cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Subband-domain filtering of MPEG audio signals

The cosine modulated filter bank is commonly used for the time-frequency decomposition of audio signals. For example, it is a basic element of the MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 audio coding standards. While this filter bank is not perfectly-reconstructing, it does provide for the cancelation of aliasing components that are introduced during the analysis decomposition. If the subband signals are to be processed, care must be taken to preserve the properties of the subband signals such that the aliased terms will be canceled successfully in the synthesis filter bank despite the modification of the subband signals. In this paper, a framework is provided for the generation and application of arbitrary FIR filters to signals that have been decomposed using the MPEG filter bank.
Formation and characterization of ion beam assisted nanosystems in silicon

Even though silicon is optically inactive, the nanoscale particle structures ( e.g. SiC) in Si or silica matrices are potential candidates for light emitting solid state device applications with higher operation temperatures. The synthesis of these nanostructures involves ion implantation and subsequent thermal annealing. The film thicknesses and sizes of the nanostructures can be controlled by ion energy, fluence, and annealing conditions. Particle accelerator based characterization was used at different stages of formation and analysis of these nanosystems in Si. Results will be presented using infrared spectroscopy (IR), X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy.
A neuroimaging investigation of the association between aerobic fitness, hippocampal volume, and memory performance in preadolescent children

Because children are becoming overweight, unhealthy, and unfit, understanding the neurocognitive benefits of an active lifestyle in childhood has important public health and educational implications. Animal research has indicated that aerobic exercise is related to increased cell proliferation and survival in the hippocampus as well as enhanced hippocampal-dependent learning and memory. Recent evidence extends this relationship to elderly humans by suggesting that high aerobic fitness levels in older adults are associated with increased hippocampal volume and superior memory performance. The present study aimed to further extend the link between fitness, hippocampal volume, and memory to a sample of preadolescent children. To this end, magnetic resonance imaging was employed to investigate whether higher- and lower-fit 9- and 10-year-old children showed differences in hippocampal volume and if the differences were related to performance on an item and relational memory task. Relational but not item memory is primarily supported by the hippocampus. Consistent with predictions, higher-fit children showed greater bilateral hippocampal volumes and superior relational memory task performance compared to lower-fit children. Hippocampal volume was also positively associated with performance on the relational but not the item memory task. Furthermore, bilateral hippocampal volume was found to mediate the relationship between fitness level (VO2 max) and relational memory. No relationship between aerobic fitness, nucleus accumbens volume, and memory was reported, which strengthens the hypothesized specific effect of fitness on the hippocampus. The findings are the first to indicate that aerobic fitness may relate to the structure and function of the preadolescent human brain.
A Hypergeometric Distribution

There are many instances wherein you use samples to help you make decisions, though not in the formal ways we shall be developing in this course. For example, the authors examine a box of strawberries in the supermarket and, seeing at most one or two berries with “spots”, buy the box. The other way around, a nut broker examines a handful of nuts from a large sack of unshelled pecans and, on the basis of size, color, fullness, and taste, decides what price to pay. First we need the following.
Shallow Water Wave Propagation in Convectively Accelerating Open-Channel Flow Induced by the Tailwater Effect

Propagation of shallow water waves in viscous open-channel flows that are convectively accelerating or decelerating under gradually varying water surface profiles is theoretically investigated. Issues related to the hydrodynamics of wave propagation in a rectangular open channel are studied: the effect of viscosity in terms of the Manning coefficient; the effect of gravity in terms of the Froude number; wave translation and attenuation characteristics; nonlinearity and wave shock; the role of tailwater in wave propagation; and free surface instability. A uniformly valid nonlinear solution to describe the unsteady gradually varying flow throughout the complete wave propagation domain at and away from the kinematic wave shock as well as near the downstream boundary that exhibits the tailwater effect is derived by employing the matched asymptotic method. Different scenarios of hydraulically spatially varying surface profiles such as M1, M2, and S1 type profiles are discussed. Results from the nonlinear wave analysis are further interpreted and the influence of the tailwater effect is identified. In addition to the nonlinear wave analysis, a linear stability analysis is introduced to quantify the impact from such water surface profiles on the free surface instability. It is shown that the asymptotic flow structure is composed of three distinct regions: an outer region that is driven by gravity and channel resistance; a near wave shock region dominated by the convective inertia, pressure gradient, gravity and channel resistance; and a downstream boundary impact region where the convective inertia, pressure gradient, gravity and channel resistance terms are of importance. The tailwater effect is demonstrated influential to the flow structure, free surface stability, wave transmission mechanism, and hydrostatic pressure gradient in flow.
In situ measurements of the complex propagation constant in rocks for frequencies from 1 MHz to 10 MHz

The complex propagation constant for frequencies between 1 MHz and 10 MHz has been measured for propagation between bore holes in granite rock at a site near Raymond, Colo., USA. The measurement technique consisted in Comparisons of the phase and amplitude of signals received on two identical dipole antennas spaced at different distances on a radial from an isolated transmitter. The conductivity and permittivity of the medium calculated from the propagation constant are compared with laboratory measurements of samples from the same boreholes, and reasonably good agreement is obtained.
Chirp Managed Laser and Applications

The chirp managed laser (CML) is an alternative transmitter technology that allows a directly modulated laser (DML) to be used in high-performance applications with a smaller size, lower power consumption, less device complexity, and lower cost. The CML comprises a DML and an isolated, passive optical filter. A key feature of the CML is its large tolerance to fiber dispersion, reaching over 360 km transmission at 10 Gb/s in standard single-mode fiber without dispersion compensation. The combination of adiabatic chirp from the laser and filter edge response produces high extinction ratio pulses with nearly uniform phase, abrupt phase shifts at bit transitions, and a correlation between the 1 bits; 1 bits separated by odd number of 0 bits are out of phase. This results in destructive intersymbol interference after fiber transmission. Other applications of CML are generation of advanced modulation formats, such as return-to-zero (RZ) alternate mark inversion, and RZ differential phase-shift keying. Tunable CML using DFB array, and sampled grating deterministic bit rate (DBR) technologies for 10 Gb/s metro applications have now been demonstrated. A four-element DBR array CML has also been demonstrated for 100 Gb/s metro applications. This paper reviews the principle of operation of CML and its various applications, as well as recent advances in CML-based devices.
Cholestyramine treatment during pregnancy in the rat results in hypercholesterolemia

Timed pregnant (8 days) Sprague-Dawley rats were fed ground stock diet (CON) or ground stock diet with 4% cholestyramine (CTR) until day 20 of gestation. Animals in both groups gained weight equally well during the study period (CON (n = 7), 308 +/- 7 g; CTR (n = 6), 315 +/- 7 g, mean +/- SEM). At the end of the study period, plasma cholesterol in the CTR group was significantly greater than that in the control group (CON n = 7, 91 +/- 4 mg/dl; CTR (n = 6), 108 +/- 5 mg/dl, P less than 0.05). The fecal excretion of both neutral steroids and bile acids, studied for 3 days between days 15 and 18 of gestation, was significantly enhanced by CTR treatment. (Neutral steroids: CON, 3.9 +/- 0.3; CTR, 10.4 +/- 0.3, P less than 0.05. Bile acids: CON, 7.6 +/- 0.4; CTR, 25.8 +/- 1.7, P less than 0.05, mg/100 g body wt/day). Bile acid pool size, measured at day 20 of gestation, however, was not significantly different. Consistent with these results was the finding that hepatic cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activity (the rate-limiting enzyme of bile acid biosynthesis) measured at day 20 of gestation was significantly enhanced by CTR treatment (CON (n = 4), 14.7 +/- 1.7; CTR (n = 4), 34.8 +/- 3.3, pmoles/mg/min, P less than 0.05). The atypical finding of hypercholesterolemia, despite the CTR-induced enhanced turnover of cholesterol, may be due to changes in the homeostatic mechanisms of cholesterol and bile acid metabolism during pregnancy.
Geographic variation in vulnerability to climate warming in a tropical Caribbean lizard

Summary 1. Rising global temperatures are predicted to impact organisms in diverse ways. For ectotherms, recent broad-scale analyses have predicted global patterns of vulnerability to warming, with tropical species at higher risk of detrimental effects than temperate species. However, vulnerability results from complex interactions between environment, physiology and behaviour. For species that inhabit a diversity of habitat types, these interactions may change across their range. 2. We measured operative thermal environments (Te) and body temperatures (Tb) of the tropical Caribbean lizard Anolis cristatellus at nine sites representing two habitat types: mesic and xeric forest. The thermal sensitivity of whole-organism physiological performance (i.e. sprint speed) of one mesic and one xeric population was also measured. Thermal and performance data were integrated to determine how habitat thermal variation, behavioural thermoregulation and thermal physiology influence current physiological performance capacity in the field. We then evaluate if habitat suitability and physiological capacity would change assuming climate warming of 3 ! C over the next century. 3. The mean Te of the xeric habitat was 4AE5 ! C warmer than that of the mesic habitat. However, behavioural thermoregulation by xeric lizards led to lesser differences in Tb (3AE5 ! C) between habitat types. The thermal sensitivity of sprint performance was similar for mesic and xeric lizards, and lizards from both habitats maintain sprint capacities near 100%. Climate warming is predicted to influence mesic and xeric lizards differently. Xeric lizards currently live in a thermal environment near their upper temperature threshold, while mesic lizards do not. As a result, the number of suitable perch sites is predicted to decrease dramatically in the xeric but not the mesic habitat. In addition, the physiological capacity of mesic lizards is predicted to increase by approximately 4%, whereas a decrease of approximately 30% is predicted for xeric lizards. 4. We characterized variation in the current biophysical and ecophysiological conditions experienced by A. cristatellus by integrating fine-scale measurements of thermal microhabitats with data on body temperatures and physiological performance capacities. These data allowed us to explicitly demonstrate how variation in these parameters can influence population susceptibility to climate warming across a species range and highlight the utility of a mechanistic approach in studies of global climate change.
13 Effectiveness of 25 Hydroxy Vitamin D on Secondary Hyperparathyroidism in Hemodialysis Patients

EFFECTIVENESS OF 25 HYDROXY VITAMIN D ON SECONDARY HYPERPARATHYROIDISM IN HEMDIALYSIS PATIENTS Tarek Alhamad, Hongling Yang, Karim Harfouche, Safa Farrag,Wassim Radwan, Babak Rajabi and Pedro Blandon. Texas Tech University HSC, Paul L. Foster SOM, El Paso, Texas. Among Hemodialysis (HD) patients, Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is a common finding. According to KDOQI guidelines, the recommended targets for dialysis patients have been set between 150 and 300 pg/mL using intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH). However, it does not recommend any native vitamin D supplementation. It has been shown that non-renal tissue will process the 25 hydroxy Vitamin D into 1,25 hydroxy Vitamin D. Objective is to study if replacing 25 Hydroxy Vitamin D levels in HD patients with SHPT would decrease the iPTH to the desired rang according the K-DOQI guidelines. We included 43 HD patients in this study from our local dialysis facility. Inclusion criteria were: 1) 25 hydroxy Vitamin D deficiency identified as: 25 hydroxy Vitamin D was less than 30 ng per milliliter. 2) SHPT identified as: PTH intact level was more than 300 pg per milliliter. The study was open-labeled in two groups. Group one (Vitamin D group) was given Ergocalciferol, whereas, group two was the control one (no Vitamin D2 or D3 was given). 15 patients were enrolled in the Vitamin D group, and 28 were considered in the control group. A response to Vitamin D was identified as a patient who, at the end of the study period, met one of the following criteria: I PTH less or equal to 300 pg per milliliter, Phosphate less or equal 5.5 mg/dl, or corrected Calcium less or equal to 10.5 mg/dl. We found that no significant difference was noticed in the PTH level, Calcium, or phosphate in the Vitamin D group comparing to the control group. In Conclusion, replacing Vitamin D2 in HD patients with 25 hydroxy Vitamin D deficiency and secondary hyperparathyroidism does not have a significant decrease in the Intact PTH level.
Hidden gauged U ( 1 ) model: Unifying scotogenic neutrino and flavor dark matter

In both scotogenic neutrino and flavor dark matter models, the dark sector communicates with the standard model fermions via Yukawa portal couplings. We propose an economic scenario where the scotogenic neutrino and a flavored mediator share the same inert Higgs doublet and all are charged under a hidden gauged $U(1)$ symmetry. The dark ${Z}_{2}$ symmetry in the dark sector is regarded as the remnant of this hidden $U(1)$ symmetry breaking. In particular, we investigate a dark $U(1{)}_{D}$ [and also $U(1{)}_{B\text{\ensuremath{-}}L}$] model which unifies the scotogenic neutrino and top-flavored mediator. Thus dark tops and dark neutrinos are the standard model fermion partners, and the dark matter could be the inert Higgs or the lightest dark neutrino. We note that this model has rich collider signatures on dark tops, the inert Higgs and the ${Z}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ gauge boson. Moreover, the scalar associated to the $U(1{)}_{D}$ [and also $U(1{)}_{B\text{\ensuremath{-}}L}$] symmetry breaking could explain the 750 GeV diphoton excess reported by ATLAS and CMS recently.
Infrastructure redux: crisis, progress in industrial Pakistan and beyond

The political economy of infrastructure offers a stimulating meeting ground for diverse perspectives in the humanities, social sciences, and area studies. Going beyond the traditional disciplinary ...
Evidence-based advertising using persuasion principles: Predictive validity and proof of concept

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide commentary on Armstrong, Du, Green and Graefe’s (this issue) article. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on reading and thinking about Armstrong et al.’s article. Findings – One appealing way that advertising practice can be evidence-based is by applying dependable generalizations about what makes for effective ads. Armstrong et al.’s article offers data concerning the application of Armstrong’s persuasive advertising: Evidence-Based Principles (2010) persuasion principles. The article does not provide convincing evidence for the predictive validity of the principles, but it does offer a clear proof-of-concept demonstration of the feasibility of principles-based advertising assessment. Originality/value – The paper’s value lies in its clarification of what claims Armstrong et al.’s data do and do not underwrite.
Problems of Questionnaire Investigation

(1941). Problems of Questionnaire Investigation. Research Quarterly. American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation: Vol. 12, No. 3, pp. 528-537.
Design of a multi-coordinating polymer as a platform for functionalizing metal, metal oxide and semiconductor nanocrystals

We introduce a new set of amphiphilic polymers as multifunctional, metal-coordinating ligands adapted to surfacefunctionalize quantum dots (QDs), iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) and gold nanoparticles/nanorods (AuNPs/AuNRs). The ligand design relies on the introduction of several anchoring groups, hydrophilic moieties and reactive functionalities into a polymer chain, via one-step nucleophilic addition reaction. Such synthetic scheme also allows the insertion of target biomolecules during the ligand synthesis. This functionalization strategy yields nanocrystals that exhibit long-term colloidal stability over a broad range of biological conditions, such as pH changes and when mixed with growth media. When zwitterion groups are used as hydrophilic motifs, this provides compact nanocrystals that are compatible with conjugation to proteins via metal-polyhistidine self-assembly. In addition, we show that QDs ligated with these polymers can engage in energy or charge transfer interactions. Furthermore, nanocrystals coated with folic acid-modified polymers could promote the delivery of nanoparticle-conjugates into cancer cells via folate receptormediated endocytosis.
Power Electronic Module: Enabling the 21st-century energy economy

To enable the rapidly emerging and imminent energy economy, high-voltage (HV) and high-current robust power electronic modules (PEMs) are needed at low cost. PEMs typically consist of a number of semiconductor power switches and driver chips; intelligent power modules often contain sensing and protection circuitry. In the entire supply chain of power electronics systems-from materials to end-user applications, including the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs)-the PEM is the key building block, as it forms the heart of a power electronic system. The performance, cost, and durability of the entire power electronic system critically hinge on those of the PEM. In addition, major business opportunities in power electronics are often enabled by the advances in power semiconductor devices. One such opportunity currently available to the power electronics community has been created by the advances in wide-bandgap (WBG) power switching devices, which were first introduced by Shenai et al. in the 1980s [1].
Gastroduodenal Endoscopic-histologic Correlation in Pediatric Patients

Summary The histopathologic abnormalities in endoscopic biopsies from the stomach and duodenal bulb were correlated with the visual findings of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in 94 children (mean age, 8.4 years; 51 boys and 43 girls) with a variety of complaints. Histology was graded by observers blinded to the endoscopic findings, and both endoscopy and histology were graded using scales reflecting increasing severity with increasing grade. In all three locations studied (gastric body, antrum, and duodenal bulb), endoscopic grade was significantly higher than the histologic grade. Correlation was especially poor with mild endoscopic findings such as erythema and granularity/nodularity, which had little predictive value for histologic inflammation. Few patients had severe disease with eight of 94 having ulcer by endoscopy and seven of 94 having greater than grade 2 histologic disease in any location. We conclude that endoscopy without biopsy should not be used to diagnose gastroduodenal inflammation in pediatric patients.
The Triangle Inequality

(1978). The Triangle Inequality. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 85, No. 2, pp. 105-106.
Prevalence of Poor Eyesight Among 13 to 18 Years Old Adolescents in Changsha City

Objective To analyze the epidemic status of poor eyesight in middle school students in Changsha,and provide a basis for formulating the strategy and measures of preventing poor eyesight. Methods Twelve junior middle schools and 12 high schools were selected from 6 districts of Changsha city with stratified- cluster sampling method,and a total of 16, 843 students were enrolled in the eyesight screening. Visual chart light box was used to test the eyesight. The database was established using Epidata 3. 20 software,and the data were analyzed by SPSS18. 0 statistical software. Results The positive rate of poor eyesight in middle school students in Changsha city was 71. 44%,and poor eyesight rate in girls( 74. 47%) was significantly higher than that in boys( 68. 20%),and the difference was statistically significant( χ2 = 80. 79,P 0. 001). In general,the positive rate of poor eyesight was increased in initial stage and then declined. Except for 16- and 18- year- old groups,the positive rates of poor eyesight in girls were significantly higher than those in boys among other age groups( P 0. 001). The positive rates of mild, moderate and severe poor eyesight were 8. 64%,22. 35% and 40. 44%,respectively. The positive rates of mild and moderate poor vision in 13- 18 years old adolescents showed a steady trend with the increasing age,while the positive rate of severe poor vision exhibited a downward trend after the first rise. Conclusions The positive rate of poor eyesight of 13- 18 years old adolescents in Changsha city is high; moreover,it shows an upward trend with the increasing age. Comprehensive countermeasures should be adopted by families,schools and society so as to prevent the poor eyesight in middle school students.
Renal revascularization by end-to-end anastomosis of the hepatic and renal arteries.

AbstractFrom June 1981 to January 1984, 13 patients with atherosderotic renal artery disease underwent revascularization by end-to-end anastomosis of the hepatic and renal arteries. Renal revascularization was indicated to preserve renal function and/or to treat associated hypertension. An aortorenal bypass was not possible owing to severe aortic atherosclerosis or a prior aortic operation. Right renal revascularization was performed by end-to-end anastomosis of the renal artery to the common hepatic artery in 7 patients, right hepatic artery in 4, left hepatic artery in 1 or gastroduodenal artery in 1.Postoperatively, 2 patients suffered a necrotic gallbladder owing to ischemia and 1 of these patients died. Liver enzymes were elevated immediately postoperatively in 11 patients but returned to normal within 2 weeks in each case. Currently, all 12 surviving patients have normal liver function, well controlled blood pressure and improved renal function. End-to-end anastomosis of the hepatic and renal arteri...
The blender effect: Physical state of food influences healthiness perceptions and consumption decisions

Abstract The results of four experimental studies show that altering the physical state (e.g., solid, liquid) of a food product, a food pictured on a package, or a food on display influences how healthy and calorific consumers perceive the food to be as well as how much they consume, a phenomenon we term the blender effect. Specifically, holding the volume constant, we show that mechanically processing (e.g., blending, juicing) a food to the extent the physical state changes leads consumers to perceive the food as less healthy and higher in calories. Importantly, we show that healthiness and calorie perceptions are not linked to a specific physical state, but are influenced by the degree of mechanical processing suggested by the physical state, with greater levels of mechanical processing leading food to be perceived as less healthy and higher in calories. Priming consumers to think of the alternative forms foods can take attenuates the blender effect. Our findings suggest that food manufacturers can strategically alter the physical state of foods to drive consumers’ perceptions and consumption decisions.
Adult Growth and the Goals of Therapy

“Do therapists aim to help their clients feel less badly or feel better?” This may seem to be a simple question with an obvious answer—“both.” But in fact most clients want to “feel better” in the sense of getting rid of their painful symptoms. That is why tranquilizers are the number one, two, three, and four most prescribed drugs in the United States (with sleep-inducing drugs close behind).
Stochastic representations for the wave equation on graphs and their scaling limits

Abstract This paper is devoted to an interacting particle system that provides probabilistic interpretation of the wave equation on graphs. A Feynman–Kac-type formula is established, connecting the expectation of the process with the wave equation on graphs. Non-asymptotic L 2 estimates are presented. It is then shown that the high-density hydrodynamic limit of the system is given by the wave equation in Euclidean space. The sharpness of scaling limit result is demonstrated by a phase transition phenomenon.
Diffusion dynamics and synchronizability of hierarchical products of networks

The hierarchical product of networks represents a natural tool for building large networks out of two smaller subnetworks: a primary subnetwork and a secondary subnetwork. Here we study the dynamics of diffusion and synchronization processes on hierarchical products. We apply techniques previously used for approximating the eigenvalues of the adjacency matrix to the Laplacian matrix, allowing us to quantify the effects that the primary and secondary subnetworks have on diffusion and synchronization in terms of a coupling parameter that weighs the secondary subnetwork relative to the primary subnetwork. Diffusion processes are separated into two regimes: for small coupling the diffusion rate is determined by the structure of the secondary network, scaling with the coupling parameter, while for large coupling it is determined by the primary network and saturates. Synchronization, on the other hand, is separated into three regimes, for both small and large coupling hierarchical products have poor synchronization properties, but is optimized at an intermediate value. Moreover, the critical coupling value that optimizes synchronization is shaped by the relative connectivities of the primary and secondary subnetworks, compensating for significant differences between the two subnetworks.
A formation water-based nutrient recipe for potentially increasing methane release from coal in situ

Abstract Biogasifying coal to methane represents an environmentally benign way to utilize the abundant and inexpensive coal resource. To increase methane yield from coal, numerous studies have investigated the approach of biostimulation through finding the best nutrient solutions to enhance microbial activities. Toward this end, however, almost all studies have adopted laboratory made medium that is tap water- or deionized and distilled water- based. As a matter of fact, this water is dramatically different from formation water in coal basins. Thus, in order to enhance methane release from coal in situ, this study aimed to design a formation water-based recipe. To accomplish this objective, the chemical and microbial compositions of the formation water collected from the San Juan basin were analyzed first. Equipped with this fundamental knowledge, a screening test was conducted to evaluate nine parameters to identify statistically significant ones affecting methane yield from coal. For those critical parameters, the optimal value for each was determined through response surface methodology. Finally, the predicted results by the models were verified by an experimental study adopting all optimum conditions. This study demonstrated that microbes capable of converting coal to methane were present at the San Juan basin and the developed recipe increased methane yield 24.3-fold compared to those without.
Paternalism, coercion and the unimportance of (some) liberties

Some object to paternalism when it forecloses options – when it makes it impossible, or at least very difficult, to pursue a particular course of action. This is because some argue that liberty is intrinsically valuable, and that to have liberty is to have options; thus, to lose options is to lose something intrinsically valuable. On that account, even if the loss of an option can be justified by gains of other intrinsically valuable things, it should be regarded as a loss. I argue that, in fact, some options have no value, so that their loss is not in itself even pro tanto bad. And, when losing options makes it more likely that we will achieve greater welfare, the loss of options is an unqualifiedly good thing. Thus, coercion, which removes some options, is not necessarily a bad thing in itself, and its loss can often be easy to justify.
Assessing risk of fibrosis progression and liver-related clinical outcomes among patients with both early stage and advanced chronic hepatitis C

Objective Assessing risk of adverse outcomes among patients with chronic liver disease has been challenging due to non-linear disease progression. We previously developed accurate prediction models for fibrosis progression and clinical outcomes among patients with advanced chronic hepatitis C (CHC). The primary aim of this study was to validate fibrosis progression and clinical outcomes models among a heterogeneous patient cohort. Design Adults with CHC with ≥3 years follow-up and without hepatic decompensation, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), liver transplant (LT), HBV or HIV co-infection at presentation were analyzed (N = 1007). Outcomes included: 1) fibrosis progression 2) hepatic decompensation 3) HCC and 4) LT-free survival. Predictors included longitudinal clinical and laboratory data. Machine learning methods were used to predict outcomes in 1 and 3 years. Results The external cohort had a median age of 49.4 years (IQR 44.3–54.3); 61% were male, 80% white, and 79% had genotype 1. At presentation, 73% were treatment naive and 31% had cirrhosis. Fibrosis progression occurred in 34% over a median of 4.9 years (IQR 3.2–7.6). Clinical outcomes occurred in 22% over a median of 4.4 years (IQR 3.2–7.6). Model performance for fibrosis progression was limited due to small sample size. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) for 1 and 3-year risk of clinical outcomes was 0.78 (95% CI 0.73–0.83) and 0.76 (95% CI 0.69–0.81). Conclusion Accurate assessments for risk of clinical outcomes can be obtained using routinely collected data across a heterogeneous cohort of patients with CHC. These methods can be applied to predict risk of progression in other chronic liver diseases.
Deception and Shopping Behavior Among Current Cigarette Smokers: A Web-Based, Randomized Virtual Shopping Experiment.

Background: Virtual stores can be used to identify influences on consumer shopping behavior. Deception is one technique that may be used to attempt to increase the realism of virtual stores. Objective: The objective of the experiment was to test whether the purchasing behavior of participants in a virtual shopping task varied based on whether they were told that they would receive the products they selected in a virtual convenience store (a form of deception) or not. Methods: We recruited a US national sample of 402 adult current smokers by email from an online panel of survey participants. They completed a fully automated randomized virtual shopping experiment with a US $15 or US $20 budget in a Web-based virtual convenience store. We told a random half of participants that they would receive the products they chose in the virtual store or the cash equivalent (intervention condition), and the other random half simply to conduct a shopping task (control condition). We tested for differences in demographics, tobacco use behaviors, and in-store purchases (outcome variable, assessed by questionnaire) by experimental condition. Results: The characteristics of the participants (398/402, 99.0% with complete data) were comparable across conditions except that the intervention group contained slightly more female participants (103/197, 52.3%) than the control group (84/201, 41.8%; P=.04). We did not find any other significant differences in any other demographic variables or tobacco use, or in virtual store shopping behaviors, including purchasing any tobacco (P=.44); purchasing cigarettes (P=.16), e-cigarettes (P=.54), cigars (P=.98), or smokeless tobacco (P=.72); amount spent overall (P=.63) or on tobacco (P=.66); percentage of budget spent overall (P=.84) or on tobacco (P=.74); number of total items (P=.64) and tobacco items purchased (P=.54); or total time spent in the store (P=.07). Conclusions: We found that telling participants that they will receive the products they select in a virtual store did not influence their purchases. This finding suggests that deception may not affect consumer behavior and, as a result, may not be necessary in virtual shopping experiments.
EVA: a tool for visualizing software architectural evolution

EVA is a tool for visualizing and exploring architectures of evolving, long-lived software systems. EVA enables its users to assess the impact of architectural design decisions and their systems' overall architectural stability. (Demo Video: https://youtu.be/Q3bnIQz13Eo)
Mycoplasma — Animal Pathogens

Nine members of the genus Mycoplasma and one of the genus Ureaplasma have been shown to cause disease in cattle. M. bovis is a cause of septicemia, arthritis, mastitis, and pneumonia; M. dispar is a cause of pneumonia; M. bovoculi is a cause of conjunctivitis, along with Moraxella bovis; M. bovigenitalium is an occasional cause of seminal vesiculitis; and M. mycoides subsp. mycoides SC causes contagious bovine pleuropneumonia. Ureaplasma diversum is a cause of pneumonia, vulvovaginitis and infertility in cattle. Several species are known to be involved in mastitis in cattle, including M. bovis, M. alkalescens, M. canadense, M. californicum, M. bovigenitalium, and an unnamed mycoplasma known as Bovine Group 7. Other species isolated from cattle, but not specifically related to disease processes include M. arginini, M. alvi, M. bovirhinis, M. verecundum, and several species of acholeplasmas and anaeroplasmas. Useful references providing overviews of information about the bovine mycoplasmas and the associated diseases include those by Barile et al. (1985), Gourlay and Howard (1978), Gourlay and Howard (1979), Gourlay and Howard (1983), Jasper (1981), Nitzschke (1985), and Ross (1985a). Reference citations in this review will focus primarily on the latest information on bovine mycoplasmas.
Manifestations of Mind: Some Conceptual and Empirical Issues

The conference that generated this volume focused upon brain and consciousness. Consciousness is the major mental phenomenon discussed, and recent data from brain science, neuropsychology, and technology are assayed in an attempt to understand how consciousness is related to brain, and what problems that relationship poses. Since these are focal issues on many pages, I wish to point out that consciousness is just one exposed tip of the mental iceberg, and that fundamental mind-body issues remain no matter what is said of consciousness. My primary task is to overview a major cluster of mind-body problems from which consciousness may become a focal problem. This is not to demean consciousness as a problem, but to put it in perspective as one of many pressing issues. Having located the major issues, I wish to turn to the second focus of the conference: the role of data in conceptual problems. This book contains empirical data relevant to the mind-body problems, but none of them are decisive, and some remarks why this is to be expected are in order. Finally, the manner in which mind and body are manifested in the natural order has always been puzzling, and I believe that recent conceptual advances in linguistics and cognitive psychology help clarify the issue. Integral to this issue is an explication of the relationship that obtains between mind and the physical and biological orders, and the focal problem of the causal efficacy of consciousness.
Genetics, Screening, and Chemoprevention

The last few decades have seen tremendous advances in the understanding of human genetics, especially since the sequencing of the human genome in 2003. With rectal cancer, as with all cancers, genetics is at the center of its etiology, whether it is associated with an inherited syndrome or a somatic mutation from environmental or other oncogenic factors. Understanding the genetics of cancer has improved the understanding of all aspects of oncology and cancer biology, such as cancer progression and spread, cancer prevention, and cancer treatment, especially considering “personalized medicine” that allows an individual’s cancer “genetic signature” to be used to tailor therapy. Unlike the surgical treatment of rectal cancer addressed in this textbook, there is little unique to rectal cancer relative to colon cancer when discussing cancer genetics and cancer biology. Instead, most of the research and advances in this field have focused on both colon and rectal cancer (CRC) based on their indistinguishable genetic signature [1], and therefore this chapter will focus on the genetics of CRC with particular attention to the impact of genetics on cancer development as well as cancer outcomes and chemotherapeutic treatment. Additionally, CRC screening and chemoprevention options, critical for early detection and prevention efforts and also not often specific to rectal cancer, will be addressed.
INFANT INJURIES: ACCIDENT OR ABUSE?

Observations were made of 146 children who were accidentally injured or abused, and 113 children were studied in detail. The injuries of the abused group tended to be more severe and to be followed by serious sequelae more often than those of the accidentally injured, but the two groups, accident and abuse, were difficult to differentiate on the basis of history alone. Other findings such as developmental retardation, patient9s ordinal position, family density, and ability to cope with stress were more useful. The physician must be aware that any infant accident or injury reflects a lapse in child care and requires more than emergency treatment.
Environmental effects on wing shape and wing size of Argia sedula (Odonata: Coenagrionidae)

Well-adapted flight morphology must allow for efficient behavioral activities. Wing shape has been shown in a variety of species to be influenced by environmental conditions. Analysis of wing shape...
Clinical Pharmacy Services in a Multidisciplinary Specialty Pain Clinic

Purpose To describe a model of clinical pharmacy services as part of a multidisciplinary specialty pain clinic by discussing (1) the role of a clinical pharmacist in a specialty setting, including clinical interventions implemented, and (2) how integration of a clinical pharmacist may translate into an improved patient care model for the management of chronic pain. Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted of pharmacist visits from October 1, 2013, to September 30, 2015, in a specialty pain clinic at an academic medical center in Los Angeles, California. Data were collected regarding medication-related problems (MRPs) identified by the pharmacist, interventions implemented to resolve the MRPs, and types of medication care coordination activities (MCCAs) performed by the pharmacist, such as responding to medication refill requests and insurance issues. Descriptive statistics were used. Institutional review board approval was obtained prior to initiating the study. Results At least 1 MRP was identified in 98.7% of the 380 visits. Problems identified by the clinical pharmacist were divided into 5 categories: medication refills needed (43%), medication appropriateness/effectiveness (18%), miscellaneous (17%), safety (16%), and nonadherence/patient variables (6%). Interventions focused on referral to appropriate providers, medication counseling, medication initiation, dose adjustment, and medication discontinuation. The most common MCCA was responding to refill requests. Conclusion A clinical pharmacist can identify many MRPs and implement interventions in chronic pain management. Integration of clinical pharmacy services may improve practice management by facilitating the completion of MCCAs and increase access to patients' needs outside the clinic.
The emergence and activities of women’s recruiting groups in the U.S.

Unlike many other countries, the U.S. has not adopted sets of laws or voluntary policies, such as quotas or “all-women short lists” in the U.K., to increase women’s representation. In lieu of offic...
The Effects of Demographic Mismatch in an Elite Professional School Setting

Ten years of administrative data from a diverse, private, top-100 law school are used to examine the ways in which female and nonwhite students benefit from exposure to demographically similar facu...
Censored Works, Exiled Lives, Poetic Remembrances

This chapter situates Heine in the family history of writers, who write in countries, where they face the constant threat of censorship and in resisting censors, develop coded languages within tropes that instruct the reader in reading between the lines. The epic verse, Germany, A Winter Fairy Tale, is a work par excellence of a censor resistant allegory. While the volume, in which the epic appeared was continuously banned, the poem circulated in many parts of Germany in shorter form. This chapter also offers a comparative reading of Germany with two non-European epic poems, Human Landscapes from My Country by the Turkish poet Nâzim Hikmet (Ran) and Canto General by Pablo Neruda of Chile. These two world-renowned poets of the twentieth century echo Heine’s experience of persecution and exile but also infuse their poetry with an intense affection for their compatriots and for humanity.
Evaluation of Material Properties for Practical Microstructured Adhesives: Low Dust Adhesion and High Shear Strength.

The development of microstructure (gecko-like) adhesives has focused almost solely on their adhesive strength. However, for practical applications, especially in real-world environments, the adhesive’s long-term performance is arguably equally important. One impediment to long-term viability is the adhesive’s susceptibility to contamination. It is a challenge to develop an adhesive that can both adhere to a substrate while not becoming contaminated with dust and debris. In response, this paper experimentally explores the effect of modulus of elasticity, work of separation, and work of adhesion (adhesion energy) on the shear stress and particle detachment capabilities of wedge-shaped, directional microstructured adhesives. Particle removal is evaluated using both noncontact cleaning methods (centripetal force and electrostatic particle repulsion) and a dry contact cleaning method (load-drag-unload test). Results show that for a material with a high work of separation, high elastic modulus, and low work of ...
Effect of metronidazole on microbiomes associated with asymptomatic bacterial vaginosis

Asymptomatic Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) damages vaginal epithelium increasing risk of sexually-transmitted infections. Gardnerella vaginalis, Atopobium vaginae, Prevotella amnii, P. bivia and Candida albicans are associated with BV. Presence of Lactobacillus spp. is indicative of a healthy microbiota. Symptomatic BV is treated with metronidazole. The role of microbiota and metronidazole treatment in the recurrence and persistence of asymptomatic BV remains to be elucidated. This study uses whole genome sequencing (WGS) to determine the microbiota changes with metronidazole treatment. DNA from 20 vaginal swabs was obtained at four time points over 12 months from five African American women and was subjected to WGS. The first time point is the untreated baseline. All subjects were tested every 4 months and received a course of metronidazole for each episode of BV during the 12 months period. Nugent scores were used to classify BV status. The microbial profiles were analyzed along with the sociodemographic metadata. Despite treatment, the participants did not recover from BV — two participants experienced persistent BV, and the rest had recurrent BV. WGS analyses show that G. vaginalis was the most abundant organism as compared to Lactobacillus species. The metronidazole treatment resulted in the loss of Lactobacillus and Prevotella species. One participant scored healthy based on Nugent score at one time point, during when Lactobacillus species dominated the microbiome. Based on this pilot longitudinal study, metronidazole may not be an effective treatment for asymptomatic BV. Studies with larger cohorts can lead to statistically significant conclusions to develop alternative interventions for asymptomatic BV.
Effects of heat treatment of mandarin peel on flavonoid profiles and lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Citrus peel, a primary byproduct of citrus fruits, contains a variety of flavonoids. Heat treatment is a favorable food processing for solid peel to release bioactive compounds from tissues and intensify nutritional effects. In this study, we explored alterations of flavonoids by thermal treatment of mandarin peel and their effects on lipid accumulation and intracellular levels during differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells to adipocytes. The heat-treated sample showed stronger inhibition on the formation of lipid droplets than the non-treated sample, along with enhanced intracellular levels of flavonoids. Overall flavonoids, especially flavonoid aglycones showing better efficacy, were found to increase in the peel after heat-treatment. Our findings indicate thermal processing could help release flavonoids from citrus peel and convert them into aglycone forms, leading to efficient cellular uptake and suppression of lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells. This study provides useful information of heat-treated citrus peel as potential dietary supplements with anti-obesity-related effects.
Experimental Investigation of Hydraulics and Lateral Mixing for Helical-Cruciform Fuel Rod Assemblies

In order to significantly increase the power density of light water reactors (LWRs), the authors propose the helical-cruciform (HC) fuel rod assembly as an alternative to traditional fuel geometry....
Abstract P3019: Endothelial Epithelial Sodium Channel is a Novel Mediator of Early Macrovascular and Microvascular Stiffening That Precedes Kidney Injury in Diet-Induced Obesity

Consumption of a Western Diet (WD) high in saturated fat and refined carbohydrates causes obesity and leads to insulin resistance and associated vascular stiffening in females earlier than males. T...
Connecting the Dots: Evaluating the Impact of Graphic Medicine to Empower Patient-Centered Technology Use

Purpose, Electronic health record (EHR) use impacts patient-centered communication. Therefore, how providers use EHR during clinical interactions is key. Unfortunately, providers receive little training specific to EHR-related behaviors, and no studies have assessed how advocacy interventions can increase patient EHR engagement. Given that graphic medicine has been effective in health education, our study aims to evaluate the impact of graphic medicine comics in promoting patient-centered EHR use and patient engagement during outpatient visits. Methods, Patient and provider comics, based on published systematic reviews and a qualitative patient perception study, each highlighted three patient-centered EHR use …
Tables with Prescribed αp and αs

This chapter contains tables of network function coefficients for a number of combinations of α p and α s . Each table is a tabulation for a specific pair of α p and α s as n is increased from 2 through 12. Specifically, it contains all combinations of the the following two groups of values of α p and α s .