cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cytotoxic effects of imipramine on platelets

Abstract Incubation for 30 min at 30° with 1 mM imipramine, chlorpromazine or phencyclidine produced increases in creatine phosphokinase (CPK) activity of rat platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Increases in lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) activity of human PRP were produced by imipramine at 0.5 mM. Ouabain, diphenylhydantoin, calcium chloride, EDTA and thrombin did not affect CPK activity of rat PRP. None of the dugs tested except 10 mM diphenylhydantoin affected CPK or LDH activity in platelet-poor plasma. Increases in enzyme activity of PRP produced by 1 mM imipramine were associated with a decrease in platelet count. The increases were independent of temperature of incubation from 0° to 30° and were maximal after a 5-min incubation. The release of LDH and CPK caused by the above drugs is not related to platelet aggregation or the platelet release reaction. The increases in LDH and CPK activity in PRP appear to be the result of platelet destruction or damage to the platelet plasma membrane with release of these enzymes.
Energy optimal control in mobile sensor networks using hybrid systems theory

This paper studies optimal control in a sensor network system consisting of mobile robots to minimize the overall energy consumption of the whole network. With communication energy cost and mobility energy cost taken into consideration, the problem is formulated as an optimal control of a hybrid system, which is solved by switched Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR). Though switched LQR obtains globally optimal solution, the computational complexity is too high to implement the algorithm when the control horizon expands. For this reason, we resort to a switched system version of Receding Horizon Control (RHC), which is stable and provides a solution close to the optimal one. Finally, in order to attenuate the complexity due to the large networked system, the centralized RHC is modified into a distributed algorithm, which converges to a solution that can approximate the optimizer quite well as verified by simulations.
Quantifying bank erosion on the South River from 1937 to 2005, and its importance in assessing Hg contamination.

Abstract Bank sediments along a 40 km reach of the South River, downstream of Waynesboro, VA, store mercury from historical contamination as a result of textile manufacturing. Knowledge of the rate at which contaminated sediment is released to the stream channel through bank erosion is required to implement restoration programs designed, for example, to minimize its ecological impact and to reduce risk to human health. Digitized stream channel boundaries based on visual interpretations of georeferenced aerial imagery from 1937 and 2005 were compared to calculate a minimum estimate of the total area of bank sediment eroded between Waynesboro and Port Republic, Virginia. Estimates of riverbank height were extracted from aerial LIDAR data, allowing areal estimates of bank retreat to be converted to volumes. Nominal annual rates of bank retreat, averaged over the 68-year period, for several example locales along the study reach are very low, ranging from 3 to 15 cm per year. Bank erosion occurs at the outside banks of bends, through the development of islands, where deposition on confluence bars pushes the main flow into the opposite bank, and in small areas along the channel that are difficult to classify or explain. A minimum estimate of the total volume eroded for the study reach is approximately 161,000 m3; the corresponding annual mass of mercury supplied to the channel by bank erosion is 109.6 kg/year. Our work demonstrates that a careful analysis of aerial imagery and LIDAR data can provide detailed, spatially explicit estimates of mercury loading from bank erosion, even when rates of riverbank erosion are unusually low.
Surface reactivity of V 2 O 5 (001): Effects of vacancies, protonation, hydroxylation, and chlorination

Using density-functional theory we analyze the thermodynamic stability of partially reduced, protonated, hydroxylated, and chlorinated ${\mathrm{V}}_{2}$O${}_{5}$(001) surfaces under flue gas conditions. These surfaces are characterized geometrically through surface relaxation calculations and electronically through charge distribution and density-of-states analysis to understand the change in surface reactivity under different pressure and temperature conditions, with a primary focus on coal-fired flue gas conditions. The stoichiometric surface is found to be the most favorable termination under flue gas conditions, but at low oxygen partial pressures (i.e., ultra-high-vacuum conditions) and elevated temperatures, the partially reduced ${\mathrm{V}}_{2}$O${}_{5}$(001) surfaces with one or two vanadyl oxygen vacancies are found to be stable. A surface semiconductor-to-metal transformation takes place with the addition of oxygen vacancies indicated by a decrease in the band gap. The protonation of the ${\mathrm{V}}_{2}$O${}_{5}$(001) surface only takes place at low oxygen partial pressures where the main source or sink of hydrogen atoms comes from ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$. The study of the thermodynamic stability of protonated surfaces and surfaces with dissociated water with both H-- and OH-- groups indicated that these surfaces are not stable under flue gas conditions. Chlorinated surfaces were not stable under the flue gas and the coverage conditions tested. Larger HCl concentrations or smaller coverages may lead to stable chlorinated structures; however, the small coverages required to accurately represent the chlorine flue gas concentrations would require much larger unit-cell sizes that would be too computationally expensive. From this work it is evident that the stoichiometric surface of ${\mathrm{V}}_{2}$O${}_{5}$ is the most stable under flue gas conditions, and likely reactivity corresponding to NO${}_{x}$ reduction, surface chlorination, and mercury oxidation stems from support effects on the vanadia catalyst, which influences the vanadium oxidation state and subsequent surface reactivity.
Proteomic analysis of rat laryngeal muscle following denervation

Laryngeal muscle atrophy induced by nerve injury is a major factor contributing to the disabling symptoms associated with laryngeal paralysis. Alterations of global proteins in rat laryngeal muscle following denervation were, therefore, studied using proteomic techniques. Twenty-eight adult Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into normal control and denervated groups. The thyroarytenoid (TA) muscle was excised 60 days after right recurrent laryngeal nerve was resected. Protein separation and identification were preformed using 2-DE and MALDI-MS with database search. Forty-four proteins were found to have significant alteration in expression level after denervation. The majority of these proteins (57%), most of them associated with energy metabolism, cellular proliferation and differentiation, signal transduction and stress reaction, were decreased levels of expression in denervated TA muscle. The remaining 43% of the proteins, most of them involved with protein degradation, immunoreactivity, injury repair, contraction, and microtubular formation, were found to have increased levels of expression. The protein modification sites by phosphorylation were detected in 22% of the identified proteins that presented multiple-spot patterns on 2-D gel. Significant changes in protein expression in denervated laryngeal muscle may provide potential therapeutic strategies for the treatment of laryngeal paralysis.
simSchool: an online dynamic simulator for enhancing teacher preparation

A rationale for using a simulated teaching environment to train pre-service teacher candidates is presented, followed by the key components of the simSchool dynamic simulator created to accomplish this task. Results of analyses of two sets of data, for the areas of pedagogical practices and teaching skills, are used to illustrate that changes in pre-service educators can be assessed as a direct outcome of activities completed within the simulated environment. Major outcomes to date indicate that teacher candidates gain a sense of instructional self-efficacy (confidence in their competence) more rapidly using the simulator, compared to traditional teacher preparation classes and related activities. This outcome is true for pre-service candidates working with simulated students spanning the normal range of personality attributes and sensory abilities, as well as pre-service teacher candidates working with simulated students with disabilities.
The effect of sudden server breakdown on the performance of a disassembly line

Product and material recovery relies on the disassembly process to separate target components or materials from the end-of-life (EOL) products. Disassembly line is especially effective when products in large quantity are disassembled. Unlike an assembly line, a disassembly line is more complex and is subjected to numerous uncertainties including stochastic and multi-level arrivals of component demands, stochastic arrival times for EOL products, and process interruption due to equipment failure. These factors seriously impair the control mechanism in the disassembly line. A common production control mechanism is the traditional push system (TPS). TPS responds to the aforementioned complications by carrying substantial amounts of inventories. An alternative control mechanism is a newly developed multi-kanban pull system (MKS) that relies on dynamic routing of kanbans, which tends to minimize the system's inventories while maintaining demand serviceability. In this paper we explore the impact of sudden breakdown of server on the performance of a disassembly line. We compare the overall performances of the TPS and MKS by considering two scenarios. We present the solution procedure and results for these cases.
To clamp or not to clamp the main renal artery: the debate continues.

In thismonth’s issue ofEuropeanUrology, Desai et al. describe a feasibility study utilizing superselective clamping of arteries close to the tumor to achieve regional ischemia to improve robotic assisted partial nephrectomy (PN) and, presumably, to protect the non–tumor-bearing kidney [1]. The investigators also utilized monopolar electrocautery during the resection. The authors report incremental shortterm improvement in renal functional outcome (estimated glomerular filtration (eGFR) rate decrease in favor of superselective vs conventional main renal artery–clamped PN at last follow-up of 11% vs 17%, with similar estimated blood loss [EBL] rates [200 ml vs 150 ml] but higher transfusion rates [24% vs 6%] in superselective patients). PN, in general, andminimally invasive (robotic assisted) PN, specifically, is a complex operation requiring surgical expertise and with persistent concernsaboutperioperativebleedingandurinary complications. Despite the last decade of development, PN remains underutilized in the United States. At issue in this work is the question ofwhether this latest complex technical variation should bepursuedbyothers or requiresmore study involving other experts to delineate its ultimate role in PN. One obvious question raised by this study relates to blood loss. Despite no significant difference in EBL—which may reflect imprecise operating room estimates, which we have all witnessed—the superselective technique’s transfusion rate of 24% is significantly higher than most published PN series. This finding could indicate that collateral blood flow, possibly from venous channels draining from unclamped areas of the kidney, is unchecked during the robotic procedure and possibly manifests itself following desufflation in the recovery room or on the ward. One wonders if the higher blood transfusion risk is worth the
Hydropedological model of vertisol formation along the Gulf Coast Prairie land resource area of Texas

Abstract. Vertisols are clayey soils containing slickensides and wedge-shaped aggregates formed by shrink-swell processes in seasonally wet climates. The dynamic distribution of macro- and microvoids as a by-product of this unique pedoturbation process, accompanied by microtopographic lows and highs (gilgai), mitigate our ability to make accurate and precise interpretations of aquic and hydric conditions in these problem soils. We studied Vertisols across a subhumid to humid climosequence to assess the formation of redoximorphic features on shallow, linear (nondepressional) landscape positions in response to varying levels of rainfall. Approximately 1000 mm of mean annual precipitation (MAP) is required to form soft iron masses that then increase in abundance, and to shallower depths, with increasing rainfall. Soft iron masses with diffuse boundaries become more abundant with higher rainfall in microlows, whereas masses with nondiffuse boundaries become more common in microhighs. Most soft iron masses form in oxygenated ped interiors as water first saturates and then reduces void walls where iron depletions form. In contrast, at least 1276 mm of MAP is needed to form iron pore linings in both microlow and microhigh topographic positions. Iron depletions do not correlate with rainfall in terms of abundance or depth of occurrence. The quantity of crayfish burrows co-varies with rainfall and first appears coincidentally with soft iron masses in microlows near 1000 mm of MAP; they do not appear until nearly 1400 mm of MAP in microhighs. Dithionite-citrate extractable and ammonium-oxalate extractable iron oxides increase systematically with rainfall indicating more frequent episodes of iron reduction and precipitation into pedogenic segregations. The sum of our data suggests that Vertisols forming in the Coast Prairie of Texas with MAP greater than 1276 mm should be classified as aquerts because of the presence of aquic conditions. These same soils may also meet the definition of hydric as one criterion for the identification of Federally-protected wetlands. However, there is a considerable disjunct between protracted periods of saturation and limited periods of reduction in these soils. Based on the distribution of redoximorphic features in the study area, regional water table data, and recent electrical resistivity data from a nearby upland Vertisol, non-Darcian bypass flow is the principle mechanism governing the flux of water through deep cracks where water first accumulates and then persists in microlow bowls at depths of 1 to 2 m.
Biological response of the intervertebral disc to dynamic loading

Disc degeneration is a chronic remodeling process that results in alterations of matrix composition and decreased cellularity. This study tested the hypothesis that dynamic mechanical forces are important regulators in vivo of disc cellularity and matrix synthesis. A murine model of dynamic loading was developed that used an external loading device to cyclically compress a single disc in the tail. Loads alternated at a 50% duty cycle between 0MPa and one of two peak stresses (0.9 or 1.3MPa) at one of two frequencies (0.1 or 0.01Hz) for 6h per day for 7 days. An additional group received static compression at 1.3MPa for 3h/day for 7 days. A control group wore the device with no loading. Sections of treated discs were analyzed for morphology, proteoglycan content, apoptosis, cell areal density, and aggrecan and collagen II gene expression. Dynamic loading induced differential effects that depended on frequency and stress. No significant changes to morphology, proteoglycan content or cell death were found after loading at 0.9MPa, 0.1Hz. Loading at lower frequency and/or higher stress increased proteoglycan content, matrix gene expression and cell death. The results have implications in the prevention of intervertebral disc degeneration, suggesting that loading conditions may be optimized to promote maintenance of normal structure and function.
Evaluating the performance of middleware load balancing strategies

This work presents three contributions to research on middleware load balancing. First, it describes the design of Cygnus, which is an extensible open-source middleware framework developed to support adaptive and nonadaptive load balancing strategies. Key features of Cygnus are its ability to make load balancing decisions based on application-defined load metrics, dynamically (re)configure load balancing strategies at run-time, and transparently add load balancing support to client and server applications. Second, it describes the design of LBPerf, an open-source middleware load balancing benchmarking toolkit developed to evaluate load balancing strategies at the middleware level. Third, it presents the results of experiments that systematically evaluate the performance of adaptive load balancing strategies implemented using the Cygnus middleware framework using workloads generated by LBPerf. The workloads used in our experiments are based on models of CPU-bound requests that are representative of a broad range of distributed applications. Our experiments with LBPerf illustrate the need for evaluating different adaptive and nonadaptive load balancing strategies under different workload conditions. In addition to assisting in choosing a suitable load balancing strategy for a particular class of distributed applications, our empirical results help configure run-time parameters properly and analyze their behavior in the presence of different workloads. Our results also indicate that integrating Cygnus into distributed applications can improve their scalability, while incurring minimal run-time overhead. As a result, developers can concentrate on their core application behavior, rather than wrestling with complex middleware mechanisms needed to enhance the scalability of their distributed applications.
Second-Order Statistical Moments of a Surface Scatter Channel with Multiple Wave Direction and Dispersion

Underwater acoustic communications channels involving surface reflection usually exhibit extensive time and frequency spreading. The phenomenon was studied in a recent paper [5] and the scattering function of the channel was obtained for large Rayleigh parameters using a Fresnel-corrected geometric optics model and a simple onedimensional surface correlation function. It was found that while extensive time spreading and Doppler were indeed predicted by this model, the Doppler shift and time delay were strongly correlated so that the scattering function had the form of a very narrow parabolic ridge. The problem considered in this paper is the extent to which this phenomenon persists when more realistic correlation-function models, dispersion, and small Rayleigh parameters are considered. It is found that the general form of the scattering function is not very much affected by fairly gross changes in the assumed surface statistics, and that substantial correlation between time delay and Doppler can be expected as long as the surface is not completely isotropic. The effect is also observed in a modified form with a small Rayleigh-parameter model, but since this model also features a strong coherent component it may be of less practical significance.
Structure and shortening of the Kangra and Dehra Dun reentrants, Sub-Himalaya, India

Surface geology, oil-well, seismic-reflection, and magnetostratigraphic data are integrated to evaluate the structural style and the shortening rate at the Himalayan front (Sub-Himalaya) of northwest India. The Sub-Himalaya, between the Main Boundary thrust and the Himalayan Frontal fault, is the primary surface expression of shortening between the Himalaya and the Indian plate. At certain locations, the Himalayan Frontal fault is a blind thrust beneath anticlines of Siwalik (Tertiary) molasse, parallel to the Himalayan orogen. The Main Boundary thrust is sinuous, so the width of the Sub-Himalaya ranges from 30 to 80 km. Where the Sub-Himalaya is narrow (Nahan salient), Tertiary rocks are exposed in imbricate thrust sheets; where the Sub-Himalaya is broad (Kangra and Dehra Dun reentrants), alluvium fills wide synclinal valleys (duns). Seismic-reflection data reveal that surface anticlines form in association with south-vergent thrusts that root in a decollement at the base of the Tertiary section. Reflection profiles and well data also indicate that the basement lithology changes northward from Precambrian crystalline rocks beneath the Indo-Gangetic plains to Precambrian and Cambrian metasedimentary rocks beneath the Sub-Himalaya. The Sub-Himalayan decollement dips 2.5° northward beneath the Kangra reentrant, but it is steeper, 6°, beneath the Dehra Dun reentrant. The Kangra and Dehra Dun reentrants display fault-propagation folds having steep limbs in the north, and fault-propagation and fault-bend folds that have gently north-dipping limbs in the south. A balanced cross section of the Kangra reentrant shows that a minimum of 23 km shortening has occurred since 1.9–1.5 Ma, yielding a shortening rate of 14 ± 2 mm/yr. Shortening has occurred at a rate of 6–16 mm/yr across the Dehra Dun reentrant. These data are similar to other published shortening rates and indicate that approximately 25% of the total India-Eurasia convergence at this longitude is accommodated within the Sub-Himalaya. Given continued convergence and the presence of overpressured wells in the Kangra reentrant, the region is likely at risk from moderate and/or great earthquakes in the future.
Alpha spectrometric evaluation of SRM-995 as a potential uranium/thorium double tracer system for age-dating uranium materials

Uranium-233 (t 1/2 ~ 1.59E5 years) is an artificial, fissile isotope of uranium that has significant importance in nuclear forensics. The isotope provides a unique signature in determining the origin and provenance of uranium-bearing materials and is valuable as a mass spectrometric tracer. Alpha spectrometry was employed in the critical evaluation of a 233U standard reference material (SRM-995) as a dual tracer system based on the in-growth of 229Th (t 1/2 ~ 7.34E3 years) for ~35 years following radiochemical purification. Preliminary investigations focused on the isotopic analysis of standards and unmodified fractions of SRM-995; all samples were separated and purified using a multi-column anion-exchange scheme. The 229Th/233U atom ratio for SRM-995 was found to be 1.598E−4 (±4.50 %) using recovery-corrected radiochemical methods. Using the Bateman equations and relevant half-lives, this ratio reflects a material that was purified ~36.8 years prior to this analysis. The calculated age is discussed in contrast with both the date of certification and the recorded date of last purification.
1990 Overview of GDM: Accomplishments of the Last Decade—Challenges for the Future

The First International Workshop-Conference on Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) was held in the fall of 1979 on the campus of Northwestern University Medical School. The purpose of that event was to examine the impact of mild disturbances of maternal metabolism on fetal development. The conference sought to “establish how such disturbances can be detected most effectively; whether all pregnant subjects should be examined for them; and whether positive identification justifies therapeutic attempts at rectification” (1). In his opening remarks, Norbert Freinkel (1) anticipated some of the issues that are of greatest importance more than a decade later. In particular, he stressed the public-health implications that would follow national and worldwide detection of GDM. Five years later, the Second International Workshop-Conference on GDM provided an opportunity for reappraisal of many of the same issues. The proceedings of each conference concluded with summary statements drafted by the participants (2,3). Both included the recommendation that all women (not known to have diabetes) should be screened for glucose intolerance during pregnancy by measurement of plasma glucose after an oral glucose challenge. The recommendations from the second conference formed the basis of a position statement on GDM that was adopted by the board of directors of the American Diabetes Association (4).
Application of bi-state magnetic material to automotive offset-coupled IPM starter/alternator machine

This paper investigates a new approach to designing high-speed interior permanent-magnet (IPM) synchronous machines using a bi-state soft magnetic material. The bi-state material can have its normally high magnetic permeability permanently reduced in localized regions to that of air by means of heat treatment. This new work significantly expands a previous investigation by considering offset-coupled IPM machines that make it possible to significantly increase the rotor speed while retaining all of the other specifications of the 6-kW starter/alternator application. Lumped-parameter models, Monte Carlo optimization, and both electromagnetic and structural finite-element analysis are used to develop new offset-coupled IPM machine designs with the new material at speeds of 40 000 r/min or higher. Results from this work demonstrate that the bi-state material offers a promising approach for designing high-speed IPM machines that offer weight and volume advantages compared to their lower speed counterparts at comparable system cost.
Studies on the mechanism of interferon action.

Interferon does not inactivate viruses or viral RNA. Virus growth is inhibited in interferon-treated cells, but apart from conferring resistance to virus growth, no other effect of interferon on cells has been definitely shown to take place. Interferon binds to cells even in the cold, but a period of incubation at 37°C is required for development of antiviral activity. Cytoplasmic uptake of interferon has not been unequivocally demonstrated. Studies with antimetabolites indicate that the antiviral action of interferon requires host RNA and protein synthesis. Experiments with 2-mercapto-1(s-4-pyridethyl) benzimidazole (MPB) suggest that an additional step is required between the binding and the synthesis of macromolecules. Interferon does not affect the adsorption, penetration, or uncoating of RNA or DNA viruses, but viral RNA synthesis is inhibited in cells infected with RNA viruses. The main action of interferon appears to be the inhibition of the translation of virus genetic information probably by inhibiting the initiation of virus protein synthesis.
Refractive analog for modeling electrostatic ion lenses

Electrostatic lenses are used extensively to control charged-particle beams. In a particular application to ion beam lithography for microelectronics fabrication, it was necessary to perform extensive calculations of the focal properties of cylindrically symmetric ion lenses. In this paper, the authors find that the imaging properties of cylindrical electrostatic ion lenses can be modeled accurately and efficiently by a series of refractive optical lenses. This is a key step toward the use of mature optical design tools for the design of systems that focus charged particles.
Mesoscale predictability of an extreme warm-season precipitation event

Abstract A mesoscale model is used to investigate the mesoscale predictability of an extreme precipitation event over central Texas on 29 June 2002 that lasted through 7 July 2002. Both the intrinsic and practical aspects of warm-season predictability, especially quantitative precipitation forecasts up to 36 h, were explored through experiments with various grid resolutions, initial and boundary conditions, physics parameterization schemes, and the addition of small-scale, small-amplitude random initial errors. It is found that the high-resolution convective-resolving simulations (with grid spacing down to 3.3 km) do not produce the best simulation or forecast. It was also found that both the realistic initial condition uncertainty and model errors can result in large forecast errors for this warm-season flooding event. Thus, practically, there is room to gain higher forecast accuracy through improving the initial analysis with better data assimilation techniques or enhanced observations, and through impr...
The MiRP2-Kv3.4 potassium channel: muscling in on Alzheimer's disease.

In this issue of Molecular Pharmacology (p. 665), Pannacione et al. provide evidence of a role for the voltage-gated potassium channel subunit Kv3.4 and its ancillary subunit MiRP2 in -amyloid (A) peptide-mediated neuronal death. The MiRP2Kv3.4 channel complex—previously found to be important in skeletal myocyte physiology—is now argued to be a molecular correlate of the transient outward potassium current up-regulated by A peptide, considered a significant step in the etiology of Alzheimer’s disease. The authors conclude that MiRP2 and Kv3.4 are up-regulated by A peptide in a nuclear factor B-dependent fashion at the transcriptional level, and the sea anemone toxin BDS-I is shown to protect against A peptidemediated cell death by specific blockade of Kv3.4-generated current. The findings lend weight to the premise that specific channels, such as MiRP2-Kv3.4, could hold promise as future therapeutic targets in Alzheimer’s disease and potentially other neurodegenerative disorders.
Maverick message: The legacy of the Creative Industries observatory

ABSTRACTThis article reviews the research objectives and contributions of the Creative Industries Observatory, based at the University of the Arts, London, from 2006 to 2009. As a government-sponsored project, the Observatory was designed to support the development of the creative and cultural sectors in the United Kingdom and to encourage relationships with creative organizations in key world markets, including China and India. This article describes how in its brief history the Observatory contributed to an understanding of the creative industries landscape, the relationship between different creative sectors and the real-world processes of creative practice. As such it enhanced the definitional and academic debates as well as informing policy-makers and practitioners.
The Structure and Function of the Endothelial Glycocalyx Layer

AbstractOver the past decade, since it was first observed in vivo, there has been an explosion in interest in the thin (∼500 nm), gel-like endothelial glycocalyx layer (EGL) that coats the luminal surface of blood vessels. In this review, we examine the mechanical and biochemical properties of the EGL and the latest studies on the interactions of this layer with red and white blood cells. This includes its deformation owing to fluid shear stress, its penetration by leukocyte microvilli, and its restorative response after the passage of a white cell in a tightly fitting capillary. We also examine recently discovered functions of the EGL in modulating the oncotic forces that regulate the exchange of water in microvessels and the role of the EGL in transducing fluid shear stress into the intracellular cytoskeleton of endothelial cells, in the initiation of intracellular signaling, and in the inflammatory response.
Advances in Bronchoscopic Procedures

Bronchoscopy is currently the most commonly employed invasive procedure in the practice of pulmonary medicine. Both the rigid and flexible bronchoscopes are used to diagnose and treat various pulmonary disorders. The main diagnostic indications include pulmonary involvement by neoplasms, infections, diffuse lung diseases, and airway problems. Bronchoscopic needle aspiration remains an underutilized technique in the staging of lung cancer. Newer techniques such as bronchoscopic ultrasound appear promising and may lead to improved diagnostic yield from bronchoscopic procedures. The bronchoscope is used in application of laser therapy, brachytherapy, electrocautery, cryotherapy, placement of airway stents, and balloon dilatation to relieve airway obstruction caused by malignant and benign airway lesions.
Design and Characterization of a Small-Scale Magnetorheological Damper for Tremor Suppression

This paper explores the design methodology and effectiveness of small-scale magnetorheological dampers (MRDs) in applications that require variable damping. Previously, applications of MRD have been chiefly limited to vehicle shock absorbers and seismic vibration attenuators. There has been recent biomedical interest in active-damping technology, however, particularly in the field of rehabilitation robotics. The topic at hand is the feasibility of developing MRDs that would be functionally and cosmetically adequate for actuation of an upper limb tremor suppression orthosis. A Bingham plastic model is used to determine MRD's functional characteristics, and experimental data are presented to validate the mathematical model. The feasibility of applying the developed small-scale MRDs to attenuation of tremorous motion is explored.
Probabilistic Low-Rank Subspace Clustering

In this paper, we consider the problem of clustering data points into low-dimensional subspaces in the presence of outliers. We pose the problem using a density estimation formulation with an associated generative model. Based on this probability model, we first develop an iterative expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm and then derive its global solution. In addition, we develop two Bayesian methods based on variational Bayesian (VB) approximation, which are capable of automatic dimensionality selection. While the first method is based on an alternating optimization scheme for all unknowns, the second method makes use of recent results in VB matrix factorization leading to fast and effective estimation. Both methods are extended to handle sparse outliers for robustness and can handle missing values. Experimental results suggest that proposed methods are very effective in subspace clustering and identifying outliers.
Treatment Strategy for a Multidrug-Resistant Klebsiella UTI

Objective: To describe the management strategy for a multidrug-resistant (MDR) Klebsiella urinary tract infection (UTI). Case Summary: A 69-year-old Caucasian woman with a past medical history of recurrent UTIs and a right-lung transplant presented with fever to 101.4°F, chills, malaise, and cloudy, foul-smelling urine for approximately 1 week. She was found to have a MDR Klebsiella UTI that was sensitive to tigecycline and cefepime. To further evaluate the degree of resistance Etest minimum inhibitory concentrations were requested for cefepime, amikacin, meropenem, and ertapenem. The patient received a 14-day course of amikacin, which resulted in resolution of her symptoms. One month later, the patient’s UTI symptoms returned. The urine culture again grew MDR Klebsiella, sensitive only to tigecycline. Fosfomycin was initiated and resulted in limited resolution of her symptoms. Colistin was started, however, therapy was discontinued on day 5 secondary to the development of acute kidney injury. Despite the...
Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair: How I do it

There remains no consensus on the operative management of Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAA). Our approach emphasizes operative expediency and simplicity (without circulatory assist techniques), avoiding anticoagulation and systemic hypothermia. The technique involves a fundamental clamp/sew method with specific adjuncts directed against the principle complications: epidural cooling (introduced in 1993) for spinal cord protection, regional renal hypothermia, and in-line mesenteric shunting to minimize visceral ischemia. In a cohort of over 200 TAA patients (50% Types I & II) treated during the past decade perioperative mortality has been 8% and paraparesis/paraplegia occured in 7%. These figures are halved for patients treated in elective circumstances.
Food Insecurity and the Burden of Health-Related Social Problems in an Urban Youth Population.

Abstract Purpose Our study objectives were to (1) determine the prevalence of food insecurity; (2) examine the association between presence and level of food insecurity with other health-related social problems; and (3) assess the predictive values of a two-item food insecurity screen in an urban youth population. Methods Patients aged 15–25 years completed a Web-based screening tool. Validated questions were used to identify problems in seven health-related social domains (food insecurity, health care access, education, housing, income insecurity, substance use, and intimate partner violence). Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests and logistic regression models controlled for age, sex, and race/ethnicity, assessed the association between food insecurity and health-related social problems. Predictive values of a two-item food insecurity screen compared with the United States Department of Agriculture Food Security Survey were calculated. Results Among 400 patients (mean age 18 years; 69.2% female; 54.6% black; 58.9% public insurance), 32.5% screened positive for food insecurity. Increasing food insecurity level was significantly associated with cumulative burden of social problems ( p Conclusions One-third of youth in sample experienced food insecurity, which was strongly associated with presence of other health-related social problems. The two-item screen effectively detected food insecurity. Food insecurity screening may lead to identification of other health-related social problems that when addressed early may improve adolescent health.
Effect of Whole Body Hyperthermia and BCNU on the Development of Radiation Myelitis in the Rat

SummaryA radiant heat device was used to study the interaction of 41·8°C whole body hyperthermia (WBH), radiation (40 Gy) and the lipophilic anti-neoplastic agent BCNU in the development of myelitis in the rat spinal cord. The addition of WBH and BCNU neither precipitated myelitis acutely nor shortened the latency before the onset of neurological signs in irradiated animals.
A Functional Comparison of Productivity in Even-Aged and Multiaged Stands: A Synthesis for Pinus ponderosa

The relative productivity of even-aged and uneven-aged or multiaged stands is a frequently debated topic in silviculture and forestry. Nearly all previous comparisons have been empirical growth studies, simulations of stand growth, or economic analyses based on differences in stem volume production. Both even-aged and multiaged systems are highly variable and the large number of variables and assumptions makes any comparisons difficult. In this review, a series of studies in ponderosa pine are synthesized to develop a more functional understanding of the relative stemwood productivity of these variable stand structures. Multiaged ponderosa pine stands were either as efficient or slightly more efficient at converting light energy to volume growth than even-aged stands. Even-aged stands appear to experience a higher level of mid-summer water stress than multiaged stands. This finding suggests reduced photosynthesis in even-aged stands and a possible cause for a slightly lower level of productivity in even-aged stands. However, differences in productivity are likely insignificant in comparison to the wide variations in even-aged and multiaged structures and differences caused by the operations necessary to maintain these structures. As ponderosa pine systems are primarily water-limited, these results may not apply to more light-limited systems. FOR .S CI. 52(3):290-303.
Structural and construct validity of the Leeds Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life scale

The Leeds Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life (LMSQOL) scale was designed as an 8-item, unidimensional disease-targeted measure of quality of life (QOL). This study (1) tested the unidimensionality of the LMSQOL using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and (2) examined the construct validity of scores based on a nomological network. The sample (N = 292) included persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) who were recruited from the Midwest region of the USA. Participants completed questionnaires that were delivered and returned using US Postal Service. We tested the fit of a single-factor model for the LMSQOL using CFA with the diagonally weighted least squares estimator in R. We examined the construct validity of the LMSQOL scores using Spearman rank-order correlations (r s) in SPSS. The single-factor model had a reasonable fit for the 8-item LMSQOL [χ 2 (20) = 83.19, p < .001, CFI = .97, SRMR = .07], but provided an excellent fit for a 7-item version of the LMSQOL [χ 2 (14) = 23.63, p > .05, CFI = .99, SRMR = .05]. LMSQOL scores demonstrated strong correlations with measures of psychological well-being (|r s| = .53–.74) and weak-to-moderate correlations with measures of physical functioning and disability (|r s| = .23–.57). The unidimensional model provides a good fit for the LMSQOL, and its scores provide a valid measure of QOL in MS.
Radical Otherness: Sociological and Theological Approaches

Isherwood and Harris have combined efforts to share the benefit of their respective fields of study as they offer a dialectical study of otherness. Isherwood is well known for her work in Christian...
Study of team building based on 3D game

v INTRODUCTION 1 BACKGROUND 2 Trust in Newly-Formed Teams 2 Team Building Exercises 4 Measurements in Team Performance 5 3D Virtual Game 6 METHODOLOGY 7 Research Objectives 7 Hypotheses 7 Team Building Exercise Based on Minecraft 7 Performance Task 10 Independent and Dependent Variables 10 RESULTS 11 Participants 11 3D-Game vs Free conversation 12 TLQ scores 12 Completion time 12 3D-Game vs Dialog Technique 13 TLQ scores 13 Completion time 14 DISCUSION 14 Limitations and Assumptions 14 Hypothesis One 15 Hypothesis Two 16 Hypothesis Three 16 CONCLUSION 17 FUTURE WORK 18 REFERENCE 20
Exploration and Research on the Movement of Magnus Glider

Through the establishment of theatrical model,we explained the causes for Magnus glide trajectory.The necessary conditions for the force of Magnus are provided according to the data analysis and the experimental verification.
Photodynamic therapy of cholangiocarcinoma cancer

Prognosis of nonresectable cholangiocarcinoma is not good, and in Bismuth type III and IV tumors relief of jaundice is seldom achieved, despite successful endoprosthesis insertion. Additional photodynamic therapy seems to be a promising new approach to these tumors. First pilot studies show relief of jaundice, mainly because of opening of the intrahepatic ducts and improvements in quality of life indices. Survival time seems to be long; however, randomized studies are necessary to confirm these results.
Effects of Methyl Substitution in Ruthenium Tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine Photocaging Groups for Nitriles.

Four complexes of the general formula [Ru(L)(CH3CN)2](PF6)2, [L = TPA (5), MeTPA (6), Me2TPA (7), and Me3TPA (8)] [TPA = tris[(pyridin-2-yl)methyl]amine, where methyl groups were introduced consecutively onto the 6-position of py donors of TPA, were prepared and characterized by various spectroscopic techniques and mass spectrometry. While 5 and 8 were isolated as single stereoisomers, 6 and 7 were isolated as mixtures of stereoisomers in 2:1 and 1.5:1 ratios, respectively. Steric effects on ground state stability and thermal and photochemical reactivities were studied for all four complexes using 1H NMR and electronic absorption spectroscopies and computational studies. These studies confirmed that the addition of steric bulk accelerates photochemical and thermal nitrile release.
A Compact, Wideband Lumped-Element Wilkinson Power Divider/Combiner Using Symmetric Inductors with Embedded Capacitors

A compact, wideband, and low loss multi-section lumped-element Wilkinson power divider/combiner (WPDC) is reported in this letter. The cascade of four $\lambda/16$ LC $\pi$ -networks for a $\lambda/4$ transformer of WPDC, realized by a symmetric inductor with an embedded capacitor technique, can achieve broadband operation and low insertion loss (IL) while saving Si die area. The measured results show a minimum IL of 0.45 dB at 10 GHz. In addition, the IL lower than 1 dB, the isolation (ISO) better than 10 dB, and return losses (RL) higher than 10 dB are satisfied from 5.2 GHz to 18.8 GHz, demonstrating the proposed scheme is applicable to wideband operation. The measured amplitude and phase error are within 0.06 dB and 1.0 degree from DC to 20 GHz, respectively. The core chip size is $0.32 \times 0.34\ \text{mm}^{2}$ . To the authors' best knowledge, the proposed WPDC shows the lowest IL and widest band operational capability for all published Si-based WPDCs, and thus proves useful for low-cost, highly-integrated phased array and wireless communications systems.
L’anastomosi intestinale

L’anastomosi intestinale ideale e quella che non perde, perche le perdite (leakage), benche siano relativamente rare, rappresentano un evento temuto e potenzialmente mortale (Cap. 45).
Massive Carbamazepine Poisoning

The clinical features in 28 consecutive adult cases of laboratory confirmed massive overdosage with CBZ alone treated in an intensive care unit during the period 1981-1991 are reported from Southern Hospital, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
Rabies vaccine response measurement is assay dependent.

Abstract Vaccine equivalency, booster administration, and animal import decisions are based in part on the level of rabies virus neutralizing antibody (RVNA) in serum. Serum neutralization (SN) is commonly used but other methods are employed. Studies have shown that although enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and SN results are correlated, exact comparison cannot be ensured. This study investigated the applicability of the recognized 0.5 IU/mL cut-off value between methods. Serum from rabies vaccinated subjects grouped by vaccine and vaccination regimen were collected on days 0, 14, 30, and 90 and tested by both SN and ELISA methods. At each time-point, the percentage of subjects producing anti-rabies antibodies above the cut-off as well as the individual results were compared. Similar vaccine equivalency conclusions were made using either method, however vaccination-regimen equivalency varied by test method used. The greatest difference in results between test methods was in samples collected at days 14 and 30. This is the first study comparing SN to ELISA results of samples covering a time-point range, allowing evaluation of rabies antibody response kinetics as defined by test method. SN methods and ELISA methods measure different antibody functions; thus the cut-off values should be independently determined, not extrapolated between different methods.
Power flow solution for multi-frequency AC and multi-terminal HVDC power systems

This paper addresses to a power flow solution for AC-DC power systems. The AC system consists of transmission lines operated at 60 Hz and at low frequencies while the DC system has multi-terminal connections. The paper shows power flow in such power systems can be obtained by using the existing unified approach for AC-DC systems and reflecting impedances of lines operating at low frequencies in AC grids to their equivalent impedances at the fundamental power frequency. The equivalent transmission lines in terms of power flow of those lines operated at low frequencies are first mathematically established. The conventional unified approach to solve power flow in AC-DC systems is then discussed with a modification to reduce the size of the Jacobian matrix. The method is then verified by analyzing the power flow solution of a multi-frequency AC and multi-terminal HVDC power system modeled in PSCAD/EMTDC.
Incipient Slip Detection and Recovery for Controllable Gecko-Inspired Adhesion

We present work on incipient slip sensing and recovery for controllable gecko-inspired adhesives. The approach is based on the relationship between changes in real contact area and maximum shear force. Using signals from an on-board tactile sensor, we detect the onset of adhesive failure and execute recovery behavior. Results show the system using tactile sensor feedback is able to achieve >92% of the peak adhesion performance achieved with a force plate and commercial load cell. Results are consistent over a variety of common smooth surfaces, with the system achieving repeatable force loading behavior independent of varying materials and surface conditions.
California and the American genocide debate

In 1998, at the time of the California Gold Rush sesquicentennial, Patricia Nelson Limerick, one of the founders of the new western (US) history, observed that: I would never use the word genocide ...