cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Trends in Foot and Ankle Studies Published in High-Impact General Medical Journals: A Systematic Review

ABSTRACT The foot and ankle surgery literature lacks an analysis of studies published in general medical journals. Studies published in general medical journals have high visibility and significant impact on decision making by medical practitioners and health care policy makers. Knowledge of the subject matter and methodologic characteristics of foot and ankle publications being read by general medical practitioners and the lay public is important to the practicing foot and ankle surgeon. A systematic review of foot and ankle studies published from 2000 to 2017 in 5 high-impact general medical journals was undertaken. Data extracted included study topic, study design, study demographics, and methodologic characteristics of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). There were 47 foot and ankle studies published in the selected medical journals examined during the study time period. Most common topics were diabetic foot ulcers (n = 25 [53.2%]), plantar fasciitis (n = 6 [12.8%]), and Achilles tendinopathy (n = 5 [10.6%]). The most common study types were reviews (n = 24 [51.1%]), RCTs (n = 12 [25.4%], and prospective studies (n = 6 [12.8%]). Of the published RCTs, the most common journal of publication was the Journal of the American Medical Association (n = 7 [58.3%]). The median number of citations for RCTs published before 2016 was 242.5. Of the small number of RCTs that compared operative with nonoperative treatment, the majority supported nonoperative management (n = 3 [75%]). Diabetic foot ulcers, plantar fasciitis, and Achilles tendinopathy are the most commonly published foot and ankle topics in general medical journals.
Giant Congenital Left Atrial Appendage Aneurysm Presenting With Recurrent Supraventricular Tachycardia and Chest Pain.

Left atrial appendage aneurysm (LAAA) is a rare cardiac anomaly that involves the progressive dilatation of the left atrial appendage, predisposing the patient to a number of complications, including tachyarrhythmias and thromboembolic phenomena. This lesion may be either congenital or acquired and is typically diagnosed in the third decade of life, often as an incidental finding during echocardiography. Surgical management is the preferred therapy for this lesion. Case Presentation We present the case of a 43-year-old African American woman who presented with chest discomfort. She had a history of recurrent deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism treated with warfarin, supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), and idiopathic pericardial effusion requiring a pericardial window. The patient described an exertional burning discomfort in her chest that radiated to the left arm, symptoms that were not typical of her prior episodes of SVT. The patient denied recent palpitations, syncope, dyspnea, or edema. A physical examination demonstrated normal vital signs, regular heart rate and rhythm, and no signs of heart failure. The remainder of the examination was normal. Results of basic laboratory examination, including metabolic panel, complete blood count, and brain natriuretic peptide, were normal. d-Dimer was mildly elevated. Serial troponins were unremarkable. Twelve-lead electrocardiography (Figure 1) demonstrated sinus bradycardia with poor R-wave progression and a bifid P wave consistent with prolonged left atrial activation and enlargement. No arrhythmias were noted on telemetry. Open in a separate window Figure 1 Twelve-lead electrocardiogram revealing sinus bradycardia with poor R-wave progression and left atrial enlargement.
Protecting A Low Voltage Direct Current System Using Solid-State Switching Devices for DC Grid Applications

LVDC transmission has fewer distributional losses than AC distribution, integrating renewable sources, greatly increasing the mix of clean energy sources in the standard grid in the next decade and this has become a trend that is likely to continue. As an additional benefit, DC electrical power is oftentimes seen as beneficial to applications that use cleanly generated, renewable power. Considering DC power system design, and focusing on fault protection and the systems DC circuit breaker, are system priorities. Only solid-state circuit breakers (SSCB) should be considered to obtain advanced system topography. A new type of solid state circuit breaker is being developed as a new power device for LVDC power networks to replace the EMCB. The only suitable candidate for this task is the insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT). Development of DC grid protection allows for the development and improvement of new power electronic devices, focusing in on the application for medium to low voltage DC grids, a rapidly acting switching function as well as fault current limiting features. To avoid nuisance tripping, fault current limiting function can be satisfactorily accomplished by extending the elapsed time using the same control circuit. This paper introduces a novel circuit breaker model for LVDC, which utilizes a coupled inductor circuit breaker, and a mathematical model of IGBT has been developed.
Geography of water insecurity in three localities in the Accra-Tema City-Region, Ghana

Water insecurity research in sub-Saharan Africa has gained scholarly attention. Yet, discussion of the specific geographic contexts and local-based attributes that drive water insecurity is limited...
Predicting subsequent contralateral slipped capital femoral epiphysis: an evidence-based approach

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors for developing a subsequent contralateral slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) and provide a prediction score to quantify...
Improving Documentation of Primary Care Provider Communication at Hospital Discharge Utilizing an Electronic Medical Record Phrase

Objectives Communication between inpatient and outpatient providers is critically important as it provides opportunities for primary care providers (PCP's) and hospital medicine (HM) physicians to discuss information that may affect patient care. The lack of consistent, quality communication may contribute to errors, readmissions, and unnecessary testing. At our institution, no standardized expectation existed to perform or document such communication with PCP's. The specific aim of this project was to improve our documented communication with PCP's from 33% to at least 60% in a 6-month period and to maintain …
Analysis and comparison of seed protein, oil, and sugars in edamame dried using two oven-drying methods and mature soybeans.

Background Edamame, a vegetable soybean (Glycine max) grown mainly in Asia, has high nutritional and market value and is a relatively new crop to North America. By 2 years of field trials, we evaluated the seed composition traits in 54 genotypes to analyze the differences and relationship between edamame seeds dried by two oven-drying methods and mature soybeans. Results The genotypic differences were significant for all the traits investigated. Significant differences also existed between the two sets of dried edamame and mature seeds. Protein content in mature soybean averaged 426.8 g kg-1 , and 432.8 g kg-1 and 405.6 g kg-1 for shelled-dried and unshelled-dried edamame respectively. Oil content in shelled-dried and unshelled-dried edamame averaged 206.3 g kg-1 and 212.6 g kg-1 respectively, and 195.8 g kg-1 for mature soybean. Sucrose content in mature soybean (60.2 g kg-1 ) was approximately 1.5 and 3 times that of unshelled-dried and shelled-dried edamame respectively. Mature soybean also exhibited the highest concentrations of stachyose and total sugars, followed by unshelled-dried and shelled-dried edamame. The broad-sense heritability estimates of traits in mature soybean (49.41-89.16%) were higher than those of edamame (10.26-78.96%). Higher broad-sense heritability was uncovered for protein and oil, but lower estimates for sugars, fiber, and ash. Positive correlations were detected between the two sets of edamame seeds and mature soybean for protein and oil (r = 0.63-0.88). Conclusion The results suggest that indirect selection through mature seeds is helpful for the improvement of protein and oil in edamame, whereas the improvement of seed sugars in edamame is more challenging. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.
Submucosal lifting agent ORISE gel causes extensive foreign body granuloma post endoscopic resection.

Submucosal injection of lifting solution is often performed to facilitate endoscopic mucosal resection or endoscopic submucosal dissection. ORISETM gel is a synthetic solution recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2018 for use as submucosal lifting solution for endoscopic resection procedures and has gained popularity for its convenient pre-filled syringe. However, here the present two cases show that ORISETM gel induces marked foreign body giant cell granulomatous reaction in the submucosa and muscularis propria following endoscopic resection. A 73-year-old female underwent laparoscopic right colectomy after her initial endoscopic polypectomy of a hyperplastic polyp, and a 78-year-old male had partial gastrectomy following endoscopic mucosal resection of an invasive adenocarcinoma. Both patients had submucosal injection of ORISETM gel during endoscopic procedures, and the surgical resection specimens showed ORISETM gel deposition and extensive foreign body giant cell granulomatous reaction in the submucosa and muscularis propria. These cases raise the awareness that ORISETM gel stimulates extensive foreign body reaction at the injection site, and the further consequence is still unclear.
Overview of integral imaging-based optical signal detection in turbid water using temporally encoded light sources

We overview an optical signal detection system based on the multi-dimensional integral imaging and temporally encoded light source. The overviewed 3D integral imaging-based system enhances the detection capabilities in turbid water in comparison to conventional 2D imaging methods.
Integrated supply chain scheduling of procurement, production, and distribution under spillover effects

Abstract This paper considers an integrated scheduling problem in an e-commerce supply chain. The supply chain consists of heterogeneous suppliers, consumer-goods manufacturers that offer online channels, and a network of retailers. Suppliers provide raw materials or semi-finished products to manufacturers. Then, manufacturers produce and deliver end items to retailers. The retailers require that the manufacturers maintain a given fill rate, and, otherwise, a penalty will apply. Missing the fill rate can not only result in penalties, but also retailers’ switching, operational issues, and loss of image, and market value. Therefore, the total penalty costs are nonlinear with retailers’ unsatisfied quantities and the fill rate, which exhibits spillover effects. The problem is to select a subset of suppliers, assign retailers’ orders, and identify a production schedule with the manufacturers while minimizing the total costs that includes shipping and penalty. In this paper, we formulate a mixed-integer nonlinear program and develop a hybrid particle swarm optimization algorithm that can find a suitable solution within a reasonable time. The algorithm incorporates augmented Lagrangian relaxation and particle swarm optimization. We then perform computational testing on randomly generated cases and evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm. Our numerical experiments show that the proposed algorithm is robust and efficient. Moreover, we provide a real case study, which demonstrates that the proposed model can lead to a substantial reduction of both the total and penalty costs.
The Impact of Race on Outcomes of Revascularization for Multivessel Coronary Artery Disease.

Background Racial disparities exist between Black and White patients with coronary artery disease with regard to access to revascularization, preprocedural comorbidities, and postprocedural outcomes. This study investigated the differences in the treatment of multivessel coronary artery disease (MVCAD) and long-term outcomes between Black and White patients. Methods This was a propensity-matched retrospective analysis that utilized pooled institutional data from a large, multihospital health care system. It included Black and White patients who underwent coronary revascularization for MVCAD between 2011 and 2018. Results A total of 6005 patients were included (5689 White and 316 Black). In the unmatched cohort, Black patients had a higher incidence of preexisting comorbidities such as diabetes, dialysis dependence, peripheral arterial disease, heart failure, and underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) more frequently. Five-year overall survival was similar, but Black patients experienced higher rates of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events and repeat revascularization. Propensity matching resulted in a sample of 926 (312 Black, 614 White) patients that were well matched. In the matched analysis, Black patients underwent PCI more frequently and a had higher rate of stoke. Five-year survival, major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events and repeat revascularization rates were comparable. Conclusions Black patients with MVCAD have a higher comorbidity burden and undergo PCI at higher rates. After adjusting for baseline differences, Black patients still had higher rates of PCI utilization and long-term stroke. It is possible that a significant portion of racial disparities in MVCAD are driven by differences in baseline risk; however, there is evidence of possible racial bias with regard to revascularization strategies.
Social Media Versus Traditional Clinic-Based Recruitment for a Dyadic Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention Trial: Results From the Sexperience Study

Abstract Background The enrollment of youth in clinical trials has generally been achieved through conventional in-person recruitment but is evolving with the surge in the use of social media and presents an alternative resource for research recruitment for sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention trials. Purpose To compare the direct costs and performance of social media recruitment versus clinic-based recruitment method for a dyadic behavioral intervention for STI among heterosexual couples. Methods In the clinic-based recruitment arm spanning 60 weeks, patients aged 16–25 years were recruited through an adolescent/young adult clinic. Social media adverts targeting college students within the city were also posted online over 23 weeks, using Facebook ad software. We compared the direct costs and performance of both recruitment methods to assess feasibility. Results Three hundred eighty-one individuals were approached, of which 21 completed the dyadic intervention (11 from social media–based recruitment and 10 from clinic-based recruitment). Clinic-based recruitment accounted for 91.0% of total recruitment cost and 9.9% of the total cost was spent on social media recruitment via Facebook ad. Conclusions Recruitment of adolescents and young adults for a dyadic behavioral STI intervention trial using social media is feasible, has lower direct costs, and results in similar outcomes compared to clinic-based recruitment.
The Moderating Effects of the Families Improving Together (FIT) for Weight Loss Intervention and Parenting Factors on Family Mealtime in Overweight and Obese African American Adolescents

Few studies have integrated positive parenting and motivational strategies to address dietary outcomes such as frequency of family mealtime. The Families Improving Together (FIT) for Weight Loss trial was a randomized group cohort trial (n = 241 dyads) testing the efficacy of integrating a motivational plus family weight loss (M + FWL) intervention for healthy eating and weight loss in overweight and obese African American adolescents. The current study tested the interaction of parenting styles (responsiveness, demandingness) and parental feeding practices (restriction, concern about child's weight, pressure to eat) and the FIT intervention on frequency of family mealtime over 16 weeks. Multilevel modeling demonstrated significant interactions between the group-based treatment and responsiveness (p = 0.018) and demandingness (p = 0.010) on family mealtime. For the group-based M + FWL intervention, increased responsiveness and reduced demandingness were associated with increased frequency of family mealtime from baseline to 16 weeks. There was also a negative association between parental restriction and frequency of family mealtime, but a positive association between parental concerns about their adolescent's weight and frequency of mealtime. These findings are the first to demonstrate that an authoritative or nurturing parenting style moderated intervention effects for improving the frequency of family mealtime in overweight and obese African American adolescents.
Perspective on Planned BVD Control Strategy

Control of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) requires design and implementation of integrated control plans in cattle operations. Individualized plans result from assessing herd risk and risk tolerance as well as related goals of cattle enterprises. BVD control plans utilizing surveillance, biosecurity, biocontainment, and vaccination strategies can be used to achieve herd goals. Using these approaches, veterinarians can design individualized BVD control plans that both benefit cattle production and are cost-effective.
Image Based Quality Inspection in Smart Manufacturing Systems: A Literature Review

Abstract Quality inspection is an important component of today’s smart manufacturing systems (SMS). Their prominence stems from the objective of manufacturing companies to i) deliver high-quality products, ii) inspire brand loyalty, iii) keep within regulations, and iv) minimize waste of resources (incl. such as employee and machine time, scrap materials) to maximize profit. There is a wide variety of quality inspection systems deployed on the shop floor utilizing different technologies, ranging from human operators to high-fidelity sensor systems to image based systems. In this work we focus on the latter, modern image-based quality inspection systems and processes. Vision based quality inspection has seen an increase in applications and academic attention over the past decade, aligned with the dawn of Industry 4.0. On the one hand, digital camera systems (including the optics, sensors, and connectivity) have become more powerful and at the same time more affordable. On the other hand, the analytics – namely artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms – have made tremendous advancements in terms of results as well as accessibility. Most notably, deep neural networks and deep learning have elevated the potential of computer vision in quality inspection applications to the next level. In this paper, we will conduct a comprehensive literature review analysing image based quality inspection systems in SMS over the last decade. We will focus particularly on the question of how image based in-situ quality inspection of three-dimensional parts is currently conducted. The results will provide an overview of the different available image based quality inspection approaches, their benefits and challenges, as well as specific application areas and/or industries.
In Planta Localization of Endophytic Cordyceps fumosorosea in Carrizo Citrus

Entomopathogenic fungi can be a useful resource for controlling insect vectors of citrus plant pathogens, such as the Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri) associated with huanglongbing or the citrus root weevil (Diaprepes abbreviatus) associated with the spread of Phytophtora spp. In this study, Cordyceps fumosorosea (Cfr) was investigated in planta as a potential endophytic entomopathogenic fungus and various inoculation techniques were used to determine if it would colonize the Carrizo citrange (Citrus × insitorum) seeds and plants. The four inoculation methodologies evaluated were seed soaking, stem injection, foliar spray, and soil drench. Seed immersion trials demonstrated that the roots of the Carrizo citrange plant can be inoculated successfully with Cfr. Stem injection, foliar spray, and soil drench also provided successful inoculation of Cfr. However, this fungus was only endophytic in the plant stem. Sand cores indicated that Cfr moved down through the sand column and was able to inoculate the roots. Given the prevalence of Cfr in the soil during the drench experiment, and that the fungus was able to colonize Carrizo citrange roots through seed immersion, this finding provides evidence of the potential endophytism of this fungus when applied to citrus plant species.
The Middle Fossa Approach and Extended Middle Fossa Approach: Technique and Operative Nuances

Background The middle fossa approach and extended middle fossa approach, also known as the anterior transpetrosal approach, are cranial base techniques for addressing small vestibular schwannomas, medial temporal bone lesions, midbasilar trunk aneurysms, and selected petroclival lesions. Objective To provide an outline of a number of technical nuances that are important to correct application of these approaches, maximizing exposure, and limiting potential morbidity. Methods Via a temporal craniotomy, the petrous apex is removed in variable degrees, depending on the exposure requirements of the lesion. The technique is described in detail with appropriate nuances of the technique provided. Results The described nuances of technique in the performance of the approaches have resulted in successful application of these techniques in a significant number of cases. Conclusion Significant familiarity and practice with these surgical approach techniques are critical to applying them safely to clinical problems. A number of technical details can assist the surgeon in achieving optimal exposure and limited morbidity.
Enzymatic Synthesis of 5'-Phosphoribosylamine from Ribose 5-Phosphate and Ammonia, an Alternate First Step in Purine Biosynthesis

Abstract An enzyme activity responsible for the formation of 5'-phosphoribosylamine from ribose 5-phosphate and a nitrogen donor was prepared from livers of ducks, chickens, and pigeons. This enzyme activity is distinct from ribosylpryophosphate 5-phosphate amidotransferase (EC 2.4.2.14), which catalyzes the formation of 5'-phosphoribosylamine from ribosylpyrophosphate 5-phosphate and glutamine. The enzyme was partially purified and completely separated from ribosylpyrophosphate 5-phosphate amidotransferase. For maximal synthesis of 5'-phosphoribosylamine, the reaction required ribose 5-phosphate, ammonium chloride, ATP, and magnesium ions. Prolonged heating at 80° destroyed the activity of the enzyme. It is proposed that an alternate pathway for the initial step of purine synthesis exists, namely, the direct conversion of ribose 5-phosphate to 5'-phosphoribosylamine. This reaction is enzymatic and is sensitive to inhibition by ribonucleotides and by ribose 5-phosphate.
The Dark Side of Black-Box Cryptography, or: Should We Trust Capstone?

The use of cryptographic devices as "black boxes", namely trusting their internal designs, has been suggested and in fact Capstone technology is offered as a next generation hardware-protectcd escrow encryption technology. Software cryptographic servers and programs are being offered as well, for use as library functions, as cryptography gets more and more prevalent in computing environments. The question we address in this paper is how the usage of cryptography as a black box exposes users to various threats and attacks that are undetectable in a black-box environment. We present the SETUP (Secretly Embedded Trapdoor with Universal Protection) mechanism, which can be embedded in a cryptographic black-box device. It enables an attacker (the manufacturer) to get the user's secret (from some stage of the output process of the dcvice) in an unnoticeable fashion, yet protects against attacks by others and against, reverse engineering (thus, maintaining the relative advantage of the actual attacker). We also show how the SETUP can, in fact, be employed for the design of "aubo-escrowing key" systems. We present embeddings of SElUPs in RSA, El-Gamal, DSA, and private key systems (Kerberos). We implemented an RSA key-generation based SETUP that performs favorably when compared to PGP, a readily available RSA implementation. We also relate message-based SETUPs and subliminal channel attacks. Finally, we reflect on the potential implications of "trust management" in the context of the design and production of cryptosystems.
Is Trade in Differentiated Goods Different

We examine the extent to which product differentiation affects the duration of US import trade relationships. Applying nonparametric and semiparametric techniques to highly disaggregated product level data we estimate the hazard rate is at least 25 percent higher for homogenous goods than for differentiated products. The results are not only highly robust but often are strengthened under alternative specifications. For instance, if we define trade relationships using industry level rather than product level data we find that the hazard rate is 46-56 percent higher for homogenous goods than for differentiated products. The survival ranking across product types holds across individual industries. We show that dropping the smallest trade relationships further accentuates the differences among product types. We also control for the possible measurement error in measuring spell lengths and the role of multiple spell relationships and find that in all cases the differences among products types are greater than in our benchmark analysis.
What is Google's Reputation Score? A Method for Modified Self-Regulation of Search

Search engines have evolved along with the internet, and now control massive amounts of data that they often manipulate. In addition to these deceptive search practices, search engines are currently facing a slew of trademark lawsuits from owners of protected marks as well as criticism from privacy scholars. As gateways to the modern formulation of the internet, search engines resemble a bottleneck for internet traffic ideally suited for a streamlined regulatory approach to cure the current woes of search.This paper proposes a method of modified self regulation where search engines are required to create a feedback system for their search results not unlike eBay's reputation scores or Slashdot's comment and moderation system, effectively giving the community of users the ability to rate the relevance of search results, rather than a black-box algorithm. This, of course, would not be done without legislation. The simplest way to accomplish this feedback regime would be to require search engines to implement it or else lose their immunities provided under §230 of the Communications Decency Act and §512 of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, which currently immunize search engines for torts that are committed by sites to which they link.Once a feedback regime is implemented, search engines would no longer be able to misrank search results, return results for counterfeit goods, or link to a false story damaging a person's reputation without being noticed, talked about, and rated by the watchful eye of the online community.
Predation risk sensitivity and the spatial organization of primate groups: a case study using GIS in lowland Woolly Monkeys (Lagothrix lagotricha poeppigii).

Predation risk is thought to be a potent force influencing intragroup cohesion, and the level of risk experienced by an individual is expected to vary with both group size and spatial position within a group. Smaller-bodied and less-experienced individuals are presumed to be more vulnerable to predators, suggesting that within-group spatial organization should show size- and age-dependent patterns in predator sensitive positioning. However, such effects have been difficult to evaluate for arboreal primates living in large groups. We conducted a preliminary study using a novel, spatially explicit method of assessing group spatial organization using GIS data in two groups of wild lowland Woolly monkeys, in which one group had a membership roughly twice as large as the second. In the larger group, group spread was more diffuse and large adult males were more frequently on the outskirts of the group than other age/sex classes, while immatures and females with dependents were more often in the center. Leaf cover around an individual—presumed to index an animal's perception of risk—increased significantly with distance from the group center for all immatures, although they were typically under lower leaf cover than adults; the number of groupmates in proximity also had an effect, but nearest neighbor distance did not. These differences were not detectable in the smaller group. This preliminary study suggests that thorough studies of spatial organization and predation risk sensitivity in arboreal primates are possible and could yield valuable information on how gregarious individuals offset ecological risks through social spacing. Am J Phys Anthropol 156:158–165, 2015 © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Copyrights and Creativity: Evidence from Italian Operas

This paper exploits variation in the adoption of copyright laws within Italy – as a result of variation in the timing of Napoleon’s military victories – to examine the effects of copyrights on creativity. To measure variation creative output, we use new data on 2,598 operas that premiered across eight states within Italy between 1770 and 1900. These data indicate that the adoption of copyrights led to a significant increase in the number of new operas premiered per state and year. We find that the number of high-quality operas also increased – measured both by their contemporary popularity and by the longevity of operas. By comparison, evidence for a significant effect of copyright extensions is limited. Our analysis of alternative mechanisms for this increase reveals a substantial shift in composer migration in response to copyrights. Consistent with agglomeration externalities, we also find that cities with a better pre-existing infrastructure of performance spaces benefitted more copyright laws.
Uncertainties of Climate Change Impacts in Agriculture

Abstract Crop simulation models are often used to estimate the impact of climate change on agricultural production. But, simulated climate change impacts vary across agricultural impact models due to differences in model structures and parameter values. When comparing crop models with standardised inputs, uncertainties in simulated impacts increased with higher temperatures 1 and CO 2 concentrations 2,3 . These uncertainties in impact simulations are larger due to crop models, than due to downscaled general circulation models 2 . Impact uncertainties can be reduced by improving model routines and parameters with detailed field experimentations. However, multi-model ensemble medians also supply an improved prediction above individual models 4 . Less uncertainty in describing how climate change may affect agricultural productivity is needed to assist in the development of adaptation strategies and policies.
Sets of uniqueness for spherically convergent multiple trigonometric series

A subset E of the d-dimensional torus T d is called a set of uniqueness, or U-set, if every multiple trigonometric series spherically converging to 0 outside E vanishes identically. We show that all countable sets are U-sets and also that H J sets are U-sets for every J. In particular, C x T d-1 , where C is the Cantor set, is an H 1 set and hence a U-set. We will say that E is a U A -set if every multiple trigonometric series spherically Abel summable to 0 outside E and having certain growth restrictions on its coefficients vanishes identically. The above-mentioned results hold also for U A sets. In addition, every U A -set has measure 0, and a countable union of closed U A -sets is a U A -set.
A low-power CMOS complex filter for Bluetooth with frequency tuning

A 12th order OTA-C complex filter with a non-conventional frequency tuning for Bluetooth receiver is implemented in a low-cost mainstream 0.35 /spl mu/m CMOS process. The filter bandwidth is 1 MHz and is centered at 2 MHz. Image and adjacent channels are attenuated by 45 and 27 dB, respectively. The input referred noise is 29 /spl mu/V/sub rms/ and it dissipates 4.7 mA from a 2.7 V supply. Experimental results were found to be in good agreement with theoretical expectations.
Developing a Pedagogy of ITV Teaching Experience through a Teaching Circle

Objective: Distance learning through the use of interactive television (ITV) has been a part of Social Work education for more than two decades. Amidst abundant proof of the overall successes of ITV programs, there are limited accounts of the pedagogical experiences and challenges encountered by faculty who are called upon to teach distant learning courses. This paper describes a pedagogy of ITV teaching experience derived through a teaching circle in a rural undergraduate program. Method: A teaching circle comprised of four social work faculty enabled data gathering through focused discussion and critical thinking of the ITV teaching experience. Results: Extended preparation, augmenting instructional design and technology to enhance interactivity and instructor comfort with the technology emerge as key observations. Pragmatic barriers like the technology and restricted face-to-face contact are workable challenges. Conclusion: Social Work education would need a sincere examination of the interface of synchronous and asynchronous teaching with sensitivity to context and course curricula.
Single-Crystal Nanowires of Platinum Can Be Synthesized by Controlling the Reaction Rate of a Polyol Process

Platinum nanowires of approximately 100 nm in length and approximately 5 nm in diameter have been synthesized by reducing H(2)PtCl(6) with ethylene glycol in the presence of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) and a trace amount of Fe(3+) or Fe(2+). The wires were generated at the final stage of the synthesis, which involved the formation of several intermediate species. The Fe(3+) or Fe(2+) ions had dual functions in the synthesis: they induced aggregation of Pt nanoparticles into larger structures that served as the nucleation sites, and they greatly reduced the reaction rate and supersaturation level to induce anisotropic growth. The reaction mechanism was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV-vis spectral analysis. The Pt nanowires could be readily separated from the surfaces of the agglomerates by sonication and obtained as pure samples by centrifugation.
Street Children in the Developing World: A Review of Their Condition:

The article reviews the literature on street children and points out why there are street children in certain cultures and not in others. The reasons for their existence are related to poverty, abuse, and modernizing factors. Street children are defined and distinguished from working and refugee children. Details about the family struc ture of street children are given. How the children cope and their level of psychological functioning are discussed. The article gives reasons for why the children are treated with such violence and gives attention to methodological research problems that include the children's ability to distort information, the researcher's procliv ity to under- or overestimate the children's emotional condition, distortions of facts created by the press and international organiza tions, and general cross-cultural research issues.
Print preservation at the local level¿The Five College experience

Five Colleges, Inc. was established in 1965 by Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke, and Smith Colleges and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, with the purpose of serving as a separate legal entity under whose aegis cooperation and common ownership could take place. In the early 1990s, Amherst College became the first of the Five College Libraries to find that its library's shelving was almost filled and that it was necessary to begin planning a library addition. The Amherst Board of Trustees sought a solution to the problem that would be less expensive than building an addition or new facility and settled on purchase and conversion of a former Strategic Air Command bunker near the Amherst Campus into a repository. Over time, the notion of creating an interinstitutional depository was embraced by the presidents of the five colleges. Obstacles arising from dissimilarities among the five institutions were considered and overcome. Eventually, the four colleges determined that they were willing to relinquish ownership of items they sent to the depository. The Five College Library Depository was the eventual product of this Amherst effort. This paper discusses the development of this depository and considers regional needs for preservation of print materials.
Overexpression of apolipoprotein A5 in mice is not protective against body weight gain and aberrant glucose homeostasis

Apolipoprotein A5 (APOA5) is expressed primarily in the liver and modulates plasma triglyceride levels in mice and humans. Mice overexpressing APOA5 exhibit reduced plasma triglyceride levels. Because there is a tight association between plasma triglyceride concentration and traits of the metabolic syndrome, we used transgenic mice overexpressing human APOA5 to test the concept that these mice would be protected from diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance. Male and female transgenic and wild-type mice on the FVB/N genetic background were fed standard rodent chow or a diet rich in fat and sucrose for 18 weeks, during which time clinical phenotypes associated with obesity and glucose homeostasis were measured. We found that APOA5 transgenic (A5tg) mice were resistant to diet-induced changes in plasma triglyceride but not total cholesterol levels. Body weights were similar between the genotypes for females and males, although male A5tg mice showed a modest but significant increase in the relative size of inguinal fat pads. Although male A5tg mice showed a significantly increased ratio of plasma glucose to insulin, profiles of glucose clearance as evaluated after injections of glucose or insulin failed to reveal any differences between genotypes. Overall, our data showed that there was no advantage to responses to diet-induced obesity with chronic reduction of plasma triglyceride levels as mediated by overexpression of APOA5.
Evaluation of selection bias in a cross-sectional survey.

Selection bias is inherent in all occupational cohorts. Selection bias at entry has long been known and is commonly referred to as a "healthy worker effect." Less well appreciated is selection during the life of a cohort resulting from life-style factors (e.g., cigarette smoking); aging with accompanying chronic diseases, economic and demographic circumstances; and diseases that might result from exposures suffered by the cohort being studied, that influence whether individuals remain in a trade. These factors weigh differently at different times. Thus, at any point in time, "surviving" members of a cohort reflect an amalgam of selection factors. When such groups are studied in cross-sectional surveys there can be uncertainty whether clinical, radiological and physiological findings are necessarily representative for the trade or occupation as a whole. We analyzed the results of a large clinical field survey of long-term asbestos insulation workers to investigate whether the non-participants differed substantially from those who were examined. Five thousand three hundred and fifty-five (5,355) men, of an initial cohort of 17,800 established January 1, 1967, had reached 30 or more years from onset of their work by July 1, 1981. All were invited to come for examination. Two thousand and seventy-seven (2,077) came, and 3,278 did not. We questioned a sample of 1,393 non-responders to see why they failed to appear. The answers did not give evidence of significant health-related selection influence. Sickness only infrequently kept them away. We then followed both groups--those examined and those not examined--to the end of 1987 for their mortality experience. There was no great difference. The non-responders had somewhat fewer deaths overall and proportionately fewer of asbestos-associated cancers, such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. The results indicated that, in this cohort, there did not seem to be health-related selection bias that determined whether or not cohort members responded to invitations for examinations.
Challenges of RF and mixed signal design under process variability

Summary form only given. The continuous device shrinking, towards nano-scaled technology nodes, has been resulted in yield and reliability challenges due to technology process variations for active FEOL devices and passives in the BEOL. These effects have been modelled extensively in terms of global and local variations. However, a lot of challenges remain to capture the medium range mismatch of these devices. This presentation will give some examples of RF and mixed signal circuits such as LNAs, PAs and VCOs where their performance is degraded due to this additional variability.
Communications, Information, and Cyber Security in Systems-of-Systems: Assessing the Impact of Attacks through Interdependency Analysis

Abstract The analysis of risks associated with communications, and information security for a system-of-systems is a challenging endeavor. This difficulty is due to the complex interdependencies that exist in the communication and operational dimensions of the system-of-systems network, where disruptions on nodes and links can give rise to cascading failure modes. In this paper, we propose the modification of a functional dependency analysis tool, as a means of analyzing system-of-system operational and communication architectures. The goal of this research is to quantify the impact of attacks on communications, and information flows on the operability of the component systems, and to evaluate and compare different architectures with respect to their reliability and robustness under attack. Based on the topology of the network, and on the properties of the dependencies, our method quantifies the operability of each system as a function of the availability and correctness of the required input, and of the operability of the other systems in the network. The model accounts for partial capabilities and partial degradation. Robustness of the system-of-systems is evaluated in terms of its capability to maintain an adequate level of operability following a disruption in communications. Hence, different architectures can be compared based on their sensitivity to attacks, and the method can be used to guide decision both in architecting the system-of-systems and in planning updates and modifications, accounting for the impact of interdependencies on the robustness of the system-of-systems. Synthetic examples show conceptual application of the method.
Elevated nitric oxide/peroxynitrite mechanism for the common etiology of multiple chemical sensitivity, chronic fatigue syndrome, and posttraumatic stress disorder.

Various types of evidence implicate nitric oxide and an oxidant, possibly peroxynitrite, in MCS and chemical intolerance (CI). The positive feedback loops proposed earlier for CFS may explain the chronic nature of MCS (CI) as well as several of its other reported properties. These observations raise the possibility that this proposed elevated nitric oxide/peroxynitrite mechanism may be the mechanism of a new disease paradigm, answering the question raised by Miller earlier: "Are we on the threshold of a new theory of disease?"
Dexamethasone Abrogates the Fibrogenic Effect of Transforming Growth Factor-β in Rat Granuloma and Granulation Tissue Fibroblasts

Administration of TGF- β , a fibrogenic inflammatory growth factor, promotes fibrosis and scarring. Dexamethasone, an anti-inflammatory steroid, inhibits wound healing and reduces fibrosis. The current studies were initiated to determine whether the coadministration of dexamethasone was able to abrogate the fibrogenic effect of TGF- β . Polyvinyl alcohol sponges were implanted subcutaneously on the abdominal area of rats and directly injected with vehicle, dexamethasone, TGF- β , or dexamethasone plus TGF- β . Dexamethasone was able to block the fibrogenic effect of TGF- β . Collagen and noncollagen protein synthesis was measured as a function of TGF- β or dexamethasone concentrations in fibroblasts isolated from granulation tissue. Addition of dexamethasone to cultures treated simultaneously with TGF- β blocked the fibrogenic response of TGF- β . To study the molecular regulation of collagen gene expression by TGF- β or dexamethasone, fibroblasts derived from granulation tissue were stably transfected with the ColCat 3.6 plasmid, which contains the rat pro α 1(I) collagen promoter linked to the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene. Dexamethasone decreased CAT activity whereas TGF- β increased the activity of this reporter gene. The increase in CAT activity observed with TGF- β treatment was significantly decreased when dexamethasone was added to the cultures, although CAT activity did not return to control level. Since collagen synthesis in fibroblasts treated simultaneously with dexamethasone and TGF- β 1 was found to be the same as that of untreated samples, the data indicate that there is a dexamethasone-mediated posttranscriptional regulation of pro α 1(I) collagen mRNA. These studies demonstrate that at the in vivo level, the cellular level, and the molecular level, dexamethasone is able to block the fibrogenic effect of TGF- β .
High risk corneal allografts and why they lose their immune privilege

Purpose of review Corneal allografts are routinely performed without HLA typing or systemic immunosuppressive drugs. However, certain conditions create high risks for immune rejection. This review discusses recent insights into the mechanisms that rob the corneal allograft of its immune privilege.
Environmental Modulation of Protein Cation-π Interactions

Protein cation-π interactions are frequently found near the protein surface with their interacting residues partly solvent exposed. The structurally characterized α3W model protein contains the W32/K36 cation-π interaction which has properties similar to those of naturally occurring protein cation-π interactions. α3W was studied with the following results: Cation-π interactions formed by a buried tryptophan and a partly solvated lysine, arginine, or histidine range from −0.8 to −0.5 kcal mol-1 and rank as: W32/K36 ≈ W32/R36 > W32/H36. The W32/K36 pair in α3W represents the first W/K cation-π interaction for which both the structure and the bond energy have been experimentally determined. Upon increasing the solvent exposure of the cation-π pair, the W/K interaction energy drops from −0.73 to −0.06 and +0.15 kcal mol-1. These results suggest that solvent exposure can tune the interaction energy between a tryptophan and a lysine by at least 0.9 kcal mol-1.
Celebrate Darwin Day, An Event for Education and Outreach in Evolutionary Biology

Darwin Day is an international celebration of Charles Darwin’s birthday, February 12, and is used as an occasion for education and outreach in evolutionary biology. I describe the history and structure of Darwin Day at the University of Tennessee, one of the oldest Darwin Day organizations in the world. I detail past events including speakers, themes, and advertising ideas that have worked for us and suggestions for getting a Darwin Day started. I encourage interested groups especially those at schools, museums, libraries, nature centers, and other institutions to adapt ideas from our organization to fit their own circumstances and to start planning their own Darwin Days for the celebration of Darwin’s 200th birthday in 2009.
Draft Genome Sequences of Two Virulent Serotypes of Avian Pasteurella multocida.

ABSTRACT Here we report the draft genome sequences of two virulent avian strains of Pasteurella multocida . Comparative analyses of these genomes were done with the published genome sequence of avirulent P. multocida strain Pm70.