cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mathematical optimization of procedures for cryoprotectant equilibration using a toxicity cost function

Cryopreservation nearly universally depends on the equilibration of cells and tissues with high concentrations of permeating chemicals known as cryoprotective agents, or CPAs. Despite their protective properties, CPAs can cause damage as a result of osmotically-driven cell volume changes, as well as chemical toxicity. In this study, we have used previously published data to determine a toxicity cost function, a quantity that represents the cumulative damage caused by toxicity. We then used this cost function to define and numerically solve the optimal control problem for CPA equilibration, using human oocytes as representative cell type with high clinical relevance. The resulting toxicity-optimal procedures are predicted to yield significantly less toxicity than conventional stepwise procedures. In particular, our results show that toxicity is minimized during CPA addition by inducing the cell to swell to its maximum tolerable volume and then loading it with CPA while in the swollen state. This counterintuitive result is considerably different from the conventional stepwise strategy, which involves exposure to successively higher CPA concentrations in order to avoid excessive shrinkage. The procedures identified in the present study have the potential to significantly reduce damage due to toxicity and warrant further investigation.
Transfusion Related Acute Lung Injury (TRALI) after Plasma Exchange in Myasthenic Crisis

Background Transfusion-Related Acute Lung Injury (TRALI) is an uncommon but potentially fatal reaction that is both temporally and mechanistically related to receiving allogenic blood components. Although many patients with neurological disease receive plasma exchange, TRALI in a patient receiving plasma exchange for a neurological disease has not been previously reported.
Altered diaphragm function modifies neonatal lung growth: Biologic morphometric assessment

Abstract Thoracic volume relationships supported by the diaphragm are important mechanical components of neonatal lung growth. Alterations modify regional lung growth. We used stereologic morphometry to study effects of altered diaphragm function on alveolar growth in neonatal pigs. Nine piglets (1 mo) were divided into three groups: unilateral phrenectomy, noncompliant patch replacement of diaphragm, and sham. Seven days later lungs were fixed in situ with 2.5% glutaraldehyde by airway installation at 20 cm H 2 O. Five 1-mm cubes were cut from lung corresponding to epex/RUQ(A), base/RLQ(B), apex/LUQ(C), and base/LLQ(D) and prepared for light microscopy (n = 25/quad/animal). Stereologic morphometry involved point counting for air volume density and point intersect to determine the surface area density of the alveolar spaces. Results were analyzed for variance and by Tukey range testing. Variance of air volume % between groups-quadrants B, C, D had decreased air volume % in phrenectomy group compared with patch and sham group ( P P P
3D nonlinear MHD calculations using implicit and explicit time integration schemes

Abstract A computer code (KITE) that solves a reduced set of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations with diamagnetic and thermal force effects included has been constructed. It can use two different time integration schemes. A mostly-explicit time integration scheme is shown to be efficient for the nonlinear phase of tearing mode turbulence where numerical stability demands a small timestep. However, for linear calculations, or nonlinear ones in which the level of turbulence is low, a mostly-implicit approach is seen to be more efficient. The two numerical schemes yield the same solutions. Nonlinear MHD calculations in which the solutions are represented by a finite Fourier series allow one to study the dependence of the nonlinear solution on its permitted harmonic content. It is seen that for the 3-dimensional (3D), nonlinear, tearing mode disruption problem, the refinement of the solution by the addition of more modes leads to further destabilization. This contrasts to the rippling mode problem, in which the addition of modes is stabilizing. For the latter, a finite number of modes yields a converged solution that is a saturated state. This contrasting behavior reflects the basic physical mechanism of the nonlinear interaction in each case and not the particular numerical scheme used for the calculations.
Initiation and Maintenance of Latent Herpes Simplex Virus Infections: The Paradox of Perpetual Immobility and Continuous Movement

During the acute phase of infection, herpes simplex virus (HSV) is taken up by nerve endings and travels, probably as a noninfectious nucleocapsid, toward the neurons of sensory ganglia. Infectious virus can be detected in ganglia for a limited period, after which the virus enters into a latent phase. It appears that synthesis of deoxyribonucleic acid is not required and that an early viral protein and at least one additional late virus gene product are involved in the establishment of latency. The distinction between a "static" and a "dynamic" form of latency depends on the ability to detect viral activities in neurons and on whether these observed activities are expressed continuously or intermittently. The development of recurrent lesions following virus reactivation is an occasional event and is controlled by inducing agents and the state of the organism. The maintenance of latency depends on the number of neurons that become latently infected after the primary episode, the number of neurons in which reactivation takes place, the fate of the neuron after virus reactivation, and the possibility of renewed neuronal infections after each recurrent episode. Exogenous reinfections may also contribute to the maintenance of latency since they can lead to latent infections in nearby or distantly located sensory ganglia. Multiple latent infections may result also from a single primary infection by dissemination of the virus to distantly located ganglia.
A method for determination of subpicomole concentrations of tetrahydropapaveroline in rat brain by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection.

Abstract A sensitive and selective method for detection of tetrahydropapaveroline (THP) in rat brain has been developed. The procedure employs a multiple-stage separation scheme that selectively isolates THP from rat brain tissue and utilizes the sensitivity and resolution of reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection to provide an analysis with high specificity for THP. The mean (±SD) recovery of THP from rat brain homogenates, fortified at levels ranging from 0.25 to 3.0 pmol per whole brain, was 43.4 ± 3.5%. The concentration of THP in brains of rats pretreated with l -dopa was 0.44 ± 0.14 (SD) pmol per gram. The limit of detection of THP was approximately 0.1 pmol (0.03 ng) per gram brain.
Ultrahigh 22-nm resolution EUV coherent diffraction imaging using a tabletop 13-nm high harmonic source

We implement coherent diffractive imaging (CDI) using a phase-matched high-harmonic generation (HHG) source at 13 nm, demonstrating reconstructed images with a record 22 nm resolution for any tabletop, light-based microscope. We also demonstrate the first reflection-mode CDI using a compact extreme ultraviolet (EUV) source, achieving ≈100 nm resolution. A clear path towards even higher spatial resolution reflection-mode tabletop imaging using apertured-illumination schemes will be discussed.
Critical-current-free-energy relations in high-Tc superconductors.

Free-energy surfaces of a series of Fe-doped YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7{minus}{delta}} have been measured in order to look for a relation between the free energy per unit length of a vortex and the intragranular critical current density. Data for grain-aligned samples with the magnetic field parallel to the {ital c} axis show that Fe additions lead to large changes in the thermodynamic variables measured in the reversible region of the {ital H}-{ital T} plane and correspondingly large changes in the critical current density measured in the irreversible range. Both the free energy per unit length for the vortices and the critical current density fall exponentially with Fe concentration and are roughly proportional to one another.
Microbial populations, activities and carbon metabolism in slow sand filters

The bacterial population distributions and activities in municipal slow sand filters from three separate facilities using different management practices were evaluated to better understand factors influencing bacterial population distributions and metabolism of dissolved aquatic organic matter (AOM). Source waters and filter effluents were evaluated for direct and viable bacterial counts as well as AOM apparent molecular weight (AMW) distributions. Filter media were evaluated for direct and viable counts, biomass (as protein), extractable Fe and Mn, tetrazolium dye respiratory activity and [14C]benzoate mineralization. For a given facility, population distributions were examined from cores within a filter, from cores between different filters and from cores from the same filter during different seasons. There was remarkably little difference in distributions for a given facility. There were marked differences between facilities. Two of the plants that practice conventional cleaning techniques (Springfield, Mass. and New Haven, Conn.) showed typically high populations and biomass in the schmutzdecke and sharply declining populations and biomass with depth. Strong intercorrelations between acriflavine direct cell counts (AFDC), specific plate counts, biomass as Folin-reactive material (FRM) and extractable Fe and Mn were seen with depth in filter cores. The plant that practices wet harrowing as a cleaning technique (West Hartford, Conn.) showed schmutzdecke-like high populations and biomass down to the depth of harrowing (30 cm). The reduction of tetrazolium chloride as a measure of respiratory electron transport and the ability to mineralize [14C]benzoate was significantly greater (P < 0.05) in West Hartford samples; up to 14% of the schmutzdecke direct counts reduced tetrazolium and mineralization rates up to 35 ng/ml/h (rate constants of 0.65 d−1) were observed. Removal of the <0.5 k AMW fraction of the AOM was particularly pronounced at the West Hartford facility, corroborating the observed metabolism of benzoate and suggesting that smaller molecular weight AOM is supporting growth in the filters. Harrowing therefore maintains high levels of acclimated and metabolically active biomass in the slow sand filters.
The Practice of Management: Reflections on Peter F. Drucker's landmark book

The article presents a review of the book “The Practice of Management,” by Peter F. Drucker.
Comparative study of active and passive sensing with AE and PWAS transducers

Monitoring of fatigue cracking in bridges using a combined passive and active scheme has been approached by the authors. Passive Acoustic Emission (AE) monitoring has shown to be able to detect crack growth behavior by picking up the stress waves resulting from the breathing of cracks while active ultrasonic pulsing can quantitatively assess structural integrity by sensing out an interrogating pulse and receive the structural reflections from the discontinuity. In this paper, we present a comparative study of active and passive sensing with two types of transducers: (a) AE transducers, and (b) embeddable piezoelectric wafer active sensors (PWAS). The study was performed experimentally on steel plates. Both pristine and damaged (notched) conditions were considered. For active sensing, pitchcatch configuration was examined in which one transducer was the transmitter and another transducer acted as the receiver. The ping signal was generated by the AE hardware/software package AEwin. For passive sensing, 0.5-mm lead breaks were executed both on top and on the edge of the plate. The comparative nature of the study was achieved by having the AE and PWAS transducers placed on the same location but on the opposite sides of the plate. The paper presents the main findings of this study in terms of (a) signal strength; (b) signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio; (c) waveform clarity; (d) waveform Fourier spectrum contents and bandwidth; (e) capability to detect and localize AE source; (f) capability to detect and localize damage. The paper performs a critical discussion of the two sensing methodologies, conventional AE transducers vs. PWAS transducers.
LASER RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY OF PRECIPITATES: APPLICATIONS IN CATALYSIS

Precipitates are important precursors in the preparation of catalysts, pigments, fillers, and other metal oxides and sulfides. Despite the extensive investigations of these colloidal systems, the mechanism of precipitate formation and particle growth remains unclear. The processes involved during precipitation are complex and are sensitive to many environmental factors. The solutions of the metal salts used in the precipitation also may be complex, particularly for mutli-valent ions. Precipitate solutions are extremely difficult to characterize in situ with most spectroscopic techniques. The use of Raman spectroscopy is highly advantageous since precipitates may be examined in aqueous solution without interference from the presence of water. A series of bismuth molybdate selective oxidation catalysts were characterized during preparation using in situ Raman spectroscopy. Spectra were recorded during the precipitation and aging of stoichiometric γ-Bi2MoO6 and Bi2Mo3O12 catalysts. The formation of these pha...
Low rates of complications for carotid artery stenting are associated with a high clinician volume of carotid artery stenting and aortic endografting but not with a high volume of percutaneous coronary interventions

Objective Prior studies have demonstrated improved clinical outcomes for surgeons with a high-volume experience with certain open vascular operations. A high-volume experience with carotid artery stenting (CAS) improves clinical outcomes. Moreover, it is not known whether experience with other endovascular procedures, including percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs), is an adequate substitute for experience with CAS. The goal of this study was to quantify the effect of increasing clinician volume of CAS, endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), and thoracic endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (TEVAR), and PCI on the outcomes for CAS. Methods The Nationwide Inpatient Sample was analyzed to identify patients undergoing CAS for the years 2005 to 2009. Clinicians were stratified into tertiles of low-volume, medium-volume, and high-volume groups by annual volume of CAS, EVAR/TEVAR, and PCI. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to examine the relationship between clinician volume and a composite outcome of the in-hospital stroke and death rate after CAS. Results Between 2005 and 2009, 56,374 elective CAS procedures were performed nationwide, with a crude in-hospital stroke and death rate of 3.22%. A median of nine CAS procedures (interquartile range, 3-20) were performed annually per clinician. As expected, stroke and death rates for CAS decreased with increasing volume of CAS performed by a clinician (low-volume vs medium-volume vs high-volume: 4.43% vs 2.89% vs 2.27%; P = .0001). Similar patterns were noted between clinicians' volume of EVAR/TEVAR (low-volume vs medium-volume vs high-volume: 4.58% vs 3.18% vs 2.16%; P = .0023). In contrast, increasing PCI volume was not associated with decreased stroke and death rates after CAS (low-volume vs medium-volume vs high-volume: 2.99% vs 3.18% vs 3.55%; P = .35). After adjusting for patient and hospital characteristics, clinician volume of CAS (odds ratio [OR], 0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.74-0.94; P = .003) and EVAR/TEVAR (OR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.75-0.97; P = .020) remained significant predictors of stroke and death after CAS, whereas increasing clinician volume of PCI was associated with significantly increasing likelihood of stroke or death after CAS (OR, 1.025; 95% CI, 1.004-1.047; P = .019). Conclusions The stroke and death rate for CAS to treat carotid stenosis is inversely affected by the number of CAS and EVAR/TEVAR procedures performed by a clinician. In contrast, a high-volume experience with PCI is not associated with improved outcomes after CAS.
Atypical neuronal ceroidlipofuscinosis

We describe the clinical, pathologic, and ultrastructural findings in a case of juvenile onset neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis without visual symptoms or retinal abnormalities. The histochemical and ultrastructural characteristics of the neuronal lipopigment were similar to those in typical cases of neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis. Atypical neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis may be distinguished histochemically, ultrastructurally, and clinically from another disorder called juvenile dystonic lipidosis, with which it has been confused.
Augmentative releases of a parasitoid (Metaphycus sp. nr. flavus) against citricola scale (Coccus pseudomagnoliarum) on oranges in the San Joaquin Valley of California

Abstract Augmentative release trials with Metaphycus sp. nr. flavus (Howard), an encyrtid parasitoid of citricola scale, Coccus pseudomagnoliarum (Kuwana), were conducted in two orange groves in the southern San Joaquin Valley of California. Between mid-February and early May 1998, over 4000 female parasitoids were released per experimental tree. Control trees, where no parasitoids were released, were at least eight trees (45 m) distant from release trees. Samples taken between 18 April and 20 May indicated that levels of live citricola scales on release trees were significantly reduced on twigs, greater numbers of female M . sp. nr. flavus were recovered from scales, and the fraction of scales parasitized by Metaphycus spp. was significantly higher. These data support the hypothesis that parasitism by the released wasps suppressed the scale population. By mid-May, more M. helvolus (Compere) were recovered from control than from release trees, suggesting that released M . sp. nr. flavus had depleted the scales available to M. helvolus . Additionally, in May, more male Coccophagus lycimnia (Walker) were recovered from release trees. C. lycimnia produces male offspring by heterospecifically or conspecifically hyperparasitizing parasitoids of citricola scale. The implications of these results for developing augmentative parasitoid release strategies against citricola scale in California citrus are discussed.
Minimizing randomness in minimum spanning tree, parallel connectivity, and set maxima algorithms

There are several fundamental problems for which there are optimal randomized algorithms, but whose deterministic complexity remains unresolved. Among such problems are the minimum spanning tree problem, the set maxima problem, the problem of computing connected components and (minimum) spanning trees in parallel and the problem of performing sensitivity analysis on shortest path trees and minimum spanning trees. For each of these problems there is an optimal randomized algorithm which uses a linear number of random bits. We propose new algorithms (or adapt old ones) for these problems which preserve optimality while saving an exponential number of random bits. In the case of computing minimum spanning trees and MST/SSSP sensitivity analysis, we reduce the dependence on randomness to log* n random bits.We also consider the problem of selection, for which we give two algorithms which make an expected 1.5n + o(n) comparisons; one uses O(log n) random bits and is uniform, the other uses O(log log n) random bits and is non-uniform.
Structural and Dielectric Investigation of the PbTiO3‐BaZrO3 System

Thermal expansion measurements, dielectric measurements, and X-ray diffraction studies were made of the PbTiO3-BaZrO3 system. A dielectric constant maximum of 11,300 was found at the Curie temperature for the Pb0.80-Ba0.20Ti0.80Zr0.20O3 composition. The transition from a ferroelectric tetragonal phase to a para-electric cubic phase for the 10, 20, and 30 mole % BaZrO3 in PbTiO3 compositions was of first order. X-ray diffraction determination of the lattice parameters (25°C) showed that this tetragonal-to-cubic phase transition occurred at a composition of 44 mole % BaZrO3.
Tau missing-decay-mode problem and limits on a second tau neutrino.

This paper quantitatively considers the hypothesis that the tau missing-mode problem might be explained by the existence of a second and massive tau neutrino, with mass less than the tau mass. I find that the tau missing-mode problem cannot be explained when the hypothesis is formulated according to conventional weak-interaction concepts.
Characterization of molybdenum-platinum catalysts supported on γ-alumina by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Abstract X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) has been used to investigate the reduction of MoO3 and MoO3 + PtO2 supported on γ-Al2O3. Hydrogen reduction of MoO 3 γ -Al 2 O 3 at 500 °C produced a mixture of Mo(VI), Mo(V), and Mo(IV). Hydrogen reduction of dispersed MoO3 + PtO2 on γ-Al2O3 showed a similar partial reduction of the Mo(VI) to Mo(V) and Mo(IV) but at significantly lower temperatures than was the case with the supported MoO3 alone. The extent of the reduction of Mo(VI) increased with the amount of PtO2 in the samples.
The Role of Genetic and Environmental Factors in Cardiovascular Disease in African Americans

Considerable interest has been focused over the years on estimating the relative importance of genetic and environmental factors on differences in rates of cardiovascular disease in blacks and whites. However, recent advances in molecular science have helped to illuminate the underlying complexity of this problem. Attempts to impute the genetic component from "what was left over" after control for a limited set of environmental exposures is increasingly recognized as naive. The requirements for a model that could account for interactions between genetic and environmental factors far exceeds the precision of our measurements. Although it is obvious that blacks experience not only unique environmental exposures, such as white racism, but more intense exposure to common factors, such as obesity, current methods make it very difficult to summarize these effects. Simpler models, using data from large samples, could provide greater precision and might illuminate the exposure-outcome relationships common to all groups. Meanwhile, efforts to identify genetic underpinnings of complex disorders will have to reach a much higher level of development before useful conclusions can be reached about the magnitude and variation of effects between racial and ethnic groups.
Direct Palladium-Catalyzed Ortho-Arylation of Benzylamines

Unsubstituted benzylamines and N-methylbenzylamine can be ortho-arylated under palladium catalysis at 130 °C. The reactions require the presence of trifluoroacetic acid and silver acetate.
Effects of Local Habitat Characteristics and Landscape Context on Grassland Butterfly Diversity

Recent ecological studies suggest that the landscape context of native habitat remnants may signif- icantly influence plant and animal abundance and distribution within those remnants. Other research has revealed a weak link between landscape context and native community composition. To understand the rela- tive importance of local and regional habitat characteristics for grassland butterflies, we assessed butterfly community diversity in four types of grassland habitats surrounded by varying amounts of urban develop- ment near Boulder, Colorado (U.S.A.). We recorded butterfly species abundance and composition in 66 grass- land study plots on five sampling dates in 1999 and 2000. Grasslands were of four types: native shortgrass, native mixed grass, native tallgrass, and planted hayfields. Grasslands also varied in quality, determined by the abundance of native versus exotic plant species. We observed highly significant effects of grassland type on butterfly species richness and composition. For example, tallgrass plots supported significantly higher but- terfly species richness than shortgrass plots ( p � 0.01). Habitat quality also affected butterfly species richness and composition. Low-quality plots generally supported fewer species than moderate- or high-quality plots ( p � 0.05). Landscape context—the percentage of urbanization in the surrounding landscape—did not sig- nificantly predict butterfly species richness or composition. Our observations suggest that for the grassland butterfly communities in our study, (1) grassland type was the primary determinant of species richness and composition, (2) habitat quality secondarily affected butterfly community diversity, and (3) landscape con- text did not significantly predict butterfly species composition. Our findings emphasize the importance of maintaining high-quality grassland habitat to protect native butterfly diversity.
Scattering-theoretic method for defects in semiconductors. I. Tight-binding description of vacancies in Si, Ge, and GaAs

A technique for an accurate and efficient calculation of point-defect-induced changes in the electronic structure of an otherwise perfect crystal is described. It is based on the Green's-function method introduced by Koster and Slater and developed further by Callaway and coworkers, and achieves its efficiency and convenience by avoiding the use of Wannier functions. The efficiency and accuracy of the method is exhibited by calculating the states of a widely studied model system, namely, the ideal vacancy in covalent solids, using semiempirical, but realistic, host energy-band structures. Results for the vacancy in Si, Ge, and GaAs compare favorably with those obtained previously. In addition, a wealth of new information is obtained. It is argued that the present method is the most efficient technique available for the study of deep-level impurities and defects in semiconductors---the efficiency stemming from an exploitation of both the short-range nature of the defect potential and the translational symmetry of the host crystal.
Effect of stress amplitude and stress duration on twinning and phase transformations in shock-loaded and cold-rolled 304 stainless steel

Abstract The residual microstructure of 304 stainless steel has been examined by transmission electron microscopy following shock loading to pressures of 150, 250 and 350 kbar at a constant pulse duration of 2 μsec, and 0.5, 1.0 and 6.0 μsec at a constant pressure of 250 kbar. These observations were compared with those for the same material cold-rolled to reductions in thickness of 15, 30 and 35%. Deformation twins were observed in all deformed samples. The twin volume densities increased for increasing shock pressure at constant pulse duration, and for constant pressure for pulse durations of up to 2 μsec α′-martensite was observed as trace microstructure at 2 μsec (250 kbar) while at 6 μsec the volume percent of α′-martensite was observed to be roughly 5%. α′-Martensite in the cold-rolled samples was observed to increase steadily in volume percent with increasing reduction by rolling. Residual microhardness was also observed to increase steadily with increased reduction by rolling, while residual microhardness increased with pulse-duration at 250 kbar of up to 1μsec, then decreased to a hardness plateau between 2 and 6 μsec. The residual deformation twin structure in all samples is shown to consist of fault bundles composed of a varying composition of stacking faults, ϵ-phase and twins, with a small contribution of ϵ-phase in shock-loaded microstructures, except at 6 μsec (250 kbar). The results confirm the formation of α′-martensite within these fault bundles and at intersecting twin faults in both the shock-loaded and cold-rolled 304 stainless steel.
Use of the CO2 laser in soft tissue dental surgery

The use of the carbon dioxide laser for the removal of soft tissue lesions in the oral cavity is presented. The laser was used to remove numerous benign lesions and growths, for incisional and excisional biopsies, and for the removal of microinvasive and macroinvasive carcinomas. Owing to its coagulation properties, the laser was used effectively in treating patients with oral lesions compounded by blood dyscrasias. Because of the advantages of a relatively bloodless surgery; decreased postoperative discomfort; minimal swelling and scarring; and the laser's ability to coagulate, vaporize, or cut, the CO2 surgical laser offers the dental surgeon a viable and in many cases an improved alternative to the scalpel. Laser techniques and several case reports are discussed.
A computer analysis of electrochemical impedance data

Abstract CIRFIT, a computer analysis of electrochemical impedance data, minimizes the sum of squares of the radial difference between observed and calculated impedance data presented in either the complex impedance or admittance plane. CIRFIT requires no assumptions of ideal capacitive frequency response for the double layer in order to extract the values of solution resistance and polarization resistance that are important to corrosion rate analysis. Examples are presented of the use of CIRFIT for the analysis of corroding iron in tapwater and for model pit electrodes that have two time constants in 0.5 M NaCl.
Flow visualization of steady streaming in oscillatory flow through a bifurcating tube

A steady streaming displacement of fluid elements is observed to occur during oscillatory flow through a Y-shaped tube bifurcation model at Womersley and Reynolds numbers that can exist in the human bronchial tree. The cause of the displacement is the effect of the asymmetric geometry on the oscillating velocity vector field. The steady streaming displacement is greatest for fluid elements that experience the highest velocity through the bifurcation junction. The maximum displacement observed increases with Re and a up to a Re of about 100 and a of about 5, after which a levelling off and gradual decline occur. Photographs of low-Re and low-a: cxpcrimcnts show the effects of secondary components of the steady-streaming displacement field which contribute to a complex circulation.
Treatment and prevention of sudden cardiac death: Effect of recent clinical trials

Tremendous strides have been made in recent years in the treatment and prevention of sudden cardiac death. Large scale trials have now established several interventions that may improve survival in patients susceptible to sudden cardiac death. In patients who have had a sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmia, the current therapy of choice is an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. For prophylaxis of sudden cardiac death in patients without a previous event, several approaches should be considered. β-Adrenergic blocking agents are an effective pharmacologic therapy in patients following myocardial infarction, and their efficacy has also most recently been demonstrated in patients with congestive heart failure. There is no Vaughan Williams class I or III antiarrhythmic drug that has demonstrated efficacy as a prophylactic agent to reduce mortality in these populations, with the possible exception of amiodarone. The best therapeutic approach for prophylactic therapy to prevent sudden cardiac death appears to be the implantable cardioverter defibrillator; however, its use can be justified only in patients at high risk for developing sudden cardiac death. Further work is needed to identify the high risk populations in which this therapy is warranted.
Sex-Related Attitudes toward Humor among High-School and College Students

This exploratory study describes comparisons of high-school and college men and women regarding attitudes toward the “importance” of humor in their lives. 45 high-school students and 33 college students volunteered to complete Vitulli's Humor Rating Scale. This Likert-type scale has 12 items dealing with varying opinions regarding the importance of humor for men and women. Four subscales measured general humor appreciation, male-oriented humor, female-oriented humor, and differentiation of humor by sex, respectively. Results from a 2 × 2 × 4 factorial (mixed) design yielded a significant difference between high-school and college groups. Scheffe tests of multiple comparisons gave significant differences between high-school males and college males regarding male-oriented humor and between high-school males and high-school females regarding male-oriented humor. There were no significant differences between college males and college females regarding male- or female-oriented humor. These data are explained i...
Enhancement of 6-thioinosine-5′-monophosphate synthesis in solid L1210 lymphocytic leukemia cells by prior exposure to 6-mercaptopurine

Abstract A 4-fold enhancement of 6-thioinosine-5′-monophosphate synthesis by solid L1210 tumors in BDF 1 mice occurs after the third hourly i.v. dose of 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) over that resulting from a single dose. Two prior doses of 6-MP also cause a 3-fold enhancement of 6-MP uptake and the enhanced synthesis of 6-thioxan-thosine-5′-monophosphate
EM field and circuit co-simulation in automobile EMC prediction

This article introduces a hybrid method to accurately predict EMC performance in automobile manufacture. By combining EM field and circuit simulation strength in a seamless flow, the automobile engineer can model the real EMC phenomenon across different scales, from onboard electronic component radiation to car body shielding effect.
Fresh Cut Flowers and Exploitation

AbstractOur lives are filled with goods, from food to clothes to cars and everything in between. We purchase almost everything we use on a daily basis. Everywhere one turns there is talk of globalization and capitalism. These forces are significant factors in the daily lives of people all over the world. The availability of fresh cut flowers in the United States, Canada, and Europe is intimately tied to exploitation of workers in the third world. In this article I look at two case studies on different hemispheres, Colombia and Kenya, and show the exploitation of workers, especially women and children.
Production of extracellular enzymes and cytotoxicity by Vibrio vulnificus

Thirty-three strains of Vibrio vulnificus of clinical and environmental origin were examined for production of 12 extracellular enzymes of potential importance to the virulence of this bacterium. Strains of Vibrio vulnificus were consistent in their production of protease, mucinase, lipase, chondroitinase, hyaluronidase, DNase, sulfatase, and hemolysin. No differences between clinical and environmental isolates were noted. Although none of the enzymes appeared to correlate with the ability of these strains to produce lethality in mice, the production of hemolysin and of a protease with activity against native serum albumin may be significant in the pathogenesis of the potentially fatal infections produced by this organism. The production of several of these exoenzymes also appeared to correlate with pathogenicity in the seven other Vibrio species examined. Culture filtrates of all virulent strains of Vibrio vulnificus were cytotoxic for Chinese hamster ovary cells, whereas those of the strains of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio alginolyticus examined lacked this activity.
Radiologic evaluation of extracranial to sylvian middle cerebral artery bypass

At this institution a new procedure has been developed that involves anastomosing one of the branches of the superficial temporal artery to one of the major trunks of the middle cerebral artery in the Sylvian fissure. This procedure has been performed in 22 cases to date. Clinical indications for this procedure have fallen into four major categories. This new type of anastomosis produces greater bypass flow than conventional cortical middle cerebral artery anastomoses, and may be a better therapeutic alternative in certain clinical situations. The preoperative and postoperative angiographic evaluation of these patients is discussed. The radiologic results in this series of patients are reviewed.
Landau Damping and Resonant Energy Absorption

A physical interpretation of the Landau damping is given based on the Vlasov equations. It is shown that Landau's discussion and Kidal's calculation of resonant energy absorption are equivalent. It is also found possible to compare the analysis based on the Vlasov equations to Dawson's intuitive formulation.
Assessment of Flood Losses in the United States

Private property insurance data on losses resulting from floods in the U.S. during 1972-2006 provide useful new measures of flood losses across the nation, as well as variations over this 35-year period, for floods labeled as catastrophes–531 events causing $1 million or more in losses. Assessment of the flood loss data reveals four types of damaging floods: hurricane-related floods, snow-melt floods, floods associated with major convective storms, and flood-only events. The regional aspects of flood events and their losses as well as temporal patterns were assessed. Planning for and responding to floods requires quality measures of losses created by past floods (Changnon 1999). Unfortunately, much of the flood loss data and information readily available have been based on estimates of losses. Quantified long-term loss data created by assessors who measured each damaged entity have not been available. Existing measures of flood losses include estimates of damages to facilities or crops plus information in news media reports and in government agency calculations of response costs. These sources collectively serve as an approximation of actual flood losses (Pielke 2000). Insurance loss data from the private sector is a more accurate measure of flood losses (National Research Council 1999), but it has not been accessible until provided for this study. The government-operated National Flood Insurance Program does not have long-term data and is not as extensive coverage as the private sector data. Since 1972, the property insurance industry has systematically collected data on major weather-caused loss events, ones they labeled as “catastrophes” (Property Claims Services 2007). These were losses of $1 million or more per event, and each listed the causative weather conditions such as floods, hail, tornadoes, heavy snow, icing, and hurricanes. The catastrophe loss data from 1972-2006 were used to analyze four types of damaging floods: events caused solely by floods; events caused by snow-melt floods; flood losses from hurricanes; and floods associated with major convective storms including those that also produced tornadoes, hail, and high winds. The values are based on losses to insured property, which includes vehicles, buildings, and other structures, and they represent 90 percent of all storm-produced property losses (Roth 1996, Changnon and Hewings 2001). This assessment addresses the magnitudes of flood losses, flood loss locations within the nation, and the temporal distributions of flood losses. Flood incidences and losses were assessed for each flood type and for all flood catastrophes.
Prediction of mechanical gear mesh efficiency of hypoid gear pairs

This study proposes a new spiral bevel and hypoid gear mechanical efficiency model for both face-milling and face-hobbing type cutting methods. The proposed efficiency model combines a computationally efficient contact model and a mixed elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) based surface traction model to predict friction power losses. The employed contact model simulates the cutting process to compute all required geometric parameters of the contacting surfaces. It computes the unloaded contact positions between the tooth surfaces utilizing an ease-off approach and estimates the tooth compliance using a shell model. It also computes pressure distribution and rolling and sliding velocities. The EHL traction model considers typical ranges of the key contact parameters governed by hypoid gear applications, including Hertzian pressure, contact radii, surface speeds, lubricant temperature and surface roughness amplitude of hypoid type of gears, covering a wide range of conditions from full-film to boundary lubrication regime. At the end, the efficiency model is applied to two face-hobbed examples with similar overall dimensions, but different shaft offsets to investigate the influences of key operating and design parameters on the mechanical gear mesh power losses.
Comparative file I/O methods in APL2

This paper will discuss the state of file I/O in APL2. The intent is to educate the readers on the options open to them so that they can choose the file I/O method most suitable for their needs.Topics will include evolution of file I/O over the years, current status on a platform-by-platform basis, mainframe to workstation migration issues, suitability of the different methods available for various tasks, and performance notes.
Influence of scientific worldviews on attitudes toward organ transplants: national survey data from the United States.

Context—Public acceptance of routine medical procedures is nearly universal, but controversy over dramatic or invasive procedures like transplants is common.Objectives—To assess the distributions and organization of public opinion on organ transplant and to discover the magnitude of the direct and indirect impacts of religion, scientific knowledge, and acceptance of evolution on individuals' support for organ transplant.Participants—A representative sample (N=2069) of the US adult, English-speaking population in 2009.Intervention—Participants were administered the International Social Science Survey/USA 2009.Results—Organ transplants were warmly endorsed by most Americans in 2009, as earlier, but support is not universal. Confirmatory factor analysis shows that Americans' opinions on heart, kidney, and pancreas transplants all reflect the same underlying attitude toward major organ transplants. Structural equation modeling shows that scientific knowledge is the most important influence on these attitudes,...
Preferences of Orange-winged Amazon parrots (Amazona amazonica) for cage enrichment devices.

Abstract Cage enrichment devices (ED), frequently termed cage "toys," are often provided to captive parrots as a means of promoting a behaviorally stimulating environment, but it is not clear whether particular properties of EDs are more effective than others in eliciting engagement with them. We tested preference for color, size and hardness of cube-shaped EDs constructed from wood and of color preference for EDs constructed from flat rawhide rectangles. Orange-winged Amazon parrots ( Amazona amazonica ; N =8–10, mixed-sex, 4–5 years of age) were individually housed in cages each equipped with two computer-monitored omni-directional lever-type switches attached to cage ceilings. EDs were attached to the switches; any interactions generating lateral movement and causing switch closure (operationally constituting "use" of EDs) were continuously recorded. Preference for 3.8cm 3 softwood (Douglas fir) cubes dyed in eight different colors was tested by presenting each bird with all combinations of colors, two colors at a time. Daily switch activity averages were computed for each bird and subjected to repeated-measures ANOVA: yellow cubes elicited greater use than red, green, blue, violet or natural cubes ( P P 3 ; the smallest blocks were preferred over the largest size ( P 3 yellow cubes and blue cubes made of either Douglas fir ("soft") or birch/maple ("hard") wood; birds preferred softer cubes ( P
PORPLE: An Extensible Optimizer for Portable Data Placement on GPU

GPU is often equipped with complex memory systems, including global memory, texture memory, shared memory, constant memory, and various levels of cache. Where to place the data is important for the performance of a GPU program. However, the decision is difficult for a programmer to make because of architecture complexity and the sensitivity of suitable data placements to input and architecture changes.This paper presents PORPLE, a portable data placement engine that enables a new way to solve the data placement problem. PORPLE consists of a mini specification language, a source-to-source compiler, and a runtime data placer. The language allows an easy description of a memory system; the compiler transforms a GPU program into a form amenable to runtime profiling and data placement; the placer, based on the memory description and data access patterns, identifies on the fly appropriate placement schemes for data and places them accordingly. PORPLE is distinctive in being adaptive to program inputs and architecture changes, being transparent to programmers (in most cases), and being extensible to new memory architectures. Our experiments on three types of GPU systems show that PORPLE is able to consistently find optimal or near-optimal placement despite the large differences among GPU architectures and program inputs, yielding up to 2.08X (1.59X on average) speedups on a set of regular and irregular GPU benchmarks.
Novel X-ray sources and systems using gated electron emitters

Novel X-ray sources and applications may be achieved with a combination of gateable electron micro-sources and tailored electron targets. A simple, broad area X-ray source can be constructed in a biplanar geometry, one side consisting of a low atomic number, X-ray transmissive substrate with an array of emitters, and the other side a simple metallic target. The simple metallic target can be replaced with a composite target in which different areas of the surface are coated with different X-ray emitting metals. The resulting X-ray spectrum will be the composite of spectra of all the irradiated metals. The spectrum is selected with sets of separately gated field emitter arrays, each registered to a respective anode metal. Low voltage electronics control the gate array selections. With the further addition of electron focusing within the tube and an external X-ray detector, the device becomes capable of imaging the composition of the electron target. By augmenting the device with a sample handling capability, whereby the sample is put in the location of the target, this instrument then becomes capable of X-ray compositional analysis in a manner analogous to an electron microprobe or SEM with EDX attachments. Such instruments can be miniaturized and used for automated analysis systems. The potential for low power, automated analysis by small, unmanned, distributed systems could augment the capabilities already present with high power laboratory instrumentation. An important technical issue on which the practicality of these developments depends, is the robustness of gated field emitter sources. Recent progress in this area is described.
Antegrade ureteral catheterization prior to complicated ureteral surgery

Ureteral surgery in a region of previous injury or inflammation is sometimes unsuccessful due to difficulties in dissecting the ureter without injuring it. Placing a catheter into the ureter can facilitate such surgery. In 2 such cases antegrade ureteral catheterization following percutaneous nephrostomy was used to facilitate surgery. In both cases retrograde ureteral catheterization was impossible.
The Dilemma of Ethics in Engineering Education

This paper briefly summarizes current thinking in engineering ethics education, argues that much of that ethical instruction runs the risk of being only superficially effective, and explores some of the underlying systemic barriers within academia that contribute to this result. This is not to criticize or discourage efforts to improve ethics instruction. Rather it is to point to some more fundamental problems that still must be addressed in order to realize the full potential of enhanced ethics instruction. Issues discussed will include: intellectual engagement versus emotional engagement; the gravitational pull of curricular structures; the nature of engineering faculty; and the “engineer-ization” of ethics.