cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Invited Commentary: Learning From Our Past to Build on Our Future— Lessons Learned From MRFIT and JUMBO

We propose that Blackburn (Am J Epidemiol. 2020;189(6):491-498) ignores several important issues that need to be considered in the context of a historical reflection of the National Heart Institute's landmark study, the Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial (MRFIT), and the alternative proposal, the "JUMBO" trial, submitted to the National Heart Institute by an experienced team of extramural investigators but never funded. A key focus of this commentary is to offer an alternative perspective on both studies using our current understanding of the impact of social and structural determinants of health; evidence that policy, systems, and environmental interventions are needed to support behavior change at the individual level; and the significance of examining research from a racial/socioeconomic equity lens. While we strongly agree with Blackburn's conclusion urging the National Institutes of Health to invest in prevention research at a level consistent with its social and economic impact, we encourage the author to move beyond simply underscoring the methodological limitations and failure of the findings of MRFIT compared with the potential of the proposed JUMBO trial to consider the contribution of MRFIT to our current understanding of chronic disease prevention and treatment.
Provider burnout: Implications for our perinatal patients.

Abstract Objective To describe the syndrome of physician burnout within neonatology, its relation to neonatal quality of care, and outline potential solutions. Findings Burnout affects up to half of physicians, including up to one-third of neonatologists, at any given time. It is linked to suicidality, substance abuse, and intent to leave practice, and it is strongly associated with reduced quality of care in the published literature. Resilience and mindfulness interventions rooted in positive psychology may reduce burnout among individual providers. Because burnout is largely driven by organizational factors, system-level attention to leadership, teamwork, and practice efficiency can reduce burnout at the level of the organization. Conclusions Burnout is common among neonatologists and consistently relates to decreased quality of patient care in a variety of dimensions. Personal resilience training and system-wide organizational interventions are needed to reverse burnout and promote high-quality neonatal care.
Metal-embedded fiber optic sensor packaging and signal demodulation scheme towards high-frequency dynamic measurements in harsh environments

Abstract Optical fiber-based sensors are commonly used for industrial monitoring and control processes due to their small size, resistance to electromagnetic interference, and ability to perform a wide variety of high-precision measurements. However, implementing optical fiber sensors in harsh environments is challenging because they are small and fragile. Proper packaging of fiber-optic sensors could extend their use to harsh environments, including at high temperature and under high radiation. Furthermore, conventional fiber optic-based measurement systems often use computationally expensive signal processing algorithms which hinder their use in high-frequency dynamic applications. This work reports on the design of an optical fiber-pressure sensor system based on low-coherence interferometry that uses a metal-embedded optical fiber to provide a robust sensor package. A novel phase demodulation scheme is proposed to extract length changes from the deformation of a thin diaphragm within a Fabry–Perot cavity to measure pressure. The sensor has been tested to ± 100 kPa, has a theoretical linear response over a ± 270 kPa dynamic range (24 dB maximum signal-to-noise ratio), and can resolve pressure transients up to 3910 kPa/s. Sampling at 100 kHz, the present sensor can resolve 2 kPa dynamic pressures at frequencies up to 2 kHz. Faster transients on the order of tens to hundreds of kHz can theoretically be resolved at the expense of decreasing the maximum resolvable amplitude. A methodology for designing a LCI pressure sensor for a given application is outlined based on the limitations imposed by the Nyquist criterion, the diaphragm's resonant frequency, the LCI optoelectronics, and the phase demodulation scheme. The sensor is the first to implement a low-coherence light source and a Fabry–Perot interferometer designed to provide real-time high-fidelity pressure measurements using a metal-embedded optical fiber. The demonstrated sensor provides a platform for sensing in harsh conditions such as in nuclear and energy applications.
Barriers to hepatitis C direct-acting antiviral therapy among HIV/hepatitis C virus-coinfected persons.

Background and aim Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have increased hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment opportunities for vulnerable HIV/HCV coinfected persons. The aim of this study was to identify the frequency of and potential barriers to DAA prescription in HIV/HCV patients during the first few years of DAA availability in the United States. Methods The AIDS Healthcare Foundation electronic medical record system was queried to identify all HCV viremic HIV-infected patients in care at AIDS Healthcare Foundation Healthcare centers in January 2015-August 2017 and compare characteristics by receipt of a DAA prescription. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine factors associated with DAA prescription. Results Of 826 eligible patients, 355 (43%) were prescribed a DAA; among those not prescribed a DAA, 301 (64%) had well-controlled HIV (HIV RNA ≤ 200 copies per mL). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, patients with a history of substance use (odds ratio [OR], 0.51 [95% confidence interval 0.35-0.73]) or on select HIV antiretroviral regimens were less likely to be prescribed a DAA. Those who had well-controlled HIV (OR, 5.03 [3.06-8.27]), CD4 + T cell count >200 cells per mm3 (OR, 1.85 [1.04-3.30]), estimated glomerular filtration rate >60 mL/min/1.73 m2 (OR, 3.32 [1.08-10.15]), or established care prior to January 2015 (OR, 1.57 [1.08-2.29] were more likely to be prescribed a DAA. Conclusions In addition to lack of HIV suppression, select antiretroviral regimens, substance use, and kidney disease appeared to limit DAA prescription in the early interferon-free DAA era. Many were not prescribed DAAs despite HIV suppression. Further research is needed to determine if the observed associations persist today.
Genetic background dependent modifiers of craniosynostosis severity.

Craniosynostosis severity varies in patients with identical genetic mutations. To understand causes of this phenotypic variation, we backcrossed the FGFR2+/C342Y mouse model of Crouzon syndrome onto congenic C57BL/6 and BALB/c backgrounds. Coronal suture fusion was observed in C57BL/6 (88% incidence, p < .001 between genotypes) but not in BALB/c FGFR2+/C342Y mutant mice at 3 weeks after birth, establishing that that the two models differ in phenotype severity. To begin identifying pre-existing modifiers of craniosynostosis severity, we compared transcriptome signatures of cranial tissues from C57BL/6 vs. BALB/c FGFR2+/+ mice. We separately analyzed frontal bone with coronal suture tissue from parietal bone with sagittal suture tissues because the coronal suture but not the sagittal suture fuses in FGFR2+/C342Y mice. The craniosynostosis associated Twist and En1 transcription factors were down-regulated, while Runx2 was up-regulated, in C57BL/6 compared to BALB/c tissues, which could predispose to craniosynostosis. Transcriptome analyses under the GO term MAPK cascade revealed that genes associated with calcium ion channels, angiogenesis, protein quality control and cell stress response were central to transcriptome differences associated with genetic background. FGFR2 and HSPA2 protein levels plus ERK1/2 activity were higher in cells isolated from C57BL/6 than BALB/c cranial tissues. Notably, the HSPA2 protein chaperone is central to craniofacial genetic epistasis, and we find that FGFR2 protein is abnormally processed in primary cells from FGFR2+/C342Y but not FGFR2+/+ mice. Therefore, we propose that differences in protein quality control responses may contribute to genetic background influences on craniosynostosis phenotype severity.
Mechanical properties of hybrid additively manufactured Inconel 718 parts created via thermal control after secondary treatment processes

Abstract Fractured tensile specimens of INCONEL 718 manufactured via directed energy deposition (DED) with operando thermal metrics and control were heat treated and their mechanical properties were compared as a function of the time spent in the solidification and cooling temperature ranges. Shorter solidification times (faster solidification rates) during the DED process led to higher concentrations of Nb, Al, Mo, and Ti supersaturated in the Fe-Cr-Ni matrix, leading to higher volume fractions of γ’’ strengthening phases and higher hardness after aging (720°/8 h, 620 °C/10 h). This trend persists through hot isostatic pressing (1180 °C at 150 MPa for 4 h), suggesting that secondary treatment processes are not sufficient to fully dissolve detrimental Laves and carbide phases, which initially formed during solidification and affect the alloy’s hardness. However, samples with various post-solidus cooling times during the DED process exhibited equivalent hardness after aging, suggesting that the intrinsic heat treatment effect is entirely replaced by the post-processing aging treatment. This study shows that the solidification rate during DED has a lasting effect on the part’s mechanical properties, that is not completely mitigated by post-processing treatments, while the initial effects of the post-solidus cooling rate (intrinsic heat treatment) disappear after secondary processes.
Quantification of airway dimensions using a high-resolution CT scanner: A phantom study

Purpose Small airways with inner diameters less than 2 mm are sites of major airflow limitations in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. The purpose of this study is to investigate the limitations for accurate assessment of small airway dimensions using both high-resolution CT (HRCT) and conventional normal-resolution CT at low dose levels. Methods To model the normal human airways from the 3rd to 20th generations, a cylindrical polyurethane phantom with 14 airway tubes of inner diameters (ID) ranging from 0.3 to 3.4 mm and wall thicknesses (WT) ranging from 0.15 to 1.6 mm was placed within an Anthropomorphic QRM-Thorax phantom. The Aquilion Precision (Canon Medical Systems Corporation) HRCT scanner was used to acquire images at 80, 100 and 120 kV using high resolution mode (HR, 0.25 mm x 160 detector configuration) and normal resolution mode (NR, 0.5 mm x 80 detector configuration). The HR data were reconstructed using 1024 x 1024 matrix (0.22 x 0.22 x 0.25 mm voxel size) and the NR data were reconstructed using a 512 x 512 matrix (0.43 x 0.43 x 0.50 mm). Two reconstruction algorithms (filtered back projection; FBP and an adaptive iterative dose reduction 3D algorithm; AIDR 3D) and three reconstruction kernels (FC30, FC52 and FC56) were investigated. The CTDIvol dose values ranged from 0.2 to 6.2 mGy. A refined automated full-width half-maximum (FWHM) method was used for the measurement of airway dimensions, where the density profiles were computed by radial oversampling using a polar coordinate system. Both ID and WT were compared to the known dimensions using a regression model, and the root-mean-squared-error (RMSE) and average error were computed across all 14 airway tubes. Results The results indicate that the ID can be measured within a 15% error down to approximately 0.8 mm and 2.0 mm using the HR and NR modes, respectively. The overall RMSE (and average error) of ID measurements for HR and NR were 0.10 mm (-0.70%) and 0.31 mm (-2.63%), respectively. The RMSE (and average error) of WT measurements using HR and NR were 0.10 mm (23.27%) and 0.27 mm (53.56%), respectively. The WT measurement using HR yielded a factor of two improvement in accuracy as compared to NR. Conclusions High-resolution CT can provide more accurate measurements of airway dimensions as compared with normal resolution CT, potentially improving quantitative assessment of pathologies such as COPD and asthma. The high resolution mode acquired and reconstructed with AIDR3D and the FC52 kernel provides most accurate measurement of airway dimensions. Low-dose high resolution measurements at dose level above 0.9 mGy can provide improved accuracy on both inner diameters and wall thicknesses compared to full dose normal resolution airway phantom measurements.
Suicide prevention public service announcements: perceptions of young adults.

Background: Determining optimal methods for preventing suicide continues to be an elusive goal. Aims: The study examines benefits and possible untoward effects of public service announcements (PSAs) for young adults. Methods: Young adult participants (N = 279) were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: (a) a billboard simulation, (b) a 30-s TV ad simulation, and (c) a no-information condition. Results: Largely replicating a study previously conducted with adolescents, the results provided some evidence of the benefit of the simulated TV ad (e. g., increased knowledge, perceived as useful), but it also provided some evidence of untoward effects for the billboard (e. g., viewers were less likely to endorse help-seeking strategies, normative beliefs were altered for high-risk participants). Conclusions: These results are preliminary but nevertheless highlight the need for carefully researching existing messages prior to market diffusion, so that the well-intended efforts of preventionists can meet their desired goals.
Stroke after Cardiac Valve Replacement: Distribution, Etiology, and Risk Factors (S47.002)

OBJECTIVE: To identify the mechanisms of stroke after cardiac surgery. BACKGROUND: Stroke is a potential complication of cardiac surgery. Predictors of stroke mechanisms are not well characterized, and their understanding may lead to improved stroke prevention for surgical patients. DESIGN/METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of data from a prospective observational cohort study of patients >65 years old undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR) for calcific aortic stenosis. 129 post-operative brain MRIs with diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) were reviewed, acute infarcts were classified by 2 raters as watershed, embolic, both, or neither, using pre-specified definitions. Predictors of embolic and watershed infarction were evaluated using univariable logistic regression. RESULTS: 79 of 129 patients (61[percnt]) had post-operative acute infarct on MRI. Mean age was 75 (±6) years, 66[percnt] male, 7[percnt] nonwhite. Clinical stroke was identified in 20 (16[percnt]). There was excellent interrater agreement on assessment of infarct type (κ =0.93). Embolic strokes only were identified in 60 (46[percnt]), watershed only in 2 (2[percnt]), both in 17 (13[percnt]), and no infarct in 50 (39[percnt]). Internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis 蠅70[percnt] was associated with a watershed pattern (OR=7.4, 95[percnt] CI 1.3-41.1, p=0.04). Moderate-to-severe aortic arch atheroma was associated with embolic infarct (OR 3.5, 95[percnt] CI 1.08-11.3, p=0.04) but not ascending (p=0.36) or descending aortic atheroma (p=0.49). The presence of old white matter infarcts was associated with an increased likelihood of embolic (OR=5.0, 95[percnt] CI 1.5-16.8, p=0.009) but not watershed infarct (p>0.99). Drop in blood pressure from baseline to intra-operative nadir did not predict watershed or embolic infarct. CONCLUSIONS: The principal mechanism of acute ischemic infarct on MRI after AVR is embolism. Prior white matter infarct and moderate-to-severe aortic arch atheroma are predictive of embolic infarct. ICA stenosis 蠅70[percnt] is a predictor of watershed infarct and these patients may benefit from higher intraoperative blood pressure goals. Disclosure: Dr. Massaro has nothing to disclose. Dr. Messe has received personal compensation for activities with GlaxoSmithKline as a consultant. Dr. Messe has received research support from WL Gore and GlaxoSmithKline. Dr. Acker has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kasner has nothing to disclose. Dr. Torres has nothing to disclose. Dr. Fanning has nothing to disclose. Dr. Giovannetti has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ratcliffe has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bilello has nothing to disclose. Dr. Szeto has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bavaria has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hargrove III has nothing to disclose. Dr. Mohler III has nothing to disclose. Dr. Floyd has nothing to disclose.
Optical filter fusion for object detection

No one algorithm is felt to be appropriate for detection. Thus to achieve this, first and most important, and most computationally intensive operation in image processing, we consider the use of several detection algorithms and fusion of their outputs to reduce false alarms PFA while retaining high detection rates P/sub D/. The detection algorithms must be shift-invariant, since multiple objects can be present and since object location is not known. Thus, correlation filters are attractive (they are shift-invariant and provide processing gain).
Tradeoffs in video transmission over wireless heterogeneous networks: Energy, bandwidth and QoE

In this paper, we propose a multi-objective optimization framework to address the joint mobile association and resource allocation problem in a video transmitted wireless heterogeneous network. We consider user quality of experience (QoE) as one of the design objectives together with two other performance metrics to characterize the design tradeoffs among perceived video quality, power consumption, and network resource consumption. In order to find the Pareto optimal solutions for a multi-objective optimization problem, we first apply weighted Tchebycheff approach to aggregate multiple objectives and minimize the Tchebycheff distance between the optimal solution and utopia solution. Dual decomposition technique is then introduced to decompose the above mentioned problem into a series of similar subproblems. By using linear relaxation and variable transformation, standard convex optimization method is applied to solve these subproblems efficiently and the optimal mobile association and resource allocation are obtained. System level simulation studies numerically demonstrate the tradeoffs among three design objectives and provide an insightful understanding on the performance compromise under multi-objective conditions.
Extracting quantitative measures from EAP: a small clinical study using BFOR

The ensemble average propagator (EAP) describes the 3D average diffusion process of water molecules, capturing both its radial and angular contents, and hence providing rich information about complex tissue microstructure properties. Bessel Fourier orientation reconstruction (BFOR) is one of several analytical, non-Cartesian EAP reconstruction schemes employing multiple shell acquisitions that have recently been proposed. Such modeling bases have not yet been fully exploited in the extraction of rotationally invariant q-space indices that describe the degree of diffusion anisotropy/restrictivity. Such quantitative measures include the zero-displacement probability (Po), mean squared displacement (MSD), q-space inverse variance (QIV), and generalized fractional anisotropy (GFA), and all are simply scalar features of the EAP. In this study, a general relationship between MSD and q-space diffusion signal is derived and an EAP-based definition of GFA is introduced. A significant part of the paper is dedicated to utilizing BFOR in a clinical dataset, comprised of 5 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and 4 healthy controls, to estimate Po, MSD, QIV, and GFA of corpus callosum, and specifically, to see if such indices can detect changes between normal appearing white matter (NAWM) and healthy white matter (WM). Although the sample size is small, this study is a proof of concept that can be extended to larger sample sizes in the future.
Prince Twins Seven-Seven: His Art, His Life in Nigeria, His Exile in America

Reviewed Medium: book Authors: Henry Glassie Year: 2010 Pages: 488 Publisher: Indiana University Press ISBN: 978-0-253-35439-6 (hard cover). Prices: $39.95 USD(hard cover).
Hyperventilation during labor.

Abstract The effect of maternal hyperventilation during labor was studied in 20 patients. Fetal scalp blood samples were analyzed for pH, pO 2 , pCO 2 , and base excess and compared with maternal free-flowing venous blood samples taken at the same time. Samples were obtained for baseline values and repeated during and following a period of active hyperventilation. Both maternal and fetal pH rose with hyperventilation. No fetal acidosis was observed even in the 5 cases of severe maternal hypocarbia. Maternal pCO 2 during labor was low even prior to intentional hyperventilation. Both maternal and fetal pCO 2 decreased, the maternal change being greater than the fetal. There was a slight but statistically significant decrease in the fetal pO 2 during hyperventilation. However, fetal oxygen levels remained within physiologic range throughout the study.
Engineered external guide sequences are highly effective in inducing RNase P for inhibition of gene expression and replication of human cytomegalovirus

External guide sequences (EGSs), which are RNA molecules derived from natural tRNAs, bind to a target mRNA and render the mRNA susceptible to hydrolysis by RNase P, a tRNA processing enzyme. Using an in vitro selection procedure, we have previously generated EGS variants that efficiently direct human RNase P to cleave a target mRNA in vitro. In this study, a variant was used to target the overlapping region of the mRNAs encoding human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) essential transcription regulatory factors IE1 and IE2. The EGS variant was ∼25-fold more active in inducing human RNase P to cleave the mRNA in vitro than the EGS derived from a natural tRNA. Moreover, a reduction of 93% in IE1/IE2 gene expression and a reduction of 3000-fold in viral growth were observed in HCMV-infected cells that expressed the variant, while cells expressing the tRNA-derived EGS exhibited a reduction of 80% in IE1/IE2 expression and an inhibition of 150-fold in viral growth. Our results provide the first direct evidence that EGS variant is highly effective in blocking HCMV gene expression and growth and furthermore, demonstrate the feasibility of developing effective EGS RNA variants for anti-HCMV applications by using in vitro selection procedures.
Simon: modeling and analysis of design space structures

The structure of the coupling relation on design decisions is a key factor influencing the evolvability properties and the economic value of a design. The work of Baldwin and Clark is an important step toward a theory of the relationship between structure and value. A key step to enabling rigorous validation and perhaps the eventual use of their ideas for software engineering is formalization of their model. In this paper, we present a brief overview of such a formal model and a prototype software tool, Simon, implementing it. We present Simon's functions for deriving design structure matrices and computing impacts of changes in design decisions, and we sketch an initial experimental evaluation in the form of a replication study of our earlier analysis of Parnas's 1972 paper on information hiding modularity.
Hemoglobin Polymorphism in Chimpanzees and Gibbons

Hemoglobin polymorphism has been observed in the chimpanzee and two subspecies of gibbons. In chimpanzees, hemoglobins J and B were found in addition to hemoglobin A; J and B differed from A in their alpha and beta chains, respectively. Hemoglobins A and B were observed in different subspecies of gibbons; B differed from A in its beta chain.
Crystal structures of Toxoplasma gondii HGXPRTase reveal the catalytic role of a long flexible loop

Crystal structures of substrate-free and XMP-soaked hypoxanthine-guanine-xanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGXPRTase) of the opportunistic pathogen Toxoplasma gondii have been determined to 2.4 and 2.9 A resolution, respectively. HGXPRTase displays the conserved PRTase fold. In the structure of the enzyme bound to its product, a long flexible loop (residues 115–126) is located away from the active site. Comparison to the substrate-free structure reveals a striking relocation of the loop, which is poised to cover the catalytic pocket, thus providing a mechanism by which the HG(X)PRTases shield their oxocarbonium transition states from nucleophilic attack by the bulk solvent. The conserved Ser 117-Tyr 118 dipeptide within the loop is brought to the active site, completing the ensemble of catalytic residues.
Incumbent pricing responses to entry

Empirical research on incumbent pricing responses to new entry has yielded mixed results. Some studies find that incumbents cut prices post entry, while others find that incumbents accommodate entry by leaving prices unchanged (or even raising prices). To better understand these findings, this study explores the conditions under which incumbents are more likely to cut prices when faced with entry. I argue that incumbents vary in their incentives to cut prices; incumbents with greater incentives are more likely to respond aggressively to entry. Using data on magazine subscription prices, I find that, on average, incumbent magazines do not reduce prices following entry. But, the results suggest that newer incumbents cut prices more than older incumbents, while incumbents that compete in fewer and in more competitive markets cut prices less following entry. These results help to explain inconsistent empirical results in the literature, and support a more general explanation of when firms respond aggressively to entry: incumbents respond to entry more aggressively when their incentives to do so are greater. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Saturated designs for multivariate cubic regression

Abstract This paper deals with the problem of finding saturated designs for multivariate cubic regression on a cube which are nearly D -optimal. A finite class of designs is presented for the k dimensional cube having the property that the sequence of the best designs in this class for each k is asymptotically efficient as k increases. A method for constructing good designs in this class is discussed and the construction is carried out for 1⩽ k ⩽8. These numerical results are presented in the last section of the paper.
Phenotypic assortment versus social homogamy for personality, education, attitudes, and language use

Abstract As part of a follow-up study of offspring who participated in the Hawaii Family Study of Cognition (HFSC) from 1972 to 1976, 40 pairs of now-adult siblings of Caucasian ancestry, including 23 pairs where one sibling spouse was also tested and 17 pairs where both sibling spouses were tested, and 36 pairs of siblings of Japanese ancestry, including 26 pairs where one sibling spouse was also tested and 10 pairs where both sibling spouses were tested, were administered the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) and the Comrey-Newmeyer Radicalness-Consevatism Scale and reported on their years of education and pidgin and standard English use. Model-fitting analyses using delta paths suggested no significant degree of assortative mating for EPQ Extraversion, Neuroticism, and Psychoticism. Assortment for the EPQ Lie Scale, Radicalness-Consevatism, education, and language use was found to be mostly due to active phenotypic assortment, with significant effects of social homogamy found for Radicalness-Conservatism and pidgin use. These latter findings contrast with the stronger effects of social homogamy on assortative mating found for Japanese and Chinese ancestry sibling-spouse pairs in the HFSC parent generation.
Getting the best possible deal by helping—not pleasing—the neutral

There's more that parties can do to help themselves in mediation. Veteran Evanston, Ill., neutral Stephen B. Goldberg describes how parties can work more effectively with the neutrals they hire to help them close cases and deals
A novel approach to extraction of incarcerated omentum and mesh insertion in laparoscopic ventral hernia repair

During laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR), it is not always possible to reduce incarcerated omentum through a tight defect and it may tear or require transection within the abdomen. This leaves an ischemic mass of tissue within the hernia sac which can cause pain, infection, or the appearance of hernia recurrence postoperatively. We describe a technique which allows extraction of any retained omentum within the hernia sac, mesh insertion, and laparoscopic completion of the procedure using only 5 mm trocars. After obtaining access to the abdomen with a 5 mm optical trocar in select patients, lysis of adhesions is performed as needed. When incarcerated omentum that cannot be safely reduced is discovered, it is transected at the level of the abdominal wall using electrocoagulation or ultrasonic dissection. At this point, we make a 2-3 cm skin incision overlying the retained omentum, open the hernia sac, and remove the amputated omentum. The rolled up piece of mesh utilized for the repair is then inserted through this opening. The hernia sac is closed with absorbable suture, allowing reinsufflation of the abdomen and completion of the laparoscopic repair. This method enables us to safely remove any retained omentum from the hernia sac and utilize the same incision for mesh insertion. We utilize only 5 mm trocars without the need for a larger port through which to place the mesh into the abdomen. This reduces the risk of postoperative trocar site hernias as the opening for mesh insertion is covered by the mesh after it is fixed in place. This technique may also decrease the need for conversion to open hernia repair by allowing an alternative approach to reduce incarcerated omentum.
Laser speckle interferometry applied to studying transient vibrations of a cantilever beam

Abstract In this paper, the applicability of laser speckle interferometry for studying the transient vibrations of mechanical structures is demonstrated. The displacement of the free end due to the transverse vibrations following a transverse impact at the tip of a cantilever beam is computed theoretically and compared with that obtained by the experimental method. The two results are found to be in close agreement.
Improvement to baking quality of frozen bread dough by novel zein-based ice nucleation films

Abstract Freezing deteriorates the baking quality of frozen bread dough. This study revealed the protective effects of zein-based ice nucleation films (INFs) on the baking quality of frozen dough. INFs were prepared by immobilizing biogenic ice nucleators on the surface of zein films, which consequently revealed ice nucleation activity and increased the ice nucleation temperature of water from −15 °C to −6.7 °C. By using these films to wrap frozen dough during five freeze/thaw cycles, the specific volume of bread was increased by up to 25% compared to the bread from control frozen dough. The reason was attributed to 40% more viable yeast cells preserved by INFs. In addition, zein-based INFs also reduced the water loss by frozen dough resulting in higher water content in bread crumb. Combining the protective effects on both specific volume and water content from zein-based INFs, the obtained bread showed 68% lower firmness and fracturability and 2.4 times higher resilience compared to the control. The INFs were also superior in that for zein-based INFs, biogenic ice nucleators showed desirable affinity with the surface to sustain at least fifteen repetitive uses on freezing water.
Automation Failures on Tasks Easily Performed by Operators Undermine Trust in Automated Aids

OBJECTIVE: We tested the hypothesis that automation errors on tasks easily performed by humans undermine trust in automation. BACKGROUND: Research has revealed that the reliability of imperfect automation is frequently misperceived. We examined the manner in which the easiness and type of imperfect automation errors affect trust and dependence. METHOD: Participants performed a target detection task utilizing an automated aid. In Study 1, the aid missed targets either on easy trials (easy miss group) or on difficult trials (difficult miss group). In Study 2, we manipulated both easiness and type of error (miss vs. false alarm). The aid erred on either difficult trials alone (difficult errors group) or on difficult and easy trials (easy miss group; easy false alarm group). RESULTS: In both experiments, easy errors led to participants mistrusting and disagreeing more with the aid on difficult trials, as compared with those using aids that generated only difficult errors. This resulted in a downward shift in decision criterion for the former, leading to poorer overall performance. Misses and false alarms led to similar effects. CONCLUSION: Automation errors on tasks that appear "easy" to the operator severely degrade trust and reliance. APPLICATION: Potential applications include the implementation of system design solutions that circumvent the negative effects of easy automation errors. Language: en
Fundamentals of Engineering Numerical Analysis

Preface 1. Interpolation 2. Numerical differentiation - finite differences 3. Numerical integration 4. Numerical solution of ordinary differential equations 5. Numerical solution of partial differential equations 6. Discrete transform methods Appendix. A review of linear algebra.
Fermentation database mining by pattern recognition.

A large volume of data is routinely collected during the course of typical fermentation and other processes. Such data provide the required basis for process documentation and occasionally are also used for process analysis and improvement. The information density of these data is often low, and automatic condensing, analysis, and interpretation ("database mining") are highly desirable. In this article we present a methodology whereby process variables are processed to create a database of derivative process quantities representative of the global patterns, intermediate trends, and local characteristics of the process. A powerful search algorithm subsequently attempts to extract the specific process variables and their particular attributes that uniquely characterize a class of process outcomes such as high- or low-yield fermentations.The basic components of our pattern recognition methodology are described along with applications to the analysis of two sets of data from industrial fermentations. Results indicate that truly discriminating variables do exist in typical fermentation data and they can be useful in identifying the causes or symptoms of different process outcomes. The methodology has been implemented in a user-friendly software, named db-miner, which facilitates the application of the methodology for efficient and speedy analysis of fermentation process data. (c) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 53: 443-452, 1997.
Limits on asymmetric orthopositronium formation in high Z optically active molecules

The proposed connection between the parity violating handedness of beta particles in radioactive decay and the sign (L) of biological chirality (the Vester-Ulbricht [V-U] hypothesis) is experimentally tested. The theoretically predicted asymmetry in triplet positronium formation (APs) is measured in several highZ optically active molecules using low energy positrons with a net helicity. We findAPs APs>2×10−6 in these molecules. The connection between these limits and limits on asymmetric radiolysis (AR) is made, with a new limit ofAR>10−9 being placed. This limit onAR, which is thirty times lower than a previous measurement in the amino acid leucine (Z=6), is still not small enough to rule out the V-U hypothesis.
Agnostic software-defined coherent optical receiver performing time-domain hybrid modulation format recognition

We present a novel DSP architecture for coherent optical receivers that identifies time-domain hybrid modulation formats without any prior knowledge of the received signal. Experimental investigation demonstrates successful identification of 31.5GBaud TDHMF signals composed with BPSK/QPSK/8QAM/16QAM after 810km transmission.
Undecagold labeling of a glycoprotein: STEM visualization of an undecagoldphosphine cluster labeling the carbohydrate sites of human haptoglobin-hemoglobin complex.

A new type of label for electron microscopy has been introduced recently which consists of 11 gold atoms in a compact stable cluster with an organic shell composed of primary amine-substituted phosphine ligands. The radius of the cluster is about 10 . The (phosphine ligand) amines can be derivatized or allowed to react directly forming covalent bonds to specific sites of other molecules. This report describes the specific labeling of carbohydrate moieties on the glycoprotein human haptoglobin (Hp) in the haptoglobin—hemoglobin complex (Hp·Hb). The Hp·Hb complex is easily recognized in the EM as a barbell-shaped molecule. Only the Hp portion contains carbohydrate (eight carbohydrate chains per Hp·Hb). The carbohydrate moieties of the Hp·Hb complex were oxidized by sodium periodate to produce aldehydes. The primary amines on the undecagold cluster were allowed to react with the aldehyde residues to produce Schiff's base linkages which were subsequently reduced with sodium borohydride. Micrographs obtained on the Brookhaven National Laboratory high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) showed the undecagold label to be localized in a region known to be occupied by the heavy chains of haptoglobin. The amount of labeling was found to be two to four gold clusters per molecule when excess label was reacted. The variation in position of the label is discussed and may be due to flexibility of the carbohydrate chains. Control experiments ruled out nonspecific binding of the gold cluster to the Hp·Hb. The high chemical specificity of the reaction and the high resolution of the gold clusters should make this new label of widespread value in studies of other glycoproteins or carbohydrate-bearing molecules.
Dentistry in the People’s Republic of China

Two dentists--an American who has visited China three times in the past two years and a Chinese who is on a two-year teaching exchange program in the United States--provide their American colleagues with an introduction to dentistry in the People's Republic of China.
Effects of 6 α-methyl-17-acetoxyprogesterone, 17α-ethynyl-19-nortestosterone, progesterone, and testosterone propionate on the adrenals, gonads, and bursa of fabricius of the chicken☆

Abstract The effects of 6α-methyl-17-acetoxyprogesterone (6-MAP), 17α-ethynyl-19-nortestosterone, testosterone propionate (TP), and progesterone on the adrenals, gonads, and bursa of Fabricius were compared in male and female chicks, pre- and postpubertal cockerels, and capons. A daily 50-μg dose of progesterone, 6-MAP, or the testosterone analogue administered for 10 days produced no consistent effects on the adrenals, testes, or bursa of chicks. Higher levels of 6-MAP significantly inhibited adrenal but not testis weight of male chicks, while higher levels of testosterone propionate inhibited testis but not adrenal weight. Both compounds at higher levels hastened bursa regression. Adrenal size of pre- and postpubertal cockerels, but not capons, was depressed by 6-MAP. It was concluded that 6-MAP inhibition of the avian adrenal is similar to that observed in the rat. This effect varies with age.
Keystone and intraguild predation, intraspecific density dependence, and a guild of coexisting consumers.

AbstractPrevious models of diamond-shaped and intraguild predation community modules have represented the essence of the trade-off necessary for a top predator to prevent competitive exclusion among a set of resource-limited consumers. However, at most two consumers can coexist in these models. In this article, I show how intraspecific density dependence in the consumers can permit many more than two consumers to coexist in these community modules. Moreover, responses of the community to removal of the top predator depend on the patterns of the strengths of species interactions relative to the strengths of intraspecific density dependence. If the consumers experience similar strengths of intraspecific density dependence, removing the top predator will in most cases have little effect on consumer species richness. A substantial reduction in consumer species richness with predator removal (i.e., the keystone predation effect) will typically occur only when the consumer that can support a population at the l...
SOME THOUGHTS ON THE RESPONSE TO ANTIGENS THAT ARE EFFECTOR T-HELPER INDEPENDENT ('THYMUS INDEPENDENCE')

The Self–Non-Self discrimination is germline-selected for defence mechanisms (‘innate immune systems’) whereas it is somatically learned for immune systems (‘adaptive immune systems’). It is proposed that immune systems evolved from defence mechanisms by adding large recognitive repertoires that, by aggregating with antigens, were able to trigger the already existent effector functions of defence mechanisms. Thus today there are two pathways to triggering each class of effector function (macrophage opsonization, complement lysis or natural killer/-natural cytotoxic cell activity). The antigen–antibody complex and the T-cell antigen–receptor interaction trigger the immune pathway; the receptors of the defence mechanism trigger the ‘alternate’ or ‘innate’ pathway. The evolutionary selection pressure on defence mechanisms was to increase the size of the recognitive repertoire, which in turn, necessitated the emergence of a somatically learned Self–Non-Self discrimination. By contrast with defence mechanisms that are triggered effector T-helper (eTh) independently by polymers (Signal[3]), immune systems can be activated by monomers, a pathway that requires associative recognition of monomer and the reading of two Signals, Signal[1] resulting from the binding of an epitope to the antigen–receptor complex, Signal[2] delivered by an eTh cell. The evolving immune system hijacked part of this eTh-independent pathway (Signal[3]) into which Signal([1] + [2]) merged. A model of these relationships is proposed.
Siting Facilities along a Line when Equity of Service is Desirable

The problem where a number of facilities need to be sited along a line is often encountered in practice. In this paper, we consider the case where the objective is to achieve equity of service, which we accomplish by minimizing the maximum distance between two adjacent facilities. We also consider a stronger variation where the objective is not only to minimize the maximum distance, but also to hierarchically minimize the second maximum distance and so on. We then assume that there is a cost for siting a facility at a given point, and consider bicriteria extensions where the objective is to simultaneously achieve cost efficiency and service equity. Only the first among these various cases has thus far been addressed in the literature. We provide simple and effective solutions for all of them (indicating where and how solutions can be obtained using available methods).
Theory of Effective Charge and Stopping Power of Heavy Ions

The Knipp-Teller theory of stopping power for heavy ions is reviewed and revised. The basic idea of using the Thomas-Fermi theory to describe the electron charge around the moving ion is retained. The major alteration which is introduced is in relating the degree of ionization to the velocity of the ion. The zero-order term of the resulting theory comes within 10% or so of predicting observed mean electronic stopping powers for ions with $zg6$ and $\frac{\ensuremath{\epsilon}}{{z}^{\frac{4}{3}}}g0.002$, where $z$ is the atomic number of the ion and $\ensuremath{\epsilon}$ its kinetic energy in million electron volts per atomic mass unit.
Nondestructive Detection of Damage Produced by a Sharp Indenter in Ceramics

The feasibility of an ultrasonic technique using normal-incident compressional waves and a thermal wave measurement technique was evaluated for their sensitivity to surface and subsurface damage in ceramics. Well-defined damage in the form of surface and subsurface cracks was introduced by Vickers indentation in soda-lime glass and silicon nitride. The indentation impressions were first examined by optical microscopy to identify the types of cracks and to measure the size of the indents and cracks. As expected, indentation produced median/radial cracks emanating from the indent corners and subsurface lateral cracks. The ultrasonic technique was successful in detecting the subsurface lateral cracks in both materials. The signals obtained by focusing the transducer into the material (i.e., defocusing) was used to estimate the depth of subsurface cracks. The lateral cracks and the median/radial cracks were detected by the thermal wave measurement technique using the optical beam deflection method. The lateral cracks and the median/radial cracks were identified separately by using two deflection components of the probe beam. The transverse deflection component of the probe beam was used for the detection of the median/radial cracks, whereas the normal deflection component was used for the detection of the lateral cracks. The results are discussed inmore » terms of the applicability of these two techniques as nondestructive methods for the detection of machining-induced damage in ceramics.« less
Industrial applications of high energy microbeams

Abstract The University at Albany ion scanning microprobe has been used for industrial applications. Several examples of such applications will be presented. Focused proton and helium ion beams of 1–2 μ m dimensions have been used for the analysis. Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) and Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) analysis have been performed on very large scale integrated circuits, thin film superconductors, small structures of high voltage cables and for several other industrial applications. Several examples of chemical and microstructural analyses will be presented. The newly installed microbeam facility at the Institute of Physics, Bhubaneswar, India is of similar design and capability.
Common Versus Specific Correlates of Fifth-Grade Conduct Disorder and Oppositional Defiant Disorder Symptoms: Comparison of Three Racial/Ethnic Groups

The extent to which risk profiles or correlates of conduct disorder (CD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) symptoms overlap among youth continues to be debated. Cross-sectional data from a large, representative community sample (N = 4,705) of African-American, Latino, and White fifth graders were used to examine overlap in correlates of CD and ODD symptoms. About 49 % of the children were boys. Analyses were conducted using negative binomial regression models, accounting for several confounding factors (e.g., attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms), sampling weights, stratification, and clustering. Results indicated that CD and ODD symptoms had very similar correlates. In addition to previously established correlates, several social skills dimensions were significantly related to ODD and CD symptoms, even after controlling for other correlates. In contrast, temperamental dimensions were not significantly related to CD and ODD symptoms, possibly because more proximal correlates (e.g., social skills) were also taken into account. Only two factors (gender and household income) were found to be specific correlates of CD, but not ODD, symptoms. The pattern of common and specific correlates of CD and ODD symptoms was replicated fairly consistently across the three racial/ethnic subgroups. Implications of these findings for further research and intervention efforts are discussed.