cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Brush, Book, Bed - 3 Simple Steps to Good Oral Health and Improved Literacy

Purpose: Brush, Book, Bed (BBB) was developed to help pediatricians communicate a simple message to families about night time routines that include tooth brushing, reading, and a regular bedtime. A Reach Out and Read Model was expanded to include oral care products and tested in 10 pediatric practices. Methods: Staff at each site completed and oral health and an early literacy training prior to implementation. They also completed a series of surveys that …
A neonatal sequential organ failure assessment score predicts mortality to late-onset sepsis in preterm very low birth weight infants.

An operational definition of organ dysfunction applicable to neonates that predicts mortality in the setting of infection is lacking. We determined the utility of an objective, electronic health record (EHR)-automated, neonatal sequential organ failure assessment (nSOFA) score to predict mortality from late-onset sepsis (LOS) in premature, very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. Retrospective, single-center study of bacteremic preterm VLBW newborns admitted between 2012 and 2016. nSOFA scores were derived for patients with LOS at multiple time points surrounding the sepsis evaluation. nSOFA scores at evaluation and at all points measured after evaluation were different between survivors and non-survivors. Among patients with an nSOFA score of >4, mortality was higher at evaluation (13% vs 67%, p < 0.001), +6 h (15% vs 64%, p = 0.002), and +12 h (7% vs 71%, p < 0.001) as compared to patients with a score of ≤4. Receiver operating characteristics area under the curve was 0.77 at evaluation (95% CI 0.62–0.92; p = 0.001), 0.78 at +6 h (0.66–0.92; p < 0.001), and 0.93 at +12 h (0.86–0.997; p < 0.001). The nSOFA scoring system predicted mortality in VLBW infants with LOS and this automated system was integrated into our EHR. Prediction of LOS mortality is a critical step toward improvements in neonatal sepsis outcomes.
A ReaxFF molecular dynamics study of molecular-level interactions during binder jetting 3D-printing

In the present work, we study one of the major additive manufacturing processes, i.e., the binder jetting printing (BJP) process, at the molecular level through atomistic-scale level representations of powders and binder solutions with chromium-oxide (Cr-oxide) nanoparticles and water-based diethylene glycol solutions, respectively. The results show that both diethylene glycol and water contribute to the bonding of Cr-oxide particles during the print and curing stages by forming a hydrogen bond network. Heating the system to the burn-out temperature results in the oxidation of diethylene glycol and the decomposition of the hydrogen bond network. Subsequently, Cr-oxide particles are partially sintered by forming Cr-O bonds. The final sintering facilitates further Cr-O bond formation. Additionally, the influence of the chemical composition of the binder solution is investigated by performing ReaxFF molecular dynamics simulations on two sets of systems, which control the number of water and diethylene glycol molecules, respectively. Our results demonstrate that adding both diethylene glycol and water to the binder solution can raise the number of "useful" hydrogen bonds, resulting in a higher breaking strength at the print and curing stages. During the burn-out and sintering stages, the influence of water on the breaking strength is not obvious. In contrast, an optimal quantity of binder species exists for the breaking strength after sintering. A comparison of the ReaxFF molecular dynamics simulations using 2-ethoxyethanol, diethylene glycol and 1-(2,2,2-trihydroxyethoxy)ethane-2,2,2-triol as the binder phase indicates that an increasing number of hydroxyl groups leads to higher breaking strength at the print and curing stages. The findings from this study can be extended to identify the optimal binder chemistry, curing and sintering conditions for different material systems.
Review: knots and other new topological effects in liquid crystals and colloids.

Humankind has been obsessed with knots in religion, culture and daily life for millennia while physicists like Gauss, Kelvin and Maxwell involved them in models already centuries ago. Nowadays, colloidal particle can be fabricated to have shapes of knots and links with arbitrary complexity. In liquid crystals, closed loops of singular vortex lines can be knotted by using colloidal particles and laser tweezers, as well as by confining nematic fluids into micrometer-sized droplets with complex topology. Knotted and linked colloidal particles induce knots and links of singular defects, which can be inter-linked (or not) with colloidal particle knots, revealing diversity of interactions between topologies of knotted fields and topologically nontrivial surfaces of colloidal objects. Even more diverse knotted structures emerge in nonsingular molecular alignment and magnetization fields in liquid crystals and colloidal ferromagnets. The topological solitons include hopfions, skyrmions, heliknotons, torons and other spatially localized continuous structures, which are classified based on homotopy theory, characterized by integer-valued topological invariants and often contain knotted or linked preimages, nonsingular regions of space corresponding to single points of the order parameter space. A zoo of topological solitons in liquid crystals, colloids and ferromagnets promises new breeds of information displays and a plethora of data storage, electro-optic and photonic applications. Their particle-like collective dynamics echoes coherent motions in active matter, ranging from crowds of people to schools of fish. This review discusses the state of the art in the field, as well as highlights recent developments and open questions in physics of knotted soft matter. We systematically overview knotted field configurations, the allowed transformations between them, their physical stability, and how one can use one form of knotted fields to model, create and imprint other forms. The large variety of symmetries accessible to liquid crystals and colloids offer insights on stability, transformation and emergent dynamics of fully nonsingular and singular knotted fields of fundamental and applied importance. The common thread of this review is the ability to experimentally visualize these knots in real space. The review concludes with a discussion of how the studies of knots in liquid crystals and colloids can offer insights into topologically related structures in other branches of physics, with answers to many open questions, as well as how these experimentally observable knots hold a strong potential for providing new inspirations to the mathematical knot theory.
Face mask symbolism in anti-Asian hate crimes

This article examines the intersectional locations of Asian Americans facing hate crimes during the COVID-19 pandemic by assessing the racial, gender, and related symbolism involved in many attacks...
Confidence and Receptivity for COVID-19 Vaccines: A Rapid Systematic Review

While COVID-19 continues raging worldwide, effective vaccines are highly anticipated. However, vaccine hesitancy is widespread. Survey results on uptake intentions vary and continue to change. This review compared trends and synthesized findings in vaccination receptivity over time across US and international polls, assessing survey design influences and evaluating context to inform policies and practices. Data sources included academic literature (PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO following PRISMA guidelines), news and official reports published by 20 October 2020. Two researchers independently screened potential peer-reviewed articles and syndicated polls for eligibility; 126 studies and surveys were selected. Declining vaccine acceptance (from >70% in March to <50% in October) with demographic, socioeconomic, and partisan divides was observed. Perceived risk, concerns over vaccine safety and effectiveness, doctors’ recommendations, and inoculation history were common factors. Impacts of regional infection rates, gender, and personal COVID-19 experience were inconclusive. Unique COVID-19 factors included political party orientation, doubts toward expedited development/approval process, and perceived political interference. Many receptive participants preferred to wait until others have taken the vaccine; mandates could increase resistance. Survey wording and answer options showed influence on responses. To achieve herd immunity, communication campaigns are immediately needed, focusing on transparency and restoring trust in health authorities.
Psychopathic traits, inhibition, and positive and negative emotion: Results from an emotional Go/No-Go task.

Difficulty stopping unwanted or inappropriate actions (i.e., inhibitory control) is implicated in antisocial behaviors, which are common in people high in psychopathic traits. Recent research indicates that, for those with antisocial personality, inhibitory control is impaired under negative emotional contexts; however, it is unclear whether this impairment extends to persons with psychopathic traits and to impairments under positive emotional contexts. Identifying some of these distinctions can point to therapeutics that target negative emotion specifically or emotion dysregulation broadly. We sought to identify unique relationships between distinct facets of psychopathy and inhibitory control in the context of positive, negative, and neutral stimuli. Using a community sample (N = 117), event-related potentials were recorded during an emotional-linguistic Go/No-Go task. Results indicated distinct cognition-emotion relationships for each psychopathy facet. Higher interpersonal facet scores related to reciprocal interference between cognition and emotion. Higher callous affect facet scores related to reduced inhibitory and emotional processing, except when stimuli were most engaging (emotional No-Go trials). Higher erratic lifestyle facet scores related to increased effort required to process both emotion and inhibition cues. Finally, higher antisocial facet scores related to poorer behavioral inhibition overall. This research challenges the theoretical accounts of psychopathy focused on specific deficits in negative emotion, such as fearlessness, while offering some support for theories related to attentional dysfunction. Results also highlight the importance of facet-level theorizing, as results varied by facet. This study may inform efforts to reduce disinhibited behaviors, particularly in emotional contexts, among those high in certain psychopathic traits.
The Impact of COVID-19 on the Security and Resilience of the Maritime Transportation System

As a critical infrastructure component, the maritime transportation system plays a central role in today’s world economy. COVID-19 had an outsized impact on the maritime transportation system—especially also in regards to its security and resilience. This work analyzes the impacts and devises recommendations geared to improve the security and resilience posture of the maritime transportation system in case of future disruptive or black swan type events.
The architecture and operating mechanism of a cnidarian stinging organelle

The stingers of jellyfish, sea anemones and other cnidarians, known as nematocysts, are remarkable cellular weapons used for both predation and defense1. Nematocysts are specialized organelles which consist of a pressurized capsule containing a coiled harpoon-like thread2. These structures are in turn built within specialized cells known as nematocytes3. When triggered4, the capsule explosively discharges, ejecting the coiled thread which punctures the target and rapidly elongates by turning inside out in a process called eversion5,6. Due to the structural complexity of the thread and the extreme speed of discharge, the precise mechanics of nematocyst firing have remained elusive7. Here, using a combination of live and super-resolution imaging, 3D electron microscopy and genetic perturbations, we define the step-by-step sequence of nematocyst operation in the model sea anemone Nematostella vectensis. This analysis reveals the complex biomechanical transformations underpinning the operating mechanism of nematocysts, one of the nature9s most exquisite biological micro-machines. Further, this study will provide insight into the form and function of related cnidarian organelles and serve as a template for the design of bioinspired microdevices.
An overview of actionable knowledge discovery techniques

The amazing progresses achieved in both data collecting and transferring have confronted us with a vast volume of stored and transient data. Analyzing such data can result in valuable knowledge providing a competitive advantage in support of decision-making. However, the high volume of the data makes it impossible to analyze such data manually. Data mining methods have been developed to automate this process. These methods extract useful knowledge from a massive amount of data. The vast majority of available methods focus on finding different types of patterns from various kinds of data whereas a few of them pay enough attention to the usability of mined patterns. Subsequently, there is a noticeable gap between delivered patterns and business expectations. Actionable Knowledge Discovery (AKD) is motivated to narrow this gap. Up to now, many AKD methods have been proposed. However, there is no comprehensive survey summarizing different aspects of such methods. Moreover, the lack of clear definitions and boundaries in this area makes it challenging to detect comparable methods. This paper aims at clarifying definitions and boundaries of AKD area. In this regard, some viewpoints are defined, and AKD methods are categorized by use of them. In addition, AKD methods are reviewed, and finally, a characterization table is presented that concludes the survey and can be used for studying different methods in AKD area.
An Empirical Investigation of Violence Against Women in the NFL

The purpose of this study was to examine violence against women (VAW) in the National Football League (NFL). Since Ray Rice assaulted his partner on video, VAW by NFL players has received more publ...
An estimate of the first derivative by the Laplacian.

In this note a particular case of the following general problem is considered: how to control lower order derivatives by higher ones, at least over a sequence of points. The following particular case is proved: if a $C^2$ negative-valued function $h=h(w)$ depends on one complex variable in the unit disc and $h(1)=h_w(1)=0$, then the first derivative $h_w$ is controlled by the Laplacian of $h$ over a sequence of points converging to $w=1$. Such kind of estimates have applications to delicate problems of convexity with respect to various families of functions.
COLLOIDAL STABILITY AND AGGREGATION OF LIGNOCELLULOSIC MATERIALS IN AQUEOUS SUSPENSION: A REVIEW

Aqueous dispersions of lignocellulosic materials are used in such fields as papermaking, pharmaceuticals, and preparation of cellulose-based composites. The present review article considers published literature dealing with the ability of cellulosic particle dispersions (fiber, fines, nanorods, etc.) to either remain well dispersed or to agglomerate in response to changes in the composition of the supporting electrolyte solution. In many respects, the colloidal stability and coagulation of lignocellulosics can be understood in terms of well-known concepts, including effects due to osmotic pressure arising from overlapping electrostatic double layers at the charged surfaces. Details of the morphology and surface properties of lignocellulosic materials give rise to a variety of colloidal behaviors that make them unique. Adjustments in aqueous conditions, including the pH, salt ions (type and valence), polymers (charged or uncharged), and surfactants can be used to control the dispersion stability of cellulose, lignin, or wood-extractive materials to serve a variety of applications.
Enhancement of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose metabolism in rat brain frontal cortex using a β3 adrenoceptor agonist.

We report the use of β3-adrenergic receptor mediated activation of rat brain frontal cortex using mirabegron (a selective β3-adrenoceptor agonist), measured by 18F-FDG PET/CT. Another β3-agonis t, CL 316,243, did not have this effect due to impermeability through the blood brain barrier (BBB), while atomoxetine, a norepinephrine transporter blocker, did increase 18F-FDG uptake in the frontal cortex. Mirabegron exhibited a dose-dependent increase in frontal cortex 18F-FDG uptake. These findings suggest a possible use of selective β3-adrenoceptor agonists in reversing regional glucose hypometabolism in the brain.
Construction Solid Waste

This paper examines the classification and composition of construction solid waste and debris. The components of solid waste management systems are reviewed with emphasis on disposal procedures. Incineration, burial, and recycling options are evaluated for application to construction wastes. A strategy designed for the construction management engineer is presented.
Establishing and Maintaining a Research Center

The manuscript elaborates the historical sequence of events and decisions involved in the establishment and maintenance of a research center in a school of social work. Functions of the research center in the school of social work are reviewed in terms of securing grants, research consultation for faculty and students, curriculum offerings and research opportunities for students and faculty. Requisites of maintaining the center are discussed. Specific items addressed are: budget, number of faculty and support staff, determination of research foci, center autonomy and organizational linkages with other components of the school. Requisites for establishing inter-organizational relationships with other departments of the university and with state agencies are discussed in terms of facilitating of funding. Where relevant, items are discussed in terms of the implications for research centers in other schools of social work.
Oral rapamycin (eRapa) safely prevents carcinogen-induced dermal carcinogenesis through an interferon-γ-dependent mechanism (TUM7P.931)

eRapa extends life in mice and cancer prevention could be a mechanism. Rapamycin inhibits mTOR, which has significant immune effects that are surprisingly unstudied in cancer therapy or prevention. We hypothesize that cancer prevention by eRapa is mediated by improved cancer immune surveillance, which we tested in the well-established DMBA/TPA carcinogen-induced skin cancer model. Mice got eRapa or control chow, and skin tumors were induced with DMBA/TPA over 24 weeks. eRapa reduced benign (p=.001) and malignant (p=.05) tumors in WT mice. T cells and IFN-γ mediate cancer immune surveillance. eRapa reduced skin tumors in βδ KO mice lacking all T cells (p=.04), but not in IFN-γ KO mice (p=.13), consistent with loss of beneficial eRapa-induced, non-T cell IFN-γ. In support, WT or IFN-γ KO T cell transfer into IFN-γ KO mice did not alter eRapa cancer prevention in DMBA/TPA. In WT mice on DMBA/TPA, eRapa increased IFN-γ-producing natural killer cells (p=.01) that could mediate skin cancer immune surveillance, and decreased CD34+CD49fint skin cancer stem cells (p=.01) and CXCR3+ T cells (p<.001) that contribute to cancer in this model. eRapa reduced skin pAKT with divergent mTORC1/2 effects needing more study. eRapa appeared safe (no increased Tregs or reduced protection in infection and autoimmunity models). A widely applicable, safe and tolerable cancer prevention agent would be highly useful. Understanding its immune mechanisms could improve efficacy and widen applications.
Ultrastructure of Nematode-Trapping Fungi

Capture cells differ ultrastructurally from vegetative cells in the nematode-trapping fungi, Dactylella drechslerii, Monacrosporium rutgeriensis and Arthrobotrys dactyloides, which capture prey by means of adhesive knobs, adhesive hyphal networks, and constricting rings, respectively. Adhesive knobs and adhesive networks contain dense inclusions not found in hyphal tips or subapical regions of the vegetative hyphae, and rough- and smooth-surfaced membranes are abundant in these trap cells. The fine structure of constricting rings differs from that of adhesive traps, and it is altered by closure. In the open configuration, there are membrane-bound inclusions, labyrinthine networks, and electron-lucent regions between the protoplasts and cell wall, all localized on the luminal side of the ring cells. After closure, these features no longer are evident and the cytoplasm of trap cells stains less densely.
Verbal and performance IQ patterns in children after perinatal stroke

Studies of intellectual functioning in children with focal brain lesions have yielded inconsistent results. Some show a lateralizing pattern similar to that found in adults; others do not. We studied Wechsler IQ patterns in children with early onset focal brain lesions and matched controls. Subjects with left hemisphere (LH) and right hemisphere (RH) focal lesions exhibited a significant decrement in Full Scale IQ, Verbal IQ (VIQ), and Performance IQ (PIQ) compared to controls. VIQ and PIQ were similar within the LH group, whereas VIQ was significantly higher than PIQ within the RH group. The picture painted by our results is one of partial compensation and/or reorganization against a backdrop of global decrements in cognitive functioning.
Percutaneous radio frequency ablation of renal masses: results at a 2-year mean followup.

ABSTRACTPurpose: We describe our experience with and results of percutaneous computerized tomography guided radio frequency ablation (RFA) for small (less than 4 cm) renal tumors at a 2-year mean followup.Materials and Methods: A total of 49 patients (60 renal tumors) with a mean age of 63.9 years underwent percutaneous RFA. Indications for RFA were severe comorbidities or previous abdominal surgery precluding operative management, or hereditary conditions predisposing to multiple tumor recurrence. Persistent enhancement on initial followup imaging was considered incomplete treatment and all such patients underwent biopsy and were offered repeat RFA. Enhancement or enlargement on subsequent imaging was considered tumor recurrence and these patients were counseled regarding further therapy.Results: Three patients (4 tumors) were excluded from evaluation due to death from unrelated causes or loss to followup. A total of 46 patients (56 tumors) were available for evaluation at a mean followup of 27.5 months ...
Does COPI Go Both Ways

The new immunocytochemical observations of Orci et al. 1997xOrci, L, Stamnes, M, Ravazzola, M, Amherdt, M, Perrelet, A, Sollner, T.H, and Rothman, J.E. Cell,. 1997; 90: 335–349Abstract | Full Text | Full Text PDF | PubMed | Scopus (296)See all ReferencesOrci et al. 1997 raise the standard of analysis in this field. Is the case closed on vesicles versus tubules versus maturing cisternae? Probably not! The age distribution of investigators in this field ensures that many more years of effort will be devoted to discriminating the various contending models of protein transport.At this juncture it seems worthwhile to raise several very specific questions that are within experimental grasp and that may help ultimately to solve the mechanism of transport across the Golgi.First, providing direct and definitive proof in favor of the cisternal progression or the COPI vesicle–mediated anterograde transport models will be difficult. As a gedanken experiment, the optimal test would be to accumulate a “pulse” of precipitated macromolecules or a large structure in the cis-most cisterna and then to monitor whether the structure traverses the stack as a function of chase time. An example would be to regulate the production of algal scales, allowing them to accumulate in only a single cisterna and then to turn off scale synthesis and assay by electron microscopy whether it progressed to medial and then to trans cisternae.Second, what is the role of coat proteins in the secretion of large particles? Quantitative immunocytochemical analysis may be used to inspect the localization of COPI and COPII subunits on membranes engaged in the maturation of particles such as lipoproteins, algal scales, and polymers of collagen. COPII, which is involved exclusively in vesicular anterograde transport, will be required for transport of particles from the ER unless some other mode of traffic is possible. Lipoprotein-secreting cells transfected with a dominant mutant form of Sar1p, the GTPase employed to nucleate COPII assembly, may be used to test this possibility.Third, are there Golgi SNARE molecules exclusively involved in anterograde transport? Only the tubule and vesicle hypotheses invoke specific fusion events in the transmission of cargo molecules from cis to trans in the Golgi complex. Among SNAREs predicted from the sequence of the yeast genome, one or more may be found within the Golgi complex and function in anterograde traffic. For example, will distinct populations of COPI vesicles contain anterograde- and retrograde- directed SNARE molecules?Once completed, experiments such as we suggest may do nothing more than demonstrate that transport through the Golgi stack makes use of both anterograde vesicular traffic and cisternal progression, perhaps at two decidedly different rates. In any case, the field of protein transport will have progressed in the anterograde direction.
Why does infant attention predict adolescent intelligence

Abstract Ninety-three 18-year-olds were tested with measures thought to tap information processing, sustained attention, executive function, and intelligence. The visual fixation patterns and home rearing conditions of these adolescents, born preterm, had been observed in early infancy. Infant fixation durations were negatively associated with information processing, executive function, and intelligence scores but did not predict ability to sustain attention. Continuity between infant attention and adolescent intelligence was moderated by qualities of the home environment so that “short-looking infants” whose caregivers vocalized a great deal had mean intelligence quotients that were 20 points higher than “long-looking infants” with less vocal caregivers. The results suggest that at least some of the continuity between infant attention and adolescent intelligence stems from infant capacities to process information efficiently and to inhibit prepotent responses and that this continuity is affected by caregiver responsiveness.
Rethinking the Criterion for Assessing Cia-targeted Killings: Drones, Proportionality and Jus Ad Vim

According to US government statements, drones succeed in killing terrorists while minimizing the risk to noncombatants, thus suggesting that they satisfy the jus in bello proportionality criterion. Scholars, however, are divided on whether drones are truly proportionate. What does it really mean to say drones are, or are not, proportionate? How are we to judge the proportionality of the CIA's drone program? We expose the fallacy of drone proponents who claim they are proportionate by repudiating what we call proportionality relativism – the use of impertinent comparisons to argue that drones are proportionate because they cause less collateral damage than other uses of force. We then analyze the existing data on drone strikes to expose problematic differences in how the US military and the CIA understand proportionality balancing. Finally, we employ what Walzer calls the category of jus ad vim – the just use of force short of war – to assess the ethics of drones. Jus ad vim demands a stricter relationship...
Insulin Concentration Modulates Hepatic Lipid Accumulation in Mice in Part via Transcriptional Regulation of Fatty Acid Transport Proteins

Background Fatty liver disease (FLD) is commonly associated with insulin resistance and obesity, but interestingly it is also observed at low insulin states, such as prolonged fasting. Thus, we asked whether insulin is an independent modulator of hepatic lipid accumulation. Methods/Principal Findings In mice we induced, hypo- and hyperinsulinemia associated FLD by diet induced obesity and streptozotocin treatment, respectively. The mechanism of free fatty acid induced steatosis was studied in cell culture with mouse liver cells under different insulin concentrations, pharmacological phosphoinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) inhibition and siRNA targeted gene knock-down. We found with in vivo and in vitro models that lipid storage is increased, as expected, in both hypo- and hyperinsulinemic states, and that it is mediated by signaling through either insulin receptor substrate (IRS) 1 or 2. As previously reported, IRS-1 was up-regulated at high insulin concentrations, while IRS-2 was increased at low levels of insulin concentration. Relative increase in either of these insulin substrates, was associated with an increase in liver-specific fatty acid transport proteins (FATP) 2&5, and increased lipid storage. Furthermore, utilizing pharmacological PI3K inhibition we found that the IRS-PI3K pathway was necessary for lipogenesis, while FATP responses were mediated via IRS signaling. Data from additional siRNA experiments showed that knock-down of IRSs impacted FATP levels. Conclusions/Significance States of perturbed insulin signaling (low-insulin or high-insulin) both lead to increased hepatic lipid storage via FATP and IRS signaling. These novel findings offer a common mechanism of FLD pathogenesis in states of both inadequate (prolonged fasting) and ineffective (obesity) insulin signaling.
Chern forms, chern numbers and curvature conditions on a Kähler-Einstein surface

In this paper we considered curvature conditions on a Kahler-Einstein surface of general type. In particular we showed that it has negative holomorphic sectional curvature if theL2-norm of (3C2 −C12)/C12 is sufficiently small, whereC1 andC2 are the first and second Chern classes of the surfaces. This generalizes a result of Yau on the uniformization of Kahler-Einstein surfaces of general type and with 3C2 −C12 = 0. Also in the process, we obtain a necessary condition in terms of an inequality between Chern numbers for a Kahler-Einstein metric to have negative holomorphic sectional curvature.
FEA Analysis of a Portable Knee Rehabilitation Device Using Mechanical Loading

In this paper, a solid model has been created with CAD software and analyzed with FEA software to obtain the deformed geometry, stress distribution, modal frequencies, temperature distribution, and life expectancy of a knee loading device that will be used in a combined biomedical and mechanical engineering research initiative. The purpose of this device is to mechanically load the end of the long bone of the human leg, causing movement of the fluids within the bone that can stimulate increased growth of bone tissues. This could potentially be used to speed the healing process of bone fractures. The CAD model of the device was constructed in Pro/ENGINEER and then exported to ANSYS Workbench where it was then meshed and solved using the finite element method.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Regulation of Myoblast Proliferation and Differentiation by Anoctamin 5 and 6

Anoctamin 5 (ANO5) and 6 (ANO6) belong to a conserved gene family (anoctamins, also known as TMEM16 ), which encode for proteins predicted to have eight transmembrane domains and putative Ca2+-activated chloride channel (CaCC) activity. Genetic defects in this gene family result in a number of human diseases. In particular, mutations in ANO5 have been linked to gnathodiaphyseal dysplasia 1 (GDD1), limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD2L), and Miyoshi myopathy (MMD3), while mutations in ANO6 cause a bleeding syndrome. However, the biological functions of these anoctamins in skeletal muscle are largely unknown. In this study we examined the roles of Ano5 and Ano6 in C2C12 proliferation and differentiation. Our data showed that Ano6 but not Ano5 plays an essential role in C2C12 myoblast proliferation, likely via regulating the ERK/AKT signaling pathway. In addition, Ano5 or Ano6deficiency alone does not affect the myogenic differentiation program of C2C12 cells, however knocking down both Ano5and Ano6 remarkably promotes C2C12 myoblast differentiation. Our data demonstrate that Ano5 and Ano6 together may play an important role in regulating the switch from proliferation to differentiation during myogenesis. Further investigation will focus on the mechanisms of Ano5 and Ano6 in this regulatory process.
Initiating inhibition. Control of epidermal cell patterning in plants.

A recent publication by Schellmann et al . (2002) in The EMBO Journal has provided important insights into the control of cell fate and pattern formation in plants. To study the underlying molecular mechanisms, the authors made use of the development of root hairs and trichomes in Arabidopsis thaliana . A. thaliana trichomes are large, unicellular structures that project out from the shoot epidermal surface and are thought to form a defence against herbivorous insects. Root hairs are specialized cells extending from the root epidermis and are important for water and mineral uptake. The positional cues that regulate the spacing of trichomes and root hairs are unique. In the root, positional information is derived from the location of the epidermal cells relative to underlying cortex cells (Fig. 1A). Epidermal cells that are located over a junction between two cortex cells become root hairs (H cells), whereas the other epidermal cells become non‐root‐hair cells (N cells). On the leaves, the trichome spacing pattern is determined largely by the position of the first trichome (Fig. 1B). After the leaf primordium reaches a length of ∼100 μm, a single epidermal cell at the leaf tip becomes a trichome. Thereafter, a regulated spacing pattern evolves in which newly initiated trichomes are approximately equal distance from one another. As older trichomes become separated by epidermal cell divisions, new intervening trichomes emerge (Fig. 1B). Figure 1. Epidermal patterning of roots and leaves. ( A ) Line drawing of a cross‐section of a mature region of an Arabidopsis root. Epidermal and cortical cell layers are labelled. H, root‐hair cell; N, non‐root‐hair cell. …
A new signal-processing approach to mine detection by multibeam laser Doppler vibrometer (MB-LDV)

Exciting the ground with an acoustic tonal projected by a loud speaker is one method for detecting buried landmines. The subsequent ground motion is measured with a laser Doppler vibrometer (LDV). The LDV data contain the tonal in a frequency modulated form. One approach for demodulating the data and extracting the tonal uses a Hilbert transform. The ground velocity can be obtained from these data to identify mine presence or absence. An alternate approach to mine detection is to perform consecutive fast Fourier transforms on the modulated LDV data, and to average the output powers in each spectral bin. This results in a ground velocity distribution function in the spectrum that is manifested by a broadband of modulated frequencies. The proximity of the beams to a mine (over, near, not near) can be determined from the bandwidth of the modulation. Furthermore, the velocity distribution functions provide additional information that previous techniques do not. Such information may be useful for separating mines from false targets. This technique is discussed, and the results from measured MB-LDV data are presented. This paper is based upon work supported by the U. S. Army Communications-Electronics Command Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate under Contract DAAB15-02-C-0024.
Some techniques for portable incubators.

A fully satisfactory portable infant incubator has not yet been marketed. This paper discusses some improvements which have been tried experimentally. These include better heat delivery, faster response to the infant's needs, higher humidity, lower power consumption, and wider range of oxygen content.
Exchange rate volatility and the time-varying effects of aggregate shocks ☆

Abstract This paper investigates the dynamics of the real exchange rate and relative output among the US and five of its top six trading partners since the collapse of Bretton Woods. It employs long-run restrictions to identify the usual suspect macroeconomic shocks and their relative importance for exchange rate fluctuations. An improvement of the econometric application is that it allows for the contribution of each shock to the real exchange rate and relative output to vary over time. While the volatility of US output – both total and relative to that of the UK or Canada – is estimated to have substantially reduced since the mid-1980s, consistent with the Great Moderation findings of many others, the volatility of real exchange rates has experienced a gradual and continuous increase over the same period. Monetary shocks account for only a small fraction of these dynamics, although they do track well the increase in volatility of US output during the Great Inflation period. It is supply-type shocks that seem to be more important for the relative output volatility reductions of the mid-1980s. Conversely, demand shocks seem to account for the largest portion of the volatility increases in the real exchange rate. Perhaps unsurprisingly, both volatilities increase during the 2007 financial crisis and the ensuing 2008–2009 Great Recession – periods associated with higher economic uncertainty.
ANTIDOTAL ACTION OF PYRIDINIUM OXIMES IN ANTICHOLINESTERASE POISONING; COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF SOMAN, SARIN, AND NEOSTIGMINE ON NEUROMUSCULAR FUNCTION.

Abstract Treatment of poisoning from organophosphate anticholinesterase agents with atropine plus an oxime is highly effective. Recently O'Leary et al. (1961) have shown that animals can be protected from 70 times the lethal dose of sarin (methyl isopropyl phosphonofluoridate) by treatment with a 1:1 mixture of TMB-4 Cl [1,1′-trimethylenebis (4-formyl pyridinium) dioxime dichloride] and 2-PAMCl (1-methyl pyridinium-2-aldoxime chloride) plus atropine. In contrast to this effect of the oximes plus atropine in sarin poisoning, the oximes do not appear to be effective adjuvants to atropine in poisoning with the anticholinesterase agent soman (pinacolyl methyl phosphonofluoridate). This report is concerned with the effects of soman on acetylcholinesterase and on neuromuscular function, and with the comparative effectiveness of some oximes on the effects of soman, sarin, and neostigmine.
Bat intelligence search with application to multi-objective multiprocessor scheduling optimization

In this paper, we present the bat intelligence search for the first time. Bat intelligence is a novel and unique heuristic that models two major prey hunting behaviors of bats: (a) utilization of echolocation to observe the environment and (b) employment of constant absolute target direction approach to pursue preys. In order to illustrate the performance of bat intelligence, we implement this heuristic to solve two types of multiprocessor scheduling problems (MSP): single objective MSP and multi-objective MSP. In single objective MSP, we independently solve for minimization of makespan and minimization of tardiness. In multiple objective MSP, these two objectives are optimized simultaneously. In the single objective MSP, on average, the bat intelligence outperformed the list algorithm and the genetic algorithm by 11.12% when solving for minimization of makespan and by 23.97% when solving for the minimization of tardiness. In comparison to the genetic algorithm, the bat intelligence produces better results for the same computational effort. In multiple objective MSP, bat intelligence is combined with normalized weighted additive utility function to generate a set of efficient solutions by varying the weights of importance. The results demonstrate that the bat intelligence finds a set of Pareto optimal solutions on bi-objective optimization of MSP.
A Cognitive-Behavioral Program to Improve Geriatric Rehabilitation Outcome

A program of cognitive-behavioral interventions was applied on a hospital geriatric rehabilitation unit. Unique features were the tailoring of the program to the population and each participant, and the immediate application of the program with distressed patients in a proactive manner designed to maximize rehabilitation outcome. The program was successful in that initially distressed participants achieved rehabilitation goals to the same extent as the nondistressed comparison group, and participant scores on measures of distress and coping, except for anxiety, matched those of comparison patients at discharge.
Diffuse anterior retinoblastoma: A review

Diffuse anterior retinoblastoma is a rare variant of diffuse infiltrating retinoblastoma which occurs in up to 1–2% of cases of retinoblastoma. In diffuse anterior retinoblastoma there is a small focus of tumor in the peripheral retina from which free tumor cells enter the aqueous humor and implant on the ciliary body, iris, lens and trabecular meshwork. Patients most commonly present with pseudouveitis, pseudohypopyon and increased intraocular pressure. The differential diagnosis is broad and all of the reported cases relied upon aspirates from the aqueous humor in order to make the diagnosis prior to proceeding with treatment. Treatment involves enucleation and, depending upon the extent of the tumor, may require systemic chemotherapy or external beam radiation. This review summarizes the 7 previously reported cases of diffuse anterior retinoblastoma, discusses pathologic features, and addresses the challenges of early diagnosis and future directions.
Plasmodium gallinaceum: use of antisera to degenerate synthetic peptides derived from the active site of protozoal chitinases to characterize an ookinete-specific chitinase.

Abstract Vinetz, J. M., and Kaslow, D. C. 1998. Plasmodium gallinaceum : Use of antisera to degenerate synthetic peptides derived from the active site of protozoal chitinases to characterize an ookinete-specific chitinase. Experimental Parasitology 90 , 199–202.
The psychophysiology of stress

Abstract When emotions affect the body, reactive physiologic changes occur. Thus, during the course of everyday events we all respond psychophysiologically with neural and hormonal discharges. The physician has available to him a very large body of literature on this subject, as well as much anecdotal material from clinical practice that varies in depth depending on the insight and interest of the reporting physician. This paper describes and defines the evidence now available that reinforces the concept that the mind influences the body.
Diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus in an elderly male by pericardial fluid cytology: A case report

Although pleural and pericardial effusions are common and may rarely be the initial manifestation of disease, there are few reports of SLE diagnosed in a cytopathology laboratory. We describe an unusual case of SLE in a 75-year-old man who presented with cardiac tamponade. Cytologic examination of the pericardial fluid revealed numerous LE cells and led to the diagnosis of SLE. This case illustrates the importance of careful evaluation of a serous effusion for LE cells in patients of either gender and of any age. Diagn. Cytopathol. 1998;18:346–348. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Longitudinally Stratified Combustion in Wave Rotors

A wave rotor may be used as a pressure-gain combustor, effecting wave compression and expansion, and intermittent cone ned combustion, to enhance gas-turbine engine performance. It will be more compact than an equivalent pressure-exchange wave-rotor system, but will have similar thermodynamic and mechanical characteristics. Because the allowable turbine blade temperature limits overall fuel ‐air ratio to sube ammable values, premixed stratie cation techniques are necessary to burn hydrocarbon fuels in small engines with compressor discharge temperatures well below autoignition conditions. One-dimensional, nonsteady numerical simulations of stratie ed-charge combustion are performed using an eddy-diffusivity turbulence model and a simple reaction model incorporating a e ammability limit temperature. For good combustion efe ciency, a stratie cation strategy is developed that concentrates fuel at the leading and trailing edges of the inlet port. Rotor and exhaust temperature proe les and performance predictions are presented at three representative operating conditions of the engine: full design load, 40% load, and idle. Theresults indicate thatpeak local gas temperatures will causeexcessivetemperaturesintherotorhousingunlessadditionalcoolingmethodsareused. Therotortemperaturewillbeacceptable,but the pattern factor presented to the turbine may be of concern, depending on exhaust duct design and duct ‐rotor interaction.
ACTH‐secreting pituitary microadenomas are associated with a higher prevalence of central hypothyroidism compared to other microadenoma types

SummaryContext Unlike pituitary macroadenomas, microadenomas (micros) are not commonly associated with hypopituitarism. In clinical practice, we have observed that patients with ACTH-secreting micros have a higher than expected prevalence of central hypothyroidism (HT), and we speculated that this effect might be because of glucocorticoid-induced suppression of the hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid axis. Objective To determine whether there is a difference in the prevalence of central HT among ACTH micros compared to other types of microadenoma, and if so, to investigate whether this is directly related to the degree of hypercortisolism. Design, setting and patients Retrospective study of 149 newly diagnosed patients with pituitary micros: 34 ACTH-secreting, 72 prolactin-secreting (PRLomas) and 43 clinically nonfunctioning adenomas (NFAs). Main outcomes measures Prevalence of central HT, correlation between normalized free T4 or TSH vs normalized urinary free cortisol (UFC) or salivary cortisol. Results The prevalence of central HT was significantly higher in the ACTH compared to the non-ACTH adenomas: 18% (ACTH), 1% (PRL) and 0% (NFAs). The mean normalized free T4 was lower in the ACTH micros compared to the non-ACTH micros (1·29 ± 0·06 vs 1·50 ± 0·23, P = 0·0001). There was no correlation between the degree of hypercortisolism, as reflected by 24-h urine free cortisol and salivary cortisol, and free T4 or TSH levels among the ACTH adenomas. Similarly, there were no differences in mean UFC or salivary cortisol between ACTH adenomas with and without central HT. Following transsphenoidal adenomectomy, central HT recovered in three of six patients with ACTH micros. Conclusions These findings suggest that patients with ACTH-secreting microadenomas should always, at a minimum, undergo testing for central HT. However, given the potential for recovery of thyroid function following cure of Cushing disease, we recommend withholding thyroid hormone replacement until after pituitary surgery.