cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Frequency tracking in optical Doppler tomography using an adaptive notch filter

Optical Doppler tomography is a valuable functional extension of optical coherence tomography (OCT) that can be used to study subsurface blood flows of biological tissues. We propose a novel frequency estimation technique that uses an adaptive notch filter (ANF) to track the depth-resolved Doppler frequency. This new technique is a minimal-parameter filter and works in the time domain without the need of Fourier transformation. Therefore, the algorithm has a computationally efficient structure that may be well suited for implementation in real-time ODT systems. Our simulations and imaging results also demonstrate that this filter has good performance in terms of noise robustness and estimation accuracy compared with existing estimation algorithms.
Individualizing Hormone Therapy to Minimize Risk: Accurate Assessment of Risks and Benefits:

Contrary to the exaggerated risks associated with HRT that developed after the initial press reports held by the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) writing group, the recent approach to hormone therapy is more balanced and evidence based. A review of over 40 years of scientific studies demonstrates that estrogen is a medication that can decrease mortality, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis fracture, urogenital atrophy and dementia. When timing of administration, dose of therapy and route of administration are considered, estrogen is associated with low risks and substantial benefits. The decision of whether or not to take HRT for either short symptom relief or for long-term therapy, should be based on an accurate risk-benefit analysis. Adjusting the dose of therapy and considering a transdermal approach, particularly in high-risk patients, are important considerations.
Space-Time Spectral Analyses of Northern Hemisphere Geopotential Heights

Abstract A space-time spectral analysis of a long time series of observed geopotential heights for each season at several levels and latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere was performed as part of a continuing investigation of large-scale traveling waves. The data set that is analyzed consists of the first six zonal wavenumbers. A discussion emphasizes westward traveling wave 1 with periods near 16 and 5 days which we argue are consistent with external Rossby warm. An additional outstanding feature is an eastward propagating wave 6 which may result from baroclinic instability.
A structured approach to post-silicon validation and debug using symbolic quick error detection

During post-silicon validation and debug, manufactured integrated circuits (ICs) are tested in actual system environments to detect and fix design flaws (bugs). Existing post-silicon validation and debug techniques are mostly ad hoc and often involve manual steps. Such ad hoc approaches cannot scale with increasing IC complexity. We present Symbolic Quick Error Detection (Symbolic QED), a structured approach to post-silicon validation and debug. Symbolic QED combines the following steps in a coordinated fashion: 1. Quick Error Detection (QED) tests that quickly detect bugs with short error detection latencies and high coverage. 2. Formal analysis techniques to localize bugs and generate minimal-length bug traces upon detection of the corresponding bugs. We demonstrate the practicality and effectiveness of Symbolic QED using the OpenSPARC T2, a 500-million-transistor open-source multicore System-on-Chip (SoC) design, and using "difficult" logic bug scenarios that occurred in various state-of-the-art commercial multicore SoCs. Our results show that Symbolic QED: (i) is fully automatic (unlike manual techniques in use today that can be extremely time-consuming and expensive); (ii) requires only a few hours in contrast to manual approaches that might take days (or even months) or formal techniques that often take days or fail completely for large designs; (iii) generates counter-examples (for activating and detecting logic bugs) that are up to 6 orders of magnitude shorter than those produced by traditional techniques; and, (iv) does not require any additional hardware.
Edward Wilmot Blyden, Ancient History, and the Making of 'African Negroes'

Scholars have long acknowledged Blyden’s role as a champion of Pan-African identity and nationalism; they have, however, given less consideration to how he defined the imagined community for which he tirelessly advocated. Blyden wrote at a time when the racial category of “negro,” for all of its lingering ambiguities, was far firmer in its application in the United States and in the British Caribbean than it was in Africa. In Africa many observers from Europe and the Americas struggled to make sense of - and to racially categorize - the vast physical and cultural diversity among the people they encountered. Blyden’s interventions in debates about who was a negro have been studied in relation to two populations: “mulattos,” whom he often denigrated, and Egyptians/Ethiopians, whom he gave a prominent place in his account of the history of the negro race. This paper considers why, at a time, when other observers were expanding the definition of negro to include more of Africa’s people (and especially those south of the equator), Blyden remained reluctant to do so. It argues for the prominence of historical analysis - instead of other nineteenth-century race-making tools such as linguistics or ethnography - in Blyden’s construction of racial community.
Bridge Design and Regional Esthetics

Leading bridge designers have developed individual styles within limited locales, and those styles demonstrate similarities in personal esthetic ideas. An examination of the works of six major bridge designers characterizes these ideas and illustrates the striking fact that in each case these designers have done nearly all their major work in one well-defined region of a remarkably small area. The six bridge designers are: Thomas Telford (1757-1834), John Roebling (1806-1869), Gustave Eiffel (1832-1923), Robert Maillart (1872-1940), Othmar Amman (1879-1965), and Christian Menn (born in 1927). Their bridges are at least as good as, and probably better than, any of their time; there is a definite connection between the high quality of their work and its restriction to a samll well-defined geographic region. Their works illustrate a series of individual styles that spring from local conditions rather than an international style.
Comparison of the frequencies of NH 3 , CO 2 , H 2 O, N 2 O, CO, and CH 4 as infrared calibration standards

The absolute accuracies of infrared calibration standards for line positions have been investigated using a 0.0056-cm−1-resolution (unapodized) Fourier-transform spectrum recorded from 550 to 5000 cm−1. The spectrum has been obtained using a multicell arrangement containing the various molecular species. Detailed comparisons reveal that standards for CO2, CH4, and N2O obtained from laser research and NH3 from Fourier-transform spectrometer research are consistent within the accuracies of the present data (±0.0001 cm−1). However, certain N2O, H2O, and CO values in the 1100- to 2300-cm−1 region are systematically high by 0.0001 to 0.0004 cm−1. Correction factors for the H2O and CO standards are obtained to bring these into agreement with the laser values. In addition, corrected values for the 2ν2 and ν1 bands of N2O at 9 μm are reported.
The painted word

This article exposes a tradition of literary experimentation in Haiti which goes back to the work of the largely overlooked poet Magloire-Saint-Aude. Long after his death in 1971, a new generation of Haitian writers has followed his lead and has split from the militant, realist writing inaugurated by indigenisme and exemplified by politically committed leftist writers such as Jacques Roumain. Edouard Glissant’s theorizing of a materialist poetics derived from painting is used to explain the nature of the influence Saint-Aude exerted on later writers. Painting’s ability to evoke the opacity of things and to materialize the mysterious new possibilities opened up an experimental literature which was neither referential nor representative. In Haitian popular art novelists have found such a model for translating a modern Haitian imaginary.
Abstract 108: Transcriptional and Epigenetic Regulation of MCP1 by Tumor Necrosis Factor-a and Cigarette Smoke: Key Mediators in Aneurysm Formation

Background: Although the underlying pathophysiology involved in aneurysm formation and progression is unknown, both cigarette smoke and alterations in the inflammatory cascade play a key role. We investigated the role of TNF-α and cigarette smoke extract (CSE) induction of an inflammatory phenotype in cerebral vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) through regulation of Monocyte Chemoattrant Protein-1 (MCP-1) and Kruppel Like Factor-4 (KLF4). Methods: Cultured cerebral VSMC from rat Circle of Willis were treated with increasing doses of TNF-α and CSE. siRNA specific to KLF4 was transfected into cells, followed by TNF-α and CSE treatment. In vivo, experiments were performed by applying TNF-α and CSE infused pluronic gel to rat carotid artery adventitial surface. MCP1 activity was measured with qPCR. Aneurysm induction surgery was performed in rats, and mRNA from the Circle of Willis was measured with qPCR. Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) was performed both in vitro and in vivo using anti-KLF4, anti-histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2), and anti-histone 4 acetylation (H4Ac) antibodies. Results: TNF-α and CSE treatment for 24-hours increases the expression of MCP-1 both in vitro and in vivo. Treatment with siKLF4 abrogates this inflammatory phenotype. Similarly, increased expression of TNF-α, KLF4, and MCP-1 was found after aneurysm induction in vivo. TNF-α and CSE initiated KLF4 binding to the MCP-1 promoter region in ChIP assays. This increases H4 acetylation and decreases HDAC2 binding to the promoter region resulting in MCP-1 stimulation. Conclusion: TNF-αand CSE induce an inflammatory phenotype in cerebral VSMC by regulating the expression of MCP-1. KLF4 plays a critical role in this process through binding to the promoter region and induction of epigenetic changes favoring MCP-1 expression. MCP-1 upregulation and subsequent inflammatory cell recruitment is likely a key mechanism in cerebral aneurysm formation and may be an important target for future therapy.
1215 ASPERGILLOSIS AND ATOPY IN CYSTIC FIBROSIS (CF)

There is an increased incidence of antibodies to Aspergillus (Asp.) antigens in the serum of patients with CF. Forty-six CF patients of varying clinical severity(age 5-46yrs.)were studied for evidence of:(1)respiratory colonization with Asp, (2)bronchopulmonary allergic aspergillosis (BPAA), and (3) atopy. Asp. was cultured from sputums of 46%(21/46) of patients. A laboratory isolation rate of 6.5%(20/305) was found in respiratory specimens of non-CF patients (p<0.001).Hyphae were seen on sputum smears from 95% of culture-positive CF patients. 61% of culture-positive and 39% of all CF patients had serum precipitins to Asp. in contrast to only 2.2%(1/45) asthmatic controls. Two (2/46) CF patients developed definite evidence of BPAA with (1)wheezing, (2)lung infiltrates,(3)Asp. on sputum culture & smear, (4)positive immediate skin test,(5)elevated serum IgE, & (6)IgE antibodies to Asp. fumigatus by RAST. An additional CF patient with BPAA proven 2 yrs. before was controlled with prednisone during the study period. Six more patients had elevated Asp. RAST. Four fulfilled 4 criteria for BPAA. IgE was elevated in 19% of CF. Type I sensitivity to≥2pollens was found in 22%; to Asp. in 39%; & to ≥3 molds in 39%. Mold-sensitive patients were older & had more severe disease. Significant pulmonary colonization with Asp. occurs in CF. CF patients are at risk to develop BPAA. The respiratory tract is a significant route of sensitization to Asp. and other molds in these patients.
Imaging the brain. First of two parts.

Exciting advances in anatomical imaging have greatly improved our capacity to detect pathologic processes in the nervous system, localize these processes precisely, and predict the type of disease more accurately than ever before (Table 1). These advances, coupled with new and emerging therapies for previously untreatable diseases, have expedited the evaluation of patients with neurologic disorders and permitted the rapid initiation of therapy. In acute ischemic stroke, for example, brain imaging is required before the administration of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator, and treatment within three hours of onset greatly improves the outcome.1 The rapid evolution of techniques of anatomical imaging . . .
Trichogramma nubilale New Species (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), an Egg Parasite of Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner),

Trichogramma nubilale, n. sp., is described from laboratory-reared, 5th-generation specimens of a colony originating from material collected at the University of Delaware Substation near Georgetown (Del. Rt. 28), Sussex Co., Del., 19 September 1972 (coll. C. P. Davis), ex eggs of the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner), laid on sweet corn. Biological characteristics and field observations are noted.
Degradation of Gadd45 mRNA by nonsense-mediated decay is essential for viability

The nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) pathway functions to degrade both abnormal and wild-type mRNAs. NMD is essential for viability in most organisms, but the molecular basis for this requirement is unknown. Here we show that a single, conserved NMD target, the mRNA coding for the stress response factor growth arrest and DNA-damage inducible 45 (GADD45) can account for lethality in Drosophila lacking core NMD genes. Moreover, depletion of Gadd45 in mammalian cells rescues the cell survival defects associated with NMD knockdown. Our findings demonstrate that degradation of Gadd45 mRNA is the essential NMD function and, surprisingly, that the surveillance of abnormal mRNAs by this pathway is not necessarily required for viability.
Theoretical Study of the Formation of Naphthalene from the Radical/π-Bond Addition between Single-Ring Aromatic Hydrocarbons

The experimental investigations performed in the 1960s on the o-benzyne + benzene reaction as well as the more recent studies on reactions involving π-electrons highlight the importance of π-bonding for different combustion processes related to PAH's and soot formation. In the present investigation radical/π-bond addition reactions between single-ring aromatic compounds have been proposed and computationally investigated as possible pathways for the formation of two-ring fused compounds, such as naphthalene, which serve as precursors to soot formation. The computationally generated optimized structures for the stationary points were obtained with uB3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) calculations, while the energies of the optimized complexes were refined using the uCCSD(T) method and the cc-pVDZ basis set. The computations have addressed the relevance of a number of radical/π-bond addition reactions including the singlet benzene + o-benzyne reaction, which leads to formation of naphthalene and acetylene through fragmentation of the benzobicyclo[2,2,2]octatriene intermediate. For this reaction, the high-pressure limit rate constants for the individual elementary reactions involved in the overall process were evaluated using transition state theory analysis. Other radical/π-bond addition reactions studied were between benzene and triplet o-benzyne, between benzene and phenyl radical, and between phenyl radicals, for all of which potential energy surfaces were produced. On the basis of the results of these reaction studies, it was found necessary to propose and subsequently confirm additional, alternative pathways for the formation of the types of PAH compounds found in combustion systems. The potential energy surface for one reaction in particular, the phenyl + phenyl addition, is shown to contain a low-energy channel leading to formation of naphthalene that is energetically comparable to the other examined conventional pathways leading to formation of biphenyl compounds. This channel is the first evidence of a reaction which involves an aromatic radical adding to the nonradical π-bond site of another aromatic radical which leads directly to a fused ring structure.
Analysis of an outbreak of cholera O139 caused by a village dinner party

Objective To investigate an outbreak of cholera in May of 2012 in Hunan Province to find the suspected foods,the pathogenic agent,and defects in food handling,and recommend prevention measures.Methods We defined a case as any attendee to the village dinner party with diarrhea(≥3 times/ 24h) or positive cholera culture after the first meal from April 29 th to 30 th.In a case-control study,we compared exposures to each dish between 15 case-guests and 40 asymptomatic control-guests.We collected the suspected leftover foods and tested them for cholera.Results The attack rate was 2.8 %( 10/362),and positive rate of cholera O139 was 2.8 %( 7/248).All of these attacked and infected cases attended the dinner party on April 29 th.The relative risks of participants were not higher than those of nonparticipants among the other five feasts.Thus we regarded the dinner on April 29 th as the suspected meal,93%(14/15) case-guests and 63%(25/40) control-guests had taken the first dish(OR =8.4,95% CI: 1.03-378.42).The leftover foods had been heated repeatedly when we took samples for culture.All suspected leftover foods cultures were negative.On the basis of cholera agent surveillance result,we regard the soft-shelled turtles which was the only one seafood dish provided during the dinner as the suspected source of cholera.The deep-fried boiled eggs in the first dish were laid in the container which stored the raw pieces of soft-shelled turtles before.Conclusions The deep-fried boiled eggs in the first dish contaminated by the raw pieces of soft-shelled turtles was probably responsible for this outbreak of cholera.We recommend enhancing cholera agent surveillance and taking supervision on large-scale dinner parties in this county.
Analysis on Unbalance Factor and Transposing Modes for 1000 kV Double-Circuit Transmission Lines on the Same Tower

The unbalance factors of line parameters,bus voltages and generator currents of 1 000 kV power double-circuit transmission line on the same tower from Huainan to Wannan are analyzed.Two kinds of transposing modes in common use are taken into account.The secondary-arc currents and recovery voltages,induced voltages and induced currents under different transposing modes are compared.Comparison results show that from the viewpoint of reducing unbalance factors of bus voltage and generator currents,the transposing mode 2 is better;however,from the viewpoint of reducing secondary-arc currents and induced voltage,the transposing mode 1 is more suitable.Under the presupposition of satisfying the requirement given by national standard,to suppress the secondary-arc current,induced voltage and induced current of transmission line,it is recommended to adopt the transposing mode 1 in 1 000 kV transmission line from Huainan to Wannan.
The determination of crack bridging forces

A method is presented for determining the bridging tractions acting on the fracture surfaces of cracks from measurements of the crack opening profile. The tractions may be expressed either as a function ϕ(x) of position in the crack or a function p(u) of the crack opening displacement. The feasibility of deducing ϕ(x) or p(u) from noisy displacement data is demonstrated by numerical simulations. It is found that the most complete information is contained in profiles of cracks growing from notches. Improved estimates of p(u) can also be found by analzying data from several cracks at different stress levels simultaneously.
Multi-User Shared Access for Internet of Things

Internet of things (IoT) is widely expected to be an important scenario in the fifth generation (5G) wireless network. Major challenges of IoT include the low cost of devices, low energy consumption, low latency and the ability to support a large number of simultaneous connections. In this article, a new type of non-orthogonal multiple access scheme called multi-user shared access (MUSA) is proposed to support IoT. MUSA adopts a grant-free access strategy to simplify the access procedure significantly and utilizes advanced code domain non-orthogonal complex spreading to accommodate massive number of users in the same radio resources. A family of complex sequences with short length is chosen as spreading sequence for its ability to enable simple and robust successive interference cancellation at the base station side and cope with high user load. Simulation results show that MUSA can achieve significant gain in user overloading performance compared to orthogonal systems, while incurring much lower control overhead.
Satellite access services

This chapter addresses the access capabilities of satellite. It does not go into depth on the more traditional services that satellite have been associated with, except as an initial positioning statement. It then goes on to describe the options for access, performance of IP services over a satellite path, discusses emerging technology that will impact on future service delivery, presents information on regulatory and spectrum aspects and closes with an brief overview of standards activities.
Advances in Infrared Spectroscopy for Food Authenticity Testing

Abstract Despite the high economic and safety impact of food adulteration, food surveillance is limited by high costs and limited resources available to regulatory agencies. Infrared (IR) spectroscopy can provide rapid and cost-effective tools for effective food surveillance and deter acts of economic adulteration, counterfeiting, or vandalism. Powerful pattern recognition techniques can be used to screen materials and enable real-time and field-based measurements for controlling the raw material stream. This chapter presents the current state of research on applications of IR for authentication of high-value raw materials susceptible to economically motivated tampering. In addition, we present Raman spectroscopy as a complementary vibrational technique with increasing relevance to the surveillance of ingredient authenticity. We will review sensor technologies directed at improving efficiency, throughput, and reliability, presenting examples of recent cases of adulteration that resulted in high costs to the food industry. Finally, portable devices are introduced as the future of IR for field applications.
A semantic publish/subscribe system

The publish/subscribe computing paradigm is rapidly gaining momentum due to its capability to integrate loosely coupled applications over the Internet. Existing publish/subscribe systems fall into one of three categories: topic-based, content-based and relational. They all require that the event publishers and subscribers adhere to the same organization of information (i.e., event schema), and route events based on event values only. Such systems are inadequate in heterogeneous and dynamic environments where the event providers and consumers may use different event schemas. In this paper, we present a semantic publish/subscribe system. With our system, the event providers publish events and event consumers define subscription conditions using their respective event schema of choice. Our system uses ontologies to understand the semantics of events, and correlates and maps events using relational operators as part of event brokering
Not so lumpy after all: modelling the depletion of dark matter subhaloes by Milky Way-like galaxies

Among the most important goals in cosmology is detecting and quantifying small (M_(halo)≃10^(6−9) M⊙) dark matter (DM) subhaloes. Current probes around the Milky Way (MW) are most sensitive to such substructure within ∼20 kpc of the halo centre, where the galaxy contributes significantly to the potential. We explore the effects of baryons on subhalo populations in ΛCDM using cosmological zoom-in baryonic simulations of MW-mass haloes from the Latte simulation suite, part of the Feedback In Realistic Environments (FIRE) project. Specifically, we compare simulations of the same two haloes run using (1) DM-only (DMO), (2) full baryonic physics and (3) DM with an embedded disc potential grown to match the FIRE simulation. Relative to baryonic simulations, DMO simulations contain ∼2 × as many subhaloes within 100 kpc of the halo centre; this excess is ≳5 × within 25 kpc. At z = 0, the baryonic simulations are completely devoid of subhaloes down to 3×10^6M⊙ within 15 kpc of the MW-mass galaxy, and fewer than 20 surviving subhaloes have orbital pericentres <20 kpc. Despite the complexities of baryonic physics, the simple addition of an embedded central disc potential to DMO simulations reproduces this subhalo depletion, including trends with radius, remarkably well. Thus, the additional tidal field from the central galaxy is the primary cause of subhalo depletion. Subhaloes on radial orbits that pass close to the central galaxy are preferentially destroyed, causing the surviving population to have tangentially biased orbits compared to DMO predictions. Our method of embedding a potential in DMO simulations provides a fast and accurate alternative to full baryonic simulations, thus enabling suites of cosmological simulations that can provide accurate and statistical predictions of substructure populations.
A fast and accurate frequency estimation algorithm of Sinusoid Signals

For the Sinusoid Signals with additive Gauss white noise, a frequency estimation algorithm based on discrete Fourier transform (DFT) interpolation algorithm is proposed in this paper. Based on the classical interpolation algorithm, the algorithm of this paper takes full use of the Peak Spectral Frequency and its neighbor spectral lines to estimate the frequency of the signal. The analysis and simulation results indicate that the performance of the algorithm approaching to the Cramer-Rao lower bound (CRLB) when the signal to noise ratio (SNR) is above −5 dB. Compared with the classical Rife algorithm, the performance of the proposed algorithm is better and more stable under the same conditions. Besides the algorithm is easy to implement and apply with low computational complexity.
The Metabolic Syndrome and the Relevance of Nutrients for its Onset.

Background Metabolic Syndrome is a pathological condition characterized by the copresence of various dysmetabolic and pathological processes including hypertension, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, and cardiovascular complications. Because these conditions manifest themselves differently in a given patient, the ensuing pathophysiological state varies from patient to patient. Consequently, the order in which signs and symptoms manifest themselves can vary, making difficult to establish cause-effect relationship, and efficacious treatment and prevention options. Furthermore, the available therapeutic options do not necessarily apply in an effective manner to all patients due to the modality of the syndrome's onset and progression, and the fact that each patient presents different clinical manifestations. Results Where do the metabolic disturbances originate? Genetic predisposition, maternal health, age, and ethnicity are possible influential factors, which put individuals at higher risk for developing metabolic defects. More recently, dietary factors and deficiency in key macro- and micro-nutrients have been indicated as key players in the onset and progression of the disease. We revised all possible patents applying to this topic. Aside from pharmacological agents used to treat specific medical conditions, no patents were observed to be registered for specific dietary macro- and micro-nutrients. Conclusion The present review attempts to provide a framework to help the reader understand the causes behind the development of the metabolic syndrome and its complication.
Stand Your Ground laws, homicides and gun deaths

ABSTRACTAn increased recognition of the possibility of treatment heterogeneities of policy changes has resulted in the rise of comparative case studies. Our analysis uses the synthetic control method (SCM) to examine if the passage of the Stand Your Ground (SYG) laws had dissimilar effects on homicides and firearms deaths in the US states that passed these laws during the first wave (between 2005 and 2007). Using 22 years of data (1991–2012) to study each state separately, we find that these laws did not have uniform effects across states: in three out of 14 states – Florida, Alabama and Michigan – they led to increased (non-suicide) firearms deaths (and by different magnitudes). These three states imposed a duty to retreat prior to their SYG laws and saw a marked departure in self-defence treatment as their SYG laws passed. As for murder and non-negligent manslaughter, only for Florida was an effect found.
How To Be A Good Philosopher Of Science: A Plea For Empiricism In Matters Methodological

It has been argued that philosophy of science in our time is basically of two types1 — speculative and analytic. Speculative philosophy of science constructs theories of the world based on the findings of the specific sciences and is continuous with science on the one hand and metaphysics on the other. Analytic philosophy of science analyzes the concepts and modes of reasoning characteristic of science and eschews speculation. However, Paul Feyerabend’s philosophy of science does not seem to fit easily into either category. For Feyerabend, philosophy of science has a rather different task than either speculation or analysis, namely to expound, criticize and defend large methodological programs for scientific progress and growth.
CELL-LIKE MAPS, APPROXIMATE FIBRATIONS AND SHAPE FIBRATIONS

The purpose of this expository paper is to outline and motivate results on shape fibrations contained in two papers by Sibe Marděsic and the author, [16], [17], and in the dissertations of Thomas McMillan, [19], and Allen Matsumoto, [14]. The first two papers, [16], [17], define the notion of a shape fibration and establish basic properties. The dissertation of Thomas McMillan investigates the relationship between the notions of shape fibration, cell-like map and herditary shape equivalence. The dissertation of Allen Matsumoto develops an obstruction theory for shape fibrations with applications to cell-like maps.
The Difference in Surgical Site Infection Rates Between Open and Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery for Degenerative Lumbar Pathology: A Retrospective Single Center Experience of 1442 Cases.

Background Surgical site infection (SSI) in spinal surgery contributes to significant morbidity and healthcare resource utilization. Few studies have directly compared the rate of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) SSI with open surgery. Objective To investigate whether MIS techniques had a lower SSI rate in degenerative lumbar procedures as compared with traditional open techniques. Methods A single-center, retrospective review of a prospectively collected database was queried from January 2013 to 2016 for adult patients who underwent lumbar decompression and/or instrumented fusion for which the surgical indication involved degenerative disease. The SSI rate was determined for all procedures as well as in the open and minimally invasive groups. Risk factors associated with SSI were also reviewed for each patient. Results A total of 1442 lumbar spinal procedures were performed during this time period. Of these, there were 961 MIS and 481 open (67% vs 33%, respectively). The overall SSI rate was 1.5% (21/1442). The surgical site infection rate for MIS was less than open techniques (0.5% vs 3.3%; P = .0003). For decompression only, the infection rate for MIS and open was 0.4% vs 3.9% (P = .04), and for decompression with fusion it was 0.7% vs 2.6%, respectively (P = .68). Conclusion Our study demonstrates a significant 7-fold reduction in SSIs when comparing MIS with open surgery. This significance was also demonstrated with a 10-fold reduction for procedures involving decompression alone. Procedures that require fusion as well as decompression showed a trend towards a decreased infection rate that did not reach clinical significance.
Predictors of Unplanned Returns to the Operating Room within 30 Days in Neurosurgery: Insights from a National Surgical Registry.

Background In the modern, increasingly pay-for-performance era, unplanned return to the operating room (ROR) is gaining attention as a surgical quality metric. However, large-scale data on the appropriateness and usefulness of this measure in neurosurgery are scarce. Objective To provide a comprehensive description of all RORs after neurosurgical procedures in a national surgical registry and identify factors associated with ROR. Methods We queried the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program multicenter database for patients undergoing neurosurgical procedures during 2012–2016. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to identify factors associated with 30-day unplanned ROR after the 3 most common inpatient cranial and spinal operations: craniotomy for intra-axial neoplasm, convexity/falx meningioma, or skull base tumors; anterior cervical discectomy and fusion; and posterior lumbar decompression and posterior lumbar fusion. Results A total of 193,459 cases were identified, of which 7067 (3.7%) had at least 1 unplanned ROR within 30 days after the index procedure (inpatient, 4.3%; outpatient, 1.5%). Overall, the most common reasons were wound complication/surgical site infection (0.7%), hematoma evacuation (0.6%), and repeat surgery (0.5%). On multivariable analysis, the relative amount of variation in reoperation risk was found to be 1%–24% for demographics, 1%–19% for comorbidities, 1%–6% for preoperative laboratory values, and 4%–58% for operative characteristics. Conclusions These findings may inform stakeholders on the optimal parameters that need to be taken into account when crafting, endorsing, and implementing quality metrics for neurosurgery that aim to assess surgical performance and reward or penalize hospitals and providers.
Development of a Fused-Sphere SAFT-γ Mie Force Field for Poly(vinyl Alcohol) and Poly(ethylene)

SAFT-γ Mie, a group-contribution equation of state rooted in Statistical Associating Fluid Theory, provides an efficient framework for developing accurate, transferable coarse-grained force fields for molecular simulation. Building on the success of SAFT-γ Mie force fields for small molecules, we address two key issues in extending the SAFT-γ Mie coarse-graining methodology to polymers: (1) the treatment of polymer chain rigidity and (2) the disparity between the structure of linear chains of tangent spheres and the structure of the real polymers. We use Boltzmann inversion to derive effective bond-stretching and angle-bending potentials mapped from all-atom oligomer molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to the coarse-grained sites and a fused-sphere version of SAFT-γ Mie as the basis for non-bonded interactions. The introduction of an overlap parameter between Mie spheres leads to a degeneracy when fitting to monomer vapor-liquid equilibria (VLE) data, which we resolve by matching polymer density from coarse-grained MD simulation with that from all-atom simulation. The result is a chain of monomers rigorously parameterized to experimental VLE data and with structural detail consistent with all-atom simulations. We test our approach on atactic poly(vinyl alcohol) and polyethylene and compare the results for SAFT-γ Mie models with structural detail mapped from the Optimized Potentials for Liquid Simulations (OPLS) and Condensed-phase Optimized Molecular Potentials for Atomistic Simulation Studies (COMPASS) all-atom force fields.
Abstract TP178: Pre-existing Volume of White Matter Disease Predicts Ischemic Stroke

Background: Patients are more likely to develop white matter disease (WMD) and microhemorrhage (MH) after ischemic stroke. Little is known about whether stroke patients had an increased prevalence ...
Precursors to Violence: Neglect and Politics in Darfur, Oromia, and the Tana Delta

Despite occasional disputes, nomads and farmers, whether Arab and Fur, Oromo and Gumuz, or Oromo and Pokomo, had lived well together for centuries and expect to continue into the future, and, therefore, they take pains to resolve conflicts amicably. In the absence of effective government protection, they need each other, and indeed, there have been strong commercial relations among them all. Lack of genuine developmental initiative and implementation, and poor road networks, education, health services, and law enforcement facilities played a central role in fueling conflict among them. The chapter argues that non-transparent state-sanctioned land grabs hugely affected the lifestyles of both pastoralists and farmers leading to armed violence in Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya. Tolerance and coexistence are more important than anything else, and the communities had understood this for long time. It is when external factors, in the form of state intervention, border problems, and availability of arms, come into play that conflicts turn violent. That is why the role of a fully committed, good government is absolutely critical in managing land issues, border problems, and smuggling of firearms.
Could EAISI-trained providers provide better quality of IUD services? Results of a secondary data analysis of complications as a proxy indicator

Background: For accelerating its progress towards FP2020 goals, the Government of India has focused on improving the quality of intrauterine device (IUD) services. EngenderHealth has supported the Governments of Rajasthan and Gujarat since 2014 through its Expanding Access to IUD Services in India (EAISI) project by building the capacity of service providers, monitoring their compliance with standard practices, and strengthening health systems. This study sought to assess whether EAISI trained providers provide a better quality of IUD services as compared to non-EAISI trained providers, as indicated by a reduction in confirmed IUD complications? Methods: This study was an analytical cross-sectional study of secondary data collected from the follow-up registers of 176 intervention facilities (138 in Rajasthan and 38 in Gujarat) during Phase I of EAISI project. The analysis included clients who returned between April 2018 and March 2019 to the same facility for a follow-up visit. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to determine factors associated with IUD complications. Results: A total of 56,733 IUD insertions were conducted, and 10,747 (18.9%) client follow-ups were documented. Of these, 49.4% (N=5,305) clients received IUDs from EAISI-trained providers, while 50.6% (N=5,442) received IUDs from non-EAISI trained providers. A total of 4.0% (N=432) of clients experienced complications (Expulsion: 1.3%, Missing Strings: 1.7%, Infection: 1.1%). Clients who received IUDs from non-EAISI-trained providers were 55.5% more likely [95% CI (26.2%, 91.5%), p<0.0005] to have complications compared to clients who received insertions from EAISI-trained providers. Other significant factors include the type of IUD, timing of the follow-up visit and timing of the insertion. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that intensive, hands-on training of providers to improve clinical skills for IUD insertions can have a positive impact on the reduction of post-insertion complications.
Data-driven feasibility analysis for the integration of planning and scheduling problems

A framework for the integration of planning and scheduling using data-driven methodologies is proposed. First, the constraints at the planning level related to the scheduling problem are identified. This includes the feasibility of production targets assigned to each planning period (which are equivalent to scheduling horizons). Then, classification methods are used to identify feasible regions from large amounts of scheduling data, and an algebraic equation for the predictor is obtained. The predictor is incorporated in the planning problem, and the integrated problem is solved to optimality. Computational studies are presented to demonstrate the performance of the proposed framework, and results show that the approach is more efficient than current practices in the integration of planning and scheduling problems.
The ground state of KO revisited: the millimeter and submillimeter spectrum of potassium oxide

The millimeter/sub-millimeter spectrum of the KO radical has been recorded in the frequency range 90-534 GHz using direct absorption methods. The radical was synthesized by reacting potassium vapor, produced with a Broida-type oven, with either N2O or O2 mixed in argon carrier gas. Twenty-seven rotational transitions of KO were measured, each exhibiting a doublet structure with a relatively small splitting (∼100-200 MHz) that increased noticeably with frequency. A perturbation was apparent in the rotational lines at energies above ∼120 cm-1, which was more prominent in one doublet component. The data were successfully fit with a Hund's case (c) Hamiltonian, assuming that spectra arise from a 2Πi state, and rotational and effective lambda-doubling constants were determined. Higher order centrifugal distortion terms were needed to account for the perturbation. The spectra could also be fit as a 2Σ+ ground state, but less successfully, and the resulting rotational constant of B = 8235.4 MHz disagreed significantly with that predicted by theory. On the basis of the experimental data, the ground electronic state of KO has been assigned as 2Πi, although the 2Σ+ assignment cannot be entirely ruled out.
Transgender and Intersex Athletes and the Women’s Category in Sport

Issues surrounding the inclusion of transgender and intersex athletes in the women’s category in sport have spurred vigorous, and sometimes vicious, debate. The loudest voices on one edge of the de...
Cytotoxic lesion of the splenium of the corpus callosum in a patient with EVALI

Since first recognized in July 2019, numerous cases of a lung illness associated with electronic-cigarette use or vaping particularly tetrahydrocannabinol in adolescents and adults have been reported. As of January 2020, the Center for Disease Control has reported over 2500 cases of electronic-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI), including 60 deaths. Affected patients most commonly present with respiratory or gastrointestinal complaints although neurological symptoms including headache, confusion and lethargy have been reported. We present a new as yet unpublished finding in the brain of a previously healthy teenage boy with EVALI. Brain imaging may be warranted in this patient population.
Clinical Outcomes of Intermediate-Length Cephalomedullary Nails for Intertrochanteric Femur Fracture Repair in Older Adults.

Introduction. Hip fracture is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in older adults. Intertrochanteric hip fractures often are treated surgically using cephalomedullary nails (CMN), in either a short or long length. Their outcomes are documented in the literature; however, outcomes of the intermediate-length CMN have not been well described. Methods. A retrospective review was conducted of older adults with intertrochanteric hip fractures that were treated with cephalomedullary nail fixation using an intermediate-length (235 mm Synthes Trochanteric Fixation® nail or 240 mm Stryker Gamma 3®) nail. Outcome data were collected during the inpatient stay and 16 months post-operatively. Results. Seventy-seven patients met inclusion criteria and were reviewed during inpatient stay; however, only 42 had documented post-operative outcomes. Of those, two patients died post-discharge and were not included in the 16-month follow-up. Comparison of results to published literature suggested that intermediate-length nails are comparable to short-length nails with regard to time in the operating room and estimated blood loss. The rate of blood transfusion was lower and length of hospital stay was shorter than in comparable studies of both short- and long-length nails. There were no post-operative periprosthetic fractures in the 16-month follow-up. This rate was lower than published rates for short and long nails. The hardware failure rate (3/42, 7.1%) of intermediate-length nails was higher than comparison studies of both short- and long-length nails. Conclusions. Patient outcomes for intermediate-length nails were similar to outcomes of shorter length nails. Utilization of the intermediate-length nail appears to be an effective treatment option for repair of intertrochanteric femur fractures. However, direct comparison is difficult since periprosthetic fracture rate may increase over time and nail length and hardware failure are not defined consistently in the literature. Further study is needed with a larger sample size followed over a longer period of time to confirm our findings.
A Love That Reforms: Improving Gender Relations by Contesting Typologies of Women in La Comédie de Mont-de-Marsan and L’Heptaméron 10 and 42

This article examines how two texts by Marguerite de Navarre contest the tendency in courtly and ecclesiastical literature to reduce women to typologies based on sexuality, spirituality, and notions of virtue. In place of simplified typologies, Marguerite’s writings can be read as depicting women’s multidimensional personhood as they strive to live out a sincere Christian faith in a society that fixates on their sexuality. Ultimately, this study argues that when read together, La Comedie de Mont-de-Marsan and L’Heptameron 10 and 42 suggest the need for women to develop a practical brand of Christian wisdom that will help them to reform both gender relations and patriarchal institutions, thereby replacing misogynistic discourses and behavioural patterns with respect for women’s humanity.
How Ethics Can Support Clinicians Caring for Critically Ill Patients

As a field, clinical ethics has made significant progress in the past 50 years. There is evidence, however, that ethical conflict and uncertainty are still major contributors to challenges faced in critical care and emergency medicine practice, resulting in stress on clinicians and potentially detrimental impacts on patient care. Additionally, as technology continues to progress and evolve, so do the ethical questions that arise. In this chapter, we begin by providing a brief background on clinical ethics. Then, using clinical vignettes, we examine the ways in which the tools of ethics can help the bedside clinician. For each case, we review general ethical frameworks and areas of consensus to which clinicians can turn for guidance. We also highlight ongoing challenges with the prevailing frameworks, and areas where there is still work to be done.
Collaboration in Natural Product Total Synthesis: Carolacton – A Decade of Discovery

Carolacton, a macrocyclic natural product with impressive anti-biofilm biological activity, has been a focus in multiple research groups for the past decade. Chemists and biologists, alike, have been interested in uncovering the mechanism of action and have made great strides towards this goal. Carolacton causes cellular defects in Streptococcus mutans biofilm, which leads to decreases in cellular viability. As biological targets have been uncovered, synthetic chemists have devised synthetic routes that have helped uncover the important chemical functionalities that lead to biological activity. Herein, we discuss our synthetic collaboration that galvanized an entire research program around the natural product carolacton.
Efficient determination of aqueous-phase gas diffusion coefficients and tortuosity in soil

Diffusion of dissolved aqueous-phase gas in porous media is increasingly relevant to existing and emerging geotechnical engineering applications. There is currently no established method to determi...