cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Atlanto-axial Pannus in Patients with and without Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objective Pannus formation in the atlanto-axial joint is a well-recognized complication of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Occasionally, atlanto-axial pannus is reported when patients without a history of RA undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the cervical spine. We sought to further characterize these patients. Methods The Partners HealthCare Research Patient Data Registry was free-text searched for “atlanto-axial” AND “pannus” in cervical spine MRI reports from 2001 to 2015. Cases with MRI reports describing pannus were reviewed. Clinical data were extracted by chart review in cases with confirmed atlanto-axial pannus (n = 105). Results Twenty-nine patients (27.6%) had RA, all of whom except one carried this diagnosis at the time of the MRI scan. Only 1 of 77 patients without a history of RA was subsequently diagnosed with RA (1.3%, 95% CI 0.1–7.0%, median followup 3.6 yrs). Non-RA patients were significantly older (median age 79 vs 63 yrs, p Conclusion Patients without RA diagnosis and incidental atlanto-axial pannus on cervical spine MRI are unlikely to have previously unrecognized RA. Degenerative disease and tissue calcification may contribute to pannus formation in these patients.
The Impact of Divorce on Children: The View from the Perch of Adulthood

If we take the question: “How does divorce impact the child who grows into an adult?” and turn it on its head, we are looking at the patient from an entirely different point of view, namely: “What ...
ROLE OF MOLECULAR CHAPERONES IN CELL SENESCENCE

Many types of cancer cells constitutively express major molecular chaperones at high levels. Recent findings demonstrate that specific depletion of individual chaperones leads to activation of p53 pathway and subsequently triggers cellular senescence. Here we discuss a possibility that in cancer cells high levels of chaperones serve to keep the p53 signaling under control, thus allowing cancer cells to evade the default senescence and form tumors
Integrative rheumatology: Complementary and alternative medicine for the management of Sjögren's syndrome

Abstract Sjogren's syndrome causes multiple manifestations that significantly impair patient quality of life and add to the overall burden of illness. In many patients, pharmacotherapy fails because of the lack of efficacy or adverse effects. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) offers a variety of additional treatments that may benefit Sjogren's syndrome patients in selected cases. CAM may be used as both adjuncts and alternatives to standard therapy. An integrative medicine approach to Sjogren's syndrome includes diverse treatment modalities such as dietary modifications, nutritional supplements, acupuncture, clinical hypnotherapy, guided imagery, and psychodynamic group therapy. Further studies are needed to better document and understand the full benefits of this therapeutic approach.
Reconciling Short- and Long-Term Outcomes of In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest in Patients undergoing Maintenance Dialysis.

> PHYSICIAN: In case of the worst possible scenario, if you should stop breathing or your heart should stop, have you thought, before, about what you would want doctors to do? > > PATIENT: Yeah. I don’t want them to go to a lotta trouble… > > PHYSICIAN…So you don’t want to be resuscitated
Comparative Beamforming and Acoustic Inversion Studies Employing Acoustic Vector Data in Shallow Water

Abstract : The goals of this research included comparisons of standard and novel, non-standard processing techniques on linear arrays of vector sensors, and development of new inversion methods based on information contained in the acoustic vector field. A result of this study is then to show how the additional information contained in the acoustic vector field (pressure and particle velocity) may be used to improve the results of inversion schemes and provide more robust estimates of source direction from array beamforming.
Counseling US women for economic citizenship: Deans of women and the beginnings of vocational guidance

Historians of education have argued that the field of vocational guidance was founded by men in Boston in 1909, and that these guidance practices were not used in a college setting until the mid-19...
Measuring Visual Generalization in Continuous Control from Pixels

Self-supervised learning and data augmentation have significantly reduced the performance gap between state and image-based reinforcement learning agents in continuous control tasks. However, it is still unclear whether current techniques can face the variety of visual conditions required by real-world environments. We propose a challenging benchmark that tests agents' visual generalization by adding graphical variety to existing continuous control domains. Our empirical analysis shows that current methods struggle to generalize across a diverse set of visual changes, and we examine the specific factors of variation that make these tasks difficult. We find that data augmentation techniques outperform self-supervised learning approaches and that more significant image transformations provide better visual generalization.
The role of gut-immune-brain signaling in substance use disorders

Substance use disorders (SUDs) are debilitating neuropsychiatric conditions that exact enormous costs in terms of loss of life and individual suffering. While much progress has been made defining the neurocircuitry and intracellular signaling cascades that contribute to SUDs, these studies have yielded limited effective treatment options. This has prompted greater exploration of non-traditional targets in addiction. Emerging data suggest inputs from peripheral systems, such as the immune system and the gut microbiome, impact multiple neuropsychiatric diseases, including SUDs. Until recently the gut microbiome, peripheral immune system, and the CNS have been studied independently; however, current work shows the gut microbiome and immune system critically interact to modulate brain function. Additionally, the gut microbiome and immune system intimately regulate one another via extensive bidirectional communication. Accumulating evidence suggests an important role for gut-immune-brain communication in the pathogenesis of substance use disorders. Thus, a better understanding of gut-immune-brain signaling could yield important insight to addiction pathology and potential treatment options.
An experimental investigation of flame and autoignition behavior of propane

Abstract Autoignition delay time data are one important means to develop, quantify, and validate fundamental understanding of combustion chemistry at low temperatures (T 1200 K). In this study, autoignition properties of propane and oxygen mixtures were investigated using the University of Michigan rapid compression facility in order to understand the effects of ignition regimes on low-temperature ignition data. For the first time for propane, autoignition delay times were determined from pressure histories, and autoignition characteristics were simultaneously recorded using high-speed imaging of the test section through a transparent end-wall. Propane mixtures with fuel-to-O2 equivalence ratios of ϕ = 0.25 and ϕ = 0.5 and O2-to-inert gas molar ratios of 1:3.76 were studied over the pressure range of 8.9 to 11.3 atm and the temperature range of 930 – 1070 K. The results showed homogeneous or strong autoignition occurred for all ϕ = 0.25 experiments, and inhomogeneous or mixed autoignition occurred for all ϕ = 0.5 experiments. While a limited temperature range is covered in the study, importantly the data span predicted transitions in autoignition behavior, allowing validation of autoignition regime hypotheses. Specifically, the results agree well with strong-autoignition limits proposed based on the Sankaran Criterion. The autoignition delay time data at the strong-ignition conditions are in excellent agreement with predictions using a well-validated detailed reaction mechanism from the literature and a zero-dimensional modeling assumption. However, the experimental data at the mixed autoignition conditions were systematically faster than the model predictions, particularly at lower temperatures (T
Shear Assisted Processing and Extrusion of Aluminum Alloy 7075 Tubing at High Speed

Conventional extrusion of aluminum alloy 7075 is limited to 1–2 m/min in order to avoid surface tearing and cracking. An emerging technique called Shear Assisted Processing and Extrusion (ShAPE) was used to extrude aluminum alloy 7075 tubing at a speed of 7.4 m/min without inducing surface defects. The faster extrusion speed is attributed to the unique flow characteristics inherent to the ShAPE process compared to conventional extrusion. Tubes with inner diameter of 10 mm, outer diameter of 12 mm, and length of 2 m were extruded at temperatures ranging from 340 to 466 °C. Tensile testing was performed per ASTM B557-15 with strain measured using digital image correlation. An ultimate tensile strength of 565 ± 4.6 MPa, yield strength of 496 ± 8.7 MPa, and elongation of 16.4 ± 1.0% were measured for extrusions made at 362 °C and heat treated to a T6 condition with extended aging.
Legibility of Videos with ASL signers.

The viewing size of a signer correlates with legibility, i.e., the ease with which a viewer can recognize individual signs. The WCAG 2.0 guidelines (G54) mention in the notes that there should be a mechanism to adjust the size to ensure the signer is discernible but does not state minimum discernibility guidelines. The fluent range (the range over which sign viewers can follow the signers at maximum speed) extends from about 7° to 20°, which is far greater than 2° for print. Assuming a standard viewing distance of 16 inches from a 5-inch smartphone display, the corresponding sizes are from 2 to 5 inches, i.e., from 1/3rd to full-screen. This is consistent with vision science findings about human visual processing properties, and how they play a dominant role in constraining the distribution of signer sizes.
A case of pseudoaneurysm of the mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa in a pediatric patient.

Abstract Pseudoaneurysm of the mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa is a rare and potentially deadly aberrance of the cardiac architecture, with few reported pediatric cases. Complications can include rupture into the pericardium, ongoing infective endocarditis, arrhythmias, valvular dysfunction, thrombus formation, and compression of the coronary arteries. Although there have been cases which have gone solely with surveillance, the majority of these cases will have surgical intervention to reduce the risk of complications. We present a case in a pediatric patient with a history of bicuspid aortic valve, who presented with recurrent fevers after a dental procedure despite treatment with antibiotics. Infective endocarditis was suspected based on clinical exam, and imaging revealed pseudoaneurysm of the mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa. The patient was treated with surgical resection and homograft replacement.
A Survey of Beaver Location and Habitat to Model Their Distribution in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

A species that attracted a considerable amount of attention during the early years of American colonization and western exploration was the beaver (Castor canadensis). So important was this species that treaties between European countries specifically identified the trading of its furs (Long, 2000). It is estimated that over 60 million beavers were removed from the North American landscape between the early 1600s through the late 1800s (Long, 2000). By the beginning of the 1900s it is believed that only 10% of the pre-settlement population of beavers remained. Though not extinct, their numbers were radically reduced because of the fur trade and their "destructive" behavior of cutting trees and ponding water that interfered with America's growth. This perception of their detriment to the environment has been dramatically changed, and they are now perceived as ecosystem engineers that assist in creating beneficial habitat and restoring damaged landscapes (Naiman et al., 1988). Thus, it is essential in this revised role, that we know the distribution of the beaver, their habitats, and to determine the best management practices to utilize their benefits to the ecosystem.
SU-C-304-02: Robust and Efficient Process for Acceptance Testing of Varian TrueBeam Linacs Using An Electronic Portal Imaging Device (EPID)

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to develop a process that utilizes the onboard kV and MV electronic portal imaging devices (EPIDs) to perform rapid acceptance testing (AT) of linacs in order to improve efficiency and standardize AT equipment and processes. Methods: In this study a Varian TrueBeam linac equipped with an amorphous silicon based EPID (aSi1000) was used. The conventional set of AT tests and tolerances was used as a baseline guide, and a novel methodology was developed to perform as many tests as possible using EPID exclusively. The developer mode on Varian TrueBeam linac was used to automate the process. In the current AT process there are about 45 tests that call for customer demos. Many of the geometric tests such as jaw alignment and MLC positioning are performed with highly manual methods, such as using graph paper. The goal of the new methodology was to achieve quantitative testing while reducing variability in data acquisition, analysis and interpretation of the results. The developed process was validated on two machines at two different institutions. Results: At least 25 of the 45 (56%) tests which required customer demo can be streamlined and performed using EPIDs. More than half ofmore » the AT tests can be fully automated using the developer mode, while others still require some user interaction. Overall, the preliminary data shows that EPID-based linac AT can be performed in less than a day, compared to 2–3 days using conventional methods. Conclusions: Our preliminary results show that performance of onboard imagers is quite suitable for both geometric and dosimetric testing of TrueBeam systems. A standardized AT process can tremendously improve efficiency, and minimize the variability related to third party quality assurance (QA) equipment and the available onsite expertise. Research funding provided by Varian Medical Systems. Dr. Sasa Mutic receives compensation for providing patient safety training services from Varian Medical Systems, the sponsor of this study.« less
Influence of Initial Defect Distribution on the Life of the Cold Leg Piping System

There are two basic design philosophies to avoid fatigue fracture presently contained in the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. One, safe life, provides for fatigue resistance by avoiding the initiation of cracks, whereas the second, damage tolerance, presumes the existance of cracks and defects and guards against their unstable growth. This paper examines the utility of these approaches in the context of the sensitivity of piping system life to the character of the presumed initial defect distribution. The importance of defect detectability and growth monitoring is illustrated and the significance of parameters like defect size and shape to damage tolerant approaches discussed, in terms of piping system life. Results of the paper are interpreted in light of relevant NDI capabilities and requirements.
On the Origin of the Titan-Hyperion System

The mean motions of the two satellites Titan and Hyperion are very nearly in the ratio 4/3. In order to examine some possibilities for the formation of this system, we present some calculations providing the range of initial orbital velocities that lead to stable librating solutions at the 4/3 resonance.
State of the art in myeloid sarcoma.

Introduction Myeloid sarcomas are extramedullary lesions composed of myeloid lineage blasts that typically form tumorous masses and may precede, follow, or occur in the absence of systemic acute myeloid leukemia. They most commonly involve the skin and soft tissues, lymph nodes, and gastrointestinal tract and are particularly challenging to diagnose in patients without an antecedent history of acute myeloid leukemia. Methods We conducted a search of the English language medical literature for recent studies of interest to individuals involved in the diagnosis of myeloid sarcoma. Results The differential diagnosis includes non-Hodgkin lymphoma, blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm, histiocytic sarcoma, melanoma, carcinoma, and (in children) small round blue cell tumors. The sensitivity and specificity of immunohistochemical markers must be considered when evaluating a suspected case of myeloid sarcoma. A high percentage of tested cases have cytogenetic abnormalities. Conclusion A minimal panel of immunohistochemical markers should include anti-CD43 or anti-lysozyme as a lack of immunoreactivity for either of these sensitive markers would be inconsistent with a diagnosis of myeloid sarcoma. Use of more specific markers of myeloid disease, such as CD33, myeloperoxidase, CD34 and CD117 is necessary to establish the diagnosis. Other antibodies may be added depending on the differential diagnosis. Identification of acute myeloid leukemia-associated genetic lesions may be helpful in arriving at the correct diagnosis.
The Grassroots and the Gift: Moral Authority, American Philanthropy, and Activism in Education

Parental activism in education reform, while often portrayed as an exemplary manifestation of participatory democracy and grassroots action in response to entrenched corporate and bureaucratic interests, is in fact carefully cultivated and channeled through strategic networks of philanthropic funding and knowledge. This paper argues that these networks are characteristic of a contemporary form of neoliberal governance in which the philanthropic “gift” both obligates its recipients to participate in the ideological projects of the givers and obscures the incursion of market principles into education behind a veneer of progressive activism. Drawing on archival research as well as personal interviews with Seattle-based reform advocates, representatives of philanthropic organizations, and school administrators, the paper points to the need to critically evaluate the “roots” in grassroots movements and trace their connections to larger institutions and agendas.
H pylori: the bug is not all bad

Helicobacter pylori infection is on the decline in the Western world.1 This is most likely related to improvements in sanitary conditions and socioeconomic status along with the widespread use of antibiotics. Hospitalisation and mortality rates for duodenal ulcer disease, gastric ulcer disease, and cancer of the gastric antrum and corpus, all clearly H pylori related diseases, also have declined markedly between 1970 and 1995.2 In sharp contrast, hospitalisation and mortality rates for both gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and oesophageal adenocarcinoma have increased during the same time interval. Although the hypothesis seemed quite radical in 1997,3 it appears that the decline in H pylori infection may explain these two opposing time trends. Although initial studies were inconsistent,4 the majority of recent evidence from the USA,5 6 Europe,7and the Far East8 find that H pylori infection alone, regardless of virulence factors, protects from the development of severe reflux oesophagitis and its complications, such as Barrett's oesophagus and adenocarcinoma. Even more striking and consistent has been the protection reported from GORD related complications in patients with H pylori infection and the cagA+ virulent factor. Vicari and colleagues9 from the Cleveland Clinic were the first to report that …
Parental Beliefs on Childhood Disability: insights on culture, child development and intervention

Abstract This paper examines studies on the interface of culture, parental beliefs, and childhood disability, within an ecological framework. Through a discussion of studies on parents’ beliefs about the nature and causes of childhood disability, and their ideas about treatment among various cultural groups, it is proposed that parental beliefs is a means by which culture affects child development. Parents’ beliefs about childhood disability provide the structure and context to the development of a child with a disability. Parents’ beliefs about the nature and causes of disability likewise provide the context for parents’ beliefs about treatment and intervention. The studies also revealed that parents held both biomedical and sociocultural views, reflecting duality in beliefs. Conceptual and methodological considerations for future research on culture, parental beliefs, and childhood disability are discussed. The linkages between parents’ ideas and intervention has implications for clinical practice, part...
High-speed second harmonic generation holographic imaging of biological specimens at over 1000 volumes per second

Demonstration of high-speed second harmonic holographic microscopic imaging of biological specimens up to 1500 volumes per second with signal-to-noise analysis and 3D particle tracking. Additionally, SHG holography phase-shifted reconstruction and polarization-resolved imaging are developed.
Kinematic properties of rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft in steady coordinated high-g turns

An analytical approach to the study of flight dynamics of aircraft operating in a high-angle-of-attack flight regime and of helicopters operating in extreme thrust conditions is presented. Steady coordinated high-g turns are used to establish the initial equilibrium flight conditions near stall angles of attack. The kinematic properties of the aircraft in steady coordinated turns are examined: in high-g turns, pitch rate (independent of the angle of attack) is of a much larger magnitude than roll and yaw rate; a substantial roll rate is found to develop in steep turns for all angles of attack; the angle of attack also has a significant effect on the pitch attitude, with decreasing influence as the normal load factor increases. The exact small disturbance equations of motion of the aircraft in general steady turns are also developed for application to both rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft in extreme conditions. These equations are in a first-order, vector-matrix format, and are thus compatible with many efficient software packages developed in modern system theory.
Spatial Standards for Internet of Things

With the rapid expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT) into many aspects of our lives, there is a rising need for spatial standards for IoT to provide location-based services. Objects on IoT contain technology that allows them to interact and connect with our natural and built environments, and the binding factor of these things to the real world depends heavily on open spatial standards. In this paper, we will discuss how vital spatial standards are for IoT with the demonstrated growth it has experienced, and how the standards are still developing in the attempt to catch up with the growth. We will provide an overview of spatial communication methods and the need for standardization with the technologies, which is important for location-based services, followed by elaborating on the different categories of spatial localization algorithms. Finally, examples will be provided to show how spatial standards are trending in IoT applications.
Distribution of Bed Shear Stress in Rotating Circular Flume

Distributions of bed shear stress across the width of a rotating circular flume with smooth and rough bed surfaces were obtained by measurement and model prediction. Results with flows over smooth beds showed that the flow in the central part may be considered to be two-dimensional and that effects of flow depth over the operating range of the flume are minor for flow depths not exceeding 0.14 m. For rough beds, the bed shear stress distributions were found to be skewed toward the inner wall. This can be corrected if a compensating roughness is added to the bottom of the ring. Such measures are also effective for flumes with smooth beds. Measured bed shear stress distributions agreed well with the predicted distributions for smooth beds and reasonably well for rough beds. The modified Preston tube, for measurement of bed shear stress in flows over rough beds, was found to give promising results. Further tests are required to completely define the uncertainty in bed shear stress measurements made with this instrument.
Designing project management: A scientific notation and an improved formalism for earned value calculations

Abstract A new formalism and a corresponding new notation for earned value analysis are presented. With compact, consistent, mnemonic notation, earned value calculations become more transparent and flexible, leading to insights about standard quantities and advances through new measures. As an example of the notation’s utility, it is used to generate a modified earned value approach that weights quantities according to their position in a project’s timeline.
Treatment of smoking with cognitive conditioning therapy: A self-administered aversion technique

A treatment is described in which clients vividly imagine cognitions associated with smoking and contingently self-administer aversive shock. A clinic (with 2-year follow-up) was conducted to investigate where in the cognitive sequence it is most effective to apply shock. Six males and four females participated. Females were generally unsuccessful in stopping smoking. With males, the findings suggest that shocking the early triggering cognitions is an effective way to reduce smoking. Although this finding held up 2 years later, the small number of subjects makes conclusions or comparisons tentative. Implications of these findings for the treatment of smoking, stuttering, and various addictive behaviors are briefly discussed.
Patient Trust in Physicians and Shared Decision-Making Among African-Americans With Diabetes

This study explores patient trust in physicians and its relationship to shared decision-making (SDM) among African-Americans with diabetes (types 1 and 2). We conducted a series of focus groups (n = 27) and in-depth interviews (n = 24). Topic guides were developed utilizing theoretical constructs. Each interview was audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Each transcript was independently coded by two randomly assigned members of the research team; codes and themes were identified in an iterative fashion utilizing Atlas.ti software. The mean age of study participants was 62 years and 85% were female. We found that (1) race as a social construct has the potential to influence key domains of patient trust (interpersonal/relationship aspects and medical skills/technical competence), (2) the relationship between patient trust and shared decision-making is bidirectional in nature, and (3) enhancing patient trust may potentially increase or decrease SDM among African-Americans with diabetes. Mistrust of physicians among African-Americans with diabetes may partially be addressed through (1) patient education efforts, (2) physician training in interpersonal skills and cultural competence, and (3) physician efforts to engage patients in SDM. To help enhance patient outcomes among African-Americans with diabetes, physicians might consider incorporating strategies to simultaneously engender their patients' trust and encourage shared decision-making.
Correlative super-resolution fluorescence and metal replica transmission electron microscopy

We combine super-resolution localization fluorescence microscopy with transmission electron microscopy of metal replicas to locate proteins on the landscape of the cellular plasma membrane at the nanoscale. We validate robust correlation on the scale of 20 nm by imaging endogenous clathrin (in two and three dimensions) and apply the method to find the previously unknown three-dimensional position of the endocytic protein epsin on clathrin-coated structures at the plasma membrane.
Toxicity of the fungicide captan to the Dungeness crab Cancer magister

Captan did not affect the survival of Dungeness crab (Cancer magister Dana) zoea exposed to 30 μg l-1 during a chronic toxicity test lasting 69 days, but larvae were quickly killed (mean survival time = 9 days) in the same test by exposure to 450 μg l-1 of the fungicide. Delay of molting occurred, however, for later stages at 30 μg l-1. Survival of juvenile crabs was not reduced by exposure to captan for 36 days at 510 μg l-1 or, in a second test, for 80 days at 290 μg l-1. No deaths of adults exposed for 75 days to 340 μg l-1 of captan were observed. Captan appeared to accelerate hatching of eggs at all concentrations tested from 100 to 10,000 μg l-1. The development from prezoeae during a 24-h period was not inhibited by the fungicide, but at 3,300 and 10,00 μg l-1, the two highest concentrations tested, developing zoeae exhibited a morphological deformity and were largely inactive. Under the prevailing conditions in the toxicity tests, the half-life of captan was estimated to be from 23 to 54 h. Because of the relatively low toxicity of captan to crab stages and its high rate of degradation in sewater, it is suggested that the agricultural application of captan near marine waters is not likely to affect natural crab populations or crabs in laboratory culture. Further-more, the prophylactic use of captan as a fungicidal treatment for Lagenidium sp. in larval crab cultures is considered safe when used at recommended dosages.
Influence of Age and Smoking on Drug Kinetics in Man Studies Using Model Compounds

The effect of advanced age on drug disposition and response is the subject of an increasing number of research studies. Cigarette smoking and other environmental factors have been shown to influence the metabolism of some drugs. Studies of the effect of age on the pharmacokinetics of antipyrine, indocyanine green and propranolol indicate that the association of increased drug metabolism and smoking occurs predominantly in the young and that apparent liver blood flow declines with age regardless of smoking habits. This age related effect of smoking on drug metabolism may reflect a reduced capacity for hepatic enzyme induction in the elderly. The relative importance of age related alterations in the intrinsic drug metabolising ability of the liver and in liver blood flow depend on the pharmacokinetic characteristics of the drug being investigated.
Thermoelectric fluctuations in multilead devices

The Chester-Thellung relation between transport coefficients of a degenerate Fermi gas is used to extend recent results on the long-range character of the conductivity tensor to thermoelectric and heat conductivity tensors. Consequences are discussed for combined voltage and temperature measurements in multilead devices. Among our predictions is that the temperature and temperature-induced voltage drops determined via a four-probe measurement should fluctuate dramatically, both in sign and magnitude, as a function of the chemical potential and external magnetic field. If more than four probes are used, any two measured temperature and temperature-induced voltage drops will be uncorrelated, both in sign and magnitude, at fixed values of chemical potential and magnetic field. We propose two representative experiments, which involve the application of a temperature rather than a voltage difference between the two end probes. (i) A grounded sample which is thermally isolated except at the probes. Here, large temperature fluctuations will be observed. (ii) A sample in good thermal contact with the substrate, but electrically isolated except at the probes. Here, induced voltage will show large fluctuations.
Sexual assertiveness in spinal cord injury

Concepts from assertiveness training literature are presented as pertinent to the sexual expression of persons with spinal cord injuries. This article describes sexual assertiveness and spinal cord injury, who might benefit from these techniques, and suggestions for trying them out.
100 Apples Divided by 15 Red Herrings: A Cautionary Tale from the Mid-19th Century on Comparing Hospital Mortality Rates

In 1863, Florence Nightingale argued that London hospi­ tals were dangerous, especially compared with provincial facilities. She bolstered this contention with statistics pub­ lished in William Fair's Registrar-General report, which claimed that 24 London hospitals had mortality rates ex­ ceeding 90%, whereas rural hospitals had an average mor­ tality rate of 13%. Farr had calculated mortality rates by dividing the total number of patients who died through­ out the year by the number of inpatients on a single day. When calculated as the annual number of deaths divided by the total number of inpatients during the year, the mortality rate of London hospitals was 10%. A raucous debate erupted in the London medical press over how best to calculate hospital mortality rates. Critics claimed that Farr had not adjusted for differences in severity of illness between urban and rural hospitals and that his figures would mislead the public. Farr and Nightingale, in turn, criticized the poor quality of hospital data. This story rein­ forces the need to understand the methodologic deriva­ tion of statistics intended to compare provider quality.
A 2π steradian magnetic spectrometer

Abstract The magnetic properties of a 2π steradian spectrometer used in the study of K + decays at rest are described. Charged particles emitted from the axis of a cylindrically symmetric field are focussed back to the axis after one nearly circular orbit. The field has been shaped to give small spherical aberration and a relatively small overall chromatic aberration for momenta in a ten percent momentum range. Other possible experiments are described.
Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor restores Wnt/β-catenin signaling in intestinal stem cells exposed to ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Background We have previously demonstrated that heparin-binding epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like growth factor (HB-EGF) protects the intestines from injury in several different experimental animal models. In the current study, we investigated whether the ability of HB-EGF to protect the intestines from ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury was related to its effects on Wnt/β-catenin signaling in intestinal stem cells (ISC). Methods Lucien-rich repeat-containing G-protein–coupled receptor 5 (LGR5)-enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) transgenic (TG) mice with fluorescently labeled ISC, as well as the same mice treated with intraluminal HB-EGF or genetically engineered to overexpress HB-EGF, were exposed to segmental mesenteric artery occlusion (sMAO) to the terminal ilium. Wnt/β-catenin signaling was evaluated using immunofluorescent staining and Western blotting. Results LGR5 expression and Wnt/β-catenin signaling in the ISC of the terminal ilium of LGR5-EGFP TG mice was significantly reduced 24 hours after sMAO. Intraluminal administration of HB-EGF or HB-EGF overexpression in these mice led to preservation of LGR5 expression and Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Conclusion These data show that HB-EGF preserves Wnt/β-catenin signaling in ISC after I/R injury.
A principal component-based radiative transfer forward model (PCRTM) for vertically inhomogeneous cloud

A principal-component based radiative transfer model (PCRTM) is developed for simulating the infrared spectral radiance at the top of the atmosphere (TOA). The PCRTM approach removes the redundancy in radiative transfer calculation in high resolution infrared spectra, and saves significant amount of computational time with great accuracy. In PCRTM, both ice and water clouds are treated as effective transmissivity and reflectivity stored in a pre-calculated lookup tables. These quantities are calculated using cloud single scattering properties such as cloud optical depth, cloud particle size, cloud phase, etc. The cloud can be inserted into any pressure layer in the PCRTM model (up to 100 layers). The effective temperature of each cloud layer is treated as a function of its optical depth. To test the accuracy of this approximation, the results are compared with the more rigorous DISORT model, which treats cloud as a plane parallel layer. The root-mean-square error of PCRTM, with respect to DISORT results, is generally less than 0.5 K in brightness temperature. However, the CPU time required by PCRTM was approximately two orders of magnitude less than that required by DISORT.
The Oncoprotein EVI1 and the DNA Methyltransferase Dnmt3 Co-Operate in Binding and De Novo Methylation of Target DNA

EVI1 has pleiotropic functions during murine embryogenesis and its targeted disruption leads to prenatal death by severely affecting the development of virtually all embryonic organs. However, its functions in adult tissues are still unclear. When inappropriately expressed, EVI1 becomes one of the most aggressive oncogenes associated with human hematopoietic and solid cancers. The mechanisms by which EVI1 transforms normal cells are unknown, but we showed recently that EVI1 indirectly upregulates self-renewal and cell-cycling genes by inappropriate methylation of CpG dinucleotides in the regulatory regions of microRNA-124-3 (miR-124-3), leading to the repression of this small gene that controls normal differentiation and cell cycling of somatic cells. We used the regulatory regions of miR-124-3 as a read-out system to investigate how EVI1 induces de novo methylation of DNA. Here we show that EVI1 physically interacts with DNA methyltransferases 3a and 3b (Dnmt3a/b), which are the only de novo DNA methyltransferases identified to date in mouse and man, and that it forms an enzymatically active protein complex that induces de novo DNA methylation in vitro. This protein complex targets and binds to a precise region of miR-124-3 that is necessary for repression of a reporter gene by EVI1. Based on our findings, we propose that in cooperation with Dnmt3a/b EVI1 regulates the methylation of DNA as a sequence-specific mediator of de novo DNA methylation and that inappropriate EVI1 expression contributes to carcinogenesis through improper DNA methylation.
Reduction of f/sub t/ by nonuniform base bandgap narrowing

Analytical and simulation results are presented to illustrate qualitatively the effect of doping on base transit time. Nonuniform base bandgap narrowing (BGN) in silicon bipolar transistors can give rise to an electric field that is comparable to and against the built-in field. The base transit time tau is subsequently increased, leading to a deterioration of the cutoff frequency f/sub 1/. It is shown that the BGN effectively reduces the impurity profile grading factor K and subsequently the transit-time coefficient eta . Physically, the minority carriers can be thought of as moving in a new profile characterized by a reduced eta but in the absence of BGN. Unlike earlier investigations which also consider effective BGN dopings but ignore the field effects, this treatment includes their impact on the minority-carrier base transit time. For a steep exponential profile with strong BGN, an increase of eta by a factor 3.57 at 300 K is calculated. Device simulations predict a smaller f/sub t/ reduction factor of 1.5 for more general profiles. >
Heterotransplantation of human glioblastoma multiforme and meningioma to nude mice.

SummaryA human glioblastoma multi-forme (Br7) and a meningioma have been successfully xenografted sc in nude mice. Both were successfully passed to a second generation. Complete retention of the unique histologic features was noted in each tumor xenograft. Actively growing cultures from the glioblastoma xenograft have been established; they are composed of the cell types characteristic of glioblastoma. Immature and mature C-type particles, presumably representing a xenotropic mouse virus, are present in both grafts. The growth of these two tumors in nude mice may provide a useful model for etiologic, immunologic, and chemotherapeutic studies. An attempt to produce glioblastoma in nude mice by the injection of cells cultured from human glioblastoma T98 was unsuccessful.
Linking the in- and out-of-school curriculum

Abstract This study is concerned with teachers who know about their students' out-of-school lives, interests, and experiences, i.e., the out-of-school curriculum. The chapter focuses on strategies twelve teachers developed to link students' in- and out-of-school curriculum. Attention is given to constraints these teachers faced in the process of making this connection. Results indicated that teachers connect students' in- and out-of-school experiences in their own unique style. They were guided by the belief that students' in- and out-of-school lives must not be separated. Finally, it was determined that it is the teacher who has the pivotal responsibility for integrating the in- and out-of-school curriculum to enhance students' learning.
A Strain Energy Function for Vulcanized Rubbers

A three-parameter strain energy function is developed to model the nonlinearly elastic response of rubber-like materials. The development of the model is phenomenological, based on data from the classic experiments of Treloar, Rivlin and Saunders, and Jones and Treloar on sheets of vulcanized rubber. A simple two-parameter version, similar to the Mooney-Rivlin and Gent-Thomas strain energies, provides an accurate fit with all of the data from Rivlin and Saunders and Jones and Treloar, as well as with Treloar’s data for deformations for which the principal deformation invariant I 1 has values in the range 3≤I 1≤20.
Garlic consumption and colorectal cancer risk in the CPS-II Nutrition Cohort.

The World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research identified a probable role for garlic in colorectal cancer prevention based on preclinical evidence and epidemiologic studies, but prospective data are limited. The purpose of this paper was to contribute additional evidence on this topic for men and women in a large prospective cohort study. In 1999, 42,824 men and 56,876 women in the Cancer Prevention Study II Nutrition Cohort completed a questionnaire with information on dietary garlic consumption. Garlic supplement use was assessed in 2001. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate multivariable-adjusted hazard rate ratios (HRs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs). During 7 years of follow-up, 579 men and 551 women were diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Among men, daily garlic consumption was associated with a non-significant higher colorectal cancer risk (HR = 1.04, 95 % CI 0.99–1.08 for each additional clove or “4 shakes” of garlic per week), whereas the association was borderline inverse in women (HR = 0.95, 95 % CI 0.91–1.00, p heterogeneity by sex = 0.03). Garlic supplement use was not related to a lower risk of colorectal cancer, and in men, former use was associated with a higher risk of colorectal cancer (HR = 1.85, 95 % CI 1.13–3.03). These results provide weak support for a role of dietary garlic consumption in colorectal cancer prevention in women, but a possible increased risk in men. Further research is needed to confirm different associations by sex.
Geographical distribution of Aphidiidae [Hym.] imported to California for biological control of Acyrthosiphon kondoi and Acyrthosiphon pisum [Hom.: Aphididae]

A survey forAcyrthosiphon kondoiShinji and its insect enemies was conducted in 1976–1977 in Afghanistan, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Greece, Iran, Israel and Maroc. The search was concentrated in areas having cultivated species ofMedicago.
Use of enhanced infrared satellite imagery for sea ice and oceanographic studies

Abstract Infrared (i.r.) imagery from the NOAA 2,3, and 4 satellites could be used to measure accurately the absolute temperature of the sea surface and sea water. Comparison with measured temperatures indicate that the satellite observed values are within 2°C of those measured. Contouring temperatures and observing temperature fluctuations within 0·5°C is also possible by enhancing the infrared image. This is done by confining the 16 steps of gray of the image to a desired small temperature scale. The existence of open water areas within the pack ice and the positions of the ice edges could be readily distinguishable by generating special imagery in such a way that the gray scale covers two temperature ranges with a gray tone jump at the freezing point of sea water. In this way ice-water boundary appears as a line of demarcation between two different gray tones. Because the i.r. imagery is available all year round these techniques are readily applicable at all times especially during the winter months when the low sun angles make visible imagery not useful.
Topological arrangements of M/G/c/K, M/G/c/c queues in transportation and material handling systems

Finite buffer, single server queues with general service times along with state dependent queues were shown to be robust with respect to the general flow processes in transportation and material handling systems (MHS). This paper examines the integration of multi-server and state dependent queues and the robustness properties in these queueing network models. It is also shown that the topological arrangements problem (TAP) in a finite queueing network is NP-Hard. Extensive computational results are included to test the properties of these network models to changes in service times, buffers, and other MHS network parameters.
Information Portals: The Next Generation Catalog

Libraries today face an increasing challenge: to provide relevant information to diverse populations with differing needs while competing with Web search engines like Google. In 2009, a large group of libraries, including the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, joined with Innovative Interfaces as development partners to design a new type of discovery tool. The concept of information portals best supports the research and instructional needs of our communities by organizing and presenting information that incorporates licensed databases, text, multimedia, and other relevant sources. The discovery tool under examination by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Encore integrates searches of the catalog, locally created full-text and image sources, and articles from licensed databases with navigation options that facilitate narrowing and expanding search results. This information portal development is an ongoing process with the goal of providing a tool that is as easy to use as Web search engines and tha...
Management of envenomations during pregnancy

Context. Envenomations during pregnancy pose all the problems of envenomation in the nonpregnant state with additional complexity related to maternal physiologic changes, medication use during pregnancy, and the well-being of the fetus. Objective. We review the obstetric literature and management options available to prevent maternal morbidity and mortality while limiting adverse obstetric outcomes after envenomation in pregnancy. Methods. In January 2012, we searched the U.S. National Library of Medicine Medline/PubMed, Toxline, Reprotox, Google Scholar and Micromedex databases, core surgery and internal medicine textbooks, and references of retrieved articles for the years 1966 through 2011. Search terms included “envenomation in pregnancy,” “stings in pregnancy,” “antivenom use in pregnancy,” “anaphylaxis in pregnancy,” and variants of these with known venomous animals. Reference lists generated further case reports and articles. We included English language articles and abstracts. Levels of Evidence (...
Therapeutic dimensions of sacred garments worn by the Barbados Spiritual Baptists

As part of a broader observational study, 25 members of a Barbados Spiritual Baptist congregation and its Patriarch, along with 13 nonmembers of the church, took part in formal semi-structured interviews, in addition to informal conversations with many others. The purpose was to elicit detailed qualitative impressions of their experiences related to the evolving use of sacred garments within the rituals of the church. Over the 55 years of its development, the church experienced three phases marked by the gathering of spiritual and material strength of the members and their Leader. Members reported experiences of enhanced subjective well-being arising from their wearing of specific religious vestments they received as intended for them by the Holy Spirit with the Leader as mediator. The findings are in keeping with a body of scholarly literature and may guide further quantitative research about the place of sacred garments in the beliefs and practices of this Caribbean faith group.