cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Semantic Feature Analysis Treatment for Aphasic Word Retrieval Impairments: What’s in a Name?

This article delineates differences among treatment paradigms that have been called semantic feature analysis treatment and reviews the outcomes of these treatment studies regarding improved naming of treated items, maintenance of treatment effects over time, and generalized improvement to untreated items. Differences in outcomes among the treatment paradigms highlight the importance of using different names for different treatment paradigms.
On some applications of the theory of dynamic programming to logistics

Abstract : In recent years, the study of multi-stage processes has become of greater and greater importance in wider and wider fields. A multi-stage process means a process composed of a sequence of operations in which the outcome of the preceding operations may be used to guide the course of future operations. Two types of operations may be distinguished immediately, those in which the outcome is completely determined, and those in which the outcome is uncertain. To treat these problems in a systematic fashion the theory of dynamic programming has been developed. In the article, some simple, but non-trivial, problems of the kind that plague logisticians are considered in order to illustrate what kinds of problems are amenable to out techniques, what analytic results may be expected, and what computational procedures must be utilized in general. (Author)
Picture-in-picture copy detection using spatial coding techniques

Picture-in-Picture (PiP) is a special video transformation where one or more videos is scaled and spatially embedded in a host video. PiP is a very useful service to watch two or more videos simultaneously, however it can be exploited to visually hide one video inside another video. Today's copy detection techniques can be easily fooled by PiP, which is reflected in the poor results in the yearly TRECVID competitions. Inspired by the promise of spatial coding in partial image matching, we propose a generalized spatial coding representation in which both the relative position and relative orientation is embedded in the spatial code. In this paper, we will provide novel formulation for spatial verification problem and introduce polynomial and non-polynomial algorithms to efficiently address the spatial verification problem. Our initial experiment results on TRECVID and MSRA datasets shows that our proposed spatial verification algorithms provide around 20% improvement over the classical hierarchical bag-of-words approach.
Toxicity of anguidine in mice

A characteristic of the trichothecene mycotoxin, anguidine, is its extreme toxicity to organs with populations of rapidly dividing cells. In preparation for evaluation of compounds that may protect against anguidine toxicity, we measured the LD50 of anguidine administered by gastric gavage (ig) or intraperitoneal injection (ip) and studied the dose- and time-dependent effects of anguidine on lymphohematopoietic organs, intestine, and testis, and measured hematocrit and peripheral blood leukocyte counts in male CD-1 mice. The ig LD50 at 96 hr was 15.5 mg/kg; after ip administration the LD50 at 96 hr was 20.0 mg/kg. Characteristic changes caused by sublethal doses of anguidine were cell depletion and necrosis in lymphohematopoietic organs, multifocal necrosis of intestinal epithelium, and diffuse necrosis of germinal epithelium followed by progressive tubule degeneration in the testes. There was leukocytosis due to both lymphocytosis and neutrophilia in the first few hours following anguidine exposure, followed by lymphopenia, neutropenia, and anemia by 3 days. After lethal doses, the intestinal necrosis was transmural, and there was extensive necrosis of lymphohematopoietic organs. There was rapid recovery after sublethal anguidine exposure of all anguidine-sensitive organs except for testis where decreased weights and abnormal spermatogenesis persisted for the 2-week observation period. Our results suggest that intestinal necrosis is an important cause of death following anguidine exposure. Atrophy of seminiferous tubules may have some value as an indicator of prior anguidine exposure, but the testicular changes are not unique to this compound.
Disinfection of selected vegetables under nonthermal treatments: Chlorine, acid citric, ultraviolet light and ozone

Abstract Lettuce, tomatoes and carrots were evaluated under four disinfection methods. Chlorine (50, 100 and 200 ppm) was compared for effectiveness with citric acid (0.5, 1 and 1.5%), ultraviolet light (UV-C) (0.65 and 1.6 mW/cm 2 ) and ozone (5 ppm) to inactivate Escherichia coli ATCC 11775. Processing times were from 3 min up to 60 min. Hunter color parameters, color functions (Δ E, hue, chroma ), tomato color index (TCI) and whiteness index (WI) were evaluated after disinfection. Results showed that citric acid was not effective for inactivation of E. coli at the tested conditions. UV-C was effective in the inactivation of the microorganism when fluence was higher, being more effective in the smooth surface of tomato (2.7 log). Meanwhile, ozone was also able to inactivate bacteria in tomatoes (2.2 log) after only 3 min. Carrots and lettuce showed lower inactivation for all treatments because of their porous and roughened surfaces. UV-C was the treatment that most affected the color of the produce; it generated browning of lettuce, and increase of TCI and WI of carrots. Ozone also affected the greenness of lettuce. Concentration, dose and processing times of novel disinfection methods need to be evaluated not only for microbial counts, but also sensory properties.
Do different hemodynamic effects of antihypertensive drugs translate into different safety profiles

Various antihypertensive drugs reduce blood pressure by different mechanisms. In some instances, adverse reactions occur because of specific hemodynamic effects. Examples include syncope with alpha-blockade or vasodilator therapy; fatigue or exercise intolerance with the reduction in cardiac output following the use of beta-adrenergic inhibitors; edema, headaches, or dizziness with the use of vasodilators such as calcium entry blockers; renal failure in patients with renal artery stenosis or renal insufficiency following the use of ACE inhibitors; and marked hyponatremia with volume depletion following the use of diuretics, especially in elderly patients. In the majority of patients, however, blood pressure lowering can be achieved without significant adverse effects. Combining small doses of different agents with different hemodynamic actions often results in good blood pressure control and minimal reactions. Examples of these include diuretics and beta-adrenergic inhibitors, diuretics and ACE inhibitors, and beta-blockers and vasodilators.
Selective Thermal Emission with Thin Films of Polar Materials

Selective thermal emitters are materials which emit in narrow wavelength bands, unlike blackbody emitters which emit uniformly over all wavelengths. Materials with tailored emission/absorption characteristics can be useful for applications in energy conversion, energy conservation, chemical, and bio-chemical sensing. Designing materials with different emission/absorption spectra can be useful for varied applications such as energy conversion, chemical, and bio-chemical sensing. In this paper, we show that thin films of polar dielectric materials can act as selective emitters in two frequency bands on either side of the restrahlen band(s) of the polar material due to multiple reflections within the thin films.
Cue-controlled relaxation and 'aromatherapy' in the treatment of speech anxiety

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the separate and combined effects of cue-controlled relaxation training and “aromatherapy” as treatments for reducing speech anxiety. Thirty-six speech anxious subjects were randomly assigned to one of four conditions: cue-controlled relaxation with a word cue, cue-controlled relaxation with an aroma cue, “aromatherapy” alone, and a wait list (i.e., control) group. Prior to treatment, subjects completed the Personal Report of Confidence as a Speaker, Fear of Negative Evaluation questionnaire, S-R Inventory of Anxiousness-Speech Form, Cognitive Somatic Anxiety Questionnaire, and Multiple Affect Adjective Check List; subjects also performed a speech which was rated for behavioral signs of anxiety. The assessment protocol was repeated following treatment, and at a two-month follow-up. Thirty-two of 36 subjects (89%) provided complete data at post-treatment, and 23 of 28 treated subjects (82%) provided complete data at follow-up. Results indicated that subjects in both cue-controlled relaxation conditions decreased their speech anxiety more than did the subjects in the aromatherapy or control conditions.
Drugs for Treating Respiratory System Diseases

Respiratory disease is considered any disorder that affects nasal cavities, the throat, the trachea, the bronchi and bronchioles, or lungs, generating shortness of breath (dyspnea), cough, or production of sputum. Any pathological problem in the lungs that prevents them from working properly is considered lung disease, including airway diseases, lung circulation diseases, and lung tissue diseases.
The intrusion breccia in the valley of Roaring Brook, Giant Mountain, Adirondack Highlands, New York: A modern interpretation

An intrusion breccia exposed along Roaring Brook on the west face of Giant Mountain in the Adirondack Highlands (eastern USA) has been reinterpreted as a magma conduit. It lacks metasedimentary xenoliths, as previously proposed, and field, petrographic, and geochemical evidence point to an igneous origin for the vast majority of the enclaves. A mechanism involving magma mixing is proposed for the enclaves and explains their textural features (e.g., crescumulate and comb textures and mantled feldspars), compositional layering, and geochemical trends. Rock types ranging from charnockite to pyroxenite occur in the exposed section and document the variety of magmatic processes and compositional variation of magmas composing the Marcy Anorthosite massif. The bulk of the enclaves in the intrusion breccia can be explained by a batch of more felsic magma (charnockite-mangerite?) that intruded into a partially crystallized zone of anorthositic, gabbroic, and dioritic rock. This resulted in disruption, partial mixing and hybridization, and chilling of mafic magma within, and against, the more silicic melts.
Effect in Man of Large Doses of Pyridoxine on Serum Cholesterol

Pyridoxine (400 mg./day) was given to 21 individuals for periods up to a maximum of 36 days. A slight but significant fall in serum cholesterol levels was observed, the effect being more marked in diabetic than in nondiabetic subjects.
Corporate Social Responsibility in the Retail Apparel Context: Exploring Consumers' Personal and Normative Influences on Patronage Intentions

The apparel industry supply chain is complex and constantly under scrutiny for its adherence to socially responsible practices. Thus, corporate social responsibility has emerged as an important aspect of business strategy for retail brands. A growing number of consumers expect apparel companies to exercise ethical behavior in their corporate business practices that aligns with consumers' own values and lifestyle choices. The purpose of this study was to develop and empirically test an integrative model based on macrotheories of human behavior. Study findings from a national sample of 407 consumers in the United States revealed that universalistic values, moral norms, expectations of ethical behavior, knowledge of environmental issues in the apparel industry, and attitudes all had significant and positive effects on consumers' patronage intentions toward retail apparel brands engaged in socially responsible supply chain activities.
Field Evaluation of Carbon Dioxide Baits for Sampling Ornithodoros turicata (Acari: Argasidae) in Gopher Tortoise Burrows

Field studies were conducted to assess the reliability of carbon dioxide baits in sampling Ornithodoros turicata Duges. Tick response to about 50 g of dry ice placed at various distances away from tick-infested burrows was monitored over a 2-h period. In addition, tick attraction to different flow rates of carbon dioxide was monitored. Tests were conducted over a 15-mo period, during which seasonal effects on O. turicata response to CO2 were assessed. The efficacy of the baits was evaluated at night and in daytime. Ticks responded to dry ice baits placed up to 8 m away from the burrows. There was no significant difference in the total number of ticks attracted in a 1-h period using 500 to 2,000 ml CO2/min. At night, ticks were attracted to CO2 bits throughout the year except in December and January. By contrast, ticks were attracted to CO2 baits during daytime only between May and mid-December.
Treatment of Bacterial Pneumonia with Cefazolin

Cefazolin, a relatively new and recently marketed cephalosporin antibiotic, has many pharmocological properties and an antibacterial spectrum which should make it an ideal agent in a patient with suspected bacterial pneumonia.
MotionSync: Personal Energy Analytics through Motion Tags and Wearable Sensing

Individuals with the knowledge of electrical energy consumed by them can take steps to reduce their energy footprint, which can lead to energy conservation. Current energy apportionment schemes either require prohibitively large amounts of user-appliance training or performs poorly in detecting user-appliance interaction when there are multiple users and appliances in close proximity to each other. In this paper, we build MotionSync, a privacy-aware, scalable and robust personal energy analytics system. The system exploits the similarity between the motions of user's arm/hand (captured through wrist-worn wearable) and appliance interface (captured through a motion tag) to determine user-appliance interaction. We show that commonly used plugload devices can be classified in five categories based on their interfaces - button, door, free-floating, knob and switch. Based on this, it is possible to train a generic machine learning model for each category to detect user-appliance interaction with a significant lower training overhead. MotionSync is privacy-aware and allows users to measure their own energy consumption without sharing any private information with building infrastructure. MotionSync is also robust to crowded scenarios since it does not depend on user's location. We implement and evaluate our system on a real testbed, and find that it can determine user-appliance interaction with an average accuracy of 92.5% and has low average false positive rate of 8.6%. We also show that pre-trained models of five interface types provide very high accuracy even for new and untrained appliances and users, eliminating per-appliance and per-user training overhead.
Sweet taste preferences before and after an intensive medical weight loss intervention.

Objective Medical weight loss could change sweet taste threshold and preferences. The decrease in sweet taste preferences may, in turn, help in the maintenance of weight loss. This study examined the association between sweet taste preferences at baseline and weight change during a medical weight management programme and the impact of diet-induced weight loss on sweet taste preferences. Methods Adult patients with body mass index ≥32 kg m-2 were recruited from a medical weight management clinic. Sweet taste preference was assessed using a forced-choice, paired-comparison tracking method before and after a very-low-calorie diet (VLCD). Results Twenty participants were included in the analysis: mean age was 53.1 (standard deviation [SD]: 11.4) years, and 14 were female. The mean body mass index was 41.4 (SD: 7.5) kg m-2. The median preferred sucrose concentration before VLCD was 0.45 M. Following VLCD, mean change in weight was -13.3 (SD: 6.6) kg, and percentage weight change was -11.3% (SD: 5.9%). Based on mixed models with and without adjustment for demographic factors, diabetes status and smoking history, preferred sucrose concentration at baseline did not predict change in longer-term body weight. The change of preferred sucrose concentration following 12 weeks of VLCD was not significant (P-value 0.95). Conclusions Change in weight during and after VLCD was not associated with sweet taste preferences at baseline. After diet-induced weight loss, sweet taste preferences did not change.
Optical diagnostics on helical flux compression generators

Explosively driven magnetic flux compression (MFC) has been object of research for more than three decades. Actual interest in the basic physical picture of flux compression has been heightened by a newly started Department of Defense (DoD) Multi-University Research Initiative. The emphasis is on helical flux compression generators comprising a hollow cylindrical metal liner filled with high explosives and at least one helical coil surrounding the liner. After the application of a seed current, magnetic flux is trapped and high current is generated by moving, i.e., expanding, the liner explosively along the winding of the helical coil. Several key factors involved in the temporal development can be addresses by optical diagnostics. 1) The uniformity of liner expansion is captured by framing camera photography and supplemented by laser illuminated high spatial and temporal resolution imaging. Also, X-ray flash photography is insensitive to possible image blur by shockwaves coming from the exploding liner. 2) The thermodynamic state of the shocked gas is assessed by spatially and temporally resolved emission spectroscopy. 3) The moving liner-coil contact point is a possible source of high electric losses and is preferentially monitored also by emission spectroscopy. Since optical access to the region between liner and coil is not always guaranteed, optical fibers can he used to extract light from the generator. The information so gained will give, together with detailed electrical diagnostics, more insight in the physical loss mechanisms involved in MFC.
Hormonal Regulation of Motor Output in Amphibians: Xenopus Laevis Vocalizations as a Model System

Publisher Summary The vocal system of Xenopus laevis permits us to address, experimentally, the question of how the central nervous system (CNS), motor neurons, and muscle effectors generate distinct patterns of activity in the sexes. During development, the vocal system becomes sexually differentiated under the influence of steroid hormones secreted by the gonads. These same hormones are required for the activation of some vocal patterns, and for the strength of connections between the vocal CNS and the muscular periphery. Male- and female-specific patterns of activity that correspond closely to actual vocal behaviors can be recorded from the laryngeal nerve.This characteristic now permits us to begin to determine how different vocal patterns are generated at the level of individual motor neurons and interneurons. The separation of vocalization from respiration in Xenopus laevis also permits us to test current concepts of how brain-stem rhythms are generated and translated into motor programs for specific behaviors.
Patterns of Health Information Technology Use according to Sexual Orientation among US Adults Aged 50 and Older: Findings from a National Representative Sample-National Health Interview Survey 2013-2014

Health disparities among sexual minority adults ages 50 and older have been documented. Factors such as lifetime discrimination and internalized stigma may deter sexual minority individuals from seeking health services. Several studies suggest that health information technology may facilitate health education and outreach to populations whose health behaviors are affected by stigma such as older sexual minority people. This study examined the role of sexual minority identity as a factor that is associated with health information technology use. Data from the 2013–2014 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regressions were used to compare the odds of using technology as a resource for health information between sexual minority versus heterosexual US adults aged 50 and older. Adjusting for sociodemographic variables and health variables, sexual minority participants had increased odds of using computers to look up health information on the Internet (OR = 2.01, 95% CI 1...
BET inhibitors in metastatic prostate cancer: therapeutic implications and rational drug combinations.

ABSTRACTIntroduction: The bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) family of proteins are epigenetic readers of acetylated histones regulating a vast network of protein expression across many different cancers. Therapeutic targeting of BET is an attractive area of clinical development for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), particularly due to its putative effect on c-MYC expression and its interaction with the androgen receptor (AR).Areas covered: We speculate that a combination approach using inhibitors of BET proteins (BETi) with other targeted therapies may be required to improve the therapeutic index of BET inhibition in the management of prostate cancer. Preclinical data has identified several molecular targets that may enhance the effect of BET inhibition in the clinic. This review will summarize the known preclinical data implicating BET as an important therapeutic target in advanced prostate cancer, highlight the ongoing clinical trials targeting this protein family, and speculat...
The utility of surveillance biopsies in pediatric kidney transplantation

Surveillance biopsies (SBs) are performed in some pediatric kidney transplant programs, based on data obtained in earlier immunosuppressive eras that the treatment of subclinical acute rejection results in better graft survival. The benefit of SBs for patients on modern immunosuppression regimens is unclear. We have therefore evaluated the clinical utility of SBs in a population of children receiving a kidney transplant. We have performed SBs at 3, 6 and 12 months post-transplantation as standard of care at our institution since 2013 in patients on a regimen of rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin, tacrolimus, mycophenolate and rapid steroid taper (RST; steroids maintained in some exceptions). We reviewed pathology reports of 82 SBs from 34 transplants in 34 children for all abnormal findings and adequacy of specimens. Clinical records were reviewed for changes in management resulting from SB findings and for significant procedure complications. Of the 82 biopsies, 41 (50%) had abnormal findings separate from fibrosis, including five Banff Grade I rejections, ten borderline rejections, six calcineurin-inhibitor nephrotoxicity, four BK-virus nephropathy, five recurrent disease and three acute pyelonephritis. Moderate or more fibrosis was present in nine of the 82 (11%) biopsies. Management changes due to SB findings occurred in nine cases (11.0%). The proportion of abnormal findings or management changes did not differ between the RST or steroid-based groups. Patients performing clean intermittent catheterization showed inflammatory changes often read as rejection, but were managed differently. Three biopsies were deemed inadequate. No significant complications occurred. A high percentage of the SBs performed under modern immunosuppression showed abnormal findings even when fibrosis was excluded. However, management changes due to the SB findings were less frequent, although they occurred in a clinically meaningful percentage of cases. Complications or inadequate specimens were rare.
Bilateral pseudo-internuclear ophthalmoplegia in a patient with myasthenia gravis

Abstract Purpose To report a case of myasthenia gravis presenting with a false localizing sign, a bilateral pseudo internuclear ophthalmoplegia. Observations A 61 year-old male presented with a five-week history of painless binocular oblique diplopia that was associated with fatigue, vocal hoarseness and bilateral ptosis, the latter two of which worsened through the course of the day. Exam was remarkable for an apparent bilateral internuclear ophthalmoplegia (INO). MRI of the brain with and without contrast and MRA of the head and neck were within normal limits. Lab work was positive for anti-AChR binding, blocking, and modulating antibodies, as well as anti-striated muscle and anti-titin antibodies. The patient was initiated on therapy for myasthenia gravis. Conclusion and importance Although myasthenia gravis often presents with ptosis or diplopia, rarely patients may develop pseudo-INO secondary to extraocular muscle weakness. True INO occurs with damage to the medial longitudinal fasciculus, a myelinated tract of fibers that controls yoked horizontal eye movements. Clinicians should be suspicious of the false localizing sign of a pseudo-INO associated with myasthenia gravis when more common causes of INO have been excluded.
The Prevalence of Renal Dysfunction in Young Adults with Sickle Cell Disease.

Sickle cell disease is typified by dramatic acute painful episodes, which consume the majority of patients’ and healthcare providers’ attention. However, the cumulative damage to vital organs that occurs in this disease is often the determinant of early death. The kidneys are a major target organ in sickle cell disease and renal failure is a highly morbid event. It is also strongly associated with early death. Glomerular hyperfiltration is often the earliest sign of renal injury. This is followed by return to apparently normal filtration rates, then successively lower rates, culminating in end-stage renal disease. Microalbuminuria follows hyperfiltration and progresses to frank proteinuria. We evaluated the prevalence of renal dysfunction in a cohort of patients with sickle cell disease managed at the University of Tennessee Cancer Institute’s adult sickle cell program. At entry into the program, patients underwent a routine battery of tests, including 24 hour urine collection for measurement of creatinine clearance and urine protein. Our findings are summarized in the table below. By the age of 25 years, almost 80% of patients with sickle cell disease showed significant abnormality of glomerular filtration and 40% had significant proteinuria. This worsens with age. By a median of 37 years, 2 in 3 patients have developed significant proteinuria and hypofiltration has become the predominant pattern of glomerular filtration abnormality. Since renal injury is reversible in the early stages, more emphasis needs to be placed on aggressive early screening, surveillance and intervention. Intervention at the stage of hyperfiltration and microalbuminuria is easier and much more likely to be successful. Patients and their healthcare providers need to be educated on the high prevalence of renal damage. Efforts at education, screening, surveillance and, where necessary, treatment should begin well before adolescence.
Effects of John Martin Reservoir, Colorado on water quality and quantity: Assessment by chemical, isotopic, and mass-balance methods

Abstract Water quality and quantity can be influenced by transit through and storage in reservoirs. Assessing such effects can be challenging, however, because of mixing and residence times, and inter-annual net storage and release from both the reservoir itself and surrounding porosity. Here, different methodologies were used to assess the effect of John Martin Reservoir (JMR), located on the Arkansas River, on water volumes and the problematic constituents salinity (total dissolved solids, TDS), selenium (Se), and uranium (U). Methodologies addressed short-term (16 months) and long-term (31 years) effects depending upon data availability. Evaporation was assessed by using isotopes of water to determine 12% short-term evaporation, and by pan evaporation and changes in storage to determine 11% long-term evaporation. Salinity, Se, and U mass balance were assessed by using chloride (Cl−) as an index by which to measure short-term gains or losses between inflows and outflows in the short term. Chloride gain from ungaged inflows skewed those results to overestimate retention. Continuous monitoring of discharge and specific conductance for inflows and outflows, along with discrete sampling for dissolved constituents were used to compute long-term, load-based mass balance. Mild gains of TDS (34,000 ± 15,000 Mg/yr) and U (0.1 ± 0.5 Mg/yr) in JMR were detected. Although the additions are small relative to uncertainty, they indicate little to no retention of TDS and U and likely additions from ungaged inflows. In contrast, an average of 0.6 ± 0.2 Mg/yr or 23% of gaged inflow Se was removed in JMR. The study illustrates the benefit of long-term records for assessing the influence of reservoirs for which net storage and release keep them from approaching steady-state conditions.
Factors predicting metastatic disease in 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET positive osseous lesions in prostate cancer

Bone is the most common site of distant metastatic spread in prostate adenocarcinoma. Prostate-specific membrane antigen uptake has been described in both benign and malignant bone lesions, which can lead to false-positive findings on 68Ga-prostate-specific membrane antigen-11 positron emission tomography (68Ga-PSMA-11 PET). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET for osseous prostate cancer metastases and improve bone uptake interpretation using semi-quantitative metrics. METHODS: 56 prostate cancer patients (18 pre-prostatectomy, 38 biochemical recurrence) who underwent 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/MRI or PET/CT examinations with osseous PSMA-ligand uptake were included in the study. Medical records were reviewed retrospectively by board-certified nuclear radiologists to determine true or false positivity based on a composite endpoint. For each avid osseous lesion, biological volume, size, PSMA-RADS rating, maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), and ratio of lesion SUVmax to liver, blood pool, and background bone SUVmax were measured. Differences between benign and malignant lesions were evaluated for statistical significance, and cut-off values for these parameters were determined to maximize diagnostic accuracy. RESULTS: Among 56 participants, 13 patients (22.8%) had false-positive osseous 68Ga-PSMA-11 findings and 43 patients (76.8%) had true-positive osseous 68Ga-PSMA-11 findings. Twenty-two patients (39%) had 1 osseous lesion, 18 (32%) had 2-4 lesions, and 16 (29%) had 5 or more lesions. Cut-off values resulting in statistically significant (p<0.005) differences between benign and malignant lesions were: PSMA-RADS ≥4, SUVmax ≥4.1, SUVmax ratio of lesion to blood pool ≥2.11, to liver ≥0.55, and to bone ≥4.4. These measurements corresponded to lesion-based 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET lesion detection rate for malignancy of 80%, 93%, 89%, 21%, 89%, and a specificity of 73%, 73%, 73%, 93%, 60%, respectively. CONCLUSION: PSMA-RADS rating, SUVmax, and SUVmax ratio of lesion to blood pool can help differentiate benign from malignant lesions on 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET. SUVmax ratio to blood pool above 2.2 is a reasonable parameter to support image interpretation and presented superior lesion detection rate and specificity when compared to visual interpretation by PSMA RADS. These parameters hold clinical value by improving diagnostic accuracy for metastatic prostate cancer on 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/MRI and PET/CT.
Valence-to-core X-ray Emission Spectroscopy of Vanadium Oxide and Lithiated Vanadyl Phosphate Materials

We report valence-to-core (VTC) X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES) measurements and theoretical calculations of the electrochemical sequence e-VOPO4, e-LiVOPO4, e-Li2VOPO4 and the reference oxides V2O3, VO2, and V2O5. In our analysis of these results, we establish a framework for interrogating chemical bonding that is generally applicable to a wide range of systems, including complex, extended inorganic compounds. While this latter regime has garnered less focused application than, e.g., metalloenzymes in many excellent catalysis studies, we show that the technique provides high utility in materials-focused energy storage research. Here, sensitivities to the local atomic structure and hybridization schemes are discussed in detail. Similarly, the effect of lithiation on oxidation, delocalization, and shifts in ligand valence energy levels are all readily apparent in the analyzed results. Finally, the TDDFT projections clearly reveal the directional dependencies of the valence band at each of the vanadium sites. Our results demonstrate laboratory-based X-ray spectroscopy instrumentation is a viable route for attaining well-resolved VTC-XES features for inorganic compounds of 3d transition metals, even for samples of limited quantity or suffering from sensitivity to the atmosphere. The experimental results are in good agreement with results produced by real-space Green's function and time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) methods, respectively. Hence, we propose that VTC-XES, when equipped with appropriate theoretical support, can be a valuable complement to X-ray absorption pre-edge features for more detailed characterization of a compound's electronic structure. We expect similar analyses will find application in a broad range of materials chemistry research and provide both fundamental and applied insights.
Health Inequities in Historical Context: A Critical Race Theory Analysis of Diabetes among African Americans and American Indians

African Americans and American Indians experience disproportionately high rates of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and are approximately two times as likely to be diagnosed with T2DM as non-Hispanic Whites in the United States (U.S.). African Americans and American Indians represent unique populations in the U.S., as they are the descendants of entire peoples who were forcibly relocated to/within the U.S, and seized under U.S. rule. Research indicates that being a member of particular racial or ethnic groups influences an individual’s diabetes risk and one’s overall health. However, much of the research on T2DM has focused on the individual prevention of or risk of developing diabetes. In contrast, there is a limited review of the impact of shared historical and contemporary experiences of marginalization and the role they have in racial and ethnic health inequities. More so, African American and American Indian health inequities are typically examined in isolation from one another or within the context of settler colonial norms, despite their irrefutably shared historical experiences. This study builds on the diabetes literature by examining T2DM in African Americans and American Indians using an analytical framework informed by both Critical Race Theory and Tribal Critical Race Theory. Using data from the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS), this study conducted a secondary data analysis of multilevel factors contributing to T2DM among African American and American Indian adults residing in California. Findings indicate that both individual- and structural-level factors are linked to diabetes diagnosis and management. Implications for future research are discussed.
Friends and benefits? Endogenous rotating savings and credit associations as alternative for women’s empowerment in India

Abstract This study examines the effects of Rotating Savings and Credit Associations (ROSCAs) on women’s socio-economic freedom and autonomy at the national level in India. We compare ROSCAs to agency based micro-credit schemes and analyze their effects using nationally representative longitudinal gender-disaggregated data from 2005 to 2012. Building on a theoretical model of household savings and spousal bargaining power, we use individual fixed effects and instrumental variable regressions to test the theoretical predictions. Results show that ROSCA membership increases the likelihood of women’s cash in hand for expenditure by 1.7 percentage points, say in major purchase decisions by 3.9 percentage points and fertility choice by 4.7 percentage points. These margins exceed those for exogenous micro-credit schemes and are robust to sensitivity tests. This study is the first to contrast ROSCAs with other micro-credit schemes at the national level. We propose scaling up and associating longstanding ROSCAs with self-help groups for more inclusive development.
Analyzing Societal Bias of California Police Stops Through Lens of Data Science

The Police Department in any city uses a wide range of enforcement to ensure public safety and traffic stops are one such tool. During this process, racial disparities in policing in the United States is not very uncommon. This has created both social and ethical concerns among people. As a result researchers in different domains have taken interest in connecting different pieces of information and finding a possible solution to these issues. In this paper, we have addressed the societal bias through the lens of data science focusing on how police stops are made and which groups of people are targeted most often. The analysis is done on major cities of California focusing on the different factors that might create discrimination in police stops. We also used two popularly known statistical analysis benchmark test and veil of darkness to look into racial profiling. Based on our analysis, it was clear that the Black drivers were stopped between 2.5 to 3.7 times more than white drivers and Hispanic drivers were stopped between 0.968 to 1.39 times more than white drivers (between 2014 and 2017 respectively).
Protocatechuic Acid as a Topical Antimicrobial for Surgical Skin Antisepsis: Preclinical Investigations.

Background There is a need for novel skin antiseptic agents to combat the health-care burdens associated with surgical site infection (SSI) and bacterial resistance. The purpose of this proof-of-principle pilot study was to investigate the potential of the phenolic compound protocatechuic acid (PCA) as a topical antimicrobial for surgical skin antisepsis. Methods The Kirby-Bauer method of disc diffusion was used to investigate the in vitro antimicrobial activity and comparative effectiveness of PCA and 7 related compounds against SSI pathogens. To explore the in vivo efficacy of topical PCA for providing deep, penetrating skin antisepsis, living Cutibacterium acnes was intradermally injected into the skin of female BALB/c mice. Mice were assigned to treatment with daily applications of topical PCA at 3 doses (78, 39, and 19.5 mM) or no treatment (n = 2 mice per group). After 96 hours, infected skin samples were harvested to compare mean C. acnes counts by treatment. Results Compared with other polyphenols, PCA demonstrated the broadest spectrum of antimicrobial activity against tested SSI pathogens, including drug-resistant organisms. At 96 hours following infection, the mean C. acnes burden in untreated mice was 6.65 log colony-forming units (CFUs) per gram of skin. Compared with the untreated group, daily topical application of 78 mM of PCA was associated with a significantly lower C. acnes CFU burden in mice skin (mean, 5.51 log CFUs per gram of skin; p = 0.0295). Both lower dosages of topical PCA failed to show an effect. Conclusions PCA demonstrated laboratory efficacy against pathogens implicated in SSI, including drug-resistant organisms. In vivo, topical PCA demonstrated dose-dependent skin penetration and antimicrobial activity against mouse skin C. acnes loads. Human clinical studies exploring the antimicrobial efficacy of topical PCA for preoperative shoulder skin antisepsis are warranted. Clinical Relevance Topical PCA may have the potential to improve current shoulder SSI treatment and prevention protocols.
A single mutation in bacteriophage T4 DNA polymerase (A737V, tsL141) decreases its processivity as a polymerase and increases its processivity as a 3'-->5' exonuclease.

The bacteriophage T4 DNA polymerase mutant A737V (tsL141 and tsCB120) was originally characterized as temperature-sensitive for DNA replication and an antimutator for transition mutations. Its antimutator phenotype is suppressed by the L771F mutation (Reha-Krantz, L. J., Stocki, S., Nonay, R., and Maughan, C. (1989) J. Cell. Biochem. 13D, 140). We find that the A737V polymerase arrests much more frequently than the wild type when polymerizing on primed single-stranded DNA templates. Although the 3‘–>5‘ exonuclease of the mutant is indistinguishable from the wild type on single-stranded DNA, it is more active than the wild type on duplex DNA. In a single encounter with the primer, the wild type polymerase can incorporate more than 50 nucleotides. The processivity of the A737V polymerase is less than the wild type as a polymerase, but is greater than the wild type as an exonuclease. The L771F polymerase resembles the wild type in each of these properties, while the double mutant (A737V, L771F) is intermediate between the two single mutants. Kinetic studies of wild type T4 DNA polymerase (Capson, T. L., Peliska, J. A., Kaboord, B. F., Frey, M. W., Lively, C., Dahlberg, M., and Benkovic, S. J. (1992) Biochemistry 31, 10984-10994) suggest that DNA binds first to the polumerase active site, before adopting a configuration in which it can be hydrolyzed by the exonuclease. Within this framework, our studies suggest that DNA moves more readily from the polymerase- to the exonuclease-competent configuration on the A737V mutant polymerase, and that this movement is decreased by the compensating L771F mutation.
Diagnosis of rectus sheath hematoma by B-mode ultrasound: a case report.

A HEMATOMA of the rectus sheath as a complication of anticoagulant therapy is an uncommon occurrence. According to Hildreth,’ only 18 cases have been documented, with the correct preoperative diagnosis made in only nine. Titone and associate? stated that an estimated 83 to 93 per cent of the cases arcmisdiagnoses initially. In the following case, an early diagnosis of hematoma of the rectus sheath was established with B-scan ultrasonography.
Modeling Visual Patterns by Integrating Descriptive and Generative Methods

This paper presents a class of statistical models that integrate two statistical modeling paradigms in the literature: (I) Descriptive methods, such as Markov random fields and minimax entropy learning (Zhu, S.C., Wu, Y.N., and Mumford, D. 1997. Neural Computation, 9(8)), and (II) Generative methods, such as principal component analysis, independent component analysis (Bell, A.J. and Sejnowski, T.J. 1997. Vision Research, 37:3327-3338), transformed component analysis (Frey, B. and Jojic, N. 1999. ICCV), wavelet coding (Mallat, S. and Zhang, Z. 1993. IEEE Trans. on Signal Processing, 41:3397-3415; Chen, S., Donoho, D., and Saunders, M.A. 1999. Journal on Scientific Computing, 20(1):33-61), and sparse coding (Olshausen, B.A. and Field, D.J. 1996. Nature, 381:607-609; Lewicki, M.S. and Olshausen, B.A. 1999. JOSA, A. 16(7): 1587-1601). In this paper, we demonstrate the integrated framework by constructing a class of hierarchical models for texton patterns (the term "texton" was coined by psychologist Julesz in the early 80s). At the bottom level of the model, we assume that an observed texture image is generated by multiple hidden "texton maps", and textons on each map are translated, scaled, stretched, and oriented versions of a window function, like mini-templates or wavelet bases. The texton maps generate the observed image by occlusion or linear superposition. This bottom level of the model is generative in nature. At the top level of the model, the spatial arrangements of the textons in the texton maps are characterized by minimax entropy principle, which leads to embellished versions of Gibbs point process models (Stoyan, D., Kendall, W.S., and Mecke, J. 1985. Stochastic Geometry and its Applications). The top level of the model is descriptive in nature. We demonstrate the integrated model by a set of experiments.
Some Recent Advances in Classical Statistical Mechanics

Two recent developments, each introducing a new, not previously available basic aspect of classical statistical mechanics, are discussed. The presentations concern a new distribution function describing a system in a nonequilibrium stationary state, which leads in turn to a Fluctuation Theorem for large deviations, possibly far away from equilibrium. Furthermore an attempt is made to place the statistics introduced by Tsallis some time ago, in the general context of statistical mechanics. This is based on a remark by Einstein and the consistency of this statistics with some recent experiments on fully developed turbulence.
Possible worlds and the qualification problem

In this paper, we propose a solution to McCarthy's qualification problem (1O] based on the notion of possible worlds [3, 6]. We begin by noting that existing formal solutions to qualification seem to us to suffer from serious epistemological and computational difficulties. We present a formalization of action based on the notion of possible worlds, and show that our solution to the qualification problem avoids the difficulties encountered by earlier ones by associating to each action a set of domain constraints that can potentially block it. We also compare the computational resources needed by our approach with those required by other formulations.
Repetitive operation of a megawatt class reflex-triode vircator

Repetitive operation of high-power microwave (HPM) sources is primarily restricted by thermal properties of anode and cathode materials. Note that even in single shot operation, vircators generally inject undesired plasma from the anode/cathode surfaces under high current densities, leading to excessive heating of electrode materials, vacuum degradation and impedance collapse that may ultimately lead to cut-off of microwave power. Heating of the anode and cathode materials during repetitive operation intensifies these problems and will cause accelerated erosion and/or permanent damage of the anode and cathode surfaces, especially when metallic electrodes are used. Hence, the vircator herein utilizes a carbon fiber cathode and a pyrolytic graphite anode. This paper elucidates the heating of the anode and cathode, and their spectrally resolved black-body radiation properties during repetitive operation.
Evaluation of ion transport processes in a heated capillary tube interface for electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry Invited Lecture

An electrospray source with a simple heated capillary tube interface for orthogonal ion-extraction time-of-flight mass spectrometry has been evaluated. Alkali metal salts, amino acids, and metallocene samples have been used for characterization of this system. The applied potential on the inlet capillary tube plays an important role on the ion transport processes as indicated by the net signal and the extent of collision induced dissociation. Adjusting the potential placed on the capillary tube can alter the collision energies in this system, allowing the interface to generate both elemental and molecular ions. Initial kinetic energies of ions have been calculated through experiments and modeling. The energy of the ions entering the mass spectrometer is ultimately determined by the net velocity in the supersonic expansion, and by the electric field between the inlet tubing and the sampling orifice.
Isogeny Covariant Differential Modular Forms and the Space of Elliptic Curves up to Isogeny

The purpose of this article is to develop the theory of differential modular forms introduced by A. Buium. The main points are the construction of many isogeny covariant differential modular forms and some auxiliary (nonisogeny covariant) forms and an extension of the ‘classical theory’ of Serre differential operators on modular forms to a theory of ‘δ-Serre differential operators’ on differential modular forms. As an application, we shall give a geometric realization of the space of elliptic curves up to isogeny.