cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Humeral and Ulnar Bone Tunnel Placement on Achieving Ulnar Collateral Ligament Graft Isometry: A Cadaveric Study.

Purpose To assess simulated ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) graft length change, using surgically dissected anatomic landmarks, between multiple combinations of humeral and ulnar bone tunnels. Methods Three equidistant humeral and ulnar tunnels were created at each UCL footprint of 10 cadaveric elbows. Suture was passed between 9 possible tunnel combinations for each elbow and affixed to an isometry gauge. Each elbow was moved through an arc of 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120° for each tunnel combination. Changes in isometry gauge spring displacement (and, in effect, tension) were recorded. Results There was an overall significant effect (P Conclusions Simulated UCL graft isometry is dependent upon optimal bone tunnel placement. No significant differences were noted between ulnar tunnel locations when paired with any given humeral tunnel. Conversely, deviation anterior or posterior from the centroid of the UCL footprint on the medial epicondyle significantly affected isometry at all degrees of flexion recorded with the greatest amount of displacement occurring with pairi4ng of posterior tunnels on both the humeral and ulnar footprints. Clinical Relevance This anatomic study highlights the importance of medial elbow bone tunnel placement and its effect on simulated UCL graft isometry.
Blood Donation During Pregnancy Due to Anti-Ku Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn.

Background Management of pregnancy in patients with Kell-null phenotype can be challenging. The immune systems of these patients form an antibody that is universally reactive against the Kell Blood Group System and can cause hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn. Methods A 29-year-old woman, pregnant for the first time, developed anti-D and anti-Ku. The mother had to have labor induced when her fetus showed signs of severe anemia, but no compatible blood was available for transfusion. The induction was delayed so that a unit of blood could be collected from the mother. Results Due to delayed cord clamping at delivery, the newborn did not have anemia and did not require a transfusion. The remaining blood was frozen for future needs. Conclusion Blood donation by a pregnant woman for potential transfusion to a newborn with anemia is safe for the mother and fetus, and is possibly the only option in hemolytic disease of the newborn due to a rare antibody.
Fat suppression for ultrashort echo time imaging using a novel soft-hard composite radiofrequency pulse.

Author(s): Ma, Ya-Jun; Jerban, Saeed; Jang, Hyungseok; Chang, Eric Y; Du, Jiang | Abstract: PurposeTo design a soft-hard composite pulse for fat suppression and water excitation in ultrashort echo time (UTE) imaging with minimal short T2 signal attenuation.MethodsThe composite pulse contains a narrow bandwidth soft pulse centered on the fat peak with a small negative flip angle (-α) and a short rectangular pulse with a small positive flip angle (α). The fat magnetization experiences both tipping-down and -back with an identical flip angle and thus returns to the equilibrium state, leaving only the excited water magnetization. Bloch simulations, as well as knee, tibia, and ankle UTE imaging studies, were performed to investigate the effectiveness of fat suppression and corresponding water signal attenuation. A conventional fat saturation (FatSat) module was used for comparison. Signal suppression ratio (SSR), defined as the ratio of signal difference between non-fat-suppression and fat-suppression images over the non-fat-suppression signal, was introduced to evaluate the efficiency of the composite pulse.ResultsNumerical simulations demonstrate that the soft-hard pulse has little saturation effect on short T2 water signals. Knee, tibia, and ankle UTE imaging results suggest that comparable fat suppression can be achieved with the soft-hard pulse and the FatSat module. However, much less water saturation is induced by the soft-hard pulse, especially for short T2 tissues, with SSRs reduced from 71.8 ± 6.9% to 5.8 ± 4.4% for meniscus, from 68.7 ± 5.5% to 7.7 ± 7.6% for bone, and from 62.9 ± 12.0% to 4.8 ± 3.2% for the Achilles tendon.ConclusionThe soft-hard composite pulse can suppress fat signals in UTE imaging with little signal attenuation on short T2 tissues.
Mixing in Meta-Population Models

Among the means by which heterogeneity can be modeled, Levins’ (Bull Entomol Soc Am 15:237–240, 1969) meta-population approach preserves the most analytical tractability. When model populations are stratified, contacts among their respective sub-populations must be described. Using a simple meta-population model, Feng et al. (J Theor Biol 386:177–187, 2015) showed that mixing among sub-populations, as well as heterogeneity in characteristics affecting sub-population reproduction numbers, must be considered when evaluating public health interventions to prevent or control infectious disease outbreaks. We employed the convex combination of preferential within- and proportional among-group contacts devised by Nold (Math Biosci 52:227–240, 1980) and generalized by Jacquez et al. (Math Biosci 92:119–199, 1988). As the utility of meta-population modeling in support of public policymaking depends on more realistic mixing functions, Glasser et al. (Math Biosci 235:1–7, 2012) included preferential contacts between parents and children and among co-workers as well as contemporaries. Feng et al. (Math Biosci 287:93–104, 2017) omitted workplace contacts, but added those between grandparents and grandchildren. We also devised a general scheme for multi-level mixing that meets the conditions for mixing functions specified by Busenberg and Castillo-Chavez (IMA J Math Appl Med Biol 8:1–29, 1991) and provided several two-level examples.
Characterization and evaluation of Fe–N–C electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction directly synthesized by reactive spray deposition technology

A novel method for synthesizing iron–nitrogen–carbon (Fe–N–C) electrocatalysts using a modified flame spray pyrolysis technique called reactive spray deposition technology (RSDT) is described. The physicochemical properties of the RSDT-synthesized catalyst are quantified through a series of experiments including nitrogen adsorption, electron microscopy, thermogravimetry, spectroscopy and electrochemical analysis with the overall aim of exploring opportunities to use RSDT as a single-step, scalable alternative to multi-step, energy-intensive furnace-based methods for synthesizing PGM-free electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction. The Fe–N–C is synthesized by pyrolyzing a liquid solution precursor mixture under oxygen lean conditions without the use of additional support material or heat treatment steps. Properties of critical importance to the performance of the Fe–N–C catalyst are discussed in detail with respect to properties of similar catalysts synthesized by multi-step methods reported in the literature. Materials characterization shows evidence of ORR active Fe–Nx sites, a high fraction of pyridinic nitrogen and carbon-encapsulated iron-rich particles. The existence of undesired amorphous carbon mixed with the catalytically active material is also observed and may require process development in future to remove. Rotating disk electrode analysis in alkaline media of the RSDT-synthesized Fe–N–C confirmed catalytic activity toward oxygen reduction, which is shown to follow a two-step reaction mechanism. While the activity of the Fe–N–C catalyst is lower than that of commercial Pt/C, it shows superior stability with a decrease in half-wave potential of only 5 mV after 4000 cycles in alkaline media, encouraging further investigation of this alternative flame-based synthesis route.
Alloplastic reconstruction of orbital floor fractures: a systematic review and pooled outcomes analysis

Orbital floor defects from traumatic injuries can be successfully repaired surgically utilizing alloplastic implants. The objective of this study was to conduct a comprehensive systematic review of alloplastic implant materials utilized in the repair of orbital floor fractures stratified by material type, indication for surgery, and outcomes in all reported cases to date. A comprehensive systematic review of published literature on alloplastic periorbital implant studies was conducted utilizing Medline/PubMed database without timeframe limitations. Articles were reviewed in full by multiple authors and outcomes data were collected. A total of 11 studies (n = 585 patients) were identified to meet the inclusion criteria. Overall, 25 total surgical complications (4.3%) were noted, including infection, inflammation, graft migration or explantation, and hematoma. Overall, porous polyethylene (PPE) implants were associated with the highest rate of infection (2.0%) compared with all other implant types analyzed. Poly-l-lactic acid (PLLA) implants were associated with the highest rate of graft explantation (5.9%). Explantation was required in a total 0.6% of all implants (n = 3). Alloplastic implants are a reliable means of reconstructing the orbital floor following trauma. It is imperative for surgeons to understand the relative risks for each type of implant to develop postoperative complications in order to optimize outcomes. Level of evidence: Level III, therapeutic study
Integration of wastewater treatment into process design of lignocellulosic biorefineries for improved economic viability

Production and use of bio-based products offer advantages over conventional petrochemicals, yet the relatively high cost of production has restricted their mainstream adoption. Optimization of wastewater treatment processes could reduce capital expenditures, lowering the barrier to market entry for lignocellulosic biorefineries. This paper characterizes wastewater associated with lignocellulosic ethanol production and evaluates potential wastewater treatment operations. It is found that organic material is intrinsic to bioconversion wastewater, representing up to 260 kg of biological oxygen demand per tonne of feedstock processed. Inorganics in the wastewater largely originate from additions during pretreatment and pH adjustments, which increase the inorganic loading by 44 kg per tonne of feedstock processed. Adjusting the ethanol production process to decrease addition of inorganic material could reduce the demands and therefore cost of waste treatment. Various waste treatment technologies—including those that take advantage of ecosystem services provided by feedstock production—were compared in terms of capital and operating costs, as well as technical feasibility. It is concluded that wastewater treatment technologies should be better integrated with conversion process design and feedstock production. Efforts to recycle resources throughout the biofuel supply chain through application of ecosystem services provided by adjacent feedstock plantations and recovery of resources from the waste stream to reduce overall capital and operating costs of bioconversion facilities.
Head impact exposures in women's collegiate rugby.

To describe the incidence, magnitude, and distribution of head impacts and track concussions sustained in a collegiate level women’s rugby season. Data on head impact incidence and magnitude were c...
Dialog as a Vehicle for Lifelong Learning

Dialog systems research has primarily been focused around two main types of applications - task-oriented dialog systems that learn to use clarification to aid in understanding a goal, and open-ended dialog systems that are expected to carry out unconstrained "chit chat" conversations. However, dialog interactions can also be used to obtain various types of knowledge that can be used to improve an underlying language understanding system, or other machine learning systems that the dialog acts over. In this position paper, we present the problem of designing dialog systems that enable lifelong learning as an important challenge problem, in particular for applications involving physically situated robots. We include examples of prior work in this direction, and discuss challenges that remain to be addressed.
A Rationale for the Limited Domain Approach to the Study of Motivation

A reading of Tom Mahoney’s discussant comments suggests that he is not really sure what I am trying to do with my four limited domain theories of organizational energy and that he has serious doubts that I am engaged in theory construction in any event. The first problem is the easiest to handle. Although my paper for the Midrange Theory Conference does not include a statement of rationale, this has been done elsewhere as Mahoney correctly surmises. One expression of what I am attempting to do is the following: Our concern in the field of management is not with the totality of human motivation, but with the special case of the relationship between motivation and various job requirements. It seems quite possible that an approach that yields a reasonable approximation to a solution of the job or employee motivation problem might be developed long before the total complexity of human motivation comes to be understood.
Transient Dynamics of Generation and Annihilation in Multi-soliton Regime in a Mode-Locked Ring Laser

The transient dynamics of generation and annihilation between a double pulsing and three-pulse regime in a mode-locked fiber laser reveal significant fluctuations for the emerging pulse and spectral breathing behavior during the decaying process.
Nutritional Factors Affecting Reproduction and Practical Nutrition For Beef Cattle Ranchers

Numerous factors will influence the reproductive efficiency of a commercial cow herd, but nutrition is one of the most important. Reproductive efficiency is more than just the percent of cows pregnant. It includes:1. Percent cows and heifers bred early in the breeding season2. Percent pregnancy3. Percent cows weaning a calf4. Percent beef females calving unassisted Many factors influence each of these four factors, but nutrition will have a major effect on each of these items.
Amisulpride: A New Drug for Management of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting.

Objective:To review the pharmacology, efficacy, and safety of amisulpride and determine its role in the management of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV).Data Sources:A PubMed search (1946 to ...
Pharmacology of Opioid and Nonopioid Analgesics

Summary Nociception is the ability to perceive potentially tissue-damaging energy to promote avoidance behavior and minimize the insult. Pain perception also aids in the repair of minor tissue injuries by limiting activity and splinting the injured tissue. Beyond this, more profound injuries, such as surgical insults, trigger a cascade of local inflammatory changes and neuronal activity that can be attenuated by analgesic pharmacotherapy. Continuous advances in the understanding of nociception and pharmacotherapeutics have resulted from the development of selective neurotransmitter ligands and the mapping of their receptor distribution. These endeavors delineate a set of primary physiologic and pathophysiologic adaptations in response to noxious stimuli. Architecturally, nociceptive pathways seem to be hard-wired. The dynamic functional changes of the system, when exposed to chronic noxious stimulation, however, betray the complex and often irreversible alterations in receptor expression that define central neuropathic pain. With the acknowledgment that nociceptive pathways can suffer these deleterious changes, preemptive therapy may be able not only to attenuate the nociceptive signal but also prevent the progression to chronic, recalcitrant neurogenic pain. Appreciation of currently available analgesics and an anticipation of those in development will allow for the judicious management of the pain patient.
Analyzing Textual Information to Understand Post-Event Stock Price Behavior

This report studies the textual information in 8K financial reports (for S&P 500 firms, 2002-2012) using NLP techniques. It further integrates the textual data with the financial data and builds a classification machine learning model to predict post-event returns in short, medium and long term as well as understand the driving factors. For the long run (10 days return), the best classification model is with integrated data which includes index performances and financial health indicators. This model has an overall accuracy of 53%, with positive and negative returns being predicted with 73% and 31% accuracy. For the short run (2 days), we see that the ‘type of event’ matters more rather than text or financial data, with overall accuracy of 52% and accuracies of 64% and 29% for positive and negative returns. A robust prediction accuracy of 53% roughly corresponds to an information coefficient of 0.1.
Lymph Node Evaluation after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Patients with Gastric Cancer

Adequate lymphadenectomy with at least 16 nodes retrieved at the time of gastrectomy is a quality measure recommended to ensure adequate staging. The minimum nodal retrieval recommended after receipt of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) is less defined. Patients with clinical stages 1 to 3 gastric adenocarcinoma who received NACT and surgical resection were identified from the 2004–2015 National Cancer Database. The optimal nodal harvest number was calculated with Cox spline regression modeling. Cohorts with a nodal harvest higher or lower than this number were 1:1 propensity score-matched. Overall survival (OS) was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier survival estimates. Among 4337 patients receiving NACT, the optimal minimal nodal harvest at gastrectomy was 23 nodes. Compared with the patients who had fewer than 23 nodes retrieved, the patients with at least 23 nodes examined (n = 1073, 24.7%) were more likely to be female (26.1% vs 22%; p = 0.006) and non-white (29.3% vs 18.5%; p < 0.0001), to have a Charlson-Deyo score of 0 (71.5% vs 66.8%; p = 0.005), and to have undergone resection at an academic facility (67.9% vs 51.5%; p < 0.0001). The patients with at least 23 nodes examined had higher proportions of high-grade tumor (62% vs 57.4%; p = 0.030), pT3 or pT4 tumor (56.3% vs 48.7%; p < 0.0001), body tumor (21.3% vs 12.5%; p < 0.0001), or antrum/pylorus tumor (15.3% vs 11.4%; p < 0.0001). The patients with at least 23 nodes were more likely to have lymph node metastases identified (61% vs 51%; p < 0.0001). After matching, the patients with at least 23 nodes (n = 990) demonstrated an improved 5-year OS (57.9% vs 49%; p = 0.001). The extent of lymphadenectomy during gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma should not be reduced after NACT because adequate lymph node retrieval remains important for prognostication.
Learning from Lucas

This paper recollects meetings with Robert E. Lucas, Jr. over many years. It describes how, through personal interactions and studying his work, Lucas taught me to think about economics.
Prevalence of Planned Abdominal Binder Use after Vaginal Delivery.

Objectives Pregnancy and vaginal delivery are risk factors for pelvic floor dysfunction. Abdominal binder use may increase intraabdominal pressure, affecting pelvic floor healing or function in recently traumatized postpartum pelvic floor muscle. This study assesses the prevalence of postpartum abdominal binder use, timing, and reasons for use. Methods In this cross-sectional observational survey study, women who underwent a vaginal delivery at our institution were enrolled. Participants were excluded if they did not speak Spanish or English. Participants were recruited on the postpartum unit. Data were deidentified and analyzed as appropriate for each variable. Results In total, 673 surveys were completed. Seven were excluded because they had cesarean deliveries. The average age was 26 years. Median gravidity and parity were 2 and 2. In total, 549 women (82%) planned to wear an abdominal binder postpartum. In all, 335 women provided a specific time when they would start use: 240 women (71%) would start at ≤2 days postpartum, 60 women (18%) would start at 3 to 7 days postpartum, and 35 women (11%) would start after 1 week postpartum. Common reasons reported for use included appearance, support, pain, swelling, weight loss, and recommendation. Conclusions Among women delivering at our institution, planned abdominal binder use postvaginal delivery is common. The reasons cited include health and desire to return to prior body shape. The effects of using an abdominal binder in the postpartum period are unknown. More research is needed to better elucidate how increased postpartum intraabdominal pressure affects healing in traumatized pelvic floor muscles.
Two-way coupled Reynolds and Rayleigh–Plesset equations for a fully transient, multiphysics cavitation model with pseudo-cavitation

Abstract This study presents a physics-based cavitation model solving the coupled Rayleigh–Plesset (RP) and Reynolds (RE) equations in a fully transient environment. Inclusion of the surface dilatational viscosity within the interfacial stress balance of a dynamically growing bubble is discussed at length and detailed physical insight into its mechanism adds significantly to the existing body of literature. A parametric study establishes the importance of the surface dilatational viscosity and values on the order of 10 −2 to 10 −4 [N s/m] are shown to establish upper and lower bounds on tensile stresses producing the full and half-Sommerfeld-like solutions respectively. Interactions between rotational speed and eccentricity ratio are elucidated with the overall effect of increasing surface dilatational viscosity shown to be de-stabilizing.
Organized trafficking of anandamide and related lipids.

N‐arachidonylethanolamide (anandamide or AEA) is an endogenous long‐chain fatty acid ethanolamide with activity at both the cannabinoid 1 (CB1) and cannabinoid 2 (CB2) receptors, as well as the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) receptor. Whereas the mechanisms for both AEA biosynthesis and metabolism are fairly well established, the manner by which AEA is accumulated into cells remains controversial. The overwhelming majority of scientific reports indicate that this lipid neuromodulator is taken into cells via a facilitated process. Some reports have suggested that AEA uptake occurs by facilitated diffusion. Recent evidence indicates that AEA uptake may occur via endocytosis, contesting the premise that passive diffusion is the mechanism by which AEA transverses the plasma membrane. This chapter serves as an introduction to the endocannabinoid field with an emphasis on the various proposed mechanisms for the cellular uptake of endocannabinoids and other related hydrophobic molecules.
Degradation of the γ-carboxyl-containing diarylpropane lignin model compound 3-(4'-ethoxy-3'-methoxyphenyl)-2-(4″-methoxyphenyl)propionic acid by the basidiomycete Phanerochaete chrysosporium

The white-rot basidiomycete Phanerochaete chrysosporium metabolized 3-(4′-ethoxy-3′-methoxyphenyl)-2-(4″-methoxyphenyl)propionic acid (V) in low-nitrogen, stationary cultures, conditions under which ligninolytic activity is expressed. The ability of several fungal mutant strains to degrade V reflected their ability to degrade [14C]lignin to 14CO2. 1-(4′-Ethoxy-3′-methoxyphenyl)-2-(4″-methoxyphenyl)-2- hydroxyethane (VII), anisyl alcohol, and 4-ethoxy-3-methoxybenzyl alcohol were isolated as metabolic products, indicating an initial oxidative decarboxylation of V, followed by α, β cleavage of the intermediate (VII). Exogenously added VII was rapidly converted to anisyl alcohol and 4-ethoxy-3-methoxybenzyl alcohol. When the degradation of V was carried out under 18O2, 18O was incorporated into the β position of the diarylethane product (VII), indicating that the reaction is oxygenative.
Parallel Unsmoothed Aggregation Algebraic Multigrid Algorithms on GPUs

We design and implement a parallel algebraic multigrid method for isotropic graph Laplacian problems on multicore graphical processing units (GPUs). The proposed AMG method is based on the aggregation framework. The setup phase of the algorithm uses a parallel maximal independent set algorithm in forming aggregates, and the resulting coarse-level hierarchy is then used in a K-cycle iteration solve phase with a l 1-Jacobi smoother. Numerical tests of a parallel implementation of the method for graphics processors are presented to demonstrate its effectiveness.
Variability and Diagnostic Accuracy of Speech Intelligibility Scores in Children

Purpose We examined variability of speech intelligibility scores and how well intelligibility scores predicted group membership among 5-year-old children with speech motor impairment (SMI) secondary to cerebral palsy and an age-matched group of typically developing (TD) children. Method Speech samples varying in length from 1–4 words were elicited from 24 children with cerebral palsy (mean age 60.50 months) and 20 TD children (mean age 60.33 months). Two hundred twenty adult listeners made orthographic transcriptions of speech samples (n = 5 per child). Results Variability associated with listeners made a significant contribution to explaining the variance in intelligibility scores for TD and SMI children, but the magnitude was greater for TD children. Intelligibility scores differentiated very well between children who have SMI and TD children when intelligibility was at or below approximately 75% and above approximately 85%. Conclusions Intelligibility seems to be a useful clinical tool for differentiat...
Holistic Realism: A Response to Katz On Holism and Intuition

In his book, Realistic Rationalism (henceforth RR), and his article, “Mathematics and Metaphilosophy”(henceforth MM), Jerrold Katz develops and defends a philosophy of mathematics that is realist in ontology and rationalist in epistemology. On his view, mathematics contains a body of necessary truths about certain abstract entities that are known a priori though the exercise of reason. Katz believes that his epistemology answers the familiar challenge, so well articulated by Paul Benacerraf, to mathematical realists that they explain how beings like us can acquire knowledge about causally inert, nonspatial, nontemporal, mathematical objects. Katz thinks the key to responding successfully to this challenge is to develop a “no contact epistemology,” that is, one that posits no physical process connecting us to mathematical objects. By basing his account of mathematical knowledge upon reason and intuition, Katz believes that he has avoided mysticism, such as that associated with Plato’s epistemology of recollection, and has given a deeper account than, say, Frege’s view that we grasp or apprehend abstract objects or Godel’s brief comparison of mathematical intuition with ordinary sense perception. Katz thinks that the only other no contact epistemology worthy of consideration is W. V. Quine’s confirmational holism. But he argues that this falls prey to his own Revisability Paradox and is inconsistent (RR, 72–4; MM, 375).
Effect of Reynolds Number on Deposition in Fuels Flowing Over Heated Surfaces

An increasing demand is being put on the fuel as a heat sink in modern aircraft. In the end, the fuel flows through the atomizer which on the one hand is the hottest part of its thermal history, but on the other hand the most critical for resisting deposition. Most studies have concentrated on the chemistry of deposition, and in recent years there have been modeling efforts. Deposition is really the end product of a coupling between heat transfer to the fuel, chemical reactions to form insoluble gums, followed by the transport of these gums to the surface to form deposits. There is conflicting evidence and theory in the literature concerning the effect of turbulence on deposition, i.e., whether deposition increases or decreases with increasing Reynolds number. This paper demonstrates through a heat transfer analysis that the effect of Reynolds number depends upon the boundary/initial conditions. If the flow is heated from the surface, deposition decreases with increasing Reynolds number; however, for isothermal flows, i.e., preheated, deposition will increase with Reynolds number.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
The influence of adult conspecifics and shore level on recruitment of the ribbed mussel Geukensia demissa (Dillwyn)

Abstract The roles of recruitment variability and adult conspecifics on the distribution of Geukensia demissa (Dillwyn) in a Spartina alterniflora (Loisel) marsh were examined in a field study. Recruitment to experimental collectors was compared to recruitment onto the marsh surface at three shore levels. Peak recruitment of mussels in the smallest size class (0–5 mm) occurred in October. Recruitment was greatest on the marsh edge and to collectors containing adult mussels, suggesting that larval mussels either preferentially settle or have higher survivorship among adult conspecifics. Mussels in the largest size class (5–15 mm) recruited to collectors in early July suggesting that the previous year's cohort was still actively involved in post-settlement microhabitat selection.
Carbon Dioxide Contrast Enhancement for C-Arm CT Utility for Treatment Planning during Hepatic Embolization Procedures

A pilot study was performed to evaluate the use of carbon dioxide (CO2) as a contrast medium for C-arm computed tomography (CT). C-arm CT using CO2 was performed during embolization procedures in12 patients with hepatic malignancies and severe iodine allergy or high risk for nephrotoxicity. C-arm CT using gadolinium or iodinated contrast medium was performed for comparison. Of segmental arteries identified by conventional contrast enhancement, 96% were also seen with CO2 enhancement, but subsegmental arteries were not reliably depicted. CO2 enhancement identified 60% of tumors. Small, hypovascular, and infiltrative tumors were difficult to detect. CO2 is a promising alternative intraarterial contrast agent for C-arm CT.
The History of the (Re)naming of Multiple Sclerosis

(2004). The History of the (Re)naming of Multiple Sclerosis. Journal of the History of the Neurosciences: Vol. 13, No. 4, pp. 351-351.
Teacher perceptions and individual differences: How they influence rural teachers’ motivating strategies

Abstract This study examined the influence of high school teachers’ perceptions and individual difference characteristics on teachers’ use of motivating strategies in their classrooms. Participants were 75 teachers in 19 rural, public high schools. A mixed method approach was used. Quantitative measures included demographics, individual differences, perceptions, and motivating strategies, analyzed as correlations and regressions. Qualitative measures included generative self-report of motivating a student, and semi-structured interviews, which were open coded and then axial coded to identify themes and issues. Peer-related environment stood out among teacher perceptions predicting student motivation. Teacher support and efficacy predicted motivating strategies, but teacher perceptions of student goals and causes of lack of motivation did not. Teachers admit that they lack knowledge and efficacy for motivating students. Findings can inform teacher education, professional development, and administrative support for teaching effectiveness.
Preoperative evaluation for patients with choroidal/ciliary body melanomas: what is necessary?

and com-plications arising from metastatic disease are themost common cause of death. The Collaborative OcularMelanoma Study (COMS) trials were a series of multi-center, randomized clinical studies examining treatmentsfor uveal melanoma. In the COMS, the presence ofmetastatic disease at the time of diagnosis was less than1%.
Teaching Causal Reasoning Through Cognitive Apprenticeship: What Are Results From Situated Learning?

The author investigated whether situated instruction produces more usable, transferable knowledge than instruction that is abstracted from the context of its use. To test that theory, 220 Grade 7 students were instructed on the topic of causality. Half the students were taught how to determine whether a research study shows a cause-and-effect relationship under the situated-learning model. The remaining students were taught the same concept under the abstracted instruction model. An additional factor, teaching for transfer, also was investigated. Although there were significant differences in learning immediately following instruction, there were no differences on the transfer task due to instructional condition or transfer training. Of the 194 participants who completed the transfer task, only 2 students spontaneously transferred their learning.
Effects of behavioral intervention on substance use among people living with HIV: the Healthy Living Project randomized controlled study.

Aim Reductions in substance use were examined in response to an intensive intervention with people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PLH). Design, setting and participants A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 936 PLH who had recently engaged in unprotected sexual risk acts recruited from four US cities: Milwaukee, San Francisco, New York and Los Angeles. Substance use was assessed as the number of days of use of 19 substances recently (over the last 90 days), evaluated at 5-month intervals over 25 months. Intervention A 15-session case management intervention was delivered to PLH in the intervention condition; the control condition received usual care. Measurements An intention-to-treat analysis was conducted examining reductions on multiple indices of recent substance use calculated as the number of days of use. Findings Reductions in recent substance use were significantly greater for intervention PLH compared to control PLH: alcohol and/or marijuana use, any substance use, hard drug use and a weighted index adjusting for seriousness of the drug. While the intervention-related reductions in substance use were larger among women than men, men also reduced their use. Compared to controls, gay and heterosexual men in the intervention reduced significantly their use of alcohol and marijuana, any substance, stimulants and the drug severity-weighted frequency of use index. Gay men also reduced their hard drug use significantly in the intervention compared to the control condition. Conclusions A case management intervention model, delivered individually, is likely to result in significant and sustained reductions in substance use among PLH.
Norovirus protein structure and function

Noroviruses are positive strand RNA viruses that have received increased attention in recent years because their role as etiologic agents in acute gastroenteritis outbreaks is now clearly established. Much has been learned about the epidemiology of these viruses and the extent of genetic diversity among circulating strains. In contrast, progress on understanding the basic mechanisms of virus replication has been far slower due to the inability to cultivate virus in the laboratory. Despite this limitation, significant progress has been made in defining some basic functions of the norovirus proteins, and the structures of two have been solved to near atomic resolution. This minireview summarizes these recent advances in understanding the structure and function of the norovirus proteins and provides speculation about what roles they may play in the virus replication cycle.
B-iso-2-(2-diethylaminoethyl)apopinocampheyl-9-borabicyclo-[3.3.1]nonyl hydride — An improved chiral reducing agent for straight chain aliphatic ketones

Abstract A series of chirally modified borohydrides of the type lithium B-iso-2-(alkyl)apopinocampheyl-9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonyl hydride ( 2–4 and 8–9 ) were prepared to enable a strategic development of chiral reagents for the reduction of straight chain aliphatic ketones. Reagent 8 (alkyl = 2-diethylaminoethyl) reduces 2-octanone in 82% ee, significantly higher than that obtained with NB-Enantride ( 7 ) under identical conditions. An improved methodology for these reductions is also described.
The preparation of Certain Fluoro-iodo Radiopaque Compounds

A number of new derivatives of aromatic hydrocarbons in which iodine is ortho to fluorien have been prepared, namely: ethyl 3-iodo-4-fluorobenzoate, 3-iodo-4-fluorobenzoic acid, the sodium salt of 3-iodo-4-fluorobenzoic acid, the hydrochloride of the diethylaminoethyl 3-iodo-4-fluorobenzoate, the hydrochloride of the piperidinopropyl 3-iodo-fluorobenzoate, the hydrochloride of the di-n-butylaminopropyl 3-iodo-4-fluorobenzoate, and the hydrochloride of the 3-(4-morpholino)-propyl 3-iodo-4-fluorobenzoate. All of the compounds exhibit anesthetic, hypnotic, and analgesic effects. Preliminary tests indicate that the compounds are relatively nontoxic but when used in concentrations necessary to produce a desirable opaque, were found to be irritating to the gastric and intestinal tract.
Source apportionment of polychlorinated biphenyls in the New York/New Jersey Harbor

The New York/New Jersey Harbor (also known as the Hudson River Estuary) is heavily contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) arising in part from inputs from the Upper Hudson River, which is a Superfund site containing historical PCB contamination, and also due to inputs from the New York City metropolitan area. The Contamination Assessment and Reduction Project (CARP) measured PCBs and other contaminants in ambient water samples collected throughout the Harbor region during 1998–2001. In order to investigate the sources of PCBs to the NY/NJ Harbor, this data base of PCB concentrations was analyzed using Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF). This analysis resolved seven factors that are thought to be associated with sources such as the Upper Hudson River, storm water runoff, combined sewer overflows (CSOs), and wastewater effluents. The PMF model also produced a factor that appears to be related to sites contaminated with Aroclor 1260. To the extent that the NY/NJ Harbor is typical of urbanized estuaries throughout the United States, these results suggest that storm water runoff is probably a significant source of PCBs to surface waters in urban areas.
Modulation of 5-FU metabolism in human MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells.

We have previously demonstrated a highly significant relationship (P<0.0001) between the incorporation of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) into total cellular RNA and loss of clonogenic survival of the human MCF-7 breast carcinoma cell line. The present studies explore the applicability of this relationship to MCF-7 cells exposed to 5-FU and modulting agents such as PALA, MTX, and MMPR. PALA treatment produces a minimal increase in the absolute amount of 5-FU incorporated into total cellular RNA, but it results in a three-fold enhancement of the [3H]FU/32P ratio, which measures 5-FU misincorporation into newly synthesized RNA. MTX and MMPR increase intracellular PRPP levels up to four-fold; nevertheless these agents result in only minimal increases in absolute (5-FU) RNA formation. In contrast, the relative incorporation of 5-FU into newly synthesized RNA of MTX-or MMPR-treated cells is increased 2.5-fold. The combination of PALA/MMPR results in a two-fold absolute increase in (5-FU) RNA formation and a nine-fold enhancement of the [3H]FU/32P ratio. Combinations of modulating agents with 5-FU result in more than additive decreases in MCF-7 clonogenic survival. The relationship between 5-FU incorporation into RNA and loss of clonogenic survival was highly significant (P<0.0002) when corrected for newly synthesized RNA, while the correlation with absolute amounts of (5-FU) RNA formation was less significant (P<0.05). These studies demonstrate that the relationship previously established between (5-FU)RNA formation and loss of clonogenic survival should be corrected for the amount of newly synthesized RNA when 5-FU is combined with modulating agents that alter rates of RNA synthesis.
Effect of ouabain on the current underlying spontaneous diastolic depolarization in cardiac Purkinje fibers.

CARDIAC glycosides are important in the treatment of heart failure, but the therapeutic positive inotropic effect of these glycosides is complicated by their tendency to cause arrhythmias1,2. The mechanism by which cardiac glycosides induce arrhythmias may be related to an effect on the ionic current which underlies spontaneous diastolic depolarization in cardiac Purkinje fibres. To determine the effects of cardiac glycosides on this ionic current we studied the effects of ouabain using a voltage clamp technique.
Traveling wave solutions in partially degenerate cooperative reaction-diffusion systems

Abstract We study the existence of traveling wave solutions for partially degenerate cooperative reaction–diffusion systems that can have three or more equilibria. We show via integral systems that there exist traveling wave solutions in a partially degenerate reaction–diffusion system with speeds above two well-defined extended real numbers. We prove that the two numbers are the same and may be characterized as the spreading speed as well as the slowest speed of a class of traveling wave solutions provided that the linear determinacy conditions are satisfied. We demonstrate our theoretical results by examining a partially degenerate Lotka–Volterra competition model with advection terms.
Elastic-plastic instability of flexibly connected non-orthogonal frames

Abstract A nonlinear elastic-plastic instability analysis of plane non-orthogonal frames, with or without elastic rotational restraints at the supports and semi-rigid connections is presented. The nonlinear flexible connections are represented by polynomial models. Both stability and strength are incorporated in the analysis. The effect of slenderness ratio, elastic rotational restraint at the supports, rise to span ratio and semi-rigid connections are fully assessed. In most cases considered, failure occurs through plastic collapse. It is found that in some cases limit point instability can occur before plastic collapse. From the geometries analyzed, it is concluded that for design application the assumption of linear (instead of nonlinear, polynomial) connection behavior is not adequate for gabled frames.
Electromigration Damage Characterization in Sn-3.9Ag-0.7Cu and Sn-3.9Ag-0.7Cu-0.5Ce Solder Joints by Three-Dimensional X-ray Tomography and Scanning Electron Microscopy

Cerium (Ce)-containing Sn-3.9Ag-0.7Cu alloy exhibits desirable attributes of microstructural refinement, increased ductility, and mechanical shock performance, while possessing better oxidation resistance than other rare-earth-containing solders. In addition to the beneficial mechanical properties, it is imperative to study the reliability performance of novel solder alloys in the form of electromigration experiments, in comparison with Sn-3.9Ag-0.7Cu. In this study, electromigration tests were conducted on solder joints at elevated temperature with a constant current using a V-groove testing methodology. The microstructural change of solder joints during electromigration was investigated by scanning electron microscopy, and the void growth was monitored utilizing the three-dimensional (3D) x-ray microtomography imaging technique. The current density inside the solder matrix was determined by 3D microstructure-based finite-element modeling. Finally, the product of diffusivity and effective charge number of solder joints during electromigration was calculated from both marker displacement and 3D void growth. It was found that electromigration-induced Cu diffusion in Sn-3.9Ag-0.7Cu-0.5Ce alloy was greatly accelerated, and void formation at the cathode side was retarded as a result of finer microstructure and existence of CeSn3 intermetallic particles.
Karl Marx and the Death Penalty

This study is a Marxist analysis of capital punishment or the death penalty. The only detailed treatment of the subject by Marx appeared in an article published in the New York Daily Tribune, February 18, 1853, and that treatment was only a sketch. Thus, the following study is an attempt to suggest what a reading of Marx may contribute to an understanding of capital punishment. I conclude that abolition of the death penalty does not need a Marxist justification, but a Marxist justification adds to the many arguments for that course of action.
Surgery for obesity: panacea or Pandora's box?

Background: Given the increasing prevalence of obesity, healthcare providers should be cognizant of various non-operative (diet, exercise, behavior therapy, and medications) and ope
Effect of partial neuromuscular blockade on intraoperative electromyography in patients undergoing resection of acoustic neuromas

Intraoperative electromyographic monitoring of the facial nerve during acoustic neuroma excision provides early detection of nerve injury and improved outcome. To determine whether a useful level of peripheral neuromuscular blockade could be achieved without compromise of facial electromyographic monitoring, we studied 10 patients undergoing resection of acoustic neuroma. Facial nerve monitoring was accomplished by placement of wire electrodes in the orbicularis oris, orbicularis occuli, and mentalis muscles. Peripheral neuromuscular blockade was assessed by recording unprocessed hypothenar compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs). After induction of anesthesia, an infusion of atracurium (1.0 micrograms.kg-1.min-1) accompanied by a bolus dose of 50 micrograms/kg was administered. The infusion was then increased in increments of 0.5 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 until a 50% reduction in hypothenar single-twitch CMAP was obtained. Facial nerve function was continuously monitored by comparison of facial CMAPs produced by stimulation of the nerve proximal and distal to the tumor bed. The mean (+/- SD) infusion rate of atracurium was 2.55 +/- 0.75 micrograms.kg-1.min-1. Decrements in facial nerve CMAPs were detected in 6 of 10 patients, and all demonstrated moderate to severe facial nerve dysfunction. In no patient was an unexpected deficit present postoperatively. Moderate degrees of peripheral neuromuscular blockade can be achieved without compromising facial nerve electromyographic monitoring.
Integrating Econometric and Input-Output Models in a Multiregional Context

This paper explores the extension of integrated econometric/input-output models from a single to a multiregional context. A number of methodological issues associated with existing treatments of extraregional relations in both traditional multiregional econometric models and the more recent single region integrated models are discussed. A series of new approaches are introduced that rely on the integration of econometric and input-output methods to specify extraregional linkages. A comparison of these alternative modeling approaches is undertaken using employment series for 5 regions in Southern California. The forecasting accuracies are evaluated in a series of out-of-sample forecasting experiments. The findings suggest that the forecasting performance of the multiregional extensions of the integrated approach is competitive with the performance of single region implementations. The performance of the alternative multiregional approaches is found to be relatively more sensitive to regionalization of the IO component and the level of industrial disaggregation than to the incorporation of distance in the specification of the multiregional linkages.