cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Solution-processed graphene materials and composites

The superlative electronic, optical, mechanical, and chemical properties of graphene suggest broad technological opportunities for graphene-based materials and composites. However, the transition from the research laboratory to widespread commercial utilization requires economical methods for the mass production of graphene and graphene-based materials. Among the emerging methods for synthesizing graphene, solution-based processing holds particular promise because of its low cost, high throughput, chemical versatility, and scalability to large quantities. Furthermore, solution-processed graphene can be seamlessly integrated with other nanomaterials or polymers to yield composites for a wide array of applications such as energy conversion and storage, catalysis, electronics, and high-strength materials. This article highlights the range of techniques being developed for processing graphene in solution with a specific emphasis on solution-based methods for realizing graphene-based composites. In addition to fundamental principles, representative applications for these materials are presented.
Dynamic fatigue of silicon

Dynamic fatigue of silicon is a fairly recent area of materials research, having been detected for the first time in 1992. Within the past year, there have been several reports on silicon fatigue behavior describing novel phenomena and models for their origin. The findings include: an increase in high-cycle fatigue lifetime with a decrease in peak stress, the dependence of fatigue on the cyclic stress levels but not on the frequency of the cycle, and morphological changes in the surface silica during fatigue. Of the mechanisms proposed, the most likely candidate is one that involves mechanically induced damage in the silicon as a result of cyclic stresses. � 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Architecture support for 3D obfuscation

Software obfuscation is defined as a transformation of a program P into T(P) such that the whitebox and blackbox behaviors of T(P) are computationally indistinguishable. However, robust obfuscation is impossible to achieve with the existing software only solutions. This results from the power of the adversary model in digital rights management systems, which is significantly more than in the traditional security scenarios. The adversary has complete control of the computing node - supervisory privileges along with the full physical as well as architectural object observational capabilities. In essence, this makes the operating system (or any other layer around the architecture) untrustworthy. Thus, the trust has to be provided by the underlying architecture. In this paper, we develop an architecture to support 3D obfuscation through the use of well-known cryptographic methods and show how it provides copy-protection, IP-protection, and tamper-resistance.
Diffraction halo functions of coherent and incoherent random speckle patterns.

A theoretical analysis based on statistical optics is presented for the diffraction halo functions of random speckle patterns either generated by a coherent source such as a laser or artificially created and illuminated by an incoherent radiation such as white light. It is shown that for a coherent speckle pattern the halo function is given by the autocorrelation of the squared aperture function of the recording system, whereas for a incoherent speckle pattern it is governed by the squared autocorrelation of the aperture function.
SEROPREVALENCE OF TOXOPLASMA GONDII AND CONCURRENT BARTONELLA SPP., FELINE IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS, FELINE LEUKEMIA VIRUS, AND DIROFILARIA IMMITIS INFECTIONS IN EGYPTIAN CATS

Abstract Toxoplasma gondii and Bartonella spp. are zoonotic pathogens of cats. Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLv) are related to human immunodeficiency virus and human leukemia virus, respectively, and these viruses are immunosuppressive. In the present study, the prevalence of antibodies to T. gondii, Bartonella spp., FIV, as well as FeLv and Dirofilaria immitis antigens was determined in sera from feral cats (Felis catus) from Cairo, Egypt. Using a modified agglutination test, antibodies to T. gondii were found in 172 (95.5%) of the 180 cats with titers of 1∶5 in 9, 1∶10 in 9, 1∶20 in 3, 1∶40 in 5, 1∶80 in 5, 1∶160 in 15, 1∶320 in 22, and 1∶640 or higher in 104. Thus, 57.4% had high T. gondii titers. Antibodies to Bartonella spp. were found in 105 (59.6%) of 178, with titers of 1∶64 in 45, 1∶128 in 39, 1∶256 in 13, 1∶512 in 3, 1∶1,024 in 4, and 1∶2,048 in 1 cat. Antibodies to FIV were detected in 59 (33.9%) of 174 cats. Of 174 cats tested, antigens to FeLv, and D. immit...
Formation, deposition and examination of size selected metal clusters on semiconductor surfaces: An experimental setup

An instrument designed to investigate the chemical behavior of size selected metal clusters on semiconductor surfaces is described. The clusters are formed using laser vaporization, mass selected in a magnetic mass analyzer and deposited on TiO2 substrates under UHV conditions with impact energies ranging from ≤1 to >100 eV/atom. Intensities of mass selected Aun + and Agn + clusters range from 0.03 to 3 nA. Intensity, beam focusing and deposition energy are discussed. Once deposited on the surface, the clusters are investigated using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and/or temperature programmed desorption (TPD). Examples are presented showing STM images of Au5 deposited on a clean rutile titania surface and of the TPD of propene from TiO2. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Probing cell migration in confined environments by plasma lithography.

Abstract Cellular processes are regulated by various mechanical and physical factors in their local microenvironment such as geometric confinements, cell–substrate interactions, and cell–cell contact. Systematic elucidation of these regulatory mechanisms is crucial for fundamental understanding of cell biology and for rational design of biomedical devices and regenerative medicine. Here, we report a generally applicable plasma lithography technique, which performs selective surface functionalization on large substrate areas, for achieving long-term, stable confinements with length scales from 100 nm to 1 cm toward the investigation of cell–microenvironment interactions. In particular, we applied plasma lithography for cellular confinement of neuroblastomas, myoblasts, endothelial cells, and mammary gland epithelial cells, and examined the motion of mouse embryonic fibroblasts in directionality-confined environments for studying the effect of confinements on migratory behavior. In conjunction with live cell imaging, the distance traveled, velocity, and angular motion of individual cells and collective cell migration behaviors were measured in confined environments with dimensions comparable to a cell. A critical length scale that a cell could conceivably occupy and migrate to was also identified by investigating the behaviors of cells using confined environments with subcellular length scales.
Phylogenetic Relationships of the Hybopsis amblops Species Group (Teleostei: Cyprinidae)

Abstract We examined the phylogenetic relationships among members of the Hybopsis amblops species group in a total evidence cladistic analysis using DNA sequence data from regions of three mitochondrial genes and previously published morphological data. Molecular characters consisted of 120 informative sites from 811 bases of the 12S, 82 informative sites from 571 bases of the 16S gene, and 214 informative sites from 519 bases from the ND2 protein-coding gene. Morphological characters consisted of 14 transformation series previously published by R. L. Mayden in 1989. Two most parsimonious trees were found with the topologies: (Hybopsis hypsinotus ((Hybopsis lineapunctata, Hybopsis rubrifrons) (Hybopsis amblops (Hybopsis amnis (Hybopsis winchelli, Hybopsis sp.))))) and (Hybopsis hypsinotus (Hybopsis amblops ((Hybopsis lineapunctata, Hybopsis rubrifrons) (Hybopsis amnis (Hybopsis winchelli, Hybopsis sp.))))).
Postfledging Survival of Eastern Bluebirds in an Urbanized Landscape

Golf courses ostensibly offer green space in urbanized areas, but it is unclear how suitable these human-modified habitats are for wildlife populations. Golf courses are home to a variety of wildlife, but in particular they have been the focus of research on avian responses to urbanization. Although numerous reproductive and diversity studies have been conducted on birds of golf courses, no research exists on postfledging survival in this created landscape. In 2008 and 2009, we estimated survival of eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis) fledglings using radio telemetry on golf course and other developed sites in Williamsburg, Virginia. We used nest survival models in Program MARK set in an information theoretic framework to assess whether the golf course habitat predicted mortality along with other previously studied variables, such as fledgling age, year, site, body condition, fledging date, and transmitter weight. We found no evidence that inhabiting a golf course increased mortality during the fledgling period, but we did find support for both fledgling age and fledging date as predictors of survival. Mortality decreased for older fledglings and those that fledged later in the season. Cause-specific postfledging survival rates did not differ among sites. Fledgling bluebirds did, however, move into habitat that was significantly more forested and less grassy than their natal habitat. For managers of wildlife on golf courses and other urbanized sites, our study is the first to show that placing nest boxes in manicured habitat may attract birds to areas without suitable habitat for fledglings. 2011 The Wildlife Society.
Physical activity and its association with plasma lipids and lipoproteins in elderly women

The association of physical activity to plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels was examined cross-sectionally in 634 elderly, postmenopausal women whose mean age was 70.7 years. Leisure-time physical activity in kilocalories per week was assessed by the Paffenbarger Questionnaire, a composite index of sports/recreation, stair climbing, and walking. Subjects were categorized by tertile of kilocalories per week from total physical activity, number of flights of stairs climbed, and number of blocks walked. After adjustment for age, body mass index, education, and oral estrogen use, no significant differences were noted in total cholesterol, high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), HDL2-C, HDL3-C, low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), or triglycerides across tertile of total activity or number blocks walked. Total cholesteral was significantly different across tertile of number of flights of stairs climbed (P < 0.05), and only a borderline association was noted with LDL-C (P < 0.08). The study suggests that leisure-time physical activity, as measured by the Paffenbarger Questionnaire, is not associated with a favorable lipid profile in elderly, postmenopausal women. Failure to find an association may reflect the relatively small number of women who engaged in moderate- or high-intensity activity.
Continuum Shape Sensitivity with Spatial Gradient Reconstruction of Built-up Structures

Accurate and efficient computation of sensitivities are critical to the success of implementing gradient based optimization algorithms for large-scale, multi-disciplinary design problems. Traditional methods for computing design sensitivities, such as the finite difference, complex step, discrete semi-analytic, and discrete analytic methods often yield unsatisfactory results. Presented here is a local continuum shape sensitivity method with spatial gradient reconstruction. This method is accurate, efficient, and easy to implement. Most importantly, it is formulated as a general approach to sensitivity analysis, which makes it amenable to use with black box analyses. The method has previously been implemented for beam models, and here it is implemented for linear static bending of rectangular stiffened plate models. Among the examples presented are rectangular plates analysed with a variety of pressure loads, boundary conditions, plate theories, and finite element formulations. The final implementation is for a beam-stiffened rectangular plate, which is representative of a built-up structure. The local continuum sensitivity solutions are compared to either analytically derived sensitivities or finite difference sensitivities.
Realization from both the Markov parameters and the moments

The minimal realization problem is compared with the classical moment problem. A solution to the realization problem, from both the Markov parameters and some time moments, is seen to be comparable to the strong Stieltjes moment problem. Gragg's algorithm is used to obtain a solution for this situation in the continuous time case. >
Getting the Word Out

Abstract Although the primary constituencies of academic libraries are their faculty, students, and staff, the programs and displays that they and their Friends organizations sponsor may be of interest to the surrounding community. Effectively reaching these groups requires a concerted effort. Information must be written for an external audience, and contact information for all prospective news providers must be ready to use. Libraries may also avail themselves of low-cost or no-cost methods for disseminating information. By reaching out to community members, college and university libraries will encourage local residents to take advantage of the programming and services offered by the library and may influence them to become more closely tied to their institution.
System Stiffness and Restraint Effects on Circumferential Crack Opening Displacements: A Rotational Stiffness Approach

Current crack opening displacement (COD) solutions for leak-before-break (LBB) analyses assume the ends of the cracked pipe, which is subjected to remote bending and internal pressure, are free to rotate. However, in plant piping systems, the pressure induced bending and imposed rotations are restrained, because the ends of the pipe are constrained by the rest of the piping system and other components. Hence, existing evaluation procedures, theoretically overestimate the COD values of a circumferential through-wall crack (TWC) in a piping system. These overestimations comprise one of the uncertainties in an LBB analysis, as it leads to an under-prediction of the leakage-size-crack length of a postulated leaking TWC for a prescribed leakage detection limit in a plant, and thus, results in a non-conservative estimation of the crack stability from an LBB perspective.Historical efforts on the effects of restraint on COD have focused on a restraint distance from the crack to restrain the rotation of the pipe. This study provides a fundamentally different approach in that the underlying theory develops a relationship between the apparent rotational stiffness of a pipe with unrestrained ends and the material modulus as a function of crack length and pipe geometry. Thus, the local system stiffness from a plant structural model can be used to modify the unrestrained value of COD.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Osteoimmunology and the Osteoblast

Abstract The immune and skeletal systems are physically juxtaposed and share hormonal, paracrine, and intracellular pathways that assure reciprocal coordination of activity. Data supporting a close immune-skeletal interaction had so far been derived from investigations of human disease, including inflammatory arthritis, menopause, aging-related delayed fracture healing, and the skeletal complications of malignancy. Evidence also suggests exciting paradigms for reciprocal regulation between the immune and skeletal systems for growth, development, and homeostasis in the healthy state. This chapter will focus on the immune-skeletal interaction from a homeostatic, rather than pathologic, perspective, with emphasis on osteoimmunology and the osteoblast. Details of the relationship of immune cells and osteoclasts are discussed in Chapters 3–5 3 4 , and the role of osteoimmunology in disease in Chapters 14–16 14 15 16 . Three advantages of the immune–osteoblast relationship will be considered: (1) survival from traumatic fracture, (2) coupling of skeletal homeostasis with innate and acquired immunity, and (3) the support of hematopoiesis.
On The Interdisciplinary Study of Mathematical Practice, with a Real Live Case Study

The study of mathematical practice is not the private property of philosophers. Many other disciplines, especially including mathematicians, are engaged in it. As a case study, an elementary derivation of Heon’s area formula is presented, and then analyzed methodologically and ontologically.
Balloon-Occlusion Catheter Onyx Embolization of a Spinal Dural Arteriovenous Fistula Presenting with Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in a Pediatric Patient.

Objective Spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) are insidious pathologies that, if left untreated, harbor potentially devastating consequences to the central nervous system. Spinal DAVFs are rare in the adult population and exceedingly uncommon in the pediatric population. In this report, we describe a spinal DAVF in a 3-year-old child whose initial presentation is subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Balloon-test occlusion and balloon–catheter-assisted embolization of DAVF have not been previously described, and their advantages over alternative embolic and surgical techniques are discussed. Methods We performed a literature search on MEDLINE/PubMed to review current reports describing the epidemiology, clinical presentation, and treatment of spinal DAVFs. In this report, we describe a spinal DAVF in a 3-year-old child whose initial presentation is SAH. Results A spinal DAVF was diagnosed after deciding to image not only the brain but also the spine. Using a balloon-occlusion catheter, we confirmed that the DAVF arterial feeding vessel could be safely embolized. We then proceeded to effectively treat the DAVF with balloon–catheter-assisted Onyx-18 embolization. Conclusion Based on our report and an analysis of the literature, we propose that pediatric patients presenting with nontraumatic SAH should undergo at least a magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and cervical spine as part of their initial workup. In addition, we describe a balloon-occlusion catheter embolization technique that allows not only excellent embolic penetration of the fistula but also prevention of microcatheter reflux and lessening of the need for a tedious plug-and-stack technique.
Intersections de deux quadriques et pinceaux de courbes de genre 1

This research monograph focuses on the arithmetic, over number fields, of surfaces fibred into curves of genus 1 over the projective line, and of intersections of two quadrics in projective space. The first half takes up and develops further the technique initiated by Swinnerton-Dyer in 1993, and later generalised by Colliot-Thelene, Skorobogatov and Swinnerton-Dyer, for studying rational points on pencils of curves of genus 1. The second half, which builds upon the first, is devoted to quartic del Pezzo surfaces and to higher-dimensional intersections of two quadrics. Conditionally on two well-known conjectures (Schinzel's hypothesis and the finiteness of Tate-Shafarevich groups of elliptic curves), it establishes the Hasse principle for all smooth n-dimensional intersections of two quadrics with n>2 as well as for a large class of del Pezzo surfaces of degree 4.
Short-period surface-wave dispersion and shallow crustal structure of central and eastern Tennessee

Group velocity dispersion of explosion-generated seismic surface waves with periods ranging from 0.2 to 1.5 sec is used to investigate shallow crustal structure of eastern and central Tennessee. Several modes of both Rayleigh and Love waves can be identified and separated on the seismograms of seven SARSN regional network stations by zero-phase digital filtering. Dispersion data for sinusoidal wave motion were based on digitized zero-crossing times. By forward modeling, we find that a wave guide of at least two layers over a half-space can adequately represent our particular multi-mode, narrow-band observations. In a layered section about 3 km thick, lower velocities characterize outcropping clastic rocks of the Cumberland plateau, and higher velocities correspond to shallow carbonate rocks of the Nashville Dome. Half-space shear velocities of about 3.9 km/sec appear to represent lower Paleozoic carbonate lithology deeper than 2 to 4 km on most of the observed paths. Our best data, interpreted jointly with earlier data of Oliver and Ewing (1958) and of Chen et al. (1989), have a composite period range of 0.2 to 40 sec, but they represent different Appalachian paths. Group velocities over this broad spectrum are satisfied by a complex model with two low-velocity layers. The uniqueness of this model cannot be demonstrated, but it represents important hypotheses concerning regional geologic features that can be tested more rigorously by improved surface-wave dispersion data.
Comic Book Crime: Truth, Justice, and the American Way Nickie D. Phillips and Staci Strobl. New York: New York University Press, 2013.

Comic Book Crime: Truth, Justice, and the American Way Nickie D. Phillips and Staci Strobl. New York: New York University Press, 2013.A number of superheroes have become universally recognizable. Even if someone has never read one of their comic books, he/she is likely aware of superheroes such as Superman and Batman. The popularity of these characters has transcended the pages of comic books and has permeated popular culture, appearing in other media such as blockbuster films, television shows, and video games. While the stories featuring superheroes encapsulate a number of genres from romance to horror, they are all essentially tales about crime and justice. Utilizing a cultural criminological perspective, Phillips and Strobl examined a cross-section of two hundred of the most popular American superhero comic book series, published between 2001 and 2010, in order to understand how crime and justice are portrayed in superhero comic books.The authors spend the early chapters of the book setting the stage for the findings of their analysis. Chapter 2 provides a brief history of the various eras in superhero comic books that saw superheroes morph from simple defenders of the status quo to characters who served as a conduit to present social commentary. Chapter 3 provides additional historical context and shows how the events of 9/11 have fundamentally changed superhero comic books, such as questioning both the role of superheroes in a world following the attacks as well as the portrayal of Muslim and Arabic characters and settings.In Chapter 4, they investigate the scope of the crime problem which is presented in superhero comic books and conclude that the worlds presented in these comic books are almost always on the brink of a catastrophe due to some criminal element (such as organized crime or homicidal maniacs). Traditional law enforcement is usually presented as incompetent or, at the very least, incapable of handling the crime problem, thus necessitating intervention by a superhero.Chapter 5 examines the depiction of the antagonists in superhero comic books: the criminals, who are presented as the embodiment of evil. When attempting to explain the motives of the villains, comic books generally rely on explanations that revolve around childhood trauma, psychological disturbances, or a rational choice viewpoint that the benefits of their criminal behavior will outweigh potential consequences.In Chapter 6, the paths that superheroes take in order to achieve justice, as well as to what extent they will violate the law in order to preserve justice is explored. …
Seasonal Changes in Daily Activity Periods of the Sweetclover Weevil

Daily activity of adult sweetclover weevils, Sitona cylindricollis Fahraeus, was determined throughout 3 consecutive growing seasons at Lincoln, Nebraska. In 2 of the 3 years adults were found most frequently on early spring sweetclover foliage during the day. By mid July in all 3 years, weevils were most numerous on the foliage after dark and almost absent during daylight. In all years weevil activity was low in late summer; but by fall, more weevils were found on the plants at night though activity was not as restricted to this period as during July. The major influence on activity appeared to be light; the secondary influence was temperature. Activity seemed to be highest at night unless low temperatures caused the insects to shift their activity to the warmer daylight hours, which may explain the daylight activity in spring and fall, when nighttime temperatures tend to fall below the threshold for weevil activity.
The Strategic Role of Product Quality

The role of product quality is examined to determine its applicability as a means of gaining a comparative advantage. The authors argue that only by (1) allowing for the possibility of feedback bet...
IDENTIFYING A CONCEALED ACCESSORY PATHWAY: A TACHY PROBLEM

Identifying the mechanism of a supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is important in selecting antiarrhythmic drug therapy or planning an ablation procedure. However, differentiating atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) from a concealed accessory pathway causing atrioventricular
TWO-THIRDS OF HEART FAILURE PATIENTS WHO MEET THE FDA-APPROVED INDICATION FOR SACUBITRIL/VALSARTAN DO NOT MEET PARADIGM-HF ENROLLMENT CRITERIA AFTER RECENT HOSPITALIZATION

The angiotensin-neprilysin inhibitor sacubitril/valsartan was approved by FDA for NYHA FC II-IV chronic heart failure (HF) patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) based on the PARADIGM-HF trial, which excluded patients with low GFR, low baseline BP, and ACE inhibitor (ACE-I) and beta blocker
Contemporary outcomes of lower extremity vascular repairs extending below the knee: A multicenter retrospective study

OBJECTIVESTo determine the outcomes of vascular injury interventions extending below the knee.METHODSVascular injury repairs extending below the knee from January 2008 to December 2014 were collected from six American College of Surgeons Level I trauma centers. Demographics, management, and outcomes
Primary structure and functional expression of a mouse inward rectifier K+ channel and a rat G-proteincoupled muscarinic K+ channel

力エル卵母細胞を用いた機能発現法により, 内向き整流性K+チャネルのCDNA (IRK1) を, また, IRK1とのホモロジーにより, Gタンパク質により活性化される内向き整流性K+チャネルである, ムスカリニックK+チャネルのcDNA (GIRK1) を単離した.これまでによく知られてきた, 膜電位依存性ファミリーに属するK+チャネルは, 膜電位センサーであるS4部位を含む6つの膜貫通部位と, K+選択性の穴 (ポア) であるH5部位を持つ.これに対し, 内向き整流性ファミリーに属するK+チャネルは, 膜貫通部位を2つしか持たず, S4部位はみられなかった.2つの膜貫通部位の間には, H5部位に相当する部分が存在した.内向き整流性K+チャネルファミリーは, 膜電位依存性K+チャネルファミリーの内核部分に相当すると考えられる.
Influence Analysis for Two Adjacent Large-scale Grounding Grids

This paper calculates part of the parameters of one of the two adjacent grounding grids with the CDEGS software,analyses the influence of these grids and works out that the influence of these grids is relevant to the factors including surrounding soil model of the grounding grids,the relative areas of these grids and the distance between the adjacent conductors of these grids.But generally speaking,the influence on grounding grid parameters should not be greater than 10%.
SVitchboard II and fiSVer i: high-quality limited-complexity corpora of conversational English speech.

In this paper, we introduce a set of benchmark corpora of conversational English speech derived from the Switchboard-I and Fisher datasets. Traditional ASR research requires considerable computational resources and has slow experimental turnaround times. Our goal is to introduce these new datasets to researchers in the ASR and machine learning communities (especially in academia), in order to facilitate the development of novel acoustic modeling techniques on smaller but acoustically rich corpora. We select these corpora to maximize an acoustic quality criterion while limiting the vocabulary size (from 10 words up to 10,000 words) with different state-of-the-art submodular function optimization algorithms. We provide baseline word recognition results for both GMM and DNN-based systems and release the corpora definitions and Kaldi training recipes to the public.
Development of Bi Based Superconducting Wires

Long length high-strength alloy sheathed Bi2223 tapes were developed. The tolerance for tensile stress improved to twice as high as that of the silver sheathed tape. Length and Jc at 77K of the tape achieve 800m and 30kA/cm2 respectively. The long length tape was coated with Poly-vinyl formval, and successfully insulated along the overall length without any Jc degradation. Special samples to study AC losses were fabricated and investigated. The samples consist of successfully separated filaments without any bridging. And twisting gives an obvious loss reduction especially in the external magnetic field parallel to the tape plane.
Fertility counseling and preservation practices in youth with lupus and vasculitis undergoing gonadotoxic therapy.

Objective To assess fertility counseling and preservation practices among children, adolescents, and young adults with rheumatic diseases undergoing cyclophosphamide (CTX) treatment. Design Retrospective chart review (2006–2016). Setting Academic pediatric center. Patient(s) Male and female patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, Wegener's granulomatosis/granulomatosis with polyangiitis, or other vaculitides, receiving CTX treatment. Intervention(s) None. Main Outcome Measure(s) Documentation of fertility counseling and fertility preservation. Result(s) A total of 58 subjects met the inclusion criteria; 5 were excluded due to incomplete records, thus N=53. Of these 75% were female (N = 40). Median age was 14 years at diagnosis and 15 years at first CTX treatment. A total of 51% of subjects (69% of males and 45% of females) had no documentation about potential fertility loss before CTX treatment. Among females where fertility counseling was documented, the only fertility preservation option discussed was leuprolide acetate (LA), which was pursued in all of these cases. Of 13 males (77% postpubertal), 3 were offered sperm banking, of whom 2 declined and the other attempted after treatment began and was azoospermic. Of 53 patients, 1 was referred to a fertility specialist. Mean cumulative CTX dose was 9.2 g in males and 8 g in females. Conclusion(s) Based on these findings, increasing awareness about infertility risk, fertility preservation options, and referral to fertility specialists is needed among pediatric rheumatologists. Prospective studies are needed to assess fertility outcomes in this patient population (including effectiveness of LA with regard to pregnancy rates [PRs]), as well as barriers/facilitators to fertility counseling and fertility preservation.
Doxastic Naturalism and Hume's Voice in the Dialogues

I argue that acknowledging Hume as a doxastic naturalist about belief in a deity allows an elegant, holistic reading of his Dialogues. It supports a reading in which Hume's spokesperson is Philo throughout, and enlightens many of the interpretive difficulties of the work. In arguing this, I perform a comprehensive survey of evidence for and against Philo as Hume's voice, bringing new evidence to bear against the interpretation of Hume as Cleanthes and against the amalgamation view while correcting several standard mistakes. I ultimately isolate the interpretation of Philo's Reversal at the end of the Dialogues as of paramount importance, and show how my naturalistic interpretation makes this, and other notoriously difficult passages, unproblematic.
Groundwater Monitoring and Assessment Plan for the 100-K Area Fuel Storage Basin

This document presents a revised groundwater monitoring plan for the K Basins on the Hanford Site.
The Fine Line Between Doctoring And Dealing

To treat a patient with addiction, a physician must overcome feelings of frustration and betrayal.
From the Trenches: A Global Survey of Anti-TIP NGOs and Their Views of U.S. Efforts

ABSTRACTAmid the academic and policy critiques of the United States’ 15-year push to eliminate human trafficking, the perspective of the nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) working with anti-trafficking advocacy and services has been largely ignored. This article presents the results of a global survey of nearly 500 anti-trafficking NGOs working in 133 countries and is the first NGO-focused survey of its kind. Based on the results of the survey, we provide an overview of the anti-trafficking NGO sector as a whole, detail the relationship between anti-trafficking NGOs and the United States and account for some of the variation in NGO opinions of U.S. efforts. Notably, we find that NGOs are remarkably satisfied with U.S.-led efforts—despite their acknowledged flaws—and that NGOs believe that American anti-TIP policies are important and, on balance, helpful. These results also provide a warning for the future of the United States’ anti-trafficking advocacy, suggesting that the United States avoid politicizi...
Surgical Complications of Childhood Tumors

Most childhood tumors will first present to a physician; some tumors will present in an atypical manner and may mimic a surgical condition. The diagnosis may be missed if the surgeon is not aware of the possibility of cancer. A very great number of rare presentations of childhood cancer have been described in the literature. It is important that the surgeon who is not experienced in the management of childhood cancer is aware that an apparently benign condition could be a manifestation of an underlying malignancy [71, 83] (Table 22.1).
Increased risk for complications following removal of hardware in patients with liver disease, pilon or pelvic fractures: A regression analysis.

Abstract Purpose Indications for removing orthopedic hardware on an elective basis varies widely. Although viewed as a relatively benign procedure, there is a lack of data regarding overall complication rates after fracture fixation. The purpose of this study is to determine the overall short-term complication rate for elective removal of orthopedic hardware after fracture fixation and to identify associated risk factors. Materials and methods Adult patients indicated for elective hardware removal after fracture fixation between July 2012 and July 2016 were screened for inclusion. Inclusion criteria included patients with hardware related pain and/or impaired cosmesis with complete medical and radiographic records and at least 3-month follow-up. Exclusion criteria were those patients indicated for hardware removal for a diagnosis of malunion, non-union, and/or infection. Data collected included patient age, gender, anatomic location of hardware removed, body mass index, ASA score, and comorbidities. Overall complications, as well as complications requiring revision surgery were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 20.0, and included univariate and multivariate regression analysis. Results 391 patients (418 procedures) were included for analysis. Overall complication rates were 8.4%, with a 3.6% revision surgery rate. Univariate regression analysis revealed that patients who had liver disease were at significant risk for complication (p = 0.001) and revision surgery (p = 0.036). Multivariate regression analysis showed that: 1) patients who had liver disease were at significant risk of overall complication (p = 0.001) and revision surgery (p = 0.039); 2) Removal of hardware following fixation for a pilon had significantly increased risk for complication (p = 0.012), but not revision surgery (p = 0.43); and 3) Removal of hardware for pelvic fixation had a significantly increased risk for revision surgery (p = 0.017). Conclusions Removal of hardware following fracture fixation is not a risk-free procedure. Patients with liver disease are at increased risk for complications, including increased risk for needing revision surgery following hardware removal. Patients having hardware removed following fixation for pilon fractures also are at increased risk for complication, although they may not require a return trip to the operating room. Finally, removal of pelvic hardware is associated with a higher return to the operating room.
The enlightenment underpinnings of the public procurement profession

Enlightenment philosophers profoundly influenced the emergence of democracy. Enlightenment ideas underlie much of the theory and practice of public procurement today. Economic theory, dating from the writings of Adam Smith and his mentor Frances Hutcheson, assumes that suppliers will act in their own self interest. Knowing this, public buyers seek to fashion incentives to align the private interests of suppliers with public needs. But Hutcheson and others argued that civic duty and benevolence should guide public servants in seeking value for their fellow citizens. That argument is the basis of our codes of ethics. The clams of public procurement to being a profession will be greatly bolstered when it is recognized that our knowledge base is rooted in the same Enlightenment thinking that undergirds other professions and academic disciplines.
TEM in situ Cube-Corner Indentation Analysis Using ViBe Motion Detection Algorithm

Abstract Transmission electron microscopic (TEM) in situ mechanical testing is a promising method for understanding plasticity in shallow ion irradiated layers and other volume-limited materials. One of the simplest TEM in situ experiments is cube-corner indentation of a lamella, but the subsequent analysis and interpretation of the experiment is challenging, especially in engineering materials with complex microstructures. In this work, we: (a) develop MicroViBE, a motion detection and background subtraction-based post-processing approach, and (b) demonstrate the ability of MicroViBe, in combination with post-mortem TEM imaging, to carry out an unbiased qualitative interpretation of TEM indentation videos. We focus this work around a Fe-9%Cr oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) alloy, irradiated with Fe2+ ions to 3 dpa at 500 °C. MicroViBe identifies changes in Laue contrast that are induced by the indentation; these changes accumulate throughout the mechanical loading to generate a “heatmap” of features in the original TEM video that change the most during the loading. Dislocation loops with b = ½ identified by post-mortem scanning TEM (STEM) imaging correspond to hotspots on the heatmap, whereas positions of dislocation loops with b = do not correspond to hotspots. Further, MicroViBe enables consistent, objective quantitative approximation of the b = ½ dislocation loop number density.
Adaptation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells to Feeder-Free Conditions in Chemically Defined Medium with Enzymatic Single-Cell Passaging

This protocol describes the culture of human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) under feeder-free conditions in a commercially available, chemically defined, growth medium, using Matrigel as a substrate and the enzyme solution Accutase for single-cell passaging. This system is strikingly different from traditional PSC culture, where the cells are co-cultured with feeder cells and in medium containing serum replacement. PSCs cultured in this new system have a different morphology than those cultured on feeder cells but retain their characteristic pluripotency. This feeder-free PSC culture system is conceptually similar to feeder-free systems that use mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF)-conditioned medium (MEF-CM) and Matrigel substratum. Instead of MEF-CM, a very complex and undefined medium, this new system uses StemPro SFM, a chemically defined medium that permits enzymatic passaging with Accutase to disaggregate the colonies into single cells. Accutase passaging has been used in conjunction with Stempro in our hands for 20+ passages without detectable karyotypic abnormalities. We will also review techniques for adapting cultures previously grown on MEFs, routine passaging of the cells, and cryopreservation.
Electroejaculation using standard nerve stimulation equipment and Teflon-coated needles

We attempted transperineal needle electroejaculation using a Digistim nerve stimulator and Teflon-coated needles in 12 anejaculatory men. We obtained semen in 11 men. Five of the 12 men also underwent electroejaculation using a transrectal probe. Comparable semen parameters were obtained by transrectal probe and transperineal needles.
Loving Las Vegas

Say what you want about Las Vegas, but my hometown is on a roll. Celebrating its one-hundredth anniversary this year, the city has become an international symbol of spectacle, money, and fun. The Las Vegas area has been one of America's fastest growing regions for more than twenty years. The city attracts billions of dollars from the world's financial markets and millions of tourists from around the world. "In 1999, Las Vegas surpassed Mecca as the most visited city on the planet."1 Unlike Mecca, pilgrims to Las Vegas come not to cleanse their souls, but to feed their appetites, which these days tend to involve night clubs and naughtiness.2 (The city recently dumped its effort to become a multi-generational family destination.)3 The allure of Las Vegas is cap tured in its new brilliantly successful marketing line: "What happens here, stays here." The idea is that a tourist can blow into town, behave in an embarrassing or decadent way, and return home with no one the wiser. As it pertains to individual behavior, we can only hope much of the rhetoric is true (though tattoos are hard to erase). But at the wider level of economic and cultural influence, the statement could not be more false. At that level, what happens in Vegas does not stay in Vegas: it gradually seeps out and replicates across the American landscape. As the city enters its second century, America now resembles Las Vegas in profound and interesting ways. Many of the city's enduring characteristics are now common in American cities, including sprawl, ballooning school districts, and the mismanagement of water and other resources. In the last two decades, the country as a whole has shifted dramatically toward a Vegas-style acceptance of sex and vulgarity in everyday life. But Las Vegas's most crucial impact on American cities involves the two things for which the city is best known: gambling and entertainment.
MICROMECHANISMS OF BRITTLE FAILURE IN CERAMICS

ABSTRACT There has been substantial improvements over the last 20 years in the strength and fracture toughness of ceramics and they are now being considered for many structural applications, especially at high temperatures. A key to this progress has been a much better understanding of the micromechanisms involved in the crack formation process in brittle materials and in toughening processes. The aim of this paper is to review the important concepts involved in these micromechanisms and the way in which they relate to the strength of ceramics. The approach will be to discuss the various types of toughening mechanisms and the processes by which critical cracks can form.
Saturated fatty acid stimulates production of extracellular vesicles by renal tubular epithelial cells

Lipotoxicity, an accumulation of intracellular lipid metabolites, has been proposed as an important pathogenic mechanism contributing to kidney dysfunction in the context of metabolic disease. Palmitic acid, a predominant lipid derivative, can cause lipoapoptosis and the release of inflammatory extracellular vesicles (EVs) in hepatocytes, but the effect of lipids on EV production in chronic kidney disease remains vaguely explored. This study was aimed to investigate whether palmitic acid would stimulate EV release from renal proximal tubular epithelial cells. Human and rat proximal tubular epithelial cells, HK-2 and NRK-52E, were incubated with 1% bovine serum albumin (BSA), BSA-conjugated palmitic acid (PA), and BSA-conjugated oleic acid (OA) for 24–48 h. The EVs released into conditioned media were isolated by ultracentrifugation and quantified by nanoparticle-tracking analysis (NTA). According to NTA, the size distribution of EVs was 30–150 nm with similar mode sizes in all experimental groups. Moreover, BSA-induced EV release was significantly enhanced in the presence of PA, whereas EV release was not altered by the addition of OA. In NRK-52E cells, PA-enhanced EV release was associated with an induction of cell apoptosis reflected by an increase in cleaved caspase-3 protein by Western blot and Annexin V positive cells analyzed by flow cytometry. Additionally, confocal microscopy confirmed the uptake of lipid-induced EVs by recipient renal proximal tubular cells. Collectively, our results indicate that PA stimulates EV release from cultured proximal tubular epithelial cells. Thus, extended characterization of lipid-induced EVs may constitute new signaling paradigms contributing to chronic kidney disease pathology.
Cross-Institutional Collaboration: (Co)Constructing Knowledge about Teaching and Learning in the Middle-Level Classroom.

Utilizing technology to connect three geographically separate institutions within the same state and drawing on Bhabba, and Zeichner’s notions of third space, four teacher educators developed an op...
CT textural analysis of hepatic metastatic colorectal cancer: pre-treatment tumor heterogeneity correlates with pathology and clinical outcomes.

The purpose of the study was to determine if CT texture features of untreated hepatic metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) relate to pathologic features and clinical outcomes. Tumor texture analysis was performed on single hepatic metastatic lesions on pre-treatment contrast-enhanced CT scans in 77 pts (mean age 58, 34F/43M) using a novel tool. Measures of heterogeneity, including entropy, kurtosis, skewness, mean, mean positive pixels (MPP), and standard deviation (SD) of pixel distribution histogram were derived with filter values corresponding to fine (spatial scaling factor (ssf) 2), medium (ssf 3, 4), and coarse textures (ssf 5, 6). Texture parameters were correlated with tumor grade, baseline serum CEA, and KRAS mutation status. Overall survival was also correlated using Cox proportional hazards models. Single-slice 2D vs. whole-tumor volumetric 3D texture analysis was compared in a subcohort of 20 patients. Entropy, MPP, and SD at medium filtration levels were significantly associated with tumor grade (MPP ssf 3 P = 0.002, SD ssf 3 P = 0.004, entropy ssf 4 P = 0.007). Skewness was negatively associated KRAS mutation (P = 0.02). Entropy at coarse filtration levels was associated with survival (Hazard ratio (HR) for death 0.65, 95% CI 0.44–0.95, P = 0.03). Texture results for 2D and 3D analysis were similar. CT texture features, particularly entropy, MPP, and SD, are significantly associated with tumor grade in untreated CRC liver metastases. Tumor entropy at coarse filters correlates with overall survival. Single-slice 2D texture analysis appears to be adequate.
The Outsider Status of Internal Migrants

This chapter interrogates shared nationality and citizenship among Brazilians and examines the tensions between migrant workers and the residents of the host communities. Seasonal migrants generally live in isolated communities and are not integrated into the towns in which they temporarily reside, a factor that contributes to their marginalization. There is sometimes resentment on the part of the local communities against the migrants who arrive during the harvest season, who are seen as an economic and social threat. Migrant workers face discrimination and criminalization, and while discrimination against fellow citizens is not unique to Brazil, the complexities of the tensions between seasonal migrants and permanent residents transcend explanations that are based solely on race or socioeconomic class. The chapter highlights the intersections of multiple factors that contribute to these divisions among citizens.