cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Semiclassical approach to lattice theories

Abstract We exhibit lattice versions of a non-relativistic fermion model (NRFM) and the Gross-Neveu model (GNM), each of which has N species of fermion with four-fermion interaction in one space dimension. We obtain analytic solutions in the semiclassical approximation for all energy levels corresponding to static minima of the effective action. The energy levels and classical solutions pass smoothly to the known continuum results as the lattice spacing a goes to zero. The levels vary smoothly with a but are not analytic in the strong coupling expansion parameter a −1 . In the limit a → ∞ the fermion wave functions are concentrated on a single lattice site in the NRFM, and on two adjacent sites in the GNM. To obtain these solutions we need to modify the usual transcription of a field gradient onto the lattice: a finite difference is replaced by an interaction mediated by an auxiliary scalar field, and bound states are then produced by trapping of fermions in a reflectionless potential. Our lattice version of the GNM preserves the full O(2 N ) symmetry of the continuum model. Its γ 5 symmetry is broken spontaneously, giving rise to a mass scale and to lattice couplings that behave like −1/ ln a as a → 0 and grow like a or a 3 as a → ∞. The semiclassical approximation gives the spectrum of the GNM exactly in the strong coupling limit.
Rate Coefficients and Products of Ethyl and Vinyl Cross-Radical Reactions

Rate constants and products for cross-radical reactions of vinyl (C2H3) and ethyl (C2H5) radicals have been determined at T = 298 K and a total pressure (predominately helium) of 93.3 kPa (700 Torr). C2H3 and C2H5 were produced simultaneously through the 193-nm excimer laser photolysis of dilute mixtures of C2H5COC2H3 (EVK)/He. This is the first report of direct rate determination for the C2H5 + C2H5 reaction and using the photolysis of EVK as a precursor for producing a nearly 1:1 ratio of C2H5/C2H3. Time-resolved UV absorption spectroscopy and gas chromatographic/mass spectroscopic (GC/MS) product analysis methods were employed for kinetics and product studies. Major reaction products consisted of n-butane, 1,3-butadiene, and 1-butene which are formed, respectively, through the combination reactions: C2H5 + C2H5 → n-butane (1c), C2H3 + C2H3 → 1,3-butadiene (2c,) and C2H5 + C2H3 → 1-butene (3c). Minor products, ethane, ethylene, and acetylene, result from disproportionation reactions. Analysis of the te...
Ionic dependence of the extracellular ATP‐induced permeabilization of transformed mouse fibroblasts: Role of plasma membrane activities that regulate cell volume

Extracellular ATP rendered the plasma membrane of transformed mouse fibroblasts permeable to normally impermeant molecules. This permeability change was prevented by increasing the ionic strength of the isotonic medium with NaCl. Conversely, the cells exhibited increased sensitivity to ATP when the NaCl concentration was decreased below isotonicity, when the KCl concentration was increased above 5 mM while maintaining isotonicity, and when the pH of the medium was raised above 7.0. These conditions as well as the addition of ATP itself caused cell swelling. However, the effect of ATP was independent of cell volume and dependent upon the ionic strength and not the osmolarity of the medium since 1) addition of sucrose to isotonic medium did not prevent permeabilization although media made hypertonic with either sucrose or NaCl caused a decrease in cell volume; and 2) addition of sucrose or NaCl to hypotonic media caused a decrease in cell volume, but only NaCl addition decreased the response to ATP. Conditions that have been shown to inhibit plasma membrane proteins that play a reciprocal role in cell volume regulation had reciprocal effects on the permeabilization process, even though the effect of ATP was independent of cell volume. For example, inhibition of the Na+,K+-ATPase by ouabain increased sensitivity of cells to ATP while conditions which inhibit Na+,K+,Cl- -cotransporter activity, such as treatment of the cells with the diuretics furosemide or bumetanide or replacement of sodium chloride in the medium with sodium nitrate or thiocyanate, inhibited permeabilization. The furosemide concentration that inhibited permeabilization was greater than the concentration that inhibited Na+,K+,Cl- -cotransporter-mediated 86Rb+ (K+) uptake, suggesting that the effect of furosemide on the permeabilization process may not be specific for the Na+,K+,Cl- -cotransporter.
‘To break asunder along the lesions of race’. The Critical Race Theory of W.E.B. Du Bois

In addition to its beginnings within legal scholarship, Critical Race Theory (CRT) is intimately aligned with the long tradition of African American social critique, which sought to interrogate the intractable nature of racism and White supremacy. Within this intellectual tradition, the works of W.E.B. Du Bois are of critical significance. Du Bois’ critique of racism, in addition to his theories of education, anticipate many key aspects of CRT. Additionally, Du Bois illuminates fruitful spaces that are of great relevance to contemporary scholars engaged in a critical analysis of race and racism in their global and domestic contexts, within both education and the broader society.
Spatial correlations in multifractals

Spatial correlations within multifractals or fractal measures are considered. It is shown how scaling dimensions can be used to predict scaling laws for spatial correlation functions. It is concluded that the overlaid singularity picture does not provide an adequate description of the spatial properties of multifractals, and that blob concepts seem to provide a much more suitable description of multifractal correlations.
Self-similar and transient void growth in viscoelastic media at low concentration

An incremental scheme governing the self-similar and the transient void growth of aligned spheroidal voids is developed for a class of linear viscoelastic materials at low concentration and moderate strain. The theory is based upon Eshelby-Mori-Tanaka's concept in elasticity, but extended to the viscoelastic media by the Laplace transform and developed in a way suitable for the calculation of void growth. The condition of self-similar void growth is established, and it is found that the result of Budiansky, Hutchinson and Slutsky originally derived for the growth of a single void in an incompressible Maxwell solid with no elastic response continues to hold here. This incremental scheme further allows one to calculate the evolution of semi-axes of the voids, and of the void shape and concentration. It also permits one to predict the asymptotic shape of the voids towards which the voids will evolve under a given combination of axisymmetric loading. Specific results are displayed for the transient void growth of initially spherical voids, and for the self-similar void growth of several selected oblate and prolate shapes at an initial concentration of c1=5 percent.
Innovations in pulse generators and lead systems: balancing complexity with clinical benefit and long-term results.

Abstract Technologic development of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) is now in an exponential growth phase, and many new concepts are being examined. Major innovations have occurred in pulse generators and in lead systems. This may increase ICD use for primary and secondary prevention of sudden cardiac death. Pulse generators now include hybrid pacemaker-defibrillators. Clinical data suggest a need for demand pacing in primary and secondary prevention applications, with antitachycardia pacing being most valuable in the latter group. Atrial leads will allow dual chamber sensing, pacing, and defibrillation. Low energy cardioversion with biphasic shocks can enhance shock efficacy in rapid monomorphic ventricular tachycardia and flutter. Modifications of lead design, biphasic shock waveforms, and optimal thoracic electrode location in axillary or pectoral regions will permit lower energy defibrillation and smaller pulse generators with lower maximum energy outputs of ≤25 joules. Dual chamber sensing will improve detection of atrial flutter or fibrillation. Minimum data storage requirements for tachycardia events in ICDs still need to be defined. Intracardiac electrogram analysis is still in evolution, and better analytic methods are awaited. Lead system development is likely to support generic pacing and defibrillation catheter electrodes for atrial and ventricular application. Advances in thoracic electrode design are in progress, and a variety of intercostal electrodes are being tested. Improvements in lead design with further impact on defibrillation energy requirements have the potential to permit generator miniaturization. Significant technologic improvements in ICD devices are imminent and should improve clinical results, patient safety, and quality of life.
Test problems for radiation and radiation-hydrodynamics codes

A number of test problems for radiation and radiation-hydrodynamics computer codes are described. These include evolution to radiative equilibrium, cooling from radiative equilibrium, subcritical and supercritical radiating shocks, and a radiating blast wave in a power-law density distribution. For each test problem, example input parameters and plots of the results are presented. Some test problems for pure hydrodynamics are also suggested. The radiation-hydrodynamics code used to perform the example test problems and the equations it solves are described in some detail.
Cine CT of the mediastinum in pediatric patients

Cine computed tomographic (CT) examinations of the mediastinum were performed in 83 pediatric patients. Lesions imaged include neoplastic, inflammatory, and vascular abnormalities. The 50-msec scan time of cine CT provides for superb depiction of the heart and airway, minimizes motion artifact, allows examinations to be done with little or no sedation, and permits optimal opacification of all vascular structures with as little as 0.5 mL of intravenously administered contrast medium per kg of body weight. Scanning time for an examination in which images in 20 sections are obtained is approximately 10 seconds. Radiation dose is significantly lower than that in comparable CT or plain radiographic studies. Preliminary experience shows cine CT to be an excellent imaging modality for the examination of the mediastinum in children.
Working memory impairment in people with Williams syndrome: Effects of delay, task and stimuli

Williams syndrome (WS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with impaired visuospatial representations subserved by the dorsal stream and relatively strong object recognition abilities subserved by the ventral stream. There is conflicting evidence on whether this uneven pattern in WS extends to working memory (WM). The present studies provide a new perspective, testing WM for a single stimulus using a delayed recognition paradigm in individuals with WS and typically developing children matched for mental age (MA matches). In three experiments, participants judged whether a second stimulus 'matched' an initial sample, either in location or identity. We first examined memory for faces, houses and locations using a 5s delay (Experiment 1) and a 2s delay (Experiment 2). We then tested memory for human faces, houses, cat faces, and shoes with a 2s delay using a new set of stimuli that were better controlled for expression, hairline and orientation (Experiment 3). With the 5s delay (Experiment 1), the WS group was impaired overall compared to MA matches. While participants with WS tended to perform more poorly than MA matches with the 2s delay, they also exhibited an uneven profile compared to MA matches. Face recognition was relatively preserved in WS with friendly faces (Experiment 2) but not when the faces had a neutral expression and were less natural looking (Experiment 3). Experiment 3 indicated that memory for object identity was relatively stronger than memory for location in WS. These findings reveal an overall WM impairment in WS that can be overcome under some conditions. Abnormalities in the parietal lobe/dorsal stream in WS may damage not only the representation of spatial location but may also impact WM for visual stimuli more generally.
Duodenal Expression of the Iron Transporter DMT1 Is Increased in a Murine Model of Hereditary Hemochromatosis

Duodenal Expression of the Iron Transporter DMT1 Is Increased in a Murine Model of Hereditary Hemochromatosis
Babylonian resistor networks

The ancient Babylonians had an iterative technique for numerically approximating the values of square roots. Their method can be physically implemented using series and parallel resistor networks. A recursive formula for the equivalent resistance Req is developed and converted into a nonrecursive solution for circuits using geometrically increasing numbers of identical resistors. As an example, 24 resistors R are assembled into a second-order network and Req/R is measured to equal to better than 0.2%, as could be done in an introductory physics laboratory.
Eddy Current Power Dissipation at Sharp Corners: An Internal Perturbation Method Applied to a Wedge with Small Ratios of Internal to External Magnetic Permeabilities

The corner constant, which serves to correct the internal impedance per unit length of a conductor, is calculated in closed form for the limit of small ratios of internal to external magnetic permeabilities for a right angle corner. The perfectly conducting external tangential magnetic field distribution is used in an internal Green's theorem representation to determine the axial electric field. The corner constant is then determined by an integration of the surface axial electric field and the perfectly conducting magnetic field. Expansions of the axial electric field are also given because of its utility in future papers. A rotation of the radial coordinate into complex values is used to reduce the corner constant to a known complex phase times a real constant. This rotation is valid for general real ratios of internal to external magnetic permeabilities as a result of the analyticity of the fields in a sector above the positive real axis of the radial coordinate.
Microcrystalline sphalerite in resin globules suspended in Lake Kivu, East Africa

The origin and chemical nature of micron-sized spheres found as suspended particles in Lake Kivu are examined. It can be shown that the hollow spheres, with a wall thickness of 500 A, consist of a complex polymeric resinous material which has little functionality, except for hydroxyl groups. The spheres arise in the process of degassing of water samples at depth. Tiny gas bubbles, about 1 micron in size, act as scavengers of dissolved resinous material. The newly created resinous membrane promotes the selective coordination of zinc dissolved in the water column. In the prevailing H2S regime, formation of sphalerite crystals in induced. The size range of the crystals, 5 to 50 A, corresponds to 1 to 10 unit cells and suggests that the resinous membrane also acts as a template in sphalerite growth processes. The sources of the zinc and dissolved gases (CO2, CH4, H2S) are hydrothermal springs seeping from the lake bottom into the basin. Water discharge is substantial; about 100 years are required to fill the lake to its present level (ca. 550 km3 water). The average Kivu water contains 2 ppm zinc. Thus, 1 million tons of zinc are contained in Lake Kivu in the form of sphalerite.
Interpretation Bias and Social Anxiety

Socially anxious (SA) individuals interpret ambiguous social events negatively. It is not clear, however, whether this bias is due to general distress (e.g., depression and general anxiety) or level of social anxiety. In the current study we conducted two experiments examining interpretation bias in SA individuals using videos. Each video involved an actor or actress who approached the camera and commented on some aspect of the individual’s belongings or actions. Twenty-four (24) videos were ambiguous (e.g., “That is an interesting shirt you have on”), 24 were positive (e.g., “I really like your shoes”), and 24 were negative (e.g., “That is a horrible hair cut”). Participants were instructed to rate the emotional valance of each video as to how they would feel in that situation. SA individuals rated the valance of ambiguous social interactions as more negative than did nonanxious individuals. Moreover, SA individuals maintained this bias when compared to a high trait anxious and dysphoric control group. These findings demonstrate the unique role of social anxiety in the biased interpretation of ambiguous social interactions.
Sharing FCP adapters through virtualization

The IBM System z9TM and its predecessors pioneered server virtualization, including the sharing of data storage subsystems among the virtual servers of a host computer using the channel-sharing capabilities of FICON® channels in Fibre Channel (FC) fabrics. Now industry-standard Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) devices in storage area networks must be shared among host computers using the Fibre Channel Protocol (FCP), and this has been problematic with virtual servers in a host computer. To apply the power of server virtualization to this environment, the IBM System z9 implements a new FC standard called N_Port Identifier Virtualization (NPIV). IBM invented NPIV and offered it as a standard to enable the sharing of host adapters in IBM servers and FC fabrics. With NPIV, a host FC adapter is shared in such a way that each virtual adapter is assigned to a virtual server and is separately identifiable within the fabric. Connectivity and access privileges within the fabric are controlled by identification of each virtual adapter and, hence, the virtual server using each virtual adapter. This paper describes the problem prior to the development of NPIV, the concept of NPIV, and the first implementation of this technique in the FCP channel of the IBM System z9.
Editing and versioning for high performance network models in a multiuser environment

Network data models are frequently used as a mechanism to describe the connectivity between spatial features in GIS applications. Real-life network models are dynamic in nature since spatial features can be periodically modified to reflect changes in the real world objects that they model. Such updates may change the connectivity relations with the other features in the model. In order to perform analysis the connectivity must be reestablished. Existing editing frameworks are not suitable for a dynamic environment, since they require network connectivity to be reconstructed from scratch. Another requirement for GIS network models is to provide support for a multiuser environment, where users are simultaneously creating and updating large amounts of geographic information. The system must support edit sessions that typically span a number of days or weeks, the facility to undo or redo changes made to the data, and the ability to develop models and alternative application designs without affecting the published database. The row-locking mechanisms adopted by many DBMSs is prohibitively restrictive for many common workflows. To deal with long-lasting transactions, a solution based on versioning is thus preferrable. In this paper we provide a unified solution to the problems of dynamic editing and versioning of network models. We first propose an efficient algorithm that incrementally maintains connectivity within a dynamic network. Our solution is based on the notion of dirty areas and dirty objects (i.e., regions or elements containing edits that have not been reflected in the network connectivity index). The dirty areas and objects are identified and marked during the editing of the network feature data; they are then subsequently cleaned and connectivity is re-built. Furthermore, for improving performance, we propose a `hyperedge' extension to the basic network model. A hyperedge drastically decreases the number of edge elements accessed during solve time on large networks; this in turn leads to faster solve operations. We show how our connectivity maintenance algorithms can support the hyperedge enhanced model. We then propose a new network model versioning scheme that utilizes the dirty areas/objects of the connectivity rebuild algorithm. Our scheme uses flexible reconciling rules that allow the definition of a resolving mechanism between conflicting edits according to user needs. Moreover, the utilization of dirty areas/objects minimizes the overhead of tracking the editing history. The unified editing and versioning solution has been implemented and tested within ESRI's ArcGIS system.
Effect of Altered Perfusion Rates on the Retention of Noradrenaline by the Spleen

IN the majority of investigations concerning the mechanism of retention of circulating noradrenaline by tissues, the amine has been administered by intravenous injection. Noradrenaline itself, as well as a wide variety of physiological and pathological conditions, are known to exert profound effects on the flow of blood through tissues. It is important, therefore, to establish the effect of changes in flow rate on the uptake of circulating noradrenaline or that liberated by sympathetic nerve stimulation. The evidence in the literature on this point is conflicting. It has been shown that the greater the flow of blood through the organ, the greater is the amount of noradrenaline in the venous effluent following stimulation of the post-ganglionic sympathetic nerves to spleen1–3, intestine4 and skeletal muscle5. On the other hand, spontaneous changes in flow rate have been reported to be without effect on the retention of noradrenaline by the perfused heart6 and the perfused spleen7. Consequently, we have examined the effect of different, controlled flow rates on the uptake of tritiated noradrenaline by the perfused spleen.
REVIEW OF RESEARCH IN RADIATION BIOLOGY.

Beneficial and harmful effects of ionizing radiations in regard to animal and human tissue are discussed.
Self-regulation of Gendered Behavior in Everyday Life

The present research tested whether gender self-concepts influence behavior through self-regulatory processes, with emotions and self-esteem signaling that people’s responses meet or fail to meet their gender standards. In the first study, cross-sectional survey data from 3,174 young adults living in the United States revealed that esteem increased with behavioral conformity to gender standards for personality. In the second study, an experience-sampling diary design provided a dynamic view of regulation to gender standards for personality and romance. One hundred seventy-seven American undergraduates reported their emotions and esteem immediately following everyday social interactions. As anticipated, students became more positive when they acted in ways that confirmed rather than disconfirmed personal gender standards.
Twenty‐one years later, Mount St. Helens still offers lessons

Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, Washington State, October 18—During the drive up to Mount St. Helens on a brisk, clear, fall day, Christine Colasurdo noted that this region of the country has been shaped by volcanism. “This is a place where the soils have dropped from the sky” said Colasurdo. Her family had enjoyed a cabin along the mountain's Spirit Lake prior to a series of volcanic events that began in 1980—including earthquake-triggered landslides, a lateral cataclysmic eruption, a vertical column of ash, and lahars and pyroclastic flows on May 18,1980. Events of that day alone lowered the 2,932-meter-high volcano by 398 meters, as 2.8 billion cubic meters of material removed from the mountain flattened 148,000 hectares of forest, killed 57 people, and completely changed the landscape. Ash from the volcano circled the Earth in 15 days.
The diffusion of bariatric surgery programs within US community hospitals, 1995 to 2000

This paper assessed the rapid diffusion of bariatric surgery programs, the surgical treatment for morbid obesity, in US hospitals between 1995 and 2000 and the impact of organisational factors and environmental factors associated with adoption or expansion. We found that diffusion of bariatric surgery programs was consistent with findings of diffusion of other medical innovation with two distinct components: expansion in existing programs and initiation of new programs. Our results provided limited support for the association between some organisational and environmental factors and development of bariatric surgery programs in hospitals. Concerning the cost growth associated with the dramatic increase in bariatric procedures, different implications could be derived from this study for hospitals, payers and policy makers.
Prospects for fetal therapy of neural tube defects

Myelomeningocele (MMC) is one of the most common anatomical malformations in humans. Children born with this malformation face a life with crippling disabilities, multiple surgical procedures, and complications. This is made all the more poignant as the majority of these children have normal intelligence. MMC is the result of a failure of the neural plates to fuse, leaving the developing spinal cord open to the amniotic fluid and unprotected from mechanical injury. This chronic chemical and mechanical trauma leads to destruction of the spinal cord. Pathological studies in humans and animals have demonstrated the progressive nature of this damage. Animal models of MMC have been created to simulate human MMC with success. In these models, early in utero coverage of the spinal defect preserves neurologic function at birth. In animal models the rescue of neurologic function can be accurately assessed by comparing animals that underwent repair to those that did not. In humans, there has been no accurate assessment of in utero neurologic function to allow outcome analysis of in utero repair. Open fetal surgery has been used to treat a number of life-threatening malformations in human fetuses. However, there are many obstacles that must be overcome prior to human implementation. These challenges include patient selection criteria, operative techniques, and ethical dilemmas in performing fetal surgery for a nonlethal disease. We review the prospects for in utero repair of MMC and the challenges that remain prior to human implementation. MRDD Research Reviews 1998;4:291–295. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Exploiting color SIFT features for 2D ear recognition

In this paper, we present a robust method for 2D ear recognition using color SIFT features. Firstly, we extend the Scale Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT) algorithm originally performed on the intensity channel [1] to the RGB color channels to maximize the robustness of the SIFT feature descriptor. Secondly, a feature matching algorithm for ear recognition is proposed by fusion of the features extracted from the different color channels. Experiments conducted on the University of Notre Dame (UND) and the West Virginia University (WVU) ear biometric datasets indicate that our method can achieve better recognition rates than the state-of-the-art methods applied on the same datasets.
KINETICS OF THE REACTION OF O(3P) WITH CF3NO

A laser flash photolysis-resonance fluorescence technique has been employed to study the kinetics of the reaction of O(3P) with CF3NO (k2) as a function of temperature. Our results are described by the Arrhenius expression k2(T) = (4.54 ± 0.70) × 10−12 exp[(−560± 46)/T] cm3molecule−1 s−1 (243 K ⩽ T ⩽ 424 K); errors are 2σ and represent precision only. The O(3P) + CF3NO reaction is sufficiently rapid that CF3NO cannot be employed as a selective quencher for O2(a1Δg) in laboratory systems where O(3P) and O2(a1Δg) coexist, and where O(3P) kinetics are being investigated. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The solar absolute spectral irradiance at 1216 Å and 1800–3173 Å: January 12, 1983

The full-disk solar spectral irradiance in the spectral range 1800-3173 A and at Lyman-alpha was obtained from a rocket observation above White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, on January 12, 1983. Comparison with measurements made in May 1983 show no changes within the absolute errors of the experiment. The absolute calibration of the instruments for this flight was accomplished at the National Bureau of Standards Synchrotron Radiation Facility.
Hyperglycemia independently increases the risk of perioperative stroke, myocardial infarction, and death after carotid endarterectomy.

OBJECTIVE: Clinical and experimental evidence suggests that hyperglycemia lowers the neuronal ischemic threshold, potentiates stroke volume in focal ischemia, and is associated with morbidity and mortality in the surgical critical care setting. It remains unknown whether hyperglycemia during carotid endarterectomy (CEA) predisposes patients to perioperative stroke and operative related morbidity and mortality. METHODS: The clinical and radiological records of all patients undergoing CEA and operative day glucose measurement from 1994 to 2004 at an academic institution were reviewed and 30-day outcomes were assessed. The independent association of operative day glucose before CEA and perioperative morbidity and mortality were assessed via multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: One thousand two hundred and one patients with a mean age of 72 +/- 10 years (748 men, 453 women) underwent CEA (676 asymptomatic, 525 symptomatic). Overall, stroke occurred in 46 (3.8%) patients, transient ischemic attack occurred in 19 (1.6%), myocardial infarction occurred in 19 (1.6%), and death occurred in 17 (1.4%). Increasing operative day glucose was independently associated with perioperative stroke or transient ischemic attack (Odds ratio [OR], 1.005; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00-1.01; P = 0.03), myocardial infarction (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.004-1.016; P = 0.017), and death (OR, 1.007; 95% CI, 1.00-1.015; P = 0.04). Patients with operative day glucose greater than 200 mg/dl were 2.8-fold, 4.3-fold, and 3.3-fold more likely to experience perioperative stroke or transient ischemic attack (OR, 2.78; 95% CI, 1.37-5.67; P = 0.005), myocardial infarction (OR, 4.29; 95% CI, 1.28-14.4; P = 0.018), or death (OR, 3.29; 95% CI, 1.07-10.1; P = 0.037), respectively. Median and interquartile range length of hospitalization was greater for patients with operative day glucose greater than 200 mg/dl (4 d [interquartile range, 2-15 d] versus 3 d [interquartile range, 2-7 d]; P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Independent of previous cardiac disease, diabetes, or other comorbidities, hyperglycemia at the time of CEA was associated with an increased risk of perioperative stroke or transient ischemic attack, myocardial infarction, and death. Strict glucose control should be attempted before surgery to minimize the risk of morbidity and mortality after CEA.
Treatment with oxcarbazepine during pregnancy.

Background Managing epilepsy during pregnancy is a critical challenge as maternal seizures may have deleterious effects on the fetus. While many patients with epilepsy have been managed successfully with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), the potential teratogenicity of AEDs is a major concern. First-generation AEDs such as valproate have been associated with at least a 2-fold risk of fetal malformations compared with the general population. However, recent studies suggest that the newer AEDs given as monotherapy may have a lower teratogenic risk. The current case report adds to the growing experience of oxcarbazepine therapy in pregnant women with epilepsy. Review summary This case report presents a 23-year-old female with a history of complex partial seizures (CPS) and mild depression. In high school, she had 2 initial tonic-clonic seizures and was placed on phenytoin monotherapy. She was subsequently placed on combination therapy (phenytoin + gabapentin) and was maintained on it for several years. Preceding a planned pregnancy, the patient was switched to oxcarbazepine and tapered off both phenytoin and gabapentin. The patient was maintained on oxcarbazepine monotherapy with a seizure-free pregnancy and delivered a normal, healthy baby girl. The patient breast-fed the infant for 6 months, supplemented with infant formula without any adverse effects. Subsequently, the patient has had a healthy second child while receiving oxcarbazepine during her pregnancy. Conclusion Although there are very limited data in the literature, this case illustrates that a patient with a history of CPS can be treated with oxcarbazepine with no adverse effects during and after pregnancy.
Peptide pattern studies on bovine rhodopsin.

Abstract 1. 1.|Rhodopsin was extracted from the rod outer segments of bovine retinae using 3% cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) in 0.2 M sodium phosphate buffer (pH 7). Bovine opsin was then prepared by exclusion and ion-exchange chromatography of the bleached, CTAB-extracted rhodopsin. The protein homogeneity of the opsin was established by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. 2. 2.|Reduced and carboxymethylated (RCM) opsin and RCM-retinylopsin were also purified in this manner. 3. 3.|Peptide patterns of trypsin and cyanogen bromide digests of bovine opsin, RCM-opsin and RCM-retinylopsin were obtained. The peptide patterns of the trypsin digests of RCM-opsin were examined for arginine, tryptophan, and histidine residues. In all cases the numbers of residues found were in good agreement with the predicted values.
Comments on the electric modulus function

Arguments in favor of the electric modulus formalism are reviewed, and several misunderstandings and misrepresentations are corrected. It is argued that different representations of the same experimental data provide additional, rather then subtractive, insights into the difficult problem of understanding ionic conductivity in melts, glasses and crystals.
Phenacetin O-deethylation by human liver microsomes in vitro: inhibition by chemical probes, SSRI antidepressants, nefazodone and venlafaxine

Biotransformation of phenacetin via O-deethylation to acetaminophen, an index reaction reflecting activity of Cytochrome P450-1A2, was studied in microsomal preparations from a series of human livers. Acetaminophen formation was consistent with a double Michaelis-Menten system, with low-Km (mean Km1 = 68 μM) and high-Km (mean Km2 = 7691 μM) components. The low-Km enzyme accounted for an average of 96% of estimated intrinsic clearance, and was predicted to contribute more than 50% of net reaction velocity at phenacetin concentrations less than 2000 μM. Among index inhibitor probes, α-naphthoflavone was a highly potent inhibitor of the low-Km enzyme (Ki1 = 0.013 μM); furafylline also was a moderately active inhibitor (Ki1 = 4.4 μM), but its inhibiting potency was increased by preincubation with microsomes. Ketoconazole was a relatively weak inhibitor (Ki1 = 32 μM); quinidine and cimetidine showed minimal inhibiting activity. Among six selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants, fluvoxamine was a potent inhibitor of 1A2 (mean Ki1 = 0.24 μM). The other SSRIs were more than tenfold less potent. Mean Ki1 values were: fluoxetine, 4.4 μM; norfluoxetine, 15.9 μM; sertraline, 8.8 μM; desmethylsertraline, 9.5μM; paroxetine, 5.5 μM. The antidepressant nefazodone and four of its metabolites (meta-chloro-phenylpiperazine, two hydroxylated derivatives, and a triazoledione) were very weak inhibitors of P450-1A2. Venlafaxine and its O- and N-desmethyl metabolites showed minimal inhibitory activity.
Heat transfer to curved surfaces from heat generating pools

Experiments were conducted on heat transfer from internally heated ZnSO/sub 4/-H/sub 2/O pools to curved surfaces. These experiments extended existing data for nonboiling pools to higher Rayleigh numbers. The data for convective downward heat transfer from nonboiling pools to a curved surface were reasonably close to the Mayinger correlation extrapolated to higher Rayleigh numbers and lower ratios of pool depth to radius of curvature. Sideward heat transfer to a surface could be described by Nu=0.7Ra/sup 0.2/. Insulating the upper pool surface from the atmosphere had no effect on either sideward or downward heat transfer. An investigation was also made on effects of curvature on heat transfer from boiling pools. Nusselt numbers for sideward heat transfer were proportional to a boiling Reynolds number based on superficial vapor velocity to the 0.275 power and quite close to the correlation for a pool with flat vertical walls. Downward boiling heat transfer to a curved surface was proportional to the Reynolds number to the 0.1 power.
Monaural Phase Effects in Auditory Signal Detection

A complex signal composed of a fundamental (525 cps) and a second harmonic (1050 cps) was created by systematically altering the phase of the second with respect to the first through six relative‐phase relationships (0°, 30°, 60°, 90°, 120°, and 150°). Four 100‐msec bursts of noise, one of which contained the complex waveform, were presented to four subjects; and they were forced to choose which of the four contained the signal. Ten different signal‐to‐noise ratios (S/N), covering a range of 10 dB around a subjective “threshold” value, were utilized. Forty judgments at each of these S/N ratios were made in each phase condition. The data revealed differences with regard to the detectability of the complex signal as a function of the relative phase of the components.
Pregabalin: From molecule to medicine

Pregabalin, a compound with a novel mechanism of action (MOA), has demonstrated efficacy as an adjunctive treatment for epilepsy and in several neuropathic pain models. Multiple generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) clinical trials have shown that pregabalin has efficacy similar to the benzodiazepines and venlafaxine. Onset of anxiolytic effect was observed as early as Week 1 of treatment, and efficacy was seen in treating both psychic and somatic anxiety symptoms. Pregabalin binds potently and selectively to the alpha-2-delta subunit of "hyper-excited" voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs). The binding of pregabalin to VGCCs changes their conformation, reducing calcium influx at nerve terminals. Pregabalin only modulates the release of excitatory neurotransmitters in "hyper-excited" neurons, restoring them to normal physiological state. This newly defined MOA is believed to confer on pregabalin its anxiolytic, analgesic, and anticonvulsant properties. Thus, pregabalin may offer physicians an effective and well-tolerated therapy for GAD, which differs from existing treatments.
Adapting remote systems: Getting it right the second time

Robert Manning is the Flight System Chief Engineer on the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission; a new, ambitiously large rover named “Curiosity” set to land on Mars in 2012.
Numerical implementation of relativistic electromagnetic boundary conditions in a laboratory-frame grid

Abstract A new method for modeling moving, perfectly conducting surfaces is analyzed using a numerical technique based on the finite-difference time domain (FD-TD) method. Contrary to any other method, the numerical technique used does not require a system transformation where the object is at rest but gives a solution to the problem directly in the laboratory frame. The central idea of this new technique is the direct finite difference implementation of the relativistic boundary conditions at a moving surface. The electromagnetic wave scattering properties of a uniformly moving and vibrating rectangular cylinder are analyzed, first in one dimension and then in two dimensions. Results obtained are in excellent agreement with published analytical results. The new approach provides a method to analyze different problems of moving perfectly conducting scatterers where alternative analytical means are not available. Moreover, the time evolution of the fields are directly observable in the laboratory frame.
Applying an Index of Biotic Integrity Based on Stream-Fish Communities: Considerations in Sampling and Interpretation

Abstract Physical and chemical monitoring of water bodies is relatively common. However, water resource assessment suffers from lack of integrative and reliable measures of the biotic condition of aquatic systems. This situation persists despite the fundamentally biological nature of water resource degradation. We examined three aspects of applying an index of biotic integrity (IBI) that uses attributes of fish communities to assess stream degradation: (1) relative contributions of individual metrics to the final IBI assessment; (2) effects of sampling effort on the IBI; and (3) effects of including young-of-year fish data on IBI computations. Relative contributions of individual metrics to IBI assessments varied substantially among data sets from Illinois, Ohio, and West Virginia, and variation in contributions reflected differences in ranges of metric scores and types of degradation being assessed. No metric was consistently best or worst at detecting degradation, and metrics did not appear redundant wi...
Tritium monitoring within the reactor hall of a DT fusion reactor

Monitoring the reactor hall atmosphere of DT-fueled fusion reactors will probably be performed with conventional ion chamber and proportional counter instruments modified as necessry to deal with the background radiation. Background includes external neutron and gamma radiation and internal beta-gamma radiation from the activated atmosphere. Although locating instruments in remote areas of the reactor hall and adding local shielding and electronic compensation may be feasible, placing the instruments in accessible low-background areas outside of the reactor hall and doing remote sampling is preferable and solves most of the radiation problems. The remaining problem of the activated atmosphere may be solved by recently developed instruments in conjunction with the use of semi-permeable membranes currently under development and evaluation.
The Striped Grass Looper, Mocis Repanda Fab., in Texas

The striped grass looper (Mocis repanda Fab.) which has long been known as a serious pest of crops in Tropical America is occasionally injurious in Southern Texas. It was observed at Brownsville injuring Bermuda grass and sugar-cane in 1910,and destroying pasture grasses in 1916. In addition to corn, sugar-cane, and Bermuda grass, the larvae fed on the following grasses: Cenchrus viridis Spreng., Trichlons pluriflora Fourn., Eriochloa punctata (L) Hamil., Leptochloa walleye Casey, and Panic fasciculate SW. The latter species appeared to be the favorite host plant.
Distributed group support: a preliminary analysis of the effects of the use of voting tools and sequential procedures

Groups that are both temporally and geographically distributed have serious coordination problems. The purpose of this experiment was to assess the effectiveness of a set of group decision support system tools called "List" and "Vote", and of alternative interaction management procedures, as mechanisms for coordinating distributed groups using a computer conferencing system. The tools appear to have significantly improved several subjectively perceived group outcomes, while the attempted manipulation of the presence or absence of sequential procedures generally did not succeed in creating significant differences. >
Rates of river incision and scarp retreat in eastern and central Grand Canyon over the past half million years: Evidence for passage of a transient knickzone

Crow et al. (2014) and Abbott et al. (2015) were the first studies to use river terrace age data to extend the incision record for eastern and central Grand Canyon beyond ca. 400 ka. An accurate understanding of Grand Canyon’s long-term incision history has obvious geomorphic significance, but it also has geodynamic importance in light of recently proposed models for late Cenozoic, mantle-driven surface uplift on the Colorado Plateau (e.g., Moucha et al., 2008; 2009; Roy et al., 2009; Levander et al., 2011; Roberts et al., 2012; Karlstrom et al., 2012; Becker et al., 2014). Crow et al. (2014) interpreted their incision results as strong support for the Karlstrom et al. (2007; 2008) model of temporally steady but spatially variable Grand Canyon incision since at least 3–4 Ma, which they attributed to mantle-induced surface uplift. By contrast, Abbott et al. (2015) concluded, based on data from two locations, that the incision rate in eastern and central Grand Canyon was rapid between ca. 500–400 ka during passage of a transient knickzone and subsequently decreased to the rate measured by previous workers (Crow et al., 2014; Pederson et al., 2002; 2006; Karlstrom et al., 2007). In their Comment, Crow et al. (2015a) raised four objections to our conclusions: (1) Our study did not constrain the ancient elevation of the Colorado River at either location; (2) Our U/Th ages at the Hermit Creek study site (river mile [RM] 96) do not record the depositional age of the strath terrace; (3) Our transient knickzone model is incompatible with seven “well-dated” river gravels presented by Crow et al. (2014); (4) The ~340 m-high knickpoint implied by our model is “unreasonable” and our proposed incision rate during knickzone passage is 2–8 times greater than the highest known knickpoint-controlled bedrock incision rate in the southwestern U.S. We discuss each of these criticisms in turn.
Segregation Phenomena at Thermally Grown Al 2 O 3 /Alloy Interfaces

Experimental results on S segregation at growing Al2O3/alloy interfaces are reviewed for binary FeAl, NiAl alloys, and ternary alloys with additions of Cr, Pt, or a reactive element, such as Zr, Hf, or Y. The segregation behavior is thermodynamic in nature, but the segregation energy can change not only with alloying elements but also with oxidation time and temperature as the oxide growth process changes. Although reactive elements are capable of eliminating interfacial S segregation, they do not stop such segregation to alloy surfaces. The segregation of a reactive element at the interface further strengthens the interfacial bonding. Cosegregation of S and Cr can occur, resulting in higher levels of S at the interface. Pt usually suppresses S segregation, but this effect can be easily overwhelmed by S-Cr cosegregation. Synergisms between alloying elements and how they affect segregation, as well as the relationship between segregation and the oxidation process, are areas that demand further investigation.
Multiphoton Brain Imaging

Imaging approaches have revolutionized neuroscience research. The discovery and development of dyes, fluorescent proteins, light-activated proteins (optogenetics), as well as transgenic animals with subset of cells expressing fluorescent proteins allows scientists to probe the structure and function of neurons with ever-increasing specificity. The ability to perform such investigations in intact animals affords linkages between cellular form and function to the dynamics of neural networks, animal behavior, and disease. Two-photon laser scanning microscopy (TPLSM) is amongst the best approaches available for high-resolution imaging of neurons and other cells that provides spatiotemporal information in the intact brain not feasible by other methods.