cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Egotism and Delinquent Behavior

A recent work by Baumeister, Smart, and Boden suggested that “threatened egotism” is an important cause of violent behavior. Challenging the view that low self-esteem causes violence, Baumeister et al. held that those with inflated levels of self-esteem are likely to react violently when faced with ego threats. This article presents a preliminary test of the threatened egotism hypothesis with a sample of junior high and high school students in a small Southern city. The results show that egotism is positively associated with violent and nonviolent delinquency and that this relationship holds when a number of important predictors of delinquency are controlled, including social control and self-control. These results provide some support for the threatened egotism hypothesis and suggest that further research in this area is warranted.
Homodyne Phase-Shift-Keying Systems: Past Challenges and Future Opportunities

Homodyne phase-shift-keying systems can achieve the best receiver sensitivity and the longest transmission distance among all optical communication systems. This paper reviews recent research efforts in the field and examines future possibilities that might lead toward potential practical use of these systems. Additionally, phase estimation techniques based on feed-forward phase recovery and digital delay-lock loop approaches are examined, simulated, and compared
Time-Dependent, Integrated Planetary Boundary Layer Flow

Abstract The response of vertically averaged boundary layer flow to specified time-dependent pressure gradients is examined. The adjustment rate of the boundary layer flow to the pressure gradient field is found to be proportional to the strength of the coupling between the flow and boundary stresses. The angle between the steady flow and geostrophic wind is also proportional to the strength of this coupling. The relationship of the transient component of the boundary layer wind to the “frictionless” transient wind component is found to be similar to the relationship of the steady boundary layer wind to the geostrophic wind. In flows characterized by transient Rossby number of order unity or greater, the production of cross-isobar mass transport is more sensitive to local accelerations than to typical variations of the surface drag coefficient. The transient portion of the vertical motion field, associated with the geostrophic vorticity tendency, is important when the time scale of the pressure gradient i...
The response of Phaeodactylum tricornutum to quantum dot exposure: Acclimation and changes in protein expression.

Nanotechnology has a great potential to improve life and environmental quality, however the fate of nanomaterials in the ecosystems, their bioavailability and potential toxicity on living organisms are still largely unknown, mainly in the marine environment. Genomics and proteomics are powerful tools for understanding molecular mechanisms triggered by nanoparticle exposure. In this work we investigated the effect of exposure to CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) in the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum, using different physiological, biochemical and molecular approaches. The results show that acclimation to QDs reduced the growth inhibition induced by nanoparticles in P. tricornutum cultures. The increase of glutathione observed at the end of the lag phase pointed to cellular stress. Transcriptional expression of selected stress responsive genes showed up-regulation in the QD-exposed algae. A comparison of the proteomes of exposed and unexposed cells highlighted a large number of differentially expressed proteins. To our knowledge, this is the first report on proteome analysis of a marine microalga exposed to nanoparticles.
A Recursive Programming Model of Farm Growth in Northern Germany

This article develops a recursive programming model of individual farm changes which includes explicitly savings, investments, and growth. Recursive programming as a sequential optimizing rule with a functional relationship between any given period and preceding periods permits the analysis of dynamic properties of adjustment processes. This model emphasizes the behavioral and objective structure of the money capital and investment constraints. The evaluation of growth possibilities is based on the ability of farms to accumulate investment capital relative to the investment needs projected by the model. The model was used to analyze the effects of four EEC policy alternatives on different types of farms in Northern Germany between 1964–65 and 1969–70. The assumed changes in prices and price ratios for agricultural products, in particular for grain, livestock, and milk, affect the projected annual farm income strongly; they lead to moderate shifts between various enterprises; yet the overall growth pattern as characterized by the introduction of new technology and capital‐labor substitution is remarkably similar under all alternatives.
WAVE MOTION IN A CONDUCTING FLUID WITH A LAYER ADJACENT TO THE BOUNDARY, II. EIGENFUNCTION EXPANSIONS

The wave motion of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) systems can be quite complicated. In order to study the motion of waves in a perfectly conducting fluid under the influence of an external magnetic field in a stratified medium, we make the simplifying assumption that the pressure is constant (to first order). This is the simplest form of the equations with variable coefficients and is not strongly propagative. Alfven waves are still present. The system is further simplified by assuming that the external field is parallel to the boundary. The Green's function for the operator is constructed and then the spectral family is constructed in terms of generalized eigenfunctions, giving four families of propagating waves, including waves "trapped" in the boundary layer. These trapped waves are interesting, since they are not the relics of surface waves, which do not exist in this context when the boundary layer shrinks to zero thickness no matter what (maximal energy preserving) boundary condition is chosen. We conjecture a similar structure for the full MHD problem.
The Effect of Self-Citations on the Hirsch Index Among Full-Time Academic Hand Surgeons

Objective To assess the magnitude of self-citation among a cohort of academic hand surgeons and estimate the effect of self-citation on the Hirsch index ( h -index). Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Johns Hopkins Hospital, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Division of Hand Surgery. Results The study sample comprised 364 full-time academic hand surgeons. Study subjects had an average of 45 ± 73 publications. The mean total number of citations was 800 ± 1738, the median number of self-citations was 2.5 (interquartile range [IQR]: 0-14.8), and the average frequency of self-citation was 2.2% ± 3.7%. Older surgeons were slightly less likely to self-cite (coefficient = 0.07; p=0.001). Furthermore, as the total number of publications increased, the frequency of self-citation increased (coefficient = 0.03; p h -index increased because of self-citation in 57 surgeons (15.7%). After adjusting for American Society for Surgery of the Hand status and academic rank, increasing rates of self-citation were associated with an increase in the h -index. Surgeons with 7 or more self-citations were more likely to have their h -index influenced by self-citation. Conclusions The rate of self-citation among full-time academic hand surgeons affiliated with fellowship programs is fairly low. For most of the surgeons, self-citation did not affect the h -index.
A Review of: “Callen, Barry L. (2007). Enriching Mind and Spirit: A History of Higher Education in the Church of God.”

The history of faith-based institutions of higher learning in America is based in a rich tradition of significant challenges, high ideals, failure, seemingly insurmountable obstacles, and outstandi...
Analysis of Spinning Spacecraft with Wire Booms Part 2: Out-of-Plane Dynamics and Maneuvers

An analysis of the dynamics for a spin stabilized spacecraft consisting of a rigid central hub with four long exible wire booms is presented. The analysis focuses on the dynamics out of the spin plane of the spacecraft. Companion papers will focus on the derivations of the full nonlinear dynamics and analysis of the in plane dynamics. A linear analysis is used to estimate the mode shapes of the free response of the system, the eects of various damping mechanisms on these modes, and the dynamic response of the system to various maneuvers. The results of an independent simulation of the full nonlinear dynamics of the system are also provided to support the linear analysis. While the dynamics and analysis approach presented can be applied to the general class of spin stabilized spacecraft having multiple exible wire booms, the numeric parameters studied represent those of the satellites from the Radiation Belt Storm Probe (RBSP) mission. The mission, part of NASA’s Living With a Star Geospace Program, will launch two Earth-orbiting spacecraft to investigate how populations of relativistic electrons and ions in the region known as the Radiation Belts are formed and change in response to variable inputs of energy from the Sun.
Effect of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Association upon 1H NMR Spectra of Amines

In order to quantify and study the complexation of small organic amine molecules with SWCNTs, the effect of SWCNT association upon their proton NMR spectra was studied. Results reveal that (1) a greater magnitude of chemical shift change for α protons to the amino group upon SWCNT association suggests close proximity of the amine nitrogen to SWCNTs except for the pyridines, (2) tertiary amines associate strongly with SWCNTs due to the inductive effect outweighing the steric effect of their alkyl parts, (3) in secondary amines, the steric effect overpowers the inductive effect resulting in their weaker interaction than tertiary amines with SWCNTs, (4) introduction of an alkyl substituent at the α position in primary amines results in more effective SWCNT association than at the amino nitrogen in secondary amines, (5) aromatic amines associate more strongly than aliphatic ones due to availability of more points of association, and (6) pyridines seem to interact via their π-electron cloud.
The 3 p Σ 3 → 2 s Σ 3 Bands of HD and D 2

The $3p^{3}\ensuremath{\Sigma}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}2s^{3}\ensuremath{\Sigma}$ bands of HD and ${\mathrm{D}}_{2}$ which form the most conspicious regularities in the near infrared are given and the band constants calculated.
Head color and caruncles of sympatric Cathartes vultures (Aves: Cathartidae) in Guyana and their possible function in intra- and interspecific signaling

Abstract The naked heads of Cathartes vultures are widely believed to be adaptations for temperature regulation and to reduce plumage fouling during carrion feeding. Bright head color and the elaborate pattern of caruncles on the head and neck skin have a likely function in intra- and interspecific signaling. These integumentary characters have been difficult to study because of extensive postmortem color fading and shrinkage in museum specimens. Here I provide the first detailed description of head color and caruncles of the Greater Yellow-headed Vulture (C. melambrotus) from freshly collected specimens and provide comparative notes on sympatric populations of the Turkey Vulture (C. aura) and Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture (C. burrovianus) from Guyana.
Relationship Between Inter-area Oscillation Damping in Power System and Inter-area Transmitted Power

It is an important content in the research on inter-area oscillation characteristic in power system to make the relationship between inter-area oscillation damping in power system and the inter-area transmitted power clear. Based on the engineering case of interconnection project of East China power grid, the theoretical analysis and research on the relationship between inter-area oscillation damping and inter-area transmitted power are proposed. The sensitivity of eigenvalue of electromechanical oscillation in two-machine interconnected system to relative angle between the rotors of the two generators is defined. Through the derivation of the sign of the sensitivity and its variation law, the general rule of the damping of electromechanical oscillation mode varying with the relative angle between the two rotors is obtained. On this basis, the relationship between inter-area oscillation damping and the inter-area transmitted power is turned into the relationship between the damping of electromechanical oscillation mode in interconnected power system with two equivalent machines and relative angle between the two rotors, and then the theoretical analysis and explanation of this problem are given.
Design of a Whole Hydraulic Turnover Machine System

To realize the turnover of large structure parts and improve the production efficiency,using whole hydraulic turnover machine has become a tendency.The design process of this new turnover machine was roundby introduced from the mechanical,electrical and hydraulic.Practical application shows that the new machine can satisfy the demands of the turnover with large structure parts.
Avoiding misdiagnosing an early intrauterine pregnancy as an ectopic pregnancy

In women at risk for an ectopic pregnancy, every effort should be made to exclude the presence of an intrauterine pregnancy before embarking on an irreversible treatment for ectopic pregnancy. The diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy, unless directly visualized with transvaginal ultrasound, is made with the exclusion of an intrauterine pregnancy. Measurement of human chorionic gonadotrophin and progesterone levels, and transvaginal ultrasound are the tools used to evaluate early pregnancy. In women at risk for an ectopic pregnancy, every effort should be made to exclude the presence of an intrauterine pregnancy before embarking on an irreversible treatment course. Methotrexate is an antimetabolite that inhibits DNA synthesis and repair and cell replication. It is administered to ostensible destroy a pregnancy, especially ectopic pregnancies. When administered to an intrauterine pregnancy, embryonic death and missed abortion is the most common result, but early embryos that survive this exposure are likely to have multiple anomalies. The mistaken administration of methotrexate to an intrauterine pregnancy is made because of misinterpretation of the discriminatory zone of human chorionic gonadotropin(h CG), misinterpretation of early h CG serum levels, misinterpretation of early transvaginal ultrasound images, and failure to clinically correlate h CG levels and ultrasound findings.
Thermally-fair demand response for district heating and cooling (DHC) networks

District heating and cooling networks (DHCs) are complex thermal grids wherein a centrally heated/cooled fluid is circulated through a network of pipes and heat exchangers to meet the heating/cooling needs of residential and commercial buildings. Several factors can hinder efficiencies and impartial distribution of energy among customers in these networks. These include varying levels of building insulation, distance of individual buildings from the central energy source, and thermal losses in network pipes. Moreover, shortage of energy at the central energy source and extreme weather conditions can exacerbate these issues, leading to differing levels of thermal comfort and customer disgruntlement in the long run.In this paper, we propose and study a demand response scheme that attempts to ensure thermal fairness among end-use energy consumers in modern thermal grids. We develop optimization formulations based on thermodynamic models of DHCs, which determine optimal heat inflow/thermostat settings for individual buildings in order to achieve targeted thermal fairness across the network. Our experimental results using physics based models for DHC networks show that it is possible to achieve targeted thermal fairness based social welfare objectives in the DHC network by controlling network parameters such as mass flow rates of water to the consumer premises and the supply water temperature.
The Biopsychosocial Formulation

Psychiatrists evaluate patients with complicated presentations and in the course of providing care must consider an ever-expanding array of available treatment options. In order to be effective, the psychiatrist must be able to understand their patients across biological, psychological, and sociocultural dimensions and use this understanding to guide treatment. IMG physicians may face particular challenges in adapting to this approach and so may gain from learning to assess and describe patients in a standardized manner that does not presuppose expertise in any specific biological approach, psychological tradition, or sociocultural context. This chapter presents an approach to the teaching of biopsychosocial formulation through a step-by-step process. Each dimension of the biopsychosocial formulation is discussed and attention is drawn to principles that may inform an approach to its teaching. While this approach is suitable for teaching resident physicians from all nationalities, emphasis is placed on the psychological and cultural formulation, which may be of particular salience to IMG physicians.
Peripheral Neuropathy and HIV Infection

The prevalence and patterns of peripheral neuropathy in 50 children with HIV infection were analyzed retrospectively in the EMG Section, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.
Medial Plantar Artery Flap

The medial plantar artery flap is used for coverage of soft tissue defects of the medial ankle, plantar surface, or heel. It is based on the medial plantar artery and venae comitantes, which are localized by Doppler preoperatively. Its territory is located between the first metatarsal and the calcaneus in its long axis. The flap is designed in non-weight-bearing skin.
Fumarase Deficiency Causes Protein and Metabolite Succination and Intoxicates Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Enzymes of central carbon metabolism are essential mediators of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) physiology and pathogenicity, but are often perceived to lack sufficient species selectivity to be pursued as potential drug targets. Fumarase (Fum) is an enzyme of the canonical tricarboxylic acid cycle and is dispensable in many organisms. Transposon mutagenesis studies in Mtb, however, indicate that Fum is required for optimal growth. Here, we report the generation and characterization of a genetically engineered Mtb strain in which Fum expression is conditionally regulated. This revealed that Fum deficiency is bactericidal in vitro and during both the acute and chronic phases of mouse infection. This essentiality is linked to marked accumulations of fumarate resulting in protein and metabolite succination, a covalent modification of cysteine thiol residues. These results identify Mtb Fum as a potentially species-specific drug target whose inactivation may kill Mtb through a covalently irreversible form of metabolic toxicity.
Reliability and Degradation Mechanisms in High Power Broad-Area InGaAs-AlGaAs Strained Quantum Well Lasers

Reliability and degradation processes in broad-area InGaAs-AlGaAs strained quantum well (QW) lasers are under intensive investigation because these lasers are the key components for fiber lasers and amplifiers that have found both industrial and military applications in recent years. Unlike single-mode lasers that were developed for high reliability telecom applications, broad-area lasers were mainly targeted for applications that require less stringent reliability of the lasers until recently. Especially, the lack of field reliability data is a concern for satellite communication systems where high reliability is required of lasers for long-term duration. For our present study, we addressed this concern by performing long-term life-tests of broad-area InGaAs-AlGaAs strained QW lasers and also by studying mechanisms that are responsible for catastrophic degradation of the lasers.
Survival Outcomes in Grade 3 Follicular Lymphoma Prior to and after the Introduction of Rituximab - an Analysis Based on the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Result Registry Database

Abstract Background Follicular lymphoma (FL) is the most common form of indolent lymphoma, however Grade 3 FL (FL3) has more aggressive behavior and its response to therapy is controversial. Several studies have reported improved clinical outcomes in patients with FL3 treated with rituximab (R), approved in early 2006, as a first line therapy for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The aim of this population based study is to compare the overall survival and disease specific survival in patients diagnosed with FL3 prior to and after 2006. Materials and methods We used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results 18 database to identify cases diagnosed with FL3 between 1983 and 2013, limiting the selection to patients aged more than 15 years with single primary malignancy. The data was split into two cohorts - Cohort 1 comprised of cases diagnosed between 1983 and 2005, with a study cutoff of December 2005, and Cohort 2 comprised of cases diagnosed between 2006 and 2013. The Overall Survival (OS) and Disease Specific Survival (DSS) for the two cohorts were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and the results were compared using the Log Rank test. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to identify factors other than time of diagnosis, which had a significant impact on survival times. Results Cohort 1 included 3,959 cases with death occurring in 1,319 cases during the study period (1,013 deaths due to disease specific factors) and Cohort 2 included 3,050 cases with death occurring in 509 cases (374 deaths due to disease specific factors) (table 1). The 5-year OS and DSS survivals for Cohort 1 were 59.3% and 67.7%, and for Cohort 2 were 78.3% and 84% respectively (figure 1). The differences in both OS and DSS survival rates were confirmed to be significant using the Log Rank test (p Cox regression analysis was performed using age at diagnosis, sex, race, marital status, primary site (nodal/extra nodal) and Ann Arbor stage as covariates, after removing cases with missing values. The test results showed that age at diagnosis, sex, Ann Arbor stage (p Conclusion A significant increase in OS and DSS was observed in patients diagnosed with FL3 after the introduction of rituximab. Survival outcomes were also influenced by age at diagnosis, sex and Ann Arbor stage. Download : Download high-res image (211KB) Download : Download full-size image Download : Download high-res image (71KB) Download : Download full-size image Download : Download high-res image (270KB) Download : Download full-size image Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Managing Postoperative Pain After Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery in the Era of the Opioid Epidemic.

In this review, we examine the evidence behind nonopioid medication alternatives, peripheral nerve blocks, surgical techniques, and postoperative recovery protocols that can help minimize and effectively treat postoperative pain after minimally invasive gynecologic surgery (MIGS). Because of the depth and heterogeneity of the data, a narrative review was performed of reported interventions. A comprehensive review was performed of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Database with a focus on randomized controlled trials. In the absence of literature specific to benign gynecology, similar specialty or procedural data were reviewed. A variety of nonopioid medications, surgical techniques, and postoperative recovery protocols have shown significant improvements in postoperative pain after gynecologic surgery. Nonopioid medication options that are beneficial include acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, and antiepileptics. Incision infiltration with local anesthesia also significantly reduces pain. Surgically, minimally invasive approaches, reducing the laparoscopic trocar size to <10 mm, and evacuating the pneumoperitoneum at the end of the case all have significant benefits. Lastly, enhanced recovery pathways show promise in reducing pain after MIGS. By using a multimodal approach, minimally invasive gynecologic surgeons can help to minimize and manage postoperative pain with less reliance on opioid pain medications.
Metal/Ion Interactions Induced p–i–n Junction in Methylammonium Lead Triiodide Perovskite Single Crystals

Hybrid perovskites, as emerging multifunctional semiconductors, have demonstrated dual electronic/ionic conduction properties. We report a metal/ion interaction induced p-i-n junction across slightly n-type doped MAPbI3 single crystals with Au/MAPbI3/Ag configuration based on interface dependent Seebeck effect, Hall effect and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry analysis. The organic cations (MA+) interact with Au atoms, forming positively charged coordination complexes at Au/MAPbI3 interface, whereas iodine anions (I–) can react with Ag contacts, leading to interfacial ionic polarization. Such metal/ion interactions establish a p-doped region near the Au/MAPbI3 interface due to the formation of MA+ vacancies, and an n-doped region near the Ag/MAPbI3 interface due to formation of I– vacancies, consequently forming a p-i-n junction across the crystal in Au/MAPbI3/Ag configuration. Therefore, the metal/ion interaction plays a role in determining the surface electronic structure and semiconducting...
Oil Spill Control from Emulsion-Based FRRPP Foaming Surfactant Systems

The 2010 rig disaster from the Deepwater Horizon/Macondo well off the Gulf of Mexico and its aftermath has rekindled the debate on deepwater drilling and offshore oil exploration in the United States. The heavy use of dispersants from the ill-fated well has been known, and it has been documented that underwater oil plumes are lurking beneath the water surface (Thibodeaux et al. 2011). There is a need to understand the processes involved in the formation of these plumes, and how to address their lingering presence.
Analysis of GAPDH and Nucleic Acid Interaction

Experimental evidences indicate that the interaction between GAPDH and nucleic acids is as diverse as its interaction with proteins. The nucleic acid binding activity of GAPDH has been associated with tRNA transport, DNA repair, transcription and binding with viral RNAs, telomeric DNA and so on. This chapter will describe some of the validated methods for the analysis of GAPDH–nucleic acid interactions. In general, the methods involve the use of probes (e.g. radiolabeled nucleotide sequences). A large majority of reports use the electrophoretic mobility shift assay with radiolabelled probes, as this offers very robust validation and avoids the need for additional steps in signal detection. Although, recent advances provide the option of using nonradioactive probes, the selection and choice of probe labeling highly depends upon the user and the nature of the analysis.
Surgical pulmonary embolectomy and catheter‐directed thrombolysis for treatment of submassive pulmonary embolism

BACKGROUND Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) with preserved hemodynamics but right ventricular dysfunction, classified as submassive PE, carries a high risk of mortality. We report the results for patients who did not qualify for medical therapy and required treatment of submassive PE with surgical pulmonary embolectomy and catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT). METHODS Between October 1999 and May 2015, 133 submassive PE patients underwent treatment with pulmonary embolectomy (71) and CDT (62). A multidisciplinary PE response team helped to determine the most appropriate treatment strategy on a case-by-case basis. The EkoSonic ultrasound-facilitated thrombolysis system (EKOS) was used for CDT, which was introduced in 2010. RESULTS The mean age of submassive PE patients was 57.3 years, which included 36.8% females. PE risk factors included previous deep venous thrombosis (46.6%), immobility (36.1%), recent surgery (30.8%), and cancer (22.6%), P < 0.05. The most common indication for advanced treatment was right ventricular strain (42.9%), P = 0.03. The frequency of surgical pulmonary embolectomy remained stable even after incorporating the EKOS procedure into our treatment algorithm, with statistically similar operative mortality. Bleeding was observed in six CDT patients and one pulmonary embolectomy patient (P < 0.05). Follow-up echocardiography was available for 61% of the overall cohort, of whom 76.5% had no residual moderate or severe right ventricular dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS Pulmonary embolectomy and CDT are important contemporary advanced treatment options for selected high-risk patients with submassive PE, who do not qualify for medical therapy.
Correlation of Functional Lung Heterogeneity and Dosimetry to Radiation Pneumonitis using Perfusion SPECT/CT and FDG PET/CT Imaging.

PURPOSE To apply a previously designed framework for predicting radiation pneumonitis by using pretreatment lung function heterogeneity metrics, anatomic dosimetry, and functional lung dosimetry derived from 2 imaging modalities within the same cohort. METHODS AND MATERIALS Treatment planning computed tomography (CT) scans were co-registered with pretreatment [99mTc] macro-aggregated albumin perfusion single-photon positron emission tomography (SPECT)/CT scans and [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/CT scans of 28 patients who underwent definitive thoracic radiation. Clinical radiation pneumonitis was defined as grade ≥2 (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, v. 4). Anatomic dosimetric parameters (mean lung dose [MLD], volume receiving ≥20 Gy [V20]) were collected from treatment planning scans. Baseline functional lung heterogeneity parameters and functional lung dose-volume parameters were calculated from pretreatment SPECT/CT and FDG PET/CT scans. Functional heterogeneity parameters calculated over the tumor-subtracted lung included skewness, kurtosis, and coefficient of variation from perfusion SPECT and FDG PET and the global lung parenchymal glycolysis and mean standardized uptake value from FDG PET. Functional dose-volume parameters calculated in regions of highly functional lung, defined on perfusion (p) or SUV (s) images, included mean lung dose (pMLD, sMLD) and V20 (pV20, sV20). Fraction of integral lung function receiving ≥20 Gy (pF20, sF20) was also calculated. Equivalent doses in 2 Gy per fraction (EQD2) were calculated to account for differences in treatment regimens and dose fractionation (EQD2Lung). RESULTS Two anatomic dosimetric parameters (MLD, V20) and 4 functional dosimetric parameters (pMLD, pV20, pF20, sF20) were significant predictors of grade ≥2 pneumonitis (area under the curve >0.84; P < .05). Dose-independent functional lung heterogeneity metrics were not associated with pneumonitis incidence. At thresholds of 100% sensitivity and 65% to 91% specificity, corresponding to maximum prediction accuracy for pneumonitis, these parameters had the following cutoff values: MLD = 13.6 Gy EQD2Lung, V20 = 25%, pMLD = 13.2 Gy EQD2Lung, pV20 = 15%, pF20 = 17%, and sF20 = 25%. Significant parameters MLD, V20, pF20, and sF20 were not cross-correlated to significant parameters pMLD and pV20, indicating that they may offer independently predictive information (Spearman ρ < 0.7). CONCLUSIONS We reported differences in anatomic and functional lung dosimetry between patients with and without pneumonitis in this limited patient cohort. Adding selected independent functional lung parameters may risk stratify patients for pneumonitis. Validation studies are ongoing in a prospective functional lung avoidance trial at our institution.
DataShop: a data repository and analysis service for the learning science community (interactive event)

The Pittsburgh Science of Learning Center’s DataShop is an open data repository and set of associated visualization and analysis tools. DataShop has data from thousands of students deriving from interactions with on-line course materials and intelligent tutoring systems. The data is fine-grained, with student actions recorded roughly every 20 seconds, and it is longitudinal, spanning semester or yearlong courses. As of April 8, 2011, over 270 datasets are stored including over 58 million student actions and over 165,000 student hours of data. Most student actions are “coded” meaning they are not only graded as correct or incorrect, but are categorized in terms of the hypothesized competencies or knowledge components needed to perform that action. DataShop provides repository users a central hub to satisfy long term data management needs. DataShop also has a number of features to facilitate data analysis including a data schema that allows researchers to import data into DataShop or export data from the repository in order to perform additional analysis. DataShop offers a number of online analysis tools to perform functions, such as visualizing student performance and analyzing learning curves. Researchers can export cognitive models, make changes, and upload the changed model for further analysis. One new feature that has been added to DataShop is an easy-to-use API for using web services to access the repository. These web services allow developers to identify data sets in the repository and directly export data from them at the transaction or student step level. In the near future, developers will be able to add new fields back into the repository with the use of our web services for custom fields.
Housing trends in Central and Eastern European cities during and after the period of transition

The introductory chapter to this section of the book provides an overview of the housing trends in cities of Central and Eastern Europe during the crisis of the transition period in the early and mid-1990s and the subsequent boom of the housing construction industry. An overview of the market fluctuations since the late 1980s is followed by a discussion of the neo-liberal housing policies embraced by most post-socialist governments. The chapter concludes with a description of the spatial impacts on residential development patterns conditioned by market forces, public policies, and the pre-existing spatial structure of the socialist city.
Biology and Pathogenesis of Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus Infection

The strength of the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) model rests on the following five foundations. First, the virus in vivo in its natural host, the mouse, or in vitro in cultured cells is non-cytolytic. This quality allows clear separation of effects caused by the virus from those caused by the host immune system. Consequently, the host cell control of viral infection as opposed to how virus interacts with cells to distort their functions without killing them can be decoded. Second, reactions to LCMV infection can encompass a widely diverse range of immune responses (Fig. 1). Usually when immunocompetent adult mice are injected with LCMV, they generate a marked immune response to eliminate the infectious agent. Although their innate responses include the production of interferon (IFN), macrophages and natural killer (NK) cells (Muller et al. 1994; see reviews Buchmeier et al. 1980; Borrow and Oldstone 1997; see chapter by Biron et al., this volume), it is the adoptive immune response — primarily the virus-specific CD8+ CTL response — that is responsible for virus clearance.
Perturbation Method: Functional Iteration

This chapter examines the procedure and application of functional iteration. It is applicable to differential equations with a small term and homogeneous initial conditions or boundary conditions. It is found that without the small term, the differential equation must be a linear and have a known Green's function. It yields a sequence of approximations. It is observed that if the given equation is only a small perturbation from a linear equation (with a known Green's function), then one may obtain an equivalent integral equation. This integral equation may be expanded methodically. It is shown that how functional iteration method can be used to approximate the solution of an ordinary differential equation, with a small parameter present.
MRI-based pseudo CT synthesis using anatomical signature and alternating random forest with iterative refinement model.

We develop a learning-based method to generate patient-specific pseudo computed tomography (CT) from routinely acquired magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for potential MRI-based radiotherapy treatment planning. The proposed pseudo CT (PCT) synthesis method consists of a training stage and a synthesizing stage. During the training stage, patch-based features are extracted from MRIs. Using a feature selection, the most informative features are identified as an anatomical signature to train a sequence of alternating random forests based on an iterative refinement model. During the synthesizing stage, we feed the anatomical signatures extracted from an MRI into the sequence of well-trained forests for a PCT synthesis. Our PCT was compared with original CT (ground truth) to quantitatively assess the synthesis accuracy. The mean absolute error, peak signal-to-noise ratio, and normalized cross-correlation indices were 60.87 ± 15.10 HU, 24.63 ± 1.73 dB, and 0.954 ± 0.013 for 14 patients’ brain data and 29.86 ± 10.4 HU, 34.18 ± 3.31 dB, and 0.980 ± 0.025 for 12 patients’ pelvic data, respectively. We have investigated a learning-based approach to synthesize CTs from routine MRIs and demonstrated its feasibility and reliability. The proposed PCT synthesis technique can be a useful tool for MRI-based radiation treatment planning.
Report of the Committee on Infiltration, 1950-1951

Reports which have been received from most of the Committee members are presented below in abstract. Full manuscripts of the separate reports are on file in the office of the Union. E. S. Bliss, C. E . Johnson, and Leonard Schiff (submitted by Leonard Schiff, U. S. Soil Conservation Service Research, Bakersfield, California)—The following papers have been prepared for publication.
Clinical predictors and survival outcome of patients receiving suboptimal neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radical cystectomy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer: a single-center experience.

To investigate the prevalence of and factors’ association with receiving suboptimal neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and its impact on survival outcomes in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) treated with radical cystectomy (RC). We reviewed 1119 patients treated with NAC and/or RC for cT2-cT4N0M0 BC. Patients were segregated into three groups: (i) suboptimal NAC (received < 3 cycles of cisplatin-based NAC or non-cisplatin-based regimen), (ii) optimal NAC and (iii) no NAC. Clinical characteristics were compared among groups. Logistic regression analyses tested the association between clinical variables and the odds of receiving suboptimal NAC. To adjust for potential baseline confounders, propensity score matching was performed. Pathologic outcomes were compared between groups and Cox regression analyses tested the risk factors associated with recurrence, overall (OM) and cancer-specific mortality (CSM). Before matching, 84/315 (26.6%) patients received a suboptimal NAC regimen. Lower general health status and impaired renal functions were the most significant factors associated with the administration of a suboptimal NAC. After matching, the optimal NAC group achieved higher rates of complete pathological response as compared to the suboptimal group (p = 0.03). Suboptimal NAC (HR 1.77; p = 0.015) and no NAC (HR 1.52; p = 0.03) were both associated with higher risk of recurrence and OM (HR 1.71; p = 0.02 and HR 1.61; p = 0.02) as compared to optimal NAC. One out of four MIBC patients received a suboptimal NAC regimen before RC. Receiving a suboptimal NAC regimen was associated with worse disease recurrence and survival outcomes following surgery, as compared to an optimal NAC regimen.
The Aesthetic Oculoplastic Surgery Video Teleconference Consult.

Background Skype video telemedicine consults are gaining popularity to evaluate patients from distant locations. No study has analyzed the utility of this means of patient evaluation in a cosmetic oculoplastic patient population. Objectives The authors sought to provide an evidence-based analysis of the utility of Skype video consults in a cosmetic oculoplastic surgery patient population with regards to patient demographics, reasons for consult, and procedural conversion rate. Methods A 1-year retrospective chart review (May 2016 to May 2017) of patients who underwent aesthetic oculoplastic Skype consults from 2 authors' practices was performed. The authors analyzed patient demographics, referral source, chief complaint, location of residence, length of consult, and conversion to face-to-face consultation and intervention. Results Seventy-nine patients (60 women and 19 men) underwent Skype evaluations. Mean age was 49 years. Sixty-four consults (81%) lasted 15 minutes or less. Referral sources included the internet (67%), another physician (19%), self-referral (7.5%), referred by former patients (4%), and social media sites (2.5%). Consultations were obtained for revision (49%), or first-time (30%) eyelid/eyebrow surgery, cosmetic ptosis surgery (6%), laser skin procedures (5%), cosmetic orbital decompression (5%), and lower eyelid fat prolapse (5%). Twenty patients (25%) followed-up with in-person consultation. Sixteen of these patients (80%) had surgical (56%) or nonsurgical (44%) interventions. Conclusions Skype consults are an efficient, in-office modality to increase patient flow through the office, expand patient base, and generate income. In this report, 25% of Skype contacts followed-up with formal in-person consultations, of which 80% had surgical or nonsurgical interventions.
Implementation of a restrictive blood transfusion protocol in a gynecologic oncology service

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of a restrictive blood transfusion protocol in a postoperative gynecologic oncology population. The primary objective was the rate of blood transfusions after surgery before and after implementation of a restrictive transfusion protocol (from July 1st 2011 to December 30th 2016). Secondary outcomes were patient morbidity and included rates of surgical site infection, pneumonia, sepsis, unplanned intubation, prolonged ventilator use, renal insufficiency, acute renal failure, urinary tract infection, cerebral vascular accident, cardiac complications, venous thromboembolism, and death within 30 days of surgery, readmissions and length of stay. Methods: A restrictive blood transfusion protocol was implemented by the gynecologic oncology service at a National Comprehensive Cancer Network designated Comprehensive Cancer Center on January 1st, 2014. The restrictive protocol required that no patient receive a blood transfusion for hemoglobin greater than 7.0 g/dL (or hematocrit greater than 21.0%) and that all red blood cells were administered in one unit increments followed by re-evaluation of blood parameters. Exceptions to this protocol were postoperative symptomatic anemia, intraoperative or day of surgery transfusion, active bleeding, postoperative severe sepsis, postoperative active coronary ischemia, and postoperative transfusion after 1.5 liter or greater blood loss. Results: 1482 patients were identified for this study (755 in the pre-protocol group and 727 in the post-protocol group). Patients treated under the restrictive protocol had decreased rates of red blood cell transfusion (11.0% vs 5.9% p<0.001), superficial surgical site infection (7.7% vs 4.1% p=0.005), deep surgical site infection (2.3% vs 0.7% p=0.02), and median length of stay (3.0 days vs 2.0 days p<0.001). Conclusions: A restrictive blood transfusion protocol is associated with reductions in the rates of blood transfusions and postoperative morbidity with a 46.8% reduction in superficial surgical site infection and a 69.6% decrease in deep surgical site infection in the gynecologic oncology patient population.
Effect of bubble-induced Marangoni convection on dendritic solidification

Abstract A phase field (PF)-lattice Boltzmann (LB) model was developed to capture the bubble-dendrite interactions during solidification of binary alloys under microgravity conditions. The model can handle high density and viscosity ratios in problems such as bubble-dendrite interaction. In this work, the LB method was employed to solve both fluid flow and transport equations, while the finite difference method was used for the heat transfer equation. The solid/liquid interface was tracked by a cellular automaton (CA) model. After validating the model for several benchmark solutions, the Marangoni convection effects on dendrite growth and bubble dynamics were simulated in microgravity conditions. The results suggest that Marangoni convection for larger bubbles can alter the morphology of dendrites, but the effects are negligible for smaller bubbles. In addition, the results of the simulations were compared quantitatively and qualitatively with data from NASA's Pore Formation and Mobility Investigation (PFMI) experiment.
Outcomes of surgery for post-cholecystectomy bile duct injuries: An audit from a tertiary referral center

Summary Aim of the study Bile duct injury (BDI) after cholecystectomy is a serious complication. It often requires surgical repair. The aim of this study was to report on the short and long-term outcomes of surgery for post-cholecystectomy BDI. Patients and methods All the patients, who underwent surgery for post-cholecystectomy BDI between August 2007 and September 2017, were retrospectively reviewed. McDonald grading system was used to assess the long-term outcome. The risk factors for unsatisfactory long-term outcome were analyzed by univariate and multivatiate logistic regression analysis. Results In total, 228 patients had a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. Open cholecystectomy was the major cause of BDI (61%). The median time from injury to definitive repair was 6 months. The types of BDI were as follows: E1 in 13 (5.7%), E2 in 68 (29.82%), E3 in 108 (47.36%), E4 in 28 (12.28%), and E5 in 11 (4.82%) patients respectively. Postoperative morbidity and mortality were 25% and 1.31% respectively. After a median follow-up of 58 months, 90% patients had excellent to good outcome. Recurrent stricture developed in 6 (3%) patients. On multivariate analysis, long injury-repair interval and previous attempt at repair were independent predictors for unsatisfactory long-term outcome. Conclusion Surgical reconstruction affords excellent to good results for majority of the patients with post-cholecystectomy BDI. As longer delay in definitive repair and previous attempt at repair were associated with unsatisfactory long-term outcome, early referral to a specialized hepatobiliary surgery unit is recommended.
The Miniaturization of Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices: Advances in Diagnostic and Therapeutic Modalities

The Fourth Industrial Revolution, characterized by an unprecedented fusion of technologies that is blurring the lines between the physical, digital, and biological spheres, continues the trend to manufacture ever smaller mechanical, optical and electronic products and devices. In this manuscript, we outline the way cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) have evolved into remarkably smaller units with greatly enhanced applicability and capabilities.
Signs of Air in Bowel Wall

The following chapter will serve as a Q&A guide for medical students about the imaging findings of air in the bowel wall. The most clinically relevant topics will hopefully be illustrated for students. The prevalence of various urgent and benign conditions related to these findings will be discussed. Further reading should be performed to better understand the significance, diagnosis, and management of the conditions discussed in these sections.