cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Scalable probabilistic computing models using Bayesian networks

As technology scales below 100nm and operating frequencies increase, correct operation of nano-CMOS will be compromised due reduced device-to-device distance, imperfections, and low noise and voltage margins. Unlike traditional faults and defects, these errors are expected to be transient in nature. Unlike radiation related upset errors, the propensity of these transient errors will be higher. Due to these highly likely errors, it is more appropriate to model nano-domain computing as probabilistic rather than deterministic events. We propose the formalism of probabilistic Bayesian networks (BNs), which also forms a complete joint probability model, for probabilistic computing. Using the exact probabilistic inference scheme known as clustering, we show that for a circuit with about 250 gates the output error estimation time is less than three seconds on a 2GHz processor. This is three orders of magnitude faster than a recently proposed method for probabilistic computing using transfer matrices
The effect of drug and sexual risk behaviours with social network and non-network members on homeless youths' sexually transmissible infections and HIV testing

Background: The study examined whether engaging in drug and sexual risk behaviours with social network and non-network members (strangers) differentially affected the decision to test for sexually transmissible infections (STIs) and HIV. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 249 homeless youths aged 14–21 years. Results: Multivariate analyses revealed that females were over three times more likely than males to test for STIs (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 3.34; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.54–7.25). For every one unit increase in age, there was a 37% increase in the likelihood of having tested for STIs (AOR = 1.37; 95% CI = 1.12–1.68). Youths who had sex after using alcohol and drugs with strangers were approximately 3.5 times more likely to have tested for STIs (AOR = 3.45; 95% CI = 1.38–8.61). For every one unit increase in age, there was a 26% increase in the likelihood of having tested for HIV (AOR = 1.26; 95% CI = 1.05–1.51). Youths who had sex with a stranger after using alcohol or drugs were over three times more likely to test for HIV (AOR = 3.22; 95% CI = 1.42–7.31). No social network variables reached significance for STI or HIV testing. Conclusions: Being older and engaging in drug and sexual risk behaviours with strangers are important correlates of STI and HIV testing. Females are more likely than males to be tested for STIs. Engaging in risky behaviours with social network members was not a key factor in deciding whether to be tested.
Predictors of Successful Salpingo-Oophorectomy at the Time of Vaginal Hysterectomy

Abstract Study Objective To determine prognostic factors related to successful salpingo-oophorectomy in menopausal women at the time of vaginal hysterectomy. Design Retrospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force Classification II-2). Setting Tertiary care center. Patients A total of 309 postmenopausal ≥60 years old with pelvic floor disorders. Interventions Vaginal hysterectomy with attempted prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy. Measurements Factors associated with ability to achieve vaginal salpingo-oophorectomy. Main Results 203 (65.7%) achieved successful removal of 1 or both ovaries, and 106 (34.3%) were not amenable to removal. Younger age and shorter cervical length were predictors of salpingo-oophorectomy. Cervical elongation of ≥7 cm, exteriorized cervical/uterine prolapse, and anterior vaginal wall prolapse beyond the hymen were associated with lower likelihood of achieving salpingo-oophorectomy. Conclusions Patient age and cervical length are independent factors that influence the success of accomplishing salpingo-oophorectomy at the time of vaginal hysterectomy.
HCMV activates PI(3)K in monocytes and promotes monocyte motility and transendothelial migration in a PI(3)K-dependent manner.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in immu- nocompromised hosts. In immunocompetent hosts, HCMV is associated with chronic inflammatory dis- eases including atherosclerosis. Monocytes and macrophages are proposed to play key roles in HCMV dissemination to host tissue, and their infec- tion provides a biological link between the lifecycle of HCMV and disease pathology. We hypothesize that viral spread occurs via a mechanism in which infected peripheral blood monocytes, which are nonpermissive for viral replication, extravasate into host tissue and subsequently differentiate into permissive macrophages. Supporting this hypothe- sis, we recently showed that HCMV specifically in- duced the differentiation of monocytes into mac- rophages that become permissive for viral replica- tion. To expand our understanding of HCMV pathogenesis, we next examined monocyte activa- tion and migration, the first events in viral patho- genesis. We show here that HCMV up-regulates phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5 triphosphate kinase (PI(3)K) activity and that this increased PI(3)K activity is essential for infected monocyte-transen- dothelial migration. This increase in migration oc- curs through the up-regulation of cell motility in a PI(3)K-dependent process. Last, we show that these activated monocytes express a number of inflammatory mediators via PI(3)K signaling. We propose that the up-regulation of monocyte migra- tion and immune mediators by HCMV infection is required for the hematogenous dissemination of the virus and as a consequence, could promote chronic inflammatory diseases associated with HCMV infection. J. Leukoc. Biol. 76: 65-76; 2004.
Röntgens dritte Mitteilung: „Weitere Beobachtungen über die Eigenschaften der X-Strahlen.“ Entwicklung der Röntgenologie nach 1896

Im Marz 1897 erschien Rontgens dritte Mitteilung, die mit den vorliegenden Arbeiten ein organisches Ganzes bildet und daher abschliesend hier mitgeteilt wird:
Endoleak visualized with carbon dioxide angiography during endovascular aneurysm repair using the Endurant stent-graft.

PURPOSE To make interventionists aware of the potential for type IV endoleak on completion carbon dioxide (CO2) angiography during endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) using the Endurant stent-graft. CASE REPORT A 74-year-old man with chronic kidney disease underwent EVAR with an Endurant stent-graft using CO2 angiography to guide graft placement. Completion CO2 angiography demonstrated immediate accumulation of CO2 in the aneurysm sac suggestive of an endoleak, but confirmatory angiography with conventional iodinated contrast showed no evidence of an endoleak. We speculate that this is a type IV endoleak, and graft porosity may be responsible. CONCLUSION Interventionists should be alerted to the possibility of visualizing these endoleaks through Endurant stent-grafts under CO2 angiography. Further work should be done to elucidate the exact mechanism of the endoleak.
Atrial fibrillation and stroke: elucidating a newly discovered risk factor.

Abstract Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained arrhythmia reported in the United States; an estimated 1–2 million Americans have chronic nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. This disorder is associated with a substantial risk of stroke. Several recent studies provide evidence that anticoagulation therapy is indicated for stroke prevention in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation after recovery from a minor stroke. Clinical and echocardiographic criteria help to identify those patients who are at especially high risk for thromboembolic stroke and are candidates for carefully controlled anticoagulation. In an effort to reduce the possibility of thromboembolic events following either chemical or electrical cardioversion, the American College of Chest Physicians has recently prepared guidelines for the use of anticoagulation in the conversion of atrial fibrillation. The efficacy of antiarrhythmic drug therapy for cardioversion is often difficult to assess. Furthermore, it is associated with major risks, including heart failure and exacerbation of arrhythmia, and minor risks, including systemic intolerance. A new National Institutes of Health trial, Atrial Fibrillation Follow-up Investigation of Rhythm Management (AFFIRM), will clarify the true risks and benefits of antiarrhythmic therapy for conversion of atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm. Patients who cannot tolerate drug therapy may benefit from interruption of conduction in the bundle of His, followed by implantation of a permanent pacemaker, the use of radiofrequency energy ablation, or the implantation of an atrial defibrillator. Some patients may benefit from surgical procedures, such as left atrial isolation, the corridor operation, and the maze operation.
Lessons learned in adopting the in situ saphenous vein bypass

Abstract A 3-year experience with in situ saphenous vein bypasses was analyzed to evaluate the suitability of the conduit, the effect on vein utilization rate, the ease of valve ablation, the incidence of persistent arteriovenous (AV) fistula, the duration of the operation, and the nature of the learning curve to become adept at this technique. From 1981 through 1983, 74 patients underwent 55 femoral-tibial and 23 femoral-popliteal in situ saphenous vein bypasses. The operative indications were threatened limb loss in 76 (97%) and disabling claudication in 2 (3%); 35 of 74 patients (48%) were diabetic. In the last year pulsed Doppler spectrum analysis was added to arteriography for intraoperative graft assessment. For 55 femoral-tibial grafts measured by life-table patency rates at 30 days, only one femoral-popliteal graft failed (1½ years). Complete vein utilization was accomplished in 91% of the bypasses attempted. In 41 of the 78 (51%) grafts, vein diameter was 3.5 mm or less. Operative time decreased with experience. Pulsed Doppler spectral analysis has proved useful for intraoperative graft evaluation. The in situ saphenous vein has become the conduit of choice for infrageniculate bypass. (J VASC SURG 1985;2:145-53.)
Regularizing ad hoc retrieval scores

The cluster hypothesis states: closely related documents tend to be relevant to the same request. We exploit this hypothesis directly by adjusting ad hoc retrieval scores from an initial retrieval so that topically related documents receive similar scores. We refer to this process as score regularization. Score regularization can be presented as an optimization problem, allowing the use of results from semi-supervised learning. We demonstrate that regularized scores consistently and significantly rank documents better than unregularized scores, given a variety of initial retrieval algorithms. We evaluate our method on two large corpora across a substantial number of topics.
Comparison of messenger RNA distribution for 60 proteins in fat cells vs the nonfat cells of human omental adipose tissue

The messenger RNA (mRNA) distribution of 60 proteins was examined in the 3 fractions obtained by collagenase digestion (fat cells and the nonfat cells comprising the tissue remaining after collagenase digestion [matrix] and the stromovascular cells) of omental adipose tissue obtained from morbidly obese women undergoing bariatric surgery. Fat cells were enriched by at least 3-fold as compared with nonfat cells in the mRNAs for retinol binding protein 4, angiotensinogen, adipsin, glutathione peroxidase 3, uncoupling protein 2, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, cell death-inducing DFFA-like effector A, fat-specific protein 27, 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1, glycerol channel aquaporin 7, NADPH:quinone oxidoreductase 1, cyclic adenosine monophosphate phosphodiesterase 3B, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, insulin receptor, and amyloid A1. Fat cells were also enriched by at least 26-fold in the mRNAs for proteins involved in lipolysis such as hormone-sensitive lipase, lipoprotein lipase, adipose tissue triglyceride lipase, and FAT/CD36. The relative distribution of mRNAs in cultured preadipocytes was also compared with that of in vitro differentiated adipocytes derived from human omental adipose tissue. Cultured preadipocytes had far lower levels of the mRNAs for inflammatory proteins than the nonfat cells of omental adipose tissue. The nonfat cells were enriched by at least 5-fold in the mRNAs for proteins involved in the inflammatory response such as tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin lbeta, cyclooxygenase 2, interleukin 24, interleukin 6, and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 plus the mRNAs for osteopontin, vaspin, endothelin, angiotensin II receptor 1, butyrylcholinesterase, lipocalin 2, and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1. The cells in the adipose tissue matrix were enriched at least 3-fold as compared with the isolated stromovascular cells in the mRNAs for proteins related to the inflammatory response, as well as osteopontin and endothelial nitric oxide synthase. We conclude that the mRNAs for inflammatory proteins are primarily present in the nonfat cells of human omental adipose tissue.
Small and medium enterprises across the globe

This paper analyzes the relationship between the relative size of the small and medium enterprise (SME) Sector and the business environment in 76 countries. The paper first describes a new and unique cross-country database that presents consistent and comparable information on the contribution of the SME sector to total employment in manufacturing and GDP across different countries. We then relate the importance of SMEs and the informal economy to indicators of different dimensions of the business environment. We find that several dimensions of the business environment, such as lower costs of entry and better credit information sharing are associated with a larger size of the SME sector, while higher exit costs are associated with a larger informal economy.
Nanoscale Deformation Analysis With High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy and Digital Image Correlation

We present an application of the digital image correlation (DIC) method to high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) images for nanoscale deformation analysis. The combination of DIC and HRTEM offers both the ultrahigh spatial resolution and high displacement detection sensitivity that are not possible with other microscope-based DIC techniques. We demonstrate the accuracy and utility of the HRTEM-DIC technique through displacement and strain analysis on amorphous silicon. Two types of error sources resulting from the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image noise and electromagnetic-lens distortions are quantitatively investigated via rigid-body translation experiments. The local and global DIC approaches are applied for the analysis of diffusion- and reaction-induced deformation fields in electrochemically lithiated amorphous silicon. As a result, the DIC technique coupled with HRTEM provides a new avenue for the deformation analysis of materials at the nanometer length scales.
Call for an Intellectual Kshatriya

In the present scenario where people spend more time taking in media information than interacting with other people, media reports yield a tremendous influence on the readers’ mind down to a subconscious level. Media coverage today has an inordinate impact on the views of the populace in general and the administration in particular. 10000 people perishing in a famine in Sub-Saharan Africa might go unnoticed, but the killing of 10 Israelis is given wide coverage enough to impart a 180-degree turn to the foreign policy of the world’s sole superpower. It is in this recognition of the new global arena that has spurred certain vested interest groups to pump in billions of dollars to PR firms, advertisement agencies and lobbyists in an attempt to garner public support for their actions. In this regard, Indians in general and Hindus in particular have lagged behind considerably. This paper aims and hopes to provide ‘motivation, guidance and perhaps the inspiration’ to young Indians to take up the cause of the country through the pen and become intellectual warriors or Bauddhika Kshatriya-s. Dr David Frawley had first enunciated the concept of ‘Bauddhika Kshatriya’ in a classic article in the context of Hindu religion. The present paper extends the idea to the convergent realm of Indian nationalism, Indian religion and Indian culture.
Getting to the Root of the Problem in Experiential Learning: Using Problem Solving and Collective Reflection to Improve Learning Outcomes.

Experiential learning alone does not guarantee that students will accurately conceptualize content, or meet course outcomes in subsequent active experimentation stages. In an effort to more effecti...
Fully CMOS-compatible titanium nitride nanoantennas

CMOS-compatible fabrication of plasmonic materials and devices will accelerate the development of integrated nanophotonics for information processing applications. Using low-temperature plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD), we develop a recipe for fully CMOS-compatible titanium nitride (TiN) that is plasmonic in the visible and near infrared. Films are grown on silicon, silicon dioxide, and epitaxially on magnesium oxide substrates. By optimizing the plasma exposure per growth cycle during PEALD, carbon and oxygen contamination are reduced, lowering undesirable loss. We use electron beam lithography to pattern TiN nanopillars with varying diameters on silicon in large-area arrays. In the first reported single-particle measurements on plasmonic TiN, we demonstrate size-tunable darkfield scattering spectroscopy in the visible and near infrared regimes. The optical properties of this CMOS-compatible material, combined with its high melting temperature and mechanical durability, comprise a step towards fully CMOS-integrated nanophotonic information processing.
Task-Driven Tube Current Modulation and Regularization Design in Computed Tomography with Penalized-Likelihood Reconstruction.

Purpose: This work applies task-driven optimization to design CT tube current modulation and directional regularization in penalized-likelihood (PL) reconstruction. The relative performance of modulation schemes commonly adopted for filtered-backprojection (FBP) reconstruction were also evaluated for PL in comparison. Methods: We adopt a task-driven imaging framework that utilizes a patient-specific anatomical model and information of the imaging task to optimize imaging performance in terms of detectability index (d’). This framework leverages a theoretical model based on implicit function theorem and Fourier approximations to predict local spatial resolution and noise characteristics of PL reconstruction as a function of the imaging parameters to be optimized. Tube current modulation was parameterized as a linear combination of Gaussian basis functions, and regularization was based on the design of (directional) pairwise penalty weights for the 8 in-plane neighboring voxels. Detectability was optimized using a covariance matrix adaptation evolutionary strategy algorithm. Task-driven designs were compared to conventional tube current modulation strategies for a Gaussian detection task in an abdomen phantom. Results: The task-driven design yielded the best performance, improving d’ by ~20% over an unmodulated acquisition. Contrary to FBP, PL reconstruction using automatic exposure control and modulation based on minimum variance (in FBP) performed worse than the unmodulated case, decreasing d’ by 16% and 9%, respectively. Conclusions: This work shows that conventional tube current modulation schemes suitable for FBP can be suboptimal for PL reconstruction. Thus, the proposed task-driven optimization provides additional opportunities for improved imaging performance and dose reduction beyond that achievable with conventional acquisition and reconstruction.
Three-dimensional culture systems in cancer research: Focus on tumor spheroid model

Cancer cells propagated in three-dimensional (3D) culture systems exhibit physiologically relevant cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, gene expression and signaling pathway profiles, heterogeneity and structural complexity that reflect in vivo tumors. In recent years, development of various 3D models has improved the study of host-tumor interaction and use of high-throughput screening platforms for anti-cancer drug discovery and development. This review attempts to summarize the various 3D culture systems, with an emphasis on the most well characterized and widely applied model - multicellular tumor spheroids. This review also highlights the various techniques to generate tumor spheroids, methods to characterize them, and its applicability in cancer research.
Congenital nephropathies and uropathies.

Alterations in the complex process of renal embryogenesis may lead to a multitude of congenital nephropathies and uropathies. These can be discrete entities or elements of a syndrome. Abnormal nephrogenesis can result in hypoplasia, dysplasia, or cystic disease; aberrant architectural development can lead to obstructive uropathies, malformations, and reflux. Many of these conditions are now being identified prenatally; however, precise diagnosis and management continue to challenge the astute practitioner.
The safety of autologous and metabolically fit bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells in medically refractory Crohn's disease - a phase 1 trial with three doses

Summary Background Mesenchymal stromal cells ability to reset immune functionalities may be useful in Crohn's disease. Aim To perform a first-in-human phase 1 safety clinical trial of metabolically fit autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells in 12 subjects with Crohn's disease utilising three doses. Methods Autologous mesenchymal stromal cells were derived from marrow aspirate and propagated for 2–3 weeks with fibrinogen depleted human platelet lysate and subsequently administered to subjects without interval cryobanking. Twelve subjects received a single mesenchymal stromal cell intravenous infusion of 2, 5 or 10 million cells/kg BW(n = 4/group). Infused mesenchymal stromal cells were analysed for cell surface marker expression, IDO(indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase) upregulation by IFNγ stimulation, and inhibition of third party peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation in vitro. The primary end point measured was safety and tolerability; clinical response was assessed as a secondary endpoint. Results All patients tolerated the mesenchymal stromal cell infusion well and no dose limiting toxicity was seen. Seven patients had serious adverse events of which five were hospitalisations for Crohn's disease flare. Two of these serious adverse events were possibly related to the mesenchymal stromal cells infusion. Five subjects showed clinical response 2 weeks after the infusion. Mesenchymal stromal cell phenotype, cytokine responsiveness, and peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation blockade were not different among the patients. Conclusion Single infusion of fresh autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells propagated ex vivo using human platelet lysate-supplemented media was safe and feasible at intravenous doses of up to 10 million cells/kg BW in patients with Crohn's disease.
Expansions of non-symmetric toroidal magnetohydrodynamic equilibria

Expansions of non-symmetric toroidal ideal magnetohydrodynamic equilibria with nested flux surfaces are carried out for two cases. The first expansion is in a topological torus in three dimensions, in which physical quantities are periodic of period 2π in y and z. Data is given on the flux surface x = 0. Despite the possibility of magnetic resonances the power series expansion can be carried to all orders in a parameter which measures the flux between x = 0 and the surface in question. Resonances are resolved by appropriate addition resonant fields, as by Weitzner, [Phys. Plasmas 21, 022515 (2014)]. The second expansion is about a circular magnetic axis in a true torus. It is also assumed that the cross section of a flux surface at constant toroidal angle is approximately circular. The expansion is in an analogous flux coordinate, and despite potential resonance singularities, may be carried to all orders. Non-analytic behavior occurs near the magnetic axis. Physical quantities have a finite number of der...
Baseline Information: Declarations and Data Collection

The foundation of disarmament inspections is the declaration of weapons capabilities and of activities with dual-use purposes. The information submitted is crucial for effective verification, but it does not exist in a vacuum. Its accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed irrespective of the goodwill of submitting States, but needs to be checked against the totality of available information assembled from other sources, including existing data banks, media sources and future inspections.
Separation of Ellagitannin-Rich Phenolics from U.S. Pecans and Chinese Hickory Nuts Using Fused-Core HPLC Columns and Their Characterization

U.S. pecans and Chinese hickory nuts possess a wide array of phenolic constituents with potential health benefits including phenolic acids and proanthocyanidins. Only limited information is available, however, on their compositions. The present study optimized the separation performance and characterized the low-molecular-weight phenolic fractions of these nuts with C18 and pentafluorophenyl (PFP) fused-core LC columns by employing a kinetic approach. Although both types of reversed-phase columns demonstrated similar performance in general, the PFP column furnished greater plate numbers and superior peak shapes for the low-molecular-weight fractions as well as overall separations of ellagic acid derivatives. The high-molecular-weight fraction of pecans, analyzed by a 3-μm HILIC column, possessed more proanthocyanidins than the Chinese hickory nuts with dimers and trimers (31.4 and 18.34 mg/g crude extract, respectively) being present at the greatest levels. Chinese hickory nuts had lower proanthocyanidin ...
Holistic Mapping of Striatum Surfaces in the Laplace-Beltrami Embedding Space.

In brain shape analysis, the striatum is typically divided into three parts: the caudate, putamen, and accumbens nuclei for its analysis. Recent connectivity and animal studies, however, indicate striatum-cortical inter-connections do not always follow such subdivisions. For the holistic mapping of striatum surfaces, conventional spherical registration techniques are not suitable due to the large metric distortions in spherical parameterization of striatal surfaces. To overcome this difficulty, we develop a novel striatal surface mapping method using our recently proposed Riemannian metric optimization techniques in the Laplace-Beltrami (LB) embedding space. For the robust resolution of sign ambiguities in the LB spectrum, we also devise novel anatomical contextual features to guide the surface mapping in the embedding space. In our experimental results, we compare with spherical registration tools from FreeSurfer and FSL to demonstrate that our novel method provides a superior solution to the striatal mapping problem. We also apply our method to map the striatal surfaces from 211 subjects of the Human Connectome Project (HCP), and use the surface maps to construct a cortical connectivity atlas. Our atlas results show that the striato-cortical connectivity is not distinctive according to traditional structural subdivision of the striatum, and further confirms the holistic approach for mapping striatal surfaces.
Global Country Social Responsibility: What Is It? An Abstract

Corporate social responsibility (CSR), which refers to business practices and corporate resource contributions that help improve societal well-being (Kotler & Lee, 2005), and its impact on a country’s bottom line have attracted increased scholarly interest over the years as corporations recognize the communities in which they operate as significant stakeholders. CSR initiatives thus tend to help corporations boost their reputation and be viewed positively by consumers, investors, and prospective employees (Korschun, Bhattacharya, & Swain, 2014; Sen, Bhattacharya, & Korschun, 2006). Specifically, when firms engage in CSR activities, they communicate to key stakeholders their organizational values, which can reap multiple benefits when they are congruent with key stakeholders’ values (Bhattacharya & Sen, 2003; Galbreath, 2010; Sen et al., 2006). However, given the numerous pressing social issues our world is facing today, it is imminent for the entire countries, not just corporations, to address important societal issues such as health and well-being, peace and security, and environmental sustainability. Recognizing this need, we extend the CSR concept to the country level and introduce the concept of global country social responsibility (GCSR), defined as a country’s practices that contribute to the well-being of its key constituents or stakeholders, including immigrants, emigrants, native citizens, non-native citizens, as well as domestic and foreign businesses.
What WALL-E Can Teach Us About Global Capitalism in the Age of the Anal Father

This article employs the animated feature film WALL-E to examine a contemporary incarnation of paternal authority, the anal father of enjoyment. Slavoj Zizek coined the expression “anal father of enjoyment” to identify a metaphorical father who operates counter to Sigmund Freud’s oedipal (or primitive father). Unlike the oedipal father, the anal father does not command the subject to sacrifice enjoyment as a price for entry into the social order. Rather, the anal father directs the subject to enjoy excessively. This article reasons that the anal father figuration is a result of global capitalism. While a post-apocalyptic event, such as climate change, may destroy the planet, it does not end capitalism. Yet, WALL-E suggests that with the demise of the anal father, capitalism can be replaced with an alternative economic system.
Treatment of amblyopia as a function of age

Although historically, treatment of amblyopia has been recommended prior to closure of a critical window in visual development, the existence and duration of that critical window is currently unclear. Moreover, there is clear evidence, both from animal and human studies of deprivation amblyopia, that there are different critical windows for different visual functions and that monocular and binocular deprivation have different neural and behavioral consequences. In view of the spectrum of critical windows for different visual functions and for different types of amblyopia, combined with individual variability in these windows, treatment of amblyopia has been increasingly offered to older children and adults. Nevertheless, treatment beyond the age of 7 years tends to be, on average, less effective than in younger children, and the high degree of variability in treatment response suggests that age is only one of many factors determining treatment response. Newly emerging treatment modalities may hold promise for more effective treatment of amblyopia at older ages. Additional studies are needed to characterize amblyopia by using new and existing clinical tests, leading to improved clinical classification and better prediction of treatment response. Attention also needs to be directed toward characterizing and measuring the impact of amblyopia on the patients' functional vision and health-related quality of life.
Walking while talking: Young adults flexibly allocate resources between speech and gait.

Abstract Background Walking while talking is an ideal multitask behavior to assess how young healthy adults manage concurrent tasks as it is well-practiced, cognitively demanding, and has real consequences for impaired performance in either task. Since the association between cognitive tasks and gait appears stronger when the gait task is more challenging, gait challenge was systematically manipulated in this study. Objective To understand how young adults accomplish the multitask behavior of walking while talking as the gait challenge was systematically manipulated. Methods Sixteen young adults (21 ± 1.6 years, 9 males) performed three gait tasks with and without speech: unobstructed gait (easy), obstacle crossing (moderate), obstacle crossing and tray carrying (difficult). Participants also provided a speech sample while seated for a baseline indicator of speech. The speech task was to speak extemporaneously about a topic (e.g. first car). Gait speed and the duration of silent pauses during speaking were determined. Silent pauses reflect cognitive processes involved in speech production and language planning. Results When speaking and walking without obstacles, gait speed decreased (relative to walking without speaking) but silent pause duration did not change (relative to seated speech). These changes are consistent with the idea that, in the easy gait task, participants placed greater value on speech pauses than on gait speed, likely due to the negative social consequences of impaired speech. In the moderate and difficult gait tasks both parameters changed: gait speed decreased and silent pauses increased. Conclusion Walking while talking is a cognitively demanding task for healthy young adults, despite being a well-practiced habitual activity. These findings are consistent with the integrated model of task prioritization from Yogev-Seligmann et al., [ 1 ].
GABA | GABAA Receptor Plasticity in Epileptogenesis

Retrospective studies suggest that precipitating events such as prolonged seizures, stroke, or trauma increase the risk of development of epilepsy later in life. Alterations in inhibitory neurotransmission have been proposed as one of the contributing factors in the development of epilepsy (epileptogenesis). γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mature brain and the GABAA receptor (GABAR) mediates most fast synaptic inhibition. Changes in GABAR subunit expression and function have been reported in adult animals beginning immediately after prolonged seizures (status epilepticus (SE)) and continuing through development of epilepsy. In the immature brain, however, GABA acts as an excitatory neurotransmitter and GABA receptor subunit expression is developmentally regulated. Further, early-life events such as SE elicit a pattern of GABAR plasticity in the immature brain that is distinct from the pattern seen in the adult brain. Identifying the GABAR changes that occur during epileptogenesis at different ages, and understanding the mechanisms that regulate these changes, will help identify new therapeutic targets for the prevention and treatment of acquired epilepsies.
Interventional Radiology and Angioinfarction: Transcatheter Embolization of Renal Tumors

The embolization of the renal vasculature to treat kidney cancer has been introduced nearly 40 years ago and has now evolved to a standard procedure in interventional radiology (Dotter CT, Goldman ML, Rosch J. Instant selective arterial occlusion with isobutyl 2-cyanoacrylate. Radiology. 1975; 114:227–30; Loffroy R, Abualsaud B, Delgal A, et al. Role of percutaneous arterial embolization in renal pathology. Prog Urol. 2010; 20:161–71; Fechner G, Hauser S, Flacke S, Gerhard T, Muller SC. The role of superselective transcatheter arterial embolisation in management of complications after kidney surgery. Aktuelle Urol. 2008; 39:229–33). To date, the majority of embolization procedures use a superselective approach targeting a portion of the kidney, a small tumor, or a focal vascular problem (Fechner G, Hauser S, Flacke S, Gerhard T, Muller SC. The role of superselective transcatheter arterial embolisation in management of complications after kidney surgery. Aktuelle Urol. 2008; 39:229–33). The embolization of the entire kidney also known as angioinfarction is usually limited to selected cases of advanced renal cancer involving the renal vein and vena cava prior to complex surgery (Klimberg I, Hunter P, Hawkins IF, Drylie DM, Wajsman Z. Preoperative angioinfarction of localized renal cell carcinoma using absolute ethanol. J Urol. 1985; 133:21–4.). Preprocedural imaging using modern cross-sectional imaging techniques such as MDCT or MRI and Doppler ultrasound provides the necessary structural and functional information to plan the intended procedure. Arteriography is used less often in the planning phase, but it precedes every endovascular procedure and confirms imaging findings of the noninvasive imaging studies.
Introduction to Spreadsheet Modeling

Spreadsheets have become as commonplace as calculators in analysis and decision making. In this chapter we explore the importance of creating decision making models with Excel. We also consider the characteristics that make spreadsheets useful, not only for ourselves, but for others with whom we collaborate. As with any tool, learning to use them effectively requires carefully conceived planning and repeated practice; thus, we will terminate the chapter with an example of a poorly planned spreadsheet that is rehabilitated into a shining example of what a spreadsheet can be.
On the modeling and analysis of a vibration absorber for overhead powerlines with multiple resonant frequencies

Abstract Stockbridge dampers are primarily used to suppress or reduce Aeolian vibrations of transmission lines. The number of resonant frequencies characterizes the effectiveness of the Stockbridge damper. Aeolian vibrations refers to the vibration of conductor cables in the range of 3–150 Hz. Unlike the primitive Stockbridge damper which has only two resonant frequencies, the asymmetric Stockbridge damper exhibits up to four resonant frequencies. The numerical simulations and parametric studies conducted previously showed a correlation between the increase of natural frequencies and the change in the geometry of the counterweight. This paper presents an analytical model of a novel Aeolian vibration damper with an increased number of resonant frequencies. The analytical model is used to deduce the resonant frequencies of the damper. A 3D finite element model is developed to validate the analytical model. The natural frequencies and the subsequent mode shapes of both analytical and finite element models are presented. Experiment is conducted to validate the proposed models.
Assistive technology megatrends to support persons with alzheimer's disease and related dementias age in habitat: challenges for usability, engineering and public policy

Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) are debilitating neurodegenerative disorders affecting one in every ten older Americans. In the United States, roughly 35.6 million Americans have dementia and approximately 5.7 million have Alzheimer's. By 2050, the count is expected to increase to 13.2 million older Americans. Alzheimer's is the top sixth cause of death in the U.S. People with ADRD face substantial challenges adapting to their physical, psychological and social environments. Like cognitively-intact older adults, ADRD persons prefer to age in place in a familiar environment. However, aging in one's own habitat comes with the potential for loneliness, social isolation, and the consequences of impaired mobility that threaten the displacement of ADRD persons to non-preferred living arrangements. The decrease in multi-generational living and increase in nuclear family living calls for innovative solutions to promote safe mobility, independence, decision making and communication for persons with ADRD. Assistive technologies (ATs) if user friendly and properly engineered for persons with ADRD, hold the potential to enhance daily functioning and improve the quality of life for ADRD persons in living habitats of their choices. This review paper aims to discuss existing and emerging AT megatrends in the Internet of things (IoT) era. Five technological megatrends are examined: assistive robots (e.g. assistance in daily activities, social robots for communication, telepresence robots for social connectedness), biometric sensors and movement sensor technologies (IMURs) for gait and walkability (e.g. non-wearable sensors), multimodal interaction systems for early disease detection, augmented reality systems that
Enduring Significance of Richard Quinney

Richard Quinney has been a tremendously influential scholar in the development of critical criminology. His work has been highly engaged, often critically, but at the end of the day, productively impacting the field forward. Key critical criminologist that were his contemporaries embraced each of his works, even as it often seemed to break any linear development with his past. He has received many prestigious scholarly awards and rates high on citational indexes. But he must also be understood for the personal writings in which he engaged. Understanding Richard’s journey sheds light on the reader’s own story, our own struggles for the meaning of it all. This chapter highlights the influence of Richard’s work not only as a pioneer in criminology, but for the personal, baring-all writings about trying to make sense of it all.
Defensive versus Existential Religion: Is Religious Defensiveness Predictive of Worldview Defense?

Beck (2004) has recently argued that, although existential defensiveness may motivate some religious persons, existential engagement is compatible with religious belief. More specifically, Beck (20...
CRISPR-LbCas12a-mediated modification of citrus.

Recently, CRISPR-Cas12a (Cpf1) from Prevotella and Francisella was engineered to modify plant genomes. In this report, we employed CRISPR-LbCas12a (LbCpf1), which is derived from Lachnospiraceae bacterium ND2006, to edit a citrus genome for the first time. First, LbCas12a was used to modify the CsPDS gene successfully in Duncan grapefruit via Xcc-facilitated agroinfiltration. Next, LbCas12a driven by either the 35S or Yao promoter was used to edit the PthA4 effector binding elements in the promoter (EBEP thA4 -CsLOBP) of CsLOB1. A single crRNA was selected to target a conserved region of both Type I and Type II CsLOBPs, since the protospacer adjacent motif of LbCas12a (TTTV) allows crRNA to act on the conserved region of these two types of CsLOBP. CsLOB1 is the canker susceptibility gene, and it is induced by the corresponding pathogenicity factor PthA4 in Xanthomonas citri by binding to EBEP thA4 -CsLOBP. A total of seven 35S-LbCas12a-transformed Duncan plants were generated, and they were designated as #D35 s1 to #D35 s7, and ten Yao-LbCas12a-transformed Duncan plants were created and designated as #Dyao 1 to #Dyao 10. LbCas12a-directed EBEP thA4 -CsLOBP modifications were observed in three 35S-LbCas12a-transformed Duncan plants (#D35 s1, #D35 s4 and #D35 s7). However, no LbCas12a-mediated indels were observed in the Yao-LbCas12a-transformed plants. Notably, transgenic line #D35 s4, which contains the highest mutation rate, alleviates XccΔpthA4:dCsLOB1.4 infection. Finally, no potential off-targets were observed. Therefore, CRISPR-LbCas12a can readily be used as a powerful tool for citrus genome editing.
A Survey of Multidenominational Rabbis on Death by Neurologic Criteria

(1) Determine the pervasiveness of the belief that brain death/death by neurologic criteria (BD/DNC) is not death among rabbis. (2) Examine rabbinic beliefs about management after BD/DNC. An electronic anonymous survey about BD/DNC determination and management after BD/DNC was created and distributed to members of the Central Conference of American Rabbis (the Reform Rabbinic leadership organization), the Rabbinic Council of America (an Orthodox organization), the Rabbinic Assembly (a Conservative organization), and the Reconstructionist Rabbinic Association. Ninety-nine rabbis (40 Reform, 32 Orthodox, 22 Conservative, and 5 Reconstructionist) completed the survey. Awareness of the requirements for BD/DNC was poor (median of 33% of the requirements correctly identified [interquartile range of 22–66%]), but 81% of rabbis knew that absence of heartbeat is not required for BD/DNC. Although only 5% of all rabbis believed a person who is brain dead could recover, 22% did not believe BD/DNC is death, and 18% believed mechanical ventilation should be continued after BD/DNC. There was a significant relationship between denomination and belief that: (1) a person who is brain dead can recover (p = 0.04); (2) a person who is brain dead is dead (p < 0.001); (3) mechanical ventilation should be continued after BD/DNC (p < 0.001); (4) hydration should be continued after BD/DNC (p = 0.002); (5) nutrition should be continued after BD/DNC (p < 0.001); (6) medications to support blood pressure should be continued after BD/DNC (p < 0.001); and (7) cardiopulmonary resuscitation should be performed when a brain dead person’s heart stops (p = 0.006). Rabbinic knowledge about the intricacies of BD determination is poor. Rabbinic perspectives on management after BD/DNC vary. These empirical data on rabbinic perspectives about BD/DNC may be helpful when considering accommodation of religious objections to BD/DNC.
X-ray diffraction data and analysis to support phase identification in FeSe and Fe7Se8 epitaxial thin films.

Abstract X-ray diffraction (XRD) data and analysis for epitaxial iron selenide thin films grown by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) are presented to support the conclusions in the related research article “Double epitaxy of tetragonal and hexagonal phases in the FeSe system” [1]. The films contain β-FeSe and Fe7Se8 phases in a double epitaxy configuration with the β-FeSe phase (001) oriented on the (001) MgO growth substrate. Fe7Se8 simultaneously takes on two different epitaxial orientations in certain growth conditions, exhibiting both (101)- and (001)- orientations. Each of these orientations are verified with the presented XRD data. Additionally, XRD data used to determine the PLD target composition as well as mosaic structure of the β-FeSe phase are shown.
What Do You Mean I'm Funny? Personalizing the Joke Skill of a Voice-Controlled Virtual Assistant

A considerable part of the success experienced by Voice-controlled virtual assistants (VVA) is due to the emotional and personalized experience they deliver, with humor being a key component in providing an engaging interaction. In this paper we describe methods used to improve the joke skill of a VVA through personalization. The first method, based on traditional NLP techniques, is robust and scalable. The others combine self-attentional network and multi-task learning to obtain better results, at the cost of added complexity. A significant challenge facing these systems is the lack of explicit user feedback needed to provide labels for the models. Instead, we explore the use of two implicit feedback-based labelling strategies. All models were evaluated on real production data. Online results show that models trained on any of the considered labels outperform a heuristic method, presenting a positive real-world impact on user satisfaction. Offline results suggest that the deep-learning approaches can improve the joke experience with respect to the other considered methods.
Microwave and Infrared Scattering and Absorption Related to Atmospheric Inhomogeneities

To study the scattering of electromagnetic waves by atmospheric turbulence, a combined experiment has been set up in which meteorological measurements of the atmospheric structure and its statistics are taken simultaneously with the radio-wave statistics. A particular 10.4 GHz microwave technique,1 new to line-of-sight atmospheric measurements,2 is being used; it can observe the statistics of the phase quadrature components of the incoherent scattered field directly and it is sensitive to the effects of spherical wavefronts. The measured microwave scattering effects will be compared in several ways with the simultaneously measured turbulence. With the understanding so gained, it is hoped that these special features of this microwave technique can be exploited as a probe to study atmospheric turbulence in other regions of the atmosphere.
EPICARDIAL ADIPOSE TISSUE EVALUATED BY CARDIAC MAGNETIC RESONANCE PREDICTS ADVERSE OUTCOMES IN HEART FAILURE PATIENTS

Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) plays a role in the development and outcomes of coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation. However, the role of EAT in heart failure (HF) remains obscure. The aim of this study was to determine whether EAT predicts outcomes in HF patients Cardiac magnetic