cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Do glenoid retroversion and humeral subluxation affect outcomes following total shoulder arthroplasty

Author(s): Ma, C Benjamin; Xiao, Weiyuan; Salesky, Madeleine; Cheung, Edward; Zhang, Alan L; Feeley, Brian T; Lansdown, Drew A | Abstract: BackgroundGlenoid retroversion and humeral head subluxation have been suggested to lead to inferior outcomes after total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). There are limited data to support this suggestion. We investigated whether preoperative glenoid retroversion and humeral head subluxation are associated with inferior outcomes after TSA and whether change of retroversion influences outcomes after TSA.MethodsPatients undergoing TSA with minimum 2-year follow-up were included from a prospectively collected institutional shoulder arthroplasty database. Retroversion and humeral head subluxation before and after surgery were measured on axillary radiographs. Postoperative radiographs were -evaluated for glenoid component loosening and compared between groups. Spearman correlations were determined between retroversion measurements and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Standardized Shoulder Assessment Form (ASES) scores. Patients were analyzed in groups based on retroversion and humeral head subluxation.ResultsThere were 113 patients (50% follow-up rate) evaluated at 4.2 years postoperatively. The mean preoperative retroversion (15.3° ± 7.7°) was significantly higher than postoperative retroversion (10.0°n±n6.8°; P l .0001). There was no correlation between postoperative glenoid version or humeral head subluxation and ASES scores. For patients with preoperative retroversion of g15°, there was no difference in outcome scores based on postoperative retroversion. There were no differences in preoperative or postoperative version for patients with or without glenoid lucencies.DiscussionWe observed no significant relationship between postoperative glenoid retroversion or humeral head subluxation and clinical outcomes in patients following TSA. For patients with preoperative retroversion g15°, change of retroversion during TSA had no impact on their clinical outcomes at short-term follow-up.
Chlorophyll estimation in soybean leaves infield with smartphone digital imaging and machine learning

Abstract Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) leaf chlorophyll content is indicative of the plant growth and health issues. However, chlorophyll measurement using the standard chemical procedure is laborious, while the sensor-based electronic options, such as soil plant analysis development (SPAD) meter tend to be highly expensive and made only spot measurements. Therefore, a simpler and less expensive infield method of chlorophyll measurement in soybeans using smartphone camera with image processing and machine learning models was developed. Soybean leaf images (720 images) and SPAD readings were collected from different cultivars (4), with replications (3) and sampling dates (2) from experimental plots. Of the several color vegetation indices (CVIs) tested, the dark green color index (DGCI) had the best correlation with SPAD meter readings ( r = 0.90 ), which was further improved by color calibration ( r = 0.93 ). The results of the random coefficients model showed that both cultivars and sampling dates had no significant effect ( 0.06 ≤ P ≤ 0.96 ), hence data were combined for the analysis. The simpler statistical linear regression (SLR) and polynomial regression (PR), multiple linear regression as well as the advanced machine learning models (support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF)) tested with color scheme inputs (RGB, DGCI, range pixel count (RPC) of DGCI, and ‘Both’ (RPC + RGB)) produced the best chlorophyll prediction with DGCI, RPC, and ‘Both’ inputs ( 0.87 R 2 0.89 ; 2.90 ≤ RMSE ≤ 3.41 SPAD units). Overall, these models were not significantly different, but the SVM model found to be the best ( R 2 = 0.89 and RMSE = 2.90 SPAD units). The simpler SLR and PR models with DGCI input ( R 2 ≥ 0.87 and RMSE ≤ 3.1 SPAD units) performed as good as the advanced SVM and RF models. The SVM model had the potential of predicting the chlorophyll directly with the raw RGB input ( R 2 = 0.86 and RMSE = 3.20 SPAD units) without the need of using the standard calibration board. The developed methodology of image processing with machine learning modeling and conversion relationship of measuring infield soybean leaf chlorophyll is efficient, inexpensive, not requiring the standard calibration board, and can be easily extended to other large-scale aerial imaging platforms and field crops.
Non-Linear Control Strategy for a Two-Body Point Absorber Wave Energy Converter Using Q Actor-Critic Learning

In this paper, a reinforcement learning method is used to tune a non-linear reactive control model parameters of a two-body point absorber Ocean Wave Energy Converter (OWEC). In particular, an Actor-Critic algorithm, as a model-free method is adopted for the maximization of the energy extraction, adaptive to the sea state. Different values of Power Take-Off (PTO) control parameters are applied to the system to observe reward and penalty of the taken action. Reward is determined by the average power over a specific time horizon lasting several wave periods. A two-body point absorber, simulated in WEC-Sim, is developed as the agent in order to validate the control strategy for different wave conditions. Results for the analyzed sea states verifies that the proposed non-linear control law learns the optimal PTO control parameters in specified sea states.
Postpartum plasma metabolomic profile among women with preeclampsia and preterm delivery: implications for long-term health.

Preeclampsia and preterm delivery (PTD) are believed to affect women’s long-term health including cardiovascular disease (CVD), but the biological underpinnings are largely unknown. We aimed to test whether maternal postpartum metabolomic profiles, especially CVD-related metabolites, varied according to PTD subtypes with and without preeclampsia, in a US urban, low-income multi-ethnic population. This study, from the Boston Birth Cohort, included 980 women with term delivery, 79 with medically indicated PTD (mPTD) and preeclampsia, 52 with mPTD only, and 219 with spontaneous PTD (sPTD). Metabolomic profiling in postpartum plasma was conducted by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Linear regression models were used to assess the associations of each metabolite with mPTD with preeclampsia, mPTD only, and sPTD, respectively, adjusting for pertinent covariates. Weighted gene coexpression network analysis was applied to investigate interconnected metabolites associated with the PTD/preeclampsia subgroups. Bonferroni correction was applied to account for multiple testing. A total of 380 known metabolites were analyzed. Compared to term controls, women with mPTD and preeclampsia showed a significant increase in 36 metabolites, mainly representing acylcarnitines and multiple classes of lipids (diacylglycerols, triacylglycerols, phosphocholines, and lysophosphocholines), as well as a decrease in 11 metabolites including nucleotides, steroids, and cholesteryl esters (CEs) (P < 1.3 × 10−4). Alterations of diacylglycerols, triacylglycerols, and CEs in women with mPTD and preeclampsia remained significant when compared to women with mPTD only. In contrast, the metabolite differences between women with mPTD only and term controls were only seen in phosphatidylethanolamine class. Women with sPTD had significantly different levels of 16 metabolites mainly in amino acid, nucleotide, and steroid classes compared to term controls, of which, anthranilic acid, bilirubin, and steroids also had shared associations in women with mPTD and preeclampsia. In this sample of US high-risk women, PTD/preeclampsia subgroups each showed some unique and shared associations with maternal postpartum plasma metabolites, including those known to be predictors of future CVD. These findings, if validated, may provide new insight into metabolomic alterations underlying clinically observed PTD/preeclampsia subgroups and implications for women’s future cardiometabolic health.
Perceived Physical Competence Predicts Gains in Children's Locomotor but Not Ball Skills across an Intervention.

The purpose of this pre/post experimental study was to examine if children’s perceived physical competence predicted changes in motor skills across an intervention. Sixty-seven children (Mage = 53.2 ± 3.7 months) participated in a 16-week, mastery-climate motor skill intervention. Perceived physical competence was assessed before the intervention using the physical competence subscale of the Pictorial Scale of Perceived Competence and Social Acceptance for Young Children. Motor skills were assessed using the Test of Gross Motor Development-3rd Edition before and after the intervention. Results revealed that controlling for pretest skills, perceived physical competence significantly predicted posttest locomotor (p 0.05). These results indicate that perceived physical competence may be a significant factor that predicts children’s gains in locomotor or total skills, but not ball skills, across an intervention.
A prospective survey study of lower urinary tract dysfunction in childhood cancer survivors after vincristine and/or doxorubicin chemotherapy

Background Two chemotherapeutic agents used widely in pediatric oncology are vincristine (VCR) and doxorubicin (DOX), which may cause neuropathy and myopathy, respectively. The study hypothesis is that neurotoxic effects of VCR and/or myotoxic effects of DOX affect bladder physiology and manifest clinically as lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD). Procedure Based on a priori power analysis, 161 children divided evenly by gender were recruited. Children aged 5-10 years completed the dysfunctional voiding scoring system (DVSS) survey. The study cohort comprised cancer survivors treated with VCR and/or DOX. Healthy controls were recruited from well-child clinic visits. Exclusion criteria included pelvic-based malignancy, pelvic irradiation, pre-existing LUTD, neurologic abnormalities, and treatment with cyclophosphamide/ifosfamide. DVSS scores and presence of LUTD, defined as DVSS scores above gender-specific thresholds (males ≥9, females ≥6), were compared across cohorts. Results Median DVSS scores were higher in the study cohort (6 vs. 4, p = .003). Moreover, children in the study cohort were more likely to exceed threshold scores for LUTD (38.8% vs. 21%, p = .014; OR 1.8). Subanalysis by gender revealed female cancer survivors are more likely to report LUTD than controls (57.5% vs. 30%, p = .013, OR 1.9). This did not hold true for males (20% vs. 12.2%, p = .339). Conclusions Childhood cancer survivors who received VCR and/or DOX reported higher rates of LUTD than controls. Female cancer survivors appear more likely to suffer from LUTD than males. Further study with a positive control cohort of cancer survivors who received non-VCR, non-DOX chemotherapy is underway to elucidate the contribution of a cancer diagnosis to LUTD.
12. Predictive Policing and the Ethics of Preemption

The American justice system, from police departments to the courts, is increasingly turning to information technology for help identifying potential offenders, determining where, geographically, to allocate enforcement resources, assessing flight risk and the potential for recidivism amongst arrestees, and making other judgments about when, where, and how to manage crime. In particular, there is a focus on machine learning and other data analytics tools, which promise to accurately predict where crime will occur and who will perpetrate it. Activists and academics have begun to raise critical questions about the use of these tools in policing contexts. In this chapter, I review the emerging critical literature on predictive policing and contribute to it by raising ethical questions about the use of predictive analytics tools to identify potential offenders. Drawing from work on the ethics of profiling, I argue that the much-lauded move from reactive to preemptive policing can mean wrongfully generalizing about individuals, making harmful assumptions about them, instrumentalizing them, and failing to respect them as full ethical persons. I suggest that these problems stem both from the nature of predictive policing tools and from the sociotechnical contexts in which they are implemented. Which is to say, the set of ethical issues I describe arises not only from the fact that these tools are predictive, but also from the fact that they are situated in the hands of police. To mitigate these problems, I suggest we place predictive policing tools in the hands of those whose ultimate responsibility is to individuals (such as counselors and social workers), rather than in the hands of those, like the police, whose ultimate duty is to protect the public at large.
The effect of the grain size distribution (GSD) on the light emission performance of phosphor-based X-ray detectors

Abstract The light emission performance of indirect, phosphor-based, X-ray detectors has significantly affected image quality and diagnostic validity of the medical imaging examinations. This issue has been investigated by examining and further understanding the optical anisotropy in optical diffusion mechanisms. One crucial parameter of phosphor's structural properties that remarkably changes light distribution is the size of the phosphor particles. Up to now, the vast majority of studies have been carried out considering phosphor materials consisted of grains of equal size. In the present article an attempt is made to investigate the influence of grain size distribution (GSD) on light emitting characteristics and compare it with the condition of mean values assumptions. Our investigation was based on LIGHTAWE Monte Carlo simulation code with purpose to examine the Gd2O2S:Tb phosphor layer extracted from a mammographic Kodak Min-R 2 Cassette. The GSD was determined via scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Three cases of mean values were taken into account: (i) 1.48 μm obtained calculations of the aforementioned GSD, (ii) 2.50 μm and 7.00 μm taken from previous articles and manufacturer datasheets. Light emission was performed under different irradiation conditions (i. e., light quanta are produced by light source or an X-ray beam) and in terms of light amount and distribution. Our investigation showed that the optical distribution in real GSD was found: (a) sharper than the calculated mean value of the GSD and (b) broader than the mean value taken from the manufacturer datasheet. In particular, the deviation of GSD was found significantly high compared to 7.00 μm mean value. Examining the spatial resolution properties of both conditions, the deviation was around 16.5%, 18.2%, 14.8% assuming that the light source is situated within the phosphor mass, an X-ray beam of 20 keV and X-ray beam of 30 keV, respectively.
Post-delisting genetic monitoring reveals population subdivision along river and reservoir localities of the endemic Concho water snake (Nerodia harteri paucimaculata)

The Concho water snake (Nerodia harteri paucimaculata), endemic to the Colorado and Concho Rivers in Texas, was removed from the U.S. Endangered Species Act in 2011. Monitoring of a species removed from threatened/endangered status is required to assess long-term management goals. As such, we conducted extensive surveys along with population genetic structure assessment at the time of delisting. No Concho water snakes were captured along the Concho River, part of the previously known range. Compared to older studies, fewer snakes were captured on the Colorado River. Several individual-based population genetic analyses showed concordant patterns of population substructure along the Colorado River. Specifically, there was significant genetic differentiation, with a signature of isolation by distance, among sampled riffle habitats and the O. H. Ivie Reservoir population. At the level of sampling locations, effective size estimates were low (10 to 20) and bottlenecks were detected. Habitat modification and low water flows during periods of drought may have contributed to existing patterns. Overall, genetic-based results demonstrate that the Concho water snake exists as small subpopulations along the Colorado River. The latter result coupled with the failed detection along the Concho River raises concern for this delisted species. Because much of our sampling was conducted during a drought, we recommend additional monitoring for which our genetic and demographic results will provide a much-needed baseline.
Damaliscus dorcas (Blesbok)

Skin biopsies of these animals were kindly provided by Dr. H. Heck, Catskill Game Farm, Catskill, New York, USA. The sex chromosomes are distinctive in size and in the presence of a small short arm, particularly that of the Y. One of the X chromosomes of the female cells is late replicating.
Chikungunya virus and the safety of plasma products.

BACKGROUND: Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) outbreaks were previously restricted to parts of Africa, Indian Ocean Islands, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. In 2007, however, the first autochthonous CHIKV transmission was reported in Europe. High-level viremia, a mosquito vector that is also present in large urban areas of Europe and America, and uncertainty around the resistance of this Alphavirus toward physiochemical inactivation processes raised concerns about the safety of plasma derivatives. To verify the safety margins of plasma products with respect to CHIKV, commonly used virus inactivation steps were investigated for their effectiveness to inactivate this newly emerging virus. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Pasteurization for human serum albumin (HSA), vapor heating for Factor VIII inhibitor bypassing activity, solvent/detergent (S/D) treatment for intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), and incubation at low pH for IVIG were investigated for their capacity to inactivate CHIKV and the closely related Sindbis virus (SINV). The obtained results were compared to previous studies with West Nile virus and the commonly used model virus bovine viral diarrhea virus. RESULTS: The data generated demonstrate the effective inactivation of CHIKV as well as SINV by the inactivation steps investigated and thereby support results from earlier validation studies in which model viruses were used. CONCLUSION: High inactivation capacities with respect to CHIKV were demonstrated. This provides solid reassurance for the safety of plasma products and the results verify that the use of model viruses is appropriate to predict the inactivation characteristics of newly emerging viruses when their physicochemical properties are well characterized.
Protective Role of S-Nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) Against Cognitive Impairment in Rat Model of Chronic Cerebral Hypoperfusion

Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH), featuring in most of the Alzheimer's disease spectrum, plays a detrimental role in brain amyloid-β (Aβ) homeostasis, cerebrovascular morbidity, and cognitive decline; therefore, early management of cerebrovascular pathology is considered to be important for intervention in the impending cognitive decline. S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) is an endogenous nitric oxide carrier modulating endothelial function, inflammation, and neurotransmission. Therefore, the effect of GSNO treatment on CCH-associated neurocognitive pathologies was determined in vivo by using rats with permanent bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO), a rat model of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. We observed that rats subjected to permanent BCCAO showed a significant decrease in learning/memory performance and increases in brain levels of Aβ and vascular inflammatory markers. GSNO treatment (50 μg/kg/day for 2 months) significantly improved learning and memory performance of BCCAO rats and reduced the Aβ levels and ICAM-1/VCAM-1 expression in the brain. Further, in in vitro cell culture studies, GSNO treatment also decreased the cytokine-induced proinflammatory responses, such as activations of NFκB and STAT3 and expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in endothelial cells. In addition, GSNO treatment increased the endothelial and microglial Aβ uptake. Additionally, GSNO treatment inhibited the β-secretase activity in primary rat neuron cell culture, thus reducing secretion of Aβ, suggesting GSNO mediated mechanisms in anti-inflammatory and anti-amyloidogenic activities. Taken together, these data document that systemic GSNO treatment is beneficial for improvement of cognitive decline under the conditions of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion and suggests a potential therapeutic use of GSNO for cerebral hypoperfusion associated mild cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease.
Evasion in the plane

We consider dynamical systems subject to control by two agents, one of whom desires that no trajectory of the system, emanating from outside a given set, intersects that set no matter what the admissible actions of the other agent. Constructive conditions sufficient to yield a feedback control for the agent seeking avoidance were given earlier. These are employed here to deduce an evader control for the planar pursuit-evasion problem with bounded normal accelerations.
Strain effects on point defects and chain-oxygen order-disorder transition in 123 cuprate compounds

The energetics of Schottky defects in 123 cuprate superconductor series ${R\mathrm{Ba}}_{2}{\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}{\mathrm{O}}_{7}$ (where $R=\text{lanthandies}$) and $\mathrm{Y}{A}_{2}{\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}{\mathrm{O}}_{7}$ $(A=\text{alkali earths})$, were found to have unusual relations if one considers only the volumetric strain. Our calculations reveal the effect of nonuniform changes of interatomic distances within the $R\text{\ensuremath{-}}123$ structures, introduced by doping homovalent elements, on the Schottky defect formation energy. The energy of formation of Frenkel pair defects, which is an elementary disordering event, in 123 compounds can be substantially altered under both stress and chemical doping. Scaling the oxygen-oxygen short-range repulsive parameter using the calculated formation energy of Frenkel pair defects, the transition temperature between orthorhombic and tetragonal phases is computed by quasichemical approximations (QCA's). The theoretical results illustrate the same trend as the experimental measurements in that the larger the ionic radius of $R$, the lower the orthorhombic∕tetragonal phase transition temperature. This study provides strong evidence of the strain effects on order-disorder transition due to oxygens in the $\mathrm{CuO}$ chain sites.
Rulemaking Under the 2010 Model State Administrative Procedure Act

This article presents a survey and critical analysis of issues raised by the rulemaking provisions of the Revised Model State Administrative Procedure Act (MSAPA), which was approved in 2010 by the Uniform Law Commission. Although the MSAPA rulemaking scheme is roughly similar to the federal model, it incorporates interesting variations on that model, including specifications for the composition of the rulemaking record, explicit criteria for regulatory analysis, and enforceable time limits on the duration of a rulemaking proceeding.Most significantly, the new MSAPA’s approach to guidance documents (interpretive rules and policy statements) is strikingly different from the federal model. In federal law, a guidance document that is used, or likely to be used, in a coercive manner may be reclassified as a legislative rule and invalidated as having been issued without notice and comment proceedings. In contrast, the MSAPA accepts at face value an agency’s characterization of a pronouncement as a guidance document, but it prescribes specific requirements to govern how such documents may be used. The requirements are intended to ensure that persons who may be affected by a guidance document will have an adequate opportunity to contest its legality or wisdom. At the same time, the Act seeks to facilitate regulated persons’ ability to rely on such pronouncements, because an agency that proposes to depart from a guidance document must articulate a reasonable explanation for the variance. The Act’s nuanced approach, if it proves successful, may offer useful lessons that could be incorporated into federal practice.
Automotive Plastics and Composites

Plastics play a fundamental role in the construction and comfort of modern automotive vehicles. Because of their low cost, ease in design flexibility, chemical resistance, as well as appearance, plastics usage has increased in the automotive industry. These materials have a significant impact on the chemical industry as well, with particular emphasis on polyolefin resins (polypropylene, polyethylene), unsaturated polyesters, and polyurethanes. In addition to descriptions of polymeric materials and usage in the automotive industry, global trends, resin prices, and design considerations are also discussed. Keywords: automotive; plastics; composites; elastomers; polymers
Mesothalamic Discharge Sites

The underlying electrophysiologic abnormality in patients with chronic pain syndrome is demonstrated in 2 patients whose pain and associated symptoms were incapacitating. Mechanical perturbation evoke
Magnetic resonance appearance of slow flow vascular malformations of the brainstem

Twelve patients with slow flow brain stem vascular malformations had magnetic resonance scans performed on a 1.5 Tesla scanner using T1 (TR=400–800 ms, TE=25 ms) and T2 (TR=2000 ms, TE=20, 25, 80 ms) weighted scans. Eight patients (70%) had solitary brainstem vascular malformations while 4 (30%) had multiple lesions both supra and infratentorially. Five patients had venous angiomas demonstrated by angiography and MR. There were 26 lesions seen on MR of which only 14 were identified by CT. These lesions demonstrated a specific MR image pattern indicative of subacute or chronic parenchymal hematoma. It was characterized by an iso to hyperintense central signal surrounded by a well defined thin band of low signal intensity. The central zone could appear to be single or multilocular. In multilocular lesions the hemorrhages within different cells could be of different ages. One patient did not have findings of a chronic hematoma but exhibited only low signal secondary to calcification and a venous angioma. None of these lesions had surrounding edema. Despite the variable etiologies of slow flow vascular malformations of the brainstem, their MRI manifestations seem to indicate a final common pathway of chronic hematoma. These lesions are quite distinct from MS or tumor, the usual clinical considerations in the differential diagnosis.
Lasers, Light and Radiofrequency for Treatment of Acne

Summary In spite of the various oral and topical treatments available for the treatment of acne, many patients fail to respond adequately to treatment or develop side effects. Therefore, there is a growing demand for a convenient, low risk and efficacious therapy. Recently, various forms of light therapy have been reported to improve acne. This article addresses the role of light therapy in the treatment of acne vulgaris, reviews current technologies of laser/light-based devices, and reports on the clinical experience and results. In conclusion, laser and light-based therapy seems to be a safe and effective modality for the treatment of mild to moderate inflammatory acne vulgaris.
ATPase activity of the UvrA and UvrAB protein complexes of the Escherichia coli UvrABC endonuclease.

Abstract We have analyzed the ATPase activity exhibited by the UvrABC DNA repair complex. The UvrA protein is an ATPase whose lack of DNA dependence may be related to the ATP induced monomer-dimer transitions. ATP induced dimerization may be responsible for the enhanced DNA binding activity observed in the presence of ATP. Although the UvrA ATPase is not stimulated by dsDNA, such DNA can modulate the UvrA ATPase activity by decreases in Km and Vm and alterations in the Ki for ADP and ATP-gamma-S. The induction of such changes upon binding to DNA may be necessary for cooperative interactions of UvrA with UvrB that result in a DNA stimulated ATPase for the UvrAB protein complex. The UvrAB ATPase displays unique kinetic profiles that are dependent on the structure of the DNA effector. These kinetic changes correlate with changes in footprinting patterns, the stabilization of protein complexes on DNA damage and with the expression of helicase activity.
The structure of high-silica alkali-silicate glasses. A Raman spectroscopic investigation

Abstract Normal Raman spectra of xM2O · (100 − x)SiO2 glasses (M = Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs and x = 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30) and differential Raman spectra of the 5, 10, and 15% M2O glasses are presented. The Raman spectra reflect distinct structural differences in the silicate networks of these glasses caused by the presence of different alkali cation types. The structural origin and localization of vibrational modes producing characteristic spectral bands of these glasses are discussed. Bands in the 900–1200 cm−1 region of the spectra of the alkali-silicated glasses result from highly localized Si-nonbridging oxygen stretching modes and relative intensities of these bands may be used to determine alkali distributions around SiO4 tetrahedra. Comparison of the Raman Spectra of the alkali-silicate glasses has shown that smaller alkali cations exhibit a greater tendency than their larger counterparts to cluster in pairs around SiO4 tetrahedra in these glasses, even at low alkali contents. The high frequency spectral features at 1100 and 1150 cm−1 also indicate the presence of two distinct structural environments in which an SiO4 tetrahedron contains one nonbridging oxygen in all alkali-silicate glasses containing ⩽ 25% M2M except those containing lithium. Intensity of the low frequency spectral band at 440 cm−1 indicates that regional alkali clustering such as that required for phase separation is also more prevalent in glasses containing smaller alkali cations. It is proposed that modeling of the silicate structure in alkali-silicate glasses must account for both long-range and localized alkali cation distribution.
The Use of Wind Tunnel, Field, and Computational Studies to Determine Building Wake Effects on the Hill Air Force Base Runway

A combined wind tunnel, field measurement, and numerical simulation strategy was used to obtain estimates of the effects of canyon wind flow over proposed building arrays on the Hill Air Force Base (HAFB) runway. As part of this effort, simplified building configurations in the wind tunnel were utilized to optimize computation parameters, as well as gain insights regarding the gross features associated with the proposed building configurations. The field data were used to provide realistic inflow conditions to the numerical simulations. The simulations were then utilized to predict flow fields over the HAFB runway for a number of proposed building configurations. Results from the study, indicated that building configurations primarily oriented transverse to the flow direction showed a persistence of momentum deficit and increased turbulence at large downstream distances. The present solution strategy is shown to constitute a cost effective means of addressing complex applied wind engineering problems with the capability of overcoming Reynolds number and geometric similarity problems.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Low power signal processing architectures for network microsensors

Low power signal processing systems are required for distributed network microsensor technology. Network microsensors now provide a new monitoring and control capability for civil and military applications in transportation, manufacturing, biomedical technology, environmental management, and safety and security systems. Signal processing methods for event detection have been developed with low power, parallel architectures that optimize performance for unique sensor system requirements. Implementation of parallel datapaths with shared arithmetic elements enables high throughput at low clock rate. This method has been used to implement a microsensor spectrum analyzer for a 200 sample/s measurement system. This 0.8 /spl mu/ CMOS device operates with a 1 /spl mu/A drain current at a 3 V supply bias.
Up-regulation of renal and vascular nitric oxide synthase in iron-deficiency anemia.

Up-regulation of renal and vascular nitric oxide synthase in iron-deficiency anemia. Anemia is frequently associated with increased cardiac output and reduced vascular resistance. The latter has been attributed to reduced inactivation of nitric oxide (NO) by hemoglobin. We hypothesized that in addition to reducing NO inactivation, anemia may up-regulate NO production. To test this hypothesis, male Sprague-Dawley rats with chronic iron-deficiency anemia (produced by multiple phlebotomies and an iron-free diet) were studied. The results were compared with those obtained in a group of normal control animals. The anemic group showed marked increases in urinary excretion, plasma concentration, and renal and aorta tissue contents of NO metabolites (total nitrates and nitrites, NOx). This was accompanied by a significant rise in urinary excretion of cGMP, the second messenger for NO. In addition, NO synthase (NOS) activity and endothelial constitutive ( ec NOS) and inducible NOS ( i NOS) proteins of the thoracic aorta were markedly increased in the anemic group. Likewise, renal tissue ec NOS and i NOS proteins were greatly increased in the anemic animals. NOS activity and protein values were inversely related to hematocrit and directly related to plasma, tissue and urinary NOx. The constellation of these findings points to an increased NOS expression and NO production as opposed to the mere reduction of NO inactivation in iron-deficiency anemia. Further studies are planned to determine the mechanism of NOS up-regulation in iron-deficiency anemia.
Intergenic region 3 of modified vaccinia ankara is a functional site for insert gene expression and allows for potent antigen-specific immune responses.

Abstract Integration of exogenous DNA into modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) is often accomplished using mapped deletion sites in the viral genome. Since MVA has a large capacity (≥ 30 kb) for foreign gene inserts and a limited number of unique integration sites, development of additional integration sites is needed to take full advantage of the extraordinary capacity for foreign gene insertion. In this report, we evaluate an alternative insertion site known as intergenic region 3 (IGR3). Recombinant MVA carrying the cytomegalovirus pp65 gene in IGR3 (rMVA-pp65-IGR3) demonstrated expression and genetic stability of the insert gene upon passage. Immunization of transgenic HLA-A2 mice with rMVA-pp65-IGR3 induced robust antigen-specific immune responses. Moreover, rMVA-pp65-IGR3-infected human EBV-transformed B cell lines were able to stimulate high levels of pp65-specific memory T cell responses in human PBMCs. These data support the usage of IGR3 for the development of highly immunogenic rMVA vaccines for clinical or veterinary use.
Comparative analysis of print and multimedia health materials: a review of the literature.

Abstract Objective Evaluate the evidence regarding the relative effectiveness of multimedia and print as modes of dissemination for patient education materials; examine whether development of these materials addressed health literacy. Methods A structured literature review utilizing Medline, PsycInfo, and the Cumulative Index to the Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), supplemented by reference mining. Results Of 738 studies screened, 30 effectively compared multimedia and print materials. Studies offered 56 opportunities for assessing the effect of medium on various outcomes (e.g., knowledge). In 30 instances (54%), no difference was noted between multimedia and print in terms of patient outcomes. Multimedia led to better outcomes vs. print in 21 (38%) comparisons vs. 5 (9%) instances for print. Regarding material development, 12 studies (40%) assessed readability and 5 (17%) involved patients in tool development. Conclusions Multimedia appears to be a promising medium for patient education; however, the majority of studies found that print and multimedia performed equally well in practice. Few studies involved patients in material development, and less than half assessed the readability of materials. Practice implications Future research should focus on comparing message-equivalent tools and assessing their effect on behavioral outcomes. Material development should include explicit attention to readability and patient input.
Multivariate analysis: Applications to the study of hereditary movement disorders

Idiopathic torsion dystonia and Huntington’s disease represent autosomal dominant inherited hyperkinetic disorders that vary considerably with regard to pathologic mechanisms and clinical penetrance. To study these mechanisms, non-manifesting DYT1 mutation carriers (nmDYT1) and presymptomatic HD gene carriers (p-HD), as well as age-matched controls were scanned with (i) FDG PET in the resting state, and (ii) 15 O-labeled water PET while performing a motor sequence learning task and motor execution task. We used voxel-based principal components analysis (PCA) to isolate the effects of genotype on regional metabolism in the resting state and on patterns of activation during motor performance. We detected two specific genotype-related metabolic patterns in the resting state. The torsion dystonia-related pattern was characterized by hypermetabolism of the basal ganglia, cerebellum and the supplementary motor area (SMA). By contrast, the voxel-based HD-related pattern displayed reductions in caudate and putamen metabolic activity associated with relative increases in the thalamus, the calcarine cortex, and primary motor cortex. Both mutations were associated with sequence learning deficits compared to controls. Carriers of each genotype activated different networks while performing the sequence learning task. In nmDYT1, learning was associated with activation of a specific network involving the cerebellar hemispheres, the left pre-SMA and anterior cingulate region, as well as inferior prefrontal and occipital association cortices. In p-HD, the learning network involved activation of the orbitofrontal and occipital association regions bilaterally, the left mediodorsal thalamus, and the right cerebellar hemisphere. These topographies illustrate the utility of PCA in identifying functional abnormalities in fronto-striatal loops and related pathways. 2007 Association for research in Nervous and Mental Disease. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Transferrin binding by mitogen-activated human peripheral blood lymphocytes.

Abstract Membrane binding of transferrin in the form of purified solution or in normal human serum was demonstrated by the use of immunohistological techniques in mitogenactivated human peripheral blood lymphocytes but not in unstimulated lymphocytes or cells exposed to nonmitogenic lectin. The percentage of cells in which transferrin binding was detected was found to correlate significantly with the degree of lymphocyte DNA synthesis in response to activation, both in dose-response and time-course studies. The data obtained provide evidence that the transferrin-binding reaction in such cells involves a specific membrane receptor of high affinity.
Effect of drug particle size on content uniformity of low-dose solid dosage forms

Abstract Two low-dose blends were prepared that differed only in the particle size of the drug used to make the blends. The geometric mean particle diameters for the two lots of drug used were 18.5 and 6.1μm. Samples of the blends approximately equivalent to the unit dose of 10 μg per 99 mg of blend were assayed for potency. For the blend containing the larger particle size drug, the potency range was 88–130% (n = 65) compared to 97–102% (n = 64) for the blend containing the smaller particle size drug. A simple computer method was able to qualitatively simulate the observed potency profiles using only the particle size distribution of the drug and assuming ideal mixing. The method provides guidance in setting particle size specifications to avoid poor content uniformity.
Parametrization of a reactive many-body potential for Mo-S systems

We present an interatomic potential for the Mo-S system based on the second-generation reactive empirical bond-order formalism. An analytic function is introduced to the bond-order term to capture the effect of the coordination number on the binding energy. The fitting scheme used for this potential is optimized by appropriate selection of the functions, training databases, initial guesses, and weights on each residual---the four factors that are involved in a weighted nonlinear least-squares fitting. The resulting potential is able to yield good agreement with the structure and energetics of Mo molecules, two-dimensional Mo structures, three-dimensional Mo crystals, small S molecules, and binary Mo-S crystal structures. We illustrate the capabilities of the new potential by presenting results of the simulation of friction between ${\text{MoS}}_{2}$ layers. The results are consistent with our previous static potential surface calculations using density-functional theory.
The influence of measurement in the development of management science

Abstract The paper traces the growth of Management Sciences and focuses on the differences in emphasis which several schools of thought have given to situational factors and their influence on the management function. Tracking shifts in the orientation of this emphasis leads to certain conclusions about the future.
Early outcomes for malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor treated with chemotherapy.

Objectives:Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) are rare soft-tissue sarcomas with a tendency for recurrence and metastasis. Treatment using chemotherapy is controversial, but benefit with some agents has been described. This study aimed to analyze early survival outcomes using doxorubic
Effect of dietary Lunaria oil on chick growth and organ lipid content.

Abstract An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of feeding Lunaria oil to chicks. A diet containing Lunaria oil produced poorer growth and lower feed conversion than one containing corn oil. White Plymouth Rock chicks had apparent digestibility values of 89.9% and 55.8% for corn and Lunaria oil, respectively. Gas-liquid chromatographic analysis of heart, liver, and body cavity lipids (fat) showed that more erucic and nervonic acids accumulated in the fat of the birds fed Lunaria oil than in the fat of those fed corn oil.
A Synthesis of Climate and Vegetation Cover Effects on Biogeochemical Cycling in Shrub-Dominated Drylands

Semi-arid and arid ecosystems dominated by shrubs (“dry shrublands”) are an important component of the global C cycle, but impacts of climate change and elevated atmospheric CO2 on biogeochemical cycling in these ecosystems have not been synthetically assessed. This study synthesizes data from manipulative studies and from studies contrasting ecosystem processes in different vegetation microsites (that is, shrub or herbaceous canopy versus intercanopy microsites), to assess how changes in climate and atmospheric CO2 affect biogeochemical cycles by altering plant and microbial physiology and ecosystem structure. Further, we explore how ecosystem structure impacts on biogeochemical cycles differ across a climate gradient. We found that: (1) our ability to project ecological responses to changes in climate and atmospheric CO2 is limited by a dearth of manipulative studies, and by a lack of measurements in those studies that can explain biogeochemical changes, (2) changes in ecosystem structure will impact biogeochemical cycling, with decreasing pools and fluxes of C and N if vegetation canopy microsites were to decline, and (3) differences in biogeochemical cycling between microsites are predictable with a simple aridity index (MAP/MAT), where the relative difference in pools and fluxes of C and N between vegetation canopy and intercanopy microsites is positively correlated with aridity. We conclude that if climate change alters ecosystem structure, it will strongly impact biogeochemical cycles, with increasing aridity leading to greater heterogeneity in biogeochemical cycling among microsites. Additional long-term manipulative experiments situated across dry shrublands are required to better predict climate change impacts on biogeochemical cycling in deserts.
Bioenergetics: is there any demand for quantum mechanics?

Biology and Quantum Mechanics. By A.S. Davydov. Pp.229. ISBN 0-08-026392-5. (Pergamon: 1982.) $45, £22.50.
In-pile fission-gas release from fine-grain UO2☆

According to the defect-trap theory for fission-gas release the rate of escape of gas from UO2 is controlled by the number of defects in the UO2 structure. Defects are created by fission and may also be inherent flaws, such as grain boundaries and pores. To test this theory the release rate of gas from single crystal UO2 was compared to that from fine-grain UO2. It was found that the single crystal did indeed release much more gas (a factor of 17 at 1000° C) than the fine grain material. Post-irradiation examination showed that the grain boundaries had trapped fission products. The theory further states that the number of radiation produced traps at a given temperature will be roughly proportional to the fission rate, under the conditions of this experiment. At a high fission rate, therefore, there will be more fission-gas but also a higher probability of trapping the gas atoms, and a change in fission rate should not produce much change in the fission-gas release rate. In the fine grain material, a change in fission rate of a factor of 4.5 did not produce a detectable change in the rate of gas release. These results confirm the defect-trap model for fission-gas release, and are directly opposed to any gas release mechanism which is diffusion controlled.
Family size and parental satisfaction: Race and sex differentials

Abstract The impact of family size on parental satisfaction is investigated with race and sex as moderating variables. From a national sample of parents, a white subsample is matched to the black sample on the basis of education, city size, and age. The association between family size and parental satisfaction is negative and low for white males and females as well as for black females. For black males, the association between family size and satisfaction is positive and moderately high. Exchange interaction and role transition are proposed as frameworks which could account for the general relationship between family size and satisfaction as well as for the black male anomaly.
Thermal properties of tungsten SRM's 730 and 799

Samples of sintered and arc-cast tungsten are available from NBS as thermal conductivity (SRM 730) and electrical resistivity (SRM 799) standards for the temperature range from 4 to 3000K. NBS recommended values for these properties above room temperature are based on results of various researchers during a previous international program which included arc-cast and sintered tungsten. The sintered tungsten used in this program was found to be unsuited for use as a standard material due to inhomogeneity and high temperature instability. The present paper gives results at high temperatures for thermal conductivity, electrical resistivity, specific heat, thermal diffusivity and Wiedemann-Franz-Lorenz ratio for a sample of the NBS intered tungsten using the Properties Research Laboratory's multiproperty apparatus. These results are compared to values recommended by the Thermophysical Properties Research Center, NBS, and an international program.