cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Design of a Dynamic Stabilization Spine Implant

Arthritis, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, and other ailments lead to the deterioration of the facet joints of the spine, causing pain and immobility in patients. Dynamic stabilization and arthroplasty of the facet joints have advantages over traditional fusion methods by eliminating pain while maintaining normal mobility and function. In the present work, a novel dynamic stabilization spine implant design was developed using computational analysis, and the final design was fabricated and mechanically tested. A model of a fused L4–L5 Functional Spinal Unit (FSU) was developed using Pro/Engineer (PTC Corporation, Needham, MA). The model was imported into commercial finite element analysis software Ansys (Ansys Inc., Canonsburg, PA), and meshed with the material properties of bone, intervertebral disc, and titanium alloy. Physiological loads (600N axial load, 10 N-m moment) were applied to the model construct following the protocol developed by others. The model was subjected to flexion/extension, axial rotation, and lateral bending, and was validated with the results reported by Kim et al. The validated FSU was used as a base to design and evaluate novel spine implant designs, using finite element anlysis. A comparison of the flexion-extension curve of six designs and an intact spine was carried out. Range of motion of the new designs showed up to 4 degrees in flexion and extension, compared to less than one degree flexion/extension in a fused spine. The design that reproduced normal range of motion best was optimized, fabricated and prepared for mechanical testing. The finalized dynamic stabilization design with spring insert was implanted into a L4-L5 FSU sawbone (Pacific Research Laboratories, Vashon, WA) using Stryker Xia pedicle screws. The construct was potted using PMMA, and was subjected to flexion/extension, axial rotation, and lateral bending loads using MTS mechanical testing machine. The stiffness of the design was assessed and compared with computational analysis results.
Behavior of Fiber Reinforced Plastic Materials in Chemical Service

Abstract A study is made of the factors leading to the degradation in mechanical properties of glass reinforced polyester exposed to aggressive chemical environments such as H2SO4, HCl, and salt solutions at elevated temperatures. The penetration of water molecules, cations, and anions into the structure is described in terms of permeation rates as a function of time, temperature, pressure, glass content, resin type, and concentration of solutions. The permeation measure­ments are related to the diffusivity and solubility of the penetrating species in the structure and to the resultant degradation of mechanical properties.
Random packing models for amorphous binary alloys

Abstract Arthur Nowick's research on amorphous alloys, with S. R. Mader and others at the IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center, during the period 1963–1967, was important in motivating research in this field during the following three decades. This paper illustrates the development of random packing models for binary amorphous alloys following the 1965 paper by A. S. Nowick and S. R. Mader, “A hard-sphere model to simulate alloy thin films” [IBM J. Res. Dev.9, 358 (1965)].
A high efficiency class‐F power amplifier using AIGaN/GaN HEMT

This paper reports the development of a high efficiency and compact power amplifier using an AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistor (HEMT). The class-F load network in microstrip topology was applied to a 0.75-μm gate length and 300-μm gate width AlGaN/GaN HEMT. The 1 dB compression point of the output power was 24 dBm at 900 MHz. The peak power added efficiency of 38% was optimized at output power of 24.5 dBm, which is almost the same as the 1 dB compression point. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 48: 1955–1957, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.21832
Neurogenic Pulmonary Edema Following Catastrophic Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Case Report and Pathophysiologic Review

Neurogenic pulmonary edema (NPE) is an increase in interstitial and alveolar lung fluid that occurs as a direct consequence of acute or subacute central nervous system (CNS) injury. In this review we describe a patient who developed hypoxemic respiratory failure as a result of NPE following catastrophic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The patient displayed many of the characteristic symptoms, signs, and physiologic aberrations associated with NPE, including an altered level of consciousness, dyspnea, cyanosis, crackles, hypoxemia, and diffuse pulmonary infiltrates. These clinical features can be mistaken for other causes of pulmonary edema and may lead to confusion in the diagnosis and therapeutic approach of hypoxemic respiratory failure in the setting of CNS injury. Although NPE is thought to be due to a combination of pulmonary capillary leakage and elevated intravascular pressures, many questions about its pathophysiology remain unanswered. Data from animal models using therapeutic trials of antiadrenergic agents suggest a significant role for sympathetic nervous system activation and massive catecholamine release in the pathogenesis of this disorder. The most common causes of NPE include head trauma, seizures, cerebral hemorrhages, subarachnoid bleeds, and increased intracranial pressure of any etiology. As is generally observed with this disorder, conservative and supportive management of our patient's respiratory failure led to complete resolution of the NPE within 96 hours. Although NPE is an infrequent phenomenon, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of all patients who develop respiratory complications soon after CNS injury.
Validation of a reliable set of primer pairs for measuring gene expression by real-time quantitative RT-PCR in equine leukocytes

Quantification of gene expression using real-time reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) is a reliable method to monitor cellular responses to pro-inflammatory stimuli. The main objective of this study was to validate a set of equine primer pairs that can be routinely used to monitor expression of genes that are central to inflammatory and immune responses. This paper describes the steps used to optimize and validate 29 equine primer pairs for RT-qPCR assays using SYBR Green detection. To validate these assays, monocytes were isolated from three horses and stimulated with Escherichia coli LPS. Because four of the 29 genes demonstrated poor amplification efficiency due to weak induction of gene expression by LPS, monocytes were stimulated with alternative agents (PMA and Poly I:C) known to induce gene expression in monocytes. These agents, acting through different pathways than LPS, improved the level of gene expression and yielded good amplification efficiency for these genes. PCR efficiency was based on a standard curve for each gene and the calculated efficiency was approximately 100% for all 29 genes. The PCR efficiencies for the majority of the target genes were equivalent to that of the housekeeping gene (18S rRNA) used in all experiments. Dissociation curve analysis and gel electrophoresis revealed a single product for each gene analyzed. To exemplify utilization of the validated primer pairs in studies of inflammatory cell activation, temporal changes in mRNA expression of a subset of genes were monitored in equine monocytes incubated with LPS. The availability of the 29 validated primer pairs reported herein will allow investigators to elucidate the response of horses to a variety of inflammatory stimuli and will further our understanding of disease pathogenesis in horses.
Social skills interventions for children with Asperger's syndrome or high-functioning autism: a review and recommendations

This paper reviews the literature examining social skills training (SST) programs for youth with AS/HFA, with an emphasis on critically evaluating efficacy and highlighting areas of future research. The review highlights the disparity between SST programs described in the extant literature, including lack of a universal definition of social skills, various levels of intensity and duration of treatment, divergent theoretical backgrounds, and variety in services provided in clinic or classroom settings. Overall, it is clear that, despite their widespread clinical use, empirical support for SST programs for children with AS/HFA is minimal at this time. Based on this critical review, a “roadmap” for future research, consistent with recommendations put forth by a leading group of autism researchers, is presented.
On the possible scientific laws

Abstract In a foundational paper, Luce (1959) observes that the scale type of the dependent and independent variables in a possible psychophysical or other scientific law determines the general form of the law through the solution of a certain functional equation. Luce (1964) extends the earlier results to the situation where there may be more than one independent variable. In a subsequent paper, Osborne (1970) extends Luce's early results to other scale types. Osborne (1970) discusses the possible psychophysical laws in the situation where the independent variables are independent ratio, interval, log-interval or ordinal scales and the dependent variable is a ratio, interval, log-interval or ordinal scale. In this paper we generalize Osborne's results in the cases that involve ordinal scales and in the case where the independent variables are independent ratio scales and the dependent variable is a log-interval scale and present new, more detailed proofs of his theorems. In addition, for the cases where the independent variables are ratio scales and the dependent variable is a log-interval or ordinal scale, we correct small errors in Osborne's results.
Transitional field configurations and geomagnetic reversal

Records of various geomagnetic reversals which occurred over the past 25Myr suggest that transitional field configurations are largely controlled by low-order zonal components. Given sufficient data further clarification is possible as octupole and quadrupole dominated fields are palaeomagnetically distinguishable. Moreover, because each geometry may reflect a reversal process which starts in a particular region of the core, configurational characteristics of the geomagnetic dynamo during polarity transitions are, in principle, identifiable.
Thermistor bolometer radiometer signal contamination due to parasitic heat diffusion

Current efforts are directed at creating a high-level end-to-end numerical model of scanning thermistor bolometer radiometers of the type used in the Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) and planned for the clouds and the earth's radiative energy system (CERES) platforms. The first-principle model accurately represents the physical processes relating the electrical signal output to the radiative flux incident to the instrument aperture as well as to the instrument thermal environment. Such models are useful for the optimal design of calibration procedures, data reduction strategies, and the instruments themselves. The modeled thermistor bolometer detectors are approximately 40 micrometers thick and consist of an absorber layer, the thermistor layer, and a thermal impedance layer bonded to a thick aluminum substrate which acts as a heat sink. Thermal and electrical diffusion in the thermistor bolometer detectors is represented by a several-hundred-node- finite-difference formulation, and the temperature field within the aluminum substrate is computed using the finite-element method. The detectors are electrically connected in adjacent arms of a two-active-arm bridge circuit so that the effects of common mode thermal noise are minimized. However, because of a combination of thermistor self heating, loading of the bridge by the bridge amplifier, and the nonlinear thermistor resistance-temperature relationship, bridge deflections can still be provoked by substrate temperature changes, even when the change is uniform across the substrate. Of course, transient temperature gradients which may occur in the substrate between the two detectors will be falsely interpreted as a radiation input. The paper represents the results of an investigation to define the degree of vulnerability of thermistor bolometer radiometers to false signals provoked by uncontrolled temperature fluctuations in the substrate.
Comparative effects of bovine cytokines on cattle and bison peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation

Abstract Proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from cattle and bison was measured following stimulation of PBMC with bovine cytokines. Bovine interleukin 1β (BoIL-1β), interleukin 2 (BoIL-2) or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (BoGM-CSF) at 0.1–100 U/ml were incubated for 48 h with PBMC alone or with PBMC and various mitogens. These included concanavalin A (Con A), phytohemagglutinin (PHA), pokeweed mitogen (PWM) or Escherichia coli 055:B5 lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at 10-0.1 μg/ml. BoIL-2 alone, but not BoIL-1β and BoGM-CSF alone, induced proliferation of cattle and bison PBMC in the absence of mitogens. In addition, BoIL-1β and BoIL-2, but not BoGM-CSF, enhanced proliferation of cattle and bison PBMC induced by mitogens. These results indicate that BoIL-1β and BoIL-2 stimulate cattle and bison PBMC proliferation in a similar manner, whereas BoGM-CSF does not appear capable of stimulating either cattle or bison PBMC proliferation.
Relation of Supersaturation Ratio in Mixed Anionic Surfactant Solutions to Kinetics of Precipitation with Calcium

One synergism of using surfactant mixtures is the reduction in the equilibrium extent of and rate of precipitation. The overall time required for calcium-induced precipitation of mixed sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and sodium octylbenzene sulfonate (SOBS) over a particular range of ratios has been found to increase dramatically when compared to either SDS or SOBS alone. In this study, light transmission and isoperibol calorimetry were used to measure the delay in the precipitation reaction, while scanning electron and optical micrographs of crystals formed give insight into the precipitation mechanism. The smaller the difference in the supersaturation ratio of the two precipitating surfactants, the longer the induction time is. The delay in the extent of precipitation is due to the interruption of crystal formation from dissimilar precipitating surfactants.
Investment, confidence, and linear-exponential-Gaussian control

Abstract Confidence was recognized as an important component of the investment decision by Keynes in his General Theory (1935). Over time, rational expectations and highly mathematical, dynamic optimization models have driven such notions from the investment literature. However, careful specification of a formal, dynamic optimization problem allows the 'state of confidence' to be reincorporated without violating the rational expectations hypothesis. A simple model of the firm is employed to establish approximate bounds on the potential impact of confidence on investment. The relative importance of confidence is shown to be determined largely by the levels of adjustment costs and demand uncertainty present.
Renin release by pentobarbital anesthesia in the rat: A role for vascular mechanisms

Abstract Studies were undertaken in intact rats to characterize the renin response to pentobarbital anesthesia and the mechanisms involved in this response. Aortic and peritoneal cavity cannulas were previously implanted to allow drug infusion, blood sampling and anesthesia to be performed without stress. A sustained 2–3- fold increase in plasma renin concentration (PRC) and a 10–15 mm Hg depression of mean arterial pressure were found in pentobarbital anesthesia. Circulating levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine were unchanged. Sympathetic stimulation by tyramine did not decrease and chronic renal denervation did not abolish the PRC rise by pentobarbital. Phenoxybenzamine given to conscious or anesthetized animals elevated PRC to similar levels. Propranolol was effective in suppressing PRC in anesthetized animals, regardless of the presence or absence of phenoxybenzamine. We concluded that the renin response to pentobarbital anesthesia is unrelated to changes in sympatho-adrenal activity. The response appears to be mediated by beta-adrenergic receptors. It is postulated that pentobarbital- induced relaxation of afferent arterioles or JG cells exposes previously concealed beta-receptor sites which increase the signal for the release of renin.
Open charm and beauty production in photon-photon collisions at L3

Inclusive heavy flavour production in γγ collisions has been studied with the L3 detector at the LEP collider. Preliminary results on charm and beauty production at √s = 189 GeV are presented. Hadronic final states containing charm particles were identified either by detecting electrons or muons from their semi-leptonic decays or by reconstruction of charged D∗ meson decays. The cross section for beauty production in γγ collisions has been measured for the first time. Even including real and virtual gluon emission (NLO QCD) the direct process γγ → cc, bb is insufficient to describe charm and beauty production in γγ collisions. The cross section values and event distributions require resolved processes, sensitive to the gluon density function of the photon.
College- or University-Based Sexual Assault Prevention Programs: A Review of Program Outcomes, Characteristics, and Recommendations

This article examines literature reviews of research articles and dissertations focused on the effectiveness of college- or university-based sexual violence prevention programs. Literature reviews were eligible for inclusion in this article if they examined empirical published peer-reviewed research articles or dissertation research that reported original data; focused on examining the effectiveness of programs that were developed to reduce sexual violence that occurred in college or university settings; offered recommendations for developing and implementing effective college- or university-based sexual assault prevention programs; and reviewed studies that occurred in the United States. Eight review articles met the inclusion criteria. The results suggest that the effectiveness of college- or university-based sexual violence prevention programs varies depending on the type of audience, facilitator, format, and program content. Recommendations from existing reviews of empirical research concerning these program characteristics should be considered by college or university administrators when designing and implementing their own programs on campus.
COHOMOLOGY OF KLEINIAN GROUPS

Abstract Let [unk] be a (nonelementary) Kleinian group and q ≥ 2 an integer. The group [unk] acts in a natural way on the vector space II2q—2 of complex polynomials in one variable of degree ≤ 2q — 2. One can thus form H1([unk],II2q—2), the first cohomology group of [unk] with coefficients in II2q—2. There are essentially two ways of constructing cohomology classes. One construction originated with Eichler and has recently been extended by Ahlfors. Another construction is due to Bers. We show that for finitely generated [unk], every cohomology class pe H1([unk],II2q—2) can be written uniquely (if one chooses an invariant union of components of [unk]) as a sum of a Bers cohomology class and an Eichler cohomology class. Similar decompositions are obtained for the subgroups of parabolic cohomology classes introduced by Ahlfors. Some information on the structure of H1([unk],II2q—2) for infinitely generated groups [unk] is also obtained.
Feulgen cytophotometric determination of the DNA content of the embryo proper and suspensor cells of Phaseolus coccineus

Abstract Suspensor cells in the embryo of Phaseolus coccineus contain giant chromosomes. The relative DNA content of individual suspensor nuclei was determined by microspectrophotometry of Feulgen-stained squashes. Nuclei of the embryo proper contained only two levels of DNA, 2C and 4C. Cells at the embryo-suspensor junction contained nuclei with amounts of DNA that fell into a regular series 2C, 4C, 8C, 16C, 32C and 64C. In the largest basal cells of the suspensor, DNA contents formed a regular series 256C, 512C, 1024C, 2048C, 4096C and 8192C. By examining the largest suspensor cells at different times in development it was shown that there was a continuing progression toward the highest DNA content, indicating continued synthesis of DNA through development.
Redefining library space: managing the co-existence of books, computers, and readers

Library design must better integrate space for collections and computers than it has. This article presents planning strategies that integrate digital products and print collections based on patron needs. Many flexible solutions in developing buildings will enhance library service in the technologically dynamic future.
Visual Association Cortex and Vision in Man: Pattern-Evoked Occipital Potentials in a Blind Boy

In a 6-year-old child who had been blind since the age of 2 years, occipital potentials of normal amplitude and waveform could be evoked not only by diffuse light flashes but also by alternating checkerboard ans sinusoidal grating patterns of low spatial frequency. Computerized tomography demonstrated destruction of the occipital lobes except of the primary visual projection area. Thus, in man, destruction of visual association cortices may result in loss of vision with partial preservation of pattern-evoked occipital potentials.
Democratic Reform and Civil Society Lessons from Korea

Theories of democratic consolidation often focus on the role a democratically committed civil society plays in deepening democracy without considering the reasons some groups in civil society are successful while others fail in that endeavor. To more precisely identify the contribution civic groups make, scholars should address both positive and negative outcomes of civic activism aimed at reform. While resource mobilization and political process theories note that success hinges on the differing abilities of civic groups to organize in ways that maximize their leverage over available resources and to mobilize potential participants in the movement, this study of civic groups in Korea shows that what matters most in determining success is not solely how civic groups are organized. The way civic groups convey their message seems to be the decisive factor determining whether their activism leads to democratic reform. This finding ‐ that how civic groups frame their protest helps determine success ‐ can help us more accurately differentiate democratically committed civic group contributions to democratic deepening. This will in turn help us better understand the direction and tempo of that deepening in third-wave democracies. The added emphasis on framing will also result in a more precise theoretical understanding of the relationship between democratic deepening and civil society.
The third awakening begins: The birth of the Latvian popular front, June 1988 to August 1988

(1996). The third awakening begins: The birth of the Latvian popular front, June 1988 to August 1988. Journal of Baltic Studies: Vol. 27, No. 4, pp. 261-290.
Sodium deficiency enhances the behavioral responses to centrally administered vasopressin in rats.

The ability of sodium deficiency to stimulate vasopressin (VP) release was examined by determining if sodium deficiency sensitizes the animal to the behavioral disruption caused by intraventricular injections of VP. In sodium-replete rats, intraventricular injections of 50 ng VP on Day 1 had no effect on behavior, but this dose elicited abnormal behaviors (barrel rolls, hind-limb extensions) when administered on Day 2, indicating a sensitization phenomenon. In separate experiments, the first intraventricular injection of 50 ng VP in sodium-deficient but not in sodium-replete rats also elicited barrel rotations followed by hind-limb extension. Intraventricular injection of VP also disrupted motor behavior in sodium-replete rats that had multiple prior experiences with sodium deficiency but not in naive rats. These results show that sodium deficiency can mimic the effect of central injections of VP in sensitizing the brain to the behavioral effects of exogenous VP. This suggests that sodium deficiency induces the central release of VP.
Simple Extraction Protocol for Analysis of Immunosuppressant Drugs in Whole Blood

The immunosuppressant drugs cyclosporine (cyclosporin A), tacrolimus, sirolimus, and everolimus are used to prevent organ rejection. Because commercial immunoassays are available only for cyclosporine and tacrolimus, HPLC (1)(2)(3), often in conjunction with mass spectrometry (MS or MS/MS) (4)(5)(6)(7), has been used to quantify these drugs. For MS/MS, sample preparation has often involved simple protein precipitation and solvent dissolution. Protocols have used zinc sulfate followed by acetonitrile (8), methanol (9), or acetone (10). Sometimes these reagents are premixed (11)(12)(13)(14). During in-house assay development we encountered several problems when zinc sulfate and acetonitrile were used. For example, many specimens clumped when blood was added to the zinc sulfate. Even after addition of acetonitrile and vortex-mixing, the clumps remained, necessitating manual dislodgement of the pellet. This occurred with lysed human blood specimens, lyophilized whole-blood controls (e.g., Bio-Rad Lyphochek), and College of American Pathologists proficiency testing specimens. We substituted methanol for acetonitrile with minor improvement. Another problem was that the recovery of sirolimus from whole blood using zinc sulfate followed by acetonitrile or methanol was <100% (9). In addition, the observed MS/MS responses for commercial calibrators and controls were often ∼30% higher than for human blood specimens. Here we present a new extraction protocol that improves absolute recoveries, provides excellent precision, and shows less ion suppression. Although the performance of this protocol for several immunosuppressants is described, we present example data only for sirolimus. We also describe a solid-phase extraction (SPE) that may be added to further enhance the cleanliness of extracts. For recovery and extraction experiments, we used cyclosporine from Novartis, tacrolimus from Fujisawa, and sirolimus from LC …
Simple subrings of matrix rings over finite fields

Abstract This paper is a combinatorial study of the simple subrings of a matrix ring over a finite field. The results are an enumeration of the isomorphism classes of simple subrings and an enumeration of the subrings in each isomorphism class. The method is the application of the Hochschild Galois theory for simple algebras to the above setting to obtain a description of the variety and location of the simple subrings.
Opioid ligands with mixed μ/δ opioid receptor interactions: An emerging approach to novel analgesics

Opioids are widely used in the treatment of severe pain. The clinical use of the opioids is limited by serious side effects such as respiratory depression, constipation, development of tolerance, and physical dependence and addiction liabilities. Most of the currently available opioid analgesics exert their analgesic and adverse effects primarily through the opioid μ receptors. A large number of biochemical and pharmacological studies and studies using genetically modified animals have provided convincing evidence regarding the existence of modulatory interactions between opioid μ and δ receptors. Several studies indicate that δ receptor agonists as well as δ receptor antagonists can provide beneficial modulation to the pharmacological effects of μ agonists. For example, δ agonists can enhance the analgesic potency and efficacy of μ agonists, and δ antagonists can prevent or diminish the development of tolerance and physical dependence by μ agonists. On the basis of these observations, the development of new opioid ligands possessing mixed μ agonist/δ agonist profile and mixed μ agonist/δ antagonist profile has emerged as a promising new approach to analgesic drug development. A brief overview of μ-δ interactions and recent developments in identification of ligands possessing mixed μ agonist/δ agonist and μ agonist/δ antagonist activities is provided in this report.
Insensitivity of acetylcholinesterase as a factor in resistance of houseflies to the organophosphate Rabon

Abstract Acetylcholinesterase from an organophosphate-resistant strain of housefly exhibited a decrease in sensitivity to Rabon in vitro , to the extent of 206-fold for the soluble enzyme and 38-fold for the particulate. These effects upon the bimolecular reaction constant, k i , were due to a 573-fold decrease in affinity of the inhibitor for the soluble and 103-fold for the particulate enzyme, coupled with a small increase in reactivity.
Using Machine Learning for Behavior-Based Access Control: Scalable Anomaly Detection on TCP Connections and HTTP Requests

Today's business processes are more connected than ever before, driven by the ability to share the right information with the right partners at the right time. While this interconnectedness and situational awareness is crucial to success, it also opens the possibility for misuse of the same capabilities by sophisticated adversaries to spread attacks and exfiltrate or corrupt critical sensitive information. We have been investigating means to analyze behaviors of actors and assess trustworthiness of information to support real-time cyber security decision making through a concept called Behavior-Based Access Control (BBAC). The work described in this paper focuses on the statistical machine learning techniques used in BBAC to make predictions about the intent of actors establishing TCP connections and issuing HTTP requests. We discuss pragmatic challenges and solutions we encountered in implementing and evaluating BBAC, discussing (a) the general concepts underlying BBAC, (b) challenges we have encountered in identifying suitable datasets, (c) mitigation strategies to cope with shortcomings in available data, (d) the combination of clustering and support vector machines for performing classification at scale, and (e) results from a number of scientific experiments. We also include expert commentary from Air Force stakeholders and describe current plans for transitioning BBAC capabilities into the Department of Defense together with lessons learned for the machine learning community.
The Prognostic Value of Cardiac Computed Tomographic Angiography

With advancements in temporal and spatial resolution, CT has excellent diagnostic characteristics for non-invasive evaluation of coronary artery disease in appropriate patients. Nevertheless, clinical usefulness of diagnostic testing requires not only high diagnostic accuracy but also risk stratification for patient management. Current guidelines for risk stratification of patients with coronary artery disease rely primarily upon functional testing; alternatively, anatomic risk stratification may also be performed with invasive coronary angiography. This article reviews current and emerging concepts in the prognostic value of cardiac CT angiography.
Pregnancy after gastric bypass surgery and internal hernia formation.

Background Gastric bypass is a surgical procedure that is increasingly performed in the United States to treat morbid obesity. Because of the changes associated with pregnancy, women with a history of gastric bypass surgery may be at an increased risk of gastrointestinal complications during the antepartum period, as demonstrated by these cases. Cases The first patient presented at 12 weeks of gestation with abdominal pain. Computed tomography scan revealed rotation of the small bowel mesentery. In the operating room, a Petersen's internal hernia was observed. The second patient presented at 34 weeks of gestation with epigastric pain, nausea, and vomiting. An abdominal computed tomography scan suggested distention of the biliopancreatic limb, duodenum, and bypassed stomach. She underwent exploratory laparotomy with repair of an internal (mesenteric loop) hernia. Conclusion As obstetricians, we should be aware of the potential for internal hernias in pregnant patients who have undergone bariatric surgery.
Generalized periodic non-uniform sampling of non-bandlimited signals

A new paradigm for the periodic non uniform sampling of a class of non bandlimited signals was recently proposed. The main idea is to generate the periodic non uniform samples by retaining a select group of samples from a larger set, obtained by oversampling the continuous time signal by an integer factor L. In this paper, we revisit the problem and consider the more challenging case where the sampler operates at L/M time the Nyquist rate with L and M being coprime integers. We derive a new multi-input multi-output (MIMO) discrete-time model, and then use this model to obtain a set of necessary conditions for perfect signal reconstruction with FIR filters. We also show that unlike the case of M = 1, the newly derived conditions are not sufficient for FIR perfect recovery.
Mentalization in children exposed to parental methamphetamine abuse: relations to children's mental health and behavioral outcomes

This study examined the mentalization capabilities of children exposed to parental methamphetamine abuse in relation to symptom underreporting, mental health, and behavioral outcomes. Twenty-six school-aged children in foster care participated in this study. Mentalization was assessed using the My Family Stories Interview (MFSI), a semi-structured interview in which children recalled family stories about a happy, sad or scary and fun time. An established scale of the Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children (TSCC), a self-report measure, provided information on children's symptom underreporting. The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), completed by the children's foster caregivers, assessed children's mental health and behavioral outcomes. Children with higher mentalization were significantly less prone to underreport symptoms. These children had fewer mental health problems and were rated by their foster caregivers as more socially competent. The findings underscore that mentalization could be an important protective factor for children who have experienced parental substance abuse.
Mutual interference between independent Bluetooth piconets

The Bluetooth wireless communication technology provides wireless solutions applicable for a number of communications needs. In addition, multiple independent piconets are possible and likely to occur within the same location, either intentionally or by chance. Bluetooth devices utilize frequency hopping and independent piconets operate on different hopping sequences. Although the use of independently selected hopping sequences reduces the likelihood of mutual interference, as the number of colocated piconets increases, mutual interference becomes more likely. Mutual interference is also dependent on the performance requirements dictated by the application utilizing Bluetooth technology as well as the environment in which the piconet is operating. A method for analytically evaluating mutual interference for Bluetooth technology is presented. Models were developed for a single Bluetooth interferer as well as multiple interfering Bluetooth piconets operating in an arbitrary environment. The analytical models are based on two sets of parameters: Bluetooth interference and radio propagation. Empirical tests have been conducted to both support the derivation of the analytical models as well as to substantiate the analytical model results. The analytical results fall within the 95% confidence bounds of the empirical test results. Mutual interference analysis is presented based on evaluating the analytical model over a wide range of the multidimensional parameter space. The analytical model presented is a general approach well suited for evaluating mutual interference for applications using Bluetooth for data communications.
COIL on Wheels: A Library Professional Development Roadshow

Professional development for instruction librarians is in danger of coming to a standstill in difficult economic times. COIL on Wheels is a professional development roadshow developed by the Community of Oklahoma Instruction Librarians to allow librarians with budget and staffing issues to benefit from peer training. By matching member librarian interests with institutional needs, librarians can visit institutions in their geographic area to provide their colleagues with low-cost or free training. This article discusses the origins of and rationale for this program and describes a successful implementation of this traveling professional development project.
Analysis of MinD Mutations Reveals Residues Required for MinE Stimulation of the MinD ATPase and Residues Required for MinC Interaction

The MinD ATPase is critical to the oscillation of the Min proteins, which limits formation of the Z ring to midcell. In the presence of ATP, MinD binds to the membrane and recruits MinC, forming a complex that can destabilize the cytokinetic Z ring. MinE, which is also recruited to the membrane by MinD, displaces MinC and stimulates the MinD ATPase, resulting in the oscillation of the Min proteins. In this study we have investigated the role of lysine 11, present in the deviant Walker A motif of MinD, and the three residues in helix 7 (E146, S148, and D152) that interact electrostatically with lysine 11. Lysine 11 is required for interaction of MinD with the membrane, MinC, MinE, and itself. In contrast, the three residues in helix 7 that interact with lysine 11 are not required for binding to the membrane or activation of MinC. They are also not required for MinE binding; however, they are required for MinE to stimulate the MinD ATPase. Interestingly, the D152A mutant self-interacts, binds to the membrane, and recruits MinC and MinE in the presence of ADP as well as ATP. This mutant provides evidence that dimerization of MinD is sufficient for MinD to bind the membrane and recruit its partners.
Ultrafast photodriven intramolecular electron transfer from an iridium-based water-oxidation catalyst to perylene diimide derivatives

Photodriving the activity of water-oxidation catalysts is a critical step toward generating fuel from sunlight. The design of a system with optimal energetics and kinetics requires a mechanistic understanding of the single-electron transfer events in catalyst activation. To this end, we report here the synthesis and photophysical characterization of two covalently bound chromophore-catalyst electron transfer dyads, in which the dyes are derivatives of the strong photooxidant perylene-3,4:9,10-bis(dicarboximide) (PDI) and the molecular catalyst is the Cp∗Ir(ppy)Cl metal complex, where ppy = 2-phenylpyridine. Photoexcitation of the PDI in each dyad results in reduction of the chromophore to PDI•- in less than 10 ps, a process that outcompetes any generation of 3∗PDI by spin-orbit-induced intersystem crossing. Biexponential charge recombination largely to the PDI-Ir(III) ground state is suggestive of multiple populations of the PDI•--Ir(IV) ion-pair, whose relative abundance varies with solvent polarity. Electrochemical studies of the dyads show strong irreversible oxidation current similar to that seen for model catalysts, indicating that the catalytic integrity of the metal complex is maintained upon attachment to the high molecular weight photosensitizer.
Programmed cell death: nature of the nervous signal controlling breakdown of intersegmental muscles.

Abstract The drugs physostigmine, caffeine, and barium chloride, acting through the central nervous system, prevent the breakdown of the intersegmental muscles in silkmoths. Tetrodotoxin and the venom of the wasp, Microbracon hebetor , advance degeneration minimally, if at all; but both inhibitory drugs overcome the protective effect of either physostigmine or barium. No evidence is available to suggest the mediation of other than classical neural activity as a means of controlling the fate of the muscle.
Supersymmetric analysis and predictions based on the collider detector at Fermilab ee gamma gamma + missing energy event.

We have analyzed the Collider Detector at Fermilab $\mathrm{ee}\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\gamma}+\mathrm{missing}\mathrm{energy}$ event. Its kinematics and expected rate are consistent with selectron pair production. We consider two classes of general low-energy supersymmetric theories where the lightest neutralino or the gravitino is the lightest supersymmetric particle. The supersymmetric Lagrangian is tightly constrained by the production and decay of the selectron and other data. We discuss other processes at the Fermilab Tevatron and at LEP that could confirm or exclude a supersymmetric explanation of the event.
Alteration of streamflow magnitudes and potential ecological consequences: a multiregional assessment

Human impacts on watershed hydrology are widespread in the US, but the prevalence and severity of stream-flow alteration and its potential ecological consequences have not been quantified on a national scale. We assessed streamflow alteration at 2888 streamflow monitoring sites throughout the conterminous US. The magnitudes of mean annual (1980–2007) minimum and maximum streamflows were found to have been altered in 86% of assessed streams. The occurrence, type, and severity of streamflow alteration differed markedly between arid and wet climates. Biological assessments conducted on a subset of these streams showed that, relative to eight chemical and physical covariates, diminished flow magnitudes were the primary predictors of biological integrity for fish and macroinvertebrate communities. In addition, the likelihood of biological impairment doubled with increasing severity of diminished streamflows. Among streams with diminished flow magnitudes, increasingly common fish and macroinvertebrate taxa poss...
Postural Behaviors during One-Hand Force Exertions

Posture and external loads such as hand forces have a dominant effect on ergonomic analysis outcomes. Yet, current digital human modeling tools used for proactive ergonomics analysis lack validated models for predicting postures for standing hand-force exertions. To address this need, the effects of hand magnitude and direction on whole-body posture for standing static hand-force exertion tasks were quantified in a motion-capture study of 19 men and women with widely varying body size. The objective of this work was to identify postural behaviors that might be incorporated into a postureprediction algorithm for standing hand-force tasks. Analysis of one-handed exertions indicates that, when possible, people tend to align their bodies with the direction of force application, converting potential crossbody exertions into sagittal plane exertions. With respect to the hand-force plane, pelvis position is consistent with a postural objective of reducing rotational trunk torques. One-handed task postures are characterized by axial rotation of the torso towards or away from the point of force application.
DC behavior of conductive fabric networks with application to wearable sensor nodes

Wearable monitoring networks are designed to augment and improve daily life. These systems require sensors and various electrical components to be mounted on the body. We propose a technique of using a DC powerline-carrier communication system to integrate the system components. This simplifies the wiring and the routing of connectors, and reduces the system weight and bulk. We use conductive fabrics as the transmission medium of the system. A method of predicting the DC behavior of such a garment is presented, and its utility in the design of such garments is discussed.
Commentary on "a roadmap for the prevention of dementia II: Leon Thal Symposium 2008." Establishing a national biomarker database: utility and incentives.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) represents an increasing threat to public health. AD becomes more common with increasing age, and the entry of the baby boomer population into the advanced years of life will greatly increase the number of AD victims. It is critically important to develop new therapies for AD that prevent, delay the onset, slow the progression, or improve symptoms. Disease-modifying therapies are particularly important and are being sought by many academic investigators and biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. These compounds exploit our emerging understanding of the molecular neurobiology of AD. A variety of targets have emerged in amyloid beta (As) protein pathways including As production, degradation, oligomerization, and deposition. Each of these mechanisms has a variety of targets that are potentially exploitable as therapeutic opportunities for AD. In addition, As appears to lead to hyperphosphorylation of tau protein and the formation of neurofibrillary tangles as well as to excitotoxicity, oxidative brain injury, inflammation, and apoptosis. As effects on mitochondria appear to have an important role in the cascade of events leading to cell dysfunction and death. All of these pathways present potential targets for therapeutic intervention that would prevent the occurrence of AD if initiated in asymptomatic individuals, defer the onset of AD in persons with no or minimal symptoms, or slow the progression of AD in persons identified at symptomatic stages of the disease. Substantial progress has been made in identifying possible therapeutic candidates, and clinical trials are being pursued that include inhibition of s-secretase; inhibition of g-secretase; augmentation of a-secretase; enhancement of As degradation through insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE), neprilysin and plasmin-related pathways; reduction of oligomerization
Chemistry of Sediment Pore Water in Aquaculture Ponds Built on Clayey Ultisols at Auburn, Alabama

The composition of sediment pore water was determined for ponds constructed on clayey Ultisols at Auburn, Alabama. Pore water was anaerobic and contained much higher concentrations of ferrous iron (Fe2+), soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), total phosphorus (TP), total ammonia-nitrogen (TAN), and sulfide (S2−) than surface or bottom waters. Concentrations of SRP and TP in pore water were higher in ponds with high soil phosphorus concentrations than in a new pond with less soil phosphorus. Increased concentrations of organic matter in soil or larger inputs of feed to ponds favored greater microbial activity in soils and higher concentrations of TAN in pore water. The pH of pore water was 6.5–7.0, and pH was apparently controlled by the equilibrium: Movement of Fe2+, SRP, and S2− from pore water into pond water apparently was prevented by the oxidized layer of soil just below the soil-water interface. Pond managers should concentrate on maintaining this oxidized layer to reduce the tendency for toxic substances to diffuse into the pond water.
Treatment of Tumor-Bearing Dogs With Actinomycin D

Fifty dogs with advanced malignancies were treated with actinomycin D at doses ranging from 0.5 to 1.1 mg/m2 every 3 weeks. The greatest number of responses was noted in dogs with lymphoma, including dogs that had received prior chemotherapy. Other responding tumor types included anal sac adenocarcinoma, perianal adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, thyroid carcinoma, and transitional cell carcinoma. The median time to maximum response for dogs with lymphoma was 7 days, with a median duration of 42 days. Gastrointestinal toxicity was the most frequently observed side effect. A dose of 0.6 to 0.7 mg/m2 appears to be appropriate for treating various malignancies in dogs.