cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SOAR Online Course Increases Capacity for Assisting Individuals with Disabilities in the US.

For adults with disabilities who are experiencing homelessness, chances of being approved for Social Security disability benefits are very low without assistance. Assisting with the SSI/SSDI application process can be challenging for case managers who lack capacity and expertise. Training caseworkers to document disability and submit complete, high-quality applications using the SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access and Recovery (SOAR) model improves efficiency and outcomes. Nationally, 65% of applications using the SOAR model are approved, with decisions received in an average of 81 days in 2015. The SOAR Online Course was created to expand training opportunities for individuals to learn how to effectively assist with SSI/SSDI applications for individuals experiencing or at risk for homelessness. From October 1, 2014 to September 30, 2015, 1049 individuals from 49 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico successfully completed the SOAR online course. The course is a unique public health training model, in that it incorporates a realistic and multimodal practice SSI/SSDI application with comprehensive feedback provided by experts. Local SOAR leaders around the county are trained to facilitate and guide groups through the course. This study evaluated data on online course usage, user experience, and the translation from learning to practice for online course trainees. We found that successful course completions were most concentrated in areas that had local SOAR Leaders, trainees through the online course had higher data entry rates about case outcomes in the SOAR Online Application Tracking (OAT) system, and that trainees reported a high satisfaction rate with the course and comprehensive feedback. The evaluation found that key success factors for online training models include the integration of a practice case component (or other generative learning activity), support from local facilitators, and feedback and technical assistance for trainees.
Trocar site recurrence in laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer. Myth or real concern

The application of laparoscopic techniques for curative resection of colorectal cancer is controversial, owing to reports of cancer recurrence at the port-site wounds. Despite research efforts of clinical studies and animal models, neither the actual rate nor the mechanisms causing port-site metastasis are known. In this article, the authors gathered data from a clinical series of laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer, having more than 50 patients each. The port-site recurrence in the 2737 patients who participated in this series was approximately 0.6%. Although the methods and patients selected in these studies vary, these numbers may be comparable with the incidence reported for other malignancies and in laparotomies for colorectal cancer. This article suggests that wound recurrence may possibly be a result of an unfortunate learning curve rather than an inherited concern. The final results of the large randomized studies hopefully will solve this question in the near future
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor exposure constricts the mouse ductus arteriosus in utero

Use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) is common during pregnancy. Fetal exposure to SSRIs is associated with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN); however, a direct link between the two has yet to be established. Conversely, it is well known that PPHN can be caused by premature constriction of the ductus arteriosus (DA), a fetal vessel connecting the pulmonary and systemic circulations. We hypothesized that SSRIs could induce in utero DA constriction. Using isolated vessels and whole-animal models, we sought to determine the effects of two commonly prescribed SSRIs, fluoxetine and sertraline, on the fetal mouse DA. Cannulated vessel myography studies demonstrated that SSRIs caused concentration-dependent DA constriction and made vessels less sensitive to prostaglandin-induced dilation. Moreover, in vivo studies showed that SSRI-exposed mice had inappropriate DA constriction in utero. Taken together, these findings establish that SSRIs promote fetal DA constriction and provide a potential mechanism by which SSRIs could contribute to PPHN.
Highly Conductive Polyurethane/Polyaniline-Based Composites for Wearable Electronic Applications

Here we demonstrated a novel hybrid type of electrically conductive composite (ECC) consisting of conductive fillers and conductive polymer incorporated stretchable polymer matrix, which provides ultrahigh conductivity, good adhesion and interconnectivity. Particularly, we incorporated a conjugated conductive polymer, polyaniline (PANI), into a stretchable polyurethane (PU) matrix. For the design of polymer architecture, we designed an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) structure, where PANI network can support the electron conduction throughout the whole matrix while the PU network can provide stretchability to the overall composite material.
TCT-433 Expansion of Ileofemoral Access to <5 mm with Recollapsible Sheath in High Risk TAVR Patients is Feasible with Zero Complication

Recommended iliofemoral diameter for transfemoral (TF) TAVR with Medtronic CoreValve is >6 mm, but the lowest limit has not been determined. Our study evaluates the feasibility of TF TAVR in patients with small iliofemoral access (<5 mm). Retrospective analysis of the STS/ACC Transcatheter Valve
Human observer efficiency for signal detection and localization in emission tomographic images

For the medically relevant task of joint detection and localization of a signal (lesion) in an emission computed tomographic (ECT) images, it is of interest to measure the efficiency, defined as the relative task performance of a human observer vs that of an ideal observer. Low efficiency implies that improvements in reconstruction algorithms may be possible and also that an ideal observer might be suitably handicapped to derive a model observer that emulates human performance. In our experiments, we use a simplified “filtered noise model” proposed in [1] that simplifies the complex ideal observer calculations. This model is used to emulate the tomographic reconstruction process where the correlation structure of the reconstructed images is a combination of quantum noise and the noise due to background variability both modulated by a form of regularization implemented during the reconstruction process. A two-alternative forced choice (2AFC) test is used to obtain the performance of the human observers. We also introduce two efficiency definitions appropriated for the underlining joint detection-localization tasks. Experimental results show that both the ideal observer and the human observer perform badly in localizing the exact center of the signal but much better in obtaining the rough location of the signal. The human efficiency depends strongly on the amount of smoothing in the image, with efficiency dropping for both over-smoothed case and under-smoothed case. Human efficiency increases approximately monotonically with signal intensity. We compared these results with a signal-known-exactly case and observed similar trends.
Excessive activation of ionotropic glutamate receptors induces apoptotic hair-cell death independent of afferent and efferent innervation

Accumulation of excess glutamate plays a central role in eliciting the pathological events that follow intensely loud noise exposures and ischemia-reperfusion injury. Glutamate excitotoxicity has been characterized in cochlear nerve terminals, but much less is known about whether excess glutamate signaling also contributes to pathological changes in sensory hair cells. I therefore examined whether glutamate excitotoxicity damages hair cells in zebrafish larvae exposed to drugs that mimic excitotoxic trauma. Exposure to ionotropic glutamate receptor (iGluR) agonists, kainic acid (KA) or N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), contributed to significant, progressive hair cell loss in zebrafish lateral-line organs. To examine whether hair-cell loss was a secondary effect of excitotoxic damage to innervating neurons, I exposed neurog1a morphants-fish whose hair-cell organs are devoid of afferent and efferent innervation-to KA or NMDA. Significant, dose-dependent hair-cell loss occurred in neurog1a morphants exposed to either agonist, and the loss was comparable to wild-type siblings. A survey of iGluR gene expression revealed AMPA-, Kainate-, and NMDA-type subunits are expressed in zebrafish hair cells. Finally, hair cells exposed to KA or NMDA appear to undergo apoptotic cell death. Cumulatively, these data reveal that excess glutamate signaling through iGluRs induces hair-cell death independent of damage to postsynaptic terminals.
Association of Gene-Gene Interactions with Venous Thromboembolism (VTE): A Merged/Imputed Genome-Wide Scan/Candidate-Gene Case-Control Study

Abstract 2295 Background: While interaction between Factor V Leiden and other VTE risk exposures compound VTE risk, whether other gene-environment interactions are associated with VTE is largely unknown. Objective: To test novel gene-environment interactions for an association with VTE. Methods: Genome-wide scan (Illumina 660Q [557,112 SNPs]) and candidate gene (12,551 SNPs in 764 genes within the anticoagulant, procoagulant, fibrinolytic and innate immunity pathways) genotypes from 1270 non-Hispanic adults of European ancestry with objectively-diagnosed VTE (cases; no cancer, venous catheter or antiphospholipid antibodies) and 1302 controls (frequency-matched on case age, gender, race, MI/stroke status) were merged and imputed to 2.5 million SNPs with MACH using HapMap Phase 2 (60 CEU). We tested pairwise interactions between these SNPS and each of 7 exposures (“stress” [defined as ever hospitalized, ever surgery, ever trauma, ever transfemoral procedure or ever leg paresis], ever surgery, ever neurosurgery, ever orthopedic surgery; and among women, ever pregnant, ≥3 pregnancies and ever oral contraceptives/hormone therapy), adjusted for age, gender, MI/stroke status and state of residence, using logistic regression. Results: The mean ± standard deviation case and control ages were 54.4 ± 16.2 and 55.6 ± 15.8 years, respectively and 51% were female. Among the 7 models, a significant interaction was found between stress and A2BP1 (rs735919, OR=0.2, p=2.8E-07), ever surgery and ABCG8 (rs6709904, OR=0.27, p=2.1E-07), orthopedic surgery and SLC24A3 (rs6081599, OR=0.53, p=2.8E-07), neurosurgery and TBC1D4 (rs17064485, OR=8.5, p=3.5E-07), every pregnant and MICALCL (rs11022321, OR=0.17, p=8.3E-07), >3 pregnancies and KLRB1 (rs2536929, OR=0.31, p=1.1E-07) and ever oral contraceptives/hormone therapy and LINGO2 (rs10969259, OR=2.02, p=4.9E-07). A2BP1 plays a role in RBC shape and size, ABCG8 is associated with severe hypercholesterolemia, SLC24A3 is important for intracellular calcium homeostasis, TBC1D4 participates in cell signaling in CD4+/CD45RO+ memory T-cells, MICALCL is an extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2-binding protein, KLRB1 regulates natural killer cell function, and LINGO2 encodes a leucine-rich repeat signaling protein. Our observed interaction of VTE risk factors with these genes to compound the risk of VTE requires replication in future studies. If confirmed, functional studies will be important to determine the roles of these gene products in the causal pathway to VTE. Conclusion: VTE risk factors and SNPs within several novel genes may interact to compound the risk of VTE. Disclosures: Heit: Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Honoraria.
Focus on Elementary: Validating the Visual: Illustrations as Mentor Texts

“If teachers show children how an illustrator's decisions about pictures are a lot like a writer's decisions about words, they form a bridge of understanding that nurtures children as writers.” (Wo...
Campylobacter colonization is not associated with proventricular dilatation disease in psittacines

Psittacine proventricular dilatation disease (PDD) is a neurological disease caused by parrot bornaviruses. A competing theory suggests that intestinal colonization by Campylobacter species may also be a potential cause of PDD or that their presence may be required for disease development. This theory proposes that PDD results from the activities of antiganglioside antibodies on enteric neurons in a manner similar to the pathogenesis of Guillain-Barre syndrome in humans. We therefore cultured feces from domestic chickens as well as from multiple parrot species to determine whether Campylobacter spp. could be detected in the latter. We failed to detect Campylobacter in a flock of cockatiels known to be highly susceptible to experimental parrot bornavirus-induced PDD. Even in naturally infected psittacines suffering from clinical PDD, no Campylobacter species were detected. Conversely, Campylobacter was readily cultured from domestic poultry samples and confirmed by using matrix-associated laser desorption ionization mass spectroscopy/real-time polymerase chain reaction. We conclude that not only are Campylobacter infections of psittacines uncommon, but also that infection by Campylobacter species is not related to the etiology of PDD.
The New York Times headquarters daylighting mockup: Monitored performance of the daylighting control system

A nine-month monitored field study of the performance of automated roller shades and daylighting controls was conducted in a 401 m 2 unoccupied, furnished daylighting mockup. The mockup mimicked the southwest corner of a new 110 km 2 commercial building in New York, New York, where The New York Times will be the major tenant. This paper focuses on evaluating the performance of two daylighting control systems installed in separate areas of an open plan office with 1.2-m high workstation partitions: 1) Area A had 0-10 V dimmable ballasts with an open-loop proportional control system and an automated shade controlled to reduce window glare and increase daylight, and 2) Area B had digital addressable lighting interface (DALI) ballasts with a closed-loop integral reset control system and an automated shade controlled to block direct sun. Daylighting control system performance and lighting energy use were monitored. The daylighting control systems demonstrated very reliable performance after they were commissioned properly. Work plane illuminance levels were maintained above 90% of the maximum fluorescent illuminance level for 99.9±0.5% and 97.9±6.1% of the day on average over the monitored period, respectively, in Areas A and B. Daily lighting energy use savings were significant in both Areas over the equinox-to-equinox period compared to a non-daylit reference case. At 3.35 m from the window, 30% average savings were achieved with a sidelit west-facing condition in Area A while 50-60% were achieved with a bilateral daylit south-facing condition in Area B. At 4.579.14 m from the window, 5-10% and 25-40% savings were achieved in Areas A and B, respectively. Average savings for the 7m deep dimming zone were 20-23% and 52-59% for Areas A and B, respectively, depending on the lighting schedule. The large savings and good reliability can be attributed to the automatic management of the interior shades. The DALI-based system exhibited faulty behavior that remains unexplained, but operational errors are expected to be resolved as DALI products reach full maturity. The building owner received very competitive bids ($30-75 US/DALI ballast) and was able to justify use of the daylighting control system based on operational cost savings and increased amenity. Additional energy savings due to reduced solar and lighting heat gains were not quantified but will add to the total operational cost savings.
Canonical ensemble ground state and correlation entropy of Bose-Einstein condensate

Constraint of a fixed total number of particles yields a correlation between the fluctuation of particles in different states in the canonical ensemble. Here we show that, below the temperature of Bose–Einstein condensation (BEC), the correlation part of the entropy of an ideal Bose gas is cancelled by the ground-state contribution. Thus, in the BEC region, the thermodynamic properties of the gas in the canonical ensemble can be described accurately in a simplified model which excludes the ground state and assumes no correlation between excited levels.
Kolmogorov–Zurbenko filters in spatiotemporal analysis

This paper is an extension of WIRE publication Kolmogorov–Zurbenko filters, 2010. It addresses computational aspects of multidimensional KZ filtering for unevenly spaced data. Some real examples are provided to illustrate some of the details of such data analysis. The identification and separation of different spatial or temporal scales in spatiotemporal data can provide essential improvements to the accuracy of explanations. In particular, long term scales can be made to display clear patterns which are absolutely indistinguishable using standard multivariate analysis methods. For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
Red cell phosphoglycerate kinase deficiency: A new cause of non-spherocytic hemolytic anemia

Abstract Phosphoglycerate kinase deficiency, a hitherto unreported red cell enzyme defect, has been demonstrated in a patient with non-spherocytic hemolytic anemia. It is suggested that the enzyme deficiency is the cause of the anemia.
Treatment of severe nausea/vomiting--an evidence-based approach.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) has published therapeutic guidelines on a select group of disease states. The ASHP Therapeutic Guidelines for the pharmacological management of nausea and vomiting (NAV) were developed following a rigorous and formal examination of available medical literature. Using such an evidence-based medicine approach is important for the development of comprehensive scientifically based guidelines. The ASHP Therapeutic Guidelines for the pharmacological management of NAV were prepared by the University of Kentucky Drug Information Center working in conjunction with ASHP appointed clinical specialists represented by physicians, pharmacists, and nurses. The purpose of the paper is to assist health care professionals in managing NAV in both adult and pediatric patients undergoing chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery. The guidelines are applicable to both an inpatient and outpatient setting. The authors cite the three primary reasons for guideline development as: 1) NAV occur frequently; 2) there is a lack of consistency in selection of therapeutic agents in clinical practice; and 3) NAV are preventable. The paper is divided into several sections. The first topics addressed are related to chemotherapy-induced NAV and include assessment of NAV and the physiology of chemotherapy-induced NAV (with subcategories of acute vs delayed NAV, breakthrough NAV, and anticipatory NAV). The drug review section for chemotherapy-induced NAV begins with factors to consider in the selection of and agent of chemotherapy-induced NAV, prevention of NAV, efficacy and selection of 5-HT3 receptor antagonists (alone or in combination with other agents), a special pediatric section, and pharamacoeconomic issues. Also included is a section on the treatment and prevention of breakthrough chemotherapy-induced NAV. The topics of radiation therapy-induced NAV and postoperative NAV are organized in a similar fashion starting with a review of physiology and continuing with factors to consider in the selection of agents and prevention and treatment. The following is a brief review of the three main topics covered in this article. Evaluation of each individual criterion is beyond the scope of this column.
Treatment Duration and Side Effect Profile of Long-Term Use of Intravitreal Preservative-Free Triamcinolone Acetonide in Uveitis.

Purpose Noninfectious uveitis has been treated historically with corticosteroid therapy in varying doses and routes. Triesence, a preservative-free sterile formulation of triamcinolone acetonide, has been used in a wide spectrum of ocular pathologies, but there have been few large studies validating its dosing or detailing long-term side effects in uveitic disease. The primary aim of this study was to describe the relative duration of action and side effects of 2 doses of preservative-free intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (PF-IVTA) in uveitis. Design Retrospective, comparative consecutive case series. Methods Charts of all patients receiving PF-IVTA (2 mg or 4 mg) in a defined time period (2012–2014) at the Cole Eye Institute were examined for patient demographics, time to treatment failure (TTF), use of systemic immunosuppression, use of intraocular pressure–lowering therapies, date of cataract surgery and glaucoma filtration surgery, and adverse events. Results The final data set examined 514 injections in 214 eyes. Mean duration of follow-up was 1.5 years. There was similar demographic distribution between eyes that received 2 mg PF-IVTA only and eyes that received a combination of 4 + 2 mg PF-IVTA. No statistically significant difference in TTF between injection dosages was observed. There was a higher incidence of glaucoma filtering surgery and cataract surgery in eyes that received 4 + 2 mg PF-IVTA as well as a shorter time to glaucoma surgery, when compared to eyes that received 2 mg PF-IVTA alone. Conclusions This retrospective study supports that 2 mg PF-IVTA displayed noninferior treatment duration to 4 mg PF-IVTA, and may carry a significantly lower side-effect profile of cataract development and glaucoma filtering surgery.
A mixed-integer conic programming formulation for computing the flexibility index under multivariate gaussian uncertainty

Abstract We present a methodology for computing the flexibility index when uncertainty is characterized using multivariate Gaussian random variables. Our approach computes the flexibility index by solving a mixed-integer conic program (MICP). This methodology directly characterizes ellipsoidal sets to capture correlations in contrast to previous methodologies that employ approximations. We also show that, under a Gaussian representation, the flexibility index can be used to obtain a lower bound for the so-called stochastic flexibility index (i.e., the probability of having feasible operation). Our results also show that the methodology can be generalized to capture different types of uncertainty sets.
Sociosexual attitudes differentially predict men and women's preferences for agreeable male faces

Abstract Sensitivity to personality variability through facial structures subsequently elicits inferences of another's behavioral intentions, which could include those pertaining to preferred reproductive strategies. Given the association between agreeableness and interest in long-term mating intentions, we predicted that individuals with a long-term mating orientation would prefer others whose faces communicate higher levels of trait agreeableness. Participants viewed pairs of male and female faces manipulated to connote high and low levels of agreeableness and indicated their preferences among each pair before completing the Sociosexual Orientation Inventory-Revised. Consonant with hypotheses, women espousing restricted sociosexual attitudes marginally preferred agreeable male faces. Furthermore, men espousing unrestricted attitudes preferred agreeable male faces, suggesting an interest in associating with men posing little intrasexual threat. Contrary to predictions, sociosexuality predicted neither men's nor women's preferences for agreeableness in female faces. We frame these results from an evolutionary perspective considering the identification of optimum mates and potential intrasexual rivals.
Can Item-Level Error Correlations Correct for Projection Bias in Perceived Peer Deviance Measures? A Research Note

Research indicates respondents overestimate the similarity between their own deviance and that of their peers. Extending Rebellon and Modecki’s (J Quant Criminol 30:163–186, 2014) study, we examine if item-level error correlations in structural models reduce bias for non-peer-based, theoretically derived covariates such as self-control. Our specific interest lies in investigating the theoretical implications and practical value of using the correlated error technique in ‘everyday’ structural equation modeling. Using dyadic data and multiple constructs of deviance, we present three sets of structural equation analyses. The first assesses the relationship between peer behavior and deviance via perceptual measures. The second uses identical constructs, but estimates item-level error correlations between perceptual and deviance items. The third replaces perceptions of peer deviance with items measuring peers’ self-reported behavior. Self-control and demographic variables have equivalent effects in perceptually-based correlated error models and models controlling peer self-reported deviance. However, latent variable adjustments to perceptions of peer behavior fail to bring perceived peer deviance coefficients into line with corresponding coefficients from models using peer self-reports, indicating that perceptions and peer self-reports are distinct constructs. Researchers cannot use item-level error-correlations to model peer effects without collecting data from peers. They may, however, use these correlations to control for peer effects even when peer self-reports are not available. Because we find strong effects of self-control while maintaining social learning theory’s emphasis on perceptions, we argue that the technique is a form of theoretical reconciliation and recommend criminologists adopt the use of correlated errors in all social influence-based structural models.
Only Connect: Student Writing on Experiencing South Asia in San Antonio

This article examines pedagogical expectations and learning outcomes for an active learning and writing assignment given to University of Texas San Antonio history students studying the region of S...
Longitudinal Spending on Endovascular and Open Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair.

Background: Endovascular repair (EVR) has replaced open surgery as the procedure of choice for patients requiring elective abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. Long-term outcomes of the 2 approa...
Patterns of Injuries in Drowning Patients - Do These Patients Need a Trauma Team?

Introduction Drowning is a major public health hazard worldwide, but associated traumatic injuries are rare. This study examined injuries and interventions performed on this population to assess the need for the trauma team activation. Methods A 12-year retrospective review was conducted on all fatal and non-fatal drowning patients who underwent a trauma work-up. Data collection included demographics, injury characteristics, interventions, and outcomes. Results Forty-three patients met inclusion criteria. Median patient age was six years (interquartile range 2 - 20) with 27.9% of patients under the age of 2 years. Most patients were white (62.8%) and male (69.8%), with median GCS score of 3 (60.5% had initial GCS = 3 with 25.6% with GCS = 15). Only two patients suffered traumatic injuries. Only two patients required operations, neither of which suffered traumatic injury. Eleven patients suffered anoxic brain injury (25.6%). Overall mortality was 48.8% (n = 21). Conclusion Patients who present with drowning and no traumatic mechanism have a very low rate of traumatic injuries. Work-up and treatment would be appropriate for emergency physicians without the need for a trauma activation.
Real-time biomass feedstock particle quality detection using image analysis and machine vision

A common and costly challenge in the nascent biorefinery industry is the consistent handling and conveyance of biomass feedstock materials, which can vary widely in their chemical, physical, and mechanical properties. Solutions to cope with varying feedstock qualities will be required, including advanced process controls to adjust equipment and reject feedstocks that do not meet a quality standard. In this work, we present and evaluate methods to autonomously assess corn stover feedstock quality in real time and provide data to process controls with low-cost camera hardware. We explore the use of neural networks to classify feedstocks based on actual processing behavior and pixel matrix feature parameterization to further assess particle attributes that may explain the variable processing behavior. We used the pretrained ResNet neural network coupled with a gated recurrent unit (GRU) time-series classifier trained on our image data, resulting in binary classification of feedstock anomalies with favorable performance. The textural aspects of the image data were statistically analyzed to determine if the textural features were predictive of operational disruptions. The significant textural features were angular second moment, prominence, mean height of surface profile, mean resultant vector, shade, skewness, variation of the polar facet orientation, and direction of azimuthal facets. Expansion of these models is recommended across a wider variety of labeled feedstock images of different qualities and species to develop a more robust tool that may be deployed using low-cost cameras within biorefineries.
COVID-19 and Mental Well-Being: Guidance on the Application of Behavioral and Positive Well-Being Strategies

The raging COVID-19 pandemic has been a great source of anxiety, distress, and stress among the population. Along with mandates for social distancing and infection control measures, the growing importance of managing and cultivating good mental well-being practices cannot be disregarded. The purpose of this commentary is to outline and discuss some research-proven positive well-being and stress reduction strategies to instill healthy coping mechanisms among individuals and community members. The authors anticipate that usage of these strategies at the individual and the community level should greatly benefit the mental well-being not only in the current COVID-19 pandemic but also in any future epidemics at the national level.
The Last Farewell Embrace: Spirituality, Near-Death Experiences, and Other Extraordinary Events among Nurses by Alejandro Parra

Alejandro Parra, a psychologist who teaches at the Universidad Abierta Interamericana, is the author of several books, including one on the history of parapsychology in Argentina. In his latest, he writes about his interviews with dozens of nurses and professional caregivers regarding exceptional experiences that they either witnessed in patients, often at the end of life, or had themselves. As an example, a psychiatric nurse in Buenos Aires told about a patient who woke up at four o’clock one morning, shouting “My house is on fire, my house is on fire!” The distraught woman tried to leave the hospital and eventually had to be sedated with medication. Two days later, relatives arrived with objects that had been rescued from a fire at her house, which had occurred at four in the morning.
Holistic Admissions: From Paper File to Live Interview

Purpose The holistic approach to admissions includes an evaluation of traditional measures (e.g., cumulative grade-point average), attributes unique to the applicant (e.g., leadership), and variabl...
Introducing the Articles in This Issue.

Dear Readers,I hope this finds you enjoying the coming of Spring and maybe even some reduced COVID-19 restrictions as the vaccine becomes more available.This issue features six articles, two that a...
Beware of the bicycle! An increase in paediatric bicycle related injuries during the COVID-19 period in Western Australia.

BACKGROUND: In Western Australia, the media has reported on an increase in the purchasing, repairs and use of bicycles during the COVID-19 period. The study aimed to investigate for a relationship in bicycle related injuries in the paediatric population during the time of COVID-19 restrictions. METHODS: A retrospective study of the incident of motorized and non-motorized bicycle related injuries and trauma presentations during the COVID-19 'shutdown' period from March to June 2020. Data were collected from the Emergency Department Information System, discharge summaries, operation and radiology reports. The data presented is from Perth Children's Hospital, the only tertiary paediatric hospital and the only referral centre for childhood trauma in the state of Western Australia. Participants were children aged 15 years and younger attending the emergency department (ED) at Perth Children's Hospital during the designated time period. The primary outcomes included total ED presentations, bicycle related presentations and bicycle related admissions during the COVID-19 period. RESULTS: Bicycle related presentations to the ED increased by 42.7% over the COVID-19 period from 1.4% to 3.0% of all children attending the ED. Children admitted to the hospital with bicycle related injuries or trauma increased by 48.7% from 76 to 113 children in comparison to the same period in 2019. CONCLUSION: During the period of COVID-19 restrictions, paediatric ED presentations decreased dramatically, but bicycle related injuries and trauma increased substantially. Safety equipment including helmets and protective gear should be worn for all children riding bicycles, and social distancing should be maintained.
Adrenal vein sampling for ACTH-producing pheochromocytomas.

Abstract Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-producing pheochromocytoma can cause a variety of clinical manifestations of excess catecholamine and corticosteroid. Anatomic localization of this source of ectopic ACTH is critical to facilitate unilateral adrenalectomy and prevent adrenal insufficiency due to bilateral adrenalectomy. Although nuclear scintigraphy remains the diagnostic gold standard, recent radiotracer supply shortages have necessitated alternative diagnostic paradigms to localize adrenal pheochromocytomas. We present a case where adrenal vein sampling (AVS) was utilized to lateralize an adrenal pheochromocytoma and discuss the approach and nuance as it differs from routine AVS for hyperaldosteronism or hypercortisolism.
Regional piedmont incision during base-level rise in the northeastern Sonoran Desert, Arizona, USA

Ephemeral channels incise into the piedmonts (both alluvial fans and pediments) of the northeastern Sonoran Desert, USA. Located around metropolitan Phoenix, this tectonically quiescent region expe...
Measuring optimality of a neural system by a logic gate model

The nematode worm, Caenorhabditis elegans, is a relatively simple neural system model for measuring the efficiency of information transmission from sensory organ to muscle fiber. With the potential to measure this efficiency, a method is proposed to compare the organization of an idealized neural circuit with a logic gate design. This approach is useful for analysis of a neural circuit that is not tractable to a strictly biological model, and where the assumptions of a logic gate design have applicability. Also, included in the results is an abstract perspective of the electrical-specific synaptic network in the somatic system of the nematode worm.
Water Entry into Soil

The entry of water into the soil occurs under a variety of conditions. It takes place through the entire surface uniformly or via localized furrows or crevices. It may move upward into the soil from a source below such as a rising water table. The infiltration is a process of water entry into the soil, generally by a downward flow through all or part of the soil surface. The rate of this process, relative to the rate of water supply, determines the amount of water that enters the root zone and the amount that runs off. Hence, the rate of infiltration affects not only the water economy of terrestrial plants but also the amount of overland flow and its attendant dangers of soil erosion and stream flooding. The infiltration process is affected by the soil's properties, transient conditions, and the mode of water supply. The knowledge of the infiltration process is a prerequisite for efficient soil and water management. A simplistic and theoretical approach to the infiltration process is the Green and Ampt approach (G&A). The main assumptions of the G&A approach are that there exists a distinct and precisely definable wetting front during infiltration and that, although this wetting front moves continuously downward as the process proceeds, it is characterized by a constant matric suction, regardless of time and position. The unstable flow is another phenomenon that occurs most notably in the transition of infiltrating water from a fine-textured top layer to a coarse-textured sublayer.
Current Strategies to Reduce Gastrointestinal Bleeding Risk Associated with Antiplatelet Agents

Antiplatelet agents remain the cornerstone in the primary and secondary therapeutic intervention for cardiovascular disease. Some patients may be subjected to a year or more of dual antiplatelet therapy to reduce the risk of subsequent cardiovascular events. Patients on antiplatelet therapy have an increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding; however, not all patients benefit from concomitant acid suppressive therapy. This review will provide an overview of the pharmacology of antiplatelet agents and outline patient risk profiles that ought to be considered when considering prophylactic therapy to reduce gastrointestinal toxicity. In addition, we discuss the current risk-reduction strategies intended to mitigate against the potential for related gastroduodenal injury.
Primary mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma occurring in the rectum: a case report and review of the literature

The primary extranodal B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) is a distinct clinical pathologic entity that develops in diverse anatomic locations such as the stomach, salivary gland, thyroid, lung, and breast; however, colorectal involvement is rare. To the best of our knowledge, only 30 cases of primary rectal MALT lymphoma have been published in the English language literature, mostly from Japan. A single case has been reported from the US before this report. The most common symptoms ranged from asymptomatic to occult or gross gastrointestinal bleeding. Simultaneous involvement of the cecum or colon was seen in 20% of the patients. Ninety percent of the patients were classified as low grade, Stage 1 at the time of diagnosis. Polypoid lesions were 10-fold more common than ulcerative lesions. Seven patients were reported to have H pylori in the stomach. The majority of the patients underwent surgical or endoscopic resection as a cure; however, controversy exists with regards to antibiotic treatment or observation alone because of unknown etiopathogenesis. Infection with microorganisms other than H pylori has been postulated in the development of rectal MALT lymphoma; however, this hypothesis remains unproven. The overall prognosis of rectal MALT lymphoma appears favorable; however, long-term follow-up data is lacking. Therefore, periodic clinical monitoring should be done in these patients.
A level set method for Bayesian tomographic reconstruction

We present a level-set method for Bayesian tomographic reconstruction. A novel image prior is derived from the mean curvature evolution of level sets of an image. As it has been studied in image processing with nonlinear diffusion, this prior encourages the stabilization of an edge while the reconstructed image is smoothed along both sides of the edge. An algorithm of iterated coordinate decent was implemented with the proposed prior using Brent's method for one-dimensional optimization. Our simulation results demonstrated that our algorithm can outperform existing priors for preserving edges during tomographic reconstruction without introducing additional artifacts.
Resonant Raman spectroscopy of armchair carbon nanotubes: Absence of broad G − feature

The appearance of a broad peak at $\sim$1550 cm$^{-1}$ (G$^{-}$ peak) in carbon nanotube resonant Raman scattering spectra has been conventionally attributed to the presence of metallic nanotubes. Here, we present resonant Raman measurements on macroscopic nanotube ensembles enriched in armchair species prepared through density gradient ultracentrifugation. Our data clearly demonstrate that the broad G$^{-}$ mode is absent for armchair structures and appears only when the excitation laser is resonant with non-armchair "metals." Due to the large number ($\sim$10$^{10}$) of nanotubes across several armchair species probed, our work firmly establishes a general correlation between G-band lineshape and nanotube structure.
Application of spectral analysis techniques in the intercomparison of aerosol data: 1. An EOF approach to analyze the spatial‐temporal variability of aerosol optical depth using multiple remote sensing data sets

Many remote sensing techniques and passive sensors have been developed to measure global aerosol properties. While instantaneous comparisons between pixel-level data often reveal quantitative differences, here we use Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis, also known as Principal Component Analysis, to demonstrate that satellite-derived aerosol optical depth (AOD) data sets exhibit essentially the same spatial and temporal variability and are thus suitable for large-scale studies. Analysis results show that the first four EOF modes of AOD account for the bulk of the variance and agree well across the four data sets used in this study (i.e., Aqua MODIS, Terra MODIS, MISR, and SeaWiFS). Only SeaWiFS data over land have slightly different EOF patterns. Globally, the first two EOF modes show annual cycles and are mainly related to Sahara dust in the northern hemisphere and biomass burning in the southern hemisphere, respectively. After removing the mean seasonal cycle from the data, major aerosol sources, including biomass burning in South America and dust in West Africa, are revealed in the dominant modes due to the different interannual variability of aerosol emissions. The enhancement of biomass burning associated with El Nino over Indonesia and central South America is also captured with the EOF technique.
Evolutionary engineering of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for enhanced tolerance to hydrolysates of lignocellulosic biomass

Lignocellulosic biomass has become an important feedstock to mitigate current ethical and economical concerns related to the bio-based production of fuels and chemicals. During the pre-treatment and hydrolysis of the lignocellulosic biomass, a complex mixture of sugars and inhibitors are formed. The inhibitors interfere with microbial growth and product yields. This study uses an adaptive laboratory evolution method called visualizing evolution in real-time (VERT) to uncover the molecular mechanisms associated with tolerance to hydrolysates of lignocellulosic biomass in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. VERT enables a more rational scheme for isolating adaptive mutants for characterization and molecular analyses. Subsequent growth kinetic analyses of the mutants in individual and combinations of common inhibitors present in hydrolysates (acetic acid, furfural, and hydroxymethylfurfural) showed differential levels of resistance to different inhibitors, with enhanced growth rates up to 57%, 12%, 22%, and 24% in hydrolysates, acetic acid, HMF and furfural, respectively. Interestingly, some of the adaptive mutants exhibited reduced fitness in the presence of individual inhibitors, but showed enhanced fitness in the presence of combinations of inhibitors compared to the parental strains. Transcriptomic analysis revealed different mechanisms for resistance to hydrolysates and a potential cross adaptation between oxidative stress and hydrolysates tolerance in several of the mutants. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013;110: 2616–2623. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Elastic stiffness of crystalline cellulose in the folded-chain solid state

In previous papers the axial stiffness of crystalline native cellulose has been calculated for two proposed configurations of the cellulose chains within the elementary fibrils: an extended chain configuration, and a configuration in which the chains are folded to form a ribbon which in turn is helically wound into a rather open, spring-like structure. In the present paper two additional folded-chain configurations are treated: a more tightly wound helical configuration in which axial secondary bonds are formed between adjacent turns of the helix; and a configuration in which the chains are folded rather infrequently and remain in a fully-dense close-packed arrangement. It is shown that this last configuration is mechanically equivalent to the extended chain configuration so far as axial stiffness is concerned, and that either helical configuration has a substantially lower axial stiffness than that of the extended chain.
A dynamic pivot mechanism with application to real time pricing in power systems

We consider a dynamic game with a single leader who tries to maximize social welfare and multiple followers who try to maximize individual profits. We present a dynamic VCG-like mechanism which induces followers to implement the optimal control desired by the leader. The proposed mechanism achieves feedback incentive compatibility as well as two other desirable properties, namely participation rationality and acquisition feasibility, under certain conditions. The mechanism is intended to be a possible alternative real time power pricing scheme, whose desirable features are illustrated through a comparison with existing schemes.
Appressorium formation by AM fungi on isolated cell walls of carrot roots

SUMMARY Cell walls were isolated and purified from Ri T-DNA-transformed carrot roots to determine whether arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi need a signal from the host root in order to form appressoria. Large cell-wall pieces were generated by the Parr nitrogen bomb technique. Purified cell walls were sterilized and inoculated with single spores of Gigaspora gigantea (Nicol. & Gerd.) Gerdemann & Trappe and Gigaspora margarita Becker & Hall using an in vitro culture technique. Appressoria only formed on epidermal cell walls isolated from host roots (Daucus carota L.) but did not form on epidermal cell walls isolated from non-host roots (Beta vulgaris L.). Although appressoria formed on host-cell walls, penetration hyphae did not fully develop. The results of this study indicate that appressorium formation by these AM fungi is a contact recognition event that does not require a signal secreted from the host root or the presence of intact host cells.
Discitis--the irritable back of childhood.

A study of seven cases of “discitis” is presented. The clinical features of the condition are described and one is presented in detail. The criteriae for diagnosis are defined. The importance and means of early diagnoses are discussed.
Fluctuation-driven Turing patterns.

Models of diffusion-driven pattern formation that rely on the Turing mechanism are utilized in many areas of science. However, many such models suffer from the defect of requiring fine tuning of parameters or an unrealistic separation of scales in the diffusivities of the constituents of the system in order to predict the formation of spatial patterns. In the context of a very generic model of ecological pattern formation, we show that the inclusion of intrinsic noise in Turing models leads to the formation of ``quasipatterns'' that form in generic regions of parameter space and are experimentally distinguishable from standard Turing patterns. The existence of quasipatterns removes the need for unphysical fine tuning or separation of scales in the application of Turing models to real systems.