cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Testicular torsion: The unexpected terrible twos, a unique case report

Abstract Introduction Testicular torsion is a common pediatric urologic emergency that affects 3.8 per 100,000 males younger than 18 yrs annually. The age distribution of testicular torsion is bimodal, with one peak in the neonatal period and the second peak around puberty. Herein, we describe a case report involving testicular torsion in a rarely seen age group. Case presentation A 2 year old male with no past medical history presented to the Emergency Department with left testicular pain and swelling. His physical exam revealed a well-developed child in mild distress related to discomfort. The left testis appeared edematous and erythematous. It was firm and tender to palpation. The ultrasound with Doppler of the left testis revealed marked tunica thickening and hyperemia with overlying scrotal edema and hyperemia. The patient was taken emergently to the operating room for exploration. There was torsion of the left spermatic cord within the tunica vaginalis with a necrotic testis. A left orchiectomy and right orchiopexy were performed. Conclusion When dealing with acute scrotal etiologies one must consider a broad differential diagnosis including testicular torsion, incarcerated or strangulated inguinal hernia, trauma and epididymitis. This case report demonstrates a unique presentation of testicular torsion in an unexpected age group.
The Relationship Between Resilience, Self-Efficacy, and Employment in People With Physical Disabilities:

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the importance of resilience and self-efficacy in explaining employment status for people with long-term physical disabilities when other soci...
Photochemically produced U(IV) as a reductant for Pu(IV) and applications in nuclear fuel reprocessing

U(IV) can be photochemically produced in tri-n-butyl phosphate solutions from uranyl nitrate and used to reduce Pu(IV). Nitrite production can be controlled by filtering out light having wavelengths of < 350 nm and by keeping the temperature of the reaction mixture below 10/sup 0/C. Another product of the photolysis, di-n-butyl phosphate, can interfere with the reduction, but no effect was apparent in our experiments. Conventional solvent cleanup procedures should remove photolysis side products. The application of this process to the reprocessing of nuclear fuel would require commercially available light sources that can be located outside the hot zone of the plant and a reactor vessel with windows within the hot zone. 1 figure, 1 table.
Comments on some present and future problems in protein structure.

In 1964 some program officers at NIH were seriously, and understandably, concerned that the solution of the myoglobin structure might have been an accident. The intense effort that had been going on in the field of protein crystallography during the previous five years had not produced any additional structures and perhaps would not in the foreseeable future. The dramatic appearance of the lysozyme model in 1965 fortunately put an end to thoughts of major funding shifts that were being discussed. Let us hope some comparable event occurs this year.
Wavelength- and irradiance-dependent changes in intracellular nitric oxide level

Significance: Photobiomodulation (PBM) refers to the beneficial effects of low-energy light absorption. Although there is a large body of literature describing downstream physiological benefits of PBM, there is a limited understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects. At present, the most popular hypothesis is that light absorption induces release of nitric oxide (NO) from the active site of cytochrome c oxidase (COX), allowing it to bind O2 instead. This is believed to increase mitochondrial respiration, and result in greater overall health of the cell due to increased adenosine triphosphate production. Aim: Although NO itself is a powerful signaling molecule involved in a host of biological responses, less attention has been devoted to NO mechanisms in the context of PBM. The purpose of our work is to investigate wavelength-specific effects on intracellular NO release in living cells. Approach: We have conducted in-depth dosimetry analyses of NO production and function in an in vitro retinal model in response to low-energy exposure to one or more wavelengths of laser light. Results: We found statistically significant wavelength-dependent elevations (10% to 30%) in intracellular NO levels following laser exposures at 447, 532, 635, or 808 nm. Sequential or simultaneous exposures to light at two different wavelengths enhanced the NO modulation up to 50% of unexposed controls. Additionally, the immediate increases in cellular NO levels were independent of the function of NO synthase, depended greatly on the substrate source of electrons entering the electron transport chain, and did not result in increased levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate. Conclusions: Our study concludes the simple model of light-mediated release of NO from COX is unlikely to explain the wide variety of PBM effects reported in the literature. Our multiwavelength method provides a novel tool for studying immediate and early mechanisms of PBM as well as exploring intracellular NO signaling networks.
Vertebral artery dissections with and without cervical spine fractures: Analysis of 291 patients.

Abstract Objectives Vertebral artery dissections occur when tears in the intimal layer of the vertebral artery and are associated with trauma, infection, and spontaneous etiologies. We aimed to identify differences in predisposing factors and outcomes in vertebral artery dissections associated with cervical spine fractures compared to those not associated with cervical spine fractures. Patients and methods We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients with vertebral artery dissections who presented to our institution at the time of dissection and had a minimum of 3 month follow-up and collected data on demographics, event characteristics, treatments, and outcomes in the form of modified Rankin scale scores. Results In total, 291 patients with VAD were included in this study. Thirty-nine patients with VADs had associated fracture, while 252 patients had VADs without fracture. VAD patients with associated cervical fractures were more likely to be male (p Conclusion Cervical spine fracture is likely the primary driver of poor neurological outcomes following vertebral artery dissection with associated cervical spine fracture.
It’s not always too late: a case for minimally invasive salvage esophagectomy

Standard of care for locally advanced esophageal carcinoma is neoadjuvant chemoradiation (nCRT) and surgical resection 4–8 weeks after completion of nCRT. It is recommended that the CRT to surgery interval not exceed 90 days. Many patients do not undergo surgery within this timeframe due to patient/physician preference, complete clinical response, or poor performance status. Select patients are offered salvage esophagectomy (SE), defined in two ways: resection for recurrent/persistent disease after complete response to definitive CRT (dCRT) or esophagectomy performed > 90 days after completion of nCRT. Salvage esophagectomy reportedly has higher postoperative morbidity and poor survival outcomes. In this study, we assessed outcomes, overall, and disease-free survival of patients undergoing salvage esophagectomy by both definitions (recurrent/persistent disease after dCRT and/or > 90 days), compared to planned (resection after nCRT/within 90 days) esophagectomy (PE). Retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database identified patients who underwent minimally invasive esophagectomy at a single institution from 2009 to 2019. Esophagectomy for benign disease and patients who did not receive nCRT were excluded. Outcomes included postoperative complications, length of stay (LOS), disease-free survival, and overall survival. 97 patients underwent minimally invasive esophageal resection for esophageal carcinoma. 89.7% of patients were male. Mean age was 64.9 years (range 36–85 years). 94.8% of patients had adenocarcinoma, with 16 transthoracic and 81 transhiatal approaches. On comparing planned esophagectomy (n = 87) to esophagectomy after dCRT failure (n = 10), no significant differences were identified in overall survival (p = 0.73), disease-free survival (p = 0.32), 30-day or major complication rate, anastomotic leak, or LOS. Similarly, when comparing esophagectomy 90 days after CRT completion (n = 35), no significant differences were identified in overall survival (p = 0.39), disease-free survival (p = 0.71), 30-day or major complication rate, LOS, or anastomotic leak rate between groups. In this comparison, local recurrence was noted to be elevated with SE as compared to PE (64.3% vs. 25.0%, p = 0.04). Overall survival and disease-free survival were equivalent between SE and PE. Local recurrence was noted to be increased with SE, though this did not appear to affect survival. Although planned esophagectomy remains the standard of care, salvage esophagectomy has comparable outcomes and is appropriate for selected patients.
The structure of Rns from enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli reveals a small molecule inhibitor

Abstract Infections caused by the gram-negative bacteria enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), Vibrio cholerae, Shigella flexneri, and Salmonella enterica are among the most common enteric pathogens and infect billions of people each year. These bacteria control expression of virulence factors using a genetic network of transcriptional regulators, some of which are modulated by small molecules as has been shown for ToxT, an AraC family member from V. cholerae. In ETEC the expression of many types of adhesive pili is dependent upon the AraC family member Rns. We present here the 3 A crystal structure of Rns and show it closely resembles ToxT. Furthermore, Rns contains a ligand, decanoic acid, that inhibits its activity in a manner similar to the fatty acid mediated inhibition observed for ToxT and the S. enterica homologue HilD. Rns crystallized as a dimer via an interface similar to that observed in other dimeric AraC’s. Together, these results support our hypothesis that virulence controlling AraC family members are regulated by fatty acids in a common manner in a number of enteric pathogens. Furthermore, for the first time this work identifies a small molecule capable of inhibiting ETEC virulence, providing a basis for development of therapeutics against this deadly human pathogen.
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Hormone Levels During the Menopausal Transition.

Context Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widespread chemicals that may affect sex hormones and accelerate reproductive aging in midlife women. Objective To examine associations between serum PFAS concentrations at baseline (1999-2000) and longitudinal serum concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol, testosterone, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) at baseline and through 2015-2016. Design Prospective cohort. Setting General community. Participants 1,371 midlife women aged 45-56 years at baseline in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN). Main outcome measure(s) FSH, estradiol, testosterone, SHBG. Results In linear mixed models fitted with log-transformed hormones and log-transformed PFAS adjusting for age, site, race/ethnicity, smoking status, menopausal status, parity and body mass index, FSH was positively associated with linear perfluorooctanoate (n-PFOA) (3.12% (95% CI: 0.37%, 5.95%) increase for a doubling in serum concentration), linear perfluorooctane sulfonate (n-PFOS) (2.88% (0.21%, 5.63%)), branched perfluorooctane sulfonate (Sm-PFOS) (2.25% (0.02%, 4.54%)), total PFOS (3.03% (0.37%, 5.76%)), and 2-(N-ethyl-perfluorooctane sulfonamido) acetate (EtFOSAA) (1.70% (0.01%, 3.42%)). Estradiol was inversely associated with perfluorononanoate (PFNA) (-2.47% (-4.82%, -0.05%)) and n-PFOA (-2.43% (-4.97%, 0.18%)). Significant linear trends were observed in the associations between PFOS and EtFOSAA with SHBG across parity (Ps-trend≤0.01), with generally inverse associations among nulliparous women but positive associations among women with 3+ births. No significant associations were observed between PFAS and testosterone. Conclusions This study observed positive associations of PFOA and PFOS with FSH and inverse associations of PFNA and PFOA with estradiol in midlife women during the menopausal transition, consistent with findings that PFAS affect reproductive aging.
Link-Prediction Enhanced Consensus Clustering for Complex Networks.

Many real networks that are collected or inferred from data are incomplete due to missing edges. Missing edges can be inherent to the dataset (Facebook friend links will never be complete) or the result of sampling (one may only have access to a portion of the data). The consequence is that downstream analyses that “consume” the network will often yield less accurate results than if the edges were complete. Community detection algorithms, in particular, often suffer when critical intra-community edges are missing. We propose a novel consensus clustering algorithm to enhance community detection on incomplete networks. Our framework utilizes existing community detection algorithms that process networks imputed by our link prediction based sampling algorithm and merges their multiple partitions into a final consensus output. On average our method boosts performance of existing algorithms by 7% on artificial data and 17% on ego networks collected from Facebook.
Exploring Individual Characteristics Associated with Learning to Use Computers in Preservice Teacher Preparation

AbstractThis study explored the relationships among individual teacher characteristics that might change through experience and instruction in preservice teacher education. Fifty-three teacher preparation students in a semester-long course completed surveys measuring computer attitudes, technology proficiency, computer anxiety, computer self-efficacy, and computer coping strategies. Analyses revealed significant correlations among all but computer coping strategies. Significant improvements in technology proficiency, computer self-efficacy, and computer coping strategies occurred from the beginning to end of the course, which included hands-on training and classroom discussion of technology. Behavioral characteristics appeared to improve with experience and instruction whereas affective characteristics remained relatively stable.
A Brief Overview of NASA Glenn Research Center Sensor and Electronics Activities

Aerospace applications require a range of sensing technologies. There is a range of sensor and sensor system technologies being developed using microfabrication and micromachining technology to form smart sensor systems and intelligent microsystems. Drive system intelligence to the local (sensor) level -- distributed smart sensor systems. Sensor and sensor system development examples: (1) Thin-film physical sensors (2) High temperature electronics and wireless (3) "lick and stick" technology. NASA GRC is a world leader in aerospace sensor technology with a broad range of development and application experience. Core microsystems technology applicable to a range of application environmentS.
Everything is Relative

Teacher accommodation and teacher conformism informed instructional strategies that Mr. Frederek used to teach science content and prevent student suspension. Mr. Frederek’s instructional strategies were impacted by his accommodation of system constraints and student-initiated negotiations.
Active Sites – Heterogeneous

The life cycle of active sites on solids between their birth and deat is sketched. This includes both their activation and modification under reaction conditions. Keywords: active sites; heterogeneous catalysis; solid catalysts; turnover frequency; surface chemistry
Memory-limited execution of windowed stream joins

We address the problem of computing approximate answers to continuous sliding-window joins over data streams when the available memory may be insufficient to keep the entire join state. One approximation scenario is to provide a maximum subset of the result, with the objective of losing as few result tuples as possible. An alternative scenario is to provide a random sample of the join result, e.g., if the output of the join is being aggregated. We show formally that neither approximation can be addressed effectively for a sliding-window join of arbitrary input streams. Previous work has addressed only the maximum-subset problem, and has implicitly used a frequency-based model of stream arrival. We address the sampling problem for this model. More importantly, we point out a broad class of applications for which an age-based model of stream arrival is more appropriate, and we address both approximation scenarios under this new model. Finally, for the case of multiple joins being executed with an overall memory constraint, we provide an algorithm for memory allocation across the joins that optimizes a combined measure of approximation in all scenarios considered. All of our algorithms are implemented and experimental results demonstrate their effectiveness.
Interdependent Energy Infrastructure Simulation System

This article discusses interdependent energy infrastructure simulation system (IEISS). The primary function of IEISS is to enable homeland security analysts and decision makers to understand and accurately assess intrinsic vulnerabilities in critical US infrastructures and those vulnerabilities that result from other forms of attack. It provides a high-quality, flexible, and extensible actor-based approach that has been used for analyzing interdependent infrastructures; understanding and answering questions of importance to homeland security such as identifying potential events that cause catastrophic system failure; developing policy procedures that will aid in the prevention of physical terrorism. Keywords: analysis; modeling; simulation; infrastructure; energy; interdependency; electric power; natural gas
The Contours of a New FRCP, Rule 68.1: A Proposed Two-Way Offer of Settlement Provision for Federal Fee-Shifting Cases

Our research began with interviews of experienced attorneys who prosecute and defend civil rights and employment discrimination cases. We set out to determine the extent to which offers of judgment under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 68 ("FRCP 68" or "Rule 68") are made in these type of cases and the reasons why that Rule is or is not used. We focused on civil rights and employment discrimination litigation because it is in those cases where Rule 68 has the greatest potential to stimulate an early resolution of the dispute. Rule 68 provides the offeror greater leverage in civil rights and employment discrimination cases than in most other types of civil litigation, because the potential sanction to the prevailing offeree who turns down and fails to improve upon the offer includes the forfeiture of post-offer statutory attorneys' fees. And in these cases, fees often constitute the greater part of a plaintiff's recovery.In this, our second report, we discuss how Rule 68 might be amended to make it a more effective tool for stimulating the prompt and fair resolution of civil rights and employment discrimination actions. Our suggested potential amendments are drawn largely, but not entirely, from two sources: the comments and suggestions made by the attorneys we interviewed, and the practices that have evolved in states that have similar provisions in their respective rules of civil procedure. In very broad terms, we discuss (1) having a separately numbered subdivision of the Rule for cases arising under federal fee-shifting statutes; (2) modifying the terminology of Rule 68 to describe more explicitly the mechanics and sanctions of the Rule; (3) allowing plaintiffs, not just defendants, to initiate offers under a "two-way" rule; (4) devising a set of incentives and sanctions calculated to promote the timely and fair resolution of disputes without unduly threatening either party; and (5) incorporating time frames for making and responding to offers.
Eliminating Piston Slap through a Design for Robustness CAE Approach

Piston slap is a problem that plagues many engines. One of the most difficult aspects of designing to eliminate piston slap is that slight differences in operating conditions and in part geometries from build to build cancreate large differences in the magnitude of piston slap. In this paper we will describe a design for robustness CAE approach to eliminating piston slap. This approach considers the variations of the significant control factors in the design, e.g. piston pin offset, piston skirt design, etc. as well as the variation in the noise factors the system is subjected to, e.g. assembly clearance, skirt collapse, peak cylinder pressure, cylinder pressure rise rate, and location of peak cylinder pressure. Using analytical knowledge about how these various factors impact the generation of piston slap, a piston design for low levels of piston slap can be determined that is robust to the various noise factors. This paper will describe the analytical and statistical techniques used in this robustness design procedure.
Dielectric properties to 3 GHz of liquid crystal mixtures and several alcohols by time domain reflectometry

Studies have been made of the complex dielectric permittivities of mixtures of cholesteric liquid crystals and of a homologous series of normal alcohols. The dielectric spectroscopy was done by the method of time-domain reflectometry (TDR). The liquid crystals were cholesteryl alkanoates with cholesteric-isotropic transition temperatures of 19 degrees C and 72 degrees C. The 50 weight percent mixture has T/sub CI/=32 degrees C. This transition was investigated by TDR. In the case of the alcohols a simple quantum model has been developed to explain a systematic variation of the dielectric loss peaks versus molecular length. A comparison with experimental data indicates that all of the alcohols studied (up to C/sub 12/H/sub 25/OH, dodecanol) behave as fully extended molecules at the temperature at which librational motion goes over into rotation. >
Promoting Sales Programs: The National Collegiate Sales Competition

Universities with sales programs have the task of preparing students to successfully pursue careers in professional sales and also promoting the programs and students to the business community. This paper outlines the National Collegiate Sales Competition (NCSC) that was held in April 1999 and will be held again in February 2000. The NCSC provides universities an opportunity to further develop sales students, while at the same time displaying their students and programs to business organizations that have a strong emphasis in the sales area.
Plerixafor in AL amyloidosis: improved graft composition and faster lymphocyte recovery after auto-SCT in patient with end-stage renal-disease

Plerixafor in AL amyloidosis: improved graft composition and faster lymphocyte recovery after auto-SCT in patient with end-stage renal-disease
Ashcraft 's Problem of Ideology

ow should we do political theory: as political philosophy, history, or ideology; as political science or practice? Now is another stock-taking time for political theorists, with versions of this question very much on many minds. Since this is the key issue addressed by Richard Asheraft in "Political Theory and the Problem of Ideology,"' that essay is bound to spur controversy. Some of Asheraft's criticisms can be accepted, and the spirit of his alternatives for political theory can be applauded. But his main concepts are too vague, his arguments are often incomplete or incorrect, and his recommendations are either ill-chosen or ill-defended. Ashcraft condemns this century's flight into philosophy by AngloAmerican political theorists. It began as a flight from ideology, in an attempt to avoid the political imperative of choice between liberalism and Marxism. It ended in conceptual analysis so abstract as to be both historically stupid and politically sterile. Ashcraft decries pursuit of universal ideas and perennial problems. But even theorists of historical sensibility are said to fail to tie political theory to current tasks of action in politics. Such mistakes are attributed to theorists from Sabine to Strauss, Plamenatz to Hacker, and Catlin to Wolin. Against them, Ashcraft urges "the importance of ideology as a way of doing political theory" and "the importance of the political context to the interpretation of political theory."2 Thus Ashcraft should put his case in terms of historical context-political, conceptual, and otherwise. To be sure, he gestures in this direction; but his concepts and arguments fall far short. First take the key concept of ideology. According to Ashcraft,
Fabrication Process Yielding Saturated Nanowire Single-Photon Detectors With 24-ps Jitter

We present an optimized fabrication process for superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors that allowed us to obtain a yield of ∼70% for detectors based on 80-nm-wide niobium nitride nanowires. We fabricated detectors that showed 24-ps timing jitter and saturated detection efficiency without the need for cryogenic amplifiers, allowing for operation in a low-bias low-dark-count-rate regime while operating at maximum detection efficiency.
The modulation of STAT5A/GR complexes during fat cell differentiation and in mature adipocytes.

AbstractBAUGH, JAMES E., JR., Z. ELIZABETH FLOYD, ANDJACQUELINE M. STEPHENS. The modulation ofSTAT5A/GR complexes during fat cell differentiation andin mature adipocytes. Obesity. 2007;15:583Ð590.Objective: Signal transducer and activator of transcription(STAT) 5A has been shown to interact with the glucocor-ticoid receptor (GR) in adipocytes. The aim of this studywas to investigate the subcellular locations and modulationof STAT5A/GR complexes during adipogenesis and in ma-ture adipocytes.Research Methods and Procedures: Both 3T3-L1 and 3T3-F442A cells were studied by performing subcellular frac-tionations, immunoprecipitation, and Western blotting aftervarious treatments.Results: The formation of nuclear STAT5A/GR complexeswas regulated in the cytosol and in the nucleus at distincttimes during adipogenesis and in mature adipocytes.STAT5A, but not STAT5B, forms a complex with GR inadipocytes. The STAT5A associated with GR in the nucleusis tyrosine phosphorylated.D iscu ssion : T he association of S T A T 5A w ith G R in the nu-cleus of adipocytes is m odulated by the tyrosine phosphoryla-tion of S T A T 5A . B oth G R and S T A T 5A are know n to haveim portant roles in adipocyte function.H ence,our data suggestthat the association of these tw o transcription factors m ay beim portant in the regulation of adipocyte gene expression.Key words: glucocorticoids, adipogenesis, adipocytes
Laboratory investigations of weathering of soils from Mammoth Mountain, CA, a naturally CO2-impacted field site.

The potential impacts of CO2 leakage from a natural subsurface reservoir on soil and water quality were studied. Field measurements of soil pore CO2 concentrations and visual inspection of plants at Mammoth Mountain, CA, allowed the demarcation of tree-kill and non-tree-kill zones, with CO2 concentrations >100,000 ppm and ∼1,000 ppm, respectively. Soils collected from six sites along a transect stretching from the center of the tree-kill zone to an equidistant point into the non-tree-kill zone were analyzed for surface area and organic carbon content. Batch and column leaching tests were conducted to determine the extent of weathering induced by the presence of CO2 in the aqueous solution. Soils deep into the tree-kill area exhibited significantly higher surface areas (10.67 m2/g vs 2.53 m2/g) and lower organic carbon content (9,550 mg/kg vs 35,550 mg/kg). Batch results indicated that lower pH values (∼2) released higher concentrations of Mg, Si, Fe, and As, while, for soils in the tree-kill zone, longer-...
Homogeneous nucleation rate measurements for water over a wide range of temperature and nucleation rate

An expansion cloud chamber was used to measure the homogeneous nucleation rate for water over a wide range of temperature from 230–290 K and nucleation rates of 1–106 drops cm−3 s−1. The comprehensive and extensive nature of this data allows a much more detailed comparison between theory and experiment than has previously been possible. The expansion chamber technique employs continuous pressure measurement and an adiabatic pulse of supersaturation to give the time history of supersaturation and temperature during the nucleation. The resulting drop concentration is determined using photographic techniques. The experimental observations are presented in tabular form and from them an empirical nucleation rate formula is determined: J=S2 exp[328.124−5.582 43T+0.030 365T2−5.0319E−5T3 −(999.814−4.100 87 T+3.010 84E−3 T2)ln−2S], where J is the nucleation rate in units of drops cm−3 s−1. S is the supersaturation ratio and T is the temperature in K.
Issues in path toward low cost three-axis accelerometer for low-g application

The paper presents issues for an optimized three-axis accelerometer implementation. A VerilogA model was built for sensor design, the overall sensitivity, noise and frequency response are obtained by co-simulation with circuit tools. The critical parameters were optimized by theoretical calculation and fine tuned by finite-element-analysis (FEA) and integrated nodal simulation. Three spring-proof mass systems were integrated on a single structure in size of 1.3×1.28mm2 for operating range of ±2g. A silicon-on-glass (SOG) process is adopted to achieve the high aspect-ratio structure, yielding excellent Z-axis sensitivity and resolution as high as 1.434V/g and 49µg/√Hz. The sensitivity and minimum cross-axis sensitivity are 1.442V/g and 0.03% for x-axis and are 1.241V/g and 0.21% for y-axis. This optimized design demonstrates excellent performance satisfying the needs of consumer applications.
Three-dimensional impact: energy-based modeling of tangential compliance

Impact is indispensable in robotic manipulation tasks in which objects and/or manipulators move at high speeds. Applied research using impact has been hindered by underdeveloped computational foundations for rigid-body collision. This paper studies the computation of tangential impulse as two rigid bodies in the space collide at a point with both tangential compliance and friction. It extends Stronge's spring-based planar contact structure to three dimensions by modeling the contact point as a massless particle able to move tangentially on one body while connected to an infinitesimal region on the other body via three orthogonal springs. Slip or stick is indicated by whether the particle is still or moving. Impact analysis is carried out using normal impulse rather than time as the only independent variable, unlike in previous work on tangential compliance. This is due to the ability to update the energies stored in the three springs. Collision is governed by a system of differential equations that are solvable numerically. Modularity of the impact model makes it easy to be integrated into a multibody system, with one copy at each contact, in combination with a model for multiple impacts that governs normal impulses at different contacts.
Arthroscopic shoulder surgery anatomy: Basic to advanced portal placement

Considering the complex three-dimensional configuration of the shoulder, and its numerous anatomic structures that need to be visualized, many arthroscopic portals have been presented in the literature. Portals for shoulder arthroscopy provide a means for viewing and working in the glenohumeral joint and subacromial space. The proper placement of these portals is important to successfully visualize the cavity, to create secondary portals and to avoid complications and to avoid technical problems, such as an inability to reach or view a target region. We will review the three standard portals for diagnostic shoulder arthroscopy, as well as some advanced portals that are specific to the treatment of various pathologic conditions of the shoulder.
The Strategic Consequences of Nuclear Proliferation: A Review Essay

The views expressed in this paper are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of the Naval Postgraduate School or the U.S. government. I wish to thank David Mussington, John Sislin, James Wirtz, and Benjamin Frankel for their thoughtful comments on earlier drafts of this article.
Acute and chronic methylphenidate modulates the neuronal activity of the caudate nucleus recorded from freely behaving rats

Abstract Methylphenidate (MPD) is currently one of the most prescribed drug therapies for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and moreover is abused for cognitive enhancement and used for recreation by the young and adults. Methylphenidate is used for prolonged periods of time and its mechanism of action on the brain is still unknown. The main action of MPD is known to act on the motive circuit of the brain, and one of these structures is the caudate nucleus (CN). The objective of this study was to investigate the neurophysiological properties of the CN neurons in response to acute and chronic administration of MPD in freely behaving animals, previously implanted with permanent semi microelectrodes. Twenty-six rats were permanently implanted with semi microelectrodes into the CN using general anesthesia. On experimental day one (ED1) the rat was placed into the testing chamber, and neuronal activity was recorded using a wireless (telemetric) headstage device following both a saline and a 2.5 mg/kg MPD injection. From ED2 to ED6 daily injections of 2.5 mg/kg MPD were administered without recordings to induce a chronic effect of the drug, preceded by three days of washout (ED7–ED9) where no injections were given. On ED10 rats were placed back into the testing chamber, the wireless headstage device was attached to skull cap and recordings were resumed for 1 h each following both a saline and re-challenge administration of 2.5 mg/kg MPD. Sixty-seven CN neuronal recorded units from twenty-six animals with identical shape and amplitude at ED1 and ED10 were evaluated. All the 67 CN units responded to MPD administration, 70% (47/67) CN units exhibited an increase in activity following initial 2.5 mg/kg MPD administration and 30% (20/67) exhibited a decrease in neuronal activity. On ED10 all the CN units showed a significant change in their firing rate baseline compared to ED1 baseline, 52% (35/67) exhibiting an increase in their ED10 baseline activity compared to ED1 baseline activity and 48% (32/67) of the CN units at ED10 exhibited decreasing activity. All the CN units responded significantly to MPD rechallenge at ED10, 57% (38/67) of the units exhibited increased neuronal activity while 43% (29/67) exhibited decreasing neuronal activity. The results indicate that the majority of the CN units exhibited neurophysiological sensitization.
Exploring spatial resolution in high-sensitivity nanogap quantum dot photodetectors

We propose a new approach to experimentally determine the spatial resolution of nanogap quantum dot (QD) photodetectors consist of solution-processed QDs. Cross talk between a pair of closely positioned QD photodetectors was measured. Devices with 200 nm spacing exhibit low crosstalk of 8.4%. A single QD photodetector also shows high sensitivity, with a lowest detectable optical intensity of 95.3 fW/μm2 achieved. The results show the potential of nanogap QD photodetectors for applications in high-density imaging/sensing arrays.
Vibrational frequencies in C36

Abstract We present a first-principles calculation of the vibrational frequencies of isolated neutral as well as positively and negatively charged C36 molecules. We compare our results with experimental data on infrared absorption in solid C36 and show that the overall agreement is very good. We also report the calculated values for the frequencies of the Raman-active modes; these could serve as a framework within which to interpret future experimental results.
A conjugacy invariant for reducible sofic shifts and its semigroup characterizations

We introduce a notion of magic words and, through them, we present a lattice of sub-synchronizing subshifts which describes the synchronizing parts of a sofic shiftS. We show that topological conjugacy maps subsynchronizing subshifts onto sub-synchronizing subshifts, it preserves their mutual relationship (i.e. the corresponding lattices are isomorphic) and the corresponding covers within the Krieger covers are topologically conjugate. Using the magic words, a full characterization of the syntactic monoid of a shift of finite type is given. We show that a synchronizing deterministic presentation of every sub-synchronizing subshift ofS can be seen within a two-sided ideal of the syntactic monoid ofS.
Clinical Studies of the Efficacy and Tolerability of Ebastine 10 or 20mg Once Daily in the Treatment of Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis in the US

396 adult and adolescent patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis participated in this randomised double-blind parallel-group study in which the efficacy and tolerability of ebastine 10 or 20mg administered once daily in the morning or evening for 3 weeks were compared with those of placebo. Clinical efficacy was assessed by measuring improvement in rhinitis symptoms (nasal discharge, nasal stuffiness, sneezing, itchy nose and itchy/watery eyes) recorded by patients twice daily on diary cards.
Evaluation and treatment of premature ejaculation: a critical review.

Objective:Premature ejaculation is the most prevalent male sexual dysfunction. The present article is a comprehensive review of the literature on premature ejaculation.Method:This critical discussion of the literature evaluates the definitional issues, theoretical conceptualizations, assessment strategies, and treatment alternatives for premature ejaculation.Results:The review integrates the most recent findings on the diagnosis and treatment of premature ejaculation updating an earlier review with the addition of more than fifty recent articles and adding sections on treatment generalization and maintenance, medical evaluation, pharmacological intervention, and a discussion of methodological issues in the literature.Conclusions:The pause-squeeze technique remains the current treatment of choice for the disorder. However, this unitary treatment recommendation disguises a multidimensional disorder which has yet to evolve an operational definition, psychometrically sound assessment procedures, or clearly ar...
Relative effect of urinary calcium and oxalate on saturation of calcium oxalate Rapid Communication

Relative effect of urinary calcium and oxalate on saturation of calcium oxalate. Background The study compared the effect of urinary calcium with that of oxalate on urinary saturation [relative saturation ratio (RSR)] of calcium oxalate. Methods A retrospective data analysis was conducted on urinary stone risk analysis from 667 patients with predominantly calcium oxalate stones. Urinary RSR of calcium oxalate was individually calculated using Equil 2. A "theoretical" curve of the relationship between urinary RSR of calcium oxalate and concentration of calcium or oxalate was obtained at two stability constants for calcium oxalate complex, while varying calcium or oxalate and using group mean values for urinary constituents. Results At the stability constant of 7.07 × 10 3 , the increase in RSR of calcium oxalate was less marked with calcium than with oxalate. However, at the stability constant of 2.746 × 10 3 from the Equil 2 that is considered the "gold standard," calcium and oxalate were equally effective in increasing RSR of calcium oxalate. The above theoretical curves (relating RSR with calcium or oxalate) were closely approximated by the actual curves constructed with data from individual urine samples. Urinary saturation of calcium oxalate was equally dependent on urinary concentrations of calcium and oxalate ( r = 0.75 unadjusted and 0.57 adjusted for variables, and P r = 0.73 unadjusted and 0.60 adjusted, P Conclusion Among calcium oxalate stone-formers, urinary calcium is equally effective as urinary oxalate in increasing RSR of calcium oxalate.
Tacrolimus use in adult allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients receiving voriconazole: preemptive dose modification and therapeutic drug monitoring

Concomitant use of tacrolimus and voriconazole, both competitive inhibitors of the CYP450 3A4 isoenzyme, requires tacrolimus dose reduction. On the basis of clinical observations, we developed a preemptive dose-reduction strategy in allograft recipients who received voriconazole to maintain tacrolimus concentrations within a target range. A total of 27 patients started i.v. tacrolimus at an average daily dose of 0.022 mg/kg on day -1 (30% lesser than the usual starting dose). The dose was reduced by 30-40% if the 48-h steady-state concentration was 7-10 ng/ml, and by 40-50% if it was 10-15 ng/ml. No change was made if the concentration was 15 ng/ml. Each patient required dose reduction at least twice. The dose had to be increased in only two patients after the initial dose reduction. The median tacrolimus doses in mg/kg declined with time; being 0.022, 0.008 and 0.006 on days 0, 7 and 14, respectively. We conclude that a preemptive dose-reduction strategy is effective in maintaining tacrolimus concentrations within the desired therapeutic range, although serial monitoring remains prudent.
The Ghost Map

Widely viewed as the “father of contemporary epidemiology,” Dr. John Snow is among the most famous of public health figures (1). His “grand experiment” in 1854 (comparing cholera deaths in South London households that had consumed contaminated water with those that had not consumed contaminated water) is often considered a classic (2), but the Broad Street pump outbreak is perhaps the more famous historical account and is the subject of Steven Johnson’s new book, The Ghost Map.Dr. Snow wrote: “The most terrible outbreak of cholera which ever occurred in this kingdom, is probably that which took place in Broad Street, Golden Square, and the adjoining streets, a few weeks ago. Within two hundred and fifty yards of the spot where Cambridge Street joins Broad Street, there were upwards of five hundred fatal attacks of cholera in ten days. The mortality in this limited area probably equals any that was ever caused in this country, even by the plague; and it was much more sudden, as the greater number of cases terminated in a few hours” (2).Although this 1854 outbreak is mentioned in many public health and epidemiology texts, the focus is usually on data gathering and presentation, and the actions taken to address the outbreak. What is not often conveyed is the social environment of the times or the role of Reverend Henry Whitehead in dealing with this fearsome outbreak. Steven Johnson addresses these omissions in The Ghost Map and brings forth aspects of John Snow’s life in an insightful, riveting manner.Johnson’s opening sentences provide a sense of what is to come: “It is August 1854, and London is a city of scavengers. Just the names alone read now like some kind of exotic zoological catalogue: bone pickers, rag-gatherers, pure-finders, dredgermen, mud-larks, sewer-hunters, dustmen, night-soil men, bunters, toshers and shoremen.” He goes on to describe their roles in Victorian London and provides the reader with an intimate feel for local life, notably the travails of getting water and disposing of sewage. Along the way, the reader meets a local clergyman, Henry Whitehead, whose affable nature is in contrast to that of the more stoic John Snow. Yet, these 2 men of varied backgrounds become entwined by the Broad Street outbreak, using their complementary skills to help solve an epidemiologic mystery.The Ghost Map scarcely mentions the contributions of William Farr and other notables of the times. Instead, being a novel rather than a treatise, the book attempts to breathe life into a few seminal characters. Johnson is an excellent writer. His words evoke strong images that revolve in the mind. He uses London and Snow’s classic map of the 1854 outbreak as the focal points of his story, along with the removal of the Broad Street pump handle and the discovery of the probable index case. This is a good read, highly recommended for those open to the contributions of our forebearers in public health and the link of 19th-century London to modern day urban life.
Choice: A local analysis.

Analyses of free-operant choice usually employ one of two general procedures: the simple concurrent procedure (i.e., a concurrent variable-interval variable-interval schedule) or the concurrent-chains procedure (i.e., concurrently available initial links, each leading to an exclusively available terminal link). Theories about choice usually focus on only one of the two procedures. For example, maximization theories, which assert that behavior is distributed between two alternatives in such a way that overall rate of reinforcement is maximized, have been applied only to the simple concurrent procedure. In the present paper, a form of the pairing hypothesis (according to which pairings between one stimulus and another affect the value of the first, and pairings between responses and reinforcers affect the value of the former) is developed in a way that allows it to make qualitative predictions with regard to choice in a variety of simple concurrent and concurrent-chains procedures. The predictions include matching on concurrent variable-interval variable-interval schedules, preference reversal in the self-control paradigm, and preference for tandem over chained terminal links.
Measurements of self-broadening of infrared absorption lines of ozone

Lorentz self-broadening coefficients have been determined for 355 spectral lines belonging to five different infrared vibration-rotation bands of O3 in the spectral region from 4.8 to 17 microns. Six ozone absorption spectra, recorded at room temperature using a Fourier transform spectrometer, were analyzed. The half-width values were obtained through a nonlinear least-squares spectral fitting procedure. The results are compared with previous measurements, and the vibration of the half-widths with vibrational and rotational quantum numbers is examined.