cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Simulation Comparison of Unconstraining Methods Based on Multi-Distribution of Demand in Revenue Management Systems

Unconstraining estimation is the crucial step in the successful implementation of "unconstrained demand forecasting"in revenue management systems. The difficult technology to achieve the correct evaluation of its accuracy and effectiveness is to develop a simulation model that meets the practice of revenue management. Existing researches are only focused on the comparative studies of unconstraining methods based on normal distribution,but those are not suitable for the multi-distribution characteristics of unconstrained demand data. For this problem,a simulation comparison model of unconstraining estimation for multi-distribution of demand in revenue management systems was established based on EMSR-a model. The Spill models and EM algorithms based on Normal,Gamma and Lognormal distribution were compared and evaluated under the multi-distribution demand environments through simulation experiments using practical airline passenger demand data. Simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed simulation model,and indicate that when demand becomes more unstable,the performance of EM algorithms are much better than those of Spill models,the degree of variation in demand is the main factor that determines the distribution assumptions of the EM algorithm.
The secret of neuroscience boom: Are there secret human experiments in Latin América?

About 6 years ago there sparked a phenomenon in science called the neuroscientific boom. Neurologists underpin this phenomenon to cost reduction techniques such as electroencephalograms and to improved noninvasive technology such as functional MRI. But the human brain, the most complex organ in the universe, has not yet been fully investigated with the existing noninvasive technologies. Thus, there is a suspicion that the real reason for this boom is a secret, forced, and illicit human experimentation in Latin America. Physicians should investigate, be alert, and report these potential unethical human experiments to prevent any further damage to the public health of the citizens of Latin societies.
l-Dopa in Parkinson's Disease

What common ground might be shared by parkinsonian patients and Chilean miners suffering from chronic manganese poisoning? An effort to explain their clinical resemblances in terms of similar biochemical abnormalities in the brain bore fruit eventually in the L-dopa treatment, which is proving effective in both diseases. Dr. Cotzias details the sequence of hypotheses explored along the way.
Examining pregnancy-specific smartphone applications: what are patients being told?

The objective of this study is to evaluate the informative content of two free, pregnancy-specific smartphone applications and their accuracy and adherence to prenatal care guidelines. This is a qualitative analysis of the information delivered through two free, pregnancy-specific smartphone applications (apps): Text4Baby (T4B) and Baby Center’s ‘My Pregnancy Today’ (BC). All information from conception through 2 weeks postpartum were transcribed and coded independently by two physician researchers. Content was analyzed and assigned thematic codes. The proportion of content each app delivered per theme was then calculated and the χ2-test was used to compare thematic frequency between apps. A total of 609 pieces of daily content were transcribed; 698 message themes were coded and analyzed. Most information delivered by T4B was about fetal development (23.8%) or prenatal care (16.6%); most content from BC was about normal pregnancy symptoms (20.1%) or maternal well-being (21.1%); the differences between apps for each of these themes were statistically significant (P<0.05). A total of four messages contained incomplete or ambiguous content; neither app delivered overtly incorrect medical information. T4B and BC had a similar proportion of information that was in-line with the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology Guidelines for Prenatal Care. Neither app delivered any messages about contraception. T4B and BC are free, pregnancy-specific apps with different focuses. Neither app delivers comprehensive prenatal information, as evidenced by the absence of information about postpartum contraception. More information is needed to determine the role of such apps in prenatal care.
Missile Defences: The Issues

Few presidential announcements have generated as much heavy and consistent debate over national security issues as President Reagan’s 23 March 1983 ‘Star Wars’ speech. In it, he outlined his plan to overcome the arms race and the danger of nuclear war, and transcend the ‘madness’ of ‘mutually assured destruction’. His administration’s continuing Strategic Defence Initiative (SDI) research and development programme has subsequently caused more controversy than probably any other public policy issue of the Reagan years.1
Abstract IA02: The intersection of inflammation, immunity, and cancer: From basic biology to translational research

In addition to endogenous genetic alterations, malignant progression and therapeutic responses are strongly modulated by the innate and adaptive immune systems. Androgen depletion and malignant progression induce lymphocyte recruitment into prostate cancer (PC). Recruited B cells produce lymphotoxin (LT), an inflammatory cytokine that stimulates expansion of androgen-deprived PC progenitors. Recruited B cells also control the response of PC to the immunogenic chemotherapeutic agent oxaliplatin, which at a low, non-myelosuppressive dose, induces immunogenic cell death that promotes generation of tumor-directed cytotoxic T cells (CTL). In three different mouse PC models the resulting tumors do not respond to low dose oxaliplatin unless grown in B cell-deficient hosts. The B lymphocytes responsible for immunosuppression are plasma cells that express IgA, IL-10 and PD-L1, but not LT, whose appearance depends on TGFβ-receptor (TGFβR) signaling. Elimination of these cells, which also infiltrate human therapy-resistant PC, facilitates CTL-dependent eradication of oxaliplatin-treated tumors. References: Ammirante, M., Kuraishy, A.I., Shalapour, S., Strasner, A., Ramirez-Sanchez, C., Zhang, W., Shabaik, A., and Karin, M. (2013). An IKKalpha-E2F1-BMI1 cascade activated by infiltrating B cells controls prostate regeneration and tumor recurrence. Genes Dev 27:1435-1440. Ammirante, M., Luo, J.L., Grivennikov, S., Nedospasov, S., and Karin, M. (2010). B-cell-derived lymphotoxin promotes castration-resistant prostate cancer. Nature 464:302-305. Grivennikov, S.I., Greten, F.R., and Karin, M. (2010). Immunity, inflammation, and cancer. Cell 140:883-899. Citation Format: Michael Karin. The intersection of inflammation, immunity, and cancer: From basic biology to translational research. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy: A New Chapter; December 1-4, 2014; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2015;3(10 Suppl):Abstract nr IA02.
Die and Package Level Thermal and Thermal/Moisture Stresses in 3D Packaging: Modeling and Characterization

3D packaging employing through-silicon vias (TSVs) to connect multiple stacked dies/chips has great potential to achieve high performance and high capacity with low cost and low energy consumption. However, crucial reliability issues often arise in 3D integrated circuits (ICs) packaging due to high thermal stress and moisture stress at both die and package level. In this chapter, TSV-related reliability issues such as the measurement of thermal stress in TSV, the effect of thermal stress on carrier mobility and keep-out zone, thermal stress induced via extrusion are illustrated. At the package level, various analytical methods for thermal stress-induced warpage in multilayered structures are reviewed. The state-of-the-art approaches for warpage control are presented and validated by experimental testing and numerical modeling. Finally, to incorporate moisture stress that comprehends both hygroscopic stress and the pressure of water vapor, a theoretical framework is provided based on damage micromechanics and the effective stress concept. Some case studies are provided to understand the effect of moisture and vapor pressure.
Stability analysis of forced duffing oscillator (FDO)

The Duffing oscillator is one of the prototypes of nonlinear dynamics. Jump phenomenon can be induced by either varying the amplitude or the frequency of excitation. A comprehensive study of jump phenomenon of the duffing oscillator in two parameters (amplitude and frequency of excitation) is performed here. The analysis is based on a method of multiple time scale(MMS). In this research the stability conditions as well as unstable regimes on the frequency response curve are determined. The research also focuses on the stability of the dynamic motion of FDO. The amplitude response displays hysteresis in the frequency domain and jump phenomenon is observed in the case of primary resonance of duffing oscillator. The response of a vander Pol oscillator with sinusoidally varying amplitude is also discussed for non linear resonance. Here a method is devised to control the amplitude of oscillations. Hence Multiple harmonics are obtained as well as spring behaviour is also controlled by tweaking the cubic term of forced duffing oscillator.
Signal Destruction Tunes the Zone of Activation in Spatially Distributed Signaling Networks

Diverse microbial communities coordinate group behaviors through signal exchange, such as the exchange of acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs) by Gram-negative bacteria. Cellular communication is prone to interference by neighboring microbes. One mechanism of interference is signal destruction through the production of an enzyme that cleaves the signaling molecule. Here we examine the ability of one such interference enzyme, AiiA, to modulate signal propagation in a spatially distributed system of bacteria. We have developed an experimental assay to measure signal transduction and implement a theoretical model of signaling dynamics to predict how the system responds to interference. We show that titration of an interfering strain into a signaling network tunes the spatial range of activation over the centimeter length scale, quantifying the robustness of the signaling network to signal destruction and demonstrating the ability to program systems-level responses of spatially heterogeneous cellular networks.
Charge transfer in polymers

I. I n t r o d u c t i o n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317 I I . T h e o r y of e lec t ron ic c o n d u c t i v i t y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319 I I I . Ion ic c o n d u c t i v i t y in sol ids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324 IV. Compar i son of ionic and e lec t ron ic c o n d u c t i v i t y . . . . . . . . . . 325 V. E x p e r i m e n t a l cons ide ra t ions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327 VI. Theor ies of cha rge t r ans fe r in o rgan ic s emiconduc to r s . . . . . . . . 330 VI I . E v i d e n c e for ionic charge t r ans fe r in p o l y m e r s . . . . . . . . . . . 333 V I I I . E l e c t r i c a l p roper t i e s of p o l y m e r s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334 A. P y r o p o l y m e r s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335 B. P o l y m e r s w i t h c o n j u g a t e d doub le bonds . . . . . . . . . . . . 33S C. P o l y ( e t h y l e n e t e r e p h t h a l a t e ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337 D, P o l y a c r y l a t e s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337 E. P o l y a c r y l o n i t r i l e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338 F. P o l y a m i d e s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339 G. H y d r o c a r b o n p o l y m e r s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340 H. P o l y m e r i c charge t r ans fe r complexes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341 I. I m i d a z o l e p o l y m e r s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342 J. N e g a t i v e r e s i s t ance p h e n o m e n a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343 K. E l e c t r e t s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344 L. S u p e r c o n d u c t i n g p o l y m e r s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344 M. App l i ca t i ons to p o l y m e r i z a t i o n a n d s t r u c t u r a l s tud ie s . . . . . . 345 N. I m p u r i t i e s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
Value Blueprint and Service Design Space for Facilitating Value Creation

A new operational perspective on fundamental concepts related to customers, service, and value differs from servicedominant logic in its approach to service systems, value creation, value co-creation, service interactions, value facilitation, and value constellations. This perspective leads to two new tools for supporting service system design: 1) A “value blueprint” uses a swimlane representation to identify where value creation occurs, recognizing that parts of value creation may occur long after service providers have produced their contributions to customer value. 2) A multidimensional design space for value facilitation identifies design dimensions that can be used for characterizing current or proposed approaches to value facilitation by service systems. This operational approach to service concepts shows a direction for developing new tools and methods based on facilitating value creation by customers. It also complements the way service-dominant logic emphasizes the nature of competition and economic exchange.
Validating and implementing the use of an infusion pump for the administration of thawed hematopoietic progenitor cells-a single-institution experience.

Background Direct thaw and administration of previously cryopreserved peripheral blood stem cell products is a commonly used practice and should be performed rapidly to reduce cellular damage caused by dimethyl sulfoxide exposure. Cells are typically thawed at the bedside and infused by gravity through a high-flow-rate central venous catheter. An existing nontunneled catheter is occasionally used instead and often results in a slower infusion rate. To ensure expedient and consistent infusions, we validated and implemented the use of an infusion pump for thawed peripheral blood stem cells. Study design and methods Validation was performed in two phases: in vitro simulation and in vivo clinical assessment. Total nucleated cell recovery and viability plus progenitor cell viability and potency were compared in vitro between two cryopreserved peripheral blood stem cell units that were either passed through a preset infusion pump or drained by gravity. The infusion rate, adverse events, and engraftment times were retrospectively compared between patients who received infusions by infusion pump (n = 35) and by gravity (n = 38). Results No significant differences were observed in vitro between the infusion methods for all measured variables. Overall infusion rates were similar in vivo for both groups but were significantly lower for patients who had nontunneled catheters that delivered the infusion by gravity. The time to neutrophil and platelet engraftment was similar for both groups. Conclusion This is the first study to assess the use of an infusion pump for stem cell transplant. The use of an infusion pump for peripheral blood stem cell infusion is safe, provides a reliable and consistent infusion method, and can mitigate the effect of the type of venous access line used.
"To Help, Not to Hurt": Justice Thomas's Equality Canon

This short article examines the racial equality jurisprudence of Justice Clarence Thomas, seeking to explain his views using his own words. The paper was prepared for a Yale Law School symposium honoring Justice Thomas's first 25 years on the Supreme Court.
An in-situ photocrosslinking microfluidic technique to generate non-spherical, cytocompatible, degradable, monodisperse alginate microgels for chondrocyte encapsulation

Alginate microgels are widely generated by ionic crosslinking methods, but this method has limitations in controlling the microgel degradation and generating non-spherical microgels. By employing oxidized methacrylated alginate (OMA) that is degradable and photocrosslinkable, we have successfully photocrosslinked monodisperse OMA microgels and demonstrated the feasibility to generate discoid alginate microgels. However, several technical issues obstructed our opto-microfluidic method from being a useful technique. Here, we further characterized and optimized this method. Monodisperse discoid OMA microgels with good shape consistency were, for the first time, generated. The curability of OMA microgels was characterized as the macromer concentration varied from 2% to 10%, and the minimum required photoinitiator (VA-086) concentrations were determined. The effects of crosslinking density and the presence of ions in the storage solution on swelling of OMA hydrogels were identified to give insights into accurate controlling of the microgel size. A much quicker degradation rate (within three weeks) compared to ionically crosslinked alginate hydrogels was indirectly identified by quantifying the elastic modulus using atomic force microscopy. The viability of encapsulated chondrocytes in OMA microgels formed by this method was higher than those from other existing methods, demonstrating its favorable cytocompatibility. It was found that the oxygen tension played a critical role in both the curability of microgels and the cytocompatibility of this technique. We also summarize common practical issues and provide related solutions and/or operational suggestions. By this method, OMA microgels are expected to be valuable alternatives to traditional ionically crosslinked alginate microgels in drug delivery, tissue engineering, and single cell analysis areas due to their multiple favorable properties.
Experimental Investigation of a Unique Pulse Tube Expander Design

The performance of a pulse tube expander in which the regenerator volume is distributed among three parallel tubes arranged symmetrically around the pulse tube has been experimentally investigated. This “4-tube” expander configuration, which was recently patented by Raytheon Systems Company (formerly Hughes Aircraft), is of interest because it has structural advantages over the more common U-tube design. The improved strength of the 4-tube design permits reduced wall thickness, higher allowable side loads, and related design and system integration advantages. Furthermore, the 4-tube expander does not have the problem of conductive coupling between the regenerator and pulse tube, which is a source of lost refrigeration capacity in the traditional concentric configuration, a competing rigid expander design. Experiments were performed with and without the regenerator tubes linked by conductive straps, and the expander was shown to work more efficiently with the straps. The data reveal that the thermodynamic efficiency of the 4-tube expander is comparable to that of the more common pulse tube expander configurations.
A New Generation of Antiviral Therapeutics Designed to Prevent the Use of Chemokine Receptors for Entry by HIV-1

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is characterized by significant viremia that is maintained by massive viral replication, with between 1 and 10 billion virus particles being generated each day in an infected adult in the absence of therapy.1,2 When coupled with the high error rate of the viral reverse transcriptase, these replication characteristics allow HIV-1 to evade pharmaceutical and immune challenges that might otherwise stem the virus. Nevertheless, combination chemotherapy utilizing two inhibitors of reverse transcriptase in conjunction with a protease inhibitor have led to significant sustained suppression of circulating virus in some individuals (see Gazzard3 for review). However, combination chemotherapy is not always effective since multidrug-resistant virus strains may arise, and the cost, side effects, and complicated drug regimen preclude use of the triple-drug cocktail for many individuals, especially in less-developed countries. Thus,
Fluorinated electrolytes based on lithium salts of strong brønsted acids

Publisher Summary Ionic conductivity in solvent-free solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) has been extensively studied because of the potential applications for such materials in electrochemical power sources and devices, particularly in high-energy density rechargeable lithium batteries. The SPEs have many advantageous properties for such applications including good dimensional and thermal stability, a wide electrochemical stability window, better shape flexibility and manufacturing integrity, and improved safety. The present chapter focuses both on the synthesis of novel lithium salts based on polyanions with structures similar to that of LiTFSI and the structural, thermal, and electrochemical characterization of SPEs prepared using these salts in polyether hosts. The effect of cross-linking on ionic conductivity is also explored for several of the new lithium salts. SPEs were prepared from a series of new bis[(perfluoroalkyl) sulphonyl]diimide dilithium salts based on LiTFSI motifs (n _ 1, x _ 2, 4, 6, 8; Scheme 1) using either high-molecular-weight poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) or cross-linked low-molecular-weight poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as polymeric hosts. Ionic conductivities for the SPEs were measured over a temperature range between ambient and 120°C and the findings have been shared in the chapter.
High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatographic Analysis of Sugars in Snail-Conditioned Water and Mucus from Biomphalaria glabrata, Helisoma trivolvis, and Lymnaea elodes

The presence of sugars, particularly glucose, maltose, and sucrose, in the SCW of Biomphalaria glabrata, the two strains of Helisoma trivolvis, and Lymnaea elodes was variable, although only maltose was quantifiable in two samples of snail conditioned waters from B. glabrata. The only sugar detected in mucus was glucose, but it was below the lowest quantifiable amount in the mucus samples of B. glabrata and H. trivolvis. The mean percentage of glucose in the mucus of L. elodes was 0.0040% ± 0.00067%.
American Indian Men's Perceptions of Breast Cancer Screening for American Indian Women.

Screening, especially screening mammography, is vital for decreasing breast cancer incidence and mortality. Screening rates in American Indian women are low compared to other racial/ethnic groups. In addition, American Indian women are diagnosed at more advanced stages and have lower 5-year survival rate than others. To better address the screening rates of American Indian women, focus groups (N=8) were conducted with American Indian men (N=42) to explore their perceptions of breast cancer screening for American Indian women. Our intent was to understand men’s support level toward screening. Using a community-based participatory approach, focus groups were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using a text analysis approach developed by our team. Topics discussed included breast cancer and screening knowledge, barriers to screening, and suggestions to improve screening rates. These findings can guide strategies to improve knowledge and awareness, communication among families and health care providers, and screening rates in American Indian communities.
A Comprehensive Survey on Spectrum Sensing in Cognitive Radio Networks: Recent Advances, New Challenges, and Future Research Directions

Cognitive radio technology has the potential to address the shortage of available radio spectrum by enabling dynamic spectrum access. Since its introduction, researchers have been working on enabling this innovative technology in managing the radio spectrum. As a result, this research field has been progressing at a rapid pace and significant advances have been made. To help researchers stay abreast of these advances, surveys and tutorial papers are strongly needed. Therefore, in this paper, we aimed to provide an in-depth survey on the most recent advances in spectrum sensing, covering its development from its inception to its current state and beyond. In addition, we highlight the efficiency and limitations of both narrowband and wideband spectrum sensing techniques as well as the challenges involved in their implementation. TV white spaces are also discussed in this paper as the first real application of cognitive radio. Last but by no means least, we discuss future research directions. This survey paper was designed in a way to help new researchers in the field to become familiar with the concepts of spectrum sensing, compressive sensing, and machine learning, all of which are the enabling technologies of the future networks, yet to help researchers further improve the efficiently of spectrum sensing.
INCESSANT VENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA IN THE SETTING OF SEPTIC SHOCK TREATED WITH BILATERAL STELLATE GANGLION BLOCK

Incessant ventricular tachycardia (VT) is defined as multiple episodes of VT within a 24 hour period, despite attempts to terminate the arrhythmia. In a patient with an ICD, this can mean three or more therapies (anti-tachycardia pacing (ATP) or defibrillations). Management of these patients include
Increasing access to smoking cessation treatment among Latino smokers using case management.

IntroductionDisparities exist among Latino smokers with respect to knowledge and access to smoking cessation resources. This study tested the feasibility of using case management (CM) to increase access to pharmacotherapy and quitlines among Latino smokers.MethodsLatino smokers were randomized to CM (n = 40) or standard care (SC, n = 40). All participants received educational materials describing how to utilize pharmacy assistance for cessation pharmacotherapy and connect with quitlines. CM participants received four phone calls from staff to encourage pharmacotherapy and quitline use. At 6-months follow-up, we assessed the utilization of pharmacotherapy and quitline. Additional outcomes included self-reported smoking status and approval for pharmacotherapy assistance.ResultsUsing intention-to-treat analysis, CM produced higher utilization than SC of both pharmacotherapy (15.0% versus 2.5%; P = 0.108) and quitlines (12.5% versus 5.0%; P = 0.432), although differences were not statistically significant. Approval for pharmacotherapy assistance programs (20.0% versus 0.0%; P = 0.0005) was significantly higher for CM than SC participants. Self-reported point-prevalence smoking abstinence at 6-months were 20.0% and 17.5% for CM and SC, respectively (P = 0.775).ConclusionsCM holds promise as an effective intervention to connect Latino smokers to evidence-based cessation treatment.
Lymphocytes upregulate CD36 in adipose tissue and liver.

CD36 is a multifunctional scavenger receptor and lipid transporter implicated in metabolic and inflammatory pathologies, as well as cancer progression. CD36 is known to be expressed by adipocytes a...
A Social Partnership Model for Assessing Early Communication Development.

Recent mandates for early intervention with infants and young children at risk require that speech-language pathologists have available to them clinical tools that address not only the critical int...
Glucose and Insulin Responses to an Intravenous Glucose Load in Thoroughbred and Paso Fino Horses.

Abstract Certain breeds of horses may be genetically predisposed to developing insulin dysregulation, which is a risk factor for development of endocrinopathic laminitis in horses. This study was performed to test the hypotheses that Paso Fino horses exhibit evidence of insulin dysregulation compared with Thoroughbred horses and that obesity exaggerates the insulin dysregulation. Intravenous glucose tolerance tests were performed in 14 moderate-weight Thoroughbreds, 12 moderate-weight Paso Finos, and 12 overweight Paso Finos. Moderate Paso Finos had greater baseline serum insulin concentrations, area under the insulin concentration curve, peak insulin, insulin-to-glucose ratio, area under the insulin to glucose curve, and modified glucose-to-insulin ratio compared with moderate Thoroughbreds. The reciprocal inverse square of basal insulin (RISQI) and glucose-to-insulin ratio were significantly lower in moderate Paso Finos compared with moderate Thoroughbreds. Overweight Paso Finos had greater baseline insulin concentrations, area under the insulin concentration curve, time to peak insulin, baseline plasma glucose concentration, insulin-to-glucose ratio, and area under the insulin to glucose curve compared with moderate Paso Finos. The RISQI and glucose-to-insulin ratio were significantly lower in overweight Paso Finos compared with moderate Paso Finos. In conclusion, moderate-weight Paso Finos had higher baseline serum insulin concentrations and an excessive hyperinsulinemic response to an intravenous glucose load when compared with moderate-weight Thoroughbreds. Overweight Paso Finos had even greater baseline insulin concentrations and hyperinsulinemic responses to glucose compared with moderate Paso Finos, as well as greater baseline plasma glucose concentrations. Paso Finos exhibit insulin dysregulation compared with Thoroughbreds.
An efficient reconstruction algorithm for diffusion on triangular grids using the nodal discontinuous Galerkin method

Abstract High-energy-density (HED) hydrodynamics studies such as those relevant to inertial confinement fusion and astrophysics require highly disparate densities, temperatures, viscosities, and other diffusion parameters over relatively short spatial scales. This presents a challenge for high-order accurate methods to effectively resolve the hydrodynamics at these scales, particularly in the presence of highly disparate diffusion. A significant volume of engineering and physics applications use an unstructured discontinuous Galerkin (DG) method developed based on the finite element mesh generation and algorithmic framework. This work discusses the application of an affine reconstructed nodal DG method for unstructured grids of triangles. Solving the diffusion terms in the DG method is non-trivial due to the solution representations being piecewise continuous. Hence, the diffusive flux is not defined on the interface of elements. The proposed numerical approach reconstructs a smooth solution in a parallelogram that is enclosed by the quadrilateral formed by two adjacent triangle elements. The interface between these two triangles is the diagonal of the enclosed parallelogram. Similar to triangles, the mapping of parallelograms from a physical domain to a reference domain is an affine mapping, which is necessary for an accurate and efficient implementation of the numerical algorithm. Thus, all computations can still be performed on the reference domain, which promotes efficiency in computation and storage. This reconstruction does not make assumptions on choice of polynomial basis. Reconstructed DG algorithms have previously been developed for modal implementations of the convection–diffusion equations. However, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first practical guideline that has been proposed for applying the reconstructed algorithm on a nodal discontinuous Galerkin method with a focus on accuracy and efficiency. The algorithm is demonstrated on a number of benchmark cases as well as a challenging substantive problem in HED hydrodynamics with highly disparate diffusion parameters.
Qualitative evaluation of paediatric surgical otolaryngology content on YouTube.

OBJECTIVE This study evaluated the quality of YouTube content focusing on common paediatric otolaryngology procedures, as this content can influence the opinions and medical decisions of patients. METHODS A total of 120 YouTube videos were compiled to review using the terms 'adenoid removal', 'adenoidectomy', 'ear tubes', 'tympanostomy', 'tonsil removal' and 'tonsillectomy'. The Discern criteria was used to rate the quality of health information presented in each video. RESULTS The mean bias Discern score was 3.18 and the mean overall Discern score was 2.39. Videos including US board certified physicians were rated significantly higher (p < 0.001) than videos without (bias Discern score = 3.00 vs 2.38; overall Discern score = 3.79 vs 1.55). The videos had been viewed a total of 176 769 549 times. CONCLUSION Unbiased, high quality videos on YouTube are lacking. As patients may rely on this information when making medical decisions, it is important that practitioners continually evaluate and improve this video content. Otolaryngologists should be prepared to discuss YouTube content with patients.
Please Allow Myself to Pardon . . . Myself: The Constitutionality of a Presidential Self-Pardon

Donald Trump sparked a debate after tweeting, “As has been stated by numerous legal scholars, I have the absolute right to PARDON myself . . . ,” and, “all agree the U. S. President has the complete power to pardon . . . .” Suddenly the constitutional question of a self-pardon — previously relegated to “parlor game” status among constitutional scholars — became real. This essay argues in favor of the president’s power to issue a self-pardon by analyzing both the arguments for and against. As this essay demonstrates, many of the anti-self-pardon arguments are the result of misunderstandings regarding judicial precedent, the Constitutional Convention, or the significance of one person’s ill-informed opinion during the Nixon administration. Other anti-self-pardon arguments are premised on vague themes that could be interpreted to support any desired outcome. The arguments in favor of the self-pardon, however, are well-grounded in American jurisprudence and are consistent with the text of the Constitution.
A polymer composite based organic FET multi-sensing device

Field-Effect Transistors (FETs) are the key building blocks in a wide range of electronic applications such as sensors and electrical switches. The emergence of Organic Field-Effect Transistors (OFETs) unveiled special features, which have taken the application of FETs into uncharted territories. These unique features include but are not limited to, low- cost processing, lightweight, mechanical flexibility, biocompatibility, broad material availability, etc. Similar to their inorganic counterparts, doping organic semiconductors (OSC) can significantly alter or improve their electrical and optoelectronic properties, resulting in doping induced OFET multi-functionalities. In this study, the impact of multi-doping on the OFET device performance and functionalities has been systematically investigated and evaluated under varying conditions of light, heat, and gate voltages. The experimental results appear to support the proposed hypothesis behind the multi-functionality of the system under study. The present work will provide valuable scientific insights for the advancement of OFET based sensors, switches, and modulators.
Right sided colorectal cancer increases with age and screening should be tailored to reflect this: a national cancer database study.

In the United States, colorectal cancer (CRC) screening and surveillance is recommended until age 75. However, rates of surgery for CRC are greatest in the elderly, questioning current guidelines. Tumor sidedness is an emerging prognostic marker that may help guide screening and treatment decisions, with specific benefit evaluating CRC anatomic distribution in the elderly. Our objective was to investigate the anatomical distribution of CRC in the elderly and factors associated with right-sidedness. The National Cancer Database (2004–2016) was used to identify elderly patients with CRC. Cases were stratified by tumor sidedness and elderly subgroups: 65–74, 75–84, and ≥ 85 years of age, and further categorized by primary site. Multivariate analysis identified factors associated with CRC right-sidedness. The outcomes were CRC sidedness in the elderly, the anatomic distribution by age group, and factors associated with right-sidedness. There were 508,219 colorectal cancer patients aged over 65 years identified, 54% of whom had a right-sided cancer. The right-sided incidence rates by age group were 49% (65–74 years), 58.2% (75–84 years), and 65.9% (≥ 85 years) (p 5 cm (OR 1.474; 95% CI 1.453–1.495; p < 0.001), pathologic stage IV (OR 1.036; 95% CI 1.012–1.060; p = 0.003). We found higher rates of right-sided colon cancer in the 75 and above age group. This is a population who would benefit greatly from a high-quality and complete colonoscopy for early diagnosis. As screening and surveillance for this age group are not currently recommended, our findings question the lack of universal recommendation of colonoscopy in patients over 75 years old. Guidelines for CRC screening and surveillance should consider the colon cancer right-shift in the elderly population. Based on these results, we recommend thorough assessment of the proximal colon in the elderly.
Implementing a QAPI framework for improvement in an academic setting: A roadmap to success

Designation as an accredited school of nursing (SON) requires "…. a comprehensive framework for ensuring quality in nursing education programs" (NLN CNEA, 2016). Although standards for accreditation of baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs are defined by agencies such as the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE, 2018) and the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA) (NLN CNEA, 2016), methods for collecting, analyzing, or reporting data are not prescribed, resulting in wide variation in quality management processes among schools. The lack of a standardized approach can lead to inefficiencies, invalid or misleading data, and unnecessary stress for all involved in the quality management process (Hanna, Duvall, Turpin, Pendleton-Romig, & Parker, 2016). In contrast, hospitals and nursing homes frequently implement a quality assurance and performance improvement (QAPI) program, a well-defined, methodical approach to quality management. The QAPI model offers healthcare organizations a systematic, comprehensive, and data-driven strategy for maximizing outcomes (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), 2016). Recognizing the need to improve and standardize the processes for data collection, analysis, and reporting, this paper describes how leaders at one accredited SON collaborated to translate CMS's QAPI model into the academic setting, establishing the foundation and mechanism to ensure the quality and integrity of the SON's outcomes.
Analyzing Auction Data for Anomalous Bidding

Online auctions as exemplified by sites such as ebay.com are responsible for very large volumes of transactions and monetary value. Their growth has also led to a growth in fraudulent activities in these markets. This paper studies transaction data from such auctions with the goal of using it to detect anomalous and potentially fraudulent bidding. To that end, it explores several approaches based on classification, clustering, and visualization. The quantitative results signal very high accuracy in classification but their promise is tempered by some limitations of the experimental dataset. Clustering and visualizations using self-organizing maps (SOMs) is found to be more effective for this data than clustering using more conventional methods such as k-means. In particular, the SOMs reveal several interesting relationships among the dataset’s attributes and their correlations to anomalous bidding.
The Relative Incident Rate Ratio Effect Size for Count-Based Impact Evaluations: When an Odds Ratio is Not an Odds Ratio

Area-based prevention studies often produce results that can be represented in a 2-by-2 table of counts. For example, a table may show the crime counts during a 12-month period prior to the intervention compared to a 12-month period during the intervention for a treatment and control area or areas. Studies of this type have used either Cohen’s d or the odds ratio as an effect size index. The former is unsuitable and the latter is a misnomer when used on data of this type. Based on the quasi-Poisson regression model, an incident rate ratio and relative incident rate ratio effect size and associated overdispersion parameter are developed and advocated as the preferred effect size for count-based outcomes in impact evaluations and meta-analyses of such studies.
Investigating the impact of partner phubbing on romantic jealousy and relationship satisfaction: The moderating role of attachment anxiety:

The ubiquitous and omnipresent smartphone has dramatically altered how people communicate. The present research investigates how partner phubbing (phone snubbing) among romantic partners impacts re...
Anisotropic neutron response of trans-stilbene and impact on a handheld dual particle imager

Abstract This manuscript details measurements of the anisotropic light-output response of trans-stilbene, henceforth referred to as stilbene, along the three primary crystal planes and analyzes how this anisotropic response impacts neutron image reconstruction in a handheld dual particle imager (H2DPI). A prototype H2DPI composed of stilbene pillars ( 6 × 6 × 50 mm 3 ) coupled to silicon photomultipliers was built and is capable of imaging both fast neutrons and gamma rays from kilogram quantities of special nuclear material. Stilbene was chosen as the scintillating medium for the imager because of its pulse shape discrimination capability, time resolution and relatively high light output. A drawback to using stilbene, however, is the anisotropic response. A recoiling proton from a neutron elastic-scattering event in stilbene will yield different amounts of scintillation light depending on the direction of the recoiling proton with respect to the crystal lattice. This manuscript analyzes how this anisotropic response impacts neutron image reconstruction in 4 π . The light output in the three primary crystal planes of stilbene were independently measured 6–7 times for proton recoil energies ranging from 0.5–5.0 MeV using a quasi-monoenergetic time-of-flight neutron source. The measured light-output data in the three crystal planes were fit with a semi-empirical function based on Birks’ formula. These fits were used to reconstruct the location of a 252Cf source in front of the imager (0°, −0.8°), to the left of the imager (−90°, −0.8°) and directly above the imager (0°, 90°) to determine if it is necessary to apply the directionally-dependent response of stilbene to accurately reconstruct source locations. A bootstrapping technique was applied to the measured data sets to produce 1000 images composed of 2000 cone projections for each source location and each measured light-output curve. List-mode maximum likelihood expectation maximization was applied to each image; the highest pixel location and the full width at half maximum (FWHM) were then recorded. The average and standard deviations of these parameters were taken for each set of images. The maximum difference in the average azimuthal pixel location when varying between the appropriate and incorrect light-output curves for the source locations at (0°, −0.8°) and (−90°, −0.8°) were respectively found to be 1 . 85 ± 1 . 3 9 ° and 2 . 03 ± 1 . 7 8 ° . All other pixel locations and FWHMs were within a single standard deviation of uncertainty. Taken together, the anisotropic response of stilbene has negligible impact on the neutron image reconstruction capability of the H2DPI.
The Legality of Legacy Business Practices in Antitrust

There is void in the literature at the intersection of antitrust law and legacy business practices. This issue has come to forefront with Epic Games’ antitrust suit against Apple for its App Store policies, which have been in place ever since the online marketplace opened in 2008. The same issues are at the center of the current Apple v. Pepper litigation and in regulatory proposals to alter Apple’s business practices both at the state and federal levels. Legacy conduct has also played a role in the Supreme Court’s controversial Ohio v. American Express decision and the Ninth Circuit’s FTC v. Qualcomm decision. This raises a question as to how antitrust should treat long-standing business practices—practices that this Article labels “legacy conduct”—that initially were benign or even procompetitive, but which come under heavy scrutiny once the firm employing it obtains considerable market power. The fundamental question raised here is whether the fact that a product has become highly successful turns a previously legitimate business practice into one that antitrust should treat as objectionable. This Article contends that three fundamental considerations should govern the proper assessment of cases involving legacy conduct under a rule of reason analysis. Further, this Article advances a policy recommendation that legacy conduct instituted long before a firm achieves substantial market power (particularly at the time of entry) and is common across competitors who do not themselves possess substantial market power, should be considered probative evidence that the practice is procompetitive. When these conditions are satisfied, defendants should be afforded a substantially reduced burden in proving the restraint is procompetitive under a rule of reason analysis commensurate with the strength of the legacy evidence.
Retiring the 401(k): A New Framework for Retirement Savings

Americans attempting to save for retirement face a maze of account options, each with their own unique tax consequences. Unfortunately, this maze also limits access to tax-advantaged retirement savings and takes money out of savers’ pockets. In this article, we recommend entirely eliminating traditional and Roth 401(k) accounts after a date to be specified by Congress. To compensate for dollars that workers (and their employers, through matching contributions) formerly contributed to these accounts, we propose raising the current contribution limits to traditional and Roth Individual Retirement Accounts (“IRAs”) proportionately. We argue that this reform would solve numerous inefficiencies and inequities in the current 401(k) system — it would effectively expand lower- and middle-class workers’ access to tax-advantaged retirement savings. In Part II we discuss how our proposal would solve seven severe problems plaguing the 401(k); in Part III we explain the options for transitioning from the current regime to an all-IRA regime; in Part IV we address some preliminary objections to our proposal.
What Is the Learning Curve for Lumbar Spine Surgery Under Spinal Anesthesia

Background Spinal anesthesia (SA) is routinely used in obstetrics and orthopedic surgery but has not been widely adopted in lumbar spine surgery (LSS). One perceived barrier is the learning curve for the neurosurgical and anesthesia team associated with managing a patient in the prone position under SA. Methods A retrospective cohort of 34 LSS cases under SA at our institution was examined. Operative time, corrected operative time per level, and complications were analyzed. The learning curve was assessed using a curve-fit regression analysis. Results Of patients, 62% were female, with mean (SD) age and body mass index of 60.7 (10.8) years and 29.9 (4.6) kg/m2, respectively. The mean (SD) for each time segment was operating room arrival to incision 35.7 (8.1) minutes, total surgical time 100.4 (35.8) minutes, and procedure finish to operating room exit 3.4 (2.5) minutes. When the times were normalized to procedure type and analyzed sequentially, the mean (SD) slope of all trendlines was 0.003 (0.005) with correlation coefficients of R2 = 0.0002–0.01, indicating no appreciable learning curve. Normalized postanesthesia care unit time was significantly shorter for overnight stay versus same-day discharge (0.64 vs. 1.36, P = 0.0005). Conclusions Our data demonstrate the lack of a learning curve when SA is implemented in LSS cases by an anesthetic team already familiar with SA techniques for other procedures. Importantly, the surgical team was already familiar with the minimally invasive surgery approaches used in conjunction with SA. This study highlights that the barriers to transitioning to SA for LSS may be fewer than perceived.