cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
External stabilization of the anterior cruciate ligament deficient knee during rehabilitation

Using cadaveric specimens, we studied the effect of ACL deficiency upon anterior tibial translation during extension of the knee joint. Five knees were loaded via the quadriceps mechanism until flexion angles of 10°, 25°, 40°, and 60° were attained. At each angle, the anterior-posterior position of the tibia was documented with biplane radiography, both before and after division of the ACL. In every specimen, anterior tibial translation increased with loss of the ACL and was greatest at 25° of flexion, where an average displacement of 3.3 mm was observed. Subluxation was not significant at flex ion angles exceeding 60°, regardless of ACL deficiency.We also examined the effect of an external restraining force on tibial subluxation in the ACL deficient knee. Posteriorly directed forces of 0 N, 45 N (10 pounds), 90 N (20 pounds), 135 N (30 pounds), and 225 N (50 pounds) were applied to the tibia at the level of the tibial tubercle. Anterior subluxation was eliminated through application of forces ranging fro...
El movimiento obrero en Chile: De la Unidad Popular a la Concertación

Este articulo ofrece la historia del debilitamiento del movimiento obrero en Chile en los ultimos treinta anos, en su rol economico, en su posicion institucional, y en su poder politico. Examina su trayectoria antes, durante, y despues del gobierno militar de Augusto Pinochet. Analiza sus dificultades actuales estableciendo una comparacion con la realidad similar por la que atraviesan muchos otros paises. Pregunta si el golpe de 1973 fue la causa necesaria para generar la condicion negativa que vive hoy el sindicalismo. Tras el analisis, concluye que el factor mas importante para explicar los problemas actuales de los sindicatos es la evolucion economica y por eso el futuro del movimiento de los trabajadores no parece auspicioso en este momento.
Volumetry of hepatic metastases in computed tomography using the watershed and active contour algorithms

The liver is a common site of metastatic disease. Colorectal liver metastases (CLM) alone is diagnosed in approximately 50,000 patients each year in the United States. Treatment for liver metastases is monitored according to the size and number of the hepatic metastases visualized with contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT). In routine clinical practice, lesion size is assessed according to uni- or bi-dimensional criteria. However, measurements made using these criteria are subject to inter-observer variability and to the inherent limitations of dimensional measurements to reflect volume. Thus, an investigation was conducted of computational methods for measurement of the area and volume of colorectal metastases to the liver. The study included CT images of the liver from five patients with a history of colorectal cancer. The image data included a total of ten hypo-attenuating lesions ranging in size from 0.4 to 79 cc. The lesions were segmented by manual contouring, by the 2D Watershed algorithm, by an active contour initialized by manual contouring and by a dual-scale active contour initialized with an ellipse. Each method is interactive and was applied two times to each image of each lesion (36 image slices in total) to determine the reproducibility of area and volume measurements. The Watershed algorithm was ineffective since it produced gross segmentation errors on a majority of the lesion slices while the active contour with initialization by manual contouring produced no significant improvement in reproducibility. The average difference between the first and second measurements of lesion areas by the multiresolution active contour was slightly less than for manual measurements (0.53/spl plusmn/0.83 and 0.58/spl plusmn/0.60 cm/sup 2/) but the difference was not statistically significant. However, area measurements by the dual-scale active contour had less variability in a greater number of slices than did manual contouring (p=0.00003). Greater variability in area measurements occurred on the end slices than interior slices for each lesion (r=0.948 between first and second measurements for end slices. r=0.989 for interior slices). We conclude that a dual-scale active contour may be an effective alternative to manual contouring for measurement of volumes of liver metastases. Reduced slice thickness may reduce variability in volume measurement.
Benign esophageal tumors: Introduction, incidence, classification, and clinical features

Benign esophageal tumors comprise a diverse group of disorders that are rare in relation to malignant tumors or other benign conditions. The current article summarizes the literature with regard to the incidence and prevalence of benign tumors of the esophagus and discusses the various methods used to categorize these conditions. Summaries of important clinical features are provided for leiomyomas, esophageal cysts, fibrovascular polyps, papillomas, granular cell tumors and others.
Feature extraction via generalized uncorrelated linear discriminant analysis

Feature extraction is important in many applications, such as text and image retrieval, because of high dimensionality. Uncorrelated Linear Discriminant Analysis (ULDA) was recently proposed for feature extraction. The extracted features via ULDA were shown to be statistically uncorrelated, which is desirable for many applications. In this paper, we will first propose the ULDA/QR algorithm to simplify the previous implementation of ULDA. Then we propose the ULDA/GSVD algorithm, based on a novel optimization criterion, to address the singularity problem. It is applicable for undersampled problem, where the data dimension is much larger than the data size, such as text and image retrieval. The novel criterion used in ULDA/GSVD is the perturbed version of the one from ULDA/QR, while surprisingly, the solution to ULDA/GSVD is shown to be independent of the amount of perturbation applied. We did extensive experiments on text and face image data to show the effectiveness of ULDA/GSVD and compare with other popular feature extraction algorithms.
Parasites as predators: unifying natural enemy ecology

Parasitism and predation have long been considered analogous interactions. Yet by and large, ecologists continue to study parasite-host and predator-prey ecology separately. Here we discuss strengths and shortcomings of the parasite-as-predator analogy and its potential to provide new insights into both fields. Developments in predator-prey ecology, such as temporal risk allocation and associational resistance, can drive new hypotheses for parasite-host systems. Concepts developed in parasite-host ecology, such as threshold host densities and phylodynamics, might provide new ideas for predator-prey ecology. Topics such as trait-mediated indirect effects and enemy-mediated facilitation provide opportunities for the two fields to work together. We suggest that greater unification of predator-prey and parasite-host ecology would foster advances in both fields.
Simple, elegant technique for single isotope detection

Summary form only given. Barium (Ba) is a versatile atom for basic quantum optical measurements because it possesses multiple transitions at conveniently accessible wavelengths which allow the creation of a variety of useful systems. This atom has been used as a three-level /spl Lambda/, cascade, and V system for driven atom and lasing without inversion experiments. Other work relied on the (6s/sup 2/)/sup 1/S/sub 0/-(6s6p)/sup 1/P/sub 1/ 553.5 nm transition as a two-level system for cavity quantum electrodynamics, two-photon laser, and single-atom laser experiments. However, these observations, which utilize natural Ba, are complicated by the presence of multiple isotopes with small frequency shifts. These isotopes introduce additional features and under certain conditions mask small structures, making interpretation of the results non-trivial.
Spectroscopic Characterization of the Isolated Iron–Molybdenum Cofactor (FeMoco) Precursor from the Protein NifEN

The FeMoco of Mo-nitrogenase provides the active site for substrate reduction. Previously, a FeMoco precursor was captured on NifEN, a scaffold protein for FeMoco biosynthesis. Here, we report the isolation of FeMoco precursor from NifEN. The integrity of the precursor is reflected by the restoration of the precursor-specific EPR signal, as well as the full proficiency of the precursor in biosynthesis and catalysis upon its incorporation into the precursor-deficient NifEN. Moreover, XAS/EXAFS analysis supports the eight-iron model of the precursor, suggesting that the insertion of heterometal into the precursor involves exchanging one terminal iron atom for a molybdenum atom.
Adopting new orphans into the family of metabolic regulators

The importance of the adopted metabolite receptors, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, liver X receptor, and farnesoid X receptor, in transcriptional control of metabolic pathways has been appreciated for many years. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that the number of nuclear receptors with roles in metabolism is much larger than initially suspected. Recent years have brought an intense effort to define the biological functions of the most enigmatic group of the nuclear receptor superfamily, the true orphan receptors, including nuclear receptor 4As, estrogen-related receptors, retinoid-related orphan receptors, and Rev-erbs. Unexpectedly, several of these receptors also turn out to have important functions in various aspects of metabolic control.
Age grading in the Montréal French inflected future

The rise of the periphrastic future (PF) at the expense of the inflected future (IF) is an established historical trend in Quebecois French over at least the past 150 years. Previous research has also found higher rates of PF among younger speakers, many displaying categorical use in affirmative contexts. Because an apparent time interpretation of the synchronic data fits the historical record, we expected concomitant speaker stability across the lifespan. On the contrary, our panel study of 60 Montreal speakers (1971–1984) reveals age grading in a retrograde direction. As they aged, two-thirds of the speakers we studied increased their frequency of IF, an effect heightened for members of higher socioprofessional groups. Though not sufficiently robust to stem the historical tide, increased IF use by older speakers may retard the change somewhat, providing continuing IF input to child L1 acquisition. Rather than vitiating an apparent time interpretation, these results indicate that the rate of change may be slightly overestimated if age grading acts in a retrograde direction.
Regulation of cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate signaling and pulsatile neurosecretion by Gi-coupled plasma membrane estrogen receptors in immortalized gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons.

Immortalized GnRH neurons (GT1-7) express receptors for estrogen [estrogen receptor-alpha and-13(ERa and ERI3)] and progesterone (progesterone receptor A) and exhibit positive immunostaining for both intracellular and plasma membrane ERs. Exposure of GT1-7 cells to picomolar estradiol concentrations for 5-60 min caused rapid, sustained,and dose-dependent inhibition of cAMP production. In contrast, treatment with nanomolar estradiol concentrations for 60 min increased cAMP production. The inhibitory and stimulatory actions of estradiol on cAMP formation were abolished by the ER antagonist, ICI 182,780. The estradiol-induced inhibition of cAMP production was prevented by treatment with pertussis toxin, consistent with coupling of the plasma membrane ER to an inhibitory G protein. Coimmunoprecipitation studies demonstrated an estradiol-regulated stimulatory interaction between ERa and G,3 that was prevented by the ER antagonist, ICI 182,780. Exposure of perifused GT1-7 cells and hypothalamic neurons to picomolar estradiol levels increased the GnRH peak interval, shortened peak duration, and increased peak amplitude. These findings indicate that occupancy of the plasma membrane-associated ERs expressed in GT1-7 neurons by physio-logical estradiol levels causes activation of a G, protein and modulates cAMP signaling and neuropeptide secretion.
Transatlantic Lessons: Developing Planning Degree Programs in Provincial Russia

Reflecting five years of experience in an ongoing partnership between the University of Massachusetts and the Pskov Region in Russia, we analyze the process of establishing two degree programs in planning. After describing the project's history, we analyze three key areas of conflict and controversy that the partnership faced: arguments over the role of planning in economies with private markets and democratic governments; differing educational philosophies; and conflicts within the Russian group over interpersonal and bureaucratic politics. While the character of these conflicts had much to do with the design of the specific project, they also raise issues about pedagogy, change, and uncertainty that are likely to be widespread in regions of the former Soviet Union.
Broadband tunable matching networks utilizing tapered lines

In this paper we investigate the impact of tapered lines on the bandwidth of tunable matching networks. In particular we demonstrate that tapered transmission lines can improve impedance coverage bandwidth to more than 2:1 compared to conventional transmission lines. A matching network with nearly constant impedance coverage from 2 to 4 GHz is designed as a vehicle to demonstrate these concepts.
Schumpeter and Schools of Economic Thought

Almost 50 years ago Schumpeter’s History of Economic Analysis was published. What Schumpeter sought to do in that book was to turn the attention of economists from viewing their discipline through the various ‘prescription lenses’ of specific schools of thought to a more catholic perception of what a science of economics ought to offer. It was a very brave, if also perhaps a bit foolhardy, thing for a young man to undertake. My question in this essay goes to assessing his effort.
Structural basis for phosphoserine-proline recognition by group IV WW domains.

Pin1 contains an N-terminal WW domain and a C-terminal peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase (PPIase) domain connected by a flexible linker. To address the energetic and structural basis for WW domain recognition of phosphoserine (P.Ser)/phosphothreonine (P.Thr)- proline containing proteins, we report the energetic and structural analysis of a Pin1–phosphopeptide complex. The X-ray crystal structure of Pin1 bound to a doubly phosphorylated peptide (Tyr-P.Ser-Pro-Thr-P.Ser-Pro-Ser) representing a heptad repeat of the RNA polymerase II large subunit's C-terminal domain (CTD), reveals the residues involved in the recognition of a single P.Ser side chain, the rings of two prolines, and the backbone of the CTD peptide. The side chains of neighboring Arg and Ser residues along with a backbone amide contribute to recognition of P.Ser. The lack of widespread conservation of the Arg and Ser residues responsible for P.Ser recognition in the WW domain family suggests that only a subset of WW domains can bind P.Ser-Pro in a similar fashion to that of Pin1.
Specificity from steric restrictions in the guanosine binding pocket of a group I ribozyme.

The 39 splice site of group I introns is defined, in part, by base pairs between the intron core and residues just upstream of the splice site, referred to as P9.0. We have studied the specificity imparted by P9.0 using the wellcharacterized L‐21 ScaI ribozyme from Tetrahymena by adding residues to the 59 end of the guanosine (G) that functions as a nucleophile in the oligonucleotide cleavage reaction: CCCUCUA5 (S) + NNG U u CCCUCU + NNGA5. UCG, predicted to form two base pairs in P9.0, reacts with a (kcat/KM) value ;10-fold greater than G, consistent with previous results. Altering the bases that form P9.0 in both the trinucleotide G analog and the ribozyme affects the specificity in the manner predicted for base-pairing. Strikingly, oligonucleotides incapable of forming P9.0 react ;10-fold more slowly than G, for which the mispaired residues are simply absent. The observed specificity is consistent with a model in which the P9.0 site is sterically restricted such that an energetic penalty, not present for G, must be overcome by G analogs with 59 extensions. Shortening S to include only one residue 39 of the cleavage site (CCCUCUA) eliminates this penalty and uniformly enhances the reactions of matched and mismatched oligonucleotides relative to guanosine. These results suggest that the 39 portion of S occupies the P9.0 site, sterically interfering with binding of G analogs with 59 extensions. Similar steric effects may more generally allow structured RNAs to avoid formation of incorrect contacts, thereby helping to avoid kinetic traps during folding and enhancing cooperative formation of the correct structure.
The Karma of Sparrows, Bedbugs, and Body Shadows: Chapters from a Memoir

Karma consists of passionate but often amusing stories about myself and many intellectuals, farmers, workers, and officials, filtered through my own sensibility as a modern Chinese man now living in the West. The readers will see how ordinary Chinese lived, eventually survived, or perished, in those turbulent years, and what physical and spiritual forces led them to perform unimaginable deeds. Chinese values, customs, and traditions are explained and contrasted to those of western society. Karma is a forthcoming book.
Using 'Yoko' to develop knowledge about language

'Yoko' is a picture book by American author- illustrator Rosemary Wells. I recently chose this book as the introductory text in an integrated English/Geography unit of work I wrote for Year Three called 'We are similar but different'. The unit is freely available on the website Global Words, (World Vision and PETAA, 2014). Here I will briefly introduce the book and then share some activities for using Yoko in the classroom.
Plasmon-induced Hot Carriers in Metallic Nanoparticles

Plasmon-induced hot carrier formation is attracting an increasing research interest due to its potential for applications in photocatalysis, photodetection and solar energy harvesting. However, despite very significant experimental effort, a comprehensive theoretical description of the hot carrier generation process is still missing. In this work we develop a theoretical model for the plasmon-induced hot carrier process and apply it to spherical silver nanoparticles and nanoshells. In this model, the conduction electrons of the metal are described as free particles in a finite spherical potential well, and the plasmon-induced hot carrier production is calculated using Fermi’s golden rule. We show that the inclusion of many-body interactions has only a minor influence on the results. Using the model we calculate the rate of hot carrier generation, finding that it closely follows the spectral profile of the plasmon. Our analysis reveals that particle size and hot carrier lifetime play a central role in dete...
Interaction of valproic acid with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs mefenamic acid and fenoprofen in normal and uremic sera: Lack of interaction in uremic sera due to the presence of endogenous factors

Valproic acid is an anticonvulsant that is strongly bound to serum albumin. The nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs mefenamic acid and fenoprofen are also strongly bound to albumin. We observed significant displacement of valproic acid from protein binding by mefenamic acid and fenoprofen at both therapeutic and slightly above therapeutic concentrations. The concentration of free valproic acid was higher in the uremic serum, as expected, but we observed no further displacement of valproic acid in the presence of mefenamic acid and fenoprofen. Known uremic compounds, hippuric acid and indoxyl sulfate, did not inhibit the interactions between valproic acid and mefenamic acid or fenoprofen. Treatment of uremic serum with activated charcoal at pH 3.0 removes endogenous interfering factors and corrects the binding defect of uremic serum for valproic acid. We observed significant displacement of valproic acid from protein binding by both mefenamic acid and fenoprofen in uremic serum after charcoal treatment. We conclude that endogenous factors are present in uremic sera that block interaction of valproic acid with mefenamic acid and fenoprofen.
Testing of LSD-25 and related compounds for possible effects on egg-laying capacity and egg-to-adult viability in Drosophila.

On a injecte du LSD-25, de l'acide bromolysergique-diethylamide et de l'acided-lysergique a desDrosophila pseudoobscura au troisieme stade larvaire. Le LSD-25 n'affecte ni leur capacite de ponte, lorsqu'elles sont adultes, ni la viabilite (rapport numerique adultes/œufs) de leur progeniture. En revanche, la capacite de ponte est reduite tant par l'acide lysergique que par l'acide bromolysergique-diethylamide, et ce dernier altere en outre la viabilite.
Mechanical behaviour of tendon in vitro. A preliminary report.

The mechanical behaviour of horse and human tendon, as characterised by the stress-strain curve, has been examined with respect to load-strain cycling and strain rate. It was found that the tendon stress-strain curve for successive cycles was reporducible provided that strain on the specimen did not exceed 2·0–4·0%. If this strain level was exceeded, a permanent deformation occurred. This phenomenon was verified by histological studies on strained tendon which showed that some of the collagen fibres did not return to their original orientation. Variation in the rate of strain was found to affect both the magnitude and the shape of the stress-strain curve. Additionally, it was found that the stress relaxation phenomenon for tendon was essentially the same as that found for other connective tissues.
Long-Term Multi-Cue Tracking of Hands in Vehicles

Hands are a very important cue for understanding and analyzing driver activity and human activity, in general. Vision-based hand detection and tracking involve major challenges, such as attaining robustness to inconsistencies in lighting and scale, background clutter, object occlusion/disappearance and the large variability in hand shape, size, color, and structure. In this paper, we introduce a novel framework suitable for tracking multiple hands online. Assigning tracks to these detections is modeled as a bipartite matching problem with an objective of minimizing the total cost. Both motion and appearance cues are integrated in order to gain robustness to occlusion, fast movement, and interacting hands. Additionally, we study the utility of a left versus right hand classifier to disambiguate hand tracks and reduce ID switches. The proposed tracker shows promise on an extensive, naturalistic, and publicly available driving (VIVA Challenge) data set, by tracking both hands of the driver and the passenger effectively.
Cine coronary arteriography.

Coronary arteriography provides a highly accurate morphologic assessment of the coronary arteries with a minimum of risk and discomfort to the patient. It has become the standard for accurate diagnosis of ischemic heart disease, and has provided the basis for rational selection of patients for surgical treatment of coronary atherosclerosis, as well as for evaluation of the effectiveness of such procedures.
Virtual Shadow: Making Cross Traffic Dynamics Visible through Augmented Reality Head Up Display

Most obvious benefit of augmented reality (AR) displays is direct perception of information atop physical reality. In driving context, however, AR interfaces should be designed carefully to guide drivers’ attention while minimizing attentional narrowing. This work aims to design an interface for cross traffic alert using an AR head up display (HUD) that is compatible with both the driver’s cognitive process and physical reality of driving environment. Ecological interface design (EID) allowed us to complement current user centered design (UCD) approaches by considering human-environment interaction and leveraging the inherent benefit of AR interfaces: conformal graphics. We designed a novel interface that casts virtual shadows of approaching obstacles through an AR HUD and prototyped this idea for a specific use-case of pedestrian collision warning. Our initial usability evaluation demonstrated potential benefits of incorporating EID into AR interface design. The approaches and design idea from this study...
Continuous Quality Improvement as a Central Tenet of TQM: History and Current Status

Purpose: The great promise of continual quality improvement advocated by early quality gurus like Deming and Juran has not been fully realized. This paper explores the reasons for the limited success of implementation and institutionalization of continuous quality improvement. Approach: About 100 quality professionals from diverse organizations answered questions related to this study. Additionally, the authors executed a wide-ranging literature search including the use of Google Scholar. Findings: Nearly all quality professionals queried in this study agree that compliance to an external quality standard such as ISO is mandatory for their organizations. However, there is disagreement as to whether or not compliance with the continuous improvement proviso in most quality standards is actually implemented and functioning. Research limitations/implications: The sample size is small and there is a need for a larger universe of quality professionals, registration/standards organizations, and academic researchers. Practical implications: Many organizations from a broad array of economic sectors both public and private must comply with external quality standards. Most external quality standards contain a requirement for evidence of continuous improvement. However, the potential for improvement associated with compliance is frequently not realized. Originality/value: Continuous quality improvement is central to many quality standards including ISO 9001. Unfortunately, many ISO compliant organizations are unable to operationalize and sustain the process of continual improvement. This paper provides a novel examination of this problem and suggests ways that organizations can leverage the potential for improvement via their existing quality systems.
Is 4/20 an Event-Specific Marijuana Holiday? A Daily Diary Investigation of Marijuana Use and Consequences Among College Students

Objective:Given the popular association between April 20 (“4/20”) and marijuana, the present study examined marijuana use and consequences on 4/20 compared with other days in order to test whether 4/20 is a high-risk, event-specific marijuana use holiday among college student marijuana users.Method:Fifty-nine college student marijuana users from three different, large U.S. universities located in Virginia, New Mexico, and Colorado completed daily brief surveys (<10 minutes) over a 12-day (April 15–April 26) period assessing prior-day marijuana use (i.e., percentage of users who consumed marijuana, number of unique marijuana use sessions, subjective high/intoxication while under the influence of marijuana, and number of grams of marijuana consumed) and marijuana-related consequences.Results:Using oneway repeated-measures analyses of variance, we found that (a) 50% of students reported using marijuana on 4/20, which was significantly more than weekdays (28%) and weekend days (37%); (b) students reported a s...
Ratios from the Intersections of 10 + 1 Proportionalities

An innovative mathematical analysis comparing sets of preferred ratios from authors from antiquity (Vitruvius), the Renaissance (Alberti, Serlio and Palladio), and the modern age (Fechner and Lalo) with the eleven unique and universal proportionalities sheds new light on architects’ use of certain ratios to endow their creations with commensurability and beauty. Some ratios may provide more ways of representing three magnitudes, and this might provide a clue to their enduring appearance in architectural works.
T’Ai Chi Chih, an Evidence Based Mindfulness Practice: Literature Review

T’ai Chi Chih (TCC) is a moving meditation positively associated with physiological and psychological conditions, such as immunity to shingles virus, reduction in inflammatory markers, decrease in sympathetic nervous system, geriatric depression and chronic diseases in cancer survivors. Consisting of 19 repetitive movements and one pose, TCC is easy to learn and particularly accessible to the aging population. It is taught by accredited instructors who have completed an intensive training that is standardized worldwide. This review includes all published randomized controlled trials (RCT) studies focused on TCC to date. Results are summarized and methodology is described. Of particular interest is researchers’ notes stating why TCC was selected as the control intervention and how the study participants responded. As an accredited teacher of TCC, the author comments on the usefulness of the practice as an evidence based mindfulness practice. Furthermore, ongoing studies are suggested using TCC for quality of life and lifestyle issues, social, emotional and psychological conditions, and research on specific populations that may benefit from TCC.
Success rate and strength of osseointegration of immediately loaded UV-photofunctionalized implants in a rat model

Abstract Statement of problem Despite its clinical benefits, the immediate loading protocol might have a higher risk of implant failure than the regular protocol. Ultraviolet (UV) photofunctionalization is a novel surface enhancement technique for dental implants. However, the effect of photofunctionalization under loading conditions is unclear. Purpose The purpose of this animal study was to evaluate the effect of photofunctionalization on the biomechanical quality and strength of osseointegration under loaded conditions in a rat model. Material and methods Untreated and photofunctionalized, acid-etched titanium implants were placed into rat femurs. The implants were immediately loaded with 0.46 N of constant lateral force. The implant positions were evaluated after 2 weeks of healing. The strength of osseointegration was evaluated by measuring the bone-implant interfacial breakdown point during biomechanical push-in testing. Results Photofunctionalization induced hydrophilic surfaces on the implants. Osseointegration was successful in 28.6% of untreated implants and 100% of photofunctionalized implants. The strength of osseointegration in successful implants was 2.4 times higher in photofunctionalized implants than in untreated implants. The degree of tilt of untreated implants toward the origin of force was twice that of photofunctionalized implants. Conclusions Within the limit of an animal model, photofunctionalization significantly increased the success of osseointegration and prevented implant tilt. Even for the implants that underwent successful osseointegration, the strength of osseointegration was significantly higher for photofunctionalized implants than for untreated implants. Further experiments are warranted to determine the effectiveness of photofunctionalization on immediately loaded dental implants.
Electricity generation using continuously recirculated flow electrodes in reverse electrodialysis

Abstract Capacitive flow electrode systems that generate electricity from salinity gradients are limited by low power densities, inefficient electrical current collection, and complex system operation. We show here the proof-of-concept that a single reverse electrodialysis cell using continuously recirculated activated carbon flow electrodes can generate uninterrupted electricity from an artificial sea/river water gradient. Power densities reached 61 ± 5.7 mW m −2 (normalized to total membrane surface area) and current densities 2.4 ± 0.13 A m −2 when a 10% by weight carbon loading was used with graphite plate current collectors. Using high-surface area graphite brush current collectors, maximum power densities increased more than 320% to 260 ± 8.7 mW m −2 and maximum current densities more than 400% to 14 ± 0.59 A m −2 . The performance improvements were attributed to a more than 80% decrease in electrode resistances when brushes were used instead of plates. A control static capacitive electrode system obtained slightly higher average power densities (290 ± 8.7 mW m −2 ), but could not produce it continuously, highlighting the operational advantage of the recirculated flow electrode design.
Topology-optimized dual-polarization Dirac cones

We apply a large-scale computational technique, known as topology optimization, to the inverse design of photonic Dirac cones. In particular, we report on a variety of photonic crystal geometries, realizable in simple isotropic dielectric materials, which exhibit dual-polarization Dirac cones. We present photonic crystals of different symmetry types, such as fourfold and sixfold rotational symmetries, with Dirac cones at different points within the Brillouin zone. The demonstrated and related optimization techniques open avenues to band-structure engineering and manipulating the propagation of light in periodic media, with possible applications to exotic optical phenomena such as effective zero-index media and topological photonics.
Standard ML Type Inference

Many language implementations, like C++ and Java, check the types of values and operations to be sure each operation is supported for the types of its operands. An important feature of Standard ML is the type inference system which is somewhat like the type checkers of C++ and Java, but a bit more powerful. A type checker checks the types written by the programmer to be sure each type declaration is consistent with the operations being performed, values being passed to functions, and the values being returned. Compilers for Java and C++ even infer the types of some expressions when polymorphic operators are used. For instance, the addition operator has multiple result types depending on the types of its operands.
Effectiveness of Polypropylene and Steel Fibers in Enhancing Fire Resistance of High-Strength Concrete Columns

AbstractFire-induced spalling is one of the concerns with the use of high-strength concrete (HSC) in structural applications. Some recent studies have recommended addition of polypropylene and/or s...
A Reassessment of urban structure and land-use patterns: distance to CBD or network-based? — Evidence from Chicago

Abstract Distance to the CBD and neighboring commercial employment (land-use) have been the core determinants of spatial-related production externalities for firms. In these models, travel time to work (firms) is the single most important factor for residential land-use allocation. New theories of complex urban systems (CUS), however, have begun to cast some doubt on the efficacy of the “distance to CBD” model. There is some evidence for example, that large urban systems might evolve with scale-free transportation networks. In this paper, we examine urban land-use data from the Chicago Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) to argue for a theoretical shift from a “distance to CBD” based prototype to one that considers the complexity inherent in urban systems structure. We use a Stochastic Greedy Algorithm to quantify connectivity and attractions to every land cell (30 × 30 m) to existing population and employment centers, Points of Interests (POIs), and highway and major roads. We measure the frequency of commercial and resident land-uses relative to these found attraction levels and develop algorithms that help explain the relations. Using these methods, we find that both CBD-driven and network-driven approaches are empirically valid for explaining current urban structures. We also find, however, that these relations change when temporal variables are considered. For example, we found that the land-use change in Chicago from 2001 to 2011 is an obvious deviation from the “distance to CBD” based urban growth assumption. Our results suggest that we should re-examine the core urban structure assumptions of spatial equilibrium models.
Kuelekea Nadharia Ujamaa Mawasiliano: Toward a Familyhood Communication Theory

Using a qualitative explanatory case study approach, this chapter develops a communication theory of Ujamaa (i.e., the African notion of “extended family” or “familyhood”) based on the communicative theoretical postulates and praxes of the philosophy. While previous ideological or philosophical studies on Ujamaa can be said to include a communicative theoretical approach in a broader sense vis-a-vis both the analytical framework and the public policies deriving from the ideology, they do not, however, provide a technique for a systematic theoretical investigation of Ujamaa-type communication. Thus, as the first scholarly work to proffer a theoretical approach that can be used to systematically investigate Ujamaa-type communication, the chapter entails discussions of the origins of Ujamaa discourse, details of the postulates of the theory, the assumptions of the theory, examples of how Ujamaa-type communication has been employed, summary and conclusion, and limitations of the theory. Employing Ujamaa in Kanga (a colorful cloth), Ujamaa in Tanzanian Hip-Hop music, and Ujamaa in the African American Kwanzaa celebration as examples of communicative vehicles, it is demonstrated in the chapter that Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere’s political ideology or philosophy of Ujamaa is manifested in written literature, oral narratives, and clothing such as the kanga. One might say that Nyerere integrated an idealistic communication framework to the very real and problematic situation of Tanzania in order to pose the question of “what ought to be?” rather than the realist viewpoint of “what is?” and then applied his findings to develop practical improvements. This type of reasoning was clearly the basis for Nyerere’s profound belief in and advancement of Africancentric philosophies in order to repair the foundation of Tanzania’s political, social and economic structures. The ideals of socialism, nationalism, and Pan-Africanism were therefore emphasized and ingrained in policies and discourse in order to unify the Tanzanian people.
The Relationship Between Chemically-Induced Meiotic Delay and Aneuploidy in Mouse Oocytes and Zygotes

Aneuploidy is a relatively common genetic disorder that results in human morbidity and mortality. Approximately 30% of embryonic and fetal deaths and 3.45 per thousand livebirths are associated with an abnormal number of chromosomes (Hook, 1985). Unfortunately, very little is known about the etiology and mechanisms of chromosome missegregation. This situation dictates that considerable research be directed toward understanding the causes of aneuploidy. Although several hypotheses have been advanced for the etiology of aneuploidy (Bond and Chandley, 1983), there still exists a paucity of information about the direct causes and mechanisms of aneuploidy production. Without such specific knowledge, there is little hope of reducing the incidence of aneuploidy in humans. Some progress has been made. We now know that various chemicals can induce aneuploidy by interacting with certain cellular organelles, especially components of the spindle apparatus. These results have been demonstrated in various organisms and cell types both in vivo and in vitro (Dellarco et al., 1986).
Molecules that Disrupt Memory Circuits in Alzheimer’s Disease: The Attack on Synapses by Aβ Oligomers (ADDLs)

Individuals with early Alzheimer’s disease (AD) suffer from a selective and profound failure to form new memories. A novel molecular mechanism with implications for therapeutics and diagnostics is now emerging in which the specificity of AD for memory derives from disruption of plasticity at synapses targeted by neurologically active Aβ oligomers. We have named these oligomers “ADDLs” (for pathogenic Aβ-derived diffusible ligands). ADDLs constitute metastable alternatives to the disease-defining Aβ fibrils deposited in amyloid plaques. In AD brain, ADDLs accumulate primarily as Aβ 12-mers (∼54 kDa). The same size oligomers occur in tg-mouse AD models; in mice, these 12-mers appear concomitantly with memory failure, consistent with the ability of ADDLs to inhibit long-term potentiation (LTP) and block reversal of long-term depression (LTD). Mechanistically, ADDLs are gain-of-function ligands that bind with specificity to particular synapses, targeting synaptic spines. Binding leads to a rapid and ectopic expression of the memory-linked immediate early gene Arc. Such aberrant accumulation has been linked by others to memory dysfunction in tg-Arc mouse models. Consistent with the expected consequences of Arc overexpression, ADDLs promote loss of surface NMDA receptors and anomalous spine morphology, which are responses expected to contribute to plasticity failure and memory dysfunction. Importantly, the attack on synapses provides a putative mechanism that unifies AD memory dysfunction with major features of AD neuropathology. Recent findings show ADDL binding instigates synapse loss, AD-type tau hyperphosphorylation, and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Binding sites for ADDLs are at or in the close vicinity of NMDA receptors. Antibodies against external domains of NMDA receptors reduce ADDL binding and inhibit ADDL-stimulated ROS formation. The ROS response also is inhibited by memantine, an open-channel blocker of NMDA receptors recently approved for AD therapeutics. The ability of memantine to contravene the impact of ADDLs offers a new mechanism to explain why an NMDA receptor antagonist should improve memory function in AD patients. Elimination of ADDLs by vaccines now under development could provide the first AD treatments that are truly disease-modifying. In addition to establishing a molecular mechanism of significant value for AD therapeutics and diagnostics, studies of ADDL interactions with synaptic pathways and control mechanisms ultimately may provide new insights into the extraordinary complexities of physiological synaptic information storage.
Children, families and the cycle of disadvantage

It is possible to reduce rates of school dropout, teenage pregnancy, arrests for violent crime, and long term dependence on welfare. Programs that have improved outcomes among children in disadvantaged families provide access to an array of services cross professional and bureaucratic boundaries, emphasize relationships of trust and respect, are deeply rooted in the community, are family focused, and recognize the distinctive needs of those most at risk. If health, mental health, social service and education programs with these attributes are to reach the large numbers who need them, the systems within which these programs operate must be restructured.
Discovery and biological activity of computer-assisted drug designed Akt pathway inhibitors.

Abstract The P13K/Akt pathway is a growth-regulating cellular signaling pathway that is over-activated in numerous human cancers. A novel series of Akt pathway inhibitors were identified using iterative pharmacophore modeling, energy-based calculations, and property predictions of known Akt inhibitors. Inhibitory effects on activation of Akt and growth of human neoplastic cells are reported. Results show variable inhibitory effects of three selected compounds on Akt phosphorylation at a key activation site, and on proliferation of tumorigenic cells. We identify one lead compound with potent inhibitory activity on both human carcinoma cell proliferation and Akt activation.
Oscillation as a mode of listening

Listening is ultimately more than identifying the source of a sound or deciphering a sound’s meaning. Through their share discussion of oscillation, I connect Goodman’s ontology of vibrating force ...
Normal form of double-Hopf singularity with 1:1 resonance for delayed differential equations

In this manuscript, we provide a framework for the double-Hopf singularity with 1:1 resonance for general delayed differential equations (DDEs). The corresponding normal form up to the third-order terms is derived. As an application of our framework, a double-Hopf singularity with 1:1 resonance for a van der Pol oscillator with delayed feedback is investigated to illustrate the theoretical results.
Comparison of indirect peroxidase and avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) immunohistochemical staining procedures for c-fos in rat brain.

c-Fos is the product of a gene expressed within neurons in the brain that serves as an anatomical marker of cellular activation. Immunohistochemical staining for c-fos allows a characterization of the effects of many different types of experimental manipulations on neuronal activity, making it a powerful technique for understanding brain, drug and behavior relationships. This study compared visualization of an anti-c-fos primary antibody in 40-μm-thick cryostat sections of formaldehyde-fixed rat brainstem using either a peroxidase enzyme-conjugated secondary antibody (indirect peroxidase) or the peroxidase-conjugated avidin-biotin complex (ABC) method. All sections were treated with H2 O2 to quench endogenous peroxidase enzyme and sodium borohydride to enhance permeability of the tissue and improve staining quality. Every other section was used to examine either the indirect peroxidase or the ABC method. Sections for the indirect peroxidase method were treated with Triton X-100 detergent to increase tissue permeability, goat serum to reduce non-specific binding of the secondary antibody and, in some cases, bovine serum albumin (BSA) to reduce non-specific binding of the primary antibody. Sections for the ABC method were treated with dilute normal serum, and avidin and biotin solutions and, in some cases BSA. Alternate sections were incubated for 72 h in either rabbit anti-c-fos primary antibody (1 : 20 000) or its vehicle (negative control). For the indirect peroxidase protocol, tissues were treated with peroxidase-conjugated goat anti-rabbit secondary antibody. For the ABC protocol, tissues were treated with biotinylated goat anti-rabbit secondary antibody and ABC peroxidase complex. All sections were reacted with 3,3'-diaminobenzadine (DAB) and H2 O2 , mounted and coverslipped. Both methods produced specific staining of c-fos-containing neurons, relative to the negative control sections. The indirect peroxidase protocol produced clear staining of c-fos-containing neurons, with very little background in the negative control sections. Staining for c-fos was enhanced using the ABC method in that c-fos stained neurons were darker and more clearly visible after shorter treatment with DAB. However, negative control sections showed a greater amount of non-specific staining with the ABC method. Thus, the ABC method was more sensitive but showed reduced specificity, with BSA treatment slightly reducing the level of non-specific staining. Overall, the ABC method produced better visualization and contrast of c-fos-containing neurons against the background color of the tissue.
South Carolina Hash: By the Light of the Moon

Si le barbecue est une tradition culinaire largement repandue aux Etats-Unis, le barbecue hash de la Caroline du Sud a ses particularites regionales et locales. Au-dela des variantes individuelles, la preparation de base du hash est un ragout qui contient une combinaison d'au moins une viande - porc ou boeuf habituellement -, et une variete de legumes qui peut inclure la pomme de terre, l'oignon et une cereale. Il est en general prepare conjointement avec un barbecue de porc ou de boeuf et la specificite individuelle du hash depend le plus souvent de la sauce ou du bouillon. L'A. propose quelques reflexions sur les variantes regionales et locales du hash et les croyances populaires dans sa preparation et sa consommation.