cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Surgical Maggots in the Treatment of Infected Wounds: A Convenient Blowfly Cage

The use of blowfly maggots for surgical purposes necessitates a special cage for the flies. A detailed description is given of a type of cage which has been found satisfactory for both experimental and quantity production.
China’s Mammal Diversity and Geographic Distribution

Zhigang, J., M. Yong, W. Yi, W. Yingxiang, Z. Kaiya, L. Shaoying, and F. Zuojian (eds.). 2015. China’s Mammal Diversity and Geographic Distribution. Science Press, Beijing, China, 402 pp. ISBN: 978-7-03-044620-6, price (paper), $40 (available from China Scientific Book Services, Beijing, China). When Glover Allen (Allen 1938–1940) published his 2-volume treatise on the mammals of China and Mongolia, it would be another 70 years before major works (Smith and Xie 2008, 2013) would provide a comprehensive coverage of this vast geographic region of mammalian fauna. Beginning in 1984, my first of many ventures into China required thorough reading of Allen’s publication, at which time the 314 mammalian species accounts were nearly 50 years old. Fortunately, today we have not only the … e-mail: acleve2000{at}aol.com.
Optimality of ( s , S ) -policies in a dynamic pricing model with replenishment opportunities

This paper studies discrete-time inventory replenishment decisions in a continuous-time dynamic-pricing setting where customer arrivals follow a non-homogeneous Poisson process. Each replenishment order incurs a linear variable cost and a fixed cost. Using a novel sample-path approach, we prove that the optimal inventory policy in the presence of dynamic pricing is of ( s , S ) -type.
The building of free-form customized immobilizers

Unusual immobilization problems occur in radiation therapy. A solution using styrofoam sheet and blocks, mylar sheet and urethane foaming chemicals is suggested here. The technique is extremely versatile and produces a light weight and reliable immobilizer.
Trench first metal hardmask post-lithography novel rework process for defectivity and yield improvement

A conventional back end of line (BEOL) post-lithography rework process is usually considered as a non-critical process compared to other process steps in a silicon flow in advanced technologies. This paper discusses the impact of this non-critical process to defectivity and yield. For advanced technology nodes using a tri-layer trench first lithography stack, the conventional rework process was proven to be inefficient. The trench first metal hardmask post-lithography conventional rework process resulted in a massive organic residues from the anti-reflective coating material used. Detailed studies were performed to isolate the source of the defects. Novel dry rework process showed improved performance compared to the conventional wet clean process that has been traditionally used. This novel process has proven to improve yield, manufacturing cycle time and cost.
Progressivism, Race, and Feminism

This chapter explains how Virginia Crocheron Gildersleeve’s sometimes paradoxical actions as dean of Barnard College can be contextualized and understood via contemporaneously changing concepts of Progressivism, constructs of race and ethnicity, and feminism.
Atomistic calculations of dislocation core energy in aluminium

A robust molecular-dynamics simulation method for calculating dislocation core energies has been developed. This method has unique advantages: It does not require artificial boundary conditions, is applicable for mixed dislocations, and can yield converged results regardless of the atomistic system size. Utilizing a high-fidelity bond order potential, we have applied this method in aluminium to calculate the dislocation core energy as a function of the angle $\ensuremath{\beta}$ between the dislocation line and the Burgers vector. These calculations show that, for the face-centered-cubic aluminium explored, the dislocation core energy follows the same functional dependence on $\ensuremath{\beta}$ as the dislocation elastic energy: ${E}_{c}=A{sin}^{2}\ensuremath{\beta}+B{cos}^{2}\ensuremath{\beta}$, and this dependence is independent of temperature between 100 and 300 K. By further analyzing the energetics of an extended dislocation core, we elucidate the relationship between the core energy and the core radius of a perfect versus an extended dislocation. With our methodology, the dislocation core energy can accurately be accounted for in models of dislocation-mediated plasticity.
Can the mind be embodied, enactive, affective, and extended?

In recent years, a growing number of thinkers have begun to challenge the long-held view that the mind is neurally realized. One strand of critique comes from work on extended cognition, a second comes from research on embodied cognition, and a third comes from enactivism. I argue that theorists who embrace the claim that the mind is fully embodied and enactive cannot consistently also embrace the extended mind thesis. This is because once one takes seriously the central tenets of enactivism, it becomes implausible to suppose that life, affectivity, and sense-making can extend. According to enactivism, the entities that enact a world of meaning are autonomous, embodied agents with a concerned point of view. Such agents are spatially situated, differentiated from the environment, and intentionally directed towards things that lie at a distance. While the extended mind thesis blurs the distinction between organism and environment, the central tenets of enactivism emphasize differentiations between the two. In addition, enactivism emphasizes that minded organisms are enduring subjects of action and experience, and thus it is implausible to suppose that they transform into a new form of life whenever they become intimately coupled to some new element in their environment. The proponent of enactivism and embodied cognition should acknowledge that life and affectivity are relational and environmentally embedded, but resist the further claim that these phenomena are extended.
Biodegradable magnesium/iron batteries with polycaprolactone encapsulation: A microfabricated power source for transient implantable devices

This study presents the design, fabrication, and testing of biodegradable magnesium/iron batteries featuring polycaprolactone (PCL) as a packaging and functional material. The use of PCL encapsulation minimized the electrochemical cell volume and supported longer discharge lifetimes and higher discharge rates than state-of-the-art biodegradable batteries. Specifically, the electrodes were separated and insulated by a 5 µm-thick PCL layer that served as both a battery packaging material and a permeable coating for physiological solution to penetrate and activate the battery. A systematic investigation of the electrode size, discharge rates, electrolyte selection, and polymeric coating revealed the critical reactions and phenomena governing the performance of the Mg-based biodegradable batteries. Comparison with previous reports on biodegradable batteries and medical-grade non-degradable lithium-ion batteries demonstrated the superior performance of PCL-coated Mg/Fe batteries at these size scales, which exhibited an energy density of 694 Wh kg−1 and a total volume of 0.02 cm3. A battery that generates power by ‘eating’ itself in saline fluid could help extend the capabilities of biodegradable medical implants. Treating non-chronic ailments such as brain trauma or bone injuries with smart implants would allow physicians to remotely monitor the recovery process, but requires surgical removal of the device after healing. Transient implants that dissolve after a short exposure to physiological conditions offer a promising nonsurgical option but are currently limited to passive, low-power designs. Mark Allen from the University of Pennsylvania and his research group have fabricated a microscale battery that harnesses energy from metallic corrosion to power implants while simultaneously dissolving. Composed of magnesium and iron electrodes encapsulated by a biodegradable polycaprolactone salt-permeable mebrane, the team's micrometer-scale battery has a two order of magnitude higher energy density than comparable devices.
CURRENT REQUIREMENTS FOR OHMIC IGNITION IN OHTE AND RFP REACTORS

A zero-dimensional power balance code is used to determine the minimum current requirements for ohmic ignition in compact and large OHTE and RFP reactors. It is shown that ignition must be reached through a range of densities (the density “window”) where the width of the window is a strong function of the current employed.
Prognosis of enhance mode gallium nitride high electron mobility transistors using on-state resistance as fault precursor

Gallium Nitride (GaN) high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) is one of the promising candidates to replace existing switches in high-frequency high power converter applications. Reliability of GaN HEMT is an important issue for its commercial deployment. Online prognosis of this transistor ensures robust reliability for mission critical applications. Online prognosis requires identification of fault precursors which shows sensitivity to degradation. Although gate threshold voltage and gate leakage current are identified as fault precursors, Extraction methods of these parameters are offline. In this paper, on-state resistance (R DS, ON ) is investigated as an online fault precursor for GaN HEMT. Temperature variation during its operation results in irreversible damage to GaN HEMT. Adaptive thermal network based temperature estimation method using Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) is also proposed. A sequential Monte-Carlo simulation based data driven remaining useful life (RUL) estimation method is also proposed which can be applicable for schedule maintenance before breakdown. Experimental validation of these proposed methods have been presented.
Regional Activity Analysis

After the analysis and projection of population and migration in different regions are done, the next task for economic development is to decide its optimal location, measurement, and projection.
Relaxation and Coherence in Simple Model Systems

In this paper, I will discuss various theoretical models for systems in which relaxation and coherent energy (or electron) transport occur simultaneously. In particular, I want to spend some time on the range of validity of certain models and approximations. I will do this by showing how unthoughtful applications of a model may lead to nonsense. Most of what I will say is known, so the paper will be more of a didactic exercise than a presentation of novel results.
SMAP Radiometer-Only Tropical Cyclone Intensity and Size Validation

The Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission was launched on January 31, 2015. It is a combined L-band active/passive system envisioned for the measurement of soil moisture over land. In addition to the soil moisture measurement, the SMAP data readily permit retrievals of ocean surface winds and sea surface salinity. In the previous work, we have found that the SMAP radiometer displays sensitivity to ocean surface wind all the way up to the most extreme wind speeds, possibly as high as 70 m/s, far beyond what is capable with typical $C$ - and $Ku$ -bands ocean wind scatterometers. In this letter, we use the Rapid Scatterometer and stepped frequency microwave radiometer to further validate these SMAP radiometer-only high-wind speed retrievals. In addition, we consider the size of the retrieved high wind speeds, validating them with the Automated Tropical Cyclone Forecasting system B-deck files.
Esmolol infusion in patients with septic shock and tachycardia: a prospective, single-arm, feasibility study

High adrenergic tone appears to be associated with mortality in septic shock, while adrenergic antagonism may improve survival. In preparation for a randomized trial, we conducted a prospective, single-arm pilot study of esmolol infusion for patients with septic shock and tachycardia that persists after adequate volume expansion. From April 2016 to March 2017, we enrolled patients admitted to an intensive care unit with sepsis who were receiving vasopressor infusion and were tachycardic despite adequate volume expansion. All patients received a continuous intravenous infusion of esmolol, targeted to heart rate 80–90/min, while receiving vasopressors. The feasibility outcomes were proportion of eligible patients consented, compliance with pre-infusion safety check, and compliance with the titration protocol. The primary clinical outcome was organ-failure-free days (OFFD) at 28 days. We enrolled 7 of 10 eligible patients. Mean age was 46 (± 19) years, and mean admission APACHE II was 28 (± 8). Median norepinephrine infusion rate at the initiation of esmolol infusion was 0.20 (0.14–0.23) μg/kg/min. Compliance with the safety check was 100%; compliance with components of the titration protocol was 98–100%. OFFD were 26 (24.5–26); all patients survived to day 90. Median peak esmolol infusion was 50 (25–50) μg/kg/min. Median peak norepinephrine infusion rate during esmolol infusion was 0.46 (0.13–0.50) μg/kg/min. Four patients achieved target heart rate. Protocol-defined stop events, suggesting possible intolerance to a given infusion rate, occurred in three patients, all of whom were receiving at least 50 μg/kg/min of esmolol. In a pilot, single-arm study, we report the first published experience with esmolol infusion in tachycardic patients with septic shock in the United States. These findings support a phase 2 trial of esmolol infusion for septic shock. Lower infusion rates of esmolol infusion may be better tolerated and more feasible than higher infusion rates for such a trial. This study was retrospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02841241) on 19 July 2016.
Loss of Ovarian Hormones and Accelerated Somatic and Mental Aging

Bilateral oophorectomy in premenopausal women is a unique condition causing the abrupt and premature loss of ovarian hormones, primarily estrogen. Bilateral oophorectomy causes an alteration of sev...
Monstrous nature: environment and horror on the big screen

Can killer cockroaches scare viewers into environmental action? Is it possible for movies like Godzilla or The Bay to foster ecological awareness? The authors of Monstrous Nature wrestle with these...
Abstract WP565: Inhibition of Alpha5Beta1 Integrin as a Novel Therapy for Experimental Vascular Dementia

One of the prominent ways that ischemic brain injury expands is via disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), allowing for increased edema and infiltration of inflammatory cells. Extracellular m...
Gratitude while Drinking, Gratitude while Recovering

Background. For decades researchers have debated whether those diagnosed with alcohol use disorders can return to non-problematic drinking. Now, recovery researchers are measuring aspects of wellbeing in addition to aspects of pathology, producing surprising findings that have added to the debate. Recent studies show that some who continue to drink endorse high levels of psychosocial functioning. Objectives. Employ trait gratitude to answer the following questions: how do individuals who continue to drink but endorse high gratitude at follow-up differ from peers at baseline? Does trait gratitude correlate differently with demographic, psychosocial, and clinical factors for abstinent members of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) versus drinking non-AAs? Methods. 275 individuals with alcohol dependence were assessed for trait gratitude at 2.5-3 year follow-up in a naturalistic, longitudinal study. Psychosocial and clinical indicators were assessed at baseline and follow-up. Results. Drinkers who endorsed high gratitude had higher socioeconomic status, greater levels of positive spirituality, more stable personality indicators, less addiction severity, fewer negative life events, and fewer psychiatric symptoms than their peers at baseline. For actively drinking non-AAs, trait gratitude correlated differently, and positively, with years of education, income, and purpose in life compared with sober AAs. For AA members, gratitude correlated positively with AA involvement and length of sobriety. Discussion. A subset of drinkers report doing relatively well despite meeting criteria for alcohol dependence. Trait gratitude correlated differently with other constructs for AAs versus non-AAs, indicating that gratitude for recovery might be contextually sensitive, operating differently within and without the structure of AA.
Preferences in College Admission

This article examines the college scandal which revealed the influence of wealth on admission into elite institutions. Hess (2019) proposes the selection process for students into elite colleges should be upended and future students should be selected through a lottery-based system. However, such a proposal eliminates the standards of meritocracy and questions the vitality of race-based policies such as affirmative action in college admission. Preferences-based admissions give students a competitive advantage in college admission based on legacy status, race, and/or atletism—race being the most controversial. With the growing attention on the recent college scandal, this article explores the weights given to preferences-based selection into elite institutions and concludes with a consideration of race-neutral alternatives that acknowledges the influence of wealth.
On the use of semi-empirical flame models for spreading chaparral crown fire

Flame geometry plays a key role in shaping fire behavior as it can influence flame spread, radiative heat transfer and fire intensity. For wildland fire, a thorough understanding of relationships between flame geometry including flame length, flame height and flame tilt can help advance the derivation of comprehensive models of wildfire behavior. Within the fire community, a classical flame modeling approach has been the development of semi-empirical models. Many of these models have been derived for surface fuels or for pool fire configurations. However, few have sought to model flame behavior in chaparral crown fires. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the applicability of existing semi-empirical models on observed chaparral crown fire geometry. Semi-empirical models of flame tilt, flame height and flame length were considered. Comparison with experimental observation of crown fuel layer flame height showed good agreement between two-fifths power law that relates flame height to heat release rate. Predictions of flame tilt were obtained from application of semi-empirical power-law correlations relating flame tilt angle to Froude number. Observed flame tilt values exhibited low correlation with predicted values. Thus, two new power-law correlations were proposed. Coefficients for new models were obtained from regression analysis.
Eosinophilic dermatosis of hematologic malignancy responding to dupilumab in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Leukemia cutis (LC) and eosinophilic dermatosis of hematologic malignancy (EDHM) are rare cutaneous manifestations of hematologic malignancies. Various therapeutic options have been reported, with largely underwhelming responses. We present a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) with concomitant LC and EDHM who was treated with dupilumab.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma Arising from a Morel-Lavallée Lesion: A Case Report

Case A 72-year-old man presented 20 years after a Morel-Lavallee (ML) lesion with pain and drainage. Biopsies of the lesion and lymph nodes were positive for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). There was no cutaneous involvement or distant metastasis. After chemotherapy and radiation, he underwent resection of the lesion and lymph nodes with flap closure. Two months postoperatively, he unfortunately developed malignant pleural effusions, hypercalcemia, and kidney injury and was eventually transferred to hospice care and died. Conclusion This is the first report of SCC arising from a ML lesion. Chronic ML lesions should be treated aggressively and monitored for transformation into malignancy, even without cutaneous involvement.
Assessment of Short-Term Patient Outcomes Following Overlapping Orthopaedic Surgery at a Large Academic Medical Center.

BACKGROUND Overlapping surgery is a long-standing practice that has not been well studied. The aim of this study was to assess whether overlapping surgery is associated with untoward outcomes for orthopaedic patients. METHODS Coarsened exact matching was used to assess the impact of overlap on outcomes among elective orthopaedic surgical interventions (n = 18,316) over 2 years (2014 and 2015) at 1 health-care system. Overlap was categorized as any overlap, and subcategories of exclusively beginning overlap and exclusively end overlap. Study subjects were matched on the Charlson comorbidity index score, duration of surgery, surgical costs, body mass index, length of stay, payer, and race, among others. Serious unanticipated events were studied. RESULTS A total of 3,395 patients had any overlap and were matched (a match rate of 90.8% of 3,738). For beginning and end overlap, matched groups were created, with a match rate of 95.2% of 1043 and 94.7% of 863, respectively. Among matched patients, any overlap did not predict an unanticipated return to surgery at 30 days (8.2% for any overlap and 8.3% for no overlap; p = 0.922) or 90 days (14.1% and 14.1%, respectively; p = 1.000). Patients who had surgery with any overlap demonstrated no difference compared with controls with respect to reoperation, readmission, or emergency room (ER) visits at 30 or 90 days (a reoperation rate of 3.1% and 3.2%, respectively [p = 0.884] at 30 days and 4.2% and 3.5% [p = 0.173] at 90 days; a readmission rate of 10.3% and 11.0% [p = 0.352] at 30 days and 5.5% and 5.2% [p = 0.570] at 90 days; and an ER visit rate of 5.2% and 4.6% [p = 0.276] at 30 days and 4.8% and 4.3% [p = 0.304] at 90 days). Patients with surgical overlap showed reduced mortality compared with controls during follow-up (1.8% and 2.6%, respectively; p = 0.029). Patients with beginning and/or end overlap had a similar lack of association with serious unanticipated events; however, patients with end overlap showed an increased unexpected rate of return to the operating room after reoperation at 90 days (13.3% versus 9.7%; p = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS Nonconcurrent overlapping surgery was not associated with adverse outcomes in a large, matched orthopaedic surgery population across 1 academic health system. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Critical Coupling of Visible Light Extends Hot-Electron Lifetimes for H2O2 Synthesis

Devices driven by above-equilibrium "hot" electrons are appealing for photocatalytic technologies, such as in situ H2O2 synthesis, but currently suffer from low ( 60% of light at the Au localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) peak near 530 nm-a 5-fold enhancement in Au absorption due to critical coupling to an Al film. Furthermore, we show through ultrafast pump-probe spectroscopy that the Al-coupled samples exhibit a nearly 5-fold improvement in hot-electron injection efficiency as compared to a non-Al device, with the hot-electron lifetimes extending to >2 ps in devices photoexcited with fluence of 0.1 mJ cm-2. The use of an Al film also enhances the photocatalytic yield of H2O2 more than 3-fold in a visible-light-driven reactor. Altogether, we show that the critical coupling of Al films to Au nanoparticles is a low-cost, lithography-free method for improving visible-light capture, extending hot-carrier lifetimes, and ultimately increasing the rate of in situ H2O2 generation.
Serogroup A meningococcal conjugate vaccines: building sustainable and equitable vaccine strategies

For well over 100 years, meningococcal disease due to serogroup A Neisseria meningitidis (MenA) has caused severe epidemics globally, especially in the meningitis belt of sub-Saharan Africa. The ar...
Sulfur resilient nickel based catalysts for steam reforming of jet fuel

Sulfur resilient steam reforming catalysts are of great interest for the development of solid oxide fuel cell systems for aeronautic applications. We demonstrate that nickel–manganese catalysts exhibit substantially improved stability during steam reforming of sulfur containing fuels via a sulfur spillover strategy as compared to monometallic nickel catalysts. This is established via detailed deactivation studies of catalysts in steam reforming conditions with sulfur containing model fuels and real jet fuels (JP-8). Through detailed characterization of spent catalysts, we establish that the increased sulfur resilience is imparted by an increased sulfur capacity due to scavenging by manganese oxide species in close proximity to active nickel particles. Results presented in this work could pave the way for practical application of precious-metal-free steam reforming catalysts in sulfur rich streams, both in aeronautic SOFC systems and other applications.
Afebrile scrub typhus infection with cardiac manifestation

Scrub typhus is an acute febrile disease transmitted via bites from mite larvae (chigger) infected with Orientia tsutsugamushi. Arrhythmias, ischaemic changes and QT prolongation are some of the observed ECG abnormalities. The patient being reported presented with angina and was found to have sinus bradycardia with ST elevation in inferior leads and T wave inversion in lateral leads. His coronary angiography was normal. Further evaluation leads to the diagnosis of scrub typhus infection. Following doxycycline therapy, his ECG became normal. Afebrile scrub typhus infection with cardiac manifestation is an uncommon scenario.
Clock Gating-Assisted Malware (CGAM): Leveraging Clock Gating On ARM Cortex M * For Attacking Subsystems Availability

Due to the ever-increasing demand for developing Internet of Things (IoT) technologies that support low power consumption and high-performance mobile computing, several power optimization techniques have been implemented and deployed at the processors level, especially the ARM Cortex-M family chipsets. Such techniques include clock gating, power gating, dynamic voltage, and frequency scaling. Although such mechanisms help in minimizing dynamic power consumption by shutting off current to blocks or chip-operational units that are not in use, power gating and clock-gating techniques can be exploited by an attacker to disable blocks within the chipset targeting the subsystem availabilities. Attacks include disabling serial communication blocks, wireless/ethernet communication modules, Random Number Generator (RNG) block, interrupt module, etc. This paper proposed the development of a live clock-gating assisted malware attack for IoT systems based on the ARM Cortex-M processor. Four variants of the proposed malware were codded and deployed on a real IoT testbed integrated with a multisensor data fusion algorithm. Behavioral patterns based on power spectral density estimations and current measurements were recorded for each strain of the proposed malware. In this research, collected behavioral patterns were utilized to identify an infected device and its injected malware strain.
Student–Teacher Gender Matching and Academic Achievement:

Scholars have examined the effects of same-gender teachers on student achievement, but the findings are mixed. In this study, we use 7 years of administrative data from students in elementary and m...
Seeds, soil and social connections: growing community in community gardens

Research shows that community gardens (CGs) can improve the physical, social, and mental wellbeing of individuals and communities, particularly in low-income and historically underserved neighborhoods. While researchers have documented numerous individual and collective benefits gained through participation in CGs, there are few studies that address the barriers faced during the developmental stages of CGs in terms of social dynamics that can impede longevity. In order for Extension agents, urban planners, community leaders and other stakeholders to successfully develop CGs that serve the needs of their respective stakeholders, they must be able to assist CGs in overcoming barriers to group collaboration, strengthening and expanding social networks, and securing access to essential resources. Knowing the different types of social relationships, such as close and friendly ones among peers in the garden and more distant and complicated ones with outside agencies, and the role they play in the development and maintenance of CGs helps provide solutions for overcoming barriers to success. This study uses social capital theory to examine how social networks may facilitate and/or hinder resource mobilization for community garden development and longevity. Semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and participant observations engaged CG members and stakeholders throughout Florida to share their insights and experiences of participating in CG projects. Findings revealed participants’ perceptions of the benefits and barriers of community gardens, motivations for participation, and perspectives on variables that influence CGs’ success. Findings suggest that all three types of social capital, Bonding, Bridging and Linking, play an essential role in the successful development and longevity of CGs. Bonding capital is the glue that holds the garden together, as it represents the internal relationships that are fostered between the individuals engaged in establishing and maintaining a CG. Bridging capital is the channel through which CGs gain access to critical resources external to the garden itself, such as education, gardening materials, and volunteer labor. Linking capital, the most challenging type of social capital to establish, can help ensure longevity for a CG by achieving buy-in from powerful institutions such as local government officials and/or grantors. This research has policy implications for government agencies, community development efforts, the non-profit sector, and Cooperative Extension. These stakeholders that wish for CGs to succeed and thrive can recognize and strengthen the relationships among CG members at each level of social capital, primarily by reducing obstacles. Recommendations for policy changes and use of best practices are discussed.
Endovascular treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms

ABSTRACT Endovascular repair of thoracoabdominal aneurysms using fenestrated and/or branched stent grafts is technically feasible and efficacious but carries a steep learning curve. This innovative surgical approach is associated with less perioperative morbidity than traditional open repair and its early and mid-term outcomes are very favorable. Spinal cord ischemia remains a devastating complication after these procedures, hence the importance of various neuroprotective strategies. Widespread applicability remains limited in the United States, as no custom-made or off-the-shelf endografts are commercially available. Access to these devices remains limited to physician-sponsored or industry-sponsored clinical trials, but results from the Cook p-Branch and Gore Thoracoabdominal Branch Endoprosthesis trials are on the horizon.
Internal and External Reconnection Series Homologous Solar Flares

Using data from the extreme ultraviolet imaging telescope (EIT) on SOHO and the soft X-ray telescope (SXT) on Yohkoh, we examine a series of morphologically homologous solar flares occurring in National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) active region 8210 over May 1-2, 1998. An emerging flux region (EFR) impacted against a sunspot to the west and next to a coronal hole to the east is the source of the repeated flaring. An SXT sigmoid parallels the EFR's neutral line at the site of the initial flaring in soft X rays. In EIT each flaring episode begins with the formation of a crinkle pattern external to the EFR. These EIT crinkles move out from, and then in toward, the EFR with velocities approx. 20 km/ s. A shrinking and expansion of the width of the coronal hole coincides with the crinkle activity, and generation and evolution of a postflare loop system begins near the time of crinkle formation. Using a schematic based on magnetograms of the region, we suggest that these observations are consistent with the standard reconnection-based model for solar eruptions but are modified by the presence of the additional magnetic fields of the sunspot and coronal hole. In the schematic, internal reconnection begins inside of the EFR-associated fields, unleashing a flare, postflare loops, and a coronal mass ejection (CME). External reconnection, first occurring between the escaping CME and the coronal hole field and second occurring between fields formed as a result of the first external reconnection, results in the EIT crinkles and changes in the coronal hole boundary. By the end of the second external reconnection, the initial setup is reinstated; thus the sequence can repeat, resulting in morphologically homologous eruptions. Our inferred magnetic topology is similar to that suggested in the "breakout model" of eruptions although we cannot determine if our eruptions are released primarily by the breakout mechanism (external reconnection) or, alternatively, primarily by the internal reconnection.
Isolation, culture, and characterization of endothelial cells from Schlemm's canal.

PURPOSE. An important goal in glaucoma research has been to understand the functional contribution of trabecular meshwork (TM) and Schlemm's canal (SC) endothelia to aqueous humor outflow resistance. To date, TM cells are routinely cultured and used as a model by several laboratories. However, there has been only limited success in isolating SC cells. The current objective was to develop a technique for selective isolation and culture of endothelial cells from human SC. METHODS. The anterior chamber of human cadaveric eyes was cut into eight equal and radially symmetric wedge-shaped pieces. Using a dissecting microscope, a gelatin-coated suture (6-0 sterile nylon monofilament) was gently inserted into the lumen of SC and advanced into the canal. The cannulated pieces of tissue were placed in culture medium and maintained for 3 weeks. Sutures were removed from SC and cells seeded onto 3-cm culture plates. Morphology, growth characteristics, and expression of endothelial surface antigens and other cellular markers were evaluated. RESULTS. Of the 20 pairs of eyes that were cannulated, primary cells were obtained from 13. All SC cell isolates had a fusiform moq^hology; formed nonoverlapping, linearly arranged monolayers; and were contact inhibited. Schlemm's canal cell isolates reacted with antibodies specific for CD44 (hyaluron receptor), CD54 (intercellular adhesion molecule-1, ICAM-1), tissue-type plasminogen activator, and TM-inducible glucocorticoid-responsive protein-myocilin (TIGR-MYOC). Unlike TM cells, however, TIGR-MYOC protein was not induced in SC cells after long-term dexamethasone treatment. Schlemm's canal cells endocytosed low-density lipoprotein and acetylated low-density lipoprotein, and in the presence of Matrigel organized into multicellular tubelike structures. CONCLUSIONS. Cannulation of SC with gelatin-coated suture material is an effective method for the isolation of human SC cells and provides a cellular model to study the potential role of SC cells in aqueous humor outflow function. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Set. 1998;39:1804-1812)
Geographic Competition in the Retail Gasoline Market: Who are a Gas Station’s Competitors?

Volatility in gasoline prices often leads the public to question thecompetitiveness of gasoline markets in the US. However, the retail gasoline market hasreceived less examination in the literature in part because the market exhibitscharacteristics consistent with a competitive market. The retail gasoline market consistsof numerous stations selling a homogeneous product to price conscious consumers.Competitive pressures are heightened further by the prominent posting of prices loweringconsumers’ cost of obtaining price information. The assumption of a competitive markethowever ignores the spatial differentiation that results when consumers incur travel costs.By giving individual firms pricing power, spatial differentiation creates the potential forcompeting firms to engage in strategic interaction in their pricing decision. This studyuses spatial econometrics to examine the extent to which this product differentiationresults in strategic interaction in the pricing decision of retail gas stations. Resultsindicate that gas stations engage in strategic interaction with neighboring stations whensetting prices and specification tests suggest that the each station considers the behaviorof its fifteen nearest competitors. (R3, L1)
Some Problems with TEI Markup and Early Printed Books

This paper presents two groups of text encodingproblems encountered by the Brown University WomenWriters Project (WWP). The WWP is creating a full-textdatabase of transcriptions of pre-1830 printed bookswritten by women in English. For encoding our texts weuse Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML),following the Text Encoding Initiative’s Guidelines for Electronic Text Encoding andInterchange. SGML is a powerful text encoding systemfor describing complex textual features, but a fullexpression of these may require very complex encoding,and careful thought about the intended purpose of theencoded text. We present here several possibleapproaches to these encoding problems, and analyze theissues they raise.
Mechanism of the cytotoxic synergism of fluoropyrimidines and folinic acid in mouse leukemic cells.

We have investigated the mechanism by which reduced folates, such as folinic acid, enhance the cytotoxicity of fluoropyrimidines in L1210 mouse leukemic cells. Exposure of L1210 cells to folinic acid resulted in expansion of intracellular pools of 5,10-CH2-H4PteGlun, delayed the reappearance of catalytically active thymidylate synthase (TS) following 5-fluoro-2′-deoxyuridine exposure, and stabilized inhibited TS complexes over the same concentration range that augmented the cytotoxic effects of fluorodeoxyuridine and 5-fluorouracil. The data showed that, in intact L1210 cells, fluorodeoxyridylate behaves as an inhibitor whose complexes with TS dissociated with a biologically significant rate. However, these complexes become functionally irreversible in cells incubated with high levels of folinic acid. It was also found that bound and total TS levels increased in cells treated with fluorodeoxyuridine to an extent that substantially exceeded the increase in protein content per cell under the same conditions. These results are in accord with the concept that folinic acid augments the effects of the fluoropyrimidines by expansion of cellular 5,10-CH2-H4PteGlun pools with subsequent stabilization of ternary complexes among 5-fluoro-2′-deoxyuridine 5′-monophosphate, TS, and 5,10-CH2-H4PteGlun. In light of the accumulation of TS that occurs following exposure to fluoropyrimidines, this stabilization may be needed for efficient tumor cell killing by these agents.
Clonality in juvenile chronic myelogenous leukemia

Juvenile chronic myelogenous leukemia (JCML) is a myeloproliferative disease in which morbidity and mortality are primarily caused by nonhematopoietic organ failure from myelomonocytic infiltration or by failure of the normal bone marrow. Morphologic evidence of maturation arrest, karyotypic abnormalities, and progression to blast crisis are infrequent events. Viral infections and other reactive processes can initially mimic the clinical course of JCML, creating diagnostic problems. Because of the rarity of JCML and technical limitations, formal clonality studies have not been reported previously. Nine female JCML patients were identified by clinical criteria, characteristic ‘spontaneous’ in vitro cell growth, and negative cultures and titers for various viral agents. Peripheral blood and bone marrow samples were obtained at the time of diagnosis for cell separation and RNA and DNA isolation. To assess clonality, X-chromosome inactivation patterns were evaluated using three different, recently developed polymerase chain reaction-based clonality assays. All nine female JCML patients showed evidence for monoclonal origin of mononuclear cells at the time of diagnosis. Cell separation studies further traced the monoclonal origin back to at least the most primitive myeloid progenitor cell. Reversion to a polyclonal state was demonstrated after bone marrow transplant and also in one patient following treatment with 13-cis retinoic acid. This demonstration of clonality in JCML delineates it from the reactive processes and provides a basis for molecular genetic strategies to identify causally associated mutations.
Experimental observation of quantum dispersion cancellation

Summary form only given. For many applications making use of photon interference, such as entanglement swapping or teleportation, a short pulse pumped source of photon pairs is required to enable multi-photon pair generation. However, timing information inherent in pulses affects the interference, and spectrally dispersive component media properties poses further fundamental effects on the degree of interference. In particular dispersion cancellation effects expected for CW pumped cases do not apply in general to pulse pumped applications. Theoretical models to account for such effects in a Hong-Ou-Mandel Interferometer (HOMI) have recently been published [Perina, PRA, 58, 2359 (1999); Franson, PRA, 45, 3126 (1992)]; the results presented here, give to our knowledge the first experimental observation of dispersive reduction of quantum interference, as well as the full restoration expected, when very large dispersion is balanced along the paths of the two photons.
Investigating tropical cyclone-climate feedbacks using the TRMM Microwave Imager and the Quick Scatterometer

[1] Sea surface temperature (SST) and near-surface winds from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Microwave Imager (TMI) and the Quick Scatterometer (QuikScat) are used to calculate globally integrated tropical cyclone-induced SST anomalies and power dissipation (PD). We estimate tropical cyclone-induced upper ocean cooling to be ∼35% higher than our previous estimates based on reanalyzed ERA40 and NCEP surface data. Annually averaged, global PD estimates from TMI are ∼5 × 1019 J for the years 1998 to 2006 (roughly 30% greater than ERA40 PD for overlapping years). QuikScat PD is estimated to be ∼1.7 × 1020 J for the years 2000 to 2006. On the basis of these results, we conclude that the cyclone-induced cooling signal appears to be underrepresented in ERA40 and NCEP reanalysis, as postulated in recent observational and modeling studies. Furthermore, we observe a strong positive relationship between PD and ocean surface cooling, providing further evidence for the likelihood of cyclone-induced climatic feedbacks. These results support the hypothesis that tropical cyclones play an active role in the tropical surface ocean heat budget by cooling the tropical upper oceans through enhanced vertical mixing, which likely represents a net warming beneath the oceanic mixed layer. Thus, to the degree that vertical mixing is important for regulating the ocean's meridional overturning circulation and poleward heat transport, tropical cyclones may be an important contributor to Earth's climate system. This further confirms the results of Emanuel (2001, 2002) and Sriver and Huber (2007b) that possible future changes in integrated cyclone intensity associated with warmer SST may provide possible climatic feedbacks through enhanced vertical mixing and increased ocean heat transport, thus buffering the tropics to increased temperatures while amplifying the warming at higher latitudes.
The Many-Sided Reality: A Model of Models

Spiritual truth is found in more than one tradition. Each religion presents a model of Reality based on the apercu or disclosure of Reality available to it. No model is, or can be, complete. Reality is most adequately understood through a plurality of models. But, since models are limited and subject to error, critical pluralism must apply to all religions the methods of spiritual discernment and theological insight currently used only within each tradition. The task of discernment is not only an intellectual exercise. Reality is transformative, but we are not all called to the same way of life. We must each respond to that aspect of Reality most present in our own lives.
The geochemistry of rhenium and osmium in recent sediments from the Black Sea

Abstract The Os isotopic composition of recent sediments from the Black Sea are reported with the concentrations of Re, Os, and major and minor elements. Osmium concentrations range from 0.23 to 0.69 ppb and Re concentrations range from 21 to 85 ppb. Concentrations of both elements are large relative to average crustal material and are positively correlated with organic carbon. 187 Os 186 Os ratios range from 5.7 to 7.1; all of these values are less radiogenic than the estimated 187 Os 186 Os ratio of seawater and average continental crust material. Variations in the Os isotopic composition of these sediments are attributed to mixing of a hydrogenous component ( 187 Os 186 Os ratio between 7 and 9) and a less radiogenic detrital component ( 187 Os 186 Os ratio between 1 and 4). A mixing model is used to determine the fraction of Os in the sediment associated with each component, and the burial fluxes of Re and Os in the Black Sea are calculated. In addition the data are used to estimate the magnitude of systematic error which such initial Os isotopic heterogeneity may introduce into Re-Os age determinations of ancient organic-rich sediments.
Embedded Foreign Bodies Presenting as Earlobe Keloids

We present a case report of a young woman who developed earlobe nodules subsequent to the piercing of her ears. Clinically the nodules appeared to be keloids. Surgical intervention demonstrated the nodules to consist of the embedded backings of her pierced earrings.
Risk Factors for Venous Thromboembolism

Risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE) are often modifiable and overlap with risk factors for coronary artery disease. Encouraging our patients to adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle by abstaining from cigarettes, maintaining lean weight, limiting red meat intake, and controlling hypertension might lower the risk of pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis (DVT), although a cause-effect relationship has not been firmly established. For hospitalized patients, guidelines have provided evidence-based strategies to identify patients at risk, such as elderly persons and those with cancer, congestive heart failure, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or undergoing major surgery. Most should receive pharmacological prophylaxis, which will minimize the risk of VTE. Because approximately 3 of every 4 pulmonary embolism and DVT events occur outside the hospital setting, patients should also be assessed for persistent high-risk of VTE at the time of hospital discharge.
Raman spectrum of gaseous phosphaethyne (HCP)

The Raman spectrum of gaseous phosphaethyne (HCP) has been recorded, and the CH and CP stretching vibrations (ν1 and ν3) have been observed at 3218 and 1277 cm−1, respectively. These frequencies compare very favorably with those previously determined from IR and UV-visible spectra. The sample is stable for short periods of time under the required experimental conditions, and the vibrational data are discussed in terms of the stability and reactivity of HCP.