cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Factors influencing adult male Grapholita molesta dispersal in commercial Malus and Prunus host crops

The oriental fruit moth (OFM), Grapholita molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), has been an economic pest of apples (Malus spp.) and peaches (Prunus spp.; both Rosaceae) in the eastern USA since the 1930s. Successful management of G. molesta with insecticides requires careful timing of these products based on sex-pheromone trap captures of male moths. In Pennsylvania, apple and peach orchards are often planted adjacently. Factors such as trap distance from release points, host crop, and wind were considered in relation to male moth movement within and between hosts. Our practical objective was to understand male G. molesta dispersal within and between these two hosts to achieve better management. Recapture of moths decreased over distance; the majority of moths were recaptured 50–100 m from the release point regardless of crop type. Male G. molesta released into commercial apple and peach orchards were most likely to remain in the crop of release and to not exhibit host shifts over the season, even after peach fruit were harvested. Our analyses of wind direction data with respect to recapture showed that the likelihood of recapture was similar regardless of the orientation of the traps relative to the mean wind direction at peak flight times. The apple and peach host crops appeared to affect male G. molesta dispersal to the extent that wind in orchards affects their perception of pheromone. Crop effects were most likely due to the traps closest to the release points being in the same crop as the release points.
A survey of mobile phone sensing

Mobile phones or smartphones are rapidly becoming the central computer and communication device in people's lives. Application delivery channels such as the Apple AppStore are transforming mobile phones into App Phones, capable of downloading a myriad of applications in an instant. Importantly, today's smartphones are programmable and come with a growing set of cheap powerful embedded sensors, such as an accelerometer, digital compass, gyroscope, GPS, microphone, and camera, which are enabling the emergence of personal, group, and communityscale sensing applications. We believe that sensor-equipped mobile phones will revolutionize many sectors of our economy, including business, healthcare, social networks, environmental monitoring, and transportation. In this article we survey existing mobile phone sensing algorithms, applications, and systems. We discuss the emerging sensing paradigms, and formulate an architectural framework for discussing a number of the open issues and challenges emerging in the new area of mobile phone sensing research.
A geometric characterization of Coxeter matroids

Coxeter matroids, introduced by Gelfand and Serganova, are combinatorial structures associated with any finite Coxeter group and its parabolic subgroup they include ordinary matroids as a specia case. A basic result in the subject is a geometric characterization of Coxeter matroids first stated by Gelfand and Serganova. This paper presents a self-contained, simple proof of a more general version of this geometric characterization.
Online health promotion strategies and appeals in the USA and South Korea: a content analysis of weight-loss websites

Despite the potential utility of the Internet as a health promotion medium, relatively few studies have been devoted to online health promotion strategies and appeals in cross-cultural settings. This study explores how theory-based health promotion strategies and appeals are used differently in US and South Korean weight-loss websites. The findings of this study indicate that collectivistic culture-bound health promotion strategies are more prevalent in South Korean weight-loss websites than in their US counterparts. Furthermore, testimonials were the most dominant appeals shared by the two countries’ websites while the use of advertising appeals (i.e., comparison, caricature/animation, demonstration, threat, and sex appeals) is significantly different between the two countries. Practical implications for both health communication and international advertising are discussed in detail.
An inherited X-linked serum system in man; the Xm system.

The detection of an inherited X-linked serum system in man, disclosed by a heteroantisenim made specific by absorption, is described. These studies suggest that the antigen, demonstrated by the specific antiserum, resides in the α2-macroglobulin fraction of serum. The system has been named the Xm system, where X refers to the localization of the gene on the X chromosome, and the m indicates that the antigen is part of the α2-macroglobulin fraction. The distribution of phenotypes in unrelated individuals from 4 populations, as well as studies performed in families are consistent with an X-linked dominant mode of inheritance. One Xm(a-) daughter was found in a family where the father was Xm(a+). This finding is discussed with particular reference to the possible influence of sex and age on the development of the phenotype. This common X-linked marker is likely to prove useful in mapping the human X chromosome.
The Use of Fowl for Convenience Items

Abstract POULTRYMEN throughout the United States are concerned about the market for fowl. Consumer demand for fowl, available as stewing birds, has declined due largely to the growing availability of broilers which require less preparation time and the fact that most of the fowl available are Leghorns which are less desirable than heavy breed birds. Many chain stores do not handle fowl due to the limited demand for it. Depreciation in the value of laying birds represents the second largest cost of producing eggs (approximately eight cents per dozen). According to Marshall (1964) the annual slaughter of eviscerated fowl in the United States is 850 million pounds. If one estimates a yield of 50% deboned meat, it means that there is approximately one and one-half pounds of deboned fowl per capita. It doesn’t seem that it should be difficult to find uses for this meat, yet some people feel it is …
Czechoslovakia: Government in Communist Hands

"We can never repeat enough what the party signifies. Without the party there would not be a people's democratic republic. Without the party there would not have been a victorious February. Without the party there would be no guarantees that we shall not go astray on the path to socialism. To-day the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia incarnates the unity of our working class and its leading role in all spheres of our public life."l
Bioconversion of linoleic acid to conjugated linoleic acid by Lactobacillus reuteri under different growth conditions

BACKGROUND:Lactobacillus reuteri was grown in De Man/Rogosa/Sharpe (MRS) broth (initial pH 6.5) supplemented with free linoleic acid (LA) at different concentrations (5, 10, 20 and 30 mg mL−1) and incubated aerobically at different temperatures (4, 10, 16, 22 and 30 °C) in order to test its ability to accomplish the bioconversion of LA to conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). Temperatures and LA concentrations producing the highest conversion of LA to CLA in the initial trials were tested further using micro-anaerobic conditions and a lower initial pH (5.5). RESULTS: Data showed that production of CLA exhibited variations with regard to the fermentation conditions used. The highest production of CLA (0.108 mg mL−1) was measured in a broth containing 20 mg mL−1 free LA that was incubated aerobically at 10 °C for 30 h. When the initial pH of the reaction medium was reduced from 6.5 to 5.5, CLA production decreased. Micro-aerobic conditions reduced the ability of Lb. reuteri to produce CLA, since production of CLA under aerobic conditions was at least 1.4 times greater. CONCLUSION: Production of CLA by Lb. reuteri at low temperatures and relatively high substrate concentrations provides novel opportunities for the development of functional foods with the benefits of enrichment in CLA and probiotic bacteria. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
α,α,β‐Triphenylpropionitrile

α,α,β-Triphenylpropionitrile reactant: 30.5 g. (0.24 mole) of benzyl chloride product: α,α,β-triphenylpropionitrile Keywords: alkylation, C-alkylation; potassium amide, preparation of; ammonia; potassium
Non‐Bayesian Noun Generalization in 3‐ to 5‐Year‐Old Children: Probing the Role of Prior Knowledge in the Suspicious Coincidence Effect

It is unclear how children learn labels for multiple overlapping categories such as "Labrador," "dog," and "animal." Xu and Tenenbaum (2007a) suggested that learners infer correct meanings with the help of Bayesian inference. They instantiated these claims in a Bayesian model, which they tested with preschoolers and adults. Here, we report data testing a developmental prediction of the Bayesian model-that more knowledge should lead to narrower category inferences when presented with multiple subordinate exemplars. Two experiments did not support this prediction. Children with more category knowledge showed broader generalization when presented with multiple subordinate exemplars, compared to less knowledgeable children and adults. This implies a U-shaped developmental trend. The Bayesian model was not able to account for these data, even with inputs that reflected the similarity judgments of children. We discuss implications for the Bayesian model, including a combined Bayesian/morphological knowledge account that could explain the demonstrated U-shaped trend.
Testing the reliability of skin color as an indicator of quality for early season ‘Brooks’ (Prunus avium L.) cherry

During the 1997–1999 seasons, we investigated the relationship between ‘Brooks’ cherry skin color at harvest (full light red, 50% bright red, full bright red and full dark red) and consumer acceptance using fruit grown in different geographic locations in the San Joaquin Valley (SJV). Soluble solids concentration (SSC) increased, but titratable acidity (TA) levels did not decrease as cherries matured from the full light red to full dark red skin color. The perception of sweetness, sourness and cherry flavor intensity by a trained taste panel was highly correlated to skin color, SSC and SSC:TA at harvest. There were no differences in the level of correlation between SSC or SSC:TA and the perception of sweetness, sourness or cherry flavor by trained judges. In-store consumer tests indicated that ‘Brooks’ cherries with SSC16.1% had the highest consumer acceptance (ca. 80–90%) and cherries with SSC 16.0%, the lowest (ca. 48%). Gender and ethnicity (Caucasian, Asian American, Hispanic, or African American) did not affect American consumer acceptance of ‘Brooks’ cherries. © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
6-methylsalicylic acid decarboxylase from Penicillium patulum.

Abstract 1. 1. A crude extract catalyzing the decarboxylation of 6-methylsalicyclic acid has been isolated from Penicillium patulum. 2. 2. Culture conditions which lead to the formation of decarboxylase activity are described. 3. 3. No other activity metabolizing 6-methylsalicylic acid can be detected in vitro with extracts containing the decarboxylase. 4. 4. The decarboxylase has a broad pH optimum between 7 and 8, and the K m for 6-methylsalicylic acid is 7 μM. Decarboxylase activity is eluted from a Bio-Gel A5m column at a position corresponding to a Stokes radius of about 30 A.
Context and Contiguity in Survey Questionnaires

THE IMPORTANCE of context effects in survey questionnaires has been pointed up in several recent reports.' In the present paper we start from one of the most firmly established such effects and address a further important issue: to what degree are context effects due to placing questions in contiguous positions, with no intervening items, as against having them simply appear in the same questionnaire. Looked at from a practical standpoint, can investigators reduce context effects by interposing neutral items between questions that are known or thought likely to influence one another? We focus on a pair of items concerning Communist and American reporters where the context effect has been shown to be both strong and stable over time:
Addiction Treatment: A Historical Nursing Perspective

(1995). Addiction Treatment: A Historical Nursing Perspective. Addictions Nursing: Vol. 7, No. 1, pp. 2-7.
Metabolomics and Natural-Products Strategies to Study Chemical Ecology in Nematodes.

This review provides an overview of two complementary approaches to identify biologically active compounds for studies in chemical ecology. The first is activity-guided fractionation and the second is metabolomics, particularly focusing on a new liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry-based method called isotopic ratio outlier analysis. To illustrate examples using these approaches, we review recent experiments using Caenorhabditis elegans and related free-living nematodes.
The Racial Invariance Thesis Revisited Testing an African American Theory of Offending

The racial/ethnic invariance thesis is a foundational assumption of the general theories of crime. It assumes that all persons, regardless of their racial/ethnic background, engage in problematic behaviors for the same reasons. This thesis allows general theories to be generalizable and, for the most part, has received empirical and theoretical support. Yet, recent research and new theoretical developments question the validity of the racial/ethnic invariance thesis, breathing new life into the debate over whether the factors that influence African American youths’ problematic behaviors are similar to those that influence the behaviors of other youths. Drawing on data from the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods–Longitudinal Cohort Study (PHDCN-LCS), our results question the validity of the invariance thesis by showing that the impact of perceived discrimination by the police has a stronger influence on African American youths’ externalizing problems than it does for other youths.
Foreign Trade Optimization Models

The cost-benefit methods described in the previous chapter are designed for partial analysis of what is, in fact, a very complex system. In particular, the FTEIs are extremely limited in their ability to reflect domestic resource scarcities and the conditions of demand on domestic and international markets. Ideally, however, all of these interdependent circumstances can be dealt with very conveniently in the framework of a linear or nonlinear optimization model.
Pioneering Inventors or Thicket-Builders: Which Firms Use Continuations in Patenting?

Why do firms use continuations in the prosecution of their patents? Motivated by the widespread use of continuations by U.S. firms and the prominence of this procedure in U.S. patent policy debates, we investigate the influence of corporate and patent characteristics on the use of continuations. We employ novel data on applicants and their filings of three types of continuations - the continuation application (CAP), the continuations in part (CIP), and divisions - during 1981-2000 to distinguish among the motives for continuing patents. We find that CIPs are disproportionately filed by research and development-intensive firms that patent heavily, and that these continuations are more common in chemical and biological technologies. Patents issuing from CIPs cover relatively important inventions and their use appears consistent with a strategy of protecting "pioneering inventions." In contrast, CAPs and divisions are associated with less important patents assigned to capital-intensive firms, particularly in computer and semiconductor fields, and appear to be used in defensive patenting strategies. We analyze the effects of the 1995 change in patent term, and find that the act reduced continuations overall and shifted the output of continuations toward less important patents.
Disability and Nationality: Martha Nussbaum on Justice

Martha Nussbaum is an advocate of the capabilities approach that she shares with Amartya Sen, and in recent years she has set out to demonstrate the inadequacy of competing approaches. In Women and Human Development: The Capabilities Approach, she took on utilitarianism; in Frontiers of Justice she takes on Rawls and social contract theory generally. She differs from Sen in privileging certain capabilities, and the key to Frontiers of Justice is her list of central capabilities.
Understanding the Relationship Between Exergame Play Experiences, Enjoyment, and Intentions for Continued Play.

Abstract Objective: Although it is generally understood that exergames can be beneficial, more research is needed to understand how in-game experiences influence enjoyment and the likelihood for continued use of these types of games. Therefore, the objective of this research is to understand how player performance in an exergame affects psychological responses (autonomy, competence, and presence), enjoyment of the experience, and likelihood for future play. Subjects and Methods: Sixty-two college students (mean age, 20.32 years) participated in an experiment where they played a challenge event on the “Biggest Loser” exergame for the Nintendo (Kyoto, Japan) Wii™ console. Participants were given up to two chances to see if they could “win” the challenge event. A lab assistant recorded player performance for each session in minutes and seconds (range, 30 seconds–10 minutes). The attempt in which the participant achieved the greatest amount of time playing was used as a measure of player performance. After pl...
Application of the Aerosol to Fumigation. I. Stabilization of a Naphthalene Aerosol.

Among the chemicals used as insecticides, only those whose volatility is great enough to produce an effective vapor concentration at ordinary temperatures have been practical as fumigants. In view of this limitation on the use of less volatile compounds, attempts have been made to obtain higher concentrations by some method such as rapid vaporization. In the case of nicotine (Savage 1932), which is extremely toxic to many insects, the application of heat in various ways has been very useful in producing a toxic concentration. With other less toxic substances, such as naphthalene, of which the minimum effective concentration is much higher, something more than just rapid vaporization (Hartzell & Wilcoxon 1930, Whitcomb 1935) is necessary. With many of these materials concentration of the saturated vapor is not enough, and more of the insecticide must be present in the form of an aerocolloid or aerosol.
Abstract 1132: Oncogenic role of EAPII/TTRAP in lung cancer development and its activation of MAPK-ERK pathway

Cancer progression involves multiple complex and interdependent steps including progressive proliferation, angiogenesis and metastases. The complexity of these processes requires a comprehensive elucidation of the integrated signaling networks for better understanding. EAPII/TTRAP interacts with multiple cancer-related proteins, but its biological significance in cancer development remains unknown. In this report we identified the elevated level of EAPII/TTRAP protein in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) patients and NSCLC cell lines in culture. The oncogenic role of EAPII in lung cancer development was demonstrated using NSCLC cells with genetic manipulations that influence EAPII expression: EAPII overexpression increases proliferation of NSCLC cells with an accelerated transition of cell cycle and facilitates xenograft tumor growth in vivo; EAPII knockdown results in apoptosis of NSCLC cells and reduces xenograft tumor formation. To further explore the mechanism of EAPII9s oncogenic role in lung cancer development and to elucidate the potential signaling pathway(s) that EAPII may impact, we employed antibody array to investigate the alternation of the major signaling pathways in NSCLC cells with altered EAPII level. We found that EAPII overexpression significantly activated Raf-1 and ERK1/2, but not JNK and p38 pathways. Consistently, the protein and mRNA levels of MYC and cyclin D1, which are targets of the mitogen-activated protein kinases/extracellular signal-regulated kinases (MAPK-ERK) pathway, are significantly increased by EAPII overexpression. Taken together, we demonstrated that EAPII is an oncogenic factor and the activation of MAPK-ERK signaling pathway by EAPII may contribute to lung cancer development. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1132. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-1132
Electrical, Mechanical, and Structural Characterization of Self-Assembly in Poly(3-hexylthiophene) Organogel Networks

An electrically percolated network structure of conjugated polymers is critical to the development of organic electronics. Herein, we investigate the potential to rationally design an interconnected network of conjugated polymers using the gelation of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) as a model system. The three-dimensional network structure is evaluated through small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and ultrasmall-angle neutron scattering (USANS). The analytical models used for data fitting provide relevant structural parameters over multiple length scales. Structural parameters include the fiber cross section (height and width), the specific surface area, and the network density (i.e., fractal dimension). Simultaneous rheological and conductivity measurements also provide insight into the development of the mechanical and electrical properties of organogels and allow us to propose a detailed gelation mechanism for P3HT. The fiber shape is found to be relatively independent of the solvent type, but P3HT orga...
Essay: Improving Drug Courts Through Medication-Assisted Treatment for Addiction

Empirical studies demonstrate that medication-assisted treatment (including the use of methadone, buprenorphine or naltrexone) is more effective at preventing opiate addiction relapse and recidivism than regular attendance at twelve-step groups or mental health counseling alone. However, less than half of drug courts provide access to medication-assisted treatment, and half of drug courts explicitly ban their use. This essay explores why drug courts fail to provide the most medically advanced forms of drug addiction treatment. Reasons include the following: a cultural preference for abstinence-only treatments; belief that addiction medication is “immoral”; hyperbolic fear of the illegal diversion of medication; cultural loyalty to twelve-step groups; preference for morality-based approaches; and lack of knowledge about addiction treatment medications. Finally, the essay proposes approaches for expanding medication-assisted treatment in drug courts. Proposals include increased judicial deference to physicians, collaboration between drug courts and community health providers, state funding incentives, enhanced training and educational opportunities for drug court staff, and incorporation of treatment methods in drug court accreditation.
Clinical study and safety evaluation of video-assisted thoracoscope minimally invasive treatment of elderly patients with non-small cell lung cancer

Objective To study the clinical efficacy and the safety of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery(VATS) in the treatment of elderly patients with non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC).Methods 90 cases of elderly patients with NSCLC were divided into three groups,which were the VATS group(n = 24),the video-assisted mini-thoracoscope group(VAMT,n = 26),and the thoracotomy group(SPT,n = 40).The intraoperative and postoperative conditions,the recurrence and metastasis conditions after one year of the three groups were observed and compared.Results The operation time,intraoperative blood loss,incision length,drainage time,postoperative analgesia time,dosage of painkiller,hospitalization time of the VATS and VAMT groups were all less or shorter than those of the SPT group(P 0.01).The operation time of the VATS group was longer than that of the VAMT group,but the intraoperative blood loss,incision length,hospitalization time of the VATS group were less or shorter than the VAMT group(P 0.05 or P 0.01),and the hospitalization expenses of the VATS group was more than the VAMT group(P 0.01).The postoperative complications rate of the SPT group was higher than the VATS and VAMT group.Conclusion For the NSCLC patients aged more than 60,grasping the adaption of operation strictly,careful preoperative evaluation and sufficient preparation are necessary for definite effect of thoracoscope treatment.But VATS or VAMT should be chosen according to the concrete conditions of patients(instance economic status,patients' will and so on) and the proficiency the operator.
Polarization-Resolved Imaging for Both Photoelastic and Photoluminescence Characterization of Photovoltaic Silicon Wafers

The solar industry uses low-cost solidification processing methods to produce silicon wafer-based solar cells. The solidification processing can introduce crystalline defects and residual stresses in the wafers, which may impact the electrical performance and mechanical reliability of a finished solar cell. This paper presents a polarized infrared imaging system that achieves both infrared photoelastic analysis and polarized photoluminescence imaging. A polarization video-processing algorithm is used to resolve the polarization state of the detected photoelastic and photoluminescence signals and simultaneously reduce the noise. Defects in multi-crystalline silicon photovoltaic wafers are investigated using the polarized photoluminescence imaging setup, which can capture both the band-to-band and defect-band photoluminescence emission and spatially resolve the defect structures. The photoluminescence imaging results are qualitatively compared to the infrared photoelastic images to investigate the coupled electrical and mechanical properties of the defect structures. The technology described here creates a pathway to rapid full-field wafer quality inspection in a manufacturing setting and will help to improve wafer material processing.
Passive Anti-Icing and Active Deicing Films

Anti-icing and deicing are the two major pathways for suppressing adhesion of ice on surfaces, yet materials with dual capabilities are rare. In this work, we have designed a perfluorododecylated graphene nanoribbon (FDO-GNR) film that takes advantage of both the low polarizability of perfluorinated carbons and the intrinsic conductive nature of graphene nanoribbons. The FDO-GNR films are superhydrophobic with a sheet resistance below 8 kΩ·sq–1 and then exhibit an anti-icing property that prevents freezing of incoming ice-cold water down to −14 °C. After that point, voltage can be applied to the films to resistively heat and deice the surface. Further a lubricating liquid can be employed to create a slippery surface to improve the film’s deicing performance. The FDO-GNR films can be easily switched between the superhydrophobic anti-icing mode and the slippery deicing mode by applying the lubricant. A spray-coating method makes it suitable for large-scale applications. The anti-icing and deicing properties...
Genetic Engineering and Sustainable Crop Disease Management: Opportunities for Case-by-Case Decision-Making

Genetic engineering (GE) offers an expanding array of strategies for enhancing disease resistance of crop plants in sustainable ways, including the potential for reduced pesticide usage. Certain GE applications involve transgenesis, in some cases creating a metabolic pathway novel to the GE crop. In other cases, only cisgenessis is employed. In yet other cases, engineered genetic changes can be so minimal as to be indistinguishable from natural mutations. Thus, GE crops vary substantially and should be evaluated for risks, benefits, and social considerations on a case-by-case basis. Deployment of GE traits should be with an eye towards long-term sustainability; several options are discussed. Selected risks and concerns of GE are also considered, along with genome editing, a technology that greatly expands the capacity of molecular biologists to make more precise and targeted genetic edits. While GE is merely a suite of tools to supplement other breeding techniques, if wisely used, certain GE tools and applications can contribute to sustainability goals.
PTW modeling in xRage

Preston-Tonks-Wallace Model (PTW), is a viscoplastic material model for very high strain rates (~1011/s) and uses a Voce work hardening model. Strain rates above 109/s uses Wallace’s model of overdriven shocks in metals. PTW is applicable for broad range of strain rates (10-3) -1012).
A novel algorithm to predict the QT interval during intrinsic atrioventricular conduction from an electrocardiogram obtained during ventricular pacing

Background QT interval prolongation is a major arrhythmia risk factor. Standard QT interval limits are defined for preserved intrinsic atrioventricular and interventricular conduction. However, ventricular pacing (VP) prolongs the QRS duration, induces electrical remodeling, and therefore obscures the intrinsic QT interval. No consensus exists on QT interval monitoring during VP. Objective The aim of this study was to develop an algorithm to predict the QT interval during intrinsic conduction (IC) from the VP electrocardiogram. Methods We measured electrocardiographic intervals QRS, QT, QT peak , JT peak , and T peak T end in 38 participants with cardiac devices and preserved atrioventricular and interventricular conduction. We performed paired measurements in AAI (IC) and DDD (VP) pacing modes at equal heart rates at baseline and after 1 week of VP. We fit linear mixed models to predict IC QT intervals from VP intervals and compared their fit with other proposed methods of IC QT interval estimation. Results After 1 week of VP, the IC QT interval prolonged while the VP QT interval shortened from their respective baseline values. VP QT interval shortening was due to T peak T end interval shortening. JT peak and QT peak intervals prolonged in both pacing modes at 1 week. A formula using VP QT peak interval and heart rate closely predicted the IC QT interval ( r = 0.94), outperforming other methods, including subtraction of "excess" QRS duration from the actual QT interval ( r = 0.64) and subtraction of fixed values from heart rate–corrected QT interval ( r = 0.58 and r = 0.69). Validation in 2000 bootstrapped data sets confirmed the model's performance ( r = 0.93) compared to others ( r = 0.43–0.58). Conclusion In patients with VP, a formula using the QT peak interval accurately predicts the intrinsic QT interval.
A systematic review of presacral extramedullary haematopoiesis: a diagnosis to be considered for presacral masses.

Aim Presacral masses are uncommon and have malignant potential. Treatment typically includes surgical excision, but there are conditions such as extramedullary haematopoiesis (EMH) which are benign. The present study aimed to summarize the presentation of presacral EMH in our institution, to review the literature and to offer management strategies for this rare condition. Method The literature was searched for articles related to presacral EMH, and case reports were collected from articles meeting the inclusion criteria. We collected data on patient demographics, diagnostic investigation, management and the results of treatment. Results Thirty-nine patients were included in the systematic review. Initial imaging included computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or ultrasound (US) suggestive of EMH. Some patients then underwent a technetium scan (n=7, 18%), biopsy of the presacral lesion (n=27, 69%), or excision of the entire mass (n=3, 8%). All patients who underwent technetium scan were confirmed to have EMH demonstrating enhancement similar to bone marrow. Patients who underwent technetium scan and bone marrow biopsy had concordant results confirming presacral EMH (n=5, 13%). Data on management were available for 35/39 (90%) with most patients followed by clinical observation (n = 20, 51%). Symptomatic patients were treated with radiotherapy (15%), surgical excision (15%), or hydroxyurea (5%) and blood transfusions (10%). Most (81%, n = 17/21) patients whose outcome was reported remained asymptomatic or experienced pain relief. Conclusion Although uncommon, EMH should be considered in the differential diagnoses of a presacral mass. Presacral EMH is a benign condition that can be suspected on CT or MRI and confirmed with technetium scan. Patients may not necessarily need to undergo biopsy to confirm haematopoietic elements. Unlike other presacral masses, patients diagnosed with presacral EMH can be managed by observation. If symptomatic, radiotherapy or surgical excision may be offered. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Spinal Cord Ischemia

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the clinical aspects of spinal cord ischemia. When contrasted to brain ischemia, spinal cord strokes are rare and caused by more diverse etiologies. The rarity of spinal-cord strokes and the relative lack of accessibility of the spinal cord and its vascular system to imaging during life have long been barriers to the understanding of spinal-cord vascular diseases. The spinal cord and its vascular system are seldom examined in detail at necropsy. Clinicians will best understand and visualize the cord circulatory system by first focusing on the blood supply of a spinal-cord segment in axial section. A single anterior spinal artery courses in the ventral midline, running rostrally from the spinomedullary junction at the foramen magnum, caudally to the tip of the spinal cord, the filum terminale. Spinal-cord ischemia may develop during shock or cardiac arrest. Infarction is most likely to affect the thoracic spinal cord between the T4 and T8 segments, the most vulnerable region of the spinal cord. The chapter discusses spinal cord vascular anatomy, causes of spinal cord ischemia, diagnosis and imaging, and others. The discussion on causes of spinal cord ischemia includes spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas, aortic diseases and procedures, cartilaginous disc embolism, and others.
Shear accumulation as a means for evaluating risk of thromboembolic events in novel endovascular stent graft designs

Abstract Objective This study proposes to establish a simulation-based technique for evaluating shear accumulation in stent grafts and to use the technique to assess the performance of a novel branched stent graft system. Methods Computational fluid dynamics models, with transient boundary conditions, particle injection, and rigid walls, simplifying assumptions were developed and used to evaluate the shear accumulation in various stent graft configurations with a healthy aorta as comparison. Results Shear streamlines are presented for the various configurations. Shear accumulation was also calculated for each configuration. The number of particles with shear accumulations >3.5 Pa-s for each configuration was compared with the shear accumulation values of commercially available mechanical aortic valves from the literature. Conclusions The stent graft configuration with the diaphragm does have particles with shear accumulation >3.5 Pa-s. However, the percentage of particles with shear accumulation above 3.5 Pa-s is less than the two commercially available mechanical aortic valves, and more surprisingly, is smaller than in the healthy aorta.
Case 2: Diaper Rash and Feeding Difficulty in a 5-week-old Boy.

1. Stephanie Blasick, DO* 2. Jeffrey Solomon, MD* 1. *Akron Children's Hospital, Akron, OH A 5-week-old boy presents to his pediatrician’s office with a 10-day history of diaper rash and difficulty feeding. His parents describe the rash as red, firm, and spreading despite consistent use of barrier creams and antibiotic ointment. The rash involved only the buttocks at onset, but it has spread to the thighs and lower back. He is exclusively breastfed and often falls asleep at the breast or begins to arch his back, grimace, and pull away mid-feed. Trials with ranitidine and formula supplementation after breastfeeding have been attempted without improvement. He continues to void and stool appropriately. There is no history of fever, excessive spitting up, increased work of breathing or diaphoresis with feeds, or other systemic symptoms. His perinatal history is significant for term gestation and terminal meconium without aspiration. Apgar scores were 2 at 1 minute and 8 at 5 minutes. He was admitted to the special care nursery for hypoglycemia management. The mother took levothyroxine during pregnancy for hypothyroidism. On examination, the patient is well appearing. His vital signs are normal for his age. Weight is 3,420 g (<5th percentile). Birth weight was 3,660 g (73rd percentile). Length …
Joint optimization of communication scheduling and online power allocation in remote estimation

This paper studies a specific sequential decision making problem: joint optimization of power and communication decisions of a remote estimation problem over an additive noise channel. At each time, the sensor observes a sample from a one-dimensional stochastic process, and then decides whether to transmit its observation to the remote estimator or not, which takes place over an additive noise channel. The number of transmissions and the total power spent over a finite horizon are limited. If the sensor decides to transmit its observation, it sends the observation to the encoder. The encoder then sends an encoded message to the remote estimator over the communication channel. The remote estimator generates real time estimates on the source based on the information received from the encoder over the channel. While the prior work considered the average power case, we are interested here in a more general setting where the encoder has a constraint on the total encoding power over the time horizon, and hence can optimize power jointly, in a closed loop fashion, with the communication decisions. Under some technical assumptions, we obtain team optimal decision policies including threshold-based communication scheduling policies together with affine encoding and decoding policies. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our joint optimization approach via numerical computations.
Cs1–xRbxPbCl3 and Cs1–xRbxPbBr3 Solid Solutions: Understanding Octahedral Tilting in Lead Halide Perovskites

The structures of the lead halide perovskites CsPbCl3 and CsPbBr3 have been determined from X-ray powder diffraction data to be orthorhombic with Pnma space group symmetry. Their structures are distorted from the cubic structure of their hybrid analogs, CH3NH3PbX3 (X = Cl, Br), by tilts of the octahedra (Glazer tilt system a–b+a–). Substitution of the smaller Rb+ for Cs+ increases the octahedral tilting distortion and eventually destabilizes the perovskite structure altogether. To understand this behavior, bond valence parameters appropriate for use in chloride and bromide perovskites have been determined for Cs+, Rb+, and Pb2+. As the tolerance factor decreases, the band gap increases, by 0.15 eV in Cs1–xRbxPbCl3 and 0.20 eV in Cs1–xRbxPbBr3, upon going from x = 0 to x = 0.6. The band gap shows a linear dependence on tolerance factor, particularly for the Cs1–xRbxPbBr3 system. Comparison with the cubic perovskites CH3NH3PbCl3 and CH3NH3PbBr3 shows that the band gaps of the methylammonium perovskites are ...
The unbalanced indirect effects of task characteristics on performance in professional service outsourcing

Abstract As emerging markets have been playing more and more important roles in the global outsourcing markets, many companies from industrialized countries started to outsource various complex business processes oversea intending to take advantage of talented workforce at low cost. In this study, we focus on the challenging aspects and identify complex relationships that exist in the professional service outsourcing context from the service provider's perspective. Building on information processing theory, this paper aims to explain how task characteristics affect performance differently through a service provider's customer orientation and client integration. The unbalanced effects identified in this study influence the service provider's performance contradictorily and largely contribute to those unsatisfied results in professional service outsourcing. Using survey data from 192 Indian professional service providers, we find that both service provider's customer orientation and client integration are positively associated with its performance, while the impacts of two task characteristics (complexity and security) on customer orientation and client integration are in opposite direction. The unbalanced effects raise challenges in properly managing tasks to enhance performance. This study contributes to the much-needed efforts in the study of professional service outsourcing, a new and fast growing cross-border professional service activity. Managerial implications are also drawn from our study to practicing global clients and offshore service providers on how to successfully manage inter-organizational relations in outsourcing process to achieve expected benefits.
“wuz good wit u bro”: Patterns of Digital African American Language Use in Two Modes of Communication

Abstract Extending previous research (Cunningham, 2014), which investigated social network site (SNS) comments composed in digital African American Language (DAAL), this research analyzes text messages composed among three, male DAAL interlocutors. This study draws from grounded theory, content analysis, digital language (DL) research, and linguistics scholarship on African American Language (AAL) in order to examine the patterns and frequencies of AAL and DL features found among 380 text messages. Comparing the text message results to Cunningham (2014)’s SNS findings, this study suggests significant ways that DAAL follows predictable, identifiable, and similar linguistic and paralinguistic patterns.
Interacting Hidden Markov Models for Video Understanding

People, cars and other moving objects in videos generate time series data that can be labeled in many ways. For example, classifiers can label motion tracks according to the object type, the action...
Presenting Results Graphically

The design-plots presented in Chapters 3 and 4 provide convenient views of factorial and fractional factorial designs even designs with blocking. In this chapter we review some traditional methods for presenting experimental results graphically examining their strong and weak points. We show how to augment the design-plot to create a graphical tool for the data-analysis stage of a scientific investigation: the response-scaled design-plot. Response-scaled design-plots provide a powerful way to communicate experimental results to non-statisticians and as we show in the final section such plots can provide an insight that escapes description using a statistical model.
Head and Neck Cancer Screening in Homeless Communities: HEAL (Health Education, Assessment, and Leadership]

Homeless persons are at high risk for medical illness, particularly for head and neck cancers, but they face several barriers to receiving adequate health care. We conducted cancer screening and education about head and neck cancer risk factors in one such population (n = 325). Although 41.4% of the participants reported at least 1 otolaryngologic sign or symptom, and 8.6% reported having 2 or more symptoms, most of them (72.3%) had received no medical care. The symptom reported most often was a change in voice (17.2%). In all, 11% of the participants were referred for head or neck cancer evaluation, and 9% of those undergoing biopsy had a malignancy that was later treated. Nearly 75% of participants had at least a ninth-grade education. However, although 71.2% knew that the use of tobacco can lead to lung cancer, 78.9% did not recognize that it can also lead to head or neck cancer. In this population, cigarette smoking was associated with more than doubled odds of follow-up medical care (odds ratio, 2.31). Head and neck cancers cause substantial morbidity and mortality. Community outreach programs can be an excellent starting point to improving early detection and health education for underserved communities.
Bellman’s Method in Variational Problems with Partial Derivatives

The part played by Bellman’s method of dynamic programming in the theory of optimal control is well known. Together with Pontryagin’s maximum principle, this method is an important tool for solving problems of optimal control and it is especially well suited for the use of computers.
Sunflower Pollination: Abundance, Diversity and Seasonality of Bees and Their Effect on Seed Yields

SummaryTwenty-two species and/or groups of insects (mostly bees) were recorded visiting commercial sunflowers. Some bee species were abundant and present each season. Observations were made on the daily visitation pattern, amount of pollen carried on body hairs, behaviour of bees during visitation, movement of pollen within the plots, nectar volume and sugar concentration, and effect of bees on seed yields. Data on oil seed content and seed germination were also recorded. A discussion on management of native bees as potential pollinators of commercial sunflower plantings is presented, with special reference to the USA where the work was done.
Barrier Systems of California, Oregon, and Washington

West Coast barriers have formed under a different geologic setting than the more familiar barriers of the Gulf and East coasts and, correspondingly, have a somewhat different appearance. All the West Coast barriers are spits, generally short because of the ruggedness of the coast, and have only one inlet because of the relation between their outflow (tidal prism and/or river discharge) and the local wave climate. Although West Coast barriers may have been larger during periods of lower sea level when the shoreline was more regular, variations in the present coastline morphology and sediment supply, which are due to the high stand of sea level and to the active continental margin, control their present shape.
Comparison of Birth Outcomes by Gestational Diabetes Screening Criteria.

Objectives This study is to examine the association between different diagnostic criteria for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and adverse birth outcomes. Study Design A retrospective cohort study of 5,937 women with a singleton pregnancy was conducted, who completed GDM screening between 24 to 32 weeks gestational age. Four nonoverlapping groups of women defined as: 1) Normal: glucose challenge test (GCT) Results Prevalences were GDM/CC 4.6%, GDM/IADPSG 3.0, and 7.6% overall. GDM/IADPSG group was associated with increased macrosomia (adj OR [odd ratio] 1.87; 95% CI [confidence interval]: 1.08–3.25; p = 0.02), while GDM/CC group was associated with increased preterm birth (adj OR 1.75; 95% CI: 1.05–2.80; p = 0.03). Conclusion Little difference in birth outcomes was found between the two criteria, GDM/CC and GDM/IADPSG. Randomized controlled trials are needed to clarify the risks and benefits of these screening paradigms before their incorporation into clinical practice.
CDC73 Germline Mutation in a Family With Mixed Epithelial and Stromal Tumors

Abstract Objective To describe a family in which 3 members presented with mixed epithelial tumor of the kidney (MEST) and were found to possess a germline mutation in CDC73, a gene which is associated with hyperparathyroidism-jaw tumor syndrome (HPT-JT). Materials and Methods Blood and tumor DNA from three family members who presented with a primary diagnosis of MEST was subjected to targeted gene sequencing to identify potential genetic components. Results A germline start codon mutation (p.M1I) in CDC73 was identified in all 3 family members who presented with MEST and 2 tumors from 1 patient demonstrated somatic copy-neutral loss of heterozygosity. Patients presented with no evidence of hyperparathyroidism or jaw tumors, but both female patients had hysterectomies at an early age due to excessive bleeding and numerous fibroids, which is common in HPT-JT. A germline p.M1I mutation has been previously reported in a family with clinical features of HPT-JT. Conclusion Patients with MEST may be at risk for HPT-JT and CDC73 germline mutation testing of MEST patients should be considered.