cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rapid tests for sexually transmitted diseases.

Many molecular diagnostic tests for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) have been described recently but are not often accessible to clinicians in practice. There is a need for rapid, easy-to-perform, and accurate diagnostic tests for clinicians, especially for use in developing countries, where sophisticated laboratory support is often unavailable. Rapid tests, often termed “point-of-care” (POC) tests, can be performed in less than an hour in the doctor’s office, clinic, or in a field setting. If simple laboratory equipment is available, a health care worker or clinician can make an immediate diagnosis of a STD. Progress has been made in the development of POC tests for HIV, syphilis, trichomonas, and bacterial vaginosis, but more work is needed for chlamydia and gonorrhea. Improvements in POCs will allow for faster treatment or provision of interventions in infected persons, in order to prevent transmission to partners or infants, thereby enabling effective control efforts for STDs.
Optimal Confidence Interval for a Ranked Parameter

Abstract There are given k univariate distributions, indexed by a real-valued parameter θ, and k independent observations, one from each distribution. Let θ* denote the largest among the values of θ associated with the given distributions. This article is concerned with the estimation of θ*. A class of confidence intervals and a subclass of “optimal” confidence intervals for θ* are given. For a general class of distributions it is shown that the coverage probability of the confidence intervals is minimized for a specified configuration of the set of admissible values of θ.
Characterization of Gold Nanowire Through Beam Deflection Using Atomic Force Microscopy

The objective of this report is to calculate the Young’s modulus of gold cantilevers on the nanoscale using a force-deflection test performed on an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM). These results are then compared to the Young’s modulus of gold on the macroscale. As shown from the results, the beam deflection tests confirm that the elastic modulus values obtained by this method are on the same order of magnitude as its macroscale counterpart.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Self-referencing multimode photonic microresonator

We have demonstrated strong multimode photonic microresonator and nanoparticle interactions by using an integrated micro disk resonator from through port of the laser coupling bus waveguide. Here we report that a self referencing mechanism can be achieved by simultaneous excitation of both fundamental and 2nd order micro disk optical resonance modes. The strong photonic microresonator and nanoparticle interactions have variety of applications for optical switches, waveguides and detection. The self-referencing characteristics of the two optical resonance modes have potential to achieve photonic functions independent of external perturbation, such as temperature change.
Matched Boundary Extrapolation Solutions for CO2 Well-Injection into a Saline Aquifer

The injection of supercritical CO2 through wells into deep brine reservoirs is a topic of interest for geologic carbon sequestration. The injected CO2 is predominantly immiscible with the brine and its low density relative to brine leads to strong buoyancy effects. The displacement of brine by CO2 in general is a multidimensional, complex nonlinear problem that requires numerical methods to solve. The approximations of vertical equilibrium and complete gravity segregation (sharp interface) have been introduced to reduce the complexity and dimensionality of the problem. Furthermore, for the radial displacement process considered here, the problem can be formulated in terms of a similarity variable that reduces spatial and temporal dependencies to a single variable. However, the resulting ordinary differential equation is still nonlinear and exact solutions are not available. The existing analytical solutions are approximations limited to certain parameter ranges that become inaccurate over a large portion of the parameter space. Here, I use a matched boundary extrapolation method to provide much greater accuracy for analytical/semi-analytical approximations over the full parameter range.
The determination of lead in 13 USGS standard rocks

Lead was determined in 13 U.S. Geological Survey standard rocks by graphite furnace atomization and atomic-absorption spectrometry after extraction of lead with diethylammonium diethyldithiocarbamic acid. An analysis of variance of the results obtained from a random sampling of three different bottles of each standard rock showed no heterogeneity among bottles, at the F(0.95) level, for a 100-mg sample-size. The relative error of the method, based on the standard deviation of the mean within bottles, was generally less than 10%.
Length of survival after perioperative transfusion

To describe the post-transfusion survival of an entire, geographically defined population, we observed all residents of a US county who underwent perioperative transfusion before and after the introduction of a large autologous transfusion programme. We enrolled 444 and 1540 county residents, transfused in 1981 and in 1986-88, respectively. Complete follow-up (until death or for 5 years) was available on 1960 patients (98.8%). Of patients transfused in 1986-88, 67.6% were alive at 5 years, having survived for a mean (+/- SE) period of 46.15 (+/- 0.575) months. The survival statistics were 66.2% and 46.09 (+/- 1.047) months, respectively, for patients transfused in 1981 (P = 0.8424). Transfusion in 1986-88 vs. 1981 (with 615 [40%] vs. six [1.3%] patients receiving some autologous blood) did not have an effect on survival (P = 0.3892), following adjustment for age, gender, transfusion dose, receipt of a single-unit transfusion and transfusing surgical service. We conclude that the survival of an entire, geographically defined transfused population is substantially longer than that reported previously for patients referred to tertiary-care medical centres. The aggregate 5-year survival of patients transfused in 1981 and in 1986-88 does not differ, despite differences in patient case-mix and in perioperative transfusion practice, particularly as it relates to autologous blood usage.
Effects of fiber orientation and diameter on the behavior of human dermal fibroblasts on electrospun PMMA scaffolds

We used the electrospinning technique to produce fibrous scaffolds of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). Using a rotating drum, we aligned the fibers and formed multilayered structures where both the fiber spacing and pore size could be varied. We then plated adult human dermal fibroblasts and studied the effect of fiber diameter and orientation on the cell conformation, integrin receptor expression, proliferation, and migration. We found that a critical diameter minimum diameter existed, D0 = 0.97 microm for cell orientation to occur. For D < D0, no big difference in aspect ratio was observed relative to the control samples on PMMA thin film. Hence, we could fabricate substrate patterned with fibers of different diameters where different cell conformations coexisted on the same scaffold. On the other hand, staining for vinculin proteins in the cells indicated that on large diameter fibers and on flat surfaces, the integrin receptors followed the cell perimeter. On the very small diameter surfaces, the receptors were distributed uniformly along the cell. Cell dynamics studies indicated that the proliferation and migration were also affected by the fiber orientation.
Environmental controls on carbon dioxide flux from black spruce coarse woody debris.

Carbon dioxide flux from coarse woody debris (CWD) is an important source of CO2 in forests with moderate to large amounts of CWD. A process-based understanding of environmental controls on CWD CO2 flux (RCWD) is needed to accurately model carbon exchange between forests and the atmosphere. The objectives of this study were to: (1) use a laboratory incubation factorial experiment to quantify the effect of temperature (TCWD), water content (WC), decay status, and their interactions on RCWD for black spruce [Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP] CWD; (2) measure and model spatial and temporal dynamics in TCWD for a boreal black spruce fire chronosequence; and (3) validate the RCWD model with field measurements, and quantify potential errors in estimating annual RCWD from this model on various time steps. The RCWD was positively correlated to TCWD (R2=0.37, P<0.001) and WC (R2=0.18, P<0.001), and an empirical RCWD polynomial model that included TCWD and WC interactions explained 74% of the observed variation of RCWD. The RCWD estimates from the RCWD model excellently matched the field measurements. Decay status of CWD significantly (P<0.001) affected RCWD. The temperature coefficient (Q10) averaged 2.5, but varied by 141% across the 5–42°C temperature range, illustrating the potential shortcomings of using a constant Q10. The CWD temperature was positively correlated to air temperature (R2=0.79, P<0.001), with a hysteresis effect that was correlated to CWD decay status and stand leaf area index . Ignoring this temperature hysteresis introduced errors of –1% to +32% in annual RCWD estimates. Increasing TCWD modeling time step from hourly to daily or monthly introduced a 5–11% underestimate in annual RCWD. The annual RCWD values in this study were more than two-fold greater than those in a previous study, illustrating the need to incorporate spatial and temporal responses of RCWD to temperature and water content into models for long-term RCWD estimation in boreal forest ecosystems.
Digital Computer Calculation of the Operation of Nonlinear Devices with Energy Storage Elements

This paper presents results on digital computer calculation of the operation of some tube and transistor circuits which combine nonlinear operation with energy storage elements. The Class C amplifier, the frequency multiplier and the blocking oscillator are all circuits of this type. This approach allows many of the conventional restrictions on analysis procedures to be removed. For instance, in the case of the Class C amplifier, it is not necessary to assume that the plate and grid voltages are sinusoidal and the circuit at steady state. Additional features of computer use are the automatic calculation of efficiencies, plotting of waveforms and calculation of harmonic content; the facility of studying the effects of transients and modulation; the possibility of allowing the circuit parameters to take on any values or vary with time or with the voltages and currents; and the possibility of allowing the circuit associated with the device to be more complicated than usually allowed by other methods. Limitations to this approach lie in the cost of programming the problem, and the cost of running the program on an available computer. Questions of numerical accuracy sometimes arise, but can usually be handled with additional programming or running time. If a translator is available which can accept programs in the form of algebraic equations, the programming cost is often negligible. However, running time costs may be appreciable, particularly in the case of a complicated circuit with many storage elements.
Coexistence of competing stage-structured populations

This paper analyzes the stability of a coexistence equilibrium point of a model for competition between two stage-structured populations. In this model, for each population, competition for resources may affect any one of the following population parameters: reproduction, juvenile survival, maturation rate, or adult survival. The results show that the competitive strength of a population is affected by (1) the ratio of the population parameter influenced by competition under no resource limitation (maximum compensatory capacity) over the same parameter under a resource limitation due to competition (equilibrium rate) and (2) the ratio of interspecific competition over intraspecific competition; this ratio was previously shown to depend on resource-use overlap. The former ratio, which we define as fitness, can be equalized by adjusting organisms’ life history strategies, thereby promoting coexistence. We conclude that in addition to niche differentiation among populations, the life history strategies of organisms play an important role in coexistence.
Present status and future directions of intraoperative radiotherapy

Summary In this Review, we summarise recent published work on the use of intraoperative radiotherapy to treat common tumour sites in the primary or recurrent setting. Techniques, radiobiology, and the physics of intraoperative radiotherapy are also explored. Disease sites discussed in this Review include head and neck cancer, breast cancer, sarcoma, gastrointestinal cancer, genitourinary cancer, gynaecological cancer, thoracic cancer, and palliative applications.
Controlling neuronal growth and connectivity via directed self-assembly of proteins

Materials that offer the ability to influence tissue regeneration are of vital importance to the field of Tissue Engineering. Because valid 3-dimensional scaffolds for nerve tissue are still in development, advances with 2-dimensional surfaces in vitro are necessary to provide a complete understanding of controlling regeneration. Here we present a method for controlling nerve cell growth on Au electrodes using Atomic Force Microscopy -aided protein assembly. After coating a gold surface in a self-assembling monolayer of alkanethiols, the Atomic Force Microscope tip can be used to remove regions of the self-assembling monolayer in order to produce well-defined patterns. If this process is then followed by submersion of the sample into a solution containing neuro-compatible proteins, they will self assemble on these exposed regions of gold, creating well-specified regions for promoted neuron growth.
Elections and the Timing of Terrorist Attacks

This article studies the relationship between elections and domestic terrorism in democracies. Do approaching elections lead to an increase in the volume of terrorist activity? Extant theory suggests that terrorist groups strategically plan their attacks around elections. I argue that approaching elections are not always affiliated with an increase in the volume of terrorist activity. Electoral permissiveness, an important feature of democratic electoral systems, influences the extent to which periods close to elections are periods of heightened terrorist activity. Approaching elections lead to an increase in the volume of attacks in democracies with low electoral permissiveness but not in others. I test my argument with data from Western European democracies between 1950 and 2004. Using statistical models that include country fixed effects, I show that approaching elections are affiliated with an increase of the volume of attacks in democracies with the least permissive electoral systems, but not in demo...
Best practices: Hispanic serving institutions and the production of future Latino doctorates in science and engineering

This study expands research begun as a baccalaureate origins study of Latino (US citizens) who obtained their doctorates in science and engineering between 1993 and 1997. Data was disaggregated according to gender, Hispanic subgroup, and broad field of science. Institutions were ranked according to their rate of productivity in these categories, regardless of their size. Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) figured prominently in these rankings. Recruitment and retention strategies, as well as cultural characteristics, at eleven of the most productive HSIs have been studied in an effort to develop a research-based set of best practices in the production of future Latino doctorates in S&E at Hispanic Serving Institutions.
Initial Operation of the Fermilab Antiproton Cooling Ring

The "cooling" of protons by electrons has been studied by the accelerator group at the Institute of Nuclear Physics at Novosibirsk, U.S.S.R.l. They have achieved damping of proton-betatron oscillations by Coulomb interactions with "cold" electrons as described by simple theory. They also observe fast damping when the longitudinal velocities of all the protons and electrons are very nearly the same and the electrons are trapped in a longitudinal magnetic field. This effect results from the extended interaction between the same electrons and protons.
Preparation and Patterning of GaSb Surfaces with Br-IBAE for Antimonide Based Molecular Beam Epitaxy

Bromine Ion Beam Assisted Etching (Br-IBAE) is shown to be useful in removing GaSb wafer chemical mechanical polish (CMP) surface and subsurface damage; creating microstructure patterns in GaSb surfaces through stencil, photoresist, and oxides masks; and stabilizing the as-etched GaSb surface with a thin, easily thermally desorbed oxide layer. Thus, the Br-IBAE technique is well suited as a GaSb surface final-polish technique in overgrowth applications that require “epi-ready” GaSb (100) surfaces for molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) as well as applications such as quantum wires and dots that require high-quality GaSb/AlInGaSb MBE overgrowth over patterned GaSb (100) surfaces.
Thermochemistry of alloys of transition metals and lanthanide metals with some IIIB and IVB elements in the periodic table

Abstract We have conducted systematic studies in this laboratory of the thermochemistry of transition metal and rare earth alloys by high temperature calorimetric methods. An overview of the thermochemistry of the alloys of the transition metals and lanthanide metals with elements in the IIIB and IVB columns of the periodic table is presented. The enthalpies of formation of most of these compounds were determined by high temperature direct synthesis calorimetry. This review summarizes the trends between the enthalpies of formation of the TR–X and LA–X alloys (where X is a IIIB or IVB element) and the atomic numbers of the transition metal and lanthanide metal. We compare our measured enthalpies of formation of each alloy family for the 3d, 4d and 5d transition metal elements. We also compare our experimental measurements with predicted values on the basis of Miedema’s semiempirical model. This review shows examples of a correlation between the enthalpies of formation of the alloys of the lanthanide elements with the non-metal elements in the IIIB and IVB columns in the periodic table. We also show some comparisons of our measured enthalpies of formation with the predictions of Gschneidner for the lanthanide alloys.
A dihedral corner reflector model for full polarization calibration of RCS measurements

It has generally been stated that the radar cross section (RCS) of a 90 degrees dihedral corner reflector oriented for maximum backscattered return to a radar is given by the expression sigma =8 pi a/sup 2/b/sup 2// lambda /sup 2/. Experimental results are presented which, according to the author, demonstrate that not only does the RCS of a dihedral corner reflector oriented for maximum backscattered return differ significantly from this value, but that high-range-resolution measurements of the dihedral can serve to identify the dominant contributors to the backscattered field. It is noted that inclusion of these backscattered components in an analytical calculation will allow an accurate calibration model to be generated. >
The biology of the mammalian Krüppel-like family of transcription factors.

Recent advances in molecular cloning have led to the identification of a large number of mammalian zinc finger-containing transcription factors that exhibit homology to the Drosophila melanogaster protein, Kruppel. Although the amino acid sequences in the zinc finger domains of these Kruppel-like factors (KLFs) are closely related to one another, the regions outside the zinc fingers of the proteins are usually unique. KLFs display seemingly different and broad biological properties with each functioning as an activator of transcription, a repressor or both. This review article provides a current phylogenetic classification of the identified KLFs to date. More importantly, the currently known biological activities of the KLFs in regulating transcription, cell proliferation, differentiation and development are summarized and compared. Further characterization of this interesting protein family should provide additional insights into the their respective regulatory role in various important biological processes.
A scale for measuring students' anti-intellectualism

Two studies were conducted which report the development and testing of the Student Anti-Intellectualism Scale, designed as a measure of anti-intellectual attitudes in students enrolled in higher education. The first study analyzed an initial 25-item scale to assess internal consistency and factorial structure. The second study examining a final version of the scale was conducted to test reliability and factorial structure, in addition to assessing evidence of construct validity. The second study also assessed temporal stability and social desirability response set. The studies indicated the scale had a fundamentally unidimensional structure and considerable internal consistency and also provided support for the validity of the anti-intellectualism constrict. Anti-intellectualism is discussed in the context of personality theory, and suggestions are offered with reference to establishing anti-intellectualism as a trait relative to the five-factor model of personality.
Laparoscopic versus open adrenalectomy: Another look at outcome using the Clavien classification system

Background A laparoscopic approach to adrenalectomy has become the procedure of choice for most adrenal resections. We hypothesized that laparoscopic adrenalectomy is less likely to result in intensive care unit (ICU) level complications or death than open adrenalectomy, despite baseline comorbidity mix. Methods Using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) participant use files for 2005–2009, all laparoscopic and open adrenalectomies were identified by current procedural terminology. Adverse outcomes tracked in NSQIP were mapped to Clavien level based on need for ICU care or death. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to compare groups. Results There were 1,980 laparoscopic and 592 open procedures. Clavien 4 and 5 complications occurred in 45 (7.6%) of open and 35 (1.8%) of laparoscopic operations. The univariate odds ratio showed a 4.6-fold greater likelihood that a patient would have an ICU level complication (P Conclusion The laparoscopic approach to adrenalectomy has an independent protective effect on ICU level complications and mortality when compared with open procedures. This correlation persists after correcting for multiple comorbidities.
Hydatidosis of the liver and posterior mediastinum.

Introduction Cystic echinococcus (CE) is an endemic zoonosis secondary to infection by the larval form of the cestode Echinococcus granulosus. An intermediate host, humans enter the organism’s life cycle by exposure to infected canid feces. The liver is the most common location of CE while mediastinal hydatid cysts are rarely reported.
Annual variation in source contributions to a mixed stock: implications for quantifying connectivity

Connectivity among populations of highly migratory species is an area of active research and is often quantified with genetic markers. We determined mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences in 350 green turtles, Chelonia mydas, in 10 annual samples over a 12-year period from an aggregation of immature green turtles in the southern Bahamas. We found significant temporal structuring in haplotype frequencies among years for all turtles and for recruits. These significant differences were reflected in substantial variation in the relative contributions from different rookeries among years estimated by a Bayesian hierarchical model. Because this foraging aggregation has been the subject of a demographic study for over 30 years, we were able to determine that, among the three potential causes of temporal structuring—differential recruitment, mortality and emigration—recruitment accounts for most of this variation. We found that estimates of connectivity and genetic diversity in sea turtle populations are affected by the level of temporal variation reported here. More studies on the extent of temporal variation in composition of mixed stocks of other migratory species are needed to determine how this affects measures of connectivity.
Search, Information, and Market Structure

The analysis of search and information in markets has been carried on at a brisk pace since Stigler’s 1961 paper. In this paper I want to concentrate on one aspect of the discussion that has been largely ignored: how explicit consideration of search activity in a market can say anything about the structure of that market. By structure of the market I mean the observed concentration ratio found in that market.
Kinetics of the Development of Protective Immunity in Mice Vaccinated with a Live Attenuated Retrovirus

Vaccination of mice with a live attenuated vaccine virus induces potent protection against subsequent challenge with pathogenic Friend retroviral complex. The kinetic studies presented here demonstrate protection from acute splenomegaly as early as 1 week postvaccination. At this time point virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) were demonstrable in direct chromium release assays. However, during the first 2 weeks after vaccination protection was incomplete since the mice were not protected against establishment of low-level persistent infections in the spleen. By 3 weeks postvaccination the animals were protected against the establishment of persistent virus as well as acute splenomegaly. The timing of this complete protection correlated with the presence of both virus-neutralizing antibodies and primed CTL in the immunized mice. Within 3 days of virus challenge, vaccinated mice showed high levels of activated B cells and CD4 + and CD8 + T cells, indicating an efficient priming of all lymphocyte subsets. Despite very limited replication of the vaccine virus, the protective effect was long lived and was still present 6 months after immunization.
Case Studies in Immunology: A Clinical Companion (2nd edn) by F.S Rosen and R.S. Geha

Garland Publishing, 1999. $19.95 (vii + 213 pages)ISBN 0 8153 3363 3This text is unique in the field of clinical immunology both in its organization and in the manner that it uses real clinical cases to teach basic immunology principles. As such, it appeals to students and scientists as well as the medical practitioner. Authored by two prominent, well published and experienced clinical immunologists, this collection of cases is a ‘clinical companion’ to the fourth edition of Immunobiology by Janeway, Travers, Walport and Capra. The cases are presented to more or less follow the order in which the topics are presented in Immunobiology, with the relevant topics color-coded to correspond with those in the textbook.This second edition contains 30 cases, 19 of which are presented as they were in the first edition, with some minor updating and slight editorial changes. Each case is designed to highlight certain basic immunological principles that are covered in Immunobiology. For example, the case of the patient with the interferon γ receptor deficiency is used to illustrate the mechanisms involved in the destruction of intracellular microorganisms in the macrophage; and the case of the patient with autoimmune hemolytic anemia is used to illustrate how infection can lead to autoimmunity.As in the original edition, the overall organization of each case is effectively broken down into four sections. The first section presents the salient, basic immunobiology principles required to understand the case. This section is followed by the actual case, presented in a clinical pathology case format, with concise descriptions of the history, symptoms and relevant laboratory data, as well as the treatment and outcome. The third section reviews the disease being exemplified, including relevant inheritance patterns, clinical features, underlying etiology or current hypotheses regarding the etiology and pathogenesis. The last section is organized into a question-and-answer section, which discusses some basic biological and theoretical issues not addressed in the case.Although meant as a companion book, this text stands well on its own. The information is up-to-date; however, in the absence of referenced information, it is at times difficult to ascertain whether the authors are presenting their own biases or referring to published peer-reviewed reports, especially in relation to results obtained in animal models and extrapolated to human conditions.The first edition was very useful as a teaching aid and as a review of the clinical and basic immunological mechanisms involved in the cases presented. The diversity added with the new cases in the expanded second edition is significant and opens the door for future editions to present more cases illustrating new mechanisms and immunological principles. The book is appropriate for a diverse group, including students in medicine, immunology and related health sciences, as well as the research scientist, clinical laboratory scientist and practising physicians from a wide range of specialities.
Overwintering Locations and Hosts for Onion Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in the Onion Cropping Ecosystem in New York

Identifying locations where onion thrips, Thrips tabaci Lindeman (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), overwinter and subsequently disperse is important for designing control strategies. In upstate New York from 2003 through 2006, potential overwintering sites in the commercial onion, Allium cepa L., cropping system were investigated early in the spring before onion seedling emergence and again late in the season after onions were harvested. Onion thrips adults were sampled directly from the soil and indirectly from the soil by using emergence cages. Sampling locations included onion field interiors and edges and areas outside of these fields, including woods. Host material sampled included onion culls; volunteer onions, which sprout from cull onions left behind after harvest; and weeds. Onion thrips adults were found in all sections of onion fields and in locations outside of onion fields, with the fewest emerging from woods. Emergence began in early May and extended into June. Peak emergence occurred during the last half of May, at which time 50-75% of the population had emerged. Adults colonized volunteer onions as early as late March and as late as mid-November. No adults were found overwintering in onion cull piles. Adults also colonized several weed species, especially pigweed, Amaranthus hybridis L., and lambsquarters, Chenopodium album L., late in the fall. Our results indicate that onion thrips adults overwinter in the soil within and near onion fields and that they probably colonize volunteer onion plants before subsequent generations infest the onion crop in the spring. Volunteer onions and weeds also provide onion thrips with a host after onions are harvested. Consequently, onion thrips management strategies should include tactics that reduce volunteer onion and weed abundance.
Patient-directed Internet-based Medical Image Exchange: Experience from an Initial Multicenter Implementation.

Rationale and Objectives Inefficient transfer of personal health records among providers negatively impacts quality of health care and increases cost. This multicenter study evaluates the implementation of the first Internet-based image-sharing system that gives patients ownership and control of their imaging exams, including assessment of patient satisfaction. Materials and Methods Patients receiving any medical imaging exams in four academic centers were eligible to have images uploaded into an online, Internet-based personal health record. Satisfaction surveys were provided during recruitment with questions on ease of use, privacy and security, and timeliness of access to images. Responses were rated on a five-point scale and compared using logistic regression and McNemar's test. Results A total of 2562 patients enrolled from July 2012 to August 2013. The median number of imaging exams uploaded per patient was 5. Most commonly, exams were plain X-rays (34.7%), computed tomography (25.7%), and magnetic resonance imaging (16.1%). Of 502 (19.6%) patient surveys returned, 448 indicated the method of image sharing (Internet, compact discs [CDs], both, other). Nearly all patients (96.5%) responded favorably to having direct access to images, and 78% reported viewing their medical images independently. There was no difference between Internet and CD users in satisfaction with privacy and security and timeliness of access to medical images. A greater percentage of Internet users compared to CD users reported access without difficulty (88.3% vs. 77.5%, P Conclusion A patient-directed, interoperable, Internet-based image-sharing system is feasible and surpasses the use of CDs with respect to accessibility of imaging exams while generating similar satisfaction with respect to privacy.
American Presidents: From the War on Poverty to Welfare Reform and Beyond

This paper examines the impact of policies and programs implemented by U.S. Presidents since 1964 when President Lyndon Johnson declared war on poverty. The primary objective of this paper is to better understand why some federal policies and programs which were designed to reduce poverty were successful while others failed. A better understanding of policies and programs which led to sustained reductions in poverty rates could have significant structural implications for future local, state and federal policy and program initiatives. These lessons could also help improve the economic development models used by policy makers, at all levels, to address poverty and adverse social conditions throughout the United States.
Great Expectations for the Office of Financial Research

The Office of Financial Research (“OFR”) is a rarely-discussed but potentially powerful agency established by the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (“Dodd-Frank”). Often compared to a storm-warning system, the OFR, through its two units, a Data Center and a Research and Analysis Center, can continually gather up and analyze detailed financial information collected from a variety of banks and other financial firms. The OFR will share this with the Financial Stability Oversight Council (“Council”) and its member agencies so they can act as the storm approaches to prevent, prepare and intervene. As a result, for the first time it is hoped that regulators will have the necessary tools to evaluate the stability of the entire financial system, not just individual banks. Moreover, instead of outsourcing to the financial firms themselves, as was done on occasion in the past, regulators may control the data and possess the capability in-house to make independent determinations.For those who consider the Dodd-Frank Act to be a small step in the right direction, the OFR presents an opportunity to gather evidence to determine which additional steps are necessary. One hopes that the OFR performs or sponsors research that attends to those areas for which the Dodd-Frank Act left exceptions, provided weak solutions or deferred action until further study was done. For example, the OFR might examine the risk impact of failing to limit any bank from holding non-deposit liabilities of greater than 2% and total liabilities of greater than 3% of GDP, as proposed under the Safe Banking Act (also known as the Brown-Kaufman Amendment). The OFR might also monitor the risk impacts of the exceptions to the Volcker Rule that permit banks to invest in hedge funds. It could assess whether naked credit default swaps and synthetic securitizations provide system-wide benefits that exceed their counterbalancing risks. It might model the impact that a secured creditor haircut would have on risk reduction. It could consider the problems of a liquidity and maturity mismatch, examining how rolling back special treatment under the bankruptcy code for certain repos and derivatives might have impact. Finally, recognizing the risks of regulatory arbitrage, the OFR should look to those places where firms may not be required to be forthcoming with data. For example, some financial entities are not within the scope of required data providers. Accordingly, this would be a shadow upon which the OFR should shine some light and find other modes to gather data and analyze risk. And to avoid creating more shadows, the OFR Director should also avoid granting reporting exemptions for firms without sufficient data to support the projected impact of such a carve-out – considering of the habit for capital to flow to the place of least regulatory resistance. Prior to granting carve-outs, the OFR should create an opportunity for academics and other experts who have no ongoing ties to the financial sector to independently analyze and comment upon the wisdom of such exemptions.
Periarticular Cysts of the Temporomandibular Joint Are More Frequently Synovial Than Ganglion.

Purpose Differentiating between ganglion and synovial cysts by standard histology is difficult, leading to inaccurate statements on frequency for each of these periarticular lesions. The purpose of this study was to use immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis to 1) calculate the accuracy of the histologic diagnoses, 2) determine the frequency of ganglion and synovial cysts of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), and 3) compare the frequency of these lesions in the TMJ compared with the extracranial skeleton in patients treated at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). Materials and Methods This is a retrospective cohort study of all patients undergoing treatment of TMJ cysts at MGH from 2001 through 2013. IHC analysis of tissue samples for each patient was completed and compared with the original histologic diagnoses. Categorical variables, including age, gender, and sidedness, were recorded. A natural language search of the MGH Department of Pathology database determined the frequency of extracranial periarticular cysts during the same period. Results Thirteen patients met the inclusion criteria. Eleven cysts were synovial and 2 were ganglion based on histology. IHC analysis identified 2 false-positive synovial cyst diagnoses, resulting in 100% sensitivity and 50% specificity for the original histologic assessment and a percentage error of 22%. Of the periarticular TMJ lesions, 69% were synovial cysts and 31% were ganglion cysts. The frequency of TMJ versus extracranial ganglion cysts was 0.24%, and the frequency of TMJ versus extracranial synovial cysts was 0.60% based on 3,176 extracranial cysts (1,506 synovial; 1,670 ganglion). Conclusion This study represents the largest single-institution experience with periarticular cysts of the TMJ, and contrary to previous reports, TMJ cysts appear to be more frequently synovial than ganglion. IHC can be used to overcome the relatively poor specificity of histologic diagnosis of synovial cysts.
Strontium isotopes and magma dynamics: Insights from high-temperature rhyolites

Volcanic rocks often exhibit internal heterogeneity in radiogenic isotopes. Isotopic disequilibrium between coexisting phenocrysts and isotopic zoning within single crystals has been demonstrated in basalts, andesites, dacites, and rhyolites. High-temperature Snake River–type rhyolites appear to be an exception. Despite the occurrence of Snake River Plain rhyolites in a region of isotopically highly variable crust and mantle, and significant differences from rhyolite unit to rhyolite unit, little to no Sr isotopic zoning is found within their feldspar phenocrysts, and feldspars within a single unit define tightly grouped unimodal populations. High-temperature rhyolitic magmas possess a unique combination of temperature and melt viscosity. Although typically 200 °C hotter than common rhyolites, the temperature effect on viscosity is offset by lower water contents ( 5 –10 6 Pa s). However, magmatic temperatures are in the same range as basaltic andesites and andesites; consequently, cation diffusion rates are orders of magnitude greater than common rhyolites. We hypothesize that this combination of characteristics promotes crystal isotopic homogeneity: viscosities are too high to permit crystal transfer between liquids of contrasting 87 Sr/ 86 Sr on time scales shorter than those required for diffusive homogenization of Sr within phenocrysts (500–10,000 yr). This is not true for most magma types, in which crystal transfer is rapid ( 5 –10 6 yr).
Abstract 3707: Design and characterization of a double packaged system for localized drug delivery for the treatment of cancers

This research aims at developing a drug delivery system that will provide a plethora of benefits such as cost effectiveness, reduction of toxicity and a control over the release of chemotherapeutic drugs in brain and ovarian cancer patients. We have designed a model drug delivery system consisting of non-ionic surfactant vesicles (niosomes) packaged within a biodegradable, temperature and pH sensitive hydrogel (chitosan) network. Optimization of the release rates were accomplished by altering the condition of its two components, chitosan and niosomes. Two main cancer drugs, Paclitaxel and Carboplatin, were used for encapsulation. It was found that medium molecular weight chitosan with a crosslinker: chitosan ratio of 4:1, which corresponded to a pH of 7.4, resulted in the finest controlled release. Surface characteristics, such as the interaction between the niosomes and chitosan were determined using Surface Forces Apparatus. The system was also tested in-vivo in mice models, where the success of the drug delivery has been measured by measuring the drug concentrations of the mice blood with respect to time and by analyzing shrinking effects in induced cancer tumors in mice. Xenogen was used to visualize the release of drugs in-vivo. Release rates of this system have been compared with other delivery methods. Our results will help in the development of low cost and improved methods for drug delivery with applications to brain tumors and intracavitary ovarian cancer treatments. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3707.
The Effects of Field Experience on Delivery of Feedback.

The purpose of this study was to examine pre-service teachers’ (PTs) ability to deliver feedback, which has been used as a process variable in identifying teacher-effectiveness and an established NASPE standard for beginning teachers. These questions guided the study: Will overall feedback interactions delivered by PTs reach 45 per video? What is the nature of the feedback interactions provided by physical education pre-service teachers? The participants in this study were nine college-aged PTs enrolled in a required Elementary Physical Education Practicum and Methods course taught twice per week to students in Grades 3 to 6 and videotaped four times. Analysis of the videotapes was performed using the Studiocode analysis program. PTs surpassed the 45 feedback interactions by delivering an average of 56 feedback interactions per lesson. Delivery of corrective feedback was reduced from 34.78 interactions in pretest to 32 interactions during posttest. Congruent feedback increased from pretest to posttest from 6.22 to 8.55 interactions, respectively. Individual interactions were reduced from pretest (39.55) to posttest (26.55), and small group interactions increased from pretest (17.55) to posttest (21.66). Analysis of videotapes should continue to be integrated during field experiences to augment PTs pedagogical skills. Future research should be focused on the effects of specific feedback protocols on PTs delivery of feedback during field experiences.
Opioid Syndrome: Failed Opioid Therapy for Chronic Noncancer Pain

Treatment of chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) with high-dose opioids (HDOs) has burgeoned over the past 2 decades in the United States. Characteristic domains and features of the failed CNCP management patient using long-term HDOs are described herein as the/an opioid syndrome (Schreiber AL, personal communication. 2013). Reversing or even modulating HDO use in patients with CNCP requires a paradigm shift on the part of physician, patient, and the societal "quick fix" medical culture. This review offers measures, agents, and strategies to consider in management of this pervasive, erosive medical and societal challenge.
Practical analysis of clock jitter reduction techniques under power supply noise for continuous-time delta-sigma modulators

Lowpass continuous-time Delta-Sigma modulators are very sensitive to clock jitter effects and various techniques have been proposed to cope with them in the past years. While three major techniques, switched-capacitor-resistor, switched-shaped-current and fixed-width pulse, are very effective to reduced clock jitter effects in theory, intrinsic device noise and external power supply noise may still limit their effectiveness in practice. In this paper, we perform detailed noise analysis of the three techniques to study their limits under external power supply noise as it is typically dominant and also to make a quantitative and practical comparison. It is found that the fixed-width pulse feedback technique may have a favorable edge among them for high frequency modulator designs, whereas switched-capacitor-resistor and switched-shaped-current techniques are more preferable in low to medium frequency modulator designs.
Global DNA methylation levels are altered by modifiable clinical manipulations in assisted reproductive technologies.

We analyzed placental DNA methylation levels at repeated sequences (LINE1 elements) and all CCGG sites (the LUMA assay) to study the effect of modifiable clinical or laboratory procedures involved in in vitro fertilization. We included four potential modifiable factors: oxygen tension during embryo culture, fresh embryo transfer vs frozen embryo transfer, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) vs conventional insemination or day 3 embryo transfer vs day 5 embryo transfer. Global methylation levels differed between placentas from natural conceptions compared to placentas conceived by IVF. Placentas from embryos cultured at 20% oxygen showed significant differences in LINE1 methylation compared to in vivo conceptions, while those from embryos cultured at 5% oxygen, did not have significant differences. In addition, placentas from fresh embryo transfer had significantly different LINE1 methylation compared to placentas from in vivo conceptions, while embryos resulting from frozen embryos were not significantly different from controls. On sex-stratified analysis, only males had significant methylation differences at LINE1 elements stratified for the modifiable factors. As expected, LINE1 methylation was significantly different between males and females in the control population. However, we did not observe sex-specific differences in the IVF group. We validated this sex-specific observation in an additional cohort and in opposite sex IVF twins. We show that two clinically modifiable factors (embryo culture in 5 vs 20% oxygen tension and fresh vs frozen embryo transfer) are associated with global placental methylation differences. Interestingly, males appear more vulnerable to such treatment-related global changes in DNA methylation than do females.