cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Understanding Gang Membership and Crime Victimization Among Jail Inmates: Testing the Effects of Self-Control

Although previous research has examined factors related to gang membership and offending, research on the relationship between gangs and victimization is limited. The present study builds on previous research and examines gang membership, victimization, and self-control among 2,414 jail inmates. Results from self-report surveys indicate that gang members are more likely than nonmembers to be victimized by property and personal crimes. Among nongang members, those with lower self-control are more likely to be victimized by property and personal crime. Among gang members, lower self-control is associated with personal crime victimization whereas higher self-control is related to property crime victimization. Overall, gang members are victimized more than nongang members, and self-control is an important factor for victimization among gang and nongang members.
Counting the degrees of freedom when using AIC and MDL to detect signals

In the well known paper by Wax and Kailath (1985), the AIC and MDL criteria for determining the number of signals in a multichannel time-series are presented. An essential element of these criteria is the number of degrees of freedom in the model. We propose a different number for the degrees of freedom and show that the resulting MDL criterion performs noticeably better than the previous criterion. We also show that the same criteria are appropriate for either real or complex data. >
Tunneling microscopy from 300 to 4.2 K

A scanning tunneling microscope (STM) has been developed for operation over the full temperature range from 300 to 4.2 K. At room temperature, the instrument has been used to produce topographic images of grain structure in a copper-titanium alloy foil and of atomic structure on a Pt(100) surface. At low temperatures, the instrument can be used in a new spectroscopic mode, one which combines the high spatial resolution of the STM with the existing technique of electron tunneling spectroscopy. This new capability has been demonstrated by using the microscope to probe spatial variations in the superconducting character of a niobium-tin alloy film.
Does comorbidity increase the risk of mortality among children under 3 years of age

Objectives Diarrhoea and pneumonia remain leading causes of morbidity and mortality in children under 5 years of age. Little data is available to quantify the burden of comorbidity and the relationship between comorbid diarrhoea and pneumonia infections and mortality. We sought to quantify the relationship between comorbidity and risk of mortality among young children in two community-based studies conducted among South Asian children. Design Secondary data analysis of two cohort studies. Participants We identified two cohort studies of children under 3 years of age with prospective morbidity at least once every 2 weeks and ongoing mortality surveillance. Outcome measures We calculated the mortality risk for diarrhoea and acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) episodes and further quantified the risk of mortality when both diseases occur at the same time using a semiparametric additive model. Results Among Nepali children, the estimated additional risk of mortality for comorbid diarrhoea and ALRI was 0.0014 (−0.0033, 0.0060). Among South Indian children, the estimated additional risk of mortality for comorbid diarrhoea and ALRI was 0.0032 (−0.0098, 0.0162). This risk is in addition to the single infection risk of mortality observed among these children. Conclusions We observed an additional risk of mortality in children who experienced simultaneous diarrhoea and ALRI episodes though the CI was wide indicating low statistical support. Additional studies with adequate power to detect the increased risk of comorbidity on mortality are needed to improve confidence around the effect size estimate.
Hierarchical Deficiencies: Constructed Differences between Adolescent Boys and Girls in a Public School Single-Sex Program in the United States.

Although middle school is a critical time in adolescents’ development, little is known about how that development is affected by public single-sex classes even though recent federal policy decision...
Toward a greater understanding of breast cancer patients’ decisions to discuss cancer related internet information with their doctors: An exploratory study

Objective To investigate differences between breast cancer patients who do and do not discuss cancer-related internet information (CRII) with their doctors.
Physical Retrieval Of Precipitation Cell Parameters Using Passive 118-ghz Observations

Physical retrieval of precipitation parameters from 118-GHz spectra is investigated using an iterative planar-stratified numerical radiative-transfer model. Liquid and frozen hydrometeors are modeled as spherical Marshall-Palmer and Sekhon-Srivastava (SS) distributed Mie-scattering polydispersions, respectively, with Henyey-Greenstein phase functions. A comparison of 118-GHz rain-cell spectral perturbations observed during Cohmex with model calculations based on coincident radar data yields + or - 10 percent agreement over the convective core region, although a mean ice size 50 percent larger than that given by the SS distribution is required for agreement over the anvil region. A rain-cell model parameterized by top-altitude and total water density suggests that the dominant 118-GHz spectral modes can be used to retrieve top-layer altitude with rms errors of about 1-1.5 km, consistent with statistical retrieval results. Model calculations also suggest that cell density is not observable using 118-GHz spectra alone.
The self-control consequences of political ideology

Evidence from three studies reveals a critical difference in self-control as a function of political ideology. Specifically, greater endorsement of political conservatism (versus liberalism) was associated with greater attention regulation and task persistence. Moreover, this relationship is shown to stem from varying beliefs in freewill; specifically, the association between political ideology and self-control is mediated by differences in the extent to which belief in freewill is endorsed, is independent of task performance or motivation, and is reversed when freewill is perceived to impede (rather than enhance) self-control. Collectively, these findings offer insight into the self-control consequences of political ideology by detailing conditions under which conservatives and liberals are better suited to engage in self-control and outlining the role of freewill beliefs in determining these conditions.
Opportunity Lost: Blogs on Local TV Station Web Sites:

With concern about shrinking audiences for local television newscasts (Project for Excellence in Journalism, 2005), many TV stations are investigating ways to maintain viewer interest (Whitney, 200...
Glucose absorption in vitro by the enteric stages of Trichinella spiralis.

Absorption of glucose in vitro by enteric stages of Trichinella spiralis was examined in worms isolated at different times following infection. Glucose absorption by 6-h-old worms was similar to that seen during moulting (24 h post-infection (p.i.)). As embryogenesis began (48 h p.i.) glucose absorption in vitro by the parasite rose dramatically to a peak in 72-h-old worms. Absorption of glucose in vitro remained high in 96-h-old worms but as larviposition began (120 h p.i.) glucose uptake by T. spiralis dropped significantly. Glucose absorption by worms isolated from the host during the primary immune response was unaffected. Glucose absorption in vitro remained at similar levels in worms isolated between 120 and 312 h p.i. The percentage of absorbed label incorporated into parasite tissues was greatest in 48- and 312-h-old worms. Glucose uptake in vitro by pre-adult and adult worms changed with time and these changes accompanied specific events in the biology of the parasite.
The stuffy nose and rhinitis.

Patients presenting with nasal congestion or stuffy nose relate a nonspecific complaint that opens an extended differential diagnosis. Nasal congestion may be self-limited, occurring in conjunction with viral rhinitis or single season allergy. 10,11 More serious complaints include constant obstruction causing headache, sinusitis, or persistent rhinorrhea. It is likely that more than one factor contributes to the sensation of nasal congestion in a given patient. 7 Patient perception and acceptance of nasal congestion vary greatly; presenting complaints may be out of proportion to objective findings. 11
Optimizing Treatment of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: A Rational Approach

Imatinib mesylate, a novel, molecularly targeted agent for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), has expanded the management options for this disease and provided a paradigm for the treatment of other cancers. Imatinib is a potent, specific inhibitor of BCR-ABL, the constitutively active protein tyrosine kinase critical to the pathogenesis of CML. A randomized, phase III comparison of imatinib with interferon-alfa plus cytarabine as initial treatment for newly diagnosed chronic-phase CML, which demonstrated significantly higher rates of disease response with less toxicity, better quality of life, and a significantly longer progression-free survival time, provided the most persuasive data supporting a major role for imatinib. Currently, allogeneic stem cell transplantation is the only treatment modality with long-term data demonstrating curative potential in CML. An option for less than half of CML patients and associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, transplantation may still be appropriate initial therapy for certain patients. Busulfan and hydroxyurea have no demonstrable effect on disease natural history. The interferon-plus-cytarabine combination can induce durable cytogenetic remissions and was previously the CML pharmacotherapy standard of care, but it is often poorly tolerated. Imatinib is now indicated as firstline therapy for CML in all phases. The Oncologist 2004;9:259-270
Online Food Retailing: Is Market Segmentation The Key To Success?

The online grocery business was one of many e-commerce opportunities from the late 1990s that was full of promise and resulted in disappointment. Based on a review of current literature and telephone surveys with managers from a number of the top 10 retail grocers in the United States, the importance of market segmentation emerges. Technology is less of an issue than several years ago. The reality of the online grocery business as a niche market has sunk in. Enormous data warehouses with customer data are now ready to be analyzed. Market segmentation is now both possible and critical for the near future to identify how to define and implement a profitable online grocery presence.
Minimizing Treatment Costs in Multiplant Settings

Methods for deriving least cost operating schedules for wastewater treatment facilities are developed and compared. The simplicity of two of the methods makes them especially attractive when such schedules are sought for small groups of polluters. Iterative policy derivation is shown for such a group operating under continuously variably processes, as well as an extension to the case of communities operating facilities having only discrete treatment configuration options. The methods are proposed as tools to facilitate local management of municipal wastewater treatment facilities. Treatment cost savings are achieved through the proxy retional treatment contracts advocated by this approach. A case study of phosphorus removal in Wisconsin's Lake Michigan Watershed is presented.
Complex synapses as efficient memory systems

The molecular machinery underlying memory consolidation at the level of synaptic connections is believed to employ a complex network of highly diverse biochemical processes that operate on a wide range of different timescales. An appropriate theoretical framework could help us identify their computational roles and understand how these intricate networks of interactions support synaptic memory formation and maintenance. Here we construct a broad class of synaptic models that can efficiently harness biological complexity to store and preserve a huge number of memories, vastly outperforming other synaptic models of memory. The number of storable memories grows almost linearly with the number of synapses, which constitutes a substantial improvement over the square root scaling of previous models [1,2], especially when large neural systems are considered. This improvement is obtained without significantly reducing the initial memory strength, which still scales approximately like the square root of the number of synapses. This is achieved by combining together multiple dynamical processes that operate on different timescales, to ensure the memory strength decays as slowly as the inverse square root of the age of the corresponding synaptic modification. Memories are initially stored in fast variables and then progressively transferred to slower ones. Importantly, in our case the interactions between fast and slow variables are bidirectional, in contrast to the unidirectional cascades of previous models. The proposed models are robust to perturbations of parameters and can capture several properties of biological memories, which include delayed expression of synaptic potentiation and depression, synaptic metaplasticity, and spacing effects. We discuss predictions for the autocorrelation function of the synaptic efficacy that can be tested in plasticity experiments involving long sequences of synaptic modifications.
Pelvic Rhabdomyosarcomas in Childhood: Diagnosis and Concepts of Management Reviewed.

The diagnosis of pelvic rhabdomyosarcoma in childhood may ordinarily be established without laparotomy. A search for dissemination is rarely positive at the time of discovery of the tumor. Regimens of combined therapy including 1) radical surgical excision, 2) pelvic irradiation, and 3) multiple-agent long-range chemotherapy have resulted in survival rates of 60-90% in children with apparently localized disease. Satisfaction with the results of such regimens, relative to survival, is offset by the adverse effects of the exenteration procedures required and to a lesser extent by the morbidity associated with pelvic irradiation. New approaches have been developed in an attempt to avoid exenteration and radiotherapy. These include limited local surgery, i.e., partial cystectomy or tumorectomy, in rhabdomyosarcomas of the bladder, for example. The results of these procedures have been markedly better than those that followed the use of similar, limited operations before the use of effective chemotherapy. More radical departures from accepted tumor management, i.e., primary chemotherapy regimens which do not include initial surgery (except biopsy) and which may or may not include radiotherapy, have also been employed. In approximately 70% of infants and small children with pelvic rhabdomyosarcoma, tumor dissemination can be controlled by an approach that first uses only chemotherapy. On this regimen, a majority of these neoplasms will be reduced in size to the extent that a limited surgical excision is possible, or they may be treated without excisional surgery.
Truncated T-splines: Fundamentals and methods

Abstract In this paper, we present Truncated T-splines as a new type of T-splines suitable for both geometric design and analysis, supporting highly localized refinement. Truncated T-spline basis functions are piece-wise polynomials that are linearly independent and form a partition of unity. Refinement of truncated T-splines produces nested spline spaces. Furthermore, we study truncated T-splines and local refinement on the general domain (2-manifold) with extraordinary points in the T-mesh. G 1 continuity is attained around extraordinary points by properly capping quartic Bezier patches, where a constrained optimization problem is solved. In the end, we study benchmark problems using truncated T-splines in the context of isogeometric analysis. We also apply truncated T-splines to complex geometries to show the smooth surfaces and simulation results under local refinement.
Evaluation of a Portable Stress Management Device

Portable consumer health management devices are increasingly gaining attention from health consumers. StressEraser is a portable biofeedback device widely advertised as a stress reliever and cognition enhancer. However number of evaluation studies assessing effect of StressEraser on cognitive performance improvement and stress relief is very limited. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of StressEraser on cognitive performance and stress relief using a crossover design. A computerized psychomotor vigilance task (PVT) was selected as a mental stressor. The cognitive performance and stress level were measured in fourteen subjects having two 10-minute PVTs and 10-minute StressEraser intervention in between the PVTs. All main PVT metrics of cognitive performance (MeanRT, MedianRT, and Fastest 10%) became significantly worse after StressEraser application (P<0.05). On the other hand, six heart rate variability (HRV) parameters (MeanRR, SDNN, RMSSD, aLF, aHF, and LF/HF) used to assess stress level showed no significant differences between the first and the second PVTs. Furthermore, the subjective stress levels reported by the study subjects after the first and the second PVTs were not significantly different. We concluded that the StressEraser had a negative effect on cognitive performance and no effect on stress level.
Performance characteristics of a 5 Gbps functional test module

This paper describes a research project that develops new low-cost techniques for testing wafer-level packaged (WLP) devices using a miniature test module connected to the top of a wafer probe card with multiple high-speed (2-5 Gbps) signals. The project uses commercially available components to keep costs low, yet achieves performance characteristics comparable to (and in some ways exceeding) more expensive ATE. A CMOS FPGA-based logic core provides flexibility, adaptability, and communication with controlling computers while positive emitter-coupled logic (PECL) achieves multi-gigahertz data rates with about +25 ps timing accuracy. Multi-gigahertz signals are generated with a rise time in the order of 150 ps and exhibit low jitter /spl sim/50 ps. Several programmable delay chips are used to obtain 10ns range and 10 ps resolution for adjusting critical timing signals. However, programming of these delay chips is complicated by inherent non-linearities. Currently research is under progress to calibrate these timing errors.
CLODD based band group selection

Herein, we explore both a new supervised and unsupervised technique for dimensionality reduction or multispectral sensor design via band group selection in hyperspectral imaging. Specifically, we investigate two algorithms, one based on the improved visual assessment of clustering tendency (iVAT) and the other based on the automatic extraction of “blocklike” structure in a dissimilarity matrix (CLODD algorithm). In particular, the iVAT algorithm allows for identification of non-contiguous band groups. Experiments are conducted on a benchmark data set and results are compared to existing algorithms based on hierarchical and c-means clustering. Our results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Structure and folding of the Tetrahymena telomerase RNA pseudoknot.

Telomerase maintains telomere length at the ends of linear chromosomes using an integral telomerase RNA (TER) and telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT). An essential part of TER is the template/pseudoknot domain (t/PK) which includes the template, for adding telomeric repeats, template boundary element (TBE), and pseudoknot, enclosed in a circle by stem 1. The Tetrahymena telomerase holoenzyme catalytic core (p65-TER-TERT) was recently modeled in our 9 A resolution cryo-electron microscopy map by fitting protein and TER domains, including a solution NMR structure of the Tetrahymena pseudoknot. Here, we describe in detail the structure and folding of the isolated pseudoknot, which forms a compact structure with major groove U•A-U and novel C•G-A+ base triples. Base substitutions that disrupt the base triples reduce telomerase activity in vitro NMR studies also reveal that the pseudoknot does not form in the context of full-length TER in the absence of TERT, due to formation of a competing structure that sequesters pseudoknot residues. The residues around the TBE remain unpaired, potentially providing access by TERT to this high affinity binding site during an early step in TERT-TER assembly. A model for the assembly pathway of the catalytic core is proposed.
Proxy Decision-Making at the End of Life

Some dying patients lack the capacity to make treatment decisions for themselves. Illustrative cases include patients with either the persistent vegetative state or death by brain criteria. Such patients require an alternative mechanism for making treatment decisions for them. Though popular, instructional advanced directives have proven largely ineffective. Thus, attending health professionals must turn to proxies, formally designated or not, to make decisions for these patients. To do so, proxies typically use one of three methods—the “purely” subjective method, the substituted judgment method, or the best interests method. I, however, favor a fourth decision-making method, the constructive judgment method, for its grounding in the patient’s life story and wide applicability.
Probation/Parole Officer Psychological Well-Being: the Impact of Supervising Persons with Mental Health Needs

Although supervising persons with mental illness can pose special challenges for community parole/probation officers (PPOs), few studies have investigated whether the number of supervisees on an officer’s caseload increases risk for poor mental health for PPOs and whether this link is due to emotional exhaustion. Using statewide survey data from 798 PPOs, we examine whether the number of supervisees on an officer’s caseload with mental health problems is associated with depressive symptoms reported the PPOs and whether this relationship is mediated by emotional exhaustion. In addition, we evaluate the potential mitigating role of both mental health services received by supervisees and officer training in mental health in the relationship between the number of supervisees on an officer’s caseload with mental health problems and emotional exhaustion experienced by PPOs. Findings reveal that PPOs with more supervisees on their caseload report significantly higher levels of depressive symptoms and that this relationship is completely explained away by emotional exhaustion. Neither mental health services received by supervisees nor officer training in mental health mitigated the link between the number of supervisees on an officer’s caseload with mental health problems and officer emotional exhaustion. This study underscores the importance of the psychological well-being of those on parole/probation for the emotional and mental health of the officers who supervise them.
Characterizing and optimizing background data transfers on smartwatches

Smartwatches are quickly gaining popularity, but their limited battery life remains an important factor that adversely affects user satisfaction. To provide full functionality, smartwatches are usually connected to phones via Bluetooth. However, the Bluetooth power characteristics and the energy impact of Bluetooth data traffic have been rarely studied. To address this issue, we first establish the Bluetooth power model based on extensive measurements and a thorough examination of the Bluetooth implementation on Android smartwatches. Then we perform the first in-depth investigation of the background data transfers on smartwatches, and find that they are prevalent and consume a large amount of energy. For example, our experiments show that the smartwatch's battery life can be reduced to one third (or even worse) due to background data transfers. Such high energy cost is caused by many unnecessary data transfers and the energy inefficiency attributed to the adverse interaction between the data transfer pattern (i.e., frequently transferring small data) and the Bluetooth energy characteristics (i.e., the tail effect). Based on the identified causes, we propose four energy optimization techniques, which are fast dormancy, phone-initiated polling, two-stage sensor processing, and context-aware pushing. The first one aims to reduce tail energy for delay-tolerant data transfers. The latter three are designed for specific applications which are responsible for most background data transfers. Evaluation results show that jointly using these techniques can save 70.6% of the Bluetooth energy.
An emotionally intelligent tutoring system

Recent explorations in the field of human computer interaction has led to innovations in the area of intelligent tutoring systems. Prior computer systems that have tried to “tutor” users have failed, since they could not replace a human teacher. Emotional intelligence, however, can be incorporated into such systems for better assistance. To accomplish this, concepts of emotion recognition must be integrated into an intelligent tutoring system. Such a system could deliver a course in different teaching styles, so the student can easily understand the course material. Also, a more sophisticated tutoring avatar could be developed, which would adopt a better teaching style for a particular subject and then change the style dynamically according to emotional feedback given by the student. Based on response time, facial expressions or feedback obtained by a few questions, analysis can be made and the interface can be changed according to the needs of the user. This paper proposes an emotionally intelligent tutoring system (EITS), which could be used to detect and analyze the emotional state of a learner and respond in a way similar to human tutors.
Knowledge, Power, and Discourse in Social Studies Education*:

Discourse about social studies education and the discursive practices by which it is generated will be explicated in order to analyze what counts as knowledge in—and the power relations which struc...
Pharmacology of Fear Extinction

Excessive fear and anxiety are hallmarks of a variety of disabling anxiety disorders that affect millions of people throughout the world. Hence, it is critical for the field of neuroscience to have a greater understanding of the brain mechanisms involved in the inhibition of fear. Experimentally, fear inhibition typically is analyzed with a procedure called extinction, in which a fearful stimulus is presented repeatedly in the absence of any aversive event. This leads to a decrease in the fear response that is generally mediated by active inhibition of fear rather than an erasure of acquired fear. This article reviews what is currently known about how neurotransmitters and intracellular effectors mediate and modulate extinction of conditioned fear.
Using Logic Programming to Recover C++ Classes and Methods from Compiled Executables

High-level C++ source code abstractions such as classes and methods greatly assist human analysts and automated algorithms alike when analyzing C++ programs. Unfortunately, these abstractions are lost when compiling C++ source code, which impedes the understanding of C++ executables. In this paper, we propose a system, OOAnalyzer, that uses an innovative new design to statically recover detailed C++ abstractions from executables in a scalable manner. OOAnalyzer's design is motivated by the observation that many human analysts reason about C++ programs by recognizing simple patterns in binary code and then combining these findings using logical inference, domain knowledge, and intuition. We codify this approach by combining a lightweight symbolic analysis with a flexible Prolog-based reasoning system. Unlike most existing work, OOAnalyzer is able to recover both polymorphic and non-polymorphic C++ classes. We show in our evaluation that OOAnalyzer assigns over 78% of methods to the correct class on our test corpus, which includes both malware and real-world software such as Firefox and MySQL. These recovered abstractions can help analysts understand the behavior of C++ malware and cleanware, and can also improve the precision of program analyses on C++ executables.
“Nullification through armed civil disobedience”: a case study of strategic framing in the patriot/militia movement

The patriot/militia movement in the US has grown in prominence over the past several years, with the movement engaging in high-profile conflicts with law enforcement (e.g., at the Bundy Ranch stand...
Bis(μ‐4‐nitro­pyridine N‐oxide‐κ2O:O)­bis­[dibromo­copper(II)]

The title compound, [Cu2Br4(C5H4N2O3)2], is a centrosymmetric dimer that contains a central planar Cu2O2 rhombus with the O atom of the N-oxide group bridging two Cu atoms [Cu—O—Cu = 109.08 (19)° and O—Cu—O = 70.92 (19)°]. The two-dimensional sheet structure is built up via semi-coordinate intermolecular Cu⋯Br bonds [3.226 (1) and 3.810 (1) A] and weak hydrogen bonding [C⋯Br = 3.733 (7), 3.781 (7) and 3.830 (7) A].
Inhibition of Pathogen Adhesion by Bacterial Outer Membrane-Coated Nanoparticles

Anti-adhesion therapies interfere with the bacterial adhesion to the host and thus avoid direct disruption of bacterial cycles for killing, which may alleviate resistance development. Herein, an anti-adhesion nanomedicine platform is made by wrapping synthetic polymeric cores with bacterial outer membranes. The resulting bacterium-mimicking nanoparticles (denoted "OM-NPs") compete with source bacteria for binding to the host. The "top-down" fabrication of OM-NPs avoids the identification of the adhesins and bypasses the design of agonists targeting these adhesins. In this study, OM-NPs are made with the membrane of Helicobacter pylori and shown to bind with gastric epithelial cells (AGS cells). Treatment of AGS cells with OM-NPs reduces H. pylori adhesion and such anti-adhesion efficacy is dependent on OM-NP concentration and its dosing sequence.
Global existence of solutions to differential equations

Sufficient conditions are given for global existence of solutions to systems of nonlinear differential equations. The results are based on the author’s nonlinear inequality. The case when all the eigenvalues of the linearized operator are purely imaginary and distinct is considered.
Medical Etiologies of Secondary Psychosis in Children and Adolescents

This is an updated review of child and adolescent somatic disorders associated with psychosis/psychotic symptoms, organized into neurologic, infectious, genetic, inborn errors of metabolism, autoimmune, rheumatologic, endocrine, nutritional, metabolic, and iatrogenic categories. When possible clinical manifestations or types of psychotic symptoms and proposed neuropathogenesis causing the neuropsychiatric symptoms are included. In some cases, the psychiatric symptoms may be the first presentation of the disease. The authors hope that this review will aid child and adolescent psychiatrists in considering alternative etiologies of youth presenting with psychosis and encourage appropriate physical examination, history, and further work-up when suspected.
Surgical Closed Suction Drain Use After Craniotomy for Evacuation of Supratentorial Epidural Hematomas: A Case Series of Radiographic and Clinical Outcomes.

Background Surgical closed suction drain (SCSDs) are used in a variety of surgical disciplines to prevent postoperative fluid collections. Use of SCSDs has not been well studied in the neurosurgical literature. Practice patterns have varied within our institution with respect to SCSDs after craniotomies for neurotrauma. In this study we describe SCSD use for patients undergoing evacuation of supratentorial epidural hematomas (EDHs) and examine the effect on patient outcomes and length of hospital stay. Methods We performed a retrospective review of craniotomies for supratentorial EDH performed at our Level I trauma center between May 2015 and May 2018. Imaging and clinical data were obtained from chart review. Results Fifty-two patients with EDH received operations from 8 attending surgeons. The number of drains used was 0 or 1 in 36 cases and 2 or more in 16 cases. Drain location was subgaleal in 25 cases, epidural in 8 cases, and both subgaleal and epidural in 13 cases. Attending preference (P Conclusions Use of fewer SCSDs did not affect radiographic outcome after evacuation of epidural hematomas but was associated with decreased intensive care unit length of stay.
Modeling the emergence of COVID-19: a systems approach

In December 2019, a novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) suddenly emerged in Wuhan, China. In March 2020, WHO declares the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. The virus has spread quickly to all over China and most of the countries and regions within the increasing urbanization and globalization, infected more than three million people worldwide. A crucial factor that may significantly affect the spread of COVID-19 is the multiple, interactive, emergent, and complex characteristics and systems of the social systems. This paper describes a systems approach modeling and analyzing the emergence and spread of COVID-19 in urban systems, seeking to combine the multi-layer urban structure between complex infrastructure systems, human activities and policy systems. Moreover, a complex network model is built to illustrate the diffusion of the virus with or without the intervention of policy systems under the different policy intensity by the changed basic reproduction number (R 0 ). Besides, a system dynamics model, including feedback loops and changes, is proposed to demonstrate how the COVID-19 spreads out under the interactive and interrelated characteristics and systems of the complex systems at different levels.
The Revisionist Moment: Russia, Trump, and Global Transition

In response to recent changes in the international system, several schools of thought within the expert community have competed for influence inside Russia. Some of them push toward the establishme...
A Pricing-based Game Theoretic Framework for Distributed-MPC in Voltage Stabilization

A pricing based game theoretic approach of distributed model predictive control (MPC), suitable for controlling voltage instability in power systems, is devloped and presented. MPC is a promising technique in power system control, but its centralized implementation is computationally expensive for real-time application. A non-cooperative distributed-MPC framework is a computationally viable alternative. However in such framework, distributed agents acting selfishly optimize own utility functions, attaining a Nash equilibrium, which in general is less efficient with respect to the global cost/utility function of a dynamically coupled system. A cooperative alternative to this scheme distributively optimizes the global cost, but with an increase in computational complexity by a factor equal to the number of buses. In this paper, we introduce a pricing scheme to incentivize agents’ individual utility functions in an iterative manner, improving the efficiency of non-cooperative Nash-equilibrium and attaining results comparable to global optimal of the centralized case. Additionally, to design the distributed-MPC framework, a distributed time domain simulation as well as trajectory sensitivity estimation framework, considering bus level decomposition, is developed and provided. Trajectory sensitivity supports linearization around a trajectory, attaining an accurate approximation of nonlinear dynamics. Finally, the efficacy of the proposed scheme is validated using the WECC 9 bus test system.
Fending off Fake News: Identifying and Analyzing Propaganda in Imagery

The rise of social media outlets along with the explosion of information platforms has helped to fuel an intensification of tribal epistemology. As a result, propaganda aimed at uplifting one group...
“Soft” oxidative coupling of methane to ethylene: Mechanistic insights from combined experiment and theory

The oxidative coupling of methane to ethylene using gaseous disulfur (2CH4 + S2 → C2H4 + 2H2S) as an oxidant (SOCM) proceeds with promising selectivity. Here, we report detailed experimental and theoretical studies that examine the mechanism for the conversion of CH4 to C2H4 over an Fe3O4-derived FeS2 catalyst achieving a promising ethylene selectivity of 33%. We compare and contrast these results with those for the highly exothermic oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) using O2 (2CH4 + O2 → C2H4 + 2H2O). SOCM kinetic/mechanistic analysis, along with density functional theory results, indicate that ethylene is produced as a primary product of methane activation, proceeding predominantly via CH2 coupling over dimeric S–S moieties that bridge Fe surface sites, and to a lesser degree, on heavily sulfided mononuclear sites. In contrast to and unlike OCM, the overoxidized CS2 by-product forms predominantly via CH4 oxidation, rather than from C2 products, through a series of C–H activation and S-addition steps at adsorbed sulfur sites on the FeS2 surface. The experimental rates for methane conversion are first order in both CH4 and S2, consistent with the involvement of two S sites in the rate-determining methane C–H activation step, with a CD4/CH4 kinetic isotope effect of 1.78. The experimental apparent activation energy for methane conversion is 66 ± 8 kJ/mol, significantly lower than for CH4 oxidative coupling with O2. The computed methane activation barrier, rate orders, and kinetic isotope values are consistent with experiment. All evidence indicates that SOCM proceeds via a very different pathway than that of OCM.
Impact of a targeted volume-increase nutrition guideline on growth and body mass index in premature infants: A retrospective review.

BACKGROUND The negative impact of disproportionate growth in premature infants is well documented, but optimal nutrition practices needed to prevent an unhealthy body mass index (BMI) remain unclear. METHODS An evidence-based, volume-increase guideline that advanced feeding volumes from 150-160 to 170-180 ml/kg/day between the postmenstrual age (PMA) of 31 0/7 and 34 0/7 weeks was implemented in October 2017 for infants born at ≤32 0/7 weeks' gestational age. Data were collected on 262 infants' weight and length at birth and at discharge for 20 months before and 21 months after guideline implementation, and retrospective analysis was conducted to determine disproportionate growth by comparing BMIs (in g/cm2 ) at birth and at discharge. Changes in infants' body habitus were determined through bivariate analysis of weight and length z-scores from the Fenton growth curve. RESULTS Implementation of a targeted volume nutrition guideline resulted in fewer infants with growth failure, defined as weight <10th percentile (19.5% vs 11.2%; P = .06) at discharge. Infants who received treatment according to the targeted nutrition guideline had a statistically significant reduction in disproportionately low BMI (8.6% vs 2.5%; P = .0380) and an increase in disproportionately high BMIs (4.3% vs 12.3%; P = .025). There was minor change in the percentage of disproportionately large infants who received the guidelines from birth to discharge (11.5% vs 12.3%). CONCLUSIONS A targeted volume-increase nutrition guideline may prevent growth failure, with some effects on disproportionate growth in preterm infants born at ≤32 0/7 weeks' gestational age.
Asthma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Emerging links, potential models and mechanisms

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a highly prevalent, debilitating mental health condition. A better understanding of contributory neurobiological mechanisms will lead to effective treatments, improving quality of life for patients. Given that not all trauma-exposed individuals develop PTSD, identification of pre-trauma susceptibility factors that can modulate posttraumatic outcomes is important. Recent clinical evidence supports a strong link between inflammatory conditions and PTSD. A particularly strong association has been reported between asthma and PTSD prevalence and severity. Unlike many other PTSD-comorbid inflammatory conditions, asthma often develops in children, sensitizing them to subsequent posttraumatic pathology throughout their lifetime. Currently, there is a significant need to understand the neurobiology, shared mechanisms, and inflammatory mediators that may contribute to comorbid asthma and PTSD. Here, we provide a translational perspective of asthma and PTSD risk and comorbidity, focusing on clinical associations, relevant rodent paradigms and potential mechanisms that may translate asthma-associated inflammation to PTSD development.
Optimal Supportive Care With Selinexor Improves Outcomes in Patients With Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma

Abstract Background Supportive care improves outcomes in many cancers. In the pivotal STORM study selinexor, a first-in-class, oral, selective exportin 1 inhibitor, and low-dose dexamethasone proved to be an effective treatment for patients with triple-class refractory myeloma. We conducted a post-hoc analysis to test the hypothesis that increased utilization of supportive care measures in a sub-cohort of the STORM study prolonged treatment duration with- and improved efficacy of- selinexor. Materials and Methods The STORM protocol included specific recommendations for dose modifications and supportive care to mitigate selinexor most common adverse events (AEs) including nausea, fatigue, and thrombocytopenia. The Tisch Cancer Center at Mount Sinai School of Medicine (MSSM) incorporated additional supportive care strategies within the framework of the STORM protocol. Results Of 123 patients enrolled in STORM, 28 were enrolled at MSSM. The overall response rate was 26.2% in the overall STORM population and 53.6% in the MSSM cohort. Moreover, duration of response, progression free survival, and overall survival were longer in the MSSM cohort. AEs and dose modification events were similar in the 2 groups. The MSSM cohort had more dose reductions (67.9% vs. 50.5%), and higher use of multiple antiemetic agents (71.4% vs. 50.1%) and romiplostim (32.1% vs. 6.3%), but less discontinuations due to treatment-related AEs (3.6% vs. 25.3%). Conclusion These results suggests that in addition to more frequent dose reductions, prompter and more aggressive supportive care may have contributed to the low discontinuation rate, longer duration therapy, and greater efficacy rates observed in the MSSM cohort. (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02336815).
Wire sawing technology: A state-of-the-art review

Abstract Wire sawing technology has been widely adopted for slicing of brittle-and-hard materials including crystalline silicon, SiC and sapphire. This paper presents a literature review on the research efforts on wire sawing related topics. First, the system and process level investigations of wire sawing technology, including both multi-wire slurry sawing and diamond wire sawing, are summarized. Ingot materials used in wire sawing technology, as well as their properties and behavior during sawing operation are discussed. As modeling and analysis of single grit indentation and scribing of brittle materials provide fundamental insight on material removal and these can be leveraged for wire sawing analysis at system level, a review of those models and modified models proposed particularly for wire sawing process are also presented. After the survey of current state-of-the-art, this contribution proposes important research aspects to be further worked on to gain more complete scientific understanding of wire sawing technology.
SU‐E‐T‐750: Three Dimensional in Silico Study of Brachytherapy Application with In‐Situ Dose‐Painting Administered Via Gold‐Nanoparticle Eluters

Purpose: Brachytherapy Application with in-situ Dose-painting Administered via Gold-Nanoparticle Eluters (BANDAGE) has been proposed as a new therapeutic strategy for radiation boosting of high-risk prostate tumor subvolume while minimizing dose to neighboring organs-at-risk. In a previous study the one-dimensional dose-painting with gold nanoparticles (GNP) released from GNP-loaded brachytherapy spacers was investigated. The current study investigates BANDAGE in three-dimensions. Methods: To simulate GNPs transport in prostrate tumors, a three dimensional, cylindrically symmetric transport model was generated using a finite element method (FEM). A mathematical model of Gold nanoparticle (GNPs) transport provides a useful strategy to optimize potential treatment planning for BANDAGE. Here, treatment of tumors with a radius of 2.5 cm was simulated in 3-D. This simulation phase considered one gold based cylindrical spacer (GBS of size 5mm × 0.8 mm) introduced at the center of the spherical tumor with initial concentration of 100 mg/g or 508 mol/m3 of GNP. Finite element mesh is used to stimulate the GNP transport. Gold concentrations within the tumor were obtained using a 3-D FEM solution implemented by COMSOL. Results: The analysis shows the spread of the GNPs through-out the tumor with the increase of concentration towards the periphery with time. The analysis also shows the concentration profiles and corresponding dose enhancement factors (dose boost factor) as a function of GNP size. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the use of computational modeling and optimal parameter estimation to predict local GNPs from central implant as a function of x, y and z axis . Such a study provides a useful reference for ongoing translational studies for the BANDAGE approach
Detection of Rochalimaea henselae DNA in specimens from cat scratch disease patients by PCR

A PCR assay was developed by using degenerate primers that allow amplification of a 414-bp fragment of DNA from the rickettsia-like organisms Rochalimaea henselae and R. quintana. Internal oligonucleotides were used as hybridization probes, permitting rapid differentiation of these two Rochalimaea species. DNAs from 12 different isolates of R. henselae were amplified with the PCR primers, and the resulting 414-bp PCR product hybridized only with the R. henselae-specific probe. DNAs from four different isolates of R. quintana were amplified and produced a PCR product of the same size that hybridized only with the R. quintana-specific probe. DNAs from isolates of R. elizabethae, R. vinsonii, Bartonella bacilliformis, and Afipia felis failed to amplify the 414-bp fragment in the PCR assay. This two-step assay was applied to DNAs extracted from 16 fresh (unfixed) lymph node biopsy specimens and nine aspirates from patients with clinical cat scratch disease (CSD) to assay for the presence of R. henselae or R. quintana DNA in these samples. Twenty-one (84%) of 25 lymph node samples from CSD patients were positive for R. henselae, while none were positive for R. quintana. The characteristic 414-bp fragment was not amplified from eight lymph node tissue samples from non-CSD cases. These results provide evidence that R. henselae, and not R. quintana, plays the central role in the etiology of CSD. Images
Dotted Analysis - Using Rates of Change in Aggregate Supply and Demand

Macro instruction in general, and the aggregate supply and demand model in particular, can be made more descriptive and more relevant by using a variety of variables in their rate of change forms. This shifts the discussion away from the levels of the price index, GDP and the money supply and toward the more frequently reported concepts of inflation, growth and money growth rates. Surprisingly, the aggregate supply and demand model can be adapted with virtually no changes to accommodate this shift of focus. The resulting dotted analysis brings to the fore the variables most likely to be found in the popular press, while actually describing many economic issues with greater clarity.