cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Role of Three-Dimensional Magnetic Resonance Elastography in the Diagnosis of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis in Obese Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery.

The lack of reliable, noninvasive methods to diagnose early nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a major unmet need. We aimed to determine the diagnostic accuracy of three-dimensional magnetic resonance elastography (3D-MRE), with shear stiffness measured at 60 Hz, damping ratio at 40 Hz, and magnetic resonance imaging proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) in the detection of NASH in individuals undergoing bariatric surgery. Obese adults at risk for NASH were enrolled between 2015 and 2017 (prospective cohort, n = 88) and 2010 and 2013 (retrospective cohort, n = 87). The imaging protocol consisted of multifrequency 3D-MRE (mf3D-MRE) with shear waves delivered at different frequencies to explore parameters that best correlated with histologic NASH, and MRI-PDFF to estimate steatosis. The prospective cohort was used to establish the optimal mf3D-MRE technical parameters for NASH detection. The two cohorts were then combined to derive predictive models of NASH and disease activity by nonalcoholic fatty liver disease activity score (NAS) using the three imaging parameters that correlated with NASH. A total of 175 patients (median age 45, 81% women, and 81 [46%] with histologic NASH) were used for model derivation. From the complex shear modulus output generated by mf3D-MRE, the damping ratio at 40 Hz and shear stiffness at 60 Hz best correlated with NASH. The fat fraction obtained from MRI-PDFF correlated with steatosis (P < 0.05 for all). These three parameters were fit into a logistic regression model that predicted NASH with cross-validated area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) = 0.73, sensitivity = 0.67, specificity = 0.80, positive predictive value = 0.73 and negative predictive value = 0.74, and disease activity by NAS with cross-validated AUROC = 0.82. Conclusion: The mf3D-MRE allows identification of imaging parameters that predict early NASH and disease activity. This imaging biomarker represents a promising alternative to liver biopsy for NASH diagnosis and monitoring. The results provide motivation for further studies in nonbariatric cohorts.
Electroconvection in a Viscoelastic Electrolyte

Direct numerical simulations of a liquid electrolyte with polymer additives demonstrate that viscoelasticity promotes an earlier transition from steady to unsteady electroconvective flow. Viscoelasticity also decreases the overlimiting current resulting from convection by up to 40%. Both of these effects would reduce the time-averaged spatial variability of ion flux suggesting that polymeric fluids may inhibit dendrite growth. Polymer relaxation near a surface destabilizes the flow structures and decreases the time duration of high current fluxes. This mechanism of polymer-induced flux reduction is general to wall bounded flows with transfer of mass, heat or momentum.
Accurate Preoperative Prediction of Discharge Destination Using 8 Predictor Variables: A NSQIP Analysis.

Background With inpatient length of stay decreasing, discharge destination after surgery can serve as an important metric for quality of care. Additionally, patients desire information on possible discharge destination. Adequate planning requires a multidisciplinary approach, can reduce healthcare costs and ensure patient needs are met. The Surgical Risk Preoperative Assessment System (SURPAS) is a parsimonious risk assessment tool using 8 predictor variables developed from the American College of Surgeons (ACS) National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) dataset. SURPAS is applicable to more than 3,000 operations in adults in 9 surgical specialties, predicts important adverse outcomes, and is incorporated into our electronic health record. We sought to determine whether SURPAS can accurately predict discharge destination. Study Design A “full model” for risk of postoperative “discharge not to home” was developed from 28 nonlaboratory preoperative variables from ACS NSQIP 2012-2017 dataset using logistic regression. This was compared with the 8-variable SURPAS model using the C index as a measure of discrimination, the Hosmer-Lemeshow observed-to-expected plots testing calibration, and the Brier score, a combined metric of discrimination and calibration. Results Of 5,303,519 patients, 447,153 (8.67%) experienced a discharge not to home. The SURPAS model's C index, 0.914, was 99.24% of that of the full model's (0.921); the Hosmer-Lemeshow plots indicated good calibration and the Brier score was 0.0537 and 0.0514 for the SUPAS and full model, respectively. Conclusions The 8-variable SURPAS model preoperatively predicts risk of postoperative discharge to a destination other than home as accurately as the 28 nonlaboratory variable ACS NSQIP full model. Therefore, discharge destination can be integrated into the existing SURPAS tool, providing accurate outcomes to guide decision-making and help prepare patients for their postoperative recovery.
Metrology and numerical characterization of random rough surfaces—Data reduction via an effective filtering solution:

Random rough surfaces appear in measurements as noisy signals varying spatially. Mathematically, there is no theoretical difference between such and time-varying signals. Hence, the extensive array...
Cell Phone Ownership and Cellular Text/Email Capabilities Among Temporary and Payroll Construction Workers

Background: With high rates of temporary workers and a transient worker population, the U.S. construction workforce presents a challenge for long-term research and outreach activities. Increasing availability of affordable cell phone technologies may provide an opportunity for research follow-up among construction workers once they leave the worksite. Using pilot study survey data we characterize and examine the association of cell phone technology ownership and cellular text/email services among a non-probabilistic sample of payroll and temporary construction workers. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used to administer a one-time paper-based anonymous survey to construction workers working at construction sites in Florida, USA. The survey featured questions on sociodemographic characteristics, occupational history, cell phone technology ownership, and cellular text/email services capabilities. Results: Among the 223 construction worker survey respondents, 31.4% identified as temporary workers and 68.6% were on payroll and 87.4% owned a cell phone. Construction workers who own a cell phone had greater than a high school education (28.9% vs. 25.0%; p = 0.019), made >$30,000/year (27.1% vs. 14.8%; p = 0.011), had same cell phone number for >1 year (74.4% vs. 40.7%; p = 0.001), and were employed as a payroll worker (71.0% vs. 50.0%; p = 0.037). Temporary construction workers compared to their payroll counterparts were significantly less likely to have email services on their cell phone [unadjusted-odds ratio 0.41 (95% CI: 0.17-0.97)]. Conclusion: Cell phone ownership and smartphone-enabled technologies such as email/texting capabilities are higher among payroll than temporary construction workers. Further research on frequency of cell phone use and types of email/texting services used by construction workers are needed.
Hardware-Efficient Seizure Detection

Hardware-efficient classification is essential for applications such as medical implants, wearables, and IoT devices, with severe energy and resources constraints. Here, we propose a hardware-efficient machine learning algorithm based on gradient boosted decision trees. Specifically, we train our model to minimize the energy cost associated with feature extraction, and reduce the model size by employing a fixed point quantization method. Hardware parameters such as filter order and coefficient resolution are further optimized for seizure detection task to achieve a reasonable trade-off between performance and hardware cost. Testing this model on the intracranial EEG (iEEG) recordings from 10 patients with epilepsy, we are able to reduce the energy cost by 68.4% compared to the base model, and quantize the tree parameters with 3b (for leaf weights) and 10b (for thresholds), while maintaining the classification performance.
Pediatric primary high-grade spinal glioma: a National Cancer Database analysis of current patterns in treatment and outcomes

Pediatric primary high-grade spinal glioma (p-HGSG) is an extremely rare disease process, with little data within the current literature. Akin to primary high-grade gliomas, this cancer has been exemplified by dismal prognosis and poor response to modern treatment paradigms. This study seeks to investigate the current trends affecting overall survival using the National Cancer Database (NCDB). The NCDB was queried for p-HGSG between 2004 and 2016, by utilizing the designated diagnosis codes. Kaplan-Meier curves were generated, and log-rank testing was performed to analyze factors affecting overall survival. In addition, a Cox proportional-hazards model was used to perform multivariate regression analysis of survival outcomes. A cohort of 97 patients was identified with a histologically confirmed p-HGSG. The overall incidence of p-HGSG in all pediatric spinal cord tumors is 7.5%, with a mean survival time of 25.3 months (SD, 21.0) and 5-year overall survival of 17.0%. The majority of patients underwent surgery (n = 87, 89.7%), radiotherapy (n = 73, 75.3%), and chemotherapy (n = 60, 61.9%). Univariate, multivariate, and Kaplan-Meier log-rank testing failed to demonstrate an association between performing surgery, extent of resection, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy with improved survival outcomes. The current study constitutes the largest retrospective analysis of p-HGSGs to date, finding that current treatment options of surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy have unclear benefit. This disease process has a poor prognosis without a current modality of treatment that conclusively alters survival. The risks and side effects of these treatment modalities must be carefully considered in such a highly aggressive disease process, especially given potentially limited survival benefits.
Sonographic Assessment of Fetal Growth Abnormalities.

Fetal growth abnormalities have significant neonatal and maternal consequences, and US identification and surveillance of abnormal fetal growth patterns, with careful attention to gestational datin...
Multi-drug residues and antimicrobial resistance patterns in waste milk from dairy farms in Central California

In the dairy industry, most antimicrobial drugs used to treat lactating cows result in the production of non-saleable milk due to the presence of drug residues above the tolerable concentration established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To mitigate the economic loss due to waste milk, 33% of dairy farms in the U.S. feed this milk to pre-weaned calves. Though economically sound, this practice may favor increased selection of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Currently, there are no reports evaluating the presence and concentration of drug residues in waste milk on California dairies. The aims of this cross-sectional study were to: 1) identify and measure concentrations of antimicrobial residues of waste milk samples from dairy farms in Central California, 2) identify management practices associated with the occurrence of specific antimicrobial residues in waste milk, and 3) characterize the antimicrobial resistance patterns of E. coli cultured from waste milk samples.
School Securitization and Its Alternatives: The Social, Political, and Contextual Drivers of School Safety Policy and Practice.

A dramatic transformation of school safety practices in American public schools has occurred during the last four decades. Scholars have argued that exaggerated fears and moral panics over youth vi...
Speculative urbanism and the urban-financial conjuncture: Interrogating the afterlives of the financial crisis

This article proposes an analytical–methodological approach to understand this historical conjuncture of speculative urbanism in which global finance capital plays an increasingly important role in...
Adverse events following immunization with bivalent oral poliovirus vaccine in Jiangsu, China.

AIMS The bivalent oral poliovirus vaccine (bOPV; Sabin types 1 and 3) replaced the trivalent OPV (Sabin types 1, 2 and 3) globally in April 2016. A routine schedule of 1 dose of inactivated poliovirus vaccine and 3 subsequent doses of bOPV was implemented in Jiangsu simultaneously. The schedule was changed to 2 inactivated poliovirus vaccines + 2 bOPV on 1 September 2019. Although OPV type 2 has been removed, challenges persist because of adverse events following immunization (AEFIs) with bOPV. Therefore, we analysed and evaluated the safety profile of bOPV administered in children based on passive postmarketing AEFI surveillance. METHODS We collected all bOPV-related AEFI reports in Jiangsu from the Chinese National AEFI Information System (CNAEFIS) between May 2016 and April 2020. We obtained the administered doses of bOPV from the Jiangsu Provincial Electronic Immunization Registries System. A descriptive analysis was performed. RESULTS In total, 2084 bOPV-related AEFIs were retrieved from the CNAEFIS. The overall reporting rate was 24.16 per 100 000 doses. Most AEFIs were nonserious. The most frequently reported symptoms were fever, rash and gastrointestinal disorders. Only 1.34% of AEFIs were serious, which thrombocytopenic purpura accounted for the largest category. Seventeen serious adverse events, including 2 vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis (VAPP) cases, were considered to be related to bOPV vaccination. The rate of VAPP was 0.2 per million doses. CONCLUSION AEFI analysis showed that bOPV was well tolerated. The events most frequently reported were nonserious. However, bOPV can still cause VAPP. Attention should be given to risks related to bOPV.
Propagation Pattern for Moment Representation of the Lattice Boltzmann Method

A propagation pattern for the moment representation of the regularized lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) in three dimensions is presented. Using effectively lossless compression, the simulation state is stored as a set of moments of the lattice Boltzmann distribution function, instead of the distribution function itself. An efficient cache-aware propagation pattern for this moment representation has the effect of substantially reducing both the storage and memory bandwidth required for LBM simulations. This article extends recent work with the moment representation by expanding the performance analysis on central processing unit (CPU) architectures, considering how boundary conditions are implemented, and demonstrating the effectiveness of the moment representation on a graphics processing unit (GPU) architecture.
Preoperative Opioid Utilization Patterns and Postoperative Opioid Utilization: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND Among chronic opioid users, the association between decreasing or increasing preoperative opioid utilization and postoperative outcomes is unknown. The authors hypothesized that decreasing utilization would be associated with improved outcomes and increasing utilization with worsened outcomes. METHODS Using commercial insurance claims, the authors identified 57,019 chronic opioid users (10 or more prescriptions or 120 or more days supplied during the preoperative year), age 18 to 89 yr, undergoing one of 10 surgeries between 2004 and 2018. Patients with a 20% or greater decrease or increase in opioid utilization between preoperative days 7 to 90 and 91 to 365 were compared to patients with less than 20% change (stable utilization). The primary outcome was opioid utilization during postoperative days 91 to 365. Secondary outcomes included alternative measures of postoperative opioid utilization (filling a minimum number of prescriptions during this period), postoperative adverse events, and healthcare utilization. RESULTS The average age was 63 ± 13 yr, with 38,045 (66.7%) female patients. Preoperative opioid utilization was decreasing for 12,347 (21.7%) patients, increasing for 21,330 (37.4%) patients, and stable for 23,342 (40.9%) patients. Patients with decreasing utilization were slightly less likely to fill an opioid prescription during postoperative days 91 to 365 compared to stable patients (89.2% vs. 96.4%; odds ratio, 0.323; 95% CI, 0.296 to 0.352; P < 0.001), though the average daily doses were similar among patients who continued to utilize opioids during this timeframe (46.7 vs. 46.5 morphine milligram equivalents; difference, 0.2; 95% CI, -0.8 to 1.2; P = 0.684). Of patients with increasing utilization, 93.6% filled opioid prescriptions during this period (odds ratio, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.52 to 0.62; P < 0.001), with slightly lower average daily doses (44.3 morphine milligram equivalents; difference, -2.2; 95% CI, -3.1 to -1.3; P < 0.001). Except for alternative measures of persistent postoperative opioid utilization, there were no clinically significant differences for the secondary outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Changes in preoperative opioid utilization were not associated with clinically significant differences for several postoperative outcomes including postoperative opioid utilization. EDITOR’S PERSPECTIVE
Organizational Resistance to Serving the Disadvantaged: The Case of A State Employment Service

Maintaining the commitment of public agencies to serve the disadvantaged persists as one of the most vexing problems in public affairs. This study places in an historical perspective the commitment of the Wisconsin State Employment Service (WSES) to serve the disadvantaged during the late 1960s and the retreat from this emphasis in the 1970s. The WSES displays a tradition of tension between operating-level employees who aspire to serve a job-ready clientele, and top decisionmakers who, from time to time, sense a need for direct service to the disadvantaged. The study suggests that effective service to the disadvantaged depends upon continuous, centralized contol, which is cognizant of the organizational dynamics inherent in serving this segment of society.
The Transfer of Immunity with Macrophage RNA

The origin of the currently accepted doctrine that interplay between more than one type of cell is involved in the induction of the immune response can be traced to descriptions a decade ago of the transfer of immunity with RNA-rich extracts from cells exposed for short periods of time to antigen (Fishman, 1961; Fishman and Adler, 1963). This ancestry is peculiarly ironic in that the interpretation of those early experiments as a cooperative effect is more suspect now than then, albeit a considerable number of investigators have since taken up the gauntlet.
Defect Chemistry of Mixed Ionic/Electronic P-Type Oxides

The p-type perovskite structure oxides are finding use in a number of energy related applications. In particular they are being used as cathodes in fuel cells as well as dense oxygen separation membranes. The defect concentration and defect mobility determine the electrical properties. Since both of these are dependent upon the operating temperature and oxygen activity, it is important to understand how an oxide equilibrates with its environment. In this paper, a defect chemistry model for the oxidation-reduction behavior of p-type perovskites is reviewed with formulations in the (La,Sr)(Cr,Mn,Co,Fe)03 system being used as examples.
Classical and Instrumental Learning by Neural Networks

This article reviews some of my main theoretical advances before 1973 in a self-contained and nontechnical exposition. Among other features, the article describes some predictions which still need to be tested.
Matrix-producing carcinoma: a rare variant of metaplastic breast carcinoma with heterologous elements.

Abstract: Matrix-producing carcinoma (MPC) of the breast is a rare variant of the uncommon group of malignancies categorized as metaplastic breast carcinomas with heterologous elements. The major criterion for a diagnosis of MPC is the presence of invasive breast carcinoma with the direct transition to a cartilaginous or osseous stromal matrix without an intervening spindle cell component. The cellular origin of MPC remains unclear. It has been suggested that tumor cells in MPC have combined epithelial and mesenchymal features. Several reports have suggested that the tumor cells originate from myoepithelial cells. The prognosis of patients with MPC was originally described as similar to invasive mammary carcinomas of no special type (NST) of the same stage, but a more recent study has shown a worse prognosis than same-stage NSTs.
Numerical simulation of small-scale thermal convection in the atmosphere

Non-hydrostatic convection is studied by numerical integration of a Boussinesq system in three space dimensions and time. To simulate cloud convection, parameterized effects of latent heat and small-scale turbulence have been included. In this paper, the results are compared, in simplified cases without the parameterizations, with cell structure observed in Rayleigh-Benard laboratory convection experiments in air. At a Rayleigh number of 4000, the numerical model successfully simulates the experimentally observed evolution, including some prominent transient features, of the flow from a randomly perturbed conductive initial state to a final state of large-amplitude, steady, two-dimensional rolls. At a Rayleigh number of 9000, the model reproduces the experimentally observed unsteady equilibrium of vertically coherent oscillatory waves superimposed on rolls. In both cases, good quantitative agreement with laboratory data is obtained.
Determinants Of Demand For Different Types Of Investment Goods

This paper compares the demand for the three individual components of aggregate investment demand: (1) demand by businesses for plant and equipment, (2) business inventory investment and (3) residential housing construction. The models tested are largely based on Keynesian theories of business investment demand, with some allowance for residential housing demand being more driven by Keynes’ consumer demand variables. Other possible determinants of investment are also tested, including ”crowd out” effects of government deficits on business investment and demographic effects on the residential construction market. Annual data for the U.S., 1960 – 2000, are tested using two stage least squares regression techniques modified to eliminate heteroskedasticity in the data. The models are estimated in “first differences”, rather than levels of the data to reduce the effects of multicollinearity, non stationarity and autocorrelation. The models explain about 90% of the variance in plant and equipment demand, 85% of the variance in residential housing demand for and 67% of inventory demand. The results indicate that demand for each of these three types of investment goods is driven by different combinations of variables Business investment in plant and equipment appears determined by how much the overall economy is growing (the accelerator effect), the availability of credit (crowd out), the availability of depreciation reserves, the prime interest rate lagged three years, business profits and stock values lagged one year, and the effects of an exchange rate change over the four year period following the change. Inventory investment seems mainly determined by availability of depreciation reserves, crowd out, interest rates, unexpected changes in consumer demand and the accelerator. Residential construction demand seems mainly driven by disposable income, the effect of general growth in the economy on consumer spending (the accelerator), credit availability (crowd out), current year mortgage rates, and prior year consumer wealth levels.
Fully reconfigurable silicon photonic lattice filters with four cascaded unit cells

We present a fully-reconfigurable CMOS-compatible silicon-photonic lattice-filter with four cascaded unit cells consisting of resonant rings and Mach-Zehnder interferometers. The measurements show high-quality filter responses including IIR and FIR filter characteristics matching theoretical predictions.
The ethics of a formula: Calculating a financial–humanitarian price for water

When Costa Rican regulators set water rates, they effectively transform the human right to water into a price. I propose the notion of a “calculation grammar” to grasp the inventive patterns and vibrant social engagements that fuse the ethical investments, ontological assumptions, and quantified expressions involved in this process. This grammar governs the relative weights and proportions of the elements in numeric propositions, giving them distinct meanings and political valences. The liveliness of these propositions derives from the power of numeric techniques in their inevitably place-specific expressions as well as from the legal principles of sociality that enable them. I follow the mathematical formula regulators use to set water prices to reveal the inconspicuous financialization of human rights and the humanitarization of finance as they currently unfold across technocratic centers of calculation. I also argue for an ethnographic approach that remains committed to the ontological indivisibility of the technical and the cultural in any quantification effort. [human rights, prices, water, calculation, regulation, finance, Costa Rica]
Kamchatka volcano warnings for aviation discontinued

The program that provides warnings to the international aviation community when volcanoes on Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula erupt stopped providing these notices on 1 March due to a loss of funding. As of 1 January 2007, the Federal Unitary Enterprise State Air Traffic Management Corporation of Russia halted its funding for the Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team. KVERT is a collaborative project of scientists from the Russian Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, the Kamchatka Experimental and Methodical Seismological Department, and the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO). AVO is a cooperative program of the U.S. Geological Survey, the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute, and the Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys.
Ultrastructure and development of the amoebo-flagellate cells of the protostelidProtosporangium articulatum

Amoebo-flagellate cells develop upon spore germination in the protostelidProtosporangium articulatum. The germling may emerge flagellate or as an amoeba. In either case the cell undergoes mitosis within an hour of germination. The spindle is open and centric, and typically has several pairs of kinetosomes at the poles. During telophase, the kinetosomes are found at the surface of the cell and flagella and flagellar rootlets begin to develop. Some flagella remain in close association with the nucleus, the nucleus-associated flagella; others are located away from the nucleus, the supernumerary flagella. The flagellar apparatus is identical for both nucleus-associated flagella and supernumerary flagella. However, only the nucleus-associated flagella are able to generate the jerking, helical swim typical of amoebo-flagellates with a swarm cell-like morphology.
Mutational analysis of the PTEN gene in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at chromosome band 10q23 occurs frequently in a wide variety of human tumors. A recently identified candidate tumor suppressor gene, PTEN located on 10q23, is mutated in multiple advanced cancers. To explore whether PTEN is associated with human squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN), DNAs from both normal muscle and tumor tissue in 19 SCCHN were used for detecting LOH at chromosome 10q23 and mutational analysis of PTEN by direct polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-DNA sequencing. LOH at 10q23 was identified in 6/15 SCCHN. Mutation of PTEN was identified in 3/19 SCCHN. Of these 3 patients, 2 had stage IV disease; the third patient, with recurrent, metastatic and stage III disease, showed a 36 bp germline heterozygous deletion within intron 7. Furthermore, a missense mutation at codon 501 (TCT --> TTT: Ser --> Phe) in exon 8 was also found in tumor from the same patient. Our results suggest that PTEN may play a role in the genesis of some SCCHNs.
Counseling Outcome as a Function of Counselor Nationality for American Expatriate Clients

This study tested the proposition that national similarity between counselor and client results in improved counseling outcome. Using a repeated-measures, quasi-experimental design, eight female counselors (four Turkish, four American) saw 16 volunteer, expatriate female American clients for single, individual counseling sessions. Results indicated no differences on (a) clients’ and counselors’ ratings of working alliance and of progress on goals, or (b) clients’ ratings of utilization intent as a function of counselor nationality. Irrespective of nationality, clients’ ratings of working alliance were higher than their counselors. These results echo a trend suggesting that clients’ preferences for cultural/ethnic similarity dissipate as the research methodology approximates actual counseling sessions. Additionally, local mental health service providers may be a viable resource for expatriate Americans.
Measurement of low energy frustrated vibrational modes of CO on Ni( 111) via inelastic electron scattering

Abstract High-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS) has been used to study the low-energy vibrational modes of bridge-bonded CO on Ni(111) after a well-ordered c(4 × 2) overlayer structure was formed. In this paper we report the spectroscopic observation of two low-energy modes of bridge-bonded CO on Ni(111) which have not been previously reported, as well as the momentum-resolved scattering for one of these modes. At Ts = 120 K, under impact scattering conditions, a frustrated translation of CO parallel to the surface was observed at an energy loss of 11.8 meV. The dispersion curve measured along the 〈112〉 direction of Ni(111) for this mode was dispersionless, indicating that there is no direct lateral interaction between the adjacent CO molecules in this structure. At Ts = 170 K, using a transient negative-ion Σ shape-resonance to enhance our sensitivity, a frustrated rotation for bridge-bonded CO was also observed at an energy loss of 37.5 meV. The energy of this mode is near the value previously estimated from temperature dependent infrared line shape measurements of the CO stretch peak position and lineshape, and is believed to be responsible for vibrational phase relaxation in the c(4 × 2)-CO-Ni(111) system. The energies of the observed modes are also consistent with those derived from a simple cluster calculation.
SU‐E‐T‐843: Direct Segment Optimization of Conformal Plans: Achieving Equivalence with Beamlet IMRT

Purpose: Use of inverse planning to improve conformal treatment plan quality has concentrated on optimization of beamlet‐based IMRT plans. The few direct aperture‐based optimization methods are all based on optimizing a beamlet‐based plan, followed by sequencing which identifies the many apertures to be optimized. In contrast, direct segment optimization (DSO), described here, directly optimizes conformal and few‐segment plans using inverse planning. This work compares DSO‐optimized plans versus beamlet IMRT and forward‐planned 3DCRT plans for a series of clinical sites. Methods: Our in‐house beamlet‐based inverse planning system has been enhanced to support DSO with an improved and reimplemented perturbational version of the Edge/Octree calculation algorithm and a multilayer search strategy. DSO optimizes MLC segment shapes, weights and/or jaw positions for multiple field plans (including VMAT). In our inverse planning infrastructure, beamlet, multi‐segment and conformal plans can all be optimized using the same cost functions, dose points, and plan evaluation metrics, making quantitative comparisons between techniques straightforward. Inverse planned DSO 3DCRT plans are compared to forward planned 3DCRT and beamlet IMRT plans for brain,liver,lung, and other sites. Results: For many tested patient geometries, DSO achieves equivalent plan quality to the beamlet IMRT plan optimized with the same cost function, though there are certain situations where IMRT is expected to (and does) perform better. The DSO plans use significantly fewer MU, require less treatment time, are less sensitive to motion, and do not require pre‐treatment IMRT QA checks, so they may be significantly easier to implement in the clinic. Conclusions: Optimization of 3DCRT and multi‐segment plans using DSO results in plan evaluation metrics virtually equivalent to beamlet IMRT plans optimized with the same cost function and beam directions, for many geometries. DSO may potentially lead to important efficiency savings for many clinical protocols. Supported in part by NIH P01‐CA59827
Superoxide Contributes to Resting Tone in Pulmonary Arteries by a Mechanism Independent of Nitric Oxide-Soluble Guanlyate Cyclase Signaling

Superoxide Contributes to Resting Tone in Pulmonary Arteries by a Mechanism Independent of Nitric Oxide-Soluble Guanlyate Cyclase Signaling
High-velocity, nonradiative shock emission in Kepler's supernova remnant

Optical spectra of faint emission along the northern limb of Kepler's supernova remnant (SN 1604) show only H-alpha and H-beta line emissions over the spectral range 4700-7000 A. The detected H-alpha emission consists of a broad component and a narrow, unresolved component. The observational data suggests the presence of Balmer-dominated, or nonradiative, emission associated with the remnant's high-velocity shocks. Nonradiative shock models are used to interpret the width of the broad component and the flux ratio of the broad to narrow components. The shock velocity is estimated at 1670-2800 km/s. 29 refs.
Fixing the American energy leak: The effectiveness of a whole-house switch for reducing standby power loss in U.S. residences

Abstract Over the past 30 years, the intensity of all major energy use categories has decreased in the residential market, with the exception of the miscellaneous electrical load (MEL). A significant percentage of the MEL is the energy consumed when appliances are in their standby mode. In the United States, standby power accounts for 4–12% of a typical home's total energy consumption. The whole-house switch (WHS) is an energy efficiency measure that reduces standby power by separating appliances from the home's line power through a network of wireless switches and receptacle-level disconnects. This study used a survey of over 12,000 respondents to estimate the energy savings that the WHS would have on a typical US home. The study found that the WHS would save the average household 282 kWh/year, or approximately 1.2–3.7% of their total energy usage. The plug loads of 24 test homes were monitored to validate the effectiveness of the WHS. The study found that the potential savings from the WHS were fairly modest when averaged over a large population; however, they could be substantial for householders away from the home during the day or with a heavy saturation of television peripherals, computers with peripherals, and kitchen equipment.
An inhibitory and an excitatory factor of mammalian central nervous system, and their action of a single sensory neuron.

(1954). An Inhibitory and an Excitatory Factor of Mammalian Central Nervous System, and Their Action on A Single Sensory Neuron. Archives Internationales de Physiologie: Vol. 62, No. 1, pp. 33-53.
Use of the Doppler Ultrasonic Flowmeter in Extracranial-Intracranial Arterial Bypass Surgery:

The Doppler ultrasonic flowmeter is a useful tool in extracranial-intracra nial bypass surgery for cerebrovascular disease. Its use in the pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative phases of treatment is described.
Sphingosine Kinase-1 Is Required for Toll Mediated β-Defensin 2 Induction in Human Oral Keratinocytes

Background: Host defense against invading pathogens is triggered by various receptors including toll-like receptors (TLRs). Activation of TLRs is a pivotal step in the initiation of innate, inflammatory, and antimicrobial defense mechanisms. Human b-defensin 2 (HBD-2) is a cationic antimicrobial peptide secreted upon Gram-negative bacterial perturbation in many cells. Stimulation of various TLRs has been shown to induce HBD-2 in oral keratinocytes, yet the underlying cellular mechanisms of this induction are poorly understood. Principal Findings: Here we demonstrate that HBD-2 induction is mediated by the Sphingosine kinase-1 (Sphk-1) and augmented by the inhibition of Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3b (GSK-3b) via the Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) dependent pathway. HBD-2 secretion was dose dependently inhibited by a pharmacological inhibitor of Sphk-1. Interestingly, inhibition of GSK-3b by SB 216763 or by RNA interference, augmented HBD-2 induction. Overexpression of Sphk-1 with concomitant inhibition of GSK-3b enhanced the induction of b-defensin-2 in oral keratinocytes. Ectopic expression of constitutively active GSK-3b (S9A) abrogated HBD-2 whereas kinase inactive GSK-3b (R85A) induced higher amounts of HBD-2.
A study of hypertension in a black urban community: Preliminary epidemiologic findings

Abstract A prevalence survey of blood pressure levels among adult residents in a stratified random sample of central Baltimore City households showed geographical differences in prevalence rates. Variation in prevalence rates was associated with indices of socioeconomic status. High prevalence rates were associated with high rates of manifestation of severe disease. Measurements of end-organ damage and high blood pressure levels were used as manifestations of disease severity. The data describe the total prevalence of high blood pressure whether or not the elevation is under control. It, therefore, provides a complete estimate of the community hypertension burden. Indices of socioeconomic status can, incidentally, describe differential use of, or access to, sources of medical service. Interview data collected prior to initial blood pressure measurement were used to see how prevalence was related to individual perceptions of medical care availability and the use of different sources of medical service. The results of analysis showed an association between blood pressure control and availability of medical care. There was no association between availability of medical care and the proportion of free living hypertensive individuals known to the medical care system. The investigators believe that this preliminary analysis reflects the quality of personal care that goes with availability of medical services and the current mode of clinical practice which has virtually no impact on the identification of asymptomatic hypertensive individuals.
Membrane fusion through point defects in bilayers

Fusion between bilayers of mixed egg phosphatidylcholine and soybean phosphatidylethanolamine was induced by freezing and thawing. Contact points between bilayers were observed by freeze fracture electron microscopy, and isotropic molecular motional averaging was detected by phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance under fusion conditions. A molecular model of point defect structure is proposed as an intermediate stage of fusion.
Typicality ratings for 893 exemplars of 93 categories

Although the typicality effect has been much studied in the semantic memory literature, typicality ratings exist for exemplars from only a very limited number of categories. This lack of ratings frequently limits the range of stimuli that can be used in investigations of the typicality effect. As an aid in stimulus construction, this paper reports typicality ratings of 893 exemplars from 93 different categories.
Parkin prevents cortical atrophy and Aβ-induced alterations of brain metabolism: 13C NMR and magnetic resonance imaging studies in AD models

Abstract Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative aging disorder characterized by extracellular Aβ plaques and intraneuronal neurofibrillary tangles. We conducted longitudinal studies to examine the effects of Aβ on brain amino acid metabolism in lentiviral Aβ 1–42 gene transfer animals and transgenic AD mice. We also performed lentiviral parkin gene delivery to determine the effects of Aβ clearance in AD models. Aβ 1–42 activated mTOR signaling, and increased 4E-BP phosphorylation. Aβ 1–42 increased the synthesis of glutamate and aspartate, but not glutamine, leucine and isoleucine, but an increase in leucine and isoleucine levels was concurrent with diminution of neurotransmitters. Additionally, Aβ 1–42 attenuated mitochondrial tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle activity and decreased synthesis of its by-products. Glutamate levels increased prior to lactate accumulation, suggesting oxidative stress. Importantly, parkin reversed the effects of Aβ 1–42 on amino acid levels, prevented TCA cycle impairment and protected against glutamate toxicity. Cortical atrophy was observed in aged 3xTg-AD mice, while parkin expression was associated with reduced atrophy. Similarly, Aβ 1–42 resulted in significant cell loss, pronounced astrogliosis and cortical atrophy and parkin reduced astrogliosis and reversed Aβ 1–42 effects on cell loss and cortical atrophy. Taken together these data suggest that parkin prevents amyloid-induced alteration of brain metabolism and may be used as a therapeutic target to limit neuronal loss in AD.
Local wind loading on the roof of a low-rise building

Abstract Fundamental studies of wind loading on the roof of a 1:25 geometrical scale model of the Texas Tech University test building were performed in a boundary-layer wind tunnel. The investigation was focused on the pressure distribution in the windward corner region of the roof. A range of wind directions and roof parapet heights was considered. The surface flow patterns were visualized and compared with the roof pressure. The largest negative mean and peak pressure coefficients were found for cornering winds, wind direction of 235°C. The pressure coefficients obtained using the dynamic pressure at the roof height were, respectively, −3.5 and −11. Very low roof parapets increased the overall maximum roof suction, while high parapets decreased it. For the wind direction of 225°, the highest negative presurre occurred in the secondary vortex region and the highest pressure gradient occurred in the reattachment region. It was found that the fluctuating roof pressure was sensitive to the intensity and the integral scale of turbulence in the oncoming flow. Comparison of the wind tunnel data with field data showed that the mean and the positive peak pressures were in good agreement. The negative peak pressures measured in the wind tunnel underestimated the field data.
Bacteremic elder emergency department patients: Procalcitonin and white count

Objectives: To assess serum procalcitonin (PCT) and white blood cell (WBC) count in detecting bacteremia in elder emergency department (ED) patients. Methods: A prospective, observational study of ED patients aged ≥65 years in whom blood cultures were drawn was conducted at an urban, tertiary care, academic ED. Serum for PCT and WBC count was obtained at the time of ED visit. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves, proportions, and likelihood ratios were calculated. Results: One hundred eight patients met entry criteria, 14 with bacteremia. In comparing bacteremic patients versus all others, PCT > 0.2 ng/mL was 93% sensitive (95% confidence interval [CI] = 79% to 100%) and 38% specific (95% CI = 28% to 48%) with a negative likelihood ratio (LR(−)) of 0.18. Abnormal WBC count was 64% sensitive (95% CI = 39% to 89%) and 54% specific (95% CI = 44% to 64%) with an LR(−) of 0.78. The presence of either abnormal WBC count or left shift was 93% sensitive (95% CI = 74% to 100%) but 11% specific (95% CI = 4% to 11%) with an LR(−) of 0.64. When considering only bacteremic patients versus noninfected patients, PCT at a cutoff of 0.2 ng/mL had an LR(−) of 0.12. Area under a ROC curve was significantly greater for PCT (0.7; 95% CI = 0.6 to 0.9) than for abnormal WBC count (0.5; 95% CI = 0.3 to 0.7; p < 0.05). Conclusions: In elder ED patients, a PCT level of 0.2 ng/mL is sensitive for bacteremia and, based on its negative likelihood ratio, is moderately helpful in ruling out the diagnosis. WBC count with or without left shift performed poorly in the diagnosis of bacteremia.
Reliability Guided Resource Allocation for Large-Scale Systems

In high performance computing systems running on native hardware or cloud computing resources, parallel applications can reserve a large number of resources for long time periods. Resource failures trigger the failure of applications using this resource. Our investigation of large-scale systems in the field has revealed a difference in the operational reliability of nodes. By adding awareness of this difference to the scheduler along with the predicted reliability needs, we match reliable resources with the most demanding applications to reduce the probability of application failure. In this paper, we describe a new approach we developed to enhance reliability and reduce failure costs. Our approach partitions resources based on expected reliability and sizes each partition to bound the probability of blocking requests. Our approach can be used to size systems for peak loads with a bounded probability of blocking requests, and would be useful for operators seeking to improve the reliability and efficiency of systems.
Extracranial vertebral artery dissection after trauma: a 5-year review.

The early diagnosis of vertebral artery dissection remains a formidable task. Angiography is the gold standard for diagnosis but, recently, duplex scanning has been used as a non-invasive screening study1,2. The overall prognosis of such dissection is good, but stenosis or thrombosis of the extracranial vertebral artery can result in brainstem or spinal cord infarction.
Quasiparticle Magnetospectroscopy in Superconductors: A Detailed Look at the Shape of the Penetration Layer

Microwave magnetoabsorption peaks in single-crystal superconducting Al have been identified by comparison with a detailed calculation of quasiparticle energy levels. The peaks correspond to resonant transitions between states bound in the magnetic-field penetration layer as predicted by Pincus. By fitting the observed spectra to the calculations, we are able to extract the penetration length lambda and a second parameter describing the shape of the nonlocal-field penetration.
Promoting Positive Special Education Practices

Special education is defined as specialized instruction for students with disabilities. Sometimes, however, legal requirements as well as the day-to-day demands of teaching secondary students with disabilities cloud the real intent of special education. This article acknowledges some poor practices occurring in secondary special education and provides suggestions for school administrators who desire to strategically address these issues in order to provide exemplary programs for students.
A sequential auction involving asymmetrically-informed bidders

An example is given of a sequential auction in which, at equilibrium, the expected profit of an informed bidder may be strictly less than the expected profit of an uninformed bidder. This phenomenon is interpreted in terms of the internal game between a player's “types” which arises in a setting of incomplete information.