cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Complications with Angio-Seal™ Vascular Closure Devices Compared with Manual Compression after Diagnostic Cardiac Catheterization and Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Objectives This study assessed and compared vascular complications in CATHs and PCIs using an Angio-Seal™ vascular closure device (VCD) versus manual compression (MC). Methods Secondary data analysis of a population-based multiyear cohort database was conducted to compare femoral access-related vascular outcomes in cardiac procedures using VCD and MC between May 1, 2006 and December 31, 2010. The primary outcome was any vascular complication. Propensity score adjusted analysis was conducted to reduce bias associated with covariate imbalance between the groups compared. Results Of the 11,897 procedures, 7,063 (59.4%) used a VCD. Vascular complications occurred in 174/8,796 (2.0%) of CATHs and 82/3,004 (2.7%) of PCIs. In the CATH sample, the odds of vascular complication were 57% lower if a VCD was used (OR = 0.43, 95% CI 0.31–0.60). For the PCI sample, the risk was 49% lower if a VCD was used (OR = 0.51, 95% CI 0.31–0.81). Conclusions A low incidence of vascular complications was observed with the use of an Angio-Seal VCD relative to MC for both procedures.
Freshman Survival Guide: 25 Things You Should Know about College, Nora Bradbury-Haehl and Bill McGarvey

“What is the best advice you got as a freshman?” “There are options” (p. 7). Bradbury-Hall and McGarvey present this advice-rich, spiritually based self-help book as “the first to offer a holistic ...
Nuclear Structure Inferred from Heavy Ion Coulomb Excitation

Even though the field of Coulomb excitation is 1/4 century old, it is only now being exploited to the fullest extent using the heavy-ion beams available from the newest accelerators. The examples I have shown demonstrate that multiple Coulomb excitation is a powerful probe of collective behaviour in low-lying nuclear states.
Multiple and single address spaces: towards a middle ground

Presents a paradigm that combines the speed of single address spaces with the traditional protection mechanisms found in multiple address space systems such as UNIX. Multiple address spaces are common today for providing safety and security in operating systems. A process in one address space cannot corrupt or compromise memory locations an another process's address space. However, inter-process communication is slow because it is expensive to context switch between address spaces. Single address space systems provide a solution to the problem of slow context switches. In a single address space system, which is typically implemented in a 64-bit address space, all processes shape a common address space. Hence, the need to move between address spaces during inter-process communication is avoided. It is our position that it is not strictly necessary to use a single address space in order to achieve fast inter-process communication. >
Geometric manipulation of the quantum states of two-level atoms

Manipulation of the quantum states of two-level atoms has been investigated using laser-controlled geometric phase change, which has the potential to build robust quantum logic gates for quantum computing. For a qubit based on two electronic transition levels of an atom, two basic quantum operations that can make any universal single qubit gate have been designed employing resonant laser pulses. An operation equivalent to a phase gate has been demonstrated using ${\mathrm{Tm}}^{3+}$ doped in a yttrium aluminum garnet crystal.
HIGH-PERFORMANCE INTERBAND CASCADE LASERS FOR λ = 3-4.5 μm

We discuss the single-mode performance characteristics of midwave-infrared interband cascade lasers. Broad-area devices with 5 active stages display pulsed threshold current densities as low as 375 A/cm2 and threshold power densities as low as 920 W/cm2 at room temperature, owing in part to the suppression of Auger recombination. Narrow ridges were processed using optical lithography to incorporate a periodically-corrugated pattern into the sidewalls. The corrugations are intended to suppress lasing in higher-order lateral modes, and also provide a 4th-order grating for distributed feedback. A corrugated-sidewall device operating at T = -20°C produced more than 46 mW of cw output in a single spectral mode, with a peak wallplug efficiency of 7.6%. The device maintains single-mode operation at current densities up to 10 times the lasing threshold, and the single-mode tuning range is 26 nm if both current and temperature are varied. Another device operating at -23°C produces up to 31 mW of single-mode power ...
The viscosities and densities of selected organic compounds and mixtures of interest in coal liquefaction studies

Experimental measurements are presented for the density and viscosity of selected organic compounds and mixtures at ambient pressure (0.083 MPa) and at temperatures of 298, 318, 338, and 358 K. The compounds studied were decalin, 1-methylnaphthalene, tetralin, m-xylene, tetrahydrofuran, thiophene, quinoline 2,6-lutidine, and m-cresol. Measurements were also made on three mixtures of the compounds decalin, 1-methylnaphthalene, tetralin, m-xylene, and m-cresol. The experimental results are compared with predictions made using a modified corresponding states procedure called TRAPP. The density predictions for the individual compounds and mixtures are good in all cases. For the viscosity, however, the predictions are in reasonable agreement with experiment only for nonassociating compounds and mixtures at reduced densities less than 3. These results suggest that TRAPP may prove very useful as a screening test to distinguish between nonassociating and highly associating mixtures. Such a test would be extremely useful when dealing with mixtures of unknown composition, such as coal liquids.
Hippocampal theta-dependent eyeblink classical conditioning: Coordination of a distributed learning system

Richard F. Thompson's study of the neurobiological substrates of learning and memory has been a career-long endeavor, chosen early and pursued with uncompromising depth and breadth. His systematic mapping of the major brain systems and mechanisms involved in eyeblink classical conditioning (EBCC) established the essential role of the cerebellum. Investigations of the interactions between the hippocampus and cerebellum are critically important to this literature, given the essential involvement of these structures in trace EBCC as well as an important modulatory role of the hippocampus in delay EBCC. Hippocampal theta (3-7Hz) oscillations are known to reflect a functional state that influences both the timing of unit firing and the potential for neural plasticity in the hippocampus and other structures. Herein we present a brief summary of research demonstrating the behavioral enhancement due to theta and the underlying neurobiological correlates in both hippocampus and cerebellum during EBCC. Hippocampal and cerebellar local field potentials (LFPs) show that these distantly interconnected brain structures become precisely synchronized when conditions favor rapid behavioral acquisition. Our results suggest a major role for theta in coordinating the widely distributed memory system for trace EBCC. These and other important findings reflect Thompson's own work and his early-career mentoring of scientists whose contributions to the EBCC literature have ensured his major and lasting impact on the neurobiology of learning and memory.
Leukocytes of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) phonephros: Cell types producing superoxide anion

Abstract Fish phonephric and blood leukocytes yield a chemiluminescent response (CL) when stimulated appropriately. This response reflects the production of highly reactive oxygen derivatives which contribute to oxygen-dependent killing of targets such as pathogens and parasites. From suspensions of pronephric cells of the Rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss , we have obtained populations enriched for CL-positive cells. Four bands of cells were obtained using continuous gradients generated with 60% Percoll. The leukocytes of band II showed a very strong PMA-induced CL response, the magnitude of which was several times higher than that observed with equivalent numbers of cells form unseparated pronepheric cell suspensions. Cells present in other bands were not significantly chemiluminescent. Flow cytometric analysis showed that band II contained large granular cells and small granular cells. Cytochemical analysis showed that this subpopulation was greatly enriched with neutrophils. Many band II cells adhere to glass whereas few band III cells do so. The glass-adherent cells loose their CL potential after a few days in vitro , whereas the nonadherent cells retain their CL responsiveness for at least a week in vitro .
Swine wastewater treatment by media filtration.

Abstract A media filter was constructed to treat swine wastewater after anaerobic lagoon treatment. The media filter consisted of a tank (1.5‐m‐diameter x 0.6‐m‐height) filled with marl gravel. The marl gravel had a carbonate content of 300 g kg‐1. Gravel particle size distributions were 85 and 14% in the 4.7‐ to 12.7‐mm and 12.7‐ to 19‐mm size classes, respectively. Pore space of the filtration unit was 57%. Wastewater flow rate was 606 L m‐2 d‐1, and total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) load was 198 g m‐2 d‐1. The media filter removed 54% of chemical oxygen demand (COD) content after one cycle, but increased cycling did not produce additional COD reduction. Total suspended solids (TSS) removal after one cycle was 50% of initial levels, and additional cycling reduced TSS levels at a much lower rate of 7% per cycle. Removal efficiencies for total phosphorus (TP) ranged from 37% to 52% (one to four cycles), but long‐term phosphorus removal would be limited by the sorption capacity of the gravel. Up to 24% of TKN ...
Changes in dissolved organic matter characteristics in Chincoteague Bay during a bloom of the pelagophyte Aureococcus anophagefferens

Aureococcus anophagefferens, the pelagophyte responsible for brown tide blooms, occurs in coastal bays along the northeast coast of the United States. This species was identified in Chincoteague Bay, Maryland, in 1997 and has bloomed there since at least 1998. Time series of dissolved organic matter (DOM) concentrations and characteristics are presented for two sites in Chincoteague Bay: one that experienced a brown tide bloom in 2002 and one that did not. Characteristics of the bulk DOM pool were obtained using dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) measurements (spectral slope and specific UV absorbance). High molecular weight DOM (HMW-DOM) was characterized in terms of DOC concentration, carbon: nitrogen (C:N) ratio, isotopic signature, and molecular-level characteristics as determined by direct temperature resolved mass spectrometry (DT-MS). Compositional changes in the DOM pool are associated with brown tide blooms, although a direct relationship between DOM characteristics and bloom development could not be confirmed. DOC measurements suggest that during the brown tide bloom, HMW-DOM was released into the surface water. UV-Vis analysis on the bulk DOM and molecular-level characterization of the HMW-DOM using DT-MS show that this material was optically active and more aromatic in nature. Based upon C:N ratio and HMW-DOC measurements, it appears that this HMW-DOM was more nitrogen enriched. Whether this material was released as exudates or was due to lysis ofA. anophagefferens could not be determined.
Aperture extension for a towed array using an acoustic synthetic aperture or a linear prediction method

Previous investigations have shown that bearing resolution may be improved by increasing a towed array's aperture with high resolution or acoustic synthetic aperture techniques. The performance and conditions for effective use of these processing concepts are investigated. Experimental results indicate that both techniques are robust approaches for providing high bearing resolution. >
From oogenesis through gastrulation: developmental regulation of apoptosis

Apoptosis is a mechanism employed by multicellular organisms throughout development as a means of eliminating damaged or otherwise unwanted cells. From oogenesis through fertilization and gastrulation, organisms use an array of cell- and tissue-specific mechanisms to regulate the apoptotic program in response to stress or developmental cues. Since cell death regulation is tightly interwoven with cell cycle and checkpoint controls, and embryos of the fly, fish and frog exhibit unique embryonic cell cycle regulation, it is of great interest to understand how early embryos coordinate these cellular functions.
Plasmonic Response of Nanoscale Spirals

The Archimedean spiral geometry presents a platform for exploration of complex plasmonic mechanisms and applications. Here we show both through simulations and experiment that more complex plasmonic modes with unique near-field structure and larger mode volumes can be realized within a single, topologically robust structure. In the spiral, complex polarization response, resonant interactions and symmetry-breaking features are defined by the width and spacing of the spiral tracks and by the winding number of the spiral.
Seasonal and Yearly Patterns of Indoor Nitrogen Dioxide Levels: Data from Albuquerque, New Mexico

There are few data sets appropriate for characterizing the indoor concentrations of air pollutants over the long term. An understanding of the variability in indoor pollutant levels is particulurly relevant to the design of epidemiologic investigations: misclassifiation of exposure due to the inaccuracy of exposure estimates tends to weaken the association of exposure with health outcome. This paper uses a series of indoor NO2 measurements collected at two-week intervals over 18-month periods between 1988 and 1991 to describe the seasonal and year-to-year variability in indoor NO2,. The data show that there can be large year-to-year differences in both the sample distribution of indoor NO2 as well as the household average. For homes with gas ranges with continuously-burning pilot lights, the average bedroom NO2 concentration was 25% higher in the winter of 1990-1991 than in the winter of 1989-1990 but only 4% higher during the winter of 1988-1989 than during the winter of 1989-1990. The winter-to-winter correlations within homes ranged from a low of 0.53 to a high of 0.88. The year-to-year differences in mean indoor concentrations were not related to temperature patterns. Occupant behaviors that influence air exchange rate and/or source use are hypothesized to be the major determinant of the observed pattern. Exposure data collected during a single year should be cautiously extrapolated to other years. However, in Albuquerque homes, the data suggest that the year-to-year variability in household NO2 levels will not have a strong impact on classifying exposure into broad categories.
Two-loop corrections to the vacuum polarizations in perturbative QCD

Abstract Closed analytic expressions for the O( αα s ) corrections to the vacuum polarizations of neutral gauge bosons induced by a massive quark and to those of charged bossons associated with a quark isodoublet of large mass splitting are derived through dispersive methods for variable external invariant mass s . Their small- s , high- s and threshold expansions are calculated. As an application, the tb contributions in O( αα s ) to the radiative parameters Δϱ(0), Δr and the oblique correction δA LR to the left-right asymmetry A LR in e + e − collisions are studied. Handy approximation formulae for these corrections are presented which are valid for m t > M W and take into account the next-to-leading terms in M W / m t .
Heat Conduction in Metal Hydride Nano-Particles

Metal hydrides hold significant potential for use in solid-state hydrogen storage through reversible chemical reactions of metal constituents and hydrogen. Managing heat loads in the system is critical to controlling system performance because a substantial amount of the energy content in hydrogen gas is released during the exothermic hydrogen uptake process, and this process must occur in only a few minutes for vehicle applications. These materials often are used in a powder form in which the initial particle size is 50–100 micrometers. However, as the material is cycled by hydriding (M+H2 →MH) and dehydriding (M+H2 ←MH), particle size can decrease by several orders of magnitude. For the solid metal hydride phase, relative contributions of the electronic and phononic thermal conductivities are quantified with varying composition and particle size. Particle size effects are approximated by a boundary scattering term in the phononic thermal conductivity formulation. Also, the electronic contribution to thermal conductivity is estimated as a function of hydrogen content. The results reveal that overall thermal conductivity is highly material-specific. Materials with large electronic contributions in the pure metal state are relatively unaffected by particle size, while those with lower electronic contributions exhibit a substantial decrease in thermal conductivity with particle size.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Alternative forms of the Spencer-Fano equation.

We point out a relation between the electron degradation spectra determined by two differing cross-section sets but subject to the same source. The relation takes a form of the Fredholm integral equation of the second kind and may be viewed as an alternative form of the Spencer-Fano equation. The relation leads to a precise definition of the partial degradation spectra of electrons of successive generations. It also provides a basis for the perturbation theory by which one calculates effects of small changes of cross-section data upon the electron degradation spectrum.
Local Food, Urban Gardening, and Art

creating urban food gardens with artistic invention and critical, expansive thinking. The specific questions that I hope to engage with the course are: How can we claim small-scale food production as an art initiative while embracing the unique challenges and opportunities that come with farming in an urban desert environment like Albuquerque? What strategies can we come up with for developing prototypes for urban farm systems that are ecologically mindful, aesthetically considered, and culturally significant? How can cross-disciplinary collaboration lead to more integrated and engaging designs and environments?
Protein mobilization and malting-specific proteinase expression during barley germination ☆

Abstract Malting is a process of controlled germination and early seedling growth. With appropriate control of grain moisture, environmental conditions, germination time, and kilning conditions, maltsters produce malt with the composition and enzymatic activity needed for brewing. In this study we compared protein mobilization in a widely grown malting barley variety germinated under controlled malting regimens and in a laboratory incubator not optimized for malting. Analysis of malts produced under three regimes showed differences in nitrogen mobilization and expression profiles of some proteinase genes. Many transcript probes changed in abundance during malting, with transcripts from the commercial malting and micromalting series trending similarly. Fewer transcripts showed differential expression between the laboratory germination series and the malting series that corresponded to protein mobilization differentials. Expression differentials that matched protein mobilization differences were seen for previously identified germination proteinases as well as those not previously linked to seed germination. These expression differentials suggest that several proteinases may serve previously unrecognized functions in protein mobilization during germination and early seed growth. Similarity of malting quality results and gene expression profiles in the two malting environments suggest that barley germination in an optimized micromalter is a suitable model system for barley germination in a commercial malting process.
Electric-Current Induced Crack Growth in Thin Films: Experimental Observations and Continuum Description:

Electric-current (EC) induced failure of pre-cracked, wide unpassivated interconnections is studied on a 0.2 mmthick, pure aluminum film. The film is deposited by high vacuum evaporation coating (HVEC) and patterned into test structures of varying widths. The specimens were electrically loaded to failure under EC via step, and slow or fast ramp loading. The EC induced failure was observed as localized crack growth or spread of a damage zone, depending on the rate of EC loading and the uncracked ligament width. Both crack and damage zone grew or spread towards the positive electrode. The experimental measurements of EC to failure showed a square root dependence on the uncracked ligament width, irrespective of the details of the failure mechanics. Based on this observation, the macroscopic critical current intensity factor is proposed to be used as the material property of the failure criterion, similar to the fracture toughness KIC for brittle fracture.
Identification of Critical Determinants for Autoinhibition in the Pseudosubstrate Region of Type Iα cAMP-dependent Protein Kinase

The consensus substrate site for cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) is Arg-Arg-Xaa-Ser(P)-Xaa and the autoinhibitory domain of the PKA type I alpha regulatory subunit (RI subunit) contains a similar sequence, Arg92-Arg-Arg-Arg-Gly-Ala-Ile-Ser-Ala-Glu. The italicized amino acids form a putative pseudosubstrate site (Ser is replaced with Ala), which together with adjacent residues could competitively inhibit substrate phosphorylation by the PKA catalytic subunit (C subunit). The present studies determine the contributions of Arg92-95, Ile98, and Glu101 to inhibitory potency. Amino-terminal truncation of RI subunit through Arg92 (delta1-92) or Arg93 (delta1-93) had no detectable effect on inhibition of C subunit. Truncation through Arg94 (delta1-94), or point mutation of Arg95 within truncated mutants (delta1-93.R95A or delta1-92.R95A), caused a dramatic reduction in inhibitory potency. Truncation through Arg95 (delta1-95) had a greater effect than did replacement or deletion of Arg94 or Arg95 alone. Using full-length RI subunit, the inhibitory potency was reduced by replacing Ile98 with Ala, Gly, or Gln, but not by replacing it with Val. The inhibitory potency of RI subunit was unchanged when Glu101 was replaced with Ala or Gln. It is concluded that Arg94, Arg95 and, to a lesser extent, Ile98 are vital constituents of PKA autoinhibition by type I alpha R subunit.
Evolution of Avian Plumage Dichromatism from a Proximate Perspective

abstract: Several studies have indicated that sexual plumage dichromatism is a result of four proximate mechanisms: estrogen, testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and nonhormonal factors. In estrogen‐dependent dichromatism, dull plumage coloration develops in the presence of estrogen, while bright coloration develops in its absence. In testosterone‐dependent and luteinizing hormone–dependent plumage dichromatism, bright plumage develops in the presence of these hormones, while dull plumage develops in their absence. Placing the proximate control of plumage dichromatism in a phylogenetic context suggests that estrogen‐dependent plumage dichromatism, found in the avian orders Struthioniformes, Galliformes, and Anseriformes, is likely to be ancestral in extant birds, while plumage dichromatism dependent on testosterone, luteinizing hormone, or nonhormonal factors is a more derived condition. An examination of the possible pathways leading to estrogen‐dependent plumage dichromatism suggests that the fewest evol...
Reduced light-induced degradation in a-Si:H: The role of network nanostructure

In this work, we report our recent observations on strong reduction in Staebler-Wronski (SWE) [1] effect in device quality a-Si:H that has been post-deposition annealed up to 400C [2], and make a connection between these observations and changes in a-Si:H network nanostructure and H bonding, both from our own FTIR and NMR measurements and from the SAXS and NMR literature. The results suggest that it is the smallest (atomic size) voids in a-Si:H that are most likely responsible for the Staebler-Wronski effect. Thermal treatments up to 400C lead to coalescence and restructuring of these voids leading to reduction of SWE.
Integral representation formulas for differential forms on complex manifolds and applications to the 327-01327-01327-01-equation

An explicit Koppelman-Leray-Norguet type integral formula for differential forms is derived on generalized analytic polyhedra on complex manifolds which arise as analytic subvarieties of domains ofCn. Using this formula we give an explicit solution operator to the\(\bar \partial \)-equation on strictly pseudoconvex polyhedra in that setting and we prove that this solution operator admits uniform estimates.
Composite material films: optical properties and applications.

The optical properties of the composite systems Ag–SiO2, Si–SiC, and Ge–A12O3 are compared with the predictions of the Maxwell-Garnett and the effective medium theories. Only the Maxwell-Garnett theory predicts the characteristic optical features of granular metals—a red shift relative to the pure metal in the plasma resonance and a dielectric anomaly. In the case of Si-SiC, the observed red shift in the transverse optical phonon frequency is too small to allow one to discriminate between the two theories. In the case of the Ge–A12O3 films, both theories are in good agreement with the experimental results for the optical constants near the absorption edge. The use of composite films for photothermal conversion and other optical applications is discussed.
Fractal geometry of cosmic strings and correlations among galaxies and Abell clusters.

In the context of the cosmic-string picture of galaxy and cluster formation we develop a model for the loop correlation function. Assuming that parent loops have dimension 1 and that the production of child loops cut off from the parent with a peculiar velocity v is described by a Brownian random walk we estimate for the fractal dimension of the correlations D=1+3.28${v}^{2}$. For v\ensuremath{\simeq}0.24 this gives the observed fractal D\ensuremath{\simeq}1.2.
Bases for Fixed Points of Unipotent Elements Acting on the Tensor Square and the Spaces of Alternating and Symmetric 2-Tensors☆

Abstract If V is a vector space over a field K , then an element g of the general linear group GL ( V ) acts on V ⊗ V , on the space of alternating 2-tensors A ( V ), and on the space of symmetric 2-tensors S ( V ). For a unipotent element g , we exhibit bases for the subspace of fixed points of g acting on both V ⊗ V and A ( V ) which are valid for every field K , and a basis for the subspace of fixed points of g acting on S ( V ) which is valid for every field K with char K ≠ 2.
Guidelines and evaluation of new anti-infective drugs for treatment of urinary tract infections

Government regulatory agencies have the responsibility to protect the public by certifying new drugs as safe and effective. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is solely responsible for setting these standards. It has the option to request assistance from consultants and advisory committees, but the ultimate decision belongs with the agency. To comply with the law, maintain the public trust and avoid conflict of interest, the FDA needs to base its decisions on the best available evidence. It must be sensitive to the medical needs of the public and carefully assess the claims made by industry. The FDA has jealously guarded its prerogatives, as it should. A revolutionary concept was proposed about 10 years ago by the Antimicrobial Agents Committee of the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) [1]. The major concern was that for many bacterial infections there were no standard accepted definitions of the disease process or of criteria by which to appraise treatment or outcome. After long and sometimes difficult negotiations, a contract was awarded to the IDSA from the FDA to devise standards for evaluation of new anti-infective drug products. This culminated in the development of the IDSA guidelines [2]. The information was shared with colleagues in Europe and resulted in the publication of the ESCMID guidelines. The strengths of the guidelines include careful attention to legal requirements and precedent set by the FDA, the experience of the members of the advisory committees in conducting clinical trials and the inclusion of experts from the pharmaceutical industry. In the spirit of cooperation, publication of the final report was subsidized by the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association. Development of the IDSA guidelines was a major step in providing a rational basis for evaluation of anti-infective drugs. The infectious diseases community benefits by resolving many difficult diagnostic issues, the industry benefits by being able to construct sound protocols for clinical trials and the FDA benefits by being better able to serve the public interest. It is important to note that the FDA reserves the right to accept or reject any part of the guidelines. It is inappropriate for investigators or industry to use IDSA guidelines to design clinical trials without FDA approval. In the special case of urinary tract infection, the committee recommendations for quantitative counts to designate significant bacteriuria [3] remain controversial [4] and FDA criteria are the only ones acceptable for the purpose of clinical trials. The infectious diseases community must convince the FDA and other government agencies that newly proposed guidelines are rational, practical, and meet the current state of the art. Dr Naber and his colleagues have made a thoughtful contribution to this endeavor. My comments on several of these issues are as follows. * Present address: Room M110 Starling Loving Hall, 320 West 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. Tel: +1-614-293-8975; fax: +1-614-293-5627.
Data–driven modelling, control, and fault detection of wind turbine systems

In this paper, data–driven system modelling, control, and fault detection technique for wind turbine systems are researched. The developed algorithm is to recursively update system parameters using predictor–based system identification (SID) technique. Updated system parameters are used to design subspace predictive controller for wind turbine systems with constraint on pitch angle and generator torque. The usefulness of this application is highlighted through simulation on a benchmark example, 5 MW NREL/Upwind reference turbine. It shows that developed algorithm which streamlines controller design process from identification to fault detection is useful for making wind turbine systems being tolerant to faults.
The sociopolitical origins of the American Legion

The American Legion was one of the most politically consequential organizations in the twentieth-century United States. It was a local bedrock of anti-communism in two post-war red scares and throughout the cold war. It also built a lavish and cross-nationally unique welfare state for American veterans. In this article, I examine the origins of the American Legion and demonstrate that it was organized by rentier capitalists acting in their intraclass and interclass interests. Most importantly, the Legion was an organization that fought the “battle over class” by denying the importance of class as a social concept and proposing “Americanism” as an alternative. I also argue that the Legion’s extreme anti-communism combined with its dedication to welfare provision for American veterans altered the course of American welfare state development.
Doppler Echocardiography in Pulmonary Stenosis

Summary Doppler ultrasound has dramatically improved the accuracy of noninvasive detection of pulmonary stenosis. Combined with careful two-dimensional imaging, the site and severity of obstruction to pulmonary flow can be detected and quantified. Although there are some limitations to the technique, interpretive errors are avoidable with an understanding of the method and careful attention to detail during the performance of the examination. Doppler echocardiography has become a valuable adjunct to the nonsurgical treatment of valvular pulmonary stenosis and promises to provide more information for developing new management schemes in congenital heart disease.
Spontaneous and Induced Apoptosis in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Multiple Assays Fail to Reveal Consistent Abnormalities

The immunologic basis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is multifactorial and still elusive. Recent advances in the field of apoptosis have suggested new paradigms for the development of lupus autoimmunity. In the present studies we examined the possibility that individual populations of T and B cells are abnormally resistant to apoptosis or that they stand out in over- or underexpressing Fas. Fas was generally overexpressed in cells freshly isolated from SLE patients but the apoptotic response to FasL was normal. We did not find increased spontaneous ongoing apoptosis in SLE lymphocytes. Normal cleavage of PARP similarly implied that the final biochemical pathway of apoptosis is relatively intact in SLE. Finally we placed special emphasis on the response of SLE patient cells to UV irradiation, especially cells from photosensitive patients, and found no difference in Fas expression. In conclusion our results indicate that SLE patients do not suffer from a major apoptotic abnormality. The results also raise questions concerning the dynamic expression of Fas and the significance of ongoing apoptosis as a risk for autoimmune disease.
Role of Melanin in Melanocyte Dysregulation of Reactive Oxygen Species

We have recently reported a potential alternative tumor suppressor function for p16 relating to its capacity to regulate oxidative stress and observed that oxidative dysregulation in p16-depleted cells was most profound in melanocytes, compared to keratinocytes or fibroblasts. Moreover, in the absence of p16 depletion or exogenous oxidative insult, melanocytes exhibited significantly higher basal levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) than these other epidermal cell types. Given the role of oxidative stress in melanoma development, we speculated that this increased susceptibility of melanocytes to oxidative stress (and greater reliance on p16 for suppression of ROS) may explain why genetic compromise of p16 is more commonly associated with predisposition to melanoma rather than other cancers. Here we show that the presence of melanin accounts for this differential oxidative stress in normal and p16-depleted melanocytes. Thus the presence of melanin in the skin appears to be a double-edged sword: it protects melanocytes as well as neighboring keratinocytes in the skin through its capacity to absorb UV radiation, but its synthesis in melanocytes results in higher levels of intracellular ROS that may increase melanoma susceptibility.
Sample size, aggregation, and statistical reasoning in social inference ☆

Abstract Four experiments tested the hypothesis that people's appreciation for the statistical law of large numbers may at times lead them to ignore other important statistical information when making inferential judgments. In Experiment 1 subjects were presented with either a small or a large dataset that detailed the performance of two racquetball players, each of whom played a different number of games in two different leagues. Results indicated that, compared to large dataset subjects, small dataset subjects were more likely to aggregate across situations and thus less likely to take into account the confounding effects of the league. Experiment 2 demonstrated that this effect occurs even under conditions in which people are explicitly informed about the differing situational constraints. Experiment 3 again replicated the effect, and examined more closely the effects of sample size on within-situation performance assessments as well as on statistical inference strategies. Experiment 4 replicated the sample size effect in a more socially relevant judgment domain involving inferences about intelligence. These results illuminate an intriguing and ironic relation between different aspects of everday statistical reasoning. Discussion focuses on the implications for inference processes and social judgment.
Preparation of crystalline polypropylene by the polymerization of technical propene in presence of triisobutylaluminum and titanium tetra chloride

1. The polymerization of propene into highly crystalline polypropylene was carried out successfully in presence of the complex organometallic catalyst Al(i-C4H9)3+ +TiCl4, which has considerably less fire hazard than Al(C2H5)3 + TiCl4. 2. The molar ratio of the catalyst components affects the yield and properties of the polypropylene obtained. The optimum molar ration Al(i-C4H9)3; TiCl4 is approximately 1.5∶1.
Risks of birth defects and other adverse outcomes associated with assisted reproductive technology

Approximately 1 million children world-wide have been born through assisted reproductive technology (ART),1 which helps many motivated couples give birth to healthy infants. Children conceived through ART comprise as many as 1% to 2% of total births in some countries.2,3 High rates of multiple births, with attendant complications of prematurity and low birth weight, are well documented. Concerns are now emerging about associated increased risks for congenital anomalies. Use of newer techniques may bring additional hazards, especially those requiring more biologic manipulation than artificial insemination and other, older ART methods. Outcomes data through ART registries permit risk estimates, although some data ascertainment is incomplete, especially in the United States. This report reviews ART outcomes, with focus on the potential risks of birth defects and their possible mechanisms, as well as limitations of current risk assessments. Moreover, it suggests ways to improve ART tracking and outcomes. ART is broadly defined as conception through any procedure or medication assisting in achieving pregnancy, including ovulation induction and intrauterine insemination. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines ART more narrowly as “any procedure that entails the handling of both eggs and sperm or of embryos for the purpose of establishing a pregnancy.”4 These procedures include in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). In IVF, fertilization is achieved by mixing eggs and sperm together in the laboratory. In ICSI, fertilization consists of direct microinjection of 1 sperm into 1 egg. In both, fertilized eggs are implanted after several days of ex vivo cell growth. Techniques of surgical embryo transfer include gamete intrafallopian transfer and zygote intrafallopian transfer. Emerging techniques involve additional gamete and embryo manipulation such as in vitro oocyte maturation.1 Complete data for the numbers of ART-related births, specific ART methods used, and birth …
cAMP-dependent regulation of P450-catalyzed dealkylation in rat conceptal tissues

Exposures of cultured whole rat conceptuses to varying concentrations of dibutyryl cyclic AMP or isobutylmethylxanthine, alone or in combination, resulted in significant increases in rates of cytochrome P450-dependent depentylation of pentoxyphenoxazone in cell-free preparations. Lesser increases in rates of debenzylation of benzyloxyphenoxazone were also observed. In cultured whole conceptuses, basal depentylase and debenzylase activities in the visceral yolk sac were approximately sixfold higher than in the embryo. The ectoplacental cone and decidual tissues exhibited no detectable depentylase activity. Only the visceral yolk sac exhibited increased depentylase activity in response to dibutyryl cyclic AMP and isobutylmethylxanthine. Inhibitory antibodies raised against adult hepatic P450s IIB1, IIC11, and IA1 failed to significantly inhibit the yolk sac depentylase activities of noncultured conceptuses. The results suggested that the conceptal depentylation reaction may be catalyzed by a unique P450 isoform(s) that is not expressed during adult life.
Hormonal determinants of the development of masculine and feminine behavior in male and female rats

To investigate the role of gonadal hormones during the postnatal period on the development of masculine and feminine behavior 129 male and female rats were hormonally manipulated at birth. Within 24 hours of birth male and female rats were: (a) sham operated, (b) gonadectomized, (c) gonadectomized and given testosterone, or (d) gonadectomized and given estrogen. When adult all animals were given testosterone and tested for the display of male behavior, and then given estrogen and progesterone and tested for female behavior. Male behavior: Males exhibited mounting responses more frequently than females regardless of hormone manipulation at birth. Androgen and estrogen at birth did not facilitate mounting behavior in either sex. Males exhibited more frequent intromission responses than females. Animals treated with androgen at birth showed more frequent intromission behavior than non-treated animals. Androgen facilitated intromission relatively more in males than in females. Estrogen at birth did not facilitate intromission behavior. Female behavior: Males castrated at birth, normal females, and females ovariectomized at birth showed high levels of receptivity. No other animal exhibited frequent lordosis. The data indicated that behavioral sexual differentiation induced by hormones in in-fancy is best characterized by an inhibition of the potential to display feminine behavior.
Social acceptance of recovered alcoholics: toward the development of a predictive index.

Sammu~y.-80 female nursing students' social acceptance of recovered alcoholic persons and attitudes toward alcoholism were assessed with a questionnaire. Two attitudinal factors affected the level of social acceptance of recovered alce holic persons; these factors were the alcoholics' inability to control drinking and their ability to recover. Globetti (1973-74) reports that "the recovered alcoholic continues to carry a stigma which results in a variety of social discriminations and reduction of his life chances." Many people continue to keep their social distance from arrested alcoholic people (Kessel & Walton, 1965). Alcoholism is a chronic disorder characterized by a marked tendency toward relapse. Favorable attitudes on the part of health professionals toward recovered alcoholics may provide more positive interpersonal relationships leading to the possibility of fewer and shorter relapses for persons whose alcoholism has been arrested. In this study, female nursing students' level of social acceptance of recovered alcoholics and attitudes toward alcoholism were investigated to develop an index to predict level of social acceptance. Data were produced through the administration of a questionnaire to 80 female nursing students enrolled in a major university on the West Coast. The 29 juniors, 30 seniors, and 21 graduates were chosen by stratified random sampling. The age range of the respondents was 20 to 27 yr., with a mean of 23 yr. None of them had studied alcoholism or had worked with alcoholics. Attitudes of the subjects toward alcoholism were assessed by use of the Alcoholism Questionnaire developed by Marcus (1963). This questionnaire was the outcome of a factor analytic study and Itpresents nine areas of opinion about alcoholism. Gurel found test-retest reliability of 0.89 to 0.96 for nursing students. The subject answers specific statements by indicating a position on a scale from I--completely disagree to 7--completely agree. The level of social acceptance of recovered alcoholic persons was measured by the scale developed by Globetti (1973-1974) using Guttman scaling. This scale, based on face validity, divides the respondents into three categories according to cheir answers to five statements: ( 1 ) non-acceptance, (2 ) mild acceptance, and ( 3 ) high acceptance. For this sample, the coefficients of reproducibility and of scalability were 0.91 and 0.63, respectively.
Biological and chemical characterization of an immune antigen-RNA species derived from hepatocyte polysomes

A detailed study of the retention of [ 3 H]aniline hapten-protein conjugates by different tissues of injected rats revealed the liver as the major site of antigen retention both short and long term post injection. Within the liver the hepatocyte appears to be the most active cell population with regard to the processing of antigen. Liver polysomes serve as a source of an apparent hepatocyte-derived antigen-RNA species whose formation seems to be a direct consequence of in vivo antigenic stimulation. The extensive and rigorous chemical treatments (e.g., multiple phenol/chloroform extractions) used in the isolation of antigen-RNA as well as the susceptibility of the complex to nucleases substantiates the specific and apparently strong association of antigen with RNA. An in vivo biological assay, utilizing the Farr test, indicates that antigen-containing-polysome material possesses the ability to induce or to booster a specific immune response to the antigen injected originally.
Formation of retinoic acid from retinol in the kidney

Abstract Retinoic acid was formed in the kidney of vitamin A-deficient rats after the administration of a physiological dose of retinyl acetate. It appeared in the kidney before it could be detected in the blood plasma. It was also found in greater proportion as the retinyl acetate dosage was decreased. These findings support the hypothesis that retinoic acid may be the metabolically active form in the growth function of vitamin A.
Magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging in the era of pseudoprogression and pseudoresponse in glioblastoma patient management

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary brain tumor and is almost uniformly fatal, despite aggressive surgical and adjuvant therapies. Since median survival time is short, it is critical to determine therapeutic activity at an early stage. One major impediment to the development of new therapies for GBM is a lack of reliable biomarkers indicating treatment-response or lack thereof. Tissue biopsy following treatment can assess residual tumor viability; however, it may entail significant risk of morbidity or even mortality. GBMs are heterogeneous, comprising a combination of viable tumor of various grades, necrotic tissue, edema, and infiltration into normal brain. Additionally, glial scar and radiation changes can be mistaken for tumor recurrence. The current standard for assessing tumor progression relies on changes in size of the enhancing and/or nonenhancing components of the tumor on standard MRI. While this was usually adequate when patients were treated with radiation alone, the addition of temozolomide (TMZ) has significantly increased the incidence of “pseudoprogression”, while the use of anti-angiogenic agents (e.g. bevacizumab or cediranib) has increased the incidence of “pseudoresponse”, complicating the interpretation of standard MR images [1]. The increasing use of newer, molecularly-targeted drugs may further decrease the reliability of conventional MRI.
Equilibrium in a durable goods market with lumpy adjustment

Abstract Durable goods are an important component of the business cycle. Equilibrium models of durable goods markets are made difficult by the lumpy nature of individual purchases. We show that a straightforward approximation of the distribution of durable goods holdings gives rise to a tractable equilibrium model. We analyze the case of competition as well as that of a monopoly producer.