cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stability of circumferential through-cracks in ductile pipes

Abstract An analysis of tearing instability is presented for a pipe with a circumferential through-crack. Loading conditions consisting of a large external axial force and a bending moment, together with an internal pressure, have been considered. The mechanical behavior of the material is assumed to be elastic perfectly-plastic. Instability has been studied under fixed grip conditions, following the application of loads which correspond to the plastic limit load of the cracked cross-section. The values of the applied tearing modulus have been expressed in terms of geometrical factors such as pipe length, pipe radius, and the length of the crack. Numerical examples have been calculated to obtain an estimate of the critical value of the length-to-radius ratio, for the case that the tearing modulus of the material is known.
On the Design of Low-Power Front-End Receiver Circuits for Broadband Optical Free-Space Links

Optical wireless technology is emerging as a key broadband access technology for short-range, broadband wireless applications, offering several advantages over conventional RF systems in terms of connection speed, power efficiency, low transceiver complexity, networking security, and unregulated bandwidths in the THz range. This paper reviews design aspects of low-power, front-end optical wireless receiver circuits and presents a low-noise front-end preamplifier circuit implementing self-biased, automatic gain control and capable of integration with wide field of view detectors necessary for broadband optical wireless applications. The preamplifier is implemented in a low-cost commodity CMOS technology. For a gain variation of 38 dB to 50 dB, the front-end maintains a stable response and minimum 3 dB bandwidth of 345 MHz with a 6 pF photodiode capacitance. The input-referred noise is 12.5 pA/radicHz at 350 MHz.
Implications of CoGeNT and DAMA for Light WIMP Dark Matter

In this paper, we study the recent excess of low energy events observed by the CoGeNT Collaboration, and discuss the possibility that these events originate from the elastic scattering of a light (${m}_{\mathrm{DM}}\ensuremath{\sim}5--10\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{GeV}$) weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP). We find that such a dark matter candidate may also be capable of generating the annual modulation reported by DAMA, without conflicting with the null results from other experiments, such as XENON10. The regions implied by CoGeNT and DAMA are also near those required to produce the two observed CDMS events. A dark matter interpretation of the CoGeNT and DAMA observations favors a region of parameter space that is especially attractive within the context of asymmetric dark matter models. In such models, the cosmological dark matter density arises from the baryon asymmetry of the Universe, naturally leading to the expectation that ${m}_{\mathrm{DM}}\ensuremath{\sim}1--10\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{GeV}$. We also discuss neutralino dark matter from extended supersymmetric frameworks, such as the next-to-minimal supersymmetric standard model. Lastly, we explore the implications of such a dark matter candidate for indirect searches, and find very encouraging prospects for experiments attempting to detect neutrino or gamma ray annihilation products.
Inpatient Health Care Utilization in the United States Among Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults With Nephrotic Syndrome

Background Data describing inpatient health care utilization in children with nephrotic syndrome and related severe complications are limited. Our goals were to describe the charges, length of stay (LOS), and number of hospitalizations among children, adolescents, and young adults with nephrotic syndrome. Study Design A cross-sectional analysis of the Kids' Inpatient Database (KID) database from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP). The HCUP-KID is an all-payer database of hospital discharges for children, adolescents, and young adults in the United States compiled every 3 years by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Setting & Participants HCUP-KID data were obtained for the 2006 and 2009 cohort years. We identified patients by searching discharges for nephrotic syndrome International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis codes. Predictor Patient demographics, disease complications in children, adolescents, and young adults hospitalized with nephrotic syndrome. Outcome Number of hospitalizations, mean charges, and LOS for children, adolescents, and young adults hospitalized with nephrotic syndrome. Results There were 6,308 hospitalization discharges in children, adolescents, and young adults with a primary or secondary diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome reported by 38 and 44 states in 2006 and 2009, respectively, representing an estimated 9,934 discharges nationally. Nephrotic syndrome resulted in an estimated 48,700 inpatient days and charges totaling $259 million. The mean charge per hospitalization was ∼$26,500 (SE, $1,100) and LOS was 5 days (SE, 0.1). 16% of discharges for nephrotic syndrome had a diagnosis code for at least one severe complication, including thromboembolism (3.6%), septicemia (3.8%), peritonitis (2.6%), pneumonia (5.4%), or diabetes (2.4%). Multivariable analysis showed age 15 years or older, race, higher socioeconomic status, acute renal failure, thromboembolic disease, hypertension, and infections predicted higher mean hospitalization charges. Limitations The HCUP-KID database collects data on a hospitalization level. Consequently, health care utilization on an individual patient level or in the outpatient environment is not possible. Conclusions We present a comprehensive description of inpatient health care utilization in children, adolescents, and young adults with nephrotic syndrome. The complications of nephrotic syndrome, including thromboembolism, infection, and hypertension, contribute significantly to these charges.
Mice lacking the gene encoding for MMP-9 and resistance artery reactivity

Abstract Objectives To define the link between the deletion of gene encoding for metalloproteinase 9 and resistance artery reactivity, we studied in vitro smooth muscle and endothelial cell function in response to pressure, shear stress, and pharmacological agents. Background Matrix metalloproteinases play a crucial role in the regulation of extracellular matrix turnover and structural artery wall remodeling. Methods Resistance arteries were isolated from mice lacking gene encoding for MMP-9 (KO) and their control (WT). Hemodynamic, pharmacology approaches, and Western blot analysis were used in this study. Results The measurement of blood pressure in vivo was similar in KO and WT mice. Pressure-induced myogenic tone, contractions to angiotensin-II and phenylephrine were similar in both groups. The inhibition of MMP2/9 ((2R)-2-[(4-biphenylylsulfonyl) amino]-3-phenylpropionic acid) significantly decreased myogenic tone in WT and had no effect in KO mice. Relaxation endothelium-dependent (flow-induced- dilation 41.3 ± 0.6 vs. 21 ± 1.6 at 10 μl/min in KO and WT mice, respectively, P Conclusion Our study provides evidence of a selective effect of MMP-9 on endothelium function. Thus, MMP-9 gene deletion specifically increased resistance artery dilation endothelium-dependent and eNOS expression. Based on our results, MMP-9 could be a potential therapeutic target in cardiovascular disease associated with resistance arteries dysfunction.
Stress myocardial perfusion imaging by CMR provides strong prognostic value to cardiac events regardless of patient's sex.

Objectives The major aim of this study is to test the hypothesis that stress cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging can provide robust prognostic value in women presenting with suspected ischemia, to the same extent as in men. Background Compelling evidence indicates that women with coronary artery disease (CAD) experience worse outcomes than men owing to a lack of early diagnosis and management. Numerous clinical studies have shown that stress CMR detects evidence of myocardial ischemia and infarction at high accuracy. Compared to nuclear scintigraphy, CMR is free of ionizing radiation, has high spatial resolution for imaging small hearts, and overcomes breast attenuation artifacts, which are substantial advantages when imaging women for CAD. Methods We performed stress CMR in 405 patients (168 women, mean age 58 ± 14 years) referred for ischemia assessment. CMR techniques included cine cardiac function, perfusion imaging during vasodilating stress, and late gadolinium enhancement imaging. All patients were followed for major adverse cardiac events (MACE). Results At a median follow-up of 30 months, MACE occurred in 36 patients (9%) including 21 cardiac deaths and 15 acute myocardial infarctions. In women, CMR evidence of ischemia (ISCHEMIA) demonstrated strong association with MACE (unadjusted hazard ratio: 49.9, p Conclusions In addition to avoiding exposure to ionizing radiation, stress CMR myocardial perfusion imaging is an effective and robust risk-stratifying tool for patients of either sex presenting with possible ischemia.
Bathing epilepsy: Video/EEG recording and literature review☆

Abstract We report a 3-year-old boy with bathing epilepsy clinically manifesting as complex partial seizures precipitated by immersion in warm water during bathing and showering. Two seizures were recorded on video. During one, a simultaneous ictal EEG recording revealed an ictal pattern over the left hemisphere. Warm water was demonstrated to be the specific precipitating stimulus; hot dry towels and cold water did not provoke seizures or EEG abnormalities.
Modeling of continuous random networks: a case study for vitreous GeO2. II. Topological analysis and refinement

Abstract In this paper we present a new method to compare the topological structure of two continuous random network (CRN) models in a quantitative manner. The comparison serves to assess the sampling properties of the molecular modeling program TUMBLEWEED. This program generates spherical CRN clusters and has been introduced in paper I of this series. The structural diversity of the models constructed with this program is found to be satisfactory. Further, the models are very different from the α-cristobalite and α-quartz structures of GeO 2 . In addition, we investigate three different techniques for the refinement of the clusters presented in paper I: the conjugate gradient (CG) method, the Monte Carlo (MC) method, and the Reverse Monte Carlo (RMC) method. The former two procedures minimize the potential energy, V , whereas the latter minimizes the deviation, R χ , of the model neutron total correlation function, T ( r ), from corresponding experimental data. It is found that neither technique gives satisfactory results by itself, since the minimization of R χ leads to an increase of V (including the violation of geometric constraints) and vice versa. By combining the MC and RMC methods, i.e. by simultaneous minimization of V and R χ , we obtain models with realistic geometric properties and an improved fit to the experimental data ( R χ =0.018±0.003 in the range 0–1 nm). This further supports the validity of the CRN approach to the structure of glassy GeO 2 . New models with a non-uniform torsion angle distribution have been constructed. It turns out that such models cannot be excluded as possible structures (final R χ =0.020±0.006).
Semi-transparent and colored photovoltaic structures by using ultra-thin a-Si

We exploit optical resonance in an ultra-thin (6 to 31 nm) undoped amorphous silicon/organic hybrid photovoltaic (PV) structures that can produce semi-transparent transmissive colors insensitive to incidence angle of up to ±70° regardless of polarization.
Intergenerational Issues in Nursing: Learning From Each Generation

The nursing workforce is comprised of multiple generations, resulting in differences in communication, expectations, and work priorities. Better understanding of each generation's point of reference will improve collaboration and foster collegial relationships.
Protamine Reversal of Heparin After Cardiopulmonary Bypass Increases Lung Resistance, Not Elastance.

BACKGROUND: Protamine, an immunologically active, cationic amine, has been suspected of impairing lung mechanics when administered after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) to reverse heparin. Whether such adverse changes are an effect of protamine itself, the formation of heparin-protamine complexes, the extent of heparin anticoagulation, or its chemical reversal is not known. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using a computer-controlled, forced-ventilation method over a variety of physiological tidal volume (V(T)) and frequency (f) combinations, we prospectively studied 18 adult, elective patients before systemic heparinization and after protamine reversal to confirm and, possibly, elucidate an etiology for any adverse pulmonary effects. Protamine and heparin doses, their sum (Sigma-dose) and differential (Delta-dose) doses, and activated clotting times were tabulated. In all patients, lung resistance (R(L)) and, to a lesser extent, elastance (E(L)) increased after CPB, compared with pre-CPB values (P POST) = -0.037 [Delta-dose] - 0.56f \_ 0.019V(T) + 36.1 (r =.652, P .05). CONCLUSIONS: The changes seen in R(L) after CPB were greatest in those patients receiving the most nearly balanced doses of heparin and protamine, and were not related significantly to the total heparin or protamine doses, or their sum. These suggests that the extent of anticoagulation reversal or formation of heparin-protamine complexes, and not protamine itself, are more responsible for changes seen in lung mechanics. The changes seen were limited solely to R(L), and not in either E(L) nor the chest wall mechanical properties.
Cost and benefit--a critical issue for hospital infection control. Fifth Annual National Foundation for Infectious Diseases Lecture.

Abstract New patterns of health care financing have made it essential for infection control practitioners to become familiar with information on cost of nosocomial infection and cost effectiveness (″benefit″) of the procedures and devices used to control hospital infection. Even the lowest estimates of cost show the considerable economic impact of nosocomial infection. Studies to date separate control procedures and practices into categories of proven efficacy, likely efficacy, lack of efficacy, and those for which cost of implementation is likely to outweigh any benefit that might result. Many procedures and practices have not yet been studied. To survive in a hospital world of limited finances, ICPs will have to make sure that they employ only procedures for which benefit outweighs cost of implementation.
Developmental changes in maternal interactions with term and preterm infants

Eighty-eight preterm and 166 term infants were observed during teaching interactions with their mothers at 4, 8, and 24 months of age, and during feeding interactions at 4 and 8 months. The family was also rated using the HOME Inventory at 24 months. At 4 months, the preterm infants had lower levels of responsiveness and involvement than did the term infants, whereas the mothers of preterms showed equal or heightened levels of stimulation compared to mothers of terms. At 8 months the preterm infants were not different from term infants in task involvement, but the mothers' level of involvement had remained stable or declined. At 24 months the mothers of preterms showed lower levels of “positive messages” during teaching and reported lower levels of involvement with the child in daily activities than did mothers of terms. Although interpretation of these apparently differing developmental patterns must be cautious because of a confounding of gestational age and setting of observation, the findings nonetheless underline the fact that differences in interactive patterns between terms and preterms persist throughout the first two years of life.
Activation of the pharmacologically defined M3 muscarinic receptor depolarizes hippocampal pyramidal cells

Acetylcholine has a variety of actions on hippocampal neurons, possibly through the activation of different muscarinic receptor subtypes. We have used several competitive muscarinic antagonists and the hippocampal slice preparation to test the hypothesis that a particular muscarinic response can be ascribed to a specific subtype. Initially we performed experiments to determine the relative ability of 3 antagonists to inhibit the cholinergic slow EPSP. Dose-response curves were constructed, and the IC50s determined for 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine methiodide (4-DAMP), pirenzepine (PRZ) and 11-2[[2-[(diethylamino)methyl]-1-piperidinyl]acetyl]-5,11,-dihydro- 6H-pyrido[2,3-b] [1,4]benzodiazepin-6-one (AF-DX 116) were 72 nM, 385 nM, and 24 microM, respectively. While this pattern of antagonism argues against the contribution of the M2 receptor subtype, which would be expected to be relatively more sensitive to antagonism by AF-DX 116, this evidence does not adequately discriminate between other muscarinic receptor subtypes. We therefore performed studies designed to determine the antagonist binding affinities that can be diagnostic for determining different pharmacologically defined receptor subtypes. Using Schild plot analysis we examined the carbachol-induced block of the potassium (K)-dependent leak current, which is the muscarinic response thought to underlie the generation of the synaptically evoked slow excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) in hippocampal neurons. Estimated affinity constants (KBs) for 4-DAMP, PRZ and AF-DX 116 were 7.9, 278 and 1364 nM, respectively. These values are in good quantitative agreement with data from binding studies and strongly suggest a physiological role for the pharmacologically defined 'M3' receptor in the block of the leak conductance and, hence, in the slow EPSP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Multiscale seismic imaging of active fault zones for hazard assessment: A case study of the Santa Monica fault zone, Los Angeles, California

High‐resolution seismic reflection profiles at two different scales were acquired across the transpressional Santa Monica Fault of north Los Angeles as part of an integrated hazard assessment of the fault. The seismic data confirm the location of the fault and related shallow faulting seen in a trench to deeper structures known from regional studies. The trench shows a series of near‐vertical strike‐slip faults beneath a topographic scarp inferred to be caused by thrusting on the Santa Monica fault. Analysis of the disruption of soil horizons in the trench indicates multiple earthquakes have occurred on these strike‐slip faults within the past 50 000 years, with the latest being 1000 to 3000 years ago. A 3.8-km-long, high‐resolution seismic reflection profile shows reflector truncations that constrain the shallow portion of the Santa Monica Fault (upper 300 m) to dip northward between 30° and 55°, most likely 30° to 35°, in contrast to the 60° to 70° dip interpreted for the deeper portion of the fault. Pr...
Thyroidal involvement in the expression of avian muscular dystrophy

We showed previously that propylthiouracil (PTU), a thyroid inhibitor, could alleviate several major signs of hereditary muscular dystrophy in chickens. The goals of the present investigation were to: (1) determine whether a nearly athyroid condition (achieved within two days after hatching by surgical thyroidectomy plus PTU) during an 11-day period beneficially affects the dystrophic condition when followed by triiodothyronine (T3) replacement to 33 days of age; (2) determine the beneficial effects on the expression of avian dystrophy when the thyroidectomized-PTU-treated chickens received a wide range of moderate to low T3 replacement doses beginning by two days after thyroidectomy; and (3) examine the thyroid hormone receptor system in dystrophic muscle for a possible abnormality. Thyroid deprivation increased muscle function (righting ability) and reduced plasma creatine kinase activity in dystrophic chickens. The major thyroid-related abnormality in dystrophic pectoralis muscles was an increased maximum binding capacity of solubilized nuclear T3 receptors.
Dynamic fracture initiation toughness of high strength steel alloys

Determination of fracture toughness for metals under quasi-static loading conditions can follow well-established procedures and ASTM standards. The use of metallic materials in impact- related applications requires the determination of dynamic fracture initiation toughness for these materials. There are two main challenges in experiment design that must be overcome before valid dynamic data can be obtained. Dynamic equilibrium over the entire specimen needs to be approxi- mately achieved to relate the crack tip loading state to the far-field loading conditions, and the loading rate at the crack tip should be maintained near constant during an experiment to delineate rate effects on the values of dynamic fracture toughness. A recently developed experimental techni- que for determining dynamic fracture toughness of brittle materials has been adapted to measure the dynamic initiation fracture toughness of high strength steel alloys. A split-Hopkinson pressure bar is used to apply the dynamic loading. A pulse shaper is used to achieve constant loading rate at the crack tip and dynamic equilibrium across the specimen. A four-point bending configuration is used at the impact section of the setup. Results are presented which show a rate dependent pro- portionality of fracture initiation toughness for 4340 high-strength steel.
The discriminative stimulus effects of pentylenetetrazol as a model of anxiety: recent developments.

Abstract Pentylenetetrazol (PTZ), a GABAA receptor antagonist and prototypical anxiogenic drug, has been extensively utilized in animal models of anxiety. PTZ produces a reliable discriminative stimulus which is largely mediated by the GABAA receptor. Several classes of compounds can modulate the PTZ discriminative stimulus including 5-HT1A, 5-HT3, NMDA, glycine, and L-type calcium channel ligands. Spontaneous PTZ-lever responding is seen in trained rats during withdrawal from GABAA receptor compounds such as chlordiazepoxide and diazepam, and also ethanol, morphine, nicotine, cocaine, haloperidol, and phencyclidine. This effect is largely mediated by the GABAA receptor, which suggests that anxiety may be part of a generalized withdrawal syndrome mediated by the GABAA receptor. There are also important hormonal influences on PTZ. Corticosterone plays some role in mediation of its anxiogenic effects. There is a marked sex difference in response to the discriminative stimulus effects of PTZ, and estrogens appear to protect against its anxiogenic effects. Further work with the PTZ drug discrimination is warranted for characterization of anxiety during withdrawal, and the hormonal mechanisms of anxiety.
Xenobiotic-modulated expression of hepatic glutathione S-transferase genes in primary rat hepatocyte culture.

Abstract CYP 2B1/B2 and 1A1 expression in primary rat hepatocytes plated on a substratum of Vitrogen using Chee's Essential Medium has been reported to be responsive to xenobiotic treatment (Jauregui, H.O., Ng, S.F., Gann, K.L. and Waxman, D.J. (1991) Xenobiotica 21, 1091–1106). Class α, μ and π glutathione S -transferase (GST) gene expression in response to xenobiotic treatment using this primary hepatocyte culture system was examined and the results compared with those obtained for P4502B1/B2 and 1A1 expression. Cytosolic GST activity decreased approx. 75% during the first 48 h of culture relative to freshly isolated hepatocytes and subsequently, increased, attaining a level at 96 h that was 134% of the activity at 48 h post-plating. Treatment of the hepatocyte cultures with phenobarbital (2 mM) or 3-methylcholanthene (5 μM) for 24, 48, or 72 h, beginning 24 h after plating, resulted in significant increases in glutathione S -transferase activity relative to control, with maximal increases of 158 and 164% measured at 72 h following phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene treatment, respectively. SDS-PAGE analysis of cytosolic proteins showed a substantial increase in the intensities of protein bands migrating in the region of the GSTs following phenobarbital, β-naphthoflavone or 3-methylcholanthrene treatment. Immunoblot analysis of cytosolic fractions using affinity-purified class-specific GST IgGs confirmed that α, μ and π-class GST isozymes were elevated approx. 1.5- to 2-fold following phenobarbital, or β-naphthoflavone treatment; 3-methylcholanthrene was less effective in enhancing GST expression in cultured hepatocytes as compared to phenobarbital or β-naphthoflavone. Although GST π was below the limit of detection in freshly-isolated hepatocytes, enhanced expression of this form was observed in untreated hepatocytes cultured for longer than 72 h. Immunoblot analysis of microsomal fractions revealed that cytochrome P-4502 B 1 2 B 2 and 1A1 levels were increased significantly in hepatocyte cultures treated with phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene, respectively, relative to the undetectable levels found in untreated controls. Northern blot analysis of poly(A) + mRNA isolated from cultures that had been treated with phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene showed an approx. 2- and 4-fold increase in the expression of α and π class glutathione S -transferase mRNAs, respectively, as compared to untreated cells. The level of P-4501A1 or 2B1 mRNA was also markedly elevated following 3-methylcholanthrene or phenobarbital treatment, respectively. The results of this study demonstrate, for the first time, that expression of α, μ and π-class glutathione S -transferase genes is effectively modulated in primary hepatocyte culture system by different classes of xenobiotics.
Phase relations in the composition(Pb1−yCuy)Sr2(Ln1−xCax)Cu2O7 and the crystal structure of La8−xSrxCu8−yO20

Abstract The compound (Pb 0.71 Cu 0.29 )Sr 2 (Ln 1−x Ca x )Cu 2 O 7 (1212) has been synthesized as single phase material for La, Pr, Nd, Gd, Er, and Y from the proper starting compositions fired above 950°C. Calcium can be substituted up to x = 0.5 . When this limit is exceeded the 1212 phase, SrCuO 2 , and a hexagonal phase are formed. When x = 1 only SrCuO 2 and the hexagonal phase are formed. The hexagonal phase has the general composition Sr 5− x Pb 3+ x Cu y O 11+ z . When a mixture corresponding to PbSr 2 Co 0.5 Cu 0.5 O z is fired above 960°C a tetragonal phase isostructural with TlSr 2 CuO 5 (121) forms, but below 960°C the hexagonal phase is formed. A nominal mixture of PbSr 2 CaCu 2 (1212) fired at 930°C and quenched forms primarily the SrCuO 2 phase and some of the hexagonal compound, but slow cooling in the furnace produces a nearly single phase hexagonal product. The crystal structure of a crystal found in a reaction product from a nominal mixture PbSr 2 LaCu 2 (1212) fired at 1050°C was determined from three-dimensional X-ray diffraction data. Its composition is (La 6.16 Sr 1.84 )Cu 7.66 O 20 , M r = 1823.6 , tetragonal, P4/mbm, a = 10.7468(8) A, c = 3.8633(3) A, V = 446.2(1) A 3 , Z = 1, D x = 6.79g cm −3 , λ = 0.71069A, μ = 288.0 cm −1 , R = 0.032, wR = 0.034 for 385 observed reflections. The structure is formed by the articulation of Cu octahedra, square pyramids, and square coplanar nets into a three-dimensional framework. LaSr are in 10-fold coordination to oxygen atoms that are in a perovskite-like arrangement. The octahedral Cul site contains 17% vacancies on the basis of the least-squares refinement of the site occupancy. The two apical Cul O bond lengths are 1.9317(1)A, and the four equatorial lengths are 1.978(7)A. The square Cu2 O bond lengths are 1.9317(1) and 1.869(6)A, respectively. The square pyramidal Cu3 O bond lengths are 2.364(6)Ato the apex and 1.9322(2) and 1.878(7)A, respectively, to pairs of the four equatorial oxygen ions. Valence bond calculation and the abence of Jahn-Teller distortion around the octahedrally coordinated Cu1 indicate that it is trivalent.
Estimating peer effects in adolescent smoking behavior: a longitudinal analysis.

Abstract Purpose To empirically quantify the role of peer social networks in explaining smoking behavior among adolescents. We follow adolescents over time to examine whether the role of adolescent peers persists in affecting individual behaviors as adolescents transition into adulthood. Methods Using longitudinal data of a nationally representative sample of adolescents we use a multivariate structural model with school-level fixed effects to account for the problems of contextual effects, correlated effects, and peer selections to purge the potential biases from the estimates of peer influence. Our peer group measures are drawn not only from the nomination of close friends but also from classmates. Smoking prevalence among the peer groups were constructed using the peers' own reports of their cigarette consumption. Results Controlling for parent level characteristics and other demographic parameters, we find that a 10% increase in the proportion of classmates who smoke will increase the likelihood of smoking by more than 3%. Also, an increase in smoking rates among an individual's close friends by 10% will increase the likelihood of smoking by 5%. We find evidence to show that the influence of close friends from adolescence years continue to have an impact on smoking propensities even when a transition into adulthood is made. Conclusions Our findings support the literature reporting that peer effects are important determinants of smoking even after controlling for potential biases in the data and that these effects persist into adulthood. Effective policy aimed at reducing smoking rates among adolescents would consider these long-lasting peer effects.
Dynamic Time Step for One-Dimensional Overland Flow Kinematic Wave Solution

Kinematic wave theory is widely used in modeling a variety of hydrologic processes. Results of applying the kinematic wave overland flow solution using different time steps showed that the conventionally used stability criterion known as the Courant condition fails to give a time step estimate that ensures stable and accurate numerical solutions. Accordingly, a new accuracy-based dynamic time step estimate for the one dimensional overland flow kinematic wave solution is developed. The newly developed dynamic time step estimates are functions of the mesh size, watershed slope, roughness, excess rainfall, and time of concentration. The new criteria were developed by comparing the consistent formulation of the Galerkin-Crank Nicholson numerical solution of the kinematic wave equation to the characteristic method-based analytical solution, using different time steps and meshes. For each simulation, characterized by boundary and initial conditions and mesh size, an optimal time step that integrates the problem...
Miniature traveling wave deflection for electron beam analog to digital conversion

Analog to digital conversion using miniature electron optical structures has been previously reported and shown to offer an extraordinary combination of speed and resolution (6bits at 100GHz sampling). This is best achieved using multiple beams. One disadvantage of that proposed system was the high-voltage required (50V). We can reduce this value by using traveling wave deflection. But the classical square meander configuration is dispersive for all beams except the on axis one. We describe a triangular meander deflection electrode with geometry determined by the speed ratio between the beam and the slowed wave; the deflector is non-dispersive for all parallel beams, even if they are misaligned with the plates main axis. This structure reduces the required voltage to 10V and simulations show it works at least up to 15GHz for a single beam.
Hypoxia-induced release of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) from the isolated rat and rabbit heart

The effect of hypoxia on the release of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) was studied in isolated, constant-flow perfused hearts of rats and rabbits. Effluent samples were frozen pending extraction and radioimmunoassay of ANF. Hypoxia (10 min) caused a 3.9-fold (rats) and 4.6-fold (rabbits) increase of ANF release over control values. ANF release returned to control levels within 8-11 min of reoxygenation. Prolonged (20 min) hypoxia evoked further ANF release. The increase in ANF release and decrease in ventricular pressure, heart rate and coronary perfusion pressure were fully reversible, suggesting that tissues were not damaged. These results demonstrate that hypoxia induces a massive release of ANF by an as yet unexplained mechanism.
Recent developments in fast ion transport in glassy and amorphous materials

Abstract We review new developments in the expanding phenomenology of amorphous solid electrolytes. We consider separately (a) the vitreous materials in which the charge carriers are highly decoupled from the supporting matrix, and (b) the polymer-electrolyte solutions, in which the charge carriers are coupled to, and move cooperatively with, a locally fluid (though globally elastic) matrix. To these we add briefly some observations on orientationally amorphous solids (plastic crystals in their interesting temperature range) which show some potential for combining the best features of both (a) and (b) above. In the vitreous cases, new methods of preparation, including vapor deposition and sol-gel processes, are allowing exploration of compositions in previously inaccessible regions - also of new vitreous “states” within known composition regions. Use of new heavy element oxide chalcogenide matrixes has revealed some new and pleasing fast-conducting compositions. Among conventionally prepared glasses, the highest conductivities are still obtained with Ag± and Cu+ containing glasses. New Ag+ glasses containing only halide anions yield σ 25° C = 4·7 × 10 −2 Ω −1 cm −1 , even higher than for the AgI + oxyanion-containing record-holders. Fast anion-conducting (F−, Cl−), and possibly fast divalent cation-conducting, (Pb2+) galsses have been developed. We emphasize the importance of studying the fast ion motions by mechanical response, in addition to electrical response, measurements. Data on several systems are now available from low frequency tensile, ultrasonic, and hypersonic (Brillouin light scattering) techniques covering in all ten decades of frequency. These show that the mechanical response has the same average time constant as the electrical response, and the same activation energy but quite different spectral widths (relaxation time distributions). Furthermore, the greatest widths are found for a case where only one “type” of Ag+ is present suggesting that the spectral widths do not simply reflect the mobile ion site distributions. Of importance is the observation that the change in mechanical modulus due to relaxation of the fast ions decreases with increasing temperature. This seems incompatible with the weak electrolyte models, which require the displaceable ion concentration to increase with increasing temperature. In the polymer electrolyte solution field, new polymeric solvents with more flexible backbones, hence lower “local” viscosities at ambient temperatures, have been developed. The “solid” electrolytes based on these show behavior which is predictable from models developed for ordinary concentrated electrolyte solutions. Comparisons are made with the properties of low temperature “plicfics”.
Electrophoretic patterns after dicumarol medication.

SummaryDicumarol at therapeutic dosage levels failed to produce alterations in human plasma of sufficient magnitude to be detected by electrophoretic analysis.
Failure mechanism of Li-ion battery at overcharge conditions

The overcharge kinetics of a commercial prismatic Li-ion battery at different current rates (1 C, 2 C, and 3 C) has been studied. Battery surface temperature, heat output, and voltage were monitored and analyzed during overcharge testing. It has been shown that the heat rate of the battery surface does not increase in proportion to the applied current rate. Separator shutdown properties may be realized for heat rates less than 3 °C/min. Li-ion batteries have been submitted to different stages of overcharge by a “soft” overcharge technique (1 C to 4.4, 4.6, and 5.0 V). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) tests of the charged anode, cathode, and separator recovered from overcharged cells have been performed. It was found that the anode at different overcharged states has two main exothermic peaks at 120 and 300–320 °C. At a higher state of overcharge (SOOC), the second peak shifts to a lower temperature. DSC for overcharged cathodes has more complicated profiles depending on SOOC. Increasing the cutoff voltage from 4.4 to 5.0 V shifts the maximum of the first temperature peak from 235 to 200 °C and the second from 345 to 320 °C. Electrical impedance spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy have been used to characterize electrode materials at different SOOC and overcharge conditions. The heat rate (related to current), cell construction, and design are considered as the main factors of Li-ion battery failure at overcharge.
The Importance of Body Fat Distribution in Early Life

ABSTRACT It is possible that many of the conflicting findings concerning obesity and cardiovascular disease may be the result of the heterogeneous nature of obesity, and that only certain subgroups of the obese are at increased risk. Over the last several decades, much attention has focused on the distribution of body fat as an important characteristic in the metabolic and clinical alterations associated with obesity. Several studies have shown that a relative excess of adipose tissue in the upper body, abdominal region, or at various truncal sites is associated with an increased risk of disease; furthermore, these associations are independent of the general level of obesity. This article presents a brief historical overview of the idea of body fat distribution, the measurement techniques that have been used, and the complications associated with an adverse distribution of body fat distribution; particular emphasis is given to studies that have examined fat patterning in early life. Although most investigators recognize that body fat distribution is important in the development of cardiovascular disease, several questions remain.
Coarticulation Resistance of American English Consonants and its Effects on Transconsonantal Vowel-to-Vowel Coarticulation

We explored the variation in the resistance that lingual and non lingual consonants exhibit to coarticulation by following vowels in the schwa+CV disyllables of two native speakers of English. Generally, lingual consonants other than /g/ were more resistant tho coarticulation than thhe liabial consonants /b/ and /v/. Coarticulation resistance in the consonant also affected articulatory evidence for trans consonantal vowel-to-vowel coarticulation, but did not show consistent acoustic effects. As for effects of coarticulation resistance in thhe following vowel, articulatory and acoustic effects were quite liarge at consonantre lease but much weaker farther into the following stressed vowel. Correlations between coarticulation resistance effects at consonantrelease and liocus equation slopes were highly significant, consistent with the view that variation in coarticulation resistance explains differences among consonants in liocus equation slopes.
Improvement in Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion with Pulmonary Hypertension Therapy in Pediatric Patients

Background Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) has emerged as a novel and reliable measure of right ventricular (RV) function. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of pulmonary hypertension (PH) therapy on TAPSE in pediatric patients and compare TAPSE to other quantitative measures of RV function. Methods A retrospective review of medical records and echocardiograms of patients in the PH clinic from January 2011 to August 2013 was done. Echocardiograms were analyzed prior to initiation or addition of a PH drug and at least 8 weeks later. Following quantitative measures of RV function were compared: TAPSE, TAPSE age-based z-score, RV fractional area change (RVFAC), tricuspid annular S′, tricuspid inflow E/tricuspid annular E′ velocity (TV E/E′), and RV myocardial performance index (RVMPI). Results Of the 37 patients included in this study (median age 0.6 years), 23 (62.2%) were treatment naive and others had a new PH drug added to their regimen at the time of the baseline echocardiogram. The median duration between the baseline and follow-up echocardiogram was 8 (2–25) months. There was a significant improvement in TAPSE and TAPSE age-based z-score on the follow-up echocardiogram. RVFAC, tricuspid S′, TV E/E′, and RVMPI did not show a statistically significant change. Conclusion In contrast to the other echocardiographic markers of RV function, TAPSE, and TAPSE age-based z-score significantly improve after initiation or addition of PH therapy and can be used for serial noninvasive monitoring of RV function in pediatric PH patients.
Health risk assessment of fluctuating concentrations using lognormal models.

Abstract A mathematical model is proposed for assessing health risk rates of fluctuating concentrations. Each time-averaged concentration may be regarded as a dose that, when applied to the dose-response curve, produces a risk of an adverse effect. A theoretical derivation shows that the dose-response pattern is a cumulative lognormal curve because of the diversity of the individuals in the exposed population. Similarly, the concentration pattern is a log-normal distribution because of the diversity of emission sources and dispersive processes. The health risk is produced by the overlapping of the right tail of the concentration distribution and the left tail of the dose-response curve. The evaluation of the joint probability in this region has been performed by numerical integration by computer in terms of two generalized parameters. One represents the geometric standard deviation of the concentration distribution relative to that of the dose-response curve, and the other represents the distance between ...
Effects of energy offsets and molecular packing on exciton and charge carrier dynamics in small-molecule donor-acceptor composites

We present a study of optical, photoluminescent (PL), and photoconductive properties of small-molecule D/A bulk heterojunctions of functionalized fluorinated anthradithiophene (ADT-R-F) and pentacene (Pn-R-F8) derivatives. We chose one of the ADT derivatives, ADT-TES-F, which exhibits a 2D “brick-work” .π-stacking, as the donor, and ADT-TIPS-F (2D “brick-work”), ADT-TSBS-F (1D “sandwich-herringbone”), Pn-TIPS-F8 (2D “brick-work”), or Pn-TCHS-F8 (1D “sandwich-herringbone”), as acceptors. We measured PL and photoconductivity at time scales from sub-nanoseconds to many seconds after photoexcitation, at various acceptor concentrations, under various experimental conditions. The choice of acceptors enabled us to distinguish between effects of the LUMO energy offsets between the donor and acceptor molecules and those of the molecular packing in the acceptor domains on exciton and charge carrier dynamics.
Deflecting cavity for beam diagnostics in erl INJECTOR

A 1300 MHz deflecting cavity will be used for beam slice emittance measurements, and to study the temporal response of negative electron affinity photocathodes in the ERL injector currently under construction at Cornell University. A single-cell TM110-mode cavity was designed to deflect the beam vertically. The paper describes the cavity shape optimization procedure, its mechanical design and performance at low RFpower.
Uncertain risks regulated

edited by Michelle Everson and Ellen Vos, New York, Routledge-Cavendish, 2009, xix + 430 pp., US$145, ISBN 9781844721627 by Joakim Zander, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2010, xxxi + 376 pp...
Erythropoietin in cardioprotection: does it have a future or is it all in the past?

Over the past two decades, we have seen a gradual reduction in mortality from myocardial infarction due in a large part to the advent of revascularization and other cardioprotective strategies. However, myocardial infarction is still the most common cause of morbidity, related primarily to the loss of left ventricular function and mortality. A host of novel strategies are being examined to limit myocardial infarct size. Towards that goal, several investigators have suggested that erythropoietin (EPO) therapy may hold a new promise. The article by Kobayashi et al. in the current issue of Cardiovascular Research describes a new drug delivery protocol for the use of EPO in the post-myocardial infarction setting.1 ### 2.1 Preclinical studies It is well known that EPO stimulates the plasma haemoglobin concentration in patients with cancers or renal disease. Receptors for EPO have been shown to be present on vascular smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells, and cardiomyocytes,2 and EPO appears to exert its effect on myocardial function by stimulating EPO receptors on cardiomyocytes. Previous studies have shown that EPO administration reduces the myocardial infarct size after ischaemia.3,4 Gao et al. 5 showed that treatment with a long-acting EPO preparation as late as 24 h after the onset of the ischaemic process provided a significant reduction in myocardial … *Corresponding author. Tel: +1 501 296 1401; fax: +1 501 686 6180. E-mail address : mehtajl{at}uams.edu
Interband RTDs with nanoelectronic HBT-LED structures for multiple-valued computation

For future nanoelectronic arrays, complex signal processing methods and highly efficient computation are required. A proposed new family of HBT-LED-RTD circuitry chiefly addresses the latter with multiple-valued logic. We use internal optical methods of signal summation in otherwise electronic circuitry. Precision photon streams are generated and summed that are equivalent to electron currents in conventional circuitry. These strictly local interactions of HBTs and LEDs are combined with the folding and thresholding functions of vertically integrated RTDs. Power-of-two bit patterns implement the positive-digit radix-2 MVL. The same circuitry with a summation range of seven also facilitates nanoelectronic signal processing with its innate A/D conversion capability. Our new circuitry is aimed at very high packing density on the order of 10/sup 4/ to 10/sup 6/ gates per IC die. For this purpose it is resistor free and requires no signal-level shifting subcircuits, the HBT-RTD structure is 3-dimensional, and parasitic electrostatic interaction of densely packed circuits is prevented by the optical isolation and the buried optical interconnects. Non-local (especially vertical free-space) optical interconnects are also feasible with our approach using LEDs or microcavity lasers.
Detection of bacillus thuringiensis spore germination via CaDPA biomarker using laser tweezers raman spectroscopy

We report real-time observation of nutrient-trigged germination process of single Bacillus thuringiensis spores by detection of CaDPA biomarker using laser tweezers Raman spectroscopy. The time-to-germination was heterogeneous for spores and the distribution was measured.