cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Computed-tomography modeled polyether ether ketone (PEEK) implants in revision cranioplasty.

Summary Purpose Traditional cranioplasty methods focus on pre-operative or intraoperative hand molding. Recently, CT-guided polyether ether ketone (PEEK) plate reconstruction enables precise, time-saving reconstruction. This case series aims to show a single institution experience with use of PEEK cranioplasty as an effective, safe, precise, reusable, and time-saving cranioplasty technique in large, complex cranial defects. Methods We performed a 6-year retrospective review of cranioplasty procedures performed at our affiliated hospitals using PEEK implants. A total of nineteen patients underwent twenty-two cranioplasty procedures. Pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative data was collected. Results Nineteen patients underwent twenty-two procedures. Time interval from injury to loss of primary cranioplasty averaged 57.7 months (0–336 mo); 4.0 months ( n = 10, range 0–19) in cases of trauma. Time interval from primary cranioplasty loss to PEEK cranioplasty was 11.8 months for infection ( n = 11, range 6–25 mo), 12.2 months for trauma ( n = 5, range 2–27 mo), and 0.3 months for cosmetic or functional reconstructions ( n = 3, range 0–1). Similar surgical techniques were used in all patients. Drains were placed in 11/22 procedures. Varying techniques were used in skin closure, including adjacent tissue transfer (4/22) and free tissue transfer (1/22). The PEEK plate required modification in four procedures. Three patients had reoperation following PEEK plate reconstruction. Conclusion Cranioplasty utilizing CT-guided PEEK plate allows easy inset, anatomic accuracy, mirror image aesthetics, simplification of complex 3D defects, and potential time savings. Additionally, it's easily manipulated in the operating room, and can be easily re-utilized in cases of intraoperative course changes or infection.
Increased rates of periprosthetic joint infection in patients with cirrhosis undergoing total joint arthroplasty.

Background Total joint arthroplasty (TJA) is becoming more prevalent, with additional increases in procedure rates expected as the US population ages. Small series have suggested increased risk of periprosthetic joint infections in patients with liver cirrhosis after TJA. However, the rates of periprosthetic joint infections and use of TJA for patients with cirrhosis have not been evaluated on a larger scale.
The effects of mortality salience and evidence strength on death penalty sentencing decisions

The nature of capital cases necessarily makes mortality a highly salient factor in the courtroom. Terror management theory research has previously explored mortality salience effects on behavior in a variety of contexts, including legal judgments. We sought to extend this line of research by directly examining mortality salience effects in the context of capital trials. In Study 1, mock jurors who had been specifically asked to contemplate their own mortality and exposed to trial-related death references (Dual-Focused Mortality [DFM]) were more likely to appropriately weigh evidence regarding defendant future dangerousness than participants only exposed to trial-related death references (Trial-Focused Mortality [TFM]). In Study 2, we manipulated mitigating factor strength using a different capital sentencing scenario. Consistent with the results of Study 1, DFM participants were more likely to appropriately utilize mitigating evidence than TFM participants, particularly when they had more complete compreh...
Interseismic strain accumulation and the earthquake potential on the southern San Andreas fault system

The southern section of the San Andreas fault is the only part of the fault that hasn't ruptured in historic times. For this reason it is believed to pose the largest seismic risk in California, although whether tectonic stress is actually accumulating there is a topic of heated debate. Using data from radar interferometry satellites, Yuri Fialko has produced a detailed map of surface deformation in the area that shows that elastic stress is accumulating at a fairly high rate: during the past 300 years, a displacement of 6 to 9 metres has built up. This suggests that the southern San Andreas fault is nearing the end of the interseismic phase of the earthquake cycle, and that increased seismic activity of some kind can be expected. The San Andreas fault in California is a mature continental transform fault that accommodates a significant fraction of motion between the North American and Pacific plates. The two most recent great earthquakes on this fault ruptured its northern and central sections in 1906 and 1857, respectively. The southern section of the fault, however, has not produced a great earthquake in historic times (for at least 250 years). Assuming the average slip rate of a few centimetres per year, typical of the rest of the San Andreas fault, the minimum amount of slip deficit accrued on the southern section is of the order of 7–10 metres, comparable to the maximum co-seismic offset ever documented on the fault1,2. Here I present high-resolution measurements of interseismic deformation across the southern San Andreas fault system using a well-populated catalogue of space-borne synthetic aperture radar data. The data reveal a nearly equal partitioning of deformation between the southern San Andreas and San Jacinto faults, with a pronounced asymmetry in strain accumulation with respect to the geologically mapped fault traces. The observed strain rates confirm that the southern section of the San Andreas fault may be approaching the end of the interseismic phase of the earthquake cycle.
Alcohol and Cocaine Abusers 6 Months After Traditional Treatment: Do They Fare As Well As Problem Drinkers?

Problem drinkers (N = 49) and individuals presenting with both alcohol and cocaine problems (N = 51) admitted to a traditional 28-day alcoholism treatment milieu were compared on their psychosocial, psychological, neuropsychological functioning and substance abuse at admission as well as at six months posttreatment follow-up. On admission, alcohol and cocaine patients were younger, more likely to live alone or with their family of origin, to report having started using alcohol at an earlier age, to have fewer alcohol-related problems and to have fewer years of but more diversity in their substance abuse than the alcohol-only patients. Otherwise both groups were more similar than different on psychosocial, psychological and neuropsychological dimensions. At six-months posttreatment, both groups showed similar improvement on most dimensions of functioning measured. However, a significantly greater proportion of the alcohol and cocaine abusers admitted to having relapsed in the previous six months, reported significantly fewer average days of abstinence than the alcohol group since terminating treatment, and were more likely to present urine specimens indicative of recent substance abuse at the six-month follow-up interview. Thus, traditional approaches to alcoholism treatment may be less effective in establishing abstinence for individuals with both alcohol and cocaine problems. Adaptations to treatment to reduce the risk for relapse faced by alcohol and cocaine abusers in such milieu are discussed.
Gardona as a Mothproofer of Woolen Fabric

Gardona® (2-chloro-1-(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl) vinyl dimethyl phosphate) showed promise as a mothproofer when applied to woolen cloth in preliminary laboratory tests. A practical application showed that inital deposits of Gardona as low as 0.001% by weight satisfactorily protected woolen cloth against feeding damage by larvae of the black carpet beetle, Attagenus megatoma (F.), and of the webbing clothes moth, Tineola bisselliella (Hummel). Bioassays showed the Gardona deposits were not resistant to laundering but were moderately resistant to drycleaning. Treated cloths having initial deposits of at least 0.11% by weight were satisfactorily protected against black carpet beetle larval feeding after the cloths had aged 6 months.
BAYESIAN PROPORTIONAL HAZARD ANALYSIS OF THE TIMING OF HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUT DECISIONS

In this paper, I study the timing of high school dropout decisions using data from High School and Beyond. I propose a Bayesian proportional hazard analysis framework that takes into account the specification of piecewise constant baseline hazard, the time-varying covariate of dropout eligibility, and individual, school, and state level random effects in the dropout hazard. I find that students who have reached their state compulsory school attendance ages are more likely to drop out of high school than those who have not reached compulsory school attendance ages. Regarding the school quality effects, a student is more likely to drop out of high school if the school she attends is associated with a higher pupil–teacher ratio or lower district expenditure per pupil. An interesting finding of the paper that comes along with the empirical results is that failure to account for the time-varying heterogeneity in the hazard, in this application, results in upward biases in the duration dependence estimates. Mor...
Incorporating Systems Science Principles into the Development of Obesity Prevention Interventions: Principles, Benefits, and Challenges

Systems modeling represents an innovative approach for addressing the obesity epidemic at the community level. We developed an agent-based model of the Baltimore City food environment that permits us to assess the relative impact of different programs and policies, alone and in combination, and potential unexpected consequences. Based on this experience, and a review of literature, we have identified a set of principles, potential benefits, and challenges. Some of the key principles include the importance of early and multilevel engagement with the community prior to initiating model development and continued engagement and testing with community stakeholders. Important benefits include improving community stakeholder understanding of the system, testing of interventions before implementation, and identification of unexpected consequences. Challenges in these models include deciding on the most important, yet parsimonious factors to consider, how to model food source and food selection behavior in a realistic yet transferable manner, and identifying the appropriate outcomes and limitations of the model.
Two-dimensional S=1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnets: Synthesis, structure, and magnetic properties

The magnetic susceptibility and magnetization of two layered S=½ Heisenberg antiferromagnets with moderate exchange are reported. The two isostructural compounds, (2-amino-5-chloropyridinium) 2 CuBr 4 [(5CAP) 2 CuBr 4 ] and (2-amino-5-methylpyridinium) 2 CuBr 4 [(5MAP) 2 CuBr 4 ], contain S=½, Cu(II) ions related by C centering, yielding four equivalent nearest neighbors The crystal structure of the synthesized compound, (5CAP) 2 CuBr 4 , shows the existence of layers of distorted copper(II)-bromide tetrahedra parallel to the ab plane, separated by the organic cations along the c axis. Magnetic pathways are available through the bromide-bromide contacts within the layers and provide for moderate antiferromagnetic exchange. Susceptibility measurements indicate interaction strengths to he 8.5(2) K and 6.5(2) K and ordering temperatures of 5.1(2) K and 3.8(2) K for (5CAP) 2 CuBr 4 and (5MAP) 2 CuBr 4 , respectively. High-field magnetization experiments on both compounds show upward curvature of M(H,T). Magnetization measurements made at T = 1.3 K show saturation occurs in (5MAP) 2 CuBr 4 at 18.8 T and in (5CAP) 2 CuBr 4 at 24.1 T. The magnetization curves are consistent with recent theoretical predictions. Single-crystal magnetization measured at 2.0 K indicates a spin-flop transition at 0.38 T and 0.63 T for (5CAP) 2 CuBr 4 and (5MAP) 2 CuBr 4 , respectively.
Environmental Commitments and Liabilities of U.S. Corporations: Disclosures and Implications

Liabilities associated with environmental matters have become a major concern worldwide. Clearly, environmental impact must be a major element of a corporation’s decision process and should be timely reported in its financial statements. The SEC intensely reviews the adequacy of the environmental disclosures of its registrants. This review covers both required environmental disclosures and the adequacy of financial disclosures ingeneral. Despite this scrutiny, SEC Commissioner Roberts believes that accruals of environmental liabilities do not appear in financial statements quickly enough.This study reviewed the annual report environmental disclosures of 645 Forbes 500 firms. The study results revealed that the majority of firms provide no disclosure of environmental issues. The environmental disclosures that are included tend to be limited in terms of their informational content. It is also apparent that certain industries are more likely to include environmental disclosures than are other industries. Giv...
Pergolide elevation of MHPG sulphate concentration in rat hypothalamus blocked by spiperone and mimicked by other dopamine agonists

Pergolide increased the concentration of MHPG sulphate (3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenylethylene glycol sulphate) in rat hypothalamus, and the increase was prevented by pretreatment with spiperone, a dopamine antagonist. An increase in hypothalamic MHPG sulphate concentration similar to that caused by pergolide was found after injection of quinpirole, a 'partial ergoline' that is a selective D2 agonist not affecting alpha-adrenoceptors, and by (-)-N-propylnorapomorphine, a dopamine agonist not related to the ergolines. Although the increase in MHPG sulphate concentration produced by pergolide had earlier been assumed to result from blockage of alpha-adrenoceptors, the present data indicate that it is an effect produced by dopamine D2 receptor stimulation.
Regioselective deuterium labeling of 1,4-disubstituted-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridines

Reactions leading to the regioselective deuterium labeling of the 1,4-disubstituted-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine system are presented. Three synthetic approaches were explored: Base catalyzed proton-deuteron exchange, reductive deuteration, and ring synthesis using deuterated agents. The methods were applied to various pyridinium salts, pyridones, and piperidones. The syntheses of several new labeled compounds are described and a brief review of the relevant literature is included. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Prospective Evaluation of Nesiritide in the Treatment of Pediatric Heart Failure

This study sought to determine the potential of recombinant B-type natriuretic peptide (nesiritide) for the treatment of pediatric decompensated heart failure. Nesiritide is a widely used and effective treatment for decompensated heart failure (HF) in adults, but its safety and efficacy in pediatric patients is unclear. Outcomes of 55 separate nesiritide infusions of varying durations in 32 patients (13 males and 19 females; mean age, 8.01 years; range, 0.01–20.4) were evaluated prospectively. All patients received nesiritide in the intensive care unit. The starting dose (0.01 μg/kg/min) was titrated to a maximum of 0.03 μg/kg/min. All patients were monitored for clinical signs and symptoms, hemodynamics, urine output, electrolytes, oxygen requirements, and oral intake. Functional status was assessed by patients and/or their parents. All patients successfully underwent initiation and titration of nesiritide infusion. No hypotension or arrhythmias were noted during 478 cumulative days of therapy. Nesiritide was given safely with vasoactive medications. Mean urine output improved from 2.35 ± 1.71 cc/kg/hr on the day before nesiritide initiation (baseline) to 3.10 ± 1.94 cc/kg/hr on day 4 of treatment (p < 0.01). Serum creatinine decreased from 1.04 to 0.92 mg/dl (p = 0.096), mean central venous pressure from 13 to 7 mmHg (p = 0.018), and mean weight from 30.4 to 29.7 kg (p < 0.001) with therapy. Thirst, as subjectively assessed by patients old enough to respond, decreased with infusion in 31 of 42 cases (74%). Mean New York Heart Association functional class improved significantly (p < 0.001). Nesiritide infusion, alone or in combination, is a safe treatment for decompensated HF in pediatric patients. It is associated with decreased thirst and improved urine output and functional status, and it may be efficacious in the treatment of pediatric HF.
Evolutionary relationships within Triops (Branchiopoda: Notostraca) using complete mitochondrial genomes

The tadpole shrimp (Notostraca: Triops) have been called living fossils with conserved morphology, but subtle morphological variations within and between species has yielded confused taxonomic assignments. To aid in cryptic species detection of tadpole shrimp from southern New Mexico, USA, the first complete mitochondrial genomes for three putative species (T. longicaudatus “long,” T. l. “short,” T. newberryi) are reported. The genomes ranged in length from 15,058 bp to 15,060 bp with 13 coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes and a control region. Phylogenetic trees were constructed using previously sequenced Triops-genomes to assess genetic relationships within the genus. The T. longicaudatus-genomes from Genbank were consistent with our genomes for T. newberryi and T. l. “short.” Variation in mitochondrial genes were identified that will aid future identification of cryptic lineages of tadpole shrimp. Genetic differentiation among the genomes of Triops in New Mexico support elevation to species status.
Differential development of human brain white matter tracts.

Neuroscience is increasingly focusing on developmental factors related to human structural and functional connectivity. Unfortunately, to date, diffusion-based imaging approaches have only contributed modestly to these broad objectives, despite the promise of diffusion-based tractography. Here, we report a novel data-driven approach to detect similarities and differences among white matter tracts with respect to their developmental trajectories, using 64-direction diffusion tensor imaging. Specifically, using a cross-sectional sample comprising 144 healthy individuals (7 to 48 years old), we applied k-means cluster analysis to separate white matter voxels based on their age-related trajectories of fractional anisotropy. Optimal solutions included 5-, 9- and 14-clusters. Our results recapitulate well-established tracts (e.g., internal and external capsule, optic radiations, corpus callosum, cingulum bundle, cerebral peduncles) and subdivisions within tracts (e.g., corpus callosum, internal capsule). For all but one tract identified, age-related trajectories were curvilinear (i.e., inverted ‘U-shape’), with age-related increases during childhood and adolescence followed by decreases in middle adulthood. Identification of peaks in the trajectories suggests that age-related losses in fractional anisotropy occur as early as 23 years of age, with mean onset at 30 years of age. Our findings demonstrate that data-driven analytic techniques may be fruitfully applied to extant diffusion tensor imaging datasets in normative and neuropsychiatric samples.
Chemical Method for Determination of Carbon Dioxide Content in Egg Yolk and Egg Albumen

The safety, quality, and shelf life of shell eggs is a function of carbon dioxide content. A commercial process was recently developed for rapidly cooling shell eggs by using cryogenic CO2. The benefit of this new process over existing cooling processes is that the CO2 addition during cryogenic cooling provides additional safety and quality enhancements. In order for these benefits to be fully developed into a process that can be adopted by the egg industry, and thus realized by the consumer, the amount of CO2 absorbed by the egg during this process needs to be quantified. Because the albumen pH of rapidly cooled eggs was reduced to pH <6.5, existing titrametric methods were not adequate for determining CO2 content. They did not prevent CO2 loss during neutralization. A simple and accurate method for determining CO2 content in acidified egg albumen and yolk samples was developed. This method involves the liberation of CO2 from an acidified egg sample into a standardized, dilute sodium hydroxide solution inside a sealed jar. The egg sample and a small beaker containing the standardized sodium hydroxide solution are placed in a glass jar and sealed. Next, a concentrated acid phosphate solution is injected through a rubber septum in the cap of the jar onto the egg sample, while avoiding contact with the sodium hydroxide solution. The sample is then stored at 37 C for 24 h. During this storage period, the carbon dioxide is released from the egg sample and is absorbed into the sodium hydroxide solution. Afterwards, the dilute sodium hydroxide solution is removed and titrated to the phenolphthalein endpoint using a dilute, standardized hydrochloric acid solution. The amount of hydrochloric acid solution required for neutralization can be directly related to CO2 content in the sample.
Resonant dynamics of a periodically driven noisy oscillator

A unified approach to study the dynamics of single degree of freedom systems excited by both weakly periodic and random additive perturbations is developed. The near-resonant motion of such systems is not well understood. This problem is studied with the aim of discovering a common geometric structure in the phase space, and determining the effects of noisy perturbations on the passage of trajectories through the resonance zone. We consider the noisy, periodically driven Duffing equation as a prototypical single degree of freedom system and achieve a model-reduction through stochastic averaging. The solution of the reduced model can be approximated by a Markov process. Depending on the strength of the noise, the reduced Markov process takes its values on a line or on a graph with certain gluing conditions at the vertices of the graph. The reduced model provides a framework for computing standard statistical measures of dynamics and stability such as probability density functions. This work also explains a counter-intuitive phenomenon in stochastic resonance, in which a weak periodic forcing in a nonlinear system can be enhanced by the addition of external noise.
Reliable solution for object pose determination using an active vision system

The problem of pose determination using a calibrated structured light system is to determine the position and orientation of an object relative to a camera coordinate frame. By projecting a multiple-line light pattern to the three planes of the object, a number of line-to-plane correspondences can be obtained, from which an efficient and compact closed-form solution for the pose determination is derived. The performance of the proposed algorithm in the presence of noise is also investigated. Preliminary experiments conducted with a structured light system shows that this novel method is robust, efficient and is applicable to the real-time pose determination of mobile robot
“Total Synthesis” Supramolecular Style: Design and Hydrogen-Bond-Directed Assembly of Ternary Supermolecules

Getting the right balance between intermolecular interactions is crucial for the synthesis of supermolecules in a preconceived manner. The three-component supermolecule in the ternary cocrystal of 3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid, isonicotinamide, and 4-(dimethylamino)benzoic acid (1:1:1) assembles through a "primary" (between the stronger acid and pyridine) and a "secondary" hydrogen-bonding interaction (between the weaker acid and amide).
Improving process-based estimates of N2O emissions from soil using temporally extensive chamber techniques and stable isotopes

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is an important greenhouse gas that is emitted from soil, but obtain- ing precise N2O source and sink strength estimates has been difficult due to high spatial and temporal flux variability and a poor understanding of the mechanisms controlling fluxes. Tools that improve our ability to quantify trace gas fluxes from soil and constrain annual budgets are therefore needed. Here we describe an improved chamber-based sampling system that continuously traps evolving soil gases onto molecular sieve thereby obtaining a single sample that integrates fluxes over extended periods (several weeks or more) and the use of stable isotopic methods to study microbial origins of N2O. We demonstrate that N2O can be trapped on molecular sieve within our chamber system with near 100% recovery and without isotopic fractionation. In field trials the site preference of N2O (the difference in d 15 N between the central and outer N atoms) varied between -6 and 14.4%, indicating that the majority of flux was derived from bacterial denitrification. Further development with automation would improve flux estimates by providing a system capable of capturing episodic flux events owing to long-term deployment. Further, an automated trapping chamber approach will also provide process-based understand- ing of N2O dynamics via stable isotopes and a new and affordable tool for evaluating the response of trace gas fluxes to land management practices.
An H/sub /spl infin// design method for a multi-rate servo controller and applications to a high density hard disk drive

This paper proposes a method of designing a multi-rate servo controller for a hard disk drive that operates at a higher sampling frequency than the position error signal. It is desirable to increase the servo performance without increasing the capacity overhead caused by the tracking information on a disk. A zero-interpolator is introduced as an up-sampling scheme to convert the plant to a higher sampling rate. Then a conventional H/sub /spl infin// method is applied to optimize the controller performance as well as to reduce the effects of aliasing noise caused by the up-sampling scheme. This method is also applied to the design of a dual-stage actuator system of a hard disk drive. The performances are compared with single-rate controllers and improvements of 15-50% were obtained. Experiments using a 2.5" hard disk drive were carried out and the effectiveness was confirmed.
Evaluating Cementum to Determine Past Reproduction in Northern Sea Otters

Abstract Age at first reproduction (AFR) has been difficult to quantify in mammals, as the most commonly used methods require reproductive tracts or direct observations. However, work in several large mammal species suggests that the width of cementum light bands in teeth decline once females begin to reproduce, suggesting that teeth structures might provide a new tool to examine AFR. To determine if changes in cementum light band width could be used to calculate AFR for the northern sea otter (Enhydra lutris kenyoni), we measured cementum light band widths on sectioned premolar teeth and compared them to reproductive tracts. We classified otters as parous if any single light band was narrower than a threshold value, selected as the value that minimized error rates. At a threshold value of 0.32, we correctly identified otters as parous or nulliparous in 83% of cases (n = 92) as compared to reproductive tracts, and the AFR estimated from teeth samples (3.52 ± 0.032 yr) was not different from that determine...
Assessing Vitamin A Status: Past, Present and Future

Xerophthalmia classification was traditionally used to identify populations with vitamin A deficiency. Currently, night blindness and dark adaptometry have been proposed as population assessment methods. While eye signs and function tests are still used in areas where vitamin A deficiency is severe, a subclinical vitamin A deficiency is more prevalent. Serum and breast milk retinol concentrations are used to identify vitamin A deficiency risk. However, in healthy individuals, serum retinol concentrations are homeostatically controlled and do not begin to decline until liver reserves of vitamin A are dangerously low. Moreover, serum retinol and retinol binding protein (RBP) concentrations fall during times of infection. The RBP:transthyretin ratio may help to determine if serum retinol concentrations are depressed by infection. Other methods better reflect liver reserves of vitamin A, the "gold" standard. The relative dose response and modified relative dose response tests involve giving a small dose of retinyl or dehydroretinyl ester, respectively, and determining a response in the serum at about 5 h. A new response test where retinoyl beta-glucuronide is administered and the degree of hydrolysis to retinoic acid is measured has been investigated. Unlike isotope dilution tests, the dose response tests lack utility in defining the total body reserve of vitamin A. The deuterated retinol isotope dilution test has been used in several different groups. Recently, a new isotope assay was developed using 13C-retinyl acetate and gas chromatography-combustion-isotope ratio mass spectrometry for analysis. Thus, having many choices of vitamin A assessment methods, laboratory sophistication and resources available will usually dictate which methods are chosen.
The contribution of mineral to the material properties of vertebral cartilage from the smooth-hound shark Mustelus californicus.

Elasmobranch vertebral cartilage has a substantial mineral fraction (39–55%) and the arrangement of mineral varies among species. We examined vertebrae from one shark species, Mustelus californicus, to determine mineral content, the effect of mineral on material properties and the viscoelastic response of vertebral cartilage. We serially demineralized vertebrae and compressively tested them to failure at varying strain rates. Mineral in vertebral cartilage varies within individuals, intraspecifically and interspecifically; this is in contrast to bone, in which significant variation in mineral content is pathological or an interspecific effect. Within Mustelus, vertebrae with larger mineral fractions were significantly stiffer and stronger; however when variation is assessed across species, the structure has a larger effect. Shark vertebral cartilage did not show a substantial viscoelastic response at biologically relevant strain rates, validating the use of quasistatic testing for this material. Summary
Isolation and characterization of an IL-1-like protein from Manduca sexta.

Invertebrates such as insects have similar immune systems when compared to vertebrates, which are composed of humoral and cell-mediated responses (Pathak, 1993). Humoral response involves the synthesis and release of antibacterial peptides such as lysozyme, cecropins, and attacins. Cell-mediated response involves phagocytosis, nodule formation, and encapsulation of foreign antigens. Phagocytosis is an ancient form of host defense, a process in which a cell, usually macrophage, ingests a foreign antigen. This process can be observed in both vertebrates and invertebrate immune systems. In insects, plasmatocytes and granular hemocytes are the main cells with phagocytic activity. However, invertebrates do not have antigen-specific lymphocytes and do not produce specific immune recognition molecules (immunoglobins) (Abbas et al., 1997). Some invertebrate species contain macrophage-like cells capable of producing cytokine-like molecules similar to that of vertebrate (Beck and Habicht, 1986; Ellis, 1996). Cytokines are low molecular weight proteins, some examples are the members of the interleukin (IL) family, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and interferon (INF) to name a few. Their role in the vertebrate immune response includes control of cellular proliferation and differentiation, and regulation of hematopoiesis (Abbas et al., 1997).
A compact water based dielectric resonator antenna

We designed, fabricated and measured a rectangular DR antenna made of distilled water with high dielectric constant and low loss. The resonant modes and resonant frequencies of the DR antenna are analyzed using the dielectric resonator model, which are verified via both simulation and experiment. The measured antenna return loss agrees well with the simulation result when both the air gap and the feeding probe offset are taken into account.
In vitro pharmacokinetics of antibiotic release from locally implantable materials.

Local deposition of antibiotics has became increasingly popular in the management of open fractures or osteomyelitis, and several substances have been employed as the vehicle for delivery. Although the elution characteristics of some substances have been documented, a comparative study of the characteristics of the commonly used substances could establish the clinical indications for particular vehicles. Cylindrical pellets of uniform size (6 × 4 mm) were prepared from bone graft (BG), demineralized bone matrix (DBM), plaster of Paris (POP), or polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), with 25 mg of tobramycin/g of substance in each pellet. The pellets were suspended in phosphate buffered saline, and the antibiotic concentration in the buffer was determined at various time intervals by an enzyme immunoassay. BG and DBM eluted 70 and 45% of their antibiotic load by 24 h, and negligible amounts were detected at 1 week; POP released 17% of its load by 24 h, with trace amounts detected at 3 weeks; and PMMA eluted 7% at 24 h, with trace amounts detected for as long as 14 days. These findings suggest that the optimal vehicle for local deposition of antibiotic depends on the clinical setting. BG and DBM may be best employed when brief antibiotic coverage is required (as for acute contaminated open fractures), whereas POP and PMMA may be better suited for long-term coverage (such as for established osteomyelitis).
Ultraflexible Polymer Solar Cells Using Amorphous Zinc−Indium−Tin Oxide Transparent Electrodes

Polymer solar cells are fabricated on highly conductive, transparent amorphous zinc indium tin oxide (a-ZITO) electrodes. For two representative active layer donor polymers, P3HT and PTB7, the power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) are comparable to reference devices using polycrystalline indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes. Benefitting from the amorphous character of a-ZITO, the new devices are highly flexible and can be repeatedly bent to a radius of 5 mm without significant PCE reduction.
Correlates of Clinical Restenosis Following Intracoronary Implantation of Drug-Eluting Stents

Despite significant decreases in restenosis and repeated intervention achieved using drug-eluting stents (DESs), the benefit has not been homogenous across all patient and lesion subsets. Identification of correlates of DES restenosis may allow a differing management approach and lead to improved patient outcomes. The study population consisted of 3,535 consecutive patients (5,046 lesions) who underwent successful sirolimus- or paclitaxel-eluting stent implantation for ≥1 native coronary artery or bypass graft lesion from April 2003 to September 2006. From this cohort, 197 patients (237 lesions) were identified to have in-stent restenosis (ISR) requiring revascularization within 12 months of stent implantation. This group was compared with the remainder of the patient population. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of DES ISR. Independent correlates of DES ISR using multivariate analysis included both clinical and procedural factors. Clinical predictors were age, hypertension, and unstable angina. Procedural predictors were left anterior descending artery intervention, number of stents implanted, stented length/lesion, and lack of intravascular ultrasound guidance. Implantation of ≥3 stents was associated with a significantly higher restenosis risk (9.7% vs 5.1%; p = 0.0003). A 10-mm increase in stented length was associated with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.18 (95% confidence interval 1.03 to 1.35). Diabetes, stent diameter, and stent type were found not to be predictive of DES ISR. In conclusion, correlates of DES ISR included both clinical and procedural factors. Limiting the number of stents and stented length, in addition to intravascular ultrasound guidance, may minimize DES ISR.
Geometric Limits On Hyperbolic Localization Accuracy Using Short Linear Arrays

If an acoustic source and a pair of passive, acoustic, angle­ measuring sensors lie i!1 a plne, it is po.sible to locize . te source using triangulation . GIVen the abllty to loc��ze, Its then possible to characterize the errors In the pOSItIon esti­ mate given estimates of thmeasuement . errors .. Thpurpose of this research is to quantify the sIngle fix localIzatIoaccu­ racy of a pair of short linear arrays when those acou .stIC sen­ sors are not in the same plane but are separated In depth from the source. Sensitivity of localization accuracy . to the geometric rlation­ ship between the source and a parr of sensors establIshes .a fundamental basis for the examination of other factors. ThiS paper is limited to an examination of the sensitivity of per­ formance to geometric variations . We show that geometry alone will allow measurement accu­ racy with enough precision to suggest the need for fer research' the additional research is required to detenrune whether 'the received SNR is sufficient to satisfy the require­ ments of operational sonar and acoustic-range tracking sys­ tems .
Autogenous Fat Grafts to Prevent Recurrence following Surgical Correction of Growth Deformities of the Radius and Ulna in the Dog

The use of autogenous fat grafts as interpositional material to prevent the regrowth of bone is discussed. Four cases from a series of ten are presented to illustrate the use of autogenous fat grafts as an aid in preventing recurrence following surgical correction of growth deformities of the radius and ulna. Surgery consisted of removing a segment of ulna and filling the defect with an autogenous fat graft to prevent the ulna from reuniting. Partial ulnar ostectomy was combined with radial osteotomy when indicated.
Characterization of a Low Molecular Weight Antigenic Protein from the Envelope of Influenza Virus

Eckert, Edward A. (The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor). Characterization of a low molecular weight antigenic protein from the envelope of influenza virus. J. Bacteriol. 92:1430–1434. 1966.—An antigenic protein from the lipid-extracted residue of influenza virus strain PR8 was solubilized with urea-dithiothreitol (DTT). The protein subunits had a sedimentation coefficient of 2S in urea-DTT and reassociated to a 4S state on dialysis. This form of the envelope protein did not agglutinate erythrocytes, but reacted with strain-specific antisera in the complement-fixation and blocking-antigen tests.
Central authority and order

Strong central authorities are able to effectively manage costly defection, but are unable to adequately address lesser conflicts because of limits to their ability to monitor and enforce. We argue, counterintuitively, that these limitations build cooperation and trust among subordinates: the limitations contribute to the production of order. First, limits to authority leave space for locally informed decentralized enforcement. Second, central authorities act as powerful but incompetent third parties whose threatened interventions increase incentives to cooperate and, therefore, to trust. We outline the mechanisms by which a strong central authority enforces order and test their utility by considering the secondary literature on rates of conflict in strong, weak, and capricious states. We supplement this evidence, based on association, with a close examination of diverse case studies: baseball umpires, commercial contracts, and domestic disputes. By analyzing these case studies, we isolate and describe the mechanisms by which central authorities produce order in varied settings. We find that central authority may be effective, but the majority of this effectiveness derives from an indirect influence on dyadic relations rather than direct intervention. The state interacts with local communities, but each operates according to distinct logics. The particular character of their interaction produces four mechanisms useful in the production of order. We briefly explore implications for the operation of law as well as the production of generalized trust.
Does a Gatekeeper Suicide Prevention Program Work in a School Setting? Evaluating Training Outcome and Moderators of Effectiveness

The suicide prevention gatekeeper training program QPR (Question, Persuade, and Refer) was evaluated among school personnel using a nonequivalent control group design. Substantial gains were demonstrated from pre- to post-test for attitudes, knowledge, and beliefs regarding suicide and suicide prevention. Exploratory analyses revealed the possible moderating effects of age, professional role, prior training, and recent contact with suicidal youth on QPR participants' general knowledge, questioning, attitudes toward suicide and suicide prevention, QPR quiz scores, and self-efficacy. The need for replication using a more rigorous experimental design in the context of strong community collaboration is discussed.
Misidentification of Mycobacterium peregrinum, the Causal Organism of a Case of Bacteremia and Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator-Associated Infection, Due to Its Unusual Acid-Fast Staining Characteristics

We report an unusual case of Mycobacterium peregrinum bacteremia and infection of an automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator that was originally misidentified as a Nocardia sp. due, in part, to its partially acid-fast staining characteristic, morphology, and odor. The misdiagnosis had a direct effect on patient care, though the patient was subsequently successfully treated.
The role of spectrum estimation in forming high-resolution radar images

A novel approach is developed for forming high-resolution images of radar targets from delay Doppler spotlight-mode radar data. This approach is based on a model for the target's reflectivity in terms of wide-sense stationary, uncorrelated scatterers having complex-valued Gaussian statistics. The imaging problem is to estimate the target's scattering function in terms of radar-echo data acquired with a series of target illuminations. A method is developed for solving this multidimensional spectrum estimation problem through the use of maximum-likelihood estimation implemented using the expectation-maximization algorithm. >
Cell cycle arrest is not senescence

DNA damaging agents and radiation, cytotoxins and anti-cancer drugs, telomere erosion and cytokines, culture shock and mitogenic stimuli, oncogenes and tumor suppressors can induce both cell cycle arrest and cellular senescence. Due to this semi-coincidence, senescence is confused with cell cycle arrest, or even more misleadingly, with growth inhibition. With such misconceptions, cellular senescence cannot be linked to organismal aging. Also, the relation between cancer and senescence is distorted. Here I discuss why the link between arrest and senescence is semi-coincidental and how senescence is related to aging and cancer.
A stereographic table for biomolecular visualization

An inexpensive, stereographic table has been built to support molecular visualization with mainstream software that runs under Microsoft Windows. Indeed, any Windows-based software that supports side-by-side stereo pairs can be easily run on the stereographic table. This paper presents the table design, construction, costs, and initial user experiences.
Role of Syrphid Larvae and Other Predators in Suppressing Aphid Infestations in Organic Lettuce on California's Central Coast

Organic lettuce, Lactuca sativa L., growers on the Central Coast of California rely on conservation biological control to manage Nasonovia ribisnigri Mosley (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and other aphid pests of lettuce. In 2006, we carried out five replicated field trials to determine the importance of syrphid larvae in the suppression of N. ribisnigri and other aphids infesting organic romaine lettuce. We used Entrust, a spinosad-based insecticide approved for use on organic farms, to suppress syrphid larvae in aphid-infested romaine. Romaine treated with Entrust was unmarketable at harvest because of aphid infestation, whereas insecticide-free romaine was marketable. Syrphid larvae composed 85% or more of total predators in most trials, and they were the only predators consistently recovered from romaine that was infested with aphids early and largely aphid-free by harvest. The species mix of nonsyrphid predators varied from site to site. Applications of Entrust suppressed nonsyrphid predators in two trials, and so was an imperfect tool for selectively suppressing syrphid larvae. The relative importance of syrphid larvae and other predators in the conservation biological control of aphids in organic romaine is discussed. We conclude that syrphid larvae are primarily responsible for the suppression of aphids in organic romaine on California’s Central Coast.
Quality Assurance in Higher Education: A Review of Literature.

The aim of this paper is to present a general view and a brief literature review of the main aspects related to quality assurance in global higher education. It provides an overview of accreditation as a mechanism to ensure quality in higher education, examines models of QA, and explores the concept of quality. In addition, this paper provides a review of research on the effectiveness of quality assurance practices, with a particular focus on student involvement with quality assurance. In reviewing the concept of quality assurance itself, the author noted there is a need for a common framework for a quality assurance model; however, there is no agreement as to a QA definition or a QA model. Furthermore, although quality is the utmost significant concern for accrediting bodies, accreditation structures are decentralized and complex at both the regional and international level. Another challenge identified revolves around the concerns of faculty members and other stakeholders, such as students, about the QA process. Given that students are at the center of higher education, and invest time and money in the system, the author concludes involving them could improve QA processes.
Tidal disruption event demographics

We survey the properties of stars destroyed in TDEs as a function of BH mass, stellar mass and evolutionary state, star formation history and redshift. For Mbh<10^7Msun, the typical TDE is due to a M*~0.3Msun M-dwarf, although the mass function is relatively flat for $M*<Msun. The contribution from older main sequence stars and sub-giants is small but not negligible. From Mbh~10^7.5-10^8.5Msun, the balance rapidly shifts to higher mass stars and a larger contribution from evolved stars, and is ultimately dominated by evolved stars at higher BH masses. The star formation history has little effect until the rates are dominated by evolved stars. TDE rates should decline very rapidly towards higher redshifts. The volumetric rate of TDEs is very high because the BH mass function diverges for low masses. However, any emission mechanism which is largely Eddington-limited for low BH masses suppresses this divergence in any observed sample and leads to TDE samples dominated by Mbh~10^6.0-10^7.5Msun BHs with roughly Eddington peak accretion rates. The typical fall back time is relatively long, with 16% having Tfb<10^(-1) years (37 days), and 84% having longer time scales. Many residual rate discrepancies can be explained if surveys are biased against TDEs with these longer Tfb, which seems very plausible if Tfb has any relation to the transient rise time. For almost any BH mass function, systematic searches for fainter, faster time scale TDEs in smaller galaxies, and longer time scale TDEs in more massive galaxies are likely to be rewarded.
Witnessing the Transition of Open to Robotic Surgery

A paradigm shift has occurred in urologic surgery over the past 2 decades. Whereas the guiding principle of surgery – exposure – was formerly envisioned as a larger incision, it is now conceptualized as a video monitor, a laparoscope, and well-positioned trocars. In its infancy, basic diagnostic and extirpative laparoscopy demonstrated substantial clinical advantages over open surgery and introductory laparoscopic skills proved to be readily transferable. However, with more complex reconstructive laparoscopic procedures in urology, a steep learning curve has impeded widespread progress. In the context of this surgical transition, robotic technology is now playing a defining role, facilitating dissemination of increasingly complex laparoscopic procedures in urology.