cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Retinal vascular occlusion in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus.

Purpose: To describe the clinical features of retinal vascular occlusions (macrovasculopathy) and the proportion of affected patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Methods: Retrospective chart review of all HIV-infected individuals with retinal vascular occlusions seen at a single tertiary care clinic between November 1983 and May 1998. Results: Retinal vascular occlusion was found in 38 eyes of 33 (1.3%) of the 2,484 consecutive patients examined. Of the 33 patients, 16 (48.5%) had central retinal vein occlusion, 9 (27.3%) had branch retinal vein occlusion, 4 (12.1%) had hemiretinal vein occlusion, and 1 each (3.0%) had central retinal arterial occlusion, branch retinal arterial occlusion, and combined hemiretinal vein occlusion and branch retinal artery occlusion. One patient (3.0%) had Purtscher-like retinopathy in one eye. Multiple regression analysis revealed that macrovasculopathy was associated with the presence of noninfectious retinal microvasculopathy (odds ratio, 5.76; 95% confidence interval, 2.59–12.80). Vision at the time of diagnosis ranged between 20/20 and no light perception. Twenty-five (75.8%) of the 33 patients had follow-up examinations for a mean period of 9.1 months. Ocular findings during follow-up included capillary dropout in 3 patients (11.5%), posterior pole neovascularization in 4 (15.4%), vitreous hemorrhage in 4 (15.4%), and optic atrophy in 6 (23.1%). Vision at the last eye examination ranged between 20/20 and no light perception and was 20/200 or worse in 15 (39.5%) of 38 eyes. Conclusions: Patients with HIV infection have a small risk of retinal vascular occlusion, but complications and visual loss are common in affected patients. There is a strong association between noninfectious retinal microvasculopathy and retinal vein occlusions.
Surface Wave Phenomenon in Wafer Probing Environments

Investigation of microwave and millimeter wave propagation in dielectric slabs and along coplanar transmission lines on dielectric slabs, reveal effects that may be explained by surface wave phenomenon. These surface waves can be transmitted and received with wafer probes and influence the transmission characteristics of coplanar transmission lines. This paper presents measured data showing the presence of surface waves and how they interact with wafer probes and coplanar waveguide transmission lines. Methods for minimizing these interactions are explored and quantified. A discussion of surface wave effects on wafer calibrations is included.
Comparative effects of cytosine arabinoside and a prostaglandin E2 antagonist, AH6809, on chondrogenesis in serum-free cultures of chick limb mesenchyme.

Abstract The present study was designed to compare effects of an established inhibitor of cell proliferation and growth, cytosine arabinoside (Ara C), with that of a prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) antagonist, AH6809, on chondrogenesis in cultured mesenchyme derived from stage 25 chick limb buds. Continuous treatment of cell cultures with 10−4 M AH6809 prevented completely the twofold increases in DNA content of control cultures which occurred between Day 1 and Day 5 of culture and also produced 90% inhibition of chondrogenesis occurring in control cultures during this same period. Treatment of cells with Ara C (0.1–0.5 μg/ml) produced equivalent inhibition of DNA content during the same time period; however, chondrogenesis, as evaluated on Day 5 of cell culture, remained at approximately 90% of control cultures. These results indicate that the inhibitory effect of PGE2 receptor blockade on cell growth in these cultures cannot account for the potent inhibitory effects observed on differentiation of cartilage and provide further evidence in support of the notion that PGE2 plays an important initiating role in the process of chondrocyte differentiation within limb mesenchyme.
Precise Fourier transform spectroscopy based measurement of dielectric properties of thin films at terahertz frequency range

Newly improved dispersive Fourier transform spectroscopy is applied to measure dielectric permittivity of the thin films at terahertz frequency range. Dielectric properties of thin film materials are hard to acquire as the thickness is too small to provide enough phase shift. The step size of the active mirror in the dispersive Fourier transform spectroscopy is enhanced to 500 nanometers which enable the spectroscopy to record the phase information accurately. By this improvement, broadband dielectric permittivity of thin film materials is determined from 300 GHz to 800 GHz.
PersonA: Persuasive social network for physical Activity

Advances in physical activity (PA) monitoring devices provide ample opportunities for innovations in the way the information produced by these devices is used to encourage people to have more active lifestyles. One such innovation is expanding the current use of the information from self-management to social support. We developed a Persuasive social network for physical Activity (PersonA) that combines automatic input of physical activity data, a smartphone, and a social networking system (SNS). This paper describes the motivation for and overarching design of the PersonA and its functional and non-functional features. PersonA is designed to intelligently and automatically receive raw PA data from the sensors in the smartphone, calculate the data into meaningful PA information, store the information on a secure server, and show the information to the users as persuasive and real-time feedbacks or publish the information to the SNS to generate social support. The implementation of self-monitoring, social support, and persuasive concepts using currently available technologies has the potential for promoting healthy lifestyle, greater community participation, and higher quality of life. We also expect that PersonA will enable health professionals to collect in situ data related to physical activity. The platform is currently being used and tested to improve PA level of three groups of users in Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Guanosine triphosphate analysis: PEI-thin layer purification and luciferin-luciferase liquid scintillation quantitation.

Abstract A novel method to purify and quantitate GTP is described. This method is simple to run and sensitive to detect GTP in picomole quantities. It is based on purfication and isolation of GTP on PEI-thin layer chromatograms and quantitation with the firefly luciferin-luciferase system. GTP characteristically gives a delayed (about 2 min) peak light emission similar to adenosine tetraphosphate (about 6 min) but different from ATP which gives a peak light emission value at zero time. The light emission from each of these three nucleotides is characteristically different from one another such that contamination between these three nucleotides can be detected by their peak light emission times. This method has been applied to analyze GTP in biological preparations which appeared to be free of detectable concentration(s) of interfering substances(s).
The multi-shade paradox of public corruption: the Moldovan case of dirty hands and collective action

Corruption is an undoubtedly a difficult conceptual area to operate in. This is particularly accurate for the post-Soviet space, where seemingly mutually exclusive forces appear to coexist on regular basis, defying and rejecting rational interpretations. Standard assumptions, definitions and theoretical perspectives often fail to generate useful understandings of corruption in Eastern Europe, habitually obscuring fundamental patterns, hence leaving corruption largely misunderstood. In order to construct anticorruption policies that would be effective in the environment where corruption is systemic, it is critical to resist the temptation of eschewing the complexity of societal factors by over-focusing on the corrupt individual. In an effort to reemphasize the imperative role played by societal variables in explaining corruption in the post-Soviet space, this article uses insights gathered from studying corruption in Republic of Moldova to discuss the role of three fundamental dynamics: “dirty hands,” the problem of “collective action” and the achromatic schema of white-gray-black corruption.
Personological Variables Related to Ged Retention and Withdrawal

The student attrition rate in high school equivalency classes remains a concern for adult educators. Researchers have found a relationship between a student's personality variables and his retention in high school, college, and general adult education. In this study, the Adjective Check List (ACL) was administered to 142 enrolling high school completion students. After ten weeks the scores of those who were retained were compared to those of persons who dropped. It was hypothesized that there would be no significant differences between the two groups on the twenty-four ACL scores (p<.05). Principal component analysis, multivariate analysis of covariance, and a Hotelling's T2 procedure were used to analyze the data. Students dropping out were found to be significantly different on eight of the scale scores and the null hypothesis was re jected. A consistent personological portrait was drawn which could be helpful for educators working with these students.
Unilateral Vs. bilateral carpal tunnel : Challenges and approaches

Conditions affecting either or both extremities offer unique opportunities and challenges for investigators and clinicians. When the condition is purely unilateral, observations on the unaffected extremity may be used as a within-patient control, and thereby strengthen the ability to identify changes in the affected limb. However, such use presumes that the condition will not subsequently develop in the unaffected extremity. Bilateral presentations or subsequent development of disease in the unaffected extremity is common in conditions such as the carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Treatment of one extremity may lead to development or aggravation of CTS in the other extremity. Since both extremities may be necessary to perform certain activities, it can be difficult to clearly identify treatment effects when looking at functional outcomes. In an effort to avoid these complexities, investigators have used one of two approaches in studying CTS: either selecting only those patients with unilateral disease, or analyzing results by extremity, often avoiding any outcome measures that might depend upon both extremities (such as driving). We illustrate some of the shortcomings of this approach, such as loss of patients and data, with preliminary information from our ongoing prospective study of carpal tunnel surgery outcomes. We develop a dynamic model that incorporates etiologic factors and treatment effects to describe changes in CTS over time. This model accounts for extremity-specific and systemic factors, as well as possible interaction of the disease process in both hands. The advantages of this model include a more rational approach to research and care of extremity disorders, and research strategies which address a wider scope of patients and outcomes; however, its application is limited by the need for more extensive data collection.
Accurate measurement of the external quantum efficiency of multi-junction solar cells

A pulsed voltage bias method is used to accurately measure the external quantum efficiency (EQE) of multi-junction solar cells by controlling the electrical and optical coupling between subcells.
Laterally ordered polymers: Polyacrylonitrile and poly(vinyl trifluoroacetate)

The structure and properties of two laterally ordered (directionally crystallized) polymers are discussed, namely, polyacrylonitrile and poly(vinyl trifluoroacetate). Evidence from x-ray diagrams, infrared measurements, thermal expansion data, and fiber properties are interpreted in terms of molecular structure. It is concluded that the existence of only chain-to-chain order (lateral order) in polyacrylonitrile and poly(vinyl trifluoroacetate) is principally due to steric and dipolar intramolecular repulsions. These lead to a chain stiffening effect, regardless of tacticity, which is so great in the former case that the backbone chain is forced to assume a twisted, kinked configuration. The stiff molecular chains may be thought of as rigid rods which pack in a lattice array. The side groups, nitrile or trifluoroacetate, assume varying angles with the respect to the rod axis in order to minimize the steric and dipolar repulsion forces. This variation gives rise to diffuse off-equatorial scattering in the x-ray diagram of the oriented polymers and low values of the dichroic ratios of selected bands in the infrared. The chain stiffening effect is greater in polyacrylonitrile and this polymer exhibits a higher “melting point”, higher fiber tenacity at equivalent orientation, less solubility, more general diffuse scattering in the x-ray diagram, and lower dichroic ratios in the polarized infrared spectrum than does poly(vinyl trifluoroacetate). In fact, polyacrylonitrile, in contrast to poly(vinyl trifluoroacetate), acts as if it were all ordered and contained no amorphous regions in the usual sense, as judged from thermal expansion data and the lack of a definite amorphous halo in the x-ray diagram. Poly(vinyl trifluoroacetate) is concluded to be no more syndiotactic than conventional poly(vinyl acetate), since laterally ordered poly (vinyl trifluoroacetate) can be derived from commercial poly (vinyl alcohol) by esterification. Therefore, the observed lateral order in poly (vinyl trifluoroacetate) is not due to a predominantly syndiotactic structure. These laterally ordered polymers have a properties intermediate between those of normally crystalline polymers and those of amorphous polymers.
Magnetism in Fe/V superlattices and alloys

Abstract The first principles discrete variational Xα method was used to calculate the electronic structures, magnetic moments and the conduction electron contact spin densites at a central V site in a number of 15 atom clusters representing [110]-interfaces in Fe/V superlattices and alloys. It was found that interactions between the spin-up and spin-down 3d electrons behave differently as the number of Fe atoms, P, in the first coordination shell of a central V atom changes. The 3d magnetic moments at the V sites were found to vary strongly with P, and their variation with respect to changes in the number of Fe atoms in the second shell, Q, was found to depend on P. The sign of 4s and 4p moments was found to change from positive to negative as the average 3d magnetic moment per atom at the first shell sites goes from negative to positive. The conduction electron contact spin densities follow the pattern of the 4s moment as P varies. The results of previously calculated Fe-centered and the present V-centered clusters are combined to study the average magnetic moment in iron-vanadium superlattices and alloys.
Generativity and the U.S. Roman Catholic Bishops’ Responses to Priests’ Sexual Abuse of Minors

In this article, Erik Erikson’s and subsequent researchers’ ideas on generativity are applied to “the clerical abuse crisis,” in which 111 U.S. Roman Catholic bishops protected priests rather than safeguard children. The goal was to discover what psychological dispositions led bishops to act in the manner they did. A case is made that pre-existing tendencies coupled with an all-male, celibate environment and formation indoctrination led to deficits in psychological development, moral judgment and leadership capacity, revealing an Episcopal subculture characterized by pseudo-speciation and authoritism.
Room-temperature preparation of nanocrystalline TiO2 films and the influence of surface properties on dye-sensitized solar energy conversion.

An extremely easy method is presented for producing surfactant-free films of nanocrystalline TiO2 at room temperature with excellent mechanical stability when deposited on glass or plastic electrodes for dye-sensitized solar energy conversion. Prolonged magnetic stirring of commercial TiO2 nanoparticles (Degussa P25) in either ethanol or water results in highly homogeneous dispersions which are used to prepare TiO2 films with surface properties which depend on the solvent used for dispersing the particles, even after sintering. The optical and mechanical properties of films cast from ethanol and water dispersions are compared, and differences in the extent of surface defects and dye binding are observed. Optical absorption, photoluminescence, and resonance Raman spectra of TiO2 films sensitized with Ru(4,4‘-dicarboxylic acid-2,2‘-bipyridine)2(NCS)2 (“N3”) reveal that the electronic coupling of the dye and semiconductor depends on the surface structure of the film which varies with film preparation. Curren...
High-cycle fatigue performance of solution-treated metastable- β titanium alloys

Abstract The effect of grain boundary misorientation on the high-cycle fatigue performance of solution-treated, metastable- β titanium alloys was investigated. Initial damage during cyclic deformation was associated with the formation of coarse, planar slip bands, these often propagating through several grains without obstruction or redirection when intersecting with a grain boundary. This “continuous” slip through several grains was associated with the presence of a significant number of “low-angle” grain boundaries. Fatigue crack initiation was associated with crack initiation at intersecting planar slip bands at the free surface. The increase in operative slip length occasioned by the presence of low-angle grain boundaries lead to enhanced crack initiation and reduced lifetime. Fatigue crack propagation was characterized by step-like features formed through the interaction of the propagating crack and the coarse slip bands present in the plastic zone ahead of the crack tip. The direction of local fatigue crack propagation was also minimally affected when crossing low-angle grain boundaries.
Stability of resonator configurations in the presence of free-electron laser interactions

The stability of empty resonators (or cold cavities) has been widely studied, and is well understood. Here we consider the stability of symmetric resonator systems when there is a free-electron laser (FEL) interaction present within the cavity. We first construct a linear thick-lens model of the FEL and analytically study the dependence of resonator stability on its geometry. Next, we employ a nonlinear, three-dimensional FEL oscillator code to study the dependence of FEL performance on the cavity configuration. The analytic and numerical approaches are compared and it is shown that they agree quite well. It is found that the region of stability is shifted toward longer cavities, and beyond the concentric configuration. Between the confocal and the concentric configurations, where the empty-resonator analysis predicts stability, there now appear regions of instability. We find that operation near the concentric configuration is preferable, and operation very near the confocal should be avoided.
Simultaneous administration of Ang(1-7) or A-779 does not affect the chronic hypertensive effects of angiotensin II in normal rats

Hypothesis The following studies were designed to test the hypothesis that simultaneous administration of either Ang(1-7) or its antagonist A-779 would affect the chronic hypertensive effects of angiotensin II (Ang II). Introduction Despite the well-described actions of Ang(1-7) and its role possessing opposite actions to Ang II, there have been few studies examining the role of Ang(1-7) in a chronic setting. It is well established that Ang(1-7) plays a protective role in preventing deleterious effects of Ang II in the heart, but little is known of its role in modulating the chronic hypertensive effects of Ang II. Materials and methods Rats were instrumented with venous catheters and telemetric pressure transducers. Arterial pressure responses were measured in rats treated with Ang II (10 ng/kg/ min) (n=9) and compared with those treated with Ang II and Ang(1-7) (24 microg/kg/h) (n=8), or the Ang(1-7) antagonist A-779 (24 microg/kg/h) (n=7) for 8 days. Results Mean arterial pressure rose significantly and similarly in all three groups of rats, such that by day 8 of Ang II infusion, pressures had risen 25-30 mmHg in all rats. Conclusions These results do not support the hypothesis that the chronic hypertensive effects of Ang II in normal rats are altered by co-administration of either Ang(1-7) or A-779.
Predicting regulons and their cis-regulatory motifs by comparative genomics.

We have combined and compared three techniques for predicting functional interactions based on comparative genomics (methods based on conserved operons, protein fusions and correlated evolution) and optimized these methods to predict coregulated sets of genes in 24 complete genomes, including Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Caernorhabditis elegans and 22 prokaryotes. The method based on conserved operons was the most useful for this purpose. Upstream regions of the genes comprising these predicted regulons were then used to search for regulatory motifs in 22 prokaryotic genomes using the motif-discovery program AlignACE. Many significant upstream motifs, including five known Escherichia coli regulatory motifs, were identified in this manner. The presence of a significant regulatory motif was used to refine the members of the predicted regulons to generate a final set of predicted regulons that share significant regulatory elements.
Physiological and anatomic evidence for functional subclasses of serotonergic raphe magnus cells

Serotonergic cells in the medullary nucleus raphe magnus (RM) and adjacent nucleus reticularis magnocellularis (NRMC) project to the spinal cord where they are likely to modulate nociceptive transmission. Previous studies have suggested that these cells are physiologically and anatomically heterogeneous. In the present investigation, we examined whether subclasses of serotonergic RM and NRMC cells can be delineated based on their response to a visceral stimulus, and whether any such subclasses are morphologically distinct. Most RM and NRMC serotonergic cells tested (81 of 116) responded to retraction of the descending aorta into a polyethylene tube (the snare stimulus) with 57% of all cells tested excited and 13% inhibited. Responses of serotonergic cells to the snare outlasted the stimulus, were not reflective of evoked cardiovascular changes, and were observed in sino-aortic deafferented rats, evidence that the snare stimulus does not influence serotonergic cell discharge through activation of baroreceptors. Because serotonergic cells responsive to the snare were also responsive to mechanical brushing within the retroperitoneum, the snare is likely to change serotonergic cell discharge by means of the activation of mechanosensitive visceral afferents. Intracellular labeling of physiologically characterized serotonergic RM and NRMC cells showed that cells that were responsive to the snare stimulus had simpler axonal collateralization patterns than cells that were unresponsive to the snare stimulus. This association between morphological and physiological properties provides additional evidence that subpopulations of serotonergic cells exist and serve varied physiological functions. J. Comp. Neurol. 439:426–439, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Torque-Energy Relations in Induction Machines [includes discussion]

The laws of electromagnetic energy flow, through space and over wires, and of energy storage in magnetic and electric fields, are applied to an induction machine. This leads to a visualization of the machine as an array of magnetized air spaces in which intense and turbulent energy concentrations exist. The copper and iron structures of the machine that are apparent to the eye and to the touch are thus seen to be of secondary importance. Just as in a turbine the important thing is the flow of energy-containing gas or "fluid" through guided paths, so in an electric machine the important thing is the flow of energy through magnetized air spaces. A proper model of the machine therefore would be one formed by first immersing an induction motor in a plastic compound, and then dissolving out all the metal parts with acid, leaving a structure representing only the air and dielectric spaces. These concepts are useful in deriving equations for locking and synchronous crawling torques, and also for the magnetic noise-producing forces in induction machines.
Performance of intelligent systems governed by internally generated goals

Intelligent behavior is characterized by flexible and creative pursuit of endogenously defined goals. It has emerged in humans through the stages of evolution that are manifested in the brains and behaviors of other vertebrates. Perception is a key concept by which to link brain dynamics to goal-directed behavior. This archetypal form of intentional behavior is an act of observation into time and space, by which information is sought to guide future action, and by which the perceiver modifies itself through learning from the sensory consequences of its own actions. Chaotic brain dynamics creates the goals, expresses them by means of behavioral actions, and defines the meaning of the requested information. These acts include the making of representations (e.g. numbers, words, graphs, sounds, gestures) for communication to other brains in validation and coordination of experience. The failure of artificial intelligence to achieve its stated aims can be attributed to taking too literally these man-made descriptive representations as the tokens of brain action, whereas in brains there is no information, only dynamic flows and operators.
A 20-GHz FLUX-1 superconductor RSFQ microprocessor

The first single-chip superconductor FLUX-1 microprocessor prototype with a target clock frequency of 17-20 GHz has been designed in the Rapid Single Flux Quantum (RSFQ) logic and fabricated using low-temperature 4 kA/cm 2 , 1.75-μm Nb/AlOx/Nb Josephson junction technology. A FLUX-1 chip represents an 8-bit deeply pipelined microprocessor with a new parallel partitioned architecture that has been developed to tolerate interconnect delays and fill long FLUX-1 pipelines with operations. A FLUX-1 chip contains 65,759 Josephson junctions on a 10.6 mm x 13.2 mm die with flip-chip packaging. First FLUX-1 chips fabricated in 2001 are currently under testing at TRW.
Collaborative Spam Filtering Using E-Mail Networks

Widespread Internet use has led to the emergence of several kinds of large-scale social networks in cyberspace, most notably e-mail networks. Unfortunately, the tremendous convenience that e-mail affords comes at a high price: Although the network's underlying connectivity is hidden, making it almost impossible to build a comprehensive directory of every individual's contact lists, e-mail addresses themselves can be easily obtained from publicly available documents. Spammers have exploited this vulnerability to inundate users with unsolicited bulk e-mail. A distributed spam-filtering system that leverages e-mail networks' topological properties is more efficient and scalable than client-server-based solutions. Large-scale simulations of a prototype system reveal that this approach achieves a near-perfect spam-detection rate while minimizing bandwidth cost
Differential allocation of resources underlies the dispersal-reproduction trade-off in the wing-dimorphic cricket, Gryllus rubens

The cricket, Gryllus rubens (Orthoptera, Gryllidae), exists in natural populations as either a fully-winged (LW), flight-capable morph or as a short-winged (SW) morph that cannot fly. The SW morph is substantially more fecund than the LW morph. In this study we report on the physiological basis of this trade-off between flight capability and fecundity. Results from gravimetric feeding trials indicate that LW and SW morphs are equivalent in their consumption and digestion of food. However, during the adult stage, the LW morph is less efficient in converting assimilated nutrients into biomass. This may be a consequence of the respired loss of assimilated nutrients due to the maintenance of functional flight muscles in the LW morph. In both morphs the gross biomass devoted to flight muscles does not change significantly during the first 14 days of adult growth while there is a significant biomass gain in ovarian tissue mass during the same period. SW morphs have vestigial flight muscles and gain substantially more ovarian mass relative to the LW morphs. These data are consistent with a trade-off between flight muscle maintenance in the LW morph and ovarian growth in the SW form. This is the first evidence for a life-history trade-off that has a physiological basis which is limited to the allocation of acquired and assimilated nutrients within the organism.
Contact Experiences Mediate the Relationship Between Five‐Factor Model Personality Traits and Ethnic Prejudice

Prejudice has been studied as a function of personality and situation, but there has been little integration of these 2 domains. Our model suggests that people who are especially open and agreeable are more likely to initiate intergroup contact and interpret contact experiences favorably. Such experiences lead to positive intergroup attitudes. To test this mediation hypothesis, participants (N= 163) completed a measure of (a) the Big Five personality traits, (b) past contact experiences with African Americans, and (c) pro-Black/ anti-Black attitudes. A second study used Asian Americans as the outgroup. In both studies, the model was supported. The results have implications for integrating personality and situational approaches to prejudice and enhancing our understanding of intergroup relations.
CHANGING PATTERNS OF MIGRATION BETWEEN METROPOLITAN AND NONMETROPOLITAN AREAS IN THE UNITED STATES: RECENT EVIDENCE

Data from the 1975 Current Population Survey confirm that, during 1970–1975, there was a reversal of the traditional net migration stream between metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas in the United States. During this period, there was net in-migration of 1,600,000 persons to nonmetropolitan areas, in contrast to net out-migration of 350,000 persons from these areas in 1965–1970. Reversal was caused by a 12 percent decrease in the number of nonmetropolitan out-migrants and a 23 percent increase in the number of SMSA residents moving to nonmetropolitan territory over 1965–1970 levels. While some changes in the size of migration streams were due to changes in age structures and population bases in metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas, they were caused primarily by real shifts in outmigration propensities at practically all ages in both areas.
Subaerial to submarine transitions in early Miocene pyroclastic flow deposits, southern San Joaquin basin, California

Dacitic pyroclastic flow deposits within the Tecuya Formation of the San Emigdio Mountains, California, exhibit a clear transition from subaerial to submarine deposition across the southeastern margin of the San Joaquin basin. The dacitic pyroclastic deposits are part of an informal volcanic member within the Tecuya Formation, consisting of a lower dacitic unit and an upper basaltic unit. Volcanogenic facies transitions within each of these units can be traced westward, obliquely across paleoshoreline, for 15 km. Depositional environments of the dacitic unit are well constrained by underlying nonvolcanic siliciclastic and overlying basaltic deposits. The lowermost dacitic unit consists of pyroclastic surge and fallout deposits, which overlie nonmarine alluvial-fan deposits and were produced by subaerial, phreatomagmatic eruptions. A second, magmatic eruptive stage resulted in deposition of dacitic pyroclastic flows on top of the subaerial surge and fallout deposits, and within marine, nearshore to outer-shelf settings. These pyroclastic flows, generated from subaerial vents, were high-concentration, poorly fluidized flows which traveled down paleoslope into the marine part of the basin. Upon reaching water, the hot pyroclastic flows continued to flow subaqueously, partially mixed with water, and were quenched. Transitions to cool submarine pyroclastic debris flows may have occurred. Surface transformations of the submarine pyroclastic flows/pyroclastic debris flows generated dilute pyroclastic turbidity flows, which at times became detached and continued to flow independently downslope. Progradation of submarine pyroclastic flow deposits to the west into deeper marine settings likely accompanied the growth of subaerial volcanic vents to the east. A second, probably submarine, vent also produced submarine pyroclastic flow deposits in the western part of the basin. Deposition of reworked tuff and epiclastic debris flows within marine settings accompanied primary pyroclastic surge, fallout, and flow deposition. The Tecuya volcanic member is an important ancient example in which the depositional environments of subaerial to submarine pyroclastic deposits are well constrained by bounding units. The characteristics of the subaerial and submarine pyroclastic flow deposits within the Tecuya volcanic member thus may be useful in other ancient volcaniclastic successions which lack bounding units of obvious paleoenvironmental origin.
Scaphoid fractures in children and adolescents: contemporary injury patterns and factors influencing time to union.

Background: Historically, scaphoid fractures in children and adolescents have predominantly involved the distal pole, requiring neither surgical care nor extended follow-up. Changing patient characteristics, however, appear to be altering fracture epidemiology and treatment. The purpose of this investigation was to characterize contemporary fracture patterns in children and adolescents and to identify factors influencing time to healing following both nonoperative and operative treatment. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 351 scaphoid fractures that had been treated from 1995 to 2010 was performed to characterize fracture patterns. The mean patient age was 14.6 years (range, seven to eighteen years). Complete clinical and radiographic follow-up data were available for 312 fractures (89%), with 222 fractures presenting acutely and ninety not acutely. Union rates following casting or surgical treatment were determined, and Cox regression analysis was utilized to identify factors influencing both the union rate and the time to union. Results: Overall, 248 fractures (71%) occurred at the scaphoid waist, eighty-one (23%) occurred at the distal pole, and twenty-two (6%) occurred at the proximal pole. Male sex, high-energy mechanisms of injury, closed physes, and high body-mass index were associated with fractures of the waist or proximal pole. Treatment of acute fractures with casting alone resulted in a 90% union rate. Lower union rates were seen in association with the use of casting alone for the treatment of chronic fractures, displaced fractures, and proximal fractures. Longer time to union was seen in association with older fractures, displaced fractures, proximal fractures, and fractures in patients with osteonecrosis. The union rate following surgery was 96.5% (109 of 113). Increased time to union was seen in association with open physes, fracture displacement, proximal fracture, the type of screw used for surgical fixation, and the use of bone graft at the time of surgery. Discussion: With changes in patient characteristics and activities, scaphoid fracture patterns in children and adolescents are now similar to the published patterns in adults. While 90% of acute nondisplaced fractures heal with nonoperative treatment, three months of cast immobilization or more may be required for more proximal injuries. Almost one-third of pediatric patients with scaphoid fractures will present late with chronic nonunions; in these instances, surgical reduction and internal fixation should be considered the primary treatment option. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Assessing the impacts of vegetation heterogeneity on energy fluxes and snowmelt in boreal forests

Aims In the mid- and high-latitude regions, three quarters of the land surface is covered by boreal conifer forests, and snow lasts for 6–8 months of the year. Correctly modeling surface energy balance and snowmelt at mid- and high-latitudes has a significant influence on climate and hydrological processes. However, the heterogeneous and clumped forest structure exerts important control over the radiative energy at the forest floor, which results in large variations of underneath snow cover and snowmelt rate. The goal of this study is to investigate the impact of hierarchically clumped vegetation structure in boreal forest on snowmelt and exchanges of energy and water. Methods We used a simple Clumped Canopy Scheme (CCS) for canopy radiation transfer to characterize the impact of the clumped forest structure on net radiation at the snow surface underneath forests. The CCS was integrated with the Variable Infiltration Capacity macroscale hydrological model (herein referred to as VIC-CCS) to characterize the impact of clumped vegetation structure on surface energy balance and snowmelt during the snow season. A twin simulation, VICCCS and the standard VIC model, was performed to isolate the impact of CCS on the energy and water fluxes and snowmelt rates. The simulation results were compared to in situ measurements at four different forest stands: old aspen forest in the Southern Study Area (SOA), black spruce forests in the Southern and Northern Study Areas (SOBS and NOBS) and fen wetland in the Northern Study Area (NFEN) within the Boreal Ecosystem–Atmosphere Study (BOREAS) region in central Canada during 1994 to1996. Important Findings Simulations showed that the implementation of CCS has reduced incoming long-wave radiation at the underlying snow surface and, thereby, lowered the snowmelt rate. Comparison against ground observations of net radiation and surface flux rates showed a reasonable agreement while demonstrating implementation of CCS can markedly improve model surface energy budget and energy inputs computation for snowmelt. The modeled snowmelt matches reasonably well with observations with root mean square error (RMSE) ranging from 16.51 to 19.81 mm using VIC-CCS versus 29.86 to 32.61 mm for VIC only in the four forest sites. The improvement is the most significant for the deciduous forest (old aspen) site, reducing RMSE by16 mm. This study demonstrates that taking into account the effect of the clumped forest structure in land surface parameterization schemes is critical for snowmelt prediction in the boreal regions.
A large scale classification of molecular fingerprints for the chemical space representation and SAR analysis

Fingerprint-based structure representation has a broad range of applications including, but not limited to, diversity analysis, compound classification, chemical space visualization [1], activity landscape modelling and similarity searching. It has been shown that depending on the particular fingerprints used, the outcome of similarity searching [2] or activity landscapes [3] can be very different. Combining structure representations is a common practice to increase the performance of similarity searching [4]. Also, combining representations for activity landscape modelling has been proposed to generate robust descriptive SAR models [5]. However, the selection of fingerprints to be combined is not an easy task. As part of our efforts to select fingerprint representations to generate consensus representations of chemical space and activity landscapes [5,6] herein we discuss the results of a systematic comparison of more than 10 2D and 3D fingerprint representations in terms of performance in diversity analysis (as opposed to similarity searching). We employed more than 20 data sets from different sources relevant to drug discovery. In this work the widely used Tanimoto coefficient was employed. The approach presented here can be easily extended to other similarity measures, additional fingerprints and molecular databases. We also discuss the typical mean/median similarity values of selected fingerprints across databases from different sources.
Folded MEMS Pyramid Inertial Measurement Unit

This paper reports a new approach for design and fabrication of chip-level inertial measurement units (IMUs). The method utilizes a 3-D foldable silicon-on-insulator (SOI) backbone with in-situ fabricated high-aspect-ratio sensors. A planar multisensor unit was fabricated and subsequently folded in a pyramidal shape, forming a compact IMU. Inertial characterization of the sensors integrated on the IMU pyramid was performed at atmospheric pressure. Structural rigidity and sensor axis alignment stability of the folded IMUs have been characterized under various environmental conditions, including vibration, thermal loading, thermal shock, and constant acceleration. The maximum angular misalignment due to variation in environmental conditions between IMU pyramid sidewalls was shown to be less than 4 and 0.2 mrad for epoxy and solder reinforced structures, respectively. Vibration testing revealed no resonances up to 10 kHz in the assembled 3-D structures. Our results confirm feasibility of the fabrication approach.
Management of Ulnar Nerve Injuries

Injuries to the ulnar nerve result in both sensory and motor deficits within the hand. Functional outcomes following repair of this nerve have not performed as well as outcomes following repair of the median or radial nerves. Advances in imaging modalities may provide earlier means of identifying and diagnosing closed nerve injuries. Early neurorrhaphy of acute nerve injuries provides the best outcome, but consideration should also be given to performing distal motor nerve transfers to preserve hand intrinsic motor function when injuries occur at or above the proximal forearm. This article attempts to summarize the most recent trends within ulnar nerve repair.
Re-emergence of diabetes after gastric bypass in patients with mid- to long-term follow-up

Abstract Background Studies have shown that type 2 diabetes (T2DM) improves or resolves shortly after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Few data are available on T2DM recurrence or the effect of weight regain on T2DM status. Methods A review of 42 RYGB patients with T2DM and ≥3 years of follow-up and laboratory data was performed. Postoperative weight loss and T2DM status was assessed. Recurrence or worsening was defined as hemoglobin A1c >6.0% and fasting glucose >124 mg/dL and/or medication required after remission or improvement. Patients whose T2DM recurred or worsened were compared with those whose did not, and patients whose T2DM improved were compared with those whose T2DM resolved. Results T2DM had either resolved or improved in all patients (64% and 36%, respectively); 24% (10) recurred or worsened. The patients with recurrence or worsening had had a lower preoperative body mass index than those without recurrence or worsening (47.9 versus 52.9 kg/m2; P = .05), regained a greater percentage of their lost weight (37.7% versus 15.4%; P = .002), had a greater weight loss failure rate (63% versus 14%; P = .03), and had greater postoperative glucose levels (138 versus 102 mg/dL; P = .0002). Patients who required insulin or oral medication before RYGB were more likely to experience improvement rather than resolution (92% versus 8%, P ≤.0001; and 85% versus 15%; P = .0006, respectively). Conclusion Our results have shown that beyond 3 years after RYGB, the incidence of T2DM recurrence or worsening in patients with initial resolution or improvement was significant. In our patients, a greater likelihood of recurrence or worsening of T2DM was associated with a lower preoperative body mass index. Before widespread acceptance of bariatric surgery as a definitive treatment for those with T2DM can be achieved, additional study of this recurrence phenomenon is indicated.
Matchmaking Promotes Happiness

Four studies document and explore the psychology underlying people’s proclivity to connect people to each other—to play “matchmaker.” First, Study 1 shows that chronic matchmaking is associated with higher well-being. Studies 2 and 3 show that matching others on how well they will get along increases happiness and is more intrinsically rewarding than other tasks (e.g., deciding which people would not get along). Study 4 investigates a moderator of the rewarding nature of matchmaking: the type of connection. We show that bridging ties are relatively more attractive than bonding ties: The more unlikely the match, the more rewarding it is. Taken together, these studies provide correlational and causal evidence for the role of matchmaking in promoting happiness.
Ticagrelor Use in a Patient With a Documented Clopidogrel Hypersensitivity

Objective: To report the use of ticagrelor in a patient with a documented hypersensitivity reaction to clopidogrel. Case Summary: A 64-year-old woman presented with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) with a history significant for a hypersensitivity reaction to clopidogrel and was medically managed. Based on the patient’s past medical history and current evidence available, the determination was made to use ticagrelor in this patient. Ticagrelor was administered without reaction during the hospital stay and on assessment at 2 and 4 weeks postdischarge. Discussion: Hypersensitivity occurs in approximately 1% of patients receiving clopidogrel. Although the risk of hypersensitivity reaction to clopidogrel is low, evidence to support alternative antiplatelets in this setting is relatively limited. Prasugrel has a similar structure to clopidogrel and, therefore, may cross-react. Furthermore, prasugrel is not recommended in the medical management of NSTEMI. Ticagrelor is a newer P2Y12 inhib...
Status of Genetics Education in U.S. Dental Schools

Genomics research is rapidly increasing our understanding of the genetic basis of normal and abnormal growth, development, and disease. Genetic information and technologies are also being applied to develop new diagnostic and treatment strategies. Many diseases with dental, oral, and craniofacial manifestations have a genetic basis. Effective clinical application of genomics to oral medicine will depend on the education of health care professionals, the general public, and policymakers. Dentists must understand genetics to provide accurate information to patients and be able to discuss benefits and limitations of the biological, clinical, and ethical issues related to genomic-based health care. Genetics education in dental schools will significantly impact the integration of genetics into oral medicine. Fifty-three U.S. dental schools completed a survey in 2001 to assess the status of genetics curricula in dental schools in the United States. Ninety-four percent of schools did not require genetics education for entry to dental school, and a formal genetics course was conducted in only eight of the fifty-three schools (15 percent). The genetics education currently offered to undergraduate dental students is not standardized, and the content varies considerably among schools. These findings suggest more emphasis on genetics education is needed in U.S. dental schools.