cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Descending neurons supplying the neck and flight motor of diptera: Physiological and anatomical characteristics

In Diptera, dorsal neuropils of the pro-, meso-, and metathoracic ganglia supply motor neurons to neck and flight muscles. Motor circuits are supplied by more than 50 pairs of descending neurons (DNs) whose dendritic trees in the brain are restricted to dorsal neuropils of the deutocerebrum where they are grouped together into discrete clusters. Each cluster is visited by wide-field motion-sensitive neurons and by morphologically small-field retinotopic elements. This organization suggests that flight descending neurons should respond to complex stimuli reflecting panoramic movement and small-field motion. Intracellular recordings, combined with dye filling, confirm this. Certain descending neurons responding to visual flow fields terminate bilaterally in superficial pterothoracic neuropils, at the level of indirect (power) flight muscle motor neurons. Other DNs terminate laterally, and provide segmental collaterals to areas containing neck and direct (steering) flight muscle motor neurons. Such DNs are activated by wide-field directional stimuli corresponding to pitch, roll, or yaw, and to small-field stimuli. Appropriate directional mechanosensory stimuli also activate dorsal descending neurons. The significance of dorsal descending neurons for the control of flight is discussed and compared with studies on course deviation neurons in other insects. It is suggested that, in Diptera, dorsal descending neurons may separately be involved in the control of velocity, stabilization, and steering manoeuvres.
A Fast Approximation Algorithm for the Subset‐sum Problem

The subset-sum problem (SSP) is defined as follows: given a positive integer bound and a set of n positive integers find a subset whose sum is closest to, but not greater than, the bound. We present a randomized approximation algorithm for this problem with linear space complexity and time complexity of O(n log n). Experiments with random uniformly-distributed instances of SSP show that our algorithm outperforms, both in running time and average error, Martello and Toth's (1984) quadratic greedy search, whose time complexity is O(n2). We propose conjectures on the expected error of our algorithm for uniformly-distributed instances of SSP and provide some analytical arguments justifying these conjectures. We present also results of numerous tests.
Performance evaluation of wireless networks exploiting multi-beam antennas in multipath environments

The use of multi-beam antennas has been shown to significantly enhance the network throughput by improving the spatial reuse and coverage. In this paper, we consider both the multi-channel smart antenna (MCSA) and the multiple fixed-beam antennas (MFBA) and evaluate their node throughput performance in a multipath propagation environment based on the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR). Realistic array beams, rather than the idealized sector-based models, are used in the performance evaluation. Simulation results show that, in a multipath propagation environment, MFBA suffers from significant node throughput reduction, whereas MCSA benefits from path combining gain and, as such, has a clear advantage over MFBA.
A review of indium phosphide space solar cell fabrication technology

A review of the status of InP cell efficiency and of approaches to the reduction of cell cost is presented. The use of heteroepitaxial techniques such as InP-on-GaAs and InP-on-Si is discussed along with the use of chemical and mechanical techniques for removal and recovery of the substrate. The efficiency ultimately obtainable with designs made possible by such an approach is calculated. >
RIGIDITY THEOREMS IN RIEMANNIAN GEOMETRY

The purpose of this chapter is to survey some recent results and state open questions concerning the rigidity of Riemannian manifolds. The starting point will be the boundary rigidity and conjugacy rigidity problems. These problems are connected to many other problems (Mostow-Margulis type rigidity, isopectral problems, isoperimetric inequalities etc.). We will restrict our attention to those results that have a direct connection to the boundary rigidity problem (see Section 2) or the conjugacy rigidity problem (see Section 4). Even with that restriction the connections are numerous and the author was forced to select the topics covered here in accordance with rather subjective criteria. A few of the topics not covered are mentioned in Section 11 but there are others.
High-aspect-ratio micromachining via deep X-ray lithography

High-aspect-ratio microsystems technology (HARMST) can be implemented by using thick photoresist technology, which requires X-ray photons for exposure. This was first realized in Germany via the so-called LIGA process. To make this process cost effective, exposures with high-energy photons were introduced in 1993 via a University of Wisconsin-Brookhaven National Laboratory cooperation. The addition of a solvent bonded resist technology and replanarization after electroplating and X-ray mask aligning yield a HARMST processing sequence that uses large-area, sequential X-ray masks without diaphragms. This technology may be applied to precision engineered parts which do not involve electronics. The processing sequence is also used for high performance linear and rotational, magnetic and electrostatic actuators. System applications in optics involve spectrometers and other devices. A discussion of US and world wide efforts in HARMST points at increasing demands for this type of processing tool.
Multidimensional regulation of gene expression in the C. elegans embryo

How cells adopt different expression patterns is a fundamental question of developmental biology. We quantitatively measured reporter expression of 127 genes, primarily transcription factors, in every cell and with high temporal resolution in C. elegans embryos. Embryonic cells are highly distinct in their gene expression; expression of the 127 genes studied here can distinguish nearly all pairs of cells, even between cells of the same tissue type. We observed recurrent lineage-regulated expression patterns for many genes in diverse contexts. These patterns are regulated in part by the TCF-LEF transcription factor POP-1. Other genes' reporters exhibited patterns correlated with tissue, position, and left–right asymmetry. Sequential patterns both within tissues and series of sublineages suggest regulatory pathways. Expression patterns often differ between embryonic and larval stages for the same genes, emphasizing the importance of profiling expression in different stages. This work greatly expands the number of genes in each of these categories and provides the first large-scale, digitally based, cellular resolution compendium of gene expression dynamics in live animals. The resulting data sets will be a useful resource for future research.
The Influence of Strategic Focus & Gender on Performance: An Examination of Small Businesses

This study examines the extent to which strategic focus (internal versus external) and the gender of small business owners are predictive of perceived organizational performance. Utilizing a sample of 237 small business owners in the southeastern region of the U.S., a factorial ANOVA was used to test hypotheses related to both constructs. Results indicate that a main effect exists for organizational strategic focus, but not for gender. While female business owners who utilize an internal strategy had the highest levels of perceived performance, the interaction effect was not statistically significant.
A Method of Linking Surveys Using Affective 'Signatures' with an Application to Racial/Ethnic Groups in the U.S.

This paper addresses a concern often faced by social scientists who study subgroups within a given population, as they are frequently limited in the scope and breadth of their research questions due the quality of available survey data (i.e. inadequate sample size or lack of comprehensive questions). To address this problem, we develop a procedure for linking respondents from different surveys based on their internal (subjective) utility for political stimuli, which we capture by using an individual's responses to a set of feeling thermometer questions. Feeling thermometer questions, as demonstrated in previous research, are an accurate measure of an individual's subjective utility because they are measures of affect. We apply this technique to the 2004 National Annenberg Election survey and the 2004 American National Election Studies survey. Linking survey respondents based on their thermometer scores not only recovers the distributions on group demographics such as race/ethnicity, gender, and education but it also recovers the distributions of these groups' preferences across a wide array of issues and policies as well.
Mitochondrial Redox Changes during Rest-Work Transition in Dog Gracilis Muscle

The state of reduction of mitochondrial pyridine nucleotides (PN) and flavoproteins (FP) can in principle be estimated in tissue from their fluorescence.1 Although this technique has teen applied quantitatively to isolated mitochondria, there have been major problems in obtaining quantitative estimates of the state of mitochondrial reduction in vivo. Two basic categories of difficulties occur in the application to intact tissue: (1) heterogeneity of the signal due to nonspecific tissue reflectance and/or fluorescence, limited spatial resolution, variable mitochondrial content and interference by extraneous chromophores such as hemoglobin and myoglobin; and (2) lack of reproducible, absolute calibration of the recording apparatus for maximally oxidized and reduced tissue signals. We have developed techniques to overcome some of the above limitations. By using frozen tissue samples and making measurements at liquid N2 temperatures with laser enhanced activation light, greater fluorescence yields are obtained and the spatial resolution is improved.2 The use of the ratio of two indicators, flavoprotein and pyridine nucleotides, helps minimize interference by variable mitochondrial concentrations and the effect of extraneous chromophores.2 Finally, samples corresponding to full oxidation and full reduction can be made available for calibration. This report describes the application of these techniques and other methodological improvements to quantitate the state of mitochondrial redox during the transition from rest to heavy work in dog gracilis muscle.
Conditionals and questions

Korzukhin challenges my theory presented in Probabilities of Conditionals in Context on the grounds that it makes false predictions about two kinds of cases. Before responding to the challenge cases, let me briey note two methodological points that will be relevant to the discussion.
Data Mining of Air Traffic Control Operational Errors

In this paper the author presents the results of applying data mining techniques to identify patterns and anomalies in air traffic control operational errors (OEs). Reducing the OE rate is of high importance and remains a challenge in the aviation safety community. Existing studies, which use traditional methods and focus on individual aspects of OEs, are limited to operations at a single facility, or events in a short period of time. A holistic study of historical data available on OEs has not been conducted. The author has applied an attribute focusing technique to study 15 years of operational errors at all FAA Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCCs) 1 in the National Airspace System (NAS) in the U.S. We have found ‘interesting’ patterns of common characteristics, anomalies, and changes in trends of operational errors. The author interpreted the results with the help of domain experts and plan to do a similar analysis for OEs at other types of air traffic control facilities (towers and TRACONs) as well.
National Socialist Conceptions of International Law

When the German government announced on March 16 of this year that it no longer deemed itself bound by the disarmament provisions of the Treaty of Versailles, a great step was taken toward the realization of the demand for Gleichberechtigung which has been the main objective of National Socialist foreign policy. In view of the forthcoming conversations which had been scheduled to take place at Berlin, the time chosen for this decision was unexpected. The act of denunciation itself had been foreshadowed, however, by the withdrawal of Germany from the Disarmament Conference and the League of Nations, and by her actual rearming in defiance of the limitations of the Treaty. It involved no sudden innovation in policy, but was merely a public acknowledgment of the fait accompli; it marked the final stroke in one stage of a long and bitter campaign against the “Diktat” of Versailles.
Effective defect diffusion lengths in Ar-ion bombarded 3C-SiC

Above room temperature, SiC exhibits pronounced processes of diffusion and interaction of radiation-generated point defects. Here, we use the recently developed pulsed ion beam method to measure effective defect diffusion lengths in 3C-SiC bombarded in the temperature range of 25–200 °C with 500 keV Ar ions. Results reveal a diffusion length of ~10 nm, which exhibits a weak temperature dependence, changing from 9 to 13 nm with increasing temperature. Lastly, these results have important implications for understanding and predicting radiation damage in SiC and for the development of radiation-resistant materials via interface-mediated defect reactions.
IDENTIFICATION OF THERMODYNAMIC PROCESS THROUGH MODEL BASED ON MODIFIED PARTICLE SWARM ALGORITHM

Directing against features of thermodynamic precess in thermal power plants,and defects of traditional method for identification through model,the particle swarm algorithm has been used into the thermodynamic process identification through model,and modification in aspects of implementation method and parameter selection being carried out,enhancing the accuracy and speediness in identification.Through emulation data and identification of steam temperature in reheat system of boiler for a 300 MW unit,which takes flue gas as the controlled object,the effectiveness and reliability of the said method have been proven.
Myocardial infarction complicated by rheumatic heart disease:a clinical analysis

Objective To explore the etiology,clinical features and the coronary angiographic manifestations of myocardial infarction(MI) complicated by chronic rheumatic heart disease(RHD). Methods Eighteen patients with myocardial infarction complicated by RHD were analyzed retrospectively. Results Fifteen patients(83.3) had mitral valve disease, five of them had mitral and aortic valve disease, and three had isolated aortic valve disease. Eleven(61.1) had mitral and/ or aortic valve replacment and received long-term anticoagulant treatment, with international normalized ratio(INR) being maintained at 2.0 to 2.5. Fifteen patients(83.3) had atrial fibrillation. All patients had history of chest pain. ECG showed anterior wall infarction in 13(72.2) patients and inferior wall infarction in 5(27.8) patients. Eleven(61.1) of them were diagnosed as non-Q wave MI and seven as Q wave MI. There was a rise in cardiac enzymes in all patients. Coronary angiography showed normal coronary artery in 14(77.8) patients. Four suffered from acute embolic coronary occlusion. All patients survived. Conclusions MI complicated by RHD was rare. The cause was coronary embolism. MI in anterior wall was most common. The coronary artery of most patients was normal.
Reliability model of mechanical components considering the common cause failure

Common cause failure being regarded as a kind of important form of interrelated failure is universally existed in the failures of mechanical components and systems.This paper studied the relevant failure phenomenon in mechanical components caused by loading and analyzed the reason for producing interrelated failure.Utilizing the interference model of stress-strength the reliability model of mechanical components possesses various kinds of failure patterns was established.And using this model to carrying out the calculation of a living example on the reliability of gears.
Inhaled nitric oxide prevents pulmonary endothelial dysfunction after mesenteric ischemia-reperfusion

This study examined the effect of inhaled nitric oxide (NO) on lung neutrophil accumulation and endothelial-dependent and -independent guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP)-mediated mechanisms of pulmonary vasorelaxation after mesenteric ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in mechanically ventilated rats. Inhaled NO (20 ppm) was administered in two protocols: 1) throughout mesenteric I/R and 2) during mesenteric reperfusion alone. Concentration-response curves were generated (10(-9) to 10(-8) M) for acetylcho-line (ACh), A23187, and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) in isolated pulmonary arterial rings preconstricted with phenylephrine. Lung neutrophil accumulation [myeloperoxidase assay (MPO)] was significantly increased from 2.4 +/- 0.2 units/g lung wt in controls to 10.3 +/- 0.4 after 1 h of superior mesenteric artery occlusion and 2 h of reperfusion. Lung MPO activity was not different from controls in rats receiving inhaled NO either 1) during mesenteric I/R or during mesenteric reperfusion alone. The concentration-response curves demonstrated significant impairment of pulmonary vasorelaxation by endothelial-dependent mechanisms (response to ACh and A23187) but not endothelial-independent pulmonary vasorelaxation (response to SNP) after mesenteric I/R. This pulmonary vasomotor dysfunction was prevented by administration of inhaled NO during either mesenteric I/R or during mesenteric reperfusion alone. We conclude that inhaled NO prevents lung neutrophil accumulation and pulmonary vascular endothelial dysfunction after mesenteric I/R.
Polysomnographic Measurement of Sleep Duration and Bodily Pain Perception in the Sleep Heart Health Study.

Study objectives To determine whether total sleep time (TST) and specific sleep stage duration are associated with bodily pain perception and whether sex, age, or subjective sleepiness modifies this relationship. Methods Data from adults ages 39-90 y (n = 5,199) who took part in the Sleep Heart Health Study Exam 1 were analyzed. TST, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep time, and slow wave sleep (SWS) time were measured by unattended, in-home nocturnal polysomnography. Bodily pain perception was measured via the Short Form-36 questionnaire bodily pain component. We used logistic regression to examine associations between total and individual sleep stage durations and bodily pain perception controlling for age, sex, race, body mass index, apnea-hypopnea index, antidepressant use, and important cardiovascular conditions (smoking [pack-years], history of diabetes, and history of percutaneous coronary intervention and/or coronary artery bypass graft). Results In the fully adjusted model, REM sleep time and SWS time were not associated with "moderate to severe pain," whereas TST was: Each 1-h decrement in TST was associated with a 7% increased odds of "moderate to severe pain" (odds ratio 1.07, 95% confidence interval 1.002, 1.14). Due to modification of the association between SWS time and "moderate to severe pain" by sex (P for interaction = 0.01), we performed analyses stratified by sex: Each 1-h decrement in SWS time was associated with a 20% higher odds of "moderate to severe pain" among men (odds ratio 1.20, 95% confidence interval 1.03-1.42) whereas an association was not observed among women. Conclusions Shorter TST among all subjects and shorter SWS time in men was associated with "moderate to severe pain." REM sleep time was not associated with bodily pain perception in this cohort.
Reproductive factors, body size, and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma subtypes in the California Teachers Study

B114 Background: Non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs) are an etiologically and clinically heterogeneous group of lymphoid malignancies that together, represent the 5 th most common cancer diagnosed in the US. With the exception of immmunosuppression, few risk factors for common NHL subtypes have been identified. A clue that endogenous hormone exposure may play a role in risk for some NHLs is suggested by the male excesses in the incidence of most NHLs, as well as plausible mechanisms for immunomodulatory effects of sex steroids. Surrogate exposures for endogenous hormone levels include reproductive and body size characteristics. To date, associations of these factors have been examined in only one case-control study using the current NHL histologic subtype classifications. > Methods: We investigated the associations of common NHL subtypes with reproductive factors and body size characteristics in women using the large, prospective California Teachers Study cohort. Data were collected from a detailed self-administered questionnaire. From 1995-2004, annual linkages to the California Cancer Registry identified 426 incident cases of B-cell NHL eligible for analysis. Hazard rate ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated by fitting Cox proportional hazards models for all B-cell NHL combined as well as the 3 most common NHL subtypes: diffuse, large B-cell lymphomas; follicular lymphomas; and B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemias/small lymphocytic lymphomas (CLL/SLL). > Results: Gravid women were at significantly reduced risk of overall B-cell NHL compared to nulligravid women (RR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.60-0.96). Compared to the same reference group, B-cell NHL risk was not influenced by pregnancies that did not go full-term (RR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.58-1.57), but was significantly reduced in women with 2 or more full-term pregnancies (RR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.48-0.85; P trend = 0.002). This effect was pronounced for follicular lymphomas (RR = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.25-0.86; P trend = 0.008). Among parous women, those with older age at first full term pregnancy (> 30 years) had a statistically significant greater risk of diffuse, large B-cell lymphoma (RR = 1.77, 95% CI = 1.02-3.08; P trend = 0.06) than women in the youngest age category ( trend = 0.06). > Conclusion: Full-term pregnancy accounts for most of the reduction in risk associated with pregnancy, suggesting that pregnancy-related hormonal exposures may play a role in preventing the development of NHLs, particularly follicular lymphomas. The increasing prevalence of women who are nulliparous or delaying first birth may correspond with the increasing incidence of follicular lymphomas in women, a rate which is approaching the incidence rate of follicular lymphomas among men.
Small bowel neuroendocrine tumors: A critical analysis of diagnostic work-up and operative approach.

Background Small bowel neuroendocrine tumors (SB-NETs) are often small, multifocal, difficult to localize preoperatively, and can be overlooked during operative exploration. The optimal work-up and operative approach is unknown. Methods Patients who underwent resection of SB-NETs at a single-institution from 2000 to 2014 were included. Primary aim was to describe the diagnostic work-up and compare minimally invasive (MIS) to open resection. Results Ninety-three patients underwent resection for SB-NETs. About 71% were symptomatic and on average underwent three diagnostic tests: 45% had octreoscans (85% diagnostic yield); 11% had SB-enteroscopy (10% yield); 19% had capsule endoscopy (83% yield, but identified the correct tumor number in only 21%). About 27 pts underwent MIS versus 66 open. MIS pts were younger (56 vs. 61 yrs; P = 0.035), and less likely to have obstruction (4% vs. 24%; P = 0.019) and metastases (19% vs. 44%; P = 0.038). Compared to open, MIS had smaller (1.7 vs. 2.4 cm; P = 0.03) and fewer tumors resected (2 vs. 5; P = 0.049), but similar LN yield (13 vs. 12; P = 0.7). In non-metastatic, curative-intent resections, MIS still resected fewer tumors compared to open (1.5 vs. 4; P = 0.034). Conclusion Capsule endoscopy may be better than small bowel enteroscopy at identifying occult SB-NETs, but may underestimate tumor burden. While MIS may be appropriate in select patients, recognizing the limitations of preoperative evaluation is critical for these tumors, as heightened operative vigilance is often required. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;9999:XX--XX. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ethnic past and Ethnic now: The representation of memory in ethnic museum websites

This article investigates how ethnic museum websites in the United States use visual and textual resources to communicate their ideas of memory, past, and ethnic identity. Public relations practitioners as cultural intermediaries create such websites to foster identification between the cultural institutions and their stakeholders. By using social semiotic theory and content analysis, the article demonstrates how museums act as a medium for representing collective memory and, therefore, construct identities that are not static, but in a constant process of adaptation according to different contexts. This study of 43 websites concludes that ethnic museum websites pursue either nostalgic or present-time message strategies to represent cultural memory: the ethnic past and the ethnic now. The ethnic past aims to display an idealized past that is fixed and forever gone. In contrast, the ethnic now uses culturally identifiable features to convey movement, fluidity, transformation, reinterpretation, and the re-i...
Smart phone assisted city-scale wireless sensor network deployment for transportation system monitoring

Ensuring transportation network security is one of the most daunting challenges confronting homeland security agencies today. Significant research has been dedicated to model and analyze the vulnerability of transportation systems, yet notably fewer studies propose specific strategies for deploying defensive technologies to safeguard these systems. The ultimate goal of situational awareness for prevention and rapid response remains largely unaddressed. Wireless sensors and ad hoc networks are widely regarded as a promising approach to monitor systems and enhance their security. Furthermore, the growth in smart phone usage can contribute additional relay nodes to the network connecting the deployed sensors and command center. Such sensor networks offer the potential to detect a terrorist plot before it can be executed, support effective response to emergency events, and dynamically monitor traffic flows to facilitate efficient travel within a city. This paper present a scheme which turn the deployment into a optimization to maximize the weighted coverage, and we demonstrate the approach through the simulation, the result of which clear indicates its effectiveness.
Chlamydia pneumoniae and atherosclerosis.

Chlamydia pneumoniae is a human respiratory pathogen that causes acute respiratory disease. Multiple studies have associated C. pneumoniae with cardiovascular disease including seroepidemiologic studies, direct detection of the organism within the lesion, and isolation of the organism from atheromatous tissue. The most critical question to be answered by researchers in the field is whether C. pneumoniae plays a role in atherogenesis. This review summarizes in vitro studies, results in animal models of C. pneumoniae infection and atherogenesis, and human intervention studies that provide some support of a mechanistic role.
Enhanced visualizations for improved real-time EEG monitoring

An electroencephalogram, or EEG, is used to monitor the electrical activity in the brain through electrodes placed on the scalp. An EEG is a multi-channel time-varying signal describing voltages in different regions on the scalp, measured using electrodes. EEG recordings are interpreted using a montage, which defines the channels as differences between these electrodes. AutoEEG is a system that automatically interprets clinical EEGs and includes a variety of analytics that can be used to detect the onset of life-altering events such as seizures.
Techniques for Secure Data Transfer

The Advanced Encryption Standard better known as the AES algorithm is a symmetric (uses the same key to encrypt and decrypt) cryptographic technique used in most of today’s classified and unclassified data transfers. The AES algorithm provides data transfers with layers of security through its mathematical complexity. Alongside this technique of encryption, the act of concealing data within different objects is now becoming an essential component in the art of secure data transfer. This method of hiding secret messages within a file type is known as Steganography. Even though these two elements of secure data transfer differ, they both share the same objective namely to protect the integrity of the data. This paper provides an explanation of Steganography and AES algorithm and how they can be used together to enhance the security of data. The experiments that this paper demonstrates used the AES-256 algorithm.
Enel: Power, Russia, and Global Markets

Although the global trend toward liberalization of electric utilities forced Enel, the largest power company in Italy, to give up some of its assets in its home base, it also opened up many opportunities abroad, including in Russia, one of the largest electricity markets in the world. The case outlines Enel's internationalization strategy and then focuses on one piece of the company's strategic puzzle of global expansion: acquisition of major power-generation assets in the course of the break-up of RAO UES, the Russian electricity monopoly. The case highlights the decision-making process by the company executives in the context of possible political risks to foreign investment in Russian strategic industries and economic risks to investment in the yet-to-be-formed liberalized and deregulated electricity market in Russia.
Ukrainian nationalist parties and connective action: an analysis of electoral campaigning and social media sentiments

This paper combines human- and computer-mediated content analysis to advance the understanding of how far-right parties are using new media to mobilize their supporters in the transitioning Ukraini...
Abstract P243: Endothelial Function, Arterial Stiffness and Central Blood Pressure are Not Affected by a Single Dose of Dietary Nitrate in Healthy Normotensive Females

Intro: Hypertension is a prominent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and arterial stiffness is a related predictor of both mortality and longitudinal onset of hypertension in normotensive indi...
Successful Trial Design and Planning in Systemic Sclerosis: Does It Take a Village?

Negative trial reporting, especially in rare diseases, provides essential information. The design and analysis of a “negative” trial, in diseases for which few potential treatments and no cure exist, warrants particular scrutiny to determine whether the trial was truly negative, or rather a “failed” trial owing to other design, financial, planning, or recruitment impediments1. A trial that is discontinued early warrants the label negative if an unbiased, independent data safety monitoring board identified either a harm signal (excessive intolerance or drug-related adverse events) or a clear worsening of the disease state in comparison to placebo. In an article by Hsu, et al , in this issue of The Journal , the authors describe a 52-week randomized double-blind placebo-controlled multicenter phase II study of pomalidomide2. The sponsors have conceded to the reviewers that the study was discontinued early because of poor recruitment. Yet the article’s discussion section persists in stating that discontinuation by the sponsor was due to lack of drug efficacy. To be clear, there exists no statistical application capable of calculating a reliable result in any of the study variables between the 4 treatment and the 7 placebo cases completing a study that was powered for a sample of 88. Thus, the study results carry similar statistical weight to the initial anecdotal case reports of perceived efficacy of pomalidomide by systemic sclerosis (SSc) specialists — cases that likely inspired moving the drug to trial. SSc disease behavior remains complex and challenging to the most seasoned SSc clinician researchers who are well-acclimated to a cautious approach to data interpretation in this “rare” and exceptionally complex disease. In a journal less cognizant of the humbling landscape in SSc clinical trial design, this study would have slipped by as a negative study, generating an inaccurate interpretation of the … Address correspondence to Dr. L.A. Saketkoo, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Medicine and Critical Care, 1430 Tulane Ave., New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, USA. E-mail: lsaketk{at}tulane.edu
CSbots: A case study in introducing educational technology to a classroom setting

We present CSbots, an ongoing project to use robots as educational tools in the Introduction to Computer Science (CS1) course. Enrollments in Computer Science have dropped significantly, and part of the blame rests on an introductory course that has not kept pace with the progress of computational technology. We aim to use robotics to motivate students, provide a sense of relevance to the course work, and improve learning.
Effects of Formation Temperature on the Superconducting Properties of V3Ga Wires

Multifilamentary V3Ga wire has a promising potential for use in several advanced systems applications. These include such high-field systems as electrical motors and generators, plasma confinement magnets for thermonuclear fusion, and magnetohydrodynamics channel magnets.
Fossil Kinosternidae from the Oligocene and Miocene of Florida, USA

Kinosternid remains are generally rare through the Oligocene and Miocene. Fossil material from eight Florida localities is presented here. Specimens discussed include the latest and most southeastern occurrence of the genus Xenochelys (new species), one of the earliest occurrences of Kinosternon, the oldest record of the Kinosternon subrubrum-baurii group in Florida, and the presence of Miocene Kinosternon species either convergent with or closely related to taxa that occur today in the southwestern United States and Central-South America.
Management advisory services and perceived audit independence: Evidence from an experiment:

This paper reports the results of an experiment at the University of Arizona in which the perceived independence of certified public accounting (CPA) firms which provide management advisory service...
Why the long face? A case of neonatal hypotonia

Case Report: The infant in this case is a 3.9 kg male born at 39 weeks gestation via C-section to a 36 y/o G4P3. The pregnancy was complicated by decreased fetal movement, polyhydramnios, and breech presentation. APGARs were 2, 6, and 6. He was intubated for apnea and respiratory failure. On physical examination, he had elongated facies, a prominent forehead, bitemporal narrowing, micrognathia with retrognathia, bifid uvula, long fingers/toes, and bilateral cryptorchidism. He also had pronounced weakness with minimal spontaneous movements of his extremities. Deep tendon reflexes were …
An agent-based model of surplus food rescue using crowd-shipping

As climate change approaches a point of irreversibility, it is becoming increasingly important to find ways of preventing food waste from reaching landfills and emitting greenhouse gases. Food rescue programs offer a means of simultaneously diverting surplus food from landfills and addressing food insecurity. Recently, some food rescue organizations in the U.S. have begun leveraging crowd-shipping to more efficiently transport surplus food from donors to food-insecure recipients. However, the success of such initiatives relies on achieving a critical mass of donor and crowd-shipper participation. This paper describes a conceptual agent-based model that was developed to evaluate the design parameters of a volunteer-based crowd-shipping system for food rescue. Preliminary experimental results demonstrate the importance of generating sufficient awareness and commitment among potential volunteers in the early stages of the program’s development to ensure consistent participation and service.
Noncalcified Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS): Rate and Predictors of Upgrade to Invasive Carcinoma.

Rationale and Objectives To determine the upgrade rate of noncalcified ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and features that are associated with risk of upgrade to invasive disease at surgery. Materials and Methods A retrospective review was conducted of consecutive women who were diagnosed with noncalcified DCIS from January 2007 to December 2016. Patient demographics, imaging findings, biopsy pathology results, and surgical outcomes were reviewed. The unpaired t test, chi-square test, and Fisher's exact test were used to compare features between the cases of DCIS that did and did not upgrade to invasive carcinoma at surgery. Results Over a 10-year period, 78 women (mean age 62 years, range 30–88 years) were diagnosed with noncalcified DCIS. Two-thirds (67.9%, 53/78) of cases were detected on screening mammography, and 15.4% (12/78) of diagnoses were made after presentation with an area of palpable concern. The most common mammographic presentations of noncalcified DCIS were mass (51.3%, 40/78) and asymmetry (30.8%, 24/78). Seventeen cases (21.8%, 17/78) were upgraded to invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) at surgery. Features associated with upgrade risk included older patient age (68.1 versus 60.3 years, OR 1.08, p Conclusion In our study cohort, the upgrade rate of noncalcified DCIS to IDC at surgery is 21.8%. Upgrade risk is associated with older patient age and family history of breast cancer in a first-degree relative.
Obstetrician–Gynecologists in General Practice in New Mexico: A Comparison Between Rural and Metropolitan Counties

Objective: About one-half of all U.S. counties lack obstetrician–gynecologist (ob-gyns) physicians especially in rural areas. The objective of this study was to use experience in our state to ident...
Bivariate Growth of Perceived Containment and Functions of Aggression Over 2 Years.

Perceived containment is the belief that one can be controlled by the limits set by authority figures, with low levels of perceived containment indicating that one does not believe they can be controlled by others. Low levels of perceived containment have been associated with a range of problem behaviors in youth, including proactive and reactive aggression. However, the stability of perceived containment across time and authority figures in middle childhood is not well understood. Additionally, more research is needed to understand how perceived containment is associated with the trajectories of related problem behavior, such as proactive and reactive functions of aggression. Thus, the current study evaluated univariate and bivariate growth trajectories of perceived containment and proactive and reactive aggression across 2 years in middle childhood. Participants were 249 elementary school youth (41% female, 7–10 years old). Children self-reported on perceived containment and proactive and reactive aggression at 4 time points across a two-year period. Results indicated that perceived containment and proactive aggression remained stable, while reactive aggression increased over a two-year period. Bivariate models indicated that perceived containment was negatively associated with the latent intercept of proactive and reactive aggression; however, perceived containment was not significantly associated with growth of reactive aggression. Findings and implications for treatment and prevention are discussed in turn.
Obesity, Immunity, and Cancer

The Link between Cancer and Obesity Obesity is linked to a risk of certain types of cancer, such as liver cancer and uterine cancer. A recent study provides some clues as to why.
Towards Abolition: Undoing the Colonized Curriculum

Racial injustice has traditionally been observed from the viewpoint of its impact and outcomes. Subsequently, educators and policy makers have generally focused on outcomes; unequal opportunity structures, disparities in educational achievement, the school-to-prison pipeline, disproportional health indicators, incarceration rates, and harsher punishment in school and judicial systems, are just a few of the contexts by which this nation’s racialized roots can be measured for present day mistreatment and disparate outcomes for minoritized populations. As policy makers and educators look to the impact of racial injustice, a true ontological vantage would reveal the cause as well as the perpetuation of these outcomes. As the current COVID-19 pandemic continues, and with increased interest in online learning, it is vital that teachers and professors seek new pedagogy and tools to teach about racism. Our study examined whether a virtual 1-hour presentation on white humanists influences students’ understanding of racial justice. Our research demonstrates that a colonized curriculum impacts student’s outlook on the world and themselves. Inversely, when we expose students to humanists throughout history, we are able to show that white people have a legacy and responsibility to fight for racial justice. This provides students with alternative models – beyond those that perpetuate white supremacy.
THE GEOPOLITICAL DYNAMICS OF GOOGLE

US-based transnational corporation Alphabet-Google controls a critical entry point to the Internet, dominating over 90% of the global search market. Google’s global Internet dominance and expansion seem to reaffirm a long-established US-led global communication order. However, this paper argues that the US position is far from secure, as geopolitical rivalries continue to animate and reshape the global communication network.
But? What is the Poverty Rate Today? Testing Poverty Nowcasting Methods in Latin America and the Caribbean

Poverty estimates usually lag behind two years, which makes it difficult to provide real-time poverty analysis to assess the impact of economic crisis and shocks among the less well-off, and subsequently limits policy responses. This paper takes advantage of up-to-date average economic welfare indicators like the gross domestic product per capita and comprehensive harmonized micro data of more than 180 household surveys in 15 Latin American countries. The paper tests three commonly used poverty nowcasting methods and ranks their performance by comparing country-specific and regional poverty nowcasts with actual poverty estimates for 2003?14 period. The validation results show that the two bottom-up approaches, which simulate the performance of each agent in the economy to nowcast overall poverty, perform relatively better than the top-down approach, which uses welfare estimates to explain the performance of poverty at an aggregate level over time. The results are robust to additional sensitivity and robustness tests.
The Role of Common and Private Signals in Two-Sided Matching with Interviews

We study two-sided matching markets where the matching is preceded by a costly interviewing stage in which firms acquire information about the qualities of candidates. Our focus is on the impact of the signals of quality available prior to the interviewing stage. Using a mixture of simulation, numerical, and empirical game theoretic analysis, we show that more commonality in the quality signals can be harmful, yielding fewer matches as some firms make the same mistakes in choosing whom to interview. Relatively high and medium quality candidates are most likely to suffer lower match probabilities. The effect can be mitigated when firms use “more rational” interviewing strategies, or through the availability of private signals of candidate quality to the firms.
Body Retrieval and Morgue Operation at the Crash of United Flight 232

On 19 July 1989, United Airlines Flight 232, a wide-bodied DC-10, crash-landed in Sioux City, Iowa, ultimately resulting in 112 deaths. By using the first several hours after the crash to preplan carefully and to walk through the entire body recovery and morgue procedure mentally, the disaster management team was able to process the fatalitics from Flight 232 expeditiously. The team also prepared a rigid system of data management for the morgue, which allowed the staff to collate and process large volumes of information without significant error or mismatched records.
How Euler Did Even More

'Read Euler, read Euler, he is master of us all' LaPlace exhorted us. And it is true, Euler writes with unerring grace and ease. He is exceptionally clear thinking and clear speaking. It is a joy and a pleasure to follow him. It is especially so with Ed Sandifer as your guide. Sandifer has been studying Euler for decades and is one of the world's leading experts on his work. This volume is the second collection of Sandifer's 'How Euler Did It' columns. Each is a jewel of historical and mathematical exposition. The sum total of years of work and study of the most prolific mathematician of history, this volume will leave you marveling at Euler's clever inventiveness and Sandifer's wonderful ability to explicate and put it all in context.
Genetic Variants in the Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway as Indicators of Bladder Cancer Risk

Purpose: Genetic factors that influence bladder cancer risk remain largely unknown. Previous research has suggested that there is a strong genetic component underlying the risk of bladder cancer. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is a key modulator of cellular proliferation through its regulation of stem cell homeostasis. Furthermore, variants in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway have been implicated in the development of other cancers, leading us to believe that this pathway may have a vital role in bladder cancer development.Materials and Methods: A total of 230 single nucleotide polymorphisms in 40 genes in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway were genotyped in 803 bladder cancer cases and 803 healthy controls.Results: A total of 20 single nucleotide polymorphisms were nominally significant for risk. Individuals with 2 variants of LRP6: rs10743980 were associated with a decreased risk of bladder cancer in the recessive model in the initial analysis (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.58–0.99, p = 0.039). This was va...
The vectorelectrocardiogram, a simple method of recording and interpreting the spatial electrical fields of the heart.

Abstract 1. 1. A simple, inexpensive and practical technic for recording the spatial vector potentials of the heart has been described. Any vectorcardiographic lead reference system can be used for recording on standard office electrocardiographic apparatus. Additional preamplification is desirable to bring out detail, and more rapid recording speeds and multichannel recording are very useful. 2. 2. The methods, principles of analysis and illustrations of vectorelectrocardiograms are presented and described in detail. Interpretation is based on timing, spatial orientation and relative magnitudes of the instantaneous vectors. A simple, rapid clinical method of interpretation is outlined. Criteria for interpretation conforms with the basic principles of electrophysiology as derived from direct and semi-direct leads and from vectorcardiography. Correlation with known clinical and pathologic data has been excellent.
LOAD RESPONSE OF TRANSPORTATION SUPPORT SYSTEMS

A method of analysis incorporating the finite element method and a failure model for granular and subgrade soils based on the Mohr-Coulomb theory, together with nonlinear material properties has been developed for the purpose of determining stresses and resilient deformations in transportation support systems. Analytical predictions of resilient deformations for an existing pavement agree reasonably well with measured values under impulse loading. Analyses using the proposed method indicate that although strength of granular base and subgrade may not affect their resilient deformations, it could have a significant influence on their permanent deformation behavior under repearted loads.