cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Computer-aided reverse engineering of the human musculoskeletal system

The objective of this study is to extend the applications of reverse engineering technology from manufacturing industries to the biomedical industry. By obtaining nearly exact geometric data of human tissues, such as bones, tendons, and ligaments, in a high-speed and inexpensive manner, potentially groundbreaking research becomes possible for applications in injury rehabilitation, injury prevention and strengthening. Previous applications of reverse engineering technologies in the biomedical community have dealt largely with prosthetic design and plastic surgery. This study expands this research to include muscular and skeletal applications. The primary advantage provided by scanning technologies is an improved quality of data. Secondly, the time investment for the medical researcher is greatly reduced. And finally, the use of a scanning technology will occasionally provide a less expensive alternative to the medical imaging counterparts. The goal of the research is to develop guidelines and methodologies...
Magnetic field induced conduction electron polarization, magnetization density, and neutron magnetic form factor of Pt metal

Abstract Results are presented of a detailed relativistic augmented plane wave (RAPW) study of the magnetic field induced conduction electron polarization, magnetization density, and neutron magnetic form factor of Pt metal. We find that the spherical part of the total induced spin density is very localized spatially and almost entirely d-like in character, with the band 6 contribution differing substantially from its counterpart in Pd metal. The spin only estimate of the Weiss-Freeman asymmetry parameter is large (93% t 2g and 7% e g ). Our predicted Fermi surface dimensions for both the electron and hole surfaces (and the suitably enhanced effective masses) show excellent agreement with the recent measurements of Dye et al.
Tensile instability and necking in materials with strain hardening and strain-rate hardening

Abstract An in-depth examination of tensile instability and necking in materials with strain hardening and strain-rate hardening has been made to clear up some recent controversies on this subject. A simplified analytical model presented here reveals that a preexisting geometric imperfection can grow from the outset of deformation (i.e. its growth-rate is always positive), even while the load rises. The growth-rate is initially low and rises later on, its kinetics being strongly influenced by the strain hardening exponent, n = ( ∂lnσ ∂lnϵ ) , the strain-rate hardening exponent, m = ( ∂lnσ ∂lnge ) , and the imperfection size, f. Even though the imperfection cross-section is always unstable, when m > 0.6 its profile gradient can actually shrink for a while, leading to its temporary disappearance. In this work, the regimes of stable, quasistable (diffusely unstable) and unstable deformation have been redefined and results are given for specific values of the various parameters. An analysis of imperfections produced by mechanical damages is also given in the Appendix.
Challenges for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis among men who have sex with men in the United States.

In light of recent research, Gordon Mansergh and colleagues discuss barriers to effective implementation of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis for men who have sex with men.
Immunohistochemical localization of basement membrane collagens and associated proteins in the murine cochlea

Immunohistochemistry using antibodies specific for each of the basement membrane collagen chains was used to assess the location and composition of basement membranes in the mouse cochlea. The classical chains (COL4A1, 4A2) localized primarily in the osseous spiral lamina and in the capillaries of the spiral ligament. In contrast, the novel collagen chains (4A3, 4A4, and 4A5) localized to the interdental cells of the sulcus, the inner sulcus, the basilar membrane, and the region of type II fibrocytes in the spiral ligament. Antibodies against type 4A5 collagen also heavily stained the stria vascularis. Weak staining in the stria was observed with antibodies against 4A3. Basement membrane-associated proteins were also assessed. The basement membrane in the perineurium of the osseous spiral lamina immunostained using antibodies against laminin, heparan sulfate proteoglycan, and entactin. The basilar membrane contained only fibronectin in association with the novel collagen chains. The capillaries of the spiral ligament and the stria vascularis stained heavily for heparin sulfate proteoglycan and laminin. Generalized staining for laminin was observed in the spiral ligament. These results indicate that an abundance of basement membrane collagen containing extracellular matrix exists in the murine cochlea and that the composition of these matrices are surprisingly varied and tissue specific.
Onset of androgen action in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells is not accompanied by receptor depletion

Abstract Quantitative and qualitative changes in estrogen receptor follow addition of estradiol to estrogen responsive MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. We asked whether similar changes would accompany treatment of these cells with physiologically relevant concentrations of androgens. Androgen receptor sites were quantified by competitive protein binding assays on whole cells or extracts at various times following hormone addition. Both direct and exchange assays were employed. The androgen receptor in all of these experiments remained in a form which is completely exchangeable and approx 85% salt extractable. Quantity of receptor was unchanged (30,000 sites/cell, K d 0.1 nM). Responsiveness to hormone treatment was demonstrated by antagonizing the estrogen dependent augmentation of cytoplasmic progesterone receptor in the MCF-7 cells with androgens. Thus, the androgen receptor was shown to be biologically active, but no time dependent quantitative or qualititative changes were observed during the first 6 h following androgen treatment.
Shuffling the deck with CTLA-4 therapy: Deep sequencing of rearranged TCRB genes demonstrates T cell repertoire remodeling in cancer patients.

ABSTRACTCTLA-4 inhibition produces durable T cell–driven antitumor responses, but understanding which patients achieve a long-term benefit remains unclear. Deep sequencing of rearranged T cell receptor β (TCRβ) genes can monitor the effects of CTLA-4 inhibition and potentially identify patients with long-term survival.
Reciprocal Citizens Exchange: A Confidence-Building Alternative to Nuclear Deterrence

This paper articulates a new and very different approach to deterrence in the nuclear age, one focussed on the underlying causes rather than the more easily visible effects of superpower intransigence, one based on positive rather than negative incentives, and one with the unusual potential to remove barriers (whether perceived or real) between political adversaries rather than continuously to create them. I suggest a deterrent ``force,'' or perhaps more appropriately a ``restraining presence,'' that uniquely combines inhibition of war-like or destabilizing acts in the short term with the simultaneous enhancement of transnational understanding over the longer term, at all levels of the body politic. Specifically, I propose a highly visible, mutially endorsed and deliberately massive effort by both the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. in support of a confidence-building program involving the reciprocal exchange, from one nation to the other, of large numbers of citizen ``hostages'' chosen from all walks of life. Over a period of a generation or more, these carefully-selected and well-prepared volunteers would have the opportunity to lay the psychological and political groundwork for a significant and powerful, yet non-violent and gradual, shift in the conceptualization of deterrence currently endorsed by both superpowers.
HSP70-2 is required for CDC2 kinase activity in meiosis I of mouse spermatocytes.

Cyclin B-dependent CDC2 kinase activity has a key role in triggering the G2/M-phase transition during the mitotic and meiotic cell cycles. The Hsp70-2 gene is expressed only in spermatogenic cells at a significant level. In Hsp70-2 gene knock-out (Hsp70-2(−/−)) mice, primary spermatocytes fail to complete meiosis I, suggesting a link between HSP70-2 heat-shock protein and CDC2 kinase activity during this phase of spermatogenesis. Members of the HSP70 protein family are molecular chaperones that mediate protein de novo folding, translocation and multimer assembly. This study used immunoprecipitation-coupled western blot and in vitro reconstitution experiments to show that HSP70-2 interacts with CDC2 in the mouse testis, appears to be a molecular chaperone for CDC2, and is required for CDC2/cyclin B1 complex formation. Previous studies reported that most CDC2 kinase activity in the mouse testis is present in pachytene spermatocytes. Although CDC2 kinase activity for histone H1 was present in the testis of wild-type mice, it was nearly absent from the testis of Hsp70-2(−/−) mice, probably due to defective CDC2/cyclin B1 complex formation. Furthermore, addition of HSP70-2 to freshly prepared extracts of testis from Hsp70-2(−/−) mice not only restored CDC2/cyclin B1 complex formation but also reconstituted CDC2 kinase activity in vitro. It appears that one cause of failure to complete meiosis I during spermatogenesis in Hsp70-2(−/−) mice is disruption of CDC2/cyclin B1 assembly in pachytene spermatocytes, thereby preventing development of the CDC2 kinase activity required to trigger G2/M-phase transition. These studies provide novel in vivo evidence for a link between an HSP70 molecular chaperone and CDC2 kinase activity essential for the meiotic cell cycle in spermatogenesis.
Polarization properties of stochastic electromagnetic beams

Abstract The behavior of the degree of polarization of a Gaussian Schell-model beam propagating in free space is investigated. Contour diagrams for the degree of polarization, and for the spectral density (‘intensity’) of the polarized and the unpolarized portions of the beam are presented.
Induction of Id1 and Id3 by Latent Membrane Protein 1 of Epstein-Barr Virus and Regulation of p27/Kip and Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 2 in Rodent Fibroblast Transformation

Latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1), the Epstein-Barr virus oncoprotein, activates NF-kappaB, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, mitogen-activated protein kinase, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase signaling. To determine global transcriptional changes induced by LMP1 in epithelial cells, genomic analysis of C33A cells stably expressing LMP1 was performed. Relatively few genes were induced by LMP1. Expression of two members of the Id (inhibitor of differentiation) family of proteins, Id1 and Id3, was induced in the presence of LMP1 and confirmed by mRNA and protein in C33A and Rat-1 cells. In Rat-1 foci transformed by LMP1, Id1 protein was also increased. Id proteins are known negative regulators of E-box proteins that positively regulate p16 and potentially other cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (cdki's). In LMP1-expressing Rat-1 cells, cdki p27 was specifically downregulated. Decreased p27 was correlated with increased levels of Cdk2 and increased levels of phosphorylated retinoblastoma protein. This study describes new properties of LMP1 that likely contribute to transformation and oncogenesis.
Commentary on: Treatment of Cellulite Using a 1440-nm Pulsed Laser With One-Year Follow-Up: Preliminary Report

In my opinion, there are four holy grails of cosmetic surgery that the baby boomer generation has been actively pursuing over the last 20 years: noninvasive skin tightening, localized noninvasive fat reduction, stretch mark improvement, and treatment of cellulite. In his study, Dr. DiBernardo introduces an interesting, novel, and promising new approach to the last of these goals. As the author points out, his study is limited by a small number of patients (10). However, this study is well designed as a prospective controlled model. The clear strengths of the study include the full year of follow-up, the clearly-demonstrated photographic improvement, and the objective measurements of skin elasticity and thickness. One of the most confusing areas of laser surgery is the area of optimal wavelength utilization. Anderson et al outlined the optimal wavelengths for fat absorption.1 However, that study actually outlined fat absorption from external laser radiation and did not examine the effectiveness of absorption when the laser was fired into the hypodermis in direct contact with the fat itself. Many wavelengths are utilized in the melting of fat (eg, 920 nm, 975 nm, 1064 nm, 1320 nm, and 1440 nm), and the characteristics of each are beyond the scope of this commentary. However, the 1440-nm wavelength—the one administered in Dr. …
Antidepressant-Induced Adverse Reactions in a Patient with Hemorrhagic Stroke

Objective:To report a case of antidepressant-induced adverse drug reactions in a patient with hemorrhagic stroke.Case Summary:A 56-year-old man developed life-threatening adverse reactions after fluoxetine was added to his previously prescribed regimen of buspirone and olanzapine. One week after starting fluoxetine 60 mg/day, the patient developed syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion and serotonin syndrome concurrently. The patient had experienced a hemorrhagic stroke before the adverse drug reactions occurred.DISCUSSION:A patient with a history of hemorrhagic stroke developed serious adverse drug reactions when fluoxetine was added to his drug therapy. When the combination therapy was stopped, all adverse effects gradually disappeared and laboratory abnormalities were corrected. The likelihood that the adverse reactions were caused by fluoxetine is probable according to the Naranjo probability scale. In addition, a history of stroke may be a risk factor for the development of such rea...
The public goods rationale for government and the circularity problem

It has been suggested that the production of public goods through a government involves a circularity problem. Since government itself is a public good, how can we use government to produce other public goods? Several solutions to this supposed circularity are offered. Government is a unique kind of public good with some potentially self-generating and self-supporting features. The public goods theory of government remains intact, and this enterprise helps shed some light on the special features of government.
Energy Efficiency Optimization Through Codesign of the Transmitter and Receiver in High-Speed On-Chip Interconnects

A novel equalized global link architecture and driver-receiver codesign flow are proposed for high-speed and low-energy on-chip communication by utilizing a continuous-time linear equalizer (CTLE). The proposed global link is analyzed using a linear system method, and the formula of CTLE eye opening is derived to provide high-level design guidelines and insights. Compared with the separate driver-receiver design flow, over 50% energy reduction is observed. The final optimal solution achieves 20-Gb/s signaling over 10 mm, 2.6- μm pitch on-chip transmission line with 15.5-ps/mm latency and 0.196-pJ/b energy using 45-nm technology. Monte Carlo simulation also shows that 3 σ/μ for power and delay variation in the proposed global link are 13.1% and 4.6%, respectively.
Polymicrobial Infection in Patients with Cancer: An Underappreciated and Underreported Entity

Polymicrobial infections account for ~15% of infections in immunocompromised patients with cancer. However, limited information exists regarding the spectrum and microbiology of these infections, even in severely neutropenic patients. Most studies describe only monomicrobial bloodstream infections in detail, and information regarding polymicrobial infections and nonbacteremic infections is often incomplete or not provided at all. The current lack of well-established definitions for various infections in the immunocompromised host, including pneumonia, neutropenic enterocolitis, and polymicrobial infections, probably plays an important role in the paucity of published information. In this review, we briefly describe the limited information available regarding polymicrobial infections in patients with cancer and address the need for establishing consensus definitions for site-specific polymicrobial infections in neutropenic and nonneutropenic patients. We anticipate that, as factual information regarding such infections becomes available, a more comprehensive understanding of the true scope and impact of these infections will emerge, leading to appropriate modifications in the diagnostic work-up and in the therapeutic approaches used in treating these patients.
Agenda-Setting Effects and Attitude Strength Political Figures during the 1996 Presidential Election

This study examined the consequences of agenda-setting effects for attitudes toward political figures during the 1996 presidential election. In particular, guided by the literature from agenda setting, attitude strength, and the hierarchy of effects, the analysis tested hypotheses about the relationships among media coverage, public salience, and the strength of public attitudes regarding a set of 11 political figures. The findings indicate that increased media attention to political figures is correlated with higher levels of public salience and attitude strength. In addition, multivariate tests showed that one dimension of attitude strength, dispersion of opinions, mediated the relationship between media coverage and public salience. The implications of the results are also discussed.
The Emerging Role of Self-Perception in Student Intentions

Recruitment and retention of women has been a persistent problem in the field of computer science. With a growing number of jobs that require a computer science degree, this problem does not only affect computer science departments with low enrollment, but also impacts industry. There is still no universally accepted explanation for the underrepresentation of women in the computing field. Various solutions have been implemented in an attempt to resolve this problem and yet gender imbalance in fields related to computer science persists.In this paper we study how perceptions held by students influence their intention to pursue computer science. Through a descriptive study, using a survey given out to first semester students in a computer science class, we measure perceptions, attitudes, self-efficacy, and identity, then we study the correlations between them and students' intentions to further pursue computer science. Our goal is to understand how determinative these constructs are to having students continue in the major.Interestingly, self-perception, in terms of self-efficacy (does the student feel they are able to use computer science techniques to solve a problem) and identity (does the student see themselves as a computer scientist), emerged as the primary driver for differences in intention. Many other aspects turned out not to exhibit statistically significant gender differences. Understanding at a detailed level what factors influence students to pursue computer science is critical in devising effective interventions that may increase participation in computer science.
Characterization and modeling of low frequency noise in single-walled carbon nanotube film-based devices

Single-walled carbon nanotube (CNT) films are a new class of transparent, conductive, and flexible materials, and they exhibit uniform physical and electronic properties. Several promising device applications of CNT films have recently been demonstrated, such as thin film transistors, optoelectronic devices, and chemical sensors. For many of these applications, intrinsic noise level and its scaling with device parameters is undoubtedly one of the most important figures of merit; hence they are the focus of this study. For our experiments, CNT films were fabricated using a vacuum filtration approach (Fig. 1a) and then patterned into four point probe structures (Fig. 1b) using photo/e-beam lithography and O 2 plasma etching. Noise measurements depict dominant 1/f type behavior at low frequencies (Fig. 1c). For computational analysis, stacked networks of nanotubes with random origin and direction were generated using a Monte Carlo approach (Fig. 1d). Equivalent resistance and noise amplitude of the whole device was calculated based on the resistance and noise amplitude of the individual elements in the film (nanotubes and tube-tube junctions).
Electromagnetic scattering computations using high-order basis functions in the method of moments

Using high order basis functions in Galerkin method of moments calculations permits a significant reduction in the number of unknowns needed to achieve a given accuracy in modeling a scatterer or antenna [Hamilton et al., 1993]. The present authors have developed a set of vector valued basis functions of arbitrary order with a sparse overlap matrix. They demonstrate the reduction of computational effort for a given accuracy by computing the scattering from a sphere.
Integration of Tsunami Analysis Tools into a GIS Workspace – Research, Modeling, and Hazard Mitigation efforts Within NOAA’s Center for Tsunami Research

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Center for Tsunami Research (NCTR) uses geospatial data and GIS analysis techniques in support of building an accurate tsunami forecasting system for the US Tsunami Warning Centers. The resulting forecast products can be integrated into applications and visualizations to assess hazard risk and provide mitigation for US coastal communities ranging from small towns to large urban centers. NCTR also conducts basic research on the nature of tsunami propagation and inundation, which relies on accurate geospatial information. In this chapter, we discuss how we have used both open source and commercially available geospatial technologies to address issues in tsunami research and hazard mitigation – including model visualization, data delivery, and emergency management products. Additionally, we discuss the development and coupling of tsunami model results with coastal risk, vulnerability, and evacuation models, raising the issues of integration, visualization, proliferation of mapping applications, and the ease of use and intended audience of these products.
The Differential Diagnosis and Bone Marrow Evaluation of New-Onset Pancytopenia

New-onset pancytopenia can be caused by a wide variety of etiologies, leading to a diagnostic dilemma. These etiologies range from congenital bone marrow failure to marrow space-occupying lesions, infection, and peripheral destruction, to name a few. Bone marrow examination, in addition to a detailed clinical history, is often required for an accurate diagnosis. The purpose of this review is to provide a brief overview of many of the causes of new-onset pancytopenia in adults and children, with emphasis on bone marrow findings and recommendations of additional testing and clinical evaluation when needed, with the overall aim of aiding the pathologist’s role as a consultant to the patient’s treating physician. Pancytopenia is a common indication for bone marrow examination and can have numerous causes. Cytotoxic therapies, including myeloablative radiation therapy and chemotherapy, are common, but predictable, causes of pancytopenia in patients being treated systemically for neoplasia. New-onset pancytopenia outside this setting, in both children and adults, can prove to be a diagnostic dilemma, and causes include congenital and acquired bone marrow failure syndromes, marrow space-occupying lesions, peripheral destruction of hematopoietic cells, autoimmune disorders, infection, and ineffective marrow production. Often, the workup of new-onset pancytopenia is extensive and should include a detailed clinical, medication, recreational drug, and environmental exposure history. Although bone marrow examination often reveals an underlying condition causing pancytopenia, it is not always conclusive. Understanding the various disorders that may cause pancytopenia can aid in the recommendation of additional testing and clinical evaluation when the marrow studies are not specific for a single etiology. Here, we provide a systematic overview of many of the causes of new-onset pancytopenia.
Demonstrating and Assessing Metered-Dose Inhaler–Spacer Technique Pediatric Care Providers’ Self-Reported Practices and Perceived Barriers

The National Asthma Education and Prevention Program recommends that providers demonstrate and assess metered-dose inhaler-spacer (MDI-S) technique at each medical visit. To examine practice behaviors and perceived barriers to demonstrating and assessing MDI-S technique, we surveyed pediatric providers (n = 114) at an inner-city academic medical center. While 82% of providers demonstrated MDI-S technique, only 5% of providers demonstrate the technique at every visit. Although 67% of providers assessed MDI-S technique, only 13% assess the technique at every visit. None of the providers used MDI-S checklist for assessment. Attendings were more likely than residents to demonstrate with illustrations (24% vs 6%, P = .01) and when patient's asthma was not well controlled (68% vs 47%, P = .05). Provider-identified barriers included limited access to MDI-S device, lack of time, and inadequate knowledge. Suggestions to address barriers include in-service training, device access, and nurse/health educators to alleviate the time constraints. Clinic modifications and education are needed.
Magnesium chloride/aluminum dichlorhydroxide mixed catalyst for low energy curing of durable press fabrics with low formaldehyde release

Scoured and bleached cotton printcloth was treated with a methylated DMDHEU using magnesium chloride, aluminum dichlorhydroxide, and three mixtures of mag nesium chloride and aluminum dichlorhydroxide as catalyst. The purpose of the study was to produce durable press fabrics that release a minimum of formaldehyde under cure conditions that conserve energy. Curing was done for 20, 60 and 180 seconds at 140, 170, and 200°C. Wrinkle recovery values and durable press ratings increased as the amount of aluminum dichlorhydroxide increased in the catalyst systems. The lowest formaldehyde release came from fabrics cured at 140°C and catalyzed with the mixed catalyst containing 0.2% aluminum dichlorhydroxide, but this system failed to produce ad equate wrinkle recovery. For low energy consumption, low formaldehyde release, and high durable press properties the best combination was the mixed catalyst con taining 0.4% aluminum dichlorhydroxide with 1.0% magnesium chloride and a 20 second cure at 170°C.
Microstructures of laser deposited 304L austenitic stainless steel

Laser deposits fabricated from two different compositions of 304L stainless steel powder were characterized to determine the nature of the solidification and solid state transformations. One of the goals of this work was to determine to what extent novel microstructure consisting of single-phase austenite could be achieved with the thermal conditions of the LENS [Laser Engineered Net Shape] process. Although ferrite-free deposits were not obtained, structures with very low ferrite content were achieved. It appeared that, with slight changes in alloy composition, this goal could be met via two different solidification and transformation mechanisms.
Modeling the pharmacoeconomic cost of three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

The authors present a method for modeling cost data on three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)—fluoxetine, paroxetine, and sertraline—from a large clinical outcomes study in a university-affiliated mental health center. Using data from 2,779 patients, average drug cost per day was calculated based on the percentage of patients on each daily dose of each medication. Given no overall significant difference between the SSRIs in effectiveness, the actual average cost per day determined by dose distribution was $1.79 for fluoxetine, $1.41 for paroxetine, and $1.21 for sertraline (using halved 100 mg tablets). The results suggest that cost can serve as one measure to help guide choice of medications.
Metacognition for Self-Regulated Learning in a Dynamic Environment

This paper describes a self-regulated learning system that uses metacognition to decide what to learn, when to learn and how to learn in order to succeed in a dynamic environment. Metacognition provides the system the ability to monitor anomalies and to dynamically change its behavior to fix or work around them. The dynamic environment for the system is an air traffic control domain that has six approach vectors for planes to land. The system has access to three basic approach strategies for choosing a landing terminal: Nearest Terminal, Free Terminal and Queued Terminal. In addition, the system has access to a supervised-learning algorithm that can be used to create new strategies. The system has the ability to generate its own training data sets to train the supervised-learner. The metacognitive component of the system monitors various expectations; anomalies in the environment cause expectation violations. These expectation violations act as indicators for what, when and how to learn. For instance, if an expectation violation occurs because aircraft are not being assigned approach vectors within a given time threshold, the system automatically triggers a change in landing strategies. Examples of anomalies that cause expectation violations include closing one or more of the six approach vectors or changing all of their geographical locations simultaneously. In either case, the system will respond to the situation by assigning the planes to one of the currently active approach vectors.
Bimodal character of polyester–solvent interactions. I. Evaluation of the solubility parameters of the aromatic and the aliphatic ester residues of poly(ethylene terephthalate)

The Hildebrand and the Hansen solubility parameters of the aromatic and the aliphatic ester residues of poly(ethylene terephthalate), PET, are evaluated and compared to those determined experimentally. The interactions of nonaqueous solvents with the aromatic and aliphatic ester residues of PET are also described in terms of their relative basicity and acidity in the Lewis sense, where the aromatic residue may be taken as a Lewis acid and the aliphatic ester residue may be taken as a Lewis base.
Guidelines or gospels

In the interest of advancing evidenced-based medicine, enthusiasm for clinical practice guidelines has skyrocketed. They have a genuine impact on clinical practice and are frequently referenced in the literature. Their construction is complex and labor intensive, and has significant limitations given the necessary process as well as the data available. There has been less focus on their appropriate clinical application as dictated by these inherent limitations. It is worthwhile taking a step back and considering how we know what we think we know based on statistical analysis of biomedical data sets and the real implications of those population data for making predictions about the individual patient we encounter in the clinic. These data as used to establish guidelines for care should be the foundation and starting point for our thoughtful recommendations and decision making, not the final word. The importance of nuance in clinical judgment remains even in this "evidence-based" world.
The Impact of Varying the Number of Measurement Invariance Constraints on the Assessment of Between-Group Differences of Latent Means

The objective was to offer guidelines for applied researchers on how to weigh the consequences of errors made in evaluating measurement invariance (MI) on the assessment of factor mean differences. We conducted a simulation study to supplement the MI literature by focusing on choosing among analysis models with different number of between-group constraints imposed on loadings and intercepts of indicators. Data were generated with varying proportions, patterns, and magnitudes of differences in loadings and intercepts as well as factor mean differences and sample size. Based on the findings, we concluded that researchers who conduct MI analyses should recognize that relaxing as well as imposing constraints can affect Type I error rate, power, and bias of estimates in factor mean differences. In addition, fit indexes can be misleading in making decisions about constraints of loadings and intercepts. We offer suggestions for making MI decisions under uncertainty when assessing factor mean differences.
Overview of Combustion Instabilities in Liquid Rocket Engines - Coupling Mechanisms & Control Techniques

The spontaneous excitation of high frequency combustion instabilities has been a design issue to overcome for liquid rocket engines all throughout their history. This paper provides a critical review of experimental and theoretical combustion instability mitigation techniques that has lead to the design of a new laboratory-scale experiment. Recently, there has been work done to develop new passive instability suppression techniques, some of which are based upon traditional methods (e.g. an asymmetric baffle system and asymmetric fuel injector distribution). Aside from this, various active control techniques (e.g. modulation of the fuel through both actuation valves and acoustic excitation) have shown to effectively dampen instability modes. The results from this review were used to detail a combustion instability study that aims to control the dominant combustion instability mode by strategically applying pressure perturbations within the oxidizer post of an injector.
A New Stilbellaceous Fungus From Missouri Soil

Corner, E. J. H. 1950. A monograph of Clavaria and allied genera. Oxford Univ. Press, London. 740 p. . 1966. A monograph of cantharelloid fungi. Ann. Bot. Mem. No. 2. Oxford University Press, London. 255 p. . 1970. Supplement to "A monograph of Clavaria and allied genera." Beiheft zur Nova Hedwigia, Heft 33. Verlag Von J. Cramer, Berlin. 299 p. Harrison, Kenneth A., and Alexander H. Smith. 1968. Some new species and distribution records of Rhizopogon in North America. Canad. J. Bot. 46: 881-899. Ridgway, R. 1912. Color standards and color nomenclature. Publ. by the author. Washington, D. C. 43 p. Wells, Virginia L., and Phyllis E. Kempton. 1968. A preliminary study of Clavariadelphiis in North America. Michigan Bot. 7: 35-57.
The validity of a brief risk assessment tool for predicting suicidal behavior in veterans utilizing VHA mental health care

Suicide risk among military veterans is an important and ongoing concern. The Veterans Administration (VA) mandates suicide risk screening of all veterans seen for mental health issues, but little is known about the effectiveness of this screening. A retrospective chart review to examine all suicide risk screens at VA San Diego between October and December 2012 (n = 3,365) was conducted to assess whether results were associated with suicidal behavior over the subsequent 12 months. Patients judged to be at increased risk for suicide were 3 to 16 times more likely to attempt suicide and 7 to 25 times more likely to engage in self-directed violence over the next 12 months compared with others. The screening tool may be a useful addition to clinical practice.
Investigation of Urban Consumers' Concerns and Attitudes towards Food Safety in Beijing

With the rapid development of the food industry,high quality food products are required by more and more consumers. Since several cases of food scandals were reported,including Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) and asubsidiary of US-based Heinz using the cancer-causing Sudan I Red dye,Nestle adding excessive iodine to infant formula milk and the Bright Dairy's reprocessing of out-of-date milk,food safety issue has been risen seriously in China and has become one of the top consumer concerns. This study aims to investigate the main consumers' concerns on food safety and to look at Chinese urban consumers' attitudes towards food safety in Beijing.A quantitative method (n=200) was used to investigate consumers' concerns on food and attitudes to food safety. Five main food safety problems had been identified including food additive concern,concern of pesticide in vegetables and fruits,low hygiene standard,product expire date,and the fake products. Based on the study,the approaches to improve food safety can be suggested as educating consumers on food safety,improving management and enhancing the self-discipline of food manufactures,reinforcing media exposure,intensifying supervision on food safety,and enforcing the legislation.
Effect of partial obstruction of the rabbit urinary bladder on malate dehydrogenase and citrate synthase activity.

AbstractPrevious studies have demonstrated that partial outlet obstruction in rabbits induced a significant decrease in oxidative metabolism in urinary bladder smooth muscle. The current experiments were designed to determine whether the decreased oxidative metabolism of obstructed bladder tissue is associated with alterations in the activities of specific mitochondrial enzymes. The activities of two important enzymes in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, malate dehydrogenase and citrate synthase, were measured in samples of bladder body and base from normal bladders and in bladders from rabbits in which partial outlet obstruction had been produced seven days prior to the experiments.The results can be summarized as follows: malate dehydrogenase activity was similar in bladder body and base isolated from control rabbits; and decreased by approximately 40% in both segments of the bladder isolated from obstructed rabbits. In contrast to malate dehydrogenase, citrate synthase activity was significantly higher in ...
Spontaneously active NaV1.5 sodium channels may underlie odor sensitivity

The olfactory system is remarkably sensitive to airborne odor molecules, but precisely how very low odor concentrations bordering on just a few molecules per olfactory sensory neuron can trigger graded changes in firing is not clear. This report reexamines signaling in olfactory sensory neurons in light of the recent account of NaV1.5 sodium channel-mediated spontaneous firing. Using a model of spontaneous channel activity, the study shows how even submillivolt changes in membrane potential elicited by odor are expected to cause meaningful changes in NaV1.5-dependent firing. The results suggest that the random window currents of NaV1.5 channels may underpin not only spontaneous firing in olfactory sensory neurons but the cellular response to odor as well, thereby ensuring the robustness and sensitivity of signaling that is especially important for low odor concentrations.
Abortion and judicial review: of burdens and benefits hard cases and some bad law.

Attention in this article is directed to the United States Supreme Courts 5-4 decisions (1980) in Harris v. McRae and Williams v. Zbaraz that held that neither federal nor state governments are constitutionally required to fund medically necessary abortions in otherwise general programs of medical assistance for the poor. It is the belief of this attorney who fought on the losing side in Zbaraz that the McRae opinion where the Courts substantive discussion appears is inadequately rationalized in terms of precedents and principles to which the Court continues to express adherence. The abortion funding problem is used as a basis for probing more deeply into fundamental issues concerning the place of judicial review in this countrys democracy. The abortion funding cases join 2 separate and difficult problems of contemporary constitutional law: 1) the courts appropriate role in judging legislative differentiations in public assistance programs; and 2) the constitutional problem of abortion. Previously this attorney has examined the constitutional requirement that legislation be a rational means to pursue a legitimate purpose. It is believed that this rationality test provides the minimum constitutional standard that any piece of legislation must satisfy. In examination of the requirement guidance was sought on the appropriate constitutional role of courts by concentrating 1st on what elected majoritarian legislatures could be thought to do inadequately. Distrust of majoritarian rule is a major theme in Americas political heritage and the major formal embodiment of this distrust is the Constitution itself. Reasons for such distrust need to be more closely examined if the constitutional role of the courts is to be appreciated and perfected. This can be done by focusing on the circumstances in which elected legislatures are most likely to "fail" in reconciling divergent interests in the society. This approach to constitutional law encounters much resistance because of its deemphasis of constitutional language and the circumstances surrounding its passage.
Microbial Examination of Kidney Lithotripter Tub Water and Epidural Anesthesia Catheters

Kidney lithotripsy patients frequently receive epidural anesthesia via indwelling epidural catheters. In our hospital, patients are immersed in a tub of warm, continuously-flowing tap water. The epidural catheter-entry site is covered by a transparent occlusive dressing. To determine the risk of microbial colonization of the epidural catheter during lithotripsy, we performed quantitative cultures of tub water and semiquantitative cultures of catheters in 63 lithotripsy procedures. Most of the tub water organisms were typical tap water and skin flora isolates. Total colony counts were generally low with no significant progression during the course of serial procedures. Forty-two epidural catheters were cultured; 34 (81%) were sterile, 8 (19%) were colonized with small numbers of flavobacteria or coagulase-negative staphylococci. Only four catheters had organisms present on catheter segments covered by the transparent occlusive dressing (in each case there was a single colony forming unit per semiquantitative plate) and these organisms were probable contaminants. We conclude that with our current lithotripsy procedures, the risk for the development of epidural catheter-associated infection seems to be low.
Man, Pests, and the Evolution of IPM

The definition of “pest” is totally human-oriented. Organisms designated pests compete with people for food, fiber, and shelter; transmit pathogens; feed on people; or otherwise threaten human health, comfort, or welfare. It could be said that, previous to the appearance of humans, there were no pests—just millions of different organisms struggling for survival; the arrival of humans and the continuing development of the human life-style have provided the sole basis for labeling an ever-increasing number of these surviving organisms “pests.”
Mechanical Aortic Valve Without Anticoagulation or Mechanical Failure for 24 Years

Current guidelines for mechanical aortic valves suggest that patients should receive lifelong anticoagulation after implantation to prevent thromboembolic events. There are currently very few studies that explore patient outcomes without anticoagulation after mechanical aortic valve placement. We herein present a case of a patient who had stopped taking warfarin 2 years after having a mechanical aortic valve replacement, yet had no thromboembolic events or mechanical failure for 24 years.
Clinical Presentation and Therapy of Defects of Situs

“Situs” is derived from Latin and is the place where something exists or originates. In human anatomy, situs can be solitus (derived from Latin, meaning “normal”), inversus, or ambiguus. Determining whether situs is normal, inversus, or ambiguus depends primarily on the location of unpaired organs such as the spleen, the liver, the stomach, and intestines. Situs is solitus if the left atrium, spleen, stomach, and the trilobed lung are on the left side and the liver and bilobed lung are on the right side. Situs ambiguus is present if the location of unpaired structures is random or indeterminate even after detailed and appropriate imaging.
Epidermal growth factor receptor cell survival signaling requires phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis

Identification of pro-cell survival signaling pathways has implications for cancer, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative disease. We show that the Caenorhabditis elegans epidermal growth factor receptor LET-23 (LET-23 EGFR) has a prosurvival function in counteracting excitotoxicity, and we identify novel molecular players required for this prosurvival signaling. uv1 sensory cells in the C. elegans uterus undergo excitotoxic death in response to activation of the OSM-9/OCR-4 TRPV channel by the endogenous agonist nicotinamide. Activation of LET-23 EGFR can effectively prevent this excitotoxic death. We investigate the roles of signaling pathways known to act downstream of LET-23 EGFR in C. elegans and find that the LET-60 Ras/MAPK pathway, but not the IP3 receptor pathway, is required for efficient LET-23 EGFR activity in its prosurvival function. However, activation of LET-60 Ras/MAPK pathway does not appear to be sufficient to fully mimic LET-23 EGFR activity. We screen for genes that are required for EGFR prosurvival function and uncover a role for phosphatidylcholine biosynthetic enzymes in EGFR prosurvival function. Finally, we show that exogenous application of phosphatidylcholine is sufficient to prevent some deaths in this excitotoxicity model. Our work implicates regulation of lipid synthesis downstream of EGFR in cell survival and death decisions.
Comparison of plastic and NaI(Tl) scintillators for vehicle portal monitor applications

Experimental data and computer simulations are presented for gamma-ray detection by vehicle portal monitors for homeland security applications at international borders. The experiments and simulations use spectral processing of gamma rays from various sources (/sup 241/Am, /sup 57/Co, /sup 133/Ba, /sup 137/Cs, /sup 60/Co) and background to provide data for comparing plastic and NaI(Tl) detectors. The effects of gamma-ray scattering in cargo are also examined. Plastic scintillators are well suited for primary screening of gamma-ray sources because of their large size and low cost. Sodium iodide is preferable to plastic for applications of isotope identification based on gamma-ray spectrometry. Some applications may benefit from integrating features from both types of detectors.
Growth hormone treatment in children with prader-willi syndrome : Three years of longitudinal data in prepubertal children and adult height data from the KIGS database

__Abstract__ This is the fifth thesis of our research group in the field of Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) and encompasses 6 new studies embedded in the Dutch PWS Cohort study in children and adolescents with PWS. In 1887, sir Langdon Down described an adolescent girl with short stature, obesity, hypogonadism and cognitive impairment. Almost a century later, in 1956, 3 endocrinologists Prader, Labhart and Willi described the most characteristic features as “Ein Syndrom von Adipositas, Kleinwuchs, Kryptorchidismus und Oligophrenie nach myotoniertigem Zustand im Neugeborenenalter”. A detailed description of the syndrome was given several years later. The clinical features which were considered characteristic were floppy at birth, obesity, mental retardation, hypogonadism, hypotonia, shortness of stature, prominent forehead, almond-shaped eyes, retrousse nose, small fish-like mouth, short hands and feet and some of them showed a diabetic type of glucose tolerance test. First research topics were predominantly describing the syndrome, at that time also known as syndrome of Hypotonia-Hypomentia-Hypogonadism-Obesity (HHHO), and focused on the relations with diabetes and the cause of hypotonia. In the 70s studies reported on low growth hormone (GH) levels9-11 and the first clinical trial with GH treatment was published in the 80s. Since 2002, our research group has been investigating the effects of GH treatment in children with PWS in the Dutch PWS Cohort study. Knowledge about different aspects of PWS has vastly increased over the past 50 years, although new questions and dilemmas are met and need further investigations. This chapter describes the clinical manifestations in different stages of life, the genetic background, the hypothalamic – pituitary axis in children with PWS. In the scope of this thesis, characteristics of children with PWS are described in combination with the longterm effects of GH treatment. Finally, the aims of the studies described in the following chapters are presented.