cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transient Effects of Sleep on Next-Day Pain and Fatigue in Older Adults With Symptomatic Osteoarthritis.

Abstract Poor sleep quality has been associated with greater pain and fatigue in people living with osteoarthritis (OA). The objective of this micro-longitudinal study was to determine whether sleep impacts the diurnal pattern of next-day OA-related pain and fatigue. Community-dwelling older adults (≥65 years) with hip and/or knee OA provided data over 5 days using daily diaries and wrist-worn actigraphs. Pain and fatigue intensity were measured on awakening, at 11 am , 3 pm , 7 pm, and bedtime. Subjective previous night sleep quality was measured on awakening. Multilevel linear regression models examined interactions between sleep variables and time of next-day symptom reports. One hundred sixty participants provided 785 days of data (median age = 71 years; 62% female). Analysis of time interaction effects identified an association between poor sleep quality and more morning pain and fatigue. Although the effect on awakening was more pronounced for fatigue, differences in both symptoms attributable to sleep quality attenuated as the day progressed. Investigation of actigraphy-based sleep parameters revealed no significant interactions with time of symptom measurement. These findings observed in a sample of older adults with mild-to-moderate OA symptoms warrant further investigation in a sample with more severe symptoms and more pronounced sleep dysfunction and/or sleep disorders. Perspective This article investigates the impact of sleep on next-day pain and fatigue of older adults with OA. On awakening from a night of poor quality sleep, pain and fatigue intensity were heightened. However, the effect was not sustained throughout the day, suggesting the morning may be an optimal time for symptom interventions.
Formulation of high-Al2O3 waste glasses from projected Hanford waste compositions

Abstract High alumina high-level waste (HLW) is stored at the Hanford Site. This waste will be vitrified into borosilicate glasses at the Hanford Tank Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP). The efficiency of the WTP operation will be strongly influenced by the loading of high Al2O3 wastes in HLW glass and the melter processing rate. A study was performed to formulate glasses with high loading of Al2O3-rich HLW and demonstrate their processability. Glasses with Al2O3 concentrations ranging from 30 to 35 mass% were designed and tested. One example glass with Al2O3 loading of 34 mass% was processed in a small-scale continuous melter. These compositions showed promising properties and good processability, suggesting that loading Hanford HLW glasses with excess of 30 mass% Al2O3 can be successfully produced at the WTP. The ability of existing glass property-composition models to predict the properties of HLW glasses with high Al2O3 content was evaluated. Viscosity and electrical conductivity model predictions appeared reasonably close to measured values, while crystallization and product consistency test model predictions were found to be significantly different from measured values.
Distributed computing in practice: the Condor experience: Research Articles

Since 1984, the Condor project has enabled ordinary users to do extraordinary computing. Today, the project continues to explore the social and technical problems of cooperative computing on scales ranging from the desktop to the world-wide computational Grid. In this paper, we provide the history and philosophy of the Condor project and describe how it has interacted with other projects and evolved along with the field of distributed computing. We outline the core components of the Condor system and describe how the technology of computing must correspond to social structures. Throughout, we reflect on the lessons of experience and chart the course travelled by research ideas as they grow into production systems. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chapter 3 – Bone Disorders

Bone is the most well-differentiated organ that originates from mesenchymal tissue. It is alive and dynamic. In terms of function, bone is primarily a structural, load-bearing organ. It provides protection to vital organs and bears loads that the body experiences, both from external forces and those that occur from muscle contraction. Bone provides the anchor point for that muscle contraction through its specialized tendon insertion sites (entheses). Bone’s ligament insertion sites, which have the same structure as its tendon insertion sites (and are also classified as entheses), are essential to the function of joints. The articular cartilage that covers the ends of long bones, and which constitutes the bearing surfaces of joints, allows locomotion by the lower extremities and the positioning of the hands in space by the upper extremities. Bone also acts as a metabolic organ in its role as the storage depot of calcium and phosphate. It is the largest reservoir of calcium in the body, and the constant remodeling of bone mobilizes its calcium as one component of the process that tightly mediates calcium homeostasis. Bone remodeling also serves a structural purpose. The remodeling process positions the available mineralized bone tissue in an optimum distribution to bear the loads experienced by the skeleton. The spaces between bony struts and plates that make up trabecular bone (also called spongy or cancellous bone) contain the bone marrow, which produces and stores cells with multiple hematologic and regenerative body functions.
Hearing and sound localization in Cottontail rabbits, Sylvilagus floridanus

Cottontail rabbits represent the first wild species of the order of lagomorphs whose hearing abilities have been determined. Cottontails, Sylvilagus floridanus, evolved in the New World, but have spread worldwide. Their hearing was tested behaviorally using a conditioned-avoidance procedure. At a level of 60 dB SPL, their hearing ranged from 300 Hz to 32 kHz, a span of 7.5 octaves. Mammalian low-frequency hearing is bimodally distributed and Cottontail rabbits fall into the group that hears below 400 Hz. However, their 300-Hz limit puts them near the gap that separates the two populations. The minimum audible angle of cottontails is 27.6°, making them less acute than most other species of mammals. Their large sound-localization threshold is consistent with the observation that mammals with broad fields of best vision require less acuity to direct their eyes to the sources of sound.
Comparative Risks of Cardiovascular Disease in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Diabetes Mellitus, and in General Medicaid Recipients.

OBJECTIVE Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk is elevated in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and diabetes mellitus (DM), but whether risk of CVD in patients with SLE is as high as in those with DM is unknown. The present study was undertaken to compare CVD risks between patients with SLE and DM and general population US Medicaid recipients. METHODS In a cohort study, we identified age- and sex-matched adults (1:2:4) with SLE or DM and those from the general population using Medicaid Analytic eXtract, 2007-2010. We collected data on baseline sociodemographic factors, comorbidities, and medications. We used Cox regression models to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) of hospitalized nonfatal CVD events (combined myocardial infarction [MI] and stroke) and MI and stroke separately, accounting for competing risk of death and adjusting for covariates. We compared risks in age-stratified models. RESULTS We identified 40,212 SLE patients, 80,424 DM patients, and 160,848 general population patients; 92.5% were female, and the mean ± SD age was 40.3 ± 12.1 years. Nonfatal CVD incidence rate per 1,000 person-years was 8.99 for patients with SLE, 7.07 for those with DM, and 2.36 for the general population. Nonfatal CVD risk was higher in SLE compared to DM (HR 1.27 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.15-1.40]), driven by excess risk at ages 18-39 years (HR 2.22 [95% CI 1.81-2.71]). Patients with SLE had higher risk of CVD compared to the general population (HR 2.67 [95% CI 2.38-2.99]). CONCLUSION SLE patients had a 27% higher risk of nonfatal CVD events compared to age- and sex-matched patients with DM and more than twice the risk of the Medicaid general population. The highest relative risk occurred at ages 18-39 years. These high risks merit aggressive evaluation for modifiable factors and research to identify prevention strategies.
Gender differences in use of prolonged non-operative therapies prior to index ACDF surgery.

Abstract Prior to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgery, patients suffering from cervical stenosis traditionally trial non-operative treatments for pain management. There is a paucity of data evaluating gender disparities in the prolonged utilization of conservative therapy prior to ACDF surgery. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess for gender-based differences in the utilization and cost of maximal non-operative therapy (MNT) for cervical stenosis prior to ACDF surgery. Medical records from patients with symptomatic cervical stenosis undergoing 1, 2, or 3-level index ACDF procedures between 2007 and 2016 were gathered from an insurance database consisting of 20.9 million covered lives. The utilization of MNTs within 5 years prior to index ACDF surgery was assessed. A total of 2254 patients (females: 53.1%) underwent an index ACDF surgery. There were a significantly greater percentage of female patients that utilized NSAIDs (p
Management of the Acute Loss of a Free Flap to the Head and Neck-A Multi-institutional Review.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS To review the management of failed free tissue transfers among four large institutions over a 13-year period to provide data and analysis for a logical, algorithmic, experience-based approach to the management of failed free flaps. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective case series. METHODS A multi-institutional retrospective chart review of free tissue transfers to the head and neck region between 2006 and 2019 was performed. Patients with a failed free flap during their hospitalization after surgery to the head and neck were identified and reviewed. Patient age, co-morbidities, risk factors, flap characteristics, tumor specifics, and length of hospital stay were reviewed, collected, and analyzed. RESULTS One hundred eighteen flap failures met criteria. The most common failed flap in this review was the osteocutaneous flap 52/118 (44%). The recipient site of the initial free flap (P < .001) was the only statistically significant parameter strongly correlated with management. Osteocutaneous flap failures, fasciocutaneous, bowel, and muscle-only flaps tended to be managed most commonly with a second free flap. Myocutaneous flap failures were managed equally with either a second free flap or a regional flap. CONCLUSIONS The most important factor in management of a failed free flap is the recipient site. A second free flap is often the preferred treatment, but in the acute setting, local or regional flaps may be viable options depending on the recipient site, circumstances of flap loss, and patient- specific comorbidities. An algorithm for management of the acute flap loss is presented in this review. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 4 Laryngoscope, 131:518-524, 2021.
Developmental Pathways to Adult Happiness: Social Competence and Timely High School Graduation

Academic and social success are key points of emphasis for adolescents. Yet, it remains unclear whether competence in these areas during adolescence leads to happiness in adulthood. We also know surprisingly little about the mechanisms by which these factors might influence future quality of life. The present study examined the relative impacts of social and academic success (measured in adolescence) on satisfaction with life approximately 16 years later. In addition, indirect pathways were assessed through life stress and social support in early adulthood. Participants (N = 157) were drawn from a sample of children born to low-income mothers followed from birth through age 39 years. Results showed a direct pathway from adolescent social competence to adult life satisfaction, and no such effect of high school graduation. Neither indirect effect was significant. These results extend and support previous cross-sectional research, and call into question the ability of the present K-12 education system to meet the expectations of modern parents.
The Wellbeing of Specialty Population Segments

This chapter covers selective research concerning the psychology of wellbeing (happiness, subjective wellbeing, and positive mental health) of other population segments such as the mentally ill, the disabled, drug addicts, sexual minorities, sex workers, emergency personnel, immigrants, teachers, caregivers, tourists, and residents of tourist communities.
New Trends in Neck Lifting

Among people looking to rejuvenate and improve their face condition, neck and jawline improvement is particularly significant. In other words, both the surgeon and the patients themselves are aware of the impact of a youthful and beautiful neck on the appearance of the whole face. The neck lift is a set of cosmetic procedures including removal of excess skin and liposuction for removal of excess fat around jawline, removal or alteration of neck muscles, injections to adjust the problems associated with fullness or bands and to remove excess fat under the chin. The set of these actions will result in the development of a more defined and youthful-looking neck. However, it should be noted that despite the fact that the outcomes can be long-lasting, neck lift surgery cannot impede the aging process. In addition to pointing out the important considerations, indications, and factors that should be taken into account, in this chapter, we try to address the latest trends in neck lift procedures.
Meadowfoam seed oil as a natural dispersing agent for colorants in lipstick.

Objective Green and sustainable trends are growing and with that the demand for naturally-derived ingredients is rising. Dispersing agents are essential components of lipsticks due to their ability to wet pigment particles, reduce agglomerates, and prevent re-agglomeration by stabilizing pigment particles. In this study meadowfoam seed oil was evaluated as a pigment dispersing agent for lipsticks and compared to castor oil and octyldodecanol. Methods Dispersions of Red 7 Lake were formulated with 20, 30, and 40% solid content using castor oil, octyldodecanol, or meadowfoam seed oil. Particle size, viscosity, spreadability, wetting, oil absorption, and colour were measured. Four of the nine dispersions were then formulated into lipsticks, including all the 30% pigment dispersions and the 40% dispersion with meadowfoam seed oil. Lipsticks were tested for hardness, pay-off, friction, rheology, colour, and stability for 4 weeks. Results Average particle size was between 6 to 9 µm across the dispersions. The castor oil dispersions were more viscous, stickier, and harder to spread than the other dispersions. The wetting contact angle was very low for all three dispersing agents, indicating that all of the oils wet the pigment well. The lipsticks varied in hardness, as expected, based on differences in the viscosity of the dispersing agents, and oil absorption of the powder. Red 7 Lake absorbed the highest amount of castor oil, which contributed to higher stick hardness. The castor oil lipstick and the meadowfoam seed oil lipstick containing 40% pigment were the hardest and most elastic. The octyldodecanol lipstick was the softest. Friction was the lowest for the meadowfoam seed oil lipstick containing 40% pigment, while pay-off was the highest for the octyldodecanol lipstick. Colour of the lipsticks as a stick and after being spread on paper was very similar. Conculsion While the chemical composition and physicochemical properties of the dispersing agents were different, all three dispersing agents studied formed dispersions and lipsticks with appropriate characteristics. Meadowfoam seed oil's performance was qualitatively and quantitatively similar to castor oil and octyldodecanol. By modifying the amount of pigment and dispersing agent used, lipsticks that have similar characteristics to commercial products can be formulated.
Firm Complexity and Conglomerates Expected Returns

The paper discovers that firm complexity is negatively priced in cross-section. High/low-complexity conglomerates have 35-50/20-28 bp per month more negative five-factor Fama and French (2015) alphas than single-segment firms, and this effect is stronger in subsamples with low institutional ownership, higher idiosyncratic volatility, and around earnings announcements. The complexity effect is robust to controlling for a long list of pre-existing anomalies and seems to be generated by the interaction of higher uncertainty/disagreement about conglomerates (Barinov, Park, and Yildizhan, 2016) and short-sale constraints. The complexity effect seems to be contributing to the diversification discount by slowly eroding the valuations of conglomerates.
Optimizing the Event Set for Collegiate Aviation FOQA Programs

Flight Operations Quality Assurance or FOQA is a proven tool in the effort to enhance aviation safety. Employed by air carriers as early as the 1960’s, FOQA allows aviation operations and safety managers to objectively monitor how their aircraft are being operated. This data can then be translated into informed decisions to improve the safety and efficiency of the overall operation. While FOQA has proven itself in the world of airlines and other commercial aviation ventures, these flight data monitoring programs have largely been absent in the area where the vast majority of flight operations occur, general aviation. Advancements in technology allow those in general aviation management positions the ability to apply the same techniques in general aviation. This study attempts to further the body of knowledge of Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA) programs by examining the unique requirements of a FOQA program adapted to the university flight-training environment. The methodology employed are qualitative in nature employing a Delphi study to gather data from a group of subject matter experts on both FOQA and general aviation flight instruction. Qualitative observations gathered by the researcher from the direct observation of flight instruction will be used to supplement the data gathered from the Delphi Study. Through the analysis of these two data sets, this study determines what events and parameters should be monitored in a collegiate FOQA program.
Applications of Stress Echocardiography in Mitral Valve Disease

Although stress echocardiography is primarily used to exclude inducible myocardial ischemia, it also has several useful applications related to mitral valve functional assessment. Its main role relates to assessment of contractile reserve, which can be used to optimally time mitral valve surgery in the setting of significant mitral regurgitation (MR). Clinically, stress echocardiography is most often used in the setting of myxomatous mitral valve prolapse with severe regurgitation but an absence of symptoms. Exercise stress echocardiography allows physicians to assess the patient’s exercise capacity, investigate for exercise-induced pulmonary hypertension, and perhaps most importantly, assess the left ventricle’s response to exercise. Unmasking of impaired functional capacity, inducible pulmonary hypertension, precipitation of atrial arrhythmias, worsening of MR severity, or failure of augmentation in left ventricular systolic function with exercise all may suggest that the patient will benefit from mitral valve surgery. Ideally, this surgery should involve mitral valve repair, so structural information regarding leaflet morphology or thickening, subvalvular apparatus, and the degree of calcification are important observations to include for preoperative planning.
Refined zigzag theory for homogeneous, laminated composite, and sandwich beams derived from Reissner’s mixed variational principle

A highly accurate and computationally attractive shear-deformation theory for homogeneous, laminated composite, and sandwich laminates is developed for the linearly elastic analysis of planar beams. The theory is derived using the kinematic assumptions of Refined Zigzag Theory (RZT) and a two-step procedure that implements Reissner’s Mixed Variational Theorem (RMVT). The basic expression for the transverse-shear stress that satisfies a priori the equlibrium conditions along the layer interfaces is obtained from Cauchy’s equilibrium equations. The resulting transverse-shear stress consists of second-order derivatives of the two rotation variables of the theory, which subsequently are restated as the unknown stress functions. As the first step in fulfilling RMVT, the Lagrange-multiplier functional is minimized with respect to the unknown stress functions, resulting in the stress functions consisting of first-order derivatives of the kinematic variables. Subsequently, the second term of RMVT is minimized, producing four beam equilibrium equations and consistent boundary conditions. For any number of material layers the new theory maintains only four kinematic variables. The theory is labeled RZT(m), where the superscript (m) stands for mixed formulation. The RZT(m) can accurately model the axial stretch, bending, and transverse-shear deformations, without shear-correction factors. Analytic solutions are derived for simply supported beams subjected to transverse-normal and transverse-shear tractions on the top and bottom surfaces. It is demonstrated that RZT(m) has a wide range of applicability which includes sandwich construction and the laminates with embedded thin compliant layers that can potentially model progression of delaminations. The main advantage of RZT(m) over RZT is in the superior predictions of transverse-shear stresses that are obtained directly from the low-order transverse-shear strain measures of the theory without resorting to a post-processing integration procedure. Importantly, the methodology can be readily extended to plate theory, and it can be applied effectively for developing simple and efficient C0-continuous finite elements.
BA11 FKBP5 expression levels correlate with dendritic spine density in postmortem PTSD and controls

Genetic variants of the immunophilin FKBP5 have been implicated in susceptibility to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other stress-related disorders. We examined the relationship between mushroom, stubby, thin and filopodial spine densities measured with Golgi staining and FKBP5 gene expression in the medial orbitofrontal cortex (BA11) in individuals diagnosed with PTSD and normal controls (n = 8/8). ANCOVA revealed PTSD cases had a significantly elevated density of stubby spines (29%, P < 0.037) and a trend for a reduction in mushroom spine density (25%, p < 0.082). Levels of FKBP5 mRNA were marginally elevated in the PTSD cases (z = 1.94, p = 0.053) and levels correlated inversely with mushroom (Spearman's rho = −0.83, p < 0.001) and overall spine density (rho = −0.75, p < 0.002) and directly with stubby spine density (rho = 0.55, p < 0.027). These data suggest that FKBP5 may participate in a cellular pathway modulating neuronal spine density changes in the brain, and that this pathway may be dysregulated in PTSD.
Electrical imaging of cardiac activity

We describe a methodology for a systematic approach to the processing of measurements of electrical potentials which originate in cardiac electrical activity. This methodology can be seen as an imaging modality whose goal is the display and interpretation of an image of the electrical activity of the heart. It requires the display and analysis of electric field data as a function of time and space on complex, irregular three-dimensional geometries. This imaging modality does not reconstruct anatomy, but rather it uses an anatomical model as a basis with which to analyze physical quantities originating in the heart. The goals of this analysis are to achieve a better understanding of normal and abnormal electrical activity of the heart and to apply this knowledge to the diagnosis and monitoring of patients. >
Spot Delivery in the North Carolina Automobile Industry: A Framework for Legal Analysis

This article describes the legal framework for an analysis of spot delivery lawsuits under North Carolina law. This analysis concludes that a credit sale transaction (e.g., pursuant to a RISC) is a conditional sale, and therefore title passes to the buyer at the time the vehicle is delivered. It recognizes that the UCC controls a vehicle sale and the question of when ownership passes to the buyer, not the NCMVA. It concludes that ownership passes at the time the buyer signs the RISC and the vehicle is delivered. It concludes that any conditional delivery agreement is inadmissible and void upon the signing of the RISC by the buyer.
Global conformational dynamics in ras.

Ras and its homologues are central to regulation of a multitude of cellular processes. Ras in complex with GTP binds and activates its downstream signaling partners. 31P NMR studies indicated that the Ras−GTP conformation is heterogeneous on a millisecond time scale, but details of its conformational dynamics remain unknown. Here we present evidence that the conformational exchange process in human H-Ras complexed with GTP mimic GppNHp is global, encompassing most of the GTPase catalytic domain. The correlated character of conformational dynamics in Ras opens opportunities for understanding allosteric effects in Ras function.
Fusion of edge information in markov random fields region growing image segmentation

This paper proposes an algorithm that fuses edge information into Markov Random Fields (MRF) region growing based image segmentation. The idea is to segment the image in a way that takes edge information into consideration. This is achieved by modifying the energy function minimization process so that it would penalize merging regions that have real edges in the boundary between them. Experimental results confirming the hypothesis that the addition of edge information increases the precision of the segmentation by ensuring the conservation of the objects contours during the region growing.
Writing with a joystick: a comparison of date stamp, selection keyboard, and EdgeWrite

A joystick text entry method for game controllers and mobile phones would be valuable, since these devices often have joysticks but no conventional keyboards. But prevalent joystick text entry methods are slow because they are selection-based. EdgeWrite, a new joystick text entry method, is not based on selection but on gestures from a unistroke alphabet. Our experiment shows that this new method is faster, leaves fewer errors, and is more satisfying than date stamp and selection keyboard (two prevalent selection-based methods) for novices after minimal practice. For more practiced users, our results show that EdgeWrite is at least 1.5 times faster than selection keyboard, and 2.4 times faster than date stamp.
Recovery of surfaces from impurity poisoning during crystal growth

Growth and dissolution of crystal surfaces are central to processes as diverse as pharmaceutical manufacturing1,2, corrosion3, single-crystal production4 and mineralization in geochemical and biological environments5,6. Impurities are either unavoidable features of these processes or intentionally introduced to modify the products. Those that act as inhibiting agents induce a so-called ‘dead zone’, a regime of low supersaturation where growth ceases. Models based on the classic theory of Cabrera and Vermilyea7 explain behaviour near the dead zone in terms of the pinning of elementary step motion by impurities8,9. Despite general acceptance of this theory, a number of commonly investigated systems exhibit behaviour not predicted by such models10. Moreover, no clear microscopic picture of impurity–step interactions currently exists. Here we use atomic force microscopy to investigate the potassium dihydrogen phosphate {100} surface as it emerges from the dead zone. We show that traditional models are not able to account for the behaviour of this system because they consider only elementary steps, whereas it is the propagation of macrosteps (bunches of monolayer steps) that leads to resurrection of growthout of the dead zone. We present a simple physical model of this process that includes macrosteps and relates characteristics of growth near the dead zone to the timescale for impurity adsorption.
Relation of minimum viable population size to biology, time frame, and objective.

Shoemaker et al.’s (2013) estimate of the minimum viable population size (MVPS) of the bog turtle (Glyptemys muhlenbergii) is 3 orders of magnitude below population sizes typically viewed as minimally viable (Reed et al. 2003; Trail et al. 2007). Even Flather et al. (2011), who question the utility of MVPS for conservation planning, concede that long-term persistent populations will require thousands of individuals. Rather than conclude their result is incorrect, Shoemaker at al. suggest that MVPS has been overestimated for long-lived species. Although we agree in principle that small populations, especially of long-lived species, have conservation value, we do not agree that Shoemaker et al.’s result provides evidence that small populations are viable. This position is inconsistent with existing empirical evidence of persistence of small populations (Simberloff & Gibbons 2004; Fagan et al. 2005; Fagan & Holmes 2006). We suggest that Shoemaker et al.’s estimate is a gross underestimate, emanating from their definition of viability, which is too narrow, not biologically meaningful, and ignores factors such as demographic and environmental stochasticity, loss of genetic variability, and catastrophes. Their conclusion that populations of long-lived species can be orders of magnitude smaller than currently believed does a disservice to species conservation and raises the longterm discussion in conservation biology about whether we should be focusing on the minimum for management. Shoemaker et al. used too short a time frame, 100 years. Frankham and Brook (2004) and O’Grady et al. (2008) identify the importance of setting the proper time frame for conservation questions and point out that generation length is often the appropriate scale. It can be shown easily that even a strongly declining population can be viable over the short time frame of 10 generations ( 100 years for long-lived species) and that the
Data cluster analysis: Abrupt transition

Abstract A cluster analysis optimization technique for partitioning data is applied to a class of distributions which are functions of a single variable. It is shown that under certain realizable conditions an infinitesimal change in the data distribution causes a large , abrupt change in the location of the optimal boundary separating two data clusters. This abrupt (phase) transition is illustrated with an example.
A Quick and Easy Simulation Procedure to Aid in Metamaterial Unit-Cell Design

In this letter, a simple simulation procedure is presented and used to design a negative-index metamaterial unit cell. The procedure is based upon full-wave simulations of a single unit cell where electric and magnetic drives are separated to significantly simplify the interpretation of the effective-media response. More specifically, by extracting polarizabilities from the far-field response of the resonator under these drive conditions, the effective-media parameters are shown to be nicely correlated with the resonant responses of the resonator. For the purposes of demonstrating this simulation procedure, a negative-index metamaterial design based on a composite unit cell containing a split-ring-resonator and z-dipole is employed as a straightforward example.
A longitudinal assessment of hormonal and physical alterations during normal puberty in boys. I. Serum growth hormone-binding protein

Previous studies have provided compelling evidence that GH secretion increases transiently during midpuberty in normally growing children. Although it is likely that the increase in GH production serves a primary role in generating the pubertal growth spurt, such a conclusion necessarily assumes that other essential "down-stream" components of the GH axis responsible for mediating the effects of GH remain unchanged. To investigate this concept, we assessed longitudinally another important component of the endogenous GH axis, the serum GH-binding protein (GHBP)/receptor system, in a cohort of 11 normal boys as they matured through normal puberty. At 4-month intervals over 4.0-5.1 yr, 24-h serum GH concentration profiles and serum GHBP activity were evaluated. Serum GHBP levels varied over a more than 12-fold range (40-504 pmol/L) among all subjects. However, the values for individual subjects consistently varied within more narrow limits. The coefficient of variation for values from all subjects was 51% compared to the mean intrasubject coefficient of variation of only 30% (P < 0.05). Although the highest GHBP level (all subjects) was 12.6-fold greater than the lowest, the mean intrasubject range was only 3.1 +/- 0.5-fold (P < 0.05). The overall mean serum GHBP level correlated directly with the overall mean body mass index (r = 0.69; P = 0.018), but correlated inversely with the mean 24-h GH concentration (r = -0.61; P < 0.05). There was no significant increase in the GHBP level during puberty. However, because mean 24-h GH concentrations did increase during midpuberty, the data suggest that an increase in the relative amounts of free vs. bound GH develops during the period of the pubertal growth spurt. These data indicate that serum GHBP levels are regulated in individual children within much more narrow limits than those present in the larger population and do not undergo the dramatic changes during puberty typical of GH secretion and linear growth velocity. As a consequence, alterations may develop in the relative amounts of free vs. bound GH present in serum during the midpubertal years compared to those present during either the prepubertal or postpubertal periods. The majority of the known age-related increase in serum GHBP levels probably occurs before the period of active pubertal development. These findings strengthen further the concept that the midpubertal changes in GH secretion serve a primary role in generating the growth spurt.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Identification of tooth-specific downstream targets of Runx2

Abstract Odontogenesis or tooth development is a highly regulated process that involves complex epithelial-mesenchymal signaling interactions that lead to cuspal morphogenesis, cell differentiation and the subsequent formation of the specialized matrices of enamel, dentin, cementum and bone. Although studies on tooth epithelial-mesenchymal signaling interactions have greatly increased our understanding of molecules that regulate tooth initiation and early morphogenesis (review: Jernvall and Thesleff, Mech. Dev. 92 (2000) 19), the precise nature of the molecular events controlling late morphogenesis and terminal cytodifferentiation is not known. We have recently reported a unique phenotype involving dentition in mice lacking a functional Runx2 gene (D'Souza et al., Development 126 (1999) 2911). The markedly hypoplastic tooth organs as well as defects in the maturation of ameloblasts and odontoblasts point to an important and non-redundant role for Runx2 in tooth morphogenesis and cytodifferentiation. In order to identify genes that are affected by the absence of Runx2, a cDNA library was generated from Runx2(−/−) and Runx2(+/+) first molar organs. Thus far, our analysis has revealed several tooth-specific downstream target genes of Runx2 that include extracellular matrix proteins, kinases, receptors, growth factors, mitochondrial proteins and transcription molecules. Sequence analysis of 61 differentially expressed genes revealed that 96.03% of the clones matched previously described genes in the GenBank/EBML database and 3.96% did not match any entries in the database. Our preliminary expression analysis of one of the differentially expressed clones which encodes for a zinc finger transcription factor termed Zfp reveals that the gene is temporally regulated during tooth development. In conclusion, we have successfully generated a library enriched in genes expressed in Runx2(+/+) molar tooth organs and performed preliminary studies to assess the role of Zfp in tooth development.
Stability and extremum principles for post yield analysis of finite plasticity

The post yield behavior of rigid-perfectly plastic solids at the collapse load is studied based on the finite deformation theory. By using the general duality theory developed by Gao-Strang (1989), a global stability criteria is proposed and a pair of dual extremum principles, expressed in terms of displacements, displacement rates and the Kirchhoff stresses are established for plastic collapse analysis. It is proved that under large deformations, the existence of the plastic limit state at the collapse load depends on the directional derivative of a so-called complementary gap function. The application to the nonlinear plastic collapse theory yields a pair of dual bounding theorems for limit loading factor associated with any transient displacement of the deformed body when the global extremum criteria are satisfied.
Characterization of nuclear transmutations in materials irradiation test facilities

Abstract This study presents a comparison of nuclear transmutation rates for candidate fusion first wall/blanket structural materials in available fission test reactors with those produced in a typical fusion spectrum. The materials analyzed in this study include a vanadium alloy (V4Cr4Ti), a reduced activation martensitic steel (Fe9Cr2WVTa), a high conductivity copper alloy (CuCrZr), and the SiC compound. The fission irradiation facilities considered include the EBR-II (Experimental Breeder Reactor) fast reactor, and two high flux mixed spectrum reactors: HFIR (High Flux Irradiation Reactor) and SM-3 (Russian reactor). The estimated transmutation and displacement per atom (DPA) rates in these test reactors are compared with the calculated transmutation and DPA rates characteristic of a D-T fusion first wall spectrum. In general, past work has shown that the displacement damage produced in these fission reactors can be correlated to displacement damage in a fusion spectrum; however, the generation of helium and hydrogen through threshold reactions ((n,xα) and (n,xp)) are much higher in a fusion spectrum. As shown in this study, the compositional changes for several candidate structural materials exposed to a fast fission reactor spectrum are very low, similar to those for a characteristic fusion spectrum. However, the relatively high thermalized spectrum of a mixed spectrum reactor produces transmutation rates quite different from those predicted for a fusion reactor, resulting in substantial differences in the final composition of several candidate alloys after relatively short irradiation time. As examples, the transmutation rates of W, Ta, V, Cu, among others, differ considerably when the irradiation is performed under a mixed spectrum reactor spectrum and under a fusion first wall spectrum. The out-of-core positions in mixed spectrum reactors can be partially shielded against low energy neutrons, e.g. by hafnium, to reduce the transmutation rates, but the displacement rates at these positions are much lower than those for the core positions. Fast reactors (EBR-II) provide the only possibility for obtaining high damage rates without producing significant compositional effects in vanadium alloys, ferritic steels and copper alloys.
The Fuglede-Putnam theorem and normal products of matrices

The rectangular matrix version of the Fuglede-Putnam theorem is used to prove that, for rectangular complex matrices A and B, both AB and BA are normal if and only if A∗AB=BAA∗ and B∗BA=ABB∗. We deduce some results relating the rank of A and the factors in a polar decomposition of A to the normality of AB and BA.
Toxicity and Preliminary Results from a Trial of Hyperfractionated Radiation With or Without Simultaneous 5-Fluorouracil-Cisplatin in Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas

A dvanced carcinomas of the head and neck have a dismal prognosis, with a 15% to 30% 5-year survival rate after conventional radiation and surgery. While distant metastases and intercurrent deaths are a cause of mortality, local control remains a problem. There have been several publications describing various hyperfractionation schedules in head and neck carcinomas, and some report increased local control. 1'2 Head and neck carcinomas are also responsive to chemotherapy (CT). Although a survival benefit from the use of adjuvant CT has not been demonstrated, concurrent CT and radiation treatments have shown a disease-free survival incidence and overall survival benefit in some studi e s . 2-5
Familial transmission of genitovaginal prolapse.

Some females with little to no risk factors develop prolapse, while other females with multiple risk factors do not. It appears that some women may have a predisposition for prolapse in the setting of equivalent risk factors. We identified 10 patients younger than 55 years old with a family history of prolapse. Their average age was 37 years (range 27–51), the mean number of deliveries was 1.8, and their mean birth weight was 8 lbs. Genetic analysis of the inheritance pattern within these families demonstrated that pelvic organ prolapse segregated in a dominant fashion with incomplete penetrance in these families. Both maternal and paternal transmissions were observed. The relative risk to siblings of affected patients was five times that of the risk for the general population. Further investigation of these families may identify a genetic defect responsible for prolapse.
Development, trends and phylogenetic inference

Abstract An analysis of the development and history of theearly tetrapod limb and cranium is used to examine phylogenetic inference, recapitulatory and other developmental hypotheses. The use of recapitulatory ontogenetic hypotheses in phylogenetic inference is questioned by modern aspects of embryological studies, because the developmental patterns may evolve by omitting or modifying ontogenetic stages. Fossil taxa play an important role in the reconstruction of hypothetical transformation series. Furthermore an understanding of patterns of development is important in aiding the interpretation of transformation series such as in the evolution of the tretrapod limb. There is need for more complete theories of phylogenetic relationships among and within clades, so as to determine the limits set by developmental mechanisms, biomechanics and history.
Test of a model for the effects of retinoic acid on urodele limb regeneration

Previous studies have shown that in axolotls (Ambystoma mexicanum), retinoic acid (RA) treatment evokes pattern completion in limb regenerates derived from anterior and dorsal half zeugopodia (lower arms and legs), but causes regenerative failure in posterior and ventral half zeugopodia. Pattern completion in anterior and dorsal half limbs may be explained by postulating that intercalary regeneration occurs in the antero-posterior (AP) and dorsoventral (DV) axes between blastema cells that are posteriorized (anterior half limb) or ventralized (dorsal half limb) by RA, and circumferential anterodorsal cells that remain unaffected by RA and thus maintain their original positional identities. The contrasting regenerative failure of RA-treated posterior and ventral half zeugopodia may likewise be explained by postulating that all the blastema cells in the posterior half are posteriorized, and all the cells in the ventral half are ventralized by RA, thus eliminating differentials in transverse positional identity essential for blastema formation and outgrowth. To test these postulates we grafted blastemas derived from limbs halved in the AP and DV axes of control and RA-treated animals to untreated whole limb stumps and analyzed the patterns of supernumerary (SN) regeneration. The site or location of SN formation will demonstrate (1) whether RA has posteriorized and ventralized the positional identity of the blastema cells and (2) if blastema cells in the periphery of the anterodorsal quadrant of the limb are resistant to these RA-induced changes in positional identity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Research on the Method of Reliability Allocation of Diesel Engine Base on the Cost Function

In this paper, cost coefficient is introduced by using the technology of FMECA and FTA, and the DM model is proposed, the parameters of cost function are determined by applying the comprehensive evaluation method, the system reliability correlation model is set up by using copula function. the model is nonlinear programming, and the minimum cost is the goal of the model. The reliability allocation for diesel engine is completed by use of genetic algorithm. Finally, the feasibility and effectiveness of the model are verified through example.
The estimation of the bioaccessibility of heavy metals in soils using artificial biofluids by two novel methods: mass-balance and soil recapture.

Abstract The possible human health effects resulting from the ingestion of soil bound heavy metals can be poorly estimated if concentration of total metals in soil, rather than bioavailable fraction of metals, are incorporated into dose calculations. Information regarding bioavailability often is obtained from animal studies, which are not easily conducted and still may not represent human conditions. A rapid simulation of the bioaccessible fraction of contaminant in a soil, in which that fraction is mass soluble in gastrointestinal tract fluids, has been employed in an in vitro sequential extraction technique. Using a mass-balance analytical approach to measure bioaccessibility in four soils, the results indicated that each metal had a bioaccessible fraction less than its total metal content. Lead (Pb) in Standard Reference Material, Montana SRM 2710, was found to be 62±1% bioaccessible; Pb in contaminated soil collected from Bunker Hill, ID, USA was 70±11%. Lead in Jersey City, NJ, USA slag material was only 39±14% bioaccessible while Pb in a residential soil was 69%. Arsenic (As) and chromium (Cr) data from select soils also have bioaccessibility less than the corresponding total metal in soil, with 41±2% As in a residential soil, 66±8% As in SRM 2710, and 34±14% Cr in Jersey City slag material. Recovering the soil at the end of the in vitro extraction allowed for the determination of the insoluble fraction of total metal in soil. This recaptured soil metal mass was a valuable measurement since it greatly reduced analysis and therefore labor and time, yet also provided a reasonable estimate of bioaccessibility. It also allowed for calculation of a bioaccessibility value in a soil containing very low metal mass, which would otherwise have resulted in a non-detectable concentration at the dilutions required in the synthetic human biofluid system.
Rabbit eyelid conditioning: Effects of age, interstimulus interval, and intertrial interval

Young rabbits (5–7 weeks old) conditioned more rapidly and demonstrated longer latency responses than older rabbits (14–20 weeks old) with an 800-msec interstimulus interval. With a 200- or 400-msec interval, conditioning rate and response latency were similar for both age groups. Although a 4-min intertrial interval produced conditioning in fewer trials than a 1-min interval, there was no interaction of this variable with the age factor.