cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Trends and patterns of utilization in post-treatment surveillance imaging among patients treated for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background Little is known about the patterns of utilization of surveillance imaging after treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We sought to define population-based patterns of surveillance and investigate if intensity of surveillance impacted outcome following HCC treatment.
Application of plant growth regulators mitigates chlorotic foliar injury by the black pecan aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae).

BACKGROUND: Black pecan aphid, Melanocallis caryaefoliae (Davis) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), feeding elicits localized chlorotic injury to pecan foliage [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K Koch] and apparent acceleration of leaf senescence and defoliation. The ability of certain plant growth regulators (PGRs) (forchlorfenuron, gibberellic acid and aviglycine) to prevent M. caryaefoliae from triggering pecan leaf chlorosis and senescence-like processes was evaluated on two dates in both 2006 and 2007. Treatments were applied to orchard foliage and used in laboratory leaf-disc bioassays to assess possible reduction in aphid-elicited chlorosis and concomitant effects on aphid mortality and development. RESULTS: Foliage pretreated with forchlorfenuron + gibberellic acid prior to being challenged with aphids resulted in significantly less aphid-elicited chlorosis than did control or aviglycine-treated leaf discs. No PGR affected aphid mortality; however, development time was increased by forchlorfenuron + gibberellic acid in 2006 and by aviglycine + gibberellic acid on one date in 2007. CONCLUSION: Certain PGRs possess the potential for usage on pecan to protect foliar canopies from M. caryaefoliae via changes in the susceptibility of the host leaf to senescence-like factors being introduced by feeding aphids. This protective effect on host foliage and the associated suppressive effect on development of feeding aphids might also be relevant to pest management programs on other aphid-crop systems in which aphid-elicited chlorosis and senescence-like processes can limit profitability.
The burning of the New World: the extent and significance of broadcast burning by early humans

It is possible to delimit the areas of the North, Central, and South America that are most susceptible to fire and would have been most affected by burning practices of early Americans. Areas amounting to approximately 155 x 10(5) km2 are here designated as the most burnable part of the New World. Using estimates of burnable biomass, burning frequency, and burning efficiency, the authors determine the amount of biomass burned annually in an environment in which anthropogenic fires were at a hypothesized maximum. The amount of carbon released annually approximates estimates for present-day burning. Changes in carbon sinks may have been the most significant aspect of a shift to a low-biomass state. Decreases in stored biomass, soil carbon, and charcoal production may have had effects on a global scale. Likewise, the shift to a higher biomass/lower fire-frequency state over the last 400-500 years may be one component of an increased mid- to high-latitude carbon sink. The assessment made here is preliminary but may aid in clarifying the state of the climate system during the pre-industrial period.
Effects of Gain Versus Loss Frame Antidrug Ads on Adolescents

Improving the effectiveness of antidrug ads is an important public health concern. Central to achieving this aim is identifying the message strategies that address the differential characteristics of adolescent audiences. This study examined the effects of gain versus loss frame antidrug ads on adolescents with different social and behavioral characteristics. A posttest-only experiment was conducted to examine if these audience factors moderate the effects of message framing. Loss-frame messages, rather than gain-frame messages, were more persuasive for adolescents who report that their friends use drugs. Neither gain nor loss framing had a persuasive advantage for adolescents who report that their friends do not use drugs, although this outcome may be the result of a ceiling effect. Implications of the results for future theory and research are discussed.
Globalization and Small/Firearms: A public health perspective

Violence has been identified as a pandemic to which no country is immune and represents a major threat to human security and rights. The authors look at the effects of arms availability on public health as well as on individual security, human rights and economic growth.
Errors in gran function analysis of titration data for dilute acidified water

Abstract Errors that result from applying simple Gran function analysis to titration data from typical dilute acidified surface waters are discussed. Theoretical development and experimental verification of these errors are presented. The results of this study show that strong acid acidity is almost always overestimated and weak acid acidity is underestimated. Further, if CO 2 contamination of the titrant is present, total acidity will be overestimated.
Regulation of N-linked glycoprotein assembly in uteri by steroid hormones.

The effects of the steroid hormones 17β-estradiol (E2) and progesterone on N-linked glycoprotein assembly in ovariectomized mice have been examined. Both priming and nidatory E2 markedly stimulate [3H]mannose incorporation (3-to 6-fold) into uterine glycoproteins, whereas uterine bulk protein synthesis is not stimulated under the same conditions. Progesterone alone stimulates glycoprotein synthesis modestly (1.5-fold) over that in oil-injected controls, but antagonizes the action of E2 when coinjected with the estrogen. The E2 effect is not systemic, because livers from these same animals do not display an increase in glycoprotein synthesis. When mice were injected with tamoxifen or clomiphene, two drugs that mimic E2 actions in uteri without inducing the full extent of cell proliferation that normally accompanies E2 treatment, a similar enhancement of uterine glycoprotein synthesis was observed. Although mannosylphosphoryldolichol synthase activity rose in parallel with glycoprotein synthesis during E2 p...
Response–relapse patterns of building occupant electricity consumption following exposure to personal, contextualized and occupant peer network utilization data

Abstract Behavior can account for significant differences in building energy use. Monitoring and reporting of building energy use may induce occupants to conserve energy. The goal of this study was to assess the behavioral impact of providing building occupants with personal electricity utilization data contextualized with different social frames of reference. We installed monitoring equipment on the electrical meters for 83 rooms of a six-floor residential dormitory building and formulated three study groups and a control group from the building occupants. One study group was provided with their own electricity use, a second group was provided their own electricity use contextualized with average building occupant utilization, and a third group was provided with their own electricity use contextualized with both average occupant utilization and the electricity use of their peer network in the building. The only group that significantly reduced their electricity use when compared to the control group was the study group that could view peer network utilization. All three study groups exhibited response–relapse patterns after viewing their electricity consumption raising important questions about the sustainability of energy conservation and monitoring efforts.
Warped-Shield: Tolerating Hard Faults in GPGPUs

Graphics processing units (GPUs) are rapidly becoming the parallel accelerators of choice to run general purpose applications. GPUs that run general purpose applications are termed as GPGPUs. Many mission-critical and long-running scientific application are being ported to run on GPGPUs. These applications demand strong computational integrity. GPGPUs, like many other digital components, face imminent reliability threats due to technology scaling. Of particular concern is the infield hard faults that are persistent and irreversible. GPGPUs comprise of dozens of streaming processors where each streaming processor employs tens of execution units, organized as single instruction multiple thread(SIMT) lanes to deliver massive parallel computational power. In this paper we exploit the massive replication of SIMTlanes to tolerate infield hard faults. First, we introduce thread shuffling to reroute threads, originally mapped to faulty SIMTlanes, to idle healthy lanes. Thread shuffling is insufficient when the number of healthy SIMT lanes is fewer than the number of active threads. To broaden the reach of thread shuffling, we propose dynamic warp deformation to split the warp into multiple sub-warps, each sub-warp uses fewer SIMT lanes thereby providing more opportunities to avoid using a faulty SIMT lane. Finally, we propose warp shuffling which exploits non-uniform degradation of different streaming processors by scheduling a warp to a streaming processor that requires fewer warp splits. Hence, warp shuffling helps to reduce the performance overhead associated with dynamic warp deformation. By deploying the proposed techniques, we can tolerate the worst case scenario of having up to three hard faults per four SIMT lane cluster with at most 36%performance degradation.
GRAVITONS AS GOLDSTONE BOSONS.

A Lagrangian model is constructed in which gravitons appear as Goldstone bosons associated with a breaking of Lorentz symmetry. It is assumed that a fermion field interacts with itself by a tensor-tensor coupling. The invariance of the vacuum state under Lorentz transformations is violated by assigning a nonzero vacuum expectation value to the tensor. Interactions between the fermions and this nonzero vacuum tensor are treated by a Hartree-Fock procedure; other interactions are treated by perturbation theory. The divergent integrals that appear are handled by a cutoff whose magnitude, expressed as a length, is of the order of ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}33}$ cm. When the $S$ matrix for fermion-fermion scattering is calculated in first approximation, "gravitons" make their appearance as poles at momentum transfer ${k}^{2}=0$. These gravitons also appear as solutions of the Bethe-Salpeter equation for bound fermion-antifermion states. The model reproduces the results of the linear approximation to gravitational theory.
Preparing Future Pharmacists for Diabetes Management

The Integrated Pharmacy Skills laboratory is a laboratory-based approach to many different aspects of pharmacy education. As diabetes is one of the most common disease states in the United States, it is a primary focus of the educational experience at South University School of Pharmacy. The laboratory experience at South University School of Pharmacy includes the application of diabetes management in a hospital setting, a community setting, and a clinic setting. The class has been developed for the first professional year of a 3-year professional curriculum. Laboratory exercises include calculations, case studies, intravenous preparation, assessment tools, and patient-counseling exercises. The Integrated Pharmacy Skills laboratory provides a practical experience for teaching our future pharmacists about diabetes and diabetes management.
Bone composition and strength of female rats subjected to different rates of weight reduction

Seventy-two rats (7 months old) were assigned into three dietary groups. The control group was fed ad lib AIN-76 diet, the R60 group a diet providing 60%, and the R40 group a diet providing 40% of the energy consumed by the control group. During the initial 4 weeks before switching to the R40 diet, the R40 group was fed the same as the control. At week 8, 8 rats each from R60 and R40 groups were given energy supplement plus the assigned diets for 4 weeks to regain their lost body weight before killed at week 12 (R60R and R40R groups). Eight rats from the control group were killed at the beginning. Eight rats each from the control, R60 and R40 groups were killed at week 8 and 12. Body weight of R60 group decreased within 8 weeks and that of R40 group did within 4 weeks both by 24% of their initial body weight, indicating the weight reduction rate for the R40 group was twice that of the R60 group. The R60 group had lower bone density, breaking strength, and bone Ca content (all at P<0.05) than the R40 group at week 8 and 12. Bone density, breaking strength, ash weight, and Ca content became lower from week 8 to week 12 for R60 and R40 groups. At week 12, fat-free bone weight, ash weight, and Ca content were higher for the control than for the other groups (P < 0.05), but they were not different between R60 and R60R or between R40 and R40R. In conclusion, body weight reduction at a slower rate resulted in more bone loss than a similar extent of weight reduction at a faster rate. Regardless of the weight reduction rate, bone density, breaking strength, ash weight, and Ca content could not recover along with body weight regain.
Synchro-ballistic recording of detonation phenomena

Synchro-ballistic use of rotating-mirror streak cameras allows for detailed recording of high-speed events of known velocity and direction. After an introduction to the synchro-ballistic technique, this paper details two diverse applications of the technique as applied in the field of high-explosives research. In the first series of experiments detonation-front shape is recorded as the arriving detonation shock wave tilts an obliquely mounted mirror, causing reflected light to be deflected from the imaging lens. These tests were conducted for the purpose of calibrating and confirming the asymptotic Detonation Shock Dynamics (DSD) theory of Bdzil and Stewart. The phase velocities of the events range from ten to thirty millimeters per microsecond. Optical magnification is set for optimal use of the film`s spatial dimension and the phase velocity is adjusted to provide synchronization at the camera`s maximum writing speed. Initial calibration of the technique is undertaken using a cylindrical HE geometry over a range of charge diameters and of sufficient length-to-diameter ratio to insure a stable detonation wave. The final experiment utilizes an arc-shaped explosive charge, resulting in an asymmetric detonation-front record. The second series of experiments consists of photographing a shaped-charge jet having a velocity range of two to nine millimeters per microsecond. To accommodate the range of velocities it is necessary to fire several tests, each synchronized to a different section of the jet. The experimental apparatus consists of a vacuum chamber to preclude atmospheric ablation of the jet tip with shocked-argon back lighting to produce a shadow-graph image.
Women and Philanthropy in Nineteenth‐Century Dublin

(1996). Women and Philanthropy in Nineteenth‐Century Dublin. The Historian: Vol. 58, No. 4, pp. 763-776.
Aripiprazole in the Treatment of Delirium

Antipsychotic drugs are the primary treatment for symptoms of delirium, but their side effects can be problematic. Treatment of delirium with aripiprazole has yet to be evaluated. The authors report on 14 patients with delirium treated with aripiprazole. Twelve patients had a ≥50% reduction in Delirium Rating Scale, Revised–98 scores, and 13 showed improvement on Clinical Global Impression scale scores. There was a low rate of adverse side effects. Aripiprazole may be an appropriate first-line agent for the treatment of delirium because of its minimal effect on QTc interval, weight, lipids, and glucose levels. Controlled comparison studies should be performed to confirm this impression.
Attributes, knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors relating to prevention of heartworm in dogs among members of a national hunting dog club

The Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine (FDA/CVM) has cited an increasing number of reports of failure of heartworm prophylaxis in dogs. Failures may be due to resistance of L(3)-L(4) stage Dirofilaria immitis to the macrocyclic lactone class of compounds used for prophylaxis, lack of compliance with and understanding of administration of prophylactics, individual differences in drug absorption or metabolism, or a combination of these factors. Using the latest scientific information, the American Heartworm Society (AHS) and Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) have developed guidelines for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of heartworm infection in dogs. This study summarizes the knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors relating to prevention of heartworm among members of a national hunting dog club, visitors to the club website, and attendees at club-sponsored events. These factors can have a direct effect on the success of heartworm prophylaxis. Results suggest that the dog owners lack confidence in the accuracy of the heartworm test to identify infection, the efficacy of products sold for prevention of heartworm, and the effectiveness of treatment to eliminate adult heartworms from infected dogs. Knowledge about when to begin heartworm preventive medication in a new puppy and the timing of heartworm tests was also lacking among a substantial number of respondents. In order to increase acceptance of prophylaxis and reduce the likelihood of a false conclusion of prophylactic failure, education of dog owners should focus on the need for an appropriately timed annual heartworm test and the importance of administering the last dose of monthly heartworm preventative after the last possible day of potential transmission.
Pyridine nucleotide transhydrogenations in yeast

Abstract Though previously described as very low or absent in yeast, we find significant pyridine nucleotide transhydrogenation (NADPH + acetyl pyridine-NAD + → NADP + + acetyl pyridine-NADH) activity in yeast extracts when assayed at pH 8–9, and describe here the subcellular distribution and separation of the various molecular forms contributing to the total activity in two yeast species. Gentle subcellular fractionation reveals transhydrogenase activity only in the cytosolic fraction of both Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida utilis while intact mitochondria and microsomes are without activity. On sucrose gradient centrifugation, this soluble cytosolic activity proves to be primarily in a high-molecular-weight (>10 6 ) band which has salmon-colored fluorescence on uv illumination. Sonication of the particulate subcellular fractions solubilizes substantial transhydrogenase activity from mitochondria of C. utilis (but not from S. cerevisiae ) which on sucrose gradients consists of both high (>10 6 )- and low-molecular-weight active fractions, each with yellow-green fluorescence. Ammonium sulfate fractionation and sucrose gradient centrifugation of protein solubilized from whole yeast of both species by vigorous homogenization with glass beads confirms the presence and fluorescence of these various molecular weight forms. The relationship of these activities to other enzymatic activities (especially the mitochondrial external NADH dehydrogenase) is discussed.
Deep brain stimulation in area LC controllably triggers auditory phantom percepts.

BACKGROUND: Tinnitus is predominantly viewed as the consequence of dysfunctional hyperactivity, plastic change, or synchronized oscillations in the central auditory system. An alternative to the current auditory-centric view of auditory phantom perception is the basal ganglia-centric view. Recent electrical stimulation experiments in area LC, a locus of the caudate nucleus positioned at its anterior body, has shown loudness modulation of existing tinnitus percepts. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate that auditory phantoms are gated by the dorsal striatum. METHODS: Electrical stimulation in area LC via a deep brain stimulation lead was performed in 6 interactive adult subjects (3 with and 3 without chronic tinnitus) undergoing surgery to treat movement disorders. Tinnitus loudness was rated on a 0 to 10 scale, sound quality was described, and localization was referenced to 1 or both ears. RESULTS: Short-term area LC stimulation triggered new phantom tones, clicks, and frequency modulated sounds in 5 subjects and altered sound quality of an existing tinnitus percept in 1 subject. The results of this study indicate that perceptual awareness of auditory phantoms is contingent on satisfying a permission condition controlled by the dorsal striatum. Potential auditory phantoms are not automatically gated to reach perceptual awareness. A phantom percept gate control model is proposed. CONCLUSION: Neuromodulation of area LC can trigger temporary gate dysfunction and reversibly release new phantoms for conscious awareness. Restoration of restrictive dorsal striatal gate function to treat problematic phantom percepts may be realized by adopting long-term area LC neuromodulation and choosing optimal stimulation parameters.
Formulating poly(lactide-co-glycolide) particles for plasmid DNA delivery

Biodegradable poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) particles have shown significant potential for sustained and targeted delivery of several pharmaceutical agents, including plasmid DNA (pDNA). Here, we survey current approaches to PLGA particle preparation for pDNA delivery and discuss recent progress on optimizing formulation development.
Altered antinociceptive efficacy of tramadol over time in rats with painful peripheral neuropathy.

Pain due to peripheral nerve injury or disease is a dynamic process, such that the mechanism that underlies it alters over time. Tramadol has been reported to be analgesic in clinical neuropathic pain, with varying levels of efficacy due to a patient population that has had neuropathic pain for a wide range of time. In order to address examine issue, the antinociceptive efficacy of tramadol over time was tested in rats with a chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the left sciatic nerve. Rats developed a robust hind paw hypersensitivity to innocuous mechanical stimulation ipsilateral to CCI surgery. Subcutaneous injection of tramadol in rats two weeks after CCI surgery dose-dependently attenuated mechanical hypersensitivity, which was abolished with the μ-opioid receptor antagonist naloxone but not the α2-adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine. Systemic tramadol also attenuated mechanical hypersensitivity four weeks after CCI surgery, but the efficacy significantly diminished at this time point. In addition, the effect of tramadol at this later time point could be reduced with yohimbine as well as naloxone. These data demonstrate that the efficacy of tramadol depends in part on the duration of nerve injury-evoked nociception, and that its antinociceptive mechanism changes over time. Alteration in antinociceptive mechanism over time may explain the inconsistency in efficacy of this and other analgesic drugs in chronic pain patients.
Linear abrasion of a titanium superhydrophobic surface prepared by ultrafast laser microtexturing

A novel method of fabricating titanium superhydrophobic surfaces by ultrafast laser irradiation is reported. The ultrafast laser irradiation creates self-organized microstructure superimposed with nano-scale roughness, after which a fluoropolymer coating is applied to lower the surface energy of the textured surface and achieve superhydrophobicity. The focus of this study is to investigate abrasion effects on this mechanically durable superhydrophobic surface. The mechanical durability is analyzed with linear abrasion testing and microscopy imaging. Linear abrasion tests indicate that these surfaces can resist complete microstructure failure up to 200 abrasion cycles and avoid droplet pinning up to ten abrasion cycles at 108.4 kPa applied pressure, which roughly corresponds to moderate to heavy sanding or rubbing in the presence of abrasive particles. The wear mechanisms are also investigated and the primary mechanism for this system is shown to be abrasive wear with fatigue by repeated plowing. Although these results demonstrate an advancement in mechanical durability over the majority of existing superhydrophobic surfaces, it exemplifies the challenge in creating superhydrophobic surfaces with suitable mechanical durability for harsh applications, even when using titanium.
Axial-flow pump blade-element loss and deviation angle prediction

Determination of blade row fluid flow total-pressure loss and turning distributions in an axial-flow pump over a range of operating conditions is discussed. Included are a review of related research, correlations of pump rotor data and the results obtained using these data correlations with a computer program for pump off-design performance prediction. A number of the important problems related to determining fluid loss and turning information in a turbomachine and some of the consequences of imprecise prediction are pointed out.
Quinidine-induced long QTU interval and torsade de pointes: role of bradycardia-dependent early afterdepolarizations

Abstract Right ventricular endocardial monophasic action potential recordings were obtained in a patient with a quinidineinduced long QTU interval and polymorphic ventricular tachycardia of the torsade de pointes type. The recording showed a deflection on phase 3 repolarization characteristic of early afterdepolarization. The early afterdepolarization was synchronous with the U wave in surface electrocardiographic leads and there was a strong correlation between the amplitude of both waves. A strong correlation was also present between the cardiac cycle length and the U wave amplitude with larger amplitudes after longer cycles. Ventricular ectopic beats occurred only after long cycle lengths and seemed to arise close to the peak of the U wave and early afterdepolarization. However, there was no correlation between the amplitude of the U wave or early afterdepolarization and the occurrence of ectopic beats. Rapid ventricular pacing resulted in suppression of the ectopic rhythm associated with suppression of both the U wave and the early afterdepolarization. This case provides the first evidence to suggest that a quinidine-induced long QTU interval and torsade de pointes may be related to bradycardia-dependent early afterdepolarizations, although other factors may be involved in triggering the arrhythmia.
ATHLETE: A limbed vehicle for solar system exploration

As part of the Human-Robot Systems project funded by NASA, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory has developed a vehicle called ATHLETE: the All-Terrain Hex-Limbed Extra-Terrestrial Explorer.1 Each vehicle is based on six wheels at the ends of six multi-degree-of-freedom limbs. Because each limb has enough degrees of freedom for use as a general-purpose leg, the wheels can be locked and used as feet to walk out of excessively soft or other extreme terrain. Since the vehicle has this alternative mode of traversing through or at least out of extreme terrain, the wheels and wheel actuators can be sized for nominal terrain. There are substantial mass savings in the wheel and wheel actuators associated with designing for nominal instead of extreme terrain. These mass savings are comparable-to or larger-than the extra mass associated with the articulated limbs. As a result, the entire mobility system, including wheels and limbs, can be about 25% lighter than a conventional mobility chassis. A side benefit of this approach is that each limb has sufficient degrees-of-freedom to use as a general-purpose manipulator (hence the name "limb" instead of "leg"). Our prototype ATHLETE vehicles have quick-disconnect tool adapters on the limbs that allow tools to be drawn out of a "tool belt" and maneuvered by the limb. A power-take-off from the wheel actuates the tools, so that they can take advantage of the 1+ horsepower motor in each wheel to enable drilling, gripping or other power-tool functions. This paper describes the applicability of the ATHLETE concept to exploration of the moon, Mars and Near-Earth Asteroids (NEAs). Recently, the focus of human exploration beyond LEO has been on NEAs. One scenario for exploration of a NEA has been likened to a submarine exploring a wrecked ship — humans would sit in a "bubble" and approach the asteroid for up-close examination and robotic manipulation. What is important is to ensure that the bubble doesn't collide with the asteroid surface, nor float away. Multiple limbs, such as available on ATHLETE, allow for precise positioning and anchoring so as to enable the human bubble to maximize its exploration potential. A microgravity testbed has been constructed in the ATHLETE lab, with six computer-controlled winches able to lift ATHLETE and payloads so as to simulate the motion of the system in the vicinity of a NEA. Accurate 6-axis force-torque sensors will measure the applied forces and moments wherever the vehicle touches a simulated asteroid surface. These measured forces can be used to compute the resultant motion of the vehicle in the microgravity environment, and the winches then move the vehicle along the computed trajectory. Preliminary test results from this system are described.
Regional patterns in the isotopic composition of natural and anthropogenic nitrate in groundwater, high plains, U.S.A

Mobilization of natural nitrate (NO3-) deposits in the subsoil by irrigation water in arid and semiarid regions has the potential to produce large groundwater NO3- concentrations. The use of isotopes to distinguish between natural and anthropogenic NO3- sources in these settings could be complicated by the wide range in δ15N values of natural NO3-. An ∼10 000 year record of paleorecharge from the regionally extensive High Plains aquifer indicates that δ15N values for NO3- derived from natural sources ranged from 1.3 to 12.3‰ and increased systematically from the northern to the southern High Plains. This collective range in δ15N values spans the range that might be interpreted as evidence for fertilizer and animal-waste sources of NO3-; however, the δ15N values for NO3- in modern recharge (<50 years) under irrigated fields were, for the most part, distinctly different from those of paleorecharge when viewed in the overall regional context. An inverse relation was observed between the δ15N[NO3-] values and...
Intravascular ultrasound imaging : in vitro validation and pathologic correlation

Abstract Intravascuiar ultrasound imaging is a new method in which high resolution images of the arterial wall are obtained with use of a catheter placed within an artery. An in vitro Plexiglas well model was used to validate measurements of the luminal area, and an excellent correlation was obtained. One hundred thirty segments of fresh peripheral arteries underwent ultrasound imaging and the findings were compared with the corresponding histopathologic sections. luminal areas determined with ultrasound imaging correlated well with those calculated from microscopic slides (r = 0.98). Three patterns were identified on the ultrasound images: 1) distinct interface between media and adventitia, 2) indistinct interface between media and adventitia but different echo density layers, and 3) diffuse homogeneous appearance. The types of patterns depended on the relative composition of the and adventitia. Calcification of intimal plaque obscured underlying structures. Atherosclerotic plaque was readily visualized but could not always be differentiated from the underlying media.
Increased rate of subacute lead complications with small-caliber implantable cardioverter-defibrillator leads.

Background Increased rates of complications related to the use of small-diameter implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) leads have been reported. Lead design and engineering aimed at reducing ICD lead diameter may increase associated subacute complications, including cardiac perforation, lead dislodgement, or lead failure. Objective The purpose of this study was to determine whether lead caliber altered the risk of perforation, lead dislodgement, or lead failure in a single center. Methods All patients with right ventricular (RV) ICD lead implantation at Vanderbilt University and VA-Nashville Medical Center between January 1, 2007, and August 31, 2007, were included in this study. Leads implanted during this period were the Riata 1580, Riata ST 7000 (St. Jude Medical, St. Paul, MN), Sprint Fidelis 6949, and Sprint Quattro 6947 (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN). Information was collected retrospectively. Results A total of 305 ICD leads were implanted (138 small diameter, 167 standard diameter) during the study period. Failure was defined as development of high pacing threshold, marked sensing change, cardiac perforation, or development of extracardiac stimulation. A total of 11 lead failures occurred in the small-diameter lead group, versus one in the standard group. Implantation of a small-diameter lead (Riata 1580, Riata ST 7000, or Sprint Fidelis 6949) was associated with a significant increase in failure rate, 8.0% versus 0.6% ( P = .0008) compared with standard-size leads (Sprint Quattro 6947). Conclusions Subacute lead-related complications were more likely with use of small-diameter ICD leads (Riata 1580, Riata ST 7000, Sprint Fidelis 6949) than with with standard-caliber ICD leads (Sprint Quattro 6947).
A “Closed‐Circuit” Flume For Suspended‐Load Studies

Scope of suspended-load study—One phase of the study of fundamental problems of dynamics of stream-flow which confronts the Cooperative Laboratory of the Soil Conservation Service is the determination of the influence of suspended load upon flow-characteristics of a stream. Some of the aspects to be considered are: (a) The effect of suspended load on mean velocity, velocity-distribution, entrainment-force, competence, and capacity; and (b) variations of vertical distribution of suspended load with variations of change, variations of grain, and variations of material.
One-dimensional turbulence: model formulation and application to homogeneous turbulence, shear flows, and buoyant stratified flows

A stochastic model, implemented as a Monte Carlo simulation, is used to compute statistical properties of velocity and scalar fields in stationary and decaying homogeneous turbulence, shear flow, and various buoyant stratified flows. Turbulent advection is represented by a random sequence of maps applied to a one-dimensional computational domain. Profiles of advected scalars and of one velocity component evolve on this domain. The rate expression governing the mapping sequence reflects turbulence production mechanisms. Viscous effects are implemented concurrently. Various flows of interest are simulated by applying appropriate initial and boundary conditions to the velocity profile. Simulated flow microstructure reproduces the −5/3 power-law scaling of the inertial-range energy spectrum and the dissipation-range spectral collapse based on the Kolmogorov microscale. Diverse behaviours of constant-density shear flows and buoyant stratified flows are reproduced, in some instances suggesting new interpretations of observed phenomena. Collectively, the results demonstrate that a variety of turbulent flow phenomena can be captured in a concise representation of the interplay of advection, molecular transport, and buoyant forcing.
RF modeling approach to determining end-of-life reliability for InP-based HBTs

Abstract Reliability testing for high-speed, compound semiconductor, heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs) has focused on determining device lifetimes based on changes in the DC characteristics. The work reported here considers aging effects on the RF characteristics of InP-based HBTs. In addition, an intended system life of 15 years has been assumed and we have attempted to stress the devices to approximate 15 years of circuit operation. As such, SPICE models were generated for the devices before and after the stress. The basic differences between these models are that the aged model shows increases in the emitter resistance (Re) and in the base–collector capacitance (Cjc). The-end-of life model can be obtained from the standard model by increasing Re from 3.6 to 5.7 Ω and Cjc from 20.1 to 23.4 fF. These changes lead to decreases in: transistor gain, Ft, and Fmax, and an increase in the base–emitter voltage at typical operating conditions. No increase in low current base–emitter voltage occurs, indicating the lack of Be diffusion into the emitter. The changes in the device parameters generally fall within the normal process variations.
Insertion of the drosophila transposable element copia generates a 5 base pair duplication

To examine the details of insertion for the D. malanogaster transposable element copia, we have isolated three independent pairs of genomic fragments which correspond to occupied and unoccupied target sites for insertion. Restriction endonuclease analysis suggests that sites with and without an element differ by a simple 5000 bp insertion. Direct DNA sequence analysis demonstrates that a 5 bp sequence, present once in the target DNA at the site of insertion, is found on both sides of the element after insertion. The 5 bp sequences which are duplicated are different in each case. Moreover, there does not appear to be any sequence homology among these three independent insertion sites
Burning of Amazonian rainforests: burning efficiency and charcoal formation in forest cleared for cattle pasture near Manaus, Brazil

Abstract Twelve 60-m2 plots were cut and weighed in a clearing at a cattle ranch near Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil. Aboveground dry weight biomass averaged 369 metric tons (Mg ha−1) (SD=187). This corresponds to ≈483 Mg ha−1 total biomass. Pre- and post-burn aboveground biomass loading was evaluated by cutting and weighing, and by line-intersect sampling (LIS) done along the axis of each quadrat. Because direct weighing of biomass disturbs the material being measured, the same quadrats cannot be weighed both before, and after, the burn. The high variability of the initial biomass present in the quadrats made use of volume data from the LIS more reliable for assessing change in the biomass of wood >10 cm in diameter; estimates of changes in other biomass components relied on data from direct weighing. Estimates of initial stocks of all components relied on direct measurements from the pre-burn quadrats; in the case of wood >10 cm in diameter this was supplemented with direct measurements from the post-burn quadrats adjusted for losses to burning as determined by LIS. The measurements in the present study imply a 28.3% reduction of aboveground carbon pools. This estimate of burning efficiency is in the same range obtained in other studies using the same method, but two other methods in use in the Brazilian Amazonia produce consistently different results, one higher and the other lower than this one. Charcoal made up 1.7% of the dry weight of our remains in the post-burn destructive quadrats and 0.93% of the volume in the line-intersect sampling transects. Approximately 1.8% of the pre-burn aboveground carbon stock was converted to charcoal.
Surgical repair of a patent urachus and ruptured bladder in a foal

Summary This article details the clinical care, surgical correction, and medical therapy of a patent urachus and ruptured bladder in a foal. Both patent urachus and ruptured bladder are common in foals. However, the occurrence of both entities simultaneously is uncommon. An understanding of the unique embryology and anatomy of this area is important in early clinical diagnosis and surgical management.
Solution structure and dynamics of the bioactive retroviral M domain from Rous sarcoma virus

A biologically active construct of the retroviral M domain from the avian Rous sarcoma virus is defined and its solution structure described. This M domain is fully active in budding and infectivity without myristylation. In spite of a sequence homology level that suggests no relationship among M domains and the family of matrix proteins in mammalian retroviruses, the conserved structural elements of a central core allow an M domain sequence motif to be described for all retroviruses. The surface of the M domain has a highly clustered positive patch comprised of sequentially distant residues. An analysis of the backbone dynamics, incorporating rotational anisotropy, is used to estimate the thermodynamics of proposed domain oligomerization.
Compounds of the Structural Type of Calcium Titanate

IN a previous communication1, it was recorded that precision X-ray powder methods with a large-diameter camera show that the structure of nickel oxide is not strictly cubic, but only pseudo-cubic. Splitting of some of the X-ray reflexions into more than one component is explained if a small distortion of the cubic lattice along an octahedral axis is assumed, so that the true symmetry is rhombohedral hexagonal.
Structural transition in Na x Co O 2 with x near 0.75 due to Na rearrangement

We report neutron powder diffraction measurements on a series of NaxCoO2 samples with x near 0.75 which were prepared under different synthesis conditions. Two different crystal structures for the samples are observed at room temperature. The two structures differ primarily by a shift of a large fraction of the Na ions from a high-symmetry position to a lower-symmetry position. Close inspection of the refinement parameters indicates that the presence of either structure depends sensitively on the Na content x, with x = 0.75 as the critical concentration separating the two phases. By raising the temperature to around T = 323 K, the high-symmetry structure can be converted to the lower-symmetry structure. The transition is reversible, but there is significant hysteresis. We discuss the effects of this structural transition on the bulk magnetic and transport properties.
Control techniques for a high current ion implantation system

Abstract The techniques used to remotely set up the source and steer the beam of a high current ion implantation system are presented.
GLP-1 inhibition of pancreatic islet cell apoptosis

Apoptosis plays an important role in the normal physiology of the pancreas, the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus (DM) and the success rate of islet transplantation. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), an incretin hormone with multiple effects on glucose metabolism and pancreatic gene expression, has recently been found to have antiapoptotic properties. This new property of GLP-1 has clinical relevance for the treatment of patients with overt DM, possible prevention of DM during the stage of impaired glucose tolerance and improvement in the outcome of islet transplantation. The pleiotropic effects of GLP-1 have fostered considerable interest in evaluating the efficacy of GLP-1, and might lead in the near future to its use in the prevention and/or treatment of DM.
Dynamic construction of animated help from application context

Help provided as traditional text descriptions has become incompatible with graphical interfaces. Animation suggests a better association between help and a graphical interface. This paper describes a prototype system implemented to demonstrate the use of dynamic scenarios as help. A scenario animates the execution of a task as a sequence of steps in the actual interface and work context. Each scenario is dynamically generated depending on the current work context of the user. The system reasons from the user's request for help as well as from the context what and how much to animate.In addition to the animation driving mechanism, construction of animated help requires knowledge about application semantics, user interface semantics, user interface syntax and application context. The application semantics determines the steps needed to satisfy the help request. The user interface semantics determines whether the current state of the graphical interface will support the appropriate animated help scenarios. The user interface syntax gives detailed information on how each step will actually be performed. Preconditions are used in both application and user interface semantics for reasoning in help construction. The restoring of context is performed using help session history data to return to the original work context after an animation session.The implemented example uses a directory tree program where the graphical interface is kept simple. In future research the concept will be applied to more complicated applications.
Damit: A small computer optical model code for pion scattering

Abstract A Fortran computer code for the optical model calculation of pion nucleus scattering has been written for small computer systems. The code is operational on both an IBM-1800 and a PDP-11 data acquisition computer. It allows calculation with both the Laplacian and Kisslinger optical models using either a modified Gaussian or a Fermi nuclear density. The code gives results in agreement with other pion optical model codes.
Synchronization of estrus in suckled postpartum beef cows with melengestrol acetate and PGF2α

A total of 402 two suckled postpartum beef cows at 2 locations (CSU and ECRC) were utilized in 3 trials to evaluate the effectiveness of a combination melengestrol acetate (MGA)-PGF2α estrus synchronization system in spring-calving cows. The cows were allocatted by days post partum, body condition score (1 = emaciated;9 = obese), sire breed, and dam age at the beginning of treatment to 1 of 2 treatments within location and trial: MGA-PGF2α (0.5 mg MGA/head/d for 14 d with 25 mg of PGF2α injected 17 d after MGA withdrawal), and unsynchrpnized controls. All cows were observed for estrus at 12-h intervals for at least 5 d post injection. Cows observed in standing estrus were inseminated 12 to 18 h later. There was a location effect on response to treatment that was attributed to differences in body condition score between locations so data were analyzed within a location. Body condition score at the CSU location was 5.7 compared with 4.0 at the ECRC location. The CSU MGA-PGF2α treated cows had higher (P < 0.05) 5-day estrus and 5-d pregnancy rates (78.6 and 61.0%, respectively) than the CSU controls (11.1 and 6.9%, respectively). Similar results for 5-d estrus and pregnancy rates but of decreased magnitude were also observed for the ECRC MGA-PGF2α treated (31.6 and 21.4%, respectively) cows compared with that of the ECRC controls (11.9 and 8.5%, respectively). The CSU MGA-PGF2α treated cows had higher (P < 0.05) 25- and 60-d pregnancy rates (82.5 and 94.8%) than the CSU controls (65.3 and 87.5%). The 25- and 60-d pregnancy rates were similar between the ECRC MGA-PGF2α treated cows and ECRC control cows. The MGA-PGF2α estrus synchronization system appears to contribute to pregnancy early in the breeding season in postpartum beef cows, although its effectiveness is limited by cow body condition.
Anterior submuscular transposition of the ulnar nerve for cubital tunnel syndrome

48 patients with 50 involved limbs were retrospectively analyzed to determine factors influencing the outcome of surgical treatment for cubital tunnel syndrome. All patients were treated by anterior submuscular transposition of the ulnar nerve with Z-lengthening of the flexor-pronator origin. There were 24 men and 24 women with an average age of 42 years±16.4 years (range, 5–75 years). The average follow-up time was 58 months (range, 12–156 months). A grading system was used pre- and post-operatively based on the severity of subjective complaints and objective findings. 92% of the patients were satisfied, or satisfied with some reservations, and only 8% were dissatisfied. All patients had either fair or poor pre-operative grades. 84% had excellent or good post-operative grades and only 16% had fair grades. There were no recurrences or poor post-operative grades in our series. Workers' compensation status had no statistically significant adverse effect on post-operative patient satisfaction or post-operative grade. Anterior submuscular transposition of the ulnar nerve in this series provided satisfactory subjective outcome, relief of symptoms and adequate decompression of the ulnar nerve at the elbow.