cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Radiation-Induced Chemistry of Carbon Dioxide: A Pathway to Close the Carbon Loop for a Circular Economy

Recent advances in modular nuclear reactors facilitate the use of irradiation to produce fuels and chemicals using anthropogenic CO2. One of the challenges in CO2 conversion reactions is the stability or low reactivity of CO2. Chemical activation of CO2 via thermochemical or electrochemical approaches contributes to the high energy intensity of CO2 conversion reactions. Activation of the CO2 molecule via irradiation at significantly lower temperatures may now allow us to use heterogeneous CO2-bearing waste gas streams and renewable nuclear energy resources to produce high value chemicals and fuels in a distributed manner. In this paper, we review the radiolytic behavior of CO2, irradiation pathways relevant for producing fuels and chemicals using CO2, technological advances and research directions for advancing radiolytic conversion of CO2 to chemicals and fuels.
Addition of arterial spin-labelled MR perfusion to conventional brain MRI: clinical experience in a retrospective cohort study

Objective The usage of arterial spin labelling (ASL) perfusion has exponentially increased due to improved and faster acquisition time and ease of postprocessing. We aimed to report potential additional findings obtained by adding ASL to routine unenhanced brain MRI for patients being scanned in a hospital setting for various neurological indications. Design Retrospective. Setting Large tertiary hospital. Participants 676 patients. Primary outcome Additional findings from ASL sequence compared with conventional MRI. Results Our patient cohorts consisted of 676 patients with 257 with acute infarcts and 419 without an infarct. Additional findings from ASL were observed in 13.9% (94/676) of patients. In the non-infarct group, additional findings from ASL were observed in 7.4% (31/419) of patients, whereas in patients with an acute infarct, supplemental information was obtained in 24.5% (63/257) of patients. Conclusion The addition of an ASL sequence to routine brain MRI in a hospital setting provides additional findings compared with conventional brain MRI in about 7.4% of patients with additional supplementary information in 24.5% of patients with acute infarct.
Method for determining frequency dependent thermomechanical behavior of polymer films at cryogenic temperatures

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate a parameterized mathematical approach for estimating the complex modulus of a polyimide film at extreme cryogenic temperatures (e.g. 4 K). Such films are used in extreme cryogenic applications such as superconducting magnets and electronic devices. A polymer core of the electronic laminate, Pyralux AP8525R (polyimide), was tested on a TA Instruments Q800 dynamic mechanical analyzer from 140 K to 293 K to obtain complex tensile moduli, and these data were then extrapolated using multiple types of fits. For one predictive method, activation energy of flows, Ea, were calculated using an Arrhenius model and frequency-temperature superposition. All fits were projected to 4 K. A second type of fit was a T3 model. A validation study using Vespel, a material where dynamic modulus had been previously reported at 4 K, was also performed. The validation study indicated that for similar materials (e.g. amorphous aromatic polyimides) a cubic parametrized fit might be the most useful predictive tool. Other polymers reported as tested to 4 K in the literature exhibited a plateau in modulus at low temperatures (sigmoidal fit). From the literature, an amorphous aromatic polyimide and polystyrene showed an increase in modulus at low temperature which is inconsistent with a plateau or sigmoidal fit. The T3, or cubic model, was chosen as the best predictive method for the modulus of the Pyralux core polymer. The theoretical rationale for a cubic fit is discussed, though why (of the three proposed methods) only two polymers to date are reported to exhibit this behavior near 4 K remains unclear.
Effect of contrast agent administration on water equivalent diameter in CT.

PURPOSE Water equivalent diameter (WED) is the preferred surrogate for patient size in computed tomography (CT). It is better than geometric size surrogates and patient weight/height/BMI/age because it correlates the best with x-ray attenuation. The administration of oral/IV contrast agents increases a patient's attenuation and should therefore increase WED. Here we study the clinically relevant effect of oral and IV contrast agent on WED. METHODS We pulled 1703 routine adult abdominal/pelvis cases acquired at 100, 120, and 140 kV from our PACS under retrospective IRB approval. One hundred and forty cases cases had no oral or IV contrast (NONCON), 285 had just IV contrast (IV), 107 had just oral contrast (ORAL), and 1171 had both oral and IV contrast (BOTH). For each case, we measured the water equivalent and effective diameter (ED) from axial CT images. We plotted the WED versus the ED for each class of contrast. We used a linear regression model and omnibus F-test to determine if significant differences between WED distributions existed between the contrast groups for each kV. We then performed a post hoc analysis to determine if any significant differences existed in pairwise comparisons of the different contrast groups. Bonferroni correction was used to account for multiple comparisons. RESULTS We found statistically significant changes at 100 and 120 kV with a maximum change of 2.1 mm. We measured a ~25 mm spread (i.e., prediction interval) of WEDs within all four contrast groups. CONCLUSIONS While our sample size was large enough to detect statistically significant differences between some of the contrast groups, the differences were clinically irrelevant when one considers that the change in size-specific dose estimate (SSDE) caused by our observations is roughly 1%.
Review of Shakespeare’s Richard II (Directed by Saheem Ali for Free Shakespeare on the Radio with the Public Theater) on WNYC, 13–16 July 2020

“Mine innocence and Saint George to thrive!” (1.3.84) Bolingbroke’s declaration takes on a new level of meaning when spoken by Miriam A. Hyman in the Public Theater’s radio broadcast of Richard II ...
Orthopaedic In-training Exam Preparation among Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Programs.

Objective The Orthopaedic In-Training Examination (OITE) is given annually to residents to assess their knowledge of clinical orthopaedics and orthopaedic basic science. This study sought to determine what resources orthopaedic residency programs recommend and/or require for residents as preparative tools for the OITE and to understand which resources are most beneficial. Design An anonymous electronic survey was distributed to program directors of orthopaedic surgery residency programs. It included questions about resources that program directors recommended or required residents to use when preparing for the OITE. Setting The survey was prepared and the results analyzed at two academic medical institutions in Louisiana. The survey was available to respondents in December 2019 and January 2020. Participants The survey was delivered to program directors of 148 ACGME accredited orthopaedic surgery residency programs in the United States. Results 148 orthopaedic surgery residency program directors received the survey and 44 responded (response rate: 29.7%). Twenty-nine programs (73.2%) reported that practice tests/review of old OITE exams positively correlated with better scores. The most recommended resources for OITE preparation were Orthobullets (35 programs; 85%) and Res Study (AAOS) (27 programs; 67.5%). Programs having formal/required preparation programs had lower mean overall scores on the OITE than programs that did not. Those without a formal/required program scored in the 60th percentile, while those with a formal/required program scored in the 53.3rd percentile, a difference of 6.7 percentile points (p = 0.049). The mean overall percentiles were significantly higher for programs that reported having a threshold/goal OITE score for residents compared to those that didn't. Programs with a threshold/goal score scored in the 60.6th percentile on average, while those without a threshold/goal score scored in the 51.7th percentile on average, a difference of 8.9 percentile points (p = 0.0095). Conclusions There is substantial variability in the resources that are utilized in preparation for the OITE, with the most commonly recommended resource being Orthobullets. The study method most cited as having a positive impact on scores was practice tests/review of old OITE exams. Having a formal/required program resulted in programs having lower OITE scores. Setting a goal/threshold score correlates positively with an increase in OITE score. Encouraging residents to use practice questions/old OITE tests, setting a goal/threshold score and avoiding formal/required preparation programs may improve resident performance on the OITE.
Single-dose antibiotic regimens in total shoulder arthroplasty are safe in an outpatient surgery setting

Abstract Background Recent literature supports that outpatient total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) is a safe alternative to the traditional inpatient setting in appropriately selected patients; however, one concern with outpatient TSA is the inability to administer 24 hours of intravenous (IV) prophylactic antibiotics. The purpose of this study was to determine the infection and revision rates after outpatient TSA using single-dose preoperative IV antibiotics in an ambulatory setting and compare those to TSA performed inpatient with 24 hours of IV antibiotics. Methods An institutional database query was used to identify patients undergoing either primary anatomic TSA or reverse TSA. Patients were grouped into inpatient receiving 24 hours of IV antibiotics or outpatient receiving a single dose of IV antibiotics. Outcomes measured included overall infection (superficial and deep) and revision rates (infectious or noninfectious indications). Timing of infection was categorized as early (diagnosis 3 months postoperatively). Patient demographics and comorbidities were analyzed. Results Of the total 1022 patients identified, 896 were inpatient and received 24 hours of IV antibiotics, and 126 patients were outpatient and received a single dose of IV antibiotics prior to TSA at an ambulatory surgery center. Average follow-up was 23 ± 21 and 18 ± 16 months for the 24-hour antibiotic cohort and single-dose cohort, respectively. The 896 patients receiving 24-hour antibiotics were on average 10.3 years older than the 129 patients who received a single dose ( Conclusion Postoperative infection rates were low in both groups. There were no statistically significant differences in postoperative infection or revision rates. Patients in the single-dose cohort were significantly younger and had fewer comorbidities than patients in the 24-hour cohort; however, the single-dose cohort was more likely to have had previous nonarthroplasty shoulder surgery, which was most likely related to stricter patient selection criteria. The results of this study suggest that a single dose of IV antibiotic prophylaxis can be safely used in patients having outpatient TSA in an ambulatory center. Level of Evidence. Level III; Retrospective Cohort
Asset Acquisitions: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm...Are You Really Entitled to That Beloved Occasional Sale Exemption?

Transactional attorneys frequently represent clients who are either buying or selling a business. There are a myriad of legal issues that the transactional attorney must assist his or her client with when that client is selling a business. One of these issues is determining whether to structure the deal as a sale of the underlying assets or as a sale of the equity interests. As seen in the illustration below, an asset sale involves only the sale of the assets of a business while excluding the actual entity that owns the assets and operates the business. In contrast, structuring the deal as a sale of equity interests involves both the sale of the underlying assets and the entity.
Delayed-RF based test development for FM transceivers using signature analysis

We present an automatic test development methodology for FM transceivers based on frequency-domain signature analysis and delayed-RF set up. We develop two distinct pass/fail criteria based on eigensignatures and envelope signatures and a test generation algorithm that aims at minimizing the required delay while attaining full coverage of target faults. We develop a fault injection and simulation platform for a VCO-modulation, low-IF transceiver architecture using MATLAB and behavioral models including non-ideal response. The proposed methodology enables the automation of the test generation process, thus reduces the test development time. Experimental results have shown a 90% reduction in the required delay thereby reducing the cost of this test hardware item.
We Are All Blind: Cognetics and the Designing of Interfaces for Accessibility

Today’s GUIs and their familiar methods are far from optimal for typical users, wasting time, causing unnecessary errors, exacerbating repetitive stress injuries, and inducing frustration and annoyance. These problems are often amplified when standard interface methods are used in systems for less-abled users. We must not be distracted from good interface design by the straitjackets of present paradigms. To this end we employ insight, ingenuity, and testing – but they are not enough. Cognetic tools, which are quantitative and objective instead of being based on heuristics and subjective judgment, can play an important role in increasing accessibility, even where we use existing hardware.
Microstructure of epitaxial SrRuO3 thin films on (001) SrTiO3

Metallic oxide films of SrRuO3 deposited on (001) SrTiO3 by pulsed laser deposition have been investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. These films have a single crystalline structure with an extremely smooth surface. A TEM study of cross-sectional samples shows that the film grew epitaxially on the (001) surface of the SrTiO3 substrate. The films grew along the [110] directions with an in-plane orientation relationship of either SrRuO3[110]//SrTiO3 [100] and SrRuO3[001]//SrTiO3[010], or SrRuO3[110]//SrTiO3[010] and SrRuO3[001]//SrTiO3 [100]. Domains with a rotation of 90° around SrRuO3[110] were observed in the dark-field image of plan-view samples.
The U.S. Health Care Industry: Performance and Issues

This paper describes how economic behavior in the market for health care in the United States is influenced by a range of impediments to the functioning of the price mechanism which impart an upward bias to health care costs and imply efficiency losses. The paper also considers how to reform the health care sector, with particular emphasis on finding a way of resolving the dilemma posed by the tradeoff between the risk spreading afforded by insurance and establishing appropriate incentives to restrain expenditures.
Integer Programming Applied to Eigenvector Computation in a Class of Markov Processes

The encoding of data in a number of recording and transmission devices can be modelized by a Markov process. Several performance statistics of the encoded signal (e.g. : frequency spectrum, run-length distribution, error propagation, etc) can be derived from a probability state vector, which is an Eigenvector for the encoder transition matrix.
A Variational Principle, the Finite Element Method, and Optimal Structural Design for Given Deflection

General Remarks. The optimal design of continuous or pieeewise continuous structural systems can be approached along two avenues. On one hand the system can be discretized at the outset and a sequence of problems involving refined domains may be studied in an effort to extract an approximate optimal solution. On the other hand, the continuous nature of the problem may be recognized and optimality criteria for the continua sought directly.
Catabolism of cysteine, cystine, cysteinesulfinate, and OTC by isolated perfused rat hindquarter

The metabolism of cysteine and related compounds was investigated in the isolated perfused hindquarter of the rat. An erythrocyte-based perfusion medium was used; use of a perfluorochemical emulsion, FC-43, resulted in apparent chemical oxidation of cysteine, whereas bovine erythrocytes did not appear to contribute significantly to the metabolism of cysteine. Rat skeletal muscle perfused with L-[35S]cysteine, L-[35S]cystine, L-[35S]cysteinesulfinate, or L-2-oxo-[35S]thiazolidine-4-carboxylate (OTC) for 2 h produced [35S]sulfate and [35S]taurine. In all cases, the partitioning of cysteine or cysteinesulfinate between metabolism to taurine and sulfate was similar, suggesting that cysteine metabolism in hindquarter may occur via formation and catabolism of cysteinesulfinate by either cysteinesulfinate decarboxylase or aspartate (cysteine-sulfinate) aminotransferase. However, the activity of cysteine dioxygenase was extremely low, suggesting that the conversion of cysteine to cysteinesulfinate may have been non-enzymatic.
Hunting Mixed Top Squark Decays

We point out that, in the irreducible natural supersymmetric spectrum, top squarks have comparable branching fractions to chargino-bottom and neutralino-top final states in the vast bulk of parameter space, provided only that both decay modes are kinematically accessible. The total top squark pair branching fractions into $t\overline{t}+\mathrm{MET}$ ($\mathrm{MET}=\mathrm{\text{missing transverse energy}}$) can therefore be reduced to $\mathcal{O}(50%)$, whereas $b\overline{b}+X$ branching fractions are typically much smaller, $\mathcal{O}(10%)$, thus limiting the reach of traditional top squark searches. We propose a new top squark search targeting the asymmetric final state $\stackrel{\texttildelow{}}{t}{\stackrel{\texttildelow{}}{t}}^{*}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}t{\ensuremath{\chi}}^{0}\overline{b}{\ensuremath{\chi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}+\mathrm{H}.\mathrm{c}.$, which can restore sensitivity to natural top squarks in the 7 and 8 TeV LHC runs. In addition, we present a new variable, topness, which efficiently suppresses the dominant top backgrounds to semileptonic top partner searches. We demonstrate the utility of topness in both our asymmetric search channel and traditional $\stackrel{\texttildelow{}}{t}{\stackrel{\texttildelow{}}{t}}^{*}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}t\overline{t}+\mathrm{MET}$ searches and show that it matches or outperforms existing variables.
Religious Bias Among Religiously Conscious Black Christians in the United States

Research with White participants has demonstrated religious intergroup bias; however, religious identity may be different for Black Americans. Only religiously conscious Black Christians demonstrated a preference for Christian targets over Muslim and Atheist targets. Future research should consider what factors result in a person becoming conscious of other's religion.
Tachycardia evoked by disinhibition of the dorsomedial hypothalamus in rats is mediated through medullary raphe

Activation of neurons in the region of the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) appears to generate the sympathetically mediated tachycardia seen in experimental stress in rats. The purpose of this study was to assess the role of neurons in the area of the medullary raphe pallidus (RP) in the tachycardia caused by stimulation of the DMH. The cardiovascular response to microinjection of the GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline methiodide (BMI) 10 pmol (100 nl)−1 into the DMH was assessed before, and after, injection of the GABAA receptor agonist muscimol 80 pmol (100 nl)−1 or saline vehicle 100 nl into the RP in urethane-anaesthetized rats. Tachycardia evoked by microinjection of BMI into the DMH was mimicked by microinjection of BMI 30 pmol (75 nl)−1 into the RP. This DMH-induced tachycardia was markedly suppressed after injection of muscimol into the RP, but the response was unaffected by injection of saline into the same region. Thus, DMH-induced tachycardia is mediated through activation of neurons in the area of the RP, suggesting that these neurons may play a previously unrecognized role in stress-induced cardiac stimulation.
The Informational Value of Earnings Whispers

Whisper numbers have captured the attention of both the investment community and the financial media. They have heightened the drama of companies’ earnings releases and have been played up as explanations for stock prices’ reactions to actual earnings announcement. I examine the accuracy, the predictive performance and the informational value of these whispers. Gathering my sample from an on‐line source of whisper information, I compare the whispers performance to that of traditional investment analyst forecasts. I find that whispers, while unbiased, are not more accurate than the analysts’ consensus. There is mixed evidence that the market partially reflects the whispers information into price. In fact, I find that a strategy of shorting stocks for which whispers forecasts predict that stocks will outperform is profitable. In summary, whispers are not as accurate as generally portrayed. They are only a fair predictor of stock prices’ movement and do not represent the market’s true earnings expectations.
Effects of communication delays in electric grid

Communication delay occurs in electric power grid for various reasons, thus affects the performance of the control systems and can cause power loss. This paper analyzes the causes and effects of such communication delays in electric grid system. For the analysis, a simulated power network consisting of several generators is considered, where braking resistors (BR) are used for transient stability control of the grid. The switching of the BR is implemented by a fuzzy logic controller. The possible causes of communication delay are addressed. Also, it is described how much delay a system can tolerate for proper functioning, and what cyber threats or adversary can do to cause further delay. A balanced (3LG: three-phase-to-ground) fault at different points on the transmission lines is considered. Simulation results show that although the fuzzy logic-controlled braking resistor is effective in improving the transient stability, the communication delay associated with the (online calculation of the Total Kinetic Energy Deviation, TKED) input to the fuzzy controller has an influence on the transient stability performance.
Back-to-back testing

Abstract Software testing based on program execution may consume considerable development effort. In this context the testing of two or more functionally equivalent versions of a program against each other appeals because it offers a potentially simple way of checking for the correctness of the program responses to a large number of test cases. One name for the technique is back-to-back testing. The approach can be cost-effective for new software, as well as for testing software after major modifications. The paper reviews empirical information on back-to-back testing and analyses the strategy. A simple model is used to explore its efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The key parameters are the degree and nature of the interversion failure correlation, the per failure identification and correction effort required during single-version program testing, and the shape of single and multiversion reliability growth functions. The advantages and deficiencies of the technique are discussed and some suggestions given about its practical use.
Ordered Just So: Lipid Rafts and Lymphocyte Function

Immunologists have long been occupied with the description of cellular activation signaling events that originate with the stimulation of multichain immunoreceptors at the cell surface. These signals are transmitted by a protein-partner-signaling cascade through the cytoplasm to the nucleus, where they culminate in changes in gene expression, metabolic state, and entry into cell cycle. For T cells and B cells, these signaling cascades start with the ligation of the T cell receptor (TCR) and B cell receptor (BCR), respectively, and result in the recruitment and activation of related families of signaling molecules at the cell surface. Until recently, this gathering of signaling proteins was thought to occur within the featureless plasma membrane, a cellular organ that was envisioned as a boundary between the inner and outer components of the cell, but which contributed little to the signaling process. However, the past few years have seen the gradual realization that activation of signaling in lymphocytes takes place in and around specialized membrane subdomains called lipid rafts (also known as DIGs and GEMs). Here, we provide a brief overview of the analogous structures and compositions of lipid raft-associated signaling complexes in T cells and B cells, and the ways in which lymphocytes--and their pathogen adversaries--use lipid rafts to their benefit.
Repair of adult ureteropelvic junction obstruction in the solitary kidney: Effect on renal function

Objectives To evaluate the effect of pyeloplasty for the treatment of ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction on adult renal function in the setting of a solitary kidney. Methods Since 1989, 312 patients have undergone operative intervention for UPJ obstruction. Of these, 13 patients (5 men and 8 women), aged 17 to 76 years (median 44.5), had a solitary kidney and were available for postoperative surveillance. Treatment consisted of endopyelotomy (n = 3), laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty (n = 3), and open dismembered pyeloplasty (n = 9). Two patients underwent two separate interventions for UPJ obstruction repair. Success was defined as symptomatic relief and radiographic resolution at the latest follow-up visit. In all patients, serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and weight were measured preoperatively, postoperatively, and at all follow-up examinations. Statistical analysis was performed to analyze group differences using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results The median follow-up was 22 months (range 2 to 96). Three patients experienced a treatment failure and were excluded from the analysis. At the latest follow-up visit, the postoperative serum creatinine had improved by a median of 0.6 mg/dL (range −0.2 to 6.3; P <0.0001), and postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate had improved by a median of 24.4 mL/min (range −13.9 to 66; P <0.0001). No statistically significant difference in renal function was observed between the patients’ first and last follow-up visits. Conclusions Operative intervention for the treatment of adult UPJ obstruction may result in symptomatic relief and, perhaps more importantly, renal functional improvement. These findings are important for effectively counseling patients and considering indications for intervention.
THE PROBLEM OF PSYCHOSIS IN PSYCHOMOTOR TEMPORAL LOBE EPILEPTICS.

SUMMARY Certain disorders in cerebral function have been described in patients with psychomotor-temporal lobe epilepsy which predispose to interictal psychosis. These are predominantly a disturbance of thought processes with loss of trains of associations, word-finding difficulties and fluctuations in the accuracy of perceptions. The psychotic states which may develop, usually after the seizure disorder had existed for several years, include inappropriate, bizarre behavior, delusions and paranoid and depressive reactions, hallucinatory activity, denial and excessive religiosity. The continued efforts to be in contact with reality and lack of autism, archaic thinking, withdrawal, or peculiar symbolism differentiate these reactions from a schizophrenic process. Electroencephalographic correlates with interictal psychotic episodes are only occasional and then usually consist of more intense focal temporal or bilateral paroxysmal discharge. At times, however, the electroencephalogram improves or becomes normal during a psychotic state. However, it is possible that these interictal personality and behavior disturbances may be due at least in part to subictal cerebral excitation. RESUME Description de quelques troubles de la fonction cerebrate chez des malades atteints d'epilepsie psychomotrice-temporale qui predisposent a une psychose interictale. Ceci est principalement un trouble des proces de la pensee avec perte de l'enchainement des associations, difficultes a trouver les mots et fluctuations dans l'exactitude des perceptions. Les etats de psychose, se developpant generalement quand l'epilepsie date de plusieurs annees, comprennent un comportement inapproprie et bizarre, des illusions et des reactions paranoiaques et depressives, une activite hallucinatoire, une religiosite excessive et du reniement. Des efforts continus pour etre en contact avec la realite et un manque d'autisme, d'une facon de penser achaique, de la retraite ou d'un symbolisme singulier differencient ces reactions d'un proces schizophrenique. Des correlations electroencephalographiques avec des episodes de psychose interictale ne sont qu'occasionnelles et consistent habituellement en une decharge focaletemporale ou paroxysmale bilaterale plus intense. Parfois, cependant, l'electroence-phalogramme s'ameliore ou devient normal pendant un etat de psychose. Il est toutefois possible que cette personnalite interictale et ces troubles du comportement soient dus, pour une part tout au moins, a une excitation cerebrale subictale.
Medical norms and medical innovation: adoption of genetic counselling and new drugs among primary care physicians

This study analyses the differential impact of physicians’traditional professional norms on their use of two innovations, genetic counseling and new drugs. These two medical innovations require rather different practice orientations, since the former (genetic counselling) necessitates a non-traditional preventive and psychosocial approach, while the latter (prescribing new drugs) can occur within a traditional interventionist treatment framework. It is hypothesized that acceptance of traditional norms will be positively correlated with use of new drugs, but negatively correlated with use of genetic counselling. Data obtained through mailed questionnaires received from 307 primary care physicians practising in or near Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona, provide tentative support for the research hypothesis. The discussion suggests some dysfunctional aspects of traditional medical norms, and points to the need for further research on the unanticipated consequences of that normative structure.
The Management of Abdominal Contour Defects Following TRAM Flap Breast Reconstruction

Background: Incisional hernia can develop following breast reconstruction with abdominal tissue regardless of technique, and the management is often challenging. Objectives: The authors characterize hernias following transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap procedures and evaluate outcomes of different strategies for repair. Methods: All patients who underwent repair of a TRAM-related hernia or bulge between 2003 and 2011 at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed. A minimum of 2 years' follow-up was required for inclusion in this series. Outcomes of different techniques for repair were compared and risk factors for hernia recurrence identified. Results: Forty-three patients underwent repair of a TRAM-related hernia or bulge, most often with mesh (74.4%, n = 32). At a mean overall follow-up of 5.2 years, 9 patients (20.9%) developed recurrent hernia or bulge. Compared to primary suture closure, the use of mesh was protective against recurrence (odds ratio, 0.05; 95% confidence interval, 0.00–0.65; P = .02), with the best results observed with fascial closure and underlay mesh reinforcement. Conclusions: Incisional hernia following TRAM flap breast reconstruction can be a challenging problem. Attention to surgical technique and the use of mesh minimize the risk of recurrence.
ISOXAZOLE AS A LIGAND

Abstract A number of divalent 3d metal chloride and perchlorate complexes with isoxazole were obtained by interaction of salt and ligand in triethyl orthoformate-ethanol. Characterization of these complexes was based on spectral (ir--electronic), magnetic and conductance evidence. The metal perchlorate complexes are of the following types (L = isoxazole): [FeL 2 (OH 2 ) 4 ](ClO 4 ) 2 [CoL 3 (OH 2 ) 3 ](ClO 4 ) 2 , [NiL 4 (OH 2 ) 2 ](ClO 4 ) 2 and [CuL 3 (OH 2 )](ClO 4 ) 2 . The former three cationic complexes are low-symmetry hexacoordinated, while the Cu(II) complex is distorted square-planar. Isoxazole acts as a monodentate N-ligand in these compounds. NiCl 2 forms a 1:2 complex with isoxazole, containing both terminal and bridging chloro and isoxazole (N and O,Nbonded) ligands. This compound is polynuclear, hexacoordinated ([NiL 2 Cl 2 ]x). CuCl 2 yields a 1:1 complex with this ligand. This compound is binuclear, square planar, involving terminal chloro and bridging, O,N bonded, isoxazole ([Cl 2 Cu(OC 3 H 3 N) 2 CuCl 2 ]).
Assessing the performance of a heuristic simulated annealing algorithm for the design of distributed satellite systems

Abstract A heuristic multidisciplinary design optimization technique has been investigated for applicability to the conceptual design of distributed satellite systems. Different permutations of a simulated algorithm are applied to the problem of developing a systems architecture that minimizes a multicriterion metric (cost per image) for the NASA Origins Terrestrial Planet Finder mission. It was found that the efficiency of the simulated annealing algorithm could be improved by modifying the degrees of freedom within the algorithm. Further, a methodology has been developed for finding the Pareto-optimal set of design solutions within the system trade space when the distributed satellite system is modeled as a multi-objective design problem. These advances combine to yield new tools for systems engineers exploring the trade space of distributed satellite systems during the conceptual design stage.
Effects of somatolactin on melanosome aggregation in the melanophores of red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) scales.

Abstract The effects of purified red drum somatolactin on pigment movement in red drum scales were studied in vitro and in vivo. The integument became pale within 2 min following an intramuscular injection of somatolactin (1 nmol/g body weight) in fish held in a black-background aquarium, and gradually regained its black coloration during the subsequent 30 min. No melanosome aggregation was observed in fish injected with vehicle or somatolactin over the dose range of 10 −9 −10 2 pmol/g. Melanosomes in the melanophores of scales were completely aggregated within 10 min of incubation with 1 μ M somatolactin in vitro. The effect of somatolactin on melanosome aggregation was dose-dependent. Somatolactin caused only partial aggregation at a concentration of 500 n M and 250 n M somatolactin had little or no effect. Somatolactin caused melanosome aggregation in both innervated and denervated melanophores. Aggregated melanosomes which had been preincubated with somatolactin dispersed within 30 min after rinsing with a physiological buffer. No melanosome aggregation was observed in scales incubated with 10 n M –1 μ M of red drum prolactin (PRL), red drum growth hormone (GH), ovine PRL, or recombinant tuna GH. These results indicate that the action of somatolactin on melanosome movement is direct, specific, reversible, and is probably mediated by a specific somatolactin receptor on the melanophores. Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) and norepinephrine (NE) also induced melanosome aggregation in scales at a low concentration of 10 n M . Addition of 1 μ M α-melanophore-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) following preincubation of scales with 1 μ M somatolactin, 10 n M MCH, or 10 n M NE resulted in partial dispersion of the melanosomes. These results suggest that melanosome migration in red drum scales is under multiple hormonal control. Although a direct action of somatolactin on melanosome aggregation is demonstrated in this study, its physiological role in the regulation of this process remains unclear.
Cultivation and differentiation of satellite cells from skeletal muscle of the rainbow trout Salmo gairdneri

Postembryonic myogenic satellite cells have previously been identified by microscopic methods in skeletal muscle of the rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri, and are considered to be responsible for myofiber hyperplasia and hypertrophy during the growth of skeletal muscle. However, methods to harvest satellite cells from fish skeletal muscle tissue and data to demonstrate that fish satellite cells can grow in primary cell culture appear to be lacking. Therefore, the objectives of the present preliminary research were 1) to determine if satellite cells from postembryonic rainbow trout skeletal muscle can be harvested and 2) to determine if these satellite cells can differentiate to produce multinucleated, striated myotubes in vitro. Mononucleated cells were isolated by enzymatic digestion of minced skeletal muscle tissue followed by differential centrifugation. The cells were then cultured at 20°C in Leibovitz's L-15 medium supplemented with 15% fetal bovine serum and antibiotics. Fusion of satellite cells to form multinucleated tubular structures similar to mammalian satellite cell-derived myotubes occurred from 3 to 6 days after initial plating; myofibrillar striations began to appear in some of these structures approximately 3 to 4 days after they had developed. Based on these preliminary observations, the authors concluded that viable satellite cells may be harvested from the rainbow trout and that these cells may differentiate to produce multinucleated, striated myotubes in vitro.
The importance of anharmonicity in thermal transport across solid-solid interfaces

Understanding interfacial thermal transport is of great importance for applications like energy devices and thermal management of electronics. Despite the significant efforts in the past few decades, thermal transport across solid-solid interfaces is still not fully understood and cannot be accurately predicted. Anharmonicity is often ignored in many prediction models, such as the mismatch models, the wave-packet method, and the Atomic Green's function. In this paper, we use molecular dynamics to systematically study the role of anharmonicity in thermal transport across solid-solid interfaces. The interatomic interactions are modeled using force constants up to the third order. This model allows controlling the anharmonicity independently by tuning the cubic force constants. The interfacial thermal conductance as a function of anharmonicity inside the materials and that at the interface is studied. We found that the anharmonicity inside the materials plays an important role in the interfacial thermal transport by facilitating the energy communication between different phonon modes. The anharmonicity at the interface has much less impact on the interfacial thermal transport. These results are important to the modification of traditional models to improve their prediction power.
Dark energy and matter evolution from lensing tomography

Reconstructed from lensing tomography, the evolution of the dark matter density field in the well-understood linear regime can provide model-independent constraints on the growth function of structure and the evolution of the dark energy density. We examine this potential in the context that high-redshift cosmology has in the future been fixed by CMB measurements. We construct sharp tests for the existence of multiple dark matter components or a dark energy component that is not a cosmological constant. These functional constraints can be transformed into physically motivated model parameters. From the growth function, the fraction of the dark matter in a smooth component, such as a light neutrino, may be constrained to a statistical precision of sigma(f)= 0.0006 fsky^{-1/2} by a survey covering a fraction of sky fsky with redshift resolution dz=0.1. For the dark energy, a parameterization in terms of the present energy density Omega_{DE}, equation of state w and its redshift derivative w', the constraints correspond to sigma(w)=0.016 fsky^{-1/2} and a degenerate combination of the other two parameters. For a fixed Omega_{DE}, sigma(w') = 0.046 fsky^{-1/2}; for Omega_{DE} marginalized, sigma(w') = 0.069 fsky^{-1/2}.
Upper trunk brachial plexus injuries in contact sports

Cervical nerve pinch syndrome, a neurapraxia of the brachial plexus, is a common occurrence in contact football. The incidence at two universities was approximately 49%. The more serious injury, brachial plexus axonotmesis, has received little attention in the literature. We are reporting 13 cases of brachial plexus axonotmesis. Ten were documented by electromyography. All involved the upper trunk. All but one patient recovered within a 3- to 42-week interval. These brachial plexus axonotmesis injuries may initially present as a cervical nerve pinch syndrome. All significant or repeated cervical nerve pinch injuries should be reexamined at 2 weeks. Those patient with axonotmesis should not be allowed to return to competition until they have achieved normal strength in the involved muscles and the electromyogram shows no signs of active denervation.
Correlation of the plasma elimination of antipyrine and the appearance of 4-hydroxy antipyrine in the urine of man.

A new gas chromatographic method for the determination of antipyrine and 4-hydroxy antipyrine in biological fluids is described. Utilizing these methods, we find a significant correlation (r = 0.89, P < 0.001) between the plasma elimination half-life of antipyrine and the rate of appearance of 4-hydroxy antipyrine conjugate in the urine. This observation validates previous studies utilizing the rate of plasma decay of antipyrine as a measure of drug metabolism in man.
Sensitivity of airborne fluorosensor measurements to linear vertical gradients in chlorophyll concentration.

A semianalytic Monte Carlo radiative transfer simulation model for airborne laser fluorosensors has been extended to investigate the effects of inhomogeneities in the vertical distribution of phytoplankton concentrations in clear seawater. Simulation results for linearly varying step concentrations of chlorophyll are presented. The results indicate that statistically significant differences can be seen under certain conditions in the water Raman-normalized fluorescence signals between nonhomogeneous and homogeneous cases. A statistical test has been used to establish ranges of surface concentrations and/or verticl gradients in which calibration by surface samples would by inappropriate, and the results are discussed.
What is Optical Imaging

This article introduces a promising new methodology called optical imaging. Optical imaging is used for measuring changes in cortical blood flow due to functional activation. The article outlines the pros and cons of using optical imaging for studying the brain correlates of perceptual, cognitive, and language development in infants and young children.
Gene dosage and susceptibility to insulin‐dependent diabetes

Summary 1. All members of 33 families in which two or more sibs have insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) were HLA-typed. The results strongly support the hypothesis that, closely linked to the HLA region, there is a locus (S) for susceptibility to IDDM. We use Sd for alleles at this locus which confer susceptibility to disease, and Sa for all other alleles. 2. Published prevalence (recurrence) rates for relatives of an IDDM proband, which are essential for the analysis, are reviewed critically, and a new estimate of prevalence at age 30 in the general population is calculated from published data. 3. The analysis allows for greater risk (penetrance) of the genotype SaSd (two doses of Sd) than of SaSd (one dose of Sd) and for recombination between the HLA region and S. With either our own data on 26 affected sib pairs or a much larger sample assembled by pooling with published data, the maximum-likelihood estimate of the two-dose penetrance is 71%, of the one dose penetrance 6·5%. The hypothesis of differential penetrance according to gene dosage provides a significantly better explanation than either simple dominant or simple recessive inheritance. 4. Estimates of the recombination fraction between HLA and S are very sensitive to the proportion of affected sib pairs sharing neither HLA haplotype, which varies considerably among the samples pooled. With the pooled data the recombination fraction is estimated as 3%, but in view of the strong associations with particular HLA alleles seen in population data, this should probably be considered an upper limit.
Counter-ion induced processibility of conjugated polyquinolines

Complexation of polyquinolines (PQs) with functionalized protonic acids renders these structures soluble in common organic solvents. Protonation of the quinoline units results in a positively charged polymer backbone which is compensated for by negative charges of the functionalized counter-ion. These PQ complexes can be solution-blended with common bulk polymers. Transmission electron microscopy reveals an extremely homogeneous and fine fibrillar interconnected dispersion of the PQ complex for polyblends containing only a few percent PQ.
Mammary tumor lipids and plasma lipoproteins in DMBA‐intubated rats fed olive or safflower oils

Abstract The effects of feeding olive and safflower oils on lipid and fatty acid composition of mammary tumors, plasma lipids and lipoproteins, and the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of plasma were investigated in rats. 7–12‐Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)‐ and placebo‐intubated male Sprague‐Dawley rats were fed 20% fat diets containing 18: 2n‐6 (wt/wt) from either high‐linoleic safflower oil (SL, 14.6% 18: 2n‐6), high oleic safflower oil (SO, 3.4% 18: 2n‐6), olive oil (OO, 1.1% 18: 2n‐6), or olive oil supplemented with 18: 2n‐6 (OL, 3.4% 18: 2n‐6) for 16 weeks. Our result indicated that tumor composition of18: In‐9 and 18: 2n‐6 reflected the diet, but tumor neutral lipid (NL) was more reflective of diet than was tumor phospholipid (PL). The 20: 4n‐6 content of tumor PL was constant in all of the dietary groups despite threefold higher levels of 18: 2n‐6 in tumor PL from animals fed SL than from those fed SO, OO, orOL diets. This suggests a possible feedback inhibition of ?6‐desaturase by the h...
Hairy cell leukemia with bone marrow hypoplasia

This article reviews the authors' experience with hairy cell leukemia to determine the incidence of hypoplastic marrows in this disease and the utiity of embedding marrow biopsy specimens in plastic, which allows the sections to be stained for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP). It was found that the presence of hairy cells in the peripheral blood, marrow aspirate, or both established the diagnosis in eight of 11 patients; in the remaining three patients, the marrow biopsy specimen was necessary for definitive diagnosis. The bone marrow was markedly hypocellular in three patients, including one in whom the marrow morphologic results were essential for diagnosis. Embedding the marrow biopsy specimen in plastic and staining the sections for TRAP was noted to be a useful technique in establishing the diagnosis of hairy cell leukemia. In all cases in which this was performed, the authors found abundant TRAP-positive cells in the marrow biopsy specimen; even in those cases with markedly hypocellular marrows, this technique revealed the presence of hairy cells. In one patient, TRAP staining of the marrow biopsy specimen proved essential for definitive diagnosis. The authors concluded that the occurrence of marrow hypocellularity is not rare in patients with hairy cell leukemia and that TRAP-staining of plastic-embedded marrow biopsy specimens is a helpful and sometimes essential technique in diagnosing hairy cell leukemia.