cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Commercially funded and United States-based research is more likely to be published; good-quality studies with negative outcomes are not

Background: Prior studies implying associations between receipt of commercial funding and positive (significant and/or pro-industry) research outcomes have analyzed only published papers, which is an insufficiently robust approach for assessing publication bias. In this study, we tested the following hypotheses regarding orthopaedic manuscripts submitted for review: (1) nonscientific variables, including receipt of commercial funding, affect the likelihood that a peer-reviewed submission will conclude with a report of a positive study outcome, and (2) positive outcomes and other, nonscientific variables are associated with acceptance for publication. Methods: All manuscripts about hip or knee arthroplasty that were submitted to The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, American Volume, over seventeen months were evaluated to determine the study design, quality, and outcome. Analyses were carried out to identify associations between scientific factors (sample size, study quality, and level of evidence) and study outcome as well as between non-scientific factors (funding source and country of origin) and study outcome. Analyses were also performed to determine whether outcome, scientific factors, or nonscientific variables were associated with acceptance for publication. Results: Two hundred and nine manuscripts were reviewed. Commercial funding was not found to be associated with a positive study outcome (p = 0.668). Studies with a positive outcome were no more likely to be published than were those with a negative outcome (p = 0.410). Studies with a negative outcome were of higher quality (p = 0.003) and included larger sample sizes (p = 0.05). Commercially funded (p = 0.027) and United States-based (p = 0.020) studies were more likely to be published, even though those studies were not associated with higher quality, larger sample sizes, or lower levels of evidence (p = 0.24 to 0.79). Conclusions: Commercially funded studies submitted for review were not more likely to conclude with a positive outcome than were nonfunded studies, and studies with a positive outcome were no more likely to be published than were studies with a negative outcome. These findings contradict those of most previous analyses of published (rather than submitted) research. Commercial funding and the country of origin predict publication following peer review beyond what would be expected on the basis of study quality. Studies with a negative outcome, although seemingly superior in quality, fared no better than studies with a positive outcome in the peer-review process; this may result in inflation of apparent treatment effects when the published literature is subjected to meta-analysis.
Oxidation Effects on the Mechanical Properties of a SiC-Fiber-Reinforced Reaction-Bonded Si3N4 Matrix Composite

The room-temperature mechanical properties of SiC fiber reinforced reaction bonded silicon nitride composites were measured after 100 hrs exposure at temperatures to 1400 C in nitrogen and oxygen environments. The composites consisted of approx. 30 vol percent uniaxially aligned 142 micron diameter SiC fibers in a reaction bonded Si3N4 matrix. The results indicate that composites heat treated in a nitrogen environment at temperatures to 1400 C showed deformation and fracture behavior equivalent to that of the as-fabricated composites. Also, the composites heat treated in an oxidizing environment beyond 400 C yielded significantly lower tensile strength values. Specifically in the temperature range from 600 to 1000 C, composites retained approx. 40 percent of their as-fabricated strength, and those heat treated in the temperatures from 1200 to 1400 C retained 70 percent. Nonetheless, for all oxygen heat treatment conditions, composite specimens displayed strain capability beyond the matrix fracture stress; a typical behavior of a tough composite.
cAMP-dependent transactivation involving the homeodomain protein Pbx1

Pbx1 is a DNA-binding homeodomain protein originally discovered in the t(1;19) chromosomal translocation associated with pediatric pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Previously we reported a cAMP-regulatory sequence (CRS1) in the promoter region of the bovine CYP17 gene encoding steroid 17alpha-hydroxylase cytochrome P450 (P450c17) to be the first endogenous Pbx1 binding site and that overexpression of Pbx1 in mouse adrenal Y1 tumor cells enhances cAMP-dependent transcription mediated by this element. Here we report further characterization of Pbx1 binding site in CRS1 and role of Pbx1 in cAMP-dependent, CRS1-mediated transcription. By gel shift analysis utilizing nuclear extracts from Y1 cells, a high-affinity Pbx-binding sequence has been determined to be TTGAT(T/G)GA(T/C)A which represents the 5' portion of CRS1. An artificial Pbx-binding sequence (PRS), previously determined by random PCR analysis, is similar to the Pbx1-binding sequence in CRS1 and by both gel shift analysis and transfection studies shows characteristics very similar to CRS1. Upon overexpression, Pbx1 is found capable of enhancing CRS1-mediated transcription in both steroidogenic (Y1, JEG3) and nonsteroidogenic (HepG2 and S194) cells when coexpressed with the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase A. Thus even though Pbx1 has been found to be involved only in cAMP-dependent transcription of a gene involved in steroidogenesis (CYP17), Pbx1 is capable of participating in cAMP-dependent transcription of target genes without complex formation with steroidogenic tissue-specific nuclear factors.
The Use of Ratings and Direct Behavioural Observation to Measure Temperament Traits in Cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus)

Consistent individual variation in behaviour (often referred to as ‘temperament’ or ‘personality’) has increasingly been shown to be relevant to understanding patterns of behaviour that may influence survival and reproductive success. Although observer ratings on expert-nominated behavioural descriptors have been successfully used to identify and measure temperament traits in non-human primates and other species, some researchers argue that these measurements may be contaminated by observer bias both in the nomination of descriptors and in ratings of individual animals by the observers. Instead, it has been suggested that a better means of measuring temperament relies on a bottom-up approach based on direct, quantitative measurements of a species’ behavioural repertoire. In this study, we compare the utility of a traitnomination-and-ratings approach and an approach using direct behavioural observation for identifying and describing the patterning of temperament traits a captive population of cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus). Our data show that the nomination-based and the behavioural repertoire-based approaches yield very similar pictures of the patterning of temperament traits in cockatiels, although trait scales generated using the nomination-and-ratings approach have higher internal consistency. Additionally, trait scores on both the behavioural repertoire-based trait scales and the nomination ⁄ ratings-based trait scales show reasonable power to predict observed behaviour, consistent with findings in both humans and non-human animals. The nomination ⁄ ratings approach seems to be more powerful in predicting birds’ behaviour towards novel objects. While further validation is certainly needed, the present results suggest that both methods may have some utility for describing temperament in cockatiels.
The usefulness of bidders’ reputation ratings to sellers in online auctions

To complement existing research showing that sellers’ reputation ratings in online auctions are extremely useful to most bidders therein, we examine current usefulness of bidders’ reputation ratings to sellers and consider how they can be made more useful. In two (briefly described) field studies, we find that even at the boundary conditions, when bidder ratings are extremely atypical and are made conveniently available, they are not used by most sellers. To make bidder reputations more useful, we propose several new measures based on relational marketing theories in consumer settings, which operationalize the relational orientation (via number and extent of multiple-transaction relationships) and the potential of bidders as relational partners (via purchase intensity, average purchase amount, bidding intensity, and bidding caution). These measures, derived from existing bidder reputation profiles, are evaluated for their discriminative value by employing a mixture modeling approach and for their predictive value by tracking a random sample of eBay bidders in a longitudinal year-long field study. We conclude with a discussion of the practical implications of our proposal for sellers, bidders, and online auctioneers.
Increased risk of deep-vein thrombosis in patients with multiple myeloma receiving thalidomide and chemotherapy.

The occurrence of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, who were randomly assigned to receive identical induction chemotherapy with or without thalidomide, are reported in this study. The 2 study arms were comparable with respect to key myeloma prognostic factors and known risk factors for DVT. One hundred patients received induction chemotherapy including 4 cycles of continuous infusion of combinations of dexamethasone, vincristine, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, etoposide, and cisplatin, and each patient completed at least one induction cycle. DVT developed in 14 of 50 patients (28%) randomly assigned to receive thalidomide but in only 2 of 50 patients (4%) not given the agent (P 5 .002). All episodes of DVT occurred during the first 3 cycles of induction. Administration of thalidomide was resumed safely in 75% of patients receiving anticoagulation therapy. Thus, thalidomide given in combination with multiagent chemotherapy and dexamethasone is associated with a significantly increased risk of DVT, which appears to be safely treated with anticoagulation and does not necessarily warrant discontinuation of thalidomide. (Blood. 2001;98: 1614-1615)
Phase Distortion in FM Satellite Communication Systems

Wide deviation FM techniques employed in satellite communications require careful control of envelope delay distortion in the communications signal path to minimize phase distortion noise. This system impairment is more significant in satellite systems because of the high test tone deviations required. This paper highlights important characteristics of both terrestrial and satellite systems with emphasis on the latter. Methods for determining envelope delay coefficients and their conversion into picowatts of noise in frequency-division multiplexed (FDM) telephone channels and noise power ratio (NPR) amplitudes are included.
Silver colloid surface Raman spectra of phenylpropanolamine and its derivative

The silver colloid surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectrum of phenylpropanolamine (PPA) and the surface-enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERRS) spectrum of the PPA-ninhydrin reaction product were studied. It was found that the spectral intensity varied with time, and the rate of the variation was related to the PPA concentration. From scanning electron microscopic photographs taken at different times, the SERS intensity appeared to be correlated with the coagulation of silver particles. Temperature was found to be another factor that would change the kinetic rate of the coagulation. Addition of potassium chloride served effectively to activate the surface-enhanced effect and to reduce the time required to reach maximum intensity. The rate of activation was found to be dependent on the concentration.
Investigating protein unfolding kinetics by pulse proteolysis

Investigation of protein unfolding kinetics of proteins in crude samples may provide many exciting opportunities to study protein energetics under unconventional conditions. As an effort to develop a method with this capability, we employed “pulse proteolysis” to investigate protein unfolding kinetics. Pulse proteolysis has been shown to be an effective and facile method to determine global stability of proteins by exploiting the difference in proteolytic susceptibilities between folded and unfolded proteins. Electrophoretic separation after proteolysis allows monitoring protein unfolding without protein purification. We employed pulse proteolysis to determine unfolding kinetics of E. coli maltose binding protein (MBP) and E. coli ribonuclease H (RNase H). The unfolding kinetic constants determined by pulse proteolysis are in good agreement with those determined by circular dichroism. We then determined an unfolding kinetic constant of overexpressed MBP in a cell lysate. An accurate unfolding kinetic constant was successfully determined with the unpurified MBP. Also, we investigated the effect of ligand binding on unfolding kinetics of MBP using pulse proteolysis. On the basis of a kinetic model for unfolding of MBP•maltose complex, we have determined the dissociation equilibrium constant (Kd) of the complex from unfolding kinetic constants, which is also in good agreement with known Kd values of the complex. These results clearly demonstrate the feasibility and the accuracy of pulse proteolysis as a quantitative probe to investigate protein unfolding kinetics.
Real time constructive solid geometry rendering using 3D texture mapping

Constructive Solid Geometry (CSG) creates complex 3-dimensional shapes as unions, intersections, and differences of primitive objects (such as spheres, cones, etc.). For example, an ice cream cone can be modeled as the union of a cone and a sphere. Primitives used as operands to unions, intersections and on the left side of differences are positive, primitives used on the right side of differences are negative. CSG information is stored in a CSG Tree, whose internal nodes represent set operations and whose leaves represent primitives. The resulting object is contained within a cubical bounding box.
m4 muscarinic receptor subtype activates an inwardly rectifying potassium conductance in AtT20 cells.

Abstract The modulation of an inwardly rectifying potassium conductance by muscarinic receptor stimulation was studied in the AtT-20 pituitary cell line, using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Only m4 mRNA was detected in these cells, thus, it is assumed that the actions of muscarinic receptor stimulation are mediated by the m4 receptor. AtT-20 cells express a slowly activating inwardly rectifying potassium conductance. Application of acetylcholine (ACh), resulted in an atropine sensitive, reversible increase in inwardly rectifying current. The ACh-induced current differed from the current recorded in control, in that it was fast activating, while the control current was slowly activating. Inclusion of GTPγS in the patch pipette activated an inward current with characteristics similar to the ACh-induced current, and the ACh-induced current response could be inhibited by pre-incubation with pertussis toxin (PTX). It is concluded that the m4 muscarinic receptor is coupled to an inwardly rectifying potassium conductance via a PTX sensitive G-protein.
Early Development of the Caudal Fin Skeleton of Capelin, Mallotus villosus (Osmeridae)

Development of the caudal fin skeleton of capelin, Mallotus villosus, is described based on observations of cleared-and-stained specimens from a wild caught growth series ranging in size from 4.2 mm notochord length (NL) to 144 mm standard length (SL). The sequence of chondrification and ossification for each element is described and compared with that of related salmonoid and esocoid fishes. Caudal fin elements are first chondrified in specimens that are 8.9 mm NL and all elements are ossified by 52 mm SL. In general, hypaxial elements (e.g., parhypural, hypurals, hemal arches and spines of preural vertebrae) develop before epaxial elements (e.g., epurals, uroneurals, neural arches and spines of preural vertebrae). Preural centra are among the last elements to form in the caudal skeleton of M. villosus. Interestingly, preural centrum 1 does not form. The caudal fin skeleton morphology of adult M. villosus is nearly identical to that of other osmerid species, and the developmental sequence of the caudal s...
Predictive Guidance of a Projectile for Hit-to-Kill Interception

In this paper, a predictive guidance algorithm is developed for a spin-stabilized hit-to-kill guided projectile. The projectile is used as an interceptor against rockets, mortar, and artillery. Guidance is based on a new rapid trajectory prediction algorithm for projectiles fired at high quadrant elevations. The interceptor uses lateral pulse jets located near the mass center for control. High spin rates require additional guidance compensation for gyroscopic effects when compared to a fin-stabilized projectile. The probability of kill (PK) is evaluated based on typical gun pointing errors, roll angle uncertainty, and target acquisition errors. It is shown that guided interceptors can achieve a 90% PK by using as few as 5 projectiles in the presence of roll, gun pointing, and target errors. It is also shown that, despite sensitivity to errors in gun pointing and target errors, the predictive guidance system is able to achieve an acceptable PK. For a spin-stabilized interceptor, estimated-roll orientation errors may become large. Simulations are performed for errors in the estimated roll, and it is demonstrated that roll does not need to be precisely known for a successful interception.
Evidence-Based Guidelines and Critical Pathways for Quality Improvement

Clinical practice guidelines have a long and distinguished tradition in pediatrics. Currently, the American Academy of Pediatrics has developed more than 15 practice guidelines and more than 250 clinical policy statements. In the past, practice guidelines have been used to improve care through the dissemination of evidence-based, clinically effective practices to pediatric practitioners. In the current environment this purpose has been broadened to include cost reduction, standardization of practice, and reduction of medical liability. This has led to both confusion and distrust on the part of the pediatrician. Practice guidelines are best understood as a tool to insure that children receive evidence-based care. They are best used in association with a set of outcome and performance measures that provide feedback to clinicians and allow for modification of the guidelines to meet the needs of the local patient population. The quality of practice guidelines is directly dependent on the quality of the medical evidence supporting the recommendation. Unfortunately only a small percentage of the evidence supporting practice guidelines comes from randomized clinical trials with the majority of the evidence coming from expert clinical panels. The success of practice guidelines in improving care for children has yet to be convincingly demonstrated. Currently, there is a dearth of well designed studies that document the effectiveness of practice guidelines. Their ultimate effectiveness will depend on both an improved evidence base and effective strategies for rapid dissemination of the recommendations. The development of evidence-based practice guidelines does not insure that it will have a major impact on physician practice. In the past, effective dissemination of new knowledge has been a long process, often taking years. This cycle time can be dramatically shortened through the development of networks of practice sites that share knowledge and experience in the implementation of practice guidelines and the use of strategies that take advantage of key groups in the dissemination process. When used appropriately, practice guidelines can provide an important adjunct to clinical research by facilitating the dissemination of new clinical findings and can provide an important platform for encouraging innovations in patient care.
A Proposed Measure Of IT Infrastructure Flexibility In The Global Networked Firm: Extending The IT Infrastructure Measure Of Reach And Range

In today’s fast paced global business environment, firms need a flexible infrastructure that allows the organization to adapt to rapid change. An important enabler of this flexibility is the IT infrastructure. IT infrastructure flexibility is not a well understood concept and little work has been done on how to measure IT infrastructure flexibility. This paper fills this gap by proposing a measure for IT Infrastructure flexibility based on Keen’s 1991 reach and range.
A Note on the Names for Winter Storms

This note reviews briefly the history of naming tropical storms. It then discusses the very recent and sometimes controversial phenomenon of naming winter storms. Finally, a list of the most recent designations for winter storms is provided.
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission and Competition Advocacy: Lessons for Latin American Competition Policy

Competition authorities have several tools at their disposal in crafting a competition policy. Most prominent are litigation and merger review. A less-recognized but often effective tool, however, is "competition advocacy." Broadly, competition advocacy is using persuasion, rather than coercion, to convince government actors to pursue policies that further competition and consumer choice. Competition advocacy can be especially useful in attacking government-created regulatory barriers to competition and in cultivating a "culture of competition" to educate the public on the economic benefits of competition as the organizing principle of the economy. From a cost-benefit analysis, competition advocacy can often generate substantial pro-consumer outcomes at low marginal cost. Fostering a vigorous competition advocacy program can be especially valuable in Latin American countries that historically have had heavily-regulated economies and a weak culture of competition. This article draws on the experience of the Competition Advocacy Program of the United States Federal Trade Commission during the past 30 years to provide lessons for Latin American competition authorities seeking to build competition advocacy programs. This article is a chapter in a book on Latin American antitrust law and explains how competition advocacy can be an important and fruitful element of a vigorous competition policy in these developing economies.
Supervisory Behavior, Role Stress, and the Job Satisfaction of Industrial Salespeople:

Structural equation analysis was used to replicate and extend previous salesforce role stress research by testing hypotheses about the relationships among sales supervisory behavior, salesforce rol...
Continuous polymerization of vinyl acetate—I: Kinetic modeling

Abstract A quasi-steady state model for polymerization of vinyl acetate developed previously is extended to include initiation, inhibition and termination reactions. It is then reconciled with existing data to give a kinetic scheme suitable for prediction and control.
Comparison of Tidal Current Turbine Designs in Several High Speed Locations Around the United States

Tidal current energy is regarded as one of the most promising alternative energy resources for its minimal environmental footprint and high-energy density. The device used to harness tidal current energy is the tidal current turbine, which shares similar working principle with wind turbines. The high load factors resulting from the fluid properties and the predictable resource characteristics make marine currents particularly attractive for power generation. There is a paucity of information regarding various key aspects of system design encountered in this relatively new area of research. Not much work has been done to determine the characteristics of turbines running in water for kinetic energy conversion even though relevant work has been carried out on ship’s propellers, wind turbines and on hydro turbines. None of these three well established areas of technology completely overlap with this new field so that gaps remain in the state of knowledge. A tidal current turbine rated at 1–3 m/s in water can result in four times as much energy per year/m2 of rotor swept area as similarly rated power wind turbine. Areas with high marine current flows commonly occur in narrow straits, between islands, and around. There are many sites worldwide with current velocities around 2.5 m/s, such as near the UK, Italy, the Philippines, and Japan. In the United States, the Florida Current and the Gulf Stream are reasonably swift and continuous currents moving close to shore in areas where there is a demand for power. In this study tidal current turbines are designed for several high tidal current areas around USA for a tidal current speed range from 1 m/s to 2.5 m/s. Several locations around USA are considered, e.g. the Gulf Stream; Mississippi River, St. Clair’s river connecting Lake Huron to Lake St. Clair’s; Colorado River within Cataract Canyon etc. Tidal current turbines can be classified as either horizontal or vertical axis turbines. In this study several designs from both the classifications are considered and modeled using SolidWorks. Hydrodynamic analysis is performed using SolidWorks Flow simulation software, and then optimization of the designs is performed based on maximizing the starting rotational torque and ultimate power generation capacity. From flow simulations, forces on the tidal current turbine blades and structures are calculated, and used in subsequent stress analysis using SolidWorks Simulation software to confirm structural integrity. The comparative results from this study will help in the systematic optimization of the tidal current turbine designs at various locations.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Nasal Cycling Revisited.

As Marshall et al[1][1] point out in their article published in this issue of Respiratory Care, nasal cycling appeared in the literature over 100 years ago, and it continues to be regularly reported in medical and scientific journals.[2][2]–[7][3] Respiratory texts and journals have seldom
Target research of nocosomial infection in the ICU

Objective:To find out the nosocomial infection feature through analysing the situation of nosocomial infection of the children in the ICU and supply theoretic basis for prevention and control of nosocomial infection. Method:A descriptive study was conducted,take 101 patients of nosocomial infection cases in the ICU from september,2009 to June,2010 as subject,set up the case control group. Analysed the influence factors of nosoeomial infection. Results:The results included duration in the ICU,antibiotics categories,the duration of antibiotics application,machinery ventilation,the use of Hormone,the quantities of foundation disease,the pneumonia of newborn,the NRDS of newborn,the sex distribution in new babys,premature birth and the birth weight. Conclusion:Using the antibiotics reasonably,reducing attack operation,shorting duration in the ICU are advantageous in prevention and control of nosocomial infection.
Structural Issues in Diagnosis

A diagnostic judgment typically involves much more than determining whether the individual under examination has a given disorder or not. A number of issues pertinent to the conceptual and methodological structures used for describing the condition of the patient need to be considered as they crucially influence the content, format, and implications of the diagnostic judgment and its formulation.
Reconstitution of full‐thickness skin by microcolumn grafting

In addition to providing a physical barrier, skin also serves a diverse range of physiological functions through different specialized resident cell types/structures, including melanocytes (pigmentation and protection against ultraviolet radiation), Langerhans cells (adaptive immunity), fibroblasts (maintaining extracellular matrix, paracrine regulation of keratinocytes), sweat glands (thermoregulation) and hair follicles (hair growth, sensation and a stem cell reservoir). Restoration of these functional elements has been a long-standing challenge in efforts to engineer skin tissue, while autologous skin grafting is limited by the scarcity of donor site skin and morbidity caused by skin harvesting. We demonstrate an alternative approach of harvesting and then implanting μm-scale, full-thickness columns of human skin tissue, which can be removed from a donor site with minimal morbidity and no scarring. Fresh human skin microcolumns were used to reconstitute skin in wounds on immunodeficient mice. The restored skin recapitulated many key features of normal human skin tissue, including epidermal architecture, diverse skin cell populations, adnexal structures and sweat production in response to cholinergic stimulation. These promising preclinical results suggest that harvesting and grafting of microcolumns may be useful for reconstituting fully functional skin in human wounds, without donor site morbidity. © 2016 The Authors Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Multi-flow scheduling in multi-hop underwater acoustic networks

We study maximum multi-flow scheduling in an underwater acoustic sensor network. The network consists of underwater sensor nodes and surface gateways. Each sensor node seeks to send data to any of the gateways. The objective is to maximize the sum of the flows that can be finished within a fixed time duration. To address challenges posed by large sound propagation latency, we convert the original network to a time-expanded network, and develop a linear programming (LP) formulation for the maximum multi-flow scheduling. The solution to the LP formulation provides an upper bound of the maximal achievable flow. Through introducing a stronger constraint into the LP formulation, a feasible multi-flow transmission schedule is proposed, which guarantees a small approximation factor. Simulations are conducted to verify the theoretical results.
Improved out-coupling efficiency from a green microcavity OLED with a narrow band emission source

Abstract A highly efficient green microcavity organic light emitting diode was developed using a tetradentate cyclometalated platinum complex, PtN1N, with an intrinsically narrow emission spectral band (FWHM = 18 nm). Devices employing the narrow band emitter in MOLEDs consisting of a single pair of a high index dielectric, Ta2O5, and low index dielectric, SiO2, exhibited a high peak external quantum efficiency of 33.7% compared to a standard OLED in the same device architecture with a peak external quantum efficiency of 25.6%. We have also found in our study that narrow band emission sources in tuned microcavity OLEDs exhibit larger enhancements in light out-coupling efficiency accompanied by small changes in color with respect to viewing angle compared to broad band emitters which is advantageous in display applications.
Care of acute renal colic: a survey of emergency medicine physicians.

Introduction To determine the contemporary practice patterns of academic emergency department (ED) providers in the United States for an episode of acute renal colic. Materials and methods A 30-question survey was developed to assess ED providers' clinical decision making for an index patient with acute renal colic. The survey population was all attending and resident physicians affiliated with an American emergency medicine residency program with an institutional profile available on the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (156 programs; 95% of programs in the United States). The survey was conducted in October 2014. A response rate of 8.1% (289/3563) was achieved, which represented 29% (46/156) of the programs. Results Only 17% (53/289) of respondents were aware of the American Urological Association (AUA) guidelines on the management and imaging of ureteral calculi. A clinical care pathway was uncommon amongst institutions (6/46; 13%), but desired by providers (193/289; 67%). A low dose non-contrast computed tomography (CT) would be the most preferred initial diagnostic imaging modality (139/289; 48%). Initial imaging choice was not influenced by respondent role, program, census region, practice environment, ED size, ED volume, presence of a clinical care pathway, or knowledge of the AUA guidelines (all p > 0.05). Conclusions In this cross-sectional survey of academic emergency medicine providers, we demonstrated a lack of awareness of quality initiatives and uncommon use of clinical care pathways. We observed that diagnostic imaging modalities with reduced radiation were commonly preferred, and that imaging preference was not associated with several demographic or institutional characteristics.
Impact of single nucleotide polymorphism of cyclophosphamide metabolism gene in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma on survival after chemotherapy.

e13519 Background: Cyclophosphamide (Cy) is a prodrug metabolized in liver into active cytotoxin. Cy-containing chemotherapy is often curative for patients with diffuse large B Cell lymphoma (DLBCL); however, 50% of patients relapse. We investigated the association between genetic polymorphisms in Cy metabolism and outcomes after induction chemotherapy for DLBCL Methods: We studied 76 patients with DLBCL treated with standard dose Cy-containing regimens (Cy 500mg/m2) at the University of Minnesota. Somatic DNA was obtained from bone marrow aspirates, and Sequenom and Taqman genotyping assays were used to analyze 22 genes and 38 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) involved in Cy metabolism. Two-year disease free survival (DFS) was compared using a Cox regression model for each SNP, adjusting for age (≥ 65) and gender. The odds of achieving complete remission (CR) were modeled using logistic regression. P-values were corrected for multiple testing using the Holm method. Results: Sixty-one patients (80%) a...
Inserting Critical Mathematics into STEM Education

The chapter begins by asking whether STEM education is a friend or foe to the field of critical mathematics education (CME) by reviewing how mainstream STEM conflicts with CME but also provides spaces for critical work. Tensions between CME and STEM include mainstream STEM’s emphasis on human capital, inattention to environmental degradation, and soft-critical orientation to social justice issues. However, STEM’s emphases on interdisciplinarity can provide opportunities for critical mathematics education to take place. We argue that STEM education as policy can be an opportunistic space to simultaneously resist and reconstitute in line with the values and goals of CME. We extend CME’s goals with deeper theoretical consideration to the nature of the ecological and social crises, in so doing we draw on ecofeminism and EcoJustice Education. The chapter concludes with a model “critical STEM” unit plan sketch that is appropriate for the Junior Secondary level. CME, ecofeminist theory, and internationally benchmarked content standards provide the foundation for our STEM unit plan titled “A Story of Incarceration.” By this example, we intend to show that critical STEM projects can be transformative for learners as well meet the content goals of standard STEM education.
The Nine Lives of John Ogilby: Britain’s Master Map Maker and His Secrets. By Alan Ereira

The Nine Lives of John Ogilby examines one the most astonishing personalities of the seventeenth century. John Ogilby was born in 1600 and raised in poverty near Dundee, Scotland. In his youth he b...
Quality Improvement in the Intensive Care Unit

Medical error is common and devastating, claiming the lives of an estimated 100,000 people per year in the USA. The intellectual origins of the modern intensive care unit (ICU) quality improvement (QI) movement can be traced to post-World War II Japanese industrial process management and to aviation safety. From Japanese Industrial process management, the concepts of unnecessary variation and statistical process control have been applied to the ICU to develop our current QI efforts. The Structure–Process–Outcome model of QI provides a solid theoretical approach for many efforts. From aviation safety, Human Factors Analysis, Checklists, and Crew Resource Management are tools adapted for the ICU QI team. The Institute for Healthcare Improvement has created a practical, stepwise QI process that uses a Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle to help QI teams assess and improve their ICUs. These tools provide a foundation for quality improvement efforts in the ICU.
Vessel recognition in color doppler ultrasound imaging

Diagnostic ultrasound imaging is an important non-invasive tool for diagnosis and treatment decisions with a variety of clinical applications such as vascular disease, cardiology disease, and obstetrics. Color Doppler ultrasound imaging modality in particular offers complete 2-D cross sectional images depicting velocities of moving reflectors, such as blood flow. Color Doppler imaging is a crucial diagnostic tool for vascular disorders such as arterial atherosclerosis and deep vein thrombosis. Nowadays the vascular ultrasound exam is a tedious and time-consuming process that requires a high level of expertise. This is mainly due to the large number of manual controls offered by the ultrasound system to the clinical users to optimize the images for the best clinical outcome. Another reason is the lack of automation and quantification tools by the ultrasound system since the system utilizes very little high-level information from the acquired images. Moreover musculoskeletal injuries due to operating the ultrasound systems have become very common and a great concern for the medical community. Another concern is the standardization of the clinical exam outcome to minimize interobserver and intraobserver variability among diagnostic ultrasound practitioners. Introducing advanced automation and quantification capabilities to the ultrasound system will help with all these issues and streamline the clinical exam operation and outcome. In this thesis a complete vessel recognition system based on the analysis of the color Doppler ultrasound images is developed. The system includes the design and realization of many automated tasks including image acquisition, vessel segmentation, true velocity restoration, feature extraction, and classifier design. The involved tasks represent the building blocks for the automation and quantification applications that can be incorporated within the ultrasound system to achieve ease of use and more standardized clinical outcome. The thesis will also address a number of important clinical problems in the field of ultrasound vascular imaging and propose novel solutions that rely on the developed image understanding techniques.
New Criminal Law Review Symposium on Privilege or Punish: Criminal Justice and the Challenge of Family Ties

This symposium includes three review essays by Professors Doug Berman, Naomi Cahn, and Jack Chin. The review essays are focused on a recent book by Professors Dan Markel, Jennifer M. Collins and Ethan J. Leib entitled 'Privilege or Punish: Criminal Justice and the Challenge of Family Ties' (Oxford 2009). You can download the entire book for free at http://ssrn.com/abstract=1677503.In addition to the three review essays, the collection includes an essay by the book's authors that serves as a reply to this set of critiques. Collectively, we are grateful to the New Criminal Law Review, which is hosting this collection in an upcoming issue.The essays are titled, respectively:Berman: Digging Deeper into, and Thinking Better about, the Interplay of Families and Criminal Justice Cahn:Protect and Preserve?Chin:Mandatory, Contingent, and Discretionary Policy ArgumentsCollins, Leib & Markel: (When) Should Family Status Matter in the Criminal Justice System?
The soft rot Erwinia

The soft rot Erwinia are members of the most studied bacterial family, the Enterobacteriaceae, which also includes other important plant and animal pathogens such as Pantoea, Escherichia, Salmonella, Klebsiella, and Yersinia species. Plant pathologists have been studying the soft rot Erwinia for nearly 120 years and published thousands of pages on this pathogen. Because the soft rot Erwinia are amenable to genetic manipulation and because they are wide spread in the environment, they serve as an important model for studying the ecology and evolution of enterobacterial pathogenesis. 1. TAXONOMY OF THE SOFT ROT ERWINIA "The correct name of the blackleg pathogen has been the subject of much discussion and the cause of considerable confusion" Leach, 1931.
Does Five Equal Three? Reading the Takings Clause In Light of the Third Amendment's Protection of Houses

The Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision in Kelo v. City of New London broke new ground by holding that the seizure of owner-occupied homes as part of a plan to foster economic development was a taking for “public use” under the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment. Kelo’s many critics have yet to advance a constitutionally-grounded rationale for why homes should receive special protection from condemnation. This Note argues that the Third Amendment’s solicitude for the home provides a constitutional basis for distinguishing between homes and the other forms of “private property” covered by the Takings Clause. The Amendment, which provides that “[n]o soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law,” shares both historical and textual links with the Clause. These connections suggest the judiciary should apply a form of heightened scrutiny similar to the “meaningful” review standard proposed by Justice Kennedy’s concurring opinion in Kelo when determining whether the government’s seizure of an owner-occupied home is for “public use.”
Insight Transformed: Coming to Terms with Mindfulness in South Asian and Global Frames

This article fills in a gap in the historiography of modern insight and mindfulness meditation. By providing an account of the role of S. N. Goenka in the formation and dissemination of modern insight meditation (vipassana), and his reframing of Burmese Buddhist meditation in a postcolonial South Asian context, I show how the roots of modern therapeutic forms of mindfulness emerge from magico-religious contexts that have been glossed over in a process of scientization. By presenting two parallel case studies from South Asia, in which insight meditation was appropriated and repurposed by Jain and Hindu communities under the pressure of distinct social, personal, and religious forces, I suggest that modern therapeutic mindfulness is just one instantiation of other similar processes. By understanding the variety of ways in which insight meditation has been encountered by and made available to prospective practitioners in multiple social and historical contexts, historians can better understand the complex of factors that gave rise to the modern category of 'mindfulness'.
Trends over 42 years in the Adult Medical Genetics Clinic at the University of Washington.

We analyzed the patients served by the University of Washington Adult Genetic Medicine Clinic (UWAGMC) over a 42-year period to determine how clinical services have changed and to evaluate the contributing factors. We conducted a retrospective survey of patients seen by UWAGMC that included patients seen from 1975 to 2016. Variables considered included referral indication, disease status, and clinic visit date. Indications for referral were then binned into clinical categories for descriptive analysis. Of 30,780 patient visits during the 39 years for which data were available, 57.3% occurred in the last decade. Referrals for breast/ovarian cancer or colon/endometrial cancer account for 74.8% of cancer referrals since 1998. Huntington disease patients made up 46% of neurological referral indications. Telephone screening implemented in 2013 has reduced the number of referrals for hypermobile Ehlers–Danlos syndrome. Referral indications increased with clinical testing availability and because of the academic programs of UWAGMC providers. With increased public awareness of heritable conditions, prescreening self-referrals were used to allocate limited resources. These trends demonstrate the need for more geneticists in adult medicine to expand centers of excellence for rare diseases and to serve the increasing numbers of adult patients with genetic conditions.
Acycle: Time-series analysis software for paleoclimate research and education

Abstract Recognition and interpretation of paleoclimate signals in sedimentary proxy datasets are time consuming and subjective. Acycle is a comprehensive and easy-to-use software package for time series analysis in paleoclimate research and education. It is designed to speed paleoclimate time series analysis, especially cyclostratigraphy, and to provide objective methods for estimating astrochronology. Acycle provides for detrending with multiple options to track and remove secular trends. A selection of power spectral analysis methodologies is offered for the detection of periodic signals. Many of the functions are specific to cyclostratigraphy and astrochronology that are not found in standard statistical packages. A specialized function is provided to assess the astronomical (Milankovitch) forcing of paleoclimate series and search for the most likely sedimentation rate by evaluating the correlation coefficient between power spectra of an astronomical solution and sedimentary proxy data. Sedimentary noise modeling (for past sea-level changes) is also provided in Acycle . As an example, Acycle is applied to a sedimentary proxy series from the cyclostratigraphy of the Paleocene-Eocene thermal maximum (PETM) in Core BH9/05 from the Paleogene Central Basin, Svalbard. Acycle detects significant astronomical forcing in the proxy series and relatively stable sedimentation rates during and after the PETM. Acycle runs in the MATLAB environment or as stand-alone software on Windows and Macintosh OS X, and is open-source software.
Switchgrass Forage Yield and Compositional Response to Phosphorus and Potassium

Finite nutrients, including P and K, are required in large quantities for many warm-season forages. However, native perennial grasses such as switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) have less of an affinity for fertilizers, although recommended P and K rates are largely unknown. Objectives were to test switchgrass forage yield response to P and K rates representative of warm-season forages and identify compositional impacts for developing switchgrass forage fertilizer recommendations. Switchgrass cv. Alamo was subjected to two harvests per year after applications of 0, 28, 56, 112, and 224 kg P ha⁻¹, and split applications of 0, 134, 269, 404, and 538 kg K ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, from 2014 to 2016. Two sets of controls were used, a “nutrient control” (0 P and K with supplemental rates of N and S) and a “control” (no fertilizer). Harvest timing (first or second cuts) did not influence (P ≥ 0.05) P or K removal or forage yields. For all study years, the control (no supplemental fertilizer) resulted in substantially lower (P ≤ 0.05) yields than the nutrient control, meaning yield did benefit (44 and 49% increases) from supplemental nutrient applications. Therefore, minimal P and K inputs are required for a yield response, as there were very few detectable yield increases beyond the lowest tested application rates (134 kg K ha⁻¹ and 28 kg P ha⁻¹). Results indicate P and K are required in low amounts and that N is a more limiting nutrient in switchgrass forage systems on marginal soils of the southeast.