cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MACHINE LEARNING IDENTIFIES SITES WHERE ABLATION TERMINATES PERSISTENT ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

Identifying organization regions in persistent atrial fibrillation(AF) may improve ablation, but results range from excellent to poor. Interpreting maps that identify organized AF drivers can be difficult and may contribute to divergent outcomes. Our goal is to use convolutional neural networks(CNNs
Actigraphic sleep tracking and wearables: Historical context, scientific applications and guidelines, limitations, and considerations for commercial sleep devices

Abstract Objective estimation of sleep can utilize a range of technologies. For field-based recordings, the most accepted approach is “actigraphy,” or movement-based estimation of sleep versus wake. Actigraphy is based on technology developed over several decades and has been repeatedly validated against in-lab polysomnography. This chapter reviews the history and technology behind actigraphy, addresses the issues around validation, and describes the chronology of this tool as a way to characterize habitual sleep. In addition, this chapter addresses newer implementations of this technology, including the use of consumer-grade wearables and integration with other approaches to improve measurement (e.g., optical plethysmography). Finally, the chapter provides recommendations for implementation of an actigraphy program and guidelines for understanding actigraphy validation.
The momentum representation of the hydrogen atom in paraboloidal coordinates

Abstract We examine the procedure to construct the variables of use for the momentum representation in quantum mechanics. The momentum variables must be chosen properly conjugate to the corresponding position space variables, such that valid uncertainty relationships are maintained. We then apply such considerations to the hydrogen atom to obtain the momentum space wave functions corresponding to the position space functions in paraboloidal coordinates. The advantages and disadvantages of employing the momentum representation are explored.
Mischen und Verdünnen

Mischt man Stoffe, bei denen der Anteil einer Wirksubstanz nur ein Teil der Gesamtmenge ist, so muss dies fur Berechnungen und Anwendungen berucksichtigt werden. Durch die Anwendung einer speziellen Mischungsgleichung konnen die Anteile der Wirksubstanz im Gemisch berechnet werden. Die Mischungsgleichung kommt in einer abgewandelten Form auch fur Verdunnungsberechnungen zum Einsatz.
Grape Rootstock Breeding and Their Performance Based on the Wolpert Trials in California

Pest and disease pressures have traditionally driven the use of grapevine rootstocks. However, with competing demands on limited water resources and changing climate conditions, the water available for agriculture will likely continue to diminish. This inevitability has resulted in an increased interest in grape rootstock effects on scion growth, specifically yield components, as a function of parentage and in terms of drought tolerance. It has also spurred efforts to breed new rootstocks with combined pest, disease, and abiotic stress resistance. Field studies examining rootstock effect on scion growth and development have been inconsistent due to complications associated with varying soil types and weather factors unique to each site. Other factors tend to vary from site to site including trellising systems, scion cultivar selection and management practices, each of which also has a role in determining vine phenology. Due to these issues, rootstock trial data is often presented on a site-by-site basis with the objective of determining if a specific rootstock tends to yield more or less than other rootstocks on a given site. Although inherently limited by the aforementioned challenges, rootstock trails are arguably one of the best methods of providing insight into rootstock performance and scion interactions. The Wolpert rootstock trails in California were one of the more comprehensive efforts to understand and classify rootstock performance as a function of site. General trends in performance were observed as a function of rootstock selection with regard to yield and pruning weights.
Recent Industrial Roadmaps to Enable Smart Manufacturing of Biopharmaceuticals

Biopharmaceutical manufacturing is an evolving industry with great potential to improve public health, but laden with technical and operational challenges. It has many features that are similar to other smart manufacturing industries, but it also has some unique features that are specific to the biological domain in which it operates. Both types of features have been carefully explored in recent industrial roadmaps to guide the research, development, and manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals. These roadmaps explicitly identify “fully automated facilities” and “knowledge management” as two of the critical enabling capabilities that will drive the biopharmaceutical industry in the next decade. This article describes these roadmaps to identify the emerging opportunities and future directions in this knowledge-intensive manufacturing industry. It also serves as a “call for action” for collaboration among key stakeholders, including the robotics and automation community. Note to Practitioners —The market for biopharmaceuticals has been rising rapidly in recent years. It is now a multibillion dollar industry with its own ecosystem of suppliers, medical professionals, drug delivery systems, and regulators. The healthcare benefits promised by biopharmaceuticals are impressive, but there are several research, development, and manufacturing challenges that must be overcome to deliver on these promises. The biopharmaceutical industry, in collaboration with academics and government laboratories, has published a series of roadmaps recently to address these challenges. “Fully automated facilities” and “knowledge management” have been explicitly identified in the roadmaps as two of the critical enablers to meet these challenges. This article summarizes the findings of these industrial roadmaps and provides a clear picture of the collaborative efforts needed to succeed in, and grow, this promising industry.
Fragile X Gray Zone Alleles Are Associated With Signs of Parkinsonism and Earlier Death.

Background Premutation size (55-199 CGG repeats) in the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene cause fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome, but it is unclear whether smaller "gray" zone expansions of 41-54 repeats are also associated with movement disorders. The objectives of this study were to determine the association between the FMR1 gene gray zone expansions, AGG interspersions, and the presence of parkinsonism and motor and cognitive function in an elderly community-based population. Methods Automated FMR1 polymerase chain reaction was performed on existing samples from 2 longitudinal aging studies whose subjects agreed to brain donation. A detailed clinical evaluation including a modified Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale score, a composite score of global motor function, 17 cognitive tests summarized as a global measure of cognition, and neuropathological examination were obtained for genotyped participants. Results The average age of the population (n = 2362) was 85.9 ± 7.3 years, and average age at death was 88.6 ± 6.4 years (n = 1326), with 72% women. The prevalence of FMR1 gray zone alleles was 5.2% (122 of 2362). There was no difference between participants with gray zone expansions or those lacking AGG interspersions compared with normal participants in global cognition, global motor function, clinical diagnosis, or pathological changes. Gray zone alleles were associated with signs of parkinsonism in men (P = 0.01), and gray zone carrier men were more likely to die (hazard ratio, 2.34; 95% confidence interval, 1.31-4.16). Conclusions This is the largest study to investigate gray zone alleles in a community population. The key findings are that in men, the gray zone allele is associated with signs of parkinsonism and higher risk of death, but not with intranuclear neuronal inclusions. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
The fermented soy beverage Q-CAN® plus induces beneficial changes in the oral and intestinal microbiome.

Soy products are associated with many beneficial health consequences, but their effects on the human intestinal microbiome are poorly characterized. To identify the changes in the oral and fecal microbiome in lean and obese participants due to consumption of Q-CAN®, and to assess the expected consequences of these changes based on the published literature. Prospective study of lean (10) and obese (9) participants consuming Q-CAN® twice daily for 4 weeks with 8 weeks follow-up. Microbial DNA was extracted from saliva and stool samples, amplified against the V4 region of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene and data analyzed using QIIME 1.9.1 bioinformatics. Four hundred forty-four samples were collected in total, 424 of which were productive and yielded good quality data. STOOL. In the lean population Bifidobacteria and Blautia show a significant increase while taking Q-CAN®, and there was a trend for this in the obese population. ORAL. There were relatively fewer major changes in the oral microbiome with an increase in the family Veillonellaceae in the lean population while on Q-CAN®. Q-CAN® consumption induced a number of significant changes in the fecal and oral microbiome. Most notably an increase in the stool microbiome of Bifidobacteria and Blautia, both of which are associated with positive health benefits, and in the saliva an increase in Veillonellaceae. This trial was registered with Clinicaltrials.gov on January 14th 2016. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02656056
Age Differences in Types and Perceptions of Daily Stress

The present study explores differences in daily stress across individuals of varying ages. Specifically, we explore whether age group (young adult, midlife, late midlife, later life) relates to differences in types of stress (family, friends, partner, health, finances, work), total stress exposure, and perceptions of daily stress intensity. Participants from the Notre Dame Study of Health & Well-being (NDHWB; N = 891) completed daily questionnaires assessing negative small life events and perceived stress for 8 weeks. Findings indicated that young adults reported a higher average number of family, spouse, finance, and work-related stress. Additionally, total daily stress was highest among young adults, and perceived stress was lowest among later life adults. Because daily stress relates to long-term mental and physical stress, gaining a better understanding of how individuals at different points in the life span uniquely experience stress can inform intervention and preventative care techniques aimed at promoting optimal well-being.
Anomalous nematic state to stripe phase transition driven by in-plane magnetic fields

Anomalous nematic states, recently discovered in ultraclean two-dimensional electron gas, emerge from quantum Hall stripe phases upon further cooling. These states are hallmarked by a local minimum (maximum) in the hard (easy) longitudinal resistance and by an incipient plateau in the Hall resistance in nearly half-filled Landau levels. Here, we demonstrate that a modest in-plane magnetic field, applied either along $\ensuremath{\langle}110\ensuremath{\rangle}$ or $\ensuremath{\langle}1\overline{1}0\ensuremath{\rangle}$ crystal axis of GaAs, destroys anomalous nematic states and restores quantum Hall stripe phases aligned along their native $\ensuremath{\langle}110\ensuremath{\rangle}$ direction. These findings confirm that anomalous nematic states are distinct from other ground states and will assist future theories to identify their origin.
The Impact of Pop-Up Clinical Electronic Health Record Decision Tools on Ordering Pulmonary Embolism Studies in the Emergency Department.

Abstract Background Emergency physicians make time-sensitive care decisions for life threatening diagnoses and utilize evidence-based decision rules and testing with high sensitivity to ensure that critical diagnoses are not missed. Current literature suggests that there is over testing for pulmonary embolism in the emergency department. Objectives This study aimed to determine whether the addition of a pop-up notification of the Modified Wells Criteria into the workflow would impact the number of total orders for computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) or the diagnostic yield of those studies. Methods This study was a retrospective observational study comparing CTPA utilization rates and diagnostic yield among physicians at a single academic emergency department in the 1 year prior and 1 year post implementation of an active electronic health recored (EHR) pop-up of Modified Well's scoring when ordering a CTPA. Results CTPA utilization rates were statistically equivalent, p Conclusion There are many barriers to the implementation of successful EHR alerts. These findings support and validate previous studies that have shown a higher diagnostic yield of CT angiography for pulmonary embolism after implementation of active alerts integrated into the EHR with ordering studies. These tools are effective quality improvement initiatives, and their use should be encouraged.
Purification of coat protomers.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the purification of coat protomers. The vesicles possess a cytoplasmic protein coat, but it is not composed of clathrin. Golgi transport vesicle are purified and shown to contain a set of coat proteins, termed COPs (for coat proteins), which include α -COP (160K), β -COP (110K), γ -COP (98K), and δCOP (61K). β -Coat protein exhibits limited but significant homology to β -adaptin, a protein of similar size on clathrin-coated vesicles. This chapter illustrates that βCOP resides exclusively in coatomer, which has allowed to monitor purification of coatomer by Western blotting with a monoclonal antibody against β -COP. Although the original protocol used bovine brain as a starting material, it has been found that bovine liver is a superior source and thus purification from liver is described in the chapter.
N,S-dimethyl-s-phenylsulfoximine: A reagent for the optical resolution of ketones

Abstract The addition of the α-lithio derivative of (+)- or (-)-N,S-dimethyl-S-phenylsulfoximine to selected dl -ketones was carried out at -78° in tetrahydrofuran followed by acid quench at that temperature to produce mixtures of diastereomeric β-hydroxysulfoximines. The optically-active diastereomers were chromatographically separated on sil recycled.
Expression of Floral Regulators in Basal Angiosperms and the Origin and Evolution of ABC‐Function

Abstract The ABC‐model of floral organ identity explains the regular, sequential development of sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in eudicot flowers. This general model, based on studies of the derived eudicots Arabidopsis and Antirrhinum, may apply to nearly all eudicots, most of which are characterized by discrete whorls of floral organs. However, floral morphology of basal angiosperms is typically characterized by variable numbers of floral parts and gradual transitions among floral organs, and it is unclear that the ABC‐model applies to such flowers. Here we explore the origin and evolution of ABC‐function through consideration of expression data for homologs of ABC‐genes for basal angiosperms and conclude that the ABC‐model represents an evolutionarily derived regulatory network that arose through spatial restriction of regulatory gene expression.
Copy Test Methods to Pretest Advertisements

We define advertising copy testing, describe the major copy test methods using case examples, discuss each method's strengths and limitations, and identify areas of debate. The case examples were selected based on the authors' direct experiences and the methodological rigor of the methods. We define advertising copy testing as a quantitative and qualitative marketing research method that is used to pretest advertisements where numerical data on effects is collected and statistically analyzed. We discuss three copy test methods that apply the principles of sound copy testing that were developed by US advertising agencies, which require that the methods (i) be relevant to the objectives, (ii) have agreement about the use of results, (iii) use multiple measurements, (iv) be based on a model of human response, (v) consider multiple exposures, (vi) test comparably finished executions, (vii) control the exposure context, (viii) define the relevant sample, and (ix) demonstrate reliability and validity. To this list, we add (x) take baseline (i.e., pre-exposure) measurements and/or use control groups, because this reflects sound and generally accepted research standards. Our three case examples of sound copy test methods come from the US National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign, the US Federal Trade Commission, and the ARSgroup, a major copy test firm. Keywords: advertising; copy test; pretest; evaluation; consumer research; marketing research; research validity
Live unilateral twin ectopic pregnancy in a fallopian tube remnant after previous ipsilateral salpingectomy

Ectopic pregnancy remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality in women of childbearing age. We report a case of a unilateral twin ectopic pregnancy in a fallopian tube remnant after previous ipsilateral salpingectomy. The pregnancy was conceived spontaneously and included two live gestations. Although the presentation of this ectopic pregnancy was unique, the patient's risk factors were not. As an example of the type of patient who would benefit from ultrasound screening for ectopic pregnancy, our patient renews the debate around this controversial issue.
Correlation, excitation, and relaxation of the antiferromagnetic nanoparticle

We study the dynamics of spins in the canted antiferromagnetic hematite nanoparticles $\alpha$-Fe$_2$O$_3$. The system includes an antiferromagnetic exchange ($J$) between two sublattices as well as the potential dominated by a uniaxial anisotropy and dissipates through the thermally triggered spin-phonon mechanism. The exchange $J$ is found to reduce the superparamagnetic relaxation and drive the incoherent relaxation of transverse spins in the low temperature. Dynamical properties are semi-quantitatively understood within a role of the exchange interaction $J$ and agree well with recent inelastic neutron scattering experiments.
SU-E-J-07: IGRT Gently: Evaluating Imaging Dose in Phantoms of Different Sizes

Purpose: IGRT imaging procedures have emerged as a common method of patient position verification in radiotherapy, though imaging dose is generally neglected in the treatment plan. Consequently, evaluating and optimizing the dose from these procedures is worthwhile. This process is especially important for children, who are more radiosensitive than adults. The aim of this work was to gain some understanding of the relative doses involved with various XVI-preset parameters for an “adult” and “child” phantom set, with the hopes that imaging dose for a child can be reduced. Methods: 32 and 16cm CTDI-phantoms were used as surrogates for adult and child torsos, respectively. Dose was measured in the central and peripheral chamber positions of the phantoms. CBCT scans were made for both phantoms using Elekta’s Chest-preset to establish a dose baseline. The child-phantom was then scanned using the Elekta Head and Neck (HN) preset. A modified HN-preset (named Peds Abd-pelvis) was also created with a doubled mAs to maintain a reduction in dose to the child-phantom (relative to the baseline), while providing clinically-usable image quality. Results: The baseline dose to the child-phantom from the Chest-preset was 310% that of the adult-phantom for the center chamber position and 150% at themore » periphery. An average dose reduction of 97% was obtained in the childphantom by switching from the Chest-preset to the HN-preset, while the Peds Abd-pelvis-preset similarly reduced the dose by an average of 92%. Conclusion: XVI-preset parameters significantly affect dose, and should be optimized to reduce dose, while ensuring clinically-usable image quality. Using a modified imaging preset (Peds Abd-pelvis-preset) greatly reduced the dose to the child-phantom compared to the dose for the Chest-preset for both the child and adult-phantoms. This outcome provides support for the development of child-specific protocols for IGRT imaging in pediatric patients.« less
Feedback reorientation of planar multibody systems in space using joint actuation

Feedback controllers are constructed for reorienting a planar interconnection of rigid bodies in space using joint actuators only. Controllers of two different types are developed. The first controller is based on a discontinuous switched mode feedback strategy. It provides finite time (dead-beat) responses. The second controller is a smooth time-periodic controller. It guarantees asymptotic stability of the closed loop. Comparison is made of the two design approaches.
In vitro studies of multiple impact injury to mammalian CNS neurons: prevention of perikaryal damage and death by ketamine.

Abstract We have developed an in vitro model of rapid acceleration injury (RAI) to study the effects of multiple impact (220 g/impact, 3–5s intervals) trauma on cultures of mammalian CNS cells. Our initial investigations have shown that: (1) multiple impacts delivered tangential to the plane of growth caused neuronal death while normal impacts did not; (2) glia were not affected by tangential or normal RAI; (3) most neuronal death occurred within 15 min; (4) the threshold for neuronal death was above440 g (cumulative); (5) neuronal death reached a maximum of 50% at cumulative accelerations⩾1100 g; (6) somal swelling and increased nuclear prominence were often observed after tangential RAI, and the frequency of these changes increased with the cumulative acceleration; (7) ketamine prevented neuronal death and morphological changes during tangential RAI. We hypothesize that neuronal sensitivity to multiple impact RAI depends on the density ofN-methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) complexes in the dendrosomatic membranes. We also hypothesize that the events leading to neuronal death during multiple impact injury are: (1) calcium leakage through NMDA channels causes weakening of the cytoskeleton; (2) loss of cytoskeletal integrity allows nuclear shifting during impact; and (3) nuclear pressure disrupts the plasmalemma causing a lethal influx of calcium.
Luminescence in metal flames irradiated with a CO2 laser

Abstract Rapid-scan spectrometry of calcium and magnesium flames ignited in air with a CO 2 laser reveals luminescence excited by heterogeneous reactions on condensed metal oxide particles. The luminescence is stimulated by laser radiation. An explanation for this effect is proposed.
Triplet energy dissipation in methylenecyclopropane rearrangement.

Certain 1,1-dimethyl-2-aryl-3-methylenecyclopropanes containing carbonyl substituents undergo rearrangement when irradiated with 350 nm light. These rearrangements occur via the (n,π*) triplet state, which fragments the strained cyclopropane bond. Intersystem crossing followed by ring closure gives the observed products. No photoreduction is seen in i-PrOH. Potential Norrish type II processes are also bypassed. It is suggested that the cyclopropane bond fragmentation dissipates the triplet energy and that the new intermediates are not energetic enough to abstract hydrogen atoms in an intramolecular fashion or from solvent. Nitro substituted systems undergo analogous photoinitiated rearrangements. Benzophenone sensitization of naphthyl, biphenyl, styrene, and phenylacetylene analogues also leads to rearrangement, presumably via the sensitized generation of triplet states. When triplet states cannot be accessed by direct irradiation or by sensitized processes, methylenecyclopropane rearrangements do not occ...
Susceptibility of Mycoplasmas to Antimicrobial Agents: Clinical Implications

Mycoplasmas are susceptible to antimicrobial agents that affect DNA, RNA, protein synthesis, or the integrity of the cell membrane. Mycoplasmas are not susceptible to agents that interfere with synthesis of folic acid or that act on the cell wall. Tetracyclines, erythromycin, clindamycin, chloramphenicol, aminoglycosides, and fluoroquinolones have been shown to have activity against one or more mycoplasmal species. Tetracycline-resistant isolates of Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum contain DNA sequences homologous to the streptococcal determinant tetM. Resistance to tetracycline in vitro is associated with failure of tetracycline treatment to eradicate M. hominis and U. urealyticum from the human urogenital tract.
Gender-Related Differences in Prevalence of Lumbopelvic Region Movement Impairments in People With Low Back Pain

Study Design Cross-sectional, secondary analysis. Objectives To examine potential gender differences in prevalence of lumbopelvic region movement impairments during clinical tests in a sample of pe...
Non‐Sexist “Marital” Therapy*

Certain factors limit marital therapists in dealing with individuals conflicted over and disenchanted about “traditional” marriage: 1) the therapist's gender, 2) the presence of sex-role stereotyped behaviors and expectations, and 3) the therapists own marital experience. Specific helpful experiences (working with a co-therapist of the opposite sex, examining attitudes and biases toward divorce) and therapeutic techniques (working out a schedule for sharing household tasks and childcare, restructuring the marital contract, and dealing with open companionship) are discussed. The general therapeutic goal is working toward an equal sharing of overt power, with social, economic, and political considerations and intrapsychic forces given comparable consideration.
High-concentration of BMP2 reduces cell proliferation and increases apoptosis via DKK1 and SOST in human primary periosteal cells.

Abstract BMP2, a well-known osteoinductive agent approved by FDA, is currently being used for various off-label orthopedic applications. Recently, concerns about its efficacy for off-label use, concentration, and complications have emerged. Interestingly, there is an extremely large discrepancy in BMP2 concentration between clinical use (i.e. 1.5 mg/ml) and in vitro studies (50–300 ng/ml). The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a relatively high-concentration of BMP2 on cell proliferation and apoptosis using human primary periosteal cells as BMP2 is generally applied around the periosteum in orthopedic surgeries. We isolated periosteal cells from three independent patients. The cell proliferation assessed by MTT activity was significantly reduced by a high-concentration of BMP2 (~ 2000 ng/ml), while such a reduction was not observed by using a low-concentration of BMP2 (~ 200 ng/ml). The cell apoptosis assessed by caspase activity was significantly increased by high-concentration BMP2, while such an increase was not observed by low-concentration BMP2. We found that Wnt signaling activity was significantly reduced by high-concentration BMP2 along with a dramatic increase in DKK1 and SOST, key inhibitors of Wnt signaling in bone. The addition of DKK1 or SOST protein to the primary periosteal cells reduced MTT activity and significantly increased caspase activity. Silencing the DKK1 or SOST expression using the siRNA technique normalized cell proliferation and apoptosis in the periosteum-derived cells when exposed to a high-concentration BMP2. Taken together, these results suggest that a high-concentration BMP2 decreases human periosteal cell proliferation and induces apoptosis via the activation of Wnt inhibitors DKK1 and SOST. This study provides new insights to the effects of high BMP2 concentration on human periosteal cells and brings out the possibility of multiple effects of current BMP2 therapy on various skeletal tissues.
Measurement of mixing in polymer melts by focused ultrasound

This paper outlines the development of an acoustical technique for measuring the dispersion of an additive in a polymer melt. It included a justification of the use of sound over other interrogating methods and an analysis of the acoustical system's operation. Results for dispersions of liquid or solid additives were shown. It was demonstrated that this system could detect the presence or absence of large particles in melts filled with small particles.
Aspects of computer security: a primer.

As health care organizations continue on the path toward total digital operations, a topic often raised but not clearly understood is that of computer security. The reason for this is simply the vastness of the topic. Computers and networks are complex, and each service offered is a potential security hole. This article describes for the lay person the fundamental points of computer operation, how these can be points attacked, and how these attacks can be foiled—or at least detected. In addition, a taxonomy that should aid system administrators to evaluate and strengthen their systems is described.
Psychosocial sequelae of ileal bypass

Abstract To elucidate the short as well as longer term adjustment to ileal bypass surgery (IBS),we studied three groups of hyperobese patients. Candidates for IBS (N = 27) were significantly distressed on all dimensions of the SCL-90. The cognitive measure of field dependency correlated with greater weight as well as depression in the preoperative sample. Nine patients evaluated at short-term follow-up (mean 5.7 months postsurgery) were compared with 10 patients at longer-term follow-up (mean 39 months postsurgery). In both postsurgical groups, depression and anxiety were significantly associated with the number of complications, and patients with less psychological distress reported greater weight loss, better sexual life, and fewer stools per day. These findings suggest that both short- and long-term adaptation to IBS are primarily associated with the physical success of the procedure and the absence of complications.
3′-Oxolutein, a Metabolite of Lutein in Chickens

Abstract 3′-Oxolutein (3-hydroxy-3′-oxo-β,e-carotene) was isolated using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) from the tissues and egg yolks of chickens fed a diet high in lutein and free of detectable 3′-oxolutein. It was identified by HPLC retention time, absorption spectrum identical to lutein and its esters, disappearance under alkaline conditions without giving rise to lutein, formation of an alkali labile palmitate, formation of a 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone, and reduction to lutein from which the dipalmitate was prepared. In each instance the isolated compound behaved identically with authentic 3′-oxolutein prepared by nickel peroxide oxidation of lutein. The order of ratios of lutein to 3′-oxolutein in the various tissues from laboratory and field birds was, in general, intestinal contents > intestinal mucosa > serum > liver ~ toe web ~ egg yolk > bile. This order was consistent with the hypothesis that lutein was oxidized to 3′-oxolutein in the liver, which, at least in part, was excreted via the bile into the intestinal lumen where it was diluted with dietary lutein. The remainder of the 3′-oxolutein formed in the liver presumably went into the serum where it was transported to depot sites. The ratio of lutein to 3′-oxolutein in the toe webs of broilers varied with their diet and pigmentation status. Amounts of 3′-oxolutein were found in quail and turkey egg yolks. This previously unreported lutein oxidative capability of liver extends the previously known metabolic acylation and deacylation reactions in poultry.
Evaluation and comparison of New 4DCT based strategies for proton treatment planning for lung tumors

To evaluate different strategies for proton lung treatment planning based on four-dimensional CT (4DCT) scans. Twelve cases, involving only gross tumor volumes (GTV), were evaluated. Single image sets of (1) maximum intensity projection (MIP3) of end inhale (EI), middle exhale (ME) and end exhale (EE) images; (2) average intensity projection (AVG) of all phase images; and (3) EE images from 4DCT scans were selected as primary images for proton treatment planning. Internal target volumes (ITVs) outlined by a clinician were imported into MIP3, AVG, and EE images as planning targets. Initially, treatment uncertainties were not included in planning. Each plan was imported into phase images of 4DCT scans. Relative volumes of GTVs covered by 95% of prescribed dose and mean ipsilateral lung dose of a phase image obtained by averaging the dose in inspiration and expiration phases were used to evaluate the quality of a plan for a particular case. For comparing different planning strategies, the mean of the averaged relative volumes of GTVs covered by 95% of prescribed dose and its standard deviation for each planning strategy for all cases were used. Then, treatment uncertainties were included in planning. Each plan was recalculated in phase images of 4DCT scans. Same strategies were used for plan evaluation except dose-volume histograms of the planning target volumes (PTVs) instead of GTVs were used and the mean and standard deviation of the relative volumes of PTVs covered by 95% of prescribed dose and the ipsilateral lung dose were used to compare different planning strategies. MIP3 plans without treatment uncertainties yielded 96.7% of the mean relative GTV covered by 95% of prescribed dose (standard deviations of 5.7% for all cases). With treatment uncertainties, MIP3 plans yielded 99.5% of mean relative PTV covered by 95% of prescribed dose (standard deviations of 0.7%). Inclusion of treatment uncertainties improved PTV dose coverage but also increased the ipsilateral mean lung dose in general, and reduced the variations of the PTV dose coverage among different cases. Plans based on conventional axial CT scan (CVCT) gave the poorest PTV dose coverage (about 96% of mean relative PTV covered by 95% isodose) compared to MIP3 and EE plans, which resulted in 100% of PTV covered by 95% isodose for tumors with relatively large motion. AVG plans demonstrated PTV dose coverage of 89.8% and 94.4% for cases with small tumors. MIP3 plans demonstrated superior tumor coverage and were least sensitive to tumor size and tumor location. MIP3 plans based on 4DCT scans were the best planning strategy for proton lung treatment planning.
Petronie disease is curable —Is it also preventable?

Abstract A patient with Peyronie disease with rare ventral location of plaques is presented. Treatment involved broad excision of the extensive fibrous plaques, insertion of Jonas prosthesis, and covering the defect with reinforced Silastic sheet.
Value of prominent flow voids without cord edema in the detection of spinal arteriovenous fistulae.

Purpose To determine the prevalence of spinal dural arteriovenous fistulae (SDAVF) in patients presenting with prominent vascular flow voids on imaging without other imaging findings suggestive of SDAVF. Methods We retrospectively identified patients from January 1, 2005 to March 1, 2012 who underwent spinal angiography for suspected SDAVF with prominent vascular flow voids on prior imaging. We excluded patients with other major spinal pathology or other imaging findings of SDAVF including cord hyperintensity, enhancement, or expansion. We calculated the proportion of patients with positive findings for SDAVF on angiography and evaluated the prevalence of SDAVF for this finding alone and in correlation with clinical findings. Results 18 patients underwent spinal angiography for prominent flow voids on imaging without other spinal pathology or imaging findings of SDAVF. Three had a SDAVF detected on angiography. The prevalence of SDAVF in this population was low, only 17% (95% CI 6-39%). All of the patients with positive angiography findings had myelopathy, increasing the prevalence to 100% if the additional clinical finding of myelopathy was present. Conclusions Prominent flow voids without other imaging findings suggestive of SDAVF is poorly predictive of the presence of a SDAVF, unless myelopathy is present clinically.
INFECTIOUS DISEASE UPDATE

In recent years, many new infectious diseases have been newly described or have re-emerged after decades of relative obscurity. Many of these entities have prominent mucocutaneous manifestations, making them of great relevance to the dermatologist. The pathogenesis, recognition, and therapy of several of these important diseases, including streptococcal and staphylococcal disease, necrotizing fasciitis, ehrlichiosis, penicillosis, and vibrio infection are discussed.
Mazindol self-administration in the rhesus monkey

Abstract The ability of the intravenous administration of mazindol (SaH 42–548) to act as a reinforcer in monkeys previously conditioned to self-administer cocaine was ascertained. Unit dosages i.e. dosage per injection, of 50 and 100 μg/kg resulted in self-administration rates significantly greater than that which occurred with saline. An inverse relationship existed between unit dosage and frequency of self-administration over the unit dosage range 50–200 μg/kg. The total mazindol dosage self-administration per session was however independent of unit dosage. Approximately 2–3 mg/kg was self-administered by each animal during a 4 hr session at each of the 3 unit dosages. This tends to indicate that the 200 μg/kg unit dosage was also reinforcing even though the self-administration rate was similar to that of saline. This study indicates that mazindol can serve as a reinforcer and that the relationship between total session intake, unit dosage, and self-administration frequency of mazindol are similar to these seen with other reinforcing psychomotor stimulant drugs.
Guided tours and on-line presentations: how authors make existing hypertext intelligible for readers

Hypertext systems like NoteCards provide facilities for authoring large networks. But they provide little support for the associated task of making these networks intelligible to future readers. Presentation conventions may be imported from other related media, but because the conventions have not yet been negotiated within a community of hypertext readers and writers, they provide only a partial solution to the problem of guiding a reader through an existing network of information. In this paper, we will discuss how a recent facility, Guided Tours, has been used to organize hypertext networks for presentation. The use of Guided Tours in NoteCards has exposed a set of authoring issues, and has provided us with examples of solutions to the problems associated with on-line presentations.
Simple Model for Nonassociative Organic Liquids and Water

A simple model that has been derived from molecular-level considerations (J. Phys. Chem. B 1998, 102, 5715) is revisited and extended. It is shown that it gives a unified and adequate description of a variety of properties related to intermolecular interactions, including boiling point, enthalpy of vaporization, vapor pressure, surface tension, and a number of partition and solubility data for organic liquids that do not contain associative or strongly polar substituents. All corresponding equations were derived from the same free energy expression that forms the basis of the model. For the organic liquids considered here that include haloalkanes, aromatics, haloaromatics, esters, and ketones, molecular size as the sole descriptor (characterized here by molecular volume) can account for 80−90% of the variance. Furthermore, water, which is a highly abnormal liquid, seems to be integrable within the model by a simple modification of the interaction-related constant. This modification is consistent with the ...
The psychoeconomic approach to creativity

Abstract The psychoeconomic model of the creative process is introduced in this article. This theoretical model utilizes the concept of human capital and postulates the existence of creative potential for each individual as the product of initial endowments and active investments in creative ability . The model predicts how much of an investment individuals are likely to make, and shows how this depends upon intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Like investments in education, the pursuit of creativity is based on consideration of costs (including psychic and temporal) and the expected benefits. Education and creative potential differ in several ways, leading the psychoeconomic model to predict that individuals will invest in these two forms of human capital in different ways. The model also uses the supply and demand framework to explain the rate of creative activity in several areas (e.g., art, business, research). The costs of producing creative ideas and the benefits to the individual and others are shown to be influential. Finally, the model is applied to the question of allocative efficiency, and suggests that society may be misallocating its resources. In this view, society as a whole would be better off shifting resources from other activities into the creative sphere.
Prospective study of the Transurethral Suprapubic endo-Cystostomy (T-SPEC(®)): an 'inside-out' approach to suprapubic catheter insertion.

To prospectively evaluate the new medical device Transurethral Suprapubic endo-Cystostomy (T-SPeC®), used for suprapubic catheter (SPC) placement via the transurethral (inside-to-out) approach, and examine the 30-day outcomes in the first US series. IRB approval was obtained for this prospective study. We evaluated the first 114 consecutive cases of SPC placement using the T-SPeC® device by a single surgeon at in a 20-month period. We excluded patients who underwent alternative approaches to suprapubic catheter placement including open abdominal approach (12) and percutaneous approach (5). Preoperative patient demographics, operative detail, success rate and 30-day complication rate were recorded. We successfully placed an 18 Fr suprapubic catheter using the T-SPeC® device in 98.2 % of patients. During the procedure, the capture housing was missed twice. The mean patient age was 56.6, BMI 29.4 kg/m2, skin to bladder distance 6.7 cm and operative time 3.6 min. There were 12 postoperative complications within 30 days of the procedure including urinary tract infections (6), SPC exit site infection (2), SPC blockage (2) and catheter expulsion (2). There were no Clavien–Dindo grade III–IV complications such as re-operation, small bowel injury, hemorrhage or death. The T-SPeC® device is a novel, simple, accurate and minimally invasive device for SPC insertion from an inside-to-out approach. Our prospective study demonstrates that the T-SPeC® device can be placed safely and efficiently in a variety of patients with a need for urinary drainage.
Observing Preschool Children in Situ: Behavior and Environmental Assessment.

This paper presents a rationale for naturalistic assessment of young handicapped and nonhandicapped children in classrooms. The types of questions one may ask in completing such assessments and the implications for teaching are discussed. Four alternative assessment procedures are presented, with illustra generated by each.
Bayesian Life Test Planning for the Weibull Distribution with Given Shape Parameter

This paper describes Bayesian methods for life test planning with Type II censored data from a Weibull distribution, when the Weibull shape parameter is given. We use conjugate prior distributions and criteria based on estimating a quantile of interest of the lifetime distribution. One criterion is based on a precision factor for a credibility interval for a distribution quantile and the other is based on the length of the credibility interval. We provide simple closed form expressions for the relationship between the needed number of failures and the precision criteria. Examples are used to illustrate the results.
Is complete liver resection without resection of synchronous lung metastases justified

Advances in multidisciplinary care are changing the prognostic impact of colorectal lung metastases. Resection of colorectal liver metastases (CLM) may benefit patients with synchronous lung metastases even when lung metastases are not resected. The aim of this study was to investigate the survival of patients undergoing complete resection of CLM in the setting of unresected lung metastases. We compared survival among 98 patients who underwent resection of CLM with unresected lung metastases, 64 who received only chemotherapy for limited colorectal liver and lung metastases, and 41 who underwent resection of both liver and lung metastases. Prognostic factors were investigated in the patients who underwent resection of CLM only. The 3-year/5-year overall survival (OS) rates of patients with CLM resection only (42.9 %/13.1 %) were better than those of patients treated with chemotherapy only (14.1 %/1.6 %; p < 0.01) but worse than those of patients with resection of liver and lung metastases (68.9 %/56.9 %; p < 0.01). Multivariate analysis of patients with CLM resection only revealed that KRAS mutation [hazard ratio (HR) 2.10; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.21–3.64; p < 0.01] and rectal primary tumor (HR 1.72; 95 % CI 1.02–2.88; p = 0.04) were independent predictors of worse OS. Survival of patients without these risk factors was similar to that of patients with curative metastasectomy. Complete resection of metastases remains the primary goal of treatment for stage IV colorectal cancer. Resection of CLM without resection of lung metastases is associated with an intermediate survival between that of patients treated with palliative and curative intent and should be considered in selected patients.
Management of non-germinal testicular tumors

Objectives Non-germinal tumors account for less than 10% of all testicular tumors and consist of a wide array of benign and malignant lesions. Due to their rarity, little is known about the appropriate management of malignant non-germinal testicular tumors.
Image-guided thoracoscopic resection of thoracic dumbbell nerve sheath tumors.

BACKGROUND Surgical removal of dumbbell nerve sheath tumors (NSTs) remains challenging because these neoplasms occupy ≥ 2 spinal and extraspinal spaces. The presence of intraspinal extension, tumor dimension, and/or its location within the thoracic cavity have previously made the resection of these types of neoplasms difficult. OBJECTIVE To describe the feasibility of performing minimally invasive thoracoscopic surgery, as facilitated by an image guidance system (IGS), to achieve gross total resection of select dumbbell NSTs located in the thoracic spine. METHODS The 3 cases presented here contained small intraspinal or foraminal components. Preoperative symptoms included Horner syndrome and back and chest wall pain. We used IGS to help guide the complete thoracoscopic resection of select dumbbell NSTs, consisting of extradural, intraforaminal, and paravertebral tumor components, which previously would have been challenging with only a thoracoscopic approach. RESULTS IGS provided continuous intraoperative anatomic orientation to achieve gross total resection in all 3 cases. All surgical and postsurgical outcomes were satisfactory; preoperative symptoms improved or resolved; and no adverse events were observed. CONCLUSION Thoracic dumbbell NSTs that have small intraspinal or foraminal components could be resected thoracoscopically when facilitated by IGS. Image-guided thoracoscopic resection of such dumbbell tumors may not only improve the precision of resection, reduce recurrence, and avoid the need for spinal reconstruction but also obviate the need for more invasive or simultaneous posterior procedures. The IGS enhances the accuracy and safety of 2-dimensional thoracoscopic surgery and may reduce its learning curve.