cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Training lay persons to use automatic external defibrillators: Success of initial training and one-year retention of skills☆

This study was conducted to determine the feasibility of recruitment of lay persons to use automatic external defibrillators (AEDs), the effectiveness of their initial training, and the need for and frequency of retraining over time. Volunteers (n = 146), recruited from a variety of settings, included security personnel and administrative staff from large corporate centers, supervisors from senior care and exercise facilities, and employees in high-rise office buildings. Seven sites for 14 AEDs were recruited. In a single, two-hour class, participants learned to identify and respond to cardiac arrest, to notify emergency personnel, to retrieve and attach the semiautomatic (shock advisory) AED, and to respond to instructions presented on the display screen of the device. A skills check list was used to grade each student on performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, operation of the device, and time required to deliver an electric countershock. Retesting was performed one or more times after initial training to assess skill retention. The study lasted 1 year. All age groups, both sexes, and each responder type easily learned to operate the AED, with a trend for lower performance scores in people aged greater than 60 years. Performance time and skills declined significantly after initial training, but returned to satisfactory levels after one retraining session and were even higher after two retraining sessions. With retesting, errors that would have prevented delivery of countershocks to patients in ventricular fibrillation were rare (six of 146 tests, 4%). During the year of this study only three cardiac arrests occurred in the study sites.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Black-tailed prairie dogs and the structure of avian communities on the shortgrass plains

We tested the hypothesis that black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) influence avian community structure on the shortgrass prairie. We surveyed 36 prairie dog towns and 36 paired sites without prairie dogs during summer and fall of 1997, 1998, and 1999 in the Oklahoma Panhandle. Our surveys totaled 9,040 individual observations for 73 avian species. Significantly distinct avian communities were present on prairie dog towns when compared to sites within four different macrohabitats of the surrounding landscape: open rangeland, scrub/sandsage (Artemisia filifolia) habitats, Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) plots, and fallow crop fields. Relative densities of all bird species combined was higher on prairie dog towns versus paired sites in summer and fall. Mean species richness of birds was significantly higher on prairie dog towns than paired sites during summer, but there were no significant differences in fall. Open rangeland had the highest mean species richness in fall. Assemblages of avian communities differed significantly between prairie dog towns and the four macrohabitat types during summer. Burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia), killdeer (Charadrius vociferous), horned larks (Eremophila alpestris), and meadowlarks (Sturnella spp.) were positively and significantly associated with prairie dog towns during summer, while horned larks and ferruginous hawks (Buteo regalis) were significantly associated with prairie dog towns during fall. Even in their current remnant state, black-tailed prairie dogs continue to play a significant role in the assembly of ecological communities across the Great Plains. Conservation of prairie dogs goes well beyond a single species, and is an important strategy for the preservation of the prairie ecosystem as a whole.
Hypersonic Transition to Turbulence Triggered by Isolated Roughness Elements

Detached Eddy Simulations have been performed to study the complex physics of boundary layer transition triggered by isolated roughness elements in hypersonic flows. Both frozen and reacting flow solutions have been obtained for a hemisphere with a disk-like surface roughness element in a ballistic range at Mach 12 in air. The results show a significant effect of non-equilibrium thermo-chemistry on high-enthalpy roughness-induced transition. The effect of Reynolds numbers on the Space Shuttle trip transition in a Mach 10 wind tunnel has also been studied. I. Introduction The design of hypersonic vehicles is challenging in several critical technology areas. The severe heating environment encountered during hypersonic flight dictates the shape of the vehicle. Boundary-layer transition at hypersonic speeds poses an especially significant challenge. Prediction and control of boundary layer transition in hypersonic flows are of crucial importance for the design of planetary entry vehicles as well as two-stage-to-orbit airbreathing access-to-space systems. Since turbulent heat transfer rates can be higher than laminar heating rates, reductions in the weight of thermal protection systems can be realized with an improved understanding of the physics of transition from laminar to turbulent flow. The hypersonic heating environment, coupled with an emphasis on reusability, creates additional severe technology challenges for materials, material coatings, and structures that not only carry aerodynamic loads but also repeatedly sustain high thermal loads while requiring longlife and durability with minimum weight. The gap-filler incident of the Space Shuttle mission STS-114 in 2005 was a potent reminder of the importance of accurate prediction of roughness-induced boundary layer transition and subsequent increase in surface heating 1 . Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) solves the Navier-Stokes equations by resolving a wide range of spatial and temporal scales of turbulence. Since DNS requires a grid fine enough to resolve the Kolmogorov dissipative scales, it is not feasible for high Reynolds number flow simulations even with today’s most powerful supercomputers. Large Eddy Simulation (LES) requires less computational resources than DNS by modeling small eddies using subgrid scale models while still resolving large eddies. However, even with this improvement, the grid requirements for high Reynolds number LES calculations are still impractical. Coarse-Grid Direct Numerical Simulation (CDNS) is a turbulent flow simulation method without a sub-grid scale model but which is not a fully resolved DNS. Since the high cost of computation for LES comes from the near-wall region, hybrid models like Detached Eddy Simulation (DES) have been developed which alleviate this difficulty by using a Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes
Evaluation of Commercial Phage Inhibitory Media

Abstract Seven commercially prepared brands of lactic streptococcal phage inhibitory media were studied. Comparisons between media were of buffering capacity, ability to support lactic streptococcal growth, and ability to suppress bacteriophage replication. Nonfat milk was a control. Only two of the media were adequate in preventing phage proliferation, and the capacity of any one medium to stop phage proliferation and growth was related to its buffering capacity. Compositional data indicated that those media which were most effective in preventing phage replication contained sufficient nutrients to support streptococcal growth, thus overcoming the effects of high phosphate and/or citrate concentrations which depressed growth. The medium which supported the best streptococcal growth as compared to nonfat milk was intermediate in suppressing phage proliferation. The four most effective phage inhibitory media each contained citrate buffers whereas the three least effective media lacked this compound; the most effective medium also contained hydrolyzed cereal solids to enhance streptococcal growth.
Gastrin-induced gastric adenocarcinoma growth is mediated through cyclin D1

Gastrin is a gastrointestinal (GI) peptide that possesses potent trophic effects on most of the normal and neoplastic mucosa of the GI tract. Despite abundant evidence for these properties, the mec...
A survey on feature selection methods

Plenty of feature selection methods are available in literature due to the availability of data with hundreds of variables leading to data with very high dimension. Feature selection methods provides us a way of reducing computation time, improving prediction performance, and a better understanding of the data in machine learning or pattern recognition applications. In this paper we provide an overview of some of the methods present in literature. The objective is to provide a generic introduction to variable elimination which can be applied to a wide array of machine learning problems. We focus on Filter, Wrapper and Embedded methods. We also apply some of the feature selection techniques on standard datasets to demonstrate the applicability of feature selection techniques.
Statistical analysis of effective singular values in matrix rank determination

A major problem in using SVD (singular-value decomposition) as a tool in determining the effective rank of a perturbed matrix is that of distinguishing between significantly small and significantly large singular values to the end, conference regions are derived for the perturbed singular values of matrices with noisy observation data. The analysis is based on the theories of perturbations of singular values and statistical significance test. Threshold bounds for perturbation due to finite-precision and i.i.d. random models are evaluated. In random models, the threshold bounds depend on the dimension of the matrix, the noisy variance, and predefined statistical level of significance. Results applied to the problem of determining the effective order of a linear autoregressive system from the approximate rank of a sample autocorrelation matrix are considered. Various numerical examples illustrating the usefulness of these bounds and comparisons to other previously known approaches are given. >
The current management of isolated degenerative femoral artery aneurysms is too aggressive for their natural history

Background Previous studies have combined anastomotic, catheter-induced, and atherosclerotic isolated femoral artery aneurysms (FAAs) to achieve adequate numbers for analysis and have recommended repair of asymptomatic FAAs with diameters ≥2.5 cm and all symptomatic FAAs. This study evaluated the contemporary management of isolated FAAs. Methods Patients with FAAs were evaluated using a standardized, prospectively maintained database by a research consortium. Results From 2002 to 2012, 236 FAAs were identified in 182 patients (mean age, 72 years; male-to-female ratio, 16:1) at eight institutions. The mean nonoperative mean diameter was 2.8 ± 0.7 cm, and the operative diameter was 3.3 ± 1.5 cm. FAA location was the common femoral artery in 191, superficial femoral artery (SFA) in 34, and profunda femoris artery in 11. Synchronous aneurysms (mean, 1.7 per patient) occurred in the aorta (n = 113), in the iliac (n = 109), popliteal (n = 86), and hypogastric (n = 56) arteries, and in the contralateral common femoral artery (n = 34), SFA (n = 9), and profunda femoris artery (n = 2). Of the aneurysms repaired, 66% were asymptomatic; other indications for repair were claudication (18%), local pain (8%), nerve compression (3%), rupture (2%), acute thrombosis (1%), and rest pain (0.5%). Acute aneurysm-related complications (rupture, thrombosis, embolus) were associated ( P 4 cm and intraluminal thrombus, but not location. Mean diameter of asymptomatic aneurysms that developed acute complications was 5.7 ± 1.3 cm for rupture, 4 ± 1.1 cm for thrombosis, and 3.5 cm for embolus. Repair was by interposition or bypass graft in 177 FAAs and by endovascular repair in three SFA aneurysms. Two perioperative deaths, of myocardial infarction and multisystem organ failure, occurred at 30 days. Operative complications included wound infection (6%), seroma (3%), and bleeding (2%). No amputations occurred through 5 years in the operative or nonoperative groups. Survival in operated-on patients was 99% (n = 138) at 3 months, 92% at 1 year, and 81% (n = 20) at 5 years. Conclusions This largest study of isolated FAAs demonstrates that (1) acute complications did not occur in FAAs ≤3.5 cm, repair criteria of asymptomatic FAAs should be changed to >3.5 cm, and chronic intraluminal thrombus should reduce the threshold for repair, and that (2) current indications for symptomatic FAA repair result in low morbidity and should remain unchanged.
The closure approximation in the hierarchy equations

The expectation of the solution process in a stochastic operator equation can be obtained from averaged equations only under very special circumstances. Conditions for validity are given and the significance and validity of the approximation in widely used hierarchy methods and the ?self-consistent field' approximation in nonequilibrium statistical mechanics are clarified. The error at any level of the hierarchy can be given and can be avoided by the use of the iterative method.
Absence of Mitochondrial DNA Sequence Variation in Russian Wheat Aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae) Populations Consistent with a Single Introduction into the United States

Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Kurdjumov), was introduced into North America in Mexico during 1980 and by 1988 had spread north across the Western US into Southern Canada. South Africa has been suspected as the source of the introduction. Russian wheat aphid is the major insect pest of wheat and barley in the southern and central plains states. Resistant wheat with the Dn4 gene was the primary management tactic from 1996 to 2003. During 2003, a biotype able to injure Dn4 wheat (designated RWA2) appeared in Colorado. The source of the biotype is unclear, that is whether it represents a new introduction from another country or if it arose from the extant population in the US. We examined a 332 bp portion of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene (COI) in the mtDNA of Russian wheat aphid collected in the US from 1986 through 2006. Also included were specimens from Mexico and South Africa. Except for two nucleotides in two individual aphids, no COI sequence variation was found in US populations over a 20 yr period. US populations had COI sequences which were identical to those found in Mexico, Turkey, France, and one aphid from South Africa. A second aphid from South Africa differed by only two bp. The lack of COI nucleotide variation suggested that biotype RWA2 did not represent a second introduction of a genetically distinct population from another country. The data are consistent with a single introduction from South Africa and no other introductions of virulent biotypes into the US occurred since 1986.
Aggregation and Association of NDVI, Boll Injury, and Stink Bugs in North Carolina Cotton

Sampling of herbivorous stink bugs in southeastern U.S. cotton remains problematic. Remote sensing was explored to improve sampling of these pests and associated boll injury. Two adjacent 14.5-ha cotton fields were grid sampled in 2011 and 2012 by collecting stink bug adults and bolls every week during the third, fourth, and fifth weeks of bloom. Satellite remote sensing data were collected during the third week of bloom during both years, and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) values were calculated. Stink bugs were spatially aggregated on the third week of bloom in 2011. Boll injury from stink bugs was spatially aggregated during the fourth week of bloom in 2012. The NDVI values were aggregated during both years. There was a positive association and correlation between stink bug numbers and NDVI values, as well as injured bolls and NDVI values, during the third week of bloom in 2011. During the third week of bloom in 2012, NDVI values were negatively correlated with stink bug numbers. During the fourth week of bloom in 2011, stink bug numbers and boll injury were both positively associated and correlated with NDVI values. During the fourth week of bloom in 2012, stink bugs were negatively correlated with NDVI values, and boll injury was negatively associated and correlated with NDVI values. This study suggests the potential of remote sensing as a tool to assist with sampling stink bugs in cotton, although more research is needed using NDVI and other plant measurements to predict stink bug injury.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Cancer Prevention and Control: A Membrane Perspective

Long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have been shown to provide health benefits in a number of diseases including several forms of cancer. In this chapter we will discuss in detail some of the prominent mechanisms through which n-3 PUFA and its metabolites are believed to function in the prevention of colon tumorigenesis. At the plasma membrane, n-3 PUFA antagonize the production of inflammatory and procarcinogenic n-6 PUFA (i.e., arachidonic acid)-derived metabolites. Additionally, the highly unsaturated nature of n-3 PUFA impacts cell membrane properties and dynamics thereby altering numerous cellular functions, including intracellular signaling, cell growth, survival, and proliferation. Due to the sterically incompatible relationship between docosahexaenoic acid, sphingolipids, and cholesterol, the major constituents of lipid rafts, n-3 PUFA modulate these crucial membrane microdomains and perturb efficient signal transduction thereby eliciting the same biological effects exploited by some anti-cancer therapies. Moreover, we discuss how alterations in lipid rafts and downstream signaling impact both epithelial cells and the activation of immune cells. This is noteworthy, because chronic inflammation plays a critical role in tumorigenesis. Therefore, we also present an overview regarding the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory mechanisms through which n-3 PUFA perturb the tumor microenvironment and downregulate the activation of critical transcription factors and target genes with an established role in cancer development. Finally, we discuss recent evidence suggesting that n-3 PUFA in combination with other dietary bioactive nutrients, such as soluble fiber and curcumin, could be beneficial in cancer prevention. Collectively, we demonstrate that dietary n-3 PUFA have utility in the prevention of cancer development through mechanisms centered at both the molecular, cellular (plasma membrane), and tissue level.
Effects of Growth Hormone on Bone

Abstract Purpose Describe the effects of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) on the skeleton. Findings The GH and IGF-1 axis has pleiotropic effects on the skeleton throughout the lifespan by influencing bone formation and resorption. GH deficiency leads to decreased bone turnover, delayed statural growth in children, low bone mass, and increased fracture risk in adults. GH replacement improves adult stature in GH deficient children, increases bone mineral density (BMD) in adults, and helps to optimize peak bone acquisition in patients, during the transition from adolescence to adulthood, who have persistent GH deficiency. Observational studies suggest that GH replacement may mitigate the excessive fracture risk associated with GH deficiency. Acromegaly, a state of GH and IGF-1 excess, is associated with increased bone turnover and decreased BMD in the lumbar spine observed in some studies, particularly in patients with hypogonadism. In addition, patients with acromegaly appear to be at an increased risk of morphometric-vertebral fractures, especially in the presence of active disease or concurrent hypogonadism. GH therapy also has beneficial effects on statural growth in several conditions characterized by GH insensitivity, including chronic renal failure, Turner syndrome, Prader–Willi syndrome, postnatal growth delay in patients with intrauterine growth retardation who do not demonstrate catchup growth, idiopathic short stature, short stature homeobox-containing (SHOX) gene mutations, and Noonan syndrome. Summary GH and IGF-1 have important roles in skeletal physiology, and GH has an important therapeutic role in both GH deficiency and insensitivity states.
Pulsed Plasma Polymerizations: Film Chemistry Control and Applications

Film chemistry control issues, as well as key properties of polymers synthesized under pulsed plasma conditions, are discussed. Distinctions between pulsed and continuous wave plasmas are examined, particularly as they relate to differences in the energy efficiency of film formation rates and to the range of available power inputs. Film stabilities, with special reference to polymers formed under very low power input conditions, are considered. Finally, selected applications involving use of the inherently high film chemistry controllability made available by the variable duty cycle pulsed plasma technique are described.
Synthesis, Characterization, Physical and Processing Properties of New TPEs: Star-Blocks Comprising Multiple Polystyrene-b-Polyisobutylene Arms Radiating from a Polydivinylbenzene Core

Abstract The synthesis of the title star-block thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) was accomplished by linking living polystyrene-b-polyisobutylene (PSt-b-PIB⊕) diblocks with divinylbenzene. Linking was fast and high yields of star-block polymers were obtained. The products were characterized by a variety of techniques. The physical and processing properties of the star-blocks have been investigated and they were found to exhibit superior tensile properties and lower melt viscosities to those of similar linear triblock copolymers.
The Supreme Court and National Policy Making

The role of the Supreme Court of the United States in national policy making has long been a subject of debate among students of the American legal system and of democratic theory. Both the relative influence of the Court vis-a-vis other political institutions and the implications of judicial review for principles of majority rule and democracy have been central to this discussion. Perhaps the most influential account of the role of the Court offered in recent years is Robert A. Dahl's 1957 article, “Decision-Making in a Democracy: The Role of the Supreme Court in National Policy-Making.” Dahl argues that the Court, like other political institutions, is a member of the stable ruling coalitions that dominate American politics, and that its decisions are generally supportive of the policies emerging from other political institutions. Consideration of the way Dahl interprets his own evidence, of Court decisions since 1957, and of other relevant evidence that is excluded from his analysis (particularly the activities of the Court in statutory construction and in cases arising out of states and localities) suggests that the Court participates more significantly in national policy making than Dahl's argument admits.
Nitrogen-Doped Nanoporous Graphenic Carbon: An Efficient Conducting Support for O 2 Cathode

Herein, we synthesize a nanoporous N-doped graphenic carbon with high surface area and a higher graphenization/graphitic degree by further developing the metallothermic reduction of gaseous CO2 by adding N2 into the gas flow. The N-doped nanoporous carbon is composed of both a highly porous graphenic and non-graphitic matrix and homogeneously dispersed ordered graphitic nanodomains, which constitute a very unique composite carbon structure. The resulting N-doped graphenic carbon exhibits much more favorable reactivity as a carbon conducting support in the O2 cathode of Li-O2 batteries, increasing the specific capacity of the GC electrode from 5300 to 9600 mAh g−1. The N-doped carbon also exhibits lower overpotentials during initial cycling for the charging process as well as an enhanced cycling performance compared to the undoped carbon. These results demonstrate that N-doping has a strong correlation with the enhanced performance of O2 cathode of Li-O2 batteries.
Bitten by a Dragon

Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis) are large lizards known to take down prey even larger than themselves. They rarely attack humans. A 38-year-old woman was bitten by a Komodo dragon on her hand while cleaning its enclosure. She was transiently hypotensive. The wounds were extensively cleaned, and she was started on prophylactic antibiotics. Her wounds healed without any infectious sequelae. Komodo dragon bites are historically thought to be highly infectious and venomous. Based on a literature review, neither of these are likely true. As in any bite, initial stabilization followed by wound management are the main components to therapy.
Genotyping on Legionella pneumophilaserotype I and VI strains by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis in Fujian Province

The aim was to investigate the genotyping characteristics of Legionella pneumophila serotype Ⅰ(LP1) and Ⅵ(LP6) strains isolated from cooling tower water and condensed water in air conditioners of public places of Fujian Province from 2008 to 2010.The pulsed-field gel electrophoresis(PFGE) was applied to test 57 strains of LP1 and 15 strains of LP6 respectively,the results of which were underwent cluster analysis by BioNumerics.The 57 strains of LP1 could be divided into 40 PFGE types,and the similarity coefficients were between 24.107% and 100.000%.There were significant differences of PFGE types among most LP1 strains without dominant types.The PFGE types of LP1 strains isolated from different areas showed distinct,identical or similar bands.There were difference in similarity coefficients in the same district without dominant types.The 15 strains of LP1 could be divided into 12 PFGE types,and the similarity coefficients were between 27.870% and 100.000%.Results indicate that LP1 and LP6 strains isolated from cooling tower water and condensed water from air-conditioners of public places in Fujian Province from 2008 to 2010 display great diversity in gene.
Proteome analysis on differential expression of liver proteins from Oncomlania hupensis induced by Eomecon chionanthe alkaloids

Objective To analyze the influence of Eomecon chionanthe alkaloids(ECA)on differential expression of liver proteins from Oncomlania hupensis.Methods O.hupensis was immersed in 10 mg/L ECA or clean water for 36 h and livers were isolated from live snails.Total liver proteins were extracted and separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis,differentially expressed proteins between ECA group and clean water group were selected and analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry(MALDI-TOF-MS)and tandem mass spectrometry sequencing of tryptic peptides.Results There were(354±110)and(311±12)spots observed in ECA group and in water group,respectively.Eleven differential expressed proteins were identified and all were up-regulated in ECA group.The eleven identified proteins were hypothetical protein,ENSANGP00000022175,class I aldehyde dehydrogenase,unknown protein,ENSANGP00000027067,protein similar to ankyrin 3 isoform 1 isoform 4,protein similar to hepatitis A virus cellular receptor 1 short form,mitochondrial isocitrate dehydrogenase 2-like,protein similar to keratin,keratin-10,and keratin-1,respectively.Conclusion Expression of liver proteins from O.hupensis could be changed when immerse in ECA.
Numerical simulation on behavior of foundation pit deformation with considering dewatering and multi-stage excavation

To analyze the stability and field measurement accuracy of foundation pit of metro station under the effect of dewatering,the 2D finite element numerical simulation for the foundation pit system was performed. The nonlinear properties of foundation were considered with the constitutive model. Aiming at the mechanical deformation characteristics of force-bearing system in the process of deep excavation,the deformation of foundation pit caused by dewatering and no dewatering was analyzed. In addition,the interaction between the underground continuous wall and soil,which mainly included the deformation of underground continuous wall,ground subsidence and bottom rebound,was considered. The results showthat the theoretical analysis results are in agreement with the actual monitoring ones. The present study can provide the basis for the favoring execution of engineering construction.
Results analysis of influenza virus nucleic acid testing capability in assessment

Objective:Influenza virus nucleic acid testing capability to participate in assessment,compared with the experimental results,identify the problems.Methods:Using RT-PCR to detect flu type A,AH1,AH3 and type B virus nucleic acid.Based on this feedback,RT-PCR-negative samples were detected by real-time PCR method to re-test.Results:According to feedback from the results of the Chinese National Influenza Center(CNIC),nine of the ten blind samples were accurately detected the corresponding virus nucleic acid;No.1 blind sample was detected by RT-PCR negative and with real-time PCR method of re-examination of type B influenza virus nucleic acid positive,indicating that real-time PCR method has higher sensitivity.Conclusion:real-time PCR method with high sensitivity,high specificity and good reproducibility for rapid detected of outbreaks of influenza diagnosis.
[Analysis on the epidemiological characteristics of hand-foot-mouth disease in Xuchang, Henan province in 2010].

手足口病自2008年5月被列入我国法定报告管理的丙类传染病以来，全国疫情呈高发态势。本研究分析2010年许昌市手足口病疫情的流行病学特征。病例诊断按卫生部《手足口病诊疗技术指南(2010年版)》要求，运用描述流行病学方法进行分析，数据来源于中国疾病预防控制信息系统，检索条件为“按发病日期”，人口资料来自许昌市统计局统计年鉴。 关键词：手足口病；肠道病毒71型
Dental student self-assessment of a medical history competency developed by Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Faculty.

Purpose To develop a standardized competency exam to evaluate dental student knowledge of patients with complex medical histories. Analysis was performed to determine if there is a difference between dental student self-assessment of the exam compared to oral surgery faculty. The overall goal is to enhance student comprehension of advanced medical patients in the pre-doctoral oral and maxillofacial surgery clinic and make changes based on student responses. Methods The exam took place in a simulation laboratory containing two-way mirrors where the student could not see the evaluator. Three standardized patients (trained actors) were given different medical history scenarios to learn prior to the exam. Students were randomly assigned to interview one patient. The graders consisted of senior and junior level faculty. In real time (live) randomized manner, faculty assessed each student using a standardized rubric to assign a score of 1 to 4. Immediately afterwards, students assessed their own performance using the same scale. Results Students gave themselves significantly higher grades (P < 0.001) on the exam (10.7 ± 0.12) compared to the faculty (9.2 ± 0.17). There was no significant difference in student (P = 0.16) or faculty assessment (P = 0.29) between the three different medical scenarios. There was no significant difference between faculty in assessment of student performances (P = 0.16). Conclusion These results suggested that students overestimated their performance compared to the faculty assessment. This could be due to that students assessed their performance based on memory and self-confidence; that exceeds their expectations. Internal calibration of student performances and faculty grading using standardized criteria may produce more accurate and reliable outcomes in student scoring.
Dealing With Temporal Complexity in hardware verification

An overview of modelling and verifying temporal aspects of digital hGdware behaviour is presented. Varzous techniques can be used for reasoning about temporal behaviour an HOL; here we concentrate on showing that HOL provides a good general basis by describing certain powerful techniques that are well supported by the system. We discuss the embedding of a temporal logic, the use of temporal abstraction to relate diflerent timing levels, and the ability to relate different models of time. Inherent complezity in the lime dependent behaviour of digiial systems is also (lis cussed.
Pathogen survival in chorizos: ecological factors.

This study addressed health risks from ethnic sausages produced on a small scale, without inspection, in California and elsewhere. Mexican-style chorizo, a raw pork sausage that is not cured, fermented, or smoked, was contaminated experimentally in the batter with Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, or Salmonella serotypes and stuffed into natural casings. Formulations were based on a market survey in California. Physical parameters that were controlled were pH, water activity (aw), and storage temperature. The pH was adjusted with vinegar, stabilizing at 5.0 within 24 h. Initial aw levels adjusted with salt were 0.97, 0.95, 0.93, 0.90, and 0.85; levels declined with time because of evaporation. Pathogen numbers declined with storage up to 7 days, with few brief exceptions. Main effects and interactions of constant temperature and pH with declining aw on survival of the pathogens were determined. Maximum death rates occurred at higher aw for E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella than for L. monocyt...
Pressure filtration: Bench-scale evaluation and modeling using multivariable regression and Artificial Neural Network

Abstract Pressure filtration offers the opportunity to produce solids (filter cake) that can be stacked or mixed with the coarse refuse, and water (filtrate) that can be recirculated in the plant. In this study, the bench-scale pressure filtration testing was performed to dewater coal refuse slurry, which was obtained from the thickener underflow stream of a coal preparation plant, and was being discharged into a slurry impoundment. A flexible fractional factorial design was developed to determine the effects of pressure, pH, and solids concentration on the performance of filtration, which was measured in terms of filtrate flux. The results indicated that the pH had a maximum effect on the filtrate flux followed by the pressure and solids concentration. Additionally, a linear regression model and an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model were developed to predict the filtrate flux based on the test variables. Both models were able to fit the data well, with R2 values of 0.986 and 0.991 for the linear regression model and the ANN model respectively. It was also found that the test dataset had a mean squared error of 0.2 for the ANN model, while it was 3.99 for the regression model.
Phase I trial of preoperative cetuximab with concurrent continuous infusion 5-fluorouracil and pelvic radiation in patients with local-regionally advanced rectal cancer

3560 Background: Cetuximab, a chimeric anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody, has clinical activity in colorectal cancer with demonstrated safety, efficacy and additive synergy with radiation in solid tumo...
Risk factors for poor bone health in primary mitochondrial disease

Introduction Primary mitochondrial disease is caused by either mitochondrial or nuclear DNA mutations that impact the function of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. Individuals with mitochondrial disorders have comorbid conditions that may increase their risk for poor bone health. The objective of this retrospective electronic medical record (EMR) review was to examine risk factors for poor bone health in children and adults with primary mitochondrial disease.
Skin cancer in blacks in the United States.

Skin cancer is rare in American blacks. Squamous cell carcinoma is the type seen most frequently. Basal cell carcinoma occurs less frequently. Squamous cell carcinoma, malignant melanoma, and mycosis fungoides have poor prognoses in black patients.
Thoracic Vascular and Great Vessel Hemorrhage: Big Red and Big Blue

Thoracic vascular trauma represents a wide spectrum of challenging injuries. In the emergent setting, information and imaging data may be limited. Optimal treatment often requires expedient thought processes and decisions to determine the most appropriate exposure and control. Surgical control may require flexibility in the use of incision extensions and rapid transition to additional portions of the thorax or other body regions. Endovascular adjuncts, as either definitive treatment or as hybrid tools paired with open treatment modalities, have emerged as useful capabilities in the treatment of these injuries.
History of the Instruments and Techniques of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Visualization of the intestinal tract was attempted with limited success for many years before the modern era of endoscopy. Earliest endoscopic instruments date to crude specula found in the ashes of Pompeii (Fig. 1.1). Centuries passed without the development of effective instruments due to the many obstacles to visualization of the intestinal tract including darkness, depth, angulations, and intestinal contents. Modern endoscopy could not have been developed without the three major parallel inventions: (1) Edison’s incandescent lamp, (2) fiber optics, and (3) charged couple device (CCD) (Hirschowitz, Gastroenterology 104:337–342, 1993). The role of these inventions in the development of endoscopy to its current state is described.
Splitting of charge-density and spin-density excitations of a bipolar plasma in a frequency shifter of mixed type-I and type-II quantum wells

The Raman frequency of the intersubband charge-density excitation plasmon in type-I and type-II quantum wells is known to be very sensitively controlled via a low-power optical pump signal. We find that, above a threshold electron density of approximately $4\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{10}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{c}{\mathrm{m}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$, the charge density plasmon mode splits first into two, and then with increasing density into three closely spaced frequencies. A similar splitting occurs in the spin-density wave plasmon associated with the same intersubband transition. We analyze the results including the coupling to the longitudinal optical phonon and hypothesize that the splittings arise from the special situation of a structure of spatially separated bipolar plasmons.
Locally decodable codes: a brief survey

Locally decodable codes are error correcting codes that simultaneously provide efficient random-access to encoded data and high noise resilience by allowing reliable reconstruction of an arbitrary data bit from looking at only a small number of randomly chosen codeword bits. Local decodability comes at the price of certain loss in terms of code efficiency. Specifically, locally decodable codes require longer codeword lengths than their classical counterparts. In this work we briefly survey the recent progress in constructions of locally decodable codes.
Jasmonic Acid Effect on Plant Volatiles (or How to Make a Fern Smell Like a Rose)

Insects feeding on leaves also trigger chemical responses by the plant that result in either less herbivory or attracting parasites or predators of herbivorous insects. Volicitin [N-(17-hydroxylinolenoyl)-l-glutamine] in the saliva of caterpillars of the beet armyworm (Spodoptera exigua) triggers a cascade of C18 compounds. This cascade leads to the production of jasmonic acid (or jasmonate). Jasmonate (or methyl jasmonate) in turn activates genes that function in production and release of plant volatiles, particularly terpenes. These volatiles deter herbivores, and also attract insects that parasitize or prey upon the herbivorous insects that feed on the plant. In this tripartite regulatory mechanism, the plant “calls for help” when attacked. The relationships can be complex: The grass Tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum) upregulates defense compounds when stimulated by methyl jasmonate, but only if it does not harbor a mutualistic fungus (Simons et al. 2008).
Hot Corrosion of Oxide Ceramics

The hot corrosion of oxide ceramics is described by examining the hot corrosion of A12O3, SiO2 and Y2O3 — stabilized ZrO2 in Na2SO4 and Na2SO4 — NaVO3 solutions at temperatures between 700° and 1000°C. Depending upon the properties of the molten deposit and the oxide ceramics a number of hot corrosion processes are possible. Acidic or basic dissolution of the oxide ceramic may take place with or without precipitation of the oxide within the melt. Impurities in the oxide ceramic can cause the oxide ceramic to react with the melt. Devitrification can also occur during hot corrosion. In order to describe hot corrosion processes it is necessary to determine the reactions occurring between the oxide ceramic and the melt, the melt and species in the gas phase, and reactions occurring within the melt itself as diffusion of ions occurs.
Die Vorläufige Behandlung von Frakturen

Frakturbehandlung braucht nicht langer chirurgische Plackerei zu bleiben. Sie kann oftmals mit Muse als auch endgultig durchgefuhrt werden. Klar umrissene und prazise, elektiv angewandte chirurgische Masnahmen konnen sich sowohl vorteilhaft fur den Patienten erweisen als auch im hohen Grade Notmasnahmen unnotig machen, die doch oft genug fur den Chirurgen selbst lastig und unangenehm sind.
Diagnosis of Lymphoid Lesions in Limited Samples: A Guide for the General Surgical Pathologist, Cytopathologist, and Cytotechnologist

Objectives Advances in interventional techniques allow obtaining samples from most body sites through minimally invasive procedures that yield limited samples. We provide practical guidelines for diagnosis of lymphoid lesions in these samples. Methods Guidelines for selection of biopsy site and triage of the specimen according to results of rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE), and description of the advantages and limitations of currently available ancillary studies are described, based on the experience of the authors, complemented by a comprehensive review of the literature. Results Five diagnostic categories are observed at ROSE: (1) preponderance of small cells, (2) large cells, (3) mixed small and large cells, (4) blast-like cells, and (5) rare large pleomorphic cells. Detailed description of the diagnostic work-up and subsequent classification for each of these groups is provided. Conclusions A definitive diagnosis of lymphoid neoplasms in limited samples is possible in most cases through correlation of morphology, ancillary studies, and clinical scenario.
Onshoring fashion: Worker sustainability impacts of global and local apparel production

Abstract Recently “onshoring,” manufacturing products for local markets from regional suppliers and producers, has gained traction in the U.S. “Onshoring” is contrasted with “offshoring” or moving production to countries with lower wages and fewer environmental and safety regulations. Moving manufacturing operations effects people, communities, economies, and the environment worldwide. Offshoring steadily eroded U.S. apparel manufacturing capabilities while U.S. apparel demand skyrocketed according to American Association of Footwear and Apparel statistics. This research developed a simplified prospective sustainability life cycle assessment (LCA) method to compare global sustainability impacts of onshoring and offshoring legging production in the fast-growing athleisure apparel market segment. A proof-of-concept legging design demonstrated that technical capability exists regionally in the Eastern U.S. for supply and production. Sustainability LCA impacts were measured globally to compare effects to workers from onshoring to the U.S. with offshoring to Sri Lanka to produce garments for U.S. consumers. Results suggest greater worker environmental impacts exist when producing leggings in Sri Lanka than the U.S. largely due to electricity generation differences. Worker safety concerns for garment workers in Sri Lanka were found to be greater than in the U.S. However, economic benefits for workers were better in Sri Lanka than the U.S. because Sri Lankan apparel workers receive middle-class wages, whereas U.S. counterparts do not. Whether onshoring or offshoring apparel production, sustainability tradeoffs exist. U.N. sustainable development goals encourage strategies to improve sustainability for apparel workers worldwide instead of specifying where production occurs.
The effect of childhood sexual assault history on outpatient cognitive processing therapy for military sexual trauma-related posttraumatic stress disorder: A preliminary investigation.

History of childhood sexual assault (CSA) may result in poorer emotion regulation and interpersonal functioning, potentially affecting the tolerability and effectiveness of evidence-based treatments (EBTs) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Survivors of military sexual trauma (MST) have an increased incidence of CSA; however, research examining the role of CSA in EBTs for veterans with MST-related PTSD is limited. Data from 32 (9 male; 23 female) veterans with MST-related PTSD were used from a previously conducted randomized clinical trial examining the efficacy of an outpatient PTSD EBT (i.e., cognitive processing therapy [CPT]). Self-rated PTSD symptom severity was assessed at pretreatment, during treatment, and up to 6 months following treatment completion. Number of CPT sessions attended and treatment completion were also examined. Using a hierarchical linear modelling approach, results indicated both veterans with and without a history of CSA were found to benefit from CPT, and history of CSA did not significantly predict treatment response. Additionally, number of sessions attended and treatment completion did not significantly vary based on history of CSA. These preliminary findings provide support for the tolerability and efficacy of outpatient CPT in veterans with MST-related PTSD regardless of CSA history.
Detection of Mild Cognitive Impairment Among Community-Dwelling African Americans Using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment

OBJECTIVE To establish a cut score for the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) that distinguishes mild cognitive impairment (MCI) from normal cognition (NC) in a community-based African American (AA) sample. METHODS A total of 135 AA participants, from a larger aging study, diagnosed MCI (n = 90) or NC (n = 45) via consensus diagnosis using clinical history, Clinical Dementia Rating score, and comprehensive neuropsychological testing. Logistic regression models utilized sex, education, age, and MoCA score to predict MCI versus NC. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis determined a cut score to distinguish MCI from NC based on optimal sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic accuracy, and greatest perpendicular distance above the identity line. ROC results were compared with previously published MoCA cut scores. RESULTS The MCI group was slightly older (MMCI = 64.76[5.87], MNC = 62.33[6.76]; p = .033) and less educated (MMCI = 13.07[2.37], MNC = 14.36[2.51]; p = .004) and had lower MoCA scores (MMCI=21.26[3.85], MNC = 25.47[2.13]; p < .001) than the NC group. Demographics were non-significant in regression models. The area under the curve (AUC) was significant (MoCA = .83, p < .01) and an optimal cut score of <24 maximized sensitivity (72%), specificity (84%), and provided 76% diagnostic accuracy. In comparison, the traditional cut score of <26 had higher sensitivity (84%), similar accuracy (76%), but much lower specificity (58%). CONCLUSIONS This study provides a MoCA cut score to help differentiate persons with MCI from NC in a community-dwelling AA sample. A cut score of <24 reduces the likelihood of misclassifying normal AA individuals as impaired than the traditional cut score. This study underscores the importance of culturally appropriate norms to optimize the utility of commonly used cognitive screening measures.