cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 122: Transit Time on Digital Subtraction Angiography Correlates with Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformation Flow Measured by Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Angiography

Introduction: Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) currently provides angioarchitectural features of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) but its role in the hemodynamic evaluation of AVMs ...
A novel preoperative risk score to predict lymph node positivity for rectal neuroendocrine tumors: An NCDB analysis to guide operative technique.

Background/objective Staging and type of resection for rectal neuroendocrine tumors (R-NETS) relies on preoperative identification of lymph node (LN) involvement. Study objective was to develop a Preoperative Rectal Stratification Score (PReSS) for LN-positivity and to assess the association of PReSS with overall survival (OS). Methods All patients in the National Cancer Database (2004-2014) with non-metastatic/nonfunctional R-NETS were included. Tumor size was divided into three categories ( Results Among 383 patients, median age was 57 years, 52% were male (n = 200), median tumor size was 1.4 cm, 43% had positive LNs (n = 163). On univariate analysis, age > 60, poorly differentiated grade, depth of invasion past submucosa, and size >1 cm were associated with LN positivity. On multivariable analysis, depth of invasion past submucosa, and increasing tumor size >1 cm remained associated with LN positivity. As these can be determined preoperatively, incidence of LN positivity was determined for each combination of tumor size and depth of invasion. Each variable was assigned a score to create a PReSS of four groups (0-3) associated with an increasing rate of LN-positivity (PReSS group 0: 11%, 1: 38%, 2: 50%, 3: 78%, P Conclusion For R-NETS, depth of invasion and tumor size predict LN positivity and both can be obtained preoperatively. PReSS incorporates both variables and stratifies tumors into four risk groups of progressively increasing LN positivity and should be used to guide surgical approach.
Convolutional neural networks for image spam detection

Spam can be defined as unsolicited bulk e-mail. In an effort to evade text-based filters, spammers sometimes embed spam text in an image, which is referred to as image spam. In this research, we co...
Regulators of Cardiac Fibroblast Cell State.

Fibroblasts are the primary regulator of cardiac extracellular matrix (ECM). In response to disease stimuli cardiac fibroblasts undergo cell state transitions to a myofibroblast phenotype, which underlies the fibrotic response in the heart and other organs. Identifying regulators of fibroblast state transitions would inform which pathways could be therapeutically modulated to tactically control maladaptive extracellular matrix remodeling. Indeed, a deeper understanding of fibroblast cell state and plasticity is necessary for controlling its fate for therapeutic benefit. p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK), which is part of the noncanonical transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) pathway, is a central regulator of fibroblast to myofibroblast cell state transitions that is activated by chemical and mechanical stress signals. Fibroblast intrinsic signaling, local and global cardiac mechanics, and multicellular interactions individually and synergistically impact these state transitions and hence the ECM, which will be reviewed here in the context of cardiac fibrosis.
Development of a Daily Use Caregiver Sleep Survey (DUCSS)

Abstract. Dementia caregiving is associated with depression, stress, and sleep disturbance. A daily use caregiver sleep survey (DUCSS) was developed to evaluate caregiver sleep. The tool was distri...
Altered Thalamocortical Signaling in a Mouse Model of Parkinson’s Disease

Abstract Activation of the primary motor cortex (M1) is important for the execution of skilled movements and motor learning, and its dysfunction contributes to the pathophysiology of Parkinson’s disease (PD). A well accepted idea in PD research, albeit not tested experimentally, is that loss of midbrain dopamine leads to decreased activation of M1 by the motor thalamus (Mthal). Here, we report that midbrain dopamine loss reduced Mthal input in a laminar- and cell type-specific fashion and induced laminar-specific changes in intracortical synaptic transmission. As a result, M1 activation by Mthal was decreased, but M1 output was increased. Our results demonstrate that loss of midbrain dopaminergic neurons alters thalamocortical activation of M1, and provide novel insights into circuit mechanisms for motor cortex dysfunction in a mouse model of PD.
Towards Equitable Communication of Kinesiology: A Critical Interpretive Synthesis of Readability Research.

Thirty-nine years ago, Bain and Poindexter (1981) implored higher educators of kinesiology to develop curricula that prepare students to use what they learn in practical ways. Lay resource material...
Swellable catheters based on a dynamic expanding inner diameter.

Intravenous (IV) fluid administration is critical for all patients undergoing care in a hospital setting. In-patient hospital practice, surgeries, and emergency care require functional IVs for fluid replacement and medication administration. Proper placement of IVs is vital to providing medical services. The ease of placement of an IV catheter, however, depends not only on the size of the catheter but also on provider experience and patient demographics such as age, body mass index, hydration status, and medical comorbidities present challenges to successful IV placement. Smaller diameter IV placement can improve success and there are instances where multiple small diameter catheters are placed for patient care when larger bore access is unattainable. Smaller inner-diameter catheters for anesthesia have functional constraints. Ideally, there would be a smaller catheter for placement that could function as a larger catheter for patient care. One solution is the idea of functionally responsive catheters. Here, we evaluated tubular-shaped hydrogels as potential functional catheters that can increase in inner diameter through fluid swelling using cross-linked homopolymers of polyacrylamide, PAM (10–40% w/w), and their copolymers with 0–8% w/w Poly-(Ethylene Glycol)-Diacrylate, PEGDA. For the PAM gels, the water transport mechanism was shown to be concentration-dependent Fickian diffusion, with the less concentrated gels exhibiting increasingly anomalous modes. Increasing the PEGDA content in the network yielded an initial high rate of water uptake, characterized by Case II transport. The swelling kinetics depended strongly on the sample geometry and boundary conditions. Initially, in a submerged swelling, the annulus expands symmetrically in both outward and inward directions (it thickens), reducing the internal diameter by up to 70%. After 1 h, however, the inner diameter increases steadily so that at equilibrium, there is a net (>100%) increase in all the dimensions of the tube. The amount of linear swelling at equilibrium depended only on the polymer volume fraction as made, while the rate of inner diameter expansion depended on the hydrophilicity of the matrix and the kinetics of sorption. This study serves as proof of concept to identify key parameters for the successful design of hydrogel-based catheter devices with expanding inner-diameters for applications in medical care.
1. Characterizing Thermal Behavior of an Air-Cooled Lithium-Ion Battery System for HEV Applications Using FEA Approach (2013-01-1520)

Thermal behavior of a Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery module under a user-defined cycle corresponding to hybrid electrical vehicle (HEV) applications is analyzed. The module is stacked with 12 high-power 8Ah pouch Li-ion battery cells connected in series electrically. The cells are cooled indirectly with air through aluminum cooling plate sandwiched between each pair of cells. The cooling plate has extended cooling surfaces exposed in the cooling air flow channel. Thermal behavior of the battery system under a user specified electrical-load cycle for the target hybrid vehicle is characterized with the equivalent continuous load profile using a 3D finite element analysis (FEA) model for battery cooling. Analysis results are compared with measurements. Good agreement is observed between the simulated and measured cell temperatures. Improvement of the cooling system design is also studied with assistance of the battery cooling analyses. The results of this study demonstrate that the 3D FEA battery cooling model developed in this study can reasonably characterize thermal behavior of the Li-ion battery systems under the dynamic discharge-charge cycle. The correlated FEA model can be used to evaluate and/or optimize the cooling system designs for the battery systems with indirect air cooling.
How Highly Would Apple Rank If it Were a Country? A Comparison of Apple Revenues to Nations’ GDP

As of December 31, 2019, Apple was the second largest corporation in the world in terms of market capitalization. This paper ranks Apple, comparing Apple’s revenue to the GDP of the world’s 185 largest nations.
Knowledge transfer and innovation network on the example of the EU-project TECH.FOOD

The project “Tech.Food - Solutions and interventions for the technological transfer and the innovation of the agro-food sector in South East regions” was running in the framework of the EU-South East Europe Transnational Cooperation Programme, financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). It aimed at setting up a transnational network for building links among enterprises and research bodies of a wide area. It represented an opportunity to improve the partner’s institutional capacity to be effective in promoting innovation. The direct involvement of enterprises represented transnationality, concurring to create innovation and internationalization opportunities to local productive systems. Partners of eight countries under coordination of an Italian lead partner implemented the project ideas of elaborating regional profiles of needs and weaknesses concerning research, development and innovation of the agro-food sector. Transnational networks, technological transfer nodes, technical focus groups as well as best-experience data base and tool development for raising the innovation potential should contribute to the project aims.
Radiomic Features Associated With HPV Status on Pretreatment Computed Tomography in Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Inform Clinical Prognosis

Purpose There is a lack of biomarkers for accurately prognosticating outcome in both human papillomavirus-related (HPV+) and tobacco- and alcohol-related (HPV-) oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). The aims of this study were to i) develop and evaluate radiomic features within (intratumoral) and around tumor (peritumoral) on CT scans to predict HPV status; ii) investigate the prognostic value of the radiomic features for both HPV- and HPV+ patients, including within individual AJCC eighth edition-defined stage groups; and iii) develop and evaluate a clinicopathologic imaging nomogram involving radiomic, clinical, and pathologic factors for disease-free survival (DFS) prediction for HPV+ patients. Experimental Design This retrospective study included 582 OPSCC patients, of which 462 were obtained from The Cancer Imaging Archive (TCIA) with available tumor segmentation and 120 were from Cleveland Clinic Foundation (CCF, denoted as SCCF) with HPV+ OPSCC. We subdivided the TCIA cohort into training (ST, 180 patients) and validation (SV, 282 patients) based on an approximately 3:5 ratio for HPV status prediction. The top 15 radiomic features that were associated with HPV status were selected by the minimum redundancy-maximum relevance (MRMR) using ST and evaluated on SV. Using 3 of these 15 top HPV status-associated features, we created radiomic risk scores for both HPV+ (RRSHPV+) and HPV- patients (RRSHPV-) through a Cox regression model to predict DFS. RRSHPV+ was further externally validated on SCCF. Nomograms for the HPV+ population (Mp+RRS) were constructed. Both RRSHPV+ and Mp+RRS were used to prognosticate DFS for the AJCC eighth edition-defined stage I, stage II, and stage III patients separately. Results RRSHPV+ was prognostic for DFS for i) the whole HPV+ population [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.97, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.35-2.88, p < 0.001], ii) the AJCC eighth stage I population (HR = 1.99, 95% CI: 1.04-3.83, p = 0.039), and iii) the AJCC eighth stage II population (HR = 3.61, 95% CI: 1.71-7.62, p < 0.001). HPV+ nomogram Mp+RRS (C-index, 0.59; 95% CI: 0.54-0.65) was also prognostic of DFS (HR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.27-2.71, p = 0.001). Conclusion CT-based radiomic signatures are associated with both HPV status and DFS in OPSCC patients. With additional validation, the radiomic signature and its corresponding nomogram could potentially be used for identifying HPV+ OPSCC patients who might be candidates for therapy deintensification.
Personalized cancer immunotherapy

Abstract Personalized cancer therapy is a treatment strategy where interventions are tailored to individual patients based on their unique characteristics. While traditionally personalized approach pertains to targeted therapies that inhibit oncogenic drivers of a given tumor, the same principals can be applied to immunotherapies that harness the antitumor potential of a patient's immune cells. For instance, immune checkpoint inhibitors can be highly effective in a subset of patients. However, the majority of tumors are intrinsically resistant. The challenges of personalized immunotherapy are to identify patients who will benefit from checkpoint inhibitors and to find rational alternative treatments for those who will not. This chapter summarizes clinically-approved and promising emerging biomarkers of response to immune checkpoint inhibitors. We also describe key principals of highly personalized immunotherapies designed for a given individual that may emerge as an alternative immunotherapy option for immune checkpoint blockade-unresponsive patients.
Providing mainstream smart home technology as assistive technology for persons with disabilities: a qualitative study with professionals.

PURPOSE Mainstream smart home technology (MSHT) is becoming increasingly powerful, affordable, and relevant to improving environment control, independence, and participation of people with disabilities. This study examined how MSHT is delivered as assistive technology (AT) by practitioners of various disciplines and roles and collected their perspectives on the challenges and important considerations during the delivery process. METHODS Practitioners with at least 1 year of experience providing MSHT as AT were interviewed individually or in small groups of 2-3 participants. Researchers developed guiding questions based on the AT service delivery process and applied an inductive qualitative analysis to generate common themes from the data. RESULTS While all 15 participants confirmed the potential benefits of MSHT to people with disabilities, most followed an informal service delivery process and encountered various challenges, including challenges related to technology updates and compatibility, difficulty in keeping up with technology changes and advancement, funding for MSHT and services, client Wi-Fi/Internet access and quality, and security and privacy concerns. Participants also emphasised the importance of assessment and technology trialling during the delivery process and shared strategies for device customisation and client training. CONCLUSIONS This study provides first-hand information about the current practice of MSHT service delivery, as well as insights into areas where support is likely needed. The results could inform the development of new tools and resources to support MSHT service delivery. More research is required to develop and evaluate viable service delivery models for mainstream technologies to be used as AT.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONPractitioners who have experience delivering MSHT as AT confirmed the benefits of MSHT for improving independence, safety, and social connection of people with disabilities.Practitioners emphasised the importance of assessment prior to device selection even though MSHT can be readily purchased off the shelf.Practitioners need support for device trialling, installation, troubleshooting, and keeping up with constantly evolving MSHT.More research is needed to develop and evaluate service delivery models for mainstream technologies as AT for people with disabilities.
New and Old Tools and Programming Models for High-Performance Computing

The computing power to be made available to applications in the coming years continues to increase. Hardware vendors anticipate many cores on single chips and fast networks connecting them, enabling a bewildering array of new approaches to parallel programming whose superiority to "classical" approaches (MPI) remains uncertain. One certainty is that application developers will need tools that promote understanding of their parallel codes. In this talk we will review a number of approaches to application development, from Fortran77+MPI to the relatively exotic DARPA "high productivity" languages, together with a sampling of tools, both new and old, that aid programmers in application development.
Future Research Directions for Soil Carbon Modeling

Soil carbon is a recent but critical sub-component of Earth system models that contributes significant uncertainty to carbon cycle simulations in the current Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assessment. Understanding and reducing this uncertainty is a high priority for the next round of IPCC assessments. To this end, experts in soil carbon dynamics gathered in Breckenridge, Colo., for 3 days to discuss next steps for global soil carbon modeling.
The classical tradition: Rhetoric and oratory

(1997). The classical tradition: Rhetoric and oratory. Rhetoric Society Quarterly: Vol. 27, No. 2, pp. 7-38.
Tumors of the Lungs and Pleura

Carcinoma of the lung is a common malignant tumor. Histological typing of lung tumors has long been a source of controversy in pathology, in large part due to the marked heterogeneity that these tumors are capable of exhibiting (1–4). Although the bronchi and lungs may give rise to a wide variety of histopathologic types of malignant epithelial neoplasms, lung cancer grading is usually restricted to the 2 most common types of bronchogenic carcinoma included in the latest World Health Organization (WHO) classification: squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung constitutes a third major group of lung neoplasms for which grading is promising, as the histologic grading of these tumors appears to correlate with their clinical behavior and prognosis (5). The fourth major category of bronchogenic carcinoma in the WHO classification, large cell carcinoma, is not subject to grading, since it is by definition a high-grade neoplasm.
Matrix functions preserving sets of generalized nonnegative matrices

Matrix functions preserving several sets of generalized nonnegative matrices are characterized. These sets include PFn, the set of n × n real eventually positive matrices; and WPFn, the set of matrices A ∈ R n×n such that A and its transpose have the Perron-Frobenius property. Necessary conditions and sufficient conditions for a matrix f unction to preserve the set of n × n real eventually nonnegative matrices and the set of n × n real exponentially nonnegative matrices are also presented. In particular, it is shown that if f(0) 6 0 and f ' (0) 6 0 for some entire function f, then such an entire function does not preserve the set of n × n real eventually nonnegative matrices. It is also shown that the only complex polynomials that preserve the set of n × n real exponentially nonnegative matrices are p(z) = az + b, where a, b ∈ R and a ≥ 0.
The ever-changing brain: Clinical implications.

Volume 73 , April 2016 ISSN 0891-0618 Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy Vol . 73 ( 2016 ) 1 – 42 Special Issue ELSEVIER Neurotransmitter Plasticity Guest editor: Davide Dulcis
Dominance Studies with Stable Merodiploids in the d-Serine Deaminase System of Escherichia coli K-12

An episome, F32, which carries the genetic markers dsdA+, the presumed structural gene for d-serine deaminase, dsdC+, a regulatory locus governing the synthesis of d-serine deaminase, aroC+, and purC+ was obtained from strain AB311 of Escherichia coli K-12, and was used to construct appropriate merodiploids with dsdC markers. In all dsdC / dsdC+ diploids examined, dsdC was found to be cis dominant, trans recessive, to dsdC+. In two cases, however, the cis dominance was only partial. Moreover, complementation was observed between one of the dsdC markers which is fully cis dominant and one which is partially cis dominant. Because of the size of the dsdC region, the phenotypes of the mutants, and the partial trans dominance of dsdC+ over some of the dsdC mutations, it is suggested that the dsdC region specifies a product, but that this product does not move with facility through the cytoplasm
A shared approach to supporting remote observing for multiple observatories

The University of California (UC) began operating the Lick Observatory onMount Hamilton, California in 1888. Nearly a century later, UC became a founding partner in the establishment of theW. M. Keck Observatory (WMKO) in Hawaii, and it is now a founding partner in the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) project. Currently, most UC-affiliated observers conduct the majority of their ground-based observations using either the Keck 10-meter Telescopes on Mauna Kea or one or more of the six Lick telescopes now in operation on Mount Hamilton; some use both the Keck and Lick Telescopes. Within the next decade, these observers should also have the option of observing with the TMT if construction proceeds on schedule. During the current decade, a growing fraction of the observations on both the Keck and Lick Telescopes have been conducted from remote observing facilities located at the observer's home institution; we anticipate that TMT observers will expect the same. Such facilities are now operational at 8 of the 10 campuses of UC and at the UC-operated Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL); similar facilities are also operational at several other Keck-affiliated institutions. All of the UC-operated remote observing facilities are currently dual-use, supporting remote observations with either the Keck or Lick Telescopes. We report on our first three years of operating such dual-use facilities and describe the similarities and differences between the Keck and Lick remote observing procedures. We also examine scheduling issues and explore the possibility of extending these facilities to support TMT observations.
New electrophoretic information on the surface composition of the rat erythrocyte

Abstract Microelectrophoretic determinations of erythrocyte surface charge at low pH conducted in different laboratories have given conflicting results with regard to the existence of a positive mobility branch in the mobility-pH curve. The electrokinetic properties of glutaraldehyde-fixed rat erythrocytes below their isoelectric point (p l ≈ 2) have, therefore, been studied by means of an independent method—stable-flow free boundary (STAFLO) electrophoresis. All experiments were conducted in NaClHCl solutions adjusted to pH 1.2 and ionic strength 0.145. Using transverse scattered light to view the migration pattern of the single-cell sample band, the electrophoretic mobilities for single cells were found to be in the range +0.96 to +1.01 μm/sec/V/cm. This was in good agreement with the value +0.84 ± 0.21 (SD) μm/sec/ V/cm measured by conventional microelectrophoresis using a laterally oriented rectangular chamber. The existence of a large positive surface charge was confirmed by two additional STAFLO optical methods. From the measured STAFLO migration pattern, cellular sedimentation velocities were also calculated and found to be in the range 1.05–1.12μm/sec.
Single-molecule investigation of the T4 bacteriophage DNA polymerase holoenzyme: Multiple pathways of holoenzyme formation

In T4 bacteriophage, the DNA polymerase holoenzyme is responsible for accurate and processive DNA synthesis. The holoenzyme consists of DNA polymerase gp43 and clamp protein gp45. To form a productive holoenzyme complex, clamp loader protein gp44/62 is required for the loading of gp45, along with MgATP, and also for the subsequent binding of polymerase to the loaded clamp. Recently published evidence suggests that holoenzyme assembly in the T4 replisome may take place via more than one pathway [Zhuang, Z., Berdis, A. J., and Benkovic, S. J. (2006) Biochemistry 45, 7976-7989]. To demonstrate unequivocally whether there are multiple pathways leading to the formation of a productive holoenzyme, single-molecule fluorescence microscopy has been used to study the potential clamp loading and holoenzyme assembly pathways on a single-molecule DNA substrate. The results obtained reveal four pathways that foster the formation of a functional holoenzyme on DNA: (1) clamp loader-clamp complex binding to DNA followed by polymerase, (2) clamp loader binding to DNA followed by clamp and then polymerase, (3) clamp binding to DNA followed by clamp loader and then polymerase, and (4) polymerase binding to DNA followed by the clamp loader-clamp complex. In all cases, MgATP is required. The possible physiological significance of the various assembly pathways is discussed in the context of replication initiation and lagging strand synthesis during various stages of T4 phage replication.
Septotectal projections in the cat.

Abstract A study of septotectal projections was undertaken to explain the presence of degenerating terminals in the inferior colliculus following electrolytic lesions in the septum of the cat. Axonal degeneration was studied in parasagittal sections stained with silver. Projections from the septum to the midbrain tectum were traced dorsally through the stria medullaris thalami, stratum zonale of the thalamus, and midbrain tectum to the brachium of the inferior colliculus. Ventral projections were traced from the septum to the thalamic stratum zonale, external medullary lamina, and inferior thalamic peduncle. This degeneration was continuous with that observed near the thalamic fasciculus and internal capsule ventral to the medial geniculate body. Degenerating fibers were traced through the brachium of the inferior colliculus to the capsule of the inferior colliculus. Degenerating terminals were observed in the posterior ventral part of the inferior colliculus. These results reveal anatomical pathways from the septum to the midbrain tectum. The pathways could provide routes over which after-discharge and evoked potentials recorded from the midbrain tectum and central gray could travel. It is possible that these connections are utilized in modulation of limbic influence on afferent modalities and efferent motor control mediated via the midbrain tectum.
Factors Associated With Performance on the Educational Testing Service (ETS) Major Field Achievement Test in Business (MFAT-B)

Accrediting bodies, including Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business—International (AACSB), require evidence that business schools fulfill their stated missions. This often involves using the Major Field Achievement Test in Business (MFAT-B). In this article, the authors studied MFAT-B performance for its relationship to grade point average (GPA) and to general intellect to determine if the correlations between the variables were significant, given that the test is intended to reflect business knowledge. As expected, business core GPA was a significant predictor of MFAT-B performance. However, contrary to expectations, other GPAs and intellectual aptitude predicted the test scores equally well. Most important, student motivation was also associated with MFAT-B performance, and it enhanced prediction even after the authors accounted for other indexes.
Global controllability of nonlinear systems in two dimensions

LetM be a connected real-analytic 2-dimensional manifold. Consider the system $$\dot x(t) = f(x(t)) + u(t)g(x(t)),x(0) = x_0 \in M,$$ (t) = f(x(t)) + u(t)g(x(t)),x(0) =x 0 ∈ M, wheref andg are real-analytic vector fields onM which are linearly independent at some point ofM, andu is a real-valued control. Sufficient conditions on the vector fieldsf andg are given so that the system is controllable fromx 0. Suppose that every nontrivial integral curve ofg has a pointp wheref andg are linearly dependent,g(p) is nonzero, and that the Lie bracket [f,g] andg are linearly independent atp. Then the system is controllable (with the possible exception of a closed, nowhere dense set which is not reachable) from any pointx 0 such that the vector space dimension of the Lie algebraL A generated byf,g and successive Lie brackets is 2 atx 0.
Comment on “influence of composition on the superconducting transition temperature of alloys with the A-15 structure”

Abstract In a recent paper it is reported that Tc is a maximum for compositions which are Al rich with respect to stoichiometry in Nb-Al alloys having the A-15 structure. We call attention to the fact that this result is at variance with reports in the literature on this system. We also clarify some remarks made in that paper on previous works of ours on other systems.
THE DETERMINANTS OF THE EXCHANGE RATE: A SURVEY OF SOME RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE LITERATURE

The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on the determinants of the exchange‐rate by examining the flow theory approach, purchasing power parity theory, the monetary approach and the assets market approach.
The Fate of Unplanned Retention of Prosthetic Articulating Spacers for Infected Total Hip and Total Knee Arthroplasty

Eighteen patients with periprosthetic joint infection (11 hips and 7 knees) treated by prosthetic articulating spacers retained their spacers and were followed up at an average of 43.8 months(range, 13-78 months). Fifteen patients maintained well-functioning spacers for an average of 42.7 months, of which 4 patients died with the spacers in situ at an average of 48.7 months. The mean Harris Hip Score and Knee Society knee and function scores of survivors were 92, 92, 88, respectively. Spacers were revised in 3 patients because of recurrent infection (n = 1) at 24 months and mechanical loosening (n = 2) at 74 and 50 months. Findings of this study suggest that a proportion of patients with unplanned retention of prosthetic spacers appear to function well up to 6 years without necessarily requiring further surgical intervention.
Order Statistic Properties, Random Generation, and Goodness-of-Fit Testing for a Minimal Repair Model

Abstract We present properties of statistics arising from the Block, Borges, and Savits age-dependent minimal repair model. These properties are analogous to the order statistic properties in homogeneous Poisson processes. These properties are exploited to obtain an algorithm for generating a realization from the minimal repair model, and for testing hypothesis concerning the initial distribution function or hazard function of the repair model.
The triple track to successful modeling and model implementation

How is it possible to have a larger number of successes than failures in building models and using them to increase the accomplishment of business objectives?
Multinationality: the financial accounting implications

Summarizes the effects of globalization on financial markets, and the need for accounting practices to keep up with it. Criticizes the Financial Accounting Standards Board Exposure Draft “Accounting for derivatives and similar financial instruments and for hedging activities” for not including the impact of derivative transactions on the risk exposure of a company. Describes Financial Accounting Standards Board collaboration with foreign standard setters, starting with earnings per share and capital structure disclosure. Argues that published financial statements still show the conflict between equity‐holder based accounting and debt‐holder accounting, which has not yet been resolved, despite the EU’s fourth and seventh Directives. Asserts that US and international accounting standards differ in the interpretation by different companies. Predicts that standards will be forced on accountants by the market.
Higher Education and the Nation's Future:

the House of Representatives. I took the opportunity that night 11 years ago to announce that I had just the day before introduced in the House, as leader of a bipartisan group of 20 Education and Labor Committee members, a bill proposed by the Nixon Administration to create a National Institute of Education. In the language of that bill, the purpose of the New Institute was to "conduct and support educational research, and disseminate educational research findings through the nation." I further reported that I expected to begin hearings on the bill immediately and give it top priority during the upcoming congressional session. I think you know how the story came out.
Predictive Time-Based Feedback Control Approach for Managing Freeway Incidents

A feedback control approach is introduced that produces dynamic control strategies in the form of alternate routes around freeway incidents and in response to the prevailing traffic conditions. The approach is based on the equalization of predictive travel times on alternate routes. The methodology is intended to be used as a decision-aid tool for real-time traffic management applications, more specifically for route guidance via variable message signs. The approach is implemented and tested computationally on an example network in a simulated environment under various scenarios of system disturbances. The results indicate that the performance of this approach is fairly robust to uncertainties in demand, compliance rate, and incident severity. It also performs better than an anticipatory approach and an instantaneous time-based feedback control approach.
Uniaxial and biaxial properties of terminally sterilized porcine urinary bladder matrix scaffolds

Scaffolds composed of extracellular matrix have been successfully used to support the reconstruction of a variety of tissues in preclinical studies and in clinical applications. As an off-the-shelf product, extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffolds must be subjected to terminal sterilization before use. The choice of sterilization method may alter the integrity of the ECM's composition and structure such that the mechanical and material properties are adversely affected. The present study evaluated selected structural properties of an ECM scaffold derived from the urinary bladder termed urinary bladder matrix after being sterilized by three different methods: ethylene oxide (ETO) (750 mg/h for 16 h), gamma irradiation (2.0 Mrads), or electron beam irradiation (e-beam) (2.2 Mrads). The structural properties that were evaluated include maximum force, maximum elongation, maximum tangential stiffness, energy dissipation, and ball-burst strength. All sterilization methods affected at least two of the measured properties. ETO was shown to have the least detrimental effect upon the measured properties. Gamma and e-beam irradiation were shown to decrease the uniaxial and biaxial strength, maximum tangential stiffness, and the energy dissipation of the ECM scaffolds. The present study showed that the choice of terminal sterilization method affects the structural properties of scaffolds composed of extracellular matrix.
Liquid–liquid phase separation in multicomponent polymer systems. XXVII. Determination of the pair-interaction function for polymer blends†‡

It is demonstrated that estimation of the pair-interaction function from polymer-blend cloud points cannot yield meaningful values if data are restricted to a single blend. Additional information is required, such as cloud points in another blend made up of samples of the same two polymers differing in molar mass or, alternatively, scattering data on the original blend. Information obtained from melting points of a crystallizable constituent in the blend is insignificant in this respect. Molar-mass distributions in the constituents of the blend complicate the analysis, and must be known in considerable detail. ©1997 SCI
Design of Mechanisms for Storage, Folding, and Delivery of an Intra-Ocular Lens (IOL) During Cataract Surgery

Surgical techniques for extraction of a cataract and implantation of a replacement intraocular lens (IOL) into the eye have improved dramatically in recent years. An important advance has been the development of foldable IOLs, which can be inserted into the eye through incisions approximately 50% smaller than those required for rigid IOLs. This paper reports on another evolutionary step in cataract surgery: the design of mechanisms for handling foldable IOLs during surgery. Mechanism designs are discussed for retrieving an IOL from its sterile storage container, folding the IOL in a desired configuration, and finally, placing the IOL accurately into a delivery tube.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
First phase insulin release and glucose tolerance in children with Fanconi anemia after hematopoietic cell transplantation

Background Fanconi anemia (FA) is an autosomal and X-linked recessive disease of chromosomal instability which results in bone marrow failure. Children with FA have been shown to have an increased risk of diabetes mellitus (DM).
When Pigment Cells Turn Into Neurons

Abbreviations: Dct, dopachrome tautomerase; MASH1, mammalian achaete-scute homolog-1; MITF, microphthalmia-associated transcription factor; RPE, retinal pigment epithelium
Inverse electron demand diels-alder reactions of indole IV. A new route to β-carbolines

Abstract β-Carbolines have been prepared by the intramolecular cycloaddition of indole with 1,2,4-triazines tethered from C3 with the indolyl nitrogen using a thiourea linkage. Subsequent to the cycloaddition, reductive cleavage of the thiourea subunit provides the βcarboline.
Thiol-dependent passive K/Cl transport in sheep red cells: VII. Volume-independent freezing by iodoacetamide, and sulfhydryl group heterogeneity.

The sulfhydryl (SH) reagent iodoacetamide (IAAM) inhibits stimulation of Cl-dependent K transport in low K (LK) sheep red cells by another SH reagent, N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), without itself activating this transport pathway (J. Membrane Biol., 1983,73:257–261). We now report that IAAM alone, acting with a kinetic slower than NEM, sharply reduced the capability of the Cl-dependent K transport system to regulate its activity in response to cell volume changes. This effect of IAAM did not depend on the cell volume maintained during chemical treatment, a fact ruling out that the reactivity of the SH groups with IAAM was a function of the volume-dependent turnover rate of the transporter. On the other hand, the prevention of the NEM-stimulatory effect on Cl-dependent K transport was found to be volume-dependent since 1) the rate with which IAAM blocked the subsequent NEM action was twice as fast in cells swollen in 250 mOsm as opposed to cells shrunken in 370 mOsm media, and 2) the dose response of the IAAM effect was different in swollen and shrunken cells. The action of IAAM with or without subsequent treatment with NEM seemed to be independent of cellular ATP which is required for full expression of the stimulatory modification of Cl-dependent K transport by NEM (Am. J. Physiol., 1983,245:C445–C448). Clusters of SH groups on the Cl-dependent K transporter apparently react differently with IAAM and NEM when separately applied but, used in combination, reflect a complex volume-dependent effect that may reveal a “volume-sensing” component of the transport molecule.
Plasma Renin Activity and Aldosterone Secretion in Patients with Acromegaly

As there is an increased incidence of hypertension in acromegaly, the upright plasma renin activity (UPRA) and aldosterone secretion (ASR) were studied during sodium restriction in thirteen acromegalic patients to see what role they might play in the pathogenesis of the hypertension. In response to sodium restriction, there was a normal mean rise in UPRA to 12.3 ± 1.9 (SE) ng/ml/3 hr; however, there was a subnormal mean ASR rise to 459 ± 55 (se) μg/day (normal 874 ± 67 μg/day). In the hypertensive acromegalic patients in addition to a subnormal ASR response, there was a blunted UPRA rise to 6.9 ± 1.7 (SE) ng/ml/3 hr (normal 15.5 ± 1.6 ng/ml/3 hr). In response to furosemide-induced volume depletion, the ASR response was blunted while the rise in UPRA was normal. The ASR response to ACTH stimulation and intravenous saline suppression was normal. The pathogenesis of the subnormal aldosterone response is not clear but may be secondary to abnormal aldosterone metabolism, a defect in the action of the reninangi...
An aptamer-based microfluidic device for thermally controlled affinity extraction

We present a microfluidic device for specific extraction and thermally activated release of analytes using nucleic acid aptamers. The device primarily consists of a microchamber that is packed with aptamer-functionalized microbeads as a stationary phase, and integrated with a micro heater and temperature sensor. We demonstrate the device operation by performing the extraction of a metabolic analyte, adenosine monophosphate coupled with thiazole orange (TO-AMP), with high selectivity to an RNA aptamer. Controlled release of TO-AMP from the aptamer surface is then conducted at low temperatures using on-chip thermal activation. This allows isocratic analyte elution, which eliminates the use of potentially harsh reagents, and enables efficient regeneration of the aptamer surfaces when device reusability is desired.
Self-referenced measurement of the complete electric field of ultrashort pulses

A self-referenced technique based on digital holography and frequency-resolved optical gating is proposed in order to characterize the complete complex electric field E(x,y,z,t) of a train of ultrashort laser pulses. We apply this technique to pulses generated by a mode-locked Ti:Sapphire oscillator and demonstrate that our device reveals and measures common linear spatio-temporal couplings such as spatial chirp and pulse-front tilt.
Risk factors for cerebral hypoperfusion, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia

Putative risk factors accelerating mild cognitive decline and dementia were correlated with repeated measures of cerebral atrophy, CT, densitometry, perfusions, and cognitive testing among neurologically and cognitively normative aging volunteers. A total of 224 normative subjects at increased risk for cognitive decline were admitted to the study. Mean entry age was 59.5 +/- 15.8 years. Mean follow-up is 5.8 +/- 3.3 years. At follow-up, 22 developed mild cognitive impairment (41 CCSE >/= -3), 19 became demented-8 with Vascular type (VAD), 11 with Alzheimer's type (DAT)-and 183 remain cognitively unchanged. Cerebral atrophy, tissue densities, and perfusions were measured by Xe-CT. After age 60, cerebral atrophy, ventricular enlargement, and polio- and leuko-araiosis geometrically increased as perfusions declined. Risk factors accelerating perfusional decline, cerebral atrophy, polio-araiosis, and leuko-araiosis were: transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), hypertension, smoking, hyperlipidemia, and male gender. At age 71.5 +/- 11.9, mild cognitive impairment began accelerated by TIAs, hypertension and heart disease. Leuko-araiosis began before cognitive decline. TIAs, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia correlated with VAD. Excessive cortical perfusional decrease, gray and white matter hypodensities, and cerebral atrophy correlate with cognitive decline.
Dual-polarization cloud lidar using a liquid crystal variable retarder

Information on local cloud coverage, with high spatial and temporal resolution, is useful for studying how the radiative properties of clouds affect the climate. The resolution of a lidar allows for detection of subvisual cloud and aerosol layers, and for determining particle sizes of the scatterers. A cloud lidar sensitive to polarization can distinguish between ice and water in clouds, since ice crystals are more depolarizing than water droplets. Cloud lidars complement either ground-based or space-based cloud imagers by supplying the missing vertical dimension. This paper describes the design and characterization of a lidar system for the direct detection of clouds, using a liquid crystal to discriminate between backscattered polarization states on alternate laser pulses (at 30 Hz). The source is a Nd:YAG laser at a wavelength of 532 nm and with pulse energies of 118 mJ. The system is designed to be compact and robust enough for transport and deployment. Data presented show the lidar system is capable of detecting clouds up to 9.5 km above ground level (the normal operating range is 15 km) with a 1.5 m range resolution. The receiver field of view is conveniently variable up to 8.8 mrad. Daytime operation is possible, thanks to laser-line interference filters and a gated photomultiplier tube. Polarization discrimination is sufficient to measure depolarization ratios with an additive error of less than 0.4%.
Image filtering derived from a model of quantum-limited detection

This paper considers an image filter to remove small features of low contrast based on a simple model of a quantum limited detector. That is, it removes image noise that can't be seen or that, in other circumstances, can't represent real information. The filtering scheme asks how large an area can be covered with one color without introducing visible departures from the original image. We use a quad tree structure to examine progressively larger image areas until we reach a point that setting the area to one color would obscure visible image features. We have applied these algorithms to a number of grey scale images, ranging from finely detailed images of high contrast to simple classroom video scenes without much fine detail. We have seen reductions by factors from four to twelve in the number of leaf nodes in the quad tree representation of the filtered images relative to the original images. We have also experimented with the filtering of difference images from the classroom video sequence which was made with a stationary camera and have seen substantial further reductions in quad tree complexity for the difference images by factors of two to four.
Quantum gauge theory on compact surfaces

Abstract The quantum field (Euclidean) measure for gauge fields aver compact surfaces, possibly with boundary, with simply-connected compact gauge groups is constructed using a conditioned Gaussian measure on a non-linear space. An explicit formula, involving certain topological invariants for surfaces and curves, is derived which gives expectation values for a very general class of Wilson loop configurations. It is shown that these values are invariant under area-preserving homeomorphisms of the surface.
Public Health Doctors' Ancillary-Care Obligations

This comment on the case presented in ‘Cholera and Nothing More’ argues that the physicians at this public-health centre did not have an ordinary clinician's obligations to promote the health of the people who came to them for care, as they were instead set up to serve a laudable and urgent public-health goal, namely, controlling a cholera outbreak. It argues that, nonetheless, these physicians did have some limited moral duties to care for other diseases they encountered—some ancillary-care duties—arising from their voluntarily entering into a kind of intimate relationship with the patients they took in, one in which those patients effectively waive certain rights to bodily and medical privacy.