cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Methodological aspects and quantitative adjuncts to computerized subtraction radiography

The methodology for the use of subtraction radiography in the study of human periodontal disease is described in detail to include: 1) design and fabrication of a system for taking standardized radiographs; 2) generation of interpretable subtraction images; 3) adjunctive, quantitative methods for analyses of digitized radiographic images; 4) reference standard for periodontally healthy individuals. Correct use of our system for taking standardized radiographs can provide a sufficient number of pairs of radiographs for the study of patients with severe periodontitis using subtraction radiography. Changes in bone mass observed on subtraction images can be quantified by measurement of their areas and their relationship to the alveolar crest.
New approach to strip-map SAR autofocus

This paper demonstrates how certain concepts from the Phase Gradient Autofocus (PGA) algorithm for automated refocus of spotlight mode SAR imagery may be used to design a similar algorithm that applies to SAR imagery formed in the conventional strip-mapping mode. The algorithm derivation begins with the traditional view of strip-map image formation as convolution (compression) using a linear FM chirp sequence. The appropriate analogies and modifications to the spotlight mode case are used to describe a working algorithm for strip-map autofocus. >
Empirical Estimates of Martian Surface Pressure in Support of the Landing of Mars Science Laboratory

The aim of this work is to develop an empirical expression for diurnal mean martian surface pressure in support of the landing of Mars Science Laboratory. We evaluate the consistency of surface pressure measurements from four landers, Viking Lander 1, Viking Lander 2, Mars Pathfinder, and Phoenix, and one radio occultation experiment, Mars Global Surveyor. With the exception of Mars Pathfinder, whose measurements are 0.1 mbar smaller than expected, all are consistent. We assume that the diurnal mean surface pressure is a separable function of altitude and season, neglecting dependences on time of day, latitude, and longitude, and use the Viking Lander 1 dataset to characterize the seasonal dependence as a harmonic function of season with annual and semi-annual periods. We characterize the exponential dependence of surface pressure on altitude using Mars Global Surveyor radio occultation measurements widely-distributed below +1 km altitude and within 45 degrees of the equator. These measurements have local times of 3–5 hours, which may introduce biases into our estimates for diurnal mean surface pressure. Our empirical expression for diurnal mean surface pressure, p dm , is p 0,VL1exp(−(z−z 0,VL1)/H 0) (1+s 1,VL1sin(1L s )+c 1,VL1cos(1L s )+s 2,VL1sin(2L s )+c 2,VL1cos(2L s )) where z is altitude, L s is season, the reference pressure, p 0,VL1, is 7.972 mbar, the altitude of Viking Lander 1, z 0,VL1, is −3.63 km, the reference scale height, H 0, is 11 km, and the harmonic coefficients are s 1=−0.069, c 1=0.060, s 2=0.045, and c 2=−0.050. We validate this expression against the available datasets and estimate, with a 1-σ confidence level of 2 %, a diurnal mean surface pressure of 7.30 mbar at Gale Crater, the Mars Science Laboratory landing site, at L s =150°.
A note on desired family size and contraceptive use in rural Egypt.

The influence of fertility preferences on contraceptive use is examined among a sample of low income, rural Egyptian women. The findings reveal that while overall use of contraceptives was at modest levels, one-third of respondents who wanted no more children were currently practising contraception. Moreover, fertility preference emerged as the strongest predictor of contraception among the series of social and demographic factors examined.
All-arthroscopic versus mini-open rotator cuff repair: a retrospective review with minimum 2-year follow-up.

Purpose: To compare the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing all-arthroscopic versus mini-open rotator cuff repair. In addition, ultrasound was used to assess the integrity of the repair. Methods: A total of 38 patients who had undergone all-arthroscopic repair and 33 patients who had undergone mini-open repair with minimum 2-year follow-up were evaluated. All patients completed the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons' Scoring Survey (ASES), the Simple Shoulder Test, the L'Insalata Scoring Survey, and visual analog scales for pain. Physical examination, including strength testing and ultrasound evaluation to determine the integrity of the rotator cuff, was performed. Results: No statistical difference in ASES scores was noted between patients who had all-arthroscopic repair versus mini-open repair, and 24% of all-arthroscopic repairs and 27% of mini-open repairs showed recurrent defects on ultrasound at follow-up. This difference was not statistically significant. Patients with an original tear larger than 3 cm were 7 times more likely to have a recurrent defect at follow-up. Patients with persistent defects had statistically significant deficits in strength on forward elevation and external rotation when compared with those with a normal shoulder. However, no difference was observed with regard to pain or outcome scores between patients with intact repairs and those with persistent defects. Conclusions: No difference in clinical outcomes was found between patients with rotator cuffs repaired arthroscopically and those repaired with use of a mini-open technique. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative study.
Introducing the capital budgeting problem

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to suggest that many of the issues of capital budgeting are intuitive and can be presented to introductory managerial accounting students using relatively simple examples. Thus, this paper contains a set of 12 examples which other teachers may find useful. These examples can be used to supplement the teaching of traditional decision models and can provide the students with a richer understanding of the problem.
High-order finite-element analysis of electromagnetic scattering from periodic structures

This paper presents a high-order vector finite element analysis of periodic structures. In the modeling, the computational domain is confined to a unit cell by enforcing appropriate boundary conditions. The region inside the unit cell is discretized with high-order curvilinear tetrahedral elements to obtain the best geometric modeling. Since the FEM typically produces a large number of unknowns, high-order elements are used to reduce computation time and memory for a given accuracy. Furthermore, an asymptotic waveform evaluation (AWE)-based technique is used to perform fast frequency and angle sweeps. Numerical examples, including periodic absorbers and FSS structures, are presented to demonstrate the accuracy and versatility of the method.
A Comparison of Adolescents’ Friendship Networks by Advanced Coursework Participation Status

Friendships serve as a source of support and as a context for developing social competence. Although advanced coursework may provide a unique context for the development of friendships, more resear...
Feature-rich Regular Expression Matching Accelerator for Text Analytics

The volume of textual data accessible on our planet is increasing every day. Extracting information hidden in this "Big Data" is a computationally intensive task. A key step of information extraction is the conversion of free text into a structured format. This step is typically achieved using regular expressions (regexs) and dictionaries. Unlike network intrusion detection systems, information extraction systems detect and report where precisely the specific and relevant information starts and ends within text documents. To improve precision and to eliminate ambiguity, regex matchers used in information extraction systems must support start and end offset position reporting, capturing groups, and specific regex-matching semantics, such as leftmost matching. This work describes a scalable regex-matching accelerator that supports such advanced regex-matching features and can be efficiently implemented in reconfigurable logic. Experiments on proprietary and open source regex sets comprising hundreds of regexs demonstrate an up to sixfold improvement of the area-delay product with respect to previous work.
Resolving the biodiversity paradox

The paradox of biodiversity involves three elements, (i) mathematical models predict that species must differ in specific ways in order to coexist as stable ecological communities, (ii) such differences are difficult to identify, yet (iii) there is widespread evidence of stability in natural communities. Debate has centred on two views. The first explanation involves tradeoffs along a small number of axes, including ‘colonization-competition’, resource competition (light, water, nitrogen for plants, including the ‘successional niche’), and life history (e.g. high-light growth vs. low-light survival and few large vs. many small seeds). The second view is neutrality, which assumes that species differences do not contribute to dynamics. Clark et al. (2004) presented a third explanation, that coexistence is inherently high dimensional, but still depends on species differences. We demonstrate that neither traditional low-dimensional tradeoffs nor neutrality can resolve the biodiversity paradox, in part by showing that they do not properly interpret stochasticity in statistical and in theoretical models. Unless sample sizes are small, traditional data modelling assures that species will appear different in a few dimensions, but those differences will rarely predict coexistence when parameter estimates are plugged into theoretical models. Contrary to standard interpretations, neutral models do not imply functional equivalence, but rather subsume species differences in stochastic terms. New hierarchical modelling techniques for inference reveal high-dimensional differences among species that can be quantified with random individual and temporal effects (RITES), i.e. process-level variation that results from many causes. We show that this variation is large, and that it stands in for species differences along unobserved dimensions that do contribute to diversity. High dimensional coexistence contrasts with the classical notions of tradeoffs along a few axes, which are often not found in data, and with ‘neutral models’, which mask, rather than eliminate, tradeoffs in stochastic terms. This mechanism can explain coexistence of species that would not occur with simple, low-dimensional tradeoff scenarios.
Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome of the knee following meniscectomy

Three cases are reported in which severe pain and tenderness, color and temperature changes, and patchy osteopenia developed after meniscectomy. These clinical and radiographic features, combined with positive scintigraphs and a typical synovial histologic appearance, suggested a reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (Sudeck's atrophy). This finding has not been reported previously as a complication of meniscectomy.
The enzyme's party: An analogy

Abstract The following enzyme analogy includes concepts such as K m , V max , activation energy, and competitive inhibition amongst others. These concepts are described with the host of a party as an enzyme and the guests as the substrates.
TGF‐β signaling in human skeletal and patterning disorders

Members of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) family of multifunctional peptides are involved in almost every aspect of development. Model systems, ranging from genetically tractable invertebrates to genetically engineered mice, have been used to determine the mechanisms of TGF-beta signaling in normal development and in pathological situations. Furthermore, mutations in genes for the ligands, receptors, extracellular modulators, and intracellular signaling molecules have been associated with several human disorders. The most common are those associated with the development and maintenance of the skeletal system and axial patterning. This review focuses on the mechanisms of TGF-beta signaling with special emphasis on the molecules involved in human disorders of patterning and skeletal development.
Adolescent distinctions between quality of life and self-rated health in quality of life research

Background In adult quality of life (QOL) research, the QOL construct appears to differ from self-rated health status. Although increased QOL continues to be recognized as an important outcome in health promotion and medical intervention, little research has attempted to explore adolescent perceptual differences between self-rated health and QOL.
Towards improving cardiovascular risk management in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: the need for accurate risk assessment

Numerous reports of the increased incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have been published during the past decade.1 2 In addition, the increased risk of CVD in patients with RA cannot be explained by traditional CV risk factors alone.3 4 While these reports have increased awareness of CV morbidity and mortality among patients with RA, the lack of CV risk assessment tools and evidence-based practice guidelines developed specifically for patients with RA has slowed the translation of this knowledge into clinical decision making. The following two case studies illustrate the need for accurate RA-specific CV risk assessment tools. The first patient, a woman, was diagnosed as having RA at age 40 with rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA) positivity and rheumatoid nodules present at diagnosis. She was a non-smoker and non-diabetic with total cholesterol of 6.7 mmol/litre (258 mg/dl), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) of 1.4 mmol/litre (54 mg/dl) and a systolic blood pressure of 120 mm Hg. The SCORE (for 'Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation') risk assessment for populations at high CVD risk categorised her 10-year risk of fatal CVD as <1% and the general Framingham Risk Score (FRS) estimated her 10-year risk for any CVD event as 4%.5 6 Despite these low risk assessments, she experienced a myocardial infarction (MI) at age 45. Thus, the SCORE and FRS did not accurately predict CV risk for this patient. The second patient, a man, was diagnosed as having RA at age 46 with RF/ACPA positivity and rheumatoid vasculitis present at diagnosis. He was a non-smoker and non-diabetic with total cholesterol of 8.8 mmol/litre (341 mg/dl), HDL-c of 2.0 mmol/litre (76 mg/dl), a systolic blood pressure of 140 mm Hg and normal body mass index (26 kg/m2). His SCORE risk was 2.6% …
Assessing organizational stability via network analysis

It is widely known that the email system forms a social network. Analysis of email networks reveals properties similar to classic social networks such as friendship or academic collaboration networks. Like other social networks, the properties observed in email networks are the result of patterns of human social behavior rather than the underlying technology. Hence, email social network properties correlate to the social environment in which they are generated. The overall social behavior observed in an organization may be attributed directly to organizational stability and robustness. As a result, organizational health and robustness may be discerned by examining the social network properties of the network formed by the email interaction of its employees because they certainly reflect changes in organizational mood. The fears, worries, gossips, the good and the bad, are reflected in the email activity of individuals in the organization; the challenge though is to extract his information from the network itself. In this paper we provide a first step in the process of demonstrating that email social network analysis can tell us more about the organization than we may think; we show using a case study based on the Enron corporation that problems in the organization were apparent as an emergent characteristic of social network formed by email exchange in the organization.
Modeling of Nanoimprinting of Metals by Nanotube Arrays

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are reported for buckling and interfacial friction of single- and multi-wall carbon nanotubes (CNT) with interwall sp 3 bonds imprinted on copper substrates. A small perturbation of mechanical vibration is applied to the systems in the nanoimprinting. The imprinting capabilities of multi-wall CNTs are much better than single-wall CNTs. While the single-wall CNT is insensitive to the vibration, the indentation force and buckling of multi-wall CNTs with interwall sp 3 bonding is dependent on the amplitude of the perturbation, providing a way to controlling the interfacial friction. There is an optimal amplitude, at which the buckling and friction force of the CNTs are minimized in nanoimprinting.
Analysis of dissolved iron isotopes in seawater

Iron is an important nutrient in the ocean. Measuring the stable isotopes of dissolved Fe in seawater may help to answer important biogeochemical questions such as what are the sources and sinks for Fe to the oceans, and how is Fe biologically cycled. Because Fe concentrations in seawater are very low, typically less than 1 nM, there are significant challenges both to separate and purify Fe from seawater without introducing contamination, and to accurately analyze δ^(56)Fe on the small quantities of Fe extracted. New techniques are presented here for separation and purification of Fe from seawater by bulk extraction onto a resin with NTA functional groups, followed by anion exchange chromatography. This method recovers 89% of the Fe from 1 L samples of seawater without causing any fractionation of Fe isotopes, with a total blank of 1.1 ± 0.6 ng Fe. To optimize the analytical procedure for small amounts of Fe, the different sources of error in measurement of δ^(56)Fe have been analyzed. For 252 individual analyses of standards and samples, the internal error is well described by the combination of errors from electronic noise on the detectors (Johnson noise), counting statistics, and a third source of error hypothesized to be short-timescale flicker in instrumental mass bias. With the small amounts of iron found in natural seawater samples, error is dominated by Johnson noise and counting statistics. Our analyses also include 160 pairs of “intermediate” replicates in which the same post-purification sample was measured during different analytical sessions, and 141 pairs of “external” replicate analyses for samples prepared from the same original seawater carboy but which were extracted and purified separately. The portion of overall mass spectrometry error that derives from intermediate error has been evaluated by comparing the variance in δ^(56)Fe for a single sample measured during multiple analytical sessions with the internal variance in δ^(56)Fe for the multiple cycles of data that make up each single analysis. The portion of total external error that derives from internal error was determined from variance in δ^(56)Fe for external replicates, compared with internal error based on the variance in cycles for each single analysis. We find that the error for multiple analyses of a sample during different analytical sessions is 1.06 times the internal error, and the external error for analysis of Fe samples which have been separately purified and extracted from the same original seawater is 1.26 times the internal analytical error. Based on this error analysis, we suggest that dissolved Fe isotopes in seawater are best measured by separately extracting the Fe from a single liter of seawater and measuring the entire quantity of extracted Fe in a single short analysis. Using this method, the predicted accuracy for measurements of seawater dissolved δ^(56)Fe ranges from 0.2‰ to 0.05‰ (2σ) for seawater Fe concentrations of 0.1 nM and 1.0 nM, respectively.
Molecular Dynamics Simulations of the Collapse of a Cylindrical Pore in the Energetic Material α-RDX

Molecular dynamics simulations were used to study the shock-induced collapse of cylindrical pores in oriented single crystals of the energetic material α-1,3,5-trinitroperhydro-1,3,5-triazine (α-RDX). The shock propagation direction was parallel to the [100] crystal direction and the cylinder axis of the initially 35.0 nm diameter pore was parallel to [010]. Features of the collapse were studied for Rankine–Hugoniot shock pressures P s = 9.71, 24.00, and 42.48 GPa. Pore collapse for the weak shock is dominated by visco-plastic deformation in which the pore pinches shut without jet formation and with little penetration of the upstream material into the downstream pore wall. For the strong shock the collapse is hydrodynamic-like and results in the formation of a jet that penetrates significantly into the downstream pore wall. Material flow during collapse was characterized by examining the spread and mixing of sets of initially contiguous molecules and evolution of local velocity fields. Local disorder during collapse was assessed using time autocorrelation functions for molecular rotation. Energy deposition and localization was studied using spatial maps of temperature and pressure calculated as functions of time.
Oppia: A Community of Peer Learners to Make Conversational Learning Experiences

We present Oppia, an open-source, interactive online learning site that aims to create a community of everyday learners by allowing users to both teach and learn from each other. The Internet presents great opportunity for more accessible and collaborative learning. With online learning there is more potential in harnessing collective intelligence to support peers in sharing knowledge with each other and collaborating on learning experiences. Oppia contributes to the CSCW community by tapping into this potential and shifting the focus of online education towards greater peer-produced educational content and peer interaction.
Comparative effectiveness of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and Lasers in near infrared photoimmunotherapy

Near infrared photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT) is a new cancer treatment that combines the specificity of antibodies for targeting tumors with the toxicity induced by photosensitizers after exposure to near infrared (NIR) light. Herein we compare two NIR-light sources; light emitting diodes (LEDs) and Lasers, for their effectiveness in NIR-PIT. A photosensitizer, IRDye-700DX, conjugated to panitumumab (pan-IR700), was incubated with EGFR-expressing A431 and MDA-MB-468-luc cells. NIR-light was provided by LEDs or Lasers at the same light dose. Laser-light produced more cytotoxicity and greater reductions in IR700-fluorescence intensity than LED-light. Laser-light also produced more cytotoxicity in vivo in both cell lines. Assessment of super-enhanced permeability and retention (SUPR) effects were stronger with Laser than LED. These results suggest that Laser-light produced significantly more cytotoxic effects compared to LEDs. Although LED is less expensive, Laser-light produces superior results in NIR-PIT.
Long-Term Impacts of Cropping Systems and Landscape Positions on Claypan-Soil Grain Crop Production

713 The USDA-ARS Long-Term Agro-Ecosystem Research (LTAR) network was established in 2012 as an agroecosystem assessment, complementary to the National Science Foundation’s Long-Term Ecological Research and National Ecological Observatory Network. Th e goal of the LTAR network is to “to sustain a land-based infrastructure for research, education, and outreach that enables understanding and forecasting of our capacity to provide agricultural commodities and other agro-ecosystem goods and services under changing conditions” (Walbridge and Shafer, 2011). Th e Goodwater Creek Experimental Watershed in northeastern Missouri was included in the Central Mississippi River Basin LTAR site due to its rich history (>40 yr) of agricultural productivity and environmental monitoring research. Comprehensive documentation of the establishment, overview, and available data from this LTAR site exists in Sadler et al. (2015a). A signifi cant component of baseline and future eff orts of the LTAR site in the Central Mississippi River Basin is a replicated, plot-scale long-term CS study established in 1991. Some distinctive features of this study are that it is situated on a claypan soil toposequence, includes variable input annual crop and perennial grass systems, has been and is instrumented with water quality monitoring infrastructure, and is linked to adjacent research fi elds where CS practices from the plots have been implemented at a larger scale. Previous studies have published fi ndings from this long-term study to document the impacts of CS and LP on environmental parameters, including investigations on soil quality and health (Jung et al., 2007, 2008, 2010; Jiang et al., 2007a; Chaudhary et al., 2012; Veum et al., 2015a, 2015b) and agrichemical loss and water quality (Kitchen et al., 1998; Ghidey et al., 2005; Mudgal et al., 2010). Results of these studies have highlighted some of the challenges and opportunities to sustainable grain crop production on claypan soils. Findings include: (i) greatly impaired productivity and ecosystem function due to historic topsoil loss; (ii) strong spatial variability in soil properties, crop growth, and crop yield; (iii) high propensity for agrichemical loss through surface runoff and denitrifi cation, especially with no-till; and (iv) improvements in soil quality and ecosystem function over time in conservation CS, but not in a conventional system. While many of the Crop Economics, Production & Management
Time Correlation Function Modeling of Third-Order Sum Frequency Vibrational Spectroscopy of a Charged Surface/Water Interface

Sum frequency vibrational spectroscopy (SFVS), a second-order optical process, is interface-specific in the dipole approximation [Perry, A.; Neipert, C.; Moore, P.; Space, B. Chem. Rev. 2006, 106, 1234−1258; Richmond, G. L. Chem. Rev. 2002, 102, 2693–2724; Byrnes, S. J.; Geissler, P. L.; Shen, Y. R. Chem. Phys. Lett. 2011, 516, 115–124]. At charged interfaces, the experimentally detected signal is a combination of enhanced second-order and static-field-induced third-order contributions due to the existence of a static field. Evidence of the importance/relative magnitude of this third-order contribution is seen in the literature [Ong, S.; Zhao, X.; Eisenthal, K. B. Chem. Phys. Lett. 1992, 191, 327−335; Zhao, X.; Ong, S.; Eisenthal, K. B. Chem. Phys. Lett. 1993, 202, 513–520; Shen, Y. R. Appl. Phys. B: Laser Opt. 1999, 68, 295–300], but a molecularly detailed approach to separately calculating the second- and third-order contributions is difficult to construct. Recent work presented a novel molecular dynami...
Comparison of Threshold Rules for a Normal Approximation to a Binomial Distribution

A commonly used rule for determining if a Binomial(n, p) distribution may be reasonably approximated by a normal distribution is whether or not np and n(1−p) are at least some constant, such as 10. Two competing rules, one based on the binomial variance and the other based on the coefficient of variation, are considered when constructing confidence intervals and performing hypothesis testing, both using and not using a continuity correction. Under one criterion the rule based on the coefficient of variation is found to be the best in terms of coverage probabilities, and under another criterion the rule based on the binomial variance is found to be the best.
Building Cultural Competence in Environmental Studies and Natural Resource Sciences

ABSTRACTEnvironmental studies and natural resource sciences frequently engage diverse cultural groups in field practices and research. This article reviews evidence of the usefulness of cultural competence theory and its skill components in nursing, social work, and psychology to demonstrate the importance of analogous training in the environmental sciences. The Northeast Ethics Education Partnership (NEEP) has promoted short courses and workshops for training graduate students and faculty in environmental studies, natural resource sciences, and engineering in cultural competence. In conjunction with this training, NEEP has gathered and reviewed published accounts of environmental field experience with respect to cultural competence that participants found useful. This article describes materials and methods of this training; promotes the need to develop an “environmental cultural competence theory and practice”; identifies barriers to such theoretical development training in graduate schools; and suggest...
Keeping the Record Straight

The June 2006 issue of Microbe contained a review by Lazar of a book, Structural and Functional Relationships in Prokaryotes, by L. Barton. I wish to correct some misleading and inaccurate statements in that review.
Pathology of stomach cancer

Dysplasias, the best-defined precancerous lesion of the stomach, are seldomly found alone, but most commonly in association with carcinoma. The established classification of gastric carcinomas includes the site, histological tumour type, grade of differentiation, R classification and pTNM classification with stage grouping. The Lauren classification is important in operative planning (extent of operation on the stomach and oesophagus). Additional conventional classification parameters are at present not proven independent prognostic factors.
An alternative oxygen supply technique for the difficult patient

A modified oxygen delivery system was developed for a patient too claustrophobic for the monoplace chamber or the hood in the multiplace chamber. The adaptation delivered O 2 through the patient's tracheostomy by means of a soft cervical collar, a pediatric tracheostomy cuff, and a T-tube
Archival blindness: Peter Ackroyd’s The Clerkenwell Tales

Peter Ackroyd’s The Clerkenwell Tales received mixed reviews; nevertheless, reviewers accepted it as a work of historical fiction closer to ‘history’ than to ‘fiction,’ a position quickly undermined by some simple (but seldom made) verifications that inaccuracies saturate the novel. Relying on Arlette Farge’s reflections on archival research, this essay examines the novel’s use of archival tropes, which imaginatively recreate the troublesome dynamic between the archive’s documentary ‘facts’ and the ‘fictional’ narrative required to hold them in place. Ackroyd uses this trope to seduce his readers into thinking the merest daub of fiction holds together the novel’s historical facts of late fourteenth-century London.
Sociodemographic inequalities in barriers to cancer pain management: a report from the American Cancer Society's Study of Cancer Survivors-II (SCS-II)

Objective Research has increasingly documented sociodemographic inequalities in the assessment and management of cancer-related pain. Most studies have focused on racial/ethnic disparities, while less is known about the impact of other sociodemographic factors, including age and education. We analyzed data from a large, national, population-based study of cancer survivors to examine the influence of sociodemographic factors, and physical and mental health comorbidities on barriers to cancer pain management. Methods The study included data from 4707 cancer survivors in the American Cancer Society's Study of Cancer Survivors-II, who reported experiencing pain from their cancer. A multilevel, socioecological, conceptual framework was used to generate a list of 15 barriers to pain management, representing patient, provider, and system levels. Separate multivariable logistic regressions for each barrier identified sociodemographic and health-related inequalities in cancer pain management, controlling for years since diagnosis, disease stage, and cancer treatment. Results Two-thirds of survivors reported at least 1 barrier to pain management. While patient-related barriers were most common, the greatest disparities were noted in provider- and system-level barriers. Specifically, inequalities by race/ethnicity, education, age, and physical and mental health comorbidities were observed. Conclusion Findings indicate survivors who were nonwhite, less educated, older, and/or burdened by comorbidities were most adversely affected. Future efforts in research, clinical practice, and policy should identify and/or implement new strategies to address sociodemographic inequalities in cancer pain management.
Minimally Invasive Radical Hysterectomy for Cervical Cancer Is Associated With Reduced Morbidity and Similar Survival Outcomes Compared With Laparotomy.

Study Objective To assess outcomes of women with cervical cancer undergoing upfront radical hysterectomy (RH) via a minimally invasive surgery (MIS) or a traditional laparotomy (XL) approach at 2 large US academic institutions to determine whether the mode of surgery affects patient outcomes. Design Retrospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-1). Setting Two academic medical institutions in the United States. Patients Women undergoing upfront RH for cervical cancer between 2000 and 2013. Intervention Minimally invasive techniques (laparoscopic and robotic) for RH compared with XL. Measurements and Main Results A total of 383 women met the eligibility requirements. Of these, 101 underwent an MIS (i.e., traditional laparoscopy, laparoendoscopic single site, or robotic) approach, and 282 underwent an XL approach. Overall survival (median not reached; p = .29) was not different between the 2 groups. Recurrence was rare and equivalent in the 2 groups, affecting 5.0% of patients in the MIS group and 6.4% of those in the XL group (p = .86). Pelvic lymph nodes were dissected in 98% of patients in the MIS group and 97% of those in the XL group (p > .99) and were found to be positive in 10.9% and 8.5% of those patients, respectively (p = .55). The mean number of pelvic lymph nodes retrieved was higher in the MIS group (19.4 vs 16.0; p < .001). There was no between-group difference in the rate of postoperative chemotherapy (p = .32) or radiation therapy (p = .28). Surgical margins were positive in 5.0% of specimens in the MIS group and in 4.6% of specimens in the XL group (p = .54). Although there was no difference in the overall rate of complications (15.1% and 17.2%, respectively; p = .87), laparotomy was associated with a higher median estimated blood loss (EBL) (50 cm3 vs 500 cm3) and a higher rate of perioperative blood transfusion (3.0% vs 26.2%; p < .001). Length of perioperative hospital stay was significantly shorter in the MIS group (1.9 days vs 4.9 days; p < .001). Conclusion MIS RH does not compromise patient outcomes, including overall survival, rate of recurrence, and the frequency of pelvic lymph node dissection or positivity. Morbidity was decreased in the MIS group, including decreased EBL, fewer blood transfusions, and shorter hospital stay.
Spectral Properties of Continuum Fibonacci Schrödinger Operators

We study continuum Schrodinger operators on the real line whose potentials are comprised of two compactly supported square-integrable functions concatenated according to an element of the Fibonacci substitution subshift over two letters. We show that the Hausdorff dimension of the spectrum tends to one in the small coupling and high-energy regimes, regardless of the shape of the potential pieces.
Geriatric Anorexia Nervosa

Eating disorders are not commonly diagnosed in individuals aged >50 years, yet they are associated with significant psychiatric comorbidities and overall morbidity. Anorexia nervosa is the most common eating disorder among this age group, and women are affected most often. We present the fatal case of a 66-year old woman with severe malnutrition and newly diagnosed anorexia nervosa. Inpatient refeeding was unsuccessful, and she succumbed to multisystem organ failure. The timely recognition of eating disorders among older people is important for family physicians who care for patients across the life spectrum.
Chapter 12 - Nano-Apatitic Composite Scaffolds for Stem Cell Delivery and Bone Tissue Engineering

The need for bone defect repair and regeneration arises from trauma, disease, congenital deformity, and tumor resection. Bone fracture occurs to seven million people each year in the United States, and musculoskeletal conditions cost $215 billion annually. An important approach for bone tissue engineering involves the use of three-dimensional scaffolds with cells guided for osteogenesis. This chapter describes a new class of self-setting, mechanically strong, and biomimetic nano-apatite scaffolds for stem cell delivery and bone tissue engineering. Self-setting calcium phosphate cement was used as the matrix material. Strong and macroporous scaffolds were developed via absorbable fibers, collagen, biopolymer chitosan, and mannitol porogens. The macroporous scaffolds were suitable for cell infiltration, and the nano-apatite crystals and the collagen fibers enhanced osteoblastic cell attachment. Resistance of the new scaffolds to fracture and cyclic fatigue were greatly increased rendering the scaffolds promising for a wide range of moderate load-bearing dental, craniofacial, and orthopedic repairs. The nano-apatitic scaffolds showed excellent biocompatibility with stem cells. Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells attached to these scaffolds, proliferated, and differentiated down the osteogenic lineage. The nano-apatite–fiber scaffold morphologically mimicked the extracellular matrix of natural bone, and supported stem cell attachment and function. Potential applications of this new class of nano-apatitic scaffold/stem cell constructs include the major reconstructions of the maxilla, mandible, and other craniofacial restorations, bone regeneration after trauma or tumor resection, in situ fracture fixation, and filling and strengthening osteoporotic bone lesions at risk for fracture.
BlueSight: Automated Discovery Service for Cloud Migration of Enterprises

Migrating legacy enterprise infrastructures to the cloud is highly desirable due to greater versatility, lower management costs, as well as improved scalability. However, the large scale of these systems makes transforming the current architecture a long and difficult process that involves weeks or even months of manual collection and analysis of data. BlueSight serves to expedite and simplify this process by collecting the data through an agentless process and analyzing the collected data to determine which and how applications should migrate.
Relation of depressive symptoms to outcome of CI movement therapy after stroke.

Objective Depressive symptoms after stroke have been associated with negative outcomes, including poorer functional ability, less efficient use of rehabilitation services, decreased quality of life, and increased mortality. It has been anecdotally noted that depressive symptoms do not limit motor recovery in patients who undergo Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT), an efficacious intervention for chronic poststroke hemiparesis. Here we analyze depressive symptom and motor scores from 40 participants who received CIMT in 2 previously published studies. Method Adults more than 1-year after stroke with mild to moderate upper-extremity hemiparesis completed the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale and Motor Activity Log (MAL) before and after CIMT. We used regression analysis to test whether Zung scores predicted response to CIMT and paired t tests to test whether depressive symptoms changed from pre- to posttreatment. Results Pretreatment Zung score did not predict outcome on the MAL Arm Use scale, ΔR2 (1, 30) = 0.004, p = .19, after controlling for pretreatment MAL scores. Additionally, participants had a small but statistically significant decrease in Zung score, t(39) = 3.0, p = .005, mean change = -3.6. Conclusion These results suggest that depressive symptoms do not significantly limit motor recovery in patients treated with CIMT for chronic poststroke hemiparesis. Additionally, treatment with CIMT may improve depressive symptoms. (PsycINFO Database Record
The construction of an appropriate education program by Florida administrative law judges pre-Rowley, post-Rowley, and post-IDEA 2004:

AbstractThis critical discourse analysis examines the construction of an “appropriate” education by Florida administrative law judges in their special education final orders over time. The results ...
Tobacco Use and Associated Health Risks

In spite of extensive health warnings in many countries, the use of cigarettes on a worldwide basis continues to increase. However, there has been a decline in the per capita and even total consumption in some countries. The health risks associated with tobacco use have been well documented, especially for cancer, cardiovascular, and pulmonary diseases. The major reason for this continued use will be the primary focus of this Symposium.
Managing Variety in Software Features

We present an integrated framework for managing product variety in software features. Our framework includes multiple perspectives of variety that links customer requirements in software products to cost incurred by software developers. This link is established by identifying specific features in software products. We report empirical validation of this framework in various phases. In the first phase, based on data collected from over 2000 customers, we establish the link between overall customer satisfaction and various quality attributes of software products. In the subsequent phases, we establish the relationship between specific product features and product size and relate features to product development cost. Our analysis is based on data collected on application features of process control systems.
Licensure, Certification, and Credentialing

Simulation has the potential to provide a more objective measurement of clinical performance. It is currently being used to some extent to evaluate all levels of providers in our specialty at multiple steps along the training continuum and is rapidly becoming part of licensure, certification, and credentialing.
Calculation of threshold displacement energies in UO2

Abstract Despite the extensive utilization of uranium dioxide (UO2) as a fuel in commercial nuclear reactors, there is only minimal information regarding the fundamental nature of radiation damage at high temperatures, such as those experienced by the fuel under operation. In this work, molecular dynamics simulations have been performed to determine the threshold displacement energy (Ed) for oxygen and uranium in UO2 at 1500 K. Three definitions of displacement energy were employed to fully study the nature of low energy radiation damage: 1) the probability of having the primary knock-on atom (PKA) leave its original lattice site, 2) the probability that the PKA will permanently displace atoms from their original lattice site, and 3) the probability of forming a stable Frenkel pair. Additionally, four unique interatomic potentials were utilized to investigate uncertainties associated with potential choice in high temperature radiation damage studies in UO2. This work provides critical insight into the high temperature behavior of radiation damage in UO2, as well as the variation in behavior between oxygen and uranium PKAs.
PALMITATE ESTERIFICATION AND GLYCEROPHOSPHATE ACYLTRANSFERASE ACTIVITY IN ADIPOSE TISSUE OF GROWING LAMBS

The purposes of this study were to determine the effects of BW in growing lambs on rates of palmitate esterification (PE) and activity of glycerophosphate acyltransferase (GPAT) in subcutaneous and intermuscular adipose tissue in vitro and to determine the relationship between these in vitro measurements and carcass lipid accretion. At 37, 49, 60, and 71 kg of live weight, nine, nine, eight, and seven Columbia-Rambouillet-cross ewe lambs, respectively, were slaughtered and adipose tissue was dissected for glycerolipid biosynthesis assays. One-half of each carcass was boned, and carcass soft tissue lipid was measured. In both adipose tissues, PE and GPAT activity were highest at 37 kg (P = .0001); the greatest accumulation of carcass fat occurred between 37 and 49 kg (P = .0001). Differences in PE and GPAT were less well marked between 49-, 60-, and 71-kg lambs, but both were generally decreased with increased BW. Significant R2 from regressions of mass and percentage of carcass fat on either PE, GPAT, or steady-state glycerolipid synthesis (GLS) were from .39 to .44 (PE), .40 to .58 (GPAT), .50 to .75 (GLS), and .60 to .77 (PE, GPAT, and GLS combined). Changes in PE, GPAT, and GLS with BW were consistent with changes in rates of carcass fat accretion, which indicated a close relationship between glycerolipid biosynthesis in vitro and lipid deposition in vivo in growing-finishing lambs.
(Para-)Holomorphic and Conjugate Connections on (Para-)Hermitian and (Para-)Kähler Manifolds

We investigate how an affine connection $$\nabla $$ that generally admits torsion interacts with both g and L on an almost (para-)Hermitian manifold $$(\mathfrak {M},g,L)$$, where L denotes either an almost complex structure J with $$J^{2}=-\hbox {id}$$ or an almost para-complex structure K with $$K^{2}=\hbox {id}$$. We show that $$\nabla $$ becomes (para-)holomorphic and L becomes integrable if and only if the pair $$ (\nabla ,L)$$ satisfies a torsion coupling condition. We investigate (para-)Hermitian manifolds $$\mathfrak {M}$$ in which this torsion coupling condition is satisfied by the following four connections (all possibly carrying torsion): $$\nabla ,\nabla ^{L},\nabla ^{*},$$ and $$\nabla ^\dagger = \nabla ^{*L}=\nabla ^{L*}$$, where $$\nabla ^{L}$$ and $$\nabla ^{*}$$ are, respectively, L-conjugate and g-conjugate transformations of $$\nabla $$. This leads to the following special cases (where T stands for torsion): (i) the case of $$T = T^*, T^L = T^\dagger $$, for which all four connections are Codazzi-coupled to g, but $$d\omega \ne 0$$, whence $$\mathfrak {M}$$ is called Codazzi-(para-)Hermitian; (ii) the case of $$T = - T^{\dagger }, T^L = - T^{*}$$, for which $$d \omega = 0$$, i.e., the manifold $$\mathfrak {M}$$ becomes (para-)Kahler. In the latter case, quadruples of (para-)holomorphic connections all with non-vanishing torsions may exist in (para-)Kahler manifolds, complementing the result of Fei and Zhang (Results Math 72:2037–2056, 2017) showing the existence of pairs of torsion-free connections, each Codazzi-coupled to both g and L, in Codazzi-(para-)Kahler manifolds.
That was a game changer: clinical impact of an emergency department-based palliative care communication skills training workshop

Objective To explore the impact of an adapted goals-of-care communications skills workshop created for ED physicians from the physicians’ perspective. Methods Semi-structured, one-on-one audio-recorded interviews lasting 30–60 min were conducted with twelve physicians who had completed the training workshop. Interviews explored the experience of undertaking the workshop, its impact on their clinical practice and their ability to teach new skills to other clinicians using learnt techniques. Descriptive content analysis was performed on interview transcripts. Results Participants reported positive experiences of the workshop. The analysis identified four main themes and ten subthemes dealing with workshop content and its impact on subsequent ED-based clinical practice. There were: 1) value and future improvements for the course; 2) value of the course to practice; 3) value of the course for teaching residents and 4) barriers to application of learning. Specifically recommended components include the use of mnemonics, mechanisms to introduce difficult conversations and a positive feedback environment. Participant-recommended refinements to the workshop included emphasising urgency, replicating the chaotic ED environment and expanding content to include more ED-focused goals-of-care discussions. Conclusion A short, focused training workshop directed at improving palliative care communication skills among ED clinicians appears to be welcomed and useful.
Average Formant Trajectories

Purpose The use and study of formant frequencies for the description of vowels is commonplace in acoustic phonetics and in attempts to understand results of speech perception studies. Numerous stud...