cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Chiral–Racemic Lyotropic Chromonic Liquid Crystal System

The two main classes of liquid crystals are thermotropic (containing no solvent) and lyotropic (containing solvent). Both of these classes possess the nematic phase, the most simple of liquid crystal phases with only uniaxial orientational order. For both of these classes, if the constituent molecules are chiral or if a chiral dopant is added, the preferred direction of orientation rotates in helical fashion in what is called the chiral nematic phase. Recent research has shown that because the ordering entities of the two classes are quite different (molecules versus molecular assemblies), important differences in the properties of the nematic phase can result. While thermotropic chiral nematics have been extensively examined, less is known about lyotropic chiral nematics, especially for the most ideal case, a chiral–racemic system. Furthermore, none of the lyotropic chiral–racemic studies has included lyotropic chromonic liquid crystals, which are solutions of dyes, drugs, and nucleic acids. Inverse pitch measurements are reported for a chiral–racemic system of a chromonic liquid crystal across the entire chiral fraction range and over a 30 °C temperature interval. The inverse pitch depends linearly on chiral fraction and decreases with increasing temperature, indicating that achiral and chiral molecules participate in the assembly structure similarly. The helical twisting power is significantly larger than for other chiral lyotropic liquid crystals due to the very high scission energy of the investigated system.
Increasing Effectiveness of Genetically Modifying Mosquito Populations: Risk Assessment of Releasing Blood-Fed Females

Releasing mosquito refractory to pathogens has been proposed as a means of controlling mosquito-borne diseases. A recent modeling study demonstrated that instead of the conventional male-only releases, adding blood-fed females to the release population could significantly increase the program's efficiency, hastening the decrease in disease transmission competence of the target mosquito population and reducing the duration and costs of the release program. However, releasing female mosquitoes presents a short-term risk of increased disease transmission. To quantify this risk, we constructed a Ross-MacDonald model and an individual-based stochastic model to estimate the increase in disease transmission contributed by the released blood-fed females, using the mosquito Aedes aegypti and the dengue virus as a model system. Under baseline parameter values informed by empirical data, our stochastic models predicted a 1.1-5.5% increase in dengue transmission during the initial release, depending on the resistance level of released mosquitoes and release size. The basic reproductive number (R0) increased by 0.45-3.62%. The stochastic simulations were then extended to 10 releases to evaluate the long-term effect. The overall reduction of disease transmission was much greater than the number of potential infections directly contributed by the released females. Releasing blood-fed females with males could also outperform conventional male-only releases when the release strain is sufficiently resistant, and the release size is relatively small. Overall, these results suggested that the long-term benefit of releasing blood-fed females often outweighs the short-term risk.
Wide wavelength-tunable narrow-band thermal radiation from moiré patterns

Wavelength-tunable narrow-band thermal emitters are highly desired for various applications including multigas sensing. However, current thermal emitters suffer from either too broad bandwidth or too narrow tuning range. Here, based on the moire effect, we provide a scheme of wavelength-tunable narrow-band thermal emitters with tunability over a wide wavelength range and operation at an arbitrary temperature. Thanks to the unique sensitivity of moire patterns, our emitter achieves a tuning range to bandwidth ratio of 313, which is 68 times larger than the previous largest value ever reported.
Improving Contest Outcomes with Screening

Problem definition: Firms seek to use the contest format to source solutions from a broader network of outside solvers. However, contests end without satisfactory solutions in case of complex problems with significant solution development costs, in part due to the lack of sufficient effort from solvers. To address this lack of solver engagement, we study when and how a firm’s finely-tuned screening of contestant submissions encourages contestant effort for solving complex problems. Methodology/results: We present an application-driven game-theoretic model to capture imperfections in screening using the true positive rate (Sensitivity) and the true negative rate (Specificity). Specifically, we consider a two-stage contest with a screening decision by the firm between the stages. Solvers face uncertainty about their probability of fit and the final quality of the solution is dependent on the performance across both stages. We identify two mechanisms through which screening induces greater effort, namely the encouragement effect and the competitive contest effect, and characterize how screening should be tuned to the problem setting. We consider the special case of single-stage contest to study how screening can benefit firms, finding that limiting contestant entry can be optimal for solution-seeking firms. Our results indicate that in case of problems with less upfront complexity, coarse (imperfect) screening is beneficial in order to manage competition and stimulate greater effort, but it behooves the firm to resort to more accurate screening otherwise. We also derive nuanced results for the case when a Seeker faces screening limits and must balance screening sensitivity and specificity. Managerial implications: Our work provides firms an additional degree of freedom, in terms of specific and sensitive screening to design and run contests and to better engage outside solvers. We derive actionable results and translate them into a managerial framework to help fine-tune the screening mechanism for improved contest performance.
A Symbolic Approach to Detecting Hardware Trojans Triggered by Don't Care Transitions.

Due to the globalization of Integrated Circuit (IC) supply chain, hardware trojans and the attacks that can trigger them have become an important security issue. One type of hardware Trojans leverages the don't care transitions in Finite State Machines (FSMs) of hardware designs. In this paper, we present a symbolic approach to detecting don't care transitions and the hidden Trojans. Our detection approach works at both RTL and gate-level, does not require a golden design, and works in three stages. In the first stage, it explores the reachable states. In the second stage, it performs an approximate analysis to find the don't care transitions. In the third stage, it performs a state-space exploration from reachable states that have incoming don't care transitions to find behavioral discrepancies with respect to what has been observed in the first stage. We also present a pruning technique based on the reachability of FSM states. We present a methodology that leverages both RTL and gate-level for soundness and efficiency. Specifically, we show that don't care transitions must be detected at the gate-level, i.e., after synthesis has been performed, for soundness. However, under specific conditions, Trojan detection can be performed more efficiently at RTL. Evaluation of our approach on a set of benchmarks from OpenCores and TrustHub and using gate-level representation generated by two synthesis tools, Yosys and Synopsis Design Compiler (SDC), shows that our approach is both efficient (up to 10X speedup w.r.t. no pruning) and precise (0% false positives) in detecting don't care transitions and the Trojans that leverage them. Additionally, the total analysis time can achieve up to 3.40X (using Yosys) and 2.52X (SDC) speedup when synthesis preserves the FSM structure and the Trojan detection is performed at RTL.
Toward Conceptualizing a Model of Direct Marketing Responsiveness in Consumer Environments

This paper proposes a conceptual model of consumer direct marketing response behavior. Divided into three major components, the suggested framework links the importance of the direct marketing firm and the consumer to the final outcome of a direct marketing program. Both response and non-response feedback behavior of consumers are shown as key ingredients to the management process. Specific research propositions are offered for each of the major stages in the model to give direction to future efforts.
Health Care Reform in a New Political Environment: Predicting the Shape of Change

This article posits that the adoption of single-payer health insurance is effectively impossible in the United States. In spite of evidence that a single-payer system might be substantially more efficient and inexpensive than the complex, administratively-burdened multi-payer system we currently have, the probability that it can be part of health care reform is remote at best. The article identifies a number of reasons that a single-payer health insurance system cannot succeed ranging from inertia, path dependence, the expense of the Medicare program, the American belief in looking to the private sector for solutions to even large social problems, the fear of big government coupled with the belief that government is the problem rather than the solution, the political preference for incrementalism over fundamental change, and cultural beliefs such as the belief that while all Americans enjoy equality of opportunity, only those able to capitalize on the opportunity are entitled to enjoy its fruits.
Myocardial glucose and lactate metabolism during rest and atrial pacing in humans.

There is minimal in vivo data in humans evaluating myocardial substrate utilization during increased heart work. This study was performed to determine the balance of myocardial glucose and lactate metabolism during rest and increased heart work induced by atrial pacing in seven healthy men and women (age, 49.7 ± 3.9 years; body mass index, 23.4 ± 1.1 kg m−2, maximum oxygen consumption, 35.5 ± 3.0 ml kg−1 min−1, ejection fraction, 68 ± 3%). After 3 days of dietary control, catheters were placed in coronary sinus, femoral arterial and venous, and peripheral venous blood vessels. Subjects received a primed continuous infusion of [3,3,3-2H]lactate and [6,6-2H]glucose throughout the study. Arterial and coronary sinus blood sampling and measurements of coronary sinus blood flow were made during rest and atrial pacing at approximately 111 beats min–1. Myocardial oxygen consumption increased (P= 0.04) from rest to atrial pacing. Net glucose uptake increased (P= 0.04) from rest to atrial pacing with unchanged fractional extraction (rest: 9.1 ± 2.7%, atrial pacing 9.8 ± 2.9%). The percentage of whole body glucose disposal from myocardial uptake also increased from rest to atrial pacing. Isotopically measured lactate uptake also increased significantly from rest to atrial pacing with no significant differences in fractional extraction. The myocardium released lactate throughout the experiment, which increased significantly from rest and atrial pacing (P < 0.05). The heart accounted for a significantly greater percentage of whole body lactate disposal during atrial pacing (15.0 ± 4.4%) compared to rest (4.9 ± 0.9%, P= 0.03). These data suggest: (1) in the absence of ischaemia the myocardium is constantly taking up and releasing lactate at rest which increases during atrial pacing, and (2) when arterial substrate delivery is unchanged, increased myocardial work is accomplished with similar proportions of glucose and lactate utilization in healthy humans in vivo.
Introduction to I DDQ testing

Foreword. Preface. 1. Introduction. 2. Why IDDQ Testing? 3. Putting IDDQ Testing to Work. 4. Physical Defects. 5. Test Suites, Fault Models, Test Sets and Defects. 6. Evaluating IDDQ Tests. 7. Selecting IDQQ Tests. 8. Computing IDQQ Tests. 9. Fault Diagnosis. 10. Instrumentation for IDDQ Measurement. (Kenneth M. Wallquist) References. Index.
Effects of morphine addiction on the pathogenesis of murine toxoplasmosis

Intravenous (IV) opiate use has been known, for at least 40 years, to be associated with a markedly increased morbidity and mortality due to infectious diseases (1). The identification of opiate-mediated immune defects has led to the proposal that these abnormalities may play a role in the pathogenesis of certain infections (2,3). While there are numerous studies demonstrating the effects of opiates on immune functions in vitro, few studies provide convincing data regarding the biological significance of these findings as they may relate to host resistance to infectious agents (4–7).
Graphene plasmonics: multiple sharp Fano resonances in silver split concentric nanoring/disk resonator dimers on a metasurface

We introduce a platform based on plasmonic metamaterials to design various optical devices. A simple structure brokenring with a nanodisk at the center is utilized to excite and hybridize the plasmon resonant modes. We show that the proposed nanoantenna is able to support strong sub- and superradiant plasmon resonances because of its unique geometrical features. Using the concentric ring/disk in a dimer orientation as a nanoantenna on a multilayer metasurface consisting of graphene monolayer, we induced double sharp plasmonic Fano resonant modes in the transmission window across the visible to the near-infrared region. Considering the strong polarization-dependency of the broken-ring/disk dimer antenna, it is shown that the proposed plasmonic metamaterial can be tailored as an optical router device for fast switching applications. This understanding opens new paths to employ plasmonic metamaterials with simple geometrical nanoscale blocks for sensing and switching applications.
Presence of a high-flow-mediated constriction phenomenon prior to flow-mediated dilation in normal weight, overweight, and obese children and adolescents.

Purpose When assessing vasomotor endothelial function by reactive hyperemia, the brachial artery, in some individuals, constricts immediately before beginning to dilate following cuff release. We call this response high-flow-mediated constriction (H-FMC). The aim of this study was to describe the rate of the H-FMC during reactive hyperemia in children and adolescents throughout a range of body mass index (BMI) values, and to investigate differences in flow-mediated dilation (FMD), cardiovascular, and anthropometric measures between subjects with and without H-FMC. Methods FMD was assessed in 136 children and adolescents (61 male, 75 female; 13 ± 3 years) by sonographic imaging of the brachial artery. H-FMC was characterized as the lowest point from the baseline brachial artery diameter immediately following reactive cuff release. Independent t tests were used to compare subjects with and without H-FMC. Results H-FMC was observed in 91 of the 136 participants (66.9%). No significant difference was found between H-FMC and non-H-FMC subjects for age (p = 0.602), gender (p = 0.767), height (p = 0.227), or weight (p = 0.171). BMI percentile was nonsignificantly higher (91.8 ± 14.9th versus 84.6 ± 22.8th percentile, p = 0.057) and FMD was significantly lower (5.43 ± 3.41% versus 8.05 ± 3.97%, p < 0.001) in H-FMC than in non-H-FMC subjects. Adding H-FMC to FMD produced no significant difference between H-FMC and non-H-FMC individuals (8.03 ± 3.27% versus 8.05 ± 3.97%, p = 0.977). Conclusions Approximately 67% of participants demonstrated an H-FMC during reactive hyperemia. BMI percentile was nonsignificantly higher and FMD was significantly lower in children and adolescents who displayed this phenomenon. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2015;
Power efficient multi-band contextual activity monitoring for assistive environments

The advancement in technology for patient monitoring and smart living environments is making a huge impact on providing health care for the elderly and needy population. An energy efficient context aware system for sensing and reporting events based on wireless sensor networks (WSN) is presented in this paper. It is demonstrated that it is possible to build and deploy power efficient systems with an extended battery life by exploiting the recent technological innovations and properly using the architectural framework for supporting WSNs. The system evolves with highly localized computations aided by the contextual information which helps in detecting events and alerting the care provider for only the positive events.
El maiz y el acuerdo de libre comercio entre mexico y los estados unidos

Introduccion El maiz es quiza el bien mas importante de Mexico. En las areas rurales es el alimento principal de los agricultores y a veces se usa como insumo intermedio para alimentacion de los animales; en las areas urbanas es el insumo principal de las tortillas y la harina de maiz, componentes basicos de la alimentacion de los trabajadores urbanos. Pero la impor tancia del maiz va mas alla de su caracter de bien de consumo principal. Este cultivo ocupa entre un tercio y la mitad de la tierra cultivable del pais y emplea a uno de cada tres trabajadores rurales. El maiz es cultivado tanto por gran numero de pequenos productores en tierras de temporal como por un numero relativamente pequeno de grandes agricultores en tierras de riego. Pero el maiz se asocia directamente con la pobreza rural porque un numero considerable de pequenos produc tores de maiz, llamados a veces agricultores de subsistencia, tienen tierras de muy mala calidad. Y en el caso de Mexico la pobreza es en gran medida un fenomeno rural (Levy, 1991).
Absolute sapphire optical fiber interferometric sensors

Sapphire optical fiber sensor are greatly promising for high temperature sensing applications because of their high melting point, which exceeds 2000 degrees C. The extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometric (EFPI) sapphire fiber sensors, based on absolute white light spectrum scanning signal processing, are extremely attractive in engineering applications because they do not require initialization and/or calibration when the system is turned on. Furthermore, it is not necessary to operate them in linear regions to avoid nonlinear effects, a significant problem in other EFPI sensor. In this paper, we use a single-crystal sapphire fiber for making an EFPI sensor. Interference fringes were observed by using both laser and light emitting diode sources. The effect of the lead-in fiber diameter on fringe visibility is also discussed.
The influence of mixing on the microstructure of the cement paste/aggregate interfacial zone and on the strength of mortar

The influence of mixing on the microstructure of the cement paste/aggregate bond has been investigated. Back-scattered electron microscopy was used in conjunction with quantitative image analysis to examine the microstructure of the interface between limestone aggregate and the cement matrix in a series of mortars. The distribution of porosity and anhydrous material along the paste/aggregate interface was shown to be dependent upon the relative abundance of water at the aggregate surface during mixing. Improvements in the interfacial microstructure were shown to correlate with improvements in strength and fracture properties. The interfacial zones seen in the limestone mortars were compared with a model interfacial system. A new classification system for two types of interfacial regions in mortar is proposed.
Madrid's Retiro Park as publicly-private space and the spatial problems of spatial theory

The scholarly focus on the production of space necessitates a thorough reassessment of the static categories employed in the analysis of spatial processes. Emphasizing space as a process, this essay calls attention to the recent implication of Madrid's Retiro Park in larger processes of capital accumulation. At the same time, it highlights the insufficiency of the tempting yet problematic distinction between public and private space that obtains in easy solutions to the struggles over city-space. As many critics have pointed out, there is design flaw in the idea of public space—it can never explain how a given space, such as a park, comes to be free of the ‘private’ (personal and structural) interests operating throughout its societal context. The story of the Retiro ultimately foregrounds the pivotal role of city-space in the drive for capitalist intercity-competition and suggests that the latter process is insufficiently confronted by idealized notions of the role truly ‘public’ spaces might play in rad...
Quantification of transient behavior of wind-driven surface droplet/rivulet flows using a digital fringe projection technique

A digital fringe projection (DFP) system is developed to achieve non-intrusive thickness measurements of wind-driven water droplet/rivulet flows over a test plate to quantify the unsteady surface water transport process pertinent to various atmospheric icing phenomena. The DFP technique is based on the principle of structured light triangulation in a similar manner as a stereo vision system but replacing one of the cameras for stereo imaging with a digital projector. The digital projector projects line patterns of known characteristics onto the test specimen (i.e., a water droplet/rivulet on a test plate for the present study). The pattern of the lines is modulated from the surface of the test object. By comparing the modulated pattern and a reference image, the 3D profile of the test object with respect to the reference plane (i.e., the thickness distribution of the water droplet/rivulet flow) can be retrieved quantitatively and instantaneously. The feasibility and implementation of the DFP system is first demonstrated by measuring the thickness distribution of a small flat-top pyramid over a test plate to evaluate the measurement accuracy level of the DFP system. After carefully calibrated and validated, the DFP system is applied to achieve time-resolved thickness distribution measurements of a water droplet/rivulet to quantify the transient behavior of a water droplet/rivulet flow driven by a boundary layer air flow over a test plate. The dynamic shape changes and stumbling runback motion of the wind-driven water droplet/rivulet flow were measured in real time in terms of film thickness distribution, contact line moving velocity, wet surface area and droplet evaporation rate.
Demasiado hetero para ser de la Movida, demasiado queer para ser de la pre-Movida: ¿Qué hace una chica como tú en un sitio como este? (Colomo, 1978) y Pepi, Luci, Bom y otras chicas del montón (Almodóvar, 1980)

AbstractLas peliculas que voy a analizar en este articulo, ?Que hace una chica como tu en un sitio como este? (Fernando Colomo, 1978) y Pepi, Luci, Bom y otras chicas del monton (Pedro Almodovar, 1980), presentan varias similitudes, aunque fueron contextualizadas por la critica de manera diferente. Estrenadas en el mismo periodo, por su artificialidad ambas tienen una estetica reconocible como ‘camp’ y tienen como tema central el descubrimiento de ‘La Movida’ por parte de mujeres de cuarenta anos victimas de la sociedad patriarcal franquista, de la mano de jovenes participantes del nuevo movimiento. ?Por que y que es lo que hace que dos performances excesivas, que parecen sospechosamente tan familiares, sean contextualizadas de manera tan diferente? Argumentare que la diferencia en la percepcion temporal se basa en las estrategias esteticas que usa cada director al colocar a La Movida en el espacio temporal y ficcional. Los directores difieren en las emociones a las que apelan (el miedo y la alegria), en ...
cAMP evokes long-term facilitation in Aplysia sensory neurons that requires new protein synthesis

Behavioral sensitization leads to both short- and long-term enhancement of synaptic transmission between the sensory and motor neurons of the gill-withdrawal reflex in Aplysia. Serotonin (5-HT), a transmitter important for short-term sensitization, can evoke long-term enhancement of synaptic strength detected 1 day later. Because 5-HT mediates short-term facilitation through adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein phosphorylation, the role of cAMP in the long-term modulation of this identified synapse was examined. Like 5-HT, cAMP can also evoke long-term facilitation lasting 24 hours. Unlike the short-term change, the long-lasting change is blocked by anisomycin, a reversible inhibitor of protein synthesis, and therefore must involve the synthesis of gene products not required for the short-term change.
Elastic p-p Cross Sections at High Momentum Transfers

Experimental measurements were made on the p-p elastic cross section at a squared four-momentum transfer -t = 6.15 (Bev/c)/sup 2/ as well as an upper limit on the same cross section at -t= 11.1 (Bev/c)/sup 2/. The elastic events were selected by requiring the coincidence of both recoil and scattered protons. Measurements were taken at an internal beam momentum p/sub 0/ = 11.2 Bev/c with - t = 6.15 (Bev/c)/sup 2/ and p/sub 0/ = 16.0 Bev/c and -t = 11.1 (Bev/c)/sup 2/ and compared to similar measurements made at CERN. Using the results of both sets of measurements, the t dependence of the Regge term alpha (t) is derived and the accuracy of the experimental points is discussed. (H.D.R.)
Numerical considerations when imaging penetrable highly scattering objects from incomplete data

ABSTRACT Over the last ten years progress has been made in developing inverse scattering algorithms that go beyond the range of applica-bility of the first Born and Rytov approximations. Our efforts have focussed on a nonlinear filtering technique which appearsat first glance to be straightforward to implement and offer the possibility of recovering strongly scattering structures. Uponapplying the method to various simulated and real data sets, its performance has been inconsistent. In this paper we discussthe various numerical concerns that have arisen from executing a nonlinear filter on limited sampled noisy data and clarify thepotential advantages and limitations of this approach.Keywords: Inverse Scattering, Cepstral Filtering, PDFT, Phase Unwrapping 1. INTRODUCTION Our research has been spurred by the increasing interest in imaging objects and targets which are penetrable and have featureswith a scale of the order of the wavelength of the incident radiation. Applications include medical imaging, non-destructivetesting, seismology and remote sensing. The governing equation which serves as the starting point is the integral equation ofscattering1:W(r,
Deciding array formulas with frugal axiom instantiation

How to efficiently reason about arrays in an automated solver based on decision procedures? The most efficient SMT solvers of the day implement "lazy axiom instantiation": treat the array operations read and write as uninterpreted, but supply at appropriate times appropriately many---not too many, not too few---instances of array axioms as additional clauses. We give a precise account of this approach, specifying "how many" is enough for correctness, and showing how to be frugal and correct.
A rapid and simple method to determine the specific activities of serotonin, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, and 5-hydroxytryptophan in brain by HPLC with electrochemical detection.

The specific activities of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), serotonin (5-HT), and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) have been determined in the brain of rats by HPLC using electrochemical detection. The method allows, from a single sample, the simultaneous measurement of all three compounds and collection of each peak for radioactivity determinations. Five male Wistar rats were injected i.v. with 2.0 mCi/kg of DL-5-hydroxy-[G-3H]tryptophan (2.6 Ci/mmol) and 30 min later the animals were killed by near freezing. Whole brains were removed and homogenized in an acid medium. The content of 5-HTP, 5-HT, and 5-HIAA were determined by HPLC. Each peak of interest was immediately collected after detection in scintillation vials by use of a small dead space detector (TL-9A, Bioanalytical Systems, Inc.). The amounts of radioactivity were determined and specific activities calculated from the results. A second chromatography system (TLC) was used to check the authenticity and purity of compounds separated by the HPLC.
Human histopathologic findings following radiofrequency ablation of the tricuspid-inferior vena cava isthmus.

Human Histopathologic Findings Following RF Ablation. Radiofrequency (RF) ablation of the tricuspid valve-inferior vena cava isthmus is now the first line of treatment in the management of typical atrial flutter. Successful ablation is associated with conduction block in this region, although the histopathologic changes following this procedure have never been reported. We describe the pathologic changes following RF ablation of this region in an explanted heart of a patient undergoing heart transplantation 4 months after successful atrial flutter ablation. The findings confirm the ability of RF ablation to create in the isthmus a chronic full thickness fibrosis, which represents the histopathologic counterpart of the conduction block demonstrated the end of procedure.
A dynamic grid adaptation procedure for mixing and reacting processes in scramjet combustors with injection

The accurate description of flow features associated with the normal injection of fuel into supersonic primary flows is essential in the design of efficient engines for hypervelocity aerospace vehicles. The flow features in such injections are complex with multiple interactions between shocks and between shocks and boundary layers. Numerical studies of perpendicular sonic N2 injection and mixing in a Mach-3.8 stream and of the mixing and reaction effects from normal injection of H2 in a Mach-2.5 scramjet combustor environment are discussed. A dynamic grid adaptation procedure based on equilibration of spring-mass systems is employed to enhance the description of the complicated flow features. Numerical results are compared with experimental measurements, and conclusions are drawn in regard to the capability of the modeling procedure to describe the flow features associated with scramjet combustor components.
An overview of today's thick-film technology

How thick-film systems are used in all facets of today's electronic industry, starting with their initial application in the computer and defense industries, is described. As the state of the art grew, composition suppliers broadened their lines, developing new higher performance materials to meet changing and more sophisticated packaging requirements. The present technology offers advantages of simple processing, fast and inexpensive tooling systems, economy, quick tumaround time between need and prototype, using wider tolerance active devices, high reliability, and multilevel circuit capabilities. As a result, virtually all sectors of today's electrical and electronics industries are turning to solid-state systems which utilize thick-film hybrid microcircuitry. Consumer and automotive electronic uses are exhibiting the highest rate of new thick-film circuitry adoption at the present time. Industrial usage for high power, measuring and control systems, is also increasing rapidly, and thick-film hybrid circuits are strong candidates to replace electromechanical switching devices. The use of. hybrid microcircuits is forecasted to double or triple current usage on a worldwide basis by 1975. In the future, thick films are expected to play an ever increasing role in the packaging of semicpnductor devices because of their low production cost and high performance advantages.
A phase plane approach to study the adaptive nature of a human performing a tracking task

One of the most complex and adaptive systems to study is a human involved in a closed loop tracking task. It is observed that when the forcing function of the closed loop system has a time varying velocity and acceleration profile, the human will track the input until it exceeds his physical (visual) limitation. When the input is changing too fast for the human to follow, adaptation (or regression) from tracking occurs. If, however, the input is not changing too rapidly, the human will reacquire the target and continue tracking. A study of this type of adaptability is considered here using the phase plane with a statistical analysis performed over a family of four input forcing functions.
Diastolic blood flow into the pulmonary artery in carcinoid heart disease.

Abstract A patient with carcinoid heart disease manifested by mild pulmonary stenosis, severe tricuspid incompetence and mild tricuspid stenosis had unequivocal evidence of blood flow from the right ventricle into the pulmonary artery during ventricular diastole. Simultaneous right ventricular and pulmonary arterial pressure curves demonstrated that right ventricular diastolic pressure exceeded pulmonary arterial pressure during mid-diastole, indicating consistent mid-diastolic opening of the pulmonary valve. This was followed by a parallel increase in right ventricular and pulmonary arterial pressures throughout the rest of diastole. Right heart cineangiograms, obtained with right atrial dye injection, substantiated the pattern of flow from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery during ventricular diastole. This previously unrecognized phenomenon is probably due to the combined effects of increased right atrial pressure, decreased right ventricular compliance and normal pulmonary arterial pressure.
The nature of Hytakerol (AT-10) and its comparison with crystalline dihydrotachysterol.

Paper chromatographic analysis of Hytakerol was carried out using reversephase systems. Three distinct compounds were isolated, one of which exhibited an ultraviolet absorption spectrum almost identical to crystalline dihydrotachysterol. Mixed paper chromatograms and infra-red spectra, however, revealed that this Hytakerol sterol is not dihydrotachysterol. Five different lots of Hytakerol were spectrophotometrically assayed after chromatographic separation. On the basis of ultraviolet absorbance, four of the five lots contained 2.7-3.0 times more of the “dihydrotachysterol-like” sterol than the label indicated. One lot contained considerably less than the others. Evidence is presented suggesting that the Hytakerol sterol is dihydrovitamin D2II, an isomcr of dihydrotachysterol, with a significantly lower potency. Historical aspects of “AT-10” preparation and the clinical implications of our findings are discussed.
Warm-up on a simulator improves residents’ performance in laparoscopic surgery: a randomized trial

Our aim was to assess the impact of immediate preoperative laparoscopic warm-up using a simulator on intraoperative laparoscopic performance by gynecologic residents. Eligible laparoscopic cases performed for benign, gynecologic indications were randomized to be performed with or without immediate preoperative warm-up. Residents randomized to warm-up performed a brief set of standardized exercises on a laparoscopic trainer immediately before surgery. Intraoperative performance was scored using previously validated global rating scales. Assessment was made immediately after surgery by attending faculty who were blinded to the warm-up randomization. We randomized 237 residents to 47 minor laparoscopic cases (adnexal/ tubal surgery) and 44 to major laparoscopic cases (hysterectomy). Overall, attendings rated upper-level resident performances (postgraduate year [PGY-3, 4]) significantly higher on global rating scales than lower-level resident performances (PGY-1, 2). Residents who performed warm-up exercises prior to surgery were rated significantly higher on all subscales within each global rating scale, irrespective of the difficulty of the surgery. Most residents felt that performing warm-up exercises helped their intraoperative performances. Performing a brief warm-up exercise before a major or minor laparoscopic procedure significantly improved the intraoperative performance of residents irrespective of the difficulty of the case.
Impact of tricuspid regurgitation and prior coronary bypass surgery on the geometry of the coronary sinus: a rotational coronary angiography study.

Coronary Venous Geometry in Patients Undergoing CRT. Introduction: The coronary sinus (CS) is often distorted in patients with advanced cardiomyopathy, making CS cannulation difficult. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of the underlying cardiac pathology on the variability of the CS anatomy, using rotational coronary venous angiography (RCVA). Methods and Results: Seventy-nine patients undergoing RCVA for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) were evaluated: age 63 ± 15 years, 43% with prior coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Aspects of the CS anatomy which could impact cannulation were examined: the CS ostial angle, the posterior displacement of the CS away from the atrioventricular groove, a measure of CS curvature, and the presence of stenoses and aneurysmal dilatations. The CS ostial angle was variable (65–151°, mean 119 ± 19°, <90° in 8 patients) and decreased significantly (P = 0.0022) with increasing severity of tricuspid regurgitation (TR), reaching 94 ± 18° in patients with severe TR. The posterior displacement of the CS was significantly more accentuated in patients with prior CABG when compared with the patients without CABG (7.1 ± 3.7 vs 4.5 ± 2.8 mm; P = 0.0246). The decrease in luminal diameter at the CS–great cardiac vein (GCV) junction was 2.0 ± 1.0 mm, being more pronounced in patients with prior CABG versus nonCABG (26 vs 20%; P = 0.042). Stenoses and aneurysmal dilatations of the CS–GCV were encountered in 4 (5%) and 6 (8%) of patients, respectively, all of them with prior CABG, representing 12% and 18% of the CABG group. Conclusion: The CS anatomy in patients undergoing CRT is variable, and is impacted by the severity of the underlying TR and history of a prior CABG. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 21, pp. 436–440, April 2010)
Knee Flexor-Extensor Strength in Children

Isokinetic measurements of knee flexion extension in children and adolescents are a useful means of quantifying strength. In the routine clinical situation with a unilateral problem, evaluation of the affected extremity is usually based on comparisons with the unaffected side. To interpret these results, there must be an appreciation for normal side-to-side differences. Twenty-one normal, healthy children (ages 6-16 years) were evaluated using a Cybex II isokinetic dynamometer at 90 and 240 degrees/sec. In children who were able to generate peak torque values greater than 50 ft-lbs, the side-to-side differences in peak torque averaged 11 +/- 12% (mean +/- SD). A similar amount of variability has been reported with adults. For children with whom peak torque values were less than 50 ft-lbs, the side-to-side differences were much greater (mean = 22 +/- 19%). The stronger leg was equally likely to be on the nondominant side as the dominant side. Side-to-side variability was slightly decreased if the mean of several repetitions was used for comparisons rather than comparing just the single highest peak torque values.
Rooftop temperature reduction from unirrigated modular green roofs in south-central Texas

Abstract Modular green roofs were investigated to better understand surface and membrane level temperature expectations of unirrigated green roofs during hot summer conditions in south-central Texas. We used three succulent monocultures, Sedum kamtschaticum, Delosperma cooperi, Talinum calycinum syn. Phemeranthus calycinus and one unplanted control module, each replicated 3 times. Media surface and below media temperatures were monitored, as well as soil water content and general weather conditions (RH, air temperature). Temperatures at the surface and below the media surface were compared with temperatures of a standard roof surface. We found that diurnal surface temperature reductions were very stable throughout the summer. Much larger temperature reductions were achieved below the modules than at the soil surface. Temperature reductions at the soil surface were predominantly driven by soil volumetric water content (VWC) and, to a lesser degree, air temperature while species and percent cover had small modifying effects through interactions with VWC and air temperature. Temperature reductions below the modules were driven by surface soil temperature, while increasing VWC led to a small decrease in temperature reductions at the membrane level. Mean daily temperature reductions achieved were 18.0 °C at the soil surface and 27.5 °C below the module, thus demonstrating that unirrigated, succulent-based green roofs can provide significant rooftop temperature reductions during hot, dry summer conditions.
Dietary isoflavones suppress endotoxin-induced inflammatory reaction in liver and intestine

Dietary isoflavone intake has been linked to cancer prevention and their anti-inflammation activity was examined. Intraperitoneal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection in mice led to a decrease in the liver antioxidant glutathione level but this decrease was prevented in mice fed with an isoflavone-containing diet. Similarly, isoflavone diet prevented the inflammation-associated induction of metallothionein (MT) in the intestine; and the induction of manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) in the liver. Results from the intestinal cell studies suggest that isoflavones suppress the intestinal response to inflammation by modulating the action of pro-inflammatory cytokine, IL-6. IL-6 secretion and the STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription protein 3) nuclear translocation in response to IL-6 were both decreased by genistein.
Assessing the Oil Motive After the U.S. War in Iraq

Much opposition to the U.S. invasion of Iraq was based on the idea that it had little or nothing to do with threats to national security, but was instead motivated by a U.S. drive to control or at ...
The case of the disappearing left ventricular apical thrombus

Meeting abs tracts - A single PDF containing all abstracts in this Supplement is available <a href="http://
Evidence for hydrothermal growth of diamond in the C–H–O and C–H–O halogen system

Powder x-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman evidence are presented for the formation of crystalline diamond in the “hydrothermal” pressure-temperature regime 1–5 kbars, <1000 °C. Two different methods appear to enable diamond to nucleate and grow. One—a Low Pressure Solid-State Source (LPSSS) route—utilizes special solid precursors, especially low temperature glassy carbon (GC-500), with very fine diamond seeds in sealed gold capsules with H2O at, say, 800 °C and 1 kbar. The other includes pyrolysis of highly selected organic solid/liquid precursors (halogenated aliphatics such as iodoform) onto similar diamond seeds. In all the cases, powder x-ray diffraction evidence shows a marked increase of the diamond XRD peaks, likewise the Raman spectrum shows a strong increase of the 1331 cm−1 line. However, the crystals apparently are too small to be seen in the SEM. TEM diffraction data, on the other hand, seem to lend support to the possibility of all the grown diamonds being very small.
On the mechanism of dielectric relaxation in aqueous DNA solutions

The complex dielectric response of calf thymus DNA in aqueous saline solutions has been measured from 1 MHz to 1 GHz. The results are presented in terms of the relaxation of the incremental contributions to the permittivity and conductivity from the condensed counterions surrounding the DNA molecules. Measurements of the low-frequency conductivity of the samples also lends support to the condensed counterion interpretation.
AN INDEX OF ELIGIBILITY STANDARDS FOR WELFARE BENEFITS

(1976). AN INDEX OF ELIGIBILITY STANDARDS FOR WELFARE BENEFITS. The Professional Geographer: Vol. 28, No. 4, pp. 381-384.
Influence of Campsites on Black Bear Habitat Use and Potential Impact on Caribou Restoration

Ursus americanus (black bear) predation could limit the success of the proposed restoration of Rangifer tarandus (woodland caribou) to Minnesota. The problem was recently identified as a major factor in the failure of a similar restoration effort in Maine. During the summer of 1991 we conducted a survey in the region of the proposed restoration, using bait stations to identify bear presence. Four settings were sampled: islands with campsites, islands without campsites, mainland areas with campsites, and mainland areas without campsites. Results from the survey suggest that black bears use areas with campsites more than those without. Whereas caribou may use islands preferentially for calving to escape predation, islands with campsites may be unfavorable for caribou calf survival due to frequent bear visitation.
Tar Wars: Educating Today's Youth About Tomorrow's Health

Role Play is an issues-related forum to engender dialogue about the roles assumed by nurses who care for children and their families.
Activation of the glycine site associated with the NMDA receptor is required for induction of LTP in neonatal hippocampus

Abstract The role played by the glycine site associated with the NMDA receptor in inducing long-term potentiation (LTP) in neonatal hippocampus was examined. An antagonist of the glycine site, 7-chlorokynurenic acid (Cl-Kyn), completely blocked both the short-term and the long-term potentiation associated with theta burst stimulation (TBS) linked to NMDA receptor activation in slices from hippocampus at postnatal days 10–16; this effect was reversed by the glycine agonist, d -serine. Analysis of the TBS-evoked responses showed: 1. (1) a developmental alteration in the burst response morphology that may be related to maturation of GABA-mediated inhibition; and 2. (2) that, unlike 2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate (APS), Cl-Kyn did not reduce any portion of the burst response. These results suggest that stimulation of the glycine site coupled to the NMDA receptor complex is necessary to induce LTP in neonatal tissue and that two NMDA receptor types may be present in the hippocampus.
Two-phase flow dynamics in a micro channel with heterogeneous surfaces

Abstract In this paper, two-phase flows in a micro channel with heterogeneous surfaces are investigated both experimentally and numerically. The heterogeneity in a micro rectangular channel is characterized by three hydrophilic channel walls plus one hydrophobic one; and the hydrophobic surface is either smooth or rough (roughness: 226–550 nm rms for the smooth surface and 21.5–28.9 μm rms for the rough). Results on an entirely hydrophilic smooth channel (roughness ∼1.3 nm rms) are also presented for comparison. Two-phase flows are visualized through two different angles: (1) a top view; and (2) a cross-sectional view. It is observed that the surface wetting property and roughness affect the presence site of liquid water flow: liquid water is preferentially present in the two hydrophilic corners when one channel wall is hydrophobic. As a result, two-phase pressure, patterns, and stability differ from the purely hydrophilic channel. Rough surface is found to affect two-phase flow. Model predictions, obtained from both empirical formula based on the Lockhart–Martinelli parameter and two-fluid approach, along with model parameters optimization using experimental data. Real-time pressures are presented to show the effects of channel surface properties on pressure drop.
Effects of tadenan pretreatment on bladder physiology and biochemistry following partial outlet obstruction.

AbstractPurpose: Tadenan is a pharmaceutical agent used in the treatment of BPH. Prior studies demonstrated that pretreatment of rabbits with Tadenan significantly reduced the contractile dysfunction following two weeks of partial outlet obstruction. The specific aim of the present study was to determine the effect of Tadenan pretreatment on the time course of the response to partial outlet obstruction and correlate the effect of Tadenan on the contractile responses to field stimulation, bethanechol, and KCl with both mitochondrial enzyme activity (citrate synthase) and sarcoplasmic reticular function (calcium-ATP'ase activity).Materials and Methods: Sixty male New Zealands white rabbit (3 to 5 kg.) were separated into 12 groups of 5 rabbits each. Each rabbit in groups 1-6 received Tadenan orally at 100 mg./kg./day for three weeks; each rabbit in groups 7-12 received vehicle (peanut oil). Each rabbit in groups 2-6 and 8-12 received a partial outlet obstruction as described below. One group of Tadenan trea...