHS were subjected to repeated tests varying the D-ring position, arm position, pelvis restraint, pre-tensioning, and impact severity. Each PMHS was subjected to four low-severity tests (6.6 g sled acceleration pulse) in which the restraint or position parameters were varied and then a single higher-severity test (14 g) with a chosen restraint configuration (total of 36 tests). Three PMHS were tested in a purely lateral (90° from frontal) impact direction; 4 were tested in an oblique impact (60° from frontal). All subjects were restrained by a 3-point seatbelt. Occupant motion was tracked with a 3D optoelectric high speed motion capture system. For all restraint configurations, the 60° oblique impact angle was associated with greater lateral head excursion than the 90° impact angle. This unexpected result reflects the increased axial rotation of the torso in the oblique impacts, which allowed the shoulder to displace more relative to the shoulder belt and thus the head to displace more relative to the sled buck. Restraint engagement of the torso and shoulder was actually greater in the purely lateral impacts than in the oblique impacts. Pretensioning significantly reduced lateral head excursion (175 mm average in the low-severity tests across all restraint configurations).
Frequency measurements of far infrared 12 CH 3 OH laser lines

We have measured the frequencies of 12 known and 3 new submillimeter laser lines obtained by pumping12CH3OH with a cw waveguide CO2 laser in a Fabry-Perot far infrared resonator. We have also measured the relative polarization and the pumping CO2 frequency offset for each line.
Nato, Secrecy, and the Right to Information

In Central and Eastern Europe, the rapid diffusion of right-to-information laws has been matched by an equally quick spread of state secrets laws. CEE countries are adopting these laws to meet requirements for accession to NATO. NATO refuses to disclose its security of information (SOI) requirements, but the policy, crafted in the early years of the Cold War, appears to be very conservative. It is the foundation of a thickening web of intergovernmental SOI agreements. Such agreements impose significant constraints on the domestic transparency policies of many governments, and pose substantial challenges for advocates of increased transparency. Archival records show that many NATO members were concerned about the impact that NATO requirements would have on domestic policy. It is time for the debate over such SOI rules to be democratized. A first step would be public release of NATO's SOI requirements.
Prosecuting extortion victims: How counter‐terrorist finance measure Executive Order 13224 is going too far

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the effects of USA Executive Order 13224, one of the most important US counter‐terrorist finance measures, on corporations operating in countries with designated terrorist organizations.Design/methodology/approach – The effects of Executive Order 13224 are focused on the case of Chiquita Brands International, a major US banana‐exporting corporation that operated in Uraba, Colombia until 2004. The US Government prosecuted Chiquita for “engaging in transactions” with an illicit, Colombian paramilitary group considered by the US a Foreign Terrorist Organization and as a specially‐designated global terrorist. This paper presents the duress defense that Chiquita could have raised at trial under US federal law.Findings – Executive Order 13224 was drafted hastily and under pressure leading to over‐inclusive language and over‐broad implementation. Chiquita's case suggests that Executive Order 13224, drafted with the intention of reducing terrorist funding, has mad...
Three-dimensional quantum spin liquids in models of harmonic-honeycomb iridates and phase diagram in an infinite- D approximation

Motivated by the recent synthesis of two insulating ${\mathrm{Li}}_{2}{\mathrm{IrO}}_{3}$ polymorphs, where ${\mathrm{Ir}}^{4+}$ ${S}_{\mathrm{eff}}=1/2$ moments form 3D (``harmonic'') honeycomb structures with threefold coordination, we study magnetic Hamiltonians on the resulting $\ensuremath{\beta}\text{\ensuremath{-}}{\mathrm{Li}}_{2}{\mathrm{IrO}}_{3}$ hyperhoneycomb lattice and $\ensuremath{\gamma}\text{\ensuremath{-}}{\mathrm{Li}}_{2}{\mathrm{IrO}}_{3}$ stripyhoneycomb lattice. Experimentally measured magnetic susceptibilities suggest that Kitaev interactions, predicted for the ideal ${90}^{\ensuremath{\circ}}$ Ir-O-Ir bonds, are sizable in these materials. We first consider pure Kitaev interactions, which lead to an exactly soluble 3D quantum spin liquid (QSL) with emergent Majorana fermions and ${\mathrm{Z}}_{2}$ flux loops. Unlike 2D QSLs, the 3D QSL is stable to finite temperature, with ${T}_{c}\ensuremath{\approx}|K|/100$. On including Heisenberg couplings, exact solubility is lost. However, by noting that the shortest closed loop $\ensuremath{\ell}$ is relatively large in these structures, we construct an $\ensuremath{\ell}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\infty}$ approximation by defining the model on the Bethe lattice. The phase diagram of the Kitaev-Heisenberg model on this lattice is obtained directly in the thermodynamic limit, using tensor network states and the infinite-system time-evolving-block-decimation (iTEBD) algorithm. Both magnetically ordered and gapped QSL phases are found, the latter being identified by an entanglement fingerprint.
Forest visual resources and pest management: potential applications of visualization technology

Abstract Visualization technology allows us to picture, model and project over several years the effects of pest outbreaks and management activities on visual resources. The capability to visualize different potential future forest conditions can help resource managers plan projects, envision long-term ramifications, and interact with the public, and can facilitate research on human perception and recreational behavior.
AN EVALUATION OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF UNDERGRADUATE PSYCHOLOGY MAJORS

Strmmary.-This study evaluated the reasons 130 undergraduates selected psychology as a major. The most salient reason reported was a strong interest in the subject matter, bur the utility of the college degree as a means of preparing for a job or professional education was also important to the students. Of these participants, 73 indicared that at least one of their career goals was doctoral study in clinical or counseling psychology. Their ratings of the favorableness of the job market, salary, job autonomy, and job security exceeded the corresponding ratings of recent recipients of doctoral degrees in psychology. The undergraduates rated that private practice would be the most desirable practice setting, and they predicted "much" job autonomy in this setting and above-average job security across practice settings. These results suggest that educators in psychology may have responsibilities to counsel students who
Reheating and thermalization in a simple scalar model.

We consider a simple model for the Universe reheating, which consists of a single self-interacting scalar field in Minkowskian space-time. Making use of the existence of an additional small parameter proportional to the amplitude of the initial spatially homogeneous field oscillations, we show that the behavior of the field can be found reliably. We describe the evolution of the system from the homogeneous oscillations to the moment when thermalization is completed. We argue that some properties found for this model may be the common features of realistic theories.
A microfluidic-based genetic screen to identify microbial virulence factors that inhibit dendritic cell migration

Microbial pathogens are able to modulate host cells and evade the immune system by multiple mechanisms. For example, Salmonella injects effector proteins into host cells and evades the host immune system in part by inhibiting dendritic cell (DC) migration. The identification of microbial factors that modulate normal host functions should lead to the development of new classes of therapeutics that target these pathways. Current screening methods to identify either host or pathogen genes involved in modulating migration towards a chemical signal are limited because they do not employ stable, precisely controlled chemical gradients. Here, we develop a positive selection microfluidic-based genetic screen that allows us to identify Salmonella virulence factors that manipulate DC migration within stable, linear chemokine gradients. Our screen identified 7 Salmonella effectors (SseF, SifA, SspH2, SlrP, PipB2, SpiC and SseI) that inhibit DC chemotaxis toward CCL19. This method is widely applicable for identifying novel microbial factors that influence normal host cell chemotaxis as well as revealing new mammalian genes involved in directed cell migration.
A Pressurized Multiwire Proportional Chamber for Neutron Imaging

A pressurizable neutron-sensitive multi-wire proportional chamber has been constructed to test the effect of increased gas density on image resolution. The chamber has dimensions of 25 cm × 25 cm and is pressurizable to 4 atm. With a single-plate converter the thermal-neutron detection efficiency was 6.3% for gadolinium and 2.3% for boron-10. For a four-fold increase in chamber pressure the overall resolution improved more than a factor of two for boron, but relatively little for gadolinium. The effects of cathode biasing is also discussed.
Numerical Simulation of ‘Piston Effect’ in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

Piston effect is an interesting mechanism of heat transfer in supercritical fluids. It is the result of propagation and damping of a thermoacoustic waves in supercritical fluids. The generation and propagation of a thermoacoustic wave in supercritical carbon dioxide is investigated by solving the fully compressible form of the Navier-Stokes equations. Two infinite plates filled with supercritical carbon dioxide, where the right walls is thermally insulated, is considered as the computational domain. A thermally induced pressure wave is generated by heating the left wall. The wave repeatedly traverses the length between the left and right walls, and its amplitude eventually damps out due to the viscous and thermal losses within the fluid, thus heating the bulk fluid. Results are presented in this paper that shows the heating up of the bulk fluid due to piston effect.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Fractures of the C-1 vertebra: Report of two cases documented with computed tomography

Two cases of vertical fractures through the anterior arch of C-1 vertebrae are described. One was associated with an additional fracture through the posterior arch on the opposite side in the region of the vertebral artery sulcus, and the other with an additional horizontal fracture through the anterior arch. Both patients were neurologically asymptomatic. Diagnosis was made by computed tomography.
Ray Optics Calculation of the Radiation Forces Exerted on a Dielectric Sphere in an Evanescent Field

A ray optics approach was used to calculate the forces and the torque exerted on a dielectric sphere in the evanescent field produced by a linearly polarized Gaussian beam. The particle was assumed to be immersed in a dielectric fluid next to a solid dielectric plate with the evanescent field produced at the solid–fluid interface. Comparisons with calculations performed by use of more rigorous electromagnetic wave theory show that the ray optics results agree to within a factor of 2 even for particle radii as small as twice the incident wavelength. Calculation of the forces for conditions typical of a total internal reflection microscopy experiment show that the evanescent field has a negligible effect on either the net forces exerted on the particle or the particle motion (i.e., rotation or translation parallel to the interface). By our modifying the parameters of the experiment, however—namely, the incident beam power, radius of incident beam, and evanescent wave penetration depth—forces that are comparable with the net particle weight and capable of translating the particle several micrometers per second, as well as rotating the particle several revolutions per second, can be produced. The ability to micromanipulate a particle in this fashion could offer useful applications for studying particle and surface interactions.
Characteristic electron energy loss structure for clean and oxidized chromium surfaces

Abstract AES and EELS spectra have been measured on clean and oxidized chromium surfaces. Auger peaks at 31.0 and 44.0 eV of the oxide are attributed to cross transitions between chromium and oxygen: {M2,3(Cr)V(Cr)V(O)} and {M1(Cr)L1(O)V(Cr)} respectively. Core loss features are consistent with valence band structure with a newly observed loss peak at 41.1 eV for the oxidized surface being ascribed to a core exciton with binding energy Eb = 1.6 eV.
Supratentorial regions of acute ischemia associated with clinically important swallowing disorders: a pilot study.

Background and Purpose— Dysphagia is a common problem after stroke associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Except for patients with brain stem strokes, particularly lateral medullary strokes, it is difficult to predict which cases are likely to develop swallowing dysfunction based on their neuroimaging. Clear models of swallowing control and integration of cortico-bulbar input have not been defined and the role of subcortical structures is unclear. The purpose of this study was to identify supratentorial regions of interest (ROIs) that might be related to clinically important dysphagia in acute stroke patients, focusing on subcortical structures. Methods— We studied 29 acute supratentorial ischemic stroke cases admitted to our institution between 2001 and 2005 diagnoses with first ischemic stroke and without history of swallowing dysfunction. Subjects had MRI within 24 hours. Cases were defined as those subjects who were diagnosed as dysphagic after clinical evaluation by a speech language pa...
A Study of the Structural Transformation of the African Easterly Waves

Abstract It is hypothesized that few African waves become tropical storms because they typically have an unfavorable thermal structure that cannot be sufficiently transformed during its propagation across the Atlantic Ocean by the condensational heating under normal moisture conditions. This hypothesis is tested in the context of a moist multilevel quasi-geostrophic model. The longitudinal variation of the background zonal flow over the Atlantic Ocean is incorporated in the model as a progressively changing zonal flow that an easterly wave would encounter as it propagates across the oceanic region. The dependence of the evolution of such a wave field for 10 days upon the various model parameters is evaluated by means of numerical integration. A detailed comparison of the structural and energetic properties of the wave field in nondeveloping and developing cases supports the hypothesis. Specifically, the initial model easterly wave field has a cold core at the trough region centered at the lower tropospher...
X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopic Studies of Carbon Fiber Surfaces. 22. Comparison between Surface Treatment of Untreated and Previously Surface-Treated Fibers

IM7 PAN-based carbon fibers, with a proprietary surface treatment applied by the manufacturer, were analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The surface treatment applied by the manufacturer was removed by heating in a vacuum. The fibers detreated in this manner were then subjected to electrochemical treatment. The electrochemical behavior of the as-received fibers and detreated fibers were measured and analyzed. When the same electrochemical treatment was applied to the as-received fibers with their commercial surface treatment intact, a different surface chemistry was observed for the detreated fibers. This study shows that the surface chemistry of treated fibers depends closely on the initial surface chemistry of the fibers and its detreatment. This work shows the importance of using untreated or detreated fibers as precursors for applying reproducible surface treatment so that one can understand and control the surface chemistry of fibers and their interfacial interaction in composites.
The Reaction-Bonded Aluminum Oxide Process: I, The Effect of Attrition Milling on the Solid-State Oxidation of Aluminum Powder

The effect of attrition milling on the solid-state oxidation of aluminum powder is important for the reaction-bonded aluminum oxide process. Attrition milling increased the surface area to 14.4 and 20.2 m2/g versus 1.2 m2/g for unmilled powder and smeared the Al particles, and the surface was hydrolyzed to form bayerite and boehmite. Upon heating the hydroxides decompose to form an 11–13 nm thick amorphous plus γ-Al2O3 layer which subsequently retards oxidation kinetics. The oxidation per unit area decreases for the higher surface area powders at temperatures below the critical temperature but the total oxidation of the milled powder is ∼70% versus ∼9% for the as-received powder because of the higher surface area. The critical temperature depends on Al particle surface characteristics and is defined as the transition temperature above which the initial rate of oxidation is linear, not parabolic. Above the critical temperature the oxidation per unit area decreases significantly. In addition, linear oxidation occurs faster than parabolic oxidation and thus the initial fast oxidation kinetics (i.e., linear) can cause thermal runaway during oxidation. Therefore, oxidation below the critical temperature is essential to maximize solid-state oxidation and to prevent thermal runaway. The critical temperatures for the as-received (1.24 m2/g), the 6 h (14.4 m2/g), and 8 h (20.2 m2/g) attrition-milled Al powders were 500°, 475°, and 500°C, respectively. A model for oxidation during the parabolic and linear oxidation stages is presented.
Catalytic particle stability studies—I. Lumped resistance model

Abstract The problem of asymptotic stability of a monomolecular reaction system in a single catalyst particle is studied lumped mass and heat transfer resistance at the surface of the particle. The existence of multiple steady states is demonstrated. A linearization technique is used to analyze the asymptotical stability of the steady state and necessary and sufficient conditions for stability are found. A treatment for a particular system of general irreversible consecutive reactions is given. A numerical example of a reaction A 1 → A 2 → A 3 in a spherical particle is used to illustrate the technique developed.
Distribution functions for the breakdown of passive films

A deterministic treatment is presented of the statistical nature of the breakdown of passive films on metal surfaces, in which it is assumed that breakdown sites on the surface are normally distributed in terms of the cation vacancy diffusivity (D) or log D. This analysis, which is based on the point defect model for the breakdown of passive films, predicts normal or near-normal distributions in the breakdown voltage, depending upon whether it is log D or D that is normally distributed. The model also yields distribution functions for the induction time that mimic the highly asymmetric form exhibited by experimental data. By using values for D, log D and their associated standard deviations, determined from the distributions in the breakdown voltage, the point defect model is able to account quantitatively for the experimentally observed distributions in the induction time for the breakdown of passive films on Fe-17Cr in 3.5% NaCl solution at 30°C, as reported by Shibata[1].
Pea Chloroplast Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Has Uracil Glycosylase Activity

Pea (Pisum sativum) chloroplastic glyceraldehyde-3-P dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.1.13) was tested for uracil DNA glycosylase activity. It was found that both the chloroplast and the recombinant subunit B dehydrogenases remove uracil from poly(dA[3H]dU). The glycosylase activity of the recombinant subunit B enzyme and that of a truncated form corresponding in length to subunit A were associated with the dehydrogenase activity in gel-filtration experiments. Both activities of the chloroplast enzyme were inhibited by antisera raised against recombinant subunit B, and both activities of the recombinant subunit B enzyme were inhibited by antisera raised against pea chloroplast glyceraldehyde-3-P dehydrogenase. Antisera raised against Escherichia coli uracil glycosylase did not affect the glycosylase activity of the recombinant subunit B enzyme. The glycosylase pH activity profile of the chloroplast dehydrogenase was unique. It is distinct from the dehydrogenase pH activity profile and from the pH activity profiles of other plant glycosylases. The glycosylase activity, but not the dehydrogenase activity, of the recombinant subunit B enzyme was inhibited by uracil. Pyridine nucleotides stimulated the glycosylase activity. To our knowledge this is the first example of a nonhuman glyceraldehyde-3-P dehydrogenase, and of an NADP-dependent glyceraldehyde-3-P dehydrogenase, that exhibits uracil glycosylase activity.
A comparison of the in vitro postantibiotic effect of meropenem and imipenem versus selected enterobacteriaceae and other pathogens

Abstract The in vitro postantibiotic effect (PAE) of meropenem (Merrem or SM-7338) and imipenem was determined by using 12 strains of clinically important pathogens. A PAE of ⩾12h duration was observed more frequently with strains tested against meropenem than with imipenem.
P0008 Validating the link between obesity and breast inflammation in women with breast cancer

Background In post-menopausal women, obesity is a risk factor for hormone sensitive breast cancer. We previously described crown-like structures (CLS), consisting of macrophages surrounding dead adipocytes, in the breast tissues of mice and humans. CLS were associated with increased levels of proinflammatory mediators known to be involved in carcinogenesis. We provided the first evidence of CLS in the human breast (CLS-B), which correlated with increased aromatase expression and activity. Here, we expanded our population to prospectively validate these preliminary findings. Methods White adipose tissue (WAT) was prospectively collected from women undergoing breast and reconstructive surgery. WAT was subjected to immunohistochemistry for CD68, a macrophage marker, to detect CLS-B by light microscopy. Adipocyte diameter was measured using the Canvas 11 Software. Endpoints were CLS-B presence/absence and CLS-B index (proportion of slides with CLS-B). Findings From April 2010 to February 2012, WAT (100 mastectomy and five abdominal reconstructions) was obtained from 101 American women; median age 49 years (range 26–80). CLS-B were found in 54 (53%) patients. CLS-B were seen in 9/37 (24%) normal weight patients (body mass index [BMI] μ m) compared with those without CLS-B (91.5 ± 16.1 μm; p p = 0.04). Among 25 patients with bilateral breast WAT and five patients with paired breast and abdominal WAT, concordant CLS-B findings (+/–) were seen in 80%. Interpretation Findings from this prospective study confirm that CLS-B are associated with BMI and adipocyte size. These results provide a plausible pathophysiological link between obesity and breast cancer. Abdominal WAT may be a surrogate for breast WAT inflammation; biopsies of abdominal subcutaneous WAT are more easily done, and could be performed in future clinical trials that aim to decrease breast WAT inflammation.
Electronic origins of the magnetic phase transitions in zinc-blende Mn chalcogenides.

Precise first-principles spin-polarized total-energy and band-structure calculations have been performed for the zinc-blende Mn chalcogenides with the use of the local-spin-density (LSD) approach. We find that the LSD is capable of identifying the correct magnetic-ground-state structure, but it overestimates the ordering temperature [ital T][sub [ital N]] and the valence-band exchange splitting [Delta][sub [ital x]][sup [ital p]]. The discrepancy is attributed to the overestimation by LSD of the [ital p]-[ital d] coupling. Adjusting this coupling by an external potential and fitting its parameters to the [ital s]- and [ital p]-band exchange splitting in MnTe alone, we find that [ital T][sub [ital N]]=73, 90, and 128 K, respectively, for MnTe, MnSe, and MnS, in good agreement with experiment. This shows that the failures of the LSD in reproducing [ital T][sub [ital N]] and [Delta][sub [ital x]][sup [ital p]] share a common physical origin, namely the overestimation of [ital p]-[ital d] coupling.
‘Memristive’ switches enable ‘stateful’ logic operations via material implication

The authors of the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors-the industry consensus set of goals established for advancing silicon integrated circuit technology-have challenged the computing research community to find new physical state variables (other than charge or voltage), new devices, and new architectures that offer memory and logic functions beyond those available with standard transistors. Recently, ultra-dense resistive memory arrays built from various two-terminal semiconductor or insulator thin film devices have been demonstrated. Among these, bipolar voltage-actuated switches have been identified as physical realizations of 'memristors' or memristive devices, combining the electrical properties of a memory element and a resistor. Such devices were first hypothesized by Chua in 1971 (ref. 15), and are characterized by one or more state variables that define the resistance of the switch depending upon its voltage history. Here we show that this family of nonlinear dynamical memory devices can also be used for logic operations: we demonstrate that they can execute material implication (IMP), which is a fundamental Boolean logic operation on two variables p and q such that pIMPq is equivalent to (NOTp)ORq. Incorporated within an appropriate circuit, memristive switches can thus perform 'stateful' logic operations for which the same devices serve simultaneously as gates (logic) and latches (memory) that use resistance instead of voltage or charge as the physical state variable.
Online Free Anatomy Registration via Noncontact Skeletal Tracking for Collaborative Human/Robot Interaction in Surgical Robotics

Surgical robotics has enjoyed widespread clinical use over the last decade and brought a number of benefits and drawbacks. Surgeons benefit from improved dexterity and accuracy, as well as better visualization and a more intuitive interface, yet hospitals must contend with the cost and size of robotic systems [1]. Surgical robotics requires registering with moving anatomy, such as a scalpel incision or a suturing task. This can be accom plished with visual servoing [2] and machine learning [3], which would require keeping track of a straight line on human anatomy such as a hand, even if the anatomy is not stationary. A solution to this problem is collaborative control, where humans provide intuition while the robots provide the precision.
Thermal and shear flow effects on microstructure of a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer

The effects of annealing time and temperature on the texture and transient shear rheological behavior of a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer were investigated. The texture evolution during annealing included two processes: the reduction of the defect density and the increase of the domain size but decrease of the domain number. We confirmed that the threaded texture caused the first shear stress peak and the shear stress minimum during shear flow startup. More importantly, using the wide-angle X-ray diffraction technique, we determined that the second shear stress peak during flow startup can be attributed to the evolution of the molecular orientation. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 46:1215–1222, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers
Regulation of pentosan biosynthesis in barley aleurone tissue by gibberellic acid.

Treatment of isolated barley aleurone layers with gibberellic acid (GA3) resulted in a progressive inhibition of cell-wall synthesis after a 4-h lag period. The incorporation of both [14C]arabinose and [14C]glucose into the cell wall was inhibited by GA3, but analysis of the labelled sugars in the polymerized product showed that the process most affected by the hormone treatment was pentosan biosynthesis. Labelling kinetics and pulse-chase analysis indicated that the pentosans were synthesized in the cytoplasm and subsequently transferred to the cell wall; GA3 did not significantly affect the latter step. The GA3-inhibited labelling of the cell-wall pentosans cannot be explained on the basis of an effect on uptake of radioactive cell-wall precursor, expansion of the free pentose pool, or degradation of newly-formed pentosan. GA3 inhibited the activity of a membrane-bound arabinosyl transferase present in the aleurone layers. This inhibition may explain the inhibition of cell-wall pentosan synthesis by GA3.
Science as experiment; science as observation.

Randomized, blinded, controlled experiments have often been considered the highest level of evidence in the methodological hierarchy. This Viewpoint discusses the strengths and limitations of both observational studies and randomized controlled trials, and the benefits that can be gained by researchers and clinicians through the appreciation of both methods.