cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Apoptotic mechanisms in acute renal failure

It has been generally accepted that a catastrophic breakdown of regulated cellular homeostasis, known as necrosis, is the mode of cellular injury in various forms of acute renal failure. One of the major advances in our understanding of cell death has been the recognition that the pathways traditionally associated with apoptosis as described in the landmark study by Kerr, Wyllie, and Currie in 1972 may be very critical in the form of cell injury associated with necrosis. The pathway that is followed by the cell varies with both nature and severity of insults and may evolve from an apoptotic to a necrotic form of cell death. It is also likely that there are some common pathways that are shared and regulated in the two modes of cell death. In this review, we first describe evidence for the role of apoptotic pathways in ischemic acute renal failure, and then consider the potential mechanisms that may participate in this model of acute renal tubular injury. We then summarize the current information of apoptotic pathways related to other common causes of acute renal failure including endotoxin-induced, toxic acute renal failure and transplant rejection. A better understanding of the mechanisms of apoptosis could lead to safer and more specific therapeutic interventions for acute renal failure.
Viability of Lactobacillus plantarum in Orange Juice under Low pH and Temperature Conditions

A strain of Lactobacillus plantarum, isolated from fermenting orange juice (OJ), was inoculated into unpasteurized or reconstituted OJ and held under low pH/low temperature conditions. Viability decreased more rapidly at subfreezing temperatures near – 5°C than at lower or higher temperatures. Viability decreased 0.37 log CFU/mL/hr at - 6.6°C and 0.05 log CFU/mL/hr at - 18°C. Rates of population decrease in frozen samples at - 5°C were about three times greater than in unfrozen samples at the same temperature. An inverse linear relationship existed between rate of population decrease (log CFU/mL/day) at - 7°C and OJ pH, with the rate of decrease at pH 4.1, about 1 log cycle lower than at pH 3.5 (0.024 and 0.60, respectively).
One photon up, one photon down.

A microscopy technique based on stimulated Raman scattering achieves label-free imaging with very high sensitivity.
The Effectiveness of the Controlled Release of Gentamicin from Polyelectrolyte Multilayers in the Treatment of Staphylococcus aureus Infection in a Rabbit Bone Model

While the infection rate of orthopedic implants is low, the required treatment, which can involve six weeks of antibiotic therapy and two additional surgical operations, is life threatening and expensive, and thus motivates the development of a one-stage re-implantation procedure. Polyelectrolyte multilayers incorporating gentamicin were fabricated using the layer-by-layer deposition process for use as a device coating to address an existing bone infection in a direct implant exchange operation. The films eluted about 70% of their payload in vitro during the first three days and subsequently continued to release drug for more than four additional weeks, reaching a total average release of over 550 microg/cm(2). The coatings were demonstrated to be bactericidal against Staphylococcus aureus, and degradation products were generally nontoxic towards MC3T3-E1 murine preosteoblasts. Film-coated titanium implants were compared to uncoated implants in an in vivo S. aureus bone infection model. After a direct exchange procedure, the antimicrobial-coated devices yielded bone homogenates with a significantly lower degree of infection than uncoated devices at both day four (p < 0.004) and day seven (p < 0.03). This study has demonstrated that a self-assembled ultrathin film coating is capable of effectively treating an experimental bone infection in vivo and lays the foundation for development of a multi-therapeutic film for optimized, synergistic treatment of pain, infection, and osteomyelitis.
The developmental basis of an evolutionary diversification of female gametophyte structure in Piper and Piperaceae

†Background and Aims Fritillaria-type female gametophyte development is a complex, yet homoplasious developmental pattern that is interesting from both evolutionary and developmental perspectives. Piper (Piperaceae) was chosen for this study of Fritillaria-type female gametophyte development because Piperales represent a ‘hotspot’ of female gametophyte developmental evolution and have been the subject of several recent molecular phylogenetic analyses. This wealth of phylogenetic and descriptive data make Piper an excellent candidate for inferring the evolutionary developmental basis for the origin of Fritillaria-type female gametophytes. †Methods Developing ovules of Piper peltatum were taken from greenhouse collections, embedded in glycol methacrylate, and serially sectioned. Light microscopy and laser scanning confocal microscopy were combined to produce three-dimensional computer reconstructions of developing female gametophytes. The ploidies of the developing embryos and endosperms were calculated using microspectrofluorometry. †Key Results The data describe female gametophyte development in Piper with highly detailed threedimensional models, and document two previously unknown arrangements of megaspore nuclei during early development. Also collected were microspectrofluorometric data that indicate that Fritillaria-type female gametophyte development in Piper results in pentaploid endosperm. †Conclusions The three-dimensional models resolve previous ambiguities in developmental interpretations of Fritillaria-type female gametophytes in Piper. The newly discovered arrangements of megaspore nuclei that are described allow for the construction of explicit hypotheses of female gametophyte developmental evolution within Piperaceae, and more broadly throughout Piperales. These detailed hypotheses indicate that the common ancestor of Piperaceae minus Verhuellia had a Drusa-type female gametophyte, and that evolutionary transitions to derived tetrasporic female gametophyte ontogenies in Piperaceae, including Fritillaria-type female gametophyte development, are the consequence of key nuclear migration and patterning events at the end of megasporogenesis.
Powder Metallurgy Processing of Ti-48Al-2Nb-2Cr(at%) Alloys

The effect of processing on the microstructures and properties of powder metallurgy processed Ti-48Al-2Nb-2Cr alloys was examined. Both gas atomization (GA) and plasma rotating electrode process (PREP) techniques were used to produce pre-alloyed powder of the desired composition. The powders were then consolidated by either HIPing or extrusion. The effects of HIP temperature (1090°-1300°C) and HIP pressure (103MPa and 172MPa) were examined during HIP consolidation of GA powders. In addition, some of the PREP and GA HIPed materials were subsequently hot worked by isothermal forging. The tensile properties of these materials were determined in air in the temperature range 25°-1000°C. These results were then compared with previous data for I/M materials. The inter-relationship of processing, microstructure and properties was examined.
Permanent deformation of compact bone monitored by acoustic emission.

Abstract Uniaxial tension tests were performed on standardized specimens of bovine haversian bone to examine the contributions of mineral and collagen to permanent deformation in bone and to monitor the damage mechanisms occurring in permanent deformation using acoustic emission techniques. Test on control, decalcified and deproteinized groups of specimens demonstrated that the post-yield or ‘plastic’ slope of the stress-strain curve for unaltered bone is dependent on collagen properties, while the elastic modulus and yield phenomenon appear more dependent on the mineral phase. The results are consistent with a two-phase model for bone in which the mineral behaves as an elastic-perfectly plastic material when bound to the collagen fiber matrix. Acoustic emission from control specimens demonstrated considerable damage at yield and again just prior to fracture. Decalcified specimens, which were linearly elastic to failure, also exhibited significant acoustic emission just prior to fracture.
Effect of Cristobalite on the Strength of Sintered Fused Silica Above and Below the Cristobalite Transformation

Porous fused silica ceramics which had been partially devitrified to cristobalite were stronger at 350°C in the beta-cristobalite stability range, but weaker at 25°C after the transformation to alpha-cristobalite. The tensile strength distribution for different cristobalite fractions are compared for three types of specimens. These were beta-cristobalite samples which had never been transformed to alpha-cristobalite; room-temperature samples with alpha-cristobalite; and samples at 350°C which had retransformed to beta-cristobalite after prior transformation to alpha-cristobalite. The alpha-cristobalite samples displayed 50%–75% the strength of samples tested on beta and the difference in strength was dependent on cristobalite content. Specimens retransformed to beta-cristobalite had strength similar to virgin specimens. Microcracking associated with the transformation to alpha-cristobalite contributes to the strength changes but cannot fully explain the impact of the beta–alpha transformation on strength.
Estimating Robust Query Models with Convex Optimization

Query expansion is a long-studied approach for improving retrieval effectiveness by enhancing the user's original query with additional related words. Current algorithms for automatic query expansion can often improve retrieval accuracy on average, but are not robust: that is, they are highly unstable and have poor worst-case performance for individual queries. To address this problem, we introduce a novel formulation of query expansion as a convex optimization problem over a word graph. The model combines initial weights from a baseline feedback algorithm with edge weights based on word similarity, and integrates simple constraints to enforce set-based criteria such as aspect balance, aspect coverage, and term centrality. Results across multiple standard test collections show consistent and significant reductions in the number and magnitude of expansion failures, while retaining the strong positive gains of the baseline algorithm. Our approach does not assume a particular retrieval model, making it applicable to a broad class of existing expansion algorithms.
The problem of electron velocity distribution

The object of this tutorial paper is to clarify the basic ideas referring to the electron velocity spread associated with thermionic emission. In particular we discuss the use of suitable probability density functions, the definition of mean velooity and mean energy and the concept of momentum and energy flow. In all cases the physical significance of the relevant quatities is considered, their relation to thermionic power conversion being noted, where applicable. The discussion deals with conservative, time-independent systems, a plane, parallel diode being used as a simple model.
THE CYTOPLASMIC TAIL OF RHODOPSIN ACTS AS A SORTING SIGNAL IN POLARIZED PHOTORECEPTORS AND MDCK CELLS

In this report, we demonstrate that wild-type rhodopsin is targeted to the apical plasma membrane via the trans- Golgi network (TGN) upon expression in polarized epithelial Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. Truncated rhodopsin with a deletion of 32 C-terminal residues shows a non-polar steady-state distribution. Addition of the C-terminal 39 residues of rhodopsin redirects the basolateral membrane protein CD7 to the apical membrane. Fusion of rhodopsin’s cytoplasmic tail to a cytosolic protein glutathione 5-transferase (GST) also targets this fusion protein (GST-Rho39Tr) to the apical membrane. We conclude that the carboxy-terminal tail of rhodopsin contains a novel cytoplasmic apical sorting determinant. This result is in agreement with previous studies showing that the cytoplasmic tail of rhodopsin mediates its vectorial transport from its site of synthesis in the rod photoreceptor cell body to the rod outer segment, where phototransduction occurs. Several mutant rhodopsins, found in patients with autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (ADRP), have an amino acid change at the carboxy-terminus and these mutants are defective in their outer segment localization. It will be of interest to examine the relationship between the defects in rhodopsin’s targetingJ.transport and the pathogenesis of retinal degeneration.
Mannitol and dextran increase cochlear blood flow in normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Pharmacologic treatments for otopathologies of possible vascular origin are aimed at enhancing vascular transport and are intended to increase cochlear blood flow (CBF). In the current study, normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were given intravascular infusions of mannitol (20%), dextran 70 (6%), or control saline. In general, the results clearly indicate that both osmotic agents effectively increase CBF, as measured by laser Doppler flowmetery. However, the mechanism of action of these agents is less clear.
Material properties of the cell dictate stress-induced spreading and differentiation in embryonic stem cells

Growing evidence suggests that physical microenvironments and mechanical stresses, in addition to soluble factors, help direct mesenchymal-stem-cell fate. However, biological responses to a local force in embryonic stem cells remain elusive. Here we show that a local cyclic stress through focal adhesions induced spreading in mouse embryonic stem cells but not in mouse embryonic stem-cell-differentiated cells, which were ten times stiffer. This response was dictated by the cell material property (cell softness), suggesting that a threshold cell deformation is the key setpoint for triggering spreading responses. Traction quantification and pharmacological or shRNA intervention revealed that myosin II contractility, F-actin, Src or cdc42 were essential in the spreading response. The applied stress led to oct3/4 gene downregulation in mES cells. Our findings demonstrate that cell softness dictates cellular sensitivity to force, suggesting that local small forces might have far more important roles in early development of soft embryos than previously appreciated.
SiC photodetectors for industrial applications

Silicon carbide is a wide bandgap semiconductor with highly robust properties lending its applicability to robust electronics and sensors. Ultraviolet detection in particular is of interest for several industrial applications including those requiring a rugged sensing device. SiC photodetectors and their applications will be discussed, including examples of device design, fabrication and testing. Also, the fabrication and testing of separate avalanche and multiplication region avalanche photodiodes will be highlighted.
A high performance IDDQ testable cache for scaled CMOS technologies

Quiescent supply current (IDDQ) testing is a useful test method for static CMOS RAM and can be combined with functional testing to reduce total test time and to increase reliability. However the sensitivity of IDDQ testing deteriorates significantly with technology scaling as intrinsic leakage of CMOS circuits increases. In this paper, we use a design technique for a high-performance cache, which greatly improves leakage current and hence the IDDQ testability of the cache with technology scaling. We utilize the concept of gated-ground (NMOS transistor inserted between ground line and SRAM cell) to achieve reduction in leakage energy due to the stacking effect of the transistor without significantly affecting performance. Simulation results for a 64 K cache show 20% average improvement in IDDQ sensitivity for TSMC 0.25 /spl mu/m technology, while the improvement is more than 1000% for the 70 nm predictive technology model.
Characterization of axially laminated anisotropic-rotor synchronous reluctance motors

The effects of accounting for material anisotropy on the energy performance characteristics of the axially laminated anisotropic (ALA) rotor synchronous reluctance motor (SynRM) are presented. These effects are evaluated from the simulation of indirectly coupled magnetic field-electric circuit models which fully account for magnetic saturation and space harmonics, to a time variant state space model describing the SynRM drive system. Furthermore, the simulation method fully accounts for strong "material" and "structural" anisotropy exhibited in the curved flux barrier regions of the rotor ALA-rotor SynRM. The simulation results are validated by direct measurement of inductances and energy conversion performance of a 100 kW prototype ALA-rotor synchronous reluctance machine.
2,2î-Bipyridine Catalyzed Bleaching of Cotton Fibers with Peracetic Acid Part I: Kinetics and Mechanism of Peracetic Acid Decomposition in the Bleach Solution

Peracetic acid can be catalyzed to bleach cotton fibers at temperatures as low as 30°C by incorporating 2,2i-bipyridine in the bleach solution if the appropriate concentration of ferrous ions is present in the cotton fibers. The tris-2,2i-bipyridine ferrous ion complex (trischelate) is the catalytically active species, and sodium lauryl sulfate functions as a stabilizer for the peracid in the presence of the trischelate. The effects of pH, temperature, and concentrations of 2,2i-bipyridine, sodium lauryl sulfate, and ferrous ions on the kinetics and mechanism of peracetic acid decomposition have been investigated. Peracetic acid decomposition in the bleach solution is due mainly to alkaline hydrolysis without added ferrous ions and catalysis by the trischelate complex in solutions containing added ferrous ions. Overall decomposition follows the rate expressionwhere k1 is the specific rate constant for alkaline hydrolysis and k3 is the specific rate constant for catalytic decomposition by the trischelate i...
Structural image codebooks and the self-organizing feature map algorithm

The Kohonen self-organizing feature map algorithm is used to design hypercubically structured codebooks for memoryless vector quantization at a bit rate below 0.75 b/pixel for 512*512 monochrome still images. A decimated-search method that searches only a fraction of the codebook during both the training and the encoding processes is introduced. The effectiveness of the design is demonstrated by comparing the codebooks with those designed by the Linde-Buzo-Gray (LBG) algorithm. The coded images are seen to have similar objective and perceptual quality as those encoded by the LBG codebooks at a fraction of the search complexity. >
Reverse Correlating Social Face Perception

Reverse correlation (RC) techniques provide a data-driven approach to model internal representations in an unconstrained way. Here, we used this approach to model social perception of faces. In the RC task, participants repeatedly selected from two face images—created by superimposing randomly generated noise masks on the same face—the face that looked most trustworthy (or, in other conditions: untrustworthy, dominant, or submissive). We calculated classification images (CIs) by averaging all selected images. Trait judgments of independent participants, as well as objective metrics, showed that the CIs visualized the intended traits well. Furthermore, tests of pixel clusters showed that diagnostic information resided mostly in mouth, eye, eyebrow, and hair regions. The current work shows that RC provides an excellent tool to extract psychologically meaningful images that map onto social perception.
Fatal Pulmonary Hemorrhage

To the Editor: In the October 1979 issue of Physical Therapy, a Clinical Report entitled “Fatal Pulmonary Hemorrhage Associated with Chest Physical Therapy” by Hammon and Martin appeared. I applaud the use of such case reporting to alert and enable other therapists in the field to recognize both positive and potentially harmful treatments. I, however, believe that this particular case study drew stronger conclusions than the situation warranted. The authors have failed to consider a major potential precipitation of hemoptysis in the patient with lung cancer and that is vigorous coughing. The potential for hemoptysis in any patient with such diffuse disease is real, and a reasonable course of maximizing clearance of secretions without precipitating major hemoptysis must be followed. However, even the most careful judicious treatment plan does not reverse the destructive process of the disease with its concomitant potential for hemorrhage. Related Article: [PubMed][1] [1]: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/493347
Eliminating Fermi-level pinning in PbS quantum dots using an alumina interfacial layer

Through a systematic approach we show that the insertion of a thin alumina layer in between a PbS QD layer and an Au substrate can eliminate Fermi level pinning. In this study band edge energies of different sized PbS QD monolayers with different cross-linkers were measured by using ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy and electrochemistry. When PbS QDs were immobilized directly on the Au, the measured valence band maximum was found to be insensitive to changes in the QD size or cross-linker indicating Fermi level pinning of the QD valence band to the Au Fermi level. After insertion of a thin film of alumina in between the PbS quantum dot monolayer film and the Au substrate, the measured valence band position revealed a shift that depended on ligand and QD size. These results identify a general method for eliminating Fermi level pinning in QDs and an approach for predictably controlling the energetics at QD–metal interfaces which is beneficial for improving the performance of QD based solar cells.
Association of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus With Left Ventricular Structure and Function: The CARDIA Study.

OBJECTIVE Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) predicts incident cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, mechanisms linking GDM to CVD beyond intervening incident diabetes are not well understood. We examined the relation of GDM with echocardiographic parameters of left ventricular (LV) structure and function, which are important predictors of future CVD risk. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We studied 609 women (43% black) from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study who delivered one or more births during follow-up and had echocardiograms in 1990–1991 (mean age 28.8 years) and 2010–2011. RESULTS During the 20-year follow-up, 965 births were reported, with GDM developing in 64 women (10.5%). In linear regression models adjusted for sociodemographic factors, BMI, physical activity, parity, smoking, use of oral contraceptives, alcohol intake, family history of coronary heart disease, systolic blood pressure, and lipid levels, women with GDM had impaired longitudinal peak strain (−15.0 vs. −15.7%, P = 0.025), circumferential peak strain (−14.8 vs. −15.6%, P = 0.028), lateral e′ wave velocity (11.0 vs. 11.8 cm/s, P = 0.012), and septal e′ wave velocity (8.6 vs. 9.3 cm/s, P = 0.015) in 2010–2011 and a greater 20-year increase in LV mass indexed to body surface area (14.3 vs. 6.0 g/m2, P = 0.006) compared with women with non-GDM pregnancies. Further adjustment for incident type 2 diabetes after pregnancy did not attenuate these associations. CONCLUSIONS Pregnancy complicated by GDM is independently associated with increased LV mass and impaired LV relaxation and systolic function. Implementation of postpartum cardiovascular health interventions in women with a history of GDM may offer an additional opportunity to reduce future CVD risk.
K-shell fluorescence yields and their uncertainties for use in hybrid K-edge densitometry

Hybrid K-edge densitometry (HKED) is a non-destructive analytical assay technique used to provide rapid determination of actinide concentration in tank solutions. Of special interest for HKED is the estimation, along with associated uncertainties, of the ratio of the flouresence yeilds, ω K, of uranium and plutonium. Limited experimental data for ω K(Z) as a function of atomic number, Z, exist and the data are subject to experimental uncertainty. Previous studies have provided values for ω K(Z) with uncertainty estimates but have not included covariance information. We use a phenomenological model with a bootstrapping method to generate the ratio ω K(94)/ω K(92) and associated uncertainty.
Comparison of Some Sampling Designs for Spatially Clustered Populations

Adaptive cluster sampling (Thompson, 1990 Journal of the American Statistical Association) is a sampling design in which an initial sample is selected according to some probability scheme and additional units are added to the sample if the originally selected units meet some predefined condition. We compare adaptive cluster sampling in which the initial units are selected according to simple random sampling (ASRS) to some other sampling designs, including simple random sampling of equivalent sample size (SRS) and balanced sampling excluding contiguous units (BSEC) (Hedayat, Rao and Stufken, 1988 Journal of Statistical Planning and Inference). Another design we consider is a variation on ASRS in which, if a selected unit does not meet the condition for adaptively sampling of its neighbors, then the neighbors are excluded from being included in the final sample (AESRS).
The "normal" brain. "Abnormal" ubiquitinilated deposits highlight an age-related protein change

Known morphologic changes that characterize "normal" brain senescence are insufficient to explain the widespread, age-related decline of psychomotor functions. We report that the heavily ubiquitinilated deposits can be consistently detected by immunohistochemistry in the normal senescent brain. Immunostaining of hippocampal sections from aged brains with an anti-ubiquitin antibody was unrelated to neurofibrillary degeneration or senile plaque formation. In contrast, ubiquitin deposits were not detectable in brain sections from neurologically and neuropathologically normal young individuals who had died of nonneurological causes. This finding shows an unrecognized protein change in the normal aged brain.
Probabilistic Methods for Air Traffic Demand Forecasting

Efficient and effective air-traffic management decisions can be dependent on the accuracy of demand predictions for sector loading and airport arrival rates. The accuracy of deterministic demand-forecasting methods in current use can only be improved by increasing the accuracy of the data used to make demand predictions. These demand-forecasting methods are deterministic because they utilize location predictions of individual aircraft as precise values for estimating demand. However, demand is based on the total number of aircraft utilizing a resource, not on which particular aircraft are included in the demand count. So probabilistic methods, that model how the demand utilization uncertainties of all aircraft will interact, should provide better demand estimates. The development of simple and efficient probabilistic methods for air-traffic demandforecasts is presented. Monte Carlo simulations demonstrate that the methods produce count errors for Airport Arrival Rate estimates with 15 to 20% lower standard deviations than those produced by deterministic methods. A reduction that is equivalent to what could be achieved deterministically by reducing the uncertainty in airport arrival-time predictions by 25 to 35%.
Australian Feminist Judgments: Righting and Rewriting Law

Australian Feminist Judgments: Righting and Rewriting Law is a collection of ‘alternate judgments’ that resulted from the collaboration of Australian legal scholars and practitioners as part of the...
Complex system governance development: a first generation methodology

This paper explores a development approach and deployment related issues for complex system governance (CSG). CSG has been emerging as a field focused on performance of functions necessary to maintain viability (existence) of a complex system. However, although a reference model has been developed for CSG, there has not been a corresponding methodology developed to guide application. As a first examination of a CSG development methodology, this paper is focused on two primary objectives. First, a three staged approach to CSG development is suggested. This approach includes initialisation, readiness assessment, and development as the three primary stages of a CSG development methodology. However, to engage in CSG development there are several issues that must be considered. Thus, the second objective is to examine a set of CSG development issues and their potential impact on the CSG development methodology as well as its effectiveness. The influence of these issues on design, execution, and the ultimate evolution of CSG is explored with emphasis on implications for the next generation development of the methodology. The paper concludes with articulation of benefits and a path forward for continued elaboration of the first generation CSG development methodology.
Application of Positron Emission Tomography Imaging in Assessment of Coronary Heart Disease

Coronary heart disease is a leading cause of death in many countries.Positron emission tomography is an imaging technique that can capture cardiac perfusion,wall motion,and myocardial viability.Positron emission tomography plays an important role in the diagnosis of coronary heart disease.The combination of multislice computed tomography coronary angiography and myocardial perfusion imaging provides both anatomical and functional information of coronary heart disease.
Patalano, Alessio Post-war Japan as a Sea Power: Imperial Legacy, Wartime Experience and the Making of a Navy (Bloomsbury Studies in Military History) New York: Bloomsbury Academic 244 pp., $112.00, ISBN 978-1-4725-2651-9 Publication Date: June 2015

Alessio Patalano, in his introduction to Post-war Japan as a Sea Power, poses the question of whether today's Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force should be considered a worthy successor to the Imperi...
Effects of Stone Size on the Comminution Process and Efficiency in Shock Wave Lithotripsy

The effects of stone size on the process and comminution efficiency of shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) were investigated in experiments, numerical simulations and scale analysis. Cylindrical BegoStone phantoms with approximately equal height and diameter of either 4, 7 or 10 mm, in a total aggregated mass of about 1.5 g, were treated in an electromagnetic shock wave lithotripter field. The resultant stone comminution was found to correlate closely with the average peak pressure, P+(avg), incident on the stones. The P+(avg) threshold necessary to initiate stone fragmentation in water increased from 7.9 to 8.8 to 12.7 MPa, respectively, as stone size decreased from 10 to 7 to 4 mm. Similar changes in the P+(avg) threshold were observed for the 7- and 10-mm stones treated in 1,3-butanediol, in which cavitation is suppressed, suggesting that the observed size dependency is due to changes in stress distribution within stones of different size. Moreover, the slope of the correlation curve between stone comminution and ln(P¯+(avg)) in water increased with decreasing stone size, whereas the opposite trend was observed in 1,3-butanediol. The progression of stone comminution in SWL exhibited size-dependence: the 7- and 10-mm stones fragmented into progressively smaller pieces, whereas a significant portion (>30%) of the 4-mm stones reached a stalemate within the size range of 2.8 ∼ 4 mm, even after 1000 shocks. Analytical scaling considerations suggest size-dependent fragmentation behavior, a hypothesis further supported by numerical model calculations that reveal changing patterns of constructive and destructive wave interference and, thus, variations in the maximum tensile stress or stress integral produced in cylindrical and spherical stone of different sizes.
The Artistic Influence of Fénelon’s Memoir: The Playing for Time Phenomenon

Fania Fenelon’s Holocaust memoir Playing for Time continues to inspire a variety of artistic productions. In this chapter Eischeid details the productions inspired by Fenelon’s work. She reveals how pervasive Fania’s story has become and the ramifications of that exposure for presenting a true picture and remembrance of what the women’s orchestra was really like. The further response of the surviving members to these new productions is explored, as is their continued dismay at the popularity of Fenelon’s work. In every way these ongoing productions exemplify the problems inherent in the Playing for Time legacy: largely unconditional acceptance of the primary source, or the dismissal of any concerns of veracity in favor of an artistic vision.
Evolution and Adaptation of Economic, Social and Cultural Structures in the Rural Kentucky Marijuana Industry

Cet article se penche sur l'evolution de la culture de la marijuana dans le Kentucky, particulierement sa partie Appalachienne. Malgre son caractere illegal, la culture de la marijuana est fortement implantee dans les communautes rurales du Kentucky, et s'inscrit dans une culture de la pauvrete. L'A. souhaite corriger certains jugements stereotypes portes sur ces ruraux des regions isolees. Selon l'A., la repression a l'encontre des planteurs et leur eloignement de la region a favorise l'arrivee de nouveaux trafiquants, principalement de cocaine, qui tentent de se greffer sur le marche local. Selon l'A., le controle social exerce auparavant par les planteurs, et les normes sociales des communautes rurales risquent d'etre remplaces par des pratiques davantage criminalisees
Adoption of schematic based approach to soft-processors in devices lab course

In the Spring 2013 semester a soft-processor was successfully adopted and used in our undergraduate microprocessor devices lab course (ECE336). Rather than using a package that focuses on generating a soft processor system our students use schematics to design and make their own standalone systems for which they write a software application. In using a soft-processor with a field programmable gate array (FPGA) our students actually make their own microcontroller systems.
Fetal Situs, Isomerism, Heterotaxy Syndrome: Diagnostic Evaluation and Implication for Postnatal Management

A hallmark of vertebrate anatomy is asymmetry of structures, especially internal organs, on the left and right side of the body. Heterotaxy syndrome is the combination of correct-sided, and incorrect-sided organs. The establishment of the left-right axis is an early event in vertebrate embryogenesis. Failure to establish this axis has numerous consequences for later development and can result in a wide range of potential defects. Congenital heart disease is among the more frequent and serious problems. Heterotaxy syndrome is diagnosed prenatally with increasing frequency due to improved screening practices. The key to proper management of fetal heterotaxy syndrome is reliable determination of left and right in the fetus, a thorough understanding of associated defects and comprehensive imaging.
Small Bowel: The Problematic Duodenal Perforation

While the overall incidence of acid-peptic ulcer disease continues to decrease, perforated duodenal ulcers continue to occur. This is particularly true in elderly patients where the incidence of infection with Helicobacter pylori is the highest, and there is increasing usage of NSAIDs. Small (<1 cm) soft perforated ulcers of the anterior duodenum are closed primarily or with a viable omental plug by a laparoscopic approach in the modern era. When there are contraindications to laparoscopy, when anti-Helicobacter therapy has failed, or when a large (2 cm) anterior perforation is present, an exploratory laparotomy is usually performed. Excision of the ulcer locally and closure as a pyloroplasty is a simple definitive approach, with or without truncal vagotomy. Another definitive operation is antrectomy, partial duodenectomy, and a gastroduodenostomy or gastrojejunostomy. Either primary closure or the insertion of a duodenostomy tube is performed, as well
A30 Living with HD: the physician’s role

The physician who specialises in HD has a unique opportunity to participate in the lives of some remarkable families over generations. If one takes the role of the physician beyond that of “medication prescriber” to “facilitator of optimal outcomes”, amazing things can happen. We will first tell some inspiring (short) stories from the Minnesota HD community (skydiving with HD; the Hoopathon that raised $750,000; high school hockey buddies; marathoning past HD; group homes for HD; the thousand-dollar mural; and more). We will close with simple suggestions for doctors to help them encourage these kinds of things to happen: 1. Give a name to your HD clinic or program; 2. Say “yes” to any and all ideas that patients or families have; and 3. Talk to the children, as they represent the future.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and the risk of clinical cardiovascular events: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract Objective Numerous studies have assessed the association between Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, results have been conflicting due to variability in definitions of NAFLD and ascertainment of CVD, often combining clinical and surrogate endpoints. We therefore systematically reviewed published literature to assess the association between NAFLD and clinical cardiovascular events (CVE) and performed a meta-analysis. Methods We searched PubMed, Medline, Cochrane, CINAHL, and Web of Science databases using terms “nonalcoholic fatty liver disease”, “nonalcoholic steatohepatitis”, “cardiovascular disease”, and their combinations to identify prospective studies published from inception through March 2016. Data from selected studies was extracted and meta-analysis was then performed using random effects model. Results A total of six studies with 25,837 patients (NAFLD: 5953; controls: 19,884) were included in the final analysis. Patients with NAFLD had a significantly higher risk of clinical CVE compared to controls (RR: 1.77; 95% CI: 1.26–2.48, p Conclusion NAFLD patients have a significantly higher risk for clinical CVE compared to those without. These results need to be confirmed in large prospective studies.
Abstract 509: Screening for Carotid Occlusive Disease in Patients With Mild Peripheral Vascular Disease

Objectives: Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is a systemic disorder, which can affect all territories of arteries. In order to maximize screening survey yield: we aimed to describe the association...
A cytoskeletal clutch mediates cellular force transmission in a soft, three-dimensional extracellular matrix

The ability of cells to impart forces and deformations on their surroundings underlies cell migration and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and is thus an essential aspect of complex, metazoan life. Previous work has resulted in a refined understanding, commonly termed the molecular clutch model, of how cells adhering to flat surfaces such as a microscope coverslip transmit cytoskeletally generated forces to their surroundings. Comparatively less is known about how cells adhere to and exert forces in soft, three-dimensional (3D), and structurally heterogeneous ECM environments such as occur in vivo. We used time-lapse 3D imaging and quantitative image analysis to determine how the actin cytoskeleton is mechanically coupled to the surrounding matrix for primary dermal fibroblasts embedded in a 3D fibrin matrix. Under these circumstances, the cytoskeletal architecture is dominated by contractile actin bundles attached at their ends to large, stable, integrin-based adhesions. Time-lapse imaging reveals that α-actinin-1 puncta within actomyosin bundles move more quickly than the paxillin-rich adhesion plaques, which in turn move more quickly than the local matrix, an observation reminiscent of the molecular clutch model. However, closer examination did not reveal a continuous rearward flow of the actin cytoskeleton over slower moving adhesions. Instead, we found that a subset of stress fibers continuously elongated at their attachment points to integrin adhesions, providing stable, yet structurally dynamic coupling to the ECM. Analytical modeling and numerical simulation provide a plausible physical explanation for this result and support a picture in which cells respond to the effective stiffness of local matrix attachment points. The resulting dynamic equilibrium can explain how cells maintain stable, contractile connections to discrete points within ECM during cell migration, and provides a plausible means by which fibroblasts contract provisional matrices during wound healing.
On Sensitivity Reduction in Nonlinear Feedback Systems

Abstract The satisfaction of a well known sufficient condition for sensitivity reduction by use of feedback, is shown to imply severe restrictions on the feedback control law, and also on the weighting matrix in the integralsquare criterion for closed-loop sensitivity reduction.
Radio Properties of Pulsar Wind Nebulae

Fast rotating neutron stars produce a steady energetic wind of relativistic particles and magnetic field that is released into the expanding ejecta of a core-collapse supernova explosion. This pulsar wind creates a nebula, in which the relativistic particles travel through the magnetic field producing synchrotron emission observable from radio to the γ-ray band. In the radio band, smooth, highly linearly polarized emission arises from well ordered magnetic fields that can be characterized by a power-law distribution of flux, with typical spectral indices similar to optically thin thermal emission from HII regions. In this review I will summarize the development of the radio structure of pulsar wind nebulae with respect to the different phases of their evolution. I will present the characteristics of the radio continuum emission that we observe, such as spectral behaviour and the presence of cooling breaks in the radio band. I will derive magnetic field configurations and discuss their impact on overall PWN models.
Borazine-CF3- Adducts for Rapid, Room Temperature, and Broad Scope Trifluoromethylation.

A fluoroform-derived borazine CF3- transfer reagent is used to effect rapid nucleophilic reactions in the absence of additives, within minutes at 25 °C. Inorganic electrophiles spanning seven groups of the periodic table can be trifluoromethylated in high yield, including transition metals used for catalytic trifluoromethylation. Organic electrophiles included (hetero)arenes, enabling C-H and C-X trifluoromethylation reactions. Mechanistic analysis supports a dissociative mechanism for CF3- transfer, and cation modification afforded a reagent with enhanced stability.
Theory of Thermal Time Constants in GaN High-Electron-Mobility Transistors

Due to the high dissipated power densities present in GaN high-electron-mobility transistors (HEMTs) in high-power radio frequency applications, thermal analysis and thermal management of these devices are important in achieving their full potential. In this paper, we present a fundamental study of the transient thermal behavior of GaN HEMTs to aid in understanding the complex contributions of multidimensional thermal spreading, multiple epitaxial layers, multiple gate fingers, and thermal boundary resistance to the temperature rise. This complex behavior cannot be accurately described by one or two thermal time constants. Rather, a broad spectrum of time constants from ~1 ns up to several milliseconds are present in the device due to aggressive multidimensional thermal spreading from the narrow region of power dissipation next to each HEMT gate through the substrate, die attach, and package. In order to accurately model the temperature response, at least one time constant per decade over the timescale of interest is required. These findings are crucial in developing an intuitive understanding of the transient thermal behavior of GaN HEMTs and properly accounting for transient temperature rise in electrothermal modeling of high-power GaN-based amplifiers.
Street Theatre East of Eden: The 10th International Street Theatre Festival in Mariwan, Iran

The 10th International Street Theatre Festival in Mariwan, Iran, featured performances by both local and international companies, along with workshops on Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed.
Current Role of Urethrolysis and Partial Excision in Patients Seeking Revision of Anti-Incontinence Sling.

Objectives Stress urinary incontinence is highly prevalent and sling surgery has increased since 2000. Urethrolysis traditionally had been standard management of complications after anti-incontinence surgery; however, partial excision is a less aggressive option. This study describes the different populations in a contemporary cohort that undergo sling excision and urethrolysis and their surgical outcomes. Methods Chart analysis was performed on patients assigned Current Procedural Terminology codes for removal or revision of sling for stress incontinence, urethrolysis, or revision of graft at our institution from 2010 to 2015. Demographics, indications, outcomes, and subsequent treatment were evaluated. Results A total of 110 patients underwent surgery and were included. Partial excision was performed on 82 patients and urethrolysis on 28 patients. About 32.7% had prior revision, and median length to revision was 3.1 years. Overall success was 75.0% for urethrolysis and 86.6% for partial excision. Without concomitant sling placement, stress incontinence developed in 25.0% of urethrolysis and 21.6% of partial excision patients. New onset overactive bladder symptoms developed in 21.4% of urethrolysis patients and 7.3% of partial excision, which was significantly different (P = 0.039). Conclusions Both approaches had good success, 75.0% for formal urethrolysis and 86.6% for partial excision. New onset urgency was lower for partial excision, but rates of all other complications were similar. These procedures are often used for different patient populations, and thus, outcomes are not meant to be directly compared. Future work on sling revision should report these procedures separately.
Optimally Factored IFIR Filters

This paper presents a new design method and a corresponding architecture for creating FIR filters that are significantly more hardware-efficient than presently known implementations. These optimally factored IFIR filters are also easily pipelined, thereby allowing operation at much higher data-rates. Using examples introduced by previous researchers, we show surprisingly better hardware efficiency. Two such examples show hardware reductions in the vicinity of 50%, relative to the conventional Remez structures, whereas previous research targeting this matter reports more modest results. We also show new features and further benefits that can be obtained by using optimally factored IFIR filters.
Anxiety, depression, and inflammation after restorative proctocolectomy.

Anxiety and depression (AD p < 0.05). UC patients with pouchitis also exhibited a higher rate of AD p < 0.05). Multivariable analysis demonstrated that pre-operative corticosteroid use (OR = 4.46, CI = 1.34–14.87, p < 0.05), female gender (OR = 2.19, CI = 1.22–3.95, p < 0.01), tobacco use (OR = 2.92, CI = 1.57 = 5.41, p < 0.001), and pouch inflammation (OR = 2.37, CI = 1.28–4.39, p < 0.05) were each independently associated with A&D in these patients. Anxiety and depression were more common in patients experiencing inflammatory conditions of the pouch. UC without pouchitis and FAP patients demonstrated lower rates of A&D (that were comparable to the general population), implying that having an IPAA alone was not enough to increase risk for A&D. Factors independently associated with A&D in IPAA included an inflamed pouch, corticosteroid use, smoking, and female gender.
Nonlinear Systems Stability via Random and Quasi-Random Methods

This chapter addresses the utility of sampling techniques in studying stability of nonlinear systems, and in certain instances expanding the stability region obtained from Lyapunov-like analysis. To this end, we provide an overview of random and quasi-random methods, error bounds and various transformations of general nonlinear systems into their polynomial-like counterparts for which preliminary Lyapunov analysis is feasible.