cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Power factor control of a three-phase boost rectifier with specific power factor under asymmetrical conditions

A new current controller structure for the three-phase boost rectifier, using actual phase currents achieving both controllable input power factor and constant DC voltage under asymmetrical source voltages and/or unequal line impedances, is presented in this paper. All the control variables in the new scheme are AC signals instead of the DC signals used in the industry standard synchronous reference frame controllers, eliminating the synchronous reference transformations of the currents, voltages and the hardware (phase lock loop) or software required for voltage phase angle measurement. Under asymmetrical source voltages, a generalized discontinuous PWM method is also developed which can also reduce the device switching loss of the rectifier. An attraction of this controller strategy lies in the ability to transparently achieve leading, lagging and unity power factor operation with regulated DC voltage. With a digital signal processor (DSP), the proposed control algorithm has been experimentally implemented; the experimental results demonstrate their significant effectiveness.
The evaluation of some integrals that arise in the perturbation theory of liquids

ABSTRACTThe venerable, but still very useful, perturbation theory of liquids of Barker and Henderson involves some integrals that must be obtained numerically. There is no avoiding this for potentials such as the Lennard–Jones potential. However, to obtain the pressure, Barker and Henderson also obtained the necessary density derivatives numerically. This is cumbersome and care must be used to avoid excessive error. In this paper, it is noted that the earlier and less successful perturbation theory of Frisch et al. employed an alternative method, all but forgotten, for the evaluation of similar integrals. Their method still requires numerical integration. However, it allows an investigator to obtain the integrals for the pressure by analytical differentiation. The resultant integrals must still be evaluated numerically, but the extra step and annoyance of numerical differentiation is avoided. It is noted here that this method of using density derivatives can be incorporated into the Barker–Henderson theory.
Comorbidity and survival in lung cancer patients

Background: As the population of the United States ages, there will be increasing numbers of lung cancer patients with comorbidities at diagnosis. Comorbid conditions are important factors in both the choice of the lung cancer treatment and outcomes. However, the impact of individual comorbid conditions on patient survival remains unclear. Methods: A population-based cohort study of 5,683 first-time diagnosed lung cancer patients was captured using the Nebraska Cancer Registry (NCR) linked with the Nebraska Hospital Discharge Data (NHDD) between 2005 and 2009. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to analyze the effect of comorbidities on the overall survival of patients stratified by stage and adjusting for age, race, sex, and histologic type. Results: Of these patients, 36.8% of them survived their first year after lung cancer diagnosis, with a median survival of 9.3 months for all stages combined. In this cohort, 26.7% of the patients did not have any comorbidity at diagnosis. The most common comorbid conditions were chronic pulmonary disease (52.5%), diabetes (15.7%), and congestive heart failure (12.9%). The adjusted overall survival of lung cancer patients was negatively associated with the existence of different comorbid conditions such as congestive heart failure, diabetes with complications, moderate or severe liver disease, dementia, renal disease, and cerebrovascular disease, depending on the stage. Conclusions: The presence of comorbid conditions was associated with worse survival. Different comorbid conditions were associated with worse outcomes at different stages. Impact: Future models for predicting lung cancer survival should take individual comorbid conditions into consideration. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 1–7. ©2015 AACR.
Multi-accent deep neural network acoustic model with accent-specific top layer using the KLD-regularized model adaptation.

We propose a multi-accent deep neural network acoustic model with an accent-specific top layer and shared bottom hidden layers. The accent-specific top layer is used to model the distinct accent specific patterns. The shared bottom hidden layers allow maximum knowledge sharing between the native and the accent models. This design is particularly attractive when considering deploying such a system to a live speech service due to its computational efficiency. We applied the KL-divergence (KLD) regularized model adaptation to train the accent-specific top layer. On the mobile short message dictation task (SMD), with 1K, 10K, and 100K British or Indian accent adaptation utterances, the proposed approach achieves 18.1%, 26.0%, and 28.5% or 16.1%, 25.4%, and 30.6% word error rate reduction (WERR) for the British and the Indian accent respectively against a baseline cross entropy (CE) model trained from 400 hour data. On the 100K utterance accent adaptation setup, comparable performance gain can be obtained against a baseline CE model trained with 2000 hour data. We observe smaller yet significant WER reduction on a baseline model trained using the MMI sequence-level criterion.
Observations on the Inhibitory Action of Hydrolyzed Agar

In the course of experiments on the nutrition of Trichophyton mentagrophytes it was observed that partially or completely hydro? lyzed agar had an inhibitory effect on growth. Because agar is so commonly used in media for various types of organisms, it seemed desirable to investigate this effect further. Preliminary experiments. Agar was melted in 0.05 A H2S04, cooled, neutralized to approximately pH 6.0 with Ba(OH)2 and the BaS04 removed. This preparation was added at the rate of 1.5 mg. per ml. to a medium containing mineral salts, dextrose, asparagine and 1.5 per cent unhydrolyzed agar. The medium was tubed, sterilized and inoculated with Trichophyton mentagrophytes. The pH of the medium was between 4.5 and 5.0. The fungus grew on this medium but growth was considerably less than on the medium to which no partially hydrolyzed agar was added. Agar boiled 15 minutes with 0.05 N H2S04, agar autoclaved 30 minutes with 0.05 N H2S04 or autoclaved 20 minutes with 0.1 Ar H2S04, and treated as above, completely inhibited the growth of Trichophyton mentagrophytes. The addition of an excess of CaCOa to the medium did not prevent the inhibitory effect of the hydrolyzed agar. In further experiments it was found that 7.0 mg. of hydrolyzed agar per ml. of the basal agar medium completely prevented growth of the fungus. When 0.35 mg. of the hydrolyzed agar was added per ml. of the basal medium, a slight but evident inhibitory effect was observed.
What Goes Around Comes Around … Or Does It? Disrupting the Cycle of Traditional, Sport-Based Physical Education.

As typically taught, sport-based, multiactivity approaches to physical education provide students with few opportunities to increase their skill, fitness, or understanding. Alternative curriculum models, such as Sport Education, Teaching Games for Understanding, and Fitness for Life, represent a second generation of models that build on strong statements of democratic, student-centered practice in physical education. In the What Goes Around section of the paper, I discuss the U.S. perspective on the origins of alternative physical education curriculum models introduced in the early and mid-20th century as a response to sport and exercise programs of the times. Today, with the help of physical educators, scholars are conducting research to test new curricular alternatives or prototypes to provide evidence-based support for these models. Yet, the multiactivity, sport-based curriculum continues to dominate in most U.S. physical education classes. I discuss reasons for this dogged persistence and propose refo...
Computer Music Library: Editor's Note in "Computer Music Journal" 17(3)

CMJ very late as well.) The book is Informatica y Electronica Musical by Adolfo Nunez, published in 1993 by Editorial Paraninfo of Madrid, Spain. In my opinion, this book is essential for Spanish-speaking computer music practitioners. It covers practically all topics of this vast field and is, to the best of my knowledge, the only high-end Spanish book of computer music. Informatica y Electronica Musical was briefly reviewed by Ricardo Dal Farra in ARRAY this past year. I hope my suggestion is valuable.
An Integrated Sequence in the Mathematical Sciences for Undergraduate Business Students

(1973). An Integrated Sequence in the Mathematical Sciences for Undergraduate Business Students. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 80, No. 4, pp. 431-433.
Development of Antimicrobial Agents for the Extension of Poultry Shelf-Life

Abstract Fifty three chemicals were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity around neutral pH against five predominant cultures isolated from spoiled poultry and three reference organisms. Eleven of these chemicals were found to be effective in the desired pH range of 6.5 to 7.5. Two of the eleven chemicals, iodoacetamide and chloroacetamide, were found to inhibit the growth of spoilage organisms at concentrations of 30 and 80 ppm respectively. Freshly processed broilers were immersed in solutions of these two chemicals, drained, packed in polyethylene bags, and held at 5 C until spoilage ensued. Birds treated with solutions of iodoacetamide and chloroacetamide at 5000 ppm were found to have average shelf-lives of about 11 and 10 days respectively compared to a shelf-life of 7.5 days for the control samples.
Surveying Wintering Warbler Populations in Jamaica: Point Counts with and without Broadcast Vocalizations

Two independent methods were used to quantify abundances and population structure of two paruline wood warblers, the American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) and Black-throated Blue Warbler (Dendroica caerulescens), wintering in Jamaica, West Indies. One conventional 10-min point count was followed by 5 min each of redstart, then Blackthroated Blue Warbler vocalizations (a mixture of territorial songs and chip notes recorded during the breeding season) at each of 585 points in 18 habitats. Age and sex composition of the target species were recorded along with observations of other species. Compared with conventional point counts, those supplemented with playback of vocalizations (1) detected 3.0 and 2.3 times more American Redstarts and Black-throated Blue Warblers, respectively, (2) disclosed significantly more individuals of three other migrant warbler species and one year-round resident species belonging to the "warbler guild," (3) facilitated identification of age and sex of target species by attracting them closer to the observer, and (4) confirmed that wintering individuals of both species of warbler were dispersed as expected for a territorial species. Compared with yearling males and with females, older redstart males were observed significantly more frequently during playbacks than predicted by pre-playback relative frequencies. No such sex bias was found for Black-throated Blue Warblers, a species in which age cannot be reliably determined except with hand-held individuals. Diurnal variation in surveyed abundances of both species was relatively minor, but was significantly less pronounced for playback counts than for pre-vocalization counts in Black-throated Blue Warblers. Our results indicate that broadcast territorial advertisement vocalizations provide a powerful tool to study the ecology and distribution of neotropical migrant songbirds in winter.
Proton Pump Inhibitors and Risk of Incident CKD and Progression to ESRD

The association between proton pump inhibitors (PPI) use and risk of acute interstitial nephritis has been described. However, whether exposure to PPI associates with incident CKD, CKD progression, or ESRD is not known. We used Department of Veterans Affairs national databases to build a primary cohort of new users of PPI ( n =173,321) and new users of histamine H 2 -receptor antagonists (H 2 blockers; n =20,270) and followed these patients over 5 years to ascertain renal outcomes. In adjusted Cox survival models, the PPI group, compared with the H 2 blockers group, had an increased risk of incident eGFR 2 and of incident CKD (hazard ratio [HR], 1.22; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.18 to 1.26; and HR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.23 to 1.34, respectively). Patients treated with PPI also had a significantly elevated risk of doubling of serum creatinine level (HR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.42 to 1.65), of eGFR decline >30% (HR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.28 to 1.37), and of ESRD (HR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.21 to 3.18). Furthermore, we detected a graded association between duration of PPI exposure and risk of renal outcomes among those exposed to PPI for 31–90, 91–180, 181–360, and 361–720 days compared with those exposed for ≤30 days. Examination of risk of renal outcomes in 1:1 propensity score-matched cohorts of patients taking H 2 blockers versus patients taking PPI and patients taking PPI versus controls yielded consistent results. Our results suggest that PPI exposure associates with increased risk of incident CKD, CKD progression, and ESRD.
Prediction of F_1 Yield Using Genetic Effects of Molecular Marker in Indica Rice(Oryza sativa L.)

One hundred and fifty-one rice hybrids produced in two sets of half-dialell mating crosses designed according to NCⅡ,planting respectively in Chongqing and Luzhou,Sichuan Province of China in 2005 were used to predict the F1 performances of seven yield traits through genetic effects of marker loci of AFLP and SSR.Positive loci(PL)and effect-increasing loci(IL)were screened respectively by yield traits of two sets of crosses and their additive or/and dominant effects were used to founded the prediction model for these yield traits.Predictions of yield traits of crosses derived from different parents(prediction between sets)and fixed parents were conducted by the model founded.The results were as follows:(1)Most predictions between sets were not ideal and changeable.The correlations between predictive values and actual ones ranged from-0.55 to 0.45.(2)The prediction effects of crosses with by PL were similar to those by IL in Set 2,and all better than that of between sets.Predictions of crosses with fixed restorers were more valuable than those of crosses with fixed sterile lines.(3)Most predictions of crosses with fixed parents were relatively better.The predictions by IL of seed setting rate of crosses with fixed sterile lines,panicle number of those of fixed restorers,and those by PL of spikelets per panicle and grain weight per panicle of crosses with fixed restorers were above 0.6.Because the number of PL and IL in prediction model were much less,the prediction models was conveniently applied and particularly,and it was important for the institute by which the models were founded in parent-selection in breeding.
Endorphin and cortisol responses to surgical stress in newborns and infants

The beta-endorphin (BE) response to surgical stress in newborns and infants and its relation to pituitary-adrenal dynamics during stress is still unknown. Nine newborns 5 h to 5 days of age, and 5 infants 5 to 10 months old undergoing surgery were studied. All patients were anesthetized with N2O–O2 and halothane. Blood samples for BE and cortisol determinations were taken preoperatively and 30 min, 12 h, and 24 h after operation for radioimmunoassay. Both BE and cortisol levels in newborns were not significantly different from those in infants preoperatively (196±85.2 pg/ml vs. 138±47.8 pg/ml for BE and 23.7±17.5 μg/dl vs. 10.1±5.6 μg/dl for cortisol, P >0.05). At 30 min after operation, no significant increase in BE (220±106 pg/ml) and cortisol (36.1±21.2 μg/dl) was found in newborns, while significant increases (BE 493±281 pg/ml, cortisol 43.9±24.2 μg/dl) were found in infants compared to preoperative levels (both P <0.05). A significant difference between groups was seen in BE but not cortisol levels 30 min after operation. Both BE and cortisol declined to preoperative values within 24 h after surgery. Our study showed significant BE and cortisol responses to surgical stress in infants, but not in newborns. Factors such as age-related differential responses to the same anesthetic technique, duration of operation, and developmental differences in stress response are considered responsible for the differences.
“The weapon which wounds the rationalist kills the truth of revelation”: the Christian roots of “intellectual atheism” in nineteenth-century America

ABSTRACTNineteenth-century Protestant intellectuals broke from their Calvinist heritage by incorporating Arminian rationalism and conceding ultimate authority to science in the sphere of God’s natural revelation. Because of this commitment to science as an independent referee, both theologians and naturalists adopted the strategy of harmonizing biblical interpretation with empirical evidence, thereby allowing science to determine the meaning of Genesis 1. In the never-ending process of religious accommodation to science, the evangelical professoriate became imbued with an increasing naturalistic orientation – so much so that they actively assisted in the growth of scientific naturalism as the methodological norm and final criterion of all scientific inquiry.
Sequential Photochemistry of Dibenzo[a,e]dicyclopropa[c,g][8]annulene-1,6-dione: Selective Formation of Didehydrodibenzo[a,e][8]annulenes with Ultrafast SPAAC Reactivity.

An order of magnitude difference in photoreactivity between bis- (photo-DIBOD, 1) and mono-cyclopropenone-caged dibenzocyclooctadiynes (MC-DIBOD, 5) allows for selective monodecarbonylation of 1. Alternatively, 5 is prepared by selective mono-cyclopropanation of dibenzo[a,e]cyclooctadiyne (DIBOD). MC-DIBOD (5) permits efficient sequential SPAAC cross-linking of azide-derivatized substrates. Cycloaddition to 5 converts an azide moiety into a photocaged form of triazole-fused dibenzo[a,e]cyclooctyne (3). While the azide reactivity of MC-DIBOD (5) and DIBOD is similar to that of other dibenzocyclooctynes, fusion of triazole to the dibenzocyclooctyne system in 3 results in a 3 orders of magnitude enhancement in SPAAC rates. In methanol, 3 reacts with butyl azide at an astonishing rate of 34 M–1 s–1, thus representing the most reactive cyclooctyne analogue reported so far. MC-DIBOD (5) was utilized in the preparation of mixed bis-triazoles and derivatization of the protein BSA with fluorescent dye and polyethy...
Discussion on Normalization Methods of Interval Weights

This paper is collecting the classic and newly normalization methods, finding deficiency of existing normalization methods for interval weights, and introducing a new normalization methods for interval weights. When we normalize the interval weights, it is very important and necessary to check whether, after normalizing, the location of interval centers as well as the length of interval weights keep the same proportion as those of original interval weights. It is found that, in some newly normalization methods, they violate these goodness criteria. In current work, for interval weights, we propose a new normalization method that reserves both proportions of the distances from interval centers to the origin and of interval lengths, and also eliminates the redundancy from the original given interval weights. This new method can be widely applied in information fusion and decision making in environments with uncertainty.
383. Clinico-Pathological Correlation in the Earliest Stages of Muscular Dystrophy Suggests Sensitive Physiological Parameters as Novel Primary Endpoints for Systemic Gene Therapy

The clinical progression of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) begins with locomotive symptoms in childhood but eventually includes symptoms of severe cardiorespiratory failure. Our studies in mdx mice and GRMD dogs have reavealed surprisingly large early deficits in physiological reserve, attributable to the deficiency of dystrophin. In young GRMD dogs, the findings of diaphragmatic fibrosis and myofiber shortening correlated strongly with non-invasively measured abnormalities in respiratory muscle recruitment. In juvenile GRMD dogs without clinical signs of heart failure, detailed studies of cardiac mechanics revealed profoundly abnormal Frank-Starling and inotropic responses. Thus, submaximal exercise loading has the capactiy to reveal very early, otherwise subclinical deficits in physiological reserve. We have utilized several non-invasive systems to measure integrative cardiopulmonary mechanics in animals trained to undertake submaximal volitional exercise. Our findings demonstrate the possibility of continuous non-invasive monitoring of cardiac output, stroke volume, systemic vascular resistance, and several ventilatory parameters in young dogs and children during treadmill exercise, as well as upright and recumbent bicycling at work outputs appropriate for low risk serial testing in the earliest stages of DMD. As the field contemplates primary endpoints for use in trials of systemic gene therapy, these metrics hold promise as the most sensitive measurements of the earliest functional deficits in organ systems eventually responsible for the lethality of DMD.
Comparing Strategies in the Design of Responsive Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A Case Study with Copper and Zinc.

ConspectusMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has emerged over the years as one of the preferred modalities for medical diagnostic and biomedical research. It has the advantage over other imaging modalities such as positron emission tomography and X-ray of affording high resolution three-dimensional images of the body without using harmful radiation. The use of contrast agents has further expanded this technique by increasing the contrast between regions where they accumulate and background tissues. As MRI most often measures the relaxation rate of water throughout the body, contrast agents function by modulating the intensity of the water signal either via improved relaxation or via saturation transfer to selected exchangeable proton. Among the growing class of MRI contrast agents, a subset of them called “smart” contrast agents function as responsive probes. Their ability to increase or decrease their signal intensity is modulated by the presence of an analyte. These probes offer the unique ability to imag...
Dynamic crack problems — strain energy density fracture theory

The dynamic behavior of cracked systems prior and subsequent to the critical condition of mechanical instability has been the subject of many past discussions. This instability corresponds to the point at which a sudden change occurs in the creation of free surfaces. Physical examples include the initiation of stationary cracks and the bifurcation of moving cracks traveling at high speed. In general, two different aspects of dynamic fracture have been considered.
Conclusion: A Closing for Queer Thriving

In the conclusion, Greteman brings the exploration of queer thriving to a close. As theoretical attention to queerness embedded itself in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, and LGBTQ lives enter the mainstream in various productively problematic ways, the conclusion illustrates how the book set out to explore the ways in which queers, upon surviving, can thrive in the midst of the changing economic, intellectual, sexual, and school terrains. It asked, in sometimes explicit and at other times implicit ways, what would it mean to articulate queer thriving as part of sustaining the critical work of queers and their theories? Can queerness, as an educated mode, do more than expose its enemies but build its own cultural wealth for future generations to benefit and transform?
When Do α-Synucleinopathies Start? An Epidemiological Timeline: A Review

Importance This article reviews the epidemiological evidence of features of α-synucleinopathies that precede clinical onset of disease, proposes a clinical timeline, and attempts to define the different premotor and clinical phenotypes associated with α-synucleinopathies. Observations The pathological hallmarks of the α-synucleinopathies (Parkinson disease, Parkinson disease dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, and multisystem atrophy) begin years before a clinical diagnosis. Epidemiologic studies support the long gap between pathology and symptoms and suggest that certain nonmotor conditions (constipation, anxiety, and rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder) precede the traditional motor Parkinson disease phenotype by long intervals. Conclusions and Relevance Characterizing the temporal onset of these conditions will help to better recognize the premotor phase of the α-synucleinopathies and specific clinical phenotypes and will guide the search for predictive biomarkers and risk or protective factors for Parkinson disease and other synucleinopathies.
Management of extranodal lymphoma of the spine: a study of 30 patients.

Extranodal lymphoma of the spine is often a late manifestation of systemic disease, and may result in symptoms of pain, neurologic compromise or spinal instability. Symptomatic relief is generally achieved by radiotherapy alone, but is not sufficient in addressing spinal instability. The indications for surgery remain controversial, but may be required for spinal stabilization, or refractory disease. Currently, there is a lack of studies that compare the indications and clinical outcomes of patients receiving surgical and nonsurgical management of spinal extranodal lymphoma. Medical records of 30 patients seen from March 2006 to August 2015, with histologically confirmed spinal lymphoma, were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic information, clinical factors, imaging, treatment and clinical outcomes were recorded. 19 patients were treated surgically and 11 nonsurgically (i.e., chemotherapy, radiation or combination). Surgery was performed for emergent neurological deterioration, mechanical stabilization, refractoriness to medical management or to perform an open biopsy for pathological diagnosis. Among those treated surgically, significantly fewer patients could carry on normal activities (KPS <70) at baseline, compared with those treated nonsurgically. However, there were no significant differences regarding pain medication use, functional status at 1 year, or mean survival (87.6 months) between groups. Surgery for extranodal lymphoma may be required in specific cases, resulting in favorable and similar outcomes compared with nonsurgical management.
Pilot Study and Psychometric Analyses

The Flourishing Children Project responds to a call for rigorous indicators of positive development in adolescents by creating scales for 19 constructs of positive development in the categories of flourishing in school and work, personal flourishing, flourishing in relationships, relationship skills, helping others to flourish, and environmental stewardship. Each scale can be used alone or in combination to fill gaps in available measures of important constructs of adolescent flourishing. In the final stage of the project, described in this chapter, the items chosen for each scale were tested in a pilot study based on a survey of a nationally representative sample to ensure that they were suited for administration in national surveys and possessed the desired psychometric properties. The web-based survey, conducted in conjunction with Knowledge Networks, yielded a sample of 1,951 adolescents and 2,240 parents, or 1,833 parent-adolescent dyads. To assess the psychometric properties of each scale, data from the pilot survey were analyzed for reliability (alpha), concurrent validity, skewness, differences among subgroups (e.g., age, gender, and income groups), and other characteristics.
Laser Surgery of Tumors and Arteriovenous Malformations of the Diencephalon

The diencephalon is the part of the brain located between the cerebrum and the midbrain.1’2 Most of the anatomical structures that constitute the diencephalon form the boundaries of the third ventricle, which is bounded laterally by the thalamus on either side. The anterior floor of the third ventricle is composed of the hypothalamus and the posterior floor is composed of the red nuclei and subthalamic structures. The posterior wall of the third ventricle is bounded by the Sylvian aqueduct inferiorly and the stria medullaris and habenula superiorly. The anterior wall of the third ventricle is bounded by the lamina terminalis inferiorly and the anterior commisure superiorly. The roof of the third ventricle is formed by the tela choroidea, containing the paired internal cerebral veins. These arise anteriorly at the confluence of the septal and thalamostriate veins, and are united posteriorly with the veins of Rosenthal to form the vein of Galen.
Measuring and Enhancing the Impact of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Research

It is a great pleasure to be able to contribute to this groundbreaking collection of papers regarding the evidence base for psychodynamic psychotherapy. My involvement in this text is as something of an outside observer of the field. Although I received training and supervision in dynamic therapy, I am not a psychotherapist. I am a clinical scientist with an interest in the process by which research findings get applied in clinical practice. My comments here are therefore not on the content of psychodynamic psychotherapy research (of which I have only cursory knowledge), but rather on the process of incorporating this research into the actual care of patients.
Routine Utilization of NAT Negative PHS Increased Risk Thoracic Organs Appears Safe and Effective in Increasing Organ Supply for Transplantation

Purpose The clinical impact of organ transplantation is limited by a persistent organ shortage. Due to concern about the potential risk of disease transmission, there has been inter and intra center variability in the use of Center for Disease Control or Public Health Service (CDC/PHS) high risk organs for transplantation. We have reviewed our single-center experience utilizing CDC/PHS high risk hearts and lungs to examine the impact of aggressive use of these organs. Methods Select CDC/PHS high risk donor organs were considered when nucleic acid testing (NAT) was negative. Patients were tested for Hepatitis B and C and HIV preoperatively and serially thereafter per center guidelines. Results From January 1, 2011 to October 23, 2018, Massachusetts General Hospital Transplant Center transplanted 108 thoracic organs from CDC/PHS high risk donors. Among these, there were 70 donor hearts accounting for 39.1% of all heart transplants during this period. Within this group there was one unexpected HCV seroconversion, determined to be from recipient high risk behavior. Thirty-eight of these organs were single or double lungs comprising 20.4% of all lungs transplanted in this interval. Among the lung recipients, there has been 9 (23.6%) documented organ seroconversions of HBV core antibody (HBcAb) status negative to positive. Of these, each recipient was negative by NAT and for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg). Within the entire cohort, there have been no seroconversions from infected donors. Conclusion Our center experience suggests that that there is limited risk to using CDC/PHS high risk organs when the NAT is negative. These results support aggressive use of NAT negative high organs to limit recipient waiting time and risk.
Rare cerebrovascular anomalies in a patient with Cornelia De Lange Syndrome.

BACKGROUND Cornelia De Lange (CDL) is a rare genetic syndrome characterized by short stature, intellectual disability, skeletal abnormalities, and distinctive facial features. We present a case of CDL with several rare cerebrovascular anatomic variants that impacted the treatment of a direct cavernous carotid fistula (CCF). CASE DESCRIPTION This 32-year-old male CDL patient suffered a direct, traumatic CCF on the left and presented to our institution for endovascular management. Cerebral angiography revealed several anatomic variants, including hypoplastic external carotid arteries bilaterally. The vascular territory typically supplied by the internal maxillary arteries was fed by a prominent vessel arising from the internal carotid artery (ICA) in the expected location of the vidian artery. This anatomic variant directly impacted management due to retrograde filling of the fistula, necessitating coil embolization at its origin from the left ICA. CONCLUSION Advance knowledge of cerebrovascular variants associated with CDL may help interventionalists prepare to approach such cases. Additionally, further inquiry into the function of proteins encoded by genes associated with CDL could better our understanding of vascular development in the brain.
Airway sonography fails to detect difficult laryngoscopy in an adult Veteran surgical population

Abstract Objective To evaluate ultrasound's utility to detect difficult laryngoscopy in a preoperative setting. Methods This single-site, prospective, cross-sectional, within-subjects study was performed at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center with 144 subjects. The sonographic independent variables included sonographic hyomental distance (HMD) and anterior neck thicknesses at the hyoid bone (HB), thyrohyoid membrane (THM), and vocal cords (VC). Additional independent variables were standard airway indicators of BMI, neck circumference, obstructive sleep apnea, snoring, abnormal upper teeth, jaw mobility, interincisor gap, Mallampati score, thyromental distance and neck range of motion. The outcome variable was the modified Cormack-Lehane Grade (CLG). Results There was no significance found among the four sonographic measurements or their derived ratios in predicting difficult laryngoscopy. Correlation analysis between the sonographic measurements did find significance of the HMD:HB (p = 0.040) and the HB:THM (p = 0.44) ratios. However these ratios had a weak correlation at −0.172 and −0.168 respectively. Standard airway indicators did not demonstrate significance in predicting the difficult airway, sans obese patient with neck circumference (p = 0.016). Discussion This study demonstrated ultrasonography in predicting difficult laryngoscopy lacked utility. Ultrasound utilization as an efficacious means of difficult airway assessment requires further research with a larger sample size. Further studies using sonography on those patients with known difficult airways may provide data to determine if ultrasound has utility in predicting difficult laryngoscopy.
Revealing users' experience and social interaction outcomes following a web-based smoking prevention intervention for adolescents: A qualitative study.

Background Tobacco smoking remains a public health problem among adolescents in the United States. While Web-based interventions for smoking prevention have been successful at the individual level, there is still an urgent need to understand their engagement capabilities and their effects at the social level. In the current study, we aimed to (1) learn about adolescents' subjective experience with a Web-based program called a smoking prevention interactive experience (ASPIRE), (2) obtain suggestions for improvement in ASPIRE content, (3) identify psychological outcomes of ASPIRE, and (4) explore outcomes of social interaction. Materials and methods After a randomized controlled trial with 110 adolescents, 20 adolescent users of ASPIRE, aged 11-18, were randomly selected to participate in one-on-one interviews at four after-school programs in Houston, Texas. Interviews involved questions concerning adolescents' experience with the intervention. Qualitative data were coded and analyzed using a constant comparison approach for the generation of themes. Results Describing their experience with ASPIRE, participants expressed comfort in material that is tailored to their demographic and preferred interactive activities over entertaining videos. Presenting suggestions for improvement, participants mainly reported the need to include gaming features into ASPIRE. Presenting psychological outcomes, they expressed emotional engagement in the program, shifts in attitudes and beliefs, and unwillingness to smoke. Finally, as outcomes of social interaction, participants reported engagement with others in discussions about tobacco and their need to hold smokers accountable for their actions. Conclusions Adolescents' reports moved from their individual experience with ASPIRE to their active interactions with family members and friends and their attempt to persuade others to quit smoking. Future Web-based programs for adolescents may be designed with tailoring and game play in mind, in order to provide mobilization skills and foster social interactions against smoking.
Urinary incontinence among pregnant women in Southern Brazil: a population-based cross-sectional survey

ABSTRACT Background Urinary incontinence (UI) is a frequent pathology that causes significant harm to the well-being and quality of life of pregnant women. This study aimed to measure the prevalence and to identify factors associated with the occurrence of UI during pregnancy in women living in the municipality of Rio Grande (RS), Southern Brazil, in 2016. Methods This is a cross-sectional population-based study that included all puerperae living in this municipality who had a child in one of the two local maternity hospitals between January 1 and December 31, 2016. The interviews were held at the hospital within 48 hours after delivery, when previously trained interviewers used a single, standardized questionnaire, seeking information on maternal demographic, behavioral and reproductive/obstetric history, as well as socioeconomic status of the household and care received during pregnancy and childbirth. The multivariate analysis followed a previously defined hierarchical model, using Poisson regression with robust variance adjustment and prevalence ratio (PR) as measure of effect. Results Among the 2,716 puerperae identified, 2,694 (99.2%) participated in this study. The prevalence of urinary incontinence in the gestational period was 14.7% (95%CI: 13.4%-16.1%). The lowest observed UI rate (8.3%) occurred among adolescent mothers ( Conclusions Urinary incontinence showed a high prevalence in the study population. The identified risk factors can be well administered at primary health care level. The recommendation of regular physical exercise in pregnancy must be reviewed and better investigated with more robust designs because of possible facilitators for the occurrence of UI in this period.
Waterborne isocyanate-free polyurethane epoxy hybrid coatings synthesized from sustainable fatty acid diamine

The coatings industry is increasingly aware of the need to protect the environment and is constantly striving to ensure the safety of the industry and the health of consumers, which creates demand for environmentally friendly non-isocyanate polyurethanes (NIPU). In this study, the waterborne NIPU epoxy hybrid coatings were prepared from waterborne amine-terminated NIPU and waterborne epoxy chain extender. The waterborne amine-terminated NIPU were derived from diglycerol dicarbonate, 3,3′-diamino-N-methyldipropylamine, and fatty acid diamine (FDA). The waterborne epoxy chain extender was synthesized from diethanolamine and trimethylolpropane triglycidyl ether. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance were applied to confirm the chemical structure of synthesized materials. The effect of the soft/hard segment on waterborne NIPU epoxy hybrid coatings was studied by differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and tensile tests. Two glass transition temperatures were found in the samples with the largest amount of FDA while only one glass transition temperature was found on the other two samples. The thermal stability was enhanced by incorporating a higher amount of FDA. Finally, Young's modulus and tensile strength decreased with an increasing amount of soft segment and elongation-at-break was increased as expected. In general, this work explored the method for preparing waterborne non-isocyanate polyurethane epoxy hybrid coatings, which could reveal similar soft/hard segment performance with conventional isocyanate-based waterborne polyurethane.
Cost-Effective Method for 3-Dimensional Printing Dynamic Multiobject and Patient-Specific Brain Tumor Models: Technical Note

Background Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a powerful tool for replicating patient-specific anatomic features for education and surgical planning. The advent of “desktop” 3D printing has created a cost-effective and widely available means for institutions with limited resources to implement a 3D-printing workflow into their clinical applications. The ability to physically manipulate the desired components of a “dynamic” 3D-printed model provides an additional dimension of anatomic understanding. There is currently a gap in the literature describing a cost-effective and time-efficient means of creating dynamic brain tumor 3D-printed models. Methods Using free, open-access software (3D Slicer) for patient imaging to Standard Tessellation Language file conversion, as well as open access Standard Tessellation Language editing software (Meshmixer), both intraaxial and extraaxial brain tumor models of patient-specific pathology are created. Results A step-by-step methodology and demonstration of the software manipulation techniques required for creating cost-effective, multidimensional brain tumor models for patient education and surgical planning are exhibited using a detailed written guide, images, and a video display. Conclusions In this technical note, we describe in detail the specific functions of free, open-access software and desktop 3D printing techniques to create dynamic and patient-specific brain tumor models for education and surgical planning.
Does early chimerism testing predict outcomes after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Allogenic stem cell transplantation (HCT) is a potentially curative treatment for patients with various hematologic malignancies. Following HCT it is common practice to assess peripheral blood sort...
An Effective Approach to Teach an Introductory Computer Science Course with Computational Thinking and Flow-Chart Based Visual Programming

This Research to Practice Full Paper presents our experience of positive outcomes with increased motivation and retention in teaching an introductory Computer Science course with Python programming. Without reinventing the wheel, we infused few well established pedagogies by integrating and evaluating Computational Thinking (CT) skills in a meaningful way. We integrated CT with existing curriculum alongside programming and teaching general problem-solving techniques with a flowchart-based programming environment and without using specific programming concepts or languages at the beginning. Our aim here is not only to teach a programming language per se, but also to teach, at the beginning, the different ways of problem solving, logical reasoning, algorithm design, and programming constructs with minimal or no emphasis on syntax. A positive learning experience is successfully developed for our students by using appropriate pedagogies and strategies. To evaluate the impact of this infusion, a pre- and post-survey as well as a pre- and post-CT test were conducted on student cohort in different sections. The statistical analysis of the survey and test results show evidence of improvement in student’s problem solving and coding skills as well as increase in motivation towards programming.
Detection of Cortical and Deep Gray Matter Lesions in Multiple Sclerosis Using DIR and FLAIR at 3T.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The comparative detection rates of deep gray matter (GM) multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions using double inversion recovery (DIR) and fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery (FLAIR) on 3T MR imaging remain unknown. We aimed to assess the detectability of cortical and deep GM MS lesions using DIR and FLAIR on 3T clinical exams and evaluate the relationship between deep GM lesions and brain atrophy. METHODS One hundred fifty consecutive MS patients underwent routine brain MRI that included 3D DIR and 2D T2 FLAIR on the same 3T scanner. Three neuroradiologists independently reviewed all exams for cortical and deep GM lesions. Statistical parametric mapping (SPM) and FMRIB software library (FSL)-FIRST pipelines were used to determine normalized whole brain and deep GM volumes. RESULTS A total of 65 cortical and 98 deep lesions were detected on DIR versus 24 and 20, respectively, on FLAIR. Among all 150 patients, the number and percentage of patients with GM lesions on DIR and FLAIR were as follows: cortical 43 (28.7%) versus 24 (16.0%) (P < .001), thalamus 47 (31.3%) versus 20 (13.3%) (P < .001), putamen 10 (6.7%) versus 3 (2.0%) (P = .02), globus pallidus 9 (6.0%) versus 3 (1.3%) (P = .02), and caudate 5 (3.3%) versus 1 (0.7%) (P = .125). Presence of deep GM lesions weakly correlated with deep GM volume fractions. CONCLUSION Deep GM MS lesions can be detected using routine clinical brain MRI including DIR and FLAIR at 3T. Future studies to optimize these sequences may improve the detection rates of cortical and deep GM lesions. The presence of GM lesions showed weak correlation with GM atrophy.
Extraosseous Ewing sarcoma presenting as recurrent intergluteal pilonidal disease

Pilonidal disease classically presents as an abscess or soft tissue swelling which classically occurs in the intergluteal cleft, just above the anus. Risk factors for this disease include obesity, prolonged sitting, and abundance of gluteal hair. Treatment options are extensive but most often include incision and drainage with antibiotic treatment. Presentation of recurrent intergluteal pilonidal disease in a young, active female would then be unusual. We present a case of a 17-year-old female presenting with what appeared to be intergluteal pilonidal disease. Definitive excision with histopathology revealed a diagnosis of extraosseous Ewing sarcoma. An otherwise healthy and active 17-year-old female presented to our Pediatric Oncology clinic with a 2-month history of recurrent painful soft tissue swelling of the intergluteal cleft. At that time, she had been diagnosed with pilonidal abscess and had already undergone three incision and drainage procedures. A definitive excision with pathology was performed within weeks of her initial presentation. Immunohistochemical evaluation confirmed a diagnosis of extraosseous Ewing sarcoma. This unusual case underlies the importance of considering a broad differential when evaluating potential pilonidal abscess in a patient who otherwise has no risk factors. Additionally, definitive excision with pathology is critical in a patient with unusually recurrent disease as this can be crucial in the identification of an alternative, and potentially devastating, diagnosis.