cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Concurrent and Predictive Validity of the Phelps Kindergarten Readiness Scale-II.

The purpose of this research was to establish the concurrent and predictive validity of the Phelps Kindergarten Readiness Scale, Second Edition (PKRS-II; L. Phelps, 2003). Seventy-four kindergarten students of diverse ethnic backgrounds enrolled in a northeastern suburban school participated in the study. The concurrent administration of the PKRS-II and the Woodcock-Johnson III Brief Intellectual Ability Scale (R.W. Woodcock, K.S. McGrew, & N. Mather, 2001a) occurred in the fall of the kindergarten year. To assess predictive validity, the Woodcock Johnson III Tests of Achievement (R.W. Woodcock, K.S. McGrew, & N. Mather, 2001b) was administered in the spring of that year. All concurrent and predictive correlations were significant. Based on the results of this study, the PKRS-II may be used with confidence to screen for children who may be at risk for academic difficulties. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 42: 355–359, 2005.
Cost and turn-around time display decreases inpatient ordering of reference laboratory tests: a time series

Objective Reference tests, also known as send-out tests, are commonly ordered laboratory tests with variable costs and turn-around times. We aim to examine the effects of displaying reference laboratory costs and turn-around times during computerised physician order entry (CPOE) on inpatient physician ordering behaviour. Design We conducted a prospective observational study at a tertiary care hospital involving inpatient attending physicians and residents. Physician ordering behaviour was prospectively observed between September 2010 and December 2012. An intervention was implemented to display cost and turn-around time for reference tests within our CPOE. We examined changes in the mean number of monthly physician orders per inpatient day at risk, the mean cost per order, and the average turn-around time per order. Results After our intervention, the mean number of monthly physician orders per inpatient day at risk decreased by 26% (51 vs 38, p<0.0001) with a decrease in mean cost per order (US$146.50 vs US$134.20, p=0.0004). There were no significant differences in mean turn-around time per order (5.6 vs 5.7 days, p=0.057). A stratified analysis of both cost and turn-around time showed significant decreases in physician ordering. The intervention projected a mean annual savings of US$330 439. Reference test cost and turn-around time variables were poorly correlated (r=0.2). These findings occurred in the setting of non-significant change to physician ordering in a control cohort of non-reference laboratory tests. Conclusions Display of reference laboratory cost and turn-around time data during real-time ordering may result in significant decreases in ordering of reference laboratory tests with subsequent cost savings.
Textbook Of Rural Medicine

Overview of Rural Health Care The Health of rural People and the Communities and Environments in Which They Live The Rural Patient The Rural Physician The Rural Health Care Team Population-Based Medicine: Links to Public Health The Emergence of Federal Rural Health Policy Special Clinical Problems and Approaches in Rural Health Care Emergency Care Obstetric Care Special Medicinal Problems in Perinatel Care Surgery Home Care Rural Mental Health Dental Care Organization and Management of Rural Health Care Rural Hospitals, Consultation, and Referral Networks in Rural Practice Medicinal Informatics and Information Access Telemedicine and Telehealth Service Rural Health Networks: An Organizational Strategy The Economics of Rural Practice Quality of Care in Rural Settings: Brining the "New Quality" to Rural Practice Community-Oriented Primary Care and Rural Health Services Development Education for Rural Practice Predoctoral Education for Rural Practice Graduate Education for Rural Practice Continuing Medical Education for Rural Practice Lessons from Abroad Rural Practice in Canada Rural Practice in Australia Rural General Practice in the United Kingdom Rural Practice in South Africa Rural Practice in China
Firms' global patent strategies in an emerging technology

Despite international patenting can be a costly and risky investment, an increasing number of firms patent proprietary technologies in foreign countries. This paper explores trends of global patenting in a new domain of technology characterized by rapid globalization. The research setting consists of the population of U.S.-based Large and Small and Mid-Sized firms (SMEs) filing nanotechnology-related patent applications at the World International Patent Office (WIPO) during 1996–2006.
Safe caching in a distributed file system for network attached storage

In a distributed file system built on network attached storage, client computers access data directly from shared storage, rather than submitting I/O requests through a server. Without a server marshaling access to data, if a computer fails or becomes isolated in a network partition while holding locks on cached data objects, those objects become inaccessible to other computers until a locking authority can guarantee that the lock holder will not again directly access these data. We describe a server that acts as the locking authority and implements a lease-based protocol for revoking access to data objects locked by an isolated or failed computer. When a lease expires, the server can be assured that the client no longer acts on locked data, and can safely redistribute locks to other clients. During normal operation, this protocol invokes no message overhead, and uses no memory and performs no computation at the locking authority.
Magnetic correction of RHIC triplets

Triplets of large bore quadrupoles will be antisymmetrically placed on either side of all six intersection points of the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). In RHIC collision optics, the triplets at the two experimental detectors are intended to enable the collision beta function to be reduced to the design goal of /spl beta/* = 1.0 meter in both planes, in order to minimize the spot size and maximize the luminosity. This requires running with /spl betasub max/ = 1400 meters in the triplet, where the beams will have their largest size, both absolutely and as a fraction of the available aperture. Hence, the ultimate performance of RHIC rests on achieving the highest possible magnetic field quality in the triplets. The authors show the layout of a triplet, with the quadrupoles moved as close together as possible. They list some triplet parameters, such as the different lengths of quadrupoles Q1, Q2, and Q3, and the 5/spl sigma/ beam size - about 71% of the 6.5 cm coil radius. All three quadrupole models have the same coil and iron cross-section in the main body, and all have the same coil saddle ends and electrical lead geometry. Lumped correctors, labeled C1, C2, and C3, carry three nonlinear windings to compensate for measured multipoles, in addition to carrying dipole corrector windings. This paper discusses the correction of magnetic errors expected in the quadrupole bodies and ends, using both these lumped correctors and also quadrupole body tuning shims. >
Real-time remote access to TFTR experimental data

Reflecting the increasingly national character of magnetic fusion experiments, the Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor (TFTR) at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) now supports off-site real-time collaboration in the experimental program. Two types of remote access are supported. Observers can obtain up-to-date information on the purpose and progress of the day's experiment and instantaneous display of analyzed data after each machine pulse. In addition,, collaborators can exercise control over specific diagnostic apparatus. This paper discusses how various aspects of the system work and some of the problems that were encountered in developing the system.
Middle School Hypermedia Composition: A Qualitative Case Study

During a six-month naturalistic study, the author conducted an ethnographic examination of a seventh grade hypermedia unit. Beginning with the global question, “In what ways are computers used to support the education of middle school students?” the researcher coded and analyzed observations, interviews and projects. Three themes emerged: the seventh graders’ understanding of electronic conventions, their ability to demonstrate awareness of audience, and the curricular communication climate in the school. The fact that students were developing signifi cant compositional skills in the computer lab, went unnoticed by the literacy teachers. The potential for better and more integrated core discipline learning cannot be reached by perpetuating the traditional isolation of computer skills. This study carries implications not only for computer technology teachers but also for curriculum directors, administrators and college of education faculty members.
The Roman Catholic Church, Biopolitics, and the Vegetative State

Compelled by recent public and politicized cases in which withdrawal of nutrition and hydration were at issue, this essay examines recent Church statements and argues that the distinction between private and public forms of human life is being lost. Effacing the distinction between the sphere of the home (oikos), where the maintenance of life (zoē) occurs, and the city (polis), where political and public life (bios) occurs, may have unforeseen and unwanted consequences. Through their well-intentioned efforts to preserve the sanctity of life, certain bishops and the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith have unfortunately brought political considerations into the home, taking decision-making authority away from those most intimately related to the patient. Thus, the question of removing nutrition and hydration in the case of patients such as Schiavo and Englaro becomes politicized and abstract, in contrast with the Church’s previous positions on the importance of proportionate means in the maintenance of life, local decision making, and its recognition of life as a penultimate end.
A fast band selection method to increase image contrast for multispectral image segmentation

Multispectral microscopy for applications in histology and cytology has attracted much attention in recent years. It has been shown that the unique transmission spectra of biological tissue provides additional information that is potentially useful for better classification of the pathologies. However, irrelevant features in multispectral data may affect results and performance of data analysis methods. In this paper, a fast band selection method is proposed to increase the contrast-to-noise ratio such that relevant information is maximized while reducing the number of spectral bands. The new method obtains an optimal selection of bands by solving a specific objective function with low computational costs. A thresholding criterion is developed to decide on the number of bands to be selected.
VEEP vehicle economy, emissions, and performance program

VEEP is a general-purpose discrete event simulation program being developed to study the performance, fuel economy, and exhaust emissions of a vehicle modeled as a collection of its separate components. It is written in SIMSCRIPT II.5. The purpose of this paper is to present the design methodology, describe the simulation model and its components, and summarize the preliminary results. Topics include chief programmer team concepts, the SDDL design language, program portability, user-oriented design, the program's user command syntax, the simulation procedure, and model validation.
Dynamics of Gaussian and Super-Gaussian Solitons in Birefringent Optical Fibers- Abstract

The variational principle is employed to obtain the parameters dynamics of Gaussian and super-Gaussian chirped solitons which propagates through birefringent optical fibers that is governed by the dispersion-managed vector nonlinear Schrodinger's equation. The waveform deviates from that of a classical soliton. The periodically changing strong chirp of such a soliton reduces the effective nonlinearity that is necessary for balancing the local dispersion. This study is extended to obtain the adiabatic evolution of the parameters of such a soliton in presence of perturbation terms.
Clinical, radiographic and functional differences between juvenile-onset and adult–onset ankylosing spondylitis: results from the PSOAS cohort

Aims: Previous data suggests that patients with juvenile-onset ankylosing spondylitis (JoAS) have more severe disease and worse functional outcomes than adult-onset AS (AoAS). The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical, functional and radiographic differences between patients with JoAS and AoAS in a large cohort of patients with long-standing disease. Methods: A total of 402 subjects who met the Modified New York Criteria for definitive AS and had had disease ⩾20 years were enrolled in a multi-centre cross-sectional study (Prospective Study of Outcomes in Ankylosing Spondylitis; PSOAS). JoAS was defined as initial symptoms ⩽16 years of age. A total of 79 subjects with JoAS and 323 subjects with AoAS were identified. An analysis of clinical and demographic comparisons between the two groups was performed including HLA B27 status. Functional outcomes were assessed by Bath AS Functional Index (BASFI) and the Health Assessment Questionnaire modified for the Spondyloarthropathies (HAQS). Radiographic disease severity was assessed by the Bath AS Radiology Index (BASRI). Results: With the exception of obvious differences in age at onset and disease duration, demographic and clinical characteristics were similar between the two groups. However, the JoAS group trended towards more women (32.9 vs 22.9%, p = 0.07). Controlling for multiple covariates including disease duration, both the BASRI hip score and the need for total hip arthroplasty (THA) was higher in the JoAS group. The BASRI spine score (including total, lumbar and cervical spine) was significantly lower in the patients with JoAS even after controlling for multiple covariates including disease duration and gender. No difference in function (BASFI or HAQS scores) between groups was identified. Conclusions: Compared to AoAS, subjects with JoAS have (1) less severe axial involvement radiographically, (2) similar functional outcomes, (3) more hip involvement with a greater need for THA, and (4) a slightly higher proportion of women.
Photoionization of Ar XVI and Ar XVII

Abstract Photoionization of Li-like argon, ( h ν + Ar XVI → Ar XVII + e ) , and He-like argon, ( h ν + Ar XVII → Ar XVIII + e ) , are studied using the relativistic Breit–Pauli R-matrix (BPRM) method. Results include both the partial and total photoionization cross-sections of fine structure levels with 1 / 2 ≤ J ≤ 17 / 2 , n ≤ 10 and 0 ≤ l ≤ 9 of Ar XVI and with 0 ≤ J ≤ 10 , n ≤ 10 and 0 ≤ l ≤ 9 of Ar XVII. They correspond to 98 bound levels of Ar XVI and 191 of Ar XVII. The close coupling wave function expansion for Ar XVI included 17 core levels up to n=3 thresholds and that of Ar XVII 16 core levels up to n=4 thresholds. Because of high-lying core excitations of these ions, the photoionization cross-section, σ PI ( nSLJ ) , decreases monotonically without features until at high energies where narrow high-peak resonances of Rydberg series of autoionizing states belonging to excited n=2 thresholds begin to appear. The dominant photoexcitation-of-core (PEC) or Seaton resonances also appear in the excited level cross-sections. The background of the total cross-section shows enhancement at n=2 thresholds due to resonant 1s–2p core excitations. However, the resonances become much weaker beyond n=2 thresholds. Radiation damping of resonances, important for these highly charged He- and Li-like ions, is included. These cross-sections are much improved over the existing TOPbase cross-sections where resonances, and background enhancements for Ar XVII were not included. With consideration of these effects, the present results should be accurate up to 10%–30% for various applications in modeling, recombination rates, opacities and diagnostic spectral analysis in the ultraviolet and X-ray regions. Cross-sections for H-like Ar are also included for completeness.
Message Delays in Repeated-Service Tandem Connections

One of the inherent complexities associated with queueing models for store and forward data communications networks arises from the fact that messages typically preserve their length as they traverse the system. The interarrival and service sequences at queues internal to the network are thus dependent, making standard methods of analysis realistically inappropriate (except in an approximate sense). In an effort to find methods of dealing with such nonstandard queueing systems, a model for sparsely-connected networks (or network segments) called a message channel has been studied. A message channel is defined as a tandem connection of single server queues in which the successive service times experienced by any particular customer are scaled versions of the same random variable. A number of recent results concerning the delay properties of such systems are presented. These include: ordering relations for the successive waiting times in the channel; characterizations of waiting time properties under extreme conditions (simultaneous arrival of all customers): and, simple bounds on performance parameters for systems with uniformly bounded service processes. A general integral equation for the distribution of the equilibrium cumulative waiting time in GI/(G/1)^{M} queueing systems (which are instances of uniform message channels) is also derived. The solution of this equation for systems with discrete service time distributions and Poisson arrivals is indicated and explicitly exhibited for the case of two discrete levels (corresponding to a message switching system with two packet classes).
Application of the generalised Hough transform to corner detection

A new approach to corner detection is described which is based on the generalised Hough transform. The approach has the advantage that it can be used when objects have curved sides or blunt corners, as frequently happens with food products; in addition, it can be tuned for varying degrees of corner bluntness. The method is inherently sensitive: we have shown how it may be optimised for accuracy in the measurement of object dimensions and orientation.
Accurate and efficient runtime detection of atomicity errors in concurrent programs

Atomicity is an important correctness condition for concurrent systems. Informally, atomicity is the property that every concurrent execution of a set of transactions is equivalent to some serial execution of the same transactions. In multi-threaded programs, executions of procedures (or methods) can be regarded as transactions. Correctness in the presence of concurrency often requires atomicity of these transactions. Tools that automatically detect atomicity violations can uncover subtle errors that are hard to find with traditional debugging and testing techniques.This paper presents new algorithms for runtime (dynamic) detection of violations of conflict-atomicity and view-atomicity, which are analogous to conflict-serializability and view-serializability in database systems. In these algorithms, the recorded events are formed into a graph with edges representing the synchronization within each transaction and possible interactions between transactions. We give conditions on the graph that imply conflict-atomicity and view-atomicity. Experiments show that these new algorithms are more efficient in most experiments and are more accurate than previous algorithms with comparable asymptotic complexity.
Powder Processing of High Temperature Aluminide-Matrix Composites

Aluminide intermetallic compounds are the basis for high performance, high temperature materials of the future. This presentation covers the use of reactive powder processing techniques for the formation of monolithic aluminide intermetallics and intermetallic-matrix composites. A notable development has been the fabrication of homogeneous, high density compacts from elemental powders by reactive sintering. A variant process involving simultaneous pressurization in a hot isostatic press, termed reactive hot isostatic pressing, is applicable to those compounds that prove difficult to consolidate by reactive sintering. This paper describes the effects of various processing factors on fabrication of dense aluminides with primary emphasis on Ni3A1. Results on the fabrication of several other aluminide compounds will be discussed, including NiAl, TiAl, TaA13, and NbA13. Current research is on the use of these aluminides as the matrix for high temperature composites. A key concern is with processing effects on microstructure, selection of compatible ceramic reinforcing phases, and fiber alignment through injection molding.
Homespun Gospel: The Triumph of Sentimentality in Contemporary American Evangelicalism, by Todd Brenneman, New York: Oxford University Press, 2014, 208 pp., ISBN 9780199988983, US$29.95 (hardback)

Emotions matter. This is one of Todd Brenneman's central arguments in his book, Homespun Gospel: The Triumph of Sentimentality in Contemporary American Evangelicalism (2014). Brenneman is one of se...
Response to Letter Regarding Article, "Southern Dietary Pattern is Associated With Hazard of Acute Coronary Heart Disease in the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) Study".

We appreciate the comments from Dr Archer regarding our recent report in Circulation on dietary patterns and hazard of incident acute coronary heart disease in the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study.1 However, we respectfully disagree with his characterization of the data in our report as “uncorroborated anecdotes” that are without scientific validity. Dr Archer has argued for some time that memory-based dietary assessment methods, including the food frequency questionnaire used in REGARDS and countless other highly regarded cohort studies, result in implausible dietary data because of an unknown percentage …
Limb Shaking and Orbital Bruit: Uncommon Manifestations of Severe Carotid Occlusive Disease (P05.220)

Objective: To highlight the features of limb shaking transient ischemic attacks (TIA9s), an uncommon but treatable condition. Background Since Miller Fisher9s first description of limb-shaking syndrome in 1962, there have been less than 50 such cases reported in literature. Prompt recognition of this condition is important, as treatment is needed to prevent future ischemic stroke. Cephalic auscultation can serve as an invaluable clinical clue in making this diagnosis. Design/Methods: Case report. Results: A 72 year-old woman presented for evaluation of orthostatic spells of right leg clumsiness and rhythmic flailing, resulting in falls. Initial evaluation revealed a new iron-deficiency anemia. Colonoscopy revealed a malignant-appearing mass, suspicious for primary adenocarcinoma of the colon. Her spells became more frequent after starting metoprolol. Spell frequency decreased with blood transfusions. Neurologic examination revealed a harsh right orbital bruit and a soft left cervical bruit. MRI demonstrated subacute infarction of the left parieto-occipital region. MRA revealed a critical stenosis of the proximal left internal carotid artery (ICA) and a moderate stenosis of the right ICA. She was diagnosed with right-sided limb shaking TIA9s, culminating in infarction of the watershed territory between the left middle cerebral and posterior cerebral arteries. Conclusions: Often confused with focal motor seizures, limb shaking TIA9s are an uncommon manifestation of cerebral ischemia. The distinction is critical, as this form of TIA can indicate severe carotid occlusive disease, warranting urgent revascularization. A meticulous history reveals the rhythmic activity is not associated with a Jacksonian march and is mainly precipitated by orthostatic maneuvers. An orbital bruit is often associated with either stenosis or occlusion of the ipsilateral or contralateral ICA. Orbital bruits are attributed to turbulent blood flow through the collateral intracranial system. Such a technique can help neurologists to more promptly diagnose and treat this condition, preventing future ischemic stroke. Disclosure: Dr. Morparia has nothing to disclose.
A comprehensive study of growth techniques and characterization of epitaxial Ge1-xCx (111) layers grown directly on Si (111) for MOS applications

We report the growth and characterization of thin germanium-carbon layers grown directly on Si (111) by ultra high-vacuum chemical vapor deposition. The thickness of the films studied is 8-20 nm. The incorporation of small amount (less than 0.5%) of carbon facilitates 2D growth of high quality Ge crystals grown directly on Si (111) without the need of a buffer layer. The Ge 1−x C x layers were grown in ultra high vacuum chemical vapor deposition chamber, at a typical pressure of 50 mTorr and at a growth temperature of 440 °C. CH 3 GeH 3 and GeH 4 gases were used as the precursors for the epitaxial growth. The Ge 1−x C x films were characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM), secondary ion mass spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The AFM rms roughness of Ge 1−x C x grown directly on Si (111) is only 0.34 nm, which is by far the lowest rms roughness of Ge films grown directly on Si (111). The dependence of growth rate and rms roughness of the films on temperature, C incorporation and deposition pressure was studied. In Ge, (111) surface orientation has the highest electron mobility; however, compressive strain in Ge degrades electron mobility. The technique of C incorporation leads to a low defect density Ge layer on Si (111), well above the critical thickness. Hence high quality crystalline layer of Ge directly on Si (111) can be achieved without compressive strain. The fabricated MOS capacitors exhibit well-behaved electrical characteristics. Thus demonstrate the feasibility of Ge 1−x C x layers on Si (111) for future high-carrier-mobility MOS devices that take advantage of high electron mobility in Ge (111).
Under Containment: Preempting State Ebola Quarantine Regulations

The outbreak of Ebola in Africa and its recent emergence in America has brought to light that the ambit of state sovereignty in the face of federal policy is unsettled in the public health field. Quarantine laws have historically been recognized as an exercise of state police powers and, absent discriminatory uses, courts have afforded much deference to states when the federal government is dormant. This article explores federalism implications when federal and state sovereigns contest the purview of regulating Ebola, other epidemics, and quarantine. This article examines how the federal government can assert supremacy to regulate treatment of epidemics and quarantine through preemption and evaluates the value of federal and state sovereignty over such matters. It argues that the anti-preemption clause in the Public Health Service Act, which governs federal authority over quarantine and communicable diseases, and the Supreme Court’s general presumption against from preemption will not save state quarantine regulations from preemption. It concludes that preemption doctrines, particularly obstacle and field preemption, can override state quarantine regulations because state law threatens national security by frustrating federal efforts to contain Ebola in West Africa and impeding the executive’s exercise of foreign affairs power.
Peres experiment using photons: No test for hypercomplex (quaternionic) quantum theories

Assuming the standard axioms for quaternionic quantum theory and a spatially localized scattering interaction, the $S$ matrix in quaternionic quantum theory is complex valued, not quaternionic. Using the standard connections between the $S$ matrix, the forward scattering amplitude for electromagnetic wave scattering, and the index of refraction, we show that the index of refraction is necessarily complex, not quaternionic. This implies that the recent optical experiment of Procopio et al. [Nat. Commun. 8, 15044 (2017)] based on the Peres proposal does not test for hypercomplex or quaternionic quantum effects arising within the standard Hilbert space framework. Such a test requires looking at near zone fields, not radiation zone fields.
Total Face, Eyelids, Ears, Scalp, and Skeletal Subunit Transplant Cadaver Simulation: The Culmination of Aesthetic, Craniofacial, and Microsurgery Principles

Background:The application of aesthetic, craniofacial, and microsurgical principles in the execution of face transplantation may improve outcomes. Optimal soft-tissue face transplantation can be achieved by incorporating subunit facial skeletal replacement and subsequent tissue resuspension. The pur
ID: 54: CUTANEOUS MUCORMYCOSIS IN A PATIENT WITH CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA: A PHARMACOLOGICAL DILEMMA

Mucormycosis is an infection caused by fungi from the Mucoromycotina group. The clinical manifestations are dependent of the portal of entry and immune status of the human host. Patients with hematological malignancies on treatment causing immune suppression are at higher risk of mucormycosis. The number of medications to treat mucormycosis is very limited, in contrast with the development of medications with novel mechanisms of action against hematological malignancies. A patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) receiving ibrutinib, a Bruton9s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor, developed a skin lesion in left leg after local trauma. He developed progressive inflammation around trauma site, and fever. His lesion did not respoond to broad-spectrum antibiotic use. Biopsy of lesion revealed braching hyphae suggestive for mucormycosis. Liposomal amphotericin B (LAMB) was started empirically, with slow improvement in skin lesion. Brain, sinuses, and lungs were not compromised with invasive mold infection. Despite supportive measures, the patient did not tolerate LAMB, so he was switched to posaconazole. Ibrutinib was stopped while receiving posaconazole. Despite continuous improvement in skin infection, his overall function continued to decline. The patient elected withdrawal of medical care. His death was not attributed to invasive mucormycosis. Despite the known drug-drug interaction between ibrutinib and posaconazole (elevation of serum ibrutinib due to CYP3A4 inhibition by posaconazole), data regarding the management of invasive mucormycosis by long-term posaconazole use in patients with CLL receiving BTK inhibitors is very limited, and it could impact the management of CLL. Effective communication between oncology, pharmacy, and infectious diseases is recommended. Invasive mucormycosis should be considered in patients receiving BTK inhibitors.
Analysis of CT-Measured Pore Characteristics of Porous Media Relative to Physical Properties

Abstract Understanding variability of porous media is important for initiating land management strategies. Objectives were to determine variability of computed tomography (CT)-measured pore characteristics and physical properties of porous media and combine these into principal components (PCs). Core samples were collected from three sites: silvopasture with vegetative buffers (SPBF), watersheds with vegetative buffers (PW), and crop management and prairie management (MP). Soil bulk density ( BD ), saturated hydraulic conductivity ( K s ) and CT-measured pore characteristics were analyzed under buffers and management practices at SPBF; buffer and crop management practices at PW; and native prairie, restored prairie, conservation program, and crop rotation at the MP location. Measured data sets were combined by location for correlation analysis, descriptive statistics, variability analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), and discriminant analysis. Coefficients of variation (CV) showed numbers of pores, macroporosity, mesoporosity and K s were most variable (CV > 0.35), whereas circularity, BD and silt content were least variable (CV
Ant species assembly in constructed grasslands is structured at patch and landscape levels

Agri-environmental incentive programmes encourage conversion of marginal agricultural land to grasslands to reduce soil erosion and support biodiversity of native flora and fauna. Most grassland animals colonise these constructed habitats as propagules from the surrounding landscape. Ants are slow to colonise and rely on resources within the patch, making them valuable as indicators of disturbance and recovery. We studied how ant species diversity and composition are structured by patch and landscape variation of grasslands in Ohio, USA. Ant communities were collected from 23 constructed grasslands differing in area, age, vegetation, soils, management and surrounding land cover. We analysed trap frequency for 14 species that varied in habitat specialisation to identify species responses to patch- and landscape-level predictors. Grassland age and soil texture determined ant species richness and community composition. Trap frequency analysis showed contrasting species responses to patch and landscape characteristics: habitat specialists were more abundant in older, larger patches with more surrounding grassland, while disturbance-tolerant species were more frequent in younger patches surrounded by intensive agriculture. Habitat generalists and open habitat species included a variety of patch- and landscape-level factors in best models. Ant community assembly in constructed grasslands is shaped by time and physical characteristics at the patch-level, but the surrounding landscape acts as a filter for the colonising community. Our findings support the use of ants as ecosystem recovery indicators following disturbance in agricultural landscapes, but show that shifts in species composition are better indicators of grassland habitat variation than ant richness.
The Effect of Familiarity with Demonstrators on Social Learning in Three‐Spined Sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus)

Social learning is an important process in the spread of information, especially in changing environments where inherited behaviors may not remain relevant. In many species, the decision of whom to trust to have reliable information depends on the relationship between individuals. Many fish species, including three-spined sticklebacks, preferentially associate with familiar individuals. Previous studies in three-spined sticklebacks have provided mixed evidence about the effect of familiarity on social learning in this species. Therefore, this study further explores familiarity and social learning in sticklebacks, specifically from a demonstrator-focused perspective. We found that in a food patch discrimination task, individuals with unfamiliar demonstrators performed significantly better than those with familiar demonstrators. In a problem-solving task, we found that focal fish attended to the behavior of demonstrators, but we did not detect an effect of familiarity on performance, and indeed the proportion of individuals to solve the task after observing demonstrators was low. These results suggest that sticklebacks have a preference for unfamiliar demonstrators, but that the use of social information varies depending on context.
Continuous Paravertebral Infusions as an Effective Adjunct for Postoperative Pain Management in Living Liver Donors: A Retrospective Observational Study

We analyzed the effectiveness of paravertebral-block for immediate postoperative pain control in living liver donors. Specifically, we sought to determine whether or not the addition of paravertebral catheters with continuous ropivacaine infusion would decrease postoperative opioid use and reduce the incidence of adverse effects and complications. We reviewed the records of 26 patients who underwent right-lobe living donor hepatectomy (RLDH): 16 with and 10 without such catheters. The primary outcome was opioid use on postoperative day (POD) 1 through 3. For each of those 3 days, we calculated each patient's opioid use in morphine equivalents (mg). We also noted pain scores, adverse effects, and complications. The rate of decrease in morphine equivalents was higher in the catheter group (rate of change = -22.72; P = .038) for POD 1 (0-24 hours) and POD 2 (25-48 hours) than in the noncatheter group. For POD 2 alone, the catheter group used, on average, 20.98 mg fewer morphine equivalents than the noncatheter group (P = .023). The catheter group had a markedly reduced pain trajectory postoperatively (P = .014) than the noncatheter group. The catheter placement procedure itself was safe.
The Growing Need for Validated Biomarkers and Endpoints for Dry Eye Clinical Research.

Purpose Biomarkers with minimally invasive and reproducible objective metrics provide the key to future paradigm shifts in understanding of the underlying causes of dry eye disease (DED) and approaches to treatment of DED. We review biomarkers and their validity in providing objective metrics for DED clinical research and patient care. Methods The English-language literature in PubMed primarily over the last decade was surveyed for studies related to identification of biomarkers of DED: (1) inflammation, (2) point-of-care, (3) ocular imaging, and (4) genetics. Relevant studies in each group were individually evaluated for (1) methodological and analytical details, (2) data and concordance with other similar studies, and (3) potential to serve as validated biomarkers with objective metrics. Results Significant work has been done to identify biomarkers for DED clinical trials and for patient care. Interstudy variation among studies dealing with the same biomarker type was high. This could be attributed to biologic variations and/or differences in processing, and data analysis. Correlation with other signs and symptoms of DED was not always clear or present. Conclusions Many of the biomarkers reviewed show the potential to serve as validated and objective metrics for clinical research and patient care in DED. Interstudy variation for a given biomarker emphasizes the need for detailed reporting of study methodology, including information on subject characteristics, quality control, processing, and analysis methods to optimize development of nonsubjective metrics. Biomarker development offers a rich opportunity to significantly move forward clinical research and patient care in DED. Overview DED is an unmet medical need - a chronic pain syndrome associated with variable vision that affects quality of life, is common with advancing age, interferes with the comfortable use of contact lenses, and can diminish results of eye surgeries, such as cataract extraction, LASIK, and glaucoma procedures. It is a worldwide medical challenge with a prevalence rate ranging from 8% to 50%. Many clinicians and researchers across the globe are searching for better answers to understand the mechanisms related to the development and chronicity of DED. Though there have been many clinical trials for DED, few new treatments have emerged over the last decade. Biomarkers may provide the needed breakthrough to propel our understanding of DED to the next level and the potential to realize our goal of truly personalized medicine based on scientific evidence. Clinical trials and research on DED have suffered from the lack of validated biomarkers and less than objective and reproducible endpoints. Current work on biomarkers has provided the groundwork to move forward. This review highlights primarily ocular biomarkers that have been investigated for use in DED, discusses the methodologic outcomes in providing objective metrics for clinical research, and suggests recommendations for further work.
Do Older Americans Have More Income Than We Think

The Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement (CPS ASEC) is the source of the nation’s official household income and poverty statistics. In 2012, the CPS ASEC showed that median household income was $33,800 for householders aged 65 and over and the poverty rate was 9.1 percent for persons aged 65 and over. When we instead use an extensive array of administrative income records linked to the same CPS ASEC sample, we find that median household income was $44,400 (30 percent higher) and the poverty rate was just 6.9 percent. We demonstrate that large differences between survey and administrative record estimates are present within most demographic subgroups and are not easily explained by survey design features or processes such as imputation. Further, we show that the discrepancy is mainly attributable to underreporting of retirement income from defined benefit pensions and retirement account withdrawals. Using archived survey and administrative record data, we extend our analysis back to 1990 and provide evidence of underreporting from an earlier period. We also document a growing divergence over time between the two measures of median income which is in turn driven by the growth in retirement income underreporting. Turning to synthetic cohort analysis, we show that in recent years, most households do not experience substantial declines in total incomes upon retirement or any increases in poverty rates. Our results have important implications for assessing the relative value of different sources of income available to older Americans, including income from the nation’s largest retirement program, Social Security. We caution, however, that our findings apply to the population aged 65 and over in 2012 and cannot easily be extrapolated to future retirees.
Methods To Assess Shear-Thinning Hydrogels for Application As Injectable Biomaterials

Injectable hydrogels have gained popularity as a vehicle for the delivery of cells, growth factors, and other molecules to localize and improve their retention at the injection site, as well as for the mechanical bulking of tissues. However, there are many factors, such as viscosity, storage and loss moduli, and injection force, to consider when evaluating hydrogels for such applications. There are now numerous tools that can be used to quantitatively assess these factors, including for shear-thinning hydrogels because their properties change under mechanical load. Here, we describe relevant rheological tests and ways to measure injection force using a force sensor or a mechanical testing machine toward the evaluation of injectable hydrogels. Injectable, shear-thinning hydrogels can be used in a variety of clinical applications, and as an example we focus on methods for injection into the heart, where an understanding of injection properties and mechanical forces is imperative for consistent hydrogel deli...
How to Understand Flaws in Clinical Research

Health researchers, providers, consumers, and policy makers are confronted with unmanageable amounts of information. Being able to understand flaws that commonly arise in clinical research is an essential skill for academic faculty in clinical departments. There are a number of important issues or problems that seriously limit one’s ability to trust the published outcomes in clinical research as authoritative: (1) Quantitative researchers often examine tightly defined questions without first considering a broader view in defining a problem. (2) Researchers often conduct studies in artificial, highly controlled settings. (3) Researchers often use highly imperfect measures that show low reliability. (4) Researchers often use far less than ideal samples that prevent generalization to the true population of interest. (5) Researchers usually conduct inferential statistical tests that provide p-values and then often conclude that findings are important solely because the p-value is found to be “statistically significant” (i.e., p < 0.05). (6) Researchers often report outcomes with insufficient details about how the study outcomes were produced because journals limit space. (7) No single study proves anything in science. The final decision about the value of a study or set of studies rests with the reader. Each reader must make an independent assessment.
Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor-dependent growth and erythropoietin-induced differentiation of a human cell line MB-02.

Peripheral blood blasts from a patient with acute megakaryoblastic leukemia were placed into liquid cultures with recombinant growth factors. Growth, but not differentiation, was supported by interleukin- 3 (IL-3) or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) for the first 30 days of culture. Sustained growth occurred only with GM-CSF and gave rise to the cell line MB-02, which has been in continuous culture for over 1 year. The cell line retained the surface phenotype of the leukemic megakaryoblasts except for the loss of glycoproteins Ib and IIb/IIIa, which were induced after exposure to phorbol esters. The induction of erythropoiesis occurred when GM-CSF- deprived cells were cultured with erythropoietin (Epo). Well-defined morphologic stages of differentiation ranging from primitive erythroblasts to nuclei-extruding normoblasts were seen. Transforming growth factor-beta inhibited GM-CSF- and Epo-dependent growth, but not erythroid maturation. Indirect immunofluorescence using globin chain- specific monoclonal antibodies detected fetal, but not adult hemoglobin in the uninduced cells. beta-globin was induced and gamma-globin was increased after Epo exposure. Both globin species accumulated in the developing erythrocytes until terminal differentiation. Quantitative S1 analysis of beta-like globin transcripts showed very low levels of epsilon- and beta-globin expression and high levels of gamma-globin expression in cells maintained in GM-CSF. Five days after induction with Epo, epsilon message decreased to barely detectable levels while gamma and beta transcripts increased threefold and 20-fold, respectively. This novel cell line not only retains many characteristics of the leukemic megakaryoblasts from which it was derived, but also can be induced to recapitulate apparent normal erythropoiesis.
Flexible Resource Sharing Management

This chapter presents CloudBay, an online resource trading and leasing platform for multi-party resource sharing. It is a proof-of-concept design bridging the gap between resource providers and resource customers. With the help of CloudBay, the untapped computing power privately owned by multiple organizations is unleashed. The design and implementation of the CloudBay project presents the most challenge to our exploration of cost-effective resource management strategy design. Following a market-oriented design principle, CloudBay provides an abstraction of a shared virtual resource space across multiple administration domains, and features enhanced functionalities for scalable and automatic resource management and efficient service provisioning. CloudBay distinguishes itself from existing research and contributes in mainly two aspects. First, it leverages scalable network virtualization and self-configurable virtual appliances to facilitate resource federation and parallel application deployment. Second, CloudBay adopts an eBay-style transaction model that supports differentiated services with different levels of job priorities. For cost-sensitive users, CloudBay implements an efficient matchmaking algorithm based on the auction theory and enables opportunistic resource access through preemptive service scheduling. The proposed CloudBay platform stands between HPC service sellers and buyers, and offers a comprehensive solution for resource advertising and stitching, transaction management, and application-to-infrastructure mapping. In this chapter, we present the design details of CloudBay, and briefly discuss lessons learnt and challenges encountered in the implementation process.