cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Triple arthrodesis: a biomechanical evaluation of screw versus staple fixation

The subtalar, talonavicular, and calcaneocuboid joints were internally fixed to simulate triple arthrodesis was performed on eight matched pairs of human cadaver feet. Feet were randomly assigned such that one specimen in each pair was internally fixed with cobalt-chrome staples and one specimen with stainless steel screws. Liquid metal strain gauges were placed in a perpendicular fashion across the three joints of each specimen. Each foot was then secured to the Shore Western Materials Test System where a series of 10 increasing eversion stresses across the foot was created. Displacement was measured at each joint with every increase in eversion stress. Our results show that there is no statistical difference in fixation strength between screws and staples at the talonavicular, calcaneocuboid, or subtalar joints (P = 0.862). Although many studies determining the strength to failure of different implants have been performed, shear stress and micromotion at the joint surfaces have not been evaluated, to our knowledge, and no single implant in this study has shown superior immobilization characteristics to recommend its use as the implant of choice in triple arthrodesis.
Two lectures on the wave–particle duality, January 1993

During the recent presidential election, I dreamt that two of the candidates had concluded from interviews with focus groups that there might be some anxiety among the American public over the foundations of quantum mechanics. Concerned that by homing in on so esoteric a topic they could lose the attention of the people, the two men had made a direct assessment of public interest by quietly employing their rhetorical skills in unpublicized lectures at local events such as church barbecues, farmers’ markets, or demolition derbies. I could never learn soon enough about these performances, always arriving just as a lecture ended. By conducting exit interviews, however, I managed to put together fragmentary transcripts of what took place, which were so vivid that I was able to jot them down in the morning. In a subsequent dream I read these texts back to my interviewees, who agreed that although I had failed to capture the full brilliance of the argumentation, I had at least succeeded in conveying the flavor of the insight these remarkable men brought to the problems that have puzzled and delighted physicists for so many years. The candidates’ experiments were not a success. Both men concluded that the time was not ripe to bring these great issues before the public. Indeed, in my third and final dream I was forced to endure an interminable postelection analysis on public TV, in which the panelists concluded that by distracting the two candidates from more pressing issues, their love of quantum mechanics had contributed significantly to their defeat. I'm sure there are lessons for physicists from this cautionary tale, but I offer here only the texts of the lectures themselves, which I believe form an important chapter in the intellectual history of our times. The first lecture Now it's really very simple, OK? Over here's an electron, moving toward this wall, kind of like a cur dog slinking toward his kennel. Only there are two doors to the kennel, like the two doors in the wall here in Figure 1. Now, over here on the other side of the wall's a screen. Now then, the point is, the electron ends up making a mark on the screen, kind of like a fly makes a speck on a kitchen window?
Engineering Specificity from Broad to Narrow: Design of a β-Lactamase Inhibitory Protein (BLIP) Variant That Exclusively Binds and Detects KPC β-Lactamase.

The β-lactamase inhibitory protein (BLIP) binds and inhibits a wide range of class A β-lactamases including the TEM-1 β-lactamase (Ki = 0.5 nM), which is widely present in Gram-negative bacteria, and the KPC-2 β-lactamase (Ki = 1.2 nM), which hydrolyzes virtually all clinically useful β-lactam antibiotics. The extent to which the specificity of a protein that binds a broad range of targets can be modified to display narrow specificity was explored in this study by engineering BLIP to bind selectively to KPC-2 β-lactamase. A genetic screen for BLIP function in Escherichia coli was used to narrow the binding specificity of BLIP by identifying amino acid substitutions that retain affinity for KPC-2 while losing affinity for TEM-1 β-lactamase. The combination of single substitutions yielded the K74T:W112D BLIP variant, which was shown by inhibition assays to retain high affinity for KPC-2 with a Ki of 0.4 nM, while drastically losing affinity for TEM-1 with a Ki > 10 μM. The K74T:W112D mutant therefore binds ...
Therapeutic Targeting of the Bcl-6: p53 Axis with Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma,

Abstract 3733 Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common non-Hodgkin9s Lymphoma. Despite advances in treatment, 1/3 of patients die from their disease. Gene expression profiling has delineated three subtypes with different genetic features known to be prognostic: the Activated B-cell (ABC), Germinal Center (GC), and grey zone types. For example, ABC DLBCL is addicted to NFkB over-expression. The oncogene, BCL6, encodes a transcription factor that functions as a transcriptional repressor within normal germinal center B-cells. Constitutive activation of Bcl-6 leads to GC-type DLBCL by turning off genes expressing cell cycle dependent kinase inhibitors, and essential tumor suppressor genes, like p53. There is a critical inverse relationship between Bcl-6 and p53, the functional status of which is linked to each transcription factor9s degree of acetylation. Deacetylation of Bcl-6 is required for maintaining its effects as a transcriptional repressor. Conversely, acetylation of p53 is activating when class III histone deacetylases (HDAC), also known as sirtuins, are inhibited by drugs such as niacinamide. HDAC inhibitors are presently approved for T-cell lymphoma and may require the targeting of additional pathways to be effective in B-cell lymphomas. Trichostatin A and niacinamide modulate Bcl-6 in lymphoma cell lines. One therapeutic strategy that could favorably shift the relationship between oncogenes and tumor suppressors is the pharmacologic modification of Bcl-6 and p53 using HDAC inhibitors. Eight DLBCL cell lines were screened (4 ABC: Su-DHL2, HBL-1, OCI-Ly10, RIVA; 4 GC:OCI-Ly1, OCI-Ly7, Su-DHL6, Su-DHL4) with four class I/II HDAC inhibitors (romidepsin, vorinostat, panobinostat and belinostat) in combination with niacinamide (sirtuin inhibitor) at two dose levels each at three time points. Cell growth inhibition was measured by luminescence cell viability and apoptosis flow cytometry assays. Synergy was measured by the relative risk ratio (RRR) calculation where values Presently, we are translating these concepts and observations in a proof-of-principle phase I trial evaluating the safety of vorinostat plus niacinamide in lymphoid malignancies. By targeting the specific pathogenetic features of DLBCL, it may be possible to tailor future treatment platforms for discrete subtypes of DLBCL. Disclosures: Off Label Use: The drugs evaluated are not approved for use in DLBCL. O9Connor:Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Merck: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Spectrum: Research Funding.
Features based proximity localization with Bluetooth emitters

Bluetooth Low Energy emitters used as beacons have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The technology is continuously improving and it is now possible for consumers to buy highly durable beacons for a reasonable price. The main use of these beacons is to be harnessed by context-aware software, as such, applications requiring localization can benefit from beacon technology. However, the reliability and accuracy of the location information is rather crucial when used for ambient intelligence in healthcare domain. Most systems currently rely only on received signal strength indication (RSSI) that may not be highly reliable in that they are highly susceptible to diffraction, multipath propagation, angle-of-arrival, lack of line-of-sight and absorption by human body. In this paper, we propose to investigate the use of two features in addition to mean RSSI. The new algorithm presented in the paper improve the localization accuracy from 6.2% to 9.14% over simple proximity localization.
UGT1A10 promoter deletion/insertion polymorphisms: Characterization and effects of gene expression.

A136 The extra-hepatic uridine-59-diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase 1A10 (UGT1A10) is a member of the UGT1A family of genes located on 2q37 that contain common exons 2-5 with independent first exons. UGT1A10 has been previously shown to be highly active against a number of potent carcinogens including major metabolites of benzo(a)pyrene and NNK and C 18 steroids like s-estradiol. Previous experiments have described important regions of regulation of some of the UGT1A genes including UGT1A10. In the present study, the promoter region of UGT1A10 was examined for polymorphic sequence alterations that may lead to altered expression of the UGT1A10 enzyme. We fully sequenced 2,000 bp upstream of the UGT1A10 translation start site in genomic DNA specimens from 42 individual Caucasian subjects. In addition to a C/G single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at -1271 bp and a single thymine deletion in a thymidine repeat region located at -130 to -117 relative to the UGT1A10 translation start site that were previously identified by HapMap, a novel insertion polymorphism of two thymine nucleotides was observed at position -1538 relative to the translation start site. Polymorphic prevalences were calculated for the -1271 C>G (0.17) and the TT ins (0.07). In addition to these polymorphisms, a 1664 bp deletion located between nucleotides -191 to -1856 relative to the UGT1A10 translation start site was also identified. The presence and characterization of this deletion polymorphism was initially identified by gel electrophoresis of PCR-amplified products and characterized by direct dideoxy sequencing. This deletion had an allelic prevalence of 0.03. This deletion results in a three-fold increase in luciferase expression (p=0.01, Students t-test) as compared to the wild-type promoter in Caco-2 cells, a pattern that is consistent with previous studies demonstrating that a repressor element lies within the region spanning the newly-identified deletion. The identification of this deletion suggests that UGT1A10 may be differentially expressed between individuals and may render these subjects at altered risk for cancer. These results suggest a possible protection phenotype in individuals who contain the deletion polymorphism.
An interventionist adherence scale for a specialized brief negotiation interview focused on treatment engagement for opioid use disorders.

ABSTRACTBackground: No psychometrically validated instrument for evaluating the extent to which interventionists correctly implement brief interventions designed to motivate treatment engagement for opioid use disorders has been reported in the literature. The objective of this study was to develop and examine the psychometric properties of the Brief Negotiation Interview (BNI) Adherence Scale for Opioid Use Disorders (BAS-O). Methods: In the context of a randomized controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of 3 models of emergency department care for opioid use disorders, the authors developed and subsequently examined the psychometric properties of the BAS-O, a 38-item scale that required raters to answer whether or not (“Yes” or “No”) each of the critical actions of the BNI was correctly implemented by the research interventionist. BAS-O items pertained to the BNI's 4 steps: (1) Raise the Subject, (2) Provide Feedback, (3) Enhance Motivation, and (4) Negotiate and Advise. A total of 215 audio-recorded B...
Effect of arterial puncture on ventilation.

Abstract Background Clinicians frequently assume that during arterial puncture for measuring arterial blood gases patients hyperventilate from pain and anxiety. This assumption leads clinicians to falsely interpret a PaCO 2 and pH near the upper limit of normal as a chronic respiratory acidosis corrected by an acute respiratory alkalosis. Objective Determine if participants hyperventilate during arterial puncture from pain and anxiety. Methods We recruited participants from a pulmonary function laboratory referred for arterial blood gas measurement. We excluded those with heart failure and included those with any respiratory condition (COPD, asthma, sleep apnea). We measured end tidal PCO 2 (P ET CO 2 ), respiratory rate, and heart rate 15 min before topical anesthesia, during anesthesia, during arterial puncture, and 15 min later. We assessed generalized anxiety before and measured pain during and after arterial puncture. Results 24 participants were recruited (age: 54 ± 12 years; men: 54%). PaCO 2 was 41 ± 5 mmHg. One had acute respiratory alkalosis. Respiratory rate increased from (19 ± 6 breaths per minute (bpm)) before to a maximum (21 ± 6 bpm) during arterial puncture ( p = 0.001). Heart rate was stable throughout. The lowest P ET CO 2 during the procedure (35 ± 5) was similar to P ET CO 2 before the procedure ( p = 0.1). The change in P ET CO 2 and respiratory rate did not correlate with pain, anxiety, or lung function. Conclusion Respiratory rate increased slightly during arterial puncture without any change in P ET CO 2 . Hence, acid–base status must be interpreted without the assumption of procedure induced hyperventilation.
Vertically Integrated Dual-porosity and Dual-permeability Models for CO2 Sequestration in Fractured Geological Formation

Abstract Analysis of geological storage of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) in deep saline aquifers requires computationally efficient mathematical models to predict the pressure evolution and the injected CO 2 plume migration. The subsurface system of CO 2 injection into saline aquifers can be modeled as a two-phase flow system, with a non-wetting less dense (supercritical) CO 2 phase and a denser brine as the wetting phase. For unfractured geological formations, one type of simplified model can be developed by integrating the three-dimensional governing equations in the vertical dimension. The vertically integrated models that assume buoyant segregation and vertical pressure equilibrium are referred to as vertical equilibrium (VE) models. VE models are computationally efficient owing to the dimension reduction from vertical integration, and have been extensively applied to field-scale modeling of CO 2 injection, migration, and leakage in the past decade. For fractured geological formations, it is challenging to directly use vertically integrated models, because CO 2 migration in fractured formations involves two different characteristic time scales due to significant contrast of permeability between the fractures and matrix. The high permeability of the fractures leads to fast buoyant segregation of CO 2 and brine in the vertical direction within the fractures, while lower permeability of the matrix typically leads to much slower flow dynamics that involve longer time scales for segregation. In this paper, we use a dual-continuum approach to conceptualize the fractured geological formation, treating the fractures and the rock matrix blocks as overlapping continua, and develop vertically integrated models for CO 2 injection in fractured geological formation. We use a VE model for the fracture domain and explore different model options for the matrix domain, including the classical dual-porosity model that treats the matrix as a source/sink term for the fracture as well as other more advanced models that explicitly account for the two-phase flow dynamics of the CO 2 and brine in the matrix domain. We present the modeling framework and show preliminary model comparison results to demonstrate the applicability of the new models.
Portion controlled ready-to-eat meal replacement is associated with short term weight loss: a randomised controlled trial.

Background and Objectives: Strategies to prevent and treat overweight/obesity are urgently needed. This study assessed the effect of a short-term intake of ready-to-eat cereal on body weight and waist circumference of overweight/ obese individuals in comparison to a control group. Methods and Study Design: A randomized, controlled 2-arm trial was carried out on 101 overweight/obese (Body Mass Index - 29.2±2.4 kg/m^2) females aged 18 to 44 years, at St. John's Medical College Hospital. The intervention group received a low fat, ready to eat cereal, replacing two meals/day for two weeks. The control group was provided with standard dietary guidelines for weight loss and energy requirements for both groups were calculated similarly. Anthropometric, dietary, appetite and health status assessments were carried out at baseline and at the end of two weeks. Results: At the end of two weeks, the mean reductions in body weight and waist circumference were significantly greater in the intervention group, -0.53 kg; 95% CI (-0.86 to -0.19) for body weight and -1.39 cm; 95% CI (-1.78, -0.99) for waist circumference. The intervention group had a significantly higher increase in dietary intakes of certain vitamins, fiber and sugar, and significantly higher reductions in total and polyunsaturated fats and sodium intakes, as compared to the control group (p≤0.05). No significant differences were observed between the groups, in change of appetite, health and perception scales. Conclusions: Portion controlled, ready to eat cereal could be effective for short-term weight loss, with some improvements in the nutrient intake profile. However, studies of longer duration are needed.
3D treatment planning system-Pinnacle system

The treatment planning system is key for the success of external beam radiotherapy, directly impacting the quality of treatment plans and accuracy of dose calculation in the plans. In this article, we provided an overview of the Pinnacle treatment planning system for external beam planning, including 3-dimensional (3D) conformal plans, step-shoot intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) plans, and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plans. We discussed dose calculation algorithm and other utilities, including image fusion, plan documentation, and adaptive planning. Based on our many years of clinical experience with the system, the aim of this article is to provide readers with a summary of this particular planning system.
Prior exercise suppresses the plasma tumor necrosis factor response to bacterial lipopolysaccharide

This study was initiated to determine the effect of physical exercise on the in vivo tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) response to Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Rats familiarized with ...
Hierarchical Heavy Hitter Detection Under Unknown Models

We consider the problem of detecting heavy hitters and hierarchical heavy hitters among a large number of traffic flows modeled as random processes with unknown and potentially heavy-tailed distributions. The objective is an active inference strategy that determines, sequentially, which aggregated flow on the IP-prefix tree to probe in order to minimize the sample complexity under a reliability constraint. We propose an active inference strategy that induces a biased random walk on the flow aggregation tree based on confidence bounds of sample statistics. We then establish its order optimality in terms of both the size of the search space (i.e., the number of traffic flows) and the reliability requirement. The result also finds applications in noisy group testing and adaptive sampling with noisy response.
Outcomes Associated with Complete versus Partial LV Unloading in Patients with LVAD

Purpose LVAD implantation improves survival in end-stage heart failure (HF) patients. It is unclear at this time whether the goal of partial or complete left ventricle (LV) unloading is the best long-term strategy to maintain favorable outcomes especially when it relates to patients who received LVAD as destination therapy. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of end-stage HF patients who underwent continuous-flow LVAD implantation and subsequent right heart catheterization (RHC) to determine partial or complete LV unloading using invasive hemodynamics. Complete LV unloading was defined as cardiac index (CI) > 2.2 and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) Results Our sample size included 142 patients. Mean age 57.4 (range 25-79), 75.5% of male gender and 55% had an ischemic etiology of HF. Complete LV unloading was seen in 52 (36.6%) patients compared to 90 (63.4%) patients with partial LV unloading. There was a trend towards worse outcomes (mortality and HF readmission) in the group with partial LV unloading, however, did not reach statistical significance (Table 1). Conclusion Our institution uses invasive hemodynamics based on RHC for LVAD speed optimization and alterations in LVAD speed done at the time of RHC may potentially have played a role in influencing outcomes of the partially unloaded LV group and hence not met statistical significance. Best long-term strategy for LV unloading remains unclear at this time and further studies are needed to guide management to maintain favorable long-term outcomes.
Classroom Level in Educational Effectiveness Research

Valid measurement of effective classrooms requires a developmental approach to conceptualizing classroom processes. This article presents several theoretical models (e.g., teaching through interactions framework; connective instruction), which emphasize the importance of teacher–student interactions as a central driver for student learning and socioemotional development. Included in this discussion is research detailing how effective classrooms have teachers that engage students in developmentally appropriate ways, and what practices increase student engagement. The article ends with some discussion of professional development practices that might increase teacher effectiveness.
Very preterm infants who receive transitional formulas as a complement to human milk can achieve catch-up growth.

To evaluate the growth of premature infants fed a postdischarge diet of human milk (HM) complemented with transitional formula (TF) as compared with those fed TF only. In this prospective cohort study, 51 infants’ diets and anthropometrics were collected at discharge and at 12–15 months corrected gestational age. Post discharge, infants in both groups exhibited similar growth velocities and changes in z-scores. The duration of infants’ HM consumption was not correlated with weight gain (r = −0.25, p = 0.26). The duration of complementary TF feeds also did not correlate with increased growth (r = −0.11, p = 0.44). Both groups achieved catch-up growth and displayed growth velocities that significantly exceeded the upper limit of the World Health Organization (WHO) weight growth standard (p < 0.001). Preterm infants receiving HM and complementary TF post discharge had growth velocities at or exceeding weight gain projected by the WHO growth standard for term infants.
Comparison of core features in four Developmental Encephalopathies in the Rett Natural History Study

Objective Rett syndrome, CDKL5-deficiency disorder, FOXG1 disorder, and MECP2 duplication disorder are developmental encephalopathies with shared and distinct features. Although they are historically linked, no direct comparison has been performed. The first head-to-head comparison of clinical features in these conditions is presented. Methods Comprehensive clinical information was collected from 793 individuals enrolled in the Rett and Rett-Related Disorders Natural History Study. Clinical features including clinical severity, regression, and seizures were cross-sectionally compared between diagnoses to test the hypothesis that these are 4 distinct disorders. Results Distinct patterns of clinical severity, seizure onset age, and regression were present. Individuals with CDKL5-deficency disorder were the most severely affected and had the youngest age at seizure onset (2 months), whereas children with MECP2 duplication syndrome had the oldest median age at seizure onset (64 months) and lowest severity scores. Rett syndrome and FOGX1 were intermediate in both features. Smaller head circumference correlates with increased severity in all disorders and earlier age at seizure onset in MECP2 duplication syndrome. Developmental regression occurred in all Rett syndrome participants (median = 18 months) but only 23 to 34% of the other disorders. Seizure incidence prior to the baseline visit was highest for CDKL5 deficiency disorder (96.2%) and lowest for Rett syndrome (47.5%). Other clinical features including seizure types and frequency differed among groups. Interpretation Although these developmental encephalopathies share many clinical features, clear differences in severity, regression, and seizures warrant considering them as unique disorders. These results will aid in the development of disease-specific severity scales, precise therapeutics, and future clinical trials. ANN NEUROL 2020;88:396-406.
Developmental Correlations of Head and Heart Musculature: Importance for Understanding Human Syndromes

Numerous human syndromes are characterized by congenital heart defects and craniofacial anomalies. This is because the development of the head and heart are closely related. Several studies revealed that specific regions of the myocardium are closer related to specific head muscle groups than to other myocardial regions. The gene regulatory network underlying the specification and differentiation of cardiac and branchiomeric musculature from a common progenitor field, the cardiopharyngeal field, is just starting to get revealed. However, every single new insight into the evolution and development of the head and heart tissues contributes to our understanding of complex human syndromes. Here, I summarize the most recent finding regarding the underlying mechanisms for the proper head and heart musculature development and indicate syndromes, e.g., DiGeorge syndrome and Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome, that might be better understood due to those new insights.
Scale‐dependent effects of host patch traits on species composition in a stickleback parasite metacommunity

A core goal of ecology is to understand the abiotic and biotic variables that regulate species distributions and community composition. A major obstacle is that the rules governing species distributions can change with spatial scale. Here, we illustrate this point using data from a spatially nested metacommunity of parasites infecting a metapopulation of threespine stickleback fish from 34 lakes on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Like most parasite metacommunities, the composition of stickleback parasites differs among host individuals within each host population, and differs between host populations. The distribution of each parasite taxon depends, to varying degrees, on individual host traits (e.g., mass, diet) and on host-population characteristics (e.g., lake size, mean host mass, mean diet). However, in most cases in this data set, a given parasite was regulated by different factors at the host-individual and host-population scales, leading to scale-dependent patterns of parasite-species co-occurrence.
Testosterone regulates CYP2J19-linked carotenoid signal expression in male red-backed fairywrens (Malurus melanocephalus)

Carotenoid pigments produce most red, orange and yellow colours in vertebrates. This coloration can serve as an honest signal of quality that mediates social and mating interactions, but our unders...
Reducing Child Mortality in Sudan by Preventing Diarrheal Disease

Sudan's rate of child mortality, measured as the number of deaths per 1,000 live births, decreased from 106 in 2000 to 73 in 2012. However, child mortality in Sudan far exceeds the global rate of child mortality, which was 48 in 2012. Contributing to this disparity is diarrheal disease, which is a leading cause of preventable death in Sudan. In this paper, we will examine diarrheal disease among children under five in Sudan through an analysis of the 2000 Sudan Household Health Survey. We conduct a retrospective investigation of the region now officially known as the Republic of Sudan, focused on possible factors related to diarrheal disease in the year 2000. We hypothesize that having access to clean water, improved sanitation facilities—defined here as any kind of latrine—and improved nutritional status through nutrient supplementation would, while controlling for confounding variables, lead to a dramatic decrease in the disease susceptibility of Sudanese children. Additionally, we tested whether maternal education level could alter the effectiveness of clean water and sanitation access. Our results indicate that availability of household sanitation facilities, access to clean water and better nutrition were all associated with a lower incidence of diarrhea. Maternal education level had an ambiguous effect. Somewhat surprisingly, we found that communities with relatively better levels of sanitation access had higher levels of diarrhea incidence. We conjecture that this finding is due to individuals acting in self-interest as people do not adequately care for communal facilities. These behaviors may have a damaging effect on shared resources and, consequently, turn communal facilities from being beneficial to detrimental.1
Using Note-Level Music Encodings to Facilitate Interdisciplinary Research on Human Engagement with Music

Music encoding can link disparate types of musical data for the purposes of archiving and search. The encoding of human response data explicitly in relation to musical notes facilitates the study of the ways humans engage with music as performers and listeners. This paper reflects on the developments and trends in formal music encoding systems as well as the types of data representations used in corpora released by researchers working on expert music analyses, musical performances, and listener responses. It argues that while the specificity (and often simplicity) afforded by project-specific encoding formats may be useful for individual research projects, larger-scale interdisciplinary research would be better served by explicit, formalized linking of data to specific musical elements. The paper concludes by offering some concrete suggestions for how to achieve this goal.
Morphometric analysis of cervical interlaminar space for posterior surgical approach and decompression.

The purpose of this study is to provide a morphometric description of the bony margins of the interlaminar spaces by level in the cervical spine for guidance of safe posterior cervical surgical dissection and decompression. We also aim to describe the impact of increasing static cervical lordosis on the overlap between the lamina. Morphometric measurements of the interlaminar space were performed on 100 consecutive cervical spine CT scans of patients ranging in age from 18 to 50 years were selected. Three raters performed measurements of the interlaminar height measured using two techniques (true interlaminar height and surgical interlaminar height), and interlaminar width from C2–C3 to C7–T1. In total, 100 patients were included. The true interlaminar height was greatest at C2–3, C3–4, C4–5 (5.2 ± 1.4–1.8 mm) and smallest at C6–7 (4.4 ± 1.3 mm). Surgical interlaminar height was greatest at C3–4 (4.2 ± 1.7) and smallest at C6–7 (3.0 ± 1.3 mm). The widest interlaminar space was observed at C3–4 (27.1 ± 2.1 mm) and most narrow at C7–T1 (20.9 ± 2.4 mm). Following multivariate regression, male gender was associated with greater interlaminar widths at each cervical level between C4 and T1 (Table 2). While greater patient height was associated with larger interlaminar height (true and surgical) and width at C2–3 and C4–5, weight was not independently associated with the interlaminar measurements. Increasing C2–C7 lordosis was significantly associated with decreasing true and surgical interlaminar heights at all levels except C7–T1, but was not associated with differences between interlaminar width. The study provides a morphometric analysis of interlaminar anatomy in the cervical spine. Surgeons can apply this information in their pre-operative plan to safely approach the posterior cervical spine.
Monitoring the Variable Interstellar Absorption toward HD 219188 with HST/STIS

We discuss the results of continued spectroscopic monitoring of the variable intermediate-velocity (IV) absorption at v = -38 km/s toward HD 219188. After reaching maxima in mid-2000, the column densities of both Na I and Ca II in that IV component declined by factors >= 2 by the end of 2006. Comparisons between HST/STIS echelle spectra obtained in 2001, 2003, and 2004 and HST/GHRS echelle spectra obtained in 1994--1995 indicate the following: (1) The absorption from the dominant species S II, O I, Si II, and Fe II is roughly constant in all four sets of spectra -- suggesting that the total N(H) and the (mild) depletions have not changed significantly over a period of nearly ten years. (2) The column densities of the trace species C I (both ground and excited fine-structure states) and of the excited state C II* all increased by factors of 2--5 between 1995 and 2001 -- implying increases in the hydrogen density n_H (from about 20 cm^{-3} to about 45 cm^{-3}) and in the electron density n_e (by a factor >= 3) over that 6-year period. (3) The column densities of C I and C II* -- and the corresponding inferred n_H and n_e -- then decreased slightly between 2001 and 2004. (4) The changes in C I and C II* are very similar to those seen for Na I and Ca II. The relatively low total N(H) and the modest n_H suggest that the -38 km/s cloud toward HD 219188 is not a very dense knot or filament. Partial ionization of hydrogen appears to be responsible for the enhanced abundances of Na I, C I, Ca II, and C II*. In this case, the variations in those species appear to reflect differences in density and ionization [and not N(H)] over scales of tens of AU.
Child Skill Accumulation in One- and Two-Parent Families

In this paper, I examine the role of family structure in child skill accumulation. I establish empirically that one- and two-parent families use different technologies to invest in their children: the choices of one-parent families are more sensitive to child care’s price. I analyze the effect of child care subsidies using a general equilibrium framework with endogenous family formation. I find that subsidies improve skill outcomes for children, especially those raised by one-parent, low-income families, thereby narrowing the gap in child outcomes across family structures. Exogenous attributes of family structure drive between 28 and 40 percent of this gap.
Prediction and Topological Models in Neuroscience

In the last two decades, philosophy of neuroscience has predominantly focused on explanation. Indeed, it has been argued that mechanistic models are the standards of explanatory success in neuroscience over, among other things, topological models. However, explanatory power is only one virtue of a scientific model. Another is its predictive power. Unfortunately, the notion of prediction has received comparatively little attention in the philosophy of neuroscience, in part because predictions seem disconnected from interventions. In contrast, we argue that topological predictions can and do guide interventions in science, both inside and outside of neuroscience. Topological models allow researchers to predict many phenomena, including diseases, treatment outcomes, aging, and cognition, among others. Moreover, we argue that these predictions also offer strategies for useful interventions. Topology-based predictions play this role regardless of whether they do or can receive a mechanistic interpretation. We conclude by making a case for philosophers to focus on prediction in neuroscience in addition to explanation alone.
Factors Associated with Firearm-Related Risk Reduction Strategies Among Men and Women Handgun Owners: A New Direction to Increase Public Safety

The U.S. has the highest number of guns in the hands of civilians in the world, increasing the need for strategies that reduce firearm-related accidents and violence. Understanding experiences and ...
Piercing the Veil of Political Altruism, or, Why Political Rules Are Weird

Defining rules politically poses the general question of which aspects of social ordering are tractable to public institutional resolution. But not all institutions emerge from the same processes of spontaneous ordering; self-interest subject to market discipline looks very different than self-interest subject to political discipline. Because of the structural way in which changes to political rules result in distributional consequences compared to the political status quo, their emergence is fundamentally governed by the dynamics of political self-interest. In contrast, while the public definition of economic institutions is also governed by political self-interest, economic dynamics can redefine this political self-interest in socially beneficial ways. Through the analysis of the emergence of the Australian ballot and the general corporate form in the 19th Century US, I argue that public economic institutional change is a process more tractable to constructivist influence. This is because dynamic economic forces (which operate through mutually beneficial exchange) can disrupt political economic equilibria. In contrast, constructivist political change is necessarily competitive, which makes such change less intrinsically related to longer-term emergent benefits to social ordering.
A Preliminary Experimental Analysis on RateMyProfessors

Online reviews have a critical impact on e-commerce business. While many studies have been done on the various characteristics of online reviews, in this paper we present a preliminary experimental analysis on RateMyProfessors, a well-known review site that allows college students to post reviews and assign ratings to professors. We collected online review data from RateMyProfessors and compared them with assumptive ground truth. Our analysis suggests an evaluation bias where RateMyProfessors ratings tend to be more negative. About 76% of professors in general and 90% of professors teaching hard courses are negatively affected.
Modeling flow-based electrophoretic deposition for functionally graded materials

Abstract Electrophoretic deposition is an industrially proven technique to create materials from colloidal suspensions using an electric field, including functionally graded materials. While typically the composition of the colloidal suspension is held constant during deposition, leading to deposits of uniform composition or distinct layers, several researchers have reported forming functionally graded materials via electrophoretic deposition by changing the composition during the deposition. This article explores electrophoretic deposition in a flow cell that allows arbitrary gradients in the deposited material to be formed by actively mixing two colloidal suspensions during deposition. Under certain combinations of flow rate and applied electric field, the morphology of the deposit strongly deviates from the desired uniform thickness to a distinct wedge shape. To understand this phenomenon and leverage it for improved designs, a multiphysics model is developed that describes the spatial-temporal colloidal transport of particles in the suspension and reveals that suspension flow rate is the key factor influencing deposit morphologies observed in the experiment. Crucially, a distinct transition is found in deposit morphology from wedge shaped to flat at a dimensionless electric Froude number of approximately 10.
Deficits in spatial learning and memory is associated with hippocampal volume loss in aged apolipoprotein E4 mice.

Apolipoprotein E e4 (ApoE4) has been implicated as a potential genetic risk factor for dementia. In this study, we investigate the effect of ApoE4 on learning and memory, changes in brain volume and neuroinflammatory responses in brain of ApoE4 transgenic mice. Four groups of male mice with ApoE4 and age-matched wild type (WT) (6-, 12-, 18- and 24-month) were studied. Spatial learning and retaining of mice was examined in the Morris Water Maze (MWM). Changes in brain volume (including the whole brain, hippocampus, cortex, total ventricles, and caudate putamen) were assessed by using 7T small animal MRI. Neuroinflammatory responses were analyzed by measuring the levels of microglia (Iba-1), iNOS, TNFα, and IL-6 quantitatively. In the MWM, ApoE4 mice showed longer escape latency (p < 0.05) and swim distance (p < 0.05) at age 12 month and older, comparing with the WT mice. They also demonstrated poor memory retention in the probe test (p < 0.05). Brain atrophy was significant in ApoE4 mice than age-matched WT mice (18 months: 0.079 ± 0.004 versus 0.086 ± 0.003, p = 0.018; and 24 months: 0.074 ± 0.005 versus 0.084 ± 0.006, p = 0.008). The expression of Iba-1, iNOS, and TNFα in hippocampus and cortex were significantly higher in ApoE4 mice than in WT mice at 12 months and older. These data suggest that ApoE4 plays an important role in learning and memory impairment. These deficits are associated with neuroinflammatory responses that may in turn lead to atrophy in hippocampus and cortex.
Attention, indifference, dislike, action: Web advertising involving users

Since advertising banners in Web pages usually do not relate to the users’ interests, banners are often rejected. Much effort has been spent on trying to adapt banners to users. While the usual approach is to try to accomplish that by gathering data about the user, we propose a different approach. Using user-configurable advertising profiles and direct feedback we give full control to the users themselves. This approach is currently being implemented and evaluated in the context of an Internet TV program guide.
A precise, high‐throughput method for determining Sr/Ca, Sr/Ba, and Ca/Ba ratios in marine barite

[1] Recent evidence suggests that marine barite, an inorganic phase preserved in oxic, deep-sea sediments, may record seawater Sr and Ca concentrations. Here we describe a novel method for determining Sr/Ca, Sr/Ba, and Ca/Ba ratios of discrete marine barite separates. Marine barite, separated from deep-sea sediments, is dissolved in a basic, ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) solution and subsequently analyzed using an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES). Since dissolution occurs within 2–5 days, and >15 samples can be analyzed on the ICP-OES per hour, data acquisition is rapid compared with other procedures. The method yields precisions of <0.7% (Sr/Ca), <0.6% (Sr/Ba), and <1.0% (Ca/Ba), which are reproducible within 1.7% (Sr/Ca), 1.7% (Sr/Ba), and 2.5% (Ca/Ba). Precise determination of trace element incorporation in marine barite has implications for paleoceanography (development of seawater Sr and Ca concentration curves) and calculation of barite solubility in both the modern and ancient ocean.
A CAUSE OF HYPERAMYLASEMIA ASSOCIATED WITH CHRONIC LIVER DISEASE

The cause of hyperamylasemia associated with chronic liver disease is unclear. In an attempt to identify the tissue of origin of hyperamylasemia in 3 patients with chronic active hepatitis their serum was isoelectrically focused. The isoamylase patterns obtained were compared to those of pancreatic and salivary amylase. The apparent salivary gland origin of the excessive blood amylase in the patients studied was substantiated by radiological demonstration of parotid sialoectasia in one patient and histological evidence of sialoadenitis in mother. Further evidence was the coincident isoelectric points of the predominant isoamylase in the sera of the liver disease patients and of patients with parotid inflammatory disease. Hyperamylasemia associated with chronic liver disease may be of salivary gland origin and as such forms part of the spectrum of extrahepatic manifestations of chronic active hepatitis.
The Role of Analog Circuits in Future VLSI Technologies

This paper discusses the role of analog circuits in future digital systems, some factors influencing partitioning of analog and digital system segments, and problems in the design of analog circuits in scaled technologies.
Isoperimetric Quadrilaterals: Mathematical Reasoning with Technology.

ed in 1995 as part of the Kentucky Partnership for Reform Initiatives in Science and Mathematics (PRISM). We intended to work with quadrilaterals in general on our original lesson, but we thought that such a lesson might be too difficult for many students. Hence, we designed the original lesson to engage secondary school students in an investigation of the nature of isoperimetric parallelograms, that is, parallelograms with the same perimeter. We wanted the lesson to be appropriate for students at different levels of mathematical understanding. The lesson focused on particular connections between geometry and measurement: How does change in shape affect the area of the interior region of parallelograms with the same perimeter?
Instability Characteristics Of The Flow Through The Gibraltar Straits

In this paper we investigate the hydrodynamic stability of the flow through the Gibraltar Straits using a simple model with rectilinear variation of the velocity, and piecewise constant variation of density. The equations of motion are linearized around this flow, and the absolute/convective character of the instability is determined. The parameters of the model are fitted using field measurements. It is shown that the presence of flow reversal is a necessary, but not sufficient, condition for the occurrence of absolute instability. For the flow through the Gibraltar Straits, stability analysis of field measurements shows that absolute instability develops in the flow over the Camarinal Sill, from 5 to 7 h after high water (when Atlantic water starts flowing eastward). The resulting internal waves are short, of the order of 350 m. Their periods vary throughout this time, from 10 min in the beginning to 48 min toward the end. The instability waves thus have an initially fast phase, and subsequently slow down, until they are eventually dissipated after the elimination of absolute instability conditions in the Straits. By computing the shapes of the eigenfunctions it is shown that the instability waves disturb mostly the upper layer of the ocean, and, to a lesser extent, the transition layer between the two counterflowing streams.
Automatic Generation of XML from Relations: The Nested Relation Approach

We propose a method to generate XML documents from relational databases by using nested relational algebra. Starting with a specification of the structure of the XML document, and a description of the database schema, we give an algorithm to build automatically a nested algebra query that will generate a nested view from the relational database; this view is isomorphic to the desired XML document, that can easily be generated from it. We discuss limitations of (and extensions to) the framework.
Robust Force Control of a Robot Manipulator

In this paper, we develop a position/force controller based on the impedance approach without requiring exact knowledge of the robot dynamics. A robust force control scheme based on the impedance approach is derived to follow a desired trajectory while regulating the force at the end effector. A uniform boundness result is obtained for the tracking error with only the measurement of the force at the end effector and of the joint velocity and position. This bound can be made arbitrarily small by adjusting the appropriate control parameters.
PET tracers for 5-HT1A receptors and uses thereof

The serotonin 5-HT(1A) receptor is implicated in the pathophysiology of major neuropsychiatric disorders, including depression, suicidal behavior, panic disorder, epilepsy, bulimia, schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease and is, therefore, an important target for drug therapy. 5-HT(1A) receptors are expressed as somatodendritic autoreceptors in serotonin neurons of the raphe nuclei (presynaptic) and as postsynaptic receptors in cortical and subcortical serotonin terminal fields in the brain. Due to the higher concentration and heterogeneous distribution of this receptor, it is an attractive target for quantification in vivo using positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission tomography (SPECT). Here, we review the PET radioligands employed for imaging 5-HT(1A) receptors in living brain.