cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Iridocorneal angle assessment of companion rabbits using gonioscopy, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (Optovue iVue ® ), high-resolution ultrasound, and Pentacam ® HR imaging

OBJECTIVE Iridocorneal angle (ICA) narrowing is a known risk factor for primary glaucoma in multiple species, but has not been described in companion rabbits. This study aimed to develop an ICA grading scheme for companion rabbits to enable early glaucoma predisposition diagnosis. ANIMALS STUDIED Twenty healthy rabbits of varying breeds and ages. PROCEDURES Rabbits received complete ophthalmic examinations, including gonioscopy, and imaging of the ICA using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), Scheimpflug imaging (Pentacam® HR), and high-resolution ultrasound (HRUS). Angle opening distance (AOD) and angle recess area (ARA) of the ICA were measured and assessed for agreement using a Bland-Altman analysis. A five-stage gonioscopy grading scheme was created, and Spearman-rank test assessed for correlation between gonioscopy grades and ICA measurements. Differences among age and sex were analyzed with a nonparametric ANOVA and Wilcoxon rank-sum test, respectively. RESULTS Analysis revealed AOD medians of 0.28mm for SD-OCT [95% CI: 0.24-0.31], 0.20mm for Pentacam® HR [95% CI: 0.18-0.21], and 0.25mm for HRUS [95% CI: 0.22-0.28]. The median ARA was 0.14mm2 for SD-OCT [95% CI: 0.117-0.163], 0.09mm2 for Pentacam® HR [95% CI: 0.082-0.100], and 0.06mm2 for HRUS [95% CI: 0.046-0.054]. The association between gonioscopy grade and SD-OCT ARA was significant (P < 0.05), and there was a significant difference (P < 0.001) between imaging modalities for both ARA and AOD. CONCLUSIONS Gonioscopy grade correlated well with SD-OCT ARA. Therefore, SD-OCT is recommended as a noncontact method for evaluating companion rabbit ICA. Each imaging device should not be used interchangeably for ICA evaluation.
Modulation of Event-related Potentials of Visual Discrimination by Meditation Training and Sustained Attention

The ability to discriminate among goal-relevant stimuli tends to diminish when detections must be made continuously over time. Previously, we reported that intensive training in shamatha (focused-attention) meditation can improve perceptual discrimination of difficult-to-detect visual stimuli [MacLean, K. A., Ferrer, E., Aichele, S. R., Bridwell, D. A., Zanesco, A. P., Jacobs, T. L., et al. Intensive meditation training improves perceptual discrimination and sustained attention. Psychological Science, 21, 829-839, 2010]. Here we extend these findings to examine how discrimination difficulty and meditation training interact to modulate event-related potentials of attention and perceptual processing during vigilance. Training and wait-list participants completed a continuous performance task at the beginning, middle, and end of two 3-month meditation interventions. In the first intervention (Retreat 1), the continuous performance task target was adjusted across assessments to match training-related changes in participants' perceptual capacity. In the second intervention (Retreat 2), the target was held constant across training, irrespective of changes in discrimination capacity. No training effects were observed in Retreat 1, whereas Retreat 2 was associated with changes in the onset of early sensory signals and an attenuation of within-task decrements at early latencies. In addition, changes at later stimulus processing stages were directly correlated with improvements in perceptual threshold across the second intervention. Overall, these findings demonstrate that improvements in perceptual discrimination can modulate electrophysiological markers of perceptual processing and attentional control during sustained attention, but likely only under conditions where an individual's discrimination capacity is allowed to exceed the demand imposed by the difficulty of a visual target. These results contribute to basic understanding of the dependence of perceptual processing and attentional control to contextual demands and their susceptibility to directed mental training.
Nongenomic effects of estradiol vs. the birth control estrogen ethinyl estradiol on signaling and cell proliferation in pituitary tumor cells, and differences in the ability of R-equol to neutralize or enhance these effects.

Abstract Ethinyl estradiol (EE2, the active component of many birth control formulations) persists in treated waste waters and it has become a concerning endocrine-disrupting contaminant throughout the world. Previous studies have not examined the behavior of EE2 in nongenomic signaling pathways and the subsequent functional responses (either alone or in mixtures) or conducted comparisons with the physiological estrogen estradiol (E2). In this study, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), ERK, and JNK were activated in pituitary tumor cells by fM EE2, but p38 activation was insensitive to
In memoriam: Herman Joseph (1931–2019)

Herman Joseph, a pioneer in advancing methadone maintenance and other interventions for the treatment for opioid addiction, passed away on April 20, 2019 in New York City. Dr. Joseph had a seminal ...
Placing Functionality Where You Want: The Allure of Sequence Control

In this issue of Chem, Xia and coworkers employ user-friendly ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) and cyclopropene monomers (CPEs) to achieve multiple single additions of CPEs along a polymer backbone. This simple yet powerful strategy greatly expands the scope of sequence-controlled materials and allows key questions to be addressed.
OC4 The quality of child healthcare: a comparison among 30 european countries

Background and goals Even though the conceptions and contents of quality of healthcare for children have substantially improved in the last decades, little is known about the routine adoption of measures used at national/regional level to evaluate childcare. This paper intends to investigate country practices in the evaluation of child healthcare providing insights on the priority posed in 30 European/EEA countries. It reports some of the main results achieved during the MOCHA (Models of Child Health Appraised) project. Methods An ad hoc questionnaire was developed and sent to country-specific experts (CAs), appointed for each of the MOCHA’s countries, to gather information on measures adopted to evaluate the quality of child care at country/regional level. Results were analysed and compared on the basis of a two-level hierarchical map of domains that helped the comparison and also allowed the analysis on the breadth of child-centred evaluation of healthcare. The frequency of adoption of the whole set of measures was analyzed in order to investigate whether a similar behavior in terms of sparsity/convergence is present across countries. Moreover, to identify whether a core set of common measures is adopted across countries, we analyzed measures reported by at least 25% of the CAs under the perspective of child-centeredness which may be also expressed by age ranges reported as variable of the measures and disease specificity. Results Among the 27 CAs that completed the questionnaire, 23 countries reported to have a national/regional agency that assesses healthcare systems. 12 of them devote a specific part of the quality assessment to child health care, while the other countries integrate some child specific items within their health system evaluation. In total 352 measures were reported. The collected measures are not equally distributed among countries, as they range from a minimum of 6 measures in Iceland to a maximum of 130 in the UK. Considering the analysis of core measures the most common one reported by 13 countries is the immunization rate, while a two other focal points can be identified in measures related to mortality and natality. Conclusions The analyses confirmed a high variability across countries, both in number and type of measures adopted. Only a limited set of common measures, focused on immunization, mortality and hospitalization Only a limited set of common measures, focused on immunization, mortality and hospitalization, was identified, even if sparsely distributed among a restricted number of countries.
Fast Anytime Motion Planning in Point Clouds by Interleaving Sampling and Interior Point Optimization.

Robotic manipulators operating in unstructured environments such as homes and offices need to plan their motions quickly while relying on real-world sensors, which typically produce point clouds. To enable intuitive, interactive, and reactive user interfaces, the motion plan computation should provide high-quality solutions quickly and in an anytime manner, meaning the algorithm progressively improves its solution and can be interrupted at any time and return a valid solution. To address these challenges, we combine two paradigms: (1) asymptotically-optimal sampling-based motion planning, which is effective at providing anytime solutions but can struggle to quickly converge to high quality solutions in high dimensional configuration spaces, and (2) optimization, which locally refines paths quickly. We propose the use of interior point optimization for its ability to perform in an anytime manner that guarantees obstacle avoidance in each iteration, and we provide a novel lazy formulation that efficiently operates directly on point cloud data. Our method iteratively alternates between anytime sampling-based motion planning and anytime, lazy interior point optimization to compute high quality motion plans quickly, converging to a globally optimal solution.
VALIDATION OF FULLY AUTOMATED DEEP LEARNING BASED ASSESSMENT OF LEFT VENTRICULAR EJECTION FRACTION FROM CARDIAC MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGES

New deep learning (DL) algorithms for automated quantification of left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) from cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) images need to be validated prior to clinical use. We hypothesized that a novel, fully automated DL algorithm can quantify EF as accurately as clinical
CHAPTER 5 – APPLICATIONS TO ORDINARY DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

Publisher Summary The theories of ordinary and partial differential equations are the fruitful sources of integral equations. In the quest for the representation formula for the solution of a linear differential equation in such a manner so as to include the boundary condition or initial condition explicitly, one is always led to an integral equation. Once a boundary value or an initial value problem has been formulated in terms of an integral equation, it becomes possible to solve this problem easily. This chapter discusses only ordinary differential equations. It discusses the Dirac delta function, the green's function approach, the modified green's function and the boundary value problems.
Ab initio molecular dynamics assessment of thermodynamic and transport properties in (K,Li)Cl and (K, Na)Cl molten salt mixtures

Abstract Molten salt mixtures are integral part of highly important technological applications such as nuclear reactors. However, due to inherent difficulties associated with experiment at high temperatures and the intrinsic complexity of liquid-phase multi-component systems, understanding their properties at a molecular level remains a challenge. Here, we report on an ab initio molecular dynamics investigation on structural, electronic, transport, and thermal properties of two common molten salt mixtures, (K, Li)Cl and (K,Na)Cl, at five different compositions and three temperatures. Most of the properties were found to depend on both composition and temperature. While properties, like atomic charges, show additive behaviors, other properties, such as electrical conductivity, show considerable deviations from additivity. We shall show that the mixing of the molten salt mixtures is mainly driven by entropy, and that the KCl and LiCl mix better than KCl and NaCl. Our computational results are in general consistent with available experimental data. Comparison with available theoretical data is also provided.
Factors associated with length of stay after single-level posterior thoracolumbar instrumented fusion primarily for degenerative spondylolisthesis.

Background: The postoperative length of stay (LOS) is an important prognostic indicator for patients undergoing instrumented spinal fusion surgery. Increased LOS can be associated with higher infection rates, higher incidence of venous thromboembolisms, and a greater frequency of hospital-acquired delirium. The day of surgery and early postoperative mobilization following single-level posterior thoracolumbar stabilizations may impact the LOS. In this study, we evaluated the effects of weekday (Monday–Thursday) versus weekend (Friday–Sunday) surgery and postoperative rehabilitation services on LOS following primarily transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) for degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS). Methods: In this single-institution retrospective chart review, we identified 198 adults who received a one-level thoracolumbar instrumented fusion through a posterior only approach (2017–2019). The majority of these patients underwent TLIF for DS. A zero truncated negative binomial model was used for predictors of the primary outcome of LOS (weekday of surgery, duration of operation, first or repeat surgery, and physical therapy/ occupational therapy [PT/OT] evaluation). Covariates were sex, age, and body mass index. Results: We found that operative duration, repeat surgery, and in-hospital PT/OT all significantly increased the LOS (P < 0.05). Furthermore, those undergoing weekday surgery (Monday–Thursday) had 1.29 times longer LOS than those on the weekend (Friday–Sunday), but this did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.09). Conclusion: In our patient sample, duration, repeat surgery, and in-hospital PT/OT increased the LOS following primarily TLIF for DS. The increased LOS in these cases is likely due to higher overall disease burden and case complexity. In addition, those patients with a greater likelihood of extended recovery and ongoing neurologic deficits are more likely to have PT/OT evaluations. Notably, LOS was not significantly impacted by the day of surgery at our institution.
Network Structures and Humanitarian Need

Financial transactions between humanitarian aid donors and recipients form a network that can inform our understanding of how resilient these efforts are collectively. This is particularly critical considering that certain humanitarian “crises” can span years or even decades, leading to donor fatigue in already chronically underfunded situations. We focus on refugee and migrant situations in Greece and Colombia to highlight the disparity between the humanitarian aid networks in responses that have each stretched beyond five years. We observe these financial networks over time to show that they grow through preferential attachment, with large nodes/actors remaining prominent as the years go on. Drawing on the insights from network resilience and foreign aid literature, we highlight the role that private donors play in Greece in providing some robustness to long-term humanitarian responses with no end in sight. Donor diversity appears to play some role in closing the funding gaps, even as need and funding requests for humanitarian response increase over time.
PSD-95 Involvement in Maturation of Excitatory Synapses

PSD-95 is a neuronal PDZ protein that associates with receptors and cytoskeletal elements at synapses, but whose function is uncertain. We found that overexpression of PSD-95 in hippocampal neurons can drive maturation of glutamatergic synapses. PSD-95 expression enhanced postsynaptic clustering and activity of glutamate receptors. Postsynaptic expression of PSD-95 also enhanced maturation of the presynaptic terminal. These effects required synaptic clustering of PSD-95 but did not rely on its guanylate kinase domain. PSD-95 expression also increased the number and size of dendritic spines. These results demonstrate that PSD-95 can orchestrate synaptic development and are suggestive of roles for PSD-95 in synapse stabilization and plasticity.
Discussion: Economic and Social Indicators of Rural Development From an Economic Viewpoint

Drs. Edwards and Coltrane show great courage in agreeing to discuss in one paper all of the variables, data, theories, models, and relationships that might be included according to the title. It was comforting to me to see that their very first endeavor was to set forth some definitions for some often used terms but terms whose meaning is seldom clearly stated by the user. The authors distinguish between economic development and growth and suggest some alternative definitions for rural and rural development. Let us take a closer look at their efforts.
Developmental Apraxia of Speech

DAS is a motor control problem in which the purposeful production of speech is faulty. The underlying problem affects movement control of the speech-production musculature for speech and non-speech...
Does arithmetic logic dominate data movement? a systematic comparison of energy-efficiency for FFT accelerators

In this paper, we perform a systematic comparison to study the energy cost of varying data formats and data types w.r.t. arithmetic logic and data movement for accelerator-based heterogeneous systems in which both compute-intensive (FFT accelerator) and data-intensive accelerators (DLT accelerator) are added. We explore evaluation for a wide range of design processes (e.g. 32nm bulk-CMOS and projected 7nm FinFET) and memory systems (e.g. DDR3 and HMC). First, our result shows that when varying data formats, the energy costs of using floating point over fixed point are 5.3% (DDR3), 6.2% (HMC) for core and 0.8% (DDR3), 1.5% (HMC) for system in 32nm process. These energy costs are negligible as 0.2% and 0.01% for core and system in 7nm FinFET process in DDR3 memory and slightly increasing in HMC. Second, we identify that the core and system energy of systems using fixed point, 16-bit, FFT accelerator is nearly half of using 32-bit if data movement is also accelerated. This evidence implies that system energy is highly proportional to the amount of moving data when varying data types.
No Protection Required

An iron catalyst converts C-H bonds to C-OH groups with predictable selectivity even in very large molecules.
Strength in numbers or guilt by association? Intragroup effects of female chief executive announcements

We predict that the media reports on female CEOs as a coherent group, whereas male CEOs are treated as individuals by the media. We also suggest that the resulting investors’ perceptions of group entitativity of female-led ?rms may not only in?uence the succession event–performance relationship at the focal ?rm, but may also have a signi?cant effect on the value of other female-led companies. Results of a text analysis and an event study of appointments of female CEOs to Fortune 1000 ?rms provide support for these predictions.
The Challenge of Seeing Justice Done in Removal Proceedings

Prosecutorial discretion is a critical part of the administration of immigration law. This Article considers the work and responsibilities of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) trial attorneys, who thus far have not attracted significant scholarly attention, despite playing a large role in the ground-level implementation of immigration law and policy. The Article makes three main contributions. First, I consider whether ICE attorneys have a duty to help ensure that the removal system achieves justice, rather than indiscriminately seek removal in every case and by any means necessary. As I demonstrate, trial attorneys have concrete obligations derived from statutory provisions, case law, and administrative guidance to seek legitimate objectives, take steps to ensure procedural justice, and exercise equitable discretion in appropriate cases. Second, I argue that the removal system lacks serious structural features to ensure these obligations are met, and as a result, prosecutorial discretion and prosecutorial conduct vary significantly across and within jurisdictions. Little prevents ICE attorneys from indiscriminately pursuing enforcement objectives at the expense of seeing justice done. This matters today, more than ever, because of the categorical and categorically unforgiving nature of the modern statutory removal scheme and the risk of erroneous detentions and removals. Third, the Article develops important parallels between ICE attorneys and criminal prosecutors, suggesting that the immigration system might borrow some of the administrative features employed in criminal systems to encourage earlier prosecutorial screening of cases for positive discretion and equalize some of the power asymmetries that can result in unjust outcomes. I sketch the contours of four such reforms that could be readily implemented without the need for congressional action.
Circadian Rhythms in Cyanobacteria

Life on earth is subject to daily and predictable fluctuations in light intensity, temperature, and humidity created by rotation of the earth. Circadian rhythms, generated by a circadian clock, control temporal programs of cellular physiology to facilitate adaptation to daily environmental changes. Circadian rhythms are nearly ubiquitous and are found in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. Here we introduce the molecular mechanism of the circadian clock in the model cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942. We review the current understanding of the cyanobacterial clock, emphasizing recent work that has generated a more comprehensive understanding of how the circadian oscillator becomes synchronized with the external environment and how information from the oscillator is transmitted to generate rhythms of biological activity. These results have changed how we think about the clock, shifting away from a linear model to one in which the clock is viewed as an interactive network of multifunctional components that are integrated into the context of the cell in order to pace and reset the oscillator. We conclude with a discussion of how this basic timekeeping mechanism differs in other cyanobacterial species and how information gleaned from work in cyanobacteria can be translated to understanding rhythmic phenomena in other prokaryotic systems.
A new PowerPC microprocessor for low power computing systems

A new PowerPC microprocessor is designed for desktop companions and high end embedded multimedia applications such as high performance video games with graphics intensive operations. It features a low power consumption of 1.2 watts at 66 MHz at 3.3 volts. The processor is fabricated in a 0.5 micron, 4 level metal CMOS technology resulting in 1 M transistors in a 7.07 mm by 7.07 mm chip size. Dual 4K-byte instruction and data caches coupled to a high performance 64-bit multiplexed bus and separate execution units (branch, float, integer, and load-store units) result in a peak instruction rate of 2 instructions per clock cycle. Low power techniques are used throughout the entire design including dynamically powered down execution units.
Environmental data production and delivery for NPOESS

The NPOESS program will include a ground data processing system that is designed from the outset to provide outstanding speed and flexibility in product delivery to its users.
Polymerization with redox initiators. V. Substituent effects in the initiator system diethylaniline-benzoyl peroxide

The kinetics of the polymerization of styrene initiated by the system benzoyl peroxide — substituted diethylaniline has been studied at 30°C. The rate constant for the induced decomposition of the peroxide is found to depend on the amine basicity and is correlated with the HAMMET σ. The efficiency of the system is found to be enhanced by the presence of electron withdrawing substituents on the aniline. Es wird die Kinetik der durch das System Benzoylperoxyd — substituiertes Diathylanilin initiierten Styrolpolymerisation bei 30°C untersucht. Die Geschwindigkeitskonstante der induzierten Peroxydzersetzung hangt von der Basizitat des Amins ab und wird in Beziehung zu HAMMETS α-Werten gesetzt. Elektronensaugende Substituenten des Anilins verstarken die Wirksamkeit des initiierenden Systems.
Divergent sums over excursions

Abstract Criteria for the almost sure divergence or convergence of sums of functions of excursions away from a recurrent point in the state space of a Markov process are proved. These are applied to the excursions from 0 of reflecting diffusions; in particular, reflecting Brownian motion, to derive some interesting sample path properties for these processes.
The intersecting-overlapping self: Contemporary psychoanalysis reconsiders religion—Again

Heinz Kohut's psychoanalytic psychology of the self advances a distinctive interpretation of “human nature” that has significant implications for the study of religion. It presents a gestalt through which data otherwise not seen may be observed, and known data may be observed from a new angle of vision. To illumine particular features of this distinctive gestalt, as well as how and why it evolved, the discussion turns to the context within which all psychoanalytic theorizing emerges: the clinical situation. A clinical vignette is presented. An interpretation of the vignette from a classical psychoanalytic perspective exposes how Freudian categories, and our colloquial language, mistakenly collapse all data to fit within the boundaries of a subject-object model. Certain clinical data contribute to the formulation of a “selfobject” model, re-presented in terms of the root metaphor “intersecting-overlapping self.” Methodological, orientational, and normative implications of the selfobject model for the study of religion are presented.
Effective screening for domestic violence in the inpatient obstetric setting

Abstract Domestic violence is an endemic problem in the United States. We report on the results of an organizational intervention designed to increase detection and intervention in cases of domestic violence among obstetric patients admitted to the hospital. Providers underwent a 2-hour educational session that was accompanied by changes in hospital policy and medical records that facilitated universal screening. Significant increases in provider knowledge and persistently elevated levels of screening long after the intervention are documented in this program evaluation. We conclude that domestic violence screening behavior can be increased through provider education and organizational change. (Prim Care Update Ob/Gyns 2002;9:94–97
Predictors of Buyer-Seller Firm Conflict

Research on gender differences within buyer-selling firm relationships is lacking, particularly with respect to exchanges that detail the role of ongoing relationships, communication frequency alignment, and economic satisfaction on conflict. This study examines a model assessing the effects of buyer economic satisfaction, relational duration, and communication frequency alignment on conflict. The study finds that buyer economic satisfaction, relational duration, and communication frequency alignment are negatively related to conflict with the selling firm. In addition, the results indicate that gender moderates the relationship between communication frequency alignment and conflict, suggesting that male and female buyers differ with regard to conflict.
Comparison of gas chromatography-coupled time-of-flight mass spectrometry and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy metabolite identification in white wines from a sensory study investigating wine body.

Metabolite profiles of white wines, including Chardonnay, Pinot gris, Riesling, Sauvignon blanc, and Viognier varieties, were determined using both gas chromatography-coupled time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOF-MS) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR). A total of 108 metabolites were identified by GC-TOF-MS, and 51 metabolites were identified by 1H NMR; the majority of metabolites identified include the most abundant compounds found in wine (ethanol, glycerol, sugars, organic acids, and amino acids). Compositional differences in these wines correlating to the wine sensory property “body”, or viscous mouthfeel, as scored by a trained panel were identified using partial least-squares (PLS) regression. Independently calculated GC-TOF-MS and NMR-based PLS models demonstrate potential for predictive models to replace expensive, time-consuming sensory panels. At the modeling stage, correlations between the measured and predicted values have coefficients of determination of 0.83 and 0...
Evolution, Process Variety, and Regional Trajectories of Technological Change in U.S. Manufacturing

Technological variety is a central component in evolutionary accounts of economic growth and change. Without variety, the process of selection, by which certain products and processes of production are favored in the market, cannot operate. Empirical analysis confirms that U.S, production technology, measured by a pair of capital and labor input coefficients, varies markedly over space. Furthermore, the relative positions of regions in a two-dimensional technology-space appears consistent across industries. With industry-mix effects partially removed, multivariate analysis of variance confirms that regional differences in production techniques are statistically significant. Additional investigation reveals that spatial variations in techniques of production persist over time. These findings support the claims of evolutionary theorists, demonstrating that in U.S. manufacturing industries regions tend to move along distinct trajectories of technological change.
Comments on "Realization of an all-pass transfer function using the second generation current conveyor"

It is pointed out that an error exists in the circuit given in the above letter [1]. In correcting the circuit, it becomes identical to the general configuration previously described in the literature [1]. The realization of a first-order all-pass transfer function should not be compared with that of a second-order all-pass based on the number of circuit components.
Loneliness and Social Support A Confirmatory Hierarchical Analysis

Important research literatures have grown independently around the study of loneliness and social support. However, it is not clear whether these constructs are empirically or conceptually different. In this study, data from 739 young adults are used to examine the factor structure of two sets of loneliness scales and two sets of social support measures. Results indicated that four substantive factors related to the original scales and two support-specific factors accounted for the variation in 14 loneliness and social support variables. The substantive factors representing the Differential Loneliness Scale, the UCLA Loneliness Scale, Socially Supportive Relationships, and Social Resources were all highly intercorrelated, but significantly less than 1.0. A second-order factor was fit to the four substantive factors and found to be an acceptable representation of their intercorrelations. The support-specific factors were negatively correlated, indicating that Family-Specific Support was inversely associate...
Epiretinal Membrane Contracture Associated with Macular Prolapse

We treated two patients with annular epiretinal membranes that produced unusual macular morphologic characteristics. Contracture of the membranes caused herniation of macular tissue through a hole in the center of the membrane. The membranes were removed surgically, and ultrastructural analysis disclosed cells with properties resembling myofibroblasts and apparent new vitreous collagen. Contracture of the cellular components probably produced tangential traction on the retina, which caused prolapse of the retinal tissue through a central defect in the membrane.
The Effect of Dietary Cholesterol, Energy Intake, and Oxygen Consumption on Cholesterol Metabolism in the Chick

This experiment, involving 320 chicks, was conducted to determine the effects of dietary cholesterol, restricted caloric intake, and genetic lines on cholesterol metabolism in the bird. The two lines of chicks studied had been divergently selected for oxygen consumption and had been shown to differ significantly (P less than .01) in weight gain and carcass lipid deposition. The dietary treatments, administered for a 2-week period, consisted of two levels of dietary cholesterol (none and supplemented) for each of two levels of energy (ad libitum and restricted). At the end of this 2-week period, the birds were injected intravenously with 1-14C-acetate and their livers removed 4 hr later. Hepatic cholesterol and lipid synthesis were measured by the uptake of acetate. Added dietary cholesterol significantly (P less than .01) decreased hepatic cholesterol synthesis, lipid synthesis, and specific activity of hepatic cholesterol but increased plasma and liver cholesterol. However, the elevation in plasma and liver cholesterol represented only .9 and 1.8% respectively, of the increase in total intake of dietary cholesterol. Metabolizable energy of diets fed ad libitum was also significantly (P less than .01) reduced with supplemented dietary cholesterol. A significant (P less than .01) difference in body weight was present between the two lines, with low oxygen consuming (LOC) birds exhibiting heavier body weights than high oxygen consuming (HOC) birds. A significant interaction between line and energy intake (P less than .05) was present for hepatic cholesterol levels; LOC birds exhibited higher levels of hepatic cholesterol than HOC birds when both groups were fed at restricted levels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Constitutive Androstane Receptor-Mediated Changes in Bile Acid Composition Contributes to Hepatoprotection from Lithocholic Acid-Induced Liver Injury in Mice

Pharmacological activation of the constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) protects the liver during cholestasis. The current study evaluates how activation of CAR influences genes involved in bile acid biosynthesis as a mechanism of hepatoprotection during bile acid-induced liver injury. CAR activators phenobarbital (PB) and 1,4-bis[2-(3,5-dichloropyridyloxy)]benzene (TCPOBOP) or corn oil (CO) were administered to C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) and CAR knockout (CAR-null) mice before and during induction of intrahepatic cholestasis using the secondary bile acid, lithocholic acid (LCA). In LCA-treated WT and all the CAR-null groups (excluding controls), histology revealed severe multifocal necrosis. This pathology was absent in WT mice pretreated with PB and TCPOBOP, indicating CAR-dependent hepatoprotection. Decreases in total hepatic bile acids and hepatic monohydroxy, dihydroxy, and trihydroxy bile acids in PB- and TCPOBOP-pretreated WT mice correlated with hepatoprotection. In comparison, concentrations of monohydroxylated and dihydroxylated bile acids were increased in all the treated CAR-null mice compared with CO controls. Along with several other enzymes (Cyp7b1, Cyp27a1, Cyp39a1), Cyp8b1 expression was increased in hepatoprotected mice, which could be suggestive of a shift in the bile acid biosynthesis pathway toward the formation of less toxic bile acids. In CAR-null mice, these changes in gene expression were not different among treatment groups. These results suggest CAR mediates a shift in bile acid biosynthesis toward the formation of less toxic bile acids, as well as a decrease in hepatic bile acid concentrations. We propose that these combined CAR-mediated effects may contribute to the hepatoprotection observed during LCA-induced liver injury.
Field demonstration of automated demand response for both winter and summer events in large buildings in the Pacific Northwest

There are growing strains on the electric grid as cooling peaks grow and equipment ages. Increased penetration of renewables on the grid is also straining electricity supply systems and the need for flexible demand is growing. This paper summarizes results of a series of field test of automated demand response systems in large buildings in the Pacific Northwest. The objective of the research was two fold. One objective was to evaluate the use demand response automation technologies. A second objective was to evaluate control strategies that could change the electric load shape in both winter and summer conditions. Winter conditions focused on cold winter mornings, a time when the electric grid is often stressed. The summer test evaluated DR strategies in the afternoon. We found that we could automate both winter and summer control strategies with the open automated demand response communication standard. The buildings were able to provide significant demand response in both winter and summer events.
Management of disagreements between attending and consulting physicians.

You disagree with a referring internist about whether a mutual friend should have a carotid angioplasty or a standard carotid endarterectomy. The patient has a 99% stenosis from a complex plaque of the left internal carotid artery with recent-onset TIAs. The internist is the attending physician and is well known for a progressive attitude toward innovative treatment. The patient has asked that the internist seek your consultation. The carotid angioplasty procedure has been very recently introduced at your institution. Your recommendation for surgery has been dismissed by the attending, who is the senior partner in the medical group that provides your largest referral base. You should do which of the following?
Developing an Adaptive Controller for a Shape Memory Alloy Walking Assistive Device.

The Shape Memory Alloy is a lightweight, compact and biocompatible actuation mechanism which is considered here to replace the current actuation technologies in assistive locomotion devices. This paper is aimed toward the development of an adaptive robust controller to deal with control problems in the actuation of shape memory alloys (SMA). In this research the ankle joint is considered to be actuated by SMA but it can be extended to the other joints as well. To check the performance of the controller, the dynamics of the ankle joint during walking is studied and an SMA manipulator with a similar behavior is used for the experiment. Nonlinear behavior of SMA wires requires nonlinear control techniques for tracking the desired ankle angle. Since the device is subjected to several uncertainties and unmodeled parameters, it is also necessary for the implemented control technique to be robust and adaptive. To this end, the proposed control technique consists of two parts. The first part is an adaptive PID controller which is motivated from a sliding mode control. The control gains are adjusted based on an adaptation mechanism to minimize the sliding condition. The second part of the controller is a supervisory control that guarantees the stability of the system.
Gene therapy for corneal graft survival

Corneal transplantation is the most successful form of solid organ transplant but rejection still occurs in approximately 10% of cases, which often leads to blindness. The cornea is an ideal organ for gene therapy and, as such, has been the target of many gene transfer studies. Numerous nonviral and viral vectors have been tested in the cornea, together with different transgene approaches that modulate tolerance, inflammation and angiogenesis. Present and future efforts should enable the use of this technology in the clinic to improve corneal graft survival.
Morphometric comparison of braided Martian channels and some braided terrestial features

Large channels on the Martian surface have been variously attributed to erosional, volcanic, and tectonic processes. Morphometric information shows that large braided Martian channels and islands between those channels are similar in their dimensions to channels and islands of large braided fluvial features on earth. The information also suggests that braided fractures in solid materials are fundamentally different in morphometry from braided channels of earth and Mars. Braided tension fractures have characteristically low braiding indices and are much narrower than their irregularly shaped 'midchannel' islands. Terrestrial and Martian channels, in contrast, have high braiding indices, and they are wider than their streamlined midchannel islands. Braided volcanic features are known from the earth and the moon, but the absence of volcanic constructs near the large braided channels on Mars indicates that volcanic origin is unlikely. The morphometric information suggests that braided Martian channels are probably of fluvial origin.
COMMENSURATE STATES IN DISORDERED NETWORKS

We have measured the phase boundary {ital T}{sub {ital c}}({ital H}) for a series of superconducting wire networks with different types and degrees of disorder. The basic pattern to be perturbed was the square net. In the first series lines were randomly displaced from their periodic positions (preserving the long-range order), and in the second series their {ital spacing} was randomly varied about an average (destroying the long-range periodic order). These studies on these systems are similar to studies on Josephson-junction arrays with correlated random areas. In the last series the two-dimensional periodicity was destroyed by randomly displacing successive rows of squares while leaving the areas unchanged; the result is a network with quasi-one-dimensional periodic order. The effects of the areal disorder are dramatic and lead to the decay of structure on the phase boundary regardless of whether or not long-range order has been destroyed. The destruction of long-range order in one direction, however, leaves the phase boundary virtually unchanged. The data are compared with previous theoretical treatments and are analyzed using the {ital J}{sup 2}'' model, in which one considers only the kinetic energy of the induced currents resulting from fluxoid quantization. This model explains most of the featuresmore » of the experimental data and yields quantitative predictions for some.« less
Cyclic homology of affine hypersurfaces with isolated Singularities

We consider reduced, affine hypersurfaces with only isolated singularities. We give an explicit computation of the Hodge-components of their cyclic homology in terms of de Rham cohomology and torsion modules of differentials for large n. It turns out that the vector spaces HCn(A) are finite dimensional for n ≥ N − 1.
Perceived socioeconomic status: a new type of identity that influences adolescents' self-rated health

Abstract Purpose The cognitive, social, and biological transitions of adolescence suggest that subjective perceptions of social position based on the socioeconomic hierarchy may undergo important changes during this period; yet how such perceptions develop is poorly understood, and no studies have assessed whether changes in such perceptions influence adolescents' health. This study describes adolescents' subjective perceptions of familial socioeconomic status (SSS), how SSS changes over time, and how age, race, and objective socioeconomic status (SES) indicators influence SSS. In addition, the study determines whether SSS independently influences adolescents' self-rated health, an important predictor of morbidity and health service use. Methods A total of 1179 non-Hispanic black and white baseline 7–12th graders from a Midwestern public school district completed a validated, teen-specific measure of SSS annually for 4 consecutive years. A parent provided information on SES. Markov modeling assessed transitions in SSS over time. Results SSS declined with age ( p = .001) and stabilized among older teens. In addition to age, SES and race, but not gender, were significant correlates of SSS, but the relationships between these factors were complex. In cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses, black teens from families with low parent education had higher SSS than white teens from similarly educated families, whereas white teens from highly educated families had higher SSS than black teens from highly educated families. Lower SSS and changes in SSS predicted poor self-rated health even when adjusting for race and objective SES measures. Conclusion Subjective evaluations of socioeconomic status predict adolescents' global health ratings even when adjusting for the sociodemographic factors that shape them.
Hand dominance for signing: Clues to brain lateralization of language

Abstract Virtually all right-handed individuals are left hemisphere dominant for language. Sign languages of the deaf provide an unusual vehicle for exploring the link between handedness and hemispheric specialization for language the hands themselves are the language articulators. Performance of the right and left hand was examined in deaf native users of American Sign Language(ASL) for speeded production of one-handed signs and for shadowing of signed discourse. Opposite patterns of asymmetries in hand performance were found in right- and left- handers. However, left-handers were more flexible than right-handers in signing with their non- preferred hand. Furthermore, unusual patterns of hand use for sign were found in a deaf signer with a left hemisphere lesion, possibly indexing increased mediation of the intacthemisphere. Implications for brain organization of language in a visual—gestural mode are discussed.
Two-quadrant area structure function analysis for optical surface characterization

This paper describes the use of the area structure function (SF) for the specification and characterization of optical surfaces. A two-quadrant area SF is introduced because the one-quadrant area SF does not completely describe surfaces with certain asymmetries. Area SF calculations of simulation data and of a diamond turned surface are shown and compared to area power spectral density (PSD) and area autocorrelation function (ACF) representations. The direct relationship between SF, PSD, and ACF for a stationary surface does not apply to non-stationary surfaces typical of optics with figure errors.
Trajectory-based heating analysis for the ESA/Rosetta earth return vehicle

A coupled, trajectory based flowfield and material thermal response analysis is presented for the European Space Agency (ESA) proposed Rosetta comet nucleus sample return vehicle. The probe returns to Earth along a hyperbolic trajectory with an entry velocity of 16.5 km/sec and requires an ablative heat shield on the forebody. Combined radiative and convective, ablating flowfield analyses were performed for the significant heating portion of the shallow ballistic entry trajectory. Both quasi-steady ablation and fully transient analyses were performed for a heat shield composed of carbon-phenolic ablative material. Quasi-steady analysis was performed using the two-dimensional, axisymmetric codes RASLE and BLIMPK. Transient computational results were obtained from the one-dimensional ablation/conduction code, CMA. Results are presented for heating, temperature and ablation rate distributions over the probe forebody for various trajectory points. Comparison of transient and quasi-steady results indicates that, for the heating pulse encountered by this probe, the quasi-static approach is conservative from the standpoint of predicted surface recession.