cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparative Outcomes of Ultrasound-Assisted Thrombolysis and Standard Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis in the Treatment of Acute Pulmonary Embolism.

Objectives:The objective of this study was to compare the outcomes of patients undergoing ultrasound-accelerated thrombolysis (USAT) and standard catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) for the treatm...
Antimony photoresists for EUV lithography: mechanistic studies

We have developed a method to study the photomechanism of our antimony carboxylate platform R3Sb(COOR')2. A series of mechanistic studies followed the production of reaction byproducts by mass spectrometer, as they left the film during exposure to EUV photons and 80 eV electrons. We identified several prominent outgassing fragments and their rates of production as a function of ligand structure. The degree of outgassing appears to be well-correlated with the bond dissociation energy of the carboxylate ligand R’ group. Furthermore, a deuterium labeling study was conducted to determine from which ligand hydrogen is abstracted to form benzene and phenol during exposure. Benzene and phenol were found to abstract hydrogen from opposing sites within the film, and with greater than 95% isotopic purity. Using the results of the outgassing studies alongside established mechanisms for electron-induced reactions; a series of reaction pathways were proposed to generate the aforementioned outgassing species and a possible nonvolatile negative-tone photoproduct.
Health Policy Trials

Trials of various approaches to health insurance and other policy issues can help policymakers decide how to structure incentives to provide the best value. This review examines this type of trial, addressing issues common to and distinct from trials of drugs or devices.
Assessment of Optimal Imaging Protocol Sequences After Laser-Induced Thermal Therapy for Intracranial Tumors.

Background Magnetic resonance-guided laser-induced thermal therapy (MRgLITT) is a novel, minimally invasive method currently being used to treat a wide range of intracranial pathologies. No accepted guidelines exist on what the appropriate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences are for evaluating short-term postablation changes, especially when patients are not able to receive gadolinium. Objective To evaluate which MRI sequences provide the greatest inter-rater reliability and least amount of variability in assessment of ablation volume after MRgLITT for intracranial neoplasms. Methods Twenty patients who received MRgLITT were included. Three raters calculated volumetric measurements on postprocedural axial spoiled gradient recalled (SPGR), fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and gradient echo (GRE) sequences. Measured volumes were analyzed using intraclass correlation to determine which protocol had the most concordance among the 3 raters. Results Postcontrast SPGR sequences were most concordant in our study, with an intraclass correlation of 0.981. DWI was the next-most concordant imaging sequence with an intraclass correlation of 0.958. The least concordant were GRE (0.895) and FLAIR (0.866) images. SPGR was also the least variable and had the most consistent volume ratings compared to the other sequences. Conclusion This study is the first to evaluate the inter-rater reliability of different MRI sequence protocols in the context of post-MRgLITT volumetric evaluation. SPGR postcontrast images facilitate the greatest interobserver concordance when characterizing post-MRgLITT tumor appearance and volumetrics, with DWI ranked second. Based on our findings, SPGR sequences are likely to yield the highest degree of concordance in post-MRgLITT lesion evaluation. When gadolinium cannot be given, DWI should provide the next most reliable estimation.
Women and the Decision to Leave, Linger, or Lean In: Predictors of Intent to Leave and Aspirations to Leadership and Advancement in Academic Medicine.

Abstract Background: The Association of American Medical Colleges reports continued low rates of female faculty as professors and in leadership positions. While attrition and discrimination have both been proposed as explanations, recent literature has suggested that women's professional motivations, ingrained behavior, and perceptions of organizational support may also play a role. Methods: The authors employed a series of scales informed by the turnover theory (which predicts intent to leave an organization), previously validated and used in business and engineering studies, but rarely used in academic medicine. The authors proposed and tested a multiple regression model to assess predictors (role strain, work–life balance, and organizational climate) for three outcome variables: seeking promotion, seeking leadership, and intent to leave. Results: Survey results from 614 faculty members indicated that gender significantly influenced both promotion and leadership seeking, but not intent to leave. Perceiv...
Characterization and performance evaluation of state-of-the-art 3.3 kV 30 a full-SiC MOSFETs

With their intrinsic superiorities such as high breakdown electric field and high thermal conductivity, SiC MOSFETs are replacing Si IGBTs in power electronics applications. However, at higher voltages SiC MOSFETs are at early stage of development and are not commercialized yet. For the first time, this paper presents thorough static and dynamic performance characterization of 3.3 kV and 30 A discrete full-SiC MOSFETs. The devices under test are non-commercialized samples from Sumitomo Electric Industries. A complete static characterization is performed from 25°C up to 150°C on the semiconductors. Also for dynamic tests, a double-pulse tester with a fast gate driver circuit is designed and tests are performed at 25°C, 100°C and 150°C. Key characteristics such as on-resistance and switching losses are compared to those of a Si IGBT with similar voltage and current rating in order to assess advantages of SiC MOSFETs over existing Si semiconductors. Following static and dynamic characterization, performance of the devices is evaluated in boost converter topology and the results are compared to that of Si IGBTs. The evaluation results show significant superiority for SiC MOSFETs in terms of efficiency, maximum possible switching frequency and system power density.
Effect of Par Frying on Composition and Texture of Breaded and Battered Catfish

Catfish is often consumed as a breaded and battered fried product; however, there is increasing interest in breaded and battered baked products as a healthier alternative. Par frying can improve the texture properties of breaded and battered baked products, but there are concerns about the increase in lipid uptake from par frying. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of different batters (rice, corn, and wheat) and the effect of par frying on the composition and texture properties of baked catfish. Catfish fillets were cut strips and then coated with batters, which had similar viscosities. Half of the strips were par fried in 177 °C vegetable oil for 1 min and the other half were not par fried. Samples were baked at 177 °C for 25 min. Analysis included % batter adhesion, cooking loss, protein, lipid, ash, and moisture, plus hardness and fracture quality measured using a texture analyzer. A trained sensory panel evaluated both breading and flesh texture attributes. Results found the lipid content of par fried treatments were significantly higher for both corn and wheat batters than for non-par fried treatments. Sensory analysis indicated that the texture of the coatings in the par fried treatments were significantly greater for hardness attributes. Fillet flakiness was significantly greater in the par fried treatments and corn-based batters had moister fillet strips compared to the wheat flour batters. Texture analyzer hardness values were higher for the par fried treatments.
Results of a Social Network Testing Intervention for HIV in Infectious Disease Clinics.

Social networks can be leveraged to identify undiagnosed HIV-infected individuals. The NC-LINK clinic-based testing initiative utilized these networks to achieve a 5% (95% CI 1.1–8.9%) positivity rate by providing free HIV testing to anyone who accompanied an HIV-infected patient to their clinic appointment. During 2013–2015, 120 individuals were tested at two clinics (N > 1000 patients each) in North Carolina, with 5 new and 6 total positive results. Of these, three linked to care within 30 days and all within 365 days. If expanded further, this initiative could significantly increase the number of HIV-infected individuals aware of their status.
Cottonseed Storage Proteins as a Tool for Developmental Biology

Our interest in the storage proteins of the cotton seed stems from the fact that they represent the products of genes that are expressed during a specific period during seed development. Thus their expression is regulated by developmental cues, and it is the comprehension of the molecular nature of these cues that is the principle interest of our laboratory. In order to provide a background to searching for these cues, we have attempted to describe the embryogenesis of this organism in terms of changes in the population of expressed genes by following the changes in the population of mRNAs and proteins during this phase of ontogeny. We have observed other sets of gene products (mRNAs) that are expressed before, after or overlapping with the storage protein genes. Presumably each set is expressed in response to different cues that arise in the tissue at specific times in embryogenesis so as to produce the mature seed capable of successful germination. In order to use the storage protein genes as a tool in the search for the molecular bases of developmental cues, we have examined storage protein properties and biosynthesis in some detail.
Latent comorbid depression and anxiety symptoms across sex and race/ethnic subgroupings in a national epidemiologic study.

Abstract The heterogeneity of mood and anxiety disorders has been widely documented and epidemiologic studies have found different prevalence rates for psychiatric disorders across subgroups (i.e. sex and race/ethnic). The current study compares the latent class structure across sex and race/ethnic groups to determine group differences in these latent class configurations. This study utilized data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC), a nationally representative sample from the United States (N = 43,093). First, latent class analyses (LCAs) were used to assess subtypes of symptoms of depression and anxiety that characterize a latent class structure for the population represented by NESARC. Second, group LCAs were conducted across sex and race/ethnicity to compare the latent class structure across these groups. The results suggest a 7-class model is the best fit for the population as well as for the male, non-Hispanic White, and Black subgroups. Females fit best an 11-class model, Hispanics a 5-class model and Asian and American Indian subgroups a 4-class model. These results indicate that subgroups of sex and race/ethnicity do not share the same latent construct for symptoms of anxiety and depression. Understanding the variability in the presentation of comorbid mood and anxiety across subgroups has the potential to inform person-centered approaches to care as well as targeted and multicultural interventions to improve population health.
Factors Influencing Adherence to Recommended Colorectal Cancer Surveillance: Experiences and Behaviors of Colorectal Cancer Survivors.

The number of colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors in the USA is increasing and factors associated with CRC surveillance require attention. This study examined the role of personal, provider, and practice-level factors on CRC survivor care surveillance experiences and outcomes. A telephone survey, informed by the Chronic Care Model, was conducted over a 1-year period with 150 CRC survivors identified via the South Carolina Central Cancer Registry. Participants were ages ≥ 21 years and diagnosed with stages I–III CRC within 1.5 years of study enrollment. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Adherence was defined as receipt of surveillance colonoscopy at 13 months post-CRC surgery, as recommended by evidence-based guidelines. The majority of participants were male (55%) and white (86%), with a median age of 65 years (range 25–89). Almost half (43%) had attained a high school degree or less. Cancer stage was fairly evenly distributed, and 58% had received treatment by surgery alone (provider-level factor). Few participants (56%) received a survivorship care plan (practice-level factor), and adherence to surveillance colonoscopy was lowest (36%) among participants with more than one comorbidity (personal-level factor). Logistic regression models showed that the only significant effect of personal, provider, or practice-level factors on CRC surveillance adherence was related to type of health insurance coverage (private/HMO vs. other; p = 0.04). This is one of the first studies to evaluate CRC surveillance in a socioeconomically diverse sample. The only associations found among the examined factors and adherence were related to type of health insurance coverage. Participants with private/HMO health insurance were significantly more likely than participants with “other” health insurance coverage types (i.e., none, Medicare without supplement, Medicare with supplement) to be adherent to the 13-month colonoscopy. Therefore, future education strategies and patient navigation interventions could focus on identifying and overcoming multi-level barriers to CRC surveillance services.
Impact of protein-nanoparticle interactions on gastrointestinal fate of ingested nanoparticles: Not just simple protein corona effects

Abstract The interaction of nanoparticles (NPs) with proteins in their surroundings is a key factor determining their biological fate. The formation of a protein corona around ingested NPs in complex food matrices and in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is known to impact their gastrointestinal fate. In this study, the interaction between titanium dioxide (TiO2) NPs from a common food additive (E171) and casein, an abundant milk protein was characterized. The impact of these interactions on the potential gastrointestinal fate of the NPs was examined using a simulated GIT model. Our results showed that a series of complex molecular events occurred when the TiO2 NPs were added to casein solutions, including dissociation of casein micelles, NP-protein complex formation, and complex aggregation. Extensive aggregation was observed under conditions where charge neutralization occurred, which was attributed to a reduction in the electrostatic repulsion between the NP-protein complexes and to a polymer bridging effects. There was a pronounced decrease in the rate and extent of gastric digestion of the casein in the presence of the TiO2 NPs, indicating that complex formation reduced the access of pepsin to the peptide bonds. These findings stress the importance of taking into account the interactions of ingested NPs with food matrix and gastrointestinal components. Moreover, our findings show that the simple concept of a protein corona does not adequately explain the complex structural changes that occur when proteins and NPs interact.
The Super-Turbine Wind Power Conversion Paradox: Using Machine Learning to Reduce Errors Caused by Jensen’s Inequality

Abstract. Wind power is a variable generation resource and therefore requires accurate forecasts to enable integration into the electric grid. Generally, the wind speed is forecast for a wind plant and the forecasted wind speed is converted to power to provide an estimate of the expected generating capacity of the plant. The average wind speed forecast for the plant is a function of the underlying meteorological phenomena being predicted; however, the wind speed for each turbine at the farm is also a function of the local terrain and the array orientation. Conversion algorithms that assume an average wind speed for the plant, i.e., the super-turbine power conversion, assume that the effects of the local terrain and array orientation are insignificant in producing variability in the wind speeds across the turbines at the farm. Here, we quantify the differences in converting wind speed to power at the turbine level compared with a super-turbine power conversion for a hypothetical wind farm of 100 2 MW turbines as well as from empirical data. The simulations with simulated turbines show a maximum difference of approximately 3 % at 11 m s −1 with a 1 m s −1 standard deviation of wind speeds and 8 % at 11 m s −1 with a 2 m s −1 standard deviation of wind speeds as a consequence of Jensen's inequality. The empirical analysis shows similar results with mean differences between converted wind speed to power and measured power of approximately 68 kW per 2 MW turbine. However, using a random forest machine learning method to convert to power reduces the error in the wind speed to power conversion when given the predictors that quantify the differences due to Jensen's inequality. These significant differences can lead to wind power forecasters overestimating the wind generation when utilizing a super-turbine power conversion for high wind speeds, and indicate that power conversion is more accurately done at the turbine level if no other compensatory mechanism is used to account for Jensen's inequality.
Nodule Morphogenesis in the Absence of Rhizobium

It is generally assumed that Rhizobium and Bradyrhizobium bacteria are the causative agent for nodulation in legumes. The analysis of bacterial genes and their products is focused on the elucidation of the signal-transduction pathway leading to cell division, differentiation and infection (Caetano-Anolles, Gresshoff, 1991a). Bacteria are chemoattracted to the root surface (Bauer, Caetano-Anolles, 1990) where plant flavonoids induce bacterial gene expression (Peters, Verma, 1990) and secretion of factors that trigger the first morphological responses in the host, root hair curling and cortical cell division (Denarie et al. 1992). Concurrent anticlinal and periclinal cell divisions, usually beneath the infection site, initiate a nodule primordium that forms a persistent nodule meristem in its distal end and gives rise to a central tissue with infected and uninfected cells.
Psychometric Evaluation of the Approach and Avoidance of Alcohol Questionnaire in a Community Sample

Contrary to most theories of alcohol craving, which only consider desires to use, the Ambivalence Model of Craving (AMC) conceptualizes craving bi-dimensionally as the concurrent desires to consume (approach) and desires not to consume (avoid) alcohol. Consistent with the AMC, the Approach and Avoidance of Alcohol Questionnaire (AAAQ) is a 14-item self-reported measure designed to assess alcohol approach and avoidance inclinations. Scores on the AAAQ have been shown to have high reliability and validity in clinical and college student populations, with a two-factor solution emerging in clinical samples of patients with Alcohol Use Disorders (AUDs) and a three-factor solution in samples of college students. However, despite a number of studies examining the use of the AAAQ in clinical and college student samples, to the best of our knowledge there have not been any psychometric evaluations of the AAAQ in community samples. The current study examined the psychometric properties of the AAAQ by examining the factor structure in a community sample (N = 537). Consistent with the results of previous studies utilizing non-clinical samples, a three-factor solution fit the data best and was invariant across gender. Additionally, all three factors were significantly associated with variables of drinking behavior. These results suggest that the AAAQ provides valid and reliable scores that measure approach and avoidance inclinations in community populations.
Is Higher Education Lost

Is academic freedom in danger of disappearing from the campuses of today's colleges and universities? Ellen Schrecker, professor of history at Yeshiva University, argues in her book The Lost Soul o...
Choices, Bias, and the Value of the Paycheck Fairness Act: A Response Essay

This essay is in response to an article written by three practitioners, who argue that the pay gap is not primarily caused by employer discrimination, but rather can be attributed to many factors, including the choices made by women regarding occupation, caregiving, and commitment to the workforce. Thus, they argue that we should not place the blame on employers and focus on the reach of anti-discrimination laws, and should instead acknowledge that there is a broader problem caused by entrenched social norms that the law cannot change. I have a slightly different perspective. Although I agree with the authors’ assertion that much of the pay gap is caused by the choices men and women make, I disagree with them in several respects. First, I disagree that employers are primarily blamed for the pay gap. In fact, as I have argued elsewhere, the pay gap is often blamed on the choices women make. Second, and more importantly, I believe that most workplace choices made by women (and men) are constrained by social norms and workplace structures that are not compatible with balancing work and family. And, finally, although I agree with the authors that the proposed Paycheck Fairness Act cannot solve all of the problems with the Equal Pay Act, I believe it can make a dent in the pay gap, especially with a few minor tweaks.
Precision Farming Protocols: Part 1. Grid Distance and Soil Nutrient Impact on the Reproducibility of Spatial Variability Measurements

To determine temporal changes in soil nutrient status, reproducible results must be obtained at each time step. The objective of this paper was to determine the impact of grid distance on the reproducibility of spatial variability measurements. Soil samples from the 0 to 15 cm depth were collected from a 30 by 30 m grid in May 1995 in a 65 ha notill corn (Zea mays L.) field. Each bulk sample contained 15 individual cores, collected at sample points located every 11.4 cm along a transect that transversed 3 corn rows (57 cm). At each sampling point latitude, longitude, elevation, landscape position, and soil series were determined. The 30 m grid was used to develop 4 and 9 independent data sets having a 60 and 90 m, grids, respectively. Semivariograms, nugget to sill ratios, and mean squared errors were calculated for each data set. At 60 m: (i) the total N, total C, and pH semivariograms, of different start points, were similar, while semivariograms for Olsen P, K, and Zn were different; (ii) the spatial dependence ratings, based on the nugget to sill ratio, for total N, total C, and pH semivariograms were consistent and suggested moderate spatial dependence; (iii) the spatial dependence rating for Olsen P, K, and Zn for the 4 semivariograms were not consistent and ranged from weak to moderate spatial dependence. At 90 m all soil nutrients had different semivariograms for each start point, while the spatial dependence rating for each total N, total C, and pH start point were consistent and showed moderate spatial dependence. The total C, P, K, Zn, and pH MSE values at 60 m, were 30, 30, 41, 28, and 72% lower than the variance, respectively. This study showed that semivariogram, semivariance, MSE, and nugget to sill ratios reproducibility were dependent on soil nutrient and grid distance.
/sup 7/Li(. cap alpha. ,n) cross section from threshold to 5. 67 MeV

The total cross section for $^{7}\mathrm{Li}(\ensuremath{\alpha},\mathrm{n})^{10}\mathrm{B}$ has been measured from threshold to ${E}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}}=5.67$ MeV, and inverted by detailed balance to find the $^{10}\mathrm{B}(\mathrm{n},{\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{0})$ cross section from $0l{E}_{\mathrm{n}}\ensuremath{\le}0.78$ MeV. Parameters of two resonances, at ${E}_{\mathrm{n}}=241 \mathrm{and} 493$ keV, are determined from the data.
Black Cultural Strengths and Psychosocial Well-Being: An Empirical Analysis With Black American Adults:

Based on historical literature, Black Americans have persisted through centuries of oppression in North America. To survive, they retained Africultural values and adopted group-specific practices. ...
Tunable bandgaps in a deployable metamaterial

In this manuscript, we envision deployable structures (such as solar arrays) and origami-inspired foldable structures as metamaterials capable of tunable wave manipulation. Specifically, we present a metamaterial whose bandgaps can be modulated by changing the fold angle of adjacent panels. The repeating unit cell of the structure consists of a beam (representing a panel) and a torsional spring (representing the folding mechanism). Two important cases are considered. Firstly, the fold angle (angle between adjacent beams), Ψ, is zero and only flexural waves propagate. In the second case, the fold angle is greater than zero (Ψ > 0). This causes longitudinal and transverse vibration to be coupled. FEM models are used to validate both these analyses. Increasing the fold angle was found to inflict profound changes to the wave transmission characteristics of the structure. In general, increasing the fold angles caused the bandwidth of bandgaps to increase significantly. For the lowest four bandgaps we found bandwidth increases of 252 %, 177 %, 230 % and 163 % respectively at Ψ = 90 deg (relative to the bandwidths at Ψ = 0). In addition, significant increase in bandwidth of the odd-numbered bandgaps occurs even at small fold angles- the bandwidth for the first and third bandgaps effectively double in size (increase by 100%) at Ψ = 20 deg relative to those at Ψ = 0. This has important ramifications in the context of tunable wave manipulation and adaptive filtering. In addition, by expanding out the characteristic equation of transfer matrix for the straight structure, we prove that the upper band edge of the nth bandgap will always equal the nth simply supported natural frequency of the constituent beam. Further, we found that the ratio (EI/kt) is an important parameter affecting the bandwidth of bandgaps. For low values of the ratio, effectively, no bandgap exists. For higher values of the ratio (EI/kt), we obtain a relatively large bandgap over which no waves propagate. This can have important ramifications for the design of foldable structures. As an alternative to impedance-based structural health monitoring, these insights can aid in health monitoring of deployable structures by tracking the bandwidth of bandgaps which can provide important clues about the mechanical parameters of the structure.
CHAPTER 3-3 – PROTONS BONDED TO NON-AROMATIC sp2 CARBON ATOMS

Publisher Summary The chemical shifts of protons bonded to sp2 hybridized nonaromatic carbon atoms are profoundly affected by the nature of the element to which the double bond is attached. Thus, it is convenient to discuss the case of H—C = C and H—C = X, where X is a heteroatom, separately. This chapter focuses on protons bonded to non-aromatic sp2 carbon atoms, chemical shifts in exocyclic methylenes and allenes, and chemical shifts of formyl protons. The chemical shifts of exocyclic methylene protons are very close to the calculated value of 4–65 ppm for four-, five-, and six-membered rings. There are some differences in the effects exerted by carbonyl substitution in rings of different size and in the chemical shifts of radialenes. The chemical shifts of β-protons and alkyl groups in α, β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds are always downfield from the corresponding α-substituents.
Eyes in Ears: A Miniature Steerable Digital Endoscope for Trans-Nasal Diagnosis of Middle Ear Disease

The aim of this work is to design, fabricate and experimentally validate a miniature steerable digital endoscope that can provide comprehensive, high-resolution imaging of the middle ear using a trans-nasal approach. The motivation for this work comes from the high incidence of middle ear diseases, and the current reliance on invasive surgery to diagnose and survey these diseases which typically consists of the eardrum being lifted surgically to directly visualize the middle ear using a trans-canal approach. To enable less-invasive diagnosis and surveillance of middle ear disease, we propose an endoscope that is small enough to pass into the middle ear through the Eustachian tube, with a steerable tip that carries a 1 Megapixel image sensor and fiber-optic illumination to provide high-resolution visualization of critical middle ear structures. The proposed endoscope would enable physicians to diagnose middle ear disease using a non-surgical trans-nasal approach instead, enabling such procedures to be performed in an office setting and greatly reducing invasiveness for the patient. In this work, the computational design of the steerable tip based on computed tomography models of real human middle ear anatomy is presented, and these results informed the fabrication of a clinical-scale steerable endoscope prototype. The prototype was used in a pilot study in three cadaveric temporal bone specimens, where high-quality middle ear visualization was achieved as determined by an unbiased cohort of otolaryngologists. This is the first paper to demonstrate cadaveric validation of a digital, steerable, clinical-scale endoscope for middle ear disease diagnosis, and the experimental results illustrate that the endoscope enables the visualization of critical middle ear structures (such as the epitympanum or sinus tympani) that were seldom or never visualized in prior published trans-Eustachian tube endoscopy feasibility studies.
Patient-specific in vitro testing for evaluating TAVR clinical performance-A complementary approach to current ISO standard testing.

Following in vitro tests established for surgical prosthetic heart valves, transcatheter aortic valves (TAV) are similarly tested in idealized geometries-excluding effects that may hamper TAVR performance in situ. Testing in vitro in pulse duplicator systems that incorporated patient-specific replicas would enhance the testing veracity by bringing it closer to the clinical scenario. To that end we compare TAV hemodynamic performance tested in idealized geometries according to the ISO standard (baseline performance) to that obtained by testing the TAVs following deployment in patient-specific replicas. Balloon-expandable (n = 2) and self-expandable (n = 3) TAVs were tested in an idealized geometry in mock-circulation system (following ISO 5840-3 guidelines) and compared to the measurements in a dedicated mock-circulation system adapted for the five patient-specific replicas. Patient-specific deployments resulted in a decline in performance as compared to the baseline idealized testing, as well as a variation in performance that depended on the design features of each device that was further correlated with the radial expansion and eccentricity of the deployed TAV stent (obtained with CT-scans of the deployed valves). By excluding the deployment effects in irregular geometries, the current idealized ISO testing is limited to characterize the baseline device performance. Utilizing patient-specific anatomic contours provides performance indicators under more stringent conditions likely encountered in vivo. It has the potential to enhance testing and development complementary to the ISO standard, for improved TAV safety and effectiveness.
The Tightness of the Kesten–Stigum Reconstruction Bound of Symmetric Model with Multiple Mutations

It is well known that reconstruction problems, as the interdisciplinary subject, have been studied in numerous contexts including statistical physics, information theory and computational biology, to name a few. We consider a 2q-state symmetric model, with two categories of q states in each category, and 3 transition probabilities: the probability to remain in the same state, the probability to change states but remain in the same category, and the probability to change categories. We construct a nonlinear second-order dynamical system based on this model and show that the Kesten–Stigum reconstruction bound is not tight when $$q \ge 4$$ .
Do the Right Thing: The Imprinting of Deonance at the Upper Echelons

This study expands the application of deonance theory into organizations’ upper echelons by examining how CEOs imprinted with a sense of duty can influence managerial decision-making. We hypothesize an imprint of bounded autonomy, an ought-force that constrains their decision-making and understanding of behavioral freedom, influences duty-bound CEOs to self-report errors in past financial reporting. We test deonance theory propositions of instrumentality for behavioral expansion, namely loss avoidance and gain attainment, related to institutional ownership concentration and CEO equity ownership. We use CEOs that are graduates of U.S. service academies as a proxy for duty-bound executives and find firms they lead are more likely to issue a financial restatement to correct a previous reporting error. This finding is robust to alternate explanations such as being error-prone, earnings management, auditor oversight, and risk behaviors. We also find evidence that deonance may be subject to behavioral expansion. The likelihood of issuing a restatement decreases as institutional ownership concentration and CEO equity ownership increases. This study shows imprinted deonance within the C-suite influences important organizational outcomes.
Automated Text-Messaging After Hip Arthroscopy: A Randomized-Controlled Trial of “Post-Op Buddy”

Purpose To assess an automated text-messaging system for patients after hip arthroscopy and its impact at 90 days on the Hip Disability Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Physical Function Short form (HOOS-PS, HOOS-Pain), compliance with rehabilitation guidelines, and patient satisfaction. Methods One hundred twenty-one participants (average age 29 ± 8.7 years, 52% female) undergoing hip arthroscopy at 2 academic institutions were prospectively enrolled and randomized to receive (1) standard perioperative communication or (2) additional automated mobile phone text messages. Inclusion criteria included ability to communicate in written English and access to a mobile phone with text-messaging capability. Patients undergoing revision surgery or simultaneous femoral or acetabular osteotomy were excluded. HOOS-PS and HOOS-Pain were collected preoperatively, and after surgery an automated mobile phone robot sent participants in the therapeutic arm intermittent text messages for 90 days. At 90 days all participants again completed HOOS-PS, HOOS-Pain, and additional survey questions on satisfaction with their experience (10-point scale), communication from the surgical team (10-point scale) and adherence to physical therapy exercises, weight-bearing guidelines, and brace use, The primary outcome assessed was a statistically significant change in HOOS-PS and HOOS-Pain; secondary outcomes included change in satisfaction, communication, and adherence to physical therapy exercises, weightbearing guidelines, or brace use. Wilcoxon rank sum was used to compare HOOS-PS and HOOS-Pain scores at 0 and 90 days. Demographic characteristics and survey variables were compared using Students t test for continuous variables and χ2 or Fisher exact test for categorical variables as appropriate. Results There were statistically significant and clinically relevant improvements in HOOS-PS and HOOS-Pain in both groups (P Conclusions Ninety days of automated text messaging after hip arthroscopy failed to show a significant difference in HOOS-PS (P = .09), HOOS-Pain (P = .13), patient-reported compliance with postoperative guidelines, or satisfaction with support and communication from the surgical team. Level of Evidence I, randomized control trial (RCT).
Information Security Foundations for Electronic Medical Records

Electronic medical records are clearly in the future and should provide benefits to all parties. Trust in the information is dependent upon the security of the system and the history of security associated with distributed electronic record systems should initiate many questions for such a critical system. The current methodology of broad regulatory guidance and letting industry “do its best” has failed in the financial sector with identity theft becoming a significant crime. Allowing the same outcome to occur in electronic medical records will both limit the efficiencies and imperil lives. The solution is to enjoin security from the ground up in a tight knit method similar to national security systems, and to do that across the myriad of players will require regulation. This paper explores the basis for the regulation of technical solutions and proposes a form in which they can be employed.
Ultrastructural studies of H-1 parvovirus replication: I. Cytopathology produced in human NB epithelial cells and hamster embryo fibroblasts

Abstract The morphogenesis and cytopathological effects of the parvovirus H-1 were studied by electron microscopy in parasynchronous cultures of two cellular types: human epithelial NB kidney cells and hamster embryo fibroblasts. Morphometry revealed that NB cells had 20% more H-1 particles per μm 2 of nucleus as compared to the hamster fibroblasts; there were, however, ten times more “complete” (DNA-containing) virions in the hamster fibroblasts than in the human cells. Cells from both sources produced virus at comparable overall rates. In the early stages of viral infection [12 hr postinfection (p.i.)], the outstanding abnormal changes in both cell types occurred in their nucleoli. Fragmentation and loss of light and dark nucleolar fibrous components resulted in a vacuolation of the fibrous centers; high concentrations of “empty” (without DNA centers) H-1 particles formed compact linear arrays on the chromatinlike fibers remaining in these rarefied areas. In conjunction with the nucleolar alterations, fewer polysomes were observed in the cytoplasmic matrix and on the surface of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER). At 18–36 hr p.i., a number of nuclei exhibited hollow spherules (0.5–3.5 μm in diameter) composed of fibrous and/or granular nucleolar elements that contained incomplete H-1 particles in their lumena or adherent to component fibers. The origin of these spherules was traced to the nucleolus; they appeared to be artifacts of nucleolar breakdown having little to do with normal H-1 development. Their association with empty virions may be indicative of an affinity between the nucleolus and H-1 proteins. Most virus, including the bulk of complete virions, was situated on extranucleolar chromatin fibers, forming linear or trabecular aggregates. As massive cellular degeneration took place (36 hr p.i.), the chromatin fibers appeared to condense, releasing the previously attached virus. High concentrations of H-1 particles were observed along the edges of large newly formed condensed chromatin masses located on the nuclear periphery; no virus was found within these masses. Also, conglomerates of liberated virions formed extensive paracrystalline arrays on the extracellular surfaces of intact plasmalemmata of adjacent cells or on fragments of disrupted membranes. Usually, each H-1 paracrystal was composed almost exclusively of either complete particles (even in NB cells which synthesize predominantly “empty” virus), or incomplete virions, indicating that differences may exist in their surface properties.
Testing the use of symptom-based terrorism triage algorithms with hospital-based providers.

INTRODUCTION: A set of symptom-based, all-hazards, decision-making algorithms was designed to aid the first-contact provider during early patient presentations after a terrorist incident. OBJECTIVE: The primary objective was to assess the usability of these algorithms. A secondary objective was to assess the psychometric properties of the testing scenarios. METHODS: This was a written, usability assessment of the algorithms employing a convenience sample of hospital-based, healthcare providers who had not taken any specific training in the use of the algorithms. A series of 26 paragraph-length, moderately difficult scenarios was created to reflect possible agents, means of attack, and types of patients. Each of the 26 scenarios requires that one make a triage choice on the "attack" algorithm (the trunk algorithm), then proceed to one of four other branch algorithms (dirty resuscitation, chemical agents, biological agents, bomb/blast/radiation dispersal device) to make a final triage choice. Conditional scores based on getting both the attack and final card correct were calculated for each algorithm. RESULTS: Nineteen attending physicians, 50 emergency medicine residents, and 41 nurses took the assessment. The total score was 45% correct for all participants. The score on the attack algorithm was 66% correct. Dirty resuscitation, biological, chemical, and bomb/blast scores were 46%, 54%, 46%, and 51% respectively. The probability of guessing the correct answer on the attack algorithm was 1/7 or 14%. The conditional probability of guessing both the attack algorithm and the final card correct ranged from 4.7% for the biological, chemical, and bomb/blast algorithms to 2.4% for the dirty resuscitation algorithm. Item discrimination, item difficulty, and Cronbach's alpha were acceptable for the overall test. Certain individual items had item difficulty levels suggesting they were too difficult and should be replaced in future versions of the test. CONCLUSIONS: Performance on the test suggests that participants did substantially better than would have been expected by chance alone. Future efforts will revise the algorithms with the goal of simplification. Revision of the testing instrument and testing algorithm use after instruction also are needed. Language: en
Completeness for Parity Problems

In this talk we shall review recent work on holographic algorithms and circuits. This work can be interpreted as offering formulations of the question of whether computations within such complexity classes as NP, ⊕P, BQP, or #P, can be efficiently computed classically using linear algebra. The central part of the theory is the consideration of gadgets that map simple combinatorial constraints into gates, assemblies of which can be evaluated efficiently using linear algebra. The combinatorial constraints that appear most fruitful to investigate are the simplest ones that correspond to problems complete in these complexity classes. With this motivation we shall in this note consider the parity class ⊕P for which our understanding of complete problems is particularly limited. For example, among the numerous search problems for which the existence of solutions can be determined in P and the counting problem is known to be #P-complete, the #P-completeness proof does not generally translate to a ⊕P-completeness proof. We observe that in one case it does, and enumerate several natural problems for which the complexity of parity is currently unresolved. We go on to consider two examples of NP-complete problems for which ⊕P-completeness can be proved but is not immediate: Hamiltonian circuits for planar degree three graphs, and satisfiability of read-twice Boolean formulae.
Testicular tumor: Occurring with hydrocele and positive cytologic fluid

Abstract Based on the pathogenesis of hydroceles, one may speculate that testicular tumor associated with hydrocele implies metastatic lymph node involvement. A unique case of positive cytologic result from hydrocele fluid in a patient with testicular tumor and lymph node metastases is presented to illustrate the concept.
Effect of prednisolone on thymus lymphocytes. II. Studies on 3 H-actinomycin D Binding and RNA polymerase activity of isolate nuclei.

Abstract The rate of actinomycin D (AMD) binding to DNA of isolated nuclei is very rapid. Nearly 90% of the total AMD bound binds during the first minute of incubation, irrespective of AMD concentration or temperature. The amount of AMD bound depends on the concentration of AMD in the medium. Two distinct phases of this concentration dependency were detected. During the initial phase (up to 15 μg/ml AMD concentration) the amount of AMD bound increases in a 1:1 proportion to the increase in AMD concentration; during the second phase (15–500 μg/ml), the increase in bound AMD is in a proportion of 1:8 to the increase in AMD concentration. This phenomenon is considered to reflect AMD binding to DNA in derepressed and repressed chromatin, respectively; AMD “titration” of derepressed sites is completed when 14–16 AMD molecules are bound per 103 base pairs of DNA. Increase in ionic strength “opens” new sites for AMD binding while divalent cations specifically decrease the number of sites binding AMD. Treatment of isolated thymocyte nuclei with prednisolone does not significantly change AMD binding; this is in contrast with liver cell nuclei, which bind 10–12% more AMD in the presence of prednisolone. The nuclei isolated from prednisolone-treated thymocytes bind 10–18% less AMD than control nuclei. In some experiments this difference was diminished when AMD binding was studied at higher ionic strength. The mechanism of this phenomenon as well as the possible reasons for its irreproducibility are discussed. No change in RNA-polymerase activity was detected when isolated nuclei were treated with prednisolone. However, when nuclei were isolated from prednisolone-treated cells, they exhibited a decreased activity in the presence of both Mg2+ or Mn2+ ions. An increase in ionic strength resulted in stimulated RNA-polymerase activity, with a higher stimulation being observed in nuclei from prednisolone-treated cells. As a result, the difference between control nuclei and those of prednisolone-treated cells diminished at higher ionic strength. The mechanism of the action of prednisolone in modulating thymus chromatin is discussed.
Bandits, Query Learning, and the Haystack Dimension

Motivated by multi-armed bandits (MAB) problems with a very large or even innite number of arms, we consider the problem of nding a maximum of an unknown target function by querying the function at chosen inputs (or arms). We give an analysis of the query complexity of this problem, under the assumption that the payo of each arm is given by a function belonging to a known, nite, but otherwise arbitrary function class. Our analysis centers on a new notion of function class complexity that we call the haystack dimension, which is used to prove the approximate optimality of a simple greedy algorithm. This algorithm is then used as a subroutine in a functional MAB algorithm, yielding provably near-optimal regret. We provide a generalization to the innite cardinality setting, and comment on how our analysis is connected to, and improves upon, existing results for query learning and generalized binary search.
An experimental evaluation of partitioning algorithms

Presents an experimental evaluation of partitioning algorithms to supplement the work done by D.S. Johnson, et al. (1989). MCNC test-cases are used as part of the test beds. A two-level partitioning algorithm is proposed whose performance exceeds that of the algorithm by C.M. Fiduccia, R.M. Mattheyses (1982) on real circuitry by as much as 28%. >
Pairs of Dot Products in Finite Fields and Rings

We obtain bounds on the number of triples that determine a given pair of dot products arising in a vector space over a finite field or a module over the set of integers modulo a power of a prime. More precisely, given \(E\subset \mathbb F_q^d\) or \(\mathbb Z_q^d\), we provide bounds on the size of the set $$\begin{aligned} \left\{ (u,v,w)\in E \times E \times E : u\cdot v = \alpha , u \cdot w = \beta \right\} \end{aligned}$$ for units \(\alpha \) and \(\beta \).