cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Minimally Invasive Saphenous Vein Harvesting for Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Despite the steadily increasing use of arterial grafts, the greater saphenous vein remains the most commonly used conduit for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Utilized sporadically in the late 1950s and early 1960s, saphenous vein use for coronary artery bypass grafting increased exponentially in the 1970s and 1980s. Patency rates following coronary bypass grafting using saphenous vein have been reported to be 78%, 65%, and 57% at 1, 5, and 10 years respectively [1]. The saphenous vein has been proven versatile, has provided reliable results, and remains central to the conduct of surgical revascularization of the heart. Traditionally, the greater saphenous vein has been harvested via a continuous or near continuous incision on the medial aspect of the lower extremity [2]. This approach is attractive in several ways as it provides excellent exposure, is rapid, does not require specialized equipment, and can be carried out by team members with basic surgical skills such as physician’s assistants and surgical trainees. Unfortunately, complications such as wound infections and seromas are frequently associated with the long incisions required for the open technique. Wound infection rates from 14% to 26% have been reported [3–5] and overall complication rates as high as 43% have been described [6]. Co-morbidities such as obesity, peripheral vascular disease, and diabetes are all associated with increased wound complication rates and are prevalent in this patient population. The high rate of complications associated with lower extremity vein harvest incisions is not unexpected given the debilitated, aging population of patients currently undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery. The highly varied rates of complications reported in studies of saphenous vein harvest may be explained by differing definitions of complications, duration and quality of follow-up, and variations in patient population and surgical technique. Because the majority of complications related to lower extremity harvest incisions develop after hospital discharge, studies without Table 39.1. Complications related to saphenous vein harvest
Replicating Adenovirus-SIV Immunization of Rhesus Macaques Induces Mucosal Dendritic Cell Activation and Function Leading to Rectal Immune Responses.

Inducing strong mucosal immune responses by vaccination is important for providing protection against simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). A replicating adenovirus type 5 host range mutant vector (Ad5hr) expressing SIV proteins induced mucosal immune responses in rectal tissue associated with delayed SIV acquisition in female rhesus macaques, but the initial mechanisms leading to the induced immunity have not been elucidated. As dendritic cells (DCs) are known to orchestrate both innate and adaptive effector immune cell responses, we investigated their role here. Rhesus macaques were immunized twice mucosally with a replicating Ad5hr expressing SIV Env, Gag, and Nef (Ad-SIV) or empty Ad5hr vector (Ad-Empty). DC subsets and their activation were examined in rectal tissue, blood, and LNs at 3 timepoints after each immunization. Plasmacytoid DCs, myeloid DCs, and Langerhans cells were significantly increased in the rectal mucosa, but only myeloid DCs were significantly increased in blood post-immunizations. All rectal DC subsets showed increased frequencies of cells expressing activation markers and cytokines post-immunization, blood DCs showed mixed results, and LN DCs showed few changes. Rectal DCs responded strongly to the vector rather than expressed SIV antigens, but rectal DC frequencies positively correlated with induced rectal antigen-specific memory T and B cells. These correlations were confirmed by in vitro co-cultures showing that rectal Ad-SIV DCs induced proliferation and antigen-specific cytokine production by autologous naive T cells. Our results highlight the rapid response of DCs to Ad immunization and their role in mucosal immune activation and identify initial cellular mechanisms of the replicating Ad-SIV vaccine in the rhesus macaque model.
Measurement of the triplet exciton diffusion length in organic semiconductors

We present a method to measure the exciton diffusion length (LD) of optically dark triplet excitons in organic semiconductor thin films. In order to directly probe only these states, triplets are optically injected into the material of interest via energy transfer from an adjacent phosphorescent thin film. Injected triplets migrate through the full thickness of the material before undergoing energy transfer to a phosphorescent sensitizer. By measuring photoluminescence from the sensitizer as a function of active layer thickness and sensitizer layer concentration, we are able to extract both LD and the transfer rate to the sensitizer. Extraction of the transfer rate is critical, as the assumption of unity quenching can lead to incorrect measurements of LD. We validate the method by measuring the singlet exciton diffusion length in the fluorophores tris-(8-hydroxyquinoline)aluminum (Alq3) and 2,3,6,7-tetrahydro-1,1,7,7,-tetramethyl-1H,5H,11H-10(2-benzothiazolyl)quinolizine-[9,9a,1gh] coumarin (C545T), and comparing them with values extracted from conventional photoluminescence quenching measurements. The triplet LD is subsequently extracted for a series of archetypical fluorescent organic semiconductors with values falling in the range of 15–30 nm. In addition to probing the diffusion of dark triplets, this method also offers the ability to measure the singlet and triplet LD with only a change in injection layer.
The Economics of Lawmaking

Acknowledgements Introduction PART I ? Lawmaking through Legislation: Codified Law Chapter 1. Lawmaking through Legislation: An Introduction Chapter 2. Optimal Specificity of Laws: Rules versus Standards Chapter 3. Optimal Timing of Legal Intervention: Lawmaking under Uncertainty Chapter 4. Optimal Territorial Scope of Laws: Subsidiarity and Legal Harmonization PART II ? Lawmaking through Adjudication: Judge-Made Law Chapter 5. Lawmaking through Adjudication: An Introduction Chapter 6. Litigation and the Evolution of Legal Remedies Chapter 7. Judicial Path-Dependence and Legal Change Chapter 8. Theories of Legal Precedent: Stare Decisis and Jurisprudence Constante PART III ? Lawmaking through Practice: Customary Law Chapter 9. Lawmaking through Practice: An Introduction Chapter 10. Fostering the Emergence of Customary Law Chapter 11. Customary Law and Articulation Theories Chapter 12. Stability and Change in Customary Law PART IV ? Lawmaking through Agreement: Treaty Law Chapter 13. Lawmaking through Agreement: An Introduction Chapter 14. Formation and Accession to Treaties Chapter 15. Ratification and Reservations: The Effects of Reciprocity Chapter 16. The Hidden Bias of Treaty Law Conclusions
Effect of nanotube coupling on exciton transport in polymer-free monochiral semiconducting carbon nanotube networks

Semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (s-SWCNTs) are attractive light-harvesting components for solar photoconversion schemes and architectures, and selective polymer extraction has emerged as a powerful route to obtain highly pure s-SWCNT samples for electronic applications. Here we demonstrate a novel method for producing electronically coupled thin films of near-monochiral s-SWCNTs without wrapping polymer. Detailed steady-state and transient optical studies on such samples provide new insights into the role of the wrapping polymer on controlling intra-bundle nanotube–nanotube interactions and exciton energy transfer within and between bundles. Complete removal of polymer from the networks results in rapid exciton trapping within nanotube bundles, limiting long-range exciton transport. The results suggest that intertube electronic coupling and associated exciton delocalization across multiple tubes can limit diffusive exciton transport. The complex relationship observed here between exciton delocalization, trapping, and long-range transport, helps to inform the design, preparation, and implementation of carbon nanotube networks as active elements for optical and electronic applications.
Herbivorous Crabs Reverse the Seaweed Dilemma on Coral Reefs.

Summary Coral reefs are on a steep trajectory of decline, with natural recovery in many areas unlikely. 1 , 2 , 3 Eutrophication, overfishing, climate change, and disease have fueled the supremacy of seaweeds on reefs, 4 , 5 particularly in the Caribbean, where many reefs have undergone an ecological phase shift so that seaweeds now dominate previously coral-rich reefs. 6 , 7 , 8 Discovery of the powerful grazing capability of the Caribbean’s largest herbivorous crab (Maguimithrax spinosissimus) 9 led us to test the effectiveness of their grazing on seaweed removal and coral reef recovery in two experiments conducted sequentially at separate locations 15 km apart in the Florida Keys (USA). In those experiments, we transplanted crabs onto several patch reefs, leaving others as controls (n = 24 reefs total; each 10−20 m2 in area) and then monitored benthic cover, coral recruitment, and fish community structure on each patch reef for a year. We also compared the effectiveness of crab herbivory to scrubbing reefs by hand to remove algae. Crabs reduced the cover of seaweeds by 50%−80%, resulting in a commensurate 3−5-fold increase in coral recruitment and reef fish community abundance and diversity. Although laborious hand scrubbing of reefs also reduced algal cover, that effect was transitory unless maintained by the addition of herbivorous crabs. With the persistence of Caribbean coral reefs in the balance, our findings demonstrate that large-scale restoration that includes enhancement of invertebrate herbivores can reverse the ecological phase shift on coral reefs away from seaweed dominance.
The relation between measures of explicit shame and borderline personality features in adolescent inpatients.

Abstract Background Shame is a highly negative emotion frequently experienced by individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) as well as those with internalizing or externalizing psychopathology. However, few studies have examined whether shame is related to BPD above and beyond other psychopathology. Further, although feelings of shame peak during adolescence, coinciding with the onset of BPD, very few studies have examined the relationship between shame and BPD in adolescence. Therefore, the current study examined (1) whether levels of shame differ between adolescent psychiatric inpatients with and without BPD and (2) whether borderline personality pathology accounts for additional variance in the experience of shame above and beyond internalizing and externalizing psychopathology. Methods Adolescent psychiatric inpatients (n = 184, 67% female, M age = 15.26) completed clinical interviews and self-report measures as well as self-report measures of three types of explicit shame: state-shame, shame-proneness, and trait-shame. Results T-tests revealed that adolescents with BPD reported significantly higher levels of each type of explicit shame. In hierarchical regression models, borderline personality features explained significant additional variance in shame-proneness and trait-shame while controlling for age, gender, and internalizing and externalizing psychopathology. Limitations Our sample was limited by a lack of demographic diversity and healthy control group, and the study did not examine relations with unique internalizing/externalizing disorders or features of BPD. Conclusions Our findings contribute to growing evidence that shame is an important component of BPD, particularly during adolescence, and suggest that shame should be addressed in treatment.
Gradient-based Simulation Optimization using Approximated Systems

We propose gradient-based simulation optimization algorithms for complicated stochastic systems, for which the exact simulation of the objective function is extremely costly or impossible. For such complicated stochastic systems, a sequence of systems can often be constructed to approximate the original complicated stochastic system, which has finer and finer approximation resolution but higher and higher cost to simulate. With the goal of optimizing the original system, our proposed algorithms strategically and sequentially utilize the approximated systems to construct stochastic gradients and perform gradient search in the decision space. Various gradient construction methods are analyzed and can accommodate different features of the approximated systems such as discontinuity. As a theory support, we prove algorithm convergence, the convergence rate, central limit theorem, and optimal algorithm design under the assumption that the objective function for original system is strong convex, while no such assumptions on the approximated systems are required. Moreover, if the sequence of approximated systems can be constructed in a coupled way, we develop multi-level gradient-based optimization algorithms. We prove theoretically and then show empirically that the additional use of multi-level structure can further improve the convergence rate and computational efficiency of the proposed simulation optimization algorithms.
The Lunch Conference Diet: Fostering Resident Engagement in Culinary Medicine Through a Curriculum Centered on Changes to Provided Conference Food.

Background. Despite the burden of chronic disease attributable to lifestyle, most internal medicine residents do not receive adequate training in nutrition and nutrition counseling. Methods. We hel...
On Being and Belonging: Transnational migration and its bearing on my identity and sense of belonging

Movement of people within or between countries has taken place for millennia. Migration is a common phenomenon, where migrant experiences are known to be vast and varied. Although migration has been studied globally, there is a need to document personal migrant experiences to understand their struggles in order to build inclusive communities. This narrative describes the author’s transnational experiences and struggles in trying to grapple with her identity and sense of belonging.
The effects of feeding rations that differ in neutral detergent fiber and starch within a day on the daily pattern of key rumen microbial populations

Abstract The effect of feeding a single TMR versus multiple rations across the day that differ in concentrations of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and starch on the daily pattern of rumen microbial populations was characterized. Diets included a control total mixed ration (CON; 33.3% NDF), a low-fiber diet (LF; 29.6% NDF), and a high-fiber diet (HF; 34.8% NDF). Nine cannulated Holstein cows were assigned to 1 of 3 treatment sequences in a 3 × 3 Latin square design. Treatments included feeding CON ad libitum at 0900 h, feeding HF at 70% of daily offering at 0900 h and LF at 30% of daily offering at 2200 h (H/L), and feeding LF at 30% of daily offering at 0900 h and HF at 70% of daily offering at 1300 h (L/H). Rumen digesta was collected to represent every 3 h across the day, microbial DNA was extracted, and real-time quantitative PCR was used to determine the relative abundances of total bacteria, total fungi, total protozoa, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, Butyrivibrio hungatei, Fibrobacter succinogenes, Megasphaera elsdenii, Prevotella bryantii, Ruminococcus albus, Selenomonas ruminantium, and Streptococcus bovis. The relative abundances of total bacteria, total ciliated protozoa, F. succinogenes, P. bryantii, R. albus, S. ruminantium, and Strep. bovis were affected by time of day. Additionally, treatment affected the relative abundance of certain microbial groups at specific times of day. Notably, H/L treatment dramatically increased the relative abundances of B. fibrisolvens, B. hungatei, and Strep. bovis at 0900 h, by 2.5-, 5.4-, and 4.4-fold, respectively. Furthermore, the relative abundances of B. hungatei (3.9-fold), M. elsdenii (3.9-fold), R. albus (1.3-fold), S. ruminantium (1.3-fold), and Strep. bovis (4.5-fold) were greatly increased by L/H at 0900 h. At 0600 h, the relative abundance of F. succinogenes was 58% greater in L/H than H/L and the relative abundance of P. bryantii was 49% greater in H/L than L/H. Results suggest that there is a daily pattern of selected microbial populations that is altered by feeding rations that differ in NDF and starch within a day, with the greatest difference occurring before morning feeding.
Cuban Creditors, American Debtors: Spreading Risk Allocation in a Communist State

In 1959, the political landscape of Cuba and the southeast United States changed forever. Fidel Castro's Soviet-backed communist revolutionaries seized control of the island paradise almost overnight in a relatively short-lived insurrection. Many people lost their lives, and many more lost their property, for in a communist state, private property does not exist.1 Not only did the new communist government nationalize tangible property, but Castro's regime also seized notes of debt as well.2 These seizures continue to affect the legal landscape not only of Cuba, but also the United States.
Metastatic Disease to the Breast From Extramammary Malignancies: A Multimodality Pictorial Review

This pictorial review demonstrates imaging features of extramammary malignancies metastatic to the breast seen with multiple modalities, including mammography, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Although rare, metastases to the breast may have a distinct imaging appearance from the appearance of primary breast cancers. They are important to identify because they can mimic benign breast disease and their treatment differs from that of primary breast cancer. Metastatic disease to the breast most commonly appears as a single round or oval mass with circumscribed margins. Sonographically it is usually hypoechoic, and with CT or magnetic resonance imaging it usually enhances. In contrast with primary breast cancer, breast metastases do not demonstrate spiculated margins and rarely have associated calcifications. A variety of clinical presentations of breast metastases are reviewed, including presentation with a palpable mass, detection at screening mammography, and detection with CT or positron emission tomography.
Precardiac mesoderm differentiation in vitro. Actin-isotype synthetic transitions, myofibrillogenesis, initiation of heartbeat, and the possible involvement of collagen.

Abstract The differentiation of precardiac mesoderm into beating heart tissue was examined during explant culture. Explanted tissue forms tubular heart-like vesicles and initiates rhythmic contractility within 18–24 h in vitro, a developmental time-course approximating that observed during in vivo development. Electron-microscopic observations reveal that beating heart cells are rich in cytoplasmic myofibrils in varying degrees of order, with some regions containing highly organized myofibrillar arrays. The analysis of actin-isotype biosynthesis, using metabolic labeling with [35S]-methionine and isoelectric-focusing resolution of the synthesized radioactive polypeptides, demonstrates that the initiation of cardiac α-actin synthesis and the pattern of transition in the synthesis of α-, β-, and γ-actin isotypes is equivalent to the initiation time and pattern observed in vivo. A possible collagen involvement in the differentiation process was investigated by assessing the effects of collagen-synthesis inhibitors on the development of the explant cultures. Two different agents, α,α′-dipyridyl and L-azetidine-2-carboxylic acid, exhibited a dose-dependent ability to inhibit the formation of beating heart tissue. When examined by electron microscopy, the nonbeating tissue exhibited a drastic depression of myofibrillogenesis, but otherwise appeared healthy. Further examination of the effect of L-azetidine-2-carboxylic acid demonstrated that the inhibition of myofibril formation and heartbeat was correlated with a 60% inhibition of native collagen synthesis; however, the time-course and pattern of actinisotype biosynthesis was completely unaffected. The data suggest a possible collagen involvement in heart differentiation that is necessary for either the synthesis of non-actin cardiac contractile proteins or the assembly of cardiac contractile proteins into myofibrils.
Ferritic Weldment of Grain-Refined Ferritic Steels for Cryogenic Service

Previous research in this laboratory led to the development of thermal cycling techniques that establish an extremely fine effective grain size in 12Ni1–4 and 9Ni4, 5 cryogenic steels. In the grain-refined condition these alloys offer a good combination of strength and toughness at 4 K and have possible applications in the structures of cryogenic devices such as high field superconducting magnets. But the structures of these devices are usually welded, and candidate structural alloys must, hence, retain good properties in the welded condition. To weld the grain-refined steels one must overcome the dual problems of brittleness in the weld deposit and brittleness due to grain coarsening in the heat-affected zone (HAZ).
Methods for in situ localization of proteins and DNA in the centromere-kinetochore complex.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the methods used for centromere/kinetochore analysis using scleroderma calcinosis, Raynaud's phenomenon, esophageal dysmotility, sclerodactyly, and telangiectasia (CREST) antiserum. CREST autoantiserum from blood samples of patients admitted to the Comprehensive Arthritis Center at University Hospital, University of Alabama at Birmingham, as well as from arthritis patients of physicians at Baylor College of Medicine were collected. The physicians or their appointees collect blood samples from arm veinipuncture, and the samples are allowed to sit at room temperature (RT) overnight to facilitate clotting. Subsequently, the plasma is removed with a small syringe or carefully decanted into conical tubes for storage at –80°C until use. For in situ staining, cells are maintained in a humidified 37°C incubator with a 5% CO 2 atmosphere and cell cultures are grown in any number of suitable culture media. The main requirement for centromere/kinetochore staining is that the cell monolayers are contiguous, not overgrown or overlapping, and remain reasonably flat. The cultures should be given fresh medium the day prior to harvest and for some experiments, it may be necessary to add a mitotic inhibitor, such as 0.1 μ g/ml Colcemid or 0.1 μ g/ml nocodazole to arrest cells in mitosis.
The Uses of Instantons

In the last two years there have been astonishing developments in quantum field theory. We have obtained control over problems previously believed to be of insuperable difficulty and we have obtained deep and surprising (at least to me) insights into the structure of the leading candidate for the field theory of the strong interactions, quantum chromodynamics. These goodies have come from a family of computational methods that are the subject of these lectures.
The Rhetoric of Democracy and War on Terror: The Case of Pakistan

A brief analysis of US policy toward Pakistan during the last days of General Pervez Musharraf's unconstitutional regime.
Legally White, Socially “Mexican”: The Politics of De Jure and De Facto School Segregation in the American Southwest

The history of Mexican American school segregation is complex, often misunderstood, and currently unresolved. The literature suggests that Mexican Americans experienced de facto segregation because it was local custom and never sanctioned at the state level in the American Southwest. However, the same literature suggests that Mexican Americans experienced de jure segregation because school officials implemented various policies that had the intended effect of segregating Mexican Americans. Ruben Donato and Jarrod S. Hanson argue in this article that although Mexican Americans were legally categorized as “White,” the American public did not recognize the category and treated Mexican Americans as socially “colored” in their schools and communities. Second, although there were no state statutes that sanctioned the segregation of Mexican Americans, it was a widespread trend in the American Southwest. Finally, policies and practices historically implemented by school officials and boards of education should re...
Functional response of Cotesia marginiventris (Cresson) (Hym., Braconidae) to Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lep., Noctuidae) on meridic diet containing resistant or susceptible corn genotypes

The functional response of female Cotesia marginiventris (Cresson) was determined for 5 host densities of fall armyworm at two temperatures. The effect of meridic diets containing a susceptible or resistant corn genotype on functional response was also evaluated. C. marginiventris females exhibited a Type-II functional response at both temperatures. There was no significant (P > 0.05) difference in rates of parasitism between fall armyworm reared on meridic diet containing a resistant corn genotype versus those reared on diet containing a susceptible genotype. Zusammenfassung Zur funktionellen Reaktion des Parasitoiden Cotesia marginiventris (Cresson) (Hym., Braconidae) gegenuber verschiedener Dichte der Raupen von Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lep., Noctuidae) bei Aufzucht der Raupen mit einer einen Spodoptera-resistenten oder empfindlichen Getreidegenotyp enthaltenden Nahrung Untersucht wurde die funktionelle Reaktion der weiblichen Schlupfwespen von Cotesia marginiventris gegenuber 5 verschiedenen Dichten von Spodoptera frugiperda-Raupen und 2 Temperaturstufen bei Aufzucht an einer Nahrung, die einen S. frugiperda-anfalligen oder resistenten Korn-Genotyp enthielt. Die Schlupfwespen-Weibchen zeigten eine Typ II-funktionelle Reaktion bei beiden Temperaturen. Es bestand kein signifikanter Unterschied der Parasitierungsraten zwischen S. frugiperda-Raupen, die an Resistenz- oder Anfalligkeits-Getreide enthaltender Nahrung aufgezogen worden waren.
Classification of moving targets by a distributed sensor network

We present a procedure for classification of targets by a network of distributed radar sensors deployed to detect, locate and track moving targets. Estimated sensor positions and selected positions of a target under track are used to obtain the target aspect angle as seen by the sensors. This data is used to create a multi-angle profile of the target. Stored target templates are then matched in the least mean square sense with the target profile. These templates were generated from radar return signals collected from selected targets on a turntable. Probabilities of correct classification obtained by a simulation of the classification procedure are given as functions of signal-to-noise ratios and errors in estimates of target and sensor locations.
Best Practice Strategies for Effective Use of Questions as a Teaching Tool

Questions have long been used as a teaching tool by teachers and preceptors to assess students' knowledge, promote comprehension, and stimulate critical thinking. Well-crafted questions lead to new insights, generate discussion, and promote the comprehensive exploration of subject matter. Poorly constructed questions can stifle learning by creating confusion, intimidating students, and limiting creative thinking. Teachers most often ask lower-order, convergent questions that rely on students' factual recall of prior knowledge rather than asking higher-order, divergent questions that promote deep thinking, requiring students to analyze and evaluate concepts. This review summarizes the taxonomy of questions, provides strategies for formulating effective questions, and explores practical considerations to enhance student engagement and promote critical thinking. These concepts can be applied in the classroom and in experiential learning environments.
A SELF-OSCILLATING INVERTER USING A SATURABLE 2-CORE TRANSFORMER TO TURN OFF SILICON-CONTROLLED RECTIFIERS

Discussion of the use of a saturable two-core transforme in the turning off the silicon- controlled rectifiers in a parallel inverter
Purification and properties of an acid phosphomonoesterase from Neurospora crassa

Abstract An acid phosphomonoesterase was purified 1400-fold from mycelium of Neurospora crassa with a 40% recovery. The enzyme had a pH maximum of 5.6 with β-glycerol phosphate or glucosamine 6-phosphate as substrates, and cation or cofactor requirements could not be demonstrated. The substrate specificity of the enzyme was studied, using 46 compounds, α-glycerol phosphate being hydrolyzed most rapidly. When a free amino group and a phosphomonoester group were attached to adjacent carbon atoms, the compound either would not serve as a substrate or was slowly hydrolyzed. Deoxyguanosine 5′-phosphate and thymidine 5′-phosphate were not hydrolyzed although all other nucleoside monophosphates tested were able to serve as substrates. Fluoride and (+)tartrate were competitive inhibitors for the hydrolysis of β-glycerol phosphate, while concentrations of thyroxine that completely inhibited the hydrolysis of acetyl phosphate did not affect the hydrolysis of β-glycerol phosphate or p -nitrophenyl phosphate. No evidence was obtained for the presence of more than one phosphomonoesterase in the purified enzyme preparation. These properties distinguish this enzyme from previously described microbial phosphomonoesterases. The possibility of this acid phosphomonoesterase participating in metabolic control systems in N. crassa was discussed.
Probabilistic control for the Active Mass Driver benchmark structural model

A probability-based robust control design methodology is presented that is applied to the ‘benchmark system’, which is a high-fidelity model of an active-mass-driver laboratory structure. For the controller design, the objective is to maximize the probability that the uncertain structure/controller system achieves satisfactory performance when subject to uncertain excitation. The controller's robust performance is computed for a set of possible models by weighting the conditional performance probability for a particular model with the probability of that model, then integrating over the set of possible models. This is accomplished in an efficient manner using an asymptotic approximation. The probable performance is then maximized over the class of constant-gain acceleration-feedback controllers to find the optimal controller. This control design method is applied to a reduced-order model of the benchmark system to obtain four controllers, two that are designed on the basis of a ‘nominal’ system model and two ‘robust’ ones that consider model uncertainty. The performance is evaluated for the closed-loop systems that are subject to various excitations. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Formic Acid Activation in Plants. I. Purification, Properties and Distribution of Formyltetrahydrofolate Synthetase.

Tetrahydrofolic acid derivatives have been found to be the active cofactors in a number of reactions which involve 1-carbon moieties (9). The participation of tetrahydrofolate enzyme systems in purine and histidine biosynthesis has been well established (9). N10-forrmyltetrahydrofolate apparently functions in purine synthesis by serving as a 1-carbon donor (2,9). The synthesis of N10-formyltetrahydrofolate is carried out by the enzyme formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase which catalyzes the following reaction: Formate + ATP + tetrahydrofolate = N10-formyltetrahydrofolate + ADP + Pi The enzyme was first demonstrated by Greenberg et al. (4) in pigeon liver homogenates. It has been purified from acetone powders of pigeon liver (5), from human erythrocytes (1), from Micrococcus aerogenes (12), and from Clostridium cylindrosporurn (10). The enzyme has been isolated in crystalline form from the 'latter organism. Existence of the enzyme in tissues of higher plants has not been reported. This paper describes the purification and properties of the enzyme from tissues of higher plants. Studies of the activation of formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase by potassium and mangnesium are reporited in the following paper (6).
Modeling the spread of fault in majority-based network systems: Dynamic monopolies in triangular grids

In a graph theoretical model of the spread of fault in distributed computing and communication networks, each element in the network is represented by a vertex of a graph where edges connect pairs of communicating elements, and each colored vertex corresponds to a faulty element at discrete time periods. Majority-based systems have been used to model the spread of fault to a certain vertex by checking for faults within a majority of its neighbors. Our focus is on irreversible majority processes wherein a vertex becomes permanently colored in a certain time period if at least half of its neighbors were in the colored state in the previous time period. We study such processes on planar, cylindrical, and toroidal triangular grid graphs. More specifically, we provide bounds for the minimum number of vertices in a dynamic monopoly defined as a set of vertices that, if initially colored, will result in the entire graph becoming colored in a finite number of time periods.
Genotyping of hepatitis C virus by sequence analysis of the amplicon from the Roche Cobas AmpliPrep/Cobas TaqMan viral load assay.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV), a positive single-stranded RNA virus, is one of the major causes of end-stage liver disease worldwide ([5][1]). The nucleotide sequence of the HCV genome is an important predictor of response to antiviral therapy ([6][2]). Genotypic analysis is used together with measurement
Cotton fiber: a powerful single-cell model for cell wall and cellulose research.

Cotton fibers are single-celled extensions of the seed epidermis. They can be isolated in pure form as they undergo staged differentiation including primary cell wall synthesis during elongation and nearly pure cellulose synthesis during secondary wall thickening. This combination of features supports clear interpretation of data about cell walls and cellulose synthesis in the context of high throughput modern experimental technologies. Prior contributions of cotton fiber to building fundamental knowledge about cell walls will be summarized and the dynamic changes in cell wall polymers throughout cotton fiber differentiation will be described. Recent successes in using stable cotton transformation to alter cotton fiber cell wall properties as well as cotton fiber quality will be discussed. Future prospects to perform experiments more rapidly through altering cotton fiber wall properties via virus induced gene silencing will be evaluated.
Evidence for prejunctional inhibition of norepinephrine release by captopril in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Abstract Pretreatment of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) with the converting enzyme inhibitor captoril (10 or 100 mg/kg p.o.) had no effect on pressor responses to angiotensin II or norepinephrine whereas the response to angiotensin I was markedly inhibited. In contrast, pressor responses to symphathetic stimulation in pitched SHR were inhibited by captoril whereas the positive chronotropic responses to stimulation were unaltered. These results suggest that captoril causes a prejunctional inhibition of norepinephrine release to sympathetic nerve stimulation which is selective for the vasculature. This is probably due to inhibition of angiotensin II formation in the vasculature.
Transposition and amplification of oncogene-related sequences in human neuroblastomas

We have cloned a 2.0-kb EcoRI fragment of human genomic DNA (NB-19-21) which has homology to the v-myc oncogene but is distinct from the classical c-myc gene. This sequence is amplified from 25- to 700-fold in eight of nine tested human neuroblastoma cell lines which contain either homogeneously staining regions or double minutes (HSRs or DMs), the caryological manifestations of amplified genes. In the remaining line, the c-myc proto-oncogene is amplified approximately 30-fold. NB-19-21 hybridizes to a 3.2-kb cytoplasmic, poly(A)+ RNA species that is abundant only in lines in which the sequence is amplified. We propose that the gene encoding the NB-19-21-related RNA species may represent a new oncogene, which we call N-myc. NB-19-21 derives from chromosome 2; but in the five HSR-containing lines that have amplified this sequence, none has HSRs on chromosome 2. NB-19-21 is associated with DMs in a DM-containing line. A second, randomly cloned, amplified DNA segment from the HSR of one of the neuroblastoma lines is amplified in a subset of the lines in which NB-19-21 is amplified. In addition, this probe identifies a novel joint in the amplification unit of one line relative to that of the others. We suggest that, in the eight lines which have amplified NB-19-21, the amplification units are overlapping, but not identical, and that transposition of the common sequences may occur prior to amplification.
Alcoholism screening in patients with advanced cancer: impact on symptom burden and opioid use.

Abstract Purpose: Alcoholism is a devastating disease that can cause patient and family suffering and is frequently underdiagnosed. Preliminary studies suggest that it is associated with increased symptom expression and opioid dose escalation. The CAGE questionnaire is a widely used tool for alcoholism screening. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency and characteristics of patients who screen positive for alcoholism in a palliative care outpatient clinic (PCOC). Methods: We reviewed 665 consecutive charts of patients referred to the PCOC and collected data regarding age, gender, and type of cancer. For the first 100 consecutive CAGE positive (CAGE+) and 100 consecutive CAGE negative (CAGE−) patients, time from advanced cancer diagnosis (AC) to PCOC was calculated, and symptoms (Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale, ESAS) and Morphine Equivalent Daily Dose (MEDD) were collected. Results: CAGE was available for 598 of 665 (90%) patients. Of 598 patients, 100 (17%) were CAGE+. CAGE+ patients ...
Catalase: An enzymatic indicator of the degree of muscle wasting

Abstract Catatlase activity was measured in the gastrocnemius of starved rats and chicken anterior and posterior latissimus dorsi muscles under a variety of experimentally induced muscle disorders. Specific activity of catalase increased linearly with duration of starvation in rat gastrocnemius whereas that of the lysosomal enzymes, cathepsin D, acid phosphatase, aryl sulfatase, ribonuclease, and β-glucuronidase, did not. Increases in catalase activity were observed in starved and in denervated posterior but not anterior latissimus dorsi muscles. These observations parallel the reported preferential wasting of white muscle in postdenervation and starved states. In contrast, anterior latissimus dorsi had a higher catalase activity following a vacuolar myopathy, as induced by chloroquine treatment. The data in this report suggest that the specific activity of catalase in muscle homogenates may be a valid indicator of the presence of skeletal muscle wasting.
Allograft-Induced Proliferation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells: Potential Targets for Treating Transplant Vasculopathy

Despite advances in immunosuppressive drugs, coronary artery transplant vasculopathy (CATV) is the major cause of graft failure that limits long-term survival of cardiac transplantation. The pathogenesis of CATV involves a chronic immune response of the recipient to the donor vasculature in which activated recipient immune cells damage the endothelium and produce cytokines, resulting in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) activation. Activated VSMC migrate from the media into the lumen, proliferate, and elaborate cytokines and matrix proteins, resulting in loss of lumen diameter and vascular contractility. Because of its extensive nature, interventions which are successful in patients with conventional coronary artery disease are often not applicable to the majority of patients with CATV. Although intended for immune suppression, many immunosuppressive agents owe at least part of their efficacy to their anti proliferative effects on VSMC, including rapamycin, mycophenolic acid, cyclosporin, calcium channel blockers, and HMG CoA reductase inhibitors. Because activation of VSMC is responsible for most of the obliterative arterial intimal thickening present in solid organ allografts, the induction of expression of a selected set of genes may reflect the status of acceptance of the vasculature by the recipient, and the activation, migration, and proliferation of VSMC represent potential points for therapeutic intervention. The risk of infection and malignancy associated with immunosuppressive therapy further promote the need to identify a molecular target which directly modulates the VSMC response to injury. This review will summarize the anti proliferative effects that immunosuppressive drugs have on VSMC proliferation. We will also describe efforts to define the genes which regulate the vascular response to allograft injury, and describe how some of these proteins may represent targets to reduce VSMC proliferation and attenuate CATV.
Integrated cavity optomechanical sensors for atomic force microscopy

We present the development of cavity optomechanical sensors that integrate nanoscale cantilevers for mechanical transduction with optical resonators used for motional readout. The cantilever stiffness was varied over 4 orders of magnitude (from ≈0.01 N/m to ≈290 N/m) by simply modifications to the device geometry. The observed displacement sensitivity (fm/(Hz)⁁(1/2)), near-field readout scheme, and integrated nature suggest that the sensors are promising for use in stable, high-bandwidth AFM applications.
What's the Problem in Public Sector Workforce Recruitment? A Multi-Sector Comparative Analysis of Managerial Perceptions

Abstract Public sector workforce recruitment is problematic, but the nature of that problem is not clearly defined. Workforce recruitment is essentially a matching problem that requires managers to recruit desired employees in available labor pools. This research asks whether sectoral differences and competition for labor affect whether public managers frame the major problem of workforce recruitment as the size, qualifications, or work ethic of the labor pool. Using survey data from about 2,300 managers from two US states, problem attributions are modeled using multinomial logit. The findings suggest that the public and nonprofit sectors find it more problematic to recruit qualified employees than the private sector, but public and nonprofit agencies hold a comparative advantage over the private sector in recruiting employees with sufficient work ethic. Therefore, public and nonprofit managers should emphasize retention and training to leverage their comparative advantage in recruiting employees with wor...
STRONGLY BOUNDED REPRESENTING MEASURES AND CONVERGENCE THEOREMS

Let K be a compact Hausdorff space, X a Banach space and C(K, X) the Banach space of all continuous functions f: K → X endowed with the supremum norm. In this paper we study weakly precompact operators defined on C(K, X).
Characteristics of the Shuttle Orbiter Leeside Flow During a Reentry Condition

A study of the leeside flow characteristics of the Shuttle Orbiter is presented for a reentry flight condition. The flow is computed using a point-implicit, finite-volume scheme known as the Langley Aerothermodynamic Upwind Relaxation Algorithm (LAURA). LAURA is a second-order accurate, laminar Navier-Stokes solver, incorporating finite-rate chemistry with a radiative equilibrium wall temperature distribution and finite-rate wall catalysis. The resulting computational solution is analyzed in terms of salient flow features and the surface quantities are compared with flight data.
Scanning nano-Raman spectroscopy of semiconducting structures

Tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) using side illumination is a promising spectroscopic tool for nanoscale characterization of chemical composition, structure, stresses and conformational states of non-transparent samples. Recent progress has shown signal enhancements for a variety of samples, including break-through enhancements of semiconductors. In this work, optimization of the polarization geometry increases contrast between near-field and far-field signals on Si and improves imaging quality. Two-dimensional images of semiconductor nanostructures show reasonable agreement between topographical and TERS images. These recent TERS results using both silver- and gold-coated tips demonstrate localization of the Raman enhancement to within approximately 20 nm of the tip. Also, the enhanced Raman signal of a strained Si layer is separated from an underlying Si substrate, which is encouraging for potential strain distribution analysis of silicon nanostructures.
Structural characterization of dehydrated gallium zeolite L

Abstract The structure of the dehydrated gallium analog of zeolite L, K 9 Ga 9 Si 27 O 72 has been determined by full profile analysis of powder neutron diffraction data. The gallium partitioning between the two T-sites (T = Tetrahedral species, Si, Al, or Ga) is random. The individual O-T-O angles show small but consistent deviations from the ideal tetrahedral value. The mean T4OT and T6OT angles are nearly identical in both the present and previously studied LTL-framework structures, enabling assignment of the 29 Si nmr spectra. The observed cation configuration is similar to that described previously for the hydrated (Na,K) aluminum zeolite L which, therefore, suggests that little change in cation distribution accompanies dehydration.
Broadcast trivial file transfer protocol

This paper describes the design, implementation, and evaluation of a broadcast trivial file transfer (BTFTP) protocol, which can be used as an efficient data transport protocol for networks that inherently support hardware broadcasting, such as Ethernet, wireless LANs, and cable TV networks. We show that BTFTP out-performs FTP on an Ethernet environment when there are more than two clients, and the performance difference increases as the number of clients increases.
The synthesis of alkyl substituted 2-pyrazolines by the reaction of acids with hydrazine derivatives

A convenient synthesis of alkyl substituted 2-pyrazolines (III) has been developed from the reaction of acids with hydrazones (I) and azines (IV). An alkylidenebis-1-methyl-2-alkylidene-hydrazine (V) was isolated as an intermediate, in the preparation of 5-isopropyl-1,4,4- trimethyl-2-pyrazoline (IIId), and protonated vinylhydrazones (II) are proposed as common intermediates in the formation of III, IV and V. The 4,5-dialkyl-2-pyrazolines (IIIk-m) that were prepared were shown to be free of isomers by nmr. The thermal isomerization of IIIk-m to 3,4-dialkyl-2-pyrazolines (IIIn-o) was found to be incomplete at the temperatures studied. The reaction of IIIn-o with acetone afforded 3,4-dialkyl-1-[2-(2-methyl-4-oxopentyl)]-2-pyrazolines (IIIp-q). The nmr and mass spectral data of III are discussed.
A model of trabecular bone and an application to osteoporosis

Abstract Large bones consists of an outer compact shaft and an inner porous segment, known as the trabecular architecture (TA). The TA is the principal load carrier in bones from older adults, and the aim of therapeutic interventions is to preserve their strength. It is argued that forms for broad-based diagnostic tools for osteoporosis can be identified through an analysis of simple model systems. A model based on elastic networks is introduced, and shows that weak networks can only utilize a small fraction of themselves for stress transmission. This observation is used to argue that the ratio of linear response of a network to DC and AC strain can be used as a surrogate for bone strength. We discuss the possibility of using this measure to identify osteoporotic bone and to monitor the efficacy of therapy.
The onset of slugging in horizontal stratified air-water flow

Abstract A simple criterion for the transition from stratified flow to the slug or plug flow regime in horizontal rectangular ducts is presented. A theoretical model is developed and shown to be consistent with data obtained by blowing air over stationary water in channels with a wide range of geometrical parameters. Some data for cocurrent and countercurrent flow are also correlated successfully.