cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Long-Term Mechanical Durability of Coatings

The long-term durability of a coating is strongly dependent upon the coating’s resistance to crack growth, which is governed by the stress in the coating and the coating’s fracture energy. Stresses in a coating generally increase as weathering time progresses due to continued cure of the coating, physical aging, and cyclic stresses from thermal and moisture expansion mismatch between the coating and substrate. A coating’s fracture energy generally decreases as weathering progresses due to degradation of the binder network induced by both photooxidation and hydrolysis. The regular cracking patterns observed in most coatings is a result of stress relief around cracks that have already propagated.
Morbidity and Mortality of Meningioma Resection Increases in Octogenarians

Background The incidence of meningioma has increased drastically recently, particularly in older adults. Surgical intervention has the potential to reduce neurologic symptoms and achieve favorable, long-term outcomes. There is considerable variability in the literature examining the relationship between age and outcomes after meningioma surgery. The objective of this study was to identify the relationship between age and postoperative complications after craniotomy for resection of meningioma. Methods The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was used to identify patients undergoing craniotomy for meningioma resection between 2005 and 2012. Multivariate analysis was used to identify associations between age and postoperative complications. Results Age >80 years is an independent risk factor for any complication (odds ratio [OR], 2.374; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3–4.4; P = 0.015), death within 30 days of surgery (OR, 15.7; 95% CI, 3.0–81.0; P 5 days (OR, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.8–5.6; P Conclusions Advanced age, particularly >80 years, is an independent predictor of morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing craniotomy for resection of meningioma. As such, it should be considered in preoperative optimization and risk stratification.
Performance characterization and acceleration of big data workloads on OpenPOWER system

IBM's POWER processor has been advocated as the high-performance architecture designed for processing Big Data workloads. With the collaborations through the OpenPOWER Foundation, more and more innovations for POWER architecture are emerging to solve Big Data challenges. For example, with the cooperation between IBM and Mellanox, the latest generation of Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) capable InfiniBand network can deliver tremendous performance on POWER processors. On the other hand, many RDMA-based designs and optimizations recently have been proposed in the community for accelerating big data processing systems (such as Apache Hadoop and Spark). However, these studies mostly focus on achieving higher performance over Intel Xeon or other x86 architectures. As OpenPOWER systems are getting momentum, we set out to answer the question how much can the RDMA-based communication runtime benefit Big Data processing middleware running over OpenPOWER systems as compared to the default TCP/IP-based designs. To answer this question, this paper first presents an extensive performance characterization on RDMA-based Hadoop RPC engine over OpenPOWER system. We further propose new designs to enable efficient CPU affinity policies and architecture-aware tuning in the RDMA-based communication engine for Hadoop and Spark. With these various accelerations, our performance evaluation shows that our proposed designs can achieve up to 2.73X performance improvement for Hadoop RPC benchmark as compared to default Hadoop running with IP-over-IB protocol on OpenPOWER systems. In addition, our proposed design can gain up to 29.37% performance improvement for Hadoop and Spark workloads as compared to the default RDMA designs running on an OpenPOWER cluster.
Isolation and Preliminary Characterization of Inhibin-f

Although a gonadal regulation of hypophysial gonadotrophin secretion is established, the nature of this feedback is not fully known. In certain pathological conditions (1) or after selective destruction of the germinal epithelium (2), FSH levels are elevated whereas LH levels are not. These observations suggest that the secretion of FSH is under the control of a factor other than that controlling LH secretion (2). Recent evidence in the female (3) also supports the concept of the dissociation of secretion of FSH and LH.
Comparison of anthropometry of Brazilian and US Military population for flight deck design

Abstract A valid anthropometric dataset is essential to optimize the design of personal equipment and aircrafts. Until recently there were no anthropometric data available for the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) pilot population, and hence international military data have often been used in Defense procurement specifications. Currently, the Brazilian Aeronautical Industry is designing military aircraft using legacy U.S. military anthropometric data. Some accommodation problems have been identified among FAB pilots, highlighting the necessity to investigate this possible issue. The anthropometric data of the six critical body measurements indicative of cockpit design from the U.S military legacy databases were compared one at a time to the FAB corresponding anthropometric data in three ways: F-test, t-test, and 5th - 95th percentile limits. This study aimed to verify whether the U.S. Military Personnel legacy databases are applicable to the Brazilian pilot population for aircraft cockpit design purpose. Brazilian pilots were significantly (p The reported anthropometric analyses can be used as relevant consideration in product, workplaces, and system design. The U.S. legacy databases were considered inappropriate for ergonomic cockpit design for the Brazilian Air Force pilots. Relevance to industry: When designing complex workplaces, systems, and personal protective devices, designers and ergonomists should use anthropometric data from a sample population that represents the body size variation expected in the target population. The anthropometric comparisons presented in this study are useful to design an ergonomic flight deck layout for both genders.
Everyday Indignities: Race, Retaliation, and the Promise of Title Vii

The racial gap . . . can only be closed by recognizing it, and by recognizing why it exists. That will not come to pass as long as we insist on dividing people into different camps and then swearing that differences don't count or that repeated blows to the soul shouldn't be taken seriously. For the truth is that the often hurtful and seemingly trivial encounters of daily existence are in the end what most of life is.
Finite-Difference Schemes for the Density-Gradient Equations

Two new finite-difference schemes are derived for solving the density-gradient equations describing quantum transport in semiconductors that improve on a simple linear discretization. The first scheme is also linear but includes additional terms that serve to maintain conservation to second order. The second scheme is a nonlinear exponential-fitting method that is more complicated but also more efficient than the linear schemes. The methods are evaluated numerically using device examples involving both quantum confinement and tunneling and are shown to perform quite well allowing for a substantial easing in the mesh refinement especially in tunneling problems.
Advancing Understanding of Cultural Competence, Cultural Sensitivity, and the Effects of Cultural Incompetence

If we are to achieve a richer culture, rich in ­contrasting values, we must recognize the whole gamut of human potentialities, and so weave a less arbitrary social fabric, one in which each diverse human gift will find a fitting place (Mead, 1935, p. 218).
Auswahl und Qualifizierung des Geräteherstellers

Eine der wichtigsten Entscheidungen bei der Validierung von fremdbezogenen Geraten ist die Auswahl eines geeigneten Gerateherstellers. Ohne die Hilfe des Gerateherstellers und der entsprechenden Dokumentation kann praktisch kein Nachweis erbracht werden, das Software wahrend der Entwicklung validiert wurde. Der Hersteller kann auch durch direkte Hilfe bei der Installation und Inbetriebnahme den dafur normalerweise erforderlichen Zeitaufwand verkurzen. Eine erhebliche Zeit- und Kostenersparnis erfolgt weiterhin durch Arbeitsanweisungen, zertifizierte Standards und Software fur die automatische Gerateuberprufung vor und wahrend des laufenden Routinebetriebs. In diesem Kapitel werden Hinweise gegeben, was bei der Auswahl des Gerateherstellers im Hinblick auf eine schnelle, effiziente und zuverlassige Validierung zu beachten ist.
INTERPRETING TIME DEPENDENCY IN CAREER PROCESSES

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the interpretation of time dependency in career processes and discusses some implications of the vacancy competition theory for the effect of time in the labor force on rates of gains in attainment. These implications contrast with those that can be drawn from human capital theory or the partial adjustment model related to that theory. Recall errors invalidate the prediction from the vacancy competition theory when the full sample of events is analyzed. Retrospective life history and other event-history data on job moves permit the application of sophisticated statistical estimation techniques to continuous-time stochastic models of mobility processes, allowing both individual heterogeneity and time dependency. Varieties of internal labor market theory and the related idea of vacancy competition structures emphasize the analysis of career and promotion processes for identifying matching processes allocating people to jobs in internal labor markets or vacancy competition systems. The vacancy competition theory for the socioeconomic attainment process proposes a particular conception of the way by which individual characteristics and structurally created opportunities interact in producing career lines and socioeconomic attainment outcomes.
Comparison of Patients Undergoing Multiorgan Transplantation with or without Prior Ventricular Assist Device

Purpose Both multiorgan transplantation and ventricular assist devices (VAD) pose significant challenges including sensitization, immunosuppressive treatment, and infrastructure demands. Despite these challenges, we hypothesized that the recipients of multiorgan transplants with and without VADs would have equivalent survival. We compared the survival of multiorgan transplant recipients with and without prior VAD placement. Methods We retrospectively analyzed all patients who underwent heart-kidney and heart-liver transplants at Stanford University from January 1993 to December 2017. The multiorgan transplant recipients were divided into two cohorts: those patients who had a VAD prior to transplantation and those who did not have a VAD prior to transplantation. Demographic data was collected and survival analysis was performed. Results During the study period, 53 patients underwent either heart-kidney (45) or heart-liver (8) transplantation. Eleven multiorgan recipients had a VAD prior to transplantation and 42 multiorgan recipients did not have a VAD prior to transplantation. Multiorgan transplant recipients who underwent prior VAD placement had a higher weight (p=0.01), compared to multiorgan transplant recipients without VAD placement. Otherwise, there were no significant differences in age (p=0.3), body mass index (p=0.43), waitlist time (p=0.3), allograft ischemic time (p=0.64), hospital stay (p=0.9), donor age (p=0.49), or donor cardiac ejection fraction (p=0.57). Using Kaplan-Meier Survival Analysis, the overall survival was similar in the VAD to multiorgan transplantation cohort as compared to the multiorgan transplantation cohort without VAD (log rank p=0.5343). Conclusion We demonstrated that patients undergoing multiorgan transplantation after VAD placement have similar survival to those patients who underwent multiorgan transplantation without previous VAD placement.
The Cataloging of Self-Published Items

This article presents the results of a 2015 survey of librarians who catalog self-published items. The survey was conducted in response to the growing popularity of self-publishing and the increasi...
Indole 3-Butyric Acid Metabolism and Transport in Arabidopsis thaliana

Auxin is a crucial phytohormone involved in multiple plant developmental processes. Spatiotemporal regulation of auxin levels is necessary to achieve development of organs in the proper place and at the proper time. These levels can be regulated by conversion of auxin [indole 3-acetic acid (IAA)] from its conjugated forms and its precursors. Indole 3-butyric acid (IBA) is an auxin precursor that is converted to IAA in a peroxisomal β-oxidation process. In Arabidopsis, altered IBA-to-IAA conversion leads to multiple plant defects, indicating that IBA contributes to auxin homeostasis in critical ways. Like IAA, IBA and its conjugates can be transported in plants, yet many IBA carriers still need to be identified. In this review, we discuss IBA transporters identified in Arabidopsis thus far, including the pleiotropic drug resistance (PDR) members of the G subfamily of ATP-binding cassette transporter (ABCG) family, the TRANSPORTER OF IBA1 (TOB1) member of the major facilitator superfamily (MFS) family and hypothesize other potential IBA carriers involved in plant development.
A randomized trial of a one-time pest intervention: impact on childhood asthma outcomes.

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of a one-time, apartment-level Integrated Pest Management (IPM) intervention on healthcare utilization and asthma symptoms among children with persistent asthma ...
Reinforced designs: Multiple instruments plus control groups as evidence factors in an observational study of the effectiveness of Catholic schools

Absent randomization, causal conclusions gain strength if several independent evidence factors concur. We develop a method for constructing evidence factors from several instruments plus a direct c...
Design of broad and large physical responses from atomistic simulations

Using an effective Hamiltonian scheme within classical Monte Carlo simulations, we numerically investigate the effect of epitaxial strain on various physical quantities of the promising lead-free $(1\ensuremath{-}x)\mathrm{Ba}({\mathrm{Zr}}_{0.2}{\mathrm{Ti}}_{0.8}){\mathrm{O}}_{3}--x({\mathrm{Ba}}_{0.7}{\mathrm{Ca}}_{0.3}){\mathrm{TiO}}_{3}$ solid solutions for different compositions. It is found that some combinations of strain and concentration lead to physical responses that are not only broad with temperature around 300 K but also large, including dielectric and piezoelectric coefficients. The origins of these useful and striking features are revealed.
Portable, consumer-grade pulse oximeters are accurate for home and medical use: Implications for use in the COVID-19 pandemic and other resource-limited environments

Objective To determine the correlation between 3 lightweight portable pulse oximeter devices compared to a standard wall mount pulse oximetry device. Methods We performed a single-center, prospective, observational study of 4 pulse oximetry devices, 3 of which are commercially available to the public. A convenience sample of 200 emergency department (ED) patients with chief complaints of cardiopulmonary origin or a peripheral capillary oxygen saturation ≤ 94 percent were enrolled. Analysis of variance was performed to compare SpO2s and test characteristics of the 3 devices compared to control. Results Although differences in measured SpO2s were observed (P Conclusion The 3 commercially available devices were accurate enough to be clinically useful when compared to a hospital bedside monitor pulse oximeter. Consumer-grade portable pulse oximeters may be useful if overwhelming numbers of patients require oxygen saturation monitoring, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Theory for the world to come: speculative fiction and apocalyptic anthropology: by Matthew J. Wolf-Meyer, Minneapolis, University of Minnesota Press, 2019, viii + 108 pp., US$10.00 (paperback), ISBN: 978-1-5179-0780-8

In Theory for the World to Come: Speculative Fiction and Apocalyptic Anthropology, Matthew J. Wolf-Meyer examines the futures on offer in a handful of imaginative works. These are mostly, though no...
Intention to Adopt mHealth Apps Among Informal Caregivers: Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Caregiving responsibility can change caregivers’ lives; modify their emotions; and make them feel frustrated, fearful, and nervous, thereby imposing physical and mental stress. Caregiving-related mobile apps provide a platform for obtaining valuable and trusted information, connecting more easily with other caregivers, monitoring medications, and managing appointments, and assessing health requirements and conditions of care receivers. Such apps also incorporate valuable resources that address care for the caregivers. Despite the potential benefits of caregiving-related apps, only a limited number of caregivers have adopted and used them. Objective: The aim of this study is to explore the important factors that affect caregivers’ intentions to integrate related mobile apps into their routine caregiving responsibilities. Methods: Using the protection motivation theory, we conducted a cross-sectional study among 249 participants. Purposive sampling was used to target participants who met 4 inclusion criteria: US residents, owning and using a smartphone, informal caregivers (individuals who give care to a friend or family member without payment) who provided at least 8 hours of care per week in the past year, and those currently not using any mobile app for caregiving purposes. We created a survey using Qualtrics and posted it on Amazon’s Mechanical Turk website. Participants received monetary compensation after successful completion of the survey. Results: We found that capabilities and skills of caregivers to use mobile apps, the app’s effectiveness in responding to the needs of caregivers, the degree of control of caregivers over their responsibilities, and the decisions they make for their care receivers can predict their willingness to adopt caregiving-related apps. In addition, the severity of health status and vulnerability of care receivers to unexpected health changes indirectly shape their caregivers’ decisions to adopt and use mobile apps for caregiving purposes. Conclusions: This study explores the important factors that affect informal caregivers’ intentions to adopt related mobile apps into their routine caregiving responsibilities. The results contribute to both mobile health adoption and the caregiving literature, and they offer significant implications for developers, health care practitioners, and policy makers. Trial Registration:
Brain concentrations of glutamate and GABA in human epilepsy: A review.

Abstract An imbalance between excitation and inhibition has been a longstanding proposed mechanism regarding ictogenesis and epileptogenesis. This imbalance is related to increased extracellular glutamate in the brain and/or reduction in GABA concentrations, leading to excitotoxicity, seizures, and cell death. This review aims to summarize the microdialysis and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) literature investigating glutamate and GABA concentrations in epilepsy patients, present limitations, and suggest future directions to help direct the search for novel epilepsy treatments. The majority of microdialysis studies demonstrated increased glutamate in epileptic regions either compared to control regions or to baseline levels; however, sample sizes were small, with some statistical comparisons missing. For the MRS research, two of six studies reported significant changes in glutamate levels compared to controls, though the results were mixed, with one reporting increased and the other reporting decreased glutamate levels. Eleven of 20 studies reported significant changes in Glx (glutamate + glutamine) or Glx ratios, with most reporting increased levels, except for a few epilepsy syndromes where reduced levels were reported. Few studies investigated GABA concentrations, with one microdialysis and four spectroscopy studies reporting increased GABA levels, and one study reporting decreased GABA in a different brain region. Based on this review, future research should account for medication use; include measurements of GABA, glutamate, and glutamine; use high-tesla strength MRI; and further evaluate the timing of microdialysis. Understanding the importance of brain glutamate and GABA levels in epilepsy may provide direction for future therapies and treatments.
Master Class: Class Communications

Commentary and analysis of issues relating to the ability of plaintiffs’ attorneys to communicate with class members in class action litigation under Rule 23. Judicially-imposed limitations are motivated by issues of misrepresentation, improper class solicitation, the stirring-up of litigation, and the broader impact of class litigation on a corporate defendant’s image and business affairs. The leading Supreme Court decision dealing with class communications is Gulf Oil Co. v. Bernard, 452 U.S. 89 (1981), acknowledging the broad authority to control the conduct of parties and counsel in class actions, and setting forth standards governing judicial orders regulating class communications. The article explores the relationship of the plaintiffs’ attorneys’ duties to the class and Rule 23(a)(4)’s requirement for adequate representation. How may class attorneys carry out their duties of adequate representation if their ability to communicate with the class is limited? Does the First Amendment to the Constitution prohibit courts from issuing gag orders against discussing a proposed action with putative class members? Communication with class members is a major concern in class action management, governed by Rule 23(d). Provisions of the MANUAL FOR COMPLEX LITIGATION also offer standards and best practices rules for class counsel in communicating with class members.
SEASONAL INORGANIC NITROGEN RELEASE IN ALPINE LAKES ON THE COLORADO WESTERN SLOPE

In the Rocky Mountains, the association of increases in acidic deposition with increased atmospheric loading of sulfate and direct changes in surface water chemistry has been well established. The ...
Teaching for Ethical Reasoning

This article argues for the importance of teaching for ethical reasoning. Much of our teaching is in vain if it is not applied to life in an ethical manner. The article reviews lapses in ethical reasoning and the great costs they have had for society. It proposes that ethical reasoning can be taught across the curriculum. It presents an eightstep model of ethical reasoning that can be applied to ethical challenges and illustrates its application. The eight steps range from recognizing there even is a situation to which to respond, to acting. It is argued that ethical behavior requires the completion of all eight steps. It further points to a source of frustration in the teaching and application of ethics: ethical drift. Finally it draws conclusions.
Music therapy dramatically decreases distress for women hospitalised in a high‐risk obstetrics/gynaecology setting

Bauer CL, Victorson D, Rosenbloom S, Barocas J, Silver RK. Alleviating distress during antepartum hospitalization: a randomized controlled trial of music and recreation therapy. J Women's Health 2010; 19: 523–31.
Three-Dimensional Rotational Angiography-Guided Stent Placement for Treatment of Acquired Supravalvar Aortic Stenosis.

A 15-year–old boy with a history of d-transposition of the great arteries, status postarterial switch procedure with LeCompte maneuver, and severe neoaortic regurgitation underwent neoaortic valve replacement with an Edwards Magna 23-mm pericardial bioprosthesis, along with reconstruction of the ascending aorta with a bovine graft. At routine follow-up 8 months after surgery, he was found to have a harsh systolic ejection murmur over his midprecordium, with a prominent palpable bruit over both carotid arteries. Echocardiography demonstrated a Doppler mean gradient >50 mm Hg through the ascending aorta, but 2-dimensional imaging was unable to define the anatomic lesion because of poor acoustic windows. Left ventricular systolic function was mildly decreased. Subsequent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging documented a long stenosis of the ascending aorta with a minimum diameter of 11 mm. Given the patient history of multiple and recent cardiac operations, both surgical and transcatheter management options were discussed in a multidisciplinary setting. After presenting these options to the patient and his family, they elected to proceed with endovascular stent placement. At the time of catheterization, the peak systolic gradient from the left ventricle to the distal ascending aortic arch was 50 mm Hg. Three-dimensional rotational angiography (3DRA) using a DynaCT system (Siemens, Munich, Germany) demonstrated …
Formation of a mandibular condyle in vitro by tissue engineering

Abstract Purpose: Mandibular reconstructive procedures often produce significant donor site morbidity. Recently, the use of minimally invasive techniques has been reported for mandibular reconstruction with decreased morbidity at the primary operative site. To date, these techniques have not addressed the graft donor site. We hypothesize that tissue-engineering techniques may be used to fabricate bone and thereby eliminate donor site morbidity. Methods: Porcine mesenchymal stem cells (pMSCs) were isolated from the bone marrow of 3 Yucatan minipigs and grown in standard culture flasks. When they became near-confluent, cells were detached and replated with the addition of osteogenic supplements. A model of a porcine mandibular condyle was made and used to fabricate porous polymer scaffolds from biodegradable poly DL -lactic–co-glycolic acid (PLGA). Differentiated osteoblasts were transferred to the PLGA scaffold and cultured for 6 weeks in a rotational oxygen-permeable bioreactor system. The cultured constructs, consisting of scaffold and cells, were evaluated by gross, radiologic, and histologic examinations. Results: The engineered constructs were white and hard and had a shape that closely resembled that of the model condyle. Plain radiographs demonstrated that the radiodensity of the construct was between that of the normal condyle and that of control scaffolds. Histologically, bone was observed on the entire surface of the PLGA scaffolds with an average thickness of 0.03 mm. Bone was not observed in the control scaffolds. Conclusion: In this pilot study, autologous tissue-engineered bone constructs were successfully made by combining biodegradable polymers and pMSCs. © 2003 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons J Oral Maxillofac Surg 61:94-100, 2003
NEONATAL METHADONE WITHDRAWAL SYNDROME: CORRELATION WITH PLASMA METHADONE CONCENTRATION AND MATERNAL METHADONE DOSAGE

The relationships between maternal dose of methadone and neonatal withdrawal, and between neonatal plasma levels of methadone ([M]) and symptomatology have been investigated. Methadone was analyzed by gas chromatography; recovery was 88-94 % in the 0.1-1.0 ug/ml range. Ten mothers and their neonates were studied: 3 mothers were taking methadone 10 mg/day and 5, 40-60 mg/day; 2 mothers were detoxified during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. All 8 infants of mothers on methadone exhibited withdrawal; 3 had no detectable [M] in the 1st 24 hours of life; 2 of these began withdrawal in the 1st few hours of life and the 3rd after 24 hours. In the other 5 symptomatic infants [M] at birth = 0.07-.14 ug/ml; in 4,[M] = 0-.06 uq/ml after 24 hours, at which time withdrawal began, and the 5th had [M] = 0.12 ug/ml at 24 hours with no detectable [W] at 48 hours. Withdrawal commenced in this infant shortly thereafter. Neither infant of the detoxified mothers developed withdrawal nor had they any detectable [M] at birth. Thus there appears to be no relationship between maternal dosages of methadone (10-60 mg/day) and the time of onset of neonatal withdrawal. Infants born to mothers who are drug-free in the 3rd trimester do not withdraw. Newborns with [M] = .07-.14 uq/ml do not withdraw: withdrawal begins when [M] falls to 0-.06 ug/ml.
Rumi Is a CAP10 Domain Glycosyltransferase that Modifies Notch and Is Required for Notch Signaling

Summary Notch signaling is broadly used to regulate cell-fate decisions. We have identified a gene, rumi, with a temperature-sensitive Notch phenotype. At 28°C–30°C, rumi clones exhibit a full-blown loss of Notch signaling in all tissues tested. However, at 18°C only a mild Notch phenotype is evident. In vivo analyses reveal that the target of Rumi is the extracellular domain of Notch. Notch accumulates intracellularly and at the cell membrane of rumi cells but fails to be properly cleaved, despite normal binding to Delta. Rumi is an endoplasmic reticulum-retained protein with a highly conserved CAP10 domain. Our studies show that Rumi is a protein O -glucosyltransferase, capable of adding glucose to serine residues in Notch EGF repeats with the consensus C 1 -X-S-X-P-C 2 sequence. These data indicate that by O -glucosylating Notch in the ER, Rumi regulates its folding and/or trafficking and allows signaling at the cell membrane.
Females Have a Greater Incidence of Stress Fractures than Males in Both Military and Athletic Populations: A Systemic Review

ABSTRACTObjective: The purpose of this study was to review incidence of stress fractures in military and athlete populations and identify factors explaining causes and differences in the incidence among genders. Methods: Searches were conducted using several major databases. The studies were included if they were original studies including both male and female subjects and their aim was to identify incidence rates and risk factors contributing to the development of stress fractures. Of several thousand studies, 11 focusing on military populations and 10 on athletes are discussed. Results: In both populations, females had higher incidence of stress fractures, with incidence of ∼3% and ∼9.2% for males and females, respectively, in military populations and ∼6.5% and ∼9.7%, respectively, in athletes. Conclusions: Factors possibly explaining why females are more susceptible to stress fractures include bone anatomy, lower aerobic capacity, smaller muscle, and poor diet. However, both female recruits and athlete...
Differential magnetic catch and release: experimental parameters for controlled separation of magnetic nanoparticles

Differential magnetic catch and release (DMCR) has been used as a method for the purification and separation of magnetic nanoparticles. DMCR separates nanoparticles in the mobile phase by magnetic trapping of magnetic nanoparticles against the wall of an open tubular capillary wrapped between two narrowly spaced electromagnetic poles. Using Au and CoFe2O4 nanoparticles as model systems, the loading capacity of the 250 μm diameter capillary is determined to be ∼130 μg, and is scalable to higher quantities with larger bore capillary. Peak resolution in DMCR is externally controlled by selection of the release time (Rt) at which the magnetic flux density is removed, however, longer capture times are shown to reduce the capture yield. In addition, the magnetic nanoparticle capture yields are observed to depend on the nanoparticle diameter, mobile phase viscosity and velocity, and applied magnetic flux. Using these optimized parameters, three samples of CoFe2O4 nanoparticles whose diameters are different by less than 10 nm are separated with excellent resolution and capture yield, demonstrating the capability of DMCR for separation and purification of magnetic nanoparticles.
Theoretical and observational estimates of nearshore bedload transport rates

Sediment transport rates in a shallow (< 3 m) nearshore region are estimated using theoretical models and using bedform migration rates measured from vertical aerial photographs covering a 10-yr interval. Aerial photographs of the study area in Nantucket Sound, Massachusetts, showed low-amplitude (tens of centimeters), long wave- and crest-length (tens to hundreds of meters), shore-normal sand waves in distinct geometrical patterns. The waves migrated an average of 10–20 m yr−1 over a 10-yr period; the migration distances and bedform dimensions were used to calculate an average volume transport rate for the area. This rate was compared to bedload transport rates calculated using a Meyer-Peter and Muller model and a Bagnold model; field observations of steady currents and directional waves provided data for the calculations. Theoretical rates based solely on asymmetrical tidal currents are as much as an order of magnitude smaller than the observed rates, but inclusion of storm wave effects in the theoretical predictions brings them into better agreement with observations. This suggests that even in tidally dominated, protected regions with low background wave energy, infrequent storm wave events significantly modify sand transport rates and patterns.
Photon Shot Noise Limits on Optical Detection of Neuronal Spikes and Estimation of Spike Timing

Optical approaches for tracking neural dynamics are of widespread interest, but a theoretical framework quantifying the physical limits of these techniques has been lacking. We formulate such a framework by using signal detection and estimation theory to obtain physical bounds on the detection of neural spikes and the estimation of their occurrence times as set by photon counting statistics (shot noise). These bounds are succinctly expressed via a discriminability index that depends on the kinetics of the optical indicator and the relative fluxes of signal and background photons. This approach facilitates quantitative evaluations of different indicators, detector technologies, and data analyses. Our treatment also provides optimal filtering techniques for optical detection of spikes. We compare various types of Ca2+ indicators and show that background photons are a chief impediment to voltage sensing. Thus, voltage indicators that change color in response to membrane depolarization may offer a key advantage over those that change intensity. We also examine fluorescence resonance energy transfer indicators and identify the regimes in which the widely used ratiometric analysis of signals is substantially suboptimal. Overall, by showing how different optical factors interact to affect signal quality, our treatment offers a valuable guide to experimental design and provides measures of confidence to assess optically extracted traces of neural activity.
Directing colloidal assembly at fluid interfaces

The use of directing fields to control the assembly of colloidal particles, which range in size from tens of nanometers to several micrometers, is a promising route for bottom-up fabrication of new nano- and microstructured functional materials (1). Recent examples include the use of electric or magnetic fields to fabricate photonic crystals from colloidal fluids by controlling particle orientation, interactions, and spatial distribution (2, 3). Electromagnetic fields can be substituted by structured solvents, such as nematic liquid crystals, which define a directing field for larger particles through distortions of the average molecular orientation of the polymer (4, 5). In this spirit of directed assembly, a study in PNAS by Cavallaro et al. (6) extends these principles to control particles at 2D fluid interfaces. By using a combination of theory and experiment, they demonstrate an ability to define directing fields by controlling the interface curvature to generate forces and torques on particles that lead to their placement at exact locations on the surface.
Genomic distance entrained clustering and regression modelling highlights interacting genomic regions contributing to proliferation in breast cancer

Genomic copy number changes and regional alterations in epigenetic states have been linked to grade in breast cancer. However, the relative contribution of specific alterations to the pathology of different breast cancer subtypes remains unclear. The heterogeneity and interplay of genomic and epigenetic variations means that large datasets and statistical data mining methods are required to uncover recurrent patterns that are likely to be important in cancer progression. We employed ridge regression to model the relationship between regional changes in gene expression and proliferation. Regional features were extracted from tumour gene expression data using a novel clustering method, called genomic distance entrained agglomerative (GDEC) clustering. Using gene expression data in this way provides a simple means of integrating the phenotypic effects of both copy number aberrations and alterations in chromatin state. We show that regional metagenes derived from GDEC clustering are representative of recurrent regions of epigenetic regulation or copy number aberrations in breast cancer. Furthermore, detected patterns of genomic alterations are conserved across independent oestrogen receptor positive breast cancer datasets. Sequential competitive metagene selection was used to reveal the relative importance of genomic regions in predicting proliferation rate. The predictive model suggested additive interactions between the most informative regions such as 8p22-12 and 8q13-22. Data-mining of large-scale microarray gene expression datasets can reveal regional clusters of co-ordinate gene expression, independent of cause. By correlating these clusters with tumour proliferation we have identified a number of genomic regions that act together to promote proliferation in ER+ breast cancer. Identification of such regions should enable prioritisation of genomic regions for combinatorial functional studies to pinpoint the key genes and interactions contributing to tumourigenicity.
A Microfluidic Perfusion Chamber Utilized in the Study of Biophysical Properties of Cell Membrane and Its Fluidic Evaluation

A microfluidic system is demonstrated here to measure the kinetic changes of cell volume under various extracellular conditions, in order to determine cell membrane transport properties. The system is comprised of microchannels, a cell immobilization chamber, an inlet and an outlet, and is made of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) using softlithographic method. During experiments, mouse dendritic cells (mDCs), mixed with media of known concentrations, are quickly injected to the inlet of such microfluidic device, flow through a microchannel, and are then immobilized by a sieving structure, where kinetic images of cell volume response are captured by a CCD camera lively. The fluid keeps flowing due to the continuous suction from the outlet by a programmable syringe pump. Two sets of experiments have been performed: the cells are mixed with (1) solutions prepared in different concentrations of non-permeating solutes, and (2) solutions containing a permeating cryoprotective agent (CPA) plus non-permeating solute, respectively. Based on the captured images, both cell inactive volumes (Vb ), permeability coefficients of water (Lp ) and of CPA (Ps ) through cell membranes of mDCs at different temperatures (10°C, 22°C, and 34°C) can be determined by least-squared curve fittings, respectively. A quantitative evaluation conducted using ImageJ will be performed in order to validate the microfluidic perfusion system, as well as help us understand the dynamic concentration changes around those immobilized cells. The use of this microfluidic perfusion system enables us to: 1) confine cells in a monolayer channel to prevent image ambiguity, 2) perform cell counting, 3) statistically study cell osmotic response and determine cell membrane transport properties, and (4) lower manufacturing costs.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Reply by Author to L.E. Ericsson and J.P. Reding

Ericsson, L. E. and Reding, J. P., "Scaling Problems in Dynamic Tests of Aircraft-Like Configurations," AGARD Symposium on Unsteady Aerodynamics, Ottawa, Canada, Sept. 26-28, 1977, Paper 25, AGARD CP-227. Ericsson, L. E. and Reding, J. P., "Reynolds Number Criticality in Dynamic Tests," AIAA Paper 78-166, AIAA 16th Aerospace Sciences Meeting, Huntsville, Ala., Jan. 1978. Reding, J. P. and Ericsson, L. E., "Review of Delta Wing Space Shuttle Vehicle Dynamics," Proceedings Space Shuttle Aerothermodynamics Conference, NASA Ames RC, Moffett Field, Calif., Dec. 15-16, 1971, Vol. Ill, pp. 861-931 (NASATMX-2508). Reding, J. P. and Ericsson, L. E., "Effects of Delta Wing Separation on Shuttle Dynamics," Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, Vol. 10, July 1973, pp. 421-428. 11 Reding, J. P. and Ericsson, L. E., "Unsteady Aerodynamic Analysis of Space Shuttle Vehicles, Part IV: Effect of Control Deflections on Orbiter Unsteady Aerodynamics," NASA CR-120125, Aug. 1973.
Daughter-in-law Standards for Mother-in-law Communication: Associations With Daughter-in-law Perceptions of Relational Satisfaction and Shared Family Identity

Toward further understanding of the relationship between standards and relational quality in mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relations, daughters-in-law (N = 624) reported on the following: standards for mother-in-law supportive communication, standards for mother-in-law family disclosure, perceptions of mother-in-law enactment of supportive communication and family disclosure, and perceived mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relationship quality (relational satisfaction and shared family identity). These variables were tested via three hypotheses: distressful ideals, unmet ideals, and discrepancy evaluations. Despite some support for all hypotheses, the associations between standards and relational quality varied slightly between the two communication behaviors. For supportive communication, the unmet ideals and discrepancy evaluations hypotheses yielded greater associations than the distressful ideals hypothesis. For family disclosure, the unmet ideals hypothesis resulted in the strongest associations. Results...
The influence of a self-talk intervention on collegiate cross-country runners

The purpose of the present investigation was to determine the effectiveness of different types of self-talk (e.g., instructional, motivational, combined) and the self-determined nature of the self-talk (assigned vs. freely chosen) on one-mile run performance. Eighty-one collegiate cross-country runners were assigned to one of six intervention groups after completing a baseline one-mile time trial. A week later they completed the test trial using their specific intervention technique. Results of the 2 (assigned vs. freely chosen) × 3 (type of self-talk) × 2 (trials) repeated measures ANOVA yielded no significant between subject differences although the trials effect revealed that, in general, performance improved from pre-to-post-test. However, statistical analysis of the six combined groups across trials (6 ×2) revealed that the combined self-set, motivational self-set, and instructional assigned groups displayed significant improvements in performance from pre-to post-test. Results are discussed in terms...
Distribution of baseline sensitivities to azoxystrobin among isolates of Plasmopara viticola

An excised leaf disc assay was developed for determining the sensitivity of isolates of Plasmopara viticola (causal agent of grapevine downy mildew) to the strobilurin fungicide azoxystrobin. Five repeated assays with the same five single-sporangiophore isolates showed that the technique yielded reproducible results; that is, coefficients of variation ranged from 4.0 to 20% (mean 12%) for effective doses for 50% control (ED50 values) based on disease incidence and from 4.4 to 14% (mean 8.1%) for ED50 values based on disease severity. Then, the assay was applied to 81 single-sporangiophore isolates of P. viticola collected from 10 geographically distinct vineyards in western New York, providing a baseline distribution of sensitivities within this population. For disease incidence, individual ED50 values ranged from 0.05 to 0.94 μg/ml (mean 0.40 μg/ml), whereas for disease severity they ranged from 0.04 to 0.78 μg/ml (mean 0.24 μg/ml). When 61 of these isolates were similarly tested at a single discriminatory dose of 0.50 μg/ml, azoxystrobin provided 61% control of disease incidence versus 41 and 1.1% control for trifloxystrobin and kresoximmethyl, respectively; for disease severity (colony diameter), azoxystrobin provided 80% control versus 57 and 1.1% control for trifloxystrobin and kresoximmethyl, respectively. These results provide information that can be utilized in future monitoring of P. viticola resistance to azoxystrobin and indicate differences in the intrinsic activities of the three strobilurin fungicides against this pathogen.
The dyslipoproteinemia of anabolic steroid therapy: Increase in hepatic triglyceride lipase precedes the decrease in high density lipoprotein2 cholesterol

Administration of the androgenic anabolic steroid, stanozolol, is associated with decreased high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (primarily due to decreased HDL2 cholesterol) and increased levels of postheparin plasma hepatic triglyceride lipase (HTGL) activity. Since HTGL appears to play a role in HDL metabolism, we examined the temporal relationship between these changes. HDL cholesterol remained stable during the first two days of stanozolol administration, but decreased 14% (P less than .01) by the third day and 39% (P less than .01) by the seventh day of stanozolol. HDL2 cholesterol paralleled the total HDL cholesterol level and remained stable for the first two days, but decreased 22% (P less than .01) after three days and 71% (P less than .01) after seven days of stanozolol. In contrast, HTGL increased 62% (P less than .001) during the first day, 161% (P less than .001) with two days, 230% (P less than .001) with three days of stanozolol administration, and remained elevated thereafter. Thus, during stanozolol administration HTGL increased dramatically and clearly before any change in HDL or HDL2 cholesterol.
Pulsatile secretion of thyrotropin in man

To examine pulsatile TSH secretion, serum TSH was determined every 10 min for 24 h in 6 normal subjects and every 15 min in 10 euthyroid patients with underlying thyroid disease. Serum T4, T3, and PRL were simultaneously measured in the 10 patients. Pulsatile TSH secretion was identified in all individuals. There was a highly significant correlation between the mean 24-h TSH concentration and pulse amplitude (P less than 0.001). There was a highly significant inverse correlation between the mean 24-h TSH concentration and pulse frequency (P = 0.002) and between the pulse amplitude and frequency (P = 0.002). The mean serum TSH level at night (1800-0600 h) was significantly higher than that during the day (P less than 0.001) and was associated with increases in pulse amplitude (P = 0.008) and frequency (P = 0.007). TSH pulses did not correlate with serum T4 or T3, but did correlate with serum PRL (P = 0.03) in patients with thyroid disease. We conclude that TSH pulsations can be identified in normal subjects and patients with thyroid disease; elevations in serum TSH levels correlate with an increase in pulse amplitude and a decrease in pulse frequency; the nocturnal rise in serum TSH is associated with increases in both pulse amplitude and frequency; and peripheral serum T4 or T3 concentrations are not closely associated with pulsatile TSH secretion.
Are Workers Overpaid By Big Firms

What is pay? Under what conditions might overpayment be said to occur? The author develops a theory of wages. He explores reasons for firm size differentials. He examines post-war developments in the U.S. labour market to attempt to answer the question posed in the paper's title.