cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of Recent Clinical Trials on Nephrology Practice: Are We in a Stagnant Era?

Background Although renal replacement therapy prevents death from uremia, survival among patients with acute and chronic kidney diseases (CKD) remains an imperative concern. The expected life span of US dialysis patients 60-64 years of age is approximately 4.5 years; this is similar to that of patients with lung cancer. Despite substantial progress in many medical specialties over the past decades (e.g., notable reductions in myocardial infarction, stroke, and mortality rates in the general population), survival among dialysis patients has not improved significantly over the same period. A few decades ago, HIV infection and AIDS were pretty much a death sentence. Because of progress in HIV treatment, now it can be controlled with a daily pill, and ongoing research is pushing treatment even further and controls the virus with longer-acting treatment. A cure is no longer impossible for HIV and other viral infections such as hepatitis B and C and many malignancies, but so far there is no cure for CKD. Summary Billions of dollars have been spent on kidney disease research in the past decades, with no tangible progress in clinical practice. The challenges of improving the quantity and quality of trials in nephrology are enormous. The number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in nephrology is lower than that in other medical subspecialties, and most of the big RCTs in nephrology yield negative results. Nephrology studies evaluating hard clinical endpoints or surrogate endpoints are scarce. Key message Herein we discuss the slow progress in nephrology research that has impacted clinical practice over the last couple of decades and highlight the major obstacles, challenges, and potential solutions.
STRESS ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY AND SINGLE PHOTON EMISSION COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY HAVE POOR SENSITIVITY FOR DETECTION OF CARDIAC ALLOGRAFT VASCULOPATHY IN HEART TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS

Stress echocardiography (SE) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) are routinely used to screen for cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) in orthotopic heart transplant (OHT) recipients, but their utility is uncertain. We sought to determine the test characteristics of SE and SPECT
Analytical solutions for a conical elastic sheet under a live normal load

Abstract We study the isometric conical deformation of an inextensible elastic sheet in response to a distributed external loading that is normal to the deformed sheet. The sheet is planar in the reference configuration and it deforms into a cone with a flower-shaped cross-section under load. These deformed configurations are distinguished by the number of lobes. We focus on the geometry and energetics of various lobed-cones in the deformed configuration and discuss their relative stability. First, we assume that the displacements are small which leads to linear governing equations for the curvature that we solve analytically to yield sinusoidal solutions. Then, we relax this restriction on the magnitude of the displacement which leads to nonlinear governing equations, which we again solve analytically using Jacobi elliptic functions which are periodic but not sinusoidal. We show that the sinusoidal solution can be recovered in the limit that the external loads are small.
Physico-organic chemical approach to the mode of action of organophosphorus insecticides

The toxicity of organophosphorus compounds to insects and mammals generally is associated with the inactivation of the cholinesterase enzymes. The biochemistry of these enzymes, including inhibition by organophosphorus esters, has been the subject of numerous review articles (Cohen and Oosterbaan 1963, Heath 1961, O’Brien 1960). Briefly, the inhibition process may be described as proceeding through the following sequence of reactions. For simplicity the model postulated by Krupka (1964) for the active site of the cholinesterase enzyme is used.
Integrated Photonic Physical Unclonable Function using Highly Nonlinear Amorphous Silicon

We demonstrate the first integrated photonic physical unclonable function in CMOS compatible highly nonlinear hydrogenated amorphous silicon. We characterize the unclonability of our devices using spectrally-encoded optical pulses for challenge-response authentication.
Reconstruction of Oncologic Defects

A wide array of benign and malignant tumors can affect the lower extremities, from benign soft tissue tumors to osteosarcomas, soft tissue sarcomas, and cutaneous malignancies [1, 2]. The reconstructive surgeon is frequently called upon to close large defects spanning multiple tissue layers. Historically, limb amputation was the standard of care, but new therapies and reconstructive advances have ushered in an era of limb salvage. Restoration of form and function remains the most basic reconstructive principle applied to the patient requiring oncologic resection, and it is especially important in the lower extremity, given the goal of painless ambulation following recovery.
Structure sensitivity of n-butane hydrogenolysis on supported Ir catalysts

Abstract Hydrogenolysis of alkanes has been widely reported as structure sensitive reaction on transition metal heterogeneous catalysts with metal particle sizes ranging between 1 and 20 nm. In this work, a series of Ir/MgAl2O4 and Ir/SiO2 catalysts with different Ir particle sizes ranging from subnanometer clusters ( C bond cleavage of n-butane, and less by two C C bond cleavage or further hydrogenolysis of the propane and ethane products. The selectivity to central C C bond cleavage is highly dependent on the size of Ir and increases with a decrease in particle size down to ~1.4 nm but remains constant with further decrease in size. The results show that an Ir size of ~1.4 nm is optimum for n-butane hydrogenolysis activity and selectivity towards ethane.
Forests of the future: Climate change impacts and implications for carbon storage in the Pacific Northwest, USA

Abstract Rising greenhouse gases are changing the Earth’s climate and adversely affecting ecosystems that currently provide a suite of invaluable benefits, from cleaning water to sequestering carbon. Some of the world’s most productive forests grow in the Pacific Northwest region of North America, but our understanding of climate change effects on these forests and their carbon is still emerging. Here, we synthesize the current state of research (including empirical, paleo, and modeling studies), discuss the implications on forest growth and carbon storage in Pacific Northwest forests, and identify key knowledge gaps and future research opportunities based on a combination of published studies and expert opinion. Two case studies are presented that illustrate the expected effects of climate change on moist and dry forest ecology and carbon storage. In response to these impacts, we highlight a number of appropriate regional forest restoration and management adaptation strategies. Filling in knowledge gaps will improve the accuracy of forest carbon accounting, a crucial part of the strategy to meet climate mitigation targets and prevent the most severe impacts of climate change.
Genome-Wide Association Study of Natural Variation in Arabidopsis Exposed to Acid Mine Drainage Toxicity and Validation of Associated Genes with Reverse Genetics.

Acid mine drainage (AMD) is a huge environmental problem in mountain-top mining regions worldwide, including the Appalachian Mountains in the United States. This study applied a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to uncover genomic loci in Arabidopsis associated with tolerance to AMD toxicity. We characterized five major root phenotypes—cumulative root length, average root diameter, root surface area, root volume, and primary root length—in 180 Arabidopsis accessions in response to AMD-supplemented growth medium. GWAS of natural variation in the panel revealed genes associated with tolerance to an acidic environment. Most of these genes were transcription factors, anion/cation transporters, metal transporters, and unknown proteins. Two T-DNA insertion mutants, At1g63005 (miR399b) and At2g05635 (DEAD helicase RAD3), showed enhanced acidity tolerance. Our GWAS and the reverse genetic approach revealed genes involved in conferring tolerance to coal AMD. Our results indicated that proton resistance in hydroponic conditions could be an important index to improve plant growth in acidic soil, at least in acid-sensitive plant species.
Generation of RF by Atmospheric Filaments

Recent experiments have shown that femtosecond filamentation plasmas generate ultra-broadband RF radiation. We show that a novel physical process is responsible for the RF: a plasma wake field develops behind the laser pulse, and this wake excites (and copropagates with) a surface wave on the plasma column. The surface wave proceeds to detach from the end of the plasma and propagates forward as the RF pulse. We have developed a four stage model of these plasma wake surface waves and find that it accurately predicts the RF from a wide range of experiments.
Transition Planning from Jail; Treatment Engagement, Continuity of Care, and Rearrest

Mental illness is experienced at a higher rate among incarcerated individuals than the general population. This study is one of the first assessing the association of a jail-based mental health (MH) transition planning program with continuity of care (CoC) (defined as no gap in treatment upon reentry), behavioral health treatment engagement, and rearrest. A one group pre-posttest design merged three data sources: program, community-based MH treatment, and jail data. Participants included 161 people from a Midwest metropolitan county jail. The utilization of MH treatment significantly increased after the program, particularly stabilizing services (i.e. case management). Individuals who engaged most in the program had greater odds of treatment engagement and increased odds of CoC. Time to first rearrest was delayed for those who received CoC. By providing transition planning services, jails and community-based services may increase treatment engagement and CoC, and reduce the risk and frequency of rearrest.
Probing basal planes and edge sites in polygranular nuclear graphite by gas adsorption: Estimation of active surface area

Abstract Polygranular nuclear graphite, manufactured at 2800–3000 °C from a carbonized filler and binder mix, has high graphitization degree, crystalline structure close to perfect graphite, and about 20% porosity. The pore surfaces expose large regions of rough, defective prismatic edges of graphite crystallites which are the locus of graphite materials surface sites active for oxidation, chemisorption, and electron transfer. However, we show that high-resolution N2 and Kr first monolayer adsorption on polygranular graphite (P/P0
Negative Healthcare Experiences, Healthcare-Seeking Behavior, and Mental Health in Tampa Bay Area Transgender and Gender-Nonconforming Individuals.

OBJECTIVE This study describes the prevalence of negative healthcare experiences, depression, and anxiety in the Tampa Bay transgender and gender non-conforming population. METHODS Participants completed a survey encompassing healthcare interactions and validated mental health questionnaires. RESULTS In total, 61% of participants experienced conversion therapy and 54% have been denied care. Depression and anxiety are prevalent, with higher levels statistically associated with denial of care; 60.5% and 43% fear seeking mental health or medical care, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Self-reported negative experiences are prevalent in this population, with a potential association with avoidance of care. Further research is necessary to clarify these potential relationships.
A Consideration for Surgical Management in Select T4b Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Objectives:The role of surgery for conventionally “unresectable” (cT4b) oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma is unclear. We analyzed factors associated with overall survival in cT4b relative to cT4a...
Secret Evidence Is Slowly Eroding the Adversary System: CIPA and FISA in the Courts

The Bush administration is reportedly the most secretive in United States history. 1 The unprecedented scope of secrecy in intelligence gathering, detentions, decision-making, data collection, and legislative implementation has recently received public scrutiny. 2 Often justified as essential to preserve national security, enhanced secrecy is a steady evisceration of the transparency and accountability essential to a functioning democracy. While of a different dimension, concerns about transparency and accountability exist within the judicial system by the government’s use of secret evidence in federal criminal prosecutions—that is, information
Attenuation efficiency of X-ray and comparison to gamma ray and neutrons in composite metal foams

Abstract Steel–steel composite metal foams (S–S CMFs) and Aluminum–steel composite metal foams (Al–S CMFs) with various sphere sizes and matrix materials were manufactured and investigated for nuclear and radiation environments applications. 316 L Stainless steel, high-speed T15 steel and aluminum materials were used as the matrix material together with 2, 4 and 5.2 mm steel hollow spheres to manufacture various types of composite metal foams (CMFs). High-speed T15 steel is selected due to its high tungsten and vanadium concentration (both high-Z elements) to further improve the shielding efficiency of CMFs. This new type of S–S CMF is called high-Z steel–steel composite metal foam (HZ S–S CMF). Radiation shielding efficiency of all types of CMFs was explored for the attenuation of X-ray, gamma ray and neutron. The experimental results were compared with pure lead and Aluminum A356, and verified theoretically through XCOM and Monte Carlo Z-particle Transport Code (MCNP). It was observed that the radiation shielding effectiveness of CMFs is relatively independent of sphere sizes as long as the ratio of sphere-wall thickness to its outer-radius stays constant. However, the smaller spheres seem to be more efficient in general due to the fine fluctuation in the gray value profile of their 2D Micro-CT images. S–S CMFs and Al–S CMFs are respectively 275% and 145% more effective for X-ray attenuation than Aluminum A356. Compared to pure lead, CMFs show adequate attenuation with additional advantages of being lightweight and more environmentally friendly. The mechanical performance of HZ S–S CMFs under quasi-static compression was compared to that of other classes of S–S CMF. It is observed that the addition of high-Z elements to the matrix of CMFs improved their shielding against X-rays, low energy gamma rays and neutrons, while maintained their low density, high mechanical properties and high-energy absorption capability.
Heat transfer and pressure drop for purely viscous non-Newtonian fluids in turbulent flow through rectangular passages

Experimental measurements of friction factor and heat transfer for the turbulent flow of purely viscous non-Newtonian fluids in a 2∶1 rectangular channel are compared with results previously reported for the circular tube geometry. Comparisons are also made with available analytical and empirical predictions.
Lawyers and Lot Lines

This article discusses doctrines dealing with encroachments. An encroachment may be protected by showing that it is permanent and has existed for more than three years; however, there are cases to the contrary. Adverse possession or prescriptive easement theories can also be used if the property was possessed for at least five years and other standards are met. Additionally, agreed boundaries and good faith improvements doctrines may apply.
Flipping Lipids: Is the Third Time the Charm?

Certain membrane-spanning proteins expel hydrophobic molecules such as lipids and drugs from cells, but just how they accomplish this has been unclear. As [Davidson and Chen][1] describe in their Perspective, two new studies ([ Dong et al .][2], and [ Reyes et al .][3]) explain how a transporter protein called MsbA expends energy and changes its organization to flip a molecule from one side of the membrane to the other. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/308/5724/963 [2]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/308/5724/1023 [3]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/308/5724/1028
Glycan array analysis of influenza H1N1 binding and release

Influenza viruses initiate infection by attaching to sialic acid receptors on the surface of host cells. It has been recognized for some time that avian influenza viruses usually bind to terminal sialic acid that is linked in the α2-3 configuration to the next sugar while human viruses show preference for α2-6 linked sialic acid. With developments in synthetic chemistry and chemo-enzymatic methods of synthesizing quite complex glycans, it has become clear that the binding specificity extends beyond the sialic acid, and this has led to considerable interest in developing glycan reagents that could be used either as a diagnostic tool for particular influenza viruses, or to identify cells that are susceptible to infection by certain influenza viruses. Here we describe the use of the Consortium for Functional Glycomics Glycan Array to investigate binding specificity of influenza hemagglutinin and cleavage by neuraminidase, using seasonal and pandemic H1N1 influenza viruses as examples, and compare the results with published data using other array methods.
Endogenous Ethane and Ethylene Of Poa pratensis Leaf Blades and Leaf Chlorosis in Response to Biologically Active Products of Bipolaris sorokiniana

Infection of Poa pratensisleaf blades and callus tissue by Bipolaris sorokinianaincreases the production of ethylene and ethane. The ethylene is responsible for most of the chlorosis that occurs during pathogenesis. The nonselective toxin(s) produced by B. sorokiniana is known to disrupt membranes and to damage chlorophyll, but it is not known whether it can induce an increase in ethylene or ethane. Research was initiated to determine the effect of a biologically-active extract of B. sorokinianaon the endogenous ethylene and ethane of intact P. pratensis leaf blades and on subsequent development of chlorosis. The extract did not increase endogenous ethylene of treated leaves, but it was associated with an increase in endogenous ethane between 24 and 96 h after treatment. Chlorophyll loss occurred 96 h after treatment and persisted for the duration of the study (168 h). The chlorophyll content of treated leaf blades ranged from 72% to 80% of control leaf blades. The observations suggest that the extract of B. sorokiniana can induce chlorophyll loss from treated leaf blades independent of an increase in endogenous ethylene by directly damaging chloroplasts with a concurrent release of ethane. The ethane is believed to be a by-product of pathogenesis.
The Foundations of Modern Science in the Middle Ages: THE RECEPTION AND IMPACT OF ARISTOTELIAN LEARNING AND THE REACTION OF THE CHURCH AND ITS THEOLOGIANS

M ajor points of conflict existed between Church doctrine and ideas espoused in the natural books of Aristotle. The introduction of Aristotle's works into Latin Christendom in the thirteenth century was potentially problematic for the Church and its theologians. Although a clash was hardly inevitable, it was not long in coming. It seems to have hit hardest at the University of Paris, which not only had the greatest theological school of the Latin Middle Ages but also had one of the best and largest arts faculties. And yet, the conflict that developed must never be allowed to obscure the most important fact: that the translated works of Aristotle were enthusiastically welcomed and highly regarded by both arts masters and theologians. Indeed, Aristotle's philosophy was so warmly received that try as they might, the forces arrayed against it could not prevail. THE CONDEMNATION OF 1277 The struggle against Aristotle was concentrated in the University of Paris and its environs. In 1210, soon after Aristotle's works in natural philosophy had become available in Latin, the provincial synod of Sens decreed that the books of Aristotle on natural philosophy and all commentaries thereon were not to be read at Paris in public or secret, under penalty of excommunication. Confined to the locale of Paris, this ban was repeated in 1215, specifically for the University of Paris.
Optimizing multiple dam removals under multiple objectives: Linking tributary habitat and the Lake Erie ecosystem

[1] A model is proposed for optimizing the net benefits of removing multiple dams in U.S. watersheds of Lake Erie by quantifying impacts upon social, ecological, and economic objectives of importance to managers and stakeholders. Explicit consideration is given to the linkages between newly accessible tributary habitat and the lake's ecosystem. The model is a mixed integer linear program (MILP) that selects a portfolio of potential dam removals that could achieve the best possible value of a weighted sum of the objective(s), while still satisfying the constraints. Using response functions extracted from the Lake Erie Ecological Model and an empirical cost model, the MILP accounts for ecological and economic effects of habitat changes for both desirable native walleye and undesirable sea lamprey. The solutions show the effect on removal decisions of alternative prioritizations among cost and environmental objectives and the resulting trade-offs among those objectives. The MILP can be used as a screening model to identify portfolios of dam removals that are potentially cost-effective enhancements of habitat and the Lake Erie ecosystem; subsequent site-specific studies would be needed prior to actually removing dams.
Ferroelastic domains improve photochemical reactivity: a comparative study of monoclinic and tetragonal (Bi1−0.5xNa0.5x)(V1−xMox)O4 ceramics

The relative reactivities of monoclinic and tetragonal BiVO4-based ceramics are described, focusing on the contributions of ferroelastic domains and surface orientations. First, the photo-oxidation of Mn2+ on monoclinic BiVO4 is shown to be domain selective, occurring on the set of domains that is not active for the photo-reduction of Ag+. Next, the domain and orientation dependent photochemical reduction of Ag+ is investigated for two samples in the co-doped family (Bi1−0.5xNa0.5x)(V1−xMox)O4: a monoclinic sample (x = 0.05) and a tetragonal sample (x = 0.175). Like BiVO4, the x = 0.05 sample has ferroelastic domains that exhibit contrast in piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) and exhibit domain specific reactivity. The x = 0.175 sample has no domains, no PFM contrast, and uniform grain reactivity. The orientation dependence of Ag+ reduction is similar for the two samples, with surfaces near (001) being more active than others. For any given orientation, however, the monoclinic sample is quantitatively more active than the same orientation in the tetragonal sample. These collected results are consistent with the hypothesis that monoclinic-structured BiVO4 ceramics have enhanced photochemical activity owing to ferroelastic domain-selective reactivity, which allows for local separation of photogenerated carriers and redox reactions.
Single Versus Multiple Deficiencies of Methionine, Zinc, Riboflavin, Vitamin B-6 and Choline Elicit Surprising Growth Responses in Young Chicks

A soy-protein isolate diet that was deficient in methionine (Met), zinc (Zn), riboflavin, vitamin B-6 and choline for chick growth (Assay 1) was used to study individual or multiple deficiencies of several of these nutrients. In all cases, adding all three deficient nutrients together resulted in growth responses that were superior to those resulting from supplementation with any pairs of deficient nutrients. In Assay 2, single addition of Zn but not of methionine or riboflavin produced a growth response, but the combination of either Zn and Met or Zn and riboflavin resulted in growth responses that were greater than the response elicited by Zn alone. Assay 3 involved individual or multiple deficiencies of choline, riboflavin and vitamin B-6, and individual additions suggested that choline was first limiting. Choline + riboflavin supplementation, however, produced marked growth and gain:food responses that were far greater than those resulting from supplemental choline or riboflavin alone. Moreover, the growth response to a combination of choline + pyridoxine (PN) was also greater than that obtained from any of the three nutrients fed alone; even PN + riboflavin (in the absence of choline) produced responses greater than those observed with the unsupplemented negative-control diet. In Assay 4, chicks responded to individual additions of riboflavin, PN or Met, and in Assay 5, to either riboflavin or PN; all two-way combinations resulted in growth rates that were far greater than those occurring with any single addition. The data from these experiments show that unlike the situation with three deficient amino acids, the expected responses to first-, second- and third-limiting B-vitamins or deficient vitamins combined with deficient levels of Zn or Met do not follow the expected pattern of response to first-, further response to first- and second- and an even further response to first-, second- and third-limiting nutrients.
Applications of shallow high-resolution seismic reflection to various environmental problems

Abstract Shallow seismic reflection has been successfully applied to environmental problems in a variety of geologic settings. Increased dynamic range of recording equipment and decreased cost of processing hardware and software have made seismic reflection a cost-effective means of imaging shallow geologic targets. Seismic data possess sufficient resolution in many areas to detect faulting with displacement of less than 3 m and beds as thin as 1 m. We have detected reflections from depths as shallow as 2 m. Subsurface voids associated with abandoned coal mines at depths of less than 20 m can be detected and mapped. Seismic reflection has been successful in mapping disturbed subsurface associated with dissolution mining of salt. A graben detected and traced by seismic reflection was shown to be a preferential pathway for leachate leaking from a chemical storage pond. As shown by these case histories, shallow high-resolution seismic reflection has the potential to significantly enhance the economics and efficiency of preventing and/or solving many environmental problems.
Metamodeling Approach to Optimization of Steady-State Flowsheet Simulations: Model Generation

Steady-state flowsheet simulations can be too complex to be amenable to direct optimization. An indirect route involves data collection from the simulation and fitting of less complex surrogates: metamodels, which are more readily optimized. The use of metamodels allows the optimization to proceed while requiring only a small number of solutions to be obtained from the simulation. This paper describes a general methodology for optimization of process simulations via metamodeling. Implementation issues surrounding the data collection and model generation phases of the methodology are identified. Examples of effective techniques are given.
Tunable narrowband filters based on SiN-on-SOI platform

We propose a new scheme for tunable narrowband filters using a silicon nitride on silicon-on-insulator platform, which enables reconfigurability, low propagation loss, and high power handling capability. Preliminary results are provided.
Relational Aspects of Computer-Mediated Communication: Experimental Observations over Time

Previous research on the interpersonal effects of computer-mediated communication (CMC) reveals inconsistencies. In some cases CMC has been found to be impersonal, task-oriented, and hostile. Other reports show warm personal relations, and still others show gradual adjustments in interpersonal relations over time. The past research results are also difficult to compare, as their research methods reveal inconsistent approaches. These inconsistencies include the treatment of time limits on group development, the neglect of nonverbal behavior in face-to-face, comparison groups, and other measurement issues. Each of these factors may obscure our understanding of the way CMC partners get to know and come to relate to each other through CMC. The present study attempts to address some of these concerns. This study explored the effects of computer conferencing on the interpersonal messages with which people define their relationships, known as relational communication. Observers rated the relational communication...
Diffuse interstitial lung infiltrates in a smoker with human immunodeficiency virus infection

Pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis is a rare interstitial lung disease characteristically affecting middle-aged smokers. It has unpredictable clinical course and may be associated with malignant neoplasms. Opportunistic lung infections are frequently considered when patients with Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection present with respiratory symptoms and an abnormal chest X-ray. Though fiberoptic bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage is diagnostic for infectious etiologies, surgical lung biopsies are preferred to diagnose noninfectious lung diseases and to help guide appropriate therapy. In the present study, we report a case of progressive bilateral lung infiltrates in a smoker with HIV infection which presented a diagnostic dilemma in view of coexistent HIV infection. Analysis of clinical symptomatology aided by surgical lung biopsy helped in diagnosis.
Rapid Perfusion and Network Remodeling in a Microvascular Construct After Implantation

Objective— We have previously demonstrated the ability to construct 3-dimensional microvascular beds in vitro via angiogenesis from isolated, intact, microvessel fragments that retain endothelial cells and perivascular cells. Our objective was to develop and characterize an experimental model of tissue vascularization, based on the implantation of this microvascular construct, which recapitulated angiogenesis, vessel differentiation, and network maturation. Methods and Results— On implantation in a severe combined-immunodeficient mouse model, vessels in the microvascular constructs rapidly inosculated with the recipient host circulation. Ink perfusion of implants via the left ventricle of the host demonstrated that vessel inosculation begins within the first day after implantation. Evaluation of explanted constructs over the course of 28 days revealed the presence of a mature functional microvascular bed. Using a probe specific for the original microvessel source, 91.7%±11% and 88.6%±19% of the vessels by...
Measuring and maximizing the business impact of executive coaching.

This article addresses the conceptual and methodological issues involved in measuring the business impact of executive coaching. A framework is introduced for identifying the business impacts of coaching. An application of the framework is presented using exploratory study data from 12 matched coach-coachee pairs showing varying degrees of impact of the coaching on business-related outcomes. The primary conclusion is that the degree of business impact likely is related to complexity of the executive’s role, and to the relationship between the organizational environment and individual performance. The implication is that coordinating executive coaching with other leadership development, performance improvement, and rewards initiatives should increase business impact. © 2005-07 Alec Levenson. All rights reserved. 2
Welcome Letter from Dr. Montville

In 1997, the first addition of ASM’s Food Microbiology Fundamentals and Frontiers devoted but a few paragraphs to the topics of probiotics, stating that empirical evidence argued for a positive affect. In the second edition (2001), a whole chapter covering a vast filed of evidence was devoted to pre-and probiotics. By the third edition (2007), the chapter had significant coverage of molecular and genomic aspects of the field. The field has certainly outgrown the ‘‘empirical’’ label. To be more quantitative, computerized literature searches were conducted to determine the number of papers pertaining to antimicrobial proteins, bacteriocins and probiotics published in the cited year over the last two decades. The combined results showed 22,000 papers in 1980, 39,000 papers in 1990, and 56,000 in 2000! Clearly, this field has come of age. Clearly, it needs a journal to be its home. My good friend and colleague, Michael Chikindas has championed this cause, guiding Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins through the publisher’s vetting process and assuming the role of Founding Editor-in-Chief. Under his leadership, the very best papers in on probiotics and antimicrobial papers will be published here, but hopefully not the 73,000 papers projected for publication in 2010. Author Biography
Prevalence of Periapical Radiolucency and Root Canal Treatment: A Systematic Review of Cross-sectional Studies

Abstract Introduction Cross-sectional studies describe the health status of a population and measure the prevalence of disease or treatment. Neither the prevalence of periapical radiolucency, a surrogate for disease, nor the prevalence of root canal treatment have been subjected to a systematic review, which is the highest level of clinical evidence. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of periapical radiolucency and nonsurgical root canal treatment. Methods Inclusion/exclusion criteria were used for defined searches in MEDLINE and EMBASE. Title lists were scanned and abstracts were read to determine utility. Articles meeting the inclusion/exclusion criteria were analyzed for heterogeneity. Weighted mean percentages were calculated for the prevalence of overall periapical radiolucency, root canal treatment, and apical radiolucency in both treated and untreated teeth. Results Defined searching produced 11,491 titles. Thirty-three articles were included. Most patient samples represented modern populations from countries with high or very high human development indices. Meta-analysis was performed on 300,861 teeth. Of these, 5% had periapical radiolucencies, and 10% were endodontically treated. Of the 28,881 endodontically treated teeth, 36% had periapical radiolucencies; however, cross-sectional studies cannot distinguish between healing and failing cases. Of the 271,980 untreated teeth, 2% had periapical radiolucencies. The technical quality of root canal treatment was decried by most authors of the included studies. Conclusions The prevalence of periapical radiolucency was very high, broadly equivalent to 1 radiolucency per patient. The prevalence of teeth with root canal treatment was very high, broadly equivalent to 2 treatments per patient. Billions of teeth are retained through root canal treatment.
Survival of Primary and Repeat Lung Transplantation in the United States

Background This study was undertaken to compare survival between primary and repeat lung transplant recipients and to identify survival predictors after repeat lung transplantation. Methods Data for 10,846 primary and 354 repeat lung transplant patients were extracted from the United Network for Organ Sharing registry. Propensity score matching was used to examine balance in the distribution of potential observed confounders and to match the sample in terms of the probability of repeat lung transplantation given pretransplant characteristics alone. Matching based on the propensity score was used to compare survival between the primary and repeat lung transplant groups. A Cox regression model was used to identify risk factors for death in the cohort of patients receiving lung transplant. Results Considerable bias between the primary and repeat lung transplant groups was found in the sample. Patients with high propensity scores tended to carry high-risk profiles. Propensity score matching revealed incomplete overlap of covariate distributions between primary and repeat transplant groups. For those subjects who could be matched for the set of potential confounding variables, no difference in survival time was observed between primary and repeat lung transplant patients. Functional status and serum creatinine level were the two clinically important risk factors for predicting the survival of repeat transplant patients. Conclusions The current study revealed that direct comparison of the survival of primary and repeat lung transplant patients is biased by nonoverlap in the distribution of potential confounders. Using propensity score matching we adjusted for this bias and found that there was no significant difference in survival between first and second transplants.
The Domestication of Geopolitics: Buddhist-Muslim Conflict and the Policing of Marriage and the Body in Ladakh, India

This paper approaches intimacy as a site of geopolitical practice. What happens when the body is the territory through which geopolitical strategies are played out? In the Leh district of India's Jammu and Kashmir state Buddhist/Muslim conflict is articulated at the site of the body and geopolitical strategies impinge on personal decisions. Over the past century religious identity has increasingly taken on political meaning in Leh, particularly since the 1980s. Interestingly, for average Ladakhis political conflict is described in terms of bodies – that is, through discussions of who should or should not eat together, get married, or have children. By destabilising the global geopolitical scale, we can arrive at a richer and more nuanced understanding of the everyday ways in which our bodies are incorporated into or reject incorporation into geopolitical strategies to control territory. In the past, the Buddhists were more. Now, it's the Buddhists, mostly, I think, who have used family planning. Among the...
Press Tonnage Signal Decomposition and Validation Analysis for Transfer or Progressive Die Processes

A transfer or progressive die process consists of multiple stations working simultaneously in each stroke. This paper aims to develop a new methodology that can decompose press tonnage signals to obtain individual station signals without using in-die sensors. In the paper, two different tonnage decomposition tests, as well as the associated data analysis algorithms, are developed. Statistical profile analyses and an in-die sensor test were conducted to validate the proposed methodology. @DOI: 10.1115/1.1831287# In the last decade, transfer or progressive die processes have been widely used in stamping industry due to their high precision and high throughput performance. Because a transfer or progressive die process consists of multiple die stations, the press tonnage signals measured from the press linkages/columns are contributed by all individual stations. Therefore, it is not feasible to directly use the press tonnage signal to monitor each station condition. Although in-die sensors may be used to measure the individual station force directly, the technique still has limited applications in practice due to the extra cost and low reliability of sensors. This paper aims to develop an innovative technique that decomposes the press tonnage signal to obtain individual tonnage signals generated from each station. In this paper, Sec. 2 provides an overview of transfer or progressive die processes and press tonnage signal measurements. In Sec. 3, two different tests and analysis procedures are presented to perform press tonnage signal decomposition. Statistical validation analyses are then discussed in Sec. 4 to check the consistency of the two test results. A real example is provided in Sec. 5 to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology. Finally, the paper is concluded in Sec. 6.
Automated tracing and volume measurements of neurons from 3-D confocal fluorescence microscopy data

Three-dimensional (3-D) image analysis algorithms and experimental results that demonstrate the feasibility of fully automated tracing of neurons from fluorescence confocal microscopy data are presented. The input to the automated analysis is a set of successive optical slices that have been acquired using a confocal scanning laser microscope. The output of the system is a labelled graph representation of the neuronal topology that is spatially aligned with the 3-D image data. A variety of topological and metric analyses can be carried out using this representation. For instance, precise measurements of volumes, lengths, diameters and tortuosities can be made over specific portions of the neuron that are specified in terms of the graph representation. The effectiveness of the method is demonstrated for a set of sample fields featuring selectively stained neurons. Additional work will be needed to refine the method for unsupervised use with complex data involving multiple intertwined neurons and extremely fine dendritic structures.
Certain isometries on Rn

Abstract Let R n be the linear space of all real column vectors with n coordinates. Given x=(x 1 ,…,x n ) t ∈ R n , its (p, k)-norm is defined by ‖x‖ p, k = max (|x i 1 | p +⋯+|x i k | p ) 1⧸p :1 ⩽ i 1 k ⩽ n where k is a positive integer satisfying 1 ⩽ k ⩽ n and p satisfies 1 ⩽ p ⩽ ∞, whereas its c-norm is defined by |x| c = max{c t Px: P is a generalized permutation matrix}, for any nonzero c ∈ R n. This paper characterizes the isometries for c-norms and (p, k)-norms. Some related results are also considered.
Figure and finish of grazing-incidence mirrors

Abstract Great improvement has been made in the past several years in the quality of optical components used in synchrotron-radiation (SR) beam lines. Most of this progress has been the result of vastly improved metrology techniques and instrumentation permitting rapid and accurate measurement of the surface finish and figure on grazing-incidence optics. A significant theoretical effort has linked the actual performance of components used at X-ray wavelengths to their topological properties as measured by surface-profiling instruments. Next-generation advanced light sources will require optical components and systems to have sub-arcsec surface figure tolerances. We will explore the consequences of these requirements in terms of manufacturing tolerances to see if the present manufacturing state-of-the-art is capable of producing the required surfaces. It is now possible to routinely measure figure and finish on meter-long optical surfaces in our laboratory with a long trace profiler of our own design and with a commercial microinterferometer profiler. Our instrumentation allows us to analyze surface profile data in terms of the power spectral density function over the range of spatial periods that are of relevance to X-ray mirror performance: 1 m to 5 μm. We have been able to recognize several classes of problems in the manufacture of grazing-incidence optics from the results of our measurements. In some cases we have been able to provide feedback to the manufacturer, who has then been able to modify and improve his process. Results from our analyses of mirror figure and finish measurements will be presented and their impact on the design of high-resolution soft-X ray SR systems will be discussed.
Enhancement of Dissolved Organic Matter Bioavailability by Sunlight and Its Role in the Carbon Cycle of Lakes Superior and Michigan

The degree to which sunlight and microbes interact in the cycling of dissolved organic matter (DOM) of natural waters is unclear. During 1999 and 2000, the effects of sunlight on the lability of DOM in two of the Laurentian Great Lakes were examined. Bacteria-free (< 0.2 μm) water samples collected in Lake Superior and Lake Michigan were exposed to ambient sunlight for several days and subsequently inoculated (1:10) with < 1.0 μm lake water containing natural bacteria and assayed for bacterial growth rates (3H-leucine incorporation into protein) in the dark. Exposure of water collected from offshore surface layers to sunlight caused a net reduction of DOM bioavailability (bacterial growth ∼20 to 30% of dark control), whereas both exposure of deep water and river water to sunlight resulted in a net enhancement of DOM bioavailability (bacterial growth ∼150 to 260% of dark control). Irradiated water from nearshore exhibited an intermediate response in terms of changes in DOM bioavailability (bacterial growth ∼75 to 115% of dark control). Despite the reduction of DOM bioavailability in surface waters by sunlight exposure in the short-term (relative to dark control), subsequent incubation of these waters in the dark increased bacterial production rates relative to in situ rates, suggesting that the net effect of exposure to sunlight, even in surface waters, was to increase DOM bioavailability. Rapid and sustained photochemical alterations of DOM bioavailability occurring in the euphotic zone of natural waters should accelerate the turnover of surface water, older deep water, and refractory terrigenous carbon.
Determining appropriate uses of computers in education

Abstract There are three basically different classes of reasons for using the computer in learning. First, there are some uses of a computer in instruction for which there is essentially no other competitive method for accomplishing the same results. Second, the computer has certain unique characteristics which can provide non-trivial instructional capabilities. Third, there are instances where the computer is the most economical way to perform instruction. This paper discusses each of the corresponding kinds of computer applications in relationship to the computer capabilities utilized and the educational benefits derived. It also addresses the topic of computers and educational change.
Identification of homoeologous regions in complex genomes using lambda genomic clones

Abstract Linkage groups containing genomic regions homoeologous to the region of the soybean genome that contains the Phytophthora root and stem rot resistance locus Rps1 were identified using lambda genomic clones containing loci homoeologous to two loci linked to Rps1: A071-1, a locus with homology to a gene of unknown function and sle3, a member of a multi-gene family that encodes a soybean late embryogenic protein of the group I LEA type. The homoeologous regions were identified by detecting linkage conservation between A071, sle and tightly linked low copy loci derived from the lambda clones. Both previously reported and new homoeologous relationships between linkage group N and linkage groups D1, G, J and L were detected by this method as compared to standard restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) mapping. Information on sequence conservation in the regions surrounding homoeologous loci and on the distribution of repetitive sequences surrounding homoeologous soybean genes was also obtained. These results demonstrate that genomic clones of homoeologous loci can identify and provide molecular information on homoeologous genomic regions in species for which multiple mapping populations are unavailable and genetic polymorphism is low.
Heat capacity (5 to 350 K) and recommended thermodynamic properties of barium uranate (BaUO4) to 1100 K

Abstract Adiabatic calorimetry was used to determine the low-temperature heat capacity of BaUO4 from 5 to 350 K. No anomalous behavior was observed, the curve of heat capacity against temperature being of the normal sigmoid shape. From these measurements, the following thermodynamic properties (298.15 K) were obtained: Cpo = (125.27±0.25) J K−1 mol−1; So = (153.97 ± 0.31) J K−1 mol−1; {Ho(T) − Ho(0)} = (23291 ± 47) J mol−1; {G o (T) − H o (0)} T = −(75.85 ± 0.15) J K −1 mol −1 . Published high-temperature enthalpy increments merge smoothly with the present low-temperature results. An earlier result for the enthalpy of formation, ΔHfo(298.15 K), has been recalculated to be −(1997.1 ± 2.1) kJ mol−1. Recommended thermodynamic quantities for BaUO4 have been calculated and are listed at selected temperatures up to 1100 K.