cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The first human cell line-derived erythropoietin, epoetin-delta (Dynepo), in the management of anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease.

AIMS To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the first human cell line-derived erythropoietin, epoetin-delta, in the management of anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease. METHODS This was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, active-control, Phase III study. Patients aged > or = 18 years with chronic renal disease requiring hemodialysis, with hemoglobin (Hb) levels in the range 9.6-12.4 g/dl, and who had been treated with recombinant erythropoietin for > or = 90 days before study entry were eligible. In the initial double-blind comparative study phase, patients were randomized in a 3:1 ratio to 24-week treatment with either intravenous (i.v.) epoetin-delta (ED) or epoetin-alpha (EA). Patients then entered a 28-week open-label phase, receiving i.v. ED at a dose equal to that of i.v. ED or EA which they received at the end of the blinded phase. RESULTS In total, 752 patients were randomized, of whom 555 patients subsequently received ED and 191 patients EA, with 583 patients (77.5%) completing the double-blind phase and entering the open-label phase. There was no significant difference between groups for the primary endpoint: the average Hb level from Weeks 12-24 of the study. The adjusted mean average Hb level for the modified intent-to-treat (mITT) population was 11.57 g/dl in the ED group (n = 491, mean dose 63.5 IU/kg) and 11.56 g/dl in the EA group (n = 175, mean dose 62.8 IU/kg). Efficacy was maintained on long-term use. Data for Weeks 12-52 show that ED maintained patients' Hb levels in the target range (10-12 g/dl) with a mean Hb level of 11.31 g/dl at a mean ED dose of 63.7 IU/kg. ED therapy was well tolerated, with a similar overall incidence of adverse events (AEs) (94.4%) to the EA group (92.1%) in the double-blind phase (most common events: hypotension, upper respiratory tract infection, muscle cramps, headache). AEs occurring during the open-label phase were generally similar in type and frequency to those reported during the double-blind phase. CONCLUSIONS The human cell line-derived erythropoietin, epoetin-delta, provides an effective, well tolerated new option for the management of anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease.
Urinary isoflavonoid excretion in humans is dose dependent at low to moderate levels of soy-protein consumption.

Soybeans contain isoflavones, which have been associated with many health benefits, including decreased cancer risk. The purpose of our study was to measure urinary isoflavonoid excretion in response to daily consumption of soy that contained 0-36 mg isoflavones-a lower range than used in previous studies-and to compare urinary isoflavonoid excretion between equol excreters and nonexcreters. Fourteen men and women aged 2040 y participated in the study. Half of the subjects were identified previously as equol excreters and the other half as equol nonexcreters. This randomized, double-blind, crossover study consisted of four 9-d diet treatment periods. During each treatment period participants consumed a low-phytoestrogen controlled diet and a beverage containing 0, 5, 10, or 20 g soy protein. Urine collected on the last 3 d of each treatment period was analyzed for isoflavonoid (equol, O-desmethylangolensin, genistein, and daidzein) and lignan (enterodiol and enterolactone) contents by using isotope-dilution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. There was a highly linear dose response of urinary isoflavonoid excretion to soy consumption, which did not differ significantly between equol excreters and nonexcreters. There were no significant differences in lignan excretion between the two diet treatments. Our results indicate that urinary isoflavonoid excretion is dose dependent in humans at low to moderate levels of soy consumption.
Security from Under-Seepage — Masonry Dams on Earth Foundations

This paper gives the results of, an investigation of more than two hundred masonry dams with various kinds of earth foundation, to determine the length of the percolation path necessary to prevent ...
Skin substitutes in upper extremity burns.

SUMMARY Four techniques for permanent skin replacement with skin substitutes are described. A claim of superiority to conventional skin grafting on upper extremity and hand burns is not made, but some clinical observations and histologic evidence of different healing characteristics are shown. The composite grafts described appear to effectively replace the bilayered structure of skin and seem to have good subjective resistance to shear forces. If the skin replacement is durable and heals with less scarring than conventional skin grafts, the inexorable course to stiffness and contracture may be altered. Further basic science and clinical investigation may provide us with a better way of managing these difficult problems.
The contribution of neutrophils to CNS autoimmunity

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is believed to be initiated when myelin-specific T cells infiltrate the central nervous system (CNS), triggering subsequent recruitment of inflammatory leukocytes to the CNS. The contribution of neutrophils to CNS autoimmune disease has been underappreciated, but several studies in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of MS, indicate that neutrophils have an important role in inflammation. Neutrophils are hypothesized to contribute to the pathogenesis of EAE by producing cytokines and promoting breakdown of the blood brain barrier. Neutrophils may also influence the manifestation of EAE by facilitating parenchymal brain inflammation. This review summarizes evidence supporting a functional role for neutrophils in EAE and MS, highlighting the differential regulation of neutrophil recruitment in the brain and spinal cord.
China’s Two Faces: The Contradiction of Chinese “Uniqueness”

Can states commit acts of rage? To this point, we have only dealt with cases of violence by non-state actors that actually threatened the state’s authority, either indirectly (as in the case of al-Qaida) or directly (as in the case of anti-immigrant violence in Germany). However, our model of national identity includes increasing support for the institutions and laws of the country as a means of bolstering national pride. If leaders perceive that the state’s authority is threatened, they may, in certain instances, use its coercive power not only to preserve the state or regime, but also to bolster their citizens’ sense of pride. Wars based upon nationalistic sentiment, such as those in the Balkans and elsewhere, are post-Cold War examples of acts of rage committed by political leaders to assert their nations’ identities. These actions may be counterproductive if they in turn hurt a country’s international image. But in the post-Cold War era, the importance of reputation in world opinion is a lesson that some nations still need to learn.
Porous Cu3Sn Formation in Cu-Sn IMC-Based Micro-Joints

Microbumps are widely used to interconnect stacked chips with through-Si-vias (TSVs) in vertical direction to enable 3D IC integration. Several recent studies reported [1, 2] that a unique porous void formation was found in Cu-Sn microbump particularly in Cu3Sn layer. This porous Cu3Sn formation was only reported in microbump which has constrained joint thickness (
The Impact of Pregnancy and Childbirth on Sexual Behaviors: A Systematic Review

The purpose of this review was to examine and synthesize the available quality evidence to provide researchers, educators, and clinicians an overview of what is known about sexual behaviors during pregnancy and the year after childbirth. Search engines were used to identify peer-reviewed, English-language articles that met the inclusion criteria. A total of 56 prospective, retrospective, and qualitative studies published after 1996 were reviewed. A gradual decline in vaginal intercourse from prepregnancy to first trimester to third trimester was found. Most couples resume vaginal intercourse by eight weeks after childbirth, but this behavior does not occur at prepregnancy frequencies until closer to 12 months postchildbirth. Future studies should consider assessing sexual behaviors beyond vaginal intercourse and increase efforts in recruitment of diverse samples including non-White, nonheterosexual pregnant individuals, and partners of pregnant individuals.
Reconstruction of Euclidean embeddings in dense networks

We consider the problem of determining the Euclidean embedding of a dense, planar sensor network. The sensors are equipped with a binary sensing protocol that enables them to detect the neighboring sensors within a fixed radius, R. Using only this connectivity graph, we reconstruct an approximate embedding of the network on an Euclidean plane. To that end, we design an algorithm to identify special landmark nodes in the network whose Euclidean embedding is “close” to the vertices of an ideal hexagonal lattice. We present theoretical bounds on the error between this reconstructed embedding of the lattice and its actual embedding. We also provide validation of our algorithm and theoretical results via simulation.
Revisiting the effect of anti-VLA-4 monoclonal antibody treatment in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (50.9)

Blocking of adhesion molecule VLA-4 has been shown to ameliorate disease in human MS patients and in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). We were interested in determining long-term effects of anti-VLA-4 monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment on persistence and function of myelin-reactive T cells in EAE. Unexpectedly, we found that anti-VLA-4 mAb (PS/2) treated mice succumbed to toxic shock-like death after repeated injection of the mAb. Investigating the underlying mechanism we found that treatment of mice with PS/2 in combination with Pertussis toxin (PTX) which is commonly used to facilitate induction of disease in mouse EAE models resulted in death of the animals. Our results show that CD4+ T cells are critical for this effect and that systemic release of cytokines including IL-1 β and TNF-α may play a role. The results reveal a previously not appreciated effect of VLA-4 antibody treatment in mouse EAE model and could be relevant for the treatment of MS patients.
La Muerte del Heroe Tradicional en " Maragarita esta linda la mar " de Sergio Ramirez

Margarita, esta linda la mar (1998) recrea escenas de la historia nicaraguense enfocandose en la muerte del poeta Ruben Dario en 1916 y el asesinato del dictador Anastasio Somoza Garcia en 1956. En esta version de la historia predomina la influencia del azar y el inutil asesinato de Somoza se describe como una broma del destino. La insolita perspectiva de la historia presente en Margarita distorsiona a las grandes figuras, enfocandose en sus fracasos y momentos de humillacion. En vez de retratar momentos gloriosos de heroes tradicionales, Margarita, esta linda la mar sigue la corriente de la nueva novela historica, distorsionando a las grandes figuras, describiendolas de manera grotesca, y revelando su lado oscuro. Este trabajo analizara la ausencia de heroes tradicionales y la inesperada presencia de cualidades heroicas en los personajes poetas.
ANTIHYPERTENSIVE DRUG THERAPY AND CORONARY HEART DISEASE RISK

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the major cause of death in the United States. Major modifiable risk factors for CHD are hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and cigarette smoking, with concomitant risk factors, especially left ventricular hypertrophy, that act synergistically to significantly increase overall risk. Antihypertensive therapy, while reducing the incidence of stroke, has not consistently reduced the incidence of CHD. This may be a result, in part, of adverse effects on the metabolic profile, especially on blood lipids, which are induced by diuretics and certain beta-blockers. Other antihypertensive agents appear to be either lipid neutral, such as calcium channel blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, or lipid positive, such as selective alpha 1-blockers. The choice of initial antihypertensive therapy should be made with all of a patient's risk factors in mind. In addition to the drugs recommended in the 1988 Guidelines of the Joint National Committee on Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure, selective alpha 1-blockers should also be considered since they improve the lipid profile as well as reduce blood pressure.
Don't Give Up on Taxes

This short essay discusses Edward Kleinbard's recent book about the fiscal system and the broader implications of progressive taxation as a policy goal.
A cyclic iterative method for solving a class of variational inequalities in Hilbert spaces

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this paper is to introduce a new iterative method for solving a variational inequality over the set of common fixed points of a finite family of sequences of nearly non-expan...
Removing restrictions on nurse practitioners' scope of practice in New York State: Physicians' and nurse practitioners' perspectives.

ABSTRACTBackground and purpose:In 2015, New York State adopted the Nurse Practitioners Modernization Act to remove required written practice agreements between physicians and nurse practitioners (NPs) with at least 3,600 hours of practice experience. We assessed the perspectives of physicians and NP
Factors associated with potentially inappropriate medication use in community‐dwelling older adults in the United States: a systematic review

Objectives Potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use in older adults is a prevalent problem associated with poor health outcomes. Understanding drivers of PIM use is essential for targeting interventions. This study systematically reviews the literature about the patient, clinician and environmental/system factors associated with PIM use in community-dwelling older adults in the United States. Methods PRISMA guidelines were followed when completing this review. PubMed and EMBASE were queried from January 2006 to September 2017. Our search was limited to English-language studies conducted in the United States that assessed factors associated with PIM use in adults ≥65 years who were community-dwelling. Two independent reviewers screened titles and abstracts. Reviewers abstracted data sequentially and assessed risk of bias independently. Key findings Twenty-two studies were included. Nineteen examined patient factors associated with PIM use. The most common statistically significant factors associated with PIM use were taking more medications, female sex, and higher outpatient and emergency department utilization. Only three studies examined clinician factors, and few were statistically significant. Fifteen studies examined system-level factors such as geographic region and health insurance. The most common statistically significant association was the south and west geographic region relative to the northeast United States. Conclusions Amongst older adults, women and persons on more medications are at higher risk of PIM use. There is evidence that increased healthcare use is also associated with PIM use. Future studies are needed exploring clinician factors, such as specialty, and their association with PIM prescribing.
Sebaceous adenoma in the setting of immunosuppression for kidney transplantation.

Although immunosuppressed transplant recipients are known to have an increased risk of nonmelanoma skin cancers, a causal relationship between immunosuppression and sebaceous neoplasms has not yet been described. However, accumulating evidence suggests that immunosuppressed individuals are at an increased risk of developing sebaceous neoplasms.1 In this case, we present an atypical, rapidly growing sebaceous adenoma in an immunosuppressed kidney transplant recipient, supporting this suggestion.
Dynamic Programming and Reinforcement Learning

In this chapter we will study dynamic programming. Starting with the fundamental equation of dynamic programming as defined by Bellman, we will further dive deep into its generalization. We will understand the class of problems that can be solved with the framework of dynamic programming. Then we will study reinforcement learning as one subcategory of dynamic programming in detail. We will study the concepts of exploration and exploitation and the optimal tradeoff between them to achieve the best performance. We will also look at some variation of the reinforcement learning in the form of Q-learning and SARSA.
Invasive fungal wound infection in an otherwise healthy trauma patient (Mucor Trauma).

Abstract Background Mucor fungi are found ubiquitously in the environment and rarely cause infections in humans. Mucormycosis is typically seen in immunocompromised patients, but has been increasingly documented in previously healthy trauma patients. Mortality due to these infections can be high due to delayed diagnosis from a subtle clinical presentation and spread of infection by angioinvasion. Early recognition and prompt treatment is critical for survival. We describe a case of invasive mucormycosis in a previously healthy trauma patient treated at a Level 1 trauma center. Case report A 22-year-old male presented to the hospital after being involved in a motor vehicle accident. He sustained multiple traumatic injuries and developed multi-system organ failure within 48 hours of admission. He developed invasive, soft tissue mucormycosis (Rhizopus sp) at the laparotomy site, requiring multiple surgical debridements and prompt antifungal therapy. The fungus was also cultured from respiratory secretions and likely associated with his abdominal infection. We suspect the patient was predisposed to an invasive fungal infection in the setting of multi-system organ failure and multiple blood transfusions. The patient ultimately did well and continued to improve on follow up in the outpatient setting. Conclusions Mucormycosis is a rare infection that has been increasingly documented in trauma patients. Early recognition together with prompt debridement and antifungal therapy is key to successful management. Understanding risk factors for post-traumatic mucormycosis should raise our index of suspicion and prompt early diagnosis and initiation of treatment. Aggressive debridement is a critical component of appropriate management due to the angioinvasive spread of the mucor fungi. This means frequent debridement beyond the demarcation of gangrenous tissue. The management of our patient demonstrates the importance of early recognition of the clinical presentation, prompt initiation of antifungal therapy, and aggressive debridement of the wound.
Deep transfer learning and data augmentation improve glucose levels prediction in type 2 diabetes patients

Accurate prediction of blood glucose variations in type 2 diabetes (T2D) will facilitate better glycemic control and decrease the occurrence of hypoglycemic episodes as well as the morbidity and mortality associated with T2D, hence increasing the quality of life of patients. Owing to the complexity of the blood glucose dynamics, it is difficult to design accurate predictive models in every circumstance, i.e., hypo/normo/hyperglycemic events. We developed deep-learning methods to predict patient-specific blood glucose during various time horizons in the immediate future using patient-specific every 30-min long glucose measurements by the continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) to predict future glucose levels in 5 min to 1 h. In general, the major challenges to address are (1) the dataset of each patient is often too small to train a patient-specific deep-learning model, and (2) the dataset is usually highly imbalanced given that hypo- and hyperglycemic episodes are usually much less common than normoglycemia. We tackle these two challenges using transfer learning and data augmentation, respectively. We systematically examined three neural network architectures, different loss functions, four transfer-learning strategies, and four data augmentation techniques, including mixup and generative models. Taken together, utilizing these methodologies we achieved over 95% prediction accuracy and 90% sensitivity for a time period within the clinically useful 1 h prediction horizon that would allow a patient to react and correct either hypoglycemia and/or hyperglycemia. We have also demonstrated that the same network architecture and transfer-learning methods perform well for the type 1 diabetes OhioT1DM public dataset.
Making your geriatric and palliative programs a strength: TQIP guideline implementation and the VRC perspective.

Background Older patients compose approximately 30% of trauma patients treated in the USA but make up nearly 50% of deaths from trauma. To help standardize and elevate care of these patients, the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Trauma Quality Improvement Program’s best practice guidelines for geriatric trauma management was published in 2013 and that for palliative care was published in 2017. Here, we discuss how palliative care and geriatrics quality metrics can be tracked and used for performance improvement and leveraged as a strength for trauma verification. Methods We discuss the viewpoint of the ACS Verification, Review, and Consultation and three case studies, with practical tips and takeaways, of how these measures have been implemented at different institutions. Results We describe the use of (1) targeted educational initiatives, (2) development of a consultation tool based on institutional resources, and (3) application of a nurse-led frailty screen. Discussion Specialized care and attention to these vulnerable populations is recommended, but the implementation of these programs can take many shapes. Level of evidence V
Graphic Cigarette Warning Labels, the First Amendment, and Public Right to Accurate Public Health Information: Graphic Cigarette Warning Labels Back Under Legal Scrutiny

Importance The 2009 Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act required the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue a rule requiring graphic warning labels depicting the health consequences of smoking for prominent placement on cigarette packages and advertising. The tobacco industry filed a lawsuit against the FDA claiming that the required graphic labels constituted compelled speech in violation of First Amendment speech rights, and courts ruled for the tobacco industry. Subsequently, the FDA thoroughly redesigned the graphic labels and issued a revised rule, but the tobacco industry immediately filed a similar lawsuit against the FDA again on First Amendment grounds. Observations This article examines the delicate balance between First Amendment speech rights vs the right of the public to receive truthful, accurate, and understandable public health information. The article argues that the newly designed warning labels should easily pass First Amendment analysis. The need for new warning labels on tobacco products and advertising is a critical public health intervention to promote greater public understanding of the negative consequences of cigarette smoking, especially among the young. Conclusions and Relevance The legal analysis in this article marshals arguments that the First Amendment does not prohibit the requirement of the new tobacco warning labels. Commercial speech receives First Amendment protection primarily for the benefit of the public (listeners) and not the tobacco industry (compelled speakers). The balance favors the right of the public to receive accurate information about critical health risks.
Inhibition of the Tumor-initiating Ability of the Potent Carcinogen 7,12-Dimethylbenz(a)anthracene by the Weak Tumor Initiator 1,2,3,4-Dibenzanthracene

Aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) in mouse epidermis was inducible by topical application of several tumor-initiating polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The weak tumor initiator 1,2,3,4-dibenazanthracene (1,2,3,4-DBA), at dose level of 200 nmoles, increased AHH activity more than 10-fold over that of the acetone controls at 12 hr after treatment. Administration of the same quantity of the potent initiator 7,12-dimethylbenz( a )anthracene (DMBA) increased AHH activity approximately 4-fold over that of the control at 12 hr after treatment. Simultaneous treatment with 200 or 100 nmoles of DMBA and 1,2,3,4-DBA resulted in AHH activity that was 546 and 732% that of the controls, respectively, 12 hr after treatment; this was less AHH activity than was observed when 1,2,3,4-DBA was administered alone. Doses of 20 nmoles or more of 1,2,3,4-DBA, when given at about the same time as DMBA, effectively inhibited DMBA initiation of skin tumors in a two-stage system of tumorigenesis. The results suggest that the weak initiator 1,2,3,4-DBA may program the epidermal AHH system to metabolize the strong carcinogen DMBA to noncarcinogenic intermediate(s).
Entropy optimized contrast stretch to enhance remote sensing imagery

This paper presents a contrast stretch (CS) method based on minimum entropy constraint to enhance images obtained in remote sensing applications such as ground penetrating radar (GPR), synthetic aperture radar, and infra-red imagery. The CS enhances contrast of the low-contrast part of an image. In remote sensing, it is usually the desirable signals that are of low contrast while interference of high contrast. The CS modifies the original image such that pixel values above and below preset boundaries are set to Zero and the maximum possible pixel value and the pixel values falling between the boundaries are stretched out to enhance the contrast of the image. Using the CS we can enhance the contrast of desirable signals from, for example, a buried landmine or an object obscured by some interference. On the other hand, the CS inevitably enhances other parts of a remote sensing images, such as clutter and measurement noise. Therefore there is a trade-off in using the CS. It is beneficial to find the correct "cut-off" boundaries in the CS in some optimal sense. We propose using minimum entropy as a criterion of looking for the optimal CS parameter Using field data from GPR application, we show that improved image can be obtained which makes further processing such as detection more accurate.
The National Labor Relations Act: What Went Wrong; Can We Fix It?

When the National Labor Relations Act ("NLRA") was enacted, both labor and management believed that it would pave the way for unionization and the spread of collective bargaining. The key provisions that led to such great hopes by unions and their supporters remain in force, but after many years of working with the NLRA, optimism has given way to cynicism and despair about the law's ability to protect workers and enhance collective bargaining. This Essay provides tentative suggestions for structuring a legislative agenda that would make basic labor law more even handed and protective of basic worker rights. Recognizing that basic labor law is currently not a friend to unions, the Essay concludes that even though efforts to improve it are likely to meet with significant resistance, they are, nevertheless, worth the effort. When the National Labor Relations Act ("NLRA") 1 was enacted, both labor and management believed that it would pave the way for unionization and the spread of collective bargaining. 2 Unlike the National Recovery Administration, which preceded it, the Wagner Act was carefully structured to be effective. 3 Many aspects of the new law were innovative, its provisions were powerful, and its scheme for enforcement was carefully chosen. It contained a sweeping enunciation of employee rights, provisions for determining whether employees wished to be represented by a union, and a requirement that the em* © 2003 Julius Getman, Earl E. Sheffield Regents Chair in Law, University of Texas at Austin School of Law. This Essay is based on a talk the author gave at The Future of Organized Labor, an interdisciplinary conference held in Washington, D.C. April 22-23, 2003. The Ray Marshall Center for the Study of Human Resources hosted the conference. Portions of this Essay appear in JULIUS G. GETMAN, BERTRAND B. POGREBIN, & DAVID L. GREGORY, LABOR MANAGEMENT RELATIONS AND THE LAW (2d ed. 1999). I Hereinafter also referred to as the "Act." I See generally IRVING BERNSTEIN, THE NEW DEAL COLLECTIVE BARGAINING Pot.tcv (1950); JAMES A. GROSS, THE MAKING OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD: A STUDY IN ECONOMICS, POLITICS, AND THE LAW (1974), 2 The current NLRA, codified as amended at 29 U.S.C. §§ 151-169 (2000), is a combination of the major provisions of the Wagner Act, Pub. L. No. 198, 49 Stat. 449 (1935) (designated the National Labor Relations Act); the 1947 Taft-Hartley Amendments, Pub. L. No. 101, 61 Stat. 136 (designated the Labor Management Relations Act); and the 1959 Landrum-Griffin Amendments, Pub, L. No. 86-257, 73 Stat. 519 (designated the LaborManagement Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959).
Efficient Dynamic Mechanisms in Environments with Interdependent Valuations

This paper addresses the problem of implementing socially efficient allocations in dynamic environments with interdependent valuations and evolving private information. We construct efficient and incentive compatible dynamic mechanisms, based on the inter-temporal correlation of different agents' private information. Our mechanisms highlight the role of history-dependent transfers, a distinctive feature in dynamic mechanism design. Furthermore, the mechanisms are reminiscent of the classical VCG mechanism, although the latter fails under interdependent valuations. In settings where agents' private information progresses independently, we construct the dynamic counterpart of the generalized VCG mechanism in one-dimensional environments, and provide sufficient conditions for its implementability. These conditions generalize the single-crossing conditions in static problems.
Understanding the Causes for Low Student Office Hour Attendance

It is long understood that many students do not take advantage of faculty assistance outside of class. In an attempt to improve the use of office hours, faculty have made efforts to schedule times that are most convenient to students and are most likely to have high attendance; before homework assignments are due or examinations are being held. Despite these efforts, students rarely take advantage of this support service. As a first attempt to improve student engagement, the number of office hours held by teaching assistants (TAs) was increased, expecting that students would feel more comfortable asking for help from TAs rather than faculty. However, office hour attendance was no better for TAs than for faculty. Yet, exam performance continued to indicate that many students could benefit from help outside the classroom. In an effort to better understand this trend, a survey was conducted to examine reasons why students choose not to attend office hours. In particular, we were looking for the effect of social norms, student’s perception of their understanding of the material and their need for extra help, as well as the use of other resources such as on-line solutions to homework problems and cooperative learning with other students. This survey was conducted in six classes (300 students) comprising our engineering science core curriculum, including: Statics, Mechanics of Materials, Dynamics, Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer. Results indicated that of all the factors tested, the only ones that positively correlated to low office hour attendance were (1) students felt they understood the material well enough and did not need extra help, (2) students procrastinated and therefore did not have time to seek help before homework was due, and (3) students who spent less overall time studying outside of class attended fewer office hours. The data did not support our initial premise that students who attended more office hours performed better. Further study is warranted to explore behaviors that enhance student performance. It is expected that results from these studies will provide information to improve students’ efficient use of time outside the classroom.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
POLICY FEASIBILITY AND IMMIGRANT ABSORBTION IN A MASS IMMIGRATION CONTEXT

The issue of-whether, and to what extent, immigrants should be assisted in the integration process by government-initiated programs has been a long-standing policy concern in countries exposed to waves of immigration. In Israel, where the raison d'tre of the state is to be a homeland for any person of the Jewish tradition who wishes to join Israeli society, issues of assistance to immigrants are ascribed particular importance. This study evaluated the re-training policy of the Israeli government for Soviet immigrant scientists as an immediately available employment and integration solution. The policy was initiated following the mass immigration from the former USSR during 1989–1991. The scientists were re-trained to teach science in high-schools. The investigation focuses on the impact of this policy as an immediate absorption solution, the impact of retraining offered by universities on employment and professional performance, and the benefit to the host educational system. Technical feasibility and its role in decision making will be discussed. The degree of feasibility of this policy and the re-training models identified in this study may point to a valid policy approach in countries where major social changes, such as immigration or recession, occur. Thus the study and its findings are important to other immigration contexts in that it allows for policy transfer, borrowing and adaptation based on proof of policy feasibility.
Non-Cartesian balanced steady-state free precession pulse sequences for real-time cardiac MRI.

Purpose To develop a new spiral-in/out balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) pulse sequence for real-time cardiac MRI and compare it with radial and spiral-out techniques. Methods Non-Cartesian sampling strategies are efficient and robust to motion and thus have important advantages for real-time bSSFP cine imaging. This study describes a new symmetric spiral-in/out sequence with intrinsic gradient moment compensation and SSFP refocusing at TE = TR/2. In vivo real-time cardiac imaging studies were performed to compare radial, spiral-out, and spiral-in/out bSSFP pulse sequences. Furthermore, phase-based fat/water separation taking advantage of the refocusing mechanism of the spiral-in/out bSSFP sequence was also studied. Results The image quality of the spiral-out and spiral-in/out bSSFP sequences was improved with off-resonance and k-space trajectory correction. The spiral-in/out bSSFP sequence had the highest signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio, and image quality ratings, with spiral-out bSSFP sequence second in each category and the radial bSSFP sequence third. The spiral-in/out bSSFP sequence provides separated fat and water images with no additional scan time. Conclusions In this study, a new spiral-in/out bSSFP sequence was developed and tested. The superiority of spiral bSSFP sequences over the radial bSSFP sequence in terms of SNR and reduced artifacts was demonstrated in real-time MRI of cardiac function without image acceleration. Magn Reson Med, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Analysis of rod-pinch-like radiography sources on a compact pulsed power generator

Summary form only given. Radiography sources driven by a compact 800-kV, 7-kV pulsed power generator (the Hybrid Radiation Source) are analyzed with a rod-pinch diode model. The diode consists of a small diameter tungsten rod anode (1 to 4 mm diam) protruding through an annular stainless steel cathode. The rod-pinch model is applied to these diodes to understand the diode physics and to optimize radiographic performance. The measured diode voltage is used in the rod-pinch model to calculate the diode current. The formation and expansion of both cathode and anode plasma is included in the model. These diodes operate in the space-charge-limited (SCL) regime and do not achieve critical current. For a 4-mm diam anode, the model current fits the measured diode current for reasonable values of the cathode and anode plasma turn-on times, development times, and expansion velocities. The cathode plasma formation and ions from plasma drive the diode into a bipolar SCL mode at low impedance (<50 /spl Omega/) loading down the generator and leading to low voltage late in the pulse. For a 1-mm diam anode, the current approaches critical current near peak current, but not transition into the magnetically-limited regime. In the model. larger anode velocities (1.8-3.0 cm//spl mu/s) are required to fit the measured current late in time. However, heating the anode to 370/spl deg/C prior to the shot leads to smaller anode expansion velocities (/spl les/1 cm//spl mu/s) and increase the impedance lifetime.
N,N‐Dimethylacetamide Dimethyl Acetal

(1; R = Me) [18871-66-4] C6H15NO2 (MW 133.19) InChI = 1S/C6H15NO2/c1-6(8-4,9-5)7(2)3/h1-5H3 InChIKey = FBZVZUSVGKOWHG-UHFFFAOYSA-N (2; R = Me) [867-89-0] C5H11NO (MW 101.15) InChI = 1S/C5H11NO/c1-5(7-4)6(2)3/h1H2,2-4H3 InChIKey = JTZFZDSUVLTEHV-UHFFFAOYSA-N (3; R = Et) [19429-85-7] C8H19NO2 (MW 161.24) InChI = 1S/C8H19NO2/c1-6-10-8(3,9(4)5)11-7-2/h6-7H2,1-5H3 InChIKey = XUFDMPZZAIRCGV-UHFFFAOYSA-N (4; R = Et) [816-65-9] C6H13NO (MW 115.17) InChI = 1S/C6H13NO/c1-5-8-6(2)7(3)4/h2,5H2,1,3-4H3 InChIKey = BQGJNCWENLLBSP-UHFFFAOYSA-N (Eschenmoser–Claisen rearrangements;2 monoacylation of diols;3 triazine synthesis4) Physical Data: mixture of (1) and (2) bp 105–110 °C; d 0.911 g cm−3. Mixture of (3) and (4) bp 126–129 °C. (2) bp 104–105 °C. (4) bp 126 °C. Solubility: sol benzene, toluene, xylene, DMF, chloroform. Form Supplied in: amide acetal (1) is commercially available, usually as a mixture of (1) and (2). The commercial mixture is 85–95% pure; methanol (5–10%) may be present as a stabilizer. Preparative Method: O-methylation of N,N-dimethylacetamide with Dimethyl Sulfate (or diethyl sulfate), followed by reaction with Sodium Methoxide (or ethoxide). Fractional distillation affords mixtures of (1) and (2) (or 3 and 4). Treatment with calcium metal and redistillation gives the ketene O,N-acetals (2) (58%) (or 4; 74%).5
An Indirect Radiolabelled Antibody Staining Technique for the Rapid Detection and Identification of Bacteria

Small numbers of Bacillus subtilis var. niger spores, Serratia marcescens and Francisella tularensis can be detected and identified in an hour using an indirect radiolabelled antibody staining technique with homologous rabbit antibacterial antibody and radiolabelled goat anti-rabbit globulin. Tritium is better than 125I, 14C and 35S for labelling the globulin. The reagent obtained is sensitive and adequately stable.
Vesicovaginal fistula repair—Revisited

Abstract Successful closure of a vesicovaginal fistula in scarred and irradiated tissue is very difficult. Unless additional vascularity can be brought to the repair site, failure is inevitable. The bulbocavernosus fat pad serves as an ideal pedicled blood supply to revascularize the fistula repair site and when combined with effective postoperative bladder decompression, a successful closure rate of 90% can be anticipated.
Identification and control of a pneumatic robot

Pneumatic actuators have a number of advantages over electric motors, including strength-to-weight ratio, tunable compliance at the mechanism level, robustness, as well as price. Their properties are in many ways similar to muscle properties, which further makes them a good choice for bio-inspired robotic designs. However they are considered harder to control, and often avoided. Here we report results on modeling and control of a 2-dof robot, as well as preliminary results on a state-of-the-art 38-dof humanoid. Contrary to popular belief, we found it surprisingly easy to work with these pneumatically-actuated robots and obtained high tracking performance. We were also able to achieve end-effector control of the highly redundant arm of the humanoid. This was done by building parametric models, fitting them to experimental data, designing model-based feedback controllers, and optimizing their performance.
Hysterical Conversion Disorder in a Young Girl at Moderate Altitude

Case report A 10-year-old girl hiked with other members of her group to a summit at a height of 2400 m in Switzerland. They left in the morning from their residence altitude of 600 m, were dropped off with a 4-wheel-drive car at a shelter at 1400 m, and started to hike from this point. During the ascent and after 2 hours of walking, the young girl complained of a headache and a sensation of oppression, but she reached the top together with the rest of the group. The group spent 1 hour having lunch on the summit. After lunch, her headache and her sensation of being unable to take a deep breath were exacerbated, and she became ataxic and unable to stand up; yet she did not lose consciousness. She was carried by several adults and brought down to a shelter at 1400 m after a lapse of 3 hours without improvement of her symptoms. The accompanying adults were in a hurry, and a call for help was sent out. The medical team arrived within 20 minutes by helicopter due to the inaccessibility of the shelter. The helicopter’s physician noticed that the patient was conscious, with no sensory or motor deficiency; the pupils and osteotendinous reflexes were normal. She presented dyskinetic movement of both arms and slight dysarthria, and she spoke in a hushed voice; she was completely unable to stand up (falling backward with exaggerated movements) and also had a tendency to somnolence. Arterial pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, and oxygen saturation were all normal, yet her intense headache and her sensation of being unable to get enough air were persistent symptoms. Quite strikingly, she appeared to be completely indifferent and did not ask for any explanations about her clinical condition. She did not report any medical history. At the shelter, oxygen was administered, and an intravenous line was inserted. She was thereafter transported to the
Exploring Variability in CT Characterization of Tumors: A Preliminary Phantom Study.

PURPOSE: To explore the effects of computed tomography (CT) slice thickness and reconstruction algorithm on quantification of image features to characterize tumors using a chest phantom. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-two phantom lesions of known sizes (10 and 20 mm), shapes (spherical, elliptical, lobulated, and spiculated), and densities [-630, -10, and +100 Hounsfield Unit (HU)] were inserted into an anthropomorphic thorax phantom and scanned three times with relocations. The raw data were reconstructed using six imaging settings, i.e., a combination of three slice thicknesses of 1.25, 2.5, and 5 mm and two reconstruction kernels of lung and standard. Lesions were segmented and 14 image features representing lesion size, shape, and texture were calculated. Differences in the measured image features due to slice thickness and reconstruction algorithm were compared using linear regression method by adjusting three confounding variables (size, density, and shape). RESULTS: All 14 features were significantly different between 1.25 and 5 mm slice images. The 1.25 and 2.5 mm slice thicknesses were better than 5 mm for volume, density mean, density SD gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) energy and homogeneity. As for the reconstruction algorithm, there was no significant difference in uni-dimension, volume, shape index 9, and compactness. Lung reconstruction was better for density mean, whereas standard reconstruction was better for density SD. CONCLUSIONS: CT slice thickness and reconstruction algorithm can significantly affect the quantification of image features. Thinner (1.25 and 2.5 mm) and thicker (5 mm) slice images should not be used interchangeably. Sharper and smoother reconstructions significantly affect the density-based features.
Exact solutions to the Behrens–Fisher Problem: Asymptotically optimal and finite sample efficient choice among

Abstract The problem of testing the equality of two normal means when variances are not known is called the Behrens–Fisher Problem. This problem has three known exact solutions, due, respectively, to Chapman, to Prokof’yev and Shishkin, and to Dudewicz and Ahmed. Each procedure has level alpha and power beta when the means differ by a given amount delta, both set by the experimenter. No single-sample statistical procedures can make this guarantee. The most recent of the three procedures, that of Dudewicz and Ahmed, is asymptotically optimal. We review the procedures, and then compare them with respect to both asymptotic efficiency and also (using simulation) in finite samples. Of these exact procedures, based on finite-sample comparisons the Dudewicz–Ahmed procedure is recommended for practical use.
Specific features of the distribution of dissolved oxygen in waters of the Sevastopol bay in 2006–2007

We discuss the influence of hydrophysical and biological-chemical processes on the distribution of dissolved oxygen in waters of the Sevastopol bay in various seasons. In the winter period, against the background of low rates of biological-chemical processes, the hydrophysical processes provide the homogeneous distributions of temperature and oxygen. In summer, the hydrophysical processes remain dominant, but the influence of biological-chemical processes becomes noticeable. In the autumn period, the vertical distribution of oxygen is strongly affected by biological-chemical processes.
On the Ideal Resonance Problem

The Ideal Resonance Problem is soluble in power series in \(\varepsilon^ \frac{1}{2}\), where e is a small parameter. The zeroth order approximation, in the Hori perturbation method, is given by the motion of a simple pendulum. The perturbed solution to any order in e is expressible in elliptic functions, and is free of singularities and mixed secular terms. This solution would provide a theoretical framework for an attack on resonance problems in celestial mechanics when the latter are reducible to the ideal form. The condition of reducibility is that the Hamiltonian can be put in the form $$F=A_{0}\left ( y_{1}\right)+A_{1}\left ( y_{1},y_{2}\right)cos2x_{1}+\phi \left ( x_{1},x_{2},y_{1},y_{2} \right )$$ , where o is periodic in x 1 and x 2 with a period 2π, and the relations $$ {A_0} = 0\left( 1 \right),{A_1} = 0\left( \varepsilon \right),\phi = o\left( \varepsilon \right) $$ are satisfied. The rate of the convergence of the solution depends on the smallness of o.
Sertraline versus imipramine to prevent relapse in chronic depression.

Abstract Background: Chronic depressions are common, disabling and under-treated, and long-term treatment is little studied. We report the continuation phase results from a long-term treatment study. Methods: After 12 weeks of acute phase treatment in a double-blind, randomized, parallel-group, multi-center trial of sertraline or imipramine, patients with chronic depression (≥2 years in major depression, or major depression superimposed on dysthymia) continued study drug for 16 weeks. Initially, 635 patients were randomized to sertraline or imipramine in a 2:1 ratio. Nonresponders after 12 weeks entered a 12-week double-blind crossover trial of the alternate medication. Entry into continuation treatment required at least a satisfactory response (partial remission) to initial or crossover treatment. Results: Of 239 acute or crossover responders to sertraline, 60% entered continuation in full remission and 40% with a partial remission. These proportions were identical for imipramine patients ( n =147). For both drug groups, over two-thirds of those entering in full remission retained it. For those entering in partial remission, over 40% achieved full remission. Patients requiring crossover treatment were less likely to maintain or improve their response during continuation treatment. The two drugs did not differ significantly in response distribution, drop out rates or discontinuation due to side effects during continuation treatment. Limitations: The absence of a placebo group constrains interpretation of our results, but chronic depressions have low placebo response rates. Conclusions: Most chronic depression patients who remit with 12 weeks of sertraline or imipramine treatment maintain remission during 16 weeks of continuation treatment. Most patients with a satisfactory therapeutic response (partial remission) after 12 weeks of treatment maintain it or further improve. Patients treated with imipramine experienced more side effects, but both drugs were well tolerated.