cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Central Neurocytoma Treatment Modalities: A Systematic Review Assessing the Outcomes of Combined Maximal Safe Resection and Radiotherapy with Gross Total Resection

Background Central neurocytomas (CNCs) are rare intraventricular lesions comprising Objective Our goal was to update Rades et al.‘s 2006 systematic review to assess the outcome differences among 3 fundamental therapies for CNC: gross total resection with and without radiation therapy (RT) versus maximal safe resection with adjuvant RT. Methods Articles indexed on PubMed and Google Scholar and published between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2019 were selected using the PRISMA criteria. Studies were excluded if they had fewer than 3 cases, did not categorize extent of resection, or were duplicate studies, technical reports, case reports, or studies without follow-up. Complication rates, recurrence rates, overall survival and progression-free survival were extracted where possible. χ2 proportionality tests were used for comparison (P values >0.05 suggested significance). Results On aggregation, 615 patients from 13 studies including ours were assessed. Although overall survival was not significantly different (χ2 = 1.56; P = 0.46), the recurrence rate differed significantly between GTR + RT (6.9%, 92.11 months), GTR–RT (23.9%, 96.8 months), and MSR + RT (16.8%, 85 months) (χ2 = 10.94; P = 0.004). Pooled complication rates for GTR and MSR + RT were 31.2% and 24% (P = 0.049), respectively. Conclusions RT remains an important adjuvant treatment that can improve patient survival in the presence of MSR to levels comparable to those of GTR or GTR + RT. Where total resection carries too much risk, MSR + RT can be considered as the next best alternative for tumor control.
Effect of vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids early posthatch supplementation on reducing the severity of wooden breast myopathy in broilers.

Abstract The wooden breast (WB) myopathy is identified by the palpation of a rigid pectoralis major (P. major) muscle and is characterized as a fibrotic, necrotic P. major muscle disorder in broilers resulting in reduced breast meat quality. Breast muscle affected with WB is under severe oxidative stress and inflammation. The objectives were to identify the effects of dietary vitamin E (VE) and omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids independently or in combination when fed during the starter phase (0–10 D) or grower phase (11–24 D) on growth performance, meat yield, meat quality, and severity of WB myopathy and to determine the most beneficial dietary supplementation period. A total of 210 Ross 708 broiler chicks were randomly assigned into 7 experimental groups with 10 replicates of 3 birds each. The control group was fed with corn–soybean meal basal diet with VE (10 IU/kg) and n-3 fatty acids (n-6/n-3 ratio of 30:1) at a standard level during the entire study (0–58 D). Supplementation of VE (200 IU/kg), n-3 fatty acids (n-6/n-3 ratio of 3:1), or combination of both was performed during the starter phase or grower phase. Growth performance, meat yield, meat quality, and WB scores were obtained. There was no significant difference in final body weight and meat yield when VE was increased (P > 0.05). In contrast, n-3 fatty acids supplementation in starter diets significantly decreased final body weight, hot carcass weight, and chilled carcass weight of broilers (P ≤ 0.05). The P. major muscle from broilers supplemented with VE in starter diets had lower shear force than in grower diets (P ≤ 0.05). Supplemental VE reduced the severity of WB and in starter diets showed a more beneficial effect than those fed VE in the grower diets. These data are suggestive that additional supplementation of dietary VE may reduce the severity of WB and promote breast meat quality without adversely affecting growth performance and meat yield.
Central Venous Catheter Insertion in the Prone Position-A Last Resort in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients.

Background:In the setting of the COVID pandemic, many patients falling ill with acute respiratory distress syndrome eventually require prone positioning for gas exchange. Traditionally, central ven...
Associations With Virtual Visit Use Among Patients Receiving Radiation Therapy.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S): To test for associations in virtual visit use among radiation oncology patients. MATERIALS/METHODS: Using the electronic medical record, we extracted encounter data and corresponding patient information the 6 months prior to and 6 months of COVID-enabled virtual visits (10/1/2019-3/22/2020 versus 3/23/2020-9/1/2020) at a large tertiary cancer center. Encounters during COVID were categorized as in-person or virtual visits. Descriptive and univariate analysis was conducted on the characteristics of patient populations during the pre-COVID period to establish baseline demographics and compare to the during COVID period. Examined demographic variables included race, ethnicity, age, sex, marital status, preferred language, insurance status and tumor characteristics including disease site. Univariate and multivariable (MVA) logistic regression examined patient demographic and disease characteristics associated with virtual visit use. RESULTS: We analyzed 4,974 total encounters, (2,287 pre-COVID and 2,687 during COVID), among 3,960 total patients. All (100%) pre-COVID encounters were in-person whereas during COVID, 21% of encounters were via virtual visits. Overall, there were no differences identified in pre- versus during COVID patient characteristics. However, we found significant differences in patient characteristics for in-person versus virtual encounters during COVID. On MVA, virtual visit use was less common among patients of minority race (white nâ¯=â¯321 versus black nâ¯=â¯100 and other nâ¯=â¯35, OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.57-0.94, Pâ¯=â¯0.014) and not married (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.61-1.00, Pâ¯=â¯0.048). Patients diagnosed with head and neck (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.42-0.96, Pâ¯=â¯0.030), breast (OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.20-0.60, Pâ¯=â¯< 0.001), GI/abdominal (OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.16-0.62, Pâ¯=â¯0.001) or hematologic malignancy (OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.04-0.84, Pâ¯=â¯0.029), were less likely to use virtual visits relative to patients with genitourinary malignancy. CONCLUSION: While the patient populations were similar prior to and during COVID, when controlling for available variables, we found significant differences in virtual visit use by patient characteristics, including race and marital status as well as disease characteristics. Further study is needed to elucidate additional factors that underlie these differences in virtual visit utilization; health equity should be considered when implementing virtual visits. Our findings raise the hypothesis that vulnerable patient groups may benefit from additional interventions and outreach to enable equitable access.
The legacy of fire: long-term changes to the forest understory from periodic burns in a New England oak-hickory forest

Over the last century, fire exclusion has caused dramatic structural and compositional changes to southern New England forests, highlighting the need to reintroduce fires into the historically pyrogenic landscape to study the response. We investigated the effects of a single overstory thinning and midstory removal to create an open oak-hickory woodland structure, followed by repeated prescribed burns. We hypothesized that burning would create greater floristic diversity comprising fire-tolerant woody regeneration and shade-intolerant herbaceous flora. We followed shifts in plant structure, composition, and diversity over a 23-year period, using a before-after-control-impact design with data collected once prior to burning and twice after burn treatments had begun and with soil samples collected after nearly 20 years of burning. We observed a dense ingrowth of saplings on unburned plots that were largely absent from burned plots and a shift in midstory composition to favor mesic sweet birch (Betula lenta L.) in the unburned treatment, as opposed to the hickories (Carya Nutt. spp.) and oaks (Quercus L. spp.) that dominated the burned treatment. Burning resulted in a significantly greater density, richness, Shannon diversity, and evenness of understory vegetation (forbs, shrubs, tree seedlings). These four measures remained high on burned plots, despite a decrease in both floristic diversity and evenness on unburned plots and a reduction in unburned site-level richness. Understory composition varied significantly by year and burn treatment, with unburned plots largely characterized by shade-tolerant species while burned plots showed an enhanced abundance of heliophilic plants. Our results suggest that periodic burning increases nutrient microsite heterogeneity and periodically maintains greater understory light, both of which in turn increase understory plant density and diversity and cause a shift in understory composition. This study shows that repeated prescribed burns in an open New England woodland have lasting structural and compositional effects capable of restoring pre-settlement, pyrogenic vegetation patterns.
AIRCRAFT BLUNDERS DURING SIMULTANEOUS INSTRUMENT APPROACHES.

The FAA has conducted simultaneous instrument approaches to parallel runways for over 30 years. Development of new runway spacing standards and equipment, such as the Precision Runway Monitor, has ...
Least-Squares Sequential Parameter and State Estimation for Large Space Structures

This paper presents the formulation of simultaneous state and parameter estimation problems for flexible structures in terms of least-squares minimization problems. The approach combines an on-line order determination algorithm, with least-squares algorithms for finding estimates of modal approximation functions, modal amplitudes, and modal parameters. The approach combines previous results on separable nonlinear least squares estimation with a regression analysis formulation of the state estimation problem. The technique makes use of sequential Householder transformations. This allows for sequential accumulation of matrices required during the identification process. The technique is used to identify the modal parameters of a flexible beam.
Merging Sets of Taxonomically Organized Data Using Concept Mappings under Uncertainty

We present a method for using aligned ontologies to merge taxonomically organized data sets that have apparently compatible schemas, but potentially different semantics for corresponding domains. We restrict the relationships involved in the alignment to basic set relations and disjunctions of these relations. A merged data set combines the domains of the source data set attributes, conforms to the observations reported in both data sets, and minimizes uncertainty introduced by ontology alignments. We find that even in very simple cases, merging data sets under this scenario is non-trivial. Reducing uncertainty introduced by the ontology alignments in combination with the data set observations often results in many possible merged data sets, which are managed using a possible worlds semantics. The primary contributions of this paper are a framework for representing aligned data sets and algorithms for merging data sets that report the presence and absence of taxonomically organized entities, including an efficient algorithm for a common data set merging scenario.
Programming Process Coordination in Little-JIL

Process programming languages have not been readily adopted by practitioners. We are addressing this problem through the development of Little-JIL, a language that focuses on the coordination aspects of processes and provides a visual representation, yet one that is rigorous enough for execution and formal reasoning. We have used Little-JIL to program several software engineering processes, knowledge discovery processes, and are working on processes to coordinate robot teams. We believe the simplicity gained by focusing on coordination and visualization should make Little-JIL both readily adoptable and widely useful.
When Obscenity Discriminates

When public indecency statutes outlaw gender nonconformity, obscenity discriminates; when movie ratings censor representations of sexual minorities, obscenity discriminates, and discriminates on the basis of their status as sexual minorities. This Article addresses obscenity doctrine's infliction of first generation, or status discrimination against sexual minorities by conflating "sex" - and the prurient representation of sex that constitutes obscenity - and "sexual orientation." Civil rights lawyers and scholars have turned their attentions away from "first generation" discrimination," where groups experience discrimination on the basis of their status, and toward "second generation" discrimination, where groups experience discrimination for failing to downplay or "cover" traits constitutive of their group identities. However, some groups, particularly those in civil rights law's "second wave" - sexual minorities, women, the elderly, and the disabled - continue to suffer first generation discrimination harms. This Article bridges first amendment and anti-discrimination literatures, which until now have not come together to address a harm that falls within their individual, and collective, jurisdictions. Moreover, and perhaps more importantly, the Article addresses a pervasive harm that courts will likely not have the opportunity to resolve. Because their representation is classified as obscenity, and therefore unprotected speech for first amendment purposes, sexual minorities are effectively barred by obscenity doctrine from bringing suit to assert their first amendment rights.
Adaptive Control for Flexible Space Structures with Measurement Noise

This paper addresses the problem of measurement noise in the design of adaptive controllers for large space structures. It is shown by simulation that although the well known "fix" based on introducing leakage terms in the adaptive law is successful in eliminating drift in the adaptive gains, the overall control demand remains unrealistically high. In order to reduce the control demand, it is necessary to attenuate the noise by introducing filters at key positions in the adaptive configuration. However, arbitrary choice and placement of noise filters is dangerous since filter lags tend to cause instabilities in the adaptation loop. This phenomenon is verified by simulation. The main result of this paper is a general theory for introducing noise filters into the adaptive controller so as to effectively suppress measurement noise, while insuring global stability of the adaptive algorithm. This result utilizes the new concept of a "branch filter" which allows filtering of the output error without introducing phase lag into the adaptive loop. The effectiveness of the proposed methods are demonstrated by simulation on an adaptive payload articulation control for a Space Station model.
Support needs and survivorship concerns of thyroid cancer patients.

Background: The number of thyroid cancer (TC) survivors is increasing exponentially worldwide. However, little research details the unmet information, support needs, and survivorship concerns of TC patients. Methods: Two thousand TC survivors completed an online survey examining the importance of and recollection of receiving care addressing three areas at the time of diagnosis and treatment: medical/physical issues, practical matters, and emotional/psychological concerns. A summed score was generated of (1) the “important” responses for each category, and (2) if they remembered receiving that information/support. Regression analyses explored the relationship between each total score of importance and a patient's demographics, treatment, and recollection of receiving each domain of information/support. Results: Respondents were generally female (88.6%), part white (91.1%), and had eventual total thyroidectomy (95.8%) and radioiodine (80.6%). Mean age at diagnosis was 42.1 years and average time from diagn...
METHYL KETONE METABOLISM IN HYDROCARBON-UTILIZING MYCOBACTERIA.

Lukins, H. B. (University of Texas, Austin) and J. W. Foster. Methyl ketone metabolism in hydrocarbon-utilizing mycobacteria. J. Bacteriol. 85: 1074-1087. 1963.-Species of Mycobacterium especially M. smegmatis 422, produced the homologous methyl ketones during the oxidation of propane, n-butane, n-pentane, or n-hexane. A carrier-trapping experiment demonstrated the formation of 2-undecanone, as well as 1,11-undecanedioic acid, during the oxidation of undecane-1-C(14). Aliphatic alkane-utilizing mycobacteria were able to grow at the expense of several aliphatic methyl ketones as sole sources of carbon. Other ketones which did not support growth were oxidized by resting bacterial suspensions. M. smegmatis 422 cells grown on propane or acetone were simultaneously adapted to oxidize both substrates, as well as n-propanol. n-Propanol cells were unadapted to propane or acetone. Acetone produced from propane in a medium enriched in D(2)O contained a negligible quantity of D, presumably eliminating propylene as an intermediate in the oxidation. Cells grown at the expense of alkanes or methyl ketones in the presence of O(2) (18) had a higher content of O(18) than did cells grown on terminally oxidized compounds, e.g., primary alcohols or fatty acids. An oxygenase reaction is postulated for the attack on methyl ketones. Acetol was isolated and characterized as an oxidation product of acetone by M. smegmatis 422. Acetol-grown cells had a higher O(18) content than did n-propanol cells, and its utilization appears to involve at least one oxygenase reaction. Acetol produced from acetone in the presence of O(2) (18) was not enriched in the isotope, indicating the occurrence of exchange reactions or of oxygenation reactions at a later stage in the assimilation of acetone and acetol.
The variation in the maximum loading of a circular cylinder impacted by a 2D vortex with time of impact

Abstract Direct numerical simulation is used to study the loading of a rigid, circular cylinder impacted by a 2D vortex. The vortex travels within a stream of fluid characterized by Reynolds number of 150. Vortex impact occurs at twenty-five different times within one vortex shedding cycle. Substantial variation is observed in the maximum values of the drag and lift force coefficients. This variation is due to interaction between the impinging vortex and those attached to the cylinder. As the radius of the impinging vortex is increased from one to three times the cylinder’s diameter, the variation in maximum force coefficients with time of impact decreases. The variation decreases because the larger vortex alters the flow field and vortex shedding cycle prior to impacting the cylinder. For structures impacted by a vortex similar in size, significant under-prediction of the maximum loading may occur if variation in loading with vortex impact time is not considered.
Classifier designs for binary classifications of ground vehicles

Our goal for this study is to construct classifiers with minimum classification error rates for three binary classification problems based on their acoustic emissions, namely tracked versus wheeled vehicles, heavy-tracked versus light-tracked vehicles, and heavy-wheeled versus light-wheeled vehicles. Because the acoustic measurements of a run correspond to tens or hundreds of seconds, and are time-varying, we segment them into one-second data blocks, and use the data blocks (which we call prototypes) for classification. The magnitudes of the second through 12th harmonics of each prototype are used as the features. We find, by analyzing the features within each run and across runs, that the run-means and run-standard-deviations of the features vary from run to run for all kinds of vehicles. We therefore use type-2 fuzzy sets to model the uncertainties contained in these features, and then construct type-2 fuzzy logic rule-based classifiers (FL-RBC) for these three binary classification problems. To evaluate the performance of the type-2 FL-RBCs in a fair way, we also construct the Bayesian classifiers and type-1 FL-RBCs, and compare their performance through leave-one-out experiments. Our experiments show that both the type-1 and type-2 FL-RBCs have significantly better performance than the Bayesian classifier, and the type-2 FL-RBC has better performance than the type-1 FL-RBC for all three classification problems. So we conclude that the type-2 FL-RBCs are the desired classifiers for these three binary classification problems.
The problems of eukaryotic and prokaryotic DNA packaging and in vivo conformation posed by superhelix density heterogeneity

Systems for gel electrophoresis in the presence of one of the inter-calative unwinding ligands, ethidium or chloroquine, have been developed which permit the resolution of highly supercoiled closed circular DNA molecules differing by unit values of the topological winding number, . All native closed circular DNAs examined, including the viral and intra-cellular forms of SV40 and polyoma DNA, bacterial plasmid DNAs, and the double stranded closed circular DNA genome of the marine bacterio-phage, PM2, are more heterogeneous with respect to the number of super-helical turns present than are the thermal distributions observed in the limit products of the action of nicking-closing (N-C) enzyme on the respective DNAs. In the cases of SV40 and polyoma, where it has been shown that the supercoiling is a combined consequence of the binding of the four nucleosomal histones, H2a, H2b, H3 and H4, and the action of N-C enzyme, the breadth of the distributions within the form I DNAs poses specific problems since the work of other laboratories indicates that the number of nucleosomes on the respective minichromosomes falls within a narrow distribution of 21. If it is assumed that all nucleosomes have identical structures, and that the DNA within a nucleosome is not free to rotate, the native DNA would be anticipated to be less heterogeneous than the thermal equilibrium mixtures present in N-C enzyme relaxed SV40 and polyoma DNAs. The absolute number of superhelical turns (at 37°C in 0. 2 M NaCl) in virion polyoma DNA has been determined to be 26 ± 1, which is the same value obtained for virion SV40 DNA. This is consistent with the observations that polyoma DNA has a higher molecular weight, a lower superhelix density, but the same number of nucleosomes as SV40 DNA. In addition, the distributions within the virion and intracellular form I DNAs of both SV40 and polyoma were found to be indistinguishable.
USDA Nutrition Evidence Library: methodology used to identify topics and develop systematic review questions for the birth-to–24-mo population

The USDA's Nutrition Evidence Library (NEL) specializes in conducting food- and nutrition-related systematic reviews that are used to inform federal government decision making. To ensure the utility of NEL systematic reviews, the most relevant topics must be addressed, questions must be clearly focused and appropriate in scope, and review frameworks must reflect the state of the science. Identifying the optimal topics and questions requires input from a variety of stakeholders, including scientists with technical expertise, as well as government policy and program leaders. The objective of this article is to describe the rationale and NEL methodology for identifying topics and developing systematic review questions implemented as part of the "Evaluating the evidence base to support the inclusion of infants and children from birth to 24 months of age in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans--the B-24 Project." This is the first phase of a larger project designed to develop dietary guidance for the birth to 24-mo population in the United States.
Mixl1 localizes to putative axial stem cell reservoirs and their posterior descendants in the mouse embryo.

Abstract Mixl1 is thought to play important roles in formation of mesoderm and endoderm. Previously, Mixl1 expression was reported in the posterior primitive streak and allantois, but the precise spatiotemporal whereabouts of Mixl1 protein throughout gastrulation have not been elucidated. To localize Mixl1 protein, immunohistochemistry was carried out at 2–4 h intervals on mouse gastrulae between primitive streak and 16-somite pair (s) stages (∼E6.5–9.5). Mixl1 localized to the entire primitive streak early in gastrulation. However, by headfold stages (∼E7.75–8.0), Mixl1 diminished within the mid-streak but remained concentrated at either end of the streak, and localized throughout midline posterior visceral endoderm. At the streak’s anterior end, Mixl1 was confined to the posterior crown cells of Hensen’s node, which contribute to dorsal hindgut endoderm, and the posterior notochord. In the posterior streak, Mixl1 localized to the Allantoic Core Domain (ACD), which is the source of most of the allantois and contributes to the posterior embryonic–extraembryonic interface. In addition, Mix1 co-localized with the early hematopoietic marker, Runx1, in the allantois and visceral yolk sac blood islands. During hindgut invagination (4–16s, ∼E8.5–9.5), Mixl1 localized to the hindgut lip, becoming concentrated within the midline anastomosis of the splanchnopleure, which appears to create the ventral component of the hindgut and omphalomesenteric artery. Surrounding the distal hindgut, Mixl1 identified midline cells within tailbud mesoderm. Mixl1 was also found in the posterior notochord. These findings provide a critical systematic, and tissue-level understanding of embryonic Mixl1 localization, and support its role in regulation of crucial posterior axial mesendodermal stem cell niches during embryogenesis.
Comparisons among various forms of individual stutterers' disfluency

Abstract A contemporary issue in stuttering theory and research involves the question of whether stuttering behaviors should be treated as a functional unit or be dealt with individually and more analytically. In this study, several disfluent behaviors of two adult stutterers were scrutinized during massed oral readings of a simple prose passage. Statistical evaluations of various aspects of the data gathered revealed significant differences between the frequencies of, and courses followed by, many of these disfluent responses. These results were interpreted as supporting the need for more discriminative assessments of stuttering behaviors.
Mutual orientation of three magnetic tensors in a polycrystalline dipeptide by dipole-modulated 15N chemical shift spectroscopy

This study demonstrates the mutual orientation of three tensor interactions in a single NMR experiment. The orientation of the 15N chemical shift tensor relative to the molecular frame has thus been determined in polycrystalline L‐[1‐13C] alanyl‐L‐[15N] alanine. The 13C–15N and 15N–1H dipole interactions are determined using the 1H dipole‐modulated, 13C dipole‐coupled 15N spectrum obtained as a transform of the data in t2. From simulations of the experimental spectra, two sets of polar angles have been determined relating the 13C–15N and 15N–1H dipoles to the 15N chemical shift tensor. The values determined are βCN =106°, αCN =5° and βNH =−19°, αNH =12°. The experiment verifies, without reference to single crystal data, that σ33 lies in the peptide plane and σ22 is nearly perpendicular to the plane.
Pulmonary Artery Catheter Occlusion as an Indication of Pulmonary Embolus

Two patients with respiratory failure had consistently reproducible findings on insertion of flow directed pulmonary artery catheters which led to the subsequent diagnosis of pulmonary embolus. Occlusion of the catheter tip and development of a rising "overwedge" tracing on deflation of the balloon may mean the catheter tip has become embedded in clot. When combined with the inability to obtain a wedge tracing, the deflation "overwedge" tracing should alert the physician to the possibility of unsuspected pulmonary embolus.
Histological Abnormalities and Bacterial Proliferation in Red Drum and Black Drum Ovaries

Abstract Histological examination of formalin-fixed ovarian tissues from sexually mature red drums Sciaenops ocellatus and black drums Pogonias cromis revealed abnormally shaped oocytes, modified histological staining properties, and infections of a large, gram-positive, rod-shaped bacterium. These conditions were encountered only during the species' respective spawning seasons and occurred at seasonal incidences of 0–33%. We have variously interpreted the abnormalities as artifacts of poor tissue preparation, as an unusual form of midseason atresia, as an epizootic, and as artifacts of delayed or incomplete preservation of tissues. While a definitive interpretation has yet to be reached, a return to and strict adherence to prompt and complete preservation of all ovarian tissues has drastically decreased incidences of the anomalies and bacterial infections in both species.
A revision of Atlantic species of Photostomias (Teleostei: Stomiidae: Malacosteinae), with a description of a new species

While one or possibly two species of the genus Photostomias have been recognized, an unpublished revision of the Malacosteinae suggested that there may be as many as six species worldwide. Our review of museum material revealed three taxa in the Atlantic alone: Photostomias atrox Alcock, 1890; Photostomias guernei Collett, 1889; and a new species described herein. Because of a paucity of Indo-Pacific material and a need to better document Atlantic biodiversity, we treat only the Atlantic species at this time. A key to the identification of Atlantic Photostomias is given.
Obesity and osteoarthritis of the knee: evidence from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES I)

The importance of systemic/metabolic factors in the association of obesity with radiographic knee osteoarthritis (OA) was examined for 3,905 adults aged 45 to 74 from the United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1971 to 1975 (NHANES I). Obesity was associated with both bilateral and unilateral OA, but more strongly with bilateral OA. Obesity was also associated with both symptomatic and nonsymptomatic knee OA. Controlling for age, sex, serum cholesterol, serum uric acid, diabetes, body fat distribution, bone density, and blood pressure did not significantly reduce the association between obesity and knee OA. Findings from these data are not supportive of a metabolic link between obesity and knee OA.
Effect of polyhydric alcohols on kinetic parameters of enzymes

Abstract The effect of glycerol and other polyhydric compounds on the kinetic parameters of sixteen enzymes has been investigated. Substantial changes in Km and turnover rate were observed. Kinetic values obtained depended on pH as well as on the specific polyhydric compound added and its concentration. No pattern in direction or extent of change in kinetic constants was evident.
Two-sided Global Estimates of the Green’s Function of Parabolic Equations

We are able to derive lower and upper bounds for the Green’s function for the parabolic operator of the divergence form. These estimates hold over the whole domain. Similar results were obtained by E. Davies and Q. Zhang, respectively.
On the existence of Zeno behavior in hybrid systems with non-isolated Zeno equilibria

This paper presents proof-certificate based sufficient conditions for the existence of Zeno behavior in hybrid systems near non-isolated Zeno equilibria. To establish these conditions, we first prove sufficient conditions for Zeno behavior in a special class of hybrid systems termed first quadrant interval hybrid systems. The proof-certificate sufficient conditions are then obtained through a collection of functions that effectively ?reduce? a general hybrid system to a first quadrant interval hybrid system. This paper concludes with an application of these ideas to Lagrangian hybrid systems, resulting in easily verifiable sufficient conditions for Zeno behavior.
Gelatinization and Melting of Starch and Tribochemistry in Extrusion

Cooking of starch is traditionally achieved by supplying sufficient thermal energy to it as in baking and broiling processes. Whereas in extrusion cooking, both thermal and shear energy are usually present in doing the job. The relative importance of each of the two energy sources are difficult to assess in the process. The interactions between water and the anhydroglucose unit of the starch are discussed. The kinetics of starch conversion to cooked starch at excess or limited water contents are reviewed. Calorie per calorie, shear energy is more efficient in cooking starch than thermal energy. And shear energy alone, without thermal energy input, can cause cooking of starch if the energy level is high enough. In order to capitalize on the effect of shear energy on starch cooking, running the extruder at low temperatures, say lower than 50°C is recommended.
Results of automatic image registration are dependent on initial manual registration.

Measurement of static alignment of articulating joints is of clinical benefit and can be determined using image-based registration. We propose a method that could potentially improve the outcome of image-based registration by using initial manual registration. Magnetic resonance images of two wrist specimens were acquired in the relaxed position and during simulated grasp. Transformations were determined from voxel-based image registration between the two volumes. The volumes were manually aligned to match as closely as possible before auto-registration, from which standard transformations were obtained. Then, translation/rotation perturbations were applied to the manual registration to obtain altered initial positions, from which altered auto-registration transformations were obtained. Models of the radiolunate joint were also constructed from the images to simulate joint contact mechanics. We compared the sensitivity of transformations (translations and rotations) and contact mechanics to altering the i...
Hip-hop emotional exploration in men

The focus of this brief review is on how Hip-hop impacts men's willingness to disclose emotion, or even to inquire about counseling. Researchers are exploring the impact of gender norms on the effectiveness of counseling sessions. Emotional writing has been a form of counseling suggested to be particularly effective with male clients. In this paper we explore how Hip-hop based therapy can be a culturally relevant approach for effective counseling with men.
A variant of S49 mouse lymphoma cells with enhanced secretion of cyclic AMP.

A novel variant of S49 mouse lymphoma cells is described which is resistant to growth arrest and cytolysis by dibutyryl cyclic AMP but, in contrast to previously described variants, has normal cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. The variant is also resistant to N6-monobutyryl cAMP but is sensitive to killing by 8-bromo cAMP and cholera toxin. Extracts of the variant appear to contain wild type levels of both O2′-butyrylesterase and cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activities. Accumulation of exogenous [3H]dibutyryl cyclic AMP is reduced in the variant suggesting a defect in either uptake or secretion of the analog or its metabolic products. Accumulation of cyclic AMP in variant cells after stimulation of adenylate cyclase with either isoproterenol or cholera toxin is also reduced compared with wild type cells, although cyclase activity of membranes prepared from the variant cells is normal. Extracellular accumulation of cyclic AMP after stimulation of variant cells with isoproterenol is greater than that found with wild type cells. It is concluded that the variant has an alteration in its cyclic AMP secretion mechanism resulting in more efficient extrusion of cyclic AMP than in wild type cells.
Age-Ratios and Condition of En Route Migrant Blackpoll Warblers in the British Virgin Islands

ABSTRACT The en route migration ecology of Blackpoll Warblers (Setophaga striata) is poorly understood, yet intriguing. Blackpoll Warblers undertake the longest open water migration of any wood warbler species, traveling from northeastern North America to South America, with the first potential landfall being the West Indies. This migration requires substantial energy reserves and subjects Blackpoll Warblers to unpredictable weather events, which may influence survival. Few studies have examined age ratios or condition of Blackpoll Warblers while the warblers are en route through the Caribbean region. I captured and banded Blackpoll Warblers in the British Virgin Islands over 10 consecutive autumn migrations. Ratios of hatch-year to adult Blackpoll Warblers were variable but averaged lower than the ratios reported at continental departure locations. Average mass of Blackpoll Warblers was less than that reported at continental departure locations, with 26% of adults and 40% of hatch-year birds below the es...
Using comics to communicate qualitative user research findings

This paper is a case study of how exploratory, qualitative interview findings were communicated to product teams through the visual design language of comics.
Autonomy as Self-Sovereignty

The concept of autonomy as self-sovereignty is developed in this essay through an examination of the thought of American transcendentalist philosophers Emerson and Thoreau. It is conceived as the quality of living in accordance with one’s inner nature or genius. This conception is grounded in a transcendentalist moral anthropology that values independence, self-reliance, spirituality, and the capacity to find beauty in the world. Though still exerting considerable popular and academic influence, both the concept of autonomy as self-sovereignty and the underlying anthropology diverge in important ways from counterparts that are prominent in contemporary bioethics. Autonomy as self-sovereignty calls into question the manifold ways that patients (and citizens) are brought to heel by institutional (and political) values they do not themselves affirm. It also emphasizes the inevitable deep plurality of moral visions of health and appropriate healthcare, rejecting tendencies (strong in mainstream bioethics) to regard “health” as a univocal concept or healthcare as a basic need, to attempt to conform “reasonable” clinical decision-making to a single model, and to appoint government as a guarantor of access to healthcare or a regulator of healthcare standards. Autonomy as self-sovereignty, like its competitors, can justify itself only in question-begging terms. Still, bioethics might do well to recognize it within the mix of moral visions.
Construction and use of a miniaturized rabbit ear chamber.

Abstract A small rabbit ear chamber has been designed which provides a mature neovascularization within a 3 week period, and it is suitable for high-magnification in vivo observations of the microcirculation in the unanesthetized animal. The assembly and insertion of the chambers are described in detail, as well as, the technique for maintaining and utilizing them over prolonged periods of time.
Effect of artificial aging on the fatigue crack propagation resistance of 2000 series aluminum alloys

Artificial aging performed to impart higher strength generally degrades the fatigue crack propagation (FCP) resistance of naturally aged 2xxx-series aluminum alloys. This behavior is examined for commercial AA2024-T351 and a naturally aged Al–Cu–Mg–Li alloy stressed in high-humidity air. Environmental fatigue crack growth rate decreases with initial-artificial aging, then increases monotonically with increasing aging time. Overaging does not improve cracking resistance. This effect of microstructure is pronounced at low stress intensity factor range and persists for high stress ratio conditions that minimize crack closure. For both alloys, the highest resistance to fatigue crack growth correlates with the presence of artificial aging intensified solute clusters, and absence of distinct precipitates, as evidenced by electron microscopy and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). Increased crack growth rates correlate with the dissolution of clusters and/or the formation of an increasing amount of S precipitates for AA2024 and T1 precipitates for the Li-bearing alloy. The fundamental effects of very fine-scale clusters and precipitates on cyclic-slip mode and environment-sensitive crack tip damage are unresolved.  2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Influence of naloxone and tolerance on citric acid cycle response to morphine and pain

Abstract Sherman and MItchell (1972) have described a drug-test interaction between morphine and pain which consisted of three phases: (1) a reduction in levels of Krebs cycle intermediaries by morphine, (2) a reduction due to pain, and (3) a return toward control levels with the combination of morphine and pain. Three studies were performed to determine (1) whether the drug-test interaction was also observed in mouse brain or liver, (2) the effect of tolerance on the development of this phenomenon, and (3) the effect of naloxone on this phenomenon. Male CF1 mice were given either saline or morphine and either exposed to analgesic testing or not, then frozen in liquid nitrogen. Brains and livers were analysed for acids of the citric acid cycle by gas chromatography. In experiment II, a tolerant population was used. In experiment III, the effect of naloxone was observed. In experiment I, the three-part interaction was observed in brain, but not in liver. Experiment II showed that tolerance prevented the occurrence. Experiment III showed that naloxone counteracted the effect of morphine on pain. However, naloxone itself also blocked the alteration in Krebs cycle intermediaries produced by pain. This latter finding argues against these changes in Krebs cycle intermediaries being related to either pain or analgesia but they may be related to some other action of morphine.
Analysis of a Remote System to Closely Monitor Glycemia and Insulin Pump Delivery—Is This the Beginning of a Wireless Transformation in Diabetes Management?

Episodes of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia in between blood glucose checks—especially during sleep— can go unrecognized for children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems have introduced a new tool to monitor glucose levels for people with diabetes in real time and to alert them when glucose levels are above or below target range. However, many of the alarms are not heard at night by the children or adolescents or by their parents who oversee their treatment. The mySentry™ system is a device that is designed to relay real-time insulin pump and CGM data for display elsewhere in the house. In this issue of Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, Kaiserman and coauthors report on the acceptability, usefulness, and user friendliness of the mySentry for families with children and adolescents with T1DM, which was determined by survey results during a 3-week study period. Based on the results, the mySentry system met all predefined criteria for acceptability without safety issues in this smallscale, short-term study and as an example of wireless systems integration in diabetes management.
Chameleon tables: using context information in everyday objects

The Chameleon Table project created a set of hexagonal tables. They are modular and are able to snap together. The design portrays some goals that can be achieved by having a table that is aware of changes in its surroundings and includes this as part of its technology. By creating this infastructure, we have been able to make several scenarios including musical instruments, sending messages between tables, and menus that change with apparent use in a food scenario. This paper also shows the use of a network for broadcasting context information.
Ectoparasites Collected from Eastern Cottontails in the Southeastern United States

Eastern Cottontail rabbits from 11 southeastern slates were examined for ectoparasites. The most prevalent arthropods were Haemaphysalis leporispalustris, Ixodes dentatus, Cediopsylla simplex , and Odontopsyllus multispinosus . Nine additional ectoparasite species were found at low prevalence rates, viz., Amblyomma americanum, Dermacentor variability Ixodes scapularis, Trombicula sp., Tricholipeurus parallelus, Cuterebra sp., Euhoplopsyllus glacialis affinis, Nosopsyllus fasciatus , and Pulex sp. The survey revealed that ticks were prevalent throughout the year and that flea infestations were highest in winter and spring and lowest in summer.
Impact of Maternal Employment on Daughters' Sex-Role Orientation and Fear of Success

Maternal employment was related to scores on the Bem Sex-role Inventory as well as to fear of success in a sample of 90 high school females. Data indicated that the daughters of working mothers were significantly more androgynous and demonstrated less fear of success than did the daughters of non-working mothers. Results are discussed in terms of the modeling of a broad spectrum of sex-role behaviors by the employed mothers that are positively reflected in the daughters' self-concept.
Influence of limb positioning and measurement method on the magnitude of the tibial plateau angle.

Objective— To evaluate the effect of limb positioning and measurement technique on the magnitude of the radiographically determined tibial plateau angle (R-TPA). Study Design— In vitro study, R-TPA was determined by 6 blinded observers and image measurement software. Animals— Five canine cadaver hind limbs. Methods— The legs were positioned on a custom-made positioning device simulating a radiographic tabletop technique in lateral recumbency. True lateral positioning was defined by superimposition of femoral and tibial condyles on the radiographic projection. Radiographs were taken while the specimens were relocated in a proximal, distal, caudal, and cranial direction with respect to the radiographic beam. For each specimen, 25 different radiographic views were obtained and 6 blinded observers determined the radiographic TPA using 2 different methods. The conventional method used precise anatomic landmarks to determine the tibial plateau. To simulate osteoarthritic changes complicating identification of these landmarks, the tangential method estimated the tibial plateau as the tangent to the central portion of the tibial plateau. After periarticular soft tissue dissection the anatomic tibial plateau angle (A-TPA) was determined. The A-TPA and the R-TPA were compared. Results— The R-TPA significantly decreased as limb position with respect to the X-ray beam changed from cranial proximal to caudal distal. The maximal mean radiographic R-TPA difference was 3.6° with the first and 5.7° with the second method. Regardless of the method used there was no significant difference between A-TPA and R-TPA in the true lateral position. In the peripheral positions, however, significant differences between anatomic and radiographic TPA were seen. Conclusions— Limb positioning influenced the radiographic appearance of the tibial plateau and the magnitude of the measured TPA. Cranial and proximal positioning of the limb relative to the X-ray beam leads to overestimation whereas caudal and distal positioning leads to underestimation of the TPA. Clinical Relevance— True lateral positioning of the tibia defined by superimposition of the femoral and tibial condyles should be used for accurate TPA determination before tibial plateau leveling osteotomy.