cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mycoecology of Willow and Cottonwood Lowland Communities in Southern Wisconsin. II. Soil Microfungi in the Sandbar Willow Stands

The sandbar willow (Salix interior), a 1-4 m high stoloniferous shrub, colonizes extensively and is the principal plant species found on newly exposed or deposited sand in and along major Wisconsin rivers. Stabilization of these pioneer areas produces conditions which favor the replacement of this shrub community by black willow (S. nigra) and cottonwood (Populus deltoides) trees; ultimately succession leads to the wet-mesic forests (7). The alluvial soils which support the development of S. interior are commonly coarse-grained sands exhibiting only a trace of organic material, minerals, and nitrogen, a slightly acid condition, and a low water-holding capacity. The water table is usually within 0.5-1.5 m of the surface. Litter deposited each autumn is swept away by the spring floods before much of it can be incorporated into the soil. In the summer months, conditions in these areas often simulate those found in deserts with surface temperatures reaching 40-60° C and the sands appearing dry. However, proximity to the river, high water tables, partial canopies, heavy dew, and/or moderate precipitation probably produce humid soil atmospheres during part of the time. The present investigation examines the soil microfungi in 5 sandbar willow stands thought to represent pioneer stages in a plant succession leading to the willow-cottonwood forests. In an earlier paper, the mycoecology of the latter community has been described (11).
Formulating Push Marketing Strategies: A Method and Application:

“Push” marketing strategies can create additional profit opportunities within the marketing channel. This paper describes a method that provides marketing managers with information on the profit im...
Development of a mathematical model for the prediction of the area of venous leak

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is an increasingly prevalent medical problem, affecting up to 50% of men aged between 40 and 70-y-old. Many cases are vasculogenic and some of these stem from the inability of the penis to store blood during erection due to leak into the venous system, termed corporo-venocclusive dysfunction (CVOD). The area of leakage during erection could be the most direct measure of erectile function but has not been investigated before. We have developed a simple mathematical model to determine the area of leak during erection and have tested it on data from both normal men (n=3) and men with venogenic impotence (n=16) undergoing dynamic infusion cavernosometry (DIC). The area of leak in the impotent group is significantly greater than in normal men at intracorporal pressures above 30 mmHg and reaches a plateau between 60 and 90 mmHg. Based on this study, we suggest that it may be necessary only to perform DIC at intracorporal pressures between 60 and 90 mmHg.
Roentgen ray therapy in rheumatic heart disease

In the course of rheumatic fever, cardiac involvement is frequent and constitutes the chief menace of the disease. No method is known whereby affection of the heart may be effectually prevented. Nor has it been possible significantly to modify the progressive character of the lesions initiated in the structures of the heart by the rheumatic process. These lesions are of two kinds: (1) exudative, representing the reaction to acute infection or intoxication and appearing characteristically in the myocardium as Aschoff bodies; (2) proliferative, the latter denoting attempts at healing, with the formation of scar tissue.There are reasons for believing that roentgen rays, in suitable doses, might be expected to exercise an effect upon rheumatic lesions in the heart. Radiotherapy has been successfully employed in the treatment of certain low-grade infections and is now standard practice in the management of tuberculous lymphadenitis and acne. Even more acute inflammatory conditions, such as carbuncles and furun...
Discovery of PF-5190457, a Potent, Selective, and Orally Bioavailable Ghrelin Receptor Inverse Agonist Clinical Candidate

The identification of potent, highly selective orally bioavailable ghrelin receptor inverse agonists from a spiro-azetidino-piperidine series is described. Examples from this series have promising in vivo pharmacokinetics and increase glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in human whole and dispersed islets. A physicochemistry-based strategy to increase lipophilic efficiency for ghrelin receptor potency and retain low clearance and satisfactory permeability while reducing off-target pharmacology led to the discovery of 16h. Compound 16h has a superior balance of ghrelin receptor pharmacology and off-target selectivity. On the basis of its promising pharmacological and safety profile, 16h was advanced to human clinical trials.
Removal of arterial lines and devices from the ascending aorta in cardiac surgery patients.

The use of monitoring or device lines through the ascending aorta may be necessary for a variety of clinical situations. The technique provided in this article allows percutaneous closure of these ...
Williams, Frances The Forgotten Kindertransportees: The Scottish Experience

The old truism that history never stands still—that interpretations of past events shift and change depending on who is telling the story—comes through particularly clearly in the case of the Kinde...
Generating an Executable Model of the Drosophila Central Complex

The central complex (CX) is a set of neuropils in the center of the fly brain that have been implicated as playing an important role in vision-mediated behavior and integration of spatial information for locomotor control. In contrast to currently available data regarding the neural circuitry of neuropils in the fly's vision and olfactory systems, comparable data for the CX neuropils is relatively incomplete; many categories of neurons remain only partly characterized, and the synaptic connectivity between CX neurons has yet to be experimentally determined. Successful modeling of the information processing functions of the CX neuropils therefore requires a means of easily constructing and testing a range of hypotheses regarding both the high-level structure of their neural circuitry and the properties of their constituent neurons and synapses. This document demonstrates how NeuroArch and Neurokernel may be used to algorithmically construct and evaluate executable neural circuit models of the CX neuropils and their interconnects based upon currently available information regarding the geometry and polarity of the arborizations of identified local and projection neurons in the CX.
Calculation of Displacement for Plate and Shell Structure under Support's Transfer Loading

Based upon the principle of virtual work,unit-load method for the research of the displacement calculation of plate and shell which subjected to support's Transfer loading is presented.A theory is presented that the displacement's calculation formulation doesn't explicit content structure's internal force term and the displacement is only relative to the support's displacement when plate and shell structure subjected to the support's transfer loading.The structure's displacement can be obtained when the structure's internal force is unknown that would greatly simplify the calculation of structure's displacement.The theory is provided for the first time,it not only has very important theory significance but also has practical value.
Clinical Analysis of Posttraumatic Cerebral Massive Infarction in Children

Objective To discuss the pathogensis, clinical features of posttraumatic cerebral massive infarction in children. Methods 36 cases with posttraumatic cerebral massive infarction in past five years were investigated retrospectively in Kunming 's children's hospital between 2009 and 2014. Results The age of the patients ranged from 4 months to 11 years. The cause of injury are high falling injury,accident and heavy combat injuries. All of the patients were diagnosed within 1 week. According to the Glasgow outcome scale standards, 11 patients recoveredwell,mildly disabled in 16 cases, severe disability in 5cases, plant survival in 1, 3 patients died. Conclusion Children withtraumatic large cerebral infarction is a serious complication of braintrauma, diagnosis relies mainly on CT or MRI, emphasis on early diagnosisand early treatment.
Head First XML

This article defines the concept of XML and the difference applicable area between XML with SGML and HTML. According to a sample,we analysize the XML comparing with HTML and the future of the XML.
Proximal interphalangeal joint dislocations without fractures.

SUMMARY Injuries to the proximal interphalangeal joint are extremely common. An understanding of the complex anatomy of this joint is essential for diagnosis and treatment of proximal interphalangeal joint sprains and dislocations. Lateral injuries are among the commonest injuries in the hand. These are often stable after reduction, requiring only closed treatment. Occasionally, however, the collateral ligament can be trapped in the joint and require open reduction. Dorsal dislocations represent the most common dislocation in the hand. These, too, are usually stable after reduction and can be treated by closed methods. On occasion, however, these dislocations will be open or irreducible by closed means, requiring surgical intervention and repair of damaged structures. Complex rotary dislocations are exactly that: complex. An exact understanding of the damaged structures and causes of irreducibility frequently makes this an injury often requiring open reduction and selective repair of damaged soft tissue structures. Fortunately, prompt diagnosis, reduction, and institution of appropriate treatment can usually afford the patient good function after these injuries. It must be noted that stiffness is more common than instability, and active range-of-motion exercises instituted at the proper time are essential. These joints will often remain permanently thicker after injury in spite of optimal care, and tenderness and soreness with use may persist for 6 to 12 months.
To email or not to email

Lean asynchronous computer mediated communication is often considered poor for communicating emotion, yet individuals continue to use it for business, personal, and even romantic communication. We used a lab experiment to investigate the influence of media (email and voicemail) and task type (romantic and utilitarian) on both the psychophysiological responses of senders and the content of the resulting messages. Message senders had more arousing physiological responses when sending emails than when leaving voicemails. An interaction exists between media and task such that the content of romantic email messages was more positive than romantic voicemails; while the opposite was true for utilitarian tasks. Thus the choice of media triggers different emotional responses in the sender and leads to different message content. We examined media use for utilitarian and romantic tasks using psychophysiology.Media and task change sender's emotions and the emotional content of messages.Romantic emails were the most positive and romantic voicemails the least positive.Composing email causes greater physiological arousal.Senders compensate for the limitations of email when sending romantic messages.
A novel method to estimate prey contributions to predator diets

Stomach content data are frequently used to characterize predator feeding habits, often by describing the proportional contribution by mass or number of each prey type (diet fractions). These data ...
Scalable NIC-based Reduction on Large-scale Clusters

Many parallel algorithms require efficient reduction collectives. In response, researchers have designed algorithms considering a range of parameters including data size, system size, and communication characteristics. Throughout this past work, however, processing was limited to the host CPU. Today, modern Network Interface Cards (NICs) sport programmable processors with substantial memory, and thus introduce a fresh variable into the equation. In this paper, we investigate this new option in the context of large-scale clusters. Through experiments on the 960-node, 1920-processor ASCI Linux Cluster (ALC) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, we show that NIC-based reductions outperform host-based algorithms in terms of reduced latency and increased consistency. In particular, in the largest configuration tested - 1812 processors - our NIC-based algorithm summed single-element vectors of 32-bit integers and 64-bit floating-point numbers in 73 µs and 118 µs, respectively. These results represent respective improvements of 121% and 39% over the production-level MPI library.
Antinociceptive Effects of a Novel α2/α3-Subtype Selective GABAA Receptor Positive Allosteric Modulator.

Pain remains a challenging clinical condition and spinal GABAA receptors are crucial modulators of pain processing. α2/α3-subtype GABAA receptors mediate the analgesic actions of benzodiazepines. Positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) at α2/α3-subtype GABAA receptors may have analgesic potential. Here we report a new selective α2/α3-subtype GABAA receptor PAM in in vitro and in vivo pain assays. KRM-II-81 demonstrated similar efficacy at α1/α2/α3 GABAA receptors and negligible efficacy at α4/α5/α6 GABAA receptors, with α2 and α3-subtypes being 17- and 28-fold more potent than α1 subtypes in HEK-293T cells expressing GABAA receptors with different α subunits. In contrast, KRM-II-18B showed significant efficacy at α1/α2/α3/ α5 subtypes, with similar potency at α1/α2/α3 subtypes. Both PAMs and morphine dose-dependently decreased 0.6% acetic acid- and 0.32% lactic acid-induced writhing. The effects of both PAMs were reversed by the benzodiazepine receptor antagonist flumazenil, confirming their action at the b...
On a question of Ramachandra

For each positive integer $k$, let $$a_k(n)=(\sum_p p^{-s})^k=\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} a_k(n)n^{-s},$$ where $\sigma={\rm Re}(s)>1$, and the sum on the left runs over all primes $p$. This paper is devoted to proving the following theorem: If $1/2<\sigma<1$, then $$\max_k(\sum_{n\leq N} a_k(n)^2n^{-2\sigma})^{1/2k}\approx (\log N)^{1-\sigma}/\log\log N$$ and $$(\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} a_k(n)^2n^{-2\sigma})^{1/2k} \approx k^{1-\sigma}/(\log k)^{\sigma}.$$ The constants implied by the $\approx$ sign may depend upon $\sigma$. This theorem has applications to the Riemann zeta function.
Opiates for the masses: constructing a market for prescription (pain)killers

ABSTRACTThis paper examines the discursive and material construction of the ongoing US opioid epidemic. It argues that the epidemic cannot be understood apart from the reciprocal relation of cultural and economic processes that have made possible the formation of a market for prescription painkillers. Through an analysis of the articulation and interaction of medical, cultural, political, and market discourses, the author shows how these have been mobilized within a network of actors and institutions in ways that govern the economic life of opioid products. Dramatic transformations in the domain of pain management have coincided with shifting attitudes toward drug use in popular culture and transformations in health and regulatory policy to orchestrate the materiality of an enormous market for opioid products and make intelligible the problem of a nationwide ‘epidemic’ of opioid use and abuse.
Sectional Relationships in the Eurasian Bearded Iris (subgen. Iris) Based on Phylogenetic Analyses of Sequence Data

Abstract Subgenus Iris is wholly Eurasian, distributed in temperate regions from northeastern China to eastern and southern Europe where they occur in mountainous and/or dry rocky sites from near sea level to elevations of 4,500 m. These species have an easily discerned synapomorphy, a multicellular beard on each petaloid sepal. Currently two large and relatively well known and four smaller and less known sections are recognized in the subgenus. This study investigated the monophyly of circumscribed sections and relationships among these sections. Seventy-one taxa, representing each of the six sections and about 80% of the recognized species in subgen. Iris, and 11 outgroup taxa were included in the study. Also included were five Asian species that share some morphological characteristics with subgen. Iris but are typically considered in other subgenera. Phylogenetic analyses of sequence data recovered six major clades but sects. Psammiris, Pseudoregelia, and Regelia, are not monophyletic as currently cir...
The assessment and management of defecatory dysfunction: a critical appraisal.

Purpose of reviewTo summarize the advances in diagnostic modalities and management options for defecatory dysfunction and highlight the areas in need of further research.Recent findingsThe diagnostic utility of high-resolution anorectal manometry (ARM), which has emerged as a promising tool for the
A 5-year follow-up study of neonates with Hirschsprung's disease undergoing transanal Soave or Swenson surgery.

Objective To investigate different outcomes and long-term efficacy of transanal Soave or Swenson surgery in treatment for neonates with Hirschsprung's disease (HD). Methods In the present study, a total of 29 neonatal patients were included, with 20 patients undergoing the Soave procedure and nine patients undergoing the Swenson procedure. Data collected from the patients included basic demographics, age and weight at the time of operation, pathological typing, type of operation, operative time, blood loss, length of hospital stay, bowel function, and complications. The follow-up lasted for 5 years for all patients via the outpatient clinics or by telephone. Results were statistically analyzed using SPSS version 18.0. Results The age, weight, and pathological type of patients with different surgical approaches showed no significant difference. The operation time and blood loss of patients who underwent Swenson procedure were significantly lower than those who underwent Soave procedure; P 0.05. Bowel function (Rintala score) and postoperative complications in the two groups also showed no significant difference when evaluated 3 months after the surgery; P>0.05. Patients were followed-up for a 5-year period at 3 months, 6 months, 2 years, and 5 years after surgery, respectively. Results showed that complications and bowel function recovery during the 5-year follow-up showed no significant difference between the two methods. Conclusion The operation time and blood loss of the transanal Swenson pull-through procedure was lower than transanal Soave method; however the long-term outcomes of the two methods showed no significant difference. These results may give more clinical evidence in this field.
System-Level Process Change Improves Communication and Follow-Up for Emergency Department Patients With Incidental Radiology Findings.

Abstract The appropriate communication and management of incidental findings on emergency department (ED) radiology studies is an important component of patient safety. Guidelines have been issued by the ACR and other medical associations that best define incidental findings across various modalities and imaging studies. However, there are few examples of health care facilities designing ways to manage incidental findings. Our institution aimed to improve communication and follow-up of incidental radiology findings in ED patients through the collaborative development and implementation of system-level process changes including a standardized loop-closure method. We assembled a multidisciplinary team to address the nature of these incidental findings and designed new workflows and operational pathways for both radiology and ED staff to properly communicate incidental findings. Our results are based on all incidental findings received and acknowledged between November 1, 2016, and May 30, 2017. The total number of incidental findings discovered was 1,409. Our systematic compliance fluctuated between 45% and 95% initially after implementation. However, after overcoming various challenges through optimization, our system reached a compliance rate of 93% to 95%. Through the implementation of our new, standardized communication system, a high degree of compliance with loop closure for ED incidental radiology findings was achieved at our institution.
Use of a Physical Education and Nutrition Program to Improve Outcomes

Abstract Physicians are poorly trained in balancing the demands of a career in medicine and maintaining personal health. Programs that address overall well-being early in residency are necessary to prevent physician burnout and promote physician health. In July 2015, the department of neurosurgery at the Medical University of South Carolina implemented a voluntary wellness initiative to promote healthy lifestyle choices. Baseline health and psychological screenings demonstrated alarmingly prevalent, previously undiagnosed abnormalities on cardiovascular and body weight screenings. Obstacles to leading a healthier lifestyle were identified and solutions were incorporated into the “La Sierra” program. In the first year of the program, average physical fitness metrics had improvement in every category and much had been learned about the psychological and physical impact of the program. Residency wellness programs are achievable and demonstrate significant benefit to the psyche and overall health. Programs such as these may be implemented to promote healthier lifestyles and combat physician burnout.
Hereditary angioedema education in otolaryngology residencies: survey of program directors.

BACKGROUND The objective of this work was to assess resident education regarding contemporary management of hereditary angioedema using a web-based survey. METHODS An 11-item, multiple-choice, electronic questionnaire was sent to all 106 accredited otolaryngology training programs in November 2016. Questions focused on resident education, management principles, and formalized assessment. RESULTS A total of 34 program directors responded, representing 32% of otolaryngology residences. Ninety-seven percent believed otolaryngology residents should be knowledgeable in the management of hereditary angioedema due to C1 inhibitor deficiency (C1-INH-HAE). Specifically, 38% and 26% of program directors felt their residents were comfortable and very comfortable in C1-INH-HAE management, respectively. Of those surveyed, 18% have educational simulation activities and a protocol in place for C1-INH-HAE management. Forty-seven percent of respondents felt their training program provided adequate education and exposure to C1-INH-HAE. Over the last 5 years, 45% felt residents were exposed to 1 to 5 cases of C1-INH-HAE. Sixty-seven percent of residents were trained in the management of C1-INH-HAE through in-person lectures. Seventy-one percent of programs had no formal assessment of resident competency in C1-INH-HAE management. CONCLUSION This study is the first to offer insight into C1-INH-HAE education and management principles in otolaryngology training programs. Surveyed program directors believe residents need a strong knowledge base in the management of C1-INH-HAE but less than half feel their trainees acquire the necessary exposure to this emergent disease process. Future research efforts in this area should aim to determine optimal educational activities as well as how to best incorporate this into otolaryngology residency curricula.
Multiple Measures of Historical Intergenerational Mobility: Iowa 1915 to 1940

Was intergenerational economic mobility high in the early twentieth century in the US? Comparisons of mobility across time are complicated by the constraints of the data available. I match fathers from the Iowa State Census of 1915 to their sons in the 1940 Federal Census, the first state and federal censuses with data on income and years of education. I can estimate intergenerational mobility between 1915 and 1940 based on earnings, education, occupation, and names. Across all these measures, I document broad consensus that rates of persistence were low in Iowa in the early twentieth century.
Infectious Agents in Rheumatic Diseases

In contrast to our incomplete understanding of many of the rheumatic diseases, information is more abundant about the pathogenesis of those caused by recognized infectious agents. Yet even here, great gaps exist in our ability to identify the presence of these agents promptly and to cope with their virulence. More striking is our ignorance of the complex immune apparatus that the host invokes to counter their attack.
Androgens and behaviour

This paper reviews findings from a number of studies designed to assess the joint contribution of hormonal and social factors to sexual and aggressive behaviours. Studies with male rhesus monkeys have shown that exposure to receptive females results in increased plasma testosterone and copulatory behaviour, while defeat experiences with or without wounding result in decreased testosterone and a decrease in all forms of social behaviour. Studies of human males under conditions of combat threat or arduous training show parallel androgen suppression and a decrease in covert use of sexual imagery. However, the data are generally strongest in studies involving environmental manipulation with nonhuman primates and highlight considerable individual dissociation between androgen levels and sexual or aggressive behaviours. This lack of concurrence for individual animals can be understood in terms of differences in social factors such as status within the group and the seasonal nature of social relationships. Male rhesus monkeys show a significant increase in testosterone during the breeding season, but the frequency of their sexual behaviour appears largely determined by dominance rank in the group. Similarly, males show testosterone increases when introduced to a group of females, but frequency of sexual behaviours depends largely upon the females’ acceptance of the males as a more dominant member of the group. Little behavioural change after HCG induced testosterone increase in males with a constant social structure lends further credence to the importance of social factors in determining sexual and aggressive behaviours. Studies with rhesus male adolescents suggest that sexual and aggressive behaviours increasing during the third and fourth years may not parallel the increase in testosterone, although these behaviours appear to be influenced by changing androgen secretion. In humans, however, data relating androgens with sexuality and aggression are largely inconclusive. Thus while androgens may permit the expression of sexual or aggressive behaviours, the actual occurrence of such behaviours seems to depend on other factors, particularly on the relationship of an individual animal with other members of the group. A focus of interest on such psychosocial variables in addition to biological parameters is suggested for future research.
Nonlinear elliptic boundary value problems: Lyusternik-Schnirelman theory, nodal properties and Morse index

The Lyusternik-Schnirelman theory in the calculus of variations treats isoperimetric problems for even functional on a Banach space X. A principal application is to nonlinear elliptic eigenvalue problems of the form $$Ly = \lambda f(x,y)\;in{\text{ }}\Omega ,\;\;y = 0{\text{ }}on\;\partial \Omega ,$$ (1.1) where L is a second order symmetric uniformly elliptic operator (we restrict the discussion to the second order case for simplicity) and $$ f(x, - y) = - f(x,y)\quad (x,y) \in \Omega \times \mathbb{R} $$ (1) .
Rapid Identification of Deepwater Horizon Oil Residues Using X-ray Fluorescence

Oil residues are found on Gulf of Mexico beaches due to the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) incident, alongside oil residues from natural seepage and other anthropogenic inputs. To identify the origin of o...
Obstetrics and Gynecology Residents' Perspectives on Wellness: Findings From a National Survey.

OBJECTIVE To examine U.S. obstetrics and gynecology residents' perceptions of wellness, burnout, and perceived effectiveness of wellness programming. METHODS In January 2017, a six-item survey was administered at the time of the Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology in-training examination. Respondents voluntarily completed the survey electronically before starting the examination, and responses were anonymous and only linked to postgraduate year. RESULTS Of the 5,376 eligible U.S. examinees, 4,999 (93%) completed the survey, provided residency year status, and were included in the analysis. There was a high prevalence of self-identified wellness problems (burnout 51.2%, depression 32.0%, binge drinking 12.6%, eating disorder 4.7%, drug use 1.1%, and suicide attempt 0.4%). First-year residents were most likely to state that wellness was a priority in their program. The number of residents reporting any problem with wellness increases significantly between the first year (49.8%) and second year (63.7%, P<.001), after which it remains elevated throughout training. Residents who responded that wellness was not a priority in their program were more likely to report wellness issues and burnout (P<.001). When asked what single intervention all residency programs should provide, 41.2% (2,059) felt that dedicated time for wellness maintenance was the most important intervention. CONCLUSION These findings highlight the high prevalence of wellness problems in obstetrics and gynecology residents, and how essential it will be to engage learners in the development of effective, evidence-based interventions.
Connected capacitive sensor array for upper-extremity motor rehabilitation

This paper proposes a rehabilitation assitant system equipped with a capacitor sensor array for persons exhibiting upper-extremity motor impairments. The capacitive sensor array utilizes mutual capacitance to quantize patients’ hand motions on a rehabilitation activity board. The rehabilitation board is equipped with an accelerometer to detect the slope of the activity board, since different inclinations of motions may affect the motor quality post trauma. A microcontroller – a Texas Instruments MSP430FR2633 – is used to measure capacitance. A secondary microcontroller – an ATmega 328P with the Arduino firmware – is used to retrieve capacitive sensor and accelerometer data, and transfer data via Bluetooth to a web capable edge device. The edge device hosts a webpage displaying the patients hand positions and the slope position of the activity board to enable visual feedback during and after rehabilitation sessions.
Trend Analysis on a Personal Computer: Problems and Solutions

The proliferation of inexpensive personal computers and user-friendly software has made it easy for geologists to contour and to apply trend-analysis techniques to a broad assortment of geologic data. Many of the current mapping programs designed for personal computers permit both polynomial and Fourier series analysis. Both methods are useful when correctly applied, however the wrong application can lead to serious distortions in the output thus creating apparent anomalies that do not exist. Problems may arise from the selection of contouring method, how the gridding or triangulation algorithm is applied to the data as well as from the trend-analysis method. The original data set may be modified before it is suitable for analysis. Polynomial trend-analysis data sets may need segmentation for valid results whereas Fourier analysis usually requires the set to be expanded in size. Processing problems are not restricted to personal computers and even occur with the most costly main frame software systems. However the more rigid requirements for small computer programs tend to restrict user selection in order to achieve processing speed and simplicity, generally at the expense of accuracy. Fortunately relatively simple tests permit the user to evaluate potential pitfalls in the application of contouring and trend-analysis programs and to determine avoidance strategy.
The Effect of Maternal Obesity on Oxytocin Requirements to Achieve Vaginal Delivery

Objective Our objective was to determine if obese women are more likely to require oxytocin rates > 20 mU/min to achieve vaginal delivery, compared with normal weight women. Study Design This is a retrospective cohort study of deliveries at the MedStar Washington Hospital Center and MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. Results There were 4,284 births included in the analysis. Thirty-three per cent of deliveries were among women classified as overweight (body mass index [BMI] 25–29.9 kg/m2) and 58% were among women classified as obese (BMI >30.0 kg/m2), 12% were classified as class III obesity (BMI >40 kg/m2). Overall 110 (2.6%) women required an oxytocin rate of >20 mU/min. Doses of oxytocin >20 mU/min for women in the overweight, class I obesity, and class II obesity groups were 2.6, 1.9, and 1.6%, respectively. Deliveries among women with class III obesity had a significantly longer duration of oxytocin exposure (10.7 hours) compared with the normal weight group (8.2 hours, p Conclusion Obese women are more likely to require oxytocin rates more than 20 mU/min, higher doses of oxytocin, and greater duration of oxytocin exposure to achieve a vaginal delivery.
A networking lab facility on the cheap: turning obstacles into opportunities

This paper describes the author's experiences establishing a cost-effective networking lab for the introductory networking course. The goals of the project included setting up a network using donated equipment, connecting it to the Internet wirelessly, and using it for running networking applications and diagnostic tools. Challenges faced included some rather severe budgetary and security-related restrictions. The paper describes how these obstacles were turned into learning opportunities, and the overall outcome was positive. The experience demonstrates that an effective hands-on networking laboratory is feasible, even with very limited resources.
To ‘Look Smart’ and Run Fast: Jamaican Track Athletes and the Advertisement of Creole Nationalism at the 1948 Olympic Games

AbstractAt the 1948 London Olympic Games, the colony of Jamaica made its Olympic debut. In a postwar moment that presaged the possibility of greater self-governance for colonized places, participat...
Ecosystem responses to channel restoration decline with stream size in urban river networks

Urban streams are often severely impaired due to channelization, high loads of nutrients and contaminants, and altered land cover in the watershed. Physical restoration of stream channels is widely used to offset the effects of urbanization on streams, with the goal of improving ecosystem structure and function. However, these efforts are rarely guided by strategic analysis of the factors that mediate the responsiveness of stream ecosystems to restoration. Given that ecological gradients from headwater streams to mainstem rivers are ubiquitous, we posited that location within a river network could mediate the benefits of channel restoration. We studied existing stream restorations in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to determine (1) whether restorations improve ecosystem function (e.g., nutrient uptake, whole-stream metabolism) and (2) how ecosystem responses vary by position in the urban river network. We quantified a suite of physicochemical and biological metrics in six pairs of contiguous restored and concrete channel reaches, spanning gradients in baseflow discharge (19-196 L/s) and river network position (i.e., headwater to mainstem). Hydrology differed dramatically between the restored and concrete reaches; water velocity was reduced 2- to 13-fold while water residence time was 50-5,000% greater in adjacent restored reaches. Restored reaches had shorter nutrient uptake lengths for ammonium, nitrate, and phosphate, as well as higher whole-stream metabolism. Furthermore, the majority of reaches were autotrophic (i.e., gross primary production > ecosystem respiration), which is not common in stream ecosystems. The difference in ecosystem functioning between restored and unrestored reaches was generally largest in headwaters and declined to equivalence in mainstem restorations. Our results suggest that headwater sites offer higher return on investment compared to larger downstream channels, where ecosystem responsiveness is low. If this pattern proves to be general, the scaling of ecosystem responses with river size could be integrated into planning guidelines for urban stream restorations to enhance the societal and ecological benefits of these expensive interventions.
Direct Imaging of the First-Order Spin-Flop Transition in the Layered Manganite La 1.4 Sr 1.6 Mn 2 O 7

The spin-flop transition in the antiferromagnetic layered manganite La{sub 1.4}Sr{sub 1.6}Mn{sub 2}O{sub 7} was studied using magnetization measurements and a high-resolution magneto-optical imaging technique. We report the direct observation of the formation of ferromagnetic domains appearing at the first order spin-flop transition. The magnetization process proceeds through nucleation of polarized domains at crystal defect sites and not through the expansion of polarized domains due to domain wall motion. A small magnetic hysteresis is caused by the difference between the mechanisms of nucleation and annihilation of domains in the mixed state. These results establish a direct link between the magnetic structure on the atomic scale as seen in neutron scattering and the macroscopic properties of the sample as seen in magnetization and conductivity measurements.
Selective Survival of Sim1/MC4R Neurons in Diet-Induced Obesity

In the melanocortin pathway, melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) functions to control energy homeostasis. MC4R is expressed in a sub-population of Sim1 neurons (Sim1/MC4R neurons) and functions in hypothalamic paraventricular nuclei (PVN) to control food intake. Mapping sites of hypothalamic injury in obesity is essential to counteract the disease. In the PVN of male and female mice with diet-induced obesity (DIO) there is neuronal loss. However, the existing subpopulation of PVN Sim1/MC4R neurons is unchanged, but has a loss of mitochondria and MC4R protein. In mice of both sexes with DIO, dietary intervention to re-establish normal weight restores abundance of MC4R protein in Sim1/MC4R neurons and neurogenesis in the PVN. However, the number of non-Sim1/MC4R neurons in the PVN continues to remain decreased. Selective survival and recovery of Sim1/MC4R neurons after DIO suggests these neurons as preferential target to restore energy homeostasis and of therapy against obesity.
Oncologic outcomes of complete transurethral resection prior to neoadjuvant chemotherapy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

e17029Background: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) prior to radical cystectomy (RC) is the standard of care for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Prior studies have shown that pT0 response at RC...
The Future of the Automated Mobility Industry: A Strategic Management Perspective

This paper examines the automation and sharing aspects of the competitive dynamics of the emerging automated mobility industry. It applies strategic management, technological innovation and forecasting frameworks to examine how the different categories of industry entrants position themselves and interact with one another, and their differential chances for success. Related to the different types of entrants it considers various criteria of success, including expected market share of vehicle sales versus miles serviced, and the number of systems, technology solutions, or licenses sold. Whether firms enter the automated mobility industry with a lateral move from an adjacent industry or as startups without preexisting experience turns out to be an important strategic distinction for predicting success. The rate at which the industry is shifting also plays an important role because it defines how much time incumbents have to adapt to change and how much time new entrants have before their investments must begin to generate positive cash flows. Our analysis suggests that tech companies, ADAS suppliers, and startups with a welldefined focus are most likely to succeed. The paper ends with highlighting important strategic issues for further discussion with automotive industry researchers, industry analysts, and leading practitioners.
A Photon Splitting Cascade Model of Soft Gamma-Ray Repeaters

The spectra of soft gamma-ray repeaters (SGRs), with the exception of the March 5, 1979 main burst, are characterized by high-energy cutoffs around 30 keV and low-energy turnovers that are much steeper than a Wien spectrum. Baring (1995) found that the spectra of cascades due to photon splitting in a very strong, homogeneous magnetic field can soften spectra and produce good fits to the soft spectra of SGRs. Magnetic field strengths somewhat above the QED critical field strength $B_{\rm cr}$, where $B_{\rm cr} = 4.413 \times 10^{13}$ G, is required to produce cutoffs at 30-40 keV. We have improved upon this model by computing Monte Carlo photon splitting cascade spectra in a neutron star dipole magnetic field, including effects of curved space-time in a Schwarzschild metric. We investigate spectra produced by photons emitted at different locations and observer angles. We find that the general results of Baring hold for surface emission throughout most of the magnetosphere, but that emission in equatorial regions can best reproduce the constancy of SGR spectra observed from different bursts.
iCoaching Behavior-Specific Praise in a Rural Classroom:

The purpose of this study was to explore the efficacy of iCoaching to increase the use of behavior-specific praise (BSP) by three educators (one teacher, two paraprofessionals) working in a rural c...
Prognostic and Therapeutic Implications of Tumor Biology, Including Gene Alterations, in Colorectal Liver Metastases

For patients with colorectal liver metastases (CLM), the combination of surgical resection with other therapeutic options is essential. This article shows how recent advances in knowledge of tumor biology, including genetic alterations, affect the choice of therapeutic approach for patients with CLM. We reviewed the literature on recent advances in knowledge about CLM tumor biology including genetic profiles, clinical risk score models for CLM, preoperative therapy for CLM, and liver-directed therapy for CLM. Studies showed that RAS alteration is a negative prognostic factor in addition to traditional clinical risk factors (e.g., larger diameter and higher number of CLM, spread of the primary tumor to regional lymph nodes). Although the response to preoperative chemotherapy is an important predictor of survival, poor response is not a contraindication to surgical resection. The combination of surgical therapy and percutaneous ablation can be considered in marginally resectable cases; however, a wider ablation margin is required for RAS-mutant CLM. More recently, genetic analysis using next-generation sequencing showed the negative prognostic impact of alterations in TP53, SMAD4, FBXW7, and RAS/BRAF in patients with CLM. In RAS-mutant CLM, intensive follow-up is required in patients who remain recurrence free 2 years after surgery. In patients with CLM, RAS mutation status is important in predicting postoperative survival, selecting the treatment approach, and tailoring postoperative follow-up. In addition, more recent genetic analyses of CLM have identified additional predictors of survival.
Long-term behavioral and cell-type-specific molecular effects of early life stress are mediated by H3K79me2 dynamics in medium spiny neurons

Animals susceptible to chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) exhibit depression-related behaviors, with aberrant transcription across several limbic brain regions, most notably in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Early life stress (ELS) promotes susceptibility to CSDS in adulthood, but associated enduring changes in transcriptional control mechanisms in the NAc have not yet been investigated. In this study, we examined long-lasting changes to histone modifications in the NAc of male and female mice exposed to ELS. Dimethylation of lysine 79 of histone H3 (H3K79me2) and the enzymes (DOT1L and KDM2B) that control this modification are enriched in D2-type medium spiny neurons and are shown to be crucial for the expression of ELS-induced stress susceptibility. We mapped the site-specific regulation of this histone mark genome wide to reveal the transcriptional networks it modulates. Finally, systemic delivery of a small molecule inhibitor of DOT1L reversed ELS-induced behavioral deficits, indicating the clinical relevance of this epigenetic mechanism.
Colonic mucosal eosinophilia in children without inflammatory bowel disease

Children undergoing colonoscopy and mucosal biopsies may show increased colonic mucosal eosinophils, which may or may not be associated with inflammatory bowel disease. There is not much clinical data on American children who have isolated increased colonic mucosal eosinophils. We sought to study the clinical correlates of children without inflammatory bowel disease who show increased mucosal eosinophils to understand their clinical presentation, etiological associations, and outcome. A retrospective analysis of children seen at a tertiary-level Children's hospital was performed by reviewing their medical charts and extracting pertinent data. There were 110 children in the study who had increased colonic mucosal eosinophils. Most children presented with abdominal pain, but several of them also had constipation, blood in stools, and diarrhea. Food allergies, irritable bowel syndrome, asthma, and lactase deficiency were the top four conditions present in these patients. Pathology of the colonic distribution revealed involvement of more than two colonic regions in 86% of the subjects, and only two subjects showing epithelial or crypt involvement by eosinophils. All subjects had a good outcome. Children with colonic mucosal eosinophilia (CME) who do not have an inflammatory bowel disease most frequently present with abdominal pain and primarily an increase of lamina propria eosinophils in two or more colonic regions. Based on the etiological associations we noted in the study, a work-up of children with CME may encompass detailed history for functional gastrointestinal disorders and lactose intolerance, testing for food and environmental allergies, stool examination for parasites, and peripheral blood counts. Almost all children had resolution of symptoms in the studied period suggesting that CME in children has a good clinical outcome.
Potential bioaccessibility of phenolic acids in whole wheat products during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion and probiotic fermentation.

Health benefits of whole wheat products are partially attributed by their unique phenolic compounds. This study investigated effect of simulated gastrointestinal digestion and probiotic fermentation on releasing of phenolic acids from whole wheat foods (bread, cookie, and pasta). Kinetics results showed that more phenolic acids were released within the first hour of gastric and intestinal digestions compared to the prolonged digestion. Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, a common probiotic strain, released additional phenolic acids from the digestive residues during fermentation. Simulated digestion released more soluble trans-ferulic acid than chemical extraction in breads (17.69 to 102.71 µg/g), cookie (15.81 to 54.43 µg/g), and pasta (4.88 to 28.39 µg/g). Phenolic acid composition of whole wheat products appeared to be better estimated by digestion methods than the chemical extraction method. The unique insoluble-bound nature and fermentability of wheat phenolic acids may lead to a mechanistic understanding of whole grain consumption for potential colorectal cancer prevention.