cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the feasibility of bandwidth estimation in 1x EVDO networks

The problem of fast bandwidth estimation has been extensively studied in the wired Internet and recently, in 802.11 wireless networks; however, no tool has been reported so far in the literature for cellular networks. Although cellular networks share some common characteristics with 802.11 WLANs, they also have many differences which make it unclear whether tools developed for 802.11 WLANs can also be used in cellular networks. This paper presents the first study of the feasibility of fast bandwidth estimation in 3G networks. We studied the applicability of a state-of-the-art probe-based tool for 802.11 WLANs on a commercial 1x EVDO network. Our results show that bandwidth estimation using a probe-based tool is very difficult in EVDO networks, due to the short-scale dynamics in this type of networks.
Genetic linkage maps of the West African clawed frog Xenopus tropicalis

Amphibians, and particularly the African clawed frog Xenopus laevis, have been used for more than a century as models of vertebrate embryonic development. However, in many cases, elucidation of developmental functions of specific gene sequences could be severely impeded, because X. laevis is a tetraploid species, with multiple functional copies of many genes of interest. Recent studies have shifted focus to the West African or tropical clawed frog, X. tropicalis, the only known diploid species of the genus Xenopus. Here, we present two preliminary linkage maps, constructed by analysis of joint segregation of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers in a X. tropicalis interstrain hybrid. A total of 53 markers, including 51 AFLP markers and 2 isozyme markers, are presently assigned to 13 multipoint linkage groups on a map of the maternal strain, whereas 9 AFLP markers from the paternal strain are assigned to 3 linkage groups on a separate map. A dense genetic linkage map is essential in mapping new developmental mutants and determining their sequences by positional cloning.
A Review of: “Jose Van Dijck, Mediated Memories in the Digital Age.”

Human memory is an extremely complex process that can be studied in a wide variety of academic disciplines, from the sciences to the humanities, from geography to art and media studies. Scholars ha...
Psychodynamic Therapy: Short-Term

Abstract Short-term dynamic therapy (STDP) comprises a group of interventions based on psychoanalytic principles that have been adapted for use in treatments of limited duration. The prototypic definition of STPD includes the following aspects: the theory of psychopathology explaining the disorder and treatment techniques employed (e.g., clarification, interpretation, and confrontation) that are psychoanalytic in origin; the selection of patients on the basis of their ability to withstand intensive psychotherapy; treatment that is time-limited and focused on a specific issue or conflict; and treatment aimed to provide symptom relief or limited personality or character change. STPD was developed by a subgroup of psychoanalysts who were trying to increase the efficiency of psychodynamic therapy, to bring its power to short-term settings (seeing patients once or twice a week, sitting up), and therefore to make the treatment available to a potentially broader group of patients. Subsequent changes in health care financing and reimbursement and increased awareness of data supporting its efficacy have driven increased interest in STDP. Modern STDP proponents have developed treatment manuals detailing their specific therapeutic techniques and these manuals have not only aided in the training of the next generation of clinicians, but they have also been used in efficacy studies of STPD to ensure that therapists follow treatment guidelines. Meta-analytic reviews of STPD suggest that it is as effective as other therapies for a range of disorders and more effective than control conditions.
Clostridium perfringens septicemia complicating degenerating uterine leiomyomas.

A. B. (Autopsy No. 1973-63), a 56-year-old woman, gravida 5, para 2, abortuses 3, was seen in the clinic June 17, 1971, at which time examination revealed a myomatous uterus the size of a 12 to 14 week gestation. Her past medical history included hypertensive cardiovascular disease for which she was being treated with hydrochlorothiazide, 50 mg., and digoxin, 0.25 mg. daily. Maturity-onset diabetes was controlled with diet. The patient refused proposed hysterectomy. . On May 8, 1973, nearly 2 years later, the pa~Ient presented to the Emergency Room intensely Jaundiced and extremely agitated. Blood pressure was 90/60; pulse, 140 per minute; respirations, 36; temperature, 103.6 o F. Examination of the lungs and heart was unremarkable. The patient's abdomen was soft but distended without crepitus. Hypoactive bowel sounds were present. A firm, symmetrical midline mass arising from the pelvis extended to 5 em. below the umbilicus. Examination revealed blood coming from a patulous soft cervix. Necrotic tissue and blood . ( 300 c.c.) was evacuated from the uterine cavity with a sponge forc~ps. Fifty cubic centimeters of urine, cherry red m color, was obtained via catheterization of the bladder. The serum showed evidence of hemolysis at the time of venipuncture. Hemoglobin was 7.3 Gm. per cent; hematocrit, 18 per cent; white blood cell count, 28,800. Bilirubin was 8.5 mg. per cent total, 0.5 mg. per cent direct; creatinine, 1.9 ~g. per cent; carbon dioxide, 15 vol. per cent; chlori~e, 99 mE:,q. per liter; sodium, 155 mEq. per hter; potassmm, 7.2 mEq. per liter. Serum hemoglobin was 103.6 mg. per cent, the normal value being 2.0 mg. per cent. On the basis of
Specific protein synthesis in isolated epithelium of guinea-pig seminal vesicle. General features

Four intrinsic soluble proteins are synthesized and secreted by sexually mature guinea-pig seminal-vesicle mucosa, which comprises a monolayer of a homogeneous columnar epithelial cell. All four proteins can be extracted readily in 154mm-NaCl from the organ's luminal constituents in which they are present in high concentration. They are referred to as proteins 1, 2, 3 and 4 in order of their elution during DEAE-cellulose column chromatography. Specific primary antibodies were harvested from goats that had been inoculated with the purified vesicular proteins; secondary antibodies were obtained from a donkey inoculated with goat gamma-globulins. Double-antibody-immunoprecipitation techniques were developed to precipitate the vesicular proteins. Thus proteins newly synthesized from (14)C-labelled amino acids could be precipitated and the incorporated radioactivity assessed. Isolated seminal-vesicle mucosa, incubated in only a buffered salt solution containing glucose, readily synthesized the soluble secreted proteins from added [(14)C]lysine plus [(14)C]glycine, [(14)C]histidine plus [(14)C]glutamate, [(14)C]glutamine alone and [(14)C]arginine alone. The rates of incorporation (d.p.m./mg of total soluble protein) of labelled lysine and glycine and of labelled arginine were linear with time over 180min. With the other labelled precursors, rates diminished between 60 and 180min. Labelled protein could be detected after only 10-15min of incubation. Only 4-9% of the newly synthesized protein remained associated with the mucosa; the remainder was found in the cell-free incubation medium. The isolated seminal-vesicle mucosal preparation will provide a unique opportunity to study the synthesis and secretion of abundant cell-specific proteins by this androgen-dependent tissue.
BK-Type KCa Channels in Two Parasympathetic Cell Types: Differences in Kinetic Properties and Developmental Expression

The intrinsic electrical properties of identified choroid and ciliary neurons of the chick ciliary ganglion were examined by patch-clamp recording methods. These neurons are derived from a common p...
Archival Theory: Much Ado About Shelving

The field of archival theory is not as fertile as Frank Burke, Gregg Kimball, and others suggest. There are two strains to archival theory. One strain is archival but not theoretical, and deals with the practical, how-to, nitty-gritty of archival work; this is the responsibility of archival clinicians. The other is theoretical but not archival, and is concerned with historiography; this is an endeavor not for archivists as archivists but for archivists as historians. This leaves very restricted territory indeed for the archival theorist qua archival theorist. Moreover, the calls for developing a body of archival theory may derive less from an objective need for more archival theory than from an emotional need on the part of an archival community seeking greater professional acceptance.
Understanding Recycling while Tailgating: Applying an Information-Motives-Behavior Skills Approach

At large sporting events, venues often include multiple ways stadium spectators can recycle. However, outside the stadium, tailgaters often make up a large percentage of the event’s attendees and yet may have unaccounted barriers to recycling. This paper uses both observational and survey data to examine the recycling behavior of tailgaters at an American Division I University’s football events. Surveys revealed high reported intent to recycle, but observed behaviors revealed lower rates of recycling (48.7 %). Many of the tailgaters observed (40.7 %) used their own waste disposal bags, which was associated with decreased use of the venue’s recycling infrastructure. Large groups not only used more of the venue’s infrastructure, but were also more likely to use the venue’s bags over bags they brought from home. Greater knowledge about the venue’s infrastructure, higher motivation to recycle, and higher behavioral capacity to recycle were associated with increased reported recycling behavior. Certain groups, like alumni, those who tailgate frequently, and tailgaters who recycle at home reported the highest levels of predictors of recycling. Implications for future interventions and facility managers are discussed.
Defining Trauma on Twitter: An Autoethnographic Sketch

ABSTRACTIn this paper, I use an autoethnographic sketch (Rambo, 2007) to offer a definition of trauma. This paper is broadly inspired by my research (Gloviczki, 2015) using case study methods (Yin, 2003) about online memorial groups. In pairing autoethnography and case study methods, I write to inspire a discussion about form, definition, and trauma. I also embrace the challenge of writing an entire scholarly paper within 140 characters, the standard length of a tweet on Twitter. I hope this approach opens fresh avenues for understanding research as well.
Use of In-Class Experiential Learning to Promote Student Engagement

The current reality for many large, public higher education institutions is that mega-sections of traditional lecture classes are needed to balance increasingly-shrinking educational budgets. Furthermore, while “A” students are highly motived to learn and enter the classroom prepared to succeed, other students may feel overwhelmed or lost in a large class. As a teacher of large (200+), Introduction to Marketing classes, I have incorporated in-class experiential learning techniques to engage and excite students. Students’ responses to the in-class experiential learning activities were so positive, that I adapted a similar interactive teaching style to build a professional selling curriculum within our marketing department. Engaging students through in-class experiential learning has resulted in positive student feedback, an increase in student enrollment and ultimate success in job placement for students.
Mass-based germination dynamics of Rudbeckia mollis (Asteraceae) seeds following thermal and ageing stress

Seed mass is an important plant functional trait linked to germination. For instance, higher-mass seeds often display greater germination compared to lower-mass seeds when exposed to non-stressful conditions. Yet, knowledge pertaining to germination dynamics for different mass-based seed fractions following exposure to abiotic stress is lacking. Here, we assess the germination response of relatively fresh, mass-separated Rudbeckia mollis (Asteraceae) seeds to various simulated seasonal temperatures, supra-optimal temperatures and increasing ageing stress duration. Air density separation yielded three mass-based classes, called light (393 ± 35 μg), intermediate (423 ± 29 μg) and heavy (474 ± 38 μg). Water uptake kinetics indicated that imbibition (0–6 h) and germination lag (6–24 h) were independent of seed mass. Similarly, germination and viability loss of fresh seeds following exposure to seasonal and supra-optimal constant temperatures were independent of mass. However, seed mass influenced germination following increasing ageing stress, with light seeds germinating to a significantly greater extent than intermediate or heavy seeds. For example, final germination per cent in light-class seeds was about 1.7 times greater than intermediate or heavy seeds after 20 d of saturated salt accelerated ageing (SSAA). Seeds stored for 1 year in the laboratory displayed mass-dependent germination patterns similar to seeds following SSAA. Mass-independent germination responses may be a strategy to maintain an annual life history in otherwise difficult environments when R. mollis seeds are relatively fresh. However, differences in germination response between aged and unaged seeds suggest that mass-dependent viability loss may occur in R. mollis.
Ultrasonographic Assessment of Testicular Viability Using Heterogeneity Levels in Torsed Testicles

Purpose: Gross testicular heterogeneity on ultrasound has been associated with testis loss following testicular torsion in children. We aimed to quantify the extent of temporal heterogeneity associated with testis loss in testicular torsion cases using a noninvasive technique to determine a HI (heterogeneity index) on ultrasound images.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively studied the records of patients who presented with acute scrotal pain to the Pediatric Emergency Department over a 6-year period. Ultrasound images of the affected testis and the unaffected contralateral testis were examined using a proprietary program to determine the extent of heterogeneity of each image. The difference between the HI of the torsed testis and that of the contralateral normal testis was termed ΔHI. Receiver operating characteristics curve analysis was performed to determine the ΔHI threshold for nonviability.Results: Among 529 patients who presented with acute scrotal pain 147 had testicular torsion based on surgic...
Individually addressable micron-sized LED color pixels with integrated condenser lenses

A multi-color LED chip with integrated parabolic lenses is shown. The emission collimates within a 0.5NA zone with percentages of 75% for red, 83% for green, and 95% for blue, of the total emission, respectively.
Sea-Level Pressure Retrieval from SAR Images of Tropical Cyclones

Validation and calibration of wind vector retrievals from synthetic aperture radar images of tropical cyclones remains a serious challenge. The basic wind vector measurements in tropical cyclones come from the approximately ten to twenty drop sonde profiles that are obtained during reconnaissance flights. In the highly turbulent tropical cyclone boundary layer, any given drop sonde profile represents a single realization of the virtual ensemble that must be averaged to estimate a mean surface wind vector. This is the quantity of interest because geophysical model functions are calibrated in terms of mean surface wind speeds. Even if a mean surface wind vector can be estimated from a single sonde profile, it can only be compared to the nearest wind retrieval. Furthermore, in the high wind regime geophysical model functions can be extremely sensitive to small errors in either backscatter measurements or assumed wind direction. Drop sondes do provide very accurate atmospheric pressure data, which has the beneficial property of being a scalar mean flow quantity. A method for calculating surface pressure fields from synthetic aperture radar images of tropical cyclones is presented. These fields are very accurate, with an RMS error of about 3 mb. Importantly, the surface pressure field represents an integral of the full wind vector field. Hence, comparing the pair-wise (between drop sonde splash locations) aircraft- and satellite-derived pressure differences provides a means by which the overall quality of the wind vector retrievals can be assessed. Finally, wind vector fields derived from the surface pressure fields can provide significantly improved estimates in regions of the image where objective quality flags reject the raw winds.
Characterization of geochemical properties and microstructures of the Bakken Shale in North Dakota

Abstract Research on unconventional shale reservoirs has increased dramatically due to the decline of production from conventional reserves. Geochemical properties and pore microstructures are known to be important factors that affect the storage capacity and nano-mechanical properties of self-sourced organic- rich shales. In this study, eleven shale samples were collected from the Upper and Lower Members of the Bakken Formation for the analysis of mineralogy, geochemical properties, and pore structure. Bulk pyrolysis analysis was conducted using the default method and two modified methods, namely the reservoir and the shale reservoir methods. Although all three methods showed the Bakken samples to be organic-rich and to have considerable remaining hydrocarbon generating potential, it was the shale reservoir method that gave the highest hydrocarbons yield because it captured most of the lighter thermo-vaporizable hydrocarbons. Thus, the shale method is considered to be more appropriate for the geochemical analysis of the Bakken samples. This method also showed that most of the remaining potential is due to the cracking of heavy hydrocarbons, NSO compounds (Resins + Asphaltenes) and kerogen. The organic matter in the samples is mixed II/III type (oil and gas-prone), is thermally mature, and plots at the peak of the oil window. The VRo-eq values, based on solid bitumen Ro measurements and conversion, ranged from 0.85% to 0.98%. The pore structures obtained from the image analysis method showed that total surface porosity of the samples ranged from 3.89% to 11.56% and that organic porosity is not the main contributor of total porosity for the samples analyzed. The pore structures of the samples are heterogeneous due to differences in lacunarity values. Results of the impact of mineralogical composition on pore structures demonstrate that clay minerals and feldspar have a positive influence on porosity while quartz, pyrite, and that TOC has a negative impact.
Experimental challenges to stiffness as a transport paradigm

Two power scans were carried out in H-mode plasmas in DIII-D; one employed standard co-current neutral beam injection (NBI), while the other used a mixture of co-current and counter-current NBI to scan power while holding the torque to a low fixed value. Analysis of the ion and electron heat transport, ion toroidal angular momentum transport, and thermal deuterium transport from these scans is presented. Invariance of the gradients or gradient scalelengths, as might be expected from stiff transport, was not generally observed. When invariance was seen, it was not accompanied by a strong increase in transport, except in the case of the absolute deuterium ion transport. Conduction in the ion channel is the dominant energy loss mechanism. The variation of the ion heat transport with applied power is similar for the co-injection and fixed torque scans, indicating that E × B shearing is not determining the plasma response to additional power. There is however, a quantitative difference in the transport between the two scans, indicating E × B shearing does play a role in the transport. Comparison of these results with a previous experiment that directly probed stiffness at a single radius leads to the following conclusion: while local stiffness as formally defined may hold, invariance of the gradients or normalized scalelengths does not follow from stiff transport in more practical scaling experiments, such as the power scans discussed here. Possible reasons for the lack of correspondence between the local picture and the global expectations are discussed.
Helicity within the Kolmogorov Phenomenology of Turbulence

In a phenomenology in which both energy and helicity exhibit net flux to the small scales it is natural to investigate how they might influence each other. Motivated by Kraichnan’s 1971 derivation of spectral scaling laws using the timescale for energy transfer in wavenumber, we proceed by considering the timescale for helicity transfer and its potential impact on energy distribution in wavenumber. We demonstrate using resolved direct numerical simulations that the predicted effects of a second timescale related to helicity transfer are consistent with observed statistics. Both the energy and helicity spectra show to close to a k-4/3 scaling in the higher wavenumber ‘bottleneck’ regime of the inertial range. The latter scaling is in agreement with our prediction for the scaling exponent based on a helicity-dependent timescale for twisting rather than shearing motions.
Individualism as Habitus: Reframing the Relationship between Income Inequality and Health

Public health literature has demonstrated a negative effect of income inequality on a number of health outcomes. Researchers have attempted to explain this phenomenon, drawing on psychosocial and neo-materialist explanations. This paper argues, however, that these approaches fail to recognize the crucial role of culture, focusing specifically on the cultural value of individualism. Through a review of the literature and Pierre Bourdieu’s theory of practice as a theoretical framework, I provide support for the proposition that an ideology based in individualism is the context within which income inequality, social fragmentation, material deprivation, and consequently poor health outcomes are produced. I further offer recommendations for continued research into the role of cultural determinants in the income inequality-health relationship.
Healthy Hankerings: Motivating Adolescents to Combat Obesity with a Mobile Application

Obesity has become a major public health issue in most countries around the world. In addition, adolescent obesity is increasing in an alarming rate all over the world. Many attempts have been made to address this issue that ranges from doing exercise to following a diet plan to playing games. While the existence of the above works indicates the past and ongoing efforts to combat adolescent obesity, they are clearly not enough since it is still rising. Researchers have found that adolescent obesity controlling has a lot to do with combating unhealthy cravings that needs strong will power and motivation at such an age. Often, young people and their caregiver struggle to find healthy and nutritious recipes that would fulfill the craving of young people. In order to motivate unfit adolescents towards healthy eating, our research tries to provide them with alternative tasty yet healthier food options using a mobile application. In this paper, we present the design and development details of a mobile application, Healthy Hankerings, which has the potential to help deal with adolescent obesity by motivating its users to choose a healthier food option when they have craving for unhealthy or junk food. To find a healthy recipe, the application uses a recognition algorithm, a decision tree based learning algorithm that considers user’s meal intake history and current cravings. To evaluate our application, we also present the usability study of the prototype in this paper.
Oocarpa Pine (Pinus Oocarpa var. Oocarpa Schiede)

Pinus oocarpa var. oocarpa Schiede (Pinophyta, Pinales, Pinaceae subgenus Pinus) is an economically-important conifer of Mexico and Central America. Clonal propagation methods are required to capture the genetic gains obtained through traditional breeding, for the rapid production of elite stock, as well for the introduction of desirable genes via genetic engineering technologies. However, little attention has been paid to the development of tissue culture protocols for P. oocarpa. Here, we outline the clonal propagation process via somatic embryogenesis for this species.
PARAMETER LISTS AND LIBRARIES

This chapter discusses parameter lists and libraries observed in Turbo BASIC. A subroutine can have a list of variables, called a parameter list, appended to its name; such parameter lists can be used to pass information back and forth between a subroutine and the main and other routines. The communication of information between a subroutine and its calling routine can be done using the SHARED statement or parameter lists. In smaller programs, with few subroutines, the SHARED statement provides an easy method for communicating information. Variable names in the SHARED statement need to be the same as the variable names in the calling routine. In longer, more complex programs, parameter passing provides greater control over the communication of information between a subroutine and its calling routine. In communicating information with parameters, the list of variables appended to the name in the SUB statement is the parameter list of the subroutine. Subroutines and functions that frequently are used in a variety of programs can be saved separately in a library. Such libraries can be included in any program that is written. In writing programs, a number of standard routines maybe developed that are used frequently in many different programs. Such routines can be gathered together on diskette in what might be called a library. The naming scheme used in a program can be independent of the naming scheme used when creating a subroutine library.
Age and growth of gray triggerfish (Balistes capriscus) from a north-central Gulf of Mexico artificial reef zone

The overexploitation of many traditionally targeted reef fishes, such as red snapper, Lutjanus campechanus (Poey, 1860), alongside the implementation of increasingly restrictive management measures on those species, has led to increased targeting of conventionally discarded Gulf of Mexico gray triggerfish, Balistes capriscus Gmelin, 1789, commercially and recreationally. The goal of this study was to assess age and growth of gray triggerfish from the Alabama Artificial Reef Zone in the north-central Gulf of Mexico. Gray triggerfish (n = 1135) were collected predominantly from artificial habitat during 1999–2017. Specimens were sexed macroscopically and ages were assigned by counting translucent increments in sections of the first dorsal spine. Fish ranged in size from 22 to 617 mm fork length. The oldest female was assigned an age of 9 yrs; the oldest male, 10 yrs. A suite of growth models was tested to develop combined and sex-specific models. The von Bertalanffy growth function best fit the combined data with parameters L∞ = 488.63 (SE 5.19), k = 0.57 (SE 0.02), and t 0= –0.27 (SE 0.03). Mean size-at-age differed between sexes for six of the eight ages which possessed sample sizes large enough to make comparisons. Growth differed between sexes, and the best-fitting version of the von Bertalanffy growth function permitted L∞ to vary by sex [female L∞ = 480.26 (SE 7.99); male L∞ = 532.89 (SE 8.95); k = 0.44 (SE 0.04); t 0 = –0.78 (SE 0.16)]. These findings enhance our knowledge of the age and growth of Gulf of Mexico gray
Enhanced MWIR absorption of HgCdTe (MCT) via plasmonic metal oxide nanostructures

Mercury Cadmium Telluride (MCT) is the premier active material used in infrared (IR) detection technology. The most recent work related to the improvement of MCT-based detectors is associated with reducing the s/n ratio, and increasing the operating temperature without compromising performance. However, little has been done in manipulating the Electric field intensity near the absorber region of the device. Our numerical studies show that the absorption profile of MCT in the mid-infrared can be enhanced by integrating metal oxide nanostructures. This work may improve the dynamic range and sensitivity of infrared detectors capable of operating in multiple detection windows.
Editorial for May 2013 Issue

This issue of the IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management includes 18 articles, including seven regular research articles, a guest editorial, and ten articles that, along with five articles published in the November 2012 (Volume 59, Number 4) issue, comprise a special issue on Engineering Management and Sustainability. This timely and highly successful special issue was edited by J. Sarkis, T. D. Bruijn, and Q. Zhu, and has led to the creation of a new department on Social Issues and Sustainability in Engineering Management (please see http://ieee-tem.uark.edu/depts.html for further information and links for this and other departments of the journal). The guest editors of the special issue have prepared an editorial that examines the history and current state of research on sustainability in engineering management and discusses the contributions of the ten sustainability articles included in this issue. The author then summarizes the contributions of the first seven articles from this issue, which were selected through a regular review process.
From “living corpse” to India's daughter: Exploring the social, political and legal landscape of the 2012 Delhi gang rape

Synopsis On December 16th 2012, Jyoti Singh, a 23 year old physiotherapy student, was brutally gang raped by six men on a bus in South Delhi, India. The severity of the attack and the inadequate response of the Indian government to the crime provoked nationwide protests and demands for legal reform. While other rapes have prompted public outcry, this particular crime inspired elevated interest, not only in India but around the world. This article addresses the relationship between the evolving social, political, and legal discourses surrounding rape in India that permeated the attack and its aftermath. By situating Jyoti Singh's case within a longer genealogy of responses to sexual violence in India this article reveals several unanticipated outcomes such as the distinct patterns of public outcry and protest, notable shifts in prior socio-legal narratives of rape and the pioneering content of the Justice Verma Committee report.
Effects of Affiliation Network Membership on Financial and Quality Performance

Hospitals are increasingly joining inter-organizational partnerships such as strategic alliances and collaborations to improve quality and financial performance. However, researchers have not exami...
Low-Dose Adjuvant Cylinder Brachytherapy for Endometrioid Endometrial Cancer.

Abstract Purpose Our purpose was to evaluate outcomes and sites of failure for women with early stage endometrial adenocarcinoma treated with adjuvant high-dose-rate (HDR) vaginal brachytherapy (VB) with a low dose scheme. Methods and Materials Retrospective review identified 318 patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage I-II endometrioid endometrial cancer who received adjuvant HDR VB to a dose of 24 Gray (Gy) in 6 fractions from 2005 to 2017. Patients with Results Median follow-up was 42 months for 243 patients. The 3-year rates of VR, pelvic nodal relapse, distant metastasis, recurrence-free survival, and overall survival were 1.9%, 1.5%, 4.3%, 94.1%, and 98.9%, respectively. The 3-year VR rates by Gynecologic Oncology (GOG)-99 risk groups were 0%, 1.4%, and 3.2% for low risk, low-intermediate risk, and high-intermediate risk (HIR) disease (P = .5). By Post-operative Radiation Therapy in Endometrial Carcinoma (PORTEC) risk stratification, 3-year VR rate was 1.3% for HIR disease. On review of pretreatment CT images of the 6 patients with VR, 3 patients had relapse at the introitus outside of the treated vaginal length, and 3 had in-field recurrence at the vaginal apex. Higher body mass index (BMI) was associated with VR, with a 14% increase in risk per BMI unit (kg/m2, P = .02). There were no reported grade 2 GI or any grade 3 toxicities. Conclusions Adjuvant HDR VB with a low-dose regimen results in excellent clinical outcomes for patients with early stage endometrioid endometrial cancer. Patients with higher BMI may be at increased risk of VR, and additional study is needed to optimize brachytherapy treatment parameters.
X-Ray Interpretation

The chapter will give a basic understanding of how chest X-rays are obtained, the relative risk of radiation exposure, and a systematic approach to begin to understand how to approach diagnostic interpretation of chest X-rays. There will also be real world examples to apply these skills.
A comparison of genetic imputation methods using Long Life Family Study genotypes and sequence data with the 1000 Genome reference panel

This study compares methods of imputing genetic markers, given a typed GWAS scaffold from the Long Life Family Study (LLFS) and latest reference panel of 1000-Genomes. We examined two programs for ...
Reducing Health Disparities Through Prevention: Role of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

In 1984, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) was founded to create evidence-based recommendations guiding the use of diverse preventive services, including screening tests, behavioral interventions, and medications. Recommendations from this independent expert group are widely followed, and in some cases have produced substantial changes in clinical practice. One example, prostate cancer screening with prostate-specific antigen, was routinely performed among middle-aged and elderly men for decades until the USPSTF 2012 recommendation against this practice.1 Like prostate cancer, many diseases that are the subject of their preventive service recommendations disproportionately affect racial/ethnic minorities. This highlights a unique opportunity for USPSTF’s recommendations to reduce health disparities. The USPSTF follows a rigorous, transparent, and dynamic process for reviewing existing evidence and developing its recommendations.2 Using commissioned systematic literature reviews, the USPSTF considers the quality of evidence supporting each preventive service, and the magnitude of net benefit from implementing it. These reviews assess the certainty of the existing evidence, in addition to the magnitude of benefits and harms associated with the service. This process is intended to “maximize population health benefits while minimizing harms.”3 Weighing the potential impacts of preventive service recommendations from a population perspective may help achieve the greatest benefit for the largest number of Americans. However, some subpopulations may derive more benefit or experience greater harm from certain preventive services. If there is insufficient evidence to recommend a preventive service in the entire population, it is unlikely that the same service will benefit high-risk groups such as racial/ethnic minorities. However, it is possible that racial/ethnic differences in benefits and harms of recommended services or differential implementation of those services by race/ethnicity could widen health disparities in some groups. The USPSTF currently addresses high-risk subgroups in several ways.4 Most recommendations target specific groups defined by a limited number of risk factors, such as individuals’ age, sex, and specific exposures like smoking. The USPSTF also targets high-risk subgroups defined by numerous risk factors that are captured in multivariate risk models, like the 2016 statin recommendation,5 which require a calculation to determine eligibility. Although some risk models include race/ethnicity, none of the current USPTSF recommendations use race/ethnicity as a deciding factor.
Communication Sciences and Disorders PhD Graduates' Perceptions of Their PhD Program

Purpose The shortage of doctor of philosophy (PhD)–level applicants to fill academic and research positions in communication sciences and disorders (CSD) programs calls for a detailed examination o...
Clinical application of dexmedetomidine in pediatrics

Dexmedetomidine(DEX) is a new type of highly selective α2 adrenergic receptor agonist with multiple effects, such as sedation, analgesic, anti-anxiety and inhibition of sympathetic nervous system activity.DEX is usually used as an anesthetic adjuvant and as an sedative and analgesic in PICU, also possessing effects of preventing and treating emergence agitation, counteracting postoperative shivering and organ protection.This paper summarized the clinical application of DEX in pediatric field. Key words: Dexmedetomidine; Pediatrics; Clinical application
Purkinje-Related Arrhythmias in Post-Infarction Cardiomyopathy

Analysis of the ICD intracardiac recordings of spontaneous arrhythmia episodes can provide valuable information to formulate mapping strategy. A similar electrogram morphology during VT compared to that of sinus rhythm is suggestive of comparable ventricular activations during VT and intrinsic conduction, and therefore highlights role of the Purkinje system participating in ventricular arrhythmias.
Using empirical dynamic modeling to assess relationships between atmospheric trace gases and eukaryotic phytoplankton populations in coastal Southern California

Abstract Many different atmospheric trace gases have been directly and indirectly linked to biological sources and sinks. Here we assess how atmospheric mixing ratios of a range of halocarbons (CH3Br, CH2Br2, CHBr3, CH3Cl, CHCl3, and CH3I) and COS are causally connected to naturally occurring marine eukaryotic phytoplankton in coastal Southern California. We use a self-organizing map to characterize the abiotic environment and empirical dynamic modeling with convergent cross mapping to identify causal interactions between multiple in situ 8-year time-series, sampled at the Ellen Browning Scripps Pier at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Our work supports previous findings that halocarbon production is found in a variety of marine phytoplankton taxa and suggests that local phytoplankton may have the ability to affect changes in the mixing ratios of halocarbons in nearshore environments. There were notable links between changes in CH3I and several different diatom taxa and between changes in CHCl3 and a group of phytoplankton during specific ecosystem states. Our results suggest that both seasonal and non-seasonal shifts in eukaryotic phytoplankton structure contribute to small fluctuations in atmospheric halocarbon mixing ratios that exhibit strong seasonality and may occasionally play a larger role in atmospheric mixing ratios of halocarbons that display reduced seasonality.
Proton-pump inhibitors associated with decreased urinary citrate excretion.

Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) may increase the risk of kidney stone formation, but the mechanism has not been elucidated. There is a paucity of literature evaluating the effects of PPIs on urinary metabolites and urine pH. We performed a retrospective review of nephrolithiasis patients treated at our institution and compared patients who were taking PPIs to those who were not at the time of their 24-h urine collections. Hierarchical multivariate linear regression was used to evaluate the independent relationship between PPI use and urinary mineral composition. We identified 301 consecutive patients, 88 (29%) of whom were taking PPIs at the time of their 24-h urine collections. Patients taking PPIs were older and more likely to have medical comorbidities associated with metabolic syndrome such as hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia (p < 0.01). Controlling for these factors, patients taking PPIs were found to have 12% lower 24-h urine citrate excretion (β = − 0.12, ΔF = 4.24, p = 0.04). There were no other differences in urinary mineral composition between the groups. Our findings suggest that patients who take PPIs regularly may be at risk for decreased urinary citrate excretion. The consequent decrease in urinary citrate may become clinically significant for patients with other predisposing factors for hypocitraturia.
Reflections on Network Transitions and Social Contracts for a Broadband Era

We are now fairly far along in the evolution from analog to digital communications systems, and the grand convergence into a network of networks based around the technologies of the Internet. It is important to survey and consider the facts on the ground. It is even more important, though, to step back and consider the societal goals that animate communications policy in the first place. Standing behind the particulars of regulation is a set of broad, if imperfectly defined, normative commitments. Those commitments should not evaporate based on the configuration of the market at any given time. The means of achieving them, by contrast, cannot remain unchanged when the context changes. The difference between regulated communications markets and the bulk of the economy is frequently described in terms of social contracts. Social contract thinking provides a convenient way to explain why companies are subjected to obligations above and beyond the generic requirements of antitrust and consumer protection. Such language in telecommunications is especially common during periods of transition. The term “social contract,” however, is often thrown around in these contexts with little attention to its origins or meaning. In considering the transition to a digital broadband environment for virtually all communications and media services, social contracts provide a useful touchpoint.
Does endoscopic intervention prevent subsequent gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with left ventricular assist devices? A retrospective study.

Does endoscopic intervention prevent subsequent gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with left ventricular assist devices? A retrospective study
CCTVs: Choices and Considerations:

The decision whether or not to purchase a CCTV can be a complex and difficult one, and the individual should realize that not to buy is as valid as to buy, in some cases. Decision should be based o...
Selves in Two Languages: Bilinguals' Verbal Enactments of Identity in French and Portuguese

Bilinguals often report that they feel like a different person in their two languages. In the words of one bilingual in Koven’s book, “When I speak Portuguese, automatically, I'm in a different world…it's a different color.” Although testimonials like this abound in everyday conversation among bilinguals, there has been scant systematic investigation of this intriguing phenomenon. Focusing on French-Portuguese bilinguals, the adult children of Portuguese migrants in France, this book provides an empirically grounded, theoretical account of how the same speakers enact, experience, and are perceived by others to have different identities in their two languages. This book explores bilinguals’ experiences and expressions of identity in multicultural, multilingual contexts. It is distinctive in its integration of multiple levels of analysis to address the relationships between language and identity. Koven links detailed attention to discourse form, to participants’ multiple interpretations how such forms become signs of identity, and to the broader macrosociolinguistic contexts that structure participants’ access to those signs. The study of how bilinguals perform and experience different identities in their two languages sheds light on the more general role of linguistic and cultural forms in local experiences and expressions of identity.
Visually Impaired Children II: Intervention Strategies

Using Maslow's (1973) Hierarchy of Basic Human Needs as an organizational scheme, this article offers an overview of interventions which are commonly used with visually impaired children. These str...
Selective catalytic reduction of NO with ammonia over V2O5 doped TiO2 pillared clay catalysts

Abstract A series of vanadia doped TiO 2 -pillared clay (TiO 2 -PILC) catalysts with various amount of vanadia were studied for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO by ammonia in the presence of excess oxygen. It was found that the V 2 O 5 /TiO 2 -PILC catalysts were highly active for the SCR reaction. The catalysts showed a broad temperature window, and the maximum NO conversion was higher than that on V 2 O 5 /TiO 2 catalyst and was the same as the commercial V 2 O 5 + WO 3 /TiO 2 catalyst. The V 2 O 5 /TiO 2 -PILC catalysts also had higher N 2 /N 2 O product selectivities as compared to V 2 O 5 doped TiO 2 catalysts. In addition, H 2 O + SO 2 slightly increased the activities at high temperatures (>350°C) for the V 2 O 5 /TiO 2 -PILC catalysts. Addition of WO 3 to V 2 O 5 further increased the activities of the PILC catalysts. These results indicate that TiO 2 -PILC is a good support for vanadia catalysts for the SCR reaction. In situ FT–IR experiment indicated that both Bronsted acid sites and Lewis acid sites exist on the catalyst surface, but with a large proportion being Bronsted acid sites at low temperatures (e.g., 100°C). The reaction path for NO reduction by NH 3 on the V 2 O 5 /TiO 2 -PILC is similar to that on V 2 O 5 /TiO 2 catalyst, i.e., N 2 originates from the reaction between gaseous NO and NH 3 adspecies.
ADICT: accurate direct and inverse color transformation

A color transfer function describes the relationship between the input and the output colors of a device. Computing this function is difficult when devices do not follow traditionally coveted properties like channel independency or color constancy, as is the case with most commodity capture and display devices (like projectors, camerass and printers). In this paper we present a novel representation for the color transfer function of any device, using higher-dimensional Bezier patches, that does not rely on any restrictive assumptions and hence can handle devices that do not behave in an ideal manner. Using this representation and a novel reparametrization technique, we design a color transformation method that is more accurate and free of local artifacts compared to existing color transformation methods. We demonstrate this method's generality by using it for color management on a variety of input and output devices. Our method shows significant improvement in the appearance of seamlessness when used in the particularly demanding application of color matching across multi-projector displays or multicamera systems. Finally we demonstrate that our color transformation method can be performed efficiently using a real-time GPU implementation.
Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors: Does Chemotherapy Work?

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs) are rare well-differentiated neoplasms which can be functional or non-functional. They tend to have a worse prognosis than their counterpart carcinoid tumors. Current systemic treatment options for advanced, unresectable disease include somatostatin analogs, everolimus and sunitinib. Low response rates and toxicity profiles have, thus far, limited the widespread use of cytotoxic chemotherapy in this setting. In this update, we review three abstracts from the 2014 ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium that present outcomes of the use of combination capecitabine and temozolomide in patients with advanced pNET. We summarize their results and discuss the role of this regimen in treatment algorithms for metastatic pNET. Image: University of Rochester logo