cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Corporate Liability for Extraterritorial Torts Under the Alien Tort Statute and Beyond: An Economic Analysis

Litigation against corporate defendants under the Alien Tort Statute is largely an effort to enlist multinational business interests in a laudable effort to reign in the human rights abuses of repressive regimes. The hard question is whether the costs of this now extensive litigation (and related litigation under state tort law) are worth the benefits. This essay offers number of reasons for skepticism in that regard, although I stipulate that the ultimate answer to this question turns on empirical judgments. Courts considering the difficult issues that arise in these cases should at least be mindful of the possibility that corporate liability may impose great costs on firms subject to suit in the United States while accomplishing little or nothing to improve human rights. And if the door to corporate liability is to remain open, careful attention to the standards for aiding and abetting liability, to the requirements for vicarious liability, and to the measure of damages can both cabin and calibrate corporate liability in ways that enhance its potential to afford constructive incentives.
Renal calcification in the first year of life.

The introduction of renal ultrasound technology has shown renal calcification to be more common in infancy than was previously thought. Understanding the role of inhibitors and promoters in crystal formation helps elucidate the pathophysiology of nephrocalcinosis. Identification of the presence or absence of hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria is an effective way to direct the diagnostic work-up of infants with nephrocalcinosis.
Is Pediatric Resuscitation Unique? Relative Merits of Early CPR and Ventilation Versus Early Defibrillation for Young Victims of Prehospital Cardiac Arrest

See related articles, p 484 and 492. [Hazinski ME: Is pediatric resuscitation unique? Relative merits of early CPR and ventilation versus early defibrillation for young victims of cardiac arrest. Ann Emerg Med April 1995;25:540-543.]
Advanced Nuclear Rocket Concepts

Due to the material limitations of nuclear thermal rockets having solid cores, the maximum practical specific impulse achievable by these engines is in the range of 900 s. To achieve significantly higher specific impulses, much higher propellant temperatures will be required, thus necessitating a radically different nuclear core design. One method which has been considered in the past to achieve these higher specific impulses is to use a nuclear pulse system. In this concept, a space vehicle is propelled forward by riding the series of blast waves which result from a succession of properly timed external nuclear explosions. This concept was actually tested in the 1960s under the project name Orion using chemical rather than nuclear explosives. Another method of achieving higher specific impulses is to employ a gaseous fissioning core so as to eliminate the problem of fuel melting at extremely high temperatures. As might be expected, a number of significant design challenges exist with this concept primarily with regard to designing a feasible means of transferring heat from the gaseous fissioning core to the gaseous propellant.
Modeling Resilience in System of Systems Architecture

Abstract System of Systems (SoS) can be represented by the SoS architecture which defines the constituent systems and their interfaces. SoS delivers capabilities beyond what the systems working independently can provide. Resiliency of the SoS is becoming increasingly more important and necessary for mission success. Resiliency can be defined as the ability of the SoS architecture to defend against emerging threats. This defense means adapting the SoS architecture to handle the new threat. As a new threat is uncovered, the SoS architecture evolves to a new SoS architecture resilient to the new threat. This paper presents a novel approach to modeling SoS resilience using the SoS architecture as represented in Department of Defense Architecture Framework (DoDAF) views. DoDAF views are required for US DoD programs and are a way of common communication among stakeholders. This modeling approach uses an executable agent-based model of the SoS that includes the SoS architecture and possible threats. The initial SoS architecture is taken from the appropriate DoDAF views. The modeling approach introduces a threat and then adapts the SoS architecture to handle the threat. In this way, resiliency is increased. Finally, the DoDAF views are updated to reflect the newly adapted SoS architecture.
Adhesion and diffusion at TiN/TiO2 interfaces: A first principles study

Abstract This work uses density functional theory (DFT) calculations to analyze the energetics and stability of TiN/TiO2 interfaces. Specifically, the work of adhesion and migration energy barriers for oxygen diffusion through the interface are calculated for multiple interface geometries and terminations. It is found that the stability of defect free interfaces is controlled by the work of adhesion because the migration energy barriers for oxygen across the interface are high in all cases. It is also found that the TiN termination significantly affects the work of adhesion.
Aspirin was not associated with a decreased risk for colorectal cancer

Source Citation Sturmer T, Glynn RJ, Lee I-M, et al. Aspirin use and colorectal cancer: post-trial follow-up data from the Physicians' Health Study. Ann Intern Med. 1998 May 1;128:713-20.
Finite Precision Controller Implementation – Explore the Coupling Between Sample Rate and Wordlength

Abstract While implementing discrete-time controllers, there are two major considerations: the required sample rate and the wordlength in decimal. Higher sample rate is often preferred since it implies better approximation to continuous-time results. It is also well known that the upper bound of the achievable sample rate maybe significantly lower than that limited by hardware when a discrete-time controller is implemented with finite precision. In this paper, we will investigate this apparent coupling between finite precision implementation and the limit on the sample rate. We will propose conservative bounds that relate the controller characteristics and the minimum wordlength to the maximum achievable sample rate based on different controller realizations.
Increased use of heroin as an initiating opioid of abuse.

Abstract Introduction Given the relatively recent growth in access to heroin and a more permissive atmosphere surrounding its use, we hypothesized that an increasing number of persons with limited experience and tolerance to opioids would experiment with heroin as their first opioid rather than more common prescription opioid analgesics. Methods Individuals entering substance abuse treatment for an opioid use disorder in the period 2010–2016 (N = 5885) were asked about the specific opioid they first regularly used to get high. To limit long-term recall and survival bias, analyses was restricted to opioid initiation that occurred in the past ten years (2005–2015). Results In 2005, only 8.7% of opioid initiators started with heroin, but this sharply increased to 33.3% (p Conclusions Our data document that, as the most commonly prescribed opioids – hydrocodone and oxycodone – became less accessible due to supply-side interventions, the use of heroin as an initiating opioid has grown at an alarming rate. Given that opioid novices have limited tolerance to opioids, a slight imprecision in dosing inherent in heroin use is likely to be an important factor contributing to the growth in heroin-related over dose fatalities in recent years.
Factors That Affect Crossover Between Multiple Worlds Within a Narrative

In some narratives one world is embedded within the main world of the story, which we refer to as the base world, and elements from one world can cross over into the other. This study explored the ...
Eggs and Health: Nutrient Sources and Supplement Carriers

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the health benefits of eggs and its rich source of nutrients. The egg comprises of four main parts: yolk, egg white or albumen, shell membranes and the shell. A detailed description of the different constituents of egg, the percentage of concentration is given and its composition includes proteins, fat soluble vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates. Lipids are mentioned to be one of the main components of the egg and it is present as complexes of lipoproteins and other components include triacylglycerols and phospholipids. The fatty acids in egg consist of saturated as well as mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids. The micronutrients in egg include fat soluble and water soluble vitamins, pigments such as xanthophylls and carotenes. A brief account of chicken egg as a functional food and carriers of dietary supplements is given. The beneficial health effects of omega-3 fatty acids have led to creation of specialty eggs, enriched with omega-3. Another component of egg is mentioned as spingolipids, which are critical for the maintenance of membrane structure and regulates extracellular matrix proteins.
Synthesis of 1T, 2H, and 6R Germanane Polytypes

Polytypism, or the ability for materials to crystallize with different stacking sequences, often leads to fundamentally different properties in families of two-dimensional materials. Here, we show that is possible to control the polytype of GeH, a representative two-dimensional material that is synthesized topotactically by first controlling the polytype sequence of the precursor Zintl phase. 1T, 2H, and 6R GeH can be prepared by the topotactic deintercalation of 1T EuGe2, 2H α-CaGe2, and 6R β-CaGe2, respectively. The 6R and 1T GeH polytypes exhibit remarkably similar properties and feature band gaps of 1.63 and 1.59 eV, respectively. However, the 2H CaGe2 precursor forms due to the incorporation of small amounts of In flux in the germanium lattice, which is retained when converted to GeH. Consequently, 2H GeH has a reduced band gap of 1.45 eV. Finally, temperature dependent diffraction of 6R GeH shows a negative coefficient of thermal expansion along the a-axis and a positive coefficient of thermal expan...
IMPACT OF BASELINE THROMBOCYTOPENIA ON IN-HOSPITAL OUTCOMES AFTER PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTIONS: ANALYSIS OF OVER 70,000 PATIENTS

The impact of baseline thrombocytopenia(bTCP) on clinical outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI) is unclear. Data from single center observational studies are conflicting and these patients are typically excluded from randomized controlled trials. We identified patients with and
Should i Stay or Should i Go?: Motivational Activation Predicts Online Content Changes

Abstract. This study explores how motivational activation influences real-time selection behavior during picture viewing on a computer. We measured the trait level motivational reactivity (ASA and ...
Human Biomonitoring of Select Ingredients in Cosmetics

Abstract The use of cosmetics in our daily lives has increased globally. Although cosmetics are used for a desired purpose, the presence of certain ingredients that can have potential adverse health effects is a concern. Thus, there is a need for identification and quantification of such chemicals in cosmetics to assess exposure doses as well as the potential health risks to humans and the environment. Human biomonitoring studies provide valuable information on the exposure levels of a wide range of environmental chemicals, including those that are found in cosmetic products. In this chapter, we provide an overview of human exposure to the most widely studied ingredients, such as parabens and triclosan (antimicrobial preservatives), ultraviolet light filters (sunscreens), phthalates (plasticizers and solubilizers) and synthetic musks (fragrances), based on the results from human biomonitoring studies. Cosmetic products are the major sources of human exposure to chemicals such as parabens and benzophenones. Exposure levels of various toxic chemicals present in cosmetics among populations across the globe and demographic factors (age, gender, country and other geographic factors) that affect exposure levels are discussed.
Drilling through Conservation Policy: Oil Exploration in Murchison Falls Protected Area, Uganda

Approximately 2.5 billion barrels of commercially-viable oil, worth $2 billion in annual revenue for 20 years, were discovered under the Ugandan portion of the Albertine Rift in 2006. The region also contains seven of Uganda's protected areas and a growing ecotourism industry. We conducted interviews and focus groups in and around Murchison Falls Protected Area, Uganda's largest, oldest, and most visited protected area, to assess the interaction of oil exploration with the three primary conservation policies employed by Uganda Wildlife Authority: protectionism, neoliberal capital accumulation, and community-based conservation. We find that oil extraction is legally permitted inside protected areas in Uganda, like many other African countries, and that the wildlife authority and oil companies are adapting to co-exist inside a protected area. Our primary argument is that neoliberal capital accumulation as a conservation policy actually makes protected areas more vulnerable to industrial exploitation because nature is commodified, allowing economic value and profitability of land uses to determine how nature is exploited. Our secondary argument is that the conditional nature of protected area access inherent within the protectionist policy permits oil extraction within Murchison Falls Protected Area. Finally, we argue that community-based conservation, as operationalized in Uganda, has no role in defending protected areas against oil industrialisation.
A Radical Approach to Real Analysis, by David Bressoud

(1995). A Radical Approach to Real Analysis, by David Bressoud. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 102, No. 7, pp. 661-664.
Ocular Adnexal Amyloidosis: A Mass Spectrometric Analysis.

Purpose Ocular adnexal amyloidosis (OAA) may represent localized manifestation of an underlying systemic process. Accurate identification of the amyloid fibrils can guide the systemic evaluation and treatment. The aim of this study was to characterize subtypes of OAA using immunohistochemistry and mass spectrometric analysis and to correlate with ocular involvement and systemic association. Design Retrospective case series. Methods Review of patients with OAA subtyped by immunohistochemistry and mass spectrometric analysis at the Cleveland Clinic from June 1995 to June 2017. Results While immunohistochemistry identified AL amyloid protein in 67% (4/6) of specimens tested, mass spectrometry identified AL amyloid protein in all specimens (10/10). AL lambda was identified in 5 (50%) samples, kappa in 3 (30%), and both kappa and lambda light chains in 2 (20%). The 5 cases of conjunctival amyloidosis were either AL lambda only (3 cases) or both lambda and kappa (2 cases). There were 3 cases that had associated systemic involvement. Two of these had eyelid skin involvement and AL kappa amyloidosis and the other patient had uveal involvement and AL lambda amyloidosis. Conclusions Primary amyloidosis-AL is the most common form diagnosed by mass spectrometric analysis in patients with OAA. Immunohistochemistry is ineffective in the characterization of the amyloid deposits in a significant number of cases. Evaluation to exclude systemic involvement or associated underlying lymphoproliferative disorder is warranted.
Increasing Competition in U.S. Education

Concern over the competitiveness of the United States in an increasingly competitive world economy has been growing. At the heart of the concern is the lagging growth in labor productivity in the United States. A country cannot expect to succeed in international markets if its growth in labor productivity is persistently less than that in other countries. Of the major industrialized countries, only Canada had a lower labor productivity growth rate in manufacturing than did the United States over the period 1970–1985. (See Figure 11–1.)
Single Photon Ionization Mass Spectroscopy of Hydrogen Bonded and van der Waals Cluster Systems Using a Capillary Discharge Soft X-Ray Laser

We report the first use of a soft x-ray laser in photochemistry studies. A 46.9 nm capillary discharge soft x-ray laser was used to study hydrogen bonded and van der Waals cluster systems. The study of van der Waals cluster formation and growth in the gas phase can contribute to the understanding of solvation processes, solvation dynamics, and the nucleation and growth of small clusters. The comparative investigation of water, methanol, and ammonia clusters is of importance because these clusters demonstrate a wide range of van der Waals interactions and hydrogen bonding: water clusters are very strongly and dominantly hydrogen bonded; methanol clusters somewhat less so; and ammonia clusters perhaps not at all. Sulfur dioxide is the major contributor to acid rain and a generator of soot. The process of SO2 and water forming acid rain has been studied for some time in order to determine the atmospheric mechanism for this environmental issue. Carbon dioxide is the major gas phase pollutant responsible for the “green house effect” of the atmosphere. Many experiments employing supersonic expansion coupled with mass spectroscopic detection have been conducted in order to study monomeric and clustered structure and behavior of each of these systems. Spectroscopic and photochemical properties of the systems should be related to cluster structure. However, one of the most serious problems in the investigation of the distribution of neutral hydrogen-bonded and van der Waals clusters is the fragmentation or the intra-cluster ion-molecule reactions to the protonated cluster ions. Electron Impact (EI) ionization usually suffers considerably from fragmentation of parent cluster ions on account of the large excess energies during the ionization process. Multiphoton ionization (MPI) processes result in the predissociation of the neutral clusters before ionization. Single photon ionization is a more “gentle” way to study hydrogen-bonded and Van der Waals clusters since less fragmentation of the parent cluster ions occurs compared to EI and MPI ionization. We have used the 26.5 eV from a desk-top size Ne-like Ar capillary soft xray laser to do chemical cluster dynamics studies. A single photon from this laser is sufficient to ionize any cluster, molecule, or, even He atoms.
Fronts in Periodic Media

Fronts or interfaces in periodic media are deterministic problems in between homogeneous media and random media. Much can be learned on how front solutions transition from monoscale simple solutions in Chapter 1 to multiple-scale solutions. Periodic homogenization and PDE techniques based on maximum principles are essential tools for constructing front solutions and analyzing their asymptotics. We shall observe the close relationship between Hamilton-Jacobi (HJ) and reaction- diffusion (RD) equations, and present the variational principles of front speeds.
Structured Clinical Documentation to Improve Quality and Support Practice-Based Research in Headache.

Objective To use the electronic medical record (EMR) to optimize patient care, facilitate documentation, and support quality improvement and practice-based research, in a headache specialty clinic. Background Many physicians enter data into the EMR as unstructured free text and not as discrete data. This makes it challenging to use data for quality improvement or research initiatives. Methods We describe the process of building a customized structured clinical documentation support toolkit, specific for patients seen in a headache specialty clinic. The content was developed through frequent physician meetings to reach consensus on elements that define clinical Best Practices. Tasks were assigned to the care team and data mapped to the progress note. Results The toolkit collects hundreds of fields of discrete, standardized data. Auto scored and interpreted score tests include the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item, Center for Epidemiology Studies Depression Scale, Migraine Disability Assessment questionnaire, Insomnia Sleep Index, and Migraine-Specific Quality of Life. We have developed Best Practice Advisories (BPA) and other clinical documentation support tools that alert physicians, when appropriate. As of April 1, 2018, we have used the toolkits at 4346 initial patient visits. We provide screenshots of our toolkits, details of data fields collected, and diagnoses of patients at the initial visit. Conclusions The EMR can be used to effectively structure and standardize headache clinic visits for quality improvement and practice-based research. We are sharing our proprietary toolkit with other clinics as part of the Neurology Practice-Based Research Network. These tools are also facilitating clinical research enrollment and a pragmatic trial of comparative effectiveness at the point-of-care among migraine patients.
Density predictions using a finite element/level set model of polyurethane foam expansion and polymerization

Abstract Polyurethane foams are used widely for encapsulation and structural purposes because they are inexpensive, straightforward to process, amenable to a wide range of density variations (1–50 lb/ft3), and able to fill complex molds quickly and effectively. Computational models of the filling and curing process are needed to reduce defects such as voids, out-of-specification density, density gradients, foam decomposition from high temperatures due to exotherms, and incomplete filling. This paper details the development of a computational fluid dynamics model of a moderate density PMDI structural foam, PMDI-10. PMDI is an isocyanate-based polyurethane foam, which is chemically blown with water. The polyol reacts with isocyanate to produce the polymer. PMDI-10 is catalyzed giving it a short pot life, meaning that the foam is liquid and flowable only for a short-time; it foams and polymerizes to a solid within 5 min during normal processing. To achieve a higher density, the foam is over-packed to twice or more of its free-rise density of 10 lb/ft3. The goal for modeling is to represent the expansion, filling of molds, and the polymerization of the foam. This model will be used to reduce defects, optimize the mold design, understand processing parameter sensitivities, and predict the final foam properties. A homogenized continuum model for foaming and curing was developed based on reaction kinetics, documented in a recent paper; it uses a simplified mathematical formalism that decouples these two reactions. The chemo-rheology of PMDI is measured experimentally and fit to a generalized-Newtonian viscosity model that is dependent on the extent of cure, gas volume fraction, and temperature. The conservation equations, including the equations of motion, an energy balance, and three rate equations are solved using a stabilized finite element method. The equations are combined with a level set method to determine the location of the foam-gas interface as it evolves to fill the mold. Understanding the thermal history and loads on the foam due to exothermicity and oven curing is very important to the results, since the kinetics, viscosity, and other material properties are all sensitive to temperature. Results from the model are compared to experimental flow visualization data to understand the interface evolution with time and post-test X-ray computed tomography (CT) data for the density prediction validation. Several geometries are investigated including two configurations of a mock structural part and a bar geometry to specifically test the density model. We have found that the model predicts both average density and filling profiles well. However, it under predicts density gradients, especially in the gravity direction. Further model improvements are also discussed for future work.
Examining Balloon Expulsion Testing as an Office-Based, Screening Test for Dyssynergic Defecation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Balloon expulsion testing (BET) is recommended to evaluate for dyssynergic defecation in patients with chronic constipation (CC). However, it remains poorly standardized and is limited to specialized centers. Our goal was to assess the clinical utility of balloon expulsion as an initial test for dyssynergic defecation and to determine appropriate testing parameters. We performed a literature search to identify cohort studies of unselected subjects with CC and case-control studies of subjects with/without dyssynergic defecation. We defined dyssynergic defecation by constipation symptoms and a positive reference test (anorectal manometry [ARM], defecography, or electromyography [EMG]). We performed a meta-analysis using a bivariate mixed-effects regression model to assess summary sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). We conducted a meta-regression to investigate individual test parameters and demographic variables. We identified 15 eligible studies comprising 2090 individual assessments of BET. Among cohort studies, the AUC was 0.80 (95% CI: 0.61–0.91) with 70% sensitivity (95% CI: 52–83%) and 77% specificity (95% CI: 70–82%). In pooling cohort and case-control studies, the AUC was 0.84 (95% CI: 0.68–0.93) with 70% sensitivity (95% CI: 53–82%) and 81% specificity (95% CI: 75–86%). Subject positioning (seated vs. left lateral decubitus) did not significantly affect test performance in cohort (p = 0.82) or case-control (p = 0.43) analysis. Most studies evaluated 50–60 mL water insufflation. Test performance was not significantly affected by varying the maximum allowed expulsion time between 1 to 5 min. Age and gender likely accounted for significant study heterogeneity between studies. Choice of reference test, continent of study, and year of study did not significantly affect test performance. We report an optimized BET protocol. The performance characteristics of BET could support its use as a point of service test to screen for dyssynergic defecation in chronically constipated subjects.
Accompaniment in a Mexican immigrant community: Conceptualization and identification of biopsychosocial outcomes

ABSTRACTTaller de Jose (TDJ) offers accompaniment in a Mexican neighborhood in Chicago, helping service participants navigate health, judicial, and social service systems. Using a community-based p...
Adolescents’ Social Norms across Family, Peer, and School Settings: Linking Social Norm Profiles to Adolescent Risky Health Behaviors

Social norms around adolescent risky health behaviors have been often studied in separate developmental settings (e.g., family norms, peer norms), and little is known regarding the overall patterns of social norms across contexts and how they influence adolescent risky health behaviors. This study explored profiles of social norms around risky health behaviors across family, peer, and school settings, using data from 11,086 adolescents (50% female; 49% White, 22% Black, 18% Latinx, 8% Asian American, 3% other race/ethnicities) in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. Five profiles of social norms around risky health behaviors emerged. Only a small portion of the sample experienced either congruent-restrictive (6%) or congruent-permissive (10%) social norms across settings. The majority experienced incongruent social norms, including the developmentally normative-low risk (39%), developmentally normative-high risk (40%), and resilient (5%) profiles. Adolescents with the congruent-restrictive profile and developmentally normative-low risk profiles exhibited the least risky health behaviors over time, followed by those with the resilient profile, and adolescents with the developmentally normative-high risk and the congruent-permissive profile exhibited the greatest risky health behaviors over time. Each profile was associated with unique developmental, socio-demographic, and psychosocial characteristics. The findings highlighted the complexity of social norms across contexts and the developmental versus risky natures of these social norm profiles.
Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for achalasia.

Achalasia is an uncommon disorder that results from the degeneration of ganglion cells of the myenteric plexus in the lower esophageal wall. It is manifested by a loss of peristalsis in the lower part of the esophagus and failure of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to relax. Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is a minimally invasive intervention that aims to treat achalasia. It is regarded as the endoscopic equivalent of Heller myotomy. POEM is a form of natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery that is completed by creating a submucosal tunnel in the lower part of esophagus to reach the inner circular muscle bundles of the LES to perform myotomy, while preserving the outer longitudinal muscle bundles. The result is decreased resting pressure of the LES, facilitating the passage of ingested material. POEM was initially introduced to treat achalasia by targeting the LES. POEM has expanded to include gastric POEM (G-POEM), myotomy of the pyloric sphincter to treat gastroparesis, and per rectal endoscopic myotomy to treat adult Hirschsprung’s disease.
Method for Spatial Overlap Estimation of Electroencephalography and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Responses

Abstract Background Simultaneous functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electroencephalography (EEG) measurements may represent activity from partially divergent neural sources, but this factor is seldom modeled in fMRI-EEG data integration. New method This paper proposes an approach to estimate the spatial overlap between sources of activity measured simultaneously with fMRI and EEG. Following the extraction of task-related activity, the key steps include, 1) distributed source reconstruction of the task-related ERP activity (ERP source model), 2) transformation of fMRI activity to the ERP spatial scale by forward modelling of the scalp potential field distribution and backward source reconstruction (fMRI source simulation), and 3) optimization of fMRI and ERP thresholds to maximize spatial overlap without a priori constraints of coupling (overlap calculation). Results FMRI and ERP responses were recorded simultaneously in 15 subjects performing an auditory oddball task. A high degree of spatial overlap between sources of fMRI and ERP responses (in 9 or more of 15 subjects) was found specifically within temporoparietal areas associated with the task. Areas of non-overlap in fMRI and ERP sources were relatively small and inconsistent across subjects. Comparison with existing method The ERP and fMRI sources estimated with solely jICA overlapped in just 4 of 15 subjects, and strictly in the parietal cortex. Conclusion The study demonstrates that the new fMRI-ERP spatial overlap estimation method provides greater spatiotemporal detail of the cortical dynamics than solely jICA. As such, we propose that it is a superior method for the integration of fMRI and EEG to study brain function.
Wrangling environmental exposure data: guidance for getting the best information from your laboratory measurements

Environmental health and exposure researchers can improve the quality and interpretation of their chemical measurement data, avoid spurious results, and improve analytical protocols for new chemicals by closely examining lab and field quality control (QC) data. Reporting QC data along with chemical measurements in biological and environmental samples allows readers to evaluate data quality and appropriate uses of the data (e.g., for comparison to other exposure studies, association with health outcomes, use in regulatory decision-making). However many studies do not adequately describe or interpret QC assessments in publications, leaving readers uncertain about the level of confidence in the reported data. One potential barrier to both QC implementation and reporting is that guidance on how to integrate and interpret QC assessments is often fragmented and difficult to find, with no centralized repository or summary. In addition, existing documents are typically written for regulatory scientists rather than environmental health researchers, who may have little or no experience in analytical chemistry. We discuss approaches for implementing quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) in environmental exposure measurement projects and describe our process for interpreting QC results and drawing conclusions about data validity. Our methods build upon existing guidance and years of practical experience collecting exposure data and analyzing it in collaboration with contract and university laboratories, as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. With real examples from our data, we demonstrate problems that would not have come to light had we not engaged with our QC data and incorporated field QC samples in our study design. Our approach focuses on descriptive analyses and data visualizations that have been compatible with diverse exposure studies with sample sizes ranging from tens to hundreds of samples. Future work could incorporate additional statistically grounded methods for larger datasets with more QC samples. This guidance, along with example table shells, graphics, and some sample R code, provides a useful set of tools for getting the best information from valuable environmental exposure datasets and enabling valid comparison and synthesis of exposure data across studies.
Electrosynthesis: Sustainability Is Not Enough

Download : Download high-res image (46KB) Download : Download full-size image Yu Kawamata is currently a staff scientist at Scripps Research in the Baran laboratory. He completed his undergraduate education, master’s degree, and Ph.D. under the supervision of Professor Keiji Maruoka at Kyoto University. During his Ph.D., he undertook an internship at Scripps Research working on natural product synthesis with Professor Phil S. Baran. Upon completion of his doctoral studies, he returned to the Baran laboratory to pursue synthetic organic electrochemistry. Download : Download high-res image (94KB) Download : Download full-size image Phil S. Baran is a professor in the Department of Chemistry at Scripps Research. He completed his undergraduate education at New York University in 1997. After earning his Ph.D. at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) in 2001, he pursued postdoctoral studies at Harvard University until 2003, at which point he returned to TSRI to begin his independent career. He is currently the Darlene Shiley Professor of Chemistry. The mission of his laboratory is to educate students at the intersection of fundamental organic chemistry and translational science.
What Are the Favorable Large-Scale Environments for the Highest-Flash-Rate Thunderstorms on Earth?

AbstractA 16-yr Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) convective feature (CF) dataset and ERA-Interim data are used to understand the favorable thermodynamic and kinematic environments for hig...
Chapter 7 – Pathological Pain

Publisher Summary This chapter addresses the mechanisms of pathological pain and describes several common pain syndromes. It attempts to bridge the knowledge gleaned from research to that obtained from clinical observation and treatment. Current scientific understanding of the basic mechanisms of pain derives principally from animal and human laboratory research and has a narrow sensory focus. However, clinical manifestations of pathological pain are complex, colored by the affective status of the patient, and complicated by the patient's general health, psychosocial well-being, and overall psychosocial adjustment. Consequently, knowledge gleaned by laboratory research cannot as yet account adequately for clinical pain states. The goal in discussing pathological pain is to offer a limited but integrated perspective on pathological pain that draws from clinical medicine, basic science, and behavioral science.
Performance Stability and Scale-Up Syntheses of Pt Monolayer Electrocatalysts

Stability is one of the main requirements for commercializing fuel cell electrocatalysts for automotive applications. It is considered in this chapter. Platinum as the catalyst for oxygen cathode can undergo a slow dissolution during the potential cycling regimes that occurs while driving electric vehicles. Description of methods for stabilizing Pt monolayer on supporting cores nanoparticles are given. Accelerated tests and tests in fuel cells are also described. Small addition of Au to Pd, nanoparticles showed enhanced stability. Pt monolayer on palladium–gold alloy nanoparticles is an active, stabile electrocatalyst that can be used in automotive application. In fuel-cell tests, this electrocatalyst with its ultra-low platinum content showed minimal degradation in activity over 100,000 cycles between potentials 0.6 and 1.0 V. Under a potential range of 0.6–1.4 V, no marked losses in platinum and gold are registered, but some palladium dissolves. Dissolved Pd, i.e., Pd2+, does not affect conductivity of the membrane because it is reduced to Pd by H2 dissolved in membrane. The enhanced stability of PdAu is due to a positive shift of Pd oxidation. Reduced PdOH formation is seen in voltammetry and in situ EXAFS studies. This suggests a self-healing mechanism of this electrocatalyst, which leads to the production of a new generation of PtML/Pd/C catalysts with outstanding, unprecedented stability: there was no loss of activity over 200,000 potential cycles. The scale -up synthesis of 2 g per batch is described. A simple scale-up procedure can result in a synthesis of 1kg per batch.
Low-Power Thermo-Optic Silicon Modulator Geometrically Optimized for Photonic Integrated Circuits

We demonstrate geometrically-optimized thermo-optic phase modulator structures to achieve low power consumption, low loss, and compact formfactor. One such optimized design consumes 1.67 mW for π phase modulation with 0.98 dB optical loss in 0.0057 mm2 footprint.
Creation of magnetic rogue waves

Rogue waves, first discovered in the ocean, are extraordinarily large amplitude waves which can form in relatively calm environments. Magnetic materials also support waves, but with a completely different set of underlying physics. We demonstrate the possibility of generating magnetic rogue waves by applying an abstract form of time reversal. Magnetic systems have important differences from the other media which admit rogue waves; they are inherently anisotropic and have many tunable parameters such as the magnitude and direction of an applied field. We investigate the role of anisotropy and these tunable parameters in the formation and properties of magnetic rogue waves. Through analytic calculations, we identify the important wave vectors and frequencies, typically ranging from 10 to 25 GHz, of the spin waves involved in the creation of magnetic rogue waves. We then correlate this information with the overall efficiency of the rogue wave generation process.
A Thoracoscopic Technique Used in Anterior Vertebral Tethering for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

Abstract Anterior vertebral tethering (AVT) is a relatively recent alternative to posterior spinal fusion for progressive curves in growing patients with idiopathic scoliosis. AVT uses a thoracoscopic approach to minimize trauma to the thoracic wall and chest cavity. There are limited technical descriptions of this method. Patients benefit from proficiency and reproducibility to allow for appropriate spinal curve correction over time. This Technical Note outlines the steps of the thoracoscopic approach to AVT and reviews the current indications for AVT over posterior spinal fusion, as well as the most recently published clinical outcomes of this procedure.
Anticholinergic prescribing pattern changes of urogynecology providers in response to evidence of potential dementia risk.

Recent publications show an association between exposure to anticholinergic medications and the risk of developing dementia. We hypothesized that urogynecology providers have changed their overactive bladder syndrome treatment as a result of this literature. This was an anonymous, cross-sectional, web-based survey of American Urogynecologic Society members. Survey questions queried awareness of the referenced literature, prescribing practices, the impact of insurance on treatment plans, and demographics. Our primary outcome measured the change in prescribing practice in response to literature linking anticholinergic medications with the risk of dementia. Descriptive statistics were used. A total of 222 urogynecology providers completed the survey. Nearly all respondents (99.1%) were aware of the recent literature, and, as a result, 90.5% reported changing their practice. Prior to the publication of recent literature, a “non-CNS-sparing” anticholinergic (e.g., oxybutynin) was most commonly prescribed (64.4%), whereas after the literature was published, this shifted to s3-adrenoceptor agonists (58.5%, p < 0.001). A majority of respondents (96.6%) reported that insurance restrictions led to a change in treatment for some patients, with 73.5% describing the prior-authorization process as difficult. Many providers (61.8%) reported that a trial of anticholinergics was required by insurance companies prior to authorizing mirabegron. The recent literature associating anticholinergic medications with the development of dementia has changed practice patterns among survey respondents, with a shift away from anticholinergic medications and toward s3-adrenoceptor agonists. The majority of respondents report insurance barriers to non-anticholinergic therapies, resulting in alteration of their preferred practices.
Some Introductory Thoughts

The public debates are dominated by economic concepts with no precise meaning. Hence politicians are seldom capable to deal with the consequences of decisions taken by such faulty reasoning, by learning the right lesson.
Machine learning enabled subgroup analysis with real-world data to inform better clinical trial design

Abstract Restrictive eligibility criteria for clinical trials may limit the generalizability of treatment effectiveness and safety to real-world patients. In this paper, we propose a machine learning approach to derive patient subgroups from real-world data (RWD), such that the patients within the same subgroup share similar clinical characteristics and safety outcomes. The effectiveness of our approach was validated on two existing clinical trials with the electronic health records (EHRs) from a large clinical research network. One is the donepezil trial for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and the other is the Bevacizumab trial on colon cancer (CRC). The results show that our proposed algorithm can identify patient subgroups with coherent clinical manifestations and similar risk levels of encountering severe adverse events (SAEs). We further exemplify that potential rules for describing the patient subgroups with less SAEs can be derived to inform the design of clinical trial eligibility criteria.
Transformerless DC/DC converter for production of high voltage

A DC/DC power converter that is capable of generating high voltage is described. The design employs capacitive energy transfer to accomplish voltage conversion. The converter contains arrays of integrated-circuit power switches and capacitors. A transfer gain of 36 is achieved, making it possible to step up a nominal input of 67.5 V DC to 2430 V DC. The circuit configuration, performance characteristics, and merits of the design are discussed. >
Deflection of Atoms in Laser Fields and External Fields

Experiments on the deflection of atoms by external fields go back to the earliest days of atomic physics.1 The deflection is determined by atomic parameters whose values depend on the state of the atom. For example, the atomic polarizability determines the coupling of the atom to an inhomogeneous electric field and the magnetic moment or Lande g factor determines the coupling to a magnetic field. When the atom is in a laser field its internal state is changed, or dressed, and one can expect that these coupling parameters will also be changed. Therefore, the deflection of the atom should depend on the characteristics of the laser.2
A lightweight methodology for safety case assembly

We describe a lightweight methodology to support the automatic assembly of safety cases from tabular requirements specifications. The resulting safety case fragments provide an alternative, graphical, view of the requirements. The safety cases can be modified and augmented with additional information. In turn, these modifications can be mapped back to extensions of the tabular requirements, with which they are kept consistent, thus avoiding the need for engineers to maintain an additional artifact. We formulate our approach on top of an idealized process, and illustrate the applicability of the methodology on excerpts of requirements specifications for an experimental Unmanned Aircraft System.
Lanthanides: Resource Sustainability

Rare earth elements have unique electronic, optical, luminescent, and magnetic properties that make them critically important in a broad range of products and applications. For example, rare earth elements are used as catalysts, in manufacturing, medicine, ceramics, and glasses. They are fundamentally important in the generation of clean energy and carbon-free means of transportation. Projected growth rates of rare earth element demands will, for some elements, exceed production capabilities within several decades. Moreover, rare earth elements are currently mined, concentrated, and used in such an unsustainable manner that these critically important elements are unavailable for future generations. Making rare earth resources sustainable requires not only a careful economic assessment but also a determination of environmental and societal impacts. New chemical and engineering technologies are required to achieve this goal, beginning with the recycling and reuse of existing products. Ultimately, products and applications should be designed so that rare earth elements can be immediately and economically reused. Keywords: sustainability; strategic elements; endangered elements; clean energy; consumption; recycling
Hypertension and high hematocrit: Another clue to renal arterial disease☆

Abstract The incidence of high hematocrit was studied in 301 hypertensive and normotensive patients with or without renal arterial disease or pyelone-phritis. When hypertensive patients were sub-divided into those with essential hypertension and those with renal arterial disease associated with hypertension, there was a significantly higher incidence of high hematocrit in those with renal arterial disease. High hematocrit was also found to have a higher incidence in hypertensive patients with unilateral renal atrophy due to ischemia, rather than to parenchymal disease due to pyelonephritis. Further-more, its incidence was greater in patients with peripheral atherosclerosis and occlusive renal arterial disease than in those without renal arterial stenosis, regardless of the presence of hypertension. Therefore, if high hematocrit is found in a hypertensive patient, or a normo-tensive patient with peripheral atherosclerosis which is neither of the primary type nor explained by any known cause, occlusive renal arterial disease should be strongly considered.
Minimum edge interference in wireless sensor networks

The approach of using topology control to reduce interference in wireless sensor networks has attracted attention of many researchers. There are several definitions of interference in the literature. In a wireless sensor network, the interference at a node may be caused by an edge that is transmitting data, or it occurs because the node itself is within the transmission range of another. The interference load of an edge is the number of nodes that are in the disks defined by the end nodes of this edge with a radius which is either the Euclidean distance or the power level of the end nodes. In this paper we show that the problem of assigning power level to a set of nodes in the plane to yield a connected geometric graph whose edges have bounded interference is NP-complete under both edge interference definitions. We also study the performance of a number of heuristics through simulation.