cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Package on package DDR Power Integrity Design

The IC (integrated circuit) packaging technology has evolved and transitioned from wirebond to flipchip, multi-chip package (MCP) to 3D stacking. PoP (Package on Package) enables the vertical integration of memory on the conventional package which helps to achieve higher component density on the platform. PoP technology is very important for modern electronics devices as it features more function in very compact devices such as smart phones and tablets. While PoP offers denser component count on platform, it also comes with electrical challenges such as Power Integrity issue. Conventional Power Integrity Design and Methodology may not hold for PoP technology.
New, sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography method for the determination of slaframine in plasma and milk

Slaframine was derivatized precolumn with fluorescamine. The derivatized slaframine was chromatographed isocratically using HPLC on a Hamilton PRP-1 C18 polymeric column with fluorescence detection. By using fluorescent derivatization, sensitivity was increased 100-fold over previously reported GC methods. A liquid-liquid partition was used to extract slaframine from plasma with a 95% recovery and a CV% of 8.4. A solid-phase extraction was used to extract slaframine from milk with a 91% recovery and a CV% of 9.8.
CADHERINS AND CATENINS : INTERACTIONS AND FUNCTIONS IN EMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT

During the past year, the family of cadherin cell-adhesion molecules has increased in number and diversity. Recent studies have also emphasized how cadherin activity can be regulated by the dynamic association with intracellular components, the catenins, and with extracellular molecules that are linked to different cell-signaling pathways. Finally, the initial steps have been taken towards identifying the function of cadherins in vivo, including their potential roles in early embryonic development.
Mode I fracture toughness of an adhesively bonded composite–composite joint in a cryogenic environment

Abstract To determine the effect of cryogenic temperature on the adhesive fracture toughness of an adhesively bonded joint with composite adherends, monotonic mode I adhesive fracture toughness tests were performed at liquid nitrogen temperature (−196 °C) and at room temperature (27 °C). From these experimental tests, the critical strain energy release rate for both test temperatures was evaluated for the selected bonded joint system constructed of carbon-BMI adherends bonded with AF-191M film adhesive. Experimental results exhibit reduced adhesive fracture toughness at the cryogenic temperature and a profound difference in fracture mode.
Erythropoietic response to calorigenic hormones.

Experimental evidence is presented which demonstrates that a parallel exists between the effectiveness of corticotrophic pituitary preparations in restoring to normal heat production (oxygen consumption) and erythropoiesis (red cell volume) in hypophysectomized rats. Both effects are absent when the adrenals are also removed. Oxidation of the N-terminal serine of corticotrophin by periodate destroys both responses. The adrenal glucocorticoids exert both effects in hypophysectomized rats and as with corticotrophin the responses increase with dose. In the absence of the thyroid as well as the pituitary the erythropoietic response to adrenal steroids is marginal, judged by calculations based on final body weight, but negative judged on the basis of initial body weight, the difference being due to serious weight loss. Thyroidectomized rats also display a weight loss after adrenal steroid administration which complicates the interpretation of the erythropoietic values. Surprisingly, there is a striking regranu...
Volume-Outcome Relationships for Percutaneous Coronary Interventions in the Stent Era

Background— Most studies that are the basis of recommended volume thresholds for percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) predate the routine use of stent placement. Methods and Results— Data from New York’s Percutaneous Coronary Interventions Reporting System in 1998 to 2000 (n=107 713) were used to examine the impact of annual hospital volume and annual operator volume on in-hospital mortality, same-day coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, and same-stay CABG surgery after adjustment for differences in patients’ severity of illness. For a hospital-volume threshold of 400, the odds ratios for low-volume hospitals versus high-volume hospitals were 1.98 (95% CI, 1.17, 3.35) for in-hospital mortality, 2.07 (95% CI, 1.36, 3.15) for same-day CABG surgery, and 1.51 (95% CI, 1.03, 2.21) for same-stay CABG surgery. For an operator-volume threshold of 75, the odds ratios for low-volume versus high-volume operators were 1.65 (95% CI, 1.05, 2.60) for same-day CABG surgery and 1.55 (95% CI, 1.10, 2.18) for ...
Miniature 1280 by 1024 active matrix liquid crystal displays

A miniature 1280 by 1024 transmissive active matrix liquid crystal display (AMLCD) was developed for the RAH-66 Comanche helicopter head-mounted displays and other military applications. The display has an active area of 15.4 mm by 12.3 mm with a diagonal of 19.7 mm (0.77 inches). The display has a 12 micrometer pixel pitch, yet a clear optical aperture of over 30% was achieved by using a 0.8 micrometer CMOS design rule for the active-matrix circuit fabrication. The fabrication process used was similar to that of Kopin's commercial CyberDisplay AMLCD's, which produces high performance, high reliability devices. To achieve low temperature operation to -40 C, the display was designed with an integrated thermal sensor to allow control of a heater. Display test results include contrast ratios over 100, continuous gray scale, fast response times for 60 Hz operation, and the ability to show both gray-scale images and symbology at display luminescence levels over 2,000 foot- Lamberts brightness. This latter result will enable this display to be used in systems with full sunlight readability requirements. The design, fabrication, and characterization of this display are discussed.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Model based code generation for medical cyber physical systems

Deployment of medical devices on human body in unsupervised environment makes their operation safety critical. Software errors such as unbounded memory access or unreachable critical alarms can cause life threatening consequences in these medical cyber-physical systems (MCPSes), where software in medical devices monitor and control human physiology. Further, implementation of complex control strategy in inherently resource constrained medical devices require careful evaluation of runtime characteristics of the software. Such stringent requirements causes errors in manual implementation, which can be only detected by static analysis tools possibly inflicting high cost of redesigning. To avoid such inefficiencies this paper proposes an automatic code generator with assurance on safety from errors such as out-of-bound memory access, unreachable code, and race conditions. The proposed code generator was evaluated against manually written code of a software benchmark for sensors BSNBench in terms of possible optimizations using conditional X propagation. The generated code was found to be 9.3% more optimized than BSNBench code. The generated code was also tested using static analysis tool, Frama-c, and showed no errors.
Implicit learning in patients with probable Alzheimer's disease

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether patients with probable Alzheimer9s disease (AD) were capable of implicit procedural learning. AD patients and elderly control subjects were given a serial visual reaction time task with an embedded repeating sequence. The AD patients responded more slowly than the controls, but many nonetheless showed learning of the repeating sequence. Patients who failed to learn the sequence were similar in age and overall severity of dementia to those who learned, but they scored lower on some tasks of nonverbal reasoning.
Neurofeedback training produces normalization in behavioural and electrophysiological measures of high-functioning autism

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition exhibiting impairments in behaviour, social and communication skills. These deficits may arise from aberrant functional connections that impact synchronization and effective neural communication. Neurofeedback training (NFT), based on operant conditioning of the electroencephalogram (EEG), has shown promise in addressing abnormalities in functional and structural connectivity. We tested the efficacy of NFT in reducing symptoms in children with ASD by targeting training to the mirror neuron system (MNS) via modulation of EEG mu rhythms. The human MNS has provided a neurobiological substrate for understanding concepts in social cognition relevant to behavioural and cognitive deficits observed in ASD. Furthermore, mu rhythms resemble MNS phenomenology supporting the argument that they are linked to perception and action. Thirty hours of NFT on ASD and typically developing (TD) children were assessed. Both groups completed an eyes-open/-closed EEG session as well as a mu suppression index assessment before and after training. Parents filled out pre- and post-behavioural questionnaires. The results showed improvements in ASD subjects but not in TDs. This suggests that induction of neuroplastic changes via NFT can normalize dysfunctional mirroring networks in children with autism, but the benefits are different for TD brains.
Speckle mechanism in optical coherence imaging

Relation between holographic speckle size and mean free path of milk is studied in a holographic OCI system. Results indicate that speckle size is linearly depends on the mean free path of the turbid media.
Early diagnosis and treatment of a posttraumatic pseudoaneurysm/dissection of the innominate artery.

A 25-year-old male developed a traumatic intimo-medial dissection and saccular pseudoaneurysm at the origin of the innominate artery following a motorcycle accident. On physical examination there was no perceivable trauma to the chest. In addition, there were no clinical symptoms that suggested this serious injury. The patient was managed with successful stent-graft placement on an elective basis. Azarcon F , Ghaleb M . Early Diagnosis and Treatment of a Posttraumatic Pseudoaneurysm/Dissection of the Innominate Artery . Prehosp Disaster Med . 2014 ; 29 ( 1 ): 1 - 3 .
Bronze tin content and grain size in Nb/sub 3/Sn composite superconductors

The bronze matrix contributes in an interrelated way to both the electrical and mechanical properties of Nb/sub 3/Sn composite superconductors. The bronze provides precompression and contributes to the load bearing capability of the conductor, and these aspects of mechanical performance are related to residual tin content. The Nb3Sn conductors used in the NHMFL 900 MHz NMR magnet are examples of modern bronze process conductors. The electrical properties of these conductors have been reported previously. These conductors have now been examined specifically to study the characteristics of the bronze as part of a general understanding of mechanical properties. Five types of conductor are examined for residual tin content and grain size in the bronze. Using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, the residual tin content of the bronze in the central regions of the conductors was measured to be in the range of 2 to 4 wt%. Given the high temperature of the heat treatment, relatively large grains would generally result in such bronze materials. For the bronze in a multifilamentary conductor, however, the filament spacing was expected to provide a constraint on grain growth. There are a number of identifiable bronze regions in a composite conductor, including between filaments, between sub-bundles and beneath the barrier. It is observed that the grain size in each region is comparable to the space available between the boundaries of the filament structure, and that the grains are regular and not highly elongated in either a transverse or longitudinal section. As the characteristic dimensions of the bronze regions vary widely, the grain sizes in these regions are quite different as well. As the yield stress of the bronze satisfies the Hall-Petch relation, the small grain size between filaments is estimated to contribute significantly to the yield stress of the bronze in this region.
Resveratrol Prevents Epigenetic Silencing of BRCA-1 by the Aromatic Hydrocarbon Receptor in Human Breast Cancer Cells

The BRCA-1 protein is a tumor suppressor involved in repair of DNA damage. Epigenetic mechanisms contribute to its reduced expression in sporadic breast tumors. Through diet, humans are exposed to a complex mixture of xenobiotics and natural ligands of the aromatic hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), which contributes to the etiology of various types of cancers. The AhR binds xenobiotics, endogenous ligands, and many natural dietary bioactive compounds, including the phytoalexin resveratrol (Res). In estrogen receptor- alpha (ER alpha )-positive and BRCA-1 wild-type MCF-7 breast cancer cells, we investigated the influence of AhR activation with the agonist 2,3,7,8 tetrachlorobenzo(p)dioxin (TCDD) on epigenetic regulation of the BRCA-1 gene and the preventative effects of Res. We report that activation and recruitment of the AhR to the BRCA-1 promoter hampers 17 beta -estradiol (E2)-dependent stimulation of BRCA-1 transcription and protein levels. These inhibitory effects are paralleled by reduced occupancy of ER alpha , acetylated histone (AcH)-4, and AcH3K9. Conversely, the treatment with TCDD increases the association of mono-methylated-H3K9, DNA-methyltransferase-1 (DNMT1), and methyl-binding domain protein-2 with the BRCA-1 promoter and stimulates the accumulation of DNA strand breaks. The AhR-dependent repression of BRCA-1 expression is reversed by small interference for the AhR and DNMT1 or pretreatment with Res, which reduces TCDD-induced DNA strand breaks. These results support the hypothesis that epigenetic silencing of the BRCA-1 gene by the AhR is preventable with Res and provide the molecular basis for the development of dietary strategies based on natural AhR antagonists.
Preeclampsia and Subsequent Cardiovascular Disease: Villain or Innocent Bystander?

Not long ago, women who experienced preeclampsia were reassured that there were no long-term health risks associated with their condition—with the notable exception of an increased risk of recurrent preeclampsia in future pregnancies. Although proteinuria and hypertension would sometimes take
A low complexity method for detection of text area in natural images

We propose a low complexity method for segmentation of text regions in natural images. This algorithm is designed for mobile applications (e.g. unmanned or hand-held devices) in which computational and energy resources are limited. No prior assumption is made regarding the text size, font, language, character set or the camera angle. However, the text is assumed to be located on a piecewise homogeneous background with a contrasting color. We have deployed our method on a Nokia N800 Internet tablet as part of a system for automatic detection and translation of outdoor signs. Our experiments show that the 0.3 megapixel images taken by the phone camera can be accurately segmented within the device in a fraction of a second.
The moment method solution for printed wire antennas of arbitrary configuration

A printed wire antenna of arbitrary configuration is analyzed. The electric field tangential to the wire is derived using the current expanded by piecewise sinusoidal functions. These functions are also used to form the impedance matrix elements. Use of the stationary phase method leads to a simple expression for the radiation field. Numerical analyses based on the present formulation yield radiation characteristics of a zigzag dipole antenna, a loop antenna, and a round spiral antenna. >
Pembaron: An East Javanese Rite of Priestly Rebirth

Although courtly literature provides insight into the high tradition of Old Javanese Hinduism, the nature of popular Javanese religion in former times remains a topic of considerable obscurity. In his voluminous masterpiece on pre-Islamic Java, the Dutch historian Th. G. Th. Pigeaud identifies some 218 clerical estates that existed in rural east Java in the fourteenth century, speculating as to the nature of their social and religious organization. But none of these Hindu and Buddhist clerical communities survived into the modern era, and as a result we know little of their relation to popular Javanese religion. For years scholars have lamented the dearth of primary materials on popular Javanese Hinduism both during and after the fall of the last of Java's major Hindu-Buddhist courts, Majapahit. At the height of its power during the second half of the fourteenth century, Majapahit was conquered by an alliance of Islamic principalities in the early sixteenth century.
Laws and Principles of Evolution

First, we note that Evolution is one of Brooks' [1] essential characteristics of software systems: the only systems that are not evolving are the dead ones. Evolution is a basic fact of software life. The fact that we have evolution on multiple levels is often overlooked in considering the fact of evolution: local versus global, component versus system, internally versus externally motivated, etc. Second, we note that while we have masses of data about local and component level evolution buried in our change and version management systems, we have done relatively little with that data to determine software evolution principles or theories for the underpinnings of software engineering. Principles are foundational in providing guidance in the various levels of evolution that take place – they form the bedrock of the software engineering enterprise. Third, we note that we have very little data about software systems evolution global evolution, evolution on a large scale. For our work on FEAST [2] we have had what amounts to a wealth of data: a mere handful of systems. The utility of these few sets of data is hampered further by the fact that there are at most about 25 data points (ie, 25 systems evolution instances) for each system. Fourth, we note that we have in this small amount of data only a few of the important attributes needed to understand evolution deeply namely, we have basic attributes such as system size, release dates (in some cases), etc. To substantiate laws of evolution we need both more systems and instances as well as more attributes for those systems and instances. Fifth, we note that we need more than just (more) product data. We need process and organizational data to determine the fate of the FEAST hypothesis [3]. We need process and organizational data [4] in order to gain a deep understanding of the organizational processes and structures within which the systems are evolved. Determining the underlying correlations and causal mechanisms that show how feedback control works within these social systems to effect the evolution within the software systems requires broader data that we currently have or currently are considering. The understanding of system evolution is of fundamental importance to the software engineering enterprise. Lehman's Laws have been a fundamental and seminal start on the road to that understanding. However, we have a long way to go. We need more instances of systems and their evolution. We need more attributes of those evolutions. We need related process and organizational data. It is a research area that is a rich field that will yield a deep understanding of the phenomena of system evolution. But, we have a long way to go and a lot of work to do.
In vivo measurement of pH in tumor and surrounding tissue using fluorescence ratio imaging

SNARF-1, a pH-sensitive fluorescent probe, was used to perform fluorescence ratio imaging in tumor and surrounding tissue. A pH resolution of 0.042 pH units was achieved. pH gradients extending into the peritumoral region were observed.
Development of a Universal Wireless Sensor System for Automated Environmental Event Monitoring

This paper presents a wireless sensor system, which consists of an interrogator circuit and a passive L-C resonating sensor tag. The wireless link between the interrogator circuit and sensor tag is established through the inductive coupling between. Any environmental event, which shifts the resonating frequency of the sensor tag will trigger an 'on' or 'off' condition reflected at the interrogator circuit. With suitable sensor tags, universal wireless environmental event monitoring can be achieved in an extremely simple and low cost approach.
Maize and Sociopolitical Complexity in the Ayacucho Valley, Peru

Stable isotope analysis of skeletal remains reveals that maize was the mainstay of diet in the Ayacucho Valley of Peru during two millennia of prehistory. One hundred and seven samples of collagen from 103 individuals have a mean δ13C value of \documentclass{aastex} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{bm} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{pifont} \usepackage{stmaryrd} \usepackage{textcomp} \usepackage{portland,xspace} \usepackage{amsmath,amsxtra} \usepackage[OT2,OT1]{fontenc} \newcommand\cyr{ \renewcommand\rmdefault{wncyr} \renewcommand\sfdefault{wncyss} \renewcommand\encodingdefault{OT2} \normalfont \selectfont} \DeclareTextFontCommand{\textcyr}{\cyr} \pagestyle{empty} \DeclareMathSizes{10}{9}{7}{6} \begin{document} \landscape $-10.2\mbox{\textperthousand} \pm 1.5\mbox{\textperthousand} $ \end{document} . Samples of dental enamel from six individuals have a mean δ13C value of \documentclass{aastex} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usep...
Where is the donut? Factors influencing spatial reference frame use

Because different reference frames can be used to describe a simple spatial situation such as the relationship between two objects, spatial descriptions can be confusing and/or ambiguous. To reduce this difficulty, do people assume a particular reference frame when interpreting spatial descriptions? If so, does the makeup of the spatial scene affect this assumption? Does cognitive load interact with this assumption? In three experiments, we examined reference frame use and how situational and cognitive factors interact with spatial description interpretation. The main cognitive factor involved memory load, i.e., whether responses were made from memory or not. From the features of the scene (object-facing direction, located object position) emerged two interactions of interest. First, since object-facing direction has implications for the cognitive strategies used to determine spatial relations, we assessed how object facing interacted with reference frame use. Second, we assessed how the descriptive axes associated with multiple reference frames influenced reference frame use. The results indicated that people predominantly use the intrinsic reference frame. Yet, despite this tendency, cognitive and situational variables also affected responses, both alone and in combination. These findings suggest that people maintain cognitive flexibility when interpreting spatial descriptions to reduce or inform potential ambiguities.
Acadesine reduces myocardial infarct size by an adenosine mediated mechanism

OBJECTIVE The aim was to test the hypotheses that acadesine (1) augments endogenous interstitial fluid (ISF) adenosine during ischaemia, and (2) reduces infarct size by adenosine receptor mediated mechanisms. METHODS To test these hypotheses, the left coronary artery of anaesthetised rabbits (n = 33) was occluded for 30 min and reperfused for 120 min. Acadesine (1 mg.kg-1.min-1 for 5 min, then 0.2 mg.kg-1.min-1) was infused intravenously beginning 30 min before coronary occlusion and ending 30 min after reperfusion. The area at risk was comparable in all groups, averaging 34.7 (SEM 2.2%) of the left ventricle. In separate studies (n = 22), estimates of ISF adenosine and adenosine metabolites were obtained by cardiac microdialysis. Although dialysate adenosine levels increased significantly in the area at risk during ischaemia in the untreated group [from 0.044(0.008) to 0.339(0.146) microM], acadesine did not significantly augment dialysate adenosine levels before or during ischaemia [preischaemia = 0.094(0.032) microM; ischaemia = 0.542(0.262) microM]. In addition, there was no significant difference in dialysate adenosine concentrations during the first 10 min of reperfusion, after which adenosine levels returned to baseline levels. A 2.5-fold large dose failed to increase interstitial fluid adenosine. However, the adenosine receptor blocker 8-p-sulphophenyltheophylline (SPT) in the presence of acadesine increased ISF adenosine fourfold. Acadesine significantly (P < 0.05) reduced infarct size [n = 8, 19.7(2.9)% of risk area] compared with the untreated group [n = 8, 29.4(1.3)%]. This infarct size reduction with acadesine was antagonised by SPT given during ischaemia-reperfusion [n = 8, 46.2(3.0)%] or only during reperfusion [n = 9, 42.7(2.6)%. CONCLUSIONS Acadesine reduces infarct size by an adenosine mediated mechanism, but this cardioprotective action is not associated with significantly augmented interstitial fluid adenosine levels.
Mechanical Cardiac Assistance: Historical Perspectives

Cardiac transplantation remains the therapeutic option of choice for treating patients with chronic, progressive, end-stage heart failure. However, over the past 40 years, a number of mechanical assist systems have been developed with the goal of treating and rehabilitating patients with severe circulatory compromise. Today, a wide array of devices is available to provide increasing levels of circulatory support. When used as bridges to heart transplantation, long-term circulatory support systems are a reliable means of keeping heart-failure patients alive as they await suitable donor hearts. Initially, transplant candidates who were receiving this type of support were unable to leave the hospital; today, however, because of advances in mechanical support technology and the portability of the current systems, these patients may return to their homes and even to their jobs while awaiting transplantation. Although heart transplantation may now be considered a routine procedure, the demand for donor hearts will always outweigh the supply, creating a definite need for long-term mechanical circulatory support. Already, clinical trials are underway to test the effectiveness of left ventricular assist devices as long-term support. As smaller, more effective cardiac assist devices become available, they should benefit even more the number of patients who may need permanent circulatory support. The fact that myocardial function can improve enough with chronic ventricular unloading to allow removal of the device may further broaden the use of this technology.
Rapidly Tuned Buncher Structure for the los Alamos Proton Storage Ring (PSR)

In the PSR's short-bunch operating mode, accumulated beam currents are intense and change rapidly. The resonant frequency of the 503.125-MHz buncher used in this mode must be rapidly adjusted through a 100-kHz range to maintain the correct 90° phase relation between cavity voltage and beam current. Modulation rates are up to 3 kHz/?s. Each structure consists of two side-coupled buncher cavities, resonantly coupled to a ferrite-loaded tuner cavity. The needed frequency change ?f in the buncher cells is produced by a 50 × ?f change in the tuner, accomplished by varying a magnetic field applied to the ferrite perpendicular to the rf magnetic field. Fast modulation of this bias is provided by a low-inductance ferritecore magnet excited by a special function generator. The resonantly coupled multicavity structure configuration allows buncher and tuner cells to be independently optimized for their specific functions. This paper describes the buncher design, ferrite selection, and test results from a prototype ferrite-loaded tuner cavity. The tests have demonstrated the tuning scheme's feasibility, showing that the necessary 5-MHz range can be attained with only 12% of the tuner cell filled with ferrite, and that losses in the ferrite are small throughout this frequency interval.
Aphid-tending Ants Affect Secondary Users in Leaf Shelters and Rates of Herbivory on Salix hookeriana in a Coastal Dune Habitat

Abstract The interactions between keystone species and ecosystem engineers may have important community-level consequences. We studied the effects of a keystone species, the aphid-tending ant (Formica obscuripes), on the abundance of engineered leaf shelters, the levels of herbivory on leaf tissue and the structure of arthropod communities within leaf shelters on Hooker's willow (Salix hookeriana) in a coastal dune ecosystem in northern California. Leaf shelters on branches with aphid-tending ants had 54% more individuals than shelters on branches without ants, possibly because shelters are used as a refuge from predation. Levels of herbivory were 2× greater on branches without aphid-tending ants than branches with ants. Our study suggests that aphid-tending ants may actually increase the abundance of arthropods at small spatial scales within leaf rolls while simultaneously reducing rates of herbivory at the branch level.
Effects of transfusion of emboli and aged plasma on pulmonary capillary permeability.

The effects of transfusion of whole blood clot emboli and aged citrated platelet-poor plasma on pulmonary capillary permeability were investigated in anesthetized sheep by continuous collection of pulmonary lymph. Changes in lymph flow and lymph-to-plasma ratios (CL/CP) for albumin and globulin were utilized to detect changes in permeability. Infusion of 0.5 cc/kg of finely (≤1 mm) diced autologous whole blood clot resulted in a 170% increase in lymph flow over control with no change in CL/CP for albumin or globulin. Infusion of 1 cc/kg of autologous clot increased lymph flow 180% over control and increased CL/CP for albumin and globulin. Infusion of homologous platelet-poor plasma caused greater increases in lymph flow without changes in CL/CP. Changes in each of these three groups were consistent with increased permeability. Balloon occlusion of one main pulmonary artery was induced without a fall in cardiac output and resulted in no change in lymph flow or CL/CP despite a rise in pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). Femoral arteriovenous fistulas were created to increase cardiac output, but no change in lymph flow or CL/CP occurred. The results in these latter two experiments suggest that increased perfusion per unit lung capillary bed or increased PVR were not primarily responsible for the changes observed in the emboli-treated and plasma-infused animals. Since both emboli and aged platelet-poor plasma increased pulmonary capillary permeability, the permeability increasing factor appears to be humoral in origin. Similar humoral factors may be important in the pathogenesis of the adult respiratory distress syndrome in man.
Inhibition of ABCA1 Protein Expression and Cholesterol Efflux by TNF α in MLO-Y4 Osteocytes

Hip fracture and myocardial infarction cause significant morbidity and mortality. In vivo studies raising serum cholesterol levels as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF α manifest bone loss and atherosclerotic vascular disease, suggesting that abnormalities of cholesterol transport may contribute to osteoporosis. We used the mouse osteocyte cell line (MLO-Y4) to investigate the effects of TNF α on the expression of cholesterol acceptor proteins such as apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I) and apolipoprotein E (apo E), as well as on the cholesterol transporters ATP-binding cassette-1 (ABCA1), scavenger receptor class B type 1 (SRB1), and cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36). MLO-Y4 cells do not express apo A-I or apo E; however, they do express all three cholesterol transporters (ABCA1, SRB1, and CD36). Treatment of MLO-Y4 cells with TNF α had no effect on SRB1, CD36, and osteocalcin levels; however, TNF α reduced ABCA1 protein levels in a dose-dependent manner and cholesterol efflux to apo A-I. Interestingly, TNF α treatment increased ABCA1 promoter activity and ABCA1 mRNA levels, and increased liver X receptor α protein expression, but had no effect on retinoid X receptor α and retinoic acid receptor α levels. Pharmacological inhibition of p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, but not c-jun-N-terminal kinase 1 or mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK), restored ABCA1 protein levels in TNF α-treated cells. These results suggest that pro-inflammatory cytokines regulate cholesterol metabolism in osteocytes in part by suppressing ABCA1 levels post-translationally in a p38 MAP kinase-dependent manner.
Increased Antiretroviral Therapy Use and Virologic Suppression in the Bronx in the Context of Multiple HIV Prevention Strategies

Abstract Multiple population-based HIV prevention strategies from national, state, local, and institutional levels have been implemented in the Bronx, which has one of the highest HIV prevalences in the U.S. We examined changes in antiretroviral therapy (ART) use and associated outcomes between 2007 and 2014 among patients seen at one of >20 outpatient clinics affiliated with the largest Bronx HIV care provider. Among eligible HIV-infected patients age ≥13 years, we examined annual trends in ART use, mean HIV RNA level, and virologic suppression (<200 copies/ml) overall and among prespecified subgroups. In a subset with suppressed HIV RNA at the end of each year, we determined the percentage whose levels remained suppressed within the next year. Regression models assessed disparities in outcomes. Among 7,196 patients (median age 50, 47% Hispanic, 45% black), we identified consistent increases over time in the percent prescribed ART (78% in 2007 to 93% in 2014) and with virologic suppression (58% to 80%), ...
Pre-swirl Maneuvering Propulsor: Part 1 Computations

Recent concept studies have demonstrated the potential to utilize a pre-swirl propulsor configuration with adjustable upstream stators to generate propulsor side forces. These studies led to a set of experiments and corresponding computations to validate this concept. Ducted and open pre-swirl propulsors were configured with an upstream stator row and downstream rotor. During normal operation, the upstream stator blades are all situated at the same pitch angle and pre-swirl the flow into the propulsor when generating a roll moment to counter the moment produced by the rotor. By varying the pitch angles of the stator blade about the circumference, it is possible to both generate a mean stator side force and subsequently vary the axial velocity and swirl that is ingested into the inflow. The rotor then generates side forces in response to the inflow. Wind tunnel experiments were conducted to measure the steady, spatially varying stator wake flows for various stator geometric configurations using stereo particle image velocimetry. Computations utilized both potential flow and fully viscous 3-D (Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes, RANS) computations to predict the stator forces, velocity field and rotor response. Rotor design space investigations varied blade parameters including blade number, rake, skew and a combination of the two. RANS was used to then validate the final propulsor design with experimental data used to validate the computations. Computational data demonstrated that total side force coefficients on the order of 0.2 could be generated by the propulsor alone with results consistent with recent water tunnel measurements. This amount of control authority exceeds current control surface capabilities at 3 knots for Navy 21” unmanned undersea vehicles.
A Practical Bayesian Approach to Selection of Optimal Market Testing Strategies

The authors describe a methodology and a personal-computer-based decision model for selecting optimal market testing strategies. A Bayesian decision theoretic framework is used that (1) considers c...
An ingested mobile phone in the stomach may not be amenable to safe endoscopic removal using current therapeutic devices: A case report.

Abstract Introduction This case report is intended to inform clinicians, endoscopists, policy makers and industry of our experience in the management of a rare case of mobile phone ingestion. Presentation of case A 29-year-old prisoner presented to the Emergency Department with vomiting, ten hours after he claimed to have swallowed a mobile phone. Clinical examination was unremarkable. Both initial and repeat abdominal radiographs eight hours later confirmed that the foreign body remained in situ in the stomach and had not progressed along the gastrointestinal tract. Based on these findings, upper endoscopy was performed under general anaesthesia. The object could not be aligned correctly to accommodate endoscopic removal using current retrieval devices. Following unsuccessful endoscopy, an upper midline laparotomy was performed and the phone was delivered through an anterior gastrotomy, away from the pylorus. The patient made an uneventful recovery and underwent psychological counselling prior to discharge. Discussion In this case report, the use of endoscopy in the management when a conservative approach fails is questioned. Can the current endoscopic retrieval devices be improved to limit the need for surgical interventions in future cases? Conclusion An ingested mobile phone in the stomach may not be amenable for removal using the current endoscopic retrieval devices. Improvements in overtubes or additional modifications of existing retrieval devices to ensure adequate alignment for removal without injuring the oesophagus are needed.
Molecular Electronic Effects on the Thermal Grafting of Aryl Iodides to TiO2 Surfaces

Recent studies have shown that aromatic iodides can readily graft to hydroxylated surfaces of TiO2 and other metal oxides, forming a convenient route to molecular functionalization of metal oxides. While these reactions appear similar to the Williamson ether synthesis of organic chemistry, the SN2 mechanism typically invoked in solution phase reactions is less accessible on surfaces, and the mechanism of the surface reactions is poorly understood. We have undertaken a combined experimental and computational study in an effort to understand how the molecular electronic structure impacts the surface reactivity. Computational studies of reaction enthalpies were compared were used to generate Hammett plots that were then compared to experimental measurements of surface grafting rate for molecules with different substituent groups. Our results show that there is poor correlation between Hammett parameters and surface reactivity. Additional experiments were conducted to evaluate the impact of molecular hydropho...
Analysis on people exposed to rabies in Yichun city in 2012

Objective The current study was aimed to analyze the results of the surveillance regarding people exposed to rabies in Yichun city, in order to provide a reference for the development of prevention and control measures against rabies. Methods The information on exposure and treatment of subjects was collected, and descriptive epidemiological analysis of the data was conducted. Results A total of 28 220 rabies-exposure cases were reported in Yichun 2012, with an exposure rate of 498.48/100000. The incidence was peaked in summer. More men were reported to be exposed to rabies than women. The victims were mostly preschoolers accounting for 21.36%. The predominant attacking animal was dog, accounting for 83.54%. GradeⅠexposure accounted for 4.81%, gradeⅡexposure accounted for 60.70%, and grade Ⅲ exposure accounted for 34.49%. The whole-course inoculation rate among the patients was 92.98%, and 26.56% of those with grade Ⅲ exposure received passive immunization. Conclusion The disposal compliance of rabies exposure needs to be improved in Yichun city. The immunity of dogs was low. Future work should be focused on the enhancement of public education, improvement of immunization rates in dogs, and the regulation of disposal rate of rabies exposed population in a timely manner.
Study on tracheobronchomalacia in children by flexible bronchoscopy

Objectives To explore the role of flexible bronchoscopy in diagnosing tracheobronchomalacia in chil -dren. Methods Clinical data and flexible bronchoscopy of 335 children with persistent wheezing or intractable cough from December 2002 to June 2006 were retrospectively analyzed. Results Tracheobronchomalacia was diagnosed in 62 out of a total of 335 patients, in which 17 cases were tracheomalacia, 27 cases were tracheobronchomalacia and 18 cases were bronchomalacia. Primary tracheobronchomalacia was identified in 59 cases while the other 3 were secondary tracheobronchomalacia characterized with extrinsic compression of the trachea. Of the 62 patients, 7 were laryngomalacia, 53 tra-cheosteosis. Fifty-two (52) of the 62 had been mistakenly diagnosed as infantile asthma, reactive airway disease before flexible bronchoscopy. Conclusions Tracheobronchomalacia is one of the reasons causing wheezing or chronic cough in children. Flexible bronchoscopy can be regarded as a golden criteria for diagnosis of tracheobronchomalacia.
Patients' Perspectives on Their Dry Eye Disease.

Abstract Purpose Although it has been known that patients' perspectives on their disease can significantly affect their level of functional disability as well as disease outcome, limited data are available on patients' perceptions of their dry eye disease (DED). The aim of this questionnaire-based study was to evaluate patients' perspectives on their DED. Methods This cross-sectional study included 91 patients with DED. In addition to clinical evaluation, all patients completed a questionnaire to evaluate their perspectives on their DED. This included their satisfaction with understanding DED, their opinion on the easiness of following doctors' advice, their opinion on the effectiveness of the treatment, their satisfaction with the eye care, and their general outlook on DED. Results This study included 75 (82%) women and 16 men (18%) with a mean age of 57 ± 14 years who had been treated for DED for 5.2 ± 5.4 years. 93% of the patients were satisfied with their understanding of DED, and 76% found it easy to follow their doctors' advice for DED management. Furthermore, 95% thought that the DED treatment had been helpful and 95% were satisfied with their eye care for DED. Forty-eight percent expressed optimism regarding the long-term prospects of their DED. Conclusions Although the majority of DED patients have positive perspectives on their disease, close to half report a lack of optimism regarding the long-term outlook for their condition.
The Immunoperoxidase-Spedfic IgE Assay in the Otolaryngologic Center

The debate between the skin testing allergist and the in vitro testing allergist goes on. Clearly, the in vitro methods of allergy testing are here to stay. In vitro testing is less limiting and offers a number of advantages to both the allergist and the patient.
An encounter with enalapril-induced resistant, life-threatening angioedema at rural health center in Botswana

Angioedema, a rare, potentially fatal and usually self-limiting adverse effect of therapy with enalapril, is always a challenging encounter for an intensive care specialist in a rural setup. Here, we present a 74-year-old female, who presented to the Emergency Department of Sekgoma Memorial Hospital, Serowe village, Botswana, with progressive swelling of her face, tongue and breathing difficulty just 2 days after starting tablet enalapril. She failed to respond to usual treatment with adrenaline, steroids, and H1-antihistaminic agent, but she responded well with intravenous fresh-frozen plasma infusion. This helped us manage a difficult airway situation in a less equipped rural health center.
Distributed Torque Control of Deloaded Wind DFIGs for Wind Farm Power Output Regulation

In this work, we propose a distributed control methodology that solves the problem of dispatching and regulating the power outputs of a group of deloaded wind double-fed induction generators (DFIGs) to attain fast, dynamic, and efficient wind farm power output regulation, with fair load-sharing among the DFIGs. In this context, fair load-sharing means that the ratio defined by the mechanical power over the maximum power from the wind, i.e., the utilization level, of all DFIGs, is the same in the steady state. Dynamic distributed dispatch and control of the power outputs of DFIGs refers to their ability to self-dispatch and regulate their power outputs under dynamical conditions and through peer-to-peer information exchange. Initially, we propose a leader-follower consensus protocol that DFIGs can adopt into their control system to attain: 1) asymptotic consensus on their utilization levels (i.e., fair load-sharing), and 2) total power output regulation. Then, we perform compositional stability analysis and prove that the protocol asymptotically converges under sufficient conditions. Finally, we design a distributed control-Lyapunov-function-based torque controller for the rotor-side converter that realizes the protocol in practice. The performance of the distributed control methodology is evaluated through numerical simulations on the modified IEEE 24-bus RT system.
Wearable Potentiometric Chloride Sweat Sensor: The Critical Role of the Salt Bridge

The components of sweat provide an array of potential biomarkers for health and disease. Sweat chloride is of interest as a biomarker for cystic fibrosis, electrolyte metabolism disorders, electrolyte balance, and electrolyte loss during exercise. Developing wearable sensors for biomarkers in sweat is a major technological challenge. Potentiometric sensors provide a relatively simple technology for on-body sweat chloride measurement, however, equilibration between reference and test solutions has limited the time over which accurate measurements can be made. Here, we report on a wearable potentiometric chloride sweat sensor. We performed parametric studies to show how the salt bridge geometry determines equilibration between the reference and test solutions. From these results, we show a sweat chloride sensor can be designed to provide accurate measurements over extended times. We then performed on-body tests on healthy subjects while exercising to establish the feasibility of using this technology as a w...
Spectrum of Cerebrovascular Disease in Patients with Multiple Myeloma Undergoing Chemotherapy-Results of a Case Control Study.

Objectives Patients with multiple myeloma (MM) are at increased risk of arterial thrombosis. Our aim was to determine the risk factors, mechanisms and outcome of strokes in these patients. Methods We conducted a retrospective matched case-control study from our database of MM patients enrolled in Total Therapy (TT) 2, TT3a and TT3b protocols who developed a vascular event (transient ischemic attack, ischemic stroke, or intracerebral hemorrhage) from October 1998 to January 2014. Cases were matched for age-matched selected controls. Baseline demographics, risk factors, MM characteristics, laboratory values, and mortality of cases were compared to those of controls. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified risk factors associated with stroke. Ischemic strokes (IS) were classified with modified Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) criteria. Results Of 1,148 patients, 46 developed a vascular event (ischemic stroke, 33; transient ischemic attack, 11; hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage, 2). Multivariate logistic regression analysis determined renal insufficiency (odds Ratio, 3.528; 95% CI, 1.36-9.14; P = 0.0094) and MM Stages I and II (odds Ratio, 2.770, 95% CI, 1.31-5.81; p = 0.0073) were independent predictors of stroke. In our study, strokes attributable to hypercoagulability, atrial fibrillation and small-vessel occlusion were common mechanisms. After a stroke, 78% of patients were discharged to home or a rehabilitation facility and 4% to a long-term nursing facility; in-hospital mortality was 15%. Despite suffering a stroke no significant differences in survival were observed. Conclusion In our cohort of multiple myeloma patients, renal failure and MM Stages I and II had increased risk of stroke.