cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diffusion‐weighted quantitative MRI to diagnose benign conditions from malignancies of the anterior mediastinum: Improvement of diagnostic accuracy by comparing perfusion‐free to perfusion‐sensitive measurements of the apparent diffusion coefficient

PURPOSE To compare perfusion-free to perfusion-sensitive measurements of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) to diagnose benign conditions from malignancies of the anterior mediastinum. MATERIALS AND METHODS Seventy-six subjects were divided into a "benign conditions" group (A, n = 44) and a "malignancies" group (B, n = 32), based on histological findings. diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) was performed at b of 0/150/800 sec/mm(2) . The ADCs were obtained on an ADC map by including (perfusion-sensitive = ADCb0-800 ) and excluding (perfusion-free = ADCb150-800 ) the b = 0 sec/mm(2) . The Mann-Whitney U-test was used to detect differences in ADCb0-800 compared with ADCb150-800 values between all cases, benign conditions, and malignancies. The same test was used to evaluate differences in ADCs between the two groups for each type of measurement (ADCb0-800 and ADCb150-800 ), and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves were obtained to evaluate discrimination abilities with comparison of areas-under-ROC-curves (AUROC). Optimal cutpoints for discrimination between groups were determined by the Youden-Index with computation of accuracy. RESULTS The median ADCb0-800 was significantly greater compared with ADCb150-800 for all cases (P = 0.0014), benign conditions (P = 0.0412), and malignancies (P = 0.0001). The median percentage of increase was 5.30% for group-A and 22.39% for group-B (P < 0.0001). AUROC of ADC in discriminating between groups was significantly greater for ADCb150-800 (0.932) compared with ADCb0-800 (0.831) (P = 0.001). The optimal cutpoint for distinction between groups was 1.52 × 10(-3) mm(2) /sec (sensitivity = 93.7%, specificity = 88.6%, accuracy = 90.8%) for ADCb150-800 and 1.75 × 10(-3) mm(2) /sec (sensitivity = 75.0%, specificity = 79.5%, accuracy = 77.6%) for ADCb0-800 . CONCLUSION The use of perfusion-free ADC measurements significantly improves diagnostic accuracy of DW-MRI in differentiating benign conditions from malignancies of the anterior mediastinum. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:758-769.
Is there a role for screening spirometry

In obstructive lung disease, the characteristic change in spirometry is a reduction in the forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV 1 ) with respect to the vital capacity. Moreover, the severity of the obstruction can be graded by referencing spirometric measurements to age, sex, and height predicted normal values. Spirometry, however, should be considered a medical test, and not simply a vital sign that anyone can perform. Indeed, both technical issues and tester skills can profoundly affect the results and interpretations. Properly done spirometry can guide therapies and predict outcomes, but using spirometry to screen for obstructive lung disease in asymptomatic populations can be problematic, and the effects of screening spirometry on outcomes have yet to be determined. The value of spirometry is increased when it is of good quality, is interpreted properly, and is used in high-risk populations as a case-finding rather than a screening tool.
A Study of the Effects of Quantitative Training

In this study, two groups of subjects, one with advanced quantitative training, the other with little or no quantitative training, were exposed to an interactive-decision simulation gaming model to...
Variable Step-Size Control for Analytic Power Series Solutions for Orbit Propagation

Recent trajectory modeling work using the continuation method has demonstrated that high accuracy trajectory models can be obtained for two-body and J2 perturbations. A high accuracy power series solution is achieved by introducing a nonlinear variable transformation for handling kinematic variables appearing in trajectory motion applications. Arbitrary order time derivatives are developed for the nonlinear kinematic variables, by recasting the variables in a form that leads to bilinear products that are easily handled by Leibnitz product rule, which leads to a highly efficient and accurate recursive numerical solution algorithm. The series solution works by computing multiple analytic continuation solutions for propagating the state trajectories. As with any numerical integration process, one must select a time step for advancing the system response. This is particularly important for highly eccentric orbits. To this end, this work presents a scheme for determining a variable step size in time for the continuation method. It is further shown that the optimally selected variable step size leads to a near linear step-size in true anomaly. Many numerical examples are presented for demonstrating the effectiveness of the analytic continuation method and the optimal step-size selection algorithm.
Sedge/Grass Meadow Restoration on Former Agricultural Lands along a Lake Ontario Drowned-River-Mouth Tributary

Restoration of sedge/grass meadow habitat was implemented on former agricultural lands adjacent to a Lake Ontario drowned-river-mouth tributary at an elevation that historically supports this community type. Four hectares of land were disked in spring and seeded with diverse wetland mixes containing sedges, grasses, and forbs, with additional Calamagrostis canadensis (bluejoint) and Carex stricta (upright sedge) seeds added. Seedling plugs of C. canadensis and C. stricta were also planted. Mowing at a height of 45 cm to control tall, invasive annual weeds prior to seed-set was conducted as an adaptive management practice. Three years after implementation, C. canadensis and C. stricta were not found, but seeded Carex vulpinoidea (fox sedge) was dominant, and seeded Carex lupulina (hop sedge) and Carex lurida (shallow sedge) were also present. Most invasive annuals were rare, but canopies created by larger perennials may pose future problems. Although a greenhouse seed-bank emergence study was conducted, field sampling suggested that plants growing on adjacent lands were a better predictor of future plant communities, with select seeded species serving as a secondary predictor. Failure of some sedges to survive after seeding likely was not related to stratification or diurnal temperature range. However, inadequate soil moisture related to soil type and a second-year drought likely played a role, as might loss of viability of seeds during storage. Future efforts on similar lands might use fresh Carex seeds broadcast in autumn for over-winter stratification, and specially developed seed mixes could focus on species that established at the site and native species found nearby, while avoiding some potential problem species.
Epidemiological Study of Human Rabies in Zengcheng City from 2002 to 2006

Objectives To perform an epidemiological study of human rabies in Zengcheng city,and to formulate a policy for the control and prevention of rabies. Methods Information concerning rabies epidemic between 2002 and 2006 was collected and analyzed using epidemiological methods. Results There were 22 cases of rabies between 2002 and 2006. The annual incidence was 0.55/100,000 thousands. The mortality was 100%. The incidence (77.27%) peaked at autumn and winter. 77.27% The male to female ratio is 2.1 ∶ 1,and 68.18% are farmers. The disease outbreak was initially idemic area initially rose fromin the southern region,and gradually spreaded to the middle and northern and middle among eight of nigh towns inregion. 2006. Conclusion Zengcheng is still an endemic area of rabies. Development of effective methods to control the outbreak is still required.
Plasma free fatty acids in fasting vitamin c-deprived guinea pigs

Plasma concentrations of free fatty acids (FFA) were measured in normal and scorbutic guinea pigs. In animals deprived of vitamin C for 15 or 25 days, FFA concentrations were higher than normal after a 5-hour fast. Conversely, they were lower than normal after a 29-hour fast. Plasma FFA concentrations were normal after a 29-hour fast in animals deprived of vitamin C for 25 days, but then given vitamin C at the beginning of the fasting period.
Distinct-Values Estimation over Data Streams

We consider the problem of estimating the number of distinct values in a data stream with repeated values. Distinct-values estimation was one of the first data stream problems studied: In the mid-1980’s, Flajolet and Martin gave an effective algorithm that uses only logarithmic space. Recent work has built upon their technique, improving the accuracy guarantees on the estimation, proving lower bounds, and considering other settings such as sliding windows, distributed streams, and sensor networks.
The Urban Labour Market

The concept and definition of employment are not unambiguous in the Ethiopian context. Rural employment with peasant farming clearly presents problems. These may be different but no less complex for the urban sector. Those in paid employment and subject to the provisions of the Labour Proclamation 64 of 1975 and those employed in state administration easily fit into the usual definition of employment. There are, however, other types of economic activity which are less straightforward. For example, the 1978 Household Survey in its estimate of urban employment showed the categories listed in Table 8.1.
Observation of the A2Σ+← X2Π Electronic Transition of NaO§

The gas-phase infrared spectrum of the A2Σ+ ← X2Π electronic transition of the NaO radical was observed for the first time utilizing tunable diode laser differential absorption spectroscopy; 109 lines were found within the region 2015−2095 cm-1 and 45 lines within 2654−2696 cm-1. The NaO radical was produced by reaction of sodium vapor with N2O in a fast flow tube and detected using an astigmatic Herriott multipass absorption cell combined with rapid sweep integration absorption signal processing. Simple kinetic studies were performed in order to differentiate the NaO radical features from precursor N2O lines. The NaO A2Σ+ ← X2Π vibronic band structure was modeled using ab initio calculations by Langhoff and co-workers; the simulated NaO band profile agrees reasonably well with that observed. A preliminary assignment of some observed lines and the resulting molecular constants are presented. Quantitative absorption strength measurements indicate that either absorption line strengths for this transition ar...
Enantioselective Synthesis of β-Fluoro Amines via β-Amino α-Fluoro Nitroalkanes and a Traceless Activating Group Strategy

Preparation of a range of enantioenriched β-fluoro amines (α,β-disubstituted) is described in which the nitrogen and fluorine atoms are attached to sp3-hybridized carbons. The key finding is a chiral bifunctional Bronsted acid/base catalyst that can deliver β-amino-α-fluoro nitroalkanes with high enantio- and diastereoselection. A denitration step renders the nitro group “traceless” and delivers secondary, tertiary, or vinyl alkyl fluorides embedded within a vicinal fluoro amine functional group. A synthesis of each possible stereoisomer of a β-fluoro lanicemine illustrates the potential ease with which fluorinated small molecules relevant to neuroscience drug development can be prepared in a stereochemically comprehensive manner.
Accurate and fast numerical algorithms for tracking particle size distributions during nanoparticle aggregation and dissolution

Particle size affects the toxicity and environmental fate of engineered nanoparticles (NPs). Although size effects have been widely studied in the experimental NP fate and toxicity literature, no numerical models published to date have attempted to identify and compare state-of-the-art particle modeling methods commonly applied in closely related fields. We compare four numerical frameworks for modeling changes in the size distribution of a NP suspension undergoing dissolution and aggregation: the Sectional Method (SM), Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC), the Direct Quadrature Method of Moments (DQMOM), and the Extended Quadrature Method of Moments (EQMOM). The SM and the DQMOM were faster or more accurate than the EQMOM and DSMC in nearly every trial. For cases simulating aggregation, the DQMOM took seconds to achieve solutions with ≤2% error, while the SM (a rigorous implementation of the most popular population balance method to date for NPs) took up to 1.5 hours. The SM was far more accurate than the DQMOM for dissolution test cases; however, up to 50 size bins were required to achieve ≤10% error. This raises questions about the validity of the current practice of using five or fewer bins in models of NP fate in rivers. Because runtimes become prohibitive as environmental complexity and particle properties are added, the DQMOM is promising for field-scale models and models that describe NPs with complex morphologies or compositions, such as non-spherical NPs, coated NPs, and nanohybrids. MATLAB code for all models is provided in the ESI.
Avoiding and Managing Complications in Patella Surgery

Afflictions of the patellofemoral joint are one of the most common conditions that the Sports Medicine Orthopedist will encounter in his practice. Anterior knee pain has many causalities, is often poorly understood, misdiagnosed, and, as a consequence, is often mistreated. Many consider anterior knee pain to be the “back pain” of the Sports Medicine Specialist. The etiology of the pain is often poorly understood, frequently leading to multiple operations that culminate in an unhappy patient as well as a frustrated physician. Although this chapter is focused on avoiding, managing, and treating complications in patellar surgery, the vast majority of patients with patellofemoral conditions should be managed with nonoperative measures. Rehabilitation is just about always at the top of the list in the vast majority of patellofemoral injuries and disorders. The patellofemoral joint is one of the most common areas where surgery can often make the patients worse rather than better and should be approached very carefully. In this chapter, we will focus on patellofemoral realignment and instability surgery. Over 100 operations have been described for the management of recurrent lateral patellar instability and, although there are many surgical methods to treat the same condition, performing the wrong operation can lead to a disastrous result. Select the operation wisely. This often requires multiple office visits to become acquainted with your patient physically as well as psychologically.
Human Health and Ecological Risk Analysis

Abstract Risk assessment results provide a scientific basis for risk management and mitigation. Dose-response assessment follows separate tracks for carcinogens and noncarcinogens, the principal difference being the absence of a threshold dose and response based on cumulative rather than steady-state dose when predicting carcinogenesis. Distinctions between carcinogens and noncarcinogens also determine the method for low-dose extrapolation and, ultimately, risk characterization by reference dose or slope factor. Risk characterization quantifies risk in exposed populations where an exposure pathway is completed. Risk characterization employs intake equations for each potential exposure route to estimate the potential dose and hazard quotient or target risk, depending on the type of toxicant. Risk characterization allows the setting of risk-based screening levels for each contaminant and exposure route. The enforcement standards adopted by federal and state environmental agencies derive from risk-based screening levels.
Neural control of acetylcholine release by T cells attenuates TNF production in endotoxemia (138.24)

The cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway regulates pro-inflammatory cytokine production through vagus nerve signaling via the α7 subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor expressed on macrophages. Vagus nerve stimulation requires an intact splenic nerve to attenuate TNF production by spleen macrophages. Despite exhaustive search, cholinergic fibers have not been observed in spleen. Here, we used transgenic mice that express enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) under control of transcriptional regulatory elements of choline acetyltransferase, the enzyme that synthesizes acetylcholine. eGFP was detected in spleen B and T cells, some of which were located in close proximity to catecholaminergic nerve endings in the parenchyma of the white pulp. Vagus nerve stimulation significantly increased acetylcholine levels in spleen. In vitro, adrenergic stimulation induced the release of acetylcholine by spleen lymphocytes through a β2 adrenergic receptor dependent mechanism. Vagus nerve stimulation failed to suppress TNF in endotoxemic nude mice, and transfer of CD3+ T cells into nude mice restored vagus nerve control of cytokine production. Together, these data identify T cells as an essential component of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway, and suggest that neural signals increase acetylcholine release from spleen T cells, which in turn attenuates TNF production in spleen via α7 expressed on innate immune cells.
A novel sand-dune-inspired design for improved film cooling performance

Abstract An experimental study was performed to explore a novel film cooling design with a Barchan-Dune-Shaped Injection Compound (BDSIC) concept for improved film cooling performance over a test plate. Inspired by the unique crescent-shaped Barchan dunes commonly seen in deserts, the BDSIC concept was proposed to enable coolant streams to be discharged tangentially from hollowed Barchan-dune-shaped (BDS) shells and stay attached to the surface of the test plate. During the experiments, while a high-resolution Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) system was used to conduct detailed flow field measurements to quantify the dynamic mixing process between the coolant stream and the mainstream flows over the test plate, a Pressure Sensitive Paint (PSP) technique was used to map the corresponding adiabatic film cooling effectiveness over the surface of interest based on a mass-flux analog to traditional temperature-based cooling effectiveness measurements. The effects of various important design parameters, including the shape of the BDS shells, the blowing ratio of the coolant streams, and the span-wise distance (i.e., the pitch) between the neighboring BDSICs, on the film cooling performance were evaluated in great detail based the quantitative PSP and PIV measurements. It was found that, in comparison with that of conventional film cooling design with coolant stream injected from circular hole (i.e., the baseline case), the film cooling effectiveness over the test plate would be enhanced significantly (i.e., 30–500%) by using the BDSIC design, especially for the test case with elongated BDS shells. As expected, the BDSIC design was found to cause a higher aerodynamic loss at relatively low blowing ratios, due to a greater friction loss associated with its complex shape. However, since the unique BDSIC design could keep the coolant stream to stay attached more firmly on the surface of the test plate (i.e., reducing the aerodynamic loss associated with the penetration of the coolant streams into the mainstream flow), the aerodynamic loss of the BDSIC design was found to become even smaller than that of the conventional film cooling design with circular hole design at relatively high blowing ratios.
Oxidized or reduced cytochrome c and axial ligand variants all form the apoptosome in vitro

Cytochrome c (cyt c) has two important roles in vertebrates: mitochondrial electron transport and activating the intrinsic cell death pathway (apoptosis). To initiate cell death, cyt c dissociates from the inner mitochondrial membrane and migrates to the cytosol. In the cytosol, cyt c interacts stoichiometrically with apoptotic protease activating factor 1 (Apaf-1) and upon ATP binding induces formation of the heptameric apoptosome. It is not clear however what the redox state of cyt c is when it functions as the “active signal” for apoptosis. Some reports have indicated that only ferri (i.e., oxidized Fe3+ heme) but not ferro (reduced, Fe2+ heme) cyt c forms the apoptosome. Facilitated by our recently described recombinant system for synthesizing novel human cyt c proteins, we use a panel of cyt c axial ligand variants that exhibit a broad range of redox potentials. These variants exist in different redox states. Here we show that cyt c wild type and cyt c H19M (reduced state) and cyt c M81A and cyt c M8...
Effect of Ethical Human Resource Management Practices on the Financial Performance of Listed Firms in the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE)

Introduction : Despite the vast research on ethical leadership, so little is revealed concerning a quantified relationship between ethical human resource practices and enterprise financial performance commensurate to the associated moral practices presented throughout the literature. Purpose : Accordingly, this study sought to evaluate the direct impact of ethical human resource practices on the financial performance (measured by ROA) in the listed firms in Kenya by propounding a directly proportional relationship respectively, with the rather being the dependent variable. Research Methodology : A causal research design was adopted, and the relationships were evaluated through correlation and regression analysis. Sixty-four CEOs from the listed firms in Kenya participated in the research by filling online questionnaires while data analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS). Findings : The results revealed a significant relationship between ethical human resource practices and financial performance which was quantified through a linear regression model. The study recommended scrupulous adherence to the ethical HR practices and suggested replication of the study to other non-listed firms and the public sector. Contribution : The study findings indicated that financial performance is high when firms always adhere to labor laws, recruitment practices and firm’s policy when recruiting employees. It, therefore, recommends that the firms should always adhere to their labor laws, recruitment practices, and the firm's recruitment policy which should be based on academic qualifications, skill/talents, and experience when hiring employees.
Economics and Cost-Effectiveness of Multiple Sclerosis Therapies in the USA

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disabling, chronic disease that imposes a significant economic burden on patients and the US healthcare system. The largest cost component for individuals with MS are prescription drugs, specifically disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). Despite an increase in the number and diversity of DMTs over the past 10 years, acquisition costs for all DMTs have escalated dramatically at rates substantially higher than medical inflation. Currently, costs for most DMTs exceed $70,000 a year. Recent cost-effectiveness studies suggest the cost for nearly all DMTs exceeds generally accepted thresholds for what is considered a good value in the USA, even after factoring expected rebates. The high cost of DMTs is symptomatic of systemic dysfunction in the pharmaceutical market. Strategies aimed at reigning in high-cost medications include proposals ranging from increasing pricing transparency to allowing Medicare to negotiate directly with manufacturers. Because the economics of pharmaceuticals are inherently complex, a diversity of approaches will be required.
Conserved Inhibition of Neutrophil Extracellular Trap Release by Clinical Candida albicans Biofilms

Candida albicans biofilms are difficult to eradicate due to their resistance to host defenses and antifungal drugs. Although neutrophils are the primary responder to C. albicans during invasive candidiasis, biofilms resist killing by neutrophils. Prior investigation, with the commonly used laboratory strain SC5314, linked this phenotype to the impaired release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), which are structures of DNA, histones, and antimicrobial proteins involved in extracellular microbial killing. Considering the diversity of C. albicans biofilms, we examined the neutrophil response to a subset of clinical isolates forming biofilms with varying depths and architectures. Using fluorescent staining of DNA and scanning electron microscopy, we found that inhibition of NET release was conserved across the clinical isolates. However, the dampening of the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by neutrophils was strain-dependent, suggesting an uncoupling of ROS and NET inhibition. Our findings show that biofilms formed by clinical C. albicans isolates uniformly impair the release of NETs. Further investigation of this pathway may reveal novel approaches to augment immunity to C. albicans biofilm infections.
Inability of an "energy transfer diagnostician" to distinguish between fertile and infertile women.

CONTEXT Various forms of "energy healing" have become popular in the United States. OBJECTIVE To test the assertion that an energy healer can, without physical contact, distinguish the presence or absence of internal organ pathology in individuals who lack overt physical findings. DESIGN Observational randomized study, in which we tested the assertion by a well-recognized alternative healer that he had particular skill in using energy transfer to detect the presence or absence of fertility disorders in women. PATIENTS Convenience sample of 37 women, 28 of whom had documented pathology resulting in infertility, and 9 of whom were fertile. OUTCOMES The healer was provided with no medical history and performed diagnostic evaluations without physical contact with the blindfolded, clothed, and silent subjects. We compared to random chance the ability of the healer to establish a diagnosis of fertility or fertility disorder. SETTING Teaching hospital. MAIN RESULTS The healer was unable to distinguish the presence or absence of fertility disorders in the study subjects. CONCLUSION This study points to further need for fair yet rigorous assessment of claims that energy transfer can lead to accurate clinical diagnoses.
CVPM 1.1: a flexible heat-transfer modeling system for permafrost

Abstract. The Control Volume Permafrost Model (CVPM) is a modular heat-transfer modeling system designed for scientific and engineering studies in permafrost terrain, and as an educational tool. CVPM implements the nonlinear heat-transfer equations in 1-D, 2-D, and 3-D Cartesian coordinates, as well as in 1-D radial and 2-D cylindrical coordinates. To accommodate a diversity of geologic settings, a variety of materials can be specified within the model domain, including organic-rich materials, sedimentary rocks and soils, igneous and metamorphic rocks, ice bodies, borehole fluids, and other engineering materials. Porous materials are treated as a matrix of mineral and organic particles with pore spaces filled with liquid water, ice, and air. Liquid water concentrations at temperatures below 0 ∘ C due to interfacial, grain-boundary, and curvature effects are found using relationships from condensed matter physics; pressure and pore-water solute effects are included. A radiogenic heat-production term allows simulations to extend into deep permafrost and underlying bedrock. CVPM can be used over a broad range of depth, temperature, porosity, water saturation, and solute conditions on either the Earth or Mars. The model is suitable for applications at spatial scales ranging from centimeters to hundreds of kilometers and at timescales ranging from seconds to thousands of years. CVPM can act as a stand-alone model or the physics package of a geophysical inverse scheme, or serve as a component within a larger Earth modeling system that may include vegetation, surface water, snowpack, atmospheric, or other modules of varying complexity.
ATLS Update: Case Studies in Trauma

Trauma is the leading cause of death in the first four decades of life and the third leading of all causes of mortality. Furthermore, for every person killed, three others are permanently disabled. Annual trauma-related costs in the United States are in excess of $400 billion. Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) is a model of trauma care endorsed by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma. The first courses were conducted in 1980 with the goal of disseminating a “safe, reliable method for the immediate management of the injured patient.” The latest edition of this document, the sixth, was released in 1997. The seventh edition is expected in June 2002. International ATLS programs began in 1987. Currently, 29 countries are authorized to provide ATLS training. More than 225,000 doctors have been certified worldwide.
Geriatric Preoperative Evaluation of the Older Adult

As surgical and anesthetic procedures advance, more and more older adults are becoming candidates for surgery. Older adults are at higher risk of developing complications during or after surgery than younger adults due to poorer physiologic reserve. Older adults often have coexisting medical conditions, variable levels of physical functioning, and social supports that play a role in the post-surgical recovery period. Geriatric preoperative assessments evaluate for risk factors that affect the intended outcome and projected recovery following a surgical procedure. The geriatric assessment goes beyond a general medical assessment and includes observation on physical function, social supports, advance care planning, goals of care conversations, transitions in care, and psychological assessment relevant to the post-surgical recovery period.
Highly differentiated follicular carcinoma of ovary: Use of imprint cytology at intraoperative consultation.

Highly differentiated follicular carcinoma of ovary (HDFCO) is a rare entity known to arise in struma ovarii. Clinical presentation and radiological features mimic other cystic ovarian neoplasm. Thus, intraoperative diagnosis of this entity can be challenging. We hereby report a HDFCO case of a 52-year-old woman, who presented with significant abdominal bloating for 3 months. Imaging showed a 11.7 cm left adnexal-mixed cystic and solid mass, adhering to the bowel with ascites. The mass was examined intraoperatively and showed multilocular cysts filled with straw or red brown-colored gelatinous fluid. Microscopically, the tumor consisted of small and large follicles with proteinous material and bland-looking cuboidal cells, suspicious for struma ovarii or granulosa cell tumor with extensive cystic changes, while imprint cytology slides showed watery colloid with cracking artifact favoring the former. However, the adherence to the bowel suggested HDFCO, and prompted surgical staging. The histology of the ovarian mass in the permanent section resembled goiterous thyroid tissue with invasion of endocervical stroma, uterine wall and colonic serosa, and presence of tumor nodules in omentum leading to the diagnosis of HDFCO. Due to striking resemblance of HDFCO to benign thyroid goiter, searching for invasive and metastatic foci is crucial for correct diagnosis. In addition, intraoperative imprint cytology revealing colloid with cracking artifact is helpful for differentiating struma ovarii and/or HDFCO from other ovarian lesions.
NANOG and LIN28 dramatically improve human cell reprogramming by modulating LIN41 and canonical WNT activities.

ABSTRACT Human cell reprogramming remains extremely inefficient and the underlying mechanisms by different reprogramming factors are elusive. We found that NANOG and LIN28 (NL) synergize to improve OCT4, SOX2, KLF4 and MYC (OSKM)-mediated reprogramming by ∼76-fold and shorten reprogramming latency by at least 1 week. This synergy is inhibited by GLIS1 but reinforced by an inhibitor of the histone methyltransferase DOT1L (iDOT1L) to a ∼127-fold increase in TRA-1-60-positive (+) iPSC colonies. Mechanistically, NL serve as the main drivers of reprogramming in cell epithelialization, the expression of Let-7 miRNA target LIN41, and the activation of canonical WNT/β-CATENIN signaling, which can be further enhanced by iDOT1L treatment. LIN41 overexpression in addition to OSKM similarly promoted cell epithelialization and WNT activation in reprogramming, and a dominant-negative LIN41 mutation significantly blocked NL- and iDOT1L-enhanced reprogramming. We also found that NL- and iDOT1L-induced canonical WNT activation facilitates the initial development kinetics of iPSCs. However, a substantial increase in more mature, homogeneous TRA-1-60+ colony formation was achieved by inhibiting WNT activity at the middle-to-late-reprogramming stage. We further found that LIN41 can replace LIN28 to synergize with NANOG, and that the coexpression of LIN41 with NL further enhanced the formation of mature iPSCs under WNT inhibition. Our study established LIN41 and canonical WNT signaling as the key downstream effectors of NL for the dramatic improvement in reprogramming efficiency and kinetics, and optimized a condition for the robust formation of mature human iPSC colonies from primary cells. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Client Satisfaction with a Recreation Program in a Blind Rehabilitation Center

Client satisfaction with the recreation program at a blind rehabilitation center and views toward various aspects of recreation in general were assessed by questionnaire. The results showed that cl...
CFD Study of ATR Reaction Over Dual Pt–Ni Catalytic Bed

In this paper, a numerical study has been conducted for analyzing the autothermal steam methane reforming reactor activated with a dual-bed catalyst (Pt–Ni). The fluid passes through two successive beds in which the first one is devoted for the oxidation reaction and consists of platinum (Pt) catalyst based on the Al2O3 support, while the reforming reaction was activated with the following bed that consists of nickel (Ni) catalyst based on the Al2O3 support. This configuration was validated, evaluated and the evolution of the different species are illustrated along the reactor length. The reactor was considered as a high thermally performed and well intensified process because the thermal source supplies directly the reforming reaction compared to the externally heated steam methane reforming. The results have shown good hydrogen yield with a generated hydrogen molar fraction of 22.16% as well as the reported conventional autothermal reformer (Wang et al. in Fuel Process Technol 91:723–728, 2010 [1]). Moreover, this dual-bed configuration shows more smoothly temperature profile, and less temperature gradient which can enhance the reactor stability. On the other hand, the temperature peak was about 1438.17 °C which is nearly the same in the conventional reformer (Wang et al. in Fuel Process Technol 91:723–728, 2010 [1]).
Toward Self-Directed Navigation for People with Visual Impairments

Audio navigation tools have the potential to help visually impaired people (VIPs) navigate independently, but today's audio navigation tools merely guide users to destinations rather than give users the full freedom to explore and navigate environments themselves. To address this problem, we present NavStick, a self-directed audio navigation tool for virtual environments. NavStick repurposes a game controller's thumbstick to allow a user to survey their immediate surroundings by "scrubbing" the thumbstick in a circular fashion. We also describe a user study that we are performing to compare NavStick with today's guide-based audio navigation tools.
SUPERNOVA SWEEPING AND BLACK HOLE FEEDBACK IN ELLIPTICAL GALAXIES

Most of the massive elliptical galaxies in the universe stopped forming stars billions of years ago, even though plenty of hot gas remains available for star formation. Here we present compelling evidence indicating that quenching of star formation depends on both black hole feedback and Type Ia supernova (SN) heating. We analyze Chandra X-ray observations of 10 massive ellipticals, 5 with extended, potentially star-forming multiphase gas and 5 single-phase ellipticals with no star formation. The ratio of cooling time to freefall time at 1–10 kpc in the multiphase galaxies is , indicating that precipitation-driven feedback limits cooling but does not eliminate condensation. In the same region of the single-phase galaxies, the radial profiles of gas entropy are consistent with a thermally stable () SN-driven outflow that sweeps stellar ejecta out of the galaxy. However, in one of those single-phase ellipticals (NGC 4261) we find at pc. Notably, its jets are ∼50 times more powerful than in the other nine ellipticals, in agreement with models indicating that precipitation near the black hole should switch its fueling mode from Bondi-like accretion to cold chaotic accretion. We conclude by hypothesizing that particularly strong black hole outbursts can shut off star formation in massive elliptical galaxies by boosting the entropy of the hot gas and flipping the system into the SN-sweeping state.
Electromechanical coupling and motion transduction in β-Ga2O3 vibrating channel transistors

We report on device physics modeling, assisted by experimental measurement results, for all-electronic transduction of resonant electromechanical motion of nanoscale β-Ga2O3 vibrating channel transistors (VCTs), including both direct readout of high frequency transmission current (without frequency down-conversion) and frequency modulation (FM) down-conversion techniques. The β-Ga2O3 VCTs under consideration have fundamental mode resonance frequencies at ∼25 MHz–1 GHz, with quality factors (Qs) of ∼100–5000 and transconductance gm at ∼0.2 nS–5 μS. In analysis of signal transduction with varying device parameters, the transistor's gate trench depth z0 and transconductance gm play key roles in improving the electromechanical coupling and device performance. Reduction of trench depth z0 can engender a major enhancement in readout current. Reducing channel thickness h and increasing channel length L can improve the readout current while downshifting the resonance frequency at the same time. We design β-Ga2O3 VCT with a suspended modulation doped field effect transistor structure for efficient operation in the GHz range. This study paves the way for future engineering of all-electronic transduction and integration of high frequency β-Ga2O3 resonators on chip with β-Ga2O3 electronics and optoelectronics.
Impact of Aggregated PV on Subsynchronous Torsional Interaction

This paper investigates induced oscillation (specifically subsynchronous torsional interactions) in power systems arising from photovoltaic (PV) power modulation. Time domain simulations of a modified IEEE first-benchmark system are presented and analyzed. In the IEEE benchmark system, a PV generator was added at the same bus where the synchronous generator is connected. The impact of different parameters of the PV inverters' volt-volt-ampere reactive (volt-var) curve on SSTI is examined. The most severe impact found arises from the time response of the inverter's reactive power change. A second-order time response with natural frequency matching the rotor speed deviation oscillation frequency and low-damping ratio quickly drives the system to an unstable region. Although it is highly unlikely that conditions necessary for distributed energy resource-induced oscillations would occur in the field, with knowledge of this vulnerability in mind, inverters' control parameters can be designed to avoid it.
Tissue tumor mutational burden (TMB) as a biomarker of efficacy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in metastatic gastrointestinal (mGI) cancers.

e14559Background: While TMB is very dependent on methodology, tissue TMB-H (≥10 mutations/megabase) may predict benefit with ICIs. Pembrolizumab received tissue-agnostic approval for TMB-H unresect...
Decoupling of Obsessions and Compulsions During Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Youths With Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Although exposure and response prevention (ERP) is an effective treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), it is unclear whether the decoupling of obsessions and compulsions is associated w...
A plasma membrane-localized polycystin-1/polycystin-2 complex in endothelial cells elicits vasodilation

Polycystin-1 (PC-1, PKD1), a receptor-like protein expressed by the Pkd1 gene, is present in a wide variety of cell types, but its cellular location, signaling mechanisms and physiological functions are poorly understood. Here, by studying tamoxifen-inducible, endothelial cell (EC)-specific Pkd1 knockout (Pkd1 ecKO) mice, we show that flow activates PC-1-mediated, Ca2+-dependent cation currents in ECs. EC-specific PC-1 knockout attenuates flow-mediated arterial hyperpolarization and vasodilation. PC-1-dependent vasodilation occurs over the entire functional shear stress range and primarily via the activation of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), with a smaller contribution from small-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (SK) channels. EC-specific PC-1 knockout increases systemic blood pressure without altering kidney anatomy. PC-1 coimmunoprecipitates with polycystin-2 (PC-2, PKD2), a TRP polycystin channel, and clusters of both proteins locate in nanoscale proximity in the EC plasma membrane. Knockout of either PC-1 or PC-2 (Pkd2 ecKO mice) abolishes surface clusters of both PC-1 and PC-2 in ECs. Single knockout of PC-1 or PC-2 or double knockout of PC-1 and PC-2 (Pkd1/Pkd2 ecKO mice) similarly attenuates flow-mediated vasodilation. Flow stimulates non-selective cation currents in ECs that are similarly inhibited by either PC-1 or PC-2 knockout or by interference peptides corresponding to the C-terminus coiled-coil domains present in PC-1 or PC-2. In summary, we show that PC-1 regulates arterial contractility and demonstrate that this occurs through the formation of an interdependent signaling complex with PC-2 in endothelial cells. Flow stimulates PC-1/PC-2 clusters in the EC plasma membrane, leading to Ca2+ influx, NOS and SK channel activation, vasodilation and a reduction in blood pressure.
Development of Cenozoic Abyssal Circulation South of the Greenland-Scotland Ridge

Seismic, lithostratigraphic, faunal, and isotopic evidence from the western and northern North Atlantic indicates that formation of northern sources for strongly circulating bottom water began in the late Eocene to early Oligocene. The widely distributed reflector R4 correlates with an unconformity eroded along basin margins at the Eocene/Oligocene boundary. This change in abyssal regime also correlates with a major benthic foraminiferal turnover in the deep southern Labrador Sea (DSDP Site 112) and with a faunal reorganization in the Bay of Biscay. The principal bottom-water source probably was of Arctic origin; it entered the Norwegian Sea following separation of Greenland and Spitsbergen and flowed south across the Greenland-Scotland Ridge through the Faeroe-Shetland Channel and possibly across a sill east of Greenland. This flow may have been supplemented by dense Arctic water entering the basin via Nares Strait and Baffin Bay, and by cooling and sinking of saline surface water south of the Greenland-Scotland Ridge and in the Labrador Sea. Current-controlled sedimentation and erosion, often of a chaotic nature, continued through the Oligocene above reflector R4, but the general intensity of abyssal circulation is thought to have decreased. Above reflector R2 (upper lower Miocene) current-controlled sedimentation became more coherently developed, and a major phase of sedimentary drift development was initiated. We interpret this to be a result of a further general reduction and especially a stabilization of the abyssal circulation, possibly linked with degeneration of numerous fracture-zone conduits that previously funnelled bottom water across the Reykjanes Ridge. The gross nature of the circulation has not changed substantially since the middle Miocene, although it has been punctuated by further climatic and tectonic events.
The Corbett Pain Scale: A Multidimensional Pain Scale for Adult Intensive Care Patients

THE CORBETT PAIN SALE: A MULTIDIMENSIONAL PAIN SCALE FOR ADULT INTENSIVE CARE PAITENTS By: Gina M. Corbett, MSNA A Thesis submitted in partial fblfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science Nurse Anesthesia at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2006 Major Director: Chuck Biddle, Ph.D., CRNA Director of Research, Department of Nurse Anesthesia There are no reliable tools that evaluate pain in adult critical care patients who cannot communicate as a result of sedation or illness. This was an observational study in which postoperative cardiothoracic intensive care patients were assessed for pain using both the newly devised Corbett Pain Scale (CPS) and the Numerical Pain Scale (NPS). The CPS was evaluated for content validity, criterion validity, construct validity, test re-test reliability and internal consistency. Thirteen male and seven female patients (n=20) were enrolled and underwent a maximum of five pain assessments each. The mean total scores of the CPS (.740, SM1.03) and the NRS (.000, SM1.OO) were compared using a paired t-test. No significant differences were found. There was poor internal consistency (-.1225) and there was insignificant correlation between the scales. Pain measurement of sedated, non-communicative patients continues to be problematic.
α-N-Benzoylarginine-β-naphthylamide Amidohydrolase of Rat Liver Lysosomes

Abstract The amidase activity on α-N-benzoylarginine-β-naphthylamide of a cathepsin B-like enzyme in rat liver lysosomes has been resolved from the main cathepsin B activity, defined by its hydrolysis of α-N-benzoylarginine amide. The enzyme has been purified 21- to 41-fold over the specific activity in solubilized lysosomes and 840- to 1560-fold over the specific activity in the homogenate by ammonium sulfate fractionation and column chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and Sephadex G-100. The purified enzyme is homogeneous as determined by gel electrophoresis, has optimum activity at pH 7.0 to 7.2, shows an absolute requirement for sulfhydryl compounds, and is protected from metal ions by EDTA. The enzyme is inhibited by thiol-reactive reagents and metal ions. The apparent molecular weight, determined by molecular sieve chromatography, is 33,000. The enzyme shows no appreciable hydrolysis of benzoylarginine-p-nitroanilide, a substrate for cathepsin B1, and does not hydrolyze carbobenzoxyleucyl-β-naphthylamide, benzoylarginine ethyl ester, benzoylphenylalanine-β-naphthylamide, benzoylalanine-β-naphthylamide, benzoylaspartate-di-β-naphthylamide, arginine-β-naphthylamide, lysine-β-naphthylamide, and leucine-β-naphthylamide. The enzyme exhibits proteolytic activity on calf thymus histones but has very little activity on denatured hemoglobin. Comparison of kinetic parameters indicates that the enzyme has a lower Km and higher turnover rate constant for benzoylarginine-β-naphthylamide than for benzoylarginine amide. The name proposed for the enzyme is α-N-benzoylarginine-β-naphthylamide amidohydrolase.
A modification of the Visscher-Bowman pregnancy test, with a report on 513 observations

Abstract Total number of tests performed 513 Total number of tests in error 40 Total number of false positive reactions obtained 20 Total number of false negative reactions obtained 20 Total number of doubtful reactions obtained 1 Total number of dead fetuses with subsequent abortions, one positive and one negative result 2 Total number of suspected ectopic pregnancies, both gave a false positive reaction 2 Total number of incomplete abortions 10 Total number giving positive reaction 8 Total number giving negative reaction 2 Total number of tests checked by the A-Z test 15 Total number of tests checked by A-Z-which gave a positive reaction 8 Total number of tests checked by A-Z-which gave a negative reaction 4 Total number of cases checked by A-Z which gave a false positive reaction 2 Total number of cases checked by A-Z which gave a false negative reaction 1 In 15 cases checked by the A-Z test, percentage of error 20 Correct results 80 Total number of cases of early diagnosis of pregnancy 38 Total number of patients 2 weeks pregnant with a positive result 3 Total number patients 4 weeks pregnant with positive test 12 Total number patients 5 weeks pregnant with positive test 2 Total number patients 6 to 8 weeks pregnant with positive test 17 Percentage of error for entire series 7.7 Percentage of correct results for entire series 92.3