cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Early changes induced in purkinje cells of rabbit by single massive doses of roentgen rays.

That nerve tissue is highly resistant to Roentgen radiation is well known through reports in the literature indicating that large repetitive doses will induce pathological changes in the nerve cells both in man1 and in laboratory animals.2, 3 Time correlation of these changes has not been made in most of the reported studies. The present investigations were designed to clarify this matter by utilizing single massive exposures which serve as a starting point in relating histological change with elapsed time.Twenty-five rabbits, 4 to 5 lb in weight, were irradiated in 4 groups of 6 and one singly. With the aid of a special holder, the heads of the animals were held in place in a circle of small radius and simultaneously irradiated. The dosage is listed in Table I.The changes observed in the treated animals were chromatolysis, vacuolization of the cytoplasm, pyknosis, and loss of cells through neuronophagia. The animals killed immediately following irradiation showed marked lysis of the Nissl material of the...
Self-Management Techniques to Improve Chronic Diseases

With the advances made in modern medical treatments older adults are living longer. Approximately 80% have at least one chronic disease condition, which can affect their independence and quality of life if not managed appropriately. Much of chronic disease care centers on patients attending to lifestyle modifications and sustaining non-medical care routines. Consistent self-management is difficult to sustain. This article discusses some of the most frequently used integrative approaches to help patients manage their own disease condition.
Impact of self-reported physical activity and health promotion behaviors on lung cancer survivorship

There is some initial evidence that an enhanced physical activity level can improve fquality of life, and possibly survival among patients with lung cancer. The primary aim of this project was to evaluate the impact of physical activity on the quality and quantity of life of lung cancer survivors. Between January 1, 1997, and December 31, 2009, a total of 1466 lung cancer survivors completed a questionnaire with patient-reported outcomes for quality of life (QOL), demographics, disease and clinical characteristics, and a measure of physical activity (Baecke Questionnaire). Chi-square tests compared lung cancer survivors who reported being physically active versus not on a variety of the other covariates. Kaplan-Meier estimates and Cox models evaluated the prognostic importance of physical activity level on Overall Survival (OS). Roughly half of the lung cancer survivors had advanced stage disease at the time of survey. Treatment prevalence rates were 61, 54, and 33 % for surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, respectively. The majority (77 %) of survivors reported themselves as physically active. Physically active survivors reported greater activity across all individual Baecke items. Lung cancer survivor-reported QOL indicated the benefits of physical activity in all domains. Survivors receiving chemotherapy or radiation at the time of questionnaire completion were less likely to be physically active (74 and 73 % respectively). In contrast, 84 % of surgical patients were physically active. Disease recurrence rates were the same for physically active and inactive patients (81 % vs 82 %, p = 0.62). Physically active patients survived an average of 4 more years than those who were not physically active (8.4 years versus 4.4 years respectively, log rank p < 0.0001). Being physically active was related to profound advantages in QOL and survival in a large sample of lung cancer survivors.
Forced to Entrepreneurship: Modeling the Factors Behind Necessity Entrepreneurship

There have been a large number of studies addressing the venture creation decision or entrepreneurship start-up models. Several of these models are built under normal condition assumptions where the individuals are motivated by personal goal achievement and have a support system for their endeavors. These are frameworks where the risk taker chooses to become an entrepreneur. It is important to recognize that not all businesses originate under the same circumstances. In countries where unemployment and low-income jobs prevail, individuals are forced to turn to entrepreneurship, in its self-employment form, as their last resource. This article presents a framework to recognize a growing phenomenon in which individuals, because they live in an economically challenged region, are pushed towards entrepreneurship, becoming necessity entrepreneurs. The model proposes that personal variables such as parental altruism and low educational level, and factors in the socioeconomic environment such as insufficient job opportunities, low income, and social marginalization, create an internal dissatisfaction that forces the person to the venture creation decision in its self-employment form. Country institutional profiles are proposed to play a moderating role between dissatisfaction and the venture creation decision.
Feature engineering of machine-learning chemisorption models for catalyst design

Abstract We integrate machine-learning algorithms into the descriptor-based design approach for rapid screening of transition-metal catalysts. By engineering numerical representation of surface metal atoms using easily accessible features such as the local electronegativity and the effective coordination number that are dependent on the surroundings of an adsorption site, together with the intrinsic properties of active metal atoms including the electronegativity, ionic potential, and electron affinity, the machine-learning model optimized with ∼250 ab initio adsorption energies on bimetallic alloys can capture complex, non-linear adsorbate/substrate interactions with the root mean squared errors (RMSE) ∼0.12 eV. We applied the model to search for {100}-terminated multimetallic copper (Cu) catalysts for electrochemical CO 2 reduction where the *CO adsorption energy represents an important efficiency metric. Compared with the traditional high-throughput computational and experimental trial-and-error approach, the machine-learning chemisorption models have great potential in accelerating the discovery of interesting catalytic materials. As the complexity of catalyst structures increases, new features will be needed to learn underlying correlations and avoid introducing significant errors on top of the average DFT prediction errors expected with standard semi-local generalized gradient approximation (GGA) functionals.
Deceptions in psychotherapy: case report and considerations.

Deliberate deception by a patient in psychotherapy is a deviation from a fundamental requirement of the patient-therapist relationship. When deceptions are discovered or admitted, it is crucial to ...
NHLBI perspectives on the growth of heart, lung, blood and sleep conditions in Africa: global and domestic insights, challenges and opportunities.

The mission of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) centres on global leadership in research, training and education aimed at promoting the prevention and treatment of heart, lung, blood and sleep (HLBS) disorders, and thereby enhance the pursuit of a healthy, long and fulfilling existence by all individuals. The global horizon of this mission reflects an appreciation of the collective destiny shared by all humanity.
Evaluation of a Robotic Exoskeleton for Gait Training in Acute Stroke: A Case Study

The application of robotic exoskeletons in gait therapy during stroke rehabilitation has grown rapidly over the past decade. The purpose of this investigation is to determine the impact of a robotic exoskeleton (RE) on temporal spatial gait parameters as compared to traditional standard of care gait training in a single inpatient after acute stroke. Outcome measures included temporal spatial gait parameters while walking with and without an RE during a single gait training session two weeks post stroke. During gait training in the RE, walking speed, and stride length increased while step width decreased on the affected and unaffected side. Total double support time decreased, and single support and swing time increased on the affected and unaffected limb during gait training in the RE. Gait training in the RE had a positive effect on the patients overall gait which included improved temporal spatial parameters and gait speed. Positive changes in temporal spatial parameters were evident on the affected and unaffected limb. Preliminary rehabilitative improvements with the RE device may include a gait training environment that is more symmetrical and may improve weight transfer and overall gait speed. Further research with a larger sample with various level of impairment utilizing an RE for gait training is needed to determine the potential utility of REs as an alternative to traditional gait training.
Stability of osmolality in previously frozen canine serum and urine samples

Background The measurement of osmolality is of interest in several clinical conditions and has been investigated in multiple veterinary studies. However, the stability of osmolality over time in frozen canine serum and urine has not been established. Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine the stability of osmolality in canine serum and urine stored frozen at −20°C and −80°C up to 90 days, and to assess the effect of storage temperature on osmolality measurement. Methods Serum and urine samples collected from 5 healthy Greyhound dogs were aliquoted and stored at −20°C and −80°C until measurement. Osmolality, assessed by freezing-point depression, was measured at 0, 7, 14, 30, and 90 days of storage. Results For both serum and urine, osmolality at day 7 was not statistically different from day 0, but osmolality at days 14, 30, and 90 was significantly lower than at day 0. There was no significant effect of storage temperature on serum osmolality. However, the osmolality of urine samples stored at −20°C was slightly, but significantly lower than the osmolality of those stored at −80°C. Conclusions Osmolality measurement in the serum and urine of healthy dogs appears to be stable for at least 7 days in frozen samples. The small changes observed after day 7 are unlikely to be relevant for individual patients, but could have implications in research study protocols.
Hypothesis tests for large density matrices of quantum systems based on Pauli measurements

Abstract For a quantum system, its density matrix usually has a size growing exponentially with the number of particles in the system, and quantum state tomography techniques often encounter an exponential complexity problem for recovering the density matrix based on experimental data. Recent statistical methods for estimating a large density matrix have been developed for the cases that (i) the entries of the density matrix with respect to the Pauli basis are sparse, or (ii) the density matrix has a low rank, and its eigenvectors are sparse. Their performances depend on the assumed structures, and it is important to test for the structures and choose appropriate estimation methods accordingly. This paper investigates hypothesis tests for sparsity. Specifically, we propose hypothesis test procedures and establish asymptotic theories for the proposed tests. Numerical studies are conducted to check the finite sample performances of the proposed hypothesis tests.
Interface magnetization transition via minority spin injection

The interface magnetization of n-type BaTiO3/La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 heterojunction is selectively probed by magnetic second-harmonic generation at 80 K. The injection of minority spins at the interface causes a sudden, reversible transition of the spin alignment of interfacial Mn ions from ferromagnetic to antiferromagnetic exchange coupled, while the bulk magnetization remains unchanged. We attribute the emergent interfacial antiferromagnetic interactions to weakening of the double-exchange mechanism caused by the strong Hund's rule coupling between injected minority spins and local magnetic moments. The effect is robust and may serve as a viable route for electronic and spintronic applications.
Differences in fecundity of Eimeria maxima strains exhibiting different levels of pathogenicity in its avian host

Abstract Eimeria maxima is one of the most pathogenic species of avian coccidia, yet it is unknown why different E. maxima strains differ in the pathogenic effects they cause in chickens. The purpose of this study was to determine if a more pathogenic E. maxima strain (APU1) was also more fecund than a less pathogenic E. maxima strain (APU2). At identical doses, E. maxima APU1 always produces greater intestinal lesions and lower weight gain compared to E. maxima APU2. Using a dose response study, median and mean intestinal lesion scores in E. maxima APU1-infected chickens were greater by a score of 1–1.5 compared to chickens infected with E. maxima APU2. Likewise, weight gain depression in E. maxima APU1-infected chickens was 20–25% greater (equivalent to 110–130 g body weight) than in E. maxima APU2-infected chickens. In order to understand the underlying cause of these observed clinical effects, 120 broiler chicks (5 oocyst levels, 6 replicates/level) were inoculated with various doses of E. maxima APU1 or APU2 oocysts. The dynamics of oocyst shedding was investigated by collecting fecal material every 12 h from 114 to 210 h post-inoculation (p.i.) and every 24 h thereafter from 210 to 306 h, and then processed for measuring E. maxima oocyst output. Oocysts were first observed at 138 h p.i., and time of peak oocyst production was nearly identical for both E. maxima APU1 and APU2 around 150–162 h. Total oocyst production was 1.1–2.6 fold higher at all dose levels for E. maxima APU1 compared to E. maxima APU2, being significantly higher (P
An Experimental Study of Bitmap Compression vs. Inverted List Compression

Bitmap compression has been studied extensively in the database area and many efficient compression schemes were proposed, e.g., BBC, WAH, EWAH, and Roaring. Inverted list compression is also a well-studied topic in the information retrieval community and many inverted list compression algorithms were developed as well, e.g., VB, PforDelta, GroupVB, Simple8b, and SIMDPforDelta. We observe that they essentially solve the same problem, i.e., how to store a collection of sorted integers with as few as possible bits and support query processing as fast as possible. Due to historical reasons, bitmap compression and inverted list compression were developed as two separated lines of research in the database area and information retrieval area. Thus, a natural question is: Which one is better between bitmap compression and inverted list compression? To answer the question, we present the first comprehensive experimental study to compare a series of 9 bitmap compression methods and 12 inverted list compression methods. We compare these 21 algorithms on synthetic datasets with different distributions (uniform, zipf, and markov) as well as 8 real-life datasets in terms of the space overhead, decompression time, intersection time, and union time. Based on the results, we provide many lessons and guidelines that can be used for practitioners to decide which technique to adopt in future systems and also for researchers to develop new algorithms.
An Integrated Compliant Fabric Skin Softens, Lightens, and Simplifies a Mesh Robot

Earthworms are particularly skilled at navigating through confined spaces. Therefore, creating a soft robot that mimics their peristaltic locomotion could provide unique advantages for pipe inspection, search and rescue, exploration, and medical applications. Here we present the design of a new robot, FabricWorm, that like its predecessor, CMMWorm, has six segments that are actuated with circumferential cables sequentially to mimic the peristaltic motion in an earthworm. However, compared to its predecessor, FabricWorm is 41% softer, is 23% lighter, and has 64% fewer rigid structural components due to the integration of the mesh within a fabric skin. These improvements, and the benefit of a continuous fabric skin, can be important advantages for worm-like robots.
End-to-End Delay in Multi-Hop Wireless Networks With Random Relay Deployment

This paper evaluates the end-to-end delay in multi-hop wireless networks with random relays using stochastic geometry. We model the nodes as Poisson Point Processes and calculate the spatial average of the delay over all potential geometrical patterns of the nodes. More specifically, first, under a simple automatic repeat request (ARQ) retransmission protocol, we derive the average end-to-end delay and show that the average delay scales super exponentially with the increase of routing distance. Then we apply the maximal ratio combining (MRC) technique in ARQ, and derive an upper bound of the average end-to-end delay. We show that a linear scaling law of the delay with respect to the routing distance can be obtained with the help of MRC. Our analysis is demonstrated through simulation examples.
Retroviruses and Their Role in Cancer

Historically, retroviruses were first isolated and studied because they efficiently cause tumors in experimental and domestic animals (Rous, 1911; Ellerman and Bang, 1908). Work was particularly intense during the 1970s, under the “War on Cancer” and the Special Virus Cancer Program. Important discoveries from re-trovirology such as oncogenes and proto-oncogenes (Bishop, 1987) have had profound implications for understanding tumorigenesis, including for spontaneous human tumors. Retroviruses remain some of the best model systems for studying carcinogenesis in the whole organism, since they induce tumors with extremely high efficiency. The focus of this chapter will be retroviral carcinogenesis in small animal models. Major attention will be paid to nonacute retroviruses, since they induce disease through multiple steps, with analogies to non-virus-induced cancer as well.
Crystal Structure of Cucumene Synthase, a Terpenoid Cyclase That Generates a Linear Triquinane Sesquiterpene.

Linear triquinanes are sesquiterpene natural products with hydrocarbon skeletons consisting of three fused five-membered rings. Importantly, several of these compounds exhibit useful anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antibiotic properties. However, linear triquinanes pose significant challenges to organic synthesis because of the structural and stereochemical complexity of their hydrocarbon skeletons. To illuminate nature's solution to the generation of linear triquinanes, we now describe the crystal structure of Streptomyces clavuligerus cucumene synthase. This sesquiterpene cyclase catalyzes the stereospecific cyclization of farnesyl diphosphate to form a linear triquinane product, (5 S,7 S,10 R,11 S)-cucumene. Specifically, we report the structure of the wild-type enzyme at 3.05 A resolution and the structure of the T181N variant at 1.96 A resolution, both in the open active site conformations without any bound ligands. The high-resolution structure of T181N cucumene synthase enables inspection of the active site contour, which adopts a three-dimensional shape complementary to a linear triquinane. Several aromatic residues outline the active site contour and are believed to facilitate cation-π interactions that would stabilize carbocation intermediates in catalysis. Thus, aromatic residues in the active site not only define the template for catalysis but also play a role in reducing activation barriers in the multistep cyclization cascade.
Characterization of temporal variations and feedback timescales of exhaust gas recirculation gas properties using high-speed diode laser absorption spectroscopy for next-cycle control of cyclic variability:

Dilute combustion offers efficiency gains in boosted gasoline direct injection engines both through knock-limit extension and thermodynamic advantages (i.e. the effect of γ on cycle efficiency), bu...
Pensieve: a Machine Learning Assisted SSD Layer for Extending the Lifetime

As the capacity per unit cost dropping, flash-based SSDs become popular in various computing scenarios. However, the restricted program-erase cycles still severely limit cost-effectiveness of flash-based storage solutions. This paper proposes Pensieve, a machine-learning assisted SSD firmware layer that transparently helps reduce the demand for programs and erases. Pensieve efficiently classifies writing data into different compression categories without hints from software systems. Data with the same category may use a shared dictionary to compress the content, allowing Pensieve to further avoid duplications. As Pensieve does not require any modification in the software stack, Pensieve is compatible with existing applications, file systems and operating systems. With modern SSD architectures, implementing a Pensieve-compliant SSD also requires no additional hardware, providing a drop-in upgrade for existing storage systems. The experimental result on our prototype Pensieve SSD shows that Pensieve can reduce the amount of program operations by 19%, while delivering competitive performance.
How Engineering and Computing Students Demonstrate Critical Thinking During Required Co-op Work Experiences

This Research Full Paper will discuss the demonstration of critical thinking of undergraduate students through their required co-op experiences. Critical thinking is an important 21st century skill that is expressed through measurable outcomes such as the ability to successfully use information, design, analyze, and problem solve. At Rochester Institute of Technology, a primarily technically focused university with strong programs in engineering and computing sciences, there is a dedicated effort to enhance the critical thinking ability of the students on campus. This paper will discuss our initiative for the integration of critical thinking into the student experience. In addition, the majority of our students complete one or more paid cooperative education experiences to satisfy their degree requirements. Upon completion of the experience, the employers are asked to rate the student performance on several metrics, one of which is demonstration of critical thinking. By analyzing the data from these surveys, we have found that employers consistently rate our students as proficient and capable. Our analysis shows that there is a slight difference in critical thinking ratings based on field of study, but not based on term in which it occurred, or number of experiences students engaged in.
Timing of first-in-child trials of FDA-approved oncology drugs

Abstract Aim The lag time between initial human studies of oncology agents and the first-in-child clinical trials of these agents has not been defined. Methods We conducted a systematic analysis of time from first-in-human trials to first-in-child trials (age of eligibility Results From 1997 to 2017, 126 drugs received initial FDA approval for an oncology indication. Of these, 117 were non-hormonal agents used in subsequent analyses. Fifteen of 117 drugs (12.8%) did not yet have a paediatric trial, and six of 117 drugs (5.1%) had an initial approval that included children. The median time between the first-in-human trial and first-in-child trial was 6.5 years (range 0–27.7 years). The median time from initial FDA approval to the first-in-child clinical trial was –0.66 years (range −43 to +19 years). These values were stable regardless of year of initial FDA approval, drug class and initial approved disease indication. Conclusion The median lag time from first-in-human to first-in-child trials of oncology agents that were ultimately approved by FDA was 6.5 years. These results provide a benchmark against which to evaluate recent initiatives designed to hasten drug development relevant to children with cancer.
Partitions with Parts Separated by Parity

There have been a number of papers on partitions in which the parity of parts plays a central role. In this paper, the parts of partitions are separated by parity, either all odd parts are smaller than all even parts or vice versa. This concept first arose in a study related to the third-order mock theta function $$\nu (q)$$ . The current study also leads back to one of the Ramanujan’s more mysterious functions.
Whole genome bisulfite sequencing of Medicago truncatula A17 wild type and lss mutants

Earlier work in our lab identified a spontaneous mutant (likesunnsupernodulator-lss) in Medicago truncatula, resulting in increased nodulation. Molecular genetic evidence indicated the phenotype was due to an unknown lesion resulting in cis-silencing of the SUNN gene. Altered methylation of the promoter was suspected, but analysis of the SUNN promoter by bisulfite sequencing at the time of publication revealed no significant methylation differences between the SUNN promoter in wild type and lss plants. Using advances in methylome generation we compared the methylome of wild type and the lss mutant in the larger 810 kB area of the genome where lss maps. The data show the distribution of types of methylation across the entire genome between A17 wild type and lss mutants, the number of differentially methylated cytosines between genotypes, and the overall pattern of gene methylation between genotypes. We expect the wild type data will be especially useful as a reference for other investigations of methylation using M. truncatula.
Tensile strength of glacial ice deduced from observations of the 2015 eastern Skaftá cauldron collapse, Vatnajökull ice cap, Iceland

The representation of iceberg calving in numerical models is a key source of uncertainty in century-scale sea-level rise projections. Parameters central to model representations of calving, including the tensile strength of glacier ice, remain poorly constrained. Grain-size and sample-size dependence make it difficult to reconcile laboratory and in situ estimates of ice tensile strength. Further, assumptions of various numerical models obscure comparison of the ‘strength’ parameter with a physically observable value. Here, we address the problem of fracture during calving using an analogous natural laboratory: a viscoelastic analysis of observed surface deformation and associated stresses in the 2015 collapse of eastern Skafta cauldron, Vatnajokull ice cap, Iceland. We find that the ice within the cauldron could have experienced instantaneous elastic stress on the order of several MPa. We observe surface crevasses at the cauldron edges and center, but find that large areas of ice remain intact despite high stress. Our findings suggest a tensile strength of glacier ice on the order of 1 MPa, consistent with laboratory estimates but exceeding previous glacier-specific estimates.
Nested size effects in the nanoindentation response of additively manufactured 316L stainless steel

Abstract Recent work has shown that the presence of cellular substructures in selectively laser melted (SLM) 316L stainless steel coincides with significant increases in yield stress and ultimate strength. These substructures have been associated with dislocation cell formation, with cell walls and cell interiors corresponding to regions of high and low dislocation density, respectively. Motivated by this finding, the present effort seeks a more comprehensive understanding of this phenomenon through spatially resolved hardness mapping via nanoindentation. Initially it was assumed that a spatially varying “cellular” hardness pattern would emerge, corresponding to the geometry and the characteristic features (cell walls and cell interior) of the cell structure. However, due to multiple, simultaneously operating hierarchical size effects, the apparent hardness deviates from this anticipated behavior. Direct evidence is provided in the present work indicating that these size effects are due to the indenter, characteristic sub-structural length, and grain size. Analysis of the load/displacement behavior enabled observation of each of these size effects, independent of the local anisotropy due to crystal orientation.
Communicating What We Know and What Isn’t So: Science Communication in Psychology:

The field of psychology has a long history of encouraging researchers to disseminate their findings to the broader public. This trend has continued in recent decades in part because of professional psychology organizations reissuing calls to "give psychology away." This recent wave of calls to give psychology away is different because it has been occurring alongside another movement in the field-the credibility revolution in which psychology has been reckoning with metascientific questions about what exactly psychologists know. This creates a dilemma for the modern psychologist: How is one to "give psychology away" if one is unsure about what is known or what one has to give? In the current article, we discuss strategies for navigating this tension by drawing on insights from the interdisciplinary fields of science communication and persuasion and social influence.
Using Item 8 of the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) to Assess Improvement in Patients with Tardive Dyskinesia.

Objective The Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) total score (sum of items 1-7) is usually the primary efficacy measure in tardive dyskinesia (TD) clinical trials. However, item 8 of the AIMS (clinician's global impression of severity) might also be an appropriate assessment in real-life healthcare settings. To explore the potential of item 8 as a clinical measure, post hoc analyses were conducted using data from a long-term study of valbenazine, an approved TD medication. Methods In KINECT 4 (NCT02405091), adults with TD received once-daily valbenazine (40 or 80 mg) for 48 weeks. Analyses included two sets of AIMS item 8 scores: based on investigators ratings of item 8 using protocol-defined descriptors; and based on investigators highest scores from items 1-7 (analyzed post hoc). Shift analyses included an improvement from score =3 at baseline (moderate or severe) to score =2 at Week 48 (none to mild). Results At baseline in all participants (N=163), AIMS item 8 mean scores were 3.2 (protocol) and 3.3 (post hoc). In participants with a score =3 at baseline per investigators ratings using protocol-defined descriptors, 95.9% [94/98] shifted to a score =2 by Week 48. A similar result (93.9% [93/99]) was found when item 8 was based on investigators highest scores from items 1-7. Conclusion Shift analyses using AIMS item 8 scores indicated that most participants in KINECT 4 had a clinically meaningful improvement after 48 weeks of once-daily treatment with valbenazine. AIMS item 8 may be an appropriate clinical measure for assessing changes in TD severity. Funding Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.
A Smartphone Application for Teamwork and Communication in Trauma: Pilot Evaluation “in the Wild”:

ObjectiveTo evaluate the potential for a smartphone application to improve trauma care through shared and timely access to patient and contextual information.BackgroundDisruptions along the trauma ...
An industrial oriented workflow for 3D printed, patient specific orthopedic cast

The clinical use of 3D printed patient specific orthopaedic cast is of wide interest. However, design and production have problems such as production time, which can take up to 35 h, and standardized procedure considering that there are medical devices that must comply mandatory and/or voluntary standards. Moreover, the proposed procedures do not fully consider the traceability of this innovative medical device design to comply with standards and industrial proposes. The aim of this work is to propose a semi-automatic workflow for the production of the 3D printed orthopaedic casts. The procedure is oriented towards a reduction time in different phases (as scan setting, designing technique, printing orientation) of the production flow. The workflow is compliant with recognized quality standards for the production of additive manufactured medical devices. This approach offers the possibility to introduce new 3D printed medical devices in clinical practice as well as to design an optimized industrial workflow.
Development of a creativity orientation scale using EFA

Abstract In a pilot study, an exploratory factor analysis using a minimum rank factor extraction method and an oblique (Promin) rotation of 30 self-report items on a proposed Creativity Orientation Scale (COS) was conducted on a snowball sample (n = 237). The purpose was to gain more in-depth understanding of attitudes toward and perceptions of creativity and creative individuals within the framework of social identity theory. Using the optimal implementation of Parallel Analysis (PA) retention method, a three-factor solution provided the clearest extraction. Factor 1 (creative-averse orientation) accounted for 37.32% of the variance and had seven items. Factor 2 (creative-approach orientation) accounted for 18.76% of the variance and had eight items. Factor 3 accounted for 8.31% of the variance and had only two items and therefore was not considered salient. Following rotation, these three items accounted for 64.40% of the total variance.
Theory and Experiment Demonstrate that Sb(V)-Promoted Methane C-H Activation and Functionalization Outcompete Superacid Protonolysis in Sulfuric Acid.

Sb(V) in strong Bronsted acid solvents is traditionally assumed to react with light alkanes through superacid protonolysis, which results in carbocation intermediates, H2, and carbon oligomerization. In contrast to this general assumption, our density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed an accessible barrier for C-H activation between methane and Sb(V) in sulfuric acid that could potentially outcompete superacid protonolysis. This prompted us to experimentally examine this reaction in sulfuric acid with oleum, which has never been reported because of presumed superacid reactivity. Reaction of methane at 180 °C for 3 h resulted in very high yields of methyl bisulfate without significant overoxidation. Our DFT calculations show that a C-H activation and Sb-Me bond functionalization mechanism to give methyl bisulfate outcompetes methane protonolysis and many other possible reaction mechanisms, such as electron transfer, proton-coupled electron transfer, and hydride abstraction. Our DFT calculations also explain experimental hydrogen-deuterium exchange studies and the absence of methane carbo-functionalization/oligomerization products. Overall, this work demonstrates that in very strong Bronsted acid solvent, Sb(V) can induce innersphere reaction mechanisms akin to transition metals and outcompete superacid reactivity.
An Introduction to Fluid Mechanics

This is a modern and elegant introduction to engineering fluid mechanics enriched with numerous examples, exercises and applications. A swollen creek tumbles over rocks and through crevasses, swirling and foaming. Taffy can be stretched, reshaped and twisted in various ways. Both the water and the taffy are fluids and their motions are governed by the laws of nature. The aim of this textbook is to introduce the reader to the analysis of flows using the laws of physics and the language of mathematics. The book delves deeply into the mathematical analysis of flows; knowledge of the patterns fluids form and why they are formed, and also the stresses fluids generate and why they are generated, is essential to designing and optimising modern systems and devices. Inventions such as helicopters and lab-on-a-chip reactors would never have been designed without the insight provided by mathematical models.
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome: Complications, Outcomes, and Mortality.

Our study objective was to identify real-world rates of complications, mortality, and outcomes in patients with neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) over the last decade in the United States. A total of 1346 patients were obtained from the nationwide inpatient sample for the years 2002–2011. Common complications known to be associated with NMS were identified. Multivariable regression analyses were used to identify predictors of mortality. The most prevalent complication was rhabdomyolysis (30.1 %). Other common complications were acute respiratory failure (16.1 %), acute kidney injury (17.7 %), sepsis (6.2 %), and other systemic infections. Unadjusted mortality rate was 5.6 %. Older age, acute respiratory failure, acute kidney injury, sepsis, and comorbid congestive heart failure were significant predictors of mortality. Acute respiratory failure was the strongest independent mortality predictor (p < 0.001). In our large sample population-based study on NMS, we were able to identify the rates of several preselected complications and the mortality. The identification of independent mortality predictors in this study can guide physicians in the management and prognostication of this rare syndrome.
Compiler-Directed Transformation for Higher-Order Stencils

As the cost of data movement increasingly dominates performance, developers of finite-volume and finite-difference solutions for partial differential equations (PDEs) are exploring novel higher-order stencils that increase numerical accuracy and computational intensity. This paper describes a new compiler reordering transformation applied to stencil operators that performs partial sums in buffers, and reuses the partial sums in computing multiple results. This optimization has multiple effect son improving stencil performance that are particularly important to higher-order stencils: exploits data reuse, reduces floating-point operations, and exposes efficient SIMD parallelism to backend compilers. We study the benefit of this optimization in the context of Geometric Multigrid (GMG), a widely used method to solvePDEs, using four different Jacobi smoothers built from 7-, 13-, 27- and 125-point stencils. We quantify performance, speedup, andnumerical accuracy, and use the Roofline model to qualify our results. Ultimately, we obtain over 4× speedup on the smoothers themselves and up to a 3× speedup on the multigrid solver. Finally, we demonstrate that high-order multigrid solvers have the potential of reducing total data movement and energy by several orders of magnitude.
Flicker photometry and toxemia of pregnancy

Abstract Recent studies with the Krasno-Ivy 3 flicker photometer by Brill and associates 1, 2 and Marty and Hardy 8 have been highly encouraging in regard to the recognition of incipient toxemia of pregnancy. Any method which offers a possibility of predicting, with a reasonable degree of surety, which particular patient will develop a toxemia of pregnancy should be thoroughly studied. The present study was initiated to answer certain specific questions, namely: 1.1. Is this a reliable test for the preclinical recognition of toxemia of pregnancy? 2.2. Can this test be used as a guide for the prognosis of a clinically diagnosed case of toxemia of pregnancy, and can methods of treatment of this disease be thereby evaluated? 3.3. What is a statistically valid method for determining flicker fusion threshold (FFT)? 4.4. Can this test distinguish chronic hypertensive disease, with or without superimposed acute toxemia, from true pre-eclampsia? 5.5. Is the flicker fusion threshold correlated with any other factors, such as hemoglobin, blood pressure, weight gain, or parity? 6.6. Can vasospasm be demonstrated ophthalmologically in patients with a positive test?
Effect of center-of-mass correlations and intermediate states on. pi. -/sup 3/He scattering

The effect of center-of-mass correlations and a restriction of the set of intermediate nuclear states have been studied for pion scattering from the mass three system. Results indicate that, for the present, these effects can be ignored.
Effects of penicillamine on serum immunoglobulins and immune complex-reactive material in primary biliary cirrhosis

Although penicillamine is used in the treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis, its mechanism of action in this disease is unknown. As an immunologic action had been attributed to the drug, we investigated whether penicillamine might alter serum immunoglobulin levels or immune complex-reactive material in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. Immunoglobulin levels and immune complex reactivity were measured and clinical tests were performed in 53 consecutive patients entering a double-blind randomized trial of 750 mg vs. 250 mg of penicillamine. Measurement of immune complex reactivity was determined by laser nephelometry, 125I-C1q binding, and Raji cell assays. Immune complex reactivity was detected by at least one assay in 75% of patients tested before treatment. Sixty-two percent were positive in the C1q assay, 28% in the Raji cell assay, and 39% by nephelometry. After therapy with either dose, we found no change in immune complex-reactive material by any assay. Concentrations of immunoglobulins G and M fell (p less than 0.05) after 12 mo of therapy. Concentrations of immunoglobulin A decreased (p less than 0.05) only in the high-dose group. Correlation was not consistent between results of immune complex assays and clinical liver tests. Although immunoglobulin levels fell during penicillamine therapy, no decrease in immune complex-reactive material was detected. The effect of penicillamine in primary biliary cirrhosis is not mediated through alteration of immune complex-reactive material.
Prenatal cocaine exposure and child outcomes: a conference report based on a prospective study from Cleveland

Objective The study aims to describe developmental outcomes from a longitudinal prospective cohort (Cleveland study) of prenatally cocaine-exposed (CE) infants.
Increased nuisance flooding along the coasts of the United States due to sea level rise: Past and future

Author(s): Moftakhari, HR; AghaKouchak, A; Sanders, BF; Feldman, DL; Sweet, W; Matthew, RA; Luke, A | Abstract: © 2015. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved. Mean sea level has risen tenfold in recent decades compared to the most recent millennia, posing a serious threat for population and assets in flood-prone coastal zones over the next century. An increase in the frequency of nuisance (minor) flooding has also been reported due to the reduced gap between high tidal datums and flood stage, and the rate of sea level rise (SLR) is expected to increase based on current trajectories of anthropogenic activities and greenhouse gases emissions. Nuisance flooding (NF), however nondestructive, causes public inconvenience, business interruption, and substantial economic losses due to impacts such as road closures and degradation of infrastructure. It also portends an increased risk in severe floods. Here we report substantial increases in NF along the coasts of United States due to SLR over the past decades. We then take projected near-term (2030) and midterm (2050) SLR under two representative concentration pathways (RCPs), 2.6 and 8.5, to estimate the increase in NF. The results suggest that on average, - 80 ± 10% local SLR causes the median of the NF distribution to increase by 55 ± 35% in 2050 under RCP8.5. The projected increase in NF will have significant socio-economic impacts and pose public health risks in coastal regions. Key Points Nuisance flooding substantially increases in a warming climate An ~80% increase in sea level by 2050 increases nuisance flooding by ~55% Increased nuisance flooding leads to socio-economic and public health impacts.
Optimal filtering to improve performance in hard disk drives: simulation results

The analysis in this paper demonstrates how resonances limit control system bandwidth in hard disk drives and how optimal filtering can extend the bandwidth. In a hard disk drive, resonances do not limit performance by their oscillation amplitude but rather by limiting bandwidth via stability margin constraints. With a reduced bandwidth, the control system cannot provide enough disturbance rejection to achieve a desired level of performance, which is often measured in track density. This paper will address these issues and demonstrate how optimal filtering can improve hard disk drive performance.
High-resolution spectral estimation: Rethinking the Fourier transform

This paper describes a novel data multiplication window for use with the Fourier Transform. The window is complex and consists of a linear FM chirp which spans the range 0 to 2π. The range of applications described is restricted to data sequences consisting of complex values, such as are observed at the outputs of in-phase and quadrature demodulation receivers used in antenna array applications and in communication systems. For the case of an input consisting of a single complex sinusoid, the new window produces an extremely sharp null located exactly at the frequency of the input sinusoid. As such, it has resolution properties far superior to those available via more conventional windowing techniques such as the raised cosine. Applications of the method to inputs containing multiple sinusoids and single, frequency modulated sinusoids are discussed.
Is there a pelvic organ prolapse threshold that predicts pelvic floor symptoms

Objective The objective of this study was to determine the minimum threshold level at which maximum anatomic prolapse predicts bothersome pelvic floor symptoms. Study Design We performed a cross-sectional study of women older than 40 years undergoing gynecologic and urogynecologic examinations using Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) examinations to assess support and Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory questionnaires to assess symptoms. Across the spectrum of prolapse severity, we calculated receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and areas under the curves (AUCs) for each symptom. Results Of 296 participants, age was 56.3 ± 11.2 years, and 233 (79%) were white. POP-Q stage was 0 in 39 (13%), 1 in 136 (46%), 2 in 89 (30%), and 3 in 33 (11%). ROC analysis for each symptom revealed an AUC of 0.89 for bulging/protrusion; 0.81 for splinting to void; 0.55-0.62 for other prolapse and urinary symptoms; and 0.48-0.56 for bowel symptoms. Using a threshold of 0.5 cm distal to the hymen, the sensitivity (69%) and specificity (97%) were high for protrusion symptoms but poor for most other symptoms considered. Conclusion Vaginal descensus 0.5 cm distal to the hymen accurately predicts bulging/protrusion symptoms; however, we could not identify a threshold of prolapse severity that predicted other pelvic floor symptoms.
Developmental time course of pubertal and photoperiodic changes in testosterone negative feedback on gonadotropin secretion in the golden hamster.

Short day inhibition of gonadal function in male hamsters is associated with an increase in sensitivity to negative feedback effects of gonadal steroids on gonadotropin secretion. Conversely, in many mammalian species, pubertal activation of gonadal function is associated with a decrease in sensitivity to steroid negative feedback effects. We examined the developmental time course of these opposing pubertal and photoperiodic neuroendocrine changes in golden hamsters. Male hamsters maintained from birth on a light-dark cycle of either 14-h light, 10-h dark, or 6-h light, 18 dark were either left intact or at 2 weeks of age were castrated and implanted with either a 4-mm testosterone-filled Silastic capsule or an empty capsule. Groups of hamsters from each treatment group were decapitated at various ages through 14 weeks of age. Testis weights were obtained from intact animals and trunk blood was collected for RIA of LH, FSH, and testosterone from all animals. Pubertal growth of the testes occurred through ...
Bond graphs and linear graphs

Abstract Bond graphs have proven to be useful in modeling a wide variety of physical systems where multiports are needed to represent coupling phenomena. Here we show the relationship between bond graphs and more conventional notations utilizing connection N-ports and system graphs. This provides a rigorous foundation for bond graph manipulations and highlights certain difficulties with sign conventions and casual assignments that arise when junction structure loops are present.