cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The local air pollution cost of coal storage and handling: Evidence from U.S. power plants

Abstract Burning coal is known to have environmental costs; this paper demonstrates that the environmental costs of storing and handling coal are also sizable. We find that a 10% increase in the coal stockpiles held by U.S. power plants results in a 0.09% increase in average PM2.5 concentration levels within 25 miles of these plants. Unlike most sources of variation in local air pollution, coal storage and handling impacts PM2.5 but not other pollutants such as SO2 and NO2. Consequently, using coal stockpiles as an instrument, we show that a 10% increase in PM2.5 causes a 1.1% (3.2%) increase in average adult (infant) mortality rates. Using a value of statistical life approach, our estimates indicate that a one ton increase in coal stockpiles results in local air pollution costs of $197. Economic policies that subsidize coal stockpiles highlight the importance of implementing environmental regulations specifically directed at coal storage and handling.
Sediment compressibility in thickening of flocculated suspensions

Sedimentation in highly flocculated suspensions of fine particles, such as clays, occurs through individual settling units (flocs) that have very open structures and correspondingly low densities (typically less than 5% solids by volume). Such settling processes rapidly lead to the buildup of a bed of flocs that are essentially close-packed, with an inter-floc porosity of perhaps 50%. However, the overall solids content is no more than about 2% to 3% by volume. Consequently, the thickening process is dominated by the bed consolidation rather than by the simple settling of the individual flocs. Experimental measurements of sediment consolidation in flocculated clay suspensions indicate, for a given system, that consolidation rates are essentially determined by the solids concentration and can be evaluated using the classical Kynch treatment. However, these rates are strongly dependent on the physical, as well as the chemical, conditions of the flocculation process. Furthermore, the extent to which gravity consolidation proceeds depends on the total weight of the sediment (i.e., on the bed height and the solids concentration). The implications with respect to thickener operation and the requirements for the laboratory testing for thickener design are discussed.
Managing liver dysfunction in haematology patients: Switch antifungals, or use the tincture of time?

Liver function test (LFT) abnormalities are a common occurrence in haematology patients receiving antifungal therapies. The cause of elevated LFTs is often multifactorial. Posaconazole is associated with elevated LFTs in approximately 5%-10% of patients. Recently, DiPippo, et al demonstrated that switching to isavuconazole in such cases leads to a reduction in LFTs in the majority of patients. However, the LFTs in such patients may have declined with time while continuing on posaconazole therapy. We retrospectively assessed LFT kinetics in 157 AML patients receiving posaconazole for antifungal prophylaxis and found that in 27 patients who developed grade 2 or higher CTCAE hepatotoxicity, 85% (23/27) had lower LFTs at the end of posaconazole therapy, despite continuation in the setting of hepatotoxicity, and this change from maximum LFTs was statistically significant (P < 0.0001). Thus, the development of LFT abnormalities while on posaconazole therapy may not warrant a switch to an alternative, potentially less effective antifungal, as hepatotoxicity is often multifactorial and generally resolves with time in the majority of patients.
Lorentz TEM study of the magnetic microstructure in near-eutectoid Co-Pt alloys

Abstract In this paper, we report Lorentz Transmission Electron Microscopy (LTEM) observations of magnetic domain structures in a near-eutectoid Co 40 Pt 60 alloy. The crystallographic microstructure is characterized using conventional bright field/dark field TEM imaging. The magnetic induction orientation inside magnetic domains is extracted from Fresnel through-focus images by reconstructing the phase of electron wave using the transport-of-intensity equation. The alloy shows a nano-chessboard pattern composed of the L10 tetragonal and L12 cubic phases. The magnetization distribution in four neighboring L10 tiles in the nano-chessboard structure is found to follow a vortex/anti-vortex configuration to reduce the magnetostatic and magneto-crystalline anisotropy energies. An unconventional domain wall referred to as an inter phase magnetic domain wall (IPMDW) is observed at the inter-phase boundaries of L10 and L12 phases. Magnetic domain walls in other microstructures (tweed microstructure, macro-twinned structure, coarsened L10 plates) are also documented.
Measuring delivery route cost trade-offs between electric-assist cargo bicycles and delivery trucks in dense urban areas

Completing urban freight deliveries is increasingly a challenge in congested urban areas, particularly when delivery trucks are required to meet time windows. Depending on the route characteristics, Electric Assist (EA) cargo bicycles may serve as an economically viable alternative to delivery trucks. The purpose of this paper is to compare the delivery route cost trade-offs between box delivery trucks and EA cargo bicycles that have the same route and delivery characteristics, and to explore the question, under what conditions do EA cargo bikes perform at a lower cost than typical delivery trucks? The independent variables, constant variables, and assumptions used for the cost function comparison model were gathered through data collection and a literature review. A delivery route in Seattle was observed and used as the base case; the same route was then modelled using EA cargo bicycles. Four separate delivery scenarios were modeled to evaluate how the following independent route characteristics would impact delivery route cost - distance between a distribution center (DC) and a neighborhood, number of stops, distance between each stop, and number of parcels per stop. The analysis shows that three of the four modeled route characteristics affect the cost trade-offs between delivery trucks and EA cargo bikes. EA cargo bikes are more cost effective than delivery trucks for deliveries in close proximity to the DC (less than 2 miles for the observed delivery route with 50 parcels per stop and less than 6 miles for the hypothetical delivery route with 10 parcels per stop) and at which there is a high density of residential units and low delivery volumes per stop. Delivery trucks are more cost effective for greater distances from the DC and for large volume deliveries to one stop.
Evolution in the Presentation, Treatment, and Outcomes of Patients with Acute Mesenteric Ischemia.

Objectives Acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) is a life-threatening condition associated with dismal outcomes. This study sought to evaluate the evolution of presentation, treatment, and outcomes of AMI over the past two decades. Methods AMI patients presenting at a single institution were reviewed (1993–2016). Venous thrombosis patients were excluded. Primary outcome was 30-day mortality. Patients were stratified by etiology and diagnosis date (before 2004 versus 2004 and later). Ordered logistic regression was performed for longitudinal temporal analysis. Results 303 patients were identified. AMI mechanisms included: embolic (49%), thrombotic (29%), and non-occlusive (NOMI) (22%). The majority were women (55%), 50% had atrial fibrillation, and 23% were on anticoagulation (AC) therapy. Mean age was 72±13 years. 345 procedures were performed in 242 patients: 321 open and 24 hybrid/endovascular. Among the 189 embolic/thrombotic patients who were managed operatively, 45% (n=85) underwent mesenteric revascularization while 39 (21%) had findings of non-survivable bowel necrosis (NSBN). Among the 104 patients who did not undergo revascularization, 64 (62%) died within 30-days compared to 36 out of 85 (42%) patients who were revascularized (P=0.01). 30-day mortality was 61% and stable over time (P=0.91); when stratified by AMI etiology, the thrombotic cohort had worse survival than embolic and NOMI patients (P=0.04). Since 2000, there was a significant decrease in the percentage of embolic AMI events (P=0.04). The percentage of patients who underwent operative management decreased also over time (P=0.01, 81% → 61%), which was correlated with an increasing number of patients being made comfort measures only (CMO) prior to surgical intervention (50% → 70%, P=0.02). The majority of patients (55%) were ultimately made CMO during their hospitalization. Predictors of 30-day mortality included a preoperative white blood cell count (WBC) ≥ 25 K/ µL. (OR 3.0, P=0.002) and lactate ≥ 2.3 mmol/L (OR 2.8, P=0.045). NSBN predictors included WBC ≥ 24 K/ µL. (OR 3.4 P=0.03) and lactate ≥ 3.8 mmol/L (OR 3.6, P=0.04). Conclusions Despite advances in critical care over the past 25 years, AMI continues to be associated with poor prognosis. The survival benefit observed in patients who undergo revascularization supports an aggressive approach towards early vascular intervention, although this requires further study. The importance of early diagnosis, prognostication and advanced directives is highlighted given the high morbidity, mortality and use of comfort measures associated with AMI.
Sport-Related Concussion Education and the Elaboration Likelihood Model: Need for Cognition as Mediator Between Health Literacy and Concussion Education Efficacy:

The current study examines the ways the elaboration likelihood model of persuasion can be applied to message design of concussion education programs. Results from a survey of collegiate athletes (N...
Establishment of a Patient-Derived Xenograft Tumor From Hepatitis C-Associated Liver Cancer and Evaluation of Imatinib Treatment Efficacy

Background and aims Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the major causal factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The treatment options for HCC are limited for lack of a convenient animal model for study in HCV infection and liver pathogenesis. This study aimed to develop a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) tumor in mice by using a tumor from a patient with HCV-associated HCC and evaluating this model's therapeutic potential. Approach and results After resection of the primary tumor from the patient liver, excess viable tumor was implanted into highly immunodeficient mice. A mouse xenograft tumor line was developed, and the tumor was successfully passaged for at least three rounds in immunodeficient mice. The patient's primary tumor and the mouse xenografts were histologically similar. Genetic profiling by short-tandem-repeat analysis verified that the HCC-PDX model was derived from the HCC clinical specimen. HCV RNA present in the patient liver specimen was undetectable after passage as xenograft tumors in mice. Human albumin, α1 -antitrypsin, glypican-3, α-smooth muscle actin, and collagen type 1A2 markers were detected in human original tumor tissues and xenograft tumors. Both the patient primary tumor and the xenograft tumors had a significantly higher level of receptor tyrosine kinase (c-Kit) mRNA. Treatment of HCC-PDX xenograft tumor-bearing mice with the c-Kit inhibitor imatinib significantly reduced tumor growth and phospho-Akt and cyclin D1 expression, as compared with untreated control tumors. Conclusions Our results demonstrated establishment of an HCV-associated HCC-PDX model as a powerful tool for evaluating candidate drugs. Information on molecular changes in cancer-specific gene expression facilitates efficient targeted therapies and treatment strategies.
A Scoping Review of Studies on Virtual Reality for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities

The goals for this scoping review were to evaluate interventions using virtual reality (VR) environments for individuals with intellectual disabilities (IDs) and to discuss these interventions in terms of their educational value. The authors conducted a scoping review of articles examining VR interventions for individuals with IDs. The authors searched seven databases between 2000 and 2019 using virtual reality and intellectual disability/disabilities as search terms. The search yielded 123 articles and 15 articles were reviewed. A search of critical journals in 2020 yielded one additional article for review. Interventions addressed different skills, such as increasing physical activity, teaching letter and number literacy, preparing individuals for court testimony, and learning routes. Researchers need to assess participants for level of cognitive functioning and understand how to modify interventions for individuals with different levels of impairment. Moreover, examining whether interventions are related to improvement of skills in in vivo situations will be important for understanding generalizability of skills. The review revealed positive findings for use of VR interventions, with a need for caregiver support and possible technology support to implement interventions. Using a participatory approach may improve abilities to implement interventions in real-world settings. Directions for future research include examining what interventions work for individuals with different levels of impairment and defining when and how to implement interventions.
Changes in Health Care-Related Financial Burden for US Families With Children Associated With the Affordable Care Act.

Importance The Affordable Care Act (ACA) sought to improve access and affordability of health insurance. Although most ACA policies targeted childless adults, the extent to which these policies also impacted families with children remains unclear. Objective To examine changes in health care–related financial burden for US families with children before and after the ACA was implemented based on income eligibility for ACA policies. Design, Setting, and Participants Data used for this cohort study were obtained from the 2000-2017 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, a nationally representative, population-based survey. Multivariable regression with a difference-in-differences estimator was used to examine changes in family financial burden before and after ACA implementation according to income-based ACA eligibility groups (≤138% [lowest-income], 139%-250% [low-income], 251%-400% [middle-income], and >400% [high-income] federal poverty level). The cohort included 92 165 families with 1 or more children (age ≤18 years) and 1 or more adult parents/guardians. Exposures Income-based eligibility groups during post-ACA years (calendar years 2014-2017) vs pre-ACA years (calendar years 2000-2013). Main Outcomes and Measures Family annual out-of-pocket (OOP) health care and premium cost burden relative to income. High OOP burden was determined based on a previously validated algorithm with relative cost thresholds that vary across incomes, and extreme OOP burden was defined as costs exceeding 10% of income. Premiums exceeding 9.5% of income were classified as burdensome and premiums relative to median household income defined an unaffordability index. Results Compared with high-income families who experienced a lesser change post-ACA implementation (high OOP burden, 1.1% pre-ACA vs 0.9% post-ACA), the lowest-income families saw the greatest reduction in high OOP burden (35.6% pre-ACA vs 23.7% post-ACA; difference-in-differences: −11.4%; 95% CI, −13.2% to −9.5%) followed by low-income families (24.6% pre-ACA vs 17.3% post-ACA, difference-in-differences: −6.8%; 95% CI, −8.7% to −4.9%) and middle-income families (6.1% pre-ACA vs 4.6% post-ACA, difference-in-differences: −1.2%; 95% CI, −2.3% to −0.01%). Although premiums rose for all groups, premium unaffordability was the least exacerbated for the lowest-, low-, and middle-income families compared with higher-income families. Conclusions and Relevance The findings of this study suggest that low- and middle-income families with children who were eligible for ACA Medicaid expansions and Marketplace subsidies experienced greater reductions in health care–related financial burden after the ACA was implemented compared with families with higher incomes. However, despite ACA policies, many low- and middle-income families with children appear to continue to face considerable financial burden from premiums and OOP costs.
Performance of a cryogenic system prototype for the XENON1T detector

We have developed an efficient cryogenic system with heat exchange and associated gas purification system as a prototype for the XENON1T experiment. The XENON1T detector will use about 3 tons of liquid xenon (LXe) at a temperature of 175K as target and detection medium for a dark matter search. In this paper we report results on the cryogenic system performance focusing on the dynamics of the gas circulation-purification through a heated getter, at flow rates above 50 Standard Liter per Minute (SLPM). A maximum flow of 114 SLPM has been achieved, and using two heat exchangers in series, a heat exchange efficiency better than 96% has been measured.
Selective extraction of low-abundance BRAF V600E mutation from plasma, urine, and sputum using ion-tagged oligonucleotides and magnetic ionic liquids.

Sequence-specific DNA extractions have the potential to improve the detection of low-abundance mutations from complex matrices, making them ideal for circulating tumor DNA analysis during the early stages of cancer. Ion-tagged oligonucleotides (ITOs) are oligonucleotides modified with an allylimidazolium salt via thiolene click chemistry. The allylimidazolium-based tag allows the ITO-DNA duplex to be selectively captured by a hydrophobic magnetic ionic liquid (MIL). In this study, the selectivity of the ITO-MIL method was examined by extracting low abundance of the BRAF V600E mutation—a common single-nucleotide polymorphism associated with several different cancers—from diluted human plasma, artificial urine, and diluted artificial sputum. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was not able to distinguish a 9% BRAF V600E standard (50 fg·μL−1 BRAF V600E, 500 fg·μL−1 wild-type BRAF) from the 100% wild-type BRAF (50 fg·μL−1) standard. However, introducing the ITO-MIL extraction prior to qPCR allowed for samples consisting of 0.1% BRAF V600E (50 fg·μL−1 V600E BRAF, 50,000 fg·μL−1 wild-type BRAF) to be distinguished from the 100% wild-type BRAF standard.
Human colorectal cancer-on-chip model to study the microenvironmental influence on early metastatic spread.

Summary Colorectal cancer (CRC) progression is a complex process that is not well understood. We describe an in vitro organ-on-chip model that emulates in vivo tissue structure and the tumor microenvironment (TME) to better understand intravasation, an early step in metastasis. The CRC-on-chip incorporates fluid flow and peristalsis-like cyclic stretching and consists of endothelial and epithelial compartments, separated by a porous membrane. On-chip imaging and effluent analyses are used to interrogate CRC progression and the resulting cellular heterogeneity. Mass spectrometry-based metabolite profiles are indicative of a CRC disease state. Tumor cells intravasate from the epithelial channel to the endothelial channel, revealing differences in invasion between aggressive and non-aggressive tumor cells. Tuning the TME by peristalsis-like mechanical forces, the epithelial:endothelial interface, and the addition of fibroblasts influences the invasive capabilities of tumor cells. The CRC-on-chip is a tunable human-relevant model system and a valuable tool to study early invasive events in cancer.
“Please God, don’t let it be Muslims”: Perspectives on Guiding Conversations with Muslim Children in a Climate with Prevalent Islamophobia

Effective intervention in social work requires addressing the contextual challenges clients face. For Muslim communities and families in the West, the context is characterized by decades of post 9/...
Psychiatric Disorders in Children with Speech, Language, and Communication Disorders

Language and the ability to communicate are important human functions that play a significant and pervasive role in all aspects of human growth and development. Linguists note that all languages share certain properties despite their superficial disparities. They find an explanation for these similarities in the anatomical and physiological structures of the brain shared by speakers of diverse languages (Lenneberg, 1967).
Progress in the Development of Direct Osmotic Concentration Wastewater Recovery Process for Advanced Life Support Systems

Direct osmotic concentration (DOC) has been identified as a high potential technology for recycling of wastewater to drinking water in advanced life support (ALS) systems. As a result the DOC process has been selected for a NASA Rapid Technology Development Team (RTDT) effort. The existing prototype system has been developed to a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3. The current project focuses on advancing the development of this technology from TRL 3 to TRL 6 (appropriate for human rated testing). A new prototype of a DOC system is been designed and fabricated that addresses the deficiencies encountered during the testing of the original system and allowing the new prototype to achieve TRL 6. Background information is provided about the technologies investigated and their capabilities, results from preliminary tests, and the milestones plan and activities for the RTDT program intended to develop a second generation prototype of the DOC system.
Siblings of a different kind: e-Government and e-Commerce

This paper reports on the last phase of a longitudinal exploratory study, which aims to compare similarities and differences between e-Commerce and e-Government. In two stages, we collected rich data via focus groups of experts from both public and private sectors. This paper reports on our findings in the areas of Process Management, Information Management, and Stakeholder Relations. We found the trajectories of the two phenomena of e-Commerce and e-Government to be quite distinct such that one can hardly serve as a role model for the other. Yet, comparing the two phenomena still unveils a high potential for cross-pollination.
Alliteration and Sound Change in Early English: Linguistic structures in English alliterative verse

Chapter 1 provided some background information on the authorship, audience, and the various cultural associations of English alliterative verse. Now we turn to the linguistic reference systems whose properties will be examined in the rest of the book. Verse material provides the testing ground for the study and it is therefore also necessary to state what principles are assumed to have governed the metrical organization of that material. Since the focus is on alliteration, the descriptive remarks will cover mostly prosodic features, limiting the comments on morphosyntax, vocabulary, and discourse to specific issues addressed in the subsequent chapters. The prosody–meter interface The ways in which meter adopts and adapts available linguistic structures for literary use is an important research area in linguistics. The two systems, the phonology of the language and the meters it uses, refer to the same fundamental distinctive categories and relations. In spite of the great variety of options available for the organization of metrical systems, not all features of language are harnessed into a specific verse form, but the phonological mainstays of verse are usually present also in the ambient language. The linguistic competence of the poet provides the raw material for verse, which modifies this material according to its own set of constraints. Reconstructing the past properties of a linguistic system is a major objective for historical linguistics; historical metrists, on the other hand, are concerned with the recovery and the definition of metrical patterns.
Endogenous Social Networks in the Labor Market

I develop an equilibrium model of endogenous network formation. In my model workers differ in their job loss rates and networks enable workers to find jobs more frequently. It is costly for workers to help other members of their network and workers trade off costs against the benefits they will derive from more frequent job offers when they are unemployed. My model is an extension of search and matching model by Pissarides that captures social networks in the matching process and allows for heterogeneity in job loss rates. I analyze survey data from PSID with information on job finding through social networks. Consistent with the data, our model predicts that workers with higher job loss rates are more likely to use their social contacts to find jobs; they have shorter unemployment durations and lower wages. The endogenous framework allows me to analyze how networks are affected by labor market conditions. I show that a more generous unemployment benefit scheme will reduce the use of networks and there is a negative correlation between unemployment rate and the fraction of workers using social contacts to get a job. I also show that modelling social networks give us more insights on the regional inequalities in the labor market.
An assay to probe Plasmodium falciparum growth, transmission stage formation and early gametocyte development

Conversion from asexual proliferation to sexual differentiation initiates the production of the gametocyte, which is the malaria parasite stage required for human-to-mosquito transmission. This protocol describes an assay designed to probe the effect of drugs or other perturbations on asexual replication, sexual conversion and early gametocyte development in the major human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Synchronized asexually replicating parasites are induced for gametocyte production by the addition of conditioned medium, and they are then exposed to the treatment of interest during sexual commitment or at any subsequent stage of early gametocyte development. Flow cytometry is used to measure asexual proliferation and gametocyte production via DNA dye staining and the gametocyte-specific expression of a fluorescent protein, respectively. This screening approach may be used to identify and evaluate potential transmission-blocking compounds and to further investigate the mechanism of sexual conversion in malaria parasites. The full protocol can be completed in 11 d.
Renal abnormalities in the Russell-Silver syndrome.

There has been a recent report of five children with the Russell-Silver syndrome. It was suggested that the clinical features were well-established, and the only laboratory investigation necessary was a fasting blood glucose to exclude hypoglycemia. This study is a review of the status of the genitourinary system in six patients with the Russell-Silver syndrome. Four had abnormal excretory urograms or cystograms. These abnormalities included bilateral chronic pyelonephritis, unilateral ureteralpelvic obstruction and severe reflux, and unilateral pyelonephritis. The finding of significant potentially treatable anomalies in the genitourinary system of patients with Russell-Silver syndrome indicates that an intravenous pyelogram and cystogram be included in the investigation of these patients.
Dynamics of Short-Pulse Excitation, Ionization and Harmonic Conversion

In recent years there have been very significant advances in short pulse, high intensity laser technology. Lasers with pulse lengths of 0.1–1 ps and wavelengths from 0.2–1 μm can be focused to produce intensities from 1012 to above 1018 W/cm2. One major use of these systems has been for studies of the response of atoms and molecules to such intense, well characterized electromagnetic fields. Because these pulses are very short, neutral atoms can survive to experience intensities where theoretical treatments based on the traditional perturbation expansion of the wave function in terms of the field-free states will fail completely to describe the dynamics of the system. An explicit, non-perturbative time-dependent calculation is one approach which can represent these strong field effects.
Effects of basal forebrain stimulation on the waking discharge of neurons in the midbrain reticular formation of cats.

Abstract Neurons in the lateral basal forebrain which discharge selectively during slow-wave sleep have been identified as projecting to the midbrain reticular formation. Such cells have been hypothesized to participate in sleep-related changes in reticular formation excitability. The effects of stimulation at these sites on reticular formation single unit discharge in behaving cats was quantified in the present study. Effects were compared to those evoked from medial forebrain sites, including the preoptic area/anterior hypothalamus. Stimulation at all of these basal forebrain sites typically produced biphasic responses, consisting of a brief, short-latency excitation, followed by discharge suppression. Stimulation at lateral sites resulted in significantly longer periods of discharge suppression compared to stimulation at medial sites. These results support the hypothesis that laterally situated basal forebrain neurons participate in the regulation of behavioral state, in part, via descending modulation of midbrain reticular formation arousal mechanisms.
Access Control of Web and Java Based Applications

Cyber security has gained national and international attention as a result of near continuous headlines from financial institutions, retail stores, government offices and universities reporting compromised systems and stolen data. Concerns continue to rise as threats of service interruption, unauthorized access, stealing and altering of information, and spreading of viruses become ever more prevalent and serious. Controlling access to application layer resources is a critical component in a layered security solution that includes encryption, firewalls, virtual private networks, antivirus, and intrusion detection. In this paper we discuss the development of an application-level access control solution, based on an open-source access manager augmented with custom software components, to provide protection to both Web-based and Java-based client and server applications.
Factor analytic approaches to personality item-level data.

Factor analysis models have played a central role in formulating conceptual models in personality and personality assessment, as well as in empirical examinations of personality measurement instruments. Yet, the use of item-level data presents special problems for factor analysis, applications. In this article, we review recent developments in factor analysis that are appropriate for the type of item-level data often collected in personality. Included in this review are discussions of how these developments have been addressed in the context of two different (but formally related) statistical models item response theory (IRT: Hambleton, Swaminathan, & Rogers, 1991) and structural, equation modeling (Bollen 1989) for item-level data. We also discuss the relevance of item scaling in the context of these models. Using the restandardization data for the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory—2 Scale (cf. Butcher, Dahlstrom, Graham, Tellegen, & Kaemmer, 1989), we show brief examples of the utility of thes...
Magnesium in acute myocardial infarction

Clinical studies on the use of magnesium in acute myocardial infarction have yielded contradictory results. While the exact reasons for these discrepancies are unclear, it appears that the timing of magnesium administration is crucial to the success or failure of therapy. Although some studies have shown a significant reduction in the odds of death with this agent, the exact reasons underlying this possible benefit are not yet fully understood. A reduction in arrhythmias, inhibition of thrombus generation, changes in coronary and peripheral hemodynamics, and the limitation of ischemic damage and reperfusion injury have been inferred as possible mechanisms. IV magnesium is inexpensive and easy to administer, and has minimal side effects. While further research on magnesium therapy in ischemic states is warranted, the early use of IV magnesium should be considered in selected patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction.
John C. Hollar: History of Computing

John C. Hollar, president and chief executive officer of the Computer History Museum, describes the museum's focus and exhibits. The first Web extra at http://youtu.be/F5NcxIbuW-0 is an audio recording of Charles Severance's Computing Conversations column, in which he discusses his interview with John C. Hollar, president and chief executive officer of the Computer History Museum, about the museum's focus and exhibits. The second Web extra at http://youtu.be/poh9ROv_LR8 is a video segment of Charles Severance's interview with John C. Hollar about the focus and exhibits at the Computer History Museum, including a working model of the Babbage Difference Engine, a recreation of the Atanasoff-Berry Computer, and the IBM 360.
Mars atmospheric water vapor abundance: 1996–1997

Abstract Measurements of martian atmospheric water vapor made throughout L s = 18.0°–146.4° (October 3, 1996–July 12, 1997) show changes in Mars humidity on hourly, daily, and seasonal time scales. Because our observing program during the 1996–1997 Mars apparition did not include concomitant measurement of nearby CO 2 bands, high northern latitude data were corrected for dust and aerosol extinction assuming an optical depth of 0.8, consistent with ground-based and HST imaging of northern dust storms. All other measurements with airmass greater than 3.5 were corrected using a total optical depth of 0.5. Three dominant results from this data set are as follows: (1) pre- and post-opposition measurements made with the slit crossing many hours of local time on Mars’ Earth-facing disk show a distinct diurnal pattern with highest abundances around and slightly after noon with low abundances in the late afternoon, (2) measurements of water vapor over the Mars Pathfinder landing site (Carl Sagan Memorial Station) on July 12, 1997, found 21 ppt μm in the spatial sector centered near 19° latitude, 36° longitude while abundances around the site varied from as low as 6 to as high as 28 ppt μm, and (3) water vapor abundance is patchy on hourly and daily time scales but follows the usual seasonal trends.
Tissue doses from radiotherapy of cancer of the uterine cervix

For use in an epidemiologic study of subsequent tumors, absorbed doses from brachytherapy and external beam radiotherapy were measured and calculated for various tissues of patients treated for cancer of the uterine cervix. External beams included orthovoltage x rays (1.9 and 3.0 mm Cu half-value layer), cobalt-60 gamma rays, 2 MV x rays, and 25 MV X rays. The brachytherapy sources were encapsulated radium. Measurements were made in an Alderson anthropomorphic phantom and a water phantom; calculations were made using a Monte Carlo technique or standard radiotherapy methods. Depending upon stage of disease and radiation energy, the absorbed doses (cGy) from typical treatment regimes to tissues of interest were: ovaries, 1400-5200; stomach, 130-320; kidneys, 120-310; pancreas, 100-260; lungs 22-48; breasts, 19-52; thyroid, 6-17; salivary glands, 4-11; brain, 2-7, and total active bone marrow, 320-1100. The lower values of each range were for stage I of the disease.
Methotrexate therapy for autoimmune hearing loss: a preliminary report

The management of autoimmune sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) continues to challenge the otologist. Steroids and cyclophosphamide, the two traditional medications for this malady, are often associated with serious adverse reactions. In an effort to use a less toxic medication, the authors treated five autoimmune SNHL patients with low-dose oral methotrexate. Methotrexate has been found to be very effective in rheumatoid arthritis patients with acceptable adverse reactions. Preliminary results from this study indicate that methotrexate has the potential of being effective for autoimmune SNHL and associated otologic symptoms. Tolerance has been very good and side effects have been minimal.
Exploring the margins of television viewing

The universality of television has “centered” it in both popular and academic discourse. In this study, we examine those at the margins of television viewing—self‐defined heavy viewers and nonviewers who neither own nor watch television—in order to understand how these groups situate television in their lives. Both populations address themes of motivation, consequences, and importance but choose different actions based on those constructions. We argue that the metaphor of addiction frames both sets of accounts and is responsible for the similarities that emerged.
This article corrects: "Correlation of the NBME advanced clinical examination in EM and the national EM M4 exams

In the Original Research article entitled “Correlation of the National Board of Medical Examiners Advanced Clinical Examination in Emergency Medicine and the National Emergency Medicine M4 Exams,” published in the January 2015 issue of the Western Journal of Emergency Medicine (2015;16(1):138–142. DOI: 10.5811/westjem.2014.11.24189), there were the following errors in the published article: On page 138, the 1st line of the results section of the abstract should read: 305 students took the EM-ACE and versions 1 (V1) or 2 (V2) of the EM M4 exams (281 and 24, respectively). On page 138, the 2nd line of the results section of the abstract should read: The mean percent correct for the exams were as follows: EM-ACE 74.9 (SD-9.82), V1 83.0 (SD-6.39), V2 78.5 (SD-7.70). On page 138, the 3rd line of the results section of the abstract should read: Pearson’s correlation coefficient for the V1/EM-ACE was 0.53 (0.43 scaled) and for the V2/EM-ACE was 0.58 (0.41 scaled). On page 138, the 4th line of the results section of the abstract should read: The coefficient of determination for V1/EM-ACE was 0.73 and for V2/EM-ACE 0.71 (0.65 and .49 for scaled scores) [ERRATUM]. The R-squared values were 0.28 and 0.30 (0.18 and 0.13 scaled), respectively. On page 140, the 1st line of the results section should read: Five institutions administered both the NBME EM-ACE and one version of the EM M4 exam to 305 fourth-year students at the end of their EM rotation. V1 of the EM M4 was administered to 281 students, and V2 to 24 students. On page 140, the fifth sentence of the results section should read: The mean NBME scaled score for the entire cohort was 68.3 (SD-9.66). On page 141 in the table, the Pearson’s Correlation coefficient for “NBME (raw) V1 EM M4” should be 0.53 and “NBME (scaled) V1 EM M4” 0.43. On page 141 in the table, the R-squared value for “NBME (raw) V1 EM M4” should be 0.28. The correct Figures for “Figure 1” and Figure 2” on page 140 are shown on the following page: Figure 1 Correlation of NBME EM-ACE and National EM M4 V1 and V2. Figure 2 Correlation of NBME EM-ACE and National EM M4 V1 and V2. We apologize for this error.
834-A reflective coating for magnetospheric imagery applications

We have designed a multiple-layer coating which selectively reflects 834 A radiation and suppresses 1025 A and 1216 A radiation. The structure of the coating material consists of a very thin (50-150 A) metal (nickel) layer, on top of a semitransparent dielectric material (magnesium fluoride), over an aluminum substrate. Three such coatings were produced at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center using an existing coating facility which is not optimized for thin coatings. In spite of such fabrication difficulties, we have obtained encouraging results.
Turbofan duct mode measurements using a continuously rotating microphone rake

An experimental measurement system was developed and implemented at the NASA Glenn Research Center in the 1990s to measure fan duct acoustic modes. The system is a radial array of microphones inserted into the duct that continuously rotates about the duct centerline. This Rotating Rake provides a complete map of the acoustic duct modes at fan harmonics in a ducted fan. It has been used on a variety of test articles: from a low-speed, concept test fan rig, to a full-scale production turbofan engine. The Rotating Rake has been critical in developing and evaluating a number of noise reduction concepts as well as providing experimental databases for verification of several aero-acoustic codes.
Receiver configuration and testbed development for underwater cognitive channelization

We propose a receiver configuration and we develop a software-defined-radio testbed for real-time cognitive underwater multiple-access communications. The proposed receiver is fully reconfigurable and executes (i) all-spectrum cognitive channelization and (ii) combined synchronization, channel estimation, and demodulation. Online (real-time) experimental field studies using in-house built modems demonstrate our theoretical developments and show that cognitive channelization is a powerful proposition for underwater communications that leads to significant improvement of spectrum utilization. Even in the absence of interference, due to the noise characteristics of the acoustic channel, cognitive channelization offers significant performance improvements in terms of receiver pre-detection signal-to-interference-plus-noise-ratio and bit-error-rate.
*Sneddon's syndrome: A case report

This report reviews the case of a young woman who has livedo rettcularts and cerebrovascular disease A skin biopsy specimen taken from normal skin showed endarteritis obliterans This finding, in combination with the clinical findings, confirmed the diagnosis of Sneddon's syndrome.
The role of experiential avoidance in acute pain tolerance: a laboratory test.

Abstract The present investigation examined the role of experiential avoidance in terms of acute pain tolerance and subsequent recovery. Seventy nonclinical participants completed the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire [Hayes et al., The psychological record, 54 553–578] and underwent a well-established cold pressor task. Results indicated that individuals reporting higher levels of experiential avoidance had lower pain endurance and tolerance and recovered more slowly from this particular type of aversive event. Consistent with theoretical prediction, these findings suggest that experiential avoidance may play a role in tolerance of acute pain.
A CLOSER LOOK AT SERUM PROSTATIC ACID PHOSPHATASE AS SCREENING TEST

Radioimmunoassay techniques for the detection of serum acid phosphatase are reported to provide substantial improvement in test sensitivity and test specificity. Calculation of the positive predictive value for this assay, however, does not support its use as a screening modality. Indiscriminate use of this test may have serious medical, psychological, and economic ramifications.
Reaction of dibenzothiophene sulfone with alkoxides

Abstract Cleavage of the C-S bond of dibenzothiophene 5,5-dioxide (1) by alkoxide ions proceeds predominantly with carbon-oxygen bond formation, in contrast to the observation of predominant sulfur-oxygen bond formation in the reaction of 1 with hydroxide. The esr spectrum of the radical anion of 1 has been observed in the reacting system.
Non-gynecologic causes of unexplained lower abdominal pain in adolescent girls: two clinical cases and review of the literature.

Unexplained lower abdominal pain in adolescent girls is a common complaint that can pose a challenge for even the most experienced physicians. It is also one of the most frequent conditions prompting a referral to a specialist. The differential diagnosis is lengthy and the cost of an extensive laboratory evaluation is high. In many cases the pain resolves spontaneously and no cause is found. However this fact should be coupled with an awareness that occasionally a serious underlying medical or psychiatric disorder exists. The purpose of this paper is to offer guidelines to the clinician caring for adolescent girls with unexplained lower abdominal pain and to stress the value of a thorough history and physical. Clues to the diagnosis and suggestions for management of non-gynecologic conditions will be presented. (excerpt)
An object-based image retrieval system for digital libraries

A novel approach to clustering for image segmentation and a new object-based image retrieval method are proposed. The clustering is achieved using the Fisher discriminant as an objective function. The objective function is improved by adding a spatial constraint that encourages neighboring pixels to take on the same class label. A six-dimensional feature vector is used for clustering by way of the combination of color and busyness features for each pixel. After clustering, the dominant segments in each class are chosen based on area and used to extract features for image retrieval. The color content is represented using a histogram, and Haar wavelets are used to represent the texture feature of each segment. The image retrieval is segment-based; the user can select a query segment to perform the retrieval and assign weights to the image features. The distance between two images is calculated using the distance between features of the constituent segments. Each image is ranked based on this distance with respect to the query image segment. The algorithm is applied to a pilot database of natural images and is shown to improve upon the conventional classification and retrieval methods. The proposed segmentation leads to a higher number of relevant images retrieved, 83.5% on average compared to 72.8 and 68.7% for the k-means clustering and the global retrieval methods, respectively.
2003 Job Lewis Smith award acceptance address: achieving the unfinished agenda through public-private partnerships.

It is indeed an honor to receive the Dr Job Lewis Smith award from the Community Pediatrics Section of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). My initial reaction was one of disbelief. How could a federal bureaucrat, with a lifelong professional career in public health, qualify for an award based on Dr Smith’s long-time commitment to “hands on” services in community pediatrics in New York City in the 1800s? Although most of my professional career has not found me in either small or truly rural communities, my roots are clearly there. I grew up in a small rural community in Western Canada, and I began my public health career in the MCH clinics in what was then a rural community in Southern Maryland. I served for 15 years in urban Washington, DC, starting in MCH clinics in the year of the “I have a dream” speech and march on Washington, in the midst of the civil rights movement and at a time of considerable urban unrest. I spent 2 years directing the MCH programs in Hawaii and learned the beauty of the island culture based on family and community, so my life experiences have given me a strong commitment to AAP’s recognition that the health of children must be addressed in the context of the family and the community environment in which they live. In preparing for this address, I learned a great deal about Dr Job Smith’s years of service to children in New York City, and I also learned that his brother Stephen was a founder of the APHA in 1872 and that the 2 brothers championed the benefits of collaboration between public health and community pediatrics. It seemed to me that my receipt of this award reflects that early collaboration since that has been my focus for … Reprint requests to (M.M.) 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 18A27, Parklawn Bldg, Rockville, MD 20857. E-mail: mmcpherson{at}hrsa.gov
Properties of TiO2 and SiO2 thin films deposited using ion assisted deposition.

TiO2 and SiO2 films deposited using ion assisted deposition are investigated as a function of ion energy and current density. Optical constants, possible ion source contaminants, and optical scatter are examined for samples deposited at ambient (∼75°C) and elevated (∼250°C) substrate temperatures.
Polyhedral Clathrate Hydrates. XV. The Structure of 4(CH3)3N·41H2O

The crystal structure determination of 4(CH3)3N·41H2O shows that the trimethylamine guest molecules are hydrogen bonded within voids formed by a polyhedral host lattice of hydrogen‐bonded water. The water framework consists mainly of sheets formed by face‐sharing dodecahedra which are linked by additional water molecules. The amine molecules occupy large irregular cages between the layers of dodecahedra. The amine and the linking water molecules are statistically disordered so that a hexagonal structure is observed, whereas an ordered arrangement would have monoclinic symmetry.