cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dramaturgy and Dramatic Character: A Long View

Dramatic character is among the most long-standing and familiar of artistic phenomena. From the theatre of Dionysus in ancient Greece to the modern stage, William Storm's book delivers a wide-ranging view of how characters have been conceived at pivotal moments in history. Storm reaffirms dramatic character as not only ancestrally prominent but as a continuing focus of interest. He looks closely at how stage figures compare to fictional characters in books, dramatic media, and other visual arts. Emphasis is sustained throughout on fundamental questions of how theatrical characterization relates to dramatic structure, style, and genre. Extensive attention is given to how characters think and to aspects of agency, selfhood, and consciousness. As the only book to offer a long view of theatrical characterization across this historical span, Storm's dramaturgical and theoretical investigation examines topics that remain vital and pertinent for practitioners, scholars, students of theatre and literature, and general audiences.
The Power of Context: Prospect Theory, Domains of Operation, and Reciprocity

On December 31, 1958, a crisis developed between Guatemala and Mexico. At issue were fishing rights and control over territorial waters. What started as a small incident quickly evolved into a conflict between the two countries that brought them to the brink of war. And while it seemed that all the ingredients were in place for a full scale war, the crisis was resolved peacefully shifting the two countries toward a positive reciprocal path. The four variables of power asymmetry, issue saliency, images, and particularly prospect theory domain of operation are used to help us understand the evolution of this case. The case illustrates the utility of prospect theory when evaluating the possibility of a positive or a negative reciprocal cycle, stressing that a positive cycle is possible even under conditions of an escalating dispute if the actors operate from the domain of gains.
Extracorporeal life support is safe in trauma patients

Abstract Introduction The role of extracorporeal life support (ECLS) in the critically ill trauma patient is poorly defined, possibly leading to the underutilization of this lifesaving therapy in this population. This study examined survival rates and risk factors for death in trauma patients who received ECLS. Methods Data from the National Trauma Data Bank was retrospectively reviewed to identify trauma patients who received ECLS from January 2012 to December 2014. Clinical outcomes and risk factors for death were examined in these patients. Results Eighty patients were identified and included in the final analysis. Overall survival to hospital discharge was 64%. Survivors and non-survivors were similar in regard to age, gender, weight, and injury mechanism. Non-survivors had greater median injury severity scores (ISS) (29 non-survivors vs. 24 survivors, p = 0.018) and had a shorter median total hospital length of stay (8 days non-survivors vs. 32 days survivors, p Conclusions Extracorporeal life support appears to be an effective treatment option in trauma patients with severe cardiopulmonary failure. Survival in trauma patients receiving ECLS is similar to that observed in the general ECLS population and this may represent an underutilized therapy in this population.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa as an Etiologic Agent of Nephrolithiasis in Deep Water Divers.

Abstract Background: A number of occupations and professions may be associated with unique hazards relevant to urologic care. Case Presentation: We relate the presentation, care, and the occupation...
The diagnosis and successful treatment of post-lumbar puncture headache in a pediatric patient

The authors describe a pediatric patient with post-lumbar puncture headache and the feasibility of epidural blood patch to successfully treat this complication.
Public Support for Emergency Shelter Housing Interventions Concerning Stigmatized Populations

Research Summary We examine citizen decision-making in the context of providing access to safe housing to different noncriminal and criminal populations. More than 4,000 national online survey respondents considered different “emergency housing policy” scenarios that would affect the housing conditions of one of five randomly assigned populations of varying stigma (three noncriminal, two criminal). We find that the criminal populations had the least support for helpful housing policies and the most support for harmful housing policies. Furthermore, compared with a “no cost” policy, average support levels decreased when it increased taxes for the respondent. Policy Implications Citizens seem more willing to subject criminal populations to poor and unsafe housing conditions compared with noncriminal populations. Thus, citizen support may be higher when policies are pitched in ways that do not imply specifically helping ex-offenders, when they do not involve a personal sacrifice through increased taxes, and when they do not involve “in-my-backyard” proposals. For example, a housing policy pitched as aiding the area's homeless (ex-offenders included) would likely see more support than one that identifies ex-offenders (and particularly sex offenders) as the population being targeted for help, or that identifies a specific neighborhood as a potential housing facility location.
A nuclear exporters cartel

Events that have transpired in the past few years that have caused renewed concern about the spread of nuclear weapons are reviewed. Many proposals have been made recently for keeping the bomb from spreading. The author feels that the most novel and intriguing of them is the one advanced by Senator Abraham Ribicoff and Steven J. Baker; in their proposal, the world market for nuclear reactors would be divided into precisely defined shares among the industrial nations that now manufacture them for export; each exporter would be guaranteed a certain number of sales annually; and each would pledge not to sell uranium enrichment or plutonium reprocessing technology, as Germany did to Brazil. This might not halt proliferation, but it would give the world a few more years to find a solution. (MCW)
Index Differences in Registering Area Group Proportions

My goal in this chapter is to help interested readers become more familiar with the residential outcomes for individuals and households that give rise to different indices of uneven distribution. To do so, I review the residential outcome scores that underlie segregation comparisons in the difference of means formulation looking in detailed at the segregation comparisons of Whites with Blacks, Latinos, and Asians in Houston, Texas in 2000. The data for these comparisons are taken from block group tabulations for families obtained from Summary File 3 of the 2000 census. Table 5.1 presents the basic demographic information for the four groups and the three segregation comparisons considered here. The results for “overall” percentages document that Whites (non-Hispanic) are the largest group at 52.7 % overall, followed by Latinos (34.8 %), Blacks (16.5 %), and Asians (4.8 %). The results also document that the pairwise percentages for any group comparison are always higher than overall percentages for the obvious reason that groups outside the comparison are excluded from the denominator in the calculations.
The Components of a Successful S-STEM Program: What Works at Appalachian State University

In 1999, the National Science Foundation created the "Computer Science, Engineering, and Mathematics Scholarships" (CSEMS) program to provide funding for institutions to supply scholarships for academically talented and financially needy students to complete an associate, baccalaureate, or graduate degree in computer science, computer technology, engineering, engineering technology, or mathematics. In 2004, the program was renamed to "Scholarships for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics" (S-STEM) and modified to include students from physical and life sciences. Appalachian State University (ASU) has been the recipient of four CSEMS/S-STEM awards since 2001 and the scholarships have funded 161 students. Nearly all of these students have high levels of financial need and the majority are first generation college students. Overall, the program has retained 87 percent of these students; 12 percent of the scholars completed a bachelor's and then continued on to complete a master's degree or are in the process of doing so. The retention rate has increased as our program has improved. The retention rate of the current cohort of S-STEM students is 92.3 percent; 31 percent of the students in the current program completed a bachelor's degree and are pursuing or have completed a master's degree. These retention numbers are significantly higher than the 31 percent national average reported by the U.S. Department of Education. In addition, these retention numbers are higher than those found at our own institution for all Computer Science and Mathematics majors. This paper discusses the components of our successful program.
A new route to synthetic DNA

An enzymatic approach to oligonucleotide synthesis promises to extend the length and fidelity of synthetic DNA
A US National Study of the Association Between Income and Ambulance Response Time in Cardiac Arrest.

Importance Emergency medical services (EMS) provide critical prehospital care, and disparities in response times to time-sensitive conditions, such as cardiac arrest, may contribute to disparities in patient outcomes. Objectives To investigate whether ambulance 9-1-1 times were longer in low-income vs high-income areas and to compare response times with national benchmarks of 4, 8, or 15 minutes across income quartiles. Design, Setting, and Participants A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed of the 2014 National Emergency Medical Services Information System data in June 2017 using negative binomial and logistic regressions to examine the association between zip code–level income and EMS response times. The study used ambulance 9-1-1 response data for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest from 46 of 50 state repositories (92.0%) in the United States. The sample included 63 600 cardiac arrest encounters of patients who did not die on scene and were transported to the hospital. Main Outcomes and Measures Four time measures were examined, including response time, on-scene time, transport time, and total EMS time. The study compared response times with EMS response time benchmarks for responding to cardiac arrest calls within 4, 8, and 15 minutes. Results The study sample included 63 600 cardiac arrest encounters of patients (mean [SD] age, 60.6 [19.0] years; 57.9% male), with 37 550 patients (59.0%) from high-income areas and 8192 patients (12.9%) from low-income areas. High-income areas had greater proportions of white patients (70.1% vs 62.2%), male patients (58.8% vs 54.1%), privately insured patients (29.4% vs 15.9%), and uninsured patients (15.3% vs 7.9%), while low-income areas had a greater proportion of Medicaid-insured patients (38.3% vs 15.8%). The mean (SD) total EMS time was 37.5 (13.6) minutes in the highest zip code income quartile and 43.0 (18.8) minutes in the lowest. After controlling for urban zip code, weekday, and time of day in regression analyses, total EMS time remained 10% longer (95% CI, 9%-11%;P Conclusions and Relevance Patients with cardiac arrest from the poorest neighborhoods had longer EMS times compared with those from the wealthiest, and response times were less likely to meet national benchmarks in low-income areas, which may lead to increased disparities in prehospital delivery of care over time.
Diorganyl tellurides as substrates in Sonogashira coupling reactions under mild conditions

A new method of Sonogashira coupling reactions between diorganyl tellurides and terminal alkynes is reported. The coupling reactions are performed using Pd(dppf)Cl2 as a catalyst, CuI as a co-catal...
Epigenetic Vulnerability of Insulator CTCF Motifs at Parkinson’s Disease-Associated Genes in Response to Neurotoxicant Rotenone

CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) is a regulatory protein that binds DNA to control spatial organization and transcription. The sequence-specific binding of CTCF is variable and is impacted by nearby epigenetic patterns. It has been demonstrated that non-coding genetic variants cluster with CTCF sites in topological associating domains and thus can affect CTCF activity on gene expression. Therefore, environmental factors that alter epigenetic patterns at CTCF binding sites may dictate the interaction of non-coding genetic variants with regulatory proteins. To test this mechanism, we treated human cell line HEK293 with rotenone for 24 h and characterized its effect on global epigenetic patterns specifically at regulatory regions of Parkinson's disease (PD) risk loci. We used RNA sequencing to examine changes in global transcription and identified over 2000 differentially expressed genes (DEGs, >1.5-fold change, FDR 1%|, q < 0.05) in 45 CGs at 7 PD-associated genes. Of these 45 CGs, 47% were hypomethylated and 53% were hypermethylated. Interestingly, 5 out of the 7 genes had correlated gene upregulation with CG hypermethylation at CTCF and gene downregulation with CG hypomethylation at CTCF. We also investigated active H3K27ac surrounding the same CTCF binding sites within these seven genes. We observed a significant increase in H3K27ac in four genes (FDR < 0.05). Three genes (PARK2, GPRIN3, FER) showed increased CTCF binding in response to rotenone. Our data indicate that rotenone alters regulatory regions of PD-associated genes through changes in epigenetic patterns, and these changes impact high-order chromatin organization to increase the influence of non-coding variants on genome integrity and cellular survival.
A cross-sectional study of iodine nutritional status and thyroid nodules of people in Jiangbei District of Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province

Objective To understand the iodine nutritional status and thyroid nodules in different groups of people in Jiangbei District, and provide a basis for set up scientific prevention and control strategies on iodine supplementation. Methods Stratified cluster sampling method was used to determine the 3 survey points (representing the city, the rural-urban fringe zone and the rural areas), one village or community was chosen in each survey point, 100 families in every village or community were surveyed through questionnaire survey, urinary iodine testing and salt iodine testing. Urine samples of children aged 8-10 were collected from three schools of three survey points. Urine samples of pregnant women were collected from three survey points. All respondents were examined by thyroid B-ultrasound, and thyroid function tests[thyroglobulin antibody (TGAb),thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine(FT4)] were performed in patients with thyroid nodules. Urinary iodine concentration was determined by arsenic cerium catalytic spectrophotometry, salt iodine concentration was determined by sodium thiosulfate direct titration method, thyroid function was monitored by chemiluminescence method. Results Urinary iodine of 913 people was determined, the urinary iodine median was 201.69 μg/L, among these, under 100 μg/L was 14.68% (134/913), between 100-200 μg/L was 31.87% (291/913), between 200-300 μg/L was 29.84% (267/913), and over 300 μg/L was 24.21% (221/913). The median of 300 samples of salt iodine was 27.80 mg/kg, the coverage rate of iodized salt was 94.67% (284/300), the qualified rate was 92.96% (264/284), and the rate of qualified iodized salt used was 88.00% (264/300). A total of 913 people were taken thyroid B-ultrasound, the detection rate of thyroid nodules was 20.70% (189/913). Among these, the detection rates of the city, the rural-urban fringe zone, the rural areas were 19.44% (62/319), 20.13% (60/298), 22.64% (67/296), and the differences were not statistically significant (χ2 = 0.286,P>0.05). The detection rate of female was 24.95% (127/509), which was higher than that of male [15.35%(62/404), χ2 = 8.635,P < 0.01]. With the increase of salt taken, the detection rate of thyroid nodules increased, and it was connected with gender, age, consumption of high salt foods, and the immediate family history of thyroid disease[OR = 0.70, 1.03, 2.86, 1.03, all P < 0.05]. Conclusions From a general point of view, iodine nutritional status of residents in Jiangbei District is at suitable levels. The coverage rate and qualification rate of iodized salt have reached the standard for elimination of iodine deficiency disorders, but the rate of qualified iodized salt used is low. The rate of thyroid nodulesis is higher, and it is related with gender, age, consumption of high salt foods, and the immediate family history of thyroid disease; therefore, monitoring should be strengthened. Key words: Urinary; Salts; Thyroid nodule
Detecting new allies: Modifier screen identifies a genetic interaction between Imaginal disc growth factor 3 and a Rho-kinase substrate during dorsal appendage tube formation in Drosophila

Biological tube formation underlies organ development, and when disrupted, can cause severe birth defects. To investigate the genetic basis of tubulogenesis, we study the formation of Drosophila melanogaster eggshell structures, called dorsal appendages, which are produced by epithelial tubes. Previously we found that precise levels of Drosophila Chitinase-like proteins (CLPs), encoded by the Imaginal disc growth factor (Idgf) gene family, are needed to regulate dorsal-appendage tube closure and tube migration. To identify factors that act in the Idgf pathway, we developed a genetic modifier screen based on the finding that overexpressing Idgf3 causes dorsal appendage defects with ~50% frequency. Using a library of partially overlapping heterozygous deficiencies, we scanned chromosome 3L and found regions that enhanced or suppressed the Idgf3-overexpression phenotype. Using smaller deletions, RNAi, and mutant alleles, we further mapped five regions and refined the interactions to 58 candidate genes. Importantly, mutant alleles identified combover (cmb), a substrate of Rho-kinase (Rok) and a component of the Planar Cell Polarity (PCP) pathway, as an Idgf3-interacting gene: loss of function enhanced while gain of function suppressed the dorsal appendage defects. Since PCP drives cell intercalation in other systems, we asked if cmb/+ affected cell intercalation in our model, but we found no evidence of its involvement in this step. Instead, we found that loss of cmb dominantly enhanced tube defects associated with Idgf3 overexpression by expanding the apical area of dorsal appendage cells. Apical surface area determines tube volume and shape; in this way, Idgf3 and cmb regulate tube morphology.
Oceanic sediment accumulation rates predicted via machine learning algorithm: towards sediment characterization on a global scale

Observed vertical sediment accumulation rates (n = 1031) were gathered from ~ 55 years of peer reviewed literature. Original methods of rate calculation include long-term isotope geochronology (14C, 210Pb, and 137Cs), pollen analysis, horizon markers, and box coring. These observations are used to create a database of global, contemporary vertical sediment accumulation rates. Rates were converted to cm year−1, paired with the observation’s longitude and latitude, and placed into a machine learning–based Global Predictive Seabed Model (GPSM). GPSM finds correlations between the data and established global “predictors” (quantities known or estimable everywhere, e.g., distance from coastline and river mouths). The result, using a k-nearest neighbor (k-NN) algorithm, is a 5-arc-minute global map of predicted benthic vertical sediment accumulation rates. The map generated provides a global reference for vertical sedimentation from coastal to abyssal depths. Areas of highest sedimentation, ~ 3–8 cm year−1, are generally river mouth proximal coastal zones draining relatively large areas with high maximum elevations and with wide, shallow continental shelves (e.g., the Gulf of Mexico and the Amazon Delta), with rates falling exponentially towards the deepest parts of the oceans. The exception is Oceania, which displays significant vertical sedimentation over a large area without draining the large drainage basins seen in other regions. Coastal zones with relatively small drainage basins and steep shelves display vertical sedimentation of ~ 1 cm year−1, which is limited to the near shore when compared with shallow, wide margins (e.g., the western coasts of North and South America). Abyssal depth rates are functionally zero at the time scale examined (~ 10−4 cm year−1) and increase one order of magnitude near the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and at the Galapagos Triple Junction.
A geometric framework for rigid body attitude estimation

Abstract In this paper, we present a geometric framework to solve two common attitude estimation problems: (i) a geometric problem using measurement of two reference directions, and (ii) a geometro-kinematic problem using measurement of a single reference direction and rate measurement. Both the aforementioned problems may be formulated as angle optimization problems, which can then be solved to obtain exact closed-form solutions. Since the proposed framework preserves the special nonlinear geometry associated with the space of attitudes, and since we present analytic solutions, the proposed framework yields faster and more accurate solutions than those that are based upon linearization techniques. Furthermore, the framework may be extended beyond traditional output error least-squares, to accommodate other practical, but unconventional, optimality metrics. Of special note, we may generalize the classic vector Triad solution, which uses a primary and a secondary measurement, to one with multiple secondary measurements. Lastly, the presented method can be used to derive previous solutions under a single unifying framework, and thus establishes how they are related to each other in a fundamental way. The geometric framework has been verified in simulations as well as experiments.
Impact of Adjuvant Medical Therapies on Surgical Outcomes in Idiopathic Subglottic Stenosis.

Objectives/hypothesis Adjuvant medications including proton pump inhibitors (PPI), antibiotics (trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole [TMP-SMX]), and inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) may be prescribed for patients with idiopathic subglottic stenosis (iSGS). We describe medication use with endoscopic dilation (ED) or endoscopic resection with medical treatment (ERMT) and evaluate impact on outcomes. Study design International, prospective, 3-year multicenter cohort study of 810 patients with untreated, newly diagnosed, or previously treated iSGS. Methods Post hoc secondary analysis of prospectively collected North American Airway Collaborative data on outcomes linked with adjuvant medication utilization. Primary outcome was time to recurrent operation, evaluated using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression analysis. Secondary outcomes of change in peak expiratory flow (PEF) and clinical chronic obstructive pulmonary disease questionnaire (CCQ) score over 12 months were compared. Results Sixty-one of 129 patients undergoing ED received PPI (47%), and 10/143 patients undergoing ED received ICS (7%). TMP-SMX was used by 87/115 patients (76%) undergoing EMRT. PPI use in the ED group did not affect time to recurrence (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.00, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.53-1.88; P = .99) or 12-month change in PEF (L/min) (median [interquartile range], 12.0 [10.7-12.2] vs. 8.7 [-5.1 to 24.9]; P = .59), but was associated with 12-month change in CCQ (-0.05 [-0.97 to 0.75] vs. -0.50 [-1.60 to 0.20]; P = .04). ICS did not affect outcome measures. TMP-SMX use in ERMT did not affect time to recurrence (HR = 0.842, 95% CI: 0.2345-3.023; P = .79), PEF at 12 months (75 [68-89] vs. 81 [68-89]; P = .92), or 12-month change in CCQ (0.20 [-1.05 to 0.47] vs. -0.30 [-1.00 to 0.10]; P = .45). Conclusion There is no standard practice for prescribing adjuvant medications. These data do not support that adjuvant medications prolong time to recurrence or increase PEF. Patients with iSGS and gastroesophageal reflux disease may experience some symptom benefit with PPI. Level of evidence Level 3 Laryngoscope, 2021.
Glioblastoma signature in the DNA of blood-derived cells

Current approach for the detection of cancer is based on identifying genetic mutations typical to tumor cells. This approach is effective only when cancer has already emerged, however, it might be in a stage too advanced for effective treatment. Cancer is caused by the continuous accumulation of mutations; is it possible to measure the time-dependent information of mutation accumulation and predict the emergence of cancer? We hypothesize that the mutation history derived from the tandem repeat regions in blood-derived DNA carries information about the accumulation of the cancer driver mutations in other tissues. To validate our hypothesis, we computed the mutation histories from the tandem repeat regions in blood-derived exomic DNA of 3874 TCGA patients with different cancer types and found a statistically significant signal with specificity ranging from 66% to 93% differentiating Glioblastoma patients from other cancer patients. Our approach and findings offer a new direction for future cancer prediction and early cancer detection based on information derived from blood-derived DNA.
COVID-19 Pandemic and Trauma-Informed Teaching with African American College Students: A Narrative Experience of Students at an HBCU in the Southeast

The COVID-19 pandemic swiftly immobilized and transformed virtually every facet of American life—from how we work, to how we learn, to how we socialize. Social systems have been a part of that change, including our education system, a social system that relies on in-person contact that has been gravely impacted by this pandemic. These swift changes elicited immediate responses to the ways in which education is delivered on college campuses. This chapter describes specific changes made at a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) located in the Southeast area of the United States. Additionally, the chapter will highlight trauma-informed approaches used as best practices in working with students: what worked and what did not, and lessons learned.
Fodor and Prior on Propositional Attitudes

We have often spoken of the view on the propositional attitudes which regards them as relations between persons and propositions. This view is evidently attractive, since held by many. But with what justification? To help answer this question we turn to the work of a recognized specialist on propositional attitudes, J.A. Fodor, and focus on his paper “Propositional Attitudes” in which he reviews what he takes to be the primary justifications available to a proponent of the relational conception of those attitudes.
Using dynamic time warping distances as features for improved time series classification

Dynamic time warping (DTW) has proven itself to be an exceptionally strong distance measure for time series. DTW in combination with one-nearest neighbor, one of the simplest machine learning methods, has been difficult to convincingly outperform on the time series classification task. In this paper, we present a simple technique for time series classification that exploits DTW's strength on this task. But instead of directly using DTW as a distance measure to find nearest neighbors, the technique uses DTW to create new features which are then given to a standard machine learning method. We experimentally show that our technique improves over one-nearest neighbor DTW on 31 out of 47 UCR time series benchmark datasets. In addition, this method can be easily extended to be used in combination with other methods. In particular, we show that when combined with the symbolic aggregate approximation (SAX) method, it improves over it on 37 out of 47 UCR datasets. Thus the proposed method also provides a mechanism to combine distance-based methods like DTW with feature-based methods like SAX. We also show that combining the proposed classifiers through ensembles further improves the performance on time series classification.
TH-CD-204-09: Physiological Modeling of Lung Motion Based On Hyperpolarized Gas Tagging MRI

Purpose: To model the respiratory motion of lung based on the physiological ground truth measured with hyperpolarized (HP) gas tagging magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods: A novel 4D model was established to investigate the respiratory motion of lung based on the 3D HP gas tagging MRI (t-MRI) and 3D proton MRI (p-MRI). Images were acquired on one healthy volunteer in breath-hold at the inhalation and the exhalation phases, respectively. We obtained the displacement vector field (DVF) of each tagged grid (t-DVF) in the t-MRI images by directly measuring the spatial difference of the centroid of the grid, which therefore represented the physiological ground truth. The DVF of each voxel (p-DVF) in the p-MRI images were generated with deformable image registration. Regional ventilation, a metric used to evaluate of lung function, was calculated using the Jacobian determinant of DVF.The respiratory motion of lung was estimated by optimizing the p-DVF to minimize the differences between p-DVF and t-DVF, while preserving the ground truth of ventilation. The optimization was performed by considering the correction of t-DVF as a perturbation to the existing p-DVF. In order to evaluate the resultant model, the motion and the ventilation were compared to those of t-MRI and p-MRI, respectively. Results: Our 4D model represents a more realistic lung motion with the average deviation from the ground truth t-DVF reduced from 6.4 mm to 5.2 mm (p<0.05, student t-test) compared to the p-DVF. Furthermore, the accuracy of regional ventilation was also improved with larger cross correlation (0.98 v.s. 0.37) and mutual information values (5.84 v.s. 0.45). Conclusion: We have successfully created a novel 4D motion model of lung based on the physiological ground truth measured from HP gas tagging MRI. With this model, an accurate prediction of lung motion and deformation during respiration in 4D becomes possible.
Measurement of thyroid clearance of plasma iodide; the effect of expansion of the iodide space.

Abstract A procedure for the measurement of thyroid clearance during the first hour after iodine-131 administration is described. The behavior of iodine-131 in the extrathyroid tissues of the neck is considered and the effect of changing distribution is taken into account in the calculation of uptake of iodine-131 by the thyroid. It is shown that the extrathyroid iodide space of distribution is approximately 11. at 2 min, 1·27 1. at 30 min, and 1·31 1. at 60 min after intravenous injection of iodine-131. About one third of this volume is intravascular and the rate of expansion of the iodide space of distribution is similar to the rate of expansion of the sodium ion space of distribution. Equations that make a correction for this changing “neck background” are derived and the calculation of thyroid plasma iodide clearance is illustrated.
A design methodology for performance-resource optimization of a generalized 2D convolution architecture with quadrant symmetric kernels

We present a design technique to meet application driven constraints for performance-resource optimization of a generalized 2D convolution with quadrant symmetric kernels. A fully pipelined multiplierless digital architecture for computing modularized 2D convolution utilizing the quadrant symmetry of the kernels is proposed in this paper. Pixels in the four quadrants of the kernel region with respect to an image pixel are considered simultaneously with distributed queues for computing the partial results of the convolution sum in time-sliced fashion. The new architecture performs computations in log-domain by utilizing low complexity high performance log2 and inverse-log2 estimation modules. An effective data handling strategy is developed to minimize routing of data path in conjunction with the logarithmic modules to eliminate the necessity of the multipliers in the architecture. The proposed architecture is capable of performing convolution operations for 45.5 (1024×1024) frames or 47.73 million outputs per second in minimum resource configuration with 8×8 kernels in a Xilinx's Virtex XC2V2000-4ff896 field programmable gate array (FPGA) at maximum clock frequency of 190.92 MHz. Analysis shows that the performance and resource utilization between the fully parallel and fully resource constrained architectures are proportional to f and 1/f, respectively where f is the application driven reusability of the main computing components. In addition to resource reduction from optimization scheme, evaluation in Xilinx's core generator also showed that the proposed design results in 60% reduction in hardware when compared to the design using pipelined multipliers.
Forests as Sinks for Air Contaminants: Soil Compartment

Air contaminants may be removed from the atmosphere by a variety of mechanisms. The primary processes are precipitation scavenging, chemical reaction, and dry deposition (sedimentation) and absorption (impaction) (Rasmussen et al., 1974). Wet deposition involves transfer to the earth in association with all forms of precipitation. Primary and secondary contaminants are subject to a large number of chemical reactions in the atmosphere that may ultimately transform them into an aerosol or an oxidized or reduced product. Attachment by aerosols and subsequent deposition on the surface of the earth is termed dry deposition. Absorption by water bodies, soils, or vegetation at the surface of the earth is an extremely important component of the removal process.
Racial, socioeconomic, and demographic disparities in access to fertility preservation in young women diagnosed with cancer.

BACKGROUND: This study seeks to examine the relation between sociodemographic characteristics and the utilization of fertility preservation services in reproductive age women diagnosed with cancer. METHODS: A total of 1041 women diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 18 and 40 years responded to a retrospective survey on demographic information and reproductive health history. Five cancer types were included: leukemia, Hodgkin disease, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, breast cancer, and gastrointestinal cancer. Nine hundred eighteen women reported treatment with potential to affect fertility (chemotherapy, pelvic radiation, pelvic surgery, or bone marrow transplant). Student t test, linear regression, and multivariate logistic regression were used where appropriate to determine the relation between sociodemographic characteristics and the odds of using fertility preservation services. RESULTS: Sixty-one percent of women were counseled on the risk of cancer treatment to fertility by the oncology team. Overall, 4% of women pursued fertility preservation. In multivariate analysis, women who had not attained a bachelor's degree (odds ratio [OR], 0.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.5-0.9) were less likely to be counseled. Trends also suggested possible disparities in access to fertility preservation with age older than 35 years (OR, 0.1; 95% CI, 0.0-1.4) or previous children (OR, 0.3; 95% CI, 0.1-1.1) at diagnosis. Disparities in access to fertility preservation based on ethnicity and sexual orientation were also observed. CONCLUSIONS: Sociodemographic health disparities likely affect access to fertility preservation services. Although awareness of fertility preservation has improved in the past decade, an unmet need remains for reproductive health counseling and fertility preservation in reproductive age women diagnosed with cancer. Cancer 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Mispricing of Discount Bond Options in the Black-Derman-Toy Model Calibrated to Term Structure and Cap Volatilities: An Empirical Study

The Black-Derman-Toy short rate model, calibrated to a downward sloping initial term structure of volatilities, incorporates mean reversion by having future short rate volatilities decay with time. This would have a decaying effect on future term structure of volatilities and option prices on discount bonds as well. This effect is empirically examined by comparing discount bond option prices from the BDT tree to that from a HJM lognormal forward rate model fitted with the same initial volatilities. In this case, the BDT tree is found to price options with maturity up to six months within one or two percent of the accurate values. But it severely underprices longer maturity options, with the degree of underpricing increasing sharply with option maturity. The magnitude of underpricing turns out to be independent of discount bond maturities. When the BDT tree is calibrated using six-monthly cap prices, options of all maturities on six-month discount bonds are priced correctly, but options of all maturities on longer maturity bonds are overpriced. This overpricing is found to be independent of option maturities.
Captain America and fans' political activity

A brief overview is provided of how American fans have used Captain America in their political activity, and the implications of their political appropriation are explored.
Augmentation in Restless Legs Syndrome: Treatment with Gradual Medication Modification

Dopaminergic drugs can cause augmentation during the treatment of restless legs syndrome (RLS). We previously reported that sudden withdrawal of dopaminergic treatment was poorly tolerated. We now report our experience with gradual withdrawal of the dopaminergic drug during the drug substitution process using a retrospective chart review with comparison to previous data. Seven patients with RLS and dopaminergic drug-induced augmentation were treated with a gradual withdrawal of the offending drug and replacement with an alternative medication. Compared to sudden withdrawal, measured outcomes were similar but gradual tapering was better tolerated. We conclude that for augmentation in RLS, gradual tapering of the augmentation-inducing dopaminergic drug is better tolerated than sudden withdrawal. The optimal approach to treating augmentation has not been established and may differ between patients. Further study with direct comparison of strategies and a larger patient population is needed to confirm our preliminary observations.
Emergency Radiology: what is different in children?

With this supplemental issue of Emergency Radiology, we complete the publication of this wonderful radiology series written by a leading authority in pediatric emergency radiology, Dr. Leonard Swischuk. Dr. Swischuk has shared his unique expertise and experience in the field of pediatric musculoskeletal radiology with our subscribers since 2007 with a feature article in every issue of Emergency Radiology. His articles have highlighted the often subtle findings of significant injuries hidden in radiologic studies of children. The findings are quite unique and substantially different from those that most of us are familiar with in adult radiologic examinations. His articles have been both enlightening and entertaining. While easy to read, each article has been packed with pertinent material to improve interpretation of pediatric examinations. He further emphasized the Bkey^ points in each article with a short summary list at the end of the article. Together, these components have created a great series. As Editor-in-Chief of Emergency Radiology and on behalf of our Editorial Board and the American Society of Emergency Radiology, I congratulate and thank Dr. Swischuk for contributing his skills to produce this superb article series.
Modelling and Measuring the Effect of Public Subsidies on Business R&D: A Critical Review of the Econometric Literature*

This paper reviews the principal econometric models used to measure the effects of public support for firm R&D investment. A taxonomy classifying papers according to the estimation method used (system of equations versus reduced-form), type of data (cross-sectional versus longitudinal), and type of policy variable (binary versus continuous) is provided. Through a historical reconstruction of the literature, the review starts by exploring the main features of early structural models and their recent refinements, by paying special attention to the issue of subsidy endogeneity. Subsequently, it discusses the second generation of the structural approach, the Selection-models, pointing out their ability in properly describing the two-player form of an R&D incentive scheme. It then goes on by treating and discussing more data-driven approaches, such as those based on Control-function and, more specifically, Matching. Finally, we address evaluation methods rooted in dynamic models of imperfect competition, considered as a novel promising stream of research within the last generation of ‘harder’ structural approaches. A discussion of features, advantages and drawbacks of each approach in a comparative perspective is offered to the reader, as well as suggestions for future improvements in this field of economic research.
The correlation between sampling site and gene expression in the term human placenta.

Using oligonucleotide microarrays we recently identified a set of transcripts that were up-regulated in hypoxic human trophoblasts. To test the hypothesis that expression of hypoxia-related placental transcripts depends on sampling site we analyzed nine different sites from term human placentas (n = 6), obtained after uncomplicated pregnancies. These sites spanned the placental center to the lateral border and the basal to the chorionic plate. Relative gene expression at each site, determined using quantitative PCR, was correlated with villous histology. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), the cytoskeleton proteins lamininA3 and α-tubulin, and the signal transduction protein Rad was enhanced in the subchorionic lateral border compared to medial basal site (1.6–2.9 fold, p < 0.05). In contrast, the expression of NDRG1, adipophilin and human placental lactogen was unchanged. Enhanced villous maturation, syncytial knots and fibrin deposits were more frequent in the subchorionic placental lateral border, and correlated with up-regulation of hypoxia-related transcripts (p < 0.05). The association between sample site and expression level was not observed in placentas with marginal cord insertion. The expression of hypoxia-related genes in the term human placenta is dependent on sampling site within the placental disk, likely reflecting local differences in villous perfusion.
Amino acid metabolism in the rat tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta

1. The amino acid metabolism of the rat tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta was investigated. 2. In addition to the characteristic end products of helminth metabolism, H. diminuta also forms substantial amounts of 14C-alanine during incubations in 14C-glucose. 3. Of 10 amino acids tested, only 14C-labelled asparate and, to a lesser extent alanine, generated substantial amounts of 14CO2 when incubated with H. diminuta. 4. 14C-aspartate was incorporated into both succinate and acetate, major products of the worms mitochondrial metabolism, but the rates were low when compared to the metabolism of exogenous glycogen. 5. These results suggest that amino acid metabolism in H. diminuta is very limited.
Modified MuDPIT Separation Identified 4488 Proteins in a System-wide Analysis of Quiescence in Yeast

A modified multidimensional protein identification technology (MudPIT) separation was coupled to an LTQ Orbitrap Velos mass spectrometer and used to rapidly identify the near-complete yeast proteome from a whole cell tryptic digest. This modified online two-dimensional liquid chromatography separation consists of 39 strong cation exchange steps followed by a short 18.5 min reversed-phase (RP) gradient. A total of 4269 protein identifications were made from 4189 distinguishable protein families from yeast during log phase growth. The "Micro" MudPIT separation performed as well as a standard MudPIT separation in 40% less gradient time. The majority of the yeast proteome can now be routinely covered in less than a days' time with high reproducibility and sensitivity. The newly devised separation method was used to detect changes in protein expression during cellular quiescence in yeast. An enrichment in the GO annotations "oxidation reduction", "catabolic processing" and "cellular response to oxidative stress" was seen in the quiescent cellular fraction, consistent with their long-lived stress resistant phenotypes. Heterogeneity was observed in the stationary phase fraction with a less dense cell population showing reductions in KEGG pathway categories of "Ribosome" and "Proteasome", further defining the complex nature of yeast populations present during stationary phase growth. In total, 4488 distinguishable protein families were identified in all cellular conditions tested.
On improving replenishment policies for linear trend in demand

Donaldson's paper [ 1] on determining the replenishment policy for an item under conditions of linear trend in demand generated considerable interest among researchers [ 2 8]. The computations involved in determining the optimal inventory policy pressed researchers into developing good heuristic methods. Silver [2] was the first to suggest a heuristic method for determining economic replenishment intervals. He solved two examples by his method and by the analytical method suggested by Donaldson [1]. The first example which Silver solved was given by Donaldson in his paper, while the second example was Silver's own. Practically all authors proposing heuristic methods have solved and compared the performance of various heuristic methods using these problems as test problems. In both the test problems, the inventory policy is required over the time interval O-H. The methods require computing n replenishment intervals satisfying the condition
Subnanosecond single photon timing measurements using a pulsed diode-laser

The convenient and inexpensive use of a pulsed diode-laser (Hamamatsu Photonics PLP-01 660 nm) is demonstrated as a low cost alternative to a standard pulsed laser or gas discharge flash system in a commercial time-correlated single photon counting instrument. Fluorescence lifetimes of compounds of photobiological interest such as phytochrome, chlorophyll a, 1,1 ′-diethyl-4,4′ carbocyanine iodide (DCI/cryptocyanin),5,10,15,20-tetra(p-phenyl) porphyrin and stentorin I are presented using the pulsed diode-laser source.
In vivo nuclear magnetic resonance imaging of lithium.

Magnetic resonance imaging techniques have previously been applied to 1H, 23Na, 31P, and 19F nuclei. This is the first report of application of these techniques to 7Li. Lithium images of both aqueous phantoms and a rat abdomen are presented. Applications of this technique to humans are discussed.© 1985 Academic Press,Inc.
Angiotensin II AT2 receptor stimulation increases cerebrovascular resistance during hemorrhagic hypotension in rats.

Abstract The effects of the angiotensin II (ANG II) AT 2 ligand PD 123319 and the AT 1 antagonist losartan on cerebral blood flow (CBF) were studied during hemorrhagic hypotension in anesthetized rats using laser-Doppler flowmetry. In the control group CBF remained stable when mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) was lowered from 84 mmHg (baseline) to 45 mmHg, whereafter there was a pressure dependent decrease in CBF indicating inadequacy of autoregulation. Cerebrovascular resistance (CVR) was reduced until MABP 40 mmHg, where a maximum dilation was reached. PD 123319 dose-dependently (3–30 mg/kg i.v.) increased CVR through all blood pressures. Losartan 3 mg/kg i.v. had an effect similar to PD 123319. Selective stimulation of AT 2 receptors with intravenous ANG II infusion, in the presence of AT 1 receptor blockade by losartan, also increased CVR. As a result, reduced CBF was seen in the treatment groups. The effects of ANG II and PD 123319 30 mg/kg were antagonized by the nonselective ANG II antagonist Sar 1 ,Ile 8 -ANG II (4 μg/kg/min i.v.). None of the treatments affected baseline CBF. The results confirm that ANG II contributes to cerebrovascular resistance and participates in the regulation of CBF apparently through AT 2 receptors.