cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Management of the endodontically treated tooth. Part I: Concept for restorative designs

The first premise is that not all teeth treated endodontically will require posts, cores, or crowns (Fig. 1). Despite small proximal restorations, most pulpless anterior teeth with sound coronal tooth structure can be conservatively restored with lingual composite restoration. The concept that all anterior teeth that have received root canal therapy require posts and crowns is not supported by recent studies. Trabert et a1.14 concluded that there is no appreciable difference in the resistance to fracture between untreated anterior teeth and endodontically treated anterior teeth. Guzy and Nicholls3 compared failure loads on intact endodontically treated maxillary central incisors and maxillary and mandibular cuspids with and without posts. They concluded that there was no
Incidence of Obesity Among Young US Children Living in Low-Income Families, 2008–2011

OBJECTIVE: To examine the incidence and reverse of obesity among young low-income children and variations across population subgroups. METHODS: We included 1.2 million participants in federally funded child health and nutrition programs who were 0 to 23 months old in 2008 and were followed up 24 to 35 months later in 2010–2011. Weight and height were measured. Obesity at baseline was defined as gender-specific weight-for-length ≥95th percentile on the 2000 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention growth charts. Obesity at follow-up was defined as gender-specific BMI-for-age ≥95th percentile. We used a multivariable log-binomial model to estimate relative risk of obesity adjusting for gender, baseline age, race/ethnicity, duration of follow-up, and baseline weight-for-length percentile. RESULTS: The incidence of obesity was 11.0% after the follow-up period. The incidence was significantly higher among boys versus girls and higher among children aged 0 to 11 months at baseline versus those older. Compared with non-Hispanic whites, the risk of obesity was 35% higher among Hispanics and 49% higher among American Indians (AIs)/Alaska Natives (ANs), but 8% lower among non-Hispanic African Americans. Among children who were obese at baseline, 36.5% remained obese and 63.5% were nonobese at follow-up. The proportion of reversing of obesity was significantly lower among Hispanics and AIs/ANs than that among other racial/ethnic groups. CONCLUSIONS: The high incidence underscores the importance of early-life obesity prevention in multiple settings for low-income children and their families. The variations within population subgroups suggest that culturally appropriate intervention efforts should be focused on Hispanics and AIs/ANs.
Prolonged assessment of sleep and daytime sleepiness in unrestrained Macaca mulatta.

Study Objective: To establish a method for the prolonged recording of electrophysiologic variables of sleep in freely moving nonhuman primates. To establish and validate means for scoring nocturnal sleep and quantifying daytime alertness in these subjects. Design: Four animals (M. mulatta) were permanently instrumented for the recording of electroencephalograms, electrooculograms, and electromyograms. A telemetry unit housed in a backpack transmitted these variables for several overnight periods to establish normal sleep. During the day, a modified Multiple Sleep Latency Test protocol was followed to quantify daytime alertness. High-quality recordings were maintained from a minimum of 8 months to a maximum of 5.5 years. Measurements and Results: Across 6 to 7 nights per animal, average total sleep time was 522 minutes, with a sleep latency of 20 minutes. The proportion of total sleep spent in the various stages of sleep was 10.8%, stage 1; 56.4%, stage 2; 20.0%, stages 3-4; and 12.7%, rapid eye movement sleep. Mean sleep latency across testing sessions for each monkey was 12.5 minutes, 20 minutes (no daytime sleep), 14.6 minutes, and 8.6 minutes for animals 1 to 4, respectively. Intrarater and interrater reliabilities were high and similar to those obtained when the same scorers evaluated human sleep and Multiple Sleep Latency Tests. Conclusions: Similarities in sleep architecture between M. mulatta and humans make this an excellent animal model for investigations of normal and pathologic human sleep. This study confirms and extends previous findings in nonhuman primates. Stable, high-quality data were obtained for months to years using a telemetric system capable of long-term data
A quality human resource curriculum: Recommendations from leading senior HR executives

This article describes a high quality human resource management curriculum as perceived by one group of customers–senior human resource executives who hire, train, and work with university and college graduates. A Delphi research methodology was used to survey the opinions of 24 members of the Human Resources Council, an advisory body to the American Management Association. The study confirms that the major topics taught in most HRM curricula at the bachelor and masters levels are perceived by HR executives to be just about right. It also presents their views about the relative value of the topics and shares specifics about their conviction that graduates need a much deeper understanding of how and where the HR function fits into the overall business strategy of an organization. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The Mof2/Sui1 protein is a general monitor of translational accuracy.

Although it is essential for protein synthesis to be highly accurate, a number of cases of directed ribosomal frameshifting have been reported in RNA viruses, as well as in procaryotic and eucaryotic genes. Changes in the efficiency of ribosomal frameshifting can have major effects on the ability of cells to propagate viruses which use this mechanism. Furthermore, studies of this process can illuminate the mechanisms involved in the maintenance of the normal translation reading frame. The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae killer virus system uses programmed −1 ribosomal frameshifting to synthesize its gene products. Strains harboring the mof2-1 allele demonstrated a fivefold increase in frameshifting and prevented killer virus propagation. In this report, we present the results of the cloning and characterization of the wild-type MOF2 gene. mof2-1 is a novel allele of SUI1, a gene previously shown to play a role in translation initiation start site selection. Strains harboring the mof2-1 allele demonstrated a mutant start site selection phenotype and increased efficiency of programmed −1 ribosomal frameshifting and conferred paromomycin sensitivity. The increased frameshifting observed in vivo was reproduced in extracts prepared from mof2-1 cells. Addition of purified wild-type Mof2p/Sui1p reduced frameshifting efficiencies to wild-type levels. Expression of the human SUI1 homolog in yeast corrects all of the mof2-1 phenotypes, demonstrating that the function of this protein is conserved throughout evolution. Taken together, these results suggest that Mof2p/Sui1p functions as a general modulator of accuracy at both the initiation and elongation phases of translation.
Teaching Justice after MacIntyre: Toward a Catholic Philosophy of Moral Education.

How is the commitment to social justice sustained over a lifetime? This would seem to be a matter of character, and that calls attention to the Aristotelian tradition in ethics. No one provides as much insight into the challenge of the contemporary appropriation of this tradition as Alasdair MacIntyre. Although a moral philosopher rather than a moral educator, MacIntyre’s critique of the failure of the Enlightenment project to construct a rationally based universal ethic, coupled with a critique of the modern nation-state of liberal capitalism as antithetical to the practice of virtue for the common good, provides a challenging if controversial context in which moral educators might think about justice pedagogy today.
PC-based arc ignition and arc length control system for gas tungsten arc welding

A PC-based digital control system for gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) is presented. This system controls the arc ignition process, the arc length, and the process of welding termination. A DT2818 made by Data Translation is used for interface and A/D and D/A conversions. The digital I/O ports of the DT2818 are used for control of wirefeed, shield gas, cooling water, welding power supply, etc. The DT2818 is housed in a PC. The welding signals and status are displayed on the screen for in-process monitoring. A user can control the welding process by the keyboard. >
Integrated Flight/Propulsion Control Specifications for Systems with Two-Way Coupling

A general technique for generating specifications for integrated flight propulsion control is extended to include systems with significant two-way coupling between the flight and propulsion systems. These specifications define how the subsystems must perform within an integrated control system in order to assure that performance goals (specifically stability) are met when the subsystems are combined to form a closed-loop integrated system. Such specifications are useful for a large class of integrated control problems that are best approached in a partitioned or decentralized manner. An example demonstrating the application of these techniques to a simple helicopter problem is provided.
Local-scale heterogeneity of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), absorbed PAR and net radiation as a function of topography, sky conditions and leaf area index

The local-scale spatial distribution of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), absorbed PAR (APAR) and net all-wave radiation (Q⁎) across the top of a forest canopy was investigated as a function of topography, sky conditions and forest heterogeneity for a forested hilly study site located in south-central Indiana, USA that is part of the FLUXNET and SpecNet networks. The method to estimate spatial variability of radiation components utilized theoretical radiation modeling applied to a topographic model combined with spatial distribution of leaf area index derived from IKONOS imagery and empirical models derived from data collected on a single flux tower. Modeled PAR and Q⁎ compared consistently well with observations from a single tower with differences typically less than 10%, although clear-sky conditions were simulated more accurately than cloudy conditions. Spatial variability of radiation was found to be very sensitive to topographic relief and could be scaled linearly by mean slope angle. Decreases in optical transmissivity and increases in cloudiness had a strong effect of reducing both the spatial average and standard deviation of radiation components. Spatial variability of APAR was 53% greater than PAR and the characteristic scale of variance was reduced due to finer scale and magnitude of variance of LAI. Clear seasonal patterns existed in both spatial average and standard deviation values with summer producing the largest mean values and weakest spatial variability due to smaller solar zenith angles and seasonality in both optical transmissivity (scaled linearly by specific humidity) and cloudiness. These findings of spatial variability illustrate the need to characterize the complex landscape patterns at flux tower sites, particularly where the goal is to relate flux tower data to satellite imagery.
A surface-normal coupled-quantum-well modulator at 1.55 microns

We demonstrate that a surface-normal coupled-quantum-well InGaAs/InAlAs electroabsorptive modulator can provide optical modulation that is comparable to a square-well modulator at 1.55 /spl mu/m; but at much lower driving voltages.
Dietary Fat Clearance in Normal Subjects Is Modulated by Genetic Variation at the Apolipoprotein B Gene Locus

Apolipoprotein B (apo B) plays a dominant role in cholesterol homeostasis. Several polymorphic sites within or adjacent to the gene locus for apo B have been detected. The X+ allele (XbaI restriction site present) of the XbaI restriction fragment polymorphism on the apo B gene has been found in some studies to be associated with higher serum cholesterol and/or triglyceride levels and with greater dietary response. The present study was designed to evaluate whether the apo B XbaI polymorphism was associated with the interindividual variability observed during postprandial lipemia. Fifty-one healthy young male volunteers [20 X-/X- (X-), and 31 X+/X- or X+/X+ (X+)], homozygotes for the apo E3 allele, were subjected to a vitamin A-fat load test. Subjects with the X- genotype had significantly greater retinyl palmitate (RP) and apo B-48 postprandial responses on both the large and the small TRL lipoprotein fractions compared with X+ subjects. In summary, subjects with the X-/X- genotype at the apo B locus have a greater postprandial response than X+ subjects. These differences observed in postprandial lipoprotein metabolism could explain some of the reported associations of this polymorphism to coronary heart disease risk.
Street Design and Urban Canyon Solar Access

Abstract In his recent papers, Oke has challenged urban climatologists to establish quantitative and readily understood guidelines which might assist planners in the design of climatically rational cities, and has shown by example how such an approach might be taken for street canyon geometry. This study pursues Oke's arguments relating canyon structure to solar access within the canyon space using a numerical simulation methodology to explore the dependence of irradiance on the canyon facets, on a pedestrian within the canyon and the net irradiance at the canyon top on aspect ratio, street orientation, city latitude, season and sky condition. In addition, wall, floor and pedestrian ‘access indices’ are defined as the relevant irradiances divided by the equivalent horizontal surface, open-site solar irradiance, and it is suggested that such quantities, if presented in a form convenient to the planning practitioner, might constitute one type of parameter of use in an urban planning context.
The Context of Educational Measurement Instruction for Preservice Teachers: Professor Perspectives

Professors from 28 mid-western colleges responded to a questionnaire on the nature of educational measurement instruction provided to students in preservice teacher education programs. The results reported here offer insight Into (a) course and student characteristics (b) professors' educational preparation and experience, and (c) learning/ instructional activities and content emphases. These characteristics, together with findings of previous research, serve as a basis for suggestions regarding the limitations of this instruction in light of teacher needs and perceived changes needed In educational measurement instruction.
To Induce or Not To Induce: A 21st Century Evaluation of Lung Transplant Immunosuppression

Purpose The impact of induction immunosuppression on lung transplant (LTX) recipients survival is unclear. We sought to evaluate the effect of contemporary induction agents in LTX recipients with the primary endpoint of survival and a secondary endpoint of treated rejection in the first year post-transplant (TR1Y). Methods and Materials We queried the UNOS registry for LTX from 1987-2012. We restricted our analysis to adults (>=18 years), cadaveric LTX performed from 2001-2012 who received either: no antibody based induction (NONE) or the contemporary agents of either basiliximab, alemtuzumab, thymoglobulin, ALG or ATG (INDUCED). Kaplan-Meier estimates of the survival function as well as Cox proportional hazards models compared survival. Results Of LTX recipients, 12958 meet the inclusion criteria & 5747 (44%) were INDUCED. Of INDUCED agents, 62% were basiliximab, 14% alemtuzumab, and 23% ALG/ATG/Thymo. Being INDUCED increased survival (p Conclusions In a contemporary analysis of LTX recipients, induction immunosuppression has a significantly increased survival. Being INDUCED has less incidence of rejection with no effect on the need for dialysis. Hazard Ratios for INDUCED vs. NONEHR95% CIpCF0.690.58-0.82
Generic Concepts in the Platycrinitidae Austin and Austin, 1842 (Class Crinoidea)

Platycrinites is traditionally one of the more recognizable crinoids, a camerate crinoid with very few if any fixed brachials or interradials and a helically twisted column. Accordingly, many taxa have been assigned to this genus. With a better understanding of the Platycrinitidae, these characters actually unite the family Platycrinitidae rather than the genus. Further, use of different genus-diagnostic characters in Western Europe versus North America has resulted in a confused systematics for this important late Paleozoic family. Here, we objectively define genera within the Platycrinitidae and assign all species to either newly defined or newly named genera. A phylogenetic hypothesis, incorporating both parsimony-based character analysis and stratigraphic ranges, of the genera within the Platycrinitidae is presented.With consideration of the type species, Platycrinites laevis Miller, 1821, Platycrinites sensu stricto is distinguished from Platycrinites sensu lato, which is used for species that cannot be assigned with confidence to any objectively defined genus. New genera are Artaocrinus n. gen., Collicrinus n. gen., Elegantocrinus n. gen., and Laticrinus n. gen.; and Exsulacrinus Bowsher and Strimple, 1986 is designated a junior synonym of Platycrinites s.s. Collicrinus shumardi n. gen. and sp., Laticrinus oweni n. gen. and sp., and Laticrinus wachsmuthi n. gen. and sp. are described; and Platycrinites formosus approximatus (Miller and Gurley, 1896a) is designated a junior synonym of Platycrinites formosus (Miller and Gurley, 1895a), which is reassigned here to Collicrinus n. gen. Platycrinites s.s. now includes 14 species and species-level taxa, and 76 species are assigned to Platycrinites s.l. Ten species are designated nomina dubia, as are taxa based solely on columnals or pluricolumnals. Two species are designated nomina nuda, and two are transferred to genera outside of the Platycrinitidae. In addition, twenty-seven species and four open-nomenclature taxa are each reassigned to a different genus.
Models and Heuristics for Robust Resource Allocation in Parallel and Distributed Computing Systems

This is an overview of the robust resource allocation research efforts that have been and continue to be conducted by the CSU robustness in computer systems group. Parallel and distributed computing systems, consisting of a (usually heterogeneous) set of machines and networks, frequently operate in environments where delivered performance degrades due to unpredictable circumstances. Such unpredictability can be the result of sudden machine failures, increases in system load, or errors caused by inaccurate initial estimation. The research into developing models and heuristics for parallel and distributed computing systems that create robust resource allocations is presented.
Use of a rapid differential stain for identifying Pneumocystis carinii in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Diagnostic efficacy in patients with AIDS.

Identification of Pneumocystis carinii involves silver stains which require several hours for processing. Diff Quik, a differential stain similar to Wright-Giemsa, requires less than 1 min and reproducibly stains trophozoites and intracystic bodies of P carinii. To determine the utility of DQ for rapid detection of P carinii in BAL fluid, we reviewed DQ-stained slides of 50 BAL samples from 36 patients seropositive for HIV + who had undergone bronchoscopy with BAL for evaluation of interstitial pulmonary infiltrates. A comparison group of immunocompromised patients with P carinii pneumonia also were reviewed. For HIV + samples, sensitivity of DQ was 93 and 100 percent for cytopathologists and 75 and 89 percent for pulmonologists. Specificity was 95 percent for each cytopathologist and 100 percent for pulmonologists. For non-HIV + patients, sensitivity ranged from 22 to 55 percent. Thus, DQ may be useful as a rapid, reliable method to identify P carinii in BAL fluid from HIV+patients.
Some Properties of the Inversion Counting Function

Let h;k be integers such that 0 rj, this is called an inversion of aeh;k. Let I(h;k) denote the total number of inversions of aeh;k. In this note, we prove several identities concerning I(h;k).
Psychological Foundations of Instructional Design for Emerging Computer-Based Instructional Technologies: Parts I and II

Although considerable research has been published concerning learning and cognition in general, little impact has been reported on the design of computer-based instruction (CBI). In addition, CBI designs have been influenced negatively by technocentric perspectives, where technological capabilities dictate lesson activities, rather than a more reflective view on the relationship among learner, learning task and performance requirements, and the selective use of media capabilities. Attempts to extrapolate the relevance of non-CBI research and theory to advance a comprehensive and integrated view of the design of CBI have been rare. An integrated meta-model derived from both CBI and non-CBI research and theory is presented in this article.
Synaptic transmission at parasympathetic neurons of the major pelvic ganglion from normal and diabetic male mice.

Bladder and erectile dysfunction are common urologic complications of diabetes and are associated with reduced parasympathetic autonomic control. To determine whether disruption of ganglionic neuro...
Deuterium in water vapor above the atmospheric boundary layer

A model for the isotopic composition of water vapor above the atmospheric boundary layer ispresented. The model includes the effects of isotope fractionation and vertical turbulenttransport of vapor. It utilizes an assumed air trajectory in which an air parcel initially acquireswater vapor over the ocean, rises dry and then moist adiabatically. and finally sinks to theobserved conditions of height, temperature and dew point temperature. Discrepanciesbetween model predictions and actual profiles are shown to have characteristic signatureswhich render the isotopic composition of water vapor of potential value as a dynamic tracer ofatmospheric processes and motions. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0889.1988.tb00217.x
Measuring and Interpreting the Structure of Grain‐Boundary Networks

Recently developed techniques to measure the structure of interfacial networks in three dimensions have the potential to revolutionize our ability to control the microstructures of polycrystals and interface-dominated materials properties. This paper reviews recent findings from two- and three-dimensional orientation mapping studies. The observations confirm a strong inverse correlation between the relative energies of grain boundaries and the frequency with which they occur in microstructures. The observations also show that during microstructure evolution, relatively higher energy grain boundaries are more likely to be shrinking while lower energy interfaces are more likely to be growing. These processes can lead to a steady-state distribution of grain boundaries that is influenced as much by the relative grain-boundary energies as by the exact processing conditions. Recent findings and emerging opportunities for grain-boundary characterization are reviewed in the final section of the paper.
Working memory as a processing resource in cognitive aging

Abstract Research concerned with the interrelations of adult age, working memory, and cognitive functioning is reviewed. It is proposed that evaluations of the effects of aging on working memory can be classified into within-context and out-of-context assessments. Within-context assessments consist of observations about working memory capacity derived while participants are performing actual cognitive tasks. Out-of-context assessments, on the other hand, are obtained from tasks deliberately designed to measure the efficiency of selected aspects of an individual's working memory. Both types of assessments have yielded results suggesting that increased age across the adult years is associated with reductions in the effectiveness of working memory. Unfortunately, very little information is yet available concerning the relation between the two types of evaluations at any age, and currently available results are also equivocal with respect to how adult age differences in working memory are best conceptualized (e.g., reduced storage capacity, impaired processing efficiency, or diminished ability to coordinate simultaneous activities). Despite conceptual problems associated with the construct of working memory, there appears to be considerable heuristic value in the idea that at least some adult age-related differences in cognitive functioning are attributable to reductions in the simultaneous storage and processing of information.
Digital blocks with adrenaline: An old dogma refuted

In the early part of the century, when adrenaline first became widely available, it was used in an uncontrolled manner and cases of ischaemic necrosis led to it falling into disfavour for hand surgery. Local anaesthesia with adrenaline is currently widely used for palmar and dorsal hand surgery but there remains a very deeply ingrained resistance to its use for digital anaesthesia. It is widely thought that it will cause irreversible digital artery vasospasm. This prospective study reports the effect of 2% lignocaine with 1:80 000 adrenaline digital blocks on various parameters of digital arterial blood flow in 100 consecutive patients. Our findings show that adrenaline only temporarily reduced digital blood flow. Perfusion of the digits persisted in every case.
A silver-catalyzed Büchner reaction

Abstract A silver scorpionate complex, derived from the highly fluorinated [HB(3,5-(CF3)2Pz)3]−, catalyzes the addition of ethyl diazoacetate to benzene rings, providing norcaradienes, which undergo electrocyclization to provide the corresponding cycloheptatriene. These reactions are surprisingly selective for addition to the aromatic moiety rather than C–H insertion.
Maintaining muscle protein anabolism after a metabolic stress: role of dextrose vs. amino acid availability.

The effect of chronic hypocaloric parenteral infusions of amino acids (AA) vs. dextrose (D) on protein homeostasis after a generalized metabolic stress was examined. Multicatheterized mongrel dogs ...
Characterization of Hybrid Strains of Saccharomyces pastorianus for Desiccation Tolerance

This study examines the impact of desiccation on the viability and fermentation performance of multiple strains of Saccharomyces pastorianus. S. pastorianus is a hybrid resulting from a cross between S. cerevisiae and S. bayanus. It has been proposed that S. pastorianus can be categorized into two distinct types: S. pastorianus-Saaz type, which has lost a significant amount of the genomic content contained within S. cerevisiae, and S. pastorianus-Frohberg type, which has retained almost all of the genomic content of S. cerevisiae. Both types of S. pastorianus, along with S. cerevisiae and S. bayanus strains, were desiccated by spray-drying and then rehydrated before assessing the extent of the damage to the cells. The viability of rehydrated cultures was determined using microscopic enumeration, capacitance, and plating. Fermentation performance was tested by inoculating equal amounts of viable rehydrated cells into brewer's wort and monitoring changes in cell count, carbohydrate utilization, and alcohol concentration until completion. The findings suggest that S. pastorianus-Frohberg type is less tolerant to desiccation than either S. cerevisiae or S. pastorianus-Saaz type. Selection of the correct type of S. pastorianus for use in active dry yeast could reduce the possibility of contamination or extended lag phases leading to stuck fermentations.
Testing the Explanatory Power of Two Measures of Narrative Involvement: An Investigation of the Influence of Transportation and Narrative Engagement on the Process of Narrative Persuasion

Achieving a more sophisticated understanding of narrative persuasion requires an examination of how the experience of narrative involvement influences persuasive resistance. In this study, we used a multiple message design approach to test two models of narrative involvement, one with transportation and the other with narrative engagement, with programs featuring persuasive stories about sexual and reproductive topics from primetime television. Although both transportation and the narrative engagement influenced processes related to changes in participants’ (N = 362) beliefs, attitudes, and behavioral intentions, the two scales influenced different cognitive and affective responses to the narratives. Transportation was positively related to enjoyment and the perception that the narrative topic was personally relevant. Narrative engagement predicted enjoyment and reduced reactance. Neither transportation nor narrative engagement significantly influenced cognitive elaboration or counterarguments, based on t...
Lipoxin A4 activates ALX/FPR2 receptor to regulate conjunctival goblet cell secretion

Conjunctival goblet cells play a major role in maintaining the mucus layer of the tear film under physiological conditions as well as in inflammatory diseases like dry eye and allergic conjunctivitis. Resolution of inflammation is mediated by proresolution agonists such as lipoxin A4 (LXA4) that can also function under physiological conditions. The purpose of this study was to determine the actions of LXA4 on cultured rat conjunctival goblet cell mucin secretion, intracellular [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]i), and identify signaling pathways activated by LXA4. ALX/FPR2 (formyl peptide receptor2) was localized to goblet cells in rat conjunctiva and in cultured goblet cells. LXA4 significantly increased mucin secretion, [Ca2+]i, and extracellular regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK 1/2) activation. These functions were inhibited by ALX/FPR2 inhibitors. Stable analogs of LXA4 increased [Ca2+]i to the same extent as LXA4. Sequential addition of either LXA4 or resolvin D1 followed by the second compound decreased [Ca2+]i of the second compound compared with its initial response. LXA4 activated phospholipases C, D, and A2 and downstream molecules protein kinase C, ERK 1/2, and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase to increase mucin secretion and [Ca2+]i. We conclude that conjunctival goblet cells respond to LXA4 to maintain the homeostasis of the ocular surface and could be a novel treatment for dry eye diseases.
The use of compression tack and flossing along with lacrosse ball massage to treat chronic Achilles tendinopathy in an adolescent athlete: a case report.

AbstractBackground: Achilles tendinopathy is an overuse injury that often affects individuals engaged in recreational or competitive level activity. Although most patients experience satisfactory results with therapy, a substantial portion fail to respond to traditional treatment. The purpose of this case study is to describe the successful use of compression tack and flossing (CTF) with lacrosse ball massage (LBM) in the treatment of an adolescent athlete with Achilles tendinopathy who had failed to respond to traditional treatment.Case Description: The patient was a 14-year old female diagnosed with chronic Achilles tendinopathy. She presented with 8/10 left posterior ankle pain during activity and scored 66/80 on the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS). After six weeks of PT consisting of eccentric exercise, proprioceptive training, and iontophoresis, the patient continued to report pain during sport and no significant improvements on the LEFS. With traditional PT failing to resolve symptoms, the p...
Estradiol-17 beta-oxytocin-induced cervical dilation in sheep: application to transcervical embryo transfer.

Experiments were conducted to determine whether exogenous estradiol-17beta (E2) and oxytocin (OT) can be used to improve transcervical (TC) embryo transfer (ET) procedures for sheep. Our concerns that the E2-OT treatment may alter luteal function prompted Exp. 1, in which 32 ewes were assigned to treatments in a 2x2 factorial array. On d 7 after onset of estrus, ewes received i.v. either 100 microg of E2 or diluent; 12 h later, ewes received i.v. either 400 USP units of OT or saline. To monitor luteal function, progesterone was measured in jugular blood collected from d 7 to 18. The treatments did not affect progesterone concentrations. Two trials were conducted in Exp. 2. In Trial 1, ewes were assigned to one of three treatments: TC transfer with E2-OT treatment to dilate the cervix, laparoscopic ET with E2-OT treatment, or laparoscopic ET with an equivalent diluent that did not dilate the cervix. In Trial 2, ewes were assigned to treatments in a 2x2 factorial array: TC or laparoscopic ET on d 6; E2-OT treatment for cervical dilation or diluents on d 6. Transferred embryos were recovered on d 12 in Trial 1 and d 14 in Trial 2, evaluated morphologically for development, and scored. Treatments did not affect the percentage of transferred embryos recovered. However, mode of transfer decreased (P<.01) the mean embryo development score. The E2-OT treatment increased (P<.01) the development score of embryos transferred transcervically, indicating that cervical dilation may improve the chances of embryos surviving after TC transfer. In conclusion, E2-OT treatment did not affect luteal function, and the E2-OT treatment can be used to enhance the success of TC embryo transfer in sheep.
Colistin Activity Against Candida tropicalis and Candida parapsilosis

Colistin was tested, via disc-agar diffusion, against clinical isolates of Candida tropicalis and Candida parapsilosis to determine its value as an aid to identification. Colistin was active against all 35 strains of C. tropicalis, whereas no activity was seen against 24 strains of C. parapsilosis .
Contamination of an Unpreserved Semisoft Baked Cookie with a Xerophilic Aspergillus species

An Aspergillus mold was isolated that had contaminated an unpreserved semisoft baked cookie with visible mycelial growth. Due to the xerophilic nature of the contaminating mold, the Aspergillus isolate went undetected using conventional plating media and incubation times. Spread plating onto rose bengal osmophilic potato dextrose (rose-osmo) agar, a reduced water activity (a w ) medium, was used for isolation and enumeration of the isolate from contaminated cookies and in microbiological assessments of the production facility. Rose-osmo plates were sealed in plastic and incubated at 25°C for up to 6 weeks to allow the isolate to sporulate. The minimum a w that permitted growth was determined by inoculating both MY70GF agar plates and production cookies with fresh spores of the Aspergillus isolate. Inoculated samples were incubated for up to 6 weeks in humidity chambers adjusted to various moisture levels. The minimum a w required for growth of the Aspergillus isolate was found to be between 0.60 and 0.65 on MY70GF agar and approximately 0.65 on the cookie. To evaluate the potential delayed growth of the isolate on reformulated cookies of a lowered a w , long-term growth studies were conducted on cookies adjusted to various a w levels and monitored for up to 280 days. In these studies, the minimum a w test range found to support visible mycelial growth of the Aspergillus isolate was 0.67. Microbiological assessment of the production facility identified potential sources of xerophilic molds and the Aspergillus isolate (teleomorph Eurotium chevalieri) and identified the manner in which the cookies became contaminated. These methods and results proved helpful in both production and process risk assessments and in successful reformulation of the cookie at an a w low enough to prevent spoilage and provide an organoleptically acceptable product.
MIMO Wireless Secure Communication Using Data-Carrying Artificial Noise

In MIMO wireless channels, channel estimation can provide a source of randomness common to sender and receiver that may be used to generate secret keys. These keys can provide information theoretically secure communication. Alternatively, a known MIMO channel allows transmitting artificial noise in the null space of the main channel to secure communication. In this paper, we show that both methods can be combined to further enhance secrecy. Symbols encrypted at the transmitter simultaneously act as message for the intended receiver and as noise for any potential eavesdroppers. We derive expressions for the minimum-guaranteeable secrecy rate as a function of number of symbols encrypted. Given at least one symbol can be encrypted, our proposed method outperforms the standard artificial noise scheme in terms of both secrecy rate and power expenditure. We first analyze the system assuming keys can be instantaneously extracted from channel measurements. We then derive bounds for rates assuming the overhead time required for key generation produces a Gaussian channel-estimation error.
Anemia predicts mortality in severe heart failure: the prospective randomized amlodipine survival evaluation (PRAISE).

OBJECTIVES Our aim was to examine the relationships between serum hematocrit (Hct) and risk of all-cause mortality among patients with severe heart failure (HF). BACKGROUND Anemia occurs with increased frequency in severe HF. However, few studies have examined the impact of anemia on mortality in this population. METHODS Using a prospective cohort design, we evaluated the relationships between baseline serum Hct and mortality among 1,130 patients with left ventricular EF <30% and New York Heart Association functional class IIIB or IV HF treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, diuretics, and digitalis. Mortality was ascertained by centralized adjudication. RESULTS The mean Hct was 41.8% (range 25.4% to 58.8%). Over 15 months of mean follow-up, there were 407 deaths (29 per 100 person-years). After adjustment for potential confounders, those in the lowest quintile of Hct (range 25.4% to 37.5%) had a 52% higher risk of death (hazard ratio 1.52, 95% confidence interval 1.11 to 2.10), compared with the highest quintile (range 46.1% to 58.8%). Within the lowest quintile of Hct, each 1% decrease in Hct was associated with an 11% higher risk of death (p < 0.01), whereas within the four higher quintiles of Hct, Hct was not associated with total mortality. Evaluation of different causes of death indicated that a lower Hct was strongly associated with death from progressive HF, rather than sudden death or other deaths. CONCLUSIONS Among patients with severe HF, anemia is a significant independent risk factor for death, with a progressively higher risk with increasing severity of anemia. Further investigation of the etiologies, prevention, and treatment of anemia in severe HF is warranted.
Metalloporphyrin in CNS Injuries

This chapter discusses the therapeutic potential of cationic Mn(III)-substituted N-pyridyl- and N,N’-imidazolylporphyrins (MnPs) for improving neurological function and histological outcome after central nervous system (CNS) injuries including ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke and traumatic brain and spinal cord injury. Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species are induced during CNS injuries and activate various cellular signals. As such, they are major factors leading to DNA fragmentation, lipid peroxidation, and cell death and significantly impact recovery. MnPs have a biologically compatible metal-centered reduction potential, which allow them to couple with redox-based signaling species acting as both oxidant and antioxidants; in either case they produce therapeutic effects. Such MnPs catalytically remove superoxide, i.e., oxidize it and reduce it, while mimicking superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymes. They are also able to reduce other species including peroxynitrite, hypochlorite, carbonate anion, and lipid radicals. Yet, they oxidize cellular reductants; in particular oxidation of thiols may be relevant for their impact on signaling pathways in suppressing post-injury activation of cellular transcription factors and subsequent inflammatory responses. MnPs are currently the most effective antioxidants. The therapeutic window for efficacious treatment onset is wide in animal studies of transient cerebral ischemia. MnP efficacy was evident even when treatment began 6 h after reperfusion, which would be particularly important in clinical settings. Moreover, long-term efficacy was detected at 8 weeks in a survival study with continuous treatment for 1 week. The data on MnPs presented in this chapter were generated in multiple preclinical studies. These findings are expected to be pivotal to the development of MnP-based treatment for patients with CNS injury.
Compact models of negative-capacitance FinFETs: Lumped and distributed charge models

This work presents insights into the device physics and behaviors of ferroelectric based negative capacitance FinFETs (NC-FinFETs) by proposing lumped and distributed compact models for its simulation. NC-FinFET may have a floating metal between ferroelectric (FE) and the dielectric layers and the lumped charge model represents such a device. For a NC-FinFET without a floating metal, the distributed charge model should be used and at each point in the channel the ferroelectric layer will impact the local channel charge. This distributed effect has important implications on device characteristics as shown in this paper. The proposed compact models have been implemented in circuit simulators for exploring circuits based on NC-FinFET technology.
A trivial way to construct a tripartite response spectrum grid

Abstract We demonstrate in this note a disarmingly simple and elementary way to construct a tri-logarithmic response spectrum grid, albeit restricted to the metric system. The reason is that we rely herein on the very close approximations for the acceleration of gravity g ≈ π 2 as well as π 2 ≈ 10 , whereas scales in the US Customary system of units do not benefit from these near coincidences. It is believed that the method proposed may be useful not only in an engineering office, but even more so in the context of a course on Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering.
Supporting Wide-Band Circular Polarization: CRLH Networks for High-Performance CP Antenna Arrays

Supporting wide-band circular polarization (CP) over broad bandwidths poses a significant challenge for patch antennas and arrays. In any CP antenna, not only must the antenna's impedance-matching requirements be met; the circularity of the radiated wave polarization must be considered as well [1]. The circularity can be defined by a wave?s axial ratio (AR), which describes the variation of the instantaneous electric field magnitude versus time. An AR of lower than 3 dB is usually sufficient to ensure good circularity, although many high-performance applications demand 1 dB or less. The difficulty is in the timing of the two polarizations created to form the CP wave. At microwave frequencies, even errors on the order of tens of picoseconds can dramatically worsen the circularity.
Development of a Multi-Device Nutrition Logging Prototype Including a Smartscale

In this work we present a portable system for nutrition logging that integrates multiple devices and modalities in order to facilitate food and drink tracking. The system consists of a smartphone, a smartwatch and a smartscale that can be combined flexibly by users depending on the current situation and their personal needs. Based on a requirement analysis, we present the rationale behind the design and implementation of our food and drink logger. We also report the preliminary results of an in-situ study we conducted in order to explore the potential benefits and challenges of a multi-device approach to nutrition tracking in daily life settings.
Effects of Exercise Training and Weight Loss on Plasma Fetuin-A Levels and Insulin Sensitivity in Overweight Older Men

Aerobic exercise training and weight loss (AEX+WL) improves insulin sensitivity in overweight adults; however, the underlying pathways are incompletely understood. Fetuin-A, a hepatokine that inhibits insulin signaling, may be involved in the salutary effects of AEX+WL. Therefore, we examined the effects of 6-month AEX+WL on plasma fetuin-A levels (36–48 hours after the last bout of exercise), aerobic capacity (VO2max), body composition, glucose tolerance, and insulin sensitivity (M) in 16 sedentary, overweight-obese older men (age = 60 ± 2 years, BMI = 31 ± 1 kg/m2) with no history of cardiovascular disease or diabetes. At baseline, fetuin-A levels correlated directly with adiposity and had a borderline inverse correlation with M. After AEX+WL, body weight decreased by ~10 kg, while both VO2max and M increased by 16% ( for all). Contrary to our hypothesis, plasma fetuin-A levels increased after AEX+WL (1.16 ± 0.10 g/L versus 1.70 ± 0.19 g/L, ). This increase was unrelated to changes in body composition or glucose metabolism, but directly correlated with changes in VO2max ( , ). Thus, in overweight-to-obese older men, AEX+WL appears to increase plasma fetuin-A levels. Although not associated with improvements in insulin sensitivity, this increase in fetuin-A was related to improvements in aerobic capacity and could be representative of the cardioprotective effects of AEX+WL in older men.
Mental Health and False Confessions

This chapter reviews various mental disorders and discusses how the vulnerabilities that are typical of these disorders multiply the effectiveness of the interrogation tactics that produce coerced confessions and increases the risk of eliciting false and unreliable confessions. The chapter also describes how attorneys can use scholarship about false confessions to explain to courts and juries how and why coerced and false confessions occur and their effect in the American criminal justice system.
Persistent Shoreline Shape Induced From Offshore Geologic Framework: Effects of Shoreface Connected Ridges

Mechanisms relating offshore geologic framework to shoreline evolution are determined through geologic investigations, oceanographic deployments and numerical modeling. Analysis of shoreline positions from the past 50 years along Fire Island, New York, a 50 km long barrier island, demonstrates a persistent undulating shape along the western half of the island. The shelf offshore of these persistent undulations is characterized with shoreface-connected sand ridges (SFCR) of a similar alongshore length scale, leading to a hypothesis that the ridges control the shoreline shape through the modification of flow. To evaluate this, a hydrodynamic model was configured to start with the US East Coast and scale down to resolve the Fire Island nearshore. The model was validated using observations along western Fire Island and buoy data, and used to compute waves, currents and sediment fluxes. To isolate the influence of the SFCR on the generation of the persistent shoreline shape, simulations were performed with a linearized nearshore bathymetry to remove alongshore transport gradients associated with shoreline shape. The model accurately predicts the scale and variation of the alongshore transport that would generate the persistent shoreline undulations. In one location, however, the ridge crest connects to the nearshore and leads to an offshore-directed transport that produces a difference in the shoreline shape. This qualitatively supports the hypothesized effect of cross-shore fluxes on coastal evolution. Alongshore flows in the nearshore during a representative storm are driven by wave breaking, vortex force, advection and pressure gradient, all of which are affected by the SFCR.