cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prospective randomised evaluation of a collagen/thrombin and autologous platelet haemostatic agent during cementless total hip arthroplasty.

Background Total hip arthroplasty (THA) can be associated with substantial peri-operative blood loss which can negatively influence a patient's clinical outcome. Few haemostatic agents have been tested in THA. The aim of this study was to determine whether the use of a collagen/thrombin/ autologous platelet haemostatic agent would result in a significant decrease of blood transfusions for patients undergoing primary THA. Materials and methods THA patients meeting inclusion/exclusion criteria (n=109) were enrolled in this prospective, double-blind trial and randomised to a treatment arm (standard haemostatic methods plus haemostatic agent) or control arm (standard haemostatic methods only). The primary outcome was transfusion. Secondary outcome measures included peri-operative narcotic usage and post-operative haemoglobin levels, pain scores, function, and general health quality of life. Results Transfusions were required by 5/60 (8.3%) patients in the treatment group and 7/49 (14.3%) in the control group (p=0.33). The mean number of units transfused was not significantly different between the treatment group (2.2±1.3) and the control group (1.6±0.5) (p=0.36). Haemoglobin values on post-operative days 1, 2, and 3 were significantly higher in the treatment group (p=0.002, 0.04, and 0.02, respectively). Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score and Short Form-12 scores were not different between the two groups. Discussion In relatively healthy patients undergoing primary cementless THA there was no significant difference in number of transfusions or number of units transfused. It is unlikely that we will routinely use the investigated haemostatic agent to reduce blood loss in a healthy patient undergoing THA. The product may have some benefit in patients who refuse blood transfusions, have minimal ability to increase blood volume, are undergoing total joint revision, or have markedly low pre-operative haemoglobin levels, but this needs to be demonstrated.
Preliminary report on the age and palynology of the Bear Gulch Limestone (Mississippian, Montana)

Palynostratigraphic study of the Bear Gulch Member of the Heath Formation, central Montana, indicates an Upper Mississippian age for the deposit corresponding to Carboniferous palynofloral zone TK (ammonoid zone E 2 b, Namurian A). The palynoflora contains a diverse spore assemblage, including the Mississippian index Tripartites vetustus. In addition, the Bear Gulch Member contains an abundant and diverse acritarch assemblage. The age assignment is consistent with age determinations from studies of the ammonoid, conodont, and bryozoan faunas.
A Survey of the Application of Quantitative Techniques to Production/Operations Management in Large Corporations

The article discusses the survey results from a study pertaining to the use of quantitative techniques in production and operations management. Over 60% of the respondents said they did not use qua...
Reduction of Chatter Using a Probabilistic Approach

Industrial robots are widely used in numerous industrial plants usually to perform repetitive, difficult or hazardous tasks such as polishing, grinding, milling, deburring, and welding. However, their relatively low stiffness prohibits the robots from machining of metallic materials accurately. Besides, the resulting vibration causes reduced tool life. One of the main problems with robot machining is chatter. Although many researchers have studied this problem for a while, they were not able to fully eliminate chatter due to the complexity of the problem which arises from many factors including cutting parameters, cutting tool and work-piece material. Several studies have been conducted to predict the occurrence of chatter. However, many of them lack the important element in predicting chatter: the element of uncertainty. It is important to consider uncertainty in predicting chatter since the parameters associated are inherently uncertain. This study implements probabilistic approach to predict chatter considering the uncertainty in machining parameters. The magnitude of cutting force is used to determine whether a chatter has occurred or not. The research question of this study is ‘Can a probabilistic analysis be used to predict chatter occurrence?’ To answer the research question, the following specific aims were developed: (1) develop a framework for predicting chatter occurrence, and (2) perform probabilistic analysis of chatter occurrence. The framework consists of a multibody modeling software (ADAMS), probabilistic analysis software (NESSUS) and MATLAB which is used as an interfacing platform. The probabilistic analysis implemented in the framework provides two important results. Firstly, it determines the probability of occurrence of chatter. Secondly, it provides sensitivity analysis that shows most important parameters which instigate chatter.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Divalent cation requirements for leukocyte adhesiveness.

SummaryUsing a chelating agent which binds calcium ions 100,000-fold more avidly than magnesium ions (EGTA) it was demonstrated that PMN adhesion to glass or to other leukocytes was not a calcium-dependent process and that a slight excess of magnesium ion actually caused increased PMN adhesiveness in the virtual absence of calcium.
The typical development of posterior medial frontal cortex function and connectivity during task control demands in youth 8-19 years old

To characterize the development of neural substrate for interference processing and task control, this study examined both linear and non-linear effects of age on activation and connectivity during an interference task designed to engage the posterior medial frontal cortex (pMFC). Seventy-two youth, ages 8-19years, performed the Multi-Source Interference Task (MSIT) during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). With increasing age, overall performance across high-interference incongruent and low-interference congruent trials became faster and more accurate. Effects of age on activation to interference- (incongruent versus congruent conditions), error- (errors versus correct trials during the incongruent condition) and overall task-processing (incongruent plus congruent conditions, relative to implicit baseline) were tested in whole-brain voxel-wise analyses. Age differentially impacted activation to overall task processing in discrete sub-regions of the pMFC: activation in the pre-supplementary motor area (pre-SMA) decreased with age, whereas activation in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) followed a non-linear (i.e., U-shaped) pattern in relation to age. In addition, connectivity of pre-SMA with anterior insula/frontal operculum (AI/FO) increased with age. These findings suggest differential development of pre-SMA and dACC sub-regions within the pMFC. Moreover, as children age, decreases in pre-SMA activation may couple with increases in pre-SMA-AI/FO connectivity to support gains in processing speed in response to demands for task control.
Development Condition and Apqlication Prospect of Dry Type Current Transformer with Organic Composite Insulation

The development course of dry type current transformer with organic composite insulation was introduced,which is with novel structure and autonomous intellectual property in China.The structural characteristics and performances of this series of products were discussed.It is pointed out that this series of products has wide development prospects as a renovation product.
A database quality review process with interim checks

Database quality reviews for clinical trial reporting databases are increasingly being performed within the pharmaceutical industry. It is well understood that an accurate reporting database is the foundation of obtaining meaningful inferences from a clinical study. The processing of clinical trial data is also mentioned in the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines. The following article describes a database quality review process that uses a confidence limit approach, allowing one to develop a customized plan, and depends on the acceptance limits and the size of the study. Various issues concerning a database quality review are discussed, including which fields should be reviewed, how the fields should be counted, and how the sampling should be performed. Finally, early stopping rules are incorporated into the plan, as well as a technique for performing interim reviews without significantly increasing the overall resources for conducting the review.
Effectiveness of the live attenuated and the inactivated influenza vaccine in two-year-olds - a nationwide cohort study Finland, influenza season 2015/16.

Although widely recommended, influenza vaccination of children is part of the national vaccination programme only in few countries. In addition to Canada and the United States (US), in Europe Finland and the United Kingdom have introduced live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) for healthy children in their programmes. On 22 June 2016, the US Advisory Committee on Immunizations Practices, voted against further use of LAIV due to no observed vaccine effectiveness (VE) over three consecutive influenza seasons (2013/14 to 2015/16). We summarise the results of a nationwide, register-based cohort study (N=55,258 of whom 8,086 received LAIV and 4,297 TIV); all outcome (laboratory-confirmed influenza), exposure (vaccination) and confounding variable data were retrieved from four computerised national health registers, which were linked via a unique personal identity code assigned to all permanent Finnish residents regardless of nationality. Our study provides evidence of moderate effectiveness against any laboratory-confirmed influenza of the quadrivalent LAIV vaccine (VE: 51%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 28–66%) as well as the inactivated trivalent vaccine (VE: 61%; 95% CI: 31–78%) among two-year-olds during the influenza season 2015/16 in Finland. Based on these data, Finland will continue using LAIV for young children in its National Immunisation Programme this coming influenza season.
Lipid droplets and metabolic pathways regulate steroidogenesis in the corpus luteum

This review focuses on recent advances in the understanding of metabolic processes used by the corpus luteum to control steroidogenesis and other cellular functions. The corpus luteum has abundant lipid droplets that are believed to store cholesteryl esters and triglycerides. Recent studies in other tissues indicate that cytoplasmic lipid droplets serve as platforms for cell signaling and interactions with other organelles. Lipid droplets are also critical organelles for controlling cellular metabolism. Emerging evidence demonstrates that LH via activation of the cAMP and the protein kinase A (PKA) signaling pathway stimulates the phosphorylation and activation of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), an enzyme that hydrolyzes cholesteryl esters stored in lipid droplets to provide cholesterol for steroidogenesis and fatty acids for utilization by mitochondria for energy production. The energy sensor AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) can inhibit steroidogenesis by interrupting metabolic pathways that provide cholesterol to the mitochondria or the expression of genes required for steroidogenesis. In addition to lipid droplets, autophagy also contributes to the regulation of the metabolic balance of the cell by eliminating damaged organelles and providing cells with essential nutrients during starvation. Autophagy in luteal cells is regulated by signaling pathways that impact AMPK activity and lipid droplet homeostasis. In summary, a number of signaling pathways converge on luteal lipid droplets to regulate steroidogenesis and metabolism. Knowledge of metabolic pathways in luteal cells is fundamental to understanding events that control the function and lifespan of the corpus luteum.
Tumor suppression by p53 involves inhibiting an enabler, FGF13

There is growing evidence for the notion that certain alterations in tumor cells are not necessarily so-called “drivers” that initiate or maintain the neoplastic state. The idea that there are also “enablers” that facilitate or enable cancer cells to proliferate under conditions of stress has been gaining traction. This idea has great translational potential, as such factors can represent novel targets for therapeutic intervention. In PNAS, Bublik et al. (1) propose that the fibroblast growth factor 13 (FGF13) protein exerts just such effects during tumorigenesis. Intriguingly, the authors show that these effects are under the transcriptional regulation of the tumor suppressor p53. Understanding the molecular bases of this well-characterized role for p53 in human cancer has been an active area of research and remains elusive. The Bublik et al. study provides yet another possible mechanism: that p53 has the ability to dampen or down-regulate the activity of “enablers,” such as FGF13. FGF13 is a member of the FGF superfamily. Although it shares some homology to the well-studied members that interact with cell surface receptors, FGF13 is one of several that have not been implicated in playing such a role (2). Rather, this group, which includes FGF11–FGF14, all appear to have intracellular localization and functions (3). In the Bublik et al. study (1) the focus is on FGF13 and its role in the nucleolus. Data are presented in support of the idea that FGF13 down-regulates expression of ribosomal … [↵][1]1Email: james.manfredi{at}mssm.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Using Learner-Centered, Simulation-Based Training to Improve Medical Students' Procedural Skills.

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of a learner-centered, simulation-based training developed to help medical students improve their procedural skills in intubation, arterial line placement, lumbar puncture, and central line insertion. Method: The study participants were second and third year medical students. Anesthesiology residents provided the training and evaluated students’ procedural skills. Two residents were present at each station to train the medical students who rotated through all 4 stations. Pre/posttraining assessment of confidence, knowledge, and procedural skills was done using a survey, a multiple-choice test, and procedural checklists, respectively. Results: In total, 24 students were trained in six 4-hour sessions. Students reported feeling significantly more confident, after training, in performing all 4 procedures on a real patient ( P t tests indicated statistically significant improvement in knowledge scores for intubation, t (23) = −2.92, P t (23) = −2.75, P t (23) = −17.29, P t (23) = −19.75, P t (23) = −16.27, P t (23) = −17.25, P Conclusions: The simulation sessions allowed each medical student to receive individual attention from 2 residents for each procedure. Students’ written comments indicated that this training modality was well received. Results showed that medical students improved their self-confidence, knowledge, and skills in the aforementioned procedures.
Traumatic Submacular Hemorrhage with Macular Hole Repaired by Pneumatic Displacement and Intravitreal t-PA Injection

This paper presents a case demonstrating repair of traumatic macular hole and submacular hemorrhage with intravitreal gas tamponade and t-PA in an office setting.
Prophylactic stretching does not reduce cramp susceptibility

Introduction: Some clinicians advocate stretching to prevent muscle cramps. It is unknown whether static or proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching increases cramp threshold frequency (TFc), a quantitative measure of cramp susceptibility. Methods: Fifteen individuals completed this randomized, counterbalanced, cross-over study. We measured passive hallux range of motion (ROM) and then performed 3 minutes of either static stretching, PNF stretching (hold–relax—with agonist contraction), or no stretching. ROM was reassessed and TFc was measured. Results: PNF stretching increased hallux extension (pre-PNF 81 ± 11°, post-PNF 90 ± 10°; P 0.05). Static stretching increased hallux extension (pre-static 80 ± 11°, post-static 88 ± 9°; P 0.05). No ROM changes occurred with no stretching (P > 0.05). TFc was unaffected by stretching (no stretching 18 ± 7 Hz, PNF 16 ± 4 Hz, static 16 ± 5 Hz; P = 0.37). Conclusions: Static and PNF stretching increased hallux extension, but neither increased TFc. Acute stretching may not prevent muscle cramping. Muscle Nerve, 2017
Roman Prophet or Muslim Caesar: Muḥammad the Lawgiver Before and After Machiavelli

The chapter explores the development of the image of the prophet Muḥammad in medieval and early modern Europe. Particularly, it focuses on books of universal history, chronicles and humanistic orations that paid special attention to the rise of Islam and the historical figure of its founder. The chapter demonstrates how far the image of the prophet Muḥammad as a wise lawgiver was constructed in the specific genre of the book of histories, how it was developed before and after Machiavelli’s Prince and Discourses on Livy, which influenced Giovanni Battista Castrodardo’s Alcorano di Macometto (1547), the first printed translation of the Qur’ān into an European language, and how pro-Ottoman European scholars adopted it during the early modern period.
The ratio of erythrocyte sedimentation rate to C-reactive protein is useful in distinguishing infection from flare in systemic lupus erythematosus patients presenting with fever.

BackgroundBoth C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) can be elevated in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) flare and infection, and are therefore of limited utility for distinguishing between the two conditions in febrile SLE patients.MethodsA medical records review of hospitalizations (1997–2006) of SLE patients in the Michigan Lupus Cohort was performed. Eligible hospitalizations were those in which patients presented with a temperature of >100.3°F or with subjective fevers as a presenting complaint at admission. Detailed demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the associations between ESR and CRP and the outcome of flare vs infection, adjusted for confounders.ResultsAmong 557 SLE patients screened, there were 53 eligible hospitalizations (28 flares and 25 infections). Each unit increase in the ratio of ESR:CRP was associated with a 17% increase in the odds of fever being attributable to SLE flare compar...
A Personalized BDM Mechanism for Efficient Market Intervention Experiments

The BDM mechanism, introduced by Becker, DeGroot, and Marschack in the 1960's, employs a second-price auction against a random bidder to elicit the willingness to pay of a consumer. The BDM mechanism has been recently used as a treatment assignment mechanism in order to estimate the treatment effects of policy interventions while simultaneously measuring the demand for the intervention. In this work, we develop a personalized extension of the classic BDM mechanism, using modern machine learning algorithms to predict an individual's willingness to pay and personalize the "random bidder" based on covariates associated with each individual. We show through a mock experiment on Amazon Mechanical Turk that our personalized BDM mechanism results in a lower cost for the experimenter, provides better balance over covariates that are correlated with both the outcome and willingness to pay, and eliminates biases induced by ad-hoc boundaries in the classic BDM algorithm. We expect our mechanism to be of use for policy evaluation and market intervention experiments, in particular in development economics. Personalization can provide more efficient resource allocation when running experiments while maintaining statistical correctness.
Overview of the Fundamentals of Control Systems

This chapter provides a fundamental and basic introduction to most popular control systems implemented in our current world. In fact, all control systems in our world belong to nonlinear time-variant systems (NLTV), which mean that the outputs of all systems are always changed and varied with the time period and different outputs can be achieved at different time moments. Also the input–output relationship is not linear. Therefore, it is very difficult or even challenging to analyze and study this kind of NLTV because of their nonlinear and time-variant properties, sometimes, it may be impossible to do this kind of analysis if multiple different voltage sources (DC and AC) are included in that system. In order to reduce this difficulty and make our analysis simple, in most cases, we need to simplify this kind of NLTV systems to approximate them to linear time-invariant (LTI) systems. The advantage of this simplification is by approximating the NLTV systems to the LTI systems, we can use superposition principle to divide our analysis into two separate parts: DC analysis and AC analysis. Eventually, we can combine these two analyses together to get the final results. The superposition principle only works for the LTI systems.
Neural stem cell therapy for stroke: A multimechanistic approach to restoring neurological function.

Introduction Neural stem cells (NSCs) have demonstrated multimodal therapeutic function for stroke, which is the leading cause of long-term disability and the second leading cause of death worldwide. In preclinical stroke models, NSCs have been shown to modulate inflammation, foster neuroplasticity and neural reorganization, promote angiogenesis, and act as a cellular replacement by differentiating into mature neural cell types. However, there are several key technical questions to address before NSC therapy can be applied to the clinical setting on a large scale. Purpose of review In this review, we will discuss the various sources of NSCs, their therapeutic modes of action to enhance stroke recovery, and considerations for the clinical translation of NSC therapies. Understanding the key factors involved in NSC-mediated tissue recovery and addressing the current translational barriers may lead to clinical success of NSC therapy and a first-in-class restorative therapy for stroke patients.
In Spite of and Alongside: Disillusion and Success in Advocacy Communication for the Roma

This article examines the experience of doing advocacy for Roma rights as expressed by activists themselves. Grounded in the case of Romania, the study draws from examples of discrimination, self-interrogation and identity shifts, contextual alliances, and wider European funding processes. The stories shared by Romanian activists reveal discursive practices of disillusion and success. Disappointment emerged in connection to typically large-scale fissures in social, cultural, political, and economic systems, while optimism and drive were evident primarily at a micro level, in the lives of individual people, and in hyperlocalized action. This is not bad news for intervention given that incremental change still counts; yet, the vision of activism and the funding system need to be mindful of such reality and to adjust accordingly.
Induced pluripotent stem cell generation from bovine somatic cells indicates unmet needs for pluripotency sustenance.

Mechanisms that direct reprogramming of differentiated somatic cells to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), albeit incomplete in understanding, are highly conserved across all mammalian species studied. Equally, proof of principle that iPSCs can be derived from domestic cattle has been reported in several publications. In our efforts to derive and study bovine iPSCs, we encountered inadequacy of methods to generate, sustain, and characterize these cells. Our results suggest that iPSC protocols optimized for mouse and human somatic cells do not effectively translate to bovine somatic cells, which show some refractoriness to reprogramming that also affects sustenance. Moreover, methods that enhance reprogramming efficiency in mouse and human cells had no effect on improving bovine cell reprogramming. Although use of retroviral vectors coding for bovine OCT4, SOX2, KLF4, cMYC, and NANOG appeared to produce consistent iPSC-like cells from both fibroblasts and cells from the Wharton's jelly, these colonies could not be sustained. Use of bovine genes could successfully reprogram both mouse and human cells. These findings indicated either incomplete reprogramming and/or discordant/inadequate culture conditions for bovine pluripotent stem cells. Therefore, additional studies that advance core knowledge of bovine pluripotency are necessary before any anticipated iPSC-driven bovine technologies can be realized.
Implementation in a Family Medicine Clinic of a Lifestyle Program Designed to Help Indigent, Obese Adult Patients Lose Weight

Introduction. Efficacy of interventions in research settings maynot translate to usual-care settings. The impact of interventionsvaries depending upon factors, such as the proportion andcomposition of the population reached and engaged, as well asparticipation and implementation characteristics of providers. Methods. A lifestyle intervention meant to achieve a 5%loss of body weight in six months was offered to obese, indigentadult patients in a Family Medicine residency outpatientclinic. Implementation variables were assessed, includingdetermination of individual patient penetrationand participation rate, demographic representativeness,completion rate, outcomes, and differential impact, as wellas setting participation rates and implementation fidelity. Results. From a population of 743 potentially eligible patients,356 were invited to participate (48% penetration) and158 were enrolled (44% participation). Those enrolled wereheavier (BMI of 42.6 vs 39.0), younger (43.5 vs 47.0 years)and more likely female (87% vs 69%) than those not enrolled.Individual completion rate was 81%; overall weightloss was negligible. Setting participation was broad, butfidelity to background standard of care was only 50%. Conclusions. Providers were eager for a tool to help their obese,indigent patients lose weight, but the intervention proved ineffectiveand the usual care of enrolled patients was not stronglysupportive of their weight loss efforts. KS J Med 2016;9(4):77-82.
Emotion Regulation Flexibility in Generalized Anxiety Disorder

People differ in their affective styles, which refers to habitual use of emotion regulation (ER) strategies. Previous research has shown that mental health is associated with an individual’s adaptive flexibility of emotion regulation strategies rather than any one particular ER strategy. Methods: The present study employed a person-centered approach using latent profile analyses to distinguish patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) based on their responses on an affective styles measure. Results: Results of the latent profile analysis supported a three-class solution. Class 1 (26% of participants) identified individuals with the lowest scores of each affective style; class 2 (10%) included individuals with the highest scores of each style; and class 3 (64%) consisted of individuals who scored in the mid-range of each affective style. Greater ER flexibility was associated with better emotional functioning and quality of life. Conclusions: Patients with GAD differ in ER flexibility. The vast majority of patients appear to have only moderate or low ER flexibility. Those individuals with high ER flexibility show a greater quality of life and less emotional distress.
Critical Multiculturalism and Intersectionality in a Complex World (2nd ed.)

As the world confronts growing issues of immigration, religious differences, multiple gender identities and racial oppression, schools of social work grapple with how to help students make sense of...
Reliable Breathing Tracking With Wearable Mask Device

Breathing tracking is critical for the assessment of lung functions, exercise physiologies, and energy expenditure. Conventional methods require using a face mask or mouthpiece that is connected to a stationary equipment through a tube, restricting the location, movement, or even the posture. To obtain accurate breathing physiology parameters that represent the true state of the patient during different scenarios, a wearable technology that has less intervention to patient’s activities in free-living conditions is highly preferred. Here, we propose a miniaturized, reliable, and wide-dynamic ranged flow sensing technology that is immune to orientation, movement, and noise. As far as we know, this is the first work of introducing a fully integrated mask device focusing on breath tracking in free-living conditions. There are two key challenges for achieving this goal: miniaturized flow sensing and motion-induced artifacts elimination. To address these challenges, we come up with two technical innovations: 1) in hardware wise, we have designed an integrated flow sensing technique based on differential pressure Pneumotach approach and motion sensing; 2) in software wise, we have developed comprehensive algorithms based baseline tracking and orientation and motion compensation. The effectiveness of the proposed technology has been proven by the experiments. Experimental results from simulator and real breath conditions show high correlation (R2 = 0.9994 and 0.9964 respectively) and mean error within 2.5% for Minute Volume (VE), when compared to values computed from reference methods. These results show that the proposed method is accurate and reliable to track the key breath parameters in free-living conditions.
Acute patient-reported toxicities after proton therapy or intensity-modulated radiotherapy for prostate cancer.

305Background: Toxicity due to radiotherapy (RT) may differ in patients (pts) with prostate cancer who receive intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) or proton beam therapy (PBT). Methods: Patient...
Cytokines That Target Immune Killer Cells Against Tumors

T-cell-stimulating cytokines have shown promise as monotherapies or in combination with other therapeutic modalities for immunotherapy of cancer. However, their efficacy is limited due to their short half-life, pleiotropic roles, and induction of severe toxicity even at therapeutic doses. To overcome these major therapeutic barriers, cytokine-based products are being further developed to improve their therapeutic index. These approaches include manipulating their activity to preferentially bind to effector immune cells rather than immune-suppressive cells, prolonging their half-life in vivo and modifying them to target tumors. This review focuses on IL-2, IL-15, and IL-10, which have potent effects on immune cells that mediate effective antitumor responses. We will summarize the recent progress of these cytokines in both preclinical studies and selective clinical applications and will discuss our perspectives on the development of new strategies to potentiate cytokine-based immunotherapy.
Dependence of magnetic properties of pellets of nominal composition YBa2Cu

We have studied the dependence of the magnetic properties of pellets of nominal composition $\mathrm{Y}{\mathrm{Ba}}_{2}{\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}{\mathrm{O}}_{7\ensuremath{-}x}$ on variations in preparation conditions. We find that rapid quenching of the pellets from annealing temperatures greater than 500-600\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C causes the formation of significant amounts of secondary phases. Two of these phases, ${\mathrm{Y}}_{2}$BaCu${\mathrm{O}}_{5}$ and BaCu${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$, have magnetic moments of approximately $1.8{\ensuremath{\mu}}_{B}$ per Cu atom. We find that ${\mathrm{Y}}_{2}$BaCu${\mathrm{O}}_{5}$ orders antiferromagnetically below 30 K whereas ${\mathrm{BaCuO}}_{2}$ is paramagnetic down to at least 6 K. Eliminating these secondary phases by optimizing the processing conditions gives single-phase material (g 99.8% by mass) for which the magnetic susceptibility above the superconducting transition temperature is nearly independent of temperature. The magnitude of this susceptibility, after correction for ioncore diamagnetism, is enhanced by a factor of approximately 2 over the Pauli susceptibility estimated from the band-structure density of states, indicating the importance of electron-electron correlation effects.
Prolonged, Controlled Daytime versus Delayed Eating Impacts Weight and Metabolism

Summary A delayed eating schedule is associated with increased risk of obesity and metabolic dysfunction in humans. 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 However, there are no prolonged, highly controlled experimental studies testing the effects of meal timing on weight and metabolism in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 19–27 kg/m2. 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 Twelve healthy adults (age: 26.3 ± 3.4 years; BMI: 21.9 ± 1.7 kg/m2; 5 females) participated in a randomized crossover study in free-living conditions. Three meals and two snacks with comparable energy and macronutrient contents were provided during two, 8-week, counterbalanced conditions separated by a 2-week washout period: (1) daytime (intake limited to 0800 h–1900 h) and (2) delayed (intake limited to 1200 h–2300 h). Sleep-wake cycles and exercise levels were held constant. Weight, adiposity, energy expenditure, and circadian profiles of hormones and metabolites were assessed during four inpatient visits occurring before and after each condition. Body weight, insulin resistance (homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance [HOMA-IR]), trunk-to-leg fat ratio, resting energy expenditure, respiratory quotient, and fasting glucose, insulin, total and high-density lipoprotein (dHDL) cholesterol, and adiponectin decreased on the daytime compared to the delayed schedule. These measures, as well as triglycerides, increased on the delayed compared to the daytime schedule (effect size range: d = 0.397–1.019). Circadian phase and amplitude of melatonin, cortisol, ghrelin, leptin, and glucose were not differentially altered by the eating schedules. Overall, an 8-week daytime eating schedule, compared to a delayed eating schedule, promotes weight loss and improvements in energy metabolism and insulin in adults with BMI 19–27 kg/m2, underscoring the efficacy and feasibility of daytime eating as a behavioral modification for real-world conditions.
The Columnar-to-Equiaxed Transition in Melt Pools During Laser Powder Bed Fusion of M2 Steel

This work integrates experimental and numerical methods to determine the process conditions under which the columnar-to-equiaxed transition (CET) occurred in M2 tool steel processed by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) additive manufacturing (AM). Single-tracks and multi-track pads were fabricated with twenty-eight $$ P - V $$ process conditions ( $$ P $$ : laser power, $$ V $$ : scan speed). The resulting microstructures were of three types: mainly columnar, mixed columnar + equiaxed, or mainly equiaxed. The hardness (measured by nanoindentation) of the columnar microstructure was in 9 to 12 GPa, 20 to 30 pct higher than the hardness of equiaxed microstructure (if present) in the same melt pool. A CET model was used to determine the $$ G - R $$ thermal criteria ( $$ G $$ : temperature gradient; $$ R $$ : solidification velocity) for equiaxed growth under LPBF solidification conditions. A $$ P - V $$ process map for microstructure prediction was calculated by combining a numerical model to calculate $$ G $$ and $$ R $$ with the CET criteria. The predicted map agreed with experimental results when melt pool shape was stable, i.e., no balling or bead-up occurred. The accuracy and applicability of such a process map for predicting equiaxed microstructure during LPBF processing was discussed.
Who Should Pay for Bankruptcy Costs

Abstract The fees of professionals (financial advisors, lawyers, accountants) are a substantial fraction of bankruptcy costs. Scholars have considered how best to reduce these costs but have not considered how they should be allocated among creditors. Creditors can spend redistributionally (to violate or uphold absolute priority) or productively (to increase the value of the bankrupt firm). An efficient bankruptcy cost allocation scheme should discourage redistributional and encourage productive creditor spending. We consider the desirability of various allocation schemes in a model in which senior and junior creditors can engage in both types of spending. We show that (1) the current U.S. cost allocation system is unsatisfactory because the scheme partially reimburses junior expenses for professionals but does not reimburse senior expenses and (2) a cost allocation scheme that approaches the first‐best solution and is implementable would delegate the issue of professionals’ cost reimbursement to the debt...
Numerical analysis of a hydraulic rod seal: Flooded vs. starved conditions

Abstract A numerical analysis of a reciprocating hydraulic rod seal, considering both flooded and starved boundary conditions, has been performed. It consists of coupled fluid mechanics, contact mechanics and load support analyses. The fluid transport, friction force, film thickness distribution, contact pressure distribution and fluid pressure distribution in the sealing zone have been computed for a polyurethane U-cup seal. Starved conditions lead to a smaller region of pressurized fluid in the sealing zone, higher contact pressures and a higher friction force than with flooded conditions. If the fluid deposited on the rod during the preceding outstroke is insufficient to fill the sealing zone, starvation will occur during the instroke. If, however, sufficient fluid is deposited, flooded conditions will occur.
Carbamyl Phosphate Binding to Aspartate Transcarbamylase PARTIAL SATURATION AND ITS ALTERATION BY SUCCINATE

Abstract Carbamyl phosphate, the first ligand in the ordered sequence of binding to the hexameric enzyme aspartate transcarbamylase, binds tightly to half of the active sites in the absence of other ligands. This partial saturation is changed by the binding of succinate, an unreactive aspartate analogue. Succinate binding increases the number of high affinity carbamyl phosphate binding sites from three to six, thereby increasing the number of sites to which it can bind. This unmasking of sites can contribute to the cooperative interactions between active sites in this enzyme.
Aging, Driving, and Public Health: A Therapeutic Jurisprudence Approach

The problem of elder drivers experiencing impariments that diminish their driving abilities raises serious concerns for public health and safety. Although this is an important health problem, existing state practices are inadequate in several respects and impose unnecessary negative social, economic, health, and psychological consequences for many of the elder drivers whose driving privileges are restricted or terminated.This article uses the approach of Therapeutic Jurisprudence to examine these issues by focusing attention on the antitherapeutic consequences of existing rules and practices. Therapeutic jurisprudence provides a useful complement to public health strategies for dealing with these issues. We seek to balance the public health needs of the community with the desire to minimize the negative consequences that existing practices pose on the psychological wellbeing of elder drivers and their families. We propose a comprehensive solution based on the Social Ecology of Health model augmented by principles and approaches of therapeutic jurisprudence. This model, which we call the Safe Driving Center, combines screening and assessment, remedial/rehabilitation interventions, education and training, individual and family counseling, and a comprehensive community-based approach for dealing with the problem preventatively. Whenever possible, the center will seek to persuade impaired elder drivers voluntarily to cease or restrict their driving by offering inducements and alternative transportation solutions.
Metabolic Functions of Myo-inositol VI. IMPAIRMENT OF AMINO ACID TRANSPORT IN KB CELLS CAUSED BY INOSITOL DEFICIENCY

Abstract The effects of myo-inositol deficiency on amino acid transport and accumulation by KB cells were studied with the aid of 14C-labeled serine, glycine, and α-aminoisobutyric acid. Kinetic studies of influx of these amino acids showed that inositol deficiency decreases the initial influx rate and the Vmax of all three amino acids. The magnitude of this decrease depends on the severity of inositol deficiency. The steady state accumulation levels of these amino acids established after influx were significantly reduced in deficient cells. Similarly the steady state distribution ratios of α-aminoisobutyric acid, established after influx or following efflux from previously loaded cells, were decreased in inositol-deficient cells, the magnitude of this decrease becoming larger as deficiency progressed. The relative efflux rate of α-aminoisobutyric acid from previously loaded cells was the same in both normal and deficient cells, and it was directly proportional to the initial intracellular concentration of α-aminoisobutyric acid. Inositol-deficient cells were unable to increase the steady state accumulation levels of α-aminoisobutyric acid to the same extend as normal cells, in response to increasing concentrations of extracellular Na+. No differences were observed between normal and deficient cells in their ability to accumulate α-aminoisobutyric acid at different concentrations of extracellular K+ or Ca++. It is concluded that inositol deficiency impairs the mechanism responsible for the uptake and accumulation of amino acids by KB cells.
Mentoring in Adolescence

Does Mentoring Promote Positive Outcomes? What are the Implications for Mentoring Practice, Research, and Policy? Implications for Practice Implications for Policy Conclusions Keywords: mentoring; nonparent adults; intergenerational relationships ; mentoring programs; coaches; role models
Molecular Basis for Interaction between Icap1α PTB Domain and β1 Integrin

Icap1α is a 200-amino acid protein that binds to the COOH-terminal 13 amino acids (786AVTTVVNPKYEGK798) of the integrin β1 subunit. Alanine scanning mutagenesis of this region revealed that Val787, Val790, and792NPKY795 are critical for Icap1α binding. The NPXY motif is a known binding substrate for phosphotyrosine binding (PTB) domain proteins. The sequences of Icap1α, residues 58–200, and the β1 integrin, residues 786–797, were aligned to the available PTB-peptide structures to generate a high quality structural model. Site-directed mutagenesis showed that Leu135, Ile138, and Ile139 of Icap1α, residues predicted by the model to be in close proximity to 792NPKY795, and Leu82 and Tyr144, residues expected to form a hydrophobic pocket near Val787, are required for the Icap1α-β1 integrin interaction. These findings indicate that Icap1α is a PTB domain protein, which recognizes the NPXY motif of β1 integrin. Furthermore, our date suggest that an interaction between Val787 and the hydrophobic pocket created by Leu82 and Tyr144of Icap1α forms the basis for the specificity of Icap1α for the β1 integrin subunit.
Radiofrequency ablation of accessory pathways associated with congenital heart disease including heterotaxy syndrome.

Abstract Congenital heart disease complicates the management of most accessory pathway-mediated tachycardias and also increases the challenge of radiofrequency ablation. Since 1990, radiofrequency ablation of accessory atrioventricular (AV) pathways has been attempted in 10 patients (age range 3.5 months to 30 years) with congenital heart disease: Ebstein's anomaly (n = 5), heterotaxy with AV discordance (n = 3), tetralogy of Fallot (n = 1) and total anomalous pulmonary venous return (n = 1). Eight patients had manifest Wotff-Parkinson-White syndrome and 2 had concealed pathways. Five patients had multiple pathways including 4 of the 5 with Ebstein's anomaly. Of 16 pathways total, 15 were associated with the tricuspid valve including all pathways in the patients with Ebstein's anomaly and heterotaxy. The His bundle area was identified in all patients and involved an anterior AV node in 2 of 3 with heterotaxy. Ablation was performed on the atrial side of the AV ring in all cases. No instance of AV block was encountered. Complete success was achieved in 6 patients including the 3 with heterotaxy. In 2 patients, manifest preexcitation was eliminated and clinical symptoms were greatly modified. The procedure was transiently successful in 1 patient who later had surgical interruption of the accessory pathway during tetralogy of Fallot repair. Ablation was unsuccessful in 1 patient. Thus, the overall success was 80%.
Urban form and family-engaged active leisure: Impact assessment using census data and night-time satellite images

This research examines whether urban form indicators are useful predictors of family-engaged active leisure among US population. The study sample includes 23,759 adult respondents from the 2003 to 2008 American Time Use Survey who lived with family members in 326 metropolitan counties. Urban form is measured at the county level by two methods: one uses the remotely-sensed night-time satellite imagery and generates scale-adjusted sprawl indices based upon per capita land consumption, and another uses the ground-based census data and generates a multi-dimensional measurement system, termed 3C + P: compactness, continuity, centrality and proximity. Regression results across models consistently suggest a significant and negative association between sprawl and daily time spent on family-engaged active leisure. The scale-adjusted sprawl indices are found to be on par with the 3C + P indicators in measuring urban sprawl and predicting family-engaged active leisure. Implications of the findings for researchers an...
False-positive myocardial perfusion scintigraphy in syndrome X

A 29-YEAR-OLD man with hypertension and repeated episodes of angina-like chest pain was referred for Stress thallium 201 chloride myocardial single photon emission computer tomography (SPECT) imaging. The patient walked for 10 minutes on a Bruce protocol, stopping secondary to fatigue. His maximum heart rate reached 183 beats per minute with a target heart rate of 162 beats per minute, and his peak blood pressure was 220/90 mmHg from 132/80 mmHg. His resting electrocardiograph (ECG) was normal, and his ECG during exercise revealed nonspecific segment (ST) changes. Thallium 201 chloride myocardial SPECT revealed reversible redistribution in the anterior and septal walls and fixed hypoperfusion in the inferior wall (Fig 1). The patient underwent left cardiac catheterization, which showed normal coronary arteries
Optimization of an Extraction Procedure for the Quantification of Vitamin E in Tomato and Broccoli using Response Surface Methodology

Abstract Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to optimize the extraction procedure for the determination of vitamin E in tomato and broccoli samples. The effects of varying the amount of 60% potassium hydroxide (KOH), saponification time, and final ethanol concentration (EtOH) on the tocopherol contents were evaluated to optimize extraction and saponification steps by RSM. The optimized parameters were obtained by ridge analysis. Based on the ridge analysis, optimum conditions found were: ml 60% KOH, 8.4–8.9; saponification time (min), 50.7–54.3 at 70°C; and %EtOH, 30.1–35.0. Under the optimized conditions, the experimental values agreed with values predicted by ridge analysis. The analytical method validation parameters such as accuracy, precision, limit of detection, limit of quantification, and specificity were calculated to ensure the method's validity.