cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Monte Carlo simulation of a planar shoulder model

Although variability of anthropometric measures within a population is a well established phenomenon, most biomechanical models are based on average parameter values. For example, optimisation models for predicting muscle forces from net joint reaction moments typically use average muscle moment arms. However, understanding the distribution of musculoskeletal morbidity within a population requires information about the variation of tissue loads within the population. This study investigated the use of Monte Carlo simulation techniques to predict the statistical distribution of deltoid and rotator cuff muscle forces during static arm elevation. Muscle moment arms were modelled either as independent random variables or jointly distributed random variables. Moment arm data was collected on 22 cadaver specimens. The results demonstrated the use of Monte Carlo techniques to describe the statistical distribution of muscle forces. Although assuming statistically independent moment arms did affect the statistical distribution shape, that assumption did not affect the median predicted forces. The standard deviations of muscle forces predicted using Monte Carlo techniques were similar to the standard deviation of muscle force predictions using the whole sample of specimens. It is concluded that Monte Carlo simulation techniques are a useful tool to analyse the interindividual variability of rotator cuff muscle forces.
A cytogenetic analysis of oocytes from Macaca mulatta and nemestrina matured in vitro.

Cytogenetic analysis of first and second metaphase configurations of oocytes from M. mulatta and M. nemestrina matured in vitro were carried out. 76 diakinesis/metaphase I cells from M. mulatta obtained after 19–30 hrs of culture revealed an average chiasmata frequency per bivalent of 1.58 and 119 second metaphase cells all contained 21 pairs save for one cell with 22.51 oocytes from M. nemestrina cultured for 24–31 hrs revealed diakinesis/first metaphase configurations with an average chiasmata frequency of 1.52. 54 second metaphase cells were normal. Two peaks of timing for second metaphase were observed in both species.
Resonant RHEED measurements of surface order on Cu 3 Au(111) films

We have determined the long-range-order parameter of the ${\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}\mathrm{Au}(111)$ surface using resonant reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED). The samples were prepared by molecular-beam epitaxy. In the resonance condition, diffracted beams propagate along the surface and enhance the surface sensitivity of the probe. A comparison between the order parameters derived using different resonances establishes that the diffraction amplitudes determine the order parameter with quantitative precision. The order parameter is found to obey a power-law behavior as a function of temperature near the order-disorder transformation temperature ${T}_{c}.$ The critical exponent determined from the observations is $\ensuremath{\beta}=0.51\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.03.$ The result agrees well with the mean-field prediction $\ensuremath{\beta}=\frac{1}{2},$ and this indication that critical fluctuations are not important is consistent with the fact that antiphase domains boundaries intersect the (111) surface. Experiments using disordered ${\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}\mathrm{Au}$ grown on an ordered crystal confirm that the effective probe depth of the resonant RHEED method is only 1.1 ML, so that the measured order parameter is relevant to the outer surface layers alone.
Modes of Vibration of a Round Plate Cut from a Quartz Crystal

A large number of modes of vibration of a round quartz crystal plate of the “Curie” cut were photographed by means of the ionized gas appearing at the antinodal regions when the plate was mounted in an atmosphere of neon or argon at a few mm pressure and thrown into vibration piezo-electrically by a radio frequency oscillator.Two general types of vibration of the plate were found. In the first kind the plate was symmetrically divided up into nodal and anti-nodal regions forming patterns peculiar to the exciting frequencies. In the second kind of which less evidence was found the vibration consisted of standing waves along chords or diameters of the plate with reflection at the edges. The crystal rested on a round brass plate which served as the lower electrode. Two different top electrodes were used, a point and a screen, the same pattern being photographed with each for the more prominent modes of vibration and from this it was concluded that the patterns were independent of the electrode arrangement. Evidence of vibration along axes oblique to the surfaces of the crystal plate was found. All vibrations observed were believed to be compressional in nature.
Superconformal Ni Electrodeposition Using 2-Mercaptobenzimidazole

Ni superconformal filling of sub-micrometer trenches is demonstrated using a Watts bath containing an inhibitor 2-mercaptobenzimidazole (MBI). Hysteretic voltammetry marks the breakdown of the MBI-induced passive-state coincident with the onset of Ni deposition. Chronoamperometry reveals that disruption of MBI inhibition is a strong function of the immersion conditions and potential conditioning. The passive to active transition involves a competition between potential-dependent MBI adsorption and its subsequent deactivation and/or consumption during Ni deposition. Breakdown of the MBI-passivating layer results in sulfide formation and its incorporation into the Ni film. The current efficiency of Ni deposition on the activated surface is close to that for the additive-free electrolyte. For recessed surface features, such as trenches, inhibition-breakdown initiates preferentially at the bottom corners. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM/TEM) studies show the growth front within the trenches initially develops as a v-notch shape while negligible deposition occurs on the free surface. This is followed by the onset of Ni deposition over the entire surface profile that results in trench filling by geometrical leveling. Depending on the specimen immersion process a distinct microstructural transition marks the change in growth mode from a superconformal deposition mode to geometrical leveling during trench filling.
Optimizing the detergent concentration conditions for immunoprecipitation (IP) coupled with LC-MS/MS identification of interacting proteins.

Immunoprecipitation (IP) coupled with LC-MS/MS is a widely used method in proteomics research to identify proteins and to study protein-protein interactions. IP techniques allow purification of proteins of interest and reduce sample complexity before introduction to the mass spectrometer. The effectiveness of IP experiments is an important factor for identification of proteins and protein-protein interactions. In this paper, a variety of IP conditions were studied systematically to improve IP-based protein interaction identification capabilities. Low concentration detergent (around 0.05% NP40/PBS) was found to improve IP effectiveness by decreasing non-specific binding. However, higher concentration detergent (e.g. 1% NP40/PBS) was detrimental. Furthermore, with lower protein concentrations, the IP system showed lower tolerance to detergent. For example, with a detergent concentration higher than 0.05% NP40/PBS, IP experiments were unsuccessful with low protein concentration (e.g. 0.28 µM ADH). In some cases the observed results were even worse than the results obtained without detergent. However, when the protein concentration was high (e.g. 1.12 µM ADH), this effect was not obvious and the high detergent (higher than 0.1%) experimental results were similar to those from low detergent concentration experiments (around 0.05%). Another application of this strategy to a more general system based on FLAG-Bacterial Alkaline Phosphatase (BAP) and anti-FLAG antibody was also performed. These results also suggested that low detergent concentration (0.05% NP40) is helpful for IP experiments, especially for the experiments with low protein concentrations. Considering that in most real applications, the proteins of interest are usually present in low abundance, a low amount of detergent is recommended to be used. The optimized detergent concentration was determined to be 0.05% in these studies. However, the key result presented here illustrates that both detergent and protein concentrations should be carefully considered when one is trying to optimize IP prior to mass spectrometry experiments.
Population screening for cancer-related germline gene mutations

Summary Over the past 5 years, tests for germline (heritable) gene mutations associated with high risk of chronic diseases, such as breast cancer, have become increasingly available. Appropriately used, tests for such mutations could lead to reductions in disease morbidity and mortality. Population screening has been proposed for some cancer-related mutations; however, not all populations are suitable for such screening. The benefits of screening and preventive treatments for individuals with cancer-related mutations in different populations depend on the prevalence and penetrance of the mutation, the mortality associated with the disease, the age of the person screened at testing, and the potential effects of preventive measures on risk of developing the disease, quality of life, and costs. The criteria normally used to assess cancer screening tests can be applied, with some modifications, to tests for cancer-related genetic mutations and can help physicians, insurance companies, and health-policy makers to decide whether or not specific genetic tests should be used to screen specific populations
Abstract CN15-01: Aspirin, COX-2, and colorectal cancer

CN15-01 Considerable experimental, epidemiological, and clinical data has provided strong evidence for a causative link between chronic inflammation and colorectal cancer, including the well-described association between inflammatory bowel disease and colonic dysplasia. However, beyond inflammatory bowel disease, the precise role of inflammation in sporadic colorectal cancer remains undefined. Inflammation may predispose to cancer through enhanced cellular proliferation and mutagenesis, inability to adapt to oxidative stresses, promotion of angiogenesis, inhibition of apoptosis, and secretion of mediators that may promote tumorigenesis. A specific mechanism through which inflammation promotes carcinogenesis is the pro-inflammatory cyclooxygenase-2 pathway (COX-2). A role for COX-2 in neoplasia is supported by several lines of evidence: 1) “knock-out” of the COX-2 gene inhibits development of polyps in the APC mutant mice; 2) host expression of COX-2, but not COX-1, is required for survival of mouse tumor xenografts; 3) COX-2, but not COX-1, is progressively overexpressed in human colorectal adenomas and cancers; 4) COX-2 gene expression is highly upregulated even in morphologically normal mucosa of APC mutant mice and human colorectal cancer patients; 5) agents with COX-2 activity are effective in inhibiting neoplasia in both animals and humans. In fact, at least six randomized trials have demonstrate that anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and COX-2 selective inhibitors reduce the risk of colorectal adenoma among patients with a prior history of colorectal neoplasia. Recently, in two large prospective cohorts, we observed that aspirin reduces risk of COX-2 positive colorectal cancer but not risk of COX-2 negative colorectal cancer. This data suggest that the anti-cancer benefit of aspirin is primarily mediated through COX-2 inhibition. However, the optimal use of aspirin in light of its associated toxicities remains uncertain. Nonetheless, these results support the importance of continued investigation into COX-2 and related inflammatory pathways to both define markers of susceptibility to colorectal cancer as well as spur development of new preventive interventions. Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2008;1(7 Suppl):CN15-01.
Transforming growth factor-β and smooth muscle differentiation

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β family members are multifunctional cytokines regulating diverse cellular functions such as growth, adhesion, migration, apoptosis, and differentiation. TGF-βs elicit their effects via specific type I and type II serine/threonine kinase receptors and intracellular Smad transcription factors. Knockout mouse models for the different components of the TGF-β signaling pathway have revealed their critical roles in smooth muscle cell (SMC) differentiation. Genetic studies in humans have linked mutations in these signaling components to specific cardiovascular disorders such as aorta aneurysm and congenital heart diseases due to SMC defects. In this review, the current understanding of TGF-β function in SMC differentiation is highlighted, and the role of TGF-β signaling in SMC-related diseases is discussed.
A Numerical Simulation of Amplification of Low-Frequency Planetary Waves and Blocking Formations by the Upscale Energy Cascade

Abstract In this study, nonlinear numerical simulations of amplification of low-frequency planetary waves and concurrent blocking formations were performed. The simulations are conducted by a barotropic spectral model derived from three-dimensional spectral primitive equations with a basis of vertical structure functions and Hough harmonics. The model is truncated to include only barotropic Rossby components of the atmosphere with simple physics of biharmonic diffusion, topographic forcing, baroclinic instability, and zonal surface stress. These four physical processes are found to be sufficient to produce a realistic and persistent dipole blocking with a sharp transition from zonal to meridional flows on a sphere. Analyzing energetics of blocking formations in the model, we showed an amplification of the meridional dipole mode was confirmed by means of the upscale energy cascade from synoptic disturbances under an environment of persistently amplified wavenumber 2. When the persistent wavenumber 2 exists...
Jetlike Emission From Colliding Laser-Produced Plasmas

We report a large jetlike collimated emission feature from colliding laser-produced plasmas (LPPs). The plasmas are produced by focusing two parallel laser beams on a planar copper target. Time-resolved spectrally integrated emission features in the visible region are recorded using an intensified charge-coupled device camera. Both laser plasmas expanded perpendicular to the target and collided side-on. The jetlike emission has a spatial extension of more than 3 cm and exists in a prolonged time compared with single LPPs.
Determinants of fasting plasma glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin among low income Latinos with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes.

The objective of this study was to identify demographic, socio-economic, acculturation, lifestyle, sleeping pattern, and biomedical determinants of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), among Latinos with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Latino adults (N = 211) with T2D enrolled in the DIALBEST trial were interviewed in their homes. Fasting blood samples were also collected in the participants’ homes. Because all participants had poor glucose control, above-median values for FPG (173 mg/dl) and HbA1c (9.2%) were considered to be indicative of poorer glycemic control. Multivariate analyses showed that receiving heating assistance (OR: 2.20; 95% CI: 0.96–4.96), and having a radio (3.11, 1.16–8.35), were risk factors for higher FPG levels, and lower income (10.4, 1.54–69.30) was a risk factor for higher HbA1c levels. Lower carbohydrate intake during the previous day (0.04; 0.005–0.37), as well as regular physical activity (0.30; 0.13–0.69), breakfast (2.78; 1.10–6.99) and dinner skipping (3.9; 1.03–14.9) during previous week were significantly associated with FPG concentrations. Being middle aged (2.24, 1.12–4.47), 30–60 min of sleep during the day time (0.07, 0.01–0.74) and having medical insurance (0.31, 0.10–0.96) were predictors of HbA1c. Results suggest that contemporaneous lifestyle behaviors were associated with FPG and contextual biomedical factors such as health care access with HbA1c. Lower socio-economic status indicators were associated with poorer FPG and HbA1c glycemic control.
Examining the "liberal media" claim: journalists' views on politics, economic and social policy (including health care), and media coverage.

The conservative critique of the news media rests on two general propositions: journalists hold views that are to the left of the public, and journalists frame news content in a way that accentuates these left perspectives. Previous research has revealed persuasive evidence against the latter claim, but the validity of the former claim has often been taken for granted. This research project examined the supposed left orientation of media personnel by surveying Washington-based journalists who cover national politics and/or economic policy at U.S. outlets. The findings include: (1) On select issues from corporate power and trade to Social Security and Medicare to health care and taxes, journalists are actually more conservative than the general public. (2) Journalists are mostly centrist in their political orientation. (3) The minority of journalists who do not identify with the "center" are more likely to identify with the "right" when it comes to economic issues and to identify with the "left" when it comes to social issues. (4) Journalists report that "business-oriented news outlets" and "major daily newspapers" provide the highest quality coverage of economic policy issues, while "broadcast network TV news" and "cable news services" provide the worst.
In VitroPercutaneous Absorption of Benzidine in Complex Mechanistically Defined Chemical Mixtures

Abstract Little work has been done on the topical absorption of the bladder carcinogen benzidine. Since humans are more likely to be exposed to chemical mixtures than to a single chemical, a program was developed in these laboratories to examine the cumulative effect of complex mixtures on percutaneous absorption of important toxicants such as benzidine. In this investigation, a mixture is defined as a physical combination consisting of a marker chemical and several other chemicals, each of which can have independent and/or synergistic effects on dermal penetration and absorption of the marker chemical. Ten mixtures, consisting of a marker chemical (benzidine, B), a solvent (acetone, A or DMSO, D), a surfactant (0 or 10% sodium lauryl sulfate, SL), a vasodilator (0 or 180 μg methyl nicotinate, M), and a reducing agent (0 or 2% SnCl 2 , s) were employed in this study. Isolated perfused porcine skin flaps (IPPSFs), which have proven to be a suitable in vitro model for assessing dermal absorption and toxicity, and flow-through diffusion cell systems were utilized. The extent of benzidine absorption in skin sections dosed with either B + A (0.94% dose) or B + D (1.01% dose) was similar to that when IPPSFs were dosed with either B + A (0.54% dose) or B + D (1.31% dose). However, flux vs time profiles were different when the two in vitro methods were compared. For mixtures containing (1) DMSO only or acetone only or (2) solvents containing SL + M, benzidine absorption was enhanced when compared with other mixtures. Compared to acetone, DMSO appears to enhance dermal penetration of benzidine in most of the mixtures. Compared to other mixtures evaluated, SnCl 2 inhibited benzidine absorption irrespective of solvent present. SnCl 2 also appears to inhibit benzidine penetration in DMSO mixtures containing SL only, but not in acetone mixtures. It is proposed that chemical–chemical interactions between benzidine and SnCl 2 may be inhibiting benzidine absorption and chemical–biological interactions between M + SL and skin may be enhancing benzidine absorption. Across all mixtures, maximum observed benzidine absorption was almost 3% of the topical dose over 8 hr, but maximum penetration was 22% over the same time period which would suggest a potential for greater systemic exposure over longer time frames. This work underscores the need to study potentially toxic chemicals in mixture exposure scenarios since the interactions observed would confound risk assessment based on single chemical data.
Defensins: a family of antimicrobial and cytotoxic peptides

Defensins are antimicrobial and cytotoxic peptides that contain 29-35 amino acid residues, including 6 invariant cysteines that form 3 intramolecular disulfide bonds. They constitute more than 5% of the total cellular protein of human and rabbit neutrophils (PMN), and are also produced by rabbit lung macrophages and by murine and human small intestinal Paneth cells. Defensins exerted antimicrobial effects in vitro against many Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, fungi, mycobacteria and some enveloped viruses, and were cytotoxic to a wide range of normal and malignant targets, including cells resistant to TNF-alpha and NK-cytolytic factor. Human and rabbit defensins formed voltage-sensitive channels in a variety of planar lipid bilayers when a negative voltage of approximately 70-90 mV was applied to the contralateral side. These channels showed modest anion selectivity and their formation was strongly influenced by defensin concentration. Although most other channel-forming peptides have prominent alpha-helical domains, the structure of defensin molecules is primarily composed of antiparallel beta-sheets. Studies with various prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells provided convincing evidence that defensins killed these targets by forming voltage-regulated channels in the susceptible cell's membrane. The broad spectrum of defensin-susceptible targets and the abundance of defensins in specialized host defense cells of the blood, lungs and intestinal tract suggest that defensins could play a significant role in innate immunity to infection and neoplasia.
Radon fluxes from soils to the atmosphere measured by 210Pb–226Ra disequilibrium in soils

Measurements of the activities of the parent ({sup 226}Ra) and progeny ({sup 210}Pb) of {sup 222}Rn in 119 core samples of North American soils reveals that the mean fraction of the {sup 222}Rn produced in the upper 50 cm that escapes to the atmosphere equals or exceeds 25%. The flux derived from the upper 50 cm is 0.48 atoms cm{sup {minus}2} s{sup {minus}1}. Measurement of {sup 210}Pb-{sup 226}Ra disequilibrium at greater depths in 12 cores indicates a mean depth of {sup 222}Rn escape of {approximately}218 cm, slightly greater than commonly reported values of {approximately}175 cm. Using these mean depths to extrapolate the flux measurements from the upper 50 cm yields a total radon flux of from 1.9 to 2.3 atoms cm{sup {minus}2} s{sup {minus}1}.
Meeting user information needs: The impact of major changes in FASB and GASB standards on financial reporting by colleges and universities

Abstract This longitudinal study reports the impact of changes in generally accepted accounting principles on financial statement disclosures for 100 public and private institutions of higher education. Disclosures from the period when all colleges and universities followed the same accounting standards are compared with disclosures in periods after major changes in accounting and reporting standards were made by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) for private institutions and by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) for public institutions. We find that an importance-weighted disclosure index shows that user needs are better met using the new reporting standards for public but not private institutions. An expanded unweighted index, however, shows improvement for both public and private colleges and universities. Using this disclosure index, the improvement for universities reporting under GASB standards exceeded the improvement for those reporting under FASB standards.
Investigation of the electrical and optical properties of iridium oxide by reflectance FTIR spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations

Variable angle reflectance FTIR spectroscopy was used to investigate the optical properties of iridium oxide thin films deposited on glass substrates in the near-IR spectral region. The reflectance was studied as a function of incident angle and wavenumber for p-polarized radiation. The Drude free-electron model along with the Fresnel equations of reflection were utilized to fit the experimental reflectance FTIR data to determine the plasma frequency and electronic scattering time of this conducting metal oxide thin film. These experimental studies were complemented by density functional theory (DFT) calculations of the electronic and optical properties of iridium oxide. The calculations used the crystal structure of iridium oxide with periodic boundary conditions. These theoretical studies yielded the optical band gap, Fermi energy, charge carrier concentration, effective electron mass, plasma frequency and the conduction band orbital character of iridium oxide. The computed dependence of the optical band gap, Fermi energy, charge carrier concentration and the plasma frequency on compression or expansion of the iridium oxide unit cell was investigated.
SU‐FF‐J‐26: Multimodal Sono‐Contrast NIR Spectroscopy System for Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Purpose: To present a multimodal imaging system that combines three modalities, optical spectroscopy,ultrasonography and acoustic radiation force (ARF) for improved diagnosis of breast cancer based on noninvasive interrogation of vasculature. Method and Materials: The scanhead incorporates two 1MHz focused transducers aligned orthogonally to deliver ARF in a 2.4cm region. A commercial ultrasound probe is positioned to image the focal plane. The ultrasound probe and focused transducers have two degrees‐of‐freedom, so that the focal zone can be scanned in tissue depth‐wise and laterally. Three force sensors are mounted on the breast compression plate to ensure consistent, slight compression. A fiber array (6 sources and 12 detectors) connects to the concave bottom plate of the scanhead. Sources are illuminated by two laser diodes (680 and 830nm) through a multi‐channel optical switch. Diffuse reflectance signals are collected by 12 detectors, amplified by avalanche photodiodes, and transmitted through a multi‐channel data acquisition card for analysis. The scanhead is mounted on a 360° ring gantry, which can rotate around the breast and move towards or away from the patient. A software system was implemented in Visual C++ to perform real‐time tasks, including acquisition of optical and force signals, control of optical switch and function generator, and data display. Results: The maximum exposure to laser was controlled within 0.2W⋅cm−2 (ANSI Z136.1). The ARF fields were maintained below FDA diagnostic limits (0.72W⋅cm−2) for manipulating blood flow and oxyhemoglobin concentrations at the time and location of detection, causing measurable differences in the dynamic behavior of tissue blood supply as reported by optical spectroscopy. This technique was demonstrated to be highly diagnostic in a murine tumor model. Conclusions: A multimodal system incorporating ARF, optical spectroscopy and ultrasonography has been developed to characterize breast cancers. Pilot clinical study is being carried out. Acknowledgement: Work supported by NCI Grant CA107860.
The Moral and Social Dimensions of Gratitude

Analyse de la notion de gratitude. L'A. montre que la gratitude est un sentiment positif requis vis-a-vis d'un bienfaiteur, sentiment plus gouverne par des exigences sociales que par des exigences morales
Why We Still Have to Be Reductionists About Group Memory

Groups do not, in general, pool their members' knowledge successfully. This can be generalized to the point that groups perform more poorly than the sum of their members' individual potential in most tasks with objectively-measurable standards of performance. In this closing essay of the colloquy, I discuss some matters inspired by the essays responding to my original argument, most notably the status of baseline models and the importance of research relevant to communication content and process during group discussion.
Spatio-temporal dynamics of oxygen storage and release in a three-way catalytic converter

Abstract A physics based one-dimensional transient seven partial differential equation model is proposed to study the oxygen storage dynamics and cold start behavior of a three-way catalytic converter. The model uses the recently published simplified kinetic model, is computationally efficient and may be used for offline TWC outer loop controller design and validation. The proposed TWC model is validated using emissions data collected in a vehicle over multiple drive cycles including FTP cycles. The internal mass transfer approximation is confirmed by comparing with a detailed washcoat diffusion–reaction model and is observed to be consistent for all practical purposes. The results are also used to study the qualitative and quantitative errors in emission and oxygen storage predictions caused by axially averaging thus identifying the region of applicability of the simpler axially averaged seven ordinary differential equation model.
Influence of Molecular Conformation on the Constitutive Response of Polyethylene: A Comparison of HDPE, UHMWPE, and PEX

The current work presents the characterization and comparison of the mechanical response of three different industrial forms of polyethylene. Specifically, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), and cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) were tested in compression as a function of temperature (−75 to 100°C) and strain-rate (10−4 to 2,600 s−1). The responses of UHMWPE and PEX are very similar, whereas HDPE exhibits some differences. The HDPE samples display a significantly higher yield stress followed by a flat flow behavior. Conversely UHMWPE and PEX both exhibit significant strain hardening after yield. The temperature and strain-rate dependence are captured by simple linear and logarithmic fits over the full range of conditions investigated. The yield behavior is presented in terms of an empirical mapping function that is extended to analytically solve for the mapping constant. The power-law dependence on strain-rate observed in some polymers is explained using this mapping function.
Do radiographic disease and pain account for why people with or at high risk of knee osteoarthritis do not meet physical activity guidelines

Objective Knee osteoarthritis (OA) and pain are assumed to be barriers to meeting physical activity guidelines, but this has not been formally evaluated. The purpose of this study was to determine the proportions of people with and those without knee OA and knee pain who meet recommended physical activity levels through walking. Methods We performed a cross-sectional analysis of community-dwelling adults from the Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study who had or who were at high risk of knee OA. Participants wore a StepWatch activity monitor to record steps per day for 7 days. The proportion of participants who met the recommended physical activity levels was defined as those accumulating ≥150 minutes per week at ≥100 steps per minute in bouts lasting ≥10 minutes. These proportions were also determined for those with and those without knee OA, as classified by radiography and by severity of knee pain. Results Of the 1,788 study participants (mean ± SD age 67.2 ± 7.7 years, mean ± SD body mass index 30.7 ± 6.0 kg/m2, 60% women), lower overall percentages of participants with radiographic knee OA and knee pain met recommended physical activity levels. However, these differences were not statistically significant between those with and those without knee OA; 7.3% and 10.1% of men (P = 0.34) and 6.3% and 7.8% of women (P = 0.51), respectively, met recommended physical activity levels. Similarly, for those with moderate/severe knee pain and those with no knee pain, 12.9% and 10.9% of men (P = 0.74) and 6.7% and 11.0% of women (P = 0.40), respectively, met recommended physical activity levels. Conclusion Disease and pain have little impact on achieving recommended physical activity levels among people with or at high risk of knee OA.
Prefrontal cortical network activity: Opposite effects of psychedelic hallucinogens and D1/D5 dopamine receptor activation

Abstract The fine-tuning of network activity provides a modulating influence on how information is processed and interpreted in the brain. Here, we use brain slices of rat prefrontal cortex to study how recurrent network activity is affected by neuromodulators known to alter normal cortical function. We previously determined that glutamate spillover and stimulation of extrasynaptic N -methyl- d -aspartic acid (NMDA) receptors are required to support hallucinogen-induced cortical network activity. Since microdialysis studies suggest that psychedelic hallucinogens and dopamine D1/D5 receptor agonists have opposite effects on extracellular glutamate in prefrontal cortex, we hypothesized that these two families of psychoactive drugs would have opposite effects on cortical network activity. We found that network activity can be enhanced by 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI) (a psychedelic hallucinogen that is a partial agonist of 5-HT 2A/2C receptors) and suppressed by the selective D1/D5 agonist SKF 38393. This suppression could be mimicked by direct activation of adenylyl cyclase with forskolin or by addition of a cAMP analog. These findings are consistent with previous work showing that activation of adenylyl cyclase can upregulate neuronal glutamate transporters, thereby decreasing synaptic spillover of glutamate. Consistent with this hypothesis, a low concentration of the glutamate transporter inhibitor threo-β-benzoylaspartic acid (TBOA) restored electrically-evoked recurrent activity in the presence of a selective D1/D5 agonist, whereas recurrent activity in the presence of a low level of the GABA A antagonist bicuculline was not resistant to suppression by the D1/D5 agonist. The tempering of network UP states by D1/D5 receptor activation may have implications for the proposed use of D1/D5 agonists in the treatment of schizophrenia.
Automatic term mismatch diagnosis for selective query expansion

People are seldom aware that their search queries frequently mismatch a majority of the relevant documents. This may not be a big problem for topics with a large and diverse set of relevant documents, but would largely increase the chance of search failure for less popular search needs. We aim to address the mismatch problem by developing accurate and simple queries that require minimal effort to construct. This is achieved by targeting retrieval interventions at the query terms that are likely to mismatch relevant documents. For a given topic, the proportion of relevant documents that do not contain a term measures the probability for the term to mismatch relevant documents, or the term mismatch probability. Recent research demonstrates that this probability can be estimated reliably prior to retrieval. Typically, it is used in probabilistic retrieval models to provide query dependent term weights. This paper develops a new use: Automatic diagnosis of term mismatch. A search engine can use the diagnosis to suggest manual query reformulation, guide interactive query expansion, guide automatic query expansion, or motivate other responses. The research described here uses the diagnosis to guide interactive query expansion, and create Boolean conjunctive normal form (CNF) structured queries that selectively expand 'problem' query terms while leaving the rest of the query untouched. Experiments with TREC Ad-hoc and Legal Track datasets demonstrate that with high quality manual expansion, this diagnostic approach can reduce user effort by 33%, and produce simple and effective structured queries that surpass their bag of word counterparts.
Energy distribution of field emitted electrons from carbon nanotubes

Abstract Field emission properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), deposited on n-type Si substrates, were investigated by a combination of classical I–V characterization and field emission energy distribution (FEED) measurements. I–V characterization showed that current densities on the order of 1 mA/cm2 could be obtained at nominal electric fields as low as 3 V/μm. A current density of up to 25 mA/cm2 was observed, and long-term current stability and reproducibility were excellent. FEED measurements revealed that at low current densities, the field emitted electrons originated from energy levels close to the Fermi level of the Si substrate. At larger applied voltages and larger current densities, I–V characterization of the field emitters showed primarily an ohmic behavior; FEED data taken under the same experimental conditions showed a shift of the main spectral peak toward lower kinetic energies with increasing applied voltages. This energy shift was found to be linear with the applied voltage and emission current over a wide range. Both FEED and I–V data thus indicated that the field emission current was primarily limited by the ohmic resistance of the nanotubes and/or the contact resistance between the nanotubes and the Si substrate; typical measured values for the cathode surface resistances were 100 kΩ cm2.
Health insurance coverage within sibships: prevalence of mixed coverage and associations with health care utilization.

Abstract An increasing proportion of children in the United States lives in families with complicated family structures and a mix of immigrant and US-born family members. Eligibility rules for health insurance coverage, however, were not designed with these families in mind. The result can be complicated insurance patterns among siblings within families, with some “sibships” only being partially-insured, and other sibships having both private and public coverage. We hypothesize that mixed coverage among siblings causes confusion and logistical difficulties for parents and may lead to less access to appropriate health care for their children. In this article, we use data from the 2009–2011 National Health Interview Survey ( n = 51,418 children in 20,478 sibships) to present estimates of the prevalence of mixed health insurance coverage among siblings and describe the predictors of such coverage. We also use linked data from the 2001–2005 National Health Interview Survey and 2002–2007 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey ( n = 17,871) to show how mixed coverage is related to health care utilization. We find that although few sibships are characterized by different health insurance coverage types, mixed coverage among siblings is far more common among families with mixed nativity status, and blended families with step- and half-siblings. In terms of outcomes, children living in sibships with mixed coverage have significantly lower odds of having a usual source of health care. We also consider whether the association between mixed insurance coverage and health care outcomes differs across particular combinations of insurance coverage. We find that both publicly-insured children who have uninsured siblings and privately-insured children with publicly-insured siblings are less likely to have a usual source of care than similar children with uniformly-insured siblings. Because a usual source of care is associated with better health care outcomes, we argue that policymakers should consider ways to reduce mixed coverage among children and families.
Faculty roles and role preferences in ten fields of professional study

Teaching faculty in ten entry-level professional fields reported varying amounts of time devoted to teaching, research, consulting, and professional practice but did not differ in time devoted to administration. The faculty member's own role view was most closely related to time use, but for time spent in teaching and research, faculty age and institutional type (but not gender) were also significant predictors. Even after several general demographic characteristics and environmental variables that potentially differentiate professional from discipline-based faculty are taken into account, different professional fields may be characterized by group climates which influence or reinforce certain faculty roles.
Role of Endothelium in Function of Isolated Arterioles of Rat Mesentery and Gracilis Muscle

The role of endothelium in the mediation of dilation evoked by vasoactive agents in the microcirculation of rat mesentery and gracilis muscle has not been assessed directly and the results obtained so far are controversial. The aim of our study, therefore, was to investigate if changes occurred in the dilator responses of small, isolated arterioles (20 to 200 μm) after physical removal of the endothelium. Isolated arterioles were visualized with television microscopy and diameters measured with an image-shearing device. Dilation of three different orders of rat mesenteric (193.5 ± 7.0, 92.5 ± 4.6, and 35.6 ± 4.8 μm respectively) and gracilis (76.9 ± 1.6, 32.3 ± 1.1, and 22.3 ± 1.6μm) muscle arterioles was investigated in response to acetylcholine (ACh; 10−6M) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP; 10−7M or 5 × 10 −8M) at constant intravascular pressures (100, 80 and 80/50 mm Hg, respectively). In the presence of the endothelium, all arterioles dilated (20–100%) in response to ACh and SNP. Endothelium removal was ...
Dissociation of stress behaviors in the chick social-separation-stress procedure.

Separation from conspecifics in chicks produces an increase in distress vocalizations and a decrease in response to a noxious stimulus (stress-induced analgesia). This study questioned the relative contributions of novelty to the test chamber and social separation in mediating these stress responses. Eight-day-old chicks were tested either in isolation or in the presence of two social companions for a 3-min observation period in which distress vocalizations were recorded as well as the frequency of footlifts in response to a 50-μl injection of 0.10% formalin into the plantar surface of the footpad. In Expt. 1, chicks received six, 3-min test chamber habituation trials (vs. no habituation) one per day before testing; in Expt. 2, chicks were tested with mirrors placed in the chambers (vs. no mirrors). In both studies, isolated chicks in control groups (i.e., no habituation or no mirror) exhibited increased distress vocalizations and decreased nociceptive responses. In Expt. 1, habituation to the test chamber attenuated stress-induced analgesia but did not affect distress vocalizations. In Expt. 2, placement of mirrors in the test chamber attenuated distress vocalizations but did not affect stress-induced analgesia. These findings demonstrate a dissociation of stress behaviors in the chick social-separation-stress procedure: the stress-induced analgesia response is primarily mediated by novelty to the test apparatus while the distress vocalizations response is mediated by separation from conspecifics.
EPICARDIAL ADIPOSE TISSUE VOLUME AND CORONARY ARTERY CALCIUM TO PREDICT MYOCARDIAL ISCHEMIA ON POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHY-COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY STUDIES

Background There appears to be an association of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) with coronary artery disease (CAD) and its risk factors. EAT is assumed to influence CAD development by altering vasomotor tone and via toxic paracrine effects. The relationship of EAT to myocardial perfusion has not been studied.
Cognitive Training Using Self-Discovery Methods

Improvements in problem solving performance have been achieved when appropriate strategies are explained, demonstrated, or modeled for older adults. The present study attempted cognitive training of Raven's Progressive Matrices using guided self‐discovery, but without directly providing strategies. Thirty‐six older and 36 younger adults were pretested, underwent training, and were posttested. There were three training conditions: (1) participants were prompted by questioning to attend to all components of the matrix elements, (2) attentional training was augmented by questioning that prompted the participant to discover the correct solution, and (3) a practice‐only control. There was significant improvement from pretest to posttest, but it was the same for all three groups, and there was no significant difference in improvement between younger and older adults. The study failed to find evidence for successful cognitive training when strategies must be self‐discovered rather than simply adopted.
CHANGES IN RESPONSE BIAS: EVIDENCE FROM OLDER ADULTS AND PATIENTS WITH ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

adjustment was to add 4 points for those with 0-5 years of education. Cronbach alpha of the MoCA was 0.87, and item-total correlation ranged from 0.55 to 0.78. Two items, naming and serial 7 subtraction, had a positive association with education after adjusting for diagnosis, and thus might be education biased.Conclusions:A compensation of 4 points was needed for 05 years of education. Overall the Spanish version of MoCA maintained adequate psychometric properties in this population.
Experience with a Digital Noise Analysis System in Subcriticality Measurements on a Mockup of the FFTF

A digital Fourier analyzer was programmed to perform reactor neutron noise analysis measurements and on-line processing of the data to obtain the steady-state reactivity. The system is suitable for recovering cross spectral density with low correlated-signal component and for repetitive measurements with efficient use of reactor time.
Oxidation-reduction reactions of metal ions

Several metal or metalloid ions exist in multiple oxidation states and can undergo electron transfer reactions that are important in biological and environmental systems. There are endogenous metal ions such as iron, copper, and cobalt that participate in oxidation-reduction reactions with species of oxygen like molecular dioxygen, superoxide, and hydrogen peroxide. These reactions may be modulated by endogenous reducing agents such as glutathione, ascorbate, and tocopherol. The reactions can be described in terms of thermodynamics through the use of standard electrode potentials. A favorable reaction will depend on the concentrations of the reactants and may depend on the pH and/or on the presence of organic ligands that form complexes with the metal or metalloid. Arsenate (As(V)) can react with glutathione in buffered aqueous solutions to produce arsenite (As(III)) and oxidized glutathione. This reaction may be important in the methylation reactions of arsenic. Arsenic species can decrease the red blood cell levels of reduced glutathione, but the products of oxidation and the mechanism of oxidation are more complex than those found in water alone. Chromium (VI) is thought to interact with DNA after first reacting with a reducing agent such as glutathione to form lower oxidation states of chromium. These examples illustrate the importance of oxidation-reduction reactions for toxic metals and metalloids.
Spinning string fluid dynamics in general relativity

The general, energy - momentum tensor for a dynamical, spinning string fluid in general relativity is presented using the Ray - Hilbert variational principle. The calculations are given for both the standard and the extended thermodynamics versions in which the latter includes both the spin and string as thermodynamic variables. Both versions yield the same Fermi - Walker transport of the spin with a correction term due to the string. As an unexpected general feature, it is shown that the string and spin are dual 2-forms. Examples of solutions to the field equations are given for the extension of static black holes for non-spinning, string fluids to stationary, slowly rotating black holes for spinning string fluids. These solutions are then compared with solutions obtained from the postulated energy - momentum tensor of Letelier. The general feature of these solutions for positive density is that the spin causes the event horizon for the stationary black hole to contract whether or not the spin is considered as a thermodynamic variable.
Nodal structure of chaotic eigenfunctions

We investigate the distribution of nodes at and beyond the classical turning point of idealized chaotic quantum eigenfunctions. A formula for the density of nodes is derived in the semiclassical limit, and the rate at which this density falls off as one moves into the forbidden region is also studied. The discussion is supported by numerical results. Corrections to the Bessel function correlation in the classically allowed region are necessary for finite and are given here.