cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lateralization of frequency-specific networks for covert spatial attention to auditory stimuli.

We conducted a cued spatial attention experiment to investigate the time–frequency structure of human EEG induced by attentional orientation of an observer in external auditory space. Seven subjects participated in a task in which attention was cued to one of two spatial locations at left and right. Subjects were instructed to report the speech stimulus at the cued location and to ignore a simultaneous speech stream originating from the uncued location. EEG was recorded from the onset of the directional cue through the offset of the inter-stimulus interval (ISI), during which attention was directed toward the cued location. Using a wavelet spectrum, each frequency band was then normalized by the mean level of power observed in the early part of the cue interval to obtain a measure of induced power related to the deployment of attention. Topographies of band specific induced power during the cue and inter-stimulus intervals showed peaks over symmetric bilateral scalp areas. We used a bootstrap analysis of a lateralization measure defined for symmetric groups of channels in each band to identify specific lateralization events throughout the ISI. Our results suggest that the deployment and maintenance of spatially oriented attention throughout a period of 1,100 ms is marked by distinct episodes of reliable hemispheric lateralization ipsilateral to the direction in which attention is oriented. An early theta lateralization was evident over posterior parietal electrodes and was sustained throughout the ISI. In the alpha and mu bands punctuated episodes of parietal power lateralization were observed roughly 500 ms after attentional deployment, consistent with previous studies of visual attention. In the beta band these episodes show similar patterns of lateralization over frontal motor areas. These results indicate that spatial attention involves similar mechanisms in the auditory and visual modalities.
A case of diaphragmatic hernia, absent pericardium, and hamartoma of liver.

A case is described of a diaphragmatic hernia associated with a left pericardial defect and hamartoma of the liver. The possible embryological origin of the first two defects from premature closure of the duct of Cuvier is discussed. The radiographic changes of the absent pericardium are mentioned and the histology of the liver hamartoma is described.
Dopamine, reward conditioning, and robot behavior

In this paper, we explore the connection between robot learning and a computational model of a neuromodulatory system. Our model is based on a set of anatomical and physiological properties of the mammalian dopamine system, one of several diffuse ascending systems of the brain known to play a role in learning and plasticity. In the model, the output of the dopamine system acts as a value signal, which gates synaptic changes in sensory and motor areas. As is observed in animal experiments, the neuromodulatory system exhibits characteristic patterns of change during reward conditioning. Different sets of neural units generate precisely timed signals that exert positive and negative effects on neuroplasticity. When the robot is exposed to different environmental conditions, we observe changes in the development of neural connections within the neuromodulatory system that depend on the robot's interaction with the environment.
Infrared spectra of BO2− in the alkali halides—II. Sodium and cesium halides

Abstract The i.r. spectra of BO 2 − in the sodium and cesium halides have been observed using the alkali halide pressed disk method. The anharmonic force field has been determined in each lattice using a simplified quartic force field. The shifts in the force constants and fundamental frequencies of BO 2 − in twelve alkali halide lattices have been correlated to the lattice parameters.
Domain Growth and Wetting in a Low Molecular Weight Binary Fluid System

We present the results of phase-separation experiments performed on the pseudo-binary fluid system guaiacol-glycerol-water. Elastic light scattering and optical microscopy were used to follow the phase-separation after quenches into the coexistence region of the phase diagram. For critical quenches, we observed the well known bicontinuous infinite cluster morphology normally associated with spinodal decomposition, but with two distinct growth modes. In the bulk, at early times we observed L(t) ∼ t1/3 consistent with diffusion driven dynamics, crossing over to L(t) ∼ t1 at later times, as hydrodynamics became important. Near the sample walls, there obtained a novel fast growth with L(t) ∼ t3/2, just as in the case of recent studies with polymer blends, inconsistent with either diffusion or interface driven dynamics. We attribute this large exponent to wetting effects, and the observation of the same phenomenon in such disparate systems as polymer blends and polar organic solvents is strong evidence that the phenomenon is generic to binary systems.
Differential effectiveness of deltamethrin dust on plywood, concrete, and tile surfaces against three stored-product beetles

Abstract Plywood, concrete, and tile panels measuring 0.094 m2 were treated with 0.05% deltamethrin dust at the rate of 3.54 g per m2 and bioassayed each week for 21 weeks with Tribolium confusum (J. duVal), Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), and Rhyzopertha dominica (F.). Insects were exposed for 24 h, then either removed from the treated surface and held for 96 h (recovery study) or kept on the treated surface for an additional 96 h (residual study). Regression equations for T. confusum survival on plywood in the recovery study did not fit the data. Average survival at the 24- and 120-h mortality assessments was 56.8 ± 3.8% and 14.8 ± 2.8%. The LT95 on concrete, as determined by substituting a value of 5% survival (y) into the regression equation and solving for week (x), was 4.7 and 10.5 weeks for the 24- and 120-h assessments, indicating that mortality increased during the holding period. Toxicity was greatest on tile, with LT95s of 9.7 and 10.8 weeks at 24 and 120 h, respectively. Survival of T. confusum on all three surfaces in the residual study was greater than in the recovery study. The LT95 for 24 and 120 h was 0.0 and 0.2 weeks for plywood, 3.2 and 4.3 weeks for concrete, and 6.0 and 6.4 weeks for tile. Both T. castaneum and R. dominica were controlled by the deltamethrin dust, and there were no significant differences among the three surfaces or between the two methods of exposure.
Conceptual design of a novel instrument far producing intense pulses of 10 ps X-rays for ultra-fast fluorescence measurements

A novel bench-top device for producing intense, fast pulses of X-rays has been designed with 10 ps fwhm (full-width at half-maximum) X-ray pulse width, 120 keV maximum energy, 100 kHz repetition rate, and 1 A peak current onto the X-ray anode. The device includes three sections: (1) an electron gun that generates 5 ns wide pulses of 120 keV electrons at 100 kHz; (2) solenoidal magnetic lenses and deflection plates that focus the electrons onto an aperture plate and sweep the pulsed beam past the aperture, respectively; and (3) a tungsten anode onto which the post-aperture electrons are focused, producing pulses of X-rays. Using solenoidal magnetic lenses with a current density of 150 A/spl middot/turns/cm/sup 2/ to focus the electron beam, a deflection plate dV/dt of 10/sup 13/ V/s is needed to achieve electron pulse widths of about 10 ps. The design process used EGUN (an electron optics and gun design program) electron trajectory simulations, including calculation of important space charge effects. When built, this instrument will be used to excite scintillator samples in crystal or powdered form, allowing fluorescent lifetimes and spectra to be measured with a microchannel PMT. The very narrow 10 ps X-ray pulse width is necessary for accurate measurements of the risetimes of very fast scintillators (e.g., BaF/sub 2/). In addition, the large X-ray flux (1 A peak current) is advantageous when using a reflection grating monochromator to measure decay times at different wavelengths.
Combinatorial activities of Smad2 and Smad3 regulate mesoderm formation and patterning in the mouse embryo.

TGFβ/activin/Nodal receptors activate both Smad2 and Smad3 intracellular effector proteins. The functional activities of these closely related molecules have been extensively studied in cell lines. We show both are expressed in the early mouse embryo from the blastocyst stage onwards and mediate Foxh1-dependent activation of the Nodal autoregulatory enhancer in vitro. Genetic manipulation of their expression ratios reveals that Smad3 contributes essential signals at early post-implantation stages. Thus, loss of Smad3 in the context of one wild-type copy of Smad2 results in impaired production of anterior axial mesendoderm, while selective removal of both Smad2 and Smad3 from the epiblast additionally disrupts specification of axial and paraxial mesodermal derivatives. Finally, we demonstrate that Smad2 ; Smad3 double homozygous mutants entirely lack mesoderm and fail to gastrulate. Collectively, these results demonstrate that dose-dependent Smad2 and Smad3 signals cooperatively mediate cell fate decisions in the early mouse embryo.
Antimicrobial resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae recovered from outpatients in the United States during the winter months of 1994 to 1995: results of a 30-center national surveillance study.

A total of 1,527 clinically significant outpatient isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae were prospectively collected in 30 different U.S. medical centers between November 1994 and April 1995. Overall, 23.6% of strains were not susceptible to penicillin, with 14.1% intermediate and 9.5% high-level resistant. The frequencies of recovery of intermediate and high-level resistant strains varied considerably between different medical centers and in different geographic areas. In general, intermediate and high-level penicillin resistance was most common with isolates of S. pneumoniae recovered from pediatric patients. The in vitro activities of 22 other antimicrobial agents were assessed against this collection of isolates. Ampicillin was consistently 1 twofold dilution less active than penicillin. Amoxicillin and amoxicillin-clavulanate were essentially equivalent to penicillin in activity. The rank order of activity for cephalosporins was cefotaxime = ceftriaxone > or = cefpodoxime > or = cefuroxime > cefprozil > or = cefixime > cefaclor = loracarbef > cefadroxil = cephalexin. The National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards [Performance Standards for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing, Sixth Information Supplement (M100-S6), 1995] has established MIC breakpoints for resistance (i.e., > or = 2 micrograms/ml) with three cephalosporins versus S. pneumoniae, namely, cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, and cefuroxime. The overall percentages of strains resistant to these three antimicrobial agents were 3, 5, and 12, respectively. The overall frequency of resistance was 10% with all three macrolides examined in this study, clarithromycin, erythromycin, and azithromycin. The overall percentages of chloramphenicol, tetracycline, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole resistance were 4.3, 7.5, and 18, respectively. The resistance percentages among the cephalosporins, macrolides, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole were consistently higher among penicillin-intermediate strains than among susceptible isolates and even higher still among organisms expressing high-level penicillin resistance. Multiply resistant strains represented 9.1% of the organisms examined in this study. Finally, rifampin resistance was uncommon (i.e., 0.5%), and vancomycin resistance was not detected. The quinopristin-dalfopristin combination was consistently active at concentrations of 0.25 to 4 micrograms/ml, but rates of resistance could not be determined in the absence of established interpretive criteria for MIC results.
Melbourne assessment of unilateral upper limb function: Construct validity and correlation with the pediatric evaluation of disability inventory

The Melbourne Assessment of Unilateral Upper Limb Function (Melbourne Assessment) is an evaluation tool that objectively measures upper-extremity function in children with cerebral palsy (CP). This study investigates how well performance on the Melbourne Assessment relates to the child's actual performance in functional tasks. Eighteen children with CP (5 to 14 years of age; nine males, nine females) were assessed using the Melbourne Assessment and the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI). Five children had spastic quadriplegia, eight had spastic diplegia, two had spastic hemiplegia and diplegia, two had athetosis, and one had hypotonic quadriplegia with mobile ventilator dependence. Children's performances were statistically correlated using Spearman's rho to establish the relation between these tools. Very high correlation coefficients were calculated between the Melbourne Assessment and self-care (0.939) and mobility domains (0.783) of the PEDI and the overall functional skills section of the PEDI (0.718). The Melbourne Assessment demonstrates excellent construct validity for upper limb functioning.
Predicting late-life disability and death by the rate of decline in physical performance measures

Background: the rate of performance decline may influence the risk of disability or death. Methods: for 4,182 Cardiovascular Health Study participants, we used multinomial Poisson log-linear models to assess the contribution of physical performance in 1998–99, and the rate of performance change between 1992–93 and 1998–99, to the risk of death or disability in 2005–06 in three domains: mobility, upper-extremity function (UEF) and activities of daily living (ADL). We evaluated performance in finger-tapping, grip strength, stride length, gait speed and chair stands separately and together for each outcome, adjusting for age, gender, race and years of disability in that outcome between 1992–93 and 1998–99. Results: participants’ age averaged 79.4 in 1998–99; 1,901 died over 7 years. Compared with the lowest change quintile in stride length, the highest quintile had a 1.32 relative risk (RR) of ADL disability (95% CI: 1.16 –1.96) and a 1.27 RR of death (95% CI: 1.07 –1.51). The highest change quintile for grip strength increased the risk of ADL disability by 35% (95% CI: 1.13 –1.61) and death by 31% (95% CI: 1.16 –1.49), compared with the lowest quintile. The annual change in stride length and grip strength also predicted disability in mobility and UEF. Conclusion: performance trajectories independently predict death and disability.
Ethnography on an Awkward Scale

In what ways has the movement of anthropology off the reservation, and off the island, challenged the ethnographic practice that has historically been its raison d'etre? How has the increasing hist...
Online learning with prior knowledge

The standard so-called experts algorithms are methods for utilizing a given set of "experts" to make good choices in a sequential decision-making problem. In the standard setting of experts algorithms, the decision maker chooses repeatedly in the same "state" based on information about how the different experts would have performed if chosen to be followed. In this paper we seek to extend this framework by introducing state information. More precisely, we extend the framework by allowing an experts algorithm to rely on state information, namely, partial information about the cost function, which is revealed to the decision maker before the latter chooses an action. This extension is very natural in prediction problems. For illustration, an experts algorithm, which is supposed to predict whether the next day will be rainy, can be extended to predicting the same given the current temperature. We introduce new algorithms, which attain optimal performance in the new framework, and apply to more general settings than variants of regression that have been considered in the statistics literature.
An FDDI-based reconfigurable network for fault-tolerant real-time communications

We propose and analyze an FDDI-Based Reconfigurable Network (FBRN), with the aim of providing fault-tolerant real-time communication services in mission-critical systems. An FBRN consists of multiple FDDI trunk rings and has the ability to reconfigure itself in the face of extensive damage. We discuss different fault management mechanisms built into the network and analyze their impact on available bandwidth. Our results demonstrate that the FBRN network achieves dramatic improvements in available bandwidth. Thus, the network has minimal degradation in its real-lime performance when faults occur.
Is an annular tear a predictor for accelerated disc degeneration

It is questionable whether an annular tear (AT) is a predictor for accelerated degeneration of the intervertebral discs. The aim of the present study was to answer this question via a matched case–control study design that reliably eliminates potential confounders. Presence or absence of AT, defined as a hyperintense lesion within the annular fibrosus on T2-weighted non-contrast MRI images, was documented in 450 intervertebral lumbar discs of 90 patients who could be followed up for at least 4 years with MRI. Discs with an AT (n = 36) were matched 1:1 to control discs according to the level, degree of initial disc degeneration on MRI (both Pfirrmann grade median 4, range 3–4), age (59.5 ± 15.0 versus 59.3 ± 14.6 years), BMI (26.7 ± 4.4 versus 26.9 ± 4.4 kg/m2) and interval to the follow-up MRI (4.8 ± 0.9 versus 5.1 ± 0.8 years). The degree of disc degeneration after a minimum of 4 years was graded on the follow-up MRI in both groups according to the Pfirrmann classification. One-fourth (25 %) of the 36 discs with an AT on the initial MRI exam progressed in degeneration. This was similar to the rate of the matched control discs with no AT, in which also around one-fourth (22 %) showed a progression of degeneration (p = 1.00), also without any difference in the degree of degeneration. Discs with a Pfirrmann grade >2 with an AT, defined by a hyperintense signal intensity on MRI, are not prone to accelerated degeneration if compared to discs without an AT. Therefore, the presence of an AT per se does not predict accelerated disc degeneration.
A Dynamic Concept Interpretation Approach for OWL Extension

To add descriptive ability to knowledge representation (KR) system based on OWL, many extensions to OWL are proposed to augment its expressive power. Many of these extensions take the approach by changing the syntax and semantic of the description logic corresponding to OWL. A new approach is proposed in this paper by using a dynamic concept interpretation method without changing the structure of original description logic. This approach provides a flexible extension mechanism outside the description logic framework, which will not bring any additional logical computational complexity or uncertainty to the original description logic. And various implementations can be realized through this approach for different extension purposes.
Effects of Zidovudine Use During Pregnancy on Resistance and Vertical Transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1

The resistance of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) to zidovudine and the vertical transmission of the virus were assessed among all 62 HIV-1-infected pregnant women identified prior to delivery at one institution. HIV-1 was transmitted to infants from 11 (26%) of 42 women who did not receive oral zidovudine but from only 1 of 20 women given such treatment (P = .04). Isolates of HIV-1 from 16 of the 20 zidovudine-treated women were available. Twelve of 16 isolates were wild-type for pol codons 41, 67, 70, 215, and 219; two (one susceptible and one moderately resistant to zidovudine) had mutations at codon 70; and two (both highly resistant to zidovudine) had mutations at codons 41 and 215. The virus was vertically transmitted from a woman infected with one of the highly resistant strains, and the infant's isolate was highly resistant to zidovudine. These limited data suggest that maternal treatment with oral zidovudine reduces the rate of vertical transmission of HIV-1 but that vertical transmission of virus resistant to zidovudine can occur.
Frequency and characterization of celiac ganglia diagnosed on fine-needle aspiration.

Introduction: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is frequently used to sample intra-abdominal lesions and lymph nodes. Celiac ganglia normally located near the celiac artery may be sampled during these procedures. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of detection and cytologic findings of celiac ganglia diagnosed on FNA. Materials and Methods: A 14-year retrospective review of radiologic and endoscopic FNA cases involving the celiac region was performed. Cases in which ganglia were reported were further analyzed and slides reviewed. Results: A total of 354 patients underwent FNA of a suspected celiac lymph node (334 patients) or celiac mass (20 cases). In 9 of these patients (2.5%), ganglion cells were identified. These were identified in cases only after 2008 via EUS-guided FNA. Aspirates were hypocellular and bloody. Large ganglion cells were either sparsely dispersed or present in clusters. Ganglion cells had a low N: C ratio, granular cytoplasm with neuromelanin, and eccentric small round nucleus with a prominent nucleolus. One specimen had concomitant pancreatic adenocarcinoma. None of these cases had a false positive on-site adequacy assessment or final misdiagnosis. Conclusions: These data show that celiac ganglia may be infrequently encountered, especially with intra-abdominal EUS-guided FNA targeting nodes or masses near the celiac region. Therefore, cytologists should be aware of the possibility of finding ganglionic cells in EUS-guided FNA samples.
Mobile Viral Marketing

Gerade in Zeiten zunehmender Reizuberflutung und steigender Reaktanz gegenuber traditionellen Werbeformen gewinnen innovative Marketinginstrumente, wie Mobile Viral Marketing, verstarkt an Bedeutung. Ziel des vorliegenden Beitrages ist es, den State of the Art des Mobile Viral Marketing zu analysieren. Der Beitrag stellt zunachst Mobile Viral Marketing in Form eines strukturellen Beschreibungsmodells unter Verwendung der morphologischen Methode vor. Anschliesend werden der Stand der Forschung sowie der Entwicklungstand in der Praxis gezeigt. Der Beitrag endet mit einem Fazit und zeigt mogliche kunftige Forschungsfelder auf.
Female Reproductive Surgery

Although cesarean section is covered in a separate article, this article on miscellaneous female reproductive surgery will hopefully help to get and keep the cow pregnant. Procedure such as rectovaginal lacerations, vaginal tumors, prolapsed cervical rings, and vaginal prolapse repair are covered. In addition to procedures that will help with pregnancy, ovariectomy and hysterectomy are also covered.
Fast Multigrid Solvers for Calibration and Estimation of Dynamic Structural Models

A new methodology for calibrating parameters when working with intractable, dynamic structural models is developed. A straight-forward extension also allows for formal estimation and hypothesis testing in a Generalized Method of Moment framework. The method is based on multigrid techniques used in many state of the art solvers from engineering applications. These techniques are adapted to solve Bellman and Euler-type equations and to handle subtleties arising from the interaction of statistical and numerical errors. The method works on a joint mode of analysis incorporating both statistical and numerical errors in the spirit of "forward-backward" error analysis of Kubler and Schmedders (2005). Numerical results from example problems - and experience from thirty years of multigrid literature - support the papers main finding: a fully-identified model that is smooth in parameters can be calibrated and solved with only about three to five times the work required to solve the model and compute associated "moments" for a single set of parameters. As with other multigrid methods, the solvers can be efficiently and naturally implemented on parallel processors. This work also shows that the size of numerical error can be less important than the qualitative type of error when parameters are fitted to a numerically solved model subject to discretization error. An example is presented in which a popular, consistent discretization of a portfolio problem with endogenous retirement produces an ill-posed, unstable calibration problem. This example and subsequent analysis show greater care must be taken when discretizing a model for a calibration or estimation problem: To avoid corrupting sensitivity analysis, identification, and inference, it is important to perform a joint error analysis that includes both discretization and statistical errors.
Two paradigms in cellular Internet-of-Things access for energy-harvesting machine-to-machine devices: push-based versus pull-based

Equipping communication apparatuses with energy-harvesting technology could achieve system sustainability without human intervention. Though the harvested energy of existing techniques is limited and intermittent, it is sufficient to power devices in low-power-consuming machine-to-machine (M2M) communications. However, due to the large number of devices with time-varying energy arrival, the medium access control protocol should be redesigned. This study focuses on studying energy-harvesting M2M uplink cellular communications from the protocol design perspective, considering the properties of M2M and energy harvesting. The authors first explore the performance of two fundamental schemes: push-based and pull-based random access channel (RACH) procedures in terms of preamble collision probability, throughput, energy efficiency, and packet delay. In the push-based scheme, devices are self-energy-aware and there is no schedule signalling cost. However, the performance degrades as the device number increases. The pull-based scheme is an alternative to have stable throughput and energy efficiency, with sacrifice of the extra scheduling cost and increasing latency. As a result, a hybrid scheme is proposed to adaptively select the preamble transmission schemes based on the estimated device number. The hybrid scheme guarantees adequate packet delay under different traffic loads and varying energy levels.
Long-term follow-up of 23 patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated with allogeneic bone marrow transplant in first complete remission

Long-term follow-up of 23 patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated with allogeneic bone marrow transplant in first complete remission
Studies directed towards nonyl acridine orange analogues having the potential to act as FRET donors with the PDT drug Pc 4

A group of nonyl acridine orange analogues (NAO) was prepared which were designed to have the potential of possessing visible bands allowing them to act in cells as fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) donors with the photodynamic therapy drug Pc 4. The existence of Pc 4-FRET with the analogues of NAO in MCF-7c3 cells was probed. The results suggest that NAO analogues giving strong FRET with Pc 4 in cells can be found.
Visual and automated differential leukocyte counts. A comparison study of three instruments.

The authors compared referee (senior author) microscopic counts, microscopic counts by several technologists, and counts obtained with two pattern-recognition leukocyte classifiers, (1) Larc® and (2) Hematrak®, and a cytochemical automated method for leukocyte counting, (3) Hemalog D®, using samples from (1) a random patient population, (2) a selected abnormal patient population, and (3) healthy individuals. All instruments showed good accuracy and flagged abnormal results for review. Variability in pattern-recognition counts was found to be due mainly to the distribution of the cells on prepared blood smears. The Larc classifier was found to be very sensitive to minor alterations in the cytoplasm or nucleus, and rejected a number of slides. The Hemalog D showed the greatest precision. The method of preparation of slides would be a major decision factor in selecting one pattern-recognition instrument over another.
Retrorectal cystic hamartoma: this cyst has a "tail" to tell.

A 50-year-old man presented with a 6-week history of lumbosacral back pain and altered bowel habit without hematochezia. Abdominopelvic computed tomography (CT) revealed a 5-cm rectal mass with obliteration of the fat plane between the mass and the tip of the coccyx that was interpreted as representing a neoplasm(●" Fig.1a). Followinganormal digital rectal exam, colonoscopy revealed a subtle posterior mid-rectal wall indentation, suspected to represent either an intramural process or extrinsic compression. The overlying mucosa appeared normal (●" Fig.1b). A curvilinear endoscopic ultrasound examination excluded a subepithelial lesion, instead revealing a 3.4× 3.3cm multiloculated cystic mass extrinsic but adjacent to the rectal wall with no evidence of lymphadenopathy. This lesion was located distal and posterior to the inferior border of the prostate gland and comprised approximately 15 loculi. Each locule was thin-walled in the absence of septations. Many of the loculi contained intracystic echogenic material (●" Video1). Surgical resection of the retrorectal cystic mass mandated posterior dissection of the coccyx laterally. Surgical pathology confirmed a multiloculated presacral cystic mass measuring 6.0× 4.3×3.2cm (●" Fig.1c). The cystic loculi were lined by squamous epithelium, transitional type epithelium, and columnar epithelium with focal goblet cells and no evidence of malignancy (●" Fig.1d). The findings were diagnostic of cystic hamartoma (tailgut cyst). Until adverse event data for lower gastrointestinal endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) become available, the current recommendation is to avoid fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of perirectal cysts due to concerns regarding abscess formation even with prophylactic antibiotic use, as highlighted in one patient who subsequently required percutaneous drainage [1]. Complete intact surgical excision is advised to avoid the potential risk of needle-tract seeding, infection, and fistula formation [2].
Austria: The Structure and Agency of Austrian Populism

This chapter seeks to provide an analysis of populism in contemporary Austrian politics. Conceptually, it is divided into two segments: the first explores the structural factors which have facilitated the rise of populism; the second is devoted to examining populist agency. While any account of Austrian populism will inevitably focus on the Freedom Party (FPO), it needs to be emphasized that this political phenomenon is much broader and continues to evolve.
Is the impact of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) on the plasma lipid profile beneficial or harmful

Growth hormone (GH) can modulate the metabolism of lipoproteins by affecting both their secretion and uptake by the liver and their catabolism by lipolytic enzymes in plasma. Clinical studies in adults indicate that patients with GH deficiency have atherogenic lipoprotein profiles that are ameliorated by GH administration. However, in children with GH deficiency or chronic renal insufficiency (CRI), just modest changes in total plasma lipids and lipoprotein profiles have been observed. In contrast, GH administration results in a significant increase in lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) levels that does not seem to be mediated by IGF-I but rather by the direct effect of GH on the hepatic secretion of Lp(a). In patients with CRF, Lp(a) is frequently elevated and GH administration may lead to a further increase in plasma levels necessitating monitoring of this highly atherogenic particle during rhGH treatment.
A case study of a systematic attack design method for critical infrastructure cyber-physical systems

As cyber-physical systems continue to become more prevalent in critical infrastructures, security of these systems becomes paramount. Unlike purely cyber systems, cyber-physical systems allow cyber attackers to induce physical consequences. The purpose of this paper is to design a general attack methodology for cyber-physical systems and illustrate it using a case study of the Sevier River System in Central Utah (United States). By understanding such attacks, future work can then focus on designing systems that are robust against them.
Contrast-enhanced hepatic mri: Comparison of half-dose and standard-dose gadolinium dtpa administration in lesion characterization with T1-weighted gradient echo sequences

The objective of this article was to compare half-dose (0.05 mm/kg) gadolinium-enhanced dynamic hepatic MR imaging to standard doses (0.10 mm/kg). Eighteen patients for follow-up hepatic MR received 0.05 mm/kg of gadolinium DTPA dynamically with gradient-echo imaging. Imaging parameters were identical to a 0.10-mm/kg study; patients were imaged during multiple phases of contrast enhancement. Two readers assessed for enhancement patterns and characterization. Quantitative signal-to-noise ratios (S/N) were obtained for abdominal viscera and contrast-to-noise ratios (C/N) were obtained on up to three lesions. No significant difference for the arterial dominant phase (P > 0.05) was found. Significant differences were found in all categories during the portal venous phase (except pancreas) and equilibrium phase (except liver). Lesion C/N ratios were not significant at any point (P > 0.05). Sixty-two out of 64 lesions (97%) were identically characterized. Therefore, half-dose dynamic gadolinium-enhanced MR may have diagnostic value.
From schadenfreude to mitfreude? Estimating viewership loss and rivalrous relationships in otherwise neutral markets

Abstract We measure the loss in viewership over the course of National Football League games to identify engagement of out-of-market viewers throughout the contest, and how this is moderated by the presence of a rival team in the game. Our analysis reveals that out-of-market viewers are more likely to stay tuned throughout a game when their local team’s rival is ultimately the game winner. This brings about important considerations in the context of measuring the effect of rivalry on demand. Our results point toward future research within the context of in-group bias and mitfreude behaviors in rivalrous relationships such that viewership depends not only on home team and in-group competitiveness, but also highlights preferences such as out-group competitiveness, or lack thereof. We therefore suggest an amendment to the Neale and Rottenberg frameworks to include how rivalry induces competitive complementarity.
Nursing Research: The Key to Excellence in Nursing Practice

Florence Nightingale gave nursing research a brilliant start but. after her death. nursing research lost its focus and relevance. Nursing research has recently emerged as a viable. clinically applicable force which is having a powerful impact on how we practice and becoming the key to improving nursing practice and patient outcomes.
Cyclization Improves Membrane Permeation by Antimicrobial Peptoids

The peptidomimetic approach has emerged as a powerful tool for overcoming the inherent limitations of natural antimicrobial peptides, where the therapeutic potential can be improved by increasing the selectivity and bioavailability. Restraining the conformational flexibility of a molecule may reduce the entropy loss upon its binding to the membrane. Experimental findings demonstrate that the cyclization of linear antimicrobial peptoids increases their bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus while maintaining high hemolytic concentrations. Surface X-ray scattering shows that macrocyclic peptoids intercalate into Langmuir monolayers of anionic lipids with greater efficacy than for their linear analogues. It is suggested that cyclization may increase peptoid activity by allowing the macrocycle to better penetrate the bacterial cell membrane.
Switched antenna array tile for real-time microwave imaging aperture

A switched array tile which is part of a large aperture for near-field microwave imaging is presented. The tile is based on the Boundary Array (BA), a sparse array topology for hardware efficient realization of imaging apertures. The larger array formed with the tile samples a scene with no redundancy, and is compatible with fast imaging techniques. Details on the design and realization of the tile are presented, as well as experimental images formed with a tile prototype.
eMindLog: Self-Measurement of Anxiety and Depression Using Mobile Technology.

Background: Quantifying anxiety and depressive experiences permits individuals to calibrate where they are and monitor intervention-associated changes. eMindLog is a novel self-report measure for anxiety and depression that is grounded in psychology with an organizing structure based on neuroscience. Objective: Our aim was to explore the psychometric properties of eMindLog in a nonclinical sample of subjects. Methods: In a cross-sectional study of eMindLog, a convenience sample of 198 adults provided informed consent and completed eMindLog and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) as a reference. Brain systems (eg, negative and positive valence systems, cognitive systems) and their functional states that drive behavior are measured daily as emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Associated symptoms, quality of life, and functioning are assessed weekly. eMindLog offers ease of use and expediency, using mobile technology across multiple platforms, with dashboard reporting of scores. It enhances precision by providing distinct, nonoverlapping description of terms, and accuracy through guidance for scoring severity. Results: eMindLog daily total score had a Cronbach alpha of .94. Pearson correlation coefficient for eMindLog indexes for anxiety and sadness/anhedonia were r=.66 (P<.001) and r=.62 (P<.001) contrasted with the HADS anxiety and depression subscales respectively. Of 195 subjects, 23 (11.8%) had cross-sectional symptoms above the threshold for Generalized Anxiety Disorder and 29 (29/195, 14.9%) for Major Depressive Disorder. Factor analysis supported the theoretically derived index derivatives for anxiety, anger, sadness, and anhedonia. Conclusions: eMindLog is a novel self-measurement tool to measure anxiety and depression, demonstrating excellent reliability and strong validity in a nonclinical population. Further studies in clinical populations are necessary for fuller validation of its psychometric properties. Self-measurement of anxiety and depressive symptoms with precision and accuracy has several potential benefits, including case detection, tracking change over time, efficacy assessment of interventions, and exploration of potential biomarkers. [JMIR Res Protoc 2017;6(5):e98]
MRI Findings and Seizure Outcomes Compared in Focal Cortical Dysplasias Types I and II

Preoperative clinical, neuropsychological, EEG, and imaging features and surgical outcomes of focal cortical dysplasias (FCD) types I and II were compared in 40 children with refractory epilepsy and histopathologically confirmed FCD subtypes, in a study at Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic and centers in Germany.
Comparing the Palliative Care Needs of Patients With Hematologic and Solid Malignancies.

Abstract Context Hematologic cancer patients use palliative care services less frequently than their solid tumor counterparts. Prior work suggests that these patients have a sizable symptom burden, but comparisons between hematologic and solid tumor patients near the end of life are limited. Objectives To compare unmet symptom needs in a cohort of hematologic and solid tumor patients referred to specialty palliative care services. Methods Using a novel data registry of initial palliative care encounters, we performed a cross-sectional analysis of cancer patients receiving care across 17 sites within the Global Palliative Care Quality Alliance. We compared clinically-significant symptoms (rated as four or greater in severity) between hematologic and solid tumor patients and performed multivariate logistic regression analyses examining the relationship between symptom burden and tumor type. Results We identified 1235 cancer patients, 108 of which had hematologic malignancies. Pain, dyspnea, nausea, and anorexia burden were as high among patients with hematologic as those with solid malignancies. Blood cancer patients had higher rates of clinically-significant tiredness (51% vs. 42%; P = 0.03) than solid tumor patients. Finally, blood cancer patients had greater odds of being tired (odds ratio 2.19; CI 1.22–3.91) and drowsy (odds ratio 1.81; CI 1.07–3.07) than solid tumor patients independent of age, gender, race, and performance status. Conclusions Hematologic and solid tumor patients have significant symptom burden at time of referral to palliative care services. Blood cancer patients may have unique concerns warranting targeted attention, including substantial drowsiness and tiredness. Our findings suggest a need to optimize palliative care usage in the hematologic cancer population.
A Team, Case-based Examination and Its Impact on Student Performance in a Patient Safety and Informatics Course.

Objective. To describe the redesigned assessment plan for a patient safety and informatics course and assess student pharmacist performance and perceptions.Methods. The final examination of a patient safety course was redesigned from traditional multiple choice and short answer to team-based, open-ended, and case-based. Faculty for each class session developed higher level activities, focused on developing key skills or attitudes deemed essential for practice, for a progressive patient case consisting of nine activities. Student performance and perceptions were analyzed with pre- and post-surveys using 5-point scales.Results. Mean performance on the examination was 93.6%; median scores for each assessed course outcome ranged from 90% to 100%. Eighty-five percent of students completed both surveys. Confidence performing skills and demonstrating attitudes improved for each item on post-survey compared with pre-survey. Eighty-one percent of students indicated the experience of taking the examination was bene...
Mineralogical and geochemical evidence of weathering in a middle to late Pleistocene paleosol sequence in the driftless Area of Wisconsin.

Paleosols occur in the Driftless Area of southwestern Wisconsin because this area escaped direct Pleistocene glaciation, allowing long-term loess and colluvium accumulation in selected settings. The most complete known depositional sequence at Oil City, Wisconsin, contains eight lithologic units with five paleosols, all with normal remanent magnetism (i.e., <780 ka). Previous work characterized the stratigraphy, pedology, micromorphology, and clay mineralogy of the section. We investigate chemical weathering of the 8–63 µm silt fraction using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and elemental geochemistry by portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF). Elemental ratios TiO2/CaO, Zr/Sr, and Rb/Sr generally align with the pedological evidence of weathering. Mineral ratios plagioclase/quartz and K-feldspar/quartz display greater scatter and less certainty in interpretation. The paleosols with Bt horizons have ratios indicating greater weathering than the modern soil. The most weathered paleosol is formed in the unnamed fourth loess unit stratigraphically below the Loveland Member. The stratigraphic position and higher degree of weathering support correlation of the fourth loess with the Yarmouth Geosol and Crowley’s Ridge Silt of the Middle Mississippi valley. Geochemical indices by pXRF are more consistent with established lithologic breaks than mineralogy by XRD. Our results support the use of pXRF for stratigraphic and weathering studies of Quaternary sediments.
Psychophysics of Reading in Normal and Low Vision

Contents: Preface and Acknowledgments. G.E. Legge, Vision and Reading. G.E. Legge, Measuring Reading Speed. G.E. Legge, Visual Mechanisms in Reading. G.E. Legge, Displaying Text. J.S. Mansfield, G.E. Legge, The MNREAD Acuity Chart. J.S. Mansfield, G.E. Legge, Appendix: Print Size Definitions and Conversions.
7 – Noise Analysis and Design in Deep Submicron Technology

This chapter deals with the explanation of noise analysis and design in deep submicron technology. The term noise in digital VLSI systems has come to mean any unwanted deviation in the voltages and currents at various nodes in a circuit. When noise acts against a stable logic level on a circuit node, it can transiently destroy logical information carried by the node. Digital circuits create deterministic noise several orders of magnitude greater than noise from stochastic physical sources. Problems due to these noise sources were first observed in mixed signal applications that plunged highly noise sensitive analog circuits into a noisy digital environment. Successful design methodologies incorporate a three-level noise strategy. The first line of defense is a set of noise avoidance rules to guide circuit and interconnect design. Next, a detailed static noise analysis of the design finds all possible noise failures. Finally, careful circuit simulation determines whether the design could tolerate some failures flagged by static noise analysis. One of the most important attributes of any system is its reliability. It is imperative to design reliability into complex chips even more carefully as the chip functionality increases almost without limit.
The Hidden Cost of Commercial Antibiotic-Loaded Bone Cement: A Systematic Review of Clinical Results and Cost Implications Following Total Knee Arthroplasty

Abstract Background The purpose of this systematic review is to compare deep prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) between total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients treated with either antibiotic-loaded bone cement (ALBC) or plain bone cement, and to explore the potential cost implications of commonly used bone cement regimens. We hypothesized that ALBC would not substantially reduce PJIs and would thereby present an unnecessary cost to the healthcare system. Methods Using the PRISMA guidelines, we reviewed articles through May 2017 involving primary TKA patients with both ALBC cohort and plain bone cement cohort. A meta-analysis was performed comparing the prevalence of deep infections between cohorts. A cost comparison for a hypothetical setting with an annual volume of 1000 TKAs was performed to compare 3 commonly used cement regimens: 2 bags of ALBC used during each case, 1 bag of ALBC with 1 bag of plain cement, and 2 bags of plain cement. Pricing at our institution is $215/bag for commercial ALBC and $60/bag for plain cement. Results Eight articles were included with a total of 34,664 patients. ALBC did not reduce the PJI (ALBC = 93/8189, 1.1% vs plain = 251/26,475, 0.9%; P = .09). The estimated costs for the 3 bone cement regimens per 1000 primary TKAs were as follows: 2 bags of ALBC = $430,000/y, 1 bag of ALBC +1 bag of plain cement = $275,000/y, and 2 bags of plain cement = $120,000/y. Conclusion ALBC did not reduce the prevalence of PJI suggesting that ALBC may be an unnecessary cost to the healthcare system. Hospital systems that perform 1000 TKAs/y could save between $155,000 and $310,000/y by switching to plain cement.