cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Robotic Aortic Valve Replacement: First 50 Cases.

Abstract Background Existing management challenges in selecting transcatheter versus surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) include bicuspid stenosis, low clinical risk, horizontal valve position, aortic insufficiency (AI), and need for concomitant procedures or mechanical valves. To address these gaps, we present our early experience with fully robotic-assisted aortic valve replacement (RAVR). Methods Between January 2020 and February 2021, 50 consecutive RAVR operations were performed utilizing a 3-4 cm lateral mini-thoracotomy three-port technique with transthoracic aortic clamping, similar to our robotic mitral platform. Conventional SAVR prostheses were implanted with interrupted braided sutures in all cases. Results Median age was 67.5 years, BMI was 29, calcified bicuspid disease was present in 28/50 (56%), and severe AI in 8/50 (16%). Ejection fraction was 54.8±8.4% (mean±SD), and STS PROM was 1.54±0.7%. Mechanical prostheses were used in 16/50 (32%), and 7 required concomitant procedures including Cox-Maze (3), left atrial appendage clipping (1), aortic root enlargement (2), mitral repair (1), and left atrial myxoma excision (1). Median times for cardiopulmonary bypass, cross-clamp, valvectomy, annular sutures, and aortotomy closure were 166, 117, 4, 20, and 31 minutes, respectively. All times plateaued after the initial five cases. Most patients (42/50, 84%) were extubated in the operating room, and the remainder (8/50, 16%) within 4 hours. There was no 30-day operative mortality or stroke. All had 30-day echocardiography demonstrating no valvular or perivalvular abnormalities. Conclusions RAVR appears to have procedural safety and short-term outcomes to rival alternatives. Incremental experience may facilitate the safe performance of concomitant procedures as deemed necessary.
Difficulties of Measuring Culture in Privacy Studies

This paper addresses inconsistencies that exist in the measurement instruments HCI researchers use in cross-cultural studies. We study some commonly used measurement instruments that capture cultural dimensions at an individual level and conduct "measurement invariance tests," which test whether the questions comprising a construct have similar characteristics across different groups (e.g., countries). We find that these cultural dimensions are, to some extent, non-invariant, making statistical comparisons between countries problematic. Furthermore, we study the (non)invariance of the causal relationship between these cultural dimensions and privacy-related constructs, e.g., privacy concern and the amount of information users share on social media. Our results suggest that in several instances, these cultural dimensions have a different effect on privacy-related constructs per country. This severely reduces their usefulness for developing cross-cultural arguments in cross-country studies. We discuss the value of conducting measurement and causal non-invariance tests and urge scholars to develop more robust means of measuring culture.
Interception of 1,2-cyclohexadiene with TEMPO radical

Abstract Transient strained cyclic intermediates, such as strained cyclic allenes, are useful building blocks for the synthesis of structurally and stereochemically complex scaffolds. Trappings of strained cyclic allenes are thought to occur primarily through either two or one electron processes. Regarding the latter, diradical intermediates have been invoked in (2 + 2) cycloadditions and (3 + 2) nitrone cycloadditions. The present study questions if a monoradical pathway could exist for strained cyclic allene reactivity, as examined in the reaction of 1,2-cyclohexadiene and TEMPO radical. Our findings suggest the viability of this monoradical pathway.
A Hydrogel Construct and Fibrin-based Glue Approach to Deliver Therapeutics in a Murine Myocardial Infarction Model.

The murine MI model is widely recognized in the field of cardiovascular disease, and has consistently been used as a first step to test the efficacy of treatments in vivo1. The traditional, established protocol has been further fine-tuned to minimize the damage to the animal. Notably, the pectoral muscle layers are teased away rather than simply cut, and the thoracotomy is approached intercostally as opposed to breaking the ribs in a sternotomy, preserving the integrity of the ribcage. With these changes, the overall stress on the animal is decreased. Stem cell therapies aimed to alleviate the damage caused by MIs have shown promise over the years for their pro-angiogenic and anti-apoptotic benefits. Current approaches of delivering cells to the heart surface typically involve the injection of the cells either near the damaged site, within a coronary artery, or into the peripheral blood stream2-4. While the cells have proven to home to the damaged myocardium, functionality is limited by their poor engraftment at the site of injury, resulting in diffusion into the blood stream5. This manuscript highlights a procedure that overcomes this obstacle with the use of a cell-encapsulated hydrogel patch. The patch is fabricated prior to the surgical procedure and is placed on the injured myocardium immediately following the occlusion of the left coronary artery. To adhere the patch in place, biocompatible external fibrin glue is placed directly on top of the patch, allowing for it to dry to both the patch and the heart surface. This approach provides a novel adhesion method for the application of a delicate cell-encapsulating therapeutic construct.
Synthesis of Pinacolylboronate-Substituted Stilbenes and their application to the synthesis of boron capped polyenes

Abstract A series of novel 4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-2-(4-substitutedstyrylphenyl)-1,3,2 dioxaborolane derivatives has been synthesized. 4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaboratophenyl)-methyl triphenylphosphonium bromide (4) was treated with 3 equiv of tBuONa, various aldehydes in the presence of DMF, and stirred at room temperature 4–6 h to yield the corresponding boron containing stilbene derivatives 1a-n in 71–94% yields. A one-pot protocol transformation has also been developed and used this methodology to synthesize boron containing resveratrol analogues. Simple and clean reactions, high yield of the products are the salient features of this methodology. We used this reaction to synthesize the boron capped polyenes. These boron containing polyene systems are potential intermediate to synthesize conjugated polyene as new material for LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) technology. The biological testing of these compounds is currently underway to identify potential therapeutic for Neurodegenerative diseases.
Detection of luciferase gene sequence in nonluminescent Vibrio cholerae by colony hybridization and polymerase chain reaction.

Abstract Bioluminescence is a trait observed among approximately 10% of Vibrio cholerae isolates. We have demonstrated that not only do some strains of V. cholerae produce low levels of light, undetectable by the human eye, but the luciferase gene sequence is present in strains of V. cholerae which emit no detectable light, evidenced by hybridization with a luciferase DNA probe. Comparisons of the amino acid sequences of luciferase enzymes of marine species have shown that these proteins have diverged to the point where they have only short regions of amino acid identity. The polymerase chain reaction method of DNA amplification with oligonucleotide primers based on these regions was used to isolate a region of the luxA gene from both luminescent and nonluminescent V. cholerae strains. The nucleotide sequence of this region was determined and reveals that nonluminescent V. cholerae have 99.7% nucleotide sequence similarity in this region with the luminescent biovar V. cholerae bv. albensis as well as significant similarity to other species of bioluminescent bacteria, a finding that is in accord with the hypothesis that these species have a common luminescent ancestor, most probably from the marine environment.
The evolution and mechanics of the midfoot and hindfoot

The foot and ankle have been an important part in the development of human gait and the erect posture of man. This paper presents several important evolutionary and biomechanical insights to the function of the midfoot and rearfoot. The bony architecture of the foot and ankle has enhanced the ability of man to walk in an upright posture. The complex movements of supination and pronation was established as a result of positional changes of the talus and calcaneus. The human foot has adapted to a bipedal striding gait by forming a compact structure that can absorb high ground reaction forces and provide a lever for push-off. Certain mechanical disorders of the foot and ankle may result from alterations of several evolutionary features. Excessive pronation and supination are the two major categories of mechanical disorders of the foot and ankle. The restoration of normal foot mechanics offers an important treatment approach to mechanical dysfunction of the foot and ankle. © 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.
Economic behavior within organizations: Equilibrium behavior of public and private organizations in the first long run

In the analysis of the short run it was assumed that current investment behavior has no effect on the same time period's resource allocation. Over longer periods an organization's tangible and intangible capital resources are altered both by employees' investments (analyzed in Chapter 7) and by the funding authority's investments. This and the next chapter analyze price and output determination for public and private organizations during time periods long enough for the investments of employees and the funding authority to influence the outcome. We have seen that an employee's investments can increase the resource diversions that are allowed by the responsibility facing him. However, an organization's “funding limit” constrains the combined resource diversions of all of its employees, regardless of the amounts allowed by responsibility. Thus, we shall consider the effects of employees' investments within two possibly overlapping time horizons. In the “first long run,” employees' investments can have the fullest possible impact on the resource diversions allowed by responsibility within the funding limit. During this time period an organization's funding limit cannot be changed as a result of a merger with another organization or a change in its status as a private corporation, private nonprofit organization, or a public organization. However, because these changes affect funding limits substantially, they are often objects of employees' investments. Such investments are analyzed in the “second long-run” analysis of Chapter 9. This chapter first considers the funding limit in each type of organization and then analyzes price and output determination in the first long run.
A photometric investigation of the optical variability of Markarian 501

The optical variability of the BL Lacertae object, Markarian 501, has been monitored from 1976–1987. Long-term optical variations have been detected with an amplitude of 0.65 mag. The long-term small amplitude, color variations which have been observed are found to be weakly correlated with the long-term trends in brightness in the sense that the object appears bluer when it is brighter. No evidence has been found for variability on a time scale of days or less for this object.
Creep response of recycled asphalt shingles

Recycled asphalt shingles (RAS) mixed with granular materials or cementitiously stabilized to control their otherwise high compressibility provide a viable lightweight structural fill material in highway embankments or backfill behind retaining structures. In this research, deviator creep response of RAS mixed with bottom ash (BA) or stabilized with self-cementing fly ash (FA) was investigated. Systematic constant stress consolidated-drained triaxial tests were conducted on compacted RAS–BA and RAS–FA mixtures at ranges of confining pressures, deviator stresses, and temperatures expected in the field. Results showed that both compacted RAS–BA and RAS–FA mixtures represent classic creep response similar to soils. Creep rupture was observed at deviator stresses higher than 80% of deviator stress at failure. To prevent creep rupture, mobilized shear strength in the design of side slopes of highway embankments containing RAS should be limited to 80% of deviator stress at failure. Creep rate is affected by con...
Normal Intestinal Flora of Cattle Fed High-Roughage Rations

Abstract Maki, Leroy R. (University of Wyoming, Laramie), and Kay Picard. Normal intestinal flora of cattle fed high-roughage rations. J. Bacteriol. 89:1244–1249. 1965.—Intestinal bacteria were isolated from 15 cattle. Approximately 600 isolates were studied, and their presence and numbers in the duodenum, ileum, cecum, and colon were noted. Bacteria most frequently isolated from all parts of the intestinal tract included Escherichia coli, Streptococcus bovis, and species of Bacillus. Several groups of gram-positive rods could not be classified according to Bergey's Manual. Direct counts of intestinal contents indicated that 1 to 10% of the bacteria present were recovered.
The Phylogenetic Position of Cetaceans: Further Combined Data Analyses, Comparisons with the Stratigraphic Record and a Discussion of Character Optimization1

SYNOPSIS. A recent total evidence analysis of the position of cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises and extinct relatives) among mammals indicated that the phylogeny of these taxa remains poorly resolved. Molecular data show that 1) the order Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates) is paraphyletic unless whales are included within it and 2) that the traditional relationships of clades within Artiodactyla are not supported. This controversy also affects the position of a wholly extinct clade, Mesonychia, which has been argued to be the group of terrestrial mammals most closely related to whales. Here I update a previous total evidence analysis by adding several hundred new informative molecular characters from the literature. Even with the addition of these characters the phylogeny remains unresolved. All most parsimonious trees, however, indicate a paraphyletic Artiodactyla with conflict existing over the exact sister taxon of Cetacea. Congruence between different equally parsimonious cladograms and the stratigraphic record as measured using the modified Manhattan Stratigraphic Measure shows that all of the competing topologies, including those with a paraphyletic Artiodactyla, are significantly congruent with the stratigraphic record. In fossil taxa cladistic optimization can be used as an alternative to ‘‘argument from design’’ (Lauder, 1996) to reconstruct behavior and soft tissues that do not fossilize or osteological characters that have not preserved. In certain scenarios of cetacean phylogeny, optimization indicates that taxa such as the archaic whales Ambulocetus and Pakicetus, and possibly mesonychians, are more correctly reconstructed without hair.
Immune checkpoint blockade in tumor therapy: new mechanisms and strategies

One reason for less than optimal success of clinical strategies to mobilize the immune system to attack cancer cells is that the immune system has multiple cell intrinsic and extrinsic regulatory circuits that serve to limit autoimmunity but can also frustrate anti-tumor responses. The prototype of cell intrinsic circuits is the CD28/CTLA-4 axis, which regulates early stages of the T-cell response. CD28 provides critical costimulatory signals necessary for activation of naive T cells, while CTLA-4 limits proliferation of the responding T cells. Over the past several years our work has provided some insight into the molecular mechanisms whereby CTLA-4 inhibits T-cell proliferation, and how blockade of this inhibition can enhance anti-tumor responses in mice. As a single agent anti-CTLA-4 can induce the rejection of tumors with inherently high immunogenicity, and in combination with appropriate vaccines can induce rejection of poorly immunogenic tumors. CTLA-4 blockade is being developed as a cancer therapeutic by Medarex and Bristol-Myers Squibb and is currently in a large number of trials in a variety of cancers. To date, objective responses have been observed in many melanoma patients, and anecdotal reports have been obtained in renal, ovarian, and prostate cancer. FoxP3+ regulatory T cells (Treg) provide a cell extrinsic mechanism for limiting effector T-cell responses, and are associated with poor anti-tumor responses. Data will be presented concerning the interaction of CTLA-4 blockade and Treg cells in tumor rejection in experimental mouse models. We will also present data suggesting that depletion of Treg after establishment of tumors may not be effective in enhancing anti-tumor responses elicited by anti-CTLA-4 and a GM-CSF expressing tumor cell vaccine, as well as a means by which to overcome Treg induced refractoriness. In the last few years, the number of B7 family members has risen to seven. These fall into four groups, and have distinct expression patterns and immunological functions. The two newest members, B7-H3 and B7x, bind an as yet unidentified receptor and appear to be capable of inhibiting effector T-cell function. It is thus of considerable interest that many mouse and human tumor cells express B7x. We have recently found that high levels of expression of these inhibitory B7 molecules on human prostate cancer cells correlates with a higher rate of clinical failure. These might represent another checkpoint whose blockade would be of value in tumor immunotherapy. This abstract was published in Cancer Immunity, a Cancer Research Institute journal that ceased publication in 2013 and is now provided online in association with Cancer Immunology Research.
THE REFORM MOVEMENT AND THE DEBATE ON MODERNITY AND TRADITION IN CONTEMPORARY IRAN

To appreciate the significance of the reform movement represented by the books selected for this survey, one needs the sharply contrasting background of Islamic thought in Iran from the mid-1960s to the end of 1980s, the period perceptively surveyed by Mehrzad Boroujerdi in Iranian Intellectuals and the West . Boroujerdi shows that the moral indignation against Westernization in Iran pre-dated the outburst of revolution in 1979 by a few decades, beginning as a series of nativistic protests that gradually cohered in the shape of an Islamic ideology. The mythical construction of the West was not exclusively or primarily a religious affair. It was, rather, a fairly general indigenous or nativistic response to Western cultural domination in which Islam played a varying and fluctuating role before the revolutionary crescendo of the late 1970s and early 1980s. The essence of this nativistic cultural response was what Boroujerdi analyzes as Occidentalism, or, borrowing a phrase from Edward Said's Syrian critic Sadiq al-עAzm, as “Orientalism in reverse.”
Measurement and the Study of Change

Many constructs developmental scientists study cannot be directly observed. In such cases, scales are created that reflect the construct of interest. Observed behaviors are taken as manifestations of an unobserved common cause. As crucial as measurement is to understanding many psychological phenomenon, it is perhaps even more important when the goal of research is to understand how a construct changes over time. In this article we review several approaches to measurement, note features of latent variable measurement models which are ideally suited to the study of change, describe a hypothetical example, and conclude with a discussion of measurement and development.
Biomedical wellness challenges and opportunities

The mission of ONR's Human and Bioengineered Systems Division is to direct, plan, foster, and encourage Science and Technology in cognitive science, computational neuroscience, bioscience and bio-mimetic technology, social/organizational science, training, human factors, and decision making as related to future Naval needs. This paper highlights current programs that contribute to future biomedical wellness needs in context of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. ONR supports fundamental research and related technology demonstrations in several related areas, including biometrics and human activity recognition; cognitive sciences; computational neurosciences and bio-robotics; human factors, organizational design and decision research; social, cultural and behavioral modeling; and training, education and human performance. In context of a possible future with automated casualty evacuation, elements of current science and technology programs are illustrated.
Electrochemical technique to measure Fe(II) and Fe(III) concentrations simultaneously

An electrochemical technique is presented to simultaneously determine the concentrations of Fe(II) and Fe(III) ions using a rotating disk electrode. The method consists of using a steady state polarization technique where the developed limiting currents are measured and related to the concentration of the cations present in solution. Two linear equations were derived which correlate the limiting currents with the concentrations of the pair cations. The equations are used to easily and simultaneously determine the concentrations of the multivalent species. The precision and accuracy of the technique were found to be comparable to other advanced methods for the quantification of cations, such as capillary zone electrophoresis and spectro-photometric sequential injection analysis.
The nonlinear control benchmark experiment

An overview is given of the motivation, model, and setup for the nonlinear control benchmark experiment. The two-input-one-output active magnetic bearing system possesses significant nonlinearity due to its electromagnetic actuators. A saturation on the control signal (voltage) is also present due to power supply limitations. This experiment examines the problem of disturbance rejection in an unstable nonlinear system. The control goal, motivated by the problem of energy storage flywheels, is to minimizing the actuator magnetic flux employed during this regulation.
How to Flowchart for Hardware

The flowchart method is a procedure for designing the processor of a computer. It helps transform the English description into the formal description a circuit designer needs.
No Solutions, Only Trade-Offs? Evidence about Goal Conflict in Street-Level Bureaucracies

Theories of goal conflict suggest that public organizations confront two possibilities when they face multiple policy goals: (1) organizations attain synergy among lower-order, instrumental goals in order to achieve higher-order objectives, or (2) organizations face a zero-sum trade-off among goals. Implicit in this debate is the proposition that trade-off is more likely when performance toward the attainment of multiple goals is measured with substantively exclusive metrics and under varying environments of task difficulty. This research examines which of these theories appears to explain the implementation and interaction of multiple policy goals in the context of Georgia public high schools. The findings demonstrate the highly contingent nature of goal synergy and trade-off. While goal synergy is possible in the interaction of multiple lower-order goal attainment, more robust gains can be made toward a higher-order objective by focusing on one particular lower-order goal rather than an all-inclusive approach to goal attainment.
COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT AND CAREER RETRAINING IN OLDER ADULTS

Recent research on the cognitive development and functioning of older adults is reviewed and explored in relation to vocational retraining. It is argued that an ecological approach to the study of cognitive development in older adults is preferable, based on the life‐phase, hierarchical‐stage and cognitive functioning literatures. The relevance of this literature for career development in older adults is considered and suggestions for future research are offered. In particular, it is proposed that retraining programs designed to facilitate the career adaptability and success of older persons should attempt to increase their cognitive complexity and flexibility.
Active Treatment of Localized Renal Tumors May Not Impact Overall Survival in Patients Aged 75 Years or Older

BACKGROUND: Although nephrectomy cures most localized renal cancers, this oncologic benefit may be outweighed by the renal functional costs of such an approach. In this study, the authors examined overall survival in 537 patients who had localized renal tumors ≤7 cm detected at age ≥75 years to investigate whether surgical intervention improved survival compared with active surveillance. METHODS: Clinical T1 renal tumors were managed with surveillance (20%), nephron-sparing interventions (53%), or nephrectomy (27%). Cox regression models were constructed based on age, comorbidity, management type, renal function, and other variables. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 3.9 years, and death from any cause occurred in 148 patients (28%). The most common cause of death was cardiovascular (29%), and cancer progression was responsible in only 4% of deaths. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed decreased overall survival for patients who underwent surveillance and nephrectomy relative to nephron-sparing intervention (P = .01); however, surveilled patients were older and had greater comorbidity. In multivariate analysis, significant predictors of overall survival included age (P = .0004) and comorbidity (P < .0001) but not management type (P = .3). Preoperative renal function (P = .006) and comorbidity (P = .005) were predictors of cardiovascular mortality, and nephrectomy was associated with greatest loss of renal function. CONCLUSIONS: In patients aged ≥75 years, surgical management of clinically localized renal cortical tumors was not associated with increased survival. Patients died mostly of cardiovascular causes, similar to the general elderly population. Nephrectomy accelerated renal dysfunction, which was associated with cardiovascular mortality. Current paradigms suggest that there is over treatment of localized renal tumors, and further study will be required to evaluate the advisability of various options in patients with limited life expectancy. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Embedding theorems for non-positively curved polygons of finite groups

Abstract The fundamental groups of complete squared complexes are a class of groups, some of which are not residually finite. A method is given for embedding the fundamental group of a complete squared complex as a subgroup of a square of finite groups, all of whose (Gersten—Stallings) vertex angles are ≤ π /2. It is also shown that every square of finite groups, all of whose vertex angles are ≤ π /2, can be embedded in a non-positively curved triangle of finite groups. In this way, a non-residually finite, non-positively curved triangle of finite groups is obtained.
The Human DF3/MUC1 Carcinoma-Associated Antigen Signals Nuclear Localization of the Catenin p120ctn

The human DF3/MUC1 glycoprotein is aberrantly overexpressed by carcinoma cells. The present studies show that MUC1 associates with the Armadillo protein, p120(ctn). The cytoplasmic domain of MUC1 binds directly to p120. The functional significance of the MUC1-p120 association is supported by the demonstration that MUC1 induces nuclear localization of p120. These findings demonstrate that MUC1 confers cell membrane to nuclear signaling by interactions with p120.
Computer Generated 3-D Display Of X-Ray Computed Tomographic Volume Image Data

The use of two computer-based, multi-dimensional display methods to efficiently convey three-dimensional (3-D) anatomic information contained within computed tomographic (CT) volume images is described. The term volume image refers to a stack of discrete 2-D CT images and is therefore a 3-D array of volume picture elements (voxels). The first display method is referred to as a direct display approach because it directly represents the 3-D volume image array as a 3-D distribution of brightnesses, i.e., each voxel is a brightened point in space. The second display method is referred to as a transformed display approach meaning that before display, the volume image data is transformed resulting in a new image data set which then forms the basis of the display process. An example of transformed display is shaded surface display, where the transformation is the detection and subsequent representation of the "surface" as a 3-D distribution of reflectors. These display approaches facilitate the direct visualization of 3-D shapes and spatial relationships thereby obviating the necessity of mentally reconstructing shapes from the series of cross sections.*© (1983) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Trying to predict the future for people with diabetes: a tough but important task.

The article by Eddy and colleagues describes a novel approach to modeling the costs and outcomes of health interventions. As applied to programs to alter lifestyle to prevent diabetes in patients w...
Electrical Effects of Multichanneling in the 2.5 MV Rimfire Gas Switch using a Laser Trigger

The University of Missouri Terawatt Test Stand (MUTTS) has conducted many untriggered experiments on a Rimfire gas switch scaled to 2.5 MV. The focus of these experiments was to evaluate what methods may be used to control the distribution of cascade arcs. The untriggered data indicates that the rise time of switch current does not statistically improve, as expected, as the number of cascade arcs per gap increased beyond two channels. For the same data, the number of arcs in the cascade section more dramatically affects the output current period. This indicates that in late time increased multichanneling has a more pronounced effect than in early time. The switch is triggered with a frequency quadrupled Nd:YAG laser at 30 mJ with a 3-5 ns pulse width. Since the focused laser does not ionize the full length of the trigger section, there is little effect on current rise time when compared to untriggered data, but more channels form in the cascade section for an air filled switch. The cascade section was shorted and data are presented describing the contribution of the single channeling trigger section to overall switch impedance. The electrical effects of multichanneling using a laser trigger, the formation of arc channels in the cascade section, and the implications the results have on the future design of fast gas switches are discussed.
Hallmarks of Non-accidental Trauma: A Surgeon’s Perspective

Child abuse is a public health epidemic in the United States with high incidence, prevalence, and severe personal and societal impact. Surgeons should be considering child abuse in their treatment of children with traumatic injury. Screening for child abuse mechanism in the ED and in-patient settings is not precise, subject to bias and often incomplete. A variety of tools and factors have been studied for their predictive potential despite inherent methodological issues; thus, no one screening tool has been proposed as the standard of care. More research is warranted to better define how to best screen patients for the need for further child abuse investigation. Given the accumulative impact of ionizing radiation with children, the utilization of unnecessary CTs should be limited. For instance, the use of head CT in children suspected of inflicted head trauma should be limited; however, very few additional screening modalities exist to better identify the subset of children that need a CT. Studies on serum CSF biomarkers of head injury are promising and yet require further research in order to recommend their use in the clinical setting.
Trends in chemical shift dispersion in fullerene derivatives. Local strain affects the magnetic environment of distant fullerene carbons.

13C NMR chemical shift assignments for 1,2-C60H2 (1) and a series of 13C-labeled fullerene derivatives with three-, four-, and five-membered annulated rings (2−4) were assigned using 2D INADEQUATE spectroscopy and examined for trends that correspond to the changes in strain in the fullerene cage. Chemical shifts of equivalent carbons from 1−4 show that eight carbons trend downfield (carbons 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 15, 16, 17) and the remaining six carbons (4, 6, 10, 12, 13, 14) trend upfield with increasing ring size. While the average chemical shift is nearly constant, the dispersion is greatest when the local strain is the least, in 1,2-C60H2 (1). 13C chemical shifts are not well correlated with trends in ring size, with strain as measured by the pyramidalization angle of nearby carbons, or with the geometry of the fullerene cage. We interpret the results as evidence that subtle geometrical changes lead to modulation of the strength of ring currents near the site of addition and, in turn, the magnetic field gen...
New Mechanistic-Empirical Approach for Estimating the Effect of Roughness on Vehicle Durability

Vehicle manufacturers place a major focus on improving the design of vehicle components to respond better to changes in road surface profiles. Nevertheless, changes in the surface profile still directly affect user costs including repair and maintenance (R&M) costs and damage to goods. For example, AASHTO reported that poor road conditions added an estimated $76.8 billion to transport costs annually. The objective here is to estimate the effect of roughness, as expressed by the international roughness index, on vehicle durability and R&M costs. First, the R&M costs of Zaniewski et al. (the latest comprehensive research conducted in the United States) are updated by multiplying their reported costs by the inflation rate of R&M costs between 1982 and 2007. Then a mechanistic-empirical (M-E) methodology is proposed to estimate the effect of roughness on R&M costs. The proposed approach is based on fatigue damage analysis by using numerical modeling of the vehicle response. Finally, the results from the M-E a...
Transfer of facilitation in the rat

In two experiments, rats solved two concurrent discrimination problems in which one stimulus (i.e., a facilitator) signaled the reinforcement of another stimulus (i.e., a target). Then a transfer test assessed the capacity of facilitators trained in one problem to promote responding to targets trained in the other. Experiment 1 found that a facilitator promoted as much responding to such a transfer target as to the target with which it was originally trained. Transfer was not obtained with a pseudofacilitator that was uninformative, in training, about the reinforcement of its target. Experiment 2 manipulated the stimulus modality of the targets and facilitators. Its results indicated that transfer performance was not due to generalization between training and transfer targets or facilitators. These results parallel those from comparable autoshaping paradigms with pigeons, and they agree with the view that facilitators promote responding by lowering the threshold for activation of the US representation.
640/spl times/486 long-wavelength two-color GaAs/AlGaAs quantum well infrared photodetector (QWIP) focal plane array camera

We have designed and fabricated an optimized long-wavelength/very-long wavelength two-color quantum well infrared photodetector (QWIP) device structure. The device structure was grown on a 3-in semi-insulating GaAs substrate by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). The wafer was processed into several 640/spl times/486 format monolithically integrated 8-9 and 14-15 /spl mu/m two-color (or dual wavelength) QWIP focal plane arrays (FPAs). These FPAs were then hybridized to 640/spl times/486 silicon CMOS readout multiplexers. A thinned (i.e., substrate removed) FPA hybrid was integrated into a liquid helium cooled dewar for electrical and optical characterization and to demonstrate simultaneous two-color imagery. The 8-9 /spl mu/m detectors in the FPA have shown background limited performance (BLIP) at 70 K operating temperature for 300 K background with f/2 cold stop. The 14-15 /spl mu/m detectors of the FPA reaches BLIP at 40 K operating temperature under the same background conditions. In this paper we discuss the performance of this long-wavelength dualband QWIP FPA in terms of quantum efficiency, detectivity, noise equivalent temperature difference (NE/spl Delta/T), uniformity, and operability.
Patterns of bifurcation in iterated function systems

Abstract It was recently described [S. Bahar, Chaotic orbits and bifurcation from a fixed point generated by an iterated function system. Chaos, Solitons & Fractals , 5 , 1001–1006 (1995), and S. Bahar, Further studies of bifurcations and chaotic orbits generated by iterated function systems. Chaos, Solitons & Fractals , 7 , 41–47 (1996)] that bifurcation from a fixed point can occur in an iterated function system (IFS). This is unusual, since such bifurcation is usually observed in nonlinear rather than linear systems. Here, we investigate further the mechanisms by which such bifurcations occur.
A statistical deformation model based regularizer for registration of histology and MRI

Free form deformation (FFD) is a popular algorithm for non-linear image registration because of its ability to accurately recover deformations. However, due to the unconstrained elastic registration, FFD may introduce unrealistic deformations, especially when differences between template and target image are large, thereby necessitating a regularizer to constrain the registration to a physically meaning transformation. Prior knowledge in the form of a Statistical Deformation Model (SDM) in a registration scheme has been shown to function as an effective regularizer. With a similar underlying premise, in this paper, we present a novel regularizer for FFD that leverages knowledge of known, valid deformations to train a statistical deformation model (SDM). At each iteration of the FFD registration, the SDM is utilized to calculate the likelihood of a given deformation occurring and appropriately influence the similarity metric to limit the registration to only realistic deformations. Qualitative evaluation of the SDM regularizer was performed for registration of ex vivo pseudo-whole mount histology (WMH) and in vivo prostate MRI to quantify multiprotocol MRI signatures of prostate cancer (CaP). Knowledge from a training set of 6 deformation fields gathered from a single patient study is used to deliver accurate overlays of prostate histology and MRI.
What can dropouts teach us about retention in eating disorder treatment studies

Objective: To describe strategies used to retain adolescents with bulimia nervosa (BN) in a randomized clinical trial, and to compare treatment completers and dropouts on baseline demographic and symptom severity information. Method: Adolescents with BN (N = 80) completed a demographic questionnaire, the Eating Disorder Examination, Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales, and Beck Depression Inventory prior to beginning treatment. Results: Several strategies were used to promote treatment retention (e.g., encouraging parental involvement in treatment, prompt rescheduling of cancelled appointments). Six participants (7.50%) voluntarily dropped out of treatment and three additional participants (3.75%) were asked to terminate treatment for medical/psychiatric reasons. Compared with treatment completers, noncompleters reported significantly longer duration of illness (p < .01). Sixty-two percent of treatment completers and only 22% of dropouts were from intact families. Conclusion: Examining factors related to retention in adolescent treatment trials is important, and could be utilized to improve retention in adult studies where drop out rates are higher. © 2007 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The phosphate supply system in the Pacific region

Phosphate trade in the Pacific Basin is dominated by imports from outside the region. The principal suppliers within the area have been Nauru and Christmas Islands and the now depleted supplies of Makatea and Ocean Islands. Rapidly dwindling reserves on these islands coupled with expectations of a four to five fold increase in demand of phosphate fertilizer by the end of this century place considerable stress on the phosphate supply system in the Pacific. Anticipated developments in production from inactive deposits in Australia, Peru, and possibly Baja California, Mexico may eventually hold a major share in the Pacific markets. Other possibilities in the region include contributions from new discoveries and utilization of submarine deposits, especially those of the Chatham Rise and Baja California areas. Increased interest in small-scale mining for use in local agricultural operations may result in increased utilization of smaller deposits found throughout the Pacific.
Possible mechanisms of high blood levels of vasopressinduring the neonatal period

who was old enough to be given the Bender-Gestalt test showed highly significant errors suggestive of perceptuomotor difficulties. No association could be found between IQ scores, respiratory distress syndrome, or hyperbilirubinemia. No inordinate delay in the placement of the venous catheter was observed in those with IQ < 90, nor was there any difference in the mean caloric intake of children with IQ < 90 when compared to the caloric intake of Group A as a whole. In Group B, the mean IQ of patients was 99.3, with their control children having a mean IQ of 99.1.
Biomechanical evaluation of a spherical lumbar interbody device at varying levels of subsidence

Background Ulf Fernstrom implanted stainless steel ball bearings following discectomy, or for painful disc disease, and termed this procedure disc arthroplasty. Today, spherical interbody spacers are clinically available, but there is a paucity of associated biomechanical testing. The primary objective of the current study was to evaluate the biomechanics of a spherical interbody implant. It was hypothesized that implantation of a spherical interbody implant, with combined subsidence into the vertebral bodies, would result in similar ranges of motion (RoM) and facet contact forces (FCFs) when compared with an intact condition. A secondary objective of this study was to determine the effect of using a polyetheretherketone (PEEK) versus a cobalt chrome (CoCr) implant on vertebral body strains. We hypothesized that the material selection would have a negligible effect on vertebral body strains since both materials have elastic moduli substantially greater than the annulus. Methods A finite element model of L3-L4 was created and validated by use of ROM, disc pressure, and bony strain from previously published data. Virtual implantation of a spherical interbody device was performed with 0, 2, and 4 mm of subsidence. The model was exercised in compression, flexion, extension, axial rotation, and lateral bending. The ROM, vertebral body effective (von Mises) strain, and FCFs were reported. Results Implantation of a PEEK implant resulted in slightly lower strain maxima when compared with a CoCr implant. For both materials, the peak strain experienced by the underlying bone was reduced with increasing subsidence. All levels of subsidence resulted in ROM and FCFs similar to the intact model. Conclusions The results suggest that a simple spherical implant design is able to maintain segmental ROM and provide minimal differences in FCFs. Large areas of von Mises strain maxima were generated in the bone adjacent to the implant regardless of whether the implant was PEEK or CoCr.
The two human centrin homologues have similar but distinct functions at Tetrahymena basal bodies.

Centrins are a family of small calcium-binding proteins found at basal bodies. The family can be separated into two groups based on sequence homology to the human centrins. The model organism Tetra...
High-resolution fast-beam spectroscopy using an off-axis Fabry-Perot interferometer

Abstract An off-axis Fabry-Perot interferometer was used to obtain line profiles of the Ar+ 4880 A line excited in an Ar+ beam passed through CO2 gas. The instrumental resolution was about 0.1 A and line widths about 0.2 A were observed for beams between 0.5 and 1.0 MeV. The experiments were primarily to test the off-axis technique for high-resolution fast-beam spectroscopy. A 200 mm diameter mirror collecting light at ƒ/15 from the beam was imaged off-axis with respect to the ring centers in the focal plane of the interferometer's collimating lens so that the angular change in transmitted wavelength of the interferometer exactly matched the Doppler shift across the mirror image (about 2 A in this case) caused by the changing angle of view between a beam element and a mirror element. A flux gain between 10 and 30 compared to a refocused echelle spectrograph can be achieved. The principles of coupling a fast-beam to the off-axis Fabry-Perot will be described, along with results of the experimental tests.
Theory of gravitational deposition of growing particles from laminar tube flow

Abstract A theory to predict the gravitational deposition of growing aerosol particles suspended in laminar tube flow is developed. The penetrance of these aerosols is computed for many combinations of two parameters which characterize particle growth, and all of the results are accurately correlated by an empirical equation. Assumptions underlying the theory restrict the results to particles in the 0.1–20 μm range.
Distortion management in slow-light pulse delay

We describe a methodology to maximize slow-light pulse delay subject to a constraint on the allowable pulse distortion. We show that optimizing over a larger number of physical variables can increase the distortion-constrained delay. We demonstrate these concepts by comparing the optimum slow-light pulse delay achievable using a single Lorentzian gain line with that achievable using a pair of closely-spaced gain lines. We predict that distortion management using a gain doublet can provide approximately a factor of 2 increase in slow-light pulse delay as compared with the optimum single-line delay. Experimental results employing Bril-louin gain in optical fiber confirm our theoretical predictions.
Room-temperature compressibilities of MnO and CdO: further examination of the role of cation type in bulk modulus systematics

Room-temperature volume measurements up to 8.1 GPa reveal that rock-salt structured MnO and CdO have identical compressibility in the pressure range studied. In the plot of bulk modulus vs unit-cell volume, CdO plots well above the trend of the 3d transition metal monoxides, a behavior that deviates from empirical predictions of constant K 0 V 0. The present observations are in favor of our earlier suggestion that, for isostructural solids, the empirically predicted bulk modulus-volume relationship may be limited to their subsets that share the same valence electron character (i.e., s vs 3d vs 4d). For cations forming transition metal monoxides, variations of Pauling electronegativity with ionic radius show differences that are qualitatively similar to the observed trends of bulk modulus, suggesting that bond covalency differences may contribute to the different behaviors between the 3d and 4d transition metal monoxides.