cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adomian decomposition method for a reliable treatment of the Bratu-type equations

In this paper, we present a framework to determine exact solutions of Bratu-type equations. The algorithm rests mainly on the Adomian decomposition method. The proposed scheme is illustrated by studying two boundary value problems and an initial value problem of Bratu-type. The first type gives a solution that blows up at the middle of the domain, whereas the other equations give bounded solutions.
The new field of “Software Linguistics”: An early-bird view

The phrase “Software Linguistics” is applied here to a text-based perspective on software quality matters. There is much in the new work on Software Metrics generally, and Software Science in particular, that is reminiscent of the activities of Natural Language analysis. Maurice Halstead held that Software Science could shed light on Linguistics; this paper sketches some mutually informing reciprocities between the two fields, and across related areas of textual, literary, discourse, and communications analysis.
The Clamshell Fracture and Adjunctive Acetabuloplasty in the Arthroscopic Osteosynthesis of Femoral Head Fractures With Femoroacetabular Impingement

The clamshell fracture of the femoral head and its arthroscopic osteosynthesis are described. This suprafoveal osteochondral fracture may have folded onto itself during closed reduction of the associated anterior hip dislocation. The resultant fracture fragment had almost circumferential chondral coverage that required arthroscopic manipulation to “pry apart the clamshell,” permitting arthroscopic reduction. This patient also had pre-existing silent femoroacetabular impingement, and the novel use of arthroscopic acetabuloplasty permitted internal fixation by improving the path for headless screw fixation. The arthroscopic techniques and clinical outcome at greater than 2 years are presented. Albeit rare, the clamshell fracture configuration should be recognized and may be amenable to successful arthroscopic osteosynthesis. Of broader clinical impact and application, adjunctive acetabuloplasty may permit the successful osteosynthesis of select femoral head fractures in patients with concurrent acetabular overcoverage by completely arthroscopic techniques that engage both the fracture fragment and the attractive benefits of less invasive surgery.
An Appraisal Perspective of Teacher Burnout: Examining the Emotional Work of Teachers

K-12 teaching is a profession characterized by high levels of burnout and emotional exhaustion. Teacher burnout has been widely reviewed and studied; however, only limited literature examines the emotional aspects of teachers’ lives and its connection with teacher burnout. The purpose of this article is to review the literature on teacher burnout and teachers’ emotions and to examine the role of teachers' appraisal of their emotional exhaustion. Through reviewing the literature on teacher burnout and emotions, I argue that the habitual patterns in teachers’ judgments about student behavior and other teaching tasks may contribute significantly to teachers’ repeated experience of unpleasant emotions and those emotions may eventually lead to burnout. In order to ease teacher burnout, I argue that more studies on the antecedent appraisals that teachers make are necessary to help teachers better understand how their emotions were triggered and then learn how to regulate those emotions.
Experimental determination of the periodicity of incremental features in enamel

Vital labelling of hard tissues was used to examine the periodicity of features of dental enamel microstructure. Fluorescent labels were administered pre- and postnatally to developing macaques (Macaca nemestrina), which were identified histologically in dentine and related to accentuated lines in enamel, allowing for counts of features within known-period intervals. This study demonstrates that cross-striations represent a daily rhythm in enamel secretion, and suggests that intradian lines are the result of a similar 12-h rhythm. Retzius lines were found to have a regular periodicity within individual dentitions, and laminations appear to represent a daily rhythm that also shows 12-h subdivisions. The inclusion of intradian lines and laminations represents the first empirical evidence for their periodicities in primates; these features frequently complicate precise measurements of secretion rate and Retzius line periodicity, which are necessary for determination of crown formation time. The biological basis of incremental feature formation is not completely understood; long-period features may result from interactions between short-period rhythms, although this does not explain the known range of Retzius line periodicities within humans or among primates. Studies of the genetic, neurological and hormonal basis of incremental feature formation are needed to provide more insight into their physiological and structural basis.
Judgment Based Marketing Decision Models: An Experimental Investigation of the Decision Calculus Approach

Managerial judgment is frequently required to estimate many of the parameters of decision calculus models and the quality of these judgmental inputs may substantially affect model-based decisions. This paper suggests that if model builders are to rely upon managerial judgments in building models, research should be directed at understanding when managerial judgments will be valid and the types of biases that might be expected. A quasi-experimental design is used to explore managers' abilities to estimate the parameters of a decision-calculus model ADBUDG and to examine the value of this model in decision-making. The results are consistent with previous evidence of the existence of biases in human judgment. More specifically, they indicate that a manager's experience in a limited region of a nonlinear response function does not enable him to accurately predict decision outcomes or parameters in the unfamiliar regions and that model usage may, in certain situations, actually lead to poorer decisions.
Problems and prospects in the theory of gel electrophoresis of DNA

Electrophoresis of DNA through gels of agarose or polyacrylamide (PA) has been one of the most widely used techniques of molecular biology during the past decade, serving both analytical and preparative purposes. The molecular theory of this process has been developing slowly over the same period of time as the result of the efforts of a small but expanding group of people. Initially simple, the theory has grown in ways that no one anticipated at the beginning, partly in response to unexpected experimental discoveries. In this review we describe its current state, including both solved and unsolved problems.
Observations on diet, certain vital statistics and biochemistry in kwashiorkor cases treated in Salisbury

1. (1) A description of the diet of kwashiorkor patients before hospital admission is given. Whilst it proved impossible to obtain a quantitative assessment, the diet was obviously poor, and particularly lacking in protein. 2. (2) A number of relevant statistics are given as regards kwashiorkor patients received into Salisbury African Hospital. The figures include monthly admission rate, weights, mean age, mean age at weaning, and mean time between admission and onset of the disease. A big increase in admissions was noted in the “hungry months.” 3. (3) Investigations carried out on the proteins of blood serum are reported. Figures for total protein, albumin and α1, α2, β and γ globulins are tabulated for kwashiorkor patients over a period, normal controls and Europeans and African adults. The points particularly noted were as follows: 3.1. (a) Relatively rapid recovery of total protein, and α2 and β globulins. 3.2. (b) Slow recovery of albumin. 3.3. (c) Increase of α1 globulin above normal. 3.4. (d) No change in γ globulin.
A Thiol–Ene Coupling Approach to Native Peptide Stapling and Macrocyclization

We report the discovery of a peptide stapling and macrocyclization method using thiol-ene reactions between two cysteine residues and an α,ω-diene in high yields. This new approach enabled us to selectively modify cysteine residues in native, unprotected peptides with a variety of stapling modifications for helix stabilization or general macrocyclization. We synthesized stapled Axin mimetic analogues and demonstrated increased alpha helicity upon peptide stapling. We then synthesized stapled p53 mimetic analogues using pure hydrocarbon linkers and demonstrated their abilities to block the p53-MDM2 interaction and selectively kill p53 wild-type colorectal carcinoma HCT-116 cells but not p53 null cells. In summary, we demonstrated a robust and versatile peptide stapling method that could be potentially applied to both synthetic and expressed peptides.
Competing values among criminal justice administrators: The importance of substance abuse treatment ☆

This study applied latent class analysis (LCA) to examine heterogeneity in criminal justice administrators' attitudes toward the importance of substance abuse treatment relative to other programs and services commonly offered in criminal justice settings. The study used data collected from wardens, probation and/or parole administrators, and other justice administrators as part of the National Criminal Justice Treatment Practices survey (NCJTP), and includes both adult criminal and juvenile justice samples. Results of the LCA suggested that administrators fell into four different latent classes: (1) those who place a high importance on substance abuse treatment relative to other programs and services, (2) those who place equal importance on substance abuse treatment and other programs and services, (3) those who value other programs and services moderately more than substance abuse treatment, and (4) those who value other programs and services much more than substance abuse treatment. Latent class membership was in turn associated with the extent to which evidence-based substance abuse treatment practices were being used in the facilities, the region of the country in which the administrator worked, and attitudes toward rehabilitating drug-using offenders. The findings have implications for future research focused on the impact that administrators' attitudes have on service provision as well as the effectiveness of knowledge dissemination and diffusion models.
Analysis and design of 4-wire antenna for anechoic chamber excitation

In order to illuminate a uniform field at a target area in an anechoic chamber over a wide frequency range, a 4-wire antenna is proposed. This antenna consists of two V-antennas spreading away from each other from the feed point. Antenna parameters are determined for a given dimension of the anechoic chamber. Numerical analysis shows that the 4-wire antenna has broadband characteristics from 100 MHz to over 1 GHz when a proper resistance tapper is applied at the ends of wires. The maximum upper frequency limit has not yet been determined. The field distribution illuminated by the antenna in the 4-foot-diameter sphere target area is uniform within +or-0.5 dB for optical geometry and +or-1 dB for symmetrical geometry of the antenna. >
Rifabutin-associated hypopyon uveitis in human immunodeficiency virus-negative immunocompetent individuals

Abstract Objective To report the occurrence of rifabutin-associated hypopyon uveitis in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–negative immunocompetent individuals. Design Retrospective case series. Participants Three HIV-negative subjects on rifabutin and clarithromycin for Mycobacterium avium complex infections with hypopyon uveitis are described. One subject was iatrogenically immunosuppressed because of a prior lung transplant. Two subjects had no known immunosuppressive conditions. Intervention Topical and regional steroid therapy. Discontinuation of rifabutin was required in two subjects. Main outcome measures Visual acuity, resolution of hypopyon, anterior uveitis, and vitreitis. Results All subjects had resolution of hypopyon after therapy, two within 24 hours of beginning topical steroids. Vitreitis resolved with the discontinuation of rifabutin in two subjects. Chronic low-grade anterior uveitis and vitreitis were observed in the remaining subject, whose rifabutin dose was lowered but not discontinued because of active Mycobacterium avium complex osteomyelitis. Conclusions Rifabutin-associated uveitis is well described in HIV-positive individuals, but it has been reported only once in an HIV-negative individual. We report two cases of hypopyon uveitis in immunocompetent individuals and one case in an immunosuppressed HIV-negative individual. All three subjects were receiving concurrent rifabutin and clarithromycin. Awareness that this entity can occur in HIV negative and nonimmunosuppressed individuals and that it can mimic infectious endophthalmitis may spare the subject from an invasive workup of systemic infection.
Determining confidence when integrating contributions from multiple agents

Integrating contributions received from other agents is an essential activity in multi-agent systems (MASs). Not only must related contributions be integrated together, but the confidence in each integrated contribution must be determined. In this paper we look specifically at the issue of confidence determination and its effect on developing "principled," highly collaborating MASs. Confidence determination is often masked by ad hoc contribution-integration techniques, viewed as being addressed by agent trust and reputation models, or simply assumed away. We present a domain-independent analysis model that can be used to measure the sensitivity of a collaborative problem-solving system to potentially incorrect confidence-integration assumptions. In analyses performed using our model, we focus on the typical assumption of independence among contributions and the effect that unaccounted-for dependencies have on the expected error in the confidence that the answers produced by the MAS are correct. We then demonstrate how the analysis model can be used to determine confidence bounds on integrated contributions and to identify where efforts to improve contribution-dependency estimates lead to the greatest improvement in solution-confidence accuracy.
One-dimensional numerical model for a spray column heat exchanger

A numerical model describing performance of a liquid-liquid spray column heat exchanger is developed. The model is for a disperse packed column operating in steady state. The fundamental equations for the continuous and distributed phases are developed in Eulerian and Lagrangian forms, respectively. The model predicts simultaneously the volume fraction, velocity, and temperature for each phase. Energy and momentum are exchanged between phases through source variables. Empiricism in the model is limited to the specification of droplet drag coefficient and Nusselt number correlations which are utilized to calculate momentum and energy source terms. Application of the computer model to column operation yields predictions that compare closely with experimental results.
Cannabis-Impaired Driving: A Public Health and Safety Concern

Cannabis, the most common illicit drug identified in motor vehicle crashes, had a higher prevalence than alcohol in drivers' blood or oral fluid specimens in the US in the 2013–2014 National Roadside Study (1). In fact, the percentage of weekend nighttime drivers with measureable Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)2 in blood or oral fluid increased to 12.6%, a 48% increase since 2007 (2). Cannabis use is increasing since the legalization of cannabis in 4 US states and the approval of medical cannabis in 23 US states and many countries. The incidence of THC-impaired driving increased in Washington state from 19.1% before to 24.9% after cannabis legalization (3). These statistics highlight an important public health and safety concern: cannabis-impaired driving. In this issue of Clinical Chemistry , for the first time, Andrews et al. compare cannabinoid blood concentrations in fatal road traffic collision (RTC) victims with non-RTC victims in London and southeast England from 2011 to 2013 (4). Drivers' postmortem cannabinoid concentrations were reported previously from driver culpability studies (5), comparing the prevalence of cannabinoid-positive biological samples in culpable drivers to those not judged culpable for the crash. However, blood cannabinoid concentrations in postmortem non-RTC victims from the same population base are rarely available. Controlled human cannabinoid administration data, on-the-road driving data after cannabinoid administration, and epidemiological data provide evidence of cannabis's effects on driving. Two recent metaanalyses (6, 7) showed an approximate 2-fold risk of a motor vehicle collision after cannabis intake, and my group recently reported significant cannabis impairment of lateral driving control with and without low-dose alcohol (8). Authentic postmortem drug concentrations are needed for evaluating drug crash risk, but there are many difficulties in obtaining these data. Recent regulations prohibit testing that is not directly related to determining cause of death, as was the case …
Top‐Down Patterning and Self‐Assembly for Regular Arrays of Semiconducting Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Highly pure semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), sorted by density-gradient ultracentrifugation, undergo self-assembly using depletion attraction forces into rafts along lithographically defined patterns of narrow pitch (100 or 200 nm). The arrays demonstrate high pattern fidelity and channel filling, along with large-scale homogeneity. Field-effect transistors made from these arrays exhibit high performance at on/off ratios>1000.
Automatic Differentiation Through the Use of Hyper-Dual Numbers for Second Derivatives

Automatic Differentiation techniques are typically derived based on the chain rule of differentiation. Other methods can be derived based on the inherent mathematical properties of generalized complex numbers that enable first-derivative information to be carried in the non-real part of the number. These methods are capable of producing effectively exact derivative values. However, when second-derivative information is desired, generalized complex numbers are not sufficient. Higher-dimensional extensions of generalized complex numbers, with multiple non-real parts, can produce accurate second-derivative information provided that multiplication is commutative. One particular number system is developed, termed hyper-dual numbers, which produces exact first- and second-derivative information. The accuracy of these calculations is demonstrated on an unstructured, parallel, unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes solver.
Habitat Inventory Trend Analysis of Limulus polyphemus Populations on Long Island, U.S.A.: From the Tip of Brooklyn to the Tip of Montauk, 2003–2014

Considerable concern regarding the abundance of the American horseshoe crab (HSC) Limulus polyphemus, along the east coasts of New Jersey and Delaware prompted past moratoriums on collecting HSC for bait in New Jersey. The parallel population decline in migratory shorebirds such as Red knots Calidris canatus, Ruddy turnstones Arenaria interpres and others that seasonally feed on the copious quantities of HSC eggs laid along this shoreline resulted in reduced HSC collection permits to numbers considered sustainable. In New York State’s Marine District, which is mostly comprised of the Long Island coastline, there is no reliable or routine habitat inventory network existing for determining HSC populations or habitat. Shorebird data, which have been collected by Audubon Chapters, the National Park Service and the US Fish and Wildlife Service, as well as academia, have hinted at declining HSC populations. However, due to the lack of a formal and extensive or reliable inventory network, assessing changing trends in HSC population levels is unattainable or mostly inaccurate. Molloy College’s Long Island HSC Network provides survey forms and a website to (1) collect data on Long Island sites which support HSC; (2) count HSC for as reliable an estimate of the HSC population as practical; (3) sex and age individual HSC at each site; and most importantly (4) establish a network that can be repeated annually to detect precipitous changes in HSC population numbers, distributions, and habitat. Data collection for HSC will aid in protecting the HSC population as well as bird species number which require HSC eggs as food during significant migratory periods.
Radiographic interpretation of normal skeletal variations and pseudolesions in the equine foot.

Effective radiographic examination of equine limbs requires a sound understanding of anatomy and radiographic projection principles. Not only is it important to appreciate the dynamics of bone behavior and its arrangement in the supporting structural foundation of the equine limb, but also the interrelation between soft tissues (joint capsules, tendons, and ligaments) and bone that can result in radiographic change.
Phylogenetic affinities of Peromyscus (Megadontomys) thomasi: evidence from differentially stained chromosomes

G- and C-banded karyotypes of Peromyscus ( Megadontomys ) thomasi are described and compared with those of other peromyscine rodents. The autosomal banded karyotype of P. thomasi is identical to the karyotype proposed as primitive for the genus Peromyscus except for two pericentric inversions. Alternate cladograms were composed based on chromosomal rearrangements described here and in the literature and were contrasted with phylogenies based on morphologic data. Banded chromosomal data support a phylogeny that treats Megadontomys as a subunit of Peromyscus ( sensu lato ). Present chromosomal evidence also indicates at least a possible sister group relationship between the genera Peromyscus and Onychomys .
How Horizontal Surface Deformation during Fluid Injection Correlates to Reservoir Permeability Setting

Land surface deformation due to fluid withdrawal and injection has long been observed at the surface above aquifers and oil reservoirs. With the advancement of ground surface monitoring techniques, the detailed land deformation behavior, particularly the horizontal component of deformation, can reveal valuable information about deeply buried host reservoirs. Historically, two analytical approaches describing material deformation have been developed independently in the fields of hydrogeology and petroleum engineering based on different theories. A critical review has been made by crossing the discipline boundary, and shows that these two different approaches are actually handling two extreme conditions of the same problem. The petroleum engineering approach deals with a very sharp permeability boundary, whereas the hydrogeology approach assumes an infinite areal reservoir without a permeability boundary (called the Theis-Thiem confined aquifer). By changing the lateral permeability gradient of the reservoir, a well-confined reservoir as considered in the petroleum engineering can be gradually opened to approximate a Theis-Thiem confined aquifer as considered in hydrogeology. Thus these two approaches can be unified. A large model (20 km × 20 km) was created to simulate ground deformations during fluid injection with different permeability boundary conditions. We found that the maximum horizontal displacement and the migration behavior of its location during fluid injection can yield valuable information about the permeability distribution in deeply buried reservoirs. Thus, horizontal surface deformations can be used to determine whether the injected fluid is remaining trapped in its desired environment or whether outward migration is occurring.
Preclinical Validation of Multilevel Intraparenchymal Stem Cell Therapy in the Porcine Spinal Cord

BACKGROUND Although multiple clinical trials are currently testing different stem cell therapies as treatment alternatives for many neurodegenerative diseases and spinal cord injury, the optimal injection parameters have not yet been defined. OBJECTIVE To test the spinal cord's tolerance to increasing volumes and numbers of stem cell injections in the pig. METHODS Twenty-seven female Gottingen minipigs received human neural progenitor cell injections using a stereotactic platform device. Cell transplantation in groups 1 to 5 (5-7 pigs in each) was undertaken with the intent of assessing the safety of an injection volume escalation (10, 25, and 50 µL) and an injection number escalation (20, 30, and 40 injections). Motor function and general morbidity were assessed for 21 days. Full necropsy was performed; spinal cords were analyzed for graft survival and microscopic tissue damage. RESULTS No mortality or permanent surgical complications were observed during the 21-day study period. All animals returned to preoperative baseline within 14 days, showing complete motor function recovery. The histological analysis showed that there was no significant decrease in neuronal density between groups, and cell engraftment ranged from 12% to 31% depending on the injection paradigm. However, tissue damage was identified when injecting large volumes into the spinal cord (50 μL). CONCLUSION This series supports the functional safety of various injection volumes and numbers in the spinal cord and gives critical insight into important safety thresholds. These results are relevant to all translational programs delivering cell therapeutics to the spinal cord.
Achtsamkeit als Therapie kognitiver Funktionen: Eine Chance für die klinische Neuropsychologie

Zusammenfassung. In den letzten Jahrzehnten fand die Achtsamkeitspraxis Eingang in die klinische Psychologie und Medizin. Da Achtsamkeit eine besondere Form der Aufmerksamkeit ist, wurde in diesen Fachdisziplinen auch untersucht, inwieweit sich Aufmerksamkeitsfunktionen im Besonderen und kognitive Funktionen im Allgemeinen durch Achtsamkeitstraining verbessern. Es ist das Ziel dieses Reviews einen Uberblick zu den Effekten von Achtsamkeit auf kognitive Funktionen und das Gehirn zu geben und der Frage nachzugehen, inwieweit achtsamkeitsbasierte Therapie eine sinnvolle Behandlungsoption fur kognitive Beeintrachtigungen neurologischer und psychiatrischer Patienten darstellt. Wir kommen zu dem Schluss, dass erste Studien ermutigende Resultate insbesondere fur Aufmerksamkeitsfunktionen und das Arbeitsgedachtnis zeigen und damit assoziierten Hirnstrukturen und -funktionen. Zu fordern sind weitere Studien, in denen die Effektivitat achtsamkeitsbasierter Therapieverfahren mit herkommlichen neuropsychologischen Th...
The Founders’ Reasons and Justifications for Presidential Emergency Power

The American Founders were very concerned about the power of the American Presidency. As such, they placed several limitations of presidential power via checks and balances. However, certain parts of Article II of the Constitution are very vague leaving open the mysterious question of whether or not presidents have implied powers. Such an example of implied power is presidential emergency power. In this chapter, I examine the Founders’ debate over whether or not executives should have an implied emergency power. I find that Hamilton and others agreed that executives should have unbridled, unlimited power in times of crisis; therefore, in America’s War on Terror, executive prerogative determines what powers to use and when to use them in order to combat the enemy. According to this view, the President is in no way constrained by the Constitution or Congress as he decides to wage war against the terrorists.
H. F. Mark

When I arrived from Canada in Brooklyn in September 1940, I was attached to the Shellac Bureau whose Director, Professor William Hewlett Gardner, had established a National Testing Laboratory for this important natural resin and, at the same time, was carrying out very interesting studies on its chemical composition and structure. We soon agreed that, in view of the World Situation considerable interest and effort should be devoted to synthetic coatings and film formers and that a few graduate students should start work in this direction. When we submitted to Raymond E. Kirk, Head of the Chemistry Department, a proposal for space, equipment and personnel, he immediately agreed and has always, up to his premature death in 1957» been a benevolent and deeply understanding champion of all polymer work at the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn. The expereiences collected at the I. G. Farben Laboratory in Ludwigshafen (1926–1932) at the University of Vienna (1932–1938) and at the Canadian International Paper Company in Hawkesbury, Ontario (1938–1940) made it clear that systematic progress could only be espected if organic chemists, physical chemists and at least one physicist could be assembled into a team to conduct research from the monomer or monomers through the polymerization process and the characterization of the resulting materials to the structure and properties of such final products as coatings, films and fibers.
New proposed adhesive tape application mechanism for stacking die applications

One approach to develop a high-density electronic package for memory modules is stacking the dice in the packaging and assembly processes. The development of the stacked die has been speeded up significantly in recent years by the maturity of the wafer thinning technology. Conventionally, if the top die and bottom dice are the same size, a dummy silicon die is used as a spacer to separate the dice and make room for wire bonding. Methods including using a much thicker epoxy or epoxy with spacer balls would be the alternative techniques. A new technique has been developed recently. A thick adhesive tape of size a bit smaller than the die is used as spacer as well as adhesive for the bonding of the bottom and top dice. This new process, known as adhesive tape application process, is introduced for stacking the dice. In the process, a predetermined tape size is cut, picked and placed on the top surface of the bottom die or substrate. The advantages of this technique over the dispensing process are (i) there is no die tilt and (ii) there are no epoxy bleed out issues. However, there may be new issues, such as delamination failure that occurs at the bonding interface. In this study, we find that void formation due to trapped air in the bonding interface is introduced by the tape application process while a collet with flat surface is used to place the tape on the bottom die or substrate. The uneven contact points between tape and bonding surface trap air bubbles in the bonding interface. We invent a new tape application tool that can basically eliminate trapped air bubbles during the tape bonding process. A convex compliant collet is used to pickup and place the tape on the bonding surface: The line contact between tape and bonding surface is formed in the middle of the tape. The air is not trapped in the bonding interface as the collet moves further down to deform the collet and squeeze the tape out sideways. Finite element simulation has been carried out to determine the optimized configuration in terms of force requirements to flatten the convex collet, strain/stress distribution of the compliant collet and the tape itself. Selection criteria of this compliant material for the tape application process are also discussed. Experiments have been carried out to verify the void-free condition is achieved using this new convex compliant collet.
Diverse management of isolated calf deep venous thrombosis in a university hospital.

Abstract Background The management of patients with isolated deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is controversial, leading to overtreatment and undertreatment with several complications and increased cost. The aim of this study was to describe the management of isolated calf DVT (ICDVT) in a university hospital. Methods Data on patients with acute DVT in our hospital are prospectively entered in a database through our venous thromboembolism team. All patients had an objective diagnosis with duplex ultrasound (DU) in our accredited vascular laboratory. A retrospective analysis was performed on patients with ICDVT from July 2015 to June 2016. Patients with proximal DVT were excluded. The management of the patients was assessed for use of different types of anticoagulation, use of sequential compression devices, serial follow-up with ultrasound, or any combination. Patients' demographic information, risk factors, calf DVT anatomic location, DVT extension into calf deep veins, DVT propagation to proximal deep veins, and pulmonary embolism were collected as well. Results There were 159 patients diagnosed with ICDVT in 1 year, of whom 52% were female with a mean age of 59 years. Nearly half of the patients were smokers (48%), 62% had limited or no mobility, 36% had surgery within the past 30 days, and 23% were considered readmissions. Anticoagulation was given to 121 patients who received seven different types of treatment varying from prophylactic dosing to thrombin inhibitors. In the rest of the 38 patients, 28 had a contraindication to anticoagulation and two had an inferior vena cava filter placed. Eighty-six patients had one DU follow-up study, 39 patients had two follow-up studies, and 21 had three follow-up studies. In the 86 patients with one DU study, seven propagated within the calf (8.1%) and two to the proximal veins (2.3%). Two patients developed nonfatal pulmonary embolism (1.2%). Sequential compression devices were applied in 75 patients despite that the majority were receiving anticoagulation and having serial DU examinations. Conclusions Significant variation in the management of ICDVT was found on the basis of the physician's preference. The type of treatment overall did not follow a plan based on the patient's risk. Such an approach may increase the cost in the management of these patients without ensuring benefit.
Fracture resistance measurement of fused deposition modeling 3D printed polymers

Abstract A method is presented to characterize the fracture resistance and interlayer adhesion of fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printed materials. Double cantilever beam (DCB) specimens of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) were designed and printed with a precrack at the layers' interface. The DCBs were loaded in an opening mode and the load-displacement curves were synchronized with the optical visualization of the crack tip to detect the critical load at the crack initiation. A finite element model, coupled with J-integral method and fracture surface analysis was then developed to obtain the apparent fracture resistance (Jcr,a) and the interlayer fracture resistance (Jcr,i), as a measure of the interlayer adhesion. The maximum Jcr,i was measured to be 4017 J/m2, a value close to the fracture resistance of bulk ABS. Both Jcr,a and Jcr,i increased with the printing temperature. This method can find a great importance in the structural applications of printed materials.
MEMS Energy Harvesting from Low-frequency and Low-g Vibrations

MEMS vibration energy harvesting has been investigated to provide energy to low-power micro-electronic systems and potentially to enable batteryless autonomous systems. While enjoying the small footprint hence the ability to be embedded in other systems, MEMS vibration energy harvesters are working at much higher frequencies and input vibration amplitudes. The mechanical resonator based energy harvesters seem inherently have such high frequency due to the scaling of the device dimension. Lower the working frequency range and input vibration amplitude are possible by optimizing the dimensions of the device. However, we are viewing the problem from a different perspective and proposing a solution based on employing the common material property of the micro-fabricated thin film – residual stress. We found that by taking advantage of the compressive residual stress, a bi-stable mechanical resonator could be built and a new spectrum of dynamics can be brought into energy harvesting, which could lower the working frequency range and input g value. The concepts have been analytically simulated and experimentally verified by a meso-scale model.
Don't Sweat the Details! Enhancing Congressional Committee Expertise Through the Use of Detailees

In contrast to the dramatic growth in the size and influence of the executive branch over the past 40 years, congressional committee staffing levels are at an all-time low. Faced with growing demands to produce legislation and to conduct oversight of executive branch policymaking, Congress can and does supplement its existing staff by borrowing personnel, known as detailees, from federal agencies. Using an original dataset of detailees from 1997 to 2015, we analyze the degree to which congressional committees rely on detailees to increase legislative capacity. We find that committees in the House and Senate use detailees in different ways to further both legislative and oversight initiatives.
Cross Sections, Transition Schemes, and Branching Ratios for 232Th from the 232Th(n,n 'γ) Reaction

Neutron inelastic scattering from 232Th has been studied for states above 700 keV in excitation using the (n,n'γ) technique at incident energies in the 0.77- to 2.10-MeV range. The gamma-ray measur...
Snowmelt onset hinders bromine monoxide heterogeneous recycling in the Arctic

Reactive bromine radicals (bromine atoms, Br, and bromine monoxide, BrO) deplete ozone and alter tropospheric oxidation chemistry during the Arctic springtime (February – June). As spring transitions to summer (May – June) and snow begins to melt, reactive bromine events cease and BrO becomes low in summer. In this study, we explore the relationship between the end of the reactive bromine season and snow melt timing. BrO was measured by Multi-AXis Differential Optical Absorption Spectrometer (MAX-DOAS) at Utqiaġvik (Barrow), AK from 2012-2016 and on drifting buoys deployed in Arctic sea ice from 2011-2016, a total of 13 site/year combinations. The BrO seasonal end date (SED) was objectively determined and was compared to surface-air-temperature-derived melt onset date (MOD). The SED was highly correlated with the MOD (N=13, R2 = 0.983, RMS = 1.9 days), and BrO is only observed at sub-freezing temperatures. In subsets of these sites/years where ancillary data was available, we observed that snowpack depth reduced and rain precipitation occurred within a few days of the SED. These data are consistent with snowpack melting hindering BrO recycling, which is necessary to maintain enhanced BrO concentrations. With a projected warmer Arctic, a shift to earlier snow melt seasons could alter the timing and role of halogen chemical reactions in the Arctic with impacts on ozone depletion and mercury deposition.
Application of infrared scanning of the neck muscles to control a cursor in Human-Computer Interface

The feasibility of using infrared (IR) spectroscopy of the neck muscles in controlling a cursor in a 2-dimensional screen was assessed. The proposed technique utilizes two IR photoplethysmography sensors (λ = 940nm) to monitor the morphological changes of the Scalene and Sternocleidomastoid muscles. Since the reflection of the light has valuable information about the type of contraction, the direction of the movement (right/left, up/down) can be simply derived using two sensors. A MATLAB platform was developed in which a cursor moves using the recorded signal. Three scenarios of high/low sensitivity and joystick mode were tested. The results from 4 different healthy subjects shows the feasibility of control in terms of throughput, overshoot, and path efficiency.
NIFEDIPINE PREVENTS APOPTOSIS OF ALCOHOL-EXPOSED FIRST TRIMESTER TROPHOBLAST CELLS

BACKGROUND Maternal alcohol abuse leading to fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) includes fetal growth restriction (FGR). Ethanol (EtOH) induces apoptosis of human placental trophoblast cells, possibly disrupting placentation and contributing to FGR in FASD. EtOH facilitates apoptosis in several embryonic tissues, including human trophoblasts, by raising intracellular Ca2+ . We previously found that acute EtOH exposure increases trophoblast apoptosis due to signaling from both intracellular and extracellular Ca2+ . Therefore, nifedipine, a Ca2+ channel blocker that is commonly administered to treat preeclampsia and preterm labor, was evaluated for cytoprotective properties in trophoblast cells exposed to alcohol. METHODS Human first-trimester chorionic villous explants and the human trophoblast cell line HTR-8/SVneo (HTR) were pretreated with 12.5 to 50 nM of the Ca2+ channel blocker nifedipine for 1 hour before exposure to 50 mM EtOH for an additional hour. Intracellular Ca2+ concentrations were monitored in real time by epifluorescence microscopy, using fluo-4-AM. Apoptosis was assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL), accumulation of cytoplasmic cytochrome c, and cleavage rates of caspase 3 and caspase 9. RESULTS The increase in intracellular Ca2+ upon exposure to EtOH in both villous explants and HTR cells was completely blocked (p < 0.05) when pretreated with nifedipine, accompanied by inhibition of EtOH-induced release of cytochrome c, caspase activities, and TUNEL. CONCLUSIONS This study indicates that nifedipine can interrupt the apoptotic pathway downstream of EtOH exposure and could provide a novel strategy for future interventions in women with fetuses at risk for FASD.
A programming-by-demonstration tool for retargeting instructional systems

Although intelligent learning environments have proven to be successful instructional tools, they have seen little commercial success. Part of the problem has been the difficulty of authoring them, even using authoring tools specialized to the task. We argue that the authoring task can be redefined for environments based on the "plug-in" instructional architecture described by Ritter and Koedinger (1995). In systems using that architecture, specialized authoring tools can be developed for each component of the architecture, greatly simplifying both the authoring process and the task of creating authoring tools. We describe an authoring tool directed at creating the "translator" portion of such an architecture. This authoring tool uses programming by demonstration to allow a non-programmer to re-use existing tutoring agents with new interface tools.
Lattice thermal transport in superhard hexagonal diamond and wurtzite boron nitride: A comparative study with cubic diamond and cubic boron nitride

Abstract Hexagonal diamond (h-C) and wurtzite boron nitride (w-BN) are two superhard materials recently identified to be comparable to or even harder than their cubic counterparts, cubic diamond (c-C) and cubic boron nitride (c-BN). To understand the effect of lattice structure on thermal transport in these materials, we conduct first-principles calculations to investigate their harmonic and anharmonic lattice properties. Owing to the strong C-C or B-N bonds, h-C and w-BN are found to have a high lattice thermal conductivity ( κ L ) exceeding the overall thermal conductivity of metals, albeit lower than that of their cubic counterparts. By analyzing the phonon band structure and volume of the 3-phonon scattering phase space, we attribute the lower κ L of the hexagonal phases to their larger volume of 3-phonon scattering phase space than the cubic ones. Moreover, we reveal that a high pressure of 125 GPa leads to a two-to three-fold increase in the κ L of these materials, because the pressure enlarges the optical-acoustic phonon bandgap and thus reduces the volume of the 3-phonon scattering phase space. This work uncovers the significant effect of lattice structure and pressure on phonon scattering and transport, which is crucial for the application of superhard materials.
LCCC 1025: a phase II study of everolimus, trastuzumab, and vinorelbine to treat progressive HER2-positive breast cancer brain metastases.

HER2 + breast cancer (BC) is an aggressive subtype with high rates of brain metastases (BCBM). Two-thirds of HER2 + BCBM demonstrate activation of the PI3K/mTOR pathway driving resistance to anti-HER2 therapy. This phase II study evaluated everolimus (E), a brain-permeable mTOR inhibitor, trastuzumab (T), and vinorelbine (V) in patients with HER2 + BCBM. Eligible patients had progressive HER2 + BCBM. The primary endpoint was intracranial response rate (RR); secondary objectives were CNS clinical benefit rate (CBR), extracranial RR, time to progression (TTP), overall survival (OS), and targeted sequencing of tumors from enrolled patients. A two-stage design distinguished intracranial RR of 5% versus 20%. 32 patients were evaluable for toxicity, 26 for efficacy. Intracranial RR was 4% (1 PR). CNS CBR at 6 mos was 27%; at 3 mos 65%. Median intracranial TTP was 3.9 mos (95% CI 2.2–5). OS was 12.2 mos (95% CI 0.6–20.2). Grade 3–4 toxicities included neutropenia (41%), anemia (16%), and stomatitis (16%). Mutations in TP53 and PIK3CA were common in BCBM. Mutations in the PI3K/mTOR pathway were not associated with response. ERBB2 amplification was higher in BCBM compared to primary BC; ERBB2 amplification in the primary BC trended toward worse OS. While intracranial RR to ETV was low in HER2 + BCBM patients, one-third achieved CNS CBR; TTP/OS was similar to historical control. No new toxicity signals were observed. Further analysis of the genomic underpinnings of BCBM to identify tractable prognostic and/or predictive biomarkers is warranted. Clinical Trial: (NCT01305941).
Mahagében KFT & Péter Dávid: Re-Directing the EU VAT's Perfect Storm

On June 21, 2012 the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) rendered judgment on two Hungarian references, Mahageben kft v. Nemzeti Ado-es Vamhivatal Del-dunantuli Regionalis Ado Folgazgatosaga and Peter David v. Nemzeti Ado-es Vamhivatal Del-dunantuli Regionalis Ado Folgazgatosaga (Mahageben/David). The Mahageben/David decisions clarify the CJEU’s earlier holdings in the joined cases of Alex Kittel v. Belgium and Belgium v. Recolta Recycling SPRL (Kittel/Recolta). Kittel/Recolta is a critically important decision. It is central to the EU’s anti-fraud effort. It is one of three legal imperatives that earlier this year appeared to be coalescing into a Perfect (enforcement) Storm. After Mahageben/David the Perfect Storm needs to be re-assessed, because Mahageben/David limits Kittel/Recolta in some respects, while it broadly re-affirms it in others. This paper examines the relationship between Mahageben/David and Kittel/Recolta and then updates the analysis of the Perfect Storm. Kittel/Recolta stands for the proposition that a trader who enters into a transaction knowing or having the means to know that by doing so he is a participant in fraud, forfeits the right to deduct input tax incurred on purchases that were related to the fraud. Both the standards that are applied (the “known/should have known” formulation) and the scope of its application have been debated. Mahageben/David largely resolves these debates. First, in terms of the Kittel/Recolta standards the CJEU has told the legal community that it will translate the expression aurait du savoir (should have known in the official English translation of Kittel/Recolta) as ought to have known. The narrower definitions that have been argued for will not be used. Secondly, in terms of the scope of Kittel/Recolta, the CJEU has indicated that Kittel/Recolta is not limited to privity relationships, and it is applicable throughout the supply chain (but not at all in the customer chain). The consequence is that the Perfect Storm needs to be modified by removing Stage 2, and Hypo III. These no longer apply because they are dealing with fraud in the customer chain.