cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cost-effectiveness of magnetic resonance imaging versus ultrasound for the detection of symptomatic full-thickness supraspinatus tendon tears.

Background The purpose of this study was to determine the value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound-based imaging strategies in the evaluation of a hypothetical population with a symptomatic full-thickness supraspinatus tendon (FTST) tear using formal cost-effectiveness analysis. Methods A decision analytic model from the health care system perspective for 60-year-old patients with symptoms secondary to a suspected FTST tear was used to evaluate the incremental cost-effectiveness of 3 imaging strategies during a 2-year time horizon: MRI, ultrasound, and ultrasound followed by MRI. Comprehensive literature search and expert opinion provided data on cost, probability, and quality of life estimates. The primary effectiveness outcome was quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) through 2 years, with a willingness-to-pay threshold set to $100,000/QALY gained (2016 U.S. dollars). Costs and health benefits were discounted at 3%. Results Ultrasound was the least costly strategy ($1385). MRI was the most effective (1.332 QALYs). Ultrasound was the most cost-effective strategy but was not dominant. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for MRI was $22,756/QALY gained, below the willingness-to-pay threshold. Two-way sensitivity analysis demonstrated that MRI was favored over the other imaging strategies over a wide range of reasonable costs. In probabilistic sensitivity analysis, MRI was the preferred imaging strategy in 78% of the simulations. Conclusion MRI and ultrasound represent cost-effective imaging options for evaluation of the patient thought to have a symptomatic FTST tear. The results indicate that MRI is the preferred strategy based on cost-effectiveness criteria, although the decision between MRI and ultrasound for an imaging center is likely to be dependent on additional factors, such as available resources and workflow.
Die Genauigkeit von Sekundärquellen

Wir sind zum grosten Teil von relativ wenigen Autoren abhangig, die fur uns die riesige Forschungsliteratur uber die Erblichkeit des I.Q. zusammenfassen. Die Anzahl der relevanten Studien ist enorm, und nur wenige, die nicht sehr eng mit dem Thema befast sind, haben die Zeit oder die Lust, die Originaluntersuchungen zu lesen. Die Hauptdaten sind vermutlich in Ubersichtsreferaten von Fachleuten und in Lehrbuchern verfugbar. Was die meisten von uns uber die„Intelligenzforschung“ wissen, stammt aus diesen Quellen. Wir wollen jetzt der Frage nachgehen, ob man diesen Sekundarquellen dahingehend vertrauen kann, das sie genaue Rechenschaft uber den aktuellen Stand der Forschung abgeben. Dieses Kapitel wird nur wenige Beispiele aufzeigen, wie einflusreiche Autoritaten die Ergebnisse von I.Q.-Untersuchungen unrichtig wiedergeben. Die Irrtumer pflegen allgemeine Geltung zu erlangen, da ein Autor dazu neigt, beim anderen abzuschreiben.
Low profile RF feed networks using RF photonics

Low profile integration is desirable in all RF phased array feed networks. Accordingly, this paper presents an RF photonic feed system that is not only low profile, but offers scalability, wide operational bandwidth and multi-functionality. The approach uses a silicon micro-mirror for vertically feeding an optical fiber to a photodiode that is directly coupled to an antenna element in the phased array, which ensures low profile while preserving uniform beam quality.
The Role for Signaling Theory and Receiver Psychology in Marketing

Within marketing contexts, messages are effective when consumers find them both believable and relevant. An understanding of signaling theory and signal design features, derived from the study of animal and human behavioral ecology, can help marketers overcome the first challenge of crafting believable signals. Effective signals must fundamentally overcome the skepticism of receivers and generally accomplish this by linkage, either through identity or costliness, to the underlying quality being signaled. An understanding of receiver psychology, which involves appeals based on innate preferences that derive from shared human evolutionary history, can help marketers overcome the second challenge of rendering signals attractive and meaningful to consumers. Sensory bias, sexual stimuli, neoteny, and status all offer ripe opportunities for marketers to appeal to the innate preferences of consumers broadly or to specific targeted demographics. The following chapter provides an overview of signaling theory and receiver psychology as grounded in the evolutionary disciplines, with examples and applications that extend to the business world.
Latitudinal variation in the geometric morphology of the largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides

Geometric morphology can be influenced by several biotic and abiotic factors, including predator–prey interactions and habitat structure. We measured the external morphology of Micropterus salmoides (largemouth bass, LMB) from two states in north-eastern United States, to assess the potential divergence of body shape. LMB varied in overall body shape (canonical variate analysis, P<0.001) between states, with Maine populations exhibiting shorter jaws (ANOVA, P<0.001) and thicker caudal peduncle depths (ANOVA, P<0.001) than the LMB in Pennsylvania. We propose that these observed differences in morphological traits suggest that jaw length may be influenced by prey availability and resource utilisation, whereas peduncle depth is better explained by surrounding habitat structure. These findings showed that body shape is variable and is influenced by a complex array of environmental factors, even over small latitudinal differences.
An Assessment Of Critical Thermal-Hydraulic Problems in A Deuterium-Tritium Solid Breeder Blanket

Steady-state thermal-hydraulic analyses were carried out for the DEMO/STARFIRE fusion reactor based on solid breeder blankets and pressurized water as the coolant. The results of the parametric studies show that a coolant in-tube design, i.e., coolant tubes embedded in solid breeder blanket, with a contact resistance between the coolant tube and the solid breeder tailored to maintain the operating temperature window (i.e., the maximum and the minimum temperature imposed on the solid breeder) is viable. However, design of such a solid breeder blanket will present serious challenges because of uncertainty in the thermophysical properties of breeder materials, the narrow operating temperature window, the close manufacturing tolerances necessary to control the gap conductance, the sensitivity of tritium inventory and tritium extraction to breeder temperature distribution, and the deleterious effect of neutron irradiation on breeder material properties. The study shows that even modest uncertainties in the thermal conductivity of solid breeders, interfacial gap conductances, and operating power levels can have significant impact on blanket design. Therefore, the designer should include the expected variations in these parameters. Experimental programs are needed to quantify the above factors and to develop methods (e.g., insulated coatings) for gap conductance control and in situ recovery of tritiummore » via helium purge gas channels.« less
Re-engineering the heart with the correct components

Modulation of retinoic acid signaling generates atrial versus ventricular cardiomyocytes from human induced pluripotent stem cells.
Making HSCs in vitro: don't forget the hemogenic endothelium.

Generating a hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) in vitro from nonhematopoietic tissue has been a goal of experimental hematologists for decades. Until recently, no in vitro–derived cell has closely demonstrated the full lineage potential and self-renewal capacity of a true HSC. Studies revealing stem cell ontogeny from embryonic mesoderm to hemogenic endothelium to HSC provided the key to inducing HSC-like cells in vitro from a variety of cell types. Here we review the path to this discovery and discuss the future of autologous transplantation with in vitro–derived HSCs as a therapeutic modality.
Abstract TP147: Relationship Between Carotid Artery Atherosclerosis and Hyoid Anatomy: Results From a Cross-sectional and Longitudinal Cohort Study

Background: Asymmetric internal carotid artery (ICA) plaque is common and are not fully explained by carotid geometry. Case reports have identified an increased risk of ICA injury and atheroscleros...
Can the Inflaton Also Be a Weakly Interacting Massive Particle

We propose a class of models in which a stable inflaton is produced as a thermal relic in the early Universe and constitutes the dark matter. We show that inflaton annihilations can efficiently reheat the Universe, and identify several examples of inflationary potentials that can accommodate all cosmic microwave background observables and in which the inflaton dark matter candidate has a weak scale mass. As a simple example, we consider annihilations that take place through a Higgs portal interaction, leading to encouraging prospects for future direct detection experiments.
Effectiveness of alternative routes of intra-arterial chemotherapy administration for retinoblastoma: Potential for response and complications.

ObjectiveIntra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) is now the first line treatment for selected patients with retinoblastoma (Rb). Typically, IAC is infused following the selective catheterization of the o...
The Differential Impact of Social Media Use on Middle and High School Students: A Retrospective Study.

Abstract Background: Social media use is now a central aspect of adolescent life and development. Little is known about the clinical implications of social media use in children and adolescents pre...
Effect of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia on Insomnia Symptoms for Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Insomnia symptoms are a common form of sleep difficulty among people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) affecting sleep quality and health outcomes. Several interventional approaches have been used to improve sleep outcomes in people with T2D. Nonpharmacological approaches, such as cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), show promising results regarding safety and sustainability of improvements, although CBT-I has not been examined in people with T2D. Promoting sleep for people with insomnia and T2D could improve insomnia severity and diabetes outcomes. Objective: The objective of this study is to establish a protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) to examine the effect of 6 sessions of CBT-I on insomnia severity (primary outcome), sleep variability, and other health-related outcomes in individuals with T2D and insomnia symptoms. Methods: This RCT will use random mixed block size randomization with stratification to assign 28 participants with T2D and insomnia symptoms to either a CBT-I group or a health education group. Outcomes including insomnia severity; sleep variability; diabetes self-care behavior (DSCB); glycemic control (A1c); glucose level; sleep quality; daytime sleepiness; and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and pain will be gathered before and after the 6-week intervention. Chi-square and independent t tests will be used to test for between-group differences at baseline. Independent t tests will be used to examine the effect of the CBT-I intervention on change score means for insomnia severity, sleep variability, DSCB, A1c, fatigue, sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and severity of depression, anxiety, and pain. For all analyses, alpha level will be set at .05. Results: This study recruitment began in February 2019 and was completed in September 2019. Conclusions: The intervention, including 6 sessions of CBT-I, will provide insight about its effect in improving insomnia symptoms, sleep variability, fatigue, and diabetes-related health outcomes in people with T2D and those with insomnia symptoms when compared with control. Clinical Trial: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03713996; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03713996
The Historical Oppression Scale: Preliminary conceptualization and measurement of historical oppression among Indigenous peoples of the United States:

Indigenous peoples of the United States are distinct from other ethnic minorities because they have experienced colonization as the original inhabitants. Social and health disparities are connected...
Scott, Godwin, and the Casuistry of Romantic Individualism: Politics, Legal Dysfunction, and Social Inequality

ABSTRACTThough William Godwin and Walter Scott stated politically opposite goals in their differently historical novelistic projects, they shared an underlying investment in personal judgment as a ...
Chapter 15 – Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). It is a group of autosomal recessive disorders that impair normal steroid synthesis due to genetic enzyme deficiencies. The synthesis of cortisol in the adrenal cortex occurs in five major enzyme-mediated steps and deficiency in one of these gives rise to CAH and the most common form is 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD). The impaired enzyme function during the biosynthesis lead to an increase in precursors and deficient products and results in a chronic elevation of ACTH. Congenial adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-OHD is divided into classical and non-classical forms, with patients of the classical form having more severs symptoms of hyperandrogenism including virilization of the female genitalia. The genetic pathophysiology of the CAH is described with occurrence of more than 100 mutations including point mutations, small deletions, small insertions and complex rearrangements of the gene CYP21A2. The molecular genetic testing of the CYP21A2 gene for a panel of common mutations and gene deletions detects about 80-98% of the disease-causing alleles in the patient.
Medically Assisted Reproduction in Organ Transplant Recipients

As transplantation medicine progresses, patients of child-bearing age and younger are receiving allograft transplants to treat advanced disease. A younger population of organ transplant recipients (OTRs) demands consideration of the reproductive future of these individuals. This chapter discusses the application of assisted reproductive technology (ART) in OTRs, addressing the unique medical considerations of the post-transplant patient. The toll of pregnancy on the OTR will be discussed, with special attention paid to maternal and fetal complications. Additionally, the impact of post-transplant immunosuppression on future fertility will be addressed. If post-transplant infertility persists or secondary infertility develops, ART is a reliable option that will be discussed in depth. This chapter also explores uterine transplantation as an innovative treatment for infertility caused by structural uterine factors. With skillful administration of ART, infertility in the OTR may be overcome, allowing patients the full experience of family planning and childbirth post-transplant.
A simulation-based mechanistic study of turbulent wind blowing over opposing water waves

We perform large-eddy simulation (LES) and theoretical analysis to investigate the effects of opposing waves on overlying turbulent wind. The LES results show that opposing waves induce nearly antisymmetric vertical velocity , and generates a mean wave-coherent stress and the form drag on the wave surface. The wave attenuation rates quantified using the form drag agree with the published experiments.
Clinical characteristics and admission patterns of stroke patients during the COVID 19 pandemic: A single center retrospective, observational study from the Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

OBJECTIVE: To compare ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patients with COVID-19 to non-COVID-19 controls, and to describe changes in stroke admission patterns during the pandemic. METHODS: This is a single center, retrospective, observational study. All consecutive patients admitted with primary diagnosis of ischemic/ hemorrhagic stroke between March1st -May10th 2020 were included and compared with the same time period in 2019. RESULTS: There was a 41.9% increase in stroke admissions in 2020 (148 vs 210,P = .001). When comparing all ischemic strokes, higher rate of large vessel occlusion (LVO) (18.3% vs 33.8%,P = .008) and significant delay in initiation of mechanical thrombectomy after hospital arrival (67.75 vs 104.30 minutes,P = .001) was observed in 2020. When comparing all hemorrhagic strokes, there were no differences between the two years. Among 591 COVID-19 admissions, 31 (5.24%) patients with stroke including 19 with ischemic (3.21%) and 12 with hemorrhagic stroke (2.03%) were identified. Patients with COVID-19 and ischemic stroke were significantly younger (58.74 vs 48.11 years,P = .002), predominantly male (68.18% vs 94.74%,P = .016), had lesser vascular risk factors, had more severe clinical presentation (NIHSS 7.01 vs 17.05,P < .001), and higher rate of LVO (23.6% vs. 63.1%,P = .006). There was no difference in the rate of endovascular thrombectomy, but time to groin puncture was significantly longer in COVID-19 patients (83.41 vs 129.50 minutes,P = .003). For hemorrhagic stroke, COVID-19 patients did not differ from non-COVID-19 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Stroke continues to occur during this pandemic and stroke pathways have been affected by the pandemic. Stroke occurs in approximately 5% of patients with COVID-19. COVID-19 associated ischemic stroke occurs in predominantly male patients who are younger, with fewer vascular risk factors, can be more severe, and have higher rates of LVO. Despite an increase in LVO during the pandemic, treatment with mechanical thrombectomy has not increased. COVID-19 associated hemorrhagic stroke does not differ from non-COVID-19 hemorrhagic stroke patients.
Protecting Privacy and Security in Online Instruction: A Guide for Students and Faculty

COVID-19 forced educational institutions all over the globe to shift abruptly to online instruction. Online instruction presents many challenges to both faculty and students accustomed to in-person learning. Among those challenges are serious equity concerns, including wide variation among students and faculty in terms of technological literacy, access to reliable Internet service and related “digital divide” issues, time zones, caretaking responsibilities, and personal situations that may make remote learning difficult or impossible (e.g. unsafe home conditions). Another serious category of concern are privacy and security issues, which are the subject of this memo. The privacy and security issues raised by this memo are not exhaustive. This memo is only a preliminary and necessarily incomplete set of concerns and recommendations.
Wong-Type Dermatomyositis in an African American Patient.

A 57-year-old African American woman presented to dermatology following a two-year history of a pruritic rash initially involving the face which later progressed to her forearms, back, ears, dorsal hands, and abdomen. Physical exam revealed erythematous papules overlying the metacarpal and interphalangeal joints, periungual telangiectasias, periorbital edema, violaceous erythema of the upper eyelids as well as areas of dyspigmentation (A). There were 1-2 mm skin-colored hyperkeratotic follicular papules on the extensor arms, upper back, and abdomen, and hyperpigmented follicular plugging on the chest (B).
Types of dental procedures provided to adults with autism spectrum condition: A descriptive study.

Purpose/aim To investigate demographic and systemic health characteristics, and the types of dental procedures performed for adults with autism that had sought care at a dental school. Materials and methods De-identified data were collected from the records of patients aged 18+ who have self-reported autism. Each patient's age, gender, BMI, mental health, heart disease, xerostomia, tobacco use, alcohol use, diabetes, use of drugs, seizures, and total number of medications, as well as the type and number of dental codes used in the care of that patient within each code category were included as variables. Results The sample was composed by 244 patients. Mean age was 29.8 years (±12.3), 64.8% were males, and mean BMI was 29.9 (±8.1). Mental health condition was reported by 79.9%, heart disease by 25.4%, xerostomia by 21.7%, 20.9% reported using tobacco, 18.9% reported using alcohol, 14.8% reported having diabetes, 10.2% reported using drugs, and 3.7% reported having seizures. The median number of dental procedures per patient was nine, and exams, preventive, operative, and surgical procedures were the most common ones. Conclusions Adult patients with autism were overweight/obese young males. Most common dental procedures were exams, followed by preventive, operative, and surgical procedures.
Immune-related adverse events and kidney function decline in patients with genitourinary cancers treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors

Abstract Background In patients with genitourinary cancers, the effect of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) on kidney function is unknown. Patients and methods This is a retrospective cohort study of patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and urothelial carcinoma who received ICIs at two major cancer centers between 2012 and 2018. Cumulative incidence and Fine and Gray subdistribution hazard models were performed to determine predictors of the co-primary outcomes, (1) acute kidney injury (AKI) and (2) sustained estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) loss, defined as a >20% decline in eGFR sustained ≥90 days. We also determined the association between immune-related adverse events (irAE) and adverse kidney outcomes among patients surviving ≥1 year. Results 637 patients were included; 320 (50%) patients had RCC and 317 (50%) patients had urothelial carcinoma. Half of the cohort had eGFR Conclusion AKI and sustained eGFR loss are common in patients with genitourinary cancers receiving ICIs. irAEs may be a novel risk factor for kidney function decline among patients receiving ICIs.
Chemistry of Arsenic in Semi-Arid Alkaline Soils of the Southern High Plains, USA: Sorption Characteristics and Interactions with Soil Constituents

Limited information is available on the chemistry of arsenic (As) in the semi-arid alkaline soils of the Southern High Plains (SHP), USA. This study examined As sorption characteristics and its interactions with soil constituents in important agricultural soils (Amarillo, Arvana, Patricia, and Pullman) of the SHP using sorption isotherm models and sequential fractionation techniques. Results from fractionation of As into five distinct pools showed that about 52.4 % of the added As was found in the exchangeable and non-adsorbed pool in the Amarillo soil, suggesting this soil could have the highest tendency to release sorbed As to the environment, whereas the Pullman soil exhibited the greatest capacity to fix As as over 45 % of the added As was found in the residual fraction. The distribution of As among the soil constituents was a reflection of the characteristics of these soils. Arsenic sorption behaviors were well described by both the Freundlich and Langmuir models. Arsenic sorption maxima (q max) was highest in the Amarillo soil (~2124 mg kg−1), followed by the Pullman, Arvana, and Patricia soils with q max values of 1692, 1370, and 1317 mg kg−1, respectively. The Freundlich distribution coefficient (K d) was highest in the Pullman soil (21.6 L kg−1) and lowest in the Amarillo (1.38 L kg−1). Sorption parameters such as K d, N (sorption intensity constant) and qmax, varied among the soils, and the variability associated with K d and N in these semi-arid soils was explained by soil properties such as pH, organic matter, calcium carbonate, total free iron (Fe), sand, clay, total aluminum, total Fe, and total manganese contents. Findings from this study are important in understanding the environmental fate of As in semi-arid/arid climates and could be extended to other regions with similar soil characteristics.
Competition in organizational form: Mail order versus retail stores, 1910–1940

Abstract Competition between firms can occur through innovation in organizational form, as each uses a distinctive institution to offer customers lower prices and better services. This paper analyzes competition between two institutions of retail trade, mail order and retail stores, during the period 1910 to 1940. Transaction costs, specifically costs of physical distribution and costs of informing the customer, are shown to make mail order more efficient at low customer densities and with products that can be easily described. Regressions on time series data and cross-section data confirm the theoretical propositions.
Enzyme distribution in fragmented bull spermatozoa: II. Succinic dehydrogenase and cytochrome oxidase☆

1. 1. Homogenized bull sperm was separated into head, midpiece and tail fractions by differential centrifugation. 2. 2. On a nitrogen basis the yields were 52%, 12% and 34% for the respective fractions. 3. 3. Succinic dehydrogenase activity of the tails amounted to 69% and of the midpieces about 27% of the total recovered activity. 4. 4. Malonate completely inhibits the enzyme activity. 5. 5. Oxidation of cytochrome c parallels the distribution of the succinic dehydrogenase (75% in the tail fraction, 25% in the midpiece fraction). 6. 6. Cyanide completely inhibits cytochrome c oxidation. 7. 7. The head fraction was relatively inert with respect to the two enzymes. 8. 8. The enzyme distribution is related to apyrase distribution in the spermatozoon.
The relationship between computer use and academic achievements

Computer technology has been used in education for years, and the government budgets large amounts of money to foster technology. However, it is still a debated whether computer technology makes a difference in students' learning outcomes. The purpose of this study is to find if any relationship exists between computer use by teachers and students and the students' academic achievement in math and reading for both traditional populations and English language learner (ELL) tenth graders. Computer use in this study included the computer activities by students and teachers, in terms of the time, frequency, activities types, the places students use computers, teachers' computer activities, and the training teachers received. This study used data gathered from tenth grade students from the dataset Education Longitudinal Study of 2002 (ELS:2002) of the National Center for Education Statistics (NOES). Fifteen thousand, three hundred and sixty-two students were randomly selected to represent all U.S. tenth-graders attending schools in 2002. The findings showed diverse relationships consistent with the literature. Based on the findings, some suggestions were made to teachers and parents about the quality of school work and computer use by students and teachers.
The Importance of Family and School Domains in Adolescent Deviance: African American and Caucasian Youth

Previous work has documented the similar importance of developmental domains in accounting for adolescent deviance in different racial/ethnic groups (e.g., Vazsonyi A. T., and Flannery, D. J., 1997, J. Early Adolesc. 17(3): 271–293). The current investigation is a replication and extension of this line of work. It examined the importance of the family (closeness, monitoring, and conflict) and school (grades, homework time, educational aspirations, and commitment) domains on a sample of adolescent (mean age = 16.4 years) African American and Caucasian youth (N = 809). The following important findings were made: (a) developmental processes including family and school domain variables and deviance were very similar for African American and Caucasian youth; (b) both developmental domains revealed independent predictive relationships with a number of different measures of adolescent deviance in both groups; and (c) the 2 domains uniquely accounted for 25% and 37% of the variance explained respectively in African American and Caucasian adolescent total deviance.
Model structures for vinyl polymers. II. Oligomers of methyl acrylate and acrylic acid

2,4,6-Tricarbomethoxyheptane has been separated into isotactic, heterotactic, and syndiotactic isomers. These were then converted into corresponding steric isomers of 2,4,6-tricarboxyheptane. Structural assignments were made on the basis of NMR spectra, physical, and chemical properties. Comparison of the IR spectra of the model compounds with the free-radical polymer from methyl acrylate lead to the conclusion that the polymer is predominately isotactic. The esters are epimerized in alkaline media, but the acids are quite stable. 2,4,6-Tricarbomethoxyheptan wurde in isotaktische, heterotaktische und syndiotaktische Anteile getrennt. Die isolierten Isomeren wurden dann in die entsprechenden isomeren 2,4,6-Tricarboxyheptane umgewandelt. Strukturelle Zuordnung wurde auf Grund chemischer und physikalischer Eigenschaften sowie mittels NMR-Messungen durchgefuhrt. Der Vergleich der IR-Spektren der Modellverbindungen mit dem Spektrum eines durch Radikalpolymerisation erhaltenen Polymethylacrylats weist darauf hin, das das Polymere vorwiegend isotaktische Struktur besitzt. Die Ester epimerisieren in alkalischem Medium, die Sauren sind jedoch ziemlich stabil.
Simulations of inner radiation belt proton loss during geomagnetic storms

The loss of protons in the outer part of the inner radiation belt (L = 2 to 3) during the 6 April 2000 solar energetic particles event has been investigated using test particle simulations that follow full Lorentz trajectories with both magnetic and electric fields calculated from an empirical model. The electric fields are calculated as inductive fields generated by the time-changing magnetic field, which is achieved by time stepping analytic magnetic fields. The simulation results are compared with proton measurements from the highly elliptical orbit satellite for three different energy ranges (8.5–35 MeV, 16–40 MeV, and 27–45 MeV) as well as previous modeling work done. In previous work, inner zone radiation belt loss during geomagnetic storms has been modeled by simulating field line curvature scattering in static magnetic field snapshots with no electric field. The inclusion of the inductive electric field causes an increase in loss to lower L shells, improving the agreement with the satellite data.
Should elective partial nephrectomy be performed for renal cell carcinoma >4 cm in size?

This Practice Point discusses the study of Pahernik and colleagues, which compared outcomes of partial nephrectomy between 102 patients with renal cell carcinoma >4 cm in size and 372 patients with tumors ≤4 cm in size. No significant differences were seen between the two groups in local-recurrence-free survival and cancer-specific survival at 10 years. This study adds to the growing literature base supporting partial nephrectomy for small renal masses whenever possible. The rationale for further expanding the indications for partial nephrectomy includes the presence of indolent or benign tumor histology in 45% of patients, concerns that radical nephrectomy can cause or worsen pre-existing chronic kidney disease, and the possibility of metachronous contralateral tumor recurrence in a solitary kidney after radical nephrectomy. Although technically more demanding than radical nephrectomy, partial nephrectomy provides equivalent oncological control while preserving renal function and preventing chronic kidney disease, and should be utilized whenever possible for the treatment of small renal masses.
Regional Therapies for Advanced Cancer

potentiating factor for responses to ILI versus limb perfusions, but measurement of the degree of hypoxia is poorly reported. By using optical spectroscopy, tumor hypoxia was measured as being more profound than in the normal skin of patients undergoing ILI. This technique could help noninvasively examine the tissue microenvironment and provide clues to the effectiveness of therapies. Lohani et al. 3 present their research examining the microenvironment regarding patients with the pseudomyxoma peritonei syndrome; their work examines cytokines in the serum and ascites. They also attempt to correlate these levels with the stroma and tumor cells. While C-reactive protein is elevated in patients with pseudomyxoma peritonei, traditional inflammatory markers such as IL-1 were not elevated. This work supports a complex model of inflammation and neoplasia demonstrating the peritoneal synthesis of cytokines and serum elevations of IL-8 and MIP-1b. While understanding that tumor‐host microenvironments are important in advancing the field, the direct impact of these interactions is seen in patients who undergo regional therapies. The next articles demonstrate the delicate balance between aggressiveness of disease, genetics, and histology in predicting response to therapy. Magge et al. 4 tackle a difficult problem in evaluating the role of cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC in the management of patients with gastric cancer and peritoneal carcinomatosis. Close on the heels of a recently published randomized trial, this study demonstrates the survival benefit in selected patients with gastric cancer in a Western population. 5 Despite aggressive surgical techniques and careful selection of patients with minimal peritoneal disease [median peritoneal carcinomatosis index (PCI) = 10], the 3-year survival in this cohort was a humbling 18 %. The group identified characteristics such as male gender, signet ring histology, incomplete cytoreduction, and multivisceral surgery as factors predicting either worse survival or progression of disease.
Binding of (3H)dihydroalprenolol to beta adrenoceptors of cells isolated from adult rat heart

Myocardial cells isolated from adult rat heart bind (3H)dihydroalprenolol. Sixty-one percent of this binding appeared to be at the beta adrenoceptors since it was inhibited by saturating quantities of the beta antagonist propranolol or by the beta agonist isoprenaline. The binding is stereoselective as the l-isomer of isoprenaline caused greater inhibition than the d-isomer. The binding of (3H)dihydroalprenolol to beta adrenoceptors was saturable; half maximum binding occurred at about 8 nM and full saturation at 30–40 nM.
Heterodyne spectroscopy of astronomical and laboratory sources at 8.5 μm using diode laser local oscillators

The first 8.5μm infrared heterodyne spectrometer has been constructed using tuneable semiconductor (PbSe) diode lasers and was used to measure absorption line profiles of N2O in the laboratory and black body emission from the Moon and from Mars. Spectral information was recorded over a 200 MHz bandwidth using an 8-channel filter bank. The resolution was 25 MHz (6 × 10−6μm) and the minimum detectable (black-body) power was ∼ 1 × 10−16 W for 8 min of integration. The results demonstrate the usefulness of heterodyne spectroscopy for the study of remote and local sources in the infrared.
THE BUSINESS OF IVORY TOWER RESEARCH: PARADIGMS FOR UNIVERSITY-CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS

A university research team in a department of Counseling Psychology initiated three university/industry collaborative projects. While studying quality of work life in the hotel industry, nurse job satisfaction in the health care industry and assertive behavior in the banking industry the research team contributed its academic objectivity and research skills to these clients. At the same time the university received the benefit of a laboratory work environment, as well as the opportunity to apply academic theory. Both parties in the three partnerships benefitted from the collaboration.
The tilted universe

The simplest interpretation of the CMBR dipole anisotropy is that it arises due to our motion with respect to the cosmic rest frame. However, the existence of a superhorizon-sized isocurvature perturbation can give rise to a dipole anisotropy intrinsic to the CMBR. In this case the cosmic rest frame and the CMBR rest framedo not coincide, and when viewed from the CMBR rest frame the universe appears “tilted”: matter streams uniformly from one side of the universe to the other. The intrinsic dipole model provides an explanation for the puzzling observation that most of the matter within a l00ℏ−1 Mpc cube centered on our galaxy has a large velocity (of order 600 km s−1) with respect to the CMBR rest frame.
Power of food moderates food craving, perceived control, and brain networks following a short-term post-absorptive state in older adults

The Power of Food Scale (PFS) is a new measure that assesses the drive to consume highly palatable food in an obesogenic food environment. The data reported in this investigation evaluate whether the PFS moderates state cravings, control beliefs, and brain networks of older, obese adults following either a short-term post-absorptive state, in which participants were only allowed to consume water, or a short-term energy surfeit treatment condition, in which they consumed BOOST®. We found that the short-term post-absorptive condition, in which participants consumed water only, was associated with increases in state cravings for desired food, a reduction in participants' confidence related to the control of eating behavior, and shifts in brain networks that parallel what is observed with other addictive behaviors. Furthermore, individuals who scored high on the PFS were at an increased risk for experiencing these effects. Future research is needed to examine the eating behavior of persons who score high on the PFS and to develop interventions that directly target food cravings.
Intracoronary papaverine: An ideal coronary vasodilator for studies of the coronary circulation in conscious humans

An ideal coronary vasodilator for studying coronary flow reserve in humans would rapidly produce maximal coronary vasodilation, be short acting to permit repeated measurements, and not alter systemic hemodynamics. The two commonly used vasodilators (dipyridamole and meglumine diatrizoate) do not satisfy these criteria; meglumine diatrizoate does not produce maximal hyperemia and dipyridamole has a long duration of effect (greater than 30 min). In this study we used a subselective coronary Doppler catheter to measure the dose-response kinetics of a shorter acting vasodilator, intracoronary papaverine. In 10 patients with normal coronary vessels, the maximal vasodilator response to papaverine was compared with that to intravenous dipyridamole (0.56 mg/kg infused over 4 min) and intracoronary meglumine diatrizoate. The increase in coronary blood flow velocity after the maximal dose of papaverine (4.8 +/- 0.4 peak/resting velocity ratio, mean +/- SEM) was nearly identical to that seen after infusion of dipyridamole (4.8 +/- 0.6) and was significantly greater than that after meglumine diatrizoate (3.1 +/- 0.2, p less than .01). At maximal hyperemia, mean arterial blood pressure fell 9 +/- 2% (mean +/- SEM) after intracoronary papaverine, 8 +/- 4% after dipyridamole, and 3 +/- 3% after meglumine diatrizoate. The dose-response kinetics of intracoronary papaverine were studied in 13 patients with normal coronary arteries. In the left coronary artery, maximal vasodilation (5.4 +/- 0.6) was achieved with 8 mg in six of eight patients and with 12 mg in all patients. In the right coronary artery, maximal vasodilation (4.8 +/- 0.7) was achieved with 6 mg in four or five patients and with 8 mg in all patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Salivary film formation on defined solid surfaces in the absence and presence of microorganisms

A salivary derived proteinaceous film will condition any surface exposed in the oral cavity prior to cell attachment. Studies have shown a strong correlation between the initial surface properties of a material and its cell retaining capacity, indicating that a mechanism may exist by which surface characteristics of a solid are transmitted through the adsorbed film. The aim of this study was to monitor the film organization of salivary secretions at defined liquid‐solid interfaces, and to evaluate the effect of the critical surface tension and the presence of microorganisms on the packing of the films. Fresh secretions from human parotid (HPS) and submandibular‐sublingual glands (HSMSL) were allowed to form thin films on surfaces of low and medium critical surface tensions under controlled flow conditions, in the presence and absence of microorganisms. Two strains of Streptococcus salivarius and Streptococcus sanguis were used as test microorganisms. The resulting films were monitored in situ by nondestru...
Predicting True Patterns of Cognitive Performance from Noisy Data

Starting from the premise that the purpose of cognitive modeling is to gain information about the cognitive processes of individuals, we develop a general theoretical framework for assessment of models on the basis of tests of the models’ ability to yield information about the true performance patterns of individual subjects and the processes underlying them. To address the central problem that observed performance is a composite of true performance and error, we present formal derivations concerning inference from noisy data to true performance. Analyses of model fits to simulated data illustrate the usefulness of our approach for coping with difficult issues of model identifiability and testability.
Feature fusion of side face and gait for video-based human identification

Video-based human recognition at a distance remains a challenging problem for the fusion of multimodal biometrics. As compared to the approach based on match score level fusion, in this paper, we present a new approach that utilizes and integrates information from side face and gait at the feature level. The features of face and gait are obtained separately using principal component analysis (PCA) from enhanced side face image (ESFI) and gait energy image (GEI), respectively. Multiple discriminant analysis (MDA) is employed on the concatenated features of face and gait to obtain discriminating synthetic features. This process allows the generation of better features and reduces the curse of dimensionality. The proposed scheme is tested using two comparative data sets to show the effect of changing clothes and face changing over time. Moreover, the proposed feature level fusion is compared with the match score level fusion and another feature level fusion scheme. The experimental results demonstrate that the synthetic features, encoding both side face and gait information, carry more discriminating power than the individual biometrics features, and the proposed feature level fusion scheme outperforms the match score level and another feature level fusion scheme. The performance of different fusion schemes is also shown as cumulative match characteristic (CMC) curves. They further demonstrate the strength of the proposed fusion scheme.
A developmental approach to sexuality education: implications for medical practice.

Medical professionals are increasingly expected to address issues of sexuality and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) with young patients and their parents. Focus group interviews were conducted with parents (n = 43) and adolescents (n = 800) to determine the preferred physician role regarding families and sexual development. Parents believed that a physician was an appropriate expert to assist in preventing negative risk behaviors (e.g., drugs, alcohol, sexual intercourse) and emphasized the importance of the physician developing a comfortable relationship early on with parents and youth to allow for reciprocal dialogue about sensitive topics. Parents also commented that physicians generally appeared uncomfortable when discussing personal issues (viz., sexuality) and frequently lacked communication skills (e.g., use of open-ended questions or statements) to foster conversation. Youth identified physicians as a logical source of information about sexuality but felt hesitant to ask questions that might prompt value-based discussion. Youth also expressed concern about confidentiality in the doctor-patient relationship. Adolescents desired physicians to be more "askable" than they are perceived to be. Guidelines are offered for strengthening office interactions and improving communication skills.
Measurement of the Relative Sweetness of Selected Sweeteners and Sweetener Mixtures

SUMMARY –The relative sweetness of sugars and sugar mixtures was studied. In addition to the simple sugars (sucrose, dextrose and fructose), the amino acids, glycine and D, L-alanine, and the synthetic sweeteners, calcium cyclamate and sodium saccharin, were studied. Using the method of magnitude estimation, considerable data were obtained about relative sweetness over a reasonably wide concentration range. Only two sessions per subject were required to obtain meaningful results. Relative sweetness of the sugars was found to increase with increasing concentration—a pattern quite similar for all the sugars. Changing the reference or reference concentration resulted in shifts in the relative sweetness values for a particular sugar; however, these changes were consistent at all concentrations tested. Slope values for the individual sugars were in good agreement with previously reported results. The individual subjects responses showed a consistent pattern throughout the 10-month period. Synergistic effects, as much as 20 to 30%, were noted in several sugar mixture combinations but not all concentrations. The data support the concept that there are optimal mixture combinations. The potential applications of these observations are discussed.
Ab Initio Study of the Interaction of Dimethyl Methylphosphonate with Rutile (110) and Anatase (101) TiO2 Surfaces

Density functional theory has been applied to an ab initio study of the molecular and the dissociative adsorption of dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) on TiO2. Rutile (110)-(1 × 1) and anatase (101)-(1 × 1) surfaces, free of defects and of OH, have been modeled using two-dimensionally periodic slabs (2-DPS) and also clusters with unsaturated edge atoms terminated with pseudohydrogen. Molecular adsorption occurs via the formation of a Ti5c···O═P dative bond at unsaturated, 5-fold-coordinated Ti surface sites. C−H···O bonds between CH3 groups and surface O atoms also contribute, but dative bonding between methoxy O atoms and Ti5c sites has no significant effect. In 2-DPS calculations, all TiO2 surfaces considered give about the same adsorption energy (ΔEads) for molecular adsorption. There does, however, appear to be a small variation among the different substrates whereby ΔEads increases with surface energy. Two spectroscopic signatures of molecular adsorption have been computed. One is a shift of −70 cm−1...
Cell junctions and intramembrane particles of astrocytes and oligodendrocytes: a freeze-fracture study.

Abstract The plasma membranes of astrocytes and oligondendrocytes in the white matter of the cat were studied with the freeze-fracturing technique. The intramembrane particle profiles differ in the two types of cell. Orthogonal, small particle assemblies and isolated globular particles 5–18 nm in diameter characterize the astrocytic plasmalemma, whereas the plasma membrane of oligodendrocytes shows large, tall globular particles, small globular particles, small ellipsoidal particles and previously undescribed, thin, short, rectilinear strands composed of fused subunits. Using these distinct differential features we can identify partners of glial cell junctions. We confirm the existence of interastrocytic gap junctions. Moreover, we identify numerous heterologous gap junctions between astrocytes and oligodendrocytic cell bodies, processes and the outer turn of myelin sheaths. Interoligodendrocytic gap junctions are not observed. Adjacent oligodendrocytes, however, form tight junctions consisting of linear P face strands and rows of particles; tight junctions are a reliable marker for oligodendroglial membranes. Connexons of interastrocytic gap junctions are packed in a crystalline array, while astrocyte-oligodendrocyte junctional connexons are closely packed but not crystalline. This study indicates that gap junctions between glial cells are pleomorphic and non-randomly distributed. The junctions between astrocytes and those between astrocytes and oligodendrocytes may have different roles in interglial and neuron-glia cooperation.