cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Percutaneous Distraction Pinning for Metacarpophalangeal Joint Stabilization After Blast or Crush Injuries of the Hand

Background Unstable, severely comminuted fractures of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint are difficult to treat. Closed treatment and casting of these fractures often fail to maintain proper alignment and impede wound care where concomitant open injuries such as gunshot wounds are present. Conventional pinning or plating techniques are not feasible if extensive bone loss and comminution are present. A distraction pinning technique represents a potential alternative, but results with this approach, to our knowledge, have not been reported.
Magnetic Effect on Wavelike Properties of Solar Supergranulation

Supergranular convective cells on the Sun rotate faster than surface plasma or any other feature. Recent time-distance helioseismology results suggest that supergranulation has properties of traveling waves. We have suggested that these properties may be due to the steep gradient of the subsurface shear layer. We used a linear model to calculate the phase speeds of the unstable convective modes. These phase speeds are greater than the speed of the surface plasma; however, they are significantly lower than the observed speed of the supergranular pattern. This suggests to us that the subsurface shear layer is a plausible explanation for the wavelike behavior. We now investigate the contribution of the magnetic field to the wavelike behavior produced by the shear gradient, and we show that a horizontal (toroidal) magnetic field in the subsurface layer will result in an increase in the phase speed of the traveling convective modes. This prediction can be checked by an analysis of the observational data.
Duplicate Submission and Scientific Fraud: The Annals of Surgical Oncology Perspective

Publication of original scientific articles in Annals of Surgical Oncology is based upon an “honor system” where authors have the obligation to submit manuscripts for publication with truly original content. That is, the substantive content and conclusions have not been published in other medical journals. Furthermore, any related or overlapping content published in other journals must be appropriately cross-referenced. To do otherwise constitutes a form of scientific fraud. It is acknowledged that surgical investigators create new or updated information through an evolutionary process and that they often collaborate with others (including those in other specialties) who also want to publish results from joint efforts in other specialty or basic science journals. However, it is the authors’ responsibility to ensure that the contents of multiple publications about the same or similar subjects are complementary and not duplicative. In recent years, it has become evident that the criteria for defining “original” material in publications has become breached by some investigators who allow publication of essentially the same data and conclusions in multiple journals. These investigators represent the content as “original” and even fail to cross-reference other journals in which they have published the same material. It is unfortunate indeed that we even have to write this editorial, but the practice of duplicate submission of manuscripts to multiple journals is becoming more common. The readers are referred to an article by Schein and Paladugu 1 published this month in Surgery, which documents how pervasive this practice of “dual publications” has become. The editors of virtually all surgery journals have discussed this issue at length for over 2 years and agreed to a joint statement that defines a uniformly agreed upon set of criteria that can be used to define duplicate publication. This statement appears in this issue of the Annals 2 and is simultaneously published in more than 20 surgical journals internationally. The editors of the Annals of Surgical Oncology agree with this definition and reaffirm that authors who submit their manuscripts are accountable to adhere to this definition and that there are consequences if they breech this policy.
Transparent-conducting, gas-sensing nanostructures (nanotubes, nanowires, and thin films) of titanium oxide synthesized at near-ambient conditions

A template-based, electroless wet-chemical method for synthesis of nanotubes and nanowires of nanocrystalline anatase titanium oxide (titania) at 45 °C is reported. Single-nanowire electrical property measurements reveal low dc resistivities (7–21 × 10−4 Ω cm) in these titania nanowires. In the presence of 1000 parts per million of CO gas at 100 °C, the resistivity is found to increase reversibly, indicating low-temperature gas-sensing capability in these titania nanowires. Thin films of nanocrystalline anatase titania, deposited using a similar wet-chemical method, also have low room-temperature dc resistivities (6–8 × 10−3 Ω cm), and they are transparent to visible light. Nanostructure-properties relations, together with possible electrical conduction, optical absorption, and gas-sensing mechanisms, are discussed. The ability to fashion transparent-conducting and gas-sensing nanocrystalline anatase titania into nanotubes/nanowires and thin films at near-ambient conditions could open a wider field of applications for titania, including nanoelectronics, chemical sensing, solar cells, large-area windows and displays, invisible security circuits, and incorporation of biomolecules and temperature-sensitive moieties.
Toward A Formalism for Conversation Protocols Using Joint Intention Theory

Conversation protocols are meant to achieve certain tasks or to bring about certain state of affairs in the world. Therefore, one may identify the landmarks or the state of affairs that must be brought about during the execution of a protocol in order to achieve its goal. Accordingly, the most important aspect of protocols is these landmarks rather than the communicative actions needed to achieve the landmarks. We show that families of conversation protocols can be expressed formally as partially ordered landmarks where each landmark is characterized by propositions that are true in the state represented by that landmark. Dialogue in natural languages is regarded as joint activity. Conversation protocols in multi-agent systems are treated as dialogue templates and are composed using speech acts from natural language dialogues. As such, we treat conversation protocols as joint action expressions and gainfully apply existing formal theories of dialogue, specifically the Joint Intention Theory, to protocols and their compositions. Conversation protocols may require agents to communicate with groups as well as individuals. However, most contemporary agent communication languages, notably FIPA and KQML, have either no provision or no well-defined semantics for group communication. Furthermore, the research on protocols so far does not correctlymore » incorporate groups into the protocols. We give a formal semantics to group communicative acts and use it to handle group communication in a formal treatment of protocols.« less
Fatal Bilateral Pneumothoraces Complicating Subclavian Vein Catheterization

Bilateral pneumothoraces complicating attempted bilateral subclavian vein catheterization culminated in the iatrogenic death of the patient. Complications of subclavian vein catheterization are reviewed briefly. This procedure should be limited to patients in whom its use is clearly indicated and should be performed only by individuals who are experienced in the anatomy of the region, who are trained in the technique of subclavian puncture, and who have the means and ability to perform immediate tube thoracostomy should pneumothorax occur.
Thermal contact between cerium magnesium nitrate and liquid 3 He at very low temperatures

A new experimental arrangement has been used to measure the times for equilibrium between cerium magnesium nitrate (CMN) and liquid3He. Measurements have been made on a single crystal of CMN from temperatures of 5.5–15 mK and on a powdered specimen from temperatures of 2.5–35 mK. The thermal resistance deduced from the single-crystal data is proportional toT −2. The thermal resistance obtained from the powder data may be separated into three contributions: a resistance which is proportional toT −2in series with a parallel combination of a phonon resistance (with resistivity ρ P =3×10 −4 T −3sec·cm2·K 4 ·erg −1 ) and a magnetic resistance (with resistivity ρ M =9×10 2 T sec·cm 2 ·erg −1 in zero applied magnetic field). A reduction in the magnetic resistance was observed when the powdered CMN was placed in a magnetic field, the magnitude of this reduction being comparable to that expected from a Redfield-like theory. TheT −2resistance is discussed in terms of two-dimensional energy transport within the CMN. The 17-Hz susceptibility of the powdered CMN was measured in magnetic fields of 0, 18.9, 30.2, and 37.8 G. The magnetic temperatureT* (H=37.8 G) was found to differ by +0.5 mK from the magnetic temperature in zero field whenT* (H=0)=3 mK.
Going Trilingual: Post-revolutionary Socialist Education Reform in Grenada

AbstractBased on a Historical Policy Analysis, this article provides an evaluation of Grenada’s educational policy discourse and shows that, 30 years later, Grenada speaks three different policy languages (national, regional and international)—or what is termed policy trilingualism—to appease national development trends, regional aspirations and international mandates. This article sketches out how Grenada has sought to develop its human resource capacity in a post-revolutionary and post-ideological pluralist era by focusing on different policy audiences. Additionally, it is posited that educational reform in Grenada is shaped historically by the era of ideological pluralism, legally by the 2001 Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, substantively by the enactment of the Caribbean Single Market in 2006 and functionally through functional cooperation. It is argued that 30 years later education reform within Grenada has moved from a gradualist development approach based on nationalism to an approach based on deeper...
Efficient functionalization of aqueous CdSe/ZnS nanocrystals using small-molecule chemical activators

Small molecular reagents that can efficiently functionalize water soluble CdSe/ZnS nanocrystals (NCs) are reported. These reagents do not cause quenching or precipitation of NCs as seen with commercially available activators. The results demonstrate that controlling the electrostatic character of the materials is critical in the design of functionalization schemes.
Echocardiographic determinants of clinical course in infants with critical and severe pulmonary valve stenosis.

Abstract Objectives. The purposes of this study were to determine the growth pattern of the pulmonary valve (PV) annulus and right heart structures in patients with critical and severe pulmonary stenosis (PS) after balloon dilation, and to determine any morphometric or hemodynamic differences between cyanotic infants with critical PS and asymptomatic infants with severe PS that may account for their varied clinical presentations. Background. Growth of the PV annulus and right heart structures in patients with critical PS after balloon valvuloplasty has not clearly been defined. In addition, the anatomic and hemodynamic factors that determine whether an infant with severe PS will present with cyanosis or without symptoms are not well understood. Methods. Measurements of the PV annulus, tricuspid valve (TV) annulus and main, right and left pulmonary arteries were obtained from initial and follow-up echocardiograms, and Z values were calculated. Hemodynamic data and balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty techniques were reviewed. Right ventricular (RV) volumes were measured from angiograms. Results. Fourteen patients with critical PS (mean [±SD] age 0.21 ± 0.37 months) and 20 patients with severe PS (mean age 2.6 ± 2.9 months) were evaluated at presentation and at 32 ± 33 and 42 ± 32 months of follow-up, respectively. Balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty was successful in 64% of patients with critical PS and in 90% of patients with severe PS. The PV, TV and pulmonary arteries increased in size after balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty in both groups at a rate that paralleled or exceeded the rate of somatic growth. The initial TV diameter and RV volume were smaller in patients with critical PS than in those with severe PS (p Conclusions. After balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty in infants with critical and severe PS, right heart structures increase in size at a rate that parallels or exceeds the rate of somatic growth. The primary morphometric differences between these groups are a smaller TV diameter and RV volume in infants with critical PS. This may contribute to increased right to left atrial shunting and account for the variations in clinical presentation. (J Am Coll Cardiol 1997;29:1095–101) © 1997 by the American College of Cardiology
Inactivation of mycoplasmas by use of phenol, formalin and beta-propiolactone.

Abstract The time required to inactivate Mycoplasma gallisepticum, Mycoplasma canis or Acholeplasma laidlawii in experimentally contaminated cell cultures with various concentrations of phenol, formalin or beta-propiolactone was determined.
Reinventing radiology in the digital age. Part III. Facilities, work processes, and job responsibilities

Advances stemming from the digital age of imaging have positioned radiology on a critical path for the diagnosis of disease and/or treatment of most patients admitted to short-term care hospitals in the United States. This new position for radiology has brought with it a higher expectation from clinicians, who are increasingly dependent on imaging in their practices, and a higher profile with the public. It has also required hospitals and other health care organizations to markedly increase investment in their radiology departments in order to install innovative new digital systems and increase the total capacity for imaging. Hospitals have high expectations for both appropriate returns on their investments and the productive management of the increased institutional resources devoted to radiology. It is important to look critically at the implications of these changing stakeholder expectations and to respond effectively. The management challenge for leaders in radiology is to match the spectacular capabilities of the various new digital and interventional technologies that are transforming radiology with equally creative new ideas and solutions for facility design, work process reengineering, and deployment of a changing radiology “job family” (ie, all the different kinds of jobs in radiology). These new approaches are vitally needed for the success of the next generation of radiology practices and to help assimilate advances in technology in pursuit of increased productivity and quality.
Can low-price guarantees deter entry?

Abstract This paper examines the strategic use of low-price guarantees (LPGs) as an entry deterrent. The entire space of contemporaneous LPG messages is partitioned according to their ability to deter entry and/or increase the incumbent’s profits. While most price-matching and price-beating guarantees cannot deter entry into a perfectly contestable market, there do exist special classes of price-beating guarantees that enable the incumbent to prevent entry. Interestingly, both price-matching and price-beating can be a part of the incumbent’s strategy in subgame perfect equilibria of the game where the firms choose LPGs from 14 classes defined in the paper.
The Development of Practice Scholarship in DNP Programs: A Paradigm Shift

Doctoral education in nursing is undergoing a paradigm shift. The doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree was conceived to improve practice expertise and accelerate the translation of evidence into practice. The need for doctoral preparation that focuses on both expert practice and practice inquiry acknowledges the complexity of evidence-based practice. The DNP prepares graduates to practice at the most advanced level of nursing and to evaluate current practice approaches, to appraise evidence, and to use this knowledge to create clinical strategies that improve practice and health outcomes. DNP curricula need to evolve through shared best practices grounded in financial sustainability. Because of the evolutionary nature of new programs, there is a need for continuous rapid adjustment of the DNP curriculum. Ideas presented here have evolved with student, faculty, and agency input. Many elements of DNP curricula represent a shared world view of faculty across the county. However, consensus about the DNP project has not been reached and is urgently needed to promote acceptance of the DNP-prepared advanced practice registered nurse. The DNP project allows synthesis of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing DNP Essentials through "real world" translation of evidence into practice. This article proposes that DNP projects be defined as practice improvement partnerships between academia and community agencies. This "win-win" collaboration can improve care while preparing the next generation of nurses for the demands of increasingly complex healthcare environments.
Treatment of acute deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism: use of low molecular weight heparin.

Over the past decade, the use of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) preparations has revolutionized the approach to preventing and treating venous throm- boembolism. For established deep venous thrombosis, numerous prospective clinical trials have indicated that these drugs are at least as safe and as effective as standard, un- fractionated heparin (UFH) and perhaps even more effective at preventing recurrences. Advantages of low molecular weight heparin include superior bioavailability compared with standard heparin, once- or twice-daily subcutaneous delivery, and the lack of need to monitor in most clinical circumstances. Because of these advantages, increasing numbers of stable, compliant patients with deep venous thrombosis are being treated as outpatients. This approach requires an organized team effort with comprehensive patient education and carefully planned follow-up. Cost-benefit analyses have unequivocally proved that when treatment with low molecular weight heparin is utilized in the outpatient setting, there are substantial cost savings.
Polyaniline: Synthesis and properties of pernigraniline base

Abstract The most highly oxidized polyaniline, in the form of pernigraniline base, can be synthesized as an analytically and oxidatively pure solid (powder or large free-standing films) by the controlled oxidation of emeraldine base by m -chloroperbenzoic acid or directly from aniline by oxidative polymerization with (NH 4 ) 2 S 2 O 8 . In the first method, the emeraldine oxidation state is converted directly to the pernigraniline oxidation state without passing through any intermediate discrete oxidation state at the molecular level. Treatment of perigraniline base with aqueous HCl results not in a protonated form of pernigraniline but in reductive ring chlorination to give the emeraldine oxidation state.
How K-12 teachers can put self-determination theory principles into practice:

We discuss how K-12 teachers can put motivational principles from self-determination theory into practice. To explain the `how to' of autonomy-supportive teaching, we answer eight frequently asked questions from teachers: What is the goal of autonomy-supportive teaching? How is autonomy-supportive teaching unique? Does autonomy support mean permissiveness? How would I encourage students' initial engagement in learning activities? How could I help students maintain their engagement? What would I say/How might I talk? How would I solve motivational and behavioral problems? How do I know if I provided instruction in an autonomy-supportive way? To answer these questions, we recommend the following classroom practices: take the students' perspective, display patience to allow time for learning, nurture inner motivational resources, provide explanatory rationales, rely on noncontrolling language, and acknowledge and accept expressions of negative effect.
The out of phase 1 Mutant Defines a Role for PHYB in Circadian Phase Control in Arabidopsis

Arabidopsis displays circadian rhythms in stomatal aperture, stomatal conductance, and CO 2 assimilation, each of which peaks around the middle of the day. The rhythmic opening and closing of stomata confers a rhythm in sensitivity and resistance, respectively, to the toxic gas sulfur dioxide. Using this physiological assay as a basis for a mutant screen, we isolated mutants with defects in circadian timing. Here, we characterize one mutant, out of phase 1 ( oop1 ), with the circadian phenotype of altered phase. That is, the timing of the peak (acrophase) of multiple circadian rhythms (leaf movement, CO 2 assimilation, and LIGHT-HARVESTING CHLOROPHYLL a/b-BINDING PROTEIN transcription) is early with respect to wild type, although all circadian rhythms retain normal period length. This is the first such mutant to be characterized in Arabidopsis. oop1 also displays a strong photoperception defect in red light characteristic of phytochrome B ( phyB ) mutants. The oop1 mutation is a nonsense mutation of PHYB that results in a truncated protein of 904 amino acids. The defect in circadian phasing is seen in seedlings entrained by a light-dark cycle but not in seedlings entrained by a temperature cycle. Thus, PHYB contributes light information critical for proper determination of circadian phase.
Dix–Hallpike maneuver results are not influenced by the time of day of the test

Conclusion The result of the DH maneuver does not appear to be affected by the time of day at which it is performed. Objective To determine whether the time of day at which the Dix–Hallpike (DH) maneuver is performed influences the result. Material and methods This was a retrospective study. We reviewed the records of all electronystagmagrams (n=1220) performed at our facility between January 2001 and January 2003, looking at the results of the DH maneuver, the medical history of the patients and the time of day of the test. The distribution of the time of day at which the DH maneuver was performed and induced a positive response was compared to the distribution of the time of day at which all the tests were performed. Results The distribution of the times during the day when the DH maneuver was positive was not statistically different from that when the DH maneuver was negative.
Stepped care voor depressieve ouderen

Van der Weele GM, De Waal MW, Van den Hout WB, De Craen AJ, Spinhoven P, Stijnen T, Assendelft WJ, Van der Mast RC, Gussekloo J. Steppedcare voor depressieve ouderen. Huisarts Wet2012;55(12):548-52. Relatief veel ouderen hebben depressieve symptomen die hun kwaliteit van leven aantasten. Vaak worden de symptomen niet herkend en dus ook niet behandeld, hoewel psychologische interventies bewezen effectief zijn. Wij onderzochten of een screening op depressieve symptomen voor ouderen vanaf 75 jaar in de huisartsenpraktijk, gevolgd door een programma van stepped care in de ggz, (kosten)effectief zou zijn. Wij verrichtten een pragmatisch, clustergerandomiseerd gecontroleerd onderzoek onder 239 patienten ouder dan 75 jaar uit 67 huisartsenpraktijken, die bij screening blijk hadden gegeven van depressieve symptomen. In dit onderzoek vergeleken wij de gebruikelijke huisartsenzorg (34 praktijken, 118 ouderen) meteen stepped care-interventie door de ggz (33 praktijken, 121 ouderen). De interventie bestond uit drie stappen: individuele counseling,de cursus ‘In de put, uit de put’ en op indicatie terugverwijzing naar de huisarts voor eventuele verdere behandeling. Onze primaire uitkomst was de verandering in depressieve symptomen na zes maanden, gemeten met de Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). De MADRS bevat tien items met een score tussen 0 en 6 punten: een hoge score hangt samen met meer depressieve symptomen. De meeste ouderen hadden bij het begin van het onderzoek lichte tot matige depressieve symptomen. Na zes maanden waren de depressieve symptomen in de controlegroep meer verbeterd dan in de interventiegroep (MADRS-score –2,9 versus –1,1, p = 0,032), na twaalf maanden was het verschil niet significant meer (–4,6 versus –3,1, p = 0,084). Van de deelnemers in de interventiegroep accepteerde 83% een verwijzing naar de ggz voor de stepped care interventie, maar nam slechts 19% deel aan de cursus en rondde 13% die ook af. Een aanbod van stepped care aan ouderen met depressieve symptomen, opgespoord door screening in de huisartsenpraktijk, is niet effectiever dan de gebruikelijke huisartsenzorg. Mogelijk komt dit doordat slechts weinigen deelnamen aan de kerninterventie, een cursus. Wellicht ook zou eeninterventie effectiever zijn als de huisarts, die voor veel ouderen een vertrouwenspersoon is, een grotere rol kreeg in de aanpak van desymptomen.
Critical context and international intrafirm best-practice transfers

Abstract The sharing and transfer of knowledge and best practices across the organization have long been recognized as a critical driver of a firm's capabilities and performance. In fact, Gupta and Govindarajan (1991) maintained that MNCs exist primarily because of their superior ability to transfer knowledge internally relative to the ability of markets. This paper examines factors that influence the success of intrafirm, cross-border knowledge transfers. We investigate the critical context similarity between best-practice source and recipient units and the impact of critical context similarity on transfer eventfulness. We argue that best practices are embedded within a set of 5 central contextual elements, which are critical to the firm's ability to utilize them. A model is developed and tested that explains the impact of context in enabling or inhibiting best-practice transfers. Our findings suggest that critical context dissimilarity inhibits best-practice transfers. The impact of congruence among the source and recipient units along the dimensions of culture, strategy, decision-making, environment and technology affects the eventfulness of the transfer in terms of time, budget and satisfaction. Additionally, the effect of the fit between the practice characteristics, and the transfer mechanisms employed, is examined.
Clinical experience with the Stretta® procedure

The benchmarks in GERD therapy comprise the commonly prescribed anti-secretory drugs (H2RAs and PPIs) and anti-reflux surgery. Although drugs are typically safe, cost and patient compliance are challenges to long-term management. Furthermore, while heartburn may be controlled with aggressive medical therapy, other symptoms such as regurgitation may persist, reducing patient satisfaction and adversely affecting quality of life. Surgical anti-reflux procedures, most commonly laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication, improve GERD symptoms and normalize esophageal acid exposure in most patients. Patient perception of the potential risk of abdominal surgery and general anesthesia may limit willingness to undergo surgery resulting in only a small portion of GERD sufferers that actually undergo anti-reflux surgery each year. Overall, the Stretta procedure is well tolerated, with an acceptably low incidence of complications and obviates the need for anti-secretory drug therapy for most patients at the 6- and 12-month follow-up. GERD symptom scores, heartburn, satisfaction, and SF-36 scores significantly improve over the baseline and this effect lasts at least 12 months. The symptomatic improvement after Stretta at 12 months in one trial (GERD score, 27 to 9) is similar to that reported by Velanovich after fundoplication (GERD score, 27 to 3). Furthermore, the significant reduction in median esophageal acid exposure time (distal 10.6% to 6.2%, proximal 1.9% to 0.9%), provides objective evidence of an anti-reflux effect. Although the reported studies have been non-randomized, the objective improvement observed in esophageal acid exposure and the persistence of GERD symptom score improvement with repeated measure analysis over a course of 12 months make a significant placebo effect unlikely. Stretta is a promising new technology for the treatment of GERD that should be considered for patients who wish to discontinue a lifelong anti-secretory medication regimen or who have incomplete GERD symptom control on drugs, but are not yet accepting anti-reflux surgery.
Percentage of reversibly and irreversibly sickled cells are altered by the method of blood drawing and storage conditions.

Abstract ABSTRACT: We previously reported that the percentage of reversibly and irreversibly sickled cells (RSC and ISC, respectively) in the blood of patients with sickle cell disease is strongly influenced by the method of blood drawing (PNAS91:12589, 1994). We now document the effect of blood storage conditions on the percentage of RSC and ISC. The percentage of RSC was lowest when blood was stored at 0°C, while the percentage of RSC was highest in specimens kept at 37°C. At room temperature, the percentage of RSC increased slightly over 8 hours. The percentage of ISC was also temperature dependent and was reduced significantly upon cooling. Our results showed that many ISC reverted to a discoidal shape after 3 hrs of cooling after treatment of blood with oxygen or carbon monoxide. Since no Hb S polymers were detected in ISC treated with oxygen or carbon monoxide, the time required for shape restoration may be attributed to the membrane. We measured ISC levels of 10 patients with consideration of storage temperature and compared the values with those determined by the conventional method and also with those published previously.
Uncertainties in Estimating Fishing Mortality in Unmarked Salmon in Mark-Selective Fisheries Using Double-Index-Tagging Methods

Abstract Mass marking of hatchery salmon and selective fisheries on these marked fish are being implemented in the northeastern Pacific Ocean. The potential impact of this management practice on current coded wire tag (CWT) programs has become a vital concern. Methods have been developed to maintain the viability of the current CWT programs by using double index tags (DITs). This study uses Monte Carlo simulations to examine uncertainty in estimating fishing mortality of unmarked coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch based on the DIT method. Variables used in the simulation include marine survival rate, encounter rate, hook-and-release mortality rate, precision in catch and escapement sampling, and harvest rate in nonselective fisheries. Results show that random variability in these variables creates significant uncertainty in the estimates. Typically, the 90% confidence interval of the estimated fishing mortality rate may take any value from below zero to more than double the true value. The precision of esti...
Tillage, cover crops, and nitrogen fertilization effects on soil nitrogen and cotton and sorghum yields

Sustainable soil and crop management practices that reduce soil erosion and nitrogen (N) leaching, conserve soil organic matter, and optimize cotton and sorghum yields still remain a challenge. We examined the influence of three tillage practices (no-till, strip till and chisel till), four cover crops {legume [hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth)], nonlegume [rye (Secaele cereale L.)], vetch/rye biculture and winter weeds or no cover crop}, and three N fertilization rates (0, 60–65 and 120–130 kg N ha −1 ) on soil inorganic N content at the 0–30 cm depth and yields and N uptake of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. A field experiment was conducted on Dothan sandy loam (fine-loamy, siliceous, thermic, Plinthic Paleudults) from 1999 to 2002 in Georgia, USA. Nitrogen supplied by cover crops was greater with vetch and vetch/rye biculture than with rye and weeds. Soil inorganic N at the 0–10 and 10–30 cm depths increased with increasing N rate and were greater with vetch than with rye and weeds in April 2000 and 2002. Inorganic N at 0–10 cm was also greater with vetch than with rye in no-till, greater with vetch/rye than with rye and weeds in strip till, and greater with vetch than with rye and weeds in chisel till. In 2000, cotton lint yield and N uptake were greater in no-till with rye or 60 kg N ha −1 than in other treatments, but biomass (stems + leaves) yield and N uptake were greater with vetch and vetch/rye than with rye or weeds, and greater with 60 and 120 than with 0 kg N ha −1 . In 2001, sorghum grain yield, biomass yield, and N uptake were greater in strip till and chisel till than in no-till, and greater in vetch and vetch/rye with or without N than in rye and weeds with 0 or 65 kg N ha −1 . In 2002, cotton lint yield and N uptake were greater in chisel till, rye and weeds with 0 or 60 kg N ha −1 than in other treatments, but biomass N uptake was greater in vetch/rye with 60 kg N ha −1 than in rye and weeds with 0 or 60 kg N ha −1 . Increased N supplied by hairy vetch or 120–130 kg N ha −1 increased soil N availability, sorghum grain yield, cotton and sorghum biomass yields, and N uptake but decreased cotton lint yield and lint N uptake compared with rye, weeds or 0 kg N ha −1 . Cotton and sorghum yields and N uptake can be optimized and potentials for soil erosion and N leaching can be reduced by using conservation tillage, such as no-till or strip till, with vetch/rye biculture cover crop and 60–65 kg N ha −1 . The results can be applied in regions where cover crops can be grown in the winter to reduce soil erosion and N leaching and
Establishment of in vitro–in vivo equivalence of highly variable drugs – a generic product development perspective

In vivo equivalence of highly variable drugs (HVD) has always been a subject of great concern, in terms of both safety and efficacy, for regulatory agencies. Successful demonstration of their bioequivalence thus presents the most crucial component of a generic application, significantly contributing toward the cost and time of development. For poorly soluble drugs, such as telmisartan, dissolution represents the rate-limiting step in the gastric region and in many cases may not be complete, thereby contributing to low and highly variable bioavailability. Consequently, simulation of gastrointestinal conditions is essential to adequately predict the in vivo behavior of drug formulations. In this study, we evaluated usefulness of physiologically relevant dissolution method over commonly used acidic media to forecast comparable in vivo performance of telmisartan formulation to that of reference samples. In the present study, telmisartan was classified as a HVD and a partial replicate design with repeating the reference product and scaling the bioequivalence for the reference variability has been presented. The design has effectively decreased sample size, without increasing patient risk. Results from this project suggest that scaled average bioequivalence (SABE) provides a good approach for evaluating the bioequivalence of HVD, meeting the need for international guidelines for bioequivalence.
Mediolateral foot placement ability during ambulation in individuals with chronic post-stroke hemiplegia

Mediolateral (ML) foot placement is an effective way to redirect the lateral trajectory of the body center of mass (BCoM) during ambulation, but has only been partly characterized in the chronic post-stroke population despite their increased risk for falling [1]. During able-bodied gait, the locomotor system coordinates lower limb swing phase kinematics such that an appropriate ML foot placement occurs upon foot contact. Muscle weakness and abnormal motor patterns may impair foot placement ability post-stroke. The purpose of this study was to characterize ML foot placement ability during post-stroke ambulation by quantifying ML foot placement accuracy and precision, for the both sound and affected feet. Age matched able-bodied individuals were recruited for comparison. All participants were instructed to target step widths ranging from 0 to 45% leg length, as marked on the laboratory floor. Results of this study confirmed that ML foot placement accuracy and precision were significantly lower for the post-stroke group as compared to the control group (p=0.0). However, ML foot placement accuracy and precision were not significantly different between the affected and sound limbs in the post-stroke group. The lowest accuracy for post-stroke subjects was observed at both extreme step width targets (0 and 45%). Future work should explore potential mechanisms underlying these findings such as abnormal motor coordination, lower limb muscle strength, and abnormal swing phase movement patterns.
A passive optical technique to measure physical properties of a vibrating surface

We report on a passive imaging technique to measure physical properties of a vibrating surface using the detection of optical signal modulation in light scattered from that surface. The optical signal modulation arises from a changing surface normal and may be used to produce a surface normal change image without touching the surface and changing its state. The images may be used to extract the surface vibration frequency and mode pattern which are dependent on surface properties of the material, including its flexural modulus and mass density. Comparison of the vibration image with a finite element model may be used to infer properties of the vibrating surface, including boundary conditions. A temporal sequence of optical images of signal modulation may be analyzed to infer spatial damping properties of the surface material. Damping is a measure of energy dissipation within the material. The approach being developed has the advantage of being able to remotely image arbitrary sized structures to determine global or local vibrational properties.
The effect of thymine dimers on DNA:DNA hybridization.

DNA from bacteriophage T7 was irradiated at long ultraviolet wavelengths in the presence of silver ions. Such treatment leads to selective production of thymine: thymine dimers in DNA. The DNA was melted and the renaturation rate was determined as a function of thymine dimer content and renaturation temperature. Under “normal” hybridization conditions little change in the renaturation rate was observed even when 30% of the thymine was dimerized. This result is consistent with the view that up to a 15% change in the primary sequence of DNA dose not appreciably change the renaturation rate.
Considerations and Complications in Patients Undergoing Ileal Pouch Anal Anastomosis

Total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) preserves fecal continence as an alternative to permanent end ileostomy in select patients with ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatous polyposis. The procedure is technically demanding, and surgical complications may arise. This article outlines both the early and late complications that can occur after IPAA, as well as the workup and management of these potentially morbid conditions.
Subserosal misplacement of Essure∗ device manifested by late-onset acute pelvic pain

Objective To increase awareness of the potential to present with late-onset acute pelvic pain secondary to subserosal misplacement of an Essure device (Conceptus Inc., Mountain View, CA). Design Case report. Setting University-affiliated teaching hospital. Patient(s) A 30-year-old woman who was seen with severe left lower quadrant pain 4 months after elective sterilization with an Essure device placed under local anesthesia. Mild to moderate resistance was encountered in the placement of the device in the left fallopian tube. Intervention(s) Hysterosalpingogram showing patency of the left fallopian tube and operative laparoscopy. Main Outcome Measure(s) Laparoscopic removal of the Essure device with left salpingectomy. Result(s) The patient was free of pain and was discharged home the same day of the laparoscopic procedure. Conclusion(s) This report reinforces the need to consider a misplaced Essure device in the differential diagnosis of late-onset acute pelvic pain in women who had difficult placement of the device.
Asthma: Guidelines-Based Control and Management

Guidelines-based management of the patient with asthma allows maximal levels of function with few adverse effects. A flexible approach to therapy that emphasizes an ongoing partnership between the patient and physician allows optimal communication, facilitating treatment adherence and maximal levels of control. Through assessment of the patient's initial severity of disease and an evaluation of the patient's ongoing level of control, appropriate medical therapy can be initiated and level of therapy can be modified based on the patient's response. Patient education, environmental control strategies, and proper use of medications are vital in achieving maximal benefit in asthma management. Excellent asthma control is possible and should be a goal of both physicians and patients.
Gender and the course of major depressive disorder through adolescence in clinically referred youngsters.

ABSTRACT Objective To determine whether there are gender differences among psychiatrically referred young patients in the presenting features and subsequent course of major depressive disorder (MDD) through adolescence. Method The subjects were 92 participants in a longitudinal follow-up study that included repeated standardized psychiatric evaluations. Gender effects were examined on features of MDD as patients progressed from late childhood (mean age 11 years) to late adolescence (mean age 17 years). Results Salient features of MDD did not differ for girls versus boys, including age at MDD onset, recovery from the index episode, risk of a new episode, and rates of various comorbid disorders in the index and recurrent episodes. Rates of selected symptoms and severity of the depressive syndrome also were comparable for boys and girls throughout their development. Conclusions Gender differences have been documented in epidemiological and community samples with respect to rates and correlates of depressed mood and some features of depressive disorders. However, the study of gender differences among clinically referred depressed youths has only recently gained momentum. The present findings complement existing reports suggesting a lack of compelling gender effects on salient presenting features and adolescent outcomes of MDD in clinically referred youths. Additional work is needed to determine whether gender effects are detectable on other clinical parameters of MDD during adolescence or further along in development.
Carbon-11 labeled cathepsin K inhibitors: syntheses and preliminary in vivo evaluation

Cathepsin K is a cysteine peptidase primarily located in osteoclasts, cells involved in normal growth and remodeling of bone but that are also responsible for bone loss in osteolytic diseases such as osteoporosis. In vivo imaging of cathepsin K may provide a method to assess changes in osteoclast numbers in such disease states. To that end, two high-affinity and selective cathepsin K inhibitors were radiolabeled with carbon-11. In vivo microPET imaging studies demonstrated uptake and prolonged retention of radioactivity in actively growing or remodeling bone regions (e.g., distal ulnar, carpal, distal and proximal humeral, distal femur, proximal tibia, tail vertebrae). Uptake into bone could be blocked by pre- or co-injection of unlabeled ligand, supporting a specific and saturable binding mechanism for radiotracer localization. These proof-of-concept studies indicate that radiolabeled cathepsin K inhibitors may have potential as in vivo imaging radiotracers for assessing changes of osteoclast numbers in osteolytic diseases.
Compute Distance Matrices with GPU

Given a data matrix where the rows are objects and the columns are variables, researchers often want to compute all the pairwise distances among the objects. Due to the design of Nvidia GPU architecture, CUDA code can work with ease data matrices where the numbers of rows and columns are multiples of sixteen. The present work proposes a padding strategy that add additional rows and columns of zeros to the matrix so that a matrix of any size may be processed by a simple and fast CUDA kernel function. For Pearson correlation coefficient, the GPU computation 15.9 to 33.5 times faster than the CPU. Keywords-Pairwise distance, GPU, CUDA, divergent execution, Pearson correlation coefficient
Parallel sampling-based motion planning with superlinear speedup

We present PRRT (Parallel RRT) and PRRT* (Parallel RRT*), sampling-based methods for feasible and optimal motion planning that are tailored to execute on modern multi-core CPUs. Our algorithmic improvements enable PRRT and PRRT* to achieve a superlinear speedup: when p processor cores are used instead of 1 processor core, computation time is sped up by a factor greater than p. To achieve this superlinear speedup, our algorithms utilize three key features: (1) lock-free parallelism using atomic operations to eliminate slowdowns caused by lock overhead and contention, (2) partition-based sampling to reduce the size of each processor core's working data set to improve cache efficiency, and (3) parallel backtracking to reduce the number of rewiring steps performed in PRRT*. Our parallel algorithms retain the ability to integrate with existing CPU-based libraries and algorithms. We demonstrate fast performance and superlinear speedups in two scenarios: (1) a holonomic disc-shaped robot moving in a planar environment and (2) an Aldebaran Nao small humanoid robot performing a 2-handed manipulation task using 10 DOF.
Acute otitis media severity: association with cytokine gene polymorphisms and other risk factors.

Background We have previously shown an association between polymorphisms of proinflammatory cytokine genes and susceptibility to upper respiratory tract infection and acute otitis media. It has not been known whether polymorphisms or risk factors are associated with the severity of acute otitis media.
GreenLight photoselective vaporization of prostate - a technical review

GreenLight photoselective vaporization of prostate (PVP) is increasingly becoming popular as a day case operation in many countries. The learning curve with this technique appears to be small. However, training is still somewhat limited as are formal descriptions of the technique. We review the technical aspects of this procedure.
Error or Appeal? Navigating Review Under the Supreme Court's Admiralty Jurisdiction, 1789–1800

Legal technicalities are boring only when they are no longer susceptible to argument. Ask any lawyer or litigant whose case depends on a question of procedure, practice, or jurisdiction.
Monoclonal antibodies directed at human T lymphocyte activation antigens cross react with concanaval in a-stimulated canine and baboon peripheral blood lymphocytes

Abstract A panel of 10 monoclonal antibodies directed at activation antigens on human T lymphocytes were tested for cross reactivity with canine and baboon resting and ConA stimulated peripheral blood lymphocytes. Monoclonal antibodies anti-OKT19, anti-OKT-21, and anti-OKT22 labeled a high percentage of both resting and stimulated canine and baboon cells. Anti-OKT24 labeled activated but not resting baboon lymphocytes and did not label canine lymphocytes. Anti-HLA-DR labeled a small percentage of resting baboon lymphocytes (presumably B cells) and a high percentage of activated baboon and resting and activated canine lymphocytes. Anti-OKT14, anti-OKT20, and anti-OKT23 did not label canine or baboon lymphocytes. Anti-OKT9 did not label baboon lymphocytes, but labeled a low percentage of lymphocytes in one dog. Anti-TAC labeled activated but not resting canine and baboon cells
Open-field activity and exploratory behavior

In two experiments, rats were exposed to a stimulus change involving either stimulus introduction or stimulus removal in a familiar open field. Activity and exploratory behavior (as indexed by increased time spent in proximity to the locus of stimulus change) were recorded. Introduction of a novel stimulus resulted in increased exploratory behavior which habituated over trials, but total locomotor activity did not significantly change. Removal of a familiar stimulus resulted in increased exploratory behavior which rapidly habituated and in increased locomotor activity.