cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Peer Victimization: Manifestations and Relations to School Adjustment in Kindergarten.

Abstract A primary objective of this investigation was to extend our knowledge about the prevalence and forms of peer victimization in kindergarten and its relation to children's school adjustment. Four types of peer victimization (i.e., physical, direct verbal, indirect verbal, and general) were assessed using a sample of 200 kindergartners. Peer victimization was reported by a large percentage of children, with females and males being equally at risk. General and direct verbal victimization were reported more often than indirect verbal and physical victimization. Correlations indicated that all types of victimization were related to children's loneliness in school and their expressed desire to avoid that environment. Both forms of verbal victimization were associated with negative attitudes about school. Regression analyses showed that different forms of victimization made unique contributions to school adjustment outcomes. Victimized children were compared to nonvictimized children on several social and academic behaviors.
“Ça, c’est moi”: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly as Autobiographical Multitext

This essay analyzes Jean-Dominique Bauby’s 1997 memoir of his experience with Locked-In Syndrome and Julian Schnabel’s 2007 film adaptation of that memoir as elements of a Diving Bell and the Butterfly multitext, a multigeneric and multiauthored life narrative that has developed through several now-synchronous and vitally interdependent incarnations. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly offers a particularly vivid work through which to inaugurate a multitextual approach to film adaptations of memoirs and autobiographies: in their central figure and their creative processes, both memoir and film foreground the interpersonally produced and transformative dynamics of self-representational works. Bauby’s canny sense of himself as a figure of mutability permeates and animates his memoir; that memoir, in turn, has brought documentary filmmaker Jean-Jacques Beineix (whose Bauby documentary I discuss briefly) and director Julian Schnabel into very different kinds of communion with Bauby’s text and experience. Schnabel, in particular, has directed the creation of a film (and an autobiographical hero) that often portrays his own autobiographical desires as evocatively as Bauby's experiences. Film adaptations of first-person life writings have received almost no attention from scholars of adaptation. To begin to address this gap in adaptation studies and to understand more fully an increasingly important element of contemporary autobiographical culture, we need to consider what it means for a film's creators to adapt not a fictional text or an extratextual ‘true story’ but a self-textualizing life narrative—and what it means for an actor to claim ‘ca, c’est moi’ on behalf of the subject he embodies.
DETERMINATION OF THE SENSITIVE PERIOD FOR THE INDUCTION OF DECIDUOMATA IN THE RAT BY DIFFERENT INDUCING PROCEDURES.

A number of nonspecific inducers, including distilled water, saline, Hank's solution, trypsin, bradykinin, histamine and others, when injected intraluminally into the rat uterus on Day 4 of pseudopregnancy are capable of stimulating extensive deciduoma formation if the timing of the injection is controlled. Optimal time is around 4.5 days after ovulation, i.e., between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM on Day 4. No response is obtained following an injection on Day 3 or 5 of pseudopregnancy. Intraperitoneal administration of pyrathiazine was not very effective as a deciduoma inducer in this strain of rat. While the knifescratch method for deciduoma induction is most useful, particularly because of its longer duration of action, results obtained with the intraluminal injection method better correlate, on a temporal and histologic basis, with decidua induction by means of the rat embryo. A hypothesis is advanced to account for the development of deciduomata either in a nodular form or as a massive growth occupying an en...
Local and global results for wave maps I

We consider the initial value problem for wave-maps corresponding to constant coefficient second order hyperbolic equations in dimensions, . We prove that this problem is globally well-posed for initial data which is small in the homogeneous Besov space . Our second result deals with more regular solutions; it essentially says that if in addition the initial data is in then the solutions stay bounded in the same space. In part II of this work we shall prove that the same result holds in dimensions n = 2,3.
Epithelial–mesenchymal transition in development and cancer

The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a critical developmental process from the earliest events of embryogenesis to later morphogenesis and organ formation. EMT contributes to the complex architecture of the embryo by permitting the progression of embryogenesis from a simple single-cell layer epithelium to a complex three-dimensional organism composed of both epithelial and mesenchymal cells. However, in most tissues EMT is a developmentally restricted process and fully differentiated epithelia typically maintain their epithelial phenotype. Recently, elements of EMT, specifically the loss of epithelial markers and the gain of mesenchymal markers, have been observed in pathological states, including epithelial cancers. Analysis of the molecular mechanisms of this oncogenic epithelial plasticity have implicated the inappropriate expression and activation of developmental EMT programs, suggesting that cancer cells may reinstitute properties of developmental EMT including enhanced migration and invasion. Thus, in the context of cancer, an EMT-like process may permit dissemination of tumor cells from the primary tumor into the surrounding stroma, setting the stage for metastatic spread. Consistent with this hypothesis, activation of these developmental EMT programs in human cancer correlates with advanced disease and poor prognosis. This review will focus on the current knowledge regarding developmental EMT pathways that have been implicated in cancer progression.
Zur Pollenmorphologie und systematischen Stellung der Didymelaceae LEANDRI

Der Pollen von Didymeles madagascariensis WILLD. wurde licht- und rasterelektronen-mikroskopisch untersucht. Es werden eine detaillierte Beschreibung und Abbildungen gegeben. Die Bedeutung der Pollenmerkmale fur die Erkenntnis der systematischen Stellung dieser monotypischen Familie wird diskutiert. Die Pollenmorphologie schliest eine engere Verwandtschaft mit den Leitneriales und anderen Vertretern der Hamamelididae aus, was durch Blattnervatur-Typen und Testa-merkmale zu unterstutzen ist. Die Didymelaceae sind in die Verwandtschaft der Euphorbiaceae, Buxaceae und Thymelaeaceae einzuordnen, die ein Mosaik wechselseitiger Merkmalsverknupfungen und Ahnlichkeiten im Muster der pollenmorphologischen Variation zeigen. Die reticulaten Merkmalsbeziehungen, die fur eine gemeinsame Abstammung dieser Gruppe sprechen, scheinen sich in Blattnervatur-Typen, in anatomischen, embryologischen und florengenetischen Aspekten widerzuspiegeln, die weiterer Untersuchungen bedurfen. Pollen grains of Didymeles madagascariensis were examined by light and scanning electron microscopy and a detailed description and micrographs are presented. The significance of pollen characters for the recognition of the systematic position of this monotypic family is discussed. Pollen morphology excludes closer relationships with the Leitneriales and other representatives of the Hamamelididae which is supported by leaf venation types and testa characters. The Didymelaceae are to be placed in the relationship of the Euphorbiaceae, Buxaceae and Thymelaeaceae which show a mosaic pattern of reciprocal character combinations and similarities in patterns of pollen morphological variation. The reticulate character correlations, speaking in favor of a common ancestry of this group, seem to be reflected in leaf venation types, in anatomical, embryological and floral genetical aspects which deserve further studies.
Herpes zoster sine herpete presenting with hyphema

PURPOSE: To report a case of herpes zoster sine herpete presenting with hyphema. METHODS: A 69-year-old man was referred for traumatic hyphema and corneal edema in his left eye after a sandblast exposure three weeks previously. Slit-lamp examination demonstrated hyphema, anterior chamber inflammation, mid-dilated pupil, impaired corneal sensation, and high intraocular pressure, without any facial skin lesions. Iris fluorescein angiography revealed tortuosity and extensive occlusion of iris vessels. The patient was treated with oral acyclovir and intensive topical steroids with a presumed diagnosis of severe herpes zoster uveitis. RESULTS: Clinical findings improved dramatically within several days. Typical sectorial iris atrophy with pupillary sphincter dysfunction and complete loss of corneal sensation developed after the resolution of intraocular inflammation. CONCLUSION: Herpes zoster should be considered in patients with uveitis and hyphema even in the absence of typical skin rash.
Recent Developments in the Properties and Composition of Electrorheological Fluids

Recent studies suggest that an alternate if not primary way that ER fluids flow is not by chain breakage as has been assumed but by the development of slip planes parallel to the chain directions. This might help to better understand mechanisms associated with the strengths of ER fluids. This lateral slip would be essentially independent of particle interactions in the field direction. Attempts to interfere with this slip by the addition of small amounts of foreign particles have resulted in some modest but significant strength increases. An additional area of significant advancement is by making the matrix liquids ER active. Various base ER fluid compositions are shown to have dramatically enhanced shear stresses when dispersed into poly(hexyl isocyanate) solutions.
AMMONIA‐PRODUCING ENZYMES IN WHITE SHRIMP TAILS

Of a number of potential ammonia-producing enzymes tested, only adenosine deaminase and AMP deaminase could be detected in significant levels in white shrimp tails. In addition to these two enzymes, arginase was also shown to be present and formation of ammonia from arginine can thus potentially take place through urea and bacterial urease. At every temperature tested, enzymatic ammonia production from shrimp tissue during initial postmortem storage accounted for more than half of total ammonia production. Optimum temperature for the enzymatic ammonia formation was shown to be 37° C, while the pH profile showed two distinct peaks: one near 6.0 and the other around 8.4. The results of this study show the important part native shrimp tissue enzymes play during spoilage of iced shrimp.
RS CVn binary systems

In this review I will attempt to place in context the vast amount of data obtained in the last few years as a result of X-ray, ultraviolet, optical, and microwave observations of RS CVn and similar spectroscopic binary systems. Since this topic is now very broad, I will concentrate on the RS CVn systems and their long period analogs, and restrict the scope by attempting to answer on the basis of the recent ata and theory the following questions: (1) Are the original defining characteristics still valid and still adequate? (2) What is the evidence for discrete active regions? (3) Have we derived any meaningful physical properties for the atmospheres of RS CVn systems? (4) What are the flare observations telling us about magnetic fields in RS CVn systems? (5) Is there evidence for systematic trends in RS CVn systems with spectral type?
Health care personnel immunization programs: An assessment of knowledge and practice among infection preventionists in US health care facilities

Background Guidelines exist that recommend specific vaccines for health care personnel and supporting documents provide guidance for program development and implementation, but the extent to which those guidelines have been implemented in health care personnel immunization programs has not been fully explored. This project aimed to evaluate current practices in US health care facilities concerning health care personnel immunization programs. Methods A Web-based survey was deployed to 13,670 infection preventionists to assess 5 major program areas: (1) immunization program management; (2) vaccines provided to health care personnel; (3) vaccine handling practices; (4) training provided for the individual(s) responsible for the program; and (5) quality indicators for the program. A scoring scale was developed that demonstrated an overall measure of program performance. Results The Web-based survey resulted in 1,006 completed responses. When assessing overall program performance, the median vaccine program score was 47.6%. Respondents certified in infection prevention (CIC) scored significantly higher in overall program performance than respondents not certified (54% vs, 43%, respectively, P = .003). Conclusion Results of the survey have identified a number of education and training opportunities that can be addressed by professional associations using available evidence-based and proven implementation materials as resource documents.
High Dose Rate Iridium-192 Brachytherapy as a Component of Radical Radiotherapy for the Treatment of Localised Prostate Cancer

Abstract Aims To assess the treatment outcomes and toxicity of conformal high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy boost as a means of radiation dose escalation in patients with localised prostate cancer. Materials and methods Between December 1998 and July 2004, 65 consecutive patients with localised prostate cancer (magnetic resonance imaging-staged T1–3 N0 M0) were treated with external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) followed by two fractions of HDR iridium-192 brachytherapy. The patients selected this treatment modality in preference to entering an ongoing randomised phase 3 trial. Any pre-treatment serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and Gleason score were included. The primary end point was biochemical disease-free progression. Late treatment-related morbidity was graded according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer criteria. Results The median patient age was 67.3 years (range 47.9–80). Sixty patients (92.3%) had intermediate- to high-risk disease defined by clinical stage, presenting PSA and Gleason score/World Health Organisation (WHO) grade. With a median follow-up of 3.5 years (range 0.6–5.8), two patients had died of metastatic disease and another four patients had PSA relapse, giving a 3-year actuarial biochemical disease-free progression of 90.8%. Three patients (4.6%) had acute grade 3 genitourinary toxicity, in the form of urinary retention. Late grade 3 and 4 genitourinary toxicities occurred in four patients (6.2%) and one patient (1.5%), respectively. No late gastrointestinal toxicities were observed. Conclusions These results suggest that the combined modality of conformal HDR brachytherapy and EBRT is a feasible treatment modality with acceptable acute and late toxicities, comparable with those of EBRT alone. It offers an attractive conformal treatment modality with the potential of further dose escalation in the treatment of localised prostate cancer.
Unexpected linear ion trap collision-induced dissociation and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance infrared multi-photon dissociation fragmentation of a hydrated C-glycoside of 5-fluorouridine formed by the action of the pseudouridine synthases RluA and TruB.

As part of the investigation of the pseudouridine synthases, 5-fluorouridine in RNA was employed as a mechanistic probe. The hydrated, rearranged product of 5-fluorouridine was isolated as part of a dinucleotide and found to undergo unusual fragmentation during mass spectrometry, with the facile loss of HNCO from the product pyrimidine ring favored over phosphodiester bond rupture. Although the loss of HNCO from uridine and pseudouridine is well established, the pericyclic process leading to their fragmentation cannot operate with the saturated pyrimidine ring in the product of 5-fluorouridine. Based on the MS n results and calculations reported here, a new mechanism relying on the peculiar disposition of the functional groups of the product pyrimidine ring is proposed to account for the unusually facile fragmentation. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Leisure Styles and Adult Education

Participation in adult education is positively associated with certain leisure styles. One style is membership and participation in formal organizations (with the notable exception of labor union membership). A second is minimal engagement in a wide variety of diverse leisure activities. A third is frequent participation in cultural events, in social relations outside the immediate family or neighborhood or work situation, and in sports. Frequent par ticipation in one's immediate surroundings, in restricted friendship circles, and passive engagement in sports and the mass media, tend to be negatively associated with adult education participation. Essentially, people with broad and diverse leisure activities are more likely to participate in adult education. This finding con flicts with a prevailing view that adult education competes with other leisure pursuits for the interest and attention of a potential audience. On the contrary, one obstacle to participation in adult education is adherence to a relativ...
Toll-Like Receptor 2 Activation by Chlamydia trachomatis Is Plasmid Dependent, and Plasmid-Responsive Chromosomal Loci Are Coordinately Regulated in Response to Glucose Limitation by C. trachomatis but Not by C. muridarum

We previously demonstrated that plasmid-deficient Chlamydia muridarum retains the ability to infect the murine genital tract but does not elicit oviduct pathology because it fails to activate Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2). We derived a plasmid-cured derivative of the human genital isolate Chlamydia trachomatis D/UW-3/Cx, strain CTD153, which also fails to activate TLR2, indicating this virulence phenotype is associated with plasmid loss in both C. trachomatis and C. muridarum. As observed with plasmid-deficient C. muridarum, CTD153 displayed impaired accumulation of glycogen within inclusions. Transcriptional profiling of the plasmid-deficient strains by using custom microarrays identified a conserved group of chromosomal loci, the expression of which was similarly controlled in plasmid-deficient C. muridarum strains CM972 and CM3.1 and plasmid-deficient C. trachomatis CTD153. However, although expression of glycogen synthase, encoded by glgA, was greatly reduced in CTD153, it was unaltered in plasmid-deficient C. muridarum strains. Thus, additional plasmid-associated factors are required for glycogen accumulation by this chlamydial species. Furthermore, in C. trachomatis, glgA and other plasmid-responsive chromosomal loci (PRCLs) were transcriptionally responsive to glucose limitation, indicating that additional regulatory elements may be involved in the coordinated expression of these candidate virulence effectors. Glucose-limited C. trachomatis displayed reduced TLR2 stimulation in an in vitro assay. During human chlamydial infection, glucose limitation may decrease chlamydial virulence through its effects on plasmid-responsive chromosomal genes.
Moderator Effects on Attitude Scale Construction1

Data from a study on smoking and health are used to examine three methodological questions: (1) Does the method of scale construction influence the items in the resultant scales? (2) Do alternative subgroup delineations influence the formulation of scales? (3) If different scales are formed, what is the influence on measurement criteria, such as reliability, inter-item and item-total correlations, and statistical testing? Attitude scales were formed for subgroups based on smoking behavior, sex, and area of residence. Cluster analysis and theory were used to formulate the scales. The data provide empirical support that: (1) the method used to construct scales and (2) the moderators or subgroups do influence items in the scales, measurement criteria, and statistical testing.
Mass loss from pulsating cool stars

It has long been clear that most, if not all, of the mass loss experienced by stars from 0.8 to 8 solar masses occurs near the tip of the AGB and/or the RGB. Evolutionary studies have incorporated empirical mass loss laws but theoretical models suggest quite different dependence of mass loss rate on stellar parameters. We are combining evolutionary model calculations with ISUEVO with mass loss modeling using the Bowen code in a systematic study of final stages of stellar evolution. We mapped the RGB (without steady mass loss) to the "Death Zone" as a function of mixing length, mass, and metallicity. We compared these results with observation data from Origlia. We are investigating a possible mass loss mechanism through companions as a complement to mass loss through pulsation. By the end of the project we expect to provide a reliable prescription for AGB mass loss.
Association of aortic stiffness and wave reflections with coronary flow reserve in women without obstructive coronary artery disease: An ancillary study from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute–sponsored Women’s Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation (WISE)

Background Increased aortic stiffness and reduced coronary flow reserve (CFR) independently predict adverse outcomes. But information about relationships between arterial properties and CFR in subjects without obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) is limited. Methods CFR was measured (Doppler flow wire and intracoronary adenosine) in 50 women (age 53 ± 11 years) with symptoms and signs of myocardial ischemia without obstructive CAD. Aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV), a measure of aortic stiffness, was obtained via catheter pullback; radial artery pressure waves were measured by applanation tonometry and central aortic pressure synthesized. Results Overall, CFR (mean 2.61 ± 0.47) was significantly correlated with aPWV ( r = −0.51), pulse wave amplification ( r = 0.45), augmented pressure ( r = −0.48), augmentation index (AIx, r = −0.44), aortic systolic pressure ( r = −0.49), left ventricular wasted energy (LVEw, r = −0.47) (all P r = −0.37, P r = −0.29, P P P Women with CFR ≤2.5 versus those with CFR >2.5 had greater aPWV (894 ± 117 vs 747 ± 93 cm/s, P P P 2 × 10 2 , P P P Conclusions Among symptomatic women without obstructive CAD, CFR was inversely related to aortic systolic pressure and indices of aortic stiffness. These changes in arterial properties increase left ventricular afterload requiring the ventricle to generate additional, but wasted, energy that increases indices of myocardial oxygen demand, reduces CFR and increases vulnerability to ischemia.
Application of punched card indexing systems to orthopaedic surgery.

Three methods of indexing orthopaedic surgery patients have been presented together with some of the problems. The small file is discussed in more detail since it should be of more general interest. The other methods are mentioned principally to demonstrate more clearly the reasons why certain types of codes have specific advantages in special situations. No system is better than the individuals operating it. A cumbersome method would be more effective in the hands of a dedicated person than a well-designed system operated casually by the uninterested. Active interest and participation by the persons working with the cases is needed for success. It is hoped that some of our mistakes may be avoided by prospective indexers reading this article.
Experiments on H-Columns Under Biaxial Bending

Twelve isolated steel H-columns were tested under loading eccentric with respect to both principal axes of the end-cross sections. The eccentricities of loading were substantially alike at both ends of the specimens. The columns were manufactured from various alloys. Both stress-relieved and as-rolled specimens were tested. In each experiment the load was applied to the column in increments until the ultimate carrying capacity of the column was reached, and then the specimen was unloaded incrementally so that unloading was accompanied by increasing lateral displacements and twist. Conclusions: (1) Dominant influence on ultimate load was bending about the minor principal axis of the cross section; (2) CRC interaction equation underestimates strength by a variable amount; and (3) adequate correspondence between observed deformational response and that predicted by indirect incremental computer solution.
Support Therapy for Lung Failure

The desire to find a way to support a failing lung has existed since the first physician watched his patient succumb to an acute lung injury; however, practical means to support the failing lung are relatively new. Most of the ideas, techniques, and equipment grew as an extension of cardiopulmonary bypass. From this core technology, many spin-off techniques have been developed. In this chapter we will discuss and evaluate the historical and current trends in lung support, from total gas exchange devices to devices meant only to augment gas exchange. Although some of these techniques have been around for 35 years, few have undergone rigorous scientific validation. With this in mind, we will highlight the landmark trials and present a balanced argument for their use in patients. It should be noted that the essence of evidence based medicine is data; in order for sufficient data to exist, a technology must be mature, standardized and disseminated. Many of the extracorporeal techniques in this chapter are cutting edge and, as such, do not have the necessary trials to generate the amount of data to allow evaluation in an evidence based manner. A grade of “weak” recommendation is not equivalent to harmful and should be viewed as a lack of data as opposed to a judgment on the efficacy of the technique.
Tonal Contrast in Early Pentasyllabic Poems: A Quantitative Study of Three Poem Collections

Some researchers, including Wang Li 王力 (1900–1986) and Xu Qing 徐青 (1934–), have claimed—based on evidence provided by cursory observations of tonal arrangement—that pre-Yongming poets also attempted to create tonal contrast effects in pentasyllabic poems. In order to assess the validity of these claims, this study adopted a quantitative approach to the analysis of tonal contrasts in three early pentasyllabic poem collections: the “Nineteen Ancient Poems,” pentasyllabic poems written by Cao Zhi 曹植 (192–232), and pentasyllabic poems written by Xie Lingyun 謝靈運 (385–433). Unlike any previous study, the research presented in this article interprets tonal contrast data obtained in these poems in an enriched context. The author compares the tonal contrast rates in the poems written before the Yongming 永明 era (483–93) to tonal contrast rates obtained from narrative texts written in the same period, as well as to the ratios expected under the condition of random tonal arrangement. The results of these comparisons reveal that there is no simple answer to the question of whether tonal contrast existed in early pentasyllabic poems. Tonal contrast appears to have been in an intricate transitional stage that was likely initiated with an intuitive act of creativity rather than an intentional manipulation of tones to obtain a particular known effect.
YIELD OF TRANSESOPHAGEAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY TO DETECT INVASIVE COMPLICATIONS OF AORTIC PROSTHETIC VALVE ENDOCARDITIS

The correlation of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) with surgical findings in patients with invasive complications of aortic prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) is uncertain. We therefore assessed the performance of TEE to detect invasive complications when compared to anatomic findings. We
A New Subgenus and Species of Iassinae (Homoptera: Cicadellidae)

A new subgenus from Bolivia, Abdistragania , is described in the genus Penestragania Beamer and Lawson, and a new species, Penestragania noxina , is described and designated type-species (Homoptera: Cicadellidae: Iassinae).
Effect of Residual Charges on Surface Discharge Propagation Under Impulse Voltage

For a high-voltage electrical apparatus,its surface insulation is always the weakest point,and many accidents are initiated from surface discharge.After the discharge,charges accumulate on the insulator surface,and these residual charges will significantly influence the onset and development of the subsequent discharge.Therefore,we studied surface discharges on the polyethylene terephthalate(PET)film with a coaxial cylindrical configuration by high speed camera under impulse voltages with alternate voltage polarity,and measured the surface potential distribution induced by residual charges after discharges by an electrostatic probe.With the residual charges from surface discharge with opposite polarity,the subsequent discharge propagates by partly following the path of the previous discharge.The discharge current of the surface discharge will be strengthened by the residual charges with the opposite polarity.Along the direction of discharge channel,the surface charge potential distribution can be divided into two parts,i.e.,20 mm area ahead of discharge with bigger potential gradient,to be streamer discharge,and smooth potential gradient area along the main channel of discharge,to be leader discharge.
A Graphical Model Approach To ATLAS-Free Mining Of MRI Images

Improvements in medical imaging techniques have provided clinicians the ability to obtain detailed brain images of patients at lower costs. This increased availability of rich data opens up new avenues of research that promise better understanding of common brain ailments such as Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia. Improved data mining techniques, however, are required to leverage these new data sets to identify intermediate disease states (e.g., mild cognitive impairment) and perform early diagnosis. We propose a graphical model framework based on conditional random fields (CRFs) to mine MRI brain images. As a proof-of-concept, we apply CRFs to the problem of brain tissue segmentation. Experimental results show robust and accurate performance on tissue segmentation comparable to other state-of-the-art segmentation methods. In addition, results show that our algorithm generalizes well across data sets and is less susceptible to outliers. Our method relies on minimal prior knowledge unlike atlas-based techniques, which assume images map to a normal template. Our results show that CRFs are a promising model for tissue segmentation, as well as other MRI data mining problems such as anatomical segmentation and disease diagnosis where atlas assumptions are unreliable in abnormal brain images.
Therapeutic Uses of Intravenous Gammaglobulin for Pediatric Infections

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) may be a valuable new therapeutic modality in children both to prevent and to treat bacterial and viral infections. Current studies have suggested that IVIG may be efficacious in a variety of conditions such as congenital and acquired immunodeficiency, neonatal sepsis, Kawasaki’s syndrome, and respiratory syncytial virus infections. In the future, specific, high-titered IVIG preparations or human monoclonal antibodies may provide important advances in the treatment of infectious diseases.
IMAGING PROSTATE BRACHYTHERAPY SEEDS WITH PULSE-ECHO ULTRASOUND AND VIBRO-ACOUSTOGRAPHY

Treatment of early stage prostate cancer by transperineal interstitial permanent prostate brachytherapy (TIPPB) is a common and minimally invasive procedure. It is estimated that in 1999 over 30,000 men in the U.S. were treated with this modality1. The American Brachytherapy Society (ABS) provided recommendations in 1999 for the practice of TIPPB and includes the use of trans-rectal ultrasound (TRUS) usually operated at frequencies from 5.0 to 7.5 MHz to guide needle and seed placement. Indeed, improvements in prostate brachytherapy technique using an ultrasound-guided closed transperineal approach as compared to the open retropubic free hand approach3 have facilitated better seed placement3 and outcome4. However, the ABS recommends further that methods of real-time intra-operative radiation dosimetry be developed. In order to achieve this, immediate determination of seed location during is necessary.
Overview of Inland Water Habitats

Abstract Chapter 2 discusses physical and chemical features of inland water habitats of the world as they influence types, distribution, and abundance of invertebrates. The initial section focuses on global (geographic) differences in habitat constraints, with coverage of cold habitats (polar and alpine), temperate and tropical zones, oceanic islands, and Australia. A major section on lotic ecosystems examines characteristics affecting the distribution and abundance of invertebrates at different spatiotemporal scales in springs, headwaters, and rivers. The importance of hydrology, hydraulics, substrate, ionic content, and water temperature are discussed. The nature of subsurface habitats (hyporheic and caves) are analyzed along with the type of organisms present. The chapter concludes with an analysis of important physicochemical features in lentic habitats (lakes, reservoirs, pools, wetlands, and phytotelmata) and their effects of inland water invertebrates. General impacts of human activity on all types of surface and subsurface waters are analyzed.
Perceived Mental Fatigue and Self-Control

The purpose of this chapter is to outline the empirical work to date regarding the importance of individuals’ subjective perceptions of mental fatigue for self-control. We first review existing research on the causal link between perceptions of mental fatigue and self-control. Next, we discuss factors shown to impact or alter individuals’ perceptions of mental fatigue. We then present a metaanalysis to provide insight into the general impact of perceived mental fatigue on self-control. Finally, we speak to the implications of this research for the manner in which self-control is conceptualized within a limited resource model specifically as well as models of self-control more broadly.
The impact of reactants composition and temperature on the flow structure in a wake stabilized laminar lean premixed CH4/H2/air flames; mechanism and scaling

Abstract In this paper we investigate the role of reactants composition and temperature in defining the steady flow structure in bluff body stabilized premixed flames. The study was motivated by experiments which showed that the flow structure and stability map for different fuels and inlet conditions collapse using the extinction strain rate as the chemical time scale. The investigation is conducted using a laminar lean premixed flame stabilized on a heat conducting bluff-body. Calculations are performed for a wide range of mixtures of CH 4 /H 2 /air (0.35 ≤ ϕ ≤ 0.75, 0 ≤ %H 2 ≤ 40, 300 ≤ T in [K] ≤ 500) in order to systematically vary the burning velocity (2.0–35.6 cm/s), dilatation ratio (2.7–6.4), and extinction strain rate (106–2924 1/s). The model is based on a fully resolved unsteady two-dimensional flow with detailed chemistry and species transport, and with no artificial flame anchoring boundary conditions. Calculations reveal that the recirculation zone length correlates with a chemical time scale based on the flame extinction strain rate corresponding to the inlet fuel composition, stoichiometry, pressure and temperature; and are consistent with experimental data in literature. It was found that in the wake region the flame is highly stretched and its location and interaction with the flow is governed by the reactants combustion characteristics under high strain.
Variability analysis for noisy physiological signals: A simulation study

Physiological monitoring is prone to artifacts originating from various sources such as motion, device malfunction, and interference. The artifact occurrence not only elevates false alarm rates in clinics but also complicates data analysis in research. When techniques to characterize signal dynamics and the underlying physiology are applied (e.g., heart rate variability), noise and artifacts can produce misleading results that describe the signal artifacts more than the physiology. Signal quality metrics can be applied to identify signal segments with noise and artifacts that would otherwise lead analyses to produce non-physiologic or misleading results. In this study we utilized simulated electrocardiogram signals and artifacts to demonstrate effects of noise on heart rate variability frequency domain methods. We then used these simulations to assess an automated artifact correction algorithm that included a signal quality index comparing electrocardiogram beats to a beat template. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm can significantly improve estimation of signal spectra in presence of various artifacts. This algorithm can be applied to automatically clean real world physiological time series before conducting variability analysis.
Reengineering valve patients' postdischarge management for adapting to bundled payment models.

Abstract Background Bundled Payments for Care Improvement (BPCI) initiatives were developed by Medicare in an effort to reduce expenditures while preserving quality of care. Payment model 2 reimburses based on a target price for 90-day episode of care postprocedure. The challenge for valve patients is the historically high (>35%) 90-day readmission rate. We analyzed our institutional cardiac surgical service line adaptation to this initiative. Methods On May 1, 2015, we instituted a readmission reduction initiative (RRI) that included presurgical risk stratification, comprehensive predischarge planning, and standardized postdischarge management led by cardiac nurse practitioners (CNPs) who attempt to guide any postdischarge encounters (PDEs). A prospective database also was developed, accruing data on all cardiac surgery patients discharged after RRI initiation. We analyzed detailed PDEs for all valve patients with complete 30-day follow-up through November 2015. Results Patients included 219 surgical patients and 126 transcatheter patients. Sixty-four patients had 79 PDEs. Of these 79 PDEs, 46 (58.2%) were guided by CNPs. PDEs were due to fluid overload/effusion (21, 27%), arrhythmia (17, 22%), bleeding/thromboembolic events (13, 16%), and falls/somatic complaints (12, 15%). Thirty-day readmission rate was 10.1% (35/345). Patients with transcatheter aortic valve replacement had a higher rate of readmission than surgical patients (15.0% vs 6.9%), but were older with more comorbidities. The median readmission length of stay was 2.0 days (interquartile range 1.0–5.0 days). Compared with 2014, the 30-day readmission rate for BPCI decreased from 18% (44/248) to 11% (20/175), P = .05. Conclusions Our reengineering of pre/postdischarge management of BPCI valve patients under tight CNP control has significantly reduced costly 30-day readmissions in this high-risk population.
Isolation of chloroplasts and chloroplast DNA

That chloroplasts are green and therefore recognizable by eye should have been an advantage in developing methods for their isolation, but historically it has been a disadvantage. It was relatively easy to grind up cells, subject the brei to differential centrifugation, and obtain a green pellet. It was also easy to infer that the pellet contained chloroplasts when it actually consisted of the swollen relics of thylakoid membranes. Much was learned about the light reactions of photosynthesis from studying such suspensions of thylakoids, but they were useless for the study of CO2 fixation or other processes that we now know occur in chloroplasts. A fundamental principle of biochemistry is (or should be) that we can only claim that a process has been reconstructed in vitro when the isolated system is shown to mimic the process in vitro both qualitatively and quantitatively. Failure to do so should not be explained away by ad-hoc hypotheses.
Development and Validation of a Model for Predicting Diabetic Nephropathy in Chinese People.

Abstract Objective To develop a risk model for predicting later development of diabetic nephropathy (DN) in Chinese people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and evaluate its performance with independent validation. Methods We used data collected from the project ‘Comprehensive Research on the Prevention and Control of Diabetes’, which was a community-based study conducted by the Jiangsu Center for Disease Control and Prevention in 2013. A total of 11,771 eligible participants were included in our study. The endpoint was a clear diagnosis of DN. Data was divided into two components: a training set for model development and a test set for validation. The Cox proportional hazard regression was used for survival analysis in men and women. The model's performance was evaluated by discrimination and calibration. Results The incidence (cases per 10,000 person-years) of DN was 9.95 (95% CI ; 8.66-11.43) in women and 11.28 (95% CI ; 9.77-13.03) in men. Factors including diagnosis age, location, body mass index, high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol, creatinine, hypertension, dyslipidemia, retinopathy, diet control, and physical activity were significant in the final model. The model showed high discrimination and good calibration. Conclusion The risk model for predicting DN in people with T2DM can be used in clinical practice for improving the quality of risk management and intervention.
Coherent reaction

Side effects are both the essence and bane of imperative programming. The programmer must carefully coordinate actions to manage their side effects upon each other. Such coordination is complex, error-prone, and fragile. Coherent reaction is a new model of change-driven computation that coordinates effects automatically. State changes trigger events called reactions that in turn change other states. A coherent execution order is one in which each reaction executes before any others that are affected by its changes. A coherent order is discovered iteratively by detecting incoherencies as they occur and backtracking their effects. Unlike alternative solutions, much of the power of imperative programming is retained, as is the common sense notion of mutable state. Automatically coordinating actions lets the programmer express what to do, not when to do it.Coherent reactions are embodied in the Coherence language, which is specialized for interactive applications like those common on the desktop and web. The fundamental building block of Coherence is the dynamically typed mutable tree. The fundamental abstraction mechanism is the virtual tree, whose value is lazily computed, and whose behavior is generated by coherent reactions.
Physical Activity and Physical and Mental Well-Being in Church Settings.

An introduction is presented in which the author discusses an article in the journal which deals with the implementation of a faith-based physical activity promotion intervention for Hispanic Americans, and it mentions physical and mental well-being in church settings in the U.S.
Advanced processing of group-III nitrides

Recent advances in developing process modules for GaN photonic and power electronic devices are reviewed. These processes include damage removal in dry etched n- and p- GaN, implant doping and isolation, novel gate dielectrics, improved Schottky and ohmic contacts.
Abstract 706: Combination ionizing radiation and oncolytic Seneca Valley virus injection enhances tumor cell killing of pediatric gliomas

Background and Purpose: Radiation therapy is the traditional and only therapy that offers benefits to patients with diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPG) which are highly aggressive pediatric central nervous system tumors without known curative therapies. However, unfortunately, efficacy of radiation therapy is transient. Seneca Valley virus-001(SVV-001) is a novel non-pathogenic oncolytic piconavirus that can be systemically administered and pass through brain blood barrier (BBB). Phase I clinical trial of SVV has proven its efficacy in adults patients with cancers with neuroendocrine features and in pediatric patients with non-central nerve system (CNS) tumors. We sought to examine if combining ionizing radiation with an oncolytic virus SVV-001 would lead to synergistically enhanced tumor cell killing and significantly improve therapeutic efficacy in vivo in DIPG patient tumor-derived intra-brain stem orthotopic xenograft mouse models (PDOX). Methods: By infecting PDOX derived tumor cells with green fluorescent protein (GFP)-coupled SVV (SVV-GFP) or SVV-001, in vitro virus infection and anti-tumor activity of SVV were examined by cell viability assay, Western Blotting for apoptosis and autophagy-related protein and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining or Flow cytometry for cell mitochondria content. In vivo therapeutic efficacy was evaluated by systemic administration of SVV into PDOX derived DIPG xenografts alone or in combination with irradiation. Results: We first had established a novel panel of nine PDOX derived orthotopic xenograft mouse models of DIPG. Our data confirmed that SVV can infect and efficiently kill DIPG tumor cells in vitro by inducing apoptosis and autophagy, leading to improved animal survival in a subset of DIPG xenograft models. We found that the lack of mitochondria in the xenograft tumor cells in vivo impaired the intracellular replication of SVV-001 and subsequently compromised its oncolytic cell killing of tumor cells in vivo. Radiation induced elevated mitochondria biogenesis in tumor cells therefore boosted SVV oncolysis of tumor cells. Moreover, combining fractionated radiation with single i.v.injection of SVV led to significant improvement of animal survival in a subset of DIPG models. Conclusion: SVV-001 killed DIPG xenograft cells in vitro. Radiation activated mitochondria content of tumor cells in vivo, which restored impaired SVV oncolytic function.Combining radiation with single systemic administration of SVV synergistically enhanced animal survival in a subset of DIPG xenograft models. Citation Format: Yuchen Du. Combination ionizing radiation and oncolytic Seneca Valley virus injection enhances tumor cell killing of pediatric gliomas [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 706. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-706
Piecewise and unified phase variables in the control of a powered prosthetic leg

Many control methods have been proposed for powered prosthetic legs, ranging from finite state machines that switch between discrete phases of gait to unified controllers that have a continuous sense of phase. In particular, recent work has shown that a mechanical phase variable can parameterize the entire gait cycle for controlling a prosthetic leg during steady rhythmic locomotion. However, the unified approach does not provide voluntary control over non-rhythmic motions like stepping forward and back. In this paper we present a phasing algorithm that uses the amputee's hip angle to control both rhythmic and non-rhythmic motion through two modes: 1) a piecewise (PW) function that provides users voluntary control over stance and swing in a piecewise manner, and 2) a unified function that continuously synchronizes the motion of the prosthetic leg with the amputee user at different walking speeds. The two phase variable approaches are compared in experiments with a powered knee-ankle prosthesis used by an above-knee amputee subject.