cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of moderate- to large-scale landslides triggered by the M w 7.8 2015 Gorkha earthquake and its aftershocks

The M w 7.8 2015 Gorkha earthquake and its aftershocks significantly impacted the lives and economy of Nepal. The consequences of landslides included fatalities, property losses, blockades of river flow, and damage to infrastructural systems. Co-seismic landslides triggered by this earthquake were significantly widespread and pose a major geodisaster. There were tens of thousands of landslides triggered by the earthquake, majority of which were distributed in between the epicenter of the main shock and the M w 7.3 aftershock. Although 14,670 landslides triggered by this earthquake were identified, only approximately 23% of them were of moderate to large scale with areas greater than 100 m2. Of the moderate- to large-scale landslides identified, just over 90% were triggered by the main shock and smaller aftershocks prior to the major (M w 7.3) aftershock, while nearly 10% were triggered by the ground shaking induced by the major aftershock. Moreover, the number of landslides triggered by the 2015 Gorkha earthquake, specifically by the main shock, was slightly more than the expected number of landslides for the recorded maximum peak ground acceleration (PGA) in comparison to the co-seismic landslides triggered by 26 earthquakes. Over 90% of those moderate- to large-scale landslides were concentrated within the estimated fault rupture surface. Majority of these moderate- to large-scale landslides were disrupted failures with over 96% of which were classified as earth falls. However, the majority of small-scale landslides were rock or boulder falls. The most number of moderate- to large-scale landslides were triggered in the slate, shale, siltstone, phyllite, and schist of the Lesser Himalayan formation followed by an equally significant number in both schist, gneiss, etc. of the Higher Himalayan formation and the phyllite, metasandstone, schist, etc. of the Lesser Himalayan formation. The sizes (i.e., areas) of the landslides were lognormally distributed, with a mode area of 322.0 m2. Slope inclinations of the moderate- to large-scale landslides followed a normal distribution with a mean slope inclination of 32.6° and standard deviation of 13.5°. There exists a strong correlation between the number of landslides and the peak ground acceleration within the study area, specific for different geological formations.
The American College of Radiology Incidental Findings Committee Recommendations for Management of Incidental Lymph Nodes: A Single-Center Evaluation.

Rationale and Objectives To assess the American College of Radiology Incidental Findings Committee's (ACR-IFC) recommendations for defining and following up abnormal incidental abdominopelvic lymph nodes. Materials and Methods A total of 59 lymph nodes satisfying ACR-IFC criteria as incidental (no malignancy or lymphoproliferative disorder) and with sufficient follow-up to classify as benign (biopsy, decreased size, ≥12-month stability) or malignant (biopsy, detection of primary malignancy combined with either fluorodeoxyglucose hyperactivity or increase in size of the node) were included. Two radiologists independently assessed nodes for suspicious features by ACR-IFC criteria (round with indistinct hilum, hypervascularity, necrosis, cluster ≥3 nodes, cluster ≥2 nodes in ≥2 stations, size ≥1 cm in retroperitoneum). Outcomes were assessed with attention to ACR-IFC's recommendation for initial 3-month follow-up. Results A total of 8.5% of nodes were malignant; 91.5% were benign. Two of six malignant nodes were stable at 3 to <6-month follow-up before diagnosis; diagnosis of four of five malignant nodes was facilitated by later development of non-nodal sites of tumor. A total of 13, 5, 8, and 9 nodes were deemed benign given a decrease at <3 months, 3–5 months, 6–11 months, or ≥12 months of follow-up. No ACR-IFC feature differentiated benign and malignant nodes (P = 0.164–1.0). A cluster ≥3 nodes was present in 88.1%–93.2% of nodes. A total of 96.6%–98.3% had ≥1 suspicious feature for both readers. Necrosis and hypervascularity were not identified in any node. Conclusions ACR-IFC imaging features overwhelmingly classified incidental nodes as abnormal, although did not differentiate benign and malignant nodes. Nodes stable at the ACR-IFC's advised initial 3-month follow-up were occasionally proven malignant or decreased on further imaging. Refinement of imaging criteria to define nodes of particularly high risk, integrated with other clinical criteria, may help optimize the follow-up of incidental abdominopelvic lymph nodes.
The validity and reliability of computed tomography orbital volume measurements.

Abstract Purpose Orbital volume calculations allow surgeons to design patient-specific implants to correct volume deficits. It is estimated that changes as small as 1 ml in orbital volume can lead to enophthalmos. Awareness of the limitations of orbital volume computed tomography (CT) measurements is critical to differentiate between true volume differences and measurement error. The aim of this study is to analyze the validity and reliability of CT orbital volume measurements. Materials and methods A total of 12 cadaver orbits were scanned using a standard CT maxillofacial protocol. Each orbit was dissected to isolate the extraocular muscles, fatty tissue, and globe. The empty bony orbital cavity was then filled with sculpting clay. The volumes of the muscle, fat, globe, and clay (i.e., bony orbital cavity) were then individually measured via water displacement. The CT-derived volumes, measured by manual segmentation, were compared to the direct measurements to determine validity. Results and conclusions The difference between CT orbital volume measurements and physically measured volumes is not negligible. Globe volumes have the highest agreement with 95% of differences between −0.5 and 0.5 ml, bony volumes are more likely to be overestimated with 95% of differences between −1.8 and 2.6 ml, whereas extraocular muscle volumes have poor validity and should be interpreted with caution.
Organic spintronics: Window of opportunity

A crystalline organic semiconductor that combines the long spin-relaxation times of organic semiconductors with the high charge-carrier mobilities typically found in inorganic semiconductors provides unprecedented prospects for organic spintronics.
PET/MR Imaging in Head and Neck Cancer: Current Applications and Future Directions

Clinical PET/MR imaging is being implemented at institutions worldwide as part of the standard-of-care imaging for select oncology patients. This article focuses on oncologic applications of PET/MR imaging in cancers of the head and neck. Although current published literature is relatively sparse, the potential benefits of a hybrid modality of PET/MR imaging are discussed along with several possible areas of research. With the increasing number of PET/MR imaging scanners in clinical use and ongoing research, the role of PET/MR imaging in the management of head and neck cancer is likely to become more evident in the near future.
Finding Top- $k$ Dominance on Incomplete Big Data Using MapReduce Framework

Incomplete data is one major kind of multi-dimensional dataset that has random-distributed missing nodes in its dimensions. It is very difficult to retrieve information from this type of dataset when it becomes large. Finding top- $k$ dominant values in this type of dataset is a challenging procedure. Some algorithms are present to enhance this process, but most are efficient only when dealing with small incomplete data. One of the algorithms that make the application of top- $k$ dominating (TKD) query possible is the Bitmap Index Guided (BIG) algorithm. This algorithm greatly improves the performance for incomplete data, but it is not designed to find top- $k$ dominant values in incomplete big data. Several other algorithms have been proposed to find the TKD query, such as Skyband Based and Upper Bound Based algorithms, but their performance is also questionable. Algorithms developed previously were among the first attempts to apply TKD query on incomplete data; however, these algorithms suffered from weak performance. This paper proposes MapReduced Enhanced Bitmap Index Guided Algorithm (MRBIG) for dealing with the aforementioned issues. MRBIG uses the MapReduce framework to enhance the performance of applying top- $k$ dominance queries on large incomplete datasets. The proposed approach uses the MapReduce parallel computing approach involving multiple computing nodes. The framework separates the tasks between several computing nodes to independently and simultaneously work to find the result. This method has achieved up to two times faster processing time in finding the TKD query result when compared to previously proposed algorithms.
Abstract 18241: Impact of Annual Hospital Volume on In-Hospital Outcomes After Cardiac Transplantation

Introduction: Limited evidence exists regarding the impact of annual hospital volume on outcomes in patients receiving heart transplant. Hypothesis: To quantify the impact of annual hospital volume on in-hospital mortality among patients receiving heart transplantation. Methods: Data from the National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample (years 2008 to 2012) were analyzed to identify 11,104 patients receiving heart transplant. The study population was identified using validated international Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis (ICD-9-CM) and procedure codes. Annual hospital volume was calculated using unique hospital identifiers. Hospitals were divided into tertiles based on the volume of transplant cases admitted over the study period (low: 1-65, medium: 65-125, high> 125). Multivariate regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of mortality in patients undergoing heart transplant. Results: Between the years of 2008 and 2012, a total of 519 (4.67%) in-hospital deaths occurred among recipients of heart transplantation. In-hospital mortality was highest (5.8%) in the low hospital volume and lowest (3.9%) in hospitals with high annual volume (p Conclusion: Hospital volume is an independent determinant for in-hospital mortality among patient receiving heart transplants.
A Genetic Programming Approach for Heuristic Selection in Constrained Project Scheduling

The resource-constrained project scheduling problem (RCPSP) with cash flows investigates the scheduling of activities that are linked by precedence constraints and multiple resource restrictions. Given the presence of cash flows which represent expenses for initiating activities and payments for completed work, maximizing the Net Present Value of the project is a practical problem. This is a complex combinatorial optimization problem which precludes the development of optimal schedules for large projects. Many heuristics exist for the RCPSP, but it has proven difficult to decide in advance which heuristic will provide the best result, given a problem characterization in terms of parameters such as size and complexity. In this paper we discuss the use of genetic programming (GP) for heuristic selection, and compare it directly to alternative methods such as OLS regression and neural networks. The study indicates that the GP approach yields results which are an improvement on earlier methods. The GP solution also gives valuable information about project environments where a given heuristic is inappropriate. In addition, this approach has no problem evolving complex nonlinear functions to capture the relationship between problem parameters and heuristic performance. Thus the results given in this paper shed light on the logical domains of applicability of the various heuristics, while at the same time provide an improved heuristic selection process.
Comparison of 2 clindamycin 1%-benzoyl peroxide 5% topical gels used once daily in the management of acne vulgaris

Combination therapy for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris using benzoyl peroxide (BPO) and an antibiotic is more efficacious and better tolerated than treatment with either component alone. Moreover, the addition of BPO to antibiotic therapy is recommended as a means of preventing the development of Propionibacterium acnes antibiotic resistance. However, BPO is an irritant, and the dryness and irritation experienced by some patients using topical therapy containing BPO can negatively impact compliance. Historically, once-daily treatment application has enhanced compliance versus twice daily. The current 12-week study aimed to compare the efficacy of a clindamycin 1%-BPO 5% topical gel with the hydrating excipients dimethicone and glycerin (C/BPO HE) and a clindamycin 1%-BPO 5% topical gel that does not contain hydrating excipients (C/BPO) applied once daily for the treatment of 20 participants with facial acne vulgaris and to determine if there were differences in product preference and participant acceptability between the treatments. Both C/BPO HE and C/BPO were effective in the treatment of acne, with substantive reductions (-60.8% and -61.3%, respectively) in total inflammatory lesions at week 4 in both treatment groups. Participants receiving C/BPO HE demonstrated a more consistent treatment response than with C/BPO, with incremental reductions in total inflammatory lesions at each time point, whereas the response to C/BPO waned at week 8. As a result, greater percentage reductions in inflammatory and noninflammatory lesions were observed with C/BPO HE treatment than C/BPO treatment at week 8 (papules: -71.9% vs -49.4%, P=.053; pustules: -64.8% vs -28.0%, P=.134; open comedones: -44.5% vs 2.6%, P=.480; closed comedones: -35.5% vs -26.3%, P=.501). With the exception of papules, greater reductions in all lesion subtypes also were observed at week 12. None of the between-group differences reached statistical significance. Both treatment groups displayed similar disease signs and symptoms throughout the study period. However, scaling, erythema, dryness, and pruritus occurred more frequently in participants using C/BPO. Treatment satisfaction was greatest with C/BPO HE; participants reported that this formulation was easy to apply and 100% (9/9) of participants reported that they would continue using C/BPO HE compared with 80% (8/10) of participants using C/BPO. Both treatments were well-tolerated. In this pilot study, both formulations were effective in the treatment of inflammatory and noninflammatory acne lesions, but C/BPO HE produced a more consistent reduction in total inflammatory lesions over 12 weeks. The addition of hydrating excipients in the C/BPO HE formulation appears to improve patient tolerance and acceptance, which will likely help patients to comply with therapy.
Beyond path diagrams: Enhancing applied structural equation modeling research through data visualization

Abstract Introduction Structural equation modeling (SEM) is a multivariate data analytic technique used in many domains of addictive behaviors research. SEM results are usually summarized and communicated through statistical tables and path diagrams, which emphasize path coefficients and global fit without showing specific quantitative values of data points that underlie the model results. Data visualization methods are often absent in SEM research, which may limit the quality and impact of SEM research by reducing data transparency, obscuring unexpected data anomalies and unmodeled heterogeneity, and inhibiting the communication of SEM research findings to research stakeholders who do not have advanced statistical training in SEM. Methods and results In this report, we show how data visualization methods can address these limitations and improve the quality of SEM-based addictive behaviors research. We first introduce SEM and data visualization methodologies and differentiate data visualizations from model visualizations that are commonly used in SEM, such as path diagrams. We then discuss ways researchers may utilize data visualization in SEM research, including by obtaining estimates of latent variables and by visualizing multivariate relations in two-dimensional figures. R syntax is provided to help others generate data visualizations for several types of effects commonly modeled in SEM, including correlation, regression, moderation, and simple mediation. Discussion The techniques outlined here may help spur the use of data visualization in SEM-based addictive behaviors research. Using data visualization in SEM may enhance methodological transparency and improve communication of research findings.
Techniques for successful vaginal anastomosis in the uterine transplantation patient

Objective To demonstrate techniques for successful donor-to-recipient vaginal anastomosis in uterine transplantation including illustration of a tension-free technique. Design This video uses live-action footage from surgery, detailed animations, and illustrations to review the step-by-step technique we use for vaginal anastomosis in uterine transplantation. Institutional Review Board approval was obtained for this experimental surgery. Setting Academic medical center. Patient(s) Patients undergoing uterine transplantation. Intervention(s) Preparation of recipient vagina with illustration of challenges and risk secondary to dense adhesions between bladder and neo-vagina. Use of surgical techniques. Key steps include appropriate preparation of both donor and recipient vaginal tissues and a tension-free closure with horizontal mattress stitches. Main Outcome Measure(s) Intraoperative techniques in the clinical research trial of uterine transplantation. Results Successful vaginal anastomosis in the uterine transplantation patient. Conclusion(s) This video provides a step-by-step guide to vaginal anastomosis in uterine transplantation patients. Our team has applied techniques from vaginal reconstructive surgery in an attempt to reduce the occurrence of postoperative vaginal strictures, with attention to planned donor and recipient anastomosis site tissue preparation and closure of the anastomosis using a tension-free suturing technique.
Generational preferences in the nursing work environment: A dimensional concept analysis

Aim The purpose of this dimensional concept analysis was to identify preferences for favourable nursing work environments by Baby Boomer, Generation X and Millennial nurses. Background Favourable nursing work environments have been associated with better nurse and patient outcomes. Researchers have reported differences among generations related to the work environment, but the extent to which there are differences in preferences, not just perceptions, is less certain. Method A dimensional concept analysis was performed, in which one concept was analysed from multiple points of view. Articles were obtained from PubMed, CINAHL and PsycINFO. Articles published in the last ten years were included if they reported preferences, desires or ideals for the nursing work environment and were categorized by generational cohort. Eight articles qualified for review. Results Four major themes were identified: nursing practice/unit characteristics, managers/leadership, team/professional interactions and pay/benefits. An additional theme of personal/self emerged among Millennials. Conclusions All generations reported preferences related to benefits/pay, manager/leadership, nursing practice/unit characteristics and team/interactions. Only Millennials reported aspects related to self. Implications for nursing management All generations desired the first four themes. To address each, nursing leaders should consider the following: (a) ensure adequate staffing and resources are in place for nursing staff; (b) obtain input from all generations about their level of satisfaction with benefits/pay and examine ways to provide better benefits or pay when possible; (c) encourage leadership self-development, such as educational opportunities and mentorship; and (d) determine opportunities to improve interactions among staff members. For Millennials, the only group who had expectations in the area of 'self', provide individualized attention and opportunities that allow them to create a better work-life balance, such as self-scheduling.
More Than Aligning Perception: Impact of an Educational Intervention on Medical Student Mistreatment Reporting

Background Despite decades of reporting, rates of medical student mistreatment on the surgical clerkship remains a national issue. To understand whether misaligned perceptions about what constitutes mistreatment were leading to the high rates of reported mistreatment at our institution, we implemented an intervention designed to educate students about the unique challenges of the surgical environment and to build consensus around the definition of mistreatment. Study Design Medical students were recruited from the surgery clerkship to participate in a video vignette-based curriculum accompanied by a facilitated discussion. Participants completed a survey before and after the educational intervention to assess their understanding of mistreatment and their perceptions of the surgical learning environment. At the end of each clerkship block students who participated in the intervention, as well as students who did not participate, were asked to complete a questionnaire about their experiences during the clerkship. Results During 6 clerkship blocks, 53 students participated in the intervention (51% of the third-year student cohort). Students who participated in the intervention were more likely to report experiencing mistreatment or witnessing mistreatment during the clerkship. Students who participated in the intervention also reported experiencing neglect more frequently than students who did not participate. Conclusions We found that using an educational intervention designed to align perceptions of what constitutes mistreatment in the surgical learning environment did not decrease rates of mistreatment reporting on the surgical clerkship at our institution. Students who participated in the intervention reported increased confidence in their ability to define and recognize mistreatment after the intervention, as well as increased comfort reporting mistreatment and turning to faculty with concerns about mistreatment.
LIS1 cracks open dynein.

Active transport along microtubules by molecular motors is a crucial cellular process that is disrupted in human diseases. Single-molecule studies from three independent groups reveal a new molecular mechanism for how cells control the activity of the complex microtubule motor cytoplasmic dynein via the neurodevelopmental protein LIS1.
Machine learning-based outcome prediction and novel hypotheses generation for substance use disorder treatment.

Objective Substance use disorder is a critical public health issue. Discovering the synergies among factors impacting treatment program success can help governments and treatment facilities develop effective policies. In this work, we propose a novel data analytics approach using machine learning models to discover interaction effects that might be neglected by traditional hypothesis-generating approaches. Materials and methods A patient-episode-level substance use treatment discharge dataset and a Federal Bureau of Investigation crime dataset were joined using core-based statistical area codes. Random forests, artificial neural networks, and extreme gradient boosting were applied with a nested cross-validation methodology. Interaction effects were identified based on the machine learning model with the best performance. These interaction effects were analyzed and tested using traditional logistic regression models on unseen data. Results In predicting patient completion of a treatment program, extreme gradient boosting performed the best with an area under the curve of 89.31%. Based on our procedure, 73 interaction effects were identified. Among these, 14 were tested using traditional logistic regression models where 12 were statistically significant (P Conclusions We identified new interaction effects among the length of stay, frequency of substance use, changes in self-help group attendance frequency, and other factors. This work provides insights into the interactions between factors impacting treatment completion. Further traditional statistical analysis can be employed by practitioners and policy makers to test the effects discovered by our novel machine learning approach.
Analysis of Submillimeter Wave Fabry-Perot Interferometers Made of Four Wire Grids

Several workers [1,2,3] have successfully constructed Fabry-Perot interferometers for use in the microwave spectrum by using wire grid arrays. Recently Gustincic [4] was able to build such an interferometer which would effectively rotate the plane of polarization of a reflected wave and transmit without change the wavelength to which it was tuned. This configuration has application in microwave radiometers where it is generally difficult to couple the local oscillator into the mixer without considerable loss of power. Use of a Fabry-Perot interferometer also gives inherent single sideband operation and rejects local oscillator noise at the signal frequency. In this paper results of calculations on the performance of wire grid arrays are presented.
Patent ductus arteriosus stenting for ductal dependent pulmonary blood flow

Abstract Neonates with ductal-dependent blood flow require a stable source of pulmonary blood flow as their initial palliative procedure. This may be accomplished with either a surgical shunt, e.g., a Blalock- Taussig- Thomas (BTT) shunt, or with a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) stent. Based on recent data, including data from large multicenter studies, PDA stenting has not only emerged as an acceptable alternative to the BTT shunt but the preferred method to establish a stable source of pulmonary blood flow in most circumstances. Advances in procedural details, technical aspects, and an understanding of ductal morphology have greatly facilitated PDA stenting in the current era, though a steep learning curve is involved. A collaborative effort from multiple specialties including congenital interventional cardiology and congenital heart surgery is needed to take care of this high-risk patient population.
Bridging the Divide between a Patient’s Blog and the Staff’s Privacy

What were once considered private domains of life have become more public in the last 20 years with the rise of social media. Illness narratives of patients with chronic, severe, or terminal condit...
Group Theory Guided Symmetry Coupling between Cylindrical Vector Beams and Localized Surface Plasmon Resonances

This paper reports a rigorous group theoretical method to selectively excite dark mode plasmons of any axially symmetric structures with cylindrical vector beams, based on symmetry analysis of the single V-point cylindrical vector beams basis.
Contemporary trends in high-dose interleukin-2 use for metastatic renal cell carcinoma in the United States.

Abstract Background Targeted therapies (TTs) have revolutionized metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) treatment in the past decade, largely replacing immunotherapy including high-dose interleukin-2 (HD IL-2) therapy. We evaluated trends in HD IL-2 use for mRCC in the TT era. Methods Our cohort comprised a weighted estimate of all patients undergoing HD IL-2 treatment for mRCC from 2004 to 2012 using the Premier Hospital Database. We assessed temporal trends in HD IL-2 use including patient, disease, and hospital characteristics stratified by era (pre-TT uptake: 2004–2006, uptake: 2007–2009, and post-TT uptake: 2010–2012) and fitted multivariable regression models to identify predictors of treatment toxicity and tolerability. Results An estimated 2,351 patients received HD IL-2 therapy for mRCC in the United States from 2004 to 2012. The use decreased from 2004 to 2008. HD IL-2 therapy became increasingly centralized in teaching hospitals (24% of treatments in 2004 and 89.5% in 2012). Most patients who received HD IL-2 therapy were men, white, younger than 60 years, had lung metastases, and were otherwise healthy. Vasopressors, intensive care unit admission, and hemodialysis were necessary in 53.4%, 33.0%, and 7.1%, respectively. Factors associated with toxicities in multivariable analyses included being unmarried, male sex, and multiple metastatic sites. African Americans and patients with single-site metastases were less likely to receive multiple treatment cycles. Conclusions HD IL-2 therapy is used infrequently for mRCC in the United States, and its application has diminished with the uptake of TT. Patients are being increasingly treated in teaching hospitals, suggesting a centralization of care and possible barriers to access. A recent slight increase in HD IL-2 therapy use likely reflects recognition of the inability of TT to effect a complete response.
The Barcelona Technique for Ileostomy Reversal

The Barcelona technique for bowel anastomosis is not well described in the currently available literature, but it saves steps when compared to conventional stapled anastomoses. In short, the proximal and distal ends of a resection margin are approximated, small enterotomies made, a stapler is passed into both lumens creating a common channel, and lastly, this same stapler is used to create the anastomosis and amputate the specimen. We report on this technique with ileostomy reversal in terms of cost and complications. Review of ileostomy reversals (2006–2014) by a single surgical oncologist. Thirty patients had surgery using the Barcelona technique. Median age was 58 years, and median postoperative surgical stay was 3 days. The majority of patients had rectal cancer initially treated with low anterior resection and diverting loop ileostomy (80 %). One patient had a wound infection (3 %), and there were no anastomotic leaks, intra-abdominal abscesses, or strictures. This technique required fewer stapler loads saving $510 in charges per case. The Barcelona technique is safe and effective for ileostomy reversal. There are reduced costs related to equipment as compared to the conventional technique and thus the use of this method can result in significant medical cost savings.
Occupational status, work-site cessation programs and policies and menthol smoking on quitting behaviors of US smokers.

Aim This exploratory study sought to examine the relationships among occupational status, menthol smoking preference and employer-sponsored smoking cessation programs and policies on quitting behaviors. Design Data for this cross-sectional study were obtained from the 2006 Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey (TUS CPS), a large national survey representative of the civilian population, containing approximately 240 000 respondents. The total sample for the current study was 30 176. Measurements The TUS CPS regularly collects data on cigarette prevalence, quitting behaviors, smoking history and consumption patterns. We performed a logistic regression with ‘life-time quitting smoking for 1 day or longer because they were trying to quit’ as outcome variable. Independent variables included type of occupation, employer-sponsored cessation programs and policies and menthol status. Findings When controlling for occupational status and work-place policies, there were no differences for menthol versus non-menthol smokers on quitting behaviors [odds ratio (OR) = 0.98; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.83, 1.15]. Service workers were less likely to quit compared with white-collar workers (OR = 0.80; 95% CI = 0.69, 0.94), and those with no employer-sponsored cessation program were less likely to quit (OR = 0.70; 95% CI = 0.60, 0.83). White-collar workers, compared with blue-collar and service workers, were more likely to have a smoking policy in the work area (93% versus 86% versus 88%, respectively). Conclusions When occupational status and work-place smoking policies are controlled for, smokers of menthol cigarettes in the United States appear to have similar self-reported life-time rates of attempts to stop smoking to non-menthol smokers.
Extending joint radar-communications bounds for FMCW radar with Doppler estimation

We investigate cooperative in-band radar and communications signaling for frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) radar and Doppler estimation. While each system typically considers the other system a source of interference, by considering the radar and communications operations to be a single system, joint performance bounds can be formulated. We extend previous work where a novel estimation and information theoretic bound formulation was constructed for a receiver that observes communications and radar returns in the same frequency allocation. While the previous work derived a joint performance bound in terms of the communications rate and the target delay estimation rate of the system for pulsed waveforms, we derive a similar bound for FMCW radar and include Doppler estimation. This extension is important given the rise of popularity of FMCW radars, and since the continuous signaling brings them closer to how communications systems operate.
A QoS framework for heavy-tailed traffic over the wireless Internet

In this paper, we propose a QoS framework for wireless data applications that accounts for the heavy-tailed nature of Internet traffic. Instead of the conventional wisdom of provisioning more conservatively for such traffic, we investigate scheduling strategies that implicitly penalize the long transactions (e.g., long file transfers) that contribute to the heavy tails, while providing good performance to short transactions (e.g., a short Web page download). The proposed framework is illustrated by the simple model of a bottleneck link, at which transactions (e.g., TCP connections) whose lengths follow a heavy-tailed distribution begin according to a Poisson process. The link scheduler we investigate is the foreground-background (FB) scheduler, which serves, in each transmission slot, the transaction that has received the least service thus far. Comparing the conventional round robin (RR) scheduler with the FB scheduler, we find that the FB scheduler requires much fewer network resources to attain a given QoS. After showing the efficacy of the FB scheduler for a single bottleneck link, we consider a wireless link shared by multiple users, where further gains are obtained by using multiuser diversity, exploiting the differences in the qualities of the channel seen by different users. We generalize our notion of QoS for this scenario, in a manner consistent with the notion of proportional fairness (PF), and investigate scheduling using an appropriate combination of PF across users, and FB across transactions for a given user.
Cadmium-113 NMR: A Surrogate Probe for Zinc and Calcium in Proteins

The sections in this article are 1 Introduction 2 Solution State Cadmium-113 NMR Studies 3 Solid State Studies 4 Summary 5 Acknowledgements 6 Biographical Sketches Related articles
The Agenda-Setting Theory

Forty years ago in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, the first agenda-setting study showed that the issue priorities of the news become the issue priorities of the public in the 1968 U.S. presidential campaign. Since then, the agenda-setting model has been replicated in more than 400 studies that include both election and non-election settings, covering a wide variety of issues, and extending beyond the U.S. to a broad range of countries in the five continents. This article examines the progress of this research to date, reviewing its principal variations, how now encompasses five different theoretical stages, and what are the possible new areas of application and development. Keywords: agenda-setting theory, framing, news media, public opinion. Hace cuarenta anos, en Chapel Hill, Carolina del Norte, el primer estudio de agenda-setting mostro que los temas priorizados por las noticias correspondian a los temas priorizados por el publico. Desde entonces, este modelo de analisis ha sido replicado en mas de 400 estudios en los cinco continentes, incluyendo una gran variedad de temas, en escenarios electorales y no-electorales. Este articulo examina el progreso de este tipo de investigaciones, revisando sus variaciones principales, las cinco diferentes etapas teoricas que muestra en la actualidas y cuales son las posibles nuevas areas de aplicacion y desarrollo. Palabras clave: teoria agenda-setting, framing, medios noticiosos, opinion publica.
Reproductive Life Planning: A Concept Analysis

BACKGROUND: In 2006 the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued 10 recommendations on preconception care which included the statement that reproductive life planning should be considered an individuals responsibility across his or her life span. PURPOSE: The purpose of this article is to provide a concept analysis of reproductive life planning using Walker and Avants method as an organizing framework. METHODS: Search engines were employed to review the existing knowledge base of the concept of reproductive life planning. FINDINGS: The findings suggest that reproductive life planning is integral to preconception care and family planning. Attributes antecedents and consequences associated with reproductive life planning are discussed. Model borderline and contrary cases are also provided to illustrate the concept. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: A reproductive life plan can serve as a framework for promoting reproductive health across the life span of both men and women. Healthcare providers must assess the individuals ability to understand and utilize educational resources to ensure full and effective participation in reproductive life planning. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals Inc.
The perceptual vowel spaces of American English and Modern Greek : A comparison

Perceptually based vowel spaces are estimated for American English and Modern Greek by means of identifications of synthetic vowel sounds by native speakers of each language. The vowel spaces for American English appear to be organized in a sufficiently contrastive system, while Modern Greek vowels appear to be maximally contrastive. The spaces for the Modern Greek point vowels ([i], [a], [u]) fall within the spaces of their American English counterparts, while the intermediate Modern Greek vowels ([e], [o]) overlap the American English [epsilon]/[e] and [o]/[o] spaces, respectively. These results were relatively unaffected by mapping resolution and level of phonetic training and support the results of similar mappings using production data.
Anticipating adaptation: a mechanistic approach for linking policy and stock status to recreational angler behavior

We use techniques from economic recreation demand modeling to develop a mechanistic model of individual recreational fishing behavior and estimate it using license-frame survey data. By consistently integrating individuals’ seasonal decisions of where, whether, and how much to fish, the model generates predictions of aggregate indicators such as angler-days and fishing mortality as phenomena arising from individual behavior. We use the model to simulate alternative future scenarios by altering policy variables or measures of fishing quality, such as catch rates. The mechanistic nature of the model incorporates anglers’ adaptive behavior to these stimuli, generating scenarios that are likely more robust to shifts in the decision context than many commonly used phenomenological models. We utilize the model to examine the sensitivity of total catch and catch per unit effort (CPUE) to changes in fish stocks, revealing substantial nonlinearities in this relationship. We also simulate total fishing trips, parti...
Coding techniques for power controlled OFDM

We present previous results making a connection between generalised Reed-Muller codes and Golay (1949) complementary pairs and sets of sequences. We apply this work to obtain a flexible range of OFDM coding schemes enjoying efficient encoding and decoding and tightly controlled peak-to-mean envelope power ratio. We give an outline of previous work on decoding algorithms for these codes.
Endocytosis and Degradation of Monoclonal Antibodies Targeting Human B-Cell Malignancies

Seven murine monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) recognizing differentiation antigens present on B-lymphocytes were analyzed in preclinical studies for their potential use for antibody-targeted therapy of B-cell malignancies. MoAbs HD37 (anti-CD19), 1F5 (anti-CD20), HD6 (anti-CD22), MB-1 (anti-CD37), G28-5 (anti-CDw40), 7.2 (anti-class II), and DA4-4 (anti-IgM) were studied for their binding avidities, immunoreactivities, isotypes, endocytosis rates, degradation rates, and number of binding sites on Daudi cells. Lineweaver-Burke analyses of 125I-labeled MoAbs demonstrated immunoreactivities ranging from 59 to 92%. Scatchard analyses of 125I-MoAbs demonstrated that five of the antibodies had binding avidities in excess of 10(9) L/M, whereas MoAbs 1F5 and HD37 had avidities of 3-4 x 10(8) L/M. CD20, CD37, mu, and HLA Class II were found to be highly expressed (200,000-400,000 binding sites/cell) on Daudi cells whereas CD19, CD22, and CDw40 were less densely expressed (80,000-100,000 sites/cell). DA4-4 (mu), HD6 (CD22), and G28-5 (CDw40) were rapidly internalized by cells, HD37 (CD19) and MB-1 (CD37) underwent endocytosis at an intermediate rate, and 7.2 (class II) and 1F5 (CD20) were internalized slowly. Trichloroacetic acid precipitation and high-performance liquid chromatography revealed the following relative rates of 125I-MoAb degradation: DA4-4 (mu) greater than HD6 (CD22) greater than HD37 (CD19) greater than G28-5 (CDw40) greater than MB-1 (CD37) greater than 1F5 (CD20) greater than 7.2 (class II).
Recurrence of Bronchioloalveolar Carcinoma in Transplanted Lungs

Background Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma is a distinctive subtype of typical adenocarcinoma of the lung that tends to metastasize widely throughout the lungs but less commonly elsewhere. Because conventional therapies for intrapulmonary metastatic bronchioloalveolar carcinoma are generally ineffective, we treated seven patients who had intrapulmonary metastatic bronchioloalveolar carcinoma with lung transplantation. Methods Seven patients with biopsy-proved bronchioloalveolar carcinoma and no evidence of extrapulmonary disease received transplants of either one or two cadaveric lungs. At transplantation, all native lung tissue was removed and replaced with a donor lung or lungs. The patients received the usual post-transplantation care given at the institution. Results Four of the seven patients had recurrent bronchioloalveolar carcinoma within the donor lungs; the recurrences appeared from 10 to 48 months after transplantation. All recurrences were limited to the donor lungs. Histologic and molecular anal...
Worst-case performance of cellular channel assignment policies

Many cellular channel assignment policies have been proposed to improve efficiency beyond that resulting from fixed channel allocation. The performance of these policies, however, has rarely been compared due to a lack of formal metrics, particularly under nonhomogeneous call distributions. In this paper, we introduce two such metrics: the worst-case number of channels required to accommodate all possible configurations of N calls in a cell cluster, and the set of cell states that can be accommodated with M channels. We first measure two extreme policies, fixed channel allocation and maximum packing, under these metrics. We then prove a new lower bound, under the first metric, on any channel assignment policy. Next, we introduce three intermediate channel assignment policies, based on commonly used ideas of channel ordering, hybrid assignment, and partitioning. Finally, these policies are used to demonstrate the tradeoff between the performance and the complexity of a channel allocation policy.
MIL-53 frameworks in mixed-matrix membranes

Abstract The MIL-53 metal–organic framework (MOF) is known to change reversibly from an open-pore framework (MIL-53-ht) to a closed-pore framework (MIL-53-lt) depending on the temperature, pressure, or guest molecules absorbed. Three frameworks of the additive, MIL-53-as synthesized (MIL-53-as), MIL-53-ht, and MIL-53-lt, were prepared, characterized, and combined with Matrimid® to form mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) for gas separations. The MIL-53-ht/Matrimid® MMMs exhibited higher values of permeability compared to Matrimid® as well as an increased CO 2 /CH 4 selectivity suggesting that the open-pore MIL-53 framework was maintained in the polymer matrix. In addition to higher permeability values, MIL-53-as/Matrimid® MMMs showed higher selectivity for gas pairs with kinetic diameters differing by ⩾0.5 A, including H 2 /O 2 , CO 2 /CH 4 , H 2 /CH 4 , and H 2 /N 2 , suggesting the presence of excess benzene dicarboxylic acid molecules within the pores that reduced its diameter enabling the material to discriminate between smaller and larger gases. MIL-53-lt did not retain its closed-pore form in the MMM. Rather, it irreversibly converted to the open-pore form (MIL-53-ht) due to the exchange of water present in the MIL-53 pores with chloroform solvent molecules during membrane casting and to pore penetration and confinement by Matrimid® polymer chains. This finding, that a polymer matrix stabilizes a MOF pore architecture within an MMM, is significant in that the desired selectivity of a MOF-MMM system may be achievable.
ATP Synthase: The Right Size Base Model for Nanomotors in Nanomedicine

Nanomedicine results from nanotechnology where molecular scale minute precise nanomotors can be used to treat disease conditions. Many such biological nanomotors are found and operate in living systems which could be used for therapeutic purposes. The question is how to build nanomachines that are compatible with living systems and can safely operate inside the body? Here we propose that it is of paramount importance to have a workable base model for the development of nanomotors in nanomedicine usage. The base model must placate not only the basic requirements of size, number, and speed but also must have the provisions of molecular modulations. Universal occurrence and catalytic site molecular modulation capabilities are of vital importance for being a perfect base model. In this review we will provide a detailed discussion on ATP synthase as one of the most suitable base models in the development of nanomotors. We will also describe how the capabilities of molecular modulation can improve catalytic and motor function of the enzyme to generate a catalytically improved and controllable ATP synthase which in turn will help in building a superior nanomotor. For comparison, several other biological nanomotors will be described as well as their applications for nanotechnology.
Possible Mechanical Roles of Glycosaminoglycans in Thoracic Aortic Dissection and Associations with Dysregulated Transforming Growth Factor-β

Background: Four distinguishing histopathological characteristics of thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections (TAADs) are the fragmentation or degradation of elastic fibers, loss of smooth muscle, pooling of glycosaminoglycans, and remodeling of fibrillar collagens. Of these, pooling of glycosaminoglycans appears to be unique to these lesions. Methods: This review acknowledges the importance of dysregulated transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in TAADs and offers a complementary hypothesis that increased TGF-β could contribute to the accumulation of glycosaminoglycans in the media of the proximal thoracic aorta. Regardless, observed pools of glycosaminoglycans could decrease tensile strength, cause stress concentrations, and increase intralamellar swelling pressure, all of which could initiate local delaminations that could subsequently propagate as dissections and result in a false lumen or rupture. Conclusions: There is a pressing need to investigate potential mechanical as well as biological consequences of accumulated glycosaminoglycans in TAADs and to elucidate responsible signaling pathways, with particular attention to synthetic cells of nonmesodermal lineage. Such research could provide insight into the mechanisms of dissection and the seemingly paradoxical role of the over-expression of a cytokine that is typically associated with fibrosis but is implicated in a degenerative disease of the aorta that can result in a catastrophic mechanical failure.