cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Recruitment of a racially and ethnically diverse sample into a physical activity efficacy trial

Background Healthy People 2010 underscores the relevance of eliminating health disparities. Thus, it is paramount to create interventions that promote health for all individuals.Purpose This study examined differences in rates of and reasons for ineligibility among non-Hispanic blacks and whites in a randomized controlled physical activity intervention study.Methods Participants (1245 adults) responded to community advertising for the research study. Eligibility at the four pre-randomization assessment sessions was determined by self-reported medical information, resting EKG, 7-Day Physical Activity Recall, fitness test and Stage of Change. We used t-tests to examine the rates of eligibility among participant subgroups.Results Blacks had higher rates of overall ineligibility (86.9%) than whites (75.1%; p < 0.01) and were more likely to be ineligible due to lack of interest or no-show at a pre-randomization appointment (35.4% vs. 24.3%; p < 0.01). Blacks were more likely to be ineligible for medical reason...
Reduced fluxon viscosity in a Josephson junction

Abstract Fluxon viscosities within weak Josephson junctions are orders of magnitude smaller than in bulk. Highly mobile fluxons within weak junctions, driven by surface microwave currents, are responsible for the large low-field microwave absorption observed in the granular high-temperature superconductors. While typical fluxon displacements in bulk are in the Angstrom range, displacements in weak Josephson junctions are in the micron range.
Functional properties of intracellular calcium-release channels

Two major classes of intracellular calcium-release channels have been identified, the ryanodine receptor and the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor. These channels are the largest ion channels identified to date. Recent studies have established that approximately 90% of each of these proteins protrudes into the cytoplasm, presumably exposing many regulatory sites on the channel and allowing functional interactions with other cytoplasmic proteins. Current work is aimed at understanding the molecular mechanisms and cellular roles of these regulatory processes.
The hypothalamus in dystonic movement disorders.

The term dystonia was introduced by Oppenheim and Vogt in 1911 to describe the relatively slow, sustained, frequently forceful contorting movements involving striatal muscles. Dystonia is characteristically seen in childhood (“primary dystonia”), but also occurs in a variety of other disorders of the CNS (“secondary dystonia”). In the case of childhood dystonia (dystonia musculorum deformans) symptoms usually occur in young patients in which case the illness is usually inherited as either autosomal dominant or recessive. In cases of adult onset dystonia, genetic factors are less likely (Eldridge, 1970). Although dystonic movement disorders have been presumed to originate from dysfunction of the basal ganglia, examination of the brains of patients who have died with idiopathic or hereditary dystonia musculorum deformans have revealed no consistent neuropathological or neurochemical abnormalities (Zeman, 1970). Furthermore, therapy of value in the treatment of other basal ganglia disorders, in these conditi...
Open-loop position control of the knee joint using electrical stimulation of the quadriceps and hamstrings.

The clinical acceptability of functional electrical stimulation (FES) as an aid for restoration of paraplegic gait is limited by the inability to accurately and repeatedly position the lower extremity. To gain insight into the causes of and possible solutions to this problem, the responses of the quadriceps and hamstrings to FES were studied in able-bodied subjects. Isometric torque was dependent on knee angle and changed unpredictably with time. An open-loop feedforward knee-joint position controller was also tested. The results demonstrated that it is beneficial to account for the dependence of torque on position, that modifications to this openloop controller might improve accuracy and that closed-loop control may be essential for functional restoration of gait.
Trunion Fracture of a Fully Porous-Coated Femoral Stem : Case Report

Abstract Femoral component fracture is a documented but an uncommon complication of total hip arthroplasty. A retrospective survey conducted by the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons estimated the prevalence of femoral component fractures at 0.27% (172 of 64483 implants over a 5-year period ending in 1993) [1,2]. There have been several case reports [2,3] of fatigue fractures of the prosthetic neck distal to the Morse taper in modular implants with a cobalt alloy head and a cobalt alloy stem. Here, we present a case report of stem fracture within the Morse taper of a cobalt alloy stem coupled with a cobalt alloy head.
Toxoplasmosis, Parvovirus, and Cytomegalovirus in Pregnancy

Several infections in adults warrant special consideration in pregnant women given the potential fetal consequences. Among these are toxoplasmosis, parvovirus B19, and cytomegalovirus. These infections have an important effect on the developing fetus depending on the timing of infection. This article reviews the modes of transmission as well as maternal and neonatal effects of each of these infections. In addition, recommended testing, fetal surveillance, and treatment where indicated are outlined.
Design of multifunctional structure with embedded electronic circuitry using composite laminate optimization techniques

This research investigates the optimization of a multifunctional structure with embedded electronic circuitry, following traditional composite laminate optimization methods. A heavily ‘de-featured’ finite element model provides thermal and mechanical analyses of the structure. The model places point heat sources at the surface component locations, and the optimization problem enforces strain constraints at these locations. A simple problem seeks the least-mass I-beam whose shear web contains a simple circuit, subject to strength and strain constraints. A second problem finds the lowest mass unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) wing box configuration containing embedded circuitry subject to strength, deflection and strain constraints under two load cases. Sequential unconstrained minimization techniques and sequential quadratic programming perform the optimization; combinatorial methods are computationally impractical. Despite the model de-featuring and the use of calculus-based methods, the problem requires sign...
Adaptation to short photoperiods augments circadian food anticipatory activity in Siberian hamsters.

This article is part of a Special Issue "Energy Balance". Both the light-dark cycle and the timing of food intake can entrain circadian rhythms. Entrainment to food is mediated by a food entrainable circadian oscillator (FEO) that is formally and mechanistically separable from the hypothalamic light-entrainable oscillator. This experiment examined whether seasonal changes in day length affect the function of the FEO in male Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus). Hamsters housed in long (LD; 15 h light/day) or short (SD; 9h light/day) photoperiods were subjected to a timed-feeding schedule for 10 days, during which food was available only during a 5h interval of the light phase. Running wheel activity occurring within a 3h window immediately prior to actual or anticipated food delivery was operationally-defined as food anticipatory activity (FAA). After the timed-feeding interval, hamsters were fed ad libitum, and FAA was assessed 2 and 7 days later via probe trials of total food deprivation. During timed-feeding, all hamsters exhibited increases FAA, but FAA emerged more rapidly in SD; in probe trials, FAA was greater in magnitude and persistence in SD. Gonadectomy in LD did not induce the SD-like FAA phenotype, indicating that withdrawal of gonadal hormones is not sufficient to mediate the effects of photoperiod on FAA. Entrainment of the circadian system to light markedly affects the functional output of the FEO via gonadal hormone-independent mechanisms. Rapid emergence and persistent expression of FAA in SD may reflect a seasonal adaptation that directs behavior toward sources of nutrition with high temporal precision at times of year when food is scarce.
Resource competition and community response to fertilization: the outcome depends on spatial strategies

Decreases in plant species richness and shifts in community structure following fertilization are usually attributed to increasing light limitation. However, there is increasing evidence that light limitation alone does not account for all of the observed effects of fertilization on plant communities. We present a model of competition for a single, spatially heterogeneous resource that shows fertility-mediated changes in community structure without light competition. This model predicts that in a low-productivity spatially heterogeneous habitat, species that interact with the resource environment over small spatial scales may exclude species that experience the environment at larger spatial scales, even when the latter species are better resource competitors in a uniform environment (have a lower R*). Increasing overall habitat fertility under these conditions minimizes the effects of spatial heterogeneity on the species that forage at a larger spatial scale, resulting in changes in species dominance and the potential for species coexistence. This analysis suggests that considering differences in the spatial scales at which species interact with environmental heterogeneity may help explain observed changes in community structure following fertilization.
Crystal Structure of Mouse CD1: An MHC-Like Fold with a Large Hydrophobic Binding Groove

CD1 represents a third lineage of antigen-presenting molecules that are distantly related to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules in the immune system. The crystal structure of mouse CD1d1, corresponding to human CD1d, at 2.8 A resolution shows that CD1 adopts an MHC fold that is more closely related to that of MHC class I than to that of MHC class II. The binding groove, although significantly narrower, is substantially larger because of increased depth and it has only two major pockets that are almost completely hydrophobic. The extreme hydrophobicity and shape of the binding site are consistent with observations that human CD1b and CD1c can present mycobacterial cell wall antigens, such as mycolic acid and lipoarabinomannans. However, mouse CD1d1 can present very hydrophobic peptides, but must do so in a very different way from MHC class Ia and class II molecules.
CFTR channel opening by ATP-driven tight dimerization of its nucleotide-binding domains

ABC (ATP-binding cassette) proteins constitute a large family of membrane proteins that actively transport a broad range of substrates. Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), the protein dysfunctional in cystic fibrosis, is unique among ABC proteins in that its transmembrane domains comprise an ion channel. Opening and closing of the pore have been linked to ATP binding and hydrolysis at CFTR's two nucleotide-binding domains, NBD1 and NBD2 (see, for example, refs 1, 2). Isolated NBDs of prokaryotic ABC proteins dimerize upon binding ATP, and hydrolysis of the ATP causes dimer dissociation. Here, using single-channel recording methods on intact CFTR molecules, we directly follow opening and closing of the channel gates, and relate these occurrences to ATP-mediated events in the NBDs. We find that energetic coupling between two CFTR residues, expected to lie on opposite sides of its predicted NBD1-NBD2 dimer interface, changes in concert with channel gating status. The two monitored side chains are independent of each other in closed channels but become coupled as the channels open. The results directly link ATP-driven tight dimerization of CFTR's cytoplasmic nucleotide-binding domains to opening of the ion channel in the transmembrane domains. This establishes a molecular mechanism, involving dynamic restructuring of the NBD dimer interface, that is probably common to all members of the ABC protein superfamily.
Examining modifiable health behaviors, body weight, and use of preventive health services among caregivers and non-caregivers aged 65 years and older in Hawaii, Kansas, and Washington using 2007 BRFSS.

Objective To examine the associations among health behaviors, healthy body weight, and use of preventive services of adults 65 years and older using the 2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) as a function of caregiving status.
Large parallel electric fields, currents, and density cavities in dispersive Alfvén waves above the aurora

[1] Large parallel electric fields (E∥ > 10 mV/m) are sometimes observed with intense filamentary field-aligned currents (J∥ > 10 μA/m2 mapped to 100-km altitude) on transverse scales where kxc/ωpe ≈ 1 above the auroral oval. The ratio of the transverse electric (Ex) and magnetic field (By) variations is approximately the local Alfven speed and increases with decreasing transverse scale in a manner consistent with inertial Alfven wave dispersion. These fields are typically observed in association with density cavities. Statistically, it is shown that the depth of the cavities observed over the altitude range from 350 to 4175 km by the Fast Auroral Snapshot (FAST) satellite typically lies between 30 and 50% of the background plasma with 90% depletions being observed for 1% of the recorded events. The wave currents embedded within these cavities exceed 100 μA/m2 for 2% of the ensemble and are typically found over transverse widths of ∼2πλe. Using a fluid description of the plasma, we show statistically that electron pressure gradients provide a probable means for balancing the large E∥ found in these structures with a likely but unknown contribution from anomalous resistivity. Furthermore, we find that the ratio of the average drift speed of the bulk electron plasma (vd) to the electron thermal speed (ve) inside these structures is vd/ve ≥ 0.1 and that in at least 2% of cases veh05d/ve ≥ 1.0. On the basis of recent simulation results and the Bohm criterion for double layer formation, these statistics indicate that the large E∥ sometimes observed in density cavities may occur in double layers driven by the Alfven wave current.
A low temperature magnetic suceptibility study of the zero field splitting in seven coordinate high-spin iron(III) complexes based on a pentadentate macrocyclic nitrogen ligand

Abstract Low temperature magnetic susceptibility studies are used to determine the magnitudes of the zero field splittings for powder samples of seven coordinate high spin Iron(III) compounds exhibiting large g factor anisotropy.
The Bladder Acellular Matrix Graft in a Rat Chemical Cystitis Model: Functional and Histologic Evaluation

Purpose: We investigated the feasibility of augmentation in a diseased bladder with a bladder acellular matrix graft.Materials and Methods: In 50 female Sprague-Dawley rats chemical cystitis was induced by intravesical instillation of HCl repeated monthly to maintain chronic inflammation. Urodynamic studies were performed in all rats 1 week after the induction of chemical cystitis and repeated at sacrifice. The 29 rats in the experimental group underwent partial cystectomy (50% or greater), followed by bladder acellular matrix graft augmentation, while the 21 controls underwent monthly HCl instillation only. The rats were sacrificed at 2 weeks, 1, 2 and 3 months, respectively. The bladder was removed and examined for histological changes.Results: Urodynamic studies showed that bladder capacity and compliance were significantly higher in the grafted than in the control group (p = 0.008 and 0.006, respectively, at 3 months). Histological studies revealed urothelial and smooth muscle regeneration within the ...
A constitutional diagram of the system VC0.88−HfC0.98−(MoC)

The system VC0.88−HfC0.98−“MoC” was investigated by means of melting point, differential-thermoanalytical, X-ray diffraction and metallographic techniques on hot pressed and heat treated as well as melted alloy specimens and a constitutional diagram from 1500°C through the melting range established.
Hydration States of Smectite in NaCl Brines at Elevated Pressures and Temperatures

A high-pressure, high-temperature cell was used to monitor the basal X-ray powder diffraction spacing of Na-saturated Cheto montmorillonite in contact with NaCl solutions at temperatures as high as 200°C and hydraulic pressures as high as 6700 psi (456 bar). The 003 and 005 reflections were used to determine d(001) of the smectite. The montmorillonite, in 1 molal NaCl, exhibited a d(001) of 15.4 A at room temperature and pressure and a d(001) of 15.6–15.7 A under 500–2200 psi hydraulic pressure. The basal spacing of the clay in 5 molal NaCl was 15.2 A and 15.33–15.45 A at 1 bar and 750–6700 psi (53–456 bar), respectively. Because no changes in the basal spacing with increasing temperature to 200°C were detected in any of the experiments, this Na-smectite probably exists as a two-water-layer complex under diagenetic conditions.
A case for packet switching in high-performance wide-area networks

The large capacity of optical fibers suggests that circuit-switching may become a more attractive switching method in future communication networks. We show, however, that under some reasonable assumptions the delays associated with circuit-switching make the technique inferior to packet-switching in a high-performance, distributed environment. A network design that demonstrates the feasibility of packet-switching in high-performance environment is also presented.This work was sponsored in part by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency under contract N00039-86-K-0431, by the Digital Equipment Corporation, by ATT Information Systems and by Bell Northern Research.
Positive and negative domains of vertex-angle space for three-body contributions of several lower order dispersion multipoles

Positive and negative domains of vertex-angle space of the spherical harmonics for the three-body contributions of five lower order dispersion multipoles have been determined and are shown in figures. Procedures, which use the figures to determine the sign of the three-body contribution for bodies which form a triangle with specified vertex angles, are given. No calculation is required.
Method for Optimization of a Nonlinear Static Balance Mechanism With Application to Ophthalmic Surgical Forceps

A new method for optimizing the dimensions of a nonlinear static balance mechanism has been created. A rigid link slider-crank mechanism with a nonlinear spring is designed to balance a compliant mechanism. This is accomplished by determining the potential energy of the compliant mechanism using finite element analysis and then optimizing the dimensions of the static balance mechanism to balance the potential energy stored in the compliant forceps. The optimization is performed using a sequential quadratic programming algorithm in Matlab’s optimization toolbox. It is seen that using higher order nonlinear springs results in a system that is better statically balanced. The mechanism that is statically balanced is a compliant forceps that has previously been designed for use in ophthalmic surgery. The compliant forceps stores energy when it creates motion, which then creates neutral positions of the mechanism with minimum potential energy. This situation is often unwanted in surgical situations. This paper uses the compliant forceps as an example of how to optimize the dimensions of a nonlinear static balance mechanism.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
A Lumped-Parameter Dynamic Model of a Thermal Regenerator for Free-Piston Stirling Engines

This paper uses lumped parameter dynamic equations to model the mass flow, piston dynamics, and control volume behavior inside a free-piston Stirling engine. A new model for a Stirling engine thermal regenerator that incorporates a dynamically changing temperature gradient is presented. The use of graphite as a regenerator matrix material is justified despite its limited background by comparing the functional requirements of regenerators to heat exchangers where graphite use is commonplace. Experimental results are used to characterize a graphite regenerator and validate the dynamic model.© 2009 ASME
Image vector quantization using geometric transform and lossless index coding

We propose an efficient image-coding scheme based on vector quantization (VQ). Typically, image qualities of the compressed images by using VQ are restricted by the codebook used. To provide better image qualities of the compressed images while keeping low bit rates, encoding the geometric transformed image block is associated with VQ. To cut down the bit rates, the index table is further processed by the lossless index coding process. According to the results, it is shown that the proposed scheme achieves better image qualities than VQ while keeping low bit rates.
Neural induction by the secreted polypeptide noggin

The Spermann organizer induces neural tissue from dorsal ectoderm and dorsalizes lateral and ventral mesoderm in Xenopus. The secreted factor noggin, which is expressed in the organizer, can mimic the dorsalizing signal of the organizer. Data are presented showing that noggin directly induces neural tissue, that it induces neural tissue in the absence of dorsal mesoderm, and that it acts at the appropriate stage to be an endogenous neural inducing signal. Noggin induces cement glands and anterior brain markers, but not hindbrain or spinal cord markers. Thus, noggin has the expression pattern and activity expected of an endogenous neural inducer.
CHANGING SETTLEMENT PATTERNS OF BLACK AMERICANS, 1970–1980

Drawn by the attraction of economic betterment and less oppressive social conditions, over six million black Americans left the South between 1870 and 1970 for the major urban centers of the North and West. Over its course, the great migration transformed the black population from a predominantly southern and rural people into a highly urbanized, more nationally distributed, group. In the receiving cities, blacks were confronted with new forms of segregation and virtually excluded from suburbia. A number of important changes in black settlement patterns occurred during the 1970's. First, the century-long exodus out of the South came to an end as opportunities there improved and conditions in the North deteriorated. Second, the Northeast, which had been a major destination of southern blacks for over 100 years, itself became subjected to strong black outmigration tendencies. The Midwest experienced similar trends, but on a smaller scale, and the proportion of blacks residing in the region remained virtually unchanged over the decade. The West continued to draw blacks, and was the only region to register a proportional gain in their numbers. Third, there was a marked shift of blacks to suburban residency, the extent of which varied between metropolitan areas. The exodus was broad enough to produce a net outmigration of blacks from the nation's central cities, a number of which experienced an absolute loss of black residents. Nevertheless, because of the continuing white exodus, the number of large cities gaining black majorities more than doubled during the decade. While enhancing the exercise of black political power in both central cities and suburbs, the changes did little to alter existing patterns of segregated living.
Rearrangement ions—II: Mass spectra of the C‐13 labeled 2‐methyl‐2‐hydroxy‐propanes and 2‐methyl‐2‐aminopropanes

The mass spectra of 2-methyl-2-hydroxypropane (I) and 2-methyl-2-aminopropane (II) exhibit fragment ions which suggest skeletal rearrangement processes. The C-13 analogs of I and II, labeled in the 1- and 2-positions, were prepared in order to determine the most probable mechanistic pathways for fragmentation. Label retentions in major fragment ions indicate that I and II decompose into common fragments through structurally similar intermediates.
A robust approach to battery fuel gauging, part I: Real time model identification

Abstract In this paper, the first of a series of papers on battery fuel gauge (BFG), we present a real time parameter estimation strategy for robust state of charge (SOC) tracking. The proposed parameter estimation scheme has the following novel features: it models hysteresis as an error in the open circuit voltage (OCV) and employs a combination of real time, linear parameter estimation and SOC tracking technique to compensate for it. This obviates the need for modeling of hysteresis as a function of SOC and load current. We identify the presence of correlated noise that has been so far ignored in the literature and use it to enhance the accuracy of model identification. As a departure from the conventional “one model fits all” strategy, we identify four different equivalent models of the battery that represent four modes of typical battery operation and develop the framework for seamless SOC tracking by switching. The proposed parameter approach enables a robust initialization/re-initialization strategy for continuous operation of the BFG. The performance of the online parameter estimation scheme was first evaluated through simulated data. Then, the proposed algorithm was validated using hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) data collected from commercially available Li-ion batteries.
Hyperbranched polycarbosiloxanes and polycarbosilanes via bimolecular non-linear hydrosilylation polymerization

Abstract The syntheses and selected structure–property relationships of two series of polycarbosiloxanes (HB-PCSOX) and polycarbosilanes (HB-PCS) prepared by the platinum-catalyzed bimolecular non-linear hydrosilylation polymerizations of commercially available 1,3-diallyl- or 1,3-divinyl- disiloxanes or disilanes and tri- or tetra-functional siloxysilanes or silanes (i.e., A x + B y polymerization systems where x = 2 and y = 3 or 4) are described. The polymerizations were controlled to avoid gelation and ensure preparation of non-crosslinked soluble polymer products by adjusting the molar ratios of the reacting A (allylsilyl, Si–CH 2 –CH CH 2 , or vinylsilyl, Si–CH CH 2 ) and B (silyl, Si–H) reactive functional groups such that r ≤ 1/[( x − 1)( y − 1)] or r ≥ ( x − 1)( y − 1) where r = [A]/[B]. The polymers were characterized by IR, 1 H, 13 C and 29 Si NMR, SEC, DSC and TGA. Their molecular weights were found to increase in the following order of the side-group substitution in the 1,3-divinyldisiloxane monomer used: EtO > Me > MePh > Ph 2 , consistent with the increased electron-donation to the vinyl groups causing their increased reactivity in hydrosilylation. These polymers represent unique yet easily and economically available multifunctional nanoscopic dendritic building blocks for more complex 3D nano-structured materials for a variety of applications in electronics, photonics, lithography, specialty coatings, etc.
Practitioner review: maternal mood in pregnancy and child development--implications for child psychology and psychiatry.

Background: The empirical base suggesting a link between prenatal maternal anxiety, stress or depression and cognitive, behavioral, and biological outcomes in the infant and child has increased dramatically in the past 10 years. Methods: In this review, we consider the relevance of prenatal maternal mood for child mental health practitioners; the empirical base for a likely causal impact of the link between prenatal anxiety, depression, or stress and child outcomes; the degree to which the available evidence is sufficient for informing or altering clinical practice; and the possible role of prenatal interventions for promoting child health and development. A selective review of PubMed, Cochrane Library and other sources was undertaken. Findings: Clinically significant links between maternal prenatal distress and child behavioral and cognitive outcomes have been reported; predictions to stress physiology, immunology, and neurodevelopment have been reported but the effect sizes and clinical significance is less clear. Several candidate mechanisms have been proposed, with some supporting evidence. Many behavioral treatments for prenatal maternal distress exist, but their application to promoting child health is largely unknown. Conclusions: Research on maternal prenatal distress is a good example of translational research and offers a strong paradigm for promoting interdisciplinary clinical research on child health and development. Keywords: Prenatal anxiety, developmental programming, clinical trials.
Treatment of type II endoleaks with ethylene-vinyl-alcohol copolymer (Onyx).

We report our single-center experience in treating 101 type II endoleaks with ethylene-vinyl-alcohol copolymer (EVOH, Onyx). In all, 65 endoleaks were embolized transarterially, and 36 were treated...
Cholesterol oxides I. Isolation and determination of some cholesterol oxidation products

Cholesterol in purified triolein was subjected to saponification by two procedures employing hot alkali and was found to give rise to oxidation products despite precautions. The isomeric 5,6-epoxycholestanols and 7-hydroxycholesterols were stable under saponification conditions, but 7-ketocholesterol and 6-ketocholestanol were destroyed by hot alkali. The oxidation of cholesterol during saponification was not inhibited by the addition of BHT. The determination of a number of standard cholesterol oxides by direct on-column GC was demonstrated with good resolution. Their order of elution was different from that of the TMS-derivatized products.
Minimally invasive peripheral nerve surgery: peroneal nerve neurolysis.

Background: Both patients and surgeons recognize the value of procedures that minimize scarring and tissue dissection. No previous reports have described a minimally invasive technique for peroneal nerve neurolysis, or evaluated its safety. Methods: The senior author's technique for a minimally invasive approach to neurolysis of the common, superficial, and deep peroneal nerves is presented. Safety of the technique was determined by review of records of all patients undergoing this procedure from 2003–2011, looking for major complications. Results: Using the minimally invasive approach to peroneal nerve neurolysis, average skin incision size is 3.5 cm for the common peroneal nerve, 4 cm for the superficial peroneal nerve, and 2.5 cm for the deep peroneal nerve. In 400 patients undergoing 679 total procedures, there were no nerve injuries, postoperative neuromas, or adjacent structures harmed. Conclusions: Peroneal nerve neurolysis can be accomplished safely and effectively via a minimal skin incision, improving aesthetic results and decreasing possible scar-related complications. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 2012.
Prevalence of overweight among inner city Hispanic-American children and adolescents.

Objective: National surveys have pointed to a particularly high risk of pediatric overweight among U.S. Hispanics. However, the data have been primarily from the Mexican-American community. We studied the prevalence of overweight and clinical comorbidities in children and youth of predominantly El Salvadoran ancestry. Research Methods and Procedures: A sample of 309 Hispanic youth, 6–18 years was surveyed from two inner city Washington, DC, clinics. BMI; triceps skinfold (TSF) and subscapular skinfold thickness (SSSF); bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA); and blood pressure measures were obtained, along with information regarding physical activity, sedentary behavior, dietary history, family, and personal medical history. Results: Thirty-eight percent were overweight (BMI ≥ 95th percentile) and 22% at risk for overweight (BMI 85–94th percentile). Thirty-four percent had TSF ≥ 90th percentile and 29% had SSSF ≥ 90th percentile. Fifty-one percent of males and 70% of females had body fat > 30%. Compared to their nonoverweight counterparts, overweight youth had significantly higher systolic blood pressure (111.4 ± 1.3 vs. 104.5 ± 0.9 mm Hg, p < 0.0001). Among children younger than 11 years, overweight was associated with onset of adrenarche (23% vs. 10%, p = 0.01). Participation in one or more sports teams was negatively correlated with overweight) p = 0.04). Discussion: The prevalence of overweight and at risk for overweight in this sample was twice the national average for U.S. children and 1.7 times greater than that of Mexican-American children in national surveys. Overweight was associated with advanced pubertal development, high body fat, elevated blood pressure, and decreased sports participation.
HCV genotype 3 is associated with an increased risk of cirrhosis and hepatocellular cancer in a national sample of U.S. Veterans with HCV

Data show that viral genotype 1 may increase the risk of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) compared to genotype 2 in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, the effect of HCV genotype 3 on cirrhosis and HCC risk is uncertain. We identified patients with active HCV infection, confirmed by positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and a known HCV genotype, from the VA HCV Clinical Case Registry between 2000 and 2009. We examined the effect of HCV genotype on the risk of cirrhosis and HCC in a Cox proportional hazards model adjusting for patients' age, period of service (World War I/II, Vietnam era, post-Vietnam era), race, gender, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, alcohol use, diabetes, body mass index, and antiviral treatment receipt. Of the 110,484 patients with active HCV viremia, 88,348 (79.9%) had genotype 1, 13,077 (11.8%) genotype 2, 8,337 (7.5%) genotype 3, and 1,082 (0.9%) patients had genotype 4 infection. Despite being younger, patients with genotype 3 had a higher risk of developing cirrhosis (unadjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 1.40, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.32-1.50) and HCC (unadjusted HR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.48-1.85) than HCV genotype 1 patients. After adjustment for prespecified demographic, clinical, and antiviral treatment factors, the risk of cirrhosis and HCC was 31% (adjusted HR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.22-1.39) and 80% (adjusted HR = 1.80, 95% CI = 1.61-2.03) higher in patients with genotype 3 compared to genotype 1 infected patients. Conclusion: HCV genotype 3 is associated with a significantly increased risk of developing cirrhosis and HCC compared to HCV genotype 1. This association is independent of patients' age, diabetes, body mass index, or antiviral treatment. (Hepatology 2014;60:98–105)
Separation of the partial currents for reduction of hydronium ion and water in dilute strong acid solutions using the sinusoidal hydrodynamic modulation method

Abstract The simultaneous mass-transport controlled reduction of hydrogen ions and charge-transfer controlled reduction of water has been studied in 1 M KCl solutions of dilute strong acid. Using the sinusoidal hydrodynamic modulation technique, SHM, at a rotating disk electrode, RDE, these studies confirm the existence of a thin reaction layer at the electrode surface where the neutralization reaction between H+ and OH− produced from water reduction causes a decrease in the limiting flux of hydrogen ions at the electrode. An approximate solution to the convective-diffusion problem has been obtained, as has the decrease in modulation current response and the thickness of the reaction boundary layer, δr. The negligible distortion in the conventional convective-diffusion limiting RDE current accompanying the parallel processes is explained by the magnitude of δr. Separability of the mass-transfer and non-mass transfer controlled components by the SHM method is demonstrated with studies at various applied potentials, modulation amplitudes and frequencies.
Life skills training outcomes and potential mechanisms in a community implementation: a preliminary investigation.

Within the context of a science-based dissemination initiative, this study sought to evaluate whether a community implementation of Life Skills Training (LST) would yield outcomes similar to previous clinical trials, to examine potential mechanisms of LST's effectiveness, and to explore potential gender-by-intervention effects. Life Skills Training was implemented with a high degree of fidelity to 263 (54% Male; 84% Caucasian) early adolescents in two Upstate New York school districts during the 2002–2003 academic year. Performance on the Life Skills Training Questionnaire yielded outcomes that were highly similar to those reported by the program's development team. Significant reductions in alcohol tension-reduction expectancies were detected on the Alcohol Expectancies Questionnaire—Adolescent Version, providing preliminary evidence that expectancies may mediate/moderate LST's influence. Exploratory gender analyses revealed that female participants exhibited greater improvements in terms of drug knowled...
Performance optimization of single-phase level-sensitive circuits using time borrowing and non-zero clock skew

This paper describes a linear programming (LP) formulation for performance optimization of large-scale, synchronous circuits with level-sensitive latches. The proposed formulation permits circuits to operate at a higher clock frequency---that is, with a lower clock period---by the application of both non-zero clock skew scheduling [7] and time borrowing [9]. This LP formulation is computationally efficient and demonstrates significant circuit performance improvement. Unlike the approach documented in [2], the LP model of the clock period minimization problem presented here is stand-alone and independent of the specific LP solver (solution algorithm) used. The modified big M (MBM) method is introduced and applied to the linearization of the non-linear timing constraints of level-sensitive circuits into a solvable set of fully linear constraints. Clock period improvements as large as 63% are demonstrated over conventional flip-flop based circuits with zero clock skew. These improvements are shown on the ISCAS'89 benchmark circuits by using the industrial linear solver CPLEX [1].
Head and neck cancer in the elderly

One hundred fifty-nine patients, 80 years of age or older, with cancer of the head and neck were reviewed. Patients tolerated head and neck resection well and an absolute survival of 36 months for all treated patients and 41 months for all surgically treated patients suggests the efforts are worthwhile. Treatment offered the elimination of uncontrolled cancer in 68% of the patients. Prompt and adequate treatment reduces time, effort, cost, and the actual suffering of the patients. There is little justification for therapeutic nihilism even in the elderly patient.
NASA image-based geological expert system development project for hyperspectral image analysis

The NASA image-based geological expert system was applied to analyze remotely sensed hyperspectral image data. The major objective is for geologists to identify the earth surface mineral properties directly from the airborne and spaceborne imaging spectrometer data. With certain constraints, it is shown that the system can identify correctly different classes of mineral. It has the built-in learning paradigm to enhance the confidence factor of mineral identification. A very powerful natural language system was incorporated as the user-friendly front end, and the concurrent processing efficiency of the frame-based knowledge representation in the hypercube microsupercomputer simulation was tested.
Regulation of an inactivating potassium current (IA) by the extracellular matrix protein vitronectin in embryonic mouse hippocampal neurones.

Integrins are a class of intrinsic membrane receptors for extracellular matrix ligands. In the central nervous system, integrins and their ligands influence neuronal growth and synaptic function, but relatively little is known about their potential to regulate intrinsic excitability. To explore this area, we examined the effects of matrix components on potassium currents in developing mouse hippocampal neurones, using electrophysiological and immunochemical approaches. We tested the effects of three integrin ligands present in the hippocampus, fibronectin, laminin and vitronectin, on electrogenesis in late embryonic hippocampal pyramidal neurones. Explants cultured in serum-free medium were exposed to ligands (fibronectin at 3 μg ml−1, laminin at 5 μg ml−1, vitronectin at 10 μg ml−1) for 3–4 days, and voltage-gated potassium currents were recorded from presumptive CA3 pyramidal neurones. Of the three matrix components, only vitronectin affected potassium currents, selectively increasing the amplitude of the inactivating potassium current (IA, or A-current) by about 75 % over control levels, and its density (current per unit area) by about 40 % (measured after 3 day exposures from embryonic day 15.5). Other potassium currents were spared, except to the extent that membrane area was increased. The actions of vitronectin were sensitive to RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp)-sequence-containing peptide, indicating the involvement of integrins as vitronectin receptors. The kinetic properties of IA, including the voltage-dependence of activation and inactivation, inactivation rate and the rate of recovery from inactivation, were minimally affected by vitronectin and were consistent with enhanced functional expression of Kv4-family subunits. Analyses of Kv4.2 and Kv1.4 immunoreactivity also suggested a preferential increase in Kv4.2 levels, with lesser effects on Kv1.4 levels. These results indicate that vitronectin can selectively regulate IA, and together with other observations suggest that modulation of neuronal excitability by integrins and their ligands occurs commonly.
Quark models of 1S0 nucleon-nucleon scattering lengths

Abstract Quark contributions to the charge dependence of the nucleon-nucleon scattering length a( 1 S 0 ) are found to be primarily of electromagnetic origin and are sensitive only to the rms radius rc of the nucleon core of quarks. The rough agreement of known meson-exchange contributions with the experimental value implies that rc should not exceed about 0.4 fm. Quark effects in the charge asymmetry of a( 1 S 0 ) are found to be highly model dependent. The small experimental value seems to favor quark models with small rc and relativistic treatments of one-gluon exchange and kinetic energy.
Comparison of CDMA and modulation schemes for UWB radio in a multipath environment

This paper investigates three different performance metrics for three candidate combinations of multiple access and modulation schemes in ultra wideband radio. The schemes are compared for a single user, multipath channel at a fixed data rate. First, semianalytic expressions are developed for the probability of error with arbitrary multiple-access coding and amplitude or pulse position modulation, which are then reduced for the special cases of time hopped with bit flipping modulation, time hopped with pulse-position modulation and direct sequence with bit flipping modulation. Using Monte-Carlo simulation the bit error rate, probability of outage and probability of best performance are found. The results show that the bit flipped schemes have a consistently lower average bit error rate and outage probabilities and the direct sequence, bit flipped, scheme has highest probability of outperforming both other schemes. In addition, the effect of multipath arrival clustering in channel models was examined and it was found that the same performance curves could be generated with nonclustered arrivals, and hence channel models with nonclustered arrivals can safely be used in performance prediction.
Modular organization of the monkey presubiculum

There have been previous reports of somatostatin- and acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-positive patches in the superficial layers of the presubiculum in monkeys. In this study, we show additional instances of patches in the presubiculum, as demonstrated by cytochrome oxidase (CO), by myelin and Nissl stains, and by the calcium-binding proteins calbindin (CB), calretinin (CR), and parvalbumin (PV). Markers are differentially expressed along the lateral and longitudinal axes. Comparisons of adjacent sections reacted for different markers suggest that the CB+ and CR+ patches, and CO+ and AChE+ patches generally correspond, but not the CB+ and CO+ patches. In cross section, patches are about 100–300 µm in width. Sections cut tangentially through the superficial layers indicate that the pattern of CO and AChE labeling is in fact patchlike in layer I, but that the apparent patches in layer II (CB and CR) form a reticular or lattice-like network. As patches are restricted to the presubiculum, these labeling patterns provide a convenient marker for the boundary between the presubiculum and the adjoining posteroventral retrosplenial cortex. More work is necessary to determine how this modularity may relate to the functional organization of the presubiculum.
Multi-chip packaging for high performance systems

Multichip module (MCM) substrate, component assembly, and cooling technologies have been developed and demonstrated on several vehicles that include a 4-Kbyte RAM module operating at above 100-MHz clock frequency. An optimum MCM may consist of a set of composite layers of a multi-layer thin film polyimide structure over a multilayer ceramic substrate with a high pin density. The MCM technology provides system designers with increased circuit packing density and a larger number of accessible circuits, which results in lower machine-cycle time and cycles per instruction, leading to higher system performance. Moreover, the MCM technology opens up options for circuit organization and system architecture and for further improvements in system performance. >
New reliable error-detection codes with fast implementations

This paper presents a technique for constructing a new class of reliable codes that have efficient software and hardware implementations as well as flexible design parameters such as usable codeword lengths and error-detecting capability. Furthermore, in contrast to the slow bitwise procedure often used for the cyclical redundancy codes, the new codes are bytewise-oriented; hence, they are more easily implemented in modern computers and networks.
Role of Extracellular Structures of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Initial Attachment to Biotic and Abiotic Surfaces

ABSTRACT Infection by human pathogens through the consumption of fresh, minimally processed produce and solid plant-derived foods is a major concern of the U.S. and global food industries and of public health services. Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a frequent and potent foodborne pathogen that causes severe disease in humans. Biofilms formed by E. coli O157:H7 facilitate cross-contamination by sheltering pathogens and protecting them from cleaning and sanitation operations. The objective of this research was to determine the role that several surface structures of E. coli O157:H7 play in adherence to biotic and abiotic surfaces. A set of isogenic deletion mutants lacking major surface structures was generated. The mutant strains were inoculated onto fresh spinach and glass surfaces, and their capability to adhere was assessed by adherence assays and fluorescence microscopy methods. Our results showed that filament-deficient mutants bound to the spinach leaves and glass surfaces less strongly than the wild-type strain did. We mimicked the switch to the external environment—during which bacteria leave the host organism and adapt to lower ambient temperatures of cultivation or food processing—by decreasing the temperature from 37°C to 25°C and 4°C. We concluded that flagella and some other cell surface proteins are important factors in the process of initial attachment and in the establishment of biofilms. A better understanding of the specific roles of these structures in early stages of biofilm formation can help to prevent cross-contaminations and foodborne disease outbreaks.