cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intravenous Thrombolysis in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients Pretreated With Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants: An Editorial Review.

Anticoagulation has revolutionized stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation either with vitamin K antagonists (VKA) or non-VKA oral anticoagulants (NOACs). However, a substantial number of patients may experience acute ischemic stroke (AIS) because of inadequate anticoagulation, noncardioembolic stroke pathogenesis, or true treatment failure and can present to the emergency room within the time window for intravenous thrombolysis (IVT).1 In a series of AIS patients potentially eligible for IVT, 8.7% were pretreated with oral anticoagulants.2 Because of the increased bleeding risk in patients pretreated with VKA, IVT is formally contraindicated if international normalized ratio on hospital admission is >1.7 in patients presenting within 3 hours from symptom onset and in all AIS patients regardless of international normalized ratio during the time window of 3 to 4.5 hours,3 whereas IVT is contraindicated if a patient takes oral anticoagulants regardless of international normalized ratio according to the European license of intravenous (IV) tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA).4 The use of point-of-care international normalized ratio devices has simplified the management of IVT in AIS patients pretreated with VKAs. On the contrary, because NOAC-specific coagulation assays are more complex with limited availability, this specific subgroup of patients is often excluded from IVT. These treatment recommendations regarding the use of IV-tPA in AIS patients pretreated with NOACs aim to prevent severe bleeding complications, in particular, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH). However, because they are based on expert opinion, they could result in withholding IVT in otherwise eligible patients who may eventually benefit from timely tPA administration. Because NOAC use increases exponentially in clinical practice worldwide, there are a growing number of reports of patients on NOACs who receive IVT for …
Cognitive Predictors of Spoken Word Recognition in Children with and without Developmental Language Disorders.

Purpose This study examined the influence of cognitive factors on spoken word recognition in children with developmental language disorder (DLD) and typically developing (TD) children. Method Parti...
Extending CW radar unambiguous detection range using a Modified Frank Code

A number theoretic transform of the Frank polyphase modulation is introduced in order to significantly extend the unambiguous detection range of CW polyphase modulation radar beyond a single code period using N coprime moduli and their residues. The Modified Frank Code (MFC) allows the coverage of a large unambiguous range while minimizing the correlation lengths necessary to achieve the required compression gain for target detection. We present 3 different formulations of the MFC each having their unique characteristics. We show that the third formulation (MFC-III), retains a perfect periodic autocorrelation property with zero sidelobes similar to the original Frank modulation.
Preparation and characterization of cell skeletons from normal lymphoid cells.

Abstract A method involving differential dialysis is described for the preparation of cell skeletons (ghosts) from normal lymphoid cells. Cytological, biochemical, and immunological investigations indicate that such ghosts consist primarily of lipoprotein cell membranes and retain at least some of their histocompatibility isoantigens.
Methods for Coding Perspectives on Apology and Reconciliation

This chapter describes the methods used for coding participants’ responses to the items “If one country has in the past invaded, colonized, or exercised control over the governmental affairs of another country, an apology by the invading/colonizing/controlling country can improve the chances for reconciliation between the countries” and “What steps or factors are necessary to make an apology successful in achieving reconciliation between the countries?” We first provide a brief overview of literature on apology and reconciliation. We then describe the grounded theory methods used to develop a coding manual with this literature in mind. The categories and subcategories defined in the manual are then described in detail, and sample responses are presented.
School Textbooks and the State of the State

Regardless of rumors to the contrary, the state, as indirectly seen through these chapters, would appear to be surviving, maybe thriving. This volume has considered ways in which school textbooks reflect what we have called the imagination of the nation in 14 national contexts. We have taken as axiomatic that school textbooks, especially in the identity-related subject areas of civics, history, geography, or in subjects that can be used in mobilizing and shaping identity, serve political as well as instructional purposes.
Second-Order Elliptic Systems with Periodic Coefficients

In this monograph we shall be concerned with a family of second-order linear elliptic operators in divergence form with rapidly oscillating periodic coefficients, $$\mathcal{L}_\varepsilon = - \mathrm{div}(\mathit{A}(\mathit{x}/\varepsilon)\nabla), \,\,\, \varepsilon > 0,$$ (2.0.1) in \(\mathbb{R}^\mathit{d}\). The coefficient matrix (tensor) \({A}\) in (2.0.1) is given by $$\mathit{A}(\mathit{y})\,\,= ({\mathit{a}_\mathit{ij}^{\alpha\beta}} \, (\mathit{y})), \,\,\,\mathrm{with\,\,1}\,\leq \mathit{i,j} \leq \mathit{d}\,\, \mathrm{and\,\,1}\,\leq \alpha,\beta \leq \mathit{m}.$$
Perceived sex similarity and attitudes: The effect of coworker support and creativity requirement

Coworker support is a critical phenomenon in organizational settings that determines work place behaviors and job attitudes, yet it has not received a lot of attention in the literature. This paper...
Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Afghanistan: Faculty Members' Perceptions from Selected Universities

This study investigated faculty members’ perceptions of quality assurance and accreditation (QAA) in Afghanistan. The study aimed to examine how familiar faculty members were with QAA policy, quality concepts, QAA processes, and whether QAA process has improved the status quo. Through a sequential exploratory mixed methods design, the investigators interviewed seven faculty members at four universities, and subsequently conducted a self-administered survey questionnaire at six universities (two public and four private). A response rate of 54 percent (N = 42) was obtained from the survey. The study findings suggest that faculty members had mixed impressions about QAA implementation. For instance, an overall sum of mean scores shows that faculty members have a positive view about QAA processes M = 3.5 (SD = .75), however, interview participants were less satisfied with QAA outcome. Lastly, implications are made that a successful implementation of QAA processes in Afghanistan is contingent on: 1) establishment of a quality culture wherein universities own the processes and outcomes, and 2) engagement of key stakeholders including faculty, staff, and administrators to internalize QAA processes to improve the status quo. Keywords: higher education quality; quality assurance; accreditation; higher education in Afghanistan
What to Make of Makerspaces

Makerspaces are areas set aside in schools, libraries, and other locations, where inventors and Do-It-Yourselfers gather to create and collaborate. Activities run the gamut from high(er) tech, such as electronic kit making and Arduino programming, 3D design and printing, to more traditional crafts such as sewing and woodworking. As makerspaces become more prevalent, the question arises where, if anywhere, do they fit into the post secondary environment, and specifically, in the computer science realm? Should computer science departments host them? What, exactly, can we do with them? They would be appear to be a good outlet for our students, allowing them to exercise their creative side, but can they do more? Can we use them to draw in non-majors, or to encourage collaboration between students in different fields? Can they be used to supplement various courses? If so, which, and how might they be used? We are interested in talking to others who have makerspace experience at the post-secondary level so that we can share ideas.
Reaping and Sowing for a Sustainable Future: The Import of Roman Catholic Social Teaching for Agrifood Competition

Roman Catholic social teaching is a comprehensive normative social theory from which principles and directives for agriculture and, in turn, agrifood competition can be drawn. This chapter offers an overview of the rich cache of Roman Catholic social teaching specific to agriculture and argues that such a moral theology tradition can supply new insights for the neglected area of agrifood competition. Particular texts from the Church’s social teaching – rooted in Judeo-Christian scripture and 2,000 years of tradition – are presented as motivations to pay attention to possibly overlooked concerns and identifying viable action steps not considered by others in this tenuous area. Finally, a conceptual framework for thinking about agriculture and agrifood competition, based on the Church’s social teaching, is presented for consideration.
Hepatitis B reactivation with pembrolizumab, atezolizumab, and nivolumab: A pharmacovigilance study and literature review.

e15127Background: Chronic Hepatitis B virus (HBV) impacts 257 million people worldwide. Chemo- and immunotherapies may predispose to HBV reactivation (HBVr), which can negatively impact oncologic o...
Artifact rejection and missing data imputation in cerebral blood flow velocity signals via trace norm minimization.

Objective Many physiological signals are degraded by significant corruptions that limit their usefulness. One example is cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) signals, measured by transcranial Doppler, which are susceptible to large errors from patient motion. In this paper we propose a method to remove artifacts and impute sections of missing data in these signals. Methods The method exploits the low-order dynamical relationship between CBFV, arterial blood pressure, and, where available, intracranial pressure. It enhances the measured signals by fitting them to a low-order dynamical model, using convex regularization terms that improve robustness to large deviations and missing data. The method is based on a convex optimization formulation, and utilizes recent work in trace norm approximation and subspace system identification. Results Simulations demonstrate that the method successfully removes real CBFV artifacts, and can impute missing data with reasonable accuracy. Performance was improved when intracranial pressure data was available. Conclusion The methods presented can be used by researchers to remove artifacts and estimate missing sections in CBFV signals. The general approach may be applied to other biomedical signal processing settings. Significance This low-order dynamical approach has ongoing applications in noninvasive intracranial pressure estimation.
The dialectic of digital culture: by David Arditi and Jennifer Miller, Lanham, MD, USA, Lexingotn Books (Rowman and Littlefield), 2019, $95.00 (Hardback), $90.00 (eBook), ISBN: 9781498589871

The 21st century has been marked by endless debates about the nature of digital technology. Particularly in the last ten years, there have been many questions raised about the simultaneous empoweri...
Amphibious Robotic Propulsive Mechanisms: Current Technologies and Open Challenges

Amphibious robots capable of transition from aquatic to terrestrial locomotion face significant challenges associated with propulsive efficacy in each environment. Conventionally, amphibious robots have utilized separate systems for aquatic and terrestrial locomotion, such as rotors and wheels, respectively. Recent approaches have attempted to consolidate the propulsive mechanism footprint and complexity in hopes of creating systems that mirror the performance and adaptability of living organisms. The crux of such a bioinspired design philosophy lies in integrating hydrodynamic profiles and terrestrial mobility, two seemingly antithetical features, into a cohesive robot architecture. State-of-the-art amphibious robots approach this challenge in a variety of ways and can be sorted into four distinct categories based on their locomotion mechanisms and body plans: (1) wheeled, (2) legged, (3) undulating, and (4) soft. This chapter surveys existing amphibious robots under each category, identifies seminal designs, and briefly examines them. We then synthesize findings from the survey to highlight open avenues of research for the continued development of amphibious robots. Lastly, we discuss our ongoing research developing a variable stiffness morphing limb as a potential next-generation propulsor for amphibious robots.
Paraneoplastic leukemoid reaction: Case report and review of the literature.

Abstract Objectives We recently encountered a patient with unexplained hyperleukocytosis (105.4 K/μL at presentation), subsequently found to have colon cancer with a marked tumor-associated neutrophilic infiltrate; the leukocytosis abruptly improved after tumor removal. Paraneoplastic leukemoid reaction (PLR) is a rare entity, occurring due to tumor cytokine secretion (typically granulocyte-colony stimulating factor [G-CSF]). We describe a case and aggregate results of previously published cases. Methods We reviewed the English-language literature for all prior reports of PLR, recording age, gender, histologic diagnosis, WBC count, G-CSF level, and overall survival. We analyzed clinicopathologic variables’ impact on survival. Results We identified 179 cases (mean age 64; 72 % M). Adeno-, squamous cell, sarcomatoid, and undifferentiated carcinomas accounted for >70 %. Esophagus, gallbladder, lung, liver, and pancreas were the most common primaries. At time of publication 81 % of patients had died, with mean overall survival of 4 months. There was no correlation between WBC count and G-CSF level. On univariate analysis, WBC count was the only variable associated with survival (P = 0.03). Patients with WBC counts >100 K/μL were twice as likely to die as those with counts from 11 K to 40 K/μL. Conclusions PLR, typically carcinoma-associated, is characterized by dismal prognosis. The WBC count is inversely related to survival. Knowledge of this phenomenon militates against protracted, expensive work ups. In malignant neoplasms with prominent neutrophilic stroma, the pathologist should correlate with the WBC count and, if markedly elevated (>40 K/μL), raise consideration for PLR.
Will Social Security Survive the Baby Boom

In this paper we consider the design and implementation of a pay-as-you-go social insurance system as a problem in political economy. We consider whether a society of forward looking rational economic agents would implement a system in which the level of benefits can depend on the relative shares of different age groups in the population. We calibrate a model economy to match long-run features of the U.S. economy and then look at the nature of the social security system that results. We show that such a system would collapse, given realizations of the population growth rate that the U.S. has experienced since World War II. If the benefits of the current retired generation are viewed as an obligation that must be paid, the system would survive the baby boom.
The Hidden Costs of Not Using Discretionary Controls

This study investigates the effect of a principal’s choice on the availability of discretionary controls, where discretionary controls are defined as those not supported by enforceable explicit contracts. In contrast to prior findings on explicit controls, we find that agent reciprocity is not significantly less when principals choose a discretionary control than when they are exogenously available. That is, we find no hidden costs of discretionary control. We tentatively attribute this finding to agents viewing discretionary controls as less intrusive than explicit controls. Interestingly, we find that agent reciprocity is less when principals choose to forgo discretionary controls than when the discretionary controls are not available. One explanation for this result is that agents perceive that principals who turn down the option to have discretionary controls available place less value on agents’ norm-adhering behavior than other principals. These findings support the often-used managerial practice of using discretionary controls.
Comparison between femoral access versus radial access in primary percutaneous coronary interventions

Introduction The femoral approach for coronary angiography and angioplasty is used by most interventional cardiologists in both elective and primary Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures. The use of transradial access has been increasing worldwide as it has fewer access site complications. Aim In this study, the author compared femoral versus radial approaches in patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing primary angioplasty. Patients and Methods The study population consisted of 100 patients who presented to the author's center with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. The author divided the study population into two groups: group A that consisted of 50 patients in whom primary PCI was done through the transfemoral route and group B that consisted of 50 patients in whom primary PCI was done through the transradial route. The author compared complications in both groups. Results The author found that there was no significant difference between both groups regarding complications, namely, the major hematomas, the minor hematomas, the bleeding complications, pseudoaneurysm of the femoral artery, and loss of radial artery. Conclusion Under the light of the obtained results, the following conclusion could be drawn: first, both transfemoral and transradial approaches are feasible for performing primary angioplasty; second, there is an insignificant difference between the femoral approach and radial approach in patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing primary PCI regarding complications, and third, operator should use the approach that is mastered.
Self-Supervised Learning-Based High-Resolution Ultrasound Imaging for Prostate Brachytherapy.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S) Ultrasound (US) imaging has been widely used in image-guided needle/seed placement in prostate brachytherapy. For 3D US images with large slice thickness, high frequency information in the slice direction is missing and cannot be resolved through interpolation. As an ill-posed problem, most high-resolution generation methods rely on the presence of external/training atlases to learn the transform from low resolution to high resolution images. The anatomical variations among individuals bring unavoidable uncertainties in this atlas-based learning mechanism. In this study, we propose a self-supervised learning method, which does not use any external high-resolution atlas images, yet can resolve high resolution images from the 3D images with a large slice thickness. MATERIALS/METHODS In 3D US imaging, in-plane spatial resolution is generally much higher than through-plane resolution. Considering the natural isotropy of US imaging on biological tissue, for a certain patient, the mapping from low-resolution to high-resolution images can be established by learning the mapping from down-sampled in-plane images (low-resolution) to original in-plane US images (high-resolution), which enables the generation of high-resolution through-plane images. Two independent cycle consistent generative adversarial networks (CycleGANs) are trained with paired original in-plane US images and two sets of in-plane down-sampled US images. Finally, high-resolution 3D US images are reconstructed by combining the generated 2D images obtained via feeding through-plane images into the two CycleGAN models. A validation study was conducted to quantitatively assess the proposed method using 3D high in-/through-plane resolution breast US images of 50 breast cancer patients. The feasibility of the proposed method for obtaining high-resolution US images for prostate brachytherapy was tested using 3D US images with 2-mm slice thickness from 45 prostate cancer patients. RESULTS In the breast US images validation test using a three-times spatial resolution enhancement, the proposed method achieved the mean absolute error value of 0.90 (range 0.57-1.35), the peak signal-to-noise ratio value of 37.88 (range 35.84-40.48) dB, and the visual information fidelity value of 0.69 (range 0.68-0.72), which significantly outperforms bicubic interpolation. For the prostate cases, the proposed method outperformed the bicubic interpolation for the spatial resolution enhancement factors of 5 and 10. CONCLUSION A novel deep learning-based algorithm for reconstructing high-resolution 3D US images from sparely acquired 2D images was developed and validated. Significant improvement on through-plane resolution has been achieved by using the acquired 2D images without any external atlas images. Its self-supervision capability could accelerate high-resolution US imaging for prostate brachytherapy.
Relative Merits of Low-Carbohydrate Versus Low-Fat Diet in Managing Obesity.

OBJECTIVES Although low-fat diets (LFD) have been the cornerstone of dietary guidelines for weight reduction, low-carbohydrate diets (LCD) continue to gain attention and popularity. Which diet can achieve significant and sustainable weight loss in unclear, however. Our objective in this study was to compare LCDs with LFDs and their impact on weight loss. METHODS We performed a MEDLINE/PubMed search for English-language articles of randomized controlled studies conducted with adults who were overweight or obese for at least 6 months for the time period of January 2001-October 2014. Two reviewers independently abstracted data, including participants' characteristics, diet composition and duration, and change in weight from baseline at 6 and 12 months. RESULTS A total of 17 studies were analyzed. At 6 months, the mean weight loss for participants on an LCD was -1.439 kg (95% confidence interval -2.319 to -0.558) compared with participants on an LFD (P < 0.001). At 12 months, the difference was smaller, -0.769 kg (95% confidence interval -1.361 to -0.178) but remained statistically significant (P < 0.010). The mean difference in the weight loss between the two diets was attenuated over time. CONCLUSIONS Reducing carbohydrate intake may help patients achieve weight loss. The mean difference in weight change between an LCD and an LFD was too small to have a meaningful impact on weight loss. More studies are needed to better elucidate the role of LCDs in weight loss efforts.
Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome is an uncommon but potentially dangerous constellation of signs and symptoms associated with pharmacologically induced multifollicular ooctye growth. Cardinal features include various degrees of abdominal discomfort associated with ascites and related intravascular volume depletion.
Predictors of Capital Structure in Small Ventures

What are the key determinants of capital structure of small ventures? We empirically examined the question by analyzing capital structure decisions of 903 small ventures. Six categories of predicto...
Acceleration of Thin Plates by Exploding Foil Techniques

A technique for the acceleration of thin plates to high velocities by exploding foils has been developed. These plates, primarily Mylar and Lucite up to 3 in. by 3 in. and from a few mils to 1/4 in. thick, are used to produce high- impulse, short-time loading of materials for the purpose of material dynamics at high pressures. Velocities up to 5 · 105 cm/sec have been achieved. A brief description of equipment including the capacitor system, cameras, and backlighting, etc. is given, as well as a more detailed description of the construction of the transducer and its characteristics. Methods of velocity determination are described. High-speed photographs of these high-velocity plates are presented.
Toxoplasma development – turn the switch on or off?

Toxoplasma gondii exhibits a complex, multi-stage life cycle in which the need for parasite expansion is balanced with the production of transmissible forms. For human disease the key developmental switch is from the tachyzoite to the mature bradyzoite, which is not well understood at the molecular level. This review highlights the role of the tachyzoite in regulating the initiation of bradyzoite differentiation through newly discovered transcription factors of the ApiAP2 family that must be turned off for development to unfold. Exit from the tachyzoite cell cycle is also tightly co-ordinated with the induction of bradyzoite gene expression, which is strongly influenced by the host cell environment. New evidence suggests a parasite casein kinase II and host anti-growth factor CDA1 can influence specific pathways that are responsible for sensing the host cell environment and informing the parasites decision to continue replication or to develop into bradyzoites. These results indicate tachyzoite gene expression mechanisms and signal transduction pathways likely hold the keys to tissue cyst formation in Toxoplasma.
Heat transfer enhancement and pressure drop in viscous liquid flows in isothermal tubes with twisted-tape inserts*

Heat transfer enhancement in viscous liquid flows by means of twisted-tape inserts has been investigated in this study. Internal flows in horizontal tubes with uniform wall temperature have been considered. This is representative of typical conditions encountered in practical applications in the chemical and process industry. Experimental data were obtained for water and ehtylene glycol with snug-fit tape inserts of three different twist ratios,y=3.0, 4.5, and 6.0; the tape thickness in each case was 0.483 mm. The data cover a wide range of flow parameters: 3.5<Pr<100, and 300<Re<35,000, for both heating and cooling conditions. The results forNum andf are strongly influenced by the tape geometry and fluid flow conditions, and can be functionally represented byNum=φ(Re, Pr, μb/μw,L/d, H/d, δ/d) andf=φ(Re, H/d, δ/d).
Three-dimensional simulation of high temperature latent heat thermal energy storage system assisted by finned heat pipes

Abstract The startup process of a high temperature latent heat thermal energy storage system assisted by finned heat pipes was studied numerically. A transient three-dimensional finite volume based model was developed to simulate the charging process of phase change material with different configuration of embedded heat pipes. The melting of the phase change material was modeled by employing enthalpy-porosity technique. A eutectic mixture of sodium nitrate and potassium nitrate with melting temperature of 220 °C enclosed by a vertical cylindrical container was used as the phase change material. The effects of different heat pipe arrangement and the heat pipe quantities as well as the influence of natural convection on the thermal behavior of the latent heat thermal energy storage system were studied. The results indicate that the heat pipe configurations and the quantities of heat pipes integrated in a thermal energy storage system have a profound effect on the thermal response of the system. Employing more heat pipes decreases the thermal resistance within the system, leading to the acceleration of charging process and the decrease of container base wall temperature. It was also found that the inclusion of natural convection heat transfer in the charging process of the system renders to higher melting rate and lower base wall temperature.
Climate Change in the Alpine Zone: a Continuous, Multi-Proxy Record of Holocene Glacier Activity and Environmental Change at Grand Teton National Park

Alpine environments are particularly sensitive to climate fluctuations and recent changes to their hydrological and ecological components have been documented in mountain ranges around the world. Paleoclimate reconstructions from these regions can improve our understanding of alpine climate change by placing recent observed changes in a long-term context and by improving our ability to accurately predict and model future changes. This research is designed to use lake sediments to reconstruct the glacier history and paleohydrology of the Teton Mountain ecosystem to provide a framework for characterizing the impacts of climate change occurring in Grand Teton National Park. Multiple physical and geochemical parameters contained in sediments from lakes strategically positioned along elevation transects will be used to develop the first continuous records of: 1) alpine glacier fluctuations, including the timing and character of deglaciation, and 2) coupled fire, vegetation and hydroclimate histories spanning the elevation gradient of the Tetons. This work is critical for assessing and managing the ecological impacts of future climate change in this unique ecosystem and for improving our understanding of how changes here are connected to the broader climate system.
FoxO1-dependent induction of acute myeloid leukemia by osteoblasts in mice

Osteoblasts, the bone forming cells, affect self-renewal and expansion of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), as well as homing of healthy hematopoietic cells and tumor cells into the bone marrow. Constitutive activation of β-catenin in osteoblasts is sufficient to alter the differentiation potential of myeloid and lymphoid progenitors and to initiate the development of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in mice. We show here that Notch1 is the receptor mediating the leukemogenic properties of osteoblast-activated β-catenin in HSCs. Moreover, using cell-specific gene inactivation mouse models, we show that FoxO1 expression in osteoblasts is required for and mediates the leukemogenic properties of β-catenin. At the molecular level, FoxO1 interacts with β-catenin in osteoblasts to induce expression of the Notch ligand, Jagged-1. Subsequent activation of Notch signaling in long-term repopulating HSC progenitors induces the leukemogenic transformation of HSCs and ultimately leads to the development of AML. These findings identify FoxO1 expressed in osteoblasts as a factor affecting hematopoiesis and provide a molecular mechanism whereby the FoxO1/activated β-catenin interaction results in AML. These observations support the notion that the bone marrow niche is an instigator of leukemia and raise the prospect that FoxO1 oncogenic properties may occur in other tissues.
Automatic segmentation of ultrasound images using morphological operators

A method for the automatic measurement of femur length in fetal ultrasound images is presented. Fetal femur length measurements are used to estimate gestational age by comparing the measurement to a typical growth chart. Using a real-time ultrasound system, sonographers currently indicate the femur endpoints on the ultrasound display station with a mouse-like device. The measurements are subjective, and have been proven to be inconsistent. The automatic approach described exploits prior knowledge of the general range of femoral size and shape by using morphological operators, which process images based on shape characteristics. Morphological operators are used first to remove the background (noise) from the image, next to refine the shape of the femur and remove spurious artifacts, and finally to produce a single pixel-wide skeleton of the femur. The skeleton endpoints are assumed to be the femur endpoints. The length of the femur is calculated as the distance between those endpoints. A comparison of the measurements obtained with the manual and with the automated techniques is included. >
Credibility of Inflation Targets in Poland

This paper empirically investigates credibility of inflation targets in Poland. It proposes a new methodology to estimate the impact of policy announcements on survey-based inflationary expectations. Credibility of inflation targets in Poland have been high – the public seems to have attached greater weight to policy announcements than to past macroeconomic developments, particularly after the formal introduction of inflation targeting. The proposed Bayesian approach makes efficient use of available information to provide an intuitive, time-varying measures of credibility.
Topical lidocaine gel relieves postherpetic neuralgia

Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) following herpes zoster is a common and disabling neuropathic pain syndrome. In a double-blind, three-session study, 5% lidocaine gel or vehicle was applied simultaneously to both the area of pain and to the contralateral mirror-image unaffected skin. In the local session, lidocaine gel was applied to the painful skin area. In the remote session, lidocaine gel was applied to mirror-image skin. In the placebo session, vehicle was applied bilaterally. For cranial PHN, gel was applied without occlusion for 8 hours. For limb or torso PHN, gel was applied under occlusion for 24 hours. The 16 subjects with cranial PHN reported pain relief significantly favoring local drug application at 30 minutes, 2, 4, and 8 hours. The 23 subjects with torso or limb PHN reported significantly lower pain intensity with local drug application at 8 hours and both pain relief and reduced pain intensity at 24 hours. Remote lidocaine application to mirror-image skin was no different from placebo. No systemic adverse effects were reported and blood levels did not exceed 0.6 microgram/ml. Topical application of 5% lidocaine gel relieves PHN pain by a direct drug action on painful skin.
Decreased Ca2+ Spark Frequency and RyR2 Expression in Cerebral Arteries Following Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Ca2+ sparks represent local and transient increases in intracellular Ca2+ caused by the coordinated opening of ryanodine receptors (RyRs) located in the sarcoplasmic reticulum of muscle. Contrary to the contraction caused by global Ca2+ increases, Ca2+ sparks promote smooth muscle relaxation via activation of plasmalemmal large-conductance Ca2+-activated potassium (BK) channels leading to membrane potential hyperpolarization and decreased activity of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels. Here, we examined whether impairment of this vasodilator pathway contributes to enhanced cerebral artery constriction associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Using a rabbit SAH model, Ca2+ sparks, single channel and whole-cell BK currents were measured in cerebral artery myocytes. Expression of BK channel alpha and beta-1 subunits and RyR2 was examined by RT-PCR. The effects of blockers for BK channels (paxilline, 1 μM) and RyRs (ryanodine, 10 μM) were examined on diameter of isolated cerebral arteries. Ca2+ spark frequency, but not amplitude, was decreased ∼50% following SAH. This decrease in Ca2+ spark frequency corresponded to a reduction in the number of functional Ca2+ spark sites and decreased RyR2 expression in myocytes from SAH animals. A similar reduction in the frequency of transient BK currents was observed following SAH, although the properties and expression of BK channels were similar between groups. Inhibition of this vasodilatory pathway by paxilline or ryanodine induced constriction of control arteries, which was greatly diminished following SAH. These data suggest decreased Ca2+ spark frequency in cerebral myocytes following SAH is due to decreased RyR2 expression and a reduction in functional spark sites. The resulting decrease in BK currents leads to an enhanced cerebral artery constriction that may contribute to the development of neurological deficits following SAH. (Supported by AHA 0725837T, 0725841T, NIH R01 HL078983, R01 HL44455, and the Totman Medical Research Trust).
Prostaglandins regulate the synthesis and secretion of the atrial natriuretic peptide.

Abstract We have examined the effects of several PGs on the synthesis and release of the atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in vivo and in vitro. PGF2 alpha infusion in anesthetized rats resulted in a significant increase in plasma immunoreactive (ir) ANP levels in vivo despite effecting only modest changes in hemodynamics. The PGs were also effective at promoting irANP secretion in primary cultures of neonatal rat atrial and ventricular cardiocytes. PGF2 alpha increased irANP release with half-maximal induction seen at approximately 10(-8) M; PGE2 was somewhat less effective and prostacyclin (PGI2) was without effect. The PGs also increased ANP mRNA levels in these cells, suggesting that these agents exert a major effect on the synthesis as well as the secretion of the prohormone. Transient expression analysis of atrial cells transfected with 2,500 bp of human (h) ANP 5' flanking sequence linked to a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter demonstrated that PGF2 alpha (10(-5) M) increased hANP promoter activity approximately twofold relative to the control. PGF2 alpha had no effect on the promoterless control (pSV0-lamin CAT). Treatment of cultured atriocytes with high concentrations of a cyclooxygenase inhibitor resulted in a significant suppression of ANP secretion in vitro and a truncation of the plasma ANP response to volume infusion in vivo. Taken together these studies support a role for PGs as regulators of cardiac ANP synthesis and secretion, and suggest an additional mechanism whereby eicosanoids may act to control cardiovascular and renal homeostasis.
Photoeffects in junction field effect transistors under strong illumination

Abstract At sufficiently strong homogeneous illumination, an internal junction region acquires a forward bias voltage, such that the resulting gate junction leakage current compensates the primary junction photocurrent. This region spreads towards source and drain with increasing illumination intensity, resulting in source and drain currents which increase in proportion to the square root of light intensity.
The theory of electron-molecule collisions

The current state of the theory and its application to low-energy electron-molecule collisions is reviewed. The emphasis is on elastic scattering and vibrational and rotational excitation of small diatomic and polyatomic molecules. New and traditional theoretical approaches are described, and the results of calculations are compared with existing experimental measurements.
Vitamin E is essential for Purkinje neuron integrity

α-Tocopherol (vitamin E) is an essential dietary antioxidant with important neuroprotective functions. α-Tocopherol deficiency manifests primarily in neurological pathologies, notably cerebellar dysfunctions such as spinocerebellar ataxia. To study the roles of α-tocopherol in the cerebellum, we used the α-tocopherol transfer protein for the murine version (Ttpa(-/)(-)) mice which lack the α-tocopherol transfer protein (TTP) and are a faithful model of vitamin E deficiency and oxidative stress. When fed vitamin E-deficient diet, Ttpa(-/)(-) mice had un-detectable levels of α-tocopherol in plasma and several brain regions. Dietary supplementation with α-tocopherol normalized plasma levels of the vitamin, but only modestly increased its levels in the cerebellum and prefrontal cortex, indicating a critical function of brain TTP. Vitamin E deficiency caused an increase in cerebellar oxidative stress evidenced by increased protein nitrosylation, which was prevented by dietary supplementation with the vitamin. Concomitantly, vitamin E deficiency precipitated cellular atrophy and diminished dendritic branching of Purkinje neurons, the predominant output regulator of the cerebellar cortex. The anatomic decline induced by vitamin E deficiency was paralleled by behavioral deficits in motor coordination and cognitive functions that were normalized upon vitamin E supplementation. These observations underscore the essential role of vitamin E and TTP in maintaining CNS function, and support the notion that α-tocopherol supplementation may comprise an effective intervention in oxidative stress-related neurological disorders.
Substance Use Disorders in Children and Adolescents With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Implications for Treatment and the Role of the Primary Care Physician

Objectives: Review the association between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and substance use disorder (SUD) in children and adolescents. Discuss treatment implications and the role of the primary care physician in the management of this comorbidity. Data Sources: Articles published from 1991 to 2007 were identified through a MEDLINE search using the search terms attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and substance use disorder. Study Selection: Publications cited include reviews of substance use disorders in children and adolescents with ADHD, manuals of diagnostic tests, and 69 studies of substance use disorders in children and adolescents with ADHD. No non–English-language publications were identified. Data Synthesis: Recent reports identify SUD in a high proportion of respondents with ADHD and ADHD in a high proportion of respondents with many types of SUD. Factors that appear to increase the risk for SUD include comorbid psychiatric disorders, particularly conduct disorder. Pharmacotherapy for ADHD appears not to increase the risk for subsequent SUD. Guidelines for the evaluation and treatment of patients with comorbid ADHD and SUD are outlined. Psycho-stimulants carry the risk for misuse by both patients and family members through diversion. Although nonstimulants such as atomoxetine have low abuse potential, they appear to be less efficacious than stimulants. Formulations that have the potential to lower the abuse liability of stimulants are being developed. These include a transdermal form of methylphenidate that has been shown to be efficacious in the treatment of ADHD and a prodrug stimulant, lisdexamfetamine, recently approved for the treatment of ADHD. Clinical data indicate that lisdexamfetamine is efficacious, and significantly lower likability scores were seen with lisdexamfetamine than with equivalent oral doses of d-amphetamine sulfate. Conclusions: Pharmacotherapy may reduce the risk for SUD in patients with ADHD. Psycho-stimulants remain the first-line therapy for the core symptoms of ADHD. New formulations of pharmacologic agents with a reduced potential for abuse are being developed.
An analysis of research on international operations networks

Abstract This paper reports on an analysis of recent journal articles and proceedings papers which discuss international operations networks. These networks are comprised of supplier, manufacturing, warehouse and transportation facilities and the connections between these facilities. They are a key feature of international organizations and the subject of considerable research. The first aspect of the analysis presented here focuses on three descriptive dimensions of the current research on international operations networks: world region, topic and research method. The results are directed at determining if there are regional differences in approach to research on international operations networks either in the topic covered or the research method employed. A second aspect of the study is to evaluate three frameworks identified by other researchers, each of which was used to classify the research reviewed for this paper. The usefulness of each framework is also assessed. Two conclusions result from the research reported here. First, there are no overall differences found in the topics covered or research methods used in different world regions. Secondly, of the three frameworks assessed, the Giffi, Roth and Seal (1990) framework, based on manufacturing strategy components, appears to be the most useful for classifying international operations network research. When the research is classified by this framework, statistically significant differences among world regions, topics and research methods are found.
Visual pattern perception: Multidimensional analysis of discrimination difficulty for children

Five- and 6-year-old children were tested on three-choice oddity problems constructed from pairs of patterns which were selected to be perceptually two-dimensional. Using nonmetric multidimensional scaling techniques, discrimination latencies were analyzed. Meaningful and reliable euclidean solutions were obtained in two dimensions for group data and for four of six individual children.
Possible mechanism for the resonances in the /sup 12/C + /sup 16/O system

New data on resonances in the /sup 12/C + /sup 16/O system are presented. A systematic pattern is observed suggesting that theoretical models, which have recently been formulated for the mechanism of resonances appearing in the /sup 12/C + /sup 12/C system, also apply to this system. Furthermore, energies, spins, and widths for entrance-channel resonances predicted by a recent microscopic calculation of /sup 12/C + /sup 16/O scattering agree very well with the data presented here.
Predictive factors of hospital stay in patients undergoing minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion and instrumentation.

STUDY DESIGN A single-center retrospective study. OBJECTIVE To identify predictors of length of stay (LOS) days in patients undergoing 1 level minimally invasive (MIS) transforaminal lumbar interbody fusions (TLIF). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Recent studies suggest intraoperative fluid administration, and colloid and crystalloid administration among other intraoperative variables may prolong LOS days and increase complications. Therefore, an understanding of which preoperative, intraoperative, and immediate postoperative parameters best predict immediate LOS days will help risk stratify patients and guide decision making. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed 104 patients undergoing a MIS TLIF at 1 institution between 2008 and 2010. Two groups were selected on the basis of the time of discharge. Group 1 consisted of patients discharged within 24 hours after surgery and group 2 consisted of patients discharged more than 24 hours after surgery. Multiple regression analysis was performed to determine which preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative variables were independent predictors of LOS days. RESULTS Seventy-eight patients (75%) with a LOS greater than 24 hours had significantly higher estimated blood loss, received more crystalloids, had higher total fluids, longer surgical time, lower end of case temperature, lower hemoglobin during hospitalization, and a lower preoperative narcotic use. Multiple regression analysis showed that significant predictors of increased LOS were postoperative creatinine, visual analogue scale score, intraoperative colloids, fluids input at the end of surgical case, crystalloid to colloid ratio, fluid balance, oxycodone (Oxycontin) use, mean percentage of fraction of inspired oxygen, and preoperative hemoglobin. CONCLUSION Patients undergoing 1 level MIS TLIF for degenerative conditions can overall expect a short LOS postoperatively. Multiple preoperative, intraoperative, and immediate postoperative factors can prolong the LOS in this group. This information should help the surgical team in optimizing their intraoperative patient management.