cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of tissue effects produced by the Prolase II lateral-firing neodymm:YAG laser fiber in the canine prostate

The immediate and long term-effects of neodymium:YAG laser treatment with the ProLase II lateral-firing laser fiber in the canine prostate were evaluated. Fourteen male dogs, aged 3 years and older with established benign prostatic hyperplasia, underwent endoscopic ablation of the prostate using the ProLase II fiber. Subjects were treated at laser power settings of 60 watts (6 dogs), 75 watts (4 dogs), or 90 watts (3 dogs), with a mean total energy delivery of 15,000 joules. One dog underwent a sham procedure and served as a normal control. Prostates were examined grossly and histologically at 48 hours, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, or 8 weeks post-treatment. The cross-sectional diameter and volume of tissue ablation were measured in each prostate. Histological studies of the extent of thermal injury to the prostatic tissue and the course of healing of the prostatic urethra were performed. The mean cross-sectional diameter of tissue ablation was 28.6 ± 4.7 mm and mean volume of tissue ablation was 8.2 ± 5.1 cc. No statistically significant difference in diameter or volume of tissue ablation was noted between varying power settings. Histological studies showed extensive tissue necrosis with hemorrhage and an acute inflammatory cell infiltrate at 48 hours. By 8 weeks, total resolution of both necrosis and inflammatory changes with complete re-epithelialization of the prostatic urethra was observed. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Between Discourse and Experience: Agency and Ideas in the French Pre-Revolution

Experience has recently reemerged as an important analytical category for historians of the Old Regime and the French Revolution. Reacting against the perceived excesses of discourse analysis, which made political language independent of any social determinants, certain post-revisionists are now seeking to contextualize political language by relating it to the experience of those who use it. Political agency, in these analyses, is understood to be the effect of particular formative experiences. This article suggests that the search for an experiential antidote to discourse is misconceived because it perpetuates an untenable dichotomy between thought and reality. Access to the phenomenon of historical agency should be pursued not through experience or discourse but through the category of consciousness, since the make-up of the subject's consciousness determines how he/she engages the world and decides to attempt changing it. After a brief discussion of an important study that exemplifies both the allure and the functionality of the notion of experience, Timothy Tackett's Becoming a Revolutionary, the article focuses on the evolving political consciousness of a man who became a revolutionary agitator in 17 9, J.-M.-A. Servan. Analysis of his writings between 1770 and 1789 shows that the way in which his perspective was constructed, rather than the lessons of experience per se, determined the shape of his revolutionary intentions in 1789.
Chemistry of Detonation Waves in Condensed Phase Explosives

Detonation of high density, high energy solid organic explosives produce self-sustaining waves traveling at speeds of 10,000m/s that reach 40GPa pressures and 6000 K temperatures in nanoseconds. This pressure–temperature–time frame is unique and very difficult to study experimentally and theoretically. The Non-Equilibrium Zeldovich–von Neumann–Doring (NEZND) theory was developed to identify the non-equilibrium chemical processes that precede and follow exothermic chemical energy release within these reaction zones of self-sustaining detonation waves in gaseous, liquid, and solid explosives. The NEZND theory, molecular dynamics atomistic scale simulations, and high explosive reactive flow modeling studies are discussed in the chapter. The chapter presents a tightly coupled experimental and theoretical approach to understand the non-equilibrium processes, the reaction pathways, and the equilibrium mixtures created within a detonation wave. Since chemical reaction rates and equilibrium concentrations are controlled by the local temperature in the region of molecules, the most urgent need in explosives research is for the time resolved experimental measurements which are presented. Further references to resources are given.
Obama, China and Wishful Thinking About American Jobs

Thanks to the draining effects of the Iraq war and the financial meltdown emanating from Wall Street, a powershift away from American dominance is taking place. Caught between a rising China and an America in relative decline, the new leadership in Japan is recalibrating its post-World War II relationships. The G-20 has usurped the role once played by the G-8 as the governing committee of globalization. And the symbiotic coupling of “Chimerica”, born out of the credit bubble built up over the past two decades, is being put to the test. In this section, the new prime minister of Japan, the president of the European Union, the president of Brazil and a leading economic historian assess these shifts.
Clinical tests of the simple method of estimating cardiac stroke volume from blood pressure and age.

The results secured by the simple method of estimating cardiac output, described in the previous paper, have been applied to data already in the literature. Hundreds of comparisons are possible between estimates of cardiac output made by our blood pressure method from values given by the authors, and the results of estimates of cardiac output by some other well known method employed at the same time. The correlations between the results secured by our method and those obtained by Fick, acetylene, ethyl iodide, and nitrous oxide methods are often surprisingly good. There is an unexplained difference in level between the Fick and blood pressure estimates, but not between the blood pressure estimates and those of the three older methods.
Ion-interaction-capillary Zone Electrophoresis of Cationic Proteomic Peptide Standards

We have employed a novel capillary electrophoresis (CE) approach recently developed in our laboratory, termed ion-interaction-capillary zone electrophoresis (II-CZE), to the resolution of a mixture of 27 synthetic cationic proteomic peptide standards. These peptides were comprised of three groups of nine peptides (with net charges of +1, +2 and +3 for all nine peptides within a group), the hydrophobicity of the nine peptides within a group varying only subtly between adjacent peptides. This bidimensional CE approach achieved excellent resolution of the peptides with high peak capacity by combining the powerful CZE mechanism located in the background electrolyte (BGE) with an hydrophobicity-based mechanism also located in the BGE, the latter consisting of high concentrations (up to 0.4 M) of aqueous perfluorinated acids ( trifluoroacetic acid, pentafluoropropionic acid and heptafluorobutyric acid). Thus, concomitant with a CZE separation of the three differently charged groups of peptides, there is an hydrophobically-mediated separation of the peptides within these groups effected through interaction of the hydrophobic anions of the perfluorinated acids with hydrophobic amino acid side-chains in the peptides. This methodology is dramatically different from other CE methods that have used complexing agents such as micelles or cyclodextrins in MEKC. Overall, the results presented here demonstrate the value of CE as a peptide separative tool in its own right, including its use for proteomic applications, and not merely as a complementary technique to reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC).
250 GHz CW Gyrotron Oscillator for Dynamic Nuclear Polarization in Biological Solid State NMR

Abstract In this paper, we describe a 250 GHz gyrotron oscillator, a critical component of an integrated system for magic angle spinning (MAS) dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) experiments at 9 T, corresponding to 380 MHz 1 H frequency. The 250 GHz gyrotron is the first gyro-device designed with the goal of seamless integration with an NMR spectrometer for routine DNP enhanced NMR spectroscopy and has operated under computer control for periods of up to 21 days with a 100% duty cycle. Following a brief historical review of the field, we present studies of the membrane protein bacteriorhodopsin (bR) using DNP enhanced multidimensional NMR. These results include assignment of active site resonances in [U- 13 C, 15 N]-bR and demonstrate the utility of DNP for studies of membrane proteins. Next, we review the theory of gyro-devices from quantum mechanical and classical viewpoints and discuss the unique considerations that apply to gyrotron oscillators designed for DNP experiments. We then characterize the operation of the 250 GHz gyrotron in detail, including its long-term stability and controllability. We have measured the spectral purity of the gyrotron emission using both homodyne and heterodyne techniques. Radiation intensity patterns from the corrugated waveguide that delivers power to the NMR probe were measured using two new techniques to confirm pure mode content: a thermometric approach based on the temperature-dependent color of liquid crystalline media applied to a substrate and imaging with a pyroelectric camera. We next present a detailed study of the mode excitation characteristics of the gyrotron. Exploration of the operating characteristics of several fundamental modes reveals broadband continuous frequency tuning of up to 1.8 GHz as a function of the magnetic field alone, a feature that may be exploited in future tunable gyrotron designs. Oscillation of the 250 GHz gyrotron at the second harmonic of cyclotron resonance begins at extremely low beam currents (as low 12 mA) at frequencies between 320 and 365 GHz, suggesting an efficient route for the generation of even higher frequency radiation. The low starting currents were attributed to an elevated cavity Q , which is confirmed by cavity thermal load measurements. We conclude with an appendix containing a detailed description of the control system that safely automates all aspects of the gyrotron operation.
25 Ahaptoglobinemia in Puerto Rican Newborns

Although the frequency of ahaptoglobinemia in the newborn has been determined in Caucasians, little is known about the frequency of this condition in other populations. We are studying ahaptoglobinemia in cord blood specimens from 314 infants born in Puerto Rico, a sample from a heterogeneous population: Caucasian, Negro and mulatto. The frequency of ahaptoglobinemia, as defined by lack of a haptoglobin pattern on starch gel electrophoresis, was found to be 0.777 in 94 samples of the Puerto Rican newborn group studied to date. When this result was compared to the frequencies found in an American-USA (0.873), two southern Italian (0.809 and 0.800) and two Scandinavian (0.767 and 0.900) newborn populations, significant heterogeneity was found in the data (X2(5) = 16.612). Data from the American (USA) and one of the Scandinavian populations account for the heterogeneity; our data do not differ from those of the remaining three Caucasian populations. Ahaptoglobinemia in the Puerto Rican sample was analyzed by studying the effects of several variables. The frequency of ahaptoglobinemia was not affected by sex of the child, birth weight and race of the mother. Parity did not affect the frequency of ahaptoglobinemia, a finding which argues against an isoimmune process as the cause of this condition in the newborn. Finally, no association was found between the frequency of ahaptoglobinemia and the ABO or Rh (D) phenotypes of the infants. These data permit us to tentatively conclude that the frequency of ahaptoglobinemia in the newborn is stable in various populations. Moreover, the data support the contention that ahaptoglobinemia of the newborn represents impaired or absent synthesis of functional haptoglobin. (SPR)
Comparing the Strength of Nations

The political capacity of advanced societies is measured. We show that politically capable governments can mobilize vast resources from the society under the stress of war, but totalitarian, democr...
Parental influence on adolescent sexuality: Implications for parents as educators

While parents may not be recognized as disseminators of sexual information, positive and negative sexual messages are communicated by parents to their children, both verbally and nonverbally. The results of this study indicate that the impact of parental messages upon the sexuality of youth appears relatively straightforward for males, but quite complex for females. This article suggests educational approaches that can be used to recycle early parental sexual messages.
Strategies toward the design of energetic ionic liquids: nitro- and nitrile-substituted N,N′-dialkylimidazolium salts

Twelve novel 1,3-dialkylimidazolium salts containing strongly electron-withdrawing nitro- and cyano-functionalities directly appended to the cationic heterocyclic rings have been synthesized; the influences of the substituents on both formation and thermal properties of the resultant ionic liquids have been determined by DSC, TGA, and single crystal X-ray diffraction, showing that an electron-withdrawing nitro-substituent can be successfully appended and has a similar influence on the melting behaviour as that of corresponding methyl group substitution. Synthesis of di-, or trinitro-substituted 1,3-dialkylimidazolium cations was unsuccessful due to the resistance of dinitro-substituted imidazoles to undergo either N-alkylation or protonation, while 1-alkyl-4,5-dicyanoimidazoles were successfully alkylated to obtain 1,3-dialkyl-4,5-dicyanoimidazolium salts. Five crystal structures (one of each cation type) show that, in the solid state, the NO2-group has little significant effect, beyond the steric contribution, on the crystal packing.
Do Pathogenic Fungi Have the Potential to Inhibit Biocontrol Fungi

Metabolites produced by the soilborne plant pathogen Rhizoctonia solani (R-23) and Pythium ultimum (PuZ3) grown on cellophane disks placed on potato-dextrose agar (PDA), molasses brewer's yeast agar (MYA) and wheat bran extract agar (BEA) did not significantly affect the rate of growth of isolates of the antagonists Trichoderma viride (TS-1-R3, Tv-101), T. harzianum (Th-57, Th-87), T. hamatum (Tm-23, TRI-4), or Gliocladium virens (Gl-3, Gl-21) when these antagonists were grown on the three agars containing pathogen metabolites. However, in some instances, density of antagonist mycelium growing on the agar media as well as the observable production of antagonist conidia on the agar media were reduced. Using four antagonists in liquid cultures of potato-dextrose broth (PDB) containing metabolites of the pathogens grown on bran extract broth, metabolites from R-23 significantly reduced mycelial dry weight of Th-87 and Gl-21 but not that of TRI-4 and Gl-3. On the contrary, metabolites of PuZ3 increased the mycelial dry weight of all four antagonists. Metabolites of R-23 reduced production of conidia of only TRI-4 ; metabolites of PuZ3 significantly reduced production of conidia of all four antagonists. Pathogen metabolites did not affect germination of conidia in the system used.
Embodying imperfect unity: womanhood and synchronicity in anti-war protest

In March 2003, a contemporary version of the Greek play Lysistrata was performed on over 1000 stages across the globe to protest the war in Iraq. This article analyzes the synchronized performances of Lysistrata in order to question the role of the lived body in social activism. The lived body, as conceptualized by Young (2005), considers the power and constraint we experience as the material facts of our bodies – skeleton and organs, ligaments and tendons, muscles and fat – move and exist in a particular time in history, a particular geographic space, surrounded by particular other people who are co-constructing ways of being in the world together. In the past several decades, numerous public examples have emerged of women in particular creatively constructing themselves in relation to their given socio-historical conditions. This article engages in a two-part analysis, of a ‘productive misreading’ of Aristophanes' Lysistrata and of the synchronized performance-protests orchestrated by the Lysistrata Pro...
A review of software for analyzing molecular sequences

Over the past ten years, there has been an explosion of microbiome research. Many software packages for analyzing microbial sequences such as the 16S gene from 454 sequencers and Illumina platforms are available. But for a new researcher, it is difficult to know which package to choose. We present a systematic review of packages for the analysis of molecular sequences used to describe and compare microbial communities. This review gives students and researchers information to help choose the best analytic pipeline for their project. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review of such software. Seven software packages met our inclusion criteria of being cost free and publically available, offering analysis functions from platform sequencing to results presentation, and included documentation and data security. We installed and executed each of the software packages and describe the installation, documentation, features, and functions of each. For the user, pipeline choices may be limited because some packages only run on select operating systems. Users should be aware of the availability of features and functions of each package. Of utmost importance is that the user must be aware of the default settings and underlying assumptions of each function. All packages are lacking sufficient methods for longitudinal analysis. Researchers can do well using any one of these seven packages. However, two packages are outstanding; mothur and QIIME, due not only to the comprehensive suite of functions and procedures incorporated into the pipelines but also because of the accompanying documentation.
Limp Log Mooring Design

The Limp Log buoy was developed to fill the need for a telemetry buoy capable of long term survival in the open ocean. The buoy includes a reliable data link from the sea floor to the sea surface and a surface buoy capable of satisfying the constraints required by a satellite antenna. The Limp Log design combines the surface buoy with the surface tether in the form of a long tapered, buoyant, flexible hose filled with syntactic foam. By coiling the data lines inside the hose, the strength member and the data line are mechanically isolated from each other and the stress in the data line becomes negligible. This construction eliminates the interface between a surface buoy and its mooring and provides a nearly indestructable buoy with no stress concentrations and no lumped masses to resonate. This buoy design is a new concept and can provide the long desired characteristics of simplicity and survivability in a severe environment.
Hospital readmissions and repeat emergency department visits among children with medical complexity: an integrative review

Children with medical complexity (CMC) have chronic conditions, intense healthcare needs, and high healthcare utilization. Proposed changes in the healthcare environment initiated by the Affordable Care Act have led to efforts toward preventing hospital readmissions. The purpose of this integrative review is to explore the current empirical literature and examine how hospital readmissions and repeat emergency department visits have been studied among CMC. A computer database search and ancestry search were conducted, resulting in a sample of 26 studies. The results of the integrative review are presented along with gaps in the literature and implications for nursing practice and research.
THE OXYGEN CONTENT OF THE BLOOD IN RABBITS INFECTED WITH PNEUMOCOCCUS.

In rabbits with a severe pneumococcus bacteremia, the oxygen-combining power of the blood falls progressively up to the time of death. Coincident with this there is an even more marked fall in the oxygen content of the arterial blood. The changes in the blood in infected animals are analogous to those seen when the pneumococcus is grown on blood in vitro . They are due to the conversion of hemoglobin into methemoglobin.
Endovascular Repair of the Descending Thoracic Aorta for Penetrating Atherosclerotic Ulcer Disease

The pathological variants of acute aortic syndromes include classic dissection, intramural hematomas, and penetrating atherosclerotic ulcers (PAUs). The subject of the appropriate management and treatment of PAUs continues to expand as this disease entity is increasingly identified. The application of thoracic endografting, or thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR), to treat these acute aortic pathologies is clearly evolving and the ultimate effectiveness and durability of thoracic endografting remains to be determined as clinical experience increases. The disease pathology of PAUs and the use of endovascular stent graft placement in PAU disease are closely examined in this manuscript.
Integrin α9β1 promotes malignant tumor growth and metastasis by potentiating epithelial-mesenchymal transition

The integrin α9β1 binds a number of extracellular matrix components to mediate cell adhesion, migration and tissue invasion. Although expressed in a variety of normal human cells including endothelium, it is also expressed in cancer cells. We have previously shown that α9β1 binds VEGF-A to facilitate angiogenesis, an important component of the tumor microenvironment. As α9β1 induces accelerated cancer cell migration, we wished to determine what role it played in cancer growth and metastasis. In this study, we show that α9β1 expression induces molecular changes consistent with epithelial-mesenchymal transition. In addition, we found that α9β1 forms a tri-partite protein complex with β-catenin and E-cadherin, which dissociates following integrin activation and subsequent src and β-catenin phosphorylation. These findings were consistent in cells in which: α9β1 was exogenously over-expressed, or when its expression was suppressed in cancer cells endogenously expressing α9β1. These in vitro results are biologically significant as α9β1-expressing cancer cells induce greater tumor growth and metastases in mice as compared to the cells without α9β1 expression or when integrin expression is suppressed. Furthermore, integrin α9β1 is expressed in primary human small cell lung cancer and patients having a high expression of α9β1 demonstrated significantly worse long-term survival compared with patients with low α9β1 expression. These findings highlight a novel mechanism of integrin α9β1 function in human cancer.
Valvular pulmonic stenosis: Auscultatory and phonocardiographic characteristics

Abstract 1. 1. Mild pulmonic stenosis has an early systolic ejection sound and a characteristic mid-systolic ejection murmur followed by pathologic splitting of the second sound. The aorticopulmonic interval by phonocardiography is 0.03 to 0.06 second, and right ventricular systolic pressure is usually less than 60 mm. Hg. 2. 2. Moderate pulmonic stenosis has an aorticopulmonic interval of 0.06 to 0.10 second, and right ventricular pressure ranges from 60 to 100 mm. Hg. 3. 3. Severe pulmonic stenosis has a late systolic ejection murmur which may override the aortic second sound. The pulmonic second sound is markedly delayed in closure, and an ejection sound may or may not be present. The aorticopulmonic interval is usually 0.10 to 0.14 second, and right ventricular systolic pressure is more than 100 mm. Hg. There is the usual overlap of the groups. 4. 4. We have been able to further corroborate Leatham's observations that there is a close linear relationship between the degree of stenosis as reflected by right ventricular systolic pressure and the delay in closure of the pulmonic valve. This is a valuable aid in assessing the status of pulmonic stenosis, and is more reliable than using the height of the R wave in Lead V1. 5. 5. We believe that the pulmonic ejection sound which disappears with inspiration and reappears with expiration is related to mechanical alterations in the initial tension of the poststenotic pulmonary artery, owing to the respiratory cycle. The aortic ejection sound varies little with the respiratory cycle. 6. 6. When a ventricular filling sound (S3) is present with moderate to severe pulmonic stenosis, an atrial septal defect and/or anomalous pulmonary venous drainage is usually associated with it. 7. 7. Aortic stenosis and ventricular septal defect both may present as stenotictype murmurs, maximal in the second left intercostal space, simulating pulmonic stenosis. The graphic character of the systolic murmur, second sound, and ejection sounds are the best means of differentiation, because location, electrocardiography, and x-ray may be of little value in the mild defects.
Epidural cylinder electrodes for presurgical evaluation of intractable epilepsy: technical note.

Abstract Background This is a technical report describing a different technique for the insertion of epidural electrodes in the preoperative evaluation of epilepsy surgery. Our experience in 67 cases using this technique is analyzed. Methods Cylinder electrodes with multiple recording nodes spaced 1 cm apart along a Silastic core are placed into the epidural space under general anesthesia through single or multiple burr holes. We reviewed the data on 67 cases of medically intractable epilepsy requiring intracranial monitoring that had epidural cylinder electrodes placed. The electrodes were placed bilaterally or contralateral to subdural grids in 64 of the 67 cases. Continuous monitoring was performed from 1 to 3 weeks. Results This method was most useful when used bilaterally or contralateral to subdural grids. Definitive surgery was rendered in 48 of 67 cases. After monitoring, all electrodes were removed at bedside or upon return to the operating room for definitive surgery. There were no mortalities, infections, cerebrospinal fluid leaks, neurologic deficits, or electrode malfunctions. Two patients (2/67, 3%) did develop subdural hematomas early in our series after dural injury near the pterion; however, these patients did not sustain permanent deficit. Conclusions Epidural cylinders are another option for preoperative monitoring, useful for determining lobe or laterality of seizure genesis. They offer an alternate method to EPEs in cases where epidural recording is desirable. The cylinder electrodes are easy to place and can be removed without a return to the operating theater. The electrodes' minimal mass effect allows them to be safely placed bilaterally or contralateral to subdural grids. The epidural cylinders can monitor cortex with a greater density of nodes and can access regions not amenable to EPEs.
On the Window Selection for Three FFT-Based High-Accuracy Frequency Estimation Methods

Recent studies show that several FFT-based high-accuracy frequency estimation methods achieve very good performance. In this letter, we select three methods, which are the zero-padding, weighted multipoint interpolated DFT, and phase difference approximation respectively, and discuss the window selection for each method. Experiments show tha the window selection primarily depends on the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). As a result, the optimal window selection for each method and, reversely, the optimal selection of the estimation method for a specific window are discussed as a function of SNR. Consideration on the computational load and the resolution problem is also briefly discussed.
Broad Bandwidth High Resolution Pulse Shaping Using a 2-D VIPA - Grating Pulse Shaper

A Fourier pulse shaping apparatus is demonstrated using a diffraction grating and VIPA in a 2-D configuration for simultaneous large bandwidth and high-resolution pulse-shape synthesis.
Doubly charged negative atomic ions of hydrogen.

The existence of a relatively long-lived doubly charged negative atomic ion H2– (and D2–), isoelectronic with the lithium atom, has been demonstrated by mass spectrometry through a combined analysis of ion energy, velocity, and momentum. This species, formed in a hydrogen plasma, has a half-life of 2.3 x 10–8 seconds before it spontaneously dissociates to produce H– ions.
Drug-Related HIV Risk Behaviors and Cocaine Preference among Injection Drug Users in Los Angeles

Based on a 1988-91 sample of 422 drug-using arrestees in Los Angeles, this study compares the drug-related risk behavior of users whose preferred injection drug is cocaine and users with a preference for heroin or no preference between the two drugs. Cocaine preference is unrelated to the likelihood of needle sharing overall, needle sharing with strangers, needle sharing at shooting galleries, and failure to use bleach as a needle disinfectant. In analyses restricted to users who reported needle sharing, the frequency of sharing is no more closely related to heroin injection frequency than to cocaine injection frequency. These results suggest that local preventive education programs do not need to address distinctive patterns of drug-related risk behavior among injection cocaine users and injection heroin users in Los Angeles.
Electrocardiographic Lead-Tensor Measuring System

An instrument for automatic measurement of the electrocardiographic lead tensors in a human torso model has been developed. Potential is measured and recorded at 427 points on a sphere within the model and from these data the spherical harmonics of the potential function and the components of the lead tensors are computed. The system can also be used for general purpose potential measurement in small electrolytic tanks. A stepping motor drives a radial arm in elevation and azimuth and a probe suspended vertically from the arm dips into the neck of the model. The potential is measured by two servo-driven bridge circuits and is simultaneously recorded on a strip chart and entered in numerical form on punched cards. Scale expansion is available when measuring fields of low gradient.
Effect of Nitrogen on the Stability of Silicon Nanocrystals Produced by Decomposition of Alkyl Silanes

Si nanocrystals 1−10 nm in size highly resistant to oxidation were prepared by thermal (680 °C) or gold-induced (450−600 °C) decomposition of tetramethylsilane and tetraethylsilane using trioctylamine as an initial solvent. Transmission electron microscopy analysis of samples obtained in the presence of gold showed that Si nanocrystals form via solid-phase epitaxial attachment of Si to the gold crystal lattice. The results of computational modeling performed using first principles density functional theory calculations show that the enhanced stability of nanocrystals to oxidation is due to the presence of N or N-containing groups on the surface of nanocrystals.
Anisotropic sine-Gordon model and infinite-order phase transitions in three dimensions

A three-dimensional anisotropic sine-Gordon model, derived as the spin-wave approximation to the biaxial ($m=2$) Lifshitz point problem in a uniform magnetic field, is shown to possess [in close analogy to the isotropic two-dimensional (2D) sine-Gordon theory which is well known to describe the critical behavior of the 2D $\mathrm{XY}$ model], a surface of infinite-order phase transitions. This critical surface separates a phase characterized by infinite correlation length $\ensuremath{\xi}$ and power-law decay of correlations, and controlled by a stable fixed line, from one with finite $\ensuremath{\xi}$ and exponential decay. As the critical surface is approached from the latter phase, $\ensuremath{\xi}$ diverges as exp ($\ensuremath{\sigma}{t}^{\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\nu}}$) where $\ensuremath{\nu}=1$ is a universal number, $t$ measures the distance from the critical surface, and $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ is nonuniversal. On the critical surface correlations decay like ${r}^{\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\eta}}{(\mathrm{ln}r)}^{\ensuremath{-}\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{\ensuremath{\eta}}}$, where $\ensuremath{\eta}=4$ and $\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{\ensuremath{\eta}}=0.88\ensuremath{\cdots}$. Speculations on the occurrence of an infinite-order transition in liquid-crystal mixtures exhibiting nematic, smectic-$A$, and smectic-$C$ phases are advanced.
Deformation Behavior of Dense Polycrystalline SiC

Dense polycrystalline (p-type) SiC undergoes viscous deformation between 1900° and 2200°C at stresses up to 30,000 psi. A boundary diffusion mechanism is assumed to be rate-controlling; the product of the boundary diffusion coefficient, Db, and the boundary width, W, calculated from the creep data is
Oceanic-Atmospheric Modes of Variability and Their Influence On Riverine Input to Coastal Louisiana and Mississippi

Summary The present study examined the individual and combined influences of four oceanic–atmospheric modes of variability on northcentral Gulf of Mexico streamflows. Mississippi River and Pascagoula River mean flows, between phases of long-term modes of variability, were compared using a nonparametric rank-sum test (Mann–Whitney U-test). While the combination of Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO), and North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) determined long-term Mississippi River regimes, the coupling of AMO and NAO determined long-lasting Pascagoula River flow regimes. Mississippi River flow was higher during PDO warm, AMO cold (AMOc), and NAO positive (NAOp) phases than during PDO cold, AMO warm (AMOw), and NAO negative (NAOn) phases. Pascagoula River flow was higher during AMOc and NAOp phases than during AMOw and NAOn phases. During the long-term low Pascagoula River flow regime (AMOw/NAOn phase), fluctuations in river flow were associated with PDO or El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Pascagoula River flow decreased from PDOw to PDOc phases and from ENSO warm to ENSO neutral to ENSO cold phases.
Development of compositionally modulated multilayer Zn–Ni deposits as replacement for cadmium

Compositionally modulated multilayer (CMM) Zn–Ni deposits were electrodeposited from single acidic bath (pH=4.7) by using a potentiostatic sequence. The Zn and Ni composition in the alloy was tailored as a function of distance from the steel substrate. X-ray diffraction studies of the deposit showed the presence of γ-phase with a composition of Ni5Zn21. The corrosion properties of modulated multilayer coatings were studied in 5% NaCl solution using electrochemical corrosion techniques. The polarization resistance of the deposits varied as a function of Ni content between 1700 and 3440 Ω. CMM Zn–Ni with 20 wt% Ni exposed in ASTM B117 salt spray test did not show any red rust formation after 400 h. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Tamoxifen alters dopamine output through direct actions upon superfused corpus striatal tissue fragments

Tamoxifen (10 pg/ml) was infused directly into superfused striatal tissue fragments of ovariectomized rats for a 50 min period. Immediately following the termination of tamoxifen there was a significant increase in dopamine output compared with non-infused controls. No such significant increase was observed with use of a 100 pg/ml tamoxifen dose. Although dopamine output was again increased upon termination of a 2 h infusion of tamoxifen, these levels failed to differ significantly from that of non-infused controls. Similarly, a shorter 10 min duration infusion of tamoxifen failed to alter dopamine output. Finally, we examined whether the tamoxifen-induced, post-infusion increase in dopamine output, as observed following a 50 min infusion of 10 pg/ml, involved a calcium dependent process. To achieve this goal, superfusions were performed with Calcium/Tamoxifen, No Calcium/Tamoxifen, No Calcium/No Tamoxifen and Calcium/No Tamoxifen. A significant increase in dopamine output post-tamoxifen infusion was obtained for the Calcium/Tamoxifen condition compared with the remaining three groups which failed to differ from one another. Taken together these results show that tamoxifen can alter dopamine output through direct, non-genomic effects upon striatal neurons. Responses to this anti-estrogen are intriguing since they are apparent following removal, but not during tamoxifen infusion and represent a calcium-dependent process. These data suggest that tamoxifen may represent an important modulator of nigrostriatal dopaminergic function.
Survival analysis after resection of metastatic disease followed by peptide vaccines in patients with Stage IV melanoma

BACKGROUND Metastatic melanoma carries a poor prognosis, with a median survival of 7–9 months. Surgical resection of metastatic disease has been advocated to improve survival. Immunotherapy after metastasectomy may further improve the outcome for high-risk resected disease. METHODS Charts from patients treated on institutional vaccine trials were analyzed. Patients with American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Stage IV melanoma who underwent surgical resection of metastatic sites followed by treatment on a peptide vaccine trial were eligible for this study. Survival was calculated from the date of enrollment on the clinical trial. RESULTS Forty-one patients met inclusion criteria. The median age was 56.5 years, with approximately equal numbers of men and women. The ECOG performance status was 0 in all patients. Approximately 46% of patients underwent resection of visceral metastases before vaccine. The median follow-up was 5.6 years. The median overall survival was 3.8 years. CONCLUSIONS In selected patients with AJCC Stage IV melanoma, resection of metastatic disease followed by vaccine therapy can result in long-term survival. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Sources of stress for pharmacy students in a nationwide sample

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study is to provide insight into the sources of stress experienced by current professional-year pharmacy students in the United States. Methods An online survey related to the sources of stress of current pharmacy students was distributed nationally. The survey included a section in which the respondent could choose any or all of ten stress factors: coursework, grades, faculty, health concerns, family, current job market, finances, lack of sleep, friends, and "other." The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) was also administered. Frequency and distribution of stressors and stress levels across professional year were also assessed. Results A majority of respondents reported coursework, lack of sleep, finances, and grades as stressors. A minority of participants selected family, job market, faculty, friends, health concerns, and "other" stressors. Grades, lack of sleep, and faculty had the largest association with increased PSS scores. P4 students reported significantly fewer stressors than other years. More advanced students were less likely to report lack of sleep, grades, or coursework but were more likely to select the job market. Conclusion Academic concerns are a primary source of stress for a large majority of the sample. Development of interventions should focus on earlier professional years and emphasize the importance of sleep and physical health as students in these years report these stressors more frequently than advanced students. Further research is necessary to validate and extend the present findings.
IL-6 signaling blockade increases inflammation but does not affect muscle function in the mdx mouse

IL-6 is a pleiotropic cytokine that modulates inflammatory responses and plays critical roles in muscle maintenance and remodeling. In the mouse model (mdx) of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, IL-6 and muscle inflammation are elevated, which is believed to contribute to the chronic inflammation and failure of muscle regeneration in DMD. The purpose of the current study was to examine the effect of blocking IL-6 signaling on the muscle phenotype including muscle weakness and pathology in the mdx mouse. A monoclonal antibody against the IL-6 receptor (IL-6r mAb) that blocks local and systemic IL-6 signaling was administered to mdx and BL-10 mice for 5 weeks and muscle function, histology, and inflammation were examined. IL-6r mAb treatment increased mdx muscle inflammation including total inflammation score and ICAM-1 positive lumens in muscles. There was no significant improvement in muscle strength nor muscle pathology due to IL-6r mAb treatment in mdx mice. These results showed that instead of reducing inflammation, IL-6 signaling blockade for 5 weeks caused an increase in muscle inflammation, with no significant change in indices related to muscle regeneration and muscle function. The results suggest a potential anti-inflammatory instead of the original hypothesized pro-inflammatory role of IL-6 signaling in the mdx mice.
High Pressure Insulator-Metal Transition in Molecular Fluid Oxygen

We report the first experimental evidence for a metallic phase in fluid molecular oxygen. Our electrical conductivity measurements of fluid oxygen under dynamic quasi-isentropic compression show that a nonmetal-metal transition occurs at 3.4 fold compression, 4500 K, and 1.2 Mbar. We discuss the main features of the electrical conductivity dependence on density and temperature and give an interpretation of the nature of the electrical transport mechanisms in fluid oxygen at these extreme conditions.
Risk‐Adjusted Discount Rates Revisited

This paper shows that small changes in even slightly negative discount rates can cause substantial changes in present value. Small changes in the discount rate, which may seem appropriate, turn out to have huge effects on present value and are not economically justified. This paper also points out problems associated with large negative discount rates. It is shown that the present value can become discontinuous as the discount rate is lowered and that the present value of the risky cash outflows becomes erratic depending on whether the outflow is discounted an even or odd number of periods.
Characterization of sulphoalkyl ether derivatives of β-cyclodextrin by capillary electrophoresis with indirect UV detection

Abstract A capillary electrophoresis method which characterizes the degrees of substitution of heterogeneous sulphoalkyl ether β-cyclodextrin derivatives is described. The separation is based on the different electrophoretic mobilities observed from changes in the overall charge of the molecule as a result of substitution. Individual peaks of the electropherogram then provide a measure of each degree of substitution of the parent β-cyclodextrin. Detection of these β-cyclodextrin derivatives is performed by indirect UV detection.
Emissions and fuel economy trade-off for hybrid vehicles using fuzzy logic

In this paper, a generalized fuzzy logic controller (FLC) is used to optimize the fuel economy and reduce the emissions of hybrid vehicles with parallel configuration. Using the driver input, the state of charge (SOC) of the energy storage, the motor/generator speed, the current gear ratio and vehicle speed, a set of 44 roles have been developed, in a fuzzy controller, to effectively determine the power split between the electric machine and the internal combustion engine (ICE). The underlying theme of the fuzzy controller is to optimize the fuel flow and reduce NO x emission. The parameters in the fuzzy rules can be adjusted to trade-off the fuel economy and the NO x emission of the vehicle. Simulation results are used to assess the performance of the controller. A forward-looking hybrid vehicle simulation model is used to implement the control strategies. By using fuzzy logic, trade-off between fuel economy and emission improvement has been shown.
150 Phylogenetic Systematics and Phenology of the Hawaiian Endemic Freshwater Red Alga, Batrachospermum Spermatiophorum

The only known population of Batrachospermum spermatiophorum Vis et Sheath, located in a small stream on east Maui, Hawaii, was sampled from November 2001 to October 2002 to investigate its phenology and taxonomy. Phylogenetic analyses of the rbcL gene for B. spermatiophorum confirm its placement within the Section Contorta. Comparison with rbcL gene sequences for all other available Batrachospermum species illustrates that B. spermatiophorum is distinct in its rbcL nucleotide sequence and should be maintained as a separate species. The phenology of B. spermatiophorum differed from similar studies on temperate Batrachospermum species in that gametophytes were present year round, and no “chantransia” stages were identified at any point during the study. Maximum plant length was highest in late fall and early winter months, while gametangial production peaked in February and March. Carposporophyte abundance rose sharply in July and August, and the percent of carposporophytes producing carpospores was highest in late summer and early fall months. The year-round presence of gametophytes may be a result of fewer seasonal cues in the tropical environment than occur in temperate locations.
Interactive approach to reconstruction and visualisation of three-dimensional colour images

The paper describes an interactive approach to first reconstruct and then visualise three-dimensional image models created from a pair of two-dimensional digital colour images. The method integrates an interactive output data manipulation capability of JView, Java based API engineered by US Air Force with newly developed more accurate procedure of recreating texture mapped 3D-models using a stereo triangulation technique. Though several procedures have been proposed in literature on how to generate 3D models by recovering image depth, they are limited in predicting an accurate pixel matching between image correspondences. Furthermore, majority of papers lack depicting reconstructed 3D-image geometry to show how well their techniques have been able to recover scene depth at every pixel. We have employed a region-based block matching methodology for colour image analysis. The reconstructed image models can be viewed and manoeuvered on a computer screen by mouse buttons. This interactive viewing capability is an aid to visualisation process and facilitates algorithm designers to test their codes.
Counseling about Proper Use of Motor Vehicle Occupant Restraints and Avoidance of Alcohol Use while Driving: A Systematic Evidence Review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

BACKGROUND: Motor vehicle-related injuries are the leading cause of death among children, adolescents, and young adults. PURPOSE: To systematically review evidence of the effectiveness of counseling people of any age in primary care settings about occupant restraints or alcohol-related driving to prevent injuries. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Traffic Research Information Service; published systematic evidence reviews; experts; and bibliographies of selected trials. STUDY SELECTION: Randomized, controlled trials (RCTs); controlled clinical trials (CCTs); or comparative observational research studies that evaluated behavioral counseling interventions feasible to conduct in primary care or referral from primary care. DATA EXTRACTION: Investigators abstracted data on study design, setting, patients, interventions, outcomes, and quality-related study details. DATA SYNTHESIS: Trials report that counseling to increase the use of child safety seats leads to increased short-term restraint use (7 CCTs, 6 RCTs). Interventions that included a demonstration of correct use or distribution of a free or reduced-cost child safety seat reported larger effects. Few trials described the effect of counseling children 4 to 8 years of age to use booster seats (1 RCT); counseling older children, adolescents, or adults to use seat belts (1 CCT, 2 RCTs); or counseling unselected primary care patients to reduce alcohol-related driving behaviors (no trials). LIMITATIONS: Most of the relevant trials were published before the widespread enactment of child safety seat legislation and had methodological flaws. CONCLUSIONS: The incremental effect of primary care counseling to increase the correct use of child safety seats in the current regulatory environment is not established. The effectiveness of primary care counseling to reduce alcohol-related driving has not been tested. Studies are needed. Language: en