cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Robust fuzzy clustering as a multi-objective optimization procedure

In this paper, a multi-objective genetic algorithm for data clustering based on the robust fuzzy least trimmed squares estimator is proposed. The clustering methodology addresses two critical issues in unsupervised data clustering - the ability to produce meaningful classification in noisy data, and the requirement that the number of clusters be known a priori. The GA-driven clustering routine optimizes number of clusters as well as cluster assignment, and cluster prototypes. A two-parameter, mapped, fixed point coding scheme is used to represent assignment of data into either the true retained set and the noisy trimmed set, and the optimal number of clusters in the retained set. A three-objective criterion is used as the minimization functional for the GA. Results on well-known data sets from literature suggest that the proposed methodology is comparable (in many cases superior) to conventional robust fuzzy clustering algorithms that assume a known value for optimal number of clusters.
Terahertz technology: devices and applications

Existing and emerging applications of terahertz technology in imaging, medicine, biology, space exploration, covert communications, compact radar ranges, industrial controls, terahertz microscopy, terahertz tomography, and homeland security have stimulated intensive research effort in photonics and electronics technologies bracketing the famous terahertz gap from the high and low frequency sides, respectively. Cutoff frequencies and maximum frequencies of operation of InGaAs-based heterostructure bipolar transistors and high electron mobility transistors are now approaching or even exceeding 600 GHz. New ideas of using plasma resonances of 2D electrons for tunable detection and emission of terahertz radiation are being explored and proven experimentally. Plasma effects in polarization-induced electrons and holes in granular pyroelectric/semiconductor heterostructures hold promise of an active THz medium tunable by external electric field or light.
A design methodology for the I/O power supply of next generation packaging

The method of three-dimensional I/O power modeling is reviewed in detail based on the learning from the previous one-dimensional and two-dimensional models. This paper covers the latest development of next generation microprocessor I/O power models and the adoption of a new three-dimensional modeling methodology to meet the challenging design requirements of a high performance signal bus with short turn-around times. The paper also presents a new technique of using damping resistors to attenuate the high frequency noise on the I/O supply.
Ant routing algorithm for mobile ad-hoc networks (ARAMA)

Routing algorithms in mobile ad-hoc networks (MANETs) should match the special characteristics of MANETs. It should be A self-configured, self-built and distributed routing algorithm. In addition, it should be able to optimize more than one quality of service parameter to achieve good network performance. The remaining energy in each node across the network should be fairly distributed. We are propose the ant routing algorithm for Mobile Ad-hoc networks (ARAMA), which is a biological based routing algorithm. This algorithm is inspired from the ant colonies' life. Forward packets are used to collect information about the network and backward packets are used to update the routing information in the nodes. The paper provides a description of the algorithm. Simulation results show the ability of the algorithm to fairly distribute the remaining energy across the network nodes and solve the MANETs routing problem under different dynamic conditions.
Pulmonary ventilatory function decreases in proportion to increasing altitude.

The objective of this study was to examine how pulmonary ventilatory function, including response to bronchodilation, is related to altitude during high-altitude trekking. This cohort experiment consisted of multiple spirometric tests before and after bronchodilation in participants at baseline (1624 m) and at different altitudes (3404–4896 m) during a 2-week trek. The setting was in the Himalayas. Eleven men (ages 22–68 years) and eight women (ages 19–42 years) participated. Interventions were at altitudes of 1624 m to 5265 m; albuterol was administered via Rotahaler ® . Forced vital capacity (FVC) decreased by an average of 3.8% [95% confidence interval (Cl) 1.6 to 6.0] per 1000-m altitude increment. Forced expiratory volume in l second (FEV 1.0 ) decreased 3.7% (95% CI 1.9 to 5.5) per each 1000-m altitude increment. Maximal midexpiratory flow rate (FEF 25–75% ) decreased by 3.6% (95% CI 0.9 to 6.3) per each 1000-m altitude increment. Small, postalbuterol flow increases were present at baseline and at altitude. Ventilatory function returned quickly toward baseline upon descent. One trekker developed cough, dyspnea at rest, extreme weakness, rales, tachycardia, and oxygen desaturation to 71%. His ventilatory measurements did not differ significantly ( p > 0.32) from the group means. We concluded that changes in some pulmonary ventilatory parameters (FVC, FEV 1.0 , and FEF 25–75% ) were proportional to the magnitude of altitude during a high-altitude trek. These were tolerated well and do not seem to relate to acute mountain sickness. A bronchodilator effect was not increased at altitude.
Sex and Execution: Deuteronomy 22:20-24

The laws of Deut. 22:20-24 arguably require the execution of women for consensual or forced sexual intercourse outside marriage. Interpreted within the theological and cultural contexts of Deuteronomy, these laws highlight both the significance of women within the covenant and the resulting control over women's bodies and sexuality. Deuteronomy also includes laws that protect vulnerable women from abuse, and the biblical canon as a whole includes a number of stories in which women are not executed for sexual transgression. This canonical context provides readers with choices for interpretation. Language: en
Lens induced aniso-accommodation

Despite the evidence for consensual accommodation in response to consensual accommodative stimuli, only a few studies have investigated the binocular accommodative response to unequal (aniso) accommodative stimuli. Past studies investigating an unequal binocular accommodative response (aniso-accommodation) to aniso-accommodative stimuli have been limited by viewing conditions and measurement technique making the results, which were equivocal, difficult to interpret. This investigation addressed these limitations by the following design parameters: (1) monocular dichoptic blur cuese were provided in the binocular stimulus target to provide subjects feedback on their aniso-accommodative response and to alert the investigator of a monocular blur suppression response; (2) a training period was provided; (3) in the subjective method, each eye's stigma was positioned near the dichoptic letter viewed by the other eye. By this method, a true aniso-accommodative response could be differentiated from successive consensual responses; (4) a large range of aniso-accommodative stimuli was used, 0.50-3.0 D, presented in incremental steps of 0.5 D, allowing measurement of an average 0.75 D aniso-accommodative response for the highest (3.0 D) aniso-accommodative stimulus; (5) aniso-accommodation was measured as a function of viewing distance. For four of seven subjects, the gain of the aniso-accommodative response was significantly greater at near than at far viewing distances; (6) aniso-accommodation was confirmed objectively with measures of the response to steady state and step aniso-accommodative stimuli, using a binocular SRI Dual Purkinje Eye Tracker Optometer System. The aniso-accommodative response to step stimuli showed a very long latency period (about 11 s) and a response time of 4.5 s. A potential benefit of aniso-accommodation would be to overcome small amounts of uncorrected anisometropic refractive error. This would preserve fine stereo acuity which is impaired by unequal intraocular image contrast. Aniso-accommodation also may provide an appropriate efferent feedback signal for each eye's unique refractive error which could be used to guide developmental isometropization (attainment of equal refractive error in the two eyes.).
Molecular analysis of an allozyme cline: alcohol dehydrogenase in Drosophila melanogaster on the east coast of North America.

Clines may either be selectively maintained or be the by-product of nonadaptive processes related to population structure and history. Drosophila melanogaster populations on the east coast of North America show a latitudinal cline in the frequencies of two common electrophoretically distinguishable alleles at the alcohol dehydrogenase locus (Adh), designated Adh-S and Adh-F. This cline may either be adaptive or an artifact of a possible recent dual founding of North American D. melanogaster populations in which frequencies of Adh alleles differed between founder populations. By means of a high resolution restriction-mapping technique, we studied the distribution of 113 haplotypes derived from 44 polymorphic DNA markers within the Adh region in 1533 individuals from 25 populations throughout the cline. We found significant clinal differentiation at the polymorphisms determining the mobility-difference causing amino acid replacement between Adh-F and Adh-S alleles. Hitchhiking was limited, despite extensive linkage disequilibrium, and other sites did not vary clinally. Such a pattern of differentiation implies that selection is responsible for the cline. To investigate whether selection acts only on the Adh-F/S site, we performed a ``selective equivalence'' test under the assumption that all variability within the specified allelic class is selectively neutral. This revealed selective equivalence among Adh-S-bearing haplotypes, whose frequencies showed no differentiation throughout the cline, implying high levels of frequency-homogenizing gene flow. Geographical heterogeneity among Adh-F-bearing haplotypes implied the action of selection on one or more additional variants in linkage disequilibrium with Adh-F. In a further study of a subset of the data (n = 1076 from 18 populations), we found a combined insertion/deletion polymorphism, designated &1, located in the 5' adult intron and in linkage disequilibrium with Adh-F, to show more marked clinal variation than Adh-F/S. Although the unequivocal identification of the precise target(s) of selection requires further study, we suggest that clinal selection may be acting epistatically on the Adh-F/S and &1 polymorphisms.
T1 pelvic angle (TPA): another acronym to add to the pile, or the missing link for assessing sagittal plane alignment in adult spinal deformity?

The spine literature has been inundated with a myriad of alphabet soup acronyms in an attempt to better evaluate and treat spinal deformity. In many ways, this is a very positive step as surgeons have become increasingly aware of the three-dimensional nature of spinal deformity and that the coronal Cobb angle is only part of the puzzle. The literature on adolescent idiopathic scoliosis has produced no less than seven different measurements to evaluate shoulder balance, none of which has been universally agreed upon. This leaves clinicians wondering how many measurements are really necessary to evaluate radiographic outcomes. However, adult spinal deformity certainly differs from adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Adult spinal deformity surgery is typically less about fine-tuning appearance and more often focuses on reducing pain and disability. The adult spinal deformity research forum has more recently focused its efforts primarily on the sagittal plane and spinopelvic parameters after the publication of a landmark study by Glassman et al. that centered on the direct impact of global sagittal imbalance on health-related quality-of-life measures1. This harkens back to the term “pelvic vertebra” that Jean Dubousset has used for many years to highlight the major influence of pelvic morphology, obliquity, and version in spinal deformity2. Schwab et al. validated the sagittal and spinopelvic parameters of sagittal vertical axis of >40 mm, pelvic tilt of >20°, and a pelvic incidence minus lumbar lordosis mismatch of >10° as primary influences of lower health-related quality-of-life measures and increased Oswestry Disability Index scores in adult spinal deformity3. This has been a large step forward as a means of …
Divorcing mothers' use of protective strategies: differences over time and by violence experience

Objective: The current study considered protective strategy use at various points in time for divorcing mothers with a range of marital violence experiences (including no history of violence and different types of violence). Method: Divorcing mothers (N 170) from 1 Midwestern county participated in 2 in-person interviews that included structured assessments of intimate partner violence (IPV) during the last year of marriage and use of protective strategies at 3 time points—last year of marriage and at separation (both assessed at Time 1) and since the first interview (at a 3 month follow-up). Results: Divorcing mothers, regardless of marital violence experience, used an array of private and public protective strategies during the last year of marriage, at separation, and at the 3-month follow up interview. In general, mothers who experienced coercive controlling violence reported using more protective strategies than mothers who experienced situational couple violence or no violence. Strategy use peaked at separation with an increase in public strategy use. Conclusions: All divorcing mothers use a range of active coping strategies over time, yet findings emphasize the importance of making distinctions between types of IPV so that divorcing mothers receive individualized resources and support that best meet their needs and minimize potentials risks and losses as they navigate the divorce process.
Vowel Contrast and Vowel Harmony Shift in the Mongolic Languages

This paper explores the synchrony and diachrony of the Mongolic vowel systems within the framework of contrastive hierarchy theory (Dresher 2009). First it establishes contrastive hierarchies for modern Mongolic varieties, based on which it attempts to reconstruct an RTR-based vowel system for Old Mongolian. Then it proposes a vowel shift hypothesis which claims that the basis of vowel harmony has shifted from an RTR contrast in Old Mongolian to a palatal contrast in the modern Kalmyk/ Oirat variety (contra Svantesson 1985). It is shown that this shift not only conforms to all the basic criteria of the comparative methods in historical linguistics, but also corresponds to typological expectations from an Altaic perspective. The result supports the idea that RTR was the original harmonic contrast in Altaic (Vaux 2009).
Information security technology?...don't rely on it: a case study in social engineering

Many companies spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to ensure corporate computer security. The security protects company secrets, assists in compliance with federal laws, and enforces privacy of company clients. Unfortunately, even the best security mechanisms can be bypassed through Social Engineering. Social Engineering uses very low cost and low technology means to overcome impediments posed by information security measures. This paper details a Social Engineering attack performed against a company with their permission. The attack yielded sensitive company information and numerous user passwords, from many areas within the company, giving the attackers the ability to cripple the company despite extremely good technical information security measures. The results would have been similar with almost any other company. The paper concludes with recommendations for minimizing the Social Engineering threat.
[Purification of follicle-stimulating hormone from human pituitary glands].

SummaryA procedure for preparation of follicle-stimulating hormone from human pituitaries has been described. Approximately a 15-fold purification could be achieved by a procedure involving fractionation with (NH4)2SO4 and a cation exchange resin.
Nicotine restores functional connectivity of the ventral attention network in schizophrenia

While previous work has suggested that nicotine may transiently improve attention deficits in schizophrenia, the neuronal mechanisms are poorly understood. This study is the first to examine the effects of nicotine on connectivity within the ventral attention network (VAN) during a selective attention task in schizophrenia. Using a crossover design, 17 nonsmoking patients with schizophrenia and 20 age/gender-matched nonsmoking healthy controls performed a go/no-go task with environmental noise distractors during application of a 7 mg nicotine or placebo patch. Psychophysiological interaction analysis was performed to analyze task-associated changes in connectivity between a ventral parietal cortex (VPC) seed and the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), key components of the human VAN. Effects of nicotine on resting state VAN connectivity were also examined. A significant diagnosis × drug interaction was observed on task-associated connectivity between the VPC seed and the left IFG (F(1,35) = 8.03, p < 0.01). This effect was driven by decreased connectivity after placebo in patients and greater connectivity after nicotine. Resting state connectivity analysis showed a significant main effect of diagnosis between the seed and right IFG (F = 4.25, p = 0.023) due to increased connectivity in patients during placebo, but no drug × diagnosis interactions or main effects of drug. This study is the first to demonstrate that 1) the VAN is disconnected in schizophrenia during selective attention, and 2) nicotine may normalize this pathological state.
Some Aspects of Adolescents' Medical Care

(1962). Some Aspects of Adolescents' Medical Care. Postgraduate Medicine: Vol. 31, No. 2, pp. 190-194.
On stratified bivariate ranked set sampling with optimal allocation for naïve and ratio estimators

The purpose of the current work is to introduce stratified bivariate ranked set sampling (SBVRSS) and investigate its performance for estimating the population mean using both naive and ratio methods. The properties of the proposed estimator are derived along with the optimal allocation with respect to stratification. We conduct a simulation study to demonstrate the relative efficiency of SBVRSS as compared to stratified bivariate simple random sampling (SBVSRS) for ratio estimation. Data that consist of weights and bilirubin levels in the blood of 120 babies are used to illustrate the procedure on a real data set. Based on our simulation, SBVRSS for ratio estimation is more efficient than using SBVSRS in all cases.
Summary of a Workshop on Disease Mechanisms and Prospects for Prevention of Reye's Syndrome

The workshop participants identified several areas that are worthy of investigation. A better understanding of the populations at risk is necessary. First, the geographic distribution of cases is poorly understood, and efforts should be made to determine whether the apparent clustering of cases in the states bordering the Great Lakes is real or reflects better reporting and identification of cases in these states than in other regions. Second, reports of cases among siblings or relatives suggests either an underlying metabolic risk factor or the possibility of a common environmental risk factor. Further studies of carnitine metabolism would be appropriate in this regard. Third, epidemiologic experience with Reye's syndrome suggests that clusters of cases may occur more frequently when new influenza A or B viruses become epidemic. This pattern was observed most clearly in 1978 during the epidemic of A/USSR/77 (H1N1) influenza virus infection. Additional suggestive evidence was obtained during the epidemic of A/Asian/57 (H2N2) influenza in 1957-1958 [20] and that of B/Hong Kong/72 influenza in 1973-1974. This feature suggests that first infections with these viruses are more likely than reinfections to produce the rare sequela of Reye's syndrome. Fourth, the reported association of Reye's syndrome with the use of acetylsalicylate in the treatment of the antecedent illness requires further study. In this situation the potential risk factor has been recognized as a mitochondrial toxin capable of uncoupling oxidative phosphorylation. Finally, the question of a toxic product produced as a consequence of the prodromal infection or present coincident with the infection remains unresolved.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Development of MOS sensor-based NH3 monitor for use in poultry houses

A monitor for measuring ammonia in poultry houses was developed using a metal oxide semiconductor sensor.Relative humidity and temperature compensation equations improved the MOS sensor's ability to measure ammonia.The monitor's relative error and coefficient of variation were both <10%, comparable to those required of research instruments.Material cost of the monitor was <$430 and its mass was <1.4kg. To ensure poultry performance and welfare, ammonia (NH3) concentrations inside poultry houses have to be within acceptable limits; this requires regular NH3 monitoring. While there are low-cost, portable NH3 measuring devices have drawbacks. Due to its low cost, long lifetime, and short response time, a metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) sensor was used to develop a handheld NH3 monitor for use in poultry houses. Since the MOS sensor is affected by humidity and temperature, collocating relative humidity (RH) and temperature sensors with the MOS NH3 sensor and applying temperature and RH compensations greatly improved its performance. Compared to the boric acid scrubber, using broiler litter exhaust gas as the NH3 source, the relative error (RE) and coefficient of variation (CV) of the monitor averaged 7%, comparable to research-grade instruments. The monitor was more accurate than the electrochemical sensor and required less frequent purging. The response time of the unit was ~1.5min, the total mass was <1.4kg while material cost was <$430. Hence, in addition to being convenient, the monitor provided accurate and precise measurements. With further refinements, the monitor has the potential to be used in poultry houses to control ventilation rates as a component of precision livestock farming to improve poultry performance and welfare.
Multiple Sclerosis: Generating Effective Human Services

Over the years, voluntary agencies have been organized to help individuals whose illness or problems were not adequately met by existing professional activities and community service institutions. This paper makes the point that for a voluntary agency to function effectively, it must first make decisions based on adequate information about needs and resources; second, it must relate closely to the evolving governmental and community organization of human services; and third, it must function as a coordinator of numerous services, acting mainly as a communications link.
Abstract 4536: Polyunsaturated fatty acids alter the epigenetic landscape in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC)

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in US women. The lack of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor II (HER2) in basal-like breast cancer subtypes, commonly referred to as triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), account for 10-20% of cases and are associated with the poorest short-term prognosis due to a lack of targeted therapies. Epigenetic therapies are currently of interest to target TNBC, as many theorize epigenetic reprogramming is required for malignant transformation and invasion. Research has shown omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; C22:6, n-3) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; C20:5, n-3) inhibit tumorigenesis, whereas linoleic acid (LA; C18:2, n-6) has been shown to promote neoplastic growth; supporting the association of increased cancer incidence with omega-6 PUFA dietary intake. Arachidonic acid (AA; C20:4, n-6) is associated with pro-inflammatory signaling processes, and therefore tumorigenesis; however, conflicting results exist in the literature across tumor types. PUFAs are bioactive nutrients known to have epigenetic effects within normal cells and recently, the ability of PUFA to alter DNA methylation and histone acetylation was reported in HCT-116 colon carcinoma (Cho, Y. et al, 2014). Current research focuses on the potential of dietary intervention in TNBC as an epigenetic therapy. This study monitors epigenetic alterations in MDA-MB-231 TNBC in response to DHA, LA, EPA and AA. DHA, EPA and AA all elicit similar levels of apoptosis in MDA-MB-231, while LA promotes tumorigenesis. Initial results demonstrate promoter methylation changes (p Citation Format: Amy M. Chattin, Mykelti O’Brien, Ronald S. Pardini. Polyunsaturated fatty acids alter the epigenetic landscape in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 4536.
Common and Distinct Characteristics Associated With Trajectories of Morning and Evening Energy in Oncology Patients Receiving Chemotherapy.

Abstract Context Although energy conservation strategies are recommended in clinical practice guidelines, little is known about changes in energy levels in oncology patients undergoing cancer treatment. Objectives The objective of this study was to identify variations in the trajectories of morning and evening energy levels and determine which characteristics predicted initial levels and the trajectories of morning and evening energy. Methods Outpatients receiving chemotherapy (CTX) completed demographic and symptom questionnaires six times over two CTX cycles. Energy was assessed using the Lee Fatigue Scale. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to analyze the data. Results A large amount of interindividual variability was found in the morning and evening energy trajectories. Patients who lived alone, had childcare responsibilities, had a lower functional status, did not exercise on a regular basis, had lower hemoglobin levels, had lower attentional function, higher trait anxiety, and higher sleep disturbance reported lower morning energy levels at enrollment. Variations in the trajectories of morning energy were associated with a higher body mass index and higher levels of morning energy and higher sleep disturbance scores. For evening energy, patients who were female, white, had lower functional status, and had lower attentional function and higher sleep disturbance reported lower evening energy levels at enrollment. Evening energy levels at enrollment were associated with changes in evening energy over time. Conclusion Patients undergoing CTX experience decrements in both morning and evening energy. The modifiable characteristics associated with these decrements can be used to design intervention studies to increase energy levels in these patients.
Neuropathology and iron: Central nervous system iron homeostasis

The cells of the central nervous system, and in particular neurons, are metabolically active cells with a high iron requirement. The mechanism(s) by which iron is trafficked across the blood–brain barrier has yet to be fully elucidated. A great interest in central nervous system iron homeostasis is derived from the increasing incidence of neurodegenerative disorders over the last decade. Advances in clinical imaging and the ability to differentiate iron from other metals utilizing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has permitted radiological confirmation of brain iron accumulation in patients presenting with neurodegenerative symptoms. The observation that brain iron content increases with aging and is associated with neuropathology has led to a heightened interest in the role of iron in these conditions. The potential for iron to not only participate in but enhance oxidative stress coupled with the concomitant increased tissue iron burden in Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and aging has led numerous investigators to study the relationship between iron, oxidative injury, and neurodegeneration. The recent identification of many of the proteins required for systemic cellular iron metabolism within the central nervous system (CNS) and the subsequent characterization of neurodegenerative disorders attributed to mutations in these proteins have even further highlighted the critical role of iron in CNS functioning.
The Initial High School Data Processing Unit: Its Contents and Placement

(1976). The Initial High School Data Processing Unit: Its Contents and Placement. The Journal of Data Education: Vol. 16, No. 4, pp. 26-29.
Pseudo-spectral control of a novel oscillating surge wave energy converter in regular waves for power optimization including load reduction

Abstract The aim of this paper is to describe a procedure to maximize the power-to-load ratio of a novel wave energy converter (WEC) that combines an oscillating surge wave energy converter with variable structural components. The control of the power-take-off torque will be on a wave-to-wave timescale, whereas the structure will be controlled statically such that the geometry remains the same throughout the wave period. Linear hydrodynamic theory is used to calculate the upper and lower bounds for the time-averaged absorbed power and surge foundation loads while assuming that the WEC motion remains sinusoidal. Previous work using pseudo-spectral techniques to solve the optimal control problem focused solely on maximizing absorbed energy. This work extends the optimal control problem to include a measure of the surge foundation force in the optimization. The objective function includes two competing terms that force the optimizer to maximize power capture while minimizing structural loads. A penalty weight was included with the surge foundation force that allows control of the optimizer performance based on whether emphasis should be placed on power absorption or load shedding. Results from pseudo-spectral optimal control indicate that a unit reduction in time-averaged power can be accompanied by a greater reduction in surge-foundation force.
Childhood Aggression and Violence

In his introductory chapter, Deane Neubauer offered some caveats for our consideration, noting that in American culture and society violence and aggression are framed as a social problem and that “we are led by our values, beliefs, and professional training to seek resolution of the problem by locating it within the individual and searching for means of effective individual intervention.” The effects, he warned, “of articulating individual-focused behavior changes as the primary vehicle for intervention” are to shift responsibility onto individuals, to suggest that little “can be done to affect these problems at the level of social causation,” to medicalize, professionalize, and depoliticize the issue, and to provide intervention in a form most likely to benefit “those groups predisposed by education and other SES-related attributes to change in a self-interested direction.” He then concluded that although an individual focus is vitally important it is also insufficient and hoped that we would not pursue it “to the extent that efforts to expand the social understanding and treatment of violence and aggression are shunted aside as important but somehow insufficiently demanding problems for our attention.”
New statistical metrics for multisite replication projects

Increasingly, researchers are attempting to replicate published original studies by using large, multisite replication projects, at least 134 of which have been completed or are on going. These designs are promising to assess whether the original study is statistically consistent with the replications and to reassess the strength of evidence for the scientific effect of interest. However, existing analyses generally focus on single replications; when applied to multisite designs, they provide an incomplete view of aggregate evidence and can lead to misleading conclusions about replication success. We propose new statistical metrics representing firstly the probability that the original study's point estimate would be at least as extreme as it actually was, if in fact the original study were statistically consistent with the replications, and secondly the estimated proportion of population effects agreeing in direction with the original study. Generalized versions of the second metric enable consideration of only meaningfully strong population effects that agree in direction, or alternatively that disagree in direction, with the original study. These metrics apply when there are at least 10 replications (unless the heterogeneity estimate τ^=0, in which case the metrics apply regardless of the number of replications). The first metric assumes normal population effects but appears robust to violations in simulations; the second is distribution free. We provide R packages (Replicate and MetaUtility).
‘For the first time in ________ history…’: microcelebrity and/as historicity in reality TV competitions

Nearly two decades after the explosion of primetime reality programming, many reality series claim a stylised historicity: an intentional and constant citational practice that stages the seasons, c...
Treatment With Topical Deferoxamine Improves Cutaneous Vascularity and Tissue Pliability in an Irradiated Animal Model of Tissue Expander-Based Breast Reconstruction

Purpose Postmastectomy radiation therapy is an important component of the multimodality approach to later-stage breast cancers. Unfortunately, despite its proven survival benefits, postmastectomy radiation therapy is deleterious to the skin and soft tissue, causing increased complications and worse aesthetic outcomes after breast reconstruction.There is currently no effective pharmaceutical agent to mitigate the soft tissue fibrosis and hypovascularity associated with soft tissue radiation. We hypothesized that a novel topical formulation of deferoxamine (DFX) will result in improved cutaneous vascularity and soft tissue pliability in an animal model of irradiated tissue expander-based breast reconstruction. Methods This study consisted of 16 hairless rats divided into 4 equal groups: a control group (expander only), a tissue expanded and irradiated group, a tissue expanded + DFX group, and a tissue expanded/irradiated/DFX group. A novel topical formulation of DFX consisted of reconstituted drug dissolved in agents designed to enhance dermal penetrance. Vessels per high-power field (vHPF) were quantified histologically; micro-computed tomography angiography was used to assess vessel volume fraction (VVF) and vessel length density. Results Irradiated skin had less vascularity compared with control (3.81 vHPF vs 8.25 vHPF, P = 0.03; 0.79% VVF vs 1.53% VVF, P = 0.06). Treatment of irradiated skin with topical DFX reversed these effects, resulting in vascular findings similar to the control group histologically (7.94 vHPF vs 8.25 HPF, P = 0.985) and via micro-computed tomography angiography (1.05% VVF vs 1.53% VVF, P = 0.272). Similarly, radiation resulted in less volume expansion compared with controls (0.72 vs 0.8 mL, P = 0.04), whereas treatment with topical DFX reversed this effect, allowing for an expansion volume similar to the control group (0.81 vs 0.80 mL, P = 0.999). Conclusions In an animal model of irradiated tissue expander-based breast reconstruction, treatment with topical DFX improved the cutaneous vascularity and tissue pliability, resulting in vascular density and final tissue expansion volumes similar to those found in the nonirradiated control group. Topical DFX may be an effective agent for the treatment of soft tissue radiation injury; future studies are indicated to further characterize this novel drug formulation.
Book review: Excellent Books about statistical distributions and probability theories

[1] Univariate Discrete Distributions, by N. L. Johnson, S. Kotz, and A. W. Kemp, 1993, John Wiley & Sons Press, Hoboken, NJ, USA, ISBN: 0 471 54897 9, pp. 565+xx. $150.00 [2] Continuous Univariate...
Anesthetic Management of Morbidly Obese Patients Undergoing Airway Surgery

Obesity has become one of the most important public health problems in the United States and many other countries around the world (Afshin et al., N Engl J Med 377(1):13–27, 2017). In the United States, prevalence of childhood obesity has increased up to threefold over the last three decades (Hedley et al., JAMA 291(23):2847–2850, 2004; Ogden et al., JAMA 311(8):806–814, 2014). It now affects one in six children and adolescents with the highest prevalence in Black and Mexican-American youth (Skelton et al., Acad Pediatr 9(5):322–329, 2009). According to Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2011–2014 report, the prevalence of obesity was 17.5% of among 6–11-year-olds and 20.5% of 12–19-year-olds (Ogden et al., Ctr Dis Control Prev, 2015). More than 30% of pediatric patients presenting for surgery in one large pediatric setting were found to be overweight or obese (Nafiu et al., J Natl Med Assoc 99(1):46–48, 50–41, 2007).
Loss of myeloid-specific protein phosphatase 2A enhances lung injury and fibrosis and results in IL-10-dependent sensitization of epithelial cell apoptosis.

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), a ubiquitously expressed Ser/Thr phosphatase is an important regulator of cytokine signaling and cell function. We previously showed that myeloid-specific deletion of...
Heat Capacities and Enthalpies of Mixing of Solid Solutions - The Binary System Tetramethylmethane-Tetrachloromethane

ABSTRACT The heat capacities of several samples of different compositions in the system C(CH3)4-CC14 have been studied from 5 K to above 300 K for information concerning the nature of the solid solutions formed by these components, both of which are composed of globular molecules and form plastic crystals. The complex thermal properties observed and the enthalpy of mixing are discussed.
The Effects of Differential Pay on Teacher Recruitment and Retention

Traditionally, teacher salaries have been determined solely by experience and educational attainment. This has led to chronic shortages of teachers in particular subject areas, such as math, science and special education. We study the first long-running statewide program to differentiate teacher pay based on subject area, Georgia’s bonus system for math and science teachers. Using a difference-in-differences strategy, we find the bonuses reduce teacher attrition by 18 to 28 percent. However, we find no evidence the program increases the probability that education majors become secondary math or science teachers upon graduation or alters specific major choices within the education field.
Automated external defibrillator use in a previously healthy 31-day-old infant with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation.

Introduction Current resuscitation guidelines state that the safety of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in infants less than 1 year of age is unknown. Methods and results We report successful AED use in a 31-day-old previously healthy infant with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Chest compressions began immediately, pediatric AED pads were applied in less than 5 minutes and the initial rhythm was ventricular fibrillation. After two 50 J shocks, return of spontaneous circulation was achieved. She was diagnosed with a rare but previously described syndrome of infant ventricular fibrillation and was discharged to home in good condition after epicardial defibrillator placement. Conclusions This case represents, to our knowledge, the youngest patient successfully defibrillated by an AED in a nonmedical setting. Although she received two shocks more than 11 J/kg each, she had no apparent myocardial damage at presentation.
Quantization Noise and Dithering

While various circuit noise sources, such as thermal noise, shot noise or 1∕f noise, have a physical origin, other types of noise, like quantization or roundoff noise, occur as a consequence of computational operations performed by circuits. Specifically, the digitization of bandlimited signals with analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) involves not only signal sampling in time, but also amplitude quantization. The quantization operation introduces an error, which is called quantization noise. This noise plays an important role in analyzing the performance of DSP systems and in ADC design. Bennett observed in 1948 that for a sufficiently small discretization step, quantization noise can be viewed approximately as uniformly distributed and white. In a comprehensive study of quantization noise, Widrow was able to derive precise conditions for these properties to hold. Unfortunately, because it is a function of the input signal, the quantization noise is not independent from the input, which creates undesirable artifacts in audio systems. To overcome this problem, an independent dithering noise can be added to the input signal and removed after quantization. This chapter presents a comprehensive analysis of the properties of quantization noise and dithering.
Vocal pattern detection of depression among older adults.

Depression is a serious problem for many older adults but is too often undetected by the person, family or providers. Although vocal patterns have been successfully used to detect and predict depression in adults aged 18 to 65 years, no studies to date have included older adults. The study purpose was to determine whether vocal patterns associated with clinical depression in younger people also signify depression in older adults. An observational, repeated measures design was used to enroll 46 volunteer older adults who completed a semi-structured interview composed the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire or PHQ-9 depression scale and selected speech measures. Recorded interviews were analysed by machine learning algorithms to evaluate whether vocal patterns may predict presence of depression in older adults. In this study, using the PHQ-9 and a supervised machine learning algorithm accurately predicted high and low depression scores between 86% and 92% of the time. Change in raw PHQ-9 scores between interview cycles was predicted within 1.17 points. These results provide strong and promising evidence that vocal patterns can be used effectively to detect clinical depression in adults who are 65 years and older.
Clinical engineering updates in the Middle East

Abstract During the past decade, its estimated that half of medical technology existing was not here before that. This adds more burden on clinical engineering support and more for continuing education and training. The Middle East depends mostly on imported medical technologies, similar to many developing countries in the world. This in turn creates many challenges to support such technologies that may be different from other countries. Clinical engineering in Middle Eastern countries mostly emphasizes on maintenance functions and is viewed as such by hospital management and governance bodies. In this chapter, the current status of clinical engineering will be briefly reviewed in some countries. The author got experience or knowledge with such as Jordan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt, Lebanon, and Turkey. History of clinical engineering, present status, challenges, and recommendations will be provided, including some of the main issues in the selected countries.
New World, Inc.: The Making of America by England’s Merchant Adventurers

Much has been written about the English voyages of exploration and commerce prior to 1621. It is a fascinating story that is worthy of retelling and that is what John Butman and Simon Targett have ...
Insulin-like growth factor-1 overexpression increases long-term survival of posttrauma-born hippocampal neurons while inhibiting ectopic migration following traumatic brain injury.

Cellular damage associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI) manifests in motor and cognitive dysfunction following injury. Experimental models of TBI reveal cell death in the granule cell layer (GCL) of the hippocampal dentate gyrus acutely after injury. Adult-born neurons residing in the neurogenic niche of the GCL, the subgranular zone, are particularly vulnerable. Injury-induced proliferation of neural progenitors in the subgranular zone supports recovery of the immature neuron population, but their development and localization may be altered, potentially affecting long-term survival. Here we show that increasing hippocampal levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1) is sufficient to promote end-stage maturity of posttrauma-born neurons and improve cognition following TBI. Mice with conditional overexpression of astrocyte-specific IGF1 and wild-type mice received controlled cortical impact or sham injury and bromo-2′-deoxyuridine injections for 7d after injury to label proliferating cells. IGF1 overexpression increased the number of GCL neurons born acutely after trauma that survived 6 weeks to maturity (NeuN+BrdU+), and enhanced their outward migration into the GCL while significantly reducing the proportion localized ectopically to the hilus and molecular layer. IGF1 selectively affected neurons, without increasing the persistence of posttrauma-proliferated glia in the dentate gyrus. IGF1 overexpressing animals performed better during radial arm water maze reversal testing, a neurogenesis-dependent cognitive test. These findings demonstrate the ability of IGF1 to promote the long-term survival and appropriate localization of granule neurons born acutely after a TBI, and suggest these new neurons contribute to improved cognitive function.
Models of HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Care Used in Title X Family Planning Clinics in the Southern U.S.

Abstract Purpose HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is underutilized by adolescent and young adult women, especially in the Southern U.S. Family planning (FP) clinics are potentially ideal PrEP delivery sites for adolescent and young adult women, but little is known about their PrEP services. We describe models of PrEP care in Title X FP clinics in the South and explore clinic resources that are needed to facilitate PrEP provision. Methods Providers and administrators from 38 clinics participated in qualitative interviews. We assessed five steps of PrEP care: (1) HIV risk assessment; (2) PrEP education; (3) laboratory testing; (4) PrEP prescription; and (5) PrEP monitoring. Results Among 38 clinics, 23 conducted at least one step and were classified into three models. Model 1 (n = 8) and Model 2 (n = 4) clinics provided up to Steps 1 and 2, respectively, but referred to an external PrEP provider. Model 3 clinics (n = 11) conducted all steps. Few barriers were identified for Step 1; using an HIV risk assessment tool was a key facilitator. PrEP educational materials facilitated Step 2; clinics not providing education believed they could easily do so with training and educational resources. Funding- and staff-related resource barriers were noted for Steps 3–5, including costs of laboratory tests and lack of time for longitudinal visits. Conclusions PrEP-providing publicly funded FP clinics in the Southern U.S. use referral services for many steps of PrEP care, which introduce patient burden. Increasing onsite PrEP services will require addressing concerns related to training, educational materials, cost, and staffing.
Ethnic variability associating gut and oral microbiome with obesity in children.

Obesity is a growing worldwide problem that generally starts in the early years of life and affects minorities more often than Whites. Thus, there is an urgency to determine factors that can be use...