cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
RF Characteristics of thin dipoles

This paper considers the average bistatic scattering cross section of thin cylindrical dipoles as a function of frequency, bistatic angle, and transmitting and receiving polarization. The averaging is over all orientations of the dipole with all orientations equally likely. Section II is essentially tutorial, approaching the problem of scattering cross section from the equivalent circuit point of view. Using this approach, the maximum scattering cross sections of lossless dipoles in the Rayleigh region and at the first and second resonances are derived. Section III presents a novel method of predicting cross section at the first resonance with the effect of loss included. Numerous measurements indicate that this method is widely applicable. Section IV describes our microwave scattering range and the results of measurements made on dipoles resonant at X band. In Section V the averaging of cross sections is considered. The average bistatic cross sections for resonant half-wave and full-wave dipoles are plotted vs bistatic angle for various transmitting and receiving polarizations. These results, which are new, were obtained using a digital computer. The average cross section for short (Rayleigh region) dipoles is also obtained as a function of bistatic angle for various polarizations. Section VI is a summary of parameters of the West Ford dipoles.
Verbal-vocal integration as a function of sex and methodology

Abstract The process by which persons appear to combine content and intonation to form an impression of a speaker's friendliness may be a function of sex and the analytical techniques used to evaluate the models. Sixty subjects (half male, half female) from the campus population were asked to rate the content, tone, and total message of short sentences from male speakers. Analysis of variance and regression analysis were used to evaluate Linear, Multiplicative, Minimum, and Maximum models. Responses were essentially linear, although the multiplicative component was significant in some results, and the Minimum model received some support for males. More weight was given to tone than content, especially by females and for inconsistent messages. Idiographic analysis proved superior to normative analysis, and the ignored content method provided greater reliability and explanation than previously used filtered speech.
Research Privacy Under HIPAA and the Common Rule

For nearly twenty-five years, federal regulation of privacy issues in research involving human subjects was the primary province of the federal rule for Protection of Human Subjects (Common Rule).' As of April 14, 2003, the compliance date for the Privacy Rule ofthe Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA),^ however, the Common Rule and the Privacy Rule^ jointly regulate research privacy. Although, in theory, the Privacy Rule is intended to omplement the Common Rule, there are several areas in which the rules diverge. In some instances the inconsistencies result in gaps in privacy protection; in other instances the inconsistencies result in added burdens on researchers without additional privacy protections.In all instances, the lack of harmonization of these rules has created confusion, frustration, and misunderstanding by researchers, research subjects, and institutional review boards (IRBs). In this article, I review the major provisions ofthe Privacy Rule for research, explain the areas in which the Privacy Rule and Common Rule differ, and conclude that the two rules should be revised to promote onsistency and maximize privacy protections while minimizing the burdens on research.
Engraftment and outcomes following autologous stem cell transplantation in Hodgkin lymphoma patients mobilized with plerixafor

Plerixafor has been used to improve peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) mobilization in multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and very recently in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patients. Because prior studies have suggested that mobilization with plerixafor affects the composition of mobilized cells, there are concerns that this may in turn adversely impact the immune reconstitution and longer term outcomes of transplanted patients. However, data on the engraftment characteristics and long-term post-transplant outcomes in patients transplanted with plerixafor-mobilized PBSCs are lacking. This retrospective study examined the post-transplant outcomes of 105 consecutive adult HL patients, and compared the post-transplant outcomes of 21 patients who received plerixafor in addition to G-CSF ± chemotherapy because of poor mobilization with those of 84 patients who mobilized well without plerixafor. Despite collecting significantly lower CD34+ cell doses (median of 3.41 vs. 6.05 × 106 /kg, p < 0.0001) than control patients and requiring more collection days, plerixafor-mobilized patients showed comparable early engraftment characteristics, except for slightly delayed neutrophil engraftment (median: 11 vs.10 days, p = 0.002) and lower median neutrophil counts (2.1 vs. 2.6 × 109 /L, p = 0.04) at one month after transplant. No significant differences were observed in longer term post-transplant outcomes, including cell counts at 3, 6, and 12 months, RBC and platelet transfusion support during the first 120 days, relapse incidence, overall and progression-free survival rates up to two years post transplant. The use of plerixafor not only enabled poorly mobilizing HL patients to collect enough PBSCs to proceed to ASCT, but also to have similar post-transplant outcomes compared to patients who mobilized well with conventional regimens. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
What is the role of diet in the development of cancer in American Indian and Alaska native populations

Background. The associations between diet and cancer in American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) populations are not well understood. Methods. I review current knowledge of the associations between diet and cancer. Results. Studies of diet and cancer are inconsistent. Underlying characteristics of populations could contribute to observed differences. Dietary patterns and energy balance may importantly relate to cancer in AIAN populations. Conclusion. Given the differences in cancer incidence and mortality rates in AIAN populations, it is reasonable that diet and lifestyle patterns could contribute to these differences, although we can only speculate as to specific dietary factors in cancer etiology.
PLASMA JET VELOCIMETRY BY CROSS-CORRELATION OF PLASMA EMISSION OSCILLATIONS

An optical plasma jet velocimetry method was developed by monitoring the plasma oscillations within the plasma jet. The natural plasma emission fluctuations within the plasma jet due to the thruster discharge power ripples were recorded in two positions using optical detectors, upstream and downstream in the plasma jet plume. Crosscorrelation of the recorded signals in those two positions are performed. By the study of the peak displacement of the cross-correlation curves, the plasma fluctuation propagation time between the two positions can be found. Hence given the knowledge of distance, the plasma jet velocity can be determined by assuming the fluctuation travels with the flow. Proof of concept tests were conducted to validate this velocimetry method in the plume of a crossed-field MHD accelerator. The MHD accelerator was run at two power levels, about 2kW and 7kW, to provide different plasma jet velocities. The results show this technique gives stable plasma jet velocity measurements. Further validation of the feasibility and accuracy of this technique by comparing with other proven plasma jet velocity measurement techniques are required.
Math and Geography: Teaching a Basic Connection

(2005). Math and Geography: Teaching a Basic Connection. The Geography Teacher: Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 10-15.
Therapeutic interventions for oligohydramnios: amnioinfusion and maternal hydration.

Adequate amniotic fluid volume is considered an important aspect of fetal well being, and whether defined subjectively or by one of various objective measurements, oligohydramnios is associated with abnormal fetal outcomes such as intrauterine growth retardation, postmaturity syndrome, fetal ano
Production of extremely-high-lying states in 17-GHz microwave ionization of Li and Na

In the ionization of Li and Na by a 16.91-GHz microwave field, roughly 20% of the atoms are not actually ionized but trapped in highly excited states within one or, at most, two microwave photons of the ionization limit. The highly excited atoms appear at the same field as the onset of microwave ionization, irrespective of whether ionization occurs at the field $E=1/3{n}^{5}$ or $E=1/16{n}^{4}$. The highly excited atoms are only detected in static fields less than 35 mV/cm, a field which roughly corresponds to field ionization of an atom bound by twice the microwave frequency. We also show that Na $|m|=1$ atoms require a microwave field of $E=1/9{n}^{4}$ for ionization in zero static field, but the required field for ionization is reduced to $E=1/3{n}^{5}$ if a static field of 1 V/cm is present.
Effects of Blood Coagulate Removal Method on Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) Life Table Characteristics and Vector Competence for Dengue Virus

Commercially available blood can be used as an alternative to live animals to maintain mosquito colonies and deliver infectious bloodmeals during research studies. We analyzed the extent to which two methods for blood coagulate removal (defibrination or addition of sodium citrate) affected life table characteristics (i.e., fecundity, fertility, hatch rate, and adult survival) and vector competence (infection, dissemination, and transmission) of Aedes albopictus (Skuse) for dengue virus (DENV). Two types of bovine blood were tested at two extrinsic incubation temperatures (27 or 30°C) for DENV-infected and uninfected mosquitoes. Fully engorged mosquitoes were transferred to individual cages containing an oviposition cup and a substrate. Eggs (fecundity) and hatched larvae (fertility) were counted. At 14 and 21 d post feeding on a DENV-infected bloodmeal, 15 mosquitoes were sampled from each group, and vector competence was analyzed (bodies [infection], legs [dissemination], and saliva [transmission]). Differences in life table characteristics and vector competence were analyzed for mosquitoes fed blood processed using different methods for removal of coagulates. The method for removal of coagulates significantly impacted fecundity, fertility, and hatch time in the uninfected group, but not DENV-infected group. Infected mosquitoes showed significantly higher fecundity and faster hatch time than uninfected mosquitoes. We show no significant differences in infection or dissemination rates between groups; however, horizontal transmission rate was significantly higher in mosquitoes fed DENV-infected citrated compared with defibrinated blood. We expect the findings of this study to inform research using artificial blood delivery methods to assess vector competence.
Robust AC Optimal Power Flow for Power Networks With Wind Power Generation

This letter presents a robust optimization-based AC optimal power flow (RACOPF) model for power networks with uncertain wind power generation. Numerical results on three test systems with uncertain wind power show that the RACOPF outperforms the robust DC-OPF model in the literature.
Pseudo-turbulent heat flux and average gas–phase conduction during gas–solid heat transfer: flow past random fixed particle assemblies

Fluctuations in the gas-phase velocity can contribute significantly to the total gas-phase kinetic energy even in laminar gas–solid flows as shown by Mehrabadi et al. ( J. Fluid Mech. , vol. 770, 2015, pp. 210–246), and these pseudo-turbulent fluctuations can also enhance heat transfer in gas–solid flow. In this work, the pseudo-turbulent heat flux arising from temperature–velocity covariance, and average fluid-phase conduction during convective heat transfer in a gas–solid flow are quantified and modelled over a wide range of mean slip Reynolds number and solid volume fraction using particle-resolved direct numerical simulations (PR-DNS) of steady flow through a random assembly of fixed isothermal monodisperse spherical particles. A thermal self-similarity condition on the local excess temperature developed by Tenneti et al. ( Intl J. Heat Mass Transfer , vol. 58, 2013, pp. 471–479) is used to guarantee thermally fully developed flow. The average gas–solid heat transfer rate for this flow has been reported elsewhere by Sun et al. ( Intl J. Heat Mass Transfer , vol. 86, 2015, pp. 898–913). Although the mean velocity field is homogeneous, the mean temperature field in this thermally fully developed flow is inhomogeneous in the streamwise coordinate. An exponential decay model for the average bulk fluid temperature is proposed. The pseudo-turbulent heat flux that is usually neglected in two-fluid models of the average fluid temperature equation is computed using PR-DNS data. It is found that the transport term in the average fluid temperature equation corresponding to the pseudo-turbulent heat flux is significant when compared to the average gas–solid heat transfer over a significant range of solid volume fraction and mean slip Reynolds number that was simulated. For this flow set-up a gradient-diffusion model for the pseudo-turbulent heat flux is found to perform well. The Peclet number dependence of the effective thermal diffusivity implied by this model is explained using a scaling analysis. Axial conduction in the fluid phase, which is often neglected in existing one-dimensional models, is also quantified. As expected, it is found to be important only for low Peclet number flows. Using the exponential decay model for the average bulk fluid temperature, a model for average axial conduction is developed that verifies standard assumptions in the literature. These models can be used in two-fluid simulations of heat transfer in fixed beds. A budget analysis of the mean fluid temperature equation provides insight into the variation of the relative magnitude of the various terms over the parameter space.
Automation of the birth registry log book.

Abstract If available resources are limited, a computer novice with basic computer skills can develop and implement an electronic database management system. Commitment and determination to automate manual record keeping of birth registry data are crucial. Some of the database software systems available today were designed to be user friendly. Product reviews published in personal computer magazines will assist an end user to find such user-friendly programs. Once a system is selected and implemented, data can be easily retrieved and used for simple to advanced database functions. Hospital statistics, state-required maternity statistical reports, and research, quality assurance/quality improvement, staffing justification, market research, and critical path variance reports will benefit from the wide array of data manipulation techniques.
Effect of Body Weight on Hemodynamic Response in Patients Receiving Fixed-Dose Vasopressin for Septic Shock

Background: Fixed-dose vasopressin is an adjunctive therapy to norepinephrine (NE) to raise mean arterial pressure (MAP) and decrease NE requirements in patients with septic shock. It is unknown if weight affects hemodynamic response to vasopressin or if a weight-based vasopressin strategy is superior to fixed dosing. Objective: The primary objective was to evaluate effect of body weight on response to vasopressin as measured by change in MAP 1 hour post–vasopressin initiation. Methods: A single-center, retrospective study was performed in patients with septic shock. Baseline characteristics, catecholamine and vasopressin requirement, response to therapy, and adverse events were collected. Results: Forty patients were included who received a fixed-dose vasopressin in addition to catecholamine infusions. No correlation was found in the primary outcome of change in MAP at 1 hour after vasopressin initiation compared with vasopressin dose relative to patient weight or body mass index (BMI). Change in MAP at ...
Management Skills for a Global Economy: The Challenge of Transition

There is a growing recognition throughout firms in all industrialized economies that today’s global competitive business environment requires certain general broad-based managerial skills in addition to numerous job-specific or firm-specific skills. As evidence of this trend consider the following: A number of senior executives of Fortune 500 companies have played musical chairs, moving from one industry to another. For example, consider Procter and Gamble’s retired president and Ceo, John Smale’s move to General Motors or Louis Gestner’s move from Pepsico to Ibm. Many business schools are changing their curriculums to include a more multi-disciplinary approach (such as collaborations with engineering, education, economics, and information technology). Many too, are increasing the number of liberal arts courses they include while decreasing the quantitative ones. The Harvard MBA program has turned toward general problem solving skills and played down a number of discipline specific requirements. At my own institution (the University of Cincinnati, a large state university in Ohio which enrolls some 37 000 students), business school enrollments have been falling for the last five years or so. However, two new degree programs, a bachelors and a master’s degree in business economics are proving quite successful. The degrees offer the best of both worlds: a liberal arts background and specific business training in fields such as marketing, accounting, and finance.
Ecologies of Ruin: (Re)bordering, Ruination, and Internal Colonialism in Greek Macedonia, 1913-2013

Modern Greece and its nation-building institutions have been associated with actual and symbolic, external and internal colonial-like projects within a double nationalist/colonialist critique. However, the ruins produced in the process are less explored despite their enduring effects among local communities. This is particularly the case in Greek Macedonia, where a major internal colonial project was carried out through a series of acts of spatial demarcation, erasure and re-inscription. The remains of this project, from military outposts to deserted villages, have an ambivalent nature: there are both institutional markers of state interventions with still felt consequences and resistive loci of counter-narratives.
IT-Strategie eines internationalen Finanzdienstleisters

Im Jahre 1994 wurde die Volkswagen Financial Services AG als Holding zur Integration der europaischen und spater auch asiatisch/pazifischen Finanzdienstleistungsgesellschaften im VW-Konzern gegrundet. Unter ihrem Dach wurden bereits existierende Gesellschaften wie die Volkswagen Bank GmbH und neu gegrundete Gesellschaften wie z.B. Volkswagen FS (UK) Ltd. vereinigt.
Inexpensive Multimodal Sensor Fusion System for Autonomous Data Acquisition of Road Surface Conditions

This paper presents the development, evaluation, calibration, and field application of a novel, relatively inexpensive, vision-based sensor system employing commercially available off-the-shelf devices, for enabling the autonomous data acquisition of road surface conditions. Detailed evaluations and enhancements of a variety of technical approaches and algorithms for overcoming vision-based measurement distortions induced by the motion of the monitoring platform were conducted. It is shown that the proposed multi-sensor system, by capitalizing on powerful data-fusion approaches of the type developed in this paper, can provide a robust cost-effective road surface monitoring system with sufficient accuracy to satisfy typical maintenance needs, in regard to the detection, localization, and quantification of potholes and similar qualitative deterioration features where the measurements are acquired via a vehicle moving at normal speeds on typical city streets. The proposed system is ideal to be used for crowdsourcing where several vehicles would be equipped with this cost-effective system for more frequent data collection of road surfaces. Suggestions for future research needs to enhance the capabilities of the proposed system are included.
Cortical multisensory connectivity is present near birth in humans

How the newborn brain adapts to its new multisensory environment has been a subject of debate. Although an early theory proposed that the brain acquires multisensory features as a result of postnatal experience, recent studies have demonstrated that the neonatal brain is already capable of processing multisensory information. For multisensory processing to be functional, it is a prerequisite that multisensory convergence among neural connections occur. However, multisensory connectivity has not been examined in human neonates nor are its location(s) or afferent sources understood. We used resting state functional MRI (fMRI) in two independent cohorts of infants to examine the functional connectivity of two cortical areas known to be multisensory in adults: the intraparietal sulcus (IPS) and the superior temporal sulcus (STS). In the neonate, the IPS was found to demonstrate significant functional connectivity with visual association and somatosensory association areas, while the STS showed significant functional connectivity with the visual association areas, primary auditory cortex, and somatosensory association areas. Our findings establish that each of these areas displays functional communication with cortical regions representing various sensory modalities. This demonstrates the presence of cortical areas with converging sensory inputs, representing that the functional architecture needed for multisensory processing is already present within the first weeks of life.
Exploring lag times between monthly atmospheric deposition and stream chemistry in Appalachian forests using cross-correlation

Abstract Forecasts of ecosystem changes due to variations in atmospheric emissions policies require a fundamental understanding of lag times between changes in chemical inputs and watershed response. Impacts of changes in atmospheric deposition in the United States have been documented using national and regional long-term environmental monitoring programs beginning several decades ago. Consequently, time series of weekly NADP atmospheric wet deposition and monthly EPA-Long Term Monitoring stream chemistry now exist for much of the Northeast which may provide insights into lag times. In this study of Appalachian forest basins, we estimated lag times for S, N and Cl by cross-correlating monthly data from four pairs of stream and deposition monitoring sites during the period from 1978 to 2012. A systems or impulse response function approach to cross-correlation was used to estimate lag times where the input deposition time series was pre-whitened using regression modeling and the stream response time series was filtered using the deposition regression model prior to cross-correlation. Cross-correlations for S were greatest at annual intervals over a relatively well-defined range of lags with the maximum correlations occurring at mean lags of 48 months. Chloride results were similar but more erratic with a mean lag of 57 months. Few high-correlation lags for N were indicated. Given the growing availability of atmospheric deposition and surface water chemistry monitoring data and our results for four Appalachian basins, further testing of cross-correlation as a method of estimating lag times on other basins appears justified.
Collection Efficiency for Filters with Staggered Parallel Y and Triple Y Fibers: A Numerical Study

A numerical study is performed to determine the collection efficiency of filters composed of staggered parallel Y and triple Y fibers. By employing the Lattice Boltzmann method, the Navier–Stokes equations are solved for flow fields in a twodimensional domain with periodic boundary conditions. Trajectories of particles with different diameters arranging from 0.02 µm to 5 µm are then computed by solving the particle motion equation hence obtaining the collection efficiency of single Y and triple Y fibers. The effects of fiber orientation, Brownian motion, particulate size and Reynolds number on the collection efficiency of these two types of fibers are also evaluated numerically. Y and triple Y fibers have low packing density and relatively large area to volume ratio, and the latter property helps enhance the Brownian diffusion collection mechanism for smaller particles. The large void zone of these fibers can accommodate more particles, which improves the particle loading capacity. It is also found out that the flow field and collection efficiency of triple Y fiber is less susceptible to different fiber orientations due to its geometric symmetry. The numerical results obtained in this work provide helpful information in designing high efficiency filters.
Pulmonary hyperinflation due to gas trapping and pulmonary artery size: The MESA COPD Study.

Background Pulmonary hypertension is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Since pulmonary artery (PA) size increases in pulmonary hypertension, we measured PA cross-sectional area using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to test the hypothesis that pulmonary hyperinflation due to gas trapping is associated with PA cross-sectional area in COPD. Methods The MESA COPD Study recruited participants with COPD and controls from two population-based cohort studies ages 50–79 years with 10 or more pack-years and free of clinical cardiovascular disease. Body plethysmography was performed according to standard criteria. Cardiac MRI was performed at functional residual capacity to measure the cross-sectional area of the main PA. Percent emphysema was defined as the percentage of lung voxels less than -950 Hounsfield units as assessed via x-ray computed tomography. Analyses were adjusted for age, gender, height, weight, race-ethnicity, the forced expiratory volume in one second, smoking status, pack-years, lung function, oxygen saturation, blood pressure, left ventricular ejection fraction and percent emphysema. Results Among 106 participants, mean residual volume was 1.98±0.71 L and the mean PA cross-sectional area was 7.23±1.72 cm2. A one standard deviation increase in residual volume was independently associated with an increase in main PA cross-sectional area of 0.55 cm2 (95% CI 0.18 to 0.92; p = 0.003). In contrast, there was no evidence for an association with percent emphysema or total lung capacity. Conclusion Increased residual volume was associated with a larger PA in COPD, suggesting that gas trapping may contribute to pulmonary hypertension in COPD.
Physical Training Helps to Regulate and Improve Glandular Functions: A Review of Research

(1959). Physical Training Helps to Regulate and Improve Glandular Functions: A Review of Research. Research Quarterly. American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation: Vol. 30, No. 3, pp. 266-284.
Reactive micromixing eliminates fouling and concentration polarization in reverse osmosis membranes

Abstract Reverse osmosis and nanofiltration membranes are used for desalination, wastewater reuse, and industrial water recovery but suffer from high-energy usage during operation. High-energy usage results from membrane fouling and concentration polarization (CP). Fouling is the time dependent deposition of organic macromolecules and particles, as well as the growth of bacterial biofilms on membranes. CP is the accumulation of rejected solutes on the membrane, which reduces the driving force for filtration. We demonstrate a simple, nanoparticle-based, in situ approach of inducing chemical reaction-based micromixing on the membrane surface that can simultaneously eliminate fouling and CP. Commercial desalination membrane surfaces were modified with the bioinspired adhesive polymer, polydopamine, and catalytic metal oxide nanoparticles (CuO or MnO2) were grown and anchored to its surface. This modified membrane catalyzed the degradation of hydrogen peroxide pulse-injected into the feed solution at low concentrations (2–7 mM). The oxygen molecules and hydroxyl radicals generated degraded organic matter and efficiently prevented particle and cell deposition through bubble-generated mixing while causing no observable membrane damage. The reaction generated convection also enhanced solute back diffusion mass transfer coefficients by more than an order of magnitude, resulting in near-complete elimination of CP. Our preliminary results also indicate control of E. coli biofilm using the immobilized CuO nanoparticles.
Neuroprotection in Movement Disorders

Neuroprotection in movement disorders is a challenging but essential goal. Several issues impact the search for disease-modifying therapies, including appropriate selection of potential therapeutics, developing the appropriate trial designs, ensuring early-stage trials evaluate dose–response and biological activity in addition to safety and tolerability, and choosing relevant and easily interpretable outcome measures. Future trials are being shaped by the lessons learned from prior work.
Perceptions of the Harm and Addictiveness of Conventional Cigarette Smoking Among Adolescent E-Cigarette Users

Abstract Purpose Although existing evidence indicates that e-cigarette use is a risk factor for cigarette smoking initiation, mechanisms of this association are not yet known. E-cigarette users perceive e-cigarette use to be less harmful relative to conventional cigarettes, but their absolute perceptions of addictiveness of conventional cigarette smoking are unknown. This study examines how e-cigarette users compare with nonusers (non–e-cigarette users/nonconventional cigarette smokers), conventional cigarette smokers, and dual users on perceptions of harm and the addictiveness of conventional cigarette smoking and on other known predictors of cigarette smoking such as peer smoking, influence of antismoking ads, and risk-taking propensity. Methods National samples of 8th- and 10th-grade students from 2014 and 2015 ( N = 14,151) were obtained from the Monitoring the Future Study. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to examine relationships between adolescent smoking status and perceptions of harm and the addictiveness of conventional cigarette smoking while controlling for potential confounders. Results E-cigarette users had lower perceptions of the addictiveness of conventional cigarette smoking compared with nonusers but higher than cigarette smokers and dual users. E-cigarette users reported lower influence by antismoking ads, more conventional cigarette-smoking peers, and greater risk-taking propensity than nonusers. E-cigarette users and cigarette smokers did not differ in their perceived harm of conventional cigarette smoking or in their risk-taking propensity. Conclusions E-cigarette users' attitudes and perceptions regarding conventional cigarette smoking may leave them vulnerable to becoming conventional cigarette smokers. Future studies should explore the prospective relationship between smoking-related perceptions of conventional cigarette smoking among e-cigarette users and the onset of cigarette smoking.
Soft tissue sarcoma incidence trends and demographic patterns by histologic type in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program, 1978-2001: An analysis of 26,758 cases

4050 Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are a heterogeneous group of relatively uncommon tumors that show a broad range of differentiation, such as smooth muscle (leiomyosarcoma), adipocytic (liposarcoma), striated muscle (rhabdomyosarcoma), endothelial (angiosarcoma), or fibroblastic (e.g., dermatofibrosarcoma); they may arise in soft tissue or specific organs. Routinely-tabulated STS rates do not include the organ-specific sarcomas and thus underestimate true STS rates. We analyzed all1978-2001 SEER Program STS cases, including the organ-specific, according to demographic characteristics by histologic type and anatomic site to reveal clues for further research aimed at elucidating the etiology of these cancers. After excluding sarcomas of bones or joints and Kaposi’s sarcoma, 26,758 cases were available for analysis. Leiomyosarcomas accounted for 24% of the total, malignant fibrous histiocytomas 17%, liposarcomas 12%, dermatofibrosarcomas 11%, rhabdomyosarcomas 5%, angiosarcomas and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors each 4%, and other specified sarcoma types 8%; fibrosarcomas not otherwise specified (NOS) and sarcomas NOS accounted for 4% and 13%, respectively. Almost half the STSs arose in soft tissue (48%); the skin accounted for 14%, uterus 7%, retroperitoneum 7%, stomach 4%, and small intestine 3%; the remaining 17% arose in other sites. Total STS incidence rates were highest among black women (6.26/100,000 woman/years), followed by black men (5.99) and white men (5.49), with the lowest rate among white women (4.60). This pattern was largely driven by higher rates of leiomyosarcoma among blacks compared to whites, with rate ratios of 1.2 and 1.7 among males and females, respectively, especially those occurring in the uterus (1.7) and stomach (2.6 and 3.7) (the latter now classified as GIST). Dermatofibrosarcomas also were more frequent among blacks, with rate ratios of 1.6 among males and 1.8 females. Only angiosarcomas clearly occurred more frequently among whites than blacks. Total STS rates rose logarithmically with age following a modest early childhood peak due to rhabdomyosarcoma. Rates for both uterine leiomyosarcoma and dermatofibrosarcoma rose rapidly during the childbearing years before plateauing or even declining thereafter, with the peak for dermatofibrosarcoma about age 40 years and for leiomyosarcoma about age 50 years. From 1978-1983 to 1996-2001, age-adjusted rates for all STSs combined increased at 1.2% and 0.8% per year among white males and females, respectively, both statistically significant, while rates among blacks declined slightly. Incidence patterns varied considerably by histologic type, supporting that these tumors are etiologically distinct and that they should be considered separately in analytic studies.
Acute Lumbar Radiculopathy

Lumbar radiculopathy is a pathologic process affecting a spinal nerve root. The most common causes are herniated discs and spinal stenosis. A thorough history and physical examination will demonstrate sensory deficits in specific lumbar dermatomes and possibly weakness in the corresponding myotome. Treatment protocols vary depending on the severity of the pain and/or weakness. Initial conservative management includes medications, spinal manipulation, physical therapy, modalities, and activity modification. Interventional spinal procedures may be indicated in moderate to severe painful radiculopathies, and surgery is reserved for progressive neurologic decline, new bowel and bladder dysfunction(s), and intractable pain.
Percutaneous and Endoscopic Management of Biliary Obstruction

Percutaneous radiological techniques are useful in the assessment and therapy of jaundiced patients. After initial evaluation using noninvasive methods such as ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or radionuclide imaging, most patients with evidence of biliary obstruction require direct cholangiography by percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) or endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) to establish the underlying cause. With either technique, once a diagnosis of biliary obstruction and its cause has been established, the obstruction can be relieved during the same procedure. The choice between percutaneous and endoscopic cholangiography usually depends to a large extent on local availability. In most institutions, ERC is the modality first used. PTC is performed when endoscopic expertise is unavailable, or when ERC is unsuccessful. PTC is also useful when the biliary tree is insufficiently demonstrated by ERC, which commonly occurs with obstruction at the liver hilum (Ferrucci et al. 1980; Cowling and Adam 2001). MR cholangiography is emerging as an excellent noninvasive test for the initial evaluation of patients with biliary obstruction. In a few centers, MRI has replaced direct methods of cholangiography in the investigation of biliary obstruction (Little et al. 1999; Funaki et al. 2000; Soto et al. 2000; Pavone et al. 1999).
Democratic Parameters for (e,2e) and (e,3e) Kinematics

Dalitz’s analysis of three-body decays in particle physics may be usefully adapted for handling the many kinematical variables in an (e,3e) collision. This adaptation has the particularly distinguishing and useful feature that all three outgoing electrons are handled on a common footing.
Colorectal Cancer Imaging

Imaging of the colorectal cancer patient is employed in three basic settings: evaluation of extent of disease in the preoperative patient, evaluation of the presence or absence of recurrence in the surgically cured patient, and evaluation of the response or progression of disease in the patient with known metastatic cancer. This chapter explores the role of different imaging modalities in each of these scenarios.
Randomized Trial of Motivational Interviewing to Prevent Early Childhood Caries in American Indian Children.

Introduction:In a randomized controlled trial, the effectiveness of motivational interviewing (MI) combined with enhanced community services (MI + ECS) was compared with ECS alone for reducing dent...
Short Field Take-Off and Landing Performance as an Enabling Technology for a Greener, More Efficient Airspace System

The Cruise Efficient Short Take-Off and Landing (CESTOL) aircraft and Civil Tiltrotor (CTR) are two examples of powered-lift aircraft concepts that are of interest to NASA. These concepts will be able to utilize the shorter unused or underutilized runways and corresponding airspace at the crowded hub airports and many unused airfields and airspace that currently exist in other expanding urban areas providing additional capacity to the airspace system and reductions in congestion and delays seen in the current system. By treating the use of CESTOL and CTR as critical components that supplement other green aircraft to be used in the overall airspace system, the efficiency and improvements gained by the entire system will offset the potential increased fuel usage and emissions that may be a result of providing short field capability to the powered-lift aircraft. My presentation will address how NASA and the aerospace industry may identify, analysis, and finally implement these powered-lift aircraft into the airspace system and improve the capacity and reduce delay, while obtaining an overall reduction in noise, fuel usage, and emissions.
An updated and validated PET/CT volumetric prognostic index for non-small cell lung cancer.

Abstract Objectives Whole-body metabolic tumor volume (MTVWB) and TNM staging are independent prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We aimed to update and validate the PET/CT volumetric prognostic index (PVP index) using the new 8th edition TNM staging system to evaluate its prognostic power versus TNM staging and MTVWB alone. Materials and Methods This study was a retrospective analysis of 949 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients diagnosed between 2004 and 2014. Clinical TNM stage, MTVWB, age and gender, tumor histology type at the initial staging PET/CT exam, as well as treatment history and long-term survival data were obtained. Patients were randomly assigned to modeling or validation group. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to compare PVP index, TNM stage, and MTVWB in the validation group. Results The updated PVP index included the 3 variables TNM stage, and MTVWB and age. Univariate Cox models showed significant association of PVP index with overall survival (OS) in patients with NSCLC (with Hazard ratio HR = 2.88 in the validation group, p Conclusions The updated PVP index provides a quantitative risk assessment for NSCLC patients using 8th edition TNM staging, MTVWB, and age. The index provides a simple and practical way for the care team to incorporate the independent prognostic value of both the TNM stage and MTVWB. This approach can further improve the accuracy of overall survival prognosis.
Comparative analysis of different lignins as phenol replacement in phenolic adhesive formulations

Abstract Depending on the source (softwood, hardwood or annual crop) or isolation method (kraft, organosolv, sulfite, soda or enzymatic-hydrolysis), there are significant variations in lignin structures and properties. In this work, phenol was entirely replaced with nine different lignin samples in phenolic adhesive formulations to produce lignin-based resins and adhesives for application in plywood and OSB manufacturing. Properties of these novel lignin-based resins, as well as their starting lignin, were evaluated using advanced analytical methods or appropriate ASTM standard test methods. The results showed that lignins with higher p-hydroxyphenyl or higher p-coumaric acid contents were better candidates for replacing 100% of phenol in phenolic adhesive formulations. The two-way ANOVA statistical analyses revealed that among tested lignins, a biorefinery corn stover lignin was the best lignin for this application. Additionally, our results indicated that replacing entire portion of phenol with lignin in phenolic adhesive formulation would reduce the consumption of formaldehyde by 50% on weight basis.
Highly Selective Eating in Autism Spectrum Disorder Leading to Scurvy: A Series of Three Patients.

Abstract Background Some children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have highly specific food selectivity and therefore are prone to nutritional deficiencies of different kinds. Patients We document three children with ASD who presented with refusal to walk and gingivitis who underwent comprehensive evaluations before establishing the diagnosis of vitamin C deficiency (scurvy). The symptoms resolved after treatment with vitamin C. Conclusions Prevention of nutritional deficiencies in children with ASD is essential, and providing multivitamin supplementation whenever high food selectivity is noted may prevent significant morbidity.
Income of the Elderly Population Age 65 and Over, 2005

The U.S. retirement income system - including employment-based retirement plans, Social Security, individual saving, and post-retirement employment - can be assessed in part by examining the income of the current elderly population (age 65 and older). This paper reviews the latest available data on the older population's income (from the U.S. Census Bureau's March 2006 Current Population Survey) and how it has changed over time, as well as how the elderly's reliance on these sources varies across demographic characteristics. The PDF for the above title, published in the May 2007 issue of EBRI Notes, also contains the fulltext of another May 2007 EBRI Notes article abstracted on SSRN: "ERISA Pre-emption and Health Care Reform: A History Lesson."
An online community of practice to improve intervention for individuals with complex communication needs.

AbstractCollaboration and information sharing are essential in the fast moving world of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). This paper describes communities of practice, justifies their need in AAC, and introduces the Communication Matrix Community of Practice (CMCoP)—an online community of practice for professionals and family members supporting individuals at the earliest stages of communication development. Stakeholders share the goal of advancing language and communication intervention for individuals with complex communication needs. Features of the CMCoP include a community forum for discussing and sharing information; collections of posts by professionals and nonprofessionals on various topics; an events calendar of AAC-related activities relevant to stakeholders; and a shared science section offering portraits of the communication skills of various populations with severe communication disorders. The utility of these and other CMCoP features in supporting the implementation of AAC as...
Revisiting the Farm Size‐Productivity Relationship Based on a Relatively Wide Range of Farm Sizes: Evidence from Kenya

This paper revisits the inverse farm size‐productivity relationship in Kenya. The study makes two contributions. First, the relationship is examined over a much wider range of farm sizes than most studies, which is particularly relevant in Africa given the recent rise of medium‐ and large‐scale farms. Second, we test the inverse relationship hypothesis using three different measures of productivity including profits per hectare and total factor productivity, which are arguably more meaningful than standard measures of productivity such as yield or gross output per hectare. We find a U‐shaped relationship between farm size and all three measures of farm productivity. The inverse relationship hypothesis holds on farms between zero and 3 hectares. The relationship between farm size and productivity is relatively flat between 3 and 5 hectares. A strong positive relationship between farm size and productivity emerges within the 5 to 70 hectare range of farm sizes. Across virtually all measures of productivity, farms between 20 and 70 hectares are found to be substantially more productive than farms under 5 hectares. When the analysis is confined to fields cultivated to maize (Kenya's main food crop) the productivity advantage of relatively large farms stems at least partially from differences in technical choice related to mechanization, which substantially reduces labor input per hectare, and from input use intensity.
Effects of sporadic wet brewers grain inclusion on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of finishing cattle

ABSTRACT Objective The objective of this study was to determine the effect of sporadic inclusion of wet brewers grains (WBG) in cattle finishing diets on the growth and carcass performance of finishing cattle. Materials and Methods Forty-two (n = 42) crossbred steer calves were blocked by BW and fed 1 of 2 finishing diets in a randomized complete block design with 7 replications of each treatment. Treatments included a corn silage and whole shelled corn finishing diet (control) and control + 7.2% WBG (DM basis). Calves were weighed on 2 consecutive days at 1300 h every 28 d. Average weights were used to calculate ADG, DMI, and G:F. Cattle were transported 160 km in 2 groups for processing under USDA-Food Safety and Inspection Service inspection. Carcass measurements including hot carcass weight, LM area, 12th-rib fat thickness, KPH, marbling scores, and USDA QG were collected. Statistical analysis was modeled in a 2-way fixed ANOVA using PROC MIXED of SAS. Results and Discussion Calves fed WBG had lower final BW (P = 0.04) and gained less (P = 0.02) than control calves. No differences (P > 0.05) were observed in carcass characteristics between diets except that carcasses from WBG-fed calves had smaller (P = 0.01) LM areas than carcasses from control-fed calves. Implications and Applications These results indicate that WBG may be included sporadically at low levels in cattle finishing diets with minimal effect on growth and carcass performance.
Transvenous lead extraction: Barriers to care

The need for transvenous lead extraction (TVL) is increasing. Unfortunately, many patients with indications for extraction go without appropriate care. There are multiple barriers to patients receiving TVL. These include a knowledge deficit, a lack of adequate training, a lack of appropriate tools, and a lack of resources. In this paper, we will review these barriers and offer some potential solutions. Hopefully, in the near future, all patients that require TVL will be appropriately referred and the resources and training will allow safe and effective treatment.