cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Manual circumlaryngeal therapy for functionaldysphonia: An evaluation of short- and long-term treatment outcomes

Manual circumlaryngeal therapy (manual laryngeal musculoskeletal tension reduction) was used to treat 25 consecutive functional dysphonia patients. Pre- and post-treatment audio recordings of connected speech and sustained vowel samples were submitted to auditory-perceptual and acoustical analysis to assess the immediate and long-term effects of a single treatment session. To complement audio recordings, subjects were interviewed in follow-up regarding the stability of treatment effects. Pre- and post-treatment comparisons demonstrated significant voice improvements. No significant differences were observed between post-treatment measures, suggesting that vocal gains were maintained. Interviews revealed 68% of subjects reported occasional partial recurrences, typically less than 4 days in duration, which resolved spontaneously. These results replicate and extend previous research suggesting the utility of manual circumlaryngeal therapy for functional voice disorders.
A method for localizing the early products of nonenzymatic glycosylation in fixed tissue.

Abstract The process of nonenzymatic glycosylation (NEG) may play a significant role in the development of chronic complications of diabetes. Early products of NEG can be measured by various biochemical methods. A method has been developed to localize these early products of glycosylation in vivo in fixed tissue sections of normal and diabetic skin using monoclonal antibodies specific for glucitollysine, which is formed when the early products of NEG are chemically reduced in vitro. Carnoy's-fixed, paraffin-embedded skin samples from six diabetic and 13 nondiabetic subjects were sectioned, mounted on glass slides, and reduced for one h in 100 mM NaBH 4 . Immunolocalization was by the avidin-biotin immunoperoxidase method. Diabetic skin consistently stained more intensely for glucitollysine than nondiabetic skin. Staining around vessels, in particular, and of the collagenous matrix in general, was markedly enhanced in diabetic skin compared with nondiabetic skin. Antigens present in both the epidermis and the eccrine structures reacted with the antibody in both diabetic and nondiabetic skin but with greater intensity in the diabetic skin. This study has shown that it is possible to localize the early products of NEG in tissue sections using monoclonal antibodies. The findings correlate with biochemical data that show increased NEG in diabetics compared with nondiabetics. This technique should prove valuable for further investigations of the role of NEG in the pathogenesis of diabetes.
ED procedural sedation of elderly patients: is it safe?

Abstract Objective Emergency physicians routinely perform emergency department procedural sedation (EDPS), and its safety is well established. We are unaware of any published reports directly evaluating the safety of EDPS in older patients (≥65 years old). Many EDPS experts consider seniors to be at higher risk. The objective was to evaluate the complication rate of EDPS in elderly adults. Methods This was a prospective, observational study of EDPS patients at least 65 years old, as compared with patients aged 18 to 49 and 50 to 64 years. Physicians were blind to the objectives of this research. The study protocol required an ED nurse trained in data collection to be present to record vital signs and assess for any prospectively defined complications. We used American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification for systemic disease to evaluate and account for the comorbidities of patients. We used the Fisher exact test for the difference in proportions across age groups and analysis of variance for the differences in dosing across age and ASA categories. Results During the 4-year study, we enrolled 50 patients at least 65 years old, 149 patients aged 50 to 64 years, and 665 patients aged 18 to 49 years. Adverse event rates were 8%, 5.4%, and 5.2%, respectively (P = .563). The at least 65 years age group represented a greater percentage of those with higher ASA scores (P Conclusions This study demonstrated no statistically significant difference in complication rate for patients 65 years or older. There was a significant decrease in mean sedation dosing with increased age and ASA score.
Anemia and lung cancer.

Anemia is a well-recognized complication of lung cancer and its treatment [1,2]. In fact, patients with lung cancer have the highest incidence of anemia (from 50 to 60% after 4 /6 cycles of chemotherapy) and rate of transfusion use (30 /40% of patients) of all solid tumor types [3 /5]. Patients with lung cancer are at particularly high risk for developing moderate-to-severe chemotherapy-related anemia because of the myelosuppressive and nephrotoxic effects of platinum compounds [1,6], which remain the cornerstone of combination chemotherapy regimens for lung malignancies [7,8]. Even as single agents, more recent chemotherapeutic agents (e.g. taxanes, gemcitabine, vinorelbine, Topoisomerase I inhibitors) produce relatively high incidences of mildto-moderate anemia in previously treated or untreated patients [1]. Radiation in combination with chemotherapy further exacerbates the anemia. Despite important therapeutic advances in recent years, very few patients with NSCLC or SCLC who undergo treatment are cured, and prognosis remains poor; therefore, palliation of symptoms and maintenance of quality of life (QOL) should be primary goals of lung cancer management [7]. Symptoms of anemia, such as dyspnea, fatigue, and weakness, may be particularly intolerable in the lung cancer population (due in part to underlying pulmonary disease) [5] and can lead to substantial impairment of day-to-day functioning and perceptions of poor health and QOL [1,4]. Langer et al. [4] reported a statistically significant correlation (r /0.38, P 5/0.02), independent of tumor response, between worsening anemia and declining QOL by the fourth cycle of chemotherapy in patients with advanced NSCLC. Furthermore, anemia has been implicated as a risk factor for poor locoregional tumor control and survival following potentially curative treatment with chemotherapy, radiation, or both for various solid tumor types [9 /12], including lung cancer [11,12].
Approximate Gröbner Bases, OverdeterminedPolynomial Systems, and Approximate GCDs

We discuss computation of Grobner bases using approximate arithmetic for coefficients. We show how certain considerations of tolerance, corresponding roughly to absolute and relative error from numeric computation, allow us to obtain good approximate solutions to problems that are overdetermined. We provide examples of solving overdetermined systems of polynomial equations. As a secondary feature we show handling of approximate polynomial GCD computations, using benchmarks from the literature.
Advanced glycation end products and their circulating receptors predict cardiovascular disease mortality in older community-dwelling women

Aims: To characterize the relationship between advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and circulating receptors for AGEs (RAGE) with cardiovascular disease mortality. Methods: The relationships between serum AGEs, total RAGE (sRAGE), and endogenous secretory RAGE (esRAGE), and mortality were characterized in 559 community-dwelling women, ‡ 65 years, in Baltimore, Maryland. Results: During 4.5 years of follow-up, 123 (22%) women died, of whom 54 died with cardiovascular disease. The measure of serum AGEs was carboxymethyl-lysine (CML), a dominant AGE. Serum CML predicted cardiovascular disease mortality (Hazards Ratio [HR] for highest vs lower three quartiles, 1.94, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.08–3.48, p=0.026), after adjusting for age, race, body mass index, and renal insufficiency. Serum sRAGE (ng/mL) and esRAGE (ng/mL) predicted cardiovascular disease mortality (HR per 1 Standard Deviation [SD] 1.27, 95% CI 0.98–1.65, p=0.07; HR 1.28, 95% CI 1.02–1.63, p=0.03), after adjusting for the same covariates. Among non-diabetic women, serum CML, sRAGE, and esRAGE, respectively, predicted cardiovascular disease mortality (HR for highest vs lower three quartiles, 2.29, 95% CI 1.21–4.34, p=0.01; HR per 1 SD, 1.24, 95% CI0.92–1.65, p=0.16; HR per 1 SD 1.45, 95% CI 1.08–1.93, p=0.01), after adjusting for the same covariates. Conclusions: High circulating AGEs and RAGE predict cardiovascular disease mortality among older community-dwelling women. AGEs are a potential target for interventions, as serum AGEs can be lowered by change in dietary pattern and pharmacological treatment.
Evaluation of Bacillus mycoides isolate BmJ and B. mojavensis isolate 203-7 for the control of anthracnose of cucurbits caused by Glomerella cingulata var. orbiculare

Abstract Bacillus mycoides isolate BmJ (BmJ) and Bacillus mojavensis isolate 203-7 (203-7) were tested in the greenhouse for their ability to control Glomerella cingulata var. orbiculare the causal agent of anthracnose of cucumber by induced systemic acquired resistance (SAR). BmJ and 203-7 delayed disease onset and reduced total (43% and 56%) and live spore production (38% and 49%) per mm2 of lesion area when used to induce SAR in cucumber. 203-7 also reduced lesion diameter. Induction by G. cingulata conidia resulted in delayed disease onset, reduction of number of lesions per leaf and lesion diameter. Assays of cucumber apoplastic proteins extracted 6 days after induction showed that BmJ increased β-glucanase activity by 135%, and 203-7 increased β-glucanase activity by 72% and peroxidase activity by 79% when compared to the water control. Acibenzolar-S-methyl induced the highest (P = 0.05) levels of chitinase (950%) and peroxidase (420%) activity compared to water controls. Field experiments (2004 and 2005) evaluated applications of BmJ and fungicides for the control of anthracnose in cucumber (var. ‘General Lee’) and cantaloupe (var. ‘Athena’). BmJ was compared to full and half labeled rate alternate applications of azoxystrobin and chlorothalonil, and BmJ with half rate of azoxystrobin and chlorothalonil. BmJ applied seven days before inoculation reduced disease severity by 41% in cucumber in 2004 and by 24–21% in cantaloupe for both years compared to water controls which was statistically equal to the fungicide treatments. The full and half rate fungicide program provided 97–37% disease reduction compared to water controls. BmJ applied one week before inoculation significantly reduced AUDPC (P = 0.05) in cucumber compared to the water control in 2004 on cantaloupe for both years while the full and half rate fungicide program were equivalent and provided the lowest AUDPC. No yield reduction was noted as a result of the disease or treatment for either cantaloupe or cucumber.
Cross-metathesis approach to produce precursors of nylon 12 and nylon 13 from microalgae

A two-step synthesis for producing methyl 12-aminododecanoate and 13-aminotridecanoate, the precursors of nylon 12 and nylon 13, from methyl oleate is described. First, methyl 11-cyano-9-undecenoate or 12-cyano-9-dodecenoate were prepared by cross metathesis of methyl oleate with either allyl cyanide or homoallyl cyanide, respectively. Subsequently, all the unsaturation of the two intermediates was hydrogenated to deliver the final products. This method represents the first synthesis of nylon 12 and 13 precursors from methyl oleate, an ester of an abundant and renewable natural fatty acid present in vegetable oil or microalgae. It also represents the shortest synthesis of nylon precursors from fatty acids, and as demonstrated in this study, can be directly applied to crude fatty acid methyl ester extracts from microalgae.
Ultrastructure of a human malignant IgA-producing plasmacytoma.

Abstract A rare kind of malignant, IgA-producing plasmacytoma was examined by light and electron microscopy. The plasmacytoma consisted of alternating clusters of two main types of cells: (1) light, rounded cells resembling immature plasma cells with vesicular nuclei, prominent nucleoli, and fairly well developed cytoplasmic organelles; and (2) darker, more differentiated and pleomorphic plasma cells in varying stages of development. The lighter cells were observed to undergo mitosis and probably gave rise to the darker cells through progressive differentiation. Both types of cells possessed some of the abnormalities observed by other investigators in plasma cells from patients with multiple myeloma and other malignant monoclonal gammopathies, including a tendency for nuclear maturation to lag behind cytoplasmic differentiation. Small membrane-enclosed intranuclear inclusions were observed occasionally in the lighter cells. Other cells observed in the plasmacytoma included bizarre “giant” cells, immature cells resembling plasmablasts, and macrophages. In addition, the plasmacytoma contained rounded extracellular deposits of a moderately electron-dense material which lacked fibrillar or crystalline organization. The material was osmiophilic, Sudan black B-positive, and moderately well stained with toluidine blue, but it failed to stain by the PAS procedure or with eosin.
Conformations of the pulegone oxides and the question of octant rule reversal

Abstract Independent work of several research groups1–3 has established the configurations of the stereoisomeric pulegone oxides (Ia and b). This reverses the tentative assignment made in 19634, and in this paper a conformational analysis of the pulegone oxide isomers consistent with their physical properties has been developed.
Endoscopic Decompression, Detorsion, and Reduction of Sigmoid Volvulus

Abstract Background Colonic volvulus is a loop of bowel twisted around the site of mesenteric attachment leading to bowel obstruction. The sigmoid colon is involved in a majority of these cases. If untreated, sigmoid volvulus leads to bowel ischemia, perforation, sepsis, and potential death. Patients and methods In this video manuscript, we present two patients with uncomplicated sigmoid volvulus that were successfully managed by emergent endoscopic decompression, detorsion, and reduction (EDDR) and temporary colon decompression tube placement as a bridge therapy to elective and definitive surgical interventions. Detailed endoscopic evaluation and techniques are described. In addition, classic radiological findings such as the "coffee bean" sign on plain radiograph and the "whirl" sign on computed tomography are shown. Results After successful EDDR with subsequent bowel preparation and medical resuscitation, both patients underwent elective surgical resection of the sigmoid colon with primary anastomosis without post-operative complications. Conclusions Sigmoid volvulus is a medical emergency and diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion. Emergent EDDR and decompression tube placement should be utilized as a first line treatment for patients with uncomplicated sigmoid volvulus.
A new FA method used for OTP disturbance failure

In this paper, a new FA method was proposed and successfully used in the OTP (one time programmable) memory disturbance failure. The traditional FA method PVC (positive voltage contrast) is employed to detect the failed location, but it failed to find it. The more sensitive method, AFP biased current image was also failed to locate the failed location. The new method uses the light to stimulus the sample, and use AFP to scan and measure the induced current. The abnormal contrast was observed. The EFA was performed to probe the failed location to breakdown. The result show the breakdown voltage is lower than good unit. Further PFA was performed to find the Silicon-related defects, which also confirm the success of this method.
Discovering cytokines as targets for chemotherapy-induced painful peripheral neuropathy

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), a dose-limiting neurotoxic effect of chemotherapy, is the most common reason for early cessation of cancer treatment. This can result in an increased risk of recurrence and decreased survival rate. Inflammatory cascade activation, proinflammatory cytokine upregulation, and neuro-immune communication pathways play essential roles in the initiation and progression of CIPN. Most notably, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and CCL2 are involved in neuropathic pain. Further elucidation of the role of these cytokines could lead to their development and use as biomarkers for predicting the onset of painful peripheral neuropathy and early axonal damage. In this review, we provide evidence for the involvement of cytokines in CIPN, the possible underlying mechanisms, and their use as potential therapeutic targets and biomarkers to prevent and improve the painful peripheral neuropathy related to chemotherapeutic agents.
D-1 and D-2 receptor mediation of sensorimotor behavior in rats depleted of dopamine during development

The effects of selective D-1 and D-2 antagonists on sensorimotor behavior were studied in rats treated with 6-OHDA or its vehicle solution on either postnatal day 3,20, or 35. Blockade of either D-1 or D-2 receptors induced akinesia and somatosensory neglect in adults treated with vehicle at any of the three ages. The behavioral effects of antagonists on rats iwth 6-OHDA-induced dopamine depletions varied as a function of the age at the time of damage. Adults depleted of DA on Day 35 exhibited behavioral deficiets after either D-1 or D-2 blockade and at doses that were ineffective in controls. Adults depleted of DA on Day 20 exhibited deficiets after either D-1 or D-2 blockade but were not any more senstive than were controls. In contrast, adults depleted of DA on Day 3 were insensitve to the behavioral effects of D-1 or D-2 blcokers but were impaired after the dual administration of both antagonists. Moreover, simultaneous administrationo f subthreshold doses of D-1 and D-2 antagonists produced behavioral deficits in controls and rats depleted on Day 3. These data demonstrate that activity within residual DA neurons remains critical for the expression of sensorimotor behavior in rats depleted of DA during development. However, the specific contribution of D-1 and D-2 receptors to these behaviors depends upon the animals' age at the time of depletion.
Nucleation, Growth, and Repair of a Cobalt-Based Oxygen Evolving Catalyst

The mechanism of nucleation, steady-state growth, and repair is investigated for an oxygen evolving catalyst prepared by electrodeposition from Co2+ solutions in weakly basic electrolytes (Co-OEC). Potential step chronoamperometry and atomic force microscopy reveal that nucleation of Co-OEC is progressive and reaches a saturation surface coverage of ca. 70% on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite substrates. Steady-state electrodeposition of Co-OEC exhibits a Tafel slope approximately equal to 2.3 × RT/F. The electrochemical rate law exhibits a first order dependence on Co2+ and inverse orders on proton (third order) and proton acceptor, methylphosphonate (first order for 1.8 mM ≤ [MePi] ≤ 18 mM and second order dependence for 32 mM ≤ [MePi] ≤ 180 mM). These electrokinetic studies, combined with recent XAS studies of catalyst structure, suggest a mechanism for steady state growth at intermediate MePi concentration (1.8–18 mM) involving a rapid solution equilibrium between aquo Co(II) and Co(III) hydroxo spe...
Hydrophilic surface modification of poly(vinyl chloride) film and tubing using physisorbed free radical grafting technique

The grafting of hydrophilic monomers from the surface of PVC films and complex geometries, such as tubing, was executed by a novel two-step process: physisorption of a hydrophobic free radical initiator onto a polymer surface followed by radical polymerization with hydrophilic monomers. The key step is creating a hydrophobic/hydrophilic diffusional barrier that promotes radical generation upon heating at the polymer surface. Transmission infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, surface wettability and capillary rise, gravimetric analysis, UV–vis spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography were utilized to prove successful covalent grafting of poly(hydroxyethylmethacrylate), poly(dimethylacrylamide), poly(hydroxyethylacrylate), poly(dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate), poly(acrylic acid), and poly(4-vinyl pyridine).
Dual-mode sorption kinetics of gases in glassy polymers

The transport of gases in many glassy polymers can be described satisfactorily by means of a “dual-mode sorption” model. The transport behavior observed with a given gas/polymer system can be characterized by the model parameters, which are obtained from solubility measurements in conjunction with absorption/desorption or permeability measurements. The present study discusses the inverse problem, namely, the prediction of the absorption/desorption behavior of a gas in a glassy polymer from a specified set of dual-mode sorption parameters. Satisfactory agreement is obtained between reported absorption rates of sulfur dioxide in glassy polycarbonate and of water vapor in Kapton®†1 and the rates predicted by the dual-mode sorption model. This study also confirms the consistency of the model.
Mucosal T cells and mast cells share common adhesion receptors

Mast cells and T cells share common homing/adhesion receptors, which suggests that they have evolved to use similar trafficking pathways. Furthermore, these cells have been shown to co-localize in the gastrointestinal mucosa, and it is possible that they act in concert to achieve an immune response. Here, Tracey Smith and John Weis discuss the implications of this potential collaboration.
TOPOLOGICAL ELECTRON DENSITY ANALYSIS OF ORGANOSULFUR COMPOUNDS

Abstract The geometries and topological electron density analysis of 19 organosulfur compounds were determined at the HF/6-31G∗ level. This computational method provides geometries in excellent agreement with experiment. We provide a database of topological electron density values for a variety of CS bonds which can be used for comparisons with other molecules. An exponential relationship between bond order and the value of the electron density at the CS bond critical point is developed and used to investigate the degree of delocalization in prop-2-enethial, thiophene and the conjugate base of thioacetaldehyde.
Classification of homogeneous quadratic conservation laws with viscous terms

In this paper, we study systems of two conservation laws with homogeneous quadratic flux functions. We use the viscous profile criterion for shock admissibility. This criterion leads to the occurrence of non-classical transitional shock waves, which are sensitively dependent on the form of the viscosity matrix. The goal of this paper is to lay a foundation for investigating how the structure of solutions of the Riemann problem is affected by the choice of viscosity matrix. Working in the framework of the fundamental wave manifold, we derive a necessary and sufficient condition on the model parameters for the presence of transitional shock waves. Using this condition, we are able to identify the regions in the wave manifold that correspond to transitional shock waves. Also, we determine the boundaries in the space of model parameters that separate models with differing numbers of transitional regions.
Continuing Education: Improving Perceived Competence in School Nurses:

An investigator-designed survey was used to determine if attendance at specific continuing education programs increased the perceived competence of school nurses who enrolled and completed the programs. Respondents were queried about the general content of six courses offered by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services in conjunction with the University of Missouri-Columbia Sinclair School of Nursing. Specific content areas were mental health concerns, suicide prevention, diabetes management, asthma management, seizure disorders, and developing clinical skills as they pertained to school-age children. Comparing a sample of school nurses who had attended the programs with a group whom had not, a statistically significant difference was found in the participant group who reported higher self-perceived competence than the nonparticipant group in all content areas. Results of the study suggest that school nurses who attend specific continuing education programs feel more competent in practice than nurses who do not attend.
Chromosome studies in human subjects chronically exposed to arsenic in drinking water

A two-year study was carried out on human subjects of various ages and backgrounds who had been drinking water containing more than 0.05 mg/liter (0.05 ppm) arsenic for a period of at least five years. The main aim was to correlate the frequency of chromosome aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges in the lymphocytes with the amount of arsenic in the water. In addition, we explored the incidence of skin cancer, fetal wastage, and genetic or developmental abnormalities. Several other variables--eg, coffee, wine, and cigarette consumption; sex; residence (rural vs urban); and exposure to chemicals, smelters, or pesticides--were also taken into consideration. The data on chromosome aberrations (104 exposed and 86 control individuals) and on sister chromatid exchanges (98 exposed and 83 control individuals) did not show that arsenic at concentrations used by our population (greater than 0.05 mg/liter) has any effect on these parameters. Similarly, no other health effects of arsenic at these concentrations were found.
Hyalinizing cholecystitis with features of immunoglobulin G4–related disease—coincidence or an unrecognized association? A case report ☆

Hyalinizing cholecystitis (HC) is a recently described rare subtype of chronic cholecystitis characterized by dense, paucicellular collagenous transmural fibrosis, which usually replaces the mucosa and muscularis propria. Immunoglobulin (Ig)G4-associated cholecystitis is also a newly described cholecystitis variant characterized by transmural or extramural lymphoplasmacytic inflammation, lymphoid follicles, storiform fibrosis, phlebitis, and increased tissue IgG4-positive plasma cells. We describe a case of cholecystitis in an elderly white man who harbored features of both HC and IgG4-associated cholecystitis. In retrospect, the patient also had a significantly elevated serum IgG4 level. To the best of our knowledge, an association between HC and IgG4-related disease has not been previously described in the literature. Although not entirely conclusive, our observations raise the possibility that some cases of HC represent the end stage of IgG4-related disease.
Cell and molecular biology of chemical allergy

Objective The objective of this review is to provide current approaches to gain increased understanding of the molecular basis of chemical allergenicity. Chemical allergy refers to an allergic reaction to a low molecular weight agent (ie, Data Sources Data were obtained from published clinical reports and from the Documentation of Threshold Limit Values (1998) published by the American Congress of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. Results In vitro studies indicate the stoichiometric reaction of some chemical allergens with glutathione and the subsequent transfer of the allergen from glutathione to other nucleophiles. Computer-generated structure-activity relationship models have been developed for chemicals that induce respiratory allergy. The models, based on physicochemical properties of the agents, have high sensitivity and specificity. Conclusions The structure-activity relationship model suggests that chemical binding is the essential feature of chemical allergens. Their in vivo reactions with thiols may result in glutathione deficiency with consequent alteration in cellular reduction-oxidation (redox) status, release of cytokines, and promotion of the T helper cell 2 phenotype. Prevention of permanent disease is dependent on periodic medical surveillance of affected workers. When detected early, the disease can frequently be reversed.
A Detection of Water Ice on Jupiter with Voyager IRIS

Abstract Possible water ice spectral signatures have been detected on Jupiter using Voyager Infrared Interferometer Spectrometer and Radiometer (IRIS) spectra taken near closest approach of the Voyager 1 and 2 missions. Comparison with simultaneous imaging data shows that these IRIS footprints approximately correspond to locations on the planet where deep convection is suspected. Of the sample of 7500+ spectra, approximately 1% show a water ice absorption feature near 44 μm. The infrared optical depths of the absorption features, between 0.18 and 0.44, indicate that large amounts of ice particles need not be present to produce the observed spectral signature. The water ice clouds would have visible optical depths on the order of unity and would not be distinguishable above a thick ammonia cloud deck, which can have much larger visible optical depths. These thin clouds yield about 1 precipitable micrometer of water, comparable to Martian Tharsis Ridge clouds.
TU-C-17A-03: An Integrated Contour Evaluation Software Tool Using Supervised Pattern Recognition for Radiotheray

Purpose: Radiotherapy (RT) contours delineated either manually or semiautomatically require verification before clinical usage. Manual evaluation is very time consuming. A new integrated software tool using supervised pattern contour recognition was thus developed to facilitate this process. Methods: The contouring tool was developed using an object-oriented programming language C# and application programming interfaces, e.g. visualization toolkit (VTK). The C# language served as the tool design basis. The Accord.Net scientific computing libraries were utilized for the required statistical data processing and pattern recognition, while the VTK was used to build and render 3-D mesh models from critical RT structures in real-time and 360° visualization. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used for system self-updating geometry variations of normal structures based on physician-approved RT contours as a training dataset. The inhouse design of supervised PCA-based contour recognition method was used for automatically evaluating contour normality/abnormality. The function for reporting the contour evaluation results was implemented by using C# and Windows Form Designer. Results: The software input was RT simulation images and RT structures from commercial clinical treatment planning systems. Several abilities were demonstrated: automatic assessment of RT contours, file loading/saving of various modality medical images and RT contours, and generation/visualization of 3-D images and anatomical models. Moreover, it supported the 360° rendering of the RT structures in a multi-slice view, which allows physicians to visually check and edit abnormally contoured structures. Conclusion: This new software integrates the supervised learning framework with image processing and graphical visualization modules for RT contour verification. This tool has great potential for facilitating treatment planning with the assistance of an automatic contour evaluation module in avoiding unnecessary manual verification for physicians/dosimetrists. In addition, its nature as a compact and stand-alone tool allows for future extensibility to include additional functions for physicians’ clinical needs.
High speed quantum-well lasers and carrier transport effects

Carrier transport can significantly affect the high-speed properties of quantum-well lasers. The authors have developed a model and derived analytical expressions for the modulation response, resonance frequency, damping rate, and K factor to include these effects. They show theoretically and experimentally that carrier transport can lead to significant low-frequency parasitic-like rolloff that reduces the modulation response by as much as a factor of six in quantum-well lasers. They also show that, in addition, it leads to a reduction in the effective differential gain and thus the resonance frequency, while the nonlinear gain compression factor remains largely unaffected by it. The authors present the temperature dependence data for the K factor as further evidence for the effects of carrier transport. >
A Patient with Nephrotic-Range Proteinuria and Focal Global Glomerulosclerosis

A young male is evaluated for nephrotic-range proteinuria, hypercalciuria, and an elevated serum creatinine. A renal biopsy is performed and shows focal global glomerulosclerosis. The absence of nephrotic syndrome suggest that glomerulosclerosis was a secondary process. Further analysis of the proteinuria showed it to be due mainly to low-molecular weight proteins. The case illustrates the crucial role of electron microscopy as well as evaluation of the identity of the proteinuria that accompanies a biopsy finding of focal and global or focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis.
Lightweight Routing with QoS Support in Wireless Sensor and Actor Networks

Wireless sensor and actor networks (WSANs) can be used for monitoring physical environments and acting according to the observations. In order to differentiate the actions based on the sensed information, WSANs comprise of various applications with different quality of service (QoS) requirements. QoS solutions for WSANs are challenging compared to traditional networks because of the limited resource capabilities of sensor nodes. In terms of QoS requirements, WSANs also differ from WSNs since actors and sensors have distinct resource constraints. In this paper we present LRP-QS, lightweight routing protocol with QoS support for WSANs. Our protocol provides QoS by differentiating the rates among different types of applications with dynamic packet tagging at the sensor nodes and per flow management at the actor nodes. Through extensive simulations we observe a greater packet delivery ratio and a better memory consumption rate in comparison with the related mechanisms.
Acculturation and Perceived Family Decision-Making Input among Mexican American Wives

This investigation assesses the perceived decision-making roles of Mexican American wives in the purchase of 10 different goods and services and their relation to the acculturation process. Acculturation was operationalized in three different ways. One employed role-relevant attitudinal measures; the others used reading language preference and television language preference. Perceived decision dominance was shown to be related to all three.
Using Photographs to Research Organizations: Evidence, Considerations, and Application in a Field Study

Despite calls for more visual methodologies in organizational research, the use of photographs remains sparse. Organizational research could benefit from the inclusion of photographs to track contemporary change processes in an organization and change processes over time, as well as to incorporate diverse voices within organizations, to name a few advantages. To further understanding, the authors identify researcher choices related to the use of photographs in organizational research, clarify the advantages and disadvantages of these choices, and discuss ethical and other special considerations of the use of photographs. They highlight several organizational areas of research, primarily related to the management discipline, that could benefit from the inclusion of photographs. Finally, the authors describe how they used photographs in a study of one organization and specifically how their intended research design with photographs changed over the course of the study as well as how photographs helped to de...
Effects of Removal and Remixing of Heavyweight Pigs on Performance to Slaughter Weights1

Abstract An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of heavyweight pig removal and remixing on performance. The experiment used a total of 450 pigs (31 kg initial BW) that were sorted and remixed at a mean replicate BW of 73 kg. Treatments were 15 pigs/pen from initial BW to slaughter (15S), 20 pigs/pen from initial BW to time of sort and remix, then reduced to 15 pigs/pen (20/ 15), and 15 pigs/pen from time of sort and remix to slaughter, comprised of the 5 heaviest pigs from each of three 20/15 pens per replicate (15M). Space allocation was 0.56 m 2 /pig to the day of remixing and 0.74 m 2 /pig thereafter. There was no effect (P > 0.1) of treatment on ADG before 73 kg BW when pens were the experimental units. There was no effect (P > 0.1) of treatment on ADG or feed conversion to slaughter BW following removal and remixing using the contrast 20/15 + 15M vs. 15S. The average of the replicate for 20/15 and 15M was used as the experimental unit in a second statistical analysis. Daily feed was less (P = 0.079) from placement to 73 kg BW for the 20/15 + 15M population vs. the 15S population resulting in a lesser (P = 0.067) overall ADG (0.875 vs. 0.887 kg/d, respectively) with no effect (P > 0.1) on feed conversion or CV sample population BW. Removal and remixing of heavyweight pigs at a midpoint in the growth process had minimal effects on performance to slaughter and CV for BW at slaughter.
Residual injury to the hemopoietic microenvironment following sequential radiation and busulfan

Abstract Our earlier studies in mice showed that sequential radiation and cyclophosphamide suppressed marrow stromal cells (MSC) and prevented local hemopoietic repopulation for several months. Because others have shown that busulfan administration caused marrow aplasia, we studied its ability, combined with radiation, to produce a peristent microenvironmental defect in mice. Intraperitoneal administration of four weekly doses of 20 mg/kg busulfan, starting one week after 1500 rad leg irradiation, produced a severe microenvironmental lesion for 6 months reflected by lack of repopulation in femoral marrow to greater than 50 % of normal by MSC, hemopoietic stem cells (CFU-S), and granulocyte-macrophage precursors. Differential marrow cell counts revealed that precursors of hemopoietic cells were more profoundly affected than their progeny. Hemopoietic stem cells and MSC failed to recover in busulfan-treated mice at 6 months to the same extent as those treated with cyclophosphamide. In addition, the busulfan-treated mice had an excessive number of myeloid blast cells and a severe erythroid depletion suggesting that these animals were preleukemic. We conclude that: 1) sequential radiation and busulfan administration caused long-term microenvironmental damage reflected by incomplete repopulation of the femoral marrow and suppression of MSC, and 2) multiple courses of busulfan prevented hemopoieticrepopulation longer than a similar regimen of cyclophosphamide.
Preparation and characterization of a tungsten(V) corrole dichloride complex

The first example of a tungsten(V) corrole complex, (Mes2(p-OMePh)corrole)WCl2, has been prepared through a metathesis reaction of a lithium corrole (Mes2(p-OMePh)corrole)Li3 ⋅ 6THF and WCl6. The product constitutes the first example of a tungsten(V) corrole complex synthesized under mild conditions and only the second example of a tungsten corrole complex.
Factors affecting the success of next-generation sequencing in cytology specimens.

BACKGROUND The use of cytology specimens for next-generation sequencing (NGS) is particularly challenging because of the unconventional substrate of smears and the often limited sample volume. An analysis of factors affecting NGS testing in cytologic samples may help to increase the frequency of successful testing. METHODS This study reviewed variables associated with all in-house cytology cases (n = 207) that were analyzed by NGS with the Ion Torrent platform during a 10-month interval. A statistical analysis was performed to measure the effects of the DNA input threshold, specimen preparation, slide type, tumor fraction, DNA yield, and cytopathologist bias. RESULTS One hundred sixty-four of 207 cases (79%) were successfully sequenced by NGS; 43 (21%) failed because of either a low DNA yield or a template/library preparation failure. The median estimated tumor fraction and DNA concentration for the successfully sequenced cases were 70% and 2.5 ng/μL, respectively, whereas they were 60% and 0.2 ng/μL, respectively, for NGS failures. Cell block sections were tested in 91 cases, and smears were used in 116 cases. NGS success positively correlated with the DNA yield but not the tumor fraction. Cell block preparations showed a higher success rate than smears. Frosted-tip slides yielded significantly more DNA than fully frosted slides. Lowering the input DNA concentration below the manufacturer's recommended threshold of 10 ng (>0.85 ng/μL) resulted in a marked increase in the NGS success rate from 58.6% to 89.8%. CONCLUSIONS The failure of NGS with cytology samples is usually a result of suboptimal DNA due to multiple pre-analytical factors. Knowledge of these factors will allow better selection of cytology material for mutational analysis. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2015;123:659–668. © 2015 American Cancer Society.
Commentary on "The nature of insight" by Eliot Dole Hutchinson: epiphany and psychiatry.

(2014). Commentary on “The Nature of Insight” by Eliot Dole Hutchinson: Epiphany and Psychiatry. Psychiatry: Vol. 77, No. 3, pp. 230-233.
Bayesian Methods for Censored Categorical Data

Abstract Bayesian methods are given for finite-category sampling when some of the observations suffer missing category distinctions. Dickey's (1983) generalization of the Dirichlet family of prior distributions is found to be closed under such censored sampling. The posterior moments and predictive probabilities are proportional to ratios of B. C. Carlson's multiple hypergeometric functions. Closed-form expressions are developed for the case of nested reported sets, when Bayesian estimates can be computed easily from relative frequencies. Effective computational methods are also given in the general case. An example involving surveys of death-penalty attitudes is used throughout to illustrate the theory. A simple special case of categorical missing data is a two-way contingency table with cross-classified count data xij (i = 1, …, r; j = 1, …, c), together with supplementary trials counted only in the margin distinguishing the rows, yi (i = 1, …, r). There could also be further supplementary trials report...
Medical Toxicology of Natural Substances: Foods, Fungi, Medicinal Herbs, Plants, and Venomous Animals

Medical Toxicology of Natural Substances: Foods, Fungi, Medicinal Herbs, Plants, and Venomous Animals. Donald G. Barceloux, Editor, Wiley, A John Wiley & Sons Inc., 2008, 1155 pages, $195.00.Medica...
Alterations in End-of-Life Support in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to examine alterations in end-of-life support in a multiinstitutional sample of PICUs. METHODS: This was a retrospective, descriptive study. Variables collected included end-of-life support category, race, length of stay, operative status, reason for admission, and Pediatric Index of Mortality 2 score, as well as the number of ICU beds and the presence of trainees. RESULTS: There were 1745 deaths at 35 institutions between January 1, 2004, and September 30, 2005. Of those, 1263 had complete data and were analyzed. The end-of-life support category distribution was as follows: brain death, 296 (23%); do not resuscitate, 205 (16%); limitation of support, 36 (3%); withdrawal of support, 579 (46%); no limitation, 124 (10%); no advance directives, 23 (2%). For further analyses, end-of-life support categories were grouped as limitation (ie, do not resuscitate, limitation of support, or withdrawal of support) versus no limitation (ie, no limitation or no advance directive). Brain death was not included in further analyses. The majority of deaths were in the limitation group ( n = 820 [85%]), and 12 (40%) of 30 institutions had 100% of deaths in this group. There were significant differences between institutions ( P P = .037) and in institutions with no trainees (56 [69%] of 81 deaths; P CONCLUSIONS: Decisions to limit support are common. Black race and an absence of trainees are associated with decreased frequency of limitation decisions.
Poetic Language, Interdiscursivity and Intertextuality in Fifth Graders’ Poetry An Interpretive Study

In spite of views that children’s writing development is in large part a linguistic complex process involved in their engagement within and across social activities in and out of school, the literature is scant on the wide range of semiotic resources that children may draw on to animate their poetry writing and performances. Drawing from a case study of poetry writing and performance in one U.S. fifth-grade classroom, this article uses interpretive methods and textual analysis to ask the following questions: (a) What, if any, poetic language do children draw on and identify in their written poems? (b) What interdiscursive and intertextual writing practices do children draw on to write poetry? and (c) How, if at all, might the act of reading an original poem influence children’s writing practices and literacy learning? Highlighted by three focal students, data suggest that children’s poems most often used features, including stanza break, varied types of rhyme, alliteration, and metaphor. Furthermore, some...
Roles for Sigma Factors in Global Circadian Regulation of the Cyanobacterial Genome

The circadian clock of the unicellular cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 imposes a global rhythm of transcription on promoters throughout the genome. Inactivation of any of the four known group 2 sigma factor genes (rpoD2, rpoD3, rpoD4, and sigC), singly or pairwise, altered circadian expression from the psbAI promoter, changing amplitude, phase angle, waveform, or period. However, only the rpoD2 mutation and the rpoD3 rpoD4 and rpoD2 rpoD3 double mutations affected expression from the kaiB promoter. A striking differential effect was a 2-h lengthening of the circadian period of expression from the promoter of psbAI, but not of those of kaiB or purF, when sigC was inactivated. The data show that separate timing circuits with different periods can coexist in a cell. Overexpression of rpoD2, rpoD3, rpoD4, or sigC also changed the period or abolished the rhythmicity of PpsbAI expression, consistent with a model in which sigma factors work as a consortium to convey circadian information to downstream genes.
Eminence-Focused Gifted Education: Concerns about Forward Movement Void of an Equity Vision.

This article is based on Grantham's commentary on an eminence-focused gifted education model developed by Subotnik, Olszewski-Kubilius, and Worrell. Grantham primarily reviews the model from an equity perspective, taking into account the changing demographics in the nation's public schools. Specifically, Grantham asserts that education leaders want and need forward-thinking models that address race and class issues because public school populations are increasingly browner and poorer, unlike many gifted program enrollments that tend to represent students from White and middle-class backgrounds. Underrepresentation in gifted programs among minorities (particularly Blacks and Hispanics) and low-income students plagues our field and turns off many public school advocates to gifted education. Education leaders may embrace new models when they squarely address the reality that circa 2020, public schools will be majority minority. Researchers stand a better chance of gaining traction to move the field forward when their model shows promise for involving greater numbers of students representing our pluralistic society. To rethink giftedness and gifted education, Subotnik, Olszewski-Kubilius, and Worrell rely on works from psychology; however, important past and present perspectives from psychologists who have researched underrepresented groups and equity issues are excluded. Education leaders may recognize this omission and view the eminence-focused approach (and perhaps its underlying paradigm) as a less novel model and more of a perpetuation of the same status quo in gifted education. In sum, Grantham's commentary encourages scholars not to depart from a legacy of addressing excellence and equity through new models that move the field forward.