cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Medroxyprogesterone acetate and COPD. Effect on breathing and oxygenation in sleeping and awake patients.

The effects of oral medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) (20 mg three times daily) were assessed on sleep-disordered breathing and on arterial blood gas levels in awake patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Seventeen men and two women (mean baseline PaO2, 65 mm Hg; PaCO2, 41 mm Hg; and FEV1/FVC ratio, 48 percent) participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study. After an initial night of polysomnography and daytime arterial blood gas analysis, the patients were randomized to receive either MPA or an identical placebo for one month; the studies were then repeated. The alternate compound was given for an additional month, and the studies were performed a third time. MPA in awake patients was associated with an increased mean PaO2 value, reduced FaCO2, and increased pH. Although there was no significant change in the number of episodes of sleep apnea, hypopnea, desaturation, or the minimal saturation, MPA marginally decreased the number of minutes of total sleep time when oxygen saturation was less than 90 percent (p = .06). In conclusion, MPA improves oxygenation and CO2 elimination and increases the pH in awake patients with COPD, but during sleep, does not significantly affect disordered breathing and only marginally improves desaturation.
Observational line broadening and the duration of a quantum jump

Experimental observations of `quantum jumps' suggest that one can associate a timescale shorter than `lifetime' with quantum transitions; one such `jump time' is proposed here. We also find that experimental temporal localization of the jump does affect it (a la Bohr), and predict an `observational line broadening'.
Assessing the Effects of Transforming Growth Factor-β1 on Bladder Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotype. II. Modulation of Collagen Organization

Purpose: Pathological alterations in the relationship between cells and the extracellular matrix have a profound effect on tissue morphology and function. Transforming growth factor-β1 is thought to have a role in bladder pathology by modulating the bladder smooth muscle cell phenotype and, thus, interactions with the extracellular matrix. We investigated the effects of transforming growth factor-β1 on the organization of an in vitro extracellular matrix by bladder smooth muscle cells.Materials and Methods: Rat bladder smooth muscle cells were seeded at different densities (5 × 104, 1 × 105 and 2.5 × 105 cells) on anchored collagen gels and allowed to contract for 18 or 24 hours. Transforming growth factor-β1 effects on collagen organization were assessed by analyzing collagen fibril orientation using small angle light scattering. Phase contrast microscopy was used to correlate changes in bladder smooth muscle cell morphology to areas of high fibril orientation. Bladder smooth muscle cells were trypsinize...
Nanomedicine in the ROS-mediated pathophysiology: Applications and clinical advances.

Abstract Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important in regulating normal cell physiological functions, but when produced in excess lead to the augmented pathogenesis of various diseases. Among these, ischemia reperfusion injury, Alzheimer’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis are particularly important. Since ROS can be counteracted by a variety of antioxidants, natural and synthetic antioxidants have been developed. However, due to the ubiquitous production of ROS in living systems, poor in vivo efficiency of these agents and lack of target specificity, the current clinical modalities to treat oxidative stress damage are limited. Advances in the developing field of nanomedicine have yielded nanoparticles that can prolong antioxidant activity, and target specificity of these agents. This article reviews recent advances in antioxidant nanoparticles and their applications to manage oxidative stress-mediated diseases. From the Clinical Editor Production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a purely physiological process in many disease conditions. However, excessive and uncontrolled production will lead to oxidative stress and further tissue damage. Advances in nanomedicine have provided many novel strategies to try to combat and counteract ROS. In this review article, the authors comprehensively highlighted the current status and future developments in using nanotechnology for providing novel therapeutic options in this field.
Would Title IX help women in science

As a young woman in science, I was particularly disturbed by Jeffrey Mervis's article “Can equality in sports be repeated in the lab?” (News Focus, 11 Oct., p. 356). The discussion concerns a proposal that universities should be forced to employ more women on their science faculty or else face a federal budget cut. The purpose of such a measure would be to increase female representation in science, as Title IX has done for female participation in sports. A fundamental difference between sports and science is presumably overlooked in this comparison. Unlike in athletics, smart, educated women can compete equally with their male counterparts. No amount of federal regulation will make the average sportswomen perform at the level of her male counterpart, but it can and does increase female participation and enjoyment in sports. Science, on the other hand, requires a high intellect, interest, opportunity, and a solid education. Lack of the latter two have restrained females of past generations, but the gender gap in education and opportunity is closing. Affirmative action may serve to broaden the pool of female scientists, but it will also weaken it—lower requirements naturally mean lower quality. As a result, the old preconception of male intellectual superiority will be reinforced, the status of women in science be reduced, and we will be back to the system that we are apparently fighting. I speak for many satisfied and successful (and therefore quieter) female scientists when I say, “Don't marginalize us!” # {#article-title-2} Jeffrey Mervis's “can equality in sports be repeated in the lab?” (News Focus, 11 Oct., p. [356][1]) highlights the inequitable situation of women in the natural sciences. However, unlike in sports, women in science do not need separate teams to be established to enable them to succeed. They will achieve parity once they are provided with a “level playing field” upon which they can compete directly with men. My observation is that the scientific contributions of female scientists tend to be undervalued and their opinions discounted by men. This unconscious bias among many male scientists allows the men to believe that there is no discrimination against women and that they are merely acting to “maintain academic standards.” The bar is set higher for women scientists, and it continues to be raised throughout their careers. Independent objective assessment of the achievements of men and women scientists and their contributions within their institutions could help to alleviate this bias. [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.298.5592.356
Toward a Model of International Environmental Action: A Case Study of Japan's Environmental Conversion and Participation in the Climate Change Environmental Regime

This article explains the empirical puzzle of Japan's green conversion from an environmental pariah to a leading player in the climate change environmental regime. The author posits that Japan pursued environmental action to reconstruct its international image and demonstrate itself to be a responsible global actor. Claiming that existing explanations fall short, the author delineates an international environmental action model that incorporates a more comprehensive cost–benefit framework examining both real and ideational factors. To test the model, the author examines 4 key episodes of Japan's participation in the climate change environmental regime. The empirical analysis reveals the relevancy of the environmental action model, as all 4 episodes are either fully or partially explained by the model's mechanisms. Lastly, conclusions are provided, suggesting that this model fills in the gap in the literature on environmental foreign policy, and topics for future research are suggested.
ASR-driven top-down binary mask estimation using spectral priors

Typical mask estimation algorithms use low-level features to estimate the interfering noise or instantaneous SNR. We propose a simple top-down approach to mask estimation. The estimated mask is based on a specific hypothesis of the underlying speech without using information about the interference or the instantaneous SNR. In this pilot study, we observe a 9% reduction in word error over a baseline recognition system on the Aurora4 corpus, though much greater gains could theoretically be achieved through improvements to the model selection process. We also present SNR improvement results showing our method performs as well as a standard MMSE-based method, demonstrating that speech recognition can aid speech enhancement. Thus, the relationship between recognition and enhancement need not be one way: linguistic information can play a significant role in speech enhancement.
On the Phase Reduction and Response Dynamics of Neural Oscillator Populations

Weundertake a probabilistic analysis of the response of repetitively firing neural populations to simple pulselike stimuli. Recalling and extending results from the literature, we compute phase response curves (PRCs) valid near bifurcations to periodic firing for Hindmarsh-Rose, Hodgkin-Huxley, FitzHugh-Nagumo, and Morris-Lecar models, encompassing the four generic (codimension one) bifurcations. Phase density equations are then used to analyze the role of the bifurcation, and the resulting PRC, in responses to stimuli. In particular, we explore the interplay among stimulus duration, baseline firing frequency, and population-level response patterns. We interpret the results in terms of the signal processing measure of gain and discuss further applications and experimentally testable predictions.
An Analysis of Database-Driven Mail Servers

This paper compares the performance of three different IMAP servers, each of which uses a different storage mechanism: Cyrus uses a database built on BerkeleyDB, Courier-IMAP uses maildirs, and UW-IMAP uses mbox files. We also use a mySQL database to simulate a relational-database-driven IMAP server. We find that Cyrus and mySQL outperform UW and Courier in most tests, often dramatically beating Courier. Cyrus is particularly efficient at scan operations such as retrieving headers, and it also does particularly well on searches on header fields. UW and Cyrus perform similarly on full-text searches, although Cyrus seems to scale slightly better as the size of the mailbox grows. mySQL excels at full-text searches and header retrieval, but it performs poorly when deleting messages. In general, we believe that a database system offers better email storage facilities than traditional file systems.
Cargo Transport: Two Motors Are Sometimes Better Than One

Molecular motor proteins are crucial for the proper distribution of organelles and vesicles in cells. Much of our current understanding of how motors function stems from studies of single motors moving cargos in vitro . More recently, however, there has been mounting evidence that the cooperation of multiple motors in moving cargos and the regulation of motor–filament affinity could be key mechanisms that cells utilize to regulate cargo transport. Here, we review these recent advances and present a picture of how the different mechanisms of regulating the number of motors moving a cargo could facilitate cellular functions.
Perforated Intraperitoneal Intrauterine Contraceptive Devices: Diagnosis, Management, and Clinical Outcomes

Abstract Study Objective To describe a series of intraperitoneal perforated intrauterine contraception devices (IUDs) and to discuss associated findings, methods for diagnosis, and management of this complication. Design Retrospective review of surgical database between 1998 and 2012 (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). Setting University medical center. Patients Thirty-seven women with a perforated IUD in the intraperitoneal cavity. Measurements and Main Results Nineteen copper IUDs (51%), 17 levonorgestrel-releasing IUDs (LNG-IUDs) (46%), and 1 Lippes loop (3%) were identified. Twenty women (54%) had abdominal pain, 16 (43%) had no symptoms, and 1 (3%) was found to have strings protruding from her anus. Twenty-six women (70%) underwent laparoscopy to remove the IUD, and 6 (16%) underwent hysteroscopy along with laparoscopy. Conversion to laparotomy was required in 4 patients (11%). Two IUDs (5%) caused full-thickness rectouterine fistulas that required laparotomy for repair. Dense adhesions were found in 21 women (57%); and of those, 15 (71%) were associated with a copper IUD. Copper IUDs were significantly more likely than LNG-IUDs to be associated with dense adhesions (p = .02). Conclusions Perforated IUDs can be asymptomatic or cause short-term and long-term symptoms. Long-term complications include abscess and fistula formation. Copper IUDs cause a greater inflammatory process than do LNG-IUDs. Even if asymptomatic, we advocate prompt removal of all IUDs that perforate into the peritoneal cavity once they are identified. Laparoscopic surgical removal of an intraperitoneal IUD is a safe and preferred method.
Neuronal effects of experimentally induced hydrocephalus in newborn rats.

✓ To determine the effects of increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure on neuronal morphology, obstructive hydrocephalus was induced by injecting kaolin into the fourth ventricle and cisterna magna of 1-day-old rats. The animals were sacrificed 10 to 12 days later, at which time severe ventriculomegaly and cortical thinning were apparent in the parieto-occipital region. Tissue from this area was processed by rapid Golgi methods. Well impregnated pyramidal neurons were examined by light microscopy, and their somatic and dendritic features compared to those of age-matched littermate controls. The somata of medium pyramidal neurons were unaffected, but their basilar dendrites had fewer branches and those that remained were shorter. A variable reduction in dendritic spines occurred, such that some branches were totally denuded while others exhibited spine densities similar to those seen in control animals. The most striking alteration was the occurrence of frequent dendritic varicosities. These enlargemen...
Fimbriated Porphyromonas gingivalis Is More Efficient than Fimbria-Deficient P. gingivalis in Entering Human Dendritic Cells In Vitro and Induces an Inflammatory Th1 Effector Response

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a fimbriated mucosal pathogen implicated in chronic periodontitis (CP). The fimbriae are required for invasion of the gingival mucosa and for induction of CP in animal models of periodontitis. CP is associated with infection of immature dendritic cells (DCs) by P. gingivalis in situ and with increased numbers of dermal DCs (DDCs) and mature DCs in the lamina propria. The role of fimbriae in gaining entry into human DCs and how this modulates the inflammatory and effector immune responses, however, have not been explored. To address this, we generated monocyte-derived DCs (MDDCs) in vitro which phenotypically and functionally resemble DDCs. We show here that virulent fimbriated P. gingivalis 381, in contrast to its fimbria-deficient mutant, P. gingivalis DPG3, efficiently gains entry to MDDCs in a manner dependent on active cell metabolism and cytoskeletal rearrangement. In addition, uptake of 381, unlike DPG3, induces DCs to undergo maturation, upregulate costimulatory molecules, and secrete inflammation cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha, IL-10, and IL-12. Moreover, MDDCs pulsed with 381 also stimulated a higher autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction and induced a Th1-type response, with gamma interferon (IFN-γ) being the main cytokine. Monocytes used as controls demonstrated fimbria-dependent uptake of 381 as well but produced low levels of inflammatory cytokines compared to MDDCs. When MDDCs were pulsed with recombinant fimbrillin of P. gingivalis (10 μg/ml), maturation of MDDCs was also induced; moreover, matured MDDCs induced proliferation of autologous CD4+ T cells and release of IFN-γ. Thus, these results establish the significance of P. gingivalis fimbriae in the uptake of P. gingivalis by MDDCs and in induction of immunostimulatory Th1 responses.
Saturation effect in functional photoacoustic imaging

We investigate the saturation effect, which describes the violation of the linearity between the measured photoacoustic amplitude and the object's optical absorption coefficient in functional photoacoustic imaging when the optical absorption in the object increases. We model the optical energy deposition and photoacoustic signal generation and detection in a semi-infinite optical absorbing object. Experiments are carried out by measuring photoacoustic signals generated from an ink-filled plastic tube. The saturation effect is studied by varying the optical absorption coefficient in the model and the ink concentration in the photoacoustic experiments. By changing the center frequency of the ultrasonic detector, the requirement to minimize the saturation effect in functional photoacoustic imaging is established.
Technology-Rich Faculty Development for Teacher Educators: The Evolution of a Program

Many teacher educators lack the skills necessary to model effective technology use in their university courses. An effective faculty development program is critical in addressing this concern. This project focused on the development and implementation of a professional development program to assist faculty members in the integration of technology into courses taken by teacher education students. The article describes the evolution of this program over a 3 -year period. During the first year, seven ways were identified to enhance the professional development experience including depth, hands-on practice, project-based approach, modeling, examples, ongoing assessment, and timesavers. These ideas were implemented in the second and third years. The workshop format was found to be an effective professional development tool. However, some faculty members required support beyond the workshops. The third year placed emphasis on addressing the individual needs of faculty members and providing expanded professional development opportunities such as mentoring and professional sharing. As a result of the professional development program, faculty members designed course syllabi that demonstrated technology use, integrated technolo gy into their courses, and became better prepared to meet the challenge of integrating technology to enhance student learning.
23% Circulation Controlled Elliptical Airfoil Modeled Using CFD

Through a 2-D simulation, a 22.75% circulation control, elliptical airfoil was numerically modeled using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Data and trends of performance were obtained at different angles-of-attack and momentum coefficients. A Full Reynolds Stress Model (FRSM) was used for the turbulence solver. At momentum coefficients of 0.5%, 2%, 4%, 8.8% and 16.4% it was shown that lift coefficients as high as 4.65 were obtained as well as lift augmentation ratios of 57.
Estimation of genetically effective breeding numbers using a rejection algorithm approach

Polygynous mating results in nonrandom sampling of the adult male gamete pool in each generation, thereby increasing the rate of genetic drift. In principle, genetic paternity analysis can be used to infer the effective number of breeding males (N ebm ). However, this requires genetic data from an exhaustive sample of candidate males. Here we describe a new approach to estimate N ebm using a rejection algorithm in association with three statistics: Euclidean distance between the frequency distributions of maternally and paternally inherited alleles, average number of paternally inherited alleles and average gene diversity of paternally inherited alleles. We quantify the relationship between these statistics and N ebm using an individual-based simulation model in which the male mating system varied continuously between random mating and extreme polygyny. We evaluate this method using genetic data from a natural population of highly polygynous fruit bats (Cynopterous sphinx). Using data in the form of mother–offspring genotypes, we demonstrate that estimates of N ebm are very similar to independent estimates based on a direct paternity analysis that included data on candidate males. Our method also permits an evaluation of uncertainty in estimates of N ebm and thus facilitates inferences about the mating system from genetic data. Finally, we investigate the sensitivity of our method to sample size, model assumptions, adult population size and the mating system. These analyses demonstrate that the rejection algorithm provides accurate estimates of N ebm across a broad range of demographic scenarios, except when the true N ebm is high.
Alternate exon insertion controls selective ubiquitination and degradation of different AUF1 protein isoforms.

The A+U-rich element (ARE) in the 3′ non-coding region (3′ NCR) of short-lived cytokine mRNAs binds several regulatory proteins, including hnRNP D/AUF1, which comprises four isoforms of 37, 40, 42 and 45 kDa. ARE-mRNA degradation involves ubiquitin–proteasome activity, and one or more AUF1 proteins are thought to be ubiquitinated. Here we have characterized the mechanism for differential ubiquitination and degradation of the different AUF1 protein isoforms. We demonstrate in an in vitro ubiquitination system that the p37, followed by the p40 protein, are strongly ubiquitinated, whereas the p42 and p45 forms are not. Over expression in cells of enzymes that control the ubiquitin cycle were found to control p37 and p40 AUF1 protein levels through ubiquitination and proteasome activity, but not p42 and p45 forms. The p42 and p45 AUF1 proteins share a C-terminal exon 7 that is not found in the p37/p40 isoforms. Our studies show that exon 7 blocks ubiquitination and rapid degradation of AUF1 proteins, whereas its deletion permits ubiquitination to occur and promotes rapid turnover of AUF1 proteins. Thus, the stabilities of AUF1 isoforms are differentially controlled by insertion of an alternate exon that regulates ubiquitin targeting activity.
Trading securities using trailing stops

In financial markets traders often protect their position from a significant decline by using a trailing stop. Assume the trader is long the market owns the security. A trailing stop is an order to sell the security at the market, if the price of the security drops to the stop price. The stop price is always less than the market price when the stop is entered. As the price fluctuates, the stop is raised to remain a fixed distance from the maximum price at which the security trades. In this paper we consider two models for the price process: a discrete time random walk and continuous time Brownian motion, both with positive drift. For these price processes we compute the distribution, mean, and variance of the gain to the trader as well as the duration of the trade when a trailing stop strategy is used. Also discussed is the question of optimizing the distance from the current price to the stop.
Damage in Composite NiMH Positive Electrodes

Mechanical degradation in fibrous composite electrodes in use in NiMH (nickel metal hydride) batteries is being studied. NiMH cells exhibit failure in the positive plate due to swelling induced during the electrochemical reaction, which leads to gradual breakdown of the connectivity of the substrate microstructure. Particularly, loss of electrical conductivity as related to losses in mechanical properties upon cell cycling (constant current cycles with substantial overcharge) are being investigated experimentally. These properties are measured for the dry substrate material before and after battery cycling, and the losses observed suggest key failure mechanisms including mechanical damage. Results suggest tradeoffs between use of higher density nickel substrates and improved energy densities using mechanical and resistivity proof tests.
Postprandial Hypertriglyceridemia Increases Circulating Levels of Endothelial Cell Microparticles

Background— This study evaluated a possible relationship between levels of endothelial microparticles (EMPs), known to be a sensitive indicator of endothelial disturbance, and changes in postprandial lipid levels in healthy volunteers after a low- or high-fat meal. Methods and Results— Eighteen healthy subjects without known cardiovascular risk factors were evaluated. Lipid and EMP levels were measured before and 1 and 3 hours after a single low- or high-fat isocaloric meal. The low-fat meal had no significant postprandial effect on EMPs or lipids compared with fasting levels. In contrast, a single high-fat meal significantly increased EMP levels after 1 and 3 hours, from 389±54 (thousands per milliliter) when fasting to 541±139 (P=0.0002) and 677±159 (P<0.0001), respectively, and correlated with a postprandial elevation in serum triglycerides. Conclusions— A single high-fat meal led to a significant elevation of plasma EMP levels in healthy, normolipidemic subjects and correlated with a postprandial elev...
Influence of Robotic-Assisted Surgery on Readmission Burden

TO THE EDITOR: Stitzenberg et al are to be commended on their work and conclude that “the burden of readmissions after major cancer surgery is high, resulting in substantially poorer patient outcomes and higher costs.” During the time period in which these extirpative surgeries were conducted, it is likely that the uptake of robotic surgery increased. More recently, others have reported higher rates of intraoperative bleeding and cost with robotic-assisted thoracic surgeries compared with thoracoscopic lobectomy. For extirpative surgeries of pancreas, bladder, and esophagus cancers, the jury is still out on whether clinical outcomes have been improved, although higher costs are certainly a concern. Surveying their data for robotic-assistance codes from the International Classification of Diseases (9th revision, clinical modification), for example, codes 17.4, 17.41-17.45, or 17.49, can the authors confirm whether there was an increase in robotic-assisted surgery during the time frame of their analysis? Did robotic-assisted surgery influence the length of stay, readmission rate, and cost? These variables may help further elucidate factors that contribute to the burden of readmissions in patients who underwent major cancer surgery. Glen J. Weiss Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Goodyear, AZ
Hypertrophic Scars and Keloids

The development of hypertrophic scars (HS) and keloids are two dreaded complications of cutaneous surgery. Keloids, though medically benign, are often psychologically and socially problematic. Hypertrophic scars are elevated, thickened, and are often red, pruritic, or painful. Hypertrophic scars usually stay within the confines of the precipitating trauma, while keloids invade surrounding clinically normal skin. Keloids may also be pruritic and painful. Hypertrophic scars usually develop rapidly after cutaneous trauma, whereas keloids develop slowly but continue to enlarge for months to years. In most instances, HS regress with therapy in contrast to keloids, which often recur during therapy or when therapy is discontinued. The differences and similarities of keloids and HS are listed in Table 8-1. Open image in new window Table 8-1. Keloids compared to hypertrophic scars.
Autoimmune progesterone dermatitis: Update and insights.

Abstract Autoimmune progesterone dermatitis (APD) is rare autoimmune hypersensitivity reaction to the fluctuations of endogenous progesterone during a woman's menstrual cycle. It has a wide spectrum of clinical presentations including urticaria, eczema and vesiculobullous eruptions. The disease course depends on treatment modality. The pathogenic mechanisms of APD remain to be elucidated. Objective We aim to review the literature on APD and evaluate the different theories of pathogenesis and treatments for this condition. Methods A review of the English literature on APD was performed using PubMed, EMBASE and MEDLINE. Results 89 patients are included in this review. Initial symptom development in association with the menstrual cycle was reported in 65 (73%) patients. In some patients, it occurred shortly after hormone therapy (8.9%) or in relation to a pregnancy (14.6%). Associated factors were not defined in three patients (3.4%). Nearly 45% had a history of exposure to exogenous progesterone. Diagnosis of APD was usually confirmed with an intradermal progesterone sensitivity test. The goal of treatment was to suppress progesterone secretion through anovulation. Some cases were controlled with oral contraceptives or conjugated estrogen, while some patients had complete resolution post-hysterectomy. Conclusion The wide spectrum of clinical presentations, histology, and response to therapy would suggest that there are multiple subsets in APD. The increase in the levels of progesterone may also influence the clinical profile and the corresponding immunological response. Further research on the pathogenesis of APD is required to provide a satisfactory treatment modality.
Interpreting Activation Energies in Digital Image Sensors

We present a study demonstrating the dependence of apparent activation energies on signal charge in digital image sensors. The data presented in this paper are for a charge-coupled device imager, but the analysis can be applied to CMOS sensors or generally to any system that shows nonlinearity with respect to time. Activation energies for some pixels are observed to vary between values at about half the bandgap of silicon, when calculated at low signal-charge levels, to values approaching the bandgap when calculated at high signal-charge levels. As such, the traditional method of calculating activation energies using a single exposure time at varying temperatures will result in different activation energies dependent on the exposure time chosen, making it difficult to draw physically meaningful conclusions from its value. Therefore, a method of calculating activation energies using a single signal-charge level is proposed, making it easier to correlate activation energies with impurities. Further, we demonstrate how a model of a pixel with a fixed location impurity in conjunction with a moving depletion edge, due to a changing depletion region size, can lead to this behavior.
Factors Related to the Inability of Individuals With Low Back Pain to Improve With a Spinal Manipulation

Background and Purpose. Although spinal manipulation is one of the few interventions for low back pain supported by evidence, it appears to be underutilized by physical therapists, possibly due to therapists' concerns that a patient may not benefit from the intervention. The purpose of this study was to identify factors that are associated with an inability to benefit from manipulation. Subjects. Seventy-five people with nonradicular low back pain (mean age=37.6 years, SD=10.6, range=19–59; mean duration of symptoms=41.7 days, SD=54.7, range=1–252) participated. Methods. Subjects underwent a standardized examination that included history-taking; self-reports of pain, disability, and fear-avoidance beliefs; measurement of lumbar and hip range of motion; and use of various tests. All subjects received a spinal manipulation intervention for a maximum of 2 sessions. Subjects who did not show greater than 5 points of improvement on the modified Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire were considered to have shown no improvement with the manipulation. Baseline variables were tested for univariate relationship with the outcome of the manipulation. Variables showing a univariate relationship were entered into a logistic regression equation, and adjusted odds ratios were calculated. Results. Twenty subjects (28%) did not improve with manipulation. Six variables were identified as being related to inability to improve with manipulation: longer symptom duration, having symptoms in the buttock or leg, absence of lumbar hypomobility, less hip rotation range of motion, less discrepancy in left-to-right hip medial rotation range of motion, and a negative Gaenslen sign. The resulting logistic regression model explained 63% of the variance in manipulation outcome. Discussion and Conclusion. The majority of subjects improved with manipulation. Baseline variables could be identified that were predictive of which subjects would not improve.
Unification of vlsi placement and floorplanning

As VLSI circuits become larger and more complex, the need to improve design automation tools becomes more urgent. Interconnect effects dominate performance and power in the Deep Submicron (DSM) regime, and Computer Aided Design (CAD) tools and methodologies need to focus more on interconnect optimization. In addition, there is a push for dramatic levels of on-chip integration in modern circuits. The cumulative effects of the two make design of leading-edge electronic products difficult. In this dissertation, we propose improved techniques and methodologies for layout design of modern VLSI chips. These techniques can be classified as floor-planning, mixed-size placement and placement for physical synthesis. The proposed algorithms address novel problem formulations and design concerns that arise in DSM VLSI designs. Large macro blocks, pre-designed datapaths, embedded memories and analog blocks are increasingly used in ASIC designs. While a number of works address large-scale standard-cell placement, they often assume that all large blocks are pre-placed. Robust algorithms for large-scale placement of mixed-size designs have only recently been considered in the literature. We address the computational difficulty of layout problems involving large macros and numerous small logic cells at the same time. Macros can be handled by traditional floorplanning, but are harder to account for in min-cut and analytical placement. On the other hand, current floorplanning techniques do not scale to large numbers of objects, especially in terms of solution quality. Our work proposes to integrate min-cut placement with fixed-outline floor-planning to solve the more general placement problem, which includes cell placement, floorplanning and mixed-size placement. We study the fixed-outline floorplanning formulation that is relevant to hierarchical design style. Our contributions include new objective functions and new types of local moves for the simulated annealing based floorplanning framework, that better guide local search in the new fixed-die context. We present a new paradigm for integrating floorplanning and partitioning based placement. Our work describes a prototype CAD tool, a floorplacer, that can be used in novel VLSI design flows that unify chip floorplanning and large-scale placement. Empirically, our proposed placement framework improves the scalability and quality of results for traditional wirelength-driven floorplanning and mixed-size placement.
A successful EAC-ABET accredited undergraduate program in modeling and simulation engineering (M&SE)

The first undergraduate degree program in modeling and simulation engineering recently was implemented at Old Dominion University. The program awards the Bachelor of Science Degree in Modeling and Simulation Engineering and was designed to meet the ABET accreditation requirements for general engineering programs. This paper describes the design and implementation of a continuous improvement process for the program. The department mission statement and the program educational objectives are presented. The student outcomes are stated and an assessment process for evaluating student achievement is described. Finally, the continuous improvement process for the program is presented. Recommendations from the initial ABET accreditation visit are summarized.
Autonomía educativa en la provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina: comparación entre dos distritos escolares. Una perspectiva neo-institucionalista

This article provides evidence of how decentralization and school autonomy policies were adopted and adapted in Argentina during the 1990s. It also addresses the consequences of their implementation at the provincial and school levels. Applying a neo-institutional framework, the study analyzes the role that organizational factors play in the implementation of school autonomy reform across diverse socio-political environments in the province of Buenos Aires.
Dislocated, transformed, and diffused: Sucking has now changed everything in its path

In its most acceptable yet false definition, sucking is an act of disappearance. First, there is an object that is porous and contained enough to be consumed, and second, there is a movement of bei...
Religion, Food, and Eating in North America

As a collection of essays this volume considers the ways in which food and religion have intersected in North America, through a variety of denominational lenses. This book is both historical in it...
A Computerized Femoral Intrameduallary Implant Design Package Utilizing Computed Tomography Data

Quantitative computed tomography (CT) methods are used to reconstruct the cross-sectional anatomy of individual femurs. Automatic contour detection algorithms and interactive editing are used to transform this data into 3-D models of the medullary canals. Each model is then used as input for a computerized implant design program whose output is a customized, exact-fit femoral intramedullary implant. It is hypothesized that a closer fitting implant will have better stress distribution to the bone, and therefore, greater longevity.
Heparin-Binding (Fibroblast) Growth Factor/Receptor Gene Expression in the Prostate

Heparin-binding (fibroblast) growth factors (HBGF) play both autocrine and paracrine roles in growth of normal and tumor prostate epithelial and mesenchymal cells. In the rat, expression of HBGF-1 dominates in normal tissue and slow-growing Dunning prostate tumor tissues. Both HBGF-1 and HBGF-2 are expressed in fast-growing, malignant variants of the Dunning tumor. Expression of HBGF-1 occurs in young normal prostate epithelial cells and disappears with age. Slow-growing Dunning tumor mesenchymal cells, not epithelial cells, constitutively express HBGF-1. HBGF requirement and receptor phenotype is altered in tumor epithelial cells. In contrast to IGF-1 and the Elg/Bek/Cek gene product, a candidate HBGF receptor, neither HBGF-1 nor HBGF-2 expression in normal and tumor tissues increases during androgenstimulated growth. Flg/Bek/Cek is expressed in young prostates, during androgen-stimulated growth of adult prostate, constitutively in tumors, and appears limited to the stromal cell fraction of the slow-growing tumors. Expression is elevated in the fast-growing, highly malignant tumors. Normal and slow-growing tumor epithelial cells have receptor sites for HBGF that may differ from Flg/Bek/Cek. Similar to rat prostate tissue, HBGF-1 expression dominates in young human prostate tissue. However, both HBGF-1 and HBGF-2 mRNA as well as the Flg/Bek/Cek gene are detectable in adult human prostate tissue. These differences in rat and human tissue may reflect differences in the epithelial:stromal cell ratio in prostates of the two species.
Economic Policies in France: Retrospect and Prospects

The fifteen-year period following entry into the European Common Market was one of rapid economic expansion in France. In particular, policies promoting industrial concentration and investment contributed to the modernization of French industry in the framework of an open economy.1 The distruptions caused by the May 1968 events were soon overcome, and France experienced the highest rate of economic growth among the Common Market countries. In particular, the income gap between Germany and France declined to a considerable extent. According to estimates made by using purchasing power parities, the ratio of French to German per capita incomes increased from 0.73 in 1958 to 0.97 in 1973.2
Turing award scientists: contribution and recognition in computer science

One of the most significant rewards in science is peer recognition, often bestowed in the form of awards. However, little is known about what sets apart award-winning contributions, how award committees determine prize-worthy contributions, and why some scientists are more likely to be recognized than others, particularly in the field of computer science. Using a mixed method approach that includes qualitative and quantitative techniques, this study investigates the characteristics of award-winning contributions, and the education and career factors associated with recipients of the Turing Award, a Nobel equivalent award in computer science, and compares them to those of a matched group of non-winning scientists. In regard to award-winning contributions, the study finds that the Turing Committee was just as likely to recognize contributions related to practice (“applied research”) as to theory (“basic research”). In regard to education and career factors, the study reveals that neither scientific productivity nor the quality of contributions differentiated winning from non-winning scientists and their contributions. However, early advantages, visibility to the awarding association, prior eminence, and affiliation with a top computer science department distinguished award winners. These findings suggest that excellence in computer science is a quality that has not been defined, explained, or communicated by the award committee to the computing community or to the public. The findings call attention to the limitations of peer reviews and the importance of improving the design of nomination, evaluation, and selection procedures as well as citations accompanying the Turing Award and other computer science awards.
Factors regulating the activity of the rabbit lung flavin-containing mono-oxygenase

Mammalian microsomal flavin-containing mono-oxygenase (FMO, EC 1.14.13.8) oxygenates a large number of heteroatom-containing xenobiotics (reviewed in Ziegler, 1988). As is the case with the other major monooxygenase system, the cytochrome P-450-dependent mixed-function oxidase, FMO is found in highest concentration in liver and requires NADPH and 02 for activity. However, unlike the P-450 system, mammalian FMO is not inducible by phenobarbital, 3-methylcholanthrene or any of the other classes of P-450 inducers. Mammalian FMO does appear to be regulated developmentally in a number of species and tissues. Examples include sex differences, and variations with age, oestrus cycle or pregnancy (Das and Ziegler, 1970; Heinze et al., 1970; Uehleke et al., 1971; Devereux and Fouts, 1974, Devereux and Fouts, 1975; Wirth and Thorgeirsson, 1978; Duffel et al, 1981; Dixit and Roche, 1984; Williams et al., 1985; Dannan et al, 1986; Tynes and Philpot, 1987). Studies employing gonadectomy of young animals indicate a role for the sex steroids in regulation of FMO (Duffel et al, 1981; Dannan et al, 1986).
Treatment-Resistant Depression in the Elderly: Diagnostic and Treatment Approaches

Depression is a common illness in the geriatric primary care population. Risk factors including serious medical illness and functional disability, as well as neurodegeneration and cardiovascular risk factors, can make treatment particularly difficult in late-life depression. There is a paucity of well-validated evidence to guide the geriatric clinician’s diagnosis and management of treatment-resistant late-life depression (TRLLD). In this article, I provide clinical recommendations for the evaluation and diagnosis of late-life depression appropriate for the geriatric primary care provider. With an accurate diagnosis, the geriatric physician can better construct a treatment plan. I will review evidence-based treatment approaches for TRLLD including antidepressant medications, augmentation strategies, psychotherapy options, and neuromodulation techniques.
Ubiquitous Accessibility for People with Visual Impairments: Are We There Yet?

Ubiquitous access is an increasingly common vision of computing, wherein users can interact with any computing device or service from anywhere, at any time. In the era of personal computing, users with visual impairments required special-purpose, assistive technologies, such as screen readers, to interact with computers. This paper investigates whether technologies like screen readers have kept pace with, or have created a barrier to, the trend toward ubiquitous access, with a specific focus on desktop computing as this is still the primary way computers are used in education and employment. Towards that, the paper presents a user study with 21 visually-impaired participants, specifically involving the switching of screen readers within and across different computing platforms, and the use of screen readers in remote access scenarios. Among the findings, the study shows that, even for remote desktop access - an early forerunner of true ubiquitous access - screen readers are too limited, if not unusable. The study also identifies several accessibility needs, such as uniformity of navigational experience across devices, and recommends potential solutions. In summary, assistive technologies have not made the jump into the era of ubiquitous access, and multiple, inconsistent screen readers create new practical problems for users with visual impairments.
Assessing Functional Impairment in ADHD: Concerns for Validity of Self-Report

Comprehensive diagnostic assessment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) should include consideration of degree of impairment, and documentation of impairment is necessary to make service and accommodation determinations. While there has been increasing use of self-report as a way to document impairment, self-reported impairment could be just as vulnerable to invalid report as self-reported symptoms. We examined the influence of invalid self-report and invalid performance on report of functional impairment in a sample of 49 adults referred for evaluation for ADHD and/or learning disorder concerns. Overall, 26–59% of participants referred for evaluation endorsed at least moderate levels of impairment in the domains of understanding and communicating, household, and school/work. Individuals with evidence of invalid self-report of ADHD symptoms endorsed significantly higher levels of disability/impairment on the WHODAS, particularly in the domains of understanding and communicating, household, school/work, and participation in society. Further, individuals who failed a measure of performance validity reported significantly higher levels of impairment/disability, particularly in the domains of understanding and communicating, school/work, and participation in society. Results emphasize the need to assess for validity of self-report and performance in ADHD assessment. Since self-report of impairment may be suspect, clinicians should include data such as school records, past performance on high-stakes standardized testing, evidence of prior accommodations, and collateral reports before making diagnoses and/or recommendations regarding treatment or academic/workplace accommodations.
Fracture Analysis of Microlaminate Composites with Plastically Deforming Matrices

Composite systems consisting of sheet reinforcement and polymeric or metallic matrix which can undergo plastic deformation present unique and unexplored issues with respect to the mechanics of their deformation, especially in the presence of cracks. For example, microlaminates consisting of layers of metal sheet reinforced with sheets of nonmetallic composite material are a family of new structural composite material systems.