cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High-efficiency optical ultrasound generation using one-pot synthesized polydimethylsiloxane-gold nanoparticle nanocomposite

Photoacoustic generation is an attractive alternative to generate ultrasound due to its broad bandwidth and high frequency capabilities. However, the challenges in low generation efficiency need to be addressed. In order to address this issue, a one-pot synthesized polydimethylsiloxane-gold nanoparticle (PDMS/Au NP) nanocomposite was utilized to generate ultrasonic pulses excited by a nanosecond laser. The enhanced efficiency of the photoacoustic signal was investigated by varying the concentration and the thickness of the nanocomposite film. The optimal peak-to-peak amplitude of the acoustic signal was observed to be 189.49 kPa under the laser energy density of 13 mJ/cm2 at 1.8 mm away from the nanocomposite film, when the thickness and the concentration of the film were 450 μm and 1.79 wt. %, respectively. Furthermore, the efficiency of the photoacoustic generation was increased 3 orders of magnitude compared to the aluminum thin film. The results indicate that high photoacoustic generation efficiency could be achieved through the PDMS/Au NPs nanocomposite.
Diagnostic utility of MRI and MR arthrography for detection of ligamentum teres tears: a retrospective analysis of 187 patients with hip pain.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic utility of MRI and MR arthrography for ligamentum teres tears in patients with hip pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS. This is a retrospective study involving 187 patients who underwent MRI or MR arthrography for hip pain. This study included 103 male and 84 female patients with average age of 39 years. Three experienced musculoskeletal radiologists reviewed the MRI and MR arthrography studies to assess the ligamentum teres tears. The criteria for diagnosing normal or abnormal (i.e., ligament), partial or degenerative or complete tear of ligamentum teres were defined on the basis of several imaging characteristics. The MRI and MR arthrography results were correlated with arthroscopy, which served as the reference standard. Statistical analysis was performed to calculate the diagnostic yield, diagnostic accuracy, and diagnostic performance of MRI and MR arthrography in detecting partial or degenerative and complete ligamentum teres tears. Overall ...
Support for Dependency Driven Executions among OpenMP Tasks

OpenMP 3.x introduced the concept of creation of tasks with the aim of handling unstructured parallelism by providing support for efficient load-balancing and dynamic scheduling of asynchronous units of work, namely tasks. This work is focused towards extending task parallelism further to exploit task dependence relationships. The goal is to extend the OpenMP tasking model to provide more flexible synchronizations based on the data access relationship among such tasks. Our approach implements extensions to the current OpenMP task directive, which aim at providing task-level granularity for synchronization of tasks sharing the same parent. The new extensions focus primarily on adding additional functionality to the OpenUH compiler runtime referenced at the time of scheduling of tasks to honor only specified explicit dependencies. The extensions provide simplicity of use and help in achieving more parallelism owing to a more flexible approach in synchronizing tasks wherein a task waits only as long as its specified explicit dependencies are honored. The extensions when tested on a basic linear algebraic algorithm - LU Decomposition, presented a 9% and 20% speedup compared to the tasking implementations of Intel and GNU compilers respectively.
A Simple Definition of Ionic Bond Order.

Taking the square of the bond ionicity, iμ2(i,j), for molecular orbital μ in the localized orbital representation of Cisolowski and Mixon (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1991, 113, 4142−4145) as an ionic bond o...
SU ( 3 ) symmetry breaking in hyperon semileptonic decays

Flavor $\mathrm{SU}(3)$ symmetry breaking in hyperon semileptonic decay form factors is analyzed using the ${1/N}_{c}$ expansion. A detailed comparison with experimental data shows that corrections to ${f}_{1}$ are approximately 10%, which agrees with theoretical expectations. Corrections to ${g}_{1}$ are compatible with first-order symmetry breaking. A fit to the experimental data allows one to predict the ${g}_{1}$ form factor for ${\ensuremath{\Xi}}^{0}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\Sigma}}^{+}$ decay. The proton matrix element of the ${T}^{8}$ component of the axial vector current [which is equal to $3F\ensuremath{-}D$ in the $\mathrm{SU}(3)$ symmetry limit] is found to be $\ensuremath{\approx}0.34--0.46.$
Educational interventions to reduce the rate of central catheter-related bloodstream infections in the NICU: a review of the research literature.

Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CR-BSIs) are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the NICU, occurring at rates ranging from 11.3 per 1,000 catheter days in infants 2,500 g. Cost-effective and successful educational interventions aimed at nurses have been shown to decrease CR-BSIs with adults, but no such studies address neonatal nurses. This literature review examined how educational interventions could help neonatal nurses reduce infection rates in patients with central venous catheters. Four databases were searched: PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane, and OVID. Of ten studies that measured CR-BSIs before and after educational interventions, nine showed a postintervention reduction in the rate of CR-BSIs of 40 percent or greater (eight demonstrating statistically significant reductions), and the tenth reported a reduction rate of 21 percent. All of the educational programs had additional intervention components, so it is not possible to ascribe all the success to the education, but this review suggests that this topic needs to be studied with the NICU population.
Factors related to increased risk of assaultive behavior in suicidal patients

This study compared suicidal patients with assaultive behavior to suicidal patients without assaultive behavior. Of 667 suicidal male patients admitted to psychiatric hospitals during the study period, 90 (14%) were assaultive at the time of or just prior to admission, while of the 893 female suicidal patients admitted, 60 (7%) were assaultive. Male assaultive suicidal patients were more likely than non-assaultive males to be referred to hospitals by the law and mental health services, while female assaultive patients were more likely to be 34 years of age or younger and to have primary psychiatric diagnoses of paranoid schizophrenia, alcohol or drug abuse, or psychotic organic brain syndrome. For both sexes, assaultive suicidal patients were more likely to have delusions, hallucinations, feelings of suspicion or persecution as well as anger, belligerence, agitation and anti-social behavior. There was no significant difference between assaultive and non-assaultive suicidal patients in regard to the frequency of depressive symptoms. Language: en
Composition and physical properties of amorphous bulk and thin film materials in the system GeSeTeAs

Abstract Bulk samples of GeSe, GeSeAs, GeTe, GeTeAs and SeTeAs have been prepared by quenching from the melt. Densities and degree of crystallinity have been measured. Scanning electron micrographs of glassy GeSe x (1.5 ⩽ x ⩽ 6) and GeSe 5.33 As 0.33 show no evidence of gross diphasic structure. Bulk GeSe, GeSe 2 and GeSe 4 have been flash evaporated to form thin films; X-ray fluorescence analyses give film compositions of GeSe 0.7 , GeSe 1.6 and GeSe 2.4 , respectively. Crystallization temperatures of glassy GeSe 1.5 , GeSe 2.4 , GeSe 3 and GeSe 4 as determined by thermal analysis are reported. Crystallization of amorphous GeSe 1.5 as a function of heat treatment at 450°C has been determined.
The Media Creates Us in Its Image.

Propaganda in all its forms is the culture of a mass society. The media transmits propaganda to form public opinion and recreate the human being. Reversing the Western ideal of a rational and free individual, the media creates a childish conformist ensconced in the peer group, who acts unconsciously.
Clinical islet transplantation experience of the University of California Islet Transplant Consortium.

Background. The University of California Islet Transplant Consortium was formed to evaluate the feasibility of performing clinical islet transplantation at different transplant centers by using a single centralized islet isolation laboratory. Methods. From July 1992 through February 1995 seven adult islet transplantations were performed, six allografts and one autograft. Once procured, human pancreata were brought to the UCLA-VA Islet Core Laboratory for islet isolation and purification, which were then transported to different centers for transplantation. Patients 1 through 3 received their transplants in Los Angeles, patient 4 received her islet transplant in Torrance, and patients 5 through 7 received their transplants in San Francisco. Results. Although none of these patients achieved insulin independence, four of seven had functioning grafts longer than 6 months as indicated by circulating C-peptide level greater than 0.7 ng/ml. Furthermore, improved glucose control as shown by a decreased insulin requirement was seen in 57% (four of seven patients) of these patients. The ability to isolate islets at a single laboratory and transport them long distances to different centers was shown in patients 4 through 7. Conclusions. Islet transplantation can be performed with improvements in blood glucose control, and islets can be isolated at a centralized location and successfully transported to different centers for transplantation.
Potent Inhibitors of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Production Produced by a Marine-Derived Bacterium

Cytokines produced through the Antigen Presenting Cell (APC)–T-cell interaction play a key role in the activation of the allergic asthmatic response. Evaluating small molecules that inhibit the production of these pro-inflammatory proteins is therefore important for the discovery of novel chemical structures with potential anti-asthma activity. We adapted a mouse splenocyte cytokine assay to screen a library of 2,500 marine microbial extracts for their ability to inhibit TH2 cytokine release and identified potent activity in a marine-derived strain CNQ431, identified as a Streptomyces species. Bioactivity guided fractionation of the organic extract of this strain led to the isolation of ten new 9-membered bis-lactones, splenocins A-J (1–10). The new compounds display potent biological activities, comparable to that of the corticosteroid dexamethasone, with IC50 values from 2–50 nanomolar in the splenocyte cytokine assay. This study provides the foundation for the optimization of these potent anti-inflammatory compounds for development in the treatment of asthma.
Requirements For A Synchronous Earth Observation Satellite (SEOS)

For more than a decade, satellite-borne instruments, in programs such as TIROS, Nimbus, and ATS, have been providing information about the earth and its atmosphere. Without satellites, much of this information could not be derived as data must be obtained from remote and inaccessible areas, large area coverage, and/or through timely and rapid assessment of dynamic events.© (1974) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Statics and Dynamics of Colloidal Particles on Optical Trap Arrays

We examine the statics and dynamics of charged colloids interacting with periodic optical trap arrays. In particular we study the regime where more than one colloid is confined in each trap, creating effective dimer, trimer, and higher order states called colloidal molecular crystals. The n-mer states have an effective orientational degree of freedom which can be controlled with an external driving field. In general, the external field causes a polarization effect where the orientation of the n-mers aligns with the external field, similar to liquid crystal systems. Additionally, under a rotating external drive the n-mers can rotate with the drive. In some cases a series of structural transitions in the colloidal crystal states occur in the rotating field due to a competition between the ordering of the colloidal molecular crystals and the polarization effect which orients the n-mers in the direction of the drive. We also show that for some parameters, the n-mers continuously rotate with the drive without switching, that depinning transitions can occur where the colloids jump from well to well, and that there are a number of distinct dynamical transitions between the phases. Finally, we illustrate colloidal orderings at fillings of more than four colloids per trap, indicating that it is possible to create higher order colloidal crystal cluster phases.
Biosynthesis of low molecular weight RNA in mouse myeloma cells

Abstract The low molecular weight RNAs in the nucleus and cytoplasm of mouse myeloma cells have been characterized. There are major nuclear species (other than 5-S and tRNA), four of which contain ‘capped’ 5′ termini. There are three major small cytoplasmic RNAs, none of which contain ‘caps’. The biosynthesis of the nuclear species when studied using [ 3 H]adenosine as an RNA precursor is characterized by a rapid, transient appearance in the cytoplasm, followed by fixation in the nucleus. Within 15 min, the amount in the cytoplasm has reached a steady-state level maintained for 60 min, while the accumulation in nuclei is linear after a short lag (less than 5 min). When biosynthesis is studied using [ Me - 3 H]methionine as a precursor, much less labeled RNA is present in the cytoplasm, suggesting that methylation may immediately precede fixation into the nucleus.
Microtubule dynamics in the spindle. Theoretical aspects of assembly/disassembly reactions in vivo

The mitotic spindle contains several classes of microtubules (MTs) whose lengths change independently during mitosis. Precise control over MT polymerization and depolymerization during spindle formation, anaphase chromosome movements, and spindle breakdown is necessary for successful cell division. This model proposes the site of addition and removal of MT subunits in each of four classes of spindle MTs at different stages of mitosis, and suggests how this addition and removal is controlled. We propose that spindle poles and kinetochores significantly alter the assembly-disassembly kinetics of associated MT ends. Control of MT length is further modulated by localized forces affecting assembly and disassembly kinetics of individual sets of MTs.
1355 CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS (Ct) PNEUMONITIS IN PREMATURE INFANTS

Although Ct is recognized as a common etiologic agent in infant pneumonia, its role in pulmonary infection of premature infants has received little attention. Eight premature high risk babies hospitalized in our intensive care nursery over a 9 month period were documented to have Ct pneumonitis by standard McCoy cell tissue culture of endotracheal tube aspirates (7 patients) or nasopbaryngeal swab (1 patient). All patients had negative CMV urine cultures. Birthweights ranged from 610-2200 g. and gestational ages from 26-34 weeks. Six patients were born vaginally and 2 by Caesarean section. Age ranges at time of Ct isolation was 8-83 days (mean 29 days). All patients were cultured during an acute worsening of their respiratory status; 7 showed acute changes on chest X-ray. Seven patients were treated with erythromycin for 3 weeks; the remaining patient died prior to Ct identification. Five patients died of respiratory failure, 1 patient is at home on oxygen therapy for chronic lung disease and 2 patients have no residual lung disease. During this same time period, there were 8 infants of similar gestational age, birthweight, chronological age and mode of delivery whose endotracheal aspirate culture was negative for Ct. All these infants have survived. Chlamydia trachomatis appears to be associated with severe pulmonary disease in premature infants. Ct pneumonitis should be considered in a premature high risk infant with worsening respiratory status.
Endovascular therapy for cerebrovascular injuries after head and neck trauma

Cerebrovascular injuries after blunt or penetrating head and neck trauma often lead to significant disability from ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke and uncontrolled extracranial hemorrhage. Trau...
Model and strategies for computer control of a twin-screw extruder

Abstract The dynamics of twin-screw extrusion of corn meal was studied. Second-order transfer functions with numerator dynamics were used to model the dynamic responses of process variables to step changes in extruder operating parameters. Step changes in screw speed, feed rate and barrel temperature set-point caused inverse responses in die pressure and motor torque. Overshoot responses were found for die pressure and motor torque to step changes in feed moisture. Product temperature always displayed an over-damped second-order response for step changes of all extruder operating parameters. These models were validated and the implications of using these models for computer control of a twin-screw extruder were discussed.
Biosynthesis of pregnane derivatives in Strophanthus kombé

Abstract The following radioactive pregnane derivatives were isolated from Strophanthus kombe plants after administration of progesterone-4- 14 C: 5α-pregnane-3,20-dione, 5α-pregnan-3β-ol-20-one, 5β-pregnane-3,20-dione, 5β-pregnan-3β-ol-20-one, 5β-pregnane-3β,20β-diol, and 5β-pregnane-3β,5β-diol-20-one.
Synthesis and characterization of (η5-C5Me5)2TaCl(THF), a useful synthetic precursor for the preparation of oxo, imido and methylidene derivatives of permethyltantalocene

Abstract The synthesis and characterization of Cp*2Ta(O)Cl (Cp*  (η5-C5Me5)), Cp*2Ta(NPh)Cl, Cp*2Ta (O)H, Cp*2Ta(NR)H (R  Ph, CMe3), Cp*2Ta(CH2)H, Cp*2Ta(CH2)Cl, Cp*2Ta(H2 CCH2)H, and the unusual cyclometallated product Cp*(η6-C5Me4CH2)TaH2 from Cp*2TaCI(THF) (THF  tetrahydrofuran) is described. Cp*2TaCl(THF) is prepared by the Na / Hg reduction of Cp*2TaCl2 in THF and used in situ. These synthetic routes are more convenient than those previously described and in most cases give much higher yields and purer products. All attempts to isolate Cp*2TaCl(THF) as a pure crystalline solid have led instead to less reactive [Cp*2TaCl]n, whose structure is uncertain. Although Cp*2TaCl(THF) is only moderately stable in THF at room temperature, it has been characterized in solution by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Both [Cp*2TaCl]n and Cp*2TaCl(THF) react with CO to afford Cp*2TaCl(CO). An X-ray crystal structure determination for Cp*2Ta (NPh)Cl (triclinic space group P 1 (number 2) with Z = 2; a = 8.627(2); b = 9.538(5), c = 16.890(5) A, α = 74.81(3)°, β = 87.12(2)°, γ = 63.79(3)°, with V = 1200.0(8) A3) reveals a linear TaNC group, as had been found previously for the closely related complex Cp*2Ta(NPh)H.
Some pulse and gamma radiolysis studies of tyrosine and its glycyl peptides

Abstract The only significant product obtained by gamma irradiation of tyrosine in aqueous solution was 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (dopa). G (dopa) was 1.0 in aerated solution, 0.9 in N 2 O-saturated solutions, and less than 0.1 in deaerated solution. Pulse irradiation of a N 2 O-saturated solution gave G (dopa) 0.6. The absorption spectrum of the initial OH adduct had λ max at 300 nm ( Gϵ = 16,600) and at 330 nm ( Gϵ = 18,000). This adduct decayed to give some phenoxyl radical with λ max at ≈410 nm. The rate of reaction of OH with tyrosine, measured by following formation of the transient, was 6.5±0.3 × 10 9 mol −1 cm 3 s −1 . Irradiation of the peptides, gly.tyr, tyr.gly, and gly.tyr.gly, gave analogous results; i.e. yields, reaction rates and spectra were all similar strongly suggesting that tyrosine was the main residue attacked. Radiolytic conversion of phenylalanine to tyrosine was examined for comparison. The mechanism of dopa formation is discussed in the light of available results.
A Comprehensive Hartian Theory of Legal Obligation: Social Pressure, Coercive Enforcement, and the Legal Obligations of Citizens

The concept of legal obligation is utterly central to legal practice. But positivism lacks a comprehensive account of legal obligation, focusing only on the second-order recognition obligations of officials with no account of the first-order legal obligations of citizen. As legal obligations are conceptually related to legally valid norms, this failure calls into question positivism’s theory of legal validity. In this essay, I attempt to remedy this omission. I augment Hart’s theory of second-order official obligation by attempting to ground a theory of first-order obligation of citizens in a modification of what I take to be Hart’s analysis of social obligation. The first-order obligations of citizens are partly constituted by social pressure in the form of the authorization of the state’s coercive machinery for non-compliance.
Recursive calculation of probability distributions for sequential decision analysis models

Presents a general-purpose procedure to compactly specify probability information and efficiently calculate probability distributions over the outcome evaluation measure for a sequential decision analysis model. Computer code to implement the calculation procedure is presented in the Pascal programming language. Empirical results are reviewed that show that this approach can quickly determine outcome probability distributions for large sequential decision analysis models using modest computing resources.
The FINDER photoinjector

The FINDER photoinjector was developed for the inverse Compton scattering experiment under UCLA-LLNL collaboration. The improvements of this gun from SPARC gun at INFN-LNF (Frascati) and previous UCLA versions of the 1.6 cell S-band photoinjector are detailed here. The gun is designed to have large mode separation to suppress 0 mode excitation which may be a cause of the emittance degradation. In an effort to reduce the RF quadrupole effect the full cell tuners are replaced by vacuum ports. The laser ports are also omitted. Two openings of the solenoid shield are added to top and bottom of it where there were only two openings on the sides. S11 of the cavity was presented. The on-axis electric field was measured by the bead drop method to show the good field balance. The magnetic field in the emittance compensation solenoid was measured and the quadrupole components were derived.
Exponential convergence conditions for passive learning control

This article analyzes the stability of both the system state and parameter estimates in passive learning control applications. The main focus of this study is persistence of excitation conditions for approximators with locally supported basis elements. This article derives the conditions, studies salient convergence related issues, and derives lower bounds on the convergence rate.
The Biomedical Resource Ontology (BRO) to enable resource discovery in clinical and translational research

The biomedical research community relies on a diverse set of resources, both within their own institutions and at other research centers. In addition, an increasing number of shared electronic resources have been developed. Without effective means to locate and query these resources, it is challenging, if not impossible, for investigators to be aware of the myriad resources available, or to effectively perform resource discovery when the need arises. In this paper, we describe the development and use of the Biomedical Resource Ontology (BRO) to enable semantic annotation and discovery of biomedical resources. We also describe the Resource Discovery System (RDS) which is a federated, inter-institutional pilot project that uses the BRO to facilitate resource discovery on the Internet. Through the RDS framework and its associated Biositemaps infrastructure, the BRO facilitates semantic search and discovery of biomedical resources, breaking down barriers and streamlining scientific research that will improve human health.
Ethnic and Gender Differences in Emotional Ideology, Experience, and Expression

How universal are men and women’s attitudes toward the expression of emotion? How similar are the emotions that men and women from various ethnic groups experience and express in their close love relationships? In this study, 144 men and 307 women of European, Chinese, Filipino, Hawaiian, and Japanese ancestry were asked about their ideologies as to how people ought to deal with strong emotions in close relationships, how often they themselves felt a variety of emotions, and how they dealt with such feelings in close relationships. Finally, they were asked how satisfied they were with their close relationships. Men and women appeared to possess different emotional ideologies. Women tended to favor direct expression of emotion; men to favor emotional management. People of Chinese, European, Filipino, Hawaiian, and Japanese ancestry also possessed different ideologies as to how people ought to deal with strong emotions in intimate relationships.
Bullying and Victimization Among Students With Disabilities: Effective Strategies for Classroom Teachers

Bullying has come to be recognized as a pervasive problem in schools today. Frequently bullying is not immediately recognized or viewed by classroom teachers as problematic behavior. As more students experience bullying, questions arise as to how well teachers understand the bullying dynamic and are aware of strategies for intervening when those behaviors occur. This article is designed to give teachers, administrators, and researchers a fundamental understanding of bullying behavior and strategies for intervening in schools and classrooms.
Do interspecific interactions between females drive shifts in habitat use? A test using the lizards Anolis carolinensis and A. sagrei

An important goal in evolutionary ecology is to understand how and why coexisting closely related species partition habitat among themselves. Although studies of interspecific interactions typically focus on males, interactions between females may also play an important role in shaping habitat use within multi-species communities. The green anole (Anolis carolinensis) exhibits a wide range of habitat use in south-eastern Louisiana, but its observed habitat use is restricted and altered in areas where it occurs with the introduced Anolis sagrei. We staged interactions between these two species in the laboratory to test the hypothesis that A. sagrei dominate A. carolinensis in contests over shared habitat. We examined whether species identity, bite force, dewlap size, and body size affected the outcome of interspecific interactions between both males and females, and tested the prediction that bite force and size would be the most important determinants of interaction outcomes in both sexes. In male interspecific interactions, we found that individuals with relatively larger dewlaps tended to score higher on aggressive behaviours regardless of species identity, and that interactions consisted of signalling and rarely escalated to physical combat. However, we found that A. sagrei females achieved higher aggressive scores than A. carolinensis females in almost all cases, lending support to the notion that female interspecific behaviour is probably more important than male behaviour in driving changes in habitat use. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013, 110, 843–851.
Racial disparity in short-term outcomes after gastric bypass surgery.

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure is the most frequently performed bariatric surgery for the extremely obese in USA. However, the information about the effects of racial/ethnic differences, comorbidities, and medication use on weight loss outcomes is limited. The objectives of this study were to investigate if race/ethnicity, comorbidities, and medication use affect weight loss effectiveness after the surgery. This is a retrospective observational study conducted at one teaching hospital at Houston metropolitan area, TX, USA. Patients between 18 and 64 years, with body mass index (BMI) of ≥40 or BMI of ≥35 with comorbidities, who had completed medical evaluations/consultations and met insurance policy requirements, were included in the study. From a total of 40 patients in the study (40 % African Americans, 35 % Caucasians, 17.5 % Hispanics, 7.5 % others), the weight loss was significantly greater in Caucasian patients at 6 months after the surgery, with mean percentage excess weight loss (%EWL) of 40.6 ± 17.3, as compared to all other racial groups combined at %EWL of 30.9 ± 11.5 (p value 0.04). No association was found between the 6-month weight loss and other variables including age, gender, BMI prior to surgery, comorbidities, and total number of medications taken before the surgery. This study found that Caucasian patients had a significantly greater %EWL at 6 months post-op as compared to their African-American and Hispanic counterparts. No other variables exhibited significant impact on the weight loss. Further studies with a larger sample size are needed to confirm the results from this study.
Arthroscopic management of labral tears in the hip.

Over the last decade, the diagnosis and arthroscopic management of labral tears of the hip in the young athletic population has evolved substantially due to improvements in clinical examination, diagnostic tools, surgical techniques, and flexible instrumentation in hip arthroscopy. Arthroscopic management of labral injuries in the hip has become an accepted therapeutic modality in appropriately selected patients. The treatment of labral tears and their associated disorders is crucial for hip preservation in young and active patients because several studies have demonstrated an association between labral tears and the early onset of osteoarthritis1-3. This paper will review the main causes of labral tears in the hip, including labral tears secondary to trauma, femoroacetabular impingement, instability, psoas impingement, dysplasia, and degenerative arthritis. We will discuss relevant anatomy and history, typical findings on physical examination, types of imaging studies performed, and treatment options, with a focus on the arthroscopic management of labral injuries, including labral repair. The outcomes associated with open surgical dislocation as compared with arthroscopic treatment of femoroacetabular impingement will also be reviewed. The acetabular labrum is a fibrocartilaginous structure that is located circumferentially around the acetabular perimeter and becomes attached to the transverse acetabular ligament posteriorly and anteriorly. Neuroreceptors have been identified within the labrum, and these structures may provide proprioception to the hip joint4. The articular surface of the labrum has decreased vascularity and a limited synovial covering in comparison with the portion of the labrum at the peripheral capsulolabral junction5 (Figs. 1-A and 1-B). Thus, similar to the healing potential of the menisci in the knee, which is greatest at the periphery, the healing potential of the labrum is greatest at the peripheral capsulolabral junction5-8. The labrum has an important sealing function in the hip. It plays …
Disembodied hallucinatory voices: Comment on Sommer et al., 2008 Brain 131, 3169–77

Sir, Sommer et al . (2008) recently reported increased activation of the right anterior insula during auditory verbal hallucinations in schizophrenic patients, and they related this observation to the negative emotional content and low linguistic complexity of the disembodied voice reported by the patients. They regarded the asymmetric activation in the right insula as the most significant finding. I support their interpretation, but I believe that another finding in their data deserves strong emphasis, because it significantly extends the functional interpretation of their results. Recent evidence indicates that the anterior insula and the anterior cingulate cortices on both sides of the brain are tightly interconnected to form a ‘core control network’ that is involved in all cognitive, emotional and attentional processes in normal …
A shared-aperture tracking display for augmented reality

The operation and performance of a six degree-of-freedom (DOF) shared-aperture tracking system with image overlay is described. This unique tracking technology shares the same aperture or scanned optical beam with the visual display, virtual retinal display (VRD). This display technology provides high brightness in an AR helmet-mounted display, especially in the extreme environment of a military cockpit. The VRD generates an image by optically scanning visible light directly to the viewer's eye. By scanning both visible and infrared light, the head-worn display can be directly coupled to a head-tracking system, As a result, the proposed tracking system requires minimal calibration between the user's viewpoint and the tracker's viewpoint. This paper demonstrates that the proposed shared-aperture tracking system produces high accuracy and computational efficiency. The current proof-of-concept system has a precisior of +/- 0.05 and +/- 0.01 deg, in the horizontal and vertical axes. respectively. The static registration error was measured to be 0.08 +/- 0.04 and 0.03 +/- 0.02 deg, for the horizontal and vertical axes, respectively. The dynamic registration error or the system latency was measured to be within 16.67 ms, equivalent to our display refresh rate of 60 Hz. In all testing, the VRD was fixed and the calibrated motion of a robot arm was tracked. By moving the robot arm within a restricted volume, this real-time shared-aperture method of tracking was extended to six-DOF measurements. Future AR applications of our shared-aperture tracking and display system will be highly accurate head tracking when tne VRD is helmet mounted and worn within an enclosed space, such as an aircraft cockpit.
Response to instruction, English language learners and disproportionate representation: the role of assessment

Response to Intervention (RtI), a cyclical process that incorporates assessment and instruction, is both an approach to prevent learning difficulties and to establish student eligibility for special education. Assessment results are used to determine students' initial knowledge and skill, their need for successively more intensive levels of instruction, and to gauge their response to the intervention provided. Although this process is preferable to the IQ/achievement discrepancy model for determining the presence of specific learning disabilities, there are still a number of unresolved issues related to the assessment procedures in use. A pressing issue is the identification of measures and procedures that identify students with the greatest precision thus reducing inappropriate identification.
Biogenesis of apolipoprotein A-V and its impact on VLDL triglyceride secretion.

Apolipoprotein A-V (apoA-V) is a potent regulator of intravascular triglyceride (TG) metabolism, yet its plasma concentration is very low compared with that of other apolipoproteins. To examine the basis for its low plasma concentration, the secretion efficiency of apoA-V was measured in stably transfected McA-RH7777 rat hepatoma cells. Pulse-chase experiments revealed that only ∼20% of newly synthesized apoA-V is secreted into culture medium within 3 h postsynthesis and that ∼65% undergoes presecretory turnover; similar results were obtained with transfected nonhepatic Chinese hamster ovary cells. ApoA-V secreted by McA-RH7777 cells was not associated with cell surface heparin-competable binding sites. When stably transfected McA-RH7777 cells were treated with oleic acid, the resulting increase in TG synthesis caused a reduction in apoA-V secretion, a reciprocal increase in cell-associated apoA-V, and movement of apoA-V onto cytosolic lipid droplets. In a stably transfected doxycycline-inducible McA-RH7777 cell line, apoA-V expression inhibited TG secretion by ∼50%, increased cellular TG, and reduced Z-average VLDL1 particle diameter from 81 to 67 nm; however, no impact on apoB secretion was observed. These data demonstrate that apoA-V inefficiently traffics within the secretory pathway, that its intracellular itinerary can be regulated by changes in cellular TG accumulation, and that apoA-V synthesis can modulate VLDL TG mobilization and secretion.
Conceptus-Derived Prostaglandins Regulate Endometrial Function in Sheep

In sheep, the trophectoderm of the elongating conceptus secretes interferon tau (IFNT) and prostaglandins (PGE2, PGF2alpha, PGI2). The PGs are derived from PG synthase 2 (PTGS2), and inhibition of PTGS2 in utero prevents conceptus elongation. IFNT increases expression of many genes in the endometrial epithelia that regulate conceptus elongation. This study tested the hypothesis that PGs secreted by the conceptus regulate endometrial functions that govern conceptus elongation. Cyclic ewes received intrauterine infusions of control vehicle or early pregnancy levels of IFNT, PGE2, PGF2alpha, or PGI2 from Days 10-14 postestrus. Expression levels of endometrial GRP, IGFBP1, and LGALS15, whose products stimulate trophectoderm cell migration and attachment, were increased by PGE2, PGI2, and IFNT. All PGs and IFNT increased expression of the HEXB protease gene, but only IFNT increased the CST6 protease inhibitor gene. Differential effects of PGs were observed for expression of the CTSL protease gene and its inhibitor, CST3. IFNT, PGF2alpha, and PGI2 increased ANGPTL3 expression, but only IFNT and PGE2 increased HIF1A expression, both of which regulate angiogenesis. For glucose transporters, IFNT and all PGs increased SLC2A1 expression, but only PGs increased SLC2A5 expression, whereas endometrial SLC2A12 and SLC5A1 expression levels were increased by IFNT, PGE2, and PGF2alpha. Infusions of all PGs and IFNT increased the amino acid transporter SLC1A5, but only IFNT increased SLC7A2 expression. In the uterine lumen, only IFNT increased glucose levels, and only PGE2 and PGF2alpha increased total amino acids. These results indicate that PGs and IFNT from the conceptus coordinately regulate endometrial functions important for growth and development of the conceptus during the peri-implantation period of pregnancy.
Three-Component Microemulsion Structure: Curvature and Geometric Constraints

Steady state anisotropy measurements using an amphiphilic fluorescence probe, trimethylammoniumdiphenylhexatriene (TMA-DPH) are reported for three-component microemulsions, employing didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB) as the surfactant, simple alkanes, and water. The anisotropies of TMA-DPH are almost constant when oil is added to the microemulsions but decrease upon addition of water. The results are interpreted in terms of a structural model based on geometric packing constraints of surfactant coated cylinders and spheres. The anisotropy measures local curvature at the oil-surfactant-water interface which in turn can be related to global structure.
Obesity and Oral Contraceptive Failure: Findings from the 2002 National Survey of Family Growth

Oral contraceptives are the most popular reversible method of contraception in the United States. Although most women using oral contraceptives are reliably protected against pregnancy nearly half of the 3 million unintended pregnancies in the United States annually occur among the 90% of women who use contraception. Recent findings suggest that obesity may reduce the biologic effectiveness of oral contraceptives. The purpose of this study was to further investigate the potential obesity-oral contraceptive failure association using 2002 National Survey of Family Growth data. In this retrospective cohort of 1491 women body mass index (kg/m2) was derived from self-reported values and oral contraceptive failure was defined as conceptions that occurred while women used oral contraceptives. Hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals were obtained from Cox proportional hazards models. Obese women (body mass index >/= 30 vs. 18.5-24.9) had an increased risk of oral contraceptive failure (hazard ratio= 1.59 95% confidence interval: 0.94 2.68). Results were largely attenuated after adjustment for age race/ethnicity and parity. This population-based study found no association between obesity and oral contraceptive failure. While it is possible that misclassification or uncontrolled confounding obscured a true relation it may be that there is no association. Large prospective studies are needed to assess whether obesity plays a biologically relevant role in oral contraceptive effectiveness. (authors)
Optimizing ballast design of wave energy converters using evolutionary algorithms

Wave energy converters promise to be a viable alternative to current electrical generation methods. However, these generators must become more efficient before wide-scale industrial use can become cost-effective. The efficiency of these devices is primarily dependent upon their geometry and ballast configuration which are both difficult to evaluate, due to slow computation time and high computation cost of current models. In this paper, we use evolutionary algorithms to optimize the ballast geometry of a wave energy generator using a two step process. First, we generate a function approximator (neural network) to predict wave energy converter power output with respect to key geometric design variables. This is a critical step as the computation time of using a full model (e.g., AQWA) to predict energy output prohibits the use of an evolutionary algorithm for design optimization. The function approximator reduced the computation time by over 99% while having an average error of only 1.5%. The evolutionary algorithm then optimized the weight distribution of a wave energy generator, resulting in an 84% improvement in power output over a ballast-free wave energy converter.
Chronic and Recurrent Pelvic Pain

Chronic and recurrent pelvic pain (CPP) in ­children and adolescents has been recognized for decades. However, data on the etiology, natural history, treatment, and long-term consequences of painful pelvic conditions in these patients are lacking. The problem’s prevalence remains uncertain, and the majority of therapies are extrapolated from research on adults. The normal developmental changes and coping strategies of children and adolescents and the role of the family and social environment are only now being examined and understood. The complex nature of pain and its context has led to recommendations for a multimodal and multidisciplinary approach to patient care.
Spatial Density Dependence in Parasitism of Heliothis virescens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) by Microplitis croceipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in the Field

A field experiment addressed four questions concerning the interaction between Microplitis croceipes (Cresson) and Heliothis spp.: (1) what is the relation between the proportion of hosts parasitized and host density? (2) does this relation depend on the size of the areas (spatial scale) at which it is measured? (3) what is the relation between parasitoid search rate and host density? and (4) what is the relation between parasitoid distribution and host distribution? To answer these questions a cotton field was artificially infested with various densities of Heliothis virescens (F.). M. croceipes was released uniformly across the field. At the scale of 30 by 60 m plots, the proportion of hosts parasitized by M. croceipes (adjusted for competition with other parasitoid species) increased from 0.41 ± 0.08 ( x ± SE) to 0.60 ± 0.06 as host density increased from 6,178 to 16,896 larvae/ha. The calculated search rate (area searched per parasitoid per unit time) of M. croceipes was independent of host density, and the density dependence in parasitism by M. croceipes could be explained completely by density dependence in adult female distribution. Natural populations of Cardiochiles nigriceps Viereck and Cotesia marginiventris (Cresson) parasitized 9 and 7%, respectively, of the hosts collected. At the scale of plots, parasitism by C. nigriceps increased with host density, but parasitism by C. marginiventris was independent of host density. At the scale of 1 by 2 m quadrats, parasitism by all species was independent of host density. We discuss the implications of these results for biological control of Heliothis virescens and Helicoverpa zea and for theories of parasitoid foraging and population regulation.
Lattice Mode Study of La2CuO4-y Implanted with Sr

Dramatic implantation-induced changes in the Raman and infrared spectra of polycrystalline samples of La2CuO4-y are reported for implantation of Sr in the fluence range 0.5 to 1.5 × 1016/cm2. The Raman and ir-reflectance spectra of the Sr implanted material reveal disorder-induced lines corresponding to breakdown of selection rules and to non-zone-center phonon modes. Whereas the main features in the Raman spectra of the implanted sample are broad disorder-induced lines centered at ∼ 560 ± 5 cm−1, reststrahlen lineshapes are observed above ∼ 800 cm−1 in the ir-reflectance spectra. After thermal annealing (550°C), the multiphonon lines in the ir spectra diminish, and the disorder-induced lines in the Raman spectra split to form well-resolved, sharper lines at 530 and 580 cm−1, identified with maxima in the phonon density of states. The sensitivity and complementarity of Raman and infrared spectroscopy to implantation-induced disorder and subsequent partial recovery by thermal annealing suggest that these techniques can be used to characterize sensitively disorder in ion implanted La2CuO4-y high Tc, materials.
Glancing Angle X-Ray Analysis of Titanium Copper Compound Formations

Titanium copper compound formations have been studied via Seeman Bohlin x-ray diffractometry and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry. The heat treatment temperature range was 350°C to 475°C and th heat treatment times ranged from 0 to 240 minutes. Tetragonal gamma TiCu formed first at ˜350°C and was sequentially followed by orthorhombic TiCu3 at ˜400°C. From Rutherford backscattering spectrometry analysis it was concluded that the second TiCu3 compound deviated from ideal stoichiometry to a nonstoichiometric Ti0.88Cu3.12 composition
A Pantropical Comparison of Bird Community Structure on Six Lowland Forest Sites

Because of the large number of coexisting species, tropical lowland birds probably exhibit the most complex array of ecological interactions of any bird community in the world. Ecological studies in Australia (Kikkawa 1968), Sarawak (Fogden 1972), Malaya (Harrison 1962), Gabon (Brosset 1974), Panama (Karr 1971, Willis 1974), Costa Rica (Orians 1969), Brazil (Lovejoy 1974), and Western Amazonia (Pearson 1971, 1975a, 1977) have begun the work of defining and interpreting general ecological patterns among birds inhabiting these forests. Only within the last few years, however, have theories and generalizations been tested by comparing lowland forest avifaunas between Old World and New World sites (Amadon 1973, Karr 1975, 1976a, 1976b, Karr and James 1975). If similar (or dissimilar) patterns of avian species assemblages relative to foliage, climate, and biotic interactions are found, generalizations about community structure are refined. Using similar-sized study plots in Old World and New World tropical lowland forests, I examine some of the major biotic factors involved in the evolution and present state of avian community structure on these sites by comparing: 1) historical factors and island or island-like effects; 2) seasonality of rainfall and its effect on insect and fruit abundance; 3) habitat heterogeneity; and 4) the influence of avian and non-avian competition.