cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparing Emergency Department First-Attempt Intubation Success With Standard-Geometry and Hyperangulated Video Laryngoscopes.

Study objective It is unclear whether laryngoscopy using a standard-geometry blade shape, able to obtain both direct and indirect views, is associated with different first-attempt success or adverse events during emergency intubation compared with using a hyperangulated blade capable of indirect laryngoscopy only. We sought to compare first-attempt intubation success between patients intubated with a standard geometry video laryngoscope versus a hyperangulated video laryngoscope. Methods We analyzed data from the National Emergency Airway Registry from January 2016 to December 2018. Patients aged 14 years or older were included if the first attempt at oral intubation was performed with a standard-geometry or hyperangulated video laryngoscope. We used multiple logistic regression to determine whether blade shape was independently associated with first-attempt intubation success. Results During the study period, 11,927 of 19,071 intubation encounters met inclusion criteria, including 7,255 (61%) with a standard blade and 4,672 (39%) with a hyperangulated blade. Unadjusted analysis revealed higher success with a standard-geometry blade, 91.9% versus 89.2% (absolute difference 2.7% [95% confidence interval 1.6% to 3.8%]; odds ratio for standard-geometry laryngoscope compared with hyperangulated laryngoscope 1.37 [95% confidence interval 1.21 to 1.55]). The logistic regression model, however, demonstrated no association between blade shape and first-attempt success (adjusted odds ratio for standard-geometry laryngoscopy compared with hyperangulated laryngoscopy 1.32 [95% confidence interval 0.81 to 2.17]). Conclusion In this large registry of patients intubated with video laryngoscopy in the emergency department, we observed no association between blade shape (standard-geometry versus hyperangulated laryngoscope) and first-attempt intubation success after adjusting for confounding variables.
Site-specific targeting of a light activated dCas9-KIllerRed fusion protein generates transient, localized regions of oxidative DNA damage.

Abstract DNA repair requires reorganization of the local chromatin structure to facilitate access to and repair of the DNA. Studying DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair in specific chromatin domains has been aided by the use of sequence-specific endonucleases to generate targeted breaks. Here, we describe a new approach that combines KillerRed, a photosensitizer that generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) when exposed to light, and the genome-targeting properties of the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Fusing KillerRed to catalytically inactive Cas9 (dCas9) generates dCas9-KR, which can then be targeted to any desired genomic region with an appropriate guide RNA. Activation of dCas9-KR with green light generates a local increase in reactive oxygen species, resulting in “clustered” oxidative damage, including both DNA breaks and base damage. Activation of dCas9-KR rapidly (within minutes) increases both γH2AX and recruitment of the KU70/80 complex. Importantly, this damage is repaired within 10 minutes of termination of light exposure, indicating that the DNA damage generated by dCas9-KR is both rapid and transient. Further, repair is carried out exclusively through NHEJ, with no detectable contribution from HR-based mechanisms. Surprisingly, sequencing of repaired DNA damage regions did not reveal any increase in either mutations or INDELs in the targeted region, implying that NHEJ has high fidelity under the conditions of low level, limited damage. The dCas9-KR approach for creating targeted damage has significant advantages over the use of endonucleases, since the duration and intensity of DNA damage can be controlled in “real time” by controlling light exposure. In addition, unlike endonucleases that carry out multiple cut-repair cycles, dCas9-KR produces a single burst of damage, more closely resembling the type of damage experienced during acute exposure to reactive oxygen species or environmental toxins. dCas9-KR is a promising system to induce DNA damage and measure site-specific repair kinetics at clustered DNA lesions.
Outcomes of RestoreX Penile Traction Therapy in Men With Peyronie's Disease: Results From Open Label and Follow-up Phases

Abstract Background A randomized, controlled clinical trial evaluating the efficacy of RestoreX traction therapy in men with Peyronie’s disease (PD) has been completed, with the 3-month results previously reported. The present study presents outcomes from the open-label and follow-up phases of the original trial. Aim To report 6-month (open-label phase) and 9-month (follow-up phase) outcomes from a randomized, controlled trial (NCT03389854). Methods A randomized controlled trial was performed from 2017 to 2019 in 110 all-comer men with PD. Men were randomized 3:1 to RestoreX (PTT) or no therapy (control) for 3 months, followed by 3-month open-label and follow-up phases. Key outcomes included adverse events (AEs), changes in penile curvature and length, erectile function, and standardized and nonstandardized assessments of PD. Outcomes The primary outcomes are safety, penile length, penile curvature, Peyronie’s Disease Questionnaire, International Index of Erectile Function, and satisfaction. Results 6-month (n = 64) and 9-month (n = 63) outcomes were reported, with a mean duration of PTT use of 31.1 minutes. No significant AEs were reported, with temporary erythema and discomfort being most common and resolving within minutes. On intent-to-treat analysis, control-to-PTT men experienced significant length (1.7–2.0 cm) and curvature improvements (18–20%). PTT-to-PTT men also achieved additional length (0.6–0.8 cm) without further curvature improvements. An as-treated analysis of PTT use ≥15 minute/day demonstrated 2.0- to 2.3-cm length gains (largest of any PTT to date) and 18–21% curve improvement. All sexual function domains of the International Index of Erectile Function and Peyronie’s Disease Questionnaire were significantly improved (except orgasmic domain). 95% of men treated for 6 months experienced length gains (mean 2.0–2.2 cm), and 61% had curve improvements (16.8–21.4° [32.8–35.8%]). RestoreX was preferred 3–4:1 over all other PD treatments, and 100% preferred it over other PTT devices. Clinical Implications Use of RestoreX 30 minutes daily results in significant length and curve improvements in PD men without significant AEs. Strengths & Limitations Strengths include largest randomized study of PTT, blinded assessments, and inclusion of all-comers with few restrictions; limitations include sample size that precludes comparisons between treatment cohorts and lack of long-duration (>3–9 hours) treatment arm. Conclusion PTT with RestoreX results in significant improvements in length, curve, and subjective and objective measures of sexual function without significant AEs. RestoreX PTT represents a safe, conservative, low-cost option for managing men with PD. Joseph J, Ziegelmann M, Alom M, et al. Outcomes of RestoreX Penile Traction Therapy in Men With Peyronie’s Disease: Results From Open Label and Follow-up Phases. J Sex Med 2020;17:2462–2471.
Risk-Stratified Pancreatectomy Clinical Pathway Implementation and Delayed Gastric Emptying

Delayed gastric emptying (DGE) is a frequent complication after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) that impairs recovery and quality of life. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact risk-stratified pancreatectomy clinical pathways (RSPCPs) had on delayed gastric emptying (DGE) and identify factors associated with DGE in a contemporary period. A single-institution, prospective database was queried for consecutive PDs during July 2011–November 2019. Using international definitions, DGE rates were compared between periods before and after RSPCPs were implemented in 2016, classifying patients according to their postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) risk. Risk factors were analyzed to identify modifiable targets. Among 724 elective PDs, 552 (76%) were for adenocarcinoma and 172 (24%) for other diagnoses. Of the 197 (27%) patients with DGE, 119 (16%) had type A, 41 (6%) type B, and 38 (5%) type C. In the overall cohort, DGE rates were higher with pylorus-preserving vs. classic hand-sewn reconstruction (odds ratio [OR] − 1.84; p < 0.001), postoperative abscess (OR − 2.54; p = 0.003), and non-white patients (p = 0.007), but lower after implementation of RSPCPs (OR − 0.34, p < 0.001). In the 374 patients treated with RSPCPs, only 17% (n = 65/374) developed DGE. Patients with protocol-compliant NGT removal ≤ 48 h were less likely to experience DGE (OR − 1.46, p = 0.042). Our data suggest that implementation of preoperatively assigned RSPCPs as a care bundle was the most important factor in decreasing DGE. These gains were accentuated in patients who underwent early nasogastric tube removal and had a classic hand-sewn gastro-jejunostomy reconstruction. Application of these modifiable factors is generalizable with low implementation barriers.
Novel insecticides and generalist predators support conservation biological control in cotton

Abstract Arizona has a successful integrated pest management plan for arthropod pests of cotton including two key pests, Bemisia argentifolii (=B. tabaci MEAM1) and Lygus hesperus. Central to this plan is conservation of natural enemies through threshold-based use of effective and selective insecticides. Field studies were designed to test the selectivity of the insecticides cyantraniliprole, flupyradifurone, pyrifluquinazon and sulfoxaflor on the cotton arthropod community (27 taxa measured), which includes the key generalist predator taxa: Collops spp., Orius tristicolor, Geocoris spp., Misumenops celer, Drapetis nr. divergens and Chrysoperla carnea s.l. Compared with an untreated check and in contrast to acephate-treated positive controls, predator densities were rarely affected, and the overall arthropod predator community was conserved by all insecticides. Occasional significant reductions in predator abundances were likely associated with lower prey availability after insecticide sprays rather than direct toxic effects. The proportions of time that predator to prey ratios were at or above levels indicative of functioning biological control were either significantly higher or not significantly different from the untreated check for these insecticides. The cotton food web populated by generalist predators is resilient and flexible enough to accommodate temporary reductions in abundance of some species, periods of low prey densities, or other constraints on individual predator species function. Our study demonstrates that the insecticides tested are selective and compatible with sustainable pest management in the Arizona cotton system, representing new options for insect pest control that conserve natural enemies and support biological control through generally favorable changes to predator to prey ratios.
A deep learning approach for identifying cancer survivors living with post-traumatic stress disorder on Twitter.

Emotions after surviving cancer can be complicated. The survivors may have gained new strength to continue life, but some of them may begin to deal with complicated feelings and emotional stress due to trauma and fear of cancer recurrence. The widespread use of Twitter for socializing has been the alternative medium for data collection compared to traditional studies of mental health, which primarily depend on information taken from medical staff with their consent. These social media data, to a certain extent, reflect the users’ psychological state. However, Twitter also contains a mix of noisy and genuine tweets. The process of manually identifying genuine tweets is expensive and time-consuming. We stream the data using cancer as a keyword to filter the tweets with cancer-free and use post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related keywords to reduce the time spent on the annotation task. Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) learns the representations of the input to identify cancer survivors with PTSD. The results present that the proposed CNN can effectively identify cancer survivors with PTSD. The experiments on real-world datasets show that our model outperforms the baselines and correctly classifies the new tweets. PTSD is one of the severe anxiety disorders that could affect individuals who are exposed to traumatic events, including cancer. Cancer survivors are at risk of short-term or long-term effects on physical and psycho-social well-being. Therefore, the evaluation and treatment of PTSD are essential parts of cancer survivorship care. It will act as an alarming system by detecting the PTSD presence based on users’ postings on Twitter.
Population scale nucleic acid delivery to Caenorhabditis elegans via electroporation

The free-living nematode C.elegans remains one of the most robust and flexible genetic systems for interrogating the complexities of animal biology. Targeted genetic manipulations, such as RNA interference (RNAi), CRISPR/Cas9- or array-based transgenesis, all depend on initial delivery of nucleic acids. Delivery of dsRNA by feeding can be effective, but expression in E. coli is not conducive to experiments intended to remain sterile or with defined microbial communities. Soaking-based delivery requires prolonged exposure of animals to high material concentrations without a food source and is of limited throughput. Last, microinjection of individual animals can precisely deliver materials to animals' germlines, but is limited by the need to target and inject each animal one-by-one. Thus, we sought to address some of these challenges in nucleic acid delivery by developing a population-scale delivery method. We demonstrate efficient electroporation-mediated delivery of dsRNA throughout the worm and effective RNAi-based silencing, including in the germline. Finally, we show that guide RNA delivered by electroporation can be utilized by transgenic Cas9 expressing worms for population-scale genetic targeting. Together, these methods expand the scale and scope of genetic methodologies that can be applied to the C.elegans system.
“Even at This Late Juncture”: Amputation, Old Age, and Paul Rayment’s Prosthetic Family in J.M. Coetzee’s Slow Man

This chapter discusses the gerontological implications of amputation and their influence on self-understanding in J.M. Coetzee’s Slow Man (2005). It considers the ways in which Paul Rayment’s response to the amputation of his leg following a cycling accident highlights the complex entanglements of age, masculinity, and the need for human connection. The chapter argues that Paul’s surgery effectively inaugurates his senescence, thereby casting him suddenly and irrevocably into the margins of Australian society. Emotionally unstrung and keenly aware of his mortality, Paul increasingly associates the loss of his leg with the loss of opportunities to establish a legacy. Ultimately, Coetzee’s novel shows how the acceptance of an altered body can enable the individual to come to terms with broader existential concerns.
Comparative Analysis and Rational Design of dCas9-VP64 Variants for CRISPR Activation

ABSTRACT CRISPR/Cas9-mediated transcriptional activation (CRISPRa) is a powerful tool for investigating complex biological phenomena. Although CRISPRa approaches based on VP64 have been widely studied in both cultured cells and in animal models and exhibit great versatility for various cell types and developmental stages in vivo, different dCas9-VP64 versions have not been rigorously compared. Here, we compared different dCas9-VP64 constructs in identical contexts, including the cell lines used and the transfection conditions, for their ability to activate endogenous and exogenous genes. Moreover, we investigated the optimal approach for VP64 addition to VP64- and p300-based constructs. We found that MS2-MCP-scaffolded VP64 enhanced dCas9-VP64 and dCas9-p300 activity better than did direct VP64 fusion to the N-terminus of dCas9. dCas9-VP64+MCP-VP64 and dCas9-p300+MCP-VP64 were superior to VP64-dCas9-VP64 for all target genes tested. Furthermore, multiplexing gRNA expression with dCas9-VP64+MCP-VP64 or dCas9-p300+MCP-VP64 significantly enhanced endogenous gene activation to a level comparable to CRISPRa-SAM with a single gRNA. Our findings demonstrate improvement of the dCas9-VP64 CRISPRa system and contribute to development of a versatile, efficient CRISPRa platform.
Mismatched Understanding of IS Security Policy: A RepGrid Analysis

Professional and academic literature indicates that organizational stakeholders may hold different perceptions of security rules and policies. This discrepancy of perceptions may be rooted into a conflict between the compliance of stakeholders to organizational norms on the one hand, and security rules on the other. The paper argues that a mismatched understanding of security policy can have a devastating effect on the security of organizations, and should therefore be treated as a key reason for non-compliance to security policy. Using Personal Construct Theory and Repertory Grids we explore how different stakeholder groups within an organization can hold divergent views on the same security policies. Our findings have implications for the design of security policy training and awareness programs, as well as for the institution and internalization of good IS governance practices.
Eukaryotic gene prediction using GeneMark.hmm.

In this unit, eukaryotic GeneMark.hmm is presented as a method for detecting genes in eukaryotic DNA sequences. The eukaryotic GeneMark.hmm uses Markov models of protein coding and noncoding sequences, as well as positional nucleotide frequency matrices for prediction of the translational start, translational termination and splice sites. All these models along with length distributions of exons, introns and intergenic regions are integrated into one Hidden Markov model. The unit describes running the program over the Internet and locally on a Unix machine. It also discusses GeneMarkS EV, which can be used to detect genes in eukaryotic viruses.
North American dedicated short range communications (DSRC) standards

Dedicated short range communications (DSRC) is a critical part of the national ITS architecture. However, due to the large number of incompatible electronic toll collection deployments, it has been difficult to standardize the air interface. The paper discusses the current status of the air interface standards being developed by the American Society of Testing and Materials and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers with assistance from the US Department of Transportation.
The electronic structure of Cs2NaEuCl6

The visible absorption spectrum and magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectrum have been measured for Cs2NaEuCl6 at room temperature. The absorption spectrum and Zeeman splitting have been measured at liquid helium temperature as well. The Eu3+ is in a site of six-coordinate octahedral symmetry. Transitions from the 7 F 0(A 1g ) ground state and, thermally populated 7 F 1(T 1g ) state to the 5 D 0(A 1g ), 5 D 1(T 1g ), and 5 D 2(T 2g + Eg ) states have been observed. The fourth-order crystal-field parameter (B 4) has been found to be 10–11 cm-1 at both temperatures. A rich vibrational structure was seen on the two electric diple-allowed transitions and an assignment of the observed vibrations made. At liquid helium temperature the g values of the 5 D 1(T 1g ) and 5 D 2(T 2g ) states were found to be 1·5±0·15 and 1·5±0·5, respectively.
Place-Based Theory of Standing, A

issue of law and that a plaintiff should have something beyond a generalized interest in law enforcement. While respecting these views that underlie current doctrine, the place-based approach seeks to implement them in a doctrinally simpler way. Although less sweeping in legal terms, the place-based approach speaks to a more fundamental point than its alternatives. It asks us to see individuals, not just as legal actors who have the capacity to file law suits, but as people who live in a physical space and develop very real connections to their surroundings.2"6 It asks courts, in short, to develop a sense of place. Although standing law relates to a technical if not arcane aspect of federal jurisdiction, it also provides the setting in which courts bless certain individual interests as legitimate and others as ethereal. It is time for the courts to recognize that we all have an interest in the environmental integrity of our surroundings, rather than treating the environment as presumptively irrelevant to our lives and requiring individualized proof to the contrary. 216. As Mark Sagoff says, A natural landscape becomes a place-"a shape that's in your head"-when it is cultivated, when it constrains human activity and is constrained by it, when it functions as a center of felt value because human needs, cultural and social as well as biological, are satisfied in it.... This contrasts entirely with the attitude of the outsider... for whom "[n]othing has a drift or relation; nothing has a history or a promise. Everything stands by itself, and comes and goes in its turn, like the shifting scenes of a show, which leaves the spectator where he was." Mark Sagoff, Settling America or The Concept of Place in Environmental Ethics, 12 J. ENERGY NAT. RES. & ENvTL. L. 349, 358 (1992) (quoting MARK TWAIN, LIFE ON THE MISSISSIPPI 38 (1911); JOHN HENRY NEWMAN, THE IDEA OF A UNIVERSITY 99 (Frank M. Turner ed., 1996)). Sagoff also presents an evocative quote from Alan Gussow: "'A place is a piece of the whole environment that has been claimed by feelings."' Id. at 359. 1558 HeinOnline -55 UCLA L. Rev. 1558 2007-2008
The Cocaine Trail: Levamisole-Induced Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis in a Cocaine User

Two million Americans use cocaine on a regular basis. Sixty-nine percent of cocaine in the United States is adulterated with levamisole, a veterinary antihelminthic drug. In 2008, the first cases of levamisole-induced agranulocytosis and vasculopathy associated with adulterated cocaine were reported in the southwestern United States. Since then, reports of levamisole-associated toxicity have become increasingly common. The authors present the case of a 47-year-old woman from Michigan with purpuric lesions likely secondary to levamisole-induced leukocytoclastic vasculitis.
In vivo conjugal transfer of R plasmids in Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

In vivo R plasmid transfer between two Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains was detected in the absence of antibiotic pressure.
A randomized controlled trial comparing autologous radiolabeled in vivo platelet (PLT) recoveries and survivals of 7-day-stored PLT-rich plasma and buffy coat PLTs from the same subjects.

BACKGROUND: A recent review concluded that there was inadequate evidence to show a difference between buffy coat (BC) and platelet (PLT)-rich plasma (PRP) PLT concentrates prepared from whole blood. We hypothesized that 7-day-stored BC-PLTs would have superior autologous recoveries and survivals compared to PRP-PLTs and that both would meet the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) criteria for poststorage viability. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This was a randomized, crossover study design in healthy subjects who provided informed consent. Each participant donated a unit of whole blood on two occasions. In random order, either BC-PLTs or PC-PLTs were prepared after a 20 ± 2°C overnight hold of the whole blood. PLTs were stored under standard conditions. On Day 7, fresh PLTs were prepared from 43 mL of autologous whole blood. The fresh PLTs paired with either BC-PLTs or PRP-PLTs were alternately labeled with 111In or 51Cr and simultaneously reinfused to determine recoveries and survivals. In vitro assays were performed on Days 1 and 7. RESULTS: Fourteen subjects completed the study at two sites. No differences in poststorage PLT viabilities were observed between BC-PLTs and PRP-PLTs; recovery differences averaged 3.7 ± 2.4% (±SE, p = 0.15) and survival differences averaged 0.48 ± 0.56 days (p = 0.41). Neither type of PLTs met the current FDA criteria for either poststorage PLT recoveries or survivals. CONCLUSION: We were unable to demonstrate that single-unit BC-PLTs stored for 7 days have superior poststorage viability compared to PRP-PLTs. Failure to meet the minimum FDA criteria for poststorage PLT viability raises questions regarding the acceptance thresholds of these metrics.
Is Local Viscosupplementation Injection Clinically Superior to Other Therapies in the Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Systematic Review of Overlapping Meta-analyses

Purpose To conduct a systematic review of overlapping meta-analyses comparing treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA) with intra-articular viscosupplementation (intra-articular hyaluronic acid [IA-HA]) versus oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), intra-articular corticosteroids (IA-corticosteroids), intra-articular platelet-rich plasma (IA-PRP), or intra-articular placebo (IA-placebo) to determine which meta-analyses provide the best current evidence and identify potential causes of discordance. Methods Literature searches were performed for meta-analyses examining use of IA-HA versus NSAIDs, IA-corticosteroids, IA-PRP, or IA-placebo. Clinical data were extracted, and meta-analysis quality was assessed. The Jadad algorithm was applied to determine which meta-analyses provided the highest level of evidence. Results Fourteen meta-analyses met the eligibility criteria and ranged in quality from Level I to IV evidence. In studies reporting patient numbers, there were a total of 20,049 patients: 13,698 receiving IA-HA, 355 receiving NSAIDs, 294 receiving IA-corticosteroids, and 5,702 receiving IA-placebo. Ten studies examined the effects of IA-HA versus IA-placebo; of these, 5 found that IA-HA improved pain and 4 found that IA-HA improved function. No clinically relevant differences in the efficacy of IA-HA versus NSAIDs regarding pain and function were found. Regarding IA-HA versus IA-PRP, IA-HA improved knee function at 2 and 6 months after injection but the effects were less robust than those of IA-PRP. Regarding IA-HA versus IA-corticosteroids, the positive effects of IA-HA were greater at 5 to 13 weeks and persisted for up to 26 weeks. After application of the Jadad algorithm, 2 concordant high-quality meta-analyses were selected and both showed that IA-HA provided clinically relevant improvements in pain and function compared with IA-placebo. Conclusions This systematic review of overlapping meta-analyses comparing IA-HA with other nonoperative treatment modalities for knee OA shows that the current highest level of evidence suggests that IA-HA is a viable option for knee OA. Its use results in improvements in knee pain and function that can persist for up to 26 weeks. IA-HA has a good safety profile, and its use should be considered in patients with early knee OA. Level of Evidence Level IV, systematic review of Level I to IV studies.
Learning search engine specific query transformations for question answering

We introduce a method for learning query transformations that improves the ability to retrieve answers to questions from an information retrieval system. During the training stage the method involves automatically learning phrase features for classifying questions into different types, automatically generating candidate query transformations from a training set of question/answer pairs, and automatically evaluating the candidate transforms on target information retrieval systems such as real-world general purpose search engines. At run time, questions are transformed into a set of queries, and re-ranking is performed on the documents retrieved. We present a prototype search engine, Tritus, that applies the method to web search engines. Blind evaluation on a set of real queries from a web search engine log shows that the method significantly outperforms the underlying web search engines as well as a commercial search engine specializing in question answering.
Creep of chemically vapour deposited SiC fibres

The creep, thermal expansion, and elastic modulus properties for chemically vapour deposited SiC fibres were measured between 1000 and 1500°C. Creep strain was observed to increase logarithmically with time, monotonically with temperature, and linearly with tensile stress up to 800 MPa. The controlling activation energy was 480 ± 20 kJ mol−1. Thermal pretreatments near 1200 and 145O° C were found to significantly reduce fibre creep. These results coupled with creep recovery observations indicate that below 1400°C fibre creep is anelastic with negligible plastic component. This allowed a simple predictive method to be developed for describing fibre total deformation as a function of time, temperature, and stress. Mechanistic analysis of the property data suggests that fibre creep is the result of β-SiC grain boundary sliding, controlled by a small percentage of free silicon in the grain boundaries.
On the characteristic lengths for absorbing, emitting, and scattering media

Abstract This work presents a comprehensive development of characteristic lengths for multidimensional, absorbing, emitting, and scattering media. The length representing emission phenomena is discussed in detail while the length representing the reflection and transmission contributions is simply derived. The characteristic lengths are developed from the photon path length approach, yet the lengths are calculable without knowledge of the photon path length (PPL) distribution functions. Limiting values and the relation to the mean beam length are presented. Numerical results for planar and cylindrical media for ranges of optical depth and scattering albedo are presented and discussed.
Image guided core needle biopsy of musculoskeletal lesions: are nondiagnostic results clinically useful?

Background The clinical utility of nondiagnostic core needle biopsies is not fully understood. Understanding the clinical and radiologic factors associated with nondiagnostic core needle biopsies may help determine the utility of these nondiagnostic biopsies and guide clinical decision making.
Enhanced brief lifestyle counseling for obesity was better than usual care for weight loss at 2 years

Source Citation Wadden TA, Volger S, Sarwer DB, et al. A two-year randomized trial of obesity treatment in primary care practice. N Engl J Med. 2011;365:1969-79. 22082239
Physician practice competition and prices paid by private insurers for office visits.

Importance Physician practice consolidation could promote higher-quality care but may also create greater economic market power that could lead to higher prices for physician services. Objective To assess the relationship between physician competition and prices paid by private preferred provider organizations (PPOs) for 10 types of office visits in 10 prominent specialties. Design and Setting Retrospective study in 1058 US counties in urbanized areas, representing all 50 states, examining the relationship between measured physician competition and prices paid for office visits in 2010 and the relationship between changes in competition and prices between 2003 and 2010, using regression analysis to control for possible confounding factors. Exposures Variation in the mean Hirschman-Herfindahl Index (HHI) of physician practices within a county by specialty (HHIs range from 0, representing maximally competitive markets, to 10 000 in markets served by a single [monopoly] practice). Main Outcomes and Measures Mean price paid by county to physicians in each specialty by private PPOs for intermediate office visits with established patients ( Current Procedural Terminology [ CPT ] code 99213) and a price index measuring the county-weighted mean price for 10 types of office visits with new and established patients ( CPT codes 99201-99205, 99211-99215) relative to national mean prices. Results In 2010, across all specialties studied, HHIs were 3 to 4 times higher in the 90th-percentile county than the 10th-percentile county (eg, for family practice: 10th percentile HHI = 1023 and 90th percentile HHI = 3629). Depending on specialty, mean price for a CPT code 99213 visit was between $70 and $75. After adjustment for potential confounders, depending on specialty, prices at the 90th-percentile HHI were between $5.85 (orthopedics; 95% CI, $3.46-$8.24) and $11.67 (internal medicine; 95% CI, $9.13-$14.21) higher than at the 10th percentile. Including all types of office visits, price indexes at the 90th-percentile HHI were 8.3% (orthopedics; 95% CI, 5.0%-11.6%) to 16.1% (internal medicine; 95% CI, 12.8%-19.5%) higher. Between 2003 and 2010, there were larger price increases in areas that were less competitive in 2002 than in initially more competitive areas. Conclusions and Relevance More competition among physicians is related to lower prices paid by private PPOs for office visits. These results may inform work on policies that influence practice competition.
Status, marginality, and rhetorical theory

This essay claims that arguments about the genres of discourse contain as a crucial element an attribution of status, which involves a dialectic of authority and marginality. Rhetorical scholarship is often a reaction against the condition of marginality. Reflection on these matters illumines the ontology of rhetorical discourse.
A novel high-temperature ejector-topping power cycle

A novel, patented topping power cycle is described that takes its energy from a very high-temperature heat source and in which the temperature of the heat sink is still high enough to operate another, conventional power cycle. The top temperatures heat source is used to evaporate a low saturation pressure liquid, which serves as the driving fluid for compressing the secondary fluid in an ejector. Due to the inherently simple construction of ejectors, they are well suited for operation at temperatures higher than those that can be used with gas turbines. The gases exiting from the ejector transfer heat to the lower temperature cycle, and are separated by condensing the primary fluid. The secondary gas is then used to drive a turbine. For a system using sodium as the primary fluid and helium as the secondary fluid, and using a bottoming Rankine steam cycle, the overall thermal efficiency can be at least 11 percent better than that of conventional steam Rankine cycles.
Quantitative evaluation of the relaxivity effects of iodine on GD-DTPA enhanced MR arthrography.

Purpose To quantify the effect of iodine on the gadolinium (Gd) contrast-enhanced signal in MR arthrography. Materials and Methods Saline solutions of Gd contrast agent (0–1 mmol/liter) were mixed with iodinated contrast agent (0–185 mmol/liter). The T1 and T2 relaxation constants of these solutions were measured at 1.5T. Different types of commonly used iodinated contrast agents as well as sodium iodide (NaI) solutions were also analyzed. Results Iodine caused significant T2 shortening and some T1 shortening in Gd contrast solutions. Both contrast agents independently obeyed the standard relaxation relation, and their mixture obeyed a modified version of this relation. The side chains in various iodine molecules and their viscosities affected the relaxation properties differently. For various spin-echo (SE) sequences, the signal from synovial fluid containing different concentrations of the two contrast agents was calculated. The T2-weighted signal appeared to be most affected by the increase in iodine concentrations. In the absence of Gd contrast, all SE sequences showed an initial increase in signal from iodine contrast. Conclusion A generalized relation for the relaxivities of Gd contrast in the presence of iodine was established. The side chains of iodine contrast were found to alter the relaxivities of Gd contrast. Imaging with proton density (PD)-weighted SE with only iodine contrast agent was found to be feasible. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2007;25:1219–1225. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Effect of the local anesthetics phenethyl alcohol and procaine on hns mutants of the acid-induced biodegradative arginine (adi) and lysine (cad) decarboxylases of Escherichia coli.

The environmentally responsive biodegradative arginine (adi) and lysine (cad) decarboxylases are maximally induced when Escherichia coli is cultured under acidic, anaerobic conditions in rich medium. Previously, transposon mutagenesis led to the identification of hns (encoding H-NS, a histone-like DNA binding protein) as being a trans-acting regulatory factor of both systems. The hns mutants show depressed expression of adi or cad (i.e., their expression is increased). The effects of the local anesthetics phenethyl alcohol (PEA) and procaine (both environmental perturbants) were investigated with lacZ operon fusions to either adi or cad and their respective hns mutants. These results indicate that wild-type fusion strains are insensitive to either PEA or procaine, but that hns mutants show decreased beta-galactosidase synthesis in the presence of one or both of the local anesthetics. This is the first report of the effect of local anesthetics on hns mutants in this or any other environmentally responsive system.
Adaptation of approaches to pest control in low-input agriculture

Abstract Adaptation and acceptance of pest control in low-input agriculture will be largely influenced by the approach used to manage soil-borne pests. A single tactic approach, consisting of the routine application of a broad spectrum biocide or biocides to disinfest soil is not compatible with the goal of minimizing inputs and will not have wide-scale applicability in low-input production systems. An integrated pest management (IPM) approach can be compatible with low-input systems but is often difficult to implement due to inherent constraints associated with identifying and treating organisms in the soil. Additionally, IPM will require more intensive knowledge of biological interactions in the soil and the timely management of that information, which may not be practical in low input systems. A pro-active approach, in which the production system is designed to avoid the outbreak of pests, minimizes the use of inputs in crop production by reducing the need for intervention treatments. Traditionally, the impact of soil-borne pests is not considered until after the production system has been designed and implemented. Combining biologically based pest control methods with a production system designed to minimize their impacts offers the most sustainable approach for low-input agriculture.
Chiral anomalies in two-dimensional quantum field theory.

On examine les anomalies qui apparaissent dans les theories de champ quantiques non abeliennes bidimensionnelles sous transformations de jauge infinitesimales generales. Ces resultats sont integres aux transformations finies et des modeles sigma bosoniques sont construits, qui reproduisent les anomalies infinitesimales
Phonological status, not voice onset time, determines the acoustic realization of onset f0 as a secondary voicing cue in Spanish and English

Abstract The covariation of onset f0 with voice onset time (VOT) was examined across and within phonological voicing categories in two languages, English and Spanish. The results showed a significant co-dependency between onset f0 and VOT across phonological voicing categories but not within categories, in both languages. Thus, English short lag and long lag VOT stops, which contrast phonologically, were found to differ significantly in onset f0. Similarly, Spanish short lag and lead VOT tokens are phonologically contrastive and also differed significantly in terms of onset f0. In contrast, English short lag and lead VOT stops, which are sub-phonemic variants of the same phonological category, did not differ in terms of onset f0. These results highlight the importance of phonological factor in determining the pattern of covariation between VOT and onset f0.
Spectro-polarimetric BRDF determination of objects using in-scene calibration materials for polarimetric imagers

For sensing systems that characterize the spectro-polarimetric radiance reaching the camera, the origin of the sensed phenomenology is a complex mixture of sources. While some of these sources do not contribute to the polarimetric signature, many do such as the downwelled sky polarization, the target and background p- BRDF(polarimetric bi-directional reflectance distribution function), the upwelled sky polarization, and the camera Mueller matrix transfer function. In this paper we investigate candidate in-scene calibration materials potentially allowing for portions of the p-BRDF to be derived for material surfaces throughout the scene. Extraction of target p-BRDF from the sensed spectro-polarimetric energy may result in improved target detection performance in the future. Results using both synthetic and real data are presented.
Accuracy of Raman lidar water vapor calibration and its applicability to long-term measurements

A Raman lidar calibration method adapted to the long-term monitoring of atmospheric water vapor is proposed. The accuracy of Raman lidar water vapor profiles is limited by that of the calibration process. Typically, calibration using in situ balloon-borne measurements suffers from the nonsimultaneity and noncollocation of the lidar and in situ measurements, while calibration from passive remote sensors suffers from the lower accuracy of the retrievals and incomplete sampling of the water vapor column observed by lidar. We propose a new hybrid calibration method using a combination of absolute calibration from radiosonde campaigns and routine-basis (off-campaign) partial calibration using a standard lamp. This new method takes advantage of the stability of traceable calibrated lamps as reliable sources of known spectral irradiance combined with the best available in situ measurements. An integrated approach is formulated, which can be used for the future long-term monitoring of water vapor by Raman lidars within the international Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change and other networks.
Bridged cyanine dyes. Part 2 . 1‐(N‐methyl‐2‐benzothiazolylinio)‐3‐(N‐methyl‐2‐benzothiazolylene) and 1‐(N‐methyl‐4‐pyridinio)‐3‐(N‐methyl‐4‐pyridylene)cyclopenta‐1,4‐dienes with fused rings

1,3-Bis(N-methyl-4-pyridyl)- and 1,3-bis(N-methyl-2-benzothiazolyl)-propane diiodides react with 1,2-cyclohexanedione, tetrachloro-1,2- and -1,4-benzoquinone, 2,3-dichloronaphthoquinone, 3,4-dichloromaleimide and 2,3-dichloroquinoxaline to give novel fused ring bridged cyanine dyes.
Detecting glioma tumor features in human ex vivo samples using swept-source OCT

Ex vivo human brain tissues from 8 glioma patients and 5 controls are imaged using SS-OCT, with higher glioma attenuation values and easily detectable and specific tumor features (microcyst, necrosis and pallisading) for intraoperative resections.
Laparoscopic renal cryosurgery: The northwestern experience

ABSTRACTPurpose: Laparoscopic renal cryosurgery provides a minimally invasive alternative for the treatment of small renal lesions of undefined malignant potential. We report on our series of patients treated with laparoscopic renal cryosurgery.Materials and Methods: Fifteen patients underwent laparoscopic renal cryoablation of peripheral, exophytic unifocal renal lesions. Patients were managed with a 4-port transperitoneal approach for anteromedial tumors and 3 to 4-port retroperitoneal approach for posterolateral tumors. All lesions were biopsied and sent to pathology for permanent section. A 4.8 mm cryoprobe (CMS cryoprobe, 4.8 mm × 2 cm × 40 cm, Cryomedical Sciences Inc., Ewing, New Jersey) was placed into the tumor using visual and ultrasonographic guidance, and a double freeze-passive thaw cycle was performed. The iceball was extended at least 1 cm beyond the tumor margin under ultrasound guidance. Followup biopsies were performed on all consenting patients with renal cell carcinoma at least 3 month...
Review of the effects of doxazosin, a new selective alpha1-adrenergic inhibitor, on lipoproteins in patients with essential hypertension

Control of high blood pressure has failed to reduce the risk of atherosclerotic coronary heart disease (CHD). Hypercholesterolemia, which is common among hypertensive patients, cigarette smoking, and hypertension are the major risk factors for CHD. To minimize CHD risk, elevated blood pressure and atherogenic lipid levels should be lowered, but various antihypertensive agents appear to adversely affect lipid levels, actually precluding the CHD risk reduction expected from blood pressure control. Doxazosin, a once-daily, long-acting, alpha 1 -adrenergic inhibitor, not only is effective therapy for essential hypertension but also has a favorable impact on lipids. During controlled studies of doxazosin's antihypertensive efficacy, the following blood lipid levels were measured: total cholesterol, total triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (including HDL 2 and HDL 3 ), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and apoproteins (apos) AI and B. Results showed total cholesterol (−0.8 to −8.9 percent), total triglycerides (−5.0 to −17.4 percent), and LDL (−9.0 to −16.9 percent) were reduced. The positive prognostic indicators, HDL (+0.7 to +13.0 percent) and HDL:total cholesterol ratio (+3.1 to +26.3 percent), were increased. Apo B decreased, but apo AI remained unchanged. In these hypertension studies, doxazosin has favorably reduced two major CHD risk factors. As part of a new, long-term, controlled, multicenter trial, the prospective benefits of these risk factor reductions on CHD morbidity and mortality will be quantified for doxazosin and other antihypertensive agents.
Optically Based Rapid Heat Transfer Measurements in Complex Internal Flows

An optically based technique was developed that involves fabrication of a thin-walled plastic model with laser heating applied to a small section of the outer surface. The heat flux distribution applied to the model by the laser was measured first using a short-duration, transient experiment. The external temperature distribution was then recorded using infrared thermography with steady laser heating. The measured heat flux and temperature distributions were used as thermal boundary conditions in a finite-element code to solve an inverse heat conduction problem for the heat transfer coefficient on the internal passage wall. Hydrodynamically fully developed turbulent flow in a round tube was used as a test case for the development of the new optical method. The Reynolds numbers used were 30,000 and 60,000. This flow was chosen because accurate computational tools were available to calculate the internal heat transfer coefficient for a variety of thermal boundary conditions. In addition, this geometry simplified both the model fabrication and the implementation of a finite-element model for the inverse heat conduction problem. Heat transfer coefficient measurements agreed with numerical simulations and semi-analytical solutions within 1.5% and 8.5% for the low and high Reynolds numbers, respectively. Additional simulations suggest that the method can be accurate with thermal boundary conditions more complex than in these experiments.
A large-sample investigation of statistical procedures for radar-based short-term quantitative precipitation forecasting

We present the results of an extensive evaluation of radar-based quantitative precipitation forecasting techniques. Using a large data set of radar observations from the Tulsa, Oklahoma, WSR-88D radar we evaluate several techniques, including persistence, advection, and neural-network-based schemes. The scope of our study is limited to very-short-term forecast leadtimes of up to three hours. We consider several spatial resolutions ranging from 4 £ 4k m 2 to 32 £ 32 km 2 : Performance of the schemes is evaluated using several popular criteria that include correlation coefficient, multiplicative bias, and probability of detection. We discuss the effects of average storm intensity and rainfall intensity integration on the predictability limits. The most significant conclusions from the study are: (1) advection is the most important physical process that impacts useful predictions; (2) larger and more intense storms are easier to forecast; and (3) both spatial and temporal integration significantly extends the predictability limits. q 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.