cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Achieving tumour control when suspecting sinus fat involvement during robot-assisted partial nephrectomy: step-by-step.

Objectives To report a single expert robotic surgeon's step-by-step surgical technique for achieving local cancer control during robot-assisted PN (RAPN) for T3 tumours. Patients and methods Since January 2010 to December 2016, the institutional RAPN database was queried for patients who underwent transperitoneal RAPN performed by a single surgeon for tumours ≤4 mm from the collecting system at preoperative computed tomography (three points on the 'N [Nearness]' R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry-score item) that were pT3a involving sinus fat at final pathology. Baseline characteristics, perioperative and oncological outcomes (particularly positive surgical margins, PSMs), were identified. Results Of 1497 masses that underwent RAPN, 512 scored 3 points on the 'N' item of the R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score assessment. In all, 24 patients had pT3a tumours involving sinus fat at final pathology and represented the analysed cohort. RAPN were performed according to the here described technique. No PSMs were reported. Trifecta achievement was 54.2%. Within a median follow-up of 30 months, two and one patients had recurrence or metastasis, respectively. Two patients died unrelated to renal cancer. Retrospective analysis and limited follow-up represent study limitations. Conclusion In a selected cohort of patients with renal tumours near the sinus fat at baseline R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score assessment and confirmed pT3a at final pathology, the described RAPN technique was able to achieve optimal local cancer control.
Propeller-Wing Integration on the Parallel Electric-Gas Architecture with Synergistic Utilization Scheme (PEGASUS) Aircraft

Electrically powered aircraft show promise for reducing emissions and energy consumption, but many of the opportunities surrounding electric propulsion have yet to be explored. One opportunity is the use of multiple propulsors or distributed propulsion for improved propulsion airframe integration. However, the size, power, location, and optimum number of propulsors has not been thoroughly vetted. This paper describes the use of FlightStream, a surface vorticity solver, to investigate the aerodynamic-propulsion integration of four propulsors across the leading edge of a wing, two inboard and two at the wingtips, as proposed in the NASA Parallel Electric-Gas Architecture with Synergistic Utilization Scheme (PEGASUS) concept. FlightStream was used to determine the minimum power required for cruise for the PEGASUS aircraft. The study found that tip propellers are effective at lowering both viscous and induced drag when compared to inboard propellers alone or inboard propellers combined with tip propellers. Despite this drag savings, the propulsive efficiency was reduced when a single propeller class was used, resulting in a higher system power consumption when compared with using multiple propeller classes. Reductions in propeller efficiency are related to increases in disc and blade loading of the propeller; thus, larger propellers or higher tip speeds are seen as possible means of to improve system performance.
Methods for the Analysis and Interpretation for Rare Variants Associated with Complex Traits

With the advent of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technologies, whole genome and whole exome DNA sequencing has become affordable for routine genetic studies. Coupled with improved genotyping arrays and genotype imputation methodologies, it is increasingly feasible to obtain rare genetic variant information in large datasets. Such datasets allow researchers to gain a more complete understanding of the genetic architecture of complex traits caused by rare variants. State-of-the-art statistical methods for the statistical genetics analysis of sequence-based association, including efficient algorithms for association analysis in biobank-scale datasets, gene-association tests, meta-analysis, fine mapping methods that integrate functional genomic dataset, and phenome-wide association studies (PheWAS), are reviewed here. These methods are expected to be highly useful for next generation statistical genetics analysis in the era of precision medicine. © 2019 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Pediatric Donor Management Goals in Use by US Organ Procurement Organizations.

Introduction:A recent study of pediatric organ donation after the neurologic determination of death (DNDD) demonstrated an association between the use of donor management goals (DMGs) by organ proc...
Rebuttal to Commentary of Prof Yilmaz.

In her commentary on winning public and political regulatory support for safe agricultural products derived from biotechnology, Prof Yilmaz invokes Aesop’s fable, posing a metaphorical pro-science ...
Contributions to diminished perceptual learning in individuals with language impairment

The lexical context in which sounds occur can help listeners mitigate the challenges of the lack of invariance in the speech signal. Through lexically guided perceptual learning, phonetic category structure can be dynamically modified given repeated exposure to potentially ambiguous sounds embedded within familiar lexical contexts. Individuals with language impairment (LI) show deficits in general auditory processing and speech perception, which may influence the development of stable phonetic category structure. However, it is not yet known whether deficits in phonetic category structure in individuals with LI are related to impairment in the learning mechanisms that guide adaptation or in feedback links from the lexicon to speech sounds. To assess these sources of deficit, participants will complete measures of receptive language ability, a task assessing lexical recruitment (i.e., the Ganong effect), and a lexically guided perceptual learning task. If impairment in phonetic category structure stems from weaker top-down lexical influences, then performance on the lexical recruitment task should be (1) diminished in individuals with LI and (2) predictive of lexically guided perceptual learning. If diminished adaptation instead reflects a disrupted learning mechanism, then individuals with LI and typical participants should perform comparably on the lexical recruitment task despite showing differences in lexically guided perceptual learning.The lexical context in which sounds occur can help listeners mitigate the challenges of the lack of invariance in the speech signal. Through lexically guided perceptual learning, phonetic category structure can be dynamically modified given repeated exposure to potentially ambiguous sounds embedded within familiar lexical contexts. Individuals with language impairment (LI) show deficits in general auditory processing and speech perception, which may influence the development of stable phonetic category structure. However, it is not yet known whether deficits in phonetic category structure in individuals with LI are related to impairment in the learning mechanisms that guide adaptation or in feedback links from the lexicon to speech sounds. To assess these sources of deficit, participants will complete measures of receptive language ability, a task assessing lexical recruitment (i.e., the Ganong effect), and a lexically guided perceptual learning task. If impairment in phonetic category structure stems fro...
Perceptions of Educational Leadership Faculty Regarding Open Access Publishing.

There is a dearth of research on the perceptions of faculty members in educational leadership regarding open access publications. This reality may exist because of a lack of funding for educational leadership research, financial obstacles, tenure demands, or reputation concerns. It may be that there are simply fewer established open access publishers with reputable impact factors to encourage publication by members in the field. The current study seeks to answer the following question: “What are the perceptions of educational leadership faculty members in UCEA about open access publishing?” The results are based on responses from 180 faculty members in the field of educational leadership.
Connecting to the Real World: Incorporating Student Consulting Projects in Real Estate Programs.

Universities face challenges in developing new programs that satisfy students, employers, faculty and administrators, and accreditors. In designing a master in real estate degree, stakeholders desi...
Assessing the global Alfvén wave power flow into and out of the auroral acceleration region during geomagnetic storms

Geomagnetic storms are large space weather events with potentially tremendous societal implications. During these storms, the transfer of energy from the solar wind into geospace is largely increased, leading to enhanced energy flow and deposition within the magnetosphere and ionosphere. While various energy forms participate, the rate of total Alfven wave energy flowing into the auroral acceleration region—where the magnetosphere and ionosphere couple—has not been quantified. Here, we report a fourfold increase in hemispherical Alfvenic power (from 2.59 to 10.05 GW) over a largely expanded oval band covering all longitudes and latitudes between 50° and 85° during the main storm phase compared with nonstorm periods. The Poynting flux associated with individual Alfven waves reached values of up to about 0.5 W/m2 (mapped to ionospheric altitude). These results demonstrate that Alfven waves are an important component of geomagnetic storms and associated energy flow into the auroral acceleration region.
A 6–140-nW 11 Hz–8.2-kHz DVFS RISC-V Microprocessor Using Scalable Dynamic Leakage-Suppression Logic

This letter presents an RISC-V microprocessor implemented using a proposed scalable dynamic leakage suppression (SDLS) logic style. Together with a custom adaptive clock generator and voltage scaling controller, the SDLS RISC-V microprocessor realizes a fully integrated modified dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS) scheme that enables nW-level performance flexibility for battery-less IoT sensing nodes in energy-scarce environments. At the nominal core VDD of 0.6 V, the core can scale its performance from 6 nW at 11-Hz operating frequency to 140 nW at 8.2-kHz operating frequency. Across the supply voltage range, the core is capable of delivering minimum power of 840 pW, maximum frequency of 41.5 kHz, and a minimum energy of 13.4 pJ/cycle.
Potential Impact of Donors’ Factors on Survival Times of Transplanted Hearts and Lungs

Abstract Organ transplantation is becoming a major public health issue worldwide due to its attributable death rate and excessive cost. The supply of available organs from deceased donors does not meet the demand. Twenty people die each day while waiting for a transplant in the United States. National organ donation has increased in the past two decades; yet, the number of individuals who need transplants has risen much faster. A new patient is added to the national transplant waiting list every 10 min. To address this disparity, not only the number of donors must be increased, but also the discard rate of available organs must be reduced. For example, the discard rate for kidney has increased by almost four times from approximately 5% to nearly 20% between the late 1980s and 2009. Hence, it is important to investigate the factors that may decrease the discard rate. At the same time, it is essential to investigate the factors that may increase the survival time of transplanted organs. In this paper, we study the potential impact of donor's factors on the survival time of the transplanted hearts and lungs between 1987 and 2010 in the US. Using statistical survival analysis, we investigate five factors including donor's age, gender, history of cancer, history of smoking, and blood type of the donated organs. Our results show that each of these factors may correlate with the survival time of the transplanted organ in one way or another. For example, the donor's age is an important factor for transplanted hearts and lungs, which means that transplanted organs from younger donors have longer survival time. In comparison, the donor's gender is a significant factor for transplanted hearts but does not correlate with the survival time of transplanted lungs. Based on the survival analysis of transplanted organs, the donor history of cancer and donor history of smoking cigarette were both important factors with regard to the survival times of transplanted hearts and lungs. We observed that donor's blood type has moderate correlation with survival times of transplanted hearts and lungs.
Childhood and education in the United States and Russia: sociological and comparative perspectives

Just a few decades ago, the U.S. had countless Russia experts in academia and at the State Department. After all, the Soviet Union was the chief adversary of the U.S., but times changed after Chris...
Investigating the Suitability of Semicarbazide as an Indicator of Preharvest Nitrofurazone Use in Raw Chicken.

ABSTRACT Semicarbazide (SEM) is the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's official marker for nitrofurazone use in food animals. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service conducted a study to evaluate the source of SEM that was identified by a U.S. trading partner in a subset of chicken samples presented for inspection, even though nitrofurazone has been banned from use in U.S. food-producing animals since 2002. The study design included analyses to detect and quantify total and bound SEM in chicken collected from the eight U.S. establishments that were associated with the reported detection of SEM. Samples were collected immediately following evisceration, chilling, and cutting carcass into parts (cut-up). Although antimicrobial interventions (processes to reduce pathogen concentrations) are typically used at all three of these processing steps, the product contact time during chilling is significantly longer (hours versus seconds) than during evisceration and cut-up. In addition, parts were analyzed after 0, 10, 20, and 30 days of frozen storage. No postevisceration samples tested positive for SEM; however, most samples collected postchilling and after cut-up tested positive. The absence of SEM in postevisceration samples and detection in the subsequent postchilling samples and after the cut-up samples suggest that the detection of SEM in the sampled products is not indicative of preharvest nitrofurazone use and may be a result of postharvest processing in these establishments. HIGHLIGHTS
Carbon Coated Porous Titanium Niobium Oxides as Anode Materials of Lithium-Ion Batteries for Extreme Fast Charge Applications

The development of electric vehicles (EVs) has been restricted by severe lithium plating in lithium ion batteries (LIBs) with graphite as the anode. To mitigate the lithium plating issue, carbon co...
Analysis of clinical characteristics and gene mutations of megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy with subcortical cysts in a family

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics and genetic variation of megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy with subcortical cysts(MCL), then to explore the genetic characteristics so as to help families by providing genetic counseling. Methods The clinical data of the children and their family members were collected, and the peripheral blood DNA of the children and family members were extracted.Then, the MLC1 gene mutation in the children was detected by using the target sequence capture high-throughput sequencing technology and Sanger sequencing technology. Results (1)MCL often presented abnormal head circumference in infants as the first symptom.The main clinical manifestations were hypoevolutism in motor development, retrogression of early school age, then the movement disorder progressed and finally paralyzed; epilepsy was common in early childhood; head magnetic resonance imaging showed white matter in bilateral cerebral hemisphere diffusing abnormal signal with temporal lobe cystic change in the early stage, and then showed brain atrophy.(2)The gene results showed that the 2 girls with MLC had both c. 368C>T (p.Thr123Ile) and c. 353C>T (p.Thr118Met) complex heterozygous variation, which existed in the MLC1 gene.The girls′ father and a sister carried c. 368C>T (p.Thr123Ile), while the mother carried c. 353C>T (p.Thr118Met) heterozygous variation, all of whom were normal phenotypes. Conclusions MCL is one cause of hypoevolutism in motor development in children and abnormal head circumference of infants is usually the first symptom.The MLC1 gene c. 368C>T(p.Thr123Ile) is a pathogenic mutation for MLC, and may be another new pa-thogenic mutation. Key words: Megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy with subcortical cysts; MLC1 gene; Mutation
Experimental investigation of a line plume in a filling box

A series of experiments were conducted to quantify the dynamics of a filling box driven by a line plume that spans the full width of the enclosure. Three configurations were tested namely symmetric (centrally located plume), wall-bounded (plume attached to an end wall), and asymmetric. The front movement for the symmetric and wall-bounded configurations was well described by the standard filling box model. The front movement results indicate that the typical value of the entrainment coefficient $$ \left( \alpha \right) $$ for an unconfined plume ( $$ \alpha = 0.16 $$ ) could be used to accurately predict the front movement for both the centrally located plume and the wall-attached plume. This is in contrast to other studies that suggest that wall-bounded plumes have a significantly lower entrainment coefficient. The standard filling box model broke down for the asymmetric configuration. As the plume was closer to one wall than the other, the plume outflows that spread out and reflected off the end walls returned to the plume at different times. This created a pressure imbalance across the plume that caused the plume to bend sharply toward the nearest wall. Analysis of the plume outflow as a constant flux gravity current showed that the outflow velocity scaled on the cube root of the plume buoyancy flux per unit width $$ f $$ , a result confirmed by further experiments. This result was used to quantify the time at which the plume bends and the standard filling box model breaks down.
G94(P) Improving cannulation efficiency in the children’s hospital

Aim To introduce standardised cannulation trolleys across the Children’s Hospital to decrease time spent gathering equipment. Method A questionnaire was sent to junior doctors enquiring about cannulation practices across the wards in the Children’s Hospital. Junior doctors were then timed gathering the necessary cannulation equipment on all of the paediatric wards. A pilot standardised cannulation trolley was trialled on the children’s assessment unit, and junior doctors were timed gathering equipment with the new trolleys. Adjustments were made to the equipment layout after feedback from staff, including photographs of equipment inserted into the trolley drawers to facilitate appropriate re-stocking. Standardised cannulation trolleys were disseminated across all wards in the Children’s Hospital. A cannulation trolley champion was nominated for each ward. Random stock checks have been performed. Results In the baseline survey 88% of doctors agreed that ‘it often takes me longer to find the equipment I need for cannulation than inserting the cannula’. 1–6 cannulas were inserted per junior doctor per shift. The time taken to gather cannulation equipment at baseline was 4.21 minutes on average, the maximum time was 10 minutes. After the trial of the cannulation trolley on the assessment unit it took 2.12 minutes. This is an initial reduction of 50%. A second spot audit of the cannulation trolleys has been undertaken. All wards had well stocked cannulation trolleys and it now takes 58 seconds to gather everything needed for cannulation. If we scale this up and have on average 20 doctors working during the daytime, and each doctor sites 1–6 cannulas per shift, 84.2–505.2 minutes were spent gathering cannulation equipment compared to 19.3 minutes to 116 minutes currently. Conclusion In an era of less staff and the need to improve efficiency, this simple implementation has hugely decreased the time spent preparing to cannulate, a common junior doctor job. This has enabled quicker cannulation especially in time critical circumstances such as sepsis.
Stephanodiscus coruscus sp. nov., a new species of diatom (Bacillariophyta) from June Lake, California (USA) with close affiliation to Stephanodiscus klamathensis

Modern and fossil populations of a Stephanodiscus Ehrenberg species from June Lake, California (USA) were analysed using light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Stephanodiscus valves were a m...
Beneath the Surface: An Investigation of General Chemistry Students’ Study Skills to Predict Course Outcomes

As the conversation in higher education shifts from diversity to inclusion, the attrition rates of students in the STEM fields continue to be a point of discussion. Combined with the demand for expansion in the STEM workforce, various retention reforms have been proposed, implemented, and in some cases integrated into policy following evidence of success. Still, new findings, technological advances, and socio-cultural shifts inevitably necessitate an ongoing investigation as to how students approach learning. Among other factors, students who enter college without effective study skills are at much greater risk of being unsuccessful in their coursework. In order to construct an equitable learning environment, a mechanism must be developed to provide underprepared students with access to resources or interventions designed to refine the skills they need to be successful in the course. Early, reliable assessments can provide predictions of individual student outcomes in order to guide the development and implementation of such targeted interventions. In the present study, a model is developed to predict students’ odds of success based on their study approaches, as measured by their responses to twelve survey items from an existing instrument used in the Chemistry Education Research literature designed to measure students’ deep and surface learning approaches. The model’s prediction specificity ranges from 66.5% to 86.9% by semester. Two distinct sets of lower-performing students are identified in the data: those who align predominantly with surface approaches to learning versus those who indicate using both deep and surface approaches to learning. This supports the idea of a tailored approach to interventions, rather than a one-size-fits-all solution. Results from this instrument were correlated to students’ reported study methods and beliefs.
Activity-Based Costing of Intensity-Modulated Proton versus Photon Therapy for Oropharyngeal Cancer.

Purpose In value-based health care delivery, radiation oncologists need to compare empiric costs of care delivery with advanced technologies, such as intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). We used time-driven activity-based costing (TDABC) to compare the costs of delivering IMPT and IMRT in a case-matched pilot study of patients with newly diagnosed oropharyngeal (OPC) cancer. Materials and Methods We used clinicopathologic factors to match 25 patients with OPC who received IMPT in 2011-12 with 25 patients with OPC treated with IMRT in 2000-09. Process maps were created for each multidisciplinary clinical activity (including chemotherapy and ancillary services) from initial consultation through 1 month of follow-up. Resource costs and times were determined for each activity. Each patient-specific activity was linked with a process map and TDABC over the full cycle of care. All calculated costs were normalized to the lowest-cost IMRT patient. Results TDABC costs for IMRT were 1.00 to 3.33 times that of the lowest-cost IMRT patient (mean ± SD: 1.65 ± 0.56), while costs for IMPT were 1.88 to 4.32 times that of the lowest-cost IMRT patient (2.58 ± 0.39) (P < .05). Although single-fraction costs were 2.79 times higher for IMPT than for IMRT (owing to higher equipment costs), average full cycle cost of IMPT was 1.53 times higher than IMRT, suggesting that the initial cost increase is partly mitigated by reductions in costs for other, non-RT supportive health care services. Conclusions In this matched sample, although IMPT was on average more costly than IMRT primarily owing to higher equipment costs, a subset of IMRT patients had similar costs to IMPT patients, owing to greater use of supportive care resources. Multidimensional patient outcomes and TDABC provide vital methodology for defining the value of radiation therapy modalities.
Abstract 3045: Investigating the influence of glycosylation using cellular models of neuroblastoma

Background: Neuroblastoma is a common childhood malignancy with approximately 800 new cases diagnosed each year in the United States. Treatment of neuroblastoma directly depends on patient risk categories and includes combinations of surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, stem cell therapy, immunotherapy, and retinoid therapy. Various characteristics of cancer in general and some specific to neuroblastoma cell lines contribute to a difficulty in delivering clinically relevant concentrations of therapeutic agents to neuroblastoma masses. Amplification of the MYCN gene in certain neuroblastoma cell lines correlates with increased cellular surface glycosylation levels as well as a worse prognosis for patients. Overexpression of the MUC1 gene is also associated with increased glycosylation, specifically type-O, in various cancers, but the role of MUC1 in neuroblastoma has not been thoroughly defined. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of type-O glycosylation on therapeutic uptake in different neuroblastoma cell lines. Methods: The neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-DZ, a MYCN-amplified line, was compared to SK-N-SH, a non-MYCN-amplified line (negative control) and BT-20, a highly glycosylated breast cancer cell line (positive control). Benzyl-α-GalNAc, an O-glycosylation inhibitor, was introduced to each cell line. To determine glycosylation levels in the respective cell lines, fluorescence assays were performed using CD227 (anti-MUC1) antibody. In vitro cytotoxicity assays were performed to determine maximum non-toxic concentrations of the glycosylation inhibitor (benzyl-α-GalNAc) and antibody (CD227) and to subsequently evaluate the functional role of glycosylation using cellular models of neuroblastoma. Results: The maximum non-toxic concentrations per 10,000 cells for each neuroblastoma cell line was 0.05 mg/ml of benzyl-α-GalNAc, and 6 µl of CD227 stock preparation. Preliminary results from fluorescence detection studies showed an increase in CD227-FITC antibody uptake by the MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma cells (SK-N-DZ) following exposure to the O-glycosylation inhibitor (benzyl-α-GalNAc). Cellular uptake of CD227-FITC by non-MYCN-amplified cell line (SK-N-SH) was less by comparison. Conclusion: Preliminary findings suggest that O-glycosylation is a barrier capable of limiting cellular uptake of agents in MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma cell lines. Ongoing studies are focused on investigating the influence of glycosylation inhibition on cytotoxicity of FDA-approved therapeutic agents. Citation Format: Meghan Cook, Alma Garcia, Katie Konieczny, Meghan Ferguson, Robert Campbell. Investigating the influence of glycosylation using cellular models of neuroblastoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr 3045.
The influence of methacrylic acid and urethane methacrylate on the film properties of hybrid urethane–acrylic latexes

A non-isocyanate pathway was used to synthesize a urethane methacrylate monomer, 2-((methylcarbamoyl)oxy)ethyl methacrylate (MEM) and methacrylic acid (MAA). The MEM and MAA mixture was copolymerized with MMA and BA in a semicontinuous monomer-starved process to prepare latexes via emulsion polymerization. Varying amounts of MEM and MAA monomers were introduced to the latex, and their effect on the thermal properties, film formation, viscoelastic, mechanical and morphological properties was examined. The upper limit functionality concentration was evaluated based on the latex stability. Incorporation of MEM and MAA in latexes enhanced film formation properties displayed by lowering MFFT. MEM and MAA functionalized latexes exhibited enhanced Young’s modulus, tensile strength and hardness compared to the control latex without any MEM and MAA.
Social Entrepreneurship and Civic Engagement

This is an extraordinary time of change and opportunity in higher education with a special focus on civic engagement. Approximately twelve years ago, Thomas Ehrlich’s published his call to action for universities and colleges (Ehrlich, 2000), following several key reports on civic responsibility. He defines civic engagement as “working to make a difference in the civic life of our communities and developing the knowledge, skills, values, and motivation to make that difference. It means promoting the quality of life in a community, through both political and nonpolitical processes” (Ehrlich, 2000, Preface, Page vi). Further, he argues that “a morally and civically responsible individual recognizes himself or herself as a member of a larger social fabric and therefore? willing to see the moral and civic dimensions of issues, to make and justify informed moral and civic judgments, and to take action when appropriate” (Ehrlich, 2000, Introduction, page xxvi). (Compare this with the writing of Alderson, 2011 who talks about the moral aspects of social entrepreneurship.)
Hypomelanosis of ITO Associated with Precocious Puberty

Background: There are only two reported cases of hypomelanosis of Ito (HI) associated with precocious puberty. Here we report a third case, and the first one to be autopsied. Design: A 5-year-old female with HI, intractable seizures and mental retardation presented with gray vaginal discharge and bacterial vaginosis. The patient subsequently died from neurologic complications and was autopsied. Results: Post-mortem examination revealed pigmentary mosaicism following the lines of Blaschko and advanced development of vulvar labia, pubic hair, and breast buds. Other significant autopsy findings included conical teeth, patchy alopecia, macrosomia (body weight and height above 95th percentile), and macrocephaly with megalencephaly (brain 1850 g). The uterus and ovaries were unremarkable. Epidermis had decreased melanocytes in hypopigmented areas. Skin fibroblast karyotype was normal. Conclusion: The two previous case reports indicate that the mechanism for precocious puberty in HI may be either biochemical, as in McCune-Albright Syndrome, or independent of GnRH. The mechanism of the precocious puberty in our case is most likely central.
Media and sex

This article offers an overview of the current research exploring the relationship between sexual content in the media with an emphasis on adolescent socialization. Media is often cited as a primary source of sex education for adolescents as it is an easily accessible and plentiful source of information about sex and sexuality. Socialization theories such as Bandura's Social Learning theory (1977), and Gagnon's Sexual Scripts (1977) predict that the sexual messages found in media such as television and magazines will shape adolescent and adult attitudes regarding sex and sexual behavior. Content analyses of mainstream media including television and magazines find that media portrayals of sex are largely heteronormative and do not acknowledge the psychological and health risks associated with sexual activity. Other research demonstrates a causal connection between exposure to sexual content on television and sexual behaviors and beliefs about sex. Keywords: Adolescence; Safe Sex; Media; Socialization; Social Learning Theory
Review of Copyright for Teachers & Librarians in the 21st Century

Review of Copyright for Teachers & Librarians in the 21st Century. It finds that the book is a useful resource, but its guidance on fair use is rather conservative.
Learning through gaming: Teaching visual arts to elementary grade students

This study aims to investigate the cognitive and affective impact that a Web-based Flash game called “Color in Motion,” has on teaching visual arts to elementary grade students. Pretests and posttests, observations, recordings of on-screen game play activity, and interviews were used as the data collection instruments for this study. Pretests and posttests were used to identify if the game had cognitive impact on learners. Observations and recordings of on-screen game play activity were utilized to inform the affective impact of gaming on students’ learning. Interviews were to understand the cognitive and affective impact of the Web-based Flash game on students’ learning. Six 10-to-12 year old students recruited from a Midwestern after-school club participated in this study. The findings showed students’ cognition of basic color attributes did not have notable improvement; however, most students were able to recognize the color symbolism after playing the Web-based Flash game. In addition, most students demonstrated engagement, expression, and exploration well while playing the game, but persistence of the game playing was lacked. Overall, all students were very positive about using the Web-based Flash game to learn the visual arts. Consequently, the findings of this study indicate that games have a promising future in teaching arts for elementary grade students.
Essence of Strategy: Controversial Choices

The essence of strategy is to make controversial choices; this is the only way to gain a competitive advantage. Both strategy development and execution require making difficult choices and trade-offs often in the context of much uncertainty. Smart managers are bound to have opposing views given the nature of strategic decisions. This paper presents a process for strategy development that can help managers surface this conflict, and then manage and resolve the conflict, thus resulting in more effective strategic choices.
A single chip high data rate QPSK demodulator

A single chip VLSI design of a digital quadrature-phase-shift-keying (QPSK) demodulator for satellite communication purposes is presented. The digital demodulator uses an optimized phase recovery scheme suitable for single chip implementation. It also uses an efficient timing recovery scheme based on XOR transition detection. The demodulator is suitable for time-division-multiplexing (TDM) applications and can give a speed of 50 Mbps. >
Three terminal quantum structure based on resonant interband tunneling

We have demonstrated a three terminal resonant interband tunneling FET (RITFET) and an XNOR device in the hybrid GaSb/AlSb/InAs and InGaAs/GaAlAs material systems. The RITFET achieved the negative transconductance desired in the multifunctional quantum logic devices. The equivalent circuit of the XNOR consists of two enhancement-mode field effect transistors, a resonant tunneling diode, and a load resistor. The XNOR functionality is achieved by using the field effect transistors to control the current through the diode and by the linear-to-multi-on-off input-to-output conversion resulting from the negative differential resistance. DC and timing measurements have confirmed the operations of the device.
Small Cell Lung Cancer: Defining a Role for Emerging Platinum Drugs

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is characterized by early dissemination and a rapid, aggressive clinical course. It has, however, marked susceptibility to both chemotherapy and radiotherapy, although treatment is complicated by the fact that SCLC tumors invariably develop resistance to multiple chemotherapeutic agents. Local therapy is rarely of benefit in SCLC because three-quarters of patients present with metastatic disease and many of the remaining patients are thought to have micrometastatic disease. Chemotherapy is, therefore, the cornerstone of treatment. Of the many combination regimens used, etoposide/cisplatin or etoposide/carboplatin have emerged as the regimens of choice because they offer a good therapeutic index and can be combined with radiotherapy. Response to second-line therapy remains consistently poor. As the prototype platinum compound, cisplatin has played a major role in the management of SCLC. Although its exact contribution to the treatment of SCLC has been difficult to ascertain, a recent meta-analysis reported a significant 1-year survival advantage of approximately 4% with cisplatin-containing regimens versus regimens without. However, cisplatin is characterized by several serious adverse events and, like other chemotherapeutic agents, is eventually rendered ineffective against SCLC because of acquired resistance. Several new platinum formulations or compounds are showing promising activity in SCLC. The impetus for their development has been to circumvent cisplatin resistance or to improve upon the toxicity profile of cisplatin. If the early promise shown by these compounds is confirmed in the clinic, they may offer a new approach to the treatment of SCLC, including recurrent disease for which limited treatment options are currently available.
Electrical stimulation to identify neural elements on the heart : Their role in atrial fibrillation

Experimental Studies: Anesthetized dogs were subjected to a right then left thoracotomy. Two modes of electrical stimulation were used to activate ganglionated plexi (GP) on the epicardium of the atria: (1) Near the base of each pulmonary vein (PV), trains of high frequency stimuli (HFS) were coupled to each atrial paced beat so as to fall within the refractory period to achieve nerve stimulation without atrial excitation; and (2) Continuous HFS was applied via plaque electrodes sutured to epicardial fat pads (containing a GP) near the right superior (RS) and left superior (LS) PVs. The chest was then closed. An ablation catheter, inserted percutaneously, was positioned fluoroscopically in the right atrium across from the epicardial plaque electrode near the RSPV. Transeptal puncture was used to place an ablation catheter at the LSPV-left atrial junction. HFS applied to each of the epicardial fat pads induced atrial fibrillation (AF) and also caused high grade AV block due to a strong parasympathetic effect on the AV node. Radiofrequency ablation from the right and left atrial endocardium abolished the vagal response to HFS delivered to the plaque electrodes on the fat pads close to the RSPV and LSPV, respectively. Clinical Studies: Sixty (60) patients with paroxysmal or persistent AF underwent PV antrum isolation (27 patients) or PV antrum isolation plus left atrial GP ablation (33 patients). Endocardial HFS at the border of the PV antra near the 4 GPs produced AF and high grade AV block (vagal response) during AF. RFA at these sites abolished the vagal response. Testing in a small number of patients with very short follow-up suggests that adding GP ablation to PV antrum isolation may increase ablation success (absence of AF recurrence) from 70% to 91%. Conclusions: These basic and clinical studies suggest that localized cardiac autonomic ganglia (GPs) may play a critical role in the initiation and maintenance of AF.
Model-based structural health monitoring of naval ship hulls

Abstract The present paper reports on results from an ongoing research program at Cornell University aimed at employing model-based structural health monitoring techniques within new and existing naval hull structures. The techniques discussed involve the solution of inverse problems, formulated using both optimization-based and Bayesian approaches. The forward modeling capability is handled using a specially developed hull structural analysis tool, CU-BEN, while the solution of the inverse problem is handled using stochastic search methods that are part of a dedicated inverse solution algorithm “toolbox,” CU-PSST. Results from the application of these tools to problems of detecting section loss in hull plating due to corrosion, and isolating damaged framing due to an internal blast, are discussed.
Estimation of true moments from truncated data

Moment analysis is a powerful tool in reactor bed analysis. Weighted moments is a technique which has been introduced to increase the accuracy of moment estimation. The supposed advantage of weighted moments is reevaluated utilizing an optimum truncation point. The resulting coefficient of variation in the moment estimates is shown to be superior to an arbitrary truncation point for all weighting factors. When an optimum truncation point is used, little advantage is observed for weighted moments.
Highly tunable infrared extinction properties of gold nanocrescents

The infrared extinction properties of gold nanocrescents fabricated using nanosphere template lithography were studied. The nanocrescents exhibit multiple, structurally tunable localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs) across a broad spectral range (560−3600 nm). Plasmon resonances in the infrared have large extinction efficiencies of ∼20 and peaks as narrow as 0.07 eV. The nanocrescents also have high refractive index sensitivities (370−880 nm/RIU) that are proportional to the LSPR wavelengths. The sensing figure of merit measured for ensembles of nanocrescents is as high as 2.4 for near-infrared plasmon resonances.
Association between severity of illness and mortality from nosocomial infection

Abstract Background: For the years 1987 through 1992, a study was undertaken to analyze nosocomial infection mortality data and to stratify risk according to severity of underlying illness to compare with published data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Methods: Nosocomial infections that contributed to or caused death were identified. In addition, during 1990 through 1992, severity of illness was determined as the subjective estimate of the risk of death or lack of risk of death during the current hospital admission before the onset of the nosocomial infection. These groups were named + SIC and − SIC , respectively. Results: It was determined that the data from death certificates in cases of known nosocomial infection were not sufficient to determine whether nosocomial infection contributed to or caused death. There was a 24% increase in cases of nosocomial infection contributing to or causing death when a physician reviewed deaths in patients with nosocomial infections who did not have a diagnosis of nosocomial infection listed on the death certificate. The rates for nosocomial infections contributing to or causing death are as follows: nosocomial pneumonia, 20%; and bloodstream infections, 19%. In patients who died and had severity of illness determination, there was a statistically significant difference in the rates of nosocomial infections contributing to or causing death between −SIC and +SIC groups for both nosocomial pneumonia and bloodstream infections. The rates for bloodstream infections were as follows: −SIC, 5%; and +SIC, 21%. For nosocomial pneumonia, the rates were as follows: −SIC, 13%; and + SIC, 23%. Conclusion: In published reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a rate of 13% is given for nosocomial pneumonia and bloodstream infections contributing to or causing death; however, there is no stratification for severity of illness in these reports. The presence of life-threatening illness before the onset of nosocomial pneumonia or bloodstream infection accounts for most deaths among our patients. For valid comparisons, mortality outcome data for nosocomial infections should be stratified for risk according to severity of underlying illness.
Lipogenesis and Lipolysis in Normal and Dwarf Chickens from Lines Selected for High and Low Body Weight

Abstract Lipogenic and lipolytic comparisons were made among normal and dwarf adult males from both high-weight (HW) and low-weight (LW) selected lines. Six nonfasted birds from each of the four populations were sacrificed, and in vitro lipogenesis and lipolysis were measured in liver, adipose, and bone tissue. Also determined were activities of acetyl CoA carboxylase (E.C.6.4.1.2), NADP-malate dehydrogenase (E.C.1.1.1.40), ATP-citrate lyase (E.C.4.1.3.8), and plasma-free fatty acids (FFA). In comparison with the HW chickens, the LW males tended to exhibit higher activities of lipogenic enzymes, a greater capacity to incorporate acetate-1-14C into liver slices, an increased mobilization of FFA from adipose tissue, and high concentrations of FFA in plasma. The results indicated that the maintenance of increased postmaturational body fat associated with selection for high body weight was primarily the result of decreased lipolysis rather than enhanced lipogenesis. Effects of the dwarf allele on lipogenesis and lipolysis were not clear. Acetate incorporation into bone tissue was substantially higher than for adipose tissue, suggesting that bone may be an important site of lipogenesis in the fowl.
Esophageal resection for achalasia: Indications and results☆

Although esophagomyotomy is highly effective as the initial surgical treatment of most patients with achalasia, those with either recurrent symptoms after a previous esophagomyotomy or a megaesophagus do not respond as well to esophagomyotomy. Total thoracic esophagectomy was performed in 26 patients (average age, 49 years) with achalasia. Eighteen had a history of a previous esophagomyotomy, and 18 had a megaesophagus (esophageal diameter of 8 cm or larger). In 24 patients, a transhiatal esophagectomy without thoracotomy was the operative approach; 2 patients required a transthoracic esophagectomy because of intrathoracic adhesions from prior operations. The stomach was used as the esophageal substitute in all patients; it was positioned in the posterior mediastinum, and a cervical anastomosis was performed. Intraoperative blood loss averaged 765 mL. Major postoperative complications included mediastinal bleeding requiring thoracotomy (2), chylothorax (2), and anastomotic leak (1). There were no postoperative deaths. The average postoperative hospital stay was ten days. Follow-up is complete and ranges from 3 to 91 months (average duration, 30 months). All but 1 patient with severe psychiatric disease eat a regular, unrestricted diet without postprandial regurgitation. Early postoperative anastomotic dilation was required in 10 patients. Dumping syndrome has occurred in 5 patients. It is concluded that esophagectomy provides the most reliable treatment of esophageal obstruction, pulmonary complications, and potential late development of carcinoma in the patient with a megaesophagus of achalasia or a failed prior esophagomyotomy and that it is a far better option in these patients than esophagomyotomy, cardioplasty procedures, or limited esophageal resection.
Motivationally enhanced group counseling for substance users in a soup kitchen: a randomized clinical trial.

Soup kitchens tend to serve residentially unstable adults characterized by a high prevalence of substance abuse. In this study, 289 soup kitchen guests who reported drug or alcohol problems were randomly assigned to information and referral (IR 82% male; 68% African-American; 81% unstable residence; 14% HIV+. Experimentals were significantly more likely than the controls to have increased their participation in some type of substance abuse intervention during the follow-up period. In addition, experimentals were significantly more likely than controls to have reduced both drinking and heavy drinking at follow-up (there was no difference between groups in reduction of cocaine use). Interaction analysis indicated that the experimental intervention was more effective for participants with higher rather than lower substance abuse severity at baseline. These results support the concept that motivationally enhanced group counseling, provided as a low-threshold outreach intervention, can help to increase participation in formal treatment and 12-step groups and to reduce substance abuse, particularly for those starting with high severity of use.