cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Metabolic Syndrome Does Not Affect Development of Collateral Circulation in the Poststenotic Swine Kidney.

BACKGROUND The collateral circulation is important in maintenance of blood supply to the ischemic kidney distal to renal artery stenosis (RAS). Obesity metabolic syndrome (MetS) preserves renal blood flow (RBF) in the stenotic kidney, but whether this is related to an increase of collateral vessel growth is unknown. We hypothesized that MetS increased collateral circulation around the renal artery. METHODS Twenty-one domestic pigs were randomly divided into unilateral RAS fed an atherogenic (high-fat/high-fructose, MetS-RAS) or standard diet, or controls (n = 7 each). RBF, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and the peristenotic collateral circulation were assessed after 10 weeks using multidetector computed tomography (CT) and the intrarenal microcirculation by micro-CT. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression was studied in the renal artery wall, kidney, and perirenal fat. Renal fibrosis and stiffness were examined by trichrome and magnetic resonance elastography. RESULTS Compared with controls, RBF and GFR were decreased in RAS, but not in MetS-RAS. MetS-RAS formed peristenotic collaterals to the same extent as RAS pigs but induced greater intrarenal microvascular loss, fibrosis, stiffness, and inflammation. MetS-RAS also attenuated VEGF expression in the renal tissue compared with RAS, despite increased expression in the perirenal fat. CONCLUSIONS MetS does not interfere with collateral vessel formation in the stenotic kidney, possibly because decreased renal arterial VEGF expression offsets its upregulation in perirenal fat, arguing against a major contribution of the collateral circulation to preserve renal function in MetS-RAS. Furthermore, preserved renal function does not protect the poststenotic kidney from parenchymal injury.
An integrative dance class to improve physical function of people with developmental and intellectual disabilities: a feasibility study.

Background: This paper examines the feasibility of utilizing an integrative contemporary dance class for improving physical function in adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities.Metho...
An Evaluation of Size-Resolved Cloud Microphysics Scheme Numerics for Use with Radar Observations. Part I: Collision–Coalescence

This study evaluates some available schemes designed to solve the stochastic collection equation (SCE) for collision-coalescence of hydrometeors using a size-resolved (bin) microphysics approach, and documents their numerical properties within the framework of a box model. Comparing three widely used SCE schemes, we find that all converge to almost identical solutions at sufficiently fine mass grids. However, one scheme converges far slower than the other two and shows pronounced numerical diffusion at the large-drop tail of the size distribution. One of the remaining two schemes is recommended on the basis that it is well-converged on a relatively coarse mass grid, stable for large time steps, strictly mass-conservative, and computationally efficient. To examine the effects of SCE scheme choice on simulating clouds and precipitation, two of the three schemes are compared in large-eddy simulations of a drizzling stratocumulus field. A forward simulator that produces Doppler spectra from the large-eddy simulation results is used to compare the model output directly with radar observations. The scheme with pronounced numerical diffusion predicts excessively large mean Doppler velocities and overly broad and negatively skewed spectra compared with observations, consistent with numerical diffusion demonstrated in the box model. Statistics obtained using the recommended scheme are closer to observations, but notable differences remain, indicating that factors other than SCE scheme accuracy are limiting simulation fidelity.
Hierarchical structures of functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes in aerosil solution

The features and regularities of self−assembly and self− organization processes in the diffusion−limited conditions (method of drops) of aqueous (deionized water) colloidal solutions of multi−walled carbon nanotubes with aerosil under the influence of constant electric fields with a value varying of direct current voltage from 15 to 25 V have been studied. During droplet evaporation in an electric field, the processes of hierarchical structuring have been studied and the formation of linear piecewise with the sizes of 40—120 nm, fractal structures 25—45 nm and diffusion structures 250 nm from MWCNT — COOH + aerosil + H 2 O DI have been observed. These structures have been analyzed by methods of confocal microscopy, X−ray powder diffraction, Raman scattering, atomic force microscopy, FT−IR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The size of micro− and nanostructures in hyperbolic dependence of d = 1/U in the approximation d → 2R, and their growth rate increases as U 2 have been observed. Intensive ultrasonic dispersion proves to produce a centrally−axial arrangement located SWCNT after ultrasonic dispersing of functionalized MWCNT — COOH + aerosil + H 2 O DI colloidal solution, as confirmed by excitation of Raman lines in the low−wavelength region, the so−called breathing mode, resulting in the existence of mixed types sp 2 −hybridization with π− and σ−carbon bonds, as well as metallic and semiconducting conductivity, which indicates great practical importance of this structuring for the development of nanoelectronics.
I wake up and hit the JUUL: Analyzing Twitter for JUUL nicotine effects and dependence.

Abstract Background JUUL—a novel electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS)—comprises most of the ENDS market share. Additionally, JUUL has a high nicotine content and utilizes a patented nicotine salt formulation aimed to speed absorption. Many JUUL users are not aware of the nicotine content and therefore may not be expecting acute nicotine effects or potential for dependence. This study sought to analyze Twitter messages (“tweets”) regarding nicotine, symptoms of dependence, and withdrawal related to JUUL use. Methods Data were collected from Twitter’s Filtered Streams interface 4/11–6/16/2018 by retrieving tweets matching the terms “juul,” “juuls,” and “juuling” that also used words consistent with nicotine effects, symptoms of dependence, and withdrawal. A random 5% subsample (n = 1986) was coded by 2 independent coders. Cohen’s κ for inter-rater reliability ranged 0.62–1.00 for all coded variables. Tweets were assessed using a qualitative content analysis approach. Results A total of 335 tweets mentioned dependence-related themes, including use upon waking and compulsion to use. A total of 189 tweets mentioned themes related to nicotine, with almost 15% of these tweets describing physical effects. Additionally, 42 tweets mentioned themes related to quitting JUUL and/or withdrawal from JUUL. Discussion This qualitative analysis suggests that users of JUUL are experiencing symptoms of nicotine exposure and dependence. Considering the high nicotine content of JUUL and the rising popularity among young people, more research around initiation of and dependence on JUUL, as well as the impact of recent FDA policy changes, should be conducted.
Protocol for evaluating women with female genital mutilation seeking asylum

Rapid immigration from countries that practice female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) has introduced new populations requiring culturally sensitive health care. Clinicians play an important role in providing documentation and expert testimony for women seeking asylum on the basis on FGM/C. The intent of this paper is to provide instruction to providers aiming to evaluate an individual seeking asylum based on FGM/C. This document provides guidance about the three primary parts of evaluation: the interview, exam, and report. Other goals of investigation include preventing and ending suffering, compensation, and psychological or physical rehabilitation.
A Pipeline SAR ADC With Second-Order Interstage Gain Error Shaping

This article presents an interstage gain error shaping (GES) technique that can substantially suppress the in-band quantization leakage error caused by the interstage gain error in pipeline analog-to-digital converters (ADCs). It works for both closed-loop and open-loop amplification. It does not require extra clock phases, long convergence time or an interruption of the digitization, incur large power or area overhead, or pose a constraint on the input signal. A prototype ADC equipped with the proposed second-order GES technique in 40-nm CMOS achieves a 75.8-dB signal-to-noiseand-distortion ratio (SNDR) over 12.5-MHz bandwidth while operating at 100 MS/s and consuming 1.54 mW. It achieves 174.9-dB Schreier figure of merit (FoM). The GES-related hardware only occupies less than 2% of the total active area.
Internal threats to police wellness

Abstract Social and environmental exposures through early adulthood have a profound effect on the structural and functional properties of the brain. In particular, the brain regions responsible for regulating emotion, responding to threat, and initiating the stress response change in response to early life stress. Such change is associated with heightened arousal and sensitivity to stress. Additionally, there is evidence that genetics drive a predisposition to stress vulnerability, a risk that can manifest through its interaction with social and environmental exposures. Given that law enforcement officers are recruited to service from a variety of different backgrounds, it is critical to understand how differential life experience creates risk for stress vulnerability.
Roles for a lipid phosphatase in the activation of its opposing lipid kinase

The phosphoinositide phosphatase Fig4 is predicted to turn over the signaling lipid PI3,5P2. It is shown that a major role of Fig4 is to elevate PI3,5P2 via dynamic regulation of the protein comple...
Diagnostic Performance of Artificial Intelligence for Detection of Anterior Cruciate Ligament and Meniscus Tears: A Systematic Review.

Purpose To (1) determine the diagnostic efficacy of artificial intelligence (AI) methods for detecting anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus tears and to (2) compare the efficacy to human clinical experts. Methods PubMed, OVID/Medline, and Cochrane libraries were queried in November 2019 for research articles pertaining to AI use for detection of ACL and meniscus tears. Information regarding AI model, prediction accuracy/area under the curve (AUC), sample sizes of testing/training sets, and imaging modalities were recorded. Results A total of 11 AI studies were identified: 5 investigated ACL tears, 5 investigated meniscal tears, and 1 investigated both. The AUC of AI models for detecting ACL tears ranged from 0.895 to 0.980, and the prediction accuracy ranged from 86.7% to 100%. Of these studies, 3 compared AI models to clinical experts. Two found no significant differences in diagnostic capability, whereas one found that radiologists had a significantly greater sensitivity for detecting ACL tears (P = .002) and statistically similar specificity and accuracy. Of the 5 studies investigating the meniscus, the AUC for AI models ranged from 0.847 to 0.910 and prediction accuracy ranged from 75.0% to 90.0%. Of these studies, 2 compared AI models with clinical experts. One found no significant differences in diagnostic accuracy, whereas one found that the AI model had a significantly lower specificity (P = .003) and accuracy (P = .015) than radiologists. Two studies reported that the addition of AI models significantly increased the diagnostic performance of clinicians compared to their efforts without these models. Conclusions AI prediction capabilities were excellent and may enhance the diagnosis of ACL and meniscal pathology; however, AI did not outperform clinical experts. Clinical Relevance AI models promise to improve diagnosing certain pathologies as well as or better than human experts, are excellent for detecting ACL and meniscus tears, and may enhance the diagnostic capabilities of human experts; however, when compared with these experts, they may not offer any significant advantage.
Does Working from Home Decrease Profitability and Productivity? Evidence from the Mutual Fund Industry

We use the staggered state-level stay-at-home orders in the U.S. as the difference-in-differences strategy to study the effect of remote work on the performance of actively managed equity mutual funds. After the implementation of working from home, fund daily returns over market returns decrease by 90 basis points per day, corresponding to a 6-million-dollar economic loss per day relative to investing in the market portfolio. Remote work also decreases measures of managerial skill, especially for funds not belonging to a family. These results suggest that working from home impairs mutual fund performance.
Nutrient availability contributes to a graded refractory period for regeneration in Xenopus tropicalis.

Abstract Xenopus tadpoles are a unique model for regeneration in that they exhibit two distinct phases of age-specific regenerative competence. In Xenopus laevis, young tadpoles fully regenerate following major injuries such as tail transection, then transiently lose regenerative competence during the “refractory period” from stages 45–47. Regenerative competence is then regained in older tadpoles before being permanently lost during metamorphosis. Here we show that a similar refractory period exists in X. tropicalis. Notably, tadpoles lose regenerative competence gradually in X. tropicalis, with full regenerative competence lost at stage 47. We find that the refractory period coincides closely with depletion of maternal yolk stores and the onset of independent feeding, and so we hypothesized that it might be caused in part by nutrient stress. In support of this hypothesis, we find that cell proliferation declines throughout the tail as the refractory period approaches. When we block nutrient mobilization by inhibiting mTOR signaling, we find that tadpole growth and regeneration are reduced, while yolk stores persist. Finally, we are able to restore regenerative competence and cell proliferation during the refractory period by abundantly feeding tadpoles. Our study argues that nutrient stress contributes to lack of regenerative competence and introduces the X. tropicalis refractory period as a valuable new model for interrogating how metabolic constraints inform regeneration.
The Clinical Impact of ACEI/ARBs in Heart Transplantation: Perhaps Not All Good

Purpose Hypertension after heart transplantation (HTx) is noted in a majority of HTx patients due to the side effects of calcineurin inhibitors (CNI). The use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) are effective anti-hypertensive agents and may have longer term clinical benefits. We assessed our patients on ACEI/ARBs versus others in the first year post-HTx and followed them for 5-year outcomes. Methods Between 2010 and 2015, we assessed 101 HTx patients who were on ACEI/ARBs only in the first year for more than 6 months. Those patients were then followed for 5 years. Likewise, a group of patients who were placed on non-ACEI/ARBs blood pressure medications, such as calcium channel-blockers, beta blockers, and diuretics, in the first year for more than 6 months were the control group. Outcomes included 5-year survival, 5-year freedom from non-fatal major adverse cardiac event (NF-MACE: MI, new CHF, PCI, ICD implant, stroke), freedom from cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV: angiographic stenosis >30%), freedom from left ventricular dysfunction (left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40%) and freedom from left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), defined as intraventricular septum or posterior wall ≥1.3cm. Results The patients treated with ACEI/ARBs in the first year post-HTx compared to those without had significantly lower 5-year survival but a trend for greater 5-year freedom from CAV. There was no significant difference between the two study groups in 5-year freedom from NF-MACE, left ventricular dysfunction and LVH (see table). Baseline demographics between groups were similar for recipient age, % female, pre-transplant diabetes and renal dysfunction (creatinine >1.5mg/dl) (data not shown). Conclusion The use of ACEI/ARBs in the first year post-HTx is associated with lower survival but other factors may be involved. A possible lower development of CAV from ACEI/ARBs may be a benefit to be explored.
Co-optimizing Spacecraft Component Selection, Design, and Operation with MINLP

The spacecraft early conceptual design effort often involves picking components from a catalog or database, combined with discretized decisions concerning operations, like the choice of ground station, type of orbit (LEO or MEO, syn-synchronous or polar), and, in the case of constellations, the number of planes and satellites per plane. One common strategy is to exhaustively enumerate all combinations, filter out unfeasible ones, and plot all resulting designs in the objective space where a Pareto frontier might be found between competing performance metrics. However, as the number of combinations grows exponentially in the number of options, this strategy quickly becomes limited. Based on the optimization field of mixed-integer nonlinear programming, a new method has shown promise in overcoming the challenges resulting from a large number of options. This paper enhances the previous method describing how to incorporate operational aspects of design: choice of ground station, the timing of communication downlinks, and modeling eclipse time windows. We apply the method to a simple Earth observation case study and evaluate the new optimization problems' computational performance as a function of time discretization level.
Is Shared Governance Feasible in Public Higher Education Institutions of China

Economic development and rapid changes in technology have considerable impact on higher education in China. To prepare skilled highly-educated workforce and meet the demand for research development and productivity, higher education institutions in China are under a great pressure of adapting and implementing organizational change (Li et al. 2011). This paper starts with an overview of the higher educational transformations in China in the past decades. Then the author assesses the shared governance practice in the U.S. and discusses the potential and limitations for China to adopt shared governance in the near future.
Quality of life in patients with craniosynostosis and deformational plagiocephaly: A Systematic Review

Abstract Background Craniosynostosis is a bony dysmorphism of the calvarium due to premature suture fusion and is classified as syndromic (part of congenital syndrome) or nonsyndromic (isolated). Deformational plagiocephaly (DP) is due to external positional forces on the skull after birth. This review aims to investigate the various quality of life (QoL) metrics across syndromic, nonsyndromic and DP patients. Methods Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a literature search was done through EMBASE, MEDLINE, PubMed and Web of Science. After two stages of screening by two authors, seventeen articles met inclusion criteria; 11 on syndromic, 4 nonsyndromic, and 2 DP. Results The literature suggests syndromic patients have more severe consequences on QoL, especially on psychological well-being, social functioning, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), leading to behavioral difficulties. Nonsyndromic patients show a less clear trend across QoL measures, but a majority stated QoL is comparable to the general population. DP patients noted motor development and QoL improvement as well as improved subjective aesthetic outcomes after orthotic helmet molding therapy (HMT). Conclusions While a majority of literature classifies QoL in syndromic craniosynostosis alone, this review highlights the importance of these factors in nonsyndromic craniosynostosis and plagiocephaly patients. Psychological well-being, social functioning, and secondary health impacts such as OSA are important to consider in comprehensive craniofacial care in all calvaria deformities.
Influential crash conditions leading to injury differences experienced by female and male drivers

Abstract Introduction Robust occupant protection is critical for the longevity and quality of life of the diverse driving population. Studies have shown that the vehicle crash testing process has greatly assisted in decreasing the severity of injuries experienced by occupants. However, female occupants are not equitably accounted for in the current testing processes while experiencing a significantly increased risk of higher severity injuries compared to male occupants in comparable crash conditions. Given the increased safety concern for female occupants, it is critical to investigate the conditions that result in injuries occurring in specific locations in cases of female occupants compared to male occupants. Methods In this study, an investigation is made to uncover potential influential crash conditions that lead to injury location differences experienced by female and male drivers using a novel linked dataset of emergency medical services and crash data. Logistic regression methods were used to develop robust analyses. Results The results revealed that female and male drivers experience injuries in different locations to a significant degree depending upon vehicle model year, airbag deployment, and driver age when considering all crash types. The results included the finding that as vehicle model year increases, neck injury risk decreases for male drivers while it increases for female drivers. Conclusions This study highlighted the crash conditions and vehicle components that lead to different injury outcomes for female and male drivers. From a policy perspective, the results emphasize the importance of including both representative female and male anthropometry in vehicle testing and design. From a practitioner and research perspective, this study provides the data needed to understand the components of vehicle design that must be further considered to provide optimal occupant protection for the entire driving population, leading to more equitable, positive long-term health outcomes for all drivers.
Simplified Micromechanics of Plain Weave Composites

A micromechanics based methodology to simulate the complete hygro-thermomechanical behavior of plain weave composites is developed. This methodology is based on micromechanics and the classical laminate theory. The methodology predicts a complete set of thermal, hygral and mechanical properties of plain woven composites, generates necessary data for use in a finite element structural analysis, and predicts stresses all the way from the laminate to the constituent level. This methodology is used in conjunction with a composite mechanics code to analyze and predict the properties/response of a generic graphite/epoxy woven textile composite and a plain weave ceramic composite. The fiber architecture, including the fiber waviness and fiber end distributions through the thickness, is properly accounted for. Predicted results compare reasonably well with those from detailed three-dimensional finite element analyses as well as available experimental data. However, the main advantage of the proposed methodology is its high computational efficiency as compared with three-dimensional finite element analyses.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Reduces Subjective Daytime Sleepiness in Patients with Mild to Moderate Alzheimer's Disease with Sleep Disordered Breathing

OBJECTIVES: Studies have reported that 33% to 70% of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) have sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment has been shown to reduce daytime sleepiness and improve health-related quality of life in nondemented older people with SDB. The effect of therapeutic CPAP treatment on daytime sleepiness in patients with mild-moderate AD with SDB was assessed. DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. SETTING: Patients' home and the University of California San Diego, General Clinical Research Center, J. Christian Gillin Laboratory of Sleep and Chronobiology. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-nine community-dwelling elderly patients with mild-moderate probable AD with SDB. INTERVENTION: Patients were randomly assigned to receive 6 weeks of therapeutic CPAP or 3 weeks of sham CPAP followed by 3 weeks of therapeutic CPAP. MEASUREMENTS: Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) was administered at baseline, 3 weeks, and 6 weeks. Changes in daytime sleepiness in subjects who received optimal therapeutic CPAP were compared with changes in the sham CPAP group. RESULTS: Within the therapeutic CPAP group, ESS scores were reduced from 8.89 during baseline to 6.56 after 3 weeks of treatment (P=.04) and to 5.53 after 6 weeks of treatment (P=.004). In the sham CPAP group, there was no significant difference after 3 weeks of sham CPAP but a significant decrease from 7.68 to 6.47 (P=.01) after 3 weeks of therapeutic CPAP. CONCLUSION: These data provide evidence of the effectiveness of CPAP in reducing subjective daytime sleepiness in patients with AD with SDB.
Dimensionality analysis of facial signatures in visible and thermal spectra

Face images are an important source of information for biometric recognition and intelligence gathering. While face recognition research has made significant progress over the past few decades, recognition of faces at extended ranges is still highly problematic. Recognition of a low-resolution probe face image from a gallery database, typically containing high resolution facial imagery, leads to lowered performance than traditional face recognition techniques. Learning and super-resolution based approaches have been proposed to improve face recognition at extended ranges; however, the resolution threshold for face recognition has not been examined extensively. Establishing a threshold resolution corresponding to the theoretical and empirical limitations of low resolution face recognition will allow algorithm developers to avoid focusing on improving performance where no distinguishable information for identification exists in the acquired signal. This work examines the intrinsic dimensionality of facial signatures and seeks to estimate a lower bound for the size of a face image required for recognition. We estimate a lower bound for face signatures in the visible and thermal spectra by conducting eigenanalysis using principal component analysis (PCA) (i.e., eigenfaces approach). We seek to estimate the intrinsic dimensionality of facial signatures, in terms of reconstruction error, by maximizing the amount of variance retained in the reconstructed dataset while minimizing the number of reconstruction components. Extending on this approach, we also examine the identification error to estimate the dimensionality lower bound for low-resolution to high-resolution (LR-to-HR) face recognition performance. Two multimodal face datasets are used for this study to evaluate the effects of dataset size and diversity on the underlying intrinsic dimensionality: 1) 50-subject NVESD face dataset (containing visible, MWIR, LWIR face imagery) and 2) 119-subject WSRI face dataset (containing visible and MWIR face imagery).
Next Generation Sequencing: Chemistry, Technology and Applications

High-throughput next generation sequencing (NGS) has been quickly adapted into many aspects of biomedical research and begun to engage with the clinical practice. The latter aspect will enable the application of genomic knowledge into clinical practice in this and next decades and will profoundly change the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of many human diseases. It will further demand both philosophical and medical curriculum reforms in the training of our future physicians. However, significant huddles need to be overcome before an ultimate application of NGS in genomic medicine can be practical and fruitful.
Isolation of low molecular weight RNAs from connective tissue. Inhibition of mRNA translation.

Low molecular weight RNA fractions were isolated from rat calvaria by molecular sieve chromatography. One of these fractions contained tracts of polyuridylic acid and was further purified by chromatography on oligod(A)-cellulose. An inhibitory effect of this RNA fraction was observed on the translation of globin and calvaria mRNAs in the wheat germ cell-free system.
The Role of Nonmuscle Myosin IIA Regulation in Platelet Forces Using Microposts and Multiphysics Modeling

A multi-physics model has been developed that closely matches with the biochemical regulation of platelet forces. The model is based on measurements of platelet forces using arrays of microposts. Different concentrations of thrombin or myosin inhibitors were added to the platelets to reduce their forces on the posts. The platelet forces obtained from the model have good agreement with those measured in the inhibition studies.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Early Experience in Estimating Embedded Software Costs at AVSCOM

Abstract Cost analysts and engineers at the U.S. Army Aviation Systems Command (AVSCOM) are involved in an effort to upgrade their capabilities to generate cost/schedule estimates for mission-critical software. These estimates must be done early in the life cycle; they must also be disciplined and timely. Data from sixteen actual case histories (relevant to rotary-wing aircraft) has been recently collected. This paper reports on experiences which have been gained from exploiting the recently collected data.
Long-term assessmentof swanson implant arthroplasty in the proximal interphalangeal joint of the hand

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical results of Swanson silicone implant arthroplasty of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint, specifically evaluating clinical results with long-term assessment. Methods A retrospective review of 70 silicone implants of the PIP joint in 48 patients was performed with an average follow-up period of 6.5 years (range, 3–20 y). Clinical assessment included motion, stability, and alignment. Radiographic assessment included implant fracture, deformity, and cystic bone resorption. The pathology consisted of degenerative joint disease in 14, posttraumatic arthritis (TA) in 11, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in 13, and idiopathic arthritis (IA) associated with collagen disease in 12 patients. Swan neck and boutonniere deformities were assessed separately. Statistical analysis of preoperative risk factors was compared with the postoperative assessment of pain, motion, and function (return to work). Results There was no significant change in the active range of motion (ROM) before and after PIP arthroplasty (26° vs 30°). Correction of swan neck and boutonniere deformities was difficult, usually leading to poor results. There was improvement in maximum active extension before surgery lacking 32° to after surgery lacking 18°. From a statistical standpoint rheumatoid joint involvement with PIP arthroplasty had poorer results than degenerative or posttraumatic arthritis with respect to pain relief and ROM. Pain relief was present in 70% of replaced PIP joints with residual pain and loss of strength in 30%. Radiographic analysis showed abnormal bone formation (cystic changes) in 45%. There were 11 implant fractures and 9 joints that required revision surgery. Conclusions Silicone replacement of the PIP joint is effective in providing relief of pain from arthritis but does not provide improvement in motion or correction of deformity. It provided a poorer outcome in rheumatoid disease in comparison with degenerative, posttraumatic, or idiopathic arthritis.
Industry-Academic Relationships

Without question, university research has played a critical role in the exploration of ideas in indexing, crawling, and user-interface design. Industry and the academy have always worked together sometimes working well, occasionally at cross-purposes. In the area of information seeking, historically the relationship has been clear: The academic environment gave support, instruction, and a nurturing environment to the early search engines. Without academia, the search world would be quite different today. Perhaps search engines would have arrived on the technology landscape without the university, but, without question, university research has played a critical role in the exploration of ideas in indexing, crawling, and user-interface design.The academy generates and tests ideas through the vehicle of graduate students, professors, grants, and small-to-medium-scale experimentation. The industrial world scales ideas that work into fully operational systems. No one sphere of research holds a lock on novel ideas or innovation, but both mutually profit by having relationships allowing ideas and people to add to our field's vigor.
A bayesian approach to the comparison of two means

A hierarchical Bayesian approach to the problem of comparison of two means is considered. Hypothesis testing, ranking and selection, and estimation (after selection) are treated. Under the hypothesis that two means are different, it is desired to select the population which has the larger mean. Expressions for the ranking probability of each mean being the larger and the corresponding estimate of each mean are given. For certain priors, it is possible to express the quantities of interest in closed form. A simulation study has been done to compare mean square errors of a hierarchical Bayesian estimator and some of the existing estimators of the selected mean. The case of comparing two means in the presence of block effects has also been considered and an example is presented to illustrate the methodology.
The crystal geometry and the aspect ratio effects on spectral performance of CdZnTe Frisch collar device

The effects of crystal geometry and aspect ratio on a CdZnTe Frisch collar device were investigated. A 19.08x19.34x4.95mm 3 device fabricated from CdZnTe grown by Redlen Technologies was used as the starting material. The crystal was re-fabricated many times to achieve several aspect ratios while the device length was held constant at 4.75±0.15mm. The following aspect ratios were successfully fabricated from the initial device: 0.26, 0.52, 0.71, 0.96, 1.19, 1.36, 1.59 and 1.92. The energy spectra of 241 Am and 137 Cs were recorded for all devices in both planar and Frisch collar configurations. The current-voltage (I-V) characteristic curve was also determined for planar configurations. It was observed that the Frisch collar effect begins to occur for devices with an aspect ratio of approximately 1.0. Device performance continued to improve as the aspect ratio was further increased and was noted to significantly improve the energy resolution of the device when the aspect ratio was greater than 1.5. The CdZnTe devices were also theoretically modeled to support the experimental conclusion.
NK Cells Are Not Required for Spontaneous Autoimmune Diabetes in NOD Mice

NK cells have been shown to either promote or protect from autoimmune diseases. Several studies have examined the role of receptors preferentially expressed by NK cells in the spontaneous disease of NOD mice or the direct role of NK cells in acute induced disease models of diabetes. Yet, the role of NK cells in spontaneous diabetes has not been directly addressed. Here, we used the NOD.NK1.1 congenic mouse model to examine the role of NK cells in spontaneous diabetes. Significant numbers of NK cells were only seen in the pancreas of mice with disease. Pancreatic NK cells displayed an activated surface phenotype and proliferated more than NK cells from other tissues in the diseased mice. Nonetheless, depletion of NK cells had no effect on dendritic cell maturation or T cell proliferation. In spontaneous disease, the deletion of NK cells had no significant impact on disease onset. NK cells were also not required to promote disease induced by adoptively transferred pathogenic CD4(+) T cells. Thus, NK cells are not required for spontaneous autoimmune diabetes in NOD mice.
Culture of purified rat astrocytes in serum-free medium supplemented with mitogen

Abstract We have obtained a highly purified astrocyte population in cultures originating from neonatal (2–5 days) rat cerebrum by use of the selection process provided by a serum-free chemically defined medium (DM). The addition of a glial growth factor isolated from bovine pituitary glands to DM induced in these astrocyte cultures both a stimulation of astrocytic proliferation and a morphological transformation of the astrocytes from flat fibroblastic form to multipolar stellate form.
Elimination of tomosynthetic artifacts through integration of orthogonal volume sets

Three-dimensional (3D) visualization of tomosynthetically generated focal planes computed with conventional techniques is limited by distortions caused from nonuniform sampling and projection magnification. These distortions are inherent to diagnostic systems with fixed, off-axis sampling geometry using a proximal source of radiation. This paper describes a technique for significantly reducing these distortions by merging independently generated sets of orthogonally oriented tomosynthetic slices. Precise registration of corresponding points of the slice volumes is required by the merging process. This is achieved by compensating projective transformations of the respective slice stacks to correct for slice-specific variation in image magnification. The result is a relatively distortion-free 3D image comprised of isotropic (cubic) voxels.
Storytelling, visualization, and collaboration - beyond words & images

Summary form only given. Stories in narrative or visual forms are more than just a collection of words or images. They can convey lots of information through powerful indirect messages, information that is sometimes unseen by technology. Stories can also form instantaneous collaborations between the story, its teller, and the audience. This collaboration is invisible but could be compelling. The article is going to be highly interactive through low-tech devices and, if the audience behaves, it might also include some collective improvisation exercises
Physics based boiling simulation

In order to animate complex fluid motion, computer animators have to rely on simulation systems that automatically generate the dynamics in a physics based manner. We focus in this paper on the phenomenon of boiling, which, due to its complex formulation and physics, has seen very little work done in the graphics field. We propose a new Eulerian method that couples gas and liquid with variable temperature and with a mass transfer mechanism, and we present its application to simulating boiling phenomena. Our philosophy is using physics based models to obtain visually rich animations that mirror their real life counterparts, including phenomena of increased circulation in the mass of liquid, roiling boil, nucleation seeding on solid boundaries.
How do the electrical properties of graphene change with its functionalization

Functionalization of graphene is essential to interface it with other moieties to expand the scope of its electrical/electronic applications. However, chemical functionalization and/or molecular interactions on graphene sensitively modulate its electrical properties. To evaluate and take advantage of the properties of functionalized graphene, it is important to understand how its electrical attributes (such as carrier scattering, carrier concentration, charge polarity, quantum-capacitance enhanced doping, energy levels, transport mechanisms, and orbital hybridization of energy-bands) are influenced by a change in carbon's structural conformation, hybridization state, chemical potential, local energy levels, and dopant/interface coupling induced via functionalization or molecular interactions. Here, a detailed and integrated model describes factors influencing these electrical characteristics of functionalized graphene (covalent bonds, adsorption, π-π bonds, and lattice incorporation). The electrical properties are governed via three mechanisms: (a) conversion of carbon's hybridized state, (b) dipole interactions enhanced via quantum capacitance, and (c) orbital hybridization with an interfacing molecule. A few graphenic materials are also identified where further studies are essential to understand the effect of their functionalization.
Teachers’ reports of students’ nonverbal communication in the classroom: A developmental study in grades K‐12

This study examined teachers’ beliefs about six sets of student nonverbal behaviors in a developmental paradigm. Over nine hundred teachers from kindergarten through twelfth grade estimated the percentage of their students who engaged in thirty‐one nonverbal classroom behaviors. Results showed a number of significant developmental changes in students’ nonverbal communication as perceived by teachers which were generally consistent with previous research. Several new developmental changes as perceived by teachers are reported where no previous literature existed.
Synaptic complex formation of two retrovirus DNA attachment sites by integrase: a fluorescence energy transfer study.

The integration of retroviral DNA by the viral integrase (IN) into the host genome occurs via assembled preintegration complexes (PIC). We investigated this assembly process using purified IN and viral DNA oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) substrates (93 bp in length) that were labeled with donor (Cy3) and acceptor fluorophores (Cy5). The fluorophores were attached to the 5‘ 2 bp overhangs of the terminal attachment (att) sites recognized by IN. Addition of IN to the assay mixture containing the fluorophore-labeled ODN resulted in synaptic complex formation at 14 °C with significant fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) occurring between the fluorophores in close juxtaposition (from ∼15 to 100 A). Subsequent integration assays at 37 °C with the same ODN (32P-labeled) demonstrated a direct association of a significant FRET signal with concerted insertion of the two ODNs into the circular DNA target, here termed full-site integration. FRET measurements (ΔF) show that IN binds to a particular set of 3‘ OH r...
Novelty vs temporal contiguity in learned taste aversions

Rats were administered apomorphine intraperitoneally following serial ingestion of saccharin and anise solutions. The animals had been previously familiarized with one of the solutions. An aversion to the novel stimuli developed independently of the flavor of the novel solution or of the order of presentation prior to apomorphine injection. Novelty was shown to be a more potent cue than was temporal contiguity in this particular conditioning of discriminated taste aversion. It was concluded that the long delays between CS and UCS presentation that have been found possible in the conditioned taste-aversion paradigm must be due to central processes and not to lingering aftertaste. Also, previously reported salience of certain tastes may be in part due to their novelty.
Progressive collapse analysis of an RC structure

Progressive collapse denotes a failure of a major portion of a structure that has been initiated by failure in a relatively small portion of the structure. One approach to evaluate progressive collapse of structures is to study the effects of instantaneous removal of a load-bearing element such as a column. An experimental program is carried out to study the behavior of a 3/8 scaled model of a continuous perimeter beam in a reinforced concrete frame structure following the removal of a supporting column. A detailed finite element model (FEM) is developed and verified to capture the behavior of the beam subjected to large deformation. In order to avoid a detailed FEM of the whole building and to efficiently capture the system response, a three-dimensional nonlinear model of the structure using beam–column and shell elements is also developed. The two models are integrated through hybrid (substructuring) simulations. The potential progressive collapse of the structure and the dynamic load redistributions following column removals are studied. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
PARITY CONSTRAINTS IN THE VENEZIANO MODEL.

Abstract It is shown that to avoid parity doublets, higher terms must be included in a Veneziano type model for scattering or reaction processes involving two or more particles with spin. Superconvergence relations and chiral constraints are discussed.
Friends, Friendsters, and Top 8: Writing community into being on social network sites

“Are you my friend? Yes or no?” This question, while fundamentally odd, is a key component of social network sites. Participants must select who on the system they deem to be ‘Friends.’ Their choice is publicly displayed for all to see and becomes the backbone for networked participation. By examining what different participants groups do on social network sites, this paper investigates what Friendship means and how Friendship affects the culture of the sites. I will argue that Friendship helps people write community into being in social network sites. Through these imagined egocentric communities, participants are able to express who they are and locate themselves culturally. In turn, this provides individuals with a contextual frame through which they can properly socialize with other participants. Friending is deeply affected by both social processes and technological affordances. I will argue that the established Friending norms evolved out of a need to resolve the social tensions that emerged due to technological limitations. At the same time, I will argue that Friending supports pre-existing social norms yet because the architecture of social network sites is fundamentally different than the architecture of unmediated social spaces, these sites introduce an environment that is quite unlike that with which we are accustomed.
Colony-stimulating factor 1 when combined with parathyroid hormone or 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D can produce osteoclasts in cultured neonatal metatarsals from toothless (tl-osteopetrotic) rats

Toothless (tl-osteopetrotic) rats have little or no endogenous bone resorption, no marrow spaces, and very few osteoclasts and macrophages, and their live metatarsal rudiments cannot support the development of normal osteoclasts in vitro. The recent demonstration that exogenous colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF-1) improves skeletal sclerosis and increases osteoclasts in tl rats in vivo, prompted us to explore conditions that enable osteoclasts to be formed in tl metatarsals in vitro. Coculture of neonatal tl metatarsals with CSF-1 alone produced no osteoclasts, but the addition of normal spleen and bone marrow cells and parathyroid hormone or 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D produced osteoclasts in most cultures. Identical cultures of metatarsals from the CSF-1 deficient op/op mouse produced similar results. Within the contexts of the role of CSF-1 in osteoclastogenesis and the different biologic manifestations of osteopetrosis in these two mutations, we interpret these results to mean that other factors are required to restore osteoclast function completely in tl rats and op mice. Thus, experimental studies of these mutations are likely to provide new insights on both osteopetrosis and osteoclast biology.