cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Visualizing synaptic plasticity in vivo by large-scale imaging of endogenous AMPA receptors

Elucidating how synaptic molecules such as AMPA receptors mediate neuronal communication and tracking their dynamic expression during behavior is crucial to understand cognition and disease, but current technological barriers preclude large-scale exploration of molecular dynamics in vivo. We have developed a suite of innovative methodologies that break through these barriers: a new knockin mouse line with fluorescently tagged endogenous AMPA receptors, two-photon imaging of hundreds of thousands of labeled synapses in behaving mice, and computer vision-based automatic synapse detection. Using these tools, we can longitudinally track how the strength of populations of synapses changes during behavior. We used this approach to generate an unprecedentedly detailed spatiotemporal map of synapses undergoing changes in strength following sensory experience. More generally, these tools can be used as an optical probe capable of measuring functional synapse strength across entire brain areas during any behavioral paradigm, describing complex system-wide changes with molecular precision.
Next day discharge after the Nuss procedure using intercostal nerve cryoablation, intercostal nerve blocks, and a perioperative ERAS pain protocol.

Abstract Background The Nuss procedure for pectus excavatum has historically been associated with significant postoperative pain, which has been the major factor contributing to hospital length of stay (LOS). Methods A single-institution, prospective study of 40 consecutive patients undergoing Nuss bar placement for pectus excavatum between November 2019 and January 2021 was conducted to assess the effectiveness of a multimodality pain management protocol. All patients received T3-T8 intercostal nerve cryoablation (INC), T3-T8 bupivacaine intercostal nerve blocks, Exparel at the skin incisions, and management with a perioperative analgesia regimen that minimized narcotic usage. The primary outcome was LOS. Secondary outcomes included opioid use, pain scores, and time to sensory recovery. Results 37/40 patients (92.5%) were discharged home on postoperative day (POD) 1, and 3/40 (7.5%) were discharged on POD 2 (mean LOS = 1.1 days). The median average postoperative pain score was 2/10. After eliminating IVPCA from our protocol, total oral morphine equivalent (OME) decreased by 73% (55.5 mg to 15 mg) with no change in pain scores or discharge timing. Conclusions INC combined with bupivacaine intercostal nerve blocks and a pre- and post-hospital analgesia protocol facilitated discharge one day after the Nuss procedure, achieved excellent pain control, and eliminated the need for intravenous opioids.
8.14 – Elemental and Isotopic Proxies of Past Ocean Temperatures

Geochemists have come up with a remarkable array of paleotemperature proxies in marine carbonates. These proxies work in diverse oceanic settings, in different organisms, in different parts of the water column, and on varied timescales. Several pairs of proxies, such as Mg/Ca and oxygen isotopes in foraminifera and Sr/Ca and oxygen isotopes in corals, amplify each other when applied together because they allow for the determination of seawater oxygen isotope composition, a proxy for salinity. A remarkable amount of progress has been made in the last two decades on three new or revived paleothermometric approaches, each of which work particularly well in the tropics: oxygen isotopes in corals, Mg/Ca in foraminifera, and Sr/Ca in corals. This progress has expanded the importance of geochemistry in paleoclimate research and refocused its goals toward determining the temporal and spatial history of oceanic temperatures. Although many problems and challenges remain, and although none of the available proxies work perfectly, it is clear that recent research progress has elevated geochemical paleothermometers to a fundamental role in quantitative paleoclimate research.
Management of Low-Stage Testicular Seminoma

Management of testicular seminoma has benefited from numerous advances in imaging, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy over the last 50 years leading to nearly 100% disease-specific survival for low-stage seminoma. This article examines the evaluation and management of low-stage testicular seminoma, which includes clinical stage I and IIA disease. Excellent outcomes for stage I seminoma are achieved with active surveillance, adjuvant radiotherapy, and adjuvant single-agent carboplatin. Current areas of research focus on optimizing surveillance regimens and minimizing the morbidity and long-term complications of adjuvant treatment. Radiotherapy continues to be the primary treatment option for patients with clinical stage IIa disease.
On the use of metaphor to understand, explain, or rationalize redundant genes in yeast

The proposal that yeast, and cells in general, contains redundant genes that enable cells to survive mutational change has been supported by experiments and a strong metaphor. The redundant gene proposal is analyzed, and it is noted that there are many problems with the redundant gene model. An alternative metaphor is suggested to explain the genetic composition of a yeast culture.
The geochemical coherence of Pu and Nd and the Pu-244/U-238 ratio of the early solar system

Two very different sets of Pu-244/U-238 ratios have been reported for early solar system materials, one high and the other low, and this paper examines how one of these groups may yield an incorrect ratio. Recently measured partition coefficients for Pu and Sm (Jones, 1981) are used to evaluate Pu-Nd fractionation during achondrite genesis, and Pu-244/U-238 ratios of chondrites, achondrites, and Ca-Al-rich inclusions are compared and discussed. A low Pu-244/U-238 ratio is favored, and some implications of this low ratio for galactic nucleosynthesis and meteorite age dating are briefly discussed.
Proteins of the thermophilic fungus Humicola lanuginosa. I. Isolation and amino acid sequence of a cytochrome C.

Abstract Two eukaryotic cytochrome c components, ca and cb, were purified from the thermophilic fungus Humicola lanuginosa. These proteins appear to differ only in the degree of methylation of lysyl amino groups. The ca component is the first cytochrome c of fungal origin found to contain 2 residues of methylated lysine. The complete amino acid sequence of H. lanuginosa cytochrome ca, the major component, was established. The protein consists of a single polypeptide chain of 111 residues. On alignment with vertebrate cytochromes c, the peptide chain extends for 8 residues at the amino-terminal end. As with other fungal cytochromes c of known sequence, residue 104 is deleted. Considering the region of residues 1 through 103, H. lanuginosa cytochrome ca most closely resembles the primary structure of Neurospora crassa cytochrome c. The two proteins show 18 differences. H. lanuginosa cytochrome ca contains a phenylalanyl residue at position 74. Other cytochromes c of known sequence contain a constant segment from residues 70 to 80, with a tyrosyl residue situated at position 74.
Applications of Groundwater Helium

Helium abundance and isotope variations have widespread application in groundwater-related studies. This stems from the inert nature of this noble gas and the fact that its two isotopes – helium-3 and helium-4 – have distinct origins and vary widely in different terrestrial reservoirs. These attributes allow He concentrations and 3He/4He isotope ratios to be used to recognize and quantify the influence of a number of potential contributors to the total He budget of a groundwater sample. These are atmospheric components, such as air-equilibrated and air-entrained He, as well as terrigenic components, including in situ (aquifer) He, deep crustal and/or mantle He and tritiogenic 3He. Each of these components can be exploited to reveal information on a number of topics, from groundwater chronology, through degassing of the Earth’s crust to the role of faults in the transfer of mantle-derived volatiles to the surface. In this review, we present a guide to how groundwater He is collected from aquifer systems and quantitatively measured in the laboratory. We then illustrate the approach of resolving the measured He characteristics into its component structures using assumptions of endmember compositions. This is followed by a discussion of the application of groundwater He to the types of topics mentioned above using case studies from aquifers in California and Australia. Finally, we present possible future research directions involving dissolved He in groundwater.
An approximate queueing model for limited-range wavelength conversion in an OBS switch

We develop an analytical model for modeling limited-range wavelength conversion employed in an OBS switch. The system is modeled as a simultaneous resource possession problem. We propose a product-form solution which calculates approximate blocking probabilities for degree of conversion d = 1,2 and for large number of wavelengths. We then propose an approximate model for large values of d. The output of our model was verified with simulation results.
A mixed boundary value problem for the Laplacian

On etudie le probleme de Zaremba concernant le laplacien sur des domaines planaires simplement connexes
An Investigation of the One-Surface Contact Analog Display for Use in Submarine Depth Control

The results of an empirical study involving operator response to information displayed in a one-surface Contact Analog are described. Performance of two types of submarine control tasks—depth keeping and depth seeking—was measured.
Identifying Key Factors For Type Ii Diabetes Mellitus Prevention Interventions In Qatar

Background: Type II Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is one of the leading chronic diseases in Qatar as well as worldwide. However, the risk factors for DM in Qatar and their prevalence are not well understood. We conducted a case-control study with the specific aim of estimating, based on data from outpatients with DM in Qatar (cases) and inpatient/outpatient controls, the association between demographic/lifestyle factors and DM. We also estimated the contribution of these factors to the occurrence of DM cases among Qatari nationals and non-Qatari expatriate population. Methods: A total of 459 patients with DM from Hamad Medical Corporation Hospital (HMC) outpatient adult diabetes clinics and 342 control patients from various outpatient clinics and inpatient departments at HMC were identified using rigorous sampling methodologies and recruited between the years 2006 and 2008. The association between risk factors and DM was evaluated using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, and for the population at large and for only Qatari nationals. In addition to odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), we calculated the population attributable risk fractions for demographic and lifestyle factors in relation to DM. Results: Qatari nationality was the strongest risk factor for DM (adjusted OR=5.5; 95% CI=3.5-8.6), followed by higher monthly income (defined as ≥ 3000 riyals, OR=5.1; 95% CI=3.0-8.7), age > 65 years (OR=3.3; 95% CI=0.9-11.4), male gender (OR=2.9; 95% CI=1.8-4.8), obesity (body mass index ≥ 30, OR=2.2; 95% CI=1.5-3.2), no college education (OR=1.7; 95% CI=1.2-2.6), and no daily vigorous/moderate activity (OR=1.5; 95% CI=0.9-2.3). Among Qatari nationals, obesity was revealed as the main risk factor for DM (unadjusted OR=3.0; 95% CI=1.6-5.6) followed by no college education (OR=2.7; 95% CI=1.5-5.1), while consanguinity did not appear to play a major role in predicting DM (OR=1.5; 95% CI=0.8-2.8). Our findings further suggested that eliminating obesity and improving access to education could reduce DM cases by up to one third in the population at large (31.7% and 26.8%, respectively) and up to half (46.9% and 49.3%, respectively) among only Qatari nationals. Promoting physical activity may as well reduce the burden of DM by up to 9.4% in the population at large and up to 17.3% among Qatari nationals. Conclusions: Demographic and lifestyle factors were revealed as the main risk factors for the high DM levels observed in Qatar, with a contribution that appears to outweigh that of genetic risk factors. While further evaluation of these factors among the Qatari population (as opposed to the population at large) is important and of interest, these findings highlight the need to focus short-term DM interventions on addressing demographic and lifestyle risk factors to achieve substantial and timely declines in DM levels.
Microwave surface resistance and power dependence of thallium-based films deposited onto large-area silver substrates

Microwave surface resistance (R s ) measurements on large-area (11.4 cm2) Tl-based films deposited onto Ag (Consil 995) substrates have been made at a frequency of 18 GHz as a function of temperature. Deposition onto unoriented Ag substrates yields unoriented films characterized byR s values of 8.2 and 33.6 mΩ at 10.6 and 77 K, respectively. In contrast, similar deposition onto oriented Ag substrates yields oriented films with values of 12.6 and 14.6 mΩ at 11.2 and 77 K, respectively; corresponding Cu values are 9 and 21 mΩ. Additionally, it is found that the dependence ofR s on microwave surface magnetic fieldH s is weaker for the oriented films. These results suggest that the effect of orienting thec-axis in Tl films is twofold: (1) the high-frequency superconducting transition is made considerably sharper, resulting in a lowerR s value at 77 K, and (2) the rate of increase inR s with appliedH s is reduced. Both effects have significant ramifications for the potential application of these materials to high-frequency accelerating cavities.
Delay-based control model for Czochralski growth of high-quality oxides

Abstract This paper presents a study to model the Czochralski growth process as a time-varying time delay linear input–output model. It was especially designed for the slow growing of oxide crystals (⩽2 mm/h). Such crystals pose a significant challenge to the control system design because of the delayed effect of the power change on the growth rate. This delay is caused by slow heat-mass transfer and large measurement lag. In this study, controlled perturbations were applied during the growth process to identify the effects of system parameters such as melt level on the time delay. We observed that the time delay rises with the decreasing melt level. For advanced adaptive control system with such time-varying delay, real time process identification is needed. Higher-order autoregressive moving average with exogenous input (ARMAX) model with recursive estimation was considered to represent the growth process with delay in real time. The use of such high-order model and especially its stability for real-time process identification are discussed. Also during these experiments, constraints on the process control to preserve the crystal quality were identified. These experiments were carried out on the growth of high-quality La3Ga5.5Ta0.5O14 (LGT).
Correlation of transcranial Doppler and noninvasive tests with angiography in the evaluation of extracranial carotid disease

Abstract To evaluate the usefulness of transcranial Doppler sonography in determining severity of extracranial carotid disease, we compared transcranial Doppler, ocular pneumoplethysmography, Doppler spectral analysis, and duplex scanning data to information derived from cerebral angiography. Fifty-one consecutive patients with unilateral extracranial internal carotid artery stenosis or occlusion were selected. Transcranial Doppler indexes included the peak systolic flow velocity in the middle cerebral artery ipsilateral to the stenosed internal carotid artery (iMCAFV), the difference between the peak systolic flow velocities in the middle cerebral artery ipsilateral and contralateral to the stenosed internal carotid artery (dMCAFV), and the peak systolic flow velocity in the anterior cerebral artery contralateral to the stenosed internal carotid artery (cACAFV). The minimal residual lumen determined angiographically was used as the index of internal carotid artery stenosis. Linear regression analysis with minimal residual lumen as the dependent variable and transcranial Doppler and noninvasive tests as independent variables showed the following correlation coefficients: (1) dMCAFV and cACAFV, R 2 = 0.3170; (2) ocular pneumoplethysmography, R 2 = 0.4798; (3) dMCAFV, cACAFV, Δ ocular pneumoplethysmography, duplex scanning, and spectral analysis R 2 = 0.6382; (4) ocular pneumoplethysmography, duplex scanning, and spectral analysis, R 2 = 0.6491; (5) iMCAFV, no association. These results were supported by sensitivity and specificity as well as bivariate analysis. We conclude that transcranial Doppler did not significantly add to the information obtained by our noninvasive battery of tests in the evaluation of unilateral extracranial carotid disease. (J VASC SURG 1990;11:786-92.)
On the complexity of linear quadratic control

Abstract This paper presents an analysis of the computational complexity of the linear quadratic control models commonly used in Economics. These models differ in the statistical assumptions concerning the coefficients. The most common assumptions are fixed unknown, fixed known and independent random. A fourth model to be considered is the MacRae approximation. These four models have a nested structure. The computational complexity of the first is transfinite. The computational complexity of the third second is linear in the time horizon, T and has the same computational complexity in the number of states, n as that for matrix multiplication of ( n × n )-matrices. The computational complexity of the third is n 4 T . The computational complexity of each iteration of the MacRae approximation is n 4 T .
Color space quantization for inspection of textured objects

This paper describes an approach for recognizing naturally textured objects using color images. Natural objects, such as finished wood, yield images that are inherently difficult to analyze because large variations in visual appearance are common. In the application of interest here, traditional texture- and color-based techniques yielded poor results in our early experiments. However, we found that classification accuracy improved dramatically when a nonuniform quantization of the color space was chosen adaptively, using a set of training images. Ultimately, we developed a novel method for selecting a nonuniform partition of the color space so that differences between object classes are accentuated. The resulting partition serves as the domain for histograms of models and of observed images, and an information-theoretic similarity measure is used to perform recognition. The motivation for this system is to achieve high recognition accuracy in an industrial setting. Laboratory tests have demonstrated a high level of accuracy for this technique, even though the objects of interest exhibit large variations of texture and color.
Resource Utilization and Patient Morbidity in Head and Neck Reconstruction

Many papers have addressed the technical aspects of free tissue transfer in head and neck cancer patients. However, there has not been a critical assessment of the impact of free tissue transfer on resource utilization and patient morbidity compared with pedicle flap reconstructions. Two cohorts of patients derived from 245 consecutive reconstructions were tightly matched by age, site, stage, and histology, yielding 44 patient pairs differing in method of reconstruction. Patients undergoing free flap reconstruction spent more time in the operating room than those reconstructed with pedicled flaps (993 min vs. 777 min, P < 0.0001). The group with free flap reconstruction spent fewer days in the surgical intensive care unit and hospital (2 days vs. 2.5 days; 18.5 days vs. 22.6 days). This difference is attributed to the paucity of postoperative complications in the group with free flap reconstruction (fistula formation 4.5% vs. 21%, P < 0.04). These data indicate that the continued use of sophisticated reconstructive techniques in head and neck cancer patients is economically sound as assessed by patient morbidity and resource utilization.
Bringing IT out of the shadows

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) is currently a hot topic, but it is only one (albeit major) part of the broader ‘shadow IT’ challenge. Shadow IT – where business users implement a solution outside the official corporate architecture without consulting the IT department – can include everything from the use of free online services to departmental decisions to adopt SaaS solutions, let alone the actual importing of users' own hardware devices. Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) is currently a hot topic, but it is only part of the broader ‘shadow IT’ challenge. There is no silver bullet for solving a problem as complex as shadow IT. However, policy-based networking offers a very useful approach, as it builds policies into the network operating system where they can be centrally managed and maintained up to date, explains Steve Johnson of Extreme Networks.
The influence of inertia on elastic-plastic antiplane-shear crack growth

Abstract Results of a study of steady-state antiplane-shear crack growth in an elastic ideally-plastic material are reported. First, an exact expression for the distribution of strain on the crack line within the primary active plastic zone is obtained. It is shown that the expression reduces to the correct asymptotic form for the special case of vanishingly small distance from the crack tip for any nonzero crack growth speed, and it reduces to the correct limit as the crack speed approaches zero for any point on the crack line. Then, the full elastic-plastic deformation field is determined under the conditions of small-scale yielding by means of the numerical finite element method. The computed strain distribution on the crack line is found to compare closely with the analytical result for this distribution. Finally, the analytical and numerical results are combined with the “critical plastic strain at a characteristic distance” crack growth criterion to generate theoretical fracture toughness vs crack speed relationships. The results are similar to experimentally observed fracture toughness vs crack speed relationships. In particular, the results show a strong dependence of fracture toughness on crack speed for even moderate crack growth rates. Because the material response is independent of strain-rate, this suggests that the influence of inertia on the fracture resistance of the material is significant.
Cancer associated extracellular DNA traps in human plasma may predispose to venous thrombosis

Purpose Recent evidence from animal models shows neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), which are comprised of genomic DNA and histones, to be highly thrombogenic predisposing to venous thrombosis (VT). Our aim was to: 1) investigate whether increased NETs in plasma was associated with human cancer patients vs the control, non-cancer patients, 2) determine whether human tumor tissue may be a source of circulating NETs and 3) analyze human VT tissue for NETs and determine whether nucleases can break down NETs in situ. Materials and Methods Following IRB approval, plasma was collected from 19 cancer patients and age-matched 27 non-cancer patients. Extracellular NETs and circulating DNA were quantitated using an ELISA assay and dsDNA PicoGreen assay, respectively. Tumor tissues and human VT tissues were immunostained for NETs using the monoclonal anti-H2A/H2B/DNA complex antibody. To demonstrate the specificity of the antibody to detect NETs, the adjacent tissue section was pretreated with 10 units of DNase prior to NETs immunostaining. DNase-1 levels in plasma (n=46) were quantitated using Western blot analysis. Results Plasma samples from cancer patients demonstrated higher levels of both NETs and dsDNA than those from patients without cancer (p Conclusion Cancer creates a state of increased circulating NETs, which may be in part due to decreased levels of DNase-1 and marked levels of NETs in cancer tissue. Since in situ DNase treatment decreased NETs in human VT, systemic DNAse treatment may decrease circulating chromatin and potentially modulate the risk for thrombotic events in cancer patients.
Picosecond laser studies of electron solvation in alcohols

Abstract We report the direct measurement of electron solvation times in methanol and ethanol. A picosecond technique utilizing a laser-triggered flash lamp and a streak camera is used to monitor the solvation process. The relationship of the solvation dynamics to dielectric relaxation, local heating, and pulse-radiolysis results are presented
A numerical analysis on the effect of piezoelectric charges on the surface depletion layer of ZnO nanowires

We have investigated the effect of piezoelectric charges on the surface depletion region of ZnO NWs. By considering an inner region with a non-negligible density of free carriers and a depleted region at surface of the ZnO NWs and by solving the Poisson equation in the depleted region, the surface depletion width is derived. Thus, the effect of piezoelectric charges on the surface depletion region has been investigated.
Leaving Deterrence Behind: War-Fighting and National Cybersecurity

How should the United States organize itself to deal with the threat of cyberaggression? The initial effort of the Obama Administration, released in May 2009, focuses attention on the organizational and bureaucratic decisionmaking infrastructure necessary for cybersecurity and provides some general guidelines about goals and means. It does not address the more fundamental question of strategic approach. This article suggests the time has come to resolve the core issue of what organizing principle should drive national cybersecurity policy. Specifically, we argue that an offense-defense strategic framework must be adopted to think about and organize against cyber threats in the 21 century. This means that the United States must set aside deterrence—the dominant strategic anchor of the past fifty-plus years—and adopt a full war-fighting posture. What has worked in the nuclear realm, and remains relevant for homeland security against WMD terrorism, will not work in cyberspace.
Shop Talk: An Anthology Of Poetry

Shop Talk: An Anthology Of Poetry Edited By Zoe Landale. Pulp Press Book Publishers, Vancouver, British Columbia, 1985. 128pp.
Development of transplantation vasculopathy and progression of donor-transmitted atherosclerosis: Comparison by serial intravascular ultrasound imaging

Background —Transplant coronary artery disease is a combination of atherosclerosis transmitted from the donor and new lesions of allograft vasculopathy. We sought to determine the morphological characteristics of allograft vasculopathy and differentiate it from donor-transmitted atherosclerosis with serial intravascular ultrasound. Methods and Results —Intravascular ultrasound examination was performed in 93 patients at 27.2±15.0 and 369.7±23.9 days after transplantation. The maximally and minimally diseased sites were selected in each segment as defined by Coronary Artery Surgery Study classification. For each matched site, maximal plaque thickness was measured. Lesions (maximum plaque thickness ≥0.5 mm) present at baseline examination were defined as donor lesions. On follow-up, lesions that developed at previously normal sites were defined as de novo lesions. The distribution and severity of donor and de novo lesions were similar in proximal, mid, and distal segments. The de novo lesions were less focal (43% vs 74%) and more circumferential (69% vs 45%) compared with the donor lesions, but there was significant morphological heterogeneity. Similar numbers of patients with and those without donor lesions developed de novo lesions. Moreover, progression of donor lesions was not associated with the presence or absence of de novo lesions. Conclusions —Differentiation between early allograft vasculopathy from conventional atherosclerosis by distribution and morphology of lesions alone is difficult. Serial intravascular ultrasound imaging with early baseline examination is necessary to make this distinction. This distinction is important because the progression of donor lesions and the development of de novo lesions are independent of each other.
A self-adaptive technique for visualizing geospatial data in 3D with minimum occlusion

Geospatial data are often visualized as 2D cartographic maps with interactive display of detail on-demand. Integration of the 2D map, which represents high level information, with the location-specific detailed information is a key design issue in geovisualization. Solutions include multiple linked displays around the map which can impose cognitive load on the user as the number of links goes up; and separate overlaid windowed displays which causes occlusion of the map. In this paper, we present a self-adaptive technique which reveals the hidden layers of information in a single display, but minimizes occlusion of the 2D map. The proposed technique creates extra screen space by invoking controlled deformation of the 2D map. We extend our method to allow simultaneous display of multiple windows at different map locations. Since our technique is not dependent on the type of information to display, we expect it to be useful to both common users and the scientists. Case studies are provided in the paper to demonstrate the utility of the method in occlusion management and visual exploration.
Prenatal diagnosis of factor X deficiency using a combination of direct mutation detection and linkage analysis with an intragenic single nucleotide polymorphism.

Objective To present a family in which it was possible to perform prenatal diagnosis for recessively inherited factor X deficiency using both direct mutation detection as well as linkage analysis. Methods In a family where both parents were known to be carriers of factor X deficiency, fetal DNA was obtained from an ongoing pregnancy by CVS in the first trimester. Direct DNA sequencing was used to detect a previously identified factor X mutation, and linkage analysis using a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was used to follow the segregation of the other parent's factor X alleles. Results Our studies predicted the fetus in question to be a heterozygote carrier of factor X deficiency, and this was demonstrated to be correct at birth. Conclusions This is the first reported case of prenatal diagnosis of factor X deficiency. In addition, this case demonstrates the remarkable utility of SNPs in linkage analysis of rare genetic disorders. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multimode fiber sensing by using mean-absolute speckle-intensity variation

We present a fiber-sensing technique that detects the mean-absolute speckle-intensity variation between the updated and the reference speckle pattern for determining the environmental perturbation factor (e.g., displacement, temperature, pressure, acoustic wave). We show that the proposed technique is highly sensitive and simple. One of the major advantages of the proposed technique is that it can perform a fast-response measurement with off-the-shelf electronic hardware. Experimental data for submicrometer displacement as well as temperature measurement are provided. To extend the dynamic range of the proposed technique, one can use an updated reference speckle pattern.
Diesel and Compressed Natural Gas Dual Fuel Engine Operating Envelope for Heavy Duty Application

The abundance of natural gas in the United States and low price relative to diesel fuel has generated interest in dual fuel engines where natural gas is substituted for diesel fuel. The factors limiting the natural gas (NG) substitution rates are: minimum diesel injector pulse width, cycle-to-cycle variation in net indicated mean effective pressure (NIMEP), engine knock, peak cylinder pressure, compression ratio, boost pressure and lean air/fuel limits leading to misfire among others.The objective of this study was to explore the highest natural gas substitution for a commercially available heavy duty diesel engine for several of the 13 Mode European Stationary Cycle (ESC) and US EPA Supplementary Emissions Tests (SET) speeds and loads while maintaining acceptable engine performance levels. A heavy duty 2012 Navistar MaxxForce 13® engine was retrofitted to accommodate dual-fuel operation. The engine was operated over several different speeds and loads to determine the possible NG substitution rates at different diesel injection timings, diesel injection pressures and equivalence ratios, while maintaining combustion phasing.The data showed that dual fuel operation at high NG percentages was stable over several speeds and loads with brake thermal efficiencies comparable to 100% diesel operation. The introduction of NG generally demonstrated reductions in peak cylinder pressure and cylinder pressure rise rate at a given speed and load point. Increases in hydrocarbon and greenhouse gas emissions and a decrease in nitrogen oxides were observed during dual-fuel operation.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
High Fusion Rates with Circular Plate Fixation for Four-corner Arthrodesis of the Wrist

Background Scaphoid excision and four-corner fusion is commonly performed to reconstruct advanced scapholunate collapse and scaphoid nonunion with collapse. Metallic plates were introduced for achieving fixation of the four carpal bones. Although the developer reported high rates of fusion, several other early reports of circular plate fixation suggest higher complication rates and inferior outcomes compared with traditional fixation techniques.
Kriging on highly skewed data for DTPA-extractable soil Zn with auxiliary information for pH and organic carbon

Abstract Knowledge of the distribution of crop-available trace elements in soils is limited by the sparseness of georeferenced data and the inherent variability of the more-labile forms of these elements. Cokriging with auxiliary variables can sometimes improve estimates for a less densely sampled primary variable, while skewed data can often be made more suitable for geostatistical modeling by appropriate transformation. Benefits from data transformation and cokriging in predicting Zn(DTPA) (an estimate of plant-available Zn, extracted from soil by the chelating agent diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid) were assessed using a georeferenced set of data from northern North Dakota. Soil organic carbon (OC) and pH were used as auxiliary variables for cokriging. Data for Zn(DTPA), OC and pH were available for 587 locations. The statistical distribution of the data for Zn(DTPA) was highly skewed (approximately log-normal). Three methods of data transformation (computation of logarithms, conversion to standardized rank order and assignment of normal scores) were carried out prior to kriging or cokriging to reduce skewness. For comparisons of predictive success, the Zn(DTPA) data were partitioned into a predictor set of 293 sites and a testing set of 294 sites, according to a stratified randomized approach. Data for Zn(DTPA) in the testing set were reserved for testing estimates based on the predictor set. Cokriging on Zn(DTPA), using OC or pH as auxiliary variables, was consistently more effective than kriging on Zn(DTPA) alone. Cokriging with OC and pH together provided additional benefit. Data transformation generally improved kriged estimates, especially for low concentrations of Zn(DTPA) (e.g., − 1 ), which are important because they are indicative of soils containing inadequate Zn for optimal crop growth. Differences among normal score cokriging, log-normal cokriging and rank-ordered cokriging were relatively small.
Conservative rezoning (remapping) for general quadrilateral meshes

A classic problem in Lagrangian numerical hydrodynamics is the conservative transfer of quantities from an old,, distorted mesh to a new mesh. The same problem arises whenever the mesh is changed as, for example, in adaptive mesh techniques. This transfer of information is an interpolation process which is frequently called rezoning (or remapping). The general problem of conservative rezoning from one arbitrary mesh to another may be formulated as follows: m/sub k/ = ..integral integral integral../sub V//sub k/rho(r)dV. That is, we compute the mass m/sub k/ of each cell of the new mesh by integrating the known density distribution in the old mesh over the cell volume V/sub k/. A direct intregation is generally prohibitive. We show, however, that is is possible to convert this integral to a surface integral by the appropriate use of the divergence theorem, thus greatly reducing the complexity of the problem. For two-dimensional generall quadrilateral meshes the resulting method is exact and particularly simple.
The relation between childhood attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and adult antisocial behavior reexamined: The problem of heterogeneity

Abstract A number of authors have argued that childhood attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is related to adult disorders characterized by antisocial behavior, in particular antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). The results of longitudinal, family and adoption, neuropsychological, psychophysiological, and other laboratory studies relevant to the relation between childhood ADHD and adult antisocial behavior are reviewed. Findings from each of these areas indicate that childhood ADHD is associated with adult disorders characterized by antisocial behavior. Nevertheless, the majority of studies reviewed fail to consider the hypothesis that this association is an artifact of the overlap between ADHD and conduct disorder (CD); hence, this association may simply reflect the persistence of antisocial behavior from childhood to adulthood. Thus, widespread claims of a poor outcome for ADHD children, and of a shared etiology for ADHD and ASPD, appear to be oversimplified and misleading. Future research in this area must include a CD group and a mixed ADHD/CD group to permit proper inferences regarding the link between childhood ADHD and adult antisocial behavior. Potential mechanisms underlying the association between ADHD and CD, and research designs for elucidating these mechanisms, are discussed.
Human-computer collaboration

This article offers a model of collaboration processes in which both parties are sharing the task work load at an equal level of cognitive diffticulty. The model poses six collaboration factors as important in the man-machine collaboration. The six factors are cognitive orientation, deep knowledge, intention sharing, control plasticity, adaptivity, and experience or memory. The model predicts that two clusters of settings of the six factors exist: one for novices and one for experts. Four experiments are presented that support this prediction and that offer several new insights into what makes for effective collaborator design. Also many new questions arise.
Structure-based identification of binding sites, native ligands and potential inhibitors for G-protein coupled receptors.

G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest family of cell-surface receptors involved in signal transmission. Drugs associated with GPCRs represent more than one fourth of the 100 top-selling drugs and are the targets of more than half of the current therapeutic agents on the market. Our methodology based on the internal coordinate mechanics (ICM) program can accurately identify the ligand-binding pocket in the currently available crystal structures of seven transmembrane (7TM) proteins [bacteriorhodopsin (BR) and bovine rhodopsin (bRho)]. The binding geometry of the ligand can be accurately predicted by ICM flexible docking with and without the loop regions, a useful finding for GPCR docking because the transmembrane regions are easier to model. We also demonstrate that the native ligand can be identified by flexible docking and scoring in 1.5% and 0.2% (for bRho and BR, respectively) of the best scoring compounds from two different types of compound database. The same procedure can be applied to the database of available chemicals to identify specific GPCR binders. Finally, we demonstrate that even if the sidechain positions in the bRho binding pocket are entirely wrong, their correct conformation can be fully restored with high accuracy (0.28 A) through the ICM global optimization with and without the ligand present. These binding site adjustments are critical for flexible docking of new ligands to known structures or for docking to GPCR homology models. The ICM docking method has the potential to be used to "de-orphanize" orphan GPCRs (oGPCRs) and to identify antagonists-agonists for GPCRs if an accurate model (experimentally and computationally validated) of the structure has been constructed or when future crystal structures are determined.
Lifestyle transitions and the developing world: Reflections on the implications for health, well-being and wealth

Context: The past few decades witnessed significant economic growth in many developing countries of the world. These economic changes towards increasing gross domestic product (GDP) brought with it several other transitions in these countries: demographic, epidemiological, technological, and nutritional. These resulted in improving the living standards as well as life expectancy in many of these countries. However, of public health concern is the fact that these transitions paradoxically have their negative consequences on the health, well-being and wealth of the populace in these countries. Objectives: This review therefore assesses the evidence of the extent to which these changes have affected the living patterns in many developing countries and the epidemiological implications besides others issues on the populace in these countries. Methods: By using key words, the author involved a broad search of literatures on lifestyle changes, economic growth, nutrition, urbanization, smoking and alcohol, communicable and non-communicable diseases in countries termed low and middle income. Findings and conclusion: The review identified discernible evidence base about the implications of these changes on health, well-being and wealth of these nations. Accordingly, as lifestyle transitions now come to bear, it thus necessitates an all inclusive approach that will include proactive and pre-emptive interventions as well as consistent participation from governments, multilateral institutions, research-funding agencies, donors, and other players in health systems. This is because it will provide the global community with great opportunities in uniting high, middle, and low-income countries in a common purpose, given the shared interests of globalization and economic burdens worldwide.
The mechanism of kinetin-induced transport in corn leaves.

1. Kinetin-induced transport of P32 in detached corn leaves is shown to be limited to the axial direction of the leaves, i.e. along the axis of the vascular bundles. It is not apparently dependent on the water flow in the xylem, and it can be blocked by steam-killed zones or by metabolic inhibitors. It is concluded that kinetin-induced redistribution of phosphates in isolated corn leaves takes place in the phloem. 2. The movement of P32 is preferentially toward the base of the excised leaf, indicating a natural mobilization center at the leaf base. 3. Kinetin treated parts of leaves attract and accumulate P32. They do not accumulate the radioisotopes Na22, Rb86, Cl36 and I131; but the transport of Na22 directed towards kinetin centers is enhanced. 4. Two “mobilizing centers” established by kinetin application along the leaf axis do not attract P32 from intermediate tissue at the same time in opposite directions. They compete with each other for the transport system: both the direction and the velocity of movement are determined by the difference of the “mobilizing forces”. Thus, mobilization is either to one or to the other mobilizing center. 5. Under conditions of enhanced transport (i.e. in presence of kinetin centers), the distribution curves of P32 and Na22 are flattened. This change would be expected for the mass-flow type of transport. 6. It is concluded that “mobilizing centers” in isolated corn leaves stimulate a mass-flow transport in the phloem. Evidence is presented that they act as suction pumps. Some general aspects of phloem transport are discussed.
Attempts to prevent ergot gangrene with heparin and dicumarol; vascular effects of ergot by fluorescein technic.

SummaryTwenty-four hours after the administration of a single dose of ergotamine tartrate, approximately 50% of rats showed, by means of the fluorescein test, a seriously impaired circulation to the tail, due to marked constriction of the major arteries of the tail. Forty to 50% of rats receiving a single dose of 12.5-37.5 mg/kg of ergotamine tartrate may be expected to develop gangrene of the tail and to begin to do so within one week of the injection of ergotamine. Anticoagulants, such as heparin and dicumarol, do not alter the incidence of ergotamine induced gangrene. It is concluded that the thrombosis, observed to be associated with this process by others, is incidental rather than contributory to the vascular occlusion.
Excimer laser coronary angioplasty and intracoronary radiation for in-stent restenosis: six-month angiographic and clinical outcomes.

Abstract Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate 6-month clinical and angiographic outcomes in patients treated with excimer laser coronary angioplasty (ELCA) and intracoronary radiation (ICR) for in-stent restenosis (ISR). Methods: A consecutive series of 175 patients with ISR treated with ELCA+ICR (gamma and beta emitters) were compared to 33 patients with ISR treated with ELCA alone. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups. ELCA+ICR and ELCA-alone patients had similar lesion lengths (25.0±12.0 vs. 24.0±16.8 mm, P =NS) in predominantly saphenous vein grafts (SVG, 38% vs. 42%, P =NS). Results: Procedural success was high (ELCA+ICR, 97.0% vs. ELCA alone, 98.5%, P =NS), with no perforations or acute vessel closures. ELCA+ICR therapy reduced target vessel revascularization (TVR; 27% vs. 64%, P P P =NS). Angiographic binary restenosis (>50%) was significantly reduced with adjunctive ICR (28% vs. 54%, P =.014). Conclusion: Radiation therapy with ELCA significantly reduces angiographic binary restenosis at 6 months in patients with diffuse ISR, driven predominantly by reduced percutaneous TVR.
Case Study: Home Nursing Care for a 62-Year-Old Woman with Multiple Health Problems

PURPOSE. This case study illustrates the characteristics of, and challenges for, a woman in the United States with multiple health problems. DATA SOURCES. Data were obtained through the authors' experience and knowledge of community health nursing and from published literature. DATA SYNTHESIS. NANDA International, Nursing Interventions Classification, and Nursing Outcomes Classification were utilized to identify appropriate nursing diagnoses, interventions, and outcomes for the client. CONCLUSION. This case study illustrates and provides appropriate nursing diagnoses, interventions, and outcomes relevant to a woman with many health concerns. It provides guidance for nurses in community health settings when caring for patients with multiple health problems. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE. Utilizing the standardized nursing languages of NANDA International, Nursing Interventions Classification, and Nursing Outcomes Classification can provide the necessary framework for enhancing and improving the management of care for patients with many health concerns in the community setting.
Integration of the primer vector in a central force field

This paper examines the primer vector which governs optimal solutions for orbital transfer when the central force field has a more general form than the usual inverse-square-force law. Along a null-thrust are that connects two successive impulses, the two sets of state and adjoint equations are decoupled. This allows the reduction of the problem to the integration of a linear first-order differential equation, and hence the solution of the optimal coasting are in the most general central force field can be obtained by simple quadratures. Immediate applications of the results can be seen in solving problems of escape in the equatorial plane of an oblate planet, satellite swing by, or station keeping around Lagrangian points in the three-body problem.