cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nodular lesions of the thyroid gland in children.

Reports in the literature indicate that there has been considerable variation in the incidence of diseases that produce nodular goiter in children (1). Carcinomas of the thyroid gland in children have been recognized with increasing frequency, whereas benign adenomas appear to be occurring less frequently. In an effort to ascertain the relative incidence of conditions that produce nodular enlargement of the thyroid gland in children, we have reviewed the records of 130 patients 14 years of age or younger who had nodular goiter and were seen at the Mayo Clinic in the years 1908 through 1955. The subject of nodular goiter in children was reviewed by one of us (Kennedy) in 1940 (2). Pemberton and Black included information about children with nodular goiter in their report published in 1944 (3). Conditions associated with diffuse symmetrical enlargement of the thyroid gland, such as exophthalmic goiter and adolescent or colloid goiter, are not considered in our report. The data on the distribution of the 130...
Lithic networks reveal early regionalization in late Pleistocene North America

North America was colonized by hunter–gatherer populations during the late Pleistocene, and the Clovis culture is the earliest well-documented evidence of this event. Long-standing questions about the colonization process persist, including the extent to which low-density populations maintained contact across the continent and if foraging territories overlapped or were spatially-discrete. Here, we use a network approach to examine the spatial structure of land use associated with the earliest hunter–gatherer populations in North America. In particular, we examine the co-occurrence of raw materials used for stone tool manufacture at archaeological sites across the continent. Using a database of 84 Clovis assemblages we show that there are three large isolated, mostly spatially-discrete, lithic exploitation networks across the continent. These regions closely correspond to previously identified differences in Clovis point form, suggesting that Clovis populations were becoming regionally distinct. This process of cultural diversification that begins in the late Pleistocene, continues to develop into the Holocene.
Seasonal differences and response to a tropical storm reflected in diatom assemblage changes in a southwest Florida watershed

Because estuaries are dynamic on many temporal scales, it is difficult to differentiate long-term shifts from those resulting from erratic pulse events like severe storms. Diatoms are abundant and diverse in estuaries, and may characterize these dynamics across relevant time scales. The climate of south Florida is subtropical, with dry winters and wet summers that may also harbor tropical storms and cyclones. We investigated whether these repeated seasonal drivers of change in estuaries differ from the influence of tropical cyclones on planktonic and benthic diatom assemblages. Diatom assemblages and environmental parameters were measured in the Charlotte Harbor watershed of southwest Florida to identify differences between the wet and dry seasons and changes that occurred following Tropical Storm Debby in 2012. Indicator taxa that were significantly affiliated with each season and post-storm conditions were identified. Diatom assemblages across the watershed were similar in wet and dry seasons, but differences increased following the tropical storm. The reduction in community dispersion following the storm was pronounced in each of the major drainages of the estuary. There were spatially-distinct responses of diatoms to environmental changes driven by the storm. These results suggest that past storm activity could be detected using diatoms preserved in estuarine sediments using both single indicator-species as well as community approaches.
Collection of Oil Slicks

Large oil spills, both at sea and in protected waters, require collection techniques with capacities beyond those of existing equipment. The basic collector, or skimmer configuration studied consists of a large V-shaped skimmer, pushed through the oil slick, with the oil pumped from the apex. In the V, a captive pool of oil forms, whose length and depth near the apex depends on the skimmer speed and oil density. This captive pool is much thicker than the undisturbed slick. In the apex of the V (the throat) the removal rate is limited by the occurrence of critical flow (in the densimetric sense) of the oil towards the removal device. Increased pumping rates merely pump more water with the oil. For a given removal device in the throat, the maximum removal rate is limited by the maximum pool depth, and by the skimmer length and speed. Another upper limit is given by the overall width of the skimmer. The dynamics of the captive pool and throat region are described, and design criteria given.
Trends and Outcomes in the Treatment of Failed Septic Total Knee Arthroplasty: Comparing Arthrodesis and Above-Knee Amputation

Abstract Background Options for treatment of a failed septic total knee arthroplasty (TKA) include arthrodesis and above-knee amputation (AKA). Little comparative data exist to help clinicians when considering these alternatives. Methods A national database was queried for patients who underwent either knee arthrodesis or AKA for an infected TKA between 2005 and 2012. Procedure volumes, postoperative complications, hospital charges, length of stay, and 90-day readmission rates were evaluated. Results A total of 2634 patients underwent arthrodesis and 5001 patients underwent AKA for septic TKA. The percentage of total patients who underwent AKA increased significantly throughout the study period compared to knee arthrodesis. Patients who underwent AKA tended to be older and have more medical comorbidities. Arthrodesis patients had a significantly higher rate of postoperative infection (14.5% vs 8.3%, P P P P P = .004), longer length of stay (11 vs 7 days, P Conclusion Our data suggest that there is an increasing trend toward AKA for the treatment of a failed infected TKA when compared to arthrodesis. Comparative analysis of the outcomes of these procedures should help the clinician when weighing these alternatives.
Physiological dormancy and germination requirements of seeds of several North American Rhus species (Anacardiaceae)

Fourteen seedlots of five species of Rhus were surveyed for presence/absence of physiological dormancy and/or for germination requirements of non-dormant seeds. Physiological dormancy was present in the four seedlots of R. aromatica studied, but not in either of the two seedlots of its close relative R. trilobata, which is in contrast to previous reports. Neither were seeds of R. glabra, R. typhina, nor R. virens physiologically dormant. Stratification at 5oC for 1 week or incubation in 500 or 1000 mg/l solutions of gibberellic acid broke physiological dormancy in > 90% of the R. aromaticaseeds. Maturation desiccation acted as a switch from a developmental to a germinative mode in R. aromatica embryos, whereas it was not required for germination of R. glabra or R. virens (R. trilobata and R. typhinanot tested). Seeds of all five species incubated on a moist substrate became fully imbibed in 2 d, at which time moisture content was approx. 70–80%of their initial weight. In general, germination of non-dormant seeds was rather insensitive to temperature and light. Seeds germinated equally well in light and in darkness over a daily (12 h/12 h) temperature range of 15/6–35/20oC. Over a 4 week period, the best germination percentages were obtained at 25/15 and 20/10oC, whereas 35/20oC appeared to be supraoptimal, though not always significantly so. If the incubation period was extended to 30 weeks, germination percentages were as high at 15/6oC as at 25/15 and 20/10oC.
Efficacy of the Entomogenous Nematode Steinernema feltiae Against a Subterranean Termite, Reticulitermes tibialis (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

The potential of the entomogenous nematode Steinernema feltiae Filipjev (=Neoaplectana carpocapsae Weiser), Breton strain, for control of a subterranean termite, Reticulitermes tibalis (Banks), was tested in laboratory and field trials. Termite workers were susceptible to nematodes in laboratory tests, but large numbers of nematodes were required for mortality. LD50 was estimated at 1.5 x 10(4) nematodes per termite in standard filter paper assays. Nematodes were applied to the soil directly beneath baited traps at a rate of 1 x 10(7) per m2 in field trials. There was a significant difference between treated and untreated traps in number of termites per trap, and protection was provided for a period of 2-3 wk. Termites attacking traps on treated sites entered traps at a corner or from the top, suggesting that termites may be avoiding contact with entomogenous nematodes. The reinvasion potential of termites shown in this study suggests that either nematode application should be made frequently or that the entire colony rather than only the feeding site must be treated.
Innovative IT firms and the internal control environment

Internal control over financial reporting is mandated by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Given the integral role of information technology (IT) in financial processing and reporting, IT is hypothesised to be a contributor to the strength of a firm's internal controls. This study explores the relationship between innovative use of IT and internal control weaknesses. The analysis indicates that firms that are ranked in the Information Week 500 as innovative users of IT are less likely to be cited by their auditors for internal control weaknesses. Implications include the importance of solid IT governance practices and a strong focus on IT controls in today's heavily IT-enabled business environments.
Evaluation of Long-term Protective Efficacy of Infant Hepatitis B Plasma-derived Vaccine Immunization

Objective To evaluate the long - term efficacy of newborns hepatitis B vaccine immunization.Methods By using birth-cohort combined with cross- sectional study to evaluate the three newborn cohorts of 1987- 1989 among those who had received hepatitis B vaccination.RIA and SPRIA were used to detect their HBV infectious signals and the re- sults were compared with the historical data.Results (1)After being immunized for 7,14,18 years the protective rates of 1987 - 1989 cohorts were 89.7%,94.8% and 8?.8% respectively,and there was no significant difference.The average positive rates of HBV protective antibody were 57.37 %,32.80 %,and 36.67 % respectively.The protective antibody of 14 and 18 years remained at the same level.(2)The average positive rate of HBV surface antigent was 1.99% 0 HBV protective antibody was 36.67%,and the total HBV surface antibody positive rate was 62.91%.Conclusions The universal new- born HB vaccination program has been proved to be effectively in controlling HBV infection.The protective efficacy of immu- nized people is stable.It is unnecessarily to carry out further HB reinforce immunization.
Bilateral Vagotomy as a Tool for Determining Autonomic Involvement in Airway Responses in Mouse Models of Asthma

This chapter describes the use of bilateral vagotomy as a tool for determining autonomic regulation of airway responses to the exogenous bronchoconstrictor thromboxane mimetic U46619 in an acute model of asthma in the mouse. Mice receive a sensitization of ovalbumin (OVA) and adjuvant followed by 3 days of OVA aerosol to induce allergic airway disease characterized by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) eosinophilia, increased mucus production, and elevated IgE and IL-13. Using a small animal ventilator (Flexi-vent) and the forced oscillatory technique fit to the constant phase model of the lung, a variety of features associated with human asthma can be evaluated in mouse models. For example, this protocol describes the methods to evaluate central and peripheral airway mechanics, airway resistance (R aw) and tissue damping (G), and tissue elastance (H) in response to U46619. The contribution of autonomic nerves in this response is determined by severing both the left and right vagus nerves prior to aerosol challenge.
Effects of Ice Deformation on Röthlisberger Channels and Implications for Transitions in Subglacial Hydrology

Along the base of glaciers and ice sheets, the sliding of ice over till depends critically on water drainage. In locations where drainage occurs through Rothlisberger channels, the effective pres- sure along the base of the ice increases and can lead to a strengthening of the bed, which reduces glacier sliding. The formation of Rothlisberger channels depends on two competing effects: (1) melting from tur- bulent dissipation opens the channel walls and (2) creep flow driven by the weight of the overlying ice closes the channels radially inward. Variation in downstream ice velocity along the channel axis, re- ferred to as an antiplane shear strain rate, decreases the effective viscosity. The softening of the ice increases creep closure velocities. In this way, even a modest addition of antiplane shear can double the size of the Rothlisberger channels for a fixed water pressure or allow channels of a fixed radius to operate at lower effective pressure, potentially decreasing the strength of the surrounding bed. Furthermore, we show that Rothlisberger channels can be deformed away from a circular cross section under applied antiplane shear. These results can have broad impacts on sliding velocities and po- tentially affect the total ice flux out of glaciers and ice streams.
Effect of spectral range in surface inactivation of Listeria innocua using broad-spectrum pulsed light.

Pulsed light (PL) treatment is an alternative to traditional thermal treatment that has the potential to achieve several log-cycle reductions in the concentration of microorganisms. One issue that is still debated is related to what specifically causes cell death after PL treatments. The main objective of this work was to elucidate which portions of the PL range are responsible for bacterial inactivation. Stainless steel coupons with controlled surface properties were inoculated with a known concentration of Listeria innocua in the stationary growth phase and treated with 1 to 12 pulses of light at a pulse rate of 3 pulses per s and a pulse width of 360 micros. The effects of the full spectrum (lambda = 180 to 1,100 nm) were compared with the effects obtained when only certain regions of UV, visible, and near-infrared light were used. The effectiveness of the treatments was determined in parallel by the standard plate count and most-probable-number techniques. At a fluence of about 6 J/cm(2), the full-spectrum PL treatment resulted in a 4.08-log reduction of L. innocua on a Mill finish surface, the removal of lambda 400 nm). This work provides additional supporting evidence that cell death in PL treatment is due to exposure to UV light. Additionally, it was shown that even a minor modification of the light path or the UV light spectrum in PL treatments can have a significant negative impact on the treatment intensity and effectiveness.
Sexually transmitted diseases in HIV-infected persons.

SUMMARY It appears incontestable that there is a link between genital ulcer disease and HIV infection. On the one hand the natural history and response to therapy of syphilis, HSV-2, and chancroid are all modified by the immunosuppressive effects of HIV infection. On the other hand, HIV transmission is probably facilitated by the disruption of the normal epithelial barriers of the genital organs caused by these ulcerative infections. Information is somewhat less convincing that a similar association exists between the nonulcerative STDs (trichomonas, gonorrhea, chlamydial infections) and HIV. Conceptually, the mucosal inflammation associated with these infections might serve as a focus for HIV transmission. The available data, though suggestive, do not strongly support this contention. Theoretically though, even a small risk might potentially result in significant HIV transmission given the prevalence of nonulcerative STDs. These infectious processes do not appear to be markedly altered by HIV induced immunosuppression. The ability of HPV to cause dysplastic changes in cervical and anal tissue did not require the AIDS epidemic to come to light. In HIV infection, disruptions of immunoregulatory processes, which might ordinarily control the progression of potentially malignant cell lines, have created fertile ground for an increasing incidence of premalignant and malignant cytologic changes. The mutual impact these processes have or may have on one another requires that clinicians who care for patients with either HIV infection or with STDs should be thoroughly familiar with both and not consider them somehow exclusive of one another. Efforts toward the prevention and control of STDs should be considered important in the control and prevention of HIV transmission.
Interpretation von Protonenresonanzspektren im Hinblick auf die Molekülstruktur

In diesem Kapitel wollen wir kurz einige Merkmale der Molekulstruktur betrachten, die das Ausmas der Protonenabschirmung und die Starke der Kopplung zwischen Protonen bestimmen. Dann wollen wir uns einige weitere Spektren von Verbindungen bekannter Struktur als Vorbereitung auf eine Betrachtung ansehen, wie man die Interpretation des NMR-Spektrums einer unbekannten Verbindung anzupacken hat. Schlieslich wollen wir einige zusatzliche Kunstgriffe erwahnen, die als Hilfe bei der Deutung von NMR-Spektren benutzt werden konnen.
Role of the striatum in learning and memory

Publisher Summary The focus of this chapter is to analyze the involvement of separate striatal areas in different aspects of learning and memory. The striatum is a collection of forebrain structures that include the caudate, putamen, nucleus accumbens, olfactory tubercule, and globus pallidus. These areas are named striatum because of the numerous fibers coursing through these structures that give the areas a striped appearance. The early experimentation to study the role of striatum in controlling the motor behavior led to two important developments. First, the empirical findings resulted from investigating the striatum in learning and memory led to initial proposals of the role striatum plays in mnemonic processing. The empirical findings come mainly from studies in rats as well as some studies in nonhuman primates. Subsequent to these investigations, the concept of multiple memory systems emerged influenced on understanding the neurobiology of learning and memory. The dopaminergic and cholinergic neurotransmitter systems are two commonly investigated criterions for this. . Thus, to further understand the role of the striatum in learning and memory, experiments that investigate dopamine and cholinergic actions in the striatum are also discussed. The discussion in this chapter is based primarily on experiments investigating the caudate-putamen complex in learning and memory.
Controlling Myocyte cGMP Phosphodiesterase 1 Joins the Fray

See related article, pages 956–964 CGMP is a central intracellular second-messenger regulating numerous cellular functions. In the cardiac myocyte, cGMP mediates effects of nitric oxide and atrial natriuretic peptide, whereas its counterpart, cAMP, mediates catecholamine signaling. Each cyclic nucleotide has a corresponding primary targeted protein kinase, protein kinase (PK)A for cAMP, and PKG for cGMP. PKA stimulation is associated with enhanced contractility and can stimulate growth, whereas PKG acts as a brake in the heart, capable of countering cAMP-PKA contractile stimulation and inhibiting hypertrophy.1 Importantly, the duration and magnitude of these signaling cascades are determined not only by generation of cyclic nucleotides, but also by their hydrolysis catalyzed by phosphodiesterases (PDEs). PDE regulation is quite potent, often suppressing an acute rise in a given cyclic nucleotide back to baseline within seconds to minutes.2 It is also compartmentalized within the cell, so that specific targeted proteins can be regulated by the same “generic” cyclic nucleotide.3 For many years, the only PDE in the crosshairs for cardiac biologists was PDE3, a principally cAMP-targeted PDE whose inhibition served as the basis for drugs such as milrinone as a heart failure therapy. However, this list was recently expanded with the recognition of PDE4 as a regulator of β-adrenergic signaling and excitation-contraction coupling,4 and PDE5 for its regulation of cardiac stress responses.1 With the study of Miller et al,5 in this issue of Circulation Research , we can now add PDE1 to the list of hypertrophy regulators, via its modulation of cGMP in the myocyte. The mammalian PDEs comprise a 21 gene superfamily of enzymes grouped into 11 iso-enzymes (PDE1 to PDE11) based on sequence homology, enzymatic properties, and sensitivity to inhibitors.2 These isoenzymes harbor different specificities to cAMP, cGMP or …
Treatment and follow-up of venous thrombosis in the neonatal intensive care unit: a retrospective study

The critically ill, premature patients of neonatal intensive care units are susceptible to venous thrombosis, an adverse event associated with short- and long-term morbidity. Venous thrombosis is frequently treated with low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs) such as enoxaparin, but optimal dosing of LMWH must balance the morbidity of venous thrombosis with the potential adverse affects of anticoagulation. The optimal dosing of enoxaparin for premature infants is unclear. The objective of this study was to describe enoxaparin therapy and follow-up in critically ill neonates diagnosed with venous thrombosis. Retrospective medical record review in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in a single tertiary care institution. Infants with venous thrombosis diagnosed in the NICU were identified using preexisting quality improvement lists and medical records. Twenty-six infants with 30 venous thromboses were identified with a median gestational age of 31 weeks at birth. Eighteen (69%) infants received enoxaparin for venous thrombosis during their hospitalization, beginning with a median dose of 1.5 mg kg−1 every 12 h. This dose was increased to a median of 2.1 mg kg−1 every 12 h to achieve target anti-factor Xa levels. The target dose was significantly higher in patients with a postmenstrual age of <37 weeks. Enoxaparin treatment was documented after discharge in 12 patients, continuing for a median of 99 days. Four patients died during hospitalization and their deaths were not attributable to venous thrombosis or anticoagulation complication. Follow-up documentation between 6 and 24 months after venous thrombosis diagnosis revealed no major morbidity of venous thrombosis or enoxaparin therapy. Our data reinforce the relative safety and necessity of enoxaparin doses above 1.5 mg kg−1 per 12 h in most neonates. This was particularly true for infants at lower postmenstrual age.
Analyzing the Efficacy of Predictive Policing in Law Enforcement

This research project examines whether predictive policing is an effective way to police society. Three sub-questions are designed as building blocks to obtain the necessary context and background knowledge to arrive at an overall answer to whether law enforcement is an efficient policing method. This capstone project jointly uses qualitative and quantitative elements. No original quantitative research is completed; however, quantitative evidence provided by other studies in relation to the main and sub-questions is examined. The main research types used in this capstone project are descriptive research and evaluation research. The evaluation research is formative because predictive policing is a new method used by law enforcement, so conclusive long-term data is unavailable at the current time. The result of this capstone research project is that predictive policing is an efficient way to police society. But the research also reveals that predictive policing systems are limited in their application because there are no clear legal boundaries on how to best use these systems.
Behavioral and Environmental Analysis of Self-Reported Dysphonic and Nondysphonic High School Music Teachers:

Dysphonia is considered to be a common hazard associated with occupational voice users. Teachers represent the highest percentage of clinical voice disorder patients. Voice injuries in teachers could result in lost wages due to missed work, additional costs for medications, therapy, and surgeries, and teacher attrition. The purpose of this study was to observe specific vocal habits among and between three self-reported dysphonic and three self-reported nondysphonic music teachers. I observed each participant for 3 consecutive days and conducted semistructured interviews following the observation period. The observed behaviors were analyzed to determine if teacher talk time, amount of time spent talking over specific classroom noises, and amount of teacher talk within a “very loud” classroom (>80 dBA) could be contributing factors for vocal attrition. Results revealed more hazardous talk episodes among dysphonic participants. Interview themes included stress and vocal awareness.
THE PROFILE OF KNOWLEDGE, SKILL, AND ATTITUDE OF MATHEMATICS TEACHERS IN IMPLEMENTING 2013 CURRICULUM BASED ON THE TEACHERS WORKING PERIOD IN PUBLIC JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS IN BULUKUMBA DISTRICT

Good knowledge and skill in teaching as well as the teachers’ positive attitude toward curriculum are determined in the achievement of curriculum. The research is a qualitative research which aims to describe knowledge, skill, and attitude of mathematics teachers in implementing 2013 curriculum based on the teachers working period. The instrument of the research was the teacher herself as the main instrument and the supportive instruments were knowledge test, observation sheet, attitude assessment questionnaire, and interview. The data collection was conducted by giving knowledge test to examine the teachers’ knowledge in implementing 2013 curriculum, observation to observe the teachers’ skill in learning process, attitude questionnaire to examine the teachers’ attitude toward the implementation of 2013 curriculum. The subjects of the research were mathematics teachers who had implemented 2013 curriculum which consisted of 2 teachers with 5 years working period and 20 years working period from 2 different schools in Public Junior High Schools in Bulukumba District. The process of the research was conducted by visiting the two schools and giving the knowledge test, conducting learning process observation, and giving attitude questionnaire, as well as interviewing the two subjects; then, conducting data reduction, and formulating the conclusion from the result of the research. The result of the research reveals that the teachers’ knowledge between novice teachers and experienced teachers is almost the same. The novice teachers are prominent in the knowledge about learning models, while the experienced teachers are prominent in the knowledge about the objective of the implementation of 2013 curriculum, the connection between standard criteria of graduates, main competence, basic competence and indicator, scientific approach and authentic assessment. In the aspect of the skill in implementing 2013 curriculum and the implementation of authentic assessment in learning process, the novice teachers have yet to implement the learning process and authentic assessment well, while the experienced teachers have already implemented it well. In the aspect of attitude, both the novice and experienced teachers have positive attitudes toward the implementation of 2013 curriculum and the implementation of scientific approach, but yet to have positive attitude toward the implementation of authentic assessment
Virtual Mentoring: Practitioner Strategies for Students Underrepresented in Industry

Technological advancements have continued to develop over the past two decades impacting how we engage with each other. This evolvement has also influenced the way our students and instructors are acquiring and delivering information. In order to sustain the connections with our young people our engagement strategy also needs to evolve. This is especially significant for first generation minority students who are underrepresented in many academic disciplines, industries, particularly in medical education. Research continues to suggest that non-privileged minority groups are less likely to have strong support systems within their social networks and or family. This research paper will provide programmatic frameworks illustrating ways to mentor first generation minority students using virtually tools, learning development models and strategies that help produce positive measureable outcomes.
Changes in fractional compositions of PPA and SBS modified asphalt binders

Abstract Asphalt binders are complex chemical composites of various organic molecules. They are often modified chemically to obtain some rheological and physical superiority over the unmodified neat binders. The chemical compositions they inherit from their crude origins determine the suitable modification methodologies, which eventually lead to their rheological changes. The changes in chemical compositions due to the modifications of selected asphalt binders with Polyphosphoric Acid (PPA) and Styrene Butadiene Styrene (SBS) were observed in this study. The percentage fractions of Saturates, Aromatics, Resins, and Asphaltenes (SARA) were measured for binders modified with different amounts of PPA and SBS. The Asphaltenes content was found to increase linearly with the addition of PPA and SBS, and so did their viscosity values. Unlike acidic binders (pH 7.0) demonstrated a distinctive decline of pH with PPA modifications. The Aromatics and Resins contents had a sharp change after a certain amount of PPA that demonstrated a demarcation point beyond which further addition of PPA would result in no desirable benefits. The demarcation points were different for two different (crude origin) binders. The addition of SBS did not contribute in changing the Asphaltenes content. Rather, SBS changed the Aromatics and Resins contents to yield the desired paving grade binder.
Compressed channeled linear imaging polarimetry

Channeled linear imaging polarimeters measure the two-dimensional distribution of the linear Stokes parameters. A key aspect of this technique is to accurately reconstruct the Stokes parameters from a snapshot, modulated measurement of the channeled linear imaging polarimeter. The state-of-the-art reconstruction takes the Fourier transform of the measurement to separate the Stokes parameters into channels. While straightforward, this approach is sensitive to channel cross-talk and imposes bandwidth limitations that cut off high frequency details. To overcome these drawbacks, we present a reconstruction method called compressed channeled linear imaging polarimetry. In this framework, reconstruction in channeled linear imaging polarimetry is an underdetermined problem, where we measure N pixels and recover 3N Stokes parameters. We formulate an optimization problem by creating a mathematical model of the channeled linear imaging polarimeter with inspiration from compressed sensing. Through simulations, we show that our approach mitigates artifacts seen in Fourier reconstruction, including image blurring and degradation and ringing artifacts caused by windowing and channel cross-talk. By demonstrating more accurate reconstructions, we push performance to the native resolution of the sensor, allowing more information to be recovered from a single measurement of a channeled linear imaging polarimeter.
Chronic Medications and Maxillofacial Surgery

The decision to continue or stop using chronic medication is maybe controversial, and it is important to understand the current guidelines utilizing evidence-based medicine. The controversy lies within the limited evidence regarding many medications and the importance of strategizing medication management on an individual basis. Much of what we do is in the gray zone. The more complicated patients take many medications. As patient’ disease states change, this influences when, where, and how a surgery is planned and how medications are administered. We have put a “bottom line” at the beginning of each section to facilitate a quick decision when necessary.
Nanoalloy catalysts inside fuel cells: An atomic-level perspective on the functionality by combined in operando x-ray spectroscopy and total scattering

Abstract We introduce an experimental approach for structural characterization of catalysts for fuel cells combining synchrotron x-ray spectroscopy and total scattering. The approach allows probing catalysts inside operating fuel cells with atomic-level precision (~ 0.02 A) and element specificity (~ 2–3 at%) in both time (~ 1 min) and space (~ µm) resolved manner. The approach is demonstrated on exemplary Pd-Sn and Pt-Ni-Cu nanoalloy catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) deposited on the cathode of an operating proton exchange membrane fuel cell. In operando x-ray data show that under operating conditions, the catalyst particles can undergo specific structural changes, ranging from sub-A atomic fluctuations and sharp nanophase transitions to a gradual strain relaxation and growth, which inflict significant losses in their ORR activity. Though triggered electrochemically, the changes are not driven solely by differences in the reduction potential and surface energy of the metallic species constituting the nanoalloys but also by the formation energy of competing nanophases, mismatch between the size of individual atomic species and their ability to interdiffuse fast in search of energetically favorable configurations. Given their complexity, the changes are difficult to predict and so the resulting ORR losses remain difficult to limit. We show that in operando knowledge of the structural evolution of nanoalloy catalysts helps create strategies for improving their activity and stability. In particular, we show that shaping Pd-Sn nanoalloys rich in Pd as cubes reduces the interdiffusion of atoms at their surface and so makes them better catalysts for ORR in fuel cells in comparison to other Pd-Sn nanoalloys. In addition, we demonstrate that the approach introduced here can provide knowledge of other major factors affecting the performance of fuel cells such as operating temperature and the overall catalyst utilization, in particular the evolution of elemental and mass distribution of catalyst particles over the cells’ cathode. Last but not least, we discuss how in operando x-ray spectroscopy and total x-ray scattering can bridge the knowledge gap between the widely used in situ SAXS, EXAFS and monocrystal surface XRD techniques for structural characterization of nanoalloy catalysts explored for energy related applications.
Implementing Computers in Ambulatory Care: Implications of Physician Practice Patterns for System Design

This paper presents pre-implementation data from the internal medicine division of a large physician group practice scheduled to implement an electronic medical record (EMR). Data were gathered through short-term participant observation and interviews. Findings indicate that (1) most physicians anticipate enough benefits to be willing to use the system; (2) computers must be accessible, easy to log into, and provide for physician movement and interrupted sessions; (3) many physicians are concerned about losing eye contact with patients; (4) it is unrealistic to expect even good typists to enter their own long notes; (5) staged implementation, with order entry introduced first, may help physicians adapt gradually; and (6) training should include protected time for instructional sessions for physicians, simulated patient encounters to help physicians adapt their practice patterns, and tutors available to answer questions in the clinical setting.
Single Copy Transgene Integration in a Transcriptionally Active Site for Recombinant Protein Synthesis

For the biomanufacturing of protein biologics, establishing stable cell lines with high transgene transcription is critical for high productivity. Modern genome engineering tools can direct transgene insertion to a specified genomic locus and can potentially become a valuable tool for cell line generation. In this study, the authors survey transgene integration sites and their transcriptional activity to identify characteristics of desirable regions. A lentivirus containing destabilized Green Fluorescent Protein (dGFP) is used to infect Chinese hamster ovary cells at a low multiplicity of infection, and cells with high or low GFP fluorescence are isolated. RNA sequencing and Assay for Transposase Accessible Chromatin using sequencing data shows integration sites with high GFP expression are in larger regions of high transcriptional activity and accessibility, but not necessarily within highly transcribed genes. This method is used to obtain high Immunoglobulin G (IgG) expressing cell lines with a single copy of the transgene integrated into transcriptionally active and accessible genomic regions. Dual recombinase-mediated cassette exchange is then employed to swap the IgG transgene for erythropoietin or tumor necrosis factor receptor-Fc. This work thus highlights a strategy to identify desirable sites for transgene integration and to streamline the development of new product producing cell lines.
The Color of Professionalism: A Response to Dennis Britton

Responding to Britton’s address, Miles Grier argues that the most effective way to shift the standpoint of the implied white male figure of the Shakespeare scholar is to train our critical attention on the temporal boundaries that permit specialization in a period called “early modernity.” Rather than entertaining accusations that scholars of color conduct parochial or otherwise distorted work, he considers how scholars invested in whiteness might feel when race studies poses a disorienting relocation of period markers. He concludes that an engagement with the social analyses bequeathed by non-Europeans may cause us to revise the names and durations of eras—as well as the shape of time’s movement.
A Comparison of Digital Beamforming and Power Minimization Adaptive Nulling Algorithms Using a Software Defined Radio Antenna Array

We compare adaptive nulling algorithms for digital beamforming (DBF) and non-DBF arrays. These algorithms will be implemented on a DBF array made from software defined radios. Results show that these techniques can achieve desirable signal to interference ratios that are comparable, and as such, implementing techniques applicable to non-DBF array are more cost effective.
Sanitizable signatures

We introduce the notion of sanitizable signatures that offer many attractive security features for certain current and emerging applications. A sanitizable signature allows authorized semi-trusted censors to modify – in a limited and controlled fashion – parts of a signed message without interacting with the original signer. We present constructions for this new primitive, based on standard signature schemes and secure under common cryptographic assumptions. We also provide experimental measurements for the implementation of a sanitizable signature scheme and demonstrate its practicality.
Generating Weighted MAX-2-SAT Instances of Tunable Difficulty with Frustrated Loops.

Many optimization problems can be cast into the maximum satisfiability (MAX-SAT) form, and many solvers have been developed for tackling such problems. To evaluate a MAX-SAT solver, it is convenient to generate hard MAX-SAT instances with known solutions. Here, we propose a method of generating weighted MAX-2-SAT instances inspired by the frustrated-loop algorithm used by the quantum annealing community. We extend the algorithm for instances of general bipartite couplings, with the associated optimization problem being the minimization of the restricted Boltzmann machine (RBM) energy over the nodal values, which is useful for effectively pre-training the RBM. The hardness of the generated instances can be tuned through a central parameter known as the frustration index. Two versions of the algorithm are presented: the random- and structured-loop algorithms. For the random-loop algorithm, we provide a thorough theoretical and empirical analysis on its mathematical properties from the perspective of frustration, and observe empirically a double phase transition behavior in the hardness scaling behavior driven by the frustration index. For the structured-loop algorithm, we show that it offers an improvement in hardness over the random-loop algorithm in the regime of high loop density, with the variation of hardness tunable through the concentration of frustrated weights.
Looking Through Fun House Mirrors: Perceptions of the Self and Others

The central focus of the symposium is an exploration of perceptions of the self and others, with an emphasis on sources of bias and discrepancies. Thus far, self-perceptions and other-perceptions h...
Second-year results of the first large-scale, multistate BCBS clinical oncology pathway program.

e16522 Background: Clinical pathways (CP) are viewed as valuable practice tools leading to presumed cost savings, however none have been fully implemented on a state-wide scale. CareFirst BCBS part...
Contributors to Racial Disparities in Minimally Invasive Hysterectomy in the US Department of Veterans Affairs.

Background:Minimally invasive hysterectomy for fibroids decreases recovery time and risk of postoperative complications compared with abdominal hysterectomy. Within Veterans Affair (VA), black women with uterine fibroids are less likely to receive a minimally invasive hysterectomy than white women.O
OMNIPRESENT AND OMNIFARIOUS SMART MOBILE: MEASURING USERS’ PERCEPTION, PRACTICE AND POWER

The technology of Internet and Smart mobile devices is increasingly becoming dynamic and attractive, as users are also increasingly becoming visible. Anchored on Domestication Theory, the study explores the dialectics of online and smart mobile features and the relationship with the users’ practice and control. The study adopted survey method, with questionnaire as instrument for data collection to sample 200 undergraduate students of Madonna University, Nigeria, Anambra state, Nigeria. It was found that students are heavy users of smart mobile, mainly, for entertainment purposes and cannot manage its usage. However, that does not translate to or increase their online presence because internet access is still a major challenge among the students. The study therefore recommends that media literacy should be incorporated into school curriculum so as to help individuals, especially young adults to manage their smart mobile and online presence.
Self-Care Confidence and eHealth Education in Adults with Asthma: Do They Reduce Healthcare Utilization?

Abstract Introduction: The purpose of this research was to analyze personal characteristics and behaviors associated with adults with asthma. Does self-care confidence or eHealth education reduce their healthcare utilization to decrease medical costs? Methods: Using 2015 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) data, the study examined the data of adults (n = 3380) with asthma. Chi-square tests calculated differences for eight personal characteristics and behaviors: gender, age, education, online health information searching, self-reported health status, physical activity limitations, emergency room visits, and hospitalization related to asthma. Individuals very confident to manage their asthma were compared to those feeling less empowered to manage their health. Individuals who recently used the Internet to find health information were compared to those who did not go online for resources. Results: CHIS data showed a lack of full self-care confidence in a quarter of surveyed asthmatics. Better self-reported health status correlated with increased self-care confidence. Women, those with less education, and those with physical activity limitations were less confident to manage their health. Fewer people who were fully self-confident visited emergency rooms for asthma. Self-confidence had no effect on the rate of hospitalization. The use of eHealth education was significantly more frequent in people under 70 years old, those with less than a high school education, and those without physical activity limitations. Better self-reported health status correlated with increased eHealth education use. More people who used eHealth education visited emergency rooms for asthma. eHealth education had no effect on the rate of hospitalization. Conclusions: It is possible to identify individuals with asthma with an increased risk of not feeling confident about their ability to manage their disease. Health care professionals can plan extra in-person efforts to educate asthmatics who feel insecure about managing their health. Women, individuals in poor or fair health, and those with physical activity limitations should be assessed for self-care confidence soon after diagnosis and monitored at regular intervals. Full self-care confidence correlated with fewer visits to ERs. eHealth education was not shown to play a role in reduced healthcare utilization. Keywords: Self-Care Confidence, Asthma, Health Promotion, eHealth Education, Physical Activity Limitations
“Men Fear Most What They Cannot See.” sleep paralysis “Ghost Intruders” and faceless “Shadow-People”—The role of the right hemisphere and economizing nature of vision

Sleep paralysis is a curious condition where the paralyzed person may hallucinate terrifying ghosts. These hypnogogic and hypnopompic visions are common worldwide. They often entail seeing and sensing shadow beings; although hallucinating full-fledged figures (e.g., cat-like creatures and witches) are not uncommon. In this paper, I propose a neuroscientific account (building on previous work) for why people see ghosts during sleep paralysis and why these tend to manifest as faceless shadows. This novel venture considers the distinct computational styles of the right and left hemisphere and their functional specializations vis-a-vis florid intruder hallucinations and out-of-body experiences (OBEs) during these dream-like states. Additionally, I provide a brain-based explanation for dissociative phenomena common during sleep paralysis. Specifically, I posit that these ghost hallucinations and OBEs are chiefly mediated by activity in key regions in the right hemisphere; and outline how the functional organization of the visual system (evoking concepts like surface interpolation) and its economizing nature (i.e., proclivity to minimize computational load and take short-cuts) can explain faceless humanoid-shadows and sensed presence hallucinations during sleep paralysis; and how the hypothalamus and anterior cingulate may be implicated during related dissociative states. Ultimately empirical research must shed light on the validity of this account. If this hypothesis is correct, patients with right hemisphere damage (i.e., in implicated areas) should be less likely to hallucinate ghosts during sleep paralysis; i.e., compared to those with intact hemispheres or damage to the left only. It may also be possible to temporarily disable right hemisphere functions during sleep paralysis using transcranial magnetic stimulation. Accordingly, this procedure should eradicate sleep paralysis ghost hallucinations.
Classifying insincere questions on Question Answering (QA) websites: meta-textual features and word embedding

The power of information and information exchange defines the current Internet and Online Social Networks (OSNs). With such power and influence, individuals and entities expose those networks to di...