cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modification of disease progression in rats with inherited polycystic kidney disease

Abstract The most common inherited form of human polycystic kidney disease (PKD), autosomal dominant PKD (ADPKD), is a leading cause of chronic renal failure, but has a variable clinical presentation, with end-stage renal disease occurring in only 25% to 75%. Several findings are consistent with the idea that factors in addition to the primary mutation can affect the progression of cystic change and chronic renal failure in PKD. Epithelial cell proliferation is a central element in the pathogenesis of renal cysts. We postulated that the superimposition of a growth- promoting stimulus might promote more intense proliferation of cystic epithelial cells in inherited cystic disease. To study this, we subjected Han:SPRD rats, with a form of ADPKD that resembles human ADPKD, from 4 until 10 weeks of age to diets designed to promote tubule cell growth. The diets included supplemental NH 4 CI (280 mmol/ L in drinking water), limited dietary K + (0.016% of diet; control diet was 1.1% K + ), and increased dietary protein (50%; control diet was 23% protein). Treatments designed to promote cell growth caused more aggressive PKD in males and females, worsened azotemia in males, and resulted in azotemia in females (which normally develop PKD but not azotemia at the ages studied). NH 4 CI, K + restriction, and increased dietary protein each caused greater kidney enlargement in males (kidney weight/body weight ratios increased by 35%, 78%, and 105%, respectively) and worsened azotemia in males (serum urea nitrogen values increased by 63%, 514%, and 224%, respectively); in contrast, decreased dietary protein (4%) caused less severe PKD in males (kidney weight/body weight ratios decreased by 43%) and lessened azotemia in males (serum urea nitrogen values decreased by 49%). Similarly, NH 4 CI and K + restriction caused greater kidney enlargement in females (kidney weight/body weight ratios increased by 206% and 203%, respectively) and caused azotemia in females (serum urea nitrogen values increased by 177% and 430%, respectively). On the basis of these results, we conclude that growth-promoting stimuli can alter the expression of hereditary renal cystic disease. These findings demonstrate that the progression of hereditary renal cystic disease can be altered by factors in addition to the primary genetic defect.
Chicano Spanish: The Problem of the `Underdeveloped' Code in Bilingual Repertoires

Little research has been carried out on Mexican-American university students that focuses on the characteristics of the different levels and styles of language found in the repertoires of bilingual speakers or about the awareness that they may have about the existence of different registers or levels of language. This article explores one dimension of this issue by describing the characteristics of oral texts produced by second- and third-generation bilingual Chicano speakers when they were required to carry out a set of functions in only one of their available codes. The analysis focuses on the characteristics of planned, noninteractive spoken language produced in Spanish by university-level Chicano students in a classroom setting as compared with Spanish monolinguals of comparable age, education and social background. Results of the analysis suggest that although the bilingual students' lexical production appears to be “less rich” than that of their monolingual counterparts, both bilingual and monolingual subjects appear to use an “approximative” academic register that is still clearly in a state of development.
Social influences on the transition to injection drug use among young heroin sniffers: a qualitative analysis

Abstract Little attention has been placed on preventing transition from non-injection to injection drug use. The primary purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the spheres that influence young drug users' transition from heroin sniffing to injecting among a sample from Baltimore, MD, USA. Nineteen in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with young (ages 16–29) injection drug users who had begun injecting within the 3 years prior to being interviewed. Participants were primarily male. Average age and duration of injection was 24 and 15 months, respectively. There was a range of factors that influenced participants' drug use trajectories. These influences were: families; friends; sexual partners; the expense of sniffing compared with the perceived cost of injecting; and the endemic nature of injection in their local neighborhoods. Interventions need to adopt harm reduction approaches targeting heroin sniffers in an effort to prevent transition to injection. Although many began injecting due to the assumption that they would spend less money on drugs, the cost of injecting soon equaled or surpassed that of their sniffing habit. Such issues need to be addressed in prevention programs. Intervening upon social networks of young drug users represents one way to target the complex social environments that promote transitions into injecting.
Lift-off of a single particle in Newtonian and viscoelastic fluids by direct numerical simulation

In this paper we study the lift-off to equilibrium of a single circular particle in Newtonian and viscoelastic fluids by direct numerical simulation. A particle heavier than the fluid is driven forward on the bottom of a channel by a plane Poiseuille flow. After a certain critical Reynolds number, the particle rises from the wall to an equilibrium height at which the buoyant weight just balances the upward thrust from the hydrodynamic force. The aim of the calculation is the determination of the critical lift-off condition and the evolution of the height, velocity and angular velocity of the particle as a function of the pressure gradient and material and geometric parameters. The critical Reynolds number for lift-off is found to be larger for a heavier particle whereas it is lower for a particle in a viscoelastic fluid. A correlation for the critical shear Reynolds number for lift-off is obtained. The equilibrium height increases with the Reynolds number, the fluid elasticity and the slip angular velocity of the particle. Simulations of single particle lift-off at higher Reynolds numbers in a Newtonian fluid by Choi & Joseph (2001) but reported here show multiple steady states and hysteresis loops. This is shown here to be due to the presence of two turning points of the equilibrium solution.
Characterization of Ciprofloxacin Resistant Escherichia coli Isolates among Men Undergoing Evaluation for Transrectal Ultrasound Guided Prostate Biopsy

Purpose: We determine the prevalence of ciprofloxacin resistant gram-negative bacilli in patients scheduled for transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy, characterize the Escherichia coli strains recovered from this patient population, and characterize the mechanisms responsible for β-lactam and ciprofloxacin resistance.Materials and Methods: Rectal swabs from 991 patients were cultured for ciprofloxacin resistant gram-negative bacilli with a selective medium. Recovered E. coli isolates were further analyzed with susceptibility testing, pulsed field gel electrophoresis, plasmid isolation and sequencing.Results: A total of 193 ciprofloxacin resistant gram-negative bacilli were recovered and of these isolates 167 (87%) were E. coli. The prevalence of ciprofloxacin resistant E. coli in the study population was 17%. Only 38 (26%) of the 149 E. coli isolates that received susceptibility testing were susceptible to ampicillin and ampicillin-sulbactam. In select isolates transferrable plasmids carrying β-la...
Nursing: does it still eat its young, or have we progressed beyond this?

BACKGROUND. Nursing has endured a long-standing tradition of not supporting new staff, whether they are new graduates or seasoned professionals. AIMS. To reflect on the need for staff to support each other and develop camaraderie within the profession. MATERIALS AND METHODS. With the development of pairing new nurses with experienced nurses, the turnover rate tends to decrease. RESULTS. The turnover rate of nurses leaving the profession has shown a decrease. DISCUSSION. For the nursing profession to maintain the high standards that is has and continue to have the proper amount of staffing, we need to work as a team, not as individuals. CONCLUSION. Nursing now commands respect that is long overdue. We must all work together to provide the best possible environment in which to care for our customers both internal and external.
Leukotriene and prostaglandin sensitization of cutaneous high-threshold C- and A-delta mechanonociceptors in the hairy skin of rat hindlimbs

Single C- and A-delta fibers were isolated from dissected filaments of the saphenous nerve in pentobarbital anesthetized rats and the corresponding cutaneous receptive fields mapped with calibrated von Frey hairs. Nociceptors were characterized by their responses to noxious mechanical, thermal and chemical stimuli, including intradermal injections of leukotriene B4, prostaglandin E2, bradykinin and capsaicin. Leukotriene B4 decreased the mean mechanical threshold by a maximum of 80% within 10 min and for more than 3 h after intradermal injection of 75 ng of leukotriene B4. The degrees of sensitization of a fiber by leukotriene B4 and prostaglandin E2 were highly correlated. A potentiation effect also was observed, in that injection of prostaglandin E2 or leukotriene B4 1 h after the other eicosanoid further lowered the mechanical threshold of a sensitized fiber, whereas fibers that were not sensitized by leukotriene B4 were unaffected by prostaglandin E2. The sensitizing action of leukotriene B4 and prostaglandin E2 was directed to multiple classes of cutaneous nociceptors including 73% of C-polymodal, 60% of C-mechano-heat, 42% of C-mechano-cold nociceptors and 70% of A-delta high-threshold mechanonociceptors. The pain-evoking substances bradykinin and capsaicin activated 81% and 88%, respectively, of the sensitized C-polymodal nociceptors, 17% and 84% of the sensitized-C-mechano-heat nociceptors, 12% and 37% of the sensitized C-mechano-cold nociceptors, and 17% and none of the sensitized A-delta high-threshold mechanociceptors. The responses of C-fibers to bradykinin and capsaicin were highly correlated. All C-fibers that were activated by bradykinin were also activated by capsaicin, but only 65% of fibers activated by capsaicin were activated by bradykinin. Some C-fibers were unresponsive to prostaglandin E2 and leukotriene B4, but were activated by bradykinin and capsaicin and one A-delta high-threshold mechanonociceptor was activated by bradykinin but not sensitized by eicosanoids.
Tooth morphology and lower incisor alignment many years after orthodontic therapy

The dental models of seventy-seven orthodontically treated patients were evaluated to determine the contribution of lower incisor tooth dimensions to their alignment many years after treatment. Tooth dimensions included the maximum mesiodistal (MD) and faciolingual (FL) dimensions and the shape ratio represented by MD/FL. Incisor alignment was assessed by means of Little's irregularity index, and all measurements were recorded to the nearest 0.1 mm with modified dial calipers. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the total contribution of all these lower incisor dimensions accounted for only 7.4% of the variability in their alignment, which was not statistically significant. A similar lack of association between lower incisor tooth dimensions and their alignment was found in a sample of eighty-six adults with untreated malocclusions. It therefore appears that the size and shape of the lower incisors do not significantly contribute to their alignment many years after orthodontic treatment.
Three-Body Dynamics in Single Ionization of Atomic Hydrogen by 75 keV Proton Impact

We have measured and calculated doubly differential cross sections for ionization of atomic hydrogen using 75-keV proton impact for fixed projectile energy losses as a function of scattering angle.
Balsalazide: a novel 5-aminosalicylate prodrug for the treatment of active ulcerative colitis

Background: 5-Aminosalicylate (5-ASA) agents are the mainstay of oral therapy for ulcerative colitis (UC). Balsalazide, a prodrug of 5-ASA, has recently been approved for the treatment of UC. Objective: To summarize current data on balsalazide and to discuss its impact on management of UC. Methods: A systematic review of published literature was performed on PubMed using the search terms ‘Balsalazide’ and ‘Colazal™’. The Cochrane database was also reviewed. Results: Balsalzide, a 5-ASA prodrug, ulilizes azoreduction by colonic bacteria to achieve a sustained release of active 5-ASA throughout the colon. A recent clinical trial has demonstrated balsalazide 6.7 g/day to be superior to placebo in inducing remission in symptomatic UC. The drug is well tolerated with a safety profile comparable to other oral 5-ASA agents. The current data suggests that symptomatic remission occurs with both greater swiftness and greater frequency when compared with mesalamine. Conclusion: Balsalazide is approved for the treatm...
Effectiveness of Nursing Home Staff as Managers of Disruptive Behavior: Perceptions of Nursing Directors

Nursing directors of 899 geographically diverse skilled nursing facilities reported substantial limitations in the competence of staff at all levels in managing behaviorally disturbed patients and a broad-based need for improvements in skills. The authors propose an interdisciplinary team training model as an appropriate design for improving competence and promoting collaborative care.
Comment on calculation of oblique shock waves

M authors have pointed out the lack of simple relationships connecting the deflection angle d and the flow across a resulting oblique shock wave 1-3 Since most problems are specified by a deflection angle, it is necessary then to find the shock wave angle 6 corresponding to the flow conditions and the specified deflection The calculation of the fluid-property changes across the shock wave, knowing the wave angle, is a simple and straightforward problem 2 4 Recognizing the need for a procedure to obtain the wave angle in terms of the parameters specifying the problem, Thompson presented a cubic in sin0, which reduces to the folio wing:
Detection of a Sulfur Dioxide Signal in a Tree-Ring Record: a Case Study from Trail, British Columbia, Canada

Dendroecological analysis of tree-ring chronologies was used to determine radial growth responses of a western larch (Larix occidentalis Nutt.) stand to climate and ambient SO2 exposure. A unique, 32-year long record of ambient SO2 concentrations was exploited to estimate annual SO2 dose with a 0.25 ppm threshold. Tree-ring data were a subset from a previous study including three control sites and one polluted site that was near the location of the SO2 monitor. An autoregression model was employed in a stagewise procedure that first removed climate effects by autoregression on the average of the controls and then estimated a dose-response relationship by autoregression of the residuals from the first stage on SO2 exposure. Significant growth losses from air pollution were demonstrated that were approximately equal in magnitude to the variation explained by annual fluctuations of climate.
Passive optical target range finder

A system employing three acousto-optic cells and a small laser has been constructed which transforms a stereo image, provided by two identical cameras, into a range sensitive translation of an optical beam.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Computational and experimental study of standing methane edge flames in the two-dimensional axisymmetric counterflow geometry

Abstract The structure of steady methane/enriched-air edge flames established in an axisymmetric, laminar counterflow configuration was investigated computationally and experimentally. Computationally, the steady-state equations were solved implicitly in a modified vorticity–velocity formulation on a nonstaggered, nonuniform grid, with detailed chemistry and transport. Experimental boundary conditions were chosen to establish flames with a hole centered at the axis of symmetry, the location where the largest strain rate occurs, in order to investigate the structure of the edge flame established at the outer periphery of the hole. Experimentally, CO PLIF, OH PLIF, and an observable proportional to the forward reaction rate (RR) of the reaction CO + OH → CO 2 + H were measured. Particle image velocimetry (PIV) was used to characterize the velocity field in the proximity of the fuel and oxidizer nozzles and to provide detailed boundary conditions for the simulations. Qualitatively, the flow field can be partitioned into two zones: a nonreactive counterflow region bound by two recirculation zones attached at the exits of the inlet nozzles, which aid mixing of products and reactants upstream of the edge flame; and a reactive region, where a premixed edge flame provides the stabilization mechanism for a trailing diffusion flame. Comparisons between the experimental and the computational data yielded quantitative agreement for all measured quantities. Further, we investigated the structure of the computational edge flames. We identified the most significant heat-release reactions for each of the flame branches. Finally, we examined correlations among the propagation speed of the edge flame and curvature and mixture fraction gradient by varying the global strain rate of the flame.
ISOCOMP: Unified geometric and material composition for optimal topology design

In this paper, a unified strategy is developed to simultaneously insert inclusions or holes of regular shape as well as redistribute the material to effect optimal topologies of solids. We demonstrate the unified optimal design strategy through three possible choices of design variables: (1) purely geometrical, (2) purely material, and (3) geometrical-material. We couple the geometrical approach with the topological derivative of the objective function and a condition derived for optimally inserting an infinitesimal ellipsoidal heterogeneity (hole or inclusion) into the structure. The approximations of the geometry, material and behavioral fields are isoparametric (or "isogeometric") and are composed consistent with the Hierarchical Partition of Unity Field Compositions (HPFC) theory (Rayasam et al., Int J Numer Methods Eng 72(12):1452---1489, 2007). Specifically, analogous to the constructive solid geometry procedure of CAD, the complex material as well as the behavioral field is modeled hierarchically through a series of pair-wise compositions of primitive fields defined on the primitive geometrical domains. The geometrical, material and behavioral approximations are made using Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines (NURBS) basis functions. Thus, the proposed approach seamlessly unifies the explicit representation of boundary shapes with the implicit representations of boundaries arising out of material redistribution, and is termed ISOCOMP, or isoparametric compositions for topology optimization. The methodology is demonstrated first on a set of example problems that increase in complexity of design variable choice culminating in simultaneous optimization of hole location, hole shape and material distribution within the domain. This is followed by a detailed case study involving topology optimization of a bicycle "dropout."
Craniovertebral junction instability in adult patients with Down syndrome.

ohn Langdon Down first described the syndrome that bears his name in 1866. The genetic cause of Down syndrome was J elucidated in 1959 (14). It is now known that Down syndrome is caused by “extra genetic material from chromosome 21”—by trisomy 21 in 95% of cases, Robertsonian translocations in 3%e4%, or mosaicism in 1%e2% (25). In the 1960s, the association of craniovertebral instability and Down syndrome was recognized (26, 27). Dzenitis (8) described the first case of a symptomatic atlantoaxial subluxation in Down syndrome.
Familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (FHLH)

Clinical course and histopathologic features of a typical case of familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (FHLH) are presented. FHLH, initially known as familial hemophagocytic reticulosis (FHR), is rare and without proper treatment is invariably rapidly fatal, usually accompanied by fever, anorexia, vomiting, irritability and pallor. Sporadic examples with prolonged survival have been reported. Other significant findings include hepatosplenomegaly, progressive anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, hyperlipidemia and hypofibrinogenemia. Varying degrees of hemophagocytosis by widely disseminated histiocytes in different organs and structures is one hallmark of the disease. Hemophagocytosis may also occur in viral and bacterial infections and in certain malignant processes. Very high parental consanguinity in FHLH was mentioned in two relatively recent reports. A probable immunologic defect has been the focus of recent investigations. The genetic defect is believed to be transmitted as an autosomal recessive trait.
The Cl37 solar neutrino experiment and the solar helium abundance

The preliminary upper limit of 3 × 10−36 counts per second per Cl37 atom set by Davis, Harmer, and Hoffman in an experiment to detect solar neutrinos establishes a sensitive, nearly opacity independent, relationship between low energy nuclear cross section factors and an upper limit on the sun's initial helium abundance. Using currently quoted values for the relevant cross section factors and conventional assumptions regarding the sun's makeup, consistency between theoretical estimates for the counting rate and the Davis, Harmer, and Hoffman limit can be achieved only if the sun's initial helium abundance Y (He4 abundance by mass) is less than 16–20, surprisingly low when compared with values (Y = 25–30) which have previously been estimated for the sun and for other objects in the galaxy as well. A higher upper limit on the solar helium abundance is possible if one or more of the following is true: (1) One (or more) of the relevant nuclear cross section factors lies beyond commonly quoted limits; (2) One (or more) of the relevant neutrino absorption cross sections has been overestimated; (3) The sun did not condense out of a chemically homogeneous nebula and/or pass through a homogeneous phase; (4) The opacity near the solar center is such that the sun possesses a large convective core. (5) Spin-down or meridional currents mix or have mixed matter over the entire solar interior on a time scale short compared to the age of the sun; (6) The sun is considerably younger than 412 billion years; (7) There are large-scale magnetic fields in the sun with strength up to 109 gauss near the center; (8) The gravitational constant increases with time. A lower limit on Y in the neighborhood of 15–18 is set by the choice of 412 billion years for the sun's age. If, therefore, the eventual upper limit on the counting rate set by the Davis et al. experiment is reduced much below the preliminary limit, a clear discrepency with conventional theory will be established, regardless of external arguments for higher Y.
A clinical disability rating for Parkinson patients

Abstract A clinical rating scale for the motor aspects of Parkinson disability has been developed. This scale makes it possible to relate the functional disability of the patient with the variables of general mobility at rest, rigidity, contractures and deformities, and tremor. The interrelationship of the variables can also be studied. The scale permits quick comparison of the ratings of an individual patient with the composite ratings of a group of patients. Differences in laterality of function can be assessed. The importance of psychotropic drugs and methocarbamol in the control of tremor is supported by this scale. No statistical difference in the scores of the patients on high doses of anti-Parkinson medications as compared to low doses could be found. Pulmonary functions showed distinct correlations with the total score. Relationships with the individual variables of the score proved of greater importance in determining how pulmonary functions are affected by the Parkinsonian's disability.
Targeted Reinnervation for Improved Prosthetic Function

Target motor reinnervation can produce additional myoelectric control signals for improved powered prosthesis control. This reinnervation allows simultaneous operation of multiple functions in an externally powered prosthesis with physiologically appropriate pathways, and it provides more intuitive control than is possible with conventional myoelectric prostheses. Target sensory reinnervation has the potential to provide the sensory feed-back to the amputee that feels like it is in the missing limb. This concept has great potential for improving the function of people with upper limb amputations, especially for high-level amputations, in which the disability is greatest. It is hoped that future research will develop the technique further and build synergistically with other exciting research areas.
Reversible inhibition of ACTH-induced corticosteroid release by cycloheximide: evidence for an unidentified cellular messenger.

Cycloheximide produced a reversible blockade of corticosteroid release from the perfused cat adrenal gland when added after a brief exposure of ACTH, and delayed but did not prevent enhanced steroid release when it was added together with ACTH and then was withdrawn. During the development of the secretory response after the removal of cycloheximide, cyclic AMP levels were not enhanced. These experiments lend further support to the idea that cyclic AMP is not directly involved with regulating the secretory process, but that other factors, which may or may not be induced by cyclic AMP, are probably more directly implicated in triggering the physiologic response to ACTH. (Endocrinology 93: 575, 1973)
Occupancy and Patient Care Quality Benefits of Private Room Designs for Five Different Children’s Hospital Intensive Care Units – A Human Factors Evaluation

This report summarizes findings from a human factors evaluation of private patient room (PR) designs for five different types of intensive care units (ICUs) in a children’s hospital, after conversion from multi-bed designs. The objective was to ascertain if PR designs benefit occupancy and patient care quality on these units. Past research has documented quality benefits of PR designs with NICUs, but possible PR design benefits for the other unit types have not previously been documented. Staff comments, task activity analysis observations, and responses to ranking questions on an occupancy and patient care quality perceptual response survey, were collected. For most PR quality attributes, quality rankings by CVCC staff are consistently lower than those by staff on the other four units. Staff perceptions of quality levels for most PR quality attributes are about the same, or lower than, those for multi-bed designs. This latter finding is aligned with comments by unit staff targeting numerous quality defec...
Lagrangian Approaches to Storage of Spatio-Temporal Network Datasets

Given a spatio-temporal network (STN) and a set of STN operations, the goal of the Storing Spatio-Temporal Networks (SSTN) problem is to produce an efficient method of storing STN data that minimizes disk I/O costs for given STN operations. The SSTN problem is important for many societal applications, such as surface and air transportation management systems. The problem is NP hard, and is challenging due to an inherently large data volume and novel semantics (e.g., Lagrangian reference frame). Related works rely on orthogonal partitioning approaches (e.g., snapshot and longitudinal) and incur excessive I/O costs when performing common STN queries. Our preliminary work proposed a non-orthogonal partitioning approach in which we optimized the LGetOneSuccessor() operation that retrieves a single successor for a given node on STN. In this paper, we provide a method to optimize the LGetAllSuccessors() operation, which retrieves all successors for a given node on a STN. This new approach uses the concept of a Lagrangian Family Set (LFS) to model data access patterns for STN queries. Experimental results using real-world road and flight traffic datasets demonstrate that the proposed approach outperforms prior work for LGetAllSuccessors() computation workloads.
Extending the low-frequency range of GaAs F.E.T. broadband microwave amplifiers using microstrip transmission lines

A new microwave circuit technique is introduced to extend the frequency range of high-frequency GaAs m.e.s.f.e.t.s into the neighbourhood of 2 GHz so that wide-band amplifiers may be developed. The negative-feedback technique reduces |s11| sufficiently yet allows the other s-parameters to remain approximately the same, permitting the design of high-performance wide-band amplifiers. One such design is discussed.
Retrievals of low integrated water vapor using MIR and SSM/T-2 measurements

Satellite radiometric measurements at 150, 183.3/spl plusmn/3, and 183.3/spl plusmn/7 GHz have previously been used to retrieve integrated water vapor <1 g/cm/sup 2/ over Antarctica. The effects of the frequency dependence of surface emissivity and the variation of surface temperature on the retrieval, which have not been closely examined in the studies, are analyzed. Using four days of near-concurrent airborne and satellite radiometric measurements, it is shown that the previously derived retrieval algorithm could overestimate or underestimate integrated water vapor by up to 0.1 g/cm/sup 2/, depending on whether the surface emissivity increases or decreases with frequency. The average of the absolute value of the bias for each flight case studied is /spl les/0.04g/cm/sup 2/. Additionally, surface skin temperature is shown to vary substantially over a range from 240-270 K during these four days of measurements; the corresponding effect on the retrieval of integrated water vapor is comparable to that due to frequency dependence on surface emissivity. The quantitative correction needed for this effect is dependent upon the magnitude of integrated water vapor. At high values of integrated water vapor of 0.6-0.8 g/cm/sup 2/, the corrections are as large as 0.1 g/cm/sup 2/ for changes of surface temperature of /spl plusmn/10 K. A simple procedure is implemented to correct for this error, which significantly improves the retrieval. Correction for the frequency dependence of surface emissivity is nontrivial when using currently available satellite measurements; in order to properly correct this effect, an additional channel of measurements, e.g., at 220 GHz, is required.
An explant model for the investigation of skin adaptation to mechanical stress

A test apparatus was developed to investigate the effects of mechanical stress application on collagen remodeling in skin. The system maintained a 4.5-cm /spl times/ 5.5-cm skin explant at an air interface with controlled temperature, relative humidity (RH), and carbon dioxide concentration [CO/sub 2/] while allowing controlled compressive and shear forces to be applied to the skin surface. For environmental control, a custom-designed flow system under proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control was used. Evaluation tests demonstrated that the system maintained air above the explant at a temperature within 1/spl deg/C of the 37.5/spl deg/C set point, RH within 5% of the user-specified set point (range of 5% to 95%), and [CO/sub 2/] within 1% of the 5% [CO/sub 2/] set point. Least-squares errors in cyclic compressive and shear forces (0- to 20-Hz bandwidth) delivered to the explant were 0.9% and 2.8%, respectively, of user-specified values. Pig skin samples cyclically stressed for 1 hr/day for 3 days with either compressive force only or a combined compressive and shear force had significantly smaller collagen fibril densities compared with an unstressed control, a result consistent with in vivo test data. Collagen fibril diameters were significantly larger for stressed versus control for some of the samples, but the changes were not as substantial as from previous in vivo testing . This result may have been due to the shorter study duration in vitro (3 d versus 20 d in vivo). The system allows insight into the mechanisms of skin adaptation to mechanical stress to be investigated on a cellular and molecular level, potentially leading to therapies to encourage adaptation in at-risk patients.
The topological theory of defects in ordered media

Aspects of the theory of homotopy groups are described in a mathematical style closer to that of condensed matter physics than that of topology. The aim is to make more readily accessible to physicists the recent applications of homotopy theory to the study of defects in ordered media. Although many physical examples are woven into the development of the subject, the focus is on mathematical pedagogy rather than on a systematic review of applications.
Serial dobutamine stress echocardiography with Doppler assessment of the left internal thoracic artery graft after minimally invasive bypass for a patient with an orthotopic heart transplant

Select patients who have undergone orthotopic heart transplantation with proximal left anterior disease may be candidates for minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass surgery. Combining left internal thoracic artery transthoracic Doppler flow assessment with wall motion assessment during dobutamine stress echocardiography adds to the utility of this test by focusing attention on the graft's status as well as detecting ischemia due to cardiac allograft vasculopathy.
Si ­ SiO2 Interface Passivation Using Hydrogen and Deuterium Implantation

Hydrogen/deuterium was implanted in (100) silicon to passivate dangling bonds at the Si/SiO 2 interface when a thin oxide is grown on implanted silicon substrate. It was observed that implantation energy and dose influence the interface passivation. Measured interface states at the Si/SiO 2 interface suggest an isotope effect where deuterium implanted devices yielded better interface passivation compared to that of hydrogen implanted devices. Diffusion of implanted hydrogen and deuterium to the interface is affected by the implantation damage.
Use of Modal Flexibility for Damage Detection and Condition Assessment: Case Studies and Demonstrations on Large Structures

Displacement coefficients and profiles are presented as promising kernel condition and damage indices along with real-life examples. It is shown that dynamic tests, which do not require stationary reference measurement locations, can also be used to generate data for the computation of modal flexibility. Modal flexibility can then be employed to obtain the displacement profiles. It is also shown that the modal flexibility can be obtained from the frequency response function measurements of the structures. Problems such as environmental effects on measured data and limitations such as incomplete dynamic measurements, spatial and temporal truncation effects are commonly faced in damage detection and condition assessment of real structures. Possible approaches to mitigate these obstacles are discussed. The level of variation and the uncertainty that may be expected when displacement coefficients are extracted from real civil infrastructure systems are also presented. The methods are demonstrated on two real-life bridges and the findings are validated by independent test results.
The Security of the Cipher Block Chaining Message Authentication Code

Let F be some block cipher (eg., DES) with block length l. The cipher block chaining message authentication code (CBC MAC) specifies that an m-block message x=x1?xm be authenticated among parties who share a secret key a for the block cipher by tagging x with a prefix of ym, where y0=0l and yi=Fa(mi?yi?1) for i=1, 2, ?, m. This method is a pervasively used international and U.S. standard. We provide its first formal justification, showing the following general lemma: cipher block chaining a pseudorandom function yields a pseudorandom function. Underlying our results is a technical lemma of independent interest, bounding the success probability of a computationally unbounded adversary in distinguishing between a random ml-bit to l-bit function and the CBC MAC of a random l-bit to l-bit function.
Data bus swizzling in TSV-based three-dimensional integrated circuits

The purpose of this paper is to efficiently exploit swizzling in reducing coupling noise between the bit lines of a TSV-based data bus in three-dimensional integrated circuits. The core concept of swizzling is to distribute the noise of an aggressor to all victims, rather than concentrating on the nearest victim. Based on this principle, an optimal swizzling pattern, which achieves an equal distribution of the coupling impedance, is proposed. The efficiency of this optimal pattern is demonstrated through comparison to no swizzling and two other swizzling patterns while considering different TSV diameters, aspect ratios, pitches, and transition times of the aggressor signal. A circuit model of a TSV-based 3-D data bus is evaluated in HSPICE with each TSV modeled as an RLC impedance. A maximum reduction of 51% in peak coupling noise is achieved.
Error analysis in a uniform asymptotic expansion for the generalised exponential integral

Uniform asymptotic expansions are derived for the generalised exponential integral Ep(z), where both p and z are complex. These are derived by examining the differential equation satisfied by Ep(z), an equation which possesses a double turning point at z/p = −1. The expansions, which involve the complementary error function, together approximate Ep(z) as ¦p¦ → ∞, uniformly for all non-zero complex z satisfying 0 ⩽ arg(z/p) ⩽ 2π. The error terms associated with the truncated expansions are shown to be solutions of inhomogeneous differential equations, and from these explicit and realistic bounds are derived. By employing the Maximum-Modulus Theorem the bounds are then simplified to make them more conducive to numerical evaluation.
Statically checkable pattern abstractions

Pattern abstractions increase the expressiveness of pattern matthing, enabling the programmer to describe a broader class of regular forests with patterns. Furthermore, pattern abstractions support code reuse and code factoring, features that facilitate maintenance and evolution of code. Past research on pattern abstractions has generally ignored the aspect of compile-time checks for exhaustiveness and redundancy. In this paper we propose a class of expressive patterns that admits these compile-time checks.
Fast path-based neural branch prediction

Microarchitectural prediction based on neural learning has received increasing attention in recent years. However, neural prediction remains impractical because its superior accuracy over conventional predictors is not enough to offset the cost imposed by its high latency. We present a new neural branch predictor that solves the problem from both directions: it is both more accurate and much faster than previous neural predictors. Our predictor improves accuracy by combining path and pattern history to overcome limitations inherent to previous predictors. It also has much lower latency than previous neural predictors. The result is a predictor with accuracy for superior to conventional predictors but with latency comparable to predictors from industrial designs. Our simulations show that a path-based neural predictor improves the instructions-per-cycle (IPC) rate of an aggressively clocked microarchitecture by 16% over the original perceptron predictor.
NCBI GEO: archive for high-throughput functional genomic data

The Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) at the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) is the largest public repository for high-throughput gene expression data. Additionally, GEO hosts other categories of high-throughput functional genomic data, including those that examine genome copy number variations, chromatin structure, methylation status and transcription factor binding. These data are generated by the research community using high-throughput technologies like microarrays and, more recently, next-generation sequencing. The database has a flexible infrastructure that can capture fully annotated raw and processed data, enabling compliance with major community-derived scientific reporting standards such as ‘Minimum Information About a Microarray Experiment’ (MIAME). In addition to serving as a centralized data storage hub, GEO offers many tools and features that allow users to effectively explore, analyze and download expression data from both gene-centric and experiment-centric perspectives. This article summarizes the GEO repository structure, content and operating procedures, as well as recently introduced data mining features. GEO is freely accessible at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/.
Coaching To Win: A Systematic Approach To Achieving Productivity Through Coaching

The strategic business plan for any organization is very specific regarding sales force objectives and activities. Therefore, those responsible for the human capital of the sales function must be prepared to work directly with their sales employees, in an effort to meet management agreed upon goals, to gain market share, and to continuously improve overall performance. Over the years, the task of managing sales employees has been varied and undefined. Managing has been referred to as “the art of getting things done through people.” For decades, experts have included planning, organizing, staffing, influencing or commanding, and controlling as the systematic way of making things happen. Recently, this commanding function has been dropped in preference to leading. It has been proven that coaching is more effective than the old approach of using fear and intimidation to achieve sales management objectives. This paper focuses on the need for these sales supervisors/managers to change their previously used tactics and embrace a new, proactive approach of “Coaching” their sales employees. This new approach is described in detail below and will help unlock the mysteries of becoming a viable and proactive sales supervisor. It will also give supervisors the tools needed to meet the needs of management and create a more productive, independent sales force. “Coaching” is becoming the leading preference for supervisors and managers, because it is proving to be more effective than previous used conventional methods. Coaching is the art of continually assessing and developing sales people, so they can be empowered to do their jobs well! Often, the conventional methods included command functioning tactics of fear and intimidation to motivate sales personnel. By using the “Coaching” approach, supervisors and managers have more control of their sales staff and of achieving their management goals. By developing a coaching relationship, which includes encouragement, listening, counseling, providing positive feedback, being supportive, resourcefulness, thinking with the future in mind, and modeling, these supervisors can give rise to a foundation where sales employees will be energized, aligned, and collectively mobilized to achieve and sustain customer satisfaction and trust. In so doing, sales employees will also be empowered to meet management’s strategic goals.
Locking down insecure indirection with hardware-based control-data isolation

Arbitrary code injection pervades as a central issue in computer security where attackers seek to exploit the software attack surface. A key component in many exploits today is the successful execution of a control-flow attack. Control-Data Isolation (CDI) has emerged as a work which eliminates the root cause of contemporary control-flow attacks: indirect control flow instructions. These instructions are replaced by direct control flow edges dictated by the programmer and encoded into the application by the compiler. By subtracting the root cause of control-flow attack, Control-Data Isolation sidesteps the vulnerabilities and restrictive threat models adopted by other solutions in this space (e.g., Control-Flow Integrity). The CDI approach, while eliminating contemporary control-flow attacks, introduces non-trivial overheads to validate indirect targets at runtime. In this work we introduce novel architectural support to accelerate the execution of CDI-compliant code. Through the addition of an edge cache, we are able to cache legal indirect target edges and eliminate nearly all execution overhead for indirection-free applications. We demonstrate that through memoization of compiler-confirmed control flow transitions, overheads are reduced from 19% to 0.5% on average for Control-Data Isolated applications. Additionally, we show that the edge cache can efficiently provide the double-duty of predicting multi-way branch targets, thus providing even speedups for some CDI-compliant executions, compared to an architecture with unsophisticated indirect control prediction (e.g., BTB).
Cutaneous metastasis of breast adenoid cystic carcinoma to the scalp

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a tumor that can be of primary cutaneous origin or secondary to metastatic disease, most commonly salivary origin. Aside from primary cutaneous and salivary types, ACC of the breast is a rare, more indolent variant. Cutaneous metastases secondary to breast ACC is exceedingly uncommon and not previously reported to our knowledge. We present the case of a 67-year-old woman who developed cutaneous metastasis from primary breast ACC.
Micro-analytical Perspectives on the Bishop Tuff and its Magma Chamber

New in situ major and trace element analytical data are presented for crystals (sanidine, plagioclase, biotite, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene) and matrix glasses from juvenile materials representing the full Bishop Tuff sequence from the earliest fall unit (F1) to the latest ignimbrite package (Ig2Nc). These data are combined with published information to investigate the nature and zonation of the pre-eruptive Bishop magma chamber. Our data confirm that this magma chamber was a single unitary body that was thermally and compositionally zoned. The zonation was largely established prior to the growth of crystals, and also prior to mixing in the lower parts of the chamber induced by late-stage intrusion of a magma of contrasting composition and slightly higher temperature (the ‘bright-rim’ magma). Sparse mixed swirly and dacitic pumices show enrichments in Ba, Sr and Ti that identify these pumices as possible representatives of the ‘bright-rim’ magma. A model (revised from previously published work) for the pre-eruptive magma chamber comprises three main parts: (1) an upper, volumetrically dominant (∼2/3), relatively unzoned region that was the source of the earlier, eastern-erupted ignimbrite units and their coeval fall units; (2) a volumetrically minor transition zone that shows evidence for minor degrees of mixing and was the dominant source for the latest, eastern-erupted part of Ig1Eb (Sherwin subunit) and the earlier part of the northern-erupted ignimbrite (Ig 2Na); (3) a lower, volumetrically subordinate (∼1/3) region that was affected by mixing with the ‘bright-rim’ invasive magma in the lead-up to the eruption, and fed later northern-erupted units. Ingress of the ‘bright-rim’ magma introduced orthopyroxene and bright-rimmed zircon crystals, and induced partial resorption then overgrowth of rims enriched in Ti, Sr and Ba on sanidine and quartz, and development of zoning in clinopyroxene. Based on pumice proportions and associated crystal and glass chemistries through the eruptive sequence, we infer that the roof and floor of the magma chamber were stepped down to the north, such that the transition zone magma formed the floor of the southern part of the melt-dominant chamber and the roof of the northern part. Our data reinforce the previous concept of a single compositionally and thermally zoned Bishop magma chamber and additionally support a temporally constrained role for pre-eruptive magma mixing and the introduction of melts and minerals with contrasting compositions to the resident Bishop magma.