cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Self-assembling human heart organoids for the modeling of cardiac development and congenital heart disease.

Congenital heart defects constitute the most common human birth defect, however understanding of how these disorders originate is limited by our ability to model the human heart accurately in vitro. Here we report a method to generate developmentally relevant human heart organoids by self-assembly using human pluripotent stem cells. Our procedure is fully defined, efficient, reproducible, and compatible with high-content approaches. Organoids are generated through a three-step Wnt signaling modulation strategy using chemical inhibitors and growth factors. Heart organoids are comparable to age-matched human fetal cardiac tissues at the transcriptomic, structural, and cellular level. They develop sophisticated internal chambers with well-organized multi-lineage cardiac cell types, recapitulate heart field formation and atrioventricular specification, develop a complex vasculature, and exhibit robust functional activity. We also show that our organoid platform can recreate complex metabolic disorders associated with congenital heart defects, as demonstrated by an in vitro model of pregestational diabetes-induced congenital heart defects. There is a pressing need to develop representative organ-like platforms recapitulating complex in vivo phenotypes to study human development and disease in vitro. Here the authors present a method to generate human heart organoids by self-assembly using pluripotent stem cells, compare these to age-matched fetal cardiac tissues and recreate a model of pregestational diabetes.
Identifying and characterizing longitudinal patterns of insomnia across the deployment cycle in active duty Army soldiers.

Study objectives The present study characterized a sample of 4,667 Army soldiers based on their patterns of insomnia before, during, and after deployment, and explored pre-deployment factors predictive of these patterns. Methods Data were analyzed from the Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Service members (STARRS)- Pre/Post Deployment Study (PPDS), using surveys that captured data approximately 1-2 months pre-deployment, and 3- and 9-month post-deployment from soldiers deployed to Afghanistan. Patterns of insomnia across time were examined. Theoretically-derived variables linked to sleep disturbance were examined as predictors of the insomnia patterns. Results Five longitudinal patterns of insomnia characterized the majority of the sample: 'No Insomnia' (no insomnia symptoms at any timepoint; 31%), 'Deployment-related Insomnia' (no pre-deployment insomnia, developed insomnia symptoms during deployment and recovered; 40%), 'Incident Insomnia' (development insomnia during or shortly after deployment that did not remit; 14%), 'Chronic Insomnia' (insomnia both pre- and post-deployment; 11%), and 'Other Insomnia' (reported insomnia at ≥ 1 timepoint, but no clear pattern across the deployment cycle; 4%). Several pre-deployment factors were predictive of insomnia trajectories, including lifetime major depressive episodes, traumatic brain injury history, posttraumatic stress disorder, and past year personal life stressors. Conclusions Distinct longitudinal patterns of insomnia were identified, with more than half of the sample reporting insomnia at some point in the deployment cycle. Identifying mental health conditions that are associated with different insomnia patterns prior to deployment can inform targeted interventions to reduce long term sleep difficulty.
Robotic microsurgical spermatic cord denervation for chronic orchialgia: a case series

Context Chronic orchialgia is a frustrating urologic condition that is commonly refractory to conservative modes of therapy. Microscopic spermatic cord denervation is a proven solution for patients who do not achieve relief from nonsurgical treatments. However, current widely used techniques require additional training in microsurgery. Objective To describe an adaptation and improvement of spermatic cord microdenervation technique that leveraged the robotic surgical training common for new urologists and is also accessible for urologists not specifically trained in microsurgery. Methods Robotic-assisted microdenervation of the spermatic cord was performed in three patients using a fluorescence vascular imaging tool to improve visualization of vascular structures (Firefly™; Innovative Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA, USA), along with a tissue matrix allograft to allow for better healing (AminoFix™; MiMedx®, Marietta, GA, USA). Results All three patients (100%) experienced postoperative resolution of their chronic orchialgia, and none reported any new pain. Conclusion Utilization of robotic-assisted surgery offers more urologists the ability to use familiar techniques to treat chronic orchialgia when conservative measures are unsuccessful.
Non-opioid Strategies for Pain Management of the Mangled Limb

Acute pain is an expected consequence of trauma and routinely compounded by subsequent surgical exposures. Although opioid medications are effective in relieving pain, they are accompanied by dangerous side effects, dramatically highlighted in recent years by the ongoing opioid epidemic. At the same time, simply reducing opioid prescriptions will not completely address the problem, as inadequate treatment of pain may result in harmful secondary outcomes. Instead, it is imperative that multiple approaches are utilized to effectively manage pain at all points in the patients’ treatment timeline. In this chapter, we summarize the broad range of traditional and alternative pain management methods and review the significant research gaps in this field.
Introduction to this special section

This issue of THE LEADING EDGE contains articles related to a special TLE Forum, titled “Geophysics and the Environment,” which was held at the 2001 SEG Annual Meeting in San Antonio. As co-chairs Shuki Ronen and I sought out panelists who could illustrate the diversity of topics which fall under this heading. Our success is evidenced by the eclectic topics in the pages which follow.
Evolution in a Test Tube

Current federal research misconduct regulations put universities in charge of investigating allegations made against their own faculty. The central thesis of this book is that conflict of interest prevents universities from properly carrying out their charge to investigate falsification of research. Universities, and specifically faculty committees, are poorly equipped to prove intentional or reckless behavior on the part of faculty respondents. Yet, failure to meet all the conditions of research misconduct leads to exoneration, even of those who have falsified data. A corollary is that the confidentiality clause in federal regulations has been distorted so that it is used to protect universities, not the informant or respondent to allegations as originally intended. The conflicts are illustrated by a specific example, in which two scientists managed to evade judgment for nine years by using legal pressure and other influence. The federal regulations were written with the assumption that science would be a significant guiding principle in the investigative process. In practice, scientific considerations are less important than the funding status, connections and litigiousness of respondents. These failures of the regulation can lead to serious harm to the reputation and professional standing of the informant.
Outcomes after clipping and endovascular coiling for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage among dual-eligible beneficiaries.

Dual-eligible beneficiaries, individuals with both Medicare and Medicaid coverage, represent a high-cost and vulnerable population; however, literature regarding outcomes is sparse. We characterized outcomes in dual-eligible beneficiaries treated for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) compared to Medicare only, Medicaid only, private insurance, and self-pay. A 10-year cross-sectional study of the National Inpatient Sample was conducted. Adult aSAH emergency admissions treated by neurosurgical clipping or endovascular coiling were included. Multivariable regression was used to adjust for confounders. A total of 57,666 patients met inclusion criteria. Dual-eligibles comprised 2.8% of admissions and were on average younger (62.4 years) than Medicare (70.0 years), older than all other groups, and had higher mean National Inpatient Sample-Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Severity Scores than all other groups (p ≤ 0.001). Among patients treated by clipping, dual-eligibles were less often discharged to home compared to Medicare (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.30-0.87, p < 0.05) and all other insurance groups, p < 0.01. Likewise, those who received coiling were less often discharged to home compared to Medicaid (aOR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.23-0.73), private (aOR = 0.42, 95% CI = 0.23-0.76) and self-pay patients (aOR = 0.24, 95% CI = 0.12-0.46). They also had increased odds of poor National Inpatient Sample-Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Outcome Measures compared to Medicaid, private, and self-pay patients, all p < 0.05. There were no differences in inpatient mortality or total complications. In conclusion, dual-eligible patients had higher aSAH severity scores, less often discharged home, and among patients who received coiling, dual-eligibles had increased odds of poor outcome. Dual-eligible patients with aSAH represent a vulnerable population that may benefit from targeted clinical and public policy initiatives.
Preface: Connecting Public Health Law, Practice, Policy, and Research

This symposium issue of the Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics is devoted to the reconvening of the first national public health law conference since 2006, Using Law, Policy, and Research to Improve the Public’s Health, on September 13-15, 2010, in Atlanta, Georgia. This event was conceptualized, organized, and hosted by the American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics (ASLME) and the Public Health Law Association (PHLA) with generous support provided by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American Public Health Association (APHA), Association of State and Territorial Health Officers (ASTHO), American Bar Association (ABA), and other collaborators also made significant contributions. The conference brought together premier scholars, leaders, and practitioners in public health law, policy, and research to explore critical topics with over 400 participants from varied backgrounds including law, public health, health care, and nursing, among other fields. Many of these topics, discussed briefly below, are the subject of scholarly and applied manuscripts in this issue.
Quality and cost outcomes of an integrated supportive care program.

Purpose This article reports findings from a demonstration project funded by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI). The purpose of the project was to test a supportive care program on the outcomes of quality of care and quality of life, and costs in patients with advanced cancer. Methods The project was conducted between February 2015 and February 2018, enrolling adult, Medicare or Medicaid beneficiaries with advanced or progressed solid tumor malignancy. A comparative longitudinal comparison of the program with both a concurrent control and an historic control was used to evaluate outcomes. The intervention included routine electronic biopsychosocial screening, early access to specialty palliative care, and nurse care coordination. Quality of life, aggressiveness of care, and healthcare utilization were measured. Results A total of 1340 people were enrolled, with 71% of the total sample being Caucasian; 41.4% had stage IV cancer, and 20% utilized Medicaid only. Significant differences in the enrolled patients and the comparison group were controlled for through statistical analysis. There were significantly fewer ED visits, unplanned admissions, and fewer total hospitalization days in the intervention group. In the last 30 days of life, hospital and ICU admissions were less and a greater proportion of patients were enrolled in hospice in the intervention group. Quality of life had a marked improvement for enrolled patients. Average cost per member per month was not less in the enrolled group. Conclusion This pragmatic demonstration project confirmed the clinical benefits of an integration of supportive care for patients with advanced cancer, although no reduction in costs was found.
Microstructural approach to equal channel angular processing of commercially pure titanium—A review

Abstract A review on severe plastic deformation (SPD) technique of equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) process of commercially pure titanium (CP-Ti) alloys was presented with a major emphasize on the influence of ECAP parameters that include channel and curvature angles, processing route, temperature of operation, pressing speed, internal heating, number of pass through the die and back pressure. Various ECAP characteristics such as microstructure, strain inhomogeneity and mechanical properties are considered to achieve the maximum homogeneity, equilibrium grain refinement and mechanical improvement of CP-Ti. Investigations show that a pressing speed of 1–3 mm/s at 450 °C with route BC along with channel and curvature angles of 90°and 20° respectively with backpressure can lead to the most homogeneous ultrafine microstructure.
The ADA/ED system: a large-scale experiment in software prototyping using SETL

I n my view, the most interesting aspect of this experiment with prototypes is its implications for software engineering: everyone talks about prototypes today, but is anyone really producing any? Or, amongst those who do produce prototypes, how many can resist the temptation, once the prototype is complete, to treat it as the finished product? The experiences described here present a clear cut case: it would have been impossible to write the compiler immediately in its final form—the cost of perpetual modifications, in response to revisions to ADA, of a compiler written in a `traditional' language would have been intolerably high—designing a prototype seems to have been the only way out. Finally, once a decision in favor of prototypes has been taken, either as a way of giving concrete expression to a set of specifications or a way of `protecting' a particular design, a choice of language in which to write the prototype has to be made. The advantages of SETL are clearly demonstrated in this article, with particular stress laid on the facilities it provides for using several semantic levels, and therefore refining a prototype in successive stages until the final product emerges, or a program very close to the final product. Translation into a language providing for a higher performance level, or at any rate into a more common language, C in this case, is then a simple task. My guess is that a lot of TSI readers are going to want more information on SETL to enable them to use it in similar circumstances in the future. To sum up, this article is particularly interesting for three reasons: it provides a closer understanding of ADA, demonstrates the value of prototypes in software design, and makes a plea in favor of SETL which does indeed appear wholly satisfactory as a language in which to write such prototypes. — From the Commentary by E. Girard —Commentary recommended by E. A. Feustel , Sherborn, MA
James Spaces Over Partially Ordered Index-Sets

We study the connections between the linear topological structure of James spaces generated by a partially ordered index-set and the set-theoretic properties of that set.
An RNA-binding Protein, Lin28, Recognizes and Remodels G-quartets in the MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and mRNAs It Regulates

Lin28 is an evolutionarily conserved RNA-binding protein that inhibits processing of pre-let-7 microRNAs (miRNAs) and regulates translation of mRNAs that control developmental timing, pluripotency, metabolism, and tumorigenesis. The RNA features that mediate Lin28 binding to the terminal loops of let-7 pre-miRNAs and to Lin28-responsive elements (LREs) in mRNAs are not well defined. Here we show that Lin28 target datasets are enriched for RNA sequences predicted to contain stable planar structures of 4 guanines known as G-quartets (G4s). The imino NMR spectra of pre-let-7 loops and LREs contain resonances characteristic of G4 hydrogen bonds. These sequences bind to a G4-binding fluorescent dye, N-methyl-mesoporphyrin IX (NMM). Mutations and truncations in the RNA sequence that prevent G4 formation also prevent Lin28 binding. The addition of Lin28 to a pre-let-7 loop or an LRE reduces G4 resonance intensity and NMM binding, suggesting that Lin28 may function to remodel G4s. Further, we show that NMM inhibits Lin28 binding. Incubation of a human embryonal carcinoma cell line with NMM reduces its stem cell traits. In particular it increases mature let-7 levels, decreases OCT4, HMGA1, CCNB1, CDK4, and Lin28A protein, decreases sphere formation, and inhibits colony formation. Our results suggest a previously unknown structural feature of Lin28 targets and a new strategy for manipulating Lin28 function.
Placental lesions associated with cerebral palsy and neurologic impairment following term birth.

Abstract Objective.—The aim of this study was to determine the association of placental findings with cerebral palsy and related forms of neurologic impairment (NI) following birth at ≥37 weeks gestation (term). Design.—In a retrospective comparison, placentas from 40 term infants with NI ascertained on the basis of clinicopathologic review for medicolegal consultation were compared with placentas from 176 consecutive meconium-stained term infants at low risk for NI. Results.—After stratification for severity, 9 lesions were significantly increased in placentas from infants with NI: 5 lesions generally considered to occur within days of the time of labor and delivery (meconium-associated vascular necrosis, severe fetal chorioamnionitis, chorionic vessel thrombi, increased nucleated red blood cells, and findings consistent with abruptio placenta) and 4 lesions generally believed to have their onset long before labor and delivery (diffuse chronic villitis, extensive avascular villi, diffuse chorioamnionic h...
On-line methods for rotorcraft aeroelastic mode identification

The requirements for the on-line identification of rotorcraft aeroelastic blade modes from random response test data are presented. A recursive maximum likelihood (RML) technique is used in conjunction with a band-pass filter to identify isolated blade mode damping and frequency. The RML technique is demonstrated to have excellent convergence characteristics in random measurement noise and random process noise excitation. The RML identification technique uses an ARMA representation for the aeroelastic stochastic system and requires virtually no user interaction while providing accurate confidence bands on the parameter estimates. Comparisons are made with an off-line Newton type maximum likelihood algorithm which uses a state variable model representation. Results are presented from simulation random response data which quantify the identified parameter convergence behavior for various levels of random excitation which is typical of wind tunnel turbulence levels. The RML technique is applied to hingeless rotor test data from the NASA Langley Research Center Helicopter Hover Facility.
Novel dose-dependent alterations in excitatory GABA during embryonic development associated with lead (Pb) neurotoxicity

Abstract Lead (Pb) is a heavy metal that is toxic to numerous physiological processes. Its use in industrial applications is widespread and results in an increased risk of human environmental exposure. The central nervous system (CNS) is most sensitive to Pb exposure during early development due to rapid cell proliferation and migration, axonal growth, and synaptogenesis. One of the key components of CNS development is the Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic system. GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the adult brain. However, during development GABA acts as an excitatory neurotrophic factor which contributes to these cellular processes. Multiple studies report effects of Pb on GABA in the mature brain; however, little is known regarding the adverse effects of Pb exposure on the GABAergic system during embryonic development. To characterize the effects of Pb on the GABAergic system during development, zebrafish embryos were exposed to 10, 50, or 100 ppb Pb or a control treatment. Tissue up-take, gross morphological alterations, gene expression, and neurotransmitter levels were analyzed. Analysis revealed that alterations in gene expression throughout the GABAergic system and GABA levels were dose and developmental time point specific. These data provide a framework for further analysis of the effects of Pb on the GABAergic system during the excitatory phase and as GABA transitions to an inhibitory neurotransmitter during development.
Stimulation of rat C6 glioma ecto-5'-nucleotidase by chronic ethanol treatment

Abstract Treatment of rat C6 glioma cells in culture with 100 mM ethanol led to increased ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity. Studies were performed to obtain information on the mechanism(s) of action for this effect. Growth of C6 glioma cells in 100 mM ethanol for 6 days increased ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity but had no effect on the pH optima or substrate specificity of the ecto-enzyme. A comparison of enzyme activity of intact cells with that of disrupted cells revealed a selective stimulation of the ecto-enzyme, i.e. the enzyme on the outer plasma membrane. Kinetic studies of cells continuously treated with 100 mM ethanol for 6 days showed an apparent increase in affinity of the ecto-enzyme for 5'-AMP, with no appreciable change in the maximum velocity ( V max ). The concentration-dependent inhibition of ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity by Concanavalin A (Con A) was antagonized by ethanol treatment. Double reciprocal plot analysis showed that ethanol acted in an apparently noncompetitive manner with respect to Con A inhibition. It appears that the availability of the catalytic site of the ecto-5'-nucleotidase to exogenous substrates was increased. The data are consistent with rearrangement of the plasma membrane resulting from continuous exposure to ethanol.
Intramolekulare Diels‐Alder‐Reaktion vom Typ 2: Synthese und Chemie von Brückenkopf‐Alkenen

Anti-Bredt-Alkene, bicyclische Molekule mit einer Bruckenkopf-Doppelbindung, galten lange als chemische Kuriositat. Mit der intramolekularen Diels-Alder-Reaktion vom Typ 2 gelangt man in einem Reaktionsschritt zu dieser faszinierenden Klasse von Molekulen, und man erhielt so zahlreiche anti-Bredt-Alkene fur Strukturuntersuchungen und chemische Studien. Kristallstrukturanalysen zeigten das Ausmas der mit der Bruckenkopf-Doppelbindung einhergehenden Deformationen auf, und die Messung von Reaktionsgeschwindigkeiten ermoglichte quantitative Aussagen zu kinetischen Konsequenzen der Verzerrungen. In neuerer Zeit wurden die intramolekulare Diels-Alder-Reaktion vom Typ 2 und die dabei entstehenden anti-Bredt-Alkene auch in der praparativen Organischen Chemie eingesetzt. Die aus der Art der Verknupfungen in der Vorstufe resultierenden Einschrankungen bewirken im Cycloadditionsschritt eine starke regio- und stereochemische Praferenz mit dem Ergebnis einer stereoselektiven Synthese hochsubstituierter Sechsringe. Die Reaktion ermoglicht aber auch in einem Schritt eine einfache Synthese von Sieben- und Achtringen aus acyclischen Vorstufen. In letzter Zeit hat sich auserdem ihre Nutzlichkeit bei der Totalsynthese komplexer Naturstoffe verwiesen.
A METHOD TO ESTABUSH ELECTRICALLY GOOD CONTACTS WITH UNRESTRAINED RATS

A technique for implanting chronically indwelling recording-stimulating electrodes in rats has been developed. It allows recording of bioelectrical potentials and/or administration of specified amounts of electrical shock with unrestrained animals.
Gender-related differences in coronary artery dimensions: a volumetric analysis.

Background Women consistently have poorer revascularization outcomes and more coronary vascular complications compared to men. This has been attributed to smaller coronary arteries, though limited data exist to support this assumption. Hypothesis By using volumetric data obtained from multidetector cardiovascular computed tomography (CCT), we sought to determine to what extent gender influences coronary artery dimensions and test the hypothesis that women would have smaller coronary dimensions even after normalizing for body surface area and cardiac mass. Methods CCT examinations completed on a 64-slice scanner were identified from a university cardiovascular database. Data sets from 50 women and 44 men without coronary artery disease were selected for analysis. Cross-sectional areas of proximal and distal segments of the left anterior descending (LAD), circumflex (LCx), and right coronary artery (RCA) were measured, blinded to patient gender. Measurements were compared using 2-sample t tests and linear regression analysis techniques accounting for body surface area (BSA) and left ventricular (LV) mass. Results Analysis of cross-sectional coronary artery areas, unadjusted for BSA and LV mass showed smaller coronary artery size in women compared to men in the proximal portion of both the LAD (P = .01) and RCA (P = .002), but no significant difference in the remaining coronary segments. Conclusion Gender significantly impacts proximal LAD and RCA size. Differences in coronary artery dimensions may explain some, but not all excess gender-related risk with coronary artery revascularization, underscoring the importance of considering multiple contributing factors. Copyright © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
REGIONAL CEREBRAL BLOOD FLOW IN AWAKE BEAGLES OF DIFFERENT AGES

Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was measured in 35 brain regions of awake beagles of different ages, by infusing 14C-iodoantipyrine intravenously. Between 1-3 and 6-12 yrs of age, rCBF was reduced significantly (P less than 0.01) in only 6 of the 35 regions, by 16 to 25%, and mean weighted CBF was not significantly altered. At 14-15 yrs, rCBF was reduced significantly by 25 to 50% in 13 of 28 grey matter regions examined, but in no white matter region, as compared with rCBF at 1-3 yrs of age, and mean weighted CBF was reduced by 30% (P less than 0.01). The course of rCBF during ageing of the beagle corresponded to the reported course of the regional cerebral metabolic rate for glucose. The results demonstrate that cerebral functional activity in most brain regions is constant during much of the adult life of the beagle, and that coupling between blood flow and metabolism also is constant. Compensatory morphological and neurochemical mechanisms may account for this homeostasis of CBF. In extreme senescence, generalized reductions in rCBF are found, and probably reflect reduced sensory input to the brain as well as systemic disease.
Tunable InGaAs/InAlAs/InP far-IR detector based on plasmon resonance

An InGaAs/InP based HEMT with grating gate is investigated as a THz detector. Resonant THz absorption by two-dimensional plasmons is tunable with a gate bias.
The generation and validation of white matter connectivity importance maps.

Both the size and location of injury in the brain influences the type and severity of cognitive or sensorimotor dysfunction. However, even with advances in MR imaging and analysis, the correspondence between lesion location and clinical deficit remains poorly understood. Here, structural and diffusion images from 14 healthy subjects are used to create spatially unbiased white matter connectivity importance maps that quantify the amount of disruption to the overall brain network that would be incurred if that region were compromised. Some regions in the white matter that were identified as highly important by such maps have been implicated in strategic infarct dementia and linked to various attention tasks in previous studies. Validation of the maps is performed by investigating the correlations of the importance maps’ predicted cognitive deficits in a group of 15 traumatic brain injury patients with their cognitive test scores measuring attention and memory. While no correlation was found between amount of white matter injury and cognitive test scores, significant correlations (r > 0.68, p < 0.006) were found when including location information contained in the importance maps. These tools could be used by physicians to improve surgical planning, diagnosis, and assessment of disease severity in a variety of pathologies like multiple sclerosis, trauma, and stroke.
Experimental evidence of increased electron temperature, plasma potential, and ion energy near an ICRF antenna Faraday shield

Abstract Plasma properties and ion energies have been measured near the surface of the Faraday shield for an ICRF antenna to determine the effect of RF fields on the energy of ions bombarding the shield surface. A resonant loop antenna with a two-tier Faraday shield was used on the RF Test Facility at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The ECH plasma was produced by a 10.6 GHz klystron and had a central density of ∼10 11 cm −3 and an electron temperature of 5–10 eV. The static magnetic field at the antenna was ∼ 2 kG. A capacitive probe was used to measure the time-varying floating potential and a Langmuir probe was used to measure the time-averaged electron temperature, density, and DC floating potential. Both probes were scanned in front of the antenna. Ion energies were measured with a gridded energy analyzer located next to the antenna. The time-varying floating potential followed the magnetic field pattern of the antenna, indicating that the electromagnetic field is responsible for the potential formation. Potential values of 300 V p-p have been measured. Electron temperatures increased with RF power and reached values ≥60 eV for an RF power of ∼25 kW. The energy of ions hitting a grounded surface also increased with RF power and exceeded 300 eV at ∼25 kW of RF power (compared with energies of 5–15 eV with no RF power). The increase in ion energy can be at least partially explained by an increase in the sheath potential, which in turn is caused by an increase in the electron temperature.
The role of thermal shock in cyclic oxidation

The effect of thermal shock on the spalling of oxides from the surfaces of several commercial alloys was determined. The average cooling rate was varied from approximately 240°C/sec to less than 1.0°C/sec during cyclic oxidation tests in air. The tests consisted of 100 cycles of 1 hr at the maximimum temperature (1100 or 1200°C). The alloys were HOS-875, TD-Ni, TD-NiCrAl, In-601, In-702, and B-1900 plus Hf. All of these alloys exhibited partial spalling within the oxide rather than total oxide loss down to bare metal. Thermal shock resulted in deformation of the metal, which in turn resulted, in most cases, in change of the oxide failure mode from compressive to tensile. Tensile failures were characterized by cracking of the oxide and little loss, while compressive failures were characterized by explosive loss of platelets of oxide. This behavior was confirmed by examination of mechanically stressed oxide scales. The thermally shocked oxides spalled less than the slow-cooled samples with the exception of TD-NiCrAl. This material failed in a brittle manner rather than by plastic deformation. The HOS-875 and the TD-Ni did not spall during either type of cooling. Thus, the effect of thermal shock on spalling is determined, in large part, by the mechanical properties of the metal.
Internationalizing media theory

Media theory has been too narrowly conceptualized within the experiences of British and American scholars. Because the United States and Great Britain are the two countries where most media research has been done, our ideas of what constitutes a media “theory” have been limited by the cultural, political and economic contexts of these nations. But these two countries are far too similar for us to base general media theories on their experiences. Both nations share an imperial history, for example, and a diffuse Protestant Christian culture. They have also both experienced a great degree of political and institutional stability since 1865, and they share a basic economic structure as well as patterns of extensive affluence. Witticisms notwithstanding, they also share a common language. A few other countries have also contributed to our ideas about media theory—France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, and the Nordic nations have also had their savants in this field. But for the mos...
Surface rumpling of a (Ni, Pt)Al bond coat induced by cyclic oxidation

Abstract The surface of an initially flat, platinum-modified nickel aluminide bond coat formed on a single crystal superalloy is shown to progressively roughen (“rumple”) with thermal cycling in air. Far less surface roughening occurs after isothermal oxidation or after the same number of thermal cycles but with a shorter high-temperature exposure in each cycle. Mechanisms of the observed rumpling and the implications of the bond coat surface evolution leading to the failure of thermal barrier coatings are discussed. It is concluded that local volume changes in the bond coat, caused by aluminum depletion and subsequent decomposition of the β -(Ni, Pt)Al phase, are responsible for the observed rumpling.
Influence of hospital-level practices on readmission after ischemic stroke

Objective: To inform stroke quality improvement initiatives by determining the relationship between hospital-level stroke practices and readmission after accounting for patient-level factors. Methods: Retrospective cohort study of adult patients hospitalized for ischemic stroke (principal ICD-9-CM codes 433.x1, 434.x1, and 436) in 5 states from 2003 to 2009 from State Inpatient Databases. The primary outcome was any unplanned readmission within 30 days. Multilevel logistic regression was used to estimate the association between hospital-level practice patterns of care (diagnostic testing, procedures, intensive care unit, tissue plasminogen activator, and therapeutic modalities) and readmission after adjustment for patient factors and whether individual patients received a given practice. Results: Thirty-day unplanned readmission occurred in 15.2% of stroke admissions; the median hospital readmission rate was 13.6% (interquartile range 9.8%–18.2%). Of the 25 hospital practice patterns of care analyzed, 3 practices were associated with readmission: hospitals with higher use of occupational therapy and higher proportion of transfers from other hospitals had lower adjusted readmission rates, whereas hospitals with higher use of hospice had higher predicted readmission rates. Readmission rates in lowest vs highest utilizing quintile were as follows: occupational therapy 16.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 14.5%–18.0%) vs 12.3% (95% CI 11.3%–13.2%); transfers 13.8% (95% CI 13.2%–14.5%) vs 12.5% (95% CI 11.6%–13.5%); and hospice 13.1% (95% CI 12.3%–14.0%) vs 14.8% (95% CI 13.5%–16.1%). Conclusions: Hospital practices have a role in stroke readmission that is complex and poorly understood. Further work is needed to identify specific strategies to reduce readmission rates and to ensure that public reporting of readmission rates will not result in adverse unintended consequences.
Devolatilization behaviour of naturally weathered and laboratory oxidized bituminous coals

Abstract The influence of natural weathering and low temperature laboratory oxidation on the devolatilization behaviour of bituminous coals was investigated. The study was conducted on six sets of coals, each comprising a fresh and an oxidized (crop) coal from the same seam. One of the fresh coals was oxidized in a laboratory at 200 °C for 2 and 72 h to elucidate the differences between natural weathering and low temperature laboratory oxidation and their effect on the devolatilization behaviour of the coal. The compositional analyses revealed that the volatile matter of the oxidized coals were higher than those of the corresponding fresh coals. However, the volatiles release rates, as observed in a thermogravimetric analyser, were slower and the volatiles were released over a wider temperature range for the oxidized coals than for the fresh coals. The volatiles released during flash pyrolysis of the crop coals, as determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, were leaner in aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons and other combustible gases and richer in oxygenated species than those from their fresh companions. The differences in the nature and the quality of the volatile matter between the naturally weathered, laboratory oxidized and fresh coals indicate possible differences in the ignition behaviour of these categories of coals.
An “off–on” optical sensor for mercury ion detection in aqueous solution and living cells

Abstract A rhodamine-based optical sensor Rh–3S has been developed for selective detection of Hg2+ in aqueous solution as well as in living cells. UV–vis and fluorescence spectroscopic studies reveal that Rh–3S shows marked sensitivity and selectivity to Hg2+ with a chelation-induced “off–on” response in acetonitrile (ACN)/MOPS buffer (10 mM, pH 7.3, v/v, 1:1). The Rh–3S sensor binds Hg2+ in a 1:1 stoichiometry with an apparent binding constant 3.71 × 106 M− 1 (log K = 6.57) and displays a distinct change in color and fluorescence upon the alteration of free Hg2+ levels in solution with a reversible response and little interference with other biological relevant metal ions. Live cell confocal imaging studies demonstrate that the sensor is also capable of imaging the presence of Hg2+ ions as well as its dynamic changes in live cells.
Sickle cell disease, update on management

Abstract The article aims to provide a broad overview of sickle cell disorders emphasizing current developments in modern management. The value of neonatal screening, now universal in England, is evaluated with emphasis on the importance of effective measures to reduce the risk of pneumococcal infection. Complications of sickle cell disease are discussed individually with key points of management highlighted, stroke and the use of transcranial Doppler screening as a tool to identify high risk patients is discussed in detail. The importance of effective, safe and rapid pain relief is highlighted and reference given to new NICE guidelines in this area. Recent changes in commissioning for sickle cell disorders will lead over the next 2 years to more equitable access to both specialist and local care within a multidisciplinary team setting, such arrangements should lead to significant improvements in the quality of care for children with these now common disorders.
The Museal Path to Bildung: Collecting, Exhibiting and Exchange in Stifter's Der Nachsommer

This essay analyses salient dynamics of collecting and exhibiting in order to shed new light on the process of Bildung and the founding of a bourgeois family in the imaginary world of Der Nachsommer. The essay shows that learning to collect and exhibit scientific and aesthetic objects is the basis of identity formation in this text and propels the novel's protagonist Heinrich on his path to Bildung. The exchange mechanisms inherent in the novel's regime of collecting simultaneously promote male-to-male exchanges of art and women that cement family bonds, invest Heinrich's wife Natalie with value, and eventually allow Heinrich to join the ranks of his father and Risach, his mentor.
Optical-electrical printed wiring board for high-speed computing applications

Optical-electrical printed wiring boards were fabricated featuring mechanical transfer (MT)-compatible interconnections for out-of-plane optical signal routing with an average optical link loss of 10.7 dB. Commercially available components were integrated into an optical layer for out-of-plane optical routing, including light turning devices that feature spherical micro lens arrays, a total internal reflection mirror, and alignment slots compatible with standard MT connectors. The feasibility of the optical-electrical printed wiring board is discussed in detail to demonstrate its compatibility with common printed circuit board manufacturing processes. The optical-electrical printed wiring board prototypes survived thermal cycling (−40°C to 85°C) and humidity exposure (95% humidity) showing an overall degradation of 18 dB ) occurred after environmental aging life testing at 110°C for 216 h.
Data mining (Invited talk. Abstract only): crossing the Chasm

Data mining has attracted tremendous interest in the research community as well as commercial market place. The last few years have witnessed a flurry of technical innovations and introduction of comercial products. The next major challenge facing data mining is to make a transition from a niche technology to a main stream technology. I will present key technical and environmental issues that must be addressed for a successful transition.
Modification of a mother's verbal abuse

Abstract In this study an abusive parent was instructed in techniques of behavior modification. It was hypothesized that the parent-child interactions would improve as the mother, Mrs. X, began modifying her daughter Jan's behavior. An A-B - A-B reversal design was implemented. Baseline data was collected to determine the frequency with which Jan interrupted Mrs. X. During the treatment phase, Mrs. X was to ignore Jan's interruptions and positively reinforce Jan when she spoke to Mrs. X without interrupting. However, Mrs. X did not apply the treatment consistently and the frequency of Jan's interruptions did not change significantly. Thus a return to baseline and reimplementation of the treatment was not necessary. In order to ascertain whether the parent-child interactions chanqed, two thirty-minute tapes of the baseline sessions were made and two thirty-minute tapes of the treatment sessions were made. The tapes were transcribed and assessed according to the Kasprin-Burrelli, Egolf, and Shames Parent-Child Interaction Scale (Kasprin-Burrelli, et al., 1972). The quality of the parent-child interactions, as measured by the Kasprin-Burrelli, et al., Parent-Child Interaction Scale, improved throughout the study. Thus, it is impossible to state that the treatment was responsible for the improvement. It is hypothesized that the presence of the examiner resulted in the improvement. Mrs. X is a college-educated woman and appears to need adult stimulation. When Mrs. X's need for adult stimulation was met, then her interactions with Jan improved. Thus, although Mrs. X did not modify Jan's interruption behavior, her interactions with Jan did improve throughout the experiment.
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography complications in the era of cholangioscopy: is there an increased risk?

a b s t r a c t Background: Single-operator cholangioscopy allows direct visualization of the biliary tree and is being used in the diagnosis and treatment of various biliary conditions. To date, there are few data examining complications of single-operator cholangioscopy. Methods: We evaluated all endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography procedures over a two-year period and compared its complication rate to single-operator cholangioscopy in a tertiary care centre with extensive experience in single-operator cholangioscopy. A total of 2087 patients (55% men, mean age 57.4 ± 16.4) had a therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, out of which 169 also had single-operator cholangioscopy performed on them. Results: 169 single-operator cholangioscopy procedures were performed (53% men) with a mean patient age of 60.7 ± 15.2 years. Out of the 2087 patients, 160 complications occurred (7.7%), and included pan- creatitis (n = 47, 2.2%), infection (n = 24, 1.1%), bleeding (n = 44, 2.1%), perforation (n = 16, 0.8%) and other (n = 29, 1.4%). Univariate analysis on overall complications identified seven variables with a p value < 0.2, which were included in the multivariate analysis. Biliary sphincterotomy, pancreatic duct stent place- ment, and ampullectomy were associated with increased complications. Single-operator cholangioscopy was not associated with increased complications on multivariate analysis. Conclusion: Single-operator cholangioscopy is not associated with an increased rate of complications when compared to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. The types and frequencies of over- all endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography complications are similar to previously reported series.
DELTA-S=1 CHIRAL LAGRANGIANS REVISITED

Previous work on the contributions of quartic chiral Lagrangians to kaon and hyperon nonleptonic decays is extended by considering an expanded set of such operators at tree level. Despite the apparent larger operator basis, the extended model gives a rather clear pattern of prediction.
Electrogenerated chemluminescence. Effect of solvent and magnetic field on ECL of rubrene systems

Abstract The emission resulting from the electron transfer reaction between radical cations and radical anions of rubrene (5,6,11,12-tetraphenylnaphthacene generated electrochemically at a platinum electrode (ECL) increases with increasing applied external magnetic field. The extent of this enhancement is greatest for dimethylformamide solutions and for other solvents decreases in the order acetonitride > benzonitrik > tetrahydrofuran. The results can be interpreted in terms of a model in which the electron transfer reaction produces both triplet and singlet excited states of rubrene (the ST route), with quenching of the triplet states by paramagnetic species (radical ions and/or oxygen). Calculations using the Marcus theory of electron transfer reactions for this system are presented and the possibility of the production of two triplet states upon electron transfer is suggested.
Don't Learn on Me — Are Teaching Hospitals Patient-Centered?

When a patient at a U.S. teaching hospital says she wants no trainees involved in her care, do we tell her to go elsewhere? Transfer her to the nonteaching service? Or somehow convince her that she will receive better care on the teaching service?
A kinetic model for the premelting of a crystalline structure

Abstract An analytical kinetic approach to examine the premelting phenomenon is suggested by using a first passage time analysis. Premelting is considered to occur when the time of formation of a Frenkel type defect in the surface monolayer becomes sufficiently small. The mean time of defect formation on the surface lattice, i.e., the mean time necessary for a selected (surface-located) molecule to leave its lattice site and form a Frenkel defect, is calculated by using a first passage time analysis. The model is illustrated by numerical calculations for a crystalline structure composed of molecules interacting via the Lennard-Jones (LJ) potential. The lattice vectors in the plane parallel to the free surface of the crystal were assumed to be equal (to the lattice parameter) and the angle between them was varied. The model predictions of the Tammann temperature (of premelting) are very sensitive to the parameters of the LJ potential. In all the cases considered, the temperature dependence of the mean first passage time has two clearly distinct regimes: at low temperatures the dependence is sharp and at high temperatures it is weak.
Presence of Ca2+, Mg2+-dependent endonuclease stimulating factor in rat liver and testis nuclei

Summary A factor was extracted from isolated rat liver and testis nuclei which stimulated rat liver and bull semen Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ -dependent endonuclease activity and Micrococcal Ca 2+ -dependent nuclease. The factor did not influence pancreatic deoxyribonuclease I; whereas it inhibited the Mg 2+ -dependent acid endonuclease of rat liver. It retained its stimulating capacity after boiling for 60 min. Its action was lost on incubation with pronase. It enhanced the ability of bull semen Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ -dependent endonuclease to activate the template of rat liver residual chromatin for DNA synthesis.