cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Self-localization of a tethered quadcopter using inertial sensors in a GPS-denied environment

This paper presents a novel approach to estimate the relative position of an aerial vehicle that is connected to a fixed location on the ground through a taut tether of varying length. The onboard commercial-of-the-shelf (COTS) inertial sensors are the only source of sensory data used for the proposed approach. A three-dimensional (3D) dynamics model of the tethered quadcopter system is presented illustrating the use of the cable force in estimating the relative position of the aerial vehicle. We demonstrate the validity of the proposed approach in software simulations. The results show the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed approach.
Cervical funneling or intra-amniotic debris and preterm birth in nulliparous women with midtrimester cervical length less than 30 mm.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether the presence of cervical funneling or intra-amniotic debris identified in the second trimester is associated with a higher rate of preterm birth (PTB) in asymptomatic nulliparous pregnant women with a midtrimester cervical length (CL) less than 30 mm (i.e. below the 10th percentile). METHODS This was a secondary cohort analysis of data from a multicenter trial in nulliparous women between 16 and 22 weeks' gestation with a singleton gestation and CL less than 30 mm on transvaginal ultrasound, randomized to treatment with either 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate or placebo. Sonographers were centrally certified in CL measurement, as well as in identification of intra-amniotic debris and cervical funneling. Univariable and multivariable analysis was performed to assess the associations of cervical funneling and intra-amniotic debris with PTB. RESULTS Of the 657 women randomized, 112 (17%) had cervical funneling only, 33 (5%) had intra-amniotic debris only and 45 (7%) had both on second-trimester ultrasound. Women with either of these findings had a shorter median CL than those without (21.0 mm vs 26.4 mm; P < 0.001). PTB prior to 37 weeks was more likely in women with cervical funneling (37% vs 21%; odds ratio (OR), 2.2 (95% CI, 1.5-3.3)) or intra-amniotic debris (35% vs 23%; OR, 1.7 (95% CI, 1.1-2.9)). Results were similar for PTB before 34 and before 32 weeks' gestation. After multivariable adjustment that included CL, PTB < 34 and < 32 weeks continued to be associated with the presence of intra-amniotic debris (adjusted OR (aOR), 1.85 (95% CI, 1.00-3.44) and aOR, 2.78 (95% CI, 1.42-5.45), respectively), but not cervical funneling (aOR, 1.17 (95% CI, 0.63-2.17) and aOR, 1.45 (95% CI, 0.71-2.96), respectively). CONCLUSIONS Among asymptomatic nulliparous women with midtrimester CL less than 30 mm, the presence of intra-amniotic debris, but not cervical funneling, is associated with an increased risk for PTB before 34 and 32 weeks' gestation, independently of CL. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
The Role of Priors in Active Bayesian Learning in the Sequential Statistical Decision Framework

This chapter introduces the notions of rational expectations and optimal learning extensively used in economic theory.* It has become well known from recent literature that in active learning situations (where the actions of the statistician, or the person learning about some parameters, influences the draws from the distribution about which he/she is learning), full learning may not take place. This challenges the use of the rational expectations hypothesis which is justified on the basis that agents operating in an economy eventually all learn the true structure of the economy and optimize accordingly. In El-Gamal and Sundaram (1989, 1990) we presented a framework where a Bayesian economist imposes priors on agent-priors and we then study the evolution of those economist beliefs. We showed that generically, the economist limit beliefs generically do not have point mass at any particular agent-belief, let alone the true rational expectations belief. We show, however, that in most cases where there is sufficient variability in the law of motion that the agents are trying to learn, in sequential models that are extensively used in the economic literature, the rational expectations hypothesis may indeed be justified on the basis of optimizing and optimally updating agents.
Transformation of a non-secretory neuroendocrine tumor to insulinoma after treatment with Sunitinib: A case report and review of the literature:

We report a case of a non-secretory neuroendocrine tumor which transformed into an insulin secreting tumor after treatment with Sunitinib. To our knowledge, this has only been described in three other cases worldwide. Previously reported case series find transformation of non-secretory neuroendocrine cancers into secretory lesions occurs in 3.4-6.8% of cases. Sunitinib is known to have the potential to lower blood glucose and induce epigenetic changes in cells of various types. We hypothesize that the mechanism for Sunitinib-induced transformation in cancer phenotype is through epigenetic changes in DNA expression within the tumor cells.
Cash and Cash Equivalents

Balance sheet (also known as the statement of financial position) provides the value of firm’s assets, liabilities, and equity on a particular date. Cash and cash equivalents is an asset that appears on the statement of financial position of a business and includes currency (coins and banknotes) held by a business (in hand and in bank accounts) and cash equivalents.
Blood Donation, Sexual Practices, and Self-Perceived Risk for HIV in the United States Among Young Adult Men Who Have Sex With Men

Objectives:In the United States, all men who have sex with men (MSM) were banned from donating blood from 1985 through 2015. In 2016, the guideline was amended such that men who had sexual contact ...
Modeling oceanic nitrate and nitrite concentrations and isotopes using a 3-D inverse N cycle model

Nitrite (NO2-) is a key intermediate in the marine nitrogen (N) cycle and a substrate in nitrification, which produces nitrate (NO3-), as well as water column N loss processes denitrification and anammox. In models of the marine N cycle, NO2- is often not considered as a separate state variable, since NO3- occurs in much higher concentrations in the ocean. In oxygen deficient zones (ODZs), however, NO2- represents a substantial fraction of the bioavailable N, and modeling its production and consumption is important to understand the N cycle processes occurring there, especially those where bioavailable N is lost from or retained within the water column. Improving N cycle models by including NO2- is important in order to better quantify N cycling rates in ODZs, particularly N loss rates. Here we present the expansion of a global 3-D inverse N cycle model to include NO2- as a reactive intermediate as well as the processes that produce and consume NO2- in marine ODZs. NO2- accumulation in ODZs is accurately represented by the model involving NO3- reduction, NO2- reduction, NO2- oxidation, and anammox. We model both 14N and 15N and use a compilation of oceanographic measurements of NO3- and NO2- concentrations and isotopes to place a better constraint on the N cycle processes occurring. The model is optimized using a range of isotope effects for denitrification and NO2- oxidation, and we find that the larger (more negative) inverse isotope effects for NO2- oxidation, along with relatively high rates of NO2-, oxidation give a better simulation of NO3- and NO2- concentrations and isotopes in marine ODZs.
Evaluation and Reformulation of the Commissions’ Mandate

In the opening chapter we suggested that the implementation of a regulatory statute be viewed as a cyclical process involving a number of stages: (1) the policy outputs (decisions) of the implementing agencies, (2) target group compliance with those decisions, (3) the actual impacts (both intended and unintended) of those decision, (4) the perceived impacts of agency policies as seen by the general public and relevant political elites, and (5) the political system’s evaluation of the implementation process through revisions (or attempted revisions) in the basic statute. If extensive revisions emerge from the legislative process, the cycle simply begins anew. 1
Estimating Clinical Trial Success Rates and Related Parameters in Oncology

We extend earlier large-scale studies of clinical trial statistics by focusing on the performance of oncology trials. Using 108,248 data points between January 1, 2005, and September 31, 2018, compiled from the Citeline database, we investigate the duration of clinical trials and compute the probabilities of success of 24,448 oncology drug development programs by disease group. While the overall phase 1 to approval rate for all oncology-related drug development programs is 3.3%, individual disease groups have approval rates ranging from 0% to 10.1%. Similar patterns can be seen for oncology orphan drug development programs, where the overall probability of success ranges from 0% to 8.3%, with an overall average of 1.9%. We find overwhelming evidence that using biomarkers for patient selection is effective in almost all disease groups within oncology, raising the overall probability of success by an average of 13.3%.
Understanding how discrimination can affect health.

Background To provide an overview of the empirical research linking self-reports of racial discrimination to health status and health service utilization. Methods A review of literature reviews and meta-analyses published from January 2013 to 2019 was conducted using PubMed, PsycINFO, Sociological Abstracts, and Web of Science. Articles were considered for inclusion using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework. Results Twenty-nine studies met the criteria for review. Both domestic and international studies find that experiences of discrimination reported by adults are adversely related to mental health and indicators of physical health, including preclinical indicators of disease, health behaviors, utilization of care, and adherence to medical regimens. Emerging evidence also suggests that discrimination can affect the health of children and adolescents and that at least some of its adverse effects may be ameliorated by the presence of psychosocial resources. Conclusions Increasing evidence indicates that racial discrimination is an emerging risk factor for disease and a contributor to racial disparities in health. Attention is needed to strengthen research gaps and to advance our understanding of the optimal interventions that can reduce the negative effects of discrimination.
Evolution of Immune Checkpoint Blockade-Induced Myocarditis Over 2 Years.

Ipilimumab and nivolumab for melanoma induced smoldering myocarditis remitting with steroids. Rechallenge with nivolumab produced steroid-refractory myocarditis confirmed by electron microscopy. Tacrolimus and mycophenolate transiently reduced inflammation, but antithymocyte globulin induced remission. Cardiomyopathy with fatty infiltration ensued, but the patient succumbed to rampant melanoma progression after lymphocyte depletion. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.).
Tracing Sweetgum Lignin's Molecular Properties through Biorefinery Processing

Changes to the molecular properties of lignin over the course of biorefinery processing were investigated by using sweetgum as a feedstock. Hydrothermal pretreatment has been used because it is an economically attractive, green process. Three representative biorefinery lignin preparations were obtained, with about 70 % yield based on raw lignin. The three fractions included soluble lignin adsorbed on resin (XADL), solvent-extracted lignin (HTCELp), and an additional ball-milled residual lignin (HTRELp). By comparing the raw and biorefinery lignin preparations, it can be concluded that lignin undergoes both degradation and condensation throughout the various stages of the hydrothermal-based biorefinery process. The two fractions made soluble by biorefinery processing, XADL and HTCELp, were found to be low-molecular-weight degradation products enriched with free phenolic hydroxyl groups. In addition, about 15 % of noncondensed phenolic units were involved in condensation reactions. Quantitative NMR spectroscopy analysis revealed that at least about 28 % of β-O-4' substructures were cleaved. Hibbert's ketones were identified in XADL and HTRELp, which provided evidence of lignin undergoing acidolysis. The contents of β-5' and β-β' did not change significantly upon biorefinery processing. Finally, episyringaresinol was detected in XADL and HTCELp. It is hoped that these findings will help to further demonstrate the specific effects of biorefinery processing on lignin in hardwood and facilitate its utilization to improve biorefinery economics.
ANALYSIS OF HEMOGLOBIN AND MOLECULAR MUTATIONS OF A FAMILY WITH β-THA-LASSEMIA COMBINED WITH HPFH

This paper described a family with β-thalas-semia combined with HPFH found in Guangdong province. DNA analysis by PCR/ASO probe techniques indicated that the β-thalassemia in this family was due to IVS-2 n.654 C→T in the β-globin gene, which was inherited from the maternal side. HPLC analysis was shown that the HPFH belonged toAr type (Ar 96.8%) ,which came from the paternal side. This heterozygous case with β-thalassemia/HPFH was of significance for the investigation of the globin synthesis and regulation. Key words: Thalassemia; HPFH; β-globin gene cluster; mutation
First-Mile-Last-Mile Collector-Distributor System using Shared Autonomous Mobility:

High costs of owning fully-automated or autonomous vehicles (AVs) will fuel the demand for shared mobility, with zero driver costs. Although sharing sounds good for the transport system, congestion...
Ab initio effective rotational and rovibrational Hamiltonians for non-rigid systems via curvilinear second order vibrational Møller-Plesset perturbation theory

We present a perturbative method for ab initio calculations of rotational and rovibrational effective Hamiltonians of both rigid and non-rigid molecules. Our approach is based on a curvilinear implementation of second order vibrational Moller-Plesset perturbation theory extended to include rotational effects via a second order contact transformation. Though more expensive, this approach is significantly more accurate than standard second order vibrational perturbation theory for systems that are poorly described to zeroth order by rectilinear normal mode harmonic oscillators. We apply this method to and demonstrate its accuracy on two molecules: Si2C, a quasilinear triatomic with significant bending anharmonicity, and CH3NO2, which contains a completely unhindered methyl rotor. In addition to these two examples, we discuss several key technical aspects of the method, including an efficient implementation of Eckart and quasi-Eckart frame embedding that does not rely on numerical finite differences.
Child maltreatment: An intergenerational cascades model of risk processes potentiating child psychopathology

Abstract Background Child maltreatment poses substantial risk for compromised mental health in children. Further, child abuse and neglect are potentiated within a cascade of intergenerational and current familial risk processes that require clarification to inform understanding of adverse outcomes and direct prevention and intervention efforts. Objective Using a multi-informant design, the current study applied an intergenerational cascades approach to examine the interconnected pathways among several familial risk factors associated with child maltreatment and its consequences. Participants Participants were 378 children (aged 10−12) and their mothers from economically disadvantaged, ethnically diverse backgrounds. The sample included maltreated children recruited via CPS records and demographically comparable non-maltreated children. Methods Structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted to test sequential mediation pathways examining the independent and cascading effects of maternal history of childhood maltreatment, maternal adolescent childbearing, current maternal depression, and the child’s lifetime history of maltreatment on the child’s internalizing and externalizing symptoms. Results Multigenerational developmental cascades were identified. Maternal history of maltreatment predicted chronic maltreatment for offspring, which in turn predicted greater internalizing (β = .167, p = .03) and externalizing symptoms (β = .236, p = .005) in late childhood. Similarly, children born to mothers who began childbearing in adolescence were more likely to experience chronic maltreatment during childhood and develop subsequent symptoms. Effects were found over and above a parallel cascade from maternal maltreatment to offspring psychopathology via a maternal depression pathway. Conclusion Findings reveal targets to prevent or ameliorate progressions of intergenerational risk pathways.
The Death of the Privacy Policy? Effective Disclosures after in Re Sears

This Note analyzes a 2009 Federal Trade Commission settlement regarding a customer-feedback application that collected personal data from online banking statements, video rental transactions, library borrowing histories, and drug prescription records. It argues that given the breadth and nature of the data collected, the company’s initial use of the broad term “online browsing” in offers describing the application were deceptive under Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, even if those claims were later supplemented by a complete disclosure in a privacy policy. This settlement does not, however, signal the end of privacy policies. Instead, the case suggests that a privacy policy alone may no longer be sufficient to disclose material information about a company’s data-tracking practices. This Note concludes with five recommendations for privacy disclosures after the In re Sears settlement.
Associations amongst form of cocaine used (powder vs crack vs both) and HIV-related outcomes

Abstract Introduction Cocaine (including powder and crack) use is common among people with HIV (PWH). We identified socio-demographic and behavioral factors associated with cocaine use (overall and various forms) among PWH; we also examined differences in HIV treatment outcomes across cocaine exposure groups. Methods The study sample (N = 1166) was derived from two cohorts of PWH in Florida between 2014 and 2020. Baseline data were linked to the Enhanced HIV/AIDS Reporting System (eHARS) which tracks HIV viral load. Socio-demographics and polysubstance use were compared by cocaine use and the three cocaine use groups (powder only n = 101, crack only n = 91, or both n = 65). The association between the three cocaine use groups, ART adherence, and HIV viral suppression ( Results People who used cocaine had lower HIV treatment adherence and viral suppression than those who did not use. People who used powder cocaine only were more likely to be younger, Hispanic/Latinx, and employed than those who used crack only or both. Compared to people who used both powder and crack cocaine, those who used one form of cocaine had 3 + odds of having durable viral suppression in the following year. Conclusion The dual use of both powder and crack cocaine was associated with significantly worse HIV outcomes compared to use of only one form of cocaine. Screening for powder and crack cocaine use and timely intervention are needed to improve HIV treatment outcomes among this high-risk population.
Culture of collaboration: An essential component of motivating readers with language disorders

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to report the results from a research project which focused on understanding how motivation to read is manifested and maintained in children with learning impairments. The participants were enrolled in a specialized university literacy program with graduate student clinicians. Method: An interpretative, qualitative study utilizing components of ethnography and microanalysis was employed to analyze video transcripts of recorded therapy sessions of speech-language pathology student clinicians and children with language disorders. These interactions were coded for the nature of their role in motivating children to read. Results and conclusions: This study revealed that a culture of collaboration was a hallmark of treatment that facilitated motivation in the participants. Two key characteristics of motivated behavior that emerged as a result of this culture of collaboration are identified and described. Additionally, three specific, collaborative, therapeutic strategies found to sustain motivation to read are described.
Pain Management Considerations in Patients with Opioid Use Disorder Requiring Critical Care.

The opioid epidemic has resulted in increased opioid-related critical care admissions, presenting challenges in acute pain management. Limited guidance exists in the management of critically ill patients with opioid use disorder (OUD). This narrative review provides the intensive care unit (ICU) clinician with guidance and treatment options, including non-opioid analgesia, for patients receiving medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and for patients actively misusing opioids. Verification and continuation of the patient's outpatient MOUD regimen, specifically buprenorphine and methadone formulations, assessment of pain and opioid withdrawal, and treatment of acute pain with non-opioid analgesia, nonpharmacologic strategies, and short-acting opioids as needed, are all essential to adequate management of acute pain in patients with OUD. A multidisciplinary approach to treatment and discharge planning in patients with OUD may be beneficial to engage patients with OUD early in their hospital stay to prevent withdrawal, stabilize their OUD, and to reduce the risk of unplanned discharge and other associated morbidity. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Farm to School as a strategy to increase children's fruit and vegetable consumption in the United States: Research and recommendations

Summary The majority of children in the United States (US) do not consume the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables for their age and gender. Farm to School (FTS) has been promoted as a strategy to increase consumption of these foods among US schoolchildren in primary and secondary schools (ages 5–19). FTS programmes connect schools to farmers and locally grown foods through a variety of activities that provide nutrition education and exposure to fruits and vegetables. This paper reviews the literature assessing the impact of these programmes on fruit and vegetable consumption among children in the US and makes recommendations for future research to improve knowledge of the efficacy of such approaches. While FTS programmes are becoming increasingly popular in the US, there is a paucity of peer-reviewed research assessing its overall impact on children's actual consumption of fruits and vegetables. Instead, the majority of literature on FTS has focused on school lunch participation rates and self-reported intake or selection of fruits and vegetables in programme evaluations that are usually self-conducted by individual FTS programmes. These studies tended to use surveys that have not been validated against actual fruit and vegetable consumption and so are not necessarily representative of actual consumption. To a lesser extent, validated self-report dietary assessment methods have been used but these methods are subject to children's misreporting. Based on the types of methods used in most of the current literature on FTS, it is difficult to draw conclusions about its true impact on children's fruit and vegetable consumption. However, continued implementation of FTS is encouraged based on the positive outcomes observed in other school interventions with similarities to FTS. Future studies assessing the impact of FTS on children's dietary behaviour should adopt validated dietary assessment methods to measure fruit and vegetable consumption, especially those that require observation of children's actual intake in order to eliminate errors from children's self-report.
Using Facebook to Engage Biology Undergraduates and Keep Alumni Connected

The UNH Manchester Biology Program launched its Facebook (Fb) page, “UNHM Biology Majors,” in 2012. Many of our students were using Fb, and we immediately saw the value of Fb as a virtual bulletin ...
Competition Among Market Centers

We examine competition among six market centers for NYSE-listed stocks using SEC Rule 11ac-5 data. We find that: market centers competing with the NYSE execute orders in only a subset of stocks, order types and order sizes, that differences in effective spreads are generally much smaller than suggested by comparisons of overall averages though reliable differences remain, that order flow routed to the NYSE is substantially more informed that order flow routed to broker-dealers and other exchanges (though less informed than marketable limit orders routed to ECNs), and that prevailing spreads differ at time of order arrival. More importantly, we find that differences in effective spreads between the NYSE and some market centers are related to characteristics of the stocks traded. Taken together, our results suggest that competition among market centers is imperfect and that some market centers carve out profitable niches in the stocks they trade and/or the orders they execute.
Subharmonic Resonance of Nonlinear Cross-waves: Theory and Experiment

Recent analytical and experimental results on the parametric resonance of cross-waves are presented. The results of a matched asymptotic expansion including the viscous effects from the free surface, sidewalls, bottom, and wavemaker boundary layers are presented. Results from a bifurcation analysis reveal a transition to hysteretic behavior which is observed experimentally. Finally, the equations governing cross-wave evolution for two coupled unstable modes are presented.
First-Day Stock Returns to Issuing Initial Corporate Bond and Seasoned Equity

This paper examines the intraday return of stock price in response to announcement of initial corporate debt offerings and seasoned equity offerings. We find that the average stock price reaction to initial debt offerings is positive, in comparison to an established notion that average stock price return to regular corporate debt offerings is not significantly different from zero. Moreover, firms issuing initial debt offerings with higher price/earnings ratio are found to experience more positive stock price return. Although the stock price reaction to initial debt offerings is negatively affected by the expected post-issuance long term debt ratio, the stock price return is interestingly positively correlated with the amount of debt to be issued. These findings support the theory of quality signaling by debt financing and provide evidence to the static trade-off model of capital structure. As for seasoned equity offering, we find that average stock reaction is significantly negative, which is consistent with all existing studies. Firms issuing seasoned equity offerings experience less negative stock price return if they have higher post-issuance long-term debt ratio and lower the pre-issuance liability/assets ratio relative to the industry average, which suggest that, whenever seasoned equity is issued, valuation of the firm goes down with the decrease of leverage, and market participants instead favor higher long term leverage.
Communication overhead of nested loop operation in multidatabase system

This paper summarizes some of the results from a previous paper by the author (see DTD Technical Memo HPL-DTD-91-5, HP Labs., 1991). The purpose is to characterize the interprocess communication (IPC) overhead in the context of multidatabase operations. A quantitative analysis of the cost of a distributed query is becoming increasingly important as operations across multiple databases are becoming more common. A global nested-loop (NL) join method is one of the least-complicated methods for joining data across data sources. One of the advantages of the algorithm is that it works even when an external operation is a method call whose input parameters, unlike a query, must be bound at invocation time. >
GVHD and miR: good things in small packages.

In this issue of Blood, Wu et al demonstrate that a cluster of microRNAs (miRs) previously shown to be important in malignant disease and B-cell development plays a critical role in the proinflammatory function of donor T cells that mediate acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).1
Local insulin-like growth factor I expression induces physiologic, then pathologic, cardiac hypertrophy in transgenic mice

In the present study we determined the long-term effects of persistent, local insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) expression on cardiac function in the SIS2 transgenic mouse. Cardiac mass/tibial length was increased in SIS2 mice by 10 wk of age; this cardiac hypertrophy became more pronounced later in life. Peak aortic outflow velocity, a correlate of cardiac output, was increased at 10 wk in SIS2 mice but was decreased at 52 wk. 72 wk SIS2 mouse hearts exhibited wide variability in the extent of cardiac hypertrophy and enlargement of individual cardiac myofibers. Sirius red staining revealed increased fibrosis in 72 wk SIS2 hearts. Persistent local IGF-I expression is sufficient to initially induce an analog of physiological cardiac hypertrophy in which peak aortic outflow velocity is increased relative to controls in the absence of any observed detrimental histological changes. However, this hypertrophy progresses to a pathological condition characterized by decreased systolic performance and increased...
Factitious disorder (Munchausen's syndrome) in oncology: case report and literature review.

Background Factitious disorder is where patients repeatedly seek medical care for feigned illnesses in the absence of obvious external rewards; ‘Munchausen's syndrome’ is the historical name for this disorder. Method We report on a case that was presented to a tertiary oncology center as a suspected rare bone cancer. Results and Conclusions Psychosocial clinicians working in oncology settings should be aware of the complexities of diagnosing factitious disorder in cancer settings where empathy is prominent and suspicion unusual. Moreover, comorbidity can cloud the diagnosis (in this case substance abuse), and, even when accurately diagnosed, there are no evidence-based management approaches to offer to the patient. What seems to linger most after the patient is discharged, usually in a huff, are strong counter-transference feelings and substantial medical bills. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intravascular contrast agent T2* relaxivity in brain tissue

Dynamic susceptibility-weighted contrast-enhanced (DSC) MRI perfusion measurements depend on estimating intravascular contrast agent (CA) concentrations (C) from signal intensity changes in T2*-weighted images after bolus injection. Generally, linearity is assumed between relaxation and C, but previous studies have shown that compartmentalization of CA and secondary magnetic field perturbations generate deviations from linearity. Physical phantoms using bulk blood have been used to empirically determine the relationship between relaxation rate and C in large vessels. However, the relaxivity of CA in the microvasculature is not easily measured since constructing appropriate phantoms is difficult. Instead, theoretical relaxivity models have been developed. In this study, we empirically tested a non-linear expression based on static dephasing regime (SDR) and linear approximation. Signal-time curves in white (WM) and grey matter (GM) were converted to concentration time curves (CTCs) using both expressions. Parameters for both linear and non-linear formulations were adjusted to give a best agreement between cerebral blood volumes (CBV) calculated from WM and arterial CTCs in a group of normal subjects scanned at 3T. Optimized parameters were used to calculate blood volume in WM and GM in healthy subjects scanned at 3T and in meningioma patients scanned at 1.5T. Results from this study showed that a non-linear SDR formulation gave an acceptable functional form for tissue relaxivity, giving reliable CBV estimates at different field strengths and echo times. Copyright (c) 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Resection of primary leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava (IVC) with reconstruction: a case series and review of the literature.

Background Leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava (IVC) is a rare tumor which presents a unique surgical challenge. We present a series of six cases of leiomyosarcoma resection performed with IVC reconstruction. Methods Retrospective chart review was performed for patients undergoing initial operative resection of primary leiomyosarcoma with IVC reconstruction, at a tertiary care center. Results Between 2005–2013, six patients underwent resection with reconstruction. Half were female, and the mean age at presentation was 57 ± 15.4 years. Three patients required en bloc resection with adjacent organs. Three patients were resected on venovenous bypass, and one on cardiopulmonary bypass. Three underwent IVC patch repair (bovine pericardium, n = 2; saphenous vein, n = 1), and three had IVC reconstruction with graft (Dacron, n = 1; PTFE, n = 1; aortic homograft, n = 1). All achieved grossly negative margins. Median disease-free survival was 34 months (IQR 7–52 months), and median disease-specific survival was 51 months (IQR 20–108). Five year disease-free and disease-specific survival rates were 30% and 66.7%, respectively. Conclusions Leiomyosarcomas of the IVC present a technical challenge to the surgeon. Careful preoperative workup and a collaborative team consisting of experienced cardiac and vascular surgeons and surgical oncologists can allow for a safe and successful operation despite extensive tumor involvement. J. Surg. Oncol. 2015 111:328–333. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Progressive image transmission: an adaptive quadtree-pruning approach

Summary form only given. Progressive, adaptive and hierarchical modes are desirable image coding features. This paper presents a quadtree-pruning pyramid coding scheme satisfying all these objectives. Pyramid coding is an approach suitable for progressive image transmission, where the original image is divided into different levels that correspond to successive approximants of the original one. Starting from the original image, a sequence of reduced-size images is formed by averaging intensity values over 2/spl times/2-pixel blocks. This sequence, called the mean pyramid, ends with an image with only one pixel. Then another sequence of images, called the difference pyramid which can be further encoded via vector quantization, is formed by taking the difference of two consecutive images in the mean pyramid. Our quadtree-pruning approach uses only the mean pyramid. Experiments show that the quadtree-pruning pyramid method is quite efficient for lossy compression. Our approach can also be used for lossless compression by simply setting the threshold function to be zero.
Breaking the Web of Abuse and Silence: Voices of Battered Women in Japan

This article presents the findings of a focus group research project with battered women in Tokyo, Japan. Participants' narratives of their experience with their partners' violence suggest a web of entrapment, from which women saw little possibility of escape. The partners' physical violence, interference with the women's social participation, isolation from supportive networks, and degradation and debasement entrapped participants. The victim-blaming attitudes of family, friends, and professionals, as well as the lack of assistance programs and police protection often reinforced the web. When these women took the risk of exposing what was long considered private and shameful, isolation was broken. Designed as an action research project, the study resulted in the formation of the Japan's first community-based support group for battered women. The article discusses implications for social work practice and research with immigrant battered women, those from Japan in particular.
Adaptive MMSE equalization for wideband CDMA forward link with time-varying frequency selective channels

In recent years, receivers based on channel equalization on the chip-level prior to despreading have been proposed for the 3G wideband CDMA forward link. Of these the chip-level MMSE equalizer has attracted much interest. In this paper, we investigate the performance of training-based MMSE equalizers in moderate to rapid time-varying Rayleigh faded channels. We show that the standard MMSE equalizers fail to adequately track the time-variations as large Doppler shifts. We also demonstrate that chip-level MMSE equalizers that exploit the underlying channel structure, specifically the fact that the channel impulse response is sparse, are much more robust against time-selective fading. This equalizer is obtained by projecting the full-rank data vectors onto a much lower dimensional subspace spanned by a few columns of the pulse shaping filter convolution matrix, as determined by the multipath delays. Simulations results show that this low-rank MMSE equalizer performs significantly better than both standard MMSE equalizers and the RAKE receiver in time-varying situations.
Hard-to-cook state in cowpeas-influence of pretreatment and cooking on electrolyte leakage solids-loss and water absorption

Summary The hard-to-cook (HTC) state of cowpea seeds was experimentally induced after differential storage of seeds for 12 months. The storage conditions of control seeds were -18°C and ambient humidity and those of aged seeds were 30°C/64% relative humidity(rh). HTC was induced by incubation in water at 25–85°C and soaking in CaCl2. Subsequent cooking changes in electrolytes, total solids, water absorption, and swelling were determined. During incubation, control seeds showed a dramatic increase in losses at >45°C while aged seeds exhibited an initial high level of loss at 25°C, implying that a loss of cell membrane integrity occurred as a result of thermal stress or aging. Water absorption following incubation increased with incubation temperature, but aged seeds absorbed less water than control seeds. During subsequent cooking HTC state, whether induced via aging or treatments, resulted in less leakage, solids loss and water absorption (swelling), although the total leakage for incubation and cooking remained roughly constant. Overall results suggest that an increase in Ca-uptake capacity of aged seeds or incubated control seeds as reported earlier may result from improved access of cations to the binding sites at intracellular locations.
EFFICIENT SYNTHESIS OF 1,2,4‐DITHIAZOLIDINE‐3,5‐DIONES (DITHIASUCCINOYL‐AMINES) AND OBSERVATIONS ON FORMATION OF 1,2,4‐THIADIAZOLIDINE‐3,5‐DIONES BY RELATED CHEMISTRY

An efficient synthesis of 1,2,4-dithiazolidine-3,5-diones (1) from chlorocarbonylsulfenyl chloride (3) plus O-dimethylaminoethyl-N-alkyl or aryl thiocarbamates (4) has been worked out. In this synthesis, 1,2,4-thiadiazolidine-3,5-diones (5) have been shown to arise as low-level by-products, and experiments were conducted to elucidate the mechanism of the side reaction. N,N′-Dimethyl-1,2,4-thiadiazolidine-3,5-dione (5a) was prepared in one step from N,N′-dimethylurea plus 3, or from 4a plus one equivalent of sulfuryl chloride. A general route to 5 involved reaction of equimolar amounts of isocyanates (6), isothiocyanates (7) and sulfuryl chloride followed by hydrolysis of intermediate 9. Heterocycles reported have been characterized by nmr, ir, uv, ms, and hplc.
Hepatitis C virus core and E2 protein expression in transgenic mice

Transgenic mice have been produced that express the hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein in the liver under the transcriptional control of the mouse major urinary protein promoter. These animals express the full length core protein in cytoplasm of their hepatocytes at levels comparable to those detected in naturally infected patients, without histological or biochemical evidence of liver disease or hepatocellular carcinoma. This contrasts with recent reports that HCV core protein can transform NIH 3T3 cells and cooperates with H-ras to transform primary rat fibroblasts in vitro. Coexpression of HCV core protein in double transgenic mice that replicate the hepatitis B virus (HBV) does not inhibit hepatocellular HBV gene expression or replication, contrary to reports that it inhibits HBV replication in HuH-7 cells after transient transfection in vitro. We have also produced transgenic mice in which a C-terminally truncated (aa384-715) glycosylated HCV E2 protein is expressed in the liver under the transcriptional control of the mouse albumin promoter. Despite the high level expression of HCV E2 protein, no evidence of liver disease was detected in these animals. These results suggest that the HCV core and E2 proteins are not cytopathic for the hepatocyte in vivo, and they represent an initial step in the development of a small animal model of HCV immunopathology.
ACCP Evidence-Based Guideline Development: A Successful and Transparent Approach Addressing Conflict of Interest, Funding, and Patient-Centered Recommendations

Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (EBGs) can provide an invaluable distillation of knowledge regarding best practices based on the available evidence. EBGs, providing accurate and useful guidance to best clinical practices, require a rigorous development process. The American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) has developed a process that embodies transparency, thoroughness, and timeliness, and effective conflict-of-interest management, and it continues to evolve. This process employs a quantitative and rigorous grading of the strength of recommendations and of the quality of evidence that incorporates sensitivity to health-care resource utilization and patient values and preferences. A review of this process is provided to inform the ACCP membership and those wishing to embark on EBG development.
DYNAMICAL SUPERSYMMETRIES IN NUCLEI

It is suggested that dynamical (Bose-Fermi) supersymmetries may be present in the spectra of complex nuclei. A concrete example in which a supersymmetric structure is experimentally observed is shown. In this example the supersymmetry is generated by $L=0$ and $L=2$ bosons together with $j=\frac{3}{2}$ fermions.
Me Janes.Com, who you?

What is effective for teaching the subject of terrorism to undergraduate students? Which resources present a variety of perspectives and critical analyses? Intelligence is the key, and Janes.com is one of the most intelligent resources around.
Three-Dimensional Viscous Flow Analysis of an Advanced Ducted Propeller Subsonic Inlet

A time-marching Navier-Stokes code called PARC3D was used to study the three-dimensional viscous flow associated with an advanced ducted propeller (ADP) subsonic inlet at takeoff operating conditions. At a freestream Mach number of 0.2, experimental data of the ADP inlet model indicated that the flow on the cowl windward lip remained attached at an angle of attack of 25 cleg, became unstable at 29 deg, and separated at 30 deg. An experimental through-flow test study (without propeller) using another, but similar, inlet indicated that the separation occurred at an angle of attack a few degrees below the value observed when the inlet was tested with the propeller. This evidence showed that the propeller exerted a favorable effect on the inlet low speed and high angle-of-attack performance. A stationary blockage device was designed and tested with this latter inlet to simulate the propeller effect. The test data showed that the blockage device helped prevent the inlet flow from being separated at angle of attack a few degrees higher than the inlet through-flow, but was 1 deg lower than the inlet with the propeller. In the present numerical study, this flow blockage was modeled via a PARC3D computational boundary condition (BC) called the screen BC. The principle formulation of this BC was based on the "one-and-half dimensions" actuator disk theory. This screen BC was prescribed at the inlet propeller face station. Numerical results were obtained for inlet flow calculations with and without the screen BC. The results with the screen BC compared better with the ADP experimental test data than those obtained without the screen BC, particularly when the inlet flow separated.
Calculation of parity-nonconserving optical rotation in atomic bismuth

A Dirac-Hartree-Fock potential has been used to evaluate all zeroth- and first-order effects on the parity-nonconserving optical rotation for the 876-nm and 648-nm transitions in Bi. For the 876-nm transition, the zeroth-order result is -9.6\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}8}$ for the ratio $R=\frac{\mathrm{Im}(E1)}{M1}$, and the result after addition of the first-order effect is -7.0\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}8}$. The ratios for the 648-nm transition are -12.8\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}8}$, respectively. To obtain more accurate results, the parity-nonconserving parts of the orbitals were then obtained in a self-consistent procedure by including the weak parity-nonconserving interaction in the one-particle Hamiltonian of the Hartree-Fock equations. Similarly, the electric-dipole functions were modified by taking into account the shielding of the external electric field due to a polarization of the core electrons. Re-evaluation of the first-order diagrams using these functions changes the ratio to $R=\ensuremath{-}8.3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}8}$ for the 876-nm transition and to $R=\ensuremath{-}11.1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}8}$ for the 648-nm transition.
Catch-and-Release Mortality of Spotted Seatrout in Texas: Effects of Tournaments, Seasonality, and Anatomical Hooking Location

Abstract The purpose of this study was to assess initial and delayed mortality of spotted seatrout Cynoscion nebulosus captured during live-release tournaments. Additionally, we examined spotted seatrout mortality as a function of season and anatomical hooking location. We assessed tournament-related mortality at 10 live-release fishing tournaments held in four Texas bays—Galveston, Matagorda, Aransas, and Upper Laguna Madre—from February 2004 to April 2006. Combined overall mean mortality was 22.9%, mean initial mortality (percent of dead fish brought to weigh-in) was 10.4%, mean delayed mortality (percent of fish that died in tournament holding tanks) was 14.1%, and delayed short-term mortality (percent of fish that died during a 14-d observation period in laboratory tanks) was 1.9%. To assess seasonal mortality, we examined a total of 364 spotted seatrout captured by hook and line from July 2004 to June 2005 using replicated 3.5-m3 field enclosures for 72 h. Overall mortality for the seasonal study was...