cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The changing role of endovascular stenting for blunt cerebrovascular injuries.

Background Few injuries have produced as much debate with respect to management as have blunt cerebrovascular injuries (BCVIs). Without question, early anticoagulation is the mainstay of therapy for these injuries. However, the role of endovascular stenting for BCVI remains controversial. Our purpose was to examine the use of endovascular stents for BCVI and outcomes and describe which injuries are being treated with stents. Methods Patients with BCVI from 2011 to 2016 were identified and stratified by age, sex, and injury severity. Patients were then divided into two groups (previous study [PS] = 2011-2012 and current study [CS] = 2013-2016) based on a paradigm shift in BCVI diagnosis and treatment at our institution. Beginning in 2013, a multidisciplinary team assumed care of patients with BCVI from interventional radiology. Digital subtraction angiography was used to confirmatory injuries in both groups and heparin used for initial therapy. Results In the CS, 237 patients were diagnosed with BCVI compared with 128 patients in the PS. Both groups were clinically similar with no difference in distribution of vessels injured. Beginning in 2013, there was a significant decrease in the use of stents for these injuries. In fact, in the CS, only 21 (8.9%) patients were treated with endovascular stenting compared to 44 (34%) patients in the PS. Of patients in the CS, 14 had grade III pseudoaneurysms and seven had grade II dissections. Despite this reduction in stenting, there was no significant change in the BCVI-related stroke rate between the CS and the PS (4.2% vs. 3.9%). Conclusion Anticoagulation alone is adequate therapy for the majority of BCVI. Nevertheless, there is still a role for endovascular stents in the treatment of BCVI. Their use should be reserved for enlarging carotid pseudoaneurysms and dissections with significant narrowing. The prospect of determining which injuries benefit from stent placement warrants prospective investigation. Level of evidence Therapuetic/care management, level IV.
Robust power allocation for NOMA in heterogeneous vehicular communications with imperfect channel estimation

In heterogeneous vehicular networks, power control with non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) is effective in improving spectrum efficiency by allowing multiple users to share the same channel. However, the channel estimation error caused by high mobility in vehicular communications needs to be considered for efficient power allocation and link reliability. In this paper, a robust power allocation problem with chance constraints is studied to improve at the same time the throughput performance and reliability of NOMA heterogeneous vehicular communications. Through the approximation of non-central Chi-square distribution, the chance constraints are transformed into deterministic constraints. Moreover, the optimal power allocation is obtained with the consideration of NOMA requirements. Simulation results illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed power allocation and its improvement over existing schemes.
Esophageal achalasia: current diagnosis and treatment

Introduction: Esophageal achalasia is a primary esophageal motility disorder of unknown origin, characterized by lack of peristalsis and by incomplete or absent relaxation of the lower esophageal s...
The twisted body: a look into heterotaxy.

Background Throughout the literature, cardiac MRI (CMR) has become an important diagnostic tool in evaluating congenital cardiac abnormalities. In heterotaxy syndrome, the axis of the body during fetal development fails to rotate correctly resulting in complex cardiovascular abnormalities. We hypothesize that CMR aids in the detection of anatomical and physiological anomalies presented in patients with heterotaxy syndrome and its variants. We further hypothesize that CMR permits imaging planes and spatial resolution limited in other imaging modalities.
Abstract 19522: Spectral Analysis of Baseline Electrocardiogram During Atrial Fibrillation Predicts Response to Antiarrhythmic Drug Therapy in Patients With Persistent Atrial Fibrillation

Introduction: The response of persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) to antiarrhythmic drug therapy is variable and cannot be predicted by clinical characteristics. Hypothesis: We aimed to evaluate the ability of power spectral analysis of the baseline ECG during AF to predict the response of persistent AF to antiarrhythmic drug therapy. Methods: Patients with persistent AF who were admitted for antiarrhythmic drug (dofetilide or sotalol) loading were prospectively enrolled in the study. Atrial activity was extracted from the ECG using an Independent Component Analysis method, which provides a composite representation of atrial activity. The extracted composite atrial signal was bandpass filtered between 3.5 and 40 Hz. The filtered data were then subjected to a Modified Periodogram, which was computed based on a Fast Fourier Transform. The regularity index was computed as the ratio of the power in the dominant frequency and all its harmonics to the total power in the spectrum. Patients were followed at 1 month, 3 months and every 3 months thereafter. Results: Thirty two patients were enrolled in the study. Dofetilide was used in 28 (88%) patients. Fifteen (47%) patients converted spontaneously to sinus rhythm during the 3-day hospital loading period. The clinical and echocardiographic characteristics of patients with and without acute conversion were similar. The regularity index was significantly higher in those who converted to sinus rhythm compared to those who did not (0.71±0.20 vs. 0.38±0.13, respectively; p Conclusions: Increased regularity index predicts acute conversion of persistent AF during antiarrhythmic therapy, but does not predict long-term sinus rhythm maintenance.
Spruce-Fir Forest

Spruce-Fir Forest occurs in the subalpine zone, at the highest elevation of any major forest in the American Southwest. It is dominated by Engelmann spruce, either subalpine or corkbark fir, and quaking aspen. Most research on Spruce-Fir Forest dynamics is from the central and northern Rocky Mountains, and evidence from the Southwest indicates both similarities and differences. Important drivers of vegetation dynamics are a diverse disturbance regime that is dominated by fire, wind, insects, climate variation, and anthropogenic disturbances that include livestock grazing, fire management, and nearby land use. Historical fire regimes were crown-fire in upper elevations and mixed-severity in at least some lower-elevation sites. Key processes of vegetation dynamics are succession and gap dynamics. Historical descriptions indicate Spruce-Fir Forest was dense before Euro-American influence. Fire exclusion began in the late nineteenth century. Its impacts are unknown for upper-elevation stands, but likely initially involved increases in tree density and basal area in lower-elevation stands. At least some lower-elevation stands decreased in density and basal area during the twentieth century, apparently as a result of density-dependent factors and exogenous factors such as climate change. Vegetation dynamics are illustrated in a nested, three-tiered set of conceptual models. Key conclusions and challenges for researchers and land managers are summarized.
Failure at Fidenae: Understanding the site of the largest structural disaster of the Roman world

Abstract In A.D. 27 the largest structural disaster of the Roman world occurred when the amphitheater at Fidenae collapsed involving what one source reported to be 50,000 people. A 3D digital reconstruction of the amphitheater was produced from textual, architectural, archaeological, and engineering analysis. Primary literary sources, such as Roman authors Tacitus and Suetonius, examined in conjunction with proximal archaeological evidence allowed for the most probable seating capacity and the scale of the amphitheater to be determined; architectural evidence of other wooden structures found on Trajan's Column allowed for a most probable projection of a three-dimensional model to be created utilizing AutoCAD. The failure of the amphitheater at Fidenae stands in the middle of an important period for the development of large-scale Roman infrastructure; through understanding failed designs such as this one, more light can be shed on the progression of technological advances and development of engineering practices in ancient Rome.
Are Staging Computed Tomography (CT) Scans of the Chest Necessary in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

There is no consensus on the use of chest imaging in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients. Among PDAC patients, we examined the use of chest computed tomography (CT) over time and determined whether the use of chest CT led to a survival difference or change in management via identification of indeterminate lung nodules (ILNs). Retrospective clinical data was collected for patients diagnosed with PDAC from 1998 to 2014. We examined the proportion of patients undergoing staging chest CT scan and those who had ILN, defined as ≥ 1 well-defined, noncalcified lung nodule(s) ≤ 1 cm in diameter. We determined time to overall survival (OS) using multivariate Cox regression. We also assessed changes in management of PDAC patients who later developed lung metastasis only. Of the 2710 patients diagnosed with PDAC, 632 (23%) had greater than one chest CT. Of those patients, 451 (71%) patients had ILNs, whereas 181 (29%) had no ILNs. There was no difference in median overall survival in patients without ILNs (16.4 [13.6, 19.0] months) versus those with ILN (14.8 [13.6, 15.8] months, P = 0.18). Examining patients who developed isolated lung metastases (3.3%), we found that staging chest CTs did not lead to changes in management of the primary abdominal tumor. Survival did not differ for PDAC patients with ILNs identified on staging chest CTs compared with those without ILNs. Furthermore, ILN identification did not lead to changes in management of the primary abdominal tumor, questioning the utility of staging chest CTs for PDAC patients.
Association of visual hallucinations with very mild degenerative dementia due to dementia with Lewy bodies.

Background and purpose Complex, well-formed, and detailed visual hallucinations (VHs) are among the core clinical features of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). We investigated the diagnostic value of VHs in different types of very mild degenerative dementia. Methods Participants were required to complete a structured interview form recording their basic data, clinical history, neuropsychological tests, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Basic demographic characteristics of the participants were summarized and compared. The frequency and association factors of VHs were compared among three major degenerative dementia groups, namely, Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD), and DLB. Results A total of 197 patients with dementia and a clinical dementia rating of 0.5 were investigated, comprising 124 with AD, 35 with PDD, and 38 with DLB. A significantly higher frequency of VHs was found in the DLB group compared with the other groups (DLB, PDD, and AD = 31.6%, 11.4%, and 4.0%; p < 0.001). A multivariable logistic regression test for associations of positive VHs revealed that DLB was the only independently predictive factor (odds ratio: 13.62; p < 0.001). Conclusion Our findings revealed a high diagnostic value of VHs in very mild degenerative dementia. VHs in this stage of dementia were significantly associated with DLB, and more than 30% of patients with very mild dementia caused by DLB presented with VHs.
A systematic feature selection procedure for short-term data-driven building energy forecasting model development

Abstract An accurate building energy forecasting model is the key for real-time model based control of building energy systems and building-grid integration. Data-driven models, though have lower engineering cost during their development process, often suffer from poor model generalization caused by high data dimensionality. Feature selection, a process of selecting a subset of relevant features, can defy high dimensionality, increase model interpretability, and enhance model generalization. In building energy modeling research, features are often selected based on domain knowledge. There lacks a comprehensive methodology to guide a systematic feature selection procedure when developing building energy forecasting models. In this research, a systematic feature selection procedure for developing a building energy forecasting model is proposed which attempts to integrate statistical analysis, building physics and engineering experiences. The proposed procedure includes three steps, i.e., (Step 1) feature pre-processing based on domain knowledge, (Step 2) feature removal through filter methods to remove irrelevant and redundant variables, and (Step 3) feature grouping through wrapper method to search for the best feature set. Two case studies are presented here using both simulated and real building data. The simulated building data are generated from a medium-size office building (a DOE reference building) simulation model. The real building data are obtained from a medium-size campus building in Philadelphia, PA. In both cases, the energy forecasting models that are developed using proposed systematic feature selection procedure is compared with models using other feature selection techniques. Results show that the models developed using proposed procedure have better accuracy and generalization.
Prediction and Enhancement of Power System Transient Stability Using Taylor Series

Timely information about behavior of a power system is important for monitoring and controlling the system. Accurate and prompt transient stability prediction is an effective way to reduce the risk of a power system failure and possible blackouts. In this paper, a method for predicting the generators behavior using Taylor Series has been derived that can be used to predict the angular changes during transient oscillations and thus the related critical clearing time. The paper also discusses the application of this approach for preventive control actions. The proposed technique is applied on IEEE 39 bus test system and the advantages, efficiency and error comparisons are presented.
Boiling crisis as the stability limit to wall heat partitioning

We propose an approach to describe the boiling crisis as the onset of instability in the local energy balance at the boiling wall. We explicitly track the microscale phenomena at the bubble scale and through them identify the condition leading to the runaway growth of surface dry-spots. The model allows us to quantify the evolution of the heat transfer mechanisms from the inception of boiling up to critical heat flux, directly from the knowledge of the surface characteristics and operating conditions. The results demonstrate qualitative and quantitative agreements with high-resolution instrumented measurements under controlled flow and surface wettability conditions.
Online tobacco marketing among US adolescent sexual, gender, racial, and ethnic minorities

Abstract Introduction The tobacco industry has previously targeted sexual/gender and racial/ethnic minorities with focused campaigns in traditional, offline marketing. We assess whether these populations report more engagement with online tobacco marketing compared with heterosexual and non-Hispanic white youth. Methods Data were from 8015 adolescents sampled between 2014 and 2015 in the nationally-representative Population Assessment for Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study. Engagement with online tobacco marketing within the past year was assessed through eight forms of engagement. A weighted logistic regression model was fit with engagement as outcome and socio-demographic and psychosocial characteristics, internet-related and substance use behavior, tobacco-related risk factors, tobacco use status, and prior engagement with online tobacco marketing as covariates. Results Accounting for other covariates including tobacco use status and prior engagement with online tobacco marketing, the odds of past-year engagement were higher for sexual minority males (aOR = 1.57; 95% CI: 1.05–2.35) compared to straight males and higher for sexual minority females (aOR = 1.45; 95% CI: 1.13–1.87) compared to straight females. The odds of past-year engagement were also higher for Hispanics (aOR = 1.31; 95% CI: 1.11–1.56) and non-Hispanic Blacks (aOR = 1.42; 95% CI: 1.14–1.77) compared to non-Hispanic Whites. Conclusions Sexual/gender and and racial/ethnic minority youth reported higher engagement with online tobacco marketing than their heterosexual and non-Hispanic white peers, respectively.
Characterization of the shoulder net joint moment during manual wheelchair propulsion using four functional axes.

Abstract Understanding how individuals distribute mechanical demand imposed on their upper extremity during physically demanding activities provides meaningful insights to preserve function and mitigate detrimental mechanical loading of the shoulder. In this study, we hypothesized that parameterization of the shoulder net joint moment using four functional axes could characterize distribution tendencies about the shoulder during manual wheelchair propulsion and that regardless of demographics, a shoulder flexor dominant NJM distribution would be predominantly used by individuals with paraplegia (n = 130). Forces and kinematics of the upper extremity and trunk were quantified using motion capture and an instrumented wheel during steady state manual wheelchair propulsion at self-selected fast speeds on a stationary ergometer. The results indicate that parsing out the internal/external rotation component of the shoulder net joint moment about the upper arm and distributing the remainder across the three orthogonal axes of the torso was successful in identifying common shoulder net joint moment distribution techniques used across individuals with paraplegia during manual wheelchair propulsion. Distribution tendencies were predominantly flexor dominant across injury level, gender, time since injury, body mass index, and height demographics. The 4-axis parameterization of the shoulder NJM effectively differentiated moment distribution tendencies used by individuals during manual wheelchair propulsion using a functionally relevant representation of shoulder kinetics. Use of the four-axis parameterization of joint kinetics in future studies is expected to provide important insights that can advance knowledge, preserve function, and inform clinical decisions.
The Tactical Compromise: The 1930 Forced Labour Convention and Kenya Colony

The passage of Forced Labour Convention in 1930 was supposed to signify the end of forced labor for private interests and the curtailment of government forced labor, with abolition to follow in the future. However, the inclusion of certain exemptions to the Convention ensured that coercive labor practices, like communal labor, would continue after the Convention. This chapter examines the historical factors that led to the promulgation of the Forced Labour Convention and the debates that led to the retention of the exemptions during the ILO conference. It then turns to analyze the practical impact that the passage of the Forced Labor Convention had in Kenya Colony on the use of various types of forced labor practices.
HeadsUp! Econ: Making exam review sessions fun and effective

AbstractIn this article, the authors describe an innovative charades-based educational game, HeadsUp! Econ, and its use for effective economics instruction. Results of a self-assessment survey of s...
Robust organelle size control via bursty growth

Abstract Among the most important processes in the self-assembly of the eukaryotic cell is the synthesis of its organelles, specialized biochemical compartments that house processes crucial to cellular physiology. A critical property that governs organelle function is its size. Numerous molecular factors that regulate the sizes of a diverse array of organelles, including the Golgi, mitochondria, peroxisomes and lipid droplets among others, have been identified. However, our understanding of the quantitative principles governing organelle size control remains incomplete. Here, we combine organelle size data from the single-celled eukaryote Saccharomyces cerevisiae and mathematical theory to show that cells can robustly control organelle size fluctuations across a range of organelle sizes. In particular, our framework suggests that organelle size increases in random bursts from a limited pool of building blocks. Bursty organelle growth allows the cell to decouple the average magnitude of organelle size fluctuations from mean organelle size, provided the bursts do not deplete the pool of building blocks from which organelles grow. Bursty growth thus provides a potentially general mechanism by which cells can regulate the noise of the sizes of its subcellular structures.
Evaluation of an interactive simulated patient educational tool on course performance among current pharmacy students.

Abstract Background and purpose In an accelerated doctor of pharmacy program, student examination performance on a key knowledge concept, the Cockcroft-Gault equation (CGE) for creatinine clearance estimation, was suboptimal. A scenario-based online tutorial using a virtual patient activity was developed to provide just-in-time access to an active-learning opportunity, consistent with Millennial learning styles. The purposes of this study were to assess the association between tutorial use and CGE examination performance and to explore learner characteristics that may affect this association, including student age group. Educational activity and setting CGE calculation is a required component of Renal and Cardiovascular System I, the fourth of a five-quarter intensive integrated course sequence. The tutorial used pretest-based branching, learner personalization, and virtual-patient scenarios in a realistic environment. Statistical analyses estimated the association of voluntary tutorial usage with CGE-calculation performance using Spearman's Rho correlations and linear regression analysis. Covariates included age group and course grade, excluding CGE points. Findings Over a three-year study period (2015 to 2017), students (n = 436) accessed the tutorial a mean (median) of 5.64 (5.0) times. Tutorial access varied significantly, but not consistently, across age categories. In both bivariate and linear regression analyses, tutorial access was significantly associated with CGE grade only among students with non-CGE grades in the top 25% (i.e. top quartile). Summary The majority of learners took advantage of an interactive educational tool designed for active learner engagement. Frequency of tutorial access was associated with improvements in CGE calculation performance only among top-quartile students.
Heartbeat OCE: corneal biomechanical response to simulated heartbeat pulsation measured by optical coherence elastography

Significance: It is generally agreed that the corneal mechanical properties are strongly linked to many eye diseases and could be used to assess disease progression and response to therapies. Elastography is the most notable method of assessing corneal mechanical properties, but it generally requires some type of external excitation to induce a measurable displacement in the tissue. Aim: We present Heartbeat Optical Coherence Elastography (Hb-OCE), a truly passive method that can measure the elasticity of the cornea based on intrinsic corneal displacements induced by the heartbeat. Approach: Hb-OCE measurements were performed in untreated and UV-A/riboflavin cross-linked porcine corneas ex vivo, and a distinct difference in strain was detected. Furthermore, a partially cross-linked cornea was also assessed, and the treated and untreated areas were similarly distinguished. Results: Our results suggest that Hb-OCE can spatially map displacements in the cornea induced by small fluctuations in intraocular pressure, similar to what is induced by the heartbeat. Conclusions: The described technique opens the possibility for completely passive and noncontact in vivo assessment of corneal stiffness.
Excited State Electron Transfer from Donor-πSystem-Acceptor Dyes to ZnO Nanocrystals

Monodispered ZnO nanocrystals (NCs) were found to quench the fluorescence of two donor−π system–acceptor (D−π–A) dyes; (E)-2-cyano-3-[5-[4-(diethylamino)phenyl]thiophen-2-yl]-2-propenoic acid, 1, a...
The role of iron in mediating testosterone's effects on erythropoiesis in mice.

Testosterone stimulates iron-dependent erythropoiesis and suppresses hepcidin. To clarify the role of iron in mediating testosterone's effects on erythropoiesis, we induced iron deficiency in mice by feeding low iron diet. Iron-replete and iron-deficient mice were treated weekly with testosterone propionate or vehicle for 3 weeks. Testosterone treatment increased red cell count in iron-replete mice, but, surprisingly, testosterone reduced red cell count in iron-deficient mice. Splenic stress erythropoiesis was stimulated in iron-deficient mice relative to iron-replete mice, and further increased by testosterone treatment, as indicated by the increase in red pulp area, the number of nucleated erythroblasts, and expression levels of TfR1, GATA1, and other erythroid genes. Testosterone treatment of iron-deficient mice increased the ratio of early-to-late erythroblasts in the spleen and bone marrow, and serum LDH level, consistent with ineffective erythropoiesis. In iron-deficient mice, erythropoietin levels were higher but erythropoietin-regulated genes were generally downregulated relative to iron-replete mice, suggesting erythropoietin resistance. Conclusion: Testosterone treatment stimulates splenic stress erythropoiesis in iron-replete as well as iron-deficient mice. However, testosterone worsens anemia in iron-deficient mice because of ineffective erythropoiesis possibly due to erythropoietin resistance associated with iron deficiency. Iron plays an important role in mediating testosterone's effects on erythropoiesis.
Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol: Drug discrimination abuse liability testing in female Lister Hooded rats: Trials, tribulations and triumphs.

Abstract Introduction The assessment of the abuse potential of CNS-active drugs is a regulatory requirement. Drug discrimination is one of the nonclinical tests that contribute to this assessment by providing information on a drug's potential to induce a discriminative stimulus comparable to that of a known drug of abuse. Aim The objective was to validate drug discrimination in the rat for the purpose of supporting regulatory submissions for novel drugs with potential cannabinoid-like activity. Methods Ten female Lister hooded rats were trained to discriminate no-drug from Δ9-THC (1.5 mg/kg, IP) under a FR10 schedule of reinforcement. Once trained, a Δ9-THC dose-response curve was obtained using doses of 0.25, 0.75, 1.5, and 3 mg/kg, IP. This was followed by evaluation of amphetamine (0.3 mg/kg, SC); morphine (3 mg/kg, IP); midazolam (2.5 mg/kg, PO); and the synthetic cannabinoids WIN55,212–2 (0.75 to 2 mg/kg, IP), CP-47,497 (0.5 to 2 mg/kg, IP), and JWH-018 (1 mg/kg, IP) for their discriminative stimulus similarity to Δ9-THC. Results Pharmacological specificity was demonstrated by achieving the anticipated dose-response curve for Δ9-THC, and a vehicle-like response for the non-cannabinoid drugs. Although full generalisation was obtained for JWH-018, in contrast to published literature, WIN55,212–2 and CP-47,497 failed to generalise to Δ9-THC. Discussion Based on the literature review performed in light of the results obtained, contrasting and unpredictable behavioural responses produced by cannabinoids in animals and humans raises the question of the reliability and relevance of including drug discrimination and self-administration studies within an abuse potential assessment for novel cannabinoid-like drugs.
The Legal Effect of Voluntary Pooling and Unitization: Theories and Party Practice

This comment describes the legal theories and practices for pooling or combining of smaller tracts in the oil and gas industry that impact Texas law.
NICU-Specific Stress Following Traumatic Childbirth and Its Relationship With Posttraumatic Stress

This mixed-methods pilot study investigated maternal perceived stress specific to infant neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) hospitalization as a moderator of the relationship between traumatic childbirth appraisal and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). NICU mothers (N = 77) were recruited via social media 1 to 4 months postpartum for a cross-sectional survey about perinatal experiences. Measures included traumatic childbirth, PTSD Checklist for DSM-5, and Parental Stressor Scale (PSS): NICU. Quantitative results indicated that, only at high levels of stress, women who reported traumatic childbirth (68%) reported significantly higher PTSD symptoms [b = 18.00, standard error = 7.18, t = 2.51, P = .015, 95% confidence interval (3.65, 32.36)]. Qualitative analysis identified additional stressors: maternal emotional well-being, dissatisfaction with care, infant health problems, breastfeeding, and additional characteristics of the NICU environment. Results provide supportive evidence that NICU mothers are at high risk for childbirth-related trauma and PTSD. Perceived stress related to the NICU may be an important intervention target when developing trauma-informed patient care. In addition to the domains captured by the PSS: NICU, maternal emotional well-being, interpersonal relationships with NICU staff, and stress related to breastfeeding are additional areas for improvement in the family-centered NICU.
Missed Opportunities in Pediatric Hypertension: Increasing Recognition of Elevated Blood Pressures in Outpatient Pediatric Clinics Through Automatic Alerts

BACKGROUND: Pediatric hypertension can predispose children to adult cardiovascular disease and can be the first presentation of significant medical conditions. However, it is recognized that pediatric hypertension is underdiagnosed due to difficulty identifying elevated blood pressures (BPs). Evidence suggests that electronic medical record (EMR) automated alerts (e.g. best practice advisory, BPA) can improve detection rate of pediatric hypertension. However, published efforts have been variably successful. We developed a multi-level BPA to improve the detection rate of elevated BPs in a large academic pediatric program. METHODS: A retrospective analysis …
Opioid use among patients with pain syndromes commonly seeking surgical consultation: A retrospective cohort.

Background Surgeons often see patients with pain to exclude organic pathology and consider surgical treatment. We examined factors associated with long-term opioid therapy among patients with foot/ankle, anorectal, and temporomandibular joint pain to aid clinical decision making. Methods Using the IBM MarketScan® Research Database, we conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of patients aged 18-64 with a clinical encounter for foot/ankle, anorectal, or temporomandibular joint pain (January 2007-September 2015). Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios for factors associated with long-term opioid therapy, including age, sex, geographic region, pain condition, psychiatric diagnoses, and surgical procedures in the previous year. Results The majority of the cohort of 1,500,392 patients were women (61%). Within the year prior to the first clinical encounter for a pain diagnosis, 14% had an encounter for a psychiatric diagnosis, and 11% had undergone a surgical procedure. Long-term opioid therapy was received by 2.7%. After multivariable adjustment, older age (age 50-64 vs. 18-29: aOR 4.47, 95% CI 4.24-4.72, p < 0.001), region (South vs. Northeast, aOR 1.76, 95% CI 1.70-1.81, p < 0.001), recent surgical procedure (aOR 1.83, 95% CI 1.78-1.87, p < 0.001), male sex (aOR 1.14, 95% CI 1.12-1.16, p < 0.001) and recent psychiatric diagnosis (aOR 2.49, 95% CI 2.43-2.54, p < 0.001) were independently associated with long-term opioid therapy. Conclusion Among patients with foot/ankle, anorectal, or temporomandibular joint pain, the risk of long-term opioid therapy significantly increased with older age, recent psychiatric diagnoses and surgical history. Surgeons should be aware of these risk factors in order to make high quality clinical decisions in consultations with these patients.
CONVERSION OF FUEL NITROGEN TO OXIDES OF NITROGEN IN AN AUTOMOTIVE GAS TURBINE

Engine and chassis dynamometer tests were conducted using the GMR GT-225 experimental automotive gas turbine engine to determine the effect of fuel nitrogen on NOx emissions. Kerosene doped with pyridine was used as fuel and both a conventional diffusion-flame combustor and an experimental lean, premixing-prevaporizing combustor were tested. The results show that a sizable amount of fuel nitrogen is converted to NOx with both combustors. The lean, premixing-prevaporizing combustor converted a greater fraction of the fuel nitrogen than did the diffusion-flame combustor and for both combustors, the fraction converted decreased as the fuel nitrogen content increased.
Spatial attention improves performance in spatial resolution tasks

This study used peripheral precueing to explore the effect of covert transient attention on performance in spatial resolution tasks. Experiments 1 (Landolt-square) and 2 ('broken-line') measured gap resolution and Experiment 3 measured vernier resolution. In all three tasks the target was presented alone in a large number of possible locations, ranging from 1.5-6 degrees of eccentricity in the vertical or horizontal axes. The precue indicated the target location but did not convey information regarding the correct response. Performance decreased as the gap size or the vernier offset size decreased and as target eccentricity increased. Precueing improved performance in terms of RT and accuracy in all three tasks; the eccentricity effect decreased in the cued trials of the gap resolution tasks. These findings support the idea that the performance improvement at attended locations results, to some extent, from an enhanced spatial resolution at the cued location, and not just from distractor exclusion, diminished uncertainty, or decisional factors.
Hyperfine structure of excited 4f115d6s2 levels in 167ErI: Measurements and multiconfiguration Dirac-Fock calculations.

The laser-RF double-resonance technique has been used to make precise measurements of the hyperfine structure (hfs) of 10 excited 4f/sup 11/5d6s/sup 2/ levels in /sup 167/Er. The results are compared with multiconfiguration Dirac-Fock calculations using the known nuclear moment values. For the dipole hfs, agreement with experiment is reasonably good. For the quadrupole hfs, agreement is relatively good if allowance is made for different shielding in the 4f and 5d shells. The theory is less successful where the 4f and 5d contributions tend to cancel. Sternheimer factors R/sub n/l are obtained. Precise hfs studies are also made for one highly excited 4f/sup 12/6s6p level. Less precise results are given for hfs of more highly excited levels and for isotope shifts of a number of optical lines.
Parathormone levels after subtotal and total (autotransplantation): Parathyroidectomy for secondary hyperparathyroidism

Abstract To compare results of subtotal versus total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation in dialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism, pre- and postoperative calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, and immunoreactive parathormone (iPTH) were measured. In eight patients with subtotal parathyroidectomy, the mean preoperative iPTH of 903 ± 139 μl-eq/ml decreased to a mean of 26.6 ± 9 μl-eq/ml, 6 to 29 months postoperatively. In six patients with total parathyroidectomy and autotransplantation the mean preoperative iPTH of 1289 ± 248 μl-eq/ml decreased to a mean peripheral iPTH of 32 ± 7 μl-eq/ml, 4 to 18 months postoperatively. Both groups were similar in (1) pre- and postoperative iPTH levels, (2) the absence of postoperative clinical or chemical hyperparathyroidism, (3) improvement in symptoms, and (4) demonstrable functioning parathyroid tissue. None of the patients required reexploration for persistent hyperparathyroidism. Subtotal parathyroidectomy and total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation appear to be equally effective modalities for treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with end-stage renal disease.
Improving the biodistribution of PSMA-targeting tracers with a highly negatively charged linker.

BACKGROUND Prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is overexpressed in prostate cancer and in tumor vasculature. Small molecule based inhibitors of PSMA have promised to provide sensitive detection of primary and metastatic prostate tumors. Although significant progress has been made, many of the radiolabeled imaging agents exhibit non-specific background binding. Prevailing tracer designs focus on high affinity urea-based inhibitors with strategically placed hydrophobic patches that interact favorably with the substrate tunnel of PSMA. We hypothesized that a novel PSMA inhibitor design incorporating highly negatively charged linkers may minimize non-specific binding and decrease overall background. METHODS Through iterative redesign, we generated a series of PSMA inhibitors with highly negatively charged linkers that connect to urea inhibitors and bulky radionuclide chelates. We then performed in vivo imaging and biodistribution studies with the radiolabeled tracers. RESULTS The tracers derived from our iterative redesign have affinities for PSMA comparable to the “parent” urea ligand Cys-C(O)-Glu. Using a fluorine-18 labeled PSMA targeting tracer, we found that these highly negatively charged molecules exhibit rapid renal excretion with minimal non-specific binding. The biodistribution data at 2 hr showed 4.6%ID/g PC3-PIP tumor uptake with spleen, liver, bone, and blood background levels of 0.1%, 0.17%, 0.1%, and 0.04%, respectively. CONCLUSION Placement of multiple negative charges in the linker region of PSMA tracers significantly reduced the non-specific background binding without significant reduction of binding affinity. This increased tumor/background contrast in positron emission tomography promises to provide more sensitive tumor detection while decreasing the overall radiation exposure to patients. Prostate 74:702–713, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Semi-inclusive spin asymmetries in polarised deep inelastic electron scattering

In 1995, the HERMES experiment at DESY (Hamburg, Germany) has taken its first data, using the 27.5 GeV polarised HERA positron beam impinging on a longitudinally polarised internal $^3$He target. Preliminary results from the semi-inclusive physics program are presented.
Good Morning Montenegro: Transplanting American Television News Culture into an Emerging Democracy. A Case Study of Media Training in the Balkans

What happens when you take a staple of the American morning news diet—a hybrid recipe based on ingredients found in NBC's The Today Show and ABC's Good Morning America—and serve it up in the state-run television newsroom in Montenegro? Why would the U.S government facilitate and fund this effort, and what's the impact on local journalism routines during and after the training? This study reports about one faculty member's experience working as a broadcast news media trainer in Montenegro, reflects on the short- and long-term value of such training, weighs the benefits for the country's media environment, and recommends guiding principles for others who might conduct similar “overseas” projects. This research builds upon the scholarly record of the international media trainer's role, its potential impact on the newsroom culture of foreign nations, and, perhaps most importantly, what the teacher-trainer learns from overseas professionals that can benefit stateside classrooms and newsrooms. Journalism educat...
LARGE FLUCTUATIONS IN BODY WEIGHT DURING YOUNG ADULTHOOD AND TWENTY-FWE-YEAR RISK OF CORONARY DEATH IN MEN

The hypothesis that large fluctuations in weight during young adulthood are associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease was investigated by comparing the 25-year mortality of three groups of middle-aged men with distinctly different patterns of self-reported weight during young adulthood: 98 men who reported large gains and large losses, 133 who reported large gains and no losses, and 178 who reported no substantial change in weight. They were selected from a cohort of 2,107 men aged 40-56 years who participated in the Western Electric Study from 1957 through 1983. The 25-year crude risk of coronary death was 26% in the "gain and loss" group, 15% in the "gain only" group, 14% in the "no change" group, and 17% in the remaining 1,550 men. After adjustment for age and major coronary risk factors, the relative risk of coronary death in the gain and loss group as compared with the no change group was 2.0 (95% confidence interval 1.2-3.5). Risk of death from cancer was highest in the gain only group, and risk of death from all causes combined was lowest in the no change group. These results support the concept that large changes in weight during young adulthood increase the risk of coronary disease and of cancer.
Fast collective operations using shared and remote memory access protocols on clusters

This paper describes a novel methodology for implementing a common set of collective communication operations on clusters based on symmetric multiprocessor (SMP) nodes. Called Shared-Remote-Memory collectives, or SRM, our approach replaces the point-to-point message passing, traditionally used in implementation of collective message-passing operations, with a combination of shared and remote memory access (RMA) protocols that are used to implement semantics of the collective operations directly. Appropriate embedding of the communication graphs in a cluster maximizes the use of shared memory and reduces network communication. Substantial performance improvements are achieved over the highly optimized commercial IBM implementation and the open-source MPICH implementation of MPI across a wide range of message sizes on the IBM SP. For example, depending on the message size and number of processors, SRM implementation of broadcast, reduce, and barrier outperforms IBM MPI/spl I.bar/Bcast by 27-84%, MPI/spl I.bar/Reduce by 24-79%, and MPI/spl I.bar/Barrier by 73% on 256 processors, respectively.
Improvement in PBI Method

This laboratory has been using this method for more than 1 year and the final considered conclusions are: 1. Much time is saved in not having to clarify the solution by centrifugation and/or filtering through fine paper or a cotton plug. 2. Accurate and comparable results are obtained. 3. Time of incineration can be cut from 2½ hours to 2 hours.
hflB, a new Escherichia coli locus regulating lysogeny and the level of bacteriophage lambda cII protein

The level of the viral cII protein has been proposed to be the crucial determinant in the lysis-lysogeny decision of bacteriophage lambda. A new Escherichia coli locus (hflB) has been identified in which a mutation (hflB29) leads to high frequency of lysogeny by lambda. A double mutant defective in both hflB and the previously identified hflA gene displays a more severe Hfl- phenotype than either single mutant. The hflB locus is at 69 minutes on the E. coli map, 85% co-transducible with argG. The hflB29 mutation results in increased stability of the phage cII protein (increasing its half-life twofold) and is recessive to hflB+. We conclude that the hflB+ locus is a negative regulator of cII, perhaps coding for or regulating a protease that acts on cII. In addition, we observe that the can1 mutation, an alteration of the cII gene that results in enhanced lysogenization, leads to increased stability of cII protein. These observations reinforce the view that the level of cII is a key factor in the lysis-lysogeny decision of lambda.
COMPUTATIONAL DESIGN OF BIOMIMETIC COMPOUNDS : UREASE AN EXAMPLE

Abstract A combination of database, molecular mechanical and molecular dynamical analyses has been used to find/design a series of structural urease model systems. Although the crystal structure of urease is known, the solid state structure does not contain a urea substrate molecule and a lot still needs to be learnt about the coordination of urea to nickel. The crystal structure of urease and the proposed mechanism of its action were used to define the parameters for a model compound. The ideas used to design the urease mimic could be used to design many other biomimetic systems.
Assimilation and discriminatory perceptions and experiences: The case of Hispanics in the United States

Abstract This paper examines the relationship between assimilation and discriminatory practices encountered by Hispanic-Americans. Theories of intergroup relations have typically assumed that as members of minority ethnic groups assimilate to a dominant group, they perceive and experience lower degrees of discrimination directed against them. In reviewing theories of majority–minority relations, we have called this the “assimilationist” model. This view has been opposed by some scholars who argue that as minority ethnics assimilate and become more knowledgeable of the larger society, they perceive and experience higher levels of discrimination against them and their group. We have termed this the “conflict model” of interethnic relations. Using data from the 2002 National Survey of Latinos, conducted by the Pew Hispanic Center, we test opposing hypotheses based on these two models. Our findings, while exploratory, largely support the assimilationist model, with a few contradictory results. We discuss these findings and their implications for understanding the current situation of Hispanics in the United States.
Microstructure and Schottky barrier height of iridium silicides formed on silicon

Direct correlations between iridium silicides and their Schottky barrier heights on Si have been studied by combining TEM observations and I‐V and C‐V measurements. It has previously been shown that three iridium silicides IrSi, Ir2Si3, and IrSi3 can be formed by annealing Ir films on Si at temperatures around 400, 600, and 960 °C, respectively. The Schottky barrier height of these silicides on 〈100〉 Si have been determined to be 0.93 eV (IrSi), 0.85 eV (Ir2Si3), and 0.94 eV (IrSi3). Along with the I‐V measurement, a computer fitting of current transport across Schottky diodes has been used to analyze the I‐V data so that the barrier height from nonideal diodes can be determined. The question of a parallel diode formed by a mixture of two phases at the contact area has also been addressed. It is shown that I‐V measurements, which are very sensitive to the presence of a lower barrier phase, tend to give a lower barrier height than a corresponding C‐V measurement since the latter depends on the major phase ...
Age-related patterns of fertility in captive populations of birds and mammals

We have analyzed birth records from the International Species Inventory System database of zoo animals to describe patterns of fertility as a function of age in birds and mammals. Unlike age at death, fertility in captive populations is partly controlled by animal keepers depending on availability of space and potential mates and on the aims of captive propagation programs. Thus, fertility records must be considered carefully to avoid potential age-specific biases. The zoo data suggest that fertility declines from a peak at young adult ages in most species. The rate of decline in reproductive function is correlated with the rate of somatic aging, indicated by the increase in mortality rate with age, and with the age at peak fertility. Over the sample as a whole, these patterns do not differ systematically between the sexes, nor do they differ between birds and mammals. While it is clear that the demographic consequences of aging of the reproductive system follow a different course than the aging of somatic tissue, the rates of each are correlated either through functional connections or through parallel evolutionary responses to common selective factors.