cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Insights from watershed simulations around the world: Watershed service-based restoration does not significantly enhance streamflow

Abstract Increased water yield and baseflow and decreased peak flow are common goals of watershed service programs. However, is the forest management often used in such programs likely to provide these beneficial watershed services? Many watershed service investments such as water funds typically change less than 10% of watershed land cover. We simulate the effects of 10% forest-cover change on water yield, low flow, and high flow in hydrologic models of 29 watersheds around the world. The forest-cover changes considered are: forest restoration from degraded natural lands or agriculture, forest conversion to agriculture, and forest conversion to urban cover. We do not consider grassland restoration by removal of alien tree species from riparian zones, which does increase water yield and low flow. Forest restoration from locally-predominant agricultural land resulted in median loss in annual water yield of 1.4%. Forest restoration reduced low flow and high flow by ∼3%. After forest restoration, low flow increased in ∼25% of cases while high flow and water yield declined in nearly all cases. Development of forest to agriculture or urban cover resulted in a 1–2% median increase in water yield, a 0.25–1% increase in low flow, and a 5–7% increase in high flow. We show that hydrologic responses to forest cover changes are not linearly related to climate, physiography, initial land cover, nor a multitude of watershed characteristics in most cases. These results suggest that enhanced streamflow watershed services anticipated from forest restoration or conservation of 10% or less of a watershed are generally modest.
Head and Neck Cancer Detection in Digitized Whole-Slide Histology Using Convolutional Neural Networks

Primary management for head and neck cancers, including squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), involves surgical resection with negative cancer margins. Pathologists guide surgeons during these operations by detecting cancer in histology slides made from the excised tissue. In this study, 381 digitized, histological whole-slide images (WSI) from 156 patients with head and neck cancer were used to train, validate, and test an inception-v4 convolutional neural network. The proposed method is able to detect and localize primary head and neck SCC on WSI with an AUC of 0.916 for patients in the SCC testing group and 0.954 for patients in the thyroid carcinoma testing group. Moreover, the proposed method is able to diagnose WSI with cancer versus normal slides with an AUC of 0.944 and 0.995 for the SCC and thyroid carcinoma testing groups, respectively. For comparison, we tested the proposed, diagnostic method on an open-source dataset of WSI from sentinel lymph nodes with breast cancer metastases, CAMELYON 2016, to obtain patch-based cancer localization and slide-level cancer diagnoses. The experimental design yields a robust method with potential to help create a tool to increase efficiency and accuracy of pathologists detecting head and neck cancers in histological images.
Imaging and Dosimetry Study of Inter-fraction Setup Error in a Murine Xenograft Flank Tumor Radiation Model.

Modern small animal irradiation platforms provide for accurate delivery of radiation under 3D image guidance. However, leveraging these improvements currently comes at the cost of lower-throughput ...
GIANT SINUS OF VALSALVA PSEUDOANEURYSM WITH AN ANOMALOUS LEFT CIRCUMFLEX ARTERY IN A PATIENT WITH BICUSPID AORTIC VALVE

Sinus of Valsalva aneurysms (SOVA) account for 0.09 % of cardiac defects. However, when present, they may be associated with other cardiac anomalies. A 46 year old male with history of ventricular septal defect repair at age 3 and bicuspid aortic valve presented for follow-up of asymptomatic
Triaxial compression in sands using FDEM and micro-X-ray computed tomography

Abstract Triaxial compression experiments on dry Ottawa sand are numerically simulated using Finite Discrete Element Method (FDEM) in conjunction with X-ray CT imaging. A novel framework is introduced and validated where particle shape is captured in FEM simulations using shell elements for simulating triaxial boundary value problem. The proposed approach is well suited for load cases with low/intermediate confining pressures where particle breakage is negligible. The numerical model allows for grain deformation as well as robust particle contact fabric evolution for the realistic grain morphology. For this research, the confining latex membrane is modelled as hyper-elastic material to provide flexible boundary condition on the lateral surface of the cylindrical sand specimen. Volume change measurements are obtained directly based on the convex hull of an assembly of sand grains, with no contributions or associated errors from latex membrane effects. In this paper, we attempt to explore the FDEM modeling aspect from different perspectives considering macroscale and microscale response. The influence of the frictional and frictionless boundary on the strength deformation response and localization in displacement field is discussed. Furthermore, sensitivity of mesh refinement, interparticle friction coefficient and critical shear stress on strength and volume change response is quantified.
Acute physiological responses of squirrel monkeys exposed to hyperdynamic environments

This study examined the responses of small primate, the squirrel monkey, to acute exposures to hyperdynamic environments. Body temperature, heart rate, and behavior of four restrained squirrel monkeys were recorded. After baseline monitoring at 1 G, monkeys were exposed to: a) +2 Gz for 60 min, b) a hyperdynamic profile simulating the gravitational envelope of the space shuttle during launch (8 min, +2.9 Gz max), or c) a simulated shuttle re-entry profile (19 min, +1.7 Gz max). In all experiments, the colonic temperature started to fall within 10 min of the onset of centrifugation and declined by as much as 2 degrees C in some conditions. This was in contrast to the stable body temperature observed during the baseline period. Also, the heart rate showed distinct elevations during centrifugation. Heart rate subsequently declined to baseline levels during the post-centrifugation phase. Behaviorally, after the onset of centrifugation, the animals periodically appeared to become drowsy and fall asleep. On the other hand, during the control period they tended to be alert, shifting their gaze about the cage. Thus, primates are susceptible to acute exposures to hyperdynamic fields, demonstrating significant physiological and behavioral changes.
The Fermi–LAT Galactic Center Excess: Evidence of Annihilating Dark Matter?

The center of the Galaxy is one of the prime targets in the search for a signal of annihilating (or decaying) dark matter. If such a signal were to be detected, it would shed light on one of the bi...
Optimized Dv/dt Filter Design for SiC based Modular Multilevel Converters

In this paper, a dv/dt filter is designed for the modular multilevel converters (MMCs) based variable frequency motor drives. This concept utilizes the inherent arm inductors of the MMC as a part of the output low-pass filter, thus eliminating the need for an add-on inductor. Particularly, a mathematical model is proposed to optimize the filter loss and volume for a given dv/dt requirements. It turns out that with SiC-MOSFET-based high switching frequency operation, the dv/dt filter improves the output power quality and alleviates the voltage stress in motor drive applications. For applications with various requirements on filter volume and loss, weighted-sum optimal solutions are presented. Simulation results based on a seven-level MMC are provided to validate the theoretical analysis.
Top Ten Tips Palliative Care Clinicians Should Know About Caring for Patients with Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer worldwide. Almost all are related to human papillomavirus exposure. Cervical cancer treatment is associated with significant morbidity that is likely to require support from palliative care teams. In these pearls on cervical cancer, we hope to inform providers about the common treatments and issues for cervical cancer patients. Treatment modalities include surgery for early-stage disease, radiation therapy for locally advanced disease, and pelvic exenteration, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy for recurrent disease. Cervical cancer causes pain and bleeding. Radiation can affect ovarian, urinary, and bowel function. Chemotherapy and immunotherapy are associated with fatigue and nausea. Fistulas between the vagina and bowel or bladder can occur due to cancer or to cancer treatments. Physical and emotional supportive care is important for women with cervical cancer.
Trust in Humans, Robots, and Cyborgs: Treated the Same, but Experienced Differently

Human-robot and human-cyborg interactions requiring trust are increasingly common in the marketplace, workplace, on the road, and in the home, yet little is known about human willingness to make trust-based investments with non-human agents acting alone (i.e., “robots”), or bound to welfare of non-deciding humans (i.e., “cyborgs”). Even less is known about the emotional reactions these interactions elicit. While other-regarding models of social preferences predict more trust-based investment in interactions that can benefit others, we see no difference across conditions in investments – only differences in emotional reactions to the trust-based interaction outcomes. The Recalibrational model of emotions predicts whether particular emotions are reported following trust-game interactions with people. Here we extend those emotion predictions to analogous trust based interactions, but with robots and cyborgs that violate certain expectations of human-human relationships. Using a between-subjects design, we compare investment and emotions from human-human trust games to investment and emotions from nearly identical trust games (a.k.a. “risk games”) that humans play with a robot or with a cyborg. Between conditions we find different emotional reactions but fail to find differences in investment behavior. These results highlight a unique emotional facet of human interaction while providing support for the Recalibration model of emotions.
Reshaping Airpower: Development of an Imprint Model to Analyze the Effects of Manned-Unmanned Teaming On Operator Mental Workload

Due to the advent of autonomous technology coupled with the expense of manned aircraft, the Department of Defense (DoD) is developing affordable, expendable Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to be operated in conjunction with jet fighters. With a single pilot commanding the UAVs while piloting their aircraft, operators may find it challenging to manage all systems should the system design not be conducive to a steady state level of workload. To understand the potential effects of manned-unmanned teaming on the pilot’s cognitive workload, an Improved Performance Research Integration Tool (IMPRINT) workload model was developed. The model predicts pilot workload in a simulated environment when interacting with the cockpit and multiple UAVs to provide insight into the effect of Human-Agent Interactions on workload and mission performance. This research concluded that peaks in workload occur for the pilot during periods of high communications load and this communication may be degraded or delayed during air-to-air engagements.
A hybrid model of acute unscheduled cancer care provided by a hospital-based acute care clinic and the emergency department: a descriptive study.

Patients with cancer often experience medical events that require immediate evaluation. These evaluations typically occur in an emergency department (ED), but there is increasing interest in providing this care in other settings. We report on a novel care model whereby a nursing hotline is used to triage patients to the ED or to the North Carolina Cancer Hospital Infusion Center (NCCHIC). A retrospective study of adult patients with a neoplasm diagnosis seeking acute care at a large academic hospital pre- and post-initiation of the novel care model in January of 2016. Patients were identified by querying the electronic medical record and clinic administrative data during matched 6 month pre- and post-periods. During the pre-initiation period, 1346 patients visited the ED on 1651 occasions (76.1% admission rate). In the post-initiation period, 1434 patients visited the ED on 1797 occasions (81.5% admission rate), and 246 patients visited the NCCHIC on 322 occasions (68.9% admission rate). The emergency severity index (ESI) in the pre-initiation ED group was primarily ESI 2 (30.6%) and ESI 3 (65.4%). In the post-initiation ED group, the ESI was similar (32.6% ESI 2 and 64.2% ESI 3). In contrast, the NCCHIC predominantly treated lower acuity patients (65.8% calculated ESI of 4/5). This model demonstrates a multidisciplinary partnership to providing acute unscheduled care for patients with cancer. In the early implementation phase of this model, approximately 15% of patients, generally of lower acuity, were seen in the NCCHIC.
Indocyanine Green Angiography for Use in Robotic Spermatic Cord Denervation

Abstract Introduction: Chronic orchialgia continues to be a challenge for urologists to treat and for patients to live with. Currently, conservative treatment (rest, anti-inflammatory drugs, physic...
Cannabinoid distribution in fatally-injured pilots’ postmortem fluids and tissues

The primary psychoactive component of cannabis, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) impairs cognitive function and psychomotor performance, particularly for complex tasks like piloting an aircraft. The Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Forensic Sciences Section at the Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (Oklahoma City, OK) performs toxicological analyses on pilots fatally injured in general aviation incidents, permitting cannabinoids measurement in a broad array of postmortem biological specimens. Cannabinoid concentrations in postmortem fluids and tissues from 10 pilots involved in airplane crashes are presented. Median (range) THC blood concentration was 1.6 (1.0-13.7) ng/mL. Phase I metabolites, 11-hydroxy-THC (11-OH-THC) and 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC (THCCOOH) and phase II glucuronide metabolite, THCCOOH-glucuronide, had median (range) blood concentrations of 1.4 (0.5-1.8), 9.9 (2.2-72.6) and 36.6 (7.1-160) ng/mL, respectively. Urine analyses revealed positive results for THCCOOH, THC-glucuronide, THCCOOH-glucuronide and 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCVCOOH). THC was readily distributed to lung, brain, kidney, spleen and heart. The psychoactive metabolite, 11-OH-THC, was identified in liver and brain with median (range) concentrations 7.1 (3.5-10.5) and 2.4 (2.0-6.0) ng/g, respectively. Substantial THCCOOH and THCCOOH-glucuronide concentrations were observed in liver, lung, brain, kidney, spleen and heart. These cannabinoid concentrations from multiple types of postmortem specimens add to the limited postmortem cannabinoid research data and suggest useful biological matrices for investigating cannabinoid-related deaths.
Protecting Sunken Warships as Objects Entitled to Sovereign Immunity

of the Property Clause in Action B. Sovereign Immunity as Against Other Nations . . 110 1. UNCLOS Generally 2. Is a Sunken Warship Entitled to Sovereign Immunity? 3. The Travelling Sovereign Entity Heralds, Ambassadors, Marching Armies, and Bank Accounts 4. Generally Recognized Ways to Lose Sovereign Immunity 5. Practices by Nations With Respect to Warships a. U.S. Vessels in Non-U.S. /Foreign Waters
Determinants of usual source of care disparities among African American and Caribbean Black men: findings from the National Survey of American Life.

Purpose . The Aday-Andersen model was used as a framework for investigating the contribution of immigration status (i.e., nativity and acculturation), socioeconomic factors, health care access, health status, and health insurance to usual source of health care (USOC) in a nationally representative sample of African American (n = 551) and Caribbean Black men (n = 1,217). Methods . We used the 2001–2003 National Survey of American Life, a nationally representative household survey of non-institutionalized U.S. Blacks to conduct descriptive and logistic regression analyses. Results . Older age, more health conditions, neighborhood medical clinic access, and health insurance were associated with higher odds of reporting a USOC. Odds were lower for men with lower-middle incomes and poorer mental health status. Having health insurance was associated with higher odds of reporting a USOC for African American men but lower odds among Caribbean Black men. Odds were higher in the presence of more health conditions for African American men than for Caribbean Black men. Conclusions . Health care reform policies aimed solely at increasing health insurance may not uniformly eliminate USOC disparities disfavoring U.S. and foreign-born non-Hispanic Black men.
A fibroblast-myocyte model which accounts for slow conduction and fractionated electrograms in infarct border zones

Biophysical mechanisms behind the fractionated character of cardiac electrograms from infarct border zones have not been clearly identified. The working hypothesis of this study is that fibroblasts in the scar tissue are electrically coupled to myocytes via gap junctions, acting as RC connections between healthy cardiac cells. This study examined the physical characteristics of cultured fibroblasts and calculated an average surface area of 74.4 E-5 cm/sup 2/. Using reported gap junction conductance for myocyte-fibroblast-myocyte triplets, typical myoplasmic resistivity, and specific capacitance yields a total RC time constant in the range of 35-40 ms. This would cause major delays in propagation between two healthy myocytes conjoined by a fibroblast, and could explain phenomena such as micro-reentry and the fractionated electrogram.
The Homevoter Hypothesis: How Home Values Influence Local Government Taxation, School Finance, and Land-Use Policies

Just as investors want the companies they hold equity in to do well, homeowners have a financial interest in the success of their communities. If neighbourhood schools are good, if property taxes and crime rates are low, then the value of the homeowner's principal asset - his home - will rise. Thus, as William Fischel shows, homeowners become watchful citizens of local government, not merely to improve their quality of life, but also to counteract the risk to their largest asset, a risk that cannot be diversified. Meanwhile, their vigilance promotes a municipal governance that provides services more efficiently than do the state or national government. Fischel has coined the portmanteau word "homevoter" to crystallize the connection between homeownership and political involvement. The link neatly explains several vexing puzzles, such as why displacement of local taxation by state funds reduces school quality and why local governments are more likely to be efficient providers of environmental amenities. "The Homevoter Hypothesis" thereby makes a strong case for decentralization of the fiscal and regulatory functions of government.
Why Plessy/Brown and Bowers/Lawrence are Correct: Thomistic Natural Law as the Content of a Moral Constitutional Interpretation

This article posits the use of Thomistic natural law as the content for a moral constitutional interpretation. Surveying the history of natural law, from the Roman period through modernity, it concludes that the dynamic theory of natural law put forth by Aquinas provides the best baseline for a natural law / moral interpretation of the United States Constitution. The most apparent consequence of using this dynamic conception of natural law is that ostensibly antithetical case law, such as Plessy / Brown and Bowers / Lawrence, can be seen as consistent with then prevailing interpretations of what constitutes the proper scope of constitutional provisions. Plessy and Bowers can be seen as products of a then prevailing constitutional interpretation of due process and equal protection that was rendered obsolete by evolving principles of political morality and equality in society in general. The result was Brown and Lawrence. It is the evolution of interpretation, in this context, that fits with the Thomistic conception of natural law, and it is for that reason that this conception provides such a fertile touchstone for gauging constitutional interpretation across generations.
Marketing and consumerism

Purpose – This paper aims to examine O'Shaughnessy and O'Shaughnessy's response to accusations about marketing's detrimental impact on society.Design/methodology/approach – A review of the empirical research on consumerism and materialism to date.Findings – Indicates that consumerism is associated with reduced personal wellbeing and that the rise of consumerism parallels the rise of modern marketing to a remarkable extent, although in both cases the causal direction is unclear.Research limitations/implications – The paper proposes further research to help understand to what extent it is possible to work within the current market economy structures to reduce the incidence and harms of consumerism.Originality/value – The main contribution of this paper is that it shows that the association between marketing practice and the harms of consumerism may be greater than it is generally believed to be by marketing academics.
Post‐operative smoking status in lung and head and neck cancer patients: association with depressive symptomatology, pain, and fatigue

Objective An estimated 35–50% of lung and head and neck cancer patients are smoking at diagnosis; most try to quit; however, a substantial proportion resumes smoking. As cancer treatments improve, attention to the effects of continued smoking on quality of life in the survivorship period is increasing. The current study examines if smoking abstinence following surgical treatment is associated with better quality of life. Methods Participants were 134 patients with head and neck or lung cancer who received surgical treatment. Smoking status and indices of quality of life (depressive symptoms, fatigue, and pain) were assessed at the time of surgery (baseline) and at 2, 4, 6, and 12 months post-surgery. Analyses were performed using a generalized estimating equations approach. A series of models examined the correlation between smoking status and post-surgery quality of life while adjusting for demographics, clinical variables, and baseline smoking status and quality of life. Results Continuous post-surgery abstinence was associated with lower levels of depressive symptoms and fatigue; however, the relationship with fatigue became nonsignificant after adjusting for baseline fatigue and income. There was no significant relationship observed between smoking status and pain. Conclusions Findings add to a growing literature showing that smoking cessation is not associated with detrimental effects on quality of life and may have beneficial effects, particularly with regard to depressive symptoms. Such information can be used to motivate smoking cessation and continued abstinence among cancer patients and increase provider comfort in recommending cessation. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mobilizing the cartographic paradox: tracing the aspect of cartography and prospect of cinema

Understanding the contrast and challenge of cinematic cartographies may lie in querying what John Pickles (2004, p.89) calls the “cartographic paradox.” The cartographic paradox is that linear perspective and projectionism inform cartographic practice. Yet, these two scopic regimes are both complementary and contradictory. The cartographic paradox has been mobilized by montage, animation and motion pictures. The penultimate technology of linear perspective is cinema, whereas the penultimate technology of projectionism is GIS and animated cartography. I argue that understanding the mobilization of these scopic regimes may lead to the production of affective geovisualizations.
Vaccinating parents experience vaccine anxiety too.

Purpose To identify common causes of parental anxiety regarding childhood vaccinations among parents who vaccinate. Another purpose was to seek recommendations for healthcare providers to help parents overcome their anxiety when their children are immunized. Data sources Four 1-h focus groups were conducted, each consisting of 8–10 parents. Each focus group discussion was conducted by a moderator and an assistant moderator. The moderator facilitated discussion while the assistant moderator took notes. Each session was recorded on video. The data were transcribed and analyzed for themes. Conclusions Parents identifying themselves as being compliant with childhood vaccination requirements reported anxiety that can be divided into five major themes: parental anxiety prior to vaccination, parental anxiety during the vaccination, parental anxiety after the vaccination, parental suggestions for healthcare providers, and informational issues. Implications for practice Making minor changes in office policies may help alleviate some parental anxiety regarding vaccinations. Providers should also create lists of credible sources about vaccination information. Because the cause of vaccine-related parental anxiety varies, targeted education is necessary to relieve common causes of vaccine anxiety, even among parents who vaccinate.
A first report of endoscopic ultrasound for the diagnosis of pancreatic amyloid deposition in immunoglobulin light chain (AL) amyloidosis (primary amyloidosis)

Context Pancreatic involvement in systemic light chain (AL)-amyloidosis is exceedingly rare. Prior reports of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) for the diagnosis of amyloidosis are also limited. Case report We report the first description of EUS-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) for the diagnosis of primary AL-amyloidosis involving the pancreas. Conclusion: EUS-FNA can be effectively utilized for the characterization and cytologic diagnosis of pancreatic amyloidosis and potentially other accessible extraluminal amyloid deposits. Image: Abundant amorphous acellular waxy appearing proteinaceous deposits.
General-relativistic kinetic theory of the robertson-walker and petrov G 4 VIII cosmologies

General-relativistic kinetic theory is utilized to discuss the characteristics and evolution of the Robertson-Walker and Petrov (G4 VIII cosmological models. The form of the distribution function for a collisionless gas satisfying Liouville’s equation is found from a knowledge of the Killing vectors which describe the symmetries of the space-times. For the isotropic and homogeneous cosmology we give a specific example of an equation of state which evolves as a function of the radius of the model, while for the space-time classified in the Petrov groups as a G4 VIII we analyze its kinematic properties and demonstrate that the distribution function leads to an imperfect fluid.
Interest in a digital health tool in veterans with epilepsy: results of a phone survey.

ABSTRACTObjective: Online tools for managing chronic health conditions are becoming increasingly popular. Perceived benefits include ease of use, low costs, and availability but are contingent on patient engagement, Internet access, and digital literacy. This article describes data collected during the recruitment phase of a study evaluating an online self-management platform for epilepsy in a U.S. Veteran population. Methods: We used administrative data to identify and contact Veterans with a likely diagnosis of epilepsy in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Veterans who did not respond directly to a mailed invitation were recruited by phone to determine study interest and evaluate digital access. Results: Of the 2,143 Veterans mailed study invitations, phone calls were made to 1,789 who did not specifically decline participation. Among those reached by phone (n = 1,053): 295 (28%) expressed interest in the study and an online tool, 333 (19%) reported a lack of computer and/or Internet access and ...
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus-induced Sepsis: Role of Nitric Oxide

Sepsis is the 10th leading cause of death with an incidence of 750,000 cases per year in the United States and mortality rates up to 70%, depending on severity [1, 2, 3]. Despite the outstanding achievements in treating sepsis in the past two decades, the morbidity and mortality still remain high. Fluid resuscitation, antibiotic therapy, and vasopressor agents are the basic treatment approach for sepsis. However, the increasing resistance of microorganisms to antibiotics and severe hypotension refractory even to aggressive fluid replacement and vasopressors complicates the course of therapy. Underestimation of the heterogeneity of the clinical symptoms/ syndromes underlying the variations in the pathology, particularly the nature of the infectious agents and the diverse host responses to the different stimuli, may also diminish, at least in part, the effectiveness of the therapeutic interventions. Until 1980, Gram-negative microorganisms predominantly caused sepsis and accordingly extensive research has been dedicated to exploring the pathophysiology of and therapeutic approaches to Gram-negative sepsis-related multiple organ dysfunction, specifically Pseudomonas aeruginosa-induced septic changes. However, bacterial epidemiology evolves constantly and since 1990 sepsis due to Gram-positive cocci has increased in frequency and in antimicrobial resistance becoming a large causative factor for sepsis [3]. Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia, especially those species resistant to methicillin (MRSA), has become a major source of morbidity and mortality [4, 5, 6]. Despite the alarming trend of increased incidence of MRSA-related sepsis, the pathophysiological aspects of MRSA-induced sepsis or septic shock are neither well-described nor widely discussed. There is also a lack of clinically relevant large animal models describing the pathophysiological alterations due to Gram-positive organisms, particularly MRSA. In the present chapter, we will discuss the pathophysiology of MRSA-induced sepsis using a newly developed ovine model.
Landmark and Intensity-Based, Consistent Thin-Plate Spline Image Registration

Landmark-based thin-plate spline image registration is one of the most commonly used methods for non-rigid medical image registration and anatomical shape analysis. It is well known that this method does not produce a unique correspondence between two images away from the landmark locations because interchanging the role of source and target landmarks does not produce forward and reverse transformations that are inverses of each other. In this paper, we present two new image registration algorithms that minimize the thin-plate spline bending energy and the inverse consistency error--the error between the forward and the inverse of the reverse transformation. The landmarkbased consistent thin-plate spline algorithm registers images given a set of corresponding landmarks while the intensity-based consistent thinplate spline algorithm uses both corresponding landmarks and image intensities. Results are presented that demonstrate that using landmark and intensity information to jointly estimate the forward and reverse transformations provides better correspondence than using landmarks or intensity alone.
Intrinsic Functional Connectivity in Salience and Default Mode Networks and Aberrant Social Processes in Youth at Ultra-High Risk for Psychosis

Social processes are key to navigating the world, and investigating their underlying mechanisms and cognitive architecture can aid in understanding disease states such as schizophrenia, where social processes are highly impacted. Evidence suggests that social processes are impaired in individuals at ultra high-risk for the development of psychosis (UHR). Understanding these phenomena in UHR youth may clarify disease etiology and social processes in a period that is characterized by significantly fewer confounds than schizophrenia. Furthermore, understanding social processing deficits in this population will help explain these processes in healthy individuals. The current study examined resting state connectivity of the salience (SN) and default mode networks (DMN) in association with facial emotion recognition (FER), an integral aspect of social processes, as well as broader social functioning (SF) in UHR individuals and healthy controls. Consistent with the existing literature, UHR youth were impaired in FER and SF when compared with controls. In the UHR group, we found increased connectivity between the SN and the medial prefrontal cortex, an area of the DMN relative to controls. In UHR youth, the DMN exhibited both positive and negative correlations with the somatosensory cortex/cerebellum and precuneus, respectively, which was linked with better FER performance. For SF, results showed that sensory processing links with the SN might be important in allowing for better SF for both groups, but especially in controls where sensory processing is likely to be unimpaired. These findings clarify how social processing deficits may manifest in psychosis, and underscore the importance of SN and DMN connectivity for social processing more generally.
The Effect of Radiation Therapy on Brain Metastases from Endometrial Carcinoma: A Retrospective Study

Abstract Objective. The objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of radiation therapy as a treatment for brain metastases from endometrial carcinoma. Methods. Between July 1985 and November 1999, 10 patients with brain metastases from endometrial carcinoma were treated at the Cleveland Clinic. We reviewed the patient and tumor characteristics at the time of the primary diagnosis and the brain metastases diagnosis. For the 8 patients who received radiation therapy with or without surgery, we analyzed the treatment results with regard to survival and local control of the metastases. Results. Brain metastases from endometrial carcinoma were commonly accompanied by uncontrolled local-regional disease and systemic metastases. Multiple brain lesions developed in 7 of 10 patients. Two patients were treated with surgery alone and had a median survival of 2.75 months (4 and 1.5 months) after the brain metastases diagnosis. Three patients were treated with surgery and radiation therapy and lived for a median survival of 15 months (range 11.5 to 15.5 months). The 5 patients who were treated with radiation therapy without surgery had a median survival of 2.4 months (range 0.25 to 6 months). Patients with multiple brain metastases had a shorter survival than patients with a single metastasis. Conclusion. Overall survival after brain metastases development in patients with endometrial carcinoma was poor. Although the number of patients was small, radiation therapy alone resulted in poor survival. Combination treatment with surgery and radiation therapy may improve survival for selected patients.
Reducing Prostate Cancer Deaths: Unsupported Speculation About the Androgen Deprivation Hypothesis

The reduction in prostate cancer deaths in the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer is best explained by a stage migration in the intervention arm, resulting in earlier effective treatment of localized prostate cancer compared with controls.
Infiltrative basal cell carcinoma: a nonsclerosing subtype.

. Infiltrative basal cell carcinoma is a distinct histologic subtype of basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Criteria for its diagnosis are presented and its nonsclerotic nature emphasized. Analysis of 174 consecutive BCCs referred for Mohs micrographic surgery showed the infiltrative subtype (29 tumors) to be significantly more destructive and difficult to treat than the more common nodular BCC.
Infection prevention in severely myelosuppressed patients: A comparison between ciprofloxacin and a regimen of selective antibiotic modulation of the intestinal flora

Abstract purpose: To study whether oral ciprofloxacin would be as effective in preventing bacterial infections in severely myelosuppressed patients as selective antibiotic modulation of the gut flora with neomycin/polymyxin B sulfate/nalidixic acid (NPN). patients and methods: One hundred and five patients undergoing allogeneic or autologous bone marrow transplant, or induction therapy for acute leukemia in 1988 and 1989 were studied. Patients were stratified according to the type of therapy, and randomized in a ratio of 2:1 to either oral ciprofloxacin 500 mg BID, or a combination of oral neomycin 250 mg QID, polymyxin-B 100 mg QID, and oral nalidixic acid 1,000 mg BID. Treatment began on admission and continued until the absolute granulocyte count was greater than 500/mm 3 for 3 consecutive days. results: The 96 evaluable patients were evenly distributed over the 3 treatment groups; 63 patients received ciprofloxacin and 33 received NPN. Fever developed in 92% of patients on ciprofloxacin and in 97% of patients on NPN ( P = 0.66), 6.6 ± 5.8 and 7.2 ± 5.3 days from the start of prophylaxis, respectively. Twenty=five patients on ciprofloxacin developed 29 microbiologically documented infections, fewer than the 26 infections in the 22 patients on NPN ( P = 0.02). Patients on ciprofloxacin had fewer bacteremias (33%) than did the NPN patients (55%) ( P = 0.05). Gram-negative bacteremias were very rare (2 cases; no Enterobacteriaceae ), but streptococcal bacteremias were frequent in both arms (27 cases). Side effects were not significantly different, but compliance with ciprofloxacin was better. conclusions: Ciprofloxacin is at least as effective as the combination of neomycin/polymyxin/nalidixic acid in the prophylaxis of bacterial infections in myelosuppressed patients, and is better tolerated. Additional agents to prevent streptococcal infections are needed.
Prediction error after pediatric cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation: Contact versus immersion A-scan biometry

Purpose To evaluate the accuracy of pediatric intraocular lens (IOL) calculations performed using contact and immersion A-scan biometry. Setting Storm Eye Institute, Charleston, South Carolina, USA. Design Evaluation of diagnostic test or technology. Methods Data from a prospective study of pediatric eyes that had in-the-bag implantation of an AcrySof SN60WF IOL and had refraction results available from 14 days to 3 months postoperatively were retrospectively analyzed. The contact and immersion A-scan biometry techniques were performed in each eye and compared. Results The mean age at surgery of the 22 patients (22 eyes) was 4.8 years ± 4.1 (SD). The mean prediction error was +0.4 ± 0.7 diopter (D) in the contact group and −0.4 ± 0.8 D in the immersion group ( P P =.694). The absolute prediction error was less than 0.5 D in 5 eyes (23%) using the contact technique and 11 eyes (50%) using the immersion technique. The mean postoperative spherical equivalent was +2.9 ± 2.5 D, which was significantly different from the mean predicted refraction for contact A-scan (3.3 ± 2.8 D; P =.010) but not immersion A-scan (2.5 ± 2.5 D; P =.065). Conclusions There was a significant difference in prediction error between postoperative refractive results obtained with contact biometry and immersion A-scan biometry in children. Based on the results, the immersion A-scan technique is recommended for pediatric IOL power calculation. Financial Disclosure Neither author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.
UV Schottky-barrier detector development for possible Air Force applications

This paper discusses the collaborative optical and electrical characterization of the first photovoltaic (PV) III-nitride based detectors grown and fabricated by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). These 2.6 micrometer thick, n-type GaN Schottky detector structures doped with Si were grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) on (0001)-oriented sapphire substrates, and incorporated palladium (Pd) as the Schottky metal contact. Working Schottky-barrier detector sizes ranged from 50 micrometer to 1600 micrometer in diameter. Flood- illuminated spectral responsivities of these Schottky detectors were as high as 0.12 A/W (for a 1600 micrometer diameter device biased at -1.5 V) at a peak wavelength of 273 nm. The typical measured frequency response of these detectors was flat from dc to the chopper limit of 700 Hz, and the 1/e response time of a 1600 micrometer diameter Schottky- barrier GaN detector was found to be as low as 50 microsecond(s) at zero bias. Noise characterization of these detectors was also performed, and noise equivalent powers (NEPs) of sample GaN Schottky-barrier detectors are reported.
Infection and atherosclerosis: Mechanisms involving Chlamydia pneumoniae in cardiovascular disease

Abstract The intracellular bacterium Chlamydia pneumoniae is present in atherosclerotic plaques and may contribute to progression and vulnerability of lesions. Results from animal models support a causal role for C. pneumoniae in atherosclerosis and virulence attributes ascribed to this organism are consistent with this view. Results from recent antibiotic treatment trials have not proven effective, but additional work is needed to define reasons for these failures.
The Use of Series Capacitors to Obtain Maximum EHV Transmission Capability

Series compensation can substantially increase the transmission capability of EHV (extra-high-voltage) systems, permitting a higher loading per right of way. Several of the possible circuit arrangements that can be used for insertion of series capacitors into a transmission system are cited in this paper. Certain technical problems of using series capacitors are analyzed. The effects of fault switching time on stability limit for series-compensated circuits and of delaying reinsertion of series capacitors after fault clearing are indicated for particular configurations. The relative economics of various degrees of series compensation and number of intermediate switching stations for 500 kv and distances up to 400 miles are also shown.
Epidemiologic review of facial infections in hospitalized pediatric patients

Purpose: Pediatric facial infections are quite variable in clinical behavior, making early diagnosis and treatment challenging. To better understand and manage these infections, we conducted a retrospective study. Patients and Methods: The cohort consisted of 143 pediatric patients (age < 15 years) admitted to Grady Memorial Hospital (Atlanta, GA) with facial infections. Data concerning patient demographics, source and location of infection, culture results, and treatment modalities were evaluated. Results: Eighty-one percent (n = 116) of the patients had upper face infections (UFI), while the remaining 19% (n = 27) had lower face infections (LFI). Children with UFI were younger, had more acute symptoms, and an elevated white blood cell count. The source of infection was commonly unknown and there was a wide variability of cultured organisms. Children with LFI were generally older, with symptoms of a more chronic nature. The source of infection could frequently be identified and the types of organisms cultured were less variable. Children with UFI were usually treated with antibiotics alone while children with LFI were more likely to require an operation to resolve the infection. Conclusion: Study results lend support to our clinical hypothesis developed in earlier studies that location of infection may be a useful variable that aids in the early diagnosis and management of pediatric facial infections.
Abstract 5153: PAK2-mediated c-Jun phosphorylation at 5 threonine sites promotes cell transformation.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC PAK2 plays an important role in cell proliferation, but the direct downstream proteins and precise regulatory mechanism involved in mediating PAK2’s role in proliferation are not yet clear. Here, we found that epidermal growth factor (EGF) induces phosphorylation of c-Jun by P21-activated kinase (PAK2). Knockdown of PAK2 in JB6 Cl41 (P+) cells had no effect on c-Jun phosphorylation at Ser63 or Ser73 but resulted in decreases in EGF-induced anchorage-independent cell transformation, proliferation and AP-1 activity. The oncoprotein c-Jun is one of the components of the activator protein-1 (AP-1) transcription factor complex. AP-1 activates a variety of tumor-related genes and promotes tumorigenesis and malignant transformation. Knockdown of PAK2 in SK-MEL-5 melanoma cells also decreased colony formation, proliferation and AP-1 activity. We found that PAK2 binds and phosphorylates c-Jun at five threonine sides (Thr2, Thr8, Thr89, Thr93 and Thr286) in vitro and in vivo. Mutation at all five sites decreased the transforming ability of JB6 cells. These results indicated that PAK2/c-Jun signaling plays an important role in tumorigenesis and provides an increased understanding of the signaling transduction mechanism of skin tumor cells and suggests that PAK2 might be a new chemopreventive or chemotherapeutic target. Citation Format: Tingting Li, Jishuai Zhang, Feng Zhu, Weihong Wen, Tatyana Zykova, Xiang Li, Kangdong Liu, Cong Peng, Wei-Ya Ma, Zigang Dong, Ann M. Bode. PAK2-mediated c-Jun phosphorylation at 5 threonine sites promotes cell transformation. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5153. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-5153
Diversity of Rickettsiales in the microbiome of the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum.

Ticks are important vectors for many emerging pathogens. However, they are also infected with many symbionts and commensals, often competing for the same niches. In this paper, we characterize the microbiome of Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae), the lone star tick, in order to better understand the evolutionary relationships between pathogens and nonpathogens. Multitag pyrosequencing of prokaryotic 16S rRNA genes (16S rRNA) was performed on 20 lone star ticks (including males, females, and nymphs). Pyrosequencing of the rickettsial sca0 gene (also known as ompA or rompA) was performed on six ticks. Female ticks had less diverse microbiomes than males and nymphs, with greater population densities of Rickettsiales. The most common members of Rickettsiales were “Candidatus Rickettsia amblyommii” and “Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii.” “Ca. Rickettsia amblyommii” was 2.6-fold more common in females than males, and there was no sequence diversity in the sca0 gene. These results are consistent with a predominantly vertical transmission pattern for “Ca. Rickettsia amblyommii.”
Plasticity‐Controlled Friction and Wear in Nanocrystalline SiC

Wear resistance of ceramics can be improved by suppressing fracture, which can be accomplished either by decreasing the grain size or by reducing the size of the deformation zone. We have combined these two strategies with the goal of understanding the atomistic mechanisms underlying the plasticity-controlled friction and wear in nanocrystalline (nc) silicon carbide (SiC). We have performed molecular dynamics simulations of nanoscale wear on nc-SiC with 5 nm grain diameter with a nanoscale cutting tool. We find that grain-boundary (GB) sliding is the primary deformation mechanism during wear and that it is accommodated by heterogeneous nucleation of partial dislocations, formation of voids at the triple junctions, and grain pull-out. We estimate the stresses required for heterogeneous nucleation of partial dislocations at triple junctions and shear strength of GBs. Pile up in nc-SiC consists of grains that were pulled out during deformation. We compare the wear response of nc-SiC to single-crystal (sc) SiC and show that scratch hardness of nc-SiC is lower than that of sc-SiC. Our results demonstrate that the higher scratch hardness in sc-SiC originates from nucleation and motion of dislocations, whereas nc-SiC is more pliable due to additional mechanism of deformation via GB sliding.