cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Status of FeCrAl ODS Irradiations in the High Flux Isotope Reactor

FeCrAl oxide-dispersion strengthened (ODS) alloys are an attractive sub-set alloy class of the more global FeCrAl material class for nuclear applications due to their high temperature steam oxidation resistance and hypothesized enhanced radiation tolerance. A need currently exists to determine the radiation tolerance of these newly developed alloys. To address this need, a preliminary study was conducted using the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) to irradiate an early generation FeCrAl ODS alloy, 125YF. Preliminary post-irradiation examination (PIE) on these irradiated specimens have shown good radiation tolerance at elevated temperatures (≥330°C) but possible radiation-induced hardening and embrittlement at irradiations of 200°C to a damage level of 1.9 displacement per atom (dpa). Building on this experience, a new series of irradiations are currently being conceptualized. This irradiation series called the FCAD irradiation program will irradiate the latest generation FeCrAl ODS and FeCr ODS alloys to significantly higher doses. These experiments will provide the necessary information to determine the mechanical performance of irradiated FeCrAl ODS alloys at light water reactor and fast reactor conditions.
Budesonide-Related Iatrogenic Cushing's Syndrome in Microscopic Colitis

Budesonide is the treatment of choice for microscopic colitis because of its excellent risk to benefit ratio. It is a potent, well-absorbed corticosteroid, but because of a high rate of first-pass metabolism in the liver, its systemic bioavailability is low. It has fewer corticosteroid-related adverse effects than prednisone, and adrenal suppression is considered to be rare. We present a middle-aged woman with lymphocytic colitis whose symptoms responded to budesonide but developed budesonide-related iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome. Withdrawal of budesonide led to restoration of normal pituitary-adrenal responsiveness but at the price of recurrent diarrhea due to re-emergence of lymphocytic colitis.
Hybrid stability analysis via extended small-gain theorem for networked cyber-physical systems with transmission delay

This paper deals with hybrid stability analysis for networked cyber-physical systems with time delays and impulsive control. We use a thermodynamic framework to model the networked cyber-physical system (CPS) with a time delay and propose a hybrid controller to stabilize such a time-delay CPS. We consider the case where the time delay happened in the transmission process, thus the CPS has a nonlinear delayed part. Each subsystem in the networked CPS is assumed to evolve according to its controller and exchange delayed state information with its neighboring subsystems. Next, we extend the nonlinear input-to-state stability (ISS) small-gain theorem to networked CPS systems. Specifically, we render each subsystem in the networked CPS to have an interconnected ISS property first; and the input for the subsystem is the delayed information from its neighbors. Then hybrid stability of the whole networked CPS can be guaranteed based on this extended small-gain theorem.
Post Qualitative Inquiry in an Ontology of Immanence

Because post qualitative inquiry uses an ontology of immanence from poststructuralism as well as transcendental empiricism, it cannot be a social science research methodology with preexisting resea...
A NOTE ON MINIMUM RANK AND MAXIMUM NULLITY OF SIGN PATTERNS

The minimum rank of a sign pattern matrix is defined to be the smallest possible rank over all real matrices having the given sign pattern. The maximum nullity of a sign pattern is the largest possible nullity over the same set of matrices, and is equal to the number of columns minus the minimum rank of the sign pattern. Definitions of various graph parameters that have been used to bound maximum nullity of a zero-nonzero pattern, including path cover number and edit distance, are extended to sign patterns, and the SNS number is introduced to usefully generalize the triangle number to sign patterns. It is shown that for tree sign patterns (that need not be combinatorially symmetric), minimum rank is equal to SNS number, and maximum nullity, path cover number and edit distance are equal, providing a method to compute minimum rank for tree sign patterns. The minimum rank of small sign patterns is determined.
Branch Retinal Arteriolar Occlusion

The so-called branch retinal arteries are in fact arterioles [1]. Therefore, the universally used term “branch retinal artery occlusion” is incorrect. Branch retinal arteriolar occlusion (BRAO) is a common ocular vascular occlusive disorder. From the point of view of etiology, clinical features, and visual outcome, it can be classified into the following types.
New approximations for the higher order coefficients in an asymptotic expansion for the Barnes G-function

In this paper, we provide new formulas for determining the coefficients appearing in the asymptotic expansion for the Barnes G-function as $n\to +\infty$ for certain classes of asymptotic expansion for the Barnes G-function.
CHAPTER 14 – Fracture in Graphite

Graphite behaves in a pseudo-brittle fashion, with a limited degree of plasticity within a process “zone”. The extent of the process zone has been studied in numerous qualitative and quantitative studies of graphite fracture. The flaw structure within the graphite plays a prominent role in the fracture process. A failure criteria may be rationalized in terms of a dominant flaw (or ensemble of flaws) and local stress that result in the formation of a macroscopic crack, which subsequently extends to cause failure. The dominant flaw usually develops from the larger of the intrinsic flaws, although it may occur from lesser flaws due to local stress concentrations or cyclic loads. Moreover, the dominant flaw may be present as an anomaly arising from processing, machining or handling damage. These fracture processes may be described and understood through the fracture mechanics formulations developed for metals, ceramics, and other brittle materials. This chapter reviews the principles of linear elastic fracture mechanics and elastic plastic fracture mechanics, and describes the former as applied to the fracture behavior of small flaws in two grades of nuclear graphite. The chapter also presents a physically well-based fracture model that combines a microstructural approach to fracture with a fracture mechanics failure.
20 Meta-Analysis

The small sample studies typical of psychological research produce seemingly contradictory results, and reliance on statistical significance tests causes study results to appear even more conflicting. Meta-analysis integrates the findings across such studies to reveal the simpler patterns of relations that underlie research literatures, thus providing a basis for theory development. Meta-analysis can correct for the distorting effects of sampling error, measurement error, and other artifacts that produce the illusion of conflicting findings. This chapter discusses these artifacts and the procedures used to correct for them. Different approaches to meta-analysis are discussed. Applications of meta-analysis in I/O psychology and other areas are discussed and evidence is presented that meta-analysis is transforming research in psychology. Meta-analysis has become almost ubiquitous. One indication of this is that, as of October 12, 2011, Google listed more than 9 million entries for meta-analysis. Keywords: meta-analysis; research synthesis; data analysis; cumulative knowledge; psychological theory
National Deliverance through Culture or of Culture? T. C. Chao on Christianity and Chinese Culture:

This article traces the theological evolution in the thought of T. C. Chao regarding national deliverance as it related to Chinese culture. Although Chao never wavered on the significance of Christ...
A Comparative Copyright Analysis of ISP Liability in China versus the United States and Europe

The article is the first to compare the secondary liability theories applicable to internet service providers (ISPs) in China, the U.S., and Europe. By conducting a comparative study of the legislation and case law developed in the aforesaid regions, the article addresses problems and uncertainty under the existing PRC copyright law as to the liability of ISPs, and then proposes a number of recommendations to be considered in China’s future legislative reform.
1,3‐Diiodo­azulene

In the structure of 1,3-diiodo­azulene, C10H6I2, as expected, the mol­ecule is planar. Also observed are short contacts between I atoms and between I and ring C atoms. The crystal structure of this compound exhibits two sets of parallel layers, nearly perpendicular to each other. The layers are formed by charge–charge inter­actions between some I atoms and nearby seven-membered rings of mol­ecules in an adjacent layer. The packing is also affected by attractive dispersion forces between I atoms in adjacent layers.
In vitro test methods for seating and fretting corrosion behavior of modular metal-on-metal acetabular tapers.

Retrieval studies show that metal-on-metal acetabular shell-liner tapers are susceptible to corrosion, which is hypothesized to arise from mechanically-assisted crevice corrosion (MACC). The role of materials on MACC of acetabular tapers has not been previously studied. In vitro tests of seating, pushout, and fretting corrosion performance of acetabular tapers are presented to assess the role of material combinations (Ti-6Al-4V shells, HC CoCrMo, LC CoCrMo, and 316L SS liners). The acetabular tapers were wet-assembled to a seating load of 1,000 N. The liner load-displacement seating mechanics were measured. Fretting corrosion currents were evaluated using a uniaxial incremental cyclic compression test up to 4,000 N, with the load applied at a 55° angle to the taper interface. Fretting currents, fretting onset loads, taper disengagement strength were measured and load-displacement plots were obtained. Pushout tests were also performed pre- and post-fretting corrosion. The average liner seating displacements varied from 134 to 226 μm across groups. Fretting currents at 3,600 N cyclic load were low and ranged between 0.05 and 0.27 μA and were independent of material combination (p > 0.05), reflecting small amounts of fretting. Fretting corrosion onset loads were between 1,800 and 2,100 N, and did not differ across groups (p > 0.05). Pushout loads were 27-43% of the maximum load applied. Fretting corrosion levels were very low for all material combinations and not different from one another. The seating and pushout responses were also not material dependent. The low fretting currents measured imply that MACC may not be a major cause for acetabular taper corrosion. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 38:00-111089, 2020.
How Much Time Do People With Aphasia Need to Respond During Picture Naming? Estimating Optimal Response Time Cutoffs Using a Multinomial Ex-Gaussian Approach

Purpose Aphasia is a language disorder caused by acquired brain injury, which generally involves difficulty naming objects. Naming ability is assessed by measuring picture naming, and models of naming performance have mostly focused on accuracy and excluded valuable response time (RT) information. Previous approaches have therefore ignored the issue of processing efficiency, defined here in terms of optimal RT cutoff, that is, the shortest deadline at which individual people with aphasia produce their best possible naming accuracy performance. The goals of this study were therefore to (a) develop a novel model of aphasia picture naming that could accurately account for RT distributions across response types; (b) use this model to estimate the optimal RT cutoff for individual people with aphasia; and (c) explore the relationships between optimal RT cutoff, accuracy, naming ability, and aphasia severity. Method A total of 4,021 naming trials across 10 people with aphasia were scored for accuracy and RT onset. Data were fit using a novel ex-Gaussian multinomial RT model, which was then used to characterize individual optimal RT cutoffs. Results Overall, the model fitted the empirical data well and provided reliable individual estimates of optimal RT cutoff in picture naming. Optimal cutoffs ranged between approximately 5 and 10 s, which has important implications for assessment and treatment. There was no direct relationship between aphasia severity, naming RT, and optimal RT cutoff. Conclusion The multinomial ex-Gaussian modeling approach appears to be a promising and straightforward way to estimate optimal RT cutoffs in picture naming in aphasia. Limitations and future directions are discussed.
INCREASED TIBIOFEMORAL ROTATION WITH INCREASING SEVERITY OF PATELLAR INSTABILITY

Background:Tibiofemoral rotation (TFR), specifically external tibial rotation, has been recently identified as a potential contributing factor to patellar instability. However, no previous studies ...
Development and Validation of a Deep-learning Model to Assist With Renal Cell Carcinoma Histopathologic Interpretation.

Abstract OBJECTIVE To develop and test the ability of a convolutional neural network (CNN) to accurately identify the presence of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) on histopathology specimens, as well as differentiate RCC histologic subtype and grade. MATERIALS AND METHODS Digital hematoxylin and eosin stained biopsy images were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas. A CNN model was trained on 100 um2 samples of either normal (3000 samples) or RCC (12,168 samples) tissue samples from 42 patients. RCC specimens included clear cell, chromophobe, and papillary histiotypes, as well as tissue of Fuhrman grades 1 through 4. Model testing was performed on an additional held-out cohort of benign and RCC specimens. Model performance was assessed on the basis of diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value. RESULTS The CNN model achieved an overall accuracy of 99.1% in the testing cohort for distinguishing normal parenchyma from RCC (sensitivity 100%, specificity 97.1%). Accuracy for distinguishing between clear cell, papillary, and chromophobehistiotypes was 97.5%. Accuracy for predicting Fuhrman grade was 98.4%. CONCLUSION CNNs are able to rapidly and accurately identify the presence of RCC, distinguish RCC histologic subtypes, and identify tumor grade by analyzing histopathology specimens.
A Maize Practical Haplotype Graph Leverages Diverse NAM Assemblies

Abstract As a result of millions of years of transposon activity, multiple rounds of ancient polyploidization, and large populations that preserve diversity, maize has an extremely structurally diverse genome, evidenced by high-quality genome assemblies that capture substantial levels of both tropical and temperate diversity. We generated a pangenome representation (the Practical Haplotype Graph, PHG) of these assemblies in a database, representing the pangenome haplotype diversity and providing an initial estimate of structural diversity. We leveraged the pangenome to accurately impute haplotypes and genotypes of taxa using various kinds of sequence data, ranging from WGS to extremely-low coverage GBS. We imputed the genotypes of the recombinant inbred lines of the NAM population with over 99% mean accuracy, while unrelated germplasm attained a mean imputation accuracy of 92 or 95% when using GBS or WGS data, respectively. Most of the imputation errors occur in haplotypes within European or tropical germplasm, which have yet to be represented in the maize PHG database. Also, the PHG stores the imputation data in a 30,000-fold more space-efficient manner than a standard genotype file, which is a key improvement when dealing with large scale data.
Inventory Prepositioning for UNICEF Plumpy Nut Supply Chain

In recent years, natural and man-made disasters have led to nutritional emergencies in many countries around the world, and especially in the Horn of Africa. UNICEF, along with other humanitarian agencies, has adopted the use of ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) to alleviate the rapidly deteriorating situation of children in some of the most adversely affected countries in this region, including Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia. The supply chain for RUTF spans across the globe and is fraught with frequent delays, limited production capacity, highly variable ordering patterns, and rapidly increasing costs of delivery. In this chapter, we present a decision support tool that helped analyze the current supply chain for RUTF and explored a prepositioning strategy as an approach that would make the supply chain more efficient and responsive. We utilized real data to conduct simulations that help provide insights and recommendations on such a strategy.
DNA Functionality with Photoswitchable Hydrazone Cytidine

A new family of hydrazone modified cytidine phosphoramidite building block was synthesized and incorporated into oligodeoxynucleotides to construct photoswitchable DNA strands. The E-Z isomerization triggered by the irradiation of blue light with a wavelength of 450 nm was investigated and confirmed by 1 H NMR spectroscopy and HPLC in the contexts of both nucleoside and oligodeoxynucleotide. The light activated Z form isomer of this hydrazone-cytidine with a six-member intramolecular hydrogen bond was found to inhibit DNA synthesis in the primer extension model by using Bst DNA polymerase. In addition, the hydrazone modification caused the misincorporation of dATP together with dGTP into the growing DNA strand with similar selectivity, highlighting a potential G to A mutation. This work provides a novel functional DNA building block and an additional molecular tool that has potential chemical biology and biomedicinal applications to control DNA synthesis and DNA-enzyme interactions using the cell friendly blue light irradiation.
Experiences and Attitudes About Chiropractic Care and Prescription Drug Therapy Among Patients With Back Pain: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to examine experiences and attitudes toward care offered by chiropractors and prescription drug therapy offered by medical physicians for patients who have back pain. Methods A cross-sectional survey measured patients with back pain (n = 150) seeking care within an academic primary care setting. A survey assessed patient experiences, beliefs, and attitudes regarding chiropractic care and prescription drug therapy. Two samples of patients in the New Hampshire region included 75 patients treated by a doctor of chiropractic (DC) and 75 treated by a medical primary care physician (PCP). The 30-item survey was sent to existing and new patients between February 2019 and January 2020. Between-group comparisons were examined to test rates of reporting and to determine the mean difference in the total number of office visits between the 2 samples. Results Patients treated by both DCs and PCPs reported high overall satisfaction with chiropractic care received for low back pain with no significant differences between groups. The majority in both groups reported that seeing a DC for back pain made sense to them (95% of patients treated by a DC and 75% of patients treated by a PCP) whereas the minority reported that taking prescription drugs for back pain made sense (25% of patients treated by a DC and 41% of patients treated by a PCP). There was no statistical difference between groups when patients were asked if seeing a chiropractor changed their beliefs or behaviors about taking pain medication. Significant differences were found between groups for agreement that chiropractic care would be a suitable treatment for back pain (79% of patients treated by a DC and 45% of patients treated by a PCP). There were 7% of patients treated by PCP and 23% of the patients treated by DC who agreed that a DC would be the first health care provider they would like to see for their general health needs. Conclusions In this sample of patients, patient satisfaction regarding chiropractic care received for back pain was high. There were differences between patient groups about preferences for treatment for back pain. Our results indicate that patients reported that seeing a DC for back pain did not change their beliefs or behaviors regarding prescription drug therapy provided by their medical PCP.
The Health Care of Adults with Differences in Sex Development or Intersex Traits Is Changing: Time to Prepare Clinicians and Health Systems

Historically, the majority of differences in sex development or intersex trait (dsd/I)-specific medical care has been provided by pediatric clinicians, leading to a dearth of adult clinicians quali...
Juvenile Spondyloarthropathies

Spondyloarthropathy (or spondyloarthritis) can begin in childhood (defined as individuals less than 16 years of age). These diseases are distinct in childhood, when compared with adult-onset disease. Because of overlapping features, especially sacroiliac joint involvement, diagnostic difficulty may arise from Behcet’s disease, as well as familial Mediterranean fever. Despite advances in diagnostic techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging, the diagnosis of juvenile spondyloarthropathy may still be delayed many years from the onset of symptoms. Treatment of juvenile spondyloarthropathy has advanced rapidly in the last several years, with increasing evidence that agents targeting tumor necrosis factor are effective. These agents also have serious complications, including induction of other autoimmune diseases.
Incorporating ‘omics’ approaches to elucidate the role of selenium and selenoproteins in cancer prevention

Epidemiologic and preclinical studies provide evidence that increasing dietary selenium (Se) may have cancer protective properties. However, variation in cancer incidence among and within populations with similar Se intake suggests that an individual’s response may reflect interactions with genetic and/or environmental factors. The “omics” of nutrition (nutrigenomics, nutrigeneties, nutritional epigenomics, nutritional transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics) may assist in understanding the cellular and molecular events associated with the cancer protective effects of Se, as well as in identifying responders and non-responders. Approaches, that utilize transgenic and knockout mice with altered selenoprotein expression offer models to evaluate the importance of selenoproteins or small molecular selenocompounds in mediating the cancer protective effects of Se. While the challenges will be enormous, the potential rewards in terms of both cancer morbidity and mortality will be of equally great magnitude.
The Joint Effect of Management's Prior Forecast Accuracy and the Form of Its Financial Forecasts on Investor Judgment

We examine how investor reaction to management earnings forecasts is a joint function of the form of the forecast and management's perceived credibility. In a laboratory experiment involving 126 individual investors, we compare investors' earnings predictions and their confidence therein after receiving point and closed range forecasts issued by managements whose previous forecasting accuracy is known to be either high or low. We used point and range forecasts, because they differ in the degree to which they communicate management's uncertainty about the future. We use management's prior forecasting accuracy as a measure of management's credibility, because prior research has documented the importance of this factor when considering the usefulness of management's voluntary forecasts. Our results show that, as expected, investors' earnings predictions are responsive to management's forecasts. However, as we hypothesized, forecast form did not influence investors' earnings estimates. In contrast, investors' confidence in their earnings predictions was influenced by the form of management's forecasts, but this effect emerged only when management was previously accurate in their forecasting. A similar interactive pattern was found in the dispersion of investors' predictions about the company's future earnings. Finally, consistent with the hypothesis that confidence is an important determinant of investor behavior, we find that investors' judgments of future stock price appreciation are a positive function of both unexpected earnings and the change in their confidence. Our study extends the literature on management forecasts by empirically testing the joint influence of management's credibility (i.e., forecasting accuracy) and forecast form. The prior literature has argued that both factors should be important, but has not delineated whether or how these two factors might interact. We present a theoretical framework that indicates when both factors should influence investor judgment.
Circulating hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

In 1986, six separate centers independently reported that infusion of autologous hematopoietic progenitors collected from peripheral blood to patients who had received high-dose therapy for a variety of malignancies was followed by complete and sustained hematopoietic recovery [1–6]. Since then, the number of autologous peripheral stem cell transplants (PSCT) has increased yearly. This increase, which is at the expense of the number of autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) procedures performed, has occurred as a result of certain characteristics unique to peripheral stem cell collection and transplant.
Iron‐Binding Protein FutA1

FutA1 belongs to the bacterial extracellular solute-binding protein family 1 and is part of an ATP-binding cassette-type (ABC-type) transport system involved in the uptake of iron. In Synechocystis 6803, the futA1 (slr1295) and futA2 (slr0513) genes encode periplasmic binding proteins that have been proposed to be part of a high-affinity iron-transport system, although these genes, along with those encoding the transmembrane pore and intracellular ATPase proteins, are widely distributed throughout the genome. While the solute-binding domains in the cluster 9 ABC transport systems have a relatively rigid α-helix running down the back of the protein, which restricts domain movement, FutA1 has two β-strands connecting the two domains of the protein. It is likely that these β-strands permit the large domain movement observed during iron binding and release. In FutA1, iron is chelated by four tyrosine and one histidine residues. These tyrosine residues do not move during the opening and closing of the binding-site cleft. This is likely due to a strong secondary shell of interacting residues which also improve iron-tyrosine interactions by increasing the electronegativity of the tyrosine hydroxyls. Unlike a number of other periplasmic iron-binding proteins, there are no apparent anion interactions with the bound ferric iron. 3D Structure Keywords: iron; transport; ABC transporter; ferric; Synechocystis
Shape of the nucleon

We show that all four of the nucleon form factors can be very well explained using the manifestly covariant spectator theory. The nucleon is modeled as a spherical state of three constituent quarks with electromagnetic form factors, all determined by the fit to the data.
FINAL SOLUTIONS , Further Puzzles

BEYOND attempting to forward a theoretical perspective on the causes of genocide and mass killing, one of my central purposes in writing Final Solutions was to encourage the further study of these ...
Cumulative Fatigue Under Variable-Frequency Excitation

Extended theory of cumulative damage in fatigue when stress amplitude varies from cycle to cycle throughout life of structure
Fault-tolerant digital filtering structures for wafer scale VLSI

Digital filtering architectures that simultaneously offer advantages for wafer VLSI fabrication and contain distributed error-control are presented. Such structures require parallelism as well as inherent error-control capabilities because VLSI implementations are susceptible to temporary and intermittent hardware errors such as soft fails. Convolutions are implemented by finite field arithmetic subsections, where the operations in the various subsections are equivalent to polynomial multiplications, leading to the natural introduction of cyclic codes in the basic architecture. A polynomial expansion technique permits powerful cyclic subcodes to be introduced in each parallel subsection resulting from such a decomposition. Locations for error control within the architectures are examined, and several approaches for combatting failures are detailed.
Intuitive control of a powered prosthetic leg during ambulation: A randomized clinical trial

Importance Some patients with lower leg amputations may be candidates for motorized prosthetic limbs. Optimal control of such devices requires accurate classification of the patient’s ambulation mode (eg, on level ground or ascending stairs) and natural transitions between different ambulation modes. Objective To determine the effect of including electromyographic (EMG) data and historical information from prior gait strides in a real-time control system for a powered prosthetic leg capable of level-ground walking, stair ascent and descent, ramp ascent and descent, and natural transitions between these ambulation modes. Design, Setting, and Participants Blinded, randomized crossover clinical trial conducted between August 2012 and November 2013 in a research laboratory at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. Participants were 7 patients with unilateral above-knee (n = 6) or knee-disarticulation (n = 1) amputations. All patients were capable of ambulation within their home and community using a passive prosthesis (ie, one that does not provide external power). Interventions Electrodes were placed over 9 residual limb muscles and EMG signals were recorded as patients ambulated and completed 20 circuit trials involving level-ground walking, ramp ascent and descent, and stair ascent and descent. Data were acquired simultaneously from 13 mechanical sensors embedded on the prosthesis. Two real-time pattern recognition algorithms, using either (1) mechanical sensor data alone or (2) mechanical sensor data in combination with EMG data and historical information from earlier in the gait cycle, were evaluated. The order in which patients used each configuration was randomized (1:1 blocked randomization) and double-blinded so patients and experimenters did not know which control configuration was being used. Main Outcomes and Measures The main outcome of the study was classification error for each real-time control system. Classification error is defined as the percentage of steps incorrectly predicted by the control system. Results Including EMG signals and historical information in the real-time control system resulted in significantly lower classification error (mean, 7.9% [95% CI, 6.1%-9.7%]) across a mean of 683 steps (range, 640-756 steps) compared with using mechanical sensor data only (mean, 14.1% [95% CI, 9.3%-18.9%]) across a mean of 692 steps (range, 631-775 steps), with a mean difference between groups of 6.2% (95% CI, 2.7%-9.7%] ( P = .01). Conclusions and Relevance In this study of 7 patients with lower limb amputations, inclusion of EMG signals and temporal gait information reduced classification error across ambulation modes and during transitions between ambulation modes. These preliminary findings, if confirmed, have the potential to improve the control of powered leg prostheses.
The Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Regulatory Protein ICP27 Coimmunoprecipitates with Anti-Sm Antiserum, and the C Terminus Appears To Be Required for This Interaction

The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) immediate-early regulatory protein ICP27 is required for the inhibition of host cell splicing during viral infection and for the reorganization of antigens associated with the small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles (snRNPs). To determine what effect ICP27 had on splicing proteins that might cause their redistribution, we looked at proteins that were immunoprecipitated with anti-Sm antisera. No significant changes were seen in the migration or amounts of several snRNP common and snRNP-specific proteins from infected cells labeled with [35S]methionine, suggesting that the synthesis of these proteins was not altered by viral infection. However, when cells were labeled with 32Pi, differences were seen in the phosphorylation of at least two proteins depending on whether ICP27 was expressed. One protein, which had an apparent molecular mass of about 85 kDa, was highly phosphorylated during wild-type HSV-1 infection but much less so during infection with an ICP27 null mutant. The other protein, which migrated at the position of the U1 70-kDa protein and was precipitated with U1-specific antiserum, was also more highly phosphorylated when ICP27 was expressed during infection. Furthermore, a phosphoprotein with an apparent molecular mass of 63 kDa was found to coimmunoprecipitate with anti-Sm antisera during wild-type HSV-1 infection. ICP27 has an apparent molecular mass of 63 kDa, and immunoblot analysis confirmed that ICP27 coimmunoprecipitated with snRNPs. Analysis of mutations throughout the ICP27 protein demonstrated that the region that was required for this interaction was the C terminus of the protein, which includes a cysteine-histidine-rich region that resembles a zinc-finger-like motif. These data suggest that ICP27 interacts with snRNPs during infection and that it fosters changes in the phosphorylation state of at least two proteins that immunoprecipitate with snRNPs, although these studies do not demonstrate whether it does so directly or indirectly.
A Mushroom-inducing DNA sequence isolated from the basidiomycete, Schizophyllum commune

A DNA sequence capable of inducing the de novo development of fruiting bodies (mushrooms) when integrated into the genome of unmated, nonfruiting strains of the Basidiomycete Schizophyllum commune has been isolated and partially characterized. This sequence, designated FRT1, overrides the normal requirement of a mating interaction for fruiting in this organism. It has been shown to integrate stably in different chromosome locations and appears to be trans-acting. It also enhances the normal process of fruiting that occurs after mating. Additional DNA sequences with similarity to FRT1 were detected within the genome of the strain of origin by hybridization of labeled FRT1 DNA to blots of digested genomic DNAs. FRT1 and the genomic sequences similar to it were shown to be genetically linked. Southern hybridization experiments suggested sequence divergence at the FRT1 locus between different strains of S. commune. A testable model for how FRT1 may act as a key element in the pathway for the differentiation of fruiting bodies is presented as a working hypothesis for further investigation.
When a Family Requests a White Doctor

Parents sometimes request that a doctor of a particular race or ethnic group not care for their child. Such requests sometimes seem legitimate and other times seem offensive. The difference reflects a clash of fundamental values. Generally, we try to respect patient or parental preferences. Requests based on racist attitudes, however, do not seem worthy of respect. But where should we draw the line? In this ethics rounds, we present a situation in which parents requested a white doctor and analyze the ways in which doctors might think about and respond to such a request.
Unanswered Questions Under the PTFA: Exploring the Extent of Tenant Protections in Foreclosed Properties

The somewhat new Federal Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act (the “PTFA”), as recently amended, still leaves many questions of interpretation in states with the foreclosure by advertisement process, and in states with laws related to issues on which the PTFA is silent. The PTFA is vague in places, and does not address certain issues raised by the foreclosure processes in certain states, where state law is not clearly preempted. This article will examine how the PTFA, including the recent amendments and any recent judicial and advisory opinions, applies in states with the foreclosure by advertisement process (as opposed to judicial foreclosure). The article will use Michigan as a case study for this inquiry, briefly discussing other states with a similar process. In so doing, the article will discuss issues raised in these states concerning matters on which the PTFA’s terms are vague or wholly silent. To that end, this article picks up where the article, “Interpreting the Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act of 2009,” 19 J. of Affordable Housing & Community Dev Law 205 (Winter, 2010), by Allyson Gold, left off. Of particular assistance will be the recent statutory amendments, any relevant case law, interpretive statements from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the “working interpretation” adopted by legal services providers and others agencies dealing with the foreclosure crisis. Consequently, this article will conclude with a proposal for a reasonably fair interpretation of the PTFA in states with foreclosure by advertisement and in states where the PTFA is not expressly preempted but still leaves questions.
Science Con-Artists

Deception abounds in nature. Some species are first-rate con-artists. Angler fish with fins that mimic squiggling morsels that lure unsuspecting prey. Carnivorous pitcher plants that emit the aroma of rotting flesh and attract flies to their doom. Orchids that resemble female wasps, decoys for male wasp pollinators. Cuttlefish whose color and pattern morph with the substrate as a disguise against predators. Deceptive patterns, smells or sounds in organisms wonderfully reflect the adaptive response to opportunity. So, too, in human culture? Human behavior can take advantage of cultural conditions and deceive others to promote one’s own interests. So, if science receives cultural authority, it should surprise no one that those seeking power or profit might try to mimic it. Indeed, the more authority we give to science, the greater the likelihood of science imposters – and the more sophisticated their deceptive tactics. Cultural anthropologist Chris Toumey likens the process to a magician’s illusions. Imitators “conjure” science, he says, “from cheap symbols and ersatz images” (1977, p. 6). It is an apt and vivid label. We could just as easily call them science con-artists. Liars. Cheats. Seeking our confidence using a semblance of science. Predictable opportunists, perhaps. Science educators generally want to inform students so that as citizens and consumers of science they do not succumb to such wiles. The posture – too easily taken for granted, I think – is that simple knowledge of the scientific method or evaluating scientific evidence will suffice. From teaching about what defines science and what pseudoscience, students supposedly learn to debunk the charades. Here, I invite you to question this sacred bovine. A sampling of recent historical cases will indicate, I hope, that the science con-artists in modern society are more significant than commonly assumed. Science and what counts as science can diverge sharply ( Sacred …
Simulation of the global contrail radiative forcing: A sensitivity analysis

[1] The contrail radiative forcing induced by human aviation activity is one of the most uncertain contributions to climate forcing. An accurate estimation of global contrail radiative forcing is imperative, and the modeling approach is an effective and prominent method to investigate the sensitivity of contrail forcing to various potential factors. We use a simple offline model framework that is particularly useful for sensitivity studies. The most-up-to-date Community Atmospheric Model version 5 (CAM5) is employed to simulate the atmosphere and cloud conditions during the year 2006. With updated natural cirrus and additional contrail optical property parameterizations, the RRTMG Model (RRTM-GCM application) is used to simulate the global contrail radiative forcing. Global contrail coverage and optical depth derived from the literature for the year 2002 is used. The 2006 global annual averaged contrail net (shortwave + longwave) radiative forcing is estimated to be 11.3 mW m−2. Regional contrail radiative forcing over dense air traffic areas can be more than ten times stronger than the global average. A series of sensitivity tests are implemented and show that contrail particle effective size, contrail layer height, the model cloud overlap assumption, and contrail optical properties are among the most important factors. The difference between the contrail forcing under all and clear skies is also shown.
A Comparison of the Opinions of Nurses and Emergency Medical Workers regarding Medical Device Usability

In this study critical care nurses and emergency medical workers (including firefighters, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and paramedics) were surveyed regarding their opinions of medical device usability. The goal of the study was to determine how the two populations fared in terms of general product understanding, proficiency, usability, and functionality. Furthermore, the study identified similarities and differences between the two populations, and explored areas of medical technology design upon which manufacturers can improve. Results showed that a major concern of both populations was training; nurses and emergency medical workers felt that workloads do not allow time for sufficient mastery of the devices. The respondents also felt that medical devices could be more consistent and less complex. Both groups indicated that it is most important to design products that are easy to learn, easy to use upon first use, and efficient to use long-term.
Trace-orthogonal normal bases

Abstract In this paper, we shall first obtain some basic theoretical results on trace-orthogonal normal bases of GF( q n ) over GF( q ): We show that such a basis exists if and only if a self-dual normal basis exists (in fact, any such basis is equivalent to a self-dual one) and we give several characterizations of the trace-orthogonal normal bases in terms of two matrices M and T (associated with every normal basis N ) describing the multiplicative structure of GF( q n ). The matrix T is actually the matrix used in investigating the complexity of the normal basis N . Using this fact, we also completely determine the trace-orthogonal optimal normal bases. In the special case q = 2, n even, we then give a simple construction associating with every self-dual normal basis N another such basis N ∗ and relate the complexities of these two bases. This allows us to obtain an upper bound on the complexity of self-dual normal bases in this case which turns out to explain several entries in the available tables on computer searches regarding the complexity of normal bases. Finally, we give a product construction for (trace-orthogonal) normal bases.
A uniform-field microwave discharge chamber as a high-energy particle-track device☆

Abstract An experimental model of a new type of high-energy particle-track illuminating device based on the microwave discharge principle has been successfully tested. The salient feature of the device is the addition of dielectric material along the waveguide walls in order to produce uniform fields over the gaseous volume. The latter represents a substantial improvement over previous models of microwave discharge chambers. Good-quality tracks were obtained with a peak rf field of 0.5 MV/m at 1300 MHz. Track quality was similar to higher-frequency discharge chambers, which clearly demonstrated that the low-frequency limit has not yet been reached. Calculations indicate that frequencies at least as low as 300 MHz should be possible. Since chamber size is inversely proportional to frequency, the low-frequency limit for good track resolution is an important consideration. Ideally, a large-volume, dense-gas device should be possible, fully exploiting the lack of average drift velocity of liberated ions by exciting the chamber in a resonant system.
A plan aimed at the prevention and treatment of drug dependence.

L'article presente un plan destine a la mise en place de programmes de prevention et de traitement des toxicomanies, comprenant egalement la prevention du SIDA
Complete remission sustained 3 years from treatment initiation is a powerful surrogate for extended survival in multiple myeloma

BACKGROUND. Complete response (CR) has been considered a necessary although not sufficient early clinical endpoint for extended survival in multiple myeloma. METHODS. By using Total Therapy 2 (TT2) clinical outcome data in 668 patients, whether sustained CR (SUS-CR) was potentially a superior surrogate for survival than attaining CR status per se was evaluated. RESULTS. Compared with not achieving CR (NON-CR) and especially achieving and subsequently losing CR status (LOS-CR) within a 3-year landmark from treatment initiation, SUS-CR was associated with highly superior postlandmark survival (P < .0001). These results were validated in 231 untreated patients enrolled in the predecessor trial, TT1 (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.54, P = .013) and in 1103 previously treated patients on other transplant protocols (HR = 0.49; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS. In all 3 trial settings the survival benefit of SUS-CR was independent of metaphase abnormalities as a dominant adverse parameter. Given its bleak prognosis despite high CR rates, SUS-CR should be evaluated as a primary trial endpoint in high-risk myeloma. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Constraining Ligand-Binding Site Stoichiometry Suggests that a Cyclic Nucleotide–Gated Channel Is Composed of Two Functional Dimers

Cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channels are composed of four pore-forming subunits. Binding of cyclic nucleotide to a site in the intracellular carboxyl terminus of each subunit leads to channel activation. Since there are four subunits, four binding events are possible. In this study, we investigate the effects of individual binding events on activation by studying channels containing one, two, three, or four functional binding sites. The binding of a single ligand significantly increases opening, although four ligands are required for full activation. The data are inconsistent with models in which the four subunits activate in a single concerted step (Monod-Wyman-Changeux model) or in four independent steps (Hodgkin-Huxley model). Instead, the four subunits may associate and activate as two independent dimers.
MICROBIAL DESULFURIZATION OF COAL

ABSTRACT The sulfur found in coal is generally divided into three forms: pyritic, sulfate, and organic sulfur. Originating from irt-situ oxidation of metal sulfides, sulfates axe present in coal at low concentrations. Being soluble in water, they are relatively easy to be leached from the coal. Similarly, microbial depyritization promotes the oxidative conversion of inorganic sulfur compounds to water-soluble products. The pyrite removal results from the combined effects of direct bacterial attack and indirect chemical solubilization. In the former, pyrite (FeS2) is oxidized by bacteria into Fe2(SO4) 3; in the latter, ferric iron is the actual oxidizing agent and microorganisms serve to regenerate the ferric iron from ferrous iron. Organic sulfur is chemically bound to the carbon skeleton of coal. It is believed to be present mainly in the forms of organic sulfides, disulfides, thiols and thiophenes. Two pathways have been proposed for microbial desulfurization of heterocycles. One emphasized the oxidatio...