cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Relative Amplitude of Courtship Song Chirp and Trill Components Does Not Alter Female Teleogryllus oceanicus Mating Behavior

Low-amplitude acoustic signals intended for short-range communication, often called soft songs, remain poorly studied, especially among acoustically communicating invertebrates. Some insects do employ low-amplitude acoustic signals, but it remains unclear what the specific function, if any, is of quietness per se. Male Teleogryllus oceanicus, or Pacific field crickets, produce a two component, short-distance courtship song consisting of a high-amplitude series of chirps followed by a lower-amplitude trill. We investigated whether female T. oceanicus prefer to mate with males that sing courtship songs containing trill components that are equally as loud as (−0 dB) or quieter than (−3 dB and −10 dB) the loudest chirp (90 dB). We found no evidence that modifying trill amplitude affects female mate preference. We did, however, find that previously unmated females were faster to mount males than were females that had mated once before. Previous mating status showed no significant interaction with trill amplitude. What, if any, function of low-amplitude components of field cricket courtship song remains to be determined.
Numerical Studies of the Effectiveness of Electrodes With Conductive Dots in Flow Batteries

In flow batteries generally the entire surface of the electrodes are conductive. Due to the highly corrosive nature of the electrolytes of many types of flow batteries there exists a dilemma in choosing electrode materials: highly corrosion resistant materials have very high cost and low cost materials have low corrosion resistance and thus low durability. To overcome this difficulty, a novel design of electrodes with conductive dots and corrosion resistant film is proposed [1]. Such electrodes can be made of low-cost base metals covered with corrosion resistant film and evenly distributed conductive dots, which can be made of highly corrosion resistance material such as gold, titanium, etc. Since the area covered by the highly corrosion resistance metals can be only a small percentage of the total electrode area the cost of the electrode can be relatively low. In this study, numerical simulations have been performed to study the effectiveness of such a design. In this work, lead-acid flow batteries are used as a model for redox flow batteries. The results from the electrode with conductive dots are compared with those from conventional electrodes. When conventional electrodes are used, the entire electrode surface is active for electrochemical reactions. When redox reactions occur under charging and discharging cycles, the redox species are consumed very fast and the electrolyte concentrations on the electrode surface decrease sharply from those in the bulk flow, leading to sharp decrease in reaction rate along the flow direction. When electrodes with conductive dots are used, though the active area is much smaller, reaction rates in the down-stream are similar to those in the upstream. This is due to the recovery of electrolyte concentrations in the non-active area surrounding the conductive dots, mainly from diffusion. The more uniform reaction rates from the upstream to the downstream results in much higher average current density per unit active area. Thus, even though the active area of the electrode with conductive dots is much smaller, the total reaction rate per unit apparent electrode area is not much lower. The modeling results show that the electrodes with conductive dots are highly effective even when the area covered by the conductive dots is only a few percent of the total electrode area.Copyright © 2016 by ASME
Approach to the Synthesis of Briarane Diterpenes through a Dianionic Claisen Rearrangement and Ring-Closing Metathesis.

The synthesis of the briarane–brianthein A core has been accomplished utilizing an extension of the dianionic Ireland–Claisen rearrangement to establish the C1 quaternary carbon and the adjacent C10 ring juncture stereocenters. Two sequential ring-closing metathesis reactions were exploited to construct the 6–10 trans fused ring system.
Tumor Vascularity Does Not Predict Response to Yttrium-90 Radioembolization for Hepatic Metastases from Colorectal Cancer

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the degree of tumor vascularity based on imaging has an impact on tumor response and survival in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) to the liver undergoing yttrium-90 radioembolization. A retrospective study of 75 mCRC patients from a single-institution undergoing radioembolization was performed over a 7-year period. Tumors were categorized as hypo- or hypervascular based on digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and C-arm CT during mapping angiography. Tumor response and survival were compared between each group, after undergoing radioembolization. Hypervascular tumors were present in 37 of 75 (49%) patients according to DSA. Of 37 patients who underwent C-arm CT during the procedure, 22 (59%) had tumors classified as hypervascular. There were no significant differences in tumor response rates when vascularity was stratified by DSA or C-arm CT. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 111 versus 128 days ( p = 0.41) between DSA hypervascular and hypovascular cases, and median overall survival (OS) was 439 versus 342 days ( p = 0.96). When stratified by C-arm CT, median PFS was 313 versus 244 days ( p = 0.83) and median OS was 489 versus 342 days ( p = 0.74) for hypervascular and hypovascular cases, respectively. Tumor vascularity based on DSA or C-arm CT does not predict imaging response or survival after radioembolization and should not be used as a criterion for selecting candidates for radioembolization for hepatic mCRC.
Upper Respiratory and Digestive System: Pharynx, Larynx, and Xerostomia

The head and neck includes multiple structures which play a role in deglutition, swallowing, saliva production, and senses. Many of these structures are highly sensitive to various treatment modalities and their damage following therapy leads frequently to functional abnormalities such as xerostomia, dysphagia, aspiration, hearing loss, and others, reducing substantially the quality of life of survivors. The anatomy of these organs, their tolerance levels to therapy, and recent efforts to reduce their dysfunction are detailed in this chapter.
Intrapersonal Variation in Goal Setting and Achievement in Health Coaching: Cross-Sectional Retrospective Analysis

Background: Chronic conditions in the United States are among the most costly and preventable of all health problems. Research suggests health coaching is an effective strategy for reducing health risks including decreases in weight, blood pressure, lipids, and blood glucose. Much less is known about how and when coaching works. Objective: The aim of this study was to conduct an analysis of intrapersonal variations in participants’ progression in health coaching, examining gender and age-related differences. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, retrospective analysis of 35,333 health coaching participants between 2012 and 2016. Differences in number of goals and activities set and completed, and number of interactions were assessed using negative binomial models. Differences in goal type were assessed using logistic regression for gender and using the Welch test for age to account for unequal variances. Results: Participants choosing online coaching were more likely to be younger and female (P<.001). Gender and age differences were found for the types of goals set by participants. Regarding program activity, women set and completed 12% more action steps than men (P<.001), averaging 21% more interactions than men (P<.001); no gender differences were found in number of goals completed (P=.12), although the percentage of males and females completing goals was significantly different at 60 and 120 days postenrollment (P<.001). Results indicated significant age-related differences in all aspects of program activity: number of interactions, goals set and completed, action steps set and completed (all P values <.01), as well as significant differences in percentage of individuals completing initial goals within 30 days, with older individuals completing more than younger individuals did (all P values <.001). Conclusions: This study found significant intrapersonal variation in how people participate in and progress through a coaching program. Age-related variations were found in all aspects of coaching activity, from modality preference and initial choice of goal type (eg, weight management, tobacco cessation) to goal completion, whereas gender-related differences were demonstrated for all program activities except number of goals set and completed. These findings indicate that to maximize behavior change, coaches need to personalize the coaching experience to the individual. [J Med Internet Res 2018;20(1):e32]
Predicting the thermodynamic stability of perovskite oxides using machine learning models

Abstract Perovskite materials have become ubiquitous in many technologically relevant applications, ranging from catalysts in solid oxide fuel cells to light absorbing layers in solar photovoltaics. The thermodynamic phase stability is a key parameter that broadly governs whether the material is expected to be synthesizable, and whether it may degrade under certain operating conditions. Phase stability can be calculated using Density Functional Theory (DFT), but the significant computational cost makes such calculation potentially prohibitive when screening large numbers of possible compounds. In this work, we developed machine learning models to predict the thermodynamic phase stability of perovskite oxides using a dataset of more than 1900 DFT-calculated perovskite oxide energies. The phase stability was determined using convex hull analysis, with the energy above the convex hull (Ehull) providing a direct measure of the stability. We generated a set of 791 features based on elemental property data to correlate with the Ehull value of each perovskite compound, and found through feature selection that the top 70 features were sufficient to produce the most accurate models without significant overfitting. For classification, the extra trees algorithm achieved the best prediction accuracy of 0.93 (±0.02), with an F1 score of 0.88 (±0.03). For regression, leave-out 20% cross-validation tests with kernel ridge regression achieved the minimal root mean square error (RMSE) of 28.5 (±7.5) meV/atom between cross-validation predicted Ehull values and DFT calculations, with the mean absolute error (MAE) in cross-validation energies of 16.7 (±2.3) meV/atom. This error is within the range of errors in DFT formation energies relative to elemental reference states when compared to experiments and therefore may be considered sufficiently accurate to use in place of full DFT calculations. We further validated our model by predicting the stability of compounds not present in the training set and demonstrated our machine learning models are a fast and effective means of obtaining qualitatively useful guidance for a wide-range of perovskite oxide stability, potentially impacting materials design choices in a variety of technological applications.
Identification and pharmacological profile of SPP1, a potent, functionally selective and brain penetrant agonist at muscarinic M 1 receptors

Background and purpose We aimed to identify and develop novel, selective muscarinic M1 receptor agonists as potential therapeutic agents for the symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Experimental approach We developed and utilized a novel M1 receptor occupancy assay to drive a structure activity relationship in a relevant brain region while simultaneously tracking drug levels in plasma and brain to optimize for central penetration. Functional activity was tracked in relevant native in vitro assays allowing translational (rat-human) benchmarking of structure-activity relationship molecules to clinical comparators. Key results Using this paradigm, we identified a series of M1 receptor selective molecules displaying desirable in vitro and in vivo properties and optimized key features, such as central penetration while maintaining selectivity and a partial agonist profile. From these compounds, we selected spiropiperidine 1 (SPP1). In vitro, SPP1 is a potent, partial agonist of cortical and hippocampal M1 receptors with activity conserved across species. SPP1 displays high functional selectivity for M1 receptors over native M2 and M3 receptor anti-targets and over a panel of other targets. Assessment of central target engagement by receptor occupancy reveals SPP1 significantly and dose-dependently occupies rodent cortical M1 receptors. Conclusions and implications We report the discovery of SPP1, a novel, functionally selective, brain penetrant partial orthosteric agonist at M1 receptors, identified by a novel receptor occupancy assay. SPP1 is amenable to in vitro and in vivo study and provides a valuable research tool to further probe the role of M1 receptors in physiology and disease.
Afro-Brazilian Resistance to Extractivism in the Bay of Aratu

This article analyzes environmental governance and black geographies to explore the connections between Brazil’s erstwhile populist government and President Michel Temer’s conservative administrati...
The Significance of Left Axis Deviation in the Pediatric Population: A Meta-Analysis

Left axis deviation (LAD) in children is rare but may be associated with structural heart disease. The aim of this study is to systematically assess the significance of LAD in the pediatric population. We included studies listed in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane databases, and Google Scholar before May 31, 2018 and their reference lists. Nine selected studies were grouped into two categories: (1) prevalence of heart diseases in children with LAD on ECG and (2) prevalence of LAD in children with healthy hearts. Two authors independently extracted data using a standardized data extraction form. We identified nine studies including 7514 subjects. Among children with LAD, 66.3% (95% CI 36.9–86.9%) had heart disease. There was heterogeneity amongst studies with Q-value of 142.5 and I2 of 97.2%. The mean LAD rate was 1.6% in children with healthy hearts with 95% CI (0.4–2.2%) with Q-value of 11.8, I2 66.3% and T 0.34 with p value of 0.018. The limitation of study is that the included studies spanned 7 decades from the 1950s to 2018. Primary diagnostic modalities have evolved over time and the definition of LAD also varied among studies. In conclusion, LAD is associated with children with heart diseases, but may also be observed in healthy children. The degree of LAD axis correlated with the likelihood of congenital heart disease (CHD). Physical examination is crucial for identifying CHD in individuals with LAD.
Natural, But Not Supernatural, Literal Immortality Affirmation Attenuates Mortality Salience Effects on Worldview Defense in Atheists.

The present research explored whether atheists managing death awareness would be effectively buffered by affirmations of supernatural and/or natural literal immortality. Prior data were reanalyzed,...
Perceived Organizational Support: Why Caring About Employees Counts

According to organizational support theory (OST), employees develop a general perception concerning the extent to which their work organization values their contribution and cares about their well-...
Health and Education: Seeking an Explicit Place on the Agenda

Professionals in the medical, therapeutic, and education communities describe the urgent need for increased attention to services for children with disabilities. Regarding medical and therapeutic services, they argue that lack of awareness leads to low priority on disability issues and results in disturbing discrepancies between public and private health care related to disabilities. Regarding education, they highlight unpredictable government planning for hiring of special education teachers and express serious doubts about the possibility of inclusion of students with disabilities in regular schools, given the lack of personnel resources and curriculum adaptations. They also discuss the role played by a “charity model” that relies on the corporate sector, volunteerism, and non-governmental organizations to fill the gaps left by a public education system that provides no mandate for children with disabilities.
Current trends and 30-day surgical outcomes for thyroglossal duct cyst excision in children.

Abstract Objective Identify current trends, adverse events, and clinical predictors in children treated with thyroglossal duct cyst surgery. Methods Cross-sectional analysis using American College of Surgeons (ACS) National Surgical Quality Improvement Program® (ACS NSQIP® - pediatric), years 2012–2016. Patients were identified using CPT codes: 60280 - excision of thyroglossal duct cyst or sinus and 60281 - excision of thyroglossal duct cyst or sinus, recurrent. Results 1532 (333 inpatient and 1199 outpatient) total cases were identified. Median age was 5.16 years interquartile range [IQR] (2.87, 8.35 years). No mortalities, cases of sepsis or nerve injury were identified. Adverse event rate was 4.4% (68/1532). Inpatient cases were associated with higher rates of adverse events (p = 0.006). Adverse events mostly consistent of wound infections, unplanned reoperations and readmissions, 2.6%, 2.2% and 2.0%, respectively. The most common unplanned reoperation was hematoma, seroma, or fluid drainage (0.59%). Median length of stay was 1 day, IQR (0, 1). An adjusted, multivariable logistic regression model revealed that the odds of adverse event rates for inpatient status were 101% higher than outpatients (odd ratio [OR] = 2.01; 95% CI = 1.20, 3.37; p = 0.008). Conclusions The most common adverse events were unplanned reoperations and readmissions. Outpatient surgery was most common and surgery for recurrent thyroglossal duct cysts was rare. Children selected for outpatient thyroglossal duct cyst surgery tended to be healthier and less medically complicated and may contribute to our observation of lower rates of adverse events compared to inpatients.
The device in the room: Technology’s role in third grade literacy instruction

This yearlong study explores how digital technologies are used during literacy instruction in the critical year of third grade. We analyzed technology use in 16 classrooms across six geographically...
Chapter 14 – Medicinal Components

This article discusses problems associated with the cultivation of medicinal plants for the production of phytopharmaceuticals. To ensure the efficacy and safety of these phytopharmaceutical products or medicinal components, it is necessary to cultivate medicinal plants under controlled environments. This method of cultivation can also ensure the optimum environment and nutrient composition to maximize biomass production as well as medicinal components. When plants are under stress, the production of medicinal components may increase because plant growth is often inhibited more than photosynthesis, and so the carbon that is fixed but not allocated to growth is instead allocated to medicinal components production. Temperature and water stresses are described in this chapter. The impact of the spectral quality of light and ultraviolet radiation on plants under controlled environments on the production of medicinal metabolites are also discussed.
CHAPTER 9 – Glucose

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses glucose assay in detail. Lactobacillus casei is maintained by frequent transfers into glucose-yeast agar medium. The stabs are incubated at 37°C for 18 to 24 hours. A freshly incubated stab to prepare the inoculum for the assay is used. The relation between glucose and standard alkali is expressed by G = 0.54T where G is glucose in milligrams and T is milliliters of alkali corrected for the blank. The blank titrations ranged from 0 to 0.4 ml. The results obtained from the microbiological assays agree with chemical assays. Forty unknowns can be assayed in one working day. Because of its sensitivity, the method is used to correlate hydrolytic glucose yields with molecular structure in the starch family of polysaccharides.
BOTOX injection to treat strabismus after infant botulism type B infection

Abstract Purpose The significance of botulinum toxin to ophthalmologists is twofold. Botulism, a medical emergency, frequently presents with ocular findings including blurred vision, diplopia, ptosis, and photophobia as a result of the neurotoxin produced by Clostridium botulinum. However, botulinum toxins also have therapeutic uses for medical conditions including strabismus. The safety and efficacy of Botulinum toxin A in patients with a history of botulism has not been reported. Observations We report a 9-week-old infant, diagnosed with type B toxin positive infant botulism treated with human botulism immune globulin, who developed a large angle exotropia. The infant was treated with intramuscular injections of botulinum toxin A to the extraocular muscles resulting in a favorable initial response but ultimately required strabismus surgery. Clinical manifestations and management of botulism are reviewed and botulinum toxin in the treatment of pediatric strabismus is discussed. Conclusions and importance This case demonstrates safe administration of onabotulinumtoxinA to an infant with a history of antitoxin-treated botulism, resulting in a transient improvement in control of infantile exotropia.
Medical Adjuvants in the Treatment of Surgically Refractory Arteriovenous Malformations of the Head and Face: Case Report and Review of Literature.

Background Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) of the brain and face present unique challenges for clinicians. Cerebral AVMs may induce hemorrhage or form aneurysms, while facial AVMs can cause significant disfigurement and pain. Moreover, facial AVMs often draw blood supply from arteries providing critical blood flow to other important structures of the head which may make them impossible to treat curatively. Medical adjuvants may be an important consideration in the management of these patients. Summary We conducted a systematic review of the literature to identify other instances of molecular target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors used as medical adjuvants for the treatment of cranial and facial AVMs. We also present 2 cases from our own institution where patients were treated with partial embolization, followed by adjuvant therapy with rapamycin. After screening a total of 75 articles, 7 were identified which described use of rapamycin in the treatment of inoperable cranial or facial AVM. In total, 21 cases were reviewed. The median treatment duration was 12 months (3-24.5 months), and the highest recorded dose was 3.5 mg/m2. 76.2% of patients demonstrated at least a partial response to rapamycin therapy. In 2 patients treated at our institution, symptomatic and radiographic improvement were noted 6 months after initiation of therapy. Key Messages: Early results have been encouraging in a small number of patients with inoperable AVM of the head and face treated with mTOR inhibitors. Further study of medical adjuvants such as rapamycin may be worthwhile.
Thermodynamic Modelling of the Oil Tank as a Subsystem in Hydraulic Power Drives

The oil tank is a major component of every hydraulic drive and control systems. It also plays an important role for high-voltage transformers in electrical power distribution grids. This paper submits a thermodynamic approach for modeling the processes in the oil tank by accounting for the dynamic response of the measuring equipment – a precise digital thermometer. The dynamic block diagram is composed and the corresponding transfer functions are derived. An experiment is conducted and the results are compared with the results from a numerical simulation of the proposed model. The comparison showed good convergence between experiment and simulation.
Coupled whole-tree optimality and xylem hydraulics explain dynamic biomass partitioning.

Trees partition biomass in response to resource limitation and physiological activity. It is presumed that these strategies evolved to optimize some measure of fitness. If the optimization criterion can be specified, then allometry can be modeled from first principles without prescribed parameterization. We present the Tree Hydraulics and Optimal Resource Partitioning (THORP) model, which optimizes allometry by estimating allocation fractions to organs as proportional to their ratio of marginal gain to marginal cost, where gain is net canopy photosynthesis rate, and costs are senescence rates. Root total biomass and profile shape are predicted simultaneously by a unified optimization. Optimal partitioning is solved by a numerically efficient analytical solution. THORP's predictions agree with reported tree biomass partitioning in response to size, water limitations, elevated CO2 and pruning. Roots were sensitive to soil moisture profiles and grew down to the groundwater table when present. Groundwater buffered against water stress regardless of meteorology, stabilizing allometry and root profiles as deep as c. 30 m. Much of plant allometry can be explained by hydraulic considerations. However, nutrient limitations cannot be fully ignored. Rooting mass and profiles were synchronized with hydrological conditions and groundwater even at considerable depths, illustrating that the below ground shapes whole-tree allometry.
Physical inactivity in older adults with cognitive impairment without dementia: room for improvement.

Persons with cognitive impairment without dementia are at high risk of adverse health outcomes. Tailored intervention targeting moderate–vigorous physical activity (MVPA) may reduce these risks. To identify the prevalence and predictors of physical inactivity among older adults with cognitive impairment, no dementia (CIND); and estimate the proportion of inactive people with CIND who are capable of greater MVPA. We studied 1875 community dwelling participants (over age 65) with CIND in the Health and Retirement Study. Physical inactivity was defined as MVPA ≤ 1x/week. Associations of physical inactivity with sociodemographic, health, and physical function were examined using chi-square and modified Poisson regression. We considered physically inactive participants capable of greater MVPA if they reported MVPA at least 1–3x/month, no difficulty walking several blocks, or no difficulty climbing several flights of stairs. Fifty-six percent of participants with CIND were physically inactive. Variables with the highest age, sex, and race/ethnicity adjusted risk ratio (ARR) for physical inactivity were self-rated health (poor [76.9%]vs. excellent [34.2%]; ARR [95% CI] 2.27 [1.56–3.30]), difficulty walking (across the room [86.5%] vs. none [40.5%]; ARR [95% CI] 2.09 [1.87–2.35]), total assets (lowest quartile [62.6%] vs. highest quartile [43.1%]; ARR [95% CI] 1.54 [1.29–1.83]), and lower education attainment (less than high school [59.6%] vs college graduate [42.8%]; ARR [95% CI] 1.46 [1.17–1.83]). Among physically inactive older adults with CIND, 61% were estimated to be capable of greater MVPA. Although physical inactivity is prevalent among older adults with CIND, many are capable of greater MVPA. Developing tailored physical activity interventions for this vulnerable population may improve cognitive, health, and quality of life outcomes.
How Reading Volume Affects Both Reading Fluency and Reading Achievement.

Long overlooked, reading volume is actually central to the development of reading proficiencies, especially in the development of fluent reading proficiency. Generally no one in schools monitors the actual volume of reading that children engage in. We know that the commonly used commercial core reading programs provide only material that requires about 15 minutes of reading activity daily. The remaining 75 minute of reading lessons is filled with many other activities such as completing workbook pages or responding to low-level literal questions about what has been read. Studies designed to enhance the volume of reading that children do during their reading lessons demonstrate one way to enhance reading development. Repeated readings have been widely used in fostering reading fluency but wide reading options seem to work faster and more broadly in developing reading proficiencies, including oral reading fluency.
A novel technique to determine second-order optical nonlinearity profiles

We report a novel technique to determine uniquely the second-order nonlinearity profile of nonlinear films. Applied to a thermally poled silica sample, it reveals a stronger coefficient d/sub 33/ (0.8 pm/V) than previously reported and important new profile features. Thermal poling is an interesting and potentially important technique used to induce a second-order optical nonlinearity in silica. This new and powerful technique is predicted to measure the nonlinearity and the nonlinearity profile of poled glasses and other nonlinear films.
Morality and War: Can War be Just in the Twenty-first Century?

Introduction PART 1: MORALITY 1. War Without Morality 2. Whose Justice? Which Rationality? 3. Virtues and Consequences 4. The Just War Tradition 5. Is Non-combatant Immunity Absolute? 6. Virtues 7. Virtuous consequentialism PART II: WAR 8. The Protean Nature of War 9. Extreme Times, Extreme Measures 10. Gulf Wars 11. Humanitarian Intervention 12. Making War Just
Developmet of an Idle Speed Control System for Spark-Ignition Engines

This paper discusses the design, develpoment, testing, and analysis of a stand-alone idle speed control system for general use on automotive engines. This system utilizes analog electronics and a D.C. motor actuator to adjust the throttle stop to achieve constant idle speed that rejects variations in engine torque loading. The prototype system demonstrates constant engine speed control with rejection of power steering, in-gear, airconditioning, and engine tuning variations. A mathematical model is presented that predicts these results accurately.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) two midnight rule: policy at odds with reality.

To reduce costs, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented new policies governing which patients are automatically admitted as inpatients (staying greater than “two midnights”) and which require additional justification with physician documentation to be admitted. This study examines procedures missing from the Medicare Inpatient Only (MIO) list and uses national data to evaluate its appropriateness. Non-MIO procedures were identified from the current MIO list. Utilizing relevant billing codes, procedures were queried in the National Surgery Quality Improvement Program database for length of stay (LOS), percentage requiring >2 day stay, and inpatient status from 2005 to 2012. In addition, a separate analysis was performed for patients 65 years old or older who would qualify for Medicare. A majority of patients stayed more than 2 days for several procedures not included on the MIO list (% staying >2 days, mean LOS), including component separation (79.1 %, 5.9 ± 12.3 days), diagnostic laparoscopy (64.2 %, 5.5 ± 11.9 days), laparoscopic splenectomy (60.0 %, 9.0 ± 13.6 days), open recurrent ventral hernia repair (58.2 %, 6.3 ± 9.0 days), laparoscopic esophageal surgery (46.4 %, 5.3 ± 13.3 days), and laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (24.7 %, 2.5 ± 8.8 days). In patients ≥65 years, the average LOS was longer than the general population; for example, 40.2 % of laparoscopic appendectomies and 38.7 % of laparoscopic cholecystectomies in this older group required more than two nights in the hospital. In 92.3 % of procedures examined, patients ≥65 years required greater than two nights in the hospital with an average LOS of 2.5–10.7 days. Commonly encountered non-MIO surgical procedures have national precedents for inpatient status. Before enacting policy, CMS and other regulatory bodies should consider current data to ensure rules are evidence-based and applicable.
A robust image segmentation model based on integrated square estimation

This paper presents a robust segmentation method based on the integrated squared error or L2 estimation (L2E). Formulated under the Finite Gaussian Mixture (FGM) framework, the new model (FGML2E) has a strong discriminative ability in capturing the major parts of intensity distribution without being affected by outlier structures or heavy noise. Comparisons are made with two popular solutions, the EM and FCM algorithms, and the experimental results clearly show the improvement made by our model.
Color vision in the peripheral retina. I. Spectral sensitivity

Spectral sensitivity was measured by heterochromatic flicker photometry both in the fovea and at 45° in the periphery, using a 1200 troland standard. At each location, sensitivity functions were obtained using both large and small targets. While the foveal functions were normal, the peripheral ones showed a large enhancement in sensitivity to short wavelengths relative to long wavelengths. Similar results in the past had been criticized on the ground that they might have been due to differential chromatic adaptation of cone mechanisms. In this study such an interpretation was ruled out by additional control experiments including varying luminance and wavelength of the standard light. The possibility of a rod contribution to the peripheral functions could not be eliminated although several different techniques, including the Stiles-Crawford effect, were used to try to isolate cone mechanisms.
Impairments in set-shifting but not reversal learning in the neonatal ventral hippocampal lesion model of schizophrenia: Further evidence for medial prefrontal deficits

The executive function processes of set-shifting and reversal learning in rodents are mediated by the medial prefrontal cortex and the orbitofrontal cortex, respectively. Here, we investigated both set-shifting and reversal learning in a developmental animal model of schizophrenia, the neonatal ventral hippocampal lesion (NVHL) model. The NVHL manipulation is known to disrupt development of the medial prefrontal cortex, and to impair behaviors dependent on this area, but potential orbitofrontal abnormalities and reversal learning deficits are less well studied. Animals received excitotoxic lesions of the ventral hippocampus (NVHL) or a sham treatment during the first postnatal week, and all animals were subsequently tested in adulthood on either an operant set-shifting or an operant reversal task. Results indicated that NVHL animals were able to acquire a simple discrimination rule and exhibited normal reversal learning, but were impaired on a prefrontal-dependent set-shifting task. Furthermore, this set-shifting deficit was due to an increase in perseverative errors, which indicate difficulty suppressing a previously learned strategy and result from medial prefrontal insult. Together, these results confirm and extend the idea that cognitive impairments in the NVHL animal are primarily driven by medial prefrontal abnormalities, while the orbitofrontal cortex may remain relatively unaffected.
CRT-6 Safety and Efficacy of Ultrasound-guided Thrombin Injections at the ‘Neck’ of Pseudoaneurysms

Thrombin injection has been the treatment of choice for iatrogenic arterial pseudoaneurysms (PSAs). However, certain morphological features of the PSA, i.e. neck width and length, occasionally precludes the use of this treatment option using the current recommended technique. Between March 2008 and
Modelling the software development process using an expert simulation system having fuzzy logic

This paper describes an intelligent computerized tool designed to aid managers of software development projects in planning, managing and controlling the development process of medium- to large-scale software projects. Systems dynamics is used to model and simulate the dynamic process of software development. The software development process is affected by some imprecise and vague variables that are treated as fuzzy variables. The simulation model is integrated with two expert systems. The fuzzy input variables to the system dynamics simulation model are handled by an input expert system having fuzzy logic. This expert system is designed to check the consistency of input variables. The simulation results are analysed by an output expert system having fuzzy logic. This expert system is designed to make recommendations based on experimentation with the simulation model.
The Incredible Expanding Ancestor of Eukaryotes

Comparing the genome sequences of free-living organisms in the five eukaryotic supergroups enables predictions to be made about the genome of the last common ancestor of eukaryotes. The genome sequence of the amoeboflagellate Naegleria gruberi reported by Fritz-Laylin et al. (2010) reveals the surprising complexity of this unicellular organism and, by inference, of the last common eukaryotic ancestor.
Diversifying the Racial and Ethnic Composition of the Physician Workforce

The direct evidence that increasing the diversity of the physician workforce improves health status is not ironclad, but, on balance, the American College of Physicians is right to support action t...
Age-dependent lens changes in galactose-fed dogs

Abstract Aldose reductase initiated sugar cataract formation in 9-month old galactose-fed dogs has been documented to progress from an accentuation of lens sutures (1 month after initial feeding) to the appearance of cortical vacuoles (3 months), cortical opacities (4–6 months) and eventually the progressive formation of a clear zone at the cortical equatorial regions of the cataractous lenses (>12 months). Here, the effect of age on the onset and degree of sugar cataract formation has been investigated in beagles fed a 30% galactose diet starting at 2, 6, and 24 months of age. Cataract formation was monitored by slit lamp and retroillumination microscopy. Compared to 9-month old dogs, cataract formation in the younger dogs was more rapid and the lens changes were more severe. In the 2-month old group of dogs, galactose-feeding resulted in a rapid formation of dense cataracts which began to resorb after 106 days of galactose feeding with only opaque nuclear remnants remaining after eight months. These changes were mirrored by age-dependent reductions of lenticular NADPH-dependent reductase activity.
An optimal sensor management technique for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles tracking multiple mobile ground targets

Abstract In this paper, we present an optimal sensor man-agement technique for an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) toautonomously geo-localize multiple mobile ground targets. Thetarget states are continuously estimated using target locationsasynchronously captured by a gimbaled camera with a limitedeld of view and processed with a set of Extended Kalman Fil-ters (EKFs). The technique incorporates a Dynamic WeightedGraph (DWG) method to rst group estimated targets and thendetermine regions with high target densities. A Model PredictiveControl (MPC) method is used to compute a camera pose thatminimizes the overall uncertainty of the target state estimates.The validity of the proposed technique is demonstrated usingsimulation results. I. INTRODUCTIONOver the past two decades, we have witnessed the increas-ing number of applications of UAVs, with correspondingresearch interests in the UAV community. The UAV ap-plications include missions for both civilian and militaryoperations such as search and rescue, ocean exploration,border security, natural disaster assessment, and a variety ofmilitary missions. One of the key capabilities of any UAVis its ability to search, detect, and locate ground targets. Inparticular, for future UAV applications such as ones that willbe performed by the law enforcement, autonomous trackingof mobile targets is a critical capability of a UAV. Although,as we will show, researchers have studied the target trackingproblem and reported feasible solutions, there is lack oftechniques to track multiple targets in some optimal mannerwhen the resources (sensors) are limited to fully carry out themission. To track ground targets, different onboard sensorssuch as electro-optic and infrared cameras have been usedin the past. The electro-optic camera is widely used due toits compact nature, cost, and existing software for imageexploitation. The limitations of the resolution, the range, andthe eld of view (FOV) of a camera , however, introducenew challenges. This paper presents an optimal techniqueto optimally manage a single sensor resource, a gimbaledcamera with a limited eld of view, to track multiple mobileground targets.Several methods were proposed to address the problemof target tracking and geo-location using UAVs. Redding etal. [1] reported a method for a UAV to geo-locate a targetusing a Recursive Least Square lter. However, this methodis only suitable for stationary targets. Theodorakopoulos andLacroix [2] presented a control strategy based on a A*
Decomposition of perfluoropolyethers during XPS measurements

Abstract Decomposition during XPS measurements of a perfluoropolyether (PFPE) lubricant applied to a gold film has been studied by XPS and mass spectrometry. The decomposition is probably initiated inside the sample either by X-ray photons or secondary electrons created by the photoelectric effect, or by both. The desorption patterns and XPS spectra show that the decomposition behavior for X-ray irradiation is similar to that for electron bombardment. According to XPS results, under X-ray exposure the -O-CF 2 -O- unit is the most fragile part in the polymer. Both the X-ray-induced and the electron-induced desorption spectra reveal that OCF 2 , CO 2 and C 2 F 6 are the primary gas products. A flurocarbonaceous layer with little oxygen content is formed on the gold film surface after X-ray irradiation. The fluorocarbonaceous layer is composed of a straight-chain structure and a cross-linked structure, and probably contains conjugated carbons.
High power EIK amplifier for interferometric space-borne applications

For the proposed Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) Mission, NASA-JPL would require pulsed High Power Amplifiers (HPAs) with 1500W minimum output power at 35.75 GHz. The duty factor of the HPA can be as high as 8.5%. An Extended Interaction Klystron (EIK) was chosen for this application and a High Voltage Power Supply (HVPS) effort was initiated to support the EIK. The HPA proposed for SWOT represents challenges to the EIK and HPA team. The average RF power is four times higher than that of the CloudSat Mission's EIK-based HPA, while bandwidth of over 0.5% with exceptional flatness is required. The coherence requirements of the proposed interferometer would impose strict phase and amplitude stability requirements on the HPA. In this paper the authors present the design trade decisions that would be implemented to address those challenges.
The Equality Constrained Indefinite Least Squares Problem: Theory and Algorithms

We present theory and algorithms for the equality constrained indefinite least squares problem, which requires minimization of an indefinite quadratic form subject to a linear equality constraint. A generalized hyperbolic QR factorization is introduced and used in the derivation of perturbation bounds and to construct a numerical method. An alternative method is obtained by employing a generalized QR factorization in combination with a Cholesky factorization. Rounding error analysis is given to show that both methods have satisfactory numerical stability properties and numerical experiments are given for illustration. This work builds on recent work on the unconstrained indefinite least squares problem by Chandrasekaran, Gu, and Sayed and by the present authors.
Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

This review article discusses the current role of ultrasound in the modern physiatric practice, both as a complementary diagnostic tool and as a modality for intervention guidance. Indications, limitations, techniques, guidelines for utilization, new training and credentialing initiatives, and potential for future research are discussed. Indications include the role of diagnostic ultrasound and ultrasound-guided interventions in the different areas of physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) including musculoskeletal, pain, neuromuscular medicine/electrodiagnosis, pediatrics, and central nervous system rehabilitation. Guidelines for utilization including recently published articles pertaining to the role of ultrasound in diagnosis of musculoskeletal conditions are reviewed. Training and credentialing are reviewed, specifically the introduction and evolution of ultrasound training in PM&R residency programs as well as recently introduced practitioner certification and practice accreditation processes. Potential for research is discussed including the need for further evaluation of cost-effectiveness, accuracy and efficacy of these techniques when compared to current standards of practice.
The Electrochemistry of Micelle‐Solubilized Ferrocene

The electrochemistry of ferrocene solubilized by the use of nonionic detergent in aqueous phosphate solutions pH 7.0 was studied. The ferrocene molecules were incorporated as micelles which readily transferred electrons with a platinum electrode. Cyclic voltammetric and potentiometric data indicated that the electron transfer reaction was reversible. Micelle size calculated from electrochemical diffusion and light scattering data gave radii between 40–45A and molecular weights of ca. 130,000. The ferrocene‐micelle served as an excellent mediator‐titrant to couple electron transfer between an electrode and the heme proteins of cytochrome c, cytochrome c oxidase, and mixtures thereof.
Panoramic Radiography Does Not Reliably Detect Carotid Artery Calcification Nor Stenosis

Article Title and Bibliographic Information Utility of Panoramic Radiographs in Detecting Cervical Calcified Carotid Atheroma Madden RP, Hodges JS, Salmen CW, Rindal DB, Tunio J, Michalowicz BS, et al. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2007;103(4):543-8 Level of Evidence 2b Purpose/Question This study sought to determine whether panoramic radiographs can help accurately detect extracranial calcified carotid atheroma and/or carotid luminal stenosis. Source of Funding University of Minnesota School of Dentistry and HealthPartners Research Foundation Type of Study/Design Cohort Study
Using computational modeling to predict arrhythmogenesis and antiarrhythmic therapy

The use of computational modeling to predict arrhythmia and arrhythmogenesis is a relatively new field, but has nonetheless dramatically enhanced our understanding of the physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms that lead to arrhythmia. This review summarizes recent advances in the field of computational modeling approaches with a brief review of the evolution of cellular action potential models, and the incorporation of genetic mutations to understand fundamental arrhythmia mechanisms, including how simulations have revealed situation-specific mechanisms leading to multiple phenotypes for the same genotype. The review then focuses on modeling drug blockade to understand how the less-than-intuitive effects of some drugs have to either ameliorate or paradoxically exacerbate arrhythmia. Quantification of specific arrhythmia indices is discussed at each spatial scale, from channel to tissue. The utility of hERG modeling to assess altered repolarization in response to drug blockade is also briefly discussed. Finally, insights gained from Ca2+ dynamical modeling and EC coupling, neurohumoral regulation of cardiac dynamics, and cell-signaling pathways are also reviewed.