cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Artificial Solid Electrolyte Interphase-Protected LixSi Nanoparticles: An Efficient and Stable Prelithiation Reagent for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Prelithiation is an important strategy to compensate for lithium loss in lithium-ion batteries, particularly during the formation of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) from reduced electrolytes in the first charging cycle. We recently demonstrated that LixSi nanoparticles (NPs) synthesized by thermal alloying can serve as a high-capacity prelithiation reagent, although their chemical stability in the battery processing environment remained to be improved. Here we successfully developed a surface modification method to enhance the stability of LixSi NPs by exploiting the reduction of 1-fluorodecane on the LixSi surface to form a continuous and dense coating through a reaction process similar to SEI formation. The coating, consisting of LiF and lithium alkyl carbonate with long hydrophobic carbon chains, serves as an effective passivation layer in the ambient environment. Remarkably, artificial-SEI-protected LixSi NPs show a high prelithiation capacity of 2100 mA h g–1 with negligible capacity decay in ...
Neoadjuvant Treatment of High-Risk, Clinically Localized Prostate Cancer Prior to Radical Prostatectomy

Multimodal strategies combining local and systemic therapy offer the greatest chance of cure for many with men with high-risk prostate cancer who may harbor occult metastatic disease. However, no systemic therapy combined with radical prostatectomy has proven beneficial. This was in part due to a lack of effective systemic agents; however, there have been several advancements in the metastatic and castrate-resistant prostate cancer that might prove beneficial if given earlier in the natural history of the disease. For example, novel hormonal agents have recently been approved for castration-resistant prostate cancer with some early phase II neoadjuvant showing promise. Additionally, combination therapy with docetaxel-based chemohormonal has demonstrated a profound survival benefit in metastatic hormone-naive patients and might have a role in eliminating pre-existing ADT-resistant tumor cells in the neoadjuvant setting. The Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB)/Alliance 90203 trial has finished accrual and should answer the question as to whether neoadjuvant docetaxel-based chemohormonal therapy provides an advantage over prostatectomy alone. There are also several promising targeted agents and immunotherapies under investigation in phase I/II trials with the potential to provide benefit in the neoadjuvant setting.
Transitional RANS/DES Computations of Turbine Heat Transfer

A Navier-Stokes simulation procedure, MBFLO, which has transitional Reynoldsaveraged and detached-eddy simulation capability, is demonstrated for the computation of flow and heat transfer in a turbine cascade. The Navier-Stokes equations are solved using an explicit, multiple-grid procedure for steady-flow Reynolds-averaged (RANS) computations. A dual time-step procedure is used for unsteady Reynolds-averaged (URANS) or detached-eddy (DES) simulations. A two-equation k-ω turbulence model is used for the entire turbulence field in the RANS and URANS simulations as well as in the near-wall regions of the DES. A fixed-coefficient Smagorinsky model is used in the outer turbulent regions for DES simulations. Transition from laminar to turbulent flow is determined based on the ratio of the boundary-layer diffusion time to a timescale associated with the local turbulent fluctuations at the boundary-layer edge. RANS, URANS, and DES simulations have been performed for flow through a turbine cascade at different freestream turbulence levels and compared with surface heat flux experimental data.
Analysis on occurrence and characteristics of avian influenza in China during 2004-2014

In order to improve the efficiency of prevention and control of avian influenza, this paper collected and analyzed the occurrence status and characteristics of avian influenza in China during 2004-2014. The results showed that the numbers of avian influenza outbreak, poultry disease and culling decreased to zero year by year from2004 to 2010, but rebounded slightly after 2010. Most of the avian influenza viruses were H5N1 which was known as highly pathogenic avian influenza. Numbers of avian influenza outbreak in west China were the most, Xinjiang,Guangdong and Xizang were the regions where avian influenza outbroke most frequently, danger of each avian influenza outbreak in Yunnan and Guizhou was greater. Chicken had the highest susceptibility. Most of the avian influenza occurred in the winter and early spring. The propagation path of avian influenza in a year started from the Southwest to the East, then to the South and then to the North and Central China. At last, relevant policy suggestions to prevent and control avian influenza were put forward.
What defines disease in an age of genetics and biomarkers

PURPOSE OF REVIEW The purpose of this review was to discuss the evidence suggesting that our definition of type 1 diabetes (T1D) needs to change to incorporate new data about risk of disease and how we should intervene in this wider spectrum of disease. RECENT FINDINGS Autoantibodies can predict the development of T1D within defined periods of time. Other biomarkers are being developed that may further characterize stages of disease, as well as help define new pathways for treatment to prevent the development of hyperglycemia and full-blown diabetes. SUMMARY We have entered a new age in which prevention of disease is now possible based on changing the definition of diabetes to one that incorporates immunological markers that bring with them high risk. Further advances in our knowledge will continue to refine our ability to predict and hopefully eventually prevent T1D.
The Forgotten Employees and Their Fight for Wage and Working Condition Equality: Could the Minor Leaguers' Lawsuit Pierce Through Baseball's Historic Antitrust Exemption?

This article analyzes key legal issues in Senne and contends MLB’s historic antitrust exemption will likely toss this lawsuit swiftly through a summary judgment motion.Part I will provide additional facts regards to the circumstances in which Senne arose. It will give an overview of the three U.S. Supreme Court cases known as the “baseball trilogy” and subsequent cases decided by different United States Circuits -- leaving the scope of baseball’s exemption uncertain.Part II will discuss Congress’ sole attempt at defining the scope of baseball’s exemption with the enactment of the Curt Flood Act of 1998. With the seeming hope of defining and limiting the exemption in scope, this article demonstrates the Curt Flood Act of 1998 failed to define the exemptions scope and arguably made it broader and stronger rather than limited and weaker. The Act may give MLB substantial leverage in future court proceedings to argue the antitrust exemption now covers everything attenuated with the “business of baseball.”Part IV will provide possible solutions for minor leaguers following a likely dismissal of Senne. This section contends either minor leaguers filing an unfair labor practice against MLB, arguing for Congressional intervention, or seeking unionization are all plausible ways minor leaguers may seek better wages and overtime pay for their services.This article concludes stating Senne v. MLB will likely be thrown out but that does not bar minor leaguers from seeking alternative options in combating their low pay and alleged deplorable working conditions.
Individual and Cross-Cultural Differences in Semantic Intuitions: New Experimental Findings

In 2004 Edouard Machery, Ron Mallon, Shaun Nichols and Stephen Stich published what has become one of the most widely discussed papers in experimental philosophy, in which they reported that East Asian and Western participants had different intuitions about the semantic reference of proper names. A flurry of criticisms of their work has emerged, and although various replications have been performed, many critics remain unconvinced. We review the current debate over Machery et al.’s (2004) results and take note of which objections to their work have been satisfactorily answered and which ones still need to be addressed. We then report the results of studies that reveal significant cross-cultural and intra-cultural differences in semantic intuitions when we control for variables that critics allege have had a potentially distorting effect on Machery et al.’s findings. These variables include the epistemic perspective from which participants are supposed to understand the research materials, unintended anchoring effects of those materials, and pragmatic factors involved in the interpretation of speech acts within them. Our results confirm the robustness of the cross-cultural differences observed by Machery et al. and thereby strengthen the philosophical challenge they pose.
Suppression of Dead-Time Distortion Through Revised Repetitive Controller in PMSM Drives

This paper proposes a new dead-time compensation method for voltage-source inverters (VSIs) used in permanent-magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) drives. The proposed technique is developed based on the revised repetitive controller (RRC) to reduce current harmonics and distortion, which is essential to improve efficiency, rotor position observer performance at very low speed, and self-commissioning accuracy. This method significantly suppresses the sixth-order harmonics and its multiples in synchronous reference frame and reduces the current total harmonic distortion (THD) without depending on the precise current sampling especially in the zero-crossing region. Unlike in most average value theory or pulse based compensations, it does not require additional hardware. It is also shown that RRC-based compensation has better robustness against motor parameter variations than disturbance observer based methods and requires very low computational effort. Compared to other repetitive controllers (RC), the proposed RRC is dedicated for dead-time compensation and can easily be integrated because of its simpler structure. In addition, it can be conveniently activated or deactivated on the fly, which adds more flexibility to the control overall algorithm. The effectiveness of the proposed method is validated by theoretical analysis, spectrum analysis, as well as simulation and experimental results.
Eastern filbert blight disease resistance from Corylus americana ‘Rush’ and selection ‘Yoder #5’ maps to linkage group 7

Eastern filbert blight (EFB), caused by the pyrenomycete Anisogramma anomala, is a serious threat to the hazelnut industry in the Pacific Northwest. EFB is endemic in eastern North America where it occasionally produces small cankers on the wild American hazelnut (Corylus americana). In contrast, most cultivars of European hazelnut (Corylus avellana) are susceptible. Genetic resistance is the most promising disease control method and is an objective of the Oregon State University hazelnut breeding program. ‘Gasaway’ resistance, which is governed by a dominant allele at a single locus, has been extensively used in the program. However, ‘Gasaway’ and some of its offspring have been infected by EFB isolates from New Jersey, Minnesota, and Michigan. Efforts to create new cultivars with durable EFB resistance include identifying and studying new resistance sources. In this study, resistant accessions C. americana ‘Rush’ and interspecific hybrid selection ‘Yoder #5’ were crossed with susceptible C. avellana selections and the resulting segregating seedling populations were inoculated by either exposure of potted trees under a structure topped with diseased branches or field exposure supplemented by tying diseased branches to each tree. Disease response was scored when cankers were visible 20 months after inoculation. Resistance from both sources segregated in a 1:1 ratio, indicating control by a single locus and a dominant allele for resistance. DNA extracted from the seedlings was amplified with previously mapped microsatellite markers. Resistance from both C. americana ‘Rush’ and ‘Yoder #5’ was placed on linkage group 7 in the same position as resistance from C. avellana ‘Ratoli.’ Linked microsatellite markers B753, GB372, and B509 will be useful for marker-assisted selection and the pyramiding of genes for durable EFB resistance. Assessing response to EFB is challenging, whether the plants are inoculated under a structure topped with diseased wood or in a humidity chamber in the greenhouse, or by exposure in the field. The pathogen has a 2-year life cycle, and there is a 15-month wait between inoculation and symptom expression. A small number of escapes is commonly encountered, and resistant plants occasionally develop small cankers. Our approach of studying segregation ratios and then mapping with microsatellite markers should be a useful approach for disease resistance studies in many tree crops.
Network-aware virtual data center resource orchestration in an optical data center

Involving optical networking in the data center network (DCN) architecture is an emerging trend. Optical networking with advantages of high capacity and cost efficiency, would improve the network throughput for the cloud platform and improve the performance for serving big data applications. How to realize the network-aware resource provisioning for the big data applications in the optical DCN architecture would be an important issue that needs to be investigated. In this work, we focus on the network-aware resource provisioning in data center with different optical DCN architectures. Our target is to make use of limited computing and network resources in the data center to serve the maximum number of applications with minimal total cost. Optical networking is used to provide the guaranteed network bandwidth required by the applications. Mixed integer linear/quadratic programming (MILP/MIQP) optimization models are developed to solve the network-aware resource provisioning problem in the optical data center based on different types of DCN architectures.
Physical Activity and Prognosis in the TOPCAT Trial (Treatment of Preserved Cardiac Function Heart Failure With an Aldosterone Antagonist).

Background:Physical activity (PA) is inversely associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes in healthy populations, but the impact of physical activity in patients with heart failure (HF) with p...
The effect of Competition on Toxic Pollution Release

We examine how competition affects toxic industrial releases, using five years of data from thousands of facilities across hundreds of industries. Our main result indicates that competition reduces...
Is the relationship between inflation and its volatility asymmetric? US evidence, 1800–2016

Abstract This paper investigates the relationship between inflation and inflation volatility. Using annual data from 1800 to 2016, the results show that US inflation and its volatility have been positively correlated when inflation exceeds a certain value, but negatively correlated when inflation is below this threshold. The evidence also suggests that the break in the relationship occurs between annual inflation rates of 0.8% and 4.3%, which includes both the 2% inflation target of many central banks and the 3.5% break point predicted by the New Keynesian model of Coibion, Gorodnichenko, and Wieland (2012).
Differences in Pediatric Headache Prescription Patterns by Diagnosis

Few studies have reported prescription patterns for headache medication. The aim was to present the rates of specific medication prescribed to pediatric patients diagnosed with migraine, tension-type headache (TTH), and new daily persistent headache (NDPH), as well as differences in those prescription patterns by diagnosis, age, and gender. A query using the i2b2 platform yielded 14,591 patients [migraine 10,547 (72.3%); TTH 3200 (21.9%); NDPH 844 (5.8%)] seen over a 3-year period, who were aged 4–17 years at the time of their visit and diagnosed with migraine, TTH, or NDPH. Sumatriptan was the most frequently prescribed medication for migraine followed by amitriptyline. The most frequently prescribed medication for both TTH and NDPH was amitriptyline, followed by sumatriptan in TTH and by topiramate in NDPH. Age and gender differences were also found in prescription patterns of each of the diagnoses. The differences in prescription patterns found between the diagnoses, as well as age and gender differences found within the diagnoses, are discussed. A wide range of medications are prescribed to children and adolescents with headache, with most medications prescribed for off-label use. As these medications are not Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for use in children and adolescents with headache, there is a need for large scale, randomized controlled trials to assess the efficacy of these medications.
Comparative Effectiveness Issues in Lung Cancer

Lung cancer accounts for more cancer deaths than breast, prostate, colorectal and pancreatic cancer combined. With an aging population, greater intensity of cancer care, and the need for care of the growing number of cancer survivors, comparative effectiveness research opportunities will continue to emerge for this disease. In this chapter, we focus on CER opportunities in lung cancer surgery from the vantage point of those factors directly influenced by the surgeon, patient and the healthcare system.
Perspective: Ion-Selective Microelectrodes: Their Potential in the Study of Living Matter In Vivo*

Work with ion-selective macro- and microelectrodes is rapidly evolving into a new specialty area in biology. The inherent advantages of the approach are basic: it enables one to measure activity of an ionic species directly, as opposed to concentration, and it does this simply, quickly, and in the presence of numerous other components in a complex system, negating the need of first isolating the molecular or ionic species of interest. Interfering species can be compensated for in most cases. Selective microelectrodes have the additional unique potential of making measurements of ionic species possible for the first time in vivo under conditions that approach normalcy, and, in addition, in a continuous manner. Net reactions can therefore be followed in vivo. In contrast, most biochemical measurements today are based on in vitro procedures that are nonphysiologic. Furthermore, they are frequently limited to only one point in time. Undoubtedly piercing a cell with a microelectrode can alter its functional state. But, as has been debated in neuro- and electrophysiology, if the microelectrodes are sufficiently fine and the area entered small with respect to the total cell, then the injury should be negligible and the measured activity should approximate that present in the normal living system.
Self-Expanding Versus Balloon-Expandable Devices

There are various considerations when selecting a TAVR device for a particular patient. Subtleties in anatomy and clinical situation as well as operator familiarity will serve as a guide.
Thesis II: Human Systems

This proposal is an example of a post-structuralist research design that incorporates a mixed methodological approach. Additionally, the proposal is a policy-oriented case study that effectively integrates fieldwork, content analysis, and government documents to explain and compare historical and contemporary policies in Malaysia. In particular, this proposal is effective as it examines the politics of scale and how the spatial practices and policies of stakeholders may alter the spatial dynamics of policy as planned and as implemented.
A Rare Cause of Critical Carotid Stenosis

Blunt carotid artery injuries are uncommon, usually occur in a delayed fashion, and most commonly after significant blunt-force mechanism. Choke holds, use of pressure points, and other close-comba...
Can photolysis of the CoC bond in coenzyme B12-dependent enzymes be used to mimic the native reaction?

Abstract Coenzyme B12 (Adenosylcobalamin = AdoCbl)-dependent enzymes catalyze complex molecular transformations where cleavage of the Co C bond initiates the catalytic cycle. Alternatively, the Co C bond can be cleaved with light. In both cases, rupture of the Co C bond results in the formation of Co(II)/Ado radical pair (RP). Within the field of B12 chemistry, there has been a suspicion that photolytic cleavage can be used as a probe or a direct comparison of the native reaction. Herein, we seek to resolve what the connection between light induced RP formation and the native catalytic cycle is. We used a combined QM/MM approach to construct PESs for AdoCbl-dependent ethanolamine ammonia-lyase (EAL) as a function of axial bonds to describe the reaction mechanism. We have found that there is no direct comparison that can be made between photolysis and enzymatic cleavage as the mechanism associated with these involves different electronic states. With that being said, we have explored an alternate hypothesis for the connection which involves the one-electron reduced form of the AdoCbl cofactor. This hypothesis is in line with the concept based on proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET), which involves the formation of AdoCbl cofactor-tyrosine diradical complex. The topology of the PES for the one-electron reduced (D1) cofactor is very similar to the PES associated with photo-induced cleavage (S1). Both surfaces contain two energy minima that are, similarly, the result of two distinct electronic states. Thus, it appears that the reaction mechanism associated with the D1 surface and the S1 surface are very similar, providing a plausible connection between photolysis and native catalysis.
Long-term quality of life after definitive treatment of sinonasal and nasopharyngeal malignancies.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate long-term global and site-specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients treated for sinonasal and nasopharyngeal malignancies. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional. METHODS One hundred fourteen patients with sinonasal and nasopharyngeal malignancies received surgery, radiation, systemic chemotherapy, or a combination thereof, with curative intent. Validated global ([EuroQol-5D] Visual Analogue Scale [EQ-5D VAS]) and disease-specific instruments (MD Anderson Symptom Inventory-Head and Neck [MDASI-HN], Anterior Skull Base Questionnaire [ASBQ]) were administered to patients who were both free of disease and had completed treatment at least 12 months previously. Associations between instruments, instrument domains, and specific clinical parameters were analyzed. RESULTS The median age was 55 years. The mean EQ-5D VAS, MDASI-22 composite score, and ASBQ score were 74 (standard deviation [SD] 21), 48 (SD 36), and 130 (SD 27), respectively. The most frequently reported high-severity items in MDASI-HN were dry mouth and difficulty tasting food. The most frequently reported high-severity items in ASBQ were difficulty with smell and nasal secretions. Advanced Tumor (T) classification was associated with worse overall ASBQ sum score (P = 0.02). ASBQ performance at home and MDASI-HN drowsy symptom items independently predicted worse global HRQoL as measured by the EQ-5D VAS (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Global HRQoL for survivors of sinonasal and nasopharyngeal malignancies after multimodality treatment approximates that of the U.S. population for the same age group. ASBQ and MDASI-HN correlate well with global HRQoL outcomes as measured by EQ-5D VAS. MDASI-HN and ASBQ elicited unique symptoms, highlighting the complex symptom burden experienced by these patients. Further studies should identify patients predisposed to reduced long-term QOL. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 3 Laryngoscope, 130:86-93, 2020.
The Virtual Sociality of Rights: The Case of

This essay traces the relationship between activists and academics involved in the campaign for "women's rights as human rights" as a case study of the relationship between different classes of what I call "knowledge professionals" self-consciously acting in a transnational domain. The puzzle that animates this essay is the following: how was it that at the very moment at which a critique of "rights" and a reimagination of rights as "rights talk" proved to be such fertile ground for academic scholarship did the same "rights" prove to be an equally fertile ground for activist networking and lobbying activities? The paper answers this question with respect to the work of self-reflexivity in creating a "virtual sociality of rights."
Milestones on the Plastic Surgery In-Service Training Examination.

Background The Plastic Surgery Milestones Project was implemented in 2014 to establish standards for competency based resident education. In restructuring educational activities under the Milestones, various pedagogical tools have been revised. However, these standards have not yet been applied to the Plastic Surgery In-Service Training Examination. The purpose of this study was to determine the representation of the various components of the Plastic Surgery Milestones Project, on the In-Service Training Examination. Methods All questions from the 2014 ‐ 2018 In-Service Examinations were evaluated within the framework of the current Plastic Surgery Milestones. Using content analysis, each Examination question was mapped to a single Milestone. Descriptive analysis of Milestone subject area and Core Competency breakdown, as well as year to year trends, were performed. Results Of the 1,150 questions analyzed, there was an unequal representation of individual Milestones (0-7.4%). Of the 36 Plastic Surgery Milestones, 10 represented more than 50% of the PSITEs while 8 Milestones had less than 1% representation. The most common subject area was Head and Neck (12.7%) and least common was Reconstruction of the Trunk and Perineum. Among Core Competencies, more than half (50.4%) tested Patient Care while Interpersonal and Communication Skills was the lowest represented, 0.2%. Conclusions The Plastic Surgery In-Service Examination tests a variable proportion of Milestones. Currently, the PSITE is not well integrated with competency based education in spite of a shift towards such a training model. Going forward, the PSITE may include an associated Milestone with each question in order to better incorporate Competencies into this important annual evaluation metric.
Yokenella regensburgei necrotizing fasciitis in an immunocompromised host.

Abstract We report a case of necrotizing skin infection caused by Yokenella regensburgei in an immunosuppressed patient with orthotopic liver transplantation. Initial bacterial culture identification was suggestive of Hafnia alvei. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) confirmed identification of Y. regensburgei. Necrotizing fasciitis is potentially fatal and requires aggressive management, including early diagnosis, appropriate antibiotic selection, and operative debridement.
Syllable production in hard-of-hearing preschoolers

Expressive language in preschoolers has been shown to be positively related to later language development, although not all studies have shown robust effects. Most studies that consider sex have shown that girls develop expressive language earlier than boys. It has also been widely demonstrated that children with a variety of speech-, language-, and hearing-related disorders show deficits in expressive language skills. Children with hearing loss in particular have shown deficits in consonant production, prosodic control, vowel duration, and mean length of utterance. This study examines the expressive language of preschool children with hearing loss using estimates of syllable production from 366 daylong audio recordings totaling over 4348 h of audio processed with unsupervised automatic speech processing techniques. We found no main effect of sex, but typically-developing children were more voluble on average. Unexpectedly, an interaction effect suggests that typically developing boys may be driving the observed differences. This work adds to the evidence of social and biological variability in the speech production of children, and is further proof-of-concept of developmental speech production work using massive data sets and automatic analysis methods.
Rupture Process of the 2008 Wenchuan, China, Earthquake: A Review

The May 12, 2008, Wenchuan earthquake (MW 7.9, MS 8.1) is the largest continental intraplate event to strike globally in the last 60 years. It caused great destruction and loss of life along the steep eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau, adjacent to the Sichuan Basin. The event ruptured multiple faults with a mix of thrust- and right-lateral strike-slip faulting along the northeast-trending Longmen Shan thrust belt, with an overall oblique compressional deformation. Surface displacements of up to ~11 m, the distribution of thousands of aftershocks and landslides, geodetic observations, and seismic wave imaging indicate a total rupture extent of ~280 km, extending unilaterally northeastward from the hypocenter. The primary slip has a patchy distribution along the segmented out-of-sequence Beichuan fault, with large-slip patches in the region from Yingxiu to Xiaoyudong, near Beichuan, and near Nanba. The southwestern segment near Yingxiu, where the hanging wall is comprised of the high seismic velocity Pengguan massif, has primarily thrust displacement with minor right-lateral component. Strongly oblique slip occurred near Beichuan and progressively more steeply dipping right-lateral strike-slip dominates toward the northeast. The large-slip patches are less than 10 km deep, but slip extends deeper in the southwestern region and the fault appears to have listric extension into a mid-crustal decollement with shallow dip below 20 km depth. The rupture expanded with an average rupture velocity of ~2.8 ± 0.2 km/s along this segmented fault zone with a total rupture duration of ~110 s, with faster rupture speed in the northeastern region, possibly being supershear. Most aftershocks are concentrated from 10 to 20 km deep, below the large-slip zones. Predominantly thrust slip with vertical offset of ~3.5 m occurred at shallow depth along ~72 km of the imbricate Pengguan fault located 6–7 km to the southeast of the southern Beichuan fault. Shallower dip of the Pengguan fault may cause it to converge with the Beichuan fault at depth, and/or to flatten into the same mid-crustal decollement. Oblique compressional left-lateral slip occurred on the short conjugate southward-dipping Xiaoyudong fault, connecting the two range-parallel faults. The moment-scaled radiated energy of the Wenchuan event is higher than for typical interplate thrust faulting, likely contributing to the extensive damage.
A Technique to Identify Isoattenuating Gallstones with Dual-Layer Spectral CT: An ex Vivo Phantom Study

Background Previously reported dual-energy CT methods for detecting noncalcified gallstones have reduced accuracy for gallstones smaller than 9 mm. Purpose To develop a dual-energy CT method for differentiating isoattenuating gallstones from bile and compare it with previously reported dual-energy CT methods by using a prospective ex vivo phantom reader study. Materials and Methods From May 2017 to May 2018, gallstones were collected from 105 patients (34 men; mean age, 51 years; age range, 18-84 years) undergoing cholecystectomy and placed inside 120-mL vials containing ox bile. The vials were placed inside a water-filled phantom and were scanned with dual-layer dual-energy CT. Thirty isoattenuating gallstones (4.3-24.7 mm in diameter) were evaluated. Conventional CT images, virtual noncontrast images, and monoenergetic images at 200 and 40 keV were created. Segmented images were created by using a two-dimensional histogram of Compton and photoelectric attenuation. Six readers evaluated the presence of isoattenuating gallstones in each image. Intra- and interreader agreement was measured by using percentage agreement, diagnostic performance was evaluated by using mean area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) estimates and pairwise comparisons, and the agreement of gallstone sizes measured at pathologic examination with those measured on segmented images was compared by using Bland-Altman analysis. Results For all gallstones, segmented images provided the highest mean intrareader (88.1%) and interreader (88.2% and 93.6%) agreements for all readers and reading sessions and the highest overall AUC (0.99; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.97, 1.00; adjusted P .94, adjusted P > .05 for all). For gallstones measuring 9 mm or smaller, the segmented images had the highest overall AUC (0.99; 95% CI: 0.97, 1.00; adjusted P < .01 for all). The mean difference in stone sizes was -0.6 mm, with limits of agreement from 2.6 to -3.8 mm. Conclusion Segmented images from Compton and photoelectric attenuation coefficients improve detection of isoattenuating gallstones compared with previously reported dual-energy CT methods. © RSNA, 2019 Online supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Matos in this issue.
Seasonal Assessment of Supercooling Points for Two Introduced and One Native Laricobius spp. (Coleoptera: Derodontidae), Predators of Adelgidae

The hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae Annand, is an invasive insect that threatens hemlock species in eastern North America. Several species from the genus Laricobius are predators of A. tsugae in its native areas of Asia and the western United States. Two Laricobius species have been released as biological control agents: Laricobius nigrinus Fender, and Laricobius osakensis Montgomery and Shiyake. Laricobius rubidus LeConte is an adelgid predator native to the Eastern United States, where it can feed and complete development on A. tsugae opportunistically. Laboratory assays were conducted to assess the cold hardiness of these three Laricobius species, including two distinct populations of L. osakensis, by measuring the supercooling points of each species from November 2016 through March 2017. This information may be useful for choosing the best-suited biological control agent for a particular region to control A. tsugae. There was a significant difference between the overall mean supercooling point of L. rubidus compared to the other Laricobius spp. There were also significant differences of supercooling points between L. rubidus and both strains of L. osakensis in January, and significant differences between L. rubidus and all other strains in February. L. rubidus appear better adapted to cold extremes in the eastern U.S. than imported Laricobius spp.
Majority Party, Standing Committees, and Evidence for Indirect Control1

The majority party leadership has different goals for different committees. As such, they tailor a variety of control mechanisms to match different committees. When a committee is considered “highl...
Linguistic Inclusion: Challenging Implicit Classed Communication Bias in Interview Methods:

Social class influences communication behaviors in a variety of ways, including, for example, norms regarding volume, silence, and language use. Communication typical of white-collar backgrounds is...
A programme of multiple-antigen childhood immunization in Yaoundé, Cameroon: first-year evaluation, 1975-1976.

The Yaounde multiple-antigen childhood immunization programme began in November 1975, making it one of the first expanded programmes on immunization operational in Africa. During the first 9 months, more than 22 000 children were immunized against poliomyelitis, measles, tuberculosis, smallpox, whooping cough, tetanus, and diphtheria. Evaluation of the programme showed the following rates of immunization coverage in the target population; 30% for DPT (one dose or more), 27% for poliomyelitis (one dose or more), 27% for BCG, 33% for measles, and 20% for smallpox. Eighty per cent of children received the correct vaccines for their age and vaccination status. Seroconversion to measles vaccine was 89% in those over 12 months of age but only 50% in those between 6 and 11 months of age. The major factor in low immunization coverage was felt to be inadequate publicity. The cost of the programme was estimated to be US $10 920. The cost of immunizing a child completely was estimated at US $1.90. Some logistic problems encountered during this initial year of operation are discussed.
Mitochondrial OPA1 cleavage is reversibly activated by differentiation of H9c2 cardiomyoblasts

Optic atrophy-1 (OPA1) is a dynamin-like GTPase localized to the mitochondrial inner membrane, playing key roles in inner membrane fusion and cristae maintenance. OPA1 is regulated by the mitochondrial transmembrane potential (Δψm): when Δψm is intact, long OPA1 isoforms (L-OPA1) carry out inner membrane fusion. Upon loss of Δψm, L-OPA1 isoforms are proteolytically cleaved to short (S-OPA1) isoforms by the stress-inducible OMA1 metalloprotease, causing collapse of the mitochondrial network and promoting apoptosis. Here, we show that L-OPA1 isoforms of H9c2 cardiomyoblasts are retained under loss of Δψm, despite the presence of OMA1. However, when H9c2s are differentiated to a more cardiac-like phenotype via treatment with retinoic acid (RA) in low serum media, loss of Δ ψm induces robust, and reversible, cleavage of L-OPA1 and subsequent OMA1 degradation. These findings indicate that a potent developmental switch regulates Δ ψm-sensitive OPA1 cleavage, suggesting novel developmental and regulatory mechanisms for OPA1 homeostasis.
Historical Alternans in the Emergency Department (H.A.t.E.D.) for Pain: An Analysis of Patient Pain Descriptors to Attending and Trainee Clinicians.

Objectives The concept of "historical alternans" (HA), a teaching folklore term referring to different descriptions of patient histories to trainees versus attending clinicians, can cause disjointed care and be a source of frustration for the trainee. Increased focus on the proper evaluation and treatment of pain in the emergency department (ED) setting prompts an evaluation of the HA concept as it relates to pain. Methods We conducted a prospective observational pilot study comparing pain descriptions given to attending and trainee clinicians in the ED using a five-question pain description survey. Trainees included emergency medicine physician residents, emergency medicine physician assistant residents, off-service residents, and students. Trainees completed the first survey and attending clinicians repeated survey questions after at least a 10-minute washout. Surveys include descriptions of pain as part of patients' primary concern, severity indicated by a verbal numerical rating score (VNRS), and pain location, quality, and duration. Results During a 10-day period, surveys were completed for 97 patient encounters. Most trainee clinicians were emergency medicine physician residents (53%), followed by emergency medicine physician assistants (32%), students (13%), and off-service residents (2%). Pain complaints centered on the abdomen (18.5%), chest (12%), and knee (6%). Differences in pain description were found in the majority of cases (55%), with most having one categorical difference. The majority of categorical differences were VNRS (38%), although the difference in scores was not statistically significant (P = 0.20). Medical students had the highest variance in VNRS difference compared with attending clinicians. There was no significant difference in described duration (P = 0.99) or quality of pain (P = 0.99) between trainee and attending clinicians. Conclusions Most patient encounters had at least one difference in categorical pain descriptors between trainee and attending clinicians. Although differences in severity of pain were present, they were not significant. HA does occur in the ED setting, but the magnitude of difference may be minimal.
Thromboelastography During Rewarming for Management of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Patients

Abstract Background Thromboelastography (TEG) predicts bleeding in pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgical procedure. We hypothesize that TEG indicators at rewarming correlate with postprotamine values and that rewarming TEG is associated with surrogate end points for postoperative bleeding in pediatric patients undergoing complex cardiac surgical procedure. Methods In a retrospective study of 703 pediatric (≤18 years) patients undergoing complex cardiac surgical procedures, TEG results obtained during rewarming and after protamine administration were compared using linear regression. A composite end point of extended blood product transfusion or surgical reexploration for bleeding was used as a surrogate for postoperative bleeding. Results By multivariable analysis, longer cardiopulmonary bypass time and lower TEG maximal amplitude (MA) during rewarming were independently associated with the risk of the composite end point in the operating room or in the intensive care unit (P Conclusions A lower MA during rewarming is associated with an increased risk of perioperative bleeding. In patients with a rewarming MA of less than 45 mm, an intraoperative platelet transfusion may reduce the risk of subsequent bleeding. Individualized platelet transfusion therapy based on rewarming TEG may reduce the risk of bleeding while minimizing unnecessary platelet transfusion.
Digital Games to Improve Learning in Haiti

Imagine producing curricula to teach a new language to an audience in a different country that has never had access to computers or the Internet. How will instructional designers and teachers communicate when worlds are so vastly different? Before reading, writing, or speaking, images and movement facilitate communication. This article describes a service-learning design case led by faculty at a southeastern university in the United States. It involved iterative instructional design (ID), development, and a formative evaluation process by which university students created digital games for twenty-three children in Haiti with minimal to no schooling. Lessons learned include how visual literacy (VL) is as crucial for the designers of instruction as it is for the recipients.
Test of Significance for High-dimensional Thresholds with Application to Individualized Minimal Clinically Important Difference

This work is motivated by learning the individualized minimal clinically important difference, a vital concept to assess clinical importance in various biomedical studies. We formulate the scientific question into a high-dimensional statistical problem where the parameter of interest lies in an individualized linear threshold. The goal of this paper is to develop a hypothesis testing procedure for the significance of a single element in this high-dimensional parameter as well as for the significance of a linear combination of this parameter. The difficulty dues to the high-dimensionality of the nuisance component in developing such a testing procedure, and also stems from the fact that this high-dimensional threshold model is nonregular and the limiting distribution of the corresponding estimator is nonstandard. To deal with these challenges, we construct a test statistic via a new bias corrected smoothed decorrelated score approach, and establish its asymptotic distributions under both the null and local alternative hypotheses. In addition, we propose a double-smoothing approach to select the optimal bandwidth parameter in our test statistic and provide theoretical guarantees for the selected bandwidth. We conduct comprehensive simulation studies to demonstrate how our proposed procedure can be applied in empirical studies. Finally, we apply the proposed method to a clinical trial where the scientific goal is to assess the clinical importance of a surgery procedure.
Analysis of ocular microbial adhesion.

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews currently employed methods used to examine ocular microbial adhesion and focuses on Pseudomonas aeruginosa ( P. aeruginosa ), an opportunistic bacterial pathogen whose interaction with the ocular surface has been thoroughly examined. The basis for this is that the organism is one of the most common pathogens associated with bacterial corneal ulcers, particularly in contact lens wearers. Because of the rapidity of corneal degradation and the potential for perforation that occurs within 24–48 hours after onset of infection, the keratitis produced by the bacterium is one of the most dangerous of corneal infections. The description of techniques included in the chapter details growth and characterization of the bacteria and in vitro assessment of bacterial binding to corneal epithelium. The chapter focuses primarily on the interaction of P. aeruginosa with corneal epithelial proteins and describes methods for immunofluorescent and immunoelectron microscopy (IEM) localization of gangliotetraosylceramide (asialo-G M1 )—representative of a class of neutral glycolipid receptors for bacterial binding to scarified cornea.
Computer Simulation of the Dynamics of 180° Ferroelectric Domains

A computer simulation technique based on the time- dependent Ginzburg-Landau (TDGL) equations formulated in the reciprocal space was proposed for modeling the dynamics of ferroelectric domain formation and domainwall motion. The temporal evolution of domain structures with 180° domain walls in a quenched paraelectric phase was studied. Both the long-range electric dipole-dipole interaction energy and the total domain wall energy for any arbitrary distributions of ferroelectric domains were evaluated in the reciprocal space. The effect of free surfaces on the polarization and domain morphologies was discussed. The domain-wall motion under an electric field was investigated.
A study of the species-confidence hypothesis with Spiny-cheeked Honeyeaters ( Acanthagenys rufogularis )

The species-confidence hypothesis states that birds are attracted to colours found on their own body and are repelled by colours not found on their body. Previous studies have examined this hypothesis by measuring the distance at which birds took flight in response to humans approaching them while wearing different-coloured clothes. One study found that birds without red or orange on their bodies had longer flight-initiation distances when an orange vest was worn, while birds with those colours on their bodies were not affected. We evaluated the species-confidence hypothesis by approaching Spiny-cheeked Honeyeaters (Acanthagenys rufogularis) while wearing four different-coloured T-shirts and noted their flight-initiation distance. We predicted that birds would allow us to approach closer if we were wearing a colour found on their body. Unlike previous studies, we accounted for the fact that different colours are differentially detectable in the field because detectability alone may influence flight-initiation distance (i.e. bright colours are more detectable simply because they are bright). Two shirts were highly detectable (red and yellow) and two were relatively cryptic (tan and olive). Specifically, Spiny-cheeked Honeyeaters were found to have the longest flight-initiation distances when approached by a person wearing a yellow T-shirt (a colour not found on the bird), and the shortest flight-initiation distances when approached by a person wearing a red T-shirt (a colour found on the bird). The species-confidence hypothesis may account for variable flight-initiation distances.
Online Auction Site Management

The successful deployment and operation of an online auction system requires knowledge of mechanism design, system architecture, and successful Internet business practices. Online auctions pose several challenges to Web developers because they are intensely data driven and have temporal behaviors that must be faithfully implemented. This chapter discusses many of the issues that an auction provider should consider when selecting or developing an auction software system. Auctions can be seen as a mechanism that is precisely defined by sets of rules that govern bidding, quoting, and clearing. These activities will have natural components in the software system, and the choices made in the architecture of the auction system will affect its scalability, temporal integrity, and overall complexity. Complementary features of auction systems, such as catalogs, search tools, and reputation mechanisms, are also discussed. Keywords: bid manager; bidding rules; clear manager; content management system; proxy bidding; quote manager