cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Epilepsy: psychiatric aspects and use of psychotropics.

Epilepsy and the anticonvulsant medications used in its management may have behavioral effects requiring treatment with psychotropic drugs. Psychotropics must be used with great care in epileptic patients, however, because some of them may lower seizure thresholds and produce EEG changes. The authors examine the drug reactions and interactions with which the clinician should be familiar and provide guidelines for the use of psychotropics in epilepsy. Particular attention should be paid to drug characteristics, the patient's risk factors for seizures, and monitoring of blood drug levels and the EEG.
Transport losses due to quantum well-scattering of thermionically escaping photo-excited carriers, in III–V multiquantum well photovoltaic nanostructures

Abstract Thermionically escaping electrons comprise traveling quantum mechanical waves liable to trapping and backscattering due to nearest neighbor quantum wells in a multi-layer photovoltaic device. Such losses due to scattering and trapping are taken into consideration in this communication, where transmitted waves are calculated after scattering and trapping take place. In such lossy multiquantum well ‘lines’, computations show that only 16–25% of thermionically escaping carriers get through, and the rest are trapped in quantum wells and are reflected back to neighboring unit cells. For 6-nm width (GaAs–AlGaAs) un-doped quantum wells, illuminated at room temperature, current densities are expected to drop from 0.4 mA/cm 2 per quantum well (with recombination losses but with no scattering) down to a range between 0.064 and 0.100 mA/cm 2 per quantum well (with both recombination losses and overall scattering included in this study).
Nuclear Spin Resonance Spectrum of Isotactic Polystyrene

THE nuclear spin resonance spectrum of polystyrene has been reported by Bovey, Tiers and Filipovich1. Resonance peaks for ortho and for meta, and para aromatic protons were observed. Absorptions by methylene and carbinyl (chain) protons appeared as a broader single peak in the case of high molecular weight species. For polystyrene of degree of polymerization 10 or less the carbinyl proton was resolved from that of the methylene protons.
Forward analysis of some special Stewart platforms

A closed forward displacement analysis is performed for a parallel mechanism where a triangular platform is joined to a hexagonal base, with two legs from each triangle vertex connected to an adjacent pair of base vertices. A new approach, based on symbolic manipulation computer techniques, is used to show there are 16 solutions for any given set of leg lengths. If the platform is an equilateral triangle, the base a hexagon with a rotational symmetry, and the legs put in two natural groups, this approach can show that one of these sets may be replaced by cables (so the leg can only “pull”), and the other set can be rods that are only under compression (we refer to this subsequently as only “push”). If the base is further constrained to be planar the rod/cable values are related by a simple equation such that once the base and platform dimensions are known a wide range of rod/cable values may be picked. In these cases it can also be proved that the chosen solutions are the only physically realizable solutions (in the non-planar case this can only be demonstrated computationally). Examples are provided for several cases. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Constructions of emotion: Discrepancy, arousal, and mood

An interactive adventure-type computer game was used to explore the constructive components of emotional experience — sympathetic nervous system arousal and evaluative cognitions — postulated by discrepancy/evaluation theory. Manipulations of expectations produced significant and large heart rate changes for both positive and negative discrepancies. Autonomic response also reflected the degree of interruption/discrepancy produced by an event. Negatively toned (discrepant) events tended to produce significant intensity and higher overall autonomic arousal. In addition, subjects' intensity of experience was related to their autonomic response.
A reevaluation of the use of rhizome scars to age plants of Trillium erectum (Melanthiaceae)1

UNLABELLED PREMISE OF STUDY Herbaceous perennials are important long-lived plants in North American forests. Trillium has been used as a model organism to examine the effects of ecological processes on age structure in herbaceous forest perennials. Here, the methods of aging Trillium rhizomes are critically examined. • METHODS Rhizomes of seedlings, single-bract plants, three-bract nonflowering plants, and flowering plants of Trillium erectum were examined. The patterns of cataphyll and scape scars on rhizomes were examined with respect to demographic category. • KEY RESULTS Trillium rhizomes produce two cataphyll scars per year on single-bract, three-bract nonflowering, and flowering plants. Scape scars were only evident on rhizomes of three-leaved nonflowering and flowering plants. The percentage of intact rhizomes ranged from 10-67% for three-bract nonflowering plants, and 0-51% for flowering plants. Rhizomes in all demographic categories had evidence of recessing tissues from the oldest portion of the rhizome indicating that accurate age estimates are not possible on many plants. • CONCLUSIONS Accepted methods of aging Trillium rhizomes have significant drawbacks. The primary problem is that rhizomes rot from the oldest portions in all demographic categories. A second problem is that plants producing multiple scape scars in a given year could mistakenly be counted as multiple years. Finally, confusing terminology and misrepresentations in Trillium literature suggests that many previous studies did not correctly determine age. Given the challenges of aging Trillium, we suggest that future studies use rhizome aging to study early demographic stages only and the ecological processes that influence their growth.
Prediction of polycrystalline materials texture evolution in machining via Viscoplastic Self-Consistent modeling

Abstract The crystallographic orientation or anisotropy is one of the main microstructural attributes strongly affecting the mechanical properties of materials. It is also an influential parameter to be considered during the manufacturing process especially for ultra-precision machining since it affects part quality, tool performance, and process productivity through material properties. In this study, a prediction toolset constituted of a Viscoplastic Self-Consistent model and machining process mechanics model is used to predict the texture evolution on the machined surface. The VPSC (Viscoplastic Self-Consistent) methodology which uses the mechanisms of slip and twinning that are active in single crystals of arbitrary symmetry was used. For this, an analytical model for the process mechanics is derived to understand the forces and stresses generated by the cutting tool at each workpiece point, then the strain and strain rate to capture the rate at which the material is deforming and finally the crystallographic orientations under various machining conditions. Experiments were performed on the orthogonal cutting of aluminum alloy AA-7075-T651 and the texture results were compared to model predictions.
Diet-induced obesity leads to the development of leptin resistance in vagal afferent neurons

Ingestion of high-fat, high-calorie diets is associated with hyperphagia, increased body fat, and obesity. The mechanisms responsible are currently unclear; however, altered leptin signaling may be an important factor. Vagal afferent neurons (VAN) integrate signals from the gut in response to ingestion of nutrients and express leptin receptors. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that leptin resistance occurs in VAN in response to a high-fat diet. Sprague-Dawley rats, which exhibit a bimodal distribution of body weight gain, were used after ingestion of a high-fat diet for 8 wk. Body weight, food intake, and plasma leptin levels were measured. Leptin signaling was determined by immunohistochemical localization of phosphorylated STAT3 (pSTAT3) in cultured VAN and by quantifaction of pSTAT3 protein levels by Western blot analysis in nodose ganglia and arcuate nucleus in vivo. To determine the mechanism of leptin resistance in nodose ganglia, cultured VAN were stimulated with leptin alone or with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and SOCS-3 expression measured. SOCS-3 protein levels in VAN were measured by Western blot following leptin administration in vivo. Leptin resulted in appearance of pSTAT3 in VAN of low-fat-fed rats and rats resistant to diet-induced obesity but not diet-induced obese (DIO) rats. However, leptin signaling was normal in arcuate neurons. SOCS-3 expression was increased in VAN of DIO rats. In cultured VAN, LPS increased SOCS-3 expression and inhibited leptin-induced pSTAT3 in vivo. We conclude that VAN of diet-induced obese rats become leptin resistant; LPS and SOCS-3 may play a role in the development of leptin resistance.
The CDC/Council of state and territorial epidemiologists applied epidemiology fellowship program: evaluation of the first 9 years.

Background The Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) implemented the Applied Epidemiology Fellowship (AEF) in 2003 to train public health professionals in applied epidemiology and strengthen applied epidemiology capacity within public health institutions to address the identified challenges. The CSTE recently evaluated the outcomes of the fellowship across the last 9 years. Purpose To review the findings from the outcome evaluation of the first nine classes of AEF alumni with particular attention to how the fellowship affected alumni careers, mentors' careers, host site agency capacity, and competencies of the applied epidemiology workforce. Methods The mixed-methods evaluation used surveys and administrative data. Administrative data were gathered over the past 9 years and the surveys were collected in late 2013 and early 2014. Descriptive statistics and qualitative thematic analysis were conducted in early 2014 to examine the data from more than 130 alumni and 150 mentors. Results More than half the alumni (67%) indicated the fellowship was essential to their long-term career. In addition, 79% of the mentors indicated that participating in the fellowship had a positive impact on their career. Mentors also indicated significant impacts on host site capacity. A majority (88%) of alumni had worked for at least 1 year or more in government public health environments after the fellowship. Conclusions Evaluation findings support previous research indicating need for competency-based field-based training programs that include a strong mentoring component. These characteristics in a field-based training program can increase applied epidemiology capacity in various ways.
Comparison of effects of Aroclors 1016 and 1260 on non-human primate catecholamine function.

Abstract Adult male non-human primates, Macaca nemestrina , were orally-exposed to corn oil or corn oil containing either Aroclor 1016 or 1260 at doses of 0.8, 1.6 or 3.2 mg/(kg · day) for 20 weeks. Brain concentrations of biogenic amines and individual PCB congeners were determined following exposure. Aroclor 1016 significantly decreased concentrations of dopamine and its metabolites in the caudate, putamen, substantia nigra and hypothalamus but did not alter neurotransmitter or metabolite concentrations in the globus pallidus and hippocampus. Total PCB concentrations ranged from 1 to 5 ppm with only three congeners detected (2,4,4′; 2,4,2′,4′ and 2,5,2′,5′) making up, on average, 72%, 18% and 7% respectively of the total residue in brain. There were no discernible differences in the congener make-up between brain regions. Aroclor 1260 reduced dopamine concentrations in the caudate, putamen and hypothalamus but produced no effects in the substantia nigra, globus pallidus or hippocampus. Aroclor 1260 concentrations ranged from 18 to 28 ppm with the highest levels found in the hippocampus. Of the congeners that made up more than 5% of the total residue in brain, all were hexa- and heptachlorinated di- ortho -substituted congeners. There were no discernible differences in congener make-up between brain regions. We concludethat: (1) ortho -substituted non-planar congeners are responsible for the observed changes in neurochemical function; (2) both Aroclor 1016 and Aroclor 1260 decrease dopamine concentrations by similar mechanisms; and (3) based on differences in brain concentrations of Aroclor 1260 congeners compared to Aroclor 1016 congeners, lightly-chlorinated congeners are more effective in reducing central dopamine concentrations than are the more highly chlorinated congeners.
Thermomechanical Fracture on a Pressurized Cylindrical Vessel Induced by a Localized Energy Source

Thermally induced elastic fracture around a localized energy source on a pressurized cylindrical vessel is studied in this work. Analytical solutions are obtained via the method of dual integral transform, with emphasis on the identification of the dominating parameters in thermal cracking. Directions for crack extension from the heat source are examined by the stress and strain-energy-based criteria, including the effects of internal pressure and axial stress. Special features include the intrinsic transition between the thermally driven and the mechanically driven fracture patterns. The physical parameters governing such transition are determined.
Clustered states as a new paradigm of condensed matter physics

Abstract We argue that several materials of much current interest in condensed matter physics share common phenomenological aspects that only very recent investigations are unveiling. The list includes colossal magnetoresistance manganites, high temperature superconducting cuprates, diluted magnetic semiconductors, and others. The common aspect is the relevance of intrinsic inhomogeneities in the form of “clustered states”, as explained in the text.
The Effect of Maternal Dietary Vitamin D3 Supplementation on Performance and Tibial Dyschondroplasia of Broiler Chicks

A series of experiments was conducted to investigate the effects of maternal dietary vitamin D3 supplementation at 4 different times during the laying cycle, on the performance and bone quality of broiler chicks fed a diet that induced tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) or an adequate diet. Ross x Ross broiler breeder hens were fed a corn-soy diet with various levels of vitamin D3 from 24 to 66 wk of age. Eggs were collected at 39, 44, 53, and 64 wk of age and hatched. Chicks from hens fed 250 IU of D3/kg (low maternal D3 or LMD3) and 2,000 IU of D3/ kg (high maternal D3 or HMD3) levels were placed in battery brooders and fed the diets from 0 to 16 d. At 16 d, the chicks were weighed and killed; the left tibias were used for bone ash determinations, and the right tibias were used to score the incidence and severity of TD (0, 1, 2, or 3, where 3 is the most severe). Body weight gain and feed intake were significantly lower for the LMD3 chicks at wk 44 and 64, although there was no difference in weight at hatch. For the first 2 hatches (wk 39 and 44), the LMD3 and HMD3 chicks demonstrated high average TD scores (2.03 and 1.57 vs. 2.05 and 1.75 for the LMD3 vs. HMD3 chicks, respectively) and high average incidences of severe TD (50 and 35% vs. 45 and 34% for LMD3 vs. HMD3 levels, respectively). However, results from the last 2 hatches (wk 53 and 64) showed that HMD3 chicks, compared with LMD3 chicks, had reduced average TD scores (1.39 and 1.47 vs. 1.01 and 0.44 for LMD3 vs. HMD3 levels, respectively) and severe TD incidence (36 and 40% vs. 17 and 8% for the LMD3 vs. HMD3 levels, respectively). In this experiment, as egg production declined toward the end of the laying cycle, hens fed the HMD3 might have been able to deposit sufficient quantities of vitamin D3 in the egg to maintain excellent body weight gain at 16 d of age and reduce the incidence and severity of TD. Hens fed the LMD3 diet were unable to produce similar improvements.
Calculations and Measurements of the Spatial Piezoelectric Response and of the d15 Parameter of PZT5A Ceramic

In the analytical section of this paper the magnitudes of the polarization vectors (P i ) of lead zirconate titanate are shown as they vary with the angle of an applied uniaxial stress. This is done by applying a directional cosine matrix to the stress tensor σ jk in P i =d ijk σ jk . In addition the polarization in the direction of a rotating stress is derived from rotating the d ijk tensor. Two-dimensional as well as three-dimensional isometric plots of the results are shown. The experimental section describes the preparation of disks poled uniformly at 90 o to their thickness and the use of the Berlincourt d 33 meter to measure d 333 as a function of angle. Very good agreement with the calculated results was obtained. The effect of electrodes on the measurement of d 33 and the use of a d 31 parameter to permit a d 15 determination are also demonstrated. The d 333 measurements provided a d 15 value with a resolution of ±8%. Its average value was within 5% of d 15 values derived with other techniques. [Key words: lead zirconate titanate, piezoelectric materials, electronic properties, polarization, stress.]
Exercise-Deficit Disorder in Children: Are We Ready to Make this Diagnosis?

Primary care physicians, particularly pediatricians, are expected to promote physical activity and prescribe exercise to patients. Unfortunately, many health care professionals do not have adequate skills or experience in this area, making exercise intervention logistically and psychologically challenging. Exercise-deficit disorder (EDD), which is a new term to the literature, is defined as reduced levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, inconsistent with public health recommendations. Physicians are in a unique position to identify children who are deficient in exercise and initiate prevention strategies. To aid physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of children with EDD, we propose integrating exercise assessment into primary care practice, and, when appropriate, referral to a pediatric exercise specialist. This approach should ensure adequate development of muscle strength and motor skills that are required for successful physical activity participation. The timely identification of children with EDD is essential in preventing resistance to intervention. Connecting pediatric health care professionals with pediatric exercise specialists, culminating in an established professional collaborative system, is critical for promoting healthy behaviors throughout childhood and adolescence.
Myofibrillogenesis in rodent skeletal muscle in vitro: two pathways involving thick filament aggregates.

Abstract Thick filament aggregates play an important role in myofibrillogenesis in rodent skeletal muscle in vitro. This ultrastructural study describes these aggregates, shows their involvement in the process of myofibril formation, and correlates their appearance and function with current models of myofibrillogenesis. Initially, following myoblast fusion in normal mouse skeletal muscle in vitro, abundant stress fiber-like structures (SFLS) are found near the periphery of early myotubes. These undergo internal rearrangements, forming subcortical sarcomeres and early myofibrils. However, additional thick filaments are synthesized, and some join appositionally to the nascent myofibrils, increasing their diameter. More interiorly, this thick filament synthesis accelerates, with filaments aligning into aggregates resembling discrete A-bands, usually with M-lines and M-regions. The ends of these ‘A-band’ aggregates are infiltrated with ribosomes and capped by flocculent material. Ultimately, aggregates are incorporated into preexisting myofibrils or associate end-to-end to form new, parallel myofibrils, the flocculent material forming putative I-bands with diminished Z-lines and few thin filaments. As differentiation continues, Z-lines and thin filaments appear, forming true myofibrils. Dysgenic mouse skeletal muscle develops similarly, but when this non-contractile cell matures (i.e., generates action potentials), filaments and their organization break down. Cloned myogenic rat L5/A10 cells also follow this developmental pattern, but in mature, contracting myotubes, Z-lines remain irregular and thin filaments are reduced. In all three types of muscle developing in vitro, thick filament aggregates are a common and predominant feature and as such appear to constitute an additional or alternate pathway to previously described models of myofibrillogenesis.
Modeling of turbulent condensation heat transfer in the boiling water reactor primary containment

Abstract A condensation heat transfer model is developed for the purpose of predicting the atmosphere temperature response within the primary containment of a boiling water reactor during the initial forced convection heat transfer period following a postulated loss-of-coolant accident. The model utilizes simultaneous heat and mass transfer for the process of condensation in the presence of a non-condensible gas. The gas-vapor diffusion layer formed is in the mode of turbulent, forced convection. The predicted heat transfer is determined to be diffusion controlled with negligible resistance being contributed by the condensate film. The model is qualified through the analysis of the response of a containment test facility; the results compare favorably with experimental observations made by the General Electric Co. Predicted temperature responses for a typical containment are also shown and compared with those obtained through use of the Uchida heat transfer correlations.
Two-year performance by evapotranspiration covers for municipal solid waste landfills in northwest Ohio

Abstract Evapotranspiration (ET) covers have gained interest as an alternative to conventional covers for the closure of municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills because they are less costly to construct and are expected to have a longer service life. Whereas ET covers have gained acceptance in arid and semi-arid regions (defined by a precipitation (P) to potential evapotranspiration (PET) ratio less than 0.75) by meeting performance standards (e.g. rate of percolation), it remains unclear whether they are suitable for humid regions (P:PET greater than 0.75). The goal of this project is to extend their application to northwest Ohio (P:PET equals 1.29) by designing covers that produce a rate of percolation less than 32 cm yr−1, the maximum acceptable rate by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA). Test ET covers were constructed in drainage lysimeters (1.52 m diameter, 1.52 m depth) using dredged sediment amended with organic material and consisted of immature (I, plants seeded onto soil) or mature (M, plants transferred from a restored tall-grass prairie) plant mixtures. The water balance for the ET covers was monitored from June 2009 to June 2011, which included measured precipitation and percolation, and estimated soil water storage and evapotranspiration. Precipitation was applied at a rate of 94 cm yr−1 in the first year and at rate of 69 cm yr−1 in the second year. During the first year, covers with the M plant mixture produced noticeably less percolation (4 cm) than covers with the I plant mixture (17 cm). However, during the second year, covers with the M plant mixture produced considerably more percolation (10 cm) than covers with the I plant mixture (3 cm). This is likely due to a decrease in the aboveground biomass for the M plant mixture from year 1 (1008 g m−2) to year 2 (794 g m−2) and an increase for the I plant mixture from year 1 (644 g m−2) to year 2 (1314 g m−2). Over the 2-year period, the mean annual rates of percolation for the covers with the M and I plant mixtures were 7 and 8 cm yr−1, which are below the OEPA standard. The results suggest the application of ET covers be extended to northwest Ohio and other humid regions.
The effects of aging on the frequency of nerve fibers in rhesus monkey striate cortex

Abstract In the rhesus monkey primary visual cortex, there are bundles of vertically oriented myelinated axons, which mainly contain efferent fibers originating from pyramidal cells. At the level of layer 4Cβ, the bundles are regularly arranged and the nerve fibers in them are closely packed. In order to determine if a significant loss of intracortical nerve fibers occurs as the primate cerebral cortex ages, the frequency of vertically oriented myelinated fibers was examined at the level of layer 4Cβ in 1-μm-thick, tangential sections. The results show no statistically significant differences in the numbers of vertically oriented fibers beneath 1 mm2 of cortical surface between young, middle-aged, and old monkeys, and electron microscopic examination reveals few signs of degenerating axons. There is, however, an age-related breakdown of the myelin in sheaths that surround some axons. Thus, the data indicate that there is not a loss of vertically oriented myelinated fibers from the cortical gray matter during aging, although their sheaths may be altered.
Experimental evidence that ecological effects of an invasive fish are reduced at high densities

Understanding the relationship between invasive species density and ecological impact is a pressing topic in ecology, with implications for environmental management and policy. Although it is widely assumed that invasive species impact will increase with density, theory suggests interspecific competition may diminish at high densities due to increased intraspecific interactions. To test this theory, we experimentally examined intra- and interspecific interactions between a globally invasive fish, round goby (Neogobius melanostomus), and three native species at different round goby densities in a tributary of the Laurentian Great Lakes. Eighteen 2.25 m2 enclosures were stocked with native fish species at natural abundances, while round gobies were stocked at three different densities: 0 m−2, 2.7 m−2, and 10.7 m−2. After 52 days, native fish growth rate was significantly reduced in the low density goby treatment, while growth in the high density goby treatment mirrored the goby-free treatment for two of three native species. Invertebrate density and gut content weight of native fishes did not differ among treatments. Conversely, gut content weight and growth of round gobies were lower in the high goby density treatment, suggesting interactions between round gobies and native fishes are mediated by interference competition amongst gobies. Our experiment provides evidence that invasive species effects may diminish at high densities, possibly due to increased intraspecific interactions. This is consistent with some ecological theory, and cautions against the assumption that invasive species at moderate densities have low impact. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00442-014-2899-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Cubic‐to‐Tetragonal (t') Transformation in Zirconia‐Containing Systems

The coexistence of the cubic fluorite and tetragonal phases in rapidly quenched samples was studied iin the Zr02-M01.5 systems for M = Sc, In, Y, and rare earths (R). Spontaneous transformation from metastable cubic phase was triggered at room temperature by a mechanical force. Isolated tetragonal platelets in the cubic matrix were bounided by (101) habit planes and contained anti-phase boundaries. The tetragonality decreased with stabilizer content and vanished at around 18 mom for M = Y and R, 23 mol% for M = Sc, and 25 mol% for M = In, all at room temperature. With increasing temperature, the tetragonality initially increased because of anisotropic thermal expansion, then decreased rapidly, after reaching a maximum, as the temperature for the tetragonal
Evaluating Elements of Career Planning Centers: Eight Critical Issues:

Career counseling efforts on most campuses are often given little prominence and are relegated to the least skilled counselors. If housed in a specific center for career counseling, they most typically consist of a one person staff, and are both underfunded and underused. Although one could make a good case for career counseling being central to the mission of any college or university, that case has not been made with much success on most campuses. Too often career counseling centers do not have their vision communicated in a mission s ta tement tha t can be a springboard to innovation and change. As we approach the turn of the century, colleges are being pressed to assert their role and mission, and to become much more accountable to their constituents. It seems a fitting t ime to examine the role of career counseling on college campuses and to rethink the manner in which it can emerge as a profession. In this article, there are eight themes presented for careful consideration by the reader. Through self-study and examination of these critical themes, career centers can take their place in being a logical and significant par t of building the important services and networks that colleges and universit ies must have to survive in hard economic times (M. Heppner & Johnston, 1986).
T cell heterogeneity: firmly fixed, predominantly plastic or merely malleable?

This report highlights the lively debate and discussions on lymphocyte plasticity and/or determinism that occurred at the second Ringberg Colloquium in February 2008 in the Bavarian hills near Tegernsee, Germany.
ATP-sensitive potassium channels are altered in ventricular myocytes from diabetic rats

Hypoxia-induced shortening of the action potential duration, attributed to activation of the ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels, occurs to a much greater extent in ventricular cells from diabetic rats. This study examined whether the KATP channels are altered in streptozotocin-diabetic myocardium. In inside-out patches from ventricular myocytes (with symmetrical 140 mM [K+]), inward KATP currents (at potentials negative to the K+ reversal potential) were similar in amplitude in control and diabetic patches (slope conductances: 69 and 74 pS, respectively). However, outward single-channel currents were larger for channels from diabetic heart cells than from control cells (e.g., at +75 mV the diabetic channel currents were 3.7 ± 0.3 pA vs. 2.7 ± 0.1 pA for control currents, p < 0.05), due to reduced inward rectification of diabetic channel currents. There was no difference in open and closed times between control and diabetic channels. The IC50 for ATP inhibition of the KATP channel single-channel currents was 11.4 μM for control currents and 4.7 μM for diabetic channel currents. Thus, the major difference found between KATP channels from control and diabetic hearts was the greater outward diabetic single-channel current, which may contribute to the enhanced sensitivity to hypoxia (or ischemia) in diabetic hearts.
Thin/thick piezoelectric films by electrophoretic deposition

Electrophoretic deposition (EPD) is a simple. rapid, and low cost method for producing conformal films on patternedelectro(Ies. This paper covers the use of EPD for forming fully dense Lead Zirconate Titanate (PiT) films of twenty micronsand less.The three main steps of this process as applied to PZT are covered: 1. Formation of a charged SUSCi15IOfl of the startingsub-micron PiT powder. 2. Deposition of the powder particles on an electrode under the influence of a l)C electric field. and3. fluxing and constrained sintering of the resulting particulate deposit to form a dense continuous filni.Using this process we have formed six to ten micron PZT films on an alumina substrate. sintered to lull density atY00'C. In a fourteen micron film we have achieved a piezoelectric d33 coefficient of 140 picoCoulombs/Newton. and adielectric constant of I .000 with a loss tan o of 0.045.Keywords: PZT. Piezoelectric Films, Electrophoretic Deposition. Thin/Thick Films
Advances in genetic hypertension.

Purpose of reviewMendelian forms of hypertension are rare genetic disorders that cause severe hypertension. This review will explore the recently identified molecular mechanisms and pathogenesis of genetic disorders that cause hypertension in children.Recent findingsHypertension is now believed to b
Effects of Curing Conditions on Unconfined Compressive Strength of Cement- and Cement-Fiber-Improved Soft Soils

AbstractCement-soil mixing is an effective ground improvement technique. The introduction of cement to soils can effectively increase their shear strength, but at the same time the mixture becomes ...
Pertussis and Persistent Cough: Practical, Clinical and Epidemiologic Issues

Abstract Background Epidemiologic issues of testing, treatment, prevention, immunization, mandated reporting, and post-exposure prophylaxis do not often intrude on the Emergency Department management of the well-appearing adolescent or adult with a couple of weeks of cough. Objectives Considering that waning immunity to pertussis, the only vaccine-preventable disease with increasing cases and deaths in the United States, is responsible for 12–35% of such illness, such issues need to be considered. Discussion Mostly self-limited in adults, transmission of pertussis to infants places them at risk for hospitalization and death. Pertussis is highly contagious (80% transmission), and atypical presentations are the rule in adults (cough alone) and infants (apnea, bradycardia, poor feeding). Treatment in the first few weeks can impact the clinical course, and later treatment can still prevent transmission. Clinical features like paroxysmal cough, inspiratory “whoop,” and post-tussive emesis have mildly increased predictive values and may be absent in adults. Testing is unreliable after 3 weeks of cough. Treatment reduces communicability within 5 days and is suggested without regard to test results within 3 weeks of cough onset for those aged > 1 year (within 6 weeks of cough for Conclusion Practical recommendations consistent with the most current guidelines are offered.
HJ-Viz: a new tool for visualizing, debugging and optimizing parallel programs

The proliferation of multicore processors warrants parallelism as the future of computing, increasing the demand to write parallel programs for increased application performance. Previous experience has shown that writing explicitly parallel programs is inherently more difficult than writing sequential programs. Programmers need parallel programming models, constructs, and tools that can simplify writing of parallel programs. In this poster, we present an innovative new tool, HJ-Viz, which generates interactive Computation Graphs (CGs) of parallel programs by analyzing event logs. The visual feedback is valuable for a programmer to efficiently optimize program logic and to eliminate the presence of potential bugs which may otherwise be difficult to detect. For example, in cases of deadlocks, HJ-Viz enables users to visualize and easily diagnose the deadlock scenario. Programmers can use the visualization of the CG by HJ-Viz to pinpoint potential sources of bugs and points of improvement for parallel performance. HJ-Viz highlights the program's critical paths and displays the amount of work performed in each step of computation based on the collected abstract execution metrics. Our event logging infrastructure also maintains precise source code locations for each event, allowing HJ-Viz to display the code involved in the creation of every node in the CG.
Farm-level costs of settling basins for treatment of effluents from levee-style catfish ponds

Abstract Compelled by pending regulatory rule changes, settling basins have been proposed as a treatment alternative for catfish pond effluents, but the associated costs to catfish farmers have not been estimated. Economic engineering techniques were used to design 160 scenarios as a basis for estimating total investment and total annual costs. For static-water, levee-style catfish pond facilities, sizing of settling basins is controlled by factors such as type of effluent to be treated, pond layout, size of the largest foodfish pond, number of drainage directions, scope of regulations governing effluents, and the availability of land. Regulations that require settling basins on catfish farms would increase total investment cost on catfish farms by $126–2990 ha−1 and total annual per-ha costs by $19–367 ha−1. More numerous drainage directions on farms resulted in the greatest increase in costs. While both investment and operating costs increased with larger sizes of foodfish ponds, costs per ha were relatively greater on smaller than on larger farms. For farms on which existing fish ponds would have to be converted to settling basins, over half of the cost was due to the production foregone and annual fixed costs of the pond. Requiring catfish farmers to construct settling basins would impose a disproportionately greater financial burden on smaller farms. The magnitude of the increased costs associated with settling basins was too high relative to market prices of catfish for this technology to be economically feasible.
9th IAEA Technical Meeting on Control, Data Acquisition and Remote Participation for Fusion Research

Abstract The 9th Technical Meeting on Control, Data Acquisition, and Remote Participation for Fusion Research was held May 6–10, 2013. It was hosted this year by the Institute of Plasma Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences in Hefei China. This biennial conference has been a venue for sharing ideas and results since 1997. This year's conference focused on new developments and perspectives in the areas of control, data acquisition, and remote participation for nuclear fusion research around the world.
Health monitoring of composites embedded with magnetostrictive thick film without disassembly

A new method of detecting delaminations in a composite structure embedded with magnetostrictive particulate sensors is presented in this paper. The main advantages of this method are that it is non-contact, requires access to only one side of the structure, does not need disassembly, and is free of mechanical coupling errors. The composite structure is made of several carbon-fiber-reinforced-polymer (CFRP) layers and one layer of magnetostrictive thick film. To make the fabrication of composite structure simple and practical, a special magnetostrictive thick film whose thickness is comparable to the thickness of CFRP layers was developed. The magnetostrictive thick film consists of fine magnetostrictive particles uniformly distributed in a binding polymer, preferably cured under a bias magnetic field. Also, a compact non-contact sensing module that can be used to scan the surface of a composite structure was developed that consists of a U-shaped magnetic core with excitation and sensing coils on the two arms of the core. A mathematical model for sensing delamination in composite structures with an embedded magnetostrictive thick film layer was developed. Extensive experiments were conducted to validate the model. The open circuit voltage induced in the sensing coil changes significantly, in the range of 50?250?mV, in the presence of delamination.
Effect of shrinkage flow on particle engulfment

Lubrication theory is used to derive an expression for the lubrication force experienced by a spherical particle as it approaches a directionally solidified interface. The analysis focuses on the effect of shrinkage flow. We show that for liquid substances that expand upon solidification, such as water, the lubrication force can act to push the particle away from the interface. Thus, the present analysis proposes a new mechanism for particle rejection that enters into play at distances that are greater than those at which the Van der Waals forces act.
Individualized treatment for iron deficiency anemia in adults

Iron deficiency is one of the most common disorders affecting humans, and iron-deficiency anemia continues to represent a major public health problem worldwide. It is especially common among women of childbearing age because of pregnancy and menstrual blood loss. Additional patient groups include those with other sources of blood loss, malnutrition, or gut malabsorption. Iron-deficiency anemia remains prevalent despite the widespread ability to diagnose the disease and availability of medicinal iron preparations. Therefore, new approaches are needed to effectively manage these patient populations. In this review, the diagnosis and treatment of iron-deficiency anemia are discussed with emphasis placed on consideration of patient-specific features. It is proposed that all patients participate in their own care by helping their physician to identify a tolerable daily iron dose, formulation, and schedule. Dosing cycles are recommended for iron replacement based on the tolerated daily dose and the total iron deficit. Each cycle consists of 5000 mg of oral elemental iron ingested over at least 1 month with appropriate follow-up. This approach should assist physicians and their patients with the implementation of individualized treatment strategies for patients with iron-deficiency anemia.
Development and use of a selectable, broad-host-range reporter transposon for identifying environmentally regulated promoters in bacteria

This report describes the development and use of TnKnXSp, a selectable broad-host-range reporter transposon with a promoterless aphA gene. Insertion of TnKnXSp into the chromosome of a kanamycin-susceptible bacterium confers resistance to kanamycin only if aphA is transcribed from an active promoter adjacent to the insertion site. We designed TnKnXSp as a tool for identifying environmentally regulated promoters in bacteria and developed general methods for initial characterization of any TnKnXSp integrant. To identify putative iron-regulated promoters in Corynebacterium diphtheriae, we constructed TnKnXSp integrants and identified a subgroup that expressed kanamycin resistance under low-iron, but not high-iron, conditions. We characterized representative integrants with this phenotype, located the TnKnXSp insertion in each, and demonstrated that transcription of aphA was repressed under high-iron vs. low-iron growth conditions. We also demonstrated that TnKnXSp can be used in bacteria other than C. diphtheriae, including Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. Our findings validate TnKnXSp as a useful tool for identifying environmentally regulated promoters in bacteria.
Nixon's Second Term: Policy Prospects in the Middle East

President Nixon is now riding high diplomatically on the successes of his first term: the detente with the communist world marked by his visits to Peking and Moscow, and the Paris agreement to end the war in Southeast Asia. Having won a sweeping victory in the final electoral campaign of his long political career, he is more than ever in a position to think of his remaining acts of state in the context of his eventual place in history. By his own recent testimony, nowhere does this challenge present itself more insistently than in the Middle East, where the basic crisis remains unresolved and, as he has often remarked, the danger is greatest of an eventual deterioration into an AmericanSoviet conflict. Furthermore, with the energy crisis coming into public attention for the first time and two-thirds of the world's oil reserves concentrated in the Middle East, what had once been a distant and theoretical apprehension that the Arab states might one day develop a major political weapon against the United States and its industrial partners, to compensate for their military weakness against Israel, now looms as a distinct material danger if not within Mr. Nixon's remaining years in office, then in those of his successor. These being the circumstances, there are widespread expectations that Nixon may be girding his loins for a major diplomatic initiative, aimed at crowning his career with a breakthrough in the Middle Eastern deadlock. He may well be thinking in such ambitious general terms himself; and it will be surprising indeed if a renewed diplomatic effort of some sort is not forthcoming. Whether it will be of a sort that can really be expected to lead to a breakthrough, however, is a very different question; and in the light of the way things have gone in the Middle East and elsewhere in the past few years, it would not be altogether surprising for the Nixon administration to satisfy itself with the conclusion privately, at least that a breakthrough is not only unattainable at a price it is willing to pay, but not really necessary at all.
975-77 Gender Associated Differences in Asymptomatic Aortic Stenosis: Exercise Capacity, Functional Status, and Diastolic Left Ventricular Filling

In order to examine gender related differences in left ventricular geometry, diastolic filling. exercise capacity and functional status, 45 male and 24 female subjects with asymptomatic aortic stenosis (AS) were evaluated with 20 and Doppler echocardiography before and immediately after Bruce protocol treadmill exercise tests. Functional status was assessed by a standardized questionnaire using a 0–100% scale. There was no difference in AS severity between men and women (maximal AS jet velocity 3.5 ± 0.6 vs 3.6 ± 0.6 m/s. p = NS; aortic valve area index 0.7 ± 0.2 vs 0.6 ± 0.2 cm 2 /m 2 . p = NS). A comparison of men and women is shown (mean values ± 1 SD): Male Female p value Age Iyears) 60 ± 15 65 ± 19 NS Functional status score (%) 95 ± 7 88 ± 14 0005 End-diastolic volume index (ml/m 2 ) 48 ± 14 42 ± 15 0.09 End-systolic volume index (ml/m 2 ) 16 ± 7 14 ± 6 NS Ejection fraction (%) 67 ± 6 67 ± 10 NS Evelocity time integral (cm) 92 ± 74 16.2 ± 7.6 0001 Avelocity time integral (cm) 6.2 ± 5.1 10.0 ± 5.1 0005 Exercise treadmill duration (mins) 80 ± 3.9 4.5 ± 4.1 0.001 Functional aerobic impairment (%) 2 ± 33 25 ± 48 0.02 Resting heart rate (bpm) 70 ± 15 75 ± 15 NS Peak heart rate (bpm) 148 ± 29 141 ± 26 NS Peak stroke volume index (ml/m 2 ) 51 ± 15 47 ± 16 NS Peak cardiac output (1/min) 15.5 ± 59 11.4 ± 4.0 0004 Peak cardiac index (I/min/m 2 ) 7.7 ± 2.8 6.7 ± 2.7 NS Change in cardiac index (1/min/m 2 ) 4.0 ± 2.1 3.2 ± 2.3 017 Conclusions In AS patients without clinical symptoms. women have lower exercise capacity and functional status than men even though measures of LV function and AS severity are similar. Decreased augmentation of cardiac output with exercise and altered diastolic filling patterns may explain these findings.