cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Defining the Learning Curve for Hip Arthroscopy: A Threshold Analysis of the Volume-Outcomes Relationship.

Background:Hip arthroscopy has emerged as a successful option for the treatment of femoroacetabular impingement and related hip disorders, but the procedure is technically challenging.Purpose:To define the learning curve through which surgeons become proficient at hip arthroscopy.Study Design:Cohort study; level of evidence, 3.Methods:The authors identified hip arthroscopy procedures performed by surgeons through a New York State database (Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System) and followed those cases for additional hip surgery (total hip arthroplasty, hip resurfacing, or ipsilateral hip arthroscopy) within 5 years of the original procedure. Career volume for each case was calculated as the number of hip arthroscopy procedures that the surgeon had performed. Volume strata were identified via the stratum-specific likelihood ratio method. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to measure the effect of surgeon career volume on risk of additional hip surgery, adjusting for the following patie...
Paleobiological Applications of Focused Ion Beam Electron Microscopy (FIB-EM): An Ultrastructural Approach to the (Micro)Fossil Record

Coupled dual-beam focused ion beam electron microscopy (FIB-EM) has gained popularity across multiple disciplines over the past decade. Widely utilized as a stand-alone instrument for micromachining and metal- or insulator-deposition in numerous industries, the sub-μm-scale ion milling and integrated electron imaging capabilities of such FIB-based systems are well documented in the materials science literature. These capacities make FIB-EM a powerful tool for in-situ site-specific preparation of ultrathin foils for transmission electron microscopy. Recent advancements in the field-emission guns of FIB-EM systems have ­provided spatial resolution comparable to that of many high-grade scanning ­electron microscopes, providing enhanced imaging capacities with material-­deposition and material-removal capabilities. Recently, FIB-EM preparation techniques have been applied to geological samples to characterize mineral inclusions, grain boundaries, and microfossils. We here provide a summary of recent paleobiological studies that use FIB-EM methodology for the examination of fossils. Additionally, we demonstrate a novel method for analyzing the three-dimensional ultrastructure of microfossils (reported previously by Schiffbauer and Xiao [Palaios 24: 616–626, 2009]). This method, FIB-EM nanotomography, consists of sequential ion milling, or cross-sectioning, and concurrent SEM imaging, a technique that provides three-dimensional data of precise sites at high spatial resolution, yielding new insight into fossil ultrastructure. We here illustrate the use of FIB-EM nanotomography by studies of herkomorphic and acanthomorphic acritarchs (organic-walled microfossils) extracted from the ≥999 Ma Mesoproterozoic Ruyang Group of North China. The three-dimensional characteristics of important but controversial acritarch ­features such as extravesicular processes and vesicularly enclosed central bodies are described. Taken together, these case studies demonstrate that FIB-EM ­instruments are powerful and useful tools for investigating the three-dimensionality of microfossil ultra- and nanostructures.
EDUCATION FOR CITIZENSHIP IN A COMPUTER-BASED SOCIETY

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the issues and problems faced by a society that is trying to become computer-based. It also discusses the role of public education in developing a computer-literate populace, issues for consideration in planning for computer literacy education, and one particular activity as a step in meeting some of the goals of computer literacy education. A complex aspect of literacy is its effect on a person's intellectual functioning. A literate person can make use of a wider range of intellectual strategies than someone who is nonliterate. The concept of computer literacy goes beyond its common definition of a body of information primarily about computers, the way they work and are used, and their impact on society. Computer literacy has been divided into four distinct but interrelated categories: (1) the ability to control and program a computer to achieve a variety of personal, academic, and professional goals; (2) the ability to use a variety of preprogrammed computer applications in personal, academic, and professional contexts; (3) the ability to make use of ideas from the cultures surrounding computer programming and computer applications as a part of an individual's collection of strategies for information retrieval, communication, and problem solving; and (4) the ability to understand the growing economic, social, and psychological impact of computers on individuals and groups within our society and on society as a whole.
Holomorphic Quantization and Unitary Representations of the Teichmüller Group

One of the purposes of geometric quantization (in the sense of Kostant) is to associate in some intrinsic way a finite-dimensional Hilbert space E to a compact symplectic manifold (M, ω) such that \( 2\pi \sqrt {{ - 1}} .\omega \) is the curvature of a connection ∇ on some line bundle L. It is usually assumed that M is simply-connected, since then the pair (L, ∇) is unique up to isomorphism, as was shown in [Ko]. In case there is a finite-dimensional Lie group G of symplectomorphisms present, a central extension \( \mathop{G}\limits^{ \sim } \) of G was constructed by Kostant [Ko], and this central extension should act on E. Thus Kostant was able to recover the Borel-Weil-Bott theorem from the action of a compact Lie group G on a quantizable coadjoint orbit.
Application Example 1: Gunshot Acoustics

In the United States, gunshots are among the sounds that may occur in audio forensic recordings. Criminal, terrorist, and accidental actions involving firearms are unfortunately of ongoing concern in many communities, and law enforcement organizations increasingly encounter recorded evidence involving gunfire. Forensic gunshot acoustics is often needed to identify or classify firearms, determine the number and sequential order of multiple shots, and in some cases, estimate the position and orientation of the firearms involved.
If you build it, they will drive: Measuring induced demand for vehicle travel in urban areas

Abstract This paper examines the causal link between highway capacity and the volume of vehicle travel in US urban areas. Estimates from a dynamic panel model suggest that highway capacity expansion generates an exactly proportional increase in vehicle travel. Moreover, induced vehicle travel is expected to revert traffic speeds to pre-expansion levels in approximately five years. To address the simultaneous relationship between lane mileage and highway capacity, this paper develops an identification strategy to account for possible endogeneity bias. A set of instrumental variables measures the degree of influence that state delegations have had on key transportation committees in the US congress. The instruments strongly correlate with highway capacity and are plausibly exogenous, considering the idiosyncratic legislative process in the US. These findings cast doubt on the effectiveness of expanding highways to eliminate traffic congestion, as the speed-related benefits of new capacity tend to be short-lived.
Are Patients Frequently Readmitted to the Hospital Different from the Other Admitted Patients

Introduction: Although the characteristics of readmitted patients associated with a family medicine inpatient service have been reported, differing characteristics between groups of patients based on readmission rates have not been studied. The aim of this project was to examine patients with differing rates of readmission. Methods: Patients admitted to a family medicine inpatient service were classified into 1 of 3 groups based on the number of admission and readmissions in a given year. Demographic data and other characteristics of these patients were collected and used in analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the 3 groups of admissions. Differences in characteristics of groups were compared using Wilcoxon rank sum test for continuous variables and χ2 test or Fisher exact test for categoric variables. Multivariate logistic regressions were used for predicting high-frequency readmission. Results: Patients in the high-frequency readmission group more commonly had a psychiatric, substance abuse, and chronic pain diagnosis. The primary discharge diagnoses among the 3 groups were similar. Age-group, Charlson severity index, Morse Fall Scale medication list, and problem list were significant for predicting high frequency of readmission. Annually, patients in the high-frequency readmission group had about an 80% turnover rate. Conclusions: Although this study examined patient care data from only one large academic health center hospital, the results found that patients who experience 3 or more readmissions in a calendar are associated with specific characteristics. In addition, the list of specific individual patients considered to be high utilizers for hospital readmissions was dynamic and significantly changed during 3 consecutive years.
Study on Transient Reactive Power Characteristics of New-Generation Large Synchronous Condenser

In order to meet the higher demand of dynamic reactive power support is put forward in the UHV DC power transmission project, the new-generation synchronous condensers are applied in the UHV DC/AC. However, in order to provide bidirectional transient reactive power characteristics during AC and DC grid fault condition, especially to reduce the commutation failure phenomenon at the inverter station, there are great changes in the main body and excitation control system of the new-generation synchronous condensers compared with the same-capacity generators. Therefore, according to the requirement of reactive power in the grid and the requirements of safe for the new-generation synchronous condensers, the limiting model of excitation system for the new-generation synchronous condensers under low excitation and strong excitation conditions are established. Based on this, the closed loop transfer function of the excitation current is derived. According to the requirement of the excitation limit model, the analytical expressions of the transient reactive power of the new-generation synchronous condensers are obtained during the high and low voltage of the grid. Finally, the simulation model of the new-generation synchronous condensers access to UHV DC power grids are built based on the PSCAD software. The transient reactive support capability of the new-generation synchronous condensers under grid fault condition are verified.
Editorial for August 2015 issue

This issue of the IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT includes 11 research articles. The relevance and usefulness of the articles are summarized. In addition, it is noted that the publication is changing the name of one of the journal's departments from "Technology and Innovation Management" to "Technology, InnovationManagement and Entrepreneurship" to reflect the increasing significance entrepreneurship is gaining in practice and academia related to engineering and business around the world. Other related publication issues are also mentioned.
Cutaneous Hypersensitivity-Like Reactions Associated With Breast Implants: A Review.

BACKGROUNDBreast implantation is an increasingly common procedure for both cosmesis and reconstruction. Risk of cutaneous reactions to breast implants is low and typically described in postsurgical settings. Adverse skin hypersensitivity-like reactions to implants have also been reported but are not
Lipid Shell Composition Plays a Critical Role in the Stable Size Reduction of Perfluorocarbon Nanodroplets.

Abstract Perfluorocarbon nanodroplets (PFCnDs) are phase-change contrast agents that have the potential to enable extravascular contrast-enhanced ultrasound and photoacoustic (US/PA) imaging. Producing consistently small, monodisperse PFCnDs remains a challenge without resorting to technically challenging methods. We investigated the impact of variable shell composition on PFCnD size and US/PA image properties. Our results suggest that increasing the molar percentage of PEGylated lipid reduces the size and size variance of PFCnDs. Furthermore, our imaging studies revealed that nanodroplets with more PEGylated lipids produce increased US/PA signal compared with those with the standard formulation. Finally, we highlight the ability of this approach to facilitate US/PA imaging in a murine model of breast cancer. These data indicate that, through a facile synthesis process, it is possible to produce monodisperse, small-sized PFCnDs. Novel in their simplicity, these methods may promote the use of PFCnDs among a broader user base to study a variety of extravascular phenomena.
Safety of same-day discharge for minimally invasive hysterectomy for endometrial cancer.

Background Same-day discharge is becoming increasingly common for women who undergo minimally invasive hysterectomy. For women with endometrial cancer, there are limited data to describe the safety of same-day discharge. Objective To examine trends and outcomes of same-day discharge for women with endometrial cancer who underwent minimally invasive hysterectomy. Study Design The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was used to identify patients who underwent minimally invasive hysterectomy based for endometrial cancer from 2011 to 2016. The cohort was limited to women discharged on the day of surgery/postoperative day 0 or postoperative day 1. Multivariable models were used to examine clinical, demographic, and procedural characteristics associated with discharge on postoperative day 0. Multivariable models also were developed to examine the association between same-day discharge and readmission. Results A total of 17,935 patients who underwent minimally invasive hysterectomy were identified. Of those discharged within 1 day, 1828 (12.4%) were discharged on postoperative day 0 and 12,892 (87.6%) were discharged on postoperative day 1 or after. The rate of same-day discharge rose from 5.6% in 2011 to 16.3% in 2016 (P Conclusion Same-day discharge for minimally invasive hysterectomy for endometrial cancer is increasing. In selected patients, there is no increased risk of readmission with same day discharge.
Real Time Stability Monitoring

Power system operation is undergoing major technological advances with many new installations of synchrophasors all across the North American grid as well as in power systems all over the world. Recent initiatives by the US federal government in the general area of smart grid technology are contributing to installations of synchrophasor monitoring systems in many utilities in the North American power grid. The industry–university collaborative organization, North American Synchrophasor Initiative (NASPI), is serving as a major coordinating group in leading the recent efforts in this direction. Synchrophasor measurements together with modern communication technology facilitate the monitoring of the current state of the wide-area power system in near real time. Recent research aims to exploit the availability of such wide-area synchronized measurements from across the system into developing new real time tools for power system operation.
Assessment After Surgery or Interventional Procedures on the Aortic Valve

This chapter will cover the post-operative assessment of surgical and transcatheter aortic valves. Complications of surgical prostheses including paravalvular regurgitation and the use of three-dimensional imaging for guidance of prosthetic paravalvular regurgitation closure will also be discussed. Finally, the intra-procedural monitoring of transcatheter aortic valve replacement will be reviewed with case examples.
VII – Wavelet bases

Publisher Summary Orthogonal wavelets dilated by 2j carry signal variations at the resolution 2-j. The construction of these bases can thus be related to multiresolution signal approximations. Following this link leads to an unexpected equivalence between wavelet bases and conjugate mirror filters used in discrete multirate filter banks. The design of conjugate mirror filters also gives new classes of wavelet orthogonal bases including regular wavelets of compact support. In several dimensions, wavelet bases are constructed with separable products of functions of one variable. Multiresolution approximations are entirely characterized by a particular discrete filter that governs the loss of information across resolutions. These discrete filters provide a simple procedure for designing and synthesizing orthogonal wavelet bases. Multiresolution approximations, which set the ground for the construction of orthogonal wavelets, are formalized.
TRANSYNAPTIC REGULATION OF DOPAMINE SYNTHESIS AFTER RAPHE AND STRIATAL LESIONS

Chemical lesions of serotonergic pathways or kainic acid lesions of the striatum induce rotational behavior and changes in the kinetic properties of striatal tyrosine hydroxylase. The behavioral and chemical effects of striatal kainic acid lesions depend upon where the striatal injection is placed.
Phase Ib study of decitabine in combination with gemcitabine in treatment of advanced soft tissue and bone sarcomas.

11550Background: Sarcomas are a heterogeneous group of tumors and are associated with high rates of metastases leading to poor prognosis. Numerous epigenetic changes including hypermethylation have...
Converting Clinical Pathways to BPM+ Standards: A Case Study in Stable Ischemic Heart Disease

Clinical pathways (CPs) are structured healthcare plans designed to implement evidence-based clinical guidelines, medical algorithms, and protocols. In recent years, a community called BPM+ Health has worked to establish a shareable and computer-consumable representation of CP, leveraging standard notations. These notations, collectively referred to as BPM+, include the Business Process Management and Notation (BPMN), Case Management Model and Notation (CMMN), and Decision Model and Notation (DMN), which aim to support clinical management and standardized communication between different stakeholders. However, the adaptation of these notations for the existing guidelines has largely been left unexplored. This paper introduces procedural steps and criteria considerations to apply components of BPM+ notations to reconstruct a guideline for Stable Ischemic Heart Disease. This paper describes how each of the three different notations is mapped to a medical guideline and discusses the advantages and limitations of representing CPs with BPM+ as compared with paper-based medical guidelines.
Light transport modeling in highly complex tissues using implicit mesh-based Monte Carlo algorithm

The mesh-based Monte Carlo (MMC) technique has grown tremendously since its initial publication nearly a decade ago. It is now recognized as one of the most accurate Monte Carlo (MC) methods, providing accurate reference solutions for the development of novel biophotonics techniques. In this work, we aim to further advance MMC to address a major challenge in biophotonics modeling, i.e. light transport within highly complex tissues, such as dense microvascular networks, porous media and multi-scale tissue structures. Although the current MMC framework is capable of simulating light propagation in such media given its generality, the run-time and memory usage grow rapidly with increasing media complexity and size. This greatly limits our capability to explore complex and multi-scale tissue structures. Here, we propose a highly efficient implicit mesh-based Monte Carlo (iMMC) method that incorporates both mesh- and shape-based tissue representations to create highly complex yet memory efficient light transport simulations. We demonstrate that iMMC is capable of providing accurate solutions for dense vessel networks and porous tissues while reducing memory usage by greater than a hundred- or even thousand-fold. In a sample network of microvasculature, the reduced shape complexity results in nearly 3x speed acceleration. The proposed algorithm is now available in our open-source MMC software at http://mcx.space/#mmc.
Parameters of fast and high-yield InAs/GaAs quantum dot semiconductor scintillator

InAs quantum dots (QDs) embedded into a waveguiding GaAs semiconductor matrix may produce scintillation detectors with exceptional speed and yield, making them valuable for nuclear security, medical imaging, and high-energy physics applications. In this work, we developed thick (~ 25 μm) epitaxial heterostructures with high luminescence efficiency composed of self-assembled nano-engineered InAs QDs grown by molecular beam epitaxy. The bulk GaAs acts as a stopping material for incident particles and as a waveguide when layer-transferred onto a low-index substrate. Waveguiding and self-absorption (< 1 cm−1) were studied using photoluminescence with scanning laser excitation and modeled with ray optics approximation and geometrical coupling of high-index waveguide to a collection fiber. Scintillating signals from α-particles were analyzed with an external photodiode (PD) and an integrated PD which provided an improved optical coupling. The mean charge collected by the integrated PD corresponded to 3 × 104 photoelectrons per 1 MeV of deposited energy or ~ 13% of the theoretically achievable light yield. Combined with the previously measured QD scintillation time of 0.3–0.6 ns, this makes the InAs/GaAs QD heterostructures the fastest high-yield scintillation material reported.
When Is It Not Diabetic Neuropathy? Atypical Peripheral Neuropathies, Neurologic Mimics, and Laboratory Work-up

Peripheral neuropathies have many nonspecific features that are shared by various neurologic disorders. These disorders include atypical peripheral neuropathies along with neurologic disorders outside of the peripheral nervous system. An understanding of clinical fundamentals and a measured approach to laboratory work-up can assist the provider in achieving diagnostic confidence.
Heart Failure Care Delivery in the COVID19 Era: The Patient's Perspective

Purpose The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak changed healthcare and healthcare delivery around the world. Hospital systems saw a dramatic decline in patient volumes both in the inpatient and outpatient settings. Surveying our center's heart failure (HF) clinic population, we aimed to better understand our patients’ perception of COVID19, their fears, and care delivery preferences in this new era. Methods Consecutive patients with chronic HF presenting to our clinic either in person or virtually were approached to complete a ten question Likert scale survey (Table 1). Acutely decompensated patients and heart transplant recipients were excluded. The survey was anonymous and voluntary. Results 109 patients completed the survey. The average age was 62±14 years, 73 (67%) were male and 64 (59%) had a diagnosis of HF with reduced ejection fraction. Overall, our patients were afraid of contracting COVID19 and getting sicker given their underlying cardiac condition but were not hesitant to call the clinic or come to the emergency department with worsening HF symptoms. Patients responded that virtual appointments are less preferable and less effective than in-person visits. Although the difference did not reach statistical significance, female patients and those with HF with preserved ejection fraction were more concerned. Conclusion Overall, patients with HF are concerned about their increased risk of contracting COVID19. However, they are not likely to avoid healthcare contact and preferred in-person over virtual visits.
An update on molecular and structural Imaging techniques for assessment of Alzheimer’s disease

1888 Learning Objectives To review the diagnostic role and the limitations of molecular imaging and magnetic resonance imaging techniques in assessment of patients with AD. To discuss the current and future trends in AD imaging. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease among elderly individuals. Due to the potentially irreversible effects, diagnosis in early stages is important. Positron Emission Tomography (PET) using FDG plays an important role in monitoring disease progression especially by showing hypometabolism in posterior regions of the brain. In recent years Amyloid-PET has been introduced to visualize the amyloid plaque, however, the emerging amyloid tracers are not free from caveats. Structural MRI (sMRI) is helpful due to its ability in visualizing specific atrophy patterns and excluding other causes of dementia. Functional MRI using Blood-oxygen-level dependent (BOLD) can discriminate AD from patients with mild cognitive impairment. Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL) has demonstrated hypoperfusion in specific parts of the brain. Tractographic techniques have been used, with moderate success to differentiate patients with AD from controls. MRS has shown decreased N-acetylaspartate (NAA) in different parts of brain which can be interpreted as neuronal loss. The current and future trend in AD imaging is toward the development of functional multimodal imaging techniques. The most powerful neuroimaging tools for AD are FDG-PET combined with sMRI. ASL also can be used as a conjunct tool In this review we discuss these topics: 1. Description of the basic techniques of the following imaging modalities and their role and limitations in detecting AD a. PET based modalities: i. FDG-PET ii. Amyloid-PET b. MRI based modalities: c. sMRI d. fMRI: BOLD and ASL e. Diffusion-Weighted Imaging (DWI) f. Magnetisation Transfer Imaging (MTI) f. Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) 2. Current and future trends in AD diagnosis
Design and testing of a prototype foot orthosis that uses the principle of granular jamming.

STUDY DESIGN A mechanical testing protocol was used to compare the material properties of commercially available foams with that of a newly designed granular jamming orthosis prototypes. BACKGROUND Foot orthoses have an inherent limitation of predetermined mechanical material properties coupled with a fixed orthotic interface shape that cannot be readily changed. OBJECTIVES To develop and test a novel orthotic insole design concept that incorporates principles of granular jamming. METHODS Granular media were used in combination with vacuum pressure to create a variable stiffness granular foot orthosis. Four types of granular media (rice, poppy seeds, micropolystyrene, and polystyrene beads) were tested in different prototype configurations varying in volume fill and particulate size. Stress-strain curves were obtained from uniaxial compression tests to characterize granular foot orthosis prototypes in comparison with commercial orthotic foams. RESULTS Increasing vacuum pressure increased prototype stiffness for most configurations. A single granular jamming orthosis could exhibit energy absorption values that spanned the entire commercial foam performance range, and in some cases extended far beyond the upper values of the tested foams. CONCLUSION The results suggest that granular jamming principles can provide clinicians the capability for rapid selection of mechanical properties over a wide range of orthosis stiffnesses. Importantly, patients could don the orthosis because the clinician makes real-time assessments and adjustments in the clinic.
LIMITED INTER-RATER RELIABILITY IN ANTEROLATERAL LIGAMENT DETECTION IN PEDIATRIC KNEE MRIS:

Background:Despite the rapidly expanding anterolateral ligament (ALL) literature base, little has focused on the reliability of its detection on MRI. This is especially important in the pediatric p...
A multiscale indentation-based technique to correlate acoustic emission with deformation mechanisms in complex alloys

Abstract Conventional methodologies to link damage evolution with the activation of deformation mechanisms typically require destructive testing and post-mortem analysis. More recently, mechanical testing combined with acoustic emission analysis has provided a method to fingerprint multiple active deformation mechanisms. However, correlating different acoustic emission signals with active deformation sources remains a non-trivial task due to the simultaneous activation of sources during mechanical testing. Here, we demonstrate a multiscale indentation-based technique to isolate dislocation and martensitic transformation sources in the acoustic emission data of a complex alloy. For this purpose, the acoustic emission signals from macro- and microindentation experiments are compared with microscopy and crystallographic analysis of deformed microstructures. A key feature of this method is the selective activation of the martensitic transformation during microindentation, which enables separate fingerprinting of this deformation mechanism. An unsupervised k mean clustering methodology is leveraged to classify acoustic emission waveforms into clusters, which facilitates the detection of shared deformation mechanisms across different tests. The results of this study provide a rapid non-destructive tool to correlate acoustic emission sources with deformation mechanisms in complex alloys.
Energy Budgets of Plants

All parts of plants have temperatures determined by their environmental conditions. The energy status of a plant or a plant leaf is manifested by its temperature. The leaves and stems of plants have small masses and are generally of low heat capacity. Because of this, the temperatures of these plant parts respond quickly to changes of environmental conditions. Trunks of trees, tree limbs, and other massive plant parts have much greater heat capacities and respond slowly to environmental variations, sometimes with a thermal lag of several hours, as shown in the study of tree trunks by Derby and Gates (1966).
The molecules are inside the atoms: students' personal external representations of matter

An understanding of students' external representations of their internal representations of matter is important for the further development of visual representations used as teaching tools. Therefore, we examined undergraduate students' personal external representations of matter. Fourteen undergraduates enrolled in general chemistry courses were interviewed about their drawings of matter in the solid, liquid, and gas phases. Data indicated that students spontaneously drew four different types of representations. We have developed rubrics for our classifications of students' representations based on their drawings. Implications of visual representations in teaching will also be discussed.
Local Government Discretion and Accountability in Ethiopia

This paper analyzes local government discretion and accountability in Ethiopia in the political, administrative, and fiscal domains. It is based on literature review and interviews of local governments and community members in four regions (Amhara, Oromiya, Tigray and Afar), nine woredas and eighteen kebeles.
Freezing in sealed capillaries for preparation of frozen hydratedsections.

We have investigated the freezing of specimens in a confined volume for preparation of vitreous samples for cryosectioning. With 15% dextran as a cryoprotectant, a sample sealed in a copper tube begins to freeze into crystalline ice when plunged into liquid ethane. Crystallization rapidly causes an increase in the pressure to the point that much of the sample freezes in a vitreous state. We used synchrotron X-ray diffraction of samples frozen with various amounts of dextran to characterize the ice phases and crystal orientation, providing insights on the freezing process. We have characterized cryosections obtained from these samples to explore the optimum amount of cryoprotectant. Images of cryosectioned bacteria frozen with various levels of cryoprotectant illustrate effects of cryoprotectant concentration.
What Kind of Patients and Physicians Value Direct-to-Consumer Advertising of Prescription Drugs?

Direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising of prescription drugs can enhance the physician-patient relationship, as well as benefiting its sponsor. However, overall benefits can only occur if the patients value the information enough to discuss it with their physicians and the physicians are not predisposed against the DTC information. We investigate the impact of demographics and exposure to marketing on consumers' and physicians' receptiveness to DTC advertising of prescription drugs, using data from two nationwide surveys. We find that consumers who have an ongoing need for health care, that is, those with children or with a chronic condition requiring medication, value prescription drug advertising more highly, while older consumers, consumers who have been sick recently, or more educated consumers are more likely to trust their physicians instead. We find that more experienced physicians, physicians who see more patients, or those who have more exposure to pharmaceutical advertisements are more accepting of DTC advertising of prescription drugs.
Cepheids: Problems and possibilities

We assess the current state of several areas in Cepheid research. The problem of mass determination is discussed and a number of methods evaluated. wE examine a recent interpretation of Cepheid masses which adopts a “short” distance scale and relies heavily on the Baade-Wesselink technique. This interpretation requires an evolutionary dichotomy, and is criticized on the basis of the great regularity observed among Cepheid light curves. The homogeneity of the Cepheid sample is further invoked to argue against the introduction of physical mechanisms which increase the complexity of stellar evolution. We touch briefly on the question of opacity and mention some benefits which would be derived from an increase in absorption by heavy elements. Finally, we discuss the implications (“long” distance scale and “cool” temperature calibration) arising from the recent determination of the mass of SU Cyg from its orbit. The importance of verifying this mass is emphasized.
ADAMTS13 reduces VWF‐mediated acute inflammation following focal cerebral ischemia in mice

Summary. Background: ADAMTS13 cleaves hyperactive ultra-large von Willebrand factor (ULVWF) multimers into smaller and less active forms. It remains unknown whether VWF-mediated inflammatory processes play a role in the enhanced brain injury due to ADAMTS13 deficiency. Objective: We tested the hypothesis that the deleterious effect of ADAMTS13 deficiency on ischemic brain injury is mediated through VWF-dependent enhanced vascular inflammation. Methods: Transient focal cerebral ischemia was induced by 60 min of occlusion of the right middle cerebral artery. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and inflammatory cytokines in the infarcted region were evaluated 23 h after reperfusion injury. Neutrophil infiltration within the infarct and surrounding areas was quantitated by immunohistochemistry. Results: We report that ADAMTS13-deficient mice exhibited significantly enlarged infarct size, concordant with increased myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, neutrophil infiltration and expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). In contrast, VWF-deficient mice exhibited significantly reduced MPO activity, neutrophil infiltration and inflammatory cytokine induction, demonstrating a role of VWF in these inflammatory processes. Mice deficient for both ADAMTS13 and VWF exhibited an identical reduction of the same inflammatory parameters, demonstrating that the increased inflammation observed in ADAMTS13-deficient mice is VWF dependent. Finally, the increased infarct size observed in ADAMTS13-deficient mice was completely abrogated by prior immunodepletion of neutrophils, demonstrating a causal role for acute inflammation in the enhanced brain injury that occurs in the setting of ADAMTS13 deficiency. Conclusion: These findings provide new evidence for ADAMTS13 in reducing VWF-mediated acute cerebral inflammation following ischemic stroke.
A rapid, global and prolonged electron radiation belt dropout observed with the Global Positioning System constellation

[1] A rapid loss of energetic (>230 keV) electrons from the outer radiation belt was observed with the GPS constellation between 1430 and 1730 UTC on 7 May 2007. The rapid loss occurred from 4 < L* < 6 over all measured energies above 230 keV. Currently accepted rapid loss mechanisms include magnetopause shadowing and/or outward diffusion, and precipitation to the atmosphere due to wave-particle interactions. Here the loss timescale is ∼2 hr, and the magnetopause is near L = 8, which requires unrealistically high outward diffusion rates. Current estimates of the loss timescales associated with EMIC waves, plasmaspheric hiss and whistler-mode chorus are too long, even in combination, to explain the observed losses inside L* ≃ 6.
A practical implementation science heuristic for organizational readiness: R = MC(2).

There are many challenges when an innovation (i.e., a program, process, or policy that is new to an organization) is actively introduced into an organization. One critical component for successful implementation is the organization's readiness for the innovation. In this article, we propose a practical implementation science heuristic, abbreviated as R= MC2 . We propose that organizational readiness involves: 1) the motivation to implement an innovation, 2) the general capacities of an organization, and 3) the innovation-specific capacities needed for a particular innovation. Each of these components can be assessed independently and be used formatively. The heuristic can be used by organizations to assess readiness to implement and by training and technical assistance providers to help build organizational readiness. We present an illustration of the heuristic by showing how behavioral health organizations differ in readiness to implement a peer specialist initiative. Implications for research and practice of organizational readiness are discussed.
IMAGING DIAGNOSIS—RADIOGRAPHIC, ULTRASONOGRAPHIC, COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC, AND FLUOROSCOPIC APPEARANCE OF A DISTAL PELVIC LIMB ARTERIOVENOUS MALFORMATION IN A YOUNG GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG

A German shepherd puppy presented for evaluation of a suspected arteriovenous fistula on the distal aspect of the right pelvic limb. Radiographs demonstrated expansion and resorption of the tarsal and metatarsal bones, and ultrasound detected a vascular abnormality. Using computed tomographic angiography, a complex arteriovenous malformation (AVM) involving the distal tibia, tarsus, and the metatarsus and an osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesion of the talus were identified. Based on these findings, therapeutic limb amputation was performed. Fluoroscopic angiography, vascular casting, and dissection were then used to further characterize features of this previously unreported AVM with concurrent bony lesions and OCD.
Site Errors and Detection Efficiency in a Magnetic Direction-Finder Network for Locating Lightning Strikes to Ground

Abstract We have tested a network of magnetic direction-finders (DFs) that locate ground strikes in Oklahoma and surrounding states in order to determine detection efficiency for the network and systematic errors in azimuth (i.e., site errors) for each of four DF sites. Independent data on lightning strike locations were obtained with a television (TV) camera on a mobile laboratory and an all-azimuth TV system at the National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL). In two tests using these data, we found a location detection efficiency of about 70% for storms at about 70 and 300 km from the center of the network. Systematic errors in azimuth were determined by comparing locations from the lightning strike locating system with strikes located from the mobile laboratory system; also, for a single DF at NSSL, strike azimuths from the DF were compared with azimuths from the all-azimuth TV system for storms near NSSL. Furthermore, we developed a technique for using redundant DF data to determine systematic errors in ...
The Effects of Bifurcation and Death Qualification on Assignment of Penalty in Capital Crimes1

An experiment was conducted to test the effects of the bifurcated trial procedure and the death qualification process on sentencing and verdicts in death penalty cases. Forty-four 12-person juries, assigned to one of five trial conditions, returned verdicts indicating that death qualified, bifurcated juries gave the most severe verdicts and the highest proportion of guilty verdicts, while non-death qualified, trial only, juries returned the least severe verdicts and the highest proportion of not guilty or hung outcomes. Thirty-seven penalty phase juries, of which 20 had previously assigned guilt, were distributed among five penalty conditions. The sentencing data revealed that the most severe sentences were given by the death qualified, bifurcated juries. The least severe sentences were returned by the non-death qualified, bifurcated juries. Juries impaneled for the penalty phase only and death qualified meted out moderate sentences.
Mass spectral analysis of modified ribonucleosides obtained by degradation of 14 alkali-stable dinucleotides isolated from yeast ribonucleic acid.

Abstract Mass spectra of nucleosides obtained by degradation of 14 alkali-stable dinucleotides isolated from yeast ribonucleic acid have confirmed that in 12 of them the sugar is a 2′-O-methylpentose combined with adenine, cytosine, or uracil. The other two compounds are guanine nucleosides and the mass spectra provide some evidence that they too contain 2′-O-methylpentose, but more work is necessary to confirm this.
Revascularization for cardiogenic shock

Despite the availability of invasive circulatory monitoring, inotropes and thrombolysis, mortality from cardiogenic shock remains in excess of 50%, and continues to account for the deaths of between 7% and 11% of patients admitted with myocardial infarction.1–,3 In the majority of these patients, the problem is one of overwhelming left ventricular damage and, intuitively, revascularization should be the primary therapeutic strategy. However, attempts to prove this have been fraught with difficulty, and the randomized trial paradigm that revolutionized our approach to acute cardiology appears to have faltered. This review examines the features of cardiogenic shock that have hindered attempts to improve its outcome, discusses whether current evidence is sufficient to support a policy of revascularization and explores the potential value of approaches aimed at minimizing reperfusion damage. The development of cardiogenic shock is rarely unexpected, most patients who develop shock do so within 48 hours of admission, with only 10% shocked on arrival.2 As would be expected, shock is associated with larger infarcts, prior infarction, diabetes and infarct extension.4,,5 The diagnosis itself is straightforward, with a systolic blood pressure <90 mmHg for more than 30 min in the absence of hypovolaemia or other potential causes of hypotension. Additional features such as oliguria and impaired peripheral perfusion identify those at particularly high risk of death.6 The widespread availability of bedside echocardiography has rendered the use of invasive haemodynamics, and in particular a requirement for a cardiac index of less than 2.2 l/min/m2, virtually obsolete in the decision‐making process. Echocardiography readily identifies the mechanism of shock and those patients that might benefit from surgery for intra‐ or extra‐myocardial rupture (Figure 1).4,7,,8 Figure 1. Apical four‐chamber echo view with relative incidence of the mechanisms responsible for cardiogenic shock in the SHOCK 8 and MILIS 4 …
Dependent absorption and extinction of radiation by small particles

This study presents an analytical model to evaluate the dependent absorption and extinction characteristics of dense particulate systems. Simple expressions are obtained by considering statistical averages based on the random character of the particulate medium. Departure from the assumption of independent scattering and absorption of radiation originates from two mechanisms; perturbation of the internal field of each particle by the presence of other particles, and coherent addition (i.e., taking into account the constructive/destructive interference) of the far-field scattered radiation. Dependent scattering has been previously studied analytically by considering the second mechanism only. Dependent absorption, which is due to the former, has not been considered in the literature even though absorption is more important than scattering in the extinction of radiation by small (Rayleigh) absorbing particles.
Magnetic resonance imaging of short T2 relaxation components in the musculoskeletal system.

One of the unusual features of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the musculoskeletal system is the fact that many of the tissues of most interest such as tendons, ligaments, menisci, periosteum, and cortical bone have short T2s and produce no signal when imaged with conventional pulse sequences. They have been described as MR “invisible.” The lack of signal from the invisible tissues provides a useful dark background against which abnormalities that have an increase in signal can be recognized, but it also creates problems because the absence of signal means that it is not possible to characterize these tissues by measuring their mobile proton densities, T1s or T2s, actively manipulate their image contrast, differentiate adjacent tissues with short T2s, visualize short T2 internal structures within them, or observe effects due to contrast enhancement. These problems have meant that from a technical point of view, study of the MRinvisible tissues has lagged far behind that of visible tissues. The T2 which represents the cut-off between visible and invisible tissues was about 10 ms using spin echo sequences on older MR systems [1] but with conventional gradient echo sequences and modern clinical machines, the cut-off has become shorter and is probably 1–2 ms for images with clinically useful spatial resolution. Of particular interest have been ultrashort echo time (UTE) pulse sequences with TEs as short as 8 μs. These were originally described in the 1990s [2, 3] but improved machine performance has led to images using these sequences with signal detectable from previously MRinvisible tissues at spatial resolutions comparable to those obtainable with conventional sequences in clinically acceptable scan times.
Evolution of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) based on sequences of the nuclear gene encoding plastid acetyl-CoA carboxylase☆

Switchgrass, Panicum virgatum, is a perennial grass native to the USA and Canada with an array of ploidy levels and ecotypes. In this study, genetic variation in the nuclear gene encoding plastid acetyl-CoA carboxylase from six switchgrass cultivars was investigated with the goal of defining relationships among these populations using DNA sequence comparisons. Four polymorphic sites were found in exons and 18 polymorphic sites plus four indels were found in introns within a 1828-nucleotide sequence alignment (696 nucleotides in exons and 1132 nucleotides in introns) of 27 genes. The homoeologous genomes of tetraploid and octaploid switchgrass are very closely related to each other, and among and between lowland and upland switchgrass ecotypes. Based on the molecular clock determined earlier for the Triticeae tribe, the genome divergence time and the time of the polyploidization events which established various contemporary switchgrass lineages was estimated to be less than 2 million years ago.