cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In vivo visualization of robotically implemented synthetic tracked aperture ultrasound (STRATUS) imaging system using curvilinear array

Synthetic aperture for ultrasound is a technique utilizing a wide aperture in both transmit and receive to enhance the ultrasound image quality. The limitation of synthetic aperture is the maximum available aperture size limit determined by the physical size of ultrasound probe. We propose Synthetic-Tracked Aperture Ultrasound (STRATUS) imaging system to overcome the limitation by extending the beamforming aperture size through ultrasound probe tracking. With a setup involving a robotic arm, the ultrasound probe is moved using the robotic arm, while the positions on a scanning trajectory are tracked in real-time. Data from each pose are synthesized to construct a high resolution image. In previous studies, we have demonstrated the feasibility through phantom experiments. However, various additional factors such as real-time data collection or motion artifacts should be taken into account when the in vivo target becomes the subject. In this work, we build a robot-based STRATUS imaging system with continuous data collection capability considering the practical implementation. A curvilinear array is used instead of a linear array to benefit from its wider capture angle. We scanned human forearms under two scenarios: one submerged the arm in the water tank under 10 cm depth, and the other directly scanned the arm from the surface. The image contrast improved 5.51 dB, and 9.96 dB for the underwater scan and the direct scan, respectively. The result indicates the practical feasibility of STRATUS imaging system, and the technique can be potentially applied to the wide range of human body.
Acute respiratory infection in children of developing countries: challenge of the 1990s.

From the standpoint of public health policy, formal acknowledgment of the importance of a particular problem often occurs only where there are the ability and the will to do something about the problem. Thus, such acknowledgment will often be delayed if solutions are not in the offing; but, paradoxically, without such recognition, it is difficult to mobilize resources to develop or identify feasible solutions. The gradual acknowledgment of acute respiratory infection (ARI) of children younger than 5 years as a major concern in the developing world illustrates this relation. Data had been available for some time on the preeminent role these infections play in childhood morbidity worldwide and particulary in mortality in developing regions [1]. As with anything involving vital statistics collected from many different countries, exact conclusions were difficult to draw concerning the ranking of ARI among the leading causes of death; this lack of precision troubled some observers. In addition, ARI was not perceived as a "tropical" disease and therefore did not command the attention given to some of the traditional illnesses of developing countries. More important, there was a lack of data on etiology and, consequently, a lack of strategies for the prevention and treatment of ARI. Thus, many international organizations were reluctant to devote much attention to the problem since clear solutions were not available. The present paradoxical status of ARI programs and the insufficient support for ARI research in developing countries derive in large part from this history of slow recognition and make review of the critical stages over the past 25 years necessary in order to understand the current situation.
Simultaneous Occurrence of Ivaposi’s Sarcoma, Leukemia and Diabetes Mellitus: Report of a Case

A review of the available literature reveals few reports associating Kaposi's idiopathic hemorrhagic sarcoma with leukemia or lymphoblastoma. While Kaposi's sarcoma often progresses slowly for many years and at autopsy shows no spread beyond the cutaneous site, it is not uncommon to find sarcomatous deposits in the viscera, such as the organs of the gastrointestinal tract or respira­ tory tract, and the superficial and deep lymph nodes. Cole and Crump 2 in 1920 were the first to record an instance of idiopathic sar­ coma complicated by lymphatic leukemia, and Hufnagel and Dupont 8 reported a similar case some ten years later. Sachs and Gray 13 described a unique case of Kaposi's sarcoma and lymphatic leukemia in which biopsy of the skin revealed lesions of Kaposi's sarcoma in the upper and middle portions of the cutis, and leukemic infiltration in the lower cutis. The first report, apparently, of con­ current Kaposi's sarcoma and Hodgkin's disease was that of Greenstein. 7 In another instance reported by Lane and Greenwood 10 the patient had cutaneous lesions of both Kaposi's sarcoma and mycosis fungoides, and a blood picture of lymphatic leukemia. The present case concerns the simultaneous occurrence of Kaposi's sarcoma, lymphatic leukemia and diabetes. As far as could be determined, this combina­ tion has not heretofore been alluded to in the voluminous literature on multiple hemorrhagic sarcoma.
Development of the Endoparasitoids Microplitis croceipes, Microplitis demolitor, and Cotesia kazak (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) on Helicoverpa zea and H. armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The native parasitoid, Microplitis croceipes (Cresson), and two imported species, Cotesia kazak (Telenga) and Microplitis demolitor Wilkinson, developed equally well on Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) and Helicoverpa zea (Boddie). Developmental time on both host species was significantly longer for M. croceipes than for both imported species. Mortality of immature parasitoids was not significantly different for all parasitoid species on H. zea , but was significantly less for C. kazak on H. armigera than for both species of Microplitis . The female-male ratio was significantly greater for M. croceipes than for the imported parasitoid species when reared on H. zea . When all three parasitoid species were reared on H. armigera , sex ratios were not significantly differen.
Compendium of Drugs and Compounds Used in Amphibians

Amikacin 5 mg/kg q 48 hr IM for 5-14 tx Maruska 1994 Carbenicillin 200 mg/kg SQ, IM, or IC q 24 hr Crawshaw 1992 Ceftazadime 20 mg/kg IM q 48-72 hr Wright and Whitaker 2001 Chloramphenicol 50 mg/kg SQ, IM or IC q 24 hr; 20 mg/L bath; 10 mg/mL in 0.5% saline as 24-hr bath Crawshaw 1992; Crawshaw 1992; Menard 1984 Ciprofloxacin 10 mg/kg PO q 24-48 hr for 7 tx; 25-37.5 mg/gal for 6-8 hr bath q 24 hr for 7 days Wright and Whitaker 2001
Engineered BDNF producing cells as a potential treatment for neurologic disease

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been implicated in wide range of neurological diseases and injury. This neurotrophic factor is vital for neuronal health, survival, and synaptic connectivity. Many therapies focus on the restoration or enhancement of BDNF following injury or disease progression.Areas covered: The present review will focus on the mechanisms in which BDNF exerts its beneficial functioning, current BDNF therapies, issues and potential solutions for delivery of neurotrophic factors to the central nervous system, and other disease indications that may benefit from overexpression or restoration of BDNF.Expert opinion: Due to the role of BDNF in neuronal development, maturation, and health, BDNF is implicated in numerous neurological diseases making it a prime therapeutic agent. Numerous studies have shown the therapeutic potential of BDNF in a number of neurodegenerative disease models and in acute CNS injury, however clinical translation has fallen short due to...
Discussion about assumption of clinical trials for syndrome new Chinese traditional medicine from the perspective of spleen-deficiency syndrome

Clinical trials for syndrome new Chinese traditional medicine is one of the features of traditional Chinese medicine research.So far,this type of clinical trials failed to gain an implementation.This paper bases on the study of spleen-deficiency syndrome as example,in order to discuss with researchers.This paper advances some suggestions about the relationship between syndromes and western medicine in human body,about how to grasp better,how to design such experiment,looking forward to the success of the development of this kinds of new Chinese traditional medicine.
Pattern Density Effect on the Bottom-Up Fill during Damascene Copper Electrodeposition Analysis of the Suppressor Concentration Field Effect

Additives-assisted "bottom-up" fill during copper metallization of semiconductor interconnects is analyzed experimentally and by numerical modeling. The rate of the bottom-up growth is measured as a function of the "suppressor" additive concentration on specifically designed test structures that provide a highly nonuniform suppressor concentration distribution. These test structures include (i) constant space-varying critical dimension (CD) structures that provide suppressor transport preferentially to the trenches at the periphery of trench clusters and (ii) constant CD-varying space structures that provide substantially enhanced suppressor transport to isolated trenches in comparison to trench clusters. Partial-fill experiments on these test structures indicate that the rate of bottom-up fill is diminished at locations such as isolated trenches or trenches located at the periphery of dense-feature clusters. Such locations are characterized by a relatively low surface area per unit volume for suppressor adsorption, and therefore, a localized zone with only a small suppressor concentration depletion is developed in their vicinity. Dense-feature clusters that develop a significantly large suppression depletion zone in their vicinity show accelerated bottom-up growth. The pattem-density-dependent modulation of the local suppressor concentration field and its subsequent impact on the bottom-up fill rate is illustrated by simple numerical modeling.
Adjuvant therapy for genitourinary cancer.

This article concentrates upon the four most common urologic neoplasms, germ cell carcinoma of the testicle, transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder, adenocarcinoma of the kidney, and adenocarcinoma of the prostate. The effectiveness of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, hormonal therapy, and combination therapies for these types of cancer is discussed.
Review of anthraquinone applications for pest management and agricultural crop protection

We have reviewed published anthraquinone applications for international pest management and agricultural crop protection from 1943 to 2016. Anthraquinone (AQ) is commonly found in dyes, pigments and many plants and organisms. Avian repellent research with AQ began in the 1940s. In the context of pest management, AQ is currently used as a chemical repellent, perch deterrent, insecticide and feeding deterrent in many wild birds, and in some mammals, insects and fishes. Criteria for evaluation of effective chemical repellents include efficacy, potential for wildlife hazards, phytotoxicity and environmental persistence. As a biopesticide, AQ often meets these criteria of efficacy for the non-lethal management of agricultural depredation caused by wildlife. We summarize published applications of AQ for the protection of newly planted and maturing crops from pest birds. Conventional applications of AQ-based repellents include preplant seed treatments [e.g. corn (Zea mays L.), rice (Oryza sativa L.), sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), wheat (Triticum spp.), millet (Panicum spp.), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.), pelletized feed and forest tree species] and foliar applications for rice, sunflower, lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), turf, sugar beets (Beta vulgaris L.), soybean (Glycine max L.), sweet corn and nursery, fruit and nut crops. In addition to agricultural repellent applications, AQ has also been used to treat toxicants for the protection of non-target birds. Few studies have demonstrated AQ repellency in mammals, including wild boar (Sus scrofa, L.), thirteen-lined ground squirrels (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus, Mitchill), black-tailed prairie dogs (Cyomys ludovicainus, Ord.), common voles (Microtus arvalis, Pallas), house mice (Mus musculus, L.), Tristram's jirds (Meriones tristrami, Thomas) and black rats (Rattus rattus L.). Natural sources of AQ and its derivatives have also been identified as insecticides and insect repellents. As a natural or synthetic biopesticide, AQ is a promising candidate for many contexts of non-lethal and insecticidal pest management. Published 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Tobacco-Related Illnesses and Management

Smoking is the leading cause of death and illness in the United States and one of the leading causes in the world. It causes or contributes to dozens of illnesses, including cancers of the aerodigestive tract, genitourinary tract, and hematopoietic system. These tobacco-related conditions are completely preventable. Because smoking is more common among low-income individuals, who are more likely to visit hospital emergency departments (EDs), the ED visit is an opportunistic time to screen for smoking and initiate treatment and referrals for those who do. A growing body of evidence suggests that a combination approach using evidence-based treatments—counseling and nicotine replacement medication—holds promise to help ED smokers quit. Remaining challenges include developing time- and resource-sensitive interventions that can be scaled for use in most EDs. Scalable interventions might include referral to smokers’ quitlines and the use of mobile health technologies, like texting, to deliver motivational messages to smokers.
Locomotor Profiling from Rodents to the Clinic and Back Again

The quantification of unconditioned motoric activity is one of the oldest and most commonly utilized tools in behavioral studies. Although typically measured in reference to psychiatric disorders, e.g., amphetamine-induced hyperactivity used as a model of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder (BD), and Tourette's syndrome, the motoric behavior of psychiatric patients had not been quantified similarly to rodents until recently. The rodent behavioral pattern monitor (BPM) was reverse-translated for use in humans, providing the quantification of not only motoric activity but also the locomotor exploratory profile of various psychiatric populations. This measurement includes the quantification of specific exploration and locomotor patterns. As an example, patients with BD, schizophrenia, and those with history of methamphetamine dependence exhibited unique locomotor profiles. It was subsequently determined that reducing dopamine transporter function selectively recreated the locomotor profile of BD mania patients and not any other patient population. Hence, multivariate locomotor profiling offers a first-step approach toward understanding the neural mechanism(s) underlying abnormal behavior in patients with psychiatric disorders. Advances in wearable technology will undoubtedly enable similar multivariate assessments of exploratory and locomotor behavior in "real-world" contexts. Furthermore, trans-diagnostic studies of locomotor activity profiles will inform about essential brain-based functions that cut across diagnostic nosologies.
Polynomial spectral decomposition of conditional expectation operators

The spectral structure of conditional expectation operators underlies several useful notions in statistics and information theory. For instance, the second largest singular value of such an operator is known as maximal correlation, which has received considerable attention in the context of performing non-linear regression and analyzing contraction coefficients. Given source-channel pairs, we study the singular value decompositions of the corresponding conditional expectation operators, and derive necessary and sufficient conditions on the conditional moments that characterize when the conditional expectation operators have singular vectors that are orthogonal polynomials. Furthermore, we illustrate that conditional expectation operators constructed using well-known natural exponential families with quadratic variance functions and their conjugate priors have orthogonal polynomial singular vectors. In particular, the Gaussian source and Gaussian channel beget the Hermite case, the gamma source and Poisson channel beget the Laguerre case, and the beta source and binomial channel beget the Jacobi case.
Antibacterial Effects of Antimicrobials Used in Regenerative Endodontics against Biofilm Bacteria Obtained from Mature and Immature Teeth with Necrotic Pulps.

Abstract Introduction We investigated the direct and residual antibacterial effects of intracanal antimicrobials against bacterial biofilms obtained from infected mature and immature teeth with necrotic pulps. Methods Sterile dentin slabs (n = 100) were inoculated with bacterial biofilms obtained from root canals of an immature or a mature tooth with pulpal necrosis and incubated anaerobically for 3 weeks (n = 50 per biofilm). Dentin infected with each type of biofilm received 1 week of treatment with 1 or 5 mg/mL double antibiotic paste (DAP) in methylcellulose hydrogels, calcium hydroxide, or placebo paste or received no treatment (n = 10). The pastes were removed, and biofilm disruption assays were performed. Additional dentin slabs (n = 100) were pretreated with the same treatments (n = 20). The pastes were rinsed off, and the samples were immersed in phosphate-buffered saline for 1 week. Thereafter, samples from the treatment groups were infected with bacterial biofilm from both clinical sources mentioned earlier (n = 10 per biofilm) and incubated anaerobically for 3 weeks before conducting biofilm disruption assays. Uninfected dentin slabs were used for both antibacterial experiments as negative control groups (n = 20). Results All antimicrobials showed significant direct antibacterial effects regardless of the biofilm source. Dentin pretreated with 5 mg/mL DAP provided significantly higher residual antibacterial effects in comparison with all other groups regardless of the source of biofilm. Dentin pretreated with calcium hydroxide did not show any residual antibacterial effects. Conclusions Tested antimicrobials showed significant direct antibacterial effects. Only 5 mg/mL DAP exhibited significant residual antibacterial effects against bacterial biofilms from an infected root canal of an immature tooth.
Early Invasive Versus Initial Conservative Strategies for Women with Non–ST-Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes: A Nationwide Analysis

Abstract Background Studies conducted largely in men have shown improved outcomes with an early invasive strategy with non–ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome. In contrast, data have been less conclusive in women, with some trials demonstrating potential harm. This study aims to assess whether an early invasive strategy in women is associated with better outcomes in real-world data. Methods Women admitted with a primary diagnosis of non–ST-elevation myocardial infarction or unstable angina were identified from the National Inpatient Sample years 2012 and 2013. The incidence of in-hospital mortality in women with non–ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome undergoing an early invasive strategy versus an initial conservative strategy was compared using a propensity score–matched analysis. Results Among 372,080 women with non–ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome, 153,680 (41.3%) were managed with an early invasive strategy and 218,400 (58.7%) were managed with an initial conservative strategy. Propensity score–matched 19,965 women were treated with an early invasive strategy, and 20,009 women were treated with an initial conservative strategy. The risk of in-hospital mortality was lower with an early invasive strategy (2.1% vs 3.8%; odds ratio [OR], 0.55; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.49-0.62). This benefit was noted in women presenting with non–ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (OR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.46-0.58) and was not observed in women with unstable angina (OR, 5.14; 95% CI, 0.47-56.9), P interaction = .06. A propensity-adjusted analysis yielded similar results (OR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.45-0.57). Conclusions In this large contemporary observational analysis of women with non–ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome, an early invasive strategy was associated with lower in-hospital mortality. This benefit was observed in women presenting with non–ST-elevation myocardial infarction but not with unstable angina. These findings provide evidence supporting the guideline recommendations for an early invasive strategy in women with non–ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome and high-risk features (eg, troponin positive).
Maternal cigarette smoking during pregnancy and the trajectory of externalizing and internalizing symptoms across childhood: similarities and differences across parent, teacher, and self reports

Maternal smoking during pregnancy (MSDP) has been associated with symptoms of externalizing (e.g., hyperactivity) and internalizing (e.g., emotional) disorders in childhood. The present research addresses two new questions about the nature of this relation: (1) Do the associations between MSDP and externalizing and internalizing symptoms vary by who reports the symptoms? and (2) Is MSDP associated with changes in symptomatology across childhood? We address these questions with two cohorts from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC). Parents and teachers completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire up to six times every two years between child ages 4 and 14 in the older cohort (N = 3841) and up to four times between child ages 4 and 10 in the younger cohort (N = 3714); the study children also completed the same questionnaire up to three times starting at age 10. Across the two cohorts, MSDP was associated with more externalizing symptoms as reported by parents, teachers, and self. MSDP was also associated with increases in externalizing symptoms across childhood when teachers assessed the symptoms but not when parents assessed them. Finally, MSDP was not consistently associated with the average level of internalizing symptoms, but it was associated with increases in these symptoms across childhood. The present research indicates a robust association between MSDP and the average level of externalizing symptoms in childhood regardless of who reports the symptoms. It also indicates that whether MSDP is associated with the trajectory of externalizing symptomatology depends on who reports on the symptoms.
Hydraulics of Dam Breaching

A comprehensive investigation of the hydraulics of dam failure involves flood hydrology, mechanics of erosion and sediment transport, hydraulics of flow over the crest and through the breach, geomechanics of slope instability, hydraulics of channel flow and floodplains, dam regulation and management, disaster alleviation, and damage assessment. Some of these elements are interconnected as shown in Figure 3.1. A complete mathematical model incorporating all of these elements does not appear to have been reported yet. Most models are based on two or more elements that hover around breach formation and dam-breach flood routing.
A new type of defatted green microalgae exerts dose-dependent nutritional, metabolic, and environmental impacts in broiler chicks

SUMMARY The potential of defatted microalgae from biofuel production in animal feeding remains unclear. The objective of this experiment was to determine the metabolic and environmental impacts of a defatted green microalgal biomass (DGA, Nannochloropsis oceanica, Cellana, Kailua-Kona, HI) in broiler chick diets. Day-old chicks (total = 180) were fed the control diet containing zero, 2, 4, 8, or 16% of DGA for 6 wk to determine the optimal level of DGA inclusion. Compared with chicks fed the control diet, only those fed the 16% DGA diet had lower (P
Promoting Critical Thinking Through Service Learning: A Home-Visiting Case Study

As stated in APA Learning Outcomes 2 and 3, two central goals of higher education instruction are promoting students’ critical thinking skills and connecting student learning to real-life applicati...
Preoperative laboratory data are associated with complications and surgical site infection in composite head and neck surgical resections

Abstract Objectives 1) Describe normal/abnormal preoperative laboratory testing incidence in head and neck (H&N) composite resections and 2) determine complication, surgical site infection (SSI), and transfusion predictors by laboratory test. Methods The 2006 to 2013 NSQIP databases were queried for H&N composite resections. Laboratory data was categorized within, under, or above the normal reference range according to NSQIP definitions. Overall complications and SSI were analyzed with multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results From 2006 to 2013, there were 1193H&N composite resections, of which 1135 (95.1%) underwent ≥1 preoperative laboratory test. Complete blood counts were obtained in 92.3%, basic metabolic panels in 90.7%, coagulation studies in 56.2%, and liver function tests (LFTs) in 52.6%. Low sodium was found in 11.5%, increasing complication odds by 2.30 (p = 0.005). High AST comprised 10.0% and increased complication odds (OR = 2.93, p = 0.012). Additionally, 9.2% had a high white blood cell (WBC) count and 3.5% had high platelets, increasing complications by 1.92 (p = 0.030) and 3.13 (p = 0.015), respectively. BUN, creatinine, total bilirubin, albumin, alkaline phosphatase, INR, PT, and aPTT abnormal values did not affect postoperative complications. Increased SSI odds were appreciated with low sodium (OR: 2.83, p = 0.002), high AST (OR: 6.85, p Conclusion Inflammatory markers are associated with complications but not SSI. High LFTs and low sodium are associated with complications and SSI. Coagulopathies did not increase transfusion rates. These findings identify laboratory studies to focus on during H&N resection preoperative assessments.
Cognitive Imaging: Using Knowledge Representation for Segmentation of MRA Data

This article, an extended version of ICCI*CC-2017 paper, co-authored by biomedical engineers specializing in brain blood circulation modeling and by experts in meaning-based NLP. This article suggests a cognitive computing technology for medical imaging analysis that removes image artifacts resulting in visual deviations from reality, such as discontinuous blood vessels or two vessels shown merged when they are not. It is implemented by supplying the pertinent knowledge that humans have to the computer and letting it initiate the corrective post-processing. The existing OST resource is centered on the ontology that is made to accommodate the domain with a minor adjustment effort; however, any ontology can be used, as demonstrated in this article. The examples from the ontology demonstrate the disparities between what the image shows and what the human knows. The computer detects them autonomously and can initiate the appropriate post-processing. If and when this cognitive imaging prevails, the post-processed images may replace the current ones as legitimate artifact-free MRIs.
Hypoplastic left heart syndrome: it is all in the genes.

In 1851, the German pathologist Barbedelan reported the autopsy findings of a 6-month-old infant who died from severe asphyxia ([1][1]). Evaluation of the cardiac anatomy revealed hypoplasia of the left ventricular cavity without communication to the aorta, severe hypoplasia of the ascending aorta,
Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome: report of two cases and review of literature.

Melkersson-Rosenthal Syndrome (MRS) is a rare disorder; its classical presentation includes unilateral edema of the face and/or lips, relapsing unilateral facial paralysis, and fissured dorsum of tongue (lingua plicata). The incidence of this syndrome has been estimated to be 1 : 2100 [9], The following two cases representative examples of MRS.
Effect of xylitol on adhesion of Salmonella Typhimurium and Escherichia coli O157:H7 to beef carcass surfaces.

Effects of 10% xylitol (a five-carbon sugar alcohol) on adhesion of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Typhimurium to meat surfaces were examined with three approaches. First, beef outside round was inoculated with rifampin-resistant E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Typhimurium dispersed in xylitol or peptone solution. Samples were rinsed with water or not rinsed in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement. No interaction existed between inoculum and rinsing treatments (P > 0.84). Incubation in xylitol had minimal impact on pathogen adhesion (P > 0.76); however, rinsing reduced pathogen cell counts (P 0.50). Postinoculation rinsing reduced pathogen loads (P 0.64). Third, carcass surfaces inoculated with pathogens (5.5 log CFU/cm2) were treated with 35 degrees C water wash, 2.5% L-lactic acid spray, 10% xylitol spray, lactic acid plus xylitol, or hot water plus xylitol. Lactic acid treatments reduced Salmonella Typhimurium at 0 h (P 0.62) or increase effectiveness of other treatments. Xylitol does not influence E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Typhimurium adhesion to meat surfaces.
What they learn when they learn coding: investigating cognitive domains and computer programming knowledge in young children

Computer programming for young children has grown in popularity among both educators and product developers, but still relatively little is known about what skills children are developing when they code. This study investigated N = 57 Kindergarten through second grade children’s performance on a programming assessment after engaging in a 6-week curricular intervention. Children used the ScratchJr programming tool to create animated stories, collages, and games. At the end of the learning intervention, children were assessed on their knowledge of the ScratchJr language and underlying reasoning. Specifically, we explored children’s errors on the assessment to determine evidence of domain-specific reasoning (e.g. mathematic, verbal, causal). Results show that while all students mastered foundational coding concepts, there were marked differences in performance and comprehension across the three grade levels. Interpretation of results suggests a developmental progression inherent in programming knowledge acquisition.; Implications for computer programming education and developmental research are discussed.
Interprofessional Models for Shared Decision Making: The Role of the Health Care Chaplain.

Shared decision making (SDM) is a central component of patient-centered care; however, a minimal amount is known about what health care chaplains contribute to this process. Data from 463 full-time...
A novel SAMD9 variant identified in patient with MIRAGE syndrome: Further defining syndromic phenotype and review of previous cases.

We present here a case of MIRAGE syndrome due to novel variant (c.2318T>C) in the sterile α motif domain-containing protein 9 (SAMD9) gene. Previous reports have described the clinical phenotype, which includes myelodysplasia, recurrent infections, restriction of growth and development, adrenal insufficiency, genitourinary abnormalities, and enteropathies, often resulting in fatality within the first few years of life. This report illustrates the variability in phenotype by describing an 11-year-old male, diagnosed with MIRAGE at age 9 years when his novel variant was identified through whole exome sequencing. A brief review of previously published cases of MIRAGE syndrome and the genotypic and phenotypic spectrum are presented.
The Promise and Peril of the Public Intellectual

At least as far back as the philosopher kings of Plato’s Republic, public intellectuals played an instrumental role in the affairs of their respective communities. Presidents who led America’s research universities in the early to mid-twentieth century were just as comfortable in the public square as they were in the library, the laboratory, or the lecture hall. A variety of forces (a more volatile public, the rewarding of specialized research, growing campus bureaucracies, etc.) began to converge in the mid-1960s, casting doubt over the future viability of the public intellectual. On one level, the advent of social media in the 2000s offered public intellectuals new platforms from which they could make their contributions. On another level, social media’s relative youth as a communication medium comes with incalculable risks. Regardless, the complex nature of the social problems facing society today demand that informed voices play a role in the present range of debates. Many colleges and universities are thus exploring ways to cultivate, assess, evaluate, and reward the scholarship their intellectuals are generating on behalf of the public.
Nonoxidate transition-metal-carbon bond cleaving reactions and their application in a transition-metal mediated cyclopentenone synthesis.

Abstract Cycloaddition reactions of cyclopentadienyl iron dicarbonyl 2-alkynyl complexes (1) with diphenyl ketene (2) yields transition-metal substituted cyclopentenones (4). The transition metals can subsequently be cleaved from the cyclopentenones under a variety of oxidative and nonoxidative reaction conditions.
In ovo metabolism of progesterone to 5β-pregnanedione in chicken eggs: Implications for how yolk progesterone influences embryonic development.

Abstract Progesterone has received substantial attention for the essential role it plays in establishing and maintaining pregnancy in placental vertebrates. Despite the prevalence of progesterone during development, relatively little is known about how embryos respond to progesterone. This is true of placental vertebrates as well as egg-laying vertebrates where levels of progesterone in the yolk tend to be higher than most other steroids in the yolk. Bird eggs provide an opportunity to investigate the effects of progesterone on embryonic development because progesterone can be easily manipulated without any confounding effects on maternal physiology. To understand how progesterone might influence embryonic development, it is important to characterize the metabolic fate of progesterone given its potential to be converted to a wide range of steroids. We investigated the metabolic fate of tritiated progesterone over the first four days of development using chicken eggs (Gallus gallus) and identified 5β-pregnanedione as the primary metabolite during this period. After only one day of development, 5β-pregnanedione could be detected within the yolk. Levels of 5β-pregnanedione in both the yolk and albumen tended to rise early in development but conjugated metabolites began to accumulate towards the end of our sampling period. Additionally, in vitro assays using embryo homogenates collected after 72 h of development demonstrated that embryos were capable of carrying out the conversion of progesterone to 5β-pregnanedione. Overall these results have important implications for deciphering the mechanisms through which yolk progesterone might influence embryonic development. Effects could arise via progesterone receptors or receptors capable of binding 5β-pregnanedione but we found no evidence that progesterone is serving as a precursor for androgen or estrogen production.
Fully Adaptive Cloud Profiling Radar Simulation

This paper demonstrates how the fully adaptive radar framework can be applied to cloud profiling radars. A simulation based on the GEOS5 nature run dataset is introduced in which the cloud profiling radar continuously adapts its pulse repetition frequency (PRF) such that the unambiguous range is 1.2 times the cloud column height. This process maximizes the (PRF) which would in turn maximize the unambiguous velocity estimate.
Impact of EUS-guided microforceps biopsy sampling and needle-based confocal laser endomicroscopy on the diagnostic yield and clinical management of pancreatic cystic lesions.

Background and Aims EUS-guided microforceps biopsy sampling (MFB) and needle-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (nCLE) are emerging diagnostic tools for pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs). There is a paucity of data regarding their performance and impact. The aim of this study was to compare diagnostic outcomes and changes in clinical management resulting from MFB and nCLE use in PCLs. Methods This was a single-center retrospective study of patients with PCLs who underwent combined EUS-guided FNA, MFB, and nCLE. Primary outcomes included diagnostic yield (specific PCL type) and change in clinical management for each modality compared with the current “composite standard” (CS) obtained by combining clinical, morphologic, cyst fluid cytology, and chemical analysis. Results Forty-four cysts were studied in 44 patients. Technical success was 100% for EUS-FNA, 88.6% for MFB, and 97.7% for nCLE. Of 44 procedures, there was 1 adverse event (2.3%, an infected pseudocyst). Diagnostic yield for each individual modality was 34.1% for CS, 75.0% for MFB (P Conclusions In the evaluation of PCLs, the use of combined EUS-guided FNA, MFB, and nCLE is safe. MFB and nCLE led to significant improvements in specific PCL diagnosis, which in turn has major impacts in clinical management.
The Effects on Technologist Occupational Exposure in PET/CT Departments When Working with Students at Various Levels of Supervision

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect that the presence of a student in the PET/CT department has on the technologist's occupational radiation exposure and whether this effect is influenced by the type of supervision performed. Methods: This was a retrospective, institutional review board-approved study that collected data from 2 PET/CT departments. Dosimetry reports, correlated with the clinical schedules of the students, were normalized for workflow (amount of radioactivity), the number of technologists, and the number of monitored days in the department. A 2-sample t test assuming unequal variance with an α of 0.05 was used to compare doses between with-student and without-student groups and between direct-supervision and indirect-supervision groups. Results: The study consisted of a dataset of 42 dosimetry reports, 19 with students and 23 without students. When comparing with-student and without-student groups, the total (n = 42) extremity dose had a P value of 0.012 with a mean of 0.0011665 μSv/MBq/technologist/d; all other dose comparisons between groups were greater than 0.05 (P > 0.05). For indirect supervision (n = 21), the extremity-dose P value was 0.298. The other dose P values were all less than 0.05. For direct supervision (n = 21), the dose P values were all greater than 0.05. There was a trend toward decreasing exposure of technologists when students were in the department. Conclusion: Extremity dose decreases when students are present. There is a trend toward decreasing dose with indirect supervision.
Including Diverse Stakeholder Voices in Youth Character Program Evaluation

Although experts agree that diverse stakeholder inclusion enhances quality and equity in evaluation designs and implementation, diverse voices are often omitted. Particularly antithetical to princi...
How Victims of Strangulation Survived: Enhancing the Admissibility of Victim Statements to the Police When Survivors are Reluctant to Cooperate.

Holding perpetrators accountable for family violence is challenged when survivors are reluctant to testify. In light of recent Supreme Court precedents limiting the admissibility of statements to l...
Rigorous justification for the space-split sensitivity algorithm to compute linear response in Anosov systems

Ruelle first proved a rigorous formula for linear response of smooth, transitive Anosov diffeomorphisms. Recently, practically computable realizations of Ruelle's formula have emerged that potentially enable sensitivity analysis of the high-dimensional chaotic numerical simulations such as encountered in climate studies. In this paper, we provide a rigorous convergence proof of one such efficient computation, the space-split sensitivity, or S3, algorithm for one-dimensional unstable manifolds. In S3, Ruelle's formula is computed as a sum of two terms obtained by decomposing the perturbation vector field into a coboundary and a remainder that is parallel to the unstable direction. Such a decomposition results in a splitting of Ruelle's formula that is amenable to efficient computation. We prove the existence of the S3 decomposition and the convergence of the computations of both resulting components of Ruelle's formula.
Spectool: Automated Synthesis of Control Code for Discrete Event Controllers

Spectool is a set of software tools for automatic synthesis of controllers for discrete event systems. The software relies on a description of the plant defined through a set of interacting condition models. Analysis of these models of individual components of the system determines the control logic for these elements. These segments of control logic are then combined and managed by a supervisor in order to drive the system through specified sequences of states. The resulting control logic is then automatically converted into C++ code which is compiled and executed.
Challenge of Alloimmunization and Refractoriness to Platelet Transfusion

Alloimmunization and refractoriness to platelet transfusion remains the major problem following repeated platelet transfusions. Approaches to donor selection for alloimmunized recipients include a variety of strategies for HLA matching and platelet crossmatching of random donor units of platelet concentrates as a means of identifying new compatible apheresis donors. Some patients can be managed with platelets obtained by apheresis during remission and cryopreserved for transfusion during subsequent periods of thrombocytopenia. Trials are under way evaluating the role of leukocyte depletion by platelet filtration and UVB irradiation of platelet preparations as a means of preventing alloimmunization. These approaches remain investigational at this time.
Analysis of lipid flow on minimal surfaces

Interaction between the bilayer shape and surface flow is important for capturing the flow of lipids in many biological membranes. Recent microscopy evidence has shown that minimal surfaces (planes, catenoids, and helicoids) occur often in cellular membranes. In this study, we explore lipid flow in these geometries using a ‘stream function’ formulation for viscoelastic lipid bilayers. Using this formulation, we derive two-dimensional lipid flow equations for the commonly occurring minimal surfaces in lipid bilayers. We show that for three minimal surfaces (planes, catenoids, and helicoids), the surface flow equations satisfy Stokes flow equations. In helicoids and catenoids, we show that the tangential velocity field is a Killing vector field. Thus, our analysis provides fundamental insight into the flow patterns of lipids on intracellular organelle membranes that are characterized by fixed shapes reminiscent of minimal surfaces.
Numerical Analysis on Axial Compressor Stage Performance With Vortex Generators

The performance of axial flow compressor stage can be improved by minimizing the effects of secondary flow and by avoiding flow separation. At higher blade loading, interaction of tip secondary flow and separated flow on blade surface is more near the tip of the rotor. This results in stall and hence decreases compressor performance. A previous study [1] was carried out to improve the performance of a rotating row of blades with the help of Vortex Generators (VGs) and considerable effects were observed. The current investigation is carried out to find out the effect of Vortex Generator (VG) on the performance of a compressor stage. NASA Rotor 37 with NASA Stator 37 (stage) is used as a test case for the current numerical investigation. VGs are placed at different chord wise as well as span wise locations. A mesh sensitivity study has been done so that simulation result is mesh independent. The results of numerical simulation with different geometrical forms and locations of VGs are presented in this paper. The investigation includes a description of the secondary flow effect and separation zone in compressor stage based on numerical as well as experimental results of NASA Rotor 37 with Stator 37 (without VG). It is also observed that the shape and location of the VG impacts the end wall cross flow and flow deflection [1], which result in enhanced stall range.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Air quality and coal: The US experience☆

Abstract During the mid- to late-1970s, the USA attempted to improve levels of air quality and, simultaneously, to increase the consumption of coal. Both of these goals were achieved, but at the expense of significant changes in the patterns of coal production and distribution, particularly in six eastern and midwestern states that have large reserves of high-sulphur coal. An argument is made that much of the improvement in air quality is directly attributable to the reduced consumption of high-sulphur coal, and present levels of air quality are tied closely to current patterns of consumption.
Market Definition in Monopolization Cases: A Paradigm Is Missing

The question of market definition for monopolization cases - and thus the issue of the possession of market power by the defendant - is crucial for the outcome of these cases. However, unlike antitrust merger analysis, where the DOJ-FTC Horizontal Merger Guidelines has provided a successful paradigm for market definition, monopolization cases lack a guiding market definition paradigm. This chapter addresses this issue, shows the problems that arise when a market definition paradigm is absent, and offers some partial remedies. The best remedy, though, would be the development of a suitable market definition paradigm for these cases.
A Model of Obsolescence of Organizational Rules

The phenomenon of obsolescence has found little attention in past research on organizational change. Most research on organizational change has instead been concerned with the opposite of obsolescence, that is, with mechanisms which render organizational structures increasingly persistent. However, everyday experience teaches that organizational structures become outdated as surrounding conditions shift. This article explores obsolescence by means of mathematical modeling and empirical analysis. Obsolescence is conceptualized as a result of flows of conditions in, out, and between two states: consistent conditions and inconsistent conditions. The model predicts that the obsoleteness curve rises with decreasing increments over time. This is tested with empirical data on organizational rule change. The results confirm the obsolescence model.
Analytic performance comparison of transaction processing algorithms for the SINTRA replicated-architecture database system

A replicated-architecture database system is a centralized database system that uses data replication to provide multilevel security. The most critical problem associated with replicated architecture multilevel-secure database systems is mutual consistency of the replicas and the impact of mutual consistency requirements on transaction management. Researchers have discovered severaal algorithms for transaction management in replicated architectures. As part of the SINTRA project, we investigate the performance of five of the most promising ones via analytic modeling. We find that all five algorithms have acceptable performance and, over a range of circumstances, can be chosen based on structural considerations other than performance.