cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A stereological comparison of the muscle-tendon junctions of fast and slow fibers in the chicken

Transmission of contractile tension from skeletal muscle fibers to connective tissue elements is thought to occur at the muscle-tendon junctions, specialized regions at the extreme ends of the fibers. Previous work has suggested that the structure of this region may be quantitatively modified to match the contractile properties of the fibers. Using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and stereological analysis, we have analyzed the three-dimensional structure, and have quantitatively compared the muscle-tendon junctions, of slow and fast fibers of the anterior (ALD) and posterior (PLD) latissimus dorsi muscles of the chicken. The ends of ALD and PLD fibers are found to be structurally different in some respects but to be similar with respect to their surface specializations, which are believed to function in the transmission of tension. Quantitative analysis of these specializations indicates that, when referred to similar cross-sectional areas of myofilaments, the fast fibers of the PLD have approximately 40% more surface area devoted to force transmission than do the slow fibers of the ALD. These observations are consistent with the idea that the amount of cell surface specialized for force transmission is related to the functional properties of the muscle fiber.
HOW CITIES CAN NUTURE CULTURAL ENTREPRENEURS

Since the Great Recession, North American mayors and city councils have boosted investments in arts and culture as creative placemaking to improve the quality of life, to attract residents, managers and workers, and to welcome visitors. Many city leaders are newly aware that artists bring income into the city, improve the performance of area businesses and creative industries, and directly create new businesses and jobs. Because of extraordinary levels of self-employment, artists often choose cities of residence based on factors other than job and employer locations. Their innovative challenges differ greatly from those faced by scientists and engineers. Artists and related cultural workers tend to fall through the cracks in traditional workforce and small business development programs. As a result, American cities have explored new ways of supporting artists that include space provision, artist-targeted websites and marketing projects, incorporating artistic work into city enterprises, and entrepreneurial training programs tailored to the realities of arts and design as occupations. This policy brief summarizes reasons for and variations in new initiatives to spark cultural entrepreneurship, sampling bottom-up experiments and providing a menu of options for cities of all sizes and character. The brief also counsels city leaders to focus on what is distinctive about their cities, rather than replicating generic strategies elsewhere (e.g. large, expensive arts venues). Via references for further reading, it directs city leaders to various resources for exploring place-appropriate creative entrepreneurship policies.
Hierarchical Bayesian inference in the visual cortex

Traditional views of visual processing suggest that early visual neurons in areas V1 and V2 are static spatiotemporal filters that extract local features from a visual scene. The extracted information is then channeled through a feedforward chain of modules in successively higher visual areas for further analysis. Recent electrophysiological recordings from early visual neurons in awake behaving monkeys reveal that there are many levels of complexity in the information processing of the early visual cortex, as seen in the long-latency responses of its neurons. These new findings suggest that activity in the early visual cortex is tightly coupled and highly interactive with the rest of the visual system. They lead us to propose a new theoretical setting based on the mathematical framework of hierarchical Bayesian inference for reasoning about the visual system. In this framework, the recurrent feedforward/feedback loops in the cortex serve to integrate top-down contextual priors and bottom-up observations so as to implement concurrent probabilistic inference along the visual hierarchy. We suggest that the algorithms of particle filtering and Bayesian-belief propagation might model these interactive cortical computations. We review some recent neurophysiological evidences that support the plausibility of these ideas.
Bromoform production from seawater treated with bromoperoxidase

Bromoform (CHBr3; 11–486 fmol L21 h21), dibromomethane (CH2Br2; 0–9.4 fmol L21 h21), and low amounts of chloride-substituted chlorobromomethanes were produced from southern California coastal surface seawater upon the addition of algal bromoperoxidase (BrPO) and hydrogen peroxide. Production was greater from water collected near shore than 16 km offshore, presumably reflecting the difference in the reactive dissolved organic matter (DOMreact) concentrations. In the spring, there was an increase in phytoplankton abundance, and CHBr3 production from BrPO incubations was greater, presumably due to increased DOMreact. In the winter, CH2Br2 production was enhanced, although still lower than CHBr3, suggesting a qualitative change in DOM composition due to terrestrial runoff. During the month of the highest precipitation, CHBr3 and CH2Br2 production was enhanced in samples obtained from the mouth of an urban river, suggesting a higher concentration of DOMreact of terrestrial origins. DOM was fractionated by ultrafiltration and subject to the BrPO incubation. The higher molecular weight fractions contained a higher concentration of DOM that was susceptible to BrPO bromination, yielding polybromomethanes. Polybromomethane and iodomethane production associated with phytoplankton blooms results from the reaction between the surrounding DOM, and hypobromous acid (HOBr) and hypoiodous acid released from extracellular (apoplastic) BrPO. The reaction of HOBr and DOM (biological bleaching) could represent a significant DOM degradation pathway. Cell-free BrPO, derived from dead cells, could remain catalytically active in seawater and produce low amounts of polyhalomethanes prior to biological degradation.
Survival and Macromolecular Synthesis During Incubation of Escherichia coli in Limiting Thymine

Survival and the synthesis of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), ribonucleic acid (RNA), and protein were measured during incubation of a thymine auxotroph of Escherichia coli in a series of media containing thymine concentrations below the optimal level of 2 μg/ml. The rate of increase in viable count gradually diminishes to no net growth with 0.2 μg/ml. With lower concentrations of thymine, the rate of cell death gradually increases, resulting in a typical thymineless death curve with 0.02 μg/ml. Both the rate of cell growth and the rate of cell inactivation vary linearly with the thymine concentration. Thirty minutes of incubation in media containing limiting concentrations of thymine before a shift to complete thymine starvation results in a progressive decrease in the length of the lag period preceding thymineless death. These data suggest that only one type of cellular damage occurs during the various degrees of thymine limitation. Prolonged preincubation in media containing 0.1 to 0.2 μg/ml of thymine results in an immunity to thymineless death. This immunity differs from that observed with amino acid-starved cells in its kinetics; ultraviolet irradiation of preincubated cells indicates that the cells are inactivated at the same rate as log-phase cells. These results suggest that the immunity is not associated with chromosome alignment. Thymine concentrations between 2 μg/ml and 0.2 μg/ml permit essentially the same amount of protein and RNA synthesis. The total amount of synthesis then decreases linearly to 40 to 50% of the control level with further reduction in the amount of thymine present. Protein and RNA synthesis are first affected at the same thymine concentration at which lethality is first detectable, and this correlation suggests that the synthesis of these macromolecules is involved in the mechanism of thymineless death. DNA synthesis, on the other hand, is directly dependent on the thymine concentration for levels of 0.5 μg/ml or less. There are no critical changes in DNA synthesis associated with lethality, and DNA synthesis is still occurring under conditions of thymine limitation which result in immunity. These observations suggest that DNA synthesis is not directly involved in thymineless death.
Fluid shortening medium

Because of an apparent interest in a liquid shortening with good baking properties, a program for the development of such a product was instituted. Past efforts to accomplish this by dissolving or suspending emulsifiers in vegetable oils had not had notable, success. In this instance it was decided to use a different approach, that of making an emulsion in water, in trying to impart desirable baking properties to vegetable oils. It was also desired that a fluid product be produced from animal or hydrogenated vegetable fats, using the same approach. Shortening emulsions were prepared by using sorbitan monostearate, polyoxyethylene-2-sorbitan monostearate, and mono-and diglycerides as dual-purpose emulsifiers to provide a stable emulsion and impart good baking properties. Emulsions were prepared and tested and found capable of utilizing all common shortening base-stocks in baking. In most cases also excellent results in cream icings were obtained. The most serious problem which occurred was the tendency of emulsions made with animal fats to become plastic. A study of the causative factors was made, and the conclusion was reached that a stable fluid products could be obtained through careful selection of ingredients. Important factors which affected emulsion viscosity were monoglyceride level and hardness; the ratio of sorbitan monostearate to polyoxyethylene sorbitan monosterate, and their level; and the shortening basestock used. The stability of the emulsions was studied and the conclusions were reached that aging did not affect baking quality significantly although optimum effectiveness was reached apparently several days after preparation; the emulsions were not particularly subject to oxidative rancidity; bacteria and mold counts increased only slightly during storage periods as long as two months at room temperature. An unexpected result was the markedly-improved performance when the shortening was pre-emulsified as shown by the baking data and icing quality factors which were reported.
Towards autonomic risk-aware security configuration

Security of a network depends on a number of dynamically changing factors. These include emergence of new vulnerabilities and threats, policy structure and network traffic. Due to the dynamic nature of these factors, identifying security metrics that measure objectively the quality of security configuration pose a major challenge. Moreover, this evaluation must be done dynamically to handle real time changes in the threat toward the network. In this paper, we extend our security metric framework that identifies and quantifies objectively the most significant security risk factors, which include existing vulnerabilities, historical trend of vulnerabilities of remotely accessible services, prediction of potential vulnerabilities for any general network service and their estimated severity and finally propagation of an attack within the network. We have implemented this framework as a user-friendly tool called Risk based prOactive seCurity cOnfiguration maNAger (ROCONA) and showed how this tool simplifies security configuration management using risk measurement and mitigation.
Likelihood detection for nonfluctuating targets in ergodic K-clutter

Non-Gaussian clutter distributions have been reported for high resolution radars operating over ocean surface. These observations have given rise to numerous non-Rayleigh clutter amplitude models; eg., log-normal, Weibull, and K. The authors extend these single point amplitude models to multipoint models, joint pdfs (jpdfs) of a vector observation with a prescribed amplitude pdf and covariance. This zero memory nonlinear transformation technique can be used to simulate ergodic WSS non-Gaussian random processes, as well to generate the jpdf of any N sample observation. Ergodicity is an important extension over the nonergodic SIRV model, in which the observation clutter amplitude pdf is not identifiable based on a single realization of any length. The authors utilize the jpdf to develop optimal likelihood ratio detectors for nonfluctuating target returns in K-clutter. The performance of the optimal detector is far superior to the matched filter.
Vertical Alveolar Ridge Augmentation Prior to Inferior Alveolar Nerve Repositioning: A Patient Report

This report describes treatment of a patient using vertical alveolar ridge augmentation performed prior to transposition of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN). A preoperative computerized tomographic (CT) scan revealed 2 to 3 mm of bone above the canal in the left mandibular molar region. An autogenous bone graft harvested from the chin area was utilized along with a titanium mesh for vertical alveolar ridge augmentation in this area. CT scan after bone grafting revealed 5 mm of vertical ridge augmentation. Bone height above the IAN was 7 to 8 mm after bone grafting procedure. For IAN transposition, an osteotomy was performed to obtain a lateral access window located 4 mm below the crestal bone along the lateral side of the mandible. Two cylindric hydroxyapatite-coated implants were placed. Autogenous bone from the lateral access window that had been removed en bloc was particulated and placed around the implants. Because vertical alveolar ridge augmentation had been performed, the coronal portion of the implant was not exposed after transposition of the IAN. It is suggested that vertical ridge augmentation may be considered prior to transposition of the IAN in situations where minimal bone height exists above the IAN canal. However, long-term clinical investigations are recommended. INT J ORAL MAXILLOFAC IMPLANTS 2005;20:296–301
Pedagogically Sound Use of Microcomputers in Classroom Instruction

This article discusses criteria for evaluating whether classroom instruction using microcomputers is “pedagogically sound.” We argue that the pedagogical soundness of classroom microcomputer use is characterized by teachers' decisions for integrating microcomputers into their ongoing instruction. Based on literature describing teachers' instructional decision-making, we define five domains in which teachers may make decisions regarding classroom microcomputer use. They are: goals sought for students, curricula coordinated by microcomputers, learning activities surrounding microcomputer use, pedagogical implications of integrating microcomputers, and methods for obtaining feedback regarding microcomputer-based instruction. Implications for how studies of classroom microcomputer use might be conducted are discussed.
Evolution of resistance to transgenic crops : Interactions between insect movement and field distribution

The refuge strategy is designed to delay evolution of pest resistance to transgenic crops producing Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt) toxins. Movement of insects between Bt crops and refuges of non-Bt crops is essential for the refuge strategy because it increases chances that resistant adults mate with susceptible adults from refuges. Conclusions about optimal levels of movement for delaying resistance are not consistent among previous modeling studies. To clarify the effects of movement on resistance evolution, we analyzed simulations of a spatially explicit model based partly on the interaction of pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders), with Bt cotton. We examined resistance evolution as a function of insect movement under 12 sets of assumptions about the relative abundance of Bt cotton (50 and 75%), temporal distribution of Bt cotton and refuge fields (fixed, partial rotation, and full rotation), and spatial distribution of fields (random and uniform). The results show that interactions among the relative abundance and distribution of refuges and Bt cotton fields can alter the effects of movement on resistance evolution. The results also suggest that differences in conclusions among previous studies can be explained by differences in assumptions about the relative abundance and distribution of refuges and Bt crop fields. With fixed field locations and all Bt cotton fields adjacent to at least one refuge, resistance evolved slowest with low movement. However, low movement and fixed field locations favored rapid resistance evolution when some Bt crop fields were isolated from refuges. When refuges and Bt cotton fields were rotated to the opposite crop type each year, resistance evolved fastest with low movement. Nonrecessive inheritance of resistance caused rapid resistance evolution regardless of movement rate. Confirming previous reports, results described here show that resistance can be delayed effectively by fixing field locations and distributing refuges uniformly to ensure that Bt crop fields are not isolated from refuges. However, rotating fields provided better insect control and reduced the need for insecticide sprays.
Electrically Conductive Pt-Zr-B and Pt-Si Thin Films for Use in High Temperature Harsh Environments

Stable, electrically conductive, thin film materials are key components for high temperature sensors operating in harsh environments. In this work, nanocomposite Pt-Zr-B and Pt-Si thin film materials were grown to a nominal thickness of 200 nm on both r-cut sapphire (a-Al2O3) substrates using e-beam evaporation, and their structure, morphology, and chemical composition was characterized following thermal treatments in an air laboratory furnace up to 1300°C. In the Pt-Zr-B system, oxidation of a nanolaminate architecture consisting of ZrB2 and pure Pt layers leads to boron oxide evaporation and the formation of Pt grains decorated by tetragonal-ZrO2 nanocrystallites at high temperature. Electrical conductivity measurements with a 4-point probe show that this nanocomposite film structure can maintain a film conductivity > 1×106 S/m up to 1300°C, depending on the Pt/ZrB2 layer thickness ratio. In the Pt-Si system, film compositions were varied to yield either nanocrystalline Pt3Si, Pt2Si, or PtSi phases depending on the Pt-Si ratio, or an amorphous phase at high Si content. Above 1000°C in air, Pt-oxide and Si-oxide phases form and coexist with the Pt-Si phases, and some Pt-Si film conductivities remain as high as 1×106 S/m after annealing at 1000°C for 6 hours. It was found that a 100 nm thick amorphous alumina capping layer grown by atomic layer deposition (ALD) aids in limiting film oxidation, but film stress leads to regions of delamination.
Determinants of Plant Response to Bacterial Infection

Throughout their entire life cycle, plants are exposed to large numbers of saprophytic and pathogenic bacteria. These bacteria colonize the surfaces of roots, stems, and leaves at all stages of growth of the plant. The large numbers of natural openings in plant organs as well as the frequent wounds caused by mechanical factors provide avenues that, under suitable environmental conditions, allow bacteria to reach the intercellular spaces or the interior of xylem vessels. Penetration must occur frequently, but, in spite of the fact that the nutritional environment in the host tissues is suitable for bacterial multiplication, only an extremely low proportion of the invading bacteria survive. An even lower proportion is capable of causing disease.
A Critical Review of the Literature on Hydrogen Sulfide Toxicity

The information available on the biological activity of hydrogen sulfide has been examined for present status of critical results pertaining to the toxicity of hydrogen sulfide. This review of the literature is intended as an evaluative report rather than an annotated bibliography of all the source material examined on hydrogen sulfide. The information was selected as it might relate to potential toxic effects of hydrogen sulfide to man and summarized, noting information gaps that may require further investigation. Several recommendations are listed for possible consideration for either toxicological research or additional short- and long-term tests. Two bibliographies have been provided to assist in locating references considered in this report: (1) literature examined but not cited and (2) reference citations. The majority of the references in the first bibliography were considered peripheral information and less appropriate for inclusion in this report.
Internationalisierung als Prozessphänomen

Zielsetzung dieses Kapitels ist es, Faktenwissen uber den Internationalisierungsprozess zu gewinnen. Nur vor dem Hintergrund ausreichenden Wissens uber die generelle Gestaltbarkeit und Steuerbarkeit des Internationalisierungsprozesses kann man selbigen ausreichend kontrollieren und reflexiv begleiten.396 Eine Analyse der Theorien der internationalen Unternehmenstatigkeit fordert die Bereiche zu Tage, die fur die Steuerung und damit auch Reflexion des Internationalisierungsprozesses besonders kritisch sind (4.1). Jenseits der Theorien der internationalen Unternehmenstatigkeit liefert auch eine Auseinandersetzung mit dem Entwicklungsbeitrag von Tochtergesellschaften (4.2) sowie mit Pfadabhangigkeiten und Erfolgfaktoren (4.3) interessante Erkenntnisse fur die Rationalitatssicherungsaufgabe. In Kombination mit dem im vorangegangenen Kapitel gewonnenen Methodenwissen uber das „Wie“ der Reflexion entsteht dadurch insgesamt das Fundament fur die Bausteine des Controlling von Internationalisierungsprozessen, die in Kapitel 5 dargestellt werden.
From X-Rays to Ion Beams: A Short History of Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy (RT) developed in several eras. Patients’ needs for more effective treatment guided the efforts. The development of ion beam therapy (IBT) can be seen as a corollary in this continuous endeavor to optimize disease control while minimizing normal-tissue damage. It could not have materialized, however, without the curiosity, ingenuity, and perseverance of researchers, engineers, and clinicians who developed important enabling technologies.
Characterization of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus Isolate US/Iowa/18984/2013 Infection in 1-Day-Old Cesarean-Derived Colostrum-Deprived Piglets

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) was first recognized in North America in April 2013 and has since caused devastating disease. The objective of this study was to characterize disease and viral detection associated with an original North American PEDV isolate inoculated in neonatal piglets. Thirty-six 1-day-old cesarean-derived and colostrum-deprived piglets were randomly assigned to the control (n = 16) or challenged group (n = 20); the latter were orogastrically inoculated with 1 ml of US/Iowa/18984/2013 PEDV isolate titered at 1 × 10(3) plaque-forming units per milliliter. Rectal swabs were collected from all piglets prior to inoculation and every 12 hours postinoculation (hpi) thereafter, with 4 control and 5 challenged piglets euthanized at 12, 24, 48, and 72 hpi. One piglet had a positive real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction test on rectal swab at 12 hpi, and all remaining piglets were positive thereafter, with highest viral quantities detected at 24 and 36 hpi. Diarrhea was evident in 30% and 100% of challenged piglets at 18 and 24 hpi, respectively. Viral antigen was detected in enterocytes by immunohistochemistry in the duodenum and ileum of piglets euthanized at 12 hpi and was apparent throughout the small intestine of all piglets thereafter, with villus height:crypt depth ratios consistently below 4:1. Viremia was confirmed in 18 of 20 pigs at euthanasia. Clinical disease was severe and developed rapidly following infection with an original North American PEDV isolate, with lesions, viremia, and antigen detection possible by 12 hpi.
Dense Granular Columns in Liquefiable Ground. II: Effects on Deformations

AbstractDense granular columns can be used to mitigate liquefaction hazards through a combination of densification, increases in lateral stress, reinforcement, and drainage effects. Three-dimensional (3D) nonlinear dynamic finite-element analyses are used to examine the effectiveness of dense granular columns for reducing liquefaction-induced deformations in the event that the triggering of liquefaction in the native soils is not prevented. The finite-element analyses consider unit cells with dense granular columns (improved case) and without granular columns (unimproved case). Parametric analyses are used to isolate aspects related to the different improvement mechanisms. The parametric studies consider a range of area replacement ratios, shear modulus ratios, diameter of granular columns, liquefiable soil depth, hydraulic conductivity, surface pressures, slope angle, penetration resistances in the native soil, and spatial variations in those penetration resistances. A set of 10 acceleration time histori...
Unique Profile of Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma: A Triple Negative Breast Tumor With Paradoxical Features, a Case Report and Review of Literature

Adenoid cystic carcinomas (ACC) of the breast are uncommon tumors that are not well characterized and have seemingly paradoxical features. We report the case of a deceptively well circumscribed adenoid cystic carcinoma with multiple additional foci of invasive tumor. Immunohistochemical studies revealed an estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), Human epidermal growth factor Receptor 2 (HER2/ neu ) negative tumor (triple negative tumor) with immunoreactivity for p63 and, CD 117 (c-kit). p53 was not over expressed. Gene studies did not reveal mutations in the commonly mutated exons of the TP53 and KIT genes. The unique and paradoxical features of this tumor are presented along with a review of the literature. * ACCs : adenoid cystic carcinomas ER : estrogen receptor PR : progesterone receptor HER2/ neu : Human epidermal growth factor Receptor 2 IHC : immunohistochemistry PCR : polymerase chain reaction TNBCs : triple negative breast carcinomas MGA : microglandular adenosis
199: Maternal obesity suppresses placental fatty acid uptake in male offspring

acids in the 1st and 2nd trimesters compared to white women, and black women had higher levels of omega-6 fatty acids at 24-28 weeks. Triglycerides and fatty acids are essential for fetal growth and development, and higher levels of omega-6 fatty acids have been linked to preterm birth. Further investigation is necessary to determine whether these lipid differences contribute to race disparities in pregnancy outcomes.
Evolutionary Paradigms in the Social Sciences

Change usually occurs imperceptibly and out of sight, so that it becomes hard to grasp and think about in a systematic fashion. We are most effectively alerted to the fact of change when its pace accelerates, and in particular when change manifests itself in the form of crises. The recent collapse of the Communist system in Eastern Europe is one such sign of crisis, because for a time that system stood for one of the directions of social change, a systemic alternative that at times it seemed a permanent feature, possibly even embodying a winning strategy. Another development of wide portent is rapid economic expansion of East Asia. At such times minds search for explanations of what they observe happening but cannot handle and seemingly can do little about. To some, such crises herald the dawn of a new age of democracy and peace; others observe a flare-up of ethnic strife and anticipate world chaos. That is when new theories of transformation arise and old ones are refurbished for the occasion. That is when and how new social science paradigms are either built or rediscovered. One such paradigm that might help us comprehend rapidly changing reality is an evolutionary one. It is distinguished by a well-grounded intellectual tradition in almost all the major disciplines, among them sociology (August Comte, Herbert Spencer, Talcott Parsons), archaeology (Gordon Childs), and philosophy (Karl Popper, Donald Campbell). Among the most elaborated contributions to such thought have been those in economics, involving such major figures as Thorstein Veblen, Friedrich von Hayek, andJoseph Schumpeter. Evolutionary economics has experienced a particularly notable growth in recent years. While rich, this tradition might not currently possess the coherence and the complexity of other paradigms in the social sciences. The present collection, a sample of papers presented at two workshops held at the University of Washington, in May 1994, and May 1995,1 represents a step in the direction of increasing that coherence, and adding to the complexity. It does so both by undertaking comparative assessments of paradigms and of the state of the field, and by attacking some recent problems in international relations and international political economy.
Oral administration of Coxsackie viruses to newborn and adult mice.

Summary(1) Newborn mice may be infected by oral administration of at least 5 different strains, representing 4 immunologically distinct Coxsackie, or C, viruses. Adult mice were resistant. (2) Newborn mice surviving oral administration may produce neutralizing antibodies. (3) Adult female mice fed C virus did not transmit neutralizing antibodies to their offspring, in contrast to females inoculated parenterally. (4) In a comparison of routes of inoculation of newborn mice it was found that higher titers may be reached by subcutaneous than by oral administration. The subcutaneous route proved to be about 10,000 times more sensitive than the oral route. (5) Direct contact between inoculated and uninoculated mice did not result in the transmission of infection.
The Skeletal Traction Applied to Treat the Skin Avulsion of the lower limbs Accompanied with long Bone Shaft Fracture inChildren: 31 Cases Report

Objective To explore the influences of the skeletal traction therapy on prognosis of the children affected from the skin avulsion of the lower limbs accompanied with long bone shaft fracture. Methods 31 children (including 22 boys, and 11 girls, from two yeas + six months to nine years + eight months ) with lower extremity injured in-patients from May 1992 to May 1997 were retrospectively analyzed. 24 cases had single leg injury and seven had bilateral injury. There were 20 sites fracture of femoral, 20 shaft fracture of tibiofibular shaft and three fibular fracture in 31 patient. Area of skin avulsion ranged from 120cm2 to 546cm2, with average 256cm2. The patients underwent skin orthotopit mesh suture (autograft) and various skeletal tractions. Results 29 cases were followed up for 1~5 years, satisfactory efficacy was achieved almost in all cases. Conclusion Several types of lower limb skeletal traction for the fracture is a simple and effective therapy.
The practical use of ultrasound as an adjunct to renal calculous surgery.

SUMMARY Removal of small stones and stone fragments from the kidney is difficult and can be an extremely frustrating experience for the surgeon. The major difficulty is the precise localization of the stone within the pelvicalyceal system. Conventional probing of individual calyces is unreliable, even with optimal exposure and direct visualization of the infundibula, using the extended pyelotomy technique. Intraoperative radiographic techniques can be used reliably to detect small stones and fragments. However, such two-dimensional localization limits their effectiveness. Radiographic methods are also cumbersome and require 10 to 15 minutes for each film. Ultrasonography is repeatable and noninvasive. It is a complementary study that offers precise, three-dimensional localization.
Customer Experience Driving Quality Transformation

The common definition of quality is fitness for intended purpose. This can be translated into products or services meeting engineering specifications or service level agreements (SLA); thereby, the focus is on reducing the customer defects. I have come across many scenarios where the specifications or the SLA’s itself was mediocre and it barely met the needs of the customer. Even though there may be robust quality framework, standards, and processes deployed to meet those specifications and SLA’s, maintaining a low cost of poor quality, it might not help to achieve long term customer loyalty and in an era of innovative companies leap frogging ahead of the completion, the boundaries between innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction are no longer distinct. In this chapter, I am sharing my perspective of the new dimensions of quality and why it is important to put customers first in everything we do and drive breakthrough and disruptive innovation as a way of winning hearts and minds of our customers in twenty-first century.
Duty and Disorder

Just a fifteen-minute walk south of Nordlingen’s still-intact city wall is a pleasant wooded park located on a hill known by the locals as Mary’s Heights (Marienhohe). The shady lane leading up the hill winds past tennis courts, a garden restaurant, and rustic wooden signs with polite admonitions to visitors to respect the natural beauty of the spot. At the top of the hill and barely visible through the thick foliage is the Marienhohe’s most dramatic natural feature, a huge rock formation that juts out of the earth to form a sharp cliff topped with a grassy plateau. Nestled in the side of the steep rock face is a small stone bench, from which an overgrown path leads the visitor to the top of the bluff, about the height of a three-story house. Today, the view from the top of the cliff is blocked by trees and lush vegetation; but the woods are young. During the seventeenth century, when the area was surrounded by cultivated fields and pastures, the top of the cliff would have afforded a stately view of the steeples and rooftops of Nordlingen. Back then, the hill was called Henckelberg, and the grassy plateau on top of the cliff was the site of Nordlingen’s gallows.
Introduction to Plasmonics, Templated Electrochemical Synthesis, and On-Wire Lithography

This thesis focuses on the synthesis of a wide variety of materials (metals, organic semiconductors, metal oxides and metal chalcogenides) with architectures unachievable via other means to advance nanomaterials synthesis by design.
Baseline impedance measured during high-resolution esophageal impedance manometry reliably discriminates GERD patients.

Background Baseline impedance measured with ambulatory impedance pH monitoring (MII-pH) and a mucosal impedance catheter detects gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, these tools are limited by cost or patient tolerance. We investigated whether baseline impedance measured during high-resolution impedance manometry (HRIM) distinguishes GERD patients from controls. Methods Consecutive patients with clinical HRIM and MII-pH testing were identified. Gastroesophageal reflux disease was defined by esophageal pH <4 for ≥5% of both the supine and total study time, whereas controls had an esophageal pH <4 for ≤3% of the study performed off PPI. Baseline impedance was measured over 15 seconds during the landmark period of HRIM and over three 10 minute intervals during the overnight period of MII-pH. Key Results Among 29 GERD patients and 26 controls, GERD patients had a mean esophageal acid exposure time of 22.7% compared to 1.2% in controls (P<.0001). Mean baseline impedance during HRIM was lower in GERD (1061 Ω) than controls (2814 Ω) (P<.0001). Baseline mucosal impedance measured during HRIM and MII-pH correlated (r=0.59, P<.0001). High-resolution esophageal manometry baseline impedance had high diagnostic accuracy for GERD, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.931 on receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis. A HRIM baseline impedance threshold of 1582 Ω had a sensitivity of 86.2% and specificity of 88.5% for GERD, with a positive predictive value of 89.3% and negative predictive value of 85.2%. Conclusions & Inferences Baseline impedance measured during HRIM can reliably discriminate GERD patients with at least moderate esophageal acid exposure from controls. This diagnostic tool may represent an accurate, cost-effective, and less invasive test for GERD.
Somatic Embryogenesis in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Cultivated rice belongs to the genus Oryza, in the grass family Poaceae (Gramineae). There are 22 species within the genus, 20 wild species and 2 cultivated species, O. glabberima (African rice) and O. sativa (common, or Asian rice).Oryza sativa is commonly divided further into two subspecies, indica (or tropical rice) and japonica (or temperate rice) with distinct ranges of eco-geographic distribution.
Outcomes of native superficial femoral artery chronic total occlusion recanalization after failed femoropopliteal bypass

Abstract Objective When a bypass fails, the options are lysis, redo bypass, or endovascular intervention. If lysis of the original bypass is not considered an option, which is better—redo bypass or attempts at endovascular recanalization of the native system? This retrospective study examined the outcomes of native superficial femoral artery (SFA) chronic total occlusion (CTO) recanalization compared with redo bypass after failed femoropopliteal bypass. Methods Patients presenting with a symptomatic failed femoropopliteal bypass that underwent attempted CTO endovascular (EV) recanalization of the native SFA or a redo femoropopliteal bypass (BP) from 2000 to 2015 were analyzed. Patients undergoing catheter-directed thrombolysis were excluded. Time-dependent outcomes were assessed with life-table analyses. Factor analyses were performed using a Cox proportional hazard model for time-dependent variables. Results A total of 104 patients (69% male; average age, 65 years) underwent EV (n = 40) or BP (n = 64) after presentation with symptomatic occlusion of a previous femoropopliteal bypass graft (rest pain in 84% and life-style limiting claudication in 16%, 79% to the above-knee popliteal, 81% prosthetic). According to the TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus for the Management of Peripheral Arterial Disease classification, 91% of the lesions were category D and 19% were category C. Tibial runoff was one tibial vessel in 79% of the patients and two or more runoff vessels in the remainder. Lesions treated endovascularly underwent primary stenting with a median of 3 stents used. Of the bypasses performed, 69% were to the below knee popliteal and remainder were to the proximal tibials (68% of the patients had a venous conduit). At 30 days in EV vs BP, major adverse cardiovascular events were 3% and 8% ( P = .24), major adverse limb events were 25% and 11% ( P = .01), and the amputation rate was 8% and 8% ( P = .96), respectively. Amputation-free survival was 33% ± 9% and 56% ± 8% ( P = .02) and freedom from major adverse limb event was 19% ± 8% and 46% ± 7% ( P = .04) at 3 years for EV vs BP, respectively. Conclusions In a high-risk cohort when thrombolysis is excluded, BP is superior to EV after failure of a femoropopliteal bypass.
Ten-Year Trends in Bullying and Related Attitudes Among 4th- to 12th-Graders

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Bullying is a significant public health concern, and it has received considerable attention from the media and policymakers over the past decade, which has led some to believe that it is increasing. However, there are limited surveillance data on bullying to inform our understanding of such trends over the course of multiple years. The current study examined the prevalence of bullying and related behaviors between 2005 and 2014 and explored whether any such changes varied across schools or as a function of school-level covariates. METHODS: Youth self-reports of 13 indicators of bullying and related behaviors were collected from 246 306 students in 109 Maryland schools across 10 years. The data were weighted to reflect the school populations and were analyzed by using longitudinal hierarchical linear modeling to examine changes over time. RESULTS: The covariate-adjusted models indicated a significant improvement over bullying and related concerns in 10 out of 13 indicators (including a decrease in bullying and victimization) for in-person forms (ie, physical, verbal, relational) and cyberbullying. Results also showed an increase in the perceptions that adults do enough to stop bullying and students’ feelings of safety and belonging at school. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of bullying and related behaviors generally decreased over this 10-year period with the most recent years showing the greatest improvements in school climate and reductions in bullying. Additional research is needed to identify factors that contributed to this declining trend.
Exit, Voice, and Neighborhood Change: Evaluating the Effect of Sub-local Governance in Little Rock:

The relationship between neighborhood racial composition and property values is generally explained as a consequence of White household exit from racially and ethnically mixed neighborhoods. But so...
Concurrent multiscale modeling of microstructural effects on localization behavior in finite deformation solid mechanics

The heterogeneity in mechanical fields introduced by microstructure plays a critical role in the localization of deformation. To resolve this incipient stage of failure, it is therefore necessary to incorporate microstructure with sufficient resolution. On the other hand, computational limitations make it infeasible to represent the microstructure in the entire domain at the component scale. In this study, the authors demonstrate the use of concurrent multiscale modeling to incorporate explicit, finely resolved microstructure in a critical region while resolving the smoother mechanical fields outside this region with a coarser discretization to limit computational cost. The microstructural physics is modeled with a high-fidelity model that incorporates anisotropic crystal elasticity and rate-dependent crystal plasticity to simulate the behavior of a stainless steel alloy. The component-scale material behavior is treated with a lower fidelity model incorporating isotropic linear elasticity and rate-independent $$J_{2}$$ plasticity. The microstructural and component scale subdomains are modeled concurrently, with coupling via the Schwarz alternating method, which solves boundary-value problems in each subdomain separately and transfers solution information between subdomains via Dirichlet boundary conditions. In this study, the framework is applied to model incipient localization in tensile specimens during necking.
Sluggish Cognitive Tempo Predicts Academic Fluency, Beyond Contributions of Core Academic Skills, Attention, and Motor Speed.

Objective: Sluggish Cognitive Tempo (SCT) is a distinct behavioral phenotype characterized by such symptoms as being slow to complete tasks, appearing drowsy or sleepy, and lacking initiative. Subc...
A Novel Agent-Based Modeling Approach for Image Coding and Lossless Compression Based on the Wolf-Sheep Predation Model

In this article, the researcher develops an image coding technique which is based on the wolf-sheep predation model. In the design, images are converted to virtual worlds of sheep, routes and wolves. Wolves in this model wander around searching for sheep while the algorithm tracks their movement. A wolf has seven movements which capture all the directions of the wolf. In addition, the researcher introduces one extra move of the wolf the purpose of which is to provide a shorter string of movements and to enhance the compression ratio. The first coordinates and the movements of the wolf are tracked and recorded. Then, arithmetic coding is applied on the string of movements to further compress it. The algorithm was applied on a set of images and the results were compared with other algorithms in the research community. The experimental results reveal that the size of the compressed string of wolf movements offer a higher reduction in space and the compression ratio is higher than those of many existing compression algorithms including G3, G4, JBIG1, JBIG2 and the recent agent-based model of ant colonies.
Visual understanding of hybrid circuits via procedural models

A system of programs has been constructed to process the television image of a hybrid circuit* This system is capable of "inspecting" the circuit image regarding defects. To achieve this a procedural model of the circuit is developed. The computer "sees" the image and interprets what It sees with the procedures in the model. In this manner it is able to determine certain Important characteristics of the image in its view. It appears that this procedural approach can be useful to many domains of visual image processing and object recognition.
Sensor-based time-dependent formation factor in prediction of chloride ingress in mortar

Characterisation of chloride ingress rate is crucial for service life predictions in reinforced concrete. In this study, the time-dependent chloride diffusion coefficient (DCl(t)) was determined us...
Gender Quotas in South America’s Big Three: National and Subnational Impacts

In the 27 years since the implementation of electoral gender quotas laws in Argentina, most countries in South America have enacted some kind of gender quota. This policy diffusion in the region ha...
Examining replicability of an otoacoustic measure of cochlear function during selective attention.

Attention to a target stimulus within a complex scene often results in enhanced cortical representations of the target relative to the background. It remains unclear where along the auditory pathways attentional effects can first be measured. Anatomy suggests that attentional modulation could occur through corticofugal connections extending as far as the cochlea itself. Earlier attempts to investigate the effects of attention on human cochlear processing have revealed small and inconsistent effects. In this study, stimulus-frequency otoacoustic emissions were recorded from a total of 30 human participants as they performed tasks that required sustained selective attention to auditory or visual stimuli. In the first sample of 15 participants, emission magnitudes were significantly weaker when participants attended to the visual stimuli than when they attended to the auditory stimuli, by an average of 5.4 dB. However, no such effect was found in the second sample of 15 participants. When the data were pooled across samples, the average attentional effect was significant, but small (2.48 dB), with 12 of 30 listeners showing a significant effect, based on bootstrap analysis of the individual data. The results highlight the need for considering sources of individual differences and using large sample sizes in future investigations.Attention to a target stimulus within a complex scene often results in enhanced cortical representations of the target relative to the background. It remains unclear where along the auditory pathways attentional effects can first be measured. Anatomy suggests that attentional modulation could occur through corticofugal connections extending as far as the cochlea itself. Earlier attempts to investigate the effects of attention on human cochlear processing have revealed small and inconsistent effects. In this study, stimulus-frequency otoacoustic emissions were recorded from a total of 30 human participants as they performed tasks that required sustained selective attention to auditory or visual stimuli. In the first sample of 15 participants, emission magnitudes were significantly weaker when participants attended to the visual stimuli than when they attended to the auditory stimuli, by an average of 5.4 dB. However, no such effect was found in the second sample of 15 participants. When the data were poole...