cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Subacromial volume and rotator cuff tears Does an association exist

Background: Rotator cuff pathology occurs commonly and its cause is likely multifocal in origin. The development and progression of rotator cuff injury, especially in relation to extrinsic shoulder compression, remain unclear. Traditionally, certain acromial morphologies have been thought to contribute to rotator cuff injury by physically decreasing the subacromial space. The relationship between subacromial space volume and rotator cuff tears (RCT) has, however, never been experimentally confirmed. In this study, we retrospectively compared a control patient population to patients with partial or complete RCTs in an attempt to quantify the relationship between subacromial volume and tear type. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively identified a total of 46 eligible patients who each had shoulder magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed from January to December of 2008. These patients were stratified into control, partial RCT, and full-thickness RCT groups. Subacromial volume was estimated for each patient by averaging five sequential MRI measurements of subacromial cross-sectional areas. These volumes were compared between control and experimental groups using the Student's t -test. Results: With the numbers available, there was no statistically significant difference in subacromial volume measured between: the control group and patients diagnosed partial RCT ( P > 0.339), the control group and patients with complete RCTs ( P > 0.431). Conclusion: We conclude that subacromial volumes cannot be reliably used to predict RCT type.
Effect of 2,3-Dihydro-1H-imidazo[1,2-b]pyrazole on the Proliferation of Mouse Leukemic and Normal Cells in Vivo

Administration of 2,3-dihydro-1 H-imidazo[1,2-b]pyrazole (IMPY; NSC 51143), 250 to 500 mg/kg, in Day 5 L1210 and P388 (ascites) tumor-bearing mice did not consistently prolong the life span of tumor-bearing animals. Flow cytometry and autoradiographic studies showed that, after 12 to 18 hr of a single IMPY injection, both P388 and L1210 tumor cells were synchronized in S phase. In contrast, IMPY inhibited cellular proliferation in both bone marrow and duodenal crypts during the first 24 hr. and a recovery was detectable only after 36 hr, returning to pretherapy values by 72 hr. Preliminary data indicate that this differential response of normal versus tumor cells to IMPY can be exploited to maximize chemotherapeutic efficacy in scheduled chemotherapy with cycle-specific agents.
Application of Time Delay Control to a Two Degree of Freedom SCARA Manipulator

When developing a controller for a system, it is often impossible to know or model all the dynamics or to predict future changes and disturbances. Due to this limitation, present systems are often limited to operating in small linear regions and in steady environments. Recently, however, Time Delay Control has been proposed as an alternative to standard methods. This paper first reviews the concepts of Time Delay Control presents several simulations of a two degree of freedom SCARA Manipulator. The manipulator's effects include actuator and sensor parasitic dynamics, payload changes, friction, quantization effects, D/A converter saturation, velocity sensor noise, torque saturation, and a notch filter. The Time Delay Controller is effectively used on this simulated system with good results.
Neurobiological Views of Memory

Publisher Summary The structure and utilization of memory is central to one's knowledge of the past, interpretation of the present, and prediction of the future. Therefore, the understanding of the structural organization of memory at both the psychological and neurobiological levels is of paramount importance. Even though scientists have been studying the neurobiological basis of memory for many years, theoretical views concerning the organization of memory are surprisingly diverse. This chapter presents some of these views. It presents a number of different theoretical views of the structural organization of memory at different levels of analysis. Memory is a complex phenomenon due to a large number of potential interactions that are associated with the organization of memory at the psychological and neural system level. As a result, the study of the neurobiological basis of the structure of memory readily lends itself to multiple theoretical analyses and view-points. These neurobiological analyses can vary from an emphasis on a single versus multiple tasks, single versus dual memory systems or single versus multiple memory attributes. Critical experiments have been presented in some detail to capture the flavor of each type of analysis and associated theoretical points of view. In the last section, an attempt has been made to integrate all the different theoretical approaches and views into a single multidimensional attribute model of memory. With respect to the attribute model, there appear to be different neural substrates that mediate different attributes associated with a data-based and expectancy or knowledge-based structural organization of memory. The neural substrates can operate independently of each other as indexed by empirical observation of double dissociations between specific neural regions.
Isolation and Properties of Complexes of the Bowman-Birk Soybean Inhibitor with Trypsin and Chymotrypsin

Abstract Complexes of the Bowman-Birk soybean inhibitor with either trypsin or chymotrypsin and with both of these enzymes were isolated by gel filtration. Amino acid analyses and molecular weight estimates by gel filtration were consistent with the formation of a 1:1 molar complex between inhibitor and trypsin or chymotrypsin and a 1:1:1 molar complex composed of inhibitor, trypsin, and chymotrypsin. The binary complexes were also isolated by affinity chromatography employing insoluble derivatives of trypsin and chymotrypsin. Determination of the residual enzymic activity in solutions of the isolated complexes permitted an evaluation of their dissociation constants.
Impact of interannual variations in sources of insoluble aerosol species on orographic precipitation over California's central Sierra Nevada

Abstract. Aerosols that serve as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) and ice nuclei (IN) have the potential to profoundly influence precipitation processes. Furthermore, changes in orographic precipitation have broad implications for reservoir storage and flood risks. As part of the CalWater field campaign (2009–2011), the variability and associated impacts of different aerosol sources on precipitation were investigated in the California Sierra Nevada using an aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometer for precipitation chemistry, S-band profiling radar for precipitation classification, remote sensing measurements of cloud properties, and surface meteorological measurements. The composition of insoluble residues in precipitation samples collected at a surface site contained mostly local biomass burning and long-range-transported dust and biological particles (2009), local sources of biomass burning and pollution (2010), and long-range transport (2011). Although differences in the sources of insoluble residues were observed from year to year, the most consistent source of dust and biological residues were associated with storms consisting of deep convective cloud systems with significant quantities of precipitation initiated in the ice phase. Further, biological residues were dominant (up to 40%) during storms with relatively warm cloud temperatures (up to −15 °C), supporting the important role bioparticles can play as ice nucleating particles. On the other hand, lower percentages of residues from local biomass burning and pollution were observed over the three winter seasons (on average 31 and 9%, respectively). When precipitation quantities were relatively low, these insoluble residues most likely served as CCN, forming smaller more numerous cloud droplets at the base of shallow cloud systems, and resulting in less efficient riming processes. Ultimately, the goal is to use such observations to improve the mechanistic linkages between aerosol sources and precipitation processes to produce more accurate predictive weather forecast models and improve water resource management.
The 3D MOSAIC scene understanding system: incremental reconstruction of 3D scenes for complex images

Abstract The 3D Mosaic system is a vision system that incrementally reconstructs complex 3D scenes from multiple images. The system encompasses several levels of the vision process, starting with images and ending with symbolic scene descriptions. This paper describes the various components of the system, including stereo analysis, monocular analysis, and constructing and modifying the scene model In addition, the representation of the scene model is described. This model is intended for tasks such as matching, display generation, planning paths through the scene, and making other decisions about the scene environment. Examples showing how the system is used to interpret complex aerial photographs of urban scenes are presented. Each view of the scene, which may be either a single image or a stereo pair, undergoes analysis which results in a 3D wire-frame description that represents portions of edges and vertices of objects. The model is a surface-based description constructed from the wire frames. With each successive view, the model is incrementally updated and gradually becomes more accurate and complete. Task-specific knowledge, involving block-shaped objects in an urban scene, is used to extract the wire frames and construct and update the model.
Simulation of Agricultural Policy Formation as a Teaching Approach

Policy formation can best be described as problem solving. Policies are formulated so that they appeal to a sufficient number of involved parties to accept the policy as an improvement over the present situation (Bauer). Understanding the environment and operation of this political process helps students formulate critical judgments concerning important economic policy issues. Because this process is so complex, it warrants special attention by educators. Agricultural policy instruction, in particular, has an opportunity to make economic abstractions meaningful and to get students involved in the learning process by analyzing relevant policy issues. Students can actively participate in a policy formulation learning process through role-playing simulation in which they represent people involved in real-world situations and make decisions based on available information. Such simulation helps students understand the policy-making process and the relationship between policy making and its results. This paper describes role playing simulation in agricultural policy classes.
Discrete lens array modeling and design for optimum MIMO communications at mm-wave

Millimeter-wave wireless systems are emerging as a promising technology for meeting the exploding capacity requirements of communications networks. In particular, Multiple- Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) systems have been explored as a method of increasing the capacity of line-of-sight links, as an attractive alternative to fiber-based wired backhaul. A key limiting factor for conventional mm-wave MIMO has been achieving optimal performance, which requires a critically-spaced antenna array and high transceiver complexity. Efforts to reduce the complexity, e.g. with a few widely spaced antennas, lead to significantly decreased performance. Continuous Aperture Phased MIMO (CAP-MIMO) is a hybrid digital-analog transceiver architecture that uses a high-resolution Discrete Lens Array (DLA) for analog spatial beamforming. The DLA enables direct access to the communicating modes, resulting in an optimal MIMO system with dramatically low transceiver complexity. This paper discusses the design, fabrication, and analysis of a prototype DLA-based CAP-MIMO system, using both analytical and measurement results.
Worst drought since '36 spurs climate research

Low rainfall and higher than normal temperatures continue across much of the nation. Since the end of January, 35 states have developed extreme drought conditions, according to scientists of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration who gave a news briefing June 29. Historical data back to the 1920s show that the first preceding period comparable to this drought in severity and total area affected was in 1936, said Donald Gilman, chief of the Prediction Branch at the National Weather Service's Climate Analysis Center (CAC) in Silver Spring, Md. In 1934, the classic “dustbowl summer,” a larger area had severe drought conditions.
An algorithm to generate radial basis function (RBF)-like nets for classification problems

Abstract This paper presents a new algorithm for generating radial basis function (RBF)-like nets for classification problems. The method uses linear programming (LP) models to train the RBF-like net. Polynomial time complexity of the method is proven and computational results are provided for many well-known problems. The method can also be implemented as an on-line adaptive algorithm.
Phonon-assisted double exchange in perovskite manganites

Measurements of the temperature dependence of the thermoelectric power and the resistivity of ${}^{18}\mathrm{O}{/}^{16}\mathrm{O}$ isotope-exchanged $({\mathrm{La}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Nd}}_{x}{)}_{0.7}{\mathrm{Ca}}_{0.3}{\mathrm{MnO}}_{3}$ samples have confirmed the existence of vibronic electronic states below ${T}_{c}$ in the narrow range of bandwidths where static, cooperative Jahn-Teller (J-T) deformations are suppressed and dynamic J-T deformations introduce vibrational modes into the interatomic spin-spin interactions. A giant isotope effect on ${T}_{c}$ is related to a mass-enhanced change in both the density and mobility of the mobile charge carriers at ${T}_{c}$.
Acinar Muscle Development From 22-42 Weeks Gestation and With Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) 1758

Acinar Muscle Development From 22-42 Weeks Gestation and With Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) 1758
Practical gel permeation chromatographic column calibration for polymers

Abstract A gel permeation chromatographic column calibration technique for polymers under a given set of operating conditions such as column, solvent, oven temperature, and elution rate is presented, using the exponent a of appropriate limiting viscosity number-molecular weight relatioships of various polymers. The elution volumes Ve usually bear a linear, inverse relationship to the logarithms of molecular weight within a limited molecular weight range, permitting extrapolation to molecular weight unity as a measure of the apparent maximum elution volume Vm. A linear relationship between log Vm/Ve and log M over the linear range of log M versus Ve curves has been demonstrated for available polystyrene and polypropylene glycol standards for several given gel permeation chromatographic operating conditions. The indicated linear relationships for the polymer standards may be expressed by simple equations of the form (Vm/Ve) = kMa′, where Vm and a′ are constant for a given polymer under a given set of operating conditions and k is constant for a given operating condition. It seems likely that a′ is a linear function of the exponent a of the limiting viscosity number-molecular weight relationship over the corresponding linear range of molecular weight. Thus, a given gel permeation chromatographic column system can be characterized for polymer samples by the column constant k and a conversion factor f between a and a′. The calibration technique is then of particular interest for polymers of different types than the available standards. An application of the technque to polyethylene oxide is presented.
Association between residence near surface coal mining and blood inflammation

Abstract Previous research has documented that persons living near surface coal mining activity are at risk for poor health outcomes. The current study measured blood inflammation among adults ( N = 51) living close to surface coal mining sites versus persons living farther away in Indiana and West Virginia, USA. None of the participants were smokers or coal miners, and none reported current acute illness. Participants completed a health interview and were tested for high sensitivity C-reactive protein as a measure of inflammation. We also collected indoor and outdoor particle counts and mass estimates at each residence. Results showed that mean C-reactive protein levels were significantly higher for residents who lived near mining, controlling for other risks (adjusted mean = 4.9 mg/L in the mining group and 0.9 mg/L in the non-mining group, p
Human cortical asymmetries determined with 3D MR technology.

A method is described for obtaining clear 3D magnetic resonance (MR) images of the cortical surface of the brain in living human subjects. By combining volume composite and depth encoded images, we have obtained surface coordinate data that resulted in highly repeatable measurements of sulcal lengths and cortical surface areas in eight normal adult volunteers. Sulcal lengths were determined for specific parts of the Sylvian fissure, central sulcus and frontal operculum. Additionally, angles were computed between the anterior and posterior limbs of the pars triangularis and the ascending and horizontal limbs of the posterior Sylvian fissure. The cortical surface areas enclosed by these limbs were also computed. Finally, thirteen non-metric cortical features (e.g., petalias) were scored from the 3D MR images. All measurements were compared in right and left hemispheres. In addition to corroborating cortical asymmetries reported in the literature, we observed previously unrecognized directional asymmetries in the length of the anterior limb of the pars triangularis, length of the ascending limb of the posterior Sylvian fissure, and position of the lateral end of the central sulcus. We attribute the finding of three new directional asymmetries for the human cortex, as well as the high repeatability of our measurements, to the sensitivity and accuracy of the 3D MR imaging technology that has recently become available.
Thermodynamic analysis of the basic pulse-tube refrigerator

Abstract The basic pulse-tube refrigerator is modelled as a tube with one end closed and with a movable piston at the other end. Both ends contain heat exchangers. The piston is capable of moving through the heat exchanger at its end. The thermodynamic model consists of four steps: adiabatic compression of the gas in the pulse tube; isobaric heat transfer from the gas to the wall of the pulse tube; adiabatic expansion of the gas in the pulse tube; and isobaric heat transfer from the wall of the pulse tube to the gas. During the entire cycle the pressure is taken to be uniform, and the gas inside either heat exchanger is assumed to be at the temperature of that exchanger. Upon neglecting gas motion during the isobaric heat transfer steps, complete analytical results are obtained for the temperature profiles of the wall, of the gas after compression, and of the gas after expansion. Each of these profiles is piecewise adiabatic. The profiles are used in finding the coefficient of performance and the net work done per cycle. The coefficient of performance is derived by noting that the basic heat transfer process consists of several reverse Brayton cycles, staged in series. The net work done per cycle is found by constructing the p-V diagram for the piston. This diagram represents a modified reverse Brayton cycle, with each of the compression and expansion steps consisting of two hyperbolic segments. The parameters determining these segments depend on the temperature at which gas enters the heat exchangers. Results are presented for the coefficient of performance and the heat removed per cycle as a function of the temperature ratio of the heat exchangers, for various values of the pressure ratio π and the non-dimensional length L h of the heat exchanger at the closed end. The model is non-linear and permits study of the effect of large values of π and L h .
Statistical variability of top of atmosphere cloud-free shortwave aerosol radiative effect

The statistical variability of globally averaged MODIS aerosol optical thickness at 0.55 ?m (AOT) and top of atmosphere CERES cloud-free shortwave radiative effect (SWRE) is presented. Statistical variability is defined as the robustness of globally averaged statistics relative to data distribution. At the CERES footprint level, which we label "raw data", both the AOT and SWRE data derived from clear-sky CERES-SSF products show significant deviations from a normal distribution as evidenced by high skewness values. The spatial and temporal distribution of the data is also not uniform, with a greater concentration of data occurring in aerosol heavy-regions. As a result, globally averaged AOT and SWRE are overestimated when derived from raw data alone. To compensate, raw data are gridded into 2×2 degree grid-cells (called "gridded" data) to reduce the effect of spatial non-uniformity. However, the underlying non-normal distribution remains and manifests itself by increasing the uncertainty of grid-cell values. Globally averaged AOT and SWRE derived from a gridded dataset are substantially lower than those derived from raw data alone. The range of globally averaged AOT and SWRE values suggests that up to a 50% statistical variability exists, much of which is directly tied to how the data are manipulated prior to averaging. This variability increases when analyzing aerosol components (e.g. anthropogenic) since component AOT (and SWRE) may not exist at all locations were AOT is present. As a result, regions where a particular component AOT does not exist must either not be included in the global average or have data within these regions set to null values. However, each method produces significantly different results. The results of this work indicate simple mean and standard deviation statistics do not adequately describe global aerosol climate forcing data sets like the one used here. We demonstrate that placing raw observations on to a uniform grid is a necessary step before calculating global statistics. However, this by no means eliminates uncertainty in globally averaged AOT and SWRE values, while adding its own set of assumptions. When reporting any globally averaged statistic, it is important to report corresponding distribution and coverage information, in the form of skewness values, probability density functions, and spatial distribution plots, to help quantify its usefulness and robustness.
The ultrasonic localization of abdominal wall adhesions.

Laparoscopic candidates with abdominal scars may have adhesions that result in visceral injury during trocar insertion. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of preoperative ultrasound mapping of abdominal wall adhesions, to provide safe initial laparoscopic access, and to guide the placement of subsequent trocars, facilitating adhesolysis when necessary. Thirty consecutive patients with previous abdominal surgery who were scheduled for laparoscopy underwent a preoperative ultrasonic examination of the abdominal wall using a 7-MHz linear ultrasound probe. Spontaneous viscera slide was measured during longitudinal scanning (normal=2–5 cm) and induced viscera slide was evaluated during longitudinal and transverse scanning (normal=1 cm or more) over the existing abdominal scar, the peri-umbilical region, and the remaining abdominal quadrants. Sixteen (53%) of 30 patients had adhesions under their scar and only four patients (25%) had umbilical adhesions. The 12 patients without umbilical adhesions all had successful closed cannulation while open cannulation at alternate sites was successful in the four individuals with umbilical adhesions. Blind umbilical needle cannulation was successfully done in all of the remaining 14 patients (47%) without visceral injury, including three patients (21%) with upper abdominal scars who were adhesion-free elsewhere. No adhesions were encountered that had not been preoperatively predicted by ultrasound. We conclude that examination of the abdominal wall with spontaneous and induced viscera slide, using ultrasound scanning, can reliably detect intraabdominal adhesions. The examination is best done on a highly selective basis by the operating surgeon to guide the location for initial trocar insertion and determine the type of abdominal wall cannulation in those individuals with previous abdominal scars.
Echo inversion and target shape estimation by neuromorphic processing

Abstract A neural net processor is described for echo inversions and target shape estimations from incomplete frequency response data. The processor accomplishes the inversion and estimation by minimizing an energy function which bears information about the measured data, as well as the relationship between the target shape function (image) to be reconstructed and its frequency response. An iterative algorithm is developed for the processor to minimize its energy function to give the desired image as its neural state outputs. Successful digital reconstructions with the neural net processor using microwave radar imaging data are presented and an opto-electronic implementation of the processor is described. Heuristic extension to make the processor more neuromorphic by introducing nonlinearity is discussed and digital reconstructions with this extension are shown; these reflect noticeable improvement in image quality.
Fully three-dimensional incremental model of magneto-elastic hysteresis in Terfenol-D

The paper presents an incremental hysteretic magneto-elastic constitutive description of pseudo-cubic ferro-magnetostrictive alloys, which may be used to predict the magneto-elastic response of these materials under quite general applied magnetic field and stress processes. These processes may include fully saturated major loop, unsaturated minor loop or more general types of magnetic field processes. Local stress and domain wall pinning non-uniformities assumed in the development of the model result in smooth and continuous hysteretic magnetization and magnetostriction curves which follow the magnetization and magnetization anhysteretics with a non-constant offset. Comparisons between model results and a set of high quality measurements show that the model is agrees well with experimental curves when the magnetization response is dominated by inhibited domain wall motion.
Tensile Properties Evaluation of Chemically Treated/Untreated Single Sugarcane Fiber

Natural fiber as a reinforcing constituent can play a dominant role in the field of fiber reinforced polymer composites (FRPC) due to its eco-friendliness, renewability, abundance in nature, co2-neutrality, flexibility, low density, and low cost. Hence, sugarcane fiber can be a potential candidate to replace the synthetic FRPC. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of chemical treatment on the tensile properties of single sugarcane fiber. Sugarcane collected from the local market was cut into some specific length and fibers were extracted from the juicy section. These fibers were then dried in an oven to remove the moisture. Surface modification was accomplished by performing alkali treatment and neutralizing by acetic acid solution. The fiber was then rinsed with water and dried at 80°C for about twenty four hours using an oven. Untreated and treated fibers were characterized using tensile testing according to the ASTM D 3822-01 standard. Optical microscopy (OM) was employed to measure the diameter of the fiber and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to evaluate the fracture morphology of failed samples. Tensile tests were carried out on the span length of 25 mm of the single fiber. The resultant data showed that maximum improvement in the tensile strength and modulus was observed to be 87% and 29%, respectively, compared to those of untreated ones due to chemical treatments using 5% NaOH solution and 2% acetic acid solution, respectively. Strain to maximum strength was enhanced by about 16% compared to that of the untreated one. A small initial weight loss was observed in the temperature ranging from 25 to 150 °C due to the evaporation of water. However, untreated fiber started to decompose at around 200 °C while treated fiber started to become decomposed at around 250°C. It might be due to the removal of non-cellulosic substances including hemicellulose, lignin, and pectin as a result of the chemical treatment. Fracture morphology of the treated fiber revealed rougher fracture surfaces compared to untreated fiber surfaces. This is an indication of more energy absorption by the treated fibers during the tensile loading.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Microclimatic differences between young longleaf-pine silvopasture and open-pasture

Information is needed relative to changes that occur in microclimatic conditions in the early stages of open-pasture to pine silvopasture conversion in the Southeastern USA. This research tested the hypothesis that microclimatic conditions would vary between young-pine silvopasture and open-pasture. The research was conducted in a longleaf-pine (Pinus palustris Mill.)-bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge) silvopasture and adjacent open bahiagrass pasture at Americus, Georgia. Longleaf-pine was planted in the bahiagrass pasture in December 2000; the trees were not pruned or thinned until the study was completed. Microclimatic parameters (air temperature, soil temperature at 5 and 10 cm, wind speed, gust speed, wind direction, humidity, dew point, rainfall, soil-moisture content, total solar radiation, and photosynthetically active radiation) were collected from November 2005 to October 2008 using HOBO© weather stations located in each pasture type. Data were analyzed to determine overall, as well as seasonal, monthly, and diurnal differences between pasture types. Evapotranspiration was calculated from air temperature, wind speed, relative humidity, and total solar radiation. With the exception of rainfall, overall average values for all microclimatic parameters were different between pasture types. Silvopasture had higher overall average values for air temperature, soil temperature at both depths, and soil water content, but lower values for all remaining microclimatic parameters. Seasonal, monthly, and diurnal differences between pasture types were also detected for several parameters. The results suggested that water loss can be significantly reduced in the early stages of open-pasture to longleaf-pine silvopasture conversion in the Southeastern USA.
Inhibition of gastric acid secretion by blood drawing from an indwelling venous needle.

To investigate a possible inhibitory effect of blood drawing through an indwelling forearm vein needle on gastric acid secretion, 11 subjects were studied on four occasions each. The first session was for adapting the subject to the 3-hr collection of gastric juice. In 7 subjects the second through fourth sessions gave three conditions in balanced order: (1) an indwelling forearm vein needle and the withdrawal of 5 or 10 cc of blood every 20 min, (2) only a nonfunctional “dummy” needle implanted subcutaneously in the forearm skin, and (3) the control condition with no needle. In four additional subjects the sessions were identical except that condition (1) involved an indwelling forearm vein needle kept open by a slow infusion of saline solution and no blood was drawn. Phenol red recovery from an initial intragastric injection was measured in all. Results showed that blood drawing, but not saline infusion or venipuncture per se, inhibited gastric acid output.
The role of clinical and instrumented outcome measures in balance control of individuals with multiple sclerosis

Purpose. The aim of the study was to investigate differences in balance control between individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) and healthy control subjects using clinical scales and instrumented measures of balance and determine relationships between balance measures, fatigue, and disability levels in individuals with MS with and without a history of falls. Method. Twelve individuals with MS and twelve healthy controls were evaluated using the Berg Balance and Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scales, Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance, and Limits of Stability Tests as well as Fatigue Severity Scale and Barthel Index. Results. Mildly affected individuals with MS had significant balance performance deficits and poor balance confidence levels (P < 0.05). MS group had higher sway velocities and diminished stability limits (P < 0.05), significant sensory impairments, high fatigue and disability levels (P < 0.05). Sway velocity was a significant predictor of balance performance and the ability to move towards stability limits for the MS group. For the MS-fallers group, those with lower disability levels had faster movement velocities and better balance performance. Conclusion. Implementation of both clinical and instrumented tests of balance is important for the planning and evaluation of treatment outcomes in balance rehabilitation of people with MS.
Short-circuit characteristics and impact of PV inverter on the protection of distribution grid

Nowadays, Photovoltaic (PV) generation is widely accepted as an alternative energy. PV unit interfaced to distribution grid effects protection action when short-circuit fault happened. In this paper, electromagnetic transient characteristics of the PV inverter short-circuit were studied by theoretical analysis and experimental verify.
A phase II study of irinotecan (CPT-11) in patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix

BACKGROUND This study was conducted to determine the efficacy and safety of irinotecan (CPT-11) as second-line therapy in patients with advanced cervical carcinoma. METHODS Sixteen patients with platinum-resistant squamous cell carcinoma were treated with CPT-11 as second-line therapy. CPT-11 was administered in repeated 6-week cycles comprised of the administration of CPT-11 once weekly for 4 weeks, followed by a 2-week rest. The starting dose of CPT-11 was 125 mg/M2 given intravenously over 90 minutes; subsequent doses were adjusted based on individual patient tolerance. RESULTS The median age of the patients was 43 years (range, 27-69 years). Three patients had a baseline Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance score (PS) of 0, 8 had a PS of 1, and 5 had a PS of 2. All patients had received cisplatin-based chemotherapy and 13 of 16 patients (81.3%) had been treated with prior pelvic/abdominal radiation therapy. Fourteen patients were evaluable for response. There were no objective responses although subjective decreases in symptoms were observed in some patients. Grade 3 to 4 toxicities included diarrhea in three patients, nausea and emesis in one patient, leukopenia in six patients, and neutropenia in five patients. Eighteen of 25 cycles required dose reductions leading to a median dose intensity of only 59.4 mg/M2/week, which was 71% of the planned dose of 83.3 mg/M2/week. CONCLUSIONS The amount of CPT-11 actually delivered to the patients under the conditions of this pilot study failed to result in an antitumor response. However, the marked subjective improvement of symptoms observed in this study and the significant activity reported by other investigators justify future studies of CPT-11 in patients with cervical carcinoma. Cancer 1998;82:328-33. © 1998 American Cancer Society.
The identification of late bacteriophage T4 proteins on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gels.

Abstract Amber, deletion, and temperature-sensitive mutants of bacteriophage T4 were used to identify the products of late T4 genes by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and subsequent autoradiography. We have identified or confirmed the identification of thirty-three late proteins and have estimated their molecular weights. In addition, mutants in several genes appear to exert pleiotropic effects on other gene products. These effects include: (1) reduction of protein product of genes distal to the amber mutation and (2) reduced cleavage of some head proteins by mutants in other genes involved in head morphogenesis. We have presented for comparison the protein pattern of purified T4D + next to that of a lysate of cells labeled late in infection.
TNIP1, a Retinoic Acid Receptor Corepressor and A20-binding Inhibitor of NF-κB, Distributes to Both Nuclear and Cytoplasmic Locations

An increasingly wide range of functions, from repression of NF-κB signaling to protection from apoptosis, is being recognized for tumor necrosis factor α-induced protein 3-interacting protein 1 (TNIP1). The authors recently demonstrated TNIP1 interaction with and repression of liganded retinoic acid receptors, distinguishing it from the more typical NCoR and SMRT corepressors, which function only in the absence of ligand. To improve their understanding of TNIP1's roles in physiologic and pathologic events, the authors examined its distribution in normal and malignant human tissues and cultured cells. They found cytoplasmic and nuclear TNIP1 in normal skin keratinocytes as it colocalized with retinoic acid receptor α, one of the nuclear receptors it corepresses. Nuclear and cytoplasmic TNIP1 was also found in the malignant keratinocytes of squamous cell carcinomas. Compared to adjacent normal tissues of other organs, TNIP1 staining and distribution varied with increased levels in esophageal cancer and marked decreases in prostate cancer. The varying levels and distribution of TNIP1 in normal and disease state tissues could be expected to affect processes in which TNIP1 is involved, such as NF-κB and nuclear receptor signaling, possibly contributing to the disease course or response to therapies targeting these key players of cell growth and differentiation.
Investigations in array sizing 3. The center distance finding technique

Abstract A new technique (called Center Distance Finding, or CDF) is described to find the mean size and size distribution of monosize microspheres, using optical microscope. Two-dimensional contacting microsphere structures on a microscope slide are illuminated with parallel light. The spheres act as positive lenses, refracting the light into small focal spots that mark the locations of the sphere centers in a photomicrograph. Distances between focal spots contain the diameter information of interest. In support of these distance measurements, a precision technique for finding the microscope image magnification and distortion is given, and it is shown that the emulsion of the utilized Polaroid film has the needed dimensional stability. An error budget is given for this technique showing that nominal 10 μm spheres can be sized with a total error of ±0.04 μm in D and ±0.01 μm in σD.
Refined beauty, new woman, dynamic heroine or fighter for the nation? Perceptions of China in the programme selection for mei lanfang's performances in Japan (1919), the United States (1930) and the Soviet Union (1935)

One of the seminal cultural transformations in twentieth-century China was the rise of the female impersonator, the dan actor, to national stardom, with Mei Lanfang (1894–1961) as the most famous example (see Figure I). In the short span of 20 years, this figure, once strongly associated with being the 'male flower' and the 'call-boy' of elite men, became the representative and high point of Chinese cultural achievements. The three visits Mei Lanfang made to Japan in 1919, the United States in 1930 and the Soviet Union in 1935 helped establish the image of cultural China through the art of the female impersonator.
Comparative Study of Thermal Integrity Profiling with Other Nondestructive Integrity Test Methods for Drilled Shafts

Integrity testing of drilled shafts and similarly constructed concrete foundations has evolved to combat the blind nature of the construction process and to increase quality assurance. The more popular methods include cross-hole sonic logging (CSL), gamma-gamma logging (GGL), and more recently thermal integrity profiling (TIP) and sonic caliper. Thermal integrity profiling, developed at the University of South Florida in the mid-1990s, utilizes the heat of hydration of curing concrete to evaluate the integrity of drilled shaft foundations. Comparing the results of the different test types is difficult due to the varied nature of the different tests. This paper looks at various shafts constructed across the nation, which were tested with thermal and at least one other method. When compared with CSL and GDL test results, TIP agreed with four of six cases for CSL and two of five cases for GDL. In the one case were both sonic caliper and inclination data were available, TIP showed good agreement.
Effects of dipyridamole and aminophylline on hemodynamics, regional myocardial blood flow and thallium-201 washout in the setting of a critical coronary stenosis

AbstractExperiments were performed to characterize the interaction of intravenous dipyridamole and aminophylline on thailium-201 transport kinetics, regional myocardial blood flow and systemic hemo...
Prius: generic hybrid trace compression for wireless sensor networks

Several diagnostic tracing techniques (e.g., event, power, and control-flow tracing) have been proposed for run-time debugging and postmortem analysis of wireless sensor networks (WSNs). Traces generated by such techniques can become large, defying the harsh resource constraints of WSNs. Compression is a straightforward candidate to reduce trace sizes, yet is challenged by the same resource constraints. Established trace compression algorithms perform unsatisfactorily under these constraints.We propose Prius, a novel hybrid (offline/online) trace compression technique that enables application of established trace compression algorithms for WSNs and achieves high compression rates and significant energy savings. We have implemented such hybrid versions of two established compression techniques for TinyOS and evaluated them on various applications. Prius respects the resource constraints of WSNs (5% average program memory overhead) whilst reducing energy consumption on average by 46% and 49% compared to straightforward online adaptations of established compression algorithms and the state-of-the-art trace-specific compression algorithm respectively.
Recovery of fertility following vasovasotomy.

A case is presented of a 29-year old man who had a vasectomy performed in 1974 and a vasovasostomy in 1977 and for whom no obvious reason for infertility had been found. Antiserum antibodies have been detected in up to 60% of men who have had vasectomies. Following vasovasostomy the antibodies tend to persist but it is not certain whether this affects fertility. This patient had a normal semen analysis and his partner was normal; it was assumed that the immunologic factor was playing an important role in his infertility. He was started on dexamethasone and subsequently a pregnancy was achieved. It is however not certain whether his ability to achieve pregnancy was due to diminution in antibody titer or to some other undefined effect of steroid administration. Other antibody mediated forms of male infertility have been treated with much higher doses of steroids up to 96 mg methylprednisolone daily. (summary in GER)
Mechanical Properties and Morphology of Crystalline Polymers and Their Continuous Fiber Composites

The morphology, microstructure and mechanical properties of a model crystalline thermoplastic (PP), its rubber toughened versions, and their corresponding continuous fiber composites were investigated. Adding a rubbery phase in a PP matrix results in a less regular spherulite texture with less sharp spherulite boundaries. The average spherulite dimensions have not been reduced appreciably. The rubber particles are found to be uni formly dispersed in the PP matrix and their sizes increase with an increased weight frac tion of rubber. "Transcrystalline" regions can be found with those thin PP specimens con taining a low fraction of glass fibers. Delamination is the dominant failure mode in PP-fiber composite subjected to low-velocity impact. The maximum load tolerated by the laminates just prior to delamination appears to be controlled by the resin yield strength and the fiber-matrix interfacial adhesion. The magnitudes of the residual thermal stresses have been estimated and are found to decrease with incr...
Consistent and varied memory/visual search: is there an interaction between age and response-set effects?

Interactions of stimulus consistency and response-set were examined after extensive consistent (CM) and varied mapping (VM) practice for young (mean age 20) and old (mean age 74) adults. The experiment examined whether reduced response complexity would lead to equivalent consistent mapping search performance across age groups. Subjects received 2,240 training trials each for CM and VM versions of a hybrid memory/visual search task. During training two response conditions were used: (1) respond only when a target was present (Yes-only responding) and (2) respond only when a target was absent (No-only responding). Following initial training, subjects were transferred to the opposite response condition. During training the function relating reaction time to memory-set size differed between age groups only with CM practice, replicating age-related effects previously found for extensive CM practice. Response reversal (e.g., Yes-only to No-only) after training led to age-related transfer effects for both CM and VM search. Importantly, the transfer data suggest age-dependent controlled processing effects.
Taste differences between cigarette smokers and nonsmokers

In a series of taste tests, cigarette smokers allowed to smoke, cigarette smokers not allowed to smoke, and nonsmokers, rated the pleasantness and intensity of sugar, salt, and quinine solutions. One taste test was performed before, and three tests were completed after, ingestion of a glucose load. Before the glucose load, there were no significant differences between the groups in rating test solutions. After the glucose load, the smokers allowed to smoke significantly decreased their ratings of the pleasantness of very sweet solutions. In contrast, nonsmokers and smokers-not-smoking did not significantly decrease their ratings of the pleasantness of sweet tastes. None of the subjects significantly changed their intensity ratings after the glucose load, nor did they change their pleasantness and intensity ratings of salt and quinine solutions.
Electrohydroelastic dynamics of macro-fiber composites for underwater energy harvesting from base excitation

Low-power electronic systems are used in various underwater applications ranging from naval sensor networks to ecological monitoring for sustainability. In this work, underwater base excitation of cantilevers made of Macro-Fiber Composite (MFC) piezoelectric structures is explored experimentally and theoretically to harvest energy for such wireless electronic components toward enabling self-powered underwater systems. Bimorph cantilevers made of MFCs with different length-to-width ratios and same thickness are tested in air and under water to characterize the change in natural frequency and damping with a focus on the fundamental bending mode. The real and imaginary parts of hydrodynamic frequency response functions are identified and corrected based on this set of experiments. An electrohydroelastic model is developed and experimentally validated for predicting the power delivered to an electrical load as well as the shunted underwater vibration response under base excitation. Variations of the electrical power output with excitation frequency and load resistance are obtained for different length-to-width ratios. Underwater power density results are reported and compared with their in-air counterparts. Specifically a nonlinear dependence of the power density to the cantilever width is reported for energy harvesting from underwater base excitation.