cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A new familial disease of saccadic oscillations and limb tremor provides clues to mechanisms of common tremor disorders

Tremor disorders pose fundamental questions about disease mechanisms, and challenges to successful neurotherapeutics: What causes motor circuits to oscillate in disorders in which the central nervous system otherwise seems normal? How does inheritance ‘determine’ the clinical phenotype in familial tremor disorders? Here, we address these questions. Analogies between the neural circuits controlling rapid eye movements (saccades) and those controlling limb movements allow us to translate the interpretations from the saccadic systems to the limb movement system. Moreover, the relatively well understood neurophysiology of the ocular motor system offers a unique opportunity to test specific hypotheses about normal and abnormal motor control of both eye and limb movements.We describe a new familial disorderc‘micro-saccadic oscillations and limb tremor (kSOLT)’cin a mother and daughter who had tiny saccadic oscillations of the eyes and tremor of the hands. This unique oscillatory movement disorder resembles other common tremor disorders (such as essential tremor) that occur in patients who have an otherwise normally functioning central nervous system. We hypothesize that kSOLT is caused by an inherited abnormality that results in abnormal membrane properties causing reduced external inhibition in the premotor neurons that generate the high-frequency discharge (burst) for saccades and for ballistic limb movements. To test this hypothesis, we recorded hand tremor and eye movements in two patients with kSOLT and particularly during natural circumstances when inhibition of the premotor saccadic burst neurons is removed (e.g. eye closure). We then simulated a conductance-based model for the premotor commands which included excitatory and reciprocally inhibitory burst neurons. The structure of this physiologically realistic model was based upon known cell types and anatomical connections in the brainstem (for saccades) and the thalamus (for limb movements). The physiological phenomenon of post-inhibitory rebound in premotor burst neurons makes the circuit inherently unstable and prone to oscillate unless prevented by external inhibition. Indeed, with simulated reduction of external inhibition (in this case glycinergic), saccadic oscillations and limb tremor were reproduced. Our results suggest that a single-inherited deficit can alter membrane properties, which impairs inhibition in an inherently unstable neural circuit causing the eye and limb oscillations in kSOLT. This concept has broad implications for understanding the mechanism and designing rationale pharmacotherapy for abnormal oscillations and may be applicable to other common disorders in which there are no structural abnormalities in the brain such as essential tremor.
The epidemiology of bathing disability in older persons

OBJECTIVES: To quantify the burden ofbathing disability over time; to determine whether the burden of bathing disability differs according to age, sex, and physical frailty; and to evaluate the relationship between disability in bathing and disability in other essential activities of daily living (ADLs). DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: General community in greater New Haven, Connecticut. PARTICIPANTS: Seven hundred fifty-four communityliving older persons aged 70 and older who were nondisabled (required no personal assistance) in four essential ADLs: bathing, dressing, transferring from a chair, and walking inside the house. MEASUREMENTS: Bathing disability, defined as the inability to wash and dry one’s whole body without personal assistance, was assessed every month for up to 6 years, along with disability in dressing, transferring, and walking. RESULTS: Over the course of 6 years, 440 participants (58.4%) had at least one episode of bathing disability, and 266 (34.0%) had multiple episodes, with the duration of each episode averaging about 6 months. Whether assessed as number of episodes, duration of episodes, incidence rates, or number of months per 100 months, the burden of bathing disability was greatest in participants who were physically frail and was consistently higher in women than men and in participants who were aged 80 and older than those who were aged 70 to 79. Most episodes of bathing disability (86.1%) were not preceded in the prior month by disability in dressing, transferring, or walking, and nearly half (48.3%) were not accompanied at onset by disability in one or more of these other ADLs. In a multivariable model that included age, sex, and physical frailty, the onset of bathing disability increased the likelihood of developing disability in the other essential ADLs the following month fivefold (hazard ratio 55.1, 95% confidence interval 54.1‐6.4). CONCLUSION: Disability in bathing may serve as a sentinel event in the disabling process. Given the recurrent nature of bathing disability, programs designed to enhance independent bathing will need to focus not only on the prevention of bathing disability, but also on the restoration and maintenance of independent bathing in older persons who become disabled. J Am Geriatr Soc 54:1524–1530, 2006.
Climate change, the monsoon, and rice yield in India

Recent research indicates that monsoon rainfall became less frequent but more intense in India during the latter half of the Twentieth Century, thus increasing the risk of drought and flood damage to the country’s wet-season (kharif) rice crop. Our statistical analysis of state-level Indian data confirms that drought and extreme rainfall negatively affected rice yield (harvest per hectare) in predominantly rainfed areas during 1966–2002, with drought having a much greater impact than extreme rainfall. Using Monte Carlo simulation, we find that yield would have been 1.7% higher on average if monsoon characteristics, especially drought frequency, had not changed since 1960. Yield would have received an additional boost of nearly 4% if two other meteorological changes (warmer nights and lower rainfall at the end of the growing season) had not occurred. In combination, these changes would have increased cumulative harvest during 1966–2002 by an amount equivalent to about a fifth of the increase caused by improvements in farming technology. Climate change has evidently already negatively affected India’s hundreds of millions of rice producers and consumers.
Peroxisome Proliferator–Activated Receptors Ligands, Oxidative Stress, and Cardiac Fibroblast Extracellular Matrix Turnover

The development of muscle hypertrophy and the excess deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins (ie, myocardial fibrosis) frequently accompany pathological cardiac remodeling. Peroxisome proliferator–activated receptors (PPARs) are ligand-activated transcription factors belonging to the nuclear factor receptor superfamily. Three different PPARs have been identified to date (PPARα, PPARβ, and PPARγ). PPARs are endogenously activated by ligands such as fatty acids and eicosanoids. PPARs are known to modulate gene expression for pathways involved in fat, lipid and glucose metabolism, inflammation, cell cycle, and immune responses.1 The genetic manipulation in mice of PPARs can lead to the modulation of cardiac muscle hypertrophy.2 The experimental use of PPAR ligands has also demonstrated their capacity to ameliorate myocardial fibrosis.3,4 However, the effect of PPAR activation on modulating cardiac fibroblast (CF) ECM turnover has not been explored. PPARγ can be activated by small molecules such as glitazones and lead to decreases in glucose and lipid serum levels. These properties of glitazones have been used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes patients for which benefits are derived not only from their ability to enhance insulin sensitivity but to ameliorate development of atherosclerosis.1 Glitazone derivatives such as rosiglitazone have also been shown to reduce myocardial infarct size after coronary artery occlusion–reperfusion.5 Evidence of improved contractile function and reduced levels of markers/mediators of inflammation accompanied the reduction in infarct size. Shiomi et al6 showed that long-term postmyocardial infarction treatment of mice with pioglitazone led to an amelioration of adverse left ventricular remodeling, improved contractile function, reduced levels of …
Start‐up Motivations and Growth Intentions of Minority Nascent Entrepreneurs

Firm growth is widely considered to be a measure of success for entrepreneurial businesses. Data indicate that there are systematic differences between minority and nonminority‐owned firms with res...
Facial Soft-Tissue Fillers: Assessing the State of the Science conference---Proceedings report

Summary The American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, with the support of other sister societies, conducted the Facial Soft-Tissue Fillers: Assessing the State of the Science conference in December of 2009. The American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons established a panel of leading experts in the field of soft-tissue fillers—from researchers to clinicians—and other stakeholders for the conference to examine and discuss issues of patient safety, efficacy, and effectiveness in relation to the approved and off-label use of soft-tissue fillers, and other factors, including the training and level of experience of individuals administering fillers. This report summarizes the deliberations and key points made by the panel and presenters to the panel, and includes a summary of the panel's near-term and longer term recommendations for next steps to help guide future efforts to address the safety, efficacy, and effectiveness of facial soft-tissue fillers. This report represents the panel's assessment of the medical knowledge available on facial soft-tissue fillers at the time of the conference.
Performance Measurement for Inventory Routing

We develop technology to measure the effectiveness of distribution strategies for inventory routing. Popular, practical performance measures, such as volume delivered per mile, are effective in measuring relative performance but inadequate in measuring absolute performance. We develop a methodology that allows the computation of tight lower bounds on the total mileage required to satisfy customer demand over time. As a result, companies will be able to gain insight into the effectiveness of their distribution strategy.
Testing for the Potential for Nonresponse Bias in Sample Surveys

THIS ARTICLE recommends a statistical hypothesis test to investigate nonresponse bias. Even in a well-designed survey, the unknown opinions of individuals who fail to respond cannot contribute to estimates of population preferences. Nonresponse bias occurs if there is a difference between the preferences of these nonrespondents and those of the responders on whom estimates are based. The magnitude of this difference times the proportion of nonrespondents gives the expected size of the bias. Thus the problem is particularly acute for mail surveys which, though popular for being inexpensive, sometimes have response rates well below 50 percent. Interestingly, the problem of nonresponse bias in mail surveys was noted in the statistical literature as early as 1838 (Porter, 1838). Researchers who conduct mail surveys try to reduce the size of the nonresponse bias in a variety of ways, most notably through efforts to stimulate higher participation (Linsky, 1975). For a given level of participation, they may attempt to adjust their estimates through the application of reasonable sample weights. One method gives greater weights to respondents who took longer or were more difficult to bring into the sample on the assumption that they more closely resemble the nonrespondents (Pace, 1939; Politz and Simmons, 1949). A second
Construct Stability of the Cognitive Abilities Scale-Second Edition for Infants and Toddlers

The construct stability of the Infant Form of the Cognitive Abilities Scale-Second Edition (CAS-2) was examined with 54 children who were assessed when they were between 3 and 23 months old. They were assessed again with the Preschool Form of CAS-2 when they were 2- or 3-year-olds. The two forms have no overlapping items and employ different formats. The correlation for children assessed initially when less than 1 year of age was .28 (.46 corrected for restricted range). For those assessed initially at 12 to 23 months, a correlation of .65 (.76 corrected) was obtained. Results for the majority of individuals remained stable over time. Implications for practice and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Transgastric cholecystectomy using a prototype endoscope with 2 deflecting working channels (with video)

Background Transgastric cholecystectomy has been shown to be feasible in animal models and human case reports but cumbersome with current available instrumentation. Objective To evaluate a prototype endoscope with 2 working channels with deflectors at the distal tip for performance of transgastric cholecystectomy. Design Animal study, nonsurvival and survival. Animals Sixteen male pigs. Setting University hospital. Intervention Transgastric cholecystectomy in 6 nonsurvival pigs by using several different dual-channel endoscopes and 10 survival pigs by using the Olympus dual-channel endoscope with an up-down deflecting channel to the left of the objective lens and a left-right deflecting channel located below the lens. Gallbladder fundic retraction was performed with the aid of one laparoscopic grasper. Results Cholecystectomy was successful in all survival animals. Median procedure time was 81 minutes (range 31-163 minutes), with a decrease over time. Visualization of all structures was achieved, and clipping of the cystic duct and artery was successful in all cases. Dissection of the gallbladder via the left-right channel was enhanced with retraction via the up-down deflecting channel. Nine of 10 animals survived without complications. One animal died, on postoperative day 2, secondary to peritonitis due to a leak from the gastrotomy site. Conclusions This endoscope, with deflecting working channels, allows transgastric cholecystectomy in pigs. The endoscope was stable enough to be used without an overtube and facilitated retraction and dissection. This endoscope is promising for use in transgastric cholecystectomy in human beings.
SH2 Domain Structures

The sections in this article are 1 Introduction 2 Solution Structure of the Abl SH2 Domain 3 General Topology 4 Structural and Sequential Alignment of Related Sequences 5 Comparison with Other Determined SH2 Domain Structures 6 Ligand Binding for Abl SH2 7 Modularity of the SH2 Domain 8 Mutagenic Data Explained by the Structure 9 Conclusions 10 Biographical Sketches Related Articles
Multifaceted web services: an approach to secure and scalable grid scheduling

A multifaceted or multi-interface web service is a web service that offers interfaces to clients and to other peer web services. The multifaceted web service uses a generic parameter-based approach developed in this paper to allow for collaboration between web servers. This parametric approach solves security and scalability problems and is found to be applicable in many situations. Such an approach is necessary to permit easy collaboration and secure resource sharing. We describe one instantiation of such an approach in the form of a global grid scheduler for data parallel (or Single Program Multiple Data) programs. This scheduler demonstrates the usefulness of our approach in current business environments where administrative policies are a major factor in scheduling decisions.
The Feasibility of Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Residential Buildings

The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, the so-called Waxman-Markey cap and trade bill, proposed that all residential buildings be renovated to meet existing energy codes upon sale to m...
Characteristics of a 3D-printed prosthetic hand for use in developing countries

Arising out of civil conflict, disease, birth defects, and traumatic accidents, many people in developing countries lack hands or fingers. Prosthetic hands can help give these people a sense of agency and increased ability to perform everyday tasks. Unfortunately, many prostheses are prohibitively expensive and often require frequent maintenance and repair. Therefore, they are financially and geographically inaccessible to most people living in developing countries. A 3D printed, open-source hand is one possible solution owing to its low cost and potential for customization. However, the hand must be appropriate for the environmental conditions and lifestyles found in developing countries. To characterize the functionality of the 3D printed hand, a series of daily task and object tests were carried out. While the prosthesis was able to successfully complete a number of tasks, it had difficulty with those that required intricate movements and with heavy objects.
Novel design and operational control of integrated ultrafiltration — Reverse osmosis system with RO concentrate backwash

Abstract A novel design for a reverse osmosis (RO) desalination system directly integrated with an ultrafiltration (UF) pre-treatment unit was developed. The integration involves direct RO feed from the UF filtrate and UF backwash using the RO concentrate. This alignment reduces overall plant footprint, while the use of RO concentrate for UF backwash allows 100% UF recovery and implementation of flexible backwash strategies. The present system design utilizes a control scheme, whereby RO productivity can be prescribed independently of the UF system which self-adjusts to provide the RO system with its required feed flow rate at the specified RO pump inlet pressure. UF backwash, achieved via direct RO concentrate flow from the RO system provided a continuous flow for sequential UF backwash which was additionally integrated with pulse backwash using a hydraulic accumulator. Seawater desalination field studies with a UF–RO pilot system of 12,000 gal/day permeate production capacity successfully demonstrated the advantage of RO concentrate UF backwash that was triggered based on a membrane resistance threshold. The above self-adaptive UF backwash strategy significantly extended the projected UF operation period (by a factor of nine) to the threshold of required chemical cleaning.
Could more health care lead to worse health

(1999). Could More Health Care Lead to Worse Health? Hospital Practice: Vol. 34, No. 12, pp. 15-28.
A Novel Piezoelectric Multilayer Stack Energy Harvester With Force Amplification

A piezoelectric lead zirconate titanate (PZT) multilayer stack flextensional energy harvester (PZT-Stack-FEH) was designed and characterized in this paper. An elastic flextensional frame for force amplification was optimally designed to transmit more mechanical energy with high efficiency to the PZT-Stack-FEH. Instead of 31-mode single layer piezoelectric component, a 33-mode piezoelectric PZT multilayer stack was employed to increase mechanical-to-electrical energy conversion efficiency. The power delivery ratio of the electrical power dissipated by resistive load over the total generated electrical power from PZT stack was studied. Theoretical analysis and experiments were carried out. The experiment results show that the mechanical-to-electrical energy conversion efficiency of the PZT-Stack-FEH is 19%, 48.6 times more mechanical energy can be transmitted to PZT-Stack-FEH, and 26.5 times more electrical energy can be generated by using the PZT-Stack-FEH than directly applying force to the PZT multilayer stack. The maximum power delivery ratio can attain 70% when the resistive load matches the impedance of piezoelectric stack. The power generation performance of the PZT-Stack-FEH with a proof mass was also studied. Experiment results show that he peak power/acceleration can attain 2400mW/g when the PZT-Stack-FEH is connected with a proof mass of 200 grams and 3280 mW/g with a proof mass of 500 grams.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Choice of Health Plans Among Full-Time Workers

Health care cost inflation has resulted in most employers reevaluating their health plans. While a few employers have dropped health insurance benefits for their workers, most employers asked for employee contributions for health insurance premiums and also began offering managed care plans as part of their health benefits package. Some employers offered both traditional fee-for-service health plans and managed care plans, while others offered only managed care plans.
Monitoring and Analysis on the Contamination of Cadmium in Aquatic Products and Edible Fungi in Siming District

Objective To understand the contamination of cadmium in some food in Siming district.Method Food samples were randomly collected from supermarkets and open fairs and tested by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry according to GB /T 5009.15—2003 Determination of Cadmium in Foods.Results The rates exceeding the limit for cadmium in aquatic products and edible fungi were 31.8% and 82.4% in tested samples respectively.Conclusion The contamination of cadmium in some foods was serious in Siming district.It is suggested that enhancing a comprehensive treatment of the environment on breeding industry,paying more attention to the quality management of input materials in the breeding industries and the culture medium for fungi;establishing unified standards on food quality and safety and strengthening construction of a food security monitoring system.
Beneficial effects of animal-assisted visits on quality of life during multimodal radiation-chemotherapy regimens.

BACKGROUND Animal-assisted visits (AAVs) are commonplace in cancer centers, but there is little evidence of their usefulness. OBJECTIVE To test the efficacy of AAVs in improving the quality of life in patients with head and neck cancer receiving combined chemotherapy-radiation therapy. METHODS 42 patients consented to daily AAVs during the time they received therapy for head and neck cancer. The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General Scale (FACT-G) was administered at baseline, week 3, and week 7 (at the end of therapy), and the Satisfaction With The AAV Intervention instrument, an 18-item scale adapted from the Pet Attitude Scale. RESULTS 37 patients completed at least baseline and 1 follow-up assessment for a single group analysis of change over time. Means for Fact-G subscales showed significant declines in Physical Well-Being (PWB, P < .001) and Functional Well-Being (FWB, P = .003). In contrast, Social Well-Being increased (SWB, P = .03). Controlling for declines in PWB at each time point, increases in Emotional Well-Being (EWB) were also significant (P = .004). LIMITATIONS Scheduling and patient preference prevented conducting a randomized trial. CONCLUSION FACT-G analysis showed significant increase in SWB and EWB despite high symptom burden and clinically evident and expected declines in PWB and FWB. Mean scores for satisfaction related to psychological symptoms, liking animals/pets, and contact with animals were consistently higher than neutral score or Unsure (all, P < .001). Satisfaction related to physical symptoms was not significantly different from neutral. Though self-selected for an affinity to pets, patients endorsed a high level of satisfaction, which supports the usefulness of this intervention.
A Presenilin-2-ARF4 trafficking axis modulates Notch signaling during epidermal differentiation.

How primary cilia impact epidermal growth and differentiation during embryogenesis is poorly understood. Here, we show that during skin development, Notch signaling occurs within the ciliated, differentiating cells of the first few suprabasal epidermal layers. Moreover, both Notch signaling and cilia disappear in the upper layers, where key ciliary proteins distribute to cell–cell borders. Extending this correlation, we find that Presenilin-2 localizes to basal bodies/cilia through a conserved VxPx motif. When this motif is mutated, a GFP-tagged Presenilin-2 still localizes to intercellular borders, but basal body localization is lost. Notably, in contrast to wild type, this mutant fails to rescue epidermal differentiation defects seen upon Psen1 and 2 knockdown. Screening components implicated in ciliary targeting and polarized exocytosis, we provide evidence that the small GTPase ARF4 is required for Presenilin basal body localization, Notch signaling, and subsequent epidermal differentiation. Collectively, our findings raise the possibility that ARF4-dependent polarized exocytosis acts through the basal body–ciliary complex to spatially regulate Notch signaling during epidermal differentiation.
β decay of 22 F

$^{22}\mathrm{F}$ was produced in the $^{18}\mathrm{O}(^{6}\mathrm{Li},2p)^{22}\mathrm{F}$ reaction using 26-MeV $^{6}\mathrm{Li}^{3+}$ ions. Following transfer of the target in a shuttle system, delayed $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ and $\ensuremath{\beta}$ rays were observed with Ge(Li) and NE102 plastic detectors. Several $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays from $^{22}\mathrm{F}$ decay were observed, decaying with a half-life of 4.23 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.04 sec. $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ coincidence measurements have established that a 1900.0-keV transition terminates on a level in $^{22}\mathrm{Ne}$ at 5523.4 keV, contrary to a previous study. The ground state of $^{22}\mathrm{F}$ is of ${J}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}={4}^{+}$ (with ${3}^{+}$ as a remote possibility) disagreeing with a previous assignment of ${5}^{+}$. Accurate excitation energies are presented for seven states in $^{22}\mathrm{Ne}$. Experimental results compare favorably with full $2s\ensuremath{-}1d$ basis shell-model calculations of the $A=22$ system.[RADIOACTIVITY $^{22}\mathrm{F}$; measured ${t}_{\frac{1}{2}}$, ${E}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}}$, ${I}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}}$, ${E}_{\ensuremath{\beta}}$, $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ coin., $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\beta}$ coin., deduced decay scheme, $J$ of $^{22}\mathrm{F}$, $log\mathrm{ft}$, ${E}_{\mathrm{levels}}$; compared with theory.]
Picosecond Transient Surface Temperature Measurement by Reflection High-Energy Electron Diffraction

In the study of the interactions of ultrafast lasers with surfaces, a key parameter is the time evolution of the surface temperature. Typically, this is determined for simple systems using a heat-diffusion model. It has been previously demonstrated that second-harmonic generation at surfaces could be used, when resonantly enhanced, as a surface temperature probe [1]. However, this approach does not offer a general technique suitable for different materials. Here we demonstrate the utilization of picosecond time-resolved reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED) as a lattice-surface temperature probe.
Lumbar Puncture Opening Pressure and Surgical Risk in NPH (P07.260)

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate if LP opening pressure is related to over drainage complications in NPH. BACKGROUND: The most common surgical complication in shunt surgery for NPH is over drainage. If surgeons could anticipate those at increased risk they may be able to take steps to decrease the risk. DESIGN/METHODS: We evaluated by chart review 116 consecutive patients with idiopathic NPH shunted between 1/1/09 to 12/31/11 at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville. We documented the opening pressure and the complications after shunt surgery. RESULTS: We shunted 118 patients, excluded 2 because they were shunted for secondary causes, 9 had history of head injury thought to be unlikely related to hydrocephalus and were included. Average f/up period was 18 months, and age 75.6 years. 41 % were female. 100% had gait difficulty, 75% urine difficulty and 64% memory loss. In 83% gait, 70% urine control and 44% memory improved after the surgery. All had CT scan 2-4 weeks post op to evaluate over drainage. 37/116 (32%) had over drainage on CT and 7 did not resolve with shunt valve pressure adjustment. The LP opening pressure (OP) was recorded in 105 patients and the median was 161 mm H2O. 14/53 (26%) below the median and 20/52 (38%) above the median had CT evidence of over drainage and all but 7 responded to shunt pressure adjustment. Interestingly, all 7 cases that did not respond were above the median. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that NPH patients undergoing shunt surgery with higher LP opening pressure above 161mm H2O may be at greater risk of over drainage complications. We caution that this is a small study and should be replicated. However if replicated surgeons may be able to decrease over drainage complications by setting the shunt valve opening pressure higher in those with higher LP opening pressures. Disclosure: Dr. Khan has nothing to disclose. Dr. Wharen has nothing to disclose. Dr. Deen has nothing to disclose. Dr. Reimer has nothing to disclose. Dr. Grewal has nothing to disclose. Dr. Graff-Radford has received personal compensation for activities with Codman. Dr. Graff-Radford has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for the Neurologist. Dr. Graff-Radford has received research support from Janssen, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, Medivation, Forrest, and Allon.
The US and Western Europe: a Troubled Partnership

The ultimate goal of Kissinger’s global strategy — the establishment of a stable international order — was in Kissinger’s view threatened by the political multipolarity of the 1960s. Kissinger recognized that political multipolarity makes impossible the imposition of an American design. Instead, he advocated the establishment of an international system based on political multipolarity and military bipolarity. He was convinced, however, that the threat emanating from political multipolarity could be significantly reduced by resolving some of the apparently insoluble problems which beleagured NATO. In his perceptive books, The Necessity for Choice and The Troubled Partnership, Kissinger maintained that the forging of a common Atlantic policy with Western Europe was the most urgent task confronting American foreign policy.1 Hence his appointment as President Nixon’s Assistant for National Security Affairs generated the hope in Western Europe that some of NATO’s problems would be resolved.
Case Scenario for Fluid Management in Liver Resection

Patients undergoing liver resection, especially those with intrinsic liver disease (e.g., alcoholic liver cirrhosis or hepatitis C), frequently demonstrate a prolongation of PT-INR (prothrombin time/international normalized ratio). Simultaneous thromboelastographic tracings, however, typically show a normal coagulation function in these patients, with transient hypercoagulability occurring immediately after the partial hepatectomy. Liver resection reduces the synthetic function of the liver, resulting in a decrease in the level of both procoagulant and anticoagulant factors synthesized by the liver. Concomitantly, there is an up-regulation on non-hepatically synthesized factors, especially factor VIII and von Willebrand factor, which can maintain coagulation. The release of large amounts of factor VIII, von Willebrand factors, and tissue factor from the cut liver parenchyma can activate the coagulation cascade and subsequent fibrinolysis. This can explain the observed decrease in platelet count, fibrinogen (with the formation of fibrin platelet complexes), the increase in D dimer, and the prolongation in PT-INR that is observed when individual coagulation tests are performed. It is therefore not advisable, and dangerous, to base plasma transfusion decisions solely on prolonged PT/INR values.
Revisiting Mn and Fe removal in humic rich estuaries

Abstract Metal removal by estuarine mixing has been studied for several decades, but few studies emphasize dissolved metal speciation and organic ligand complexation. Findings from the last decade indicate that metal-humic complexation can be significant for dissolved metals including Cu(II), Al(III) and Fe(III), but little consideration is given to the precipitation of these complexes with humic material at pH [Fe(III)-L] in surface waters, which may be attributed to high rates of photoreduction of Fe(III)-L complexes. Total [Mn(III)-L] ranged from 0.22 to 8.4 μM, in excess of solid MnOx (below 0.28 μM in all samples). Filtration of samples through 0.02 μm filters indicated that all Mn(III)-L complexes pass through the filters and were not colloidal species in contrast to dissolved Fe. Incubation experiments indicated that the reductive dissolution of solid MnOx by ambient ligands may be responsible for Mn(III) formation in this system. Unlike previous studies of estuarine mixing, which demonstrated metal removal during mixing, we show significant export of dMn and dissolved Fe (dFe) in the summer and fall of 2015. Thus, we propose that estuarine removal should be considered seasonal for dMn and dFe, with export in the summer and fall and removal during the winter.
Conflict detection in online textual health advice: demo abstract

Textual health advice generated from different online sources (e.g., health apps and websites) can be conflicting. Conflicts can occur due to lexical features, (such as, negation, antonyms, or numerical mismatch) or can be conditioned upon time and/or physiological status. Detecting conflicts from textual health advice poses several challenges, including, large structural variation between text and hypothesis pairs, finding conceptual overlap between pairs of advice, and inference of the semantics of an advice (i.e., what to do, why, and how). In this demonstration, we present a semantic rule-based system to detect different types of conflicts in online textual health advice statements in a context-aware and interpretable manner.
A Moral Licensing Perspective of Abusive Supervision and Career Consequences

Both phenomena of star employees and abusive supervision have received considerable attention over the past decade. However, two theoretically and practically important questions remain unexplored:...
Characterization of the proton irradiation induced luminescence of materials and application in radiation oncology dosimetry

Visible light generated as the result of interaction of ionizing radiation with matter can be used for radiation therapy quality assurance. In this work, we characterized the visible light observed during proton irradiation of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and silica glass fiber materials by performing luminescence spectroscopy. The spectra of the luminescence signal from PMMA and silica glass fibers during proton irradiation showed continuous spectra whose shape were different from that expected from Cerenkov radiation, indicating that Cerenkov radiation cannot be the responsible radioluminescence signal. The luminescence signal from each material showed a Bragg peak pattern and their corresponding proton ranges are in agreement with measurements performed by a standard ion chamber. The spectrum of the silica showed two peaks at 460 and 650 nm stem from the point defects of the silica: oxygen deficiency centers (ODC) and non-bridging oxygen hole centers (NBOHC), respectively. The spectrum of the PMMA fiber showed a continuous spectrum with a peak at 410 nm whose origin is connected with the fluorescence of the PMMA material. Our results are of interest for various applications based on imaging radioluminescent signal in proton therapy and will inform on the design of high-resolution fiber probes for proton therapy dosimetry.
Popular feminism and teen girl fashion blogs

In this paper, I explore the popular feminism that is expressed through teen girl fashion blogs. Popular feminism is a nascent movement which displaces postfeminism as the dominant discourse of fem...
Online Labeling: Algorithms, Lower Bounds and Open Questions

The online labeling problem (also known as the file maintenance problem), is a natural algorithmic problem that has arisen as a buidling block for data structures. A stream of distinct integer items is to be assigned labels online from a label set \(\{1,\ldots ,m\}\) so that the order of the labels respects the natural order of the items. Maintaining order on the labels may require relabeling items. The algorithm pays 1 each time an item is labeled or relabeled and the goal of the algorithm is to minimize the total cost.
Self-triggered Asynchronous Optical Sampling THz Spectroscopy With a Single Bidirectional Fiber Oscillator

We report a self-triggered single-laser THz spectroscopy system with no moving parts or locking electronics. The simplicity of this architecture demonstrates the possibility of portable THz spectrometers with smaller size, weight and power requirements.
Cell imaging by phase extraction neural network (PhENN)

We trained a phase extraction neural network (PhENN) using a spatial light modulator (SLM) and applied it to a wide-field microscope to reconstruct the phase profiles of cell samples.
Exchange and Strategy

Many social psychologists would agree with Brad’s observation that he is buying Janet’s affection. What is more, they would argue that in many respects, all social relationships operate like a marketplace. People give others certain goods and services, and in return they hope to receive a payoff. No matter what the level of the relationship—romantic attraction or congressional decision making—social life can be conceptualized as a process of giving and taking, buying and selling. In this sense, everyone is bargaining for the best deal possible. You may find this view of human relations cynical, and you may wish to adopt a nobler description. Before you reject the notion of social relations as exchange and strategy, however, consider some of the interesting insights developed by investigators who have adopted this point of view.
Decentralized supply chain dynamics and the quantity flexibility contract

Abstract In a decentralized supply chain, i.e., one with multiple loci of control, the dependencies between the entities are formalized through contracts. The typical goal is to choose contract forms and values that are beneficial to both the contracting entities. Representation of supply chains at a level sufficient to capture the essential system interactions requires a high-level architecture that combines simulation (SIM) and optimization (OPT) techniques. In this framework, the simulation captures the systemwide uncertainties while the optimization model captures the combinatorial nature of manufacturing decisions. In this paper, we extend the application of the SIM-OPT framework to a two-level decentralized retailer-manufacturer supply chain described in Subramanian V. et al (2005) . The application involves the quantity flexibility (QF) contract and its role in mitigating the bullwhip effect, an amplification of demand variability that can arise under certain conditions. In the earlier work, a case study with independent and identically distributed (i.i.d) demand was used to quantify the impact of a series of contract settings on these two entities. Preliminary investigation into the effect of the manufacturing function on the contract was also reported. In the present paper, the contract is explored under the more general case of non-stationary demand. The following features are examined: (i) taking advantage of non-stationary demand, the impact of the contract parameters on the manufacturer are verified (ii) the interaction between manufacturer's process investment decisions and the contract is generalized (iii) further studies into the effect of the production function on the contract are summarized. Through this paper, we continue to demonstrate the use of the SIM-OPT framework in studying decentralized supply chain dynamics, and, in particular, the utility of detailed manufacturing models.
An Interactive Multi-Criteria Model for Audit Workload Planning

Planning the staffing of expected audit workload for a CPA firm can be a complex problem subject to a number of objectives and constraints. It is likely no solution fully satisfies all objectives; rather, a decision maker makes trade-offs, achieving more of one objective at the expense of another. Planning models aid in this process by providing alternative configurations and assessing the degree to which each objective is achieved. The audit staffing decision has sufficient complexity to benefit from the development of formal planning models. In this study, a multiple objective linear programming (MOLP) model appropriate to the audit planning decision is developed and tested. The model is an interactive one, leading the decision maker to the eventual schedule via a series of steps that depict various tradeoffs among a variety of objectives, subject to the constraints faced by the firm. Through the interim steps, the model assesses the scheduler’s relative preferences among the various objectives, and refines the weights attributed to each.
Sex Differences in Vulnerability to Prenatal Stress: a Review of the Recent Literature.

To evaluate the degree to which recent studies provide evidence that the effects of prenatal maternal stress (PNMS) on child health outcomes vary depending on the child’s biological sex. In this review, we used a broad definition of stress, including negative life events, psychological stress, and established stress biomarkers. We identified 50 peer-reviewed articles (published January 2015–December 2017) meeting the inclusion criteria. Most articles (k = 35) found evidence of either sex-specific associations (significant in one sex but not the other) or significant PNMSxstress interactions for at least one child health outcome. Evidence for sex-dependent effects was strongest in the group of studies evaluating child neural/nervous system development and temperament as outcomes. There is sufficient evidence of sex-dependent associations to recommend that researchers always consider the potential role of child sex in PNMS programming studies and report descriptive statistics for study outcomes stratified by child biological sex.
Simulation of vessel tissue remodeling with residual stress: an application to in-stent restenosis

We present a numerical procedure to model the artery wall remodeling stimulated by stenting considering varying degree of residual stresses. This framework sets up biological remodeling with the ex...
Applicability analysis of MODIS tree cover product in Texas savanna

Abstract The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Vegetation Continuous Fields (VCF) tree cover (MOD44B) is an annual product that depicts the fractional coverage of trees on the earth’s terrestrial surface at 250m resolution. It has to be noted that the training data of this product is limited to trees above 5 m in height. However, this product has been widely applied in savanna ecosystems where many woody plant species seldom reach 5 m tall. Though the short woody plants in savanna ecosystems could have been reflected in this product due to similar spectral implication as that of tall trees, its applicability has never been rigorously tested. Given so, this study aims to fill this void. It was tested in Texas savanna, which is featured by a wide precipitation gradient and an accompanying woody plant cover gradation. Firstly, we assessed the ability of the MODIS tree cover product in reflecting woody plant cover at pixel level. A per-pixel comparison was conducted between the tree cover values and reference measurement of woody plant cover based on 1-m resolution digital orthophotos. Secondly, we assessed the ability of this tree cover product in reflecting savanna landscape pattern, particularly the potential woody cover pattern over the precipitation gradient in Texas savanna. The MODIS tree cover product based potential woody cover pattern was assessed against the reference pattern of the study area. Thirdly, we assessed the year-to-year consistency of this annual product, under the assumption that tree cover changes very little within one-year period. Reduced major axis regression was conducted between the corresponding tree cover pixels of all successive years from 2000 to 2016. Research results suggest that the MODIS tree cover product has great potential in reflecting woody plant cover at pixel level by empirical calibration. Moreover, this tree cover product demonstrates the ability of revealing the increasing trend of potential woody cover with mean annual precipitation (MAP) across Texas savanna. Furthermore, the lack of temporal consistency is revealed for this annual product. It is worth noting that the potential woody cover pattern endowed by the precipitation gradient in Texas savanna is in a three-segment shape.
Recent Advances in C–F Bond Activation

The main reaction pathways which lead to the breaking of C–F bonds in perfluoroalkanes and -arenes are discussed. Emphasis is placed on recent developments and on the mechanistic patterns that emerge.
How Do We Transform our Large-Group Identities?

While Jung was particularly critical of groups, he also had a vision of humans as a selfaware, problem-solving being. In this paper I explore his interest in and critique of, or prejudice against, groups. I raise the issue of whether it is possible to transform consciously our large-group identities, thus making them more morally responsive to the conditions they find themselves in. I focus specifically on recent social science research regarding the psychocultural function of emotion and group theory and practice that could be used by a new generation of “psychocultural practitioners” to develop the theory and practices of large-group transformation that would aid in the moral development of a group’s conscience. I also propose that the Jungian communities could participate in the founding of such a distinctive vocation, which would formalize numerous informal and innovative practices that many are already engaged in.
Differing Risk of Mortality in Trauma Patients With Stab Wounds to the Torso: Treating Hospital Matters.

This observational study compares outcomes of patients with torso stab wounds who present to level I vs level II trauma centers.
Chapter 55 Schooling in Developing Countries: The Roles of Supply, Demand and Government Policy ★

Abstract In developing countries, rising incomes, increased demand for more skilled labor, and government investments of considerable resources on building and equipping schools and paying teachers have contributed to global convergence in enrollment rates and completed years of schooling. Nevertheless, in many countries substantial education gaps persist between rich and poor, between rural and urban households and between males and females. To address these gaps, some governments have introduced school vouchers or cash transfers programs that are targeted to disadvantaged children. Others have initiated programs to attract or retain students by expanding school access or by setting higher teacher eligibility requirements or increasing the number of textbooks per student. While enrollments have increased, there has not been a commensurate improvement in knowledge and skills of students. Establishing the impact of these policies and programs requires an understanding of the incentives and constraints faced by all parties involved, the school providers, the parents and the children. The chapter reviews the economic literature on the determinants of schooling outcomes and schooling gaps with a focus on static and dynamic household responses to specific policy initiatives, perceived economic returns and other incentives. It discusses measurement and estimation issues involved with empirically testing these models and reviews findings. Governments have increasingly adopted the practice of experimentation and evaluation before taking steps to expand new policies. Often pilot programs are initiated in settings that are atypically appropriate for the program, so that the results overstate the likely impact of expanding the program to other settings. Program expansion can also result in general equilibrium feedback effects that do not apply to isolated pilots. These behavioral models provide a useful context within which to frame the likely outcomes of such expansion.