cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Medical student interest in combined internal medicine-pediatrics

Objective:To determine the level of interest in and perceptions of the field of internal medicine-pediatrics among third-year medical students.
Voting by proxy

I introduce voting by proxy for constructing and operating legislatures, and then compare it to direct representation, plurality, and single transferable vote (STV), which voting by proxy most closely resembles. When each voter uses voting by proxy to select his proxy among given legislators and elections are costless, voting by proxy maximizes the legislature's representation of the voting population. When each voter uses preferential voting by proxy, selecting a proxy during the vote count as well as a proxy in the legislature, and some ancillary rules are followed, I find that voting by proxy dominates STV and offers favorable tradeoffs against plurality. It improves representation and constituent service; eliminates gerrymandering; improves voter turnout; ranks the legislature's representatives by the proxies they hold rather than seniority; creates tighter representative-constituent links that lead to better informed voters, reducing the influence of special interests; and eliminates primary and runoff elections. Extra costs associated with its relative complexity or better representation can be made small.
Expression of hollow heart in segregating tetraploid potato families

Expression of hollow heart, a physiological disorder in potato, is controlled by both genotype and environment. Development of high levels of resistance in cultivars would reduce economic yield losses that occur under conditions that promote hollow heart. This experiment was conducted to study hollow heart in segregating populations from parents in a breeding program. Nine families were planted in a replicated trial under dryland conditions and five of those families were also grown at an irrigated location under conditions favoring the expression of hollow heart. As expected, positive correlations between hollow heart and both mean yield and tuber weight were detected; correlations between hollow heart and tuber number were negative. Hierarchical regression analysis was performed on these yield traits to determine the independent contribution of each to the overall results. The highest levels of hollow heart were found in families with susceptible parents, but susceptible clones were obtained in families with two resistant parents. Regardless of the type of cross, selection of clones with large tubers increased the probability of selecting for susceptibility to hollow heart.
Control of intestinal epithelial cell growth and differentiation by surface modification

Abstract The objective of this study is to define the attachment surfaces that will control intestinal epithelial cells’ growth and differentiation for the design of intestinal tissue engineering scaffolds. Methods: Intestinal epithelial cells were transduced with the green fluorescent protein gene as a stable marker by lentiviral transfection. Cells were seeded on collagen gel or polystyrene at 20,000 cells/cm 2 . Cellular attachment efficiency and cellular growth rate were measured by quantitative fluorometry. Cellular differentiation was determined by measuring the alkaline phosphatase activity and its mRNA level by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Student’s t-test was employed for statistical analysis. Results: Intestinal epithelial cells adhered equally well to collagen gel and to polystyrene (n = 10, p > 0.05). Cells grew rapidly on polystyrene, with a specific growth rate of 0.5 day –1 (see figure). The alkaline phosphatase activity of these cells was nearly zero. In contrast, cells seeded on collagen gel ceased to grow but exhibited high alkaline phosphatase activity. The increase in alkaline phosphatase activity was accompanied by a corresponding increase in the level of alkaline phosphatase mRNA. Conclusion: Intestinal epithelial cells can change their behavior in response to surface modification. Whereas cells on polystyrene behaved as proliferative crypt cells, cells on collagen gel behaved as differentiated villus cells. These surfaces will be useful in the design of scaffolds that mimic regions of crypts and villi for intestinal tissue engineering. Download high-res image (70KB) Download full-size image
An estimate of biofilm properties using an acoustic microscope

Noninvasive measurements over a biofilm, a three-dimensional (3-D) community of microorganisms immobilized at a substratum, were made using an acoustic microscope operating at frequencies up to 70 MHz. The microscope scanned a 2.5-mm by 2.5-mm region of a living biofilm having a nominal thickness of 100 mum. Spatial variation of surface heterogeneity, thickness, interior structure, and biomass were estimated. Thickness was estimated as the product of the speed of sound of the medium and the interim between the highest signal peak and that of the substratum plane without biofilm. The thickest portions of biofilm were 145 mum; however, slender structures attributed as streamers extended above, with one obtaining a 274-mum height above the substratum. Three-dimensional iso-contours of amplitude were used to estimate the internal structure of the biofilm. Backscatter amplitude was examined at five zones of increasing height from the substratum to examine biomass distribution. Ultrasound-based estimates of thickness were corroborated with optical microscopy. The experimental acoustic and optical systems, methods used to estimate biofilm properties, and potential applications for the resulting data are discussed
Morphological Correlates of Intrinsic Electrical Excitability in Neurons of the Deep Cerebellar Nuclei

To what degree does neuronal morphology determine or correlate with intrinsic electrical properties within a particular class of neuron? This question has been examined using microelectrode recordings and subsequent neurobiotin filling and reconstruction of neurons in the deep cerebellar nuclei (DCN) of brain slices from young rats (P13-16). The neurons reconstructed from these recordings were mostly large and multipolar (17/21 cells) and were likely to represent glutamatergic projection neurons. Within this class, there was considerable variation in intrinsic electrical properties and cellular morphology. Remarkably, in a correlation matrix of 18 electrophysiological and 6 morphological measures, only one morphological characteristic was predictive of intrinsic excitability: neurons with more spines had a significantly slower basal firing rate. To address the possibility that neurons with fewer spines represented a slowly maturing subgroup, recordings and reconstructions were also made from neurons at a younger age (P6-9). While P6-9 neurons were morphologically indistinguishable from P13 to 16 neurons, they were considerably less excitable: P6-9 neurons had a lower spontaneous spiking rate, larger fast AHPs, higher resting membrane potentials, and smaller rebound depolarizations. Thus while the large projection neurons of the DCN are morphologically mature by P6-9, they continue to mature electrophysiologically through P13-16 in a way that renders them more responsive to the burst-and-pause pattern that characterizes Purkinje cell inhibitory synaptic drive.
Association of gene variants with lipid levels in response to fenofibrate is influenced by metabolic syndrome status

Objective Fenofibrate therapy reduces serum triglycerides (TG) and increases high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and thus addresses the atherogenic dyslipidemia associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Our hypothesis is that genetic factors contribute to the variability of lipid response to fenofibrate differently in subjects with MetS and without MetS.
Chief executive compensation: A synthesis and reconciliation

Chief executive (CEO) compensation is a potent instrument through which theorists can improve their understanding of organization substance and symbol. This paper reviews and integrates the literature on CEO compensation, focusing on both determinants and consequences of this complex, often controversial phenomenon. The central thesis is that CEO pay is at once both more and less ‘sensible’ than its critics and architects, respectively, contend. Comprehending CEO compensation, whether for purposes of description or prescription, requires the use of multiple perspectives—economic, political, social, and individual.
Calculating combined buoyancy- and pressure-driven flow through a shallow, horizontal, circular vent: Application to a problem of steady burning in a ceiling-vented enclosure

A model was developed previously for calculating combined buoyancy- and pressure-driven (i.e. forced) flow through a shallow, circular, horizontal vent where the vent-connected spaces are filled with fluids of different density in an unstable configuration (density of the top fluid is larger than that of the bottom). In this paper the model is summarized and then applied to the problem of steady burning in a ceiling-vented enclosure where normal atmospheric conditions characterize the upper-space environment. Such fire scenarios are seen to involve a zero to relatively moderate cross-vent pressure difference and bidirectional exchange flow between the enclosure and the upper space. A solution to the problem leads to a general result that relates the rate of energy release of the fire to the area of the vent and the temperature and oxygen concentration of the upper portion of the enclosure environment. This result is seen to be consistent with previously published data from experiments involving ceiling-vented fire scenarios.
A Hippocampal Model of Recognition Memory

A rich body of data exists showing that recollection of specific information makes an important contribution to recognition memory, which is distinct from the contribution of familiarity, and is not adequately captured by existing unitary memory models. Furthermore, neuropsychological evidence indicates that recollection is subserved by the hippocampus. We present a model, based largely on known features of hippocampal anatomy and physiology, that accounts for the following key characteristics of recollection: 1) false recollection is rare (i.e., participants rarely claim to recollect having studied nonstudied items), and 2) increasing interference leads to less recollection but apparently does not compromise the quality of recollection (i.e., the extent to which recollected information veridically reflects events that occurred at study).
New approaches to the inhibition of replication of viral pathogens

This meeting was a special symposium sponsored by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. The conference was held in Gangzhou, China on 24–26 July 2011 and shared a venue with the Society of Chinese Bioscientists in America Thirteenth International Symposium. Over 150 participants from the Americas, Europe, Asia and Australia attended the meeting. This article focuses on two areas of research in which there have been exciting developments that have application to the development of antivirals: the regulation of host and viral mRNA by RNAi and NF-κB regulation of viral gene expression.
Acute and Chronic Dosing of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on Male Rat Sexual Behavior

ABSTRACT Introduction The use of natural remedies for the treatment of sexual disorders is under current investigation. For generations people of the rural community in Peru have used Lepidium meyenii Walpers (Maca), because of their belief that it improves fertility and sexual desire. Aim To determine the acute and chronic effects of Maca on male sexual behavior and to examine chronic administration of Maca on anxiety. Main Outcome Measures Ejaculatory and mounting behavior and postejaculatory interval. Anxiety tests using an elevated plus maze, locomotion, and social interaction with another male. Methods Maca (25 and 100 mg/kg) was orally administered to male rats for 30 days. Male sexual behavior was monitored after acute, 7 and 21 days of treatment. Anxiety behavior and locomotion were measured at 28–29 days using the elevated plus maze and social interaction tests. Results Maca treatment did not produce large changes in male sexual behavior. However, an increase in ejaculation latency and postejaculatory interval was observed after both acute and 7 days of treatment. After 21 days of treatment Maca had no effect on sexual behavior. Chronic administration of Maca did not increase locomotion or anxiety. Conclusion Acute and short-term administration of Maca produced a small effect of rat male sexual behavior and long-term administration did not increase anxiety. Lentz A, Gravitt K, Carson CC, and Marson L. Acute and chronic dosing of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on male rat sexual behavior.
Phospholamban Modulates Murine Atrial Contractile Parameters and Responses toβ-Adrenergic Agonists

Abstract Phospholamban gene transcript levels are much lower in murine atria as compared to murine ventricles and this reduced phospholamban expression has been suggested to result in enhanced atrial contractile parameters. To delineate the functional role of phospholamban in murine atrium, the contractile parameters of isolated muscles from phospholamban knockout and cardiac-specific phospholamban overexpression mice along with their isogenic wild-type controls were evaluated. Assessment of the times (ms) to peak tension development and to half-relaxation of developed tension, as well as the rates (mg/s) of tension development and relaxation in paced atrial muscles, revealed that phospholamban ablation was associated with enhanced rates of relaxation with no significant effect on contraction rate, while phospholamban overexpression (three-fold) was associated with depressed rates of both contraction and relaxation. Isoproterenol stimulation resulted in significant increases in the rates of developed tension and relaxation in both phospholamban deficient and phospholamban overexpression atria, indicating that the β -adrenergic pathway was functional in these muscles. These findings suggest that phospholamban is an important modulator of atrial contractility and its responses to β -adrenergic agonists.
Crystal structure of calcineurin–cyclophilin–cyclosporin shows common but distinct recognition of immunophilin–drug complexes

Calcineurin, a Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase, is the common target for two immunophilin-immunosuppressant complexes, cyclophilin A-cyclosporin A (CyPA-CsA) and FKBP-FK506. How the two structurally distinct immunophilin-drug complexes bind the same target has remained unknown. We report the crystal structure of calcineurin (CN) in complex with CyPA-CsA at 2.8-A resolution. The CyPA-CsA complex binds to a composite surface formed by the catalytic and regulatory subunits of CN, where the complex of FK506 and its binding protein FKBP also binds. While the majority of the CN residues involved in the binding are common for both immunophilin-immunosuppressant complexes, a significant number of the residues are distinct. Unlike FKBP-FK506, CyPA-CsA interacts with Arg-122 at the active site of CN, implying direct involvement of CyPA-CsA in the regulation of CN catalysis. The simultaneous interaction of CyPA with both the composite surface and the active site of CN suggests that the composite surface may serve as a substrate recognition site responsible for the narrow substrate specificity of CN. The comparison of CyPA-CsA-CN with FKBP-FK506-CN significantly contributes to understanding the molecular basis of regulation of CN activity by the immunophilin-immunosuppressant.
Assessment of Left Ventricular Systolic Function by Echocardiography

Echocardiography serves an extremely important role in the diagnosis and management of patients with heart failure. The various stages of structural and functional changes that constitute progressive left ventricle remodeling have all been characterized by two-dimensional echocardiography. In addition, echocardiography has defined the transition from compensated hypertrophy to left ventricle dilatation and progression to end-stage heart failure. Echocardiography has also played an important role in clinical heart failure trials of beta-adrenergic blocking agents and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers and demonstrated their efficacy in heart failure.
Integrating Sustainability in Capital Budgeting Decisions

This chapter discusses how to integrate sustainability and environmental impacts into capital budgeting decision-making by including: life-cycle-assessment (LCA), life-cycle costing (LCC), eco-efficiency (EE) and full-cost accounting (FCA) appraisal techniques. This comprehensive investment analysis – from “cradle to grave”- provides a template by which hidden environmental costs and benefits can be identified, analyzed and priced thus resulting in a better prediction of cash flows. The model also integrates environmental risks into the risk-rate component of the cost of capital by developing a sustainability risk-rate and sustainability-cost NPV that captures the sustainability exposure of each capital project alternative.
Compliance with Closest Hospital Transport Protocol

Hypothesis:Paramedics accurately estimate the closest trauma hospital for ground transport.Population:Ground ambulance scene transports of trauma system patients to six participating trauma hospitals in Multnomah County, Oregon from 1 January 1986 to 1 January 1987 were studied. Transports involving multiple patients or pediatric patients were excluded.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on consecutive patient transports to be taken to the closest trauma hospital as required by protocol. The availability of each hospital to receive trauma patients was monitored continuously by a central communications facility. Paramedics were provided hospital availability data at the time of patient system entry. When several hospitals were available, the paramedics were required by protocol to select the “closest” hospital. Subsequently, the vector distance from the trauma site to each of the available hospitals was measured using a grid map. This method was validated by odometer measurement (r2 = 0.924). Chisquare analysis was used to analyze hospital bypasses to specific hospitals.Results:Of the 1193 eligible patients entered into the trauma system, 160 (13%; 95% CI = 11–15%) transports bypassed the closest available hospital for a receiving hospital ≥1 mile more distant. There were 11 (1%; 0–2%) patients transported to a hospital more than five miles more distant. Of the 132 patients with a trauma score (TS) <12, 15 (11%; 6–18%) were taken to a hospital one mile or further beyond the closest hospital. None (0%; 0–2%) were transported more than five miles past the closest hospital. Of the six hospitals, three were bypassed more than one mile significantly more often then they received bypass patients. One hospital received such patients four times more than it was bypassed (p <.001).Conclusion:While paramedics generally can identify the closest hospital for trauma patient transport, some systematic hospital bypass errors occur. If a community wants assurance of an equitable patient distribution among participating trauma hospitals and assignment of the closest geographic hospital for injured patients, then map vector distance determination to identify the closest available hospital should supplement paramedic dispatching.
Pulmonary vein anatomy assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in patients undergoing initial atrial fibrillation ablation: implications for novel ablation technologies

Novel atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation tools have been designed to facilitate “single-shot” pulmonary vein (PV) isolation using multi-electrode or balloon-based catheters. However, in contrast to point-by-point radiofrequency ablation, these tools may be more dependent on suitable PV anatomy to achieve circumferential PV isolation. Three hundred and twenty-two patients underwent gadolinium-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance angiography to delineate PV anatomy prior to initial AF ablation. Long (a) and short (b) axis measurements of the PV orifice were used to calculate the eccentricity index of the PV ostium. Long axis dimensions of the left superior PV were 18.2 ± 3.3 mm, left inferior PV 17.7 ± 3.9 mm, right superior PV (RSPV) 20.4 ± 4.3, and right inferior PV 18.7 ± 4.7 mm. The long axis dimension of the RSPV was significantly larger than other PVs (p 25 mm and 16 patients (5 %) had at least one PV with a long axis dimension >28 mm. Left-sided PV ostia were significantly more ellipse-shaped than the right-sided PVs, which tended to be more spherical. A significant positive correlation was noted between increasing PV size and increased orifice eccentricity. In this large cohort undergoing initial AF ablation, over 10 % of patients had at least one standard PV with a dimension >25 mm. Additionally, significant differences were noted between left- and right-sided veins with regard to orifice eccentricity. These findings have implications for the design of AF ablation tools and may account for differential isolation rates between PVs noted in some recent studies of novel ablation technologies.
Bioethics consultation for pharmaceutical corporations.

Some bioethicists believe that consulting for pharmaceutical companies is an unethical activity for members of their profession. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
Asymmetric Lattice Response During Tensile and Compressive Deformation of a Uranium-Niobium Shape Memory Alloy

The deformation of polycrystalline uranium 6 wt. % niobium (U6Nb) was studied in-situ during uniaxial tensile and compressive deformation by time-of-flight neutron diffraction. Diffraction patterns were recorded at incremental strains to roughly 4% total deformation. The asymmetry in the crystallographic response of the lattice is discussed.
Identification of a fourth mannose 6-phosphate binding site in the cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor

The 300 kDa cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor (CI-MPR) plays an essential role in lysosome biogenesis by targeting ∼ 60 different phosphomannosyl-containing acid hydrolases to the lysosome. This type I membrane glycoprotein has a large extracellular region comprised of 15 homologous domains. Two mannose 6-phosphate (M6P) binding sites have been mapped to domains 3 and 9, whereas domain 5 binds preferentially to the phosphodiester, M6P-N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc). A structure-based sequence alignment predicts that the C-terminal domain 15 contains three out of the four conserved residues identified as essential for carbohydrate recognition by domains 3, 5 and 9 of the CI-MPR, but lacks two cysteine residues that are predicted to form a disulfide bond. To determine whether domain 15 of the CI-MPR has lectin activity and to probe its carbohydrate-binding specificity, truncated forms of the CI-MPR were tested for binding to acid hydrolases with defined N-glycans in surface plasmon resonance analyses, and used to interrogate a phosphorylated glycan microarray. The results show that a construct encoding domains 14-15 binds both M6P and M6P-GlcNAc with similar affinity (Kd = 13 and 17 μM, respectively). Site-directed mutagenesis studies demonstrate the essential role of the conserved Tyr residue in domain 15 for phosphomannosyl binding. A structural model of domain 15 was generated that predicted an Arg residue to be in the binding pocket and mutagenesis studies confirmed its important role in carbohydrate binding. Together, these results show that the CI-MPR contains a fourth carbohydrate-recognition site capable of binding both phosphomonoesters and phosphodiesters.
An internist's approach to acute abdominal pain

To understand the surgical approach to acute abdominal pain, the internist must be familiar with common presentations of most abdominal emergencies; these emergencies include acute appendicitis, acute gall bladder disease (biliary colic, acute cholecystitis, and acute pancreatitis), ischemic bowel disease and ischemic colitis, abdominal aortic aneurysm, and intestinal obstruction. Nothing compares to experience; this article reviews the salient points that deserve consideration.
Analysis on Quality Surveillance Results of Drinking Water in Jurong During the Period of 2005～2009

Objective To investigate the sanitary conditions of drinking water quality in the urban and rural areas of Jurong,and to put forward some suggestions for improvement. Methods We selected the sampling points of all the centralized water supply source water,chlorinated water,and tap water in the urban and rural areas of Jurong.According to the national standards,we regularly tested and evaluated the water samples. Results The surveillance results of the source water reached the surface water more than the standard Class III,the eligible rates of chlorinated water and tap water were 35.36% and 27.51%,respectively.The qualified rate of municipal water was higher than that of township water supply. Conclusions The coverage rate of centralized water supply was 95.78% in Jurong,but the pass rate of the water quality in the rural areas was lower.Turbidity,oxygen consumption and microbial indicators of total coliform group,heat-resistant coliform bacteria and the total numbers of colony were the main factors to affect the pass rate of the water quality in the rural areas.The results suggest that it is necessary to strengthen the standards of centralized water supply system,health management and water disinfection in the rural areas,and to ensure the safety of drinking water.
An Activity Theory Framework for DSS for Extreme Events

Usage of activity theory has emerged in other applications in computer science, including human computer interfaces. This paper applies activity theory as a theoretical framework for the analysis of DSS for extreme events. An example, based on computer support on the web for hurricane response, is used to illustrate how activity theory might be applied to extreme events in a decision support system environment.
Randomization-Based Adjustment of Treatment Hazard Ratio for Covariates With Missing Data

ABSTRACTClinical trials are designed to evaluate treatment effects while taking into account how covariates such as age and gender may influence the comparison between treatments. Including covariates in the model to evaluate treatment effects on time to event outcomes presents complications for a regulatory clinical trial because the covariates may need to meet modeling assumptions. We provide methodology to estimate the hazard ratio for treatments in a randomized trial with time to event outcomes and missingness among the baseline covariates by adjusting for the covariates in a randomization-based way. Such adjustment for covariates is an attractive methodology in the regulatory setting as it requires only minimal assumptions. The method is illustrated for data from an oncology clinical trial. Its application is computationally straightforward for managing missing data among the baseline covariates, and its results for the illustrative clinical trial are similar to those from multiple imputation for mis...
Spontaneous Mass and Charge Losses from Single Multi-Megadalton Ions Studied by Charge Detection Mass Spectrometry.

Spontaneous mass and charge losses from individual multi-megadalton ions have been observed with charge detection mass spectrometry (CDMS) by trapping single hepatitis B virus (HBV) capsids for 3 s. Gradual increases in the oscillation frequency of single ions in the ion trap are attributed mainly to mass loss (probably solvent, water, and/or salt). The total mass lost during the 3 s trapping period peaks at around 20 kDa for 4 MDa HBV T = 4 capsids. Discrete frequency drops punctuate the gradual increases in the oscillation frequencies. The drops are attributed to a sudden loss of charge. In most cases a single positive charge is lost along with some mass (on average around 1000 Da). Charge loss occurs for over 40% of the trapped ions. It usually occurs near the beginning of the trapping event, and it occurs preferentially in regions of the trap with strong electric fields, indicating that external electric fields promote charge loss. This process may contribute to the decrease in m/z resolution that often occurs with megadalton ions.
Anatomically Shaped Large Femoral Heads Can Reduce Hip Dislocation Risk While Avoiding Soft Tissue Impingement

INTRODUCTION Femoral head diameter has a major influence on stability and dislocation resistance after Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA). Although routine use of large heads is common, several recent studies have shown that contemporary large head prostheses can directly impinge against native soft tissues, particularly the iliopsoas which wraps around the femoral head, leading to refractory anterior hip pain. To address this, we developed a novel Anatomically Contoured large diameter femoral Head (ACH). We hypothesized that anatomical contouring of the ACH implant for soft tissue relief would not compromise dislocation resistance, and the ACH implant would provide increased stability compared to small heads. METHODS In this study the dislocation resistance of a 36 mm ACH was compared to that of 28 mm and 36 mm contemporary heads. The ACH implant was based on a 36 mm sphere with smaller radii used to contour the peripheral region below the equator of the head. MSC Adams was used for dynamic simulations based on two previously described dislocation modes: (A) Posterior dislocation (at 90° hip flexion) with internal rotation of the hip and a posterosuperior directed joint force; (B) posterior dislocation (starting at 90° flexion) with combined hip flexion and adduction and a posteromedial force direction (Fig. 1). Impingement-free motion (motion without neck impingement against the acetabular liner) and jump distance (head separation from acetabulum prior to dislocation) were measured to evaluate the dislocation risk of each implant. The acetabular cup was placed at 42.5° abduction and 19.7° anteversion, while the femoral component was anteverted by 9.75° based on published data. RESULTS The results showed no differences between the novel anatomically contoured 36 mm head and a conventional 36 mm head for both dislocation modes. The 36 mm ACH and conventional head showed greater impingement-free motion compared to the 28 mm conventional head, with an increase of 7° for dislocation mode A, and 4° for mode B. Relative to the 28 mm head, the jump distance for the 36 mm ACH and the 36 mm conventional head increased by 1.5 mm for dislocation mode A, and 2 mm for mode B (Fig. 2 and Fig. 3). CONCLUSION The novel Anatomically Contoured large diameter femoral Head (ACH) showed increased dislocation resistance compared to a conventional small diameter head and matched the stability of a conventional large head of the same size. This confirmed the hypothesis that large femoral heads can be anatomically shaped to alleviate the risk of soft-tissue impingement, as in the ACH implant, without jeopardizing the desired stability.
A needle probe to detect surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) within solid specimen

A needle probe has been developed to obtain surface enhanced Raman scattering data from within a solid specimen located remotely from the spectrometer. It produces the high signal strength of a single mode optical fiber but with a negligible fiber induced background. The observed Raman signal strength is comparable to that obtained with a microscope objective of the same numerical aperture in a conventional spectrometer arrangement and many times larger than that of probes using two fibers.
Impact of tobacco smoke on upper airway dendritic cell accumulation and regulation by sinonasal epithelial cells.

Background In these studies we examined the impact of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and active smoking on sinonasal dendritic cell (DC) subsets in controls or patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). In subsequent in-vitro investigations, we examined the influence of cigarette smoke extract (CSE) on human sinonasal epithelial cells' (HSNECs) ability to regulate DC functions. Methods Sinonasal tissue, blood, and hair were collected from patients undergoing sinus surgery. Smoking status and ETS exposure were determined by hair nicotine. DC subsets were examined by flow cytometric analysis. Monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDCs) were treated with conditioned medium from non-smoked-exposed HSNECs (NS-HSNECs) or cigarette-smoke-extract-exposed HSNECs (CSE-HSNECs) to assess the impact of CSE exposure on HSNEC regulation of moDC functions. Results Control subjects who were active smokers displayed increased sinonasal moDC and myeloid dendritic 1 (mDC1) cells and reduced mDC2 cells, whereas, in CRSwNP patients, only moDC and mDC2 cells were altered. ETS was found to increase only moDCs in the CRSwNP patients. In vitro, CSE stimulated HSNEC secretion of the moDC regulatory products chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 20, prostaglandin E2 , and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. CSE exposure also promoted HSNECs to stimulate monocyte and moDC migration. moDCs treated with CSE-HSNEC media stimulated an increase in antigen uptake and expression of CD80 and CD86. Last, CSE-HSNEC-treated moDCs secreted increased levels of interleukin-10, interferon-γ, and thymic stromal lymphopoietin. Conclusion Active smoking, and to a lesser degree ETS, alters the sinonasal composition of DCs. A potential mechanism to account for this is that cigarette smoke stimulates HSNECs to induce moDC migration, maturation, and activation.
Differential connectivity of gene regulatory networks distinguishes corticosteroid response in asthma

Background Variations in drug response between individuals have prevented us from achieving high drug efficacy in treating many complex diseases, including asthma. Genetics plays an important role in accounting for such interindividual variations in drug response. However, systematic approaches for addressing how genetic factors and their regulators determine variations in drug response in asthma treatment are lacking. Objective We sought to identify key transcriptional regulators of corticosteroid response in asthma using a novel systems biology approach. Methods We used Passing Attributes between Networks for Data Assimilations (PANDA) to construct the gene regulatory networks associated with good responders and poor responders to inhaled corticosteroids based on a subset of 145 white children with asthma who participated in the Childhood Asthma Management Cohort. PANDA uses gene expression profiles and published relationships among genes, transcription factors (TFs), and proteins to construct the directed networks of TFs and genes. We assessed the differential connectivity between the gene regulatory network of good responders versus that of poor responders. Results When compared with poor responders, the network of good responders has differential connectivity and distinct ontologies (eg, proapoptosis enriched in network of good responders and antiapoptosis enriched in network of poor responders). Many of the key hubs identified in conjunction with clinical response are also cellular response hubs. Functional validation demonstrated abrogation of differences in corticosteroid-treated cell viability following siRNA knockdown of 2 TFs and differential downstream expression between good responders and poor responders. Conclusions We have identified and validated multiple TFs influencing asthma treatment response. Our results show that differential connectivity analysis can provide new insights into the heterogeneity of drug treatment effects.
Materials for 1.55m-pumped terahertz photoconductive switches: a review

This paper reviews promising materials for compact sources and detectors for terahertz pulses via 1.55 μm photoconductive switches. We begin with a brief description of importance of effective terahertz generation and detection, then the mechanism of photoconductive switches will be introduced. Then, we provide a detailed discussion and comparison on a wide range of the state-of-the-art materials and their relevant properties for terahertz photoconductive switches including bandgap energy, dark resistance, carrier mobility, carrier lifetime, and etc.
Public Health Measures: Surveillance of Foodborne Diseases

Public health surveillance of foodborne infections provides critical information to define the magnitude of the disease burden these infections have on national health care systems, identify outbreaks and guide their investigation, and document the impact of prevention measures. The problems identified critically depend on how sophisticated the surveillance systems are. Different surveillance systems provide different kinds of information. Simple systems suffice to detect large and highly localized outbreaks. Sentinel surveillance systems can define disease burden and track trends over time. Sophisticated networks with standardized pathogen subtyping are needed to detect dispersed outbreaks caused by widely distributed foods or food ingredients.
Secchi depths in lakes of Cape Cod National Seashore from 1996–2016 and relationships with morphometry, water chemistry, and housing densities

Smith SM, Fox SE, Lee KD, Medeiros K, Plaisted HC. 2017. Secchi depths in lakes of Cape Cod National Seashore from 1996 to 2016 and relationships with morphometry, water chemistry, and housing dens...
Recent Advances in the Genetics of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex and heterogeneous disorder. Its multifactorial etiology is underpinned by a complex genetic architecture that has only recently begun to be elucidated. Candidate-gene analyses characterized this field for several years; a limited number of genes have been identified as PCOS-risk loci or as genetic modifiers of component phenotypes of PCOS. Recent advances in technology have allowed high-throughput genotyping methods to be applied in very large case/control cohorts, transforming the genetic understanding of several common, complex disorders, including PCOS. Two genome-wide association studies published to date have robustly identified about a dozen susceptibility loci for PCOS. In particular, the DENND1A locus has been associated with PCOS in multiple diverse cohorts. Epigenetic investigations are now being conducted in animal models and human subjects with PCOS, with great potential for novel insights into the pathogenesis of the syndrome. Identification of PCOS susceptibility genes will expand our understanding of pathways and processes implicated in the syndrome’s etiology, allowing development of new diagnostic and treatment modalities.
Has Rheumatology Become a More Attractive Career Choice? Comparison of Trends in the Rheumatology Fellowship Match From 2008 to 2013 With Those From 2014 to 2017.

Objective Rheumatology has previously been a less attractive career choice than other internal medicine (IM) subspecialties. Recent fellowship data from the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) has suggested that this may have changed. Therefore, we evaluated the current attractiveness of rheumatology as a career choice and compared it with other medical subspecialties. Methods Data from the NRMP from 2008 to 2017, the 2015 American College of Rheumatology workforce study, and Medscape physician salaries from 2010 to 2017 were used to determine annual numbers of fellowship applicants, availability of positions, and post-fellowship salary trends. Data from 2008 to 2013 were compared with those from 2014 to 2017, and rheumatology was compared with other IM subspecialties. Results The total number of annual fellowship applicants to rheumatology for 2008-2013 decreased by 3% (average annual mean ± SEM percentage change of -1.9 ± 2.6%), from 251 to 244 applicants. However, for 2014-2017, annual rheumatology applications increased by 44% (average annual mean ± SEM percentage change of 20.7 ± 10.5% [P = 0.03]), from 230 to 332 applicants. Other nonprocedural and procedural IM subspecialties did not exhibit a similar increase. For rheumatology, the increases in the ratio of annual applicants to positions (P = 0.02) and in the percentage of US medical graduates applying (P = 0.03) were statistically significant, and mean post-fellowship salary also rose. Conclusion The aforementioned observations suggest that rheumatology has become a more attractive career choice since 2014. We speculate that the increasing popularity of the field is multifactorial, likely reflecting lifestyle, job satisfaction and availability, influence of mentors, and other elements. This salutary and exciting potential opportunity for rheumatology should be exploited.
Design Teams Versus the Lone Designer

Research has shown that multidisciplinary teams are more effective than lone effort in design tasks in terms of innovation. Yet, not all firms have the resources to constitute a multidisciplinary team: many small business enterprises rely on lone effort. This chapter addresses how a firm employing a lone designer could achieve innovation in its own right, and how—under certain conditions—lone effort can even trump teams. Artist recruitment in the comic book industry is used to illustrate the “team versus lone effort” dialectic.
IDrone: Robust Drone Identification through Motion Actuation Feedback

Swarms of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (drones) could provide great benefit when used for disaster response and indoor search and rescue scenarios. In these harsh environments where GPS availability cannot be ensured, prior work often relies on cameras for control and localization. This creates the challenge of identifying each drone, i.e., finding the association between each physical ID (such as their radio address) and their visual ID (such as an object tracker output). To address this problem, prior work relies on visual cues such as LEDs or colored markers to provide unique information for identification. However, these methods often increase deployment difficulty, are sensitive to environmental changes, not robust to distance and might require hardware changes. In this paper, we present IDrone, a robust physical drone identification system through motion matching and actuation feedback. The intuition is to (1) identify each drone by matching the motion detected through their inertial sensors and from an external camera, and (2) control the drones so they move in unique patterns that allow for fast identification, while minimizing the risk of collision involved in controlling drones with uncertain identification. To validate our approach, we conduct both simulation and real experimentation with autonomous drones for the simplified case of a stationary Spotter (powerful drone equipped with the camera). Overall, our initial results show that our approach offers a great tradeoff between fast identification and small collision probability. In particular, IDrone achieves faster identification time than safety-based baseline actuation (one-at-a-time), and significantly higher survival rate compared to fast, non-safety-based baseline actuation (random motion).
On Joint Estimation of an Exponent of Regular Variation and an Asymmetry Parameter for Tail Distributions

A random variable X is said to have a joint tail distribution which is regularly varying of index -α if for each c > 0, $$ \mathop {\lim }\limits_{t \to \infty } \frac{{P(\left| X \right| > \,ct)}}{{P(|X|\, > \,t)}}\, = \,c^{ - \alpha }.$$
Computing with Nanowires: A Self Assembled Neuromorphic Architecture

A two-dimensional array of nanowires, embedded in a semi-insulating medium, can elicit powerful computational and signal processing activity if the nanowires exhibit an N-type non-linearity in their current versus voltage characteristics. Such a system is relatively easy to self assemble using chemical routes and we have synthesized such systems using simple electrochemistry. The measured current–voltage characteristics of the nanowires exhibit the required N-type non-linearity. Based on the experimentally extracted parameters, we have simulated the dynamics of the arrays to show that they replicate the behavior of cellular non-linear networks. Specific examples of image processing functions are presented.
Professionalism in Historical Archaeology

As historical archaeology expands across the globe, issues over the nature of professionalism are sure to arise with greater frequency. In this essay, I explore the subject of professionalism in historical archaeology and offer a few personal comments and observations on this important subject. For me, personal integrity can play a huge role in furthering the cause of archaeology among an often-uninterested public.
Far Infrared Optical and Magneto-Optical Studies of Si Space Charge Layers

The pioneering work on Si space charge layers was carried out more than a decade ago by workers at IBM.1, 2 The experimental vehicle for these studies was the Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor-Field-Effect-Transistor (MOSFET) which plays such a dominant role in current electronics technology. Experimental,1, 3 transport and magneto-transport, and theoretical4 investigations were made at this time. These low temperature studies demonstrated the two-dimensional (2D) nature of carrier motion in the plane of the interface, and it was felt that a reasonable understanding of the electronic properties of this system, based on a self-consistent Hartree model was in hand. As a result relatively few additional studies were carried out for several years after 1968.
DQ-reference-frame based impedance and power control design of islanded parallel voltage source converters for integration of distributed energy resources

Abstract This paper investigates dq-reference-frame (dq-RF) self and cross-coupling output impedances of the islanded voltage source converter (VSC), by considering the controller impacts. The dq-RF impedances for the closed-loop system are designed to exhibit the desired resistive, inductive, or capacitive characteristics, and are employed in the power control of VSC. The effects of these impedances and connecting lines impedances on the power control of islanded parallel connected VSCs, for different impedance characteristics, are also studied. It is shown in this paper that the unbalanced impedance significantly affects the performance and power control of these parallel converters. Besides, virtual impedance based active and reactive power control of the parallel converters in the dq-RF, for resistive, inductive, and capacitive cases, are designed and implemented. The numerical and experimental results verify the analysis presented in this paper about the dq-output impedance and the virtual impedance based power sharing control.
Ressonâncias das tecnologias digitais na educação

The essay discusses the possibilities and obstacles of digital technologies for social learning, which become paradoxes through adventure through novelties, dispersions, contradictions and exclusions. Technologies have political dimensions of the mercantile world, in patterns of productivity and competitiveness, and therefore are ambiguous in relation to the formative processes, causing apathy and insensitivity rather than mobilization to (re) knowing. The work develops a hermeneutic study of the relations existing in these processes of digital changes, inviting for inquiries and bringing resonances in the educative culture. If, on the one hand, technologies have moved away from the monopoly of specialists and have come to flexibly and openly integrate the contemporary social world, through the notion of instruments capable of putting complex operations and multiple conversations into motion, on the other, we continually experience ambivalence in its use and difficulties in the renewal of the senses that involve these languages, generating the obscuring of technologies and sociocultural interests. It was concluded that there is a need to reconstruct, in a hermeneutic perspective, the collaborative potential of the different interfaces of digital technologies in education to prevent practices of exclusion, dehumanization or technoscientific alienation that affects the majority of the socially and economically marginalized.