cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CTSNet: a unique educational vehicle

The CTSNet or Cardiothoracic Surgery Network was begun only a very short while ago, in May 1997, when The Society of Thoracic Surgeons under the guidance of Bob Replogle, its president, fostered the development of a thoracic surgery web site. This site is designed as a means for our specialty to communicate with each other across national boundaries for educational purposes, for medical companies to communicate with us about their products and our needs, for the lay public to obtain information about medical problems related to the specialty, and to serve as a compendium of the electronic resources that are becoming an integral part of our everyday activities. A grant to the CTSNet from the Bayer Corporation for the development of a dialogue in the form of a Controversy was recently completed with the production of nine such discussions. These were recorded at the Annual Meeting of the American Association of Thoracic Surgery in 1999 and are now available on the CTSNet at http:// www.ctsnet.org/controversies/ (Fig 1 ). What is so special about these Controversies are that they are presented in their entirety, providing a unique educational vehicle. You hear the actual voice of the presenter with both pro and con views as well as rebuttals and questions from the audience with appropriate responses. In addition, each Controversy allows readers to participate in and view the results of an informal poll (Fig 2). The Controversies were chosen to be topical and to hold the interest of the surgeons performing operations in our specialty. The individual Controversies were chosen from the full spectrum of our specialty, with three in the area of Congenital Heart Disease, three in Thoracic Surgery, and three dealing with Acquired Heart Disease. It is difficult to imagine a better educational vehicle, and clearly each part of our specialty is represented. In fact, the educational value of the CTSNet cannot be adequately described because it is so all encompassing. For example, if a cardiothoracic board applicant or candidate for renewal of his/her boards would like to prepare for the examination, the review section of the CTSNet is designed to provide the necessary particulars in every aspect of our specialty. I am certain that a large number of our members do not know about the availability of this section and how easy it is to use and access. If the surgeon wants to have a dialogue about a particular clinical issue and is not under specific time constraints, there is an on-line discussion section or forum. This leads to an interaction between individual surgeons, which is beneficial for all concerned. We are a specialty that requires communication between our peers. We learn from attending meetings,
Evaluation of the CRITERIA Irrigation Scheme Soil Water Balance Model in Texas—Initial Results

CRITERIA is a soil water balance model which is currently being evaluated in Italy for irrigation scheduling in irrigation schemes. The model predicts soil moisture status on a daily basis. Required input data includes weather conditions, soil hydrological properties, and crop management data. The model requires some calibration using a combination of measured soil water characteristics and actual ET, although the model has algorithms to estimate these in the absence of site specific information. This paper reports the results of an initial evaluation of CRITERIA for Texas conditions. The model is compared to actual data from two distinct climatic regions: the High Plans and the semi-tropical Lower Rio Grande Valley. Predictive and observed soil moisture data are compared for each case at several different depths, as well as model accuracy at different levels of calibration and input data. The model is also evaluated for use in an irrigation district where irrigation requirements are simultaneously simulated for many fields with different crops and water management strategies. Results show that the model is a very useful tool for irrigation scheduling. Good results were obtained, especially when the model was calibrated using soil moisture measured with a neutron probe and with other observed data.
Redundancy in the Stanford Achievement Test

The Stanford Achievement Test, Advanced, provides nine subtests which are often used by schools as normed measures of school achievement. As part of a larger study, the relation between each of these subtests and measures of special aptitudes and temperament traits was studied with a sample of 226 eighth graders. Principal factors were sought. The first eigenvalue was 6.64; the second was 0.64; the remaining eigenvalues were less than one. Convergence was obtained in eight iterations. A plot of the first factor against the second showed that all points were included in an angle of 45 degrees with several of the verbal measures clustering on one factor and all the mathematics measures clustering on the other. Results suggested the need for new discriminant validity studies of the test.
Advanced ovarian dysgerminoma with cure of tumor persistent in meninges

Isolated meningeal recurrence of ovarian cancer is uncommon. It is generally assumed that such cases are not accompanied by prolonged survival. We report the cure of a patient with advanced ovarian dysgerminoma who developed febrile carcinomatous meningitis 2 weeks after receiving her fifth course of combination chemotherapy (5 months after initiation of chemotherapy). No parenchymal brain disease was identified. The persistence of disease in the leptomeninges is related to the ability of the blood-brain barrier to exclude chemotherapeutic agents. The patient responded to craniospinal radiation and remains free of disease 2 years after completion of treatment.
Aging and the detection of observer and moving object collisions

The authors examined age-related differences in the detection of collision events. Older and younger observers were presented with displays simulating approaching objects that would either collide or pass by the observer. In 4 experiments, the authors found that older observers, as compared with younger observers, had less sensitivity in detecting collisions with an increase in speed, at shorter display durations, and with longer time-to-contact conditions. Older observers also had greater difficulty when the scenario simulated observer motion, suggesting that older observers have difficulty discriminating object motion expansion from background expansion from observer motion. The results of these studies support the expansion sensitivity hypothesis-that age-related decrements in detecting collision events involving moving objects are the result of a decreased sensitivity to recover expansion information.
THE HIGHER EDUCATION POLICY RESEARCH AGENDA

Substantial opportunities exist for social scientists, humanists practitioners, and other scholars to contribute to research on higher education policy. Not only is the university or college an interesting study objective itself but also with higher education in the United States and worldwide so immersed in public policy considerations, the relations between academe and government raise many political, economic and other Questions. Some issues currently on the research agenda are listed here. The consequences of higher education policy research are also considered.
Correlation of Test and FEA Results for the Nonlinear Behavior of Straight Pipes and Elbows

This paper summarizes the literature on reconciliation of finite element analyses with in-plane bending experiments on piping elbows. It then describes in detail two four-point-bending tests on straight pipes and two in-plane bending tests on elbows and the corresponding nonlinear finite element analyses. Using a new procedure for obtaining a stress-strain curve for stainless steel using only values for E, S y , and S u and a representative stress-strain curve from a test on a similar material specimen, the nonlinear responses of the piping components tested are shown to be simulated more accurately than previously published results.
Extinguishing dangerous behaviour in hospital

SIR—Novel approaches that help control disruptive and dangerous behaviour, particularly in our hospitals, are sometimes called for. The safety of both patients and staff is of paramount concern, of course. The following two case reports are illustrative. A 30-year-old man presented to the emergency department requesting methadone for his addiction to narcotics. About 10 min later, the patient returned to triage soaked in gasoline, he had an open book of matches held above his head, with one match on the strike plate. He stated that if he did not get methadone, he would ignite himself. A nurse took him immediately into a single-patient treatment room while he continued holding the matches above his head threatening ignition. By chance, I saw him go into the room and, although perhaps 12 metres away, could clearly smell the gasoline. Close by was a fire extinguisher, which I grabbed. Squeezing the handle, I simultaneously turned into the room. The boom produced by the sudden expulsion of freezing carbon dioxide caused our nurse to leap into the air, and momentarily distracted the patient before the contents of the extinguisher covered him from waist to his hands (still held above his head). He was briefly blinded, and fell to the ground, losing his matches. He was quickly subdued, decontaminated, and transferred for inpatient drug and psychiatric care. There were no adverse effects from the carbon dioxide, and he is drug free and doing well 4 years after the incident. My second case was a suicidal patient who was under surveillance in a treatment room. At that time, our hospital kept sterile saline in large autoclavable glass bottles. The patient got up from the bed, grabbed two bottles, smashed them both on the floor and created two vicious weapons of circular jagged glass, presenting to anyone who might approach. Orderlies and security staff arrived and asked the patient to surrender his weapons and allow us to help him. He refused and came towards the group, brandishing his weapons in front of him. I was standing slightly behind this group, fortuitously beside the fire extinguishers. So I decided to apply extinguisher therapy again. I approached the patient and asked him to please put down the weapons. He cursed and lunged towards me, resulting in my unleashing a pattern of CO2 that covered him from waist to above his head, temporarily blinding him. He fell to the ground in the slippery saline and lost both weapons. Quickly subdued by staff, he did require suturing of a 1-cm laceration on the sole of his foot but had no other adverse effects. His psychiatric therapy was uneventful. The carbon dioxide fire extinguisher, as used in these two incidents, can be a safe and appropriate intervention. The extinguisher obviously will prevent self-immolation; cold, blinding disorientation is temporary, and toxicity could only manifest if a prolonged burst caused either anoxia of frostbite.
Marine geology and Cenozoic history of the Gulf of Anadyr

Abstract Continuous seismic reflection profiles suggest that the continental shelf in the northwestern Bering Sea is underlain by up to 1 km of Tertiary and Quaternary sediments deposited in a basin formed by the subsidence of a Mesozoic lithified and folded basement complex. The basin is an extension of the Anadyr lowland depression, which contains up to 3 km of Tertiary sediments. Lack of deformation in the Tertiary fill both landward and seaward of the bounding basement sill extending eastward from Cape Navarin and Cape Barykova suggests that the sill has been a prominent structural feature throughout the Tertiary. If the thick Tertiary deposits of the Anadyr, Bristol, Norton, and Chukchi basins are shallow marine sediments, then the extent of an exposed “Beringia” may not have been as great as previously thought. An angular unconformity separating Tertiary from unconsolidated Quaternary deposits is interpreted as an erosional surface covered by up to 130 m of sediment in the northwestern Gulf of Anadyr and depressed up to 200 m below present sea level. Quaternary sediments have been markedly influenced by Pleistocene glaciation. Highly deformed Quaternary deposits, ascribed to continental ice action, define the outer limits of advance during maximum glaciation as lying approximately along a line from St. Lawrence Island to a point 150 km east of Anadyr Bay, then south parallel to the coast. Buried erosional surfaces and stream channels within the Quaternary sediments are evidence of sea-level variations. Present-day bathymetry and the sediments and fauna of short 1-m cores suggest one sea-level stillstand at approximately −75 to −80 m. Lack of suitable material precludes dating this stillstand. Subbottom reflection profiles suggest that Pleistocene drainage probably conformed to present-day drainage patterns.
A Low-temperature Study of the Relationship between Engine Cranking Speed and Lubricant Viscosity

The viscosity of motor oils at low temperatures strongly affects the cranking speed of the motor. In a previous paper the author has shown that the viscosity characteristics of motor oils at low temperatures may be unusual, especially when they contain Viscosity Index Improvers. In this paper the author has analyzed the results of 250 cranking tests on two different V-8 engines conducted at temperatures from +3 to −35 F, using three fluids, two of which contained Viscosity Index Improvers. The data seem to indicate an exponential relationship between the cranking torque M, and the cranking speed, N, and viscosity, μ, such that M = c(μNb) in which b and c are constants and b ≃ 0.5. Further results of this study strongly indicate that the correlation is significantly better between cranking speed and viscosities measured at shear rates of approximately 2000 sec −1 than the correlation between these cranking speeds and viscosities determined by the ASTM extrapolation technique (Walther equation), or by a rec...
Mechanistic Study of Silver Nanoparticle Deposition Directed with the Tip of a Scanning Tunneling Microscope in an Electrolytic Environment

Previously, the scanning tunneling microscope has been employed to deposit single nanoscopic silver structures from aqueous silver solutions onto the graphite basal plane surface. In this paper, th...
Effect of Age and Dietary Magnesium on Voluntary Feed Intake and Plasma Magnesium in Ruminants

Abstract The relationship in ruminants between plasma magnesium and voluntary feed intake as influenced by age of animal and by dietary magnesium was studied with six wethers per age group classified as lambs (6 to 12 mo), yearlings (1 to 2 yr), and adult sheep (2 to 3 yr). Plasma magnesium decreased more quickly, and voluntary feed intake was reduced sooner in the mature sheep than in the younger animals when a diet low in magnesium was fed. With a purified diet containing no supplemental magnesium, voluntary feed intake and plasma magnesium were correlated: lambs, .60; yearlings, .72; and adult sheep, .58.
Cisplatin: Outpatient and office hydration regimens

Abstract Caring for the patient receiving cisplatin in the outpatient/ambulatory-care setting is a challenging nursing responsibility. Because of increased understanding regarding those factors that most influence nephrotoxicity and the application of creative hydration protocols, the administration of cisplatin in the outpatient area is both safe and preferred. Continued nursing assessment and a coordinated effort to monitor patients at home following treatment ensures early detection and intervention should complications of dehydration occur.
The importance of MRI evaluation in the preoperative work-up of prostate cancer.

Background A 59-year-old man on exogenous androgen therapy presented with a clinically palpable prostate nodule confined to one lobe on endorectal examination. Serum prostate-specific antigen was 3.4 ng/ml. Bone scintigraphy and baseline CT were reportedly negative. Investigations Physical examination, laboratory evaluation, endorectal MRI of the prostate, cystoscopy and biopsy. Diagnosis Poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the prostate, with invasion of the urinary bladder. Management Neoadjuvant hormonal therapy, followed by radiation.
Rapid migration of 111indium-labeled granulocytes to sites of infection.

ISOTOPIC labels attached to various blood cells have been used for years to study the course and kinetics of blood components in vivo. The use of such labeling in granulocytes to evaluate transfusions or to localize infections has met with uncertain success.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Recently, 111In combined with the chelating agent 8-hydroxyquinoline (oxine) has been used in granulocyte-labeling research.8 9 10 The advantages of 111In include tight cytoplasmic binding with minimal in vivo elution and preservation of cell viability and function after the granulocytes are exposed to the isotope.11 In addition, the energy spectrum of this element consists of two peaks at 173 and . . .
Spatial variability of satellite visible radiances in dust and dust-cloud mixed conditions: Implications for dust detection

[1] Using data from MODIS for the 2000–2004 time period, we performed a statistical analysis of visible radiances observed in the presence of mineral dust in cloud-free and cloudy conditions over oceans. Spatial variability of the 555 nm radiances was examined by introducing two different measures: standard deviation (STD) and a local inhomogeneity parameter (LIP). We demonstrate that introducing the probability density function (PDF) of STD offers a new framework for probabilistic dust detection. We show that the probabilistic approach gives more accurate discrimination of dust from clouds compared with the MODIS fixed STD threshold method. Furthermore, the probabilistic approach enables one to determine the confidence level and skill of dust detection. In addition, we examined the capability of the probabilistic detection of dust-cloud mixed pixels currently not considered by operational algorithms. A low classification skill of dust-cloud pixels was found. Introducing multivariate PDFs by including multispectral data might help to overcome this problem.
Radiation energy transfer in RNA polymers

Ribozymes are a special class of polyribonucleotide (RNA) molecules which possess intrinsic catalytic activity, capable of cleaving nucleic acid substrates. RNA molecules were synthesized containing a hammerhead ribozyme moiety of 52 nucleotides linked to an inactive leader sequence, for total lengths of either 262 or 1226 nucleotides. These RNAs were frozen and irradiated with high energy electrons. Surviving ribozyme activity was determined, using the ability of the irradiated ribozymes to cleave a labeled substrate. From the same irradiated samples, the amount of intact RNA remaining was determined following denaturing gel electrophoresis. Radiation target analyses of these data revealed a structural target size of 80 kDa and a ribozyme activity target size of 15 kDa for the smaller ribozyme, and 319 and 16 kDa, respectively, for the larger ribozyme. The disparity in target size for activity vs structure indicates that, in contrast to proteins, there is no spread of radiation damage far from the primary site of ionization in RNA molecules. The smaller target size for activity indicates that only primary ionizations occurring in the specific active region are effective. This is similar to the case for oligosaccharides. It is concluded that the presence of the ribose sugar in the polymer chain restricts radiation damage to a small region and prevents major energy transfer throughout the molecule.
Radiation hardness experience with the CDF/DØ Silicon vertex detectors

Abstract The two Tevatron experiments, CDF and DO, have been taking data with their silicon detectors since the beginning of 2002. Up to September 2006, the Tevatron has delivered an integrated luminosity of almost 2 fb - 1 . Both experiments continuously monitor their detectors for silicon sensor damage due to radiation. These results allow both experiments to make predictions of the lifetime for their silicon detectors.
Determining ruthenium's optical constants in the spectral range 11-14 nm

Ruthenium is one material that has been suggested for use in preventing the oxidation of Mo/Si mirrors used in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography. The optical constants of Ru have not been extensively studied in the EUV. We report the complex index of refraction, 1 - δ + iβ, of sputtered Ru thin films from 11-14 nm as measured via reflectance and transmission measurements at the Advanced Light Source at Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory. Constants were extracted from reflectance data using the reflectance vs. incidence angle method and from the transmission data by Lambert’s law. We compare the measured indices to previously measured values. Our measured values for delta are between 14-18% less than those calculated from the atomic scattering factors (ASF) available from the Center for X-ray Optics (CXRO). Our measured values of beta are between 5-20% greater than the ASF values.
Influence of a fibric acid type of hypolipidemic agent on the oxidative metabolism of arachidonic acid by liver microsomal cytochrome P-450

Abstract The regiospecificity of arachidonic acid oxygenation, catalyzed by rat liver microsomal fractions in the presence of NADPH, can be altered by animal pretreatment with a fibric acid type of hypolipidemic drug, ciprofibrate. While microsomal fractions isolated from either control or phenobarbital-treated animals oxygenate arachidonic acid to mainly epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), animal pretreatment with ciprofibrate results in an eightfold stimulation of ω and ω-1 oxidation, concomitant with a net decrease in the formation of both HETEs and EETs. The isomeric composition of the EETs and of the ω and ω-1 oxidation products formed is also dependent on the type of animal pretreatment. Associated decreases in the amounts of HETEs and the rate of hydrogen peroxide formation suggests a modification of the “uncoupler action” of arachidonic acid during the function of different cytochromes P -450.
Structure of platinum adatom clusters on Pt(100): Experimental observations and embedded-atom-method calculations

The structure of Pt adatom clusters on Pt(100) is observed to oscillate between chain- and island-type configurations as the number of adatoms is increased from three through six. Embedded-atom-method calculations are found to predict these results and show that lattice relaxations are a critical factor in causing this unusual series of structural transformations.
Breathing patterns during vaso-occlusive crisis of sickle cell disease.

Study objectives To determine the effect of sickle cell pain and its treatment on patients’ breathing patterns, and to compare the effect of thoracic cage pain to pain at other sites. Design Prospective, observational study. Setting Sickle Cell Center Day Hospital. Patients Twenty-five patients with sickle cell disease admitted to the Sickle Cell Center Day Hospital for treatment of vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) [10 patients with chest (thoracic cage) pain]. Interventions Breathing patterns were measured by respiratory inductive plethysmography. Tidal breathing data, including respiratory rate, tidal volume (V t ), minute ventilation, and the rib cage contribution to V t , were collected at baseline and then following treatment with opioid analgesia. Measurements and results The patients with chest pain had smaller V t s at baseline than those with pain at other sites (355 ± 37 mL vs 508 ± 141 mL, p = 0.003), and higher respiratory rates (23.2 ± 8.2 breaths/min vs 17.6 breaths/min, p = 0.03). These differences became insignificant following opioid treatment. Six patients had respiratory alternans (four patients in the chest pain group, and two patients with pain at other sites). All cases of respiratory alternans resolved following opioid administration. Conclusions Patients with VOC and chest pain have more shallow, rapid breathing than patients with pain elsewhere. Analgesia reduces these differences. As pain-associated shallow breathing and maldistribution of ventilation may contribute to the pathogenesis of acute chest syndrome, these results support the need for adequate pain relief and monitoring of ventilatory patterns during the treatment of VOC.
Ultra low frequency precordial movements--kinetocardiograms.

K I~ETOC~RDIOGRAMS are the graphic representation of ultra low frequency displacement precordial vibrations. The frequent! components of these motions usually lie between 1 and IO cycles per second; however, Fourier analysis has revealed higher frequencies present but of less significance. As the energy of low frequent)movements is proportionately greater than that of the high frequencies, the relative amplitude of the higher components is less, making it unnecessary to use band pass filters. This eliminates the problem of phase shift and amplitude distortion of the trace as a result of the amplifier or eleclronic equipment.
Wild pig populations in the National Parks

Populations of introduced European wild boar, feral pigs, and combinations of both types (all Susscrola L.) inhabit thirteen areas in the National Park Service system. All parks have relatively stable populations, with the exception of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which reported a rapidly expanding wild boar population. Suspected and documented impacts were apparently related to pig densities and sensitivity of the ecosystem; the three largest units with dense wild pig populations reported the most damage. Overall, wild pigs are a relatively minor problem for the Park Service; however, problems are severe in at least three parks, and there is potential for invasion of wild boars into several additional parks in the Appalachian Mountains. More specific information is needed on numbers of wild pigs and their impacts in the various parks.
Central cholinergic blockade by scopolamine and habituation, classical conditioning, and latent inhibition of the rabbit’s nictitating membrane response

Rabbits injected with scopolamine hydrobromide (1.5 mg/kg) were contrasted with control animals injected with scopolamine methylbromide or saline in terms of habituation of the unconditioned nictitating membrane response (NMR), classical defensive conditioning, and latent inhibition using auditory and visual conditioned stimuli. Scopolamine hydrobromide disrupted classical conditioning in comparison with drug controls, but had no adverse effects on habituation of the unconditioned reflex or on latent inhibition. The drug also raised thresholds of the auditory (but not visual) CS for eliciting the conditioned NMR. Results were discussed in terms of presumed cholinergiclimbic system involvement in Pavlovian conditioning and inhibition.
Fatty acid interactions with genetic polymorphisms for cardiovascular disease

Purpose of review The number of studies investigating interactions between genes and nutrients for cardiovascular disease continues to grow, and holds tremendous potential for reducing disease risk at the level of the individual genotype. However, understanding the limitations and challenges of interaction studies, whether of observational or interventional design, is essential for critical evaluation of these studies. Recent findings Nutrient-gene interactions for cardiovascular disease both parallel and extend nutrition studies, encompassing both traditional and novel cardiovascular risk factors. Fatty acid quality, lipid metabolism, inflammation, postprandial metabolism, fatty liver and macronutrient-gene interactions for obesity and metabolic syndrome represent a subset of the major areas of recent focus. With few exceptions, however, studies of gene-nutrient interactions are limited to a single population. Summary Gene-nutrient research will continue to expand as genome-wide association studies uncover new sources of genetic variability associated with cardiovascular risk. However, in addition to investigation of newly discovered variants, continuing efforts must focus on the confirmation of previously reported genetic associations and interactions in additional populations.
Multizone Bifocal Contact Lens Design

A satisfactory bifocal contact lens has not yet reached the marketplace because of deficiencies in the present designs. The two-zone concentric design allows both the near and far images to be present simultaneously, however the image quality is not very good. Recently several new bifocal contact lenses with multiple zones have been suggested. This paper presents computer calculations of the image quality of several of these new designs. The zone-plate design, with an intermediate blaze angle, gives the best image quality of the lenses that were examined.
AP lyases and dRPases : commonality of mechanism

Abstract Enzymes that release 5′-deoxyribose-5-phosphate (dRP) residues from preincised apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) DNA have been collectively termed DNA deoxyribophosphodiesterases (dRPases), but they fall into two distinct categories: the hydrolytic dRPases and AP lyases. In order to resolve a number of conflicting reports in the dRPase literature, we examined two putative hydrolytic dRPases ( Escherichia coli exonuclease I (exo I) and Rec J) and four AP lyases ( E. coli 2,6-dihydroxy-5 N -formamidopyrimidine (Fapy) DNA glycosylase (Fpg) and endonuclease III (endo III), bacteriophage T4 endonuclease V (endo V), and rat polymerase β (β-pol)) for their abilities to (i) excise dRP from preincised AP DNA and (ii) incise AP DNA. Although exo I and Rec J exhibited robust 3′ to 5′ and 5′ to 3′ exonucleolytic activities, respectively, on appropriate substrates, they failed to demonstrate detectable dRPase activity. All four AP lyases possessed both dRPase and traditional AP lyase activities, albeit to varying degrees. Moreover, as best illustrated with Fpg, AP lyase enzymes could be trapped on both preincised and unincised AP DNA using NaBH 4 as the reducing agent. These results further support the assertion that the catalytic mechanism of the AP lyases, the β-elimination reaction, does proceed through an imine enzyme–DNA intermediate and that the active site residues responsible for dRP release must contain primary amines. Further, these data indicate a biological significance for the β-elimination reaction of DNA glycosylase/AP lyases in that they, in concert with hydrolytic AP endonucleases, can create appropriate gapped substrates for short patch base excision repair (BER) synthesis to occur efficiently.
Attenuation of soil microwave emission by corn and soybeans at 1.4 and 5 GHz

Theory and experiments have shown that passive microwave radiometers can be used to measure soil moisture. However, the presence of a vegetative cover alters the measurement that might be obtained under bare conditions. Two significant obstacles to the practical use of this approach are deterministically accounting for the effect of vegetation; and developing algorithms for extracting soil moisture from observations of a vegetation-soil complex. The presence of a vegetation canopy reduces the sensitivity of passive microwave instruments to soil moisture variations. Data collected using truck-mounted microwave radiometers were used to examine the specific effects of corn and soybean canopies. >
Numerical multiconfiguration self-consistent-field studies of atomic photoionization cross sections: Dynamical core-polarization effects in atomic potassium.

The numerical multiconfiguration self-consistent-field method is used to calculate photoionization cross sections of atomic potassium in its ground state for photoelectron energies ranging from 0.0 to 12 eV. The effects of core polarization, which are very important for this atom, are analyzed in detail and are taken into account effectively ab initio in both the initial and the final state, by the configuration-interaction procedure. It is found that the core-polarization effect is very strong in the photoionization cross section of potassium. Our results are found to be in good agreement with previous theoretical calculations throughout the energy region considered and also with experiment except at high energies.
Classical Nucleation Theory Applied to Homogeneous Bubble Nucleation in the Continuous Microcellular Foaming of the Polystyrene−CO2 System

In the continuous production of microcellular thermoplastic foam, a polymer−physical foaming agent (PFA) solution is subjected to a rapid pressure drop through an extrusion foaming die. Simulations were run for the flow of a polymer−PFA solution through an extrusion foaming die with an abrupt axisymmetric contraction. The pressure drops across the die obtained through the simulations showed good qualitative agreement with experimental pressure drop measurements on the foaming extrusion die obtained in our laboratory. Field values of pressure, temperature, and velocity were obtained at each point in the foaming die. Once the values of pressure and temperature were obtained along each point in the foaming die, classical nucleation theory for bubble nucleation was invoked to predict the local bubble nucleation rate downstream of the saturation surface. The hydrodynamic constraints to the nucleation rate were calculated by using a modified form of the classical nucleation theory that accounted for the diffusi...
EVALUATION OF VITAMIN E DEFICIENCY IN CHILDREN WITH LUNG DISEASE

The clinical assessment of vitamin E status has traditionally depended upon measurement of tocopherol concentrations in plasma or serum, with 0.5 mg/dl being used as the lower limit of normal. This approach can be supplemented by measurement of tocopherol in erythrocytes or by evaluating their susceptibility to hemolysis in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. Data obtained during the last decade indicate that tocopherol concentrations in blood samples may be misleading, and that tocopherol-lipid ratios are more reliable indicators of vitamin E status. In our studies, small populations of healthy children have been evaluated, along with infants and children with a variety of chronic diseases. Of interest is the observation that premature infants susceptible to lung disease, who often require high levels of inspired oxygen, and children with cystic fibrosis who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are almost invariably below 0.5 mg tocopherol per deciliter plasma. A substantial number, however, show no abnormality in peroxide-induced erythrocyte hemolysis. Expression of the tocopherol data per gram of total lipid indicates that many children with "low" tocopherol concentrations per unit volume of plasma are not deficient in vitamin E, but rather are above 0.8 mg/g, the ratio of tocopherol to lipid previously reported as the lower limit of normal.
The small town planning handbook, 3rd edition

by Thomas L. Daniels, John W. Keller, Mark B. Lapping, Katherine Daniels, and James Segedy, Chicago, Planners Press (American Planning Association), 2007, 402 pp., $67.95 (paperback), ISBN 1-932364...
Polyaniline Nanofiber Synthesis by Co-Use of Ammonium Peroxydisulfate and Sodium Hypochlorite

The polymerization to polyaniline nanofibers was carried out in an aqueous system using aniline, 1 M HCl. and ammonium peroxydisulfate (APS) with additional use of sodium hypochlorite solution as a co-oxidant. The addition of sodium hypochlorite solution was made either before or after the addition of APS. This new method always produces polyaniline nanofibers with long length. Additional advantages of this new method are discussed. The effect of aniline concentration, hypochlorite concentration, different acid use, reaction temperature, and both aniline and hypochlorite purity on morphology and electrical property of the nanofibers synthesized by this new method was investigated.
Neuroendocrine effects of limbic activation by electrical, spontaneous, and pharmacological modes: relevance to the pathophysiology of affective dysregulation in psychiatric disorders.

Abstract Kling, Mitchel A., Charles H. Kellner, Robert M. Post, Rex W. Cowdry, David L. Gardner, Richard Coppola, Frank W. Putnam, and Philip W. Gold; Meuroendocrine effects of limbic activation by electrical, spontaneous, and pharmacological modes: relevance to the pathophysiology of affective dysregulation in psychiatric disorders. Prog. Neuro-Psychopharmacol. & Biol. Psychiat. 1987, 11 : 459–481 1. 1. Literature is reviewed that implicates various limbic structures (particularly amygdala and hippocampus) in the modulation of stress-associated neuroendocrine systems. 2. 2. Procaine and related local anesthetics may show a selective proclivity for activating limbic structures. 3. 3. Procaine stimulates ACTH-cortisol and prolactin, but not growth hormone secretion. This pattern is most comparable to that elicited by stimuli which act bilaterally on temporal lobe and limbic areas. 4. 4. Procaine may be a useful agent for helping to elucidate the anatomic and physiologic basis for mood, endocrine, and cognitive dysregulation associated with stress and affective disorders. 5. 5. The endocrine concomitants of limbic activation may have relevance to the course and symptom complex of affective disorders and related psychiatric conditions.
Head injury in children.

Trauma in the United States is the leading cause of death and disability in the pediatric population. Differences of age and development affect recovery and outcome following head injury. Mechanisms and pathophysiology of head injury are varied in both the pediatric and adult populations. Assessments of injury are varied and some measurements are more sensitive than others as well as more specific with regard to certain types of injury. Treatment and management should be tailored to each case in order to effect a positive outcome with respect to brain functioning. Aggressive intervention for prevention of primary and secondary injury must be continued and understanding of the impact of these injuries should provide for a brighter future for these patients. (J Child Neurol 1998; 13:2-15).
MMP‐1 and MMP‐9 regulate epidermal growth factor‐dependent collagen loss in human carotid plaque smooth muscle cells

Mechanisms underlying the rupture of atherosclerotic plaque, a crucial factor in the development of myocardial infarction and stroke, are not well defined. Here, we examined the role of epidermal growth factor (EGF)-mediated matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) on the stability of interstitial collagens in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) isolated from carotid endarterectomy tissues of symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with carotid stenosis. VSMCs isolated from the carotid plaques of both asymptomatic and symptomatic patients were treated with EGF. The MMP-9 activity was quantified by gelatin zymography and the analysis of mRNA transcripts and protein for MMP-9, MMP-1, EGFR and collagen types I, Col I(α1) and collagen type III, Col III(α1) were analyzed by qPCR and immunofluorescence, respectively. The effect of EGF treatment to increase MMP-9 activity and mRNA transcripts for MMP-9, MMP-1, and EGFR and to decrease mRNA transcripts for Col I(α1) and Col III(α1) was threefold to fourfold greater in VSMCs isolated from the carotid plaques of symptomatic than asymptomatic patients. Inhibitors of EGFR (AG1478) and a small molecule inhibitor of MMP-9 decreased the MMP9 expression and upregulated Col I(α1) and Col III(α1) in EGF-treated VSMCs of both groups. Additionally, the magnitude in decreased MMP-9 mRNA and increased Col I(α1) and Col III(α1) due to knockdown of MMP-9 gene with siRNA in EGF-treated VSMCs was significantly greater in the symptomatic group than the asymptomatic group. Thus, a selective blockade of both EGFR and MMP-9 may be a novel strategy and a promising target for stabilizing vulnerable plaques in patients with carotid stenosis.
Targeted renal therapy and contrast-induced nephropathy during endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair: results of a feasibility pilot trial.

Purpose To evaluate the feasibility of targeted renal therapy (TRT) to decrease the rate of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) during endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) in patients at risk for CIN. Methods A prospective nonrandomized analysis of TRT was performed in 10 high-risk patients (8 men; median age 66.5 years, range 56-80) with pre-existing renal insufficiency. TRT involved high-dose intrarenal artery infusions of fenoldopam (FEN), a short acting selective dopamine-1 agonist and renal arteriolar vasodilator, delivered percutaneously via a left brachial access using the 5-F Benephit PV Infusion System during EVAR. Results There were no device-related complications. TRT infusion duration ranged from 3.5 to 6.0 hours (median 4.5). Median contrast dosage was 120 mL (range 50-200). At 24 and 72 hours after EVAR, creatinine clearance (CrCl) had improved in 7 (70%) patients, remained unchanged in 2 (20%), and declined >25% in 1 (10%); the latter returned to baseline on day 5. At 30 days, 7 (70%) patients had improved CrCl and 3 (30%) remained unchanged. Conclusion TRT is feasible during EVAR in high-risk patients. Further investigation is warranted to determine the safety and efficacy of TRT in preserving renal function during EVAR.
Perisurgical smoking cessation and reduction of postoperative complications.

Objective The purpose of this study was to determine if a perisurgical smoking cessation program reduces smoking-related postoperative complications in urogynecologic surgery. Study design A review of patients that underwent pelvic reconstructive surgery from 1998 to 2003 was performed. All smokers underwent a perisurgical smoking cessation program of their choice for at least 1 month before surgery, and continued for 1 month after surgery. Complications unrelated to smoking (cystotomy, enterotomy, urethral obstruction, etc) were excluded in the smoking-potentiated complications. Problems considered to be potentiated by smoking were: wound, pulmonary, cardiac, and febrile morbidity. Results Eight hundred eighty-seven patients were included. There were 233 smoker cessation patients (SC) and 654 nonsmokers (NS). The total number of complications in the SC group was 61 (61/233, 26%) compared with 172 (172/654, 29%) in the NS group: (chi-square, P = .97). When looking at smoking-potentiated complications only, there were 34 (34/61, 56%) patients in the SC group and 90 (90/172, 52%) in the NS group (chi-square, P = .75). Conclusion There are no differences in smoking-potentiated complications between nonsmoking patients and patients who undergo a perisurgical smoking cessation program.
Mechanical and Ferroelectric Behavior of PZT-Based Thin Films

The mechanical and ferroelectric behavior of freestanding lead zirconate titanate (PZT) -based thin film unimorph structures for microelectromechanical systems was investigated with uniaxial tension specimens of SiO2-TiPt-PZT-Pt, SiO2-TiPt-PZT, SiO2-TiPt, and individual SiO2 and Pt films. Full-field strains obtained with digital image correlation were used to compute the stress versus strain curves for each film combination and the properties of the PZT layer. The mechanical response of the 1-μm thick PZT films was nonlinear but nonhysteretic, and it deviated from linearity at 0.3-0.35% axial strain. The elastic modulus of the PZT was 84 ± 3 GPa and 60.5 ± 5 GPa in open and short circuit conditions, respectively. Failure of the PZT stacks initiated in the PZT layer at 510 ± 35 MPa and 356 ± 55 MPa, in open and short circuit conditions, respectively, while the presence of the top Pt electrode delayed failure initiation in the SiO2-TiPt-PZT-Pt stack compared to the SiO2-TiPt-PZT stack. The high field effective electroactive coefficient e31,eff calculated from biased PZT stacks subjected to various prestress amplitudes was in the range of -50 to -30 NV-1 m-1. The e31,eff was strongly dependent on the electric field for most applied stress amplitudes, but it remained constant with the applied field when the applied stress reached 400 M Pa.
The case for a flexible-header protocol in power constrained networks

This paper evaluates FLIP, a flexible header protocol for power-constrained, heterogeneous networks. We show that FLIP can improve the energy efficiency of a system considerably, prolonging the system's lifetime. For example, when employing FLIP to implement an existing sensor network communication paradigm, we obtain 50% energy savings when compared to the paradigms original implementation. Further, we use a sample data gathering application that calculates the average of a sensor network's attribute (e.g., average temperature) and show FLIP's energy efficiency when compared to static header approaches.
Solving partial differential equations on irregular domains with moving interfaces, with applications to superconformal electrodeposition in semiconductor manufacturing

We present a numerical algorithm for solving partial differential equations on irregular domains with moving interfaces. Instead of the typical approach of solving in a larger rectangular domain, our approach performs most calculations only in the desired domain. To do so efficiently, we have developed a one-sided multigrid method to solve the corresponding large sparse linear systems. Our focus is on the simulation of the electrodeposition process in semiconductor manufacturing in both two and three dimensions. Our goal is to track the position of the interface between the metal and the electrolyte as the features are filled and to determine which initial configurations and physical parameters lead to superfilling. We begin by motivating the set of equations which model the electrodeposition process. Building on existing models for superconformal electrodeposition, we develop a model which naturally arises from a conservation law form of surface additive evolution. We then introduce several numerical algorithms, including a conservative material transport level set method and our multigrid method for one-sided diffusion equations. We then analyze the accuracy of our numerical methods. Finally, we compare our result with experiment over a wide range of physical parameters.
A practical approach to radio propagation measurements&#8212;As used in the design of mobile radio communications systems

The design of a mobile or portable radio communications system requires the consideration of a number of unique engineering factors which do not necessarily apply to the design of a fixed, or point-to-point system. The design procedure is a combination of theoretical and empirical methods, which when taken with measured data, produce a system design meeting the required specifications. This paper will treat that portion of the system design pertaining to radio frequency propagation and system coverage. It stresses a realistic measurement program which will provide coverage data in support of the system design.
Efficient sequenced temporal integrity checking

Primary key and referential integrity are the most widely used integrity constraints in relational databases. Each has a sequenced analogue in temporal databases, in which the constraint must apply independently at every point in time. In this paper, we assume a stratum approach, which expresses the checking in conventional SQL, as triggers on period-stamped relations. We evaluate several novel approaches that exploit B/sup +/-tree indexes to enable efficient checking of sequenced primary key (SPK) and sequenced referential integrity (SRI) constraints. We start out with a brute-force SPK algorithm, then adapt the relational interval-tree overlap algorithm. After that, we propose a new method, the straight traversal algorithm, which utilizes the B/sup +/-tree more directly in order to identify when multiple key values are present. Our evaluation, on two platforms, shows that the straight traversal algorithm approaches the performance of built-in nontemporal primary key and referential integrity checking, with a constant time per tuple.