cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interleukin-6 and leptin levels are associated with preoperative pain severity in patients with osteoarthritis but not with acute pain after total knee arthroplasty.

Abstract Background Identifying drivers of pain that can serve as novel drug targets is important for improving perioperative analgesia. Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is associated with significant postoperative pain. Cytokines contribute to the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis (OA) and associated pain. However, the influence of perioperative cytokine levels after TKA surgery upon postoperative pain remains unexplored. Methods We designed a prospective observational study to profile three proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), and leptin in serum, synovial, and cerebrospinal fluid of TKA patients perioperatively to determine associations between cytokine levels and pain. We characterized time-trajectories in cytokines pre- and post-surgery and explored their relationships to pain across gender. Results Preoperative pain, measured by functional pain disability scores (PDQ), was predictive of postoperative pain. There were no gender differences in severity of preoperative pain or acute postoperative pain. Serum IL-6, serum leptin, and synovial fluid leptin were positively correlated with body mass index and preoperative pain severity. Stratification of patients by gender revealed strong correlations between serum IL-6, leptin, and PDQ only in females, suggesting that females may be more sensitive to the nociceptive actions of these cytokines. Although serum IL-6 increased dramatically (and TNFα increased modestly) four hours after surgery and remained elevated at 72 h; they were not associated with the severity of acute postoperative pain. Conclusions Our data suggest that while preoperative chronic pain is predictive of the severity of acute postoperative pain in TKA patients, the pre- and post-operative inflammatory status does not predict postoperative pain.
Determination of Molar Mass and Molar Mass Distributions

Molar mass determination methods can be classed as absolute, equivalent, or relative. Absolute methods allow the molar mass to be directly calculated from the measured quantities without the need for assumptions concerning the physical and/or chemical structure of the polymers. In contrast, equivalent methods require a knowledge of the chemical structure of the macromolecules. Relative methods depend on the chemical and physical structure of the solute as well as on the solute-solvent interaction; these methods require calibration against another molecular mass determination method.
Host Immune Response to Human Tumor Antigens

This chapter assumes that human tumor-associated antigens exist, and that the tumor-bearing host makes an immune response to these antigens. The weight of experimental evidence supports this assumption. However, tumor immunology is a relatively young science that is burdened with inexact and often cumbersome techniques and is working from a base of knowledge of the fundamentals of immunology and tumor biology that is only now beginning to make sense. Thus there can be no dogma of tumor immunology. The literature of this field must be approached critically and with a healthy dose of skepticism. The one prediction that can be made with confidence is that there will be many surprises in tumor immunology in the near future.
The Room, the Universe And the Gap

I first heard the story about El Greco’s curtain-drawn room in a bar called “Pub des Artistes.” It was what my effete grandmother called a “watering hole” for painters, writers, aesthetes, and others who, although they had never heard of it, were more fin than siecle. Most of the custom there believed they were bar-coded for fame and immortality and increasingly suffered, like El Greco, from what can only be called “room fever.” They were neurotic, manic depressive, melancholy and sceptical. In short, the patrons of the Pub des Artistes were Baroque and, at times, even baroque: they were victims of a room-milieu essential to Art, yet uncongenial to healthy living. Once the pink gin flowed, there were those who even insisted that it was simply because El Greco was near-sighted, hence the perspectivism of his painting was always visually awry, and only made more so by the darkened room.
Single-Cell Transcriptomes Distinguish Stem Cell State Changes and Lineage Specification Programs in Early Mammary Gland Development.

Summary The mammary gland consists of cells with gene expression patterns reflecting their cellular origins, function, and spatiotemporal context. However, knowledge of developmental kinetics and mechanisms of lineage specification is lacking. We address this significant knowledge gap by generating a single-cell transcriptome atlas encompassing embryonic, postnatal, and adult mouse mammary development. From these data, we map the chronology of transcriptionally and epigenetically distinct cell states and distinguish fetal mammary stem cells (fMaSCs) from their precursors and progeny. fMaSCs show balanced co-expression of factors associated with discrete adult lineages and a metabolic gene signature that subsides during maturation but reemerges in some human breast cancers and metastases. These data provide a useful resource for illuminating mammary cell heterogeneity, the kinetics of differentiation, and developmental correlates of tumorigenesis.
Capital structure and a firm's workforce

While businesses require funding to start and grow, they also rely on human capital, which affects how they raise funds. Labor market frictions make financing labor different than financing capital...
GEOFFREY HARRIS PRIZE LECTURE 2018: Novel pathways regulating neuroendocrine function, energy homeostasis and metabolism in humans

The discovery of leptin, an adipocyte-secreted hormone, set the stage for unraveling the mechanisms dictating energy homeostasis, revealing adipose tissue as an endocrine system that regulates appetite and body weight. Fluctuating leptin levels provide molecular signals to the brain regarding available energy reserves modulating energy homeostasis and neuroendocrine response in states of leptin deficiency and to a lesser extent in hyperleptinemic states. While leptin replacement therapy fails to provide substantial benefit in common obesity, it is an effective treatment for congenital leptin deficiency and states of acquired leptin deficiency such as lipodystrophy. Current evidence suggests that regulation of eating behavior in humans is not limited to homeostatic mechanisms and that the reward, attention, memory and emotion systems are involved, participating in a complex central nervous system network. It is critical to study these systems for the treatment of typical obesity. Although progress has been made, further studies are required to unravel the physiology, pathophysiology and neurobehavioral mechanisms underlying potential treatments for weight-related problems in humans.
Quadrillion F -Theory Compactifications with the Exact Chiral Spectrum of the Standard Model

We present $\mathcal{O}({10}^{15})$ string compactifications with the exact chiral spectrum of the standard model of particle physics. This ensemble of globally consistent $F$-theory compactifications automatically realizes gauge coupling unification. Utilizing the power of algebraic geometry, all global consistency conditions can be reduced to a single criterion on the base of the underlying elliptically fibered Calabi-Yau fourfolds. For toric bases, this criterion only depends on an associated polytope and is satisfied for at least $\mathcal{O}({10}^{15})$ bases, each of which defines a distinct compactification.
The Impact of Reporting of Dollar Amount of Mutual Fund Fees on Fee Levels

In 2004 the SEC began requiring mutual funds to include the dollar amount of fund fees in shareholders reports. Before that, funds reported returns net of fees and didn’t disclose fees separately. This natural experiment allows me to study the impact of separate reporting of fees on the level of fund fees. I find that average retail fund fees decreased by 27 basis points during the five-year period after the change in this rule, compared to the five-year period before the change. This reduction in fees was much higher for funds with higher fees and more volatile returns. I also find that fund investment became more sensitive to fund fees after 2004. These findings support the narrative that reporting of mutual fund fees separately in dollars made fund fees more salient and helped increase fee awareness among the investors, which, in turn, forced mutual funds to decrease fees.
Different etiopathogeneses in early-onset and late-onset inguinal hernia mesh infections in a prospectively evaluated cohort.

Inguinal hernia mesh infection (IHMI) is a rare but a significant problem. The aim of this study was to determine whether etiopathogeneses of early-onset and late-onset IHMIs differ in terms of the...
The Role and Scope of Prehabilitation in Cancer Care

ABSTRACT Objectives To recognize cancer prehabilitation as a pretreatment regimen to increase functional status for patients requiring cancer treatment. This article presents current evidence addressing the efficacy and benefits of prehabilitation regimens in different cancer survivor populations. Data Sources Studies and case reports in the PubMed database. Conclusion Cancer prehabilitation may improve outcomes. Prehabilitation may include targeted or whole-body exercise, nutrition, education, psychologic counseling, and smoking cessation. Opportunities exist to further improve access to and delivery of multimodal prehabilitation, and nurses play a critical role in connecting patients to these services. Implications for Nursing Practice Oncology nurses who are knowledgeable of cancer treatment-related effects are poised to assess survivors for existing impairments, advocate for prehabilitation for existing and potential morbidities, and monitor functional status over time. As patient educators, they are key to informing cancer survivors about the role of prehabilitation.
Care at the Site of the Dead: A Theology of Restoration

Modern history is replete with bodies that were robbed of their humanity and not properly laid to rest. In 2014, Michael Brown’s body was left on the street for over four hours after his murder by ...
Precise patterning driven by droplets

Hydrogels that can respond to multiple external stimuli are typically prepared as a single or interpenetrated polymer network material. Now, water-in-oil droplet networks have been used to precisely pattern different stimuli-responsive materials into well-ordered, continuous hydrogel structures.
Expanding Donor Selection and Recipient Indications for Living Donor Liver Transplantation

There is an acute shortage of deceased donor organs for liver transplantation in the United States. Nearly a third of patients either die or become too sick for transplant while on the transplant waitlist. Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) bridges the gap between demand and supply of organs for liver transplantation. This article reviews current living donor selection criteria, and avenues for expansion of criteria with novel surgical techniques and ongoing outcomes research. Ways in which institutions can establish and expand LDLT programs using the Living Donor Champion model are discussed. Efforts to expand recipient indications for LDLT are described.
Percutaneous management of superior vena cava syndrome in patients with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices.

Background There is no consensus regarding the optimal management of cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED)–related superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome. Objective We report our experience with transvenous lead extractions (TLEs) in the setting of symptomatic CIED-related SVC syndrome. Methods We reviewed all TLEs performed at a high-volume center over a 14-year period and identified patients in which TLE was performed for symptomatic SVC syndrome. Patient characteristics, extraction details, percutaneous management of SVC occlusions, and clinical follow up data were analyzed. Results Over a 14-year period, more than 1600 TLEs were performed. Of these, 16 patients underwent TLE for symptomatic SVC syndrome. The mean age was 53.1 ± 12.8 years, and 9 (56.3%) were men. Thirty-seven leads, with a mean dwell time of 5.8 years (range 2–12 years), were extracted. After extraction, 6 patients (37.5%) received an SVC stent. Balloon angioplasty was performed before stenting in 5 cases (31.3%). There was 1 major complication (6.3%) due to an SVC tear that was managed surgically with a favorable outcome. Eleven patients underwent reimplantation of a CIED. Over a median follow-up of 5.5 years (interquartile range 2.0–8.5 years), 12 patients (75%) remained free of symptoms. Conclusion Combining TLE with the percutaneous treatment of symptomatic SVC syndrome is a safe and viable treatment strategy.
First-Principles Mechanistic Study of the Initial Growth of SrO by Atomic Layer Deposition on TiO2-Terminated SrTiO3 (001)

Perovskite oxides with a high dielectric constant such as SrTiO3 have received much attention as alternative dielectrics for next generation semiconductor devices. The growth of SrTiO3 thin films b...
Post-COVID-19 Syndrome (Long Haul Syndrome): Description of a Multidisciplinary Clinic at Mayo Clinic and Characteristics of the Initial Patient Cohort.

Abstract Objective To describe characteristics of a series of patients reporting prolonged symptoms after an infection with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Patients and Methods This study describes the multidisciplinary COVID-19 Activity Rehabilitation Program, established at Mayo Clinic to evaluate and treat patients with post–COVID syndrome, and reports the clinical characteristics of the first 100 patients receiving evaluation and management during the timeframe of June 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020. Results The cohort consisted of 100 patients (mean age, 45.4±14.2 years; 68% women; mean body mass index, 30.2 kg/m2; presenting a mean of 93 days after infection). Common preexisting conditions were respiratory (23%) and mental health, including depression and/or anxiety (34%). Most (75%) had not been hospitalized for COVID-19. Common presenting symptoms ware fatigue (80%), respiratory complaints (59%), and neurological complaints (59%) followed by subjective cognitive impairment, sleep disturbance, and mental health symptoms. More than one-third of patients (34%) reported difficulties in performing basic activities of daily living. Only 1 in 3 patients had returned to unrestricted work duty at the time of the analysis. For most patients, laboratory and imaging tests showed no abnormalities or were nondiagnostic despite debilitating symptoms. Most patients required physical therapy, occupational therapy, or brain rehabilitation. Face-to-face and virtual care delivery modalities were feasible. Conclusion Most of the patients did not have COVID-19–related symptoms that were severe enough to require hospitalization, were younger than 65 years, and were more likely to be female, and most had no preexisting comorbidities before severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. Symptoms including mood disorders, fatigue, and perceived cognitive impairment resulted in severe negative impacts on resumption of functional and occupational activities in patients experiencing prolonged effects.
Billing patterns for in-office computerized tomography scans of the face/sinus by otolaryngologists.

Abstract Purpose To evaluate billing trends, Medicare reimbursement, and practice setting for Medicare-billing otolaryngologists (ORLs) performing in-office face computerized tomography (CT) scans. Methods This retrospective study included data on Medicare-billing ORLs from Medicare Part B: Provider Utilization and Payment Datafiles (2012–2018). Number of Medicare-billing ORLs performing in-office CT scans, and total sums and medians for Medicare reimbursements, services performed, and number of patients were gathered along with geographic and practice-type distributions. Results In 2018, roughly 1 in 7 Medicare-billing ORLs was performing in-office CT scans, an increase from 1 in 10 in 2012 (48.2% growth). From 2012 to 2018, there has been near-linear growth in number of in-office CT scans performed (58.2% growth), and number of Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) patients receiving an in-office CT scan (64.8% growth). However, at the median, the number of in-office CT scans performed and number of Medicare FFS patients receiving an in-office CT, per physician, has remained constant, despite a decline of 42.3% (2012: $227.67; 2018: $131.26) in median Medicare reimbursements. Conclusion Though sharp declines have been seen in Medicare reimbursement, a greater proportion of Medicare-billing ORLs have been performing in-office face CT scans, while median number of in-office CT scans per ORL has remained constant. Although further investigation is certainly warranted, this analysis suggests that ORLs, at least in the case of the Medicare FFS population, are utilizing in-office CT imaging for preoperative planning, pathologic diagnosis, and patient convenience, rather than increased revenue streams. Future studies should focus on observing these billing trends among private insurers.
Field Guide to the Lichens of White Rocks (Boulder, Colorado)

Erin A. Tripp. 2016. Field Guide to the Lichens of White Rocks (Boulder, Colorado). (ISBN-13: 978-1-60732-553-6, pbk). Univ. Press of Colorado (& Utah State Univ. Press), 5589 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder, Colorado 80303, U.S.A. (Orders: www.upcolorado.com). $21.95 US, 192 pp., 61 figures, 6" × 9".
Coupling the Back End of Fuel Cycles with Repositories

Fuel cycles have not historically been integrated with repository design. Four alternative combinations of fuel cycles and repository systems are assessed in the present work: (a) traditional repos...
Differential Geometry via Differential Forms

In this chapter we present a brief introduction to some basic concepts of differential geometry. As the reader will see, the facility we have developed with differential forms will greatly aid us in this endeavor.
Implicit-explicit Hybrid Schemes for Radiation Hydrodynamics Suitable for Distributed Computer Systems

This chapter proposes a finite difference scheme for radiation hydrodynamical equations in the transport limit, in which flow signals are explicitly treated, while radiation signals are implicitly treated. Flow and radiation fields are updated simultaneously. An iterative approach is proposed to solve the set of nonlinear algebraic equations arising from the implicitness of the scheme. No matter how many grid cells radiation signals propagate through in one time step, only an extremely small number of iterations are needed in the scheme, and communication between computer processor elements (PEs) happens only a few times. The number of iteration needed is independent of the number of PEs used, and the iteration carried out in each PE is almost independent of the iteration of other PEs. Each iteration costs only about 0.8% of the computer CPU time that is needed in one time step of a second order accurate and fully explicit scheme. Two-dimensional problems are treated through a dimensionally split technique. Therefore, iterations for solving the set of algebraic equations are carried out only in each one-dimensional sweep.
ROLE OF SOLID-STATE INTERACTIONS IN THE ACID-CATALYZED THERMOLYSIS OF SURFACE-ATTACHED DIPHENYLALKANES

The cross-linked, network structure of coal may impose constraints on conventional reaction mechanisms as a consequence of restricted mass transport. We have examined this phenomenon for thermal reactions through the study of model compounds that are covalently anchored to an inert silica surface (1). We have now initiated studies that employ these immobilized model compounds as solid-state probes in modeling fundamental aspects of catalyzed, heterogeneous reactions of coal. There have been numerous recent reports on the development of unsupported, highly dispersed catalysts for improving the conversion and product selectivity in coal liquefaction (2,3) and hydropyrolysis (4). A potential advantage of such dispersed catalysts is the improved contact between the coal, solvent vehicle if present, hydrogen gas, and the catalyst surface, particularly when catalysts with very small particle sizes can be generated. In this paper, we report initial results from a model system that begins to address the mechanistic question of if, in the early stages of coal dissolution, significant activation of solid coal particles by solid catalyst can occur. For this study, surface-immobilized 1,3-diphenylpropane ({approx}DPP) has been employed as a model for related trimethylene (and longer) aliphatic linking groups between aromatic clusters in coal, and its reactivity in the presencemore » of a dispersed aluminosilicate at 310--375{degree}C has been investigated. 8 refs., 2 figs.« less
Antennas for ICRF heating in the Alcator C-Mod tokamak

The Alcator C-Mod tokamak experiment relies on ICRF heating as the sole source of auxilliary power. Two different antenna designs have been produced and fabricated for the ICRF heating experiments. The first antenna has a single current strap, a two-layer Faraday shield, and is movable radially. One of these antennas was built, conditioned to high RF voltage on a test stand, and installed on C-Mod for the first experimental run. The engineering goals of the first experiments include measuring the plasma loading and testing the power handling capability of the antenna. Details of the conditioning and tuning procedures will be presented. The second antenna has two phasable current straps and a single layer Faraday shield. The predicted high disruption forces require that it be attached securely to the vacuum vessel wall at a fixed radial position. Two of these antennas have been constructed, one having a titanium carbide coated Faraday shield and the other a boron carbide coated shield. They are designed to couple up to 4 MW of source power from two FMIT transmitters. Details of the fabrication and test stand conditioning of these antennas will be presented.
The Declarative Language STR (State Transition Rule)

The declarative language STR (State Transition Rule) is proposed to describe service specifications and programs. Given that telecommunication service specifications can be represented in the form of a state transition diagram, STR describes conditions for state transitions in the form of a production rule. STR specifications, description examples, categories of feature interactions, examples of feature interactions, interaction detection method, and application to Active Networks are described.
Bone marrow transplants from HLA-identical siblings in advanced Hodgkin's disease.

PURPOSETo determine the outcome of HLA-identical sibling bone marrow transplants in advanced Hodgkin's disease.PATIENTS AND METHODSWe reviewed the data on 100 consecutive patients with Hodgkin's disease who received HLA-identical sibling bone marrow transplants between April 1, 1982 and August 12, 1992, reported to the International Bone Marrow Transplant Registry (IBMTR). The median interval from diagnosis to transplant was 2.5 years (range, < 1 to 14). All had advanced disease. Eighty-nine of 100 patients were not in remission at the time of transplant. Fifty had pretransplant Karnofsky scores less than 90% and 27 had active infection in the week before transplant. Patients received a variety of conditioning regimens; 45 received total-body radiation.RESULTSThe 100-day probability of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was 35% (95% confidence interval [CI], 26% to 46%); the 3-year probability of chronic GVHD was 45% (95% CI, 31% to 59%). The 3-year probability of relapse was 65% (95% CI, 50% to 78%)....
Patient Satisfaction and Perceived Quality of Care Among Older Adults According to Activity Limitation Stages.

Abstract Objective To examine whether patient satisfaction and perceived quality of medical care are related to stages of activity limitations among older adults. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) for calendar years 2001 to 2011. Participants A population-based sample (N=42,584) of persons aged ≥65 years living in the community. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures MCBS questions were categorized under 5 patient satisfaction and perceived quality dimensions: care coordination and quality, access barriers, technical skills of primary care physicians, interpersonal skills of primary care physicians, and quality of information provided by primary care physicians. Persons were classified into a stage of activity limitation (0–IV) derived from self-reported difficulty levels performing activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental ADL. Results Compared with older beneficiaries with no limitations at ADL stage 0, the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for stage I (mild) to stage III (severe) for satisfaction with care coordination and quality ranged from .85 (95% confidence interval [CI], .80–.92) to .79 (95% CI, .70–.89). Compared with ADL stage 0, satisfaction with access barriers ranged from OR=.81 (95% CI, .76–.87) at stage I to a minimum of OR=.67 (95% CI, .59–.76) at stage III. Similarly, compared with older beneficiaries at ADL stage 0, perceived quality of the technical skills of their primary care physician ranged from OR=.87 (95% CI, .82–.94) at stage I to a minimum of OR=.81 (95% CI, .72–.91) at stage III. Conclusions Medicare beneficiaries at higher stages of activity limitation, although not necessarily the highest stage of activity limitation, reported less satisfaction with medical care.
Evolving multi-agent network structure with organizational learning

Organizational structure changes over time due to various reasons, such as organizational learning, situation changes and personnel turnovers, etc. Estimating the structure changes will reflect organizational performance changes, emergent leaders, new key links, etc. This paper introduces a multi-agent model that simulates the organizational structure evolution over time. The simulated structure evolution will be driven by the organizational learning procedure that we devised. We perform virtual experiments with two distinct cases, an organization with the learning mechanism and the other one without learning. The performances of the two case organizations were examines under situation change assumptions. The organization with learning mechanism was better than the other when situation changes were predictable. We also scan the network topology changes over time, and we identified that the average distance among the nodes gets smaller as learning proceeds. This work is a preliminary effort to examine the effect of organizational learning and to formulate the evolution of organizational structures.
Staphylococcus aureus colonization in community-dwelling people with spinal cord dysfunction.

Abstract Roghmann M-C, Gorman PH, Wallin MT, Kreisel K, Shurland S, Johnson JA. Staphylococcus aureus colonization in community-dwelling people with spinal cord dysfunction. Objectives To estimate the prevalence of and determine risk factors for Staphylococcus aureus colonization of the perineum. Design Cross-sectional study with follow-up of up to 1 year. Setting Multiple outpatient sites. Participants Eighty-four community-dwelling adults with spinal cord dysfunction (SCD). Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measure Colonization of perineum with S. aureus . Results Overall, 24% of the study cohort carried S. aureus on their perineal skin at enrollment, with 16% having methicillin-susceptible S. aureus and 10% having methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Most perineal carriers were also colonized in the anterior nares. Participants with trauma as the cause of their SCD were more likely to be colonized with S. aureus than participants with SCD caused by multiple sclerosis or other causes (relative risk [RR], 2.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2–6.6; P =.01). Participants with pelvic decubiti were more likely to be colonized with S. aureus than participants without pelvic decubiti (RR=4.3; 95% CI, 2.4–7.7; P S. aureus (RR=1.5; 95% CI, 0.7–3.3; P =.31); however, recent fluoroquinolone use was significantly associated with perineal colonization (RR=2.8; 95% CI, 1.4–5.8; P =.02). Of the 8 participants with MRSA colonization, only 2 (25%) had a history of MRSA colonization. Conclusions S. aureus colonization of the perineum is common in this outpatient population of people with SCD. The use of fluoroquinolones was associated with S. aureus colonization. Colonization with MRSA without a history of MRSA was common.
New interpretations of Great Salt Lake ooids and of ancient non‐skeletal carbonate mineralogy

Earlier interpretations of textural alteration affecting Great Salt Lake ooids have greatly influenced concepts of ooid diagenesis. Scanning electron microscope study shows, however, that the coarse radial aragonite rays are depositional, that no recrystallization of pellet cores has occurred, and that Great Salt Lake ooids have not suffered noticeable diagenesis. As suggested by Kahle (1974), radial texture in ancient calcitic ooids is probably mainly original, not diagenetic. Retention of such fine textures has been attributed to organic matter (since found to be equivalent in modern skeletal and non-skeletal grains) or to paramorphic replacement (proposed for non-skeletal grains whose original aragonite mineralogy was only inferred from modern analogs). Pleistocene ooids known to have been aragonite alter like aragonite shells to coarse neomorphic calcite, often with aragonite relics. The striking uniformity of that coarse texture in neomorphic calcite replacing known skeletal aragonites throughout the geologic record has been noted for over 100 years. In contrast, Mississippian ooids retain fine texture as do calcite layers of coexisting gastropods, but unlike the strongly altered aragonite layers of these same gastropods. Therefore, inferences of original aragonitic mineralogy of ancient non-skeletal carbonate grains (including muds) which are now calcite but retain fine texture appear unwarranted, as do assumptions of differential diagenetic behaviour of ancient aragonitic skeletal and non-skeletal grains. Accordingly, modern depositional environments of marine ooids and carbonate muds must be rejected as chemically unrepresentative of comparable ancient environments. It is inferred that ancient non-skeletal carbonates were originally predominantly or exclusively calcite because of an earlier lower oceanic Mg/Ca ratio (<2/1) which altered progressively to values favouring aragonite (modern Mg/Ca value = 5/1). Major influencing factors are: selective removal of calcium by planktonic foraminifers and coccolithophorids since Jurassic-Cretaceous time and by abundant younger, Mg-poor aragonite skeletons and an erratic trend toward decreasing dolomite formation (decreasing removal of oceanic Mg). The change to aragonite dominance over calcite for non-skeletal carbonates was probably during early to middle Cenozoic time.
Acoustic Emission Monitoring of Reinforced Concrete under Accelerated Corrosion

The development of techniques capable of evaluating the deterioration of reinforced concrete structures is instrumental to the advancement of structural health monitoring (SHM) techniques and service life estimate methodologies for constructed facilities. One of the main causes of degradation is the corrosion of steel reinforcement. This process can be modeled phenomenologically, whereas laboratory tests aimed at studying durability responses are typically accelerated to provide usable results within a realistic period of time. Numerous nondestructive methods have been recently studied. Acoustic emission (AE) is emerging as a nondestructive tool to detect the onset and progression of deterioration mechanisms associated with concrete cracking. In this paper, an accelerated corrosion and continuous AE monitoring test setup is presented, providing relevant information on the characteristics of the corrosion circuit, continuous measurement procedure, selection of AE sensors, and AE parameter setting for data acquisition. The effectiveness of AE in detecting and characterizing the initiation of the corrosion process is discussed on the basis of results from small-scale, precracked RC specimens that are representative of areas near the clear cover in typical RC members. The main outcome is a new approach of AE data interpretation based on time-driven parameters.
Optimization by Response Surface Methodology of Confluent and Aligned Cellular Monolayers for Nerve Guidance.

Anisotropic tissue structures provide guidance for navigating neurons in vitro and in vivo. Here we optimized the generation of comparable anisotropic monolayers of astrocytes, endothelial cells, and Schwann cells as a first step toward determining which properties of anisotropic cells are sufficient for nerve guidance. The statistical experimental design method Design of Experiments (DOE) and the experimental analysis method Response Surface Methodology (RSM) were applied to improve efficiency and utility. Factors investigated included dimensions of microcontact printed protein patterns, cell density, and culture duration. Protein patterning spacing had the strongest influence. When cells initially aligned at borders and proliferated to fill in spaces, space between stripes was most effective when it was comparable to cell size. Maximizing the area of adhesive molecule coverage was also important for confluence of these types of cells. When cells adhered and aligned over the width of a stripe and broadened to fill spaces, space width about half the cell width was most effective. These findings suggest that if the mechanism of alignment, alignment at borders or over the width of the stripe, is predetermined and the cell size determined, the optimal size of the micropatterning for aligned monolayers of other cell types can be predicted. This study also demonstrates the effective use of DOE and RSM to probe cellular responses to various and multiple factors toward determination of optimal conditions for a desired cellular response.
Flexor digitorum brevis transfer for floating toe prevention after Weil osteotomy: a cadaveric study.

Background:A floating toe deformity occurs in many patients who undergo Weil osteotomies. It is likely caused by the failure of the windlass mechanism in shortening the metatarsal. For patients who require a proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint arthroplasty or fusion in addition to a Weil osteotomy, the transfer of the flexor digitorum brevis (FDB) tendon to the PIP joint might restore the windlass mechanism and decrease the incidence of floating toes.Methods:Fourteen cadaveric foot specimens were examined to determine the effects of changing metatarsal length as well as tensioning the FDB tendon on the angle of the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint as a measure of a floating toe.Results:Shortening and lengthening the second metatarsal resulted in a significant change in MTP angle (P = .03 and .02, respectively), though there was no clear relationship found between the amount of change in metatarsal length and the change in MTP angle. Transferring the FDB to a PIP arthroplasty site plantarflexed the MTP joi...
International Environmental Treaty Engagement in 19 Democracies

This study examines the regular pattern of involvement of 19 democratic states in relation to 15 international environmental treaties over the past 20 years. An attempt is made to understand what accounts for the international environmental engagement of democratic states through an empirical evaluation of four theories, specifically structural conditions, political institutions, idea-based, and international connectivity theory. Rather than case study analysis or an evaluation of a single country or theory, the value of the study is its comparative statistical evaluation of multiple indicators of four rival theories across 19 countries. Empirical findings reveal that the strongest causal forces underlying collaborative democratic state behavior are the citizenry's postmaterial orientations and executive-centered political institutions. International environmental commitments among democracies are constructed by the cultural composition of the polity and institutional rules that centralize ratification procedures, rather than by structural conditions and international forces. The study thus corroborates the idea-based theory's emphasis on the underlying values of the citizenry and the institutional theory's emphasis on domestic policy processes.
On the active species in bicarbonate stimulation of hill reaction in thylakoid membranes

At 5°C, addition of CO2 or HCO−3 to CO2(HCO−3)-depleted thylakoids (containing 100 mM formate) initiates, within 10 s, the activation of the Hill reaction in light. In contrast to HCO−3 addition, where there is a lag of 6–8 s, the activation by CO2 addition is almost instantaneous. With CO2, prior addition of carbonic anhydrase produces a lag of about 6 s that approaches the lag observed by the HCO−3 addition. These data suggest that CO2 is an active species involved in stimulating the Hill reaction. Binding of CO2(HCO−3) to a component on the external side of the thylakoid membranes is supported by the present study.
Computer Networks as a Source of Research Subjects

Acquiring access to subjects for research is a problem that confronts many nurse researchers. Methods commonly used for subject recruitment may provide an inadequate subject pool for successful study completion. Computer networks can be a viable alternative for subject recruitment through the use of on-line bulletin boards and support groups for many health-related issues. The use of an on-line network to augment the subject pool in one study is briefly described. Nurses are encouraged to use this technology as one creative way to recruit and access subjects in order to continue to be successful in the clinical research arena.
Image-guided surgical navigation in otology.

Objectives/Hypothesis: To evaluate the efficacy of image-guided surgical navigation (IGSN) in otologic surgery and establish practice guidelines. Study Design: Prospective study. Methods: Between January 2003 and January 2010, all patients requiring complicated surgery for chronic otitis media, glomus jugulare, atresia, cerebrospinal fluid leak with or without encephalocele, and cholesterol granuloma of the petrous apex were offered IGSN. The accuracy of IGSN relative to pertinent pathology and 11 anatomic landmarks was established. Additionally IGSN-related operative time, complications, and surgical outcome were recorded. Results: In the study period there were 820 otologic procedures, among 94 patients (96 ears) with disease meeting proposed criteria. Thirteen patients (15 procedures) consented to the use of IGSN. All patients had a minimum 6 months of follow-up. The average additional operative time required was 36.7 minutes. The mean accuracy error was 1.1 mm laterally at the tragus but decreased to 0.8 mm medially at the level of the oval window. The mean accuracy of IGSN was within 1 mm in 10 of the 11 targeted surgical anatomic landmarks. Conclusions: Interactive image-guided surgical navigation during complex otologic surgery may improve surgical outcome and decrease morbidity by providing an accurate real-time display of surgical instrumentation relative to patient anatomy and pathology. In select cases, the extra cost of imaging immediately prior to surgery and extra operating room time may be compensated by enhancing the ability to distinguish distorted anatomy relative to disease, potentially improving surgical outcome. IGSN, although useful, does not replace surgical expertise and experience.
Canning‐Induced Fruit Softening and Cell Wall Pectin Solubilization in the ‘Patterson’ Apricot

The canning of slightly immature ‘Patterson’ apricot fruits leads to an immediate softening of the halves to the extent that many are of unacceptable texture. This softening occurs in conjunction with a substantial solubilization of uronic acid-, arabinose-, and galactose-rich (presumably pectic) polysaccharide material into the canning liquid. The solubilization is not accompanied by pectin depolymerization suggesting that some process other than acid-catalyzed polymer hydrolysis is responsible for fruit softening during processing.
Smoking cue reactivity in schizophrenia: Effects of a nicotinic receptor antagonist

Background Rates of cigarette smoking in schizophrenia are higher than in the general population. To investigate differences in sensitivity to smoking cues between schizophrenia and control subjects, we compared smoking cue reactivity (CR) in schizophrenia versus control smokers with and without pretreatment with the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) antagonist mecamylamine (MEC). Methods Smoking CR in schizophrenia (n = 22) and nonpsychiatric control (n = 20) smokers was determined using exposure to smoking pictures. Three doses of MEC (0, 5, and 10 mg/day) were administered during the 3 test weeks to determine the role of nAChRs in mediating the smoking CR response. Results Eleven of 22 (50%) schizophrenia and 10 of 20 (50%) control smokers displayed smoking CR. Smoking CR was not significantly different between schizophrenia and control smokers in the placebo (0 mg/day) condition. However, MEC pretreatment produced a dose-dependent reduction of CR in schizophrenia smokers compared with placebo. There was no significant effect of MEC on CR in control smokers. Conclusions Our findings suggest that blockade of CR by MEC may be more robust in schizophrenia versus control smokers, possibly due to reduced nAChR levels in the brains of patients with schizophrenia.
Passive stability of a spinning Skylab.

The results of an analytical investigation of the rotational dynamics of a spinning Skylab space station are presented. The passive stability of motion of a simplified model consisting of a rigid core body with two attached flexible appendages is investigated. The parameter plane stability technique is applied to the specific Skylab case to determine its transient response to external disturbances.
Fatigue damage accumulation in nickel prior to crack initiation

The accumulation of lattice defects during fatigue cycling of nickel was investigated by electrical resistivity measurements, positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Dislocations and vacancy clusters were found to be the main defect types. During cycling of axial and flexural samples at constant load amplitude, the dislocations form a saturated structure early in the fatigue life. This saturated structure consists of a cellular dislocation matrix, in which persistent slip bands (PSBs) begin to operate after the saturation has been established. Vacancies and vacancy clusters are formed during fatigue as a consequence of repetitive dislocation glide in the PSB structure. When PSBs operate, the matrix is assumed to be dormant, allowing vacancies to accumulate preferentially in the PSBs. The increase in vacancy concentration then accounts for the monotonic accumulation of fatigue damage, which points to the importance of vacancy accumulation as a precursor to crack nucleation.
Experiment in feedforward control for the reduction of sound transmission through an elastic plate backed by a rigid rectangular cavity

The payload compartment of space launch vehicles is an acoustically severe environment with sound pressure levels that often exceed 130 dB. Many of the design constraints for satellites are driven by the launch loads and any reduction in these loads would allow lighter spacecraft and significant cost savings because of reduced launch weight and testing requirements. In order to determine the levels of sound attenuation possible in such an application, a simple experimental apparatus consisting of a flexible plate backed by a rigid rectangular cavity has been built to mimic the behavior of a launch vehicle payload compartment. An external speaker is used to simulate the pressure loading caused by vehicle exhaust and turbulent flow around the launch vehicle. This paper provides a comparison of the harmonic disturbance attenuation capability and transient/convergence performance of a fixed analog feedforward and a filtered-x LMS adaptive feedforward controller for the cavity backed plate problem using piezoelectric ceramic actuators on the flexible plate and polyvinylidene fluoride pressure and plate vibration sensors. Controllers are developed for the first plate controlled mode and the first cavity controlled mode.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Nurses’ Attitudes and Knowledge

Despite significant evidence for the integration of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) into professional nursing practice, gaps exist regarding nurses' baseline knowledge, beliefs of efficacy, and learning needs for further education to facilitate the integration of CAM into nursing practice. The top three conditions which adults identified for using CAM were back pain, neck pain, and joint pain. CAM can offer nurses additional treatment options for managing their patients' pain and discomfort. The California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) identifies that nurses can help provide the missing link between conventional Western medicine and CAM therapies. Nurses cannot successfully advocate for CAM therapies, nor understand their patients' prior use of such treatments, unless they themselves are familiar with both the risks and the benefits of these practices. It is necessary to first establish nurses' baseline knowledge and beliefs related to CAM so that adequate educational programs can be initiated to help mitigate the barriers to incorporating CAM into the acute care setting. This descriptive study explores registered nurses' attitudes and knowledge related to CAM by using the Nurse Complementary and Alternative Medicine Nursing Knowledge and Attitudes Survey developed by Rojas-Cooley and Grant. Nurses in this study demonstrated limited self-reported knowledge of basic CAM terminology and CAM practices.
Exploration of Changes in Health-Related Quality of Life after 3 Months of Vagus Nerve Stimulation.

Purpose. The goal of this work was to explore changes in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and reductions in seizure frequency among patients initiating vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) for medication-refractory epilepsy. Methods. Patients receiving VNS completed the Quality of Life in Epilepsy-10 (QOLIE-10) at baseline and after 3 months of stimulation. Patients were categorized as responders (≥50% seizure reduction) and nonresponders (<50% seizure reduction). Data were analyzed for change from baseline to 3 months within each group and between groups. Results. Both groups reported improvements in almost all aspects of HRQOL. Statistically significant improvements were reported by responders in energy, memory, social aspects, mental effects, and fear of seizures; and by nonresponders in downheartedness and overall QOL. Responders improved significantly more than nonresponders in energy. Conclusions. These exploratory analyses showed little difference in HRQOL between responders and nonresponders, with both reporting improvements after 3 months of VNS. Follow-up may determine whether improvements are sustained or attributable to placebo effect.