cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Secure RSS-Fingerprint-Based Indoor Positioning: Attacks and Countermeasures

Indoor positioning systems (IPS) based on RSS fingerprints have received significant attention in recent years, but they are unfortunately vulnerable to RSS attacks that cannot be thwarted by conventional cryptographic means. In this paper, we identify two practical RSS attacks on RSS-fingerprint-based IPS (RSS-IPS. In both attacks, the attacker learns the RSS-fingerprint database at the IPS server by acting as a normal user repeatedly issuing location queries and then impersonates selected APs with fake ones under his control. By carefully tuning the locations and transmission power of fake APs, the attacker is able to control the RSS experienced by victim users at target locations, leading to either a large location error or the IPS server misled into returning a fake location of the attacker’s choice. We further design a fingerprint-matching mechanism based on a novel truncated distance metric as the countermeasure. Trace-driven simulation studies based on real RSS measurement data demonstrate the severe impact of the proposed attacks and also the effectiveness of our countermeasure.
The Creation of the Hospital of Saint John

Although the early hospital movement had created a number of hospitals, many of the institutions remained rural in character. Other monastic hospitals were overtaxed and overburdened. The creation of the Saint John’s signaled a new hospital that merged the urban charitable institutions and the monastic hospital into one coherent unit, especially through its statutes. The statutes were clear, concise, and orderly, but they also guaranteed the bishop’s power. This resulted in a local church–state debate. Occurring simultaneously throughout Europe was a greater church–state debate that sought to reform religious institutions, including hospitals. Saint John’s statutes were used, borrowed, and disseminated among the episcopal networks in the local and immediate area, making it a standard example of the municipal hospitals of the high Middle Ages.
Inpatient Complications Predict Tracheostomy Better than Admission Variables After Traumatic Brain Injury

Data regarding who will require tracheostomy are lacking which may limit investigations into therapeutic effects of early tracheostomy. We performed an observational study of adult traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission for ≥ 72 h and mechanical ventilation for ≥ 24 h between January 2014 and December 2014 at a level 1 trauma center. Patients who had life-sustaining measures withdrawn were excluded. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to assess admission and inpatient factors associated with receiving a tracheostomy and to develop predictive models. Inpatient complications prior to day 7 were used to standardize data collection for patients with and without tracheostomy. Patients who received tracheostomy prior to day 7 were excluded from analysis. In total, 209 patients (78% men, mean 48 years old, median Glasgow Coma Scale score (GCS) 8) met study criteria with tracheostomy performed in 94 (45%). Admission predictors of tracheostomy included GCS, chest tube, Injury Severity Score, and Marshall score. Inpatient factors associated with tracheostomy included the requirement for an external ventricular drain (EVD), number of operations, inpatient dialysis, aspiration, GCS on day 5, and reintubation. Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the number of operation room trips (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.75; 95% CI, 1.04–2.97; P = 0.036), reintubation (AOR, 8.45; 95% CI, 1.91–37.44; P = .005), and placement of an EVD (AOR, 3.48; 95% CI, 1.27–9.58; P = .016) were independently associated with patients undergoing tracheostomy. Higher GCS on hospital day 5 (AOR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.40–0.68; P < 0.001) was protective against tracheostomy. A model of inpatient variables only had a stronger association with tracheostomy than one with admission variables only (ROC AUC 0.93 vs 0.72, P < 0.001) and did not benefit from the addition of admission variables (ROC AUC 0.93 vs 0.92, P = 0.78). Potentially modifiable inpatient factors have a stronger association with tracheostomy than do admission characteristics. Multicenter studies are needed to validate the results.
Can interfaces at bracket-wire and between teeth in multi-teeth finite element model be simplified?

Objective Finite element (FE) method's correctness depends heavily on modeling method. This study aimed at determining whether the interfaces at bracket-wire and between teeth can be simplified for multi-teeth FE analysis. Method A three-dimensional FE model of a mandible was created from cone-beam computed tomography scan. Due to symmetry, only a half of the mandible was modeled, which consisted of five teeth (first premolar extraction and only first molar), brackets and archwire, periodontal ligament (PDL), cortical bone, and cancellous bone. All the bone, teeth, and PDL were considered to be isotropic and linear. The En-masse retraction case was simulated. A detailed model, which has contact elements between the bracket and archwire and between teeth, was developed to allow relative motion at the interfaces. A model with simplified interfacial conditions, which does not allow the relative motion, was also created. The stresses and displacements as results of the treatment on these two models were calculated and compared. Results The stress and displacement distributions from the detailed model were more close to reality based on the expected displacement pattern of the clinical case than from the simplified model. The maximum stresses from the two methods were also different. The highest stress from the detailed model is twice as high as from the simplified model. Conclusions The detailed model provides much more reasonable results than the simplified model. Thus, the simplified model should not be used to replace the detailed model if the stress magnitude and highest stress location are the expected outcomes.
Multimodal Single-Cell Analysis Reveals Physiological Maturation in the Developing Human Neocortex.

Summary In the developing human neocortex, progenitor cells generate diverse cell types prenatally. Progenitor cells and newborn neurons respond to signaling cues, including neurotransmitters. While single-cell RNA sequencing has revealed cellular diversity, physiological heterogeneity has yet to be mapped onto these developing and diverse cell types. By combining measurements of intracellular Ca2+ elevations in response to neurotransmitter receptor agonists and RNA sequencing of the same single cells, we show that Ca2+ responses are cell-type-specific and change dynamically with lineage progression. Physiological response properties predict molecular cell identity and additionally reveal diversity not captured by single-cell transcriptomics. We find that the serotonin receptor HTR2A selectively activates radial glia cells in the developing human, but not mouse, neocortex, and inhibiting HTR2A receptors in human radial glia disrupts the radial glial scaffold. We show highly specific neurotransmitter signaling during neurogenesis in the developing human neocortex and highlight evolutionarily divergent mechanisms of physiological signaling.
Pediatric nasopharyngeal fibrolipoma: A case report and review of the literature

Abstract A 3-year-old female presented for evaluation of progressive snoring since birth. MRI revealed a fatty-appearing mass measuring 2.4 cm × 1.5 cm x 3.0 cm arising from the predental space of C1 and extending anteriorly through the prevertebral space into the retropharyngeal space. The patient underwent endoscopic trans-oral excision of the mass using electrocautery and blunt dissection, and pathological analysis yielded a diagnosis of fibrolipoma. CT imaging twelve months post-surgery showed no recurrence, and the patient remains symptom free two years later. Very few reported cases of nasopharyngeal fibrolipomas exist, and this is the first report of 2-year clinical follow-up.
Investigating appropriate molecular and chemical methods for ingredient identity testing of plant-based protein powder dietary supplements.

Plant-based protein powders are rapidly growing in popularity, and outdated quality assurance tools expose vulnerabilities to adulteration via different methods of “protein spiking”. Adequate diagnostic tools are urgently needed to be able to authenticate protein source ingredients and screen for potential adulterants. We explored the application of three diagnostic tools for ingredient identification: targeted PCR with Sanger sequencing, NGS, and LC-MS/MS. We collected 33 samples of common commercial products from the plant-based protein powder market and sought to identify botanical components using the three technologies. We found success in detection with all approaches, with at least one main protein source being identified by at least one approach in all samples. The investigation uncovered challenges to data collection or result interpretation with each technology including but not limited to amplification biases with PCR technologies, potential influence of DNA degradation, and issues with protein solubility during isolation. Ultimately, each platform demonstrated utility along with certain caveats, which epitomized the importance of orthogonality of testing.
KALOHA: ike i ke ALOHA

A new family of channel-access schemes called KALOHA (for "Knowledge in ALOHA") is introduced. KALOHA consists of modifying the pure ALOHA protocol by endowing nodes with knowledge regarding the local times when packets and acknowledgments are received, and sharing estimates of channel utilization at the medium access control (MAC) layer. The only physical-layer feedback needed in KALOHA is the reception of correct data packets and their ACKs. A simple Markov-chain model is used to compare the throughput of KALOHA with ALOHA and slotted ALOHA. The analysis takes into account the amount of knowledge that nodes have and the effect of acknowledgments and turnaround latencies. The results demonstrate the benefits derived from using and sharing knowledge of channel utilization at the MAC layer. KALOHA is more stable than ALOHA and attains more than double the throughput of ALOHA, without the need for carrier sensing, requiring time slotting at the physical layer, or using other physical-layer mechanisms.
The Many Models of Strigolactone Signaling

Strigolactones (SLs) are a class of plant hormones involved in several biological processes that are of great agricultural concern. While initiating plant–fungal symbiosis, SLs also trigger germination of parasitic plants that pose a major threat to farming. In vascular plants, SLs control shoot branching, which is linked to crop yield. SL research has been a fascinating field that has produced a variety of different signaling models, reflecting a complex picture of hormone perception. Here, we review recent developments in the SL field and the crystal structures that gave rise to various models of receptor activation. We also highlight the increasing number of discovered SL molecules, reflecting the existence of cross-kingdom SL communication.
Light Sources and Dosimetry Techniques for Photodynamic Therapy

Effective treatment delivery in photodynamic therapy (PDT) requires coordination of the light source, the photosensitizer, and the delivery device appropriate to the target tissue. Lasers, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and lamps are the main types of light sources utilized for PDT applications. The choice of light source depends on the target location, photosensitizer used, and light dose to be delivered. Geometry of minimally accessible areas also plays a role in deciding light applicator type. Typically, optical fiber-based devices are used to deliver the treatment light close to the target. The optical properties of tissue also affect the distribution of the treatment light. Treatment light undergoes scattering and absorption in tissue. Most tissue will scatter light, but highly pigmented areas will absorb light, especially at short wavelengths. This review will summarize the basic physics of light sources, and describe methods for determining the dose delivered to the patient.
Ten-year clinical outcomes for patients undergoing lower extremity endovascular interventions.

Abstract Background Midterm outcomes after endovascular therapy (EVT) had been well-evaluated; however, 10-year outcomes after EVT are rarely reported. Methods A total of 713 patients underwent successful EVT for de novo lesions without acute limb ischemia. We divided patients according to lesion location: aortoiliac lesions only (AI group; n = 260); femoropopliteal lesions with or without aortoiliac lesions (FP group; n = 336); and below-the-knee lesions with or without other lesions (BTK group; n = 117). Results The clinical follow-up rate was 91% at 10 years. All-cause mortality was significantly higher in the BTK group (75%; P Conclusions Within 10 years after EVT, more than one-half of patients with AI or FP lesions and three-fourths of patients with BTK lesions died. Although the risk of TLR after EVT for AI lesions was relatively low, non-TLR continued to occur up to 10 years, irrespective of lesion location.
Energy pathways associated with sustained spermatozoon motility in the endangered Siberian sturgeon Acipenser baerii.

Sturgeon spermatozoa are unique for their sustained motility. We investigated the relative importance of bioenergetic pathways in the energy supply of Siberian sturgeon Acipenser baerii spermatozoa during motile and immotile states. Spermatozoon motility and oxygen consumption rate (OCR) were analysed following exposure to inhibitors of oxidative phosphorylation (sodium azide, NaN3 ), glycolysis (2-deoxy-D-glucose, DOG) and β-oxidation of fatty acids (sodium fluoride, NaF), and to an uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation (carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazine, CCCP). No significant difference in curvilinear velocity was observed after addition of these reagents to activation medium (AM) or nonactivation medium (NAM) for incubation. Incubation of spermatozoa in NAM containing CCCP or NaN3 resulted in significantly decreased motility duration compared to controls. The OCR of sturgeon spermatozoa in AM (11.9 ± 1.4 nmol O2 min-1 (109 spz)-1 ) was significantly higher than in NAM (8.2 ± 1.5 nmol O2 min-1 (109 spz)-1 ). The OCR significantly declined with addition of NaN3 to AM and NAM. No significant difference in motility parameters or OCR was observed with NaF or DOG. These results suggest active oxidative phosphorylation in both immotile and motile spermatozoa. Nevertheless, mitochondrial respiration occurring during motility is not sufficient to meet the high energy demands, and the energy required for sustained motility of Siberian sturgeon spermatozoa is derived from adenosine triphosphate accumulated during the quiescent state.
An Analysis of Secondary and Middle School Teachers’ Mathematical Problem Posing

This study identifies the kinds of problems teachers pose when they are asked to (a) generate problems from given information and (b) create new problems from ones given to them. To investigate tea...
The Changing Characteristics of Technologies Covered by Medicare's New Technology Add-on Payment Program

This economic evaluation explores how Medicare’s new technology add-on payment program (NTAP), which provides reimbursement for newly available drugs and devices, has changed during its lifetime since its initiation in 2013.
Direct Dynamics Simulations of Hyperthermal O(3P) Collisions with Pristine, Defected, Oxygenated, and Nitridated Graphene Surfaces

We report here an extensive direct dynamics study on the collisions of hyperthermal (14.9 kcal mol–1) atomic oxygen with a variety of graphene surfaces to explore possible reaction channels. Severa...
A call for standardization: Practice patterns and management of critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency in surgical intensive care units.

Abstract Introduction Critical illness-rlated corticosteroid insufficiency (CIRCI) is a known sequela of severe injury and illness, yet its diagnosis and management are challenging. We hypothesized that CIRCI has significant variability in its diagnosis and management within surgical intensive care units (SICUs). Our study aimed to assess the state of practice of CIRCI in the American College of Surgery Committee on Trauma (ACS COT) certified level 1 trauma centers. Methods An 11-item questionnaire was developed based on a CIRCI literature search with expert input from medical endocrinology, acute care surgeons, and surgical intensivists to assess practice patterns of CIRCI. Prior to distribution, it was validated across 2 separate institutions by board-certified critical care surgeons. The questionnaire was distributed to trauma intensivists within level 1 trauma centers in Southeast United States and was open from April 2019 to January 2020. Results A total of 56 responses were collected with a response rate of 70%. 72% of respondents indicated they evaluate or manage CIRCI on a weekly basis. In regards to the diagnosis of CIRCI, only 5% of respondents use a formal protocol and 32% do not use laboratory testing. While a majority of respondents (94%) use corticosteroids in septic shock, 67% of those surveyed have not implemented mineralocorticoids as part of the management. 83% of respondents indicated a knowledge gap exists in the therapeutic value of corticosteroids for hemorrhagic shock. Conclusions This study demonstrates extreme variability in the diagnosis and management of CIRCI. In particular most providers acknowledge a knowledge gap in the diagnosis of CIRCI and the role of corticosteroids in hemorrhagic shock. Few providers are using adjunctive mineralocorticoids in septic shock, although recent level 1 evidence have shown a survival benefit. These responses reflect an opportunity for national improvement in the management of CIRCI.
Nonlinear interaction of three impulsive gravitational waves II: the wave estimates

This is the second and last paper of a series aimed at solving the local Cauchy problem for polarized $\mathbb U(1)$ symmetric solutions to the Einstein vacuum equations featuring the nonlinear interaction of three small amplitude impulsive gravitational waves. Such solutions are characterized by their three singular "wave-fronts" across which the curvature tensor is allowed to admit a delta singularity. Under polarized $\mathbb U(1)$ symmetry, the Einstein vacuum equations reduce to the Einstein-scalar field system in $(2+1)$ dimensions. In this paper, we focus on the wave estimates for the scalar field in the reduced system. The scalar field terms are the most singular ones in the problem, with the scalar field only being Lipschitz initially. We use geometric commutators to prove energy estimates which reflect that the singularities are localized, and that the scalar field obeys additional fractional-derivative regularity, as well as regularity along appropriately defined "good directions". The main challenge is to carry out all these estimates using only the low-regularity properties of the metric. Finally, we prove an anisotropic Sobolev embedding lemma, which when combined with our energy estimates shows that the scalar field is everywhere Lipschitz, and that it obeys additional $C^{1,\theta}$ estimates away from the most singular region.
What contributes more to life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions of farm produce: Production, transportation, packaging, or food loss?

Abstract The food production and supply systems are some of the biggest contributors to climate change, and food loss from the entire food chain aggravates the problem. We developed a model to estimate the GHG emissions from the entire food cycle (production, packaging, transportation, refrigeration, and waste management), and applied it to cherries, onions, and plums, the first time these produce have been assessed comprehensively in the United States. We pulled into the analysis 6 additional fruits and vegetables for which California accounts for more than 50% of U.S. production and which we have assessed at least partially earlier: strawberries, avocados, lemons, celery, oranges, and tomatoes. We assessed uncertainty for 34 parameters through Monte Carlo simulation. The total life-cycle food losses for one unit of cherries, onions, and plums produced are 66%, 57%, and 44%, respectively. The consumer stage contributes most of the food loss for eight of the nine produce. The results show that food loss contributes 19–61%, transportation 14–46%, packaging 11–31%, and farm production 7.7–30% to the total emissions. Alternative packaging was also explored. Polyethylene produce bags substituted with PLA bags can lower the total food-loss-inclusive emissions by only 7%, 5%, and 4% for tomatoes, oranges and onions, respectively. Forgoing retail-provided PE bags for produce that are not pre-packaged could reduce total GHG emissions by 12%, 10%, 6%, 6%, and 4% for one unit of tomatoes, onions, lemons, plums, and oranges, respectively. The GHG emissions for the 9 produce can be significantly reduced by decreasing consumer-level food loss. For tomatoes and onions, more than half of the emissions due to food loss can be offset by forgoing packaging at the retail stores.
Hooking up: Gender Differences, Evolution, and Pluralistic Ignorance

“Hooking-up” – engaging in no-strings-attached sexual behaviors with uncommitted partners - has become a norm on college campuses, and raises the potential for disease, unintended pregnancy, and physical and psychological trauma. The primacy of sex in the evolutionary process suggests that predictions derived from evolutionary theory may be a useful first step toward understanding these contemporary behaviors. This study assessed the hook-up behaviors and attitudes of 507 college students. As predicted by behavioral-evolutionary theory: men were more comfortable than women with all types of sexual behaviors; women correctly attributed higher comfort levels to men, but overestimated men's actual comfort levels; and men correctly attributed lower comfort levels to women, but still overestimated women's actual comfort levels. Both genders attributed higher comfort levels to same-gendered others, reinforcing a pluralistic ignorance effect that might contribute to the high frequency of hook-up behaviors in spi...
Polio eradication in 6 years: fact or fiction?

The Gates Foundation unveiled polio eradication as a major focus of the foundation and claimed that by 2018, polio could be eradicated from the world. However, the original global polio eradication target of the year 2000 was extended several times until the world missed the deadline for the 24 year old global polio eradication initiative to halt transmission by the end of 2012. Current eradication standards, safety enforcement and human rights are key barriers to achieving a highly effective global polio eradication agenda.
Composite Ising lattices: II. Rigorous bounds

Abstract Bounds of free energy, magnetization, and spin-spin correlation functions of composite Ising lattices are derived. A counter example is given to show that for the magnetization of composite Ising lattices mixture formula bounds are not valid in general.
Quantum Magnetism and Its Many Avatars

Magnetism and superconductivity are mysteriously intertwined in the cuprate materials that exhibit high transition temperatures. In his Perspective, Chakravarty discusses results published in two reports in the same issue; the report by Aeppli et al . describes experiments suggesting a novel state of matter related to a quantum critical point that gives rise to unusual magnetic behavior; the other by Blumberg et al . reports optical measurements of magnetic excitations in a bismuth cuprate superconductor. These results underline the complexity of magnetic physics in the cuprate materials.
The Weight-Related Abuse Questionnaire (WRAQ): Reliability, validity, and clinical utility

Weight-related teasing (WRT)/stigmatization may be distinct from teasing and general abuse and may differentially impact adult outcomes. As WRT increases in severity so do depression and disordered eating. Currently, there are no validated measures designed to assess abuse specific to weight. Thus, we developed the Weight-Related Abuse Questionnaire (WRAQ) and validated it in young adult and clinically obese populations. The WRAQ was administered to 3 samples of participants: 292 undergraduate students, 382 undergraduate students, and 59 individuals seeking bariatric surgery. Concurrent validity was assessed via measures of WRT and general childhood abuse. Convergent validity was assessed with measures of depression and disordered eating. Study 1 data were used to further develop the structure of the WRAQ. Study 2 indicated that the WRAQ had excellent psychometric properties (based on factor analyses and reliability/scale consistency analysis) and strong concurrent and convergent validity, supporting the validity of the questionnaire. 6-month test-retest reliability was also good. In Study 3 responses on the WRAQ converged well with interview responses, showed good psychometric properties, and showed moderate correlations with measures of childhood abuse and psychopathology. The WRAQ has strong psychometric properties and is strongly associated with measures of current psychopathology. Additionally, it fills a gap in the assessment literature and may be a beneficial tool for determining which individuals are at increased risk for psychopathology.
The Ca2+-Calmodulin-Activated Protein Phosphatase Calcineurin Negatively Regulates Egf Receptor Signaling in Drosophila Development

Calcineurin is a Ca 2+ -calmodulin-activated, Ser-Thr protein phosphatase that is essential for the translation of Ca 2+ signals into changes in cell function and development. We carried out a dominant modifier screen in the Drosophila eye using an activated form of the catalytic subunit to identify new targets, regulators, and functions of calcineurin. An examination of 70,000 mutagenized flies yielded nine specific complementation groups, four that enhanced and five that suppressed the activated calcineurin phenotype. The gene canB2 , which encodes the essential regulatory subunit of calcineurin, was identified as a suppressor group, demonstrating that the screen was capable of identifying genes relevant to calcineurin function. We demonstrated that a second suppressor group was sprouty , a negative regulator of receptor tyrosine kinase signaling. Wing and eye phenotypes of ectopic activated calcineurin and genetic interactions with components of signaling pathways suggested a role for calcineurin in repressing Egf receptor/Ras signal transduction. On the basis of our results, we propose that calcineurin, upon activation by Ca 2+ -calmodulin, cooperates with other factors to negatively regulate Egf receptor signaling at the level of sprouty and the GTPase-activating protein Gap1.
Quartic curves and their bitangents

A smooth quartic curve in the complex projective plane has 36 inequivalent representations as a symmetric determinant of linear forms and 63 representations as a sum of three squares. These correspond to Cayley octads and Steiner complexes respectively. We present exact algorithms for computing these objects from the 28 bitangents. This expresses Vinnikov quartics as spectrahedra and positive quartics as Gram matrices. We explore the geometry of Gram spectrahedra and we find equations for the variety of Cayley octads. Interwoven is an exposition of much of the 19th century theory of plane quartics.
End-of-life issues in AIDS: the research perspective.

In 1999 alone, HIV/AIDS-associated illnesses caused the deaths of about 2.8 million people worldwide, including an estimated 480 000 younger than 15 years1. Some 13.2 million children have lost their mothers or both parents since the epidemic began1. In this paper we describe research initiatives being pursued at the National Institute of Nursing Research, but first we examine existing publications to provide some background information.
Scanning electron microscope studies of bone samples: Influence of simulated microgravity

A scanning electron microscope (SEM) with backscatter and secondary electron emission detectors plus a Si(Li) detector for photon yield measurements was used to study bone samples from skull and leg of mice and rats. These animals were either suspended by their tail to induce simulated microgravity, characterized as hind-limb suspension (HLS) or not suspended (control). Analyses of the SEM images and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) spectra using Si(Li) detector indicate variation in the lattice structures, and in intensities of the characteristics X-rays, produced from the exposed bone surface due to its interaction with the electron beam. Using Flame software, the X-ray spectra were analyzed and normalized ratios of the elements determined. The elemental analysis indicated a variation in the density of calcium, potassium, and oxygen near the knee joints and near the sutures in the skull bones. The comparison of simulated microgravity subjected samples of the rat skull bones with that of the control samples revealed that in the suture region there was a large increase in the ratio of calcium, and to some degree for phosphorus, suggesting simulated microgravity affects distribution of these elements. Elemental composition for control samples with depth (within the cross section of the leg bones) revealed decrease of oxygen and increase of calcium in the first millimeter of the bone depth after which the relative percentage of elements stayed constant.
Analysis of magnetic drug carrier particle capture by a magnetizable intravascular stent: 1. Parametric study with single wire correlation

Abstract The feasibility of using a magnetizable intravascular stent (MIS) as part of a magnetic drug targeting (MDT) system, which consists of magnetic drug carrier particles (MDCPs), an external magnetic field source, and the MIS, is introduced and theoretically analyzed. This new approach exploits the use of high gradient magnetic separation (HGMS) principles through the MIS, which has been placed in a blood vessel adjacent to the target site, to vastly improve the targeting of the MDCPs at this site. The performance of the MDT system was based on the ability of one of the wires in the MIS to capture the MDCPs, with the capture cross-section evaluated from a single wire HGMS correlation in the literature. A parametric study showed that the dimensionless capture cross section (with respect to the wire radius) increases with lower blood velocities (0.02–0.9 m/s), higher applied magnetic field strengths (0.2–2.0 T), larger MDCPs (0.2–10 μm radius) containing more (10–100%) and stronger ferromagnetic material (iron>magnetite), and smaller wires (20–150 μm in radius) comprised of stronger ferromagnetic material (iron>430 SS>nickel>304 SS). Reasonable capture cross-sections, ranging between 2 and 3, but as high as 12, times the radius of the wire, were easily attained with just a single wire and under extreme flow conditions of 0.9 m/s that are typical of large arteries. Overall, these results show considerable promise for an HGMS-assisted MDT system with many potential applications for MIS devices.
Organic Crystal Engineering with 1,4-Piperazine-2,5-diones. 8. Synthesis, Crystal Packing, and Thermochemistry of Piperazinediones Derived from 2-Amino-4,7-dialkoxyindan-2-carboxylic Acids

1,4-Piperazine-2,5-diones possessing C2hmolecular symmetry and bearing four methoxy, ethoxy, butoxy, hexyloxy, octyloxy, nonyloxy, dodecyloxy, or octadecyloxy groups weresynthesized from 2-amino-4,7-dialkoxyindan-2-carboxylic acids. Where possible, the piperazinediones were crystallized from appropriate solvents and the supramolecular organizations were determined by X-ray crystallography. In each case so studied, crystal assembly via three mutually orthogonal interactions, namely, R22(8) hydrogen bonding, arene perpendicular edge-to-center interactions, and alkyl chain interdigitation, was observed. The thermochemical properties of these compounds were studied by modulated differential scanning calorimetry. In most cases, one or more reversible thermal events were observed between room temperature and melting to an isotropic liquid. In the cooling cycle, freezing point temperatures were observed to decrease with increasing hydrocarbon chain length. This may be due to greater entropic penalties for hydrog...
A simulation study of five biased estimators for straight line regression

Five biased estimators of the slope in straight line regression are considered. For each, the estimate of the “bias parameter”, k, is a function of N, the number of observations, and [rcirc]2 , the square of the least squares estimate of the standardized slope, β. The estimators include that of Farebrother, the ridge estimator of Hoerl, Kennard, and Baldwin, Vinod's shrunken estimators., and a new modification of one of the latter. Properties of the estimators are studied for 13 combinations of N and 3. Results of simulation experiments provide empirical evidence concerning the values of means and variances of the biased estimators of the slope and estimates of the “bias parameter”, the mean square errors of the estimators, and the frequency of improvement relative to least squares. Adjustments to degrees of freedom in the biased regression analysis of variance table are also considered. An extension of the new modification to the case of p> 1 independent variables is presented in an Appendix.
Interventional radiologic treatment of complications following gastric bypass surgery for morbid obesity

Complications of gastric bypass surgery include leakage from the gastrojejunal anastomosis with abscess formation and anastomotic stenosis. Using interventional radiologic techniques, we have treated 18 patients with such complications following surgery for morbid obesity, with clinical success in 11. Procedures included 9 abdominal abscess drainages and 7 balloon dilatations of stenotic or occluded gastrojejunal anastomoses. Eight of 9 abscesses resolved completely; 3 of 7 balloon dilatations resulted in long-term clinical improvement. We describe the techniques used as well as problems encountered in these patients.
Complete cDNA sequence and tissue localization of N-RAP, a novel nebulin-related protein of striated muscle.

We have cloned and sequenced the full-length cDNA of N-RAP, a novel nebulin-related protein, from mouse skeletal muscle. The N-RAP message is specifically expressed in skeletal and cardiac muscle, but is not detected by Northern blot in non-muscle tissues. The full-length N-RAP cDNA contains an open reading frame of 3,525 base pairs which is predicted to encode a protein of 133 kDa. A 587 amino acid region near the C-terminus is 45% identical to the actin binding region of human nebulin, containing more than 2 complete 245 residue nebulin super repeats. The N-terminus contains the consensus sequence of a cysteine-rich LIM domain, which may function in mediating protein-protein interactions. These data suggest that the encoded protein may link actin filaments to some other proteins or structure. We expressed full-length N-RAP in Escherichia coli, as well as the nebulin-like super repeat region of N-RAP (N-RAP-SR) and the region between the LIM domain and N-RAP-SR (N-RAP-IB). An anti-N-RAP antibody raised against a 30 amino acid peptide corresponding to sequence from N-RAP-IB detected recombinant N-RAP and N-RAP-IB, but failed to detect N-RAP-SR. This antibody specifically identified a 185 kDa band as N-RAP on immunoblots of mouse skeletal and cardiac muscle proteins. In an assay of actin binding to electrophoresed and blotted proteins, we detected significant actin binding to expressed nebulin super repeats and N-RAP-SR, but only a trace amount of binding to N-RAP-IB. In immunofluorescence experiments, N-RAP was found to be localized at the myotendinous junction in mouse skeletal muscle and at the intercalated disc in cardiac muscle. Based on its domain organization, actin binding properties, and tissue localization, we propose that N-RAP plays a role in anchoring the terminal actin filaments in the myofibril to the membrane and may be important in transmitting tension from the myofibrils to the extracellular matrix. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 38:75–90, 1997. Published 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc. This article is a US government work and, as such, is in the public domain of the United States of America.
Insulin regulation of RNA synthesis.

During periods of nitrogen exportation from the cell, mitochondrial carbamoyl phosphate is synthesized, thus initiating the urea cycle. During times of nitrogen conservation by the liver cell, carbamoyl phosphate is synthesized in the cytosol of the cell, whereupon the de novo pyrimidine synthesis pathway is initiated. The de novo pathway provides pyrimidines for increased ribonucleic acid synthesis. Formerly, it was believed that these two pathways functioned irrespective of one another. However, recent experimental evidence indicates that, when excess ammonia is present, mitochondrial carbamoyl phosphate passes from the mitochondria into the cell cytosol, where it is metabolized by the de novo pyrimidine synthesis pathway. When ornithine and excess ammonia are both present, mitochondrial carbamoyl phosphate no longer passes from the mitochondria into the cytosol to be metabolized by the de nova pathway. Thus the metabolic fate of mitochondrial carbamoyl phosphate, and that of excess nitrogen, is determined by the presence or absence of ornithine. In turn, this key molecule is the substrate for the cytoplasmic enzyme ornithine decarboxylase. When ornithine decarboxylase is stimulated by insulin, ornithine is metabolized to putrescine. The activated ornithine decarboxylase combines with ribonucleic acid polymerase, activating the later enzyme. When ornithine is acted upon by ornithine decarboxylase, it is no longer available for the perpetuation of the urea cycle and mitochondrial carbamoyl phosphate levels rise until the carbamoyl phosphate passes into the cytosol to be metabolized by the de novo pathway. Increased amounts of pyrimidines are available for the activated ribonucleic acid polymerase. Therefore insulin, through its stimulation of ornithine decarboxylase, achieves cellular nitrogen retention by regulating nitrogen incorporation into newly synthesized ribonucleic acid.
The effect of enteral and parenteral feeding on secretion of orexigenic peptides in infants

The feeding in the first months of the life seems to influence the risks of obesity and affinity to some diseases including atherosclerosis. The mechanisms of these relations are unknown, however, the modification of hormonal action can likely be taken into account. Therefore, in this study the levels of ghrelin and orexin A - peripheral and central peptide from the orexigenic gut-brain axis were determined. Fasting and one hour after the meal plasma concentrations of ghrelin and orexin were measured in breast-fed (group I; n = 17), milk formula-fed (group II; n = 16) and highly hydrolyzed, hypoallergic formula-fed (group III; n = 14) groups, age matched infants (mean 4 months) as well as in children with iv provision of nutrients (glucose - group IV; n = 15; total parenteral nutrition - group V; n = 14). Peptides were determined using EIA commercial kits. Despite the similar caloric intake in orally fed children the fasting ghrelin and orexin levels were significantly lower in the breast-fed children (0.37 ± 0.17 and 1.24 ± 0.29 ng/ml, respectively) than in the remaining groups (0.5 ± 0.27 and 1.64 ± 0.52 ng/ml, respectively in group II and 0.77 ± 0.27 and 2.04 ± 1.1 ng/ml, respectively, in group III). The postprandial concentrations of ghrelin increased to 0.87 ± 0.29 ng/ml, p < 0.002 and 0.76 ± 0.26 ng/ml, p < 0.01 in groups I and II, respectively as compared to fasting values. The decrease in concentration of ghrelin after the meal was observed only in group III (0.47 ± 0.24 ng/ml). The feeding did not influence the orexin concentration. In groups IV and V the ghrelin and orexin levels resembled those in milk formula-fed children. The highly hydrolyzed diet strongly affects fasting and postprandial ghrelin and orexin plasma concentrations with possible negative effect on short- and long-time effects on development. Also total parenteral nutrition with the continuous stimulation and lack of fasting/postprandial modulation might be responsible for disturbed development in children fed this way.
The 2005 ISMS Practice Prize Competition---Special Section Introduction: The 2005 ISMS Practice Prize Competition

We report on the finalists from the 2005 Informs Society for Marketing Science (ISMS) Practice Prize Competition, representing the best examples of rigor plus relevance that our profession produces.
Severe preeclampsia-eclampsia in young primigravid women: Subsequent pregnancy outcome and remote prognosis

The purpose of this report is to compare subsequent pregnancy outcome and incidence of chronic hypertension and diabetes on follow-up in two groups of patients. Group 1 included 406 young women who had severe preeclampsia-eclampsia in their first pregnancies. Group 2 consisted of 409 young, well-matched women who remained normotensive during their first pregnancies. All patients were followed up for a minimum of 2 years (range 2 to 24). The preeclamptic-eclamptic group had a higher incidence of preeclampsia in their second pregnancies (46.8% versus 7.6%, p less than 0.0001) and in subsequent pregnancies (20.7% versus 7.7%, p less than 0.001) when compared with the normotensive group. The overall incidence of chronic hypertension was significantly higher in the preeclamptic-eclamptic group (14.8% versus 5.6%, p less than 0.001). Most of the difference occurred in patients followed up greater than or equal to 10 years. Within the preeclamptic-eclamptic group, patients having preeclampsia-eclampsia at less than or equal to 30 weeks' gestation and those having recurrent preeclampsia in their second pregnancies had a significantly higher incidence of subsequent chronic hypertension (p less than 0.001) than was found in the other patients. Within the normotensive group, patients remaining normotensive in subsequent pregnancies had the lowest incidence of chronic hypertension.
Hormonal Regulation of Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases

I. Introduction ACOMPLEX array of signals from the extracellular environment regulate many cell processes, including the entry and exit from the mitotic cycle and the induction and maintenance of differentiation (1–3). Cells elaborate these external stimuli via receptors, transducers, and second messengers (4, 5) which control intricate circuits that lead to protein phosphorylation by protein kinases (6, 7). Although novel second messenger pathways have been discovered and dissected in some detail in the past 10 years (8, 9), cyclic nucleotides (cAMP and cGMP) remain the best characterized second messengers, and their role in the differentiation and control of metabolic processes of the endocrine cell is widely recognized. The components of the membrane-associated machinery that transduces external signals into changes in cyclic nucleotide levels have been isolated and characterized. These include many members of the family of membrane receptors (10–14), G proteins acting as transducers (15, 16), and aden...
Unsteady flow in rotating drums using laser Doppler velocimetry

Non-destructive measurements by laser Doppler velocimetry is employed to study unsteady flow in a hollow drum filled with liquid. The drum is suddenly accelerated from rest or is suddenly decelerated from a steady rotation to rest. Pure water and glycerin-water mixtures are used as the test liquid in which polyethylenelatex particles are mixed as the light scattering tracer. The boundary layer formation, the time history of velocity, momentum and kinetic energy of the liquid, the wall-to-fluid force transfer, and the transient response time are determined. Also determined are the effects of side walls and fluid viscosity on the transient flow response. Of importance is the disclosure of Ekman layer instability near the inner radial wall of the test drum. It is actuated by the centripetal acceleration-induced buoyancy force.
Materials for chairside CAD/CAM–produced restorations

ABSTRACT Background and Overview Although the use of computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) seems to be a recent addition to the dental restorative armamentarium, this concept was first investigated more than 35 years ago. CEREC (Sirona Dental Systems GmbH, Bensheim, Germany) was the first and is the only available chairside system, and it has more than 20 years of use in the dental office. The initial concept had three tenets: esthetic ceramic reconstruction, a single patient visit and minimal tooth reduction (inlays and onlays instead of crowns). The author reviews the materials used for CAD/CAM–fabricated restorations. The structure, properties and clinical success of the materials for full-contour chairside restorations, as well as laboratory-based high-strength all-ceramic restorations are presented. Results CAD/CAM restorations have demonstrated clinical success owing to a combination of improvements in materials with advances in CAD/CAM systems. Full-contour ceramic restorations fabricated chair-side may reinforce the tooth, providing good long-term clinical success. High-strength milled restorations allow for the use of all-ceramic restorations for multiple-unit posterior and anterior bridges. Clinical Implications Examination of the structure, properties and clinical results of CAD/CAM materials supports their use in routine dental practice.
Big Five Personality Characteristics and Adherence to Clinic-Based Rehabilitation Activities after ACL Surgery: A Prospective Analysis.

Purpose: A prospective, longitudinal study was conducted to examine Big Five personality characteristics as predictors of adherence to clinic-based rehabilitation activities following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery. Methods: Participants (72 men, 36 women) completed a questionnaire assessing Big Five personality dimensions prior to surgery. For the first 7 weeks after surgery, participants' rehabilitation session attendance was recorded and rehabilitation professionals rated participants' adherence during rehabilitation sessions. Results: Results of multiple regression analyses indicated that the 5 personality factors explained 9 percent of the variance in attendance and 16 percent of the variance in adherence ratings, that agreeableness was a significant positive predictor of attendance, and that conscientiousness and openness to experience were significant positive predictors of adherence ratings. Conclusion: As a potential contributor to adherence, personality warrants consideration when implementing rehabilitation programs after ACL surgery.
Presence of tumor necrosis factor in humans undergoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation with return of spontaneous circulation

Abstract Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) was measured in 21 patients who presented to the emergency department in normothermic, nontraumatic cardiopulmonary arrest and who had eventual return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Tumor necrosis factor was measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in serum collected at various time points after the initiation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Tumor necrosis factor was not detected within 4 hours post-ROSC in any patient, but was detected in all nine patients in whom survival post-ROSC was 6 hours or more. Six of nine patients demonstrated TNF presence at 6 hours. No patient demonstrating TNF at 6 hours survived longer than 27 hours post-ROSC. In patients surviving at least 12 hours, production of 400 pg/mL TNF was associated with a 100% mortality. Tumor necrosis factor is released in cardiopulmonary arrest patients who survive at least 6 hours post-ROSC and may play a role in the global ischemia-reperfusion phenomena of CPR.