cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evidence for Neural Effects of Repetition that Directly Correlate with Behavioral Priming

Stimulus repetition associates with neural activity reductions during tasks that elicit behavioral priming. Here we present direct evidence for a quantitative relation between neural activity reductions and behavioral priming. Fifty-four subjects performed a word classification task while being scanned with functional MRI. Activity reductions were found in multiple high-level cortical regions including those within the prefrontal cortex. Importantly, activity within several of these regions, including the prefrontal cortex, correlated with behavior such that greater activity reductions associated with faster performance. Whole-brain correlational analyses confirmed the observation of anatomic overlap between regions showing activity reductions and those showing direct brain–behavioral correlations. The finding of a quantitative relation between neural and behavioral effects in frontal regions suggests that repetition reduces frontally mediated processing in a manner that ultimately facilitates behavior.
The PI3K/Akt Pathway Regulates Oxygen Metabolism via Pyruvate Dehydrogenase (PDH)-E1α Phosphorylation

Inhibition of the PI3K/Akt pathway decreases hypoxia within SQ20B human head and neck cancer xenografts. We set out to understand the molecular mechanism underlying this observation. We measured oxygen consumption using both a Clark electrode and an extracellular flux analyzer. We made these measurements after various pharmacologic and genetic manipulations. Pharmacologic inhibition of the PI3K/mTOR pathway or genetic inhibition of Akt/PI3K decreased the oxygen consumption rate (OCR) in vitro in SQ20B and other cell lines by 30% to 40%. Pharmacologic inhibition of this pathway increased phosphorylation of the E1α subunit of the pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) complex on Ser293, which inhibits activity of this critical gatekeeper of mitochondrial respiration. Expressing wild-type PTEN in a doxycycline-inducible manner in a cell line with mutant PTEN led to an increase in PDH-E1α phosphorylation and a decrease in OCR. Pretreatment of SQ20B cells with dichloroacetate (DCA), which inhibits PDH-E1α phosphorylation by inhibiting dehydrogenase kinases (PDK), reversed the decrease in OCR in response to PI3K/Akt/mTOR inhibition. Likewise, introduction of exogenous PDH-E1α that contains serine to alanine mutations, which can no longer be regulated by phosphorylation, also blunted the decrease in OCR seen with PI3K/mTOR inhibition. Our findings highlight an association between the PI3K/mTOR pathway and tumor cell oxygen consumption that is regulated in part by PDH phosphorylation. These results have important implications for understanding the effects of PI3K pathway activation in tumor metabolism and also in designing cancer therapy trials that use inhibitors of this pathway.
Elastic Timing Scheme for Energy-Efficient and Robust Performance

In nanometer regime, IC designers are struggling between significant variation effects and tight power constraints. The conventional approach - using timing safety margin, consumes power continuously to guard against low probability timing variations. Such power inefficiency is largely eliminated in the Razor technology which detects and corrects variation induced timing errors at runtime. However, the error correction scheme of Razor causes pipeline stalling/flushing and therefore is not preferred in real-time systems or sequential circuits with feedback loops. We propose an elastic timing scheme which can correct timing errors without stalling/flushing pipeline. This is achieved by dynamically boosting circuit speed when timing error occurs. A dynamic clock skew shifting technique is suggested to reduce the boosting cost. An optimization algorithm is also provided to minimize the cost overhead. Compared to conventional safety margin based approach, the elastic timing scheme can reduce power dissipation by 20 % - 27 % on ISCAS89 sequential circuits while retaining similar variation tolerance. After optimization, the boosting is needed for only a small portion of entire circuit. As a result, the area overhead is usually less than 5 %.
Groundwater Effects from Highway Tire Shred Use

Approximately 250,000 shredded tires have been used to construct a highway exit ramp as part of a demonstration project. One upgradient well was installed before the tire shreds were put in place. Two downgradient wells and two tire fill sampling ports were installed during the project. Levels of organic compounds and metals have been monitored since the project was completed in May of 2001 . Organic compounds were not detected in the leachate or downgradient groundwater in significant amounts. Arsenic (As), barium (Ba), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), mercury (Hg), selenium (Se), silver (Ag), and zinc (Zn) were quantified in both filtered and unfiltered samples. Of most concern is the source of elevated levels of Ba, Cd, Fe, Mn, and Zn in filtered samples when compared with water quality standards. Zn, Cd, and Ba are elevated in one of the tire fill ports, whereas Fe and Mn have been consistently elevated in the downgradient wells. The elevated Zn, Cd, and ...
On Energy-Security Tradeoffs and Cooperation for Wireless Ad Hoc Networks

In this paper we discuss the inherent security-energy tradeoffs that exist in wireless ad hoc networks. We propose a closed form cost computation approximation formula to determine the energy cost of monitoring for an intrusion detection algorithm based on its computational complexity and data size. Based on energy and security costs, we formulate a game theoretic distributed monitoring algorithm that enforces cooperative behavior for individual nodes by means of reward functions. Various energy-security tradeoffs operating points for the network intrusion detection can be achieved by tuning the rewards parameter.
Life with an Indwelling Urinary Catheter: The Dialectic of Stigma and Acceptance

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenology was to describe and interpret the lived experience of long-term users of urinary catheters. Living with a urinary catheter involved a dialectical swing between acknowledgment that the catheter was “a part of me” and feelings of alienation and vulnerability when it was experienced as a stigma. Themes include Adjusting to embodied changes by perceiving the catheter as a “part of me,” Shame and responding to shame by normalizing, and Embarrassment and coping with embarrassment by humor. Providers can minimize stigma related to the visibility of the catheter by coaching patients in strategies to manage going out of the home with a minimum of urine accidents or by helping develop ways to conceal the urine bag.
What Schools Can Do To Combat Student-to-Student Sexual Harassment.

Student-to-student sexual harassment takes place every day in almost every school in the United States. It is a serious problem for the schools, not only because of its devastating impact on victims or the potential liability of the district or its employees but because of the consequences if it is not confronted.
Target identification in a MIMO environment

A MIMO radar system with M transmitters and N receivers is used for target identification of unknown non-cooperative radar targets. The radar system is assumed wideband with sufficient bandwidth to obtain a target impulse response that shows significant scattering mechanisms and correlates well with the geometry of the target. Contributions in this paper are threefold: First, target identification in a Multi-Input-Multi-Output radar framework is established. Second, the system relies on real scattering signatures as seen by a wideband radar system. Third, the system is tested using real radar signatures collected in a compact range environment using a single-antenna stepped frequency radar interrogating commercial aircraft models at various azimuth angles.
Overlap in Space Use among Bobcats (Lynx rufus), Coyotes (Canis latrans) and Gray Foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus)

Abstract Sympatry among bobcats (Lynx rufus), coyotes (Canis latrans) and gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) is relatively recent in the southeastern United States given recent expansion of coyote range. Interspecific relationships among canids and felids have been documented in northern latitudes. However, interactions among these three species at southern latitudes are poorly understood. We examined overlap in space use of sympatric bobcats (n = 47), coyotes (n = 37) and gray foxes (n = 27) in central Mississippi during 1993–1997. Home ranges of all three species overlapped extensively. However, gray foxes maintained core use areas that did not overlap substantially with those of bobcats and coyotes. Home range and core area overlap were similar across seasons among all species. Our findings indicate that these three species readily share space, but gray foxes apparently maintain core areas in areas void of concentrated bobcat and coyote use.
Freedom to Hate: Weighing First Amendment Rights Against School Violence -- A Case Study

River Run High School, located in rural west central Florida, was the site for a case study of student conflict precipitated by the wearing and display of Confederate flags on campus. Following a series of tense student encounters over Confederate and other racist symbols, a conflict resolution team was invited to intervene. Team members created a series of student dialogues involving the principal disputants. Conversations revealed the basis of the conflict emanated from misunderstandings over history, stereotypical views of different ethnic groups, and inadequate lines of communication. While acknowledging the role for creating a climate of respect among students on campus, legal precedents have established students' rights to freedom of speech and expression that protect unpopular ideas. Tension and conflict on campus over free speech can be mitigated through ongoing dialogues among diverse segments of the student population.
Intraoperative Electrostimulation of Cavernous Nerve: Technique, Results and Limitations

AbstractPurpose: We studied the feasibility of inducing penile erection intraoperatively by stimulation of the cavernous nerves.Materials and Methods: In 16 men undergoing retropubic radical prostatectomy and 6 undergoing penile surgery for venous leakage electrostimulation was applied to both sides of the prostatic apex (prostatectomy group) or the hilum of the penis (venous surgery group).Results: Electrostimulation produced visible erection in 8 of the 16 prostatectomy patients and an increase in intracavernous pressure in 5 of the 6 venous surgery patients.Conclusions: Electrostimulation of the cavernous nerves intraoperatively to produce penile erection is feasible. However, the technique must be further refined to be clinically useful, that is to localize the neurovascular bundle in men undergoing prostatectomy.
Nurse practitioner knowledge of complementary alternative health care: foundation for practice

Aim. With the increasing use of complementary alternative treatments by the general public in the United States of America (USA), it is critical that nurse practitioners have the most up-to-date information about the use and safety of these modalities. A strong knowledge base is crucial in delivering competent and culturally sensitive care, yet the level and source of nurse practitioner knowledge in this area is largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the level and source of nurse practitioner knowledge of complementary alternative health care practices, as well as their referral practices involving these treatments. Methods. Using a cross-sectional descriptive research design, a sample of 151 nurse practitioners from Missouri and Oregon completed an adapted version of Sapp's self-administered survey that explored these issues. Evaluation of the psychometric properties of the adapted instrument demonstrated good face validity, test–retest reliability (kappa = 0·81) and internal consistency reliability were 0·90 and 0·92 for two subscales with continuous response categories. Findings. Eighty-three percent of the nurse practitioners recommended complementary alternative treatments to their patients with the most frequent being massage therapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture or acupressure, nutritional therapy and herbal treatment. However, only 24% reported that formal nurse practitioner education was a source of knowledge about these treatments. Instead, over 60% relied on their personal experiences for this knowledge, as well as lay and professional journals. Conclusion. Nearly 9 out of 10 nurse practitioners recommend the use of complementary alternative therapies to patients, but their source of knowledge is not derived from professional education. Attention needs to be given to increasing content about complementary alternative therapies in formal academic programs, professional conferences and in-service education opportunities.
OBSERVATIONS ON COASTAL EROSION IN BERMUDA AND MEASUREMENTS OF THE BORING RATE OF THE SPONGE, CLIONA LAMPA1,2

Measured profiles of the submerged portion of the steep cliffs that ring Harrington Sound, Bermuda, show that they are undercut as much as 4 to 5 m by a notch whose flat roof coincides closely with the level of extreme low tides. Nips, intertidal indentations with sloping roofs, are not present. Because of the largely subtidal position of the notch, the morphology of the undercut region, and the restricted wave energy, wave cutting is ruled out and bioerosion is proposed as the mechanism of undercutting. Bioerosion is suggested as a term for the removal of consolidated mineral or lithic substrate by the direct action of organisms. Observations of the emerged and submerged carbonate coastline of Bermuda reveal that organisms of many types alter the exposed rock surface from the upper reaches of the spray zone to depths well below sea level by processes that vary with degree of exposure, tidal range, rock type, organic community, and probably other ecological variables. A series of experiments with common rock-destroying organisms has been initiated. Experiments in the laboratory and under natural conditions show that Cliona lampa, a boring sponge, is capable of removing as much as 6 to 7 kg of material from 1 m2 of carbonate substrate in 100 days. This corresponds to an erosion rate of calcarenite of more than 1 cm/year. If previous estimates are correct (that 90% of the boring by C. lampa is mechanical and not chemical), then 5 to 6 kg of fine-grained carbonate detritus can be supplied from 1 m2 of sponge-infected substrate in 100 days.
New relationships between patents and technological innovation: Modeling patent activity as a driver of innovation

In a previous publication (Inventions and Innovation: A Case Study in Metals” Key Engineering Materials, Vol. 380, 2008) we were able to distinguish four stages of a long life cycle for specific commodities as well as offer a method for correlating innovation with patent activity. In this study, we extend the number of systems studied. The present study builds on the model proposed earlier for quantifying specific technical innovations (within a group) with the yearly patent counts for that group. Some insights into pattern features that may indicate when materials transition from Stage III (innovation and rapid growth) to stage IV (survival) are offered. If the pattern model is as far reaching as it appears, the results then have important implications on adopting the correct innovation strategies during this period of fundamental social change.
Load component database of household appliances and small office equipment

This paper discusses the development of a load component database for household appliances and office equipment. To develop more accurate load models at both the transmission and distribution levels, a better understanding of the behaviors of home appliances and office equipment associated with the variations of the power system voltage becomes more and more critical. The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) has performed a series of voltage tests against home appliances and office equipment since 2005. Since 2006, researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have collaborated with BPA personnel and developed a load component database based on the appliance testing results to facilitate load modeling work for the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC). In this paper, the testing procedure and results are first presented. Then, the load model parameters are derived and grouped. Recommendations are given for aggregating the individual appliance models to the feeder level, the models of which are used for distribution and transmission level studies.
Proliferation Implications of Civil Nuclear Cooperation: Theory and a Case Study of Tito's Yugoslavia

Programs of international civil nuclear cooperation—of “Atoms for Peace”—have come under growing criticism for unintentionally fostering nuclear weapons proliferation in developing countries. However, drawing on the literature on international technology transfer and on Albert Hirschman's theory of exit, voice, and loyalty, this article argues that Atoms for Peace efforts may often seriously hamper developing countries’ nuclear weapons ambitions by empowering their scientific workers and by facilitating the brain drain to the developed world. The article then presents a case study of the historical nuclear program of Yugoslavia, which received very generous help from the Atoms for Peace programs of the United States, Soviet Union, and European states at a time when nonproliferation controls were minimal. The international ties of the Yugoslav nuclear program made its scientific workers much less likely to choose simple loyalty to the Tito regime, and much more likely to choose voice or exit, accelerating ...
Preliminary Evaluation of Long-term Memories for Fulfilling Delayed Intentions

The ability to delay intentions and remember them in the proper context is an important ability for general artificial agents. In this paper, we define the functional requirements of an agent capable of fulfilling delayed intentions with its long-term memories. We show that the long-term memories of different cognitive architectures share similar functional properties and that these mechanisms can be used to support delayed intentions. Finally, we do a preliminary evaluation of the different memories for fulfilling delayed intentions and show that there are trade-offs between memory types that warrant further research.
Outcome after olecranon fracture repair: Does construct type matter?

This study compares clinical and functional outcomes of patients with displaced olecranon fractures treated with either tension band wiring (TBW) or a hook plate construct. We performed a retrospective review of olecranon fractures operatively treated with either TBW or plate fixation (PF) using a hook plate over a 7-year period. Patient demographics, injury information, and surgical management were recorded. Fractures were classified according to the Mayo system. Measured outcomes included range of elbow motion, time to union, and development of postoperative complications. Mayo Elbow Performance Index (MEPI) scores were obtained for all patients. All patients were followed for a minimum of 6 months. A total of 48 patients were included in this study, 23 treated with TBW and 25 treated with hook PF. Groups did not differ with respect to patient demographics, Mayo fracture type, or duration of follow-up. Patients undergoing PF had less terminal extension than TBW patients (−8.6° ± 7° vs. −3.5° ± 9.3°, p = 0.036) and a longer time to radiographic union (19 ± 8 vs. 12 ± 6 weeks, p = 0.001). There were no differences in rates of symptomatic hardware, MEPI scores, or other clinical outcomes. Two patients in each group required a second surgery. TBW and PF of olecranon fractures had similarly excellent functional outcomes in this study. Patients undergoing PF had a longer time to union and slightly worse extension at final follow-up. TBW remains an effective treatment for appropriately selected olecranon fractures and in this cohort outperformed plate osteosynthesis.
Abstract 627: Measuring Renal Oxygenation in a Mouse Model of Volume-Dependent Hypertension using BOLD MRI.

Hypertension is closely associated with the progression of kidney damage and dysfunction. Tissue hypoxia in the hypertensive kidney contributes to the progression of kidney damage. Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-α (PPAR-α) is a nuclear receptor that plays an important role in reducing volume-dependent hypertension. Previous reports demonstrate that a slow pressor dose of Angiotensin II (Ang II) is a model of volume-dependent hypertension. The goal of this study was to determine the role of PPAR-α on renal oxygenation using blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) MRI in a model of volume-dependent hypertension. Wild-type (WT) and PPAR-α knockout (KO) mice were imaged using a multiple gradient echo BOLD sequence (12 echoes from 3.2-54ms, TR=900ms) on a 9.4T MRI to measure functional changes in renal oxygenation. Imaging was performed during baseline, day 12 of Ang II (400 ng/kg/min), and 9 days after Ang II-treatment (recovery). T2* relaxation time was measured in the cortex and medulla of the kidney. Cortex T2* values were lower in KO vs WT during baseline (11.0 ± 1.1 ms vs 13.1 ± 1.5 ms), day 12 of Ang II (11.6 ±1.2 ms vs 16.2 ±1.5 ms) and 9 days after Ang II (12.5 ± 0.7 ms vs 15.2 ± 0.3 ms). Medulla T2* values were lower on day 12 of Ang II in KO (16.5 ± 2.5 ms) vs WT (20 ± 1.6 ms) mice. Medulla T2* values were similar between KO and WT mice during baseline and the recovery period. In KO and WT mice, cortex T2* values were lower than that of the medulla, indicative of different metabolic functions between the two tissues. PPAR-α plays an important role in blood pressure regulation and renal oxygenation in the cortex and medulla of the kidney during Ang II-induced hypertension. Hypertension is a risk factor for chronic kidney disease when untreated. BOLD MRI can aid in monitoring renal oxygenation changes during hypertension and determine therapeutic interventions in humans.
Tests of the Federal Funds Rate: A Classic Application of GARCH-M

We analyze Fed funds rate changes in GARCH-in-mean (GARCH-M) models and find: (a) daily rate change and variance patterns differ with the timing of the rate observation, but that all patterns are generally consistent with optimal reserve account management; (b) Fed funds daily and intraday variances exhibit trends and persistence; (c) daily variance effects differ when using marginal rates versus daily weighted average rates; and (d) conditional variances do not provide information about daily or intraday rate changes. In addition, our results provide support for the use of GARCH models for studies on other financial assets.
Transformations in PowerPoint

PowerPoint is a component of Microsoft Office, a program that comes with almost every school or home computer. This article describes how PowerPoint animations can be used to add a dynamic component to the study of transformations.
NetMOD version 1.0 user%3CU%2B2019%3Es manual.

NetMOD (Network Monitoring for Optimal Detection) is a Java-based software package for conducting simulation of seismic networks. Specifically, NetMOD simulates the detection capabilities of seismic monitoring networks. Network simulations have long been used to study network resilience to station outages and to determine where additional stations are needed to reduce monitoring thresholds. NetMOD makes use of geophysical models to determine the source characteristics, signal attenuation along the path between the source and station, and the performance and noise properties of the station. These geophysical models are combined to simulate the relative amplitudes of signal and noise that are observed at each of the stations. From these signal-to-noise ratios (SNR), the probability of detection can be computed given a detection threshold. This manual describes how to configure and operate NetMOD to perform seismic detection simulations. In addition, NetMOD is distributed with a simulation dataset for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) International Monitoring System (IMS) seismic network for the purpose of demonstrating NetMOD's capabilities and providing user training. The tutorial sections of this manual use this dataset when describing how to perform the steps involved when running a simulation.
The Effect of Two-Dimensional Geometric Disturbances on Boundary-Layer Stability

Two-dimensional numerical simulations were carried out in order to investigate the effect of geometric disturbances on boundary-layer stability. The configurations consisted of abrupt steps with sharp edges and a smooth bump of small heights, on an otherwise smooth aerodynamic surface, which are representative of excrescence on laminar flow wings. Well resolved solutions to the Navier-Stokes equations were obtained by a high-order numerical method, for which it was found that the flows were inherently unsteady. Small-magnitude forcing was also applied to generate perturbations that were amplified by the change in surface shape. The applied forcing was representative of that commonly imposed for reproducing transition through the use of direct numerical simulation (DNS) or large-eddy simulation (LES). For each geometric disturbance, several roughness-based Reynolds numbers were considered, and the growth of perturbations was quantified. Linear stability analysis was also employed to analyze and characterize this growth. A parametric study was conducted to assess influence of the forcing frequency on evolution of fluid structures due to the disturbances. A combined DNS/LES computation was carried out for all cases in order to establish physically correct transition locations. Predictions based upon the two-dimensional results and linear stability analyses were quantified by comparison to the DNS/LES solutions using N-factor growth rates. Overall, it appeared that utilizing growth rates from forced solutions resulted in the most accurate prediction of transition locations.
Heterogeneous Morphologic Features of Plaques Induced by Five Strains of Human Cytomegalovirus

Five strains of human cytomegalovirus (CMV) were examined in three human fibroblastic cultural systems with respect to plaque size and morphologic features. Plaques produced in cultures of fibroblastic cells from thyroid, and to a lesser extent in those from human embryonic skin-muscle tissue, had strain-associated morphologic differences that were stable on repetitive examination. The variations in morphologic characteristics of plaques appeared to reflect cytopathic changes, and the five strains could be separated on the basis of morphologic characteristics into two polar groups. Comparison of the sensitivities of three human fibroblastic cell lines for the detection of CMV revealed that one line was consistently inferior.
Thickness of extensor tendons at the proximal intersection: sonographic measurements in asymptomatic volunteers.

OBJECTIVES An important sign of proximal intersection syndrome is thickening of the tendons at the area where the first extensor compartment tendons cross over the second compartment. Normal values for the thickness of the tendons have not been reported. Our purpose was to measure the thickness of the tendons with sonography at the level of the intersection in healthy volunteers and assess differences between men and women, dominant and nondominant sides, and different tendons. METHODS Forty-one asymptomatic volunteers (25 women and 16 men) were examined by 2 radiologists experienced in musculoskeletal sonography. The thickness of the tendons in the first and second compartments was measured at their intersection at standardized proximal and distal levels. Descriptive statistics were obtained. Differences between men and women, dominant and nondominant sides, and different tendons were evaluated by a Student t test. RESULTS The 95% confidence intervals for measurements of superimposed tendon groups varied between 0.30 and 0.40 cm in women and between 0.36 and 0.48 cm in men. There were no statistically significant differences in comparisons of the different tendon groups (P > .05). There were statistically significant differences (P < .05) between tendon thickness in men and women except for the right extensor carpi radialis longus + abductor pollicis longus (proximal measurement) and extensor carpi radialis brevis + extensor pollicis brevis (distal measurement). On comparison of dominant and nondominant sides, there were no statistically significant differences. CONCLUSIONS Normal tendon thickness should be between 0.30 and 0.40 cm in women and 0.36 and 0.48 cm in men. A comparison between asymptomatic and symptomatic sides and proximal and distal measurements is recommended.
Chiefs, Preachers, and 'Macho-Men': Strategies of Political Mobilization in Urban Ghana

The proliferation and deepening of democracies across Africa has shaped a growing literature that examines the behavior of the African voter and how institutions such as ethnicity, patronage, or the chieftaincy may influence voting patterns. Rather than focus on factors that influence the individual voter, this paper examines how grassroots political parties mobilize urban voters. In some urban constituencies, party actors use narratives of indigeneity, relying on coercive strategies to intimidate voters who "do not belong." Yet in nearby constituencies, party actors promote images of cosmopolitanism and unity, seeking to avoid perceptions of election-related disputes. What accounts for these varying campaign strategies? We consider factors such as the level of electoral competition, incumbency advantage, and whether there is "indigene dominance." The paper draws on a paired case comparison of two electoral constituencies in Accra (Ayawaso Central and Odododiodioo), where we conducted in-depth interviews and focus groups with party organizers, candidates, and supporters (Jan-April 2012). We also draw on 12 months of ethnographic research that followed the parliamentary elections in Odododiodioo Constituency. We find that contentious and coercive forms of mobilization become viable strategies when electoral competition is high and when one side can claim an indigene advantage.
Colorectal Cancer Statistics From the Veterans Affairs Central Cancer Registry

Abstract Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common and potentially deadly disease. Although the United States has robust cancer data reporting, information from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system has often been underrepresented in national cancer data sources. We describe veterans with incident CRC in terms of their patient and tumor characteristics and mortality. Patients and Methods Patients diagnosed or treated with CRC at any VA institution in the fiscal years 2009 to 2012 were identified using 3 data sources: (1) VA Central Cancer Registry (VACCR); (2) VA Corporate Data Warehouse; and (3) VA Reports and Measures Portal. The CRC frequencies within the VA population and survival curves were examined descriptively and compared with the national projections using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program data. Results A total of 12,551 veterans with CRC were included in the present analysis. The median age at diagnosis was 65.5 years. Approximately 97% (n = 12,229) of the CRC cases were diagnosed among men. Approximately 44% (n = 5517) of the patients were diagnosed with localized disease. The 3-year survival rate was associated with age (P Conclusion Although the VA CRC patient population was heavily skewed toward the male gender, the patient and tumor characteristics were similar between the incident CRC cases reported by the VACCR and those reported to the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program. This suggests that research findings resulting from the VACCR might have applicability beyond the VA healthcare system setting.
Towards a Distributed Worker-Job Matching Architecture for Crowdsourcing

While the crowd sourcing paradigm facilitates the use of human-enacted resources from large groups of individuals, matching workers with jobs is limited by the need for these potential workers to proactively subscribe to various networks. This subscription phase is part of an "open call model" that reduces the ability for crowd sourcing platforms to scale or retain crowd-oriented workers. Leveraging collaborative filtering techniques, in this paper, we propose an alternative model that seeks to address the issue through a recommendation technique and system that exploits a push-pull model.
The global elemental composition of 433 Eros: First results from the NEAR gamma-ray spectrometer orbital dataset

Abstract A primary goal of the Near-Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) mission was to compare the elemental composition of the S-type asteroid 433 Eros to the chemical compositions of meteorites, with the specific objective of testing the hypothesis that the S-type asteroids are the source of the ordinary chondrite (OC) meteorites. To that end, NEAR carried an X-ray and Gamma-ray Spectrometer (XGRS) to measure the elemental composition of Eros from orbit. To date, no Eros-originating signal had been reported in GRS orbital measurements, a consequence of NEAR's high orbital altitudes about Eros. A reanalysis of the NEAR GRS orbital dataset, particularly data collected during a series of low-altitude flyovers, has finally revealed the first positively identified gamma-ray signals from Eros. This dataset, which amounts to just ~10 h of data collection, was used to produce the first GRS-derived global elemental composition values. Results include the first absolute concentrations of Fe and Th, and the first global K concentration. The data confirm prior conclusions that the elemental composition of Eros' surface is inconsistent with achondritic and volatile-rich carbonaceous chondritic compositions. In contrast, ordinary chondrites, volatile-poor carbonaceous chondrites, and enstatite chondrites have compositions that are consistent with Eros' gamma-ray emissions. When placed in the context of other gamma-ray spectrometer investigations, this analysis indicates that successful gamma-ray spectroscopy investigations require extended periods of time (≥10 days) at orbital altitudes less than or equal to the radius of the target body.
Culture, Parenting, and Zero-to-Threes

Perhaps the most important single thing that a parent does for a child is determine the culture into which that child is born. This essay addresses parenting, culture, and the intersection of the two. The study of parenting in culture is one of similarities and differences in parental cognitions and practices and their meaning. Illustrations are provided for each.
Neonatal Ebstein Anomaly.

Ebstein’s anomaly is a rare congenital heart defect that results from varying degrees of failure of delamination of the tricuspid valve leaflets from the endocardium of the right ventricle. This results in apical displacement, particularly of the septal and posterior leaflets of the tricuspid valve. The anterior leaflet is typically broad and sail-like and is based at the true annulus. The right ventricle is also myopathic, with a reduced functional portion as a result of atrialization. Age at presentation can vary from neonate to adulthood. Symptoms in the neonate result from a combination of tricuspid valve regurgitation, right ventricle dysfunction, inadequate left ventricular filling owing to ventricular septal bowing, inadequate pulmonary blood flow, and arrhythmias. Mortality rates for symptomatic neonates with Ebstein’s anomaly are extraordinarily high. Neonates with Great Ormond Street Echocardiogram (GOSE) scores greater than 1.5, or greater than 1.1 with associated cyanosis, have a mortality approaching 100%. In addition, neonates with severe cardiomegaly with a cardiothoracic ratio greater than 0.8, those with severe tricuspid valve regurgitation, and acyanotic neonates with a GOSE score greater than 1.0 associated with functional pulmonary atresia and a large atrial septal defect also have a dismal prognosis. Surgical approaches for the management of these critically ill neonates have varied across institutions and include the Starnes right ventricle exclusion procedure, systemic–pulmonary shunts, hybrid-type procedures, biventricular repair and heart transplantation. This chapter covers the anatomy, pathophysiology, associated malformations of neonatal Ebstein’s anomaly and provides an overview of management options for this serious congenital heart disease.
The relationship between social determinants of health and utilization of tertiary rhinology care.

BackgroundChronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) has a high prevalence and significant cost and quality of life implications. Many types of practitioners care for patients with rhinosinusitis; however, patie...
Derivatives of Spatial Variances of Growing Windows and the Variogram

Geostatistical analysis of spatial random functions frequently uses sample variograms computed from increments of samples of a regionalized random variable. This paper addresses the theory of computing variograms not from increments but from spatial variances. The objective is to extract information about the point support space from the average or larger support data. The variance is understood as a parametric and second moment average feature of a population. However, it is well known that when the population is for a stationary random function, spatial variance within a region is a function of the size and geometry of the region and not a function of location. Spatial variance is conceptualized as an estimation variance between two physical regions or a region and itself. If such a spatial variance could be measured within several sizes of windows, such variances allow the computation of the sample variogram. The approach is extended to covariances between attributes that lead to the cross-variogram. The case of nonpoint sample support of the blocks or elements composing each window is also included. A numerical example illustrates the application of this conceptualization.
Chapter 37 – Overview

Publisher Summary This chapter presents an overview of the neoplastic cause of epilepsy. The typical clinical presentation of the patients in epilepsy centers is one of chronic epilepsy without other neurologic symptoms or signs. A careful description of each patient's seizures, especially the aura and seizure semiology early in the seizure, is helpful in deducing the location of the epileptogenic zone. The electroencephalogram (EEG) is valuable for helping define the type and site of origin of seizures in patients with tumors. It is found that both the ganglioglioma and dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor usually occur in one of the temporal lobes and have an excellent prognosis if totally removed. Low-grade astrocytoma with a variety of histological pictures accounts for the great majority of other tumor types associated with chronic epilepsy. It is observed that invasive EEG recordings invariably show seizure onset in cortex immediately adjacent to the lesion and, when combined with cortical stimulation, may be helpful in planning the resection of tumors adjacent to eloquent cortex.
Amorphous Silicon Carbide Platform for Next Generation Penetrating Neural Interface Designs

Microelectrode arrays that consistently and reliably record and stimulate neural activity under conditions of chronic implantation have so far eluded the neural interface community due to failures attributed to both biotic and abiotic mechanisms. Arrays with transverse dimensions of 10 µm or below are thought to minimize the inflammatory response; however, the reduction of implant thickness also decreases buckling thresholds for materials with low Young's modulus. While these issues have been overcome using stiffer, thicker materials as transport shuttles during implantation, the acute damage from the use of shuttles may generate many other biotic complications. Amorphous silicon carbide (a-SiC) provides excellent electrical insulation and a large Young's modulus, allowing the fabrication of ultrasmall arrays with increased resistance to buckling. Prototype a-SiC intracortical implants were fabricated containing 8 - 16 single shanks which had critical thicknesses of either 4 µm or 6 µm. The 6 µm thick a-SiC shanks could penetrate rat cortex without an insertion aid. Single unit recordings from SIROF-coated arrays implanted without any structural support are presented. This work demonstrates that a-SiC can provide an excellent mechanical platform for devices that penetrate cortical tissue while maintaining a critical thickness less than 10 µm.
Acute hyperglycemia increases sepsis related glycocalyx degradation and endothelial cellular injury: A microfluidic study.

Abstract Background Hyperglycemia promotes vascular inflammation; however its effect on endothelial dysfunction in sepsis is unknown. Microfluidic devices (MFD) may closely mimic the in vivo endothelial cell microenvironment. We hypothesized that stress glucose concentrations would increase sepsis related endothelial injury/activation. Methods Human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) monolayers were established in microfluidic channels. TNF was added followed by glucose. Endothelial glycocalyx (EG) integrity was indexed by shedding of the EG components as well as thickness. Endothelial cell (EC) injury/activation was indexed by soluble biomarkers. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was by fluorescence. Results TNF increased glycocalyx degradation and was associated with biomarkers of EC injury. These vascular barrier derangements were further increased by hyperglycemia. This may be related to increase ROS species generated followed by the combined insults. Conclusion MFD technology may be a useful platform to study endothelial barrier function and stress conditions and allow preclinical assessment of potential therapies.
An Intelligent Tool to Facilitate Home Building: U-Design

Considering the need for a fully automated tool, this study aims at filling a gap by introducing a comprehensive design that facilitates home building from inside out. The system we propose provides a user friendly intelligent interface by parameterizing the entire process of designing home elements including furniture and structural components, as well as an ability to navigate and contact real estate agents for further intents including rents or purchases of homes. We present a preliminary design for the U-Design tool that promises to be a comprehensive framework for home design in its entirety: From submitting requirements for home structure preferences to working with a consultant to rent or purchase the dream home. The performance measurements of our tool yield promising and comparable values.
Evaluating Six Commercially Available Closed-System Drug-Transfer Devices Against NIOSH’s 2015 Draft Vapor Protocol:

Purpose: In 2015, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) published a draft vapor containment protocol to quantitatively evaluate combined liquid, aerosol, and vapor containment performance of commercially available closed-system drug-transfer devices (CSTDs) that claim to be effective for gas/vapor containment within a controlled test environment. Until the release of this proposed protocol, no standard method for evaluating airtightness of CSTDs existed. The aim of this study was to evaluate six commercially available CSTDs utilizing NIOSH draft protocol methodology to evaluate vapor containment under a robust vapor challenge. Methods: In this study, six commercially available CSTDs were tested utilizing draft NIOSH vapor containment protocol methodology to simulate drug compounding and administration using 70% isopropyl alcohol (IPA) as the challenge agent. All device manipulations were carried out in an enclosed test chamber. A Miran sapphIRe gas analyzer was used to detect IPA vapor levels that escaped the device. Study test included the two tasks designated by the NIOSH protocol, with additional steps added to the evaluation. Tasks were repeated 10 times for each device. Results: Only three of the six tested CSTDs (Equashield®, HALO®, and PhaSealTM) had an average IPA vapor release below the quantifiable performance threshold (1.0 ppm) for all tasks performed. This value was selected by NIOSH to represent the performance threshold for successful containment. The remaining three CSTDs had vapor release above 1 ppm at various times during the IPA manipulation process. Conclusion: Equashield®, HALO®, and PhaSealTM devices tested met the 2015 NIOSH protocol quantifiable performance threshold, functioning as a truly closed system. Quantifiable effective data may be useful in product selection.
Molecular Contrast Optical Coherence Tomography with PLGA Encapsulated Methylene Blue

We are developing molecular contrast for OCT based around pump-probe spectroscopy of methylene blue. Optical system development for improved imaging speed and development of a more efficient contrast agent will be discussed.
Moral Foundations, Sexual Prejudice, and Outness Among Sexual Minorities

Recent decades have seen greater acceptance of sexual minorities and greater legal recognition of same-sex couples in the U.S. However, sexual minorities still experience sexual prejudice in their everyday lives and often internalize these negative attitudes. Among heterosexuals, sexual prejudice has been linked with moral foundations, which are individual differences in moral decision-making. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether, among college students identifying as a sexual minority (N = 176), individualizing and binding moral foundations were associated with sexual prejudice, internalized sexual prejudice, and outness. Sexual prejudice and internalized sexual prejudice were associated with greater emphasis on the binding moral foundations and less emphasis on the individualizing moral foundations. Outness was not associated with moral foundations. These results suggest that sexual minorities’ moral decision-making may play a role in their feelings about their own sexual orientation and the LGB community, but not in the disclosure of their sexual orientation. Efforts to reduce internalized sexual prejudice may need to consider individuals’ deeper underlying moral decision-making framework.
Blocking CTGF/CCN2 reduces established skeletal muscle fibrosis in a rat model of overuse injury.

Tissue fibrosis is a hallmark of overuse musculoskeletal injuries and contributes to functional declines. We tested whether inhibition of CCN2 (cellular communication network factor 2, previously known as connective tissue growth factor, CTGF) using a specific antibody (termed FG-3019 or pamrevlumab) reduces established overuse-induced muscle fibrosis in a clinically relevant rodent model of upper extremity overuse injury. Young adult rats performed a high repetition high force (HRHF) reaching and lever-pulling task for 18 weeks, after first being shaped for 6 weeks to learn this operant task. Rats were then euthanized (HRHF-Untreated), or rested and treated for 6 weeks with FG-3019 (HRHF-Rest/FG-3019) or a human IgG as a vehicle control (HRHF-Rest/IgG). HRHF-Untreated and HRHF-Rest/IgG rats had higher muscle levels of several fibrosis-related proteins (TGFβ1, CCN2, collagen types I and III, and FGF2), and higher muscle numbers of alpha SMA and pERK immunopositive cells, compared to control rats. Each of these fibrogenic changes was restored to control levels by the blocking of CCN2 signaling in HRHF-Rest/FG-3019 rats, as were HRHF task-induced increases in serum CCN2 and pro-collagen I intact N-terminal protein. Levels of cleaved CCN3, an antifibrotic protein, were lowered in HRHF-Untreated and HRHF-Rest/IgG rats, compared to control rats, yet elevated back to control levels in HRHF-Rest/FG-3019 rats. Significant grip strength declines observed in HRHF-Untreated and HRHF-Rest/IgG rats, were restored to control levels in HRHF-Rest/FG-3019 rats. These results are highly encouraging for use of FG-3019 for therapeutic treatment of persistent skeletal muscle fibrosis, such as those induced with chronic overuse.