cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A biologically-assisted curved muscle model of the lumbar spine: Model validation.

Abstract Background Biomechanical models have been developed to predict spinal loads in vivo to assess potential risk of injury in workplaces. Most models represent trunk muscles with straight-lines. Even though straight-line muscles behave reasonably well in simple exertions, they could be less reliable during complex dynamic exertions. A curved muscle representation was developed to overcome this issue. However, most curved muscle models have not been validated during dynamic exertions. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the fidelity of a curved muscle model during complex dynamic lifting tasks, and to investigate the changes in spine tissue loads. Methods Twelve subjects (7 males and 5 females) participated in this study. Subjects performed lifting tasks as a function of load weight, load origin, and load height to simulate complex exertions. Moment matching measures were recorded to evaluate how well the model predicted spinal moments compared to measured spinal moments from T12/L1 to L5/S1 levels. Findings The biologically-assisted curved muscle model demonstrated better model performance than the straight-line muscle model between various experimental conditions. In general, the curved muscle model predicted at least 80% of the variability in spinal moments, and less than 15% of average absolute error across levels. The model predicted that the compression and anterior–posterior shear load significantly increased as trunk flexion increased, whereas the lateral shear load significantly increased as trunk twisted more asymmetric during lifting tasks. Interpretation A curved muscle representation in a biologically-assisted model is an empirically reasonable approach to accurately predict spinal moments and spinal tissue loads of the lumbar spine.
Combining model development with characterization

The authors demonstrate the advantages of combining model characterization with model development and implementation. Examples cover process and device simulators, compact models for circuit simulators, and statistical models for design verification of IC devices. Situations in which combining model characterization with design could have avoided miscorrelations identified during design verification are discussed. >
Solvent immersion imprint lithography: A high-performance, semi-automated procedure.

We expand upon our recent, fundamental report on solvent immersion imprint lithography (SIIL) and describe a semi-automated and high-performance procedure for prototyping polymer microfluidics and optofluidics. The SIIL procedure minimizes manual intervention through a cost-effective (∼$200) and easy-to-assemble apparatus. We analyze the procedure's performance specifically for Poly (methyl methacrylate) microsystems and report repeatable polymer imprinting, bonding, and 3D functionalization in less than 5 min, down to 8 μm resolutions and 1:1 aspect ratios. In comparison to commercial approaches, the modified SIIL procedure enables substantial cost reductions, a 100-fold reduction in imprinting force requirements, as well as a more than 10-fold increase in bonding strength. We attribute these advantages to the directed polymer dissolution that strictly localizes at the polymer-solvent interface, as uniquely offered by SIIL. The described procedure opens new desktop prototyping opportunities, particularly for non-expert users performing live-cell imaging, flow-through catalysis, and on-chip gas detection.
Elsevier, bepress, and a Glimpse at the Future of Scholarly Communication

The acquisition of bepress by Elsevier in August 2017, while unpopular among many librarians, provides both companies opportunities for expansion and growth. This The Balance Point column outlines ...
Energy use and life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of drones for commercial package delivery

The use of automated, unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) to deliver commercial packages is poised to become a new industry, significantly shifting energy use in the freight sector. Here we find the current practical range of multi-copters to be about 4 km with current battery technology, requiring a new network of urban warehouses or waystations as support. We show that, although drones consume less energy per package-km than delivery trucks, the additional warehouse energy required and the longer distances traveled by drones per package greatly increase the life-cycle impacts. Still, in most cases examined, the impacts of package delivery by small drone are lower than ground-based delivery. Results suggest that, if carefully deployed, drone-based delivery could reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy use in the freight sector. To realize the environmental benefits of drone delivery, regulators and firms should focus on minimizing extra warehousing and limiting the size of drones.
Lack of Association Between Levels and Length of Intraoperative Controlled Hypotension and Acute Kidney Injury in Total Hip Arthroplasty Patients Receiving Neuraxial Anesthesia.

Background and Objectives Previous research suggests that increased duration and lower levels of intraoperative hypotension (IOH) are associated with postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI). However, this association has not been evaluated in the context of intraoperative controlled hypotension (IOCH), a practice that has been linked in the past to improved outcomes with respect to blood loss and transfusion needs. This study aimed to investigate whether IOCH is associated with postoperative AKI among total hip arthroplasty patients at an institution where this technique is commonly practiced. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study of 2431 unilateral total hip arthroplasty patients who received IOCH under neuraxial anesthesia as well as invasive arterial monitoring between March 2016 and January 2017. Multiple logistic regression was used to compute the adjusted odds ratios of postoperative AKI, adjusting for covariates including duration of intraoperative mean arterial pressure of less than 60 mm Hg. Sensitivity analyses also considered the effects of IOH defined at mean arterial pressure of less than 55 and less than 65 mm Hg. Results Acute kidney injury occurred in 45 (1.85%) of the 2431 patients in this cohort. Longer duration of hypotension was not associated with increased odds of postoperative AKI. Preexisting differences, such as compromised renal function, best predicted increased odds of AKI. Conclusions In this study, AKI was rare. We found a lack of association between IOH and postoperative AKI in a setting where neuraxial anesthesia–facilitated IOCH is routinely practiced. Therefore, it seems prudent for future research and clinical guidelines to consider the distinction between inadvertent and controlled hypotension.
Mathematical Background and Notation

It is assumed that the reader is acquainted with the elementary notions of set theory, linear algebra, linear inequalities, matrix theory, and topology. Here we state our basic notation and discuss cells, that is, closed polyhedral convex sets, their faces, unimodularity, and an existence theorem from linear complementary theory.
3.3 Microwave Remote Sensing and Surface Characterization

The scientific study of landforms and the processes that shape them have benefited tremendously from the rapid progress in remote sensing and computer technologies. Microwave sensors have the ability to inform geomorphological studies at length scales that range from planetary scales of thousands of kilometers to micro-topography of surfaces at the centimeter scale. This tremendous range of applicability of microwave sensors is a result of the variety of sensor types and the large frequency range over which these sensors operate. Microwave sensors, operating from both airborne and space-borne platforms, have had a profound influence on our understanding of landforms and the processes that shaped them. In addition to their standalone intrinsic value to geomorphological studies, these sensors can be combined synergistically with other sensor data (e.g., light detection and ranging (LiDAR), optical, or hyperspectral data). This chapter focuses on the basic theory of sensor operation and selected applications in geomorphology.
Genetics of Memory in Drosophila

Drosophila neurogenetics has revolutionized learning and memory research using classical forward and reverse genetics to identify cellular and molecular pathways (including the cyclic AMP signaling cascade and translational regulation) integral to memory formation. Some principal genes in memory are discussed. Advances in genetic technology now permit temporal and spatial manipulation of transgene expression, as well as selective activation/inactivation of subsets of neurons. Novel tools are being used to map the olfactory memory circuitry and determine molecular components of distinct memory phases. Drosophila neurogenetics is transitioning from a discovery-driven discipline to one driven by defined hypotheses.
1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 regulation of cardiac myocyte proliferation and hypertrophy

We previously demonstrated that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] inhibits myocyte maturation (T. D. O'Connell, D. A. Giacherio, A. K. Jarvis, and R. U. Simpson. Endocrinology 136: 482-488, 19...
Definition des Kostenblocks ’Umwelt’

Anhand der Definition des Kostenblocks, Umwelt’ werden die Kosten abgegrenzt, welche zur kostenrechnerischen Unterstiitzung des Umweltmanagements herangezogen werden. Zweck dieses Kapitels ist die Definition eines Kostenblocks „Umwelt“, auf den sich ein breit
Mechanisms of an Intensified Hadley Circulation in Response to Solar Forcing in the Twentieth Century

Ensemble experiments with a global coupled climate model for the twentieth century with time-evolving solar, greenhouse gas (GHG), sulfate aerosol (direct effect), and ozone (tropospheric and stratospheric) forcing are analyzed to show that solar forcing produces coupled dynamical interactions in the tropics that strengthen regional Hadley and Walker circulation regimes over the first half of the century. Solar forcing produces feedbacks involving temperature gradient-driven atmospheric circulations that can alter clouds. Over relatively cloud-free oceanic regions in the subtropics, greater solar forcing in mid-century compared to the early century produces greater evaporation, more moisture transport into the precipitation convergence zones, intensified regional Hadley and Walker circulations, less clouds over the subtropical ocean regions, and even more solar input. Coupled dynamical interactions produce upper-ocean heat content anomalies in concert with positive sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies that intensify precipitation over the South Indian, South Pacific, and South Atlantic Convergence Zones, as well as the South Asian and West African monsoons. Coupled regional responses are most evident when the solar forcing occurs in concert with increased greenhouse gas forcing of about the same magnitude over the first half of the century. The latter is also altered by interaction with solar forcing, and the base-state tropical SSTs are increased in the relatively cloud-free subtropical regions of low-level moisture divergence to fuel the regional feedbacks induced by the spatially differentiated solar forcing. Consequently, the greater solar forcing acting in concert with increased greenhouse gases during the early twentieth century produces larger increases of tropical precipitation, calculated as a residual for the solar forcing, than for early-century solar-only forcing, even though the size of the solar forcing is the same.
Emerging Nonsurgical Therapies for Locally Advanced and Metastatic Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer

BACKGROUNDLocally advanced and metastatic nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) not amenable to surgical resection requires a different approach to therapy.OBJECTIVETo review the efficacy and adverse effects of emerging treatment options for locally advanced and metastatic NMSC.MATERIALS AND METHODSA compr
Mesohaline conditions represent the threshold for oxidative stress, cell death and toxin release in the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa

As aquatic ecosystems become increasingly affected by hydrologic alterations, drought and sea level rise a need exists to better understand the biological effects of elevated salinity on toxigenic cyanobacteria such as Microcystis aeruginosa. This study investigated the impacts of oligohaline/low mesohaline conditions and exposure time on selected physiological and biochemical responses in M. aeruginosa including cell viability, oxidative stress, antioxidant responses, in addition to microcystin synthesis and release into the surrounding environment. M. aeruginosa was able to grow in most test salinity treatments (1.4-10 ppt), as supported by cell abundance data and chlorophyll-a (chl-a) concentrations. Physiological data showed that after certain salinity thresholds (∼7ppt) were surpassed, salt stress had cascading effects, such as increased ROS production and lipid peroxidation, potentiating the decline in cellular viability. Furthermore, elevated salinity induced oxidative stress which was concomitant with a decrease in cell abundance, chl-a concentration and photochemical efficiency in the 7-10 ppt treatments. M. aeruginosa did not synthesize microcystins (MCs) in response to increased saline conditions, and mcy-D expression was not correlated with either salinity treatment or extracellular MC concentrations, indicating that salinity stress could inhibit toxin production and that released toxins were likely synthesized prior to exposure. Additionally, extracellular MC concentrations were not correlated with decreased cellular integrity, as evidenced by SYTOX analyses, suggesting that toxins may be released through mechanisms other than cellular lysis. Results from this study support that M. aeruginosa can survive with limited negative impacts to cellular structure and function up to a certain threshold between 7-10 ppt. However, after these thresholds are surpassed, there is radical decline in cell health and viability leading to toxin release. This work underscores the importance of understanding the balance between ROS production and antioxidant capacities when assessing the fate of M. aeruginosa under mesohaline conditions.
Standardizing Automated DNA Assembly: Best Practices, Metrics, and Protocols Using Robots

The advancement of synthetic biology requires the ability to create new DNA sequences to produce unique behaviors in biological systems. Automation is increasingly employed to carry out well-established assembly methods of DNA fragments in a multiplexed, high-throughput fashion, allowing many different configurations to be tested simultaneously. However, metrics are required to determine when automation is warranted based on factors such as assembly methodology, protocol details, and number of samples. The goal of our synthetic biology automation work is to develop and test protocols, hardware, and software to investigate and optimize DNA assembly through quantifiable metrics. We performed a parameter analysis of DNA assembly to develop a standardized, highly efficient, and reproducible MoClo protocol, suitable to be used both manually and with liquid-handling robots. We created a key DNA assembly metric (Q-metric) to characterize a given automation method's advantages over conventional manual manipulations with regard to researchers' highest-priority parameters: output, cost, and time. A software tool called Puppeteer was developed to formally capture these metrics, help define the assembly design, and provide human and robotic liquid-handling instructions. Altogether, we contribute to a growing foundation of standardizing practices, metrics, and protocols for automating DNA assembly.
Virtual monoenergetic dual-energy CT for evaluation of hepatic and splenic lacerations

To evaluate the utility of virtual monoenergetic imaging in assessing hepatic and splenic lacerations and to determine the optimal energy level to maximize injury contrast-to-noise ratio. We retrospectively examined 49 contrast-enhanced abdominal CT studies performed on a dual-source dual-energy CT (DECT) scanner with reported liver and/or splenic lacerations. All studies included portal venous phase imaging acquired simultaneously at low (80 or 100 kVp) and high (140 kVp with tin filtration) energy levels. Conventional 120 kVp-equivalent images were generated for routine review by blending the low and high energy acquisitions. Virtual monoenergetic reconstructions were retrospectively generated in 10 keV increments from 40 to 90 keV. Liver or splenic laceration attenuation, background parenchymal attenuation, and noise were measured on each set of monoenergetic and conventional images. Injury-to-parenchyma contrast and contrast-to-noise ratios (CNR) were calculated. Differences between CNR of monoenergetic series and conventional images were assessed with a paired t test. Liver laceration was identified in 28 patients, and splenic laceration in 22 patients. Background noise was lower at higher monoenergetic levels, with the lowest noise seen at 90 keV, less than that of conventional images (stddev 8.0 for 90 keV and 8.5 for conventional based on noise of uninjured liver/spleen parenchyma, p < 0.001). For both liver and splenic lacerations, injury-to-parenchyma contrast was greater at lower monoenergetic levels, with maximum at 40 keV. Contrast at 40–70 keV was significantly greater than that of conventional images (p < 0.001). Injury-to parenchyma CNR was also greater at 40–70 keV than that of conventional images and with statistical significance. CNR was highest at 40 keV for both liver (6.5 for 40 keV and 5.4 for conventional, p < 0.001) and splenic lacerations (7.5 vs. 5.8, p < 0.001). DECT virtual monoenergetic imaging at low keV improves injury-to-parenchyma CNR of hepatic and splenic lacerations compared with traditional polyenergetic reconstructions. Specially, the optimal energy level for assessing both was 40 keV.
Making pastel pop on dark skin: How fashion stylists dress Black NBA players:

The National Basketball Association is as popular as ever. A league dominated by Black players is in the midst of a fashion renaissance. The purpose of this paper is to explore how fashion stylists...
Gastric Electrical Stimulation Has an Effect on Gastric Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) That is Associated With Mast Cells.

Introduction Gastric electrical stimulation (GES) is an emerging therapy for gastric motility disorders, showing improvement of gastroparesis related symptoms in previous studies. Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) and mast cells have been shown to have a relevant role in gastroparesis pathogenesis. However, the exact effects of GES in those cells is relatively unknown. Methods Full thickness biopsies (FTBx) of 20 patients with refractory gastroparesis were obtained at the time of GES placement and repeated when the device was exchanged (mean of 22.5 months between biopsies). A patient-reported outcomes survey was obtained during each office visit during this period. All biopsies were stained with cluster of differentiation 117 (CD117), S100, and mast cell tryptase antibodies and were analyzed. Results Half of the patients had a significant increase of ICC during the repeated biopsy compared with baseline (p=0.01) and the other half had significant decrease in ICC levels (p=0.006) but there was no noticeable difference in mast cells counts at baseline between groups. Mast cells analysis was performed in two different groups depending on ICC change from the baseline biopsy (CD117 increase vs CD117 decrease). There was only a significant increase of mast cells count within the CD117 worsened ICC group (p=0.007). Conclusion No significant increase in the number of mast cells count seen in patients who received a GES may indicate an improvement in overall inflammation in patients with refractory gastroparesis after GES placement.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in Adolescence: Application of Guidelines.

Abstract We present the course and management of an adolescent male with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The importance of family history, early screening, accurate evaluation of hypertrophy, and risk...
Textile-Based Pressure Sensors for Monitoring Prosthetic-Socket Interfaces

Amputees are prone to experiencing discomfort when wearing their prosthetic devices. As the amputee population grows this becomes a more prevalent and pressing concern. There is a need for new prosthetic technologies to construct more comfortable and well-fitted liners and sockets. One of the well-recognized impediments to the development of new prosthetic technology is the lack of practical inner socket sensors to monitor the inner socket environment (ISE), or the region between the residual limb and the socket. Here we present a capacitive pressure sensor fabricated through a simple, and scalable sewing process using commercially available conductive yarns and textile materials. This fully-textile sensor provides a soft, flexible, and comfortable sensing system for monitoring the ISE. We provide details of our low-power sensor system capable of high-speed data collection from up to four sensor arrays. Additionally, we demonstrate two custom set-ups to test and validate the textile-based sensors in a simulated prosthetic environment. Finally, we utilize the textile-based sensors to study the ISE of a bilateral transtibial amputee. Results indicate that the textile-based sensors provide a promising potential for seamlessly monitoring the ISE.
Machine learning accelerated discrete element modeling of granular flows

Abstract Granular flows are widely encountered in many industrial processes and natural phenomena. Discrete Element Modeling (DEM) is a useful tool for understanding and troubleshooting devices processing granular materials. However, its applicability is significantly limited by the huge computational cost associated with detecting and computing collisions. In this research, the computation speed of DEM was accelerated by orders of magnitude using a convolutional neural network to replace the direct calculation of particle–particle and particle-boundary collisions. The MFiX software was used to generate the training and testing dataset. A GPU accelerated TensorFlow model was used to train the neural network and test the results. The model fluctuations caused by different training steps were reduced with a multi-scale loss function. The accuracy was improved with more frames within one training step. The modeling of a rotating drum and a hopper demonstrated the accuracy and efficiency of this machine learning accelerated DEM in the simulation of granular flows.
CELL-WALL COMPOSITION AND THE GROUPING ANTIGENS OF STREPTOCOCCI

Slade, Hutton D. (Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Ill.) and William C. Slamp. Cell-wall composition and grouping antigens of streptococci. J. Bacteriol. 84:345–351. 1962.—The carbohydrates present in the cell walls of streptococci belonging to serological groups A–H and K–S, and unclassifiable strains, have been identified. The sugars found were rhamnose, glucose, galactose, arabinose, and mannose. All sugars vary considerably in their distribution among the groups; glucose, galactose, and rhamnose occur most frequently. Strains were found which contained each of the latter sugars singly or in combination with one or both of the other sugars. Variation within a single group occurred in one-half of the groups. A strain containing only glucose and another only galactose were found. Except for groups A and C, in which only rhamnose is present in the great majority of strains, the presence or absence of the sugars does not aid in the identification of the groups. The cell walls of all groups examined also contained alanine, glutamic acid, lysine, glucosamine, galactosamine, and muramic acid. The cell walls of all groups, except D, agglutinated in the presence of specific group antisera, indicating the presence of the group antigen in the cell wall. Strains in groups F, K, and M gave a weak reaction. The structure and chemical composition of the group antigens of the streptococci are discussed.
Restoration of a quantum state in a dephasing channel via environment-assisted error correction

In this paper, we propose an environment-assisted error correction scheme to fully recover a multiple-qubit state subject to a phase damping noise. We establish the theoretical framework and the operational procedure to restore an unknown initial quantum state for an $N$-qubit model interacting with either individual baths or a common bath. We give an explicit construction of the random unitary (RU) Kraus decomposition for an $N$-qubit model interacting with a common bath. We also demonstrate how to use only one unitary reversal operation to restore an arbitrary state with phase damping noise. In principle, the initial state can always be recovered with a success probability of 1. Interestingly, we found that non-RU decomposition can also be used to restore some particular entangled states. This may open a new path to restore a quantum entangled state beyond the standard RU scheme.
Effects of postnatal growth restriction and subsequent catch-up growth on neurodevelopment and glucose homeostasis in rats.

There is increasing evidence that poor growth of preterm infants is a risk factor for poor long-term development, while the effects of early postnatal growth restriction are not well known. We utilized a rat model to examine the consequences of different patterns of postnatal growth and hypothesized that early growth failure leads to impaired development and insulin resistance. Rat pups were separated at birth into normal (N, n = 10) or restricted intake (R, n = 16) litters. At d11, R pups were re-randomized into litters of 6 (R-6), 10 (R-10) or 16 (R-16) pups/dam. N pups remained in litters of 10 pups/dam (N-10). Memory and learning were examined through T-maze test. Insulin sensitivity was measured by i.p. insulin tolerance test and glucose tolerance test. By d10, N pups weighed 20 % more than R pups (p < 0.001). By d15, the R-6 group caught up to the N-10 group in weight, the R-10 group showed partial catch-up growth and the R-16 group showed no catch-up growth. All R groups showed poorer scores in developmental testing when compared with the N-10 group during T-Maze test (p < 0.05). Although R-16 were more insulin sensitive than R-6 and R-10, all R groups were more glucose tolerant than N-10. In rats, differences in postnatal growth restriction leads to changes in development and in insulin sensitivity. These results may contribute to better elucidating the causes of poor developmental outcomes in human preterm infants.
Procedures for Sampling Urban Rat Populations for Anticoagulant Resistance Evaluation

Procedures are described which have been developed by the New York State Department of Health for evaluating anticoagulant rodenticide resistance in project cities of the U.S. Urban Rat Control Program. After several years of preliminary study, it has become necessary to set more rigorous standards for the manner in which rats are collected for testing. The statistical background is described in conjunction with the guidelines for planning the trap-sampling program to be used by the project cities. The procedures are designed specifically for accumulating data on urban rat populations in a statistically sound manner. That is, the rats will be trapped in sufficient numbers and in a well-distributed fashion, so as to be representative of the greater urban rat populations from which they come. Additional details are given concerning the basic statistical analysis of the data obtained from the sampling procedures. The methods described should be easy to follow and are generally applicable to the assessment of anticoagulant resistance in rodents in urban areas throughout the world.
RFID tag readability for tracking fiber optic connections in Data Centers

Data Centers have a very large number of optical fiber cables and connections, and there is a need to track the connectivity of these to assure proper network interconnection among the servers, switches, routers, and storage equipment. RFID tags integrated into the optical fiber cable connectors and the adapters into which they fit can be used to accomplish this tracking automatically. For patch panel fields, the resulting density of RFID tags is very high, but by proper antenna design it is possible to read all 456 UHF RFID tags in a typical patch panel field with 6 dB power margin, even at densities as great as 4.2 tagged components per square inch of patch panel surface area.
Single kick approximations for beam-beam deflections

A six-dimensional symplectic beam-beam interaction map using finite discrete slices of a strong beam is extended to infinitesimal slices. The new map is calculated under the assumption of a longitudinal Gaussian distribution with approximations. A round Gaussian beam is simulated to demonstrate accuracies of the approximations.
Determination of sugarcane deterioration at the factory: Development of a rapid, easy and inexpensive enzymatic method to measure mannitol

Abstract Mannitol, formed mainly by Leuconostoc mesenteroides bacteria, is a very sensitive indicator of sugarcane deterioration that directly affects processing and can predict problems from dextran and levan polysaccharides. An enzymatic method has been developed to measure mannitol in juice pressed from consignments of sugarcane delivered to the factory. This screening tool will allow factory staff to rapidly know which consignments of cane will affect processing negatively or reject consignments that will cause unacceptable processing problems. Mannitol is directly measured on a spectrophotometer using mannitol dehydrogenase as the enzyme catalyst. The stability of the reagents, limited cane juice preparation and linearity are described. This method is accurate, comparing favorably with an ion chromatography method, and can be easily performed using existing equipment in sugarcane factories. The coefficient of variation (CV) for cane juices ranged from 1.73% to 5.13% with the highest CVs occurring for low mannitol concentrations in undeteriorated cane. Mannitol can be measured after ∼7 min at room temperature and within 4 min if a 40 °C waterbath is used. The method is highly specific for mannitol and was not affected by the presence of sucrose, glucose, fructose, or dextran. The current cost is only ∼60 US cents per analysis. Further studies on the viability of the method at the factory, and as a screening tool for breeding programs for cane freeze tolerance, are being undertaken.
The relationship between hand size and difficulty using surgical instruments: A survey of 726 laparoscopic surgeons

Background: Hand size is an important variable to consider when designing hand tools. Laparoscopic surgical instruments have been reported to cause hand and upper extremity discomfort. This study investigates the correlation between surgical glove size, preexisting musculoskeletal problems, and difficulty using laparoscopic instruments. Methods: Approximately 11,000 questionnaires were sent to SAGES, AAGL, and AWS members. Questions included basic demographic and practice data, surgical glove size, the presence of musculoskeletal problems, and the perceived difficulty using several types laparoscopic instruments. There were 726 responses (from 159 women and 567 men). Subjects were grouped by hand size (Small ≤6.5, Medium 7.0–7.5, Large >7.5; female group only: Small ≤6.0, Medium 6.5, Large >6.5). ANOVA was used to test for differences between groups. Results: The percentage of time subjects reported having difficulty using all laparoscopic instruments was greater for the Small glove size group compared to both the Medium and Large groups (p < 0.001). In females, the scissors and staplers were more difficult to use for the Small and Medium glove size group compared to the Large group (p < 0.001). Subjects who reported musculoskeletal problems (n = 145) performed a significantly greater percent of laparoscopic cases and found the stapler and graspers difficult to use for a greater percentage of time than those not reporting problems (n = 559). Conclusion: Hand size is a significant determinant of difficulty using laparoscopic surgical instruments. Individuals using glove sizes 6.5 or smaller experience significantly more difficulty using common laparoscopic instruments, and in particular laparoscopic staplers. Manufacturers of surgical hand tools should consider hand size when designing future surgical instruments.
Anticholinergic toxic psychosis in drug abusers treated with benztropine.

Abstract Six cases of toxic psychosis occurring in heroin addicts prescribed benztropine are reported. Four patients overmedicated themselves with benztropine. Two others developed toxic psychosis while on a normal dose. These cases illustrate two points. The first is that the tendency of drug abusers to overmedicate themselves can cause toxic psychosis when anticholinergics are prescribed. The second is that heroin addicts may be unusually sensitive to an anticholinergic toxic psychosis.
A short proof of the Mock Theta Conjectures using Maass forms

A celebrated work of D. Hickerson gives a proof of the Mock Theta Conjectures using Hecke-type identities discovered by G. Andrews. Here, we respond to a remark by K. Bringmann, K. Ono and R. Rhoades and provide a short proof of the Mock Theta Conjectures by realizing each side of the identities as the holomorphic projection of a harmonic weak Maass form.
Characterization of an improved thermal ionization cavity source for mass spectrometry

A new thermal ionization source for use with a quadrupole mass spectrometer has been designed and characterized. The new source provides significant advantages over the previously reported prototype source and traditional filament-type thermal ionization sources. The operational interface between the source and the quadrupole mass spectrometer has been redesigned. A vacuum interlock, a translational stage, and an adjustable insertion probe are added to improve the source performance. With these modifications, the source is easier to operate while maximizing sample throughput. In this work, the performance of the newly developed source is examined. The ionization efficiencies are measured with a quadrupole mass spectrometer. The efficiency values obtained with this system are comparable to those obtained from a large scale isotope separator. The relationships among the ionization potential, vapor pressure, and measured ionization efficiency results are discussed. The crucible lifetime has been quantitatively estimated by measuring the crucible sputtering rate. Diagnostic studies of the new source show that the crucible position is a crucial parameter for sensitivity and performance. Stability tests demonstrate that the source can be run several weeks at a fixed emission current without significant degradation.
Perturbative analysis of the massless Schwinger model

We evaluate the asymptotic expansions of the exact results for the standard hard ``QCD`` processes in the massless Schwinger model. We then compare these results with parton model calculations and find that they agree in the Bjorken scaling limit. We also evaluate the next-to-leading order radiative corrections for the Schwinger model analogue of the QCD process {ital e}{sup +}{ital e}{sup {minus}} annihilation, and again find an agreement with the exact results. However, we also find that higher orders in the asymptotic expansion of the exact results involve terms that depend on the logarithm of the strong coupling constant.
Geographic and patient variation in receipt of surveillance procedures after local excision of cutaneous melanoma

Little is known about variation in surveillance practices following the diagnosis of invasive melanoma. The objective of this study was to characterize geographic, patient, and tumor variation in the use of follow-up surveillance testing in patients with local or regional stage melanoma. A cohort of Medicare beneficiaries > or =65 y diagnosed with invasive melanoma during 1992 to 1996 living in a Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry area was studied. Outpatient and inpatient Medicare claims 3 mo following diagnosis were examined for up to 2 y for surveillance procedures of interest. Use of chest X-ray, chest computed tomography scan, abdominal and/or pelvic computed tomography scan, abdominal ultrasound, head computed tomography scan, head magnetic resonance imaging, laboratory testing, and skin examinations were compared between patient groups and geographic regions. A total of 3389 patients were identified for the analysis. Surveillance testing was relatively common, ranging from 13% for abdominal ultrasound to 80% for laboratory testing. Follow-up skin examinations were performed in 70% to 90% of patients. The use of most surveillance procedures was associated (p<0.01) with younger age, male gender, regional stage tumors, and geographical area, with up to 2-fold differences observed. In contrast, there was much less variability in the receipt of skin examinations. Further studies are needed to determine the etiology and impact of such disparities, and the influence of surveillance procedures on morbidity and mortality.
Peripheral ameloblastoma: An etiology from surface epithelium? Case report and review of literature

Summary A 63-year-old African American male patient presented to the Dental Hygiene Clinic, LSU School of Dentistry for routine hygiene visit. On examination a 1.2 cm red, sessile nodule was noted on the lingual gingiva of the cuspid–bicuspid left mandibular region. The patient mentioned he had noticed it a few months ago and did not seek care as it was asymptomatic. The lesion was covered by normal mucosa, had a smooth surface, and a firm consistency. All the involved teeth tested vital. Radiographic examination of the area involved did not demonstrate any bony destruction. A biopsy was performed under local anesthesia and the microscopic examination revealed ameloblastic growth with an intact layer of covering non-keratinized squamous epithelium. The tumor islands consisted of a central mass of loosely connected stellate reticulum-like cells surrounded by a layer of columnar cells with well-polarized nuclei. The histological and clinical features were diagnostic for peripheral ameloblastoma. There have been a few well-documented cases of Peripheral ameloblastoma originating in non-tooth bearing regions of the jaw bones. This evidence supports an etiology from surface epithelium.
Outcomes After Lung Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy in Patients With K-ras-Mutant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) has emerged as the treatment of choice for medically inoperable stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the past decade. At the same time, distinct genetic sub-groups of NSCLC defined by mutations in oncogenes (e.g. KRAS and EGFR) have been identified. We compare outcomes after lung SBRT in patients with KRAS mutant NSCLC versus patients with wild-type (WT) or unknown KRAS status.
Overcoming Poor Attendance to First Scheduled Colonoscopy: A Randomized Trial of Peer Coach or Brochure Support

OBJECTIVES Among patients unlikely to attend a scheduled colonoscopy, we examined the impact of peer coach versus educational brochure support and compared these with concurrent patients who did not receive support.
Protein composition of liver nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles of rats fed carcinogenic aminoazo dyes

Abstract The feeding of carcinogenic 3′-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene to rats alters the protein composition of liver nuclear 30S ribonucleoprotein particles which are proposed to be involved in the processing and transport of the newly synthesized RNA. After 10 weeks of feeding of the carcinogenic aminoazo dye, one of the major proteins is missing from these particles but not from the particles isolated from liver of animals fed with noncarcinogenic 4-aminoazobenzene. In all the groups of rats studied, the RNA associated with the isolated particles was of high specific activity.
Performance estimates for maximum-likelihood pattern recognition algorithms with distortion-compensation filters

The probability of correct object recognition is calculated assuming a maximum-likelihood algorithm, accounting for the modulation transfer function (MTF) of the atmosphere-imaging- system combination, and for the presence of clutter. The MTF is determined by the spatial bandwidth of the adaptive distortion-compensation filter. The algorithm recognizes an object based on minimum distance in feature space. Each feature has a corresponding scale size, with a corresponding blur from the MTF. It is demonstrated that the Vander Lugt filter is a maximum-likelihood estimator for a broad range of clutter and distortion statistics. Specific probability distributions are assumed for the compensated distortions (log normal), and the clutter strength (beta and Gaussian). The results presented assume an informationless distribution of targets in feature space, and show the variation of performance with the number of features, the quality of the compensation filter, and the strength of clutter.
Thermal Models of Inhomogeneously Accreted Meteorite Parent Bodies

THERMAL calculations on planetary models, together with cooling rate data from studies of Ni diffusion gradients in iron meteorites, have been used to establish constraints on the possible dimensions of meteorite parent bodies1–3. Previously these models assumed spherical chondritic bodies with uniform distribution of radioactive heat sources, although redistribution of heat sources upon melting has been considered. Core formation has usually been regarded as a subsequent metamorphic event. But recent studies suggest that iron was fractionated early in the planetary formation process and that the terrestrial planets were inhomogeneously accreted4. Therefore, considering the differences in thermal properties and distribution of radioactive heat sources that result from initial core formation followed by silicate accretion, we present here thermal calculations on a set of models of meteorite parent bodies in which initial formation of a Ni-Fe core is assumed.
Dynamic Electromagnetic Response of a Homogeneous Conducting Cylinder for Symmetric Excitation

A stranded wire rope is idealized as a homogeneous conducting and permeable cylinder of circular cross section and of infinite length. The rope is excited by a coaxial solenoid or finite-length multi-turn coil that carries an azimuthally directed alternating current. The rope and the enclosing solenoid may have a uniform velocity relative to each other. Using a nonrelativistic analysis, the nature of this dynamic interaction is examined and numerical results are presented for parameter values that are relevant to both static and dynamic conditions in nondestructive testing of such cylindrical conductors. It is shown that for motional velocitiesv larger than about 50 m/s the dynamic interaction with the rope specimen is appreciably modified from that for the static condition (i. e., forv=0).
Mechano-isomerization of azobenzene

We show that ultrasound-induced mechanical force isomerizes an azobenzene centered within a poly(methyl acrylate) polymer from cis to trans configuration without cleaving the azo bond. The isomerization rate was not altered by the polarity of the solvent indicating that the isomerization occurs through a non-polar, inversion transition state.
Coral reef bleaching: facts, hypotheses and implications

Coral reef bleaching, the temporary or permanent loss of photosynthetic microalgae (zooxanthellae) and/or their pigments by a variety of reef taxa, is a stress response usually associated with anthropogenic and natural disturbances. Degrees of bleaching, within and among coral colonies and across reef communities, are highly variable and difficult to quantify, thus complicating comparisons of different bleaching events. Small-scale bleaching events can often be correlated with specific disturbances (e.g. extreme low/high temperatures, low/high solar irradiance, subaerial exposure, sedimentation, freshwater dilution, contaminants, and diseases), whereas large scale (mass) bleaching occurs over 100s to 1000s of km2, which is more difficult to explain. Debilitating effects of bleaching include reduced/no skeletal growth and reproductive activity, and a lowered capacity to shed sediments, resist invasion of competing species and diseases. Severe and prolonged bleaching can cause partial to total colony death, resulting in diminished reef growth, the transformation of reef-building communities to alternate, non-reef building community types, bioerosion and ultimately the disappearance of reef structures. Present evidence suggests that the leading factors responsible for large-scale coral reef bleaching are elevated sea temperatures and high solar irradiance (especially ultraviolet wavelengths), which may frequently act jointly.
A severity classification system for AIDS hospitalizations.

The authors describe a new model for classifying hospitalized patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) according to their severity of illness. In the first phase of the project, a clinical model indicating the relative severity of AIDS complications was formulated, based on the clinical literature and expert opinion. In the second phase, the model was tested empirically using data on in-patient mortality of over 6,000 adult AIDS hospitalizations in New York State during 1985. The ordering of AIDS-related complications in the clinical model was revised to reflect a continuum of increasing likelihood of death in the hospital. The final classification system for AIDS hospitalizations has 20 substages, grouped into three stages, with in-patient, mortality rates increasing from 6% to 60%. The system is automated and can be applied to different AIDS populations to analyze resource use and outcomes of hospital care.
Notch signaling regulates the extent of hair cell regeneration in the zebrafish lateral line.

Mechanosensory hair cells within the zebrafish lateral line spontaneously regenerate after aminoglycoside-induced death. Exposure of 5-d-old larvae to 400 μm neomycin for 1 h results in death of almost all lateral line hair cells. Regeneration of new hair cells is observed by 24 h after neomycin treatment with nearly complete replacement by 72 h. Using bromodeoxyuridine incorporation, we show that the majority of new hair cells are generated from a transient increase in support cell proliferation that occurs between 12 and 21 h after neomycin damage. Additional observations reveal two distinct subsets of proliferating support cells within the neuromasts that differ in position, morphology, and temporal pattern of proliferation in response to neomycin exposure. We hypothesize that proliferative hair cell progenitors are located centrally within the neuromasts, whereas peripheral support cells may have a separate function. Expression of Notch signaling pathway members notch3 , deltaA , and atoh1a transcripts are all upregulated within the first 24 h after neomycin treatment, during the time of maximum proliferation of support cells and hair cell progenitor formation. Treatment with a γ-secretase inhibitor results in excess regenerated hair cells by 48 h after neomycin-induced death but has no effect without previous damage. Excess hair cells result from increased support cell proliferation. These results suggest a model where Notch signaling limits the number of hair cells produced during regeneration by regulating support cell proliferation.