cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Do patients and doctors have the same conversation about colorectal cancer screening

532Background: Participant characteristics affect shared decision making. In a randomized trial of physician (MD) educational interventions to improve cancer screening guideline compliance, we studied patient (PT) and MD recall of discussions and how PT characteristics affected recall. We report the first results for colorectal cancer screening. Methods: In a cluster-randomized trial of educational supports for MDs, we are enrolling an age- (30-89 years) and sex-stratified sample of 216 PTs who underwent a physical examination at two urban hospitals, 18 for each of 12 primary care MDs. Screening guideline formatting (color-coding) and academic detailing were randomly assigned to MDs in a 2x2 design. Immediate post-encounter surveys recorded PT and MD recall of screening discussions and recommendations. Results: We report on the first 174 participants. They were diverse (63% white) and well educated (77% college degree). When MDs reported a colorectal screening discussion, 20% of PTs did not, and MDs had s...
Electrically pumped coupled waveguide lasers by parity-time symmetry

We demonstrate single transverse-mode operation of InAs quantum dot (QD) broad-area coupled waveguide lasers enabled by parity-time symmetry breaking. By tuning the loss, suppression and revival of higher order modes from fundamental mode is obtained.
The Kynurenine Pathway and Neurologic Disease

Quinolinic acid (QUIN) is a neurotoxic metabolite of the tryptophan — kynurenine pathway (Bender, 1982) that selectively injures and kills vulnerable neurons via activation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate class of excitatory amino acid receptors (Stone, 1993). Accumulations of QUIN have been hypothesized to cause a broad spectrum of human neurologic disease.
Pressure Sensitivity Studies of an Electrostatic Fusion Neutron Device Using a Particle-in-Cell Model

The background deuterium neutral gas pressure is a major operational parameter affecting the physics of the ionized gas discharge in the inertial electrostatic confinement (IEC) axial-cylindrical fusion neutron generator device (C-Device). There is uncertainty in its actual value in previous experiments. The cylindrical hollow IEC modeling program (CHIMP) computer code is a particle-in-cell, Monte Carlo-collision (PIC-MCC) model that includes ionization and secondary electron emission processes and is used to give preliminary results for the ionized gas physics behavior and neutron generation in the C-Device for a range of pressure calibration factors.
Retail Outlets Using Telehealth Pose Significant Policy Questions For Health Care

Telehealth will enable new models of care to emerge as health care continues to undergo significant changes. Health insurers, providers, and pharmacy benefit managers are merging, which will consol...
Procedural predictors of epidural blood patch efficacy in spontaneous intracranial hypotension.

Background and objective Epidural blood patch (EBP) is a safe and effective treatment for spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH), but clinical and procedural variables that predict EBP efficacy remain nebulous. Methods This study is an institutional review board-approved retrospective case series with dichotomized EBP efficacy defined at 3 months. The study included 202 patients receiving 604 EBPs; iatrogenic cerebrospinal fluid leaks were excluded. Results Of the EBPs, 473 (78%) were single-level, 349 (58%) lumbar, 75 (12%) bilevel, and 56 (9%) multilevel (≥3 levels). Higher volume (OR 1.64; p Conclusions In this large cohort of EBP in SIH, volume, number of spinal levels injected, and site-directed strategies significantly correlated with greater likelihood of first EBP efficacy. Volume and leak site coverage likely explain the increased efficacy with bilevel and multilevel patches. In patients with cryptogenic leak site, and either moderate disability, negative prognostic brain MRI findings for successful EBP, or failed previous lumbar EBP, a low thoracic plus lumbar bilevel EBP strategy is recommended. Multilevel EBP incorporating transforaminal administration and fibrin glue should be considered in patients refractory to bilevel EBP. An algorithmic approach to treating SIH is proposed.
Maternal executive function and the family food environment

The family food environment plays an important role in supporting children's dietary quality, regulating eating behaviors, and promoting a healthy weight status. However, relatively little is known regarding parent-level factors that support or hinder parents' ability to create health-promoting family food environments. The current study examines whether executive function among mothers, or mothers' capacity to control their thoughts, emotions, and actions, is associated with qualities of the family food environment that support children's healthy eating and weight. Cross-sectional data were collected from 492 US-based mothers of 2 to 9-year-old children in August 2017 (Mean maternal age = 34.2 years (SD = 6.7), 76.5% White race). Mothers' difficulties with executive function were measured using the Behavior Rating of Executive Function-Adult Version and family food environment characteristics were measured via psychometrically-sound, self-report surveys. Standardized, linear regression models were used to examine covariate-adjusted associations between mothers' executive function difficulties and family food environment characteristics, as well as the potential for differences in these associations by family sociodemographic characteristics. Mothers with more executive function difficulties consistently reported less use of recommended food-related parenting practices and less healthful home food environment characteristics including providing frequent family meals, implementing consistent mealtime schedules and structure, and avoiding using food to regulate children's emotions. No differences in these associations were observed by mothers' educational attainment, household income-to-needs ratio, or child age. Results suggest that lower executive function may interfere with mothers' ability to create family food environments that support children's healthy eating and weight.
Abstract WP413: Deconstructing Post-Stroke Delirium in a Prospective Cohort of Patients With Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Introduction: Post-stroke delirium is associated with worse outcomes, yet is likely underdiagnosed due to the challenges of disentangling delirium symptoms from underlying neurological deficits. We...
A Quantitative Study on the Benefits of Increasing The Frequency of Seeking Opportunities to Improve Fuel Efficiency for Oceanic Flights Using Satellite-Based Surveillance and Communication Technologies

Satellite-based surveillance and communication technologies (S&C) (e.g., Automatic Dependent Surveillance (ADS) – Contract (C) and Controller-Pilot Data Link Communication (CPDLC)) have been widely used to improve the air traffic management and flight operations in oceanic airspace. This study estimates the benefits of these technologies to flight operations in oceanic airspace. Specifically, we study the benefits of increasing the frequency of seeking opportunities to improve fuel efficiency in oceanic airspace using satellite-based S&C. A microscopic flight simulation model is applied to evaluate the fuel and travel time savings generated by increasing the frequency in the New York Flight Information Region (FIR). For a flight, we present a mathematical relationship between the frequency and its fuel savings in the FIR. The results show that in 2020 airlines can save more than 6 million dollars of fuel and 950 flight hours inside the New York FIR if pilots are able to seek the opportunities to improve fuel efficiency every 5 minutes during flights. The benefit estimates are primarily based on existing air traffic management rules (e.g., separation minima) and satellite-based S&C (e.g., ADS-C and CPDLC) in the New York FIR. We also analyze the increase in the pilots and air traffic controllers’ workload. The analysis can be used to estimate the additional costs due to the frequency increase. This study can help airlines and pilots to find a cost-effective way to seek opportunities to improve fuel efficiency in oceanic airspace using satellite-based S&C.
The VA and Non-VA Experience of Tracking Good Care

The VA Mission Act of 2018 allows for choice of health care for 9 million veterans in their community, but deciding where the best care is requires transparency. Recent reports questioning the tran...
An acoustic analysis of young children’s productions of word stress

The present experiment investigated young children’s use of fundamental frequency, intensity and duration to indicate word stress. Eighteen children (six each at two years, three years and four years) produced multiple tokens of eight novel two-syllable words balanced for stress placement and segmental content. Results of acoustic analyses showed that both fundamental frequency and intensity were used by the three- and four-year-olds to mark stress in both first and second syllable positions. Two-year-olds often differentiated the two syllables in a word with fundamental frequency and/ or intensity, but not always in the direction of the target stress pattern. All age groups demonstrated the ability to use vowel duration to differentiate stressed from unstressed syllables, although there was continued improvement with age in the ability to reduce duration for unstressed syllables. Perceptual (listener judgement) data also revealed significantly greater accuracy in stress placement for the three- and four-year-olds than for the two-year-olds.
The role of flavors in vaping initiation and satisfaction among U.S. adults

Abstract Background The prevalence of electronic cigarette use has grown over the past decade, with some users reportedly initiating e-cigarette use primarily due to flavors. This study examined the role of flavors in initiation among adult e-cigarette users, as well as the association of flavors with satisfaction and perceived addiction to vaping. Methods The analysis sample consisted of 1492 current e-cigarette users aged 18 or older, drawn from an online quantitative survey conducted in 2016. Multivariable logistic regression and general linear models were used. Results Most current e-cigarette users (62.9%) typically used flavors other than tobacco (including fruit, mint/menthol, sweet, candy, coffee and other), 24.2% typically used tobacco flavors, and 12.9% typically used non-flavored e-cigarettes. Flavor was a common reason for vaping initiation, selected by 29.5% of the sample. Flavor, particularly fruit flavor, was more likely to motivate young adults 18–24 to initiate vaping compared adults 35–44. Those who used flavors, particularly mint/menthol and flavors other than tobacco flavor, had higher odds of reporting high satisfaction with vaping and had higher odds of perceived addiction to vaping than respondents who did not use flavored e-cigarettes. Conclusions Users of flavored e-cigarettes reported greater satisfaction and self-perceived addiction than users of non-flavored e-cigarettes. The appeal of flavors, particularly among young adults, has implications for regulatory policy regarding the marketing and promotion of flavored products. These findings may provide direction for the Food and Drug Administration's plans to restrict flavors other than menthol, mint, and tobacco.
Plant-Soil Feedbacks Predict Native but Not Non-native Plant Community Composition: A 7-Year Common-Garden Experiment

Plant-soil feedbacks (PSFs) have gained attention as a potential mechanism of plant growth and coexistence, however, because they are typically measured using plant monocultures in greenhouse conditions, the link between PSFs and plant growth in field communities remains poorly tested. Here, PSFs for six native and four non-native species were measured in a seven-year, common-garden experiment. A plant community growth model was then parameterized either with PSF data (PSF model) or without PSF data (Null model). PSF and Null model predictions were compared to plant ground cover in experimental and natural communities. For eight of ten species, plant cover at the end of the experiment differed among soils cultivated by different species. For native plants, the Null model incorrectly predicted rank-order abundance for three of four experimental communities and Null model predictions were not correlated with observed plant growth. In contrast, when PSF data were added to the same model, the model correctly predicted rank-order abundance for all four experimental communities and PSF model predictions were well correlated with plant cover in experimental communities and on the landscape (R2 = 0.62). For non-native species, predictions from both models were correlated with observed species cover (R2 = 0.37 and 0.35, respectively), but there was no difference between PSF and Null model predictions. Previous studies at the study site have shown that PSF maintains alternate-state native and non-native plant communities. Here it was shown that PSF is also critical for determining species composition within native plant communities, but that other mechanisms appear to be necessary to simulate the rapidly-fluctuating abundances of the short-lived, non-native species in this system. Using a relatively long-term field experiment, this study provided unusually direct evidence for the role of PSF in determining plant abundance in plant communities in field conditions, at least for long-lived native plants.
Loperamide overdose causing torsades de pointes and requiring Impella temporary mechanical support: a case report.

Background Loperamide is a widely available oral μ-opioid receptor agonist, and loperamide abuse is increasing by those seeking intoxication. Loperamide has potent QTc-prolonging properties, placing patients at risk for ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Case summary A 23-year-old woman was found to be in pulseless ventricular fibrillation with a QTc of 554 ms and received multiple defibrillations and IV lidocaine. Her toxicology studies were negative. She subsequently experienced multiple episodes of torsades de pointes and was found to be in cardiogenic shock with a left ventricular ejection fraction of 5%. Following multiple defibrillations, an Impella® mechanical circulatory support device was placed, and she was given IV magnesium and IV lidocaine. After mechanical circulatory support was withdrawn, she experienced major bleeding and was found to have a deep vein thrombosis, bilateral radial artery thrombosis, and multiple pulmonary embolisms in the setting of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. After stabilizing, she admitted to taking 80 tablets of loperamide 2 mg in pursuit of euphoria. Discussion Loperamide is an increasingly popular agent of abuse. Loperamide-associated ventricular arrhythmias are rare with normal doses but more common with high doses, chronic ingestion, or interacting medications. Loperamide cardiotoxicity may be prolonged due to a long half-life and accumulation. Loperamide abuse may be under-recognized, leading to delays in treatment. Intravenous fluids, magnesium supplementation, chronotropes, transcutaneous or transvenous pacing, and defibrillation may be helpful in mitigating loperamide-associated polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. Clinicians should monitor for drug interactions in patients taking loperamide and screen for electrocardiographic abnormalities in those taking chronic or high-dose loperamide.
Men Receive Three Times More Industry Payments than Women Academic Orthopaedic Surgeons, Even After Controlling for Confounding Variables.

BACKGROUND In 2016, orthopaedic surgeons received nearly USD 300 million from industry, with the top 10% of recipients making more than 95% of the total amount. The degree to which gender may be associated with industry compensation has not been well explored; however, this may be confounded by a number of variables, including academic productivity, experience, and other factors. We wished to explore the variability in payment distribution by gender after controlling for these factors. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES (1) Do men or women academic orthopaedic surgeons receive more payments from industry? (2) To what degree do any observed differences between the genders persist, even after accounting for identifiable factors, including academic rank, scholarly productivity, regional location of university, subspecialty selection as identified by fellowships completed, and years since completion of residency? METHODS This study was a cross-sectional retrospective analysis of surgeons practicing in orthopaedic surgery academic departments in the United States. Academic orthopaedic surgery departments were identified using the Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database. Publicly available data on gender, academic rank, scholarly productivity, regional location of university, fellowships completed, and years since residency graduation were collected from institutional websites. Industry funding data for 2016 were obtained from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Open Payments Database, and scholarly productivity data through 2017 were collected from Scopus. A total of 2939 academic orthopaedic surgeons, 2620 (89%) men and 319 (11%) women from 126 programs were identified. Men and women surgeons were different in most of the variables collected, and all except region of university were associated with differences in industry payments. RESULTS The median payment for men surgeons was greater than that for women (USD 1027 [interquartile range USD 125-USD 9616] versus USD 177 [IQR USD 47-USD 1486]; difference of medians, USD 850; p < 0.001]. After accounting for potentially confounding variables like faculty rank, years since residency, H-index and subspecialty choice, women faculty members still received only 29% of payments received by otherwise comparable men orthopaedists (beta coefficient for gender = 0.29 [95% CI 0.20 to 0.44; p < 0.001]). CONCLUSIONS Women academic orthopaedic surgeons received only 29% of the industry payments received by men, even after controlling for faculty rank, years since residency, H-index, and subspecialty selection. This gender-related disparity may hinder the career advancement of women orthopaedic surgeons. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Increased transparency by companies can help guide orthopaedic surgeons who wish to receive industry funding.
Extracting the Transverse Momentum Dependent Polarizing Fragmentation Functions

We demonstrate that spontaneous transverse polarization of lambda baryon ($\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}$) production in ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ annihilation can be described using the transverse momentum dependent polarizing fragmentation functions (TMD PFFs). Using a simple Gaussian model, we perform an extraction of the TMD PFFs by fitting the BELLE Collaboration's recent measurement of the $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}$ transverse polarization in back-to-back $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}+h$ production in ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ collisions, ${e}^{\ensuremath{-}}+{e}^{+}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}}^{\ensuremath{\uparrow}}+h+X$. We find that this simple model accurately describes the experimental data for $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}$ production associated with pions and kaons, and we are able to determine TMD PFFs for different quark flavors. We use these newly extracted TMD PFFs to make predictions for the transverse polarization of $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}$ produced in semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering at a future electron-ion collider and find that such a polarization is around 10% and should be measurable. Furthermore, the extracted TMD PFFs have been made available open source.
‘Mindful teaching’: a construct for developing awareness and compassion

The increasing demands of teaching coupled with the erosion of a sense of professionalism has likely contributed to teachers’ elevated instances of burnout and loss of well-being. The purpose of th...
Initial Experience of A Heart Failure Disease Management Clinic During the Covid-19 Era

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated significant alterations in ambulatory heart failure (HF) care, primarily with the introduction of telemedicine. We describe our initial experience caring for patients in the COVID-19 era in the Johns Hopkins Heart Failure Bridge Clinic (JHHFBC), an ambulatory disease management and diuresis clinic aimed at preventing hospitalizations. Methods The JHHFBC sees about 2500 patients per year with 25% of those patients needing intravenous diuretics in the clinic. Starting March 16, 2020, we implemented a COVID-specific workflow incorporating telemedicine, which the clinic had previously not been utilizing. Patient visit outcomes were adjudicated, including change in diuretic dosing, intravenous diuretic administration, and need for hospitalization. Results From March 16, 2020 to April 24, 2020 we had 116 patients seen 164 times (Figure 1). The average age of patients was 61 ± 14 years, 50% female, and 70% Black. Average left ventricular ejection fraction was 25 ± 21% with 45% nonischemic cardiomyopathy, 14% ischemic cardiomyopathy, 6% amyloid, 35% had heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. The majority of patients were New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II or III (109, 94%). Reasons for clinic referral included an equal frequency of post hospital discharge, worsening HF symptoms and routine follow up. Of the 96 telemedicine visits, 23% resulted in oral diuretic dose adjustment and 6 patients were referred for in-person visits. Of the 68 in-person visits, 34 (50%) resulted in intravenous diuretic administration in clinic, with 8 referrals to the emergency department or for direct admission. There were 2 referrals for cardioversion and 3 referrals to hospice by the clinic. Two of 16 clinic patients that were tested for Covid 19 were positive. Conclusion We found that HF patients could be effectively managed via telemedicine, however a subset still benefit from in-person assessment and access to ambulatory intravenous diuresis to avoid hospitalization. We hope these initial experiences will lend insights to optimization of future outpatient HF care, including the use of telemedicine, even after the current global health emergency.
Diced Cartilage in Fibrin Glue for Dorsal Reconstruction as Part of Staged Paramedian Forehead Flap Reconstruction.

ABSTRACT The use of diced cartilage grafting is a powerful tool during rhinoplasty for dorsal augmentation; however, its application to nasal structural reconstruction has rarely been reported. Here we present a unique technique for Mohs defect reconstruction combining diced cartilage graft for dorsal augmentation and a folded paramedian forehead flap for soft tissue. A 54-year-old female presented with recurrent basal cell carcinoma of the nose that had been previously resected 3 times in the past. This was treated with Mohs surgery resulting in a through and through nasal defect. This was reconstructed with a staged folded paramedian forehead flap with staged. Due to a loss of dorsal volume and definition creating an excess supratip break, a diced cartilage graft with fibrin glue and temporalis fascia was used for dorsal augmentation. The use of diced cartilage has regained popularity over the last 2 decades with multiple techniques utilizing diced cartilage alone, wrapped in fascia, covered in fascia, wrapped in oxidized methylcellulose, or solidified with fibrin glue. Literature describing the use of fibrin glue suggests that it improves wound healing by promoting cartilage growth, stabilization, and diffusion of nutrients to the graft. Its malleable nature allows for adjustments after the initial placement. This report demonstrates the viability of diced cartilage graft for dorsal augmentation with a paramedian forehead flap for nasal reconstruction. This technique can serve as a powerful tool for the nasal reconstructive surgeon needing scaffolding to rebuild and define the nasal dorsum.
Buffalo Bill Cody: A Man of the West

Review of: Buffalo Bill Cody: A Man of the West, by Prentiss Ingraham, edited by Sandra K. Sagala.
Phthalates in albumin from human serum: implications for assisted reproductive technology

Albumin, a vital protein in cell culture systems, is derived from whole blood or blood products. The culture of human gametes and developing embryos for assisted reproductive technology (ART) uses albumin of human origin. Human serum albumin (HSA) is derived from expired blood obtained from blood banks. This blood has been stored in polyvinyl chloride bags made clear and flexible with di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP). However, DEHP can leach from the bags into stored blood and cofractionate with HSA during albumin isolation. DEHP and its metabolite, mono-ethylhexyl phthalate, are known endocrine disruptors that are reported to have negative effects when directly supplemented in media for in vitro fertilization using gametes from a variety of animals. Therefore, the contamination of ART media with DEHP and mono-ethylhexyl phthalate through HSA supplementation may affect the outcomes of ART procedures. Although the embryology laboratory is strictly monitored to prevent a wide variety of contaminations, phthalate contamination of HSA has not been broadly examined. This review outlines the function of HSA in ART procedures and the production of HSA from whole blood. Finally, the review highlights the effects of acute phthalate exposures on gametes during in vitro procedures. Phthalates found in human serum albumin are present in media used for ART at levels that impair developmental endpoints in model species.
Circularly Polarized RFID Tag Antenna Design for Underground Localization System

A circularly polarized antenna is proposed in this paper for a Radio frequency identification tag to be used in the underground localization system. The tag supports wideband performance around 915 MHz and the fully covered metal ground makes the tag less affected by the medium it will be attached to. An extended metal plate is also discussed to improve the tag read range and to make it easier to attach on the uneven wall in underground tunnels. With the extended metal plate, the tag −10 dB reflection-coefficient bandwidth is 37 MHz (890–926 MHz) and the 3 dB AR bandwidth is 6.4 MHz (911.4-917.8 MHz). This design provides good circular polarization characteristics and a read range of 2.2 m.
Persistence and Opacity in Eastern Andalusian Harmony

This paper proposes a novel account of a derivationally opaque aspect of ATR harmony in Eastern Andalusian. Harmony in the language is driven by Positional Licensing: [-ATR] originating on final vowels must spread to the stressed vowel. Intervening post-tonic vowels optionally also harmonize, as do pretonic vowels. Typically in licensing-driven systems, if harmony is unable to reach the licensor, harmony does not affect non-licensing positions either. Not so in Eastern Andalusian: high vowels do not harmonize, but a stressed high vowel does not prevent unstressed vowels from harmonizing as normal – harmony can overapply on these vowels. The analysis, couched in serial Harmonic Grammar, develops a new mechanism called persistence that accounts for this opacity. Under persistence, once a feature satisfies Positional Licensing by spreading to the licensing position, Positional Licensing remains satisfied for the rest of the derivation, even if the feature vacates the licensing position. This allows a stressed high vowel to harmonize, thereby permitting unstressed vowels to harmonize, too, and then harmony can retract off the high vowel without running afoul of Positional Licensing.
Differences in Deauville scores generated using 60- and 120-minute uptake times on Total-Body 18F-FDG PET/CT scans

1680 Purpose: The 60 min uptake protocol for oncological 18F-FDG PET imaging has been standard of care since the 1990s. The protocol was primarily determined by factors including the sensitivity of the scanners of the era and the necessity of performing transmission scans prior to the injection of radiotracer. Subsequently, post-injection transmission or CT scanning were adopted, delayed imaging has been demonstrated to improve lesion detectability and characterization of findings in a wide range of clinical situations, and the implementation of Total-Body PET has enabled routine delayed imaging while retaining excellent image quality. However, the Deauville criteria, the recommended scoring system for 18F-FDG PET/CT lymphoma evaluation, assigns a score between 1 to 5 based on visual assessment of FDG uptake in lesions relative to the liver and blood pool, based on FDG PET scans acquired at 60 mins post injection (PI). In this preliminary analysis, we aim to evaluate the changes in Deauville scores on lymphoma PET scans acquired at 120 mins PI compared to scans acquired at 60 mins PI. Methods: At our institution, 120 mins is the standard uptake time for oncologic Total-Body PET imaging. For lymphoma patients, we perform an additional scan at 60 mins PI in order to generate Deauville scores. Analysis was performed on data collected prospectively from lymphoma patients who consented to enroll in an IRB-approved registry-type study (#1470016).Thirty-eight 18F-FDG PET/CT studies were obtained in 22 patients (58.9±16.2 yrs; 12 females) with biopsy-proven lymphoma (8 with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma [DLBCL], 14 with other lymphoproliferative diagnoses). All the studies were acquired as dual-timepoint (TP) total-body scans, 20 min per TP, starting after a median uptake time of 60 min (range: 55-68 min; TP1) and 118 min (range: 115-124 min; TP2). The injected activity was 288.7±44.6 MBq. All scans were reconstructed using 3D OSEM (4 iterations, 20 subsets, 256x256 matrix). Scans were anonymized for subsequent independent review by two physicians (R1 & R2), who were blinded to all clinical data including scan TP. The readers recorded Deauville scores (DS) for each scan. Inter-rater agreement was assessed. Results: At both TP1 and TP2, R1 & R2 were in agreement on the DS in 28/38 studies (74%), with inter-rater agreement of 0.62 (95%: 0.42-0.81) for TP1 and 0.61 (95%CI: 0.42-0.79) for TP2.Overall, DS from each reader was higher for TP2 compared to TP1: 4.08±1.05 vs. 3.87±0.99 (R1, p=0.048) and 4.24±0.94 vs. 4.08±1.00 (R2, p=0.091). Conclusions: In this small cohort of lymphoma patients, Deauville scores assessed on delayed timepoint 18F-FDG Total-Body scans trended slightly higher than those assessed on standard 60-min scans. The difference introduced by the longer uptake time may be clinically relevant in certain instances. Further evaluation of these findings in terms of diagnostic and prognostic impact is under investigation.
The Role of Meteors in Extended-Range VHF Propagation

The main factors influencing the propagation of continuous radio signals by reflection from meteoric ionization trails are reviewed and summarized. A procedure is given for calculating the system parameters required to maintain the signal received over a given path above the cosmic background noise level for 95 per cent of the time. It is pointed out that the variation of signal level with frequency and path length measured for certain "ionospheric forward scatter" circuits, agrees well with calculations based on the assumption that the propagation is entirely by scattering from meteor ion trails. It is suggested that ionospheric scatter is predominantly meteoric at night in the lower latitudes. To the extent that this is true, the minmum performance level of existing circuits could be improved by use of antennas designed to maximize the meteoric component of the signal. Present designs actually tend to discriminate against meteors.
String, Felt, Thread: the Hierarchy of Art and Craft in American Art, Elissa Auther

(2011). String, Felt, Thread: the Hierarchy of Art and Craft in American Art, Elissa Auther. TEXTILE: Vol. 9, No. 2, pp. 269-271.
Some Results on Node Lifting of TSP Inequalities

We can define important classes of TSP inequalities by performing Naddef and Rinaldi's node lifting operation on simple TSP inequalities. We present some new insights into the node lifting operation, namely that 1-node lifting of cut based inequalities always has a geometric interpretation if a certain claw-free condition which is satisfied by most of these TSP inequalities is met. We go on to show that node lifting of the subtour elimination inequalities does not yield any new inequalities.
Ultrastructural Study of Asters Induced by Microinjection with Sperm Centriolar Fraction in Sea Urchin Eggs: aster/centriole/pericentriolar material/microinjection/sea urchin egg

Multiple asters can be artificially induced in sea urchin fertilized eggs by the microinjection of the centriolar fraction of sperm homogenate. Investigation was continued by the electron microscopy to determine whether the multi-aster formation was due to the centrioles or the contaminants in the injected sperm fraction. Thirty three asters in 3 operated eggs were thoroughly examined, and we confirmed that the presence of centrioles in the central region of 26 asters. We considered that the rest of them might contained the centrioles in the sections lost during the preparation procedures. Fragmented axoneme, the plug of electron dense material, and the centriolar fossa, which were usually accompanied with the isolated centrioles, disappeared from the centrioles in these multiple asters. However, electron dense, amorphous materials were formed associating with the triplet blades and distributed around the centrioles. Many astral microtubules were terminated in these pericentriolar materials. Results obtained suggest that, although the pericentriolar material is acting as the microtubule organizing center, all multiple asters, except those derived from fertilization (2 asters per egg), are most likely induced by the injected centrioles and not by the contaminants.
Redistribution of H3K4me2 on neural tissue specific genes during mouse brain development.

Background Histone modification plays an important role in cell differentiation and tissue development. A recent study has shown that the dimethylation of lysine 4 residue on histone 3 (H3K4me2) marks the gene body area of tissue specific genes in the human CD4+ T cells and neural cells. However, little is known of the H3k4me2 distribution dynamics through the cell differentiation and tissue development.
On the Classical Coupling between Gravity and Electromagnetism

Coupling between electromagnetism and gravity, manifested as the distorted Coulomb field of a charge distribution in a gravitational field, has never been observed. A physical system consisting of an electron in a charged shell provides a coupling that is orders of magnitude stronger than for any previously-considered system. A shell voltage of one megavolt is required to establish a gravitationally-induced electromagnetic force equal in magnitude to the force of gravity on an electron. The experimental feasibility of detecting these forces on an electron is discussed. The effect establishes a relation between Einstein's energy-mass equivalence and the coupling between electromagnetism and gravity.
Turnover of constituents of the endoplasmic reticulum membranes of rat hepatocytes.

Abstract The turnover of various constituents of the membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum has been measured by injecting 14C-leucine and 14C-acetate, or in some cases 14C-leucine and 14C-glycerol, into a series of 12 to 15 rats (weighing 150 to 200 g). At various times, up to 2 weeks after injection, three rats were killed, their livers were pooled, microsomes were obtained and divided into rough and smooth fractions, and purified membranes were isolated from each fraction. The constituents examined were the following: total membrane proteins; two specific membrane components, purified reduced-NADP: ferricytochrome c oxidoreductase and purified cytochrome b5; total membrane lipids; and the nonpolar (fatty acid) and polar (glycerol backbone) moieties of the lipid. The two enzymes were purified 100- to 150-fold by trypsin digestion of KCl-washed microsomes, followed by chromatography on Sephadex G-100 and diethylaminoethyl cellulose. The purity of both proteins was close to 100%, in yields of 25 to 35% from original microsomes. Both total proteins and total lipids of rough microsomal membranes had the same half-lives as their counterparts from smooth microsomal membranes. In the various experiments, the total membrane proteins had half-lives of from 75 to 113 hours, while in the same experiments, total membrane lipids have 10 to 30% shorter half-lives. The half-life of the NADPH-cytochrome c reductase was, in two experiments, almost exactly that of total membrane proteins, while the half-life of cytochrome b5 was significantly (about 50%) longer. The polar and nonpolar components of the lipids had different apparent half-lives, that of fatty acids being much longer than that of the glycerol backbone. The longer half-life of fatty acids may be connected with the presumed presence of transacylating enzymes in microsomal membranes. The results are discussed in relation to current concepts on membrane structure and biogenesis.
Activation of cytokines and NF-kappa B in corneal epithelial cells infected by respiratory syncytial virus: potential relevance in ocular inflammation and respiratory infection

Background Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of lower respiratory tract infection, claiming millions of lives annually. The virus infects various cells of the respiratory tract as well as resident inflammatory cells such as macrophages. Infection activates a variety of cellular factors such as cytokines and the pro-inflammatory transcription factor, NF-kappa B, all of which are important players in the respiratory disease. However, the exact natural route of RSV infection and its etiology remain relatively unknown. In this paper, we test the hypothesis that human corneal epithelial cells, which constitute the outermost layer of the cornea, can be infected with RSV, and that the infection leads to the activation of proinflammatory macromolecules.
A Proposed Capital Budgeting Technique For Liquidity Constrained Small Businesses

Although the ad vantages of capital budgeting models using discounted cash flaws are well known, small businesses continue to rely on non-discounted techniques in making capital budgeting decisions. This paper analyzes the financial environment in which small businesses operate that makes traditional capital budgeting models inappropriate. A capital budgeting technique is developed that is sensitive to the needs of small businesses and also meets the three-fold criteria for capital budgeting methods.
Recognizing Ontology-Applicable Multiple-Record Web Documents

Automatically recognizing which Web documents are "of interest" for some specified application is non-trivial. As a step toward solving this problem, we propose a technique for recognizing which multiplere-cord Web documents apply to an ontologically specified application. Given the values and kinds of values recognized by an ontological specification in an unstructuredWeb document, we apply three heuristics: (1) a density heuristic that measures the percent of the document that appears to apply to an application ontology, (2) an expected-value heuristic that compares the number and kind of values found in a document to the number and kind expected by the application ontology, and (3) a grouping heuristic that considers whether the values of the document appear to be grouped as application-ontology records. Then, based on machine-learned rules over these heuristic measurements, we determine whether a Web document is applicable for a given ontology. Our experimental results show that we have been able to achieve over 90% for both recall and precision, with an F-measure of about 95%.
Comparison of artificial neural network and Bayesian belief network in a computer-assisted diagnosis scheme for mammography

Artificial neural networks (ANN) have been widely used in computer-assisted diagnosis (CAD) schemes as a classification tool to identify abnormalities in digitized mammograms. Because of certain limitations of ANNs, some investigators argue that Bayesian belief network (BBN) may exhibit higher performance. In this study we compared the performance of an ANN and a BBN used in the same CAD scheme. The common databases and the same genetic algorithm (GA) were used to optimize both networks. The experimental results demonstrated that using GA optimization, the performance of the two networks converged to the same level in detecting masses from digitized mammograms. Therefore, in this study we concluded that improving the performance of CAD schemes might be more dependent on optimization of feature selection and diversity of training database than on any particular machine classification paradigm.
Value of child maltreatment tests.

To the Editor.— Rosenberg et al1 have made a commendable attempt to define early markers of maltreated children. Their effort demonstrates how difficult it is to develop an instrument to identify families with complicated, low-prevalence psychosocial disease. The sensitivity and positive predictive value of such assessment tools are usually very low. This example is no exception. The sensitivity of a test is defined as the "test positivies" in patients with the disease (eg, abused children in the sample who are unkempt and abnormally parented in the emergency room) divided by all the patients with the disease (all abused children in the sample).2
Lidocaine-Induced Cardiac Arrest in the Emergency Department: Effectiveness of Lipid Therapy

Abstract Background Local anesthetics are commonly used in the emergency department (ED). Overdoses can lead to disastrous complications including cardiac toxicity and arrest. Recognition of local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST) is important; however, prevention is even more critical. Knowledge of proper lidocaine dosage can prevent LAST. LAST may be effectively treated with lipid emulsion therapy. Although the mechanism is not well understood, its use may have a profound impact on morbidity and mortality. Case Report Fifty milliliters of 2% lidocaine was infiltrated for local anesthesia in a 35-year-old woman during the incision and drainage of a labial abscess. Following the procedure, the patient complained of vomiting, with rapid progression to an altered mental state and seizure requiring endotracheal intubation for airway protection. Suspecting lidocaine toxicity, intralipids were ordered. While waiting for the intralipids, the patient decompensated and suffered pulseless electrical activity (PEA) cardiac arrest. A 100-mL bolus of 20% intralipids was administered 3 minutes into the resuscitation, after which return of spontaneous circulation occurred. The intralipid bolus was then followed by a continuous infusion of 0.25 mL/kg/minute, for an infusion dose of 930 mL. Despite a complicated hospital course, the patient was discharged home neurologically intact. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This? We believe this patient's cardiovascular collapse was secondary to an iatrogenic overdose of lidocaine. This is one of the first cases to support the efficacy of intravenous lipids in the treatment of LAST in humans in the ED.
Water addition to a two-electron mixed-valence bimetallic center.

Water adds to the two-electron mixed-valence Ir0,II2 core of Ir2(tfepma)3Cl2 (tfepma = MeN[P(OCH2CF3)2]2) to cleanly generate an IrI,III2 hydride. Dehydrohalogenation across the Ir–Ir bond returns the complex to an Ir0,II2 species.
Are Summer Institutes Funded By FHWA And State Departments Of Transportation Effective? Case Studies Of Evaluation And Learning Strategies

For the last three years Delaware State University (DSU) and the University of Vermont (UVM) have implemented a new approach to a summer program or “Institute” that emphasizes evaluation and accountability. Beginning in 2005, both institutes changed the focus of their programs to fulfill not only the primary objectives of instilling inquiry and project-based learning in the field of transportation but to incorporate rigorous evaluation criteria. If goals are very narrowly defined, that is, counting the number of students entering a career in transportation, then there are limitations. Students in the 9 th through 12 th grades are still experimenting with different career paths. Summer programs like the Summer Transportation Institute enable students to get to post-secondary education. Evaluation is necessary to ensure that funds are spent effectively but success should be measured on several fronts.
Mutual coupling reduction between two closely spaced inverted-F antennas

Recent demands for miniaturized, lightweight, high data rate, and reliable wireless devices motivated researches and designers of wireless systems to adopt the use of multiple input-multiple output MIMO antenna arrays with close proximity of each other. One of the difficulties is to overcome the problems associated with the low isolation between any two closely spaced antennas. The low profile, small size, ease of fabrication, and simplicity of design encourage the use of the IFA/PIFA antennas. In this paper, two vertical IFA antennas with close separation of λ o /15 ( o /2) fed by coaxial lines are combined in an array operating at the frequency of 2.5 GHz. The two antennas are deployed on a ground backed substrate of 50 mm × 50 mm in length and width respectively and a thickness of 1.524 mm with a relative permittivity, e r of 10.2. Each IFA consists of a monopole as the main radiator with a length of 38 mm and a diameter of 1.22 mm placed 11 mm above the ground plane. The separation between the feeding point and the grounded end of the radiating element is 10 mm. The consequence of positioning the antenna in the proximity of each other is the high mutual coupling. To decrease the resulted effects, a new Defected Ground Structure (DGS) has been proposed. A rectangular slot of 32 mm and width of 1.5 mm with a strip line of 29 mm in length and a width of 1 mm have been introduced to the ground plane. The final proposed array with the DGS is shown in the attached figure. The Defected Ground Structure (DGS) has the effect of reducing the interaction between the antennas, main radiators, by restricting the current flow in the ground plane. A parametric study has been carried out to obtain the optimum dimensions of the structure using Ansys High Frequency Structure Simulator (HFSS). The S-Parameters of the design are shown in the enclosed figure. The antenna has an operating frequency of 2.5 GHz. A total isolation level of -22 dB has been achieved by the proposed structure at the operating frequency. The array with the proposed ground structure provides a gain of 3.9 dB at 2.5 GHz when the two ports are excited. This structure is a good candidate for reducing the mutual coupling between two vertical IFA for application utilizing MIMO techniques.
Preschool children's outdoor play area preferences

This study explores preschool children's outdoor play preferences. The sample was 40 (20 male, 20 female) primarily European‐American three and four year olds. Data were collected via naturalistic observation and analyzed using repeated measures ANOVAs and MANOVAs. The independent variable was sex of child; dependent variable was play space (riding, sandbox, slide, jungle gym, open space, castle/play house, swings). Findings revealed a significant effect of sex of child on choice of play space – boys preferred to play on the jungle gym and swings, whereas girls preferred the sandbox more than boys. These findings both support and contradict existing literature. Future research should pursue children's use of microspaces in their play environments.