cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An in vitro study comparing a peripherally inserted central catheter to a conventional central venous catheter: no difference in static and dynamic pressure transmission

Early goal directed therapy improves survival in patients with septic shock. Central venous pressure (CVP) monitoring is essential to guide adequate resuscitation. Use of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) is increasing, but little data exists comparing a PICC to a conventional CVP catheter. We studied the accuracy of a novel PICC to transmit static and dynamic pressures in vitro. We designed a device to generate controlled pressures via a column of water allowing simultaneous measurements from a PICC and a standard triple lumen catheter. Digital transducers were used to obtain all pressure readings. Measurements of static pressures over a physiologic range were recorded using 5Fr and 6Fr dual lumen PICCs. Additionally, random repetitive pressure pulses were applied to the column of water to simulate physiologic intravascular pressure variations. The resultant PICC and control waveforms were recorded simultaneously. Six-hundred thirty measurements were made using the 5 Fr and 6 Fr PICCs. The average bias determined by Bland-Altman plot was 0.043 mmHg for 5 Fr PICC and 0.023 mmHg for 6 Fr PICC with a difference range of 1.0 to -1.0. The correlation coefficient for both catheters was 1.0 (p-value < 0.001). Dynamic pressure waveforms plotted simultaneously between PICC and control revealed equal peaks and troughs. In vitro, no static or dynamic pressure differences were found between the PICC and a conventional CVP catheter. Clinical studies are required to assess whether the novel PICC has bedside equivalence to conventional catheters when measuring central venous pressures.
Flexible-link robot arm control by a feedback linearization/singular perturbation approach

A nonlinear tracking controller for the link-tip positions and velocities of a multi-link flexible robot arm is designed that gives guaranteed performance. The controller has three parts: a model-based trajectory generator, an inner loop based on input-output feedback linearization, and an outer loop that stabilizes the internal dynamics (e.g., the flexible modes) using a singular perturbation design. We show how to stabilize the internal dynamics by selecting a physically meaningful modified performance output for tracking; this output is the slow portion of the link-tip motions. That is, the tracking requirement is relaxed so that the internal dynamics are stabilizable through a boundary layer correction that attenuates the flexible mode vibrations. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A Rectifying Inspection Scheme with Misclassification Probabilities

Abstract A number of samples of fixed size are drawn from a finite population, and all defectives found are replaced by nondefectives. Two possible sampling schemes are considered: (1) all samples (with defectives replaced) are returned to the population prior to drawing the next sample and (2) sampling is performed only on those units not yet examined. In each scheme there is a (possibly) nonzero probability of misclassifying a defective as a nondefective. Exact solutions are obtained for the probability of detecting and replacing a given number of defectives, and the mean and variance are derived for use in the normal approximation to these probabilities.
SelInv---An Algorithm for Selected Inversion of a Sparse Symmetric Matrix

We describe an efficient implementation of an algorithm for computing selected elements of a general sparse symmetric matrix A that can be decomposed as A = LDLT, where L is lower triangular and D is diagonal. Our implementation, which is called SelInv, is built on top of an efficient supernodal left-looking LDLT factorization of A. We discuss how computational efficiency can be gained by making use of a relative index array to handle indirect addressing. We report the performance of SelInv on a collection of sparse matrices of various sizes and nonzero structures. We also demonstrate how SelInv can be used in electronic structure calculations.
Two-Dimensional Carbon Nanotube Networks: A Transparent Electronic Material

The random, two-dimensional network formed of electrically conducting nanoscale wires, called carbon nanotubes, is a transparent electronic material that can be fabricated using room-temperature printing or spraying technologies. Depending on the network density, networks with both metallic- and semiconducting-like attributes can be fabricated. Both display high conductivity, high carrier mobility and optical transparency. The networks also have high mechanical flexibility, robustness and environmental resistance. Application opportunities range from lightweight, transparent conducting films, to electrically conducting fabrics, to active electronic devices and sensors.
Returns to Birthweight

We use data on monozygotic twins to obtain improved estimates of the effect of intrauterine nutrient intake on adult health and earnings and thus to evaluate the efficacy of programs aimed at increasing birthweight. We use the results to evaluate the bias in cross-sectional estimates and to assess the proposition that health conditions play a major role in determining the world distribution of income. We show that there is considerable variation in the incidence of low birthweight across countries, and our estimates suggest that there are real payoffs to increasing body weight at birth. Increasing birthweight increases adult schooling attainment and adult height for babies at most levels of birthweight, but has no effect on adult body mass. The effect of increasing birthweight on schooling, moreover, is underestimated by 50x% if there is no control for genetic and family background endowments as in cross-sectional estimates. We also find evidence that augmenting birthweight among lower-birthweight babies,...
Microarray Analysis of Microbial Virulence Factors

Hybridization with oligonucleotide microchips (microarrays) was used for discrimination among strains of Escherichia coli and other pathogenic enteric bacteria harboring various virulence factors. Oligonucleotide microchips are miniature arrays of gene-specific oligonucleotide probes immobilized on a glass surface. The combination of this technique with the amplification of genetic material by PCR is a powerful tool for the detection of and simultaneous discrimination among food-borne human pathogens. The presence of six genes (eaeA, slt-I, slt-II, fliC, rfbE, and ipaH) encoding bacterial antigenic determinants and virulence factors of bacterial strains was monitored by multiplex PCR followed by hybridization of the denatured PCR product to the gene-specific oligonucleotides on the microchip. The assay was able to detect these virulence factors in 15 Salmonella, Shigella, and E. coli strains. The results of the chip analysis were confirmed by hybridization of radiolabeled gene-specific probes to genomic DNA from bacterial colonies. In contrast, gel electrophoretic analysis of the multiplex PCR products used for the microarray analysis produced ambiguous results due to the presence of unexpected and uncharacterized bands. Our results suggest that microarray analysis of microbial virulence factors might be very useful for automated identification and characterization of bacterial pathogens.
A collaborative augmented reality based modeling environment for construction engineering and management education

Current instruction methods of teaching construction engineering and management rely heavily on traditional pedagogical techniques such as in-class instruction and coursework in core subjects. Such methods often fail to prepare students to effectively handle the complexities of actual projects as they provide limited opportunities for hands-on experience. For example, creating an effective relationship and intuitive mapping between the real world and the abstract knowledge gained through tools such as CAD and BIM is still a challenge. This paper presents the initial results of a project aimed to transform the current learning process in construction by designing and implementing an interactive augmented reality (AR) learning tool to help students develop a comprehensive understanding of construction equipment, processes, and operational safety. A descriptive account of how this evolving technology can be used to create a transformative learning and educational environment is provided, along with a discussion of several design and implementation challenges.
Cooperative and Competitive Behavior Experiments Related to Ethnic Identity and Urbanization in Papua New Guinea

The cooperative-competitive behavior of children in Papua New Guinea was assessed by two experimental techniques that have previously been used within other countries to demonstrate ethnic differences. The results of Experiments 1 and 2, in which the Madsen cooperation board was used, indicate significantly more cooperation between children of an intact tribe than between children in a heterogeneous urban setting. In Experiment 3, the marble-pull apparatus was used to assess the cooperative interaction of children from ten sites which varied in tribal intactness, degree of western contact, and urbanization. The results demonstrate the significance of primary group identification as a determinant of cooperative behavior.
Reverse Kármán Streets in the Wake of Flapping Foils for Application in Fish Propulsion

The time-averaged flow behind thrust-producing, oscillating foils has the shape of a jet, while over a wide parametric range a staggered array of vortices is formed, similar to the Karman street behind bluff bodies but with opposite rotational direction (reverse Karman street). It is found that the jet-like average flow is convectively unstable, having a narrow range of frequencies of maximum amplification. A stable co-existence of the jet profile and the reverse Karman street is ensured only at the frequency of maximum amplification, hence at this frequency optimal efficiency is obtained, i.e. maximum thrust per unit input energy. The non-dimensional frequency of maximum amplification (Strouhal number) is in the range of 0.25 to 0.35. Experiments confirm this result, while the analysis of a large number of data from observations on fish and cetaceans confirm that optimal fish propulsion is achieved within this range of Strouhal number.
The Mathematics Value Inventory for General Education Students: Development and Initial Validation

The goal of this study was to develop a self-report inventory that measures individual differences in the perceived value of mathematical literacy for general education students.The Mathematics Value Inventory (MVI) is grounded in the Eccles et al. model of achievement-related choices and surveys students’ beliefs in four areas: interest, general utility, need for high achievement, and personal cost. This study describes the development and initial score validation of the MVI. As hypothesized, it was found that (a) MVI scores for students who were not majoring in math did not differ by gender, (b) students who had higher MVI scores had completed more college course work in math than did students with lower scores, and (c) MVI scores were not related to scores on a measure of social desirability.
Measuring performance, power, and temperature from real processors

The modeling of power and thermal behavior of processors requires challenging validation processes, which may be complex and undependable. In order to ameliorate some of the difficulties associated with the validation of power and thermal models, this paper describes an infrared measurement setup that simultaneously captures run-time power consumption, thermal characteristics, and performance activity counters from modern processors. We use infrared cameras with high spatial resolution (10x10/μm) and high frame rate (125Hz) to capture thermal maps. Power measurements are obtained with a multimeter, while performance counters are obtained after modifying the operating system (Linux), both at a sampling rate of 1KHz. The synchronized traces can then be used in the validation process of possible thermal, power, and processor activity models.
Relationships Between Blood Urea Nitrogen and Energy Balance or Measures of Tissue Mobilization in Holstein Cows During the Periparturient Period

Abstract Our objective was to determine if blood urea nitrogen (BUN) is related to calculated energy balance (EB) or a measure of tissue mobilization during the periparturient period. Blood samples were collected from 41 cows with varying postpartum EB and analyzed for BUN and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA). The cows were fed the same diets throughout the experimental period. Although there was no relationship between BUN and EB or plasma NEFA at 2 wk prepartum and 1 wk postpartum, there was a relationship between BUN and plasma NEFA at wk 2 postpartum, and there was a tendency for BUN to be related with feed efficiency, BW, and postpartum BW loss at wk 2 postpartum. Although NEFA alone predicted only 14% of the BUN variation, feed efficiency, BW, and BUN, collectively, were reliable predictors of tissue mobilization in dairy cows in early lactation (R 2 = 0.65).
The Print Media and Conflict Resolution in Uganda

The print media can play an important role in mediating conflict because of its power to document, inform, and mobilize citizens on a given issue. Traditional media such as newspapers, radio and television have played a critical role in informing citizens about the Lord’s Resistance Army conflict in Northern Uganda and this information has generated political discourse about the war and its impact on the country. Focusing primarily on newspapers, this research looks at the case of the Daily Monitor, an independently owned newspaper, and its role in conflict resolution. This research argues that the Daily Monitor has had the power to influence perceptions and policy in its presentation of facts, issues, and possible resolutions to the war. Furthermore, the Daily Monitor can be seen as a tool for conflict resolution if it exerts pressure for dialogue and uses its power of information to balance and challenge assertions made by key actors. The goal of this paper is to publish a representative case study of how the African print media is participating in peace and conflict resolution.
Investigating Interbank Contagion with Agent-Based Modeling and Functional Dependency Network Analysis (FDNA)

Functional Dependency Network Analysis (FDNA) is a tool developed by engineer management researchers for developing systems that are more resilient and less prone to catastrophic failure. Considering financial networks as a system-of-systems, we introduce FDNA for analyzing non-engineering systems. This paper applies FDNA to the financial system to investigate not only what causes contagion but also how it spreads through a financial network, specifically to understand how the failure of one bank affects others in the system. A simple agent-based model of interbank lending will be presented and FDNA will be applied to it. A main goal of the paper is to promote application of a new tool from systems engineering to financial networks.
Coexistence of introduced and native congeneric algae: Codium fragile and C. tomentosum on Irish rocky intertidal shores

The coexistence of three taxa of Codium ( Chlorophyta: Codiaceae) was examined on wave-swept shores s of western Ireland: the introduced macroalgae Codium fragile ssp. atlanticum and ssp. tomentosoides and the native Codium tomentosum. In spring 1999 and 2000, four sites were monitored to evaluate whether past predictions regarding temporal changes and species replacement occurred. Introduced and native species s of dichotomously branching Codium occurred at four tidal levels: in tidepools in (i) the upper barnacle zone; (ii) the mid barnacle/fucoid zone; (iii) the mussel zone, and (iv) on emergent substrata in the red algal turf/kelp zone. Codium fragile ssp. atlanticum and ssp. tomentosoides grew together in 11.9% of surveyed pools containing Codium. Compared to 1971 censuses, C. fragile ssp. atlanticum had increased in relative e abundance at all tidal levels, and the dominance of C. fragile ssp. tomentosoides had declined. The native C. tomentosum constituted the same percentage of the population as it did in 1971. Pool availability and primary rock surfaces were not limiting at most sites, indicating that inter-subspecific and inter-specific competition could not account for temporal changes in Codium distribution on Irish shores. Ecological constraints other than intra-generic competition may have contributed to the purported long-term changes in Codium abundance.
CBN finish grinding of hardened spiral bevel and hypoid gears

Rectification de finition avec des meules en nitrure de bore cubique d'engrenages hypoides et d'engrenages coniques a denture spirale ayant subit un traitement thermique
The Vortex Chamber as an Automatic Flow-Control Device

Coefficients of discharge for flow through horizontal orifices are greatly reduced when vortex is present; rational explanation of this coefficient variation from dynamic similarity is presented; results of laboratory experiments are shown, giving means of predicting orifice flow characteristics from inlet velocity condition.
Salvage Radiotherapy After Prostatectomy: Two Sides of the Coin.

Although well-selected men with high-risk prostate cancer (PCa) can achieve durable disease control after radical prostatectomy (RP) alone, a subset will suffer from biochemical and/or clinical recurrence. Based on the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center nomogram (https://www.mskcc. org/nomograms/prostate/pre-op), approximately 40–90% of men with high-risk PCa will experience progression within 5 yr after RP. Likewise, a recent multi-institutional analysis of 20 845 men who underwent RP demonstrated that Gleason score 8 and 9–10 tumors had 5-yr biochemical failure rates of 52% and 74%, respectively [1]. Various approaches have been undertaken to improve outcomes for high-risk PCa patients treated with RP. Notably, adjuvant radiotherapy (ART) has been demonstrated in three randomized trials to provide a 50% reduction in the risk of relapse compared with RP alone [2]. This has resulted in the American Urological Association (AUA), the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), and the American Society of Clinical Oncology recommending discussion of ART with patients who have adverse pathologic findings (pT3a/T3b disease and positive surgical margins). Unfortunately, 70% may achieve long-term disease control after SRT. Unfortunately, for men with more aggressive tumor characteristics, the majority will progress after SRT alone, and based on data from RTOG 9601, approximately 70% of men will experience a PSA
Occurrence of haloacetic acids in chlorinated drinking water

Haloacetic acids (HAAs) are a second major class of disinfection by-products (DBPs) arising from the chlorination of drinking water. They have not been studied as extensively as the trihalomethanes (THMs), but in many waters they are found at concentrations equal to, or greater than, the concentration of THMs. Hearth effects research suggests that some HAA species are more harmful than THM species. This paper summarizes a number of the author's recent investigations concerning the formation, occurrence, stability, and control of HAAs in chlorinated drinking water. A number of examples linking observations made under controlled laboratory conditions to field-scale observations are presented, and the significance of the findings to water treatment practice is discussed.
Regulation of Retail Newspaper Advertising

AN advertisement by a retail discount drug store chain proclaims a "1/2 Price Sale" and lists nineteen items with "regular" prices and "sale" prices. The apparent savings are at least 50% and even more on some name brand items. But the advertisement is false because the "regular" prices quoted in the ad are higher than prices usually charged by the retailer; therefore, prices have not been cut in half as stated in the headline. It would appear, then, that this advertisement violates both the Federal Trade Commission
7020 Endoscopic ultrasound as a tool to detect subclinical portal hypertension: final results of a prospective study of endoscopic ultrasound findings in a consecutive series of drinkers and non-drinke 246 with no clinical evidence or other risk factors for liver disease.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is sensitive for gastric varices, peri-gastric vessels, and ascites in patients with suspected or proven liver disease (e.g. with stigmata of cirrhosis and/or portal hypertension), but the prevalence of these findings in normals (i.e. no clinical suspicion for liver disease) is unclear. AIM: To determine the prevalence of EUS signs of portal hypertension in normals. METHODS: The presence of "varices" (measurable rounded anechoic submucosal structures), peri-gastric vessels, and ascites was compared in consecutive EUS patients with no history, clinical evidence, or risk factors for cirrhosis (other than possible alcohol [EtOH] consumption). Drinkers were also compared to nondrinkers. RESULTS: 181 pts were studied: 42 drinkers and 139 nondrinkers. Overall, 12% had measurable submucosal vessels, 7% had perigastric vessels, and 5% had at least one small triangle of ascites. Drinkers and non-drinkers did not differ significantly for age (51 vs 61yrs) and race (83% and 83% white) but were significantly more often males (52% vs 35%; P=0.05). Drinkers had peri-gastric vessels and ascites significantly more frequently and showed a non-significant trend towards more frequent varices. CONCLUSIONS: 1) Measurable gastric submucosal vessels, perigastric vessels, and small triangles of ascites may be seen by EUS in normals. 2) The increased frequency of these findings in drinkers as compared to non-drinkers who all have no other clinical evidence of cirrhosis and/or portal hypertension suggests that EUS may be useful to detect gastric changes due to EtOH and/or subclinical portal hypertension.
Semisynthesis of Hemoglobin

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the chemical approaches of protein engineering that are amenable to the generation of mutants of hemoglobin (Hb). The need and significance of the chemical approaches of protein engineering in this era of oligonucleotide-directed site-specific mutagenesis are also emphasized. The discussions are limited to aspects relevant to Hb chemistry and the general principles of several approaches are discussed. The recombinant methods of protein engineering, although efficient and most of the time quite simple, are limited in their ability to choose from a repertoire of 20 natural amino acids. The need for a higher flexibility, particularly for the introduction of the noncoded amino acids at a given site, is apparent in the recent attempts to develop in vitro translation systems. The chemical synthetic approach to systematic variations of protein structure, in principle, is a much more general methodology than is site-directed mutagenesis. It offers a greater flexibility for the site-specific variation of the protein structure: incorporation of noncoded amino acids or introduction of amino acids with spectroscopic probes or photoactive functional groups.
The Southern Tier

Like the northern tier CEE states, the southern tier states suffer from a number of transboundary environmental disputes that threaten public health, degrade the environment and inhibit the normal conduct of international relations. Also, like the northern tier states, the southern tier disputes involve the pollution of transboundary watercourses, extensive air pollution, the destruction of biodiversity, the transport and storage of hazardous and radioactive waste, the siting and operation of nuclear facilities, and the land based and sea based pollution of regional seas. It should be noted the first dispute discussed, that of the environmental legacy of Soviet occupation, affects northern tier as well as southern tier states.
Examining Gallery-Supported Art Exhibitions

For-profit art galleries are making news for the donations they provide to nonprofit art organizations to support exhibitions of artists represented by such galleries. Yet nonprofit art organizations are committed to advancing art for the public interest, not for private profit. This Article examines whether there are any meaningful limits on gallery donations that support art exhibitions at nonprofit arts organizations, focusing on the legal framework governing federal tax-exempt status, as well as the self-regulatory rules and informal norms of the art industry. Does the existing regime allow gallery-supported art exhibitions or are they activities that do not further nonprofit art organizations’ missions? What short-term and long-term solutions are available and appropriate in light of the causes and context of gallery-supported art exhibitions? These questions are animated by the broader dialogue about equitable access to publicly funded resources, with the answers having important implications for what it means to promote art that is representative of American society.
Treatment considerations in actinic keratosis

The chronic skin condition actinic keratosis (AK) is characterized by the formation of keratotic lesions of variable thickness that are poorly delimited. AK occurs on areas of the skin that have had long-term exposure to the sun or UV radiation. Although AKs may regress, they usually persist and can progress to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Clinicians are unable to predict which AKs will progress; therefore, both clinically visible lesions and subclinical, non-visible (i.e. the entire area affected by AK/field cancerization) should be treated. AK treatment options include lesion-directed therapies that target specific AK lesions and field-directed therapies that target multiple clinical lesions and the underlying field damage. This article reviews currently available treatment options in AK, with a focus on patient-applied field therapies, and their suitability according to specific disease characteristics and patient needs. Choice of treatment in AK depends on lesion-, patient- and treatment-related factors and should be individualized. Considerations when choosing a therapy include site of application, treatment duration, surface area of application, tolerability profiles and implications on adherence. Field-directed therapies treat clinical and subclinical damage (i.e. the entire area affected by AK), achieve high rates of sustained clearance of AKs and may reduce the risk of progression to SCC. There is a clear need for field therapies with short duration of treatment and predictable, short-lived, mild local skin reactions that can be used over a large surface area. Therapies with shorter and simpler treatment courses are often associated with better adherence than treatments with longer courses. These may, therefore, represent more appropriate choices in patients for whom convenience and/or adherence are an issue.
Abstract 228: Secretion of Bone Marrow--Derived Cells Contributes to Pressure-Overload--Induced Left Ventricular Hypertrophy

Bone marrow derived cells, especially inflammatory cells, may contribute to the pathological progression of pressure overload induced left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and cardiac fibrosis. Previously, we reported that inflammatory cell accumulation and upregulation of cytokines in hearts of mice that had undergone transverse aortic constriction (TAC) surgery predicted later cardiac hypertrophic and fibrotic remodeling. However, the underlining mechanisms are still not clear. One potential mechanism for inflammatory cells to modulate their environment and affect surrounding cells is through release of cargo stored in granules. Jinx mice - which contain a single point mutation in Unc13d encoding the Munc13-4 protein, a limiting factor in vesicular priming and fusion - have defects in granular secretion in hematopoietic cells, such as platelets, NK cells, and neutrophils. In the current study, we investigated the role of bone marrow cell granule secretion in TAC-induced LV remodeling by creating with bone marrow transplantation chimeric mice specifically lacking Munc13-4 in marrow derived cells. Both wild-type mice (WT) that were transplanted with WT bone marrow and WT mice that received Jinx bone marrow developed LVH and a classic fetal reprogramming response early (7 days) after TAC. However, at later times (5 weeks), mice lacking Munc13-4 in bone marrow-derived cells failed to sustain the cardiac hypertrophy observed in mice with WT bone marrow. No difference in cardiac fibrosis was observed at early or late times. These results suggest that sustained LVH in the setting of pressure overload depends on factor(s) secreted from bone marrow-derived cells, likely from either platelets, NK cells and/or neutrophils. Inhibiting granule cargo release may represent a novel therapeutic target to prevent the development of LVH.
Nimble Algorithms for Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is a new paradigm where data is stored across multiple servers and the goal is to compute a function of all the data. We consider a simple model where each server uses polynomial time and space, but communication among servers being more expensive is ideally bounded by a polylogarithmic function of the input size. We will dub algorithms that satisfy these types of resource bounds as nimble. The main contribution of the paper is to develop nimble algorithms for several areas which involve massive data and for that reason have been extensively studied in the context of Streaming Algorithms. The areas are approximation of Frequency Moments, Counting bipartite homomorphisms (number of copies of a fixed bipartite graph H in a graph G), Rank-k approximation to a matrix, and Clustering. For frequency moments, we will use a new importance sampling technique based on high powers of the frequencies. We reduce the problem of counting homomorphisms to estimating implicitly defined frequency moments. For rank-k approximations, besides recent results of several authors developed in the Streaming context, we use a new variant of the random projection method. For clustering, we use our rank-k approximation and the small coreset of Chen [15] of size at most polynomial in the dimension. In contrast to our algorithms in the cloud computing model, in the streaming model, known lower bound results for frequency moments and rank-k approximations rule out the existence of algorithms that use polylogarithmic space. Microsoft Research India. Email:kannan@microsoft.com Georgia Tech. Email: vempala@gatech.edu 1
On the formulation of a 3-D smooth curved pipe finite element with arbitrary variable cross-section

Abstract A smooth curved pipe finite element is developed. The cross-section can be defined by any shape geometrically variable along the axial direction of the curved pipeline. The curved axial line of the pipe can be defined by any curve and the exact smooth configuration is obtained. the kinematics of the local cross-section with arbitrary shapes is set up. Then, the global 3-D curved pipe is obtained by extruding the local cross-section along the curved pipe axial line. The Consistent Orthogonal Basis Function Space is developed, such that the basis functions are very similar to mode shape functions and the diagonal mass matrix is accurately obtained. The nonlinear finite element implementation details are presented. Numerical tests are presented for four kinds of curved pipes and the post buckling analysis is presented. The results are verified with a commercial FEM package.
Do Physical Practices of Self-Care Matter for Democratic Politics?

A great deal of important work in political theory addresses the body as a site of political experience, oppression, or political action. Still other work addresses itself to the importance of physical self-care for ethical life. Feminist care ethics theorizes care as a relation between political subjects that can be an antidote to a politics of self-interest. But none of these approaches considers physical practices as they relate to politics. In this essay, I explore how personal practices of self-care might relate to democratic practices as one way to cultivate a democratic self who is able to withstand a robust and transformative democratic politics.
Impact of Open Files vs. Closed Files Testing: An Experiment with Mid-Eastern IT Students

The question to be examined in the intended research is whether and to what degree access to previous files gives students an advantage during a practical IT test , i.e. does it produce higher results on tests and if so how much? The hypothesis is that viewing previous files will make little or no difference to student performance. This was validated by the results.
Distributed voltage regulation of islanded inertialess AC microgrids with lossy networks

In this paper, we propose a distributed controller for voltage regulation in islanded ac microgrids with lossy electrical lines. The stability analysis presented takes into account the controller in charge of regulating the frequency in the microgrid, i.e., we do not assume decoupled operation of the proposed voltage controller and the frequency controller. We show that the frequency controller achieves active power load sharing by driving the power flows to a certain manifold, while the voltage controller moves along this manifold and adjusts the voltage magnitudes at the inverter buses to maintain a healthy voltage profile throughout the microgrid, i.e., voltage magnitudes at all buses are within some prescribed limits. Since achieving voltage regulation and reactive power sharing are known to be conflicting objectives, in this paper, we pursue the voltage regulation objective. However, reactive power sharing can be recovered to some extent by tuning a certain parameter in the voltage controller.
Effect of Opioid vs Nonopioid Medications on Pain-Related Function in Patients With Chronic Back Pain or Hip or Knee Osteoarthritis Pain: The SPACE Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance Limited evidence is available regarding long-term outcomes of opioids compared with nonopioid medications for chronic pain. Objective To compare opioid vs nonopioid medications over 12 months on pain-related function, pain intensity, and adverse effects. Design, Setting, and Participants Pragmatic, 12-month, randomized trial with masked outcome assessment. Patients were recruited from Veterans Affairs primary care clinics from June 2013 through December 2015; follow-up was completed December 2016. Eligible patients had moderate to severe chronic back pain or hip or knee osteoarthritis pain despite analgesic use. Of 265 patients enrolled, 25 withdrew prior to randomization and 240 were randomized. Interventions Both interventions (opioid and nonopioid medication therapy) followed a treat-to-target strategy aiming for improved pain and function. Each intervention had its own prescribing strategy that included multiple medication options in 3 steps. In the opioid group, the first step was immediate-release morphine, oxycodone, or hydrocodone/acetaminophen. For the nonopioid group, the first step was acetaminophen (paracetamol) or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Medications were changed, added, or adjusted within the assigned treatment group according to individual patient response. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was pain-related function (Brief Pain Inventory [BPI] interference scale) over 12 months and the main secondary outcome was pain intensity (BPI severity scale). For both BPI scales (range, 0-10; higher scores = worse function or pain intensity), a 1-point improvement was clinically important. The primary adverse outcome was medication-related symptoms (patient-reported checklist; range, 0-19). Results Among 240 randomized patients (mean age, 58.3 years; women, 32 [13.0%]), 234 (97.5%) completed the trial. Groups did not significantly differ on pain-related function over 12 months (overallP = .58); mean 12-month BPI interference was 3.4 for the opioid group and 3.3 for the nonopioid group (difference, 0.1 [95% CI, −0.5 to 0.7]). Pain intensity was significantly better in the nonopioid group over 12 months (overallP = .03); mean 12-month BPI severity was 4.0 for the opioid group and 3.5 for the nonopioid group (difference, 0.5 [95% CI, 0.0 to 1.0]). Adverse medication-related symptoms were significantly more common in the opioid group over 12 months (overallP = .03); mean medication-related symptoms at 12 months were 1.8 in the opioid group and 0.9 in the nonopioid group (difference, 0.9 [95% CI, 0.3 to 1.5]). Conclusions and Relevance Treatment with opioids was not superior to treatment with nonopioid medications for improving pain-related function over 12 months. Results do not support initiation of opioid therapy for moderate to severe chronic back pain or hip or knee osteoarthritis pain. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier:NCT01583985
Asymmetric twins in boron rich boron carbide

Twin boundaries (TBs) play an essential role in enhancing the mechanical, electronic and transport properties of polycrystalline materials. However, the mechanisms are not well understood. In particular, we considered that they may play an important role in boron rich boron carbide (BvrBC), which exhibits promising properties such as low density, super hardness, high abrasion resistance, and excellent neutron absorption. Here, we apply first-principles-based simulations to identify the atomic structures of TBs in BvrBC and their roles for the inelastic response to applied stresses. In addition to symmetric TBs in BvrBC, we identified a new type of asymmetric twin that constitutes the phase boundaries between boron rich boron carbide (B13C2) and BvrBC (B14C). The predicted mechanical response of these asymmetric twins indicates a significant reduction of the ideal shear strength compared to single crystals B13C2 and B14C, suggesting that the asymmetric twins facilitate the disintegration of icosahedral clusters under applied stress, which in turn leads to amorphous band formation and brittle failure. These results provide a mechanistic basis towards understating the roles of TBs in BvrBC and related superhard ceramics.
Behavioral and Functional Assessment

As a specialty, behavioral assessment is relatively new in the broad field of psychological assessment. In 1979, two new journals devoted exclusively to behavioral assessment were published: Behavioral Assessment (by the Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy), edited by Rosemary Nelson, and Journal of Behavioral Assessment (now Journal of Behavioral Assessment and Psychopathology),edited by Henry Adams. Although behavioral assessment procedures certainly predated the publication of these journals, the creation of these outlets gave formal recognition to the behavioral approach to assessment. In the inaugural editorial statement for Behavioral Assessment, R. Nelson (1979) described behavioral assessment as follows: Behavioral assessment is broadly conceived to include assessment, design, methodology, statistics, dependent variables, and program evaluation, regardless of population or setting. Behavioral assessment is distinguished from other types of assessment in its emphasis on meaningful response units and on their controlling variables (both environmental and organismic) and to its responsiveness to intervention strategies…. Behavioral assessment excludes trait assumptions and sign-oriented approaches to measurement. While psychometric procedures may be applied to behavioral techniques, traditional conceptualization is generally incompatible with a behavioral approach. (p. i)
The Action of Nicotine in the Mammalian Brain

Acetylcholine (ACh) is one of the predominant neurotransmitters in the brain. The majority of cholinergic cells are found in the medial septal nucleus, the basal forebrain, the striatum, and the brainstem (Struble et al. 1986). The major projection areas include cortex, hippocampus, striatum, substantia nigra, and medial habenula (Butcher 1995; Woolf et al. 1984). ACh is involved in the regulation of cortical arousal (Semba 1991), attention (Murphy and Sillito 1991), and sleep-wake cycles (Hobson 1990). Thus, the actions of ACh are manifold. The actions of ACh are mediated by two different types of receptors: the ionotropic nicotinic type and the metabotropic muscarinic type. Each of these classes of ACh receptor (AChR) has multiple subtypes with unique structural and functional characteristics, and thus ACh released from a nerve terminal may contribute to a wide variety of brain functions by activating different intracellular pathways depending on the distribution of the receptor types.
Shigella: Introduction and Detection by Classical Cultural and Molecular Techniques

This article is a revision of the previous edition article by Keith A. Lampel, Robin C. Sandlin, and Samuel Formal, volume 3, pp. 2015–2020, © 1999, Elsevier Ltd.
“We’re Trying to Destroy the World”: Anti-Blackness and Police Violence After Ferguson

This is a transcription of an radio interview with Frank B. Wilderson III, taped in October of 2014, in the midst of the ongoing anti-police struggles taking place in Ferguson, MO. Wilderson is in conversation with IMIXWHATILIKE hosts Jared Ball, Todd Steven Burroughs and Dr. Hate.
An Electron Microscopic Study of the Spinal Cord in Border Disease of Lambs

SUMMARY The ultrastructure of the spinal cord in 2 cases of Border disease is described. The findings include delayed myelination, demyelination, cavitation of the myelin sheaths and extensive astrogliosis.
Sensitivities of the NCEP Global Forecast System

AbstractAn important issue in developing a forecast system is its sensitivity to additional observations for improving initial conditions, to the data assimilation (DA) method used, and to improvem...
Evidence-Based Integration of Yttrium-90 Radioembolization in the Contemporary Management of Hepatic Metastases from Colorectal Cancer

Hepatic metastases are common in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer and are frequently the most life-threatening source of morbidity and mortality. The contemporary management of patients with liver-dominant or liver-only metastatic colorectal cancer is characterized by resection of metastases when feasible and successive lines of systemic treatment regimens consisting of chemotherapy drugs and/or targeted biological agents. Yttrium-90 radioembolization has emerged as a promising liver-directed therapy for patients with unresectable colorectal cancer liver metastases (CLM). The integration of radioembolization into the current treatment algorithm for unresectable CLM is dependent on the line of therapy it is being considered and whether it is to be used alone or in combination with systemic treatment options. This article provides background information on the current management of CLM and uses this framework to discuss the existing data that define when and how radioembolization can benefit patients with CLM.
Dynamic measurements of black oystercatcher (Haematopus bachmani) predation on mussels (Mytilus californianus)

Intertidal zone mussels can face threats from a variety of predatory species during high and low tides, and they must balance the threat of predation against other needs such as feeding and aerobic respiration. Black oystercatchers (Haematopus bachmani) on the Pacific coast of North America can depend on the mussel Mytilus californianus for a substantial portion of their diet. Observations suggest that oystercatchers tend to focus on mussels beginning to gape their valves during rising tides, following periods of aerial emersion. We present detailed, autonomous field measurements of the dynamics of three such predation events in the rocky intertidal zone. We measured accelerations of up to 4 g imposed on mussels, with handling times of 115–290 s required to open the shell and remove the majority of tissue. In each case a single oystercatcher attacked a mussel that had gaped the shell valves slightly wider than its neighbors as the rising tide began to splash the mussel bed, but no other obvious characteristic of the mussels, such as body temperature or orientation, could be linked to the oystercatcher's individual prey choice.
A Novel Patient Case Report to Show the Successful Termination of Untreatable Androgen-independent Prostate Cancer: Treatment with Cabergoline (Dopamine agonist).

Introduction Testosterone promotes the initial development of androgen-dependent prostate cancer. This is the basis for androgen ablation treatment, which attenuates, but does not terminate, the malignancy. Instead, it leads to prolactin-dependent malignancy; in which patient death generally occurs within 5 years. This report describes the novel treatment of a patient; which terminated androgen-independent prostate cancer. Results Patient "XY" was diagnosed with prostate malignancy and metastases. He received hormonal androgen ablation treatment, chemotherapy, and radiation treatment. He developed androgen-independent prostate cancer; with expected death in 2-3 years. He was treated with cabergoline (dopamine agonist) treatment, which decreased the plasma prolactin 88%; by inhibiting the pituitary production of prolactin. The subsequent PET scan (positron emission tomography) revealed the absence of malignancy; and the CTC (circulating tumor cells) decreased from count=5.4 to count=0. Discussion The cause of androgen-independent malignancy has been unknown, and an effective chemotherapy did not exist. The activities of normal and malignant prostate cells are regulated primarily by testosterone. When testosterone availability diminishes; prolactin regulation is manifested. This is represented when androgen ablation results in the development of prolactin-dependent malignancy. An effective chemotherapy would be targeted to eliminate the plasma prolactin-manifestation of the androgen-independent malignancy. Conclusions This report of a novel chemotherapy for androgen-independent malignancy corroborates our understanding of the implications of prolactin in its development and treatment. There are about 165,000 cases/year with 25,000 deaths/year in the U.S.; and 1.0 million cases/year with 260,000 deaths/year worldwide. Those patients with androgen-independent prostate cancer can now employ this cabergoline treatment to prevent or terminate this deadly type of prostate cancer.
Harmonic Analysis of Common-mode Reduction Modulation for Three-level Inverter

This paper presents harmonic analysis of common-mode reduction (CMR) modulation for three-level voltage source inverters. The analytical model to calculate the harmonics of CMR modulation with arbitrary PWM sequence is developed. The impact of alternative PWM sequences of CMR modulation on harmonics is investigated. New three-state and four-state PWM sequences of CMR are proposed which spread the energy centered in the carrier frequency in the conventional CMR, and thus reduce the voltage peaks in frequency domain. Experiments are conducted on a three-level neutral point clamped inverter. Experiment results verify the developed analytical model and harmonic analysis.
California and Uncle Sam's Tug-of-War over Mary Jane is Really Harshing the Mellow

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