cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High-resolution α-spectroscopy of 253Es and 255Fm

Abstract Alpha-particle spectra of 253Es and 255Fm have been measured with a magnetic α-spectrometer. Isotopically enriched samples prepared in the Argonne isotope separator were used for these measurements. Precise energies and and 255Fm α-groups have been determined. Two new α-groups have been decay of 255Fm. The relative intensities of α-groups populating members of are found to be in good agreement with the theoretical values. For the favored theoretical calculations cannot reproduce the experimental intensities. The intensities of α-group feeding the 5 2 + [642] band in 249Bk has been by a Coriolis interaction calculation.
Numerical Investigation of Two-Dimensional Sloshing: Nonlinear Internal Waves

In this paper we examine internal sloshing motions in 2-D numerical wave tanks subjected to horizontal excitation. In all of the cases studied, the rectangular tank of liquid has a width-to-depth ratio of 2. The results presented are from simulations of internal waves induced by sloshing a density-stratified liquid. Nonlinear, viscous flow equations of a Newtonian, Boussinesq liquid are solved. Some of the features of the evolution of sloshing in nearly two-layer and three-layer fluid systems are described. Initially, the middle of the two layers and the center of the middle layer of the three layers are horizontal and located at the center of the tank. The two-layer cases are forced at resonance. The evolution of sloshing from rest is examined. The maximum amplitude of sloshing occurs during the initial transient. If breaking occurs, it is at the center of the container in the two-layer cases. The subharmonic forcing of a three-layer case induces a resonant response with the middle layer moving in such a way that motion is perpendicular to the isopycnals within this layer. These model problems provide some insights into the relatively complex sloshing that can occur in density-stratified liquids.
Prediction of methanol and water fluxes through a direct methanol fuel cell polymer electrolyte membrane

Development of a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) mass flux model, using conventional transport theory, is presented and used to predict the fluid phase superficial velocity, methanol and water molar fluxes, and the chemical species (methanol and water) dimensionless concentration profiles in the polymer electrolyte membrane, Nafion® 117, of a DMFC. Implementation of these equations is illustrated to generate the numerical data as functions of the variables such as the pressure difference across the membrane, methanol concentration at the cell anode, temperature, and position in the membrane.
Giant cell tumor of soft tissue of hand: simple but rare diagnosis, which is often missed

Giant cell tumor of soft tissue originally described in 1972 in two different series by Salm and Sissons is a rare entity, which is clinically and histopathologically indistinguishable from giant cell tumor of bone. Usually involve thigh, trunk, and lower extremities but rarely involve the hands. GCT-ST is a benign tumor, which can transform into malignant form and also has potential for recurrence and metastasis. We present an otherwise healthy, middle age female who originally presented with swellings on her left finger was diagnosed with giant cell tumor of soft tissue hand.
Game theory in marketing: Applications, uses and limits

The use of game theory as a useful and appropriate tool to define and explain marketing problems has many proponents and critics. This paper reviews the tenets of game theory, outlines both sides of the debate concerning the value of game theory within the marketing discipline, reviews those marketing oriented applications where game theory has been studied, and provides a summary of those particular applications where the use of game theory seems both warranted and functional in yielding interesting and useful marketing results.
CRH peptides modulate proliferation, melanogenesis and dendri-city in human follicular melanocytes

Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) is the most proximal element of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) and is the chief regulator of pituitary POMC gene expression and the subsequent production and secretion of POMC peptides. Previously, our laboratories documented cutaneous expression of CRH, urocortin and functional CRH receptors (CRH-Rs), suggesting their role in skin physiology and pathology. Human skin predominately expressed CRH-R1 with CRH-R2 being expressed primarily in the adnexal structures. While CRH-R activity has been implicated in the regulation of epidermal cell function, a role for these receptors in human hair biology has not yet been demonstrated. This study was designed to investigate the effects of modified CRH peptides (D-Glu20)-CRH, (D-Pro5)-CRH and (D-Pro4)-urocortin with respective selectivity for CRH-R1 and CRH-R2 on behaviour of cultured hair follicle melanocytes (HFMs) derived from scalp of seven normal individuals. HFMs were stimulated with these peptides (10−7−10−10 m) for 72 h. (D-Glu20)-CRH (10−8 m) and (D-Pro5)-CRH (10−9 and 10−10 m) markedly increased cell dendricity, melanogenesis and proliferation (P < 0.01) compared with unstimulated levels. While (D-Pro4)-urocortin failed to stimulate cell dendricity, this peptide did stimulate melanogenesis (10−8 m) (P < 0.01) and exhibited a biphasic proliferative response; stimulating pigment cell division at 10−7 and 10−8 m (P < 0.01) but inhibiting proliferation at 10−9 and 10−10 m (P < 0.01). Here, we demonstrate the existence of functionally active CRH-Rs in cultured human scalp HFM and show that signalling via these receptors modulates follicular melanocyte dendricity, melanogenesis and proliferation. Thus, activation of CRH-Rs may have a pivotal role in the regulation of follicular melanocyte homeostasis.
System to independently modify excitation and/Or spectrum of speech waveform without explicit pitch extraction

A new speech analysis/synthesis system is described which is capable of independent manipulation of the fundamental frequency and spectral envelope of a speech waveform. The system deconvolves the original speech with the spectral envelope estimate to obtain a model for the excitation. Hence, explicit pitch extraction is not required. As a consequence, the transformed speech is more natural sounding than would be the case if the excitation were modeled as a sequence of pulses during voiced segments or pseudorandom noise during unvoiced segments. The system has applications in the areas of voice modification, baseband-excited vocoders, time-scale modification, and frequency compression as an aid to the partially deaf.
Antiestrogen action in avian liver: the interaction of estrogens and antiestrogens in the regulation of apolipoprotein B synthesis.

The actions of the short acting antiestrogens, estriol and dimethylstilbestrol, and the triphenylethylene antiestrogens, tamoxifen and CI 628, were studied in rooster liver using basal and estradiol-stimulated apolipoprotein B synthesis as a response. Dose-response studies showed that estriol and dimethylstilbestrol acted as full agonists, eliciting the same maximal apolipoprotein B synthesis as did estradiol, diethylstilbestrol, and estrone. Dimethylstilbestrol showed no antagonism when given with submaximal estradiol doses. Dihydrotestosterone showed neither agonism nor antagonism for apolipoprotein B synthesis, suggesting that androgens are unlikely to participate in apolipoprotein B regulation. Tamoxifen and CI 628 were pure antagonists for estradiol-stimulated apolipoprotein B synthesis. Neither compound altered apolipoprotein B synthesis in control roosters, suggesting little or no agonistic activity for these agents or their metabolites in rooster liver. Tamoxifen administration to estradiol-treate...
Leukocyte adhesion and microvessel permeability

To investigate the direct effect of leukocyte adherence to microvessel walls on microvessel permeability, we developed a method to measure changes in hydraulic conductivity (L p) before and after l...
Medicaid Managed Care and Urban Poor People:Implications for Social Work

Many state Medicaid programs are implementing managed care, and more can be expected to do so in the future. Medicaid managed care will have an important impact on Medicaid recipients and uninsured people who live in cities. It will also pose significant new challenges for hospitals, community health centers, and clinics serving these populations and for social workers practicing in these settings. Social workers need to understand the reasons for Medicaid managed care's development and phenomenal growth and its likely impact or clients, service delivery, and access to care in medically underserved urban neighborhoods. This article identifies roles for social workers in supporting clients in the transition to Medicaid managed care and advocating for policies that will improve access to care for disadvantaged urban populations.
THE RESPONSE OF CULTURED MAMMALIAN CELLS TO DIPHTHERIA TOXIN I. AMINO ACID TRANSPORT, ACCUMULATION, AND INCORPORATION IN NORMAL AND INTOXICATED SENSITIVE CELLS

The response to diphtheria toxin of two sensitive cell lines, KB and HeLa, was investigated. Inhibition of the incorporation of radioactively labeled amino acids into protein was the earliest detectable effect of diphtheria toxin. It was observed that, during the period of intoxication, the cell membrane was morphologically intact and retained its semi-permeable character, although it was rendered fragile and more easily disrupted by mechanical manipulations than the normal cell. The transport of amino acids continued even after intoxicated cells had ceased to synthesize protein, and the levels accumulated were equal to those of control cells. It was observed that cultural conditions, age, and handling of cells affected their response to toxin. In early log phase cells subjected to a minimum of handling before application of the toxin, the normally observed latent period preceding detectable effects was reduced to 15 min for KB cells and 30 min for HeLa cells, shorter times than previously reported. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that diphtheria toxin enters susceptible cells, possibly by pinocytosis, and there acts upon cytoplasmic sites of protein synthesis.
Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases are a large group of disabling disorders of the nervous system, characterized by the relative selective death of neuronal subtypes. In most cases, there is overwhelming evidence of impaired mitochondrial function as a causative factor in these diseases. More recently, evidence has emerged for impaired mitochondrial dynamics (shape, size, fission-fusion, distribution, movement etc.) in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease. Here, we provide a concise overview of the major findings in recent years highlighting the importance of healthy mitochondria for a healthy neuron.
Relationship between obstructive sleep apnea severity and sleep, depression and anxiety symptoms in newly-diagnosed patients.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs in at least 10% of the population, and leads to higher morbidity and mortality; however, relationships between OSA severity and sleep or psychological symptoms are unclear. Existing studies include samples with wide-ranging comorbidities, so we assessed relationships between severity of OSA and common sleep and psychological disturbances in recently diagnosed OSA patients with minimal co-morbidities. We studied 49 newly diagnosed, untreated OSA patients without major co-morbidities such as mental illness, cardiovascular disease, or stroke; subjects were not using psychoactive medications or tobacco (mean ± std age: 46.8±9.1 years; apnea/hyponea index [AHI]: 32.1±20.5 events/hour; female/male: 12/37; weight <125 kg). We evaluated relationships between the AHI and daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale; ESS), sleep quality (Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index; PSQI), depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory-II; BDI), and anxiety symptoms (Beck Anxiety Inventory; BAI), as well as sex and body mass index (BMI). AHI was similar in females and males. Mean levels of all symptoms were above normal thresholds, but AHI was not correlated with age, ESS, PSQI, BDI, or BAI; only BMI was correlated with OSA severity. No differences in mean AHI appeared when subjects were grouped by normal versus elevated values of ESS, PSQI, BDI, or BAI. Consistent with other studies, a strong link between OSA severity and psychological symptoms did not appear in these newly diagnosed patients, suggesting that mechanisms additional to the number and frequency of hypoxic events and arousals occurring with apneas contribute to adverse health effects in OSA. OSA patients presenting with mild or moderate severity, and no major co-morbidities will not necessarily have low levels of sleep or psychological disturbances.
Quality of life of patients with Takayasu’s arteritis

Objective Takayasu's arteritis (TA) is a chronic immune vasculitis that causes inflammation of the aorta and its branches and is clinically characterized by exacerbations and remissions. This study examined the quality of life (QoL) of patients with TA using the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (SF-36) Health Survey, a validated health related QoL questionnaire. Methods Questionnaires that included the SF-36 and demographic related variables were mailed to 392 patients enrolled in the Takayasu's Arteritis Research Association. Raw SF-36 scores, as well as Physical Health Summary (PHS) and Mental Health Summary (MHS) scores, were calculated according to standard protocols. Data were analyzed for predictors of superior QoL using univariate and stepwise logistic regression analysis. SF-36 scores were also compared with those of other chronic diseases associated with peripheral vascular disease (PVD) published in the literature. Results are reported as mean ± standard error of the mean. Results A total of 158 patients (144 women, 14 men) with average age of 42.2 ± 1.1 years responded to the questionnaire. Mean onset of symptoms occurred at 30.5 ± 1.2 years, with a mean age at diagnosis of 34.7 ± 1.2, and a median of four doctors were seen before diagnosis. The group underwent 299 TA-related surgical procedures (1.9 ± 0.3), including coronary (38%), carotid (35%), upper extremity (30%), and lower extremity (26%) revascularization. PHS and MHS summary scores (39.2 ± 1.0 and 44.5 ± 1.0, respectively) were worse than mean scores for an age-matched healthy population as well as nationally reported scores for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and coronary artery disease (all P P = .003) and remission of the disease ( P = .0002). The use of immunomodulating medications was associated with inferior physical QoL ( P = .02). The sole predictor of better mental QoL was remission of disease ( P = .002). Conclusion TA is a rare disease with profound consequences on QoL. Scores for physical and mental health are worse compared with many other chronic diseases associated with PVD. Superior physical QoL is seen in younger patients, whereas inferior physical QoL is encountered in those who take immunomodulating medications. Because the only factor to influence positively both physical and mental QoL is disease remission, every effort should be directed to attenuate disease activity.
Electrocardiographic effects of changing the nature of the contact between the exposed heart and the body.

In dog studies designed to improve the accuracy of direct extracellular heart-body leads, the electrocardiographic representation of the heart when maximally insulated (connected to the body only by its vascular pedicdc) was compared with common open-chest experimental situations in which portions of the normally behaving ventricular surface are allowed to remain in contact with the body. The addition of any ventricular surface to the heart-body contact area (by removal of insulation) lowered the R-wave amplitude in all. direct heart-body leads from the ventricular surface or wall. The effects of locally altering the physiological behavior of portions of the left ventricle were also studied. Any portion of the ventricular surfaces of maximally insulated hearts could be altered by locally applied agents to show heart-body lead changes entirely confined to the area of demonstrably local physiological disturbance. Small- or medium-sized areas of transmural regional is chemia likewise produced electrocardiographic changes only in the vicinity of the ischeniic muscle. In the case of less completely in Sn lated hearts, direct heart-body lead changes consequent to localized physiological change
Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus spp. isolated from wastewater and chicken feces in the United States.

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus spp. (VRE) were isolated from sewage and chicken feces but not from other animal fecal sources (dog, cow, and pig) or from surface waters tested. VRE from hospital wastewater were resistant to ≥20 μg of vancomycin/ml and possessed the vanA gene. VRE from residential wastewater and chicken feces were resistant to 3 to 5 μg of vancomycin/ml and possessed the vanC gene.
Structure and mechanism of the lactose permease.

More than 20% of the genes sequenced thus far appear to encode polytopic transmembrane proteins involved in a multitude of critical functions, particularly energy and signal transduction. Many are important with regard to human disease (e.g., depression, diabetes, drug resistance), and many drugs are targeted to membrane transport proteins (e.g., fluoxetine and omeprazole). However, the number of crystal structures of membrane proteins, especially ion-coupled transporters, is very limited. Recently, an inward-facing conformer of the Escherichia coli lactose permease (LacY), a paradigm for the Major Facilitator Superfamily, which contains almost 4000 members, was solved at about 3.5 A in collaboration with Jeff Abramson and So Iwata at Imperial College London. This intensively studied membrane transport protein is composed of two pseudo-symmetrical 6-helix bundles with a large internal cavity containing bound sugar and open to the cytoplasm only. Based on the structure and a large body of biochemical and biophysical evidence, a mechanism is proposed in which the binding site is alternatively accessible to either side of the membrane. To cite this article: H.R. Kaback, C. R. Biologies 328 (2005).
ExtendedThumb: A Target Acquisition Approach for One-Handed Interaction With Touch-Screen Mobile Phones

In this paper, we propose ExtendedThumb, a virtual thumb proxy of a real thumb, to address the target selection problem caused by decreased thumb mobility in single-handed interaction. ExtendedThumb moves in the same direction as a real thumb with a longer moving distance on a touch screen. Users can adjust the direction of the virtual thumb by changing the dragging direction of the real thumb. The selection of a target is achieved by lifting the real thumb up from the screen when a red cross at the tip of the virtual thumb is placed on the target. The unique design of ExtendedThumb addresses common visual occlusion and low accuracy problems in one-handed interaction. We conducted an empirical user evaluation of ExtendedThumb with 36 participants who were asked to hold a mobile phone and click on targets with only one hand using three target acquisition methods, including direct touch, MagStick, and ExtendedThumb. Task completion time and error rates were analyzed using a 3 × 2 repeated measures analysis of variance with factors of target acquisition methods and target size. Bonferroni post-hoc tests were carried out for multiple comparisons. ExtendedThumb significantly outperforms MagStick in target acquisition speed, perceived ease of use, perceived effectiveness, and overall satisfaction, while achieving a similar level of accuracy. ExtendedThumb also achieves significantly higher accuracy, perceived ease of use, perceived effectiveness, and overall satisfaction than direct touch. The findings provide both research and practical insights for one-handed interaction with mobile devices.
Age Differences in Everyday Problem-Solving Effectiveness: Older Adults Select More Effective Strategies for Interpersonal Problems

Using the Everyday Problem Solving Inventory of Cornelius and Caspi, we examined differences in problem-solving strategy endorsement and effectiveness in two domains of everyday functioning (instrumental or interpersonal, and a mixture of the two domains) and for four strategies (avoidance-denial, passive dependence, planful problem solving, and cognitive analysis). Consistent with past research, our research showed that older adults were more problem focused than young adults in their approach to solving instrumental problems, whereas older adults selected more avoidant-denial strategies than young adults when solving interpersonal problems. Overall, older adults were also more effective than young adults when solving everyday problems, in particular for interpersonal problems.
Cognitive and Noncognitive Peer Effects in Early Education

Abstract We examine peer effects in early education by estimating value-added models with school fixed effects that control extensively for individual, family, peer, and teacher characteristics to account for the endogeneity of peer group formation. We find statistically significant and robust spillover effects from preschool on math and reading outcomes, but statistically insignificant effects on various behavioral and social outcomes. We also find that peer externalizing problems, which most likely capture classroom disturbance, hinder cognitive outcomes. Our estimates imply that ignoring spillover effects significantly understates the social returns to preschool.
Age-related changes in the molecular properties of vitreous collagen

To understand the molecular events underlying rheological vitreous changes, age-related changes in the molecular properties of bovine and human vitreous collagen were monitored by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The adult bovine vitreous showed an increase in the high molecular-weight components of the collagen compared with the young samples. In addition, the apparent molecular size of the alpha-chain of the adult type II collagen was slightly larger than that of the young samples. The same tendency also was observed in human vitreous. The increase of high-molecular-weight components of the vitreous collagen could be attributed to intermolecular cross-links of the peptide chains.
Standards for surgical complication reporting in urologic oncology: time for a change.

Objectives No standards for reporting surgical morbidity exist in the urologic oncology literature, yet surgical outcomes are used to assess the success of surgical techniques and surgeon competency. This study analyzes the quality of complication reporting in the urologic literature. Methods Reports identified by a MEDLINE search reporting surgical outcomes after radical prostatectomy, radical cystectomy, retroperitoneal node dissection, and radical/partial nephrectomy were analyzed using 10 established criteria for surgical complication reporting. Open (n = 73) and minimally invasive (n = 36) surgical series of 50 patients or more published from January 1995 to December 2005 were reviewed. Results A total of 109 studies reporting the outcomes for 146,961 patients, including 95 retrospective (87%), 11 prospective (10%), 1 randomized (1%), and 2 population-based (2%) studies were analyzed. Of the 10 critical reporting elements, 2% met 9 to 10, 21% met 7 to 8, 43% met 5 to 6, 30% met 3 to 4, and 4% met 1 to 2 criteria. The most commonly underreported criteria were complication definitions in 79%, complication severity/grade in 67%, outpatient data in 63%, comorbidities in 59%, and the duration of the reporting period in 56%. Additionally, 47% of minimally invasive surgical series met fewer than 5 of the 10 reporting criteria compared with 28% of open series. Of the 36 studies reporting complication severity, a numeric grading system was used in 7 (19%), with 29 (81%) of 36 using a “major versus minor” categorization but using 26 different definitions of what constituted “major.” Conclusions The disparity in the quality of surgical complication reporting in urologic oncology makes it impossible to compare the morbidity of surgical techniques and outcomes. Standard guidelines need to be established.
How does pharmacogenetic testing alter the treatment course and patient response for chronic-pain patients in comparison with the current "trial-and-error" standard of care?

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate if pharmacogenetic testing (PT) holds value for pain-management practitioners by identifying the potential applications of pharmacogenetic research as well as applications in practice.Data sourcesA review of the literature was conducted utilizing the databases EBSCOhost, B
Palliative enteroscopic stent placement for malignant mid-gut obstruction

Palliation of malignant small intestinal obstructions beyond the reach of conventional endoscopes for stent placement generally requires endoscopic decompression via a gastrostomy tube or a surgical bypass in patients who are operable candidates. With the advent of deep enteroscopy, palliative stent placement for mid-gut obstruction using currently available self-expandable metal stents may be feasible in selected cases. Proper patient selection and technical proficiency in deep enteroscopy and stent placement are key determinants for a successful outcome. Alternative means of stent delivery, including the percutaneous route, are also being developed, with the hope of expanding the use of stents in the mid small bowel beyond palliation. Copyright 2014, Society of Gastrointestinal Intervention. Published by Elsevier. All rights reserved.
Sequential replication-coupled destruction at G1/S ensures genome stability

Timely ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation is fundamental to cell cycle control, but the precise degradation order at each cell cycle phase transition is still unclear. We investigated the degradation order among substrates of a single human E3 ubiquitin ligase, CRL4(Cdt2), which mediates the S-phase degradation of key cell cycle proteins, including Cdt1, PR-Set7, and p21. Our analysis of synchronized cells and asynchronously proliferating live single cells revealed a consistent order of replication-coupled destruction during both S-phase entry and DNA repair; Cdt1 is destroyed first, whereas p21 destruction is always substantially later than that of Cdt1. These differences are attributable to the CRL4(Cdt2) targeting motif known as the PIP degron, which binds DNA-loaded proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA(DNA)) and recruits CRL4(Cdt2). Fusing Cdt1's PIP degron to p21 causes p21 to be destroyed nearly concurrently with Cdt1 rather than consecutively. This accelerated degradation conferred by the Cdt1 PIP degron is accompanied by more effective Cdt2 recruitment by Cdt1 even though p21 has higher affinity for PCNA(DNA). Importantly, cells with artificially accelerated p21 degradation display evidence of stalled replication in mid-S phase and sensitivity to replication arrest. We therefore propose that sequential degradation ensures orderly S-phase progression to avoid replication stress and genome instability.
Thiotrichales ord. nov.

The order Thiotrichales was circumscribed for this volume on the basis of phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA sequences; the order contains the families Thiotrichaceae, Piscirickettsiaceae, and Francisellaceae.
An Examination of Dynamic Gene Expression Changes in the Mouse Brain During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period

The developmental transition to motherhood requires gene expression changes that alter the brain to drive the female to perform maternal behaviors. We broadly examined the global transcriptional response in the mouse maternal brain, by examining four brain regions: hypothalamus, hippocampus, neocortex, and cerebellum, in virgin females, two pregnancy time points, and three postpartum time points. We find that overall there are hundreds of differentially expressed genes, but each brain region and time point shows a unique molecular signature, with only 49 genes differentially expressed in all four regions. Interestingly, a set of “early-response genes” is repressed in all brain regions during pregnancy and postpartum stages. Several genes previously implicated in underlying postpartum depression change expression. This study serves as an atlas of gene expression changes in the maternal brain, with the results demonstrating that pregnancy, parturition, and postpartum maternal experience substantially impact diverse brain regions.
Chemical activation through super energy transfer collisions.

Can a molecule be efficiently activated with a large amount of energy in a single collision with a fast atom? If so, this type of collision will greatly affect molecular reactivity and equilibrium ...
Total hip replacement failures. A histological evaluation.

The first twenty failed total hip replacements in one hospital population showed infection in twelve (two Charnley and ten McKee-Farrar) and loosening in eight (McKee-Farrar). Acute inflammation was present in all of the infections and ranged from mild to severe. Chronic inflammation was universally seen, more severe in the presence of infection. Intracellular and extracellular metallic debris was seen in all but two cases. Acrylic debris was found extracellularly in all cases and intracellularly in small amounts in three. Debris resembling polyethylene was seen in two patients. It was not possible to determine what part the debris played in inflammation versus infection.
Stereotaxic surgery using a television guidance system. II. Percutaneous cordotomy.

We have described a method of carrying out percutaneous cordotomy by the anterior transdiscal approach. The technique consists of using a unique TV camera developed by us to survey the guideneedle in the polar plane. A parallel grid line image is televised simultaneously and is used to transmit the angle of guide-needle correction to the real guide-needle and align it with the spinothalamic target.
Breeding of Cold Hardy Woody Landscape Plants

Cold winters, hot summers, drought, insects, and diseases take their toll on landscape plants, especially those growing in difficult urban situations. Due to widespread concern about global warming and its hazardous effects on the environment, many efforts are underway to encourage planting of trees and other landscape plants to help alleviate the greenhouse effect. For these planting efforts to be most successful, we have a pressing need for a much broader choice of well adapted cultivars. Many of our native plants and currently available introduced plants are not well adapted to the harsh conditions we’ve created in our cities. Compacted soil, poor fertility, pollution, and heat plus drought from the acres of concrete and asphalt are very different than the conditions under which these plants evolved. As a result, many trees and shrubs planted in the cities fail to survive to produce the desired effects. If we are to keep our cities green, tougher plants which can survive this man-made environment must be developed.
Affine Projection Algorithm Based Direct Adaptations for Adaptive Nonlinear Predistorters

It has been proven that adaptive nonlinear predistorters based on direct adaptation have many advantages over ones based on indirect adaptation. In this work, we develop two affine projection based direct adaptation algorithms for adaptive nonlinear predistorter: nonlinear filtered-x affine projection algorithm and nonlinear adjoint affine projection algorithm. Compared with available least mean square (LMS) based direct adaptation predistorters, predistorters based the new developed algorithms have the advantages fast convergence and efficient computational complexity. The nonlinear adjoint affine projection algorithm is computationally more efficient than the nonlinear filtered-x affine projection algorithm. Simulation results confirm the better performance of our developed algorithms.
Hybrid Treatment of Extracranial Carotid Artery Disease.

Objective:High-degree stenosis of both innominate (IA) or left common carotid artery (CCA) and carotid bifurcation is uncommon but still represents a significant challenge to interventionists in many aspects including techniques, timing, and priority. There are several strategies for intervention that have been reported in the literature. A well-described, less-invasive strategy for extracranial tandem carotid lesions is concomitant carotid endarterectomy (CEA) with retrograde carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS). In this study, we examine intermediate-term outcomes of this hybrid procedure and review other described treatments.Methods:Electronic medical records of all patients who underwent hybrid (ostial CAS and CEA) procedures in a tertiary center over the last 10 years were reviewed. High-degree stenosis of the IA or CCA was defined according to North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial criteria.Results:A total of 6 patients were identified. The population included 4 males and 2 female...
Reversal and Nonreversal Shifts in a Goldfish ( Carassiusa Ura Tus ) Classical Conditioning Situation

Goldfish were trained in reversal, nonreversal, and irrelevant shift situations with 60 or 100 preshift trials. The relevant dimensions were click and light. The attributes on the click dimension were high versus low intensity click. The attributes on the light dimension were high versus low intensity light. If the relevant stimulus was in the compound, the fish experienced the unconditioned stimulus (shock) at the end of the compound stimulus presentation. The unconditioned response and the conditioned response were the decrease in breathing that was initiated by the shock. The fish took longer to learn the irrelevant shift than the reversal or nonreversal shift. Fish, unlike other lower animals, did not learn nonreversal shifts faster than reversal shifts. No evidence was obtained for an overtraining reversal effect.
Efficient single-phase cooling techniques for durable power electronics module

This study explores the feasibility of single phase liquid channel cooling, pin fin cooling and spray cooling techniques for heat removal from a power electronic substrate. The substrate is formed using an AlN layer directly bonded to an AlSiC heat sink with a copper circuit layer. With a comparative assessment of the three cooling techniques using analytical modeling, the heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop in the package are optimized for a fixed coolant pumping power. Computational simulations of the three optimized geometries are performed to estimate the device temperatures and the maximum heat rates that can be dissipated with this pumping power. It is concluded that channel cooling yields the best thermal management performance and its use is recommended in the development of a packaged assembly.
Hybrid Donor-Acceptor Polymer Particles with Amplified Energy Transfer for Detection and On-Demand Treatment of Breast Cancer.

Judicious combination of semiconducting polymers with alternating electron donor (D) and acceptor (A) segments created hybrid nanoparticles with amplified energy transfer and red-shifted emission, while simultaneously providing photothermal capabilities. Hybrid D–A polymer particles (H-DAPPs) passively localized within orthotopic breast tumors, serving as bright fluorescent beacons. Laser stimulation induced heat generation on par with gold nanorods, resulting in selective destruction of the tumor. H-DAPPs can also undergo multiple thermal treatments, with no loss of fluorescence intensity or photothermal potential. These results indicate that H-DAPPs provide new avenues for the synthesis of hybrid nanoparticles useful in localized detection and treatment of disease.
RF tomography based optimal linear filter

Reconstructing high quality images of underground objects using ground penetrating radar (GPR) depends on method for 3D GPR data collection and processing. In this paper, we propose an accurate, fast method to reconstruct the image of underground targets using an optimal linear filter, such as matched filter processing. The match filter is the most common approach to simplify the solution of the inversion problem in GPR model. The proposed method is an optimal technical that increases the signal to noise ratio (SNR) to sharpen the quality of the image. Using this technique leads to decreased of reconstruction time. Also, it reduces the data acquisition time which is critical in most GPR applications. Compared with other algorithms, such as truncated singular value decomposition (TSVD) or algebraic reconstruction technique (ART), matched filter algorithms yield a high quality 2D image of shallowly buried objects faster and with minimal computational load or noise effect. Simulation results were carried out using the computational electromagnetic software FEKO and MATLAB, which demonstrate the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed reconstruction method.
On the weakly nonlinear seakeeping solution near the critical frequency

We study theoretically and numerically the nonlinear seakeeping problem of a submerged or floating body translating with constant forward speed parallel to the undisturbed free surface while at the same time undergoing a small oscillatory motion and/or encountering small-amplitude waves at frequency . It is known that at the critical frequency corresponding to , where is the gravitational acceleration, the classical linear solution is unbounded for a single point source, and the inclusion of third-order free-surface nonlinearity due to cubic self-interactions of waves is necessary to remove the associated singularity. Although it has been shown that the linear solution is in fact bounded for a body with full geometry rather than a point source, the solution still varies sharply near the critical frequency. In this work, we show theoretically that for a submerged body, the nonlinear correction to the linear solution due to cubic self-interactions of resonant waves in the neighbourhood of is of first order in the wave steepness (or body motion amplitude), which is the same order as the linear solution. With the inclusion of nonlinear effects in the dispersion relation, the wavenumbers of resonant waves become complex-valued and the resonant waves become evanescent, with their amplitudes vanishing with the distance away from the body. To assist in understanding the theory, we derive the analytic nonlinear solution for the case of a submerged two-dimensional circular cylinder in the neighbourhood of . Independent numerical simulations confirm the analytic solution for the submerged circular cylinder. Finally, we also demonstrate by numerical simulations that similar significant nonlinear effects for a surface-piercing body exist in the neighbourhood of .
Enabling Secure Data Exchange.

The emergence of diverse networked data sources has created new opportunities for the sharing and exchange of data. In support of this, a fruitful line of research has resulted in distributed data processing and integration systems [19, 17, 29, 30, 3]. However in practice, fear of unauthorized disclosure or malicious tampering requires that data stay safely behind firewalls or remain protected by secure servers. Our goal is to overcome these limitations and enable secure data exchange and sharing in distributed integration scenarios. Such scenarios are characterized by many interacting data sources and many data consumers. Primary sources create and publish data; intermediate sources combine, extract, and modify the data for further dissemination; data consumers query it. This paper describes issues in secure data exchange, and illustrates some solutions proposed in the authors’ own work. The basic requirements of secure data exchange are confidentiality and integrity. Confidentiality means that unauthorized parties are prevented from reading data. In data exchange, confidentiality is provided through encryption and managing keys that allow access. Confidentiality benefits data sources who need to protect data. Integrity (in its basic form) means that unauthorized parties are prevented from modifying data. In data exchange, integrity is provided through digital signatures and data certification techniques. Integrity benefits both data sources (who need to make sure data attributed to them is not modified) and data consumers (who need guarantees that the data they use has not been tampered with). Confidentiality and integrity are distinct goals and the tools for each are different. In particular, techniques for providing confidentiality do not by themselves provide integrity. Participants can guarantee both properties by combining techniques. We describe the basic features of our envisioned framework for secure data exchange below:
Relation between free fatty acid and acyl-CoA concentrations in rat brain following decapitation.

To ascertain effects of total ischemia on brain phospholipid metabolism, anesthetized rats were decapitated and unesterified fatty acids and long chain acyl-CoA concentrations were analyzed in brain after 3 or 15 min. Control brain was taken from rats that were microwaved. Fatty acids were quantitated by extraction, thin layer chromatography and gas chromatography. Long-chain acyl-CoAs were quantitated by solubilization, solid phase extraction with an oligonucleotide purification cartridge and HPLC. Unesterified fatty acid concentrations increased significantly after decapitation, most dramatically for arachidonic acid (76 fold at 15 min) followed by docosahexaenoic acid. Of the acyl-CoA molecular species only the concentration of arachidonoyl-CoA was increased at 3 min and 15 min after decapitation, by 3–4 fold compared with microwaved brain. The concentration of docosahexaenoyl-CoA fell whereas concentrations of the other acyl-CoAs were unchanged. The increase in arachidonoyl-CoA after decapitation indicates that reincorporation of arachidonic acid into membrane phospholipids is possible during ischemia, likely at the expense of docosahexaenoic acid.
Role of Mutual Cellular Repulsions in the Rheology of Concentrated Red Blood Cell Suspensions

The question of whether or not the zeta potential, and therefore intercellular electrostatic repulsion, is a significant factor in determining the flow properties of cell suspensions remains largely unanswered. It has been previously shown that at high and intermediate rates of shear, the viscosity of erythrocyte suspensions is unaltered when the cellular zeta potential is drastically reduced (1). This communication describes experiments in which the flow properties of erythrocyte suspensions are examined under conditions which produce increased zeta potentials.
The Sir Model When S(t) Is a Multi-Exponential Function

The SIR Model When S(t) is a Multi-Exponential Function by Teshome Mogessie Balkew The SIR can be expressed either as a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations or as a nonlinear Volterra integral equation. In general, neither of these can be solved in closed form. In this thesis, it is shown that if we assume S(t) is a finite multi-exponential, i.e. function of the form S(t) = a+ ∑n k=1 rke −σkt or a logistic function which is an infinite-multi-exponential, i.e. function of the form S(t) = c+ a b+ewt , then we can have closed form solution. Also we will formulate a method to determine R0 the basic reproductive rate of an infection.
Montaigne: Founder of Modern Liberalism

In this essay David Lewis Schaefer summarizes and defends the argument set forth in his book The Political Philosophy of Montaigne (Cornell University Press, 1990; second edition 2019) that Michele...
Internal consistency and validity of measures of automatic exercise associations

Abstract Researchers increasingly recognize that exercise and physical activity may be determined by interacting explicit and implicit processes. While this trend has led to a substantial increase in the use of measures of implicit processes within exercise psychology, such measures are typically selected without a supporting rationale. To facilitate the refinement of theoretical models and the testing of interventions, investigating the internal consistency and validity of measures of implicit processes, such as automatic exercise associations, is crucial. Objectives To assess the internal consistency and validity of nine measures of automatic exercise associations. Method Participants (N = 95) completed an exercise session at the intensity of the ventilatory threshold, intended to generate heterogeneous affective responses. One week later, they also completed nine randomly ordered measures of automatic exercise associations. The slope of affect ratings during exercise, affect ratings at the end of exercise, recalled affect, explicit affective attitude, self-reported exercise, and situated decisions to exercise served as validation criteria. Results Three of the nine measures exhibited acceptable to good internal consistency. Only the Approach-Avoidance Task was significantly and meaningfully related to any of the validation criteria (i.e., self-reported exercise and situated decisions to exercise). Conclusions Most measures of automatic exercise associations exhibited unsatisfactory internal consistency and were unrelated to the validity criteria. For research on the role of implicit processes in exercise and physical activity to advance, further psychometric evaluation and refinement of measures is needed.
Surfactant-Mediated Assembly of Amphiphilic Janus Spheres.

We investigate how amphiphilic Janus particle assembly structures, including clusters and striped two-dimensional (2D) crystals, are influenced by the addition of surfactant molecules. Janus partic...
Survivorship Wellness: Insights from an Interdisciplinary Group-Based Survivorship Pilot Program at a Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Author(s): Cohen, Jamie Alexis; Shumay, Dianne M; Chesney, Margaret A; Goyal, Neha; Barulich, Mikela; Levin, Anna O
Tocilizumab use in COVID-19-associated pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: We sought to evaluate the effect of tocilizumab (TCB), a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody against soluble interleukin-6 receptors, in patients hospitalized for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: We included all patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 who had completed hospitalization between March 10, 2020 and April 10, 2020 with follow-up through April 20, 2020. Patients who received TCB in addition to standard of care within 48 h of admission were matched in a 1:2 fashion to a similar cohort who received standard of care alone. Clinical outcomes were compared between matched groups. The primary outcome was de-escalation in oxygen therapy. Secondary outcomes were in-hospital death, septic shock, and acute kidney injury (AKI) requiring hemodialysis. RESULTS: Out of 77 patients who received TCB in addition to standard of care, 34% (n = 26) received TCB within 48 h of admission. One-to-two propensity matching identified 20 versus 40 patients in the TCB and no-TCB treatment arms. In the TCB group, an improvement in oxygenation was observed in 80% (n = 16) of the patients by 7 days post TCB administration. After matching, there was no difference in clinical outcomes between TCB and no-TCB patients. In-hospital death: 10% versus 8%; p = .823, septic shock: 10% versus 11%, p = .912, AKI requiring hemodialysis (10% vs. 13%; p = .734). CONCLUSIONS: Early treatment with TCB in patients admitted for COVID-19 led to an improvement in their oxygen status during hospitalization. This change however did not translate into improved survival when compared to a matched cohort with a similar clinical profile.