cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assessing instrumental activities of daily living (iADL) with a game-based assessment for individuals with schizophrenia.

Abstract Background The Virtual Reality Functional Capacity Assessment Tool (VRFCAT) is an “applied” game-based assessment that uses a multi-level functional task to assess instrumental activities of daily living (iADL). This study examines the feasibility, convergent validity, and predictive ability of the VRFCAT in a sample of inpatients with chronic schizophrenia. Methods Inpatients with a DSM-5 diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, completed the VRFCAT prior to discharge. The UPSA-B, SLOF, and PSP were administered, both at baseline and after four-weeks in the community. VRFCAT performance scores were compared to published data from the VRFCAT validation study. Results All 62 participants completed the VRFCAT. Compared to the performance of stable outpatients, participants performed 1.50 SDs below the VRFCAT mean adjusted total time (ATT) (Validation study: Mean T Score = 32.5, SD = 16.59) with more errors. The VRFCAT ATT T-score was significantly correlated with baseline UPSA-B total score (p = 0.005) and PSP Global score (p = 0.010). 34 participants completed the follow-up period (55%), and 28 were lost to follow-up. There were no statistically significant differences in VRFCAT scores between these two groups (all p > 0.29). The VRFCAT composite score at baseline was significantly associated with the UPSA-B total score (p = 0.010) and the PSP total score (p = 0.008) at four-weeks, as was the PSP Socially Useful Activities subscale score (p = 0.006). Conclusion The VRFCAT is a valid measure of iADLs in inpatients with chronic schizophrenia. The VRFCAT predicted instrumental functioning four-weeks post-discharge. Future studies should examine other moderators of measures of functional capacity pre-discharge, predicting function later in the community.
Dust Charge Modeling and Ejecta Measurements for Hypervelocity Impacts on Aluminum and Powdered Regolith Simulant Targets

Meteoroid and space debris impacts on spacecraft pose an electrical threat due to the electromagnetic pulse (EMP) and radio frequency (RF) emissions produced by the impact-generated plasma. Charge attachment to macroscopic particles ejected from the impact crater affects plasma measurements in ground based experiments, and may lead to a dusty plasma. We find that the ejecta curtain from light gas gun impacts aligns with plasma measurements indicative of charged dust. Combining experimental measurements of the ejecta particle size distribution with a dust model based on an extended orbital motion limited (OML) theory, we estimate the extent of charge attachment in the ejecta curtain passing through the post-impact plasma plume. Given the measured particle size distribution, we show that significant charge attachment and localized electron depletion may occur at early time, and that, depending on material properties, thermionic emission may result in a dust population whose electrical charge changes sign over time. These results suggest that ejecta charging can play a significant role in the evolution of impact plasmas.
The Microbiome and Cancer: Creating Friendly Neighborhoods and Removing the Foes Within.

The human body is colonized by the microbial cells that are estimated to be as abundant as human cells, yet their genome is roughly 100 times the human genome, providing significantly more genetic diversity. The past decade has observed an explosion of interest in examining the existence of microbiota in the human body and understanding its role in various diseases including inflammatory bowel disease, neurologic diseases, cardiovascular disorders, and cancer. Many studies have demonstrated differential community composition between normal tissue and cancerous tissue, paving the way for investigations focused on deciphering the cause-and-effect relationships between specific microbes and initiation and progression of various cancers. Also, evolving are the strategies to alter tumor-associated dysbiosis and move it towards eubiosis with holistic approaches to change the entire neighborhood or to neutralize pathogenic strains. In this review, we discuss important pathogenic bacteria and the underlying mechanisms by which they impact cancer progression. We summarize key microbiota alterations observed in multiple tumor niches, their association with clinical stages, and their potential use in cancer diagnosis and management. Finally, we discuss microbiota-based therapeutic approaches.
Updates Treatment of Low-Grade Glioma

Gliomas are the most common primary intrinsic CNS tumor. Patient outcome is determined by a balanced translocation between chromosomes 1p and 19q in addition to the presence of mutations within isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 or 2 genes. Low-grade gliomas are now subclassified according to both histopathology and molecular characterization. Maximal resection remains a cornerstone of patient management and greater extent of tumor resection impacts overall and progression-free survival. There are several surgical adjuvants including direct stimulation mapping, functional neuro-navigation, fluorescence guided surgery, and intraoperative MRI which improve extent of tumor resection while minimizing morbidity. Temozolomide and PCV in addition to radiation therapy are used to improve survival for high risk patient populations. In this chapter, we will focus on the management of WHO II and III gliomas including therapeutic strategies such as cytoreduction surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy.
Time from oocyte retrieval to frozen embryo transfer in the natural cycle does not impact reproductive or neonatal outcomes.

Objective To determine if the time from oocyte retrieval to frozen embryo transfer (FET) in the natural cycle affects reproductive or neonatal outcomes. Design Retrospective cohort. Setting Not applicable. Patient(s) Five hundred and seventy-six consecutive freeze-all cycles from January 2011 to December 2018 followed by natural cycle FET of a single blastocyst. Intervention(s) None. Main Outcome Measure(s) Primary outcome of live birth; secondary outcomes of preterm delivery (24–37 weeks) and small for gestational age (SGA) with a multivariable logistic regression performed with adjustment for age, infertility diagnosis, ovulatory trigger type, and preimplantation genetic testing (PGT). Result(s) Before adjustment for confounding, we found a statistically significantly different live-birth rate (57.7% vs. 48.6%) for natural cycle FET occurring in the first versus second menstrual cycle, respectively. In a multivariate analysis, performing a natural cycle FET of a single blastocyst in the second compared with the first menstrual cycle did not statistically significantly impact the odds of live-birth rate. After adjustment for age, diagnosis, and ovulatory trigger type, only PGT was associated with statistically significantly increased odds of live birth compared with no PGT. There were no differences in the incidence of SGA (male, 6.6% vs. 2.3%; female, 9.8% vs. 11.1%) or preterm delivery (1.6% vs. 5.6%) between both groups. Conclusion(s) Performing a natural cycle FET of a single blastocyst in the second compared with the first menstrual cycle after ovarian stimulation did not statistically significantly impact the odds of live birth or neonatal outcomes.
The current state of artificial intelligence in cardiac transplantation.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW The field of heart transplantation is a complex practice that combines both science and art to optimize the quality and quantity of an organ transplant recipient's life span. In the current age of Transplant Medicine there are many limiting factors that prevent potentially usable organs to be transplanted in addition to the many unknown factors in assessing the risk of posttransplant complications in a proactive manner. This review focuses on the current state, and potential use, and implementation of artificial intelligence technologies in the field of heart transplantation. Furthermore, the utilization of predictive algorithms to assess donor quality, graft function, posttransplant complications and prediction of high-risk complications will be discussed. Artificial intelligence technologies in the pretransplant population is also explored. RECENT FINDINGS Artificial intelligence process use has been increasing over the past decade. Early adoption in radiology and laboratory medicine have shown promise for future applications. Implementation of nascent technologies within the field of transplant medicine remains in its infancy. Cardiac and renal medicine have been recent focuses of large-scale artificial intelligence projects because of the wealth of data, the main limiting factor for producing accurate models. Understanding the true role of artificial intelligence in medicine is key - and has been divided into three areas of focus: data quality, interpretation, and clinical application. These areas allow the clinician to translate problems facing patients into algorithms utilized by data scientists to create solutions, which may provide in-depth analysis and detection of relationships not immediately clear. Although some published data has led to commercial products for cardiac, diabetic, and dermatologic applications -- widespread adoption remains limited to specialized centers. SUMMARY Artificial intelligence applications with clinically relevant models in transplant medicine have the potential to optimize organ utilization, prediction of complications, and potential pretransplant management, which may mitigate the need for transplant. Further translational projects are under development at major centers, with proof of concepts demonstrating validity and safety in the clinical setting. Limiting factors of infrastructure, expertise, and data availability continue to be addressed. Ongoing efforts for commercialization and large-scale trials will provide a foundation for the development of artificial intelligence applications in transplant medicine.
Non-ambulatory measures of lower extremity sensorimotor function are associated with walking function in Multiple Sclerosis.

Abstract Background Disease progression of multiple sclerosis (MS) is often monitored by ambulatory measures, but how non-ambulatory sensorimotor measures differentially associate to walking measures in MS subtypes is unknown. We determined whether there are characteristic differences between relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), progressive MS (PMS), and non-MS controls in lower extremity sensorimotor function and clinical walking tasks and the sensorimotor associations with walking function in each group. Methods 18 RRMS, 13 PMS and 28 non-MS control participants were evaluated in their plantar cutaneous sensitivity (vibration perception threshold, Volts), proprioception during ankle joint position-matching (|∆°| in dorsiflexion), motor coordination (rapid foot-tap count/10 s), and walking function with three tests: Timed 25-foot walk (T25FW) at preferred and fast speeds (s), and timed-up-and-go (TUG, s). Results Foot-tapping (p = 0.039, Mean difference (MD)= 5.65 taps) and plantar cutaneous sensation (p = 0.026, MD= -10.30 V) differed between the MS subtypes. For the RRMS group faster walking was related to better proprioceptive function (preferred T25FW: p = 0.019, Root mean square error (RMSE)=1.94; fast T25FW: p = 0.004, RMSE=1.65; TUG: p = 0.001, RMSE=2.12) and foot-tap performance (preferred T25FW: p = 0.033, RMSE = 2.74; fast T25FW: p = 0.010, RMSE=2.02). These associations were not observed in the PMS group. Conclusions Foot-tap performance and plantar cutaneous sensitivity but not ankle proprioception differed between MS subtypes. Lower walking performance was associated with lower foot-tapping and plantar cutaneous sensitivity in the RRMS but not the PMS group. This result suggests a change in the relationship of lower extremity sensorimotor function to walking performance in the PMS subtype.
Steering Loan Modifications Post-Pandemic

As part of federal and state relief programs created during the COVID-19 pandemic, many American households received pauses on their largest debts, particularly on mortgages and student loans. Others may have come to agreements with their lenders, likewise pausing or altering payment on other debts, such as auto loans and credit cards. This relief allowed households to allocate their savings and income to necessary expenses, like groceries, utilities, and medicine. But forbearance does not equal forgiveness. At the end of the various relief periods and moratoria, people will have to resume paying all their debts, the amounts of which may have increased to account for any missed or reduced payments. Yet in the interim months, people have faced persistent unemployment and dwindling household wealth. Many likely will be unable to resume all debt payments, leading them into formal or informal bankruptcy. Incentivizing lenders to work with people to craft successful loan modifications will stave off a swell of bankruptcy filings and economic loss. The 2008 financial crisis showed how poorly prepared creditors were to offer successful debt workouts. Now is the time for policymakers to plan for the coming crash of needed loan modifications across consumer credit products. This Essay sketches a path for how that should be done.
Programmable site-specific functionalization of DNA origami with polynucleotide brushes

Combining surface-initiated, TdT (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase) catalyzed enzymatic polymerization (SI-TcEP) with precisely engineered DNA origami nanostructures (DONs) presents an innovative pathway for the generation of stable, polynucleotide brush-functionalized DNA nanostructures. We demonstrate that SI-TcEP can site-specifically pattern DONs with brushes containing both natural and non-natural nucleotides. The brush functionalization can be precisely controlled in terms of the location of initiation sites on the origami core and the brush height and composition. Coarse-grained simulations predict the conformation of the brush-functionalized DONs that agree well with the experimentally observed morphologies. We find that polynucleotide brush-functionalization increases the nuclease resistance of DONs significantly, and that this stability can be spatially programmed through the site-specific growth of polynucleotide brushes. The ability to site-specifically decorate DONs with brushes of natural and non-natural nucleotides provides access to a large range of functionalized DON architectures that would allow for further supramolecular assembly, and for potential applications in smart nanoscale delivery systems.
Radiographic Evaluation of Elbow Fractures

Fractures and dislocations of the elbow are a common cause of emergency department visits each year. Radiography remains the bedrock of an initial injury assessment, and recognition of distinctive injury patterns based on fracture location, morphology, and severity, guides optimal clinical decision-making. This article reviews basic elbow anatomy, frequently seen fractures and injury patterns, and highlights how these findings influence surgical planning and patient management.
Rethinking nasal tip support: A finite element analysis

Objective We employ a nasal tip finite element model (FEM) to evaluate contributions of two of the three major tip support mechanisms: attachments between the upper and lower lateral cartilages and attachment of the medial crura to the caudal septum. Study Design The nasal tip FEM computed stress distribution and strain energy density (SED) during nasal tip compression. We examined the impact of attachments between the upper and lower lateral cartilages and the attachment of the medial crura to the caudal septum on nasal tip support. Methods The FEM consisted of three tissue components: bone, cartilage, and skin. Four models were created: A) control model with attachments present at the scroll and caudal septum; B) simulated disruption of scroll; C) simulated disruption of medial crura attachments to caudal septum; and D) simulated disruption of scroll and medial crura attachments to caudal septum. Spatial distribution of stress and SED were calculated. Results The keystone, intermediate crura, caudal septum, and nasal spine demonstrated high concentration of stress distribution. Across all models, there was no difference in stress distribution. Disruption of the scroll resulted in 1% decrease in SED. Disruption of the medial crura attachments to the caudal septum resulted in 4.2% reduction in SED. Disruption of both scroll and medial crural attachments resulted in 9.1% reduction in SED. Conclusion The nasal tip FEM is an evolving tool to study structural nasal tip dynamics and demonstrates the loss of nasal tip support with disruption of attachments at the scroll and nasal base. Level of Evidence N/A Laryngoscope, 125:326–330, 2015
Local Spectral Theory for Multipliers and Convolution Operators

This note centers around the class D(G) of decomposable measures on a locally compact abelian group G. This class is a large subalgebra of the measure algebra M(G), has excellent spectral properties, and is related to a number of concepts from commutative harmonic analysis. The discussion of D(G) in Section 1 is to illustrate this point. The main features of this class are collected in Theorem 1.1, which improves recent results from [19] and includes some new properties related to the involution of M(G). We shall present a different approach, which avoids previous tools like the hull-kernel topology [19], [23] or the spectral theory of several commuting operators [2], [10]. Theorem 1.1 is an immediate consequence of the spectral theory for multipliers on Banach algebras in Section 3. The emphasis is here on multipliers with the decomposition property (δ) from [3], which characterizes the quotients of decomposable operators. We show that multipliers with property (δ) behave very nicely and coincide with the strongly decomposable multipliers under fairly mild conditions on the underlying Banach algebra. Our results on multipliers require some new results on general local spectral theory in Section 2, which should be of independent interest. In particular, some basic results on decomposable operators from [8] and [28] will be extended to the more flexible case of quotients and restrictions of decomposable operators in the spirit of [3].
The proxemiotics of fame and totemic violence: Projective sociology extrapolates a (hopefully mistaken) trend in pop music

(1997). The proxemiotics of fame and totemic violence: Projective sociology extrapolates a (hopefully mistaken) trend in pop music. Popular Music and Society: Vol. 21, Cartographies of Sound, Noise, and Music at Century' End, pp. 137-151.
Water management in a semi-arid region: an analogue algorithm approach for rainfall seasonal forecasting

Methods and results of this recent branch of atmospheric sciences must be the most simple and accessible as possible. For this reason, the Institute of Biometeorology, (part of the National Research Council, http://www.ibimet.cnr.it), has developed a physically — based statistical approach to obtain seasonal forecasts, regarding rainfall precipitation, over Sahel region.
Structural insight into insect viruses

The first structure of an insect picorna-(small RNA-containing) virus is now available. Although there is considerable similarity in the structures of mammalian and insect picornaviruses, there are also remarkable differences, the most noteworthy being associated with the small, internal, functionally essential, VP4 protein.
Study of Rheological Properties of ISOCURE® LF-305/904 G Binder System

Viscous and thermal properties of a phenolic resin (Part I) and a polymeric isocyanate (Part II), and their blends were investigated by using rotational viscometry. The elastic properties of the blends were investigated by means of a jet thrust technique, using a straight tube. The theological and thermal properties of the blends were dependent on the blend composition. Although both materials are Newtonian liquids, their blends exhibit non-Newtonian liquid flow behavior and elasticity. A thermo-reaction has been observed and investigated after mixing the two parts.
FAP Mutations Destabilize Transthyretin Facilitating Conformational Changes Required for Amyloid Formation

Functional transthyretin (TTR) can be transformed into amyloid by partial acid denaturation yielding a monomeric amyloidogenic intermediate which self-associates. The amyloidogenic intermediate has substantial beta-sheet structure with non-native but defined tertiary structure. pH-dependent proteolysis sensitivity studies have identified portions of TTR which become disordered and solvent-exposed in the amyloidogenic intermediate. These include the C-strand-loop D-strand portion of TTR which moves away from the core of the beta-sandwich fold. Mutations that are associated with early onset-amyloid disease (familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy; FAP) function by destabilizing tetrameric TTR in favour of the monomeric amyloidogenic intermediate which has a rearranged C-strand-loop D-strand region. In most cases the FAP mutations do not significantly alter the native folded structure, but instead act on the denaturation pathway by a mechanism that is not completely understood. Interestingly, mutations have also been characterized which strongly stabilize tetrameric TTR and make amyloid formation very difficult at pHs accessible in vivo.
Volcanic diapirs in the Orange Mountain flood basalt: New Jersey, USA

Abstract Diapir-shaped structures, 4–30 m high, consisting of vesicular basalt have intruded into the interior of a 50–70 m-thick subaerial Orange Mountain Basalt flow exposed at several rock quarries in northern New Jersey. The basalt flowed onto a travertine encrusted mudflat saturated with alkali salts. We propose that pressurized alkali vapors trapped under the lava created a vesicular and viscous flow bottom layer about 10 m thick. Vesicle coalescence within this layer increased its buoyancy where it locally accumulated into diapirs and displaced overlying lava. Large bubbles within the diapirs expanded upon intrusion into hot flow interiors where they explosively escaped leaving lenses of breccia. Some early diapirs reached the base of the upper lava crust. These diapirs document vapor driven convection of large blobs of contaminated lava into the lava core of the Orange Mountain flow.
Single crystal circular and linear dichroism spectra and absolute configuration of M(en)3(NO3)2 (M = Zn(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II), Mn(II) and Ru(II)☆

Abstract The isomorphous single crystals of M(ethylenediamine) 3 (NO 3 ) 2 , where M is Zn(II), Ni(II) and Co(II), exhibit macroscopic optical activity as predicted by their acentric space group. Axial circular dichroism measurements on these pure crystals show conclusively that spontaneous resolution has occurred. The axial circular dichroism and orthoaxial linear dichroism spectra of these pure crystals, and of Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II), Mn(II) and Ru(II) doped into the Zn(en) 3 (NO 3 ) 2 crystal have been measured at ambient and cryogenic temperatures in the range from 7 to 35 kK. The first NO 3 − transition at 32.5 kK is assigned as 1 A ← 1 A based on its linear polarization and sign of rotational strength. The d-d transitions are assigned in the context of D 3 symmetry and reveal a small negative crystal field parameter k , consistent with theoretical prediction. A positive R for all d-d transitions is found to be associated with the Λ configuration for all of the complex ions, by correlation with the crystal and solution circular dichroism of Ru(en) 3 2+ .
Surgical approach to corrected transposition of the great vessels and situs inversus [I, D, D] with ventricular septal defect and systemic atrioventricular valve regurgitation.

Abstract Successful surgical repair of a 4-year-old boy with situs inversus {I,D,D} and corrected transposition of the great vessels (TGV) as well as hemodynamically significant ventricular septal defect (VSD), systemic atrioventricular (tricuspid) valve regurgitation, and atrial septal defect is described. Unique technical aspects of VSD and tricuspid valve repair in association with corrected TGV and situs solitus or inversus are discussed and clarified.
The effects of a multimedia system in supermarkets to alter shoppers' food purchases: nutritional outcomes and caveats.

A randomized-control test of a multimedia nutrition intervention—the Nutrition for a Lifetime System (NLS©)— utilized supermarket receipts to examine effects of NLS treatment on the daily per person nutritional content of participants' supermarket purchases. In regression analyses controlling for background variables, baseline purchases and trends toward increased purchasing, NLS treatment contributed to lower levels of total fat and to higher levels of total fiber and servings of fruits and vegetables at post-test. Redemption of NLS coupons contributed to greater decreases in fat and increases in servings of fruits and vegetables in users' purchases. Implications for future interventions promoting healthier food choices include tailoring program content and addressing broader lifestyle issues such as caloric intake and expenditure.
Parsing the characteristics of a simulated udder to determine relative attractiveness to piglets in the 72 h following parturition

Abstract Crushing of piglets by their sows in modern production systems is a tremendous financial loss to the swine industry and a topic of much research. Our lab had previously designed a “simulated udder” (SU) which successfully used several attractive stimuli that, when placed in the farrowing crate, served to draw the piglet away from the sow to a “safe area”. The current study sought to parse out the relative contributions of the various stimuli to the simulated udder as a whole during the first 72 h postpartum. Three experiments, each comparing a variation of the simulated udder and/or a heat lamp only were conducted and the ratio of piglets from each litter using a modified simulated udder to all live piglets in the litter was determined. A cotton cloth without sow odor versus heat lamp resulted in ratios of .85 ± .01 versus .67 ± .01 (P .20). Our results confirmed that some characteristics of the simulated udder are more effective at attracting piglets than a heat lamp, though the role of some individual components remains unclear. Similar to results from the original simulated udder, no treatment was effective at reducing the number of crushed piglets.
Anti-HIV effect of beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (βhCG) in vitro

Abstract Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)—a pregnancy-associated immunomodulating hormone—has been recently shown in vitro to suppress reverse transcriptase activity in chronically HIV-infected lymphocytes and monocytes and to block viral transmission resulting from cell-cell contact between virus-carrying lymphocytes and placental trophoblasts. In further pursuit of the query into the mechanism of action, purified α and β subunits of hCG were tested for the inhibition of p24 gag protein synthesis in virus-producing ACH-2 lymphocytes and U1 monocytes. Unlike the α subunit, β-hCG displayed a distinct U-shaped dose response, characteristic of the effect of dimer hCG. Maximum inhibition of viral expression has been achieved at 10–100 ng/ml, the concentration corresponding to blood levels of β-hCG in pregnant women. The doses that were several logs higher of normal levels seemed to increase viral production in monocytes. The data presented supports our original observations regarding the effect of intact hCG on HIV replication. While the mechanism of action remains to be established, the results suggest that the virus-interfering activity of hCG is determined by hormone-specific β chain but not by the α subunit—shared with the family of glycoprotein hormones from the pituitary—follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone and thyrotropin.
The Effects of Inflation on the Welfare and Performance of Agriculture: Discussion

The similarity of the intent of the Chambers paper with that of Starleaf, Meyers, and Womack (SMW) necessitates consideration of both in order to arrive at a fully informed judgment. The hypothesis indirectly tested in the Chambers' paper is that "agricultural prices [are] more flexible than nonagricultural prices." The hypothesis proposed in the SMW paper is "that farmers are benefitted by an acceleration in the rate of general price inflation." The empirical analysis keys on the comparison of movements of several agricultural and nonagricultural price indices. In Chambers' view the flexibility of agricultural prices relative to nonagricultural prices is key to the analysis of the impact of monetary or, more broadly, macroeconomic forces on the agricultural sector. The reasoning is straightforward. For example, an appreciation of the dollar would depress prices and quantity supplied of "flexprice"-agricultural commodities. In comparison, the impact on "fixprice"-nonagricultural commodities would be limited to quantity adjustments in the short run. In addition, quantity adjustments of fixprice industries might be reduced as they vary the level of stocks. The analysis progresses to suggest that the differential impact can be only a short-run phenomenon, as ultimately the fixprice industries must adjust. The analysis is illustrated in a partial equilibrium framework in figure 1. Assume two industries with identical excess supply relations face identical excess demands. Further assume an appreciation of the dollar rotates the excess demand curve downward. The flexprice industry will adjust to a new equilibrium price at P'e and quantity at Q',. The fixprice industry might maintain the price at P, resulting in a quantity demanded of Q"e. Production might be maintained at a higher level as stocks are augmented. Clearly, the fixprice industry can defend that price only as long as stocks can be increased. Ultimately it must adjust to the same equilibrium price and quantity as the flexprice industry. Observed prices of the flexprice industry would be more variable than those of the fixprice industry. Other factors such as differential demand
Process synthesis of biodiesel production plant using artificial neural networks as the surrogate models

Abstract Biodiesel is an attractive biofuel because it can be used directly with the traditional petro diesel engines, either as a substitute or as a blending component. There are several alternatives that can be used to produce biodiesel. In this work, we developed a superstructure optimization model to synthesize the optimum biodiesel production plant, i.e., the one that gives the minimum net present sink. To reduce the computational cost of solving the resulting disjunctive programming, the surrogate models utilizing artificial neural networks (ANNs), have been developed to replace the unit operation, thermodynamics and mixing models. The optimum solution with the alkali-catalyzed reactor (obtained in five CPU seconds) has a total net present sink of about $41 million, which differs less than one percent from the result obtained by modeling the solution in a process simulator. However, this level of accuracy required a large amount of data to train the ANNs.
Delayed treatment of elbow pain and dysfunction following Essex-Lopresti injury with metallic radial head replacement: A case series

Background Chronic longitudinal radioulnar dissociation has been associated with unpredictable and generally unfavorable outcomes. Metallic radial head replacement may address this treatment deficiency. Methods Eight patients were treated with a metallic radial head replacement for chronic longitudinal radioulnar dissociation. The average treatment delay was 3.3 years. All eight patients were seen for a clinical and radiographic assessment. Results Five of the 8 failed after a mean of 3 years (range, 1-5.7). Revision to bipolar metallic radial head replacement was successful in the short term in 2 of 3 that failed from aseptic loosening. One of 2 failures due to painful radiocapitellar arthritis was salvaged with a capitellar replacement. Discussion Reconstruction for symptoms following an Essex-Lopresti injury remains problematic. A metalic radial head implant appears to be an effective adjunct, but not a perfect solution in all patients. Recognition of the negative impact of residual lateral ulnar collateral ligament laxity is an important observation and should be specifically addressed with the reconstructive procedure. Conclusion Metallic monoblock radial head replacement did not reliably address the functional deficiency from chronic radioulnar dissociation primarily due to malalignment and implant loosening. A cemented bipolar radial head implant may provide a better alternative as a long-term solution. Regardless, ligamentous integrity at the elbow should also be addressed at the time of the reconstruction.
Interaction of Chemical Reactions and Transport. 1. An Overview

Chemical reactions, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and mass transfer have both direct and indirect interactions. The direct ones, which are examined here, involve the effects of the fundamental mechanisms of reaction and transport on one another. The indirect ones, which arise from combined reactors, heat exchangers, and separators, are to be examined separately. Although most of the direct interactions have been recognized for decades, the investigations of such phenomena experimentally, theoretically, and numerically are very limited in number and scope. Furthermore, they are scarcely mentioned in textbooks on either chemical reaction engineering or transport. They could readily be incorporated in the software for computer-aided process design but have not, possibly because of the significant added complexity but more likely because of a lack of recognition of their importance or even their existence. In a supplementary investigation, selective numerical calculations have shown that, although the inter...
OMEPRAZOLE TREATMENT IN PATIENTS WITH SEVERE HEMATURIA AND DYSURIA SECONDARY TO BLADDER RECONSTRUCTION WITH A GASTRIC POUCH. 2158

OMEPRAZOLE TREATMENT IN PATIENTS WITH SEVERE HEMATURIA AND DYSURIA SECONDARY TO BLADDER RECONSTRUCTION WITH A GASTRIC POUCH. 2158
The Acquisition of Skill in Infancy

(1933). The Acquisition of Skill in Infancy. The Pedagogical Seminary and Journal of Genetic Psychology: Vol. 43, No. 1, pp. 3-48.
Context-drug pairings enhance tolerance to ethanol-induced disruption of operant responding.

Much of the research implicating learning in the development of tolerance to ethanol-induced impairment has used an experimental design in which different groups receive drug either before or after an opportunity to perform an instrumental or operant task. The stronger tolerance observed in subjects who perform while intoxicated is most often attributed to the reinforced practice of a learned compensatory response. Using an experimental procedure modeled after Chen (1979), the present study examined an alternative theoretical basis for tolerance in the before-versus-after design. Specifically, the effects of Pavlovian context-drug pairings were assessed under circumstances that precluded reinforced practice of the operant response. Three groups of food-deprived rats were initially trained to barpress for sucrose on an FR15 schedule. After 30 sessions, the bar was retracted and the dipper was covered for a 3-day tolerance acquisition phase. During this phase, each group received an IP injection 15 min before and 45 min after each session. The Paired group received ethanol (1.2 g/kg) before and saline after the session, thus pairing ethanol with cues of the test chamber. The Unpaired group received saline before and ethanol after the session, while the No-Drug group always received saline. During a final test phase, all groups received ethanol (1.5 g/kg) before access to sucrose on the FR schedule. The Paired group completed the first FR15 sequence more rapidly than either control group, indicating that context-ethanol pairings enhanced tolerance to the drug's disruptive effect on the initiation of operant responding. However, there was little evidence of conditioned stimulus control over tolerance to ethanol's thermal effect. Overall, these data suggest that stimulus-drug contingencies occurring in operant procedures may play an important role in development of tolerance to ethanol's behavioral effects.
Mechanism of alkane transfer-dehydrogenation catalyzed by a pincer-ligated iridium complex.

The mechanism of (PCP)Ir-catalyzed transfer−dehydrogenation has been elucidated for the prototypical substrate/acceptor couple, COA/TBE, at 55 °C (COA = cyclooctane; TBE = tert-butylethylene). The catalytic cycle may be viewed as the sum of two reactions: (i) hydrogenation of TBE by (PCP)IrH2 and C−H addition of a second mole of TBE to give (PCP)IrH(tert-butylvinyl), and (ii) dehydrogenation of COA by (PCP)IrH(tert-butylvinyl) to give (PCP)IrH2, COE, and TBE. These two stoichiometric reactions have been observed independently and their kinetics determined. The overall catalysis has also been monitored in situ, and (PCP)IrH2 and (PCP)IrH(tert-butylvinyl) have been observed as the resting states; the ratio of these two complexes is found to be proportional to [TBE]2. Based upon the proportionality constant thus obtained and the catalytic rate as a function of [TBE] (which reaches a maximum at ca. 0.3 M), the respective rate constants for the hydrogenation and dehydrogenation segments can be obtained. Good ...
GPU-Based Implementations of the Noniterative Regularized-CCSD(T) Corrections: Applications to Strongly Correlated Systems.

The details of the graphical processing unit (GPU) implementation of the most computationally intensive (T)-part of the recently introduced regularized CCSD(T) (Reg-CCSD(T)) method [Kowalski, K.; Valiev, M.J. Chem. Phys. 2009, 131, 234107] for calculating electronic energies of strongly correlated systems are discussed. Parallel tests performed for several molecular systems show very good scalability of the triples part of the Reg-CCSD(T) approach. We also discuss the performance of the Reg-CCSD(T) GPU implementation as a function of the parameters defining the partitioning of the spinorbital domain (tiling structure). The accuracy of the Reg-CCSD(T) method is illustrated on three examples: the methyfluoride molecule, dissociation of dodecane, and open-shell Spiro cation (5,5′(4H,4H′)-spirobi[cyclopenta[c]pyrrole] 2,2′,6,6′-tetrahydro cation), which is a frequently used model to study electron transfer processes. It is demonstrated that a simple regularization of the cluster amplitudes used in the noniter...
Amylophagia and iron deficiency anemia

Iron deficiency anemia may be associated with dietary practices such as amylophagia, which is seen frequently in women of certain ethnic origins. Starch eating may be a direct or indirect cause or symptom of iron deficiency anemia. Orofacial symptoms of amylophagia and iron deficiency anemia are discussed. A case in which anemia and dietary aberration were incidental to the admitting diagnosis is presented.
Aromatics from Lignocellulosic Biomass: Economic Analysis of the Production of p‐Xylene from 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural

A novel production of biobased p-xylene from hydroxymethylfurfual has been investigated and presented. This is an important part of a process for the production of aromatics from lignocellulosic biomass. The detailed flow sheets are designed based on laboratory experiments by Leshkov et al. and William et al. and economic analysis has been performed. The minimum biobased p-xylene cost is estimated as $3,962/metric ton, of which the main contribution comes from the HMF cost. Sensitivity analysis has been used to assess the impact of uncertainties of economic parameters and also to determine the most significant reaction factor in the technological development, i.e., selectivity and conversion. It has been shown that high selectivity is favored at the same yield. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 2079–2087, 2013
SciCentr and BioLearn: two 3D implementations of CVE science museums

In this paper, we present and compare two examples of the use of the Active Worlds client/server technology for implementation of 3D multi-user virtual science museums: SciCentr, developed as a standalone environment at the Cornell Theory Center, Cornell University's high-performance computing center, and Biolearn, a virtual visitors center for the proposed LifeLearn Bioregional Learning Center on the Northern California Coast. SciCenter focuses on interactive exhibits analogous to those of a traditional hands-on science center, but presented solely within the virtual space. In contrast, BioLearn is designed to provide a globally accessible interactive tour of the seaside museum and preserve by offering web-based information about the bioregion in a dynamic, natural 3D setting.
Exercise-provoked distal atrioventricular block.

Abstract Spontaneous or pacing-induced nonfunctional atrioventricular (AV) block occurring distal to the His bundle recording site is associated with a high probability of subsequent syncope or progression to high grade AV block.1 Accordingly, a reliable noninvasive method that could potentially unmask distal His-Purkinje block would be helpful in identifying patients in whom invasive conduction system studies should be undertaken. We report 3 patients in whom the occurrence of second-degree AV block during exercise testing unmasked serious underlying conduction system disease, which would have otherwise gone undetected by routine ambulatory monitoring and resting electrocardiograms. Subsequent evaluation of their conduction systems by electrophysiologic studies revealed marked prolongation of the HV interval and AV block distal to the His bundle in response to rapid atrial pacing.
SU-E-T-29: A Web Application for GPU-Based Monte Carlo IMRT/VMAT QA with Delivered Dose Verification

Purpose: To enable an existing web application for GPU-based Monte Carlo (MC) 3D dosimetry quality assurance (QA) to compute “delivered dose” from linac logfile data. Methods: We added significant features to an IMRT/VMAT QA web application which is based on existing technologies (HTML5, Python, and Django). This tool interfaces with python, c-code libraries, and command line-based GPU applications to perform a MC-based IMRT/VMAT QA. The web app automates many complicated aspects of interfacing clinical DICOM and logfile data with cutting-edge GPU software to run a MC dose calculation. The resultant web app is powerful, easy to use, and is able to re-compute both plan dose (from DICOM data) and delivered dose (from logfile data). Both dynalog and trajectorylog file formats are supported. Users upload zipped DICOM RP, CT, and RD data and set the expected statistic uncertainty for the MC dose calculation. A 3D gamma index map, 3D dose distribution, gamma histogram, dosimetric statistics, and DVH curves are displayed to the user. Additional the user may upload the delivery logfile data from the linac to compute a 'delivered dose' calculation and corresponding gamma tests. A comprehensive PDF QA report summarizing the results can also be downloaded. Results: We successfully improvedmore » a web app for a GPU-based QA tool that consists of logfile parcing, fluence map generation, CT image processing, GPU based MC dose calculation, gamma index calculation, and DVH calculation. The result is an IMRT and VMAT QA tool that conducts an independent dose calculation for a given treatment plan and delivery log file. The system takes both DICOM data and logfile data to compute plan dose and delivered dose respectively. Conclusion: We sucessfully improved a GPU-based MC QA tool to allow for logfile dose calculation. The high efficiency and accessibility will greatly facilitate IMRT and VMAT QA.« less
Strain elastography for prediction of breast cancer tumor grades.

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to determine whether the elasticity imaging/B-mode ratio on strain elastography can predict breast cancer tumor grades. METHODS A retrospective review of patients with breast lesions who underwent strain elastography and had a diagnosis of breast cancer by image-guided or surgical biopsy was performed. The axis of the maximum elastographic dimension was compared to the B-mode dimension to form an elasticity imaging/B-mode ratio. Lesions were categorized according to their pathologic type, including atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH), mucinous or colloid cancer, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), grade I invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), grade II IDC, grade III IDC, invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC), and lymphoma. The mean elasticity imaging/B-mode ratio of each tumor type was calculated. The elasticity imaging/B-mode ratio of the tumor was compared to the tumor type by Kruskal-Wallis and Tukey-Kramer tests (lymphoma and ADH excluded because of small numbers). RESULTS Tumor grades included lymphoma (n = 3), ADH (n = 2), mucinous cancer (n = 11), DCIS (n = 19), IDC (grades I-III; n = 200), and ILC (n = 31). The mean elasticity imaging/B-mode ratio varied with increasing tumor grade. Tumor grades could not have been selected at random from one population (P < .0001, χ(2) test). Invasive lobular carcinoma and grade III IDC were statistically different from mucinous or colloid cancer, DCIS, and grade I and II IDC. CONCLUSIONS The elasticity imaging/B-mode ratio on strain elastography is related to the tumor grade.
Trotline efficiencies and catch rates in a large river

Trotlines have proved to be an effective collection method for riverine fish species, but an understanding of the interaction between fish and gear post-deployment is lacking. The objectives of this study were to use trotlines rigged with hook timers that record the time when fish are hooked to determine the activation rate of hook timers, to determine the retention rate of fish on trot lines, to document hourly catch rates and to document whether hooking duration causes stress or mortality. Four thousand hook timers were deployed in an 80.5 rkm reach of the Missouri River during April 2011, resulting in a mean catch rate of 14.6 fish per line, while 3.1 timers per line were activated but did not capture a fish. Over half of all fish were captured within 4 h post-deployment. Stress and mortality associated with trotlines did not appear to be related to hooking duration. This study showed that hourly catch rates and retention rates can be ascertained from the use of trotlines rigged with hook timers. Information gathered from this study and further investigation with hook timers could aid in targeting specific time of day and set duration to collect river fish more efficiently, especially sturgeons, Scaphirhynchus species.
Recognizing distinctive faces: a hybrid-similarity exemplar model account.

In recognition memory experiments, Nosofsky and Zaki (2003) found that adding discrete distinctive features to continuous-dimension color stimuli helped participants to identify old items as old (the old-item distinctiveness effect), as well as to identify new items as new. The present study tests the extent to which these results generalize to the domain of face recognition. Two experiments were conducted, one using artificial faces and one using natural faces. Artificial faces were used to test memory for faces with discrete distinctive features while controlling the similarity of the faces themselves on more continuous dimensions. The natural-face experiment used the faces of 40 bald men categorized into three groups (typical, isolated, and distinctive) based on experimental ratings of distinctiveness. In both experiments, there were strong effects of the distinctive features on recognition performance. The data were accounted for reasonably well by a hybrid-similarity version of an exemplar recognition model (Nosofsky & Zaki, 2003), which includes a feature-matching mechanism that can provide boosts to an item’s self-similarity.
Recovery of thyroid antibodies from human thyroid preparations sensitized in vitro.

THE development of circulating autoantibodies to thyroglobulin in some forms of experimentally produced animal thyroiditis or in chronic human thyroiditis has been described1.