cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Deep digital flexor tendon lesions in the pastern are associated with the presence of distal tendinopathy.

Background Correct diagnosis and characterisation of deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) lesions in equine athletes allows targeted treatment and improved prognostication. Objectives To assess the prevalence and character of pathological change within the DDFT in the pastern with concurrent tendon injury distally. It is hypothesised that tendon lesions in the pastern will be associated with tendinopathy within the hoof capsule. Study design Retrospective descriptive case series. Methods Cases with DDFT lesions in the pastern and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasonography of the foot were evaluated retrospectively. Lesion location and type were recorded. Odds ratios were calculated to determine the associations between more distal tendinopathy and the presence of different DDFT lesion types in the pastern. Results Thirty-four MRI scans of 33 horses and 64 ultrasonographic exams of 58 horses were analysed. Lesion location and type were recorded. Distal DDFT lesions were found in 75% (95% CI: 66.0-84.0) of total cases of pastern DDF tendinopathy and in 97% (95% CI: 91.6-100.0) of cases with core lesions of the DDFT in the pastern. A core lesion in the pastern was significantly more likely (OR = 20.7, 95% CI: 2.2-191.0; P = .008) to be associated with injury in the foot than other types of pastern lesion. Main limitations MRIs of the foot were not obtained on all included limbs which did not allow for fully inclusive evaluation of DDFT lesions distal to the navicular bone. Conclusions DDFT pathological change in the pastern, particularly core lesions, is associated with additional tendinopathy within the hoof capsule. When a DDFT lesion is found in the pastern, further imaging of the tendon within the foot is indicated to direct appropriate treatment and improve prognostication.
Working with randomness: A Perspective on using spatial statistics to engineer the mechanics of heterogenous materials

Abstract The spatial arrangement of random heterogeneous materials such as concrete, rock, and polymer composites are often overlooked in the study of their mechanical properties. Here, a perspective is presented on how exploring the link between spatial statistics and mechanical properties can enable the design, manufacturing, and assessment of randomly structured materials. Examples highlight recent applications of these concepts in concrete research and the development of biological construction materials.
Single-cell RNA-seq of out-of-thaw mesenchymal stromal cells shows tissue-of-origin differences and inter-donor cell-cycle variations

Background Human Mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs) from various tissue sources are widely investigated in clinical trials. These MSCs are often administered to patients immediately after thawing the cryopreserved product (out-of-thaw), yet little is known about the single-cell transcriptomic landscape and tissue-specific differences of out-of-thaw human MSCs. Methods 13 hMSC samples derived from 10 "healthy" donors were used to assess donor variability and tissue-of-origin differences in single-cell gene expression profiles. hMSCs derived and expanded from the bone marrow (BM) or cord tissue (CT) underwent controlled-rate freezing for 24 h. Cells were then transferred to the vapor phase of liquid nitrogen for cryopreservation. hMSCs cryopreserved for at least one week, were characterized immediately after thawing using a droplet-based single-cell RNA sequencing method. Data analysis was performed with SC3 and SEURAT pipelines followed by gene ontology analysis. Results scRNA-seq analysis of the hMSCs revealed two major clusters of donor profiles, which differ in immune-signaling, cell surface properties, abundance of cell-cycle related transcripts, and metabolic pathways of interest. Within-sample transcriptomic heterogeneity is low. We identified numerous differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that are associated with various cellular functions, such as cytokine signaling, cell proliferation, cell adhesion, cholesterol/steroid biosynthesis, and regulation of apoptosis. Gene-set enrichment analyses indicated different functional pathways in BM vs. CT hMSCs. In addition, MSC-batches showed significant variations in cell cycle status, suggesting different proliferative vs. immunomodulatory potential. Several potential transcript-markers for tissue source differences were identified for further investigation in future studies. In functional assays, both BM and CT MSCs suppressed macrophage TNFα secretion upon interferon stimulation. However, differences between donors, tissue-of-origin, and cell cycle are evident in both TNF suppression and cytokine secretion. Conclusions This study shows that donor differences in hMSC transcriptome are minor relative to the intrinsic differences in tissue-of-origin. hMSCs with different transcriptomic profiles showed potential differences in functional characteristics. These findings contribute to our understanding of tissue origin-based differences in out-of-thaw therapeutic hMSC products and assist in the identification of cells with immune-regulatory or survival potential from a heterogeneous MSC population. Our results form the basis of future studies in correlating single-cell transcriptomic markers with immunomodulatory functions.
Orbital decompression by midfacial advancement: Report of two cases

Patients with midfacial deficiency and exorbitism may pose a difficult challenge for orbital decompression. This article presents a review of the literature and discusses patient assessment, treatment planning, and surgical approaches to correction. Two cases are reported, demonstrating orbital decompression by midfacial advancement via the classic LeFort III osteotomy and a modified LeFort III osteotomy.
Robust multi-look HRR ATR investigation through decision-level fusion evaluation

Simultaneous tracking and identification (STID) is impacted by sensor and target dynamics especially in move-stop-move type scenarios. For most scenarios, both moving and stationary targets can be processed into 1D High-Range Resolution (HRR) radar profiles which contain enough feature information to discern one target from another to help maintain track or to identify the vehicle. To meet mission objectives, different decision-level and feature-level classifiers can be designed to achieve performance requirements such as the sensitivity of the number of features for a given location accuracy, identification confidence, timeliness (revisit rate and track length), and throughput of the number of targets tracked. For robust STID evaluation, repeatable scenarios, metrics, and data support is recommended for comparisons. This paper compares the ATR performance of a baseline single-look algorithm to the performance of decision level and feature level fusion ATR algorithms through multilook assessments to assess relative fusion performance gains.
Political conditions for agrarian reform and poverty alleviation.

The purpose of this piece is to explore how we might go about understanding the political conditions for poverty alleviation via agrarian reform. It argues that the traditional conceptualization of agrarian reform and its politics -which presents a near impossibility in typical political configurations -is too limiting. The traditional economic focus on intersection of landed rights, agriculture and poverty needs broadening to incorporate technological change enabled by the biological revolution and the importance of ecological systems that support both agriculture and survival strategies of the poor. The traditional political focus on agrarian classes needs broadening to incorporate new social forces interested in the correlates of agrarian inequality and the social correlates of land-based inequality -“new social movements” and their domestic and international allies. The argument nevertheless reaffirms the importance of classic agrarian reform in its dual contributions to direct relief of poverty and democratizing effects which enable other pro-poor reforms to work more efficiently. The surest way to poverty reduction in most rural societies is reformation of the property system. Though there are other roads to government action to alleviate poverty, all are subject to distortions induced by inequality, a major component of which is skewed distribution of property. Asset redistribution also enables social democracy, and even populist distributive programs work better with social democracy than without. Social democracy is, however, not a direct policy choice; there is much historical contingency at work. A conundrum of land reform policy generally is that it is a statist project -as all policy is -and as such has often increased state power and patronage in ways that are inconsistent with reform objectives. Without reform of the state, its alleged beneficiaries are seldom the driving force and may become its victims. Yet it is agrarian reform, particularly in its expanded conceptualization, which enables more broadly based rural power vis-a-vis the state by changing the incentive structure of state operatives through altering the rural distribution of power. Thus, a policy agenda for pro-poor reform must retain elements of the venerable core of the agrarian project and yet recognize the potential of larger coalitions for the poor. These elements include environmental integrity and regeneration, women’s rights, human rights, cultural survival and democratization. This analysis is not meant to replace class with postmodernist identity politics, but rather to emphasize the reality of new coalitional possibilities.
Behavioural interactions of diamondback terrapins with crab pots demonstrate that bycatch reduction devices reduce entrapment

Diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin) have experienced declines throughout their range, and accidental mortality in crab pots is a significant conservation concern. To minimize the risk of terrapins entering crab pots, researchers have suggested the use of bycatch reduction devices (BRDs) to reduce the size of crab pot openings and thereby exclude terrapins from entering crab pots. Despite these recommendations, few studies have observed terrapin interactions with BRDs and effectively evaluated the efficacy of these devices at preventing the entry of terrapins into pots. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of BRD presence and orientation on terrapin behaviour around crab pots and overall terrapin capture rates. In a controlled laboratory setting, terrapins investigated crab pots more frequently when crab pots were baited with fish versus chicken. Terrapins were captured more frequently when BRDs were not installed. The presence of the BRDs also increased the length of time necessary for a terrapin to enter a crab pot and decreased the proportion of entries relative to the number of investigations. Vertically-oriented BRDs were more effective than horizontally-oriented BRDs at reducing terrapin captures. To prevent the continued decline of terrapin populations due to crab fisheries, it is recommended that crabbers avoid the use of fish as bait in crab pots to reduce the attractiveness of pots to terrapins and fit all crab pots with vertically-oriented BRDs to reduce terrapin entrapment. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Investigating carbohydrate isomers by IMS-CID-IMS-MS: precursor and fragment ion cross-sections

Ion mobility spectrometry techniques (IMS and IMS-IMS) combined with collision-induced dissociation (CID) and mass spectrometry (MS) are used to investigate the structures of singly-lithiated carbohydrate isomers. With the exception of some favorable cases, IMS-MS analyses of underivatized carbohydrates reveal that most isobaric precursor ions have similar collision cross sections (ccs). In contrast, ccs values for isomeric fragment ions obtained by IMS-CID-IMS-MS analysis are often different, and thus appear to be useful as a means of distinguishing the isomeric precursors. We report values of ccs (in He) for precursor- and associated-fragment ions for three monosaccharide isomers (glucose, galactose and fructose), ten disaccharide isomers (sucrose, leucrose, palatinose, trehalose, cellobiose, β-gentiobiose, isomaltose, maltose, lactose and melibiose), and three trisaccharide isomers (raffinose, melezitose and maltotriose). These values are discussed as a means of differentiating precursor carbohydrates.
Enhancement in Organic Photovoltaic Efficiency through the Synergistic Interplay of Molecular Donor Hydrogen Bonding and π‐Stacking

For organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells based on the bulk heterojunction (BHJ) structure, it remains challenging to rationally control the degree of phase separation and percolation within blends of donors and acceptors to secure optimal charge separation and transport. Reported is a bottom-up, supramolecular approach to BHJ OPVs wherein tailored hydrogen bonding (H-bonding) interactions between π-conjugated electron donor molecules encourage formation of vertically aligned donor π-stacks while simultaneously suppressing lateral aggregation; the programmed arrangement facilitates fine mixing with fullerene acceptors and efficient charge transport. The approach is illustrated using conventional linear or branched quaterthiophene donor chromophores outfitted with terminal functional groups that are either capable or incapable of self-complementary H-bonding. When applied to OPVs, the H-bond capable donors yield a twofold enhancement in power conversion efficiency relative to the comparator systems, with a maximum external quantum efficiency of 64%. H-bond promoted assembly results in redshifted absorption (in neat films and donor:C 60 blends) and enhanced charge collection efficiency despite disparate donor chromophore structure. Both features positively impact photocurrent and fill factor in OPV devices. Film structural characterization by atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and grazing incidence wide angle X-ray scattering reveals a synergistic interplay of lateral H-bonding interactions and verticalmore » π-stacking for directing the favorable morphology of the BHJ.« less
Net-level reliability analysis for interconnect self-heat

A new connectivity-based design methodology is proposed to model local hotspots due to interconnect joule heating. Compared to prior CAD approach [1], it provides resistor-scale accuracy without additional design complexity impact. Results are validated with test chip data on Intel backend process.
Relative validity of the modified American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (M-ASES) questionnaire using item response theory.

The modified American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeon’s (M-ASES) questionnaire is purported to be a non-region specific functional measure of the entire upper extremity. The purpose of this study was to determine the factor structure of the M-ASES and to determine item-fit of the M-ASES using item response theory (IRT). Analyses included univariate baseline demographics, factor analysis, convergent/construct validation with the SF-12, and graded response IRT of the M-ASES. 964 patients of an orthopedic practice with a variety of upper extremity dysfunctions participated in this trial. The M-ASES demonstrated two dimensions (wrist/hand and shoulder dysfunction) and exhibited excellent discrimination and threshold specification. The instrument correlated well with the mental and physical dimensions of the SF-12. The M-ASES should be considered an excellent tool for measure of whole upper extremity dysfunction.
Debriefing Experience Scale: Development of a Tool to Evaluate the Student Learning Experience in Debriefing

Abstract Background Debriefing represents the reflection phase of the simulation process, in which feelings are resolved and learning is solidified, but the nursing student experience during debriefing is largely unknown. Method The Debriefing Experience Scale was developed from debriefing literature and expert opinion. This scale was used in 2 research studies and refined through the use of factor analysis. Results The resulting scale, divided into 4 subscales, consists of 20 items defining the nursing student debriefing experience. Conclusions The Debriefing Experience Scale has the potential to assist in providing further insight.
Tensor of the second-order nonlinear susceptibility in asymmetrically strained silicon waveguides: analysis and experimental validation

We theoretically consider the existence of multiple nonzero components of the second-order nonlinear susceptibility tensor, χ(2), generated via strain-induced symmetry breaking in crystalline silicon. We determine that, in addition to the previously reported χxxy(2) component, the χyyy(2) component also becomes nonzero based on the remaining symmetry present in the strained material. In order to characterize these two nonlinearities, we fabricate Fabry–Perot waveguide resonators on 250 nm thick silicon-on-insulator wafers clad with 180 nm of compressively stressed (−1.275 GPa) silicon nitride. We measure the shifts in these devices’ modal effective indices in response to several bias electric fields and calculate the χeff,xxy(2) and χeff,yyy(2) nonlinear susceptibility tensor elements induced by the breaking of the guiding material’s inversion symmetry. Through the incorporation of finite element simulations encompassing the theoretical distribution of strain, the applied bias field, and the optical modes supported by the waveguide geometry, we extract two phenomenological scaling coefficients which relate the induced optical nonlinearities to the local strain gradient.
BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND PURIFICATION OF ESTERASES FROM THREE STRAINS OF GERMAN COCKROACH, BLATTELLA GERMANICA (DICTYOPTERA : BLATTELLIDAE)

Three strains of German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.) showed varying levels of resistance to chlorpyrifos, methyl parathion, propoxur, bendiocarb, and cypermethrin. The general esterase activity was at least twofold higher than susceptible strain. The subcellular distribution studies revealed that the majority of the esterase activity is present in the 100,000g cytosolic fraction. Only a small portion of the activity was membrane bound. Using non-denaturing gel electrophoresis, ten isozymes were identified in German cockroaches. These isozymes were isolated individually from the gels and analyzed for differences in activity. The isozymes E5, E6, and E7 of resistant strains had significantly higher specific activities when compared with the susceptible strain. The purification process using various column chromatography and preparative gel electrophoresis resulted in 9–11% of total esterase recovery. About double the amount of E6 was recovered from the resistant strains when compared with the susceptible strain. Kinetic analyses of E6 did not indicate differences in Km and Vmax values between the resistant and susceptible strains. Also, inhibition of esterase activity by paraoxon, chlorpyrifos, and propoxur did not suggest any structural differences in esterase E6 between strains. The results suggest that the increased production of E6 esterase contributes to insecticide resistance in German cockroaches. The role of E6 may be sequestration of toxic molecules rather than hydrolysis. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Incubation creep effect in alpha iron

Abstract The present work is an extensive study of the incubation creep effect in alpha iron discovered by Gensamer and Mehl. The incubation effect was investigated as a function of temperature, aging time and magnitude of stress increment. It was established that an aging period is required before the incubation effect can occur. An activation energy of approximately 20 kcal/mole was found both for the incubation effect and for the aging period preceding the incubation period. It is suggested that the aging is caused by a diffusion of carbon atoms to dislocation lines and that during the incubation period dislocations slowly drift away from dislocation sources by dragging carbonatoms with them. When the back stress at sources is reduced sufficiently, new essentially carbon-free dislocations are created which produced the rapid increase in the creep rate.
Development and Testing of a Nutrient-Phytoplankto Model for Cannonsville Reservoir

ABSTRACT A dynamic multi-layer one-dimensional mass balance nutrient-phytoplankton (eutrophication) model is developed and tested for the lacustrine zone of eutrophic Cannonsville Reservoir. The model simulates concentrations of chlorophyll (Chl), zooplankton biomass, various forms of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N), and dissolved oxygen (DO). Model development was integrated with, and supported by, limnological analysis of detailed monitoring data and findings of various system-specific process/kinetic studies. Model testing is supported by comprehensive monitoring data of in-reservoir concentrations and important environmental and operational forcing conditions. Model credibility is enhanced by the independent determination of a number of important model coefficients from the process/kinetic studies, which greatly constrains the role of calibration. The model performed well in simulating observations of seasonal average Chl concentration, the progressive depletions of nitrate plus nitrite from the epili...
Atrial flutter in the young: a collaborative study of 380 cases.

As children with cardiac disease grow older, atrial flutter becomes more prevalent. A collaborative study was performed in 19 institutions to determine the clinical characteristics of these children and the factors affecting prognosis. There were 380 patients with one or more electrocardiographically documented episodes of atrial flutter that first occurred between ages 1 and 25 years (mean age at onset 10.3). Episodes of flutter continued to occur for a mean of 2.5 years after the onset. Of the 380 patients, 60% had repaired congenital heart disease, 13% palliated congenital heart disease, 8% unoperated congenital heart disease, 8% an otherwise normal heart, 6% cardiomyopathy, 4% rheumatic heart disease and 2% other lesions. Overall, drugs were effective in eliminating atrial flutter in 58% of patients; specifically, amiodarone and digoxin plus quinidine were effective in 53%, digoxin alone in 44% and propranolol in 21%. Arniodarone was effective in seven (78%) of nine patients. Corrective surgery was performed after the onset of atrial flutter in 66 patients; in 52% the atrial flutter was easier to control or it resolved and in only 4% it was worse. At follow-up (mean 6.5 years), 83% of the patients were alive (49% without atrial flutter and 34% with atrial flutter) and 17% died (10% suddenly, 6% of nonsudden cardiac cause and 1% of noncardiae cause). Cardiac death occurred in 20% of those for whom an effective drug could not be found to eliminate atrial flutter compared with 5% of those who were treated with an effective drug (p In conclusion: 1) The goal of medical therapy should be to eliminate episodes of atrial flutter because the chance of sudden death is four times higher in patients who continue to have episodes of atrial flutter. 2) If the hemodynamic results can be improved with an operation, it should be performed because possible amelioration of flutter outweighs the risk of worsening flutter by more than 10 to 1.
Partial Sleep Deprivation Reduces Phase Advances to Light in Humans

Partial sleep deprivation is increasingly common in modern society. This study examined for the first time if partial sleep deprivation alters circadian phase shifts to bright light in humans. Thirteen young healthy subjects participated in a repeated-measures counterbalanced design with 2 conditions. Each condition had baseline sleep, a dim-light circadian phase assessment, a 3-day phase-advancing protocol with morning bright light, then another phase assessment. In one condition (no sleep deprivation), subjects had an 8-h sleep opportunity per night during the advancing protocol. In the other condition (partial sleep deprivation), subjects were kept awake for 4 h in near darkness (<0.25 lux), immediately followed by a 4-h sleep opportunity per night during the advancing protocol. The morning bright light stimulus was four 30-min pulses of bright light (~5000 lux), separated by 30-min intervals of room light. The light always began at the same circadian phase, 8 h after the baseline dim-light melatonin onset (DLMO). The average phase advance without sleep deprivation was 1.8 ± 0.6 (SD) h, which reduced to 1.4 ± 0.6 h with partial sleep deprivation (p < 0.05). Ten of the 13 subjects showed reductions in phase advances with partial sleep deprivation, ranging from 0.2 to 1.2 h. These results indicate that short-term partial sleep deprivation can moderately reduce circadian phase shifts to bright light in humans. This may have significant implications for the sleep-deprived general population and for the bright light treatment of circadian rhythm sleep disorders such as delayed sleep phase disorder.
Epithelial ovarian cancer complicating renal transplantation

Patients taking immunosuppressive therapy are at substantial risk for malignant disease. We report two cases of epithelial ovarian cancer occurring in women after renal transplantation with subsequent poor clinical outcome. Clinicians are advised to thoroughly investigate adnexal masses in this patient population.
Performance of auger-type dry materials feeders when feeding oil sands

Abstract Continuous, reproducible solids feeding has historically been difficult to achieve during surface mining-recovery process development studies with Uinta Basin oil sands. In an effort to solve the problem, commercial bin-discharge feeders were tested for oil sands feeding to rotary kiln and fluidized-bed pyrolysis reactors and for feeding spent sands from pyrolysis reactors to combustion reactors. Feeder experiments were conducted using spent sands, fresh oil sands, and mixtures of fresh and spent sands. Three variations of the feeder, nine different auger sizes, and three different auger types were tested. Experimental data collected included average feed rates and cumulative weight delivered by the feeder. The factors which were determined to affect oil sands feeding were: (1) bitumen content of the oil sands, (2) moisture content of the oil sands, (3) temperature rise on the auger and in the auger housing during the operation of the feeder, (4) auger rotation speed, (5) auger diameter and type, (6) ratio of spent sands-to-fresh oil sands in the feed mixture, and (7) level of oil sands in the feeder hopper with small feeders. A larger diameter ( d ⩾ 6.35 cm) auger running at low speed with a water-jacketed auger housing gave the most consistent and reproducible feeding performance.
Coherence of light scattered from a randomly rough surface

We study the coherence of $p$-polarized light scattered from a one-dimensional weakly rough random metal surface in contact with vacuum. The mutual coherence function of the single nonzero component of the scattered magnetic field is calculated in planes parallel to, and at increasing distances from, the mean scattering surface in the vacuum region. It is found to be the sum of a contribution that is independent of the distance from the mean surface and a contribution that is a function of this distance and decays to zero over a distance of the order of the wavelength of the incident light. It is also shown that the spatial coherence of the electromagnetic field in the far field in a plane at a fixed distance from the mean surface, as a function of the relative distance along it, mimics the surface height autocorrelation function at short relative distances and oscillates with two periods, ${T}_{1}=\ensuremath{\lambda}$ and ${T}_{2}=\ensuremath{\lambda}∕\mathrm{sin}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}{\ensuremath{\theta}}_{0}$, where ${\ensuremath{\theta}}_{0}$ is the angle of incidence. The former is due to the excitation of lateral waves, while the latter is due to the coherent interference of the multiple scattering processes that lead to the enhanced backscattering effect. In the near field the spatial coherence of the electromagnetic field measured at a fixed distance from the mean surface displays oscillations that are due to the excitation of surface plasmon polaritons. The period of these oscillations equals the wavelength of the surface plasmon polaritons, while the exponential decay of their amplitude is determined by the energy mean free path of the surface plasmon polaritons.
A practical test of the air density equation in standards laboratories at differing altitude

A number of weighings of kilogram artifacts have been completed at sites of differing altitude. The artifacts and altitude difference were chosen to amplify the role of the necessary buoyancy corrections and thereby to uncover systematic errors in those corrections as they are usually applied. Small systematic effects were discovered but these are not explainable by buoyancy errors. Rather, we suggest their source is a lack of thermal equilibrium between the artifacts and the balance chamber.
Validation Of A Digital Simulation Of An Optical Matched Filter Correlator Applied To Aerial Reconnaissance

Optical and digital approaches to 2-D image processors each have their unique advantages and limitations. Hybrid systems have been proposed to utilize the best of both. An equally important manner in which the two approaches can complement each other is through a digital simulation of the optical system. This paper reviews some of the problems of matched filter correlator applications and illustrates how valid models for simulations can be generated. Comparisons of the digital simulation to the analog approach are made for detection problems using specific targets and terrains. The relative merits of each technique as well as ways in which the digital simulation may be used to assist in the optimal design of the analog system are discussed.© (1981) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Automated path planning for face milling of N-sided convex polygonal surfaces using staircasing strategy

Abstract In a manufacturing environment, many times, it is difficult to have NC physical effort with actual machining. This effort can be considerably minimized by analytical modeling of tool path. The path selected for face milling of flat convex polygonal surfaces can significantly affect the cutter travelling distance. Past studies have identified that efforts were made to minimize the path selected for maching these surfaces. However, not much information is available on machining convex polygonal parts for N-sides. An object oriented software package was developed in Turbo C++ to graphically simulate the tool path while face milling different N-sided polygonal surfaces following staircasing path. The staircasing strategy was adopted since the shortest length of cut generated is better than that generated by window frame milling. Pop Up menus were created so that the software developed is interactive, user friendly and completed with error handling.
LEED and ELS study of the initial oxidation of Pd(100)

Abstract Oxygen-Pd(100) interactions were studied by means of LEED, AES and ELS to characterize the initial oxidation and elucidate the relationship between surface-oxide reconstructions and bulk oxidation. Five oxygen-related LEED patterns were identified and classified into three types. First, the chemisorption structures included the usual p(2 × 2) which was replaced by a c(2 × 2) upon increased exposure to oxygen at room temperature. Second, surface-oxide reconstructions included a p(5 × 5) which formed above 200°C and which was replaced by a (√5 × √5) R27° above 300°. These two structures are attributed to PdO(110) and PdO(001) coincidence lattices, respectively. Above approximately 500°C the oxygen was removed due to thermal desorption and possibly absorption, but a multilayer oxide, distinct from PdO, could form upon oxygen exposure above 800°C. The ELS study indicated that this last species had significantly different electronic properties than that of the other structures. It is quite plausibly a Si-stabilized oxide as has been suggested recently by Niehus and Comsa for the Pt-oxygen system.
Inhibition of mitochondrial electron-transport systems by nor-isoguaiacin.

Abstract The effects of a new constituent isolated from the Creosote Bush, norisoguaiacin, on the activities of mitochondrial NADH-oxidase and succinoxidase systems were determined. Nor-isoguaiacin was found to be a potent inhibitor of both mitochondrial electron-transport systems, but did not inhibit cytochrome-oxidase. Preliminary data suggest that nor-isoguaiacin also inhibits energy transfer in rat liver mitochondria.
Functional properties of murine bestrophin 1 channel.

Abstract Bestrophins form Ca 2+ -activated Cl − channels when they are expressed heterologously. Here we report the functional characterization of murine bestrophin 1 (mBest1). We isolated mBest1 transcript from mouse heart and analyzed the biophysical properties and expression of this channel protein using a tetracycline inducible system. mBest1 expression is localized at the membrane of transfected HEK cells, in agreement with its role as a channel. Whole-cell patch clamp experiments revealed a calcium sensitive, time independent chloride current. mBest1 current displayed slight voltage dependence, exhibited an anion permeability sequence of SCN − > I − > Cl − and was sensitive to DIDS and niflumic acid. Anion replacement studies were also performed on mBest2 and mBest3 and differences were observed in their relative permeability and slope conductance to SCN − . Our study provides the first characterization of the biophysical properties of mBest1 and a framework for the elucidation of the physiological role of bestrophins.
The establishment of food preferences in chicks Gallus gallus

Abstract In two experiments twenty-two newly hatched chicks were fed first one special food and then another in consecutive 24-hr periods. Ten other control chicks received a plain starter mash for the entire 48 hr of training. Two weeks of testing with both of the experimental foods available showed that the conditions of early feeding, in at least one of the experiments, influenced the chicks' preferences in the direction of the first food consumed in training. The results are considered with respect to the importance of early experiences on the formation of food habits.
Quantum interference and control of the Dynamic Franz-Keldysh effect: Generation of THz space-charge fields

Dynamic Franz-Keldysh effects are produced and controlled in GaAs by quantum interference techniques. The ∼3 THz transient plasma oscillations and the anisotropies that they cause are temporally (∼100 fs) and spatially (∼1 nm) resolved.
Failure Study of Commercial LiFePO4 Cells in Overcharge Conditions Using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) studies were carried out on commercial 18650 LiFePO4 cells at different States of Charge (SOCs) to investigate failure in over-discharge conditions. The charge/discharge curves, capacity, charge acceptance, temperature, and impedance were characterized and analyzed. The EIS results show that the de-convoluted Ohmic resistance, R0, solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) resistance, RSEI, and Warburg Coefficient, σ, change with cycle number in some patterns, indicating the occurrence of corrosion of the current collector, SEI breakdown/decomposition and reformation, and the development of diffusion barriers of Li+ in the electrode, respectively. These parameters, R0, RSEI, and σ are associated with failure and can be used as indicators of incoming failure. The EIS results from the three-electrode system verify that the EIS results from the twoelectrode system (practical 18650 cells) are reliable, which lays the foundation for the use of electrochemical impedance on practical applications of LIB cells. Overall, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy can be used as an effective and reliable tool to monitor the state of health, predict incoming failure of the cell, and issue a warning before failure without disturbing the operation of the cell. © 2014 The Electrochemical Society. [DOI: 10.1149/2.090404jes] All rights reserved.
Infant Sleep Position Instruction and Parental Practice: Comparison of a Private Pediatric Office and an Inner-city Clinic

Objective . To determine infant sleep instructions that hospital personnel in our community were giving to parents and actual positions practiced after the April 15, 1992 American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation for nonprone positioning. Design . Survey of mothers of infants ≤4 months of age from November 1993 to March 1994 with follow-up survey of selected birth hospitals. Setting . A private practice (PP) serving predominantly white middle- and upper-income children and a pediatric clinic (CY) serving inner-city predominantly African-American low-income children in Louisville, Kentucky. Patients . Fifty infants from each practice site. Outcome Measure . The sleep instructions given and practiced, and other risk factors for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Results . Nonprone sleeping instructions were received by 72% of the PP and only 48% of the CY parents, with 72% of the PP and 54% of the CY following the nonprone recommendations. Infants were more likely to be in smoking households (60% vs 12%) from the CY practice than the PP practice. Conclusions . Our study showed that, despite having a higher prevalence of SIDS risk factors, there was a greater delay in discontinuing prone positioning instructions in the hospital serving the CY infants. The evidence suggests that this population is as likely as the PP group to follow medical advice given. infant sleep position, SIDS, sleep instruction.
Nanostructured Thermoelectric Materials

Thermoelectric energy conversion technique has been used as the power supply for the deep-space exploring missions, now showing notable advantages to harvest the widely distributed waste heat and convert the abundant solar energy into electricity. Recent years have witnessed big advances in the nanostructure thermoelectric bulk materials in both synthesis technique and fundamental understanding. In this book chapter, various strategies towards novel nanostructured bulk material with improved ZT value were summarized according to different synthesis routes, including reduced grain size by physical, or chemical powder metallurgy method, surface or interface modification by introduce second phase, and forming precipitations by molten casting method. We also theoretically explained the importance of the interface/boundary scattering to phonon and electron within the various thermoelectric materials. We finally proposed a new nanocomposite with ordered nanostructure, named as “ordered nanocomposite”, which is expected to achieve new breakthrough if we could create some sort of channels for the easy transport of electrons but difficult for the phonons.
Algorithm for retrieving lidar ratios at 1064 nm from space-based lidar backscatter data

Accurate estimation of cloud and aerosol optical depths using backscatter lidar data requires knowledge of the particulate lidar ratio (i.e., the extinction-to-backscatter ratio). In those cases for which a measurement of molecular backscatter can be made on the far side of a layer, knowledge of the lidar ratio can be derived directly from the data. However, obtaining a reliable clear air constraint is a function of layer optical depth, system sensitivity and overall signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). To date, the design constraints imposed on space-based lidars such as LITE and CALIPSO have rendered the use of this retrieval technique virtually impossible for measurements made at 1064 nm. Layers to which the constraint method can be successfully applied are assumed to be homogeneous with respect to particle composition and size distribution, and therefore are characterized by lidar ratios that are range-invariant throughout the layer. By extending this assumption of homogeneity to include the layer backscatter color ratio, this work derives a new technique that simultaneously retrieves both the color ratio and the 1064 nm lidar ratio from two wavelength elastic backscatter lidar measurements of transmissive clouds and/or lofted aerosol layers. Retrieval examples are illustrated using data obtained from LITE. Initial error estimates derived from numerical experiments using simulated data show the retrieval of the backscatter color ratio to be stable, even in the presence of considerable noise in the data.
The composition of milk fat.

Bovine milk contains about 3.5 to 5% total lipid, existing as emulsified globules 2 to 4 microns in diameter and coated with a membrane derived from the secreting cell. In homogenized milk, the coat is mostly casein. About 98% or more of the lipid is triacylglycerol, which is found in the globule. Phospholipids are about .5 to 1% of total lipids, and sterols are .2 to .5%. These are mostly located in the globule membrane. Cholesterol is the major sterol at 10 to 20 mg/dl. Data are presented on the membrane and the emulsion. Bovine milk contains substantial quantities of C4:0 to C10:0, about 2% each of C18:2 and trans-C18:1, and almost no other long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. The fatty acid composition is not altered by ordinary changes in diet. The triacylglycerol structure is unique, with much of the C4:0 to C10:0 at sn-3. The effects of milk cholesterol and fatty acids on human blood cholesterol levels and nonnutritive roles of some microlipids are discussed.
Target and organ dose estimation from intensity modulated head and neck radiation therapy using 3 deformable image registration algorithms

Abstract Purpose To estimate the delivered dose to targets and organs at risk for head and neck radiation therapy by accumulating the dose using 3 deformable image registration (DIR) algorithms. Methods and materials Five head and neck patients, who had daily cone beam computed tomography (CT) images taken during the course of treatment, were retrospectively studied. To overcome the small field of view limitations and Hounsfield unit uncertainties of cone beam CT, a planning CT was deformably registered and resampled onto each cone beam CT image with a 4.2-cm uniform field of view expansion. The "dose of the day" was calculated on these resampled CT images, warped, and accumulated to the planning CT using 3 different DIR algorithms. Dosimetric indices for targets and organs at risk were determined from dose-volume histograms and compared with corresponding planned quantities. Results There were no significant differences among the cumulative dose-volume histograms estimated by the 3 DIR algorithms. The cumulative mean dose deviation was less than 2% from the corresponding plan dose in general for the planning and gross tumor volumes. However, the parotid gland mean dose showed a large variation, with a maximum 33% deviation. This was due in part to considerable patient weight loss during the first 3 weeks of treatment. The corresponding target and organ mean dose deviations ± standard deviation, estimated as an average of the 3 DIR algorithms, were 1.0 ± 1.6% for planning target volumes, 1.6 ± 2.3% for gross tumor volumes, 7.3 ± 9.6% for left parotid, 10.3 ± 11.9% for right parotid, and 3.3 ± 4.7% for mucosa. The target coverage deviation (dose to 95% of the volume) was −2.8 ± 1.8% for planning target volumes and 0.2 ± 2.8% for gross tumor volumes. The deviation of the maximum dose to the spinal cord was 2.1 ± 2.4%. Conclusions Results of this study indicate that the estimated target dose generally remains within 2% of the intended dose for plans with a 5-mm planning margin. More frequent plan adaptation might be beneficial to avoid unintended excessive dose to parotid glands.
Individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are in caloric balance despite losses in mass

The purpose of this study was to quantify body composition changes during amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) progression and to determine whether these subjects were losing or maintaining the energy stored in their bodies. The body composition of 12 males in the early stages of ALS and 6 age-matched controls was measured twice over a 6-month period using dual X-ray absorptiometry. During the study period the control group did not change. The ALS group lost an average of 2 kg of lean mass while gaining 0.55 kg of fat mass, resulting in a 1.45 kg loss in total body mass. When the changes in mass were converted to their energy equivalents, the ALS subjects lost an average of 1800 kcal of energy stored in lean mass but gained 4900 kcal in fat mass, resulting in a net increase of 3100 kcal stored. In conclusion, a small increase in fat mass can successfully compensate for the energy lost in lean mass from disease progression. Therefore, it is possible to preserve the amount of energy stored in the body of ALS patients, even when there are significant losses in lean and overall body mass. Consequently, a moderate loss of body mass should be expected and even encouraged among this patient population.
Measuring Neutrino Cross Sections Using an In Situ Measurement of the NuMI Neutrino Flux

Abstract A measurement of the ν μ inclusive charged current cross section on iron using the MINOS Detector is presented.
NF-kappa B2 p100 is a pro-apoptotic protein with anti-oncogenic function.

Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) promotes cell survival by upregulating expression of anti-apoptotic genes, a process that is antagonized by inhibitors of κB (IκB) factors1. The only NF-κB family member known to be mutated in human cancer is NF-κB2 p100 (ref. 2), a factor with IκB activity. Here, we report the isolation from irradiated mouse tumour cells of a complex that induces caspase-8 activity in cell-free assays and identify p100 as an essential component of this complex. Expression of p100 profoundly sensitizes cells to death-receptor-mediated apoptosis through a pathway that is independent of IκB-like activity. The carboxyl terminus of p100 contains a death domain3 that is absent from all known tumour-derived mutants. This death domain mediates recruitment of p100 into death machinery complexes after ligand stimulation and is essential for p100's pro-apoptotic activity. p100 also sensitizes NIH3T3 cells to apoptosis triggered by oncogenic Ras, resulting in a marked inhibition of transformation that is rescued by suppression of endogenous caspase-8. These observations thus identify an IκB-independent apoptotic activity of NF-κB2 p100 and help explain its unique tumour suppressor role.
Resisting the Effects of Aging: A Function for the Fiber Cell Beaded Filament

PURPOSE. The beaded filament is a cytoskeletal structure that has been found only in the lens fiber cell. It includes phakosin and filensin, two divergent members of the intermediate filament family of proteins that are also unique to the fiber cell. The authors sought to determine what function the beaded filament fulfills in the lens. METHODS. Light microscopy and electron microscopy were used to characterize structural changes that occurred in previously generated phakosin and filensin knockout mice. Immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy were used to define the distribution of phakosin, filensin, and beaded filaments. RESULTS. In phakosin and filensin knockout mice, initial lens development and the early phases of fiber cell differentiation proceed in a manner largely indistinguishable from that of wild type. Fiber cells elongate, undergo organelle elimination, and, in the organelle-free zone, develop the unique paddlelike extensions that characterize cells in this region. Subsequent to those stages, however, fiber cells undergo loss of the differentiated fiber cell phenotype and loss of the long-range stacking that characterizes fiber cells and that has been considered essential for clarity. CONCLUSIONS. The beaded filament is not required for the generation of the differentiated fiber cell phenotype but is required to maintain that differentiated state and the long range order that characterizes the lens at the tissue level.