cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PET and Integrated PET/CT Myocardial Imaging Protocols and Quality Assurance

The primary clinical applications of positron emission tomography (PET) myocardial perfusion imaging are to diagnose, localize, and quantify the severity of coronary artery stenoses. As a result, most clinical applications of myocardial perfusion imaging are performed in conjunction with stress testing. Exercise stress testing with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is widely used in the evaluation of patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease.1–3 Although exercise stress testing offers several advantages, the short physical half-life of most PET radiotracers makes it logistically impractical for use in conjunction with PET imaging. In addition, a significant proportion of patients referred for stress imaging are unable to exercise adequately due to difficulties with ambulation related to prior stroke, peripheral vascular disease, orthopedic problems or deconditioning.3 Submaximal exercise can reduce test sensitivity for detection of ischemic heart disease and should be avoided. Pharmacologic stress testing with dipyridamole,4,5 adenosine4,6,7 or dobutamine infusions8–9 are useful to evaluate patients that are unable to exercise or have suboptimal exercise capicity.3 Chapter 9 provides a detailed discussion of stress protocols. The aim of this chapter is to provide a review of clinically useful imaging protocols for evaluation of CAD, along with guidelines for quality control of PET and PET/CT images. For a better understanding of protocols for PET myocardial perfusion imaging, the reader should be familiar with basic principles of PET and PET/CT (discussed in Chapters 1 and 3) and PET radiopharmaceuticals (discussed in Chapter 5).
Cytochrome P-450 Model Systems: Alkene Oxidation

Iron(III) porphyrins efficiently catalyze the epoxidation of alkenes and the hydroxylation of alkanes by iodosylbenzenes and peracids, most likely by the same mechanisms utilized by cytochrome P-450 enzymes. The synthetic catalysts mimic the enzymes in product stereospecificity, 1 the accompanying rearrangements, 2 and the suicide labelling which results in N-alkylhemin formation.3
Biochemical and mutational analysis of a plant virus polyprotein cleavage site.

Abstract The RNA genome of tobacco etch virus (TEV) is organized as a single translational unit coding for a 346,000 (346 kd) mol. wt (Mr) polyprotein. The 346 kd Mr polyprotein is cleaved by a 49 kd Mr virus-encoded proteinase at five different sites between the dipeptides Gln-Ser or Gln-Gly. These cleavage sites or gene product boundaries are defined by the heptapeptide sequence...Glu-Xaa-Xaa-Tyr-Xaa-Gln-Ser or Gly.... We have used the 54 kd Mr nuclear inclusion protein/30 kd Mr capsid protein junction as a model to examine the role of these conserved amino acids in defining a cleavage site. The 54 kd/30 kd Mr protein cleavage site sequence of 10 TEV isolates from geographically distinct locations has been deduced. The conserved amino acids are present in all isolates. To determine if these four amino acids are an absolute requirement for polyprotein substrate activity, a site-directed mutational analysis has been performed. A recombinant cDNA molecule encoding the TEV 54 kd/30 kd Mr gene product cleavage site was mutated and polyprotein substrates were synthesized and processed in a cell-free system. Single amino acid substitutions made at the different positions reveal a strong preference for the naturally conserved amino acids.
Primary Prevention Using Cholesterol-Lowering Medications in Patients Meeting New Treatment Guidelines: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) issued new cholesterol treatment guidelines in 2013. Two of the groups designated for primary prevention were...
Multivariate analysis of high through-put adhesively bonded single lap joints

Abstract The goal of this research was to experimentally demonstrate the correlations between processing variables (adhesive type, bondline thickness, adherend thickness, surface pretreatment, overflow fillet) and effective strength in adhesively bonded single lap joints. While generalizations between effective strength and individual joint design parameters have been assumed for decades, the multifaceted interplay between parameters is complex and remains difficult to understand. Traditionally reported studies of the adhesive bond strength of single lap joints are often limited in the sample size populations needed to statistically probe concurrent design variables. To overcome sample size limitations a test matrix of 1200 single lap joints, partitioned by 96 unique fabrication conditions, was processed and tested using a workflow protocol orchestrated through a relational database. The enhanced pedigree and integrity enabled by using a relational database centered workflow allowed for multivariate principal component analysis of the joint design parameters, with all experimental data input available for peer audit. The results of this study revealed that the adhesive type biases the remaining joint configuration variables towards more influence with respect to either mechanical load or displacement to failure.
Bioinspired and bristled microparticles for ultrasensitive pressure and strain sensors

Biological sensory organelles are often structurally optimized for high sensitivity. Tactile hairs or bristles are ubiquitous mechanosensory organelles in insects. The bristle features a tapering spine that not only serves as a lever arm to promote signal transduction, but also a clever design to protect it from mechanical breaking. A hierarchical distribution over the body further improves the signal detection from all directions. We mimic these features by using synthetic zinc oxide microparticles, each having spherically-distributed, high-aspect-ratio, and high-density nanostructured spines resembling biological bristles. Sensors based on thin films assembled from these microparticles achieve static-pressure detection down to 0.015 Pa, sensitivity up to 121 kPa−1, and a strain gauge factor >104, showing supreme overall performance. Other properties including a robust cyclability >2000, fast response time ~7 ms, and low-temperature synthesis compatible to various integrations further indicate the potential of this sensor technology in applying to wearable technologies and human interfaces. The potential of electromechanical sensors has been limited by low volumetric density in sensing sites. Here, the authors demonstrate ultrasensitive pressure and strain sensors using ZnO microparticles that have high-aspect ratio and high-density nanostructured spines mimicking bristles in insects.
Soundscapes influence the settlement of the common Caribbean coral Porites astreoides irrespective of light conditions

The settlement of reef-building corals is critical to the survival and recovery of reefs. Recent evidence indicates that coral larvae orient towards reef sound, yet the components of the acoustic e...
FTY720 Effects on Inflammation and Liver Damage in a Rat Model of Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

Objective. Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) produces systemic inflammation with the potential for causing organ failure in tissues peripheral to the initial site of injury. We speculate that treatment strategies that dampen inflammation may be therapeutically beneficial to either the initial site of injury or peripheral organs. To test this, we evaluated the impact of FTY720-induced sequestration of circulating mature lymphocytes on renal IRI and secondary organ injury. Methods. A microvascular clamp was surgically placed around the left renal pedicle of anesthetized male Sprague-Dawley rats with either vehicle or FTY720 treatment (0.3 mg/kg) intravenously injected after 15 min of ischemia. Blood flow was restored after 60 min. Cohorts of anesthetized rats were euthanized at 6, 24, or 72 hrs with tissue samples collected for analysis. Results. FTY720 treatment resulted in profound T lymphocyte reduction in peripheral blood. Histopathologic examination, clinical chemistries, and gene transcript expression measurements revealed that FTY720 treatment reduced hepatocellular degeneration, reduced serum markers of liver injury (ALT/AST), and reduced the expression of gene targets associated with IRI. Conclusion. These findings support an anti-inflammatory effect of FTY720 in the liver where the expression of genes associated with apoptosis, chemotaxis, and the AP-1 transcription factor was reduced. Findings presented here provide the basis for future studies evaluating FTY720 as a potential therapeutic agent to treat complications resulting from renal IRI.
Ethics in Disaster Research: A New Declaration

The opening chapter in this volume portrayed the growing urgency of disaster research, as the nature and scope of hazards shift. People already familiar with their local environment may find that a changing climate changes their risk for certain kinds of hazards (Relf, G., Kendra, J. M., Schwartz, R. M., Leathers, D. J., & Levia, D. F. (2015). Slushflows: Science and planning considerations for an expanding hazard. Natural Hazards, 78(1), 333–354). People moving from place to place in search of better jobs or housing may move into a hazard milieu that is new to them. Political transformations with an authoritarian bent will probably increase vulnerability amongst populations already at greater risk for experiencing a disaster and for recovering more slowly, such as those in poor housing, those with chronic illnesses, and those with Functional and Access Needs. Robust research is needed, but some critics have emerged to challenge the practice and propriety of disaster research, especially quick-response research. This chapter argues for an affirmative right to conduct research.
Effects of Epacadostat on Brain Extracellular Fluid Concentrations of Serotonin -- An Intracerebral Microdialysis Study in Sprague-Dawley Rats

Epacadostat (EPAC) is an indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) inhibitor that has been examined in multiple clinical trials. The substrate for IDO1 is tryptophan and there is a theoretical concern that inhibition of IDO1 may increase the concentrations of tryptophan and subsequently serotonin, potentially leading to serotonin syndrome (SS). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of EPAC, either alone or with linezolid, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), on brain extracellular fluid (ECF) concentrations of serotonin in rats, using microdialysis. While fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, increased the serotonin ECF concentration by 2-fold, the combination of fluoxetine with linezolid (a positive control used in the study) resulted in a 9-fold increase. Neither EPAC monotherapy nor combination with linezolid had any effect on serotonin concentration. In addition, EPAC was shown to have poor penetration across the rat blood-brain barrier. Across multiple phase I/II clinical studies with EPAC, four SS-like episodes were observed out of 2490 subjects, but none of the incidences were confirmed as a true case of SS. These data suggest that EPAC is unlikely to cause SS following either monotherapy or in combination with MAOIs. Thus, the exclusion of MAOI from clinical studies with EPAC has been lifted.
Ionic selectivity and coordinated transport of Na+ and K+ in flag leaves render differential salt tolerance in rice at the reproductive stage

The present study shows that salt tolerance in the reproductive stage of rice is primarily governed by the selective Na+ and K+ transport from the root to upper plant parts. Ionic discrimination at the flag leaf, governed by differential expression of Na+- and K+-specific transporters/ion pumps, is associated with reduced spikelet sterility and reproductive stage salt tolerance. Reproductive stage salt tolerance is crucial in rice to guarantee yield under saline condition. In the present study, differential ionic selectivity and the coordinated transport (from root to flag leaf) of Na+ and K+ were investigated to assess their impact on reproductive stage salt tolerance. Four rice genotypes having differential salt sensitivity were subjected to reproductive stage salinity stress in pots. The selective Na+ and K+ transport from the root to upper plant parts was observed in tolerant genotypes. We noticed that prolonged salt exposure did not alter flag leaf greenness even up to 6 weeks; however, it had a detrimental effect on panicle development especially in the salt-susceptible genotype Sabita. But more precise chlorophyll fluorescence imaging analysis revealed salinity-induced damages in Sabita. The salt-tolerant genotype Pokkali (AC41585), a potential Na+ excluder, managed to sequester higher Na+ load in the roots with little upward transport as evident from greater expression of HKT1 and HKT2 transporters. In contrast, the moderately salt-tolerant Lunidhan was less selective in Na+ transport, but possessed a higher capacity to Na+ sequestration in leaves. Higher K+ uptake and tissue-specific redistribution mediated by HAK and AKT transporters showed robust control in selective K+ movement from the root to flag leaf and developing panicles. On the contrary, expressions of Na+-specific transporters in developing panicles were either down-regulated or unaffected in tolerant and moderately tolerant genotypes. Yet, in the panicles of the susceptible genotype Sabita, some of the Na+-specific transporter genes (SOS1, HKT1;5, HKT2;4) were upregulated. Apart from the ionic regulation strategy, cellular energy balance mediated by different plasma-membrane and tonoplastic H+-pumps were also associated with the reproductive stage salt tolerance in rice.
Diagnosing Bedside: Common Laboratory Techniques

Simple, quick, and easy-to-perform bedside diagnostic procedures can often be used to aid diagnosis in a number of common dermatologic conditions including various cutaneous infections and pigmentary disorders. Some of the most common and useful of these include potassium hydroxide preparation, scabies preparation, Tzanck smear, gram stain, and Wood’s light exam. These procedures will be discussed in further detail in this chapter.
Host-Response Subphenotypes Offer Prognostic Enrichment in Patients With or at Risk for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

Objectives:Classification of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome into hyper- and hypoinflammatory subphenotypes using plasma biomarkers may facilitate more effective targeted therapy. We examined whether established subphenotypes are present not only in patients with acute respiratory
Integration of Mid-Infrared Light Sources on Silicon-Based Waveguide Platforms in 3.5–4.7 μm Wavelength Range

Mid-infrared light sources are attracting attention for use in spectroscopic sensing, thermal imaging, and infrared countermeasures. Integration of these sources on Si-based waveguides allows for more functional and complex photonic circuits to be integrated on a single chip. This paper focuses on the key aspects of this integrated platform. The operation of silicon-on-insulator waveguides beyond 4.0 μm wavelength with increasing waveguide core thickness is discussed, and the effects of various cladding materials on waveguide propagation loss is demonstrated. Low loss waveguides and Mach-Zehnder interferometers in Ge-on-Si waveguide platform are discussed and beam combiners in the form of arrayed waveguide gratings are demonstrated in both the platforms. Interband cascade lasers are integrated on silicon-on-insulator waveguides with direct bonding to realize Fabry-Perot lasers. Power scaling of integrated lasers is validated by integrating quantum cascade lasers with silicon-on-insulator beam combiners. Results for the first integrated Fabry-Perot quantum cascade lasers on Ge-on-Si waveguides are discussed, together with the potential use of these waveguides to provide a better heat sink for integrated mid-infrared light sources.
Modeling the immune system response: an application to leishmaniasis

In this paper, we present a mathematical model of the immune response to parasites. The model is a type of predator-prey system in which the parasite serves as the prey and the immune response as the predator. The model idealizes the entire immune response as a single entity although it is comprised of several aspects. Parasite density is captured using logistic growth while the immune response is modeled as a combination of two components, activation by parasite density and an autocatalytic reinforcement process. Analysis of the equilibria of the model demonstrate bifurcations between parasites and immune response arising from the autocatalytic response component. The analysis also points to the steady states associated with disease resolution or persistence in leishmaniasis. Numerical predictions of the model when applied to different cases of Leishmania mexicana are in very close agreement with experimental observations.
Machine Learning-Based Models for Assessing Impacts Before, During and After Hurricane Florence

Social media provides an abundant amount of realtime information that can be used before, during, and after extreme weather events. Government officials, emergency managers, and other decision makers can use social media data for decision- making, preparation, and assistance. Social media data and cloud cover temperature as physical sensor data was analyzed in this study using machine learning techniques. Data was collected from Twitter regarding Hurricane Florence from September 11, 2018 through September 20, 2018. Natural language processing models were developed to demonstrate sentiment among the data. Forecasting models for future events were developed for better emergency management during extreme weather events. Different machine learning algorithms and natural language processing techniques were used to examine sentiment classification. The approach is multi-modal, which will help stakeholders develop a more comprehensive understanding of the social impacts of a storm and how to help prepare for future storms. Naive Bayes classifier displayed the highest accuracy for this data. The results demonstrate that machine learning and natural language processing techniques, using Twitter data, are a practical method for sentiment analysis and can be used by decision makers for better emergency management decisions.
Psicologia do trânsito: perspectivas atuais do psicólogo em atuação no trânsito

Compreendendo-se o Psicologo do Trânsito como um profissional da area da saude que atua na promocao de acoes voltadas a prevencao, intervencao ou reabilitacao no contexto do trânsito, propos-se uma revisao da literatura nas bases de dados SciELO, LILACS e PePSIC com o objetivo de elucidar em qual nivel de atencao da saude incluem-se as perspectivas atuais da Psicologia do Trânsito. Os resultados mostram que grande parte dos estudos sao referentes a estrategias de nivel primario, enquanto que, em nivel terciario, encontra-se um pequeno foco de estudos. Foi possivel constatar que o Psicologo do Trânsito tem privilegiado acoes preventivas em suas praticas e que e preciso ampliar o olhar em nivel secundario e ao terciario focando no desenvolvimento de acoes de diagnostico e tratamento das sequelas a saude psiquica das pessoas que interagem no contexto da mobilidade urbana.
Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy

In properly selected patients, partial nephrectomy yields oncologic efficacy similar to that of traditional radical nephrectomy. We have performed more than 415 laparoscopic radical nephrectomies over the 5-year period beginning in September 1999. All patients undergo a three-dimensional CT scan with 3-mm sections prior to the operation. We generally prefer the transperitoneal approach, although for posterior tumors, a retroperitoneal approach is preferred. The kidney is dissected using standard technique. Intraoperative hydration is given to maintain diuresis. Detailed real-time ultrasonographic delineation of the tumor is obtained to facilitate planning of the resection. We prefer en-bloc hilar clamping. The renal capsule is scored circumferentially with the "L" hook electrocautery. Parenchymal incision and tumor resection is performed using heavy reuseable scissors. The base of the resection defect is closed using a running 2-0 Vicryl on a CT-1 needle. The water-tightness of pelvicaliceal repair is tes...
Learning on the Move Toward Just, Sustainable, and Culturally Thriving Futures

This issue is particularly timely, in its plea to the field to understand that human learning and development have always been on the move—always migrating—even if and when we construct sedentarist...
Eliminating Visual Acuity and Dilated Fundus Examinations Improves Cost Efficiency of Performing Optical Coherence Tomogrpahy-Guided Intravitreal Injections.

Purpose The clinic efficiency and cost savings achieved by eliminating formal visual acuity (VA) and dilated fundus examinations (DFEs) were assessed for established patients receiving optical coherence tomography (OCT)–guided intravitreal injections. Design Comparative cost analysis. Methods Two different treatment models were evaluated. The first model included patients undergoing routine VA assessment, DFEs, OCT imaging, and intravitreal injections. The second model eliminated the routine VA assessment and DFE while using OCT imaging through an undilated pupil followed by the intravitreal injection. The 2 models incorporated both bevacizumab and aflibercept. The number of patients per clinic day, the cost per visit, and the daily revenues were compared between the 2 models. Results Optimized schedules with and without VA assessments and DFEs allowed for 48 and 96 patients to be injected per day, respectively. Excluding drug costs, the cost per encounter for the visits with and without a DFE were $39.33 and $22.63, respectively. Including the drug costs, the costs per encounter for the visits with and without a DFE were $85.55 and $68.85 for bevacizumab and $1787.58 and $17770.88 for aflibercept, respectively. Once the reimbursements for each visit type were included, the clinics that eliminated the VA and DFEs were more cost efficient. Conclusion Eliminating both VA assessments and DFEs for patients undergoing OCT-guided retreatment with intravitreal injections resulted in decreased exposure times between patients and clinic staff, decreased cost per encounter, and increased patient volumes per clinic day, resulting in improved clinic efficiency and safety while seeing more patients in a clinic day.
Scheimpflug vs Scanning-Slit Corneal Tomography: Comparison of Corneal and Anterior Chamber Tomography Indices for Repeatability and Agreement in Healthy Eyes.

Purpose To evaluate and compare the repeatability and agreement of Scheimpflug vs scanning-slit tomography of the cornea and the anterior chamber in terms of keratometric and tomographic indices in healthy eyes. Methods The 20 eyes of 10 healthy participants underwent 3 consecutive measurements using both Scheimpflug-tomography and scanning-slit tomography, diagnostic devices. Multiple corneal and anterior chamber tomographic parameters were recorded and evaluated to include corneal keratometry and its axis; corneal best-fit sphere (BFS), pachymetry mapping, angle kappa, anterior chamber depth (ACD), pupil diameter, and location. Repeatability for each device was assessed using the within each subject standard deviation of sequential exams, the coefficient variation (CV) and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Agreement between the two devices was assessed using Bland-Altman plots with 95% limits of agreement (LoA) and correlation coefficient (r). Results Both devices were found to have high repeatability (ICC>0.9) both in keratometric and other tomographic measurements. Scheimpflug tomography's repeatability though appeared superior in the average keratometry values, anterior and posterior BFS, thinnest corneal pachymetry value and location (p 0.8) in respective measurements with Scheimpflug delivering consistently lower values than the scanning-slit tomography device. Conclusion Scheimpflug-tomography repeatability was found to be superior to that of scanning-slit tomography in this specific study, in most parameters evaluated. Inter-device agreement evaluation suggests that reading from the two devices may not be used interchangeably in absolute values, yet they are well correlated with Scheimpflug delivering consistently lower values in most.
The Effect of Population Structure on Murine Genome-Wide Association Studies

Population structure (PS) has been shown to cause false positive signals in genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Since PS correction is routinely used in human GWAS, it was assumed that it should be utilized for murine GWAS. Nevertheless, there are fundamental differences between murine and human GWAS, and the impact of PS on murine GWAS results has not been thoroughly investigated. We examined 8223 datasets characterizing biomedical responses in panels of inbred mouse strains to assess the impact of PS on murine GWAS. Surprisingly, we found that PS had a minimal impact on datasets characterizing responses in 20 strains. Moreover, there were examples where association signals within known causative genes could be rejected if PS correction methods were utilized. PS assessment should be carefully used, and considered in conjunction with other criteria, for assessing the candidate genes that are identified in murine GWAS.
The Strategic Use of Decentralized Institutions: Exploring Certification with ISO 14001 Management Standard

In this article, we respond to calls by previous researchers to clarify the function of decentralized institutions by analyzing the strategic motives of individual actors. We investigated an important type of decentralized institution, certified management standards, and theorized that firms use these institutions to reduce problems that might arise with exchange partners that lack information or fear opportunism. We tested this theory using the pattern of certification with the ISO 14001 management standard.
Progressive Education is the Opium of the Educators

Progressive Education, with its pedagogical desire to engage students in a taught curriculum in a meaningful way, is often viewed in opposition to Conventional Education. In this conceptual paper, I argue that despite and even because of this opposition, Progressive Education contributes to the stability of Conventional Education by making Conventional Education bearable for its teachers. I claim that despite its institutional rarity, Progressive Education remains hegemonic among educators because of its promise of meaningful learning for all their students that can be achieved in and out of the conventional school settings. I provide a critique of Progressive Education from the Critical Dialogue Education and Democratic Education perspectives.
Consensus-based approach to managing opioids, including opioid misuse and opioid use disorder, in patients with serious illness: protocol for a modified Delphi process.

Introduction Management of opioid misuse and opioid use disorder (OUD) among individuals with serious illness is an important yet understudied issue. Palliative care clinicians caring for individuals with serious illness, many of whom may live for months or years, describe a complex tension between weighing the benefits of opioids, which are considered a cornerstone of pain management in serious illness, and serious opioid-related harms like opioid misuse and OUD. And yet, little literature exists to inform the management of opioid misuse and OUDs among individuals with serious illness. Our objective is to provide evidence-based management guidance to clinicians caring for individuals with serious illness who develop opioid misuse or OUD. Methods and analysis We chose a modified Delphi approach, which is appropriate when empirical evidence is lacking and expert input must be used to shape clinical guidance. We sought to recruit 60 clinicians with expertise in palliative care, addiction or both to participate in this study. We created seven patient cases that capture important management challenges in individuals with serious illness prescribed opioid therapy. We used ExpertLens, an online platform for conducting modified Delphi panels. Participants completed three rounds of data collection. In round 1, they rated and commented on the appropriateness of management choices for cases. In round 2, participants reviewed and discussed their own and other participants’ round 1 numerical responses and comments. In round 3 (currently ongoing), participants again reviewed rounds 1 and 2, and are allowed to change their final numerical responses. We used ExpertLens to automatically identify whether there is consensus, or disagreement, among responses in panels. Only round 3 responses will be used to assess final consensus and disagreement. Ethics and dissemination This project received ethical approval from the University of Pittsburgh’s Institutional Review Board (study 19110301) and the RAND Institutional Research Board (study 2020-0142). Guidance from this work will be disseminated through national stakeholder networks to gain buy-in and endorsement. This study will also form the basis of an implementation toolkit for clinicians caring for individuals with serious illness who are at risk of opioid misuse or OUD.
How instructional context can impact learning with educational technology: Lessons from a study with a digital learning game

Abstract There is a tendency to think of the impact of educational technology in a vacuum. However, it is likely that the instructional context in which educational technology is used affects student learning. For instance, outcomes may differ when using educational technology in a classroom versus at home, in a quiet versus noisy environment, or in a context where support is readily available versus not available. The COVID-19 pandemic provided an unexpected opportunity to explore this issue. Intending to explore how providing hints and feedback within a digital learning game (Game X) impacts mathematics learning, we instead found ourselves exploring a new question: How did learning with the game differ between classrooms and at home? After two of five middle schools had participated in our classroom experiment, we switched to at-home use of the Internet-based gamefor the final three schools due to the pandemic. The different instructional settings led to significantly different completion rates, likely due to students in the classroom (N = 151) being monitored by experimenters and teachers (completion rate of 88.8%), while students at home (N = 126) were not monitored nor strictly required to finish (completion rate of 56.5%). In addition, the two versions of the game, one that provided students with on-request hints and error feedback (Hint condition) and one that did not (No-Hint condition), led to different classroom versus at-home results. On the delayed posttest, students in the No-Hint condition did significantly better in the classroom, while there was no significant difference between conditions at home. In addition, students in the Hint condition used significantly more hints in the classroom than they did at home. There was also a significant effect of gender in the classroom, with female students out-performing male students on the immediate posttest, but with no effect of gender remotely. We performed post-hoc analyses to better understand students’ learning processes and gameplay behaviors. In summary, our study clearly illustrates how educational technology can be sensitive to instructional context, yet just cracks open the door to much more research on this topic.
Quantitative Positron Emission Tomography Using MRI-informed Segmentation for Focal Epilepsy (737)

Objective: To investigate the utility of quantitative fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) analysis for seizure-onset lateralization with MRI-guided segmentation. Background: Identifying the seizure focus is a challenging step in surgical evaluation of pharmacoresistant epilepsy. FDG-PET is a powerful tool for identifying focal and regional metabolic changes, but is clinically limited to qualitative interpretation of images. However, extracting quantitative FDG uptake values may improve lateralization and localization of seizure foci. Design/Methods: Patients with FDG-PET and volumetric MRIs were identified from the GWU Epilepsy Surgery Database. MRIs were reconstructed using Freesurfer (v6.0), and PET images were co-registered, pre-processed, and segmented with MRI using PETsurfer. Standardized parcellation atlases were used based on surface anatomy or functional MRI in healthy adults, allowing for comparison between homologous cortices in the native brain space and laterality index calculation for cortical/sub-cortical segments. Seizure focus lateralization was determined from non-invasive EEG. FDG uptake values relative to the pons and non-rescaled values were calculated from co-registered PET/MRIs. The two groups were compared using Student’s t-test or Mann-Whitney U test, and surface-based general linear model analysis of the voxels and cortical segments. Results: 28 patients were included. Using functional segmentation methods, we detected network abnormalities of FDG uptake ipsilateral to the seizure focus in the limbic system, default mode network, and ventral attention system (all p Conclusions: Quantification of FDG-PET values based on MRI-guided segmentation provides lateralization and potentially localization values for pre-surgical evaluation. Certain anatomical and functional segments show larger differences between left and right-onset focal epilepsies; together these may contribute to higher FDG-PET sensitivity and specificity. Further studies using statistical and machine learning models are underway to establish lateralizing and localizing values of quantitative PET in clinical settings. Disclosure: Dr. Vaynberg has nothing to disclose. Dr. Zhu has nothing to disclose. Dr. Joshi has nothing to disclose. Dr. Koubeissi has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Speakers Bureau of UCB; Sunovion; Eisai. Dr. Gholipour has nothing to disclose.
QFT Multi-Input, Multi-Output Design with Non-Diagonal, Non-Square Compensation Matrices

A technique for obtaining a non-diagonal compensator for the control of a multi-input, multi-output plant is presented. The technique, which uses Quantitative Feedback Theory, provides guaranteed stability and performance robustness in the presence of parametric uncertainty. An example is given involving the lateral-directional control of an uncertain model of a high-performance fighter aircraft in which redundant control effectors are in evidence, i.e. more control effectors than output variables are used.
Stability Regions of Certain Linear Second Order Periodic Differential Equations

Publisher Summary This chapter presents an overview of stability regions of certain linear second order periodic differential equations. The difficulty in finding the Floquet multipliers of Hill's equation x·· + p(t)x· + q(t)x = 0 is well known where p(t) and q(t) are 2π-periodic. Consequently the stability properties of the Hill's equation are very difficult to ascertain in general unless p(t) and q(t) are constant. The equation is stable if and only if all solutions are bounded and is unstable if there exists an unbounded solution. Second order periodic equations have been analyzed in various contexts. For studying the stability properties of periodic solutions of autonomous second order nonlinear equations, a useful technique is to analyze the stability properties of the corresponding variational equation which is of the specific form given in the chapter. The chapter analyzes the dependence of multipliers on parameters for a particular case. In the analysis, the p(t) and q(t) are expanded in terms of its Fourier series and all terms are discarded beyond the fundamental harmonics.
A 1.9 GHz CMOS RF down-conversion mixer

A 1.9 GHz down-conversion mixer is presented using 0.5 /spl mu/m CMOS technology. The mixer is based on the Gilbert cell. A common-gate input stage is used rather than common-source input stage in order to adjust the input impedance easily. The mixer has on-chip matching networks including built-in spiral inductors. MIM capacitors are used to increase the selectivity of the matching networks, and to decrease noise. The mixer shows 3.35 dB conversion gain and 9.04 dB noise figure. The mixer is simulated with a 2.5 V supply voltage.
Anionic copolymerization of styrene and butadiene

An attempt has been made to analyse experimentally the unusual copolymerization of butadiene with styrene initiated by Butyllithium in hydrocarbon solvents. The rates of reaction of styrene with polybutadienyllithium have been measured in both the presence and absence of butadiene, and found to be the same. The reaction of butadiene with polystyryllithium is found to be extremely fast. It is thought that the copolymerization can be explained in terms of four normal bimolecular reactions. No recourse has to be taken to preferential absorption at the reaction centre to explain the initial high butadiene content of the copolymer. Es wurde der Versuch unternommen, das ungewohnliche kinetische Verhalten der durch Butyllithium in Kohlenwasserstoffen als Losungsmittel ausgelosten Copolymerisation von Butadien und Styrol experimentell zu analysieren. Dabei wurde festgestellt, das die Reaktionsgeschwindigkeit von Styrol mit Polybutadienyllithium mit und ohne Butadien dieselbe ist und das sich die Reaktion von Butadien mit Polystyryllithium durch eine sehr grose Geschwindigkeit auszeichnet. Der kinetische Verlauf der Copolymerisation kann durch Annahme von vier normalen bimolekularen Reaktionsschritten erklart werden. Es ist nicht notig, eine bevorzugte Absorption an den Reaktionszentren anzunehmen, um den anfanglich grosen Gehalt von Butadien im Copolymeren zu erklaren.
Molecule/metal and molecule/semiconductor heterostructures for electronic devices

This presentation will discuss the experimental and theoretical work at Purdue aimed at developing and understanding molecular heterostructures. These studies include measurements of electrostatic surface potentials of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on metal and semiconductor surfaces, current-voltage spectroscopy of molecular systems and modeling of the conductivity of metal/molecule/metal systems.
A new ATM adaptation layer for TCP/IP over wireless ATM networks

This paper describes the design and performance of a new ATM adaptation layer protocol lAALdTr for improving TCP performance over wireless ATM networks. The wireless links are characterized by higher error rates and burstier error patterns in comparison with the fiber links for which ATM was introduced in the beginning. Since the low performance of TCP over wireless ATM networks is mainly due to the fact that TCP always responds to all packet losses by congestion control, the key idea in the design is to push the error control portion of TCP to the AAL layer so that TCP is only responsible for congestion control. The AALdT is based on a novel and reliable ARQ mechanism to support qualitydcritical TCP traffic over wireless ATM networks. The proposed AAL protocol has been validated using the OPNET tool with the simulated wireless ATM network. The simulation results show that the AALdT provides higher throughput for TCP over wireless ATM networks compared to the existing approach of TCP with AAL 5.
The Judiciary Funded: The Generosity of David Dudley Field

In mid-1894, shortly after the death of David Dudley Field (one of the most powerful and famous, and least-loved, American lawyers of the 19th century), lawyer-journalist Irving Browne published an implausibly laudatory anecdote about Field, based on a letter in which Field claimed to have engaged in a longstanding act of secret philanthropy that was wholly out of character. An experienced observer of public affairs in 1894, or in 2011, surely could be forgiven for doubting the veracity of such a self-serving, out-of-character story, told only posthumously by a friendly journalist, and with no evidence to back it up. The Gilded Age was, after all, a time when politicians and power-mongers like Field could rely on select reporters and editors to serve as virtual publicists – mixing innuendo with truths, half-truths, and non-truths (often supplied by unidentified sources) in news stories that boosted their favorites. Neither Browne nor anyone else seems to have made any effort to verify Field’s story, even though there were seemingly easy ways to do so. It is perhaps for those reasons that Browne’s parable of the secretly saintly David Dudley Field, revealed only post-mortem in all the glory of his selfless kindness and generosity, was largely ignored at the time and has been ever since. But the story is true, or true at least as to Field’s initial generosity. And there is evidence to back it up.
Aldehyde and Carboxy Functional Polysiloxanes

Aldehyde functional polysiloxanes (1) (Fig. 1) can be selectively prepared in high yield and purity by oxidation of the corresponding carbinols with -technical bleach and catalytic amounts of TEMPO. This simple oxidation method is also successfully used for the preparation of the corresponding carboxylic acids 2 (Fig. 1). The stability, reactivity and chemical properties of new compounds 1 and 2 are -investigated.
New developments in cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

The concern of pediatricians with resuscitation is an ancient and honorable tradition, which traces its roots directly back to the Bible. In the Book of Kings, it is recorded that Elisha revived a male child, "putting his mouth on his mouth, his eyes upon his eyes and his hands upon his hands; and he stretched himself upon him, the flesh of the child became warm." From this base, resuscitation developed slowly over the centuries, moving from folk medicine resuscitation techniques such as suspending drowning victims upside down or rolling them over a barrel to the more scientific approaches which began in the middle of the 19th century.
Comparison of Vitek GNI and GNI+ Cards for Identification of Gram-Negative Bacteria

The GNI+ card has been developed by bioMerieux Vitek as an improvement over the GNI card for the identification of certain species of aerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria. In this study, we tested 304 organisms from 30 different species on both the GNI and GNI+ cards. The GNI card correctly identified 285 (93.8%) of the isolates tested, and the GNI+ card correctly identified 287 (94.4%) of the isolates tested. The average time to reporting was 4.1 h for the GNI+ card compared to 5.7 h for the GNI card (P < 0.001). Overall, the GNI and GNI+ cards were comparable in identifying the organisms in this study while the GNI+ card gave substantially faster final test results.
A TRINITARIAN GRAMMAR OF SIN

This essay offers a critical reading of David Kelsey's hamartiology in Eccentric Existence. I elucidate Kelsey's “trinitarian grammar of sin,” which charts how human lives characteristically “miss the mark” of God's creating, consummating, and reconciling ways of relating to us. Kelsey uses this dynamic pattern of divine relating to illuminate the appropriate responses of the Christian life—faith, hope, and love—and their fundamental distortions. I commend three major contributions of Kelsey's hamartiology: his parsing of the relationship between sin and moral evil, his overturning of modernity's anthropocentric paradigm of sin, and his reconstruction of original sin. I conclude with three clusters of questions relating to: first, Kelsey's root paradigm of sin as idolatry, second, his use of impurity and stain language to describe original sin, and third, what is at stake in crafting theological anthropology in the analytical style of Eccentric Existence.
Standards for the Psychosocial Care of Children With Cancer and Their Families: An Introduction to the Special Issue

Pediatric oncology psychosocial professionals collaborated with an interdisciplinary group of experts and stakeholders and developed evidence-based standards for pediatric psychosocial care. Given the breadth of research evidence and traditions of clinical care, 15 standards were derived. Each standard is based on a systematic review of relevant literature and used the AGREE II process to evaluate the quality of the evidence. This article describes the methods used to develop the standards and introduces the 15 articles included in this special issue. Established standards help ensure that all children with cancer and their families receive essential psychosocial care.
Experimental and theoretical investigations on stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) in multimode fibers at 1550 nm wavelength

The main goal of this paper is the study of the stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) in multimode fibers, at 1550 nm wavelength, cw operation, in order to build high power IR fiber lasers. Two theoretical models are considered, the usual plane wave model and a modal model, developed in this paper. The theoretical results for SBS threshold and SBS reflectivity are compared with the experimentally determined values. Good agreement was obtained when using the mode structure analysis.© (2004) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A Method for the Determination of Amino Nitrogen and Ammonia in Cream and Butter

I t is the general opinion of dairy chemists that the nitrogenous constituents of milk and cream undergo certain changes which begin at an early stage, the degree of change depending, principally, upon the kind and amount of contamination and the temperature at which the product is held. These changes may be caused by the action of enzymes and bacteria upon the proteins with the production of intermediary products of more or less complexity, the simplest being the amino acids. The more favorable the conditions for enzymic and bacterial activity, the greater should be the number of amino groups formed from the original protein. A determination of the amino nitrogen reacting with nitrous acid in a solution from which the undecomposed proteins have been removed by filtration, will be a measure of the proteolysis that has taken place except for the nitrogen that has been synthesized into protein by the microorganisms present. In studying the decomposition of cream and butter, this method is used to show the relation of amino nitrogen to the quality of the product. In the manufacture of butter, some of the nitrogenous constituents of the cream are occluded by the fat and remain in the finished product. In order to measure the relative proportion of amino nitrogen in milk, cream, buttermilk and butter, it is desirable to have a procedure that is adaptable to all of these products. Acetic acid~ as used to precipitate the casein in milk will not always work satisfactorily on cream and butter, especially when considerable proteolysis has taken place. In some cases the precipitation of the casein is incomplete and filtration extremely slow and difficult. In the procedure outlined below, picric acid and acetic together have been used satisfactorily te
Industry Front Groups: A Tobacco Case Study

We consider how industries use front groups to combat public health measures by relating the history of “Get Government Off Our Back”, a coalition created by the tobacco industry to fight government regulation. Using tobacco industry documents, contemporaneous media reports, journal articles, and press releases, we review the establishment by RJ Reynolds of an industry front group, Get Government Off Our Back (GGOOB) in 1994. The group’s goal was to advocate against U.S. federal regulation of tobacco. By keeping its involvement secret, RJ Reynolds was able to draw public and legislative support toward limiting government regulation of tobacco without having to address the tobacco industry’s reputation for misrepresenting evidence. Unfortunately, the tobacco industry”s use of front groups is not unique; other industries use front groups to fight measures designed to protect public health. Research on the background and funding of advocacy organizations could help identify industry front groups and make them less useful to their creators.