cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Advances in the pathogenesis and treatment of systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (s-JIA) is clinically distinct from other types of JIA. It is typified by extraarticular features such as quotidian fevers, rash, splenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, laboratory abnormalities (including leukocytosis, thrombocytosis, anemia, hyperferritinemia, and elevated inflammatory markers), and a close association with the macrophage activation syndrome. Recent investigations have highlighted dysregulation of the innate immune system as the critical pathogenic driver of s-JIA. Key innate immune mediators of s-JIA are the macrophage-derived cytokines interleukin-1 (IL-1) and IL-6. Increased understanding of the roles of IL-1 and IL-6 in the pathogenesis of s-JIA has led to major changes in therapeutic options. Until recently, the most commonly used medications included corticosteroids, methotrexate, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, which are incompletely effective in most cases. Newer biologic agents targeting IL-1 and IL-6 have proven very effective in treating s-JIA and in minimizing corticosteroid exposure. Here we review recent advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis of s-JIA and the recent clinical trials that have revolutionized the care of children with s-JIA.
Motion estimation and compensation in the redundant-wavelet domain using triangle meshes

In this paper, a technique is presented that incorporates an irregular triangle mesh into wavelet-domain motion estimation and compensation using a shift-invariant redundant-wavelet transform. The main contribution of this work resides in a demonstration that triangle-mesh motion estimation and compensation can be deployed more effectively in the redundant-wavelet domain thanks to a simple correlation operator that is robust to the prediction residual, a noise-like signal that hinders spatial-domain gradient-based efforts to locate image edges which persist from frame to frame. In the proposed technique, motion compensation takes place through an affine transform mapping triangles from one frame to the next, while the motion-compensated residual is downsampled to a non-redundant form which is then coded using any wavelet-based still-image coder. Experimental results indicate that the proposed technique significantly outperforms not only the usual spatial-domain approach to mesh-based motion estimation and compensation, but also the emerging wavelet-based coders that employ traditional block-based structures, particularly for sequences with fast or complex motion.
Deep origin of mid-ocean-ridge seismic velocity anomalies

ZHANG and Tanimoto1 have used the results of a new high-resolution three-dimensional model of shear-wave velocities in the Earth's upper mantle2 to conclude that, whereas hotspots are underlain by low-velocity anomalies extending to ∼200 km depth, the corresponding anomalies under mid-ocean ridges are shallower (∼100 km) in extent. Here we show that such a shallow origin for the mid-ocean-ridge anomalies is inconsistent, by a factor of 3–5, with the observed travel-time residuals for the seismic phase SS (ref. 3). A three-dimensional model describing shear velocities in the entire mantle4, derived independently of the SS observations but based on a large set of waveforms (15,000 seismograms5) and differential travel-time data (8,200 measurements6,7), shows the velocity anomalies associated with all mid-ocean ridges as continuous features down to 300 km depth. Some of these low-velocity anomalies continue throughout the upper mantle, and may extend into the lower mantle.
Heritability, Genetic and Phenotypic Correlations of Type, Certain Components of Type, and Production of Brown Swiss Cattle

Summary The heritabilities of final type and eight components of type were estimated by doubling the intra-sire regression of daughter's single type score on dam's single type score from 3,161 daughter-dam comparisons by 294 sires. The heritability estimates were: General appearance .33, dairy character .30, body capacity .23, rump .36, feet and legs .19, mammary system .23, fore udder .28, rear udder .35, and final type .35. The average within-sire phenotypic and genetic correlations between final type, all combinations of the components of type, and butterfat production were estimated from single type and butterfat records. Records on 3,161 daughter-dam pairs were used to estimate genetic correlations, and records on the 3,161 daughters were used to estimate phenotypic correlations. The various genetic correlations between the components of type were positive and relatively large, indicating that positive selection can be made for these components of type simultaneously. The genetic correlation between final type and butterfat production was .24, indicating that selection on the basis of type alone should automatically bring about some genetic improvement in production.
Policy space and regional predilections: Partisanship and trade agreements in Latin America

ABSTRACTSeveral prominent political economy models of trade policy, at first glance, seem to suggest that leftist governments in Latin America have strong incentives to sign preferential trade agreements (PTAs). The Heckscher–Ohlin model, for instance, predicts that the ideological left in the developing world will favour trade liberalization. Other research, specifically on trade agreements, suggests that leftist governments sign such treaties to credibly signal a commitment to sound economic policies. In light of these predictions, it is perhaps surprising that many left-wing Latin American governments have been especially averse to signing PTAs. In this article, I provide an explanation for the partisan left's disposition toward trade agreements. First, I identify the ways in which PTAs can be difficult to reconcile with hardline or populist left-wing governance. Second, I explore the conditions under which left governments are most inclined to sign trade agreements. I anticipate that regional commonal...
Bismuth–dithiol inhibition of the Escherichia coli rho transcription termination factor

Bismuth-dithiol mixtures are proven antimicrobial agents with unknown mechanism(s) of action. We show that select bismuth-dithiol solutions inhibit the Escherichia coli rho transcription termination factor. Rho is an essential enzyme in most Gram-negative prokaryotes and without rho function the cells are not viable. Bismuth complexes with 2,3-dimercapto-1-propanol (BiBAL) (3:1 solutions) functioned as a noncompetitive inhibitor with respect to ATP in the rho poly(C)-dependent ATPase assay (I50=60 microM) and as a competitive inhibitor with respect to ribo(C)10 in the poly(dC)-ribo(C)10-dependent ATPase assay. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of bacterial growth for BiBAL (3:1) in the liquid culture assay using E. coli W3350 was 16 microM. Using the tnaA/lacZ fusion reporter assay we showed that sublethal amounts (3 microM) of BiBAL (3:1 solution) led to a small increase (37%) in in vivo beta-galactosidase activity in E. coli SVS1144, which corresponds to antitermination of the tna operon as a result of rho inhibition. We concluded that BiBAL was a potent in vitro rho inhibitor but its effect on in vivo rho processes was modest indicating that other mechanisms contributed to the antibacterial activity of BiBAL. Our study suggests that structural changes in the dithiol unit that provide greater bismuth binding may improve rho specificity, a macromolecular target not previously recognized for bismuth therapy.
Synthesis of Ultrathin and Continuous Layers of Nanoporous Au on Glassy Carbon Substrates

Thin continuous films of platinized nanoporous Au (Pt-NPG) catalyst have been synthesized by all-electrochemical routines including successive AgxAu(1-x) deposition and de-alloying. However, when deposited on inexpensive substrates like glassy carbon (GC), the alloy precursor grows in isolated clusters. This constitutes a challenge addressed in the present work by using a Pd seeding process to promote continuity in NPG films on GC. The approach relies on electroless seeding of an ultra high density Pd cluster network that facilitates the coalescence at very low thickness of the deposited alloy precursor. The seeding has been performed in both naturally aerated and de-oxygenated PdCl2 solutions on Sn2+ sensitized GC electrodes. Also, the alloy deposition process has been studied in the presence and absence of O2 and with different supporting electrolytes. The O2 content of both seeding and deposition solutions has been identified as a key factor in controlling the densification of the NPG-based catalyst. Electrochemical and SEM characterizations have been used to assess the outcome of the densification process. The alloy compositional homogeneity has been examined by de-alloying polarization curves. The surface area evolution has been studied by Pb UPD. Optimum conditions for achieving continuity of the deposit have been elucidated and further discussed. © 2014 The Electrochemical Society. [DOI: 10.1149/2.001407jes] All rights reserved.
Membrane-Bound IL-21 Promotes Sustained Ex Vivo Proliferation of Human Natural Killer Cells

NK cells have therapeutic potential for a wide variety of human malignancies. However, because NK cells expand poorly in vitro, have limited life spans in vivo, and represent a small fraction of peripheral white blood cells, obtaining sufficient cell numbers is the major obstacle for NK-cell immunotherapy. Genetically-engineered artificial antigen-presenting cells (aAPCs) expressing membrane-bound IL-15 (mbIL15) have been used to propagate clinical-grade NK cells for human trials of adoptive immunotherapy, but ex vivo proliferation has been limited by telomere shortening. We developed K562-based aAPCs with membrane-bound IL-21 (mbIL21) and assessed their ability to support human NK-cell proliferation. In contrast to mbIL15, mbIL21-expressing aAPCs promoted log-phase NK cell expansion without evidence of senescence for up to 6 weeks of culture. By day 21, parallel expansion of NK cells from 22 donors demonstrated a mean 47,967-fold expansion (median 31,747) when co-cultured with aAPCs expressing mbIL21 compared to 825-fold expansion (median 325) with mbIL15. Despite the significant increase in proliferation, mbIL21-expanded NK cells also showed a significant increase in telomere length compared to freshly obtained NK cells, suggesting a possible mechanism for their sustained proliferation. NK cells expanded with mbIL21 were similar in phenotype and cytotoxicity to those expanded with mbIL15, with retained donor KIR repertoires and high expression of NCRs, CD16, and NKG2D, but had superior cytokine secretion. The mbIL21-expanded NK cells showed increased transcription of the activating receptor CD160, but otherwise had remarkably similar mRNA expression profiles of the 96 genes assessed. mbIL21-expanded NK cells had significant cytotoxicity against all tumor cell lines tested, retained responsiveness to inhibitory KIR ligands, and demonstrated enhanced killing via antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity. Thus, aAPCs expressing mbIL21 promote improved proliferation of human NK cells with longer telomeres and less senescence, supporting their clinical use in propagating NK cells for adoptive immunotherapy.
Soil properties from centrifuge liquefaction tests

An analysis of the process of settling, solidification and consolidation of a sand liquefied by vibration in two centrifuge tests at different acceleration levels is presented. It is shown that the relevant material properties can be obtained readily from appropriate measurements, when the solution for consolidation in a soil layer accreting linearly with time is employed.
Shipboard electrical power quality of service

Although the U.S. Navy has decreed that the primary aim of the electric power system design is for survivability and continuity of the electrical power supply, metrics have never been developed for continuity of service. This paper examines design issues associated with providing continuity of service under other than combat damage conditions and proposes a quality of service (QOS) metric to aid shipboard power systems design. This QOS metric is based on the probability that the power system provides the degree of continuity of power that each load needs to support the ship's missions. The major factors impacting QOS are the ratings, reliability and failure modes of the prime movers, power conversion equipment, and load equipment as well as system configuration. Additionally, while design features for QOS often improve system survivability, different failure modes require the designer to consider both survivability and QOS.
Introduction To Diode Lasers

The injected minority carriers in a p-n junction can recombine both radiatively and nonradiatively. The recombination radiation can interact with valence electrons and be absorbed or interact with electrons in the conduction band to stimulate an identical photon. When the injected carrier concentration becomes large enough, the stimulated emission can exceed the absorption so that optical gain occurs. To obtain oscillation, it is necessary to have positive feedback of a portion of the radiation. This feedback is generally provided by a pair of cleaved facets that are perpendicular to the waveguide axis. Oscillation occurs when the single-pass gain between the cleaved mirrors equals the total loss over this same distance. These concepts are applied to the commonly encountered double heterostructure lasers of GaAs-AlxGa1-xAs to illustrate the basic properties of diode lasers.© (1981) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Elementary methods for improving edge detector performance

Standard edge detectors such as Canny edge detector use a local gradient operator to find the ridges in digital images. In this study we show that peer groups and simple variance calculations can be used to improve the performance of gradient operators. Some of the pixels near the threshold are weaker edge pixels of the objects in the image and others are unimportant edges created by unevenness of the background. We find that peer group consideration and local variance near these marginal pixels can be used to make a better decision regarding them than using a single rigid threshold value.
Dietary sugar as a direct fuel for flight in the nectarivorous bat Glossophaga soricina.

It is thought that the capacity of mammals to directly supply the energetic needs of exercising muscles using recently ingested fuels is limited. Humans, for example, can only fuel about 30%, at most, of exercise metabolism with dietary sugar. Using indirect calorimetry, i.e. measurement of rates of O2 consumption and CO2 production, in combination with carbon stable isotope techniques, we found that nectarivorous bats Glossophaga soricina use recently ingested sugars to provide ∼78% of the fuel required for oxidative metabolism during their energetically expensive hovering flight. Among vertebrate animals, only hummingbirds exceed the capacity of these nectarivorous bats to fuel exercise with dietary sucrose. Similar experiments performed on Anna's ( Calypte anna ) and rufous ( Selasphorus rufus ) hummingbirds show that they use recently ingested sugars to support ∼95% of hovering metabolism. These results support the suggestion that convergent evolution of physiological and biochemical traits has occurred among hovering nectarivorous animals, rendering them capable of a process analogous to aerial refueling in aircraft.
Offset Rectangular Plate-Fin Surfaces—Heat Transfer and Flow Friction Characteristics

Abstract : Basic heat transfer and flow friction design data are presented for nine offset rectangular plate-fin surfaces. Seven of the test cores were constructed of aluminum and two were constructed of stainless steel. One of the configurations had a heat transfer area density ratio of 1772 sq ft/cu ft, one of the most compact plate-fin surface ever tested at Stanford University. The present results are compared with the offset rectangular plate-fin surfaces previously tested at Stanford. Comparisons are also provided with a louvered fin and a perforated fin plate-fin surface, in terms of heat transfer power versus flow friction power and flow area characteristics. The various kinds of mal-flow distribution through the test cores and their effects on the test results for heat transfer and flow friction are examined. (Author)
Discrimination of position and contrast in amblyopic and peripheral vision.

Many computational models of normal vernier acuity make predictions based on the just-noticeable contrast difference. Recently, Hu, Klein and Carney [(1993) Vision Research, 33, 1241-1258] compared vernier acuity and contrast discrimination (jnd) in normal foveal viewing using cosine gratings. In the jnd stimulus the test grating was added in-phase to the (sinusoidal) pedestal, whereas in the vernier stimulus the same test grating was added with an approx. 90 deg phase shift to the pedestal. In the present experiments, we measured thresholds for discriminating changes in relative position and changes in relative contrast for abutting, horizontal cosine gratings in a group of amblyopes using the Hu et al., test-pedestal approach. The approach here is to ask whether the reduced vernier acuity of amblyopes can be understood on the basis of reduced contrast sensitivity or contrast discrimination. Our results show that (i) abutting cosine vernier acuity is strongly dependent on stimulus contrast. (ii) In both anisometropic and strabismic amblyopes, abutting cosine vernier discrimination thresholds are elevated at all contrast levels, even after accounting for reduced target visibility, or contrast discrimination. (iii) For both strabismic and anisometropic amblyopes, the vernier Weber fraction is markedly degraded, while the contrast Weber fraction is normal or nearly so. (iv) In anisometropic amblyopes the elevated vernier thresholds are consistent with the observers' reduced cutoff spatial frequency, i.e. the loss can be accounted for on the basis of a shift in spatial scale. (v) In strabismic amblyopes and in the normal periphery, there appears to be an extra loss, which can not be accounted for by either reduced contrast sensitivity and contrast discrimination or by a shift in spatial scale. (vi) This extra loss cannot be quantitatively mimicked by "undersampling" the stimulus. (vii) Surprisingly, in some strabismics, and in the periphery, at relatively high spatial frequencies, vernier thresholds appear to lose their contrast dependence, suggesting the possibility that there may be qualitative differences between the normal fovea and these degraded visual systems. (viii) This contrast saturation can be mimicked by "undersampling" the target, or by introducing strips of mean luminance between the two vernier gratings, thus mimicking a "scotoma". Taken together with the preceding paper, our results suggest that the extra loss in position acuity of strabismic amblyopes and the normal periphery may be a consequence of noise at a second stage of processing, which selectively degrades position but not contrast discrimination.
Dielectric relaxation studies on bovine ligamentum nuchae

Dielectric relaxation studies of bovine ligamentum nuchae are reported over the frequency range of 1 MHz to 1 GHz and over the temperature range of 23–48°C. A temperature-dependent relaxation process was observed at low megahertz-frequency with the correlation time of around 40 ns. The result is quite similar to that of a synthetic polypentapeptide (VPGVG) and of α-elastin. The relaxation is proposed to arise in part from the peptide libration within the polypentapeptide of bovine ligamentum nuchae.
Modeling and prediction of chaotic systems with artificial neural networks

This study of chaotic systems and their prediction is motivated by the fact that many phenomena, both natural and man-made, are of a chaotic nature. Such phenomena include but are not limited to earthquakes, laser systems, epileptic seizures, combustion, and weather patterns. These phenomena have previously been thought to be unpredictable. However, it is indeed possible to predict time series generated by chaotic systems. The primary objective of this study is to develop a system that would train the artificial neural network (ANN) and then predict the future data of the process. In the present application, the chosen chaotic data set was obtained by solving Lorenz's equations. To predict the future data, the concept of a multilayer feed-forward ANN with nonlinear auto-regressive moving averages with exogenous input is used. A Backpropagation algorithm is used to train the network for the chaotic data. The final updated weights from the trained network were then used for the prediction of the future values of the system. Lyapunov exponents, phase diagrams and statistical analyses were used to evaluate the neural network output. A correlation of 94% and a negative Lyapunov exponent indicate that the results obtained from ANN are in good agreement with the actual values. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Forced Evacuation of the Japanese Minority during World War II

Three general causes of the Japanese American evacuation are examined. Collective disposition considers the antagonism toward immigrants, special characteristics of California politics, economic competition, segregation and racial stereotypes, and Japanese American international relations as conditions which instituted a persistent anti-Japanese attitude on the West Coast. Situational factors include the tendency to suspect treachery of all Japanese following Pearl Harbor and the time pressures which curtailed deliberation by government officials on the evacuation question. Collective interaction considers the interaction among the main elements which produced the evacuation decision. A short section describes the relocation centers and the evacuees' reaction to detention.
Program analysis using random interpretation

This dissertation describes a new program analysis technique called random interpretation that uses the power of randomization to verify and discover program properties. Random interpretation is inspired by, and combines the strengths of, the two complementary techniques for program analysis: random testing and abstract interpretation. Random testing is simple and finds real bugs in programs, but cannot prove absence of bugs. Abstract interpretation, on the other hand, is a class of sound and deterministic program analyses that find all bugs, but also report spurious bugs (false positives). Often these analyses are complicated and have long running time. In this dissertation, we describe few random interpretation based program analyses that are more efficient as well as simpler than their deterministic counterparts that had been state-of-the-art for almost 30 years. We then show how to extend these intra-procedural analyses to an inter-procedural setting, and how to combine these analyses. We also discuss our experience experimenting with some of these algorithms.
Risk of revision for fixed versus mobile-bearing primary total knee replacements

Background: Mobile-bearing total knee arthroplasty prostheses were developed to reduce wear and revision rates; however, these benefits remain unproven. The purposes of this study were to compare the short-term survivorship and to determine risk factors for revision of mobile-bearing and fixed-bearing total knee replacements. Methods: A prospective cohort study of primary total knee arthroplasties performed from 2001 to 2009 was conducted with use of a community total joint replacement registry. Patient characteristics and procedure details were identified. Cox regression models were used. Bearing type was investigated as a risk factor for revision while adjusted for other risk factors such as age, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, body mass index, sex, race, diagnosis, bilateral procedures, cruciate-retaining versus posterior-stabilized components, surgical approach, fixation, patellar resurfacing, hospital and surgeon volumes, and fellowship training. Results: The study cohort consisted of 47,339 total knee arthroplasties, with 62.6% of the procedures in women. Fixed bearings were used in 41,908 knees (88.5%) and mobile bearings in 4830 (10.2%). Rotating-platform designs were used in all mobile-bearing total knee arthroplasties (3112 had a Rotating-Platform Press-Fit Condylar posteriorstabilized design; 1053, a Low Contact Stress [LCS] design; and 665, a Rotating-Platform Press-Fit Condylar cruciateretaining design). Patients who received fixed-bearing total knee arthroplasty systems were older (mean age, 68.1 years) than those who received mobile-bearing total knee arthroplasty systems (mean age, 62.2 years); the difference was significant (p < 0.001). Overall, 515 knees (1.1%) were revised for reasons other than infection. The survival rate was 97.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 97.4% to 98.0%) at 6.7 years. The adjusted risk of aseptic revision for the LCS total knee replacements was 2.01 times (95% CI, 1.41 to 2.86) higher than that for fixed-bearing total knee replacements (p < 0.001).There was no significant revision risk for the other mobile-bearing total knee arthroplasty systems. There was no association with surgeon and hospital case volumes and the risk of revision total knee arthroplasty.
Neural Plasticity in Schizophrenia

No current biological hypothesis can assimilate the genetic, environmental, and clinical features of schizophrenia . If, as some authors contend, environmental factors have important effects on the course of schizophrenia , then a fruitful research concern may be the adaptation of neuronal circuitry to environmental changes. The plasticity of neuronal connections has been studied by subjecting animals to neurosurgical lesions, brain electrostimulation, and a variety of rearing environments. The present article approaches the schizophrenia research literature from a theoretical perspective which takes into account the plasticity of neuronal connections. In a speculative manner, it demonstrates how neural plasticity concepts can be invoked to explain the following seemingly disparate features of schizophrenia : the pharmacological support for the dopamine hypothesis, the delayed onset and offset of neuroleptic antipsychotic action, genetic and environmental influences in schizophrenia, the regional alterations in brain structure and function seen in chronic schizophrenic patients, and the various types of behavioral symptoms exhibited by schizophrenic patients. In view of the explanatory potential of neural plasticity concepts, a research program that focuses on these concepts seems warranted.
EXTRACELLULAR INVESTMENTS IN BLUE‐GREEN ALGAE WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON THE GENUS NOSTOC1

SUMMARY The investments of a wide variety of blue-green algae were examined. Many strains formed diffuse slime layers that were unnoticed unless mounted in India ink. Slime occurred in species with and without readily detectable sheaths. The extracellular integument type seemed consistent within strains, although the extent often varied with culture conditions. Experiments with NOSTOC on agar plates indicated that motility was inversely related to the amount of slime present. Some aspects of behavior were related to the nature of an alga's investment.
The barriers approach to the Palestinian-Israeli peace process

Social conflict is constantly changing in scope, dynamics and pattern. Clashes between nation-states become obsolete while internal rifts within sovereign entities escalate rapidly to local and regional strife. The changing nature of disputes around the world stimulates new emphases and foci in conflict research. One of the novel shifts of interests is why conflicts endure and linger, or what prevents antagonists from terminating their contention even if they are both better off without it. The paper introduces the barriers approach to conflict resolution by grappling with the question of what the impediments to conflict termination are. The perspective is investigated in the context of one of the most protracted and deep-rooted conflicts in the world today: the Palestinian-Israeli, which despite occasional breakthroughs remains substantially entangled in the woes of hostility, violence and despair. Key words: Conflict theory, conflict resolution, barriers approach.
Diagnosis and management of systemic sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis (Scleroderma, SSc) is associated with major mortality and morbidity that arises from the development of specific complications of the disease, including organ-based complications. The frequency and diverse nature of these complications makes systematic assessment and long-term follow-up essential to good management of SSc. This review will discuss the natural history of SSc, the predictors of progressive skin and internal organ involvement and current therapeutic management of these complications.
Transactional Relations Between Marital Functioning and Depressive Symptoms

The present study investigated dynamic, longitudinal associations between depressive symptoms and marital processes. Two hundred and ninety-six couples reported on marital satisfaction, marital conflict, and depressive symptoms annually for 3 years. Observational measures of marital conflict were also collected. Results suggested that different domains of marital functioning related to husbands' versus wives' symptoms. For husbands, transactional relations between marital satisfaction and depressive symptoms were identified: High levels of depressive symptoms predicted subsequent decreases in marital satisfaction, and decreased marital satisfaction predicted subsequent elevations in depressive symptoms over time. For wives, high levels of marital conflict predicted subsequent elevations in depressive symptoms over time. Cross-partner results indicated that husbands' depressive symptoms were also related to subsequent declines in wives' marital satisfaction. Results are discussed with regard to theoretical perspectives on the marital functioning-depression link and directions for future research are outlined.
Moving Away From The Center

M l y mother was a fan of Thomas Aquinas and often quoted his dictum: Moderation in all things. She may have been thinking primarily in terms of food and drink, but I have found myself taking the middle way in most of life. I live rather conventionally and think rather conventionally. I am not too enamored of extremes, including extremes in biological thinking: those theories that are off to the edges of science and that fascinate some. I am open to new ideas, but I definitely take a wait-and-see attitude toward them. I would have to say that I have a sort of textbook mind, that is, I tend to embrace radical ideas when they become so well-accepted that they enter textbooks. I like to think that this makes me a good teacher because I don't burden my students with far-out theories, most of which will not pan out. But still I am uneasy. Am I depriving my students of the thrill of dealing with ideas that are on the edge, and that may turn out to be of importance to the future of biology?
Clinicians and Researchers Who Treat and Study Patients With Low Back Pain: Are You Listening?

As Guest Editor for this special series, I had the daunting task of selecting contributors whose content areas would be relevant to the clinician who manages patients with back problems as well as to the investigator who studies interventions for low back pain (LBP). Note that I separate the clinicians and the researchers. Why dichotomize our profession? That's a good question. In my role as an Editorial Board Member, I have spent a considerable amount of time chastising authors who attempt to align themselves with either “camp.” I believe that there has always been a gap between those who choose careers as researchers and those who choose careers as clinicians, as evidenced by physical therapists in one camp lamenting about how physical therapists in the other camp are “out of touch.” What I perceive to be happening more recently, however, goes beyond the typical rhetoric.
Cardiac remodeling in obesity: time for a new paradigm.

Approximately 70% of people in the U.S. are overweight or obese, nearly twice as many as 30 years ago. Much of the conventional wisdom about obesity and the heart came from small studies performed 30 to 40 years ago ([1,2][1]). These studies suggested that obesity produced chronic volume overload
Effect of Water Hydrogen Bonding on the Solvent-Mediated “Oscillatory” Repulsion of C60 Fullerenes in Water

The solvent-mediated interaction of C60 fullerenes in liquid water is examined by using the combination of the probabilistic hydrogen bond model with the density functional theory. This combination allows one to take into account the effect of hydrogen bonding between water molecules on their interaction with fullerenes and to construct an approximation for the distribution of water molecules in the system, which provides an efficient foundation for studying hydrophobic phenomena. Our numerical evaluations predict the solvent-induced interaction of two C60 fullerenes in water at 293 K to have an oscillatory-repulsive character (previously observed in molecular dynamics simulations) only when the vicinal water-water hydrogen bonds are slightly weaker than bulk ones. Besides indicating the direction of the energetic alteration of water-water hydrogen bonds near C60 fullerenes, our model also suggests that the hydrogen bonding ability of water plays a defining role in the solvent-mediated C60-C60 repulsion.
Incidence and clinical implications of carotid branch occlusion following treatment of internal carotid artery aneurysms with the pipeline embolization device.

Background The use of flow diverters such as the pipeline embolization device (PED) for treatment of intracranial aneurysms carries the risk of side branch occlusion. Objective To determine the incidence and clinical outcomes associated with supraclinoid internal carotid artery (ICA) branch occlusion after deployment of PEDs for ICA aneurysms. Methods We reviewed patients who underwent endovascular treatment with PEDs for ICA aneurysms between June 2011 and March 2013. Forty-nine patients (43 women, mean age 56.3±1.8 years, 68 aneurysms) in whom PEDs traversed the origin of supraclinoid ICA branches (ophthalmic [OA], posterior communicating [PcommA], and anterior choroidal artery [AChA]) were selected for this study. Follow-up angiograms (mean follow-up, 12.8±0.8 months) were studied to determine the location of PEDs and the patency of ICA branches. Results PEDs were placed across the ostia of 49 OAs, 14 PcommAs, and 11 AChAs. Multiple PEDs were deployed in 16 patients. Rate of branch occlusion was 4% (2/49) for the OA, 7.1% (1/14) for the PcommA, and 0% for the AChA. Patients with branch occlusion did not endure new neurological deficits. ICA branch occlusion was not associated with the number of PEDs covering the ostia (P=.76) or the origin of ICA branches from the aneurysm (P=.24). Conclusion The incidence of major supraclinoid ICA branch occlusion after treatment with PEDs was low. These events were not associated with new neurological deficits nor were they related to the number of PEDs deployed or the origin of ICA branches from the aneurysm.
Changes in Intraocular Pressure During Orbital Floor Fracture Repair

Purpose: To evaluate changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) during orbital floor fracture repair. Methods: Retrospective chart review of patients undergoing isolated orbital floor fracture repair with implant placement at a level 1 trauma center and tertiary care center. Patients with combined zygomaticomaxillary or medial wall fracture repair, or other significant ocular injuries were excluded. IOP measurements using a handheld applanation tonometer were recorded immediately after induction of anesthesia, immediately after orbital floor implant placement, and on postoperative day 1. Results: Nine patients who underwent isolated orbital floor fracture repair were examined. There was a statistically significant mean decrease of 4.66 mmHg (p < 0.05) in IOP from prior to surgical to immediately after implant placement. There was also a significant mean increase in IOP of 7.44 mmHg (p < 0.05) at postoperative day 1 compared with immediately after implant placement. There was no statistically significant difference in IOP between prior to surgical incision and postoperative day 1. Conclusions: All patients who underwent orbital floor fracture repair in this study had a significant decrease in IOP during orbital floor fracture repair that returned to immediately preoperative levels by postoperative day 1. This initial decrease in IOP may be because of intraoperative manipulation of the globe.
Institutional review boards: A flawed system of risk management:

Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) and their federal overseers protect human subjects, but this vital work is often dysfunctional despite their conscientious efforts. A cardinal, but unrecognized, explanation is that IRBs are performing a specific function – the management of risk – using a flawed theoretical and practical approach. At the time of the IRB system’s creation, risk management theory emphasized the suppression of risk. Since then, scholars of governance, studying the experience of business and government, have learned that we must distinguish pure from opportunity risks. Pure risks should be suppressed. Some opportunity risks, in contrast, must be accepted if the institution is to meet its goals. Contemporary theory shows how institutions may make these decisions wisely. It also shows how a sound organizational understanding of risk, a proper locus of responsibility, and appropriate institutional oversight all contribute to effective risk management. We can apply this general theory, develope...
Analysis of Bone Mineral Density in Middle-aged and Elderly Population with Chronic Kidney Disease

Objective:To analysis the bone mineral density (BMD) and the prevalence rate of osteoporosis in middle-aged and elderly patients with chronic kidney disease.Methods:305 middle-aged and elderly patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD 3～4 stage, aged over 50 years) were included and 102 peoples without CKD were set as control group.The bone mass density at the lumbar spine (L1～4) and femur was detected by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).The prevalence rate of osteoporosis was analysed in total CKD patients and subgroups according to the sex and CKD stages.Results:The total prevalence rate of osteoporosis in CKD patients was 37.8%,of whom the rate of males was 28.2% and that of females 49.2%.There was very significant difference in prevalence rates between the CKD patient group and the control group(P0.01 or P0.05).The prevalence rate of osteoporosis was increased with the decline of the renal function, especially in patients with severe CKD.There was much higher prevalence rate of osteoporosis in CKD 5 stage patients than that in CKD 3 or 4 stage patients(P0.01 or P0.05).Conclusion:There was higher prevalence rate of osteoporosis in middle-aged and elderly patients with chronic kidney disease.The prevalence rate of osteoporosis was increased with the decline of the renal function.Whether CKD is a risk factor for osteoporosis needs more research.
Home health care.

Home health care is the fastest-growing expense in the Medicare program because of the aging population, the increasing prevalence of chronic disease and increasing hospital costs. Patients and families are choosing the option of home care more frequently. Medicare's regulations are often considered the standard of care for all home health agency interactions, even when a patient does not have Medicare insurance. These regulations require patients who receive home health care services to be under the care of a physician and to be homebound. The patient must have a documented need for skilled nursing care or physical, occupational or speech therapy. The care must be part time (28 hours or less per week, eight hours or less per day) and occur at least every 60 days except in special cases. A detailed referral and specific care plan maximize the care to the patient and the reimbursement received by the physician.
The Role of Consumer Narrative Enjoyment and Persuasion Awareness in Product Placement Advertising

Researchers have repeatedly demonstrated that consumers respond to commercial messages based on the advertising techniques through which they are delivered. One growing technique is product placeme...
Novel approaches to low-noise beam generation

Thermionic cathodes are presently used in all low-noise microwave tubes. These cathodes will serve as a standard of comparison in describing the noise performance of three new types of cathodes discussed in this paper. We will consider here the noise temperature associated with space-charge wave interaction involving the longitudinal motion of the electrons. This noise temperature is meaningful in terms of. the conventional traveling-wave tu.be and the klystron, but not in terms of the electron beam parametric amplifier which uses cyclotron waves involving the transverse motion of the beam electrons.
Development of the passive margin of Eastern North America: Mesozoic rifting, igneous activity, and breakup

Field, seismic, and drill hole data constrain the tectonic processes associated with rifting, breakup, and the early stages of seafloor spreading for the passive margin of eastern North America. The onset of rifting, occurring by Late Triassic time, was approximately synchronous along the entire margin. The cessation of rifting (and presumably the onset of drifting) was diachronous, occurring first in the southeastern United States (latest Triassic), then in the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada (Early Jurassic), and finally in the Grand Banks (Early Cretaceous). Magmatism of the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province developed simultaneously (earliest Jurassic, ~200 Ma) throughout the region; it occurred after rifting in the southeastern United States and during rifting in the northeastern United States and maritime Canada. The deformational regime changed after rifting: post-rift shortening (inversion) replaced syn-rift extension. Detached structures associated with salt movement also developed after rifting, especially on the Scotian shelf and Grand Banks.
Umkhonto We Sizwe: the ANC’s armed struggle

The history of the armed struggle waged by the African National Congress (ANC) is one of the more challenging aspects of South Africa’s liberation struggle to accurately assess. Thula Simpson’s imm...
Comparison of different QA methods for deformable image registration to the known errors for prostate and head-and-neck virtual phantoms

Contour comparison, landmark tracking, and image similarity are methods that can be used to perform a patient-specific evaluation for the accuracy of deformable image registration (DIR), but they are not necessarily a true measurement of DIR accuracy. The purpose of this work is to evaluate how the calculated errors from these methods compare to the known errors for prostate and head-and-neck virtual phantoms. These DIR accuracy methods were utilized to evaluate the performance of two DIR software packages, MIM and Velocity. For Velocity, three different settings of the algorithm were utilized: deformable (DEF), deformable multi-pass (DMP), and extended deformable multi-pass (XMP). For contour comparison, organs were contoured on both the non-deformed and deformed images. Then, the DIR algorithms were used to transfer contours from the non-deformed to the deformed image and compared to that drawn directly on the deformed image. In the landmark tracking method, visible landmark motion was measured and compared to that predicted by the algorithms. For image similarity, the root-mean-square and the mean-absolute differences were calculated between the warped and non-deformed images. In addition, the actual spatial registration error was calculated for each DIR algorithm from the known ground-truth deformation of the virtual phantoms. The MIM algorithm produced the lowest average errors for the landmark analysis, the closest image similarity, and overall the most accurate contour transfers. When compared to the known deformations, MIM produced the lowest average error, but also the largest errors. None of the QA methods gave any indication of this large maximum error. Beyond this, the sizes of errors from the QA methods were not always the same as the actual errors from the virtual phantom. For this reason, there is a benefit to supplementing the QA methods with virtual phantom studies.
Chapter 16.1 - Chemical and Combustion Kinetics 16.1 Mass Spectrometric Methods for Chemical Kinetics in Shock Tubes

This chapter provides an overview of mass spectrometric methods for chemical kinetics in shock tubes. The investigation of the rates and mechanisms by which chemical reactions occur presents a formidable array of obstacles to the experimentalist. The task is rooted in a diversity of experimental techniques and the skills of the workers performing them, although quantum mechanical calculations has established complete understanding of the complexities attendant to high-temperature chemical kinetics. The shock tube offers several advantages for the study of chemical kinetic systems: reactions may be investigated over a wide range of known pressures, temperatures, and reaction times in the gas phase in a uniform reaction zone; dynamic reactant, intermediate, and product analysis is possible; only small amounts of reactants dilute in an inert gas environment are required since the experiments demand single-shot analysis; and elementary reactions can be observed in some cases. One of the great advantages offered by the shock tube technique is the avoidance of reactions occurring on the tube walls.
Medicine, Culture, and People’s Options

From the introduction of European imperialism in Africa during the nineteenth century to the present, one of the continent’s casualties has been African medical practice and appreciation of its worth. Therefore, it is important to establish at the onset the fact that all medicine and disease understanding is influenced by culture and that all medical systems are culture-specific, no matter how advanced and different they might be from one another. This has been the view of most social scientists and Africanist medical historians, anthropologists, and African activists over the past four decades (Azevedo 1991). Although not a novelty at all, Baronov considers this point to be one of the most important findings of his thesis on how African medicine has transformed European biomedicine, when he writes “Biomedicine as a symbolic-cultural expression…, stands in opposition to positivistic representations that purport to provide transparent depictions of biomedicine as it appears” (Baronov 2008: 49).
23 – Mechanisms and Regulation of Eukaryotic Protein Synthesis

This chapter focuses on the mechanisms controlling protein synthesis and the relevance of the regulation of protein synthesis to biomedical research and disease. The central dogma of molecular biology is the inheritance of genetic information encoded in specific sequences of nucleic acid known as genes, and the conversion of this encoded information into specific proteins—a concept often referred to as “one gene/one protein.” Inheritance of the information encoded in the nucleic acid sequence occurs by exact replication of the double-stranded DNA. Expression of the information encoded in the nucleic acid sequence involves two sequential processes—transcription and translation. Transcription is the mechanism by which the cell generates a single strand of RNA identical in sequence to one strand of the double-stranded DNA. Translation is the process by which one form of RNA, messenger (mRNA), is used as the template for the synthesis of specific proteins.