cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Three-dimensional ultrasound imaging. Clinical applications.

Objective: The aim of this report is to describe the technology of three-dimensional (3-D) ultrasonic imaging and its impact on improved diagnosis and monitoring of ocular disease. Design: The authors reviewed techniques for acquiring and displaying 3-D ultrasound data of the eye. Participants: The authors applied these techniques to representative individual cases, including a choroidal hemorrhage, a ciliary body melanoma, a ciliary body detachment, a displaced posterior chamber intraocular lens, and topographic analysis of a normal cornea. Intervention: A computer-controlled motion system was used to perform very high-frequency (VHF) (50-MHz) and conventional (10-MHz) digital 3-D ultrasound data collection. The scanning system allowed digitization of ultrasound data from a series of parallel planes. The 3-D data could be manipulated interactively to obtain two-dimensional images in any plane through the scan volume. The 3-D images were constructed by volume rendering and could be positioned for viewing from a variety of perspectives. The 3-D ultrasound parameter images representing acoustic scatterer properties were generated by spectrum analysis of digitized echo data. Color maps representing the contour and thickness of the epithelium and stroma of the central corneal were generated by digital signal processing of 3-D echo data. Results: Quantitative volume measurement and biometric techniques enhanced the diagnostic and treatment planning information content in 3-D ultrasound images. The location and extent of hemorrhage and clots within the suprachoroidal space were shown with solid modeling. Volume changes in ciliary body melanoma over time were documented and 3-D ultrasound parameter image changes associated with radiation therapy observed. In ciliary body detachment, the extent of the detachment was shown. Solid modeling of a posterior chamber intraocular lens showed misplacement of the haptic in relation to the lens capsule remnants. Keratopachymetric maps showed the range and variance of thickness and local radius of curvature measurements in the cornea. Conclusions: Quantitative volume measurement and biometric tools combined with segmentation of 3-D ultrasound images improve diagnostic and treatment planning informational content of 3-D ultrasound images through improved localization of tissue structures.
A Video-Synchronized High-Speed-EMG and Metabolic Data Acquisition System

A video-synchronized electromyography (EMG) and metabolic data acquisition system is being developed to monitor human response to workplace conditions. This high-speed EMG data rate (1000 Samples/second/channel for 16 channels) plus metabolic data acquisition (20 seconds of refresh interval) is suitable for the combination of frequency-domain muscle fatigue and time-domain human stress studies associated with human activities. The system is composed of a video camera/recorder to record human activity images, and a personal computer to simultaneously acquire the EMG and the metabolic data (including oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide generation and heart rate) along with the video time-codes from the video recorder. The computer uses the time-codes recorded both on the video tape and in the data file to synchronize each video frame with the corresponding segment of the physiological data sequence. With the recorded time-codes, the computer is able to search a physiological data segment correspondent to any...
Pre-incubation Storage Conditions and their Effect on the Subsequent Livability of Chicken Embryos: Exogenous CO2, Plastic Bags and Extended Holding Periods as Factors,

Abstract The main objective of the present study was to examine the effect of storing White Leghorn eggs in Cryovac bags and in CO2-enriched air (1.5% CO2) on the livability of embryos during subsequent incubation. The secondary objective was to study the pattern of CO2 concentration in the egg albumen following oviposition and its possible relationship to embryos’ viability. The eggs were kept for 0, 2, 3, and 4 weeks at 15.5°C. The results (1) pointed to a “sparing” effect of plastic bag storage and a depressing effect of the CO2 treatment on hatchability, and (2) showed that during storage in “normal” air, the egg suffered a rapid loss of CO2 from its albumen. Two principal conclusions were reached: (1) under the conditions of the study, the beneficial effect on hatchability derived from storing eggs in Cryovac bags was attributed to increased humidity within such environment and (2) the CO2 concentration in the egg albumen is not a major factor for maintaining the inherent capacity of the egg to hatch following an extended period of pre-incubation storage.
Current theories on the pathophysiology of multiple organ failure after trauma

Despite the enormous efforts to elucidate the mechanisms of the development of multiple organ failure (MOF) following trauma, MOF following trauma is still a leading cause of late post-injury death and morbidity. Now, it has been proven that excessive systemic inflammation following trauma participates in the development of MOF. Fundamentally, the inflammatory response is a host-defence response; however, on occasion, this response turns around to cause deterioration to host depending on exo- and endogenic factors. Through this review we aim to describe the pathophysiological approach for MOF after trauma studied so far and also introduce the prospects of this issue for the future.
Activities of High-Dose Daptomycin, Vancomycin, and Moxifloxacin Alone or in Combination with Clarithromycin or Rifampin in a Novel In Vitro Model of Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm

Biofilm formation is an important virulence factor that allows bacteria to resist host responses and antibacterial agents. The aim of the study was to assess the in vitro activities of several antimicrobials alone or in combination against two Staphylococcus aureus isolates in a novel pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) model of biofilm for 3 days. One methicillin-susceptible S. aureus strain (SH1000) and one methicillin-resistant S. aureus strain (N315) were evaluated in a modified biofilm reactor with polystyrene coupons. Simulated regimens included vancomycin (VAN) plus rifampin (RIF), moxifloxacin (MOX), and high doses (10 mg/kg of body weight/day) of daptomycin (DAP) alone or combined with RIF or clarithromycin (CLA). Against viable planktonic bacteria (PB) and biofilm-embedded bacteria (BB) of SH1000, neither DAP nor MOX alone was bactericidal. In contrast, the combination of DAP or MOX with CLA significantly increased the activity of the two agents against both PB and BB (P < 0.01), and DAP plus CLA reached the limit of detection at 72 h. Against PB of N315, DAP alone briefly achieved bactericidal activity at 24 h, whereas sustained bactericidal activity was observed at 32 h with VAN plus RIF. Overall, only a minimal reduction was observed with both regimens against BB (<2.8 log10 CFU/ml). Finally, the combination of DAP and RIF was bactericidal against both PB and BB, achieving the limit of detection at 72 h. In conclusion, we developed a novel in vitro PK/PD model to assess the activities of antimicrobials against mature bacterial biofilm. Combinations of DAP or MOX with CLA were the most effective regimens and may represent promising options to treat persistent infections caused by S. aureus biofilms.
Uptake of Proteins by Plant Roots

The patterns of uptake of fluorescein-labelled lysozyme (Fl-lysozyme) by barley, maize, onion, tomato and vetch are similar as revealed by fluorescence microscopy. Penetration of the root cap and through the epidermis into the cortex increases with time of exposure and decreases with higher salt concentrations. In fact, one molar ethylammonium chloride can remove most of the absorbed protein from treated roots and the space observed to be stained by Fl-lysozyme in this manner can be visualized as “free space”. Results with sterile and non-sterile barley roots were indistinguishable. At low ionic strength, Fl-lysozyme can penetrate cells and complex with nucleoli. Such cell protoplasts appear “coagulated”. Uptake results with fluorescein per se were unlike those with protein. The uptake of a much larger molecule, ferritin, is confined to the epidermis and root cell walls. Localized, absorbed protein and root growth inhibition by basic proteins have yet to be related.
Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis from Patients with Community-Acquired Respiratory Tract Infections: Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns from the SENTRY Antimicrobial Surveillance Program (United States and Canada, 1997)

Between February and June of 1997, a large number of community-acquired respiratory tract isolates of Haemophilus influenzae (n = 1,077) and Moraxella catarrhalis (n = 503) from 27 U.S. and 7 Canadian medical centers were characterized as part of the SENTRY Antimicrobial Surveillance Program. Overall prevalences of β-lactamase production were 33.5% in H. influenzae and 92.2% in M. catarrhalis with no differences noted between isolates recovered in the United States and those from Canada. Among a total of 21 different antimicrobial agents tested, including six cephalosporins, a β-lactamase inhibitor combination, three macrolides, tetracycline, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX), rifampin, chloramphenicol, five fluoroquinolones, and quinupristin-dalfopristin, resistance rates of >5% with H. influenzae were observed only with cefaclor (12.8%) and TMP-SMX (16.2%).
Robert Henryson and the Popular Fable Tradition in the Middle Ages

Evelyn S. Newlyn's essay is concerned with two issues: the popularity of the fable tradition and Henryson's use of it to comment on various social and political ills. The fable has a long history as a form of literature designed not only to entertain but to instruct, and Henryson's creativity with the form is evidenced in his use of it to address social issues, as well as to incorporate moral instruction with entertainment. The popular representation of various social classes, with all their follies, and the hard-nosed look at the failure of certain institutions such as the law and the Church, reveal Henryson's awareness of reality as he perceives it.
Coarse Thinking and Persuasion

We present a model of uninformative persuasion in which individuals “think coarsely”: they group situations into categories and apply the same model of inference to all situations within a category. Coarse thinking exhibits two features that persuaders take advantage of: (i) transference, whereby individuals transfer the informational content of a given message from situations in a category where it is useful to those where it is not, and (ii) framing, whereby objectively useless information influences individuals’ choice of category. The model sheds light on uninformative advertising and product branding, as well as on some otherwise anomalous evidence on mutual fund advertising.
Soil bacteria elevate essential oil accumulation and emissions in sweet basil.

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria ameliorate environmental conditions for plants by facilitating nutrient uptake and mitigating disease susceptibility. While volatile chemicals from certain soil microbes are sufficient to elicit growth and defense responses in Arabidopsis, whether such volatile signals can induce essential oil accumulation and chemical emissions has yet to be reported. Here, we provide biochemical evidence that the plant growth-promoting soil bacterium Bacillus subtilis GB03 releases volatile chemicals that elevate fresh weight essential oil accumulation and emissions along with plant size in the terpene-rich herb sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum). The two major essential oil components from sweet basil, α-terpineol and eugenol, increased ca. 2- and 10-fold, respectively, in plants exposed to GB03 volatiles or with root inoculation as compared to water controls. On a fresh and dry weight basis, shoot and root biomass increases of ca. 2-fold were observed with GB03 volatile exposure or GB0...
Brain Stem Control of the Phases of Swallowing

The phases of swallowing are controlled by central pattern-generating circuitry of the brain stem and peripheral reflexes. The oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal phases of swallowing are independent of each other. Although central pattern generators of the brain stem control the timing of these phases, the peripheral manifestation of these phases depends on sensory feedback through reflexes of the pharynx and esophagus. The dependence of the esophageal phase of swallowing on peripheral feedback explains its absence during failed swallows. Reflexes that initiate the pharyngeal phase of swallowing also inhibit the esophageal phase which ensures the appropriate timing of its occurrence to provide efficient bolus transport and which prevents the occurrence of multiple esophageal peristaltic events. These inhibitory reflexes are probably partly responsible for deglutitive inhibition. Three separate sets of brain stem nuclei mediate the oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal phases of swallowing. The trigeminal nucleus and reticular formation probably contain the oral phase pattern-generating neural circuitry. The nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) probably contains the second-order sensory neurons as well as the pattern-generating circuitry of both the pharyngeal and esophageal phases of swallowing, whereas the nucleus ambiguus and dorsal motor nucleus contain the motor neurons of the pharyngeal and esophageal phases of swallowing. The ventromedial nucleus of the NTS may govern the coupling of the pharyngeal phase to the esophageal phase of swallowing.
Stabilization of Multiple Robots on Stable Orbits via Local Sensing

We develop decentralized controllers for a team of disk-shaped robots to converge to and circulate along the boundary of a desired two-dimensional geometric pattern specified by a smooth function with collision avoidance. The proposed feedback controllers rely solely on each robot's range and bearing sensors which allow them to obtain information about positions of neighbors within a given range. This is relevant for applications such as perimeter surveillance or containing hazardous regions where limited bandwidth must be preserved for situational awareness. The computational complexity of the decentralized controller for each agent is linear in the number of neighboring agents, making it scalable to robot swarms. We establish stability and convergence properties of the controllers and verify the feasibility of the method through computer simulations.
THE EFFECTS OF LEARNING CONTEXTS ON MORPHOSYNTACTIC AND LEXICAL DEVELOPMENT

Context of learning, such as whether a learner studies a second language (L2) in a formal classroom—“at home” or abroad—may be a key factor in developing grammatical and lexical abilities. Yet, little empirical data is available comparing the effects of study abroad (SA) and formal instruction “at home” (AH) experiences on such development (Freed, 1995). The scant research that exists presents conflicting results (DeKeyser, 1986, 1991; Isabelli, 2002; Lennon, 1990; Regan, 1995; Ryan & Lafford, 1992; Schell, 2001). This paper provides a multivariate analysis (see Biber, 1988) of the effects of learning context on grammatical and lexical abilities in oral conversational discourse. The data compare the abilities of two groups before and after studying Spanish as an L2 for approximately one semester (N = 46): (a) a SA group in Alicante, Spain, and (b) a formal-classroom AH group at an American university. The corpus comprises oral segments produced by the learners in an Oral Proficiency Interview before and after the experimental period. In a corpus-based analysis, each segment was transcribed and tagged for various lexical and grammatical features. In two discriminant analyses, I identified various grammatical and lexical features that differentiated the two groups in terms of program gains. The results indicated that the AH context facilitated more development on discrete grammatical and lexical features. However, quantitative discourse analyses of the corpus revealed that the SA group achieved better narrative abilities and could produce language that was more semantically dense. The data are explained in consideration of the SA group's improved fluency and sociolinguistic pressures that distinguished its learning conditions.I would like to express my gratitude to the Council on International Educational Exchange, Barbara F. Freed, and Norman Segalowitz, whose sponsorship and support for the experiment reported here made this article possible. I also would like to thank Barbara F. Freed, Barbara Lafford, Norman Segalowitz, and the two anonymous SSLA reviewers for the valuable feedback on earlier versions of this article. Special thanks is due to Nicole Lazar for her expertise in planning and interpreting the statistical procedures reported in this article.
Molecular Quadrupole Moments of HCCH, FCCF, and ClCCCl

The molecular quadrupole moments of HCCH, FCCF, and ClCCCl have been studied as a function of basis set at the self-consistent field, density functional theory (B3LYP), and CCSD(T) levels. The CCSD(T) results, in units of ea0 , are 4.856 (HCCH), 0.6389 (FCCF), and 3.7685 (ClCCCl). When corrected for vibration, the HCCH result is reduced to 4.795 and is in excellent agreement with experiment, 4.71 0.14. There are no experimental data for FCCF and ClCCCl. The molecular quadrupole moments are shown to have the form atoms cr, where atoms is the sum of the quadrupole moments of the separated atoms and cr is the contribution due to charge redistribution upon molecule formation. This model accounts for the magnitude and signs of in this series. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem 95: 697-705, 2003
Political Parties in New African Nations: An Anthropological View

The emergence of one-party political systems among the new nations of Africa, now an unmistakable trend, has been disconcerting to social scientists for at least two reasons: first, this trend was not clearly foreseen during the period leading to independence; and, second, now that it is clearly discernible students of Africa are uncertain as to how the trend should be interpreted and evaluated. This question was discussed in a recent article by D. E. Apter from the viewpoint of political science. The present paper deals with the same problem, but from an anthropological viewpoint. It considers only the new nations in Africa south of the Sahara; these were also Apter's main concern, though he includes in his discussion some of the new nations in other parts of the world as well.
BISM: built-in self map for hybrid crossbar nano-architectures

In hybrid nano architectures, self-assembled nanoscale crossbars are fabricated on top a reliable CMOS subsystem. Bottom-up selfassembly process used in the fabrication of nanoscale devices yields significantly more defects compared to the conventional top-down lithography used in CMOS fabrication. Therefore, applying defect tolerant design schemes is inevitable in order to map the design to these programmable fabrics by bypassing defects. In this paper, we present an alternative approach for defect tolerant mapping in which the mapping phase is built into the programmable fabric and reliable on-chip resources are used for on-the-fly defectfree mapping. This built-in self map (BISM) scheme significantly reduces the complexity of defect tolerance during design time as well as post-fabrication configuration time. Various BISMschemes are presented and their efficiencies in terms of defect tolerance and mapping time are compared.
Sextus, Descartes, Hume, and Peirce: On Securing Settled Doxastic States

Sextus Empiricus and Peirce are famously philosophers for whom the objective of inquiry or investigation is characterized in psychological terms-for Sextus, as quietude or tranquility, and for Peirce, as the settlement or fixation of belief. I maintain that Descartes and Hume also characterize the goal of inquiry psychologically, in terms of such notions as unshakability and equilibrium in belief, and that their approaches to assessing belief-forming methods with reference to psychological notions have affinities with those in Sextus and Peirce. Methods of forming doxastic states are assessed by each of the four figures with reference to effectiveness in achieving a settled condition in those states. My argument depends on identifying important lines of thought in Descartes and Hume, tendencies in their thinking that are present and not dismissed, that place a premium on settled doxastic states. In this paper, I seek to bring to light these lines of thought. In the interest of presenting an overview of Descartes and Hume, against the backdrop of Sextus and Peirce, I provide a partial defense of admittedly contentious interpretive claims, ones I attempt to defend more fully elsewhere. I locate in Hume the claim that one ought to seek doxastic states that are settled. I locate in Descartes the claim that one ought to seek beliefs that are not only settled, but also incapable of being shaken or unsettled. Achieving a settled condition is necessary, but not sufficient, for achieving a settled condition that cannot be unsettled. The Cartesian objective is more ambitious, and the Humean more modest. I maintain that the value placed on settled doxastic states has a naturalistic foundation in three of the figures; we find in Peirce, Hume, and Sextus, though not in Descartes, the claim that unsettled states are unpleasant, and hence to be avoided. It is Hume, however, who is odd man out in a different
Pure translation display.

Abstract Methods such as monoclonal antibody technology, phage display, and ribosome display provide genetic routes to the selection of proteins and peptides with desired properties. However, extension to polymers of unnatural amino acids is problematic because the translation step is always performed in vivo or in crude extracts in the face of competition from natural amino acids. Here, we address this restriction using a pure translation system in which aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases and other competitors are deliberately omitted. First, we show that such a simplified system can synthesize long polypeptides. Second, we demonstrate “pure translation display” by selecting from an mRNA library only those mRNAs that encode a selectable unnatural amino acid upstream of a peptide spacer sequence long enough to span the ribosome tunnel. Pure translation display should enable the directed evolution of peptide analogs with desirable catalytic or pharmacological properties.
An integrated economic analysis of commercial thermal energy storage

The authors demonstrate an integrated economic evaluation method involving several computer models. The example analysis estimates the consequences of a hypothetical demand-side load management program intended to promote the adoption of the emerging thermal energy storage (TES) technology for cooling in commercial buildings. The method consists of three parts: (1) simulation of the load shape effects of TES; (2) estimation of the corresponding utility production cost implications; and (3) a simple cost-benefit analysis of the program. The analysis shows that the program provides significant benefit to society, but, even without direct incentives, it fails the no-loser test. >
Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope Analysis of Solute Partitioning in a Partially Stabilized Zirconia

Solute partitioning and grain-boundary chemistry in a commercial Y2O3-bearing partially stabilized zirconia were studied by scanning transmission electron microscopy. The ceramic contained a mixture of twinned monoclinic (minor) phase and cubic (major) phase. Fine-scale precipitation was noted within the cubic phase. The average measured YiO3 concentrations in the two phases were near those that would be expected from the binary phase diagram, indicating that solute partitioning approaches completion.
Differential response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy among 7 triple-negative breast cancer molecular subtypes

Purpose: The clinical relevancy of the 7-subtype classification of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) reported by Lehmann and colleagues is unknown. We investigated the clinical relevancy of TNBC heterogeneity by determining pathologic complete response (pCR) rates after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, based on TNBC subtypes. Experimental Design: We revalidated the Lehmann and colleagues experiments using Affymetrix CEL files from public datasets. We applied these methods to 146 patients with TNBC with gene expression microarrays obtained from June 2000 to March 2010 at our institution. Of those, 130 had received standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy and had evaluable pathologic response data. We classified the TNBC samples by subtype and then correlated subtype and pCR status using Fisher exact test and a logistic regression model. We also assessed survival and compared the subtypes with PAM50 intrinsic subtypes and residual cancer burden (RCB) index. Results: TNBC subtype and pCR status were significantly associated ( P = 0.04379). The basal-like 1 (BL1) subtype had the highest pCR rate (52%); basal-like 2 (BL2) and luminal androgen receptor had the lowest (0% and 10%, respectively). TNBC subtype was an independent predictor of pCR status ( P = 0.022) by a likelihood ratio test. The subtypes better predicted pCR status than did the PAM50 intrinsic subtypes (basal-like vs. non basal-like). Conclusions: Classifying TNBC by 7 subtypes predicts high versus low pCR rate. We confirm the clinical relevancy of the 7 subtypes of TNBC. We need to prospectively validate whether the pCR rate differences translate into long-term outcome differences. The 7-subtype classification may spur innovative personalized medicine strategies for patients with TNBC. Clin Cancer Res; 19(19); 5533–40. ©2013 AACR .
The hydrogen-deuterium exchange reaction on cobalt ferrite

Abstract The catalytic activity of cobalt ferrite, Co 3− x Fe x O 4 , for the hydrogen-deuterium exchange reaction and the change in thermoelectric power of the ferrite during the adsorption of hydrogen and oxygen were investigated as functions of the catalyst composition. The exchange reaction was carried out on catalysts with values of x : 1.93, 1.97, 2.02, and 2.07 in a flow reactor in the temperature range 60 ° to 130 °C, at 1 atm pressure. It was found that the rate of the reaction was dependent upon the pretreatment of the catalyst while the activation energy increased from about 19 to 24 kcal mole −1 and the pre-exponential factor from 10 30 to 10 37 min −1 as the compositional parameter, x , progressed from 1.93 to 2.07. The change in thermoelectric power of compressed powder ferrite pellets during the adsorption of hydrogen and oxygen was investigated in the temperature range 88–250 °C on two samples of cobalt ferrite, x = 1.91 and 2.04. At temperatures > 120 °C hydrogen was adsorbed on the cobalt ferrite as an electron donor, and oxygen as an acceptor. However, no change in thermoelectric power was detected at lower temperatures, indicating that in the range in which the catalytic reaction was studied no net electron transfer occurred between the adsorbed molecules and the substrate. It is concluded that the hydrogen-deuterium exchange reaction on cobalt ferrite occurred in two stages. The first is an initial activation step in which the catalytic activity increased with time. This step can be associated with the reduction of the surface of the ferrite and with the exposing of surface cations. In the second stage the exchange reaction proceeded at constant activity. A reaction mechanism involving hydrogen being adsorbed dissociatively on cation-anion couples in such a way as to restore the octahedral coordination of the cations of interest (Co 3+ , Fe 3+ ) is in accord with the experimental results. The differences in activation energies are qualitatively related to the energies of the Co 2+ Co 3+ and Fe 2+ Fe 3+ electron transfers. A theoretically calculated reaction rate, which assumes slow hydrogen desorption, is in accord with the experimental rate.
Student Acceptance of Clickers in Large Introductory Business Classes.

Today’s NetGen students require more multimedia and interactive learning environments and greater participation than previous generations. Personal response devices (PRDs, sometimes called Audience Response Devices or ARDs, better known as clickers) show promise in helping to meet that need. This article explores the literature of PRDs to develop propositions about the impact of PRDs on learning in large introductory business classes (e.g., Principles of Marketing,
An Online Stability Margin Monitor for Digitally Controlled Switched-Mode Power Supplies

This paper presents a practical injection-based method for continuous monitoring of the crossover frequency and phase margin in digitally controlled switched-mode power supplies (SMPS). The proposed approach is derived from Middlebrook's loop-gain measurement technique, adapted to a digital controller implementation. A digital square-wave signal is injected into the feedback loop and the injection signal frequency is adjusted while monitoring loop signals to obtain the system crossover frequency and phase margin online, i.e., during normal closed loop SMPS operation. The approach does not require open loop or steady-state SMPS operation and is capable of convergence in the presence of load transients or other disturbances. A method for designing the stability margin monitor, based on small-signal models derived using an envelope modeling approach, is also presented. Experimental results are given for multiple power stage configurations demonstrating close matches between monitored and expected crossover frequencies and phase margins.
LENGTHENING OF THE QUADRICEPS TENDON

Certain rather definite findings are to be noted. First:—contraction of the quadriceps without adhesions will produce a loss of function of the knee. Second:—contraction and adhesion between the muscles themselves, or between muscle and bone, will produce loss of flexion of the knee. Third:—the capsular changes are not as constant a finding as the muscular changes. Knee joints that cannot be forcibly flexed before the releasing of the tendon can be easily flexed afterwards. Fourth:—contraction of the muscular tissue following long immobilization for inflammatory knee joint disease, probably is present, but it is rot advisable to operate in the presence of a sensitive joint. Time is an important factor. It is better to operate on a patient who has walked for five years with ten degrees of motion, than on one who has walked for five months with thirty degrees of motion. In the former, joint and muscle tissue are in good tone: therefore, they lend themselves better to operation and they return to function much more rapidly.
Reduced Port Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery

Reduced port laparoscopic surgery (RPLS) is a new surgical approach in bariatric surgery that minimizes abdominal wall trauma. It has the potential to cause reduced postoperative pain and improved cosmesis without compromising the outcome. It is useful for a selected group of patients, especially women with a short distance between the xiphoid process and umbilicus. RPLS bariatric approach is contraindicated in patients who have undergone upper abdominal open surgery or upper abdominal ventral hernia mesh repair and in super obese patients. Postoperative weight loss with this approach is similar to that occurring after conventional multiport laparoscopic procedures. More importantly, no major intraoperative or postoperative complications have been reported. However, the data is scarce, early intraoperative and postoperative experience with RPLS bariatric surgery has shown that RPLS sleeve gastrectomy, adjustable gastric banding, and gastric bypass procedures are feasible and associated with reasonable degree of safety.
Belief Reasoning and Emotion Understanding in Balanced Bilingual and Language-Dominant Mexican American Young Children

Belief reasoning and emotion understanding were measured among 102 Mexican American bilingual children ranging from 4 to 7 years old. All children were tested in English and Spanish after ensuring minimum comprehension in each language. Belief reasoning was assessed using 2 false and 1 true belief tasks. Emotion understanding was measured using subtests from the Test for Emotion Comprehension. The influence of family background variables of yearly income, parental education level, and number of siblings on combined Spanish and English vocabulary, belief reasoning, and emotion understanding was assessed by regression analyses. Age and emotion understanding predicted belief reasoning. Vocabulary and belief reasoning predicted emotion understanding. When the sample was divided into language-dominant and balanced bilingual groups on the basis of language proficiency difference scores, there were no significant differences on belief reasoning or emotion understanding. Language groups were demographically similar with regard to child age, parental educational level, and family income. Results suggest Mexican American language-dominant and balanced bilinguals develop belief reasoning and emotion understanding similarly.
20α-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one, an Interfering Fluorogen in Assay of Corticosterone.

SummaryA comparison of 20α-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one and corticosterone reveals that their fluorescence properties are similar in concentrated sulphuric acid. Since rodent ovaries secrete 20α-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one, this steroid may interfere with the assay of corticosterone by fluorimetric techniques; however, interference may be reduced by the use of a petroleum ether wash. It is suggested that a fluorescence method may be used as a sensitive assay for 20α-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one.
An analysis of the concept of self-neglect

A dimension of self-care that has rarely been studied but that nonetheless poses serious problems for efforts to enhance health is self-neglect. Self-neglect here refers to clients who display a pattern of intentionally neglecting prescribed self-care activities despite available resources and knowledge. This article presents the results of a concept analysis of self-neglect as a first step toward further theory development, research, and eventual practical applications. The literature review addresses suicidology and noncompliance as areas significant to analysis of the concept. Ethical, personal, and esthetic as well as empirical sources of knowledge are included as relevant to the conceptualization of self-neglect. Several case examples are constructed to distinguish self-neglect from other health-related behaviors that are potentially harmful. Measures designed to address the complexity of the concept are outlined as the empirical referents. It is concluded that the concept analysis of self-neglect can help to extricate nurse theoreticians and clinicians from conceptual ruts so that new answers to old but challenging problems related to self-care will be discovered.
Nicotine Modulates Evoked GABAergic Transmission in the Brain

The effects of nicotine on evoked GABAergic synaptic transmission were examined using whole cell recordings from neurons of the lateral spiriform nucleus in embryonic chick brain slices. All synaptic activities were abolished by the GABA(A) receptor antagonist, bicuculline (20 microM). Under voltage-clamp with KCl-filled pipettes (holding potential -70 mV), nicotine (0.1-1.0 microM) increased the frequency of spontaneous GABAergic currents in a dose-dependent manner. Nicotine enhanced electrically evoked GABAergic transmission only at relatively low concentrations of 50-100 nM (but not 25 nM), which approximate the concentrations of nicotine in the blood produced by cigarette smoking. At higher concentrations nicotine had either no effect (0.25 microM) or diminished (0.5-1.0 microM) evoked GABAergic neurotransmission. Nicotine had no significant effect on the postsynaptic current induced by exogenous GABA (30-50 microM). These data imply that nicotine levels attained in smokers are sufficient to enhance evoked GABAergic transmission in the brain, and that this effect is most likely mediated through activation of presynaptic nicotinic receptors.
THE EVOLUTION OF TRACHEID DIAMETER IN EARLY VASCULAR PLANTS AND ITS IMPLICATIONS ON THE HYDRAULIC CONDUCTANCE OF THE PRIMARY XYLEM STRAND.

A cumulative correlation analysis of the maximum diameter of primary xylem tracheids recorded for 41 tracheophyte fossils, plotted against their ages (ranging from the Upper Silurian to the Lower Devonian), yields a Spearman rank coefficient (rsp ) of 0.696 (P < 0.01). Data for specimens taxonomically referable to zosterophyllophytes and lycopods reveal an increase in the range and maximum diameter of tracheids from the Siegenian to the Emsian. Correlation analysis of these data yields an rsp value of 0.95 (P < 0.02). The mean and maximum tracheid diameters recorded for rhyniophytes, when correlated against stratigraphic occurrence, yield rsp values of 0.81 (P < 0.05) and 0.85 (P < 0.02), respectively. A correlation analysis of the data for rhyniophytes, trimerophytes and progymnosperms yields an rsp value of 0.87 (P < 0.01). Therefore, despite a relatively small sample size of early Paleozoic plants, the available data show a surprising level of statistical robustness. The data are interpreted to indicate that during the early evolution of tracheophytes, both the range and maximum tracheid diameter of the primary xylem increased, while in some plant lineages (zosterophyllophytes) there is evidence for a plateauing of maximum tracheid diameters by the Middle Devonian. The statistical trends in the data are interpreted within the context of the evolution of the hydraulic conductance of tracheophyte primary xylem.
Trends in Airline Passenger Trip Delays (2007): A Multi-Segment Itinerary Analysis

The raison d'etre of the Airline Passenger Transportation System (APTS) is the rapid, affordable, and safe transportation of passengers (and cargo). Traditional APTS performance metrics, such as flight delays and cancellation rates, fail to account for the delays to passenger trips caused by cancelled flights, missed connections and diversions. Previous research estimated Passenger Trip Delays statistics for single segment passenger itineraries (i.e. direct itineraries) only. This paper describes the results of analysis of the Passenger Trip Delays for multi-segment itineraries (i.e. direct and connecting itineraries). The results provide a nuanced view of the performance of the APTS, the causes of passenger trip delays, and mitigation strategies. In 2007, 6.8M flights provided service to 299 airports. The network of scheduled flights supported an estimated 51M passenger itineraries. Thirteen percent of the itineraries provided direct service, 87% provided connecting service. Direct itineraries carried an average of 30 passengers, while connecting itineraries carried an average of 4 passengers, resulting in an even split between passengers on direct and connecting itineraries. In terms of performance, 31% of the itineraries were disrupted yielding passenger trip delays totaling 15,841 years. Forty eight percent of the total trip delays were the result of itineraries disrupted by delayed flights, 31% by cancelled flights, 19% by missed connections, and 25% by diverted flights. Connecting itineraries, through hubs or not, were more likely to experience disruptions. The asymmetries in type of itinerary, load factor, and type of disruption provide insights into the inherent structure of the system and explain why a single performance metric cannot incentivize uniform performance improvement. The implications for NextGen and air transportation policy are discussed.
Rating Scales and Information Recovery—How Many Scales and Response Categories to Use?:

Managers and researchers concerned with marketing and attitudinal research frequently encounter the problem of determining the number of rating scales to use and the number of response categories t...
An Elementary Derivation of the Law of Gravitation as Applied to Planetary Motions

(1895). An Elementary Derivation of the Law of Gravitation as Applied to Planetary Motions. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 2, No. 11, pp. 301-303.
Abstract 295: Detection of hypomethylation of LINE1 on peripheral white blood cells and plasma DNA in US hepatocellular carcinoma patients

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers in the world and is increasing in the United States. Epigenetic changes, including genomic DNA hypomethylation, have been implicated in cancer development by inducing chromosomal instability. In the present study, methylation of long interspersed nucleotide element-1(LINE1), a surrogate marker of global hypomethylation, in peripheral white blood cells and plasma DNA in 47 US HCC patients was detected by pyrosequencing. Correlations between LINE1 methylation, and clinical data and other biomarkers were also analyzed. Methylation of LINE1 in WBC DNA is statistically significantly correlated with that in plasma DNA (R=0.32, p=0.04). WBC DNA global hypomethylation was significantly decreased in subjects with hepatitis C (HCV) infection (p=0.05). Plasma folate levels were not correlated with plasma DNA LINE1 methylation (R=0.13, p=0.41) or with WBC LINE1 methylation (R=−0.19, p=0.24). However, WBC folate levels were statistically significantly associated with patients’ survival. HCC patients who survived at least 3 months after diagnosis had lower WBC folate compared to patients who died within 3 months (p=0.004). We are currently expanding the HCC cohort and also analyzing biomarkers of chemical exposure (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and aflatoxin B1) to investigate associations with methylation changes. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 295. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-295
Targeting IL-17A attenuates neonatal sepsis mortality induced by IL-18

Interleukin (IL)-18 is an important effector of innate and adaptive immunity, but its expression must also be tightly regulated because it can potentiate lethal systemic inflammation and death. Healthy and septic human neonates demonstrate elevated serum concentrations of IL-18 compared with adults. Thus, we determined the contribution of IL-18 to lethality and its mechanism in a murine model of neonatal sepsis. We find that IL-18–null neonatal mice are highly protected from polymicrobial sepsis, whereas replenishing IL-18 increased lethality to sepsis or endotoxemia. Increased lethality depended on IL-1 receptor 1 (IL-1R1) signaling but not adaptive immunity. In genome-wide analyses of blood mRNA from septic human neonates, expression of the IL-17 receptor emerged as a critical regulatory node. Indeed, IL-18 administration in sepsis increased IL-17A production by murine intestinal γδT cells as well as Ly6G+ myeloid cells, and blocking IL-17A reduced IL-18–potentiated mortality to both neonatal sepsis and endotoxemia. We conclude that IL-17A is a previously unrecognized effector of IL-18–mediated injury in neonatal sepsis and that disruption of the deleterious and tissue-destructive IL-18/IL-1/IL-17A axis represents a novel therapeutic approach to improve outcomes for human neonates with sepsis.
The Theoretical Calculation of Main Steam Pressure for the Sliding Pressure Steam Turbine

Based on variable condition of the governing stage,the theoretical calculation method of main steam pressure for the sliding pressure operation is set forth by means of combining the working feature of governing stage for the nozzle-controlled turbine.Meanwhile,the variation tendency of main steam pressure line is fully analyzed against the influence of temperature fluctuation as well as degree of overlapping of governing stage under sliding pressure operation.So,There is the role of a certain draw to improve the calculation precision of governing stage parameters.
Polarized Light, Revised and Expanded

Polarized Light, Second Edition explores polarized light, its production, and its use, facilitating self-study without prior knowledge of Maxwell's equations. This comprehensive second edition includes more than 2500 thoroughly updated figures and equations for easier understanding and application across various industries. It features new chapters on polarization by refraction and reflection, polarization elements, anisotropic materials, Stokes polarimetry, Mueller matrix polarimetry, the mathematics of the Mueller matrix. This edition also offers updated and expanded material on the derivation of the Fresnel equations with plots of the magnitude and phase of the reflection coefficients.
Learning, technology and intellectual property: a survey of the philosophies and preferences of our trainees and peers

Increasing workloads threaten the quality of teaching in academic radiology practices. There is a wealth of unfiltered educational resources for radiology on the internet. As a digital native, today’s radiology trainee may have differing opinions from teachers about learning and intellectual property. To identify the preferences and philosophies regarding learning, technology and intellectual property toward the future development of an innovative radiology curriculum. An electronic survey with 22 questions was sent to 2,010 members of the Society for Pediatric Radiology and 100 radiology trainees. Three hundred sixty-one of the 2,110 surveys were returned. All questions were completed in 342 surveys. Fifty-three respondents were trainees (residents and fellows) and 289 respondents were radiologists (teachers). Time needed for a single learning activity in both groups is <30 min, but teachers spend less time (P=0.007). The preferred learning environments were point-of-care and outside work hours for both groups. Ideal lecture durations were 31-45 min for trainees and 21-30 min for teachers (P=0.001). Adoption of new technology showed late majority and laggard trends for both groups (P=0.296). Interest in gadgets was greater in trainees (17%) than teachers (2%) (P<0.001). Interest in lecture recording was greater in trainees (84%) than teachers (61%) (P=0.008). More trainees (61%) than teachers (42%) would not charge money for educational materials (P=0.028); 27% versus 13%, respectively, disagreed with dissemination of those materials beyond the institution (P=0.013). While millennial trainees are adult learners with a stronger comfort with technology, learning styles of trainees and teachers are more similar than was previously believed. Trainees and teachers hold conflicting philosophies about intellectual property. Results herein speak favorably for revising our teaching portfolio to include practical learning materials of short duration available at point-of-care.
Teaching general music

General music is a term which has come to signify a music course intended to teach basic music knowledge and skills to all students, regardless of background. The general music course functions in ...