cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Cascadia Paradox: Mantle flow and slab fragmentation in the Cascadia subduction system

Abstract The pattern of mantle flow in subduction systems and the processes that control the mantle flow field represent fundamental but still poorly understood aspects of subduction dynamics. The Cascadia subduction zone is a compelling system in which to understand the controls on mantle flow, especially given the dense geophysical observations recently provided by EarthScope, GeoPRISMS, the Cascadia Initiative, and related efforts. Observations of seismic anisotropy, which provide relatively direct constraints on mantle flow, are particularly intriguing in Cascadia because they seem to yield contradictory views of the mantle flow field in different parts of the system. Specifically, observations of seismic anisotropy on the overriding plate, notably in the central portion of the backarc, apparently require a significant component of three-dimensional, toroidal flow around the slab edge. In contrast, new observations from offshore stations are compellingly explained with a simple two-dimensional entrained flow model. Recent evidence from seismic tomography for the likely fragmentation of the Cascadia slab at depth provides a further puzzle: how does a fragmented slab provide a driving force for either two-dimensional entrained flow or three-dimensional toroidal flow due to slab rollback? Resolution of this apparent paradox will require new imaging strategies as well as the integration of constraints from seismology, geodynamics, and geochemistry.
Use of the Effective Monthly Recharge model to assess long-term water-level fluctuations in and around groundwater-dominated wetlands

Abstract Effective Monthly Recharge (W em ) calculations use historical weather data to estimate monthly-scale water level changes in precipitation-and-groundwater-driven wetlands. This time-weighted water-budget procedure relates first-of-the-month hydraulic heads measured in a monitoring well or small pond with precipitation and evapotranspiration data for preceding months and generates a regression equation used to estimate historic water levels. This study developed an enhanced procedure more robust than used with previous W em studies. Two data sets of water-table fluctuations in humid-temperate southeastern Virginia (U.S.A.) allowed verification of the model procedure—a 30-year record from a shallow well maintained by the U.S.G.S., and a 6.5-year record from a mitigation wetland measured before and after construction. Analyses of Predicted Heads and Observed Heads at both sites indicate that the W em model can replicate reasonably the seasonal patterns of water-table fluctuations and the range of values of hydraulic heads at a monthly scale. Within the limitations set by the assumptions of the procedure and the range of water fluctuations during the calibration period, W em calculations may be used to generate synthetic hydrographs for periods with appropriate weather data. Analyses of two sites in Missouri and Nebraska (U.S.A.) suggest that the W em procedure may prove useful also in climatic regions with relatively strong seasonal forcing, but additional testing is needed to verify the range of model applicability. These reconstructions could support long-term decisions in the management of wildlife habitats or design of mitigation wetlands.
Giant adenoid basal cell carcinoma of the scalp with intracranial involvement—successful management strategies for a rare entity

Adenoid basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a rare but aggressive histologic subtype of BCC. The aim of this report is to present our multidisciplinary management strategy and a literature review on this seldom reported entity. A 72-year-old female with fungating giant BCC of the scalp, ear, and bone underwent preoperative biopsy revealing adenoid histology with infiltrating and nodular components. The patient underwent radical resection of the biparietal and occipital scalp, auriculectomy and craniectomy with dural resection. Immediate reconstruction of the intracranial and bony defect was performed with dural substitute and a titanium cranioplasty. The soft tissue defect was reconstructed with a latissimus dorsi free flap and split thickness skin graft using the right superficial temporal artery and vein as recipient vessels. Adjuvant external beam radiation was initiated postoperatively. Nearly 2 years postoperatively, she presented mesh exposure necessitating secondary reconstruction with debridement, hardware removal, and an anterolateral thigh (ALT) free flap, followed by flap debulking. Four years following initial presentation, she remains disease-free. To our knowledge, this is the only reported case of a giant, locally invasive scalp BCC with the adenoid subtype treated with composite resection and single stage reconstruction. Using an aggressive multimodal management paradigm, treatment and surveillance of the rarely reported, giant, locally invasive scalp BCC with adenoid subtype can result in a durable disease-free response and a functional, esthetic reconstruction. Evidence-based medicine level. Level of Evidence: Level V, therapeutic study.
Abstract 12975: Electrocardiographic Left Ventricular Hypertrophy Predicts Atrial Fibrillation Independent of Left Ventricular Anatomy

Introduction: It has been established that LVH detected by electrocardiography (ECG-LVH) and LVH detected by echocardiography (echo-LVH) carry different prognostic profiles in the prediction of car...
GenApp Integrated with OpenStack Supports Elastic Computing on Jetstream

GenApp is a universal and extensible tool for rapid deployment of applications. GenApp builds fully functioning science gateways and standalone GUI applications from collections of definition files and libraries of code fragments. Among the main features are the minimal technical expertise requirement for the end user and an open-end design ensuring sustainability of generated applications. Because of the conceptual simplicity of use, GenApp is ideally suited to scientists who are not professional developers, to disseminate their theoretical and experimental expertise as embodied in their code to their communities by rapidly deploying advanced applications. GenApp has an open extensible resource execution model. To support efficient elastic cloud computing on NSF Jetstream, GenApp has recently integrated OpenStack as a target resource with optional job-specific XSEDE project accounting.
A Critical Appraisal of 25 Years of Research Related to Fashion Adoption Groups: Part 2. Analysis of Variables, Research Propositions, and Research Trends

Objectives of this study were to investigate research examining fashion adoption groups for (a) specific variables studied and major findings within broad categories of variables, (b) research prop...
Long-term rescue of photoreceptor cells in the retinas of RCS dystrophic rats by RPE transplants.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the effects of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE)-cell transplants in the retinas of Royal College of Surgeon (RCS) dystrophic rats that are stable for at least 6 months after transplantation. Studies are currently in progress that will determine if these transplants continue to affect photoreceptor cells (PRC) survival 1 year after transplantation. A long-term stability of RPE-cell transplants is very important, because ideally this surgical technique and subsequent RPE-cell injection should be performed once, thus limiting trauma and injury to the host eye. Grafted RPE cells have been frequently found interposed between host RPE, along Bruch's membrane, and also attached to the apical surface of host RPE cells. It is also important that rescued PRCs continue to synthesize and transport proteins that are essential in the proper functioning of this cell. In this regard, detecting immunocytochemically the membrane-bound enzyme (Na + + K+)—ATPase—and the photopigment opsin in their normal cellular sites provide evidence that rescued PRCs properly expressed these two proteins. The RPE-cell transplants in dystrophic retinas may stabilize cells of the intermediate nepheloid layer (INL), which is indicated by the increased INL thickness when compared to nongrafted dystrophic retinas. The transplanted RPE cells in the retinas of 6-month-old RCS dystrophic rats appear to be functioning normally as these cells actively phagocytize shed ROS and their microvilli are interposed between and contact rod outer segments (ROS).
Recent advances in neuropathology, biomarkers and therapeutic approach of multiple system atrophy

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterised by a variable combination of autonomic failure, levodopa-unresponsive parkinsonism, cerebellar ataxia and pyramidal symptoms. The pathological hallmark is the oligodendrocytic glial cytoplasmic inclusion (GCI) consisting of α-synuclein; therefore, MSA is included in the category of α-synucleinopathies. MSA has been divided into two clinicopathological subtypes: MSA with predominant parkinsonism and MSA with predominant cerebellar ataxia, which generally correlate with striatonigral degeneration and olivopontocerebellar atrophy, respectively. It is increasingly recognised, however, that clinical and pathological features of MSA are broader than previously considered.In this review, we aim to describe recent advances in neuropathology of MSA from a review of the literature and from information derived from review of nearly 200 definite MSA cases in the Mayo Clinic Brain Bank. In light of these new neuropathological findings, GCIs and neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions play an important role in clinicopathological correlates of MSA. We also focus on clinical diagnostic accuracy and differential diagnosis of MSA as well as candidate biomarkers. We also review some controversial topics in MSA. Cognitive impairment, which has been a non-supporting feature of MSA, is considered from both clinical and pathological perspectives. The cellular origin of α-synuclein in GCI and a 'prion hypothesis' are discussed. Finally, completed and ongoing clinical trials targeting disease modification, including immunotherapy, are summarised.
Inverse Weyl transform/operator

The Weyl procedure associates a function of two ordinary variables, called the c-function or symbol, with an operator, called the Weyl operator of the symbol. One generally formulates this association by defining the operator corresponding to a given symbol. In this paper we consider the reverse problem: Given the Weyl operator, what is the matching symbol? We give a number of explicit formulas for obtaining the symbol that would generate an arbitrary Weyl operator, and we illustrate each form with an example.
Caught in the Webs of Empire: Benjamin Franklin’s Cosmopolitan Ideas for an American Self

The chapter considers the various forms cosmopolitanism takes at various stages of Benjamin Franklin’s writing career. Cillerai starts her discussion with an analysis of Benjamin Franklin’s autobiographical narrative in the context of its origins in the texts that Franklin composed early in his life, and in the context of their use in his memoir. The chapter shows how Franklin’s organization and choice of materials gives us an insight into the extent to which the language of cosmopolitanism influenced his representation of a developing American identity. Cillerai’s analysis of the rhetorical characteristics of the autobiography shows how Franklin’s representation of the American individual transformed from the early to the later decades of the century.
Aberrant Caspase Activation in Laminin-α2-Deficient Human Myogenic Cells is Mediated by p53 and Sirtuin Activity.

Background Mutations in the LAMA2 gene encoding laminin-α2 cause congenital muscular dystrophy Type 1A (MDC1A), a severe recessive disease with no effective treatment. Previous studies have shown that aberrant activation of caspases and cell death through a pathway regulated by BAX and KU70 is a significant contributor to pathogenesis in laminin-α2-deficiency. Objectives To identify mechanisms of pathogenesis in MDC1A. Methods We used immunocytochemical and molecular studies of human myogenic cells and mouse muscles-comparing laminin-α2-deficient vs. healthy controls-to identify mechanisms that regulate pathological activation of caspase in laminin-α2-deficiency. Results In cultures of myogenic cells from MDC1A donors, p53 accumulated in a subset of nuclei and aberrant caspase activation was inhibited by the p53 inhibitor pifithrin-alpha. Also, the p53 target BBC3 (PUMA) was upregulated in both MDC1A myogenic cells and Lama2-/- mouse muscles. In addition, studies with sirtuin inhibitors and SIRT1 overexpression showed that caspase activation in MDC1A myotubes was inversely related to sirtuin deacetylase activity. Caspase activation in laminin-α2-deficiency was, however, not associated with increased phosphorylation of p38 MAPK. Conclusions Aberrant caspase activation in MDC1A cells was mediated both by sirtuin deacetylase activity and by p53. Interventions that inhibit aberrant caspase activation by targeting sirtuin or p53 function could potentially be useful in ameliorating MDC1A.
Emotional Aspects of Pregnancy and Childbirth

In all known human societies, there are recognizable patterns of behavior specifically related to the birth of a child. Cultural beliefs and traditions create and shape these patterns of behavior, and although the importance of childbirth is evident in all cultures, there is wide variation in approach to childbirth. Some cultures regard childbirth as a normal, natural, physiological process and a joyful part of ordinary everyday life. For example, DuBois (1944), observing the women of Alor, comments: “One gathers the impression that birth is considered an easy and casual procedure. This does not mean that difficulties never occur, but it does indicate that this society has not emphasized such difficulties.” Likewise, the Jarava women of South America give birth in a passageway or shelter in full view of everyone, even small children. Among the Navajo Indians (Southwest United States), birth was seen as a social event and moral support from anyone was welcomed.
Use of sildenafil in a liver transplant recipient with acute pulmonary embolism

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary embolism (PE) can be a fatal complication after liver transplantation (LT). Sildenafil is commonly used in LT candidates with pulmonary hypertension but has not been used in this patient population in the setting of PE. METHODS: We report on a patient who developed PE early post LT. RESULTS: The patient presented with heart failure and shortness of breath, diagnosis of PE was made based on the documentation of lower limb venous thrombosis together with the findings of dilation of the right heart. Systemic heparin was given and sildenafil added in an attempt to lower the pulmonary pressure. The patient recovered from this severe complication and is currently alive with a well-functioning graft. CONCLUSIONS: Sildenafil seems to be a useful adjunct in the management of PE including LT recipients.
Chapter 51 Structural estimation of markov decision processes

Publisher Summary This chapter summarizes the ability of the models to track the shift in departure rates induced by the 1982 window plan. All forecasts were based on the estimated utility function parameters using data prior to 1982. Using these parameters, predictions were generated from all four models after incorporating the extra bonus provisions of the window plan. The structural models were generally able to accurately predict the large increase in departure rates induced by the window plan, although once again none of the models was able to capture the peak in departure rates at age 65. On the other hand, the reduced-form probit model predicted that the window plan had essentially no effect on departure rates. Other reduced-form specifications greatly overpredicted departure rates under the window plan.
Induction, Coinduction, and Fixed Points: A Concise Comparative Survey (and Tutorial)

In this survey article (which hitherto is an ongoing work-in-progress) we present the formulation of the induction and coinduction principles using the language and conventions of each of order theory, set theory, programming languages' type theory, first-order logic, and category theory, for the purpose of examining some of the similarities and, more significantly, the dissimilarities between these various mathematical disciplines, and hence shed some light on the precise relation between these disciplines. Towards that end we discuss plenty of related concepts, such as fixed points, pre-fixed points, post-fixed points, inductive sets and types, coinductive sets and types, algebras and coalgebras. Following the set-theoretic formulation of these concepts we present few basic examples from set theory, number theory and real analysis that illustrate the concepts, and the intuitions behind them, more concretely. We conclude the survey by hinting at the possibility of a more abstract and unified treatment that uses concepts from category theory such as monads and comonads. As a side-benefit of relevance to programming languages theorists in particular, the formulation of these concepts in programming languages type theory involves their separate formulation, first, in the theory of types of functional programming languages and, next, in the theory of types of *object-oriented* programming languages. Separating these two formulations helps demonstrate some of the fundamental differences between structural subtyping, predominant in functional programming languages, and nominal subtyping, predominant in object-oriented programming languages---including differences concerning type negation and concerning the existence of (mutual) inductive types, (mutual) coinductive types, and approximations thereof.
Temperature affects hatching success of cocoons in the invasive Asian earthwork Amynthas agrestis from the southern Appalachians

Invasive Asian earthworms are increasingly common in the eastern USA where they are a major cause of terrestrial ecosystem disturbance. Among these, Amynthas agrestis (Crazy Worm, Alabama Jumper, and other common names) has been shown to alter above- and belowground food webs. Life-history traits of these earthworms are largely unknown, particularly in their invaded range. Here, we sought to answer questions about temperature effects on hatching success for cocoons of this species, using specimens collected from the southern Appalachian Mountains. We conducted 2 experiments investigating the effects of incubation temperature and the effect of varying the duration of cold temperature on hatching success. Of the temperatures tested, we found that cocoons hatched with greatest success at 10 °C, but our tests indicate a long duration at that temperature may be needed to result in an increase in hatching success. These results indicate that temperature and the duration of temperature exposure affect hatching success in this species. While our results contribute to the growing body of knowledge about the life-history traits of invasive Asian earthworms in the eastern US, more research is needed to provide a finer-resolution understanding of the optimum level and duration of temperatures for hatching success of A. agrestis.
Nuances in the Calculation of Amorphous Solubility Enhancement Ratio.

The theoretical amorphous solubility enhancement ratio (Rs) can be calculated based on the free energy difference between amorphous and crystalline forms (ΔGx→a), using several experimentally determined input parameters. This work compares the various approaches for the calculation of Rs and explores the nuances associated with its calculation. The uncertainty of Rs values owing to experimental conditions (differential scanning calorimetry heating rates) used to measure the input parameters was determined for 3 drugs (indomethacin, itraconazole, and spironolactone). The calculated value of Rs was most influenced by the measurement of heat of fusion. The range in values of Rs using the various equations in the literature was within the calculated uncertainty of the theoretical Rs value. Still, all equations appear to overpredict the experimental value of Rs, sometimes by more than a factor of 5, when an experimental value is attainable. Methods for the calculation of ΔGx→a for molecules undergoing additional phase transitions (other than glass transition and melting) were developed, employing itraconazole as a model drug. In addition, the influences of enthalpy relaxation and entropy of mixing for racemic compounds on Rs were also considered. These additional corrections improved agreement between theoretical and experimental Rs.
Correction to: A case study comparison of LANDFIRE fuel loading and emissions generation on a mixed conifer forest in Northern Idaho, USA

Following publication of the original article (Hyde et al., 2015), the authors have noticed two errors in the summarizing of our results and wish to point out the following corrections:
The Influence of Youth Gender and Complex Trauma on the Relation Between Treatment Conditions and Outcomes in Therapeutic Residential Care.

Complex trauma (CT) is the experience, or witness, of prolonged abuse or neglect that negatively affects children’s emotional and psychological health. Youth in residential care experience higher incidences of complex trauma than youth in community-based care, with notable gender differences and presentation of psychological symptoms. This study examined the effects of trauma-informed residential care and the relation between CT and gender. A sample (n = 206) from an evaluation of a youth psychiatric residential facility in the Midwest that transitioned from a traditional care model to a trauma-informed care model was used. A hierarchical regression was used to model the main effects of model of care, gender, CT, length of stay, and crisis response on treatment outcomes; and the moderating effects of gender and CT. The results support the high prevalence of CT in residential care populations. The final model explained 30.2% of the variance with a statistically significant interaction between gender and length of stay in treatment, indicating that longer lengths of stay in treatment are associated with less change in functional impairment for girls than boys. Youth gender and prior trauma are important factors to consider when monitoring experiences and treatment outcomes in youth residential care.
Reconciling Phenotype with Genotype in the MPN: Impact of SNP Array-Based Chromosomal Analysis.

Abstract Abstract 1893 Poster Board I-916 The diagnosis and accurate prognostication of the myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) is complicated by phenotypic mimicry and variable rates of disease evolution. The somatic mutation of JAK2 (JAK2V617F), identified in more than 90% of PV and in 50% of ET and PMF patients, is associated with acquired uniparental disomy (aUPD) on chromosome 9p, generating copy number-neutral loss of heterozygosity (CN-LOH) and results in homozygosity of JAK2V617F in roughly one third of JAK2V617F-positive patients. The molecular events upstream of the mitotic recombination that leads to somatic CN-LOH are essentially unknown. Intriguingly, JAK2V617F itself has been implicated in the generation of genomic instability (Plo et al 2008). Although these observations provide a rationale for how a single mutation could give rise to different clinical pathologies and downstream genomic instability in MPN, the JAK2V617F allele burden (AB) has not been systematically correlated with high resolution evaluation of amplifications, deletions, and CN-LOH in a large MPN cohort. We performed single nucleotide polymorphism arrays (SNP-A), a powerful karyotyping tool with the unique ability to detect CN-LOH on neutrophil DNA from 90 MPN patients. Published copy number variants (CNVs) and those identified in our internal cohort of 995 healthy controls were excluded as well as germline, non-clonal CN-LOH regions based on size criteria. Genomic results were correlated with the quantitative JAK2V617F AB, clinical phenotypes within and between disease classes, and in 21 paired longitudinal samples. SNP-A detected aUPD and/or chromosomal gains or losses in 81% of MPN patients. The prevalence of genomic lesions was lowest in ET compared to PV or PMF (40% of ET cases were lesion free), and lower still in JAK2V617F-negative ET (62% lesion free). aUPD was the most common genomic lesion, occurring in 59% of the MPN cases, and involving every chromosome except chromosomes 18 and 23. As expected, aUPD most commonly involved 9p (38 cases), encompassing JAK2. aUPD encompassing the TET2 gene at 4q24, recently implicated in MPN and other myeloid disorders, was seen in 3 of the 90 cases, with deletions spanning this gene in 2 additional cases. Five cases of aUPD at 2q were observed, and other recurrent regions were limited to 3 cases or fewer. The prevalence of chromosomal losses alone was far lower than UPD (22%), most commonly involved chromosome regions 20q, 13q and 17q, and was a feature primarily of PMF. The prevalence of aUPD in our MPN series of 59% was higher than in MDS (20%, p Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
A New Hybrid Structure of a Bidirectional DC-DC Converter With High Conversion Ratios for Electric Vehicles

In this paper, a new bidirectional dc-dc converter that is based on the quadratic and switched-capacitor structures is proposed for Electric Vehicle applications. The proposed converter has high voltage conversion ratios, low voltage stress on the semiconductor devices, constant potential difference between the grounds of its low voltage and high voltage ports, and continuous current at its low voltage port. Synchronous rectification is utilized to enhance the efficiency of the converter. In addition, an extended version of the proposed converter is discussed in this paper. Finally, the experimental results obtained from a 2-kW/800-V scaled-down prototype validate the feasibility of the proposed topology and the correctness of its theoretical analysis.
Imaging of the Scattering of High-Intensity Focused Ultrasonic Waves at Artificial Bone Replicas

High-intensity focused ultrasound is a technology currently used to treat bodily tissue for various medical purposes. For example, it has been applied for tissue ablation as a treatment for prostate cancer. However, the effective targeting of tissue deeper inside the body remains challenging because bones obstruct and scatter ultrasonic waves, which reduces the energy transmission to the desired location. Thus, understanding wave-scattering effects on focal point location and intensity is crucial for the expansion of the technology. Previous ultrasound visualization studies have not examined these effects in detail, especially for curved bone geometries.
Reinforcement Learning for Optimal Control of Queueing Systems

With the rapid advance of information technology, network systems have become increasingly complex and hence the underlying system dynamics are typically unknown or difficult to characterize. Finding a good network control policy is of significant importance to achieving desirable network performance (e.g., high throughput or low average job delay). Online/sequential learning algorithms are well-suited to learning the optimal control policy from observed data for systems without the information of underlying dynamics. In this work, we consider using model-based reinforcement learning (RL) to learn the optimal control policy of queueing networks so that the average job delay (or equivalently the average queue backlog) is minimized. Existing RL techniques, however, cannot handle the unbounded state spaces of the network control problem. To overcome this difficulty, we propose a new algorithm, called Piecewise Decaying $\epsilon$-Greedy Reinforcement Learning (PDGRL), which applies model-based RL methods over a finite subset of the state space. We establish that the average queue backlog under PDGRL with an appropriately constructed subset can be arbitrarily close to the optimal result. We evaluate PDGRL in dynamic server allocation and routing problems. Simulations show that PDGRL minimizes the average queue backlog effectively.
A computational approach of interval estimation for information processing

Interval estimation of data parameters is a frequent task of information processing for sensor systems. Classical parameter estimation methods for information processing suffer from the drawbacks of inaccuracy or conservatism. In this article, we propose a general method for constructing confidence regions for parameters of data. Moreover, we develop computable expressions on the minimum coverage probability of random intervals, which allows for a bisection coverage tuning method for constructing confidence intervals for parameters of various types of data. The proposed theory and algorithms can be applied to relevant tasks such as pattern classification, data fusion, target recognition and tracking.
Differences in Fungal Disease Dynamics in Co-occurring Terrestrial and Aquatic Amphibians

The fungal pathogen, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), has devastated biodiversity and ecosystem health and is implicated as a driver of mass amphibian extinctions. This 100-year study investigates which environmental factors contribute to Bd prevalence in a fully terrestrial species, and determines whether infection patterns differ between a fully terrestrial amphibian and more aquatic host species. We performed a historical survey to quantify Bd prevalence in 1127 Batrachoseps gregarius museum specimens collected from 1920 to 2000, and recent data from 16 contemporary (live-caught) B. gregarius populations from the southwestern slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountains in California, USA. We compared these results to Bd detection rates in 1395 historical and 1033 contemporary specimens from 10 species of anurans and 427 historical Taricha salamander specimens collected throughout the Sierra Nevada mountains. Our results indicate that Bd dynamics in the entirely terrestrial species, B. gregarius, differ from aquatic species in the same region in terms of both seasonal patterns of Bd abundance and in the possible timing of Bd epizootics.
The Operational and Financial Value of an Interventional Radiology Clinic at a Large, Academic, Tertiary Public Hospital System

Purpose To evaluate the operational and financial impact of an interventional radiology (IR) clinic at a tertiary county hospital system. Methods The IR clinic, which opened in January 2017, evaluates outpatient referrals and completes preprocedure workups, nonimage-guided procedures, and postprocedure follow-up visits. Procedural volumes, locations, start times, and end times were analyzed from September 2015 to June 2018, with comparison of pre- and postclinic values by t-tests. Results Relative to the preclinic period, the number of IR cases completed each quarter has increased by an average of 12% (pre: 953 ± 63, post: 1063 ± 34, p = 0.01). Procedures that saw the largest quarterly growth included port placements (44% increase; pre: 82 ± 8, post: 118 ± 17, p = 0.002), inferior vena cava (IVC) filter placements (24% increase; pre: 33 ± 12, post: 41 ± 8, p = 0.20), IVC filter removals (72% increase; pre: 18 ± 7, post: 31 ± 8, p = 0.02), and treatments of lower extremity venous disease (100% increase; pre: 7 ± 2, post: 14 ± 6, p = 0.04). Completion of 119 cases/quarter in clinic (removal of tunneled catheters and infusion ports), as well as a reduction of emergent nephrostomy exchanges, reduced quarterly facility charges for these procedures by $350,000. Since the opening of the IR clinic, the first outpatient case started 36 minutes earlier (p Conclusion Opening an IR clinic resulted in a significant increase in case volume while reducing avoidable costs and improving efficiency of the angiography suite.
Hidden in Plain Sight: The Inconsistent Gender Gaps in STEM and Leadership

An exciting fact is hidden in plain sight in the occupational tables of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2020): Women are 49% of jobholders in the occupational category of life, physical, and s...
Idiopathic cardiomyopathy

Idiopathic cardiomyopathy is a very common cause of heart failure today. It is a diagnosis of exclusion, and careful attention should be paid to the patient history to exclude all other causes. ACE inhibitors have become the first line therapy for all classes of left ventricular dysfunction. Doses of all therapeutic drugs for CHF should be up-titrated to maximum targeted dosages. New agents are being developed that offer increasing hope for therapies that will alter the natural history of heart failure.
Influence of laser ignition on characteristics of an engine for hydrogen enriched CNG and iso-octane usage

Abstract The study has focused on determining the laser plug effects on engine characteristics and the laser plug usage results have compared with spark plug usage. The laser ignition technique is a type of new ignition technique and an important solution that can make combustion systems more efficient. The testing of an engine with a laser plug is the novelty of the study and the tests were carried out with reference to equivalence ratio and plug power ranges. The behaviors of the engine at full load were examined so experimentally for both ignition techniques at hydrogen enriched CNG and iso-octane mixture usage. The tests were carried out for variations of 0.4–2.0 equivalence ratio and 20–120 W plug power. A mixture that 90% iso-octane and 10% HCNG in mass was used at two ignition modes in tests for 3300 rpm maximum engine torque speed. Also, the flame formation and propagation for both ignition techniques were detected via a high-speed camera. The tests have shown the laser ignition leads to more energy consumption in the rich mixture conditions and also, less energy is required in the lean conditions. The laser ignition discharge has extended the engine's lean combustion limits via a small energy input at the tests. The high-speed camera images have shown that the laser ignition reduces the Kernel flame formation and propagation time. The laser ignition technique was produced less NOx than the conventional spark ignition method.
The Procrustes Figure, the Curmudgeon, and the Snow White Syndrome Styles of Higher Education Workplace Bullying

These conceptual essay reviews types of bullies in higher education. Some bullies are motivated by jealousy, others are motivated by relief systems.
Hepatitis B: a new weapon against an old enemy.

New strategies based on nucleic acid technologies are being exploited to treat chronic hepatitis B—a pilot clinical study of antisense oligonucleotide treatment shows the potential promise of this approach.
Prospective elementary teachers’ claiming in responses to false generalizations

Abstract When faced with a false generalization and a counterexample, what types of claims do prospective K-8 teachers make, and what factors influence the type and prudence of their claims relative to the data, observations, and arguments reported? This article addresses that question. Responses to refutation tasks and cognitive interviews were used to explore claiming. It was found that prospective K-8 teachers’ claiming can be influenced by knowledge of argumentation; knowledge and use of the mathematical practice of exception barring; perceptions of the task; use of natural language; knowledge of, use of, and skill with the mathematics register; and abilities to technically handle data or conceptual insights. A distinction between technical handlings for developing claims and technical handlings for supporting claims was made. It was found that prudent claims can arise from arguer-developed representations that afford conceptual insights, even when searching for support for a different claim.
Bacterial translocation: studies of mice and men.

Bacterial translocation, which is defined as the passage of enteric bacteria from the intestinal lumen through the intact intestinal wall into mesenteric lymph nodes, the bloodstream, the liver, and other organs, is a critical concept in gastroenterology. It is key to our understanding of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, hemorrhagic shock, and the multiorgan failure syndrome, and is involved in diverse gastrointestinal lesions such as malnutrition, intestinal obstruction, and biliary obstruction, all of which promote bacterial translocation.
Linker insertion-deletion mutagenesis of the v-src gene: isolation of host- and temperature-dependent mutants.

Abstract The host cell regulators and substrates of the Rous sarcoma virus transforming protein pp60v-src remain largely unknown. Viral mutants which induce a host-dependent phenotype may result from mutations which affect the interaction of pp60v-src with host cell components. To isolate such mutants and to examine the role of different regions of src in regulating pp60v-src function, we generated 46 linker insertion and 5 deletion mutations within src. The mutant src genes were expressed in chicken embryo fibroblasts and in rat-2 cells by using retrovirus expression vectors. Most linker insertions within the kinase domain (residues 260 to 512) inactivated kinase activity and transforming capacity, while most insertions in the N-terminal domain and at the extreme C terminus were tolerated. A number of mutations generated a host-dependent phenotype. Insertions after residues 225 and 227, within the N-terminal regulatory domain (SH2), produced a fusiform transformation in chicken embryo fibroblasts and abolished transformation in rat-2 cells; a similar phenotype also resulted from two deletions affecting SH2 (residues 149 to 174 and residues 77 to 225). Insertions immediately C terminal to Lys-295, which is involved in ATP binding, also produced a conditional phenotype. Insertions after residues 299 and 300 produced a temperature-sensitive phenotype, while insertions after residues 304 and 306 produced a host cell-dependent phenotype. An insertion which removed the major tyrosine autophosphorylation site (Tyr-416) greatly reduced transformation of rat-2 cells, a property not previously observed with other mutations at this site. We conclude that mutations at certain sites within src result in conditional phenotypes. These sites may represent regions important in interactions with host cell components.
Simple passive scalar advection-diffusion model

This paper presents a simple, one-dimensional model of a randomly advected passive scalar. The model exhibits anomalous inertial range scaling for the structure functions constructed from scalar differences. The model provides a simple computational test for recent ideas regarding closure and scaling for randomly advected passive scalars. Results suggest that high order structure function scaling depends on the largest velocity eddy size, and hence scaling exponents may be geometry dependent and nonuniversal.
MAC: identifying and correcting annotation for multi-nucleotide variations

Background Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) technologies have rapidly advanced our understanding of human variation in cancer. To accurately translate the raw sequencing data into practical knowledge, annotation tools, algorithms and pipelines must be developed that keep pace with the rapidly evolving technology. Currently, a challenge exists in accurately annotating multi-nucleotide variants (MNVs). These tandem substitutions, when affecting multiple nucleotides within a single protein codon of a gene, result in a translated amino acid involving all nucleotides in that codon. Most existing variant callers report a MNV as individual single-nucleotide variants (SNVs), often resulting in multiple triplet codon sequences and incorrect amino acid predictions. To correct potentially misannotated MNVs among reported SNVs, a primary challenge resides in haplotype phasing which is to determine whether the neighboring SNVs are co-located on the same chromosome.
The Quest for the Other: Ethnic Tourism in San Cristóbal, Mexico

The Quest for the Other: Ethnic Tourism in San Cristobal, Mexico, Pierrel L. Van Den Berghe. Seattle and London: University of Washington Press, 1994. xi. 169 pp. 44 photographs, maps, notes, bibliography, index. $24.95 (cloth).
Hospital-level Variation in the Quality of Benign Inpatient Urologic Surgery.

Objective To examine hospital-level variation in outcomes following benign urologic surgeries given that hospital-level variation in surgical outcomes can portend quality and appropriateness of care concerns and identify quality improvement opportunities in perioperative care. Materials and Methods Using the Washington State Comprehensive Hospital Abstract Reporting System, we identified patients who underwent transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), percutaneous nephrostolithotomy (PCNL), and pyeloplasty from 2003 to 2008. We classified prolonged postoperative length of stay (LOS) as that exceeding the 75th percentile, and we measured the rate of Agency for Healthcare Quality Patient Safety Indicators, readmissions, and death. We calculated hospital-specific observed-to-expected event rates using random effects multilevel multivariable models adjusted for age and comorbidity. Results We identified 6699 TURP patients at 54 hospitals, 2541 PCNL patients at 45 hospitals, and 584 pyeloplasty patients at 36 hospitals. Complication rates were highest after PCNL (22.9% prolonged LOS vs 17.3% for TURP and 13.9% for pyeloplasty, P Conclusion Hospital-level variation is common after benign inpatient urologic surgeries and may relate to difference in perioperative provider practice patterns. The morbidity of PCNL in this study was higher than expected and merits further investigation.
Excretion and persistence of bovine coronavirus in neonatal calves

Following oral inoculation, the excretion of a virulent or an attenuated strain of bovine coronavirus in calf feces and their persistence in spiral colon, ileum, and jejunum were studied using hemagglutination and direct fluorescent antibody tests, respectively. The virus was excreted in feces for only 3 days at high titers and then intermittently at low titers. However, viral antigen was detected in crypt or Peyer's patches for at least 3 weeks after infection in 1 of 3 calves given virulent virus and 1 of 2 calves given attenuated virus.
Effects of storage conditions, formulation, and particle size on moisture sorption and flowability of powders: A study of deliquescent ingredient blends

Abstract Powder flow characteristics are important for the manufacturability and use of powders. Sticking and agglomeration resulting from exposure to relative humidity (RH) reduce flowability and may be influenced by powder composition and particle size and shape. Deliquescence is an important trait of water-soluble crystalline ingredients; however, few studies address the physical stability of powders relative to their deliquescence behavior. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of formulation, particle size, and storage conditions on the flowability and caking of deliquescent ingredient blends. Sucrose, fructose, sodium chloride, and citric acid were used. Treatment effects of formulation (single ingredient and binary blends at select ratios), particle size (50, 150, ~ 500 μm), and storage time (0–28 days) on powder flow after storage at 10% and 30% RH below the deliquescence point were examined, and moisture sorption was monitored. Scanning electron microscopy imaging investigated the influence of particle size on the physical state of the solid following RH treatment. Glass spheres were studied to show the effects of particle size and RH on powder flow and moisture sorption isotherms of an insoluble solid with a hydrophilic surface. All treatment conditions affected the flowability of the powders. Interactions between treatments were also present, indicating that there are multiple factors associated with powder flowability and treatments may have synergistic effects. For a given formulation, particle size and the distance between the storage RH and deliquescence RH are particularly important to control in order to maintain powder flowability.
Substance Use Progression from Adolescence to Early Adulthood: Effortful Control in the Context of Friendship Influence and Early-Onset Use

In a sample of 998 ethnically diverse adolescents, a multiagent, multimethod approach to the measurement of adolescent effortful control, adolescent substance use, and friendship influence was used to predict escalations to early-adult tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use by ages 22–23. Structural equation modeling revealed that adolescent substance use and friends’ substance use tended to be highly correlated and together were robust predictors of a problematic pattern of usage for all substances in early adulthood. In addition, the adolescent effortful control construct directly predicted progressions to problematic use of tobacco and marijuana, but not for alcohol. In the alcohol model, effortful control interacted with the construct of substance use lifestyle (based on adolescent alcohol use and friends’ substance use) when predicting problematic alcohol use in early adulthood. Results held when comparing across genders and across ethnic groups. These findings emphasize the importance of addressing adolescent self-regulation in interventions designed to treat and prevent early-adult substance abuse.
Deformation Mechanism of the Underground Excavations at the WIPP Site

The deformational behavior of underground excavations in rock salt is difficult to predict because of the time-dependent properties of rock salt, and its response to many other parameters, which influence its behavior. To investigate the influence of important parameters such as time, temperature, geology, opening geometry, excavation sequence, and effects of the immediate roof layer on underground excavations in rock salt, deformation measurements from the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) were used.
Magnetically Modulated Microwave Absorption in Cuprate Superconductors

Magnetically modulated microwave absorption (MMMA) is a highly sensitive microprobe, which is increasingly being used to extract a variety of information about the flux dynamics in the high-transition-temperature superconductors. The correspondence between the information obtained from the MMMA and the directly monitored (without modulation) field-induced microwave absorption techniques is discussed. The validity of some of the commonly held views about the features that characterize the MMMA signal are examined.
Passionate men, emotional women: Psychology constructs gender difference in the late 19th century.

The author examines British and American scientific psychology's portrayal of natural and ideal masculinity and femininity in the late 19th century to show how purported differences in emotion and reason were critical to explaining the evolutionary foundation of existing social hierarchies. Strong emotion was identified with heterosexual manliness and men's purportedly better capacity to harness the power of emotion in the service of reason. "Feminine" emotion was portrayed as a comparatively ineffectual emotionality, a by-product of female reproductive physiology and evolutionary need to be attractive to men. The author argues that constructions of emotion by psychology served an important power maintenance function. A concluding section addresses the relevance of this history to the politics of emotion in everyday life, especially assertions of emotional legitimacy.
Palliative care and rehabilitation for stroke survivors: managing symptoms and burden, maximizing function.

Stroke survivors often have permanent disfigurement, dysphonia, dysphagia, or sialhorrhea. Frequently, they are wheelchair bound or have gait deviations, and are limited or dependent on others for activities of daily living and bowel and bladder care. They may have cognitive impairment and/or inability to communicate or comprehend conversations. Commonly, they develop musculoskeletal, neuropathic, and/or other painful syndromes which further impair physical functioning and quality of life.