cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SU-D-201-07: A Survey of Radiation Oncology Residents’ Training and Preparedness to Lead Patient Safety Programs in Clinics

Purpose: Safety and quality has garnered increased attention in radiation oncology, and physicians and physicists are ideal leaders of clinical patient safety programs. However, it is not clear whether residency programs incorporate formal patient safety training and adequately equip residents to assume this leadership role. A national survey was conducted to evaluate medical and physics residents’ exposure to safety topics and their confidence with the skills required to lead clinical safety programs. Methods: Radiation oncology residents were identified in collaboration with ARRO and AAPM. The survey was released in February 2016 via email using REDCap. This included questions about exposure to safety topics, confidence leading safety programs, and interest in training opportunities (i.e. workshops). Residents rated their exposure, skills, and confidence on 4 or 5-point scales. Medical and physics residents responses were compared using chi-square tests. Results: Responses were collected from 56 of 248 (22%) physics and 139 of 690 (20%) medical residents. More than two thirds of all residents had no or only informal exposure to incident learning systems (ILS), root cause analysis (RCA), failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA), and the concept of human factors engineering (HFE). Likewise, 63% of residents had not heard of RO-ILS. Response distributions were similar, however more physics residents had formal exposure to FMEA (p<0.0001) and felt they were adequately trained to lead FMEAs in clinic (p<0.001) than medical residents. Only 36% of residents felt their patient safety training was adequate, and 58% felt more training would benefit their education. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that, despite increasing desire for patient safety training, medical and physics residents’ exposure to relevant concepts is low. Physics residents had more exposure to FMEA than medical residents, and were more confident in leading FMEA. This suggests that increasing resident exposure to specific topics may increase their confidence.
Predictive stability indicator: a novel approach to configuring a real‐time hybrid simulation

Summary Real-time hybrid simulation (RTHS) is an effective and versatile tool for the examination of complex structural systems with rate dependent behaviors. To meet the objectives of such a test, appropriate consideration must be given to the partitioning of the system into physical and computational portions (i.e., the configuration of the RTHS). Predictive stability and performance indicators (PSI and PPI) were initially established for use with only single degree-of-freedom systems. These indicators allow researchers to plan a RTHS, to quantitatively examine the impact of partitioning choices on stability and performance, and to assess the sensitivity of an RTHS configuration to de-synchronization at the interface. In this study, PSI is extended to any linear multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) system. The PSI is obtained analytically and it is independent of the transfer system and controller dynamics, providing a relatively easy and extremely useful method to examine many partitioning choices. A novel matrix method is adopted to convert a delay differential equation to a generalized eigenvalue problem using a set of vectorization mappings, and then to analytically solve the delay differential equations in a computationally efficient way. Through two illustrative examples, the PSI is demonstrated and validated. Validation of the MDOF PSI also includes comparisons to a MDOF dynamic model that includes realistic models of the hydraulic actuators and the control-structure interaction effects. Results demonstrate that the proposed PSI can be used as an effective design tool for conducting successful RTHS. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluating quality in endoscopy.

Despite an increasing number of publications and suggested quality measures, evaluating quality in endoscopy remains a challenge. Most quality measures are process measures and lack evidence for an association with clinically important outcomes. Furthermore, most measure focus on procedural aspects. Patients’ expectations, cultural values, and work setting also affect quality, but are less often considered. The aim of this article is to broaden the view on quality assessment. Here, quality is viewed from four perspectives: an individual patient perspective, which considers expectations and personal values; a cultural perspective, which encompasses cultural values and norms; an individual care perspective, which includes how an individual patient is being treated; and a societal perspective, which sets the stage for provided care. The article concludes with a proposal to consider bundled composite measures as a path to a simple yet comprehensive approach to assessing and measuring quality in endoscopy.
Call for papers: Special issue on evolutionary game theory of small groups and their larger societies

Abstract This is a call for papers that should contribute to the unification of behavioral sciences and team management, focusing on the biological origin of cooperation and swarm intelligence, moving from biology to psychology and from sociology to political science, with the help of the theoretical tools of complex networks. This issue should shed light into the origin of ergodicity breaking and contribute to establishing a connection, still lacking theoretical support, between complexity properties that are expected to be correlated. Examples are: non-Poisson renewal events and multi-fractality; complexity matching and chaos synchronization; criticality and extended criticality of small size systems. Although the emphasis is on systems of small size, and especially on the search of the size maximizing both information transport and cooperation emergence, special attention will be devoted to the interaction between small groups and their larger societies.
Mutations and Variants of Apolipoprotein B that Affect Plasma Cholesterol Levels

Apolipoprotein (apo-) B100 is the exclusive apolipoprotein of low density lipoproteins (LDL), which transport most of the plasma cholesterol in humans. Mutations in apo-B 100 can cause either hypocholesterolemia or hypercholesterolemia. Familial hypo betalipoproteinemia, which leads to hypocholesterolemia, has been shown to be caused by defects in the apo-B gene that terminate translation prematurely and result in the production of truncated proteins. The mutations responsible for the hypocholesterolemia have been either single nucleotide substitutions or deletions. Familial defective apo B100, which leads to hypercholesterolemia, is caused by a point mutation in the receptor binding domain of apo-B 100. The mutation disrupts the binding of LDL to the LDL receptor, thereby disrupting LDL receptor-mediated catabolism and resulting in hypercholesterolemia. A variant form of apo-B, apo-B48, is also critical for lipoprotein metabolism. Apolipoprotein B48 is obligatory for the secretion of chylomicrons. It is formed from an RNA-edited apo-B mRNA in which codon 2153 has been converted from a CAA (glutamine) codon to a premature UAA (stop) codon. The first cytosine in this codon is deaminated to form uracil. The minimum nucleotide recognition sequence for the editing mechanism has been reported to be between 26 and more than 63 nucleotides surrounding codon 2153. The apo-B mRNA editing mechanism, which appears to be a cytosine deaminase, and its regulation are being actively investigated.
Laparoscopic, minilaparoscopic, single-port and percutaneous hysterectomy: Comparison of perioperative outcomes of minimally invasive approaches in gynecologic surgery

Abstract Objectives During the last decade endoscopic surgical procedures have been constantly evolving. The latest innovation in ultra-minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is the percutaneous technology (Percuvance™ Percutaneous Surgical System (PSS), Teleflex Inc., USA). We compared surgical outcome of hysterectomy, in a retrospective cohort study using the most recent MIS techniques as single-site (LESS) surgery, 3 mm laparoscopy (MiniLPS) and percutaneous system (PSS) with standard laparoscopy (LPS). Study design This is a matched retrospective cohort study. Endometrial Hyperplasia/Early stage endometrial cancer or benign pathology were the indication for surgery. Data of laparoscopic hysterectomies performed between May 2013 and April 2016 using PSS, LPS, MiniLPS, and LESS were collected and compared. Results The characteristics of each group were similar. The median Operative time (OT) was significantly longer in LESS compared to all other groups (120 min [range 55–165] in LESS, 91 min [range 60–180] in MiniLPS, 70 min [range 55–230] in LPS and 65 [range 40–180] in PSS; p = 0.0001). No significant differences among the 4 groups were observed in terms of estimated blood loss, conversion to laparoscopy or laparotomy, and intra e post-operative complications. Statistically significant differences were recorded in median VAS 24 h (2 [range 0–3] in PSS, 2 [range 0–3] in MiniLPS, 3 [range 2–5] in LESS and 2 [range 1–5] in LPS; p = 0.0001). The average time of discharge was (1 day [range 1–3] in PSS, 1 day [range 1–2] in MiniLPS, 1 days [range 1–2] in LESS and 1 day [range 1–3] in LPS; p = 0.99). Conclusions Data show that the effort to minimize the impact of surgical invasiveness can be feasible and could improve the advantages, not only in terms of aesthetic outcomes, even if the differences among the endoscopic approaches have not a relevant clinical impact. The technology innovations like PSS maintain the same triangulation between instruments as standard LPS with an evident decrease of the invasiveness thanks to reduced instruments size, even if the lack of suitability of bipolar energy, that require a multifunction instrument, remain a limit of these instruments.
Treatment-Refractory Sternocostoclavicular Hyperostosis

Sternocostoclavicular hyperostosis (SCCH) is an infrequent chronic inflammatory disorder of the axial skeleton of unknown origin. SCCH goes often unrecognized due to a low level of awareness for the disorder. It typically presents with relapsing and remitting pain in the shoulder, neck, and anterior chest wall area with occasional swelling and tenderness of the sternoclavicular area. The diagnosis is confirmed radiologically by sclerosis and hyperostosis of the sternoclavicular joints. There have been several reports in which intravenous bisphosphonates and tumor necrosis factor-inhibitors have shown reasonable efficacy in the treatment of this disorder. We report a patient with a long history of SCCH in whom pamidronate 60 mg intravenously every 3 months for 3 years failed to reduce symptom severity and improve radiologic findings.
The Oxidation of β-Hydroxybutyric Acid by Small Quantities of Type-pure Red and White Skeletal Muscle

Abstract Small samples of fiber type-pure red (type I) and pure white (typeII) skeletal muscle were obtained from guinea pigs. The oxidation of 14C-labeled d,l-β-hydroxybutyrate, pyruvate, succinate, and palmitate was measured in type-pure muscle slices of 2 to 8 mg fresh weight, and in a mitochondrial fraction prepared from 100- to 600-mg samples of such muscles. Slices from red muscle oxidized all four substrates more rapidly than did slices from white muscle, the differences being most striking for β-hydroxybutyrate (19-fold) and pyruvate (9-fold). Equal amounts of mitochondria from red muscle oxidized β-hydroxybutyrate 8 times and pyruvate twice as rapidly as mitochondrial fractions from white muscle, but there was no difference with respect to the oxidation of succinate nor of palmitate. d-(-)-β-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase activity could readily be detected in sonicated mitochondria from red muscle, but was usually not detectable in sonicated mitochondria from white muscle. Mitochondrial preparations from white muscle did not inhibit those from red. The differences between the rates of oxidation of β-hydroxybutyrate in slices of the two types of muscle is largely due to the differences in dehydrogenase activity in the respective mitochondria from the two sources.
AORTIC VALVE AREA/PEAK VELOCITY DISCORDANCES IN BICUSPID AORTIC VALVES

Recent data suggest significant discrepancies in the grade of aortic stenosis based on peak velocity versus valve area in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) (Figure, top). We investigated the incidence of such discordances in a large cohort. Echocardiograms in 243 adults with BAV were
Outcomes of Transaxillary Approach to Cervical and First-Rib Resection for Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.

Background Cervical rib can often be symptomatic causing neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (nTOS). Surgical treatment involves rib resection through a supraclavicular, transaxillary or combined approach. We review outcomes of different approaches and describe our technique of transaxillary resection through a video. Methods A single-center retrospective review of perioperative and short-term outcomes in subjects undergoing cervical rib resection for nTOS between 1994 and 2013 was performed. Results Of the 75 operations performed for nTOS, 40% (30 procedures in 29 patients) required resection of cervical ribs. The first and cervical ribs were removed in 24 operations, whereas only the cervical rib was resected in 6. Scalenectomy was performed in all patients. Thirteen (43%) procedures were performed with a supraclavicular-only (SC group) approach, 9 (30%) with a transaxillary-only (TA group) approach, and 8 (27%) with a combined approach (TA + SC group). Incidence of persistent nTOS symptoms occurred in 3 (23%) of SC patients, 1 (13%) TA patient, and 2 (25%) TA + SC patients (P > 0.05). Recurrence of symptoms was noted in one patient (8%) in the SC group at 1-year follow-up. No patient required operative reintervention. Conclusions Resection of cervical ribs and/or first ribs in the treatment of nTOS can be safely performed through SC, TA, or a combined approach. In young patients, a TA incision should be considered to avoid a neck incision, with outcomes similar to alternate approaches.
Ribosomal Protein Phosphorylation and Protein Synthesis in the Brain

Publisher Summary Research on protein synthesis in the brain has focused mainly on two closely related problems: (1) the nature and properties of proteins formed in neural tissue which may serve specific brain functions, and (2) the mechanisms involved in regulation of the biosynthesis and function of these proteins. These regulatory processes appear to be concentrated at translational and post-translational sites of protein synthesis. A comprehensive overview of earlier research on these topics has been published. Considerable evidence supports the concept that protein phosphorylation plays a major role in the control of translational and post-translational events in eukaryotic cells. An important aspect of this phenomenon is illustrated by the fact that several components of the translational process, including certain protein initiation factors, as well as specific constitutive proteins of the ribosome, exhibit variations in phosphorylation, which appear to be correlated with alterations in protein synthesis. This chapter discusses ribosomal protein phosphorylation in the brain, physiological and pathological factors which alter this phenomenon, and the possible relationship of variations in the phosphorylation of specific brain ribosomal phosphoproteins to sequential steps in protein synthesis at the translational level.
Crisis and Epistemologies of Ignorance

This paper asks how certain usages of the term “crisis” at this particular moment might tend to maintain what Charles Mills and others call an “epistemology of ignorance” with regard to the phenomena that it designates. Building on Mills’s premise that historical Eurocentrism and ongoing white racism have yielded an “inverted epistemology” for those structurally construed as white, theories of epistemological ignorance call attention to the cognitive aspects of domination. Their aim is to discern patterns of not seeing and not knowing that are embedded in, and sustain, oppressive configurations of power. In this paper, I use Reinhart Koselleck’s account of the three domains of meaning of the ancient Greek term krisis - medical, juridical, and theological - as a schema for examining current discourses of crisis. I argue that the concept of epistemological ignorance illuminates how many policymakers’ cognitive frames remain embedded in many of the political and institutional rationalities that have caused, and continue to replicate, the conditions of crisis, insulating elites while exposing the global poor and communities of color to harm. I argue that this concept can help political theorists to analyze both the dynamics and representations of current crises, and to help think through what a real rupture from the continuities of entrenched oppression might look like.
A preclinical evaluation of a programmable CNT membrane device for transdermal nicotine delivery in hairless Guinea pigs

Abstract Nicotine replacement therapy in the form of transdermal nicotine patches and nicotine gums combined with behavioral counseling still has a low smoking cessation rate of 25%. A promising approach to smoking cessation is to remotely program variable transdermal nicotine delivery rates, with inputs from counselor and patient through a smartphone counseling application. A switchable carbon nanotube (CNT) membrane device has been developed for transdermal nicotine delivery that can be programmed to deliver variable doses matching those of nicotine patches (7, 14 and 21 mg/24 h) and nicotine gums (2 mg /4 mg). The performance of switchable devices was evaluated in vitro on flow-cell geometry and in vivo on the skin of hairless guinea pig (HGP). In vitro, CNT membrane devices successfully switched between therapeutically useful nicotine fluxes of 1.3–1.8 μmoles/cm2/h (ON, −1.5 V) and 0.17–0.23 μmoles/cm2/h (OFF, 0 V), corresponded to the higher doses of gum and nicotine patch fluxes. In vivo, a microdialysis membrane probe was implanted in skin of HGP to directly detect nicotine fluxes through the skin barriers into dialysate with high temporal resolution. The CNT membrane device on HGP skin resulted in an ON/OFF nicotine flux ratio 6.4 ± 2.5 as detected in microdialysis membrane probe in skin. Compared to commercial nicotine patches, the device in ON state was approximately 2–2.4 times the commercial nicotine patch dose as measured by dialysate nicotine fluxes. These results enable smartphone-controlled, battery operated transdermal delivery devices that can be coupled to remote counseling apps for personalized smoking cessation therapy.
Challenges During Surgery for Vascular Anomalies in Pediatrics

Cerebrovascular disease (CVD) is rare in pediatric patients and commonly ­manifests its presence as hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke. Underlying vascular anomalies that can result in stroke can be categorized as follows:
Review: Revealing the genetic mechanisms of pre-harvest sprouting in hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

Abstract Pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is an important phenomenon that results in weather dependent reductions in grain yield and quality across the globe. Due to the large annual losses, breeding PHS resistant varieties is of great importance. Many quantitative trait loci have been associated with PHS and a number of specific genes have been proven to impact PHS. TaPHS1, TaMKK3, Tamyb10, and TaVp1 have been shown to have a large impact on PHS susceptibility while many other genes such as TaSdr, TaQSd, and TaDOG1 have been shown to account for smaller, but significant, proportions of variation. These advances in understanding the genetics behind PHS are making molecular selection and loci stacking viable methods for affecting this quantitative trait. The current review article serves to provide a brief synthesis of recent advances regarding PHS, as well as provide unique insight into the genetic mechanisms governing PHS in bread wheat.
Ketenimine Formation Catalyzed by a High-Valent Cobalt Carbene in Bulky Alkoxide Ligand Environment

High-valent cobalt carbene Co(OR)2(═CPh2) (OR = OCtBu2Ph) undergoes reaction with various isocyanides CNR′ (CNR′ = 2,6-dimethylphenyl isocyanide, 4-methoxyphenyl isocyanide, 2-chloro-6-methylphenyl isocyanide, adamantyl isocyanide) to yield the corresponding ketenimine. The reaction is accompanied by the formation of cobalt bis(alkoxide) bis(isocyanide) complexes Co(OR)2(CNR)2, which were independently synthesized and characterized. DFT calculations suggest the mechanism proceeds through isocyanide binding to Co, followed by intramolecular insertion into the Co–carbene bond to form the ketenimine. We have also conducted an investigation of the catalytic formation of ketenimines at room temperature using mixtures of diazoalkanes (diphenyldiazomethane, methyl diazo(phenyl)acetate, and ethyl diazoacetate) and isocyanides (2,6-dimethylphenyl isocyanide, 4-methoxyphenyl isocyanide, adamantyl isocyanide, cyclohexyl isocyanide, and benzyl isocyanide). While no catalytic reactivity was observed for diphenyldiazom...
Surgical Outcomes After Pancreatic Resection of Screening-Detected Lesions in Individuals at High Risk for Developing Pancreatic Cancer.

Screening high-risk individuals (HRI) can detect potentially curable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and its precursors. We describe the outcomes of high-risk individuals (HRI) after pancreatic resection of screen-detected neoplasms. Asymptomatic HRI enrolled in the prospective Cancer of the Pancreas Screening (CAPS) studies from 1998 to 2014 based on family history or germline mutations undergoing surveillance for at least 6 months were included. Pathologic diagnoses, hospital length of stay, incidence of diabetes mellitus, operative morbidity, need for repeat operation, and disease-specific mortality were determined. Among 354 HRI, 48 (13.6%) had 57 operations (distal pancreatectomy (31), Whipple (20), and total pancreatectomy (6)) for suspected pancreatic neoplasms presenting as a solid mass (22), cystic lesion(s) (25), or duct stricture (1). The median length of stay was 7 days (IQR 5–11). Nine of the 42 HRI underwent completion pancreatectomy for a new lesion after a median of 3.8 years (IQR 2.5–7.6). Postoperative complications developed in 17 HRI (35%); there were no perioperative deaths. New-onset diabetes mellitus after partial resection developed in 20% of HRI. Fourteen PDACs were diagnosed, 11 were screen-detected, 10 were resectable, and 9 had an R0 resection. Metachronous PDAC developed in remnant pancreata of 2 HRI. PDAC-related mortality was 4/10 (40%), with 90% 1-year survival and 60% 5-year survival, respectively. Screening HRI can detect PDAC with a high resectability rate. Surgical treatment is associated with a relatively short length of stay and low readmission rate, acceptable morbidity, zero 90-day mortality, and significant long-term survival. NCT2000089
Moving behavior of pellets in a pellet shaft furnace

The downward moving behavior of pellets in a 8 m2 pellet shaft furnace with an internal vertical air channel and a drying bed was studied by means of a visualized model (1:15) and a top model (1:1). The visualized model experiment shows that the downward movement of pellets can be regarded as plug flow approximately inside the furnace except for the lower region of cooling zone due to the influence of the drained hopper. The top model experiment reveals that the pellet sizes increase along the moving direction because of the percolation phenomenon, which results in a decrease of the resistance coefficient and an increase of the gas flow rate from the furnace wall toward the furnace center.
Radiomics and Machine Learning

Radiomics is an emerging field that attempts to quantitatively mine medical images for biomarkers including gene expression (imaging genomics or radiogenomics) that have clinical utility. While attempts have been made to visually decode various imaging features on MRIs of gliomas, an artificial intelligence approach is better suited to tease out pixel-level subtleties that may reflect different mutations. Machine learning, a form of artificial intelligence in which a computer learns what to look for without explicit human programming, has shown the most promise in the advancement of radiomics and imaging genomics for glioma characterization. Deep learning frameworks in particular have achieved high sensitivity and specificity in classifying MR images of gliomas by IDH1, 1p19q codeletion, and MGMT promoter methylation status. As these frameworks continue to improve, radiomics and imaging genomics could potentially serve a role in prognosticating outcomes and directing treatments for patients with gliomas.
Synaptic and cellular plasticity in Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, which causes a tremendous socioeconomic burden. PD patients are suffering from debilitating motor and nonmotor symptoms. Cardinal motor symptoms of PD, including akinesia, bradykinesia, resting tremor, and rigidity, are caused by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. In addition, decreased amounts of dopamine (DA) level in the basal ganglia induces numerous adaptive changes at the cellular and synaptic levels in the basal ganglia circuits. These cellular and synaptic adaptations are believed to underlie the emergence and propagation of correlated, rhythmic pattern of activity throughout the interconnected cortico-basal ganglia-thalamocortical network. The widespread pathological pattern of brain activity is closely linked to the devastating motor symptoms of PD. Accumulating evidence suggests that both dopaminergic degeneration and the associated abnormal cellular and circuit activity in the basal ganglia drive the motor symptoms of PD. In this short review I summarize the recent advances in our understanding of synaptic and cellular alterations in two basal ganglia nuclei (i.e. the striatum and the subthalamic nucleus) following a complete loss of DA, and in our conceptual understanding of the cellular and circuit bases for the pathological pattern of brain activity in parkinsonian state.
Comparison of Intraoperative Computed Tomography Scan with Postoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Determining Deep Brain Stimulation Electrode Coordinates.

BACKGROUND Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an effective therapy for a variety of refractory movement disorders. Accurate lead placement in the target nucleus is critical to ensure therapeutic effects and to minimize side effects, and intraoperative computed tomography (iCT) scan has been used to target and confirm lead position. The objective of this study is to compare the accuracy of determining the x, y, and z coordinates of final lead placement using iCT scan relative to postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS We conducted a retrospective study on 83 patients who underwent insertion of 145 DBS leads from 2015 to 2017 at a single institution. iCT scan was merged with the preoperative MRI to determine lead coordinates on both magnetic resonance and computed tomography images independently, and the absolute differences between the x, y, and z coordinates between the 2 scans along with the Euclidean vectors were calculated. RESULTS The mean absolute differences ± standard error of the mean between iCT scan and postoperative MRI coordinates were as follows: x = 0.01 ± 0.09 mm (P = 0.89), y = 1.67 ± 0.14 mm (P < 0.001), and z = 2.75 ± 0.15 mm (P < 0.001). The average Euclidean vector difference was 3.21 ± 0.15 mm (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Significant differences exist between iCT scan and postoperative MRI DBS y and z lead coordinates, but not with x coordinates. Based on this series, iCT scan is more accurate when confirming x coordinates, and less accurate for confirming y and z coordinates during DBS operations.
Multi-Feed Antenna and Electronics Co-Design: An E-Band Antenna-LNA Front End With On-Antenna Noise-Canceling and Gₘ -Boosting

This article presents an E-band low-noise amplifier (LNA) co-designed and co-integrated with an on-chip multi-feed antenna for antenna-level LNA noise-canceling and $g_{m}$ -boosting. Different from conventional approaches that view antennas as a simple 50- $\Omega $ radiation load, we exploit antennas as multi-feed passive radiating networks with direct on-antenna signal conditioning and processing capabilities. Such an antenna-electronics co-design concept can potentially advance wireless front-end performance beyond electronics-only designs and opens the door to a plethora of front-end innovations. We also propose equivalent circuits to model multi-feed antenna systems and elucidate on-antenna signal processing operations. As a proof of concept, we propose an antenna-LNA co-designed architecture and explore the interactions among a common-gate (CG) LNA path, a common-source (CS) LNA path, and a pair of near-field coupled folded slot antennas for on-antenna noise-cancellation and $g_{m}$ -boosting. In the measurements, a true Y-factor radiation method is introduced as a new approach to measure the noise figure (NF) of the on-chip multi-feed antenna and LNA/RX integration. Then, we perform the conventional sensitivity-based NF measurement. Both measurements show accurate and consistent NF characterization at high millimeter-wave (mm-Wave). The E-band antenna-LNA front end is implemented in the Globalfoundries 45-nm CMOS SOI process and demonstrates 4.8-dB NF with 2.2-dBm IIP3, achieving the best reported FoM at similar frequencies. Furthermore, over-the-air modulation tests are demonstrated, supporting > 10-Gb/s high-fidelity high-order QAM signals over an E-band wireless link.
The Measurement Model and Uncertainty

This chapter introduces the basic terms and models used to quantify the uncertainty of both direct and indirect measurements. Basic definitions such as Type A and Type B evaluation of uncertainty are introduced, and the GUM approach to the propagation of uncertainties is explained. Case studies are used to illustrate the approaches to uncertainty analyses for both types of measurements.
Middle turbinate resection is unlikely to cause empty nose syndrome in first year postoperatively.

Abstract Purpose Empty nose syndrome (ENS) is characterized by nasal dryness, crusting, and paradoxical nasal obstruction most commonly after inferior turbinate resection. ENS has also been reported to occur after middle turbinate resection (MTR), and concern for causing ENS is a possible reason surgeons preserve the MT during endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). The objective was to determine whether MTR during ESS led to ENS. Materials and methods This was a prospective case series of 95 consecutive patients that underwent bilateral subtotal MTR during ESS with either Draf IIB or Draf III frontal sinusotomies, for chronic rhinosinusitis with or without nasal polyps, and frontal sinus inverted papillomas. Demographic data and postoperative Empty Nose Syndrome 6-item Questionnaire (ENS6Q) scores were obtained. Nasal crusting was also documented on last postoperative nasal endoscopy. Results Pathologies included chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (69), without nasal polyps (12), and inverted papillomas (14). Fifty-six patients underwent subtotal MTRs during ESS with Draf IIB, and 39 with Draf III. Mean follow-up was 19.4 months (range 12–49). Mean postoperative ENS6Q score was 2.1. Only 2.1% had ENS6Q scores ≥ 11, and 6.3% had nasal crusting at last follow-up. None of the patients with ENS6Q scores ≥ 11 had nasal crusting at last follow-up. There were no significant differences in outcomes between ages, genders, surgery types, or pathologies. Conclusions Patients who underwent bilateral subtotal MTR during ESS were unlikely to develop ENS by at least 1 year postoperatively, based on patients rarely experiencing ENS6Q scores ≥ 11 or persistent nasal crusting.
Land Use Federalism's False Choice

Debates about land use federalism — like those about federalism more broadly — often focus on whether policies and priorities ought to be set at the national or local level. But such categorical judgments about national intervention are inadequate because they obscure the diversity of mechanisms by which nationalization can and does occur. This Article draws attention to the importance of this underappreciated legislative design choice and develops a framework within which to evaluate it. This Article observes that nationalization can take the form of rules that either displace local decisionmaking or channel it, and that those rules can be implemented either by fiat or by way of incentive. These are not equivalent in terms of their effects on local democracy. Quite the contrary: the threat to the values of local democracy that motivate land use federalism arises primarily from decision-displacing fiat nationalizations — a tool that is likely unnecessary for most categories of land use goals. On the other hand, national action that channels land use decisionmaking or that incentivizes outcomes can achieve its ends while avoiding pernicious effects on local democracy. In fact, these forms of national action can even enhance local democracy. By confronting the full range of nationalizing options and accounting for their varied democratic impacts, this Article offers a solution to the federalist–nationalist dilemma in land use law, and may chart a path through the same thicket in other contexts.
Introduction: Our Contexts and Frameworks

Reflections on race/ethnicity, gender, and cultural experiences are important because they inform the experiences of current and future mental health professionals. Intersectionality in Family Therapy Leadership—Professional Power, Personal Identities is a compilation of marital and family educators’ socially located narratives. This is a timely book because it affords an opportunity for training institutions and individual therapists to consider personalized accounts of discrimination and encounters with transforming oppressive systems for inclusion and equality. Themes of culture, gender, spirituality, connection, power, oppression, and resilience are woven throughout each story.
The crystal and coordination chemistry of neptunium in all its oxidation states: An expanded structural hierarchy of neptunium compounds

Abstract Structures of 388 neptunium-bearing crystal structures are sorted into an expanded structural hierarchy and examined. The majority of structures contain Np(V) (149), Np(VI) (99), or Np(IV) (91) whereas structures containing Np(II), Np(III), Np(VII), or more than one oxidation state are rare. Coordination geometry of Np(V) and Np(VI) compounds is dominated by the approximately linear neptunyl cation. Actinyl–actinyl interactions (AAIs) are most prevalent in Np(V) compounds and are observed in 48% of these extended structures. Prismatic coordination geometries are commonly observed in Np(IV) compounds. Np(III) organometallic complexes display a variety of coordination modes. Coordination chemistry of Np(VII) compounds is dominated by the tetra-oxido core. Updated average bond length values are provided for Np(IV), Np(V), Np(VI), and Np(VII) compounds and updated bond valence parameters for Np(IV) are reported. A graphical notation system for neptunyl structures coordinated by organic ligands was developed to facilitate discussion and identify similarities between neptunyl compounds coordinated by oxyanions and neptunyl compounds coordinated by organic ligands.
Encouraging Biochemistry Students’ Metacognition: Reflecting on How Another Student Might Not Carefully Reflect

Many studies in science education research have found metacognition to be beneficial for undergraduate STEM students. Students do not necessarily know how to employ their metacognition without some training or prompting, and undergraduate chemistry instructors do not always have the capacity to instruct their students on metacognition. Thus, it would be beneficial for instructors and students if metacognition development could be implicitly incorporated into typical classroom activities. In this study, 25 undergraduate students in an upper-division biochemistry course were interviewed via a think-aloud protocol. In the interviews, they were asked to solve two open-ended buffer problems. Before answering the second buffer problem, the students were asked questions designed to target their metacognition. The interview transcripts were qualitatively analyzed through a codebook thematic analysis, with deductive and inductive coding, to understand the types of metacognitive knowledge and metacognitive skills these students demonstrated while solving the buffer problems. The transcripts were also analyzed to understand how these metacognitive prompts may have changed students’ metacognitive approaches to solving the problems. Overall, 20 of the 25 students demonstrated some type of metacognition in response to the metacognitive prompts that they had not demonstrated in the first buffer problem. We discuss how asking students to think how an “unreflective” student would answer a question can prompt students to metacognitively evaluate their thought processes.
Minority Stress and Mental Health: A Review of the Literature

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) populations experience significant health disparities, theorized to result from LGBT specific minority stressors. The fully conceptualized Minority St...
Greater collaboration across the disciplines: challenges and opportunities.

The conference had three broad goals: first, to review the basic structure of epidemiology and demography to provide a backdrop to more-effective dialogue; second, to present research on specific areas of inquiry that have been addressed by both disciplines; and third, to discuss explicit ways of improving communication and collaboration across the disciplines.
Pain and Corporatization: More Special Interests, More Disparities, More Vulnerability

As in all areas of health care, pain treatment in the United States is fraught with disparities on numerous dimensions. Although initial research on the topic focused heavily on racial and ethnic inequalities [1–5], recent work on the progressive disappearance of the middle class [6,7] is resulting in an increased awareness of socioeconomic disparities in pain care, which are more recently receiving considerable attention [8–10]. Although we have witnessed a partial shift in research focus over the past several years, both racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities continue to exist in pain care, with most investigators [11–13] now recognizing the reciprocal interaction between the two. Irrespective, disparities in pain management remain a serious threat to patients' well-being and certainly constitute a grave ethical hazard, regardless of the types of groups that …
Design and Use of Fluorescent Fusion Proteins in Cell Biology

The discovery that green fluorescent protein (GFP) variants and coral fluorescent proteins can be functionally expressed in heterogeneous systems has revolutionized cell biology (Lippincott-Schwartz et al., 2001; Miyawaki et al., 2003). Unmodified fluorescent proteins (FPs) can be visualized by fluorescence microscopy and can serve as probes of environments within living cells. The addition of targeting and retention sequences to FPs can be exploited to highlight specific cellular organelles and to follow their dynamics. The ability of FPs to fold, even when fused to cellular proteins, has made it possible to directly study the biology of proteins in vivo. A protein of interest can be monitored in cells or even in whole animals without having to purify, label, and deliver the protein into cells. Thus, it is now possible to label and observe proteins in previously inaccessible environments, such as organelle lumena. Fusion of FPs to proteins of interest can reveal a wealth of data, including information on a protein's steady-state distribution, dynamics, history, and association with other proteins (Lippincott-Schwartz et al., 2001; 2003). In this unit, strategies and background for designing and creating fluorescent fusion proteins (FFPs) are described. To design an FFP, the investigator must consider what the FFP's intended use is, which fluorescent tag to add, whether the FP has complicating issues related to the protein of interest's environment (e.g., pH sensitivity, enhanced aggregation), and where to insert the FP. The actual construction of FFPs can be readily accomplished using standard molecular biology techniques and will only be described in general terms in the Basic Protocol. Investigators seeking specific advice on cloning techniques are referred to Current Protocols in Molecular Biology (Ausubel et al., 2005) or Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (Sambrook and Russell, 2001).
The complexity of the max word problem

We study the complexity of the max word problem for matrices, a variation of the well-known word problem for matrices. We show that the problem is NP-complete, and cannot be approximated within any constant factor, unless P=NP. We describe applications of this result to probabilistic finite state automata, rational series and k-regular sequences. Our proof is novel in that it employs the theory of interactive proof systems, rather than a standard reduction argument. As another consequence of our results, we characterize NP exactly in terms of one-way interactive proof systems.
Development of segment specificity in identified lineages of the grasshopper CNS

The purpose of this study was to determine the factors underlying differences in population size and composition between segmentally homologous neuronal lineages. The segmental median neuroblasts (MNBs) of grasshoppers are identified stem cells that each produce a midline group of neurons. We traced the embryonic development of the group in two disparate segments, counting MNB progeny and profiles of dying cells in fixed and stained preparations of staged embryos. In the metathoracic segment (T3), about 95 MNB progeny survive embryonic development, whereas in the next posterior segment, the first abdominal (A1), only about 60 survive. In T3, the MNB arises at 29% of embryogenesis and dies at 78%, whereas in A1 the MNB arises at 30% and dies at 73%. In T3, the number of MNB progeny initially increases at a steady rate, 10 cells being added per 5% of embryogenesis. Between 70% and 78% growth tapers off; although the T3 MNB continues to divide, cells die at the same time, specifically removing last-born progeny. By contrast, in A1 the MNB progeny increase in two phases, one from 30% to 45% and the other from 60% to 73%, again at the rate of 10 cells per 5%. Between the two phases, the number of A1 progeny is stable. The A1 MNB continues to divide, but cells die at the same time, specifically removing earlier-born progeny. The episodes of cell death in A1 and T3 coincide with embryonic molts, and thus may be hormonally triggered. Cell death is greater in A1 than T3, accounting for most of the difference in population size. The difference in MNB longevity makes a lesser contribution. The present data, together with corollary anatomical data (Thompson and Siegler, 1991), support the hypothesis that progeny fated to become certain neuronal types are selectively removed from the two MNB lineages: intersegmental interneurons from T3 and efferent neurons and local interneurons from A1.
Videoconferencing and presentation support for synchronous distance learning

Synchronous distance education can partner students and professors from different geographic or cultural regions, allowing them to share and learn from each other. Technology must support the sharing of ideas and materials. Using an iterative design approach, we investigated challenges in synchronous distance learning environments through observation of masters-level courses connecting two learning sites. Through observations, interviews, and surveys we learned of two major challenges: (1) low-quality audio/video makes interaction difficult; and, (2) presentation technologies in distance learning environments make extemporaneous teaching difficult. We developed and deployed a new distance learning system using Internet based video conferencing and a pen computer based presentation system. We studied system use in a masters level course. Analysis of qualitative data (observation notes, surveys, interview transcripts) collected in the course suggest that technological interruptions increased the feeling of separation between the sites, while the integration of natural handwriting with slides increased flexibility and was perceived positively by students and instructors.
STENNIS SPACE CENTER'S APPROACH TO LIQUID ROCKET ENGINE HEALTH MONITORING USING EXHAUST PLUME DIAGNOSTICS

Details are presented of the approach used in a comprehensive program to utilize exhaust plume diagnostics for rocket engine health-and-condition monitoring and assessing SSME component wear and degradation. This approach incorporates both spectral and video monitoring of the exhaust plume. Video monitoring provides qualitative data for certain types of component wear while spectral monitoring allows both quantitative and qualitative information. Consideration is given to spectral identification of SSME materials and baseline plume emissions.
Galton's Two Papers on Voting as Robust Estimation

The relationship between voting and robust estimation was discussed by Francis Galton in 1907. His two papers in Nature are discussed and reprinted.
Viruslike particles in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Electron microscopical study of a case

Autopsy of a 57-year-old woman dying from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) revealed the characteristic pathological changes of the disease. Ultrastructurally, the main finding was the presence of tubular viruslike particles within the cisterns of the rough endoplasmic reticulum in the neurons of the precentral gyrus and anterior horns of the spinal cord. These particles had a mean diameter of 80 to 85 nm and were composed of a central core and a multilayered wrapping; their morphology was consistent with a rhabdovirus. It is believed that the exclusive location of particles in neurons and the presence of fine structural alterations in these cells, consistent with a cytopathogenetic effect, may indicate a relation between the particle and ALS.
Influence of Growth Conditions on the Production of a Bacteriocin, Pediocin AcH, by Pediococcus acidilactici H

The influence of growth parameters on the production of pediocin AcH by Pediococcus acidilactici H was studied. This strain produced large quantities of pediocin AcH in TGE broth (Trypticase [1%], glucose [1%], yeast extract [1%], Tween 80 [0.2%], Mn [0.033 mM], Mg [0.02 mM] [pH 6.5]) within 16 to 18 h at 30 to 37 degrees C (final pH, 3.6 to 3.7). Pediocin AcH production was negligible when the pH of the medium was maintained at 5.0 or above, even in the presence of high cell mass.
Medical Adherence in Pediatric Populations

Adherence to medication or medical regimes is considered the major factor in obtaining a successful outcome of therapy. In order to adequately assess the effectiveness of a medical intervention, it is necessary to obtain adherence to the prescribed regime. Nonadherence to a prescribed treatment can lead to increased patient visits, emergency care, and over prescribing of medications. Nonadherence may eventually result in a failure to obtain a therapeutic outcome (Becker & Green, 1975), including progression of the disease (Stewart & Cluff, 1977), recurrent infections (Daschner & Marget, 1975), and emergence of resistant infections (Rapoff & Christopherson, 1982).