cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Strategy Training on Self-Awareness of Deficits After Stroke.

Importance: Self-awareness of deficits, or the ability to understand the effects of impairments on daily life, is often diminished after a stroke. Diminished self-awareness influences participation in rehabilitation and functional outcomes. Objective: To examine whether self-awareness of deficits changed over time after a stroke (N = 43) and whether metacognitive strategy training (n = 21) resulted in improved self-awareness compared with direct skill training (n = 22). Design: Secondary analysis of data collected from a randomized controlled trial. Setting: Inpatient stroke rehabilitation. Participants: Adults with cognitive impairments after an acute stroke. Intervention: Metacognitive strategy training is an approach in which clients are guided through a process of self-assessment and develop solutions for barriers to task performance. This approach was compared with direct skill training, in which the therapist provides specific instructions for task completion, removing the client-initiated assessment and problem-solving components. Outcomes and Measures: Self-awareness measures included the Self-Regulation Skills Interview and Self-Awareness of Deficits Interview at baseline and 3 mo and 6 mo after the intervention. We used a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to analyze change in self-awareness and a two-way ANOVA to examine differences between groups over time. Results: There was a statistically significant and potentially meaningful difference over time in the self-awareness domain of strategy behavior, F(2) = 3.35, p = .039, but there were no differences in improvements between the metacognitive strategy and direct skill training groups. Conclusions and Relevance: Self-awareness warrants further investigation to determine whether it improves naturally over time or through both interventions after stroke. What This Article Adds: Self-awareness of deficits, and the use of strategies in particular, may improve in the early stages of stroke recovery, but the optimal approach for intervention remains unclear.
Successive Failures of Epidural Anesthesia After Repeated Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy

Inadequate anesthesia after acutely repeated continuous iumbar epidural anesthesia (CLEA) and extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) has been described. Although initial investigations have shown ESWL to have little effect on adjacent tissues, with the exception of pulmonary parenchyma, preliminary studies in animals have displayed pathology in the epidural space after repeated CLEA for ESWL.2,3,4,5 This article describes a patient who after two successful CLEAs for repeated ESWL displayed incomplete anesthesia with two subsequent epidural anesthetics more than 4 months apart.
Washington State's Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program: Improving Affordability of Healthy Foods for Low-Income Patients.

Purpose and objectives We conducted a mixed-methods process and outcome evaluation for a statewide fruit and vegetable prescription program. The process evaluation assessed program implementation, identified opportunities for quality improvement, and provided recommendations for future programmatic activities. The outcome evaluation measured how the program affected purchases of fruits and vegetables among low-income patients and patient satisfaction with the program. Intervention approach The Washington State Department of Health (WA DOH) partnered with public and private health care systems, public health agencies, a community-based organization, and a supermarket chain to launch a fruit and vegetable prescription program in 2016. The prescription was a $10 voucher redeemable for fruits and vegetables at any one of 169 participating supermarkets. Prescriptions were distributed to eligible low-income patients in clinics and community settings. Evaluation methods WA DOH reviewed quarterly reports, meeting minutes and notes, telephone call logs, and email logs to solicit feedback on program implementation processes. We calculated overall prescription redemption rates on the basis of the number of prescriptions distributed by implementing partners and the number of prescriptions redeemed at participating supermarkets. We assessed patient satisfaction through a web-based survey. The study period was July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2018. Results Best practices for implementation included using the prescription to improve patient engagement and retention and connect patients to additional services, and working in the community to enhance program support and uptake. Overall, $154,810 in fruit and vegetable prescriptions were redeemed during the study period (54.4% redemption rate). Most survey respondents (88.2%) reported eating more fruits and vegetables than previously as a result of the prescription. Implications for public health Fruit and vegetable prescriptions are an effective way to increase affordability of healthy foods for low-income patients. These programs are scalable and translatable across various types of patient-provider encounters.
Evolution of the Solid–Electrolyte Interphase on Carbonaceous Anodes Visualized by Atomic-Resolution Cryogenic Electron Microscopy

The stability of modern lithium-ion batteries depends critically on an effective solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI), a passivation layer that forms on the carbonaceous negative electrode as a result of electrolyte reduction. However, a nanoscopic understanding of how the SEI evolves with battery aging remains limited due to the difficulty in characterizing the structural and chemical properties of this sensitive interphase. In this work, we image the SEI on carbon black negative electrodes using cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) and track its evolution during cycling. We find that a thin, primarily amorphous SEI nucleates on the first cycle, which further evolves into one of two distinct SEI morphologies upon further cycling: (1) a compact SEI, with a high concentration of inorganic components that effectively passivates the negative electrode; and (2) an extended SEI spanning hundreds of nanometers. This extended SEI grows on particles that lack a compact SEI and consists primarily of alkyl carbonates. The diversity in observed SEI morphologies suggests that SEI growth is a highly heterogeneous process. The simultaneous emergence of these distinct SEI morphologies highlights the necessity of effective passivation by the SEI, as large-scale extended SEI growths negatively impact lithium-ion transport, contribute to capacity loss, and may accelerate battery failure.
What If? [Microwave Surfing]

Discusses the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI. Reports on the international Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project which hopes to build the world’s largest radio telescope, with eventually more than a square kilometer (1 million m2) of collecting area. The project has progressed more slowly than originally anticipated, with the roster of member countries fluctuating (the United States is not a member), cost estimates rising, and the project scale being revised. A stated goal of the project is to help solve “one of the greatest mysteries known to humankind…are we alone in the Universe?”."
Evaluating Carbon Extremes in a Coupled Climate-Carbon Cycle Simulation

Gross primary production (GPP) measures the photosynthetic update of carbon by terrestrial ecosystems. Accurately quantifying and simulating GPP and its extremes remains a challenge in global carbon cycle sciences. Here, we evaluate GPP extremes in a coupled biogeochemistry (BGC) simulation by the Department of Energy's Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SMv1.1) using the Generalized Extreme Value (GEV) distribution statistical model. The simulation is evaluated against the Global Bio-Atmosphere Flux (GBAF) data. Temporal trends and ENSO dependence are also investigated by using GEV models where time and the Nino3.4 index are introduced as linear covariates. The E3SMv1.1 model simulation generally predicts stronger negative and positive GPP extremes as compared to GBAF data. It also tends to simulate stronger temporal trends of GPP extremes than GBAF data. While negative GPP extreme trends are not significant in either E3SM or GBAF, positive GPP trends are statistically significant over several regions only for the E3SMv1.1 model simulation. ENSO dependence is generally stronger in the E3SMv1.1 model simulation, but ENSO dependence is found not to be significant for the time period analyzed (1980-2006) to match GBAF data. For the longer simulation period of 1900-2006, ENSO dependence is found to be statistically significant over Amazon, the maritime continent and Northern Australia for both negative and positive extremes.
Evaluation of natural periods and modal damping ratios for seismic design of building structures

A comprehensive technique for identification of modal properties (i.e. natural periods and equivalent modal damping ratios) of building structures is presented. The proposed identification techniqu...
Chapter 7 – Anxiety disorders

Publisher Summary This chapter deals with the various anxiety disorders. The anxiety disorders are presumed to differ primarily in the particular class of stimuli that possesses elevated threat value, whether it is social, physical, or mental. Also, loading on generalized vulnerability factors is likely to differentiate among the anxiety disorders. This chapter describes each anxiety disorder, with specific reference to the learning experiences and biological propensities that contribute to the elevated threat value of the class of stimuli unique to that disorder. The salience and threat value of stimuli is likely to be affected by the broad-based vulnerabilities of negative affectivity and a threat based style of emotion regulation, as well as history of experience with related stimuli and ongoing contextual variables. Salience and threat value of stimuli is likely to be additionally affected by developmental stages. Mental processes may be more salient at times of development that coincide with greater responsibility for one's thoughts and actions, such as upon leaving home or having a family. Such developmental shifts explain the modal ages of onset for each anxiety disorder. Stimuli judged to be threatening naturally becomes the target of vigilance, danger-laden beliefs, and avoidance behavior. These processes in turn maintain the threat value of the relevant set of stimuli, creating a self perpetuating cycle of distress and avoidance, as well as magnifying the vulnerability toward continuing anxiety. The maintaining influences for each disorder are described in this chapter.
Improved motion correction for functional MRI using an omnibus regression model

Head motion during functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging acquisition can significantly contaminate the neural signal and introduce spurious, distance-dependent changes in signal correlations. This can heavily confound studies of development, aging, and disease. Previous approaches to suppress head motion artifacts have involved sequential regression of nuisance covariates, but this has been shown to reintroduce artifacts. We propose a new motion correction pipeline using an omnibus regression model that avoids this problem by simultaneously regressing out multiple artifacts using the best performing algorithms to estimate each artifact. We quantitatively evaluate its motion artifact suppression performance against sequential regression pipelines using a large heterogeneous dataset (n= 151) which includes high-motion subjects and multiple disease phenotypes. The proposed concatenated regression pipeline significantly reduces the association between head motion and functional connectivity while significantly outperforming the traditional sequential regression pipelines in eliminating distance-dependent head motion artifacts.
Skin biopsy and skin cancer treatment use in the Medicare population, 1993 to 2016.

Background Skin biopsies are increasing at a rapid rate, and some may be unnecessary. Although skin cancer incidence is rising, there is varied biopsy accuracy between dermatologists and advanced practice professionals (APPs). A comparison of Current Procedural Terminology code (American Medical Association, Chicago, IL) use for skin biopsy and skin cancer treatment over 18 years and a comparison of provider types is needed. Excess skin biopsies increase health care costs and patient morbidity. Objective To examine changes in skin biopsy and skin cancer treatment utilization rates per year in the Medicare fee-for-service ( FFS ) population and to compare skin biopsy utilization rates between dermatologists and APPs. Methods Retrospective cross-sectional study of Medicare FFS paid claims using the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Physician Claims databases. We calculated the number of skin biopsies and skin cancer treatments in the Medicare FFS population from 1993 to 2016, and percentage use by provider type from 2001 to 2016. Our primary outcome measurements were the number of skin biopsies and skin cancer treatments per 1000 Medicare FFS beneficiaries per year and the number of additional skin biopsies per 1000 Medicare FFS beneficiaries per year, or the difference in the number of skin biopsies and number of skin cancer treatments per 1000 Medicare FFS beneficiaries. Our secondary outcome measurements were the skin biopsy-to-skin cancer treatment ratio and the number of procedures per 1000 Medicare FFS beneficiaries per year by provider type. Results After adjusting for the number of enrollees in the Medicare FFS population from 1993 to 2016, skin biopsies per 1000 Medicare FFS beneficiaries increased 153% (from 39.31 to 99.33), and skin cancer treatments per 1000 Medicare FFS beneficiaries increased 39% (from 34.67 to 48.26). Between 1993 and 2016, the skin biopsy-to-skin cancer treatment ratio increased 81% (from 1.134 to 2.058), and the number of additional biopsies per 1000 Medicare FFS beneficiaries increased 1001% (from 4.638 to 51.072) between 1993 and 2016. Utilization data by provider type is available from 2001 to 2016. The number of skin biopsies per 1000 Medicare beneficiaries performed by APPs increased from 0.82 to 17.19 or 1996% (nurse practitioners, 2211%; physician assistants, 1916%) and the number of biopsies by dermatologists increased by 41% from 53.98 to 76.17. Limitations Medicare claims data do not provide specific information regarding skin biopsy or skin cancer treatment use. Conclusion The number of skin biopsies has risen 153% since 1993, while the number of skin cancer treatments has only increased 39%. Our data highlight the rise of biopsy use and the increase in biopsies that do not result in skin cancer diagnosis or treatment. This suggests APPs may be responsible for increasing the cost of skin cancer management by biopsying significantly more benign lesions than dermatologists.
Remote experimentation with open-access full-duplex wireless in the COSMOS testbed

To support experimentation with full-duplex (FD) wireless, we recently integrated two FlexICoN Gen-2 wideband FD radios in the open-access, city-scale NSF PAWR COSMOS testbed. Each integrated FD radio consists of an antenna, a customized Gen-2 RF self-interference (SI) canceller box, a USRP software-defined radio, and a remotely accessible compute node. The RF SI canceller box includes an RF canceller printed circuit board which emulates an integrated circuit implementation based on the technique of frequency-domain equalization. The Gen-2 canceller box can achieve up to 50 dB RF SI cancellation across 20MHz bandwidth. In this demo, we present the design and implementation of the open-acccess, remotely accessible FD radios that are integrated in the indoor COSMOS Sandbox 2 at Columbia University. We also demonstrate example experiments that are available to researchers, where demo participants can observe the visualized performance of the open-access FD radios.
Racial and Socioeconomic Disparities in Visual Impairment in the United States

Abstract Among a large national sample in the United States, minority race and lower socioeconomic status are associated with higher rates of visual impairment. These findings identify areas requiring improvement in population eye health.
Pleomorphic Leiomyosarcoma Presenting as a Upper Back Epidermal Inclusion Cyst.

ABSTRACT Leiomyosarcoma is a common sarcoma of both organs and soft tissues; however, large intradermal tumors are extremely rare. Presented is a pleomorphic leiomyosarcoma in a 64-year-old man, initially considered to be a ruptured epidermal inclusion cyst. The patient had a mildly tender, enlarging soft-tissue mass with a central pore on his right upper back. Incomplete extirpation showed a 5 × 5 cm heterogeneous, predominantly pleomorphic sarcoma with areas of fascicular and storiform spindled cells infiltrating the subcutaneous soft tissue to the underlying fascia and extending upward into the middle and upper dermis with prominent extension into pilosebaceous units. There were small foci with myxoid stroma and large areas of necrosis. CD31 demonstrated thin-walled curvilinear vessels throughout the tumor. The first desmin immunohistochemical stain near areas with myxoid stroma was negative but smooth muscle actin positive. However, desmin positivity was strong and diffuse in the spindled and more pleomorphic areas on 2 additional tissue sections. No rhabdomyoblasts or striated muscle fibers were seen. A diagnosis of pleomorphic leiomyosarcoma was rendered. This case highlights a unique clinical and histological presentation of a leiomyosarcoma initially mistaken to be a ruptured epidermal inclusion cyst, and the need to sometimes apply ancillary immunohistochemical studies to sections from more than one tissue block to accurately differentiate heterogeneous sarcomas with similar histologic features.
Nickel-catalyzed annulations of ortho-haloarylimines

We report the discovery, development, and mechanism of a nickel-catalyzed annulation reaction between o-haloarylimines and electron-poor olefins. The reaction produces two adjacent anti stereocenters and a free secondary amine. Spirocycles are formed from cyclic imines. We characterized the key oxidative addition intermediate and identified a major path leading to competing homocoupling products. The activation energy of oxidative addition and the rate of oxidative addition complex isomerization were determined. The sensitivity of the reaction to reaction conditions was established in a quantitative manner and both the scope and limitations of the method are presented.
Basic Introduction to Statistics in Medicine, Part 1: Describing Data

Background: Standardized and concise data presentation forms the base for subsequent analysis and interpretation. This article reviews types of data, data properties and distributions, and both numerical and graphical methods of data presentation. Methods: For the purposes of illustration, the National Inpatient Sample was queried to categorize patients as having either emergency general surgery or non-emergency general surgery admissions. Results: Variables are categorized as either categorical or numerical. Within the former, there are ordinal and or nominal subtypes; within the latter, there are ratio and interval subtypes. Categorical data are typically displayed as number (%). Numerical data must be assessed for normality as normally distributed data behave in certain patterns that allow for specific statistical tests to be used. Several properties exist for numerical data, including measurements of central tendency (mean, median, and mode), as well as standard deviation, range, and interquartile range. The best initial assessment of the distribution of numerical data is graphical with both histograms and box plots. Conclusion: Knowledge of the types, distribution, and properties of data is essential to move forward with hypothesis testing.
"I Want Them to Still Trust Me with Their Child's Care": A Longitudinal Study of Pediatric Residents' Reactions to and Communication with Parents about Medical Uncertainty across Residency.

Physicians in residency training experience high levels of medical uncertainty, yet they are often hesitant to discuss uncertainty with parents. Guided by the theory of motivated information manage...
Flavor Chemistry and Technology

Part I: Flavour Chemistry Flavour and its study Biogenesis of flavour in fruits and vegetables Changes in food flavour due to processing Off-flavours in food Part II: Flavour Technology Flavourings and flavouring materials Flavouring materials of natural origin Flavouring materials made by processing Synthetic Flavouring materials Flavour potentiators Flavourists and flavour creation Flavour production The application of flavourings in food processing Flavours and the law Quality control.
Interleukin-33 in tissue homeostasis, injury and inflammation

Interleukin-33 (IL-33) is a nuclear-associated cytokine of the IL-1 family originally described as a potent inducer of allergic type 2 immunity. IL-33 signals via the receptor ST2, which is highly expressed on group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) and T helper 2 (Th2) cells, thus underpinning its association with helminth infection and allergic pathology. Recent studies have revealed ST2 expression on subsets of regulatory T cells, and for a role for IL-33 in tissue homeostasis and repair that suggests previously unrecognized interactions within these cellular networks. IL-33 can participate in pathologic fibrotic reactions, or, in the setting of microbial invasion, can cooperate with inflammatory cytokines to promote responses by cytotoxic NK cells, Th1 cells, and CD8+ T cells. Here, we highlight the regulation and function of IL-33 and ST2 and review their roles in homeostasis, damage, and inflammation, suggesting a conceptual framework for future studies.
Chapter 4 Temperature: Enzyme and organelle

Publisher Summary Fishes as a group have been very successful in exploiting habitats with a wide range of temperatures. Representative teleostean species, for example, inhabit waters ranging from the hot springs of the equatorial region (35 oC and above) to the polar oceans (–1.86 oC). In addition, the life histories of many fish species encompass very considerable seasonal changes in temperature. The obvious success of this group of animals in exploiting such a wide range of thermal habitats should perhaps be puzzling, for the following reasons: First, all chemicophysical processes, including the biochemical reactions of living systems, are sensitive to acute changes in temperature. This sensitivity is often expressed as Q 10 , the ratio of rates at temperatures 10 oC apart, and typical values of this parameter for enzyme-catalyzed reactions range between 2 and 3. Second, most fish cannot maintain a significant thermal disequilibrium with their environment, because the same design features that permit the gills of fish to function effectively in respiratory gas exchange also greatly facilitate thermal exchange with the surrounding water. Although not considered further here, some notable exceptions to this generalization exist. Certain lamnid sharks and large tuna possess vascular retia that function as countercurrent heat exchangers to conserve metabolic heat in the deep musculature, and thermogenic “heater” tissues of billfish serve to maintain cranial temperatures significantly above the ambient level. Apart from these exceptions, however, it generally can be assumed that the mean body temperature of fish is well within one degree of the ambient water temperature.
Synthesis, Analysis, and Modeling of Large-Scale Mission-Critical Embedded Software Systems

Mission-critical embedded software performs the core processing logic for pervasive systems that affect people and enterprises everyday, ranging from aerospace systems to financial markets to automotive systems. In order to function properly, these embedded software systems rely on and are highly interdependent with other hardware and software systems. This research identifies design principles for large-scale mission-critical embedded software and investigates their application in development strategies, architectures, and techniques. We have examined actual embedded software systems from two different problem domains, advanced robotic spacecraft and financial market systems, and these analyses established the foundations for these design principles. Both system types embody solutions that respond to detailed specifications defined and modeled with heavy user involvement. Both system types possess mission-critical logic represented using state machines and other structured techniques. They both use a layered architecture approach with a foundation that provides infrastructure services, a layer with a simple set of foreground and background tasks, a layer with deterministic synchronous processing steps, and a layer with event-driven monitoring, commanding, and sequencing capabilities. The architectural approach supports a domain-specific command sequencing macro language that defines table-driven executable specifications and enables developers to work at higher abstraction levels throughout the lifecycle. The architectural approach also facilitates extensibility, reuse, and portability across multi-processor execution environments. The systems rely on extensive built-in self-tests, invariants, and redundant calculations that assess states and detect faults. From a development standpoint, both systems use risk-driven incremental lifecycles, system modeling, end-to-end prototyping, and statistical analysis of development processes. Based on insights gained from embedded software design principles and their application on these as well as other systems, improvement opportunities and research directions will be identified.
Sensitivity of Systematic Risk Estimates to the Return Measurement Interval Under Serial Correlation

This paper analytically and empirically investigates the sensitivity of the return measurement interval to the market beta estimate and suggests a market beta estimation method incorporating the investment horizon through a vector autoregressive (VAR) model when there is serial correlation in returns. The analytical relation between the beta estimate and the return measurement interval is obtained. Based on the analytical relation, a decision function for the intervalling effect is provided. It is found that the intervalling effect is mostly caused by January returns.
Distributed Human-Machine Systems: Progress and Prospects

Advances in neurophysiological and cognitive science research have fueled a surge of research aimed at more effectively combining human and machine capabilities. In this talk we will give and overview of progress and prospects for four current thrusts of technology development resulting from this research: brain-machine interfaces, robotic prostheses and orthotics, cognitive and sensory prostheses, and software and robotic assistants. Following the overview, we will highlight the unprecedented social ethics issues that arise in the design and deployment of such technologies, and how they might be responsibly considered and addressed.
Generic Modeling of Turbomachinery Components and Systems

A turbomachinery system such as a power generation gas turbine engine, a thrust generation aero- engine, rocket propulsion, or a small turbocharger, consist of several sub-systems that we call components ([1],[2],[3],[4]). Each component is an autonomous entity with a defined function within the system. Inlet nozzles, exit diffusers, combustion chambers, compressors, and turbines are a few component examples. A component may consist of several sub-components. A turbine or a compressor stage exhibits such a sub-component. The numerical models of components are called modules.
Pituicytoma, Neurohypophysis, Rat

This neoplasm of the pars nervosa is solid, relatively firm, and causes enlargement of the pituitary gland and compression atrophy of the overlying hypothalamus. Its size may vary from microscopic dimensions to several millimeters in diameter.
Hydrogen bonding: Part 18. The nature of the OHF hydrogen bond in choline fluoride☆

Abstract The infrared spectrum of the OHF hydrogen bond in choline fluoride is completely different from the spectra of the electrostatic O—H⋯X hydrogen bonds in the other choline halides; however, this spectrum cannot be accounted for in terms of a “very strong” covalent OHF bond such as those found in carboxylic acid—fluoride ion complexes or postulated for betaine hydrofluoride. The spectrum of choline fluoride is interpreted best in terms of an intermediate type of unsymmetrical hydrogen bond ( r ° O⋯F = ∼ 256 pm) which shows strong intensity enhancement for the first overtone of the OHF bending vibration.
RNA Tumor Viruses and Human Cancer

The considerable efforts in recent years to determine an etiology of human cancer with its importance for early diagnosis, prophylaxis, and therapy have associated, with increasing frequency, RNA tumor viruses with some human malignancies. Early electron microscopic and immunologic studies gained new significance with recent biochemical evidence: the discovery of an RNA-directed DNA synthesizing polymerase in RNA-tumor viruses and the elucidation of RNA tumor viral replication and transformation properties provided new techniques for the discovery of RNA tumor viruses and their association with human neoplasms.
Euclidean Wilson loops and Minimal Area Surfaces in Minkowski AdS 3

The AdS/CFT correspondence relates Wilson loops inN = 4 SYM theory to minimal area surfaces inAdS5 S 5 space. If the Wilson loop
Inflammatory markers and risk of hip fracture in older white women: the study of osteoporotic fractures.

Hip fractures are the most devastating consequence of osteoporosis and impact 1 in 6 white women leading to a 2–3 fold increased mortality risk in the first year. Despite evidence of inflammatory markers in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis, few studies have examined their effect on hip fracture. To determine if high levels of inflammation increase hip fracture risk and explore mediation pathways, a case-cohort design nested in a cohort of 4709 white women from the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures was used. A random sample of 1171 women was selected as the subcohort (mean age 80.1 ± 4.2 years) plus the first 300 women with incident hip fracture. Inflammatory markers interleukin-6 (IL-6) and soluble receptors (SR) for IL-6 (IL-6 SR) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF SR1 and TNF SR2) were measured and participants were followed for a median (interquartile range) of 6.3 (3.7, 6.9) years. In multivariable models, the hazard ratio (HR) of hip fracture for women in the highest inflammatory marker level (quartile 4) was 1.64 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09–2.48, p trend=0.03) for IL-6 and 2.05 (95% CI, 1.35–3.12, p trend <0.01) for TNF SR1 when compared with women in the lowest level (quartile 1). Among women with 2 and 3–4 inflammatory markers in the highest quartile, the HR of hip fracture was 1.51 (95% CI, 1.07–2.14) and 1.42 (95% CI, 0.87–2.31) compared with women with 0–1 marker(s) in the highest quartile (p trend = 0.03). After individually adjusting for 7 potential mediators, cystatin-C (a biomarker of renal function) and bone mineral density (BMD) attenuated HRs among women with the highest inflammatory burden by 20% and 15%, respectively, suggesting a potential mediating role. Older white women with high inflammatory burden are at increased risk of hip fracture in part due to poor renal function and low BMD.
Effects of atropine and bethanechol on bombesin-stimulated release of pancreatic polypeptide and gastrin in dog.

Abstract In dogs with gastric fistulas, intravenous infusion of graded doses of bombesin gave graded increases in plasma concentrations of pancreatic polypeptide and of gastrin. The maximally effective dose, 500 ng kg−1 h−1, gave a mean peak increase over basal of 240 pM for pancreatic polypeptide and 93 pM for gastrin. Atropine sulfate (0.1 mg kg−1 iv) inhibited the pancreatic polypeptide response to bombesin by 60 ± 13% (P
Rapid Reconstitution of Antibody Responses Following Transplantation of Purified Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation has broad clinical applications extending from the treatment of malignancies to induction of immunologic tolerance. However, adaptive cellular and humoral immunity frequently remain impaired posttransplantation. Here, recovery of T-dependent and T-independent Ab responses was evaluated in mice transplanted with purified hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) devoid of the mature immune cells believed to hasten immune recovery. Mixed and full donor chimeras were created by conditioning recipients with sublethal or lethal irradiation, respectively, across different donor/host genetic disparities. By 6 wk posttransplantation, all animals demonstrated robust T-independent Ab responses, and all mixed chimeras and recipients of MHC-matched or haploidentical HSCs with a shared MHC haplotype had T-dependent Ab responses equivalent to those of untransplanted controls. Full chimeras that received fully MHC-disparate HSCs showed delayed T-dependent Ab responses that recovered by 12 wk. This delay occurred despite early reconstitution and proper migration to germinal centers of donor-derived T(follicular helper) (T(FH)) cells. Congenic transplants into T(FH)-deficient CD4(-/-) mice revealed restoration of T-dependent Ab responses by 6 wk, leading us to conclude that MHC disparity caused delay in humoral recovery. These findings, together with our previous studies, show that, contrary to the view that depletion of graft lymphocytes results in poor posttransplant immunity, elimination of immune-suppressing graft-versus-host reactions permits superior immune reconstitution. This study also provides insight into the regeneration of T(FH) cells and humoral immunity after allogeneic HSC transplantation.
Applications of volume holographic diffusers in projection displays

We present a model based on the coupled mode theory and use this model to analyze the diffraction properties of volume holographic diffusers, such as the diffraction efficiency and wavelength sensitivity. Volume holograms of both transmission type and reflection type are analyzed. Besides typical behaviors of Bragg diffraction, we notice several interesting phenomena. For transmission gratings with small diffraction angles, our results predict that the diffraction efficiency exhibits a blue-shift for its maximum value and a dip at the recording wavelength. Also presented is the enhancement of wavelength tolerance for a thin holographic medium, which can serve as a wideband diffuser over the entire visible range. For a thick medium, the wavelength- multiplexed volume holograms recorded with three primary colors, red, green, and blue, are studied, which provide an effective and feasible means of diffusion for color displays.
New blockwise permutation tests preserving exchangeability in functional neuroimaging

In this paper, we present a new blockwise permutation test approach based on the moments of the test statistic. The method is of importance to functional neuroimaging studies. In order to preserve the exchangeability condition required in permutation, we divide the time series into certain exchangeability blocks. In addition, efficient moments-based permutation tests are performed by approximating the permutation distribution of the test statistic with the Pearson distribution series. This involves the calculation of the first four moments of the permutation distribution within each block and then over the whole time series. The accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method are demonstrated using both simulated time series and fMRI data.
Mathematical and graphical interpretation of the log-normal law for particle size distribution analysis

Abstract The log-normal law serves as an excellent mathematical model for particle size distribution analysis to the extent that the various mathematical terms are properly interpreted. In particular, the probability density function (or frequency function) is shown to be more than an abstract mathematical variable. Particular attention is given to (a) the proper methods of analyzing log-normal distributions, quite different from normal distributions; (b) the physical significance of the mathematical variables and how they relate to experimentally observed data; (c) data-gathering; and (d) the correct modes of portraying and analyzing experimental data graphically.
A fresh look at meat flavor

Hundreds of compounds contribute to the flavor and aroma of meat. Complex interactions between various compounds influence the perception of meat flavor. Inherent flavor of a meat product can be influenced by oxidation, lipid content, feeding/diet, myoglobin, and pH. Diet plays an important role in both ruminants and nonruminants. New research reveals important relationships in flavor among multiple muscles within a single animal carcass. This animal effect includes the presence of off-flavors. Diets high in polyunsaturated fatty acids may be contributing to the appearance of off-flavors in beef. Compounds associated with liver-like off-flavor notes in beef have been identified in raw tissue.
Lithofacies and environments of Bed I, Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania

Abstract Bed I in Olduvai Gorge spans the interval from about 1.7 to 2.0 m.y.a., and all evidences of hominid activity at Olduvai are within the latter half of this period. Bed I was deposited in a closed basin approximately 25 km in average diameter, and it can be subdivided into five lithologically different but partly time-equivalent rock assemblages, or lithologic facies, each of which was deposited in the same geographic environment or closely related series of environments. These lithofacies comprise lake deposits, lake-margin deposits, alluvial-fan deposits, alluvial-plain deposits, and lava flows. Alluvial-plain deposits form the lowermost part of Bed I, and they presumably interfinger northeastward with lake deposits in an area not now exposed. Discharge of the lavas diplaced the lake westward to a position it occupied through the latter half of the deposition of Bed I. The lake fluctuated greatly in salinity, level, and extent, and at times of low level it was highly saline and generally ranged between 7 and 10 km in average diameter. At times of high level it was as much as 15 km in diameter and was relatively fresh, at least along its southeastern margin. The lake-margin deposits accumulated on the zone of relatively flat terrain that was flooded at times of high level. Lake-margin deposits interfinger eastward with deposits of an alluvial fan of pyroclastic materials produced in an explosive phase of the volcano Olmoti. The climate at the time of Bed I was relatively dry although somewhat wetter than the present climate in the same region today.
Computational modeling of evolutionary learning processes in the brain

The evolutionary selection circuits model of learning has been specified algorithmically. The basic structural components of the selection circuits model are enzymatic neurons, that is, neurons whose firing behavior is controlled by membrane-bound macromolecules called excitases. Learning involves changes in the excitase contents of neurons through a process of variation and selection. In this paper we report on the behavior of a basic version of the learning algorithm which has been developed through extensive interactive experiments with the model. This algorithm is effective in that it enables single neurons or networks of neurons to learn simple pattern classification tasks in a number of time steps which appears experimentally to be a linear function of problem size, as measured by the number of patterns of presynaptic input. The experimental behavior of the algorithm establishes that evolutionary mechanisms of learning are competent to serve as major mechanisms of neuronal adaptation. As an example, we show how the evolutionary learning algorithm can contribute to adaptive motor control processes in which the learning system develops the ability to reach a target in the presence of randomly imposed disturbances.
A reassessment of infantile esotropia. XLIV Edward Jackson memorial lecture.

Essential infantile esotropia is an early acquired, not a congenital, condition, although congenital factors may favor its development between the ages of 3 and 6 months. It must be distinguished from other forms of esotropia with an onset between birth and the first six months of life. The cause of essential infantile esotropia remains unknown, but advances in our knowledge can be expected from the rapidly emerging discipline of infant psychophysics. In analyzing treatment results, a clear distinction must be made between normal, subnormal, and anomalous forms of binocular cooperation. While complete restoration of normal binocular function is rarely, if ever, achieved, anomalous binocular cooperation has many functional advantages over suppression or diplopia and should not be disturbed by overzealous treatment. Subnormal binocular vision is considered to be an optimal, microtropia a desirable, and a residual small angle heterotropia an acceptable end stage of surgical therapy. In a study of 358 surgically treated patients with a documented onset of essential infantile esotropia before age 6 months, subnormal binocular vision was present in 71 (20%), a microtropia in 25 (7%), and a small angle esotropia or exotropia in 140 (39%) of the patients. Surgical alignment before completion of the second year of life improved the chances for an optimal treatment result. However, conclusion of surgical treatment after the age of 2 or even 4 years did not preclude the development of binocularity on a subnormal or anomalous basis in many patients.
A note on single input controllability for normal systems

It is known that ifA is a normal reductive linear operator on a Hilbert space and the linear system {A, B} is controllable, then there exists a vectorb in the range ofB such that {A, B} is controllable. It is shown that this result does not hold for an arbitrary normal operatorA.
SEM study of phenolphthalein adsorption on granular activated carbon

Abstract Activated carbons are characterized by their high adsorption capacities. Although the highly active surface properties of the activated carbon are often attributed to the chemical functional groups, surface morphology plays a significant role in determining the surface availability. Depending on the preparation methods used, activated carbon contains micropores, mesopores, and macropores. The pore size defines the types of molecules that could be adsorbed on the carbon surface. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of surface morphology on the adsorption of the contaminants on the carbon surface. The surface characteristics of the clean and saturated granular activated carbon particles were analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The SEM images were digitized and analyzed by Image-Pro Plus software. Examination of the SEM micrographs of the clean activated carbon particles showed two types of surfaces: smooth surfaces with long linear ridges and rough surfaces with oval ridges and micropores. Based on the analysis of the images taken by SEM before and after the adsorption process, two distinct types of adsorption patterns were observed. On the smooth surfaces, the adsorption was observed to be in the form of a thin uniform layer. On the rough surfaces, linear accumulation patterns following the shapes of the oval patterns were observed. The linear accumulation on the rough surface showed a more distinct density difference, indicative of a thicker layer than those observed on the smooth surfaces.
Measurement and Effect of Contact Resistance in Spot Welding

SPOT WELDING consists essentially of clamping two pieces of sheet metal between two copper electrodes and passing through the pieces an electric current of sufficient strength to fuse them together at the spot where the current is most concentrated. Spot welding is the simplest of the electric resistance-welding processes which depend upon the Joule effect, H = I2RT, for the generation of heat. The total resistance, R, in spot welding consists of the body resistance of the metal between the electrodes plus the sum of the sheet-to-sheet and electrode-to-sheet contact resistances. The purpose of this paper is to report to the electrical-engineering profession on recent investigations of the electrical resistance of these contacts and the importance of these resistances in the spot-welding process.
Surface trawl survey for U.S. origin Atlantic salmon Salmo salar

A surface trawl survey (2001–2005) in Penobscot Bay, Maine, U.S.A., and the nearshore Gulf of Maine waters was conducted to investigate early marine dynamics of a hatchery-dependent Atlantic salmon Salmo salar population from a severely modified river system. Data generated were used to evaluate the effect of stocking location and time on migration success and to describe the migratory pathways and environments that post-smolts traverse. Significant differences in early migration success were detected among different stocking groups, but subsequent marine survival was independent of stocking group. While the post-smolt population was primarily composed of hatchery origin smolt-stocked fish, other life-stage stocking strategies (i.e. parr stocking) represented a higher proportion of the population than previously assumed. Catch distribution suggests evidence of an initial marine migratory pathway out of the dynamic Penobscot Bay environment. The hypothesized benefits of a predator refuge based on the co-occurring species complex is considered minimal for emigrating post-smolts given a mismatch in the size overlap among species and low abundance of other co-occurring diadromous populations. These data can be used to modify current management actions to optimize S. salar recovery and inform future research agendas.
Weight gain in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objective: To investigate the potential causes of weight gain using insulin and combination therapy in type 2 diabetes. Design and Methods: This was an open-label prospective study of 6-month duration. Randomization was performed to insulin monotherapy, insulin and pioglitazone 30 mg daily, or insulin and metformin up to 2000 mg daily. Fiftyseven subjects with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes were enrolled. The goal was to achieve a normal haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (<5.6%). Weight, resting energy expenditure (REE), reported energy intake and total energy expenditure, HbA1c, glycosuria, plasma leptin, ghrelin and adiponectin levels, and body fat were measured. Results: A total of 49 subjects completed the study. At baseline, weight was 89.4 � 22.9 kg and HbA1c was 11.1 � 1.5%. Weight increased by 7.46, 7.60 and 7.12 kg in the monotherapy, metformin and pioglitazone groups, respectively [p ¼ 0.98 between and <0.0001 within the groups by repeated measures-analysis of variance (RM-anova)]. HbA1c dropped to 7.8 � 0.9% in the monotherapy arm, 7.6 � 1.0% in the metformin arm and 7.2 � 1.2% in the pioglitazone arm. Reported energy intake decreased. Glycosuria decreased but was not correlated with weight gain, while HbA1c changes were correlated with weight gain. REE per lean mass decreased (p ¼ 0.04 by RM-anova). The subcutaneous fat areas in the insulin monotherapy and pioglitazone arms showed increases (p ¼ 0.02 and 0.004 respectively). Conclusions: Weight gain was probably not due to an increase in food intake, while REE per lean body mass decreased, suggesting a role for increased efficiency in fuel usage due to improved glycaemic control. A drop in glycosuria probably also contributed to weight gain. In the monotherapy and pioglitazone arms, the subcutaneous fat areas