cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Short- And Long-Term Outcomes of Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty/Stenting of Renal Fibromuscular Dysplasia Over a Ten-Year Period

Objectives The purpose of this study was to evaluate short and long-term outcomes of percutaneous transluminal intervention in patients with symptomatic renal artery stenosis due to fibromuscular dysplasia (RAFMD) and/or the combination of RAFMD with aorto-ostial atherosclerotic disease. Methods A retrospective analysis of all patients with renal artery RAFMD who underwent transcatheter therapy between January 1999 and December 2009 was performed. Blood pressure (BP) measurement, number of BP medications, and hypertension defined by a systolic BP >140 ± diastolic BP >90 were recorded. Renal function was defined by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Restenosis was defined by stenosis >60% and was determined by renal artery duplex and/or angiography. Freedom from event (restenosis, renal failure, or recurrent hypertension) was performed using life table analysis. Results Forty-three procedures were performed on 35 patients with RAFMD. Thirty-two patients (91%) were women, with mean age of 61.9 years old. Technical success was 100% with adjunctive stent placement required in the FMD segment for dissection in 1 patient (2.3%) and in the non-FMD aorto-ostial atherosclerotic lesion in 4 patients (9.3%). Short-term outcomes: the majority (69%) had an immediate clinical benefit for hypertension, 6% were cured without BP medications, and 63% improved with less than or equal to preoperative BP medications. Postintervention, 17% remained at moderately reduced renal function ( 60 mL/minute eGFR increased significantly (from 51% to 69%; P = .002). For the entire cohort, renal function (mean eGFR) significantly increased from 71.9 mL/minute + 5.8 to 80.8 mL/minute + 5.2 (P = .007). Long-term outcomes: freedom from recurrent or worsening hypertension (>140 systolic blood pressure [SBP] and >90 diastolic blood pressure [DBP]) was (93%, 75%, and 41%) and freedom from reduced renal function (eGFR Conclusion Renal angioplasty is a safe and durable modality for treating RAFMD with favorable short and long-term clinical outcomes. Patients with combined atherosclerotic disease and FMD were older and were more likely to have declining renal function over time. Early intervention may be imperative to achieve possible cure of hypertension.
Synthesis, characterization and processing of cubic iron pyrite nanocrystals in a photovoltaic cell

Abstract Cubic iron pyrite (fool's gold) nanocrystals with an average diameter of ∼60 nm were grown in an oleylamine ligand which acts as a solvent and surfactant without the utilization of alkyl phosphine and phosphonic acids at 230 °C in a Schlenk flask. For the first time photoluminescence properties of such cubic nanocrystals were analyzed at 77 K, showing band gaps of 1.71 eV. However, UV–Vis spectra shows a band gap of 1.41 eV for the same nanocrystals, close to the direct band gap (1.38 eV) of reported pyrite materials. The discrepancy of 0.3 eV in absorption (UV–Vis) and emission spectra (PL) are attributed to the phonon coupling (stokes shift). The prepared cubic nanocrystals were well suited for an inexpensive thin film solar cells and further processed and spin casted with a synthesized CdSe quantum dots in chloroform solvent as a bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) solar cell in order to get photovoltaic responses in real devices. We successfully report here an efficiency of 0.5% with the JSC of 3.7 mA/cm−2 and VOC of 0.16 mV with a cell structure of ITO/PEDOT:PSS/FeS2:CdSe/Au. The morphology and optoelectronic properties are elucidated by SEM, TEM, TEM-EDS, XRD, micro-Raman spectra, IV curve and micro-PL techniques.
Outsourcing relationship literature: an examination and implications for future research

Dibbern et al. [4] performed a comprehensive survey of the existing outsourcing literature from 1988 to 2000. Their research identified research topics in IT outsourcing that had yet to be explored or exhausted. The customer and vendor relationship was identified as an area that presented researchers with an opportunity to expand the outsourcing research that had already been created.This paper extends Dibbern et al.'s [4] research by examining the existing outsourcing relationship literature and identifies areas of opportunity for study.
Energetics and space use: intraspecific and interspecific comparisons of movements and home ranges of two Colubrid snakes.

Summary 1. Energy requirements explain substantial variation in movement and home range size among birds and mammals. This study assesses whether the same is true of snakes by comparing ratsnakes (Elaphe obsoleta) and racers (Coluber constrictor), ecologically similar species whose energy requirements appear to differ substantially (racers > ratsnakes). 2. Over 4 years 22 Elaphe and 16 Coluber were radio-tracked at the same site in Illinois to examine how movement and home ranges varied by sex and season. 3. Coluber moved more often and further per move than Elaphe, resulting in their estimated mean day range being almost four times larger than that of Elaphe (88-0 m day"1 vs. 23-1 m day"1). 4. Both male and female Elaphe moved more frequently early in the season consistent with mate searching, but mean distances moved did not differ seasonally or by sex. Both sexes of Coluber moved more later in the season and overall males moved further than females. 5. Interspecifically, patterns were consistent with the energetics hypothesis - Coluber had mean home ranges approximately four times larger than those of Elaphe. 6. Intraspecifically, increased movement did not always produce larger home ranges. Male Elaphe had larger home ranges than females despite not moving further, whereas male Coluber had comparable home ranges to females despite moving further. Also, Elaphe home ranges in Illinois were substantially smaller than has been documented in Ontario, despite Ontario Elaphe moving less. 7. Our results generally support the energetics hypothesis, but indicate that knowledge of ecology and
TRICEPS SKINFOLDS (TSF) RELATED TO BIRTH WEIGHT IN CAUCASIAN ADOLESCENT TERM DELIVERIES. 31

TRICEPS SKINFOLDS (TSF) RELATED TO BIRTH WEIGHT IN CAUCASIAN ADOLESCENT TERM DELIVERIES. 31
Data-quality enhancement techniques in layer-based geographic information systems

Abstract This study deals with the general issue of data quality in geographic information systems (GIS). The specific focus is the propagation of source data errors through GIS data-transformation functions. The objective of the study is to describe quality enhancement (QE) tools that can be used to improve the quality of derived data products. These tools allow users to explore the error characteristics of their databases, devise optimal strategies for improving the accuracy of derived data, and enhance the reliability of information used for decision-making purposes.
Characteristic roots and vectors of a diifferentiable family of symmetric matrices

LetA(x) be a differentiable family of k × k symmetric matrices where x runs through a domain D in R nWe prove that if λ is a continuous function onDsuch that, for every x ϵD,λ(x) is a characteristic root of A(x) of constant multiplicity m, then λ is a differentiable function and there exists, locally, a differentiable family of ortho-normal bases for the eigenspace. The case n = 1 has been known in the standard treatises on the perturbation theory for linear operators.
Comparison of ultraviolet femtosecond and nanosecond laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analysis in glass, monazite, and zircon

We compared the analytical performance of ultraviolet femtosecond and nanosecond laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS). The benefit of ultrafast lasers was evaluated regarding thermal-induced chemical fractionation, that is otherwise well known to limit LA-ICPMS. Both lasers had a Gaussian beam energy profile and were tested using the same ablation system and ICPMS analyzer. Resulting crater morphologies and analytical signals showed more straightforward femtosecond laser ablation processes, with minimal thermal effects. Despite a less stable energy output, the ultrafast laser yielded elemental (Pb/U, Pb/Th) and Pb isotopic ratios that were more precise, repeatable, and accurate, even when compared to the best analytical conditions for the nanosecond laser. Measurements on NIST glasses, monazites, and zircon also showed that femtosecond LA-ICPMS calibration was less matrix-matched dependent and therefore more versatile.
Networking in the Mid‐1990s

Examines the use of interorganizational networking as a way for traditionally bureaucratic organizations to become more innovative. Cites examples of networking from manufacturing and the service sector to illustrate the adaptability and flexibility of this form of organization. Examines the pros and cons, thus revealing that networking is a viable option for contemporary organizations, forced by increased competition, changing market conditions, and rapid technological advances, to restructure in an attempt to meet the challenges posed by a rapidly changing external environment. Recognizes the importance of thinking about organizing from an open systems perspective. Concludes that networking is appropriate for a variety of organizations and may be modified to meet individual circumstances. Networking can be achieved locally, nationally, or internationally. Networking also can serve as a transitional stage to help organizations to become leaner, more innovative and responsive in order to meet today′s orga...
Biosensor for Arsenite Using Arsenite Oxidase and Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Modified Electrodes

A biosensor for arsenite has been developed using molybdenum-containing arsenite oxidase, prepared from the chemolithoautotroph NT-26 that oxidizes arsenite to arsenate. The enzyme was galvanostatically deposited for 10 min at 10 μA onto the active surface of a multiwalled carbon nanotube modified glassy carbon electrode. The resulting biosensor enabled direct electron transfer, i.e., effecting reduction and then reoxidization of the enzyme without an artificial electron-transfer mediator. Arsenite was detected within 10 s at an applied potential of 0.3 V with linearity up to 500 ppb and a detection limit of 1 ppb. The biosensor exhibited excellent reproducibility, 2% at 95% confidence interval for 12 repeated analyses of 25 ppb arsenite. Copper, a severe interfering species commonly found in groundwater, did not interfere, and the biosensor was applicable for repeated analysis of spiked arsenite in tap water, river water, and a commercial mineral water.
Advanced Reservoir Management For Independent Oil And Gas Producers

There are more than fifty-two hundred oil and gas producers operating in the United States today. Many of these companies have instituted improved oil recovery programs in some form, but very few have had access to state-of-the-art modeling technologies routinely used by major producers to manage these projects. Since independent operators are playing an increasingly important role in the production of hydrocarbons in the United States, it is important to promote state-of-the-art management practices, including the planning and monitoring of improved oil recovery projects, within this community. This is one of the goals of the Strategic Technologies Council, a special interest group of independent oil and gas producers. Reservoir management technologies have the potential to increase oil recovery while simultaneously reducing production costs. These technologies were pioneered by major producers and are routinely used by them. Independent producers confront two problems adopting this approach: the high cost of acquiring these technologies and the high cost of using them even if they were available. Effective use of reservoir management tools requires, in general, the services of a professional (geoscientist or engineer) who is already familiar with the details of setting up, running, and interpreting computer models.
Reproduction of Penaeus kerathurus using eyestalk ablation

Abstract In a preliminary experiment on the induction of sexual maturity in Penaeus kerathurus by unilateral eyestalk ablation, spawning was obtained in 94% of the females treated. The time necessary to reach the spawning stage appeared to be closely related to the stage of natural physiological development of the gonads and the length of the photoperiod, the period between ablation and spawning decreasing from 69 days for females treated in November to about 10 days for females treated at the beginning of their natural reproductive period in May/June. Spawning after treatment was repeated up to eight times, sometimes at intervals of less than 10 days, without showing a decrease in the amount of fertile spawn. The mean number of fertile eggs per spawn was 78.400, which is not significantly different from the corresponding mean obtained previously after thermal stimulation of almost mature breeders; the hatching percentage, 67%, was also similar. Often only the anterior and median lobes of the ovaries are included in the spawning process. The discharged spawn is nearly always completely free of matrix material. It is anticipated that induction by eyestalk ablation could allow a considerable extension of the growing season and of the area suitable for culture.
Regulation of mucous differentiation and mucin gene expression in the tracheobronchial epithelium.

Abstract The goal of our studies is to elucidate mechanisms that control and modulate mucous differentiation and mucin gene expression in the conducting airways. We used cultures of normal human tracheobronchial epithelial (NHTBE) cells that were shown to secrete two major airway mucins, namely MUC5AC and MUC5B as well as several other secretory products. Mucous differentiation and expression of MUC2, MUC5AC, MUC5B and MUC7, but not MUCi, MUC4, and MUC8 mucin genes, were shown to be retinoic acid- (RA) or retinol-dependent. We found that RA control of mucin genes was mediated by the retinoid acid receptors RAR α and, to a lesser extent, by RAR γ. Our studies also showed that other important bioregulators such as thyroid hormone (T 3 ) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) modulate basal expression of mucin genes, interacting with RA in a concentration-dependent manner. T 3 , which binds to thyroid receptors (TRs) belonging to the same superfamily of steroid hormone nuclear receptors as the RARs, inhibits mucin gene expression, particularly MUC5AC. One possible mechanism of this T 3 effect is downregulation of RAR proteins, which are critical for mucin gene expression. However, we also found that T 3 inhibits MUC5AC transcription. EGF, which had previously been shown to stimulate mucin expression and mucin secretion in cultured rat tracheal epithelial (RTE) cells, inhibited mucin secretion in human bronchial epithelial cell cultures. This effect was EGF concentration- and time-dependent and was progressively abolished by increasing the RA concentration. Subsequent studies suggested that the inhibitory effects of high concentrations of EGF may result from selective reduction of MUC5AC expression. These studies thus point to potentially important species differences in the mechanisms regulating mucous production, and they also confirm previous findings indicating differential regulation of MUC5AC and MUC5B gene expression.
A micromechanical parametric oscillator for frequency division and phase noise reduction

A capacitive-gap transduced micromechanical resonator array has demonstrated a frst on-chip MEMS-based frequency divider with 61-MHz output generated from a 121-MHz electrical drive through use of a parametric oscillation effect that provides not only the 6 dB reduction in close-to-carrier phase noise expected for a frequency divide-by-two function, but also a remarkable 23 dB reduction in far-from-carrier noise provided by fltering with an extremely high mechanical Q of 91,500. Unlike conventional frequency dividers (i.e., prescalers), the parametric oscillator dispenses with active devices and their associated noise, and operates with close to zero power consumption, limited in principle only by the power required to overcome MEMS resonator loss, estimated here at 100 nW. With an output voltage swing of 450 mVpp generated from only 445 mVpp of input swing on a differential version of this MEMS divider, cascaded chains of fully passive dividers are possible, as needed for use in real-world phase-locked loops and frequency synthesizers.
The early Mesozoic Birdsboro central Atlantic margin basin in the Mid-Atlantic region, eastern United States: Discussion

[Faill (2003)][1] provides an important contribution to our understanding of the geology and evolution of the Triassic-Jurassic basins of the central Atlantic margin that formed during the breakup of Pangea (e.g., [Olsen, 1997][2]). In particular, Faill draws attention to the importance of fluvial
The use of finite element methods for determining the cross-sectional temperature distribution in heat pipes

A model that is currently used to predict the priming and performance limitations of a monogroove heat pipe is expanded to include the boiling limitation and the cross-sectional temperature distribution as determined from a multidimensional finite element analysis technique. The improved model is verified experimentally and shown to accurately predict the cross-sectional temperature distribution when the heat flux distribution is known. The model provides a way to estimate the level at which nucleate boiling and the associated dryout of the capillary wick occurs.
Hydrogen combustion under diesel engine conditions

Abstract The autoignition and combustion of hydrogen were investigated in a constant-volume combustion vessel under simulated direct-injection (DI) diesel engine conditions. The parameters varied in the investigation included: the injection pressure and temperature, the orifice diameter, and the ambient gas pressure, temperature and composition. The results show that the ignition delay of hydrogen under DI diesel conditions has a strong, Arrhenius dependence on temperature; however, the dependence on the other parameters examined is small. For gas densities typical of top-dead-center (TDC) in diesel engines, ignition delays of less than 1.0 ms were obtained for gas temperatures greater than 1120 K with oxygen concentrations as low as 5% (by volume). These data confirm that compression ignition of hydrogen is possible in a diesel engine at reasonable TDC conditions. In addition, the results show that DI hydrogen combustion rates are insensitive to reduced oxygen concentrations. The insensitivity of ignition delay and combustion rate to reduced oxygen concentration is significant because it offers the potential for a dramatic reduction in the emission of nitric oxides from a compression-ignited DI hydrogen engine through use of exhaust-gas-recirculation.
Retardation of peripheral nerve myelination in mice treated with inhibitors of cholesterol biosynthesis. A quantitative electron microscopic study.

The effect of two inhibitors of cholesterol biosynthesis, triparanol and AY 9944, on peripheral nerve myelination, was studied. Suckling mice were intraperitoneally injected with both drugs on 3 consecutive days and were sacrificed 6 hr after the last injection; others were suckled by an injected mother and sacrificed at 2½ days of age. A single mouse which had been injected with both drugs at 1, 2, and 3 days of age was sacrificed 2 wk after the last injection. Membranous and crystalline intracytoplasmic inclusions were observed in the Schwann cells of the sciatic nerves of all the experimental animals. Both the number of unmyelinated single axons and the number of myelin lamellae around each myelinating axon in the sciatic nerves were recorded for treated mice and of mice suckled by treated mothers. The sciatic nerve of the experimental mice contained a larger proportion of unmyelinated single axons and smaller numbers of myelin lamellae around the myelinating axons, when compared with age-matched controls. The results suggest that a decrease of endogenous cholesterol in suckling mice may affect peripheral nerve myelination in two ways: by retarding the "triggering" of myelination in unmyelinated axons and by decreasing the rate of myelination already in progress.
Distribution of two mitochondrial populations in rabbit kidney cortex and medulla.

Abstract Mitochondria from rabbit kidney were separated by isopycnic density centrifugation into two distinct bands with mean densities of 1.178 (M 1 ) and 1.163 (M 2 ). Cortex and medulla of rabbit kidney, separated surgically, yielded both the M 1 and M 2 population of mitochondria but in markedly different proportions. From whole kidney, M 1 fraction contained 70 to 75% of the total mitochondrial protein isolated, whereas from cortex, M 1 was 83–95% and from medulla 15 to 37% of the total mitochondrial protein. The rate of incorporation in vivo of 3 H-leucine into mitochondrial proteins from normal and renoprival kidneys indicated differences between the M 1 population and the M 2 population of the cortex and medulla. The results suggest that both the cortex and medulla of the kidney contain two distinct mitochondrial populations.
Medicine and the Holocaust

If we associate medicine with the Holocaust at all, the name Mengele will probably come to mind. Josef Mengele, an MD and PhD, was known as the “angel of death of Auschwitz,” the Nazi's main extermination campwhere more than 2 million Jews were gassed and cremated. Many assume that Mengele's participation in the Holocaust was a medical aberration and that he was an isolated medical madman. This assumption is a mistake, however, because the medical profession played a central role in planning and implementing the genocidal murder of more than 6 million Jews.1
An information-theoretic approach to integrated mechanistic-empirical modeling of cellular response based on intracellular signaling dynamics

The following paper presents a new systematic approach to the design and construction of a hybrid mechanistic-empirical model for the prediction of cellular response to extracellular cues. The hybrid framework incorporates computable biological models, such as signal transduction network, with empirical experimental data. The environment input cues are augmented by intracellular signals computed as simulated response to input cues. The mechanistic model of signal transduction, however, is often too complex to predict downstream cell behaviors, or the details of the downstream signaling events are not accurately known. To fill the gap we incorporate an empirical model that relates the augmented input space of extracellular cues(computed using the mechanistic model) to an observable output space using Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR). Akaikie's Information Criterion is used to find an optimal order of the PLSR model based on the trade-off between accuracy and variance. This two-stage approach (first augmenting the input space through a mechanistic map, then eliminating co-linearity and empirically correlating to downstream behaviors by PLSR) is a powerful tool for this class of integrated mechanistic-empirical modeling problems. We first introduce the framework of the mechanistic-empirical hybrid model, present an AIC-based model structure metric, and apply the method to a T-Cell immuno-response problem. The resultant lower-order, nonlinear, mechanistic-empirical model that accurately represents the process being studied.
Differential effects of trabecular meshwork stiffness on outflow facility in normal human and porcine eyes.

PURPOSE The study was designed to determine trabecular meshwork (TM) stiffness and its relationship to outflow facility (C) in perfused normal human and porcine eyes. METHODS Human and porcine eyes were perfused at pressures of 10, 20, 30, and 40 mm Hg to determine C and how outflow resistance (R = 1/C) varied with the pressure. Following perfusions, TM tissue segments were dissected and stretched uniaxially to determine the circumferential bulk Young's modulus (E). The statistical significance of difference between different groups was evaluated using a two-tailed Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS A larger E correlated with a higher C measured at 10 and 20 mm Hg (P < 0.05), and a similar trend was observed at 30 and 40 mm Hg in human eyes (n = 7). Additionally, a higher C correlated to a lower variance of R, and a stiffer TM correlated to a lower variance of R in human eyes (P < 0.05). For porcine TM, E was inversely correlated to a cross-sectional area (P < 0.003, n = 11), and its value (24.9 and 1.5 kPa; geometric mean and geometric SE) was lower than E of human TM (515 ± 136 kPa; mean ± SE) (P < 0.01). C and variance of R were not significantly different between the species. CONCLUSIONS A higher circumferential stiffness of the TM correlated with a higher outflow facility and less IOP elevation-induced variation in outflow resistance in normal human eyes, but not in porcine eyes. For future studies, these correlations need to be evaluated in glaucomatous eyes to better understand normal and abnormal TM functions.
Heparin and Aspirin Versus Aspirin Alone for Prevention of Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

The current standard of care for the prevention of recurrent pregnancy loss in women with antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) is treatment with heparin (unfractionated or low molecular weight) and low-dose acetylsalicylic acid (ASA; aspirin) during pregnancy. Evidence supporting the benefit of this regimen over aspirin alone largely derives from two trials published in the late 1990s [1, 2]. In 2002, however, Farquharson et al. [3] found a high live birth rate with ASA alone and no benefit from the addition of heparin. The recent study by Laskin et al. [4] is an open-label, randomized controlled trial designed to address this important clinical issue. Aims
Hex-1, a gene unique to filamentous fungi, encodes the major protein of the Woronin body and functions as a plug for septal pores.

Abstract We have identified a gene, named hex-1, that encodes the major protein in the hexagonal crystals, or Woronin bodies, of Neurospora crassa. Analysis of a strain with a null mutation in the hex-1 gene showed that the septal pores in this organism were not plugged when hyphae were damaged, leading to extensive loss of cytoplasm. When grown on agar plates containing sorbose, the hex-1 − strain showed extensive lysis of hyphal tips. The HEX-1 protein was predicted to be 19,125 Da. Analysis of the N-terminus of the purified protein indicated that 16 residues are cleaved, yielding a protein of 17,377 Da. A polyclonal antibody raised to the HEX-1 protein recognized multiple forms of the protein, apparently dimers and tetramers that were resistant to solubilization by sodium dodecyl sulfate and reducing reagents. Treatment of the protein with phosphatase caused dissociation of these oligomers. Preparations enriched in Woronin bodies contained catalase activity, which was not detected in comparable fractions from the hex-1 − mutant strain. These results support the hypothesis that the Woronin body is a specialized peroxisome that functions as a plug for septal pores.
Protein Crystallization Using Microfluidic Technologies Based on Valves, Droplets, and SlipChip

To obtain protein crystals, researchers must search for conditions in multidimensional chemical space. Empirically, thousands of crystallization experiments are carried out to screen various precipitants at multiple concentrations. Microfluidics can manipulate fluids on a nanoliter scale, and it affects crystallization twofold. First, it miniaturizes the experiments that can currently be done on a larger scale and enables crystallization of proteins that are available only in small amounts. Second, it offers unique experimental approaches that are difficult or impossible to implement on a larger scale. Ongoing development of microfluidic techniques and their integration with protein production, characterization, and in situ diffraction promises to accelerate the progress of structural biology.
2009 Special Issue: Evolving neural networks for strategic decision-making problems

Evolution of neural networks, or neuroevolution, has been a successful approach to many low-level control problems such as pole balancing, vehicle control, and collision warning. However, certain types of problems-such as those involving strategic decision-making-have remained difficult for neuroevolution to solve. This paper evaluates the hypothesis that such problems are difficult because they are fractured: The correct action varies discontinuously as the agent moves from state to state. A method for measuring fracture using the concept of function variation is proposed and, based on this concept, two methods for dealing with fracture are examined: neurons with local receptive fields, and refinement based on a cascaded network architecture. Experiments in several benchmark domains are performed to evaluate how different levels of fracture affect the performance of neuroevolution methods, demonstrating that these two modifications improve performance significantly. These results form a promising starting point for expanding neuroevolution to strategic tasks.
Effects of lysophosphatidic acid, a novel lipid mediator, on cytosolic Ca2+ and contractility in cultured rat mesangial cells

Abstract Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), the smallest and structurally simplest phospholipid, has the potential to modulate cellular signaling in diverse tissues and cell types, including fibroblasts....
Design and performance of a new 6.7-MV Laser-Triggered Gas Switch

A system of 36 laser-triggered gas switches (LTGS) serves as the last set of command-triggered switches in the 80-TW refurbished Z accelerator at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL). The system is instrumental in the overall performance of Z and allows for flexibility in pulse shaping for various experimental campaigns. It is desirable to push the operating envelope of the switches to higher voltages and currents to allow for a higher peak power to be delivered to the load while at the same time reducing jitter and pre-fire rate for increased precision and reliability. We have accomplished this with a new LTGS (which we refer to as the C1.1 switch) while keeping the overall switch size consistent with the physical space available. Like previous gas switches [1,2], the C1.1 LTGS consists of laser-triggered and cascade electrode sections. However, the C1.1's cascade section is cantilevered and is not supported mechanically near the trigger section. An insulating rod located within the cascade electrodes (which supports the cascade section mechanically) is scalloped to reduce the likelihood of electrical tracking. Material choice for the center support rod was important due to both the mechanical and electrical requirements placed on this component. Mechanical shock testing of the new switch was performed on a shaker table available at SNL prior to installation on Z. All electrical testing of the improved LTGS was performed on the Z machine. To date, we have accumulated over 120 shots on C1.1 switches without a pre-fire. Runtime statistics are determined after each shot and show that the C1.1 switches are very tolerant to voltage and pressure variations, exhibiting median runtimes of ~37-41 ns with a jitter of <;6 ns (1σ) on similar shots. Details of the design and results of the mechanical and electrical tests are detailed in this manuscript.
Impact of second‐language experience in infancy: brain measures of first‐ and second‐language speech perception

Language experience ‘narrows’ speech perception by the end of infants’ first year, reducing discrimination of non-native phoneme contrasts while improving native-contrast discrimination. Previous research showed that declines in non-native discrimination were reversed by second-language experience provided at 9–10 months, but it is not known whether second-language experience affects first-language speech sound processing. Using event-related potentials (ERPs), we examined learning-related changes in brain activity to Spanish and English phoneme contrasts in monolingual English-learning infants pre- and post-exposure to Spanish from 9.5 to 10.5 months of age. Infants showed a significant discriminatory ERP response to the Spanish contrast at 11 months (post-exposure), but not at 9 months (pre-exposure). The English contrast elicited an earlier discriminatory response at 11 months than at 9 months, suggesting improvement in native-language processing. The results show that infants rapidly encode new phonetic information, and that improvement in native speech processing can occur during second-language learning in infancy.
The Story of Good Citizenship: Framing Public Policy in the Context of Duty-Based versus Engaged Citizenship

Recent studies have explored the dimensions of duty-based versus engaged citizenship. These studies assert that individuals differ on the question of “what is a good citizen” and somehow suggest that “engaged citizens” are more participatory, global, and committed to social justice than their duty-based counterparts. In this article, we examine, with an innovative survey methodology and merging of citizenship and framing literature, the potential effects of increased engaged citizenship on policy issues. Our questions explore the characteristics of citizenship and explore whether duty-based and engaged citizens are more likely to support a policy, in this case recycling efforts, if the issue is framed in the context of their respective preferred citizenship norm. We find that the engaged recycling frame was strongly supported by individuals with a more engaged view of citizenship who also supported some duty-based frames of recycling. Conversely, respondents with a more duty-based view of citizenship did not support engaged recycling frames. Estudios recientes han explorado las dimensiones de la nocion de “ciudadania basada en deberes”vis-a-vis aquella de “ciudadania involucrada.” Estos estudios afirman que los individuos difieren en sus respuestas a la pregunta de “?que es un buen ciudadano?” Asi mismo, parecen sugerir que los “ciudadanos involucrados” son mas participativos, globales, y entregados a la justicia social que sus homologos basados en deberes. En este articulo examinamos los efectos potenciales del incremento de la ciudadania involucrada en asuntos de politica con una innovadora metodologia de encuestas y combinando la literatura de ciudadania y la teoria del enmarcamiento de asuntos. Nuestras preguntas exploran las caracteristicas de la ciudadania y si acaso los individuos cuyo comportamiento se aproxima al planteado en la nocion de “ciudadania basada en deberes” son mas proclives a apoyar una politica de reciclaje, que aquellos cuyo comportamiento se aproxima al planteado en la nocion de “ciudadania involucrada.” De manera especifica exploramos si acaso los ciudadanos responden de manera mas decidida a propuestas de reciclaje dependiendo de si estan enmarcadas en una nocion de “ciudadania basada en deberes” o en una de “ciudadania involucrada.” Encontramos que una politica de reciclaje enmarcada en una de nocion “ciudadania involucrada” fue fuertemente apoyada por individuos cuyo comportamiento se aproxima al planteado en dicha nocion pero que estos mismos individuos tambien apoyaron algunas propuestas de reciclaje enmarcadas en la nocion de “ciudadania basada en deberes.” En cambio, individuos cuyo comportamiento se aproxima al planteado en la nocion de “ciudadania basada en deberes” no apoyaron ninguna propuesta de reciclaje enmarcada en la nocion de “ciudadania involucrada.”
EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES ON HETEROPLASTIC BONE FORMATION

1. Bone formation in the rabbit kidney with ligated vessels takes place ( a ) through the activity of young fibroblasts which accumulate to form a membrane-like structure; ( b ) subsequently by direct ossification of hyaline connective tissue in continuity with preformed bone; and ( c ) through erosion of lime placques by granulating tissue and laying down of lamellar bone by cells derived from fibroblasts. 2. Bone formation in the rabbit kidney begins not in direct contact with calcium deposits, but in the loose vascular connective tissue close under the transitional epithelium of the calices. 3. With autotransplanted ear cartilage of the rabbit there is an active new formation of cartilage in the connective tissue which surrounds the transplants, and the bone is formed by the fibroblasts from the perichondrium which erode and invade the calcified areas in this new cartilage. 4. The process of bone formation in the kidney is similar to that found in normal membranous ossification, while with the transplanted ear cartilage the process is identical with endochondral ossification.
Randomized Phase I Trial of Recombinant Human Keratinocyte Growth Factor Plus Chemotherapy: Potential Role as Mucosal Protectant

Purpose: To evaluate the safety of recombinant human keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) when administered with fluorouracil (FU) in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Patients and Methods: Patients (N = 81) received KGF by intravenous (IV) bolus on days 1 to 3, followed by FU 425 mg/m2/d IV bolus plus leucovorin 20 mg/m2/d IV on days 4 to 8. KGF dose levels were 1, 10, 20, 40, 60, and 80 μg/kg/d. A randomized, placebo-controlled design was employed (2:1 randomization of KGF to placebo). Oral mucositis was assessed by examination on days 1, 4, 8, 15, and 28. In addition, patients provided daily assessments of oral symptoms using a self-administered questionnaire. Results: Skin and oral events occurred in 13 of 18 patients (eight patients, grade 1; four patients, grade 2; and one patient, grade 3) treated with 60 and 80 μg/kg of KGF and three of 11 patients treated with 40 μg/kg (grade 1). These symptoms were dose limiting in three cases (ie, in two of 10 patients treated with 80 μg/kg and in one of ...
Eosinophilic histiocytosis: a variant form of lymphomatoid papulosis or a disease sui generis?

Five patients are reported on whose clinical skin disease consisted of polymorphous papulonodular lesions healing with a depigmented scar. Although all cases had been termed lymphomatoid papulosis after clinical or histologic examination, the lesions consisted principally of masses of histiocytes and eosinophils. Individual lesions healed spontaneously or with minimal treatment, but the chronic course of disease was not altered by any therapy used. Follow-up 3 to 17 years later indicated persistent or recurrent disease, and one patient died of histiocytic malignancy. Eosinophilic histiocytosis is the microscopic picture of an unusual group of patients with chronic papulonodular necrotic skin disease that may deserve to be considered a disease pattern perse.
Razor: a tool for post-silicon scan ATPG pattern debug and its application

Generation of ATPG patterns require a gate-level simulation model and associated constraints. If the models and the related constraints used to generate patterns are erroneous, then the patterns will likely fail on silicon. The process of debugging pattern failures on silicon using manual reason in the absence of automated techniques is very time consuming. Further, techniques used for automated defect diagnosis cannot be directly applied to this problem. In this paper we present techniques for debugging ATPG patterns failing on silicon. An automated tool that implements these techniques and is capable of debugging most common errors found in ATPG models and constraints is presented. Results from applying the capability on Intel Pentium-4 processor's ATPG patterns are presented.
Cerebral edema before onset of therapy in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes.

: To discuss the management of a rare case of cerebral edema before initiation of therapy in an adolescent with new-onset type 2 diabetes. The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Institutional Review Board approved the review of medical records. A previously healthy obese adolescent female suffered diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)-related cerebral edema before initiation of therapy. Prompt management was associated with complete recovery. DKA-related cerebral edema before treatment can occur in patients with new-onset type 2 diabetes. Use of mannitol and hypertonic saline solution should be considered in the management of DKA-related cerebral edema.
Creativity and rationale in software design

An NSF sponsored workshop on Creativity and Rationale in Software Design was held at University Park, PA in June, 2008. The participants represented the spectrum of software design, which was reflected in the discussions. This report summarizes the workshop with respect to the discipline of software engineering.
Bridging Disks and Shells Methods: A Probabilistic Approach

Consideration of a function shaping the surface of a solid of revolution as a random variable allows for extension of the proof that the disks and the shells methods give the same result from monotonic continuous functions to a subclass of Riemann-integrable functions.
Potential and current distribution in MPD ARCS.

Based on calculations of two basically similar devices, in which the anode and cathode geometries were the same but the distance between the cathode tip and exit plane of the anode L were different, it is shown that the electrode geometry has a pronounced effect on the cur- rent and potential distribution in MPD arcs. The plume contribution to the thrust increases with a decrease in L; however, for the configurations considered, the acceleration is generally restricted to a region of about 1-anode diam downstream of the cathode tip. The cal- culations also show that the Hall current densities are, in general, higher than radial current densities throughout the engine and exhaust plume, and are comparable to the axial current densities within the electrode region. N spite of the efforts of a number of investigators , the acceleration resulting from the interaction of an externally applied magnetic field with the plasma in MPD arcs is not well understood. Early works1"4 attributed the acceleration in these devices to two mechanisms; the first results from the interaction of the Hall current with the radial component of the magnetic field jeBr, and the second follows from changing rotational energy, resulting from jzBT and jrBz, into directed kinetic energy. However, recent diagnostic studies in ex- haust plumes of these devices showed that the Hall currents5'6 and rotational velocities5 were very small. The result re- garding Hall currents is in apparent disagreement with the measurements of Ref. 4. Although probing the plume can give some indication of the possible acceleration mechanisms, complete understand- ing of the problem requires rather detailed diagnostics within the engine itself. This is especially true in those cases where the fraction of the total current in the exhaust plume is small. Since detailed probing of the engine has not been possible yet, the desirability of calculating the potential and current distributions in MPD arcs is evident. This is the subject of the present investigation. Two axially symmetric geometries have been used in this investig? aon. The first is that of the device of Refs. 4 and 7, and the second employs the same anode and cathode geometries, but the cathode tip is moved to the right. The magnetic field distribution employed is that given in Ref. 4. Because of the complexity of the problem, a simple plasma model that assumes the electrical conductivity along the magnetic field lines to be constant is employed. In addi- tion, when utilizing the generalized Ohm's law, the pressure gradient terms are assumed negligible and the various collision frequencies are assumed constant. The results show that for a given magnetic field strength, mass flow rate, and power input the electrode configuration has a pronounced effect on current and potential distribu- tions. The Hall current densities are, in general, higher than the radial current densities, and comparable with the axial current densities in the annulus and exhaust plume. It is also shown that, for the geometries under consideration, the
Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Drug Interactions With New Oral Anticoagulants What Do They Mean for Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

Objective: To review pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic drug–drug interactions (DDIs) involving new oral anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation. Data Sources: A literature search was conducted via PubMed and the Cochrane database to identify DDI studies using the terms drug interactions, dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and apixaban. Prescribing information and Food and Drug Administration briefing documents were used to supplement published data. Study Selection and Data Extraction: English publications identified on Medline from 2005 up to August 2013 and US prescribing information for approved oral anticoagulants. Data Synthesis: Articles reviewed focused on drugs affecting the permeability glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux transporter protein and/or cytochrome P (CYP) 450 3A4 enzymes, and pharmacodynamic DDIs when drugs are administered concomitantly. Phase I DDI studies have reported pharmacokinetic DDIs mediated by P-gp alone (dabigatran etexilate) or in combination with CYP3A4 enzymes (rivaroxaban and apixaban)....
The Effect of Incarceration on Adult Male BMI Trajectories, USA, 1981–2006

The prevalence of obesity and overweight is socially patterned, with higher prevalence among women, racial/ethnic minorities, and those with lower socio-economic status. Contextual factors also affect obesity risk. However, an omitted factor has been incarceration, particularly since it disproportionately affects minorities. This study examines the effects of incarceration on adult male body mass index (BMI) in the United States over the life course, and whether effects vary by race/ethnicity and education. BMI trajectories were analyzed over age using growth curve models of men ages 18-49 from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth panel study. BMI was based on self-reported height/weight (kg/m2). Being currently incarcerated increased BMI, but the effect varied by race/ethnicity and education: blacks experienced the largest increases, while effects were lowered for men with more education than a high school diploma. Cumulative exposure to prison increased BMI for all groups. These results suggest a differential effect of incarceration on adult male BMI among some racial/ethnic-education minority groups. Particularly given that these groups are most commonly imprisoned, incarceration may help structure obesity disparities and disadvantage across the life course.
Minimax theory of nonparametric hazard rate estimation: efficiency and adaptation

The problem of nonparametric estimation of the hazard rate function is considered and the theory of sharp minimax estimation for two global and two local Sobolev classes is developed. Several interesting outcomes are as follows: (i) Classical global and local function classes imply different sharp constants of the MISE convergence. This is in contrary to the density estimation where sharp constants are the same. (ii) Two global classes imply different sharp constants and correspondingly require using different linear estimates. (iii) Two local classes imply the same sharp constant, and nonetheless require different linear estimates to attain this constant. (iv) A sharp-minimax data-driven estimator is proposed that adapts to the smoothness of the hazard rate and to an unknown underlying function class, and it is tested for small samples via a numerical study.
Energy retrofit using vacuum insulation panels: An alternative solution for enhancing the thermal performance of wood-frame walls

Field monitorings of thermal performance of residential 2 x 6 wood-frame wall systems that had been retrofitted using vacuum insulation panels (VIPs) and extruded polystyrene foam (XPS) panels were...