cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A major QTL controlling seed dormancy and pre-harvest sprouting resistance on chromosome 4A in a Chinese wheat landrace

Wheat pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) can cause significant reduction in yield and end-use quality of wheat grains in many wheat-growing areas worldwide. To identify a quantitative trait locus (QTL) for PHS resistance in wheat, seed dormancy and sprouting of matured spikes were investigated in a population of 162 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between the white PHS-resistant Chinese landrace Totoumai A and the white PHS-susceptible cultivar Siyang 936. Following screening of 1,125 SSR primers, 236 were found to be polymorphic between parents, and were used to screen the mapping population. Both seed dormancy and PHS of matured spikes were evaluated by the percentage of germinated kernels under controlled moist conditions. Twelve SSR markers associated with both PHS and seed dormancy were located on the long arm of chromosome 4A. One QTL for both seed dormancy and PHS resistance was detected on chromosome 4AL. Two SSR markers, Xbarc 170 and Xgwm 397, are 9.14 cM apart, and flanked the QTL that explained 28.3% of the phenotypic variation for seed dormancy and 30.6% for PHS resistance. This QTL most likely contributed to both long seed dormancy period and enhanced PHS resistance. Therefore, this QTL is most likely responsible for both seed dormancy and PHS resistance. The SSR markers linked to the QTL can be used for marker-assisted selection of PHS-resistant white wheat cultivars.
A depression paradox theory of suicide

Abramson and Sackheim's notion of paradoxical depression was operationally assessed and, as predicted, individuals showing this type of depression had higher levels of current suicidal ideation than other individuals.
SPHERICAL SYMMETRY AND MAGNETIC MONOPOLES

Abstract I give a general, gauge-invariant, definition of spherical symmetry in a gauge theory. I show that if the fields are required to be non-singular at the origin, such symmetry can occur only for certain values of the magnetic charge. One consequence is the existence of stable monopoles which are not spherically symmetric.
Sub Microgram Determination of Arsenic, Selenium, Antimony and Bismuth By Atomic Absorption Utilizing Sodium Borohydride Reduction

Abstract A rapid and sensitive method for the determination of arsenic, selenium, antimony and bismuth is described. These elements and their compounds are reduced to the corresponding hydride with sodium borohydride. The gaseous hydride is generated and collected by means of a generator fitted with a collapsible reservoir. The collected gases are subsequently introduced into an argon supported hydrogen flame and determined utilizing atomic absorption.
CD45 and Src-family kinases: and now for something completely different

Abstract How does the CD45 tyrosine phosphatase regulate Src-family kinase activity in vivo ? Here, Jonathan Ashwell and Ugo D'Oro discuss evidence that, contrary to the widely accepted model, CD45 can actually inhibit the activity of some Src-family kinases by dephosphorylating the positive regulatory tyrosine in the activation loop of the catalytic region.
Finite-element analysis of flow induced by contractions like those of the intestine

Abstract After a brief description of the wall movements of the small intestine, the simplifications introduced to allow an analysis of the fluid mechanics of intestinal contractions are described. These simplifications, bearing mainly on the fluid properties, led to the use of the biharmonic equation as the governing equation of fluid flow. This is considered valid without excluding essential flow features. The kinematics of the wall cannot, however, be simplified so radically without too much loss, so that the use of numerical techniques was unavoidable. The versatility of the finite element method led to adoption of that procedure. It was necessary to make some changes because of the complexity of the flow patterns. This was accomplished by the careful use of the fifth-degree polynomial. It was thus possible to obtain reliable flow patterns, accurate velocity profiles and values for the flow rates. It was shown that isolated propagative transverse contractions over a finite length of the conduit can pump. The results of the numerical integrations are given in the form of velocity profiles, streamlines, and pumping characteristics. Although, so far, these results are for two-dimensional channels, the results represent a general behavior, so that further work with circular tubes should yield similar results.
Single focus of adenocarcinoma in the prostate biopsy specimen is not predictive of the pathologic stage of disease

Abstract Objectives. To determine whether a very small focus of prostate cancer in a needle biopsy specimen correlates with organ-confined disease or with favorable disease parameters. Methods. Of 598 needle biopsies of the prostate performed from January 1990 through June 1994, 49 specimens (8.2%) contained a microscopic focus (less than 2 mm in length of the entire biopsy core specimen) of adenocarcinoma. For these 49 patients, the clinical and pathologic features were correlated. Results. Of these 49 patients, 27 (55.1%) underwent either radical prostatectomy, with or without pelvic lymph node dissection (26), or pelvic lymph node dissection alone (1). Seven of these 27 patients (25.9%) had extraprostatic disease: lymph node involvement (1), positive surgical margins (5), or seminal vesicle invasion (1). Ten of the 49 patients (20.4%) underwent radiotherapy, and 12 (24.5%) chose hormonal therapy. The pathologic stage for these 22 patients could not be ascertained. However, despite the limited amount of disease in the biopsy specimen, 2 patients treated with radiotherapy suffered a relapse (mean interval to recurrence, 11.5 months), and 3 patients treated with hormonal therapy (early or delayed) had bony metastasis at the time of diagnosis. Overall, 12 of the 49 patients (24.5%) had unfavorable disease (as defined by extraprostatic disease on pathologic specimen, relapse after radiotherapy, or bony metastasis at the time of diagnosis). Conclusions. These findings suggest that a microscopic focus of prostatic adenocarcinoma in a needle biopsy specimen, per se, does not predict the pathologic stage or the biologic behavior of a tumor.
Charcot's triad.

Biliary stones are usually found in the gallbladder, but about 10-20% may spontaneously migrate into the common bile duct where they either remain trapped or migrate subsequently via the papilla of Vater into the duodenal lumen. In some cases, biliary stones may form de novo in the common bile duct because of local precipitating factors. We here present a spectacular case of huge gallstones impacted in the common bile duct (empierrement of the common bile duct) that led to the development of acute cholangitis with septic shock. Urgent nocturnal percutaneous cholangiography permitted biliary drainage and resolution of the cholangitis while the stones were secondarily removed surgically because of the large size of the stones. Acute suppurative cholangitis may be fatal unless adequate biliary drainage is obtained in a timely manner. The association of fever and rapid onset of jaundice in elderly patients should always make physicians think of cholangitis.
The hypoxic microenvironment of the skin contributes to Akt-mediated melanocyte transformation.

Summary Constitutive activation of Aktcharacterizes ahigh percentage ofhumanmelanomas and representsa poorprognosticfactor of the disease. We show that Akt transforms melanocytes only in a hypoxic environment, which is found in normal skin. The synergy between Akt and hypoxia is HIF1a mediated. Inhibition of HIF1a decreases Akt transformation capacity in hypoxia and tumor growth in vivo, while overexpression of HIF1a allows anchorage-independent growth in normoxia and developmentofmore aggressivetumors.Finally,weshow thatmTORactivity isnecessary tomaintainthetransformed phenotypeby sustaining HIF1a activity. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that Akt hyperactivation and HIF1a induction by normally occurring hypoxia in the skin significantly contribute to melanoma development.
Approaches to better management

Bloxham, Eleanor. 2003. Economic Value Management (New York: John Wiley & Sons). Stamitis, D. H. 2003. Six Sigma for Financial Professionals (New York: John Wiley & Sons).
A Five-year Spectroscopic and Photometric Campaign on the Prototypical α Cygni Variable and A-type Supergiant Star Deneb

Deneb is often considered the prototypical A-type supergiant and is one of the visually most luminous stars in the Galaxy. A-type supergiants are potential extragalactic distance indicators, but the variability of these stars needs to be better characterized before this technique can be considered reliable. We analyzed 339 high-resolution echelle spectra of Deneb obtained over the five-year span of 1997 through 2001 as well as 370 Stromgren photometric measurements obtained during the same time frame. Our spectroscopic analysis included dynamical spectra of the Hα profile, Hα equivalent widths, and radial velocities measured from Si II λλ 6347, 6371. Time-series analysis reveals no obvious cyclic behavior that proceeds through multiple observing seasons, although we found a suspected 40 day period in two, non-consecutive observing seasons. Some correlations are found between photometric and radial velocity data sets and suggest radial pulsations at two epochs. No correlation is found between the variability of the Hα profiles and that of the radial velocities or the photometry. Lucy found evidence that Deneb was a long-period single-lined spectroscopic binary star, but our data set shows no evidence for radial velocity variations caused by a binary companion.
Perspectives in Measurements and Modeling of Musculoskeletal Joint Dynamics

Man performs physical activities in a variety of ways. The manner in which he performs these dynamic functions is influenced by his body build, physiological conditions, disease states and psychomotor responses. The problem of analyzing human musculoskeletal dynamics has become more demanding as the complexity of the tasks he must perform and the pathological changes he has endured increase. This new research endeavor has been extensively studied by several scientific disciplines; one of which is biomechanics.
CNS involvement in the antisecretory action of [Met5]enkephalinamide on the rat intestine.

Abstract The effects of the stable enkephalin, [D-Ala 2 , Met 5 ]enkephalinamide (DAMA) were examined on basal and stimulated fluid accumulation in intestinal loops of anesthetized Wistar-Furth rats. DAMA (0.1–3.0 μg, i.c.v.) dose-dependently increased basal fluid absorption in the medial ileum and decreased jejunal and proximal ileal fluid secretion after 4 h cholera toxin (1 μg/loop) pretreatment. The antisecretory effects of DAMA were blocked by naltrexone (1 mg/kg s.c.). Thus, the antisecretory effects of opioids may be partially mediated at CNS sites.
The determinants of US banking activity abroad

Abstract The banking industry provides an excellent example of the internationalization of world business and economic interdependencies across countries. Analysis of the past growth of international banking operations can also prove useful to banks interested in augmenting their current business or expanding their international coverage, and to banks who anticipated future competition in their markets from new or strengthened foreign competitors. This study provides the most comprehensive examination of the development of US bank branches in other countries is presented and tested in order to facilitate the understanding of the expansion of international banking.
Survival after Resuscitation from Out-of-Hospital Ventricular Fibrillation

During the first three years in operating a comprehensive system for the management of out-of-hospital medical emergencies, 146 patients were resuscitated from ventricular fibrillation, hospitalized, and discharged home. The diagnosis of acute transmural myocardial infarction associated with the episode of ventricular fibrillation was confirmed in only 17% of the patients. The presence of myocardial necrosis, based on either evidence of new transmural infarction or LDH-isoenzyme criteria was established in 49.5% of the patients. During the follow-up period, averaging 418 days, 43 of the 146 patients died. Thirty-four of the 43 deaths occurred suddenly outside the hospital. Patients whose aborted sudden cardiac death was associated with acute transmural infarction had a mortality rate of 14% after two years of follow-up. In contrast, patients without evidence of acute myocardial necrosis had a high mortality rate — 47% at two years. It is concluded that: 1) out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation is commo...
Documenting the Cancer Journey

Data are useful only when they are transformed into knowledge. With the increasing complexity of chronic medical illness, of which cancer is a prime example, the value of medical data is realized when they are interpreted in clinical context and shared with the patient and the medical team involved in that patient’s care. Even more powerful is when the data set surrounding an individual patient is combined or aggregated with that of other similar patients and as a result informs us about the health of a population of patients. The goal of achieving both of these is embedded in the Institute of Medicine’s 5 overarching goals that underlie the Meaningful Use Program to incentivize the adoption of health information technology. To accomplish this requires 2 steps. First, an agreed-upon set of data that is valued by the health provider team and the patient must be contributed by the individuals most closely associated with the generation of those data. Second, a technical standard to message those data and achieve interoperability of information platforms, such as electronic medical records, needs to be agreed upon by all users. In this issue of the Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Monica de Baca, MD, and coauthors lay valuable ground toward realizing the first step by describing a framework to conceptualize how data may look. By following the engineering concept of a use case, they gain insight into the type, source, and flow of valuable data that will be housed in the Integrated Disease Report. The time points where treatment decisions can be aided by clinical decision support tools become apparent. Collective intelligence derived from the contributions of patients, pathologists, radiologists, oncologists, and others will lead to less duplication of effort, more timely and correct decision making, and improved quality and value of health care. However, each medical specialty professional society that is routinely involved in caring for cancer patients must accept the challenge to coalesce a data set, using standard vocabularies, and drive uniform adoption by the physicians that each society represents.
Exploiting Simulation Slack to Improve Parallel Simulation Speed

Parallel simulation is a technique to accelerate microarchitecture simulation of CMPs by exploiting the inherent parallelism of CMPs. In this paper, we explore the simulation paradigm of simulating each core of a target CMP in one thread and then spreading the threads across the hardware thread contexts of a host CMP. We start with cycle-by-cycle simulation and then relax the synchronization condition in various schemes, which we call slack simulations. In slack simulations, the Pthreads simulating different simulated cores do not synchronize after each simulated cycle, but rather they are given some slack. The slack is the difference in cycle between the simulated times of any two target cores. Small slacks, such as a few cycles, greatly improve the efficiency of parallel CMP simulations, with no or negligible simulation error. We have developed a simulation framework called SlackSim to experiment with various slack simulation schemes. Unlike previous attempts to parallelize multiprocessor simulations on distributed memory machines, SlackSim takes advantage of the efficient sharing of data in the host CMP architecture. We demonstrate the efficiency and accuracy of some well-known slack simulation schemes and of some new ones on SlackSim running on a state-of-the-art CMP platform.
A Framework for Assessing Cluster Development

Clusters, especially those based in some way on technological innovation, have become a key concept in regional development. But precise measurement and assessment of the concept is difficult. This is particularly the case in regions where techno- logical innovation has lagged significantly and where policy support has only recently expanded. This study examines the use of the “cluster” idea in seven industry groups in Maine defined by the state. An eight-element framework is proposed to describe cluster characteristics appropriate to these technology and industry-related groups. Based on extensive interviews with firms and other organizations, the strengths and weaknesses of cluster characteristics are identified. The role of clusters in the economy is also assessed by comparing cluster strength with market growth potential. The results show that none of the technology clusters currently has strong economic impact potential but that some could achieve that potential more quickly than would others.
Goodness of pattern and pattern uncertainty.

Summary It is argued that when a pattern is perceived, it is perceived not only as itself but also as one of a subset of equivalent patterns. The hypothesis tested in this experiment is that pattern goodness is related inversely to the size of this inferred set of equivalent patterns. Two sets of 90 patterns, either five dots or five X's and four O's, were rated for pattern goodness. The same patterns were also arranged into groups according to a similarity criterion. The high correlations between the rating of goodness and the size of the similarity groupings substantiated the hypothesis. An objective measure of the size of equivalence groups was obtained by using reflection and rotation to determine the number of equivalent patterns. This objective measure accounted for 73% of the total variance of the ratings of figural goodness. It is argued that pattern uncertainty is the fundamental factor in pattern goodness, and that factors such as symmetry are simply concomitants of this factor.
Application of immunohistochemistry to soft tissue neoplasms.

Abstract Context.—Soft tissue tumors are composed of numerous and complex diagnostic entities. Because of this complexity and the recognition of an intermediate malignancy category including some tumors with a deceptively bland histologic appearance, soft tissue tumors may represent a major diagnostic challenge to the general practicing pathologist. Objective.—To correctly diagnose soft tissue tumors with the ancillary use of immunohistochemistry. Data Sources.—Review of the current literature with emphasis on those tumors for which immunohistochemistry has proven to be particularly useful. Conclusions.—Immunohistochemistry plays an important role in the diagnosis of soft tissue tumors. One of its major utilities is to correctly identify a tumor as being of mesenchymal or nonmesenchymal origin. Once mesenchymal origin has been established, histologic subtyping according to specific cell lineage may be achieved with the use of lineage-specific markers. Tumors of uncertain cell lineage and tumors with primi...
Background interstage gain calibration technique for pipelined ADCs

A background self-calibration technique is proposed that can correct both linear and nonlinear errors in the interstage amplifiers of pipeline and algorithmic analog-to-digital converters (ADCs). Stage redundancy in a pipeline architecture is exploited to measure gain errors that are corrected using digital post-processing. The proposed technique allows faster convergence and has less dependence on input signal statistics than a similar technique described by Murmann and Boser. Simulation results are presented for a 12-bit pipelined ADC architecture, similar to that described by Murmann and Boser, using nonideal interstage residue amplifiers. With calibration, the simulations show a signal-to-noise-and-distortion-ratio performance of 72 dB and a spurious-free dynamic range performance of 112 dB, with calibration tracking time constants of approximately 8/spl times/10/sup 5/ sample periods, which is over ten times faster than that reported by Murmann and Boser at a similar performance level.
The basic mechanics of bipedal walking lead to asymmetric behavior

This paper computationally investigates whether gait asymmetries can be attributed in part to basic bipedal mechanics independent of motor control. Using a symmetrical rigid-body model known as the compass-gait biped, we show that changes in environmental or physiological parameters can facilitate asymmetry in gait kinetics at fast walking speeds. In the environmental case, the asymmetric family of high-speed gaits is in fact more stable than the symmetric family of low-speed gaits. These simulations suggest that lower extremity mechanics might play a direct role in functional and pathological asymmetries reported in human walking, where velocity may be a common variable in the emergence and growth of asymmetry.
Anthropological Knowledge and Native American Cultural Practice in the Liberal Polity

U.S. Indian policy is caught between two incommensurable theories or paradigms. First, liberal theory extended the worldviewof early physical science to understand human nature. Providing the conceptual foundation for liberal polities, it largely underwrote U.S. Indian policy into the mid-20th century. Liberal theory recently has been superceded, as theory, by anthropological culture theory, which better accounts for variations between peoples and the realities of human life. The advent of culture theory marks a major paradigm shift within science and public consciousness. Liberal theory, however, remains the foundation for the powerful ideology of liberalism and the institutional practices of Western capitalism and democracy. Thus arise uncomfortable disjunctions—first, between incommensurable theories that both remain vital forces in public life, and, secondarily, between knowledge and practice. This article explores these contending theoretical formations, disjunctions between them, and illustrates how these disjunctions translate into contemporary argument in U.S. Indian policy.
A hybrid algorithm for the one machine sequencing problem to minimize total tardiness

Abstract : In a recent paper, Hamilton Emmons has established theorems relating to the order in which pairs of jobs are to be processed in an optimal schedule to minimize the total tardiness of performing jobs on one machine. Using these theorems, the algorithm of this paper determines the precedence relationships among pairs of jobs (whenever possible) and eliminates the first and the last few jobs in an optimal sequence. The remaining jobs are then ordered by incorporating the precedence relationships in a dynamic programming framework. Propositions are proved which considerably reduce the total computation involved in the dynamic programming phase. Computational results indicate that the solution time goes up only linearly with the size (n) of the problem. The median solution time for solving 50 job problems was 0.36 seconds on UNIVAC 1108 computer. (Author)
Using multimodal femtosecond CARS imaging to determine plaque burden in luminal atherosclerosis

Luminal atherosclerosis imaging was demonstrated by multimodal femtosecond CARS microscopy (MM-CARS). Using a myocardial infarction-prone rabbit model of atherosclerosis, this study demonstrated the utility of multimodal CARS imaging in determining atherosclerotic plaque burden through two types of image analysis procedures. Firstly, multimodal CARS images were evaluated using a signal-intensity parameter based on intensity changes derived from the multi-channel data (e.g. TPEF, SHG and CARS) to classify plaque burden within the vessel. Secondly, the SHG images that mainly correspond to collagen fibrils were evaluated using a texture analysis model based on the first-order statistical (FOS) parameters of the image histogram. Correlation between FOS parameters of collagen images with atherosclerosis plaque burden was established. A preliminary study of using spectroscopic CARS in identifying the different lipid components within the plaque was also discussed.
Near-field patterns from pyramidal horn antennas: numerical calculation and experimental verification

The electromagnetic field close to a pyramidal horn antenna has been predicted using a numerical technique assuming a spherical phase front in the aperture of the horn. Comparison with experimental results using an infrared imaging technique has shown that the best fit is for a phase front that is 1.25 times more curved than a sphere. The infrared imaging method has been demonstrated to be very useful for mapping the fields in a region that is sensitive to the introduction of metallic probes. >
Alveolar macrophage priming by intravenous administration of chitin particles, polymers of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, in mice.

Intravenous (i.v.) administration of phagocytosable chitin particles (1 to 10 microm) in C57BL/6 mice and SCID mice primed alveolar macrophages (Mphi) within 3 days to yield up to a 50-fold increase in their oxidative burst when elicited in vitro with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). C57BL/6 mice pretreated with monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against mouse gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) or NK1.1 showed a markedly decreased level of alveolar Mphi priming following injection of chitin particles. To confirm IFN-gamma production in vitro, spleen cells isolated from normal C57BL/6 mice and SCID mice were cultured with chitin particles. Significant IFN-gamma production was observed following stimulation with chitin but not with chitosan or latex beads. When spleen cells were treated with anti-NK1.1 MAb, IFN-gamma production was significantly inhibited. Another set of experiments showed that when C57BL/6 mice were pretreated i.v. with a small dose IFN-gamma, a higher level of priming was induced with not only phagocytosable chitin particles but also phagocytosable chitosan and even latex beads. Likewise, the spleen cell cultures preconditioned with IFN-gamma provided an up-regulation of IFN-gamma production by these phagocytosable particles. Taken together, the in vivo and in vitro results suggest that (i) the alveolar Mphi priming mechanism is due, at least in part, to direct activation of Mphi by IFN-gamma, which is produced by NK1.1+ CD4- cells; (ii) IFN-gamma would have an autocrine-like effect on Mphi and make them more responsive to particle priming; and (iii) phagocytosis of particulates, probably by a postmembrane event such as interiorization, appears to be important for the up-regulation of alveolar Mphi priming and IFN-gamma production.
High-speed manipulation of information representations. II. Markush (fragment) searches

Abstract New high-speed techniques for representing and manipulating graphs (or topological maps), like chemical formulae, that preserve their topological structure, have been described and demonstrated in Part I of this series. This paper extends the new techniques and then focuses on their use for finding embedded fragments that are not cataloged. Such fragments, also called Markush structures, can be any configuration of atoms and/or moieties and/or bonds.
Functional MRI of the lumbar spine in erect position in a superconducting open-configuration MR system: Preliminary results

The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of obtaining, and findings in, functional MRI of the lumbar spine in an erect position and with flexion and extension. Thirty subjects (including 5 volunteers) were imaged in a sitting position and while performing flexion and extension. The alternations in posterior disk margin, size of neural foramina, and central canal were evaluated. In addition, routine supine imaging was accomplished in 15 of these subjects. The foraminal size and posterior disk margins did not change appreciably from supine to upright position. With extension, there was an increased disk bulge in 27% of disks (40% of those with desiccation). Central canal size (50%) and foraminal size (27%) decreased with extension, especially at levels with disk desiccation. Images obtained with our open-configuration MR unit were diagnostically adequate, although of inferior quality compared with those obtained with a conventional unit. Our preliminary results show the feasibility of obtaining diagnostic images of the erect lumbar spine with flexion and extension. The results are in agreement with those obtained with cadaveric studies. The utility of this method in diagnostic imaging of patients with low back pain remains to be determined.
Cytokines, Iron Homeostasis, and Cancer

Iron is of central importance to all, from bacteria to higher eukaryotes.1–3 It is critical for such important cellular processes as DNA synthesis, cellular respiration, and oxygen transport. However, iron also is a catalytic participant in the generation of damaging oxygen free radicals. Given this balance of iron availability and cellular survival and iron availability and cell injury, the level and redox state of iron is very tightly regulated within cells by a number of important proteins. These proteins—transferrin, transferrin receptor, and ferritin—are highly conserved. In bacteria and lower eukaryotes, well-defined systems for uptake and regulation of iron show a high degree of similarity to those in mammals.4
The effect of mechanical vibration on orthodontically induced root resorption

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate the effect of low-frequency mechanical vibration (LFMV) on orthodontically induced root resorption. Materials and Methods: Forty male CD1, 12-week-old mice were used for the study. The mice were randomly divided into five groups: group 1 (baseline)—no spring and no mechanical vibration, group 2—orthodontic spring but no vibration, group 3—orthodontic spring and 5 Hz of vibration applied to the maxillary first molar, group 4—orthodontic spring and 10 Hz of vibration applied to maxillary first molar, and group 5—orthodontic spring and 20 Hz of vibration applied to maxillary first molar. In the different experimental groups, the first molar was moved mesially for 2 weeks using a nickel-titanium coil spring delivering 10 g of force. LFMVs were applied at 5 Hz, 10 Hz, and 20 Hz. Microfocus X-ray computed tomography imaging was used to analyze root resorption. Additionally, to understand the mechanism, we applied LFMV to MC3T3 cells, and gene expression analyses were done fo...
Modeling, Learning and Reasoning with Qualitative Preferences

My research is focused on knowledge representation and reasoning, especially, preference modeling, learning and reasoning, and computational social choice.
Model Reduction of Piezoelectric Energy Harvesters Subject to Band-Limited, Stochastic Base Excitation

In many scenarios where vibration energy harvesting can be utilized — particularly those involving bio-motions or environmental disturbances — energy sources are broadband and non-stationary. On the other hand, design procedures have been predominantly developed for harmonic or white noise excitation, specifically for single degree of freedom approximations of the transducer. In this paper, a general approach for design optimization of cantilevered, piezoelectric energy harvesters in the presence of band-limited, white-noise excitation is outlined. For this study, human and vehicular motions are considered; these complex waveforms are distilled into a small set of dominant features with regard to their impact on the power output of the device. Criteria based on modal participation factors, including pre-filtering of the disturbance, are used in guiding the reduction of the input and plant degrees of freedom in order to make the design optimization problem tractable. This process determines the error in assuming a low-order model for the transducer in the presence of broadband noise that may excite multiple modes of vibration. Furthermore, this study considers the quantitative impact of charge cancellation in higher modes and the benefits of inserting multiple electrodes along the length. To illustrate these methods, energy harvesters are designed for acceleration data collected from walking and car idling. It is shown that a simple method that is a generalization of naive approaches that assume harmonic or white noise excitation and a single degree of freedom can determine which simplifications are appropriate and the inaccuracies that can be expected from them.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
A Biomechanical Basis for Low Back Injury Risk in High Exertion Tasks

Manual work is still very prevalent in many jobs today. This paper will explore the historic role that biomechanics has played in understanding these outcomes, as well as reviewing various prevention strategies used today.The focus of the presentation will be on occupational low back pain. The discussion begins with the fundamental biomechanical reality; that the lumbar spine is often subjected to extremely large compression forces when one stoops to pick up an object, even if the object is of moderate weight. The paper will discuss this outcome, as well as biomechanics research in the late 80s that lead to inclusion in 1994 of a torso twisting risk factor in the “NIOSH Lifting Guideline.”The growing use of mechanical aids (hoists, articulated arms and conveyors) has done a great deal to alleviate high levels of low back stress while lifting, but too often these same devices require people to twist and push and pull objects. High torso muscle antagonistic actions and vertebral shear forces were being pred...
Prevalence and Patterns of Developmental Delay in Multiple Gestation Preterm Infants (P07.138)

Objective: To determine the prevalence and pattern of developmental delay in infants born preterm and as multiple gestation, and explore the frequency of iron deficiency. Background Most studies exploring the adverse neurodevelopmental effects of preterm birth, multiple gestation, and iron deficiency have only calculated an overall developmental quotient (DQ) without examining individual developmental domains. Design/Methods: This retrospective study involved a review of medical records of patients 3-36 months of age who were evaluated by a neurodevelopmental specialist (ITJ) in a neonatal high-risk follow-up clinic between July 2005 and December 2011. Patients who were born preterm at Results: Forty patients with mean corrected age of 11.7 month (SD of 6.60 and mean gestational age of 30 weeks (SD 3.5) with mean birth weight 1300 grams (SD 484). The sample was comprised of 31 twins and 9 triplets. 68% of patients had some form of developmental delay. Expressive language delays were most prevalent (45%), followed by gross motor (40%), total DQ (37.5%), visual motor (25%), total language DQ (22.5%), and receptive language delay (20%). Of 21 patients with iron studies, 28% were iron deficient; however, there were no significant statistical differences in the DQ of various domains between iron-deficient and iron-replete patients. Conclusions: Infants born preterm and as multiple gestations have high prevalence of significant developmental delays which involve most frequently expressive language. One fourth of babies with iron studies had iron deficiency, but no differences were noted in DQ compared to iron-replete babies. Disclosure: Dr. Sibley has nothing to disclose. Dr. Jarjour has nothing to disclose. Dr. Jarjour has nothing to disclose.
Performance evaluation of an authentication mechanism in time-triggered networked control systems

An important challenge in networked control systems is to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the message in order to secure the communication and prevent attackers or intruders from compromising the system. However, security mechanisms may jeopardize the temporal behavior of the network data communication because of the computation and communication overhead. In this paper, we study the effect of adding Hash Based Message Authentication (HMAC) to a time-triggered networked control system. Time Triggered Architectures (TTAs) provide a deterministic and predictable timing behavior that is used to ensure safety, reliability and fault tolerance properties. The paper analyzes the computation and communication overhead of adding HMAC and the impact on the performance of the time-triggered network. Experimental validation and performance evaluation results using a TTEthernet network are also presented. Keywords—Time-Trigger Architectures, TTEthernet, HMAC, Secure Messages, Performance Evaluation
A Few Questions about Judging Methods and Judicial Regulation in Zhuang Zi-Heaven' Way——In Addition the Controversy of Judging Logics between the Two Schools of Taoists and Mohists in Pre-Qing Dynasty

In current studies of judging methods, traditional methodology is seldom attached importance to. On the basis of systematical analysis, this thesis fully explains that the original introspection model contained in Heaven' Way is the essence of traditional judging theory, presents the differences of judging logics between Taoist school and Mohist school as well as the reasons why Taoist school criticized Mohist school, illustrates that it was reasonable for Taoist school to object mechanical logical pragmatic means and to realize particular case fairness through pursuing “what law wills follows”, and shows the basic model of Taoist school to achieve objective cognition by judicial regulation.
Occupational exposures to antineoplastic drugs in an oncology-hematology department

Approximately 100 antineoplastic drugs are used for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. Commonly referred to as chemotherapy drugs, antineoplastics act by preventing or inhibiting the growt...
Mitochondrial encephalomyopathies: biochemical approach

Grâce aux progres recents de la genetique moleculaire dans le domaine des encephalopathies mitochondriales, il est maintenant possible d'etablir une correlation entre les lesions genetiques et les deficiences biochimiques. Dans la myopathie infantile fatale par defaut de cytochrome c oxydase (COX), maladie a caractere autosomique recessif, des etudes immunocytochimiques ont revele un defaut isole de la sous-unite VIIa qui est une des deux sous-unites specifiques de la COX chez l'homme. Sur les biopsies musculaires de malades atteints de Kearns-Sayre, affection multisystemique caracterisee par la deletion de l'ADN mitochondrial (ADNmt), les activitesf de toutes les enzymes mitochondriales contenant des sous-unites codees par l'ADmt sont diminuees
Abstract 15567: Increased Visceral Fat Volume is Associated With Aortic Inflammation and Cardiovascular Events

Introduction: While the relationship between obesity and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is well-established, mechanisms underlying this relationship are not well elucidated. Hypothesis: Our hypothesis is that visceral adipose tissue (VAT) volume, aortic inflammation and the risk of subsequent cardiovascular events are linked together. Methods: Individuals who underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging were included. VAT volume, subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) volume and aortic FDG uptake were measured while blinded to clinical data. Cardiovascular events were adjudicated by independent cardiologists. Thereafter, the relationship between VAT volume and aortic FDG activity and cardiovascular events was evaluated using Cox proportional hazard models. Results: The final analysis included 415 patients with a median age of 55 (P25-P75: 45-65) years and a median BMI of 26.4 (P25- P75: 23.4-30.9) kg/m2. VAT and SAT volume were significantly higher in obese individuals. 32 subjects experienced cardiovascular event during a ...
Spatial load balancing in non-convex environments using sampling-based motion planners

This paper proposes an algorithm to approximately solve a spatial-load balancing problem for agents, subject to differential constraints, deployed in non-convex environments. A probabilistic roadmap is used to approximate regions via connected sets of vertices, which describe agents' configurations and optimal paths joining them. At each iteration, agents' positions and assigned graph nodes are updated to minimize the cost function. Two graph-node partitions are considered. In the first one, ν, all graph vertices are allocated to one agent or another. The second one, νlower, is a lower approximation that only allocates some of the graph vertices to the agents and has the advantage of requiring less communication than required for ν. Algorithm convergence can be guaranteed for ν to a neighborhood of the continuous-space counterpart, and to its solution as sampling dispersion tends to zero. The convergence of the algorithm using νlower and trade-offs between νlower and ν are established in simulation for a Euclidean metric case and Dubins' vehicle dynamics.
Numerical Analysis of Curved Thrusters for Multichamber Aerospike Engines in Flight Conditions

The paper investigates thruster nozzle shapes for use in annular multichamber aerospike engine configurations. A thruster shape with a supersonic nozzle section curved in the circumferential and lo...
Clinical Yield of Endoscopic Ultrasound and Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine-Needle Aspiration for Incidental Pancreatic Cysts in Kidney Transplant Evaluation

Introduction For several reasons, including an elevated risk for malignancy after transplant, kidney transplant candidates undergo a thorough evaluation prior to transplantation. Further assessment of incidentally discovered pancreatic cysts on routine abdominal imaging has been assumed to be prudent, and the preferred method has been endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA). The clinical utility of EUS/EUS-FNA with respect to transplant decision-making has not been evaluated. Materials and Methods Kidney transplant candidates undergoing EUS/EUS-FNA for further evaluation of one or more pancreatic cysts were identified. The clinical yield of the EUS/EUS-FNA was determined via retrospective chart review. Results After exclusion criteria were applied, a total of 15 cases were identified at a high-volume transplant center over a 71-month period. EUS/EUS-FNA was deemed to have a clinically relevant impact in 73.3% of cases. Conclusion Kidney transplant candidates are a unique group with respect to the need to clarify the etiology of pancreatic cysts. EUS/EUS-FNA frequently provides information that is clinically relevant to the determination of transplant status. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Review: Most current drugs improve active Crohn disease but do not prevent relapse

Source Citation Salomon P, Kornbluth A, Aisenberg J, Janowitz HD. How effective are current drugs for Crohn's disease? A meta-analysis. J Clin Gastroenterol. 1992 Mar;14:211-5.
Suicidal Crises: The Clinical and Research Implications of Overlooking the Role of Suicidal Reactivity

Individuals differ in their likelihood of becoming suicidal in the presence of stressors. This “suicidal reactivity” (i.e. the ease with which suicide-relevant physiological, emotional or cognitive processes are activated by suicide-relevant cues) is explicitly or implicitly included as a component of several extant theories of suicide, but is not consistently emphasized in suicide risk assessment or management. In this chapter, we examine the construct of suicidal reactivity from the perspective of cognitive models of suicidal behaviour. We propose that the failure to adequately assess suicidal reactivity may be a large contributing factor to the lack of progress in suicide risk assessment, and we review assessment measures relevant to suicidal reactivity. We also describe ways in which suicidal reactivity can be treated and illustrate how better understanding, predicting and preparing for reactivity plays a crucial role in suicide risk assessment, management and treatment. Finally, we argue that a lack of attention to the impact of suicidal reactivity on behaviour during research participation likely impedes our ability to draw meaningful conclusions from suicide research. We propose that suicidal reactivity is in need of additional empirical scrutiny and identify avenues for future research.
Determination of latent hardening response for FeNiCoCrMn for twin-twin interactions

Abstract Twin migration stresses and the associated latent hardening response in high entropy fcc alloys are derived corresponding to the dual interactions between all plausible twin systems. Employing an atomistically-informed, anisotropic analysis; the hardening matrix coefficients are calculated for the promising equiatomic FeNiCoCrMn high entropy alloy. The results point that the self-hardening coefficients (diagonal matrix components) are greater in magnitude than the latent hardening coefficients (off-diagonal components). This finding is a deviation from previous views in the literature which incorrectly attributed most of the hardening to latent terms. The predicted migration stresses and the strain hardening behavior exhibit a strong deviation from the Schmid law. The theoretical predictions are demonstrated to be in well agreement with the experimental trends. Furthermore, the local deviations from the stoichiometric chemical composition are shown to be of cardinal importance in the atomistic scale fault energy barrier levels.
Fatigue Crack Initiation on Slip Bands

ABSTRACT Fatigue cracks initiate in very tiny regions along slip bands. Existing models are criticized because they consider the initial crack to be rather large. The initial stage of fatigue crack initiation along a slip band is suggested to be the inverse of whisker formation with diffusion of vacancies playing a role.
Lesions of the Vulva and Vagina

Tumors of vulva and vagina are generally classified into squamous, glandular, melanocytic, and mesenchymal neoplasms. Squamous carcinoma is by far the most common primary malignancy involving both organs. Squamous intraepithelial neoplasia is the most common preinvasive condition of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Lichen sclerosus is also considered as a preneoplastic condition of vulvar SCC (Fig. 2.1). Condyloma acuminatum is the most common squamous disorder, caused by low-risk HPV subtypes (HPV 6 and 11), and does not progress to malignancy, except in rare cases where high-risk HPV is a causal factor. Conventional mullerian ­adenocarcinomas are rare in vulva and vagina. Extramammary Paget’s disease represents a special form of glandular malignancy outside of the breast and is generally not associated with an invasive component. Primary clear cell carcinoma of the vagina is famous for its association with intrauterine DES exposure in the past, but is very rare nowadays. Melanoma represents 5% of vulvar cancers and is capable of widespread metastasis. A variety of benign and malignant mesenchymal tumors can be seen in the vulvar and vaginal regions, with benign angiomyofibroblastoma and deep aggressive angiomyxoma primarily involving these areas.
Characterization of a Transient intermediate in the Folding of Dihydrofolate Reductase

The central dogma of molecular biology describes the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA (transcription) and from RNA to protein (translation). Although the information is stored and expressed in a linear format, the final product spontaneously folds to a unique three dimensional structure which is required for function. The past three decades have seen tremendous advances in our understanding of the processes of transcription and translation, however, rather little is known about the details of how the amino sequence of a protein directs the rapid and efficient folding to the native conformation.