cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery With Three Different Laser Systems: An Evaluation of Laser Applications

Twelve cadaveric shoulder arthroscopies were performed to evaluate the use of lasers as an adjunctive tool in arthroscopic shoulder surgery. The three most common lasers historically used in orthopedic surgery were examined: Holmium:YAG, Neodymium:YAG, and the CO2. The following parameters were evaluated for each laser system: (1) ease of use of the laser system and handpiece; (2) ability to excise and trim bursae, synovium, ligament, tendon, bone, and articular cartilage; and (3) ability to contract ligaments and capsule by heat transfer. None of these lasers efficiently cut bone, whereas all three systems readily debrided the soft tissues around the shoulder. The free-beam Ho:YAG and CO2 systems heat contracted soft tissues with more control than the contact Nd:YAG. The fiberoptic delivery system of the Neodymium:YAG and Holmium:YAG laser performed well in the saline arthroscopy, and the CO2 delivery system was cumbersome. Overall, the CO2 system removed tissue better than the others, but its difficult use favored the Holmium laser as the best overall current laser system for shoulder arthroscopy.
Manipulation of soil temperatures to influence brood emergence in the alkali bee (Nomia melanderi)

Soils in beds of commercially managed Nomia melanderi were manipulated with surface treatments to reduce or increase temperatures at nest depths of 20 cm. Modifying soil temperatures affected pupation rate and emergence date of N. melanderi. In 2010, white chalk dust delayed peak bee emergence by one week, and clear plastic mulch initiated peak emergence one week earlier, significantly increasing overall bee emergence compared to uncovered areas. In 2011, treatments included white chalk dust and plastic agricultural sheets including clear, red, black, white-on-black, blue, and brown. In 2011, clear plastic sheeting initiated early emergence while white chalk dust and white-on-black plastic plots delayed emergence. Expediting or postponing N. melanderi emergence could potentially allow alfalfa seed producers to extend the bees’ foraging season over a greater time period, subsequently increasing pollination, seed set, and economic returns.
Experimental evaluation of acceleration correlations for locally isotropic turbulence

The two-point correlation of the fluid-particle acceleration is the sum of the pressure gradient and viscous force correlations. The pressure-gradient correlation is related to the fourth-order velocity structure function. The acceleration correlation caused by viscous forces is formulated in terms of the third-order velocity structure function. Velocity data from grid-generated turbulence in a wind tunnel are used to evaluate these quantities. The evaluated relationships require only the Navier-Stokes equation, incompressibility, local homogeneity, and local isotropy. The relationships are valid for any Reynolds number. For the moderate Reynolds number of the wind-tunnel turbulence, the acceleration correlation is roughly three times larger than if it is evaluated on the basis of the assumption that velocities at several points are joint Gaussian random variables. The correlation of components of acceleration parallel to the separation vector of the two points is negative near its minimum at spacings close to 17 times the microscale. Its value near this minimum implies that fluid particles at those spacings have typical relative accelerations of one-half that of gravity in the directions toward and away from one another. For large Reynolds numbers, the two-point correlation of acceleration is dominated by the two-point correlation of the pressure gradient. The data verify that the acceleration correlation caused by viscous forces is much smaller than that caused by the pressure gradient.
Update of the health care management needs of infants with sickle cell disease

This article describes the characteristics, clinical manifestations, and health care management of infants with sickle cell disease. Also discussed are parent education issues and stressors related to coping with the health care management needs of infants with sickle cell disease. Special emphasis is given to literature focused on the concept of anticipatory grief often experienced by parents of chronically ill children.
Incident impulse control disorder symptoms and dopamine transporter imaging in Parkinson disease

Objective To describe the incidence of, and clinical and neurobiological risk factors for, new-onset impulse control disorder (ICD) symptoms and related behaviours in early Parkinson disease (PD). Methods The Parkinson9s Progression Markers Initiative is an international, multicenter, prospective study of de novo patients with PD untreated at baseline and assessed annually, including serial dopamine transporter imaging (DAT-SPECT) and ICD assessment (Questionnaire for Impulsive-Compulsive Disorders in Parkinson9s Disease short form, QUIP). Participants were included if they screened negative on the QUIP at baseline. Kaplan-Meier curves and generalised estimating equations examined frequency and predictors of incident ICD symptoms. Results Participants were seen at baseline (n=320), year 1 (n=284), year 2 (n=217) and year 3 (n=96). Estimated cumulative incident rates of ICD symptoms and related behaviours were 8% (year 1), 18% (year 2) and 25% (year 3) and increased each year in those on dopamine replacement therapy (DRT) and decreased in those not on DRT. In participants on DRT, risk factors for incident ICD symptoms were younger age (OR=0.97, p=0.05), a greater decrease in right caudate (OR=4.03, p=0.01) and mean striatal (OR=6.90, p=0.04) DAT availability over the first year, and lower right putamen (OR=0.06, p=0.01) and mean total striatal (OR=0.25, p=0.04) DAT availability at any post-baseline visit. Conclusions The rate of incident ICD symptoms increases with time and initiation of DRT in early PD. In this preliminary study, a greater decrease or lower DAT binding over time increases risk of incident ICD symptoms, conferring additional risk to those taking DRT. Clinical trial registration NCT01141023.
Matching AIDS and tuberculosis registry data to identify AIDS/tuberculosis comorbidity cases in California:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) of a registry data linkage procedure used in the California AIDS and Tuberculosis (TB) Registry Data Linkage Study to identify AIDS/TB comorbidity cases in California. The California AIDS registry data from 1981 to 2006 were linked to the California TB registry data from 1996 to 2006 using LinkPlus, a probabilistic record linkage program developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and matched results were manually reviewed to determine true or false matches. We estimated the sensitivity of this procedure to range from 98.0 per cent (95% confidence interval, CI: 97.3%, 98.7%) to 98.8 per cent (95% CI: 98.1%, 99.2%), and the PPV to be 100 per cent (95% CI: 96.8%, 100.0%). Our study demonstrated the feasibility of using this linkage procedure to match AIDS and TB registry data with a very high degree of accuracy.
Effects of Endogenous Neurotransmitters on the in vivo Binding of Dopamine and 5-HT Radiotracers in Mice

Several studies have indicated that the in vivo binding of D(2) receptor positron emission tomography radiotracers can, under some conditions, be influenced by competition with endogenous dopamine. The present study was undertaken to compare the extent to which the in vivo binding in mice of radiotracers to other amine neuroreceptors, namely D(1), 5-HT(2A) and 5-HT(1A) receptors, can also be modulated by neurotransmitter competition. For dopamine radiotracers we examined [3H]raclopride as a D(2) radiotracer and [3H]A69024 as a D(1) radiotracer. Striatal binding of both radiotracers was substantially reduced by administration of the dopamine releaser, amphetamine, although only at a high dose. [3H]raclopride was decreased more than [3H]A69024. Dopamine depletion with 4-hydroxybutyrate strongly increased [3H]raclopride binding but failed to increase [3H]A69024 binding. For 5-HT radiotracers we examined [3H]N-methylspiperone as a 5-HT(2A) radiotracer and [3H]WAY 100635 as a 5-HT(1A) radiotracer. Cortical binding of both radiotracers was unaffected by the 5-HT releaser, p-chloroamphetamine. [3H]WAY 100635 binding was additionally unaffected by 5-HT release with fenfluramine and by 5-HT depletion with p-chlorophenylalanine. In conclusion, of the four radiotracers examined, [3H]raclopride binding to D(2) receptors had greatest sensitivity to changes in endogenous neurotransmitter levels. [3H]A69024 binding to D(1) receptors was affected only by neurotransmitter increases. [3H]N-methylspiperone binding to 5-HT(2A) receptors and [3H]WAY 100635 binding to 5-HT(1A) receptors appeared insensitive to changes in neurotransmitter levels.
Dbx1b defines the dorsal habenular progenitor domain in the zebrafish epithalamus.

The conserved habenular nuclei function as a relay system connecting the forebrain with the brain stem. They play crucial roles in various cognitive behaviors by modulating cholinergic, dopaminergic and serotonergic activities. Despite the renewed interest in this conserved forebrain region because of its importance in regulating aversion and reward behaviors, the formation of the habenular nuclei during embryogenesis is poorly understood due to their small size and deep location in the brain, as well as the lack of known markers for habenular progenitors. In zebrafish, the bilateral habenular nuclei are subdivided into dorsal and ventral compartments, are particularly large and found on the dorsal surface of the brain, which facilitates the study of their development. Here we examine the expression of a homeodomain transcription factor, dbx1b, and its potential to serve as an early molecular marker of dorsal habenular progenitors. Detailed spatiotemporal expression profiles demonstrate that the expression domain of dbx1b correlates with the presumptive habenular region, and dbx1b-expressing cells are proliferative along the ventricle. A lineage-tracing experiment using the Cre-lox system confirms that all or almost all dorsal habenular neurons are derived from dbx1 b-expressing cells. In addition, mutant analysis and pharmacological treatments demonstrate that both initiation and maintenance of dbx1b expression requires precise regulation by fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling. We provide clear evidence in support of dbx1b marking the progenitor populations that give rise to the dorsal habenulae. In addition, the expression of dbx1b in the dorsal diencephalon is tightly controlled by FGF signaling.
Effectively identifying regulatory hotspots while capturing expression heterogeneity in gene expression studies

Expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) mapping is a tool that can systematically identify genetic variation affecting gene expression. eQTL mapping studies have shown that certain genomic locations, referred to as regulatory hotspots, may affect the expression levels of many genes. Recently, studies have shown that various confounding factors may induce spurious regulatory hotspots. Here, we introduce a novel statistical method that effectively eliminates spurious hotspots while retaining genuine hotspots. Applied to simulated and real datasets, we validate that our method achieves greater sensitivity while retaining low false discovery rates compared to previous methods.
Can a central pattern generator produce multiple motor patterns? Modeling scratch rhythms in turtle

A central pattern generator (CPG) is a population of neurons producing rhythmic or repetitive behavior (i.e. scratching, walking, masticating) without requiring rhythmic input to the population. Turtles are observed to produce several rhythmic motor patterns in response to stimuli, in particular rostral scratch, pocket scratch, caudal scratch, and forward swim (see Figure ​Figure1A)1A) [1], [2]. The rostral scratch and pocket scratch rhythms are created through the activity of three motoneurons: Hip Extensor (HE), Knee Extensor (KE) and Hip Flexor (HF). A CPG (see Figure ​Figure1B)1B) for rostral scratch and caudal scratch has been proposed, featuring overlapping populations of spinal neurons such that each spinal neuron projects to each motoneuron to produce both scratch rhythms via changing inputs [1]. We implement the CPG as a system of relaxation oscillators. The system successfully reproduces the desired rhythms (see Figure ​Figure1C).1C). We also consider a dynamical systems approach to determine the mechanisms underlying rhythm generation, seeking the minimal network necessary to produce both rhythms. Additionally, we numerically explore the role of model parameters and present sufficient conditions on model parameters to produce both rhythms. Figure 1 A. Example recordings of fictive scratching and fictive swimming [2]; B. The proposed CPG [1]; C. Results of simulation for Rostral (left) and Pocket (right) scratch.
First-year medical students prefer multiple learning styles

Students have preferences for the ways in which they receive information. The visual, auditory, reading/writing, kinesthetic (VARK) questionnaire identifies student's preferences for particular mod...
A functional MRI study of automatic movements in patients with Parkinson's disease

Patients with Parkinson's disease have great difficulty performing learned movements automatically. The neural contribution to the problem has not been identified. In the current study, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate the underlying neural mechanisms of movement automaticity in Parkinson's disease patients. Fifteen patients with Parkinson's disease were recruited. Three patients were finally excluded because they could not achieve automaticity. The remaining 12 patients were aged from 52 to 67 years, with a mean age of 61.2 years. Controls included 14 age-matched normal subjects. The subjects were asked to practise four tasks, including two self-initiated, self-paced sequences of finger movements with different complexity until they could perform the tasks automatically. Two dual tasks were used to evaluate automaticity. For dual tasks, subjects performed a visual letter-counting task simultaneously with the sequential movements. Twelve normal subjects performed all sequences automatically. All patients performed sequences correctly; 12 patients could perform the simpler sequence automatically; and only 3 patients could perform the more complex sequence automatically. fMRI results showed that for both groups, sequential movements activated similar brain regions before and after automaticity was achieved. No additional activity was observed in the automatic condition. In normal subjects, many areas had reduced activity at the automatic stage, whereas in patients, only the bilateral superior parietal lobes and left insular cortex were less activated. Patients had greater activity in the cerebellum, premotor area, parietal cortex, precuneus and prefrontal cortex compared with normal subjects while performing automatic movements. We conclude that Parkinson's disease patients can achieve automaticity after proper training, but with more difficulty. Our study is the first to demonstrate that patients with Parkinson's disease require more brain activity to compensate for basal ganglia dysfunction in order to perform automatic movements.
Design of traveling wave tubes based on field theory

A method is described for the design of helix traveling wave tubes (TWT) which is based on the linear field analysis of the coupled beam-wave system. The dispersion relations are obtained by matching of radial admittances at boundaries instead of the individual field components. This approach provides flexibility in modeling various beam and circuit configurations with relative ease by choosing the appropriate admittance functions for each case. The method is illustrated for the case of a solid beam inside a sheath helix which is loaded externally by lossy dielectric material, a conducting cylinder, and axial vanes. Extension of the analysis to include a thin tape helix model is anticipated in the near future. The TWT model may be divided into axial regions to include velocity tapers, lossy materials and severs, with the helix geometry in each region varied arbitrarily. The relations between the AC velocities, current densities, and axial electric fields are used to derive a general expression for the new amplitudes of the three forward waves at each axial boundary. The sum of the fields for the three forward waves (two waves in a drift region) is followed to the circuit output. Numerical results of the field analysis are compared with the coupled-mode Pierce theory. A method is suggested for applying the field analysis to accurate design of practical TWT's that have a more complex circuit geometry, which starts with a simple measurement of the dispersion of the helix circuit. The field analysis may then be used to generate a circuit having properties very nearly equivalent to those of the actual circuit. >
Volume change of Jakobshavn Isbræ, West Greenland: 1985–1997–2007

Following three decades of relative stability, Jakobshavn Isbrae, West Greenland, under- went dramatic thinning, retreat and speed-up starting in 1998. To assess the amount of ice loss, we analyzed 1985 aerial photos and derived a 40 m grid digital elevation model (DEM). We also obtained a 2007 40 m grid SPOT DEM covering the same region. Comparison of the two DEMs over an area of � 4000 km 2 revealed a total ice loss of 160 � 4k m 3 , with 107 � 0.2 km 3 in grounded regions (0.27 mm eustatic sea-level rise) and 53 � 4k m 3 from the disintegration of the floating tongue. Comparison of the DEMs with 1997 NASA Airborne Topographic Mapper data indicates that this ice loss essentially occurred after 1997, with +0.7 � 5.6 km 3 between 1985 and 1997 and -160 � 7k m 3 between 1997 and 2007. The latter is equivalent to an average specific mass balance of -3.7 � 0.2 m a -1 over the study area. Previously reported thickening of the main glacier during the early 1990s was accompanied by similar- magnitude thinning outside the areas of fast flow, indicating that the land-based ice continued reacting to longer-term climate forcing.
The Os-AKT1 Channel Is Critical for K+ Uptake in Rice Roots and Is Modulated by the Rice CBL1-CIPK23 Complex

Potassium (K(+)) is one of the essential nutrient elements for plant growth and development. Plants absorb K(+) ions from the environment via root cell K(+) channels and/or transporters. In this study, the Shaker K(+) channel Os-AKT1 was characterized for its function in K(+) uptake in rice (Oryza sativa) roots, and its regulation by Os-CBL1 (Calcineurin B-Like protein1) and Os-CIPK23 (CBL-Interacting Protein Kinase23) was investigated. As an inward K(+) channel, Os-AKT1 could carry out K(+) uptake and rescue the low-K(+)-sensitive phenotype of Arabidopsis thaliana akt1 mutant plants. Rice Os-akt1 mutant plants showed decreased K(+) uptake and displayed an obvious low-K(+)-sensitive phenotype. Disruption of Os-AKT1 significantly reduced the K(+) content, which resulted in inhibition of plant growth and development. Similar to the AKT1 regulation in Arabidopsis, Os-CBL1 and Os-CIPK23 were identified as the upstream regulators of Os-AKT1 in rice. The Os-CBL1-Os-CIPK23 complex could enhance Os-AKT1-mediated K(+) uptake. A phenotype test confirmed that Os-CIPK23 RNAi lines exhibited similar K(+)-deficient symptoms as the Os-akt1 mutant under low K(+) conditions. These findings demonstrate that Os-AKT1-mediated K(+) uptake in rice roots is modulated by the Os-CBL1-Os-CIPK23 complex.
An approach to controlling multi-arm robotic manipulation of a single body

When more than one robot arm is used to manipulate an object, internal forces (i.e. forces of constraint) may be developed in the object. This effect is due to many factors, including manipulator position and trajectory errors. An approach is presented that reduces these constraint forces using force/torque sensor data. A control algorithm is developed that eliminates the constraint forces by supplying a position correction to each arm. >
Sex Differences in Age Trajectories of Physiological Dysregulation: Inflammation, Metabolic Syndrome, and Allostatic Load

There is a paucity of knowledge from population data about sex differences and their age variation in physiological determinants of longevity. This study fills this gap using nationally representative samples of 38,000 individuals aged 17+ from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-2006). It examines sex differences in the age trajectories of 14 markers of physiological functions across multiple systems and three summary indices including inflammation burden, metabolic syndrome, and allostatic load. Statistical analyses show substantial sex differences, age variations, and sex by age interaction effects for all variables examined. These patterns remain robust after adjustment of risk factors and shed light on the biological base of the reduction of sex difference in mortality in the post-reproductive life span.
Curbing Academic Dishonesty in Online Courses

It is common for faculty to believe that academic dishonesty is easier and more prevalent in online courses because of the lack of direct contact with students. This paper examines research into academic dishonesty in online courses, how to prevent cheating when online testing is done, how to detect and prevent plagiarism, how to design online courses to minimize academic dishonesty, and introduces several products and educational practices for preventing dishonesty in the online environment. Research To date, research into academic dishonesty in online courses has been somewhat limited. In 1998, Ridley and Husband studied student records at Christopher Newport University in an attempt to prove these three hypotheses: 1. Students who enroll in both online and traditional classroom courses will earn higher grades in online courses. 2. Students who enroll in on-line courses through two or more semesters will improve their performance over time. 3. If students and spouses or significant others have taken the same online course, their grades in these courses will be more similar than their grades in other courses. Using the data they collected, these hypotheses were all found to be false. In fact, grade point averages in offline coursework were greater than the online coursework by 0.3 points, and the researchers found more Fs in online courses. This early research allayed some fears about the academic rigor of online courses. In 2000, opinion surveys were conducted on 172 students and 69 faculty members at medium-sized universities in the Midwest. The researchers began with the premise that both faculty and students believed it easier to cheat in online classes as opposed to traditional courses. This belief was confirmed by 64% of the faculty and 57% of the students. Among students, this percentage was reduced in students who had previously taken an online class. Among faculty, it was believed that if cheating did occur, it would be someone else taking tests and doing assignments for the dishonest student and that students would purchase or download term papers online (Kennedy, Nowak, Raghuraman, Thomas & Davis, 2000).
Recall (Report) Bias and Reliability in the Retrospective Assessment of Melanoma Risk

In a case-control study nested in the Nurses' Health Study cohort, the authors assessed recall bias in the ascertainment of two risk factors for melanoma: hair color and ability to tan. Participants reported on these risk factors in a 1982 questionnaire and in a subsequent case-control questionnaire or telephone interview. The test-retest reliability among controls was high for both questions (Spearman's r = 0.76). Among women diagnosed with melanoma after the first questionnaire and before the second, there was a substantial shift toward reporting a reduced ability to tan when participants were questioned after the diagnosis of melanoma (p = 0.035). No shift was noted for the hair color question (p = 0.8). The authors conclude that recall bias was observed among female nurses with cutaneous melanoma in the assessment of tanning ability, a major risk factor for melanoma.
Quality of life in youth with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss.

Importance: Adolescence is a life stage with rapid and major developmental changes, yet little is known about how these changes influence the quality of life of young people who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH). Objective: To determine differences in the 3 domains of a hearing-specific quality-of-life instrument between youth who had severe to profound sensorineural hearinglossbasedonwhethertheyusednotechnology,hearing aids, or cochlear implants. Design and Setting: A multi-institutional prospective cohort study. Participants: A convenience sample of 11- to 18-yearold youths with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss recruited between January 1 and December 31, 2008.
Canonical and Noncanonical G-Protein Signaling Helps Coordinate Actin Dynamics To Promote Macrophage Phagocytosis of Zymosan

Both chemotaxis and phagocytosis depend upon actin-driven cell protrusions and cell membrane remodeling. While chemoattractant receptors rely upon canonical G-protein signaling to activate downstream effectors, whether such signaling pathways affect phagocytosis is contentious. Here, we report that Gαi nucleotide exchange and signaling helps macrophages coordinate the recognition, capture, and engulfment of zymosan bioparticles. We show that zymosan exposure recruits F-actin, Gαi proteins, and Elmo1 to phagocytic cups and early phagosomes. Zymosan triggered an increase in intracellular Ca(2+) that was partially sensitive to Gαi nucleotide exchange inhibition and expression of GTP-bound Gαi recruited Elmo1 to the plasma membrane. Reducing GDP-Gαi nucleotide exchange, decreasing Gαi expression, pharmacologically interrupting Gβγ signaling, or reducing Elmo1 expression all impaired phagocytosis, while favoring the duration that Gαi remained GTP bound promoted it. Our studies demonstrate that targeting heterotrimeric G-protein signaling offers opportunities to enhance or retard macrophage engulfment of phagocytic targets such as zymosan.
Acrocyanosis in a Spinal Cord Injured Patient—Effects of Computer-Controlled Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation: A Case Report

This case report documents the treatment of a spinal cord injured patient with acrocyanosis of both feet. The 37-year-old white male patient sustained a traumatic spinal cord injury at the age of 16 years, which resulted in an incomplete vertebral fracture of the C5-C6 level. He was treated with computerized neuro-muscular electrical stimulation (NMES) of the quadriceps femoris muscle with weights applied to the ankles an average of two times per week for six weeks. Improvements in the color of the patient's skin and toe ulcers, stronger pedal pulses bilaterally, decreased swelling bilaterally, and subjective reports of less discomfort were noted. The empirical findings of this case report suggest that computerized NMES may be effective for improving circulation in the spinal cord injured individual with acrocyanosis. Further study, however, is needed to determine whether a relationship may exist between blood flow and computerized NMES.
Common conformational changes induced in type 2 picornavirus IRESs by cognate trans-acting factors

Type 2 internal ribosomal entry sites (IRESs) of encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV), foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) and other picornaviruses comprise five major domains H-L. Initiation of translation on these IRESs begins with specific binding of the central domain of initiation factor, eIF4G to the J-K domains, which is stimulated by eIF4A. eIF4G/eIF4A then restructure the region of ribosomal attachment on the IRES and promote recruitment of ribosomal 43S pre-initiation complexes. In addition to canonical translation factors, type 2 IRESs also require IRES trans-acting factors (ITAFs) that are hypothesized to stabilize the optimal IRES conformation that supports efficient ribosomal recruitment: the EMCV IRES is stimulated by pyrimidine tract binding protein (PTB), whereas the FMDV IRES requires PTB and ITAF45. To test this hypothesis, we assessed the effect of ITAFs on the conformations of EMCV and FMDV IRESs by comparing their influence on hydroxyl radical cleavage of these IRESs from the central domain of eIF4G. The observed changes in cleavage patterns suggest that cognate ITAFs promote similar conformational changes that are consistent with adoption by the IRESs of comparable, more compact structures, in which domain J undergoes local conformational changes and is brought into closer proximity to the base of domain I.
Marketing Control: Exogenous Aspects Of Price Variance

Marketers should compare the relative impact of changing their price and the impact of a changing market price using variance analysis. In 1977 Hulbert and Toy improved the traditional analysis of variance by expanding the quantity variance to include the variance in market share and the variance in the size of the market. They successfully argued that if managers were to understand the impact that changes in quantity were having on the differences between the planned profits and actual profits they should measure the impact that changing market size and changing market share have on revenues and contribution margins. In this paper we present a method for expanding the price variance to include the variances in the market price and the firm’s choice of relative market price.
Radial Access for Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction : Time for a Paradigm Shift?∗

In the past 2 decades there has been tremendous evolution of both the effectiveness and safety of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). As coronary ischemic events have decreased dramatically in frequency during and after PCI, efforts to improve the safety of PCI have shifted to addressing other
Cholesterol estimation on unmeasured drops of whole blood.

SummaryA method is presented for estimation of serum total cholesterol concentration from concentration of cholesterol/unit of whole blood solids, using a few unmeasured drops of finger tip blood dried in room air on filter paper. Prolonged storage at ordinary temperatures may elapse before analysis, In 124 sets of comparisons between serum from arm vein and dried finger tip blood, standard error of measurement was ± 15.5 mg cholesterol/100 ml serum. This is comparable to intra-individual variability in direct serum measurement of blood samples drawn a few days apart and is smaller than variability between serum values in casual bloods drawn at longer intervals. Significance of blood cholesterol level in prediction of risk from coronary heart disease has been under-estimated in previous studies.
Group 3 metal complexes of radical-anionic 2,2'-bipyridyl ligands.

A new method for generating group 3 metal complexes containing radical-anionic 2,2′-bipyridyl (bipy) ligands is described that relies on hydrogen-atom abstraction from dearomatized biheterocyclic complexes. This method does not involve electron transfer to neutral 2,2′-bipyridyl or salt metathesis between the lithium salt of the 2,2′-bipyridyl radical anion and group 3 metal halides. The new metal complexes were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, electron paramagnetic resonance, and absorption spectroscopy. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were used to probe the electronic structure of these compounds. All these methods support the radical-anionic character of bipy in all bipy compounds presented.
Molecular portrait of primary nephrotic syndrome

To compare the gene expression profile between peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) of children with primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS) and healthy control, screen the candidate primary nephrotic syndrome associated genes, make the molecular portrait of primary nephrotic syndrome, elucidate the molecular mechanism of primary nephrotic syndrome systemically. PBMCs were separated from 6 children with PNS and 6 healthy controls. Total RNA was isolated from PBMCs with TRIzol single-step method, mRNA from children with PNS and healthy controls were labelled with Cy5 and Cy3 separately by reverse transcription-PCR(RT-PCR)as cDNA probes. The two kinds of probe were mixed and hybridized with gene chip which contain 8096 cDNA clones.After high-strigent washing, GenePix 4000B was used for scanning the hybridizing signals and GenePix Pro 3.0 for data analysis. Of the 8096 genes monitored, 418 genes showed differential expression between children with PNS and healthy controls, in which 128 genes was up-regulated and 290 genes was down-regulated in PBMCs of patients with PNS, 102 genes showed differential expression between all the 6 pairs of children with PNS and their matched healthy control. The 102 genes can be divided into 10 categories on the basis of their function: immune-associated genes, cytoskeleton-associated genes, signal transduction-associated genes,cell cycle, proliferation,apoptosis-associated genes, proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes,gene replication and expression-associated genes, channel protein and transporter-associated genes, receptor-associated genes, metabolism-associated genes and other genes with undetermined function. [Conclusion] The onset and progression of primary nephrotic syndrome is the result of the action of many interactive genes.
An imaging spectro-polarimeter for measuring hemispherical spectrally resolved down-welling sky polarization

A full sky imaging spectro-polarimeter has been developed that measures spectrally resolved (~2.5 nm resolution) radiance and polarization (𝑠0, 𝑠1, 𝑠2 Stokes Elements) of natural sky down-welling over approximately 2π sr between 400nm and 1000nm. The sensor is based on a scanning push broom hyperspectral imager configured with a continuously rotating polarizer (sequential measurement in time polarimeter). Sensor control and processing software (based on Polaris Sensor Technologies Grave’ camera control software) has a straight-forward and intuitive user interface that provides real-time updated sky down-welling spectral radiance/polarization maps and statistical analysis tools.
Shakespeare in love--with NMDA receptors?

Too much or too little NMDA receptor activity during development can result in neuronal cell death. Recent work suggests that NMDA receptor blockade can cause excessive neuronal apoptosis in the perinatal brain.
Electronic Payment Systems

This chapter explores electronic funds transfer (EFT) as one of the oldest electronic payment systems (EPSs). EFT is used for transferring money from one bank account directly to another without any paper money changing hands. It is the foundation of the cashless and checkless society where checks, stamps, envelopes, and paper bills are eliminated. The most popular application of EFT is the direct deposit option used by millions of workers in the United States. Instead of receiving a paycheck and depositing it into an account, the money is deposited to an account electronically. Customers, companies, and government agencies use EFT for all kinds of applications. It is considered to be a safe, reliable, and convenient way to conduct business. Direct deposit is used for payroll, travel, and expense reimbursements, annuities and pensions, dividends, and government payments such as Social Security and veterans' benefits. Other types of EFT are frequently used for bill payments, retail purchases, Internet purchases, corporate payments, and treasury management, and for the disbursement of food stamps and other government cash assistance.
Business Ethics in Theory and Practice: Diagnostic Notes B. A Prescription for Profit Maximization

relationship between international diplomacy and religion recommends methodological considera tions for business ethics. The problem, as Steinfels explains, is that while giving "minute attention to economic assets, military forces and social and political rivalries . . . religion has been systematically neglected as a factor in interna tional affairs." When the Central Intelligence Agency proposed an examination of the leading religious leaders in Iran during Shah Mohammed Reza's reign, the idea was rejected as "mere sociology."1 The message for business ethics is twofold. First, it recommends consideration of religion and, by extension, of traditional sources of values, philosophy and law as important for business. The second part of that message is implied. International diplomacy is sui generis, having its own assumptions, principles, objectives, and, accordingly, its own ethics. There is no sugges tion that international affairs be redefined to meet the assumptions, principles, objectives, and ethics of religion in general or of any one religion in particular. Steinfels gives three reasons for international diplomacy's neglect of religion: (1) the principle of separation of church and state "and the resulting tendency of American culture to relegate religion to the realm of the personal";
Nationwide Survey of Stevens–Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis in Children in the United States

Although Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are serious, life-threatening reactions to drug therapies, no efforts have been made to investigate the comprehensive change in epidemiology with respect to age, sex, and race and ethnicity in children. The risk of death was 0.3% to 1.5%, and the highest hospitalization rates were in children 15 to 19 years of age, boys, and black children. The highest proportions of hospitalizations were children with very low household income, those with private insurance, and those treated at large urban teaching hospitals in the West. A significant winter-autumn predominance was observed.
Tyrian stationarii at Puteoli

Since its publication in 1850 the inscription containing the letter from the Tyrianstationarii of Puteoli has eamed a degree of farne, figuring prominently in discussionsof the Roman economy, voluntary associations, ethnic groups in antiquity etc..
Extracting Saccades From Eye Movements Triggered By Reflex Blinks

The trigeminal blink reflex can be evoked by delivering an air puff to the eye. If timed appropriately, e.g., during motor preparation, the small, loopy blink-related eye movement (BREM) associated with eyelid closure disinhibits the saccadic system and reduces the reaction time of planned eye movements. The BREM and intended eye movement overlap temporally, thus a mathematical formulation is required to objectively extract saccade features - onset time and velocity profile - from the combined movement. While it has been assumed that the interactions are nonlinear, we show that blink-triggered movements can be modeled as a linear combination of a typical BREM and a normal saccade, crucially, with an imposed delay between the two components. Saccades reconstructed with this approach are largely similar to control movements in their temporal and spatial profiles. Furthermore, activity profiles of saccade-related bursts in superior colliculus neurons for the recovered saccades closely match those for normal saccades. Thus, blink perturbations, if properly accounted for, offer a non-invasive tool to probe the behavioral and neural signatures of sensory-to-motor transformations.
Formation of Central Patterns by Receptor Cell Axons in Drosophila

The larva of a fly possesses a complex nervous system which enables it to seek and recognize food, eat, avoid obstacles and dangers, regulate the release of hormones, respond to hormonal changes — in other words, to behave in an integrated fashion. It is in every sense a fully functioning organism.
Characteristics and Outcomes of Arthroscopic Femoroacetabular Impingement Surgery in the National Football League.

Background:Previous studies have reported that hip abnormalities may account for 10% of injuries in professional football players. The effect of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and arthroscopic ...
BotWalk: Efficient Adaptive Exploration of Twitter Bot Networks

We propose BotWalk, a near-real time adaptive Twitter exploration algorithm to identify bots exhibiting novel behavior. Due to suspension pressure, Twitter bots are constantly changing their behavior to evade detection. Traditional super-vised approaches to bot detection are non-adaptive and thus cannot identify novel bot behaviors. We therefore devise an unsupervised approach, which allows us to identify bots as they evolve. We characterize users with a behavioral feature vector which consists of (well-studied in isolation) metadata-, content-, temporal-, and network-based features. We identify a random bot from our seed bank, populated initially by previously-labeled bots, gather this user’s followers’ features from Twitter in real time, and employ an unsupervised ensemble anomaly detection method in the multi-dimensional behavioral space. These potential bots are folded into the seed bank and the process is then repeated, with the new seeds’ features allowing us to adaptively identify novel bot behavior. BotWalk allows for the identification of on average 6,000 potential bots a day. Our method allowed us to detect 7,995 previously undiscovered bots from a sample of 15 seed bots with a precision of 90%.
A machine learning approach as a surrogate of finite element analysis–based inverse method to estimate the zero-pressure geometry of human thoracic aorta

Advances in structural finite element analysis (FEA) and medical imaging have made it possible to investigate the in vivo biomechanics of human organs such as blood vessels, for which organ geometries at the zero-pressure level need to be recovered. Although FEA-based inverse methods are available for zero-pressure geometry estimation, these methods typically require iterative computation, which are time-consuming and may be not suitable for time-sensitive clinical applications. In this study, by using machine learning (ML) techniques, we developed an ML model to estimate the zero-pressure geometry of human thoracic aorta given 2 pressurized geometries of the same patient at 2 different blood pressure levels. For the ML model development, a FEA-based method was used to generate a dataset of aorta geometries of 3125 virtual patients. The ML model, which was trained and tested on the dataset, is capable of recovering zero-pressure geometries consistent with those generated by the FEA-based method. Thus, this study demonstrates the feasibility and great potential of using ML techniques as a fast surrogate of FEA-based inverse methods to recover zero-pressure geometries of human organs.
Mechanism of how augmin directly targets the γ-tubulin ring complex to microtubules

Microtubules (MTs) must be generated from precise locations to form the structural frameworks required for cell shape and function. MTs are nucleated by the γ-tubulin ring complex (γ-TuRC), but it remains unclear how γ-TuRC gets to the right location. Augmin has been suggested to be a γ-TuRC targeting factor and is required for MT nucleation from preexisting MTs. To determine augmin’s architecture and function, we purified Xenopus laevis augmin from insect cells. We demonstrate that augmin is sufficient to target γ-TuRC to MTs by in vitro reconstitution. Augmin is composed of two functional parts. One module (tetramer-II) is necessary for MT binding, whereas the other (tetramer-III) interacts with γ-TuRC. Negative-stain electron microscopy reveals that both tetramers fit into the Y-shape of augmin, and MT branching assays reveal that both are necessary for MT nucleation. The finding that augmin can directly bridge MTs with γ-TuRC via these two tetramers adds to our mechanistic understanding of how MTs can be nucleated from preexisting MTs.
Iatrogenic models for studying heart disease

Research associated with heart failure has, over the years, been aimed at three general areas: 1) The identification, characterization and quantification of injured tissue, including the so-called “border zone controversy”. 2) The testing and evaluation of a large variety of interventions, pharmacologic and other, of potential therapeutic value. 3) Studies designed to evaluate the dynamics and mechanisms of heart failure, per se. The common requirement of all studies of this nature is an adequate model of heart failure. A wide variety of models have been used, each of which generates a characteristic type or a specific phase of failure.
Breeding performance of bulls assigned either to 40 cows per bull or 80 cows per two bulls during the breeding period.

The reproductive performance of Angus (A), Polled Hereford (PH) and Santa Gertrudis (SG) bulls was compared when exposed to 40 cows/bull vs 80 cows/two bulls during a 90- to 95-d breeding period on pasture. Cows were A, PH and SG straightbreds and crossbreds of these breeds. Each year, cows were allotted at random within breed composition and age of dam to breeding groups. A replicate consisted of two 40-cow single-sire units with bulls of two breeds and an 80-cow two-sire unit with two bulls of the same breeds and all four bulls of the same age. There were eight replicates of PH and SG bulls and five replicates of PH and A bulls. At breeding time, 20, 16, 12 and 4 bulls were 2-, 3-, 4- and 5-yr-olds, respectively. Reproductive performance of bulls was evaluated in terms of calving rate (CR) of cows exposed to them and number of days (NOD) from the beginning of the breeding period until calf birth. The 80-cow groups calved 3.7 d earlier (P less than .05) in the calving period and had a similar CR compared with the 40-cow groups. The PH-A replicates calved 3.5 d earlier (P less than .05) and had 7.3 percentage units higher (P less than .01) CR than PH-SG replicates. Results of this study indicated that 80-cow two-sire breeding groups had an advantage over the 40-cow single-sire groups in terms of calves born earlier in the calving period, with no reduction in CR.
Chemotaxis-Inspired Cellular Primitives for Self-Organizing Shape Formation

Motivated by the ability of living cells to form specific shapes and structures, we are investigating chemotaxis-inspired cellular primitives for self-organizing shape formation. This chapter details our initial effort to create Morphogenetic Primitives (MPs), software agents that may be programmed to self-organize into user-specified 2D shapes. The interactions of MPs are inspired by chemotaxis-driven aggregation behaviors exhibited by actual living cells. Cells emit a chemical into their environment. Each cell responds to the stimulus by moving in the direction of the gradient of the cumulative chemical field detected at its surface. The artificial chemical fields of individual MPs are explicitly defined as mathematical functions. Genetic programming is used to discover the chemical field functions that produce an automated shape formation capability. We describe the cell-based behaviors of MPs and a distributed genetic programming method that discovers the chemical fields needed to produce macroscopic shapes from simple aggregating primitives. Several examples of aggregating MPs demonstrate that chemotaxis is an effective paradigm for spatial self-organization algorithms.
Spontaneous right coronary artery dissection: a case of spontaneous resolution.

A 61-year-old woman with a history of smoking and polymyalgia rheumatica presented with an acute inferior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Emergent coronary angiography was significant for a type D dissection of the right coronary artery (RCA) ([Fig. 1][1]). After multiple attempts to