cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Islamic Hermeneutics and Shihabuddin Suhrawardi’s Language of the Ants

In an allegorical animal tale by Shihabuddin Suhrawardi, the twelfth-century Sufi best known for his theosophy of light, a hoopoe is threatened with death by a group of fairies (20–22). Unlike the hoopoe, the fairies are nearly blind and have based their understanding of the world upon their blindness. The seeing hoopoe is thus considered a dangerous heretic because its version of the world differs from theirs. The hoopoe saves its life by deciding to “speak to the people according to their intelligence” and by consequently pretending to be blind (21). When the disheartened hoopoe finally leaves the fairies at the conclusion of the tale, he characterizes the fairies by quoting sura 27:25 of the Koran: “. . . they worship not Allah Who bringeth forth the hidden in the heavens and the earth” (22). This tale is a simple parable that contrasts those, like the hoopoe, who correctly perceive reality through the Islamic faith, to those, like the fairies, who are figuratively blind to that faith. The tale is also Suhrawardi’s imaginative reconstruction of the narrative of Solomon in section two of sura 27, in which the hoopoe, Solomon’s messenger, reports on the land of Saba whose inhabitants worship the sun rather than Allah, having been seduced by Satan into misperceiving reality. Suhrawardi’s tale consequently depicts the fairies, like the people of Saba, as obvious heretics who are ruled by their senses rather than by faith.
Risk and Failure Analysis for Improved Performance and Reliability

The care and philosophy employed in material selection, design analyses, fabrication, and maintenance must be sufficient to limit the risk of failure. Failure analysis requires careful sorting of a variety of information to determine how and why a metal part failed, and to prevent a recurrence. To improve safety and reliability, a philosophy of design and prototype evaluation based on the risk of failure is more sound than the stereotyped application of empiricisms, codes, specifications and factors of safety commonly used. Designers must document all conceivable failures in a system, determine by analyses the effect on system operation, and rank the risk of each potential failure according to its combined influence of severity and probability of occurrence. Design codes based upon handbook values for properties of materials are often misleading. A probability of failure exists due to the many uncertainties or variability of the basic structural reactions of a metal; significant changes in mechanical behavior occur due to processing operations, field repairs, adverse or unforeseen loadings and environment, or deterioration with time, temperature, or operating conditions. Consideration must be given to man-machine interactions to prevent accidents in complex systems. Considerable latitude in use and misuse of equipment must be foreseen in order to predict and evaluate the resistance to each possible mode of failure. Careful consideration of the complete life cycle is necessary for selecting optimum materials that will withstand the modifications due to processing and service history, yet provide minimum risk of failure with improved safety and reliability.
Effect of cultivation and within-field differences in soil conditions on feral Helianthus annuus growth in ridge-tillage maize.

Differences in weed population dynamics with respect to within-field heterogeneity are not well documented despite increasing interest in site-specific management of agro-ecosystems. The focus of this study was to determine if me chanical weed management (cultivation) and/or soil factors help to explain observed within-field distributions of feral common sunflower ( Helianthus annuus L.). The ridges and furrows created by the ridge–tillage system adds additional microsites to existing spatial heterogeneity for soil characteristics such as soil organic carbon (SOC) concentration. Experimental areas were selected on the basis of naturally high or low SOC concentration. Cultivation resulted in 100% mortality of H. annuus seedlings growing in the middle of furrows. Cultivation of pre-emergence herbicide treated and no-herbicide ridges resulted in small but statistically significant ( α = 0.05) reductions in seedling survival. No differences were detected in H. annuus canopy height, stem diameter, stem length, or vegetative biomass between high and low SOC environments. Neither total reproductive biomass (P = 0.49) nor the biomass of flowers near physiological maturity (an estimate of fecundity; P = 0.59) were affected by SOC environment. Late season H. annuus lodging was observed to reduce reproductive biomass. Juvenile plants that survived mechanical weed control efforts grew and produced reproductive biomass similarly across SOC environments. The lack of difference in vegetative and reproductive characteristics between high and low SOC environments suggests that SOC (or the edaphic conditions associated with greater or lesser SOC level) was not critical in contributing to the observed distribution of H. annuus from juvenile to flowering stages of growth within well-fertilized, irrigated agricultural habitats.
The pp38 Gene of Marek's Disease Virus (MDV) Is Necessary for Cytolytic Infection of B Cells and Maintenance of the Transformed State but Not for Cytolytic Infection of the Feather Follicle Epithelium and Horizontal Spread of MDV

Marek's disease virus has a unique phosphoprotein, pp38, which is suspected to play an important role in Marek's disease pathogenesis. The objective of the present study was to utilize a mutant virus lacking the pp38 gene (rMd5Deltapp38) to better characterize the biological function of pp38. This work shows that the pp38 gene is necessary to establish cytolytic infection in B cells but not in feather follicle epithelium, to produce an adequate level of latently infected T cells, and to maintain the transformed status in vivo.
Eicosanoid production in nonparenchymal liver cells isolated from rats infused with E. coli endotoxin.

Continuous i.v. infusion of a nonlethal dose of Escherichia coil endotoxin induced an early (3-h) accumulation of neutrophils in the rat liver followed by a later (30-h) greater extravasation of mononuclear phagocytes (MNP). These inflammatory cells, recovered together by centrifugal elutriation, were analyzed for their potential capacity to metabolize (1-14C]-AA. Ca2� ionophore A23187 (5 �M) stimulated the release of [1-14CJ-AA from PC and P1 both in cells from saline -and ET-infused rats, the latter showing a higher capacity to further metabolize AA to eicosanoids. LTB4 and 5-HETE were the major metabolites accumulated in cells from rats infused with ET for 3 h, while PGD2 played the main role in cells from saline-infused rats. This could reflect [1-14C]-AA metabolism by PMNP and Kupffer cells, respectively. By 30 h of ET-infusion, a shift from PGD2 to PGE2 release was observed. These results suggest that eicosanoids released by nonparenchymal cells (i.e., Kupffer and endothelial cells) and PMNP in the liver of ET-infused rats may alter the normal intercellular information flow between parenchymal and nonparenchymal cells, contributing to the severe impairment in liver function and metabolism during endotoxicosis and sepsis.
Traits associated with naturalization in Anolis lizards: comparison of morphological, distributional, anthropogenic, and phylogenetic models

The worldwide spread of invasive species affects native biodiversity and causes economic loss, but also allows better understanding of historical biogeographic patterns. Prediction of likely invaders facilitates economic and conservation decisions and gives insight into characteristics that have allowed natural colonization over evolutionary time. However, it is not clear what types of characters best predict naturalization or even whether naturalization is predictable at all. Squamate reptiles have been understudied subjects for invasion biology. Lizards of the genus Anolis have been highly successful colonizers both recently and over evolutionary time. Nineteen of the approximately 350 described species of Anolis have established naturalized populations. We constructed models of naturalization using morphological, distributional, anthropogenic, and phylogenetic characters and compared these single character class models to each other and to a composite model incorporating all four classes. We show that (1) each class of variables significantly predicts invasion, (2) a composite model significantly outperforms each of the submodels, and (3) the final composite model displays extraordinary ability to objectively identify naturalized species of Anolis.
Protein kinase C inhibits Kv1.1 potassium channel function

The regulation by protein kinase C (PKC) of recombinant voltage-gated potassium (K) channels in frog oocytes was studied. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA; 500 nM), an activator of PKC, caused ...
The academic performance index: Creating a more robust and less biased measure of student academic performance

This paper introduces an alternative to singular performance measures through the creation of a scaled index incorporating a variety of performance factors indicating overall student success as well as the creation of similar sub-indices for performances in the particular areas of math, English, and science. These indices have been used in two studies based on nationally representative college student data: the Sustainability and Gender in Engineering (SaGE) and the Outreach Programs and Science Career Intentions (OPSCI) projects. The Academic Performance Index (API) is a scale constructed out of students' weighted high school GPA, available standardized test scores (ACT/SAT), AP test scores (if any), highest levels of various high school coursework taken, and college credit hours earned prior to enrolling in college. Importantly, the API uses any and all available data in these domains, which can be up to 42 different indicators for an individual student in the case of the SaGE project. This index shows less bias regarding race and gender, when compared with commonly-used standardized tests scores. Additionally, this item is psychometrically better at indicating variation across students' performance.
Pyrite—A Natural History of Fool's Gold by David Rickard. Oxford University Press, www.oup.com/us. 297 pages; 2015; $29.95 plus shipping and handling (hardbound).

Pyrite is an intellectual endeavor that has resulted in a fascinating and educational work by scholar and scientist David Rickard. It presents one of our most widespread minerals from diverse point...
Deficiency of dietary EAA preferentially inhibits mRNA translation of ribosomal proteins in liver of meal-fed rats

The goal of these studies was to investigate the mechanisms by which amino acid supply regulates global rates of protein synthesis as well as the translation of ribosomal protein (rp) mRNAs in live...
Creative Placemaking: Integrating Community, Cultural and Economic Development

This concept paper builds on the pioneering work of Markusen and Gadwa in creative placemaking by providing a framework for evaluating work in this field. We propose that there are five orientations that should drive the work of creative placemakers: enhancing social equity and other measures of quality of life, increasing economic opportunity, building a healthier climate for individual creativity and collective expression, building on existing assets and developing strategies that strengthen and promote the distinct qualities of the place. This paper provides a framework for engaging arts and culture in community and economic development in ways that minimize the negative effects of gentrification and cultural change in communities.
Incorporation of trans-8- and cis-8-octadecenoic acid isomers in human plasma and lipoprotein lipids.

Mixtures of deuterium-labeledtrans-8-,cis-8- andcis-9-octadecenoic acids (8t–18∶1, 8c–18∶1, 9c–18∶1) were fed as triglycerides (TG) to two adult male subjects. Blood samples were collected sequentially over a 48-hour period. Plasma and lipoprotein lipids were separated by thin layer chromatography and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. Results indicate (i) absorption of the 8t- and 8c–18∶1 isomers were similar to 9c–18∶1; (ii) the 8t–18∶1 isomer was cleared approximately 30% faster than 9c–18∶1 from plasma TG; (iii) cholesterol ester samples contained 8.4 times less 8t–18∶1 than 9c–18∶1; (iv) incorporation at the 1-acyl phosphatidylcholine (PC) position was higher for 8t–18∶1 and 8c–18∶1 (2.2 and 1.7 times) than for 9c–18∶1; and (v) discrimination at the 2-acyl PC position was 4.6-fold against 8t–18∶1 and 1.3-fold against 8c–18∶1 compared with 9c–18∶1. Discrimination against uptake of the Δ-8 isomers in both neutral and phospholipid classes suggests that both 8t- and 8c–18∶1 may be preferentially oxidized relative to 9c–18∶1. Except for triglycerides, data for each of the lipid classes from total plasma and individual lipoprotein samples were similar. These data indicate that differences for incorporation and turnover of the 8t- and 8c–18∶1 isomers relative to 9c–18∶1 are not substantially influenced by the lipoprotein classes. The maximum isotopic enrichment detected in the chylomicron triglycerides fractions was 60%, which indicates that a substantial amount of endogenous triglycerides was mobilized during absorption of the deuterated fats.
Sensible Elocution: How Translation Works in & upon Punctuation

Modernist fiction uses punctuation, along with such syntactic structures as conjunction and parataxis, in experimental ways, for visual effect or to highlight the interplay of textual voice...
Rh(I)-catalyzed chemo- and stereoselective domino cycloaddition of optically active propargyl 2,4-hexadienyl ethers.

1,1′-Bi-2-naphthol in combination with ZnEt2, Ti(OiPr)4, and dicyclohexylamine have been employed to catalyze asymmetric alkyne addition to an ynal to synthesize optically active propargylic alcohols containing two alkyne functions with excellent yields and enantioselectivities. These chiral alcohols are readily converted to the corresponding optically active propargyl 2,4-hexadienyl ethers. These diene-diyne substrates are found to undergo a highly chemoselective and stereoselective domino Pauson–Khand and Diels–Alder cycloaddition catalyzed by [RhCl(CO)2]2 under CO to generate a class of tetracyclic compounds with high enantiomeric purity. This is a very efficient method for the asymmetric synthesis of polycyclic compounds.
The USSR as a Communal Apartment, or How a Socialist State Promoted Ethnic Particularism

Soviet nationality policy was devised and carried out by nationalists. Lenin's acceptance of the reality of nations and "national rights" was one of the most uncompromising positions he ever took, his theory of good ("oppressed-nation") nationalism formed the conceptual foundation of the Soviet Union and his NEP-time policy of compensatory "nation-building" (natsional'noe stroitel'stvo) was a spectacularly successful attempt at a state-sponsored conflation of language, "culture," territory and quota-fed bureaucracy.
Heterogeneous Object Design with Material Feature Blending

AbstractA feature-based method is proposed to represent and design heterogeneous objects. Interrelations between the material governing features and material attributes are established and retained in the object model. Free-form functions are used to represent complex shapes of geometry and material features. Material properties are blended using a lofting process. An optimization problem is then constructed based on the object’s functional requirements to calculate the optimum material variation. Variant models are easily generated by changing the geometric and material features using the constraints between them.
Modern amputation technics.

Northwestern University is one of three university centers participating in a coordinated program of research and education directed toward solving the complex problems of amputees. Major improvements in artificial limbs have been made in recent years. Some of the modern devices are illustrated. A physician who accepts an amputee or a potential amputee for a patient assumes responsibility for maximal restoration, including participation in prescription of a prosthesis and supervision of training. The amputee is permanently in need of qualified medical supervision.
Paid protection? Ethics of incentivised long-acting reversible contraception in adolescents with alcohol and other drug use

Pregnant adolescents have a higher risk of poor maternal and fetal outcomes, particularly in the setting of concomitant maternal alcohol and other drug (AOD) use. Despite numerous programmes aimed at reducing overall teen pregnancy rates and the recognition of AOD use as a risk factor for unintended pregnancy in adolescents, interventions targeting this specific group have been sparse. In adult drug-using women, financial incentives for contraception have been provided but are ethically controversial. This article explores whether a trial could ethically employ monetary incentives in adolescents with AOD use to promote the use of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), with special attention to the relevant distinctions between adults and adolescents. We conclude that a trial of incentives to promote LARC in this patient population is ethically permissible if the incentives are small, are tied to completion of an educational activity to minimise the quick fix temptation and potential for non-attendance to the risks and benefits of LARC and are provided only to the adolescent after an assessment of her reasoning to rule out coercion (eg, by guardians) as motivation. Information about treatment for AOD use and follow-up care in case of problems with the contraceptive or desire for removal should also be provided. Before implementing such a trial, qualitative research with input from providers, potential patients and their parents should be conducted to inform the programme's specific structure.
Predictive parameters of successful varicocele repair.

AbstractA total of 130 men presenting with oligospermia and clinically identifiable scrotal varicoceles was evaluated, treated surgically and followed for 1 year for pregnancy rate. The treatment outcome was compared to an age-matched cohort of 83 oligospermic men who had received empirical medical therapy with clomiphene citrate (25mg. per day) for the same 1-year interval. This study was done to contrast treatment modalities in infertility and not as a strict control. Only eugonadotropic patients in both groups were used for comparison.In the varicocele group the over-all pregnancy rate was 38.5 per cent. Four variables (a lack of testicular atrophy, sperm density greater than 50 million per ejaculate, sperm motility 60 per cent or more and serum follicle-stimulating hormone values less than 300ng. per ml.) proved to be accurate preoperative predictors of postoperative pregnancy success. Four other variables (varicocele size and laterality, sperm forward progression greater than 2 and normal sperm morph...
Evaluation of Construction Elements State under Explosive Loading

Experimental and research results are presented under the action of explosive loading for high-speed deformation of thin-wall elements when forming, junction and separation are used.
Caliban's Utopia

“Generally, his appearance was repulsive, Caliban like,” wrote W. A. Domingo on observing a nervous and shaking Marcus Garvey address a New York gathering in April 1916. He gave the impression of the typical immigrant bumpkin, on first arriving in the metropolis, “dressed in a much crumpled and misfitting suit,” and at one point falling off the stage. But Garvey learned quickly, and by late autumn of that year the “ambitious, wide-awake and energetic” young man had made a mighty impression on audiences throughout the United States as an accomplished lecturer. He preached the doctrine of “rehabilitating Africa in the interest of the Negro.” His attentive sympathizers were made up of various types who were predisposed to hear his message describing “The Tragedy of White Injustice.” He appealed, significantly, to intellectuals like William H. Ferris, who first heard him speak in Chicago while working there as associate editor of a magazine called The Champion, and to John E. Bruce, also a Crummell proteegee. But Garvey's message appealed not only to the marginalized intellectual elite; it also appealed to the working class, the petit bourgeoisie, and the displaced peasants from the rural South, many of whom were born before the Civil War and could recall slavery. In 1921 Ferris became assistant president general of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), which Garvey had founded to promote his plans for the redemption of Africa and the economic salvation of the African race.
Do Pro-social Ads Influence Social Attitudes and Consumer Response?

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities can be an important tool for businesses to connect with their stakeholders. While there is growing research on the impact of CSR, there is relatively little research on how socially conscious consumers respond to socially responsible initiatives. We address this gap by quantitatively investigating the role of consumer’s social attitudes and their response to social message advertisements. Results indicate that some socially conscious consumers are generally leery of advertising and this can extend to CSR tactics. A consumer’s general attitude towards advertising mediates the relationship between their pro-social viewpoints and their attitude towards the brand, and this process is moderated by the content of the advertisement (i.e., CSR focused or neutral). The findings show that pro-social consumers do react differently to pro-social vs. traditional advertisements. This has distinct implications for managers, as it becomes more important for them to understand the pro-social attitudes of the audience before investing in CSR-focused advertising.
Carotid cavernous fistula after Pipeline placement: a single-center experience and review of the literature.

Objective Carotid cavernous fistula (CCF) development after Pipeline Embolization Device (PED) treatment of cavernous carotid aneurysms (CCA) can be a challenging pathology to treat for the neurointerventionalist. Methods A database of all patients whose aneurysms were treated with the PED since its approval by the Food and Drug Administration in 2011 was retrospectively reviewed. Demographic information, aneurysm characteristics, treatment technique, antiplatelet regimen, and follow-up data were collected. A literature review of all papers that describe PED treatment of CCA was then completed. Results A total of 44 patients with 45 CCAs were identified (38 women, 6 men). The mean age was 59.9±9.0 years. The mean maximal aneurysm diameter was 15.9±6.9 mm (mean neck 7.1±3.6 mm). A single PED was deployed in 32 patients, with two PEDs deployed in 10 patients and three PEDs in 3 patients. Adjunctive coiling was performed in 3 patients. Mean follow-up duration based on final imaging (MR angiography or digital subtraction angiography) was 14.1±12.2 months. Five patients (11.4%) developed CCFs in the post-procedural period after PED treatment, all within 2 weeks of device placement. These CCFs were treated with a balloon test occlusion followed by parent artery sacrifice. Our literature review yielded only three reports of CCFs after PED placement, with the largest series having a CCF rate of 2.3%. Conclusions CCF formation is a known risk of PED treatment of CCA. Although transvenous embolization can be used for treating CCFs, parent artery sacrifice remains a viable option on the basis of these data. Studies support the view that adjunctive coiling may have a protective effect against post-PED CCF formation. None of the coiled aneurysms in our database or in the literature have ruptured. Follow-up data will lead to a better understanding of the safety profile of the PED for CCA.
Conservative Management of Ureteral Injury Caused by a Lumbar Osteophyte

Abstract Background: Osteophytes are bony outgrowths commonly found on lumbar vertebrae. They rarely produce complications with the most common complication being nerve entrapment, but rarer complications including aorta or inferior vena cava rupture, superior mesenteric artery syndrome, compression of the iliopsoas muscle, and cerebrospinal fluid leaks have been described. Rare cases affecting the ureter resulting in ureteral colic or extravasation of urine have been described. Case Presentation: We describe a case in which a lumbar osteophyte bridging the L4 and L5 disks was encircling the ureter and minor trauma caused a ureteral injury, resulting in urine extravasation into the L4 and L5 disks space and the retroperitoneum. Owing to the comorbidities of this patient, this case was treated conservatively with stenting and the patient has suffered no further complications. Conclusion: This is a rare complication of a lumbar osteophyte but should be considered as a potential cause of ureter injury. Treat...
The Energetic Benefit of Robotic Gait Selection—A Case Study on the Robot RAM one

Should a legged robot use different gaits at different desired speeds? If so, what constitutes these gaits? This work examines these questions through a case study on the planar bipedal robot RAM one . Using a realistic model of the robot, this paper presents the outcome of a series of trajectory optimizations which minimize the electrical cost of transport and find the associated optimal motion strategies. These optimizations show that at low speeds it is most economical to perform a ballistic walking gait with an instantaneous transfer of support. At higher speeds, spring-mass running with an extended air-phase becomes the optimal gait. Additionally, it is illustrated that the optimal running gait is conducted with the knee joints pointing away from rather than towards the direction of travel. The transition between ballistic walking and spring-mass running happens at a speed of 1.04 m/s, and switching can reduce energy expenditure by up to 259%.
Peripheral Endothelial Function After Arterial Switch Operation for D-looped Transposition of the Great Arteries

Coronary artery re-implantation during arterial switch operation in patients with D-looped transposition of the great arteries (D-TGA) can alter coronary arterial flow and increase shear stress, leading to local endothelial dysfunction, although prior studies have conflicting results. Endothelial pulse amplitude testing can predict coronary endothelial dysfunction by peripheral arterial testing. This study tested if, compared to healthy controls, patients with D-TGA after arterial switch operation had peripheral endothelial dysfunction. Patient inclusion criteria were (1) D-TGA after neonatal arterial switch operation; (2) age 9-29 years; (3) absence of known cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, vascular disease, recurrent vasovagal syncope, and coronary artery disease; and (4) ability to comply with overnight fasting. Exclusion criteria included (1) body mass index ≥85th percentile, (2) use of medications affecting vascular tone, or (3) acute illness. We assessed endothelial function by endothelial pulse amplitude testing and compared the results to our previously published data in healthy controls (n = 57). We tested 20 D-TGA patients (16.4 ± 4.8 years old) who have undergone arterial switch operation at a median age of 5 days (0-61 days). Endothelial pulse amplitude testing indices were similar between patients with D-TGA and controls (1.78 ± 0.61 vs. 1.73 ± 0.54, p = 0.73).In our study population of children and young adults, there was no evidence of peripheral endothelial dysfunction in patients with D-TGA who have undergone arterial switch operation. Our results support the theory that coronary arterial wall thickening and abnormal vasodilation reported in these patients is a localized phenomenon and not reflective of overall atherosclerotic burden.
Life stage specific predation of Halyomorpha halys (Stål) by generalist predators

Abstract Halyomorpha halys (Stal) is an invasive pest of agriculture in the USA. Feeding damage from H. halys affects dozens of crops yet little is known about the community of predators which prey on H. halys in its invaded range. Ten taxa of predatory or omnivorous insects were evaluated for their capacity to consume eggs and nymphs of Halyomorpha halys in laboratory mesocosm experiments. Predators were collected from agricultural ecosystems in New Jersey, starved for 24–48 h, and then exposed to H. halys eggs, first instar, or second instar nymphs. Survivorship of control prey in predator-excluding containers within the arenas was compared to that of predator treatment groups to determine the effect of predator presence. Stage-specific differences in H. halys survivorship among life stages were observed for several predator taxa indicating stage-specific predation. Acrididae, Coccinella septempunctata (L.) , Podisus maculiventris (Say) (nymphs and adults), and Tettigoniidae reduced the hatch rate of H. halys eggs. Hemipteran predators, including Nabis spp . and Reduviidae, reduced the survivorship of first instar nymphs. Similarly, Nabis spp . and P. maculiventris nymphs reduced the survivorship of second instar nymphs. Acrididae, Nabis spp ., P. maculiventris nymphs, Reduviidae, and Tettigoniidae showed stage-specific tendencies in their consumption of H. halys. Morphological similarities between the immature stages of H. halys may facilitate predator suppression of these mobile stages. These results indicate that predation estimates that rely solely on sentinel egg masses may underestimate the impact of generalist predators on other H. halys life stages.
Disruption Analysis and Response Implication of Passive Plates for the NSTX Upgrade

The National Spherical Torus eXperiment (NSTX) upgrade project requires analysis qualifications of existing vacuum vessel and passive stabilizing plates for increased plasma performance. Vertical stability is critically dependent on the passive conducting structure that surrounds the plasma. In this paper, the passive plate is analyzed for the upgrade condition during plasma disruption to ensure the level of stress in the plate and the fastener is within its design limits. The counter-bore of the passive plate for bolting is evaluated in detail and counter-bore bushing is redesigned to prevent shear failure during disruptions as a result of high pulling and pushing forces, particularly for support at corner bolts.
E-035 Ct perfusion outcomes may lead to better clinical outcomes following endovascular therapy in large vessel occlusion stroke

Background and Purpose Different imaging paradigms have been used to select patients for endovascular therapy (ET) in large vessel occlusion stroke (LVOS). We sought to determine whether CT perfusion (CTP) selection improves ET outcomes as compared to non-contrast CT (NCCT) alone. Methods Review of a prospective single-center interventional database of consecutive patients between September 2010 and March 2016. Patients with anterior circulation strokes undergoing stent-retriever thrombectomy were categorized according to imaging selection: (1) CTP and (2) NCCT alone. Two separate analyses were performed to assess the impact of CTP selection on outcomes: (1) Uni- and Multivariate analysis of the overall cohort and (2) Matched case-control analysis based on age, baseline NIHSS, and glucose levels. Results The overall cohort included 602 patients. CTP-selected patients (n=365; 61%) were younger (mean age 63.9 v±15.2 vs. 67.8±14.5, p=0.02) and had less comorbidities. On univariate analysis, CTP-selection was associated with higher rates of full reperfusion (mTICI-3: 54.8% vs. 40.1%, p Conclusion CTP-based selection is associated with a favorable shift in functional outcomes in patients undergoing stent-retriever thrombectomy. Future prospective studies are warranted. Disclosures J. Grossberg: None. M. Bouslama: None. D. Haussen: None. L. Rebello: None. M. Frankel: None. R. Nogueira: None.
Routine invasive strategies compared with conservative strategies do not lower the all-cause mortality in patients with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction and unstable angina

Commentary on: Fanning JP, Nyong J, Scott IA, et al . Routine invasive strategies versus selective invasive strategies for unstable angina and non-ST elevation myocardial infarction in the stent era. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2016:CD004815. Urgent coronary artery revascularisation with stents following an acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (MI) reduces mortality and the incidence of reinfarction. Current guidelines recommend the use of routine invasive strategies (RINVS) in patients with an acute non-ST elevation (NSTE) MI and in those with unstable angina (UA) with high-risk features. However, these guidelines are not necessarily evidence-based, and concern remains whether the RINVS is indeed superior to a selective invasive strategy (SINVS). This review and meta-analysis compares the benefits and harms associated with RINVS, in the stent era, with or without the use of glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists, with SINVS in patients with …
The Optimal Stimulation Hypothesis and Early Development

For much of the history of psychology, the relation of stimulation to development has been construed in terms of a linear model or what Wohwill (1974) has called the “more the merrier hypothesis.” However, in the 1950’s, with the writings of Helson (1948), Piaget (1952), Hebb (1955), and Leuba (1955), a contrasting view, the optimal stimulation hypothesis, began to be seriously considered by behavioral scientists. Basically, the optimal stimulation hypothesis predicts an inverted-U or butterfly-shaped relationship between stimulation (or arousal) level and behavior or development (Hunt, 1963). More specifically, in terms of organismic development, two specific predictions have been associated with the optimal stimulation hypothesis. The first prediction, the “preference” prediction, is derived from the work of Hebb (1955) and Leuba (1955) and involves the organism’s preference for or approach to stimulation. Basically, the preference prediction states that organisms will prefer or approach an optimal level of stimulation.
Estimating the Relative Energy Content of Reactive Materials Using Nanosecond-Pulsed Laser Ablation

Recently, a laboratory-scale method for measuring the rapid energy release from milligram quantities of energetic material has been developed based on the high-temperature plasma chemistry induced by a focused, nanosecond laser pulse. The ensuing exothermic chemical reactions result in an increase in the laser-induced shock wave velocity compared to inert materials. Laser-induced air shock from energetic materials (LASEM) provides a method for estimating the detonation performance of novel organic-based energetic materials prior to scale-up and full detonation testing. Here, the extension of LASEM to non-organic energetic materials is discussed. The laser-induced shock velocities from reactive materials such as Al/PTFE, Al/CuO, Al/Zr alloys, Al/aluminum iodate hexahydrate, and porous silicon composites have been measured; in many cases, the high sensitivity of the samples resulted in propagation of the reaction to the surrounding material, producing significantly higher shock velocities than conventional energetic materials. Methods for compensating for this effect will be discussed. Despite this limitation, the relative comparison of the shock velocities, emission spectra, and combustion behavior of each type of material provides some insight into the mechanisms for increasing the energy release of the material on a fast (µs) and/or slow (ms) timescale.
Isothiocyanates: Translating the Power of Plants to People

Isothiocyanates from cruciferous vegetables have been studied extensively in cells and in animals for their disease preventive and therapeutic effects. However, translating their utility to human populations has been both limited and challenging. Herein, clinical trials employing two isothiocyanates, sulforaphane (SFN; 1-isothiocyanato-4-(methylsulfinyl) butane) and phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC; 2-isothiocyanatoethylbenzene) that are isolated principally from broccoli and watercress, respectively, are summarized and discussed. Both of these compounds have been used in small human clinical trials, either within food matrices or as single agents, against a variety of diseases ranging from cancer to autism. Results suggest an opportunity to incorporate them, or more likely preparations derived from their source plants, into larger human disease mitigation efforts. The context for the applications of these compounds and plants in evidence-based food and nutritional policy is also evaluated.
Abstract 1012: Added Value of the Common and Internal Carotid Intima-media Thickness (IMT) for the Prediction of Cardiovascular Events: The Framingham Offspring Study

Purpose: Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) can be measured in the common carotid artery (CCA) or the proximal internal carotid artery (ICA). We study which measurement might add predictive value to the Framingham Risk Score. Materials and methods: Framingham risk factors, the mean CCA IMT and the maximum ICA IMT (max ICA IMT) were measured in 2946 members of the Framingham Offspring Cohort mean age 58 years, 55% women. Cardiovascular outcomes were evaluated over an average 7.2 years of follow-up. Multivariable Cox-proportional hazards models were used to determine the incremental predictive value of IMT to risk factors. Reclassification of non-incident/incident cases was evaluated using low, intermediate and high Framingham risk score levels after adding IMT. Results: There were 297 cardiovascular events during follow-up. After adjustment for risk factors, the standardized hazard ratio for max ICA IMT and mean CCA IMT were 1.21 (95% C.I.: 1.13, 1.29; p Conclusion: Max ICA IMT is more strongly predictive of cardiovascular outcomes than mean CCA IMT and adds predictive value to the Framingham risk factors and risk score.
On the identification of a highly augmented airplane

The results of applying linear least squares and maximum likelihood estimation procedures to flight data from the AFTI/F-16 airplane are presented. Data from two flight control system modes are analyzed. It is shown that though a simple aerodynamic model structure is adequate for the simple mode, a more complicated model is necessary to adequately describe the highly augmented mode. The effect of augmentation of roll control is shown to be visible in the control parameters.
Reflective Semantics of Constructive Type Theory: Preliminary Report

It is well-known that the proof theory of many sufficiently powerful logics may be represented internally by Godelization. Here we show that for Constructive Type Theory, it is furthermore possible to define a semantics of the types in the type theory itself, and that this procedure results in new reasoning principles for type theory. Paradoxes are avoided by stratifying the definition in layers.
Transcytosis of Macromolecules through the Blood—Brain Fluid Barriers in Vivo

The term transcytosis refers to the combined, sequential events of intracellular internalization or endocytosis of an extracellular, non-lipid-soluble micro-/macromolecule, transport of that molecule through the cell, and secretion or exocytosis of the molecule from the cell opposite the side of entry. The process has been described for a variety of molecules and a host of cell types; however, no cell type in which transcytosis has been proposed is more controversial than the endothelium of the blood—brain barrier (BBB). A plethora of publications on morphology from the 1970s through the present promotes a transendothelial transfer of the protein tracer horseradish peroxidase (HRP) from blood to brain as a consequence of central nervous system (CNS) exposure to pathophysiological, physical, or chemical insults. Other publications focusing on the BBB under normal conditions advocate the transcytosis of peroxidase from blood to brain through segments of specific arterioles and from brain to blood through capillaries and arterioles (for an extensive list of references, see Broadwell, 1989). The conclusions derived from these studies are based largely on repeated attempts to interpret dynamic cellular events from two-dimensional, static electron micrographs (Fig. 1). At best, these data are suggestive, do not warrant the stated conclusions, and, therefore, are open to criticism (Broadwell, 1989). More recently, the BBB literature has emphasized the potential for receptor-mediated transcytosis of peptides (Pardridge, 1986, 1991) and other blood-borne molecules that bind to the luminal surface of the normal, intact cerebral endothelium (Broadwell, 1989).
Multiple instance dictionary learning for subsurface object detection using handheld EMI

A dictionary learning approach for subsurface object detection using handheld electromagnetic induction (EMI) data is presented. A large number of unsupervised and supervised dictionary learning methods have been developed in the literature. However, the majority of these methods require data point-specific labels during training. In the application to subsurface object detection, often the specific training data samples that correspond to target and non-target are not known and difficult to determine manually. In this paper, a dictionary learning method that addresses this issue using the multiple instance learning techniques is presented. Results are shown on real EMI data sets.
On Fabrication and Mechanical Testing of a New Finger Support

Following the work done previously on design and simulation of a new finger support, this paper focuses on mechanical testing, methods of fabrication using a LaserJet 3D printer and also explores a better polymer which can be used for the support. The special composite finger support was designed for the first time to accommodate the patients with all sort of finger deformity. A new model is presented here, which is the optimum design suggested previously and is consisted of polymeric support with an inserted sheet of aluminum or carbon fiber. After presenting the results of modeling (including the calculated maximum stress and maximum deformation), the maximum stress values were compared with the yield strength values of the metals and it was noticed that the support does not undergo any plastic or permanent deformation. Furthermore, in order to validate the modeling results, the support was fabricated and mechanical tests were conducted. The steps and details of designing, simulation, mathematical confirmation using MATLAB (Mathworks©) package, fabrication, and mechanical testing are all presented. Overall the finger support is reliable and strong and can be brought to the market.
Quantum field theory and condensed matter, an introduction

Condensed matter physics is too broad of a subject for a single book. Ramamurti Shankar, author of a well-regarded Quantum Mechanics textbook (‘Principles of Quantum Mechanics’, Plenum Press; 2nd e...
RECache: ROM-Embedded 8-Transistor SRAM Caches for Efficient Neural Computing

One of the fast ways of evaluating complex math tables, transcendental functions, high-order polynomials etc. is by storing them in read-only memories (ROMs). However, storing large dedicated ROMs on-chip is not feasible as they incur large area overhead. Moreover, that part of the chip lies waste when ROMs are not in use. To that effect, we show at least three proposals to embed ROMs into on-chip caches using standard 8-transistor static random access memories (SRAMs). Just by adding an extra word-line (WL) or a source-line (SL), the same bit-cell can store a RAM bit, as well as a ROM bit, while maintaining the performance and area-efficiency of standard SRAMs. Moreover, due to the decoupled read/write port of the 8T-SRAMs, RAM data is not destroyed during ROM accesses, unlike prior works. We demonstrate the effectiveness of using such ROM-Embedded RAMs as caches (RECache). An improvement of up-to 19.4× in cache performance was achieved by using RECache under ‘ROM-intensive’ workloads. Further, we expand the scope of RECache, and demonstrate its applicability in specialized neural hardware. Taking an example of spiking neural network (SNN) acceleration, an energy improvement of 1.7× and iso-area performance improvement of 1.9 × was achieved with RECache, compared to standard SRAM caches.
Telemedicine: A Primer (Part 1)

Telemedicine literally means “healing at a distance.” The rise of the Internet age and the proliferation of smart devices have brought profound changes for the practice of telemedicine. Telemedicine is now regarded as the use of information and telecommunication technology (ICT) to provide patients with health care at a distance. It is a new fascinating development that enhances the level of medical services. Telemedicine holds the promise of significant changes within the healthcare industry since it offers an opportunity to attract and retain consumers. This paper provides a primer on telemedicine.
Association of visceral adiposity and systemic inflammation with sleep disordered breathing in normal weight, never obese adolescents.

Abstract Objective/background While obesity is a known risk factor for sleep disordered breathing (SDB), a large proportion of children with SDB are not overweight as per body mass index percentile (BMI%) criteria. This study aimed to examine whether premorbid or concurrent adiposity phenotypes and inflammation are associated with SDB in normal weight youth. Patients/methods A total of 242 persistently non-overweight (BMI% Results and conclusions Increased waist circumference (β = 0.227, p = 0.001) at baseline, but not BMI%, neck or hip circumference, was significantly associated with a higher AHI at follow-up. VAT (β = 0.309, p
An Interprofessional Model for Teaching Medical Students to Provide Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral for Treatment for Substance Misuse.

Background Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) is an evidence-based method to identify, reduce, and prevent the harmful use of alcohol and illicit substances. However, SBIRT remains underused by physicians and other healthcare providers. Integrating interprofessional SBIRT training in medical curricula may better prepare future providers to care for patients with substance use disorders. Methods The authors report the development and outcomes of a longitudinal, interprofessional SBIRT curriculum organized in partnership with health professions' schools in nursing, pharmacy, and social work. Primary results: From October 2015 to April 2017, 1,327 students were trained in SBIRT, resulting in the screening of 4,520 individuals and interventions in 897 individuals. 553 (42%) trainees were medical students, providing 3,330 (74%) screenings and 412 (46%) interventions. Principal conclusions These initial data demonstrate the feasibility of including SBIRT in undergraduate medical curricula. Broadly implemented, SBIRT training offers potential to normalize its practice as part of standard, evidenced-based patient care.
Similar response rates and survival with PARPi treatments for patients harboring somatic versus germline BRCA mutations: A meta-analysis and systematic review.

e16802Background: PARP inhibitor (PARPi) has recently been approved for various cancers. However, trials have mostly recruited pts with germline BRCA (gBRCA) mutations, and it is unclear whether PA...
Feasibility of Cardiovascular Four-dimensional Flow MRI during Exercise in Healthy Participants.

Although free-breathing four-dimensional flow MRI can be used to quantify flow in the great vessels of the heart during strenuous exercise with high repeatability, ventricular kinetic energy measur...