cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Eigenstructure selection for longitudinal flying qualities considerations

A drawback to the use of eigenstructure assignment techniques for designing flight control systems for aircraft with multiple control surfaces is a lack of handling-quality guidelines to apply when selecting the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the closed-loop system. This lack of specific eigenstructure requirements means that some uncertainty will remain as to whether the augmented control system will meet the MIL-F-8785C specifications. A method for choosing the desired eigenstructure is examined that consists of forming an optimal plant matrix which possesses desirable dynamic characteristics and performing a spectral decomposition of this matrix. The resulting eigenstructure provides the desired eigenvalues and eigenvectors during the full-state feedback process. An example using the X-29A aircraft is given. >
Combustion synthesis and subsequent

Explosive densification following combustion synthesis of titanium and graphite powder mixtures has been used to fabricate bulk compacts (100-mm diameter × 20-mm thick) of TiC ceramics. A model rocket ignitor was used to initiate the combustion reaction in ≈65 pct dense green pressed reactants of titanium and carbon powder mixtures. Upon completion of reaction, the reacted mass was allowed to cool. After the desired time delay (t d ) and while the reacted mass was still above the ductile-brittle transition temperature, an explosive charge was detonated in contact with a steel driver plate to transmit the pressure into the reacted mass and consolidate it to solid density. Temperature-time cooling profiles for the reacted material were developed using calculations based on a heat flow model. The explosive loading conditions, namely, the densification pressure controlled by the ratio of explosive charge mass (C) to driver plate mass (M) ratio (C/M) and thet d between the combustion reaction completion and explosive detonation, were observed to critically affect the density and the microstructure of the final compacted reaction product.
Prostatectomía radical robótica: resultados oncológicos

OBJECTIVES To review the current literature on oncologic outcomes following robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. METHODS A systematic MEDLINE search was performed to retrieve articles relating to oncologic outcomes with robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy. Two reviewers independently selected studies, assessed their methodological quality and extracted data. RESULTS Positive surgical margin rates in RALP are commensurate to contemporary open and standard laparoscopic series. Surgical experience and refinement of technique helped decrease positive margins. Long-term biochemical disease-free survival (PSA 12 month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS RALP is a safe and reproducible treatment modality for organ-confined prostate cancer and provides excellent short-term oncological control. Larger studies with long-term oncologic follow-up are needed to establish the efficacy compared to more traditional surgical approaches.
Toward Novel Hybrid Biomass, Coal, and Natural Gas Processes for Satisfying Current Transportation Fuel Demands, 1: Process Alternatives, Gasification Modeling, Process Simulation, and Economic Analysis

This paper, which is the first part of a series of papers, introduces a hybrid coal, biomass, and natural gas to liquids (CBGTL) process that can produce transportation fuels in ratios consistent with current U.S. transportation fuel demands. Using the principles of the H2Car process, an almost-100% feedstock carbon conversion is attained using hydrogen produced from a carbon or noncarbon source and the reverse water-gas-shift reaction. Seven novel process alternatives that illustrate the effect of feedstock, hydrogen source, and light gas treatment on the process are considered. A complete process description is presented for each section of the CBGTL process including syngas generation, syngas treatment, hydrocarbon generation, hydrocarbon upgrading, and hydrogen generation. Novel mathematical models for biomass and coal gasification are developed to model the nonequilibrium effluent conditions using a stoichiometry-based method. Input−output relationships are derived for all vapor-phase components, cha...
A semi-empirical approach to electron correlations based on a non-local formalism

We present a new correlation function based on variational Monte Carlo results. The function is, for ease of implementation, semi-local, spin-independent, and semi-empirical. This approach is applied to semiconductor systems and the quantity of interest is the fundamental gap energy. We found that except for InN, these gap energies improved remarkably when compared to local density approximation results.
Physical Optics Analysis Of Gradient Index Optics

A simple method based on paraxial optics is presented which facilitates diffraction propagation cal-culations in all types of optical systems which have modest amounts of aberration, i.e. near-stigmatic systems. It is not only possible to apply the beam propagation method accurately to stigmatic GRIN media but a propagation distance of any length may be taken without using the split-step method. Studies of GRIN components have largely been either strictly geometrical in nature [2] or based on the split-step procedure. A recent publication has argued that the beam propagation method using split-step techniques has fundamental flaws in treating strongly inhomogeneous media such as Maxwell's fisheye lens [3]. The ABCD methods as popularized by Siegman [1 ! and others to treat paraxial optics, gaussian beams and diffraction propagation form the basis the generalized ABCD method.
A comparison of pregnant women presenting for alcohol and other drug treatment by CPS status.

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe the demographic, substance use, and treatment variables of alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment seeking pregnant women. This study also compared women on these variables based on Child Protective Service (CPS) status. Method: Secondary data of all pregnant women with at least one child entering all publicly funded AOD treatment programs ( N =678), in a southwest county, over a 3-year period were analyzed to examine the differences between pregnant women also involved with CPS and those not involved with CPS. Results: Pregnant women reporting CPS involvement were similar to non-CPS women on demographic variables but differed on drug use and treatment variables. CPS women were more likely to report marijuana use as their primary problem drug, be mandated to treatment, attend day treatment and be released from treatment unsatisfactorily compared to the non-CPS pregnant women. Those without CPS involvement were more likely to report cocaine or crack as their primary drug, attend outpatient treatment and be found to have a satisfactory release from treatment compared to those with CPS involvement. Results from the multiple logistic regression analysis found that the significant predictors of CPS involvement were mandated status and unsatisfactory treatment release. Conclusions: Differences in treatment outcomes may be based on AOD agencies’ difficulty in working with mandated clients and/or with the multiple demands placed by CPS on clients as part of their treatment plans. Further research is needed to determine reasons for CPS clients’ high failure rates in AOD treatment.
Optical and mechanical properties of electron bubbles in superfluid helium-4

A series of experiments has revealed the existence of a large number (about 18) of different types of negative ions in superfluid helium-4. Despite much effort, the physical nature of these “exotic ions” has still not been determined. We discuss possible experiments which may be able to help determine the structure of these objects.
Contact shape and the strength of the electron-phonon interaction determined by point contact spectroscopy

Abstract The signal in point contact spectroscopy contains information on the absolute strength of the electron-phonon interaction in a metal. In order to determine this strength, however, it is necessary to compare the strength of ohmic and non-ohmic parts of the current and to make some assumption concerning the shape of the contact. In this article we show that the usual assumption of a circular contact would lead to an underestimate of the electron-phonon coupling strength if the actual contact were of more irregular shape. This observation is quantified by explicit calculations for rectangular contacts.
Use of near infrared analysis for the nondestructive measurement of dry matter in potatoes

Near infrared spectrophotometry in the direct transmittance mode and in the wavelength range of 800 to 1000 nm was used to measure the % dry matter (DM) in sliced and intact potato tubers (cv Russet Burbank). With thin tissue slices, the correlation (r) between spectral and DM data was-0.975 with a standard error of calibration (SEC) of 0.91. With thick slices and intact potatoes the r, SEC, and standard error of prediction (SEP) values were -0.952, 1.28, 1.69 and -0.918, 1.04 and 1.52, respectively.
Evaluation of a fiberoptic system for airway pressure monitoring

Objective..Our objective was to evaluate the accuracy of a novel fiberoptic system for airway pressure measurement at the carinal end of the endotracheal tube in an in vitro pediatric lung model.Methods. A fiberoptic pressure measuring system was compared to the conventional method of measuring airway pressure with a pneumatic transducer using a test lung model. Pressure measurements were obtained using four endotracheal tubes of various internal diameters (ID) (3 to 6 mm) during simulated spontaneous and mechanical ventilation. Airway pressure was measured using both methods simultaneously and the results were compared by statistical analysis.Results. Airway pressure measured by the fiberoptic system was not significantly different from measurements obtained by the pneumatic transducer except when using the 3-mm and 4-mm ID endotracheal tubes during mechanical ventilation.Conclusions. We conclude that the fiberoptic system provides accurate and precise measurement of airway pressure during spontaneous and mechanical ventilation. Additionally, the statistically significant differences obtained for 3- and 4-mm tubes are not large enough to be clinically significant. The fiberoptic system offers advantages over the pneumatic system for measuring the airway pressure. These advantages include decreased chance of false pressure measurement secondary to occlusion with water or mucous, less chance of kinking, and, possibly, more rapid response to pressure changes due to the mechanical ventilator.
Mineralogical constraints on Precambrian pCO2

Arising from M. T. Rosing, D. K. Bird, N. H. Sleep & C. J. Bjerrum , 744–747 (2010)10.1038/nature08955 Rosing and others1 recently proposed a new model for the early Earth’s atmospheric composition. They suggest, on the basis of mineral assemblages in sedimentary rocks, that atmospheric CO2 and CH4 concentrations have been consistently overestimated. This proposal is intriguing, given that high concentrations of these gases are traditionally considered to be the solution to the ‘faint young Sun paradox’ of why the Earth did not freeze over in our Sun’s youth when solar luminosity was greatly decreased. Rosing and others1 instead invoke a decreased planetary albedo during the Earth’s early history. New insights into this problem, which has long captivated those interested in the Earth’s early climate and biological history, are welcome. However, we believe that the arguments presented by Rosing and others1 for roughly modern values of the partial pressure of CO2 ( ) are not robust.
Validation of the AHH indoction bioassay for the determination of 2,3,7,8-TCDD toxic equivalents

Abstract The effects of structure on the activity of 27 polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (PCDD), dibenzofuran (PCDF), biphenyl (PCB) and polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxin (PBDD) congeners has been determined in the immature male Wistar rat [body weight loss, thymic atrophy, hepatic microsomal aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) and ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD)] and in rat hepatoma H-4-II E cells in culture (AHH and EROD induction). There was a good linear correlation between the -log EC50 values for AHH induction (in vitro) and the in vivo -log ED50 values for AHH induction (r=0.85), body weight loss (r=0.93) and thymic atrophy (r=0.92) for the 27 compounds investigated in this study. Comparable in vivo studies have also been carried out using several PCDD and PCDF congeners (2,3,7,8-, 1,3,7,8- and 1,2,4,7,8-substituted PCDDs; 2,3,4,7,8-, 1,2,3,7,8-, 2,3,4,7,9- and 1,2,3,7,9-substituted PCDFs) using the guinea pig as the model. There were excellent linear correlations (r > 0.92) between the -log EC50 (in vitro AHH induction) vs. the -log ED50 (in vivo responses) and the -log ED50 (guinea pig in vivo data) vs. -log ED50 (rat in vivo data). These results further validate the utility of the in vitro AHH induction assay for quantitatively estimating the potential toxicity of PCB, PCDF and PCDD mixtures in environmental extracts. This assay can be carried out rapidly, is relatively inexpensive and utilizes the established (and stable) rat hepatoma H-4-II E cells in culture which can detect 20–50 pg of 2,3,7,8-TCDD equivalents per plate.
Stoichiometry of DnaA and DnaB Protein in Initiation at the Escherichia coli Chromosomal Origin

Initiation of DNA replication at theEscherichia coli chromosomal origin, oriC, occurs through an ordered series of events that depend first on the binding of DnaA protein, the replication initiator, to DnaA box sequences within oriC followed by unwinding of an AT-rich region near the left border. The prepriming complex then forms, involving the binding of DnaB helicase at oriC so that it is properly positioned at each replication fork. We assembled and isolated the prepriming complexes on an oriC plasmid, then determined the stoichiometries of proteins in these complexes by quantitative immunoblot analysis. DnaA protein alone binds tooriC with a stoichiometry of 4–5 monomers peroriC DNA. In the prepriming complex, the stoichiometries are 10 DnaA monomers and 2 DnaB hexamers peroriC plasmid. That only two DnaB hexamers are bound, one for each replication fork, suggests that the binding of additional molecules of DnaA in forming the prepriming complex restricts the loading of additional DnaB hexamers that can bind atoriC.
A bioanalytical method to determine the cell wall composition of Mycobacterium tuberculosis grown in vivo.

Abstract Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacilli exhibit cell wall alterations during in vivo growth. Development of ultrasensitive analytical techniques with high specificities is required to analyze the cell wall of M. tuberculosis isolated from experimental animals because of the low amounts of bacteria available and contamination by host tissue. Here we present a novel methodology to analyze all three major components (mycolic acids, arabinogalactan, and peptidoglycan) of the mycobacterial cell wall from mycobacteria isolated from animal tissue. In this procedure, the cell wall carbohydrates are analyzed by gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (GC/MS/MS) of alditol acetates, the peptidoglycan by GC/MS (mass spectrometry) analysis of the unique amino acid diaminopimelic acid (after derivatization with isopropyl chloroformate), and the mycolic acids by liquid chromatography (LC)/MS (negative ion) without derivatization. The procedure was designed so that all three analyses could be performed starting with a single sample given the difficulty of preparing multiple aliquots in known ratios. Linkage analysis, including an enantiomeric specific procedure, of the arabinogalactan polymer is also presented. These procedures will enable the determination of the cell wall alterations known to occur in the important nongrowing “dormant” M. tuberculosis present during disease. With some adaptations, the methodology is also applicable to the analysis of small amounts of in vivo grown bacteria of other species.
Free to punish: a motivated account of free will belief.

Belief in free will is a pervasive phenomenon that has important consequences for prosocial actions and punitive judgments, but little research has investigated why free will beliefs are so widespread. Across 5 studies using experimental, survey, and archival data and multiple measures of free will belief, we tested the hypothesis that a key factor promoting belief in free will is a fundamental desire to hold others morally responsible for their wrongful behaviors. In Study 1, participants reported greater belief in free will after considering an immoral action than a morally neutral one. Study 2 provided evidence that this effect was due to heightened punitive motivations. In a field experiment (Study 3), an ostensibly real classroom cheating incident led to increased free will beliefs, again due to heightened punitive motivations. In Study 4, reading about others’ immoral behaviors reduced the perceived merit of anti-free-will research, thus demonstrating the effect with an indirect measure of free will belief. Finally, Study 5 examined this relationship outside the laboratory and found that the real-world prevalence of immoral behavior (as measured by crime and homicide rates) predicted free will belief on a country level. Taken together, these results provide a potential explanation for the strength and prevalence of belief in free will: It is functional for holding others morally responsible and facilitates justifiably punishing harmful members of society.
Seminal Cytology and Reproductive Toxicology of N-Chloropiperidine

Induction of sperm abnormality in mice and hamster and reproductive toxicity in mice was examined following chronic exposures (ad libitum) to N-chloropiperidine (NCP). The results showed that significant levels of abnormal sperm in the NCP treated group were observed after five weeks of exposure. The time of the appearance of NCP-induced anomalous sperm suggested that the compound did not affect late spermatocytes and spermiogenesis. Reproductive toxicological analysis based on moles, implantations, and offspring per pregnancy revealed that while the toxic effect of ethylmethane sulfonate was evident within the first week of treatment, NCP-induced toxicity was observed only after five weeks of treatment. The data further showed that in matings where both parents were exposed to NCP, the frequencies of moles, implantations, and offspring per pregnancy were fewer than those observed in single parent exposure.
Technological Change and International Trade

This paper first replicates the findings established by the ‘Leontief Paradox’, namely that over a long historical period the USA has regularly absorbed labor and economized on capital through its international trade. Next, technological change is shown to have exercised a systematic influence on the factor contents of US trade in recent decades. An economic interpretation of these findings is offered, taking a dynamic rather than a comparative static point of view. Finally, recommendations are made for extending the conceptual framework used in this paper in the direction of operational theory of international trade.
Inducers and inhibitors of biomineralization: lessons from pathological calcification.

Structured Abstract Author – Giachelli CM Objectives – Ectopic calcification is a common response to soft tissue injury and systemic mineral imbalance and can lead to devastating clinical consequences when present in joints, heart valves and blood vessels. We have hypothesized that mineralization of matrices in any tissue is normally controlled by a balance between procalcific and anticalcific regulatory proteins such that abnormal deposition of apatite is avoided. Alterations in this balance induced by injury, disease or genetic deficiency are postulated to induce ectopic mineral deposition. Over the past several years, we have developed in vitro and in vivo models of ectopic calcification to investigate potential inducers and inhibitors of this process. Results – Osteopontin, a secreted phosphoprotein, has emerged as a major inhibitor of ectopic mineralization. Osteopontin is a potent inhibitor of vascular cell calcification in vitro and mice lacking osteopontin are highly susceptible to ectopic calcification. Furthermore, osteopontin treatment of biomaterials protected against ectopic mineralization. Our studies indicate that in addition to inhibiting apatite crystal initiation and growth, osteopontin stimulates resorption of ectopic calcification via peripheral macrophages and giant cells. In contrast, inorganic phosphate has emerged as a major inducer of mineralization in these systems. Elevated inorganic phosphate (Pi) was shown to induce smooth muscle cell matrix calcification with morphological properties similar to those observed in calcified human valves and atherosclerotic plaques. Furthermore, mineralization induced by inorganic phosphate was dependent on the activity of the sodium-dependent phosphate cotransporter, Pit-1. Conclusions – These studies implicate controlled, transcellular transport of Pi as a major requirement for matrix calcification.
Control of 3003-H18 Aluminum Ultrasonic Consolidation

Ultrasonic consolidation of 150 μm thick 3003-H18 aluminum foil to a 3003-H18 build plate has been investigated. The effects of the normal load, vibrational amplitude, and sonotrode velocity on consolidation quality as characterized by the total linear weld density (LWD) including both edge and edge defects were examined utilizing two sequential three-level full factorial design of experiments at a constant build plate temperature of 150°C. These showed that the normal load and the vibrational amplitude have a significant influence on LWD, while the sonotrode rotational velocity has only a marginal effect. The formation of edge defects at the foil-build plate interface has been attributed to the nonuniform strain state across the foil width, while the central defects were related to sonotrode-foil contact pressure variations following the sonotrode pattern. In addition, LWD variations in ±10-20% were attributed to a nonuniform sonotrode-foil contact pressure distribution. Finally, representation of the total LWD as a function of the control parameters indicates that high total linear weld densities can be achieved with a control space bounded by high normal loads and intermediate to high vibrational amplitudes. Consideration of only central defects expands this control space allowing utilization of lower normal loads and vibrational amplitudes to achieve similar linear weld densities.
Use of Artificial Color filtering to improve iris recognition and searching

Iris recognition and searching are attractive in biometrics for many reasons. The spatial patterns have been studied and recognized effectively for several years. They are more complex than fingerprints. We suggest here that the relatively new field of Artificial Color filtering can provide an orthogonal discriminant to the spatial pattern discriminant. We also show how to combine results from the two discriminants in such a way as to improve performance of the combined system over either part-something that has been troubling until now.
Conceptualizing vote buying

This study investigates the concept of vote buying, with a particular focus on its usage in research on clientelism. Vote buying is often poorly defined. Such conceptual ambiguity may distort descriptive findings and threaten the validity of causal claims. Qualitative analysis suggests that researchers often employ the concept of vote buying differently, and regressions from Nigeria and Mexico suggest that using alternative definitions can yield divergent empirical results. This diverse usage also poses the risk of conceptual stretching, because scholars often use vote buying to describe other phenomena. To improve future research, analysts should pay close attention to the conceptualization of vote buying.
Role of USF1 and USF2 as potential repressor proteins for human intestinal monocarboxylate transporter 1 promoter.

Butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid, is the major energy fuel for the colonocytes. We have previously reported that monocarboxylate transporter isoform 1 (MCT1) mediates uptake of butyrate by human ...
Breast and cervical cancer screening among Latinas and non-Latina whites.

Objectives. We examined whether Latinas differ from non-Latinas in having undergone recent mammography, clinical breast examination, or Papanicolaou testing, as well as the contribution of sociodemographic and health care variables to screening.Methods. We used data from the 1991 National Health Interview Survey Health Promotion and Disease Prevention supplement.Results. Latinas were less likely than non-Latina Whites to have undergone mammography (odds ratio [OR] = 0.71; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.57, 0.88), but this difference was attenuated when we controlled for socioeconomic factors (OR = 0.90; 95% CI = 0.70, 1.15). Latinas did not differ from Whites on Papanicolaou tests or clinical breast examinations. Quality of and access to health care predicted screening.Conclusions. Latina ethnicity does not predict breast and cervical cancer screening behavior independent of sociodemographic and structural factors.
Moniliformis dubius: uptake of leucine and alanine by adults

Abstract Uptake of 14C-leucine by Moniliformis dubius in 2-min incubations was not linear with respect to substrate concentration and appeared to involve a combination of diffusion and mediated transport. During a 90-min incubation in 1 mM14C-leucine, the total pool of free leucine increased from an initial concentration of 0.46–12.21 mM; less than 2% of the absorbed leucine was metabolized during this time period. The concentrations of leucine in the pseudocoelomic fluid and extracts of body walls, measured before and after incubation, were the same in either case. Uptake of 14C-leucine was insensitive to the external concentration of Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, and Tris(hydroxymethyl) aminomethane. Uptake of 14C-alanine also appeared to be mediated, however, the alanine pool was not altered after a 30-min incubation in 1 mM14C-alanine. Following a 30-min incubation in 14C-alanine, only 38% of the absorbed radioactivity was present as labeled alanine; the remaining radioactivity was detected in aspartic acid, cysteic acid, taurine, and urea.
Follicular or Hu ̈rthle cell neoplasm of the thyroid: Can clinical factors be used to predict carcinoma and determine extent of thyroidectomy?

Abstract Background: Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) and frozen section exam are of limited or no value in distinguishing benign and malignant follicular or Hurthle cell neoplasms of the thyroid gland. Methods: Patients who underwent thyroidectomy for treatment of a follicular or Hurthle cell neoplasm between 1990 and 1998 were identified and evaluated for age, gender, head and neck irradiation, nodule size, and cytologic atypia to determine whether clinical factors were predictive of carcinoma. Results: Of the 352 patients evaluated for nodular thyroid disease, 75 (21%) underwent thyroidectomy after an indeterminate FNAB finding, 66 with follicular and 9 with a Hurthle cell neoplasm. Seventeen (23%) of the patients had carcinoma—follicular variant of papillary (10), follicular (6), and Hurthle cell (1). Carcinoma was diagnosed in 15 of 64 women and 2 of 11 men (P > .05). The mean age was 43 ± 21 years and 50 ± 16 years, respectively, in patients with and without carcinoma (P > .05). Three patients had previous neck irradiation and none had carcinoma. Mean nodule size was 4.2 ± 2.7 cm and 4.3 ± 3.5 cm, respectively, in patients with and without carcinoma (P > .05). Cytologic atypia was present in 8 of 17 patients with carcinoma and 20 of 58 patients without carcinoma (P > .05). Conclusions: Clinical factors were not helpful in predicting carcinoma in patients with an indeterminate FNAB finding and thus cannot be used to reliably select patients for more extensive thyroidectomy. (Surgery 1999;126: 798-804.)
Comparison of Phase Shifting Techniques for Measuring In-Plane Residual Stress in Thin, Flat Silicon Wafers

This paper reports on a comparison of the six- and ten-step phase shifting methods in digital transmission photoelasticity and the application of these methods to obtain the residual stresses in thin (200 μm), flat crystalline silicon wafers (156 mm square). The ten-step phase shifting technique is judged to be superior with reduced noise in the isoclinics and a resulting higher accuracy when dealing with the near-zero retardation prevalent in residual stress measurements of silicon wafers.
Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy Is Less Frequent in Contemporary Heart Transplant Population

Purpose Coronary allograft vasculopathy (CAV) remains an important contributor of mortality following orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT). Prevalence of epicardial coronary stenosis ≥30% at 5 years post OHT is reported to be 30%. The purpose of this study was to define the prevalence of CAV in a contemporary cohort. Methods and Materials We studied 432 consecutive coronary angiograms of patients transplanted from 1994-2011 (87.3% transplanted after January 2000). Baseline characteristics were obtained from medical records. CAV status was classified according to the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation grading report: mild (CAV1), moderate (CAV2), or severe (CAV3). Unpaired t test and Fisher’s exact test were used for statistical analysis. Results During a mean angiographic follow-up period of 5.2±4.3 years (all follow-up ≥1 year), angiographic stenosis ≥30% was identified in 70 (16%) patients. Mean time to development of epicardial coronary stenosis ≥30% was 5.8±3.9 years. Prevalence of coronary stenosis ≥30% at 1 year was 1.6%, at 3 years 6.3%, at 5 years 8.3%, and at 10 years 14.1%. CAV1 severity was identified in 33 (7.6%) patients, CAV2 in 25 (5.8%) patients and CAV3 in 12 (2.8%) patients. Percutaneous coronary intervention was necessary in 5.8% of all patients. Mean transplant age (55±12 years), donor age (32±12 years), gender (22% female), ischemic time (185±70 minutes) and choice of calcineurin inhibitor (tacrolimus vs cyclosporine) were not significantly different between patients with and without CAV. Patients with CAV were more likely to have had cellular or humoral rejection within the first year of transplant than patients without CAV [13/70 (19%) vs 25/362 (6.9%), p=0.0043]. Conclusions The prevalence of allograft vasculopathy appears to have decreased in a large contemporary cohort compared to prior reports. Rejection continues to play a role in CAV formation but may not be the only contributing factor. Further investigation is warranted to ascertain which aspect(s) of clinical care has contributed to this positive outcome.
Predicting particle trajectories on an electrodynamic screen – Theory and experiment

Abstract The electrodynamic screen, or EDS, was first introduced to the electrostatics community in the early 1970's. Since that time, it has been studied by several research groups who have investigated its use as a means to remove unwanted particles from insulator surfaces. In the typical EDS, interdigitated electrodes are embedded or deposited on the surface, then energized by three-phase square or sinusoidal voltages of magnitude 500–1200 V at frequencies between 5 and 200 Hz. The resulting electric field entrains previously deposited particles and moves them laterally across the surface. Electrodynamic screens have been proposed for use on solar cells in Mars and Moon space missions, as well as the removal of dust from renewable-energy solar collectors such as photovoltaic panels, solar reflectors, and mirrors. Though often considered merely a nuisance, dust has the potential to partially or totally obscure the solar flux incident on any solar collector. Development of EDS technology has evolved mostly from a “trial and error” approach to choosing such parameters as electrode spacing, depth, and width, as well as voltage magnitude and frequency. Though some theoretical studies may be found in the literature, a more detailed understanding would be valuable in optimizing EDS performance for a particular application and composition of ambient dust, which may vary with geographical location with respect to size, permittivity, and conductivity. A theoretical understanding of how particles are entrained and made to move on an EDS will facilitate proper choice of relevant parameters in future EDS systems. Our work thus attempts to analyze the motion of dust particles subject to all the forces encountered at the surface of an EDS, including the coulomb and dielectrophoretic forces, as well as aerodynamic drag, gravity, and friction. Previous work has shown that particles entrained in the traveling-wave electrostatic field of an EDS exhibit one of two behaviors: ordered, lateral motion; and semi-chaotic motion. These two behaviors have been found both experimentally and in theoretical simulations. This paper attempts to correlate trajectory computations with video observations of these behaviors as recorded in a laboratory setting.
TU‐A‐BRB‐05: Beam Controlled Arc Therapy: A Novel Delivery Concept for Stationary Targets

Purpose: To challenge the notion that the radiation beam must be held on as the gantry rotates around the patient and to describe a new approach for delivering intensity modulated arc therapy, beam‐controlled arc therapy (BCAT), during which the radiation beam is controlled on or off and the dose rate is modulated.Methods: Conventional IMAT presupposes that it is beneficial to deliveryradiation from all beam angles as the gantry rotates, requiring the MLC to maintain continuity in shape from one angle to another. In turn, radiation from undesirable beam angles compromises the dose distribution. We propose a new approach to IMAT, BCAT, in which the radiation beam is held on or off and the dose rate is modulated while the gantry rotates around the patient. We employ linear‐programming‐based dose optimization to each aperture weight, resulting in some zero weight apertures. During delivery, the radiation beam is held off at control points with zero weights as the MLC shape transits to the next non‐zero weight shape. This was tested on 10 head and neck cases. Plan quality and delivery efficiency were compared with conventional IMAT.Results: Improvements in OAR sparing and target dose uniformity at dose/volume constraint levels were up to 18% (p‐value 0.002) and 67% (p‐value 0.04) respectively. Comparing to 180 and 360 apertures used in single‐arc and double‐arc IMAT plans, BCAT used 98 and 170 apertures on average respectively. The difference of total MUs used for IMAT and BCAT plans was less than 4%. Although BCAT resulted in a significant number of control points having zero MUs associated with them, the delivery times were comparable. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that the BCAT approach, which allows the radiation beam to be controlled on and off, yields superior dosimetric results relative to the conventional IMAT while maintaining the delivery efficiency. NIH grant CA130814
Normal electroencephalogram at deep levels of hypoglycemia

Abstract 1. 1. Intravenous insulin was given to a series of 24 young adult patients with diagnoses of syncopal episodes or atypical seizures, in an attempt to elicit EEG abnormalities. 2. 2. Hypoglycemia of extreme degree was achieved 30 min. after injection of insulin in almost all patients. 3. 3. Twelve patients had no symptoms at the time of the lowest blood sugar; 8 had no symptoms at any time. 4. 4. In 13 patients the EEG remained normal at the depth of hypoglycemia; in 9 of these it also was normal after 3 min. of hyperventilation during hypoglycemia. 5. 5. In one patient with a clinical history of vasodepressor syncope, hyperventilation during severe hypoglycemia produced a paroxysmal EEG abnormality, but no clinical seizure. 6. 6. The stability of some EEG's despite hyperventilation and transient severe hypoglycemia, is emphasized; the need for the investigation of other factors influencing the hyperventilation response is reemphasized.
Novel photorefractive polymers: structure, design, and property characterization

To manifest a photorefractive effect, the polymer must possess a photocharge generator, a charge transporter, a charge trapping center and a nonlinear optical chromophore. We have synthesized two types of novel photorefractive (PR) polymers. The type I PR polymers contain the NLO chromophore, the charge generator and the transporting compound covalently linked to the polymer backbone. The type II photorefractive polymers contain a conjugated backbone and a second order NLO chromophore. The design idea behind the structure of the type II polymers is the expectation that they will possess photorefractivity. Since the conjugated backbone absorbs photons in the visible region and is photoconductive, it is expected to play the triple roles of charge generator, charge transporter and backbone. Thus, the four functionalities necessary to manifest the PR effect will exist simultaneously in a single polymer.
Mediation of cellular anion detoxification in leukemic cells by unidirectional efflux pumps.

Abstract Methotrexate influx in L1210 cells is mediated almost entirely by a single system, whereas efflux occurs via three routes, the influx carrier functioning in reverse and two additional systems which are operationally unidirectional. The two unidirectional routes show considerable similarities in energy-dependence and inhibitor sensitivities but can be separated by their differential inhibition by bromosulfophthalein (BSP), probenecid, and vincristine. The predominant route is inhibited by BSP and vincristine, whereas the other route is sensitive to probenecid. A search for additional anion substrates for the unidirectional efflux systems for methotrexate led to the finding that cholate exits L1210 cells via the same two unidirectional efflux systems as methotrexate. Cholate efflux is carrier-mediated, energy-dependent, and unidirectional, and it can be inhibited by several compounds which inhibit the efflux of methotrexate. Moreover, the same concentration of each compound which produced a half-maximal inhibition of methotrexate efflux also inhibited the efflux of cholate by 50%. Cholate efflux occurred predominantly (85%) via the BSP-sensitive route. The observation that methotrexate and cholate share the same efflux systems in L1210 cells suggests that perhaps other large anions are also accommodated by these systems since methotrexate and cholate differ in net negative charge and have few common structural features. The hypothesis advanced from these studies has been that the function of the unidirectional efflux systems is to extrude various organic anion catabolites which might otherwise become toxic if allowed to accumulate within cells. Possible intracellular anions in this latter category include sulfonated or carboxylated steroids, bilirubin, and products of vitamin D and prostaglandin catabolism. Unidirectional efflux pumps have been identified for other anionic compounds including cyclic AMP and oxidized glutathione, and in both cases similarities were apparent with the efflux of methotrexate and cholate. The most compelling comparison was with prostaglandin A 1 which inhibited the efflux of cyclic AMP, methotrexate, and cholate half-maximally at the same low concentration of 0.1 μM. Energy-dependent unidirectional efflux pumps for large neutral or cationic drugs have also been identified in cells with acquired multidrug resistance. The latter efflux activity is thought to be mediated by a membrane glycoprotein (p170) which is also sensitive to several of the various inhibitors (reserpine, verapamil, and quinidine) which reduce the efflux of methotrexate and cholate.
Effect of water vapor on the activity and selectivity characteristics of a vanadium phosphate catalyst towards butane oxidation

The kinetics of n-butane oxidation over a vanadium phosphate catalyst with a phosphorus to vanadium rate of 1.1 were studied under different levels of water vapor in the gas phase, in order to assess the effects of water vapor on the activity and selectivity characteristics of this catalyst. The water vapor appears to accelerate the development of the solid structure, in particular the evolution of the catalyst surface area. Further, it leads to an enhancement in the selectivity towards partial oxidation and a decline in the activity towards butane oxidation, when compared to corresponding dry feed conditions.
Carotene and vitamin A in pregnancy and the early puerperium.

Summary1. Levels of carotene and vit. A in pregnant patients were shown to be significantly different from those found in nonpregnant and puerperal patients. 2. Differences in the means of carotene and vit. A between puerperal and non-pregnant patients were variable and it appeared that changes in carotene and vit. A following delivery are rapid and not significantly different from those found in the non-pregnant group. No differences were found in carotene and vit. A between postpartum days. 3. Diet was apparently not a factor influencing carotene and vit. A levels in this study. 4. Evidence was given supporting the inverse relationship between carotene and vit. A and it was suggested that the ratio (C/A) of these components may be a better parameter for detecting changes occurring in their metabolism. 5. The possible association of vit. A and carotene changes with changes in lipids during pregnancy was considered.
A Positive Response to Teen Smoking: Why N-O-T?:

Most young people who smoke will continue smoking into adulthood, increasing their risk for premature disease and death. N-O-T's early intervention program for students who are regular smokers can be a means to prevent debilitating or chronic disease and early death.
Predictive model for tensile true stress–strain behavior of chemically and mechanically degraded ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene

The gamma radiation sterilization of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) components in air generates long-lived free radicals that oxidize slowly over time during shelf storage and after implantation. To investigate the combined effects of chemical and mechanical degradation on the mechanical behavior of UHMWPE, sterilized tensile specimens were immersed in 0.5% hydrogen peroxide solution at 37 degrees C for up to 9 months and concurrently subjected to cyclic stress levels of 0 (control), 0 to 5, and 0 to 10 MPa. After chemical and mechanical preconditioning, specimen density was measured using the density gradient column technique. The true stress-strain behavior was measured up to 0.12 true strain and characterized using a multilinear material model, the parameters of which were found to vary linearly with density and cyclic stress history. The mechanical behavior of as-irradiated and degraded UHMWPE was accurately predicted by an analytical composite beam model of the tensile specimens. The results of this study support the hypothesis that chemical and mechanical degradation affect the true stress-strain behavior of UHMWPE. In the future, the material model data presented in this study will enable more accurate prediction of the stresses and strains in UHMWPE components following gamma sterilization in air and subsequent in vivo degradation.
An analogue study of the initial carryover effects of meditation, hypnosis, and relaxation Using naive college students

An analogue study involving two experiments was conducted to test the initial carryover effects of hypnosis, meditation, and relaxation upon self-reports of awareness. In the first experiment, concentrative meditators reported fewer nonsensorial events than controls. In the second experiment, concentrative meditators again reported fewer nonsensorial events, but covariate analysis and pretest/posttest comparisons revealed that it was the controls who had changed, increasing their nonsensorial reports. In addition, the relaxation group increased its reports of somatic awareness. Results were discussed in terms of the effects of performance demands and the possibility that meditation and hypnosis might be able to disinhibit awareness processes otherwise inhibited by normal daily routines.
Product Reviews and Competition in Markets for Repeat Purchase Products

This paper examines how information provided by online reviews influences firms’ pricing strategy for repeat purchase products. It is commonly understood that online reviews can reduce consumer uncertainty about product characteristics and, therefore, have the potential to increase product demand and firm profits. However, when considering repeat purchase products, online reviews have an additional effect that they alter consumers’ propensity to switch among products which can intensify price competition and lead to lower profits. The strength of these potentially offsetting effects depends on the informativeness of consumer reviews, which is a function of both objective review accuracy and the ability of consumers to obtain information from reviews when their idiosyncratic preferences over product characteristics might differ from the preferences of reviewers. The interplay of these competing effects results in an “S-shaped” relationship between the quality of reviews and firm profits. There exists an optimal level of consumer informedness from the firms’ perspective and competing firms may have incentives to facilitate consumer reviews in some markets but not in others.
Contemporary college students and body piercing

Student (N = 450) demographic characteristics (parental composition and relationships, and religious participation) were documented in those with body piercings (32%) and those without body piercings (55%), yet many risky behaviors were present, including tattooing (22%). Major piercing purposes were self-expression and identity, rather than deviancy or rebellion.
Sputter-coating of Ti-6Al-4V with inconel 617 for erosion resistance

Abstract Inconel 617 and reactively sputtered Inconel 617 nitride coatings 26 – 28 μm thick were magnetron sputtered onto glass and titanium substrates at 1900 A min −1 and 1400 A min −1 respectively, and then characterized. Sputtered Inconel 617 coatings are smooth, adherent and ductile, with a b.c.c. structure. Equiaxed grains ranging in size from 300 to 1000 A in diameter were found. Nitrided Inconel 617 is brittle, adherent, and has a two-phase structure consisting of fine crystallites, tentatively identified as f.c.c. Ni 4 N, embedded in a semicrystalline matrix, and was found to be 38% harder than the non-nitrided coating. Sputtered Inconel 617 could not be compared with the Thornton zone model, but the nitrided coating corresponded well to a Zone T structure. Coatings deposited on Ti-6Al-4V were eroded at 90° with 15 μm SiC at a velocity of 67 m s − in order to examine the mechanisms of erosion. Both coatings exhibited ductile mechanical behavior at single impact sites. The cutting mechanism was prevalent. Embedded and fragmented erodent was also found.