cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
What Is Missing From My Missing Data Plan

Under the intention-to-treat principle, all randomized subjects should be analyzed according to their randomly assigned treatment, regardless of treatment actually received or protocol compliance. Adherence to this principle requires that even subjects with missing outcome data be included in the analysis; in fact, the exclusion of such subjects can have important implications on power and bias. Statistical methods for dealing with missing data exist, but many questions remain unclear. Much statistical research has been devoted to the development and assessment of various methods for handling missing data.1 The choice of appropriate methodology requires assumptions on the mechanism underlying the missing data. All of these decisions should be made a priori, preferably before the trial starts but certainly before unblinding the trial. Related conversations between clinical investigators and the study statistician during the design phase often focus on more practical questions. Is there some threshold for the missing data rate below which the trial’s conclusions are unlikely to be affected? Under what circumstances can the missing data be excluded from the analysis without biasing estimation, or is imputation always the preferred approach? In this article, we discuss implications of missing outcome data from a practical standpoint. We describe potential reasons for missing data and suggest strategies to minimize its occurrence. We also present common imputation approaches and emphasize that because none of these approaches are universally preferred, the best analytic plan includes a series of sensitivity analyses. In any longitudinal trial where subjects are followed over some extensive period of time, lengthy follow-up makes missing data somewhat unavoidable. In stroke clinical trials, the primary outcome assessment often occurs at 90 days although there is evidence to suggest that additional follow-up may be beneficial. Subjects may expire, or withdraw informed consent, before primary outcome ascertainment. Subjects may become lost to the …
DIMERS AND SPANNING TREES: SOME RECENT RESULTS

This paper reviews some recent progress on dimer and spanning tree enumerations. We use the Kasteleyn formulation to enumerate close-packed dimers on a simple-quartic net embedded on non-orientable surfaces, and obtain solutions in the form of double products. For spanning trees the enumeration is carried out by evaluating the eigenvalues of the Laplacian matrix associated with the lattice, a procedure which holds in any spatial dimension. In two dimensions a bijection due to Temperley relates spanning tree and dimer configurations on two related lattices. We use this bijection to enumerate dimers on a net with a vacancy on the boundary. It is found that the occurrence of a vacancy induces a correction to the enumeration, where N is the linear size of the lattice, and changes the central charge from c = 1 to -2.
Statistical considerations when assessing outcomes following treatment for prostate cancer.

AbstractPurpose: We explore the impact of study designs, biases, outcome variables and statistical techniques when interpreting studies concerning prostate cancer management.Materials and Methods: Examples from the current literature and a recently assembled population based sample of patients 55 to 75 years old at diagnosis identified by the Connecticut Tumor Registry as having newly diagnosed localized prostate cancer between 1971 and 1984 are provided to assist the reader to understand the principles discussed.Results: Most reports concerning prostate cancer outcomes suffer from obvious and subtle biases that confound the reader's understanding of the impact of different treatment alternatives.Conclusions: By remaining vigilant to these confounding issues, clinicians and patients can gain greater insights into the medical literature and can make individual interpretations concerning the potential impact of treatment interventions on men with prostate cancer.
Primary Chondroma of the Lung

Primary chondroma of the lung is a benign tumor. One in the periphery of the right lower lobe of the lung with a known existence of 20 years with operation and recovery is presented. Chondroma and hamartoma as described in the literature may be one and the same tumor, with variations. This is a matter of histological debate and it seems that the histogenesis is the same. Both tumors are alike clinically in that they occur in practically the same places and have the same slow growth and provoke few or no symptoms. Excision is recommended until we become more adept at x-ray diagnosis.
National treatment patterns in patients presenting with Stage IVC head and neck cancer: analysis of the National Cancer Database

Head and neck cancer patients presenting with distant metastases are generally considered incurable. Treatment patterns and survival by primary disease site and therapy have not been described. Retrospective cohort analysis of 2525 patients in the National Cancer Database (2003–2006). Kaplan–Meier and Cox proportional hazards analyses were performed. Combined locoregional and systemic therapy was the most common treatment regimen (39.2%), followed by no treatment (23.9%), locoregional (19.0%), and systemic treatment (17.8%). Multivariate analysis demonstrated decreased survival was associated with age 65–79 years hazard ratio [HR] 1.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14–1.80), Medicaid/uninsured status (HR 1.27, 95% CI 1.13–1.42), Medicare/other government insurance (HR 1.21, 95% 1.07–1.38), treatment at a nonacademic/research program (HR 1.17, 95% CI 1.07–1.27), and Charlson comorbidity score of 1 (HR 1.33, 95% 1.19–1.48). Compared to systemic therapy alone, receiving locoregional and systemic therapy was associated with decreased risk of death (HR 0.73, 95% CI 0.65–0.83). Only 14.6% and 0.6% of patients were recorded as receiving palliative therapy or being enrolled in a clinical trial, respectively. Significant treatment diversity exists in distantly metastatic head and neck cancer. Those who received combination locoregional and systemic therapy were more likely to have improved overall survival, but important factors in treatment selection are unknown. A small proportion of patients was found to receive either palliative therapy or was enrolled in a clinical trial, although these data likely underestimate the true proportions.
Learning to Perceive Differences in Solid Shape through Vision and Touch

A single experiment was designed to investigate perceptual learning and the discrimination of 3-D object shape. Ninety-six observers were presented with naturally shaped solid objects either visually, haptically, or across the modalities of vision and touch. The observers' task was to judge whether the two sequentially presented objects on any given trial possessed the same or different 3-D shapes. The results of the experiment revealed that significant perceptual learning occurred in all modality conditions, both unimodal and cross-modal. The amount of the observers' perceptual learning, as indexed by increases in hit rate and d', was similar for all of the modality conditions. The observers' hit rates were highest for the unimodal conditions and lowest in the cross-modal conditions. Lengthening the inter-stimulus interval from 3 to 15 s led to increases in hit rates and decreases in response bias. The results also revealed the existence of an asymmetry between two otherwise equivalent cross-modal condit...
Design for Global Damage Tolerance and Associated Mass Penalties

A structural design with global damage tolerance is defined as a design that can tolerate the destruction of one or more major structural components. The mass penalty associated with improving the global damage tolerance of optimized structures is evaluated herein for structures typically used in aircraft wing construction. It is shown that this mass penalty is strongly related to the degree of redundancy of the structure, being most severe for structures of low redundancy. For highly redundant wing-box structures made of composite materials, it is shown that significant improvement in global damage tolerance may be achieved without any mass penalty.
Reduction seismic response with heavily-damped vibration absorbers

It is shown that two of the damping ratios of certain systems composed of a building and a small attachment in resonance are given by the average of the damping ratios of the two independent components. Based on this fact and the fact that the seismic response of a building can always be reduced by increasing its damping, it is demonstrated that the attachment of a small heavily-damped system in resonance can increase the damping of a building and reduce thus its response to earthquake excitations. Numerical solutions are presented to confirm the demonstration, and recommendations are given to calculate the parameters of such systems.
Femoral Strength Changes Faster With Age Than BMD in Both Women and Men: A Biomechanical Study

Although a large number of studies have addressed the age-related changes in bone mineral density (BMD), there is a paucity of data for the assessment of femoral strength loss with age in both genders. We determined the variation of strength with age in femurs of women and men by mechanical tests on a cohort of 100 cadaveric femurs. In addition, the age-related neck BMD loss in our cadaveric cohort was found to be similar with BMD loss of four published population-based studies. Given the strong correlation found in our cadaveric study between BMD and femoral strength, we also estimated the femoral strength of the four populations based on their reported neck BMDs. Our study showed that men's femurs in our cadaveric cohort were stronger than women's femurs by about 800 N at the same BMD level, and by 1750 N at the same age. The strength differences were not explained satisfactorily by the size difference between men's and women's bones. Similar to the findings of clinical studies, the BMD values of men at all ages were larger than that of women. The age-related loss rates in BMD and strength were not statistically different between the two genders of our cadaveric cohort. After normalization, strength decreased more than 40% faster than BMD. On average, men reached a certain BMD value about 16 years later than women, and for strength about 23 years later, which may explain the higher rate of hip fracture in postmenopausal women. In patient population cohorts men reached a similar BMD value about 16 to 25 years later than women, whereas for estimated strength, sometimes more than 40 years later.
Detailed analysis of tide gauge data: A case history

Abstract Analyses of long‐term changes of sea level often use monthly means for data. Beginning instead with an hourly series from which the predicted tides have been removed allows various errors in the record to be checked, since any departure from the predicted tides shows up strongly in the residual. Some recommended procedures are described, using as an example a record from Avila Beach, California, whose monthly means showed large excursions during 1969. The cause appears to have been clogging of the stilling well, but response analysis shows the nonlinear effects of this to have been too small to account for the observed shift in the mean. This shift appears to have come from the method of comparative readings used to establish the gauge zero, a procedure biased by lags in the gauge.
Complexity in Biological Anthropology in 2011: Species, Reproduction, and Sociality

ABSTRACT In 2011, the research of biological anthropologists contributed to the emergence of increasingly complex explanations of biological phenomena from previous, simpler interpretations. Major subjects of bioanthropological research in 2011 include new developments in understanding ancient hominin species and archaic Homo population histories; the physiological, neurological, and social effects of mating and reproducing in both humans and nonhuman primates; and the evolution of primate sociality and human cooperation. This review considers these topics of research from a perspective of complexity using conference proceedings, published articles, and social media. In closing, this article demonstrates the natural extension of our scholarly research to modern social networks and illustrates how they may act as a platform by which to increase intradisciplinary engagement and to highlight the complex, wide-reaching, and innovative research that our field contributes to society. [sociality, Denisovans, Australopithecus sediba, biological anthropology, annual review]
Going to High Altitude with Preexisting Ocular Conditions

The goal of this paper is to review how preexisting ocular conditions may be affected by altitude exposure. Such preexisting conditions include dry eye problems, monocular visual loss, and potential problems following refractive surgery procedures, as well as the possible changes associated with some forms of retinal and optic nerve diseases. Although most such altitude-related visual difficulties are relatively minor, some have resulted in serious morbidity or even death at high altitude. This review will give the reader background regarding these potentially debilitating conditions in order to better prepare for exposure to high altitude environments.
Microcanonical Distributions for one Dimensional Lattice Gases

In equilibrium statistical mechanics, a central role is played by the Gibbs’ state of a system, and the goal of this note is to understand, on the basis of large deviation theory, why Gibbs’ states arise. In order to keep everything very simple, we will restrict our attention here to a very special class of systems known as one dimensional lattice gases with finite range interaction (cf. the Remark 2.15 below). To be precise, let Ebe a compact metric space, λ a probability measure on (E, s), set Ω =Eℤ, and let \(u = \left[ {{U_F}:{\rm{\theta }} \ne {\rm{F}} \subset \subset } \right] \subseteq C\left( {\Omega ;} \right)\) be a family of continuous functions with the properties that, for all non-empty, finite subsets Fof ℤ, 1) U F (x) = U F (y) when x, y ∈ Ω with x k = y k for all k ∉ F; 2) for all k ∈ ℤ. U k+F = U F ∘ S k , where S : Ω → Ω is the shift transformation determined by (S x k = x k+1 for all k ∈ ℤ and x ∈ Ω; 3) there is an R ∈ ℤ+ such that U F ≡ 0 if 0 ∊ F and F ⊈ [−R, R].
Impact of Chemical Impurities on the Crystalline Cement Clinker Phases Determined by Atomistic Simulations

The presence of chemical substitutions is believed to play a crucial role in the hydration reactions, structure, and elastic properties of cement clinker phases. Hence, substitutions are of great technological interest, as more efficient production of cement clinkers would result in a reduction of CO2 emissions, as well as possible economic benefits. Here we use a combination of classical and quantum mechanical simulation methods to study the detailed physicochemical changes of the clinker phases alite (Ca3SiO5) and belite (Ca2SiO4) when Mg2+, Al3+ and Fe3+ guest ions are incorporated into their structure. Using classical force field methods, we considered random substitutions among possible sites and different compositions in order to identify the preferential substitution sites on the crystalline structures. Then, the resulting structural changes that take place to accommodate the guest ions are investigated and discussed in detail. Using quantum mechanical density functional theory calculations the ele...
Who am I? Big or small—shallow or deep?:

Mark Freeman’s and Elli Schachter’s commentaries on my target article “Who am I? Narration and its contribution to self and identity” open up opportunities to clarify. In this response I differentiate more clearly between biographic approaches to narrative and my proposal to approach identity and self as dilemmatic spaces that are navigated by way of narrative practices. While Freeman and Schachter suggest an approach to identity by highlighting narrating as first-person (mental) operations of a solitary (self-)intending and (self-)reflecting individual, and identity research as inquiry into individuals’ reflections and intentions, I clarify my alternative: narrating as an interactive practice— an approach which accentuates narrative practices taking place as situated and contextualized second-person encounters within which identities and a sense of self emerge as navigations of three dilemmatic identity spaces. In addition, in this response to Freeman’s and Schachter’s commentaries I once more attempt to...
Comparison of Density Estimation for CHAMP and GRACE Satellites

This paper compares atmospheric density estimates obtained from precision orbit ephemerides (POE) for the CHAMP and GRACE satellites. GRACE-A and CHAMP POE data are used to derive atmospheric densities which are calibrated with densities derived from the onboard accelerometers of these satellites. The resulting calibrations are compared between the two satellites for many time periods at differing levels of solar and geomagnetic activity. An overall comparison of calibration for the two satellites is performed. In addition, three particular time periods are examined in greater detail for both satellites. Density is estimated as a correction to an existing baseline density model. The corrections to the Jacchia family of models are found to produce better calibration results with accelerometer data than the corrections to the MSIS family of models. The calibration for GRACE density estimation is found to be consistent regardless of solar and geomagnetic activity and matches the calibration for CHAMP density estimation during low activity times and differs only slightly during more active times.
Survey and research for indoor air quality after decoration in Yangjiang

Objective:To understand the air quality of the room decorated in yangjiang.Methods:Sulfur dioxide was mornitored by 325-I sulfur dioxide detector.Nitrogen dioxide was mornitored by Z-1400XP nitrogen dioxide detector.Ozone was mornitored by Z-1200XP ozone analyzer.Ammonia was mornitored by Z-800 ammonia detector.Radon was mornitored by RAD7 radon detector.Formaldehyde was mornitored by Z-300 formaldehyde detector.Benzene,toluene,xylene by gas chromatography.Results:In all objects seized,except ammonia was deterted in public places,Sulfur Dioxide,Nitrogen dioxide,Ozone were not detected in the rest seized objects.The point rates of exceed standard of formaldehyde,radon,benzene,toluene,xylene were 70.00%,83.75%,61.88%,75.62%,26.25%.the most concentration of formaldehyde,radon,benzene,toluene,xylene were 33.34 mg/m3,856.25 Bq/m3,14.66 mg/m3,72.58 mg/m3,31.16 mg/m3.Conclusion:Indoor air pollution in city is very serious,formaldehyde is the first of pollutants,followed by radon,and the third is Benzenes.Sulfur dioxide,nitrogen dioxide,ozone,ammonia and other substances were not detected.
Cost-effective Approaches to Automobile Reliability Test

The article introduces the definition of automobile reliability test,its evaluation index and its classification.The article also discusses the importance of automobile reliability test and puts forward some measures about cost-effective automobile reliability test.
Abstract IA04: Genomic studies of breast cancer progression

Whole genome sequencing of tumor progression samples provides an ability to capture the natural history of cancer evolution. Hence, we can document changes in the cancer cell population by monitoring the changing genotypes detected at different stages of progression. The impact of therapeutic intervention on cancer cell heterogeneity is of interest, and can be indicative of therapy resistance or response. Metastatic progression is of interest as an evolutionary process, wherein the resulting heterogeneity of primary and metastatic tumor is of interest, as is evidence for novel drivers unique to one or more metastases. I will provide results for studies of both types, involving breast cancer samples and integrated analyses from whole genome sequencing and RNA sequencing. Citation Format: Elaine R. Mardis. Genomic studies of breast cancer progression. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Advances in Breast Cancer Research: Genetics, Biology, and Clinical Applications; Oct 3-6, 2013; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2013;11(10 Suppl):Abstract nr IA04.
Naturalistic Studies of Disturbed Families

I sat on the side of a wall and watched him, and the longer I sat the more mystified I became. I wanted to ask questions but I knew it would be unwise to do so. He was a 10-year-old boy, very much inside himself, and from previous interviews I had come to realize that the more I questioned him the further he withdrew. He belonged to one of the earliest families with a psychotic parent that I studied when I was still groping for some glimmer of understanding of the lives of these people. I had come out of the house, which was little better than a hovel, in search of fresh air and had found the boy by the roadside drain making and floating little paper boats that traveled some distance and then disappeared suddenly down a manhole. As he launched them on the water he put bits of gravel on board and appeared to be whispering something to himself. What struck me most was his lack of concern at losing his fleet of paper boats. He seemed to watch them go almost with satisfaction. Eventually my curiosity got the better of me and I asked him very gently what he was sending away. For a while he did not answer and then said, very brusquely, “Dirt”! After a further pause, he added, “I’m sending the bad things away from our house and they’ll never come back. ” I wondered aloud what sort of bad things these were and this time he took longer to respond. Then he said very slowly; “All sorts of bad things like my mom being sick and all.” After this disclosure he fell back into his usual impenetrable seclusiveness and our interview was over for the day.
Re-Imagining Brotherhood

In late October 2009, French President Nicolas Sarkozy directed one of his cabinet members to organize a large-scale nationwide “debate” on national identity. Announced and directed by Eric Besson, the minister of immigration, integration, and national identity, the debate aimed to address “the values of national identity” and what “it is to be French” and took place in public forums across the country (L’Express, 2009).
Education for art librarianship: the first decade and beyond

The first art librarianship curricula were determined by the bibliographic requirements of scholarly libraries, until, the membership of ARLIS/NA revealed, in the 1970s, that programs with wider scope were needed. Today MSLS curricula for art librarians include core courses on general library topics; background courses in the humanities, archives and special collections, indexing and abstracting, and preservation; subject courses in art bibliography and visual resources; fieldwork and internships; and recommendations for institutional cognate courses in art history and museology. Qualifications emphasise subject specialisation of faculty and strong local art resources. Here curriculum objectives are enumerated, and the importance of co-ordination with related professional programs is stressed.
Mathematics of diffusion tensor imaging

This chapter focuses on defining the shape and orientation of the diffusion ellipsoid. The diffusion constants along numerous orientations are measured, from which the shape can be reconstructed. Alternatively diffusion constants are measured along a smaller number of orientations, from which the shape of the ellipsoid is calculated. For this purpose the “tensor” approach called diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is adopted. In order to fully characterize the diffusion ellipsoid, six parameters are required. These are related to three numbers for the length of the longest ( λ 1 ), middle ( λ 2 ), and shortest ( λ 3 ) axes, which define its shape; and three vectors (v 1 , v 2 , v 3 ) to define the orientations of the axes (called principal axes). In order to keep track of these six parameters a 3×3 tensor called a diffusion tensor is used. This is related to the six parameters by a process called “diagonalization.” These parameters can be obtained from seven diffusion measurements. In order to measure six diffusion constants along six independent axes, at least seven diffusion-weighted images are needed.
Progress in the Study of Visual Communication: A Response to “Visual Literacy: A Failed Metaphor?” by Michael F. Cassidy and James Q. Knowlton (ECTJ, Summer 1983, pp. 67-90)

AbstractWhile several years have passed since the Cassidy and Knowlton article was published in ECTJ, the issues have arisen repeatedly. This article stimulates renewed reflection concerning issues that have yet to be resolved.
Transitions of Care: Medication-Related Barriers Identified by Low Socioeconomic Patients of a Federally Qualified Health Center Following Hospital Discharge

This article describes a qualitative research study using a semi-structured interview process to describe barriers surrounding medication access, use, and adherence for recently discharged patients of a federally qualified health center. Common themes which emerged were: 1) Team assumptions regarding patient plans to access or appropriately use discharge medications negatively impact adherence; 2) Unmet expectation for care coordination between primary care physician (PCP) and hospital; 3) Disconnect between patients and health care workers leads to disengagement; and 4) Lack of personal contact hinders access to services.
Spatial heterogeneity of subsurface soil texture drives landscape-scale patterns of woody patches in a subtropical savanna

In the Rio Grande Plains of southern Texas, subtropical savanna vegetation is characterized by a two-phase pattern consisting of discrete woody patches embedded within a C4 grassland matrix. Prior trench transect studies have suggested that, on upland portions of the landscape, large woody patches (groves) occur on non-argillic inclusions, while small woody patches (clusters) are dispersed among herbaceous vegetation where the argillic horizon is present. To test whether spatial heterogeneity of subsurface soil texture drives the landscape-scale pattern of woody patches in this subtropical savanna. Landscape-scale spatial patterns of soil texture were quantified by taking spatially-specific soil samples to a depth of 1.2 m in a 160 m × 100 m plot. Kriged maps of soil texture were developed, and the locations of non-argillic inclusions were mapped. Visual comparison of kriged maps of soil texture to a high resolution aerial photograph of the study area revealed that groves were present exclusively where the non-argillic inclusions were present. This clear visual relationship was further supported by positive correlations between soil sand concentration in the lower soil layers and total fine root biomass which mapped the locations of groves. Subsurface non-argillic inclusions may favor the establishment and persistence of groves by enabling root penetration deeper into the profile, providing greater access to water and nutrients that are less accessible on those portions of the landscape where the argillic horizon is present, thereby regulating the distribution of grove vegetation and structuring the evolution of this landscape.
Cutting’s Technique of Cleft Palate Repair

The Cutting cleft palate repair has evolved from a one-stage repair performed around one year of age, in which the hard palate is closed in two layers utilizing widely undermined mucoperiosteal flaps, to a two-stage repair in which a vomer flap is raised at the time of cleft lip repair to close the hard palate, followed by a soft palate repair around one year of age. By limiting subperiosteal dissection in the area of the hard palate, iatrogenic injury to midface growth is theoretically minimized.
Ethical Concerns When Cancer Patients Become Human Research Participants and Are Treated on Clinical Trials

Abstract Clinical research has been defined as “medical research combined with professional care.” The primary requirement for ethical research is that it be of value to human beings and society. The research physician has multiple obligations in conducting clinical research—caring for patients who become participants in clinical trials; to be the physician caring for the patient, to be the researcher assuring the proper and safe conduct of the clinical trial and to provide generalizable knowledge of value to the betterment of health for the public. The ethical concerns related to these obligations are significant. The research physicians and their potential research participants must address concerns regarding availability and access to appropriate clinical trials. The understanding of the purposes of research, the implications of becoming a participant (implications for both physician and patient), roles and responsibilities of both physician/researcher and participant, the processes of informed consent and the patient/participant’s understanding of the objectives of the trial must be clearly thought through. The perceptions of research for patients and research physicians may differ. Both may expect something good to result from trial participation, but perhaps not always the same good or for the same reasons. The patient as participant may expect “cure” or “relief of suffering” or “relief of disease.” The research physician also may focus on these results; however, there may be additional aspirations for their research—developing new knowledge, advancing science, and career development/advancement are examples. In this chapter, I will address some of the more common ethical issues affecting participants in clinical trials including vulnerability of cancer patients, access to trials, understanding of the purpose of clinical research, understanding of informed consent, perceptions of research for the patient/participant/public, clinical trial basic understanding (phases of studies), potential conflicts of interest and the relatively new area of genomics and genetics in research. I will use the principles of the Belmont Report as foundation.
Reduction of MRI signal distortion from titanium intracavitary brachytherapy applicator by optimizing pulse sequence parameters

PURPOSE To demonstrate that optimized pulse sequence parameters for a T2-weighted (T2w) fast spin echo acquisition reduced artifacts from a titanium brachytherapy applicator compared to conventional sequence parameters. METHODS AND MATERIALS Following Institutional Review Board approval and informed consent, seven patients were successfully imaged with both standard sagittal T2w fast spin echo parameters (voxel size of 0.98 × 0.78 × 4.0 mm3; readout bandwidth of 200 Hz/px; repetition time of 2800 ms; echo time of 91 ms; echo train length of 15; 36 slices; and imaging time of 3:16 min) and an additional optimized T2w sequence (voxel size of 0.98 × 0.98 × 4.0 mm3; readout bandwidth of 500 Hz/px; repetition time of 3610 ms; echo time of 91 ms; echo train length of 25; 18-36 slices; and imaging time of 1:15-2:30 min), which had demonstrated artifact reduction in prior phantom work. Visualized intracavitary tandem was hand-segmented by two of the authors. Three body imaging radiologists assessed image quality and intraobserver agreement scores were analyzed. RESULTS The average segmented volume of the intracavitary applicator significantly (p < 0.05) decreased with the experimental pulse sequence parameters as compared to the standard pulse sequence. Comparison of experimental and standard T2w sequence qualitative scores for each reviewer showed no significant differences between the two techniques. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that pulse sequence parameter optimization can significantly reduce distortion artifact from titanium applicators while maintaining image quality and reasonable imaging times.
Algebraic Aspects of the Generalized Inverse of a Rectangular Matrix

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the algebraic aspects of the generalized inverse of a rectangular matrix. When Penrose rediscovered the notion of the generalized inverse of a rectangular matrix, his point of view and proofs were purely algebraic. It soon became clear that Penrose's axioms were equivalent to the earlier definition of Moore, which was expressed in a rather different language. The technique used by subsequent authors gradually shifted from the algebraic toward Hubert-space geometric. The generalized inverse is an algebraic notion and it is of some interest to ask what the structure of a Hilbert space has to do with it. Positivity can be imposed on the theory ex post facto after the generalized inverse has been defined over an arbitrary field. The chapter develops the theory of the generalized inverse ab initio in a strictly linear- algebraic fashion. The generalized inverse is not an invariant notion. It is not a basis-free property of a linear transformation but a gadget constructed from a rectangular array of numbers. Neither a geometric nor an abstract-algebraic formalism is really appropriate; the most natural approach, very similar to Penrose's, is to write all formulas in terms of matrices obtained directly from the given rectangular matrix A .
Uptake and Integration of Exogenous DNA in Plants

Representative organisms of the Monera, fungi, animals, and plants can be modified genetically via uptake of nonviral foreign DNA molecules. This phenomenon is now considered rather commonplace and the articles published on the subject are so numerous that it would be unfair to many authors to cite only a few. In the case of the Eukaryotae, this added genetic information has been shown to be expressed phenotypically in progeny cells and whole organisms and was thus stably maintained following mitosis, meiosis, fertilization, and morphogenesis.
Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells: Mechanisms and Measurements

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) are defined as a population of bone marrow-derived monocytes that migrate to sites of vascular injury and participate in new blood vessel formation, either by proliferation or by paracrine mechanisms. In circulation, these cells are thought to bear certain cell surface markers such as CD34, CD133, and VEGFR2 that permit enumeration by flow cytometry. While the capacity to grow in culture is another defining feature of EPC, methodology of culture assays and the constituents of the resultant EPC colonies remain a subject of controversy. In vivo, mobilization of EPC from bone marrow is mediated by matrix metalloproteinases and nitric oxide. Homing to sites of vascular injury is achieved in part via binding of cell surface receptors on EPC to tissue-derived factors up-regulated in ischemic tissues. Levels of EPC assessed by flow cytometry and by cell culture correlate with the presence of cardiac risk factors or overt atherosclerosis, where subjects with increasing levels of vascular injury (defined by the presence of cardiac risk factors or of known vascular disease) tend to have lower levels of circulating EPC. These observations prompt further study into the mechanisms of vascular injury and repair while offering a prospect for novel therapeutic strategies.
Dreaming the Virtual: How Lucid Dream Practice Can Inform VR Development

Using the grounded theory method (GTM), this article proposes an “integral” model for studying the development and use of virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) technologies. Integral models seek holistic understanding by combining third-person, empirical perspectives with first-person, subjective experience. Here, the proposed model provides a comparative analysis of immersive virtual reality (VR) platforms and the practice of lucid dreaming (maintaining conscious self-awareness while dreaming). Based on a discursive analysis of technologists’ statements about VR, and a review of literature on lucid dreaming, this article identifies a largely unexamined area of research. Indeed, the proposed model suggests that dream research is highly relevant to VR development as a catalyst for ethical critique of emerging commercial technologies. Though informed by Buddhist philosophy, this is primarily a secular approach based in moral-developmental psychology and contemplative studies. It constitutes an example of Contemplative Media Studies, which involves the application of contemplative practices and principles to the critical analysis of media technologies, content, and institutions.
Trunk control and gross motor outcomes after body weight supported treadmill training in young children with severe cerebral palsy: a non-experimental case series.

Objective: To explore the impact of a body weight supported treadmill training (BWSTT) intervention on postural control and gross motor function in three young children with cerebral palsy (CP) cla...
Young Deaf Adults' Knowledge of Human Papillomavirus and Human Papillomavirus Vaccine's Effectiveness in Preventing Cervical, Anal, Penile, and Oral Cancer.

Abstract Study Objective To describe knowledge and risk perception of human papillomavirus (HPV) among deaf adults who use American sign language (ASL) comparison with hearing adults in the United States. Design Secondary HPV knowledge data for the deaf subset sample were drawn from the Health Information National Trends survey in ASL that was administered between 2015 and 2018. HPV knowledge data for the hearing subset sample were drawn from cycle 5 of the Health Information National Trends survey in English that was administered in 2017. Setting Surveys are a nationally based survey of deaf ASL users in the United States and a nationally based survey of hearing non-ASL users in the United States. Participants The age of the deaf and hearing subset samples was determined on the basis of catchup vaccine eligibility criteria as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that recommends catchup vaccination in women, men who have sex with men, immunocompromised individuals, and those who identify as transgender. Interventions and Main Outcome Measures We examined HPV, HPV vaccine, and HPV-related cancer knowledge in deaf and hearing subsets. Results Our sample consisted of 235 deaf and 115 hearing adults aged 18-26 years. Of the deaf participants 58% (136/235) reported knowledge of HPV compared with 84% (97/115) of hearing participants (P Conclusion Deaf ASL users are less likely to have knowledge of HPV, virus-related cancer risk, and preventative vaccination compared with hearing peers.
Altered parasite life-cycle processes characterize Babesia divergens infection in human sickle cell anemia

Babesia divergens is an intra-erythrocytic parasite that causes malaria-like symptoms in infected people. As the erythrocyte provides the parasite with the infra-structure to grow and multiply, any perturbation to the cell should impact parasite viability. Support for this comes from the multitude of studies that have shown that the sickle trait has in fact been selected because of the protection it provides against a related Apicomplexan parasite, Plasmodium, that causes malaria. In this paper, we examine the impact of both the sickle cell anemia and sickle trait red blood cell (RBC) environment on different aspects of the B. divergens life-cycle, and reveal that multiple aspects of parasite biological processes are altered in the mutant sickle anemia RBC. Such processes include parasite population progression, caused potentially by defective merozoite infectivity and/or defective egress from the sickle cell, resulting in severely lowered parasitemia in these cells with sickle cell anemia. In contrast, the sickle trait RBC provide a supportive environment permitting in vitro infection rates comparable to those of wild-type RBC. The elucidation of these naturally occurring RBC resistance mechanisms is needed to shed light on host-parasite interaction, lend evolutionary insights into these related blood-borne parasites, and to provide new insights into the development of therapies against this disease.
A Focused Review on the Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Management of Cardiac Amyloidosis

Amyloidosis is a systemic disorder that results from abnormal protein metabolism, producing amyloid fibrils that are subsequently deposited within vital organs. Cardiac involvement is typically associated with the specific subtypes of immunoglobulin lightchain, transthyretin, secondary amyloidosis, and dialysis-related amyloidosis. The hallmark of cardiac amyloidosis is the development of restrictive cardiomyopathy and heart failure, usually with a preserved left ventricular ejection fraction. The diagnosis is based on the integration of clinical signs and symptoms, echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear scintigraphy, electrocardiography, and cardiac biomarkers. Traditionally, management of heart failure symptoms and prevention of heart failure exacerbations have been the cornerstones of therapy. However, various treatments are currently under investigation that aim to eliminate or neutralize the underlying amyloidogenic substrate. Herein, we provide a focused review and discussion of the cardiovascular manifestations, epidemiologic and clinical characteristics, diagnostic modalities, and treatment strategies of cardiac amyloidosis.
Characteristics of cognitive function evaluation using the Montreal cognitive assessment in a cerebrospinal fluid tap test in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus.

Abstract Objectives Though the Japanese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-J) scores change after a cerebrospinal fluid tap test (CSFTT), their characteristics remain unclear. To compare patient response rate to changes in cognitive function observed in the cerebrospinal fluid tap test, and to determine which group of patients were good responders. Patients and methods This study included 32 patients who were suspected of having idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) between May 2017 and October 2018. Cases were divided into, following a CSFTT, a gait responder group and a non-responder group. Scores of the MoCA-J were compared and examined before, one day after, and one week after the CSFTT. Results Significant changes in MoCA-J scores were observed 1 day and 1 week after the CSFTT in the gait responder group. The change in scores was larger, and had a larger effect size, one week after the CSFTT. On assessment, MoCA-J sub-items began to show changes in attention and abstract items one day after the CSFTT, and significant changes were noted in attention and abstract items in addition to executive functions and orientation one week after the CSFTT. The degree of cognitive function before the CSFTT was less closely related to the amount of change. Changes in cognitive function can be assessed at each time point after the CSFTT, and changes in cognitive function are measured regardless of the level of cognitive function. Conclusion These results suggest that evaluating patients with the MoCA-J may potentially support a more accurate iNPH diagnosis.
Evaluation of B0-correction of relative CBF maps using tagging distance dependent Z-spectrum (TADDZ).

Abstract Arterial spin labeling (ASL) MRI, based on endogenous contrast from blood water, is used in research and diagnosis of cerebral vascular conditions. However, artifacts due to imperfect imaging conditions such as B0-inhomogeneity (ΔB0) could lead to variations in the quantification of relative cerebral blood flow (CBF). In this study, we evaluate a new approach using tagging distance dependent Z-spectrum (TADDZ) data, similar to the ΔB0 corrections in the chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) experiments, to remove the imaging plane B0 inhomogeneity induced CBF artifacts in ASL MRI. Our results indicate that imaging-plane B0-inhomogeneity can lead to variations and errors in the relative CBF maps especially under small tagging distances. Along with an acquired B0 map, TADDZ data helps to eliminate B0-inhomogeneity induced artifacts in the resulting relative CBF maps. We demonstrated the effective use of TADDZ data to reduce variation while subjected to systematic changes in ΔB0. In addition, TADDZ corrected ASL MRI, with improved consistency, was shown to outperform conventional ASL MRI by differentiating the subtle CBF difference in Alzheimer's disease (AD) mice brains with different APOE genotypes.
Random river: Luna Leopold and the promise of chance in fluvial geomorphology

Abstract Luna B. Leopold was a hydrologist and fluvial geomorphologist who headed the Water Resource Division of the U.S. Geological Survey from 1957 to 1966 and was one of the leaders of the postwar quantitative revolution in geomorphology. Like other quantitative geomorphologists of his generation, he turned to numbers partly to strengthen his professional authority in policy debates, particularly those concerning a looming ‘water crisis’ in the United States. This paper traces the traces the evolution of Leopold's thought from the 1950s to the 1970s, when he turned from seeking universal empirical regularities in river processes to arguing that fluvial systems were inherently indeterminate and unpredictable. While this position was largely rejected by Leopold's scientific colleagues, it was embraced by members of the emerging environmental movement, for whom Leopold's stochastic understanding of rivers provided a seemingly authoritative rationale for the position that complete control and prediction of river systems would always remain out of reach. More broadly, this case shows how quantitative imprecision and uncertainty can sometimes be advantageous for experts seeking to establish authority in a contested policy domain.
Polycystins, ADPKD, and Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disorders are the most common cause of mortality in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). This review considers recent clinical and basic science studies that address the contributing factors of cardiovascular dysfunction in ADPKD. In particular, attention is placed on how dysfunction of the polycystin proteins located in the cardiovascular system contributes to extrarenal manifestations of ADPKD.
Network Intrusion Detection in Smart Grids for Imbalanced Attack Types Using Machine Learning Models

Smart grid has evolved as the next generation power grid paradigm which enables the transfer of real time information between the utility company and the consumer via smart meter and advanced metering infrastructure (AMI). These information facilitate many services for both, such as automatic meter reading, demand side management, and time-of-use (TOU) pricing. However, there have been growing security and privacy concerns over smart grid systems, which are built with both smart and legacy information and operational technologies. Intrusion detection is a critical security service for smart grid systems, alerting the system operator for the presence of ongoing attacks. Hence, there has been lots of research conducted on intrusion detection in the past, especially anomaly-based intrusion detection. Problems emerge when common approaches of pattern recognition are used for imbalanced data which represent much more data instances belonging to normal behaviors than to attack ones, and these approaches cause low detection rates for minority classes. In this paper, we study various machine learning models to overcome this drawback by using CIC-IDS2018 dataset [1].