cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Speech recognition with cochlear implants as a function of the number of channels: Effects of electrode placement

This study investigated the effects of cochlear implant (CI) electrode array type and scalar location on the number of channels available to CI recipients for maximum speech understanding and sound quality. Eighteen post-lingually deafened adult CI recipients participated, including 11 recipients with straight electrode arrays entirely in scala tympani and 7 recipients with translocated precurved electrode arrays. Computerized tomography was used to determine electrode placement and scalar location. In each condition, the number of channels varied from 4 to 22 with equal spatial distribution across the array. Speech recognition (monosyllables, sentences in quiet and in noise), subjective speech sound quality, and closed-set auditory tasks (vowels, consonants, and spectral modulation detection) were measured acutely. Recipients with well-placed straight electrode arrays and translocated precurved electrode arrays performed similarly, demonstrating asymptotic speech recognition scores with 8-10 channels, consistent with the classic literature. This finding contrasts with recent work [Berg, Noble, Dawant, Dwyer, Labadie, and Gifford. (2019). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 145, 1556-1564] that found precurved electrode arrays well-placed in scala tympani demonstrate continuous performance gains beyond 8-10 channels. Given these results, straight and translocated precurved electrode arrays are theorized to have less channel independence secondary to their placement farther away from neural targets.
Effects of laser-energy density and build orientation on the structure-property relationships in as-built Inconel 718 manufactured by laser powder bed fusion.

Abstract This study investigates the effects of build orientation and laser-energy density on the pore structure, microstructure, and tensile properties of Inconel 718 manufactured by laser powder bed fusion. Three different build conditions were selected for comparison based on previous research (namely, the conditions that resulted in the worst and best fatigue lifetimes): 0° build orientation and 38 J/mm3 laser-energy density, 0° build orientation and 62 J/mm3 laser-energy density, and 60° build orientation and 62 J/mm3 laser-energy density. Differences in porosity were measured between each build condition. In terms of microstructure, all three conditions exhibited a predominantly 〈001〉 texture in the build direction, grains elongated in the build direction, and a sub-grain structure oriented with the build direction that consisted of dislocation networks decorated with nano-scale precipitates. Build orientation (0° versus 60° with respect to the build plate) produced a difference in yield strength due to anisotropic grain morphology and effective grain size. The low laser-energy density specimens showed a significant decrease in all mechanical properties compared to the high laser-energy density specimens because the amount (6.91% by volume) and size of the lack-of-fusion porosity (from insufficient melting) surpassed a level at which microstructure (the grain and sub-grain structure) no longer governs quasi-static mechanical properties. This work provides insight that could enable the tunability of structure-property relationships in as-built Inconel 718 by optimizing laser-energy density and build orientation.
Pathogenesis of human papillomaviruses requires the atr/ p62 autophagy-related pathway

High-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs) constitutively activate the ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related (ATR) DNA damage response pathway, and this is required for viral replication. In fibroblasts, activated ATR regulates transcription of inflammatory genes through its negative effects on the autophagosome cargo protein p62. In addition, suppression of p62 results in increased levels of the transcription factor GATA4, leading to cellular senescence. In contrast, in HPV-positive keratinocytes, we observed that activation of ATR resulted in increased levels of phosphorylated p62, which in turn lead to reduced levels of GATA4. Knockdown of ATR in HPV-positive cells resulted in decreased p62 phosphorylation and increased GATA4 levels. Transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis of HPV-positive cells identified inflammatory genes and interferon factors as negative transcriptional targets of ATR. Furthermore, knockdown of p62 or overexpression of GATA4 in HPV-positive cells leads to inhibition of viral replication. These findings identify a novel role of the ATR/p62 signaling pathway in HPV-positive cells.IMPORTANCE High-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs) infect epithelial cells and induce viral genome amplification upon differentiation. HPV proteins activate the ATR DNA damage repair pathway, and this is required for HPV genome amplification. In the present study, we show that HPV-induced ATR activation also leads to suppression of expression of inflammatory response genes. This suppression results from HPV-induced phosphorylation of the autophagosome cargo protein p62 which regulates the levels of the transcription factor GATA4. Activation of p62 in normal fibroblasts results in senescence, but this is not seen in HPV-positive keratinocytes. Importantly, knockdown of p62 or overexpression of GATA4 in HPV-positive cells abrogates viral replication. This study demonstrates that activation of ATR in HPV-positive cells triggers a p62-directed pathway inducing suppression of inflammatory gene expression independent of DNA repair and facilitating HPV replication.
Are Open Distal Tibia Fractures More Severe Injuries Than Open Tibial Shaft Fractures in Children

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare a cohort of pediatric open distal tibia fractures to open tibial shaft fractures in regards to injury severity, method of fixation, and outcomes. Methods This is a retrospective review of 39 open distal tibia fractures (group D) with a mean age of 8.4years and 55 open tibia shaft fractures (group S) with a mean age of 8.6years, treated from Jan 2007-May 2017 at a single level 1 pediatric trauma center. Mann …
Key Biodiversity Areas of Iraq: Priority Sites for Conservation and Protection

N. Abdulhasan, Anna Bachmann, Azzam Alwash, and Ali Lami, compilers. 2017. Key Biodiversity Areas of Iraq: Priority Sites for Conservation and Protection. (ISBN-978-0988651463, hbk). Tablet House Publishing, 3823 Vista Blanca, San Clemente, California 92672, U.S.A. (Orders: www.amazon.com, www.nhbs.com, www.koeltz.com). $45.00 US, 296 pp., full color maps, figures, photographs, bibliography, index, 8½" × 11".
Innovative Governance Model for a Sustainable State-Wide University-Based Telemedicine Program

Governance of a telemedicine program can influence the sustainability of a state-wide telemedicine program. Concerns of the founding ATP director regarding governance at the University of Arizona’s College of Medicine, in Tucson, 115 miles from the State Capitol in Phoenix, AZ, were addressed by legislative leaders through their creation of the Arizona Telemedicine Council (ATC). This blue-ribbon “non-statutory overarching authority” holds its quarterly 2-hour luncheon meetings in the Board Room of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee on the Arizona State Capitol Campus, in Phoenix. The ATP director creates the ATC meeting agendas. He has moderated all 92 ATC meetings, dating back to October 1996. Chairs of Appropriations Committees in the AZ House of Representatives and AZ State Senate have chaired the meetings. ATC’s meetings provide the opportunity for direct communication between AZ State Legislators, the ATP, and other Arizona stakeholders. This highly visible interest in telemedicine and telehealth on the AZ State Capitol campus, the regularity of ATC meetings, and the free exchange of information among stakeholders has encouraged establishment and success of many high-quality Arizona-based telemedicine programs over the years.
Body Mass Indices of Girls with and without ADHD: Developmental Trajectories from Childhood to Adulthood.

Objective: We examined the predictive relation between childhood-diagnosed ADHD and trajectories of body mass index (BMI) from childhood to adulthood in an all-female sample, accounting for socioec...
Providing Support for 'Support': Parents' Use of Verbs and Prepositions When Describing Support Configurations to Their Children.

Support (one object preventing another from falling) is linguistically encoded by adults and children in a highly structured and differentiated way, with basic locative expressions or Light verbs (...
Learner Drawing and Sculpting in Surgical Education: A Systematic Review.

ABSTRACT Background Historically, surgery was developed through the visual work of artist-scientists, yet visual art in modern surgical education is rare. The aim of this review is to evaluate the existing literature of learner creation of visual art as an educational tool in surgery and to discuss its potential in augmenting surgical learning. Method A systematic review of surgical educational interventions involving learner drawing, painting, and sculpting was conducted in 2020. Results Our search yielded 388 unique articles, and 12 met inclusion criteria. Seven articles described drawing and sculpting courses designed to develop judgement or aesthetic sense, and five described initiatives to teach or assess surgical anatomy or knowledge. Common goals included the measurement and observation of live models to enhance judgement of proportions, understanding of three-dimensional (3D) anatomical structure, hand-eye coordination, and communicative drawing ability for patient education and medical documentation. Notable outcomes included improved retention of anatomy, correlation of drawing and image labeling with in-service exam scores, and correlation of procedural drawing with ability to perform the same procedure in a simulation. Conclusions Our review suggests that all surgical disciplines could benefit from artistic training through improved visual communication and deeper understanding of 3D anatomy. Such benefits can be translated into Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Core Competencies to guide surgical residency programming. We propose that visual art serves as an educational tool to improve perceptual skill and anatomical understanding in the modern surgeon; however more research is needed to clarify the best modality for incorporation.
Methods and apparatus for laser damage and functional performance characterization of ultrafast laser optics

The design principles of a 20-fs, near-infrared laser-induced–damage testing system are presented. In addition to typical damage-initiation threshold tests such as S-on-1 and raster scan, this system is capable of studying other performance-relevant metrics, such as damage growth and functional thresholds. Experimental results for a hybrid mirror sample are presented as a demonstration.
On the Usefulness of Personality Traits in Opinion-oriented Tasks.

We use a deep bidirectional transformer to extract the Myers-Briggs personality type from user-generated data in a multi-label and multi-class classification setting. Our dataset is large and made up of three available personality datasets of various social media platforms including Reddit, Twitter, and Personality Cafe forum. We induce personality embeddings from our transformer-based model and investigate if they can be used for downstream text classification tasks. Experimental evidence shows that personality embeddings are effective in three classification tasks including authorship verification, stance, and hyperpartisan detection. We also provide novel and interpretable analysis for the third task: hyperpartisan news classification.
TEM Fields and SAR

RF coils for high-frequency magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are difficult to design, owing to the shortened wavelength and increased power losses. RF coils with transmission line elements employ distributed circuit theory, support transverse electromagnetic (TEM) or quasi-TEM modes, and are the most widely used RF coils for high-frequency MRI ( ≥ 128 MHz). Basic TEM coil structures are introduced at the beginning of this article to give readers an idea of what a TEM coil looks like, followed by B1 fields of head and body TEM coils. The article concludes with a discussion of specific absorption rate (SAR) within head and body TEM coils at 170 and 300 MHz. For head TEM coils, B1 distributions over central transverse, sagittal, and coronal slices at 170 and 300 MHz are presented. “Center brightness,” a commonly seen B1 phenomenon within the human head at 300 MHz or above, is discussed. B1 distribution within the human body with a TEM body coil is much less uniform and results in severe image artifacts. At least one sharp line of low-level B1 is predicted to run longitudinally through the body at 300 MHz. Calculations of SAR show that the maximum permitted SAR will be reached in 1 g and 10 g volumes before the limit for the globally averaged SAR is breached. Keywords: high-frequency MRI; RF coil; TEM; B1; center brightness; SAR
Evaluation and application of available bandwidth estimation techniques to improve TCP performance

Several tools are available to estimate the available bandwidth in an end-to-end path. They use either the packet gap model or the packet rate model whereby probe packets are sent and analyzed at the destination to infer the available bandwidth in the tight link. Available bandwidth estimations can be very useful in many different scenarios and applications. We use available bandwidth estimation techniques (ABET) for flow and congestion control in TCP. We first evaluate the performance of Pathload, IGI and pathChirp in terms of their accuracy, intrusiveness, and overhead. Using simulations, we perform a 2/sup k/ factorial design to analyze the importance of the packet size, number of trains, number of packets per train and frequency of run in these performance metrics. Then we utilize these results to embed the most appropriate tool with the best set of parameters in a modified version of TCP SACK to solve the "blindness" of TCP when changing its congestion window and threshold values. Our simulations show that, using the available bandwidth estimates provided by IGI instead of the "by half" reduction rule of TCP, the throughput of the proposed ABET-based TCP version is improved compared to the plain TCP SACK.
A Three-Dimensional Correlation/Spectral Model for Turbulent Velocities in a Convective Boundary Layer

A three-dimensional model for correlation functions and spectra in theatmospheric, convective boundary layer (CBL) is presented. The modelincludes vertical inhomogeneities introduced by eddy-blocking at the ground.By assuming the disturbance to the turbulent flow resulting from the groundblocking is irrotational, an equation is developed which allows one to writethe inhomogeneous, two-dimensional (2D) cross spectra for the blocked flowin terms of the 2D cross spectra for a homogeneous flow. VonKarman's energy spectrum then is used to determine thehomogeneous, 2D cross spectra. Although there are only two adjustableparameters in the model, the variance and a length scale, the model is shownto agree quite well with a diversity of previous results for the CBL.
Una tassonomia delle diagnosi di personalità derivata empiricamente : colmare il divario tra scienza e clinica nella concettualizzazione della personalità

Viene presentato un sistema diagnostico della patologia di personalita derivato empiricamente, clinicamente rilevante e di agevole uso quotidiano. Un campione randomizzato di 1.201 psichiatri e psicologi clinici statunitensi ha descritto un proprio paziente, selezionato in modo casuale e affetto da un disturbo della personalita, utilizzando la Shedler-Westen Assessment Procedure-II (SWAP-II). L’analisi fattoriale ha prodotto 10 diagnosi di personalita, clinicamente coerenti, organizzate in tre cluster sovraordinati: internalizzante, esternalizzante e borderline-disregolato. Le descrizioni col punteggio piu elevato sono state selezionate per costruire un prototipo di ogni sindrome di personalita. In un secondo campione indipendente, i ricercatori e i clinici sono stati in grado di diagnosticare le sindromi di personalita con un elevato accordo e un livello minimo di comorbilita. Questi 10 prototipi diagnostici sono empiricamente fondati e clinicamente rilevanti.
National Trends in Hospital Readmission Rates among Medicare Fee-for-Service Survivors of Mitral Valve Surgery, 1999-2010.

Background Older patients who undergo mitral valve surgery (MVS) have high 1-year survival rates, but little is known about the experience of survivors. Our objective was to determine trends in 1-year hospital readmission rates and length of stay (LOS) in these individuals.
Social development during the first twenty weeks in the cotton-top tamarin (Saguinus o. oedipus)

Abstract Fourteen infant cotton-top tamarins from five captive family groups were studied during the first 20 weeks of life. We examined the roles of parents and of siblings of different ages as caregivers and as social companions for the infants, as well as the effects of group composition and group size on these roles. Parents and adult siblings played similar active roles in infant caregiving during the first few weeks after birth, with males showing a greater involvement than females. In groups without other offspring the two parents showed equal infant caregiving behaviour, whreas fathers carried more than mothers did in groups with offspring present. Although infants received more caregiving from males, they showed a preference for contact and proximity with their mothers. No sex differences were found in infant behaviour or in the direction of behaviour by caregivers toward infants. Twins showed greater amounts of both social and solitary play in weeks 15–20 than did singletons, and there was no effect of the number of older siblings on the amount of play shown by an infant.
Weak electron-induced charged current reactions in 12C at intermediate energies.

The reaction ${\mathrm{e}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$${+}^{12}$C\ensuremath{\rightarrow}${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\mathrm{e}{+}^{12}}$B is studied for electron energies of 0.5, 1.5, 3.0, and 6.0 GeV. Differential cross sections as a function of outgoing nucleus angle are obtained for these energies. The differential cross sections for the 0.5 and 3.0 GeV cases are analyzed in detail and contributions from the various form factors are determined. The results of the calculation are discussed in detail.
Atmospheric reactions of alkoxy and ?-hydroxyalkoxy radicals

Alkoxy and β-hydroxyalkoxy radicals are key intermediates formed in the atmospheric degradations of alkanes and alkenes, respectively. In the troposphere, these alkoxy radicals can decompose, isomerize, and react with O2. The literature data concerning the rates of these reactions are evaluated, and predictive schemes allowing the calculation of rate constants for these alkoxy radical reactions for atmospheric purposes are proposed. Good agreement between calculated reaction rates and experimental data concerning the absolute and relative importance of these reaction pathways is obtained, and alkoxy and β-hydroxyalkoxy radical reaction rates for radicals for which experimental data are not presently available can now be calculated for use in atmospheric modeling. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Supraoptic Neurosecretory Cells: Adrenergic and Cholinergic Sensitivity

Adrenergic and cholinergic agonists and antagonists were applied microelectrophoretically to over 700 neurons in the cat supraoptic nucleus, 20 percent of which were antidromically identified as neurosecretory cells. Norepinephrine uniformly depressed all sensitive cells. Acetylcholine caused both muscarinic depression and nicotinic excitation which were antagonized by atropine and dihydro-beta-erythroidine, respectively. These results support the hypothesis that norepinephrine and acetylcholine are directly involved in controlling the release of antidiuretic hormone.
Wind profiler dedicated in Indonesia

A dedication ceremony was recently held in Biak, Indonesia, to commemorate the opening of the Biak VHF wind profiler. The wind profiler, which operates at 50 MHz, was constructed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Aeronomy Laboratory in cooperation with the Indonesian National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN). The Biak facility completes the NOAA'Colorado University trans-Pacific wind-profiler network. Other stations in the network, which is sponsored by the National Science Foundation, are Piura, Peru; Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia; and Christmas Island in Kirabati. The Christmas Island facility is supported by NOAA's Tropical Ocean and Global Atmosphere (TOGA) Program Project Office.
ATF3, an Estrogen Reponsive Gene, is Mutated and Overexpressed in the Urethral Plate of Patients with Hypospadias

Abstract Purpose ATF3, an estrogen-responsive gene expressed during genital development, is a strong candidate gene in the development of hypospadias. It is indeed the most upregulated gene in hypospadiac skin and it is implicated in cell cycling suppression that may interfere with urethral cell growth. We thus investigated the sequence and the expression of ATF3 in hypospadias. Material and Methods Direct sequencing of coding exons and splicing sites of ATF3 was performed in 41 boys with hypospadias and 30 controls. ATF3 expression in the genital tubercle of fetuses with and without hypospadias was also studied by immunochemistry. Results -A missense mutation (Leu23Met) was identified in a boy with anterior hypospadias. This aminoacid is highly conserved through species and may be of functional interest. -3 mutations (C53616T, C54177A, Ins54489A) were found in or close to exon 6. This important exon includes splicing sites for an alternative transcript (ATF3ΔZip) implicated in the regulation of the function of ATF3. The phenotypes associated with these mutations were perineal, penoscrotal and anterior hypospadias. None of these mutations were present in controls. -Immunochemistry revealed that ATF3, which is undetectable around the urethra in normal fetus, is overexpressed in the urethral plate and subcutaneous tissue of hypospadiac specimen, especially around the ectopic orifice of urethra. Conclusions This first report of ATF3 mutations in hypospadias, coupled with its particular expression pattern in hypospadiac fetus, highlight the role of ATF3 in this frequent malformation. These results further support the importance of estrogen responsive genes in the development of hypospadias.
Mechanisms of conformational change for a replicative hexameric helicase of SV40 large tumor antigen

The large tumor antigen (LTag) of simian virus 40, an AAA(+) protein, is a hexameric helicase essential for viral DNA replication in eukaryotic cells. LTag functions as an efficient molecular machine powered by ATP binding and hydrolysis for origin DNA melting and replication fork unwinding. To understand how ATP binding and hydrolysis are coupled to conformational changes, we have determined high-resolution structures ( approximately 1.9 A) of LTag hexamers in distinct nucleotide binding states. The structural differences of LTag in various nucleotide states detail the molecular mechanisms of conformational changes triggered by ATP binding/hydrolysis and reveal a potential mechanism of concerted nucleotide binding and hydrolysis. During these conformational changes, the angles and orientations between domains of a monomer alter, creating an "iris"-like motion in the hexamer. Additionally, six unique beta hairpins on the channel surface move longitudinally along the central channel, possibly serving as a motor for pulling DNA into the LTag double hexamer for unwinding.
On becoming educational researchers: the importance of cogenerative mentoring

The purpose of this reflexive action inquiry was to explore the perceived authenticity (or lack thereof) of doctoral‐level research methods instruction. The idea for a collaborative self‐study emerged organically as a byproduct of a voluntary, year‐long research apprenticeship in which two of the authors were engaged, following coursework in both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The apprenticeship was facilitated by the first author, a faculty member and methods course instructor. The importance of cogenerative dialog as an organizing process for methodological mentoring emerged as a central finding when the authors collaboratively examined cross‐case themes common to their autobiographical statements about and reflections upon learning to ‘do research’. The study's results show how and why cogenerative mentoring – as distinct from cogenerative work – goes beyond typical experiences in research methods courses, assistantships and even dissertation work. Using this form of mentoring may help ...
Description of Computer Use among School Food Service Directors

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: Participants will learn about School Food Service Directors' interest in computer training, barriers to computer use, how they use computers, and their feelings about computers. To aid in creating a computer training program for School Food Service Directors (SFSD) and eventually, to measure its success, a survey was administered to a random sample of 200 SFSD across the state. The response rate was 52%. The survey was designed to assess computer use, computer skills, attitudes toward computers, and barriers to computer use. Almost 80% of respondents represented public schools. 73% were female and 65% were over 40 years old. Most had already attended some type of computer training and nearly all (93%) expressed interest in future training. With the opportunity to choose from among four training options, Beginning or Intermediate General Computer Skills or Beginning or Intermediate Computerized Nutrient Analysis, responses were rather evenly distributed and no outstanding preferences were revealed, although selections of the Beginner level in both categories outnumbered Intermediate level selections. External restrictions, such as, "I don't have money for attending a training session," were cited as "most important barriers to computer use." Nobody selected, "I'm not comfortable using a computer," or, "Learning to use a computer would be too difficult for me" in this category. Nearly three quarters of the group reported already using computers at work and nearly half of those who don't use computers at all are at least "ready to learn." Most know how to turn on a computer and a few other rudimentary skills. Skills least often claimed were those which involved performing nutrient analysis tasks. Although Likert scale measurements of feelings about computers elicited apprehensions from some about computer use making them "nervous" and "confused," 70% expressed the highest level of agreement when asked if they felt computers are very useful for performing nutrient analysis. Correlations were not found between demographic data and the other areas of concern addressed by the survey. As a result of data from this instrument it can be construed that SFSD of all backgrounds are interested in using computers in their work and are interested in various levels of training. In particular, training on computerized nutrient analysis may be needed for those directors interested in analyzing their menus. However, a major barrier to attending training programs is cost.
The role of instantons in scale-invariant gauge theories

Abstract Instanton calculations in scale-invariant gauge theories, such as QCD, have long been plaqued by divergences at large distances where strong coupling effects are important. Furthermore, Witten has argued that quantum effects may cause the instanton gas to disappear and has displayed this phenomenon in the CP ( N −1) model at large N . It is argued here that instantons can play a role in calculations involving an inherent infrared cut-off, and this is demonstrated in the CP ( N −1) model for large N at a finite temperature. Some results on finite-temperature QED are also obtained in passing.
Genetic relationships and gene flow between resident and migratory brook trout in the Salmon Trout River

Abstract Genetic differentiation among brook trout ( Salvelinus fontinalis ) of different life history forms and populations can result from reproductive isolation imposed by natural or anthropogenically derived barriers to gene flow, behavioral incompatibilities, or differential exposure to environmental cues. We used multi-locus microsatellite genotypes and likelihood and Bayesian-based analyses to characterize the degree of genetic differentiation and evidence of introgression among stream resident brook trout above a natural barrier, and putative stream residents and adfluvial (coaster) brook trout from below the barrier in the Salmon Trout River (STR); the sole tributary along the southern shore of Lake Superior known to be inhabited by a viable remnant population of coaster brook trout. Two genetically differentiated populations were identified, generally associated with individuals inhabiting sections of the STR above and below the falls. No evidence of differentiation was found between a priori classified resident and coaster brook trout from below the falls. Gene flow from individuals above the falls was detected based on evidence of interbreeding between upper river individuals and coasters below the falls. We collected only a relatively small number of individuals that we a priori classified as being stream residents below the falls, and these individuals had a high probability of having ancestry originating from the population above the barrier, which suggests that the stream-resident life history may be exceptionally rare or absent in the lower Salmon Trout River.
The Mental Status Examination in Emergency Practice

A systematic approach to assessing mental status in the emergency department is key to identifying alterations in mental status and to directing diagnostic testing and management. After initial stabilization of the patient, it is critical to assess a patient's alertness, attention, and cognition, and perform a brief psychiatric assessment to fully evaluate a patient with mental status changes. This article offers an approach to allow better management of a patient with altered mental status.
The effect of detector resolution for quantitative analysis of neutron stimulated emission computed tomography

Previous research has shown benign and cancerous tissues to have different chemical make-ups. To measure the elemental concentration of biological samples noninvasively, we used neutron stimulated emission computed tomography (NSECT). When an incident neutron scatters inelastically from an atomic nucleus, it emits characteristic gamma energies, allowing for measurement of the elemental concentration of biological samples. Thus NSECT has the potential to be a method for precancerous tissue detection. In Monte Carlo simulations, we bombarded both a benign and a malignant human breast with 50 million neutrons. The resulting photon spectra were blurred to model the detector resolutions and then analyzed for peak detection. This simulation study analyzed the characteristic spectra using three detectors of different resolutions: a High-Purity Germanium (HPGe) semiconductor, a Bismuth Germanate (BGO) scintillator, and a Sodium Iodide (NaI) scintillator. The effective energy resolutions of these detectors are 0.1%, 7%, and 12%, respectively. The detectability of element peaks in the breast model was greatly reduced when the blur increased from just 0.1% to 7%. These initial experiments are valuable in choosing optimal detectors for peak detection in further NSECT studies and indicate that high-resolution detectors, such as HPGe, are required for using spectral peak analysis for breast cancer prediction.
A Preliminary Classification System for Homeless Veterans With Mental Illness

The purpose of this study was that of defining psychiatric profiles among veterans based on a structured interview of 3,595 individuals administered by outreach mental health clinicians to individuals who were presently or recently homeless. The interview included ratings of presence or absence of current psychiatric disorders; alcoholism, drug abuse, psychosis, mood disorders, personality disorders, PTSD, and adjustment disorders. We identified three subgroups using cluster analysis each showing different diagnostic profiles that were characterized as “addiction” (n 3,061), “psychosis” (n 218), and “personality” disorders (n 54). Cluster membership was related to demographic characteristics, living situation, length of homelessness, and symptoms and complaints including cognitive difficulties, suicidality, violence, and depression. Group comparison statistics were used to compare intercluster differences in demographics, homeless situation, symptoms, and subjective complaints. There were no major intercluster differences in socioethnic, demographic, and homeless situation variables. Differences occurred in complaints of depression, positive symptoms of psychosis, and suicidality. It was concluded that despite the disproportionate sizes of the clusters homeless veterans with mental illness are nevertheless heterogeneous with regard to their psychiatric profiles.
The parental alienation syndrome : What is it and what data support it ?

This article describes the parental alienation syndrome, its proposed characteristics and dynamics, and the methods used to document its presence. Research related to various tenets of the parental alienation syndrome is then reviewed. Finally, the syndrome's utility for mental health professionals and courts in explaining allegations of sexual abuse in situations of divorce is evaluated.
Mitomycin C for the prevention of adhesion formation after endoscopic sinus surgery: A randomized, controlled study

Abstract Objective: Mitomycin C (MMC) is an antineoplastic agent that has been shown to decrease scar tissue after ophthalmologic surgery. Our goal was to determine whether the application of MMC at the conclusion of sinus surgery decreases the incidence of postoperative adhesion formation. Methods: At the completion of endoscopic sinus surgery in 55 patients, a cotton pledget saturated with 1 mL of 0.4 mg/mL MMC was placed for 4 minutes in the right or left middle meatus and a similar saline-soaked pledget was placed on the opposite side. Patients were examined postoperatively by a masked observer for the presence of synechiae and mucosal changes. Results: Postoperative adhesions were observed in 16 patients (29%) with a mean follow-up of 4.1 months. These adhesions were bilateral in 6 patients (10.9%) and unilateral in 10 patients (18%). Unilateral adhesions were observed on only 2 sides (3.6%) treated with MMC and 8 controls (14.5%) (P = 0.058). No adverse effects were observed. Conclusions: MMC was found to be safe to use during sinus surgery, and it may reduce the incidence of postoperative adhesions at the dosage used in this study. Significance: Because of the observed trend toward decreased synechiae formation with MMC application, further trials using higher concentrations and application times are warranted. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2002;126:468-74.)
Nanotechnology materials for electronics reliability

Nanotechnologies are pervasive, and are being applied to electronics packaging materials in new ldquonanopackagingrdquo technologies, especially by the inclusion of nanoparticles or carbon nanotubes (CNTs).
Understanding the current state of infection prevention to prevent Clostridium difficile infection: A human factors and systems engineering approach

Background Achieving and sustaining high levels of health care worker (HCW) compliance with contact isolation precautions is challenging. The aim of this study was to determine HCW work system barriers to and facilitators of adherence to contact isolation for patients with suspected or confirmed Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) using a human factors and systems engineering approach. Methods This prospective cohort study took place between September 2013 and November 2013 at a large academic medical center (hospital A) and an affiliated Veterans Administration hospital (hospital B). A human factors engineering (HFE) model for patient safety, the Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety model, was used to guide work system analysis and direct observation data collection. There were 288 observations conducted. HCWs and visitors were assessed for compliance with all components of contact isolation precautions (hand hygiene, gowning, and gloving) before and after patient contact. Time required to complete contact isolation precautions was measured, and adequacy of contact isolation supplies was assessed. Results Full compliance with contact isolation precautions was low at both hospitals A (7%) and B (22%). Lack of appropriate hand hygiene prior to room entry (compliance for hospital A: 18%; compliance for hospital B: 29%) was the most common reason for lack of full compliance. More time was required for full compliance compared with compliance with no components of contact isolation precautions before patient room entry, inside patient room, and after patient room exit (59.9 vs 3.2 seconds, P P = .006; 15.2 vs 1.3 seconds, P P = .005). Conclusions Adherence to contact isolation precautions for CDI is a complex, time-consuming process. HFE analysis indicates that multiple work system components serve as barriers and facilitators to full compliance with contact isolation precautions and should be addressed further to prevent CDI.
Topologies' - computational messaging for multicomputers

The programming of a large-scale multicomputer that exhibits an interconnection structure known to the applications programmer (e.g. a hypercube or mesh) requires the explicit construction and use of complex communication structures for connecting the application's parallel tasks. Such structures are used for a wide variety of functions, including the exchange of data or control information relevant to the tasks' computations and/or communications required for task synchronization, message forwarding/filtering under program control, and others. Topologies is an operating system construct with which programmers may efficiently implement arbitrary communication graphs linking multiple tasks of a parallel program. In addition, with each topology may be associated user-defined services, which may perform computations for communications traversing the topology. For example, application-dependent services may compute global sums or minima for values being communicated among the tasks linked by a topology, and the operating system or programmer may use a topology's concatenation service in the implementation of monitoring, file storage, or virtual terminal services.Communication topologies are currently implemented as an extension of the Intel iPSC hypercube's operating system kernel and are used with several applications programs, including a large finite element analysis program used for metalforming applications (termed ALPID). Future extensions concern the restructuring of the operating system kernel to support services of different 'weights' and hardware support for the efficient execution of selected services in conjunction with message routing.
A Peak-Search Algorithm for Load–Pull Optimization of Power-Added Efficiency and Adjacent-Channel Power Ratio

Power amplifiers in modern wireless systems must meet increasingly stringent spectral constraints while still operating with high power efficiency. A new peak-search algorithm is demonstrated to find the Pareto optimum of power-added efficiency (PAE) while producing an adjacent channel power ratio (ACPR) value under a specified maximum. A peak-search is first performed for the maximum PAE, and then a small-step steepest descent walk in the ACPR is taken from the PAE maximum toward the ACPR minimum until ACPR requirements are met. This approach reasonably approximates the Pareto optimum for the device. Simulation and measurement data are presented for searches from multiple starting points, and good correspondence is obtained for the Pareto optimum reflection coefficient, as well as the optimum PAE and ACPR values. This measurement-based algorithm is expected to find useful application in real-time adaptive radio and radar transmitters, as well as in bench-top measurements for amplifier design.
A society of simulation approach to dynamic integration of simulations

A Society of Simulations (SoS) approach defines a semantics-based standard for integrating heterogeneous simulations. Heterogeneity, independent development, and cross-domain modeling are characteristics of behavior-based simulations that are built to address complex, non-functional situations. SoS is a dynamic data driven approach wherein emergent behaviors result from specialized simulations grouped together as individual members in a society. Each member simulation independently operates on its own understanding of reality. Members cooperate with each other to achieve the goals of the society while satisfying their own local goals. When members interact, portions of their models of reality coincide. Such interaction and coordination among diverse autonomous simulations is enabled through the implementation of a shared reality. Comprehensive, life-like situations can be modeled by applying the concept of a SoS.
Trust in top management and immediate supervisor: The relationship to satisfaction, perceived organizational effectiveness, and information receiving

Utilizing 2068 individuals in 60 organizations in the U.S. and Italy, this study (a) examines the overall relationship between trust in top management and immediate supervisor and overall estimates of satisfaction and perceived organizational effectiveness, (b) compares the amount of variance in satisfaction and effectiveness that can be explained by trust in top management to the amount of variance explained by trust in immediate supervisor, and (c) clarifies the role of information receiving as a predictor of trust in top management and immediate supervisor. Results of a canonical correlation analysis indicated that the canonical equation explained 49% of the variance in the linear composites (Canonical R = .69, p < .001). Trust in top management was more strongly associated with satisfaction and effectiveness than was trust in immediate supervisor. Tzvo separate multiple regression analyses indicated that after controlling for geographic location of company and type of industry, information received ab...
Fluvastatin reduces proliferation and increases apoptosis in women with high grade breast cancer

The purpose of this study is to determine the biologic impact of short-term lipophilic statin exposure on in situ and invasive breast cancer through paired tissue, blood and imaging-based biomarkers. A perioperative window trial of fluvastatin was conducted in women with a diagnosis of DCIS or stage 1 breast cancer. Patients were randomized to high dose (80 mg/day) or low dose (20 mg/day) fluvastatin for 3–6 weeks before surgery. Tissue (diagnostic core biopsy/final surgical specimen), blood, and magnetic resonance images were obtained before/after treatment. The primary endpoint was Ki-67 (proliferation) reduction. Secondary endpoints were change in cleaved caspase-3 (CC3, apoptosis), MRI tumor volume, and serum C-reactive protein (CRP, inflammation). Planned subgroup analyses compared disease grade, statin dose, and estrogen-receptor status. Forty of 45 patients who enrolled completed the protocol; 29 had paired Ki-67 primary endpoint data. Proliferation of high grade tumors decreased by a median of 7.2% (P = 0.008), which was statistically greater than the 0.3% decrease for low grade tumors. Paired data for CC3 showed tumor apoptosis increased in 38%, remained stable in 41%, and decreased in 21% of subjects. More high grade tumors had an increase in apoptosis (60 vs. 13%; P = 0.015). Serum CRP did not change, but cholesterol levels were significantly lower post statin exposure (P < 0.001). Fluvastatin showed measurable biologic changes by reducing tumor proliferation and increasing apoptotic activity in high-grade, stage 0/1 breast cancer. Effects were only evident in high grade tumors. These results support further evaluation of statins as chemoprevention for ER-negative high grade breast cancers.
Investigation of device failure mechanisms in polymer light-emitting diodes

Abstract A polymer light-emitting diode (LED) of configuration —Indium-Tin-Oxide (ITO)/polymer/metal was used for the study of failure mechanisms using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Better lifetimes were observed for LEDs that were operated at lower voltages. At constant voltage, poly(octylthiophene-3-carboxylate) (POT-3-C) diodes exhibited a sharp decay followed by a gradual decrease with time in total current passing through the device and corresponding absolute light intensity. With the application of voltage, metal electrode surface was observed to lose reflectivity and become dull, leading to increased surface roughness of the film. At high electric fields, bright spots appeared which eventually turned dark and transparent-like. XPS studies of failed devices indicated that oxidation of both metal electrode and polymer film occurred. SEM micrographs of failed devices revealed discontinuities in the metal electrode and polymer film. Post-failure surface composition maps of ITO showed destroyed ITO film exposing bare silicon oxide. Similar failure patterns were observed in the failure of poly(p-phenylene vinylene) (PPV) LEDs under high electric fields.
Effects of sediment‐bound bifenthrin on gizzard shad and plankton in experimental tank mesocosms

We examined the effects of bifenthrin, a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide, on gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) and plankton in an 8-d experiment using 16 outdoor tank mesocosms (5.5 m3). The replicated design included six treatments of sediment-bound bifenthrin (0-7,750 ng/L), a sediment-free control treatment, and a fish-free control treatment (with untreated sediment). The 8-d LC50s for gizzard shad were 521 and 207 ng/L, using bifenthrin concentrations in water 1 h after addition and average concentrations during the study, respectively. In the presence of bifenthrin, gizzard shad exhibited abnormal stress behaviors, including swimming slowly, gulping near the water surface, opercle flaring, and head shaking. Bifenthrin significantly reduced copepod nauplii density and turbidity, increased rotifer density and Secchi depth, and affected chlorophyll.
Origin of smectite and illite-smectite in the Barbados accretionary complex: Oxygen isotopic evidence

Oxygen isotopic and mixed-layer compositional data are used to infer modes of formation of smectite and illite-smectite from the Barbados accretionary complex. Nearly pure smectites have δ 18 O values between 26‰ and 30‰ and apparently formed authigenically by alteration of volcanic ash. Illite-smectites are thought to have formed in situ at temperatures less than 40 δC, although a detrital origin cannot be ruled out for several samples. The unusually low temperature of transition of smectite to illite indicates that fluid generation by mineral dehydration and consequent structural effects can occur at shallow depths in accretionary complexes.