cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Financing decisions as a source of conflict in venture boards

Abstract Governance scholarship has suggested that venture boards should be structured so as to stimulate internal conflict. However, structure is a weak predictor of board effectiveness. Moreover, conflict can be dysfunctional, especially when it is focused on relationships rather than tasks. We show that venture boards experience more relationship conflict when they make financing decisions that involve devaluation of the venture and that this effect is moderated by whether the CEO is a founder. Our findings should prompt venture governance scholars to reconsider the importance of board structure, the value of board conflict and the behavior of founder- versus non-founder CEOs.
Administration of a Dialectical Spanish Version and Standard English Version of the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test

This study investigated whether significant differences existed in the scores obtained by a sample of children of Mexican descent when administered a Spanish version and the standard English version of the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test. Subjects were 78 Spanish-surnamed children from three small, rural school districts in south central Texas. They were divided into two groups one of which received Form A Spanish version followed by Form B standard English version and the other, Form A standard English version followed by Form B Spanish version. A groups-by-trials analysis of variance showed that subjects scored significantly higher on the standard English version of the Peabody. In light of these results it was suggested that it is not necessary to test a child in the Spanish language unless it has first been determined that his only language is Spanish.
Dispersion modeling approach for quantification of methane emission rates from natural gas fugitive leaks detected by infrared imaging technique

Abstract Recently, infrared optical imaging has been applied in the oil and gas industry as a method to detect potential leaks in pipelines, components and equipment. The EPA suggested that this impending technique is considered as a smart gas LDAR (leak detection, monitoring and repair) for its rapid recognition of leaks, accuracy and robustness. In addition, compared to the conventional method using Total Vapor Analyzer (TVA) or gas sniffer, it has several other advantages, such as the ability to perform real-time scanning and remote sensing, ability to provide area measurement instead of point measurement, and provide an image of the gas which is not visible to naked eye. However, there is still some limitation in the application of optical imaging techniques; it does not give any measurement of gas emissions rates or concentrations of the leaking gas. Infrared cameras can recognize a target gas and distinguish the gas from its surrounding up to a certain concentration, namely the minimum detectable concentration. The value of the minimum detectable concentration depends on the camera design, environmental conditions and surface characteristics when the measurement is taken. This paper proposed a methodology to predict gas emissions rates from the size of the dispersed gas plume or cloud to the minimum detectable concentration. The gas emissions rate is predicted from the downwind distance and the height of the cloud at the minimum detectable concentration for different meteorological conditions. Gas release and dispersion from leaks in natural gas pipeline systems is simulated, and the results are presented.
Diffusion tensor imaging reveals regional differences in the cervical spinal cord in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Abstract Therapeutic development in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is hampered by the lack of suitable biomarkers that might be sensitive to spatial and temporal patterns of neurodegeneration. Diffusion tensor imaging is a useful non-invasive tool that permits detection of microstructural tissue changes due, for example, to neurodegeneration. Even though the spinal cord bears the brunt of the disease process, diffusion tensor imaging has mainly been used to study white matter changes in the brain. The aim of this study was to examine the diffusion tensor imaging parameters of the cervical spinal cord (C1 through C6 segments) and brainstem (corticospinal tracts in the pyramids and pons) among ALS patients, to compare these to findings in age-matched healthy controls, and to correlate these differences with clinical measures of disease severity. Fractional anisotropy in the white matter of the cervical cord was 12% lower ( p n = 14) compared to age-matched healthy control subjects ( n = 15), and showed significant positive correlation with the average finger and foot tapping speed ( r = 0.61, p p r = −0.69, p r = −0.59, p r = −0.55, p
Efficacy and complication rates of full-thickness skin graft repair of lower extremity wounds after Mohs micrographic surgery

RESULTS Seventy-two of 80 cases (90%) had full graft survival, six (7.5%) had partial failure, and two (2.5%) had complete failure. In the cases where grafts had failed, wounds healed by secondary intention without further complications. Other complications included infections in nine (11%) cases and hematoma formation in two (2.5%). CONCLUSION FTSG is a consistent and safe reconstructive option for the management of lower extremity wounds after MMS. The authors have indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters.
Selection of silk-binding peptides by phage display

Peptides that bind to silkworm-derived silk fibroin fiber were selected from a phage-displayed random peptide library. The selected silk-binding peptides contained a consensus sequence QSWS which is important for silk-binding as confirmed by binding assays using phage and synthetic peptides. With further optimization, we anticipate that the silk-binding peptides will be useful for functionalization of silk for biomaterial applications.
Vitamin D Status in Abused and Nonabused Children Younger Than 2 Years Old With Fractures

OBJECTIVE: To examine vitamin D levels in children with (1) suspected abusive and accidental fractures, (2) single and multiple fractures, and (3) fracture types highly associated with inflicted trauma. DESIGN AND METHODS: A study of children younger than 2 years of age with fractures admitted to a large children9s hospital was performed. Bivariate analysis and test for trend were performed to test for the association of vitamin D status and biochemical markers of bone health with the primary outcomes of fracture etiology, number, and type. RESULTS: Of 118 subjects in the study, 8% had deficient vitamin D levels ( CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D insufficiency was common in young children with fractures but was not more common than in previously studied healthy children. Vitamin D insufficiency was not associated with multiple fractures or diagnosis of child abuse. Nonaccidental trauma remains the most common cause of multiple fractures in young children.
Spatial hardware implementation for sparse graph algorithms in GraphStep

How do we develop programs that are easy to express, easy to reason about, and able to achieve high performance on massively parallel machinesq To address this problem, we introduce GraphStep, a domain-specific compute model that captures algorithms that act on static, irregular, sparse graphs. In GraphStep, algorithms are expressed directly without requiring the programmer to explicitly manage parallel synchronization, operation ordering, placement, or scheduling details. Problems in the sparse graph domain are usually highly concurrent and communicate along graph edges. Exposing concurrency and communication structure allows scheduling of parallel operations and management of communication that is necessary for performance on a spatial computer. We study the performance of a semantic network application, a shortest-path application, and a max-flow/min-cut application. We introduce a language syntax for GraphStep applications. The total speedup over sequential versions of the applications studied ranges from a factor of 19 to a factor of 15,000. Spatially-aware graph optimizations (e.g., node decomposition, placement and route scheduling) delivered speedups from 3 to 30 times over a spatially-oblivious mapping.
Gender Inequality in Chinese Politics: An Empirical Analysis of Provincial Elites

Since its foundation, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has promoted gender equality, at least at the level of official rhetoric. Despite some progress in their social and economic lives, women have not been able to make headway in Chinese politics. Many scholars have studied this topic, but due to the CCP's political sensitivity, systematic data are not available. Drawing on a unique data set about provincial-level elites, I quantify gender inequality in Chinese politics and test several commonly held hypotheses. Although most empirical studies of Chinese women in politics focus on the National People's Congress (NPC), this paper focuses on officials in the Party-State, on the grounds that they wield more power than members of the NPC. Female leaders of the Party-State are more likely to be drawn from nonparty members and to occupy less prestigious positions than male leaders. There is no evidence, however, indicating that women and ethnic minority status are associated, or that women face more difficulties entering more powerful branches of the Party-State. Cross-regional analysis finds that political institutions, socioeconomic conditions, and culture have all played some role in promoting or hindering women's political careers.An earlier version of this paper was presented at the 2004 Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association, Chicago. I thank Louise Davidson-Schmich, Ying Huang, Marc Moskowitz, Dali Yang, two editors, and three anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments and excellent suggestions. Anesa Uda-Diaz has offered excellent research support.
Mechanical obstacles to the movement of continent‐bearing plates

Selected geophysical problems associated with the concept of continental drift as an incidental corollary of plate movement are discussed. The problems include the absence of a suitable plate-driving mechanism for plates with continental leading edges, the absence of the low-velocity zone under shields, and continental roots of 400 to 700 km depths. It is shown that if continental drift occurs, it must use mechanisms not now understood, or that it may not occur at all, plate movement being confined to ocean basins.
Cervical Dystonia: Disease Profile and Clinical Management

Cervical dystonia, the most common focal dystonia, frequently results in cervical pain and disability as well as impairments affecting postural control. The predominant treatment for cervical dystonia is provided by physicians, and treatment can vary from pharmacological to surgical. Little literature examining more conservative approaches, such as physical therapy, exists. This article reviews the etiology and pathophysiology of the disease as well as medical and physical therapist management for people with cervical dystonia.
Automated security checking and patching using TestTalk

In many computer system security incidents, attackers successfully intruded computer systems by exploiting known weaknesses. Those computer systems remained vulnerable even after the vulnerabilities were known because it requires constant attention to stay on top of security updates. It is often both time-consuming and error-prone to manually apply security patches to deployed systems. To solve this problem, we propose to develop a framework for automated security checking and patching. The framework, named Securibot, provides a self-operating mechanism for security checking and patching. Securibot performs security testing using security profiles and security updates. It can also detect compromised systems using attack signatures. Most important, the Securibot framework allows system vendors to publish recently discovered security weaknesses and new patches in a machine-readable form so that the Securibot system running on deployed systems can automatically check out security updates and apply the patches.
Cardiac Chiari Network as an Etiology for Embolic Stroke

The Chiari network is a congenital remnant in the right atrium. It is not commonly associated wtih clinical complications. We report the first case of medically treated embolic stroke in a patient with a cardiac Chiari network and a patent foramen ovale. A 59-year-old woman without cardiac history or signs presented with multiple cerebral infarctions in both the anterior and posterior cerebral circulations. Standard evaluation for cerebral infarction was unrevealing. Transesophageal echocardiography demonstrated a Chiari network in the right atrium and a right-to-left shunt. The Chiari network appeared thickened. After anticoagulation with warfarin, the patient developed no new symptoms of stroke, and repeat transesophageal echocardiography showed resolution of the presumed thrombus on the Chiari network. In workup of patients with ischemic strokes of unknown etiology, transesophageal echocardiography should be considered as an important method for comprehensive evaluation of the right atrium.
Regression Equations for Determining Body Composition of Young Chicks

Abstract Whole chick carcasses from three separate studies were analyzed on day 21 posthatching for moisture (freeze-drying), protein (macro-kjeldahl) and fat (ether-methanol extraction). Wide differences in body composition were obtained by feeding purified diets varying in amino acid quantity and quality. Body water concentrations ranging from 58 to 74% resulted in protein concentrations of 14.2 to 19.1% and fat concentrations of 3.0 to 23.7%. Percent body fat (YF) decreased linearly (P
Trunk muscle recruitment patterns in specific chronic low back pain populations

Background. It is hypothesized that injury or degeneration of osteoligamentous spinal structures would require compensation by trunk musculature and alterations in motor control to maintain spine stability. While, biomechanical modeling has supported this hypothesis, studies of muscle recruitment patterns in chronic low back pain patients both with and without significant osteoligamentous damage have been limited. This study utilized a non-randomized case-control design to investigate trunk muscle recruitment patterns around the neutral spine position between subgroups of patients with chronic mechanical low back pain and asymptomatic controls. Methods. Twenty subjects with chronic low back pain attributed to clinical lumbar instability were matched to 20 asymptomatic controls. In addition 12 patients with non-specific chronic low back pain were studied. Surface EMG from five trunk muscles was analyzed to determine activation levels and patterns of recruitment during a standing reach under two different loading conditions. Findings. The chronic low back pain group with symptoms attributed to clinical instability demonstrated significantly higher activation levels of the external oblique and rectus abdominus muscles and lower abdominal synergist ratios than the control group. No significant differences were found between patient subgroups. Interpretation. While these data demonstrate altered muscle recruitment patterns in patients with chronic low back pain, the changes are not consistent with Panjabis theory suggesting that these alterations are driven by passive subsystem damage. However, the higher activation of global abdominal musculature and altered synergist patterns may represent a motor control pattern that has consequences for continued dysfunction and chronic pain. 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Functional imaging of angiogenesis in an orthotopic model of Pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is a major unsolved health problem. The estimated overall 5-year survival rate of only 1-4% is due to aggressiveness of the disease and the lack of effective systemic therapies. Most pancreatic cancer-related deaths are due to the development of metastases, which represents the culmination of a complex interaction between the host organism and neoplastic cells within the primary tumor. Therefore, the study of tumor-host interaction in the context of the whole organism is necessary to evaluate the pathogenesis of tumor growth and metastasis so that effective therapies can be developed. Recent advances in functional imaging combined with animal models that faithfully recreate the biology of human tumors have elevated our ability to examine these complex interactions. In this review, we will use the example of orthotopic mouse models of pancreatic cancer as a tool to survey the challenges and possibilities of functional imaging of angiogenesis, a critical determinant of metastasis.
Multilevel selection and effects of keystone hyperaggressive males on mating success and behavior in stream water striders

Aggression is a behavioral trait that has important implications for many issues in behavioral ecology at both the individual and group level, including variation in individual fitness, mating patterns, social dynamics, and group fitness. Here, we examine the effects of aggression and hyperaggression (the tendency of some males to aggressively attempt to mate with other males or with pairs) on male and female behavior and group and individual mating success in stream water striders (Aquarius remigis). Our results showed that males displaying hyperaggressive behavior play a keystone role in reducing group mating by reducing the activity, aggression, and use of open microhabitats by other males who share a pool with hyperaggressive males; that is, group selection acted against hyperaggressiveness. In contrast, the presence of hyperaggressive males had little detectable effect on the behavior of females. This was likely due to offsetting effects where negative effects of hyperaggressive males on female activity or use of open microhabitats were countered by hyperaggressive males reducing harassment of females by non-hyperaggressive males. On average, hyperaggressive males gained little or no mating benefit from their behavior although there was a trend for the most hyperaggressive males to gain higher mating success than other males in the same pool.
Local control of phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate signaling in the Golgi apparatus by Vps74 and Sac1 phosphoinositide phosphatase

In the Golgi apparatus, lipid homeostasis pathways are coordinated with the biogenesis of cargo transport vesicles by phosphatidylinositol 4-kinases (PI4Ks) that produce phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PtdIns4P), a signaling molecule that is recognized by downstream effector proteins. Quantitative analysis of the intra-Golgi distribution of a PtdIns4P reporter protein confirms that PtdIns4P is enriched on the trans-Golgi cisterna, but surprisingly, Vps74 (the orthologue of human GOLPH3), a PI4K effector required to maintain residence of a subset of Golgi proteins, is distributed with the opposite polarity, being most abundant on cis and medial cisternae. Vps74 binds directly to the catalytic domain of Sac1 (K(D) = 3.8 μM), the major PtdIns4P phosphatase in the cell, and PtdIns4P is elevated on medial Golgi cisternae in cells lacking Vps74 or Sac1, suggesting that Vps74 is a sensor of PtdIns4P level on medial Golgi cisternae that directs Sac1-mediated dephosphosphorylation of this pool of PtdIns4P. Consistent with the established role of Sac1 in the regulation of sphingolipid biosynthesis, complex sphingolipid homeostasis is perturbed in vps74Δ cells. Mutant cells lacking complex sphingolipid biosynthetic enzymes fail to properly maintain residence of a medial Golgi enzyme, and cells lacking Vps74 depend critically on complex sphingolipid biosynthesis for growth. The results establish additive roles of Vps74-mediated and sphingolipid-dependent sorting of Golgi residents.
Effect of an In-Clinic IPV Advocate Intervention to Increase Help Seeking, Reduce Violence, and Improve Well-Being:

This quasi-experimental study investigated the efficacy of clinic-based advocacy for intimate partner violence (IPV) to increase help seeking, reduce violence, and improve women’s well-being. Eligible and consenting women attending one of six selected clinics in the rural Southern United States were assessed for IPV. Consenting women disclosing IPV were offered either an in-clinic advocate intervention or usual care, depending on the clinic they attended and were followed for up to 24 months. Over follow-up time both IPV scores and depressive symptoms trended toward greater decline among women in the advocate intervention clinics relative to the usual care (business card referral only).
Cross-Flow at Anterior Communicating Artery and Implication in Cerebral Aneurysm Formation

The anterior communication artery (ACOM) connects the right and left anterior cerebral artery and establishes contra-lateral flow, permiting perfusion of brain at both sides. While the artery itself is very short in length and small in size, 35% of ruptured aneurysms are found to form at the ACOM [1] and these aneurysms also rupture when they are small [2].Copyright © 2009 by ASME
An experimental investigation of the trailing edge noise mechanism

An experimental investigation has been conducted to understand the physical mechanism of noise generation from a turbulent wall jet discharging over a flat plate and interacting with its sharp trailing edge. An aspect ratio 10 rectangular nozzle was used to provide the wall jet. Measurements made consist of farfield noise, surface pressure fluctuations, turbulent velocity fluctuations, and two-point space-time cross-correlations among these quantities. Results are presented which suggest strongly that the generation mechanism is the interaction of the convecting large scale quasi-orderly disturbance in the upper free shear layer of the wall jet with the trailing edge. The interaction also excites large scale strong vortical motion in the trailing edge wake. The dominant part of the sound field is highly coherent and in phase opposition across the trailing edge.
Is Choking others Really Equivalent to Stamping One's Feet? An Analysis of Adaptive Behavior Scale Items

The specific items making up the domains on Part II of the Adaptive Behavior Scale were rated for degree of severity by 9 psychologists and 5 psychiatric social workers. On 12 of the 13 domains items were rated as significantly different in degree of severity.
An Interactive GACV Model for Tumor Image Segmentation

Objective:In order to segment tumor to measure the area of the tumor in medical images.Methods:An interactive method using GACV model is presented.GACV model combines two famous different active contours,unifying gradient and intensity information of image into one framework.Then the GACV model is implemented on the user-selected interested region which contains the object and starts with a seed insider the region defining by the user too.The results of GACV model have unexpected regions which lie both inside and outside of the object respectively,therefore a dilated searching algorithm without damaging contour is proposed.Refining the results is obtained by GACV model using the searching algorithm.Resaults:Experimental results on tumor images show that this model can detect objects from complex background effectively,comparing with the results of CV model and GAC(Geodesic Active Contour) model.Conclusions:The proposed segmentation method can identify the tumor region efficiently and accurately.
Subureteral Collagen Injection for the Endoscopic Treatment of Vesicoureteral Reflux in Children. Followup Study of 97 Treated Ureters and Histological Analysis of Collagen Implants

Abstract Endoscopic subureteral injection has become an established alternative means for treating vesicoureteral reflux in select children. However, which injection material to use remains a controversy. Polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon) has been injected in more than a thousand patients with few complications, although experimental and clinical studies have demonstrated migration of the injected particles into distant organs, such as the lungs and the brain, as well as local and metastatic granuloma formation. Therefore, we introduced, following experimental studies in the mini-pig model, glutaraldehyde cross-linked, highly purified bovine collagen † for injection. Between June 1988 and October 1991, 97 refluxing ureters in 66 children were treated by endoscopic subureteral collagen injection. In 58.8% of the ureters reflux was cured after 1 and in 77.3% after 2 injections. Considering improvement to grades I and II reflux without further treatment as success, the success rate increased to 68.0% after 1 and to 89.7% after 2 injections. Mean followup was 18.5 months (range 3 to 39 months). After 2 failed injections the patients either returned to antibiotic long-term prophylaxis or the reflux was operatively corrected. The operative procedure was never compromised by the preceding injection. A direct correlation between deficient length of the submucosal tunnel of the intravesical ureter and the iatrogenic malposition of the collagen deposits, and the failures could be demonstrated. Granuloma formation at the site of injection was not found. The results of the histological Investigation of the collagen deposits removed at open ureteral reimplantation for failures are reported. It could be demonstrated that endogenous fibroblasts invade the bovine collagen implant and that these cells show active production of new human collagen, types I and III, replacing the implant.
Hybrid shuttle bus using ultracapacitors

The Electric Vehicle Institute, College of Technology at Bowling Green State University in Ohio has developed a diesel/electric hybrid propulsion system. This system has been installed in a 27 passenger shuttle bus. This bus has recently been put into shuttle service on campus in order to collect application data, receive feedback from professional operators and provide a demonstration of the suitability of the system for service. This paper describes the hybrid system, explains the operation, and elaborates on the reason for choosing the electrical energy storage system type, ultracapacitors
Dielectric properties of Teflon from room temperature to 314°C and from frequencies of 10 2 to 10 5 c/s

Measurements of dielectric constant, dielectric loss and d.c. conductivity of Teflon were made from room temperature to temperatures just below the 327°C first order transition point and from frequencies of 102 to 105 c/s on the high temperature sample holder described in the previous paper. Throughout this entire temperature and frequency range the dissipation factor never exceeds the smallest observable value, i.e., 2 ×10−4 and, consequently, there is no significant frequency dependence of the dielectric constant at any temperature. The d.c. conductivity is always less than its smallest observable value, i.e., 2 × 10−15 mho/cm, throughout this entire temperature range. The dielectric constant is computed to decrease from about 2.02 at 24°C to about 1.84 at 300°C. Its temperature dependence is in approximate agreement with values predicted from the experimental thermal expansion coefficient and the Clausius-Mosotti equation.
Pema and Me

This writing is the result of the professional development opportunity offered through the College of Education where, together with colleagues, I participated in an arts-based autoethnography exploring our vulnerabilities as educators and as teachers of educators.
The protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibitor MSI-1436 stimulates regeneration of heart and multiple other tissues.

Regenerative medicine holds substantial promise for repairing or replacing tissues and organs damaged by disease, injury, and degeneration. Much of the field has focused on development of cell-based therapeutics, gene-based therapeutics, and tissue engineering-based therapeutics. In contrast, development of small molecule regenerative medicine therapies is an emerging area. Using the adult zebrafish as a novel screening platform, we identified MSI-1436 as a first-in-class regenerative medicine drug candidate. MSI-1436 is a naturally occurring aminosterol that inhibits protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B. Treatment of adult zebrafish by intraperitoneal injection of MSI-1436 increased the rate of regeneration of the amputated caudal fin, which is comprised of bone, connective, skin, vascular and nervous tissues and also increased the rate of adult zebrafish heart regeneration. Intraperitoneal administration of MSI-1436 to adult mice for 4 weeks after induction of myocardial infarction increased survival, improved heart function, reduced infarct size, reduced ventricular wall thinning and increased cardiomyocyte proliferation. Satellite cell activation in injured mouse skeletal muscle was stimulated by MSI-1436. MSI-1436 was well tolerated by patients in Phase 1 and 1b obesity and type 2 diabetes clinical trials. Doses effective at stimulating regeneration are 5–50-times lower than the maximum well tolerated human dose. The demonstrated safety and well established pharmacological properties of MSI-1436 underscore the potential of this molecule as a novel treatment for heart attack and multiple other degenerative diseases. A naturally occurring small molecule shows promise as a drug for tissue and organ repair and regeneration. Viravuth Yin of the Kathryn W. Davis Center for Regenerative Biology and Medicine with colleagues in the US found that treating zebrafish with an intraperitoneal injection of MSI-1436, which inhibits the enzyme ‘protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B’, increased the rate of regeneration of an amputated caudal fin and of partially removed heart muscle without apparent tissue malformation. Intraperitoneal injection of MSI-1436 in adult mice also reduced the size of an induced heart infarction, improved survivability, triggered new heart muscle formation and stimulated regeneration after skeletal muscle injury. Effective doses for tissue regeneration in both animals were much lower than the maximum tolerated doses found for humans in clinical trials for potential treatment of obesity and diabetes.
Pitfalls and Risks of Tendon Harvest About the Knee

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are becoming increasingly common (Griffin et al. 2006). In the early 2000s, it was estimated 100,000 to 175,000 reconstructions were performed in the United States each year (Gottlob et al. 1999; Lyman et al. 2009). ACL reconstruction involving the use of graft tissue harvested, or taken directly from the patient, is known as an autograft, while graft taken from a cadaver is known as an allograft (Mcguire and Hendricks 2007).Autografts are most frequently made by harvesting the patient’s own patellar tendon or hamstring (HT). Patellar tendon, also known as “bone– patellar tendon–bone” (BTB) grafts, is derived from the middle third of the patellar ligament. Though surgeons may have their own preferences about the best type of graft, studies have demonstrated that both BTB and HT have high rates of success (Mcguire and Hendricks 2007).
The effect of composition on spinel equilibrium and crystal size in high-level waste glass

The equilibrium concentration (Co) of spinel was measured in 16 high-level waste (HLW) glasses as a function of temperature (T). Glasses were formulated by increasing or decreasing concentrations of Al2O3, Cr2O3, Fe2O3, Li2O, MgO, Na2O, or NiO, one-at-a-time, from a baseline composition. Data were fitted using the quasi-ideal-solution relationship between Co and T. The coefficients of this relationship were expressed as functions of glass composition using first-order approximation. All glass components had an effect on liquidus temperature (TL), but only NiO and Fe2O3 had a significant impact on spinel concentration below TL. The temperature at which Co had a given value was also expressed as a function of glass composition. These results can be used to optimize a HLW glass formulation to meet a constraint of either no spinel or a limited spinel fraction in the melter. In addition, the measurement of the size of spinel crystals and subsequent calculation of crystal number density (n) showed that Cr2O4 and Al2O3 increase n.
Speech recognition error patterns for steady-state noise and interrupted speech

Listening in various types of adverse listening conditions may lead to different errors in speech recognition. Young adults repeated sentences degraded by steady-state noise or periodically interrupted by noise preserved at varying proportions. Recognition errors were analyzed according to the noise type and speech proportion. Across noise types, as word recognition decreased, the occurrence of phonemic substitutions and whole word omissions increased. Listeners made more whole word omission and substitution errors during steady-state noise. Part word errors occurred most frequently when listening to speech presented in steady-state noise or interrupted by noise with the smallest speech proportion preserved.
The global therapist competence scale for youth psychosocial treatment: Development and initial validation

Objective We describe the development and initial psychometric properties of the observer-rated Global Therapist Competence Scale for Youth Psychosocial Treatment (G-COMP) in the context of cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) for youth anxiety disorders. Method Independent coders rated 744 sessions from a sample of 68 youth (mean age = 10.56 years) using the G-COMP and the instruments of alliance, involvement, CBT adherence, CBT competence. Results Inter-rater reliability coefficients, ICC(2,2), were greater than .60 for the 5 G-COMP domain scores. G-COMP scores yielded small to medium correlations with instruments of alliance (rs = .17–.44) and youth involvement in treatment (rs = .08–.53), and medium to large correlations with instruments of CBT competence and adherence (rs = .26–.63). Therapists in the research setting were rated higher compared to newly trained therapists in community clinics. Conclusion Preliminary reliability and validity of the G-COMP are promising, but future research is needed with non-CBT samples.
Blood pressure in heart failure: a love-hate relationship.

Lowering blood pressure (BP) in patients with hypertension is probably one of the most important population-based preventive measures for heart failure. In caring for patients with hypertension, the sphygmomanometer remains the key tool for titrating antihypertensive therapy to achieve and ensure
DNA, Knots and Tangles

The DNA of all organisms has a complex and essential topology. Each cell has a family of naturally occurring enzymes that manipulate cellular DNA in topologically interesting and non-trivial ways in order to mediate the vital cellular life processes of replication, transcription and recombination. In order to assay enzyme binding and mechanism, molecular biologists developed the topological approach to enzymology, an experimental protocol in which one reacts small artificial circular DNA substrate molecules with purified enzyme in vitro (in the test tube). The enzyme acts on the DNA substrate, causing changes in the geometry (supercoiling) and/or topology (knotting and linking) of the DNA molecules. Once change in topology of the DNA is known, mathematical analysis can be employed to tease out the structure of the active DNA-protein complex and the changes in that structure due to enzyme mechanism. This paper will describe the tangle model and apply it to the case of site-specific DNA recombination.
Consumer preferences for and beliefs about slow growth chicken

Improvements in genetics, feed, and housing have dramatically reduced the time required for broilers to reach market weight. However, some advocacy organizations have argued that the improvements in productivity have been accompanied by reductions in animal welfare and meat quality, prompting retailers to consider policies that either set a minimum number of days of production or require slower-growing heritage breeds. The overriding purpose of this project is to determine the market potential and consumer willingness-to-pay for chicken breast with different labels, with primary focus on slow growth labels. A national survey of over 2,000 US chicken consumers was conducted. A choice experiment, which simulates retail purchases, was included to compare slow growth chicken breast demand for consumers exposed to different types of information and who made choices in the presence or absence of brands. Willingness-to-pay for slow growth chicken, and importance of the attribute in consumer choice, is sensitive to the information provided and is generally lower in importance than other labels, except when consumers are provided pro slow growth information. There are multiple market segments consisting of consumers with distinct preferences for chicken breast attributes. Depending on the treatment in question, 30 to 40% of consumers are insensitive to price changes. If presented with a pairwise choice between slow growth chicken priced at a $0.72/lb premium, an estimated extra cost of slow growth, and an unlabeled chicken breast, slow growth is projected to be chosen by 37, 48, and 35% of respondents in the no added information, pro slow growth, and anti slow growth information conditions, respectively.
From erotic desire to egalitarian romantic passion: The translation and transformation of love in late Qing China

Informed by the sociological theory of “Conventionalization” developed by Frederick Bartlett, the article examines transformations the expression “love” brought to the indigenous Chinese socio-moral-emotive paradigm during the early twentieth century. It focuses on examining usages and semantic connotations of “ai“ 愛, a loose Chinese equivalence of love, in Yinbiān yanyǔ 吟邊燕語 (Chanting the Swallows’ Talks), a translation by Lin Shū 林紓 (1852–1924) of Charles and Mary Lamb’s Tales from Shakespeare published in 1904, a time that witnessed a vast number of translation projects as well as the transformative impacts they brought to China. By illustrating how “ai“ in Lin’s translation has departed radically from its traditional usages as depicted in the mid-Qing novel The Story of the Stone (紅樓夢 Honglou meng) and become a close equivalence of the western notion of love, the article shows that the Chinese’s emotional experiences during the early modern period may in all likelihood be different from those of the West, but the two seem to have become increasing comparable. When we seek to understand modern Chinese emotional experience, apart from asking how it is ethnically, socially, culturally, historically different, it might be equally important to ask in what ways the West has made it different from before, and how it has managed to retain its unique identity during a time of radical transformation.
Antimicrobial Resistance in Shigella Species

As with many other bacterial pathogens, Shigella species have acquired the genetic determinants to become resistant to many antibiotics used to fight bacterial infections. Antibiotic resistance by Shigella species is now a global issue and the rise in multidrug-resistant strains poses critical concerns for the future treatment of infected individuals. Traditional first-line antibiotic treatment included ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (co-trimoxazole), and nalidixic acid but resistance to these antimicrobials by Shigella spp. has become so widespread that they are no longer effective and therefore not recommended. Ciprofloxacin has become the antibiotic of choice for multiple-drug-resistant strains, however, resistance to this antimicrobial has been recorded worldwide. Alternative choices for patient treatment of all ages include other fluoroquinolones, pivmecillinam (amdinocillin pivoxil), and ceftriaxone, whereas azithromycin can be used to treat adults.
Anomalously Beneficial Gate-Length Scaling Trend of Negative Capacitance Transistors

The Negative Capacitance Field Effect Transistors exhibit excellent SS and DIBL improvements from the control MOSFET devices at very short gate lengths, a phenomenon which cannot be explained using conventional MOSFET theory. This benefit arises from an effect which acts similarly to decreasing the equivalent-oxide thickness at short gate lengths. The effect is observed in both TCAD simulations and experiments, and is explained by the conjunction of the source/drain inner fringing field and the nonlinear polarizability of ferroelectric materials. The results present a sharp contrast to conventional scaling theory and bode well for extending the MOSFET gate length scaling limit.
Love My Body: Pilot Study to Understand Reproductive Health Vulnerabilities in Adolescent Girls.

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are on the rise in the United States, and adolescent girls (15-19 years old) are more susceptible to acquiring STIs than their male peers. The co-occurrence of alcohol use and sexual risk taking contribute significantly to STI acquisition. Mobile health (mHealth) interventions are ideally suited for our target population and have demonstrated increases in STI testing in young people, as well as reductions in alcohol use. Objective: This pilot study used both qualitative and quantitative methods to explore the views of adolescent girls (age range 15-19 years old; 74.6%, 279/374 white) on the desired qualities and content of an mHealth app for sexual health. Methods: We conducted nine 60-min in-depth interviews (IDIs) to gather information and identify themes of sexual health and alcohol use, and we tested the feasibility of using a two-week social media campaign to collect survey information regarding sexual health risk in adolescent girls. Results: We iteratively coded IDIs and identified major themes around pressure of alcohol use, lack of STI knowledge, male pressure to not use condoms, and pregnancy as a worse outcome than STIs. Results from the web-based survey on risky health behaviors, which was completed by 367 participants, support the use of a sexual health app designed for girls. Conclusions: Future work will integrate these themes to inform the development of a culturally sensitive mHealth app to prevent STIs among adolescent girls.
Reducing Stress PERKs up Anti-tumor Immunity

Summary Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) can promote tumor progression. In this issue of Immunity, Mohamed et al. show that the unfolded protein response sensor, PERK, enhances MDSC-mediated immunosuppression through the NRF2 transcription factor, preventing oxidative damage, mitochondrial DNA release, and DNA sensor-STING-dependent type I interferon production.
Higher Order Linear State Models

In this chapter physical processes are considered which require more than two state variables for their description. A few theoretical results are first indicated and then the theory is used to develop and analyze state models for several physical processes.
Higher-order methods for convex-concave min-max optimization and monotone variational inequalities.

We provide improved convergence rates for constrained convex-concave min-max problems and monotone variational inequalities with higher-order smoothness. In min-max settings where the $p^{th}$-order derivatives are Lipschitz continuous, we give an algorithm HigherOrderMirrorProx that achieves an iteration complexity of $O(1/T^{\frac{p+1}{2}})$ when given access to an oracle for finding a fixed point of a $p^{th}$-order equation. We give analogous rates for the weak monotone variational inequality problem. For $p>2$, our results improve upon the iteration complexity of the first-order Mirror Prox method of Nemirovski [2004] and the second-order method of Monteiro and Svaiter [2012]. We further instantiate our entire algorithm in the unconstrained $p=2$ case.
MD-Vibe: physics-informed analysis of patient-induced structural vibration data for monitoring gait health in individuals with muscular dystrophy

We introduce a footstep-induced floor vibration sensing system that enables us to quantify the gait pattern of individuals with Muscular Dystrophy (MD) in non-clinical settings. MD is a neuromuscular disorder causing progressive loss of muscle, which leads to symptoms in gait patterns such as toe-walking, frequent falls, balance difficulty, etc. Existing systems that are used for progressive tracking include pressure mats, wearable devices, or direct observation by healthcare professionals. However, they are limited by operational requirements including dense deployment, users' device carrying, special training, etc. To overcome these limitations, we introduce a new approach that senses floor vibrations induced by human footsteps. Gait symptoms in these footsteps are reflected by the vibration signals, which enables monitoring of gait health for individuals with MD. Our approach is non-intrusive, unrestricted by line-of-sight, and thus suitable for in-home deployment. To develop our approach, we characterize the gait pattern of individuals with MD using vibration signals, and infer the health state of the patients based on both symptom-based and signal-based features. However, there are two main challenges: 1) different aspects of human gaits are mixed up in footstep-induced floor vibrations; and 2) structural heterogeneity distorts vibration propagation and attenuation through the floor medium. To overcome the first challenge, we characterize the symptom-based gait features of the footstep-induced floor vibration specific to MD. To minimize the performance inconsistency across different sensing locations in the building, we reduce the structural effects by removing the free-vibration phase due to structural damping. With these two challenges addressed, we evaluate our system performance by conducting a real-world experiment with six patients with MD and seven healthy participants. Our approach achieved 96% accuracy in predicting whether the footstep was from a patient with MD.
Preventing challenging behavior: 10 behavior management strategies every teacher should know

In response to the call for inclusion, teachers are now managing challenging behavior in the general education classroom at increased rates. Co-teaching has been relied on by many teachers in order...
Implications of Finite Clock Transition Time for LPTV Circuit Analysis

Modeling linear periodically time-varying (LPTV) circuits is challenging due to the presence of frequency translation. Many approaches have been proposed that simplify the analysis and provide intuition into the operation of these circuits. It is critical to select the proper model when designing LPTV systems: too complex, and intuition is lost; too simple, and numerical accuracy degrades. This work shows how a conversion matrix-based model can be used for mixer-first receivers with complex feedback in the presence of finite switch transitions. This model accurately predicts S 11 below −10 dB for all tested transition times, in contrast with prior models, which are shown to be invalid with transitions beyond 2% of the clock period. As a design tool, this approach models gain, harmonic rejection ratio, and noise figure within 0.1 dB of simulation with switch transitions even at 5% of the clock period.